Friday Night Noir - Sorry, Wrong Number - Barbara Stanwyck & Burt Lancaster

Vintage Classic Radio presents Friday Night Noir where we bring to life timeless classic detective noir, mystery and suspense from the golden age of radio between the 1930s and the 1960s.  Episode Description: "Sorry, Wrong Number" was a popular radio play that was first broadcast on the Lux Radio Theatre on January 9th, 1950 over CBS. The episode starred Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster in the lead roles. The play was originally written by Lucille Fletcher as a one-act play in 1943. It was so popular that it was adapted into a film in 1948 and has been performed on stage and radio numerous times since then The play tells the story of Leona Stevenson, a bedridden woman who overhears a telephone conversation about a murder plot. As she tries to piece together the details of the plan, she becomes increasingly desperate to stop the crime from being carried out. However, her efforts are hindered by her own physical limitations and the uncooperative attitude of the people she contacts. Barbara Stanwyck was initially hesitant to take on the role of Leona Stevenson, as she didn't want to play a character who was so helpless and vulnerable. However, she was convinced by the strength of the script and ultimately gave a powerful performance that is still remembered today. The rest of the cast included Ann Richards, Ed Begley, Wendell Corey, and William Johnstone. The director was William Keighley, and the producer was Cecil B. DeMille. The Lux Radio Theatre was a popular radio program that aired from 1934 to 1955. It was sponsored by Lux Soap and adapted popular films and stage plays into radio dramas. The show was known for its high production values and star-studded casts, and "Sorry, Wrong Number" was one of its most successful episodes. The episode was so popular that it was released on vinyl record and sold as a standalone album, which was a relatively new format at the time.