Suspense - "Two Sharp Knives" (12-22-42)

"Two Sharp Knives" (Aired December 22, 1942)

Suspense was one of the premier programs of the Golden Age of Radio (aka old-time radio), and advertised itself as "radio's outstanding theater of thrills." It was heard in one form or another from 1942 through 1962. There were approximately 945 episodes broadcast during its long run, over 900 of which are extant in mostly high-quality recordings. Suspense went through several major phases, characterized by different hosts, sponsors and director/producers. There were a few rules which were followed for all but a handful of episodes: Protagonists were usually a normal person suddenly dropped into a threatening or bizarre situation. Evildoers must be punished in the end.

THIS EPISODE:

December 22, 1942. CBS network. "Two Sharp Knives". Sustaining. A story about a bumbling small town assistant police chief who's not as dumb as he seems to be. A wanted man is captured and later found hanging in his cell. The program has a surprise ending. The story was subsequently produced on "Suspense" on April 12, 1945 and June 7, 1945. Bernard Herrmann (composer, conductor), Dashiell Hammett (author), John Dietz (director), Stu Erwin, William Spier (producer, director, editor), John Dickson Carr (adaptor). 29:20. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.