Suspense Sundays (60) Hitchhike Poker

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}

"Hitchhike Poker"

Air date: September 16, 1948
Starring Gregory Peck

>>Episodes here<<

Young student, Ridge Fowler (what a name!) is hitchhiking to visit his family and is picked up by a nice man in a nice car. Mr. Belden and Ridge have a pleasant drive playing license plate poker (a new license plate is a new hand) until Mr. Belden tries to kill Ridge by running his car off a cliff and jumping out.  Ridge manages to get out too, and while Mr. Belden does try to shoot at him, he gives up when a car comes along and seemingly picks him up.  Ridge walks to the nearest police station only to find Mr. Belden ahead of him, claiming that Ridge had tried to kill him!  Because Ridge has no proof and Mr. Belden tries to convince the cops to let him go, Ridge knows he isn't safe and makes a run for it, getting away.  Or does he?

This is such a clever story! I could easily see this as a suspenseful film.  It's fun because even though Mr. Belden seems very nice, the moment he gave Ridge his coat, I knew there was something not right going on here, and Ridge should have gotten away immediately.  The explanation for Belden's actions, and of course the twist in the end was excellent, and there was an aspect of the ending that I really wasn't expecting because I thought there would be a bit of a redeeming factor that doesn't come.  It's a pretty harrowing adventure for Ridge, but a great listen!