Roma wines presents Suspense.
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Salud!
Your health, senor.
Roma wines toast the world.
The wine for your table is Roma wine made in California for enjoyment throughout the
world.
This is the Man in Black, here to introduce this weekly half hour of Suspense.
Tonight from Hollywood we bring you in response to requests from many thousands of listeners,
Miss Agnes Moorhead.
And one of the most famous Suspense plays this series has ever presented, Sorry, Wrong
Number.
But before we raise the curtain on Suspense, here is a message from your host, the Roma
Wine Company of Fresno, California.
Sometimes it seems we must go far afield to discover riches that were right at hand all
the time.
As you discover and listening to a conversation which might be taking place at the smart Coral
Beach and Tennis Club in Bermuda.
An American about to depart for the States thanks his Bermudian friend for the gracious
hospitality shown him.
In particular, for the especially enjoyable wine his friend served.
He remarks how much you'd like to be able to get some of that same wine at home.
The Bermudian chuckles as he says, but my friend, that wine you enjoyed so much.
It comes from the great wine districts of your own California.
It is Roma Wine.
Yes, friends, many Americans are still not aware that Roma wines are so highly rated
in many foreign lands that at every opportunity they are imported to be enjoyed as rare luxuries.
But here in America we can enjoy these superb Roma wines as a daily pleasure, well within
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Have you been overlooking the enjoyment these richly satisfying Roma wines offer as a delectable
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Why put off your enjoyment of Roma wines another day?
I'll spell out the name for you.
R-O-M-A, Roma wines, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
And now with Lucille Fletcher's study in terror called Sorry Wrong Number and with the performance
of Agnes Moorhead.
We again hope to keep you in suspense.
Oh dear.
Your call please.
Operator I've been dialing Murray Hill 40098 now for the last three quarters of an hour
and the line is always busy.
I don't see how it could be busy that long.
Will you try it for me please?
I would be glad to try that number for you.
One moment please.
I don't see how it could be busy all this time.
It's my husband's office.
He's working late tonight and I'm all alone here in the house.
My health is very poor and I've been feeling so nervous all day.
Ringing Murray Hill 40098.
Hello?
Hello, is Mr. Stevenson there?
Hello?
George?
Yes sir, this is George speaking.
Hello?
Who's this?
What number am I calling please?
I'm here with our client.
Oh good.
Is everything okay?
Is the coast clear for tonight?
Yes George.
He says the coast is clear for tonight.
Okay, okay.
Where are you now?
In a phone booth.
Don't worry, everything's okay.
Very well.
You know the address.
Yes, I know, I know.
Let's see now.
At eleven o'clock the private patrolman goes around to the bar on self-defense.
That's right, eleven o'clock.
Okay.
And be sure that all the lights downstairs are out.
There should be only one light visible from the street.
Okay, okay.
What's that?
Oh, just a minute George.
Hello, our client tells me that at eleven fifteen a train crosses the bridge.
It makes a noise in case her window is open and she should scream.
Hello, what number is this please?
Okay, I understand.
That's eleven fifteen the train.
Yeah.
Do you remember everything else George?
Yeah, yeah.
I'll make it quick, as little blood as possible, because our client does not wish to make her
suffer longer.
That's right.
You'll use a knife.
Yes, a knife will be okay.
Then afterwards I'll remove the rings and the bracelets and the jewelry in the bureau
drawer, because our client wishes it to look like simple robbery.
Don't worry, everything's okay.
I know.
Oh, how awful.
How unspeakably awful.
Oh, oh.
Your call please.
Operator, I've just been cut off.
I'm sorry, what number were you calling?
Why, it was supposed to be Murray Hill four oh oh nine eight, but it wasn't.
Some wires must have got crossed.
I was cut into a wrong number and I've just heard the most dreadful thing, something about
a murder.
And operator, you'll simply have to retrace that call at once.
I beg your pardon, may I help you?
Oh, I know it was a wrong number and I had no business listening, but these two men,
they were cold blooded fiends and they were going to murder somebody, some poor innocent
woman who was all alone in a house near a bridge.
And we've got to stop them.
We just got to.
What number are you calling?
Well, that doesn't matter.
This was a wrong number and you dialed it for me and we've got to find out what it was
immediately.
What number did you call?
Oh, why are you so stupid?
What time is it?
