By Lucille Fletcher
The radio drama premiered in 1943 and became one of the most legendary
radio plays of all time. Agnes Moorehead created the role in the first
performance and again in several later radio productions. Barbara Stanwyck
starred in the 1948 film version and, in 1952, performed the original radio play
over the airwaves. A 1959 version produced for the CBS radio series Suspense
received a 1960 Edgar Award for Best Radio Drama.
While it may seem obvious that a script for radio might be formatted differently since theres no need for
the divisions, indentations and annotations required for a reader to highlight visuals, yet, when a reader
expects to see a play in a familiar format, there appears to be something missing.
Ergo, this brief explanation intended to prepare the present reader about what to expect a few pages
further on:
It is important for radio actors, musicians, sound effects teams and technicians to quickly see the inter-
relationship of cues for their respective parts. A radio script is linear in its presentation. Actors work from
scripts and need not commit their lines to memory, and usually do not do so. No indentation is used
because things happen quickly and we want the readers eye to track down the page.
Sound and music cues and directions to actors are in italics and all non-spoken words are in italics:
It is conventional for performers and technicians to highlight their lines or cues with a highlighter pen.
When a radio play is recorded without an audience present, it is easier to record sound and music on
separate tracks after recording the dialogue. Sound cues in the actors scripts let them know that there
are sounds occurring that they are relating to, such as crowd noise, a falling body or bodies, knife
wounds, dishes breaking against a head, a gunshot, sound of a bus approaching, etc.
Thanks,
Michael Winn
Characters:
Jim
George
Telephone Operator
Chief Operator
Information Operator
Western Union
Hospital Receptionist
Man in Black
Announcer
MUSIC: Stab
MUSIC: STAB
MUSIC: Stab
OPERATOR: (FILTER) Ill be glad to try that number for you. One
moment, please.
AGNES: I dont see how it could be busy all that time. Its
my husbands office and Im all alone here in the house. My
health is very poor and Ive been feeling so nervous all day
GEORGE: Ok, ok
GEORGE: OK
GEORGE: OK OK
MAN: (OFF MIC) Whats that? (ON MIC) Just a minute, George.
(PAUSE) Oh, our client tells me that at 11:15, a train crosses
the bridge. It makes a noise in case a window is open and she
should scream.
AGNES: 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 ---
SFX: RINGING
AGNES: Can you trace it for me? Can you track down those men?
CHIEF OP: Well, I could try tracing it. May I have your name,
please?
AGNES: But
CHIEF OP: Im sure that will be the best way to deal with
SFX: DIALING
SFX: RINGING
MARTIN: Ehh?
MARTIN: Mmmm, yes, yes, I see. When was all this, mam?A
MARTIN: Yeah
MARTIN: And, ehh, what was that number you were calling?
MARTIN: MmmHmm.
MARTIN: Yes
AGNES: I'm an invalid, you know -- and it's the maid's night
off and I hate to be alone even though he says
MARTIN: Well, well look into it, Mrs. Stevenson and see if we
can check with the telephone company
MARTIN: Yeah, well, well take care of it. Dont you worry
AGNES: But I heard the call on the New York dialing system
AGNES: No!!
MARTIN: You know, telephones are funny things. Now, look, why
dont you look at it this way: Supposing you hadnt broken in on
that telephone call. Supposing you got your husband the way you
always do. You wouldnt be so upset, would you?
MARTIN: Yeah.
MARTIN: MmmHmm.
MARTIN: MmmHmm.
AGNES: Well, will ya, broadcast it all over the city? And
send out squads. And warn your radio cars to watch out
especially in suspicious neighborhoods like mine
MARTIN: Lady, I said wed take care of itnow, uh, Ive got a
couple other matters here on my desk that require immediate
attention, so, uh, good night, mam. Thank you.
AGNES: (pause) Oh, why did I hang up the phone like that.
(breaking up) Now hell think I am a fool. (crying) oh, why
doesn't Elbert come home? Why doesn't he?
SFX: DIALING
SFX: RINGING
AGNES: (angrily) I can hear it. You dont have to tell me. I
know its busy!
AGNES: (To herself) Who is trying to call me? What are they
trying to do to me?
SFX: RINGING
AGNES: I don't want you to test it for me! I want you to put
that call through, whatever it is, at once!
AGNES: (Arghh)
AGNES: How dare she speak to me like that. How dare she speak
to me like that.
AGNES: Hello. Hello. Stop ringing me, do you hear? Answer me!
Who is this? Do you realize you're driving me crazy? Who's
calling me? What are ya doing it for? Now -- stop it -- stop it
-- stop it, I say! If you don't stop ringing me I'm going to
call the police, do you hear? HELLO -- hello. (Sobs) If Elbert
would only come home.
AGNES: Where were you just now! Why didnt you answer? Give
me the police department.
OPERATOR: The line is busy. I will try to get them for you
later.
AGNES: NO! Ive got to speak to them now. It may be too late.
Ive got to talk to someone
AGNES: No! NO! (sobbing but angrily) Oh, your being spiteful
arent you! You dont care what happens to me. I can die and you
wont care (sobbing)
AGNES: Yes. (regaining her poise but still crying) Yes, this
is Plaza 3-2099.
AGNES: Ohhh!
AGNES: No. No, its somewhere in the 70s. It's a very small,
private and exclusive hospital where I had my appendix out two
INFORM: You may find out the time by dialing Meridian 71212
AGNES: No, but I really dont see why all this 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
AGNES: Eleven o'clock! But it's not eleven yet! OH! Oh, my
clock has stopped. I thought it was running down. What time is
it?
AGNES: (To herself) I won't pick it up. 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.
OPERATOR: Im sorry
AGNES: 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
AGNES: There it is! Did you hear it? He's put it down. He's
put down the extension phone. He's coming up the stairs. Give me
the police department.
AGNES: OK. Hurry. I can hear him. Oh, no. Please, oh, god,
hurry. (begins a scream, barely audible at first, then
gradually louder until it merges with train whistle)
MAN IN BLACK: While things did not turn out too well for Mrs.
Stevenson, fortunately, the author of tonights tale spared you
the embarrassment of including a song performed by our
producers wife. Mr. Stevenson, by the way, did not completely
escape justice. He moved to California with his secretary,
Marge, where he has won a seat on the San Diego City Council.
Michael Winn directed Ms. Ruth Godley, Philip Van Oppen and John
Chalmers in tonight's reprise of SUSPENSE.