John Barbie and Son: A Father’s Promise, a Fugitive’s Flight

Originally Aired: February 22, 1945

In Suspense #131, “John Barbie and Son,” Thomas Mitchell stars as John Barbie, a grief-stricken father determined to keep a heartbreaking promise to his late wife: never to let their troubled son, Carl, be taken away to an institution. When a tragic accident brings authorities to their door, John and Carl go on the run, desperate to escape a system that neither understands nor forgives. As the two flee through the night—dodging suspicion, hiding in hotel rooms, and racing up fire escapes—John’s devotion to his son leads him to the edge of sanity, and ultimately, to a rooftop confrontation with a shattering revelation. A haunting, psychological suspense story about love, loss, and the blurred line between reality and delusion.

Cast:
Thomas Mitchell

Tags:
Suspense, drama, psychological, ThomasMitchell, oldtimeradio, fatherandson, tragedy, escape, mentalhealth, delusion, 1940sradio, classicdrama, family, heartbreak, suspensepodcast, rooftop