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Reviews
Suspense: Far Below (2015)
A little talky- but well worth it at the end!
This episode, an adaptation of Robert Barbour Johnson's short story 'Far Below', reminds me a bit of the earlier SUSPENSE adaptation of 'The Hounds of Tindalos'- the vast majority of the episode is a conversation between two people, one of whom is doing the lion's share of the talking. But what could be a bit boring in other hands becomes riveting because of the nuanced performance of Daamen Krall, who made 'Tindalos' work so well. He and Catherine Kamei start this off at an almost-leisurely pace- remarkable given what the subject matter is- but boy, does it build to a worthy conclusion that, even if you see it coming, will hit hard because of how it's played by Krall and Kamei.
Suspense: Forest of the Dark Unbound (2014)
When you really can't see the forest for the trees...
Another original script in a 'Creepshow' vein, 'Forest of the Dark Unbound' starts off as a fairly straightforward crime story, only to take a sharp left into something else altogether. And it works, even if the scene that signals the transition from one to the other is a bit too exposition-heavy to be entirely believable. What really makes 'Forest of the Dark Unbound' pop is the interplay between the runaway bank tellers, as played by Elizabeth Gracen and newcomer Catherine Kamei- their snappy dialogue and gamut of emotions really make it sound as if they're longtime friends who have managed to get themselves into a world of trouble.
Suspense: Girl in the Snow (2015)
Simple setting, complex relationships
SUSPENSE has taken its audience all over the globe and to outer space for stories, yet here we find that a very taut story can be told with just three characters in a motel room. There's no huge, humanity-threatening evil at work, no arch-villain threatening the world. It's simply an examination of the feelings two people who don't even know each other have for one another. 'Girl in the Snow' features three new actors to SUSPENSE, and all three acquit themselves well. English born-and-bred Darren Jacobs makes a convincingly sadistic gangster, Mark Silverman's Turk Bowman is a down-an-out everyman, and Cortney Palm gives a touchingly fragile performance.
Suspense: The House in Cypress Canyon (2015)
A match for the original SUSPENSE episode
When people discuss the greatest episodes of the original SUSPENSE, 'The House in Cypress Canyon' invariably comes up. And for good reason- it's an unnerving slice of horror in large part because not only is there no explanation ever given, but the whole story seems to be a Mobius loop of sorts. So it's not surprising that the producers of the new SUSPENSE decided to give it a shot. And the end result is every bit as good as the original. Part of that is a bit of streamlining in the script that clarifies a few ambiguities in the original. But what really makes it work is the performance of Ron Bottitta- the subtle, understated changes in his character throughout work wonderfully here.
Suspense: Red Rook, White King... Black Cat (2015)
The first of several adventures with Kitty Divine...
The idea of an anthology series is to have a completely different story every episode. However, it looks like the folks at SUSPENSE are planning to do a couple of shows featuring the same character- burlesque star/cat burglar Kitty Divine. And if the first one is an example of what we can look forward to, that's a very good thing. Adrienne Wilkinson absolutely sparkles as the seductive, cunning, playful Kitty, seamlessly slipping between the various facets of her character. She's supported by a first-rate cast, including David Collins (as a sleazy heir), Susan Eisenberg, Ron Bottitta, and Talon Beeson. They all work well in a Cold War plot involving twin emeralds and who's interested in them...
Suspense: Pigeons from Hell (2015)
Solid adaptation of Robert E. Howard's classic
When the likes of Stephen King refer to a work as one of the greatest horror stories of the twentieth century, that's pretty high praise. And that's how King referred to Robert E. Howard's 'Pigeons from Hell'. 'Pigeons' has been adapted for television before- specifically, for Boris Karloff's 'Thriller', an episode that remains one of the high points of television horror. This adaptation doesn't quite reach that high, but it is a quality version nonetheless- and actually sticks closer to the original story than the 'Thriller', which is a good thing given how much more effective the original ending was. Solid cast headed up by Scott Henry, who sounds like a younger Sam Elliott.
Suspense: Behind Every Great Man... (2015)
When technological advances aren't a good thing...
