Suspense. And the producer of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, the master of mystery
and adventure, William N. Robson.
It is said, revenge is sweet. But is it? Can the eye of your enemy restore your sight?
Or his tooth chew your daily bread? Or his life resurrect your beloved dead?
Such questions do tonight's story raise, not forgetting the while to keep you in suspense.
Think about them as you listen and listen well. As Myron McCormick stars in Madman of Manhattan,
which begins in just a moment.
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And now, Madman of Manhattan, starring Mr. Myron McCormick. A tale well calculated to
keep you in suspense.
Hey.
Hey, you. Here you.
Position of authority.
Come here.
You can always tell by their voices.
Sign up.
Commanding. The smaller the authority, the more commanding the voice.
You hear me?
Yes, sir. Sign out, you said. Here?
Right below where you signed when you came in.
Of course.
Oh, perfect forgery.
Thank you, pardon?
Oh, I mean your signature is an almost exact copy.
You object?
No, sir.
Do you think you're talking to one of your lunatics upstairs?
No, sir.
Sir. Always call me sir. I enjoy being called sir.
Good night.
Good night, Mr. Wesleyan. Sir.
Walk slowly. No need to hurry. No need at all. That's right. Light a cigarette. Must
be some in the pockets.
Yes. What brand did Mr. Wesleyan smoke?
Excellent. Light it.
No need to run. There won't be an alarm for at least 20 minutes.
Why think of that? No need to think of that. One look back over the shoulder, casually.
Casually?
It's pleasant to be on the outside looking in after two years in an insane silence.
And now what do you have?
This is a restaurant.
Are you kidding?
And you're a waitress. Lovely waitress.
Look, do you or don't you want something to eat?
I'd much rather look at you.
Look, mister.
I'm going to take you out of all this.
Oh, sure.
Furs, diamonds warm against your skin.
Hey, look at my hand.
Your name is Fay. I see it embroidered on your uniform.
Fay. Now, Fay, listen to me.
The manager's looking over here.
I'll tell you something you can tell your children. To your children's children and
their children's children's children.
Oh, a comedian.
Now listen, this will be the biggest thrill of your life.
I just escaped from Bellevue.
What?
I'm Lacey Attic. Been in the psychopathic ward in Bellevue for two years.
You don't say.
Nicholas Westland, my lawyer, came to see me. When we were alone, I strangled him to death.
Yes. I changed clothes with him, signed his name on my way out. It'll be in the papers.
Yeah, I'll remember to read about it.
I had a wife, once. Kate.
They say I killed her. So I must have killed her.
Sure, you killed her.
No, I didn't. Martin Avery killed her.
Sure, sure. Martin Avery killed her.
And now what are you going to have?
Martin Avery. That's what I'm going to have.
Anyone minding the store?
I'm coming, I'm coming.
Oh, hello, Pop.
Well, what do you want? Got something you want to hock? Don't bother me with it. Everybody's selling. Nobody's buying.
You got me wrong, Pop. I'm a buyer. I want to buy a 45 automatic.
Got a permit?
No.
You from the police?
Nope.
Got any identification?
No.
No? Got any identification?
Yeah.
Lawyer, huh?
That's right.
There you are.
It'll be $35.
Thanks, Pop. I won't forget this. Neither will...
...my friend of mine.
In a moment, we continue with the second act of...
...suspense.
With your permission, we'd like to talk shop for just a moment. CBS Radio Shop.
Recently, one of the foremost publications in the broadcasting field polled 465 critics and editors...
...the question, which radio network programs do you rate tops?
When the answers from these 465 experts were tabulated, the final ratings were overwhelmingly one-sided.
Total honors accorded CBS radio programs exceeded those of all the other networks combined.
Let's put it another way. The final verdict of hundreds of critics, reviewers, and editors was that CBS radio had more top shows...
...than all other networks put together.
CBS radio was pleased, naturally, at the result of the poll, but not surprised.
Great programming is no accident. It's long been a policy of this network to devote every effort to maintaining the highest broadcast standards.
Whatever listening fair is for you, you can be sure you're hearing the best when you're tuned to CBS radio.
And now, starring Mr. Myron McCormick, act two of Madman of Manhattan.
A little late to call in Martin Avery, but our business won't wait.
May I blow your brains out, Mr. Martin Avery?
Thank you, sir.
How do they say it in the movies?
You want it in the belly or the back? Your choice, Martin. Your choice.
Lacey.
May I come in?
Lacey, you're in Bellevue.
But you see, I'm not.
They'll find you.
They'll find you first.
I don't expect anything from you, Lacey. You're a sick man. I feel sorry for you.
I have my wife and child, my son, here in the apartment, so put that away.
This gun? It's just to keep your voice down. It's a toy. It can't hurt.
It kills.
Put it down.
