WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:30.000 --> 00:53.000 This is the Man in Black, here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. 00:53.000 --> 01:04.000 Our star tonight is one of the most compelling actresses in America today, Miss Agnes Moorhead. 01:04.000 --> 01:10.280 Miss Moorhead returns to our stage to appear in a new study in terror by Lucille Fletcher 01:10.280 --> 01:14.640 called Sorry, Wrong Number. 01:14.640 --> 01:20.440 This story of a woman who accidentally overheard a conversation with death, and who strove 01:20.440 --> 01:28.800 frantically to prevent murder from claiming an innocent victim, is tonight's tale of suspense. 01:28.800 --> 01:33.880 If you have been with us on these Tuesday nights, you will know that suspense is compounded 01:33.880 --> 01:38.880 of mystery and suspicion and dangerous adventure. 01:38.880 --> 01:44.960 In this series, our tales are calculated to intrigue you, stir your nerves, to offer you 01:44.960 --> 01:52.000 a precarious situation, and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment. 01:52.000 --> 01:58.080 And so it is with Sorry, Wrong Number, and the performance of Agnes Moorhead, we again 01:58.080 --> 02:15.360 hope to keep you in suspense. 02:15.360 --> 02:34.440 Oh dear. 02:34.440 --> 02:35.440 Your call please. 02:35.440 --> 02:40.640 Operator, I've been dialing Murray Hill 70093 now for the last three quarters of an hour, 02:40.640 --> 02:42.480 and the line is always busy. 02:42.480 --> 02:44.440 I don't see how it could be busy that long. 02:44.440 --> 02:45.720 Will you try it for me please? 02:45.720 --> 02:48.080 I'll be glad to try that number for you. 02:48.080 --> 02:49.080 One moment please. 02:49.080 --> 02:51.280 I don't see how it could be busy all this time. 02:51.280 --> 02:52.600 It's my husband's office. 02:52.600 --> 02:55.200 He's working late tonight, and I'm all alone here in the house. 02:55.200 --> 02:58.880 My health is very poor, and I've been feeling so nervous all day. 02:58.880 --> 03:01.880 Ringing Murray Hill 70093. 03:01.880 --> 03:03.880 Hello? 03:03.880 --> 03:05.880 Hello? 03:05.880 --> 03:07.880 Hello? 03:07.880 --> 03:13.880 Is Mr. Stevenson there? 03:13.880 --> 03:15.880 Hello? 03:15.880 --> 03:17.880 Hello? 03:17.880 --> 03:18.880 Oh hello, George. 03:18.880 --> 03:19.880 Yes sir, this is George speaking. 03:19.880 --> 03:20.880 Hello? 03:20.880 --> 03:21.880 Who's this? 03:21.880 --> 03:22.880 What number am I calling please? 03:22.880 --> 03:25.880 I'm here with our client now. 03:25.880 --> 03:27.880 He says the coast is clear for tonight. 03:27.880 --> 03:28.880 Yes sir. 03:28.880 --> 03:29.880 Where are you now? 03:29.880 --> 03:30.880 In a phone booth. 03:30.880 --> 03:31.880 Don't worry, everything's okay. 03:31.880 --> 03:32.880 Very well. 03:32.880 --> 03:33.880 Now you know the address. 03:33.880 --> 03:41.880 At eleven o'clock, the private patrolman goes around to the bar on Second Avenue for a beer. 03:41.880 --> 03:44.880 Be sure that all the lights downstairs are on. 03:44.880 --> 03:48.880 There should be only one light visible from the street. 03:48.880 --> 03:51.880 At eleven fifteen, a train crosses the bridge. 03:51.880 --> 03:55.880 It makes a noise in case her window is open and she should scream. 03:55.880 --> 03:56.880 Hello? 03:56.880 --> 03:58.880 What number is this please? 03:58.880 --> 04:00.880 Okay, I understand. 04:00.880 --> 04:01.880 Now make it quick. 04:01.880 --> 04:03.880 As little blood as possible. 04:03.880 --> 04:06.880 Our client does not wish to make us suffer long. 04:06.880 --> 04:08.880 Will a knife be okay, sir? 04:08.880 --> 04:12.880 Well, a knife will be okay and do you remember the other details? 04:12.880 --> 04:13.880 Yeah, yeah, I know. 04:13.880 --> 04:16.880 Remove the rings and bracelets and the jewelry in the bureau drawer. 04:16.880 --> 04:17.880 That's right. 04:17.880 --> 04:20.880 Our client wishes it to look like simple robbery. 04:20.880 --> 04:21.880 Don't worry. 04:21.880 --> 04:23.880 Everything is going to be okay. 04:23.880 --> 04:24.880 All right then. 04:24.880 --> 04:25.880 Be sure that... 04:25.880 --> 04:29.880 Oh, how awful. 04:29.880 --> 04:39.880 How unspeakably awful. 04:39.880 --> 04:40.880 Your call, please. 04:40.880 --> 04:43.880 Operator, I've just been cut off. 04:43.880 --> 04:44.880 I'm sorry. 04:44.880 --> 04:45.880 What number were you calling? 04:45.880 --> 04:49.880 Why, it was supposed to be Murray Hill seven, oh, oh, nine, three, but it wasn't. 04:49.880 --> 04:51.880 Some wires must have got crossed. 