Suspense - "The White Rose Murders" (Old Time Radio, 1943)

0:00Premier host on Verbo delivered quality vacation rental stays with fast responses and clear instructions. Oh, I had a question. Our host replied super quick. Premier move. Wish I had a Premier group chat. They won't even write me back. Book a top-rated stay with a Premier host. If you know, give Verbo. A serial murderer is praying on young women, leaving a single white rose with each victim. In an unnamed city, Ginny Trobridge learns that her police detective boyfriend, Terri Riley, is under pressure to solve the case, determined to help, she volunteers to serve as bait. This is Suspense, the white rose murders, episode six, first broadcast by CBS on July 6, 1943, with Maureen O'Hara as Ginny. The script is Robert Talman's radio adaptation of Cornell Woolrich's story, The Death Rose, directed by Ted Bliss and produced by William Spear. And now, we return to the original broadcast.

1:02Suspense. This is the man in black, here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. Our star this evening is Miss Maureen O'Hara, whom you've seen rise to start a man Hollywood within the short space of a year. Her performance is in the 20th Century Fox production, how green was my ballet. Then more recently in the immortal sergeant, and now currently in the RKO production, this land is mine, have given her an enviable place in the ranks of America's new film favorites. Miss O'Hara makes her first appearance on our suspense stage tonight, as the heroine of a study in homicidal mania, the white rose murders by Cornell Woolrich, which is tonight's tale of Suspense. If you have been with us before, you will know that

2:08Suspense is compounded of mystery and suspicion and dangerous adventure. In this series, our tales calculated to intrigue you, to stir your nerves, to offer you a precarious situation, and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment. And so it is with the white rose murders and the performance of Maureen O'Hara, we again hope to keep you in. Suspense. He stood there waiting. He knew that presently they would come out of the second right-tans hall, held into the dimly lit street. He listened to wild and smiled as the orchestra played that tune inside. And then they came out the two girls and still he waited close

3:08enough to hear what they were saying. Well, I'll see you at the office tomorrow, Sally. I don't know how I'll get up. After one o'clock, six hours sleep. Oh, I'll be dead tomorrow. Me too. Oh, gosh. I gotta have at least eight hours or I'm no good at all. I wish I had someone to walk me to the bus. It's four long blocks. Now walk you down, Sally. Oh, don't bother. We go in different directions. But no trouble. Really, I don't mind. Really, it's not necessary. In the narrow alley that divided the dance hall from an ugly office building, he stood smiling. Just a little inside the alley, he stood stiffly against the wall. His head back, eyes closed, arms straight down, and in his left hand, a white rose. Well, all right, then, Sally. Good night. Good night, Joan. See you in the morning.

4:20Oh, I hope I don't have to wait long for the bus. Who are you? Keep away. Keep away from me. Let me go. Let me go. The girl is dead. Tenderly, the figure straightens her hair and gently places the limp body on the ground. Then he opens her clenched fist and carefully so that the thorns will not bruise her flesh. He places in her hand the white rose. But Pardon me, my good man. Is it true that you are the famous detective, Karen Riley? Oh, Jenny, I didn't see you come in. Well, now that I'm here, how about offering to buy a couple coffee for the girl you're going to marry? You can never get up and off with no other

5:21to ask her. It's no use, Jenny. I guess we better call it quits. I'm just a dick on the homicide squad, and that's all I'll ever be. And I'm a rich debut aunt. We don't belong together. Oh, you've been reading too many of those romantic stories, Terry. What is it this time? What's wrong? Have they call him the white rose killer? He's got to be caught. It's a general demotion coming on if he isn't, and that's all I need to get back into uniform. Oh, don't worry, darling. You always look good and blue. Yeah, just to match the way I feel. Tell me more about the white rose killer. What's she like? That's the stumble. He could be anybody. No one's ever seen him, except the dead. They don't talk about it afterwards. Just slips out of the shadows and kills, and then slips back again. How many has he murdered? Four. He's not through yet. It's going to be one of those chain things if he's allowed to keep on. Are you sure it's always the same one? Yeah, that part of it we're sure of. The same touch, the same way of operating every time. How do you know

