Suspense - Old Time Radio Thriller

Fiction & Audio Drama

About

Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio dramas during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1942-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. Suspense is renowned for its gripping tales of mystery, horror, and psychological tension. Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart Format 30-minute standalone episodes (later expanded to 60 minutes in the 1950s). Each episode was a self-contained story, often featuring ordinary people in extraordinary, life-threatening situations. Known for its tight scripting, atmospheric sound effects, and dramatic musical scores (often by Bernard Herrmann, who later composed for Hitchcock films). Famous for its twist endings and unreliable narrators. Iconic Hosts & Opening Early episodes were introduced by "The Man in Black" (a mysterious narrator, played by Joseph Kearns and later Paul Frees). The show’s chilling opening theme (a heartbeat-like rhythm followed by the announcer’s voice) became legendary: "Suspense! As quiet as fog creeping in on little cat feet…" Influence & Legacy Considered the pinnacle of radio suspense drama, setting the standard for later shows like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Many episodes were adapted for TV and film (e.g., Sorry, Wrong Number became a 1948 movie). Preserved by collectors and still aired on radio nostalgia stations today. Why Suspense Still Holds Up Masterful storytelling – Relied on dialogue and sound to terrify listeners (no visuals needed!). A-list Hollywood talent – Rare chance to hear major stars in intimate, voice-only performances. Timeless themes – Paranoia, betrayal, and moral dilemmas still resonate today.

Episodes

  • Five Buck Tip - Suspense (AFRS) | 02/23/1958 (Ep739)

    This episode, "Five Buck Tip," is from the radio series Suspense, which featured crime dramas, science fiction, and horror. The series ran from 1940 to 1962.

  • One Chef Well Done - Suspense | 02/16/1958 (Ep738)

    This episode, "One Chef Well Done," is from the radio series Suspense, which aired on February 16, 1958. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots.

  • The Long Shot - Suspense | 02/09/1958 (Ep737)

    This episode of the Old Time Radio thriller series Suspense, titled The Long Shot, originally aired on February 9, 1958.

  • Silver Frame - Suspense | 02/02/1958 (Ep736)

    This episode, "Silver Frame," is from the popular "Suspense" radio series, known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with twist endings. The series aired over 900 episodes between 1940 and 1962.

  • Nineteen Deacon Street - Suspense | 01/26/1958 (Ep735)

    This episode features 'Nineteen Deacon Street' from the classic radio series Suspense, which aired from 1940 to 1962. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • The Crowded Void - Suspense | 01/19/1958 (Ep734)

    This episode of Suspense, titled "The Crowded Void," aired on January 19, 1958. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • The Island - Suspense | 01/12/1958 (Ep733)

    This episode of the radio drama series Suspense, titled The Island, originally aired on January 12, 1958. It features the engaging storytelling and suspenseful narratives characteristic of this classic radio program.

  • A Week Ago Wednesday - Suspense | 01/05/1958 (Ep732)

    This is episode 732 of the classic radio series Suspense, which aired from 1940 to 1962. This episode, 'A Week Ago Wednesday', was broadcast on January 5, 1958.

  • Never Steal a Butcher's Wife - Suspense | 12/29/1957 (Ep731)

    This episode, "Never Steal a Butcher's Wife," aired on December 29, 1957, as part of the classic radio drama series Suspense. The show, which ran from 1940 to 1962, featured engaging crime dramas, science fiction, and horror stories, often…

  • Dog Star - Suspense | 12/22/1957 (Ep730)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Dog Star', aired on December 22, 1957. Suspense was a prominent radio drama series known for its crime, science fiction, and horror plots, often concluding with a twist.

  • An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge - Suspense | 12/15/1957 (Ep729)

    This episode of the Suspense radio drama series, aired in December 1957, presents "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror, often with surprise endings.

  • Speed Trap - Suspense | 12/08/1957 (Ep728)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Speed Trap' and aired in 1957, is part of a long-running radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings. The show featured many famous guest stars d…

  • Jet Stream - Suspense | 12/01/1957 (Ep727)

    This episode of the radio drama series Suspense, titled Jet Stream, originally aired on December 1, 1957. Suspense was a long-running program known for featuring various guest stars in crime, science fiction, and horror stories.