After several very bleak episodes, SUSPENSE writers John C. Alsedek & Dana Perry-Hayes mixed it up a bit and went with another dark comedy- this one concerned with technology run amok, albeit with a bit of human guidance. While this isn't a story meant to elicit belly laughs, it's got some very humorous bits- the bulk of which come from Adrienne Wilkinson, once again showing her comedic chops as the shrewish girlfriend to beat all shrewish girlfriends. The rest of the cast performs solidly as well, including newcomer Brett Thompson, the ever-reliable Daamen Krall, and the computerized voice of Dana Perry-Hayes. And the ending will almost certainly catch you unawares...
Suspense: Ebb Tide (2015)
Hot guitar and the cold hand of Fate...
'Deal with the Devil' stories are not uncommon in the horror genre, or even outside of it- the movie 'Crossroads', for example, was a pretty mainstream film in the 1980s. So it's not as if 'Ebb Tide' is working virgin territory here. But what SUSPENSE writers Alsedek & Perry-Hayes do here that is out of the ordinary is really work on the fears of mortality that we all have. The protagonist is neither a saint nor a demon- he's just a man who's made mistakes and is desperate to rectify them as best he can...no matter the cost. Christopher Duva does a solid job here, playing the lead over the course of forty years. And there's some hot guitar, courtesy of Jason Lee and Buddy Dughi.
Suspense: Who Goes There? (2014)
Ambitious but not entirely successful take on 'The Thing'
Up to this point, SUSPENSE writers John C. Alsedek & Dana Perry-Hayes had stuck to short stories for their adaptations. However, with this episode they tackle a novella- to mixed results. John Campbell's 'Who Goes There?' has been adapted to the big screen (as 'The Thing') by Howard Hawks and John Carpenter with great success- but those were 90 minute-plus films. Here, Alsedek & Perry-Hayes try to do the same thing in less than half the time; while it's an enjoyable enough episode on its own merits, it does end up feel very rushed throughout. The acting is steady, with Steve Moulton (best known for 'Sharknado') making the biggest impression as McReady.
Suspense: The Night Reveals (2015)
Takes a mystery classic and actually improves upon it...
With this adaptation of 'The Night Reveals', one gets the sense that series writers John C. Alsedek & Dana Perry-Hayes were turning a corner. And boy, did they ever. The version of this Cornell Woolrich story done on the original SUSPENSE is lauded as one of the very best of the entire series- and yet this one is head-and-shoulders above it. Part of it is because of the way it's been rewritten- tighter, more emotionally resonant, and with more of a twist. But the other part comes from the outstanding performances from a pair of newcomers: David Collins and Susan Eisenberg. Combined with a small but crucial role by Adrienne Wilkinson, this version of 'The Night Reveals' really delivers.
Suspense: De Vermis Manorum (2014)
Interesting twist on an otherwise familiar tale
One of the most familiar themes in horror is the young couple getting stranded out in the middle of nowhere at night and being forced to take refuge in a spooky house full of suspicious characters. And that's the basic plot of 'De Vermis Manorum', an original that feels very familiar- at least, up until the end, where it takes a tricky turn. John Lauver and Elizabeth Gracen do a solid enough job as the beleaguered honeymooners, but Daamen Krall is the standout here; his portrayal of the Brindamour family patriarch has some very nice shading to it. Not quite up to the level of the show's best to date, but still well worth a watch- especially on a dark & rainy night.
Suspense: Wet Saturday (2014)
Dry English humor on a wet Saturday afternoon
This episode, adapted from the short story by John Collier, is the second to have been previously done on the original SUSPENSE- in fact, it was the second show of the entire series, and starred the legendary Charles Laughton. Here, Daamen Krall fills in quite nicely as the patriarch of a respectable English family that may not be quite as respectable as it considers itself. This adaptation sticks close to the source material, which is full of characteristically dry English humor. The cast carries it all off neatly enough; standouts are Krall, Adrienne Wilkinson as the troublemaking daughter, and Daniel Hackman as a friendly policeman who unwittingly complicates matters.
Suspense: Madeline's Veil (2014)
Jazz with a Creepshow twist
To this point, SUSPENSE has drawn from a lot of different sources. However, this original script is the first episode to fully capture the feel of a 1950s horror pulp comic book- albeit with a greater level of characterization and more sympathetic characters. There's a bit of humor mixed in here (most of it coming from Adrienne Wilkinson, who shows great comedic timing), but by and large this is a tale of woe and rough justice. Solid performances by the entire cast, including Dana Perry-Hayes (a professional singer in real life) as the forlorn Madeline Charles and Rocky Cerda as Abner, her ever-sympathetic ear. Nice touch: Perry-Hayes recording original music just for this episode.
