Suspense Sundays (55) The Cross Eyed Bear

Suspense was a radio series from 1942 to 1962.  I have a fondness for "Old Time Radio" as we call it now, and Suspense is my favorite show.  It sets up weird, dark, scary, or intriguing stories with a plot twist in the end, and all in half an hour.  For Suspense Sundays I'll give a short review of an episode.   {My archive list of episodes}

"The Cross Eyed Bear"

Air date: September 16, 1943
Starring Virginia Bruce and John Loder

>>Episodes here<<

The Cross Eyed Bear or the great Swedish Nickel King has died recently and left behind three sons.  Sons he hated, and separated at birth, giving them each a piece of a check for 3 million dollars - with the idea that one son would kill the others - survival of the fittest.  One son has been killed by the eldest, but undercover government officials know where the last son is - he's been going under an assumed name in America.  And to get him to admit who he is, the officials hire a pretty girl to talk to him and convince him to confide.  But is this really her mission?

This seems like a much more complex story than I usually hear on Suspense.  There's a lot of backstory and an interesting criminal set-up.  I did find it funny how Virginia Bruce's character - who seemed like she was hired to sweet talk the last son, was really not very good at the job.  While the story of the three sons is rather hard to believe, the suspense of who can be trusted and uncertain motives makes the story very intriguing.  And the twists and turns this story takes is pretty intense for 30 minutes!  This is definitely a story that is worth a listen - so many ups and downs, and surprise murders!