July 4, 2004 - 740731 - The only blood

[vgarci]

This week's program is presented for your review by Texas.

For those who do not have the program, you can download it (with or without a Streamload account) at: www.streamload.com/vgarci (http://www.streamload.com/vgarci)

[scarlson33]

Good choice! I had to listen to it this morning while I was preparing more audio CD's of CRMT for my mother. This was a good episode with that element of right and wrong that has been commented on very often in this forum.

So, a good man comes to America, is forced to pay protection money to the mob, and he doesn't want to do that. Then his family is killed and he takes the law into his own hands. I liked the twist at the the end. I really likes twists in the stories. If I wasn't expecting it, that is even better. A man could let the mobster die or give him his blood to save his life. For me it was a good morality question. I am not going to dwell on the question of what ethics were ignored by the medical employee at the hospital who let priviledged information become public. I am also going to ignore the fact that people with money ususally get off in court cases. Overall, this was yet another great story

[Texas]

In the RMT's "The Venus d'Ile" Robert Dryden warns Norman Rose not to put his ring on the finger of a statue that is eponymous with the program title. Dryden's character says something to the effect of: "I was going to say this is sacreligious but...that's not the right word."

Well, in describing this show I want to say this is the best story of [i:7ed0dc7401]vengeance[/i:7ed0dc7401] I've ever heard but..."vengeance" isn't the right word, either.

One of playwright Sam Dann's best ever for the RMT, if not his very best, IMO. This is one I always enjoy listening to, even though it has no supernatural or quasi-supernatural elements whatsoever.

[Steve]

In my humble opinion this is a perfect episode. It's one of my top ten favorite Mystery Theater plays of all time. Sam Dann's script is simple, but inspired, moving, and full of truth. Also, Howard daSilva is one of my favorite RMT performers and he's terrific in this.

I'll leave all discussion and analysis to others. As for myself, I'd give "The Only Blood" a 10 if I could.


Steve

smile.gif

[Texas]

[quote:b550a6db93]

"I thought his blood would be as base and as common as sewage."

[i:b550a6db93]- Anthony Boda in "The only blood"[/i:b550a6db93]

[/quote:b550a6db93]

Greatness from Sam Dann. Sorry that I didn't put the quote in my response earlier.

[Fizzlestix]

This is certainly an admirable episode, entirely worthy of the SotW. It held me all the way through, but not in any kind of mystical or diabolical way. More like a great book that you just can't put down. I thought the acting was some of the best I've heard in an RMT show. Also, the sound effects and score were notable.

And I'm sorry to nit-pick, but there was, for me, one little flaw in this episode that after listening a second time I couldn't escape.

When the man is on the hospital bed in dire need of blood, he begins to beg. He begs for his life. He begs to the man whom he swore to kill. It just didn't sit well with the rest of the program. I had to suspend disbelief and assume the man was loopy on pain medication and couldn't help what he was saying, but then when asked if he would return the effort, he very coldly, callously, and consciously said, "No."

Again, I may be just persnickity about it, but this was a vital bit of the overall finale of the plot. Had he declined the idea of receiving the blood of his nemesis, which would have made a heck of a lot more sense, then the story would have fallen right there. It's such a minor detail, but such an important element in completing the tale.

I gave the show a 4.4 and still consider it one of the top shows I've heard. Had this little bit not bothered me, I'd have rated it higher.

Thanks for an excellent choice! I look forward to the next show!

[Kizer Sosay]

I enjoyed the episode and the ongoing moral dilemmas. I appreciate Sam Dann's work because of the great depth, strong characters and good lines. I thought the gangster's daughter overacted and her credibility was strained with the "two Al Culvers" bit (or whatever his name was, I heard it yesterday). I found it difficult to swallow that her dad could be so well known that it could appear in a newspaper article, a notorious mob boss accused of murder, and she would be the only one that didn't know it was her own dad. I hope that private girl's school she was trying to get into doesn't give intelligence pre-entrance exams. "Duh, yeah, honey, that's my bullet-proof car. I need it to protect me from errant golf balls when I drive by the country club..." Other than that, though, a very nice play.

[Fizzlestix]

I have to say, that's a very interesting point. Especially about the car. Nice observation!