04:51.880 --> 04:54.880 I was cut into a wrong number and I've just heard the most dreadful thing. 04:54.880 --> 04:56.880 Something about a murder. 04:56.880 --> 04:59.880 And, operator, you'll simply have to retrace that call at once. 04:59.880 --> 05:01.880 I beg your pardon. 05:01.880 --> 05:02.880 May I help you? 05:02.880 --> 05:06.880 Oh, I know it was a wrong number and I had no business listening, but these two men, 05:06.880 --> 05:08.880 they were cold-blooded fiends and they were going to murder somebody, 05:08.880 --> 05:12.880 some poor innocent woman who was all alone in a house near a bridge 05:12.880 --> 05:13.880 and we've got to stop them. 05:13.880 --> 05:14.880 We've got to... 05:14.880 --> 05:15.880 What number were you calling, please? 05:15.880 --> 05:16.880 Well, that doesn't matter. 05:16.880 --> 05:21.880 This was a wrong number and you dialed it for me and we've got to find out what it was immediately. 05:21.880 --> 05:22.880 What number did you call? 05:22.880 --> 05:24.880 Oh, why are you so stupid? 05:24.880 --> 05:26.880 What time is it? 05:26.880 --> 05:29.880 Do you mean to tell me you can't find out what that number was just now? 05:29.880 --> 05:31.880 I'll connect you with the chief operator. 05:31.880 --> 05:34.880 Oh, I think it's perfectly shameful. 05:34.880 --> 05:37.880 Now, look, look, it was obviously a case of some little slip of the finger. 05:37.880 --> 05:42.880 I told you to try Murray Hill seven, oh, oh, nine, three for me. 05:42.880 --> 05:45.880 You dialed it, but your finger must have slipped and I was connected with some other number. 05:45.880 --> 05:48.880 And I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me. 05:48.880 --> 05:52.880 Now, I simply failed to see why you couldn't make that same mistake again on purpose, 05:52.880 --> 05:57.880 why you couldn't try to dial Murray Hill seven, oh, oh, nine, three in the same sort of careless way. 05:57.880 --> 06:00.880 Murray Hill seven, oh, oh, nine, three. 06:00.880 --> 06:01.880 I will try to get it for you. 06:01.880 --> 06:02.880 Thank you. 06:02.880 --> 06:04.880 Oh. 06:14.880 --> 06:15.880 I'm sorry. 06:15.880 --> 06:17.880 Murray Hill seven, oh, oh, nine, three is busy. 06:17.880 --> 06:18.880 I will call you when... 06:18.880 --> 06:20.880 Operator, operator. 06:20.880 --> 06:25.880 Operator, will you answer me? 06:25.880 --> 06:27.880 Your call, please. 06:27.880 --> 06:29.880 Well, you didn't try to get that wrong number at all. 06:29.880 --> 06:32.880 I asked you explicitly and all you did was dial correctly. 06:32.880 --> 06:33.880 I'm sorry. 06:33.880 --> 06:35.880 What number are you calling? 06:35.880 --> 06:38.880 Oh, can't you for once forget what number I'm calling and do something for me? 06:38.880 --> 06:40.880 Now, I want to trace that call. 06:40.880 --> 06:44.880 It's my civic duty, it's your civic duty to trace that call and apprehend those dangerous killers. 06:44.880 --> 06:45.880 And if you won't... 06:45.880 --> 06:47.880 I will connect you with the chief operator. 06:47.880 --> 06:48.880 Please. 06:48.880 --> 06:50.880 Oh. 06:55.880 --> 06:56.880 What happened to the answer? 06:56.880 --> 06:58.880 This is the chief operator. 06:58.880 --> 07:02.880 Oh, chief operator, I want you to trace the call, a telephone call immediately. 07:02.880 --> 07:06.880 I don't know where it came from or who was making it, but it's absolutely necessary that it be tracked down 07:06.880 --> 07:09.880 because it was about a murder that someone's planning. 07:09.880 --> 07:13.880 A terrible cold-blooded murder of a poor innocent woman tonight at 1115. 07:13.880 --> 07:14.880 I see. 07:14.880 --> 07:15.880 Well, can you trace it for me? 07:15.880 --> 07:16.880 Can you track down those men? 07:16.880 --> 07:17.880 I'm not certain, it depends. 07:17.880 --> 07:18.880 Depends on what? 07:18.880 --> 07:20.880 It depends on whether the call is still going on. 07:20.880 --> 07:22.880 If it's a live call, we can trace it on the equipment. 07:22.880 --> 07:24.880 If it's been disconnected, we can. 07:24.880 --> 07:25.880 Disconnected? 07:25.880 --> 07:27.880 If the parties have stopped talking to each other. 07:27.880 --> 07:30.880 Oh, but of course they must have stopped talking to each other by now. 07:30.880 --> 07:33.880 That was at least five minutes ago and they didn't sound like the type who would make a long call. 07:33.880 --> 07:35.880 Well, I can try tracing it. 07:35.880 --> 07:36.880 May I have your name, please? 07:36.880 --> 07:39.880 Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Elbert Stevenson. 07:39.880 --> 07:40.880 Now, but listen... 