Summary: The Red Mark (Aired February 21, 1950) Escape was radio's leading anthology series of high adventure, airing on CBS from July 7, 1947 to September 25, 1954. Since the program did not have a regular sponsor like Suspense, it was subjected to frequent schedule shifts and lower production budgets, although Richfield Oil signed on as a sponsor for five months in 1950. Despite these problems, Escape enthralled many listeners during its seven-year run. The series' well-remembered opening combined Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain with this introduction, as intoned by Paul Frees and William Conrad: “Tired of the everyday grind? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you... Escape!” THIS EPISODE: February 21, 1950. CBS network. "The Red Mark". Sustaining. At a French penal colony in New Caledonia, Monsieur De Nou, the island's sadistic executioner, is about to guillotine a young pick-pocket accused of manslaughter. De Nou regards the pick-pocket as his rival for the affections of his own, purchased bride, named Zelie. He has framed the young man for the crime. As the blade falls, De Nou discovers something extraordinary... (description written by Kristin Kramer). Harry Bartell, William Conrad, Paul Frees, Will Geer, Barbara Whiting, Junius Matthews, John Russell (author), Les Crutchfield (adaptor), James Poe (adaptor), William N. Robson (director). 1/2 hour. 30:04. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
