WILLIAM CONRAD TRIBUTE

Written and Produced by

John F. Barber

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
©2025 Re-Imagined Radio. All rights reserved (except those granted by the Creative Commons license)

Re-Imagined Radio
Season 10, Episode 05

Final draft

"William Conrad Tribute"
Season 10, Episode 05 of Re-Imagined Radio
Curated by John F. Barber

Broadcast date = 20 June 2022

EPISODE SYNOPSIS
Re-Imagined Radio pays tribute to William Conrad, one of the best radio voice actors we've ever heard. We sample from "The Abominable Snowman," the September 13, 1953 episode of Escape, and "Bloody Hands," the April 2, 1955 episode of Gunsmoke. Both showcase Conrad's million dollar voice. Both are great radio stories as well.

COLD OPEN
SFX: SAMPLE FROM "BLOODY HANDS"
TRANSITION TO . . .
SFX: SAMPLE FROM "THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN"
NAHSONG
. . . the Yeti are cannibals. That is why the porters are afraid. . . . 
Boy, that thing sure can climb.
PAUL
Hold up! (PAUSE) Allen? Hold it!
ALLEN
I think the... (BLOOD CURDLING YELL, AS HE FALLS INTO DEEP CANYON)
PAUL
(NARRATING) And he dropped out of sight over the lip of the crevasse. We weren't roped together. (PAUSE, STRUGGLING) I got as close as I dared to the edge. The loose snow crumbled away from my outstretched body. And I looked down into the blue-black darkness below, falling away into nothingness. (PAUSE) He was gone...finished. 
MUSIC: RIR THEME, FADE IN, UP, AND THEN OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING
SFX: ANNOUNCER OPEN
ANNOUNCER
Welcome to Re-Imagined Radio, a program about radio storytelling. I’m Jack Armstrong. With each episode we combine dialogue, sound effects, and music to engage your listening imagination. This episode is no different, and here to tell you about it is John Barber, producer and host.
MUSIC: RIR THEME, BRIEF REPRISE
HOST OPEN
HOST
Thank you Jack . . . hello everyone . . . and welcome to Re-Imagined Radio. This episode pays tribute to William Conrad, one of the best radio voice actors we've ever heard.
Conrad himself estimated that he voiced more than 7,500 roles in his radio career. Many of these were solid supporting roles, but Conrad literally defined two radio programs with his distinctive voice: Gunsmoke and Escape.
Escape featured a wide range of stories—from science fiction to horror to murder mysteries—and was radio's leading anthology of adventure drama from 1947 to 1954.
The formula behind each episode of Escape was to place its actors in physical, psychological, or emotional situations from which there seemed to be no escape. The conflicts were carefully crafted and made for compelling, visceral drama that could be felt and internalized by listeners. Radio historians estimate that more than two hundred fifty episodes of Escape were produced. Conrad hosted and/or starred in 90 of those episodes.
He began each episode with an invitation to listeners . . .
SFX: ESCAPE OPENING 1
"TIRED OF THE EVERYDAY GRIND? EVER DREAM OF A LIFE OF ROMANTIC ADVENTURE? WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL? WE OFFER YOU... ESCAPE!"
HOST
And then the episode was underway, with Conrad unfolding its tale of life and death situations and violent twists of fate. As radio historian John Dunning described the results, "Within five minutes, Escape listeners were literally up to their earlobes in alligators."
For our William Conrad tribute we'll listen to an episode of Escape entitled "The Abominable Snowman," written and directed by Antony Ellis and first broadcast September 13, 1953. In this episode Conrad leads an expedition up the slopes of Mount Everest searching for the legendary Mea-TOE KAM-aye (Metoh-Kangmi), a mysterious half-man, half-ape creature reported by mountain climbing parties. Conrad and his partners find themselves in a situation from which there seems no escape. Conrad's narration is letter perfect. Let's listen to "The Abominable Snowman" . . .
ACT #1: "THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN"
MUSIC: ESCAPE DRAMATIC MUSIC
CROSSFADE TO
SFX: "THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN" OPENING, PART 1, PART 2, AND PART 3
ANNOUNCER
You are high on the frozen slopes of a great mountain. Terrified, and caught in a blizzard. While the thing for which you've been hunting has suddenly become the hunter. And if it finds you... then, for you, and your companions, there can be no escape!
