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Audio from Internet Archive · Logs from the Old Time Radio Researchers. Goldie does not own the recordings.

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← All Suspense episodes

Suspense. And the producer of radio's outstanding theater of thrills, the master of mystery and adventure, William M. Robeson. It is a principle of law that a man cannot be charged, convicted, and sentenced twice for the same crime. But there is no law in the books that says a man cannot murder his wife over and over again in his fantasy. The law of the world is the law of the world. For a man of sufficient imagination, repetitive oxoricide can indeed become a pleasant way o…

Transcript

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Synopsis

In the gripping episode Present Tense, a man finds himself handcuffed to a police officer, en route to prison for the murder of his wife. As he reflects on his impending execution, he is consumed by memories that blur the lines between reality and fantasy. The story unfolds in a dark, atmospheric setting, where the protagonist grapples with the weight of his actions and the surreal nature of his existence.

Host

G

George Walsh

Cast›

C

Charles Lavalack

E

Ellen Morgan

Jack Kruschen

Joe DeSantis

P

Peg La Centra

S

Sam Pierce

Featured in playlists›

Goldie Originals that include this night

Drive-Time Dial

Open road, closed case — half-hour windows.

24 episodes

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Let George Do It

The Bookworm Turns

George Valentine investigates a series of strange break-ins at a bookstore that lead to a murder connected to a rare Robert Burns book. The stakes rise as the mystery deepens and danger looms.

Ep 222 · Monday, December 11, 1950 · 30:39

Richard Diamond, Private Detective

Photographer's Card

Richard Diamond encounters a street photographer who believes he is being followed and hands Diamond a mysterious card. The stakes rise as Diamond discovers a hidden negative that may hold dangerous secrets.

Ep 47 · Sunday, March 26, 1950 · 29:31

Broadway Is My Beat

The Robert Turk Murder Case

Detective Danny Clover investigates the murder of Robert Turk, found dead in a bizarre apartment filled with opium and strange idols. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of dark secrets involving a woman named Mara and her mysterious past.

Ep 135 · Saturday, October 18, 1952 · 29:51

Gunsmoke

Lost Rifle

A young boy is found at the scene of a murder, raising suspicions about his involvement. As tensions rise, U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon must uncover the truth behind the crime and protect the innocent.

Ep 225 · Sunday, July 29, 1956 · 24:58

X Minus One

Mr Costello, Hero

Mr. Costello, a passenger on a spaceship, stirs up paranoia and suspicion among the crew, leading to a tense confrontation with the captain. As tensions rise, the crew must navigate the implications of Costello's influence and the potential for chaos.

Ep 58 · Tuesday, July 3, 1956 · 27:48

Fort Laramie

Don't Kick My Horse

A soldier's deep bond with his horse puts him and his troop in peril when they face an Indian attack. The stakes rise as he struggles to protect his beloved companion.

Ep 19 · Sunday, June 3, 1956 · 29:53

More from Suspense

Same series — shared cast and standout nights

Suspense

Night on Red Mountain

A gas station owner on a California mountain faces danger when members of his old gang threaten him during a blizzard. As the storm intensifies, he must confront his past and the stakes of survival.

Ep 785 · Sunday, January 11, 1959 · 24:13

Suspense

Tarawa Was Tough

In 'Tarawa Was Tough,' U.S. Marines prepare for a challenging landing during World War II. The stakes are high as they face the grim realities of war while awaiting their deployment.

Ep 698 · Sunday, May 12, 1957 · 24:58

Suspense

Pigeon in the Cage

A paperhanger finds himself trapped in an elevator, overhearing a murder plot that puts his own life in jeopardy.

Ep 711 · Sunday, August 11, 1957 · 25:55

Suspense

Shooting Star

An aging movie star seeks revenge on the mogul who cancels her contract, leading to a tense confrontation. The stakes rise as her desperation turns lethal.

Ep 691 · Sunday, March 24, 1957 · 26:11

Suspense

Thou Shalt Not Commit

A doctor's wife on a remote tropical island grapples with her feelings of isolation and temptation when a charismatic sea captain arrives, challenging her loyalty to her husband.

Ep 694 · Sunday, April 14, 1957 · 27:44

Suspense

Eyewitness

A newspaper reporter becomes a hostage during a prison riot, facing dangerous inmates and a tense standoff with the authorities.

Ep 810 · Sunday, July 12, 1959 · 20:13

Tense›

Same mood, other nights on the dial

Suspense

Sorry, Wrong Number

An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 43 · Tuesday, May 25, 1943 · 29:38

The Lone Ranger

Cold Spring Showdown (Last Original 'Live' Broadcast)

The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to defend Cold Spring against a band of outlaws led by Red Eagle, who are intent on stealing a chest of gold. Tensions rise as the outlaws launch their attack on the stagecoach station.

Ep 3377 · Friday, September 3, 1954 · 23:25

Dangerously Yours

The Highwayman

In The Highwayman, a daring outlaw confronts a wealthy coachman while seeking romance with the landlord's daughter, Bess. The stakes rise as love and danger intertwine under the moonlit sky.

Ep 1 · Sunday, July 2, 1944 · 29:39

X Minus One

At the Post

A race track tout struggles to save his wife, who has fallen into a catatonic state, believing she is being controlled by aliens. He uses his knowledge of horse racing to uncover the truth behind her condition and the impending doom of mankind.

