This Week’s Radio Drama: Dehner Stars in Thurber’s ‘A Friend to Alexander’

John Dehner stars in “Suspense,” Tuesday night over 97.9 WHAV FM.

Writer and cartoonist James Thurber’s dark tale, “A Friend to Alexander,” is dramatized on “Suspense,” Tuesday night over 97.9 WHAV FM.

Starring John Dehner, the adaptation of Thurber’s 1942 short story tells the story of a man who dreams he is a friend of Alexander Hamilton and his enemy is Aaron Burr. The story builds on the real-life rivalry of the two men. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hamilton was shot dead by sitting Vice President Burr in a pistol duel in 1804.

The “Suspense” episode from 1956 is the third time the series would feature the story. It first aired Aug. 3, 1943 and again June 15, 1944. “A Friend to Alexander” was published as part of Thurber’s “My World—and Welcome to It.”

By 1956, the CBS series relied on a company of stock actors. Besides Dehner, familiar radio actors Joseph Kearns, Charlotte Lawrence, Victor Rodman, Paula Winslowe, Miriam Wolfe and Ben Wright also appear.

Radio Drama This Week

Sunday, Nov. 4

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Moonshine Matter,” Part 2, Box 13: “Book of Poems,” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Monday

Suspense (modern): “A Question of Fear” (new); Suspense (classic): “Double Identity,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Tuesday

Dimension X: “The Man in the Moon;” Suspense (classic): “A Friend to Alexander,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Wednesday

Great Gildersleeve: Gildy vs. Golf; Suspense (classic), “Hold-Up,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Thursday

Our Miss Brooks: School psychologist; Suspense (classic): “Security Agent,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Friday

Couple Next Door: Old flame Marsha comes to visit; Suspense (classic): “A Case of Identity,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Saturday

Gunsmoke: “Trojan War;” Haunting Hour: “Destination Unknown,” Saturday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Sunday, Nov. 11

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Deep Down Matter,” Part 2, Box 13: “The Great Torino,” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.