MUSIC: (LONG BRIDGE INTO..)
PAUL
Our first bit of luck was when we hired our Sherpa guide, Nah-song. That was in Darjeeling. When I told Nahsong what we were after, he hesitated for a moment, and then he said...
NAHSONG
Thee sahibs have not come to climb Shahm-a-loma?
PAUL
No...we're a little late for that. It's already been done. The other two sahibs and myself are here for the reason I told you.
NAHSONG
Metocamee?
PAUL
That's right.
NAHSONG
The Sahibs always hire me to climb the mountain with them. But. . . never this!
PAUL
Are you afraid of 'em?
NAHSONG
I have seen one.
PAUL
You've seen one?
NAHSONG
Yes! Many of us have seen them.
SFX: CHAIR PULLED BACK. FOOTSTEPS BEGIN ON HARDWOOD FLOOR.
PAUL
Wait a minute-
SFX: FOOTSTEPS ACROSS FLOOR, DOOR OPENS
PAUL
Allen?
ALLEN
Yeah?..what's up?
PAUL
I'm interviewing a Sherpa in here. He says he's seen one of the things. Where's Frank?
ALLEN
Went out to get some tobacco.
PAUL
Well, come on in. I think this is our man.
ALLEN
Alright.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS.. DOOR CLOSES.. FOOTSTEPS
PAUL
Nahsong!... this is Mr. Ferris.
ALLEN
Hello, Nahsong.
NAHSONG
Hallo.
PAUL
Nahsong was telling me about what he'd seen... .Go ahead, Nahsong.
NAHSONG
It has a face that is evil! And when it saw me, it uttered a strange cry, and bounded away. Sometimes leaping, sometimes running, with great strides. It was dusk...and after a moment I lost sight of it in the snow.
PAUL
Where were you?
NAHSONG
With the French expedition. It was at nineteen thousand feet. On Sham-a-looma
ALLEN
(WHISTLES) How far were you from it?
NAHSONG
Uhhhmm . . . thirty feet . . . perhaps thirty five.
PAUL
You're sure it wasn't an ape?
NAHSONG
I am sure. There is no ape in the Himalaya, to make such a track.
ALLEN
What about bears?
NAHSONG
This, too, I have been asked. But does a bear walk always upon its hind legs?
PAUL
Well, that's enough for me. (PAUSE) Allen?
ALLEN
Yeah, he'll do.
PAUL
Well, if you want the job, Nahsong, you're hired.
NAHSONG
You are going to try to capture a Yeti?
PAUL
Yes.
NAHSONG
It will be a difficult thing. (PAUSE) But... I will serve with you.
MUSIC: BRIDGE AND UNDER
PAUL
(NARRATING) YETI. . . WILD MAN. . . METOCAHMEE. ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN! That's the names the natives had for the things, and Allen Ferris, Frank Davis and I were going to try to get one. We'd all done some climbing, but climbing was secondary here. Expeditions since the beginning of the twentieth century had heard of the Abominable Snowman, observed their tracks, and one or two white men claimed to have seen them. Great ape? Bear? Monkey? Wild men? We didn't know . . . but we were going to find out!
MUSIC: BRIDGE AND UNDER
PAUL
(CONTINUING NARRATING) Four weeks later, we were in the Rangbok valley for our interview in the Monastary with the Lama. The journey from our base had been uneventful, the weather was good, and our spirits were high. From the Lama's window we could see the great peak of Everest in the distance . . ..
LAMA
Why, gentlemen, do you desire to capture Metocahmee?
PAUL
Because, sir, we believe it will be an invaluable aid in our prehistoric research...that is...if these things are, in any way, human.
LAMA
And. .for this reason, then, you have formed the expedition?
PAUL
Yes.
LAMA
You are all familiar with climbing?
PAUL
Yes, we are.
LAMA
You would need to be. The Yeti move at high places. Dangerous places, so my people tell me. Also...the monsoons are arriving in a short time.
PAUL
I understand that. (PAUSE) Then, do we have your permission to investigate in the valley and beyond?
LAMA
You have my permission, now.
ALLEN
We appreciate it.
LAMA
There is one point, however. I must request that no wild animal, or being, in this valley be shot. Our religion does not allow it.
PAUL
We'll respect your wishes, sir. Now, may I ask you one more thing?
LAMA
Of course, my son.
