Suspense Television

My Old Man's Badge

In "My Old Man's Badge" a rookie cop thinks that he can do a better job of solving a murder case than rest of the police force. Why does he think so? The victim was his father, a beloved neighborhood cop.

The action takes place in a "Gay 90's" music hall, so the soundtrack of this episode is more interesting than the usual "gloomy ice-rink" organ accompaniment

As the story opens, Officer Malone is walking his beat and stops outside of Herman's Bowery Music Hall to shoo off a drunk.

Miss Billie Lamont, one of the showgirls, comes outside and greets Officer Malone. She wants to discuss something, but he tells her that he is about to go off-duty to have dinner with his son, who has just joined the force. Officer Malone then asks Billie about the tray of costume items that she is peddling. She tells him that the paper hats and false moustaches help get the customers into a "Gay '90's" mood. Officer Malone takes a false moustache as a present for his landlady's son. Billie tries to talk him into taking a different moustache, but he sticks to the one he has.

Officer Malone then goes over to the police call box to phone headquarters that he is going off duty. Suddenly, a tattooed hand holding a gun appears, and Officer Malone is shot dead! 

Next, we see his son, Johnny, and the captain at headquarters. On the desk are the items that the morgue sent over--a wallet, a pocket watch,a badge, and the false moustache. Johnny asks if he can keep his old man's badge, but the officer tells him that isn't possible because it is against regulations. Then, they argue. Johnny wants to be transferred to his old man's beat, but the captain refuses this,too. He tells Johnny to take a vacation, and Johnny agrees -- so that he can find his father's murderer! The captain warns Johnny against doing anything rash and tries to explain that this is a case that has to be solved by more experienced officers!

Later, Johnny enters Herman's Bowery Music Hall.   

He walks up to the bar and orders a shot. When Billie is finished singing, she goes over to the bar and asks Johnny if he wants a souvenir. They chat and then he asks if she knows a man named Dolph. She loudly says that she doesn't, but then quietly tells him that she can't talk now.

Five seconds later, Billie's boss walks up to her to inquire about the stranger at the bar. She turns and says, "Oh, Hello Dolph!" Quickly, he slaps her and tells her never to call him by that name. (Too late! She already said it.) Dolph tells Billie to take over at the piano and then disappears into the back room.

Johnny goes over to the piano to talk to the humiliated Billie. She tells him that she wants to get away from Dolph Romano for a number of reasons. Johnny takes the false moustaches from her tray and shows her that he knows about the dope hidden inside. Officer Malone had figured out their dope peddling scheme, too, and that is why they killed him.

In the back room, which is more like a broom closet, Dolph and his two henchmen play cards. Dolph asks about the stranger at the bar and then asks to meet him.

The henchman goes over and asks Johnny what he wants. Johnny shows him the dope from the false moustache and tells him that he has a boatload more of the stuff he wants to sell.

Johnny enters the back room where Dolph and his henchmen are waiting... Will he find the murderer or will he end up like his old man?

"My Old Man's Badge" was adapted by Robert Tallman from a story by Ferguson Findley. (Robert Tallman also wrote many scripts for the Suspense radio show, but this was the only episode he did for the Suspense television show.) Barry Nelson starred as Johnny Malone and Steven Hill starred as Dolph Romano. Ann Thomas played Miss Billie Lamont. This episode aired on March 21, 1950.

The Murderer

In "The Murderer," a man appears to be guilty of murdering his unfaithful wife. This episode should have been called "Lillybelle" because their next door neighbor is the real star of this show. You'll see why.

Set in the rural town of Jeffreyville, Mr. John Bantreagh discovers his wife's dead body by the side of the road. A deputy from another county, on his way to the courthouse, sees John and stops. John wants to flee, but he can't move. The deputy thinks that the dead woman has been run over, but then he sees the wounds on the back of her head. Clearly, she was murdered. He asks John if his wife ever cheated on him. Did she? Oh yes, she did.

John tells the deputy about what happened last night.... It had all started when he and his wife, Mollie, were on the front porch opening packages that had come in the mail. Mollie was upset because he hadn't ordered anything for her. They were about to have a fight, but just then Lillybelle had sauntered into the picture.

Yes, Lillybelle, the lady who lives in the next house down the road. She was on her way home but had decided to stop and sit for a while. She had tried to get cozy with John, but it didn't work. He didn't take her flirting seriously. Lillybelle told him that if he ever came to his senses about what his wife was really up to -- to come on down to her place.

What Mollie didn't know was that one of the packages John ordered was for her. He wanted the nylon stockings to be a surprise, but when he opened Mollie's lingerie drawer, he got the surprise. There was slinky lingerie in there that he had never seen before! Mollie walked in and explained that she had paid for them out of the leftover grocery money. John believed her. She also told him that she was going out to the library that night -- and that he could put the kids to bed. John agreed, but pointed out that she had already been to the library twice that week. She told him she would be back by 11:00 and left.

