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Title

M-U-R-D-E-R

Plot

A couple spending an evening together decide to play with a Ouija board. When the planchette spells the word 'MURDER' over and over again, one of the men becomes extremely paranoid.

Episode

0554

Air Dates

  • First Run - November 25, 1976
  • Repeat - February 27, 1977

Actors

Writer

Listen

Rating

140
119     21


10 Responses to Episode 0554

I remember when CBSRMT was on KIXI here in Seattle before in moved to KIRO in 1977.

12th Man

Another GREAT episode from CBSRMT! I have absolutely no sympathy for the utterly grouchy & paranoid Max. I don't know how his wife,Helen could stand him! Max does get what he richly deserves at the end. He also sounds as though he has either emphysema or asthma, judging from his breathing.

Kristin

A pyschological drama with supernatural elements left open as a possibility. The story is somewhat engaging, but the acting spells out e.n.e.r.t.a.i.n.m.e.n.t.

Gwen

A pyschological drama with supernatural elements left open as a possibility. The story is somewhat engaging, but the acting spells out e.n.e.r.t.a.i.n.m.e.n.t.

Demi

Wonderful! A superb performance by Ralph Bell. M.U.D.E.R is a thrilling and engaging story with top notch acting all around. I've been recording episodes on CDR for my drive to work and had to sit in the car for a few minutes to hear the ending. Listening to jewels like this has made my commute actually enjoyable.

Roy

This is another amazing performance by Ralph Bell! He plays the part of Max, a sick psychopathic character, to perfection. His portrayal of Max was very realistic, three dimensional, scary and pathetic all at the same time. If anyone else had been doing this role, it might not have worked, but Ralph Bell is a very good actor and he plays villain roles especially well. I like Larry Haines too, but Ralph Bell totally made this episode!

Amy

Cbsrmt Has been part of my life for almost 40 yrs. My brothers and I use to sleep out on my fold's front porch. It's been an enjoyable part of my fond childhood memories. 47 and STILL LISTENING! Thank you. Cash

Cash Harris

Max Picket’s business is in shambles. His partner walked off with nearly $100,000 of the company’s funds and then, according to Max, committed suicide. While visiting their friends the Abbots one evening, Max and his wife, for fun, agree to work the ouija board Gwen Abbot recently bought at a garage sale. When the board spells out M-U-R-D-E-R, no one takes it seriously until later, when it predicts that Max will M-U-R-D-E-R three more people.

Adam

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. First things first, the Cast: Larry Haines (as Kyle Abbott), Ralph Bell (as Max Pickett), Teri Keane (as Helen Pickett), Marian Seldes (as Gwen Abbott), and Marian Hailey (as Maude Garth). These 5 were fantastic! Each of them played characters that were paranoid, stressed, and mystified of the current situation they were in. And Ralph Bell was superb in his antagonist role. Second up, Sound Effects & Music. The sounds of drinking glasses clinking, tableware clinking, doors, crickets, howling wind, phone buzzer, customers murmuring, door bells, dialing phone with buttons, birds chirping, piano playing at the Pub, Rotary phone ringing, Planchette moving, gun shots, light switch, smack of a bookend, police sirens, and tires screech were highly supportive in this. The music tunes CBSRMT used brought the suspense up as the story grew. But here are the 2 reasons why I rate this 4 of 5 stars. First up, Fielden Farrington’s script. It had a great plot and the characters that he created were likable, but it was predictable of who the murderer was in the group that created M-U-R-D-E-R. Also, the Resolution was missing. There’s a Climax, but the outcome on the other characters’ fates is unknown. A better ending would be if the Planchette moved on its own, spelled out more words on the Ouija Board, and shocking to discover that one of the other characters committed a deadly crime that was equivalent to the murderer’s actions. The title that Fielden Farrington used was catchy, another way to title it would be “A Deadly Spelling Game.” And the 2nd reason, our Host. E.G. Marshall begins his Prologue about sinister happenings and circumstances. In ACT-1, explain that the future is mercifully hidden. After the first Act, with the Ouija Board as the main prop, our Host doesn’t take it seriously because he sees himself as a fence-sitter (someone who is neutral on an issue). In ACT-2, the Ouija Board cries out M-U-R-D-E-R without an explanation. Afterwards, he explains the human mind can both serve us well and serve us ill, but could lead to madness and then lead to M-U-R-D-E-R. In ACT-3, Civilization vs. Chaos and a need for a code of behavior. After the finale, E.G. Marshall states he has no air tight case on Ouija Boards. In his Epilogue, no Resolution again. Only the whereabouts of the Ouija Board that it’s still kept, even the some of the words are painted in red. His narrations on murder were effective, but his conclusions on the matter should have built up. All in all, this episode is still entertaining with a great cast. And when you add a Ouija Board into the mix, it’s definitely going to be an amusing mystery story. And check out #0847-DEATH SPELL for it also has a Ouija Board in it. Until next time…pleasant dreams.

Russell

I remember this one from when I was a kid listening mostly at 11:07 p.m. Not sure if I just sat up late on this one even if it was a school night or what, but the Oujia spelling M-U-R-D-E-R stands out. Some evenings I was able to catch it maybe around 7 p.m. via WWL in New Orleans, but this was definitely a late-night one.

SidneyW


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