PAUL
Do you believe in the existence of Metocahmee?
LAMA
I, myself, have never seen them...but I know that they live here, above the valley, on the Goddess Mother of The World. It is also true that perhaps five, and possibly more, inhabit the upper Rongbok and its glaciers.
PAUL
Thank you.
LAMA
Do you have porters?
ALLEN
Our guide, Nahsong, is hiring them now.
LAMA
Ahhh...I trust that he meets with good fortune.
MUSIC: BRIDGE AND UNDER
PAUL
(NARRATING) The old man...with great dignity...bowed slightly to us and we were dismissed. But I thought I saw the shadow of a smile on his lips as he turned away. And it wasn't long before I found out why. (PAUSE) Nahsong returned to us in our quarters, and his face warned of bad news.
NAHSONG
Sir...I am unable to hire any porters!
PAUL
But why not?
NAHSONG
They know the purpose of the expedition. They...will not go.
ALLEN
Why?
NAHSONG
They are afraid.
ALLEN
Of the Snowman?
NAHSONG
Yes! (PAUSE) They live in peace with them. They wish no trouble. They are afraid.
PAUL
Well. . . alright! It'll be rough, but we can't waste time talking them into it. The monsoons will be coming in a couple of weeks. It's not the same as climbing Everest. We'll travel light...just the four of us...set up a base and start hunting. Alright with you fellas?
VOICES
Yeah...sure... okay...
PAUL
Nahsong?
NAHSONG
I will go with you. I am not afraid.
PAUL
Good! That's it.
SFX: SCRAPING OF CHAIR, FOOTSTEPS ON FLOOR.
PAUL
Now lets take a look at the map.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE
SFX: MAP UNFOLDING
PAUL
Now, we'll each carry a capacity load.. .and we should be able to make...this point below the glacier in two days. That's sixteen thousand feet. And if our Abominable Snowmen are in the vicinity, we've got two weeks to find them.
FRANK
And when'll we start?
PAUL
Tomorrow!
ALLEN
Good.
PAUL
Well!... That's it.
SFX: ROLLING UP MAP
FRANK
Uh, Paul?
PAUL
Yes, Frank?
FRANK
One thing...Uh, what do the natives mean when they say they don't want any trouble with the things?
PAUL
Oh, superstition, probably.
NAHSONG
Oh, no, sir! It is not superstition. It is because the Yeti are cannibals. That is why the porters are afraid.
MUSIC: BRIDGE
PAUL
(NARRATING) The weather turned ugly the day we left the village. A cold Tibetan wind blew down from the west, and with our heavy packs, it took us much longer than we'd thought, to arrive at the point just below the Rongbok Glacier.
SFX: LIGHT WIND BEGINS
PAUL
(NARRATING) We set up our camp and made ourselves as comfortable as we could. (pause) The next morning wasn't so bad. There was a heavy overcast, a promise of snow... and the peak of Everest looming over us, was shrouded in clouds. The four of us sat in the tent, looking at our charts and drinking hot tea.
SFX: TEA CUPS, SPOON, POURING. . .
FRANK
Uh, I figure it'd be easiest if we started at the East Glacier. It's only about three miles from here, and with the weather as stinking as it is, we won't run too much of a risk. (PAUSE) Whad'ya think, Paul?
PAUL
Well, that sounds alright. (PAUSE) Whato do you say we split up? (DRINKING) Uhh, you and Nahsong, Allen and me? We'll work up on either side of the ridge...here. (MAP SOUNDS) And if we spot any tracks, fire two shots,huh?
FRANK
Yeah, good enough.
PAUL
And the big thing...no matter what!...don't shoot at the thing, if you do see it. (PAUSE) Okay?
FRANK
Okay.
PAUL
All right. If we lose touch with each other, we'll meet back here at five. (PAUSE) All right...let's get going!
MUSIC: BRIDGE
SFX: LIGHT WIND...WHICH WILL SOON INCREASE...
PAUL
(NARRATING) We'd left the base at six that morning, and the going was rough. Allen was pretty well shot by the time we got to the seventeen thousand foot mark. He was having a tough time breathing. (PAUSE) And the wind had come up again. And with it, a fine, powdery snow that blinded and choked us.
SFX: HEAVY WIND NOW, THE MEN BREATH & GASP HARD. FOOTSTEPS ON CRUNCHY SNOW
ALLEN
Hey! I gotta take five.
