Suspense: The One Millionth Joe (#389)
Channel: Old Time Radio Researchers
Date: 2024-04-02

Suspense: 06/22/50, episode 389
Brought to you by the Old Time Radio Researchers, courtesy of The Suspense Project

Jack Carson plays a public relations manager who devises a publicity stunt for a local business association at the local airport. He gets a lot more adventure than he bargained for in this Silvia Richards story.

The stunt involves counting all of the passengers and awarding a free ticket and other prizes to the one millionth arriving passenger. When that passenger arrives, a brass band starts to play, and a celebration ensues. The man who wins does not want any recognition, any photos. Why?

The prizes were a free hotel stay, a visit to a lion farm, lunch with a motion picture star, a meal at a world-famous restaurant, and many free gifts including a mink cape, two dozen sports shirts, and 2000 cans of dog food. The big prize was a free airline pass to anywhere in the world. The reluctant man is suddenly attentive once he hears about the plane ticket. He’d like to use it to go to Brazil. All seems to be great… until the details about the winner start becoming clear. And, he had elbowed a woman in line who would have been the winner. The stunt runners decide on the spot to award her the various lucky recognitions, too.

Is the man who was a killer in a robbery back in Texas? And if he is, Carson’s character wonders if he can get a portion of the stolen cash. In meeting with the winner, he does not want any of the prizes… he just wants the plane ticket and will do anything to get it. But is the robbery the real reason for the interest in the plane ticket? is it for something else? Is the woman the real robber?

It’s a very entertaining story because comedian Carson plays the serious role of the publicity agent with a selfish opportunistic streak so very well. He’s looking out for his clients, of course, but will find a way to take care of himself in the process.

The script was originally used on 1948-12-24 Philip Morris Playhouse and starred Michael O’Shea. 

One of the prizes was a visit to a lion farm. Really? Gay's Lion Farm was in El Monte, California, and operated from 1925 to 1942. It was a breeding facility and a very popular tourist attraction. The animals were bred, trained, and supplied to the movie industry, zoos, and circuses in addition to being exhibited there. It closed during WW2 because of meat shortages, meaning it would be hard to feed the animals there. It never re-opened.

The cast: JACK CARSON (Al Jazant), Howard McNear (Wilder), Doris Singleton (Vera), Joe Kearns (Signature Voice / Mr. Thompson), Harry Bartell (Arthur / 2nd reporter), Sid Miller (1st reporter), Roy Rowan (P. A.), Dave Light, Ray Erlenborn (Ad-Libs)

COMMERCIAL: Ed East (Hap), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer), Sylvia Simms (Operator)

For more information visit https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/04/1950-06-22-one-millionth-joe.html