Suspense: 02/11/52, episode 459
Brought to you by the Old Time Radio Researchers, courtesy of The Suspense Project
James Mason stars in a radio adaptation of the story made popular by a highly regarded 1947 movie of the same name. Mason starred in that production. He plays a member of the Irish separatist movement who is wounded while carrying out a bank holdup. He is dazed and stumbles through dark alleyways, as he keeps moving to avoid the police. He can hear the car sirens as they try to locate him. Even those who are sympathetic to his cause are unwilling or afraid to shelter him for fear of repercussions. One might turn him in for the reward for his capture. An artist wants only to paint his portrait before Mason’s character succumbs to his injuries. There is a young woman who loves him, however, and finds him just before the story reaches its climax.
The story was adapted by Antony Ellis from the original 1945 novel by British author Frederick Laurence Green. It was the best-known of his 14 novels. Greed died a year after this broadcast at age 51.
The movie may be viewed at The Internet Archive archive.org/details/odd-man-o...
The movie Lady Possessed that was funded by the Masons and the William Spiers (the former Suspense producer and wife June Havoc) was released a few weeks prior to this Suspense appearance by the Masons. The movie is teased at the end of this broadcast. It did not do well at the box office or among the critics.
Odd Man Out was originally planned for the 1949-01-27 Suspense broadcast but was replaced with The Thing in the Window with Robert Montgomery. The 1947 film was still in theaters at the time and it is possible that clearance to air the episode with the studio was not available. The script was held until this broadcast.
This episode circulated for many decades with a dull opening and was noisy throughout. This recording is much cleaner than has been available. Some sections may have some harsh sounds, likely related to the condition of the transcription discs. If you have not heard this episode for a long time, this is likely the best-sounding recording you will hear.
The cast: JAMES MASON (Johnny), PAMELA KELLINO (Agnes), Ben Wright (Murphy), Dan O’Herlihy (Nolan), Bill Johnstone (Pat / Fencie), Joe Kearns (Man / Shell), Charles Davis (2nd Constable), Raymond Lawrence (1st Constable), Larry Thor (Narrator)
COMMERCIAL: Tom Holland (Hap), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer), Sylvia Simms (Operator)
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