Oh, wouldn't you like that?
After all, Lacey, we were friends once. He wouldn't kill me.
I just killed Nick Westland. That's how I escaped.
Westland? You killed Westland?
You can always find another lawyer. It shouldn't upset you.
Anyway, he wasn't your lawyer, he was mine. Never liked you. He liked me.
He was trying to help you.
He did.
What do you want with me?
Company.
That's what I missed most of all, Martin. Can you believe that? Company.
Two years, no one to talk to. Or a doctor, sure, but not really anyone.
Two years, Martin. No one ever came to see me, to talk to me.
I'm sorry.
Why didn't you come, Martin?
I, uh... Well, I wanted to, but I didn't think it would accomplish anything.
Just to say hello, for old times...
Look, I told you, I didn't think that...
Relax, Martin. It's gonna be a long night.
Maybe you won't see the end of it, Martin.
Depends, we'll see. Depends on whether you say things I want to hear,
whether you do things I like. It's up to me.
Yes, I've waited a long time, and now it's up to me.
It's up to you, me.
Look, Addy. Look at Martin, every...
Standing alone in the study of his better homes and gardens apartment.
Alone with only me to keep you company.
Yes, everything must be going exceptionally well for you.
Everything must have paid off for you.
But I notice as I move about the study, turning off the lamps,
I see a space of perspiration on your forehead.
Does it affect you? Just a little?
Being alone with a madman and a gun? At night?
What's taking place behind the steady eyes, Martin?
You're thinking? That would be fatal.
It was my mistake, thinking too much. Watch me, Martin.
That's right. Never take your eyes from me.
Keep watching me, for then you can't help but think about it.
What did you say? I want you to think about it.
Think about what? Whatever comes into your mind as you watch me.
The police will come here looking for you, Lacey.
Police? You know that.
Why should the police want me? Well, you killed a man.
Yes, but you killed a woman.
Now, Lacey, I can help you. I'll get you some of my clothes.
Call a cab, get you to a small hotel somewhere where they won't recognize you.
Or care if they do.
Don't talk to me like that. Everybody talks to me like that.
You just come along with me, we, no, they.
Lacey, it's just a matter of time.
Remember, Martin, I'm crazy. I'm not responsible for what I do.
You're as responsible as anyone. You know what you did when you killed Westland.
Now you're saying I'm not crazy?
You know what I mean.
I'm either responsible or I'm not.
If I'm responsible, then I'm a murderer.
If not, then Nicholas Westland's death was an unfortunate accident.
But the question of my responsibility was all taken care of in court two years ago, remember?
You testified against me.
I told the truth. Did you?
Yes.
I was the only one that knew you were lying, Martin.
You knew I told the truth.
Where are your wife and your boy sleeping, Martin?
Answer it.
Go ahead, but hold the receiver up so I can hear.
Go ahead.
Hello.
Mr. Avery?
Yes.
This is Lieutenant Creekmore Police.
What is it, Lieutenant?
Is everything all right up there?
Yes. Everything is all right.
You sure?
Yes.
Have you heard that Lacey Abbott escaped from Bellevue tonight?
Yes, I heard.
And you know about Nicholas Westland?
Yes.
Poor guy never had a chance.
We thought Abbott was getting better, but...
Yes. Too bad.
The reason I called you, you know how Abbott feels about you.
He may try to get you.
You think so?
He might try, but you don't have to worry, Mr. Avery.
I have four of my best men covering the front and rear entrances to your apartment house.
Well, I...
Show us up. We'll get them.
Good night.
Aren't we fortunate in having such a solicitous police force?
Look, Lacey, let me get you out of here.
You go down to the second floor landing,
and I'll call the men up from downstairs and tell them you're up here.
See, that'll give you a chance to get out.
You didn't answer my question, Martin.
Where are your wife and son sleeping?
In the back bedroom.
Through that door and...?
Straight back.
Down the hall.
And the nursery?
Look, why do you...?
Down the nursery.
Just...
Half of the bedroom.
Does she have black hair?
Like Kate?
No. She has brown hair.
It's almost blonde.
How old is your boy?
A year and six months.
Yes, I remember. Someone told me you were married while the trial...
My trial was in progress.
Yeah, that's right.
One year for the trial, two years in the insane asylum.
I wish there was something that...
Oh, there is.
All right, what?
Just tell me...
Why did you kill my wife?
Tell me!
Don't be quiet!
You'll wake him up.
Let me tell you a little story, Martin, a fantasy, a bedtime story.
Listen to me!
Once upon a time there were two men who went into business together.
Things went pretty well.
The business prospered and things looked pretty good.
Everything was 50-50.
Each partner had 50% of the stock in the company.
Fair enough.
Then along came a big bad menace.
A corporation that wanted to buy them out at a nice round fat figure.