6:26that? Well, it's a rose, a white rose bud, a dead rose, puts it into each victim's hand after he kills it. Yeah, it's always a woman, a young woman between 19 and 23. What's behind it? Do you have any ideas? Well, I'm not sure. But here's what I figured out. You know what a rose stands for, symbolically. Why, yes, it's the flower of love. The white rose, the bud has another meaning, purity, loyalty, devotion, and especially it stands for a young girl. That's right, and that's about the way I see it. So maybe it's a double cross committed against our murderer by some young girl who may worshiped and who betrayed his fate in her. You ought to be a detective, not me. Thanks, darling. I've got a very fine teacher. There's another thing. The murders were all committed near places where there was music, dance halls, cabarets, and the light. There's a song

7:31that brings back the original shock that gives him the final push over into the darkness. As far as we can figure out, it's the beer barrel polka. Well, how does he commit the murder? Is it always the same way? And always. Strangulation between the hands, with the thumb into the windpipe to keep his victims from crying out. But isn't there anything else you know about him? No, that's why it's so hopeless. He's insane, of course. But there's only this one phase to his insanity, probably perfectly normal in appearance and behavior. You could pass him on the street and even know it. Well, it's only when he sees someone vaguely like the girl he loved and hears that song, the one defective wire in him is jangled and short-circuit. But Terry, the flowers don't flower tell you. He must get them somewhere you could trace. We don't know where he gets them. Maybe steals them or... Terry, what if you were the one to get him? Well, mean a citation and the promotion.

8:31And then all the things that stand between us would disappear. We could get married. Well, the chances would be a lot better anyway. But what chance have I? Everyone in the department has been working their heads off for weeks and they've all failed. Uh-huh. Oh, Terry, what were the girls like? The ones he killed? Well, as I told you, they were all between 19 and 23. Their hikes were pretty much the same too. They're all tall girls, around five feet six or seven. Little taller than you, and all dark-haired. How did they wear the hair? Why? They say, what is this? Oh, nothing, I'm just interested. How did they wear the hair? Well, from what I remember, they were sort of loose and curly down the back. I suppose each one had a resemblance to that long, dead love of his. That's probably it. Well, anyway, that's how the record stands. And we're all waiting for it to happen again. I see. Terry, um, I'd like to go home now. I shouldn't have told

9:35you all that stuff. I've given you the creeps. Oh, come on, Terry. Take me home. Later, Jenny stands by the window in her room looking out thinking she doesn't move for a long time. Then suddenly, quickly, she goes to her closet and begins to rummage through her many pairs of shoes. Carefully, she picks one pair with three-inch heels. Five-foot six or seven. Then she walks quickly to the dresser, opens a drawer, takes out a comb and starts redoing her hair. One loose and curly down the back. Well, here we go. Edward, Edward. Yes, Miss? Is the car ready?

10:36Yes, Miss Virginia. I've been waiting for you. Let's go before Mother sees me. Your mother's been looking for you, Miss. I hope you didn't tell her. No, Miss Virginia. I didn't. Good. Come on, Edward. Where'd you wish to go, Miss Virginia? The Starlight Dance Hall on Groven Second Street. The Starlight Dance Hall? Yes, Edward. That's the place. I wouldn't go there on his quality to marry you, Miss. It's one of the worst places in the city. There's a very bad reputation. The Starlight Dance Hall, Edward. Any good, Miss? Any good. Hey, it's Kelly Rowland. You may not know this, but I have Exema, so I get how it can steal your time. But why let Exema take over when you can talk to your doctor about Epglyce? Epglyce, lubricism app, LBKZ. A 250mg per 2mL injection is a prescription medicine used to treat

11:41adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 lbs or 40kg with moderate to severe Exema. Also called a topic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies. Epglyce can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you are allergic to Epglyce. Allergic reactions can occur or that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have newer, worsening eye problems, you should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglyce. Before starting Epglyce, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Paid partnership with Lili. Respect your time. Ask your doctor about Epglyce and visit Epglyce.com or call 1-800-LiliRX or 1-800-545-5979. It's fall in Jeep country and during the drive-in-to-fall sales event, get a great deal on 4-by-4s that refuse to be contained, like Jeep Wrangler. Confidence built into every drive with the most awarded SUV ever, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and freedom that can't be denied with the open-air freedom and Jeep Gladiator. After 85 years, it's no surprise that Jeep became America's SUV brand.

