WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:30.000 --> 00:37.000 This is the Man in Black, here to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. 00:37.000 --> 00:48.400 Tonight as we premiere our new Saturday evening series on the air, Ms. Agnes Moorhead returns 00:48.400 --> 00:55.800 to our stage to appear in the study in terror by Lucille Fletcher called Sorry, Wrong Number. 00:55.800 --> 01:01.000 The story of a woman who accidentally overheard a conversation with death and who strove frantically 01:01.000 --> 01:06.280 to prevent murder from claiming an innocent victim is being repeated by popular request 01:06.280 --> 01:08.600 as tonight's tale of Suspense. 01:08.600 --> 01:14.320 If you've been with us before, you will know that suspense is compounded of mystery and 01:14.320 --> 01:17.080 suspicion and dangerous adventure. 01:17.080 --> 01:23.000 In this series, her tales calculated to intrigue you, to stir your nerves, to offer you a precarious 01:23.000 --> 01:29.520 situation and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment. 01:29.520 --> 01:36.520 And so it is with the story Sorry, Wrong Number and the performance of Ms. Agnes Moorhead, 01:36.520 --> 01:57.880 we again hope to keep you in Suspense. 01:57.880 --> 02:15.600 Your call, please. 02:15.600 --> 02:20.040 Operator, I've been dialing Murray Hill 70093 now for the last three quarters of an hour 02:20.040 --> 02:21.280 and the line is always busy. 02:21.280 --> 02:23.160 I don't see how it could be busy that long. 02:23.160 --> 02:24.160 Will you try it for me, please? 02:24.160 --> 02:26.920 I will be glad to try that number for you. 02:26.920 --> 02:27.920 One moment, please. 02:27.920 --> 02:29.360 I don't see how it could be busy all this time. 02:29.360 --> 02:30.800 It's my husband's office. 02:30.800 --> 02:33.440 He's working late tonight and I'm all alone here in the house. 02:33.440 --> 02:39.000 My health is very poor and I've been feeling so nervous all day. 02:39.000 --> 02:43.880 Ringing Murray Hill 70093. 02:43.880 --> 02:45.880 Hello? 02:45.880 --> 02:47.880 Hello? 02:47.880 --> 02:49.880 Hello? 02:49.880 --> 02:55.480 Is Mr. Stevenson there? 02:55.480 --> 02:57.480 Hello? 02:57.480 --> 02:59.480 Hello? 02:59.480 --> 03:01.480 Hello, George? 03:01.480 --> 03:03.480 Yes, sir. 03:03.480 --> 03:05.480 This is George Speedy. 03:05.480 --> 03:07.480 Hello, who's this? 03:07.480 --> 03:09.480 What number am I calling, please? 03:09.480 --> 03:11.480 I'm here with our client. 03:11.480 --> 03:13.480 Oh, good. 03:13.480 --> 03:15.480 Is everything okay? 03:15.480 --> 03:17.480 Is the coast clear for the night? 03:17.480 --> 03:19.480 Yes, George. 03:19.480 --> 03:21.480 He says the coast is clear for the night. 03:21.480 --> 03:23.480 Okay, okay. 03:23.480 --> 03:25.480 What's the address? 03:25.480 --> 03:27.480 Yeah, yeah, I know. 03:27.480 --> 03:31.480 At 11 o'clock, the private patrolman goes around to the bar on Secna Avenue for a beer. 03:31.480 --> 03:33.480 That's right, at 11 o'clock. 03:33.480 --> 03:36.480 I will make sure that all the lights downstairs are out. 03:36.480 --> 03:39.480 There should be only one light visible from the street. 03:39.480 --> 03:41.480 Yeah, yeah, I know. 03:41.480 --> 03:45.480 At 11.15, a train crosses the bridge. 03:45.480 --> 03:49.480 It makes a noise in case a window is open and she should scream. 03:49.480 --> 03:51.480 Oh, hello, what number is this, please? 03:51.480 --> 03:53.480 Okay, I understand, I tell you. 03:53.480 --> 03:55.480 That's 11.15, the train. 03:55.480 --> 03:57.480 Yeah. Do you remember everything else, George? 03:57.480 --> 03:59.480 Yeah, yeah, I make it quick. 03:59.480 --> 04:01.480 As little blood as possible. 04:01.480 --> 04:06.480 Because our client does not wish to make her suffer longer. 04:06.480 --> 04:08.480 That's right. You'll use a knife? 04:08.480 --> 04:10.480 Yes, a knife will be okay. 04:10.480 --> 04:16.480 And afterwards, I remove the rings and the bracelets and the jewelry in the bureau drawer. 04:16.480 --> 04:20.480 Because our client wishes it to look like simple robbery. 04:20.480 --> 04:24.480 Don't worry, everything's okay. 04:24.480 --> 04:26.480 I never... 04:26.480 --> 04:30.480 Oh, how awful, how unspeakably awful. 04:30.480 --> 04:32.480 Oh! 04:32.480 --> 04:34.480 The operator. 04:34.480 --> 04:37.480 Oh, my God. 04:37.480 --> 04:40.480 Oh, my God. 04:40.480 --> 04:42.480 Your call, please. 04:42.480 --> 04:44.480 Operator, I've just been cut off. 04:44.480 --> 04:46.480 Sorry, what number were you calling? 04:46.480 --> 04:50.480 Why, it was supposed to be Murray Hill 70093, but it wasn't. 04:50.480 --> 04:52.480 Some wires must have got crossed. 