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Suspense - Radio’s Outstanding Theater of Thrills

Self-Defense

Posted February 16, 2026 · 30 min

About this episode

Originally Aired: October 16, 1947 In Suspense #267, “Self-Defense,” Barbara Newell seems to have everything wealth can buy—except love. Trapped in a loveless marriage to the cold and controlling Jonathan Newell, Barbara finds herself drawn first to an old flame, Fred Dexter, and then hopelessly in love with a charming pianist, Alex Maynard. Desperate for freedom and convinced divorce is impossible, Barbara devises a chillingly clever plan: manipulate Fred into murdering her husband, then eliminate Fred and claim self-defense. But in a tale of passion, deceit, and fatal miscalculation, Barbara overlooks one crucial detail—Fred has never met her husband. In a stunning twist worthy of Suspense, love, greed, and murder collide with devastating consequences. Cast: Marsha Hunt Tags: Suspense, thriller, psychological, femmefatale, betrayal, MarshaHunt, SelfDefense, oldtimeradio, murderplot, jealouslover, twistending, 1940sradio, classicdrama, crimeofpassion, vintagehorror, suspensepodcast

From Suspense - Radio’s Outstanding Theater of Thrills by OTR.FM Network. Visit the show’s website.

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