12:44Get a great deal during the Jeep drive-in-to-fall sales event. Jeep is one more awards over its lifetime than any other SUV brand, cheap in the Jeep Grill or Registered Trademarks of the AUSLC. And slowly walks over to her. Hello. Oh. Oh, hello. You're not with anyone are you? Oh no, I'm alone. I thought so. I've been watching you all the time. Have you? I haven't seen you dance yet. I don't know anyone here. How about dancing with me then?

13:45All right. Come on. Let's go out on the floor. Do you come here often? No. I never go to the same place twice. You don't? Why? I'm always looking for new faces. I'm restless. Do you find the faces you're looking for? Listen. Listen to that song. I like that. I like it very much. Yes, it is a nice song. You know, you remind me of someone I used to know. I'm trying to think who I do. Yeah. You might as we stop dancing and we'll get a drink. No, let's go. Oh, look. They sell flowers here. Yes, I see. I'll get you some. What kind would you like? Oh, any kind. You pick it out. All right. Let's see. There's something kind of innocent and young about you. Different from most of the girls that come here. Can't we stay here a little

14:49longer? It's intermission now. They won't play again for 10 minutes. Come on. But I like it here. Let's stay a little while longer. Alan, let's go down for some air. We can come back in a few minutes. Come on. But we'll be back before the music starts. Oh, you're hurting my arm. Am I? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Fresh air smells good, doesn't it? It's so dark here. Let's go back. They're not scared, are you? Oh, no, it's. Let's walk down this alley. I'm back. Please. Please. Let me go. Oh, nice. That's a lovely necklace, beautiful. Why are you just as cheap? Shut up. All you want it with my neck. How long, beautiful. Look out. What's the matter? Behind your look.

15:49Holy. She's dead. A girl murdered. With a white rosebud in her hand. Well, Janie, happen again last night. Just like the other time. The girl strangled in an alley. And the white rose in her hand. Any news of the killer? No. He might just as well float through the air for all the trace he leaves. We must have bought the flower upstairs in the dance hall. He must have been there earlier, bought it and saved it. There was only one rose sold up there all night. And a man who had a different girl with him. We had the flower girl. How did you know that they sold flowers there? I didn't tell you. Well, I must have read it somewhere. You couldn't have. Wasn't it any of the papers? No details were given, just the statements that an unidentified body was found. Well, I just imagined that they'd sell flowers in a place like that.

16:54Well, I'm glad you don't go near those dance halls. Why were this not running around? We don't bother about that. We'd better catch this killer and fast. Where do you get this wee stuff? Do you hear you talk? You think that you were on the case too? Wouldn't you think so to hear me talk? Again, Ginny tours the low dives, hunting for the white rose killer. Her search carries her to the waterfront. And as she walks past each dingy bar, she listens to the jukebox music.

17:55A little after midnight, she passes a dirty windowed saloon. The thin music catches her ear. She pauses and listens. Her eyes alive for some sign, some indication of the person she's looking for. Then suddenly her body becomes rigid, as her eyes fall upon a figure, huddled in the shadows. Someone's watching me. Slowly she starts to walk up to the street. Behind her the heavy tread of a man's footsteps keep pace with hers. It's a quiet tread, unhurried but deliberate. For several blocks it keeps the exact distance. Ginny starts to walk faster.

18:57I forgot to know if he's really following me. The man quickens his pace. Ginny starts across the street. The man follows. She's sure now, sure that the man is following her. She thumbles for something in her purse. Her hand closes around the gun. If he tried anything I'll shoot. Ginny trouble, lady. Oh no officer, it's all right. You scared him away. Scared who away? Oh just a man who wanted to bring me flowers. That's all. Well he brought you one anyhow, lady. What do you mean? Right there on the ground, right by your feet. A white rose. Coffee, ma'am. Sure coming right up. Here you are. Terry. Terry. Hello Ginny. Sit down. Thank you. Sorry. What's the matter with you? Look darling. Read the gossip column in this paper.

