Summary: Death By Plan (Aired November 16, 1948) John Dunning called Big Town "perhaps the most famous series of reporter dramas." Premiering over CBS Radio, the early series (there were two) starred the Hollywood actor Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson along with Clair Trevor as his sidekick and Society editor, Lorelei Kilbourne. The show was initially created around these two actors, though Trevor was then a young budding actress appearing in movies as well as radio. Producer-Director-Writer Jerry McGill had been a newspaperman and wrote the series about a crusading managing editor of the Illustrated Press. McGill took his show to heart writing stories about juvenile delinquency, drunk driving and racism, though the show was at worst melodramatic at best poignant. Hard-nosed editor, Wilson, as played by Robinson would get the story no matter what it takes. Though sometimes over the top, Robinson was excellent in his role. THIS EPISODE: November 16, 1948. NBC network. "Death By Plan". Sponsored by: Lifebuoy Soap, Rinso (Mercury-A-Day contest). Greg Barton strangles the prison psychiatrist and breaks out of jail...swearing revenge. High on his list of planned victims is Steve Wilson! Edward Pawley, Fran Carlon, Jerry McGill (writer, director). 30:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
