Suspense - Old Time Radio Thriller
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio dramas during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1942-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. Suspense is renowned for its gripping tales of mystery, horror, and psychological tension. Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
Format
Iconic Hosts & Opening
Format
- 30-minute standalone episodes (later expanded to 60 minutes in the 1950s).
- Each episode was a self-contained story, often featuring ordinary people in extraordinary, life-threatening situations.
- Known for its tight scripting, atmospheric sound effects, and dramatic musical scores (often by Bernard Herrmann, who later composed for Hitchcock films).
- Famous for its twist endings and unreliable narrators.
Iconic Hosts & Opening
- Early episodes were introduced by "The Man in Black" (a mysterious narrator, played by Joseph Kearns and later Paul Frees).
- The show’s chilling opening theme (a heartbeat-like rhythm followed by the announcer’s voice) became legendary: "Suspense! As quiet as fog creeping in on little cat feet…"
- Considered the pinnacle of radio suspense drama, setting the standard for later shows like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
- Many episodes were adapted for TV and film (e.g., Sorry, Wrong Number became a 1948 movie).
- Preserved by collectors and still aired on radio nostalgia stations today.
- Why Suspense Still Holds Up
- Masterful storytelling – Relied on dialogue and sound to terrify listeners (no visuals needed!).
- A-list Hollywood talent – Rare chance to hear major stars in intimate, voice-only performances.
- Timeless themes – Paranoia, betrayal, and moral dilemmas still resonate today.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 30 minutes
- Episodes
- 455
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Rogue Male - Suspense | 12/31/1951 (Ep454)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:53 |
Fri 01 Aug 2025
The Case History of a Gambler - Suspense | 12/17/1951 (Ep452)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:50 |
Thu 31 Jul 2025
Blackjack to Kill - Suspense | 12/10/1951 (Ep451)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:36 |
Wed 30 Jul 2025
A Murderous Revision - Suspense | 12/03/1951 (Ep450)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:45 |
Tue 29 Jul 2025
The Hunting of Bob Lee - Suspense | 10/29/1951 (Ep445)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:44 |
Mon 28 Jul 2025
The Log of the Marne - Suspense | 10/22/1951 (Ep444)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:30:40 |
Sun 27 Jul 2025
The Flame - Suspense | 10/15/1951 (Ep443)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:30:43 |
Sat 26 Jul 2025
Betrayal in Vienna - Suspense | 10/08/1951 (Ep442)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:30 |
Fri 25 Jul 2025
The Case Study of a Murderer - Suspense | 10/01/1951 (Ep441)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:36 |
Thu 24 Jul 2025
The McKay College Basketball Scandal - Suspense | 09/24/1951 (Ep440)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:40 |
Wed 23 Jul 2025
Neal Cream, Doctor of Poison - Suspense | 09/17/1951 (Ep439)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:27:04 |
Tue 22 Jul 2025
The Evil of Adelaide Winters - Suspense | 09/10/1951 (Ep438)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:41 |
Mon 21 Jul 2025
Steel River Prison Break - Suspense | 09/03/1951 (Ep437)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:28:41 |
Sun 20 Jul 2025
Report on the Jolly Death Riders - Suspense | 08/27/1951 (Ep436)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:42 |
Sat 19 Jul 2025
The Case for Dr. Singer - Suspense | 06/28/1951 (Ep435)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:48 |
Fri 18 Jul 2025
The Greatest Thief in the World - Suspense | 06/21/1951 (Ep434)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:30:18 |
Thu 17 Jul 2025
The Truth About Jerry Baxter - Suspense | 06/14/1951 (Ep433)
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful old time radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agn…
00:29:53 |
Wed 16 Jul 2025
Tell You Why I Shouldn't Die - Suspense | 06/07/1951 (Ep432)
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Appl…
00:30:03 |
Tue 15 Jul 2025
Over Drawn - Suspense | 05/31/1951 (Ep431)
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Appl…
00:29:43 |
Mon 14 Jul 2025
Another Man's Poison - Suspense | 05/17/1951 (Ep429)
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Appl…
00:26:17 |
Sun 13 Jul 2025
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