Suspense: Slow Burn AFRS#312 (#372)
Channel: Old Time Radio Researchers
Date: 2024-03-17

Suspense: 02/23/50, episode 372
Brought to you by the Old Time Radio Researchers, courtesy of The Suspense Project

Dick Powell returns to Suspense in a boxing drama about fraud, envy, and a romantic triangle. He portrays a small-time boxer, Johnny Wilson, whose manager lacks the money and the connections to get him the publicity buildup he needs for a shot at the title. The manager, however, is a conniver and has a plan. Using Wilson’s assistance, he signs a popular young war hero who did some boxing in the army. He’s well-known in the area, and the signing gets news coverage and a front-page headline. To build him up, Wilson boxes against him in an exhibition and pretends that the pairing is even. The manager believes with the money he can build the war hero up and get Wilson a title bout for a big payday. Pausing his own career, Wilson works hard to train the youngster in every boxing trick and nuance he knows. At first, he doesn't mind, but Wilson soon learns that his manager has played him for a sucker. The manager wants to push the career of the young fighter, not Johnny. He plans a horrible revenge on his manager and the boxer. At about 21:30 in the network recording, Powell’s character decides to sabotage his rival with some eye anesthesia that he mixes with the Vaseline that boxing “corner men” use to lubricate the eyebrows to prevent eyes from getting cut. The boxer gets wise to the issue during the fight… and Wilson’s plan doesn’t turn out the way he intended.

Fred Freiberger wrote this script. 

There are two recordings of this episode. In a rare situation for Suspense in this period, the Armed Forces Radio Service version (#312) is the recording with the better and richer sound. The network recording has a narrow range but is listenable.

The cast:
DICK POWELL (Johnny Wilson), Wally Maher (Lefty Wilkins / Operator), Larry Dobkin (Courtney Barr / Referee), Elliott Reid (Chuck Masters / Todd Sloane), Ann Morrison (Mother / Herald operator), Georgia Ellis (Dania Wilson / Waitress), Joe Kearns (Doc Peterson / Cop / Signature Voice), Berne Surrey & Gus Bayz (Ad-Libs)

COMMERCIAL: Jerry Hausner (Gas station guy), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer), Sylvia Simms (Operator)

For more information visit https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/03/1950-02-23-slow-burn.html