“And now...another tale well-calculated to keep you in...SUSPENSE!”
Suspense started as a very different program than what it became. Originally a CBS experiment known as Forecast in the summer of 1940, Suspense was originally helmed by Alfred Hitchcock. The best thing that could have happened for radio fans, however, was that this first version of Suspense failed, opening the door for William Spier to breathe new life into the concept in 1942 and to establish the radio anthology program as a successful standard as no one yet had.
Spier was considered one of the best show runners CBS had in the 1940s. Although he did not rule with an iron fist necessarily, he made very clear his intentions for Suspense from the beginning, and those were to involve everyone associated with the show integrally in the process of producing each episode. This gave them, according to people working on Suspense, a sense of ownership and investment, which led them to make as sure as possible their best work was done each time Suspense aired.
A prime example of this concerned the show’s music. Spier worked with musical director Bernard Herrmann, then composer Lucien Moraweck on the soundtrack for every episode he produced. According to Moraweck, Spier actually plotted out the music he would then ask the composer to create, making sure that each part, every note impacted the storytelling in some way. This is evident in multiple episodes, the music causing the tension to build almost more than the story itself.
Thanks largely to the innovations of Spier, Suspense was one of the longest running radio programs of its time. It is part of a special class, a show from the Golden Age of Radio that ruled the airwaves for more than 20 years.
Suspense is a true radio classic. And, in Suspense, Volume 15 from Radio Archives, you’ll have the chance to hear twenty broadcasts from 1946 restored to Sparkling audio quality.
The Leading Citizen of Pratt County
Thursday, May 30, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The High Wall
Thursday, June 6, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Too Many Smiths
Thursday, June 13, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Your Devoted Wife
Thursday, June 20, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Return Trip
Thursday, June 27, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
An Evening's Diversion
Thursday, July 4, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Feast of the Furies
Thursday, July 11, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Photo Finish
Thursday, July 18, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Can't We Be Friends?
Thursday, July 25, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Commuter's Ticket
Thursday, August 1, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Dead Ernest
Thursday, August 8, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Last Letter of Dr Bronson
Thursday, August 15, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Great Horrel
Thursday, August 22, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Blue Eyes
Thursday, August 29, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
You'll Never See Me Again
Thursday, September 5, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Hunting Trip
Thursday, September 12, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Till the Day I Die
Thursday, September 19, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Statement of Employee Henry Wilson
Thursday, September 26, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Three Times Murder
Thursday, October 3, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Plain Case of Murder
Thursday, October 10, 1946 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
