Escape – The Man Who Liked Dickens (1952)

Описание: The Man Who Liked Dickens (1952) is a classic episode of Escape, featuring a suspenseful narrative rooted in obsession and the isolation of the Amazon jungle. Written by Evelyn Waugh and adapted for radio, this broadcast exemplifies the artistry of mid-20th-century radio storytelling through its grim atmosphere.

🎙️ Program: Escape
Episode: #162 - The Man Who Liked Dickens
Original Air Date: December 21, 1952
Genre: Suspense / Adventure
Running Time: 30 minutes
Host: William Conrad

Tony Last, a traveler seeking solace after a failed marriage, finds himself stranded in the depths of the Brazilian rainforest. Near death, he is rescued by Mr. Todd, an illiterate recluse who governs a remote settlement. Todd provides medical care but exacts a chilling price: Tony must read the complete works of Charles Dickens aloud to him every day. As Tony realizes that Todd has no intention of ever letting him leave, the jungle sanctuary transforms into a permanent prison where literature serves as a tool of psychological confinement.

🎭 Starring Cast
• Paul Frees, a prolific voice actor who worked extensively for CBS and Disney
• Lawrence Dobkin, a veteran radio performer who appeared frequently in Suspense and Gunsmoke
• Byron Kane, an active character actor in radio dramas throughout the 1940s and 1950s

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📻 Production Notes & Historical Context
• Adapted from Evelyn Waugh's 1933 short story of the same name.
• The plot was also incorporated as the penultimate chapter of Waugh's novel A Handful of Dust.
• This episode was a repeat performance; Escape first aired a version of this story in 1947.
• William Conrad, who announces the program, was simultaneously starring as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke during this period.

💬 Character Quote
"You see, Mr. Last, I cannot read. But I have all of Dickens here. We shall read them together, and you will never have to leave."

📡 Broadcasting History
During the Golden Age of Radio, the Foley artists used specialized props like strawberry baskets to simulate the sound of a crushing skull or wooden boxes filled with gravel to mimic footsteps on various terrains.

📻 Vintage Radio Spotlight
Zenith Model 6-S-222 (1937). This Cube style radio features a distinctive black dial and a six-tube chassis capable of receiving standard broadcast and shortwave bands. Known for its Art Deco walnut cabinet, its marketing slogan was The Quality Goes In Before The Name Goes On.

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#OldTimeRadio #Escape #RadioDrama #EvelynWaugh #AmazonJungle #PsychologicalThriller #GoldenAgeOfRadio #1950sRadio #CharlesDickens #AdventureStory #AudioDrama #VintageBroadcasting