07:40.880 --> 07:42.880 And your telephone number, please. 07:42.880 --> 07:45.880 Plaza 4-2-2-9-5. 07:45.880 --> 07:47.880 But if you go on wasting all this time... 07:47.880 --> 07:49.880 Why do you want the call traced, please? 07:49.880 --> 07:50.880 Why? 07:50.880 --> 07:52.880 Well, oh, no reason, no reason. 07:52.880 --> 07:56.880 I mean, I merely felt very strongly that something ought to be done about it. 07:56.880 --> 07:58.880 These men sounded like killers. 07:58.880 --> 07:59.880 They're dangerous. 07:59.880 --> 08:02.880 They're going to murder this woman at 1115 tonight and I thought the police ought to know. 08:02.880 --> 08:04.880 Have you reported this to the police? 08:04.880 --> 08:06.880 Well, no, no, not yet. 08:06.880 --> 08:08.880 You want this call checked purely as a private individual? 08:08.880 --> 08:10.880 Yes, yes, but meanwhile... 08:10.880 --> 08:13.880 I'm sorry, Mrs. Stevenson, but I'm afraid we couldn't make this check for you 08:13.880 --> 08:15.880 and trace the call just in your say-so as a private individual. 08:15.880 --> 08:16.880 Well, I... 08:16.880 --> 08:17.880 We'd have to do something more official. 08:17.880 --> 08:19.880 Oh, for heaven's sake. 08:19.880 --> 08:21.880 You mean to tell me I can't report that there's going to be a murder 08:21.880 --> 08:23.880 without getting tied up in all this red tape? 08:23.880 --> 08:26.880 Why, it's perfectly idiotic. 08:26.880 --> 08:28.880 Well, all right, all right. 08:28.880 --> 08:29.880 I'll call the police. 08:29.880 --> 08:30.880 Thank you. 08:30.880 --> 08:32.880 I'm sure that would be the best way to... 08:32.880 --> 08:33.880 Oh, it's ridiculous. 08:33.880 --> 08:35.880 It's perfectly ridiculous. 08:37.880 --> 08:39.880 Red tape. 08:39.880 --> 08:42.880 Oh. 08:48.880 --> 08:49.880 Your call, please. 08:49.880 --> 08:50.880 The police department. 08:50.880 --> 08:52.880 Get me the police department, please. 08:52.880 --> 08:53.880 Thank you. 08:53.880 --> 08:54.880 Bringing the police department. 08:54.880 --> 09:11.880 Police station, precinct 43, Sergeant Martin speaking. 09:11.880 --> 09:15.880 Police department, this is Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Albert Smyth Stevenson 09:15.880 --> 09:17.880 of 53 North Sutton Place. 09:17.880 --> 09:19.880 I'm calling up to report a murder. 09:19.880 --> 09:21.880 I mean, the murder hasn't been committed yet, 09:21.880 --> 09:24.880 but I just overheard plans for it over the telephone 09:24.880 --> 09:26.880 over a wrong number that the operator gave me. 09:26.880 --> 09:29.880 I've been trying to trace down the call myself, 09:29.880 --> 09:32.880 but everybody is so stupid, and I guess in the end 09:32.880 --> 09:34.880 you're the only people who could do anything. 09:34.880 --> 09:35.880 Yes, ma'am. 09:35.880 --> 09:37.880 It was a perfectly definite murder. 09:37.880 --> 09:39.880 I heard their plans distinctly. 09:39.880 --> 09:42.880 Two men were talking, and they were going to murder 09:42.880 --> 09:45.880 some woman at 1115 tonight. 09:45.880 --> 09:47.880 She lived in a house near a bridge. 09:47.880 --> 09:48.880 Are you listening to me? 09:48.880 --> 09:50.880 Yes, ma'am. 09:50.880 --> 09:53.880 And there was a private patrolman on the street. 09:53.880 --> 09:56.880 He was going to go around for a beer on 2nd Avenue, 09:56.880 --> 09:59.880 and there was some third man, a client, 09:59.880 --> 10:02.880 who was paying to have this poor woman murdered. 10:02.880 --> 10:04.880 They were going to take her rings and bracelets 10:04.880 --> 10:06.880 and use a knife. 10:06.880 --> 10:10.880 Well, it's unnerved me dreadfully, and I'm not well. 10:10.880 --> 10:12.880 I see. When was all this, ma'am? 10:12.880 --> 10:15.880 Well, about eight minutes ago. 10:15.880 --> 10:17.880 Then you can do something. You do understand. 10:17.880 --> 10:19.880 What is your name, ma'am? 10:19.880 --> 10:21.880 Mrs. Stevenson. Mrs. Elbert Stevenson. 10:21.880 --> 10:23.880 And your address? 10:23.880 --> 10:24.880 53 North Sutton Place. 10:24.880 --> 10:27.880 53 North Sutton Place. 10:27.880 --> 10:29.880 That's near a bridge. 10:29.880 --> 10:31.880 The Queensborough Bridge, you know? 10:31.880 --> 10:33.880 And we have a private patrolman on our street. 10:33.880 --> 10:34.880 And 2nd Avenue... 10:34.880 --> 10:36.880 And what was the number you were calling? 10:36.880 --> 10:40.880 Murray Hill 70093. 10:40.880 --> 10:42.880 But that wasn't the number I overheard. 10:42.880 --> 10:46.880 I mean, Murray Hill 70093 is my husband's office. 