PAUL
All right. (PAUSE) Here, move over here. It might cut some of the wind.
SFX: HEAVY WIND, AND OHHH...OHHH, UH...STRUGGLES WITH; FOOTSTEPS ON SNOW
ALLEN
Whew... that's better..
PAUL
Well, we might as well start back for the base. We couldn't see anything in this anyhow..
ALLEN
Right now, I don't care whether we do, or not.
PAUL
Ehh, this is good weather! Wait until the monsoons start.
ALLEN
Nah! Nah! Not me! (NOISES) Cold! I never been so cold in all my life!
MUSIC: BRIDGE
SFX: LIGHTER WIND
PAUL
(NARRATINIG) We stayed in the half-shelter of an overhang for ten minutes, and the wind was quieter and the snow had let up. I noticed that the tracks we had made coming into the shelter were gone now, but we didn't have any worry finding our way back. I figured that Frank and Nahsong had met pretty much the same thing on their side of the ridge, and we'd meet them at the base. So, Allen and I picked ourselves up and started off.
SFX:(WIND UP, SNOW CRUNCHING...)
ALLEN
(REALLY STRUGGLING...) Boy...I...I thought I was in pretty good shape but...up here...boy, I'm not! Ohh...Paul, I'm tired again.
PAUL
Well, we'll just take it easy going down.
ALLEN
Alright.
PAUL
You haven't got frostbite, have you?
ALLEN
No... .no, not yet, but ... I..uhh...
PAUL
What?
ALLEN
To the left, there...
PAUL
Yea...
ALLEN
They're ... they're not our tracks, are they?
PAUL
Not unless you took your boots off on the way up.
ALLEN
Musta ... just passed by. (PAUSE) Musta seen us.
PAUL
Yeah. (PAUSE) Come on!
MUSIC: BRIDGE
PAUL
(NARRATING) We were looking at a set of tracks, newly made in the fresh snow. And they'd passed so close to our shelter that the thing must have known we were there. (PAUSE) They weren't the tracks of a bear. Or an ape. But more like a splay-footed, naked foot. (PAUSE) The tracks of The Abominable Snowman!
MUSIC: BRIDGE
HOST
This is Re-Imagined Radio with our tribute to William Conrad. By his own estimates, Conrad's unmistakable voice appeared in over 7,500 radio programs. We are listening to "The Abominable Snowman," an episode of Escape. We will hear the conclusion of this story in just a moment.
MUSIC: RIR BREAK UNDER
BREAK #1--FUSEBOX
HOST
This is John Barber, producer and host of Re-Imagined Radio. We partner with other radio programs, producers, and actors to bring you a variety of radio storytelling. One example is The Fusebox Show. Freeform, but focused, appropriate for all age groups and audiences, Fusebox shares observations and reactions to events that both stir our imagination and boil our blood. Here's a sample . . .
SFX: THE FUSEBOX SHOW TEASER
HOST
Learn more at The Fusebox Show website, www dot thefuseboxshow dot com.
MUSIC: RIR THEME,FADE OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING
HOST
This is Re-Imagined Radio with our tribute to William Conrad whose deep, resonant voice was heard in numerous supporting roles and in two series his voice literally defined: Gunsmoke and Escape.
We are listening to Conrad narrate "The Abominable Snowman," an episode of Escape, first broadcast in 1953. Fresh footprints have just been found in the snow. They must have been made by Mea-TOE KAM-aye, the mysterious half-man half-ape creature reported to live on the slopes of Mount Everest. Let's continue listening to "The Abominable Snowman" . . .
SFX:"THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN" PART 4
MUSIC: BRIDGE
PAUL
(NARRATING) We began to follow the tracks. And for awhile, perhaps a hundred and fifty yards, it was easy. And then the thing made a leftward traverse down a deep slope. We could see the prints clearly, angling with a sidestep, as sure-footed as a mountain goat. Except...that it was walking on two legs.
SFX: WIND, FOOTSTEPS IN SNOW
ALLEN
(OFF MIKE) This way, Paul.
PAUL
Take it easy, Allen!
ALLEN
(OFF MIKE) Getting steeper. Boy, that thing sure can climb.
PAUL
Hold up! (PAUSE) Allen? Hold it!
