Torin Thatcher

·1 hr 32 min·5 clips

British actor Torin Thatcher, known for villainous roles, stars in his sole Suspense episode about a mining engineer haunted by a fatal accident.

The episode begins with the host introducing Torin Thatcher, a British actor known for villainous roles in Hollywood films like The Crimson Pirate and Witness for the Prosecution. Thatcher made only one appearance on Suspense in the episode 'The Digger,' which aired on October 9, 1956. The host explains that this episode was atypical for Suspense, more suited to the defunct series Escape, likely because Anthony Ellis, former producer of Escape, now ran Suspense. 'The Digger' stars Thatcher as Fabian, an engineer in self-imposed exile after a mining accident that killed his entire crew. He is reluctantly recruited to return to the mine site, which is being reopened, facing obstacles like native taboos, rats, and a vengeful colleague. The drama features a strong performance from Thatcher, supported by actors like Parley Bear and Herb Butterfield. After 'The Digger,' the episode transitions to Thatcher's role in You Are There, a CBS educational series where news anchors report from historical events. Thatcher plays Mark Antony in an episode about the assassination of Julius Caesar, originally aired on April 24, 1949. This segment includes dramatic reenactments of Caesar's murder and Mark Antony's funeral oration, which incites the Roman crowd. Finally, the episode presents Thatcher in the CBS Radio Workshop, an innovative radio drama series. This segment is an adaptation of 14th-century Japanese Noh plays, featuring Thatcher in an ensemble cast with actors like William Conrad and Ben Wright. The story follows Lord Hojo no Tokiyori and his son on a pilgrimage, blending themes of sacrifice and redemption. The host concludes by promoting his other podcast, Down These Mean Streets, and encourages ratings and support. The episode includes vintage advertisements for products like Velveeta cheese, Pepto-Bismol, Roma Wines, and Swan soap, as well as a public service message about civil defense.

As heard by us

A mine-set old-radio suspense story whose rat-filled climb and grim finish are carried by Torrin Thatcher.

The Digger is a mine-set old-radio suspense story about exile and survival, with Torrin Thatcher giving Fabian a steady center. It keeps the shaft feeling tight and airless, and the rat-filled climb pushes the finish toward daylight with real menace.

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Why you'd press play

You get a rat-haunted mine, a British Hollywood lead, and old-radio suspense with teeth.

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