Murder Is a Matter of Opinion - Suspense | 08/20/1961 (Ep889)

This is episode 889 of Suspense, the legendary old-time radio drama series that ran from 1942 to 1962. 'Murder Is a Matter of Opinion' is a self-contained 24-minute episode from August 20, 1961, near the end of the show's run. As a standalone story, it features ordinary people caught in extraordinary, life-threatening situations—the hallmark of the series. The episode exemplifies what made Suspense renowned: gripping tales of mystery and psychological tension, delivered through tight scripting, atmospheric sound effects, and dramatic musical scoring. The show is famous for its twist endings and use of unreliable narrators, which likely play a role in this episode's exploration of how 'murder' can be subjective or interpreted differently depending on perspective. The episode would have been introduced by the show's iconic 'Man in Black' narrator, whose chilling opening—'Suspense! As quiet as fog creeping in on little cat feet…'—became legendary in radio drama history. The series featured guest stars of the caliber of Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Humphrey Bogart, though the specific cast for this episode is not detailed in the available notes. Suspense set the standard for later suspense and mystery programming, influencing shows like The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. This particular episode represents the show in its mature phase, after the format had expanded to accommodate longer narratives. The title 'Murder Is a Matter of Opinion' suggests a story that plays with perspective, morality, or the ambiguity of guilt and innocence—themes well-suited to the show's reputation for psychological tension and narrative complexity. As a 24-minute episode, it would be tightly paced to deliver maximum impact within its runtime, consistent with the show's known approach to scripting and structure.

Verdict: A classic entry in a legendary series known for psychological suspense and narrative innovation; the title promises thematic depth, and the show's track record suggests solid execution, though without hearing it, some uncertainty remains.

Fiction rubric

• Writing 4/5 20%

  Suspense was renowned for tight scripting and twist endings; the title suggests thematic sophistication about moral ambiguity, though the specific dialogue quality cannot be assessed from notes alone.

• Performance and production 4/5 20%

  The series is famous for atmospheric sound effects and dramatic scoring; the iconic opening and production values set a high standard, though specific acting quality for this episode is not documented.

• Plot momentum 4/5 15%

  Suspense was built on gripping tales and twist endings designed to pull listeners forward; the title suggests a narrative built on perspective shifts that would sustain tension.

• Substance 3/5 15%

  The show's format delivers self-contained stories with psychological depth, but without hearing the episode, substance cannot be fully verified; the title promises thematic exploration of moral ambiguity.

• Delivers on its title 4/5 15%

  The title 'Murder Is a Matter of Opinion' directly suggests exploration of subjective morality and perspective, which aligns with Suspense's known use of unreliable narrators and twist endings.

• Value for time 4/5 15%

  At 24 minutes, the episode fits the show's reputation for tight pacing; the format is designed to deliver maximum impact without filler, though specific pacing cannot be confirmed from notes.

How we score Fiction

Worth it if you appreciate vintage radio drama, psychological suspense, or want to experience the show that set the standard for later series like The Twilight Zone.

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.