04:52.480 --> 04:54.480 I was cut into a wrong number. 04:54.480 --> 04:56.480 And I've just heard the most dreadful thing, something about a murder. 04:56.480 --> 04:59.480 And, operator, you simply have to retrace that call at once. 04:59.480 --> 05:01.480 I beg your pardon. May I help you? 05:01.480 --> 05:03.480 Oh, I know it was a wrong number and I had no business listening. 05:03.480 --> 05:05.480 But these two men, they were cold-blooded fiends. 05:05.480 --> 05:07.480 They were going to murder somebody. 05:07.480 --> 05:09.480 Some poor, innocent woman who was all alone in a house near a bridge. 05:09.480 --> 05:11.480 And we've got to stop them. We've got to. 05:11.480 --> 05:13.480 What number were you calling, please? 05:13.480 --> 05:16.480 Well, that doesn't matter. This was a wrong number and you dialed it for me. 05:16.480 --> 05:18.480 And we've got to find out what it was immediately. 05:18.480 --> 05:20.480 What number did you call? 05:20.480 --> 05:22.480 Oh, why are you so stupid? What time is it? 05:22.480 --> 05:25.480 Do you mean to tell me you can't find out what that number was just now? 05:25.480 --> 05:27.480 I'll connect you with the chief operator. 05:27.480 --> 05:29.480 Oh, I think it's perfectly shameful. 05:29.480 --> 05:32.480 Now, look, look, it was obviously a place of some little slip of the finger. 05:32.480 --> 05:35.480 I told you to try Murray Hill 70093 for me. 05:35.480 --> 05:39.480 You dialed it, but your finger must have slipped and I was connected with some other number. 05:39.480 --> 05:41.480 And I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me. 05:41.480 --> 05:45.480 Now, I simply failed to see why you couldn't make that same mistake again on purpose. 05:45.480 --> 05:49.480 Why you couldn't try to dial Murray Hill 70093 in the same sort of careless way. 05:49.480 --> 05:52.480 Murray Hill 70093. 05:52.480 --> 05:53.480 Yes. 05:53.480 --> 05:54.480 I'll try to get it for you. 05:54.480 --> 05:55.480 Oh, thank you. 05:55.480 --> 05:59.480 Oh, I'm sorry. 05:59.480 --> 06:02.480 Murray Hill 70093 is busy. 06:02.480 --> 06:04.480 I'll call you in 20 minutes. 06:04.480 --> 06:08.480 Operator, operator, operator, operator. 06:08.480 --> 06:10.480 Your call, please. 06:10.480 --> 06:12.480 You didn't try to get that wrong number at all. 06:12.480 --> 06:14.480 I asked you explicitly and all you did was dial correctly. 06:14.480 --> 06:15.480 I'm sorry. 06:15.480 --> 06:17.480 What number did you call? 06:17.480 --> 06:18.480 I don't know. 06:18.480 --> 06:19.480 I don't know. 06:19.480 --> 06:20.480 I don't know. 06:20.480 --> 06:21.480 I don't know. 06:21.480 --> 06:22.480 I don't know. 06:22.480 --> 06:23.480 I don't know. 06:23.480 --> 06:25.480 All you did was dial correctly. 06:25.480 --> 06:26.480 I'm sorry. 06:26.480 --> 06:27.480 What number are you calling? 06:27.480 --> 06:30.480 Well, can't you for once forget what number I'm calling and do something for me? 06:30.480 --> 06:32.480 Now, I want to trace that call. 06:32.480 --> 06:36.480 It's my civic duty and it's your civic duty to trace that call and apprehend those dangerous killers. 06:36.480 --> 06:37.480 And if you won't... 06:37.480 --> 06:38.480 I will connect you with the chief operator. 06:38.480 --> 06:39.480 Please. 06:50.480 --> 06:51.480 This is the chief operator. 06:51.480 --> 06:52.480 Oh, chief operator. 06:52.480 --> 06:54.480 I want you to trace a call, a telephone call immediately. 06:54.480 --> 06:58.480 I don't know where it came from or who was making it, but it's absolutely necessary that it be tracked down 06:58.480 --> 07:05.480 because it was about a murder that someone's planning a terrible cold-blooded murder of a poor innocent woman tonight at 1115. 07:05.480 --> 07:06.480 I see. 07:06.480 --> 07:07.480 Well, can you trace it for me? 07:07.480 --> 07:08.480 Can you track down those men? 07:08.480 --> 07:09.480 I'm not certain. It depends. 07:09.480 --> 07:10.480 Well, it depends on what? 07:10.480 --> 07:12.480 It depends on whether the call is still going on. 07:12.480 --> 07:14.480 If it's a live call, we can trace it on the equipment. 07:14.480 --> 07:16.480 If it's been disconnected, we can't. 07:16.480 --> 07:17.480 Disconnect? 07:17.480 --> 07:18.480 If the parties have stopped talking to each other. 07:18.480 --> 07:21.480 Oh, but if of course they must have stopped talking to each other by now, 07:21.480 --> 07:25.480 that was at least five minutes ago and they didn't sound like the type who would make a long call. 07:25.480 --> 07:27.480 Well, I can try tracing it. 07:27.480 --> 07:28.480 May I have your name, please? 