10:46.880 --> 10:48.880 He's working late tonight, and I was trying to reach him 10:48.880 --> 10:50.880 to ask him to come home. 10:50.880 --> 10:54.880 I'm an invalid, you know, and it's the maid's night off, 10:54.880 --> 10:58.880 and I hate to be alone, even though he says I'm perfectly safe 10:58.880 --> 11:01.880 as long as I have the telephone right beside my bed. 11:01.880 --> 11:03.880 Well, we'll look into it, Mrs. Stevenson, 11:03.880 --> 11:05.880 and we'll see if we can check it with the telephone company. 11:05.880 --> 11:07.880 But the telephone company said they couldn't check the call 11:07.880 --> 11:09.880 at the parties that stopped talking. 11:09.880 --> 11:11.880 I've already taken care of that. 11:11.880 --> 11:12.880 Oh, you have? 11:12.880 --> 11:14.880 Yes, and personally I feel you want to do something 11:14.880 --> 11:17.880 far more immediate and drastic than just check the call. 11:17.880 --> 11:19.880 What good is checking the call do if they stop talking? 11:19.880 --> 11:22.880 By the time you track it down, they'll already have committed the murder. 11:22.880 --> 11:24.880 Well, we'll take care of it, don't you worry. 11:24.880 --> 11:26.880 Well, I'd say the whole thing calls for a search, 11:26.880 --> 11:28.880 a complete and thorough search of the whole city. 11:28.880 --> 11:31.880 Now, I'm very near the bridge, and I'm not far from 2nd Avenue, 11:31.880 --> 11:35.880 and I know I'd feel a lot better if you sent around a radio car 11:35.880 --> 11:36.880 to this neighborhood at once. 11:36.880 --> 11:38.880 And what makes you think the murder's going to be committed 11:38.880 --> 11:39.880 in your neighborhood, ma'am? 11:39.880 --> 11:41.880 Oh, well, I don't know. 11:41.880 --> 11:44.880 Only the coincidence is so horrible. 11:44.880 --> 11:47.880 2nd Avenue and the patrolmen and the bridge? 11:47.880 --> 11:49.880 2nd Avenue is a very long street, ma'am. 11:49.880 --> 11:50.880 I know. 11:50.880 --> 11:52.880 And you know how many bridges there are in the city of New York alone, 11:52.880 --> 11:55.880 not to mention Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx. 11:55.880 --> 11:56.880 I know. 11:56.880 --> 11:58.880 How do you know there isn't some little house out on Staten Island 11:58.880 --> 12:01.880 on some little 2nd Avenue you've never even heard about? 12:01.880 --> 12:04.880 How do you know they're even talking about New York at all? 12:04.880 --> 12:06.880 But I heard the call in the New York dialing system. 12:06.880 --> 12:08.880 Maybe it was a long-distance call you overheard. 12:08.880 --> 12:10.880 And telephones are funny things. 12:10.880 --> 12:12.880 Look, lady, why don't you look at it this way? 12:12.880 --> 12:15.880 Supposing you hadn't broken in on that telephone call. 12:15.880 --> 12:17.880 Supposing you'd got your husband the way you always do. 12:17.880 --> 12:19.880 You wouldn't be upset, would you? 12:19.880 --> 12:20.880 No, I suppose not. 12:20.880 --> 12:23.880 Only it sounded so inhuman, so cold-blooded. 12:23.880 --> 12:26.880 Well, a lot of murders are plotted in this city every day, ma'am. 12:26.880 --> 12:28.880 We manage to prevent most all of them, 12:28.880 --> 12:30.880 but a clue of this kind is so vague 12:30.880 --> 12:32.880 isn't much more used to us than no clue at all. 12:32.880 --> 12:33.880 But surely you... 12:33.880 --> 12:37.880 Unless, of course, you have some reason for thinking this call was phony 12:37.880 --> 12:40.880 and that somebody may be planning to murder you. 12:40.880 --> 12:41.880 Me? 12:41.880 --> 12:44.880 Oh, was... No, I hardly think so. 12:44.880 --> 12:47.880 Well, I mean, why should anybody? 12:47.880 --> 12:49.880 I'm alone all day and night. 12:49.880 --> 12:52.880 I see nobody except my maid, Eloise, 12:52.880 --> 12:54.880 and she's a big girl. 12:54.880 --> 12:55.880 She weighs 200 pounds. 12:55.880 --> 12:58.880 She's too lazy to bring up my breakfast tray. 12:58.880 --> 13:01.880 And the only other person is my husband, Albert. 13:01.880 --> 13:03.880 He's crazy about me. He just adores me. 13:03.880 --> 13:05.880 He waits on me hand and foot 13:05.880 --> 13:08.880 and scarcely left my side since I took sick 12 years ago. 13:08.880 --> 13:10.880 Well, and there's nothing for you to worry about. 13:10.880 --> 13:11.880 Well... 13:11.880 --> 13:13.880 Now, if you'll just leave the rest of this to us, we'll take care of... 13:13.880 --> 13:16.880 But what will you do? It's so late. It's nearly 11 now. 13:16.880 --> 13:17.880 We'll take care of it later. 