WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:07.880 Yes, Roma wines taste better because only Roma selects from the world's greatest wine 00:07.880 --> 00:11.180 reserves for your pleasure. 00:11.180 --> 00:20.440 And now, Roma wines, R-O-M-A, Roma wines present Suspense. 00:20.440 --> 00:29.400 Tonight, Roma wines bring you Mr. Wally Mayer in Dead Ernest, a suspense play produced, 00:29.400 --> 00:35.920 edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 00:35.920 --> 00:43.960 Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 00:43.960 --> 00:51.520 That's R-O-M-A, Roma wines, those better tasting California wines enjoyed by more Americans 00:51.520 --> 00:53.440 than any other wine. 00:53.440 --> 00:56.480 For friendly entertaining, for delightful dining. 00:56.480 --> 01:02.320 Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant, as Roma wines bring you Wally Mayer 01:02.320 --> 01:08.560 in a remarkable tale of Suspense. 01:08.560 --> 01:12.840 Accident reports submitted to Police Inspector Blandon from Lieutenant Steve Healy. 01:12.840 --> 01:17.680 Place 15th Street and 4th Avenue, time 2.45 p.m. March 11th. 01:17.680 --> 01:18.680 Remarks. 01:18.680 --> 01:25.040 Ernest Bowers, age 34, was crossing the intersection as signal light changed from green to red. 01:25.040 --> 01:30.120 A car driven by Theodore Tobey made legal right turn from 15th Street into 4th Avenue. 01:30.120 --> 01:33.120 Hey, hey, look out! 01:33.120 --> 01:35.120 We hit him! 01:35.120 --> 01:37.120 We hit him! 01:37.120 --> 01:38.120 Hey, officer! 01:38.120 --> 01:39.120 Look at those trauma! 01:39.120 --> 01:40.120 Here's a guy like him! 01:40.120 --> 01:41.120 Please! 01:41.120 --> 01:42.120 All right, all right. 01:42.120 --> 01:43.120 Give him some air. 01:43.120 --> 01:45.120 Come on now, let me throw here. 01:45.120 --> 01:47.000 All right, stand back. 01:47.000 --> 01:48.000 Let's have a look. 01:48.000 --> 01:49.200 Is he hurt, bad officer? 01:49.200 --> 01:50.720 I didn't see him, honest, I didn't. 01:50.720 --> 01:51.720 I had the right of way. 01:51.720 --> 01:52.720 He's passed out. 01:52.720 --> 01:55.240 One of you people called for an ambulance. 01:55.240 --> 01:56.240 Yeah, you. 01:56.240 --> 01:58.240 Okay, move back, move back. 01:58.240 --> 01:59.240 He's bleeding. 01:59.240 --> 02:01.240 Here, I'll prop up his head. 02:01.240 --> 02:02.240 Yeah, use his jacket. 02:02.240 --> 02:03.240 Here, I'll hold him. 02:03.240 --> 02:04.240 Golly, he's limp. 02:04.240 --> 02:09.240 Feels just like he's dead. 02:09.240 --> 02:18.240 Yes, Ernest Bowers felt like he was dead. 02:18.240 --> 02:22.400 Ernest Bowers suffered from catalepsy, a strange disease. 02:22.400 --> 02:27.080 He carried at all times a note in his inside coat pocket stating that he was a cataleptic 02:27.080 --> 02:31.360 and that in the event of seeming death his wife should be immediately notified or his 02:31.360 --> 02:34.840 doctor in the event his wife is unavailable. 02:34.840 --> 02:39.520 The letter also requested that no autopsy or embalming should be performed on his body 02:39.520 --> 02:45.040 for 72 hours, although in his particular case the duration of the attacks were usually four 02:45.040 --> 02:47.520 hours or less. 02:47.520 --> 02:54.400 Ernest Bowers also wore a sterling silver bracelet with an inscription reading, do not 02:54.400 --> 02:56.640 embalm me. 02:56.640 --> 02:59.680 I am not dead. 02:59.680 --> 03:01.440 Catalepsy is a disease of the nerves and mind. 03:01.440 --> 03:05.800 The physical condition of the cataleptic when he is under a spell closely resemble death 03:05.800 --> 03:10.520 in all aspects, including the primary stages of rigor mortis. 03:10.520 --> 03:12.160 Officer Rabbit was at the scene of the accident. 03:12.160 --> 03:17.960 He administered first aid to the injured man before making out his report. 03:17.960 --> 03:20.160 There, that ought to stop the bleeding. 03:20.160 --> 03:24.240 Looks like just a cut on his forehead when he hit the ground, nothing much. 03:24.240 --> 03:25.960 He can't be hurt bad, officer. 03:25.960 --> 03:26.960 I didn't hit him hard. 03:26.960 --> 03:27.960 That's right, officer. 03:27.960 --> 03:28.960 I saw it. 03:28.960 --> 03:29.960 It looked like just a little bump. 03:29.960 --> 03:30.960 All right, now clear back, clear back. 03:30.960 --> 03:31.960 Let's have a little air here. 03:31.960 --> 03:32.960 I'll have to take down some information. 03:32.960 --> 03:33.960 What's your name? 03:33.960 --> 03:34.960 Theodore Tobey. 03:34.960 --> 03:35.960 Here, here's my license. 03:35.960 --> 03:36.960 Hey, hey you kids. 03:36.960 --> 03:37.960 I want to know what you're doing. 03:37.960 --> 03:38.960 I'm going to tell you something. 03:38.960 --> 03:47.080 Well, here it comes. 03:47.080 --> 03:48.560 I hope he's all right. 03:48.560 --> 03:51.920 It doesn't look like he's breathing. 03:51.920 --> 03:53.320 I told you to get back. 03:53.320 --> 03:55.320 Now come on, he's back. 03:55.320 --> 03:57.320 All of you here. 03:57.320 --> 03:59.920 All right, let us through here, please. 