Ep 94 · Wednesday, March 27, 1957 · 22:03

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe

Stamped for Murder

Nero Wolfe faces a pressing dilemma when a young woman seeks his help to recover her inheritance, which her father has squandered on a dubious treasure map. As Wolfe reluctantly takes on the case, the stakes rise with the revelation of swindlers and hidden value.

Ep 1 · Friday, October 20, 1950 · 29:48

Murder›

More stories in this vein

The Devil and Mr O

Rocket from Manhattan

In Rocket from Manhattan, a group of astronauts returns from the moon, but their journey takes a dark turn as they face a dire situation in space. Tensions rise as they confront the consequences of their mission and the implications of their discoveries.

Ep 22 · Friday, February 11, 1972 · 28:36

Gunsmoke

Old Faces

Tom Cook confronts Ed Ivers after Ivers insults his wife, Tilda, leading to escalating tensions in Dodge City. The stakes rise as Tom's honor and safety are put on the line in a potential gunfight.

Ep 457 · Sunday, January 8, 1961 · 24:34

Escape

Sire De Maletroit's Door

In 1429 Paris, a young cavalier finds himself lost and pursued by soldiers, leading him to a mysterious house where he encounters the enigmatic Sire de Maltois and a beautiful woman named Blanche. The stakes rise as he navigates the dangers of love and honor amidst the chaos of war.

Ep 5 · Monday, August 4, 1947 · 29:33

The Six Shooter

Audition Show

Britt Ponset, known as the sixth shooter, finds himself in Clay City with a horse in need of a shoe. As he navigates the town, he uncovers a recent robbery and the mystery surrounding it.

Ep 0 · Wednesday, July 15, 1953 · 23:28

← PreviousTwo Hundred and Twenty-Seven Minutes of HateNext →The Outer Limit

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 570303 688 Present Tense (128-44) 28274 29m49s.mp3

Suspense, Episode 688

Present Tense

Sunday, March 3, 1957 · 29:28

Suspense, Episode 688

Present Tense

Sunday, March 3, 1957 · 29:28

Summary

A man grapples with his past as he faces the consequences of his actions in a haunting narrative about murder and time. The stakes rise as he navigates the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.

  • Tense
  • Murder
  • Psychological
  • Supernatural
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • Drama

Network›

CBS

Network

Detective Desk

Private eyes, hardboiled and soft.

24 episodes

Ghost Story Hour

Spirits on the network.

24 episodes

Tense Nights

Edge-of-seat radio.

24 episodes

Hitchcock-Adjacent

Suspense DNA — guests and tone.

24 episodes

Twist Ending Club

Don’t peek. The last minute is the point.

24 episodes

Psychological Thrillers

The danger is inside the room.

24 episodes

Morning Coffee Mystery

Puzzles that pair with caffeine.

24 episodes

21st Precinct

The Neighbor

A woman reports a burglar in her apartment, prompting the 21st Precinct officers to respond quickly. They discover a complex situation involving a polite but deceptive suspect.

Ep 139 · Thursday, May 31, 1956 · 26:37

Dragnet

The Big Rain

Detectives Friday and Smith investigate the brutal beating of a woman found in the rain, leading them to a suspect with a questionable alibi. As they delve deeper, they uncover a web of domestic issues and potential motives.

Ep 220 · Tuesday, November 3, 1953 · 29:16

Suspense

John Barbey and Son

A father and his son are on the run from authorities, desperately trying to avoid a fate that the father believes will harm his child. As the night unfolds, the stakes rise as they confront their grim reality.

Ep 796 · Sunday, March 29, 1959 · 25:30

Suspense

Win, Place or Die

A desperate bookkeeper, Joe Harper, finds himself in deep trouble after embezzling money from his employer to cover gambling debts. As the stakes rise, he must navigate a dangerous world of bookies and crime to save himself.

Ep 746 · Sunday, April 13, 1958 · 24:40

The Adventures of Superman

Superman Vs. Kryptonite - Pt 09

Batman and Robin race against time to find Superman, who is in danger after being captured by the corrupt George Latimer, who possesses kryptonite. The stakes are high as they attempt to outsmart Latimer and rescue their friend.

Ep 1557 · Monday, May 26, 1947 · 14:23

Dimension X

The Outer Limit

In The Outer Limit, a test pilot prepares for a groundbreaking space mission while grappling with personal anxieties about impending fatherhood. As he launches into the unknown, the stakes rise with the potential for disaster looming over the mission.

Ep 1 · Saturday, April 8, 1950 · 30:11

Dragnet

Red Light Bandit

A ruthless robber impersonates a police officer, preying on unsuspecting citizens at red traffic lights. Detectives Friday and Romero must track him down before he strikes again.

Ep 6 · Thursday, July 14, 1949 · 29:37

That night in history

Headlines

  • 1957 — The S&P 500 stock market index is introduced, replacing the S&P 90.
  • 1957 — Sutton Wick air crash: A Blackburn Beverley of 53 Squadron, Royal Air Forces, crashes into the village of Sutton Wick, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire), killing most of the crew and passengers and two local residents.
  • 1957 — Ghana becomes the first Sub-Saharan country to gain independence from the British.

On the air that night›

  1. GunsmokeColleen So GreenEpisode 256
  2. SuspensePresent TenseCurrently listeningEpisode 688
  3. Yours Truly, Johnny DollarThe Meek Memorial Matter [AFRTS]Episode 525