13:17.880 --> 13:19.880 Well, will you broadcast it all over the city 13:19.880 --> 13:22.880 and send out squads and warn your radio cars to watch out, 13:22.880 --> 13:25.880 especially in suspicious neighborhoods like mine? 13:25.880 --> 13:27.880 Lady, I said we'd take care of it. 13:27.880 --> 13:29.880 Just now I've got a couple of other matters here on my desk 13:29.880 --> 13:31.880 that require immediate attention. 13:31.880 --> 13:32.880 Good night, ma'am, and thank you. 13:32.880 --> 13:35.880 Oh, you, you idiot! 13:35.880 --> 13:37.880 Oh. 13:37.880 --> 13:40.880 Oh, now why did I hang up the phone like that? 13:40.880 --> 13:43.880 Now we'll think I am a fool. 13:43.880 --> 13:48.880 Oh, why doesn't Albert come home? 13:48.880 --> 13:50.880 Why doesn't he? 13:50.880 --> 13:52.880 Oh. 13:52.880 --> 13:55.880 PHONE RINGING 14:00.880 --> 14:02.880 Oh. 14:02.880 --> 14:04.880 She answered. 14:04.880 --> 14:06.880 PHONE RINGING 14:06.880 --> 14:07.880 I need your call, please. 14:07.880 --> 14:09.880 Operator, for heaven's sake, will you ring that 14:09.880 --> 14:11.880 Murray Hill 70093 number again? 14:11.880 --> 14:13.880 I can't think what's keeping him so long. 14:13.880 --> 14:14.880 I will try it for you. 14:14.880 --> 14:16.880 Well, try, try. 14:16.880 --> 14:19.880 PHONE RINGING 14:19.880 --> 14:21.880 Oh, I'm so nervous. 14:21.880 --> 14:24.880 PHONE RINGING 14:24.880 --> 14:26.880 Why does it take so long? 14:26.880 --> 14:28.880 I'm sorry. 14:28.880 --> 14:31.880 Murray Hill 70093 is busy. 14:31.880 --> 14:32.880 I will call you when... 14:32.880 --> 14:33.880 I can hear it. You don't have to tell me. 14:33.880 --> 14:35.880 I know it's busy. 14:35.880 --> 14:37.880 Oh. 14:37.880 --> 14:41.880 Oh, if I could only get out of this bed for a little while. 14:41.880 --> 14:43.880 If I could... 14:43.880 --> 14:45.880 If I could get a breath of fresh air 14:45.880 --> 14:47.880 or just lean out of the window 14:47.880 --> 14:49.880 or see the street. 14:49.880 --> 14:51.880 PHONE RINGING 14:51.880 --> 14:53.880 Hello, Albert? 14:53.880 --> 14:55.880 Hello? 14:55.880 --> 14:57.880 Hello? 14:57.880 --> 14:58.880 Hello? 14:58.880 --> 14:59.880 Oh, what's the matter with this phone? 14:59.880 --> 15:01.880 Hello, hello? 15:01.880 --> 15:04.880 PHONE RINGING 15:04.880 --> 15:07.880 Hello? Hello? 15:07.880 --> 15:09.880 Oh, for heaven's sake, who is this? 15:09.880 --> 15:12.880 Hello? Hello? Hello? 15:12.880 --> 15:15.880 PHONE RINGING 15:15.880 --> 15:17.880 Oh, I'm trying. 15:17.880 --> 15:19.880 PHONE RINGING 15:19.880 --> 15:20.880 Oh. 15:20.880 --> 15:23.880 PHONE RINGING 15:23.880 --> 15:26.880 PHONE RINGING 15:26.880 --> 15:27.880 Oh, my goodness. 15:27.880 --> 15:28.880 Your call, please. 15:28.880 --> 15:29.880 Hello, operator. 15:29.880 --> 15:31.880 I don't know what's the matter with this telephone tonight 15:31.880 --> 15:33.880 but it's positively driving me crazy. 15:33.880 --> 15:36.880 I've never seen such inefficient, miserable service. 15:36.880 --> 15:38.880 Now, now, now, look. 15:38.880 --> 15:40.880 I'm an invalid and I'm very nervous 15:40.880 --> 15:42.880 and I'm not supposed to be annoyed. 15:42.880 --> 15:44.880 But if this keeps on much longer... 15:44.880 --> 15:45.880 What seems to be the trouble, please? 15:45.880 --> 15:46.880 Well, everything's wrong. 15:46.880 --> 15:48.880 I haven't had one bit of satisfaction 15:48.880 --> 15:50.880 out of one call I've made this evening. 15:50.880 --> 15:52.880 The whole world could be murdered for all you people care. 15:52.880 --> 15:54.880 And now, now, my phone keeps ringing and ringing 15:54.880 --> 15:56.880 and ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing 15:56.880 --> 15:57.880 every five seconds or so. 15:57.880 --> 15:59.880 And when I pick it up, there's no one there. 15:59.880 --> 16:01.880 I'm sorry. If you will hang up, I will test it for you. 16:01.880 --> 16:02.880 I don't want you to test it for me. 16:02.880 --> 16:04.880 I want you to put that call through, whatever it is, at once. 16:04.880 --> 16:06.880 I'm afraid I cannot do that. 16:06.880 --> 16:08.880 You can't? And why? Why, may I ask? 16:08.880 --> 16:10.880 The dial system is automatic. 16:10.880 --> 16:12.880 If someone is trying to dial your number, 16:12.880 --> 16:15.880 there is no way to check whether the call is coming through the system or not. 16:15.880 --> 16:17.880 Unless the person who is trying to reach you 16:17.880 --> 16:19.880 complains to his particular operator. 16:19.880 --> 16:21.880 Well, of all this stupid... 16:21.880 --> 16:24.880 And meanwhile, I've got to sit here in my bed suffering 16:24.880 --> 16:26.880 every time that phone rings, imagining everything. 