“We invite you to enjoy stories that keep you in ... Suspense!”
With Suspense becoming popular almost out of the gate led by William Spier, the need for someone to pay the bills became paramount. On December 2, 1943, Suspense secured the sponsorship of Roma Wines. Suspense’s long association with Roma (and co-branded Cresta Blanca) was good for both the series and the company; a bigger budget attracted bigger guest stars and, as the program began to climb in the ratings, the company began to enjoy substantial profits.
During program breaks, listeners heard the narrator boast that the Fresno, California-based wine company was “America’s largest selling wine” and that Roma was “Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.” As for being relatively unknown now, Roma Wines was sold to the Guild Wineries & Distilleries in 1970, who in turn was bought by the New York-based Canandaigua Wine Co in 1991.
Comedian Lucille Ball had a rather unexpected tie to Suspense that continued long after her performance in the “Dime A Dance” episode that aired in Suspense in 1944. In the episode, Ms. Ball played a dance hall girl menaced by one of the gentlemen she had danced with. She was also a spokeswoman for Roma Wines. In full-color, two page magazine advertisements, Ms. Ball is quoted as saying; “It’s never too hot to be cool with Roma Wine Coolers.”
This fruitful arrangement between Roma Wines and the program came to an end on November 20, 1947. Even with the loss of the long time sponsor, CBS rolled the dice and took a chance in keeping Suspense on the air. The network still felt that the series was popular with audiences and they agreed to sustain the program until another sponsor could be found.
Thrill and chill to ten hours of this radio classic! Tremendous storytelling coupled with finely crafted action and production value is what awaits you on Suspense, Volume 18, restored to Sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives.
Quiet Desperation
Thursday, August 7, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Smiley
Thursday, August 14, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Murder Aboard the Alphabet
Thursday, August 21, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Argyle Album
Thursday, September 4, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Twist
Thursday, September 11, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Visitor
Thursday, September 18, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Blue Hour
Thursday, September 25, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Story of Markham's Death
Thursday, October 2, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Man Who Liked Dickens
Thursday, October 9, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Self Defense
Thursday, October 16, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The X-Ray Camera
Thursday, October 23, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Subway
Thursday, October 30, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Dream Song
Thursday, November 6, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
Riabouchinska
Thursday, November 13, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
One Hundred in the Dark
Thursday, November 20, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sponsored by Roma Wines
The Pit and the Pendulum
Friday, November 28, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sustaining no commercials
The Clock and the Rope
Friday, December 5, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sustaining no commercials
The Man Who Couldn't Lose
Friday, December 12, 1947 - 30:00 - CBS, sustaining no commercials
Beyond Reason
Saturday, February 21, 1948 - 60:00 - CBS, sustaining no commercials
