CBSRMT Episode Information Next Episode

Title

Free the Beast

Plot

Furtive conversations take place between an unseen entity and a patient of a sanitarium for the insane. A freak accident triggers a chain of events that lead to the discovery of her horrifying family secret.

Episode

0490

Air Dates

  • First Run - June 10, 1976
  • Repeat - September 26, 1976

Actors

Writer

Listen

Rating

94
77     17


5 Responses to Episode 0490

One of the better episodes I've heard so far...it has a spooky feel to it and kept me guessing until the very end. The last few seconds of Act 3 and the Epilogue appear to be missing/cut off, but it doesn't affect the resolution of the story.

Mike

An inmate of an insane asylum has conversations with an unseen visitor. When a fellow inmate dies in an "accidental" fall, a psychiatrist and a cop discover her horrible family secret.

S. Nismo

Staff at an asylum hear strange voices coming from a patient's room even though no one else is in the room. Another patient is in conflict with the resident and when she turns up dead, the investigation turns in an odd direction.

Dwight

A fairly good episode that makes you wonder if it's a supernatural tale or not, and you don't find out until the end which it is. As mentioned by Mike above the version that I listened to was likely the same with the file ending in last few seconds of Act 3, but not affecting the end of the story.

Alec

I rate this episode ★★★★★ for EXCELLENT. What’s great about this story, written by Ralph Goodman, is that it keeps you guessing if it’s supernatural or not. Even the ending was a big surprise. This kind of mystery would’ve been perfect if it was shown on THE NIGHT GALLERY. The episode’s title fits for this story. Another way to title this would be “Entering The 3rd Floor” or “The Locket.” In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall’s topic focuses on psychiatrists and a brief history of it in 1793. In ACT-1, meet our main character at the main location: Briarwood Sanitarium. As the story progresses with a mysterious voice, our Host questions to see if it’s making nightly visits to one particular patient. In ACT-2, an important reference to “The Malleus Maleficarum” (a.k.a. “The Hammer Of Withes”) that described the extermination of witches and demons. After a few turn of events in the story, including the murder of a patient, the doctor is convinced that his patient is not a murderer. In ACT-3, comparing the madness in this story with the madness from “Alice In Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. After the burning finale, our Host explained what happened from the Police Report. Truly, a surprising clue that no one saw coming. In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall finishes it off by questioning on Sanity and a quote by Carl Menger on his definition of “patient.” Excellent narrations from beginning to end. Sound effects of the thunderstorm, door latch, tableware clinking, tape recorder, door knocks, file folders, bell toll, footsteps, low howling wind, newspaper clippings, phone ringing, key lock, locket, car engine running, tires screech, police and fire sirens, and massive fire were helpful for this story. A lot of dramatic tunes were played in this tale and they worked well. Now onto our cast: Paul Hecht (as Doctor Paul Thurman), Marian Seldes (as Nurse Margaret Palmer), Joan Lovejoy (as Agatha Milford), and Ian Martin (as Detective Charles Connelly). Both of the actors were terrific. And both of the actresses were awesome! Joan Lovejoy, alone, was amazing in her role for playing a lonely patient and playing the mysterious voice that keeps that patient company. It’s one of Joan Lovejoy’s best performances on CBSRMT. Tune in to this if you enjoy mystery stories inside Sanitariums. SPECIAL BONUS: This episode has commercials/announcements of CBS Radio News, Greyhound services, Barbara Hale on the music from “The Bicentennial Album,” music from KIXI radio in Seattle, Budweiser, Wet Ones Hand Wipes, Mother Teresa on the Catholic Relief Services, Coffee Rich Creamer, US Dept. of Labor, Pat Summerall on True Value Hardware, the Mental Health Association, the 1976 Buick Century, the Leukemia Association, Aperitif Wine, Tunaverse, Howard Da Silva as Ben Franklin on Eyes, and Insurance Companies in phone books. Until next time…pleasant dreams.

Russell


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