  • The Star of Thessaly - Suspense | 11/24/1957 (Ep726)

    This episode features 'The Star of Thessaly' from the classic radio series Suspense. Suspense was known for its engaging crime dramas, science fiction, and horror episodes, often concluding with a surprise.

  • The City That Was - Suspense | 11/17/1957 (Ep725)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'The City That Was,' aired on November 17, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror.

  • The Pit and the Pendulum - Suspense | 11/10/1957 (Ep724)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'The Pit and the Pendulum,' aired on November 10, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series that ran from 1940 to 1962, known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise end…

  • Firing Run - Suspense | 11/03/1957 (Ep723)

    Firing Run is an episode of the classic radio series Suspense, which aired from 1940 to 1962. The show featured crime dramas, science fiction, and horror.

  • The Country of the Blind - Suspense | 10/27/1957 (Ep722)

    This episode, 'The Country of the Blind,' aired on Suspense in 1957. Suspense was a popular radio drama series known for crime, science fiction, and horror plots, often featuring surprise endings and famous guest stars.

  • Sorry, Wrong Number - Suspense | 10/20/1957 (Ep721)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Sorry, Wrong Number,' aired on October 20, 1957. The radio series spanned 1940-1962 and featured crime dramas, science fiction, and horror stories.

  • The Well-Dressed Corpse | Suspense | 10/13/1957 (Ep720)

    This episode of Suspense, titled "The Well-Dressed Corpse," aired on October 13, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio drama series known for its crime, science fiction, and horror plots, often concluding with a twist.

  • Misfire - Suspense | 10/06/1957 (Ep719)

    This episode of Suspense, titled "Misfire," is part of a popular radio series that aired from 1940 to 1962, known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • Vamp Till Dead - Suspense | 09/29/1957 (Ep718)

    This is episode 718 of the Suspense radio series, titled 'Vamp Till Dead,' which aired on September 29, 1957. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • Shadow on the Wall - Suspense | 09/22/1957 (Ep717)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Shadow on the Wall,' aired on September 22, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots.

  • Old Army Buddy - Suspense | 09/08/1957 (Ep715)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Old Army Buddy,' aired on September 8, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • Man from Tomorrow - Suspense | 09/01/1957 (Ep714)

    This is the "Man from Tomorrow" episode from the radio series Suspense, which originally aired on 09/01/1957. Suspense ran from 1940-1962 and featured crime, science fiction, and horror stories.

  • Leiningen versus the Ants - Suspense | 08/25/1957 (Ep713)

    This episode of Suspense, 'Leiningen Versus the Ants,' aired in 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series running from 1940-1962, featuring crime, science fiction, and horror plots.

  • Peanut Brittle - Suspense | 08/18/1957 (Ep712)

    This episode of the radio series Suspense, titled "Peanut Brittle," aired on August 18, 1957. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with a surprise ending.

  • Pigeon in the Cage - Suspense | 08/11/1957 (Ep711)

    This episode of the radio series Suspense, titled "Pigeon in the Cage," aired on 08/11/1957. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror stories, often with surprise endings.

  • Flesh Peddler - Suspense | 08/04/1957 (Ep710)

    This is the 'Flesh Peddler' episode of the classic radio series 'Suspense', which aired from 1940 to 1962 and featured crime dramas and horror.

  • Murder on Mike - Suspense | 07/28/1957 (Ep709)

    This episode of the "Suspense" radio series, titled "Murder on Mike" and aired on July 28, 1957, is a crime drama representative of the show's typical engaging plots. "Suspense" ran from 1940-1962 and featured notable guest stars.

  • America's Boyfriend - Suspense | 07/21/1957 (Ep708)

    This episode, 'America's Boyfriend,' aired on July 21, 1957, as part of the 'Suspense' radio series. 'Suspense' was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, typically concluding with a surprise.

