Suspense - Momentum (#355)
Channel: Old Time Radio Researchers
Date: 29/02/2024

Suspense: 10/27/49, episode 355
Brought to you by the Old Time Radio Researchers, courtesy of The Suspense Project

Victor Mature makes his Suspense debut in a Cornell Woolrich story about a man whose financial troubles cascade into three murders in three hours. The story appeared in Detective Fiction Weekly’s 1940-12-14 edition as Murder Always Gathers Momentum. It was adapted by E. Jack Neuman. A key device in many of Woolrich’s stories is that some nearly innocent act has unplanned bad consequences that then spin out of control. They do here. 

The story begins with the information that Mature’s character has missed rent payments for the apartment. His wife is understandably upset by that and that he’s not out job-hunting. He says his boss owes him money for an invention he made and that his contribution was never acknowledged or rewarded. She works in the same office, worth remembering for a little surprise at the end. When he confronts his boss, things go out of control, he strikes him, and inadvertently kills him. Things go downhill from there. He promises his wife they’ll meet at the train station with the money he got for the invention (which he stole from the office after he killed the boss) so they can get out of town and happily start a new life. Things don't work out that way.

The cast: VICTOR MATURE (Richard Paine), Lurene Tuttle (Pauline), Jay Novello (Italian Neighbor / Platform Janitor), Larry Dobkin (Burrough), Jeff Corey (Ed the Bartender / Train announcement voice), Jack Kruschen (Bailiff / Conductor), Vivi Janiss (Neighbor / Mother), Paul Frees (Signature Voice)

COMMERCIAL: Harlow Wilcox (Announcer). Parley Baer (Hap), Sylvia Simms (Operator)

For more information visit https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/02/1949-10-27-momentum.html