03:59.920 --> 04:00.920 Hello, Doc. 04:00.920 --> 04:01.920 Glad you got here. 04:01.920 --> 04:02.920 He's not cold. 04:02.920 --> 04:03.920 I don't say he is. 04:03.920 --> 04:04.920 No. 04:04.920 --> 04:05.920 Have a look. 04:05.920 --> 04:06.920 Well, let's get him away. 04:06.920 --> 04:07.920 He's dead. 04:07.920 --> 04:10.920 Well, anyway, it didn't happen in the coach. 04:10.920 --> 04:13.000 Okay, we'll take him away. 04:13.000 --> 04:14.000 Keep them back, officer, will you? 04:14.000 --> 04:15.000 Okay, keep back. 04:15.000 --> 04:16.000 Come on, clear out. 04:16.000 --> 04:17.000 Show's over. 04:17.000 --> 04:18.000 All right. 04:18.000 --> 04:19.000 It's the second one today. 04:19.000 --> 04:20.000 Yeah. 04:20.000 --> 04:21.000 Well, let's go. 04:21.000 --> 04:22.000 Whose jacket was that when he was laying on? 04:22.000 --> 04:23.000 I don't know. 04:23.000 --> 04:24.000 Did you pick it up? 04:24.000 --> 04:25.000 Nope. 04:25.000 --> 04:26.000 Hey, officer. 04:26.000 --> 04:27.000 Yeah. 04:27.000 --> 04:28.000 Where's the jacket? 04:28.000 --> 04:29.000 What? 04:29.000 --> 04:30.000 The jacket, the guy's jacket. 04:30.000 --> 04:31.000 Oh, uh, oh my gosh, it's gone. 04:31.000 --> 04:32.000 Well, okay. 04:32.000 --> 04:33.000 All those kids are gone. 04:33.000 --> 04:34.000 Yeah, they're gone. 04:34.000 --> 04:35.000 Well, I'm going to go get a new jacket. 04:35.000 --> 04:36.000 I'll be right back. 04:36.000 --> 04:37.000 All right. 04:37.000 --> 04:38.000 I'll go get one of those kids. 04:38.000 --> 04:39.000 Never mind. 04:39.000 --> 04:40.000 Let's go, baby. 04:40.000 --> 04:41.000 All right. 04:41.000 --> 04:53.840 Ernest Bowers had lost the identification of his condition. 04:53.840 --> 04:56.640 The letter was in the inside pocket of his jacket. 04:56.640 --> 05:01.320 The silver chain he wore on his left wrist had snapped and fallen to the pavement. 05:01.320 --> 05:06.240 Two youngsters picked up the chain, Robert Minnelli, age nine and a half, and Tommy Stoner, 05:06.240 --> 05:07.240 age nine, and a half. 05:07.240 --> 05:08.240 Hey, that cop yelled at us. 05:08.240 --> 05:09.240 Did you hear him? 05:09.240 --> 05:10.240 Yeah. 05:10.240 --> 05:11.240 Maybe we should give it back. 05:11.240 --> 05:12.240 No, what for? 05:12.240 --> 05:13.240 So he can keep it? 05:13.240 --> 05:14.240 Let's go around the back to your father's shop, Bob. 05:14.240 --> 05:15.240 Sure is a nice chain. 05:15.240 --> 05:16.240 Hey, there's writing on it. 05:16.240 --> 05:17.240 Maybe it's a guy's name. 05:17.240 --> 05:18.240 Will he hurt bad? 05:18.240 --> 05:19.240 Hey, what's it say? 05:19.240 --> 05:20.240 Oh, just a second. 05:20.240 --> 05:21.240 We'll be out of the alley. 05:21.240 --> 05:22.240 Yeah, Pop's gone home to eat. 05:22.240 --> 05:23.240 Can you read it now? 05:23.240 --> 05:24.240 Wait a second, will you? 05:24.240 --> 05:25.240 It says, do not im... 05:25.240 --> 05:26.240 ball... 05:26.240 --> 05:27.240 do not... 05:27.240 --> 05:28.240 im... 05:28.240 --> 05:29.240 ball... 05:29.240 --> 05:30.240 ball... 05:30.240 --> 05:31.240 ball... 05:31.240 --> 05:32.240 ball... 05:32.240 --> 05:33.240 ball... 05:33.240 --> 05:34.240 ball... 05:34.240 --> 05:35.240 ball... 05:35.240 --> 05:44.180 do not something me I am not dead that's scrawly what will come with it so that they'll 05:44.180 --> 05:48.440 invite well so the bar it ain't stealing with sound didn't wait when we tried it out 05:48.440 --> 05:51.440 I'll ask as well we got it what will we tell them nothing 05:51.440 --> 05:57.120 I'll use your head you know what we'll do what will use pop's welding torch he'll your 05:57.120 --> 06:03.960 länger but he told us not to use it popping here is he no well come on 06:03.960 --> 06:05.960 Oh, there it is. 06:05.960 --> 06:08.960 Now here, you put it on that brick. 06:08.960 --> 06:09.960 Okay? 06:09.960 --> 06:10.960 Yeah. 06:10.960 --> 06:13.960 There, be careful. 06:13.960 --> 06:17.960 What are you kids doing? 06:17.960 --> 06:18.960 Huh? 06:18.960 --> 06:19.960 Oh, hello, Pop. 06:19.960 --> 06:20.960 Nothing, Mr. Minnelli. 06:20.960 --> 06:21.960 We ain't doing nothing. 06:21.960 --> 06:22.960 Nothing, eh? 06:22.960 --> 06:25.960 I told you kids not to go need the torch. 06:25.960 --> 06:27.960 Well, we want to melt this down. 06:27.960 --> 06:30.960 Come on, come on, give me the torch. 06:30.960 --> 06:33.960 Now, what's it all about? 06:33.960 --> 06:36.960 Well, we found this chain, Pop, and we want to melt it down and sell it. 06:36.960 --> 06:37.960 Chain and melt? 06:37.960 --> 06:38.960 Who's easy? 06:38.960 --> 06:39.960 We don't know. 06:39.960 --> 06:40.960 Do we, Tommy? 