CBS RADIO MYSTERY THEATER: THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (RADIO)
Summary
One in this dramatic mystery series involving murder, supernatural events, and psychological issues. This episode tells the story of "The Fall of the House of Usher," by Edgar Allan Poe. After receiving a letter from his friend Roderick Usher, Gabriel Mannering visits Roderick, expecting to find him in the state Roderick's letter described -- acutely ill. But when Mannering arrives, Roderick denies being ill. In fact, it is his sister Madeline who has been near death for over a year. Nevertheless, Roderick says, he is ruined because of the evil in his house, an evil that has permeated everything. Madeline's doctor, Dr. Wyndham, tells Mannering more about Madeline's illness, explaining that he sometimes finds her with no pulse or heartbeat, yet she continues to live. The doctor leaves, and Madeline appears in the doorway. Mannering describes what he sees as "not a woman, but a corpse." He discovers that Madeline fears death because she fears being buried alive -- the fate of her mother. When Madeline's pulse disappears again, Mannering takes it upon himself to make sure that she is actually deceased. He insists that Roderick wait before burying her, and the two agree to keep her coffin in a vault below the house, where they will check on her regularly to see that she is still dead. Roderick takes on this responsibility himself. Meanwhile, Mannering begins to notice mysterious sounds coming from the house. He questions Roderick, who reveals a dreadful secret -- a secret that leads to the Fall of the House of Usher. Includes commercials and public service announcements.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Ralph Guild, 2000.
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: March 14, 1974
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:31
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R:22128
- GENRE: Radio - Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Radio - Drama, mystery/suspense
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Drama, mystery/suspense
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - Radio Series, 1974-1977
- COMMERCIALS:
- Radio - Commercials - Anheuser-Busch brewery
- Radio - Commercials - Roundtree summer vacation residences
- Radio - Commercials - Special K cereal
- Radio - PSA - Care
- Radio - PSA - Junior Achievement
- Radio - PSA - The Ad Council
- Radio - PSA - The Better Business Bureau
- Radio - PSA - United States Navy
CREDITS
- Himan Brown … Producer, Director
- Edgar Allan Poe … Writer
- George Lowther … Adapted by
- E.G. Marshall … Host
- Kevin McCarthy … Cast
- Arnold Moss … Cast
- Marian Seldes … Cast
- Robert Dryden … Cast