Murder in Black and White

Originally Aired: April 14, 1949

Suspense #336, "Murder in Black and White," stars Edmund Gwenn as Rice Archer, a meticulous murderer who has planned every detail of the perfect crime. The episode opens with Archer standing over his business partner Tom Hannigan's body, methodically consulting his notebook to ensure he's followed each step of his carefully orchestrated plan. From muffling the gunshot with a blanket to wiping down glasses and replacing items exactly where they belong, Archer moves through his checklist with chilling precision, confident that Tom's daughter Thomasina and her companion Clark won't discover the body until he's safely established his alibi.

Archer takes his usual evening walk and catches his regular weekly train to the city, checking into his hotel and going through his normal business routine. He expects to be notified of Tom's death at any moment, but as he makes his rounds and repeatedly checks for messages, nothing arrives. The morning paper contains no mention of the murder, and the hotel desk has no telegrams or calls waiting. As Archer continues to consult his notebook for every contingency, his perfectly planned murder begins to unravel in unexpected ways.