Suspense | Ep11 | "The Hitch Hiker"

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Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

[@jerraldwest2935]

Fun fact, Rod Sterling heard this radio broadcast the night it first aired and never forgot it. He would go on to make an episode of the twilight zone that was based on this radio play. He changed the lead from a man to a woman, and altered the ending from the monologue you hear here, to the main character looking in her rear view mirror, after learning of her own death, and seeing the hitchhiker just six inches behind her in the back seat. And with a Carefree, almost vacant expression and an even, raspy, monotone voice, the hitchhiker simply asks "going my way, stranger?"

[@-oiiio-3993]

One of the better 'Zones. Inger Stevens was perfect as the driver.

[@jeffreyberkin-ez3uh]

The actor was perfect. He didn't say stranger because he had been there ever since the accident. She just didn't realize it 😢

[@judee.caulfield6386]

Rod Serling, Shaun Miller

[@edo3110]

I'm 74 brings back memories use to listen with my mom

[@otrarchive]

She must have been awesome!

[@adamantium_1]

So this is the original version Rod Serling remade this on a Twilight Zone episode. It's fascinating same plot and twist only differences the characters his version was a female driving the car.

[@bloodycheeseinsidemyass]

Y'all fucked?

[@realvilejelly]

@Rhys Shiloh pathetic

[@bubblesbutterfly1235]

I just turned 50 this year. I remember listening to the radio of these plays! they were, they are the best! I’m so happy that KZbin has this covered with these beautiful old time radio shows! This is amazing!!!!!

[@d.j.esteves6557]

When I was in junior high, I had to listen to this for language arts class. I remember getting chills listening to it. It's one of the only positive childhood memories I have and can still remember, now that I'm in my thirties, as opposed to being thirteen or fourteen when I first heard it. It definitely inspired me. I'm an aspiring writer, and stories like this really do it for me. I'm glad I could find this again. I knew I would, as much as I hoped I would.

[@gamer-yt-be4]

I'm in junior high right now and we just got done listening to this

[@ZZ-wi2od]

I remember sleeping in my parents room and my dad would listen to these to fall asleep . Now I nostalgically listen this when I’m trying to fall asleep

[@MartinSage]

I listen to the story many nights😴

[@juliehogue8920]

My grandpop would listen to these too! Reminds of him and staying the weekends at my grandparents house. I miss them both.

[@sant9202]

Exactly my story dude, reminds me of the cold nights that we fell asleep listening to these.

[@nyy1960]

Me too

[@New_Czar]

Me too … I put these on in the evening before bedtime.

[@davewebbtheauthor]

This is one of the best episodes of any old radio show ever broadcast.

[@johndunston7788]

😮

[@joelwatts5260]

I got an old time radio show variety set on cassette 45 years ago for Christmas and this was in it. So good to hear it again.

[@brianglade848]

I got that same gift actually!!....the hitch hiker take was blue and white

[@karechapman7233]

Listened to these starting in the 50’s as a child at night on long road trips with my parents and also with my grandparents. I’m 76 and still listening😊 Thank you ever so much for making these available to your fans. Arizona USA 🇺🇸

[@garyhughes1664]

Lucille Fletcher's The Hitch-Hiker and Sorry, Wrong Number have both stood the test of time.

[@Ki6wbh]

The first time I heard this was at night on hwy 375 In Nevada. It freaked me out that i changed my route and spent 4h in a Denny's in the outskirts of Vegas just to feel sane again

[@paulzaky3121]

This is one of the greatest shows Suspense ever aired.

[@cybertaiga9534]

Brilliant narration from Orson Welles. Such amazing dialogues and word play. My goodness!

[@-oiiio-3993]

Note the sly reference to _War of the Worlds_ during the intro.

[@loweeization]

My granddaughter and I love listening to these when she spends the night.

[@Tailsofthetrsils]

I would listen to these as a kid to fall asleep.

[@natch454]

This is the best old time radio suspense story there is in my opinion. What a classic

[@lillianmargaretb9998]

I love the fact that he says he was "utterly" alone in the cow pasture.. lol.. that's a good one Orson Welles!

[@t.curran8243]

LillianMargaret B "udderly" more like it.