[Texas]

Hate to sound sexist but...how would the average girl tell the difference between a bulletproof car and a regular one, such as this bulletproof BMW (http://www.cnn.com/US/9804/20/wheels.bulletproof.car/)?

I've never seen "The Sopranos", but when did Tony's daughter learn that her father was involved in things other than the "waste disposal business"? Doesn't she try to believe that her father's interests are legitimate?

[Fizzlestix]

[quote:0300d94f6f="Texas"]Hate to sound sexist but...how would the average girl tell the difference between a bulletproof car and a regular one, such as this bulletproof BMW (http://www.cnn.com/US/9804/20/wheels.bulletproof.car/)?

I've never seen "The Sopranos", but when did Tony's daughter learn that her father was involved in things other than the "waste disposal business"? Doesn't she try to believe that her father's interests are legitimate?[/quote:0300d94f6f]

Devil's Advocate here... this show takes place in 1934. I think it would be obvious if Dad were tooling around in a bulletproof car. The only person who was driving that kind of car would have been FDR, and his bulletproof Packard Limo was a 1937 model.

It would have been outrageously expensive to own a bulletproof car back in the 1930's, as is further illustrated in your link of an $88,000 BMW.

Darling daughter requires the aid of suspended disbelief in this tale, for even if she weren't the dryest match in the box, she'd HAVE to notice that Daddy's car was awfully different from the Lombardo family next door (sorry, OTR humor).

I'm also another person who never watched the Soprano's. Sounds as though the writer's of the show were trying to humanize the "family." I should watch it one of these days. :wink:

Just my 3¢ worth!

[Lagavulin]

I listened and logged this episode a year ago - gave it a 10 out of 10.
My log entry is here (http://www.cbsrmt.info/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2788#2788)

cheers
miles

[Texas]

Fizzlestix...good points but...how would she [i:4a60e273d2]know[/i:4a60e273d2] it was a bulletproof car?

And what if Daddy (who she knew was rich) told her he bought it from a head of state somewhere who needed such protection, and that she believed him? I know we think she is gullible, but she's also [i:4a60e273d2]innocent[/i:4a60e273d2], and innocent people do have a tendency to trust other people (and sometimes, sadly, can have that virtue taken advantage of.)

[Fizzlestix]

[quote:583b3c4e04="Texas"]Fizzlestix...good points but...how would she know[/i:583b3c4e04] it was a bulletproof car?

And what if Daddy (who she knew was rich) told her he bought it from a head of state somewhere who needed such protection, and that she believed him? I know we think she is gullible, but she's also [i:583b3c4e04]innocent[/i:583b3c4e04], and innocent people do have a tendency to trust other people (and sometimes, sadly, can have that virtue taken advantage of.)[/quote:583b3c4e04]

Trust me, I think she'd [i]know something was up with a 1930's bulletproof car, since the bulk armor it wore would be several inches thicker than your average 30's vehicle.

And true, innocent people do often trust people a bit too openly, but unless this young woman was a complete dolt, I don't see how a person could buy into it without questioning.

I'm just saying, is all. :wink:

[Texas]

Fizzlestix...you're going to think I'm being a jerk here but:

Here's Al Capone's 1930 V-16 Cadillac:

http://members.fortunecity.com/moran9/8baab120.jpg[/img:615f2954d8]

Here's the link to the page in case it doesn't print here. (http://members.fortunecity.com/moran9/id81.htm)

Now, here's an ostensibly "regular" 1931 V8 Caddy Sedan:

[img:615f2954d8]http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/salsbury/cady3101.JPG[/img:615f2954d8]

...alongside the page that it's on. (http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/cady3101.htm)

Maybe I'm wrong, but I just get this feeling that a girl attending an upscale women's college isn't going to be asking about 1/4 inch armor plate lining the driver's compartment (what if it wasn't visble, but was covered by some other material?) or why her Daddy's car has a 452 cubic inch, 16 cylinder motor? I'll bet that was a big point of discussion at her sorority house. [img]smile.gif

There are some things which could be questioned on this story (though not much, IMO) but this one really didn't bother me that much...but maybe that's just me.