07:28.480 --> 07:29.480 Mrs. Stevenson. 07:29.480 --> 07:31.480 Mrs. Albert Stevenson. 07:31.480 --> 07:32.480 But listen, I... 07:32.480 --> 07:33.480 And your telephone number, please. 07:33.480 --> 07:34.480 Plaza 4-2-2-9-5. 07:34.480 --> 07:36.480 But if you go on wasting all this time... 07:36.480 --> 07:38.480 Why do you want this call traced, please? 07:38.480 --> 07:39.480 What? 07:39.480 --> 07:40.480 I don't... 07:40.480 --> 07:41.480 Well, no reason. 07:41.480 --> 07:44.480 I mean, I merely felt very strongly that something ought to be done about it. 07:44.480 --> 07:46.480 These men sounded like killers. 07:46.480 --> 07:47.480 They're dangerous. 07:47.480 --> 07:49.480 They're going to murder this woman at 1115 tonight. 07:49.480 --> 07:50.480 I thought the police ought to know. 07:50.480 --> 07:52.480 Have you reported this to the police? 07:52.480 --> 07:53.480 Well, no, not yet. 07:53.480 --> 07:55.480 You want this call checked purely as a private individual. 07:55.480 --> 07:57.480 Yes, yes, but meanwhile I... 07:57.480 --> 08:00.480 I'm sorry, Mrs. Stevenson, but I'm afraid we couldn't make this check for you 08:00.480 --> 08:03.480 and trace the call just in your say-so as a private individual. 08:03.480 --> 08:04.480 We'd have to have something more efficient. 08:04.480 --> 08:05.480 Oh, for heaven's sake. 08:05.480 --> 08:08.480 You mean to tell me I can't report that there's going to be a murder 08:08.480 --> 08:10.480 without getting tied up in all this red tape? 08:10.480 --> 08:12.480 Why, it's perfectly idiotic. 08:12.480 --> 08:14.480 Well, all right, I'll call the police. 08:14.480 --> 08:15.480 Thank you. 08:15.480 --> 08:17.480 I'm sure that would be the best way to... 08:17.480 --> 08:20.480 It's ridiculous, perfectly ridiculous. 08:20.480 --> 08:25.480 I can't see why you have to go through all this trouble. 08:25.480 --> 08:29.480 Oh. 08:35.480 --> 08:36.480 Your call, please. 08:36.480 --> 08:37.480 The police department. 08:37.480 --> 08:38.480 Get me the police department, please. 08:38.480 --> 08:39.480 Thank you. 08:39.480 --> 08:41.480 Oh, dear, do you have to dial? 08:41.480 --> 08:42.480 Can't you ring them direct? 08:42.480 --> 08:45.480 Ringing, the police department. 08:45.480 --> 08:48.480 It's ringing. 08:48.480 --> 08:50.480 Oh. 08:50.480 --> 08:53.480 Oh, man, look at me. 08:56.480 --> 08:59.480 Police station, precinct 43, Sergeant Martin speaking. 08:59.480 --> 09:04.480 Police department, this is Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Albert Smyth Stevenson, 09:04.480 --> 09:06.480 of 53 North Sutton Place. 09:06.480 --> 09:08.480 I'm calling up to report a murder. 09:08.480 --> 09:10.480 I mean, the murder hasn't been committed yet, 09:10.480 --> 09:12.480 but I just overheard plans for it over the telephone 09:12.480 --> 09:15.480 over a wrong number that the operator gave me. 09:15.480 --> 09:17.480 I've been trying to trace down the call myself, 09:17.480 --> 09:19.480 but everybody is so stupid, 09:19.480 --> 09:22.480 and I guess in the end you're the only people who can do anything. 09:22.480 --> 09:23.480 Yes, ma'am. 09:23.480 --> 09:25.480 It was a perfectly definite murder. 09:25.480 --> 09:27.480 I heard their plans distinctly. 09:27.480 --> 09:31.480 Two men were talking, and they were going to murder some woman at 1115 tonight. 09:31.480 --> 09:33.480 She lived in a house near a bridge. 09:33.480 --> 09:35.480 Are you listening to me? 09:35.480 --> 09:36.480 Yes, ma'am. 09:36.480 --> 09:38.480 And there was a private patrolman on the street. 09:38.480 --> 09:41.480 He was going to go around for a beer on 2nd Avenue, 09:41.480 --> 09:43.480 and there was some third man, a client, 09:43.480 --> 09:45.480 who was paying to have this poor woman murdered. 09:45.480 --> 09:48.480 They were going to take her rings and bracelets and use a knife. 09:48.480 --> 09:52.480 Well, it's a nerve-mining red play, and I'm not well, and I just don't know... 09:52.480 --> 09:54.480 I see. When was all this, ma'am? 09:54.480 --> 09:56.480 About eight minutes ago. 09:56.480 --> 09:58.480 Then you can do something. You do understand. 09:58.480 --> 09:59.480 What is your name, ma'am? 09:59.480 --> 10:01.480 Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Albert Stevenson. 10:01.480 --> 10:02.480 And your address? 10:02.480 --> 10:05.480 53 North Sutton Place, 53 North Sutton Place. 10:05.480 --> 10:07.480 That's near a bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, you know, 10:07.480 --> 10:10.480 and we have a private patrolman on our street. 