19:59What daughter of a socially prominent family? That way about a detective. And waits for him outside the station house in her limousine every night. Private chauffeur and all. But Mama says no. That's not so funny. Oh they held a big family war council over me just now. Indian powwow, feathered headdress and everything. We did, huh? Hey it's Kelly Rowland. You may not know this, but I have Exama. So I get how it can steal your time. But why let Exama take over when you can talk to your doctor about Epglyce? Epglyce, lubricism app, LBKZ. A 250 milligram per 2 milliliter injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe Exama. Also called a topic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin, or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. Epglyce can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.

21:01Don't use if you are allergic to Epglyce. A allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have newer worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglyce. Before starting Epglyce, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Pay partnership with Lili. Respect your time. Ask your doctor about Epglyce and visit Epglyce.com or call 1-800-LiliRX or 1-800-545-5979. It's fall in Jeep country and during the drive into fall sales event, get a great deal on 4x4s that refuse to be contained, like Jeep Wrangler. Confidence built into every drive with the most awarded SUV ever, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and freedom that can't be denied, with the open air freedom in Jeep Gladiator. After 85 years, it's no surprise that Jeep became America's SUV brand. Get a great deal during the Jeep drive into fall sales event. Jeep is one more awards over its lifetime than any other SUV brand, cheap in the Jeep Grill or Registered Trademarks of FCAUS LLC. Well, well they decide. I was asked to give my word that I wouldn't see you anymore. I refused, of course, signed to be exiled.

22:05We're too. Our summer home. It's just a few hours out of town, but I'll be there all by myself. Just witness this crossbeard housekeeper. Oh, maybe they're right. Why don't you listen to them? Are you on their side too? No. When you're leaving. Right away. Edward is driving me out. I just slipped out to let you know. Here's the address and phone number of the place in case you want to reach me. Don't lose it. I won't. Well, what's new and exciting about the White Rose Killer? Our famous lover of flowers. We're still trying to track him down. I suppose I'll go looking for him at the flower show that's just opened. Oh, flower show just opened? Yeah. Well, goodbye now. I'll be seeing you. What flower is the flower show, please? Third floor, miss. Three, please.

23:21Third floor. Wish the rose display, please. To your left over there. See where the man in the gray coat is? In the gray coat? Oh, yes. Thank you. They are lovely, aren't they? Oh, you. You startled me. I'm sorry. I was just admiring the roses. Oh, yes. The nicest flowers here. I just can keep my eyes off them. Yes, you can feel that way about some flowers. That's the way I feel about White Rose. Have you been here long? I really don't know. I suppose so. You see, I've come here every day since the show opened. I like to be near the roses. The White Rose is. Those big ones are nice. No, I like the little ones best. The little tightly-cold rose button there. So, little and innocent. Oh, well, I really better be going. Are you going down? Yes.

24:22Down, please. Hear me, Si. I took a rose for you. Thank you. It's lovely. And would you get a have a drink with me? Yes, thank you. I know the little place a block or two down, man. They have nice music. We'll go there. All right. Whatever you say. This is it. Where's the music? Nickel in the jukebox does it. Any special sound you'd like? No. Go ahead and pick one. Okay. There it is. Oh, that's my favorite song.

25:22Reminds me of a girl I used to know. Oh, excuse me, I am. I want to part of my nose. I'll be right back. Do you mind? No, of course not. Heavens, police, please sing. Sergeant Thomas speaking. Hello. It's Terry Riley there. Just a moment, I'll see. Please, Terry. It's important. Oh, sorry, Miss. Terry Riley is not here just now. Oh, will you tell him that I can't keep that date with him? Goodbye. Do you always get a phone booth when you want to part of your nose? Why, I am. I have to make a call. Uh-huh. I'm afraid I'll have to leave you.

26:24Oh, wait. Let me come with you. I'm sorry, Miss, but I've got other things to do. Oh. What's the matter? That car. Some of the nose me. Let's get away from here. That's just what I'm going to do. So long, lady. Wait, wait. Please don't go. Mr. Gignette. Mr. Gignette. Miss Olly, Miss Gignette. I must speak to you for a minute. Oh, Edward. What do you want? I'm sorry, Miss. You better come with me at once. I've been looking for you everywhere. Your mother's been taking seriously ill. Mother? Where is she? She's out of country, please, Miss. I drove her there shortly before dinner. She wanted to pay you a surprise visit. Oh. I believe the shot of not finding you there, I'm safe, Miss. Is she very bad? She had the doctor, but I left. Mrs. Cosby has gone away for the day. Your mother needs you, Miss. Well, let's go. Hurry, Edward, please. Right, Miss. Where is mother, Edward? In the room, Miss. You better hurry. Mother. Mother. It's Ginny. Is the doctor in there with you?

