Suspense: Ordeal in Donner Pass (#523)

Suspense: 11/02/53, episode 523
Brought to you by the Old Time Radio Researchers, courtesy of The Suspense Project

Edmond O’Brien stars in an Arthur Ross script about one of the most disturbing and regrettable events in American history: the tragedy of the Donner party in the Winter of 1847 to 1848. It was one of the most terrible ordeals ever endured. Trapped in the High Sierra mountains of California, only 45 or so persons of an expedition that started with almost 90, survived. The drama begins with a vote among the weary pioneers on whether to try to push across the Sierras, despite snowstorms and freezing weather or to make camp for the winter. They vote for the latter. That begins their vigil which, it becomes increasingly apparent, can end only in death.

It may seem that Edmond O'Brien is “underacting” at the beginning of the production. It may seem confusing to hear it. He's saving up all his acting range for the terrible horrors at the end.

The number of people in the party and the number of survivors vary depending on how and when the persons are counted. In round numbers, 90 for the party and 45 for the survivors is a useful generality.

A working title for the broadcast was “Ordeal at Donner Pass.”

The cast: EDMOND O’BRIEN (Patrick Breen), Paula Winslowe (Mrs. Breen), Mary Lansing (Mrs. Graves / Baby), Charlotte Lawrence (Mrs. Reed), Joseph Kearns (Mr. Graves), John Dehner (Rhoades), Harry Bartell (Mr. Eddy), Parley Baer (Donner), Larry Thor (Narrator)

COMMERCIAL: Ken Christy (Senator), Harlow Wilcox (Announcer), Sylvia Simms (Operator)