Suspense: The Hounds of Tindalos (2014)
Effective otherworldly horror
In this adaptation of Frank Belknap Long's pulp-era short story, SUSPENSE returns to Lovecraftian-style horror. 'The Hounds of Tindalos' has never (to my knowledge) been done on any other television or radio anthology, which is somewhat surprising- particularly radio, given that the titular beasts are not actually seen. One possible reason for that is that it's rather verbose- and most of the dialogue comes from one character. Yet it works quite well here, thanks to a bravura performance by Daamen Krall; Krall neatly catches all the nuances of Halpin Chalmers' character and makes even the longest passages flow effortlessly. Christopher Duva and Rocky Cerda also turn in solid performances.
Suspense: Essence (2014)
Macabre fun in a Hitchcockian mode
To this point, the bulk of SUSPENSE episodes have been of the horror variety. However, here we get a good old-fashioned mystery story- albeit one that is actually quite horrifying if you stop and think about what's at the core of it. Anyway, this is a solid episode that would have been very much at home as an episode of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. The acting is solid across the board...Adrienne Wilkinson and Elizabeth Gracen play their parts appropriately 'big', which makes Skyler Caleb's understated performance more effective. As for Dana Perry-Hayes, she does a nice job of portraying an elderly woman who has a little more steel in her backbone than meets the eye.
Suspense: The Horla (2014)
Worthy take on a horror classic
'The Horla' by Guy de Maupassant is one of those short stories that seems a natural to be adapted for radio- after all, the 'monster' is invisible! And it was indeed performed on several anthology shows of the day, most famously on Peter Lorre's 'Mystery in the Air'. This adaptation takes an interesting middle ground between the Lorre version and the source material, making the protagonist more likable- and his plight therefore much more affecting at a personal level. Christopher Duva and Elizabeth Gracen have nice chemistry here, much more than is shown in the 1940's Lorre version. In fact, the only quibble with this episode is the French accents used by the cast- and that's a pretty minor quibble.
Suspense: The Walls Between Us (2014)
A one-note story...but what a note!
One of the trickiest parts of writing for a 30-minute anthology program is to get across all the necessary plot information without it feeling forced. But here, SUSPENSE writers John C. Alsedek & Dana Perry-Hayes avoid the problem entirely by giving the audience- and the cast- virtually no information...and the information that is given isn't necessarily accurate. The result is a story that really just loops back around on itself, but does so in a deliberately claustrophobic way. Rocky Cerda and Christopher Duva acquit themselves well, but this is really Adrienne Wilkinson's show- and it's a very different role than her others to date on SUSPENSE.
Suspense: The Fire of Asshurbanipal (2014)
Unspeakable horror in a haunted desert
Robert E. Howard is best remembered today for his Conan the Barbarian stories, but he was a prolific horror writer as well. 'The Fire of Asshurbanipal' is one of his best works, and it is neatly adapted for this episode of SUSPENSE. The cast performs well here. Christopher Duva sounds absolutely weary to the bone as soldier-of-fortune Steve Clarney. But it's Steve Moulton, Rocky Cerda and Daamen Krall who have the heavy lifting because they're all playing Arab/Afghan characters; it can be tricky balancing trying to do an authentic accent with giving the best acting performance possible. However, all three find the right balance- they may not sound perfectly authentic, but it doesn't detract from this nicely-told tale at all.
Suspense: An Ungentle Wager (2014)
Soap opera satire- with an edge
Where Episode #4, 'Proof in the Pudding', satirized 1950's sitcoms, this ep does the same to soap operas- specifically, the much-beloved Gothic soap opera 'Dark Shadows'- and then throws the audience a curveball. The result is an enjoyable off-kilter entry highlighted by a strong cast in deliberately stereotypical roles. Leading the way are Elizabeth Gracen and Adrienne Wilkinson as rival actresses, with Rocky Cerda as an overly dramatic castmate, Christopher Duva as a slimy agent, and Dana Perry-Hayes as a nosy columnist. Most amusing bit of casting is Daamen Krall- who normally carries the lion's share of dialogue in his episodes- as a special effects man who speaks in monosyllables.