27:26Mother. Why there's no one here. The room's empty. The bed hasn't been touched. Edward, what are you doing? Nearly paying a song is a favorite of mine. A favorite? Yes, Mr. Ginny. Where's mother? She's in the city. You lied to me. I'm afraid I did miss Virginia. Why? I'm afraid I did miss Virginia. Why? I'm afraid I miss Virginia. I'm afraid I miss Virginia. Why are you locking the door? You know why you miss Virginia. It...it can't be. You're not there. The white rose killer. But you see I am, Miss. Driving you and your family around day after day, sitting there right in front of you all the time. It was amusing to watch you hunting for me, hunting for someone you saw several times a day.

28:26It can't be. You're not insane. Of course not. Who said I was? Edward, you know I'm not the girl who betrayed you. Yes, I know who that. Well, they are not the door and let me out. Please, Edward. I've killed five times. I've never regretted it. I'm going to kill you, Miss Virginia. Why, Edward? Why? Because you've been so clever. Too clever. You made yourself look like her. The girl who deceived me. I could have killed you the day you first went out looking for me. But I had to be careful. I almost caught you that night at the waterfront. The night I dropped the white rose when that police car came. Edward, I... I've never done you any harm. Your sweetheart, Terry. He loves you, doesn't he? Yes. That's good. Because now you won't be able to deceive him like my girl deceived me. Keep away, Edward. Keep away, I'll... You thought you'd use your gun, eh?

29:27Well, don't think I was fool enough to overlook that. I took your gun out of your purse. It won't do you any good to kill me, Edward. I didn't have anything to do with it. No, and you're not going to have a chance to break another man's heart. Like she broke mine. Terry, Terry. Terry, Terry. It won't do you any good to call to him. He can't get in here without breaking down the door. Keep away from me. Terry. There's gonna be too late then. Because I'm going to kill you now. Terry! Let me get my hands on that pretty height. Keep away from me. Get me! Jimmy, are you all right? Yes, Terry. I'm all right. Take it easy. Here. Sit down. Oh, Terry, I was so scared. There was nobody here, but Edward and I. How... how did you know where I was?

30:28Oh, it was simple. He were supposed to meet me at the coffee shop. You never broke an appointment. When you didn't show up, I called a number. You gave me. You told me the housekeeper was here all the time. And when there was no answer, I got suspicious and came down. Besides, when I got a message down the headquarters, you had to break a date with me. I knew something was wrong. Are you sure you're all right? Yes, I... I'm... Terry! Look. On the floor beside Edward's. A white rose. It was to fall in out of his pocket. That was meant for me. Oh, Terry, it's... It's all crushed. Yeah. Crushed and dead. Just like the white rose killer.

31:28Oh, I love you. And so closes the white rose murders, starring Maureen O'Hara tonight's tale of suspense. This is your narrator, the man in black, who's speaking for Columbia. Hope you have enjoyed Miss O'Hara's performance and our play. Next week, because of a special broadcast of the old star baseball game, suspense will not be heard. But again, the following week, we will be back with another play on this series

32:32and more of your Hollywood favorites. The producer of these broadcasters, William Spear, who with Ted Bliss, the director, Bernard Herman, and Lucy and Marrowick, conductor and composer, and Cornel will reach the author, collaborated on tonight's suspense. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. This presentation of suspense, the white rose murders, is complete for now. Follow suspense for more classic broadcasts.

33:32Hey, it's Kelly Rowland. You may not know this, but I have Exama. So I get how it can steal your time. But why let Exama take over when you can talk to your doctor about Epglis? Epglis, Lebrichizmab, LBKZ. A 250-mg per 2-mg leader injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kg, with moderate to severe Exama. Also called a topic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin, or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. Epglis can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you are allergic to Epglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. I-problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have newer, worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis. Before starting Epglis, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Paid partnership with Lily. Respect your time. Ask your doctor about Epglis and visit Epglis.com or call 1-800-LilyRX or 1-800-545-5979. McDonald's is putting value back on the menu.

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