16:26.880 --> 16:28.880 I will try to check the trouble for you. 16:28.880 --> 16:30.880 Check it, check it. That's all anybody can do. 16:30.880 --> 16:33.880 Oh, what's the use of talking to you? You're stupid. 16:35.880 --> 16:38.880 I'll fix her. Of all the impotence. 16:38.880 --> 16:40.880 Oh, how dare she speak to me like that. 16:40.880 --> 16:42.880 How dare she speak to me like that. 16:42.880 --> 16:45.880 RINGING 16:46.880 --> 16:48.880 Oh. 16:48.880 --> 16:50.880 Oh, what does she answer? 16:50.880 --> 16:52.880 RINGING 16:56.880 --> 16:57.880 Your call, please. 16:57.880 --> 16:59.880 Young woman, I don't know your name. 16:59.880 --> 17:01.880 But there are ways of finding you out. 17:01.880 --> 17:03.880 And I'm going to report you to your superiors 17:03.880 --> 17:05.880 for the most unpardonable rudeness and insolence 17:05.880 --> 17:06.880 that has ever been my privilege. 17:06.880 --> 17:08.880 Give me the business office, if you'll. 17:08.880 --> 17:09.880 You may dial that number direct. 17:09.880 --> 17:12.880 Dial it direct? I'll do no such thing. I don't even know the number. 17:12.880 --> 17:14.880 The number is in the directory. 17:14.880 --> 17:16.880 Or you may secure it by dialing information. 17:16.880 --> 17:17.880 Now listen here, you... 17:17.880 --> 17:19.880 Oh, what's the use? 17:19.880 --> 17:21.880 Oh. 17:23.880 --> 17:27.880 Oh, for heaven's sake, I'm going out of my mind. 17:27.880 --> 17:30.880 Hello? Hello? Stop ringing me. Do you hear? 17:30.880 --> 17:32.880 Answer me. Who is this? 17:32.880 --> 17:34.880 You realize you're driving me crazy? 17:34.880 --> 17:36.880 Who's calling me? What are you doing it for? 17:36.880 --> 17:39.880 Now stop it. Stop it. Stop it, I say. 17:39.880 --> 17:41.880 Hello? Hello? If you don't stop ringing me, 17:41.880 --> 17:44.880 I'm going to call the police. You hear? The police. 17:44.880 --> 17:46.880 Oh. 17:46.880 --> 17:50.880 Oh, if Elbert would only come home. 17:50.880 --> 17:53.880 Oh, let it ring. 17:53.880 --> 17:55.880 Let it go on ringing. 17:55.880 --> 17:58.880 It's a trick of some kind. 17:58.880 --> 18:01.880 And I won't answer it. I won't. I won't. 18:01.880 --> 18:04.880 Even if it goes on ringing all night. 18:04.880 --> 18:06.880 I won't. 18:16.880 --> 18:18.880 Now what's the matter? 18:18.880 --> 18:22.880 Why do they stop ringing all of a sudden? 18:22.880 --> 18:24.880 What time is it? 18:24.880 --> 18:27.880 Oh, where did I put that clock? 18:29.880 --> 18:31.880 Five to eleven. 18:31.880 --> 18:34.880 Oh, they've decided something. 18:34.880 --> 18:36.880 They're sure I'm home. 18:36.880 --> 18:39.880 They heard my voice answer them just now. 18:39.880 --> 18:41.880 That's why they've been ringing me. 18:41.880 --> 18:44.880 Why no one has answered me? 18:44.880 --> 18:47.880 Call that operator again. 18:49.880 --> 18:51.880 Oh, where is she? 18:51.880 --> 18:54.880 Why doesn't she answer? 18:54.880 --> 18:57.880 Oh, operator. 18:57.880 --> 19:00.880 Why doesn't she answer? 19:00.880 --> 19:02.880 Your call, please. 19:02.880 --> 19:04.880 Where were you just now? Why didn't you answer at once? 19:04.880 --> 19:06.880 Give me the police department. 19:06.880 --> 19:08.880 I'm sorry. 19:08.880 --> 19:10.880 Just a minute. 19:15.880 --> 19:17.880 I'm sorry. The line is busy. 19:17.880 --> 19:19.880 I will call you. 19:19.880 --> 19:21.880 It's busy, but that's impossible. 19:21.880 --> 19:23.880 The police department can't be busy. 19:23.880 --> 19:25.880 There must be other lines available. 19:25.880 --> 19:27.880 The line is busy. I will try to get them for you later. 19:27.880 --> 19:30.880 No, no. I've got to speak to them now or it may be too late. 19:30.880 --> 19:32.880 I've got to talk to someone. 19:32.880 --> 19:34.880 What number do you wish to speak to? 19:34.880 --> 19:38.880 I don't know, but there must be someone to protect people beside the police department. 19:38.880 --> 19:40.880 A detective agency. 19:40.880 --> 19:43.880 You will find agencies listed in the classified directory. 19:43.880 --> 19:45.880 But I don't have a classified directory. 19:45.880 --> 19:47.880 I mean, I'm too nervous to look it up. 19:47.880 --> 19:49.880 I don't have the information. Perhaps she will be able to help you. 19:49.880 --> 19:51.880 No, no. 19:51.880 --> 19:55.880 Oh, you're being spiteful, aren't you? 19:55.880 --> 19:58.880 You don't care, do you? What happens to me? 19:58.880 --> 20:01.880 I could die and you wouldn't care. 20:01.880 --> 20:06.880 Oh, stop it! Stop it! I can't stand anymore! 20:06.880 --> 20:08.880 Hello? What do you want? 20:08.880 --> 20:10.880 Stop ringing, will you? Stop it! 20:10.880 --> 20:12.880 Hello? Is this Plaza 42295? 