Suspense: Gag Reflex (2014)
Catskills comics vs. Saucer Men!
During the 1950s and 1960s, the vacation resorts in New York's Catskills Mountains churned out a virtual who's-who of comedy legends. This episode plays off of that, as a pair of comics find themselves abducted by aliens. The most lighthearted episode of SUSPENSE yet, it's basically a machine gun barrage of one-liners that would have made Groucho groan- although the ending is an unexpected twist. Daamen Krall and Elizabeth Gracen channel Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie from 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' to excellent effect, firing off one joke after another with hardly a beat. And series writer John C. Alsedek gets a bigger role in this one- albeit in virtually unrecognizable form.
Suspense: The Graveyard Rats (2014)
Guaranteed to make your skin crawl...
Henry Kuttner is one of the less-remembered greats of the pulp era, which is unfortunate because he produced some outstanding short stories. This adaptation of Kuttner's 'The Graveyard Rats' is interesting because the original story only had one character and no dialogue- which means that SUSPENSE writers John C. Alsedek & Dana Perry-Hayes had nothing more than the basic idea to work with. Fortunately, they did a terrific job of expanding upon Kuttner's story. Daamen Krall and Christopher Duva are slimy as all get-out as a pair of bodysnatchers. The one complaint about this one is that it does seem to run a little short- though what there is of it will leave you seriously creeped-out!
Suspense: The Devil's Saint (2014)
Re-imaging of a classic episode from the original show
John Dickson Carr was a prolific and well-regarded mystery writer during the 1930's and 1940's, and he ended up penning quite a few episodes of the original SUSPENSE. This is an adaptation of one of them, 'The Devil's Saint', and it stays pretty close to the original- with just one exception. Won't reveal what that is, but let's just say that it cleans up a questionable plot point in Carr's original and does so very neatly. Solid performances all around...Daamen Krall steps into a role first played by Peter Lorre, and pulls it off without sounding like a caricature. Christopher Duva plays well as a lovestruck English lord, while Adrienne Wilkinson's Ilsa Kohary is wonderful in multiple ways. Possibly a match for the original- well done.
Suspense: Proof in the Pudding (2014)
Dark comedy in a Robert Bloch vein
The first foray into humor on SUSPENSE, 'Proof in the Pudding' comes across like a darkly funny parody of a 1950's sitcom- right down to the use of themes from several old shows as transitional music. Not meant to be a knee-slapper, this episode nonetheless has some very funny moments. Adrienne Wilkinson is spot-on as the perfectly charming Southern belle who may or may not have something to hide (also a nod to Ms. Wilkinson's roots, as she was born & raised in Missouri). Christina Joy Howard and Dana Perry-Hayes also do well as a pair of nosy neighbors who end up finding out more than they know how to deal with. And the ending...let's just say Robert Bloch would approve!
Suspense: The Return of the Sorcerer (2014)
Truer to the original story than the Night Gallery version
Having both read the original source material by Clark Ashton Smith and seen the television adaptation done for 'Night Gallery', I was curious to see how Alsedek & Perry-Hayes approached this one. And I have to say that, as much as I liked the Night Gallery take on this classic tale, this adaptation is closer to Smith's original- it lacks the early 70's 'hip' frivolity that Night Gallery tried, and as a result focuses much more keenly on the horror. Though trying to fill the shoes of Vincent Price and Bill Bixby would be a daunting task for anyone, Tucker Smallwood and Ron Bottitta do a first-rate job of it. Bottitta's understated approach really allows Smallwood freedom to let go- and boy, does he use it to good effect when the time comes. Very highly recommended.
Suspense: The Pipes of Tcho Ktlan (2014)
Big Band meets Lovecraft
The second episode and first original script of the series (it seems to alternate originals and adaptations of pulp-era short stories), 'The Pipes of Tcho Ktlan' has a bit of a Lovecraft vibe- but only if Lovecraft had been into swing music and having a bit of romance in his stories. Solid performances all around, with especially high marks to Daamen Krall (playing a sleazy band leader), Rocky Cerda (as his right-hand man), and Adrienne Wilkinson (as the girl who was left behind). The ending may seem at first like it came out of left field, but if you're paying attention it won't be such a surprise. Overall, it's an enjoyably dark piece with a nice early-50's pulp vibe to it.