  • Flood on the Goodwins - Suspense | 07/14/1957 (Ep707)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Flood on the Goodwins,' originally aired on July 14, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often featuring surprise endings.

  • Alibi - Suspense | 07/07/1957 (Ep706)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Alibi,' aired on July 7, 1957. Suspense was a long-running radio series known for crime dramas, sci-fi, and horror, often with twist endings.

  • The Yellow Wallpaper - Suspense | 06/30/1957 (Ep705)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'The Yellow Wallpaper,' aired on June 30, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror stories, often with surprise endings.

  • A Load of Dynamite - Suspense | 06/23/1957 (Ep704)

    This episode of Suspense, titled "A Load of Dynamite," is a classic radio drama from the series that ran from 1940-1962, featuring crime dramas, science fiction, and horror.

  • Trial by Jury - Suspense | 06/16/1957 (Ep703)

    This episode of the radio series Suspense is titled 'Trial by Jury' and aired on June 16, 1957. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • The Green-and-Gold String | Suspense | 06/09/1957 (Ep702)

    This episode, The Green-and-Gold String, is from the classic radio series Suspense. The series aired from 1940-1962 and featured crime dramas, science fiction, and horror, often with surprise endings.

  • Crossing Paris - Suspense | 06/02/1957 (Ep701)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Crossing Paris,' aired on June 2, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • The Big Day - Suspense | 05/26/1957 (Ep700)

    This episode, 'The Big Day', is from the classic radio series Suspense, known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings. The show ran from 1940-1962.

  • Death and Miss Turner - Suspense | 05/19/1957 (Ep699)

    This episode of the Suspense radio series is titled "Death and Miss Turner" and aired on May 19, 1957. The series ran from 1940 to 1962, featuring crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots.

  • Tarawa Was Tough - Suspense | 05/12/1957 (Ep698)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Tarawa Was Tough', aired on May 12, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series running from 1940-1962, featuring crime dramas, science fiction, and horror.

  • Celebration - Suspense | 05/05/1957 (Ep697)

    This episode, 'Celebration', is from the classic radio series Suspense, which aired from 1940 to 1962. The show featured crime dramas, science fiction, and horror, known for its engaging plots and surprise endings.

  • Escape to Death - Suspense | 04/28/1957 (Ep696)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Escape to Death,' aired in 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror episodes, often featuring surprise endings.

  • Chicken Feed - Suspense | 04/21/1957 (Ep695)

    This episode, 'Chicken Feed,' is from the classic radio series Suspense, which aired from 1940 to 1962. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, frequently concluding with a surprise.

  • Thou Shalt Not Commit - Suspense | 04/14/1957 (Ep694)

    This episode of the classic radio series Suspense, titled 'Thou Shalt Not Commit,' aired on April 14, 1957. Suspense was known for its engaging crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often featuring surprise endings.

  • Vanishing Lady - Suspense | 04/07/1957 (Ep693)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'Vanishing Lady' and aired in 1957, is part of a long-running radio series known for crime dramas, science fiction, and horror, often with surprise endings.

  • A Good Neighbor - Suspense | 03/31/1957 (Ep692)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'A Good Neighbor,' aired on March 31, 1957. Suspense was a popular radio series known for crime dramas, science fiction, and horror.

  • Shooting Star - Suspense | 03/24/1957 (Ep691)

    This is episode 691 of the Old Time Radio series Suspense, titled 'Shooting Star,' which aired on March 24, 1957. Suspense was known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror plots, often with surprise endings.

  • The Outer Limit - Suspense | 03/17/1957 (Ep690)

    This episode of the radio series Suspense, titled The Outer Limit, originally aired on March 17, 1957. Suspense is a classic old-time radio program known for crime dramas, science fiction, and thriller plots.

  • The Paralta Map - Suspense | 03/10/1957 (Ep689)

    This episode of Suspense, titled 'The Paralta Map,' originally aired on March 10, 1957. Suspense was a popular old-time radio series known for its crime dramas, science fiction, and horror episodes.