You mean to tell me you can't find out what that number was just now?
I'll connect you with the chief operator.
Oh, I think it's perfectly shameful.
Now, look, look, it was obviously a case of some little slip of the finger.
I told you to try Murray Hill 40098 for me.
You dialed it, but your finger must have slipped and I was connected with some other number
and I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me.
Now, I simply failed to see why you couldn't make that same mistake again on purpose.
Why you couldn't try to dial Murray Hill 40098 in the same sort of careless way.
Murray Hill 40098, I will try to get it for you.
Thank you.
I am sorry, Murray Hill 40098 is busy.
I will call you in.
Operator, operator.
Your call, please.
You didn't try to get that wrong number at all.
I asked you explicitly and all you did was dial correctly.
I am sorry.
What number are you calling?
Well, can't you for once forget what number I'm calling and do something for me?
Now, I want to trace that call.
It's my civic duty and it's your civic duty to trace that call and apprehend those dangerous
killers and if you won't.
I will connect you with the chief operator.
Well, please.
Who is talking?
I can't make it.
I wonder this day.
It takes so much time.
This is the chief operator.
Oh, chief operator, I want you to trace a call, a telephone call immediately.
I don't know where it came from or who was making it, but it's absolutely necessary that
it be tracked down because it was about a murder that someone's planning, a terrible
cold blooded murder of a poor innocent woman tonight at 1115.
I see.
Can you trace it for me?
Can you track down those men?
Well, I'm not certain.
It depends.
Depends on what?
It depends on whether the call is still going on.
If it's a live call, we can trace it on the equipment.
If it's been disconnected, we can.
Disconnected?
If the parties have stopped talking to each other.
Oh, but of course they must have stopped talking to each other.
By now, that was at least five minutes ago and they didn't sound like the type who would
make a long call.
Well, I can try tracing it.
May I have your name, please?
Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Albert Stevenson.
But listen.
And your telephone number, please.
Plaza three two oh nine eight.
But if you go on wasting all this time.
Why do you want this call traced, please?
Why?
Oh, no reason.
I mean, I merely felt very strongly that something ought to be done about it.
These men sounded like killers.
They're dangerous.
They're going to murder this woman at eleven fifteen tonight.
I thought the police ought to know.
Have you reported this to the police?
Well, no, not yet.
You want this call checked purely as a private individual?
Yes, yes.
But meanwhile.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Stevenson, but I'm afraid we couldn't make this check for you and trace
the call just on your say so as a private individual.
We'd have to have something more official.
Oh, for heaven's sake.
You mean to tell me I can't report that there's going to be a murder without getting tied
up in all this red tape?
Why, it's perfectly idiotic.
Well, all right, all right.
I'll call the police.
Thank you.
I'm sure that would be the best way to do it.
Ridiculous.
Curse such nonsense.
What are you on?
Your call, please.
The police department.
Get me the police department, please.
Thank you.
Ringing the police department.
Oh, can't you ring them direct?
It's time.
Time.
Police station, precinct 43, Sergeant Martin speaking.
Police department, this is Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Albert Smyth Stevenson of 53 North Sutton
Place.
I'm calling up to report a murder.
Huh?
I mean, the murder hasn't been committed yet, but I just overheard plans for it over the
telephone over a wrong number that the operator gave me.
I've been trying to trace down the call myself, but everybody is so stupid.
And I guess in the end, you're the only people who could do anything.
Yes, ma'am.
It was a perfectly definite murder.
I heard their plans distinctly.
Two men were talking and they were going to murder some woman at 1115 tonight.
She lived in a house near a bridge.
Are you listening to me?
Oh, yes, yes, ma'am.
And there was a private patrolman on the street.
He was going to go around for a beer on Second Avenue.
And there was some third man, a client, who was paying to have this poor woman murdered.
They were going to take her rings and bracelets and use a knife.
Really?
It's unnerved me dreadfully and I'm not well.
Yes, I see.
When was all this, ma'am?
About eight minutes ago.
Oh, then you can do something you do understand.
What's your name, ma'am?
Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Elbert Stevenson.
And your address?
5353 North Sutton Place.
That's near a bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, you know, and we have a private patrolman
on our street and Second Avenue is in it.
And what was that number you were calling?
Murray Hill 40098.
But that wasn't the number I overheard.