[@deziramson3451]

One of the cows did win an award that year for being Outstanding in its Field

[@glinda9243]

@@deziramson3451 😂😂😂😂

[@MortusSweet]

Dezi Ramson *rimshot*

[@-oiiio-3993]

Udderly, even.

[@stanleyban]

These shows are still as good as any mystery show today, thank you for posting them!!!

[@GialloEurocrimeWorldChannel]

They're much better.

[@kohinarec6580]

This is blood curdling. THIS is what good stories are made of. A silent dread.

[@brianglade848]

My dad always told us he was the guy who said "halooooooo".... Asshat

[@AstralPixie]

And Orson Wells wonderful voice helps the mood as well.

[@v355a]

Literally one of the best stories of all time. Truly terrifying in every way.

[@michaelc581]

I remember my mom played these on cassette in the hall so all of us could fall asleep at night. Now I play them for my kids lol

[@DouglasGreenough-gt9fp]

Yes I definitely remember this on cassette in the 1980's stores here in Idaho sold them imagine that was fun I remember.

[@riverbilly64]

7.21.2023 - Listening again from Peebles, Ohio. What a great tale.

[@brianglade848]

What a great town.....Baby, if you ever wonder, wonder whatever became of me...I'm living on the air in Cincinnati ..... Cincinnati WKRP.....I've got tired of packing and unpacking town to town, up and down the dial, I'm really not digging Cincinnati ... But I got a gig at WKRP

[@xxLonniExx]

One of my favorite radio plays ever! I love Lucille Fletcher's work. Currently reading The Girl in Cabin B54 ❤

[@jameslopezpops]

HELLO HELLO Thank you very much I got straight chills up my Spine.

[@nedludd7622]

A fine episode. In addition, the PSA at the end is good historical document. Listeners might be interested to read Ambrose Bierce's "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" which was required reading in school way back when I was a kid.

[@EamonWill]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll try to find it and read it. The PSA was shocking! It was strange to hear the realness of how the war was being spoken about. Not as something done and over with a clear ending, but as a horrifying tragedy still occuring. I never considered what might have happened to American citizens if we'd lost the war!

[@-oiiio-3993]

This and 'Owl Creek' were both adapted to the Twilight Zone TV series. Inger Stevens was perfect as the driver in 'The Hitch Hiker'. Dig Welles' sly reference to _War of the Worlds_ at the introduction. Regarding the PSA, I'm surprised there was no mention of the gasoline ration stamps that he would have needed in New York and eastern states. By December of '42 they would be required nationwide.

[@softpawsasmr]

Gosh I had forgotten we had to read that book! Now I must find a copy and read it after all these years

[@stevend.bennett427]

This was also a Twilight Zone episode with Inger Stevens and Leonard Strong as the hitchhiker. "Going my way?"

[@breanachavezart9636]

yesssssss, i was wondering if anyone else had seen that episode

[@violetfemme411]

@@breanachavezart9636 A personal fave for sure!

[@pupfreak0319]

I was gonna mention that then I saw this comment, I forgot who stared in it. Thank u!

[@brianglade848]

Haloooooooo

[@jeetkunedoatlanta2464]

It was based on this episode of suspense.

[@nancyhansen4074]

I can not tell you how much I LOVE THIS!

[@eagleeyeswentz2415]

I really enjoy Listen to these Episode.

[@thepretender3814]

The perfect bed time stories 😴

[@charlieluke1886]

[Narration: Orson Welles & Logic] Good evening, this is Logic And very happy I am to be back in the United States and back on the network Even for so short a visit as this one Back with old friends like No I.D. who is tonight's director and Nobody argued the point, a lot of people asked us to do it again, so it's gratifying to get the chance- us to do it again So it's gratifying to get the chance now (No I.D.) Personally, I've never met anybody who didn't like The Incredible True Story Now tonight, what we do have is a thriller If it's half as good as we think it is, you can call it a classic Quite possibly, a little escapade of mine involving a couple of planets which shall be nameless Is responsible Doesn't really matter A story doesn't have to appeal to the heart, it can also appeal to the spine And with two magic words

[@rebeccathomas4041]

Ay no pressure

[@drakeportee9512]

Exactly why I came here

[@gspendlove]

I love that he threw in that "couple of planets" line. Even today, everyone knows what he's talking about and it's a cute little wink at the audience huddled around the radio.

