Suspense CBS · April 21, 1957

Suspense 570421 695 Chicken Feed (64 44) 13243 27m34s

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# Chicken Feed

Picture this: a rural farmstead shrouded in the gathering dusk, where an ordinary transaction masks something far more sinister beneath its surface. In "Chicken Feed," the masterminds behind *Suspense* weave a deceptively simple tale of agricultural commerce into a taut thriller that proves how quickly trust can curdle into terror. What begins as a straightforward business deal between neighbors spirals into a labyrinth of deception, where the clucking of chickens becomes an eerie soundtrack to mounting dread. The episode's genius lies in its restraint—there are no monster attacks or supernatural hauntings here, only the creeping realization that the person standing across from you might harbor intentions far darker than you ever imagined. CBS's sound effects artists earned their reputation this evening, transforming a humble barnyard into a landscape of suspicion.

*Suspense* revolutionized American radio during its two-decade run, proving that psychological terror required no visual spectacle, only imagination and impeccable craftsmanship. Each episode, introduced by the show's iconic opening—that ominous music and the whispered reminder that "fear... fear in the night"—challenged listeners to confront the darkness lurking in ordinary circumstances. The 1940s production was radio's golden age, when families gathered around the set on Tuesday nights, and *Suspense* consistently delivered stories that lingered long after the broadcast ended. With stellar writers, seasoned actors, and technical precision that set industry standards, the show became essential listening for anyone who understood that the most terrifying threats are often the most human ones.

"Chicken Feed" awaits you in the archive—a taut twenty-seven minutes of vintage suspense that proves some stories only improve with age. Tune in and discover why millions of listeners made *Suspense* unmissable radio.