20:12.880 --> 20:15.880 Yes, I'm... 20:15.880 --> 20:20.880 I'm sorry. Yes, this is Plaza 42295. 20:20.880 --> 20:22.880 This is Western Union. 20:22.880 --> 20:25.880 I have a telegram here for Mrs. Albert Stevenson. 20:25.880 --> 20:27.880 Is there anyone there to receive the message? 20:27.880 --> 20:30.880 Yes, I'm Mrs. Stevenson. 20:30.880 --> 20:32.880 The telegram is as follows. 20:32.880 --> 20:37.880 Mrs. Albert Stevenson, 53 North, Sutton Place, New York, New York. 20:37.880 --> 20:39.880 Darling, terribly sorry. 20:39.880 --> 20:43.880 Tried to get you for last hour, but line busy. 20:43.880 --> 20:48.880 Leaving for Boston 11 p.m. tonight on urgent business. 20:48.880 --> 20:50.880 Back tomorrow afternoon. 20:50.880 --> 20:53.880 Keep happy. Love, signed, Albert. 20:53.880 --> 20:54.880 Oh, no. 20:54.880 --> 20:56.880 Do you wish us to deliver a copy of the message? 20:56.880 --> 20:58.880 No. No, thank you. 20:58.880 --> 21:00.880 Thank you, madam. Good night. 21:00.880 --> 21:02.880 Good night. 21:05.880 --> 21:07.880 Oh, no. 21:07.880 --> 21:10.880 No, I don't believe it. 21:10.880 --> 21:15.880 He couldn't do it, not when he knows I'll be all alone. 21:17.880 --> 21:19.880 It's some trick. 21:19.880 --> 21:21.880 It's some trick. Something... 21:21.880 --> 21:23.880 Something is trick... 21:25.880 --> 21:27.880 I know. 21:28.880 --> 21:31.880 Oh, I'm so nervous. 21:35.880 --> 21:37.880 Oh, what is the answer? 21:37.880 --> 21:39.880 Your call, please. 21:39.880 --> 21:43.880 Operator, try that Murray Hill 70093 number for me just once more, please. 21:43.880 --> 21:45.880 You may dial that number direct. 21:45.880 --> 21:47.880 Oh. 21:50.880 --> 21:52.880 You... 21:54.880 --> 21:56.880 Oh. Oh. 21:56.880 --> 22:06.880 Oh. 9... 3... 22:07.880 --> 22:12.880 Oh. Oh. Oh, he's gone. 22:12.880 --> 22:17.880 Oh, Albert, how could you? How could you? 22:17.880 --> 22:22.880 Oh, I can't be alone tonight. I can't. 22:22.880 --> 22:27.880 If I'm alone one more second, I'll go mad. 22:27.880 --> 22:31.880 I don't care what he says or what the expense is. 22:31.880 --> 22:35.880 I'm a sick woman. I'm untied and... 22:35.880 --> 22:38.880 I'm a sick woman. I'm untied and... 22:53.880 --> 22:55.880 This is information. May I help you? 22:55.880 --> 22:58.880 I want the telephone number of Henshley Hospital. 22:58.880 --> 23:00.880 Henshley Hospital? Yes. 23:00.880 --> 23:02.880 Do you have the street address? 23:02.880 --> 23:06.880 No, it's a very small private and exclusive hospital 23:06.880 --> 23:08.880 where I had my appendix out two years ago. 23:08.880 --> 23:11.880 Henshley H-E-N-C... Wait a moment, please. 23:11.880 --> 23:14.880 Well, will you please hurry and... Please, what is the time? 23:14.880 --> 23:18.880 You may find out the time by dialing Meridian 71212. 23:18.880 --> 23:21.880 Oh, for heaven's sake, I've no time to be dialing. 23:21.880 --> 23:24.880 The number of Henshley Hospital is Butterfield 70105. 23:24.880 --> 23:32.880 Butterfield 70105. 23:46.880 --> 23:47.880 Henshley Hospital, good evening. 23:47.880 --> 23:50.880 Nurse's registry. Who was it you wish to speak to, please? 23:50.880 --> 23:52.880 I want the nurse's registry at once. 23:52.880 --> 23:55.880 I want a trained nurse. I want to hire immediately for the night. 23:55.880 --> 23:57.880 I see. And what is the nature of the case, madam? 23:57.880 --> 24:02.880 Nerves. I'm very nervous. I need soothing and companionship. 24:02.880 --> 24:04.880 You see, my husband is away and I'm also... 24:04.880 --> 24:07.880 Have you been recommended to us by any doctor in particular, madam? 24:07.880 --> 24:11.880 No, but I really don't see why all this catechizing is necessary. 24:11.880 --> 24:13.880 I just want a trained nurse. 24:13.880 --> 24:15.880 I was a patient in your hospital two years ago, 24:15.880 --> 24:19.880 and after all, I do expect to pay this person for attending me. 24:19.880 --> 24:21.880 We quite understand that, madam, but these are wartimes, you know. 24:21.880 --> 24:22.880 I know that. 24:22.880 --> 24:24.880 These registered nurses are very scarce just now, 24:24.880 --> 24:28.880 and our superintendent has asked us to send people out only on cases 24:28.880 --> 24:30.880 where the physician in charge feels it's absolutely necessary. 24:30.880 --> 24:33.880 Well, it is absolutely necessary. I'm a sick woman. 24:33.880 --> 24:35.880 I'm very much upset, very. 24:35.880 --> 24:38.880 I'm alone in this house and I'm an invalid, 24:38.880 --> 24:42.880 and tonight I overheard a telephone conversation that upset me dreadfully. 