One partner wants to sell, the other partner no.
The partner that said no had a wife.
Let's call her Kate.
And it seems his stock was negotiable in Kate's name as well as his own.
If you don't...
Shut up!
The partner that wants to sell, that's you,
pulls a fast one while I'm out of town and gets Kate to sign away everything.
But before I got back she saw what you were doing.
And right there, right there,
was where she disappeared.
No!
And I wonder who it was that saw to it.
I wonder who it was that killed her.
You're still out of your mind.
But Dr. Fantasy, Martin,
the fantasy that with your few well-chosen words at the inquest
started them looking at me.
Wondering about me, wondering why I was away.
What I'd done with the body.
Lacey.
Such nicely chosen words.
Such as, I'd noticed he hadn't been himself lately,
but I just thought it was overworked.
You've got to listen.
Thanks, partner.
I do thank you and I stand ready to repay you, Martin.
Where's her body?
I don't know.
Martin, it was never proven she was dead.
Let's say it was taken for granted.
Give me the gun.
Hmm.
Advanced psychology.
You must have been studying.
Give me the gun.
Response to the command, isn't that the way it goes?
Response to the command sometimes works the impossible.
The subject will sometimes obey your command against his better judgment.
Give it to me.
No, Martin.
Give me the gun.
Oh, you might do better than that.
Come on, more, more, more, more noise, more, come on.
Come on, come on, come in and see.
Nice.
That's better.
I knew you were going to jump me.
You know I could have killed you.
Why didn't you?
You haven't told me what I've got to know.
What would you do if I walked over to that door and just walked out?
First I'd shoot you on the shoulder or the leg and then maybe the other shoulder.
I don't want you dead.
Not yet.
Look, Lacey, I never harmed you.
I swear that.
I swear it.
Tell me where is Kate's body?
I don't know.
Tell me.
I can't.
Through the door and down the hall.
No.
Just off the bedroom?
No, not the boys.
Lacey.
Tell me.
No, I can't.
Lacey.
Don't lock me in.
Come back.
Come back.
Lacey, you can't.
And get Johnny.
Lock your door.
And no, no.
And Johnny.
No.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
I'll tell.
In just a second, we continue with the third act of suspense.
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And now
I'm starring Mr. Myron McCormick
Act 3 of Madman of Manhattan
Nicholas Westland speaking
Yes, I know sir
I'm glad you had the faith to play along with it
Yeah, I know, it was pretty extreme
Here, I'll let you talk to Lieutenant Creekmore
Hello Commissioner
Uh, Avery's wife and child are okay
Got a little scared when Abbott fired those two shots in the ceiling
Yeah, yeah I know but that's what got the confession out of Avery
I know he shouldn't have brought the gun, we didn't bargain on that
Yeah, yeah we got it, it's all on tape
Listen, play it back boys
I'm just playing the good part
It doesn't matter now
Nothing matters now
You were wrong, I see it
See, Kate came to me
Months before you took the trip
She wanted to leave you
She thought she wanted me
And it was her idea to sign the stock over to me
Everything
I'm naive
I kidded her along, why not
When you were away she signed the stock over
She found out about Anne and me
It doesn't matter now
I tried to talk to Kate
Argument, we had a fight
I didn't mean it, it was an accident
I killed her
I fixed it so they'd suspect you
That wasn't hard, it was better than I thought
You seemed to be out of your mind
Where did you put her?
I... I kept...
That's enough
You get it?
Yeah, well we'd never have cracked Martin Avery any other way
They wanted to release Lacey Abbott six months ago, said he was as sane as I am but
I'm glad we waited till he had this worked out in his head
Yeah, you'll have my full report tomorrow
Good night
And thanks Commissioner for letting us try it
Well Lacey, you should be feeling pretty good about all this
Your plan worked out great
You're clear
What difference does that make?
He said
Kate came to him
Kate
came to him
Suspense
In which Myron McCormick starred in William N. Rogeson's production of Madman of Manhattan
Written by Gilbert Thomas
In a moment
The names of the supporting players and a word about next week's story of suspense
Money can buy many things, tangible things
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If the nation's youngsters are to receive the first rate education they need
They must not be threatened by second rate standards
We must face up to the fact that better schools cost money
Let's raise our sights and re-examine our standards
For complete information on how you and your community
Can make sure your children receive the first rate education they need
Write to Better Schools, 9 East 40th Street, New York 16
That's Better Schools, 9 East 40th Street, New York 16
Supporting Myron McCormick in Madman of Manhattan were Doris Singleton,
Carl Swenson, Barney Phillips and Norm Alden
Listen, listen again next week
When we return with Frank Lovejoy starring in Death
In Box 234
Another tale well calculated to keep you in
Suspense
The latest news follows then Have Gone Will Travel on CBS Radio