Illusion: Tales of the Texas Rangers (April 20, 1952)

“Illusion” is an episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers, the old-time radio show, first broadcast April 20, 1952. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Amy West frantically reports to Sheriff Minton that someone attempted to kill her by turning on the gas in her home. When Texas Ranger Jason Pearson arrives to investigate, he finds evidence of an explosion but discovers a troubling pattern: Amy has made similar claims twice before, each time without proof of an intruder. As the ranger and sheriff interview Amy and her devoted husband Mark, they begin to suspect that Amy's fears may stem from her own troubled mind rather than a genuine threat.

Texas, at the West Ranch House and the sheriff's office in town

Characters: Ranger Jason Pearson, Sheriff Glenn Minton, Amy West, Mark West, Dr. Sobomark

Listen for: The investigation into whether Amy West is being hunted by a killer or is experiencing psychological delusions; the ranger's consultation with a psychiatrist about Amy's condition.

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.