Suspense – “Consideration” (Feb 17, 1949)

Suspense – “Consideration” (Feb 17, 1949)

A stranger’s kindness can be a gift… or a trap. In “Consideration,” a seemingly innocent favor spirals into a deadly bargain. A man accepts help when he needs it most, only to discover that his benefactor expects payment in a currency far more costly than money. The story unfolds in that classic Suspense fashion — a slow tightening of the noose until the true price of “consideration” is revealed.

First broadcast on February 17, 1949, this episode exemplifies Suspense’s gift for turning ordinary interactions into life-or-death struggles. A simple gesture — a ride, a loan, a place to stay — becomes the pivot point for betrayal, coercion, and possibly murder. Listeners who tuned in expecting a polite parable quickly found themselves tangled in a nightmare of obligation and fear.

Cast & Production

Produced by William Spier, who made everyday dilemmas into dramas that chilled the nation.

Scored by Wilbur Hatch, whose orchestral swells carried the weight of dread as tension mounted.

Featuring Joseph Cotten, Hollywood leading man (The Third Man, Citizen Kane), whose easy charm was perfect for blurring the line between friend and predator.

Why It Matters
“Consideration” is one of those episodes that reminds us how Suspense didn’t always need elaborate settings or supernatural tricks. The scariest stories come from human behavior — how trust can be twisted, how kindness can mask cruelty, and how easy it is to become trapped in someone else’s game. It’s this brand of psychological realism that made the series both relatable and haunting.

Bobby Jay’s Take
This episode hits because it feels real. We’ve all accepted help and later wondered what strings were attached. Suspense pushes that unease to its breaking point — showing how quickly “thanks” can turn to “terror.” It’s a perfect example of how the series found horror in the everyday.

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