[@richardmcleod5967]

"The Hitch Hiker" was written by Lucille Fletcher who the very next year wrote "Sorry, Wrong Number" whose husband Bernard Hermann scored the music for both (and many other radio shows including Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Psycho"). "Sorry, Wrong Number" is probably the most popular radio drama of all time. It was also done on "SUSPENSE" 8 times from 1943 until 1961 when the show ended. All of those performances starred Agnes Moorehead in a 30 minute version. In 1955, Miriam Hopkins flew to Sydney, Australia and performed it for the Australian LUX Radio Theatre in the only 60 minute radio version known to exist. It is extremely well done and the plot is more developed due to the longer time slot. Miriam Hopkins is ably assisted by the creme of Australian radio actors of the time. The 60 minute restored version is available through Radio Archives in their Archives Treasures Volume 23.

[@NYC1927]

The "Twilight Zone" did a version of this story years later but the main character was a woman.

[@glinda9243]

Thanks!

[@glinda9243]

@@NYC1927 yes, I love the Twilight Zone.

[@daveenglish2]

Good additional info. Thanks.

[@lawrenceleipart5734]

Very good listening to this. Especially with Orson Welles introducing this.

[@llawliet8109]

My teacher showed me this yesterday and today I liked it I like a lot you guys are lucky to have this never forget it Lucille Fletcher is amazing

[@creeg84]

One of the best episodes. Orson Welles was the greatest.

[@carlosreyes1997]

Im 74, brings back memories ahh goo times i reckon. I dam near pisst my pants thats how scared i was

[@ruthferguson7175]

As a young child I shared a bedroom with my grandma. Every night we both fell asleep listening .

[@JAX-TV]

Thank you for making these available!

[@philliptrevino1153]

That’s crazy Logic sampled this intro 🤯🤯

[@AstralPixie]

While Orson introduces, the "Alfred Hitchcock" theme is in the background. "..... gave me the willies" "My dogs are killing me" Beechwood 2-0828. I love the old telephone exchanges. Numbers were so much better!

[@markmccloskey23]

This radio broadcast was sampled for the intro song to Logic’s album “No Pressure” released in 2020. Really cool!

[@thomasbelger4430]

Best when listening while driving at night, alone....

[@daveenglish2]

...and going over the Brooklyn Bridge.

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

Airdate Sept. 2nd, 1942. 26:15 Love how Orson Welles appealed for people to buy war bonds.

[@adamantium_1]

So this is the original version Rod Serling remade this on a Twilight Zone episode. It's fascinating same plot and twist only differences the characters his version was a female driving the car.

[@mrsx7944]

Of course. That's a famous episode.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Inger Stevens.

[@-oiiio-3993]

This aired Sept. 02, 1942 (per oldradioworld). That $3.85 three minute long distance call from Gallup to Brooklyn ( at 22:37 ) would be today's equivalent of $51.16 per usinflationcalculator. Notice also that he mentioned driving at "a nice steady pace of 45 miles per hour," the federally imposed wartime speed limit. When he bought fuel in the East he must have had a handfull of ration stamps. They would be required 'out West' as well after December.

[@HumanBeanbag]

Starring the lovely and talented Orson Welles!

[@glinda9243]

Wow I had forgotten how expensive long distance calling was. Younger people have no idea how expensive it was compared to now.but now you have more gadgets to support with various things you have to have for it. In the 70s I remember when I I got my first phone. I had to leave a $40 deposit ($167. in 2020). and then it was $45 a month and that did not include long distance.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Calls billed by 'message units', lower rates on nights and weekends. This aired Sept. 02, 1942 (per oldradioworld). That $3.85 three minute long distance call from Gallup to Brooklyn ( at 22:37 ) would be today's equivalent of $51.16 per usinflationcalculator. Notice also that he mentioned driving at "a nice steady pace of 45 miles per hour," the federally imposed wartime speed limit. When he bought fuel in the East he must have had a handfull of ration stamps. They would be required 'out West' as well after December.

[@kxshgotnext6214]

Good evening, this is *Logic*

[@charlieluke1886]

Back with old friends like No ID

[@kxshgotnext6214]

Charlie Luke I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like *The Incredible True* story

[@deannp84]

Wheww that's a lot of quarters to deposit just for 3 minutes

[@axula_1246]

I had to record this for my theater class I played Mrs. Whitney it’s such a good plot twist.