10:10.480 --> 10:12.480 And what was the number you were calling? 10:12.480 --> 10:15.480 Murray Hill 70093. 10:15.480 --> 10:17.480 But that wasn't the number I overheard. 10:17.480 --> 10:20.480 I mean, Murray Hill 70093 is my husband's office. 10:20.480 --> 10:23.480 He's working late tonight, and I was trying to reach him to ask him to come home. 10:23.480 --> 10:26.480 I'm an invalid, you know, and it's the maiden night off, 10:26.480 --> 10:29.480 and I hate to be alone even though he says I'm perfectly safe 10:29.480 --> 10:31.480 as long as I have the telephone right beside my bed. 10:31.480 --> 10:33.480 Well, we'll look into it, Mrs. Stevenson, 10:33.480 --> 10:35.480 and here we can check it with the telephone company. 10:35.480 --> 10:37.480 But the telephone company said they couldn't check the call 10:37.480 --> 10:39.480 if the parties had stopped talking. I've already taken care of that. 10:39.480 --> 10:40.480 Oh, you have? 10:40.480 --> 10:43.480 Yes, and personally, I feel you ought to do something far more immediate 10:43.480 --> 10:45.480 and drastic than just check the call. 10:45.480 --> 10:47.480 What good is checking the call do if they've stopped talking? 10:47.480 --> 10:50.480 By the time you've tracked it down, they'll already have committed the murder. 10:50.480 --> 10:52.480 Well, we'll take care of it, don't you worry. 10:52.480 --> 10:54.480 Well, I'd say the whole thing calls for a search, 10:54.480 --> 10:56.480 a complete and thorough search of the whole city. 10:56.480 --> 10:59.480 Now, I'm very near the bridge, and I'm not far from Second Avenue, 10:59.480 --> 11:02.480 and I know I'd feel a whole lot better if you'd stand around a radio car 11:02.480 --> 11:03.480 to this neighborhood at once. 11:03.480 --> 11:06.480 And what makes you think the murder is going to be committed in your neighborhood, ma'am? 11:06.480 --> 11:10.480 Well, I don't know. Only the coincidence. It's so horrible. 11:10.480 --> 11:13.480 Second Avenue, the patrolman, the bridge. 11:13.480 --> 11:15.480 Second Avenue is a very long street, ma'am, 11:15.480 --> 11:18.480 and you know how many bridges there are in the city of New York alone. 11:18.480 --> 11:19.480 Yes, I know. 11:19.480 --> 11:21.480 Not to mention Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx. 11:21.480 --> 11:22.480 I know that. 11:22.480 --> 11:24.480 How do you know there isn't some little house on Staten Island 11:24.480 --> 11:27.480 on some little Second Avenue you've never even heard about? 11:27.480 --> 11:29.480 How do you know they're even talking about New York at all? 11:29.480 --> 11:32.480 But I heard the call on the New York dialing system. 11:32.480 --> 11:34.480 Maybe it was a long-distance call you overheard. 11:34.480 --> 11:35.480 Oh, don't. 11:35.480 --> 11:37.480 Telephones are funny things. 11:37.480 --> 11:40.480 Look, lady, why don't you look at it this way? 11:40.480 --> 11:43.480 Supposing you hadn't broken in on that telephone call. 11:43.480 --> 11:46.480 Supposing you'd got your husband the way you always do. 11:46.480 --> 11:48.480 You wouldn't be so upset, would you? 11:48.480 --> 11:49.480 Well, no, I suppose not. 11:49.480 --> 11:52.480 Only it sounded so inhuman, so cold-blooded. 11:52.480 --> 11:55.480 A lot of murders are plotted in this city every day, ma'am. 11:55.480 --> 11:57.480 We manage to prevent almost all of them. 11:57.480 --> 12:00.480 But a clue of this kind is so vague. 12:00.480 --> 12:02.480 It isn't much more used to us than no clue at all. 12:02.480 --> 12:03.480 But surely you... 12:03.480 --> 12:07.480 Yes, of course, you have some reason for thinking this call was phony 12:07.480 --> 12:10.480 and that someone may be planning to murder you. 12:10.480 --> 12:12.480 Me? Oh, no. 12:12.480 --> 12:14.480 Oh, I hardly think so. 12:14.480 --> 12:16.480 I mean, why should anybody? 12:16.480 --> 12:17.480 I'm alone all day and night. 12:17.480 --> 12:20.480 I see nobody except my maid, Eloise, and she's a big girl. 12:20.480 --> 12:22.480 She weighs 200 pounds. 12:22.480 --> 12:24.480 She's too lazy to bring up my breakfast tray. 12:24.480 --> 12:27.480 And the only other person is my husband, Albert. 12:27.480 --> 12:29.480 He's crazy about me. He just adores me. 12:29.480 --> 12:31.480 He weighs on me and on foot. 12:31.480 --> 12:34.480 He seriously left my side since I took sickwell 12 years ago. 12:34.480 --> 12:36.480 Well, then there's nothing for you to worry about. 