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Title

The Ninth Commandment

Plot

In a strange turn of events, a wealthy woman falls for a man who tries to break into her house. When he is later arrested for homicide, he sacrifices his freedom for the sake of keeping her safe.

Episode

1377

Air Dates

  • First Run - October 4, 1982
  • Repeat - December 20, 1982

Actors

Writer

Listen

Rating

59
53     6


9 Responses to Episode 1377

(which is: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor") A burglar breaks into the home of a wealthy aspiring politician, and discovers his wife...awake. She in turn discovers that the burglar is handsome, educated at Yale (yes, YALE :? ) and that she's falling in love with him. (This part of the episode, God help me, reminded me of a story I read in a lower-tier men's magazine in my younger, more foolish days.) A day or so later, her brother, a physician who is also a bit of a psychologist when it comes to understanding his sister, remarks that she's got such a happy glow that if he didn't know better he'd think she was having an affair. Her happiness is short lived, however, when it turns out that a woman in her condominium complex was murdered that same night, and the chief suspect, recently incarcerated, is her burglar paramour. The burglar's an ex-con, but the investigating officer (who knows him from his previous offense) also believes he's innocent, and that he knows someone who can prove he wasn't in the apartment where the murder takes place. Problem is, the suspect won't tell who that person who can confirm his innocence is, and she (with her husband's career in mind) certainly doesn't want to say anything, either. This one has a weird (IMHO) ending...

Sean Chelly Shawn

This is one of the weaker stories, with a ridiculous ending. It's too bad, since Michael Tolan and Teri Keane are so good in it. But for a Yalie, Dick, named so appropriately, is a genuine nimrod.

Zeezee1

Earl Hammond has a cool voice.

Scooter and greens

I enjoyed this epsisode because this episode talks about the 10 commandments. This burglar describes what the word thief means. This burglar talks about how his former classmates at Yale are thieves in a different way by being bankers,brokers,lawyers and politicians... Great episode and enjoyed it to the very end. The problem with this episode was the ending. Horrible ending. If every ending was predictable it would be boring. I still gave this episode 5 stars.

Don Heiland,Jr.

I rate this episode ★★★★★ for EXCELLENT. A terrific Drama-Mystery, written by Sam Dann, that adds Romance into the mix. The chemistry between the wealthy woman & the burglar was insightful. Here we have a woman, in a loveless marriage, who encounters a criminal who sticks to a Gentleman's Code. The best line he said was around the 5-minute mark: “The only time I ever place my hand on a woman, is at her invitation.” From that point on, the mystery story was building up to a good climax, but a sporadic resolution on how they met again. The title works, but a punchier title would be “Exodus 20:16” or better yet, call it “Smitten With A Criminal.” The sound effects of the jewelry at the dressing table, clock chiming at midnight, doors, rotary phones, door buzzer, newspaper, jail cell gate, and birds chirping were very useful in this. The music as well with its number of tunes to express suspense & distress. In our Host’s Prologue, Tammy Grimes brings up the 9th Commandment right away. In ACT-1, she quotes the “Venus and Adonis” poem by Shakespeare: “Love laughs at locksmiths” (which means love will find a way) which leads to introducing our main character on how she found real love. In ACT-2, Tammy Grimes points out that our main character is only guilty of an indiscretion. Later on, she points out that our leading lady holds her lover’s life in her hands. In ACT-3, she quotes a philosopher’s saying, “Truth is always in short supply and that is why it is used sparingly.” Not only that, she states that truth is stranger than fiction, but truth is often a stranger to us while fiction is familiar. In the end, she quotes John Green who quoted Francois Rabelais, “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” In her Epilogue, not only Tammy Grimes talked about the 9th Commandment again, but also talked about the “Silent Lies” that we keep to ourselves. This is one of Tammy Grimes’s best contributions as Host that explained the story to a T. Even the cast themselves played their parts to a T: Teri Keane (as Alicia Trademore), Michael Tolan (as Richard “Dick” Scott, Clayton, and the Judge), and Earl Hammond (as Dr. Joseph Bennett, Lieutenant Kaplan, and the Juror). Great roles for this great cast, especially to Teri Keane & Michael Tolan. The way they portrayed their characters was so good, I’d wish they played these parts on TV, in a Film, or on Stage. These 2 go together like CBSRMT actors Wesley Addy & Celeste Holm (Ep. #0094, #0097, and #0216). If you’re searching for a mystery episode that greatly affects characters’ emotions, this CBSRMT episode is one of them. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =^D

Russell

I loved this one! You can picture her hoity toity apartment so well. They do such a good job. He was a neat guy, and she was a lonley woman. I loved this episode.

Robert

Loved it also. I always enjoy the pairing of Michael Tolan and Teri Keane. I was satisfied with the ending.

Celine

Teri Keene was one of the best radio cryers! The ending was a surprise. The episode shows how not doing the right thing can truly stay with you forever.

Kim

Okay. Spoiler alert: It would have been more realistic if there had been a few weeks between their meeting and the eventual murder. More time to fall in love and the print would still be there The ending relied on the fictional depiction of people going insane. I have mental Illness in my family. It may have been more realistic and interesting to see how she could go on in life racked with guilt.

J Nicolosi


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