Next, a modern mystery classic, Agnes Moore has eight suspense performance of Sorry Wrong
Number on the CBS radio network.
Radio 59 WROW, first on the dial, serving Albany, Troy, and Schenectady.
Radio 59, time 6530.
Suspense.
On May 25th, 1943, a great radio play was performed on suspense and carried on CBS radio.
That now famous radio play has been transferred to other media as well.
Television, motion pictures, recordings, and the stage.
The title was Sorry Wrong Number, and it was written by Lucille Fletcher and originally
starred Agnes Moorhead.
We revive that radio classic now with the same star of 17 years ago.
And then to Agnes Moorhead in Sorry Wrong Number, which begins in one minute.
Remember how much racket automobiles used to make?
Time was you practically had to bellow to make yourself heard above the chatter and
roar of the engine, the howl of the wind rushing by, and the rattling, rough road gave your
poor old buggy and brains.
Well, nowadays, with vastly improved automotive engineering and magnificent new super highways,
you literally purr along the road.
This is a vast improvement, but one that can offer danger if you're not alert.
You're sitting behind the wheel with the miles of highway unrolling smoothly before you.
Suddenly, a sharp curve jumps in front of you, and you find you have to use the skill
of a professional racer to navigate the curve without getting into real big trouble.
Your car was so quiet that your speed had crept up stealthily during those long miles
of straightaway.
You were burning along without realizing it.
The point here, a simple one, is this.
Your speedometer was put there for a purpose, a purpose you can't afford to forget.
Keep alert.
Take care.
And get there.
And now.
Sorry Wrong Number, starring Miss Agnes Moorhead.
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Operator?
Operator, I've been dialing Murray Hill 40599.
Now for the last three quarters of an hour, and the line is always busy.
I don't see how it could be busy that long.
Will you try it for me, please?
I will be glad to try that number for you.
One moment, please.
You see, it's my husband's office.
He's working late tonight, and I'm all alone here in the house.
My health is very poor, and I've been feeling so nervous all day.
I'm ringing Murray Hill 40599.
Hello?
Hello, is Mr. Stevenson there?
Hello?
Hello, George?
Yes, boss, this is George speaking.
Hello, who's this?
What number is this, please?
I'm here with our client.
Oh, good.
Is everything set up for tonight?
Yes, George.
Hello, George.
Welcome aboard.
Hi.
What number is this, please?
Where are you now?
In the phone booth.
Don't worry, everything is okay in my department.
Very well.
You've got the address?
Sure.
I got it all cased.
At 11 o'clock, the private patrolman goes around to a bar on the Second Avenue for a
beer.
Yes.
At 11.15, a train crosses the bridge.
It makes a noise in case her window is open and she should scream.
Hello?
Remember, George, make it quick.
Our client doesn't wish her to suffer long.
I'll use a knife then.
Yes?
Hello?
I'll use a knife then.
Yes, a knife will do very well.
And remember afterwards, remove her rings and bracelets, and the jewelry in the bureau drawer.
Our client wishes it to look like simple robbery.
I know, I know. Don't worry, I never muff a job like this.
Everything's okay, I never...
Oh, how awful!
How unspeakably awful!
Operator?
Operator, I've just been cut off.
I'm sorry, what number were you calling?
Well, it was supposed to be Murray Hill 40599, but it wasn't.
Some wires must have got crossed, and I was cut into a wrong number, and I...
I just heard the most dreadful thing, something about a murder!
And, Operator, you'll simply have to trace that call at once!
What was the number?
Well, I don't know, it was a wrong number, and these two men, they were cold-blooded fiends.
And they were going to murder somebody, some poor, innocent woman who was all alone in a house near a bridge.
And we've got to stop them! We've just got to...
What number were you calling?
Well, that doesn't matter, it was a wrong number.
Ah, look, it was obviously a case of some little slip of the finger.
I asked you to get me Murray Hill 40599.
You dialed it, but your finger must have slipped.
And I was connected with some other number.
I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me!
Now, I simply failed to see why you couldn't make that same mistake again on purpose,
why you couldn't try to dial Murray Hill 40599 in the same sort of careless way.
Murray Hill 40599, I will try to get it for you.
Well, thank you.
Oh dear.
I'm sorry, Murray Hill 40599 is busy.
But, Operator...
Yes, ma'am?