12:36.480 --> 12:39.480 Now, if you'll just leave the rest of this to us, we'll take care of it. 12:39.480 --> 12:42.480 But what will you do? It's so late. It's nearly 11 now. 12:42.480 --> 12:44.480 We'll take care of it, lady. 12:44.480 --> 12:46.480 Well, when you broadcast it all over the city and send out squads 12:46.480 --> 12:48.480 and warn your radio cars to watch out, 12:48.480 --> 12:50.480 especially in suspicious neighborhoods like mine... 12:50.480 --> 12:52.480 Lady, I said we'd take care of it. 12:52.480 --> 12:55.480 Just now I've got a couple of other matters here on my desk 12:55.480 --> 12:57.480 that require immediate attention. 12:57.480 --> 12:59.480 Good night, ma'am, and thank you. 12:59.480 --> 13:02.480 You... you... idiot. 13:02.480 --> 13:05.480 Oh, so why did I hang up the phone like that? 13:05.480 --> 13:08.480 He'll think I am a fool. 13:08.480 --> 13:13.480 Oh, why doesn't Albert come home? Why doesn't he? 13:13.480 --> 13:15.480 Why doesn't he? Oh. 13:15.480 --> 13:29.480 Oh, so nervous. 13:29.480 --> 13:30.480 Your call, please. 13:30.480 --> 13:33.480 Operator, for heaven's sake, will you ring that Murray Hill 7093 number again? 13:33.480 --> 13:35.480 I can't think what's keeping him so long. 13:35.480 --> 13:36.480 I will try it for you. 13:36.480 --> 13:38.480 Well, try, try. 13:38.480 --> 13:49.480 I don't see why he's not answering. 13:49.480 --> 13:53.480 I'm sorry. Murray Hill 70093 is busy. 13:53.480 --> 13:58.480 I can hear it. You don't have to tell me. I know it's busy. 13:58.480 --> 14:03.480 I can only get out of this bed for a little while. 14:03.480 --> 14:05.480 And I can get a breath of fresh air 14:05.480 --> 14:09.480 or just lean out of the window and see the street. 14:09.480 --> 14:14.480 Hello, Albert? Hello? Hello? Hello? 14:14.480 --> 14:19.480 Oh, what's the matter with this phone? Hello, hello? 14:19.480 --> 14:21.480 Hello? Hello? 14:21.480 --> 14:24.480 Over him and say, who is this? Hello? 14:24.480 --> 14:26.480 Oh, hello! 14:26.480 --> 14:28.480 Oh, I'm trying to... 14:28.480 --> 14:41.480 What is she getting at? 14:41.480 --> 14:42.480 Your call, please. 14:42.480 --> 14:43.480 Hello, operator. 14:43.480 --> 14:45.480 I don't know what's the matter with this telephone tonight, 14:45.480 --> 14:47.480 but it's positively driving me crazy. 14:47.480 --> 14:50.480 I've never seen such inefficient, miserable service. 14:50.480 --> 14:54.480 Now, now, look, I'm an invalid and I'm very nervous, 14:54.480 --> 14:55.480 and I'm not supposed to be annoyed. 14:55.480 --> 14:57.480 But if this keeps on much longer... 14:57.480 --> 14:58.480 That seems to be the trouble, please. 14:58.480 --> 14:59.480 Well, everything's wrong. 14:59.480 --> 15:02.480 I haven't had one bit of satisfaction out of one call I've made this evening. 15:02.480 --> 15:04.480 The whole world could be murdered for all you people care. 15:04.480 --> 15:06.480 And now my phone keeps ringing and ringing and ringing 15:06.480 --> 15:07.480 and ringing every five seconds this hour, 15:07.480 --> 15:09.480 and when I pick it up, there's no one there. 15:09.480 --> 15:12.480 I'm sorry. If you will hang up, I will test it for you. 15:12.480 --> 15:13.480 I don't want you to test it for me. 15:13.480 --> 15:16.480 I want you to put that call through, whatever it is, at once. 15:16.480 --> 15:17.480 I'm afraid I cannot do that. 15:17.480 --> 15:20.480 You can't? And why? Why, may I ask? 15:20.480 --> 15:22.480 The dial system is automatic. 15:22.480 --> 15:24.480 If someone is trying to dial your number, 15:24.480 --> 15:28.480 there is no way to check it without the call is coming through the system or not, 15:28.480 --> 15:32.480 unless the person who is trying to reach you complains to a particular operator. 15:32.480 --> 15:33.480 Well, I'm all the stupid. 15:33.480 --> 15:35.480 And meanwhile, I've got to sit here in my bed suffering 15:35.480 --> 15:37.480 every time that phone rings, imagining everything. 15:37.480 --> 15:39.480 I will try to check the trouble for you. 15:39.480 --> 15:41.480 Well, check it, check it. That's all anybody can do. 15:41.480 --> 15:43.480 Oh, what's the use of talking to you? You're so stupid. 15:43.480 --> 15:46.480 Oh, I fix her, oh, the impudent. 15:46.480 --> 15:49.480 How dare she speak to me like that? How dare she? 15:49.480 --> 15:56.480 Call the operator. Oh, I'm a big stupid fool. 16:04.480 --> 16:06.480 Your call, please. 16:06.480 --> 16:09.480 Young woman, I don't know your name, but there are ways of finding you out. 16:09.480 --> 16:11.480 And I'm going to report you to your superiors 16:11.480 --> 16:14.480 for the most unpardonable rudeness and insolence that's ever been my privilege. 16:14.480 --> 16:16.480 And give me the business office at once. 16:16.480 --> 16:18.480 You may dial that number direct. 