06:40.960 --> 06:41.960 No, no, no, we don't. 06:41.960 --> 06:42.960 Well, where you get it? 06:42.960 --> 06:43.960 We found it. 06:43.960 --> 06:44.960 Well, come on, come on, let me have it. 06:44.960 --> 06:45.960 Well, there's nothing wrong, Pop. 06:45.960 --> 06:46.960 We just found it, see? 06:46.960 --> 06:47.960 It's ours. 06:47.960 --> 06:48.960 Oh, shh, shut up. 06:48.960 --> 06:49.960 Do not embalama me. 06:49.960 --> 06:50.960 I am not dead. 06:50.960 --> 07:01.960 Ma, what's that? 07:01.960 --> 07:04.960 It's screwy. 07:04.960 --> 07:06.960 Well, where you find it? 07:06.960 --> 07:07.960 In the street. 07:07.960 --> 07:08.960 Honest, Pop, ask Tommy. 07:08.960 --> 07:09.960 All right, go on, get out of here. 07:09.960 --> 07:10.960 Well, how about melting it down, Pop? 07:10.960 --> 07:11.960 We can sell it and buy some baseball. 07:11.960 --> 07:12.960 All right, ma, keep back. 07:12.960 --> 07:20.960 Look at Tommy, you see it? 07:20.960 --> 07:25.960 Yeah, it's starting to melt. 07:25.960 --> 07:28.960 You see how he does it? 07:28.960 --> 07:31.960 Keep away, I told you. 07:31.960 --> 07:37.960 It's all melted. 07:37.960 --> 07:42.960 They sold the melted chain for a dollar thirty to a dealer. 07:42.960 --> 07:46.960 One dollar and thirty cents. 07:46.960 --> 07:49.460 But the coat, the coat was the principal thing. 07:49.460 --> 07:51.960 In the coat, in the inside pocket was the letter. 07:51.960 --> 07:54.960 The information about Ernest Bauer's condition was in the letter. 07:54.960 --> 07:57.960 The instructions that could save his life. 07:57.960 --> 08:02.960 The coat was picked up from the street by Honest Jerry Murdoch. 08:02.960 --> 08:05.960 Now, there's a big sign near the corner of 15th Street. 08:05.960 --> 08:09.960 It says, Honest Jerry Murdoch, swap shop. 08:09.960 --> 08:14.960 He brought the coat into a store, rummaged around on his shelves until he found some cleaner. 08:14.960 --> 08:17.960 Then started to clean the blood stains. 08:17.960 --> 08:19.960 I'm looking for a sport jacket. 08:19.960 --> 08:21.960 Just a moment, what kind? 08:21.960 --> 08:22.960 Conservative. 08:22.960 --> 08:28.960 Come over here, please. 08:28.960 --> 08:29.960 Yeah, something on that order. 08:29.960 --> 08:31.960 Yeah, just pick out what you want. 08:31.960 --> 08:32.960 How much you want to spend? 08:32.960 --> 08:34.960 About five bucks. 08:34.960 --> 08:35.960 These cost more. 08:35.960 --> 08:36.960 How much? 08:36.960 --> 08:37.960 From eight to twelve. 08:37.960 --> 08:39.960 Now, over here we got some cheaper. 08:39.960 --> 08:41.960 These don't look so hot for eight bucks. 08:41.960 --> 08:42.960 From eight to twelve. 08:42.960 --> 08:43.960 Over here. 08:43.960 --> 08:46.960 Well, I'll take a look. 08:46.960 --> 08:49.960 No, these don't appeal to me. 08:49.960 --> 08:50.960 And what size do you wear? 08:50.960 --> 08:51.960 Forty. 08:51.960 --> 08:53.960 Oh, here, try this one on. 08:53.960 --> 08:54.960 Nice and conservative. 08:54.960 --> 08:55.960 There. 08:55.960 --> 08:58.960 Yeah, it's kind of tight around the shoulders. 08:58.960 --> 08:59.960 Yeah, tight. 08:59.960 --> 09:00.960 It looks cheesy. 09:00.960 --> 09:02.960 Well, I guess you ain't got what I want. 09:02.960 --> 09:04.960 Wait, wait, wait a minute. 09:04.960 --> 09:05.960 Wait, what's your hurry? 09:05.960 --> 09:08.960 I'm just putting a new one in stock over here by the county. 09:08.960 --> 09:09.960 Huh? 09:09.960 --> 09:11.960 Now, that looks all right. 09:11.960 --> 09:12.960 What size is it? 09:12.960 --> 09:13.960 I don't know. 09:13.960 --> 09:14.960 Here, let's try it on you. 09:14.960 --> 09:15.960 All right. 09:15.960 --> 09:16.960 Now, how's that? 09:16.960 --> 09:17.960 Yeah, that feels all right. 09:17.960 --> 09:18.960 All right. 09:18.960 --> 09:20.960 It's kind of stiff in front here. 09:20.960 --> 09:21.960 It's almost new, Wayne. 09:21.960 --> 09:22.960 If you'll break it in. 09:22.960 --> 09:24.960 It feels like cardboard or something. 09:24.960 --> 09:25.960 Look, you want it? 09:25.960 --> 09:26.960 Five dollars. 09:26.960 --> 09:27.960 Okay. 09:27.960 --> 09:29.960 There might be still a couple stains on it. 09:29.960 --> 09:30.960 I had enough time to take them out. 09:30.960 --> 09:32.960 You use some cleaner on it to bring it to the Taylor's Hill spot. 09:32.960 --> 09:33.960 It'll be better than new. 09:33.960 --> 09:34.960 Yeah. 09:34.960 --> 09:35.960 Here. 09:35.960 --> 09:36.960 Here's the five. 09:36.960 --> 09:45.960 Ernest Bowers was brought to the receiving room of the Vedder General Hospital. 09:45.960 --> 09:48.960 The time, 410. 09:48.960 --> 09:52.960 If Bowers was going to awaken, it would probably be before 645. 09:52.960 --> 09:55.960 Intern on duty, Dr. Weldon made out his report. 09:55.960 --> 09:58.960 He wrote it down while he was standing near the telephone switchboard. 09:58.960 --> 10:03.960 Hello? 10:03.960 --> 10:05.960 This is the Vedder General Hospital. 10:05.960 --> 10:07.960 Is there anybody by the name of Bowers at home that's Bowers? 10:07.960 --> 10:08.960 B-O-W-E-R-A. 10:08.960 --> 10:10.960 No, nobody home. 10:10.960 --> 10:11.960 Is Mr. Bowers married? 10:11.960 --> 10:13.960 His wife thinks so. 10:13.960 --> 10:14.960 Where can I reach her? 10:14.960 --> 10:15.960 There's been an accident. 