You didn't try to get that wrong number at all!
I asked you explicitly, and all you did was dial correctly.
I'm sorry, I will connect you with the supervisor.
Well, please.
This is the supervisor, may I help you?
Yes, I want you to trace a call, a telephone call immediately.
I don't know where it came from or who was making it,
but it's absolutely necessary to be traced,
because it was about a murder that someone's planning.
A terrible cold-blooded murder of a poor innocent woman, tonight, at 11.15.
I see.
Well, can you trace it for me? Can you track down those men?
I'm not certain I can try. May I have your name, please?
Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Albert Stevenson.
But listen, I...
And your telephone number, please?
Plaza 37599.
But if you go on wasting all this time...
Why do you want this call traced, please?
Why?
Well, I told you why.
These men sounded like killers. They're dangerous.
They're going to murder this woman at 11.15 tonight.
I thought the police ought to know.
Have you reported this to the police?
Well, no, not yet.
You want this call checked purely as a private individual?
Well, yes, but meanwhile...
I'm sorry, Mrs. Stevenson, but I'm afraid we couldn't trace the call
just on your say-so as a private individual.
Oh.
We'd have to have something more official.
Oh, for heaven's sake.
Well, all right, I'll call the police.
Thank you.
I'm sure that would be the best way to get...
Oh!
Ridiculous.
The second act of...
Suspense continues in one minute.
Meet star Stuart Irwin.
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And now...
We continue with Act 2 of Sorry Wrong Number, starring Miss Agnes Moorhead.
A tale well calculated to keep you in...
suspense.
Operator?
The police department. Get me the police department, please.
Thank you. I will connect you with the police department.
Oh dear, you have to dial? Can't you ring them directly?
Police Station Precinct 43, Sergeant Martin speaking.
Police department? Oh, this is Mrs. Stevenson.
Mrs. Albert Smythe Stevenson of 53 North Sutton Place.
I'm calling up to report a murder. I mean, the murder hasn't been committed yet, but I just...
I overheard plans for it over the telephone, over a wrong number that the operator gave me.
Yes, ma'am.
It was a perfectly definite murder. I heard their plans distinctly.
Two men were talking, and they were going to murder some woman at 11.15 tonight.
She lived in a house near a bridge. Are you listening to me?
Yes, ma'am.
And there was a private patrolman on the street. He was going to go around for a beer on 2nd Avenue.
And there was some third man, a client, who was paying to have this poor woman murdered.
They were going to take her rings and bracelets and use a knife.
Well, it's just unnerved me dreadfully, and I'm not well.
I see, and when was all this, ma'am?
About eight minutes ago.
And what was that number you were calling?
Murray Hill 40599, but that wasn't the number I overheard.
I mean, Murray Hill 40599 is my husband's office.
He's working late tonight, and I was trying to reach him to ask him to come home.
I'm an invalid, you know, and it's the maid's night off, and I hate to be alone,
even though he says I'm perfectly safe as long as I have the telephone right beside my bed.
Well, we'll look into it, Mrs. Stevenson, see if we can check it with the telephone coming.
Check it? I've already taken care of that.
Ah, you have?
Yes, and personally I feel you want to do something far more immediate and drastic
than just check the call.
I'd say the whole thing calls for a search, a complete and thorough search of the whole city.
I'm very near the bridge, and I'm not far from Second Avenue,
and I know I'd feel a whole lot better if you sent around a radio card to this neighborhood at once.
And what makes you think the murder's going to be committed in your neighborhood, ma'am?
Well, I don't know, only the coincidence is so horrible.
Second Avenue, the patrolman, the bridge.
Look, lady, why don't you look at it this way?
Supposing you hadn't broken in on that telephone call,
supposing you'd got your husband the way you always do,
you wouldn't be so upset, would you?
Well, I suppose not, only it sounded so inhuman, so cold-blooded.
Unless, of course, you have some reason for thinking that someone may be planning to murder you.
Me? Oh, no, no, I hardly think so.
I mean, why should anybody?
I'm alone all day and night. I see nobody except my maid, Eloise.
She's a big girl. She weighs 200 pounds.
She's too lazy to bring up my breakfast tray.
And the only other person is my husband, Albert.
He says crazy about me. He just adores me.
He waits on me hand and foot.
He's scarcely left my side since I took sick 12 years ago.
Well, then there's nothing for you to worry about.