I mean, Murray Hill 40098 is my husband's office.
He's working late tonight and I was trying to reach him to ask him to come home.
I'm an invalid, you know, and it's the maid's night off and I hate to be alone even though
he says I'm perfectly safe as long as I have the telephone right beside my bed.
Well, we'll look into it, Mrs. Stevenson, and see if we can check it with the telephone
company.
But the telephone company said they couldn't check the call of the party, so stop talking.
I've already taken care of that.
Oh, you have?
Yes, and personally, I feel you ought to do something far more immediate and drastic than
just check the call.
What good is checking the call do if they stop talking?
By the time you track it down, they'll already have committed the murder.
Well, we'll take care of it, don't you worry.
I'd say the whole thing calls for a search, a complete and thorough search of the whole
city.
I'm very near the bridge and I'm not far from Second Avenue and I know I'd feel a whole
lot better if you sent around a radio car to this neighborhood at once.
Well, what makes you think the murder's going to be committed in your neighborhood, ma'am?
Well, I don't know.
Only, the coincidence is so horrible.
Second Avenue, the patrolman, the bridge?
Yeah, well, Second Avenue, you know, is a very long straight, ma'am, and you know how
many bridges there are in the city of New York alone, not to mention Brooklyn, Staten
Island, and Queens and the Bronx.
I know all that.
How do you know there isn't some little house on Staten Island, on some little Second Avenue
you never heard about?
How do you know they were even talking about New York at all?
But I heard the call in the New York dialing system.
Well, maybe it was a long distance call in your world.
You know, telephones are funny things.
Now, look, lady, why don't you look at it this way?
Supposing you hadn't broken in on that telephone call.
Supposing you got your husband the way you always do.
You wouldn't be so upset, would you?
Well, I suppose not, only it sounded so inhuman, so cold-blooded.
Well, a lot of murders are plotted in this city every day, ma'am.
We manage to prevent almost all of them, but a clue of this kind is so vague, it's much
more used to us than no clue at all.
But surely you can...
Unless, of course, you have some reason for thinking this call was phony and that someone
may be planning to murder you.
Me?
Oh, no.
No, I hardly think so.
I mean, why should anybody?
I'm alone all day and night.
I see nobody except my maid, Eloise.
She's a big 200-pounder.
She's too lazy to bring up my breakfast tray, and the only other person is my husband, Albert.
He's crazy about me.
He adores me.
He waits on me hand and foot and has scarcely left my side since I took sick 12 years ago.
Yeah, well, then there's nothing for you to worry about.
And now if you'll just leave the rest of this to us, we'll take care of it.
But what will you do?
It's so late.
It's nearly 11 now.
We'll take care of it, lady.
Well, will you broadcast it all over the city and send out squads and warn your radio cars
to watch out, especially in suspicious neighborhoods like mine?
Lady, I said we'd take care of it.
Now, I've got a couple of other matters here on my desk that require immediate attention.
So good night, ma'am.
Thank you.
Oh, you, you idiot.
Now, why did I hang up the phone like that?
Now he'll think I am a fool.
Oh, why doesn't Albert come home?
Why doesn't he?
Oh, the operator again.
Oh.
Your call, please.
Operator, for heaven's sake, will you ring that Murray Hill 40098 number again?
I can't think what's keeping him so long.
I will try it for you.
Oh, god, I'm so nervous.
I'm sorry, Murray Hill 40098 is busy.
I can hear it.
You don't have to tell me.
I know it's busy.
Oh, if I could only get out of this bed for a little while.
If I could get a breath of fresh air or just lean out of the window and see the street.
Hello?
Oh, what's the matter with his phone?
Hello?
Oh, for heaven's sake, who is this?
Hello?
Oh, god, I think he's trying to do to me.
Oh.
Answer somebody.
Your call, please.
Hello, operator.
I don't know what's keeping him so long.
Hello, operator, I don't know what's the matter with his telephone tonight, but it's positively
driving me crazy.
I've never seen such inefficient, miserable service.
Now, look, I'm an invalid and I'm very nervous and I'm not supposed to be annoyed.
But if this keeps on much longer.
What seems to be the trouble, please?
Well, everything's wrong.
I haven't had one bit of satisfaction out of one call I've made this evening.
The whole world could be murdered for all you people care.