ALLEN
I think the... (BLOOD CURDLING YELL, AS HE FALLS INTO DEEP CANYON)
PAUL
(NARRATING) And he dropped out of sight over the lip of the crevasse. We weren't roped together. (PAUSE, STRUGGLING) I got as close as I dared to the edge. The loose snow crumbled away from my outstretched body. And I looked down into the blue-black darkness below, falling away into nothingness. (PAUSE) He was gone...finished. (PAUSE) All I could think of was the noise he had made when he went over: surprised... angry...then silence. The crevasse might have been five hundred feet, or five thousand. (PAUSE) Snow started to fall again. Big flakes this time, and wet. I stood up. Across the gap, twenty feet away, I saw the tracks of the thing, continuing on and away, until they became lost in blank whiteness of the glacier. It had jumped and landed, still upright on the opposite side. (PAUSE) I went back to the base, and an hour later Frank and Nahsong returned. I told them. And we were quiet for a long time. Then...
FRANK
Paul...we going out again tomorrow?
PAUL
Why not?
FRANK
I just wondered.
NAHSONG
We should go back! It is an omen!
PAUL
(SOMEWHAT FORCEFULLY) I tell you he was going too fast. He didn't have a chance to see the crevasse. That's not an 'omen', it's bad sense.
NAHSONG
Metocahmee cannot be caught.
PAUL
We'll catch him!
FRANK
Yeah, but there are only three of us. If we had a few more men...
PAUL
(STILL SOMEWHAT FORCEFULLY) I tell you, the thing was so close, if we'd looked up at the time, we'd have seen it! Do you think I'm gonna give up now. Next time we'll get it!
FRANK
(QUIETLY) There was...no chance to get Allen out?
PAUL
No.
FRANK
Do you think if we went back, we...
PAUL
(MORE FORCEFULLY) Listen! Do you think I don't want to? He's gone! I tried...but he's gone!
FRANK
Okay! Paul...okay.. (PAUSE) Wish that wind would let up...
PAUL
Maybe by morning. (PAUSE) We'll try again tomorrow.
SFX: WIND, UP, THEN DUCKS UNDER
PAUL
(NARRATING) It was cold that night. And somehow colder, because Allen was gone. I heard Frank tossing around and I knew he was thinking about... a body... broken and lonely, lost somewhere in a deep, and dark place. (PAUSE) In the morning, the three of us packed our gear, camera, food -- it was a light pack -- and we started up again. This time to a crest above the ridge. (STRUGGLING SOME) It was tougher than it looked, and we weren't even halfway up before we had to rest.
SFX: WIND INCREASES SOME
PAUL
As I looked to the west, I saw clouds boiling up. Not white, but somber, threatening. And below, the valley looked grim...ugly gray. And then the sun was gone. (PAUSE) And we kept on going up... (PAUSE) And then I had a strange feeling. It was nothing I could see. Nothing I could hear. Only a sensation of being...watched!...and followed!
SFX: SNOW CRUNCHING
PAUL
(OUT OF BREATH) Wait a minute!
FRANK
See something?
PAUL
No.
NAHSONG
I...have felt it, too, Sahib.
PAUL
Something following us?
NAHSONG
Yes! It is...Metocahmee!
PAUL
How do you know?
NAHSONG
It cannot be something else, this high. (PAUSE) There is nothing else that lives here.
PAUL
Maybe it's curious. (SHARPLY NOW) No -- don't turn around, Frank! Listen... when we get up to the crest, you two flop down, stay in sight of the slope here.
FRANK
What are you gonna do?
PAUL
Move around the hump and watch. If it thinks we're all together, it may come close enough to give us a chance to get it.
FRANK
You'd better watch your step. It looks nasty.
PAUL
I will. Now, come on...
PAUL
(NARRATING) It took us another fifteen minutes to get up to the crest and then Frank and Nahsong hunched down to rest. They were in clear view of the slope we just ascended. I moved back out of sight and made my way toward the hump, which backed a long shelf on the north side of the crest. In a couple of minutes, I lost sight of them. And of the slope. (PAUSE) The wind had increased and the clouds had spread now, to become an iron-gray canopy over the mountain. It was getting colder again. I don't think it took over five minutes to reach my lookout point. And when I did, I had a perfect view of the ground we'd covered. (PAUSE) There was...nothing there. The men were out of sight. I waited. (PAUSE) a minute...two...there was nothing. Until . . .