Now, if you'll just leave the rest to us, we'll take care of it.
But what will you do? It's so late. It's nearly 11 now.
We'll take care of it, lady.
Well, you broadcast it all over the city and send out squads
and warn your radio cars to watch out, especially in suspicious neighborhoods like mine.
Look, lady, I said we'd take care of it.
Just now I've got a couple of trunks here that require my immediate attention.
Good night, ma'am, and thank you.
Oh, you, you idiot!
Now why did I hang up the phone like that?
Now he'll think I am a fool.
Oh, why doesn't Albert come home? Why doesn't he?
The operator again.
Operator?
Operator, for heaven's sake, will you ring that Muriel 40599 number again?
I can't think what's keeping him so long.
I will try it for you.
Try?
Oh.
I'm sorry. Muriel 40599 is busy.
I can hear it. You don't have to tell me. I know it's busy.
I can only get out of this bed for a little while.
If I could just get a breath of fresh air or just lean out of the window and see the street.
Hello? Albert? Hello? Hello?
Oh, what's the matter with this phone? Hello? Hello?
What in the world?
Hello? Hello? Oh, for heaven's sake, who is this? Hello? Hello? Hello?
What in the world?
What are they trying to do to me anyway?
Operator.
Hello, operator. I don't know what's the matter with this telephone and I've been as positively driving me crazy.
I've never seen such inefficient, miserable service.
Now look, I'm an invalid and I'm very nervous and I'm not supposed to be annoyed.
But if this keeps on much longer.
What seems to be the trouble, please?
Well, everything's wrong. I haven't had one bit of satisfaction out of one call I've made this evening.
The whole world could be murdered for all you people care and now my phone keeps ringing and ringing and ringing and ringing every five seconds.
Somebody pick it up. There's one over there.
I'm sorry. If you will hang up, I will test it for you.
I don't want you to test it for me. I want you to put that call through whoever it is at once.
I'm afraid I can't do that.
You can't? Oh, you can't. And why? Why?
The dial system is automatic.
Automatic? And meanwhile, I've got to sit here in my bed suffering every time that phone rings, imagining everything.
I will try to check the trouble for you.
Oh, for heaven's sake, I'm putting on a lot of lines.
Hello? Hello? Stop ringing me. You're answering me. Who is this? You realize you're driving me crazy?
Who's calling me? What are you doing? Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. I say hello.
If you don't stop ringing me, I'm going to call the police. You hear? The police. I...
Oh, if... if Elbert would only come home.
Oh, let it ring. Go on. Go on. Ring.
Trigger some guy. I won't answer. I will go on. Ring. Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.
Act Three of Suspense follows in one minute.
At this moment, it's beyond mankind's capacity to guess what will occupy the attention of CBS radio's Bob and Ray tomorrow night.
It's possible they may be investigating such matters as the molecular structure of money, or giving the recipe for vulcanized bison.
Perhaps distinguished correspondent Wally Ballew may take us via the magic of radio to the broom garage of a witch.
Or we may receive a report on our feathered friends from the Bird Lady, whose discourse on the dragged-tailed blockbuster recently created unparalleled apathy among bird watchers from coast to coast.
Actually, you may not hear any of these matters. If you're courageous, though, take potluck with the boys.
Anything they serve up is full of chuckles that Bob and Ray weeknights at this spot on your radio dial.
Laugh along, too, with Amos and Andy, Andy Griffith, and Burns and Allen on Comedy Time, Monday through Friday on CBS Radio.
And now...
We continue with Act Three of Sorry Wrong Number, starring Miss Agnes Moorhead.
A tale well calculated to keep you in... suspense.
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! I can't stand anymore! Stop it! Hello! What do you want? Stop ringing the bell! Stop it! Just stop it!
Hello? Is this Plaza 37599?
Oh, yes. Yes, I'm sorry. This is Plaza 37599.
This is Western Union. I have a telegram here for Mrs. Elbert Stevenson.
Oh, well, I'm Mrs. Stevenson.
The telegram is as follows.
Darling, terribly sorry. Tried to get you for last hour, but line busy.
Leaving for Boston 11 p.m. tonight on urgent business.
Back tomorrow afternoon. Keep happy. Love, signed Elbert.
Oh, oh no!
Do you wish us to deliver a copy of the message?
No. No, thank you.