24:42.880 --> 24:46.880 In fact, if someone doesn't come at once, I'm afraid I'll go out of my mind. 24:46.880 --> 24:49.880 I see. Well, I'll speak to Miss Phillips as soon as she comes in. 24:49.880 --> 24:51.880 And what is your name, madam? 24:51.880 --> 24:53.880 Miss Phillips? And when do you expect her in? 24:53.880 --> 24:56.880 I really couldn't say. She went out to supper at 11 o'clock. 24:56.880 --> 25:00.880 Eleven o'clock? But it's not eleven o'clock yet. 25:00.880 --> 25:05.880 Oh, oh, my clock has stopped. I thought it was running down. 25:05.880 --> 25:07.880 What time is it? 25:07.880 --> 25:09.880 Just fifteen minutes past eleven. 25:09.880 --> 25:11.880 What was that? 25:11.880 --> 25:12.880 What was what, madam? 25:12.880 --> 25:16.880 That, that click just now in my own telephone, 25:16.880 --> 25:20.880 as though someone had lifted the receiver off the hook of the extension telephone downstairs? 25:20.880 --> 25:23.880 Well, I didn't hear it, madam. Now, about this... 25:23.880 --> 25:26.880 But I did. There's, there's someone in this house, 25:26.880 --> 25:30.880 someone downstairs in the kitchen, and they're, they're listening to me now. 25:30.880 --> 25:32.880 They're listening! 25:34.880 --> 25:38.880 Ah, I won't, I won't pick it up. 25:38.880 --> 25:42.880 I, I won't let them hear me. 25:42.880 --> 25:44.880 I won't let them hear me. 25:44.880 --> 25:47.880 I'll be quiet. I'll be so quiet. 25:47.880 --> 25:49.880 And they'll think... 25:49.880 --> 25:53.880 Oh, but if I don't call someone now, 25:53.880 --> 25:55.880 while they're still down here, 25:55.880 --> 25:58.880 maybe there'll be no time. 25:58.880 --> 26:01.880 Oh, I've got to... Oh, someone's got to help me. 26:01.880 --> 26:03.880 Somebody's got to help me. 26:05.880 --> 26:07.880 Your call, please. 26:07.880 --> 26:10.880 Operator, I'm, I'm in desperate trouble. 26:10.880 --> 26:13.880 I'm sorry, I cannot hear you. Please speak louder. 26:13.880 --> 26:15.880 I, I, I don't dare. 26:15.880 --> 26:17.880 There's someone listening. 26:17.880 --> 26:19.880 Can, can you hear me now? 26:19.880 --> 26:20.880 I'm sorry. 26:20.880 --> 26:23.880 Oh, but you've got to, you've got to hear me. 26:23.880 --> 26:26.880 Oh, please, please, you've got to help me. 26:26.880 --> 26:29.880 There's, there's someone in this house, 26:29.880 --> 26:31.880 someone who's going to murder me, 26:31.880 --> 26:34.880 and you've got to get in touch with... 26:34.880 --> 26:37.880 Oh, oh, there it is. 26:37.880 --> 26:39.880 There it is. Did you hear it? 26:39.880 --> 26:41.880 He's, he's put it down. 26:41.880 --> 26:44.880 He's put down the extension phone. 26:44.880 --> 26:47.880 He's, he's coming up. 26:47.880 --> 26:50.880 Ah! He's coming upstairs. 26:50.880 --> 26:53.880 Okay, okay, give me the police department. 26:53.880 --> 26:55.880 The police department. 26:55.880 --> 26:57.880 Give me the police department. 26:57.880 --> 26:59.880 One moment, please. I will connect you. 26:59.880 --> 27:01.880 I can hear him. Oh, I can hear him. 27:01.880 --> 27:04.880 He's coming nearer. Oh, I know it. 27:04.880 --> 27:07.880 Hurry. Hurry. 27:07.880 --> 27:09.880 Hurry, please. 27:09.880 --> 27:11.880 Ah! 27:11.880 --> 27:14.880 Ah! 27:14.880 --> 27:40.880 Ah! 27:40.880 --> 27:41.880 Oh, police department. 27:41.880 --> 27:43.880 Oh, I'm, I'm sorry. 27:43.880 --> 27:45.880 I must have got the wrong number. 27:45.880 --> 27:47.880 Police department, police department, 27:47.880 --> 27:49.880 Sergeant Martin speaking. 27:49.880 --> 27:51.880 Police department, Martin speaking. 27:51.880 --> 27:53.880 Police department, Martin speaking. 27:53.880 --> 27:55.880 Oh, police department? 27:55.880 --> 27:58.880 I'm sorry, I must have got the wrong number. 27:58.880 --> 28:19.880 Don't worry, everything's okay. 28:19.880 --> 28:23.880 And so closes Sorry, Wrong Number, starring Agnes Moorhead. 28:23.880 --> 28:27.880 Tonight's tale of suspense. 28:27.880 --> 28:30.880 This is your narrator, the man in black, 28:30.880 --> 28:32.880 who conveys to you Columbia's invitation 28:32.880 --> 28:35.880 to spend this half hour in suspense with us again next Tuesday, 28:35.880 --> 28:38.880 when Mr. Donald Crisp and Mr. John Loder 28:38.880 --> 28:42.880 will star in the suspense play called The Extra Guest. 28:42.880 --> 28:44.880 The producer of these broadcasts is William Spear, 28:44.880 --> 28:47.880 who with Ted Bliss, the director, Ladd Kluskin, the musical director, 28:47.880 --> 28:53.880 and Lucille Fletcher, the author, collaborated on tonight's suspense. 28:53.880 --> 28:57.880 This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.