Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 267 – Suspense – Til Death Do Us Part

John Dickson Carr On November 30th, we celebrate the 110th birthday of mystery writer and radio dramatist, John Dickson Carr (right).

Carr was a master of the locked room mystery and his most famous detective was Dr. Gideon Fell. However, he wrote a number of suspense thrillers including helping the CBS series Suspense get its start in the early 1940s. For a period of time then, he was the primary, in-house, scripter with his original mysteries.

One is “Til Death Do Us Part” which is a good one in terms of radio production and stage craft. Its use of sound within the drama enhances the suspense of the play. It starred Peter Lorre who was a much better radio actor than film star in my opinion except for a few unique film performances. When you listen to this play, listen for the use of sound effects as well as the musical bridging.

Music under is Beethoven’s String Quartet, Opus 74 “The Harp” – the Adagio Ma Non Troppo performed by the Cleveland Quartet.

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