Thank you, madam. Good night.
Good night. Oh no!
I don't believe it! He couldn't do it! Not when he knows I'll be all alone!
It's some big, some fiendish shit!
Operator, get...
Operator?
Operator, try that Murring Hill 40599 number for me just once more, please.
You may dial that number direct.
Oh, I can't do it! No one will do anything for me!
I... I... It's so good!
Oh, it's got to be...
It's...
Oh, he's gone!
Oh, Elbert, how could you? How could you?
I can't be alone tonight. I just... I just can't.
If I'm alone one more second, I'll go mad.
I... I don't care what he says or... or what the expenses.
I'm a sick woman. I'm entitled to a little consideration.
Oh, I...
Information.
Information! I want the telephone number of Henshley Hospital.
Henshley Hospital? Do you have the street address?
No, no, but it's somewhere in the 70s.
It's a very small, private and exclusive hospital where I had my appendix out two years ago.
Henshley, H-E-N-C...
One moment, please.
Well, please hurry, and please, what is the time?
You may find out the time by dialing Meridian 7-1-2-1-2.
Oh, for heaven's sake, I've no time to be dialing!
The Henshley Hospital is Butterfield 8-2598.
Oh. Butterfield... 8-2598.
Oh, please.
Henshley Hospital, good evening.
Uh, uh, uh, uh, nurses registry, please.
Who was it you wished to speak to, please?
I want the nurses registry at once. I want a trained nurse. I want to hire her immediately for the night.
I see. And what is the nature of the case, madam?
Nerves! I'm very nervous. I need soothing and companionship. You see, my husband is away, and I...
Have you been recommended to us by any doctor in particular, madam?
No.
And our superintendent has asked us to send people out only in those cases where the physician in charge feels it is absolutely necessary.
Well, it is absolutely necessary. I'm a sick woman. I'm very upset.
I'm alone in this house, and I'm an invalid, and tonight I overheard a telephone conversation that upset me dreadfully.
In fact, if someone doesn't come at once, I'm afraid I'll go out of my mind!
I see. Well, I'll speak to Miss Phillips as soon as she comes in.
Miss Phillips?
And what is your name, madam?
When do you expect her in?
I really couldn't say. She went out to supper at 11 o'clock.
11 o'clock? That is not 11 yet! Where's my clock? Oh, my clock has stopped. What time is it?
Just 15 minutes past 11.
Oh! What was that?
What was what, madam?
That... that click just now in my own telephone. As though someone has lifted the receiver off the hook of the extension phone downstairs.
I didn't hear it, madam. Now about...
But I can't! There's someone in this house! Someone downstairs in the kitchen! They're listening to me now! They're...
I won't pick it up. I won't let them hear me. I'll be quiet, Mimelty.
But if I don't call someone now, while they're still down there, there'll be no time. I've got to get the operator!
I've got to get the operator! Operator! Operator! Operator!
Operator?
Operator! I'm... I'm in desperate trouble!
I'm sorry, I cannot hear you. Please speak louder.
I don't... I don't dare! There's someone listening! Can you hear me now?
I'm sorry.
But you've got to hear me! Oh, please! You've got to help me! There's... there's someone in this house! Someone who's going to murder me! And you've got to get in touch with the...
There it is! Did you hear it? He's... he's put it down! He's put down my extension phone! He's... he's coming up! He's... he's coming up the stairs! Oh, give me the police department! Give me the police department!
One moment, please. I will connect you.
Please! Get the police! Get the... get the hurry! Get the police, please! Oh, my goodness! Hi! What? What do you want? Oh, no! Don't come near me! Please, I haven't heard any! Bloody! Please, I haven't... please don't hurt me! Please! I haven't heard any!
Police department, precinct 43, Sergeant Martin speaking.
Police department, sorry, wrong number. Don't worry, everything is okay here.
Suspense. In which Miss Agnes Moorhead starred in William and Robeson's production of Sorry, Wrong Number, written by Lucille Fletcher. In a moment, the names of our supporting players and a word about next week's story of suspense.
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Supporting Miss Moorhead in Sorry Wrong Number were Jeanette Nolan, Virginia Gregg, Ellen Morgan, Jota Santis, Byron Cain, and Norm Alden.
Listen again next week when we return with The Crank Letter by Walter Black. Another tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Listen every week to Suspense on CBS Radio.