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  4. /The Pit and the Pendulum
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Suspense. This is your narrator, the man in black, again about to introduce tonight's Columbia program, Suspense. The story is The Pit in the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe, the adaptation by John Dickson Carr. Our guest is the distinguished American actor, Mr. Henry Hull, who plays the part of a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition. If you've been with us on these Tuesday nights, you will know that Suspense is compounded of mystery, suspicion, and dangerous adventure, to hold y…

Transcript

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Synopsis

In The Pit and the Pendulum, a chilling adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale, the story unfolds through the harrowing experiences of Captain Jean Dalbray, a French officer imprisoned during the dark days of the Spanish Inquisition. The episode begins with the ominous introduction by 'The Man in Black,' who sets the stage for a narrative steeped in mystery and psychological terror. As the story progresses, Captain Dalbray finds himself in a dimly lit chamber, surrounded by the sinister figures of his inquisitors. The atmosphere is thick with dread as he grapples with the reality of his situation, feeling the weight of his impending doom. The court accuses him of various crimes, including the destruction of a church, which he defends as a necessary act of war. However, the inquisitors are relentless, and the charges are merely a pretext for the true horror that awaits him.

Host

Joseph Kearns

Cast›

Henry Hull

Network›

CBS

Network

Nights on the air

This story returned to the dial 3 more times · The Pit and the Pendulum

  • Jan121943

    Suspense

    The Pit and the Pendulum

    Jan 12 · Ep 24

  • Nov281947

    Suspense

    The Pit and the Pendulum

    Nov 28 · Ep 273

  • Nov101957

    Suspense

    The Pit and the Pendulum

    Nov 10 · Ep 724

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Credits

  • Audio from Internet Archive (OTRR_Suspense_Singles). Curated by OTRR. Goldie does not claim ownership of this broadcast.
  • Cast and sponsor data from RadioGold Index (J. David Goldin / UMKC Libraries).
  • Historical context from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Suspense 430112 024 The Pit and the Pendulum (128-44) 27533 29m01s.mp3

Suspense, Episode 24

The Pit and the Pendulum

Tuesday, January 12, 1943 · 29:01

Suspense, Episode 24

The Pit and the Pendulum

Tuesday, January 12, 1943 · 29:01

Summary

In 'The Pit and the Pendulum,' a French officer faces the terrifying tortures of the Spanish Inquisition. As he grapples with his fate, the stakes rise as the walls of his prison close in around him.

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That night in history

Headlines

  • 1943 — Italian-American anarchist Carlo Tresca is assassinated in New York City.
  • 1943 — The Republic of China agrees to the Sino-British New Equal Treaty and the Sino-American New Equal Treaty.
  • 1943 — World War II: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill begin the Casablanca Conference to discuss strategy and study the next phase of the war.
  • 1943 — World War II: Japan begins Operation Ke, the successful operation to evacuate its forces from Guadalcanal during the Guadalcanal campaign.

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