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Happy Birthday, Lucille Fletcher! Today would be Lucille Fletcher's 112th Birthday. Today only: her collections is on sale at 20% off.

Lucille Fletcher Collection

Writer of acclaimed old time radio show "Sorry Wrong Number", "The Hitchhiker", and many more.

20%
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Lucille Fletcher

29 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 14 hours, 12 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
16 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from January 09, 1950:

"Barbara Stanwyck on Lux Radio -- Sorry Wrong Number"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Lucille Fletcher
(1912 – 2000)

Sorry Wrong Number
Of all the elements that go into a detective thriller program, the voice actors, the announcers, the music, production, and sound effects, none are as important as the story.

Sorry Wrong Number radio ProductionMystery fans will only tune in for finely crafted, suspense filled and often very personal plots. It is little wonder that some of the best writers of this kind of material, writers like Cornell Woolrich, Patricia Highsmith, John Dickson Carr and Dashiell Hammett were all in their own ways just a little cuckoo. Knowing this, it if a little surprising to find that one of the greatest writers of "Radio Noir" was a pretty normal, albeit gifted person.

Lucille Fletcher was born to middle class parents in Brooklyn in 1912, went to PS 168 and the Maxwell Training School before entering high school where she began to distinguish herself. She was president of the Arista Honor Society and editor of the school newspaper. At 17, she entered an oratory contest and was the only female finalist from the New York area, and in the national competition she placed third after speaking before five Supreme Court Justices on "The Constitution: A Guarantee of the Personal Liberty of the Individual."

Lucille began her association with CBS after graduating from Vassar in 1933. At first she worked as music librarian, clerk and publicity writer, but cemented her ties to the network when she began dating the conductor of the CBS Orchestra, composer Bernard Herrmann. The couple tied the knot in 1939 (the marriage would end in divorce after Herrmann was caught having an affair with her cousin in 1948).

Agnes Moorehead in Sorry Wrong NumberLucille's story telling talent was "discovered" by Norman Corwin who adapted one of her stories, "My Client Curly" for the Columbia Workshop. The delightful fantasy small time con artist who discovers a boy who has taught his pet caterpillar to dance to the tune "Yes Sir, That's My Baby". Our hero is soon rich beyond his wildest dreams, but in the end discovers that it is not as important as the faith of a little boy (and that you cannot keep caterpillars from doing what caterpillars are designed to do!) "My Client Charlie" was adapted as Once Upon A Time (1944) by Columbia Pictures starring Cary Grant.

Shortly after their marriage, Herrmann and Fletcher began "commuting" between New York and Hollywood where Herrmann was working on the score for Orson Welles' first feature film, Citizen Kane. One of the trips was in couple's Packard convertible when Lucille became fascinated with "an odd looking man" on the Brooklyn Bridge and the Pulaski Skyway. The incident was the inspiration for "The Hitchhiker", one of OTR's all time classic horror stories.

In 1943, Suspense presented for the first time what Orson Welles would call "the greatest single radio script ever written". "Sorry, Wrong Number" would be reprised seven times on Suspense, and the movie adaptation is considered a classic of film noir. In an interview years later, Ms. Fletcher revealed that "Sorry, Wrong Number" was inspired when she struck up a conversation with her neighborhood pharmacist, a long time friend. An old biddy in line interrupted, in a shrill voice, to complain about the poor service and insisted on knowing whom the "interloper" was who held up the line. Fletcher used the demeanor and shrill voice of the incident to create the helpless character facing an impossible situation.

The Lucille Fletcher Collection includes both acclaimed radio shows "The Hitchhiker" and "Sorry Wrong Number." Also included are her old time radio episodes on Columbia Workshop, Inner Sanctum, Mercury Summer Theater, and Suspense.

Lucille Fletcher BookSee also:

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

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    COMMENTS

    She's the best in my mind. This collection is a great service to the otr crowd.

    John Verified Purchase

    she wrote a lot for Suspense, and also Agnes Morehaed (as your surely know). I don't know how much LF actually wrote for OTR. I wonder if she wrote anything for the Whistler, or Lights Out. Hey, Bubba, I tell you this is going to take us a year of so...but be a heck of alot of fun...and I really think a nice tribute to her. Her work reminds me of The Lodger (the Alfred Hitchcok production with the lousy ending), but know she didn't write it...I think the writer is unknown.

    John Verified Purchase

    As I am still somewhat religiously listening to the radio shows you sent me, be it thru my trusty mp3 disk-man; Or be it via my brand spanking new Ipod Nano, I know that you will never be far from my thoughts.

    Jardome Verified Purchase

    Love, Love, LOVE "The Hitchhiker" and "Sorry, Wrong Number" among her others. Some day, I want to put on "The Hitchhiker" as a stage production. In high school we did "Sorry Wrong Number" as a one-act piece for competition. Gripping, gripping stuff. HIGHLY recommended!