10:15.960 --> 10:16.960 I don't know. 10:16.960 --> 10:17.960 She's out. 10:17.960 --> 10:20.960 Will you tell her to call the Vedder General Hospital? 10:20.960 --> 10:21.960 Yeah. 10:21.960 --> 10:22.960 What happened? 10:22.960 --> 10:24.960 Mr. Bowers is dead. 10:24.960 --> 10:26.960 That's funny. 10:26.960 --> 10:29.960 Just a superficial cut on forehead. 10:29.960 --> 10:31.960 Well, that's cardiac, Macomb. 10:31.960 --> 10:33.960 When they go, get me the orderly room, honey. 10:33.960 --> 10:34.960 Okay, you use that phone there. 10:34.960 --> 10:35.960 Right. 10:35.960 --> 10:39.960 Yeah? 10:39.960 --> 10:40.960 This is Dr. Weldon. 10:40.960 --> 10:42.960 There's a delivery for you to go to the morgue. 10:42.960 --> 10:43.960 The morgue now? 10:43.960 --> 10:44.960 Yeah. 10:44.960 --> 10:45.960 I ain't had anything to eat since- 10:45.960 --> 10:46.960 Yeah, I know. 10:46.960 --> 10:47.960 Since lunch. 10:47.960 --> 10:48.960 Go on now. 10:48.960 --> 10:49.960 It's down in the receiving room. 10:49.960 --> 10:50.960 The papers are down there, too. 10:50.960 --> 10:51.960 Can I get a sandwich first? 10:51.960 --> 10:52.960 No. 10:52.960 --> 10:53.960 Go on. 10:53.960 --> 10:54.960 Get going. 10:54.960 --> 10:55.960 Why can't I wait a few minutes? 10:55.960 --> 10:56.960 It's got to go now. 10:56.960 --> 11:03.960 They'll want to start the embalming so they can go home. 11:03.960 --> 11:06.960 It was then 422 in the afternoon. 11:06.960 --> 11:13.960 Dr. Theodore J. Weldon left honey at the switchboard and walked upstairs to the intern quarters 11:13.960 --> 11:17.960 and settled down to reading the sports page of the afternoon paper. 11:17.960 --> 11:21.960 At that moment, if anyone had been in receiving room B of the Vedder General Hospital 11:21.960 --> 11:25.960 where the body of Ernest Powers lay on the patient carriage, 11:25.960 --> 11:32.960 they would have seen a fly crawl slowly across the face of the dead man, 11:32.960 --> 11:36.960 and they would have seen his nose twitch. 11:36.960 --> 11:51.960 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you an all-star cast of Hollywood radio players 11:51.960 --> 11:55.960 headed by Wally Mayer in Dead Ernest, 11:55.960 --> 11:58.960 a radio play by Celie Glester and Merwin Gerard. 11:58.960 --> 12:07.960 Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 12:13.960 --> 12:18.960 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines. 12:18.960 --> 12:22.960 In Roma Wine, you enjoy an important difference. 12:22.960 --> 12:26.960 Yes, Roma gives you an extra dividend of enjoyment. 12:26.960 --> 12:30.960 A fuller bouquet, richer body, and better taste. 12:30.960 --> 12:38.960 To bring you better tasting wines every time, Roma selects from California's choicest grapes. 12:38.960 --> 12:43.960 Then, with ancient skill and America's finest wine-making resources, 12:43.960 --> 12:48.960 Roma master ventners guide this grape treasure to tempting taste perfection. 12:48.960 --> 12:52.960 These choice wines are placed with Melo Roma wines of years before, 12:52.960 --> 12:58.960 and from these reserves, the world's greatest reserves of fine wines, 12:58.960 --> 13:01.960 Roma later selects for your pleasure. 13:01.960 --> 13:06.960 That's why more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 13:06.960 --> 13:12.960 That's why you will find Roma California Wine your best buy in good taste. 13:12.960 --> 13:16.960 So, whether you prefer Sherry or Port, Muscatel or Toquet, 13:16.960 --> 13:24.960 insist on Roma Wine, R-O-M-A, Roma, the greatest name in wine. 13:24.960 --> 13:29.960 And now, Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Wally Mayer, 13:29.960 --> 13:36.960 who as police lieutenant Healy, heads an all-star cast of Hollywood radio players in Dead Ernest, 13:36.960 --> 13:51.960 a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 13:51.960 --> 13:56.960 Henry Prince had purchased the coat in which was the letter that could save the life of Ernest Bowers. 13:56.960 --> 14:00.960 When Henry Prince left Ernest Jerry Murdoch's second-hand store, 14:00.960 --> 14:05.960 he stopped to have a chat with some friends, made some purchases at the grocery store, 14:05.960 --> 14:10.960 and then started home, the time a few minutes after five. 14:10.960 --> 14:14.960 He lived about two blocks from the scene of the accident, and his wife was waiting for him. 14:14.960 --> 14:16.960 Turn around a little bit, will you? 14:16.960 --> 14:17.960 I didn't like it for five blocks. 14:17.960 --> 14:20.960 Oh, it looks all right. You lose some of that weight, it looks better. 14:20.960 --> 14:22.960 Wait a minute, wait a minute, what's that, a spot? 14:22.960 --> 14:23.960 Where? 14:23.960 --> 14:25.960 Take it off for a minute. Here. 14:25.960 --> 14:26.960 Yeah? 14:26.960 --> 14:27.960 Yeah. I wonder what that is. 14:27.960 --> 14:30.960 Oh, he said there were a couple of spots. Cleaner will take them off. 14:30.960 --> 14:33.960 Yeah, it looks like it might be. What's this in the pocket? 