And now my phone keeps ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing every five seconds
or so and when I pick it up, there's no one there.
I am sorry.
If you will hang up, I will test it for you.
I don't want you to test it for me.
I want you to put that call through whatever it is at once.
I'm afraid I cannot do that.
You can't.
And why?
Why, may I ask?
The dial system is automatic.
If someone is trying to dial your number, there is no way to check whether the call
is coming through the system or not unless the person who is trying to reach you complains
to his particular operator.
Well, of all the stupid...
And meanwhile, I've got to sit here in my bed suffering every time that phone rings,
imagining everything.
I will try to check the troubles for you, madam.
Check it.
That's all anybody can do.
Oh, what's the use of talking to you?
You're so stupid.
I'll fix her.
All the impotent.
How dare she speak to me like that?
No satisfaction out of anybody.
Lancer.
Your call, please.
Young woman, I don't know your name, but there are ways to call you.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry, young lady.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so stupid.
I'm so clumsy.
Oh, my goodness.
I'm so stupid.
Oh, my gosh.
I'm so stupid.
Oh, my...
I don't know who the hell broke this?
Oh, no.
I just didn't understand you.
Oh, my goodness.
I don't know who broke this.
Oh, my goodness.
I don't understand.
I don't know who broke this.
Oh, my goodness.
Stop ringing, do you hear?
Answer me, who is this?
Do you realize you're driving me crazy?
Who's calling me?
What are you doing it for?
Now stop it, stop it, stop it, I say.
Hello, hello, if you don't stop ringing,
I'm gonna call the police, do you hear?
The police!
No!
Oh, oh, oh.
If Elmerd would only come home.
Oh, let it ring, let it go on ringing.
Let it ring, let it go on ringing.
It's a trigger sometimes.
I won't answer it, I won't answer it.
I won't, even if it goes on ringing all night,
I won't answer it.
Now, now what's the matter?
Why do they stop ringing all of a sudden?
What time is it?
Where's my clock?
Where is it?
Five to 11.
They've decided something.
They sure I'm home.
They've heard my voice answer them just now,
that's why they've been ringing me.
Why no one has answered me?
Oh.
Oh, oh, where is she?
Where is she, why doesn't she answer?
You are called, please.
Where were you just now?
Why didn't you answer it once?
Give me the police department.
I'm sorry, the line is busy.
I will call you.
Busy, but that's impossible.
The police department can't be busy.
There must be other lines available.
The line is busy.
I will try to get them for you later.
No, no, I've got to speak to them now.
It may be too late.
I've got to talk to someone.
What number do you wish to speak to?
I don't know, but there must be someone
to protect people beside the police department.
A detective agency.
You will find agencies listed in the classified directory.
I don't have a classified.
I mean, I'm too nervous to look it up
and I don't know how to use the book.
I will connect you with information.
Perhaps she will be able to help you.
No, no.
Oh, you're being spiteful, aren't you?
You don't care, do you, what happens to me?
I could die and you wouldn't care.
Oh, stop it, stop it, I can't stand anymore.
Hello, what do you want?
Stop ringing, will you stop it?
Hello, is this Plaza 32099?
Yes, yes, I'm sorry.
This is Plaza 32099.
This is Western Union.
I have a telegram here for Mrs. Albert Stevenson.
Is there anyone there to receive the message?
I am Mrs. Stevenson.
The telegram is as follows.
Mrs. Albert Stevenson, 53 North Sutton Place,
New York, New York.
Darling, terribly sorry.
Tried to get you for last hour but line busy.
Leaving for Boston 11 p.m. tonight on urgent business.
Beg tomorrow afternoon, keep happy, love signed Albert.
Oh no.
Do you wish us to deliver a copy of the message?
No, no thank you.
Thank you, madam, good night.
Good night.
No, oh no, I don't believe it.
He couldn't do it, he couldn't do it.
Not when he knows I'll be all alone, it's some trick.
It's some trick, some feeny's trick, I know it.
Your call please.
Operator, try that Murray Hill 40098 number for me
just once more, please.
You may dial that number direct.
Oh.
Oh, you, four, oh, oh, five, six.
Oh, oh no, he's gone.
Oh Albert, how could you, how could you?
Oh, but I can't be alone tonight, I can't.
If I'm alone one more second, I'll go mad.
