Radio Drama This Week: One Man, Two Voices, Makes for Compelling ‘Suspense’

Voice actor Karl Swenson in 1946.

Radio’s Superman, played by Clayton “Bud” Collyer, pulled off the transition from mild-mannered Clark Kent to the Man of Steel by deepening his voice. Although few could maintain dual pitches during a full show, voice actor Karl Swenson achieves it during this week’s episode of “Suspense,” heard Monday night over 97.9 WHAV FM.

Swenson plays twin brothers Mark and Tom. Tom is on death row for murder and Mark pays a visit. What could go wrong?

The actor played many roles on radio beginning in the 1930s, including roles on “Mercury Theater of the Air,” “Inner Sanctum Mysteries” and soap operas such as “Portia Faces Life” and “Our Gal Sunday.” His soap career continued on television, appearing on “The Edge of Night.” His final role was a guest appearance on “Little House on the Prairie” in 1978.

He was also the voice of Merlin in Walt Disney’s 1963 animation, “The Sword in the Stone.”

Swenson appears in “Five-Buck Tip,” Monday night at 10 with an encore presentation at 1 a.m.

Tonight, Saturday, March 31

Gunsmoke: “Fawn,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Sunday

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Twisted Twin Matter,” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Monday

Suspense (classic): “Five-Buck Tip,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Tuesday

Dimension X: “Nightmare,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Wednesday

Great Gildersleeve: Bronco and Marjorie Are Fighting, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Thursday

Our Miss Brooks: Stretch Accused of Professionalism, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Friday

Couple Next Door: Traffic Violations, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Saturday, April 6

Gunsmoke: “How to Kill a Friend,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Sunday

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Deadly Debt Matter,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

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