14:33.960 --> 14:35.960 Hmm? I don't know. 14:35.960 --> 14:40.960 Heaven's sake. To whom it may concern, please open and read. 14:40.960 --> 14:42.960 Well, that's what must have felt stiff, huh? 14:42.960 --> 14:43.960 Yeah. 14:43.960 --> 14:44.960 Hmm. 14:44.960 --> 14:47.960 This note is carried on my person wherever I go. 14:47.960 --> 14:48.960 Hmm. 14:48.960 --> 14:54.960 It is to advise responsible parties that I am a cataleptic, 14:54.960 --> 15:00.960 that if it appears as though I am dead, I am not, 15:00.960 --> 15:05.960 and that my body is not to be molested for a period of 72 hours, 15:05.960 --> 15:10.960 neither by autopsy nor by embalming, 15:10.960 --> 15:16.960 although the maximum periods of my attacks usually do not exceed four hours. 15:16.960 --> 15:20.960 Please telephone my wife, Mrs. Margaret Bowers, at Fulton 11231. 15:20.960 --> 15:25.960 This is a boarding house, address 841 1 Half West 25th Street. 15:25.960 --> 15:29.960 If she is not there, please try to ask Mr. 43422. 15:29.960 --> 15:32.960 This is the number of Dr. Benton. 15:32.960 --> 15:36.960 It is of vital importance. It may mean my life. 15:36.960 --> 15:39.960 Thank you, Ernest Bowers. 15:39.960 --> 15:40.960 Yeah, that's a funny one. 15:40.960 --> 15:42.960 Where'd you get that jacket, Harry? 15:42.960 --> 15:43.960 Right on it's Jerry Murdoch. 15:43.960 --> 15:44.960 Gee, I wonder what we can do. 15:44.960 --> 15:46.960 Well, nothing is probably forgotten already. 15:46.960 --> 15:48.960 Somebody sold the jacket to him, forgot to take the letter off. 15:48.960 --> 15:50.960 You sound like something a guide forgets. 15:50.960 --> 15:51.960 No, the devil. 15:51.960 --> 15:53.960 Well, it might be important. 15:53.960 --> 15:56.960 I said, look at that, Harry. Those spots look like blood. 15:56.960 --> 15:57.960 No, too dark. 15:57.960 --> 16:00.960 That's the color that blood turns. I'm going to telephone that number. 16:00.960 --> 16:02.960 Well, go ahead, but I think you're wasting your time. 16:02.960 --> 16:04.960 Oh, hush. Will you a minute? 16:04.960 --> 16:05.960 Oh, for crying out loud. 16:05.960 --> 16:06.960 Keep still. 16:06.960 --> 16:12.960 Hello. 16:12.960 --> 16:16.960 I'd like to talk to Mrs. Bowers. 16:16.960 --> 16:17.960 She ain't in. 16:17.960 --> 16:18.960 Well, how do you know? You didn't even go to find... 16:18.960 --> 16:21.960 She went out and you ain't the first after her. 16:21.960 --> 16:23.960 Who else wanted to get in touch with her? 16:23.960 --> 16:25.960 Oh, somebody. I don't know who. 16:25.960 --> 16:27.960 Oh, well, thank you. 16:27.960 --> 16:29.960 There, you see, you're wasting your time. 16:29.960 --> 16:30.960 I'll try that doctor. 16:30.960 --> 16:31.960 Oh, for heaven's sakes. 16:31.960 --> 16:33.960 I'm turning into a regular busybody. 16:33.960 --> 16:34.960 Well, think of somebody else. 16:34.960 --> 16:35.960 Well, I'm getting hungry. 16:35.960 --> 16:36.960 Oh, hush. Will you? 16:36.960 --> 16:37.960 Oh, hush. Will you? 16:37.960 --> 16:38.960 Oh, hush. Will you? 16:38.960 --> 16:39.960 Oh, hush. Will you? 16:39.960 --> 16:40.960 How about some dinner? 16:40.960 --> 16:42.960 It's cooking. It's cooking. 16:42.960 --> 16:45.960 Honestly, I can't get it out of my head. 16:45.960 --> 16:47.960 That guy, whoever he is, just lying there and people thinking 16:47.960 --> 16:51.960 him dead when he ain't. Maybe doing things to him. 16:51.960 --> 16:54.960 Gee. What's him bombing? 16:54.960 --> 16:55.960 Oh, they do that at the morgue. 16:55.960 --> 16:57.960 It's preparing his body for burial. 16:57.960 --> 16:59.960 I think they take all the blood out of his veins. 16:59.960 --> 17:02.960 For heaven's sakes, that'd kill him if he wasn't already dead. 17:02.960 --> 17:04.960 Couldn't kill him any deader. 17:04.960 --> 17:05.960 Harry, I'm going to find out about that coat. 17:05.960 --> 17:06.960 Now, where's this place you're going? 17:06.960 --> 17:07.960 Now, wait a minute, Frances. 17:07.960 --> 17:09.960 I put in a good day's work. I'm tired. 17:09.960 --> 17:11.960 I don't want to run around the city looking for something 17:11.960 --> 17:12.960 I don't even know about. 17:12.960 --> 17:13.960 Well, I'll go myself. 17:13.960 --> 17:15.960 How about me at home here while you go out? 17:15.960 --> 17:16.960 I want to eat. I'm hungry. 17:16.960 --> 17:19.960 Well, dinner won't be ready for another 15 minutes anyway. 17:19.960 --> 17:20.960 Where's the place? 17:20.960 --> 17:24.960 Oh, all right. I'll go with you. 17:31.960 --> 17:32.960 Pardon me. 17:32.960 --> 17:34.960 Sure. What do you have? 17:34.960 --> 17:36.960 We want to find out about the man next door. 17:36.960 --> 17:37.960 Do you know when we'll come back? 17:37.960 --> 17:38.960 Oh, honest, Jerry? 17:38.960 --> 17:39.960 Yeah. 17:39.960 --> 17:40.960 No. Are you there? 17:40.960 --> 17:41.960 No, he isn't. 17:41.960 --> 17:42.960 Harry, listen, go take another look. 17:42.960 --> 17:43.960 I'll try that number again. 