The Butcher’s Wife

Originally Aired: February 9, 1950

Suspense #371, "The Butcher's Wife," stars Kirk Douglas as Harry Carr, a New York transplant who lands a liquor clerk job at a Los Angeles supermarket. On his first day, Harry locks eyes with Mary, the checkout girl, and despite warnings from Nick the vegetable man that she's married, he can't resist the attraction. Mary's husband is Krause, the store's butcher—a creepy figure with thick glasses that make his eyes look like baseballs, constantly wielding cleavers and mallets as he works. Harry and Mary begin a reckless affair, staying out until the early morning hours, and when Mary finally comes home, Krause confronts her with jealous rage and strange biblical references about Babylon.

Though Krause doesn't yet know Harry's identity, the tension escalates as Harry tries to distance himself from the dangerous situation. He stays late at work to avoid Mary, terrified of what the unstable butcher might do if he discovers the truth. The stage is set for a violent confrontation as Harry finds himself trapped between desire and self-preservation, working just feet away from a jealous husband who spends his days expertly dismembering meat.