[@genevievel5309]

Excellent!! Thank you very much for posting.

[@PresumedGecko20]

I feel like this is like the Hotel California song, the dude doesn’t know he is dead, but in reality, he died from a car crash and the rest is just a dream. Kinda like this story just replace the hotel with a car ride.

[@mrsx7944]

Hotel California by the Eagles? It's about a dead guy??

[@dontpickonme]

​@@mrsx7944you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave 👻

[@quentingandee]

this is weird. i’m 14 and i lies ten to radio broadcasts with orson Welles and stuff but i read this story in school like 2 years ago. just crazy to think how far that story’s came.

[@tablescissors]

There are tales like that, worth retelling many times.

[@zhuoyicheng1159]

This reminds me of a twilight zone episode

[@meeksiecore8284]

It actually says on the Suspense Wiki page that the Twilight Zone episode was adapted from this.

[@Steven-ox3wh]

What a time to live when fuel was cheaper than making a phone call

[@otrarchive]

Can you imagine?! :)

[@68Dye]

Great episode, but that 30 seconds of main character dropping numerous coins into into pay phone to call his mother? Talk about wanting to scream just " Hurry up"!! LoL😂

[@mrsx7944]

I didn't know the original version had a male main character. The Twilight Zone episode is so creepy.

[@michelleregis6181]

outstanding episode 👏👏

[@vinnyvincent2862]

regarding the phone call 21 mins in, welles asks for beechwood 200828 operator asks for beechwood 20828 ! . Those were the days fill your gas tank for $1.49 including tax, and a long distance phone call costs $3.85 cents

[@otrarchive]

Good catch!

[@-oiiio-3993]

This aired Sept. 02, 1942 (per oldradioworld). That $3.85 three minute long distance call from Gallup to Brooklyn ( at 22:37 ) would be today's equivalent of $51.16 per usinflationcalculator. Notice also that he mentioned driving at "a nice steady pace of 45 miles per hour," the federally imposed wartime speed limit. When he bought fuel in the East he must have had a handfull of ration stamps. They would be required 'out West' as well after December.

[@blaqkdymondinc]

Liked both versions of this. Twilight Zone visuals better. Listening during pandemic June 2020

[@shangooya2522]

This is really good!

[@derrekOTR]

Orson Welles gave us the first person narrative. He has contributed to radio/film/theatre to the point I know without him these mediums would be completely different these if not for his real genius (I know he likes to make light if this fact, but it u deniable, especially after we have been lucky enough to see/hear 99% of all he made his life. Suspense may not be a groundbreaking as The CBS Workshop or Welles own Mercury Theatre, but it’s easily the best quality radio program of the wartime radio era. Louise Fletcher’s Sorry Wrong Number & The Hitchhiker are two of the greatest Radio dramas ever produced and both “Suspense” I have a special place in my radio show loving heart for X minus One’s “A Pail of Air” as the greatest radio program made, but it’s only an opinion. I still recommend everyone check it out if you’re a fan of radio greats like this one…🎙

[@aileenwagner2576]

Ron Adams? In the Twilight Zone it was Nan Adams.

[@alesia.luna3189]

Who else is in history class rn

[@roomofidiots]

Top suspense episodes (please add to the list) -sorry wrong number -hitch hiker -house in cypress canyon -fuege in c minor -kettler method -august heat

[@thekeef2187]

I had this on audiotape growing up, whenever my dad and I would take a vacation trip I usually brought it along. Such a great presentation...

[@artemis4478]

Thanks!👍

[@BryanPAllen]

Orson Wells. What an actor!

[@ThatDudeMidnight]

Ahhhhh Mr. Welles

[@psychosantafilmsmedia6014]

Creepy story. And liked world war 2 advertisement

[@otrarchive]

It’s part of what makes these old shows great. The adverts are a window to the past!

[@rafif549]

Story starts at 3:55

[@lalafl200]

Thanks

[@angelcat2865]

I would love to see this version mixed with the Twilightzone version of the Hitchhiker as a movie. I like the idea of a movie staring both Nan and Ronald Addams as the main characters but both looking like they belong in two different era's in history.

