Suspense – Pearls Are a Nuisance (1945) | Detective Comedy

Описание: Pearls Are a Nuisance (1945) is a classic episode of Suspense, featuring a humorous hard-boiled narrative rooted in mistaken identity and detective tropes. Written by Raymond Chandler and hosted by the Man in Black, this broadcast exemplifies the artistry of mid-20th-century radio storytelling.

🎙️ Program: Suspense
Episode: #137 - Pearls Are a Nuisance
Original Air Date: April 19, 1945
Genre: Suspense / Detective Comedy
Running Time: 29:43
Host: Joseph Kearns (The Man in Black)

Walter Gage is a refined and exceptionally polite man who takes it upon himself to recover his fiancée's grandmother’s stolen pearls to prove his capability. Venturing into the seedy underbelly of the city, he reluctantly teams up with Henry Eichelberger, a cynical and physical private investigator. Despite Walter's verbose and gentlemanly demeanor, which often baffles the local thugs, he proves surprisingly resilient when confronted with violence. The narrative serves as a brilliant subversion of the hard-boiled detective genre, utilizing Raymond Chandler's razor-sharp dialogue to contrast high-society manners with low-life criminal antics. As the duo navigates double-crosses and cheap hotel rooms, Walter's unwavering persistence leads to a confrontation that is as witty as it is tense.

🎭 Starring Cast
• William Bendix, known for portraying blue-collar characters in radio and film during the 1940s
• Allyn Joslyn, a stage and screen actor frequently cast in supporting comedic roles during the Golden Age of Radio
• Lurene Tuttle, a prolific radio actress known for her versatility across multiple genres in the 1930s and 1940s

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📻 Production Notes & Historical Context
• This script was adapted from a short story by Raymond Chandler originally published in the April 1939 issue of Dime Detective magazine.
• The episode is a rare departure for Suspense, which usually favored dark thrillers over comedic satire.
• William Bendix was starring in the popular radio sitcom The Life of Riley at the time this episode aired.
• The script adaptation was written by Robert Tallman, a frequent contributor to the series.
• This story is noted by scholars for parodying the very detective fiction style that Chandler helped popularize.

💬 Character Quote
"I am not a man of violence by nature, Henry, but if you persist in withholding the location of those pearls, I shall be forced to take further measures."

📡 Broadcasting History
In the early days of radio, the NBC Red Network and NBC Blue Network were distinct entities, with the Blue Network eventually being sold and rebranded as the American Broadcasting Company in 1945.

📻 Vintage Radio Spotlight
Zenith Model 6-S-222 (1938). This 'Cube' style radio features a distinctive black dial and a wooden cabinet. It is a six-tube superheterodyne receiver capable of picking up standard broadcast and shortwave bands. Marketed with the slogan: The Quality Goes In Before The Name Goes On.

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