Motive for Murder: Suspense (March 16, 1950)

“Motive for Murder” is an episode of Suspense, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 16, 1950. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Dave Murphy, a police detective, is convinced his wife Mary has been framed for the stabbing of salesman Victor Hamilton in their home. Unable to accept the official case against her, he sets out on his own, tracing Hamilton's sales route along Van Buren Street. His search leads him to an old house, where an invalid woman and her relative Harold Dolph hold some unexplained secrets. Suspense is presented by Autolite, with a 1950 broadcast on March 16, and stars Alan Ladd.

Present-day city streets and homes, including Murphy's apartment, the Morgan building, and a house on Van Buren Street

Characters: Dave Murphy, Mary Murphy, Jack Dusen, Victor Hamilton, Harold Dolph, Cecilia Breckenridge, Harriet Blodgett, Richards

Listen for: Dave's reasoning about the facts, and his questioning of Harold Dolph and his aunt at the Van Buren house

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.