“The CBS Radio Mystery Theater Presentsâ€.....The 36th Man.

I like everything about this episode. The story of Harry as a Lahmed Vovnik, written by Sam Dann , is interesting enough. It is unique. There are fun elements, such as the various efforts to tempt Harry who will not be provoked to do something through promises or persuasion but only to do for the betterment of people. There is the heavy consequences of Harry’s failure.....Our demise. His attitude and direction are simple, yet profound...Help people. I found myself liking Harry quite early on, and even envying his ability to be so good. But, I know it is a story, and this alleviates the guilt, and allows for the fun. What is brilliant about this, and many CBSRMT episodes, are the curve balls thrown in the end. The curve ball here of course is Harry’s anger. This anger isn’t just tossed in to add drama. It is, as revealed when his anger and the storm subside, something Harry has had but not acted on. True, he is a thoroughly decent fellow. But he is a fellow, and fellows are human. They are all vulnerable to temptation. He isn’t a shallow character, who finds goodness only because that is all he can do. He turns out to be quite complex. He has made a choice to do so, I think, and it has been a burden. He can’t carry this forever, and he indeed, ultimately, needs his wife’s “ Understandingâ€. The goodness he has provided has no doubt taught him the value of this action. But being a human, and frustrated and wore down by his wife’s dissatisfaction, we see how even Harry can get ugly. The storm erupts in Harry...and the world. This, interesting enough, is needed before the wife realizes what a wonderful person she is married to. All of her wants turn out to not be worth changing Harry. She now understands the value of Harry, and really as a consequence learns what counts in life. It is a great moment, and Ross Martin at this time highlights a splendid performance. I THINK THE STORY OFFERS A VALUABLE LESSON, THROUGH EXAMPLE AND WITH LISTENING PLEASURE...All of this from a 48 min radio show demonstrates the “whyâ€ I love OTR.