Suspense - Radio’s Outstanding Theater of Thrills
Unravel the Mystery with Suspense! - The Classic Radio Thriller Series Step back in time to the golden age of radio with ”Suspense!” - the iconic series that captivated audiences from 1942 to 1962 with its thrilling tales and unforgettable performances. Featuring over 900 broadcasts penned by renowned authors and directors, ”Suspense!” brought the finest in thriller and mystery genres to the airwaves. Broadcast on the CBS Radio Network, ”Suspense!” showcased Hollywood’s brightest stars, including Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Orson Welles, and Marlene Dietrich. Under the masterful direction of William Spier, known as the ”Hitchcock of the airwaves,” the series delivered gripping human dramas that kept listeners on the edge of their seats. From the eerie introductions by the ”Man in Black” to the evocative scores by Bernard Hermann and Lucian Moraweck, ”Suspense!” was a paragon of radio production excellence. The show’s unique formula of minimal rehearsal and genuine unease created authe...
Episodes

9 hours ago
9 hours ago
In this chilling episode of Suspense, Charles Ruggles delivers a gripping performance as Hubert Mummery, a mild-mannered businessman whose life takes a terrifying turn when he begins to suspect his new housekeeper might be a killer. What begins as casual gossip about a notorious poisoner named Carolyn Andrews soon becomes a waking nightmare when Hubert realizes that his own cook, Sutton, may not be who she claims to be.
As mysterious illnesses, missing newspaper clippings, and unsettling coincidences pile up, Hubert’s paranoia grows. When he suddenly falls violently ill after drinking tea prepared by Sutton, he knows he must act fast. A desperate search of the house uncovers a nearly empty bottle of arsenic-laced weed killer and a burning pile of newspaper articles—all evidence pointing to Sutton’s deadly past.
With the help of Scotland Yard, Hubert’s fears are confirmed. The woman he and his wife had welcomed into their home is none other than the infamous poisoner herself. But in a final twist, the deception runs even deeper than he imagined.
This masterfully woven thriller keeps listeners on edge until the shocking final moments, proving that in the world of Suspense, nothing is ever as it seems.
Keywords: "Suspense Suspicion episode," "February 1944 Suspense radio," "Charles Ruggles psychological thriller," "poisoner Carolyn Andrews mystery," "murderous housekeeper radio drama," "Roma Wines Suspense series," "classic radio crime drama."
Cast: Charles Ruggles, William Spier, Agnes Moorehead, Joseph Kearns.

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Originally Aired: February 3, 1944
The Sisters: A Deadly Bond:
This eerie episode of Suspense stars Ida Lupino as Lydia Haskell and Agnes Moorehead as her mentally fragile sister, Ellie. When Lydia visits an undertaker to purchase an expensive casket—one she requests be held for three weeks—the request raises suspicions. But when asked who the casket is for, her chilling answer is: “It’s for me.”
As Ellie’s paranoia grows, she begins to suspect Lydia has sinister plans—not just for herself, but for Ellie as well. Convinced her sister intends to kill her and take her identity, Ellie’s mind unravels, leading to a harrowing psychological showdown. In a shocking conclusion, Lydia is the one who meets an untimely end, fulfilling her own grim premonition.
Blending psychological horror with masterful suspense, The Sisters is a chilling study of manipulation, madness, and the dark secrets that can fester within a family.
Keywords: "Suspense The Sisters episode," "Ida Lupino Agnes Moorehead thriller," "February 1944 Suspense radio," "psychological horror radio drama," "murder and mistaken identity," "classic suspense radio show," "Roma Wines radio series."
Cast: Ida Lupino, Agnes Moorehead, William Spier.

Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Saturday Jan 25, 2025
Originally Aired: January 27, 1944
The Locked Room: Secrets and Betrayal:
In this twist-filled episode of Suspense, Virginia Bruce, Alan Jocelyn, and George Zuko star in a tale of murder, greed, and a seemingly impossible crime. When millionaire diamond dealer Francis Seaton is found unconscious in his locked study, the investigation uncovers a web of lies and deception among the four suspects in the house.
The discovery of a massive diamond heightens the stakes, with each character hiding motives tied to greed, jealousy, or survival. As tensions escalate, Dr. Charles Woodhall and Harold Mills are drawn into a dangerous game of manipulation, while Iris Lane works to outsmart the real culprit. The final confrontation reveals a shocking twist, with deadly consequences for the perpetrator.
Blending classic locked-room mystery elements with psychological suspense, The Locked Room keeps listeners guessing until its climactic resolution.
Keywords: "Suspense The Locked Room episode," "January 1944 Suspense radio," "Virginia Bruce mystery drama," "George Zuko diamond heist plot," "classic locked-room radio mystery," "Roma Wines suspense drama," "psychological thriller radio."
Cast: Virginia Bruce, Alan Jocelyn, George Zuko, William Spier.

Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
In this compelling episode of Suspense, Paul Lukas delivers a riveting performance as Anton Rejak, a blind pianist who becomes the key witness in a cold-blooded murder. Despite his blindness, Anton’s heightened senses allow him to hear the events of a brutal stabbing in the rooming house where he lives. As the police investigate, Anton's extraordinary ability to perceive the world through sound leads him to identify the murderer, exposing the shocking truth in a series of tense revelations.
The drama crescendos as Anton’s testimony uncovers not only the identity of the killer but also the sinister motives behind the crime, rooted in greed and betrayal. With its intricate plot and masterful acting, A World of Darkness captivates listeners, showcasing the enduring tension and intrigue that defines the golden age of radio.
Keywords: "Suspense A World of Darkness episode," "Paul Lukas blind pianist drama," "January 1944 Suspense radio," "rooming house murder mystery," "Roma Wines suspense series," "classic radio drama Suspense," "heightened senses mystery."
Cast: Paul Lukas, William Spier, Hans Conried, Bea Benaderet.

Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
In this thrilling episode of Suspense, Lucille Ball stars as Ginger Allen, a red-headed taxi dancer at the Joyland Palace dance hall just off Broadway. When her close friend and fellow dancer Julie is found murdered, Ginger learns she's potentially next on the killer's list - the third victim in a string of murders targeting red-headed dance hall girls.
Enter Nick, a mysterious man who claims to be an undercover police officer assigned to protect her. As more details emerge about the killer's signature - including his obsession with the song "Poor Butterfly" and his habit of dancing with his victims post-mortem - Ginger must determine who she can trust before she becomes the next target in this chilling tale of obsession and revenge.
Originally Aired: January 13, 1944
Keywords: "Suspense Lucille Ball episode," "Dime a Dance radio drama," "1944 Suspense radio," "Broadway dance hall mystery," "taxi dancer murder mystery," "classic Roma Wines Suspense," "1940s thriller radio"
Cast: Lucille Ball (as Ginger Allen), with supporting cast
Sponsor: Roma Wines
Producer/Director: William Speer
Writer: Cornell Woolrich
Notable Elements: Features Lucille Ball in a dramatic role during her MGM years, with the episode airing during the theatrical run of "Madame Curie." The story effectively blends elements of Broadway life with noir thriller elements, creating a uniquely atmospheric tale of suspense.

Saturday Jan 11, 2025
Saturday Jan 11, 2025
This thrilling episode of Suspense stars Alan Ladd as Tom Dwyer, a shrewd private detective who stumbles upon a deadly mystery at Ocean City's amusement park. When a professor's body mysteriously appears on a roller coaster ride - in a seat that was empty when the ride began - Dwyer's instincts tell him something sinister is afoot.
The investigation leads him to Sheila Kennedy, a local performer whose photograph was found in the dead man's pocket, and to a suspicious exhibition featuring a bulletproof car from a notorious $400,000 mail robbery. As Dwyer digs deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy involving corrupt law enforcement, organized crime, and a killer known as "Wires" who has a signature method of disposing of his victims.
Racing against time and facing deadly adversaries, Dwyer must expose the truth behind the professor's murder and its connection to the missing robbery money before he becomes the next victim of the "one-way ride to nowhere."
Originally Aired: January 6, 1944
Keywords: "Suspense Alan Ladd episode," "One-Way Ride to Nowhere radio drama," "1944 Suspense radio," "Ocean City amusement park mystery," "roller coaster murder mystery," "classic Roma Wines Suspense," "1940s detective thriller radio."
Cast: Alan Ladd (as Tom Dwyer), with supporting cast (unnamed in transcript)
Sponsor: Roma Wines
Producer/Director: William Spear
Writer: Robert L. Richards
Notable Elements: Features a clever blend of noir detective elements with an amusement park setting, creating a unique atmosphere for this murder mystery. The episode showcases Alan Ladd in his prime, during what the announcer describes as his "sensational rise to stardom."

Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
This captivating episode of Suspense features an all-female cast, with Margo, Elsa Lanchester, and Janet Beecher leading the charge in a tale of manipulation, jealousy, and murder at the Nash School for Girls. Caroline Watts begins her new teaching position with excitement, only to uncover sinister undercurrents within the prestigious institution.
The formidable Dean Sterling exerts a chilling influence over the school, using seances and eerie predictions to manipulate the grieving Miss Nash, the school’s headmistress. As tensions rise, Miss Melody, the housekeeper, reveals Sterling’s dark ambitions to take over the school by orchestrating “accidents” to eliminate those in her way.
When a vulnerable student, Flora Nash, becomes Sterling’s latest victim, Caroline and Miss Melody race to expose the dean’s deadly schemes. The drama crescendos in a series of shocking twists, culminating in a violent showdown that unveils the true mastermind behind the school’s tragedies.
Keywords: "Suspense Finishing School episode," "Margo and Elsa Lanchester suspense," "December 1943 Suspense radio," "Nash School for Girls murder mystery," "manipulation and jealousy thriller," "classic Roma Wines Suspense," "1940s radio drama suspense."
Cast: Margo, Elsa Lanchester, Janet Beecher.

Sunday Jan 05, 2025
Sunday Jan 05, 2025
In this darkly humorous and chilling episode of Suspense, Peter Lorre stars as Hubert Schumacher, a mild-mannered professor who plans to murder his overbearing wife, Hermione, and bury her in the cellar beneath his "devil’s garden." Hubert’s meticulously crafted plan is designed to ensure no one suspects her disappearance while he embarks on a lecture tour in America.
Hubert’s plan seems flawless—until a letter from a contractor in Salisbury reveals Hermione’s own secret plans. As the chilling twist unfolds, Hubert realizes that despite his crime, Hermione's domineering influence might still haunt him, proving her unshakable control even from beyond the grave.
A tale filled with tension, irony, and Peter Lorre’s masterful performance, Back for Christmas examines themes of manipulation, desperation, and the lengths to which one man will go for freedom.
Keywords: "Suspense Back for Christmas episode," "Peter Lorre murder thriller," "December 1943 Suspense radio," "John Collier dark comedy drama," "devil’s garden plot," "Roma Wines suspense series," "classic radio suspense drama."
Cast: Peter Lorre, Bea Benaderet, William Spier.

Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
This sardonic tale of Suspense follows the Princy family on a rainy afternoon as they attempt to cover up a murder committed by their daughter, Millicent. When the body of Mr. Withers, a local curate and Millicent’s unrequited love, is discovered in their home, the family’s patriarch, Mr. Princy, devises a sinister plan to hide the crime and protect the family’s reputation.
The tension escalates when Captain Smollett, a nosy neighbor, pays an unexpected visit and becomes ensnared in the scheme. Through a series of manipulations and threats, Mr. Princy forces Smollett to assist in disposing of the body, while ensuring he has leverage to keep Smollett silent. However, the macabre plot takes a darkly ironic turn when the police arrive, unraveling the family’s carefully constructed lies.
With Charles Laughton delivering a chilling performance as Mr. Princy, Wet Saturday is a masterful exploration of moral decay, manipulation, and the lengths to which people will go to maintain appearances.
Keywords: "Suspense Wet Saturday episode," "Charles Laughton Suspense performance," "December 1943 Suspense radio," "dark family drama radio," "murder cover-up Suspense," "Roma Wines radio series," "classic radio suspense drama."
Cast: Charles Laughton, Denis Green, Hans Conried, Beatrice Benaderet.

Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
In this haunting episode of Suspense, Robert Young stars as Harry Jordan, an investigator for a fire insurance company who begins to suspect that his wife, Marie (played by Margo), is responsible for a string of mysterious fires in their neighborhood. Harry’s unease grows as he uncovers troubling evidence, including matches hidden throughout their home and newspaper clippings detailing local blazes.
The tension reaches its peak when Harry discovers that Marie’s behavior is linked to her suppressed psychological trauma, which manifests in an uncontrollable compulsion to set fires. As Harry grapples with his suspicions, a devastating house fire forces Marie to confront her inner turmoil, culminating in a dramatic confession.
A gripping tale of psychological suspense, The Night Reveals delves into the complexities of love, trust, and the devastating effects of mental illness, delivering a story that keeps listeners enthralled until the chilling conclusion.
Keywords: "Suspense The Night Reveals episode," "Robert Young fire investigator drama," "December 1943 Suspense radio," "pyromaniac psychological thriller," "Margo Suspense performance," "Roma Wines radio series," "classic radio suspense drama."
Cast: Robert Young, Margo, William Spear, Hans Conried.