Starter of this subject: Geoff Loker
Last post in this subject: 11/1/2000
Messages in this subject: 6
| Geoff Loker | 11/1/2000 6 replies |
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I have come across an MP3 file labelled up as an Inner Sanctum episode called "The Waxwork". It has what sounds like Raymond introducing the show with his usual black humour, and it stars William Conrad, with a supporting cast of William Conrad. (According to Raymond, it originally had a cast of 15, but William Conrad was the only one left.) Also, according to Raymond's comments, this was broadcast around Hallowe'en. The basic story of it is that a reporter stays overnight in the Murderers' section of a wax museum, is mesmerized by the statue of the only living murderer there which comes to life and prepares to cut his throat, and is found dead in the morning without a scratch on him.
The problem is that Jerry Haendiges' log for Inner Sanctum does not list such an episode. As well, the background music for it is not the infamous organ, but is more orchestral. So, this probably isn't from Inner Sanctum. Can anyone help me figure out what series it *is* from? Thanks. |
| Jim Stokes | 11/2/2000 0 replies |
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Don't know that. But I have some trivia on this. Garrisson Keillor had Bill Conrad on his show some years ago recreating that very story! Bill's voice and reading had declined and he passed away a few months after that. But that is the show you are describing! Alas, the present day audio processing and mics do not measure up to the old days of great radio programs sound. Present day audio broadcast gear has a flat, lifeless sound. No "oomph."
Jim Stokes |
| Lou Genco | 11/2/2000 4 replies |
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Hmmm. Try Suspense,
05-01-56 The Waxwork - William Conrad (#649) Lou |
| Geoff Loker | 11/2/2000 3 replies |
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I don't have access to the Suspense episode for comparison purposes, but I did re-listen to the episode I have. The host at the start goes for a Raymond-esque effect, both in the voice and in the ghoulish jokes. In the background, however, there are various "spooky" noises (screams, cats yowling, thunder, etc.). It is quite clearly stated that this is a Hallowe'en broadcast, so the date doesn't correspond to the Suspense date. Once you get into the meat of the episode, the background music and effects sound good enough to be from Suspense, or Escape.
It's quite possible that this file is a local broadcast of an old Suspense episode with the intro cut. There doesn't seem to be any break in the middle of the episode. Did the original episode run straight through like that? Thanks for your help. |
| Lou Genco | 11/2/2000 2 replies |
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Suspense 03/01/59 "The Waxwork" Star: Herbert Marshall
Freelance journalist, down on luck, spends a night in the waxworks. Title of his story was to be "A Night With Mariner's Murderers" in The Morning Echo. Journalist wandered around "The Murder's Den". Manager describes each effigy in detail. One of the effigies was of a man not yet hanged (Dr. Bourdette), who always killed with a razor, after hypnotizing his victims. Bourdette had disappeared ... Inner Sanctum? undated "The Waxwork" Raymond (?) introduces the story: "My wife will want to serve you ... for dinner" "I want to tell you some ... bonechilling stories for this haloween" Starring William Conrad ... 14 of the 15 actors died ... Story takes place in Mariner's Waxworks. Conrad plays the part of the manager. The visiting freelance journalist, a Mr. Houston, wanted to spend a night in The Murder's Den, and publish the story in The Morning Echo. [The script is almost the same as the Suspense episode, mentioned above] Unfortunately, my collection does not include the 5/1/56 episode I mentioned previously. |
| Walt | 11/12/2000 1 replies |
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The announcer mentions that only Conrad is in the 5/1/56 episode.
He is playing all the characters himself. Sounds almost like a reading as opposed to a play. Walt |
| Geoff Loker | 11/13/2000 0 replies |
| It might sound like that from the announcer, but there actually are multiple parts, each of which is played by Conrad, and each of which he is able to voice distinctively enough to be recognizable as separate characters. Including the part of narrator. It's kind of like those one-man or one-woman tour-de-forces that pop up occas |