Suspense Sundays (26)

"Now let's see... Suspect... Suspectant... Suspend... Ah here we are, Suspense.  The condition of mental uncertainty usually accompanied by apprehension or anxiety.  Fear of something that is about to occur, as 'Do not keep me any longer in SUSPENSE.'"

Suspense was a radio series from 1942 to 1962, claiming to be "radio's outstanding theater of thrills."  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.  I love the old-fashion story-telling and I thought it would be fun to give a short review of an episode every Sunday.  

{My archive list of episodes}

"Back for Christmas"

Air date: December 23, 1943

Starring Peter Lorre

>>Episodes here<<

Herbert and Hermoine are planning a trip for three months to America.  And Herbert would like to plant some orchids and starts digging a hole in the cellar.  Once you hear more of Herbert and Hermoine's relationship - and Hermoine hen-pecks Herbert mercilessly - you know that hole in the cellar is not for orchids. And even if Hermoine and all their friends think they will be back for Christmas, Herbert has other plans.

This is one of my favorite episodes, so funny how fussy and annoying Hermoine is, and how Herbert thinks his only recourse is to kill his wife.  Why doesn't he stick up for himself sometime?  And even when Hermoine is facing death, she still berates him - hilarious. But of course there is a twist in the end that makes it doubtful that Herbert will be successful in his plans. It's a great twist!  And Peter Lorre's reading of it is wonderfully over the top!