I don't care what he says or what the expense is,
I'm a sick woman, I'm entitled to some consideration.
This is information, may I help you?
I want the telephone number of Henshley Hospital.
Henshley Hospital, do you have the street address?
No, no, it's somewhere in the 70s,
it's a very small private and exclusive hospital
where I had my appendix out two years ago.
Henshley, H-E-N-C-H-L.
One moment please.
Please hurry, and please, what is the time?
You may call the number,
I'll be there in a minute, I'll be there in a minute.
Please hurry, and please, what is the time?
You may find out the time by dialing Meridian 7-1-2-1-2.
Oh for heaven's sake, I've no time to be dialing.
The number of Henshley Hospital is Butterfield 8-9-9-7-0.
Henshley Hospital, good evening.
Nurse's registry.
Who was it you wished to speak to?
I want the nurse's registry at once.
I want a trained nurse,
I want to hire her immediately for the night.
I see, and what is the nature of the case, madam?
Nerves, I'm very nervous, I need soothing and companionship.
You see, my husband is away, and I'm...
Have you been recommended to us by any doctor in particular, madam?
No, but I really don't see why all this catechizing is necessary.
I want a trained nurse.
I was a patient in your hospital two years ago,
and after all, I do expect to pay this person for attending me.
We quite understand that, madam, but these are war times, you know.
I...
Registered nurses are very scarce just now,
and our superintendent has asked us to send people out only on cases
where the physician in charge feels it is absolutely necessary.
Well, it is absolutely necessary!
I'm a sick woman, I'm very upset, very.
I'm alone in this house, and I'm an invalid,
and tonight I overheard a telephone conversation that upset me dreadfully.
A woman's going to be killed when a...
In fact, if someone doesn't come at once, I'm afraid I'll go out of my mind!
I see.
Well, I'll speak to Miss Phillips as soon as she comes in.
What is your name, madam?
Miss Phillips? And when do you expect her in?
I really couldn't say. She went out to supper at 11 o'clock.
Eleven o'clock?
It's not eleven yet!
Oh! Oh, my clock has stopped!
I thought it was running down.
What time is it?
Just fifteen minutes past eleven.
What? What was that?
What was what, madam?
That... that click just now in my own telephone
is though someone has lifted the receiver off the hook
off the extension telephone downstairs.
I didn't hear it, madam.
Now about the...
I did! There's someone in this house!
Someone downstairs in the kitchen, and they're listening to me now!
They're li...
I won't pick it up.
I won't... I won't let them hear me.
I'll be quiet and they'll think.
But if I don't call someone now while they're still down there,
there'll be no time.
I've got to get that operator.
Oh, madam.
Your call, please.
Operator, I'm... I'm in desperate trouble.
I... I'm sorry, I cannot hear you.
Please speak louder.
Oh, dear, dear, I... there's someone listening.
Can you hear me now?
I am sorry.
But you've got to hear me.
Please, please, you've got to help me.
There's someone in this house, someone who's going to murder me,
and you've got to get in touch with the...
There it is! There it is!
He's put it down!
He's put down the extension phone!
He's coming upstairs!
He's... he's coming up the stairs!
Give me the police department!
The police department!
One moment, please.
I will connect you.
Okay.
Please.
Oh, no.
Oh, no, come here.
Oh, please, I didn't do anything.
Oh, no, come here, my love.
Please, no.
Hello, speaking.
Police department?
Well, I'm sorry.
Must have got the wrong number.
Don't worry.
Everything's okay.
And so closes Sorry, Wrong Number.
Starring Agnes Moorhead.
Tonight's tale of...
Suspense!
Before we tell you about next week's stars and story,
Roma Wine, sponsor of these weekly suspense dramas,
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that says, Roma wines are truly magnificent.
Let me repeat the name.
R-O-M-A, Roma wines.
Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
This is Agnes Moorhead.
I'm always flattered and delighted when I'm asked to appear
on Suspense, because I have such very great admiration
for this program.
I know you'll want to be listening next week, as I will,
when Michelle Morgan and Philip Dorne will be your stars
with George Koloris.
One more word.
The attack for victory is on.
You help make the victory surer,
and bring it sooner when you buy more war bonds.
Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear.
Don't forget then next Monday, same time, for Michelle Morgan,
Philip Dorne, with George Koloris in Suspense.
Presented by Roma wines.
Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.