[@stephaniehand503]

thank you

[@tablescissors]

I love Orson Welles.

[@mrmjb1960]

Also by Wade Denning on The Mr. Pickwick Lp Ghost Stories with Spooky Sounds. And a cardboard record on Post.

[@brianglade848]

Haloooooo

[@fromthesidelines]

In Serling's TV version, the "Hitch-Hiker" DOES makes contact wth "Nan Adams"- sitting in the rear seat of her car, as she sees his image in her rear view mirror. "I believe you're going..... *MY* way?"

[@alicejackson771]

People must have been much easier to scare in those day . . . but I still enjoy these, even if I'm not scared!!!

[@musiciansvanguard]

Scared me and i dont get scared by much

[@Oct131917]

Twilight Zone made a remake of the hitchhiker

[@DouglasGreenough-gt9fp]

3:34 this one is good as some inner sanctum episodes.

[@kirstinmc3022]

My favourite

[@DouglasGreenough-gt9fp]

10:40 he's wanting to get going and the car won't start 😮 great 👍 saying no" don't get in🌹.

[@sorceress1986]

I'm barely a minute in and what I'm gathering is that...Bernard Herrmann recycled the Alfred Hitchcock theme from Orson Welles. ...

[@strawwormcariama3280]

The piece of music is _Funeral March of a Marionette _ by Charles Gounod, written in 1872.

[@dontpickonme]

Hearing this again for the first time since childhood, i really wish people knew the originals so they could understand that Mike Flanagan has never had an original idea and never had an unoriginal idea that wasnt worse than the one it copied.

[@toddjohnson5504]

New Mexico: Famous for soulless nights. Moral of the story: Avoid the Brooklyn Bridge.

[@mdumas43073]

“Phosphorescent Foolishness” would be a great band name.

[@dontaylor7315]

This story was produced again as a Twilight Zone episode. The driver was a woman and a few other details were changed, but all the essential parts of the plot - the hitchhiker, the driver's growing panic, the revelatory phone call - all remained the same.

[@toxicavenger8680]

I remember that episode well. Rod Serling wrote most of the Twilight Zone episodes himself, but he grabbed a few from others that were truly worthy of the show.

[@dontaylor7315]

@@toxicavenger8680 Yes. He and Ray Bradbury had an ongoing relationship that way, with Bradbury furnishing occasional material. And come to think of it I believe I remember hearing one of Bradbury's stories on Suspense too, back in the late 50s or early 60s when Suspense was still on the radio and I was listening as a kid.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Inger Stevens.

[@swebb1155]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@popcornenglishonline9548]

Epic

[@jamielc3437]

So was that man follwing him the angel of death?

[@jaleel0232]

All I hear is logic 😭

[@euniceprobert9060]

Goodness but Orson Welles loved the sound of his own voice! I got tired of him rattling on and on and not getting to the story!

[@Nathanwatchingstuff]

I wonder how the lend ten cents to uncle Sam worked out for people? Did they get their money back?

[@otrarchive]

Doubt it 😅

[@noshirm6285]

Brilliant Orson Welles, but it’s a bit difficult to listen to almost a monologue for a full half hour. 😳

[@brando9508]

Wasn’t L. Fletcher married to B. Herman?

[@AstralPixie]

Correct.

[@Oct131917]

In the Twilight Zone version, it's a woman driving across country

[@mrsx7944]

Everyone keeps saying that😂😂

[@lakeseminole]

Can someone help me to understand the end of this story? What happened to the hitchhiker?

[@RjBenjamin353]

Not to be confused with suspenders

[@clevelandphil]

Is this Suspense or Alfred Hitchcock Presents?

[@ErikHerrera_mysticalcinema2018]

is this a radio show version of The Twilight Zone, Hitchhiker episode?

[@gwenrosalia3833]

Erik Herrera The Twilight Zone episode was based on the radio play.

[@younghoug8899]

cant hear anything else but logic

[@unkieheaf09]

Fear the pillows, boomers

[@-oiiio-3993]

You're aging as well, fool.

[@roomofidiots]

“Hallooooo….halllooooo!” 😧

[@michaelfitzgerald3467]

Ca-lassic with a capital C!