16:18.480 --> 16:20.480 I'll do no such thing. I don't even know the number. 16:20.480 --> 16:24.480 The number is in the directory, or you may secure it by dialing information. 16:24.480 --> 16:27.480 Listen here, you... Oh, what's the use? 16:27.480 --> 16:32.480 Oh, dear. Oh, for heaven's sake, I'm going out of my mind, out of my... 16:32.480 --> 16:36.480 Hello? Hello, stop ringing me. Do you hear? Answer me. Who is this? 16:36.480 --> 16:39.480 You realize you're driving me crazy? Who is calling me? What are you doing it for? 16:39.480 --> 16:42.480 Now stop it, stop it, stop it. Hello? Hello? 16:42.480 --> 16:44.480 If you don't stop ringing me, I'm going to call the police. 16:44.480 --> 16:48.480 You hear? The police! 16:48.480 --> 16:52.480 Oh, if that would pick one of me, come on. 16:52.480 --> 16:56.480 Oh, let it ring. Let it go on ringing. 16:56.480 --> 16:59.480 It's a trick of some kind. I won't answer. 16:59.480 --> 17:03.480 I won't, I won't. I won't even if it goes on ringing all night. 17:03.480 --> 17:07.480 Oh, you ring, go ahead and ring. 17:07.480 --> 17:11.480 Ow. 17:13.480 --> 17:17.480 Now, now what's the matter? Why do they stop ringing all of a sudden? 17:17.480 --> 17:20.480 Oh, what time is it? 17:20.480 --> 17:24.480 Why did I put that clock? Oh, here it is. 17:24.480 --> 17:28.480 Five to eleven. Oh, they decided something. They're sure I'm home. 17:28.480 --> 17:31.480 They heard my voice answer them just now. That's why they've been ringing me. 17:31.480 --> 17:34.480 Why no one has answered me. 17:34.480 --> 17:37.480 I'm afraid I'll get... 17:37.480 --> 17:40.480 Oh, where is she? 17:40.480 --> 17:43.480 Why doesn't she answer? 17:43.480 --> 17:46.480 Why doesn't she answer? 17:50.480 --> 17:53.480 Your call, please. Where were you just now? Why didn't you answer at once? 17:53.480 --> 17:56.480 Give me the police department. 17:56.480 --> 17:59.480 Oh, she's calling. 17:59.480 --> 18:03.480 I'm sorry, the line is busy. I will call you... 18:03.480 --> 18:06.480 Busy? But that's impossible. A police department can't be busy. 18:06.480 --> 18:09.480 There must be other lines available. 18:09.480 --> 18:12.480 The line is busy. I will try to get them for you later. 18:12.480 --> 18:16.480 No, no, I've got to speak to them now or it may be too late. I've got to talk to someone. 18:16.480 --> 18:19.480 What number do you wish to speak to? 18:19.480 --> 18:22.480 I don't know, but there must be someone to protect people beside the police department. 18:22.480 --> 18:25.480 A detective agency? 18:25.480 --> 18:28.480 You will find agencies listed in the classified directory. 18:28.480 --> 18:31.480 But I don't have a classified. 18:31.480 --> 18:34.480 I'm too nervous to look it up and I don't know how to use it. 18:34.480 --> 18:37.480 I'll connect you with information. Perhaps she will be able to help you. 18:37.480 --> 18:40.480 No, no. 18:40.480 --> 18:43.480 Oh, you're being spiteful, aren't you? You don't care, do you? 18:43.480 --> 18:46.480 What happens to me? I could die and you wouldn't care. 18:46.480 --> 18:49.480 Oh, stop it, stop it, stop it. I can't stand it anymore. 18:49.480 --> 18:52.480 Hello, what do you want? Stop ringing, will you? Stop it. 18:52.480 --> 18:55.480 Hello, is this Plaza 42295? 18:55.480 --> 18:58.480 Yes, yes, I'm... 18:58.480 --> 19:01.480 I'm sorry, this is Plaza 42295. 19:01.480 --> 19:04.480 This is Western Union. I have a telegram here for Mrs. Elbert-Stevenson. 19:04.480 --> 19:07.480 Is there anyone there to receive the message? 19:07.480 --> 19:10.480 I'm... I'm Mrs. Stevenson. 19:10.480 --> 19:13.480 The telegram is as follows. Mrs. Elbert-Stevenson, 53 North Sutton Place, New York, New York. 19:13.480 --> 19:16.480 Darling, terribly sorry. 19:16.480 --> 19:19.480 Tried to get you for last hour, but lying busy. 19:19.480 --> 19:22.480 Leaving for Boston 11 p.m. tonight on urgent business. 19:22.480 --> 19:25.480 Back tomorrow afternoon, keep happy, love sign, Elbert. 19:25.480 --> 19:28.480 Oh, no. Do you wish us to deliver a copy of the message? 19:28.480 --> 19:31.480 No, no, thank you. Thank you, madam. Good night. 19:31.480 --> 19:34.480 Good night. 19:34.480 --> 19:37.480 Oh, no. 19:37.480 --> 19:40.480 No, I don't believe it. He couldn't do it. He couldn't do it. 19:40.480 --> 19:43.480 How many knows I'll be all alone? 19:43.480 --> 19:46.480 It's some trick. Some finished trick. 19:46.480 --> 19:49.480 Oh, I... 19:49.480 --> 19:52.480 Oh, I'm so tricked. 19:58.480 --> 20:01.480 What is this? 20:01.480 --> 20:04.480 Your call, please. Operator. 20:04.480 --> 20:07.480 Try that Murray Hill 70093 number for me. Just one more, please. 