17:43.960 --> 17:51.960 Oh, Fran, for heaven's sake, I'm hungry. 18:03.960 --> 18:04.960 I'm using this... 18:04.960 --> 18:05.960 Oh. 18:05.960 --> 18:06.960 Well, he ain't back yet. 18:06.960 --> 18:07.960 What does this sign say, 10 minutes? 18:07.960 --> 18:10.960 Yeah, but those guys put up signs like that if they're going to wait for an hour. 18:10.960 --> 18:12.960 Well, we'll just wait a couple of more minutes. 18:12.960 --> 18:13.960 Oh, come on, Fran. 18:13.960 --> 18:14.960 Hello? 18:14.960 --> 18:16.960 Wait, wait. Is Mrs. Bowers in? 18:16.960 --> 18:17.960 No. 18:17.960 --> 18:18.960 Uh, is Mr. Bowers? 18:18.960 --> 18:19.960 He's dead. 18:19.960 --> 18:20.960 He is? 18:20.960 --> 18:21.960 That's what they tell me. 18:21.960 --> 18:22.960 Well, look, listen, will you please... 18:22.960 --> 18:25.960 You're bothering me, lady. I got a meal set up on the table. 18:25.960 --> 18:27.960 I can't be answering a million questions. 18:27.960 --> 18:30.960 All I want to know is when Mr. Bowers died. 18:30.960 --> 18:33.960 How do I know? Ask Mrs. Bowers. She'll be home soon. 18:33.960 --> 18:34.960 Yeah, well, thanks. 18:34.960 --> 18:35.960 Well? 18:35.960 --> 18:38.960 Mr. Bowers is dead. I found that out. 18:38.960 --> 18:39.960 Oh, you see? I told you. 18:39.960 --> 18:42.960 Well, what about the letter, then? What if he ain't dead? 18:42.960 --> 18:43.960 What if they only think he's dead? 18:43.960 --> 18:45.960 Well, what do you want to do, wait here all night? 18:45.960 --> 18:46.960 If I have to. 18:46.960 --> 18:47.960 Well, without me, then. 18:47.960 --> 18:49.960 Well, just do as you please. 18:49.960 --> 18:51.960 I'll be home. I'm hungry. It's after six. 18:51.960 --> 18:55.960 If you think more of a crazy letter than you do of feeding your own husband, then that's all. 18:55.960 --> 18:56.960 What do you mean, that's all? 18:56.960 --> 18:58.960 Just what I said. That's all. 18:58.960 --> 19:01.960 Oh, Harry, the trouble with you is you haven't got any imagination. 19:01.960 --> 19:04.960 No, I haven't got any imagination. I'm just a home-loving guy. That's all. 19:04.960 --> 19:06.960 I don't go sticking my nose where it don't belong. 19:06.960 --> 19:09.960 Oh, well, for heaven's sakes, go home, then. I'll find out about it. 19:09.960 --> 19:10.960 I'll find for you. 19:10.960 --> 19:12.960 I think it's something beside your stomach once in a while. 19:12.960 --> 19:14.960 Officer, officer. 19:14.960 --> 19:15.960 Yes, ma'am? 19:15.960 --> 19:20.960 Do you know where the fellow who owns that swap shop lives, Honest Jerry Murdock? 19:20.960 --> 19:21.960 No, ma'am, I don't. 19:21.960 --> 19:24.960 Oh, dear. Gee, I want to get in touch with him. And there's a sign on his door saying... 19:24.960 --> 19:26.960 Why don't you ask him, ma'am? There he is now. 19:26.960 --> 19:27.960 Huh? 19:27.960 --> 19:28.960 Just going in over there. 19:28.960 --> 19:30.960 Oh, gee, thank you. Mr. Murdock? 19:30.960 --> 19:31.960 Yeah? 19:31.960 --> 19:34.960 Mr. Murdock, oh, gee. I'm sure glad you came back. 19:34.960 --> 19:36.960 Come in, come in. Just out having a bite to eat. 19:36.960 --> 19:40.960 Yeah, listen, you sold my husband a jacket, a sports jacket this afternoon. 19:40.960 --> 19:41.960 Did I? What kind? 19:41.960 --> 19:45.960 Well, a light blue one with little red boxes in it. It had a few stains on it. 19:45.960 --> 19:47.960 Oh, sorry. I can't take anything back once it's sold. 19:47.960 --> 19:51.960 No, no, no. I don't want to give it back. Listen, where did you get it, Mr. Murdock? 19:51.960 --> 19:52.960 How can I remember where I got it? 19:52.960 --> 19:54.960 Long ago. Was it very long ago? 19:54.960 --> 19:56.960 I don't see why it's any of your business where I got it. 19:56.960 --> 19:58.960 Well, it may be important. I've been trying to reach the numbers. 19:58.960 --> 20:02.960 The doctor's number's always busy and his wife isn't home yet. 20:02.960 --> 20:03.960 I don't know what you're talking about. 20:03.960 --> 20:07.960 Look, tell me one thing, just one thing. Did you have the jacket in here a long time? 20:07.960 --> 20:08.960 Well... 20:08.960 --> 20:10.960 Oh, please, listen, it's very important. 20:10.960 --> 20:13.960 Well, no, no. I just got it in this afternoon. 20:13.960 --> 20:14.960 Well, where did you get it? 20:14.960 --> 20:17.960 Look, you said one question, you asked it, I answered it. That's all. 20:17.960 --> 20:18.960 There was blood on it. 20:18.960 --> 20:20.960 Well, that I can't help. I... 20:20.960 --> 20:23.960 Listen, if that man's alive and they do anything to him, I'll just never get over it. 20:23.960 --> 20:25.960 I'll never be able to live with myself. 20:25.960 --> 20:26.960 What are you talking about? 20:26.960 --> 20:30.960 Listen to me. There was a letter in the inside pocket of that jacket. 20:30.960 --> 20:33.960 You see, it said that Ernest Bowers was a cataleptic. 