Suspense – “Mr. Diogenes” (Apr 26, 1945)

Suspense – “Mr. Diogenes” (Apr 26, 1945)

Some killers hide in shadows. Others stand in plain sight, cloaked by charm and wit. In “Mr. Diogenes,” a clever con man adopts the name of the ancient Greek philosopher — famed for his search for an honest man — but his own honesty is the last thing anyone should believe in. When his games of deception entangle him in blackmail, theft, and murder, it becomes clear that Diogenes may have finally conned himself into a corner too tight to escape.

First aired April 26, 1945, “Mr. Diogenes” is a stellar example of Suspense’s ability to twist philosophy and crime into a half-hour morality play. What begins as a story of a man living by his wits becomes a tale of betrayal, irony, and poetic justice — the very hallmarks that kept listeners glued to CBS week after week.

Cast & Production

Produced by William Spier, the “master of mystery” who shaped Suspense’s golden reputation.

Scored with sly, nervous energy by Lucien Moraweck, giving the story a nervous heartbeat beneath its dialogue.

Featuring Paul Lukas, Academy Award-winning actor (Watch on the Rhine), whose continental elegance made him ideal for playing a suave trickster.

Why It Matters
“Mr. Diogenes” demonstrates that Suspense wasn’t limited to ghost stories or straight crime. It could balance wit and menace, reminding listeners that even the most urbane crook eventually meets the same fate: a trap of their own making. The title itself is ironic — Diogenes searched for truth; this Diogenes runs from it.

Bobby Jay’s Take
I love how this one plays with layers. On the surface, it’s a con game. Underneath, it’s a philosophical wink: you can pretend to be Diogenes, but when the lamp shines on you, the truth will still be revealed. That’s classic Suspense irony — and it lands as hard now as it did in ’45.

Presented by OTA Music Group as part of B4TV: Before Television — preserving the theatre of the mind for a new generation of listeners.