20:07.480 --> 20:10.480 You may dial that number direct. 20:10.480 --> 20:13.480 Oh. 20:13.480 --> 20:16.480 Oh. 20:16.480 --> 20:19.480 Oh, I love you. 20:19.480 --> 20:22.480 Oh. 20:22.480 --> 20:25.480 Oh. 20:25.480 --> 20:28.480 Oh. 20:28.480 --> 20:31.480 Oh. 20:31.480 --> 20:34.480 Oh. 20:34.480 --> 20:37.480 Oh. 20:37.480 --> 20:40.480 Oh. 20:40.480 --> 20:43.480 Oh. 20:43.480 --> 20:46.480 Oh, Elbert, how could you? 20:46.480 --> 20:49.480 How could you? 20:49.480 --> 20:52.480 How could you? 20:52.480 --> 20:55.480 I can't be alone tonight. I can't. 20:55.480 --> 20:58.480 If I'm alone one more second, I'll go mad. 20:58.480 --> 21:01.480 I don't care what he says or what the expense is. 21:01.480 --> 21:04.480 I'm a sick woman. I'm a tired... 21:04.480 --> 21:07.480 I'm a star. 21:07.480 --> 21:10.480 Oh. 21:10.480 --> 21:13.480 Oh, my special someone. 21:13.480 --> 21:16.480 You're so... 21:13.480 --> 21:16.480 Information. May I help you? 21:16.480 --> 21:19.480 Hi. I want the telephone number of Henshley Hospital. 21:19.480 --> 21:22.480 Henshley Hospital? Do you have the street address? 21:22.480 --> 21:25.480 No, no. It's somewhere in the 70s. 21:25.480 --> 21:28.480 It's a very small, private and exclusive hospital 21:28.480 --> 21:31.480 where I had my appendix out two years ago. Henshley. 21:31.480 --> 21:34.480 H-E-N... 21:31.480 --> 21:34.480 One moment, please. 21:34.480 --> 21:37.480 What is the time? 21:37.480 --> 21:40.480 You may find out the time by dialing Meridian 7-1-2-1-7. 21:40.480 --> 21:43.480 Oh, for heaven's sake, I've no time to be dialing. 21:43.480 --> 21:46.480 The number of Henshley Hospital is Butterfield 7-0-1-0-5. 21:46.480 --> 21:49.480 Butterfield 7-1-0-5. 21:49.480 --> 21:52.480 U-7-0-1-0-5. 21:59.480 --> 22:02.480 Oh. 22:02.480 --> 22:05.480 Oh. 22:05.480 --> 22:08.480 Oh. 22:08.480 --> 22:11.480 Henshley Hospital, good evening. 22:11.480 --> 22:14.480 Nurse's registry. 22:14.480 --> 22:17.480 I want the nurse's registry at once. I want a trained nurse. 22:17.480 --> 22:20.480 I want to hire immediately for the night. 22:20.480 --> 22:23.480 I see. And what is the nature of the case, madam? 22:23.480 --> 22:26.480 Nerves. I'm very nervous. I need soothing companionship. 22:26.480 --> 22:29.480 You see, my husband is away, and I'm... 22:29.480 --> 22:32.480 I know, but I really don't see why all this catechizing is necessary. 22:32.480 --> 22:35.480 I just want a trained nurse. 22:35.480 --> 22:38.480 I was a patient in your hospital two years ago, and after all, 22:38.480 --> 22:41.480 I do expect to pay this person for tending me. 22:41.480 --> 22:44.480 We quite understand that, madam, but these are wartimes, you know. 22:44.480 --> 22:47.480 Registered nurses are very scarce just now, 22:47.480 --> 22:50.480 and our superintendent has asked us to send people out 22:50.480 --> 22:53.480 only on cases where the physician in charge feels that it is absolutely necessary. 22:53.480 --> 22:56.480 Well, it is absolutely necessary. 22:56.480 --> 22:59.480 I'm alone in this house, and I'm an invalid, 22:59.480 --> 23:02.480 and tonight I overheard a telephone conversation that upset me directly. 23:02.480 --> 23:05.480 In fact, if someone doesn't come at once, I'm afraid I'll go out of my mind. 23:05.480 --> 23:08.480 I see. Well, I'll speak to Miss Phillips as soon as she comes in. 23:08.480 --> 23:11.480 And what is your name, madam? Miss Phillips? 23:11.480 --> 23:14.480 And when do you expect her in? Well, I really couldn't say. 23:14.480 --> 23:17.480 She went out to supper at 11 o'clock. 11 o'clock? But it's not 11 yet. 23:17.480 --> 23:20.480 Oh, my clock has stopped. I thought it was running down. 23:20.480 --> 23:23.480 What time is it? Just 15 minutes past 11. 23:23.480 --> 23:26.480 What? What was that? 23:26.480 --> 23:29.480 What was what, madam? That...that click just now 23:29.480 --> 23:32.480 in my own telephone as though someone had lifted the receiver 23:32.480 --> 23:35.480 off the hook of the extension telephone downstairs. 23:35.480 --> 23:38.480 Well, I didn't hear it, madam. Now, about that... 23:38.480 --> 23:41.480 But I did! There's someone in this house. 23:41.480 --> 23:44.480 Someone downstairs in the kitchen, and they're...they're listening to me now. 23:44.480 --> 23:47.480 Right there. I won't forget how... 23:47.480 --> 23:50.480 I won't let them hear me. I'll be quiet, and they'll see. 23:50.480 --> 23:53.480 Oh, but if I don't call someone now, 23:53.480 --> 23:56.480 while they're still down there, there'll be no time. 23:56.480 --> 23:59.480 Oh, oh, I've got to find somebody. 