After midnight, while John was at home sleeping, he had heard a desperate cry from Lillybelle outside. She was terrified because someone was following her down the road. John went outside and scared off the creepy man in the darkness. John asked what she was doing out on the road, and Lillybelle told him that she was just out walking...and waiting to see what time Mollie would get home.

In the second half of the show, we are back at the scene of the crime with John and the deputy. The deputy asks if Lillybelle could have been making up the accusations about Mollie, that perhaps she is unscrupulous, but John defends her. He hasn't yet told the detective the rest of the story about what happened last night...

When John went into town to look for Mollie, the only place open was the Lunch Wagon across from the library. It was there that he had found out that the library closes at 5:00 p.m. everynight. The other patron in the Lunch Wagon was the same creepy man who had been following Lillybelle earlier in the evening. According to him, Mollie often waits on the bridge for a man in a black sedan.

Meanwhile, Mollie had found out that her husband was in town asking questions. She went home to pack her bags and run, but there was one thing stopping her --Lillybelle! She wanted Mollie to be there when John returned home! Lillybelle tried to block the door, but Mollie pushed Lillybelle to the floor. Spunky and determined, little Lillybelle went after Mollie...

When John finishes telling the deputy everything that happened, he is surprised that he hasn't yet been arrested. The deputy seems to know who committed the murder. Was it John, or Lillybelle, or the creepy man?

"The Murderer" was adapted for television by Tony award winning playwrite Joseph Hayes from a story by Joel Townsley Rogers. Jeffrey Lynn starred as John Bantreagh. Marilyn Erskine played Lillybelle and Eileen Heckart played Mollie. This episode aired on October 25, 1949. It is available on Disc 1 of Suspense: The Lost Episodes Collection 1.

For the Love of Randi

"For the Love of Randi" stars Darrin McGavin in a story that is a cross between an episode of Suspense and an episode of General Hospital. At the center of the drama is Randi, a plumpish brunette sexpot with a husky voice.

When we first see Nurse Randi Sloan, she is in the dispensary looking for something. What is she looking for? It is a bottle of white powder. From this, she takes a small amount and wraps it in a piece of paper. Hmmm, what does she have? Dr. Dave Bonnell comes in and catches her at this, but it is OK with him. He doesn't seem to mind the drug stealing, he just wants a kiss. Specifically, he wants her to "kiss him like she used to." Randi doesn't want to. To be nice, she gives him a peck -- but that only inflames his desire for more! He insists that Nurse Randi "kiss him like she used to." She doesn't. Instead she bolts out the lab as fast as she can.

In the hallway, Nurse Randi's boyfriend, Dr. Ted Larson, is looking for her. When he finds her, he can see that she is upset. Randi doesn't want to talk about it, she just wants to leave. Ted tells her that he knows something is wrong. Just then, Dr. Dave Bonnell strolls out of the dispensary.

At this juncture, we find out that Ted and Dave are not just rivals for Randi's love but that they are also roommates and best friends. (Uh-oh!)

After Ted and Randi leave, the cleaning boy, Walter, asks Dr. Bonnell if those two are going to be married. He skulks away without giving Walter a definite answer.

When we next see Dave and Ted, they are at home having their morning coffee. (On the table we see coffee, bread, jam and an ashtray.) The neighbor girl, Daisy, comes in and brings them a package. It is a box of homemade candies for Ted from Randi. He shares them with Dave and Daisy, but doesn't have one himself. Then, while Ted and Dave prepare to leave for the hospital, they have a little chat about Randi. Dave says that he refuses to play second fiddle. Randi used to be his gal, and he sees no reason why he should not to try and win her back. It doesn't matter that they are best friends. All that matters is who gets Randi. Ted agrees.

Not long afterwards, Daisy falls ill and has to be taken to the hospital. Dave becomes ill as well and complains to Randi that it is probably because of those awful candies she made. She tells him that she never made any candies! Ted and Randi save Dave's life but Daisy dies.

In the second act, we find out what was in the candies. Arsenic! Nurse Randi is head nurse, so the sheriff questions her while he eats his lunch. He tells her that the district attorney considers her a suspect because she has access to so many drugs and chemicals. Then, suddenly, the sheriff is distracted by a plate of delicious sweet corn that was hiding behind a stack of papers on his desk. Hmmmm! Sweet corn. The sheriff can barely stay focused on Randi as he butters, salts, and peppers his corn cob.

Not distracted by the corn, Randi pleads with the sheriff to find the person who sent the poisoned candies. She swears that she didn't do it. It was some crazy person out there. The sheriff tells Randi that she and her two suitors need to sit down and try and come up with a solution before someone else gets hurt.

In the next scene, the three of them try to sit down and find a solution, but within minutes, they are drinking, smoking and fighting. Randi tries to calm the tension by presenting them with a big plate of cookies that she baked with her own little hands. Dave and Ted pass on the cookies. (She should have tried corn!)