20:33.960 --> 20:35.960 What's that? He goes into fits? 20:35.960 --> 20:39.960 No, no, no. A cataleptic is somebody who looks like he's dead at times and he isn't. 20:39.960 --> 20:42.960 He goes into a spell and it looks as though he's dead. 20:42.960 --> 20:46.960 You see, sometimes they take dead bodies to the morgue, they embalm them. 20:46.960 --> 20:48.960 That means they take all the blood out of their veins. 20:48.960 --> 20:51.960 Now, this fellow Bowers is a cataleptic. 20:51.960 --> 20:55.960 I don't know whether he's dead or alive or even if he's worrying about this letter, but I've got to find out. 20:55.960 --> 20:56.960 I... 20:56.960 --> 20:57.960 There was... 20:57.960 --> 20:58.960 What? What? 20:58.960 --> 20:59.960 An accident before... 20:59.960 --> 21:00.960 Where? Who was in it? 21:00.960 --> 21:02.960 I don't know. Believe me, lady, I didn't know anything about all this. 21:02.960 --> 21:05.960 You think that this guy was taken away in ambulance, was a catalepsy? 21:05.960 --> 21:06.960 That coat, was it his? 21:06.960 --> 21:09.960 Yeah, lady, but it was left there in the street. They drove away and left it. 21:09.960 --> 21:10.960 Who? 21:10.960 --> 21:11.960 The ambulance. 21:11.960 --> 21:12.960 What ambulance? 21:12.960 --> 21:13.960 I don't know. It was on the corner. The cop was there. 21:13.960 --> 21:16.960 He told somebody to call an ambulance. It came and took away the man. 21:16.960 --> 21:17.960 Is that the cop out there right now? 21:17.960 --> 21:20.960 Yeah, yeah, but look, look, you've got to protect me. I ain't done anything wrong. 21:20.960 --> 21:23.960 I didn't know anything like this had happened. I've never taken a coat of... 21:23.960 --> 21:33.960 Officer! Officer! 21:33.960 --> 21:37.960 Ernest Bowers lay on a slab at the morgue. 21:37.960 --> 21:43.960 If he were alive, probabilities were that he would regain consciousness before 6.45. 21:43.960 --> 21:49.960 The two bombers on duty at the time had decided to get a bite to eat when the phone rang. 21:49.960 --> 21:51.960 Yeah, but we're going out to eat. 21:51.960 --> 21:54.960 Yeah, I know another one just came in. We got it here. 21:54.960 --> 21:56.960 Well, what's the rush? 21:56.960 --> 22:00.960 No, no, we just want to grab a cup of coffee. We'll get right on it. 22:00.960 --> 22:03.960 Well, is it our fault if it comes in just when we want to have a... 22:03.960 --> 22:06.960 Oh, well, we can go home after? 22:06.960 --> 22:08.960 Ah, that puts a different complexion. 22:08.960 --> 22:11.960 Okay, yeah. 22:11.960 --> 22:13.960 Hey, what time is it, Anthony? 22:13.960 --> 22:14.960 6.30. 22:14.960 --> 22:17.960 Good. Doc says if we embalm this one now, we can go home. 22:17.960 --> 22:19.960 Well, let's start in then. I'm hungry. 22:19.960 --> 22:24.960 Okay, I'll start the motor. 22:24.960 --> 22:25.960 Young guy, ain't he? 22:25.960 --> 22:29.960 Yeah. I was saying to the wife about that yesterday. 22:29.960 --> 22:31.960 Oh, get the injector out, will you, Tony? 22:31.960 --> 22:34.960 She was saying more and more people die older and older. 22:34.960 --> 22:36.960 Here. 22:36.960 --> 22:38.960 Yeah, looks like we can open through the neck. 22:38.960 --> 22:41.960 Yeah. Give me a piece of that gauze. 22:41.960 --> 22:45.960 I said to Velma, she should be around this place a while. We get them all ages. 22:45.960 --> 22:46.960 You want me to do it? 22:46.960 --> 22:49.960 No, no, you get the injector ready. 22:49.960 --> 22:51.960 Look at him. 22:51.960 --> 22:56.960 You'd never think that such a little thing like his heart stops beating could make him dead and not alive. 22:56.960 --> 23:01.960 Yeah, okay. I'll hold it steady, will you? 23:01.960 --> 23:02.960 Yeah. 23:02.960 --> 23:03.960 Ready? 23:03.960 --> 23:06.960 Just a second. 23:06.960 --> 23:07.960 Yep. 23:07.960 --> 23:12.960 All right. Here we go. 23:12.960 --> 23:13.960 Hmm. 23:13.960 --> 23:14.960 What's that? 23:14.960 --> 23:17.960 My glasses. They're clouding up. 23:17.960 --> 23:18.960 Take them off. 23:18.960 --> 23:21.960 That's all right. I'll just clean them. 23:21.960 --> 23:23.960 What'd the wife say to that? 23:23.960 --> 23:25.960 What? Oh, about all ages? 23:25.960 --> 23:26.960 Yeah. 23:26.960 --> 23:27.960 Oh, she didn't have anything to say. 23:27.960 --> 23:31.960 Only that most of the guys we deal with probably come to a violent end. 23:31.960 --> 23:32.960 There's something in that. 23:32.960 --> 23:39.960 Yeah. Okay, I got my glasses cleaned. Let's see here. 23:39.960 --> 23:40.960 Hmm. 23:40.960 --> 23:41.960 What's the matter? 23:41.960 --> 23:49.960 They're steamed up again. That's funny. Every time I bend over and it... I wonder. 23:49.960 --> 23:50.960 What? 23:50.960 --> 23:53.960 Ah, it must be my imagination. 23:53.960 --> 23:54.960 What? 23:54.960 --> 23:59.960 I could have sworn this guy was breathing on my glasses. 23:59.960 --> 24:00.960 Is he? 24:00.960 --> 24:02.960 No, how could he? 24:02.960 --> 24:08.960 Well, come on, then, let's go. It's a quarter to seven already, yeah. 24:08.960 --> 24:10.960 Hold it. I'll get the phone. 