SFX: WILD ANIMAL IN DISTANCE - GUNSHOTS - MORE ANIMAL CRIES
MUSIC: BRIDGE
PAUL
(NARRATING) It came!...carried on the wind...a cry...and then shots! I scrambled back to where I'd left them, and when I got there...WHEN I GOT THERE!... Frank was lying on his back.. .and I couldn't look at what was left of his face! There were terrible, deep rips in his clothing, and...he was dead.
SFX: MOANING FROM NAHSONG
PAUL
Nahsong lay huddled, a few feet beyond... a gun in his hand.
NAHSONG
(WEAK, IN GREAT PAIN) Maa...Sahib?
PAUL
Nahsong...what is it? What?
NAHSONG
Metocahmee! (PAUSE, STRUGGLING) ... came from behind us.. be...before I could get hold of the gun. It killed him...then sprang at me. It . . . it is...strong, Sahib...with the strength of ten men!
PAUL
Alright...Alright...can you sit Up?
NAHSONG
Uhhhhh...my leg...it struck at me . . .my leg ... it broken. I shot at it, but I missed. It jumped away and was gone.
PAUL
Okay. We'll have to figure a way to get you down.
SFX: WIND UP
PAUL
(NARRATING) We were four hours from camp, and with Nahsong practically helpless, it could well be four days, or ... never! (PAUSE) I buried Frank where he was lying, then began to work down the slope. Nahsong was in great pain. He half-slid and crawled as best he could. That part of it wasn't too bad. Then we were at the bottom and there was a ledge to climb. (PAUSE) It took well over two hours to do that. And we still had three miles of difficult terrain to cover. The stops became more frequent...
NAHSONG
(AT THE END OF HIS ENDURANCE) Sahib...leave me here. Go back!
PAUL
No.
NAHSONG
My leg is frozen. There is no feeling anymore. I shall not live much longer.
PAUL
(DEMANDING) Don't be a fool! After a rest, you'll be able to go on!
NAHSONG
Soon, the night comes. If we are both caught here, we both die! (PAUSE) There will be snow, much snow! Leave me!!
PAUL
No! We're going back together!
NAHSONG
Please! Let...me sleep. Let me sleep here. I cannot go on.
PAUL
You've got to, Nahsong!
NAHSONG
No!...no more..
PAUL
But the ridge is only about a half mile. From there it won't be too bad!
NAHSONG
No! No, let me stay.
PAUL
Nahsong!
NAHSONG
Let me sleep.
PAUL
(SLAPPING HIS FACE REPEATEDLY) No! Come on, Nahsong, come on! You're not going to sleep! You'll be alright!
NAHSONG
Sahib!..look there!...
PAUL
What?
(NARRATING) I turned. And for an instant, I saw it, outlined against the snow...crouching. Of medium height. It was covered with thick hair. The face was reddish and bare. A semi-human face... and it was not an ape.
SFX: SEVERAL LOUD GUNSHOTS
PAUL
The thing made a tremendous leap and was gone, but I'd hit it! I knew I hit it!
NAHSONG
Metocahmee.. .that was he! Did you kill it?
PAUL
No!..I don't think so!
NAHSONG
Then it will be back. It has.. tasted blood. You must leave me!
PAUL
No, get up! Get up! Come on! Let's go!
NAHSONG
(IN GREAT AGONY) Ahhhh....
PAUL
Nahsong!...
NAHSONG
I...very...sorry, Sahib. Will you ask...the Lama...to make a prayer for me?
PAUL
Sure...sure I will, Nahsong. But--
NAHSONG
Give my prayer to my wife in Darjeeling. (PAUSE) I'm sorry, Sahib. (PAUSE) I die.. .ahhh...
PAUL
(PAUSE) ...Nahsong? (PAUSE...ONLY THE WIND IS HEARD) NAHSONG?!!
PAUL
(NARRATING) And the darkness came. And with it, shadows in the snow. Every hillock, mound...became The Thing...motionless, waiting...In my mind I kept seeing its powerful long arms, and the dreadful claws it must have possessed. (PAUSE) I carried my gun in my gloved hand, but I knew that I couldn't fire it unless I was barehanded. And that meant my hand would freeze to the gun. And then suddenly, I felt myself slipping!