Back at the hospital, Randi chats with Walter, the cleaning boy. He tells her that there is a rumor that she and Dr. Larson have called off their engagement. Then, the sheriff arrives and tells Randi that the district attorney has built a case against her. He tells her that he needs to go over a few things again and then disappears into the dispensary.  Does the sheriff know something that will help him catch the guilty one?

"For the Love of Randi" starred Darren McGavin as Dr. Ted Larson. Jack Manning played Dr. David Bonnell and Rita Lynn played Nurse Randi Sloan. This episode aired on July 15, 1952. It is available on Disc 3 of Suspense: The Lost Episodes Collection 2.

Wisteria Cottage

In "Wisteria Cottage" Conrad Janis plays Richard, a disturbed young man who latches onto older women. As the episode opens, we hear the sounds of "Greensleeves." Why?... Don't wait for an answer.

When we meet Richard he is working in Jenny's Bookshop. Jenny wants to close down for the summer, but Richard is a little worried about what will happen to him. Jenny thinks he should have money leftover from his winter wages, but Richard grumbles something about how cheap she is. Then, he steals a couple of bucks from the till.

Jenny catches him and they have a fight. Jenny knows that he has stolen from her cash register before. He tries to sweet-talk her, but it doesn't work. She tells him that she doesn't think he is the "homeless innocent" that he claims to be. Jenny thinks that he is a danger to women who might fall for his charm.This time, she is going to "teach him a lesson." Uh-oh! Richard isn't keen on being taught a lesson and brutally stabs her in the back.

When we next see Richard, he is in the grocery store. He has found another nice older lady to latch onto, Mrs. Florence Hackett. In no time at all, Richard learns that she and her daughters live alone. He quickly engraciates himself into the family...

Mrs. Hackett likes Richard but her older daugher Louisa doesn't. When she finds out that Richard is coming to dinner again, she isn't excited. Her sister, Elinor, (Yes, that is how it is spelled it in the credits) reminds her that "even poets have to eat, too." Uh-oh! Richard is a poet. (We know from the radio show Suspense and its sister show Escape that poets mean trouble! See also: Escape "Present Tense", Escape "El Guitarerro", Escape "Evening Primrose", Suspense "2462")

Mrs. Hackett then tells her two girls that she asked Richard to find a nice summer place for them to rent, and that he has found one on Long Island called Wisteria Cottage. Of course, Richard will be coming along as well, but he will be staying in the shack. Louisa is seriously tired of their constant guest, (See Louisa pictured middle), but her sister Eleanor is happy. Louisa goes along with her mother's plan, despite her reservations.

At the cottage, things are going well, but Richard doesn't like it when the ladies have guests. He gets pouty about it. Louisa thinks Richard is trouble and that their "poet" should get a real job. Mrs. Hackett says that it is just the heat that is bothering everyone and then makes a bunch of other excuses for the increasingly unstable Richard.

Later that night, Elinor goes to visit Richard. Now we know why she has been on Richard's side! She is sort of having a fling with him. When he gets serious, Elinor points that they are just having fun. Richard wants a commitment -- not fun. He gets angry and tries to throw her out, but then Louisa and her boyfriend arrive. Richard is rude to all of them and demands that he be left alone. So, they all leave.

While they are gone, Richard busts up their cottage's dining room. Afterwards, he feels better and the next morning he is peacefully sitting in his shack playing the guitar. (Conrad Janis is also a professional musician and here we see his other talents. We assume that it is also Janis playing the guitar in the opening credits.) It is a very pretty tune, but why are we listening to "Greensleeves?"

When the family came home and found the cottage in a shambles, they knew that Richard had done it!  Now, Louisa's boyfriend, Ned, confronts him. When Richard attacks Ned, Mrs. Hackett tells Richard that she wants him out! Now, finally, she realizes how disturbed Richard is. Is it too late? Will she end up like Jenny?

The end of this episode is marred by bad sound quality. When Richard returns to the cottage and explains to Elinor and Mrs. Hackett why they should die, we miss some of the poetic details.

"Wisteria Cottage" was presented on Suspense twice. The first time on June 27,1950, and then again on July 17, 1951. The DVD package claims that this episode is the 1951 version, but that may be incorrect. According to the book Suspense: Twenty Years of Thrills and Chills by Martin Grams, the version starring Conrad Janis aired in 1950. (In the other version, Billy Redfield starred as Richard.) Since Conrad Janis made three other appearances on Suspense in 1950, we will assume that the 1950 date is correct.

Conrad Janis played Richard and Mrs. Hackett was played by Marjorie Gateson. Joan Copeland, who in real-life is the younger sister of the late playwright Arthur Miller, played Louisa. Elinor was played by Carlotta Sherwood and Ruth McDevitt played Jenny.  This episode is available on Disc 3 of Collection 1 of Suspense: the Lost Episodes.

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