About this episode
The down-on-his-luck scriptwriter who enters into a doomed romance with a faded star; the cynical POW who reigns as king of a German camp; the aging television executive who watches his era fade away as he desperately tries to cling to his job - and a beautiful young woman: Oscar and Emmy-winner William Holden (April 17, 1918 - November 16, 1981) brought these roles and more to life over the course of his career. A handsome leading man who could play complicated characters and reluctant heroes, Holden was one of the best actors of old Hollywood. Holden made four starring turns on Suspense . He lent his voice to a murder mystery, a wartime drama, a "ripped from the headlines" cautionary tale, and a rare science fiction story. "Blood on the Trumpet" - In his first appearance, Holden stars as a New Orleans jazz musician who plans to run off with a beautiful woman he meets in a French Quarter nightclub. But soon his wife is dead, and Holden is being stalked by a mysterious stranger. (11/9/50) "Report on the Jolly Death Riders" - Holden plays a cop who presents the facts on (and dangers of) joy-riding hot rodders. He's on the case after one race claims the life of an innocent bystander. (8/27/51) "Needle in the Haystack" - In this Korean War drama, Holden and the crew of a Navy minesweeper attempt to clear a path into a harbor. He's put ashore on a mission to gather intelligence and ensure safe passage for the fleet. (11/9/53) "The Outer Limit" - A rare 50s sci-fi story from "Suspense," thiss tory from Graham Doar casts Holden as a test pilot whose experimental aircraft vanishes...only to return hours later. The pilot has a scary story of an alien encounter as well as a warning that may mean the survival of Earth. (2/15/54)