    Andy Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    29 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $4.00. Total playtime 14 hours, 12 min
    29 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $4.00
    total playtime 14 hours, 12 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 29 shows - total playtime 14 hours 12 minutes
    2. Clock 480425 Bad Dreams.mp3
    3. Cw 400307 025 My Client Curley.mp3
    4. Cw 400630 036 Man With One Track Mind.mp3
    5. Cw 400728 040 Carmilla.mp3
    6. Cw 400901 044 Alf Allamerican Fly.mp3
    7. Cw 420720 035 Someone Else.mp3
    8. Cw 421019 046 Remodeled Brownstone.mp3
    9. Inner Sanctum 500123 Hitchhiking Corpse.mp3
    10. Lux Radio Theater 500109 684 Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    11. Mercury Summer Theater 460726 E08 Moat Farm Murder.mp3
    12. Screen Guild Theater 460204 283 My Client Curley.mp3
    13. Suspense 420902 011 Hitchhiker.mp3
    14. Suspense 430427 039 Diary Of Sophronia Winters.mp3
    15. Suspense 430525 043 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    16. Suspense 430821 054 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    17. Suspense 440224 080 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    18. Suspense 440601 094 Fugue In Cminor.mp3
    19. Suspense 440706 099 Search For Henri Lefevre.mp3
    20. Suspense 440817 105 Diary Of Sophronia Winters.mp3
    21. Suspense 450906 157 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    22. Suspense 450913 158 Furnished Floor.mp3
    23. Suspense 460425 190 Dark Journey.mp3
    24. Suspense 461219 224 Thing In Window.mp3
    25. Suspense 481118 315 Repeat Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    26. Suspense 490127 325 Thing In Window.mp3
    27. Suspense 571020 721 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    28. Suspense 590726 812 Night Man.mp3
    29. Suspense 600214 840 Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    30. Suspense 601023 876 Night Man.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    29 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $4.00. Total playtime 14 hours, 12 min
    29 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $4.00
    total playtime 14 hours, 12 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 29 shows - total playtime 14 hours 12 minutes
    2. Clock 480425 Bad Dreams.mp3
    3. Cw 400307 025 My Client Curley.mp3
    4. Cw 400630 036 Man With One Track Mind.mp3
    5. Cw 400728 040 Carmilla.mp3
    6. Cw 400901 044 Alf Allamerican Fly.mp3
    7. Cw 420720 035 Someone Else.mp3
    8. Cw 421019 046 Remodeled Brownstone.mp3
    9. Inner Sanctum 500123 Hitchhiking Corpse.mp3
    10. Lux Radio Theater 500109 684 Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    11. Mercury Summer Theater 460726 E08 Moat Farm Murder.mp3
    12. Screen Guild Theater 460204 283 My Client Curley.mp3
    13. Suspense 420902 011 Hitchhiker.mp3
    14. Suspense 430427 039 Diary Of Sophronia Winters.mp3
    15. Suspense 430525 043 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    16. Suspense 430821 054 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    17. Suspense 440224 080 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    18. Suspense 440601 094 Fugue In Cminor.mp3
    19. Suspense 440706 099 Search For Henri Lefevre.mp3
    20. Suspense 440817 105 Diary Of Sophronia Winters.mp3
    21. Suspense 450906 157 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    22. Suspense 450913 158 Furnished Floor.mp3
    23. Suspense 460425 190 Dark Journey.mp3
    24. Suspense 461219 224 Thing In Window.mp3
    25. Suspense 481118 315 Repeat Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    26. Suspense 490127 325 Thing In Window.mp3
    27. Suspense 571020 721 Sorry, Wrong Number.mp3
    28. Suspense 590726 812 Night Man.mp3
    29. Suspense 600214 840 Sorry Wrong Number.mp3
    30. Suspense 601023 876 Night Man.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    29 recordings on 16 Audio CDs. Total playtime 14 hours, 12 min
    29 recordings on 16 Audio CDs
    total playtime 14 hours, 12 min

    Lucille Fletcher Disc A001

    1. Cw 400307 025 My Client Curley
    2. Cw 400630 036 Man With One Track Mind

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A002

    1. Cw 400728 040 Carmilla
    2. Cw 400901 044 Alf Allamerican Fly

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A003

    1. Cw 420720 035 Someone Else
    2. Suspense 420902 011 Hitchhiker

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A004

    1. Cw 421019 046 Remodeled Brownstone
    2. Suspense 430427 039 Diary Of Sophronia Winters

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A005

    1. Suspense 430525 043 Sorry, Wrong Number
    2. Suspense 430821 054 Sorry, Wrong Number

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A006

    1. Suspense 440224 080 Sorry, Wrong Number
    2. Suspense 440601 094 Fugue In Cminor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A007

    1. Suspense 440706 099 Search For Henri Lefevre
    2. Suspense 440817 105 Diary Of Sophronia Winters

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A008

    1. Suspense 450906 157 Sorry, Wrong Number
    2. Suspense 450913 158 Furnished Floor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A009

    1. Screen Guild Theater 460204 283 My Client Curley
    2. Suspense 460425 190 Dark Journey

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A010

    1. Mercury Summer Theater 460726 E08 Moat Farm Murder
    2. Suspense 461219 224 Thing In Window

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A011

    1. Clock 480425 Bad Dreams
    2. Suspense 481118 315 Repeat Sorry Wrong Number

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A012

    1. Suspense 490127 325 Thing In Window

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A013

    1. Lux Radio Theater 500109 684 Sorry Wrong Number

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A014

    1. Inner Sanctum 500123 Hitchhiking Corpse
    2. Suspense 571020 721 Sorry, Wrong Number

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A015

    1. Suspense 590726 812 Night Man
    2. Suspense 600214 840 Sorry Wrong Number

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Lucille Fletcher Disc A016

    1. Suspense 601023 876 Night Man

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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