Suspense: 01/07/52, episode 454
Brought to you by the Old Time Radio Researchers, courtesy of The Suspense Project
Jeff Chandler stars in a Richard-George Pedicini story about Tong rivalry in San Francisco. There are tensions among the Tong factions of San Francisco over a wedding of young people. Each of their families are warring factions of two rival groups. The reporter has a long-time friendship with leader Loo Dock, and is a long-time confidant of him. Chandler’s character tries to balance the loyalty of that relationship with his generally positive relationship with law enforcement.
This episode is promoted as “a factual document” and not an “actual event.” The phrase “factual document” is intended to sound authoritative and stoke listener curiosity. It is just words, and the story uses a collection of facts without context as a springboard. This story seems to be contemporary to its broadcast but the actual Tong violence in San Francisco was mostly ended by the early 1930s. Pedicini takes some “facts” that Tongs existed, takes advantage that Tongs and Chinese culture were mysterious to much of the listening audience, and that an interesting plotline could be developed around them ignoring the historical chronology.
William Conrad playing a Tong leader might be considered odd or offensive to today’s ears. The performance does not stoop to stereotypical pronunciations of English words that would be common in the radio era. Conrad plays the role using a timing pattern of dispassionate expression that implies careful and considered word selection by someone for whom English is a second language. Conrad’s approach is explained early in the story. Loo Dock was highly educated and studied and maintained knowledge of Western culture which he used to his advantage.
The police in the story wanted no part of the Tong conflicts. They were anxious to close their investigation of an incident that involved the murder of Loo Dock. It was a hoax facilitated Loo Dock himself. His death was faked using a severely mutilated body, deliberately disfigured in a vicious manner by his hatchet men. It made an accurate identification impossible. It’s clear that both the police and the reporter knew the body was not that of Loo Dock. The police decide to close the books and go along with the hoax, and walk away. The reporter, however, is spurred on to find Loo Dock and learn what is really going on.
It’s a good story, and Chandler sounds so very much like his performance in the Michael Shayne syndicated series. He does well in this role. Ignore the picking and choosing of “facts,” sidestepping of history, and note that Conrad’s performance was of its time in the business and the culture. Don’t let the “facts” get in the way of enjoying a generally good plotline and overall story.
The cast:
JEFF CHANDLER (Dan), Herb Butterfield (Wilburn / Chinese 2), Byron Kane (Sonjac / Chinese), Joe Kearns (Muccia), Jack Kruschen (Kum Gee Ho), William Conrad (Loo Dock), Sam Edwards (Tommy), Lillian Buyeff (Ah Toy), Larry Thor (Narrator)
COMMERCIAL: Tom Holland (Hap), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer), Sylvia Simms (Operator)
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