23:59.480 --> 24:02.480 Oh, my God. Why is it she is? 24:02.480 --> 24:05.480 Your call, please. Operator. Operator. 24:05.480 --> 24:08.480 I'm in desperate trouble. I...I... 24:08.480 --> 24:11.480 I'm sorry. I cannot hear you. Please speak louder. 24:11.480 --> 24:14.480 I don't dare. There's someone listening. 24:14.480 --> 24:17.480 Can you hear me now? I'm sorry. 24:17.480 --> 24:20.480 But you've got to hear me. Oh, please, you've got to help me. 24:20.480 --> 24:23.480 There's someone in this house, someone who's going to murder me, 24:23.480 --> 24:26.480 and you've got to get in touch with... 24:26.480 --> 24:29.480 Oh, there it is. There it is. Did you hear it? 24:29.480 --> 24:33.480 He's put it down. He's put down the extension phone. 24:33.480 --> 24:36.480 He's coming up. He's coming up the stairs. 24:36.480 --> 24:39.480 Give me the police department. The police department. 24:39.480 --> 24:42.480 The police department. Give it to me. 24:42.480 --> 24:45.480 One moment, please. I will connect you. 24:45.480 --> 24:48.480 I can...I can hear him. I can hear her. 24:48.480 --> 24:51.480 Oh, I hear him. I hear it. 24:51.480 --> 24:54.480 Hurry. Hurry. 24:54.480 --> 24:57.480 Oh, oh, no, he can't hear me. 24:57.480 --> 25:00.480 I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. 25:00.480 --> 25:03.480 I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. 25:03.480 --> 25:28.480 I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. 25:28.480 --> 25:31.480 Police department, Sergeant Martin speaking. 25:31.480 --> 25:34.480 Police department, Sergeant Martin speaking. 25:34.480 --> 25:37.480 Police department, Sergeant Martin speaking. 25:37.480 --> 25:40.480 Police department, Sergeant Martin speaking. 25:40.480 --> 25:43.480 Police department? Oh, I'm sorry. 25:43.480 --> 25:46.480 I must have got the wrong number. 25:46.480 --> 26:09.480 Don't worry. Everything's okay. 26:09.480 --> 26:14.480 And so closes Sorry Wrong Number starring Agnes Moorhead. 26:14.480 --> 26:18.480 Tonight's tale of suspense. 26:45.480 --> 26:48.480 This is your narrator, the man in black, 26:48.480 --> 26:51.480 who conveys to you Columbia's invitation to spend this half hour 26:51.480 --> 26:54.480 in suspense with us again next Saturday, 26:54.480 --> 26:57.480 when we'll have another starring Hollywood cast, 26:57.480 --> 27:00.480 headed by Miss Dolores Costello, with Martin Koslick, 27:00.480 --> 27:03.480 Ian Wolfe, and George Zuko. 27:03.480 --> 27:06.480 The producer of these broadcasts is William Spear, 27:06.480 --> 27:08.480 who with Ted Bliss, the director, 27:08.480 --> 27:10.480 Ludd Gluskin, the musical director, 27:10.480 --> 27:12.480 and Lucille Fletcher, the author, 27:12.480 --> 27:22.480 collaborated on tonight's Suspense. 27:22.480 --> 27:24.480 The entire country is waiting in suspense 27:24.480 --> 27:26.480 for the answer to this important question. 27:26.480 --> 27:28.480 Will the United States Cadet Nurse Corps 27:28.480 --> 27:32.480 reach its goal of enrolling 65,000 student nurses 27:32.480 --> 27:34.480 before the end of 1943? 27:34.480 --> 27:37.480 For if it doesn't, this country faces the prospect 27:37.480 --> 27:39.480 of needless suffering and loss of life 27:39.480 --> 27:43.480 at a time when our full health and energy are needed to win the war. 27:43.480 --> 27:48.480 What are you girls from 17 or 18 to 35 going to do about it? 27:48.480 --> 27:51.480 If you're a high school graduate in good health, 27:51.480 --> 27:54.480 you're eligible for a scholarship which will pay you all your expenses 27:54.480 --> 27:57.480 while you're learning to be of service to your fellow man. 27:57.480 --> 28:00.480 Not only will you receive a personal spending allowance 28:00.480 --> 28:03.480 of $15 a month for the first nine months in training, 28:03.480 --> 28:06.480 $20 a month for the following 21 months, 28:06.480 --> 28:08.480 and then $30 a month until graduation, 28:08.480 --> 28:11.480 but you will, in addition to this personal allowance, 28:11.480 --> 28:15.480 receive allowances for room, board, health and laboratory fees, 28:15.480 --> 28:17.480 books, and other incidental expenses. 28:17.480 --> 28:20.480 This is your chance to do something for yourself 28:20.480 --> 28:23.480 while you're doing something big for your country. 28:23.480 --> 28:28.480 You're needed now, so write immediately to the U.S. Cadet Nurses Corps, 28:28.480 --> 28:32.480 Box 88, New York, or to any nursing school of your choice, 28:32.480 --> 28:35.480 and they will furnish you with all the essential information. 28:35.480 --> 28:39.480 You are needed now, so act now. 28:39.480 --> 29:06.480 This is a test.