A month-long series of classic holiday films and their casts kicks off with Miracle on 34th Street - the story of a department store Santa who says he's the real deal. We'll hear three of its stars in radio thrillers from Suspense, plus a radio recreation of the film. Maureen O'Hara is a debutante turned detective in "The White Rose Murders" (originally aired on CBS on July 6, 1943). Edmund Gwenn stars in a darkly comedic murder mystery from Dorothy L. Sayers in "The Fountain Plays" (originally aired on CBS on August 10, 1943). And John Payne is a small town sheriff with a big murder to solve in Dashiell Hammett's "Two Sharp Knives" (originally aired on CBS on June 7, 1945). Then, Ms. O'Hara and Messrs Payne and Gwenn are joined by their screen co-star Natalie Wood as they recreate their roles for The Lux Radio Theatre (originally aired on CBS on December 22, 1947).
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BONUS - Substitute Stars of "Double Indemnity"
After you hear Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck recreate their famous roles on The Lux Radio Theatre, enjoy this bit of "what if" alternate Hollywood casting of the film. Burt Lancaster, Joan Bennett, and Myron McCormick play Walter Neff, Phyllis Dietrichson, and Barton Keyes in an adaptation of Double Indemnity from The Ford Theater (originally aired on CBS on October 15, 1948).
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Episode 429 - Stars of "Double Indemnity"
"Noirvember" draws to a close with the cast of Double Indemnity - Billy Wilder's genre-defining adaptation of James M. Cain's novel. It's a twisted tale of greed, lust, and revenge with Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson, and we'll hear each of them in an old time radio thriller courtesy of Suspense. Robinson invents a spouse to get ahead at work with unexpected results in "My Wife Geraldine" (originally aired on CBS on March 1, 1945). Ms. Stanwyck is a tough dame whose connection to a murder puts her own life in danger in "The Wages of Sin" (originally aired on CBS on October 19, 1950). And MacMurray is a jazz player in a Prohibition-era tale of the mob and murder - "The Windy City Six" (originally aired on CBS on February 8, 1951). Then, Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck recreate their film roles in a production of The Lux Radio Theatre (originally aired on CBS on October 30, 1950). Â
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BONUS - Jack Benny Presents "The Killers"
It's an addendum to our spotlight show on The Killers as Jack Benny, his radio gang, and special guest star Edward G. Robinson present their own version of the movie. This comedic caper originally aired on NBC on November 24, 1946.
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Episode 428 - Stars of "The Killers"
Ernest Hemingway's short story The Killers was memorably adapted and expanded for the big screen by director Robert Siodmak and an incredible cast. We'll hear the stars of that film - plus a radio recreation - as our "Noirvember" series continues. Ava Gardner slows down for a hitchhiker with murder on his mind in "Lady in Distress" (originally aired on CBS on May 1, 1947). Edmond O'Brien is a streetwise reporter out for the story of the year in "The Argyle Album" (originally aired on CBS on September 4, 1947). Burt Lancaster is in no hurry to get revenge for his brother in "The Long Wait" (originally aired on CBS on November 24, 1949). And the titular killers William Conrad and Charles McGraw reunite in "Two for the Road" (originally aired on CBS on November 9, 1958). Finally, Burt Lancaster reprises his role as The Screen Director's Playhouse presents "The Killers" (originally aired on NBC on June 5, 1949).
Presenting the biggest legends of Hollywood starring in "Suspense," radio's outstanding theater of thrills! Each week, we'll hear two chillers from this old time radio classic featuring one of the all-time great stars of stage and screen.
Ireland