Welcome to this week’s episode of “Friday Night Noir” on Vintage Classic Radio. We're delving into the shadows with two masterpieces of the thriller genre. First, we unearth a rare gem from the mid-1940s, “Once Upon a Midnight.” This untransmitted pilot from the proposed ABC Radio series featured the legendary Alfred Hitchcock as both host and narrator, drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven." Although it never found a sponsor, the pilot, recorded on May 11th, 1945, remains a fascinating 'what could have been' in the annals of radio history. Based on Francis Iles' novel "Malice Aforethought," the episode stars the incredibly talented married duo, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, who bring to life the story of a murderous doctor. The narrative, soaked in suspense and shock, showcases Hitchcock’s unique approach to storytelling, where the music, composed by Felix Mills, punctuates the drama rather than merely bridging scenes. Then we turn the dial to October 4th, 1951, for an episode of "Suspense" titled "Alibi Me," featuring the indomitable Mickey Rooney. This story plunges us into the world of a small-time hoodlum who finds himself in desperate need of an alibi. The tension ratchets up as we follow his frantic efforts to secure his innocence. "Suspense" was a radio anthology series, renowned for its stellar storytelling and its ability to attract Hollywood's finest to the microphone. These audio plays are time capsules, capturing the essence of an era when radio was king, and the voices of the airwaves could conjure images as vivid as any on the silver screen. Join us as we step back in time and experience the chilling tales that had our grandparents clinging to every word. This is “Friday Night Noir,” where the dark corners of the human psyche are illuminated by the soft glow of the radio dial.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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