CBSRMT Episode Information Next Episode

Title

I Am the Killer

Plot

The head of obstetrics in a 19th century hospital works to discover the cause of the high fatality rate during labor despite their technological advancement compared to the local midwives.

Episode

1309

Air Dates

  • First Run - March 31, 1982
  • Repeat - July 1, 1982

Actors

Writer

Listen

Rating

68
58     10


10 Responses to Episode 1309

"I am the Killer" was a really fascinating mystery. When listening, I actually switched the "killer" in this episode. The only issue I had with this episode is that English characters should have English accents--the actors sounded like they were from Florida. That said, it was still a good listen. 4 stars.

DAVY JOE

Great show

gina schackel

Great prformance, great show.

david

I rate this episode ★★☆☆☆ for BELOW AVERAGE. I'll start off on what I did LIKE. First, the script. Sam Dann wrote a good Drama-Mystery that had a lot of character development. However, at the beginning of the episode right after the Prologue where we get to hear a sample of what kind of mystery we'll be listening to, the main actor who plays the main character reveals himself as "The Killer." It spoiled the suspense and the climax wasn't going to be exciting. A better title for this would be "Division One" because that's where the majority of mystery was located at. Another thing I liked was our cast: Keir Dullea (as Dr. Ignatz Semmelweis), Lloyd Battista (as Dr. Johann Ciari and Reverend Father), Mandel Kramer (as Dr. Klein), and Evie Juster (as Vera and Sister Margaret). Each of them brought their characters to life and all 4 of them have done great CBSRMT episodes before, but their characters weren't momentous enough. Fans of CBSRMT will remember characters from #0367-THE SUMMER PEOPLE, #0417-THE RED FRISBEE, #0591-THE WHITE WOLF, #0736-THE THERAPEUTIC CAT, and #0957-HICKORY, DICKORY, DOOM. But not much on these characters though. The "ghastly" music that played numerous of times was appropriate. But the sounds effects? Where were they? The only 2 sound effects you get to hear are the orchestra music and a bell dinging and that only happens the first Act. And as for our Host…I'd say "so-so." In her Prologue, Tammy Grimes talks about the context of "Do Not Disturb" sign, which could be confusing to CBSRMT listeners because we don't know where this topic is going. In ACT-1, she mentions that the greatest detectives are doctors & scientists who learn the human psyche and human body. But then in ACT-2, she mentions the phrase "you can't fight city hall." Once again, confusing because it's a mystery as to how that's connected to our story. In ACT-3, after the killer reveals himself, Tammy Grimes mentions that people prefer the darkness to the light. I suppose that make sense because it gives the CBSRMT listeners to think about for finding themselves. In her Epilogue, she tells us the Resolution on what happened to our main character. Tammy Grimes wasn't a bad host, but this kind of mystery story should've been given to E.G. Marshall to narrate. E.G. Marshall narrates episodes like a metaphysician, but Tammy Grimes…that's a mystery I can't figure out. Tune in to this episode if you enjoy mystery stories involving doctors. Until next time…pleasant dreams.

Chris

I don’t know how Sam Dann got the idea to write this Fantasy-Mystery, but it is one of his best stories for CBSRMT. There was action, drama, romance, and science fiction put together. The Title fits, but alternate titles could work. Like “Kill The Messenger” because that’s what our Protagonist did. Or “Planet Serenity” because that’s where our main character is from. Or even call it “Kill For Peace” because that’s the plot: an alien hired to assassinate a tyrant to bring Earth amity. The sound effects of the rapid gun fire, jail cell gate, footsteps, traffic noise, pages of the calendar, straps, and more gun fire were suitable. Less sound effects than a regular CBSRMT episode would have, but it didn’t matter because the words from each characters’ dialogue would put fans on the edge of their seats. A lot of music was put into this. Epic tracks in ACT-1, pensive themes in ACT-2, and suspenseful tunes in ACT-3. In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall starts it off by quoting Edward Young who said, “The future seems to me no unified dream but a mince pie, long in the baking, never quite done.” Now THAT is a good intro; quoting poets/dramatists that would allow radio listeners to think outside the box. In ACT-1, he mentions Daedalus: the ancient Greek inventor; which is good because it connects with this story. Later on, our Host mentions the definition of “Program” which is defined in one way and in Noah Webster’s way. In Act-2, he quotes Winston Churchill on Russia: “It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” That quote fits for this story because The Golden Girl is truly an enigma. At the end of the 2nd Act, his words were spellbound: “Without thought, we fear. Without reason, we hate. Without mercy, we kill.” Powerful words written by Sam Dann, spoken by E.G. Marshall. In ACT-3, he quotes Joseph Conrad from his HEART OF DARKNESS novella: “The mind of man is capable of anything—because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future.” In the end, our Host points out the Serenity is perhaps an idea/challenge/way of life, instead of a place. In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall mentions Optimists & Pessimists on how they see things. Our Host’s narrations can leave CBSRMT fans astonished. Speaking of astonishing, our cast: Earl Hammond (as Arthur M. Stillman & Elwood), Gordon Heath (as Messenger Lawrence & the Elder), and Evie Juster (as Raya & the News Reporter). I’d give a standing ovation to all 3; Earl Hammond for performing humble, Gordon Heath for acting epic, and Evie Juster for carrying out her dainty voice. SPECIAL NOTE: Himan Brown plays the Prison Lieutenant in the final scene. If you’re searching for mystery tales about Assassins, this particular one is a must-listen-to-story. A female assassin that is “out of this world.”

Russell

While I see what Russell is saying on most of his points for some reason I still liked this one! The story to me was very interesting and makes me wonder how accurate it was to history. Something so simple yet so crucial was the solution! (No pun intended) Check this one out!

Chris

I was at Vista, Ca KNX 9:06 I would record shows to listen later or listen live if I went to bed that early.

Javis

I would like to add I first 'discovered' MRT while driving to Texas from California on family vacation, somewhere in Arizona, New Mexico from a Denver station.

Jarvis

Great episode. Worth listening to again and again.

ZipperBook

Great show!

Adam


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