SFX: FALLING DOWN SNOWY SLOPE, GRUNTS AND GROANS
PAUL
It was a short incline, but when I reached the bottom, the gun was gone! I'd lost it!
SFX: STRUGGLING IN SNOW, SEARCHING...
PAUL
(IN A PANIC) Got to find it! I've got to find it!!
(NARRATING) And I saw a glint of metal in the snow, ten feet away. And at the same time. . . above me, at the top of the bank... The Thing! It stood swaying a little, looking down at me.
SFX: MOVEMENT, WIND
PAUL
I moved...slowly... slowly. . . inched my way toward the gun. And as I drew closer, I kept my eyes looking up. But it didn't move.. .only stared down at me. And I thought I saw its little eyes glittering. And I thought...if the gun's frozen now...if it's frozen and doesn't fire... (STRUGGLING) And I was nearer to it. Near enough to take off my glove. But that moment in which I'd have to bend to pick it up... that' s when it would leap down at me.. .tear my throat out! Tear, and ...
SFX: MOVEMENT IN SNOW
PAUL
... I HAD THE GUN, AND I... PULLED THE TRIGGER!
SFX: CLICK, CLICK, CLICK - BANG!!! FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, BLOOD-CURDLING SCREAM THEN...WIND AND BREATHING...FOR TWO OR THREE BEATS...
PAUL
(NARRATING) And it...lay there....strange...and terrifying. It's blood staining the snow.
SFX: DEEP, GUTTERAL ANIMAL SOUND: GEEGGGEEGGEEEE CONTINUES UNDER NEXT SPEECH
PAUL
(NARRATING) And it looked at me...
SFX:LOUD, GUTTERAL SOUND CONTINUES
PAUL
Looked at me. Looked at me. Until the sound died away...
SFX: SOUND FADES OUT...WIND ONLY HEARD FOR A FEW BEATS..
PAUL
It was dead. (PAUSE) But the eyes kept on staring.
SFX: BEGINNING OF AVALANCHE
PAUL
It ... must have been the shots that loosened the snow and ice on the ridge above. I heard the sound! And I RAN! RAN!!!
SFX: AVALANCHE, CROSS FADE TO
MUSIC: BRIDGE
PAUL
It passed me... and swept on down toward the valley, the thunder of it dying in the distance.
MUSIC: BEHIND
PAUL
And...when I went back, there was nothing there. (PAUSE) It was buried... somewhere under tons of snow. (PAUSE) I made my way back to the Rongbok village... I don't remember how... I didn't remember anything...for two weeks after. (PAUSE) But I'm alive! (PAUSE) And I'm NOT going back there again! (PAUSE)
(QUIETLY) That's all I know. (PAUSE) Or WANT to know... (PAUSE) about the Abominable Snowman!
MUSIC: RIR THEME, ESTABLISH, THEN FADE UNDER THE FOLLOWING . . .
HOST
You have just listened to "The Abominable Snowman," an episode of Escape narrated by William Conrad. Listening to his distinctive radio voice build and sustain the storytelling we can imagine being there on the mountain, pursued by the legendary and dangerous creature.
Conrad and his voice also defined the Western radio drama Gunsmoke. Heard on the Columbia Broadcasting System, 1952 to 1961, Gunsmoke was one of the longest running radio dramas, and arguably, radio's greatest dramatic series.
Gunsmoke began as a collaboration between producer Norman McDonnell and writer John Meston. They worked together on Escape and wanted to create a Western that would deal realistically with the hard realities of life in and around Dodge City, Kansas Territory, in the late 1800s. 
It was a violent place and someone had to stand in the way of the violence and killing . . .
SFX: "I'M THAT MAN, MARSHALL MATT DILLON . . .
Episodes featured mature themes that overturned stereotypical Western fiction. The bad guys did not always get caught. Episodes ended unhappily. People were treated badly. Gunsmoke explored these ideas well ahead of other media.
The writing and acting are superb. The sound effects and background soundscapes are realistic and immersive. The music theme, "Old Trails," composed and conducted by Rex Koury, is iconic.
In Dodge City, a person can make two choices regarding life: be an outlaw, or be a Marshal. Matt Dillon has made his choice: to stand in the way of violence and protect those who seek to build new lives, to rid the territory of the mad-dog characters spreading misery and death in their wakes.
