Suspense Sundays (103) Drive-In

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.

"Drive-In"

Air date: June 14, 1959
Starring Margaret Whiting

>>Episodes here<<

This takes place in a fast food drive-in - how quaint!  :)  Mildred is asked by her coworker to take one more car order even though Mildred is due to go home soon.  The man in the car is in a bit of hurry, and as Mildred takes his order she gets a bit of blood on her hand - from the man's car.  The man explains he's a doctor and just transported a patient before.  And when the Doctor finds out that Mildred is in a rush to catch the bus, he offers to drive her to the bus stop.  She accepts.  And it turns out the Doctor is afraid Mildred has realized he just killed a man.

This story was one of the quintessential Suspense radio stories - an innocent gets caught up in a terrifying situation.  And the suspense is in how she can get out of it.  It's really well done in this story - Mildred's dilemma is so tense, and the setting of a dark, rainy night definitely helps keep up the atmosphere.  It's also interesting to think what you would do in that situation (heaven forbid!) - kidnapped by a murderer who intends to make sure you can't make any trouble for him.  The resolution is wonderful as well - it's easy to guess what will happen towards the end, but it all plays out perfectly!