24:10.960 --> 24:12.960 No, no, let's get this started first. 24:12.960 --> 24:13.960 Okay. 24:13.960 --> 24:14.960 We'll just start. 24:14.960 --> 24:15.960 Huh? 24:15.960 --> 24:17.960 I... I... 24:17.960 --> 24:19.960 What's the matter with you? 24:19.960 --> 24:23.960 I... I thought I saw this guy's hand twitch. 24:23.960 --> 24:26.960 Oh, don't be silly. 24:26.960 --> 24:29.960 Phew. That gave me a scare. 24:29.960 --> 24:31.960 Let's wait a second. I'll get the phone. 24:31.960 --> 24:34.960 No, no, it'll probably be another job and we'll never get out of here. Now, let it ring. 24:34.960 --> 24:36.960 But the doc said we could go home after... 24:36.960 --> 24:40.960 Oh, all right. Well, come on, let's get this thing over with. 24:40.960 --> 24:41.960 Now... 24:41.960 --> 24:44.960 Okay, now, give me the knife again. 24:44.960 --> 24:51.960 All right. Now, I'll make a nice, neat little incision right... 24:51.960 --> 24:53.960 Hey, Tony. 24:53.960 --> 24:54.960 Yeah? 24:54.960 --> 25:03.960 Look, I'm bent over like this, see. I ain't gonna move. My glasses are full of steam again. 25:03.960 --> 25:08.960 Oh, Lord. Is... is he alive? 25:08.960 --> 25:13.960 Hey, look at me. I'm shaking all over. 25:13.960 --> 25:16.960 Look at him, Hal. Look at his lips. 25:16.960 --> 25:17.960 Huh? 25:17.960 --> 25:19.960 Listen. 25:19.960 --> 25:34.960 Shut that thing off. 25:34.960 --> 25:57.960 Huh? 25:57.960 --> 26:06.960 Apparently, the life of Ernest Bowers was worth $1.30 for a silver bracelet to the boys who ran away with it, 26:06.960 --> 26:12.960 and $5 for a blood-stained jacket to Honest, Jerry Murdock. 26:12.960 --> 26:16.960 Their petty thefts brought a man to the brink of death. 26:16.960 --> 26:21.960 As for the busy telephone in the doctor's office, it wasn't busy at all. 26:21.960 --> 26:28.960 The good doctor had unwittingly replaced the receiver on the phone stand incorrectly. 26:28.960 --> 26:37.960 There is, um... there's just one more episode which perhaps does not belong in an accident report, but which I would like to include. 26:37.960 --> 26:48.960 After regaining full consciousness, Ernest Bowers put in a telephone call from the morgue. 26:48.960 --> 26:49.960 Hello? 26:49.960 --> 26:52.960 Hello, Mrs. Brawley. Is Mrs. Bowers in? 26:52.960 --> 26:54.960 I don't know. I'll see. 26:54.960 --> 26:58.960 Josie, see if Mrs. Bowers is home. 26:58.960 --> 26:59.960 Who is it? 26:59.960 --> 27:00.960 This is Mr. Bowers. 27:00.960 --> 27:03.960 Who? Mr. Bowers? 27:03.960 --> 27:06.960 They told me you was dead. The hospital called and said... 27:06.960 --> 27:08.960 I know, Mrs. Brawley, but they made a mistake. 27:08.960 --> 27:10.960 Oh, well, here she is. 27:10.960 --> 27:13.960 Hello. Ernest, where are you? 27:13.960 --> 27:15.960 Well, darling, it's quite a long story. 27:15.960 --> 27:19.960 Well, never mind, you get right home, you hear? Your dinner's getting ice cold. 27:33.960 --> 27:34.960 Suspense! 27:34.960 --> 27:41.960 Presented by Roma Wines. R-O-M-A. Roma. America's favorite wines. 27:41.960 --> 27:46.960 In just one moment, we'll have a special announcement of interest to our suspense listeners. 27:46.960 --> 27:56.960 This is Truman Bradley reminding you that Roma wines taste better because Roma selects better tasting wines from the world's greatest wine reserves. 27:56.960 --> 28:05.960 Yes, in Roma wine, you enjoy an extra premium goodness in fuller bouquet, richer body, and better taste. 28:05.960 --> 28:10.960 That's why more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 28:10.960 --> 28:15.960 So insist on Roma, a premium wine in everything but price. 28:15.960 --> 28:20.960 Tomorrow, enjoy the ruby richness of Roma California Port. 28:20.960 --> 28:24.960 Delicious after dinner, ideal for entertaining. 28:24.960 --> 28:33.960 Now, it is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Don Thornburg, Vice President of the Columbia Broadcasting System. 28:33.960 --> 28:51.960 Ladies and gentlemen, your regular suspense listeners will, I'm sure, be pleased to know that your suspense program has won the 1946 George Foster Peabody Award for outstanding excellence in radio drama. 28:51.960 --> 29:06.960 On behalf of the Columbia Broadcasting System, I congratulate Producer William Spear, the actors, the musicians, sound effects men, technicians, announcers, and the sponsor Roma Wines, 29:06.960 --> 29:15.960 whose combined efforts have earned for suspense the well-deserved title of Radio's outstanding theater of thrill. 29:15.960 --> 29:21.960 Dead Ernest Heard this evening is one of the plays upon which the Peabody Award was based. 29:21.960 --> 29:24.960 It was repeated by popular request. 29:24.960 --> 29:35.960 Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines bring you Mr. Robert Mitchum as star of Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrill. 29:35.960 --> 29:46.960 Produced and directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.