HOST
Marshall Matt Dillon is hard as worn saddle leather but violence must be met with violence and this is destroying his soul. He is scared that everyday could be his last. In "Bloody Hands," first broadcast April 2, 1955, Conrad, as Marshall Dillon, speaks of his angst. He has had enough, quits his job as Marshall, and tries to lead a normal life. Let's listen to "Bloody Hands."
ACT #2: "BLOODY HANDS"
SFX: "BLOODY HANDS," PART 1
SFX: RIR MUSIC UNDER
HOST
You are listening to Re-Imagined Radio and our tribute to William Conrad. We will continue with "Bloody Hands," an episode from Gunsmoke, in just a moment.
BREAK #2: RIR BREAK
MUSIC: TRANSITION?
HOST
(Speaking for Break, Upcoming Episodes)
Excellent radio stories like "The Abominable Snowman" and "Bloody Hands," showcase skilled use of sounds, music, imagination, and spoken voice, like that of William Conrad.
Upcoming episodes of Re-Imagined Radio will follow this lead. For example, "Lone-Green-Challenge" is a tribute to three uniquely connected radio drama series. These connections are just as interesting as the episodes we will highlight.
We also plan a Columbia Workshop Tribute, a look at four radio stories that may have inspired "The War of the Worlds," and more. Please join us as we share these interesting stories.
HOST
(Support Community Radio)
I'm John Barber, producer and host of Re-Imagined Radio. While I have your attention, let me remind you that Re-Imagined Radio is heard on local, regional, and international community radio stations. If you would like to support programs like Re-Imagined Radio please contact your community radio station and learn how to donate. Every donation helps your station provide interesting and thought provoking programs like Re-Imagined Radio. If you already support community radio through your generosity, thank you. If not, please consider supporting this and other community radio stations. Your support is valuable and much appreciated.
SFX: RIR MUSIC, ESTABLISH, THEN DUCK UNDER
HOST
(Returning from break)
You are listening to "Bloody Hands," an episode of Gunsmoke and part of this Re-Imagined Radio tribute to William Conrad.
The story is set in the 1870s, in Dodge City, Kansas Territory, with its reputation as a lawless town where the "fastest gun" ruled during the settlement of the American West.
Conrad, as Marshal Matt Dillon, works tirelessly to keep Dodge City under control until civilization can take hold. Interestingly, Conrad was initially rejected by the producers of Gunsmoke who argued his familiar voice was heard on too many other radio programs. But Conrad's audition was too strong to be dismissed and over the nine-year run of Gunsmoke he defined the role of Marshal Dillon as well as the gritty and uncompromising storytelling of what is now called the greatest drama series in radio history.
HOST
Conrad, as Marshal Matt Dillon, has just returned from capturing a wanted outlaw. Bone tired he wants nothing more than to sleep through the night. But trouble never sleeps in Dodge City. Let's continue the story . . .
SFX: "BLOODY HANDS," PART 2
SFX: RIR MUSIC, UNDER
HOST CONCLUSION
HOST
You just listened to "Bloody Hands," an episode of Gunsmoke starring William Conrad. This is Re-Imagined Radio with a tribute to Conrad and his great radio voice.
(Concluding Remarks)
In addition to "Bloody Hands" we also listened to "The Abominable Snowman" an episode from Escape. Both provide solid, high-quality storytelling. Both illustrate the power of spoken voice to carry and maintain compelling stories. In this case it was the million dollar voice of William Conrad who not only defined these two radio drama series but is noted for many other fine character roles throughout his career in radio.
HOST CREDITS
HOST
Curation and script adaptations for this episode by John Barber.
Music composition, sound design, and post production by Marc Rose of Fuse.
Our presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram is provided by Regina Carol Social Media Management.
Graphic design by Holly Slocum Design.
Our announcer is Jack Armstrong.
This is John Barber, producer and host. Thank you for listening
MUSIC: UP, THE DUCK UNDER THE FOLLOWING
ANNOUNCER
This is a production of Re-Imagined Radio. Our radio broadcasts are heard on local, regional, and international community radio stations.
For on demand streaming, point your browsers to our website, reimaginedradio (all one word, no punctuation) DOT net. While there, subscribe to our snappy email Program Guide.
Thank you so much for listening, and please, join us again for another episode of Re-Imagined Radio where we will continue our exploration of radio storytelling.
MUSIC: UP, AND TO END.