[Fizzlestix]

Texas - I could never think of you as a "jerk." This is wonderful, friendly debate (that was actually started by Kizer, not me - I am only the Devil's Advocate here, pushing the strain of the topic!) :wink:

Thanks for the pictures and the link. I honestly would have to agree that in true life, an upscale broad (using lingo of the era) would likely have no concern about how Daddy brings in the bacon, nor the kind of car he drove, as long as she was taken care of.

Again, like I said, tho, if disbelief is suspended, and we assume that she is not concerned about these things (which is quite different that not being observant enough to notice the hulking metal machine parked in the driveway), then so ends any question of the matter. However, I still think the girl was a bit tortoisey. :D

Lastly, my only gripe regarding the show itself can be found in my original response to the post. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I've enjoyed our debate as well!

[Kizer Sosay]

Sorry, folks. I am loving this discussion and I realize I was just stirring the pot when I brought that stuff up.

I am enough of a fan of radio drama to appreciate the challenge of writing depth into a play of 40 minutes in length. And also to appreciate that a suspension of disbelief and an ability to indulge fantasy will add much to the enjoyment of these and similar programs. God knows I prefer this entertainment to what today are referred to as "reality" programs. At least Al Corley's daughter is fictional; and Paris Hilton is supposed to be "real?"

I promise I won't get nit-picky again with anything that might seem too corny or too much of a stretch (well... maybe not promise). The fact is, I really enjoyed the episode. The naive daughter not realizing her daddy was a famous thug certainly didn't spoil the overall impact of the work. I guess, like many reviewers and critics in our society, I was just trying to find something different to say.

Nice car research, dude. Now, what about a blood type so rare that, in a town large enough to support a wealthy organized crime boss, only two people have it.... (okay, I know, I promised! I'm just joshin' witchya).

In case the ghost of Sam Dann is about to e-mail me a virus, let me say that he is my favorite CBSRMT writer.


K

[Texas]

Kizer, Fizzlestix...thanks! No offense taken.

Kizer, I hear you on the blood type...without that, there'd have been no story.

[Steve]

Honestly, I don't know much about cars and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't know it was a bullet-proof car if my Dad owned one. Besides, maybe he has his daughter chauffered in a different car. What has it got to do with the main theme of the story anyways?

Also, Fizz, I find it totally believable that the guy would beg for his life if he was dying. Most anyone would. Especially this guy--he's a taker, not a giver (except to his daughter). The moment of truth is when he is forced to admit he wouldn't do the same for Boda. And, hey, in the end, that admission saved his life.

Let's play a game: If the story were turned around and Boda was lying there dying, do you think he'd beg? I doubt it. I think the begging was very much in line with how the mob boss was characterized--he had worldly power, but was a weak person.

Steve

[Fizzlestix]

I don't know Steve... the way it was presented, he wanted to kill Boda. Again, in a drug induced state, I could accept the begging, but his delivery of "NO." when asked if he'd do the same was too sober.

I'd have expected him to say something more on the lines of, "You? You're the donor? I'LL KEEL YOU BEFORE I TAKE YOUR BLOOD!!" as he lunges from the bed at Boda's throat.

His whole, "No, please, help me... I don't want to die!" routine was thin for me.

This is, of course, perception, so our difference in view is good. You got me to rethink my own analysis of the drama... even though I still think it was a wimpy plot twist. ;)

---

Kizer - haha! thanks for spurring on the conversation. I enjoy a discussion in which there are differences in opinion, perception, and facts that can be drawn out to prove a point (ie, Texas' cars).

Without this, we end up having a dullsome review of each show where everyone just reiterates the plot and says, "Good show."

There's selections I've made in the past, hoping to drum up some controversy (Beyond Belief is one), but nothing much happened in that thread. We're very lucky when an episode combines the elements of great writing, with believable situations, and identifiable characters, only to have one small thing be a glaring lucifer to the certain listeners.

I applaud our discussions and hope we have many more ahead...

Now, if only UNTIL NEXT TIME were here to join in with the discussion. Say, where is he?

[Draegerman]

[quote:ccf6856648="vgarci"]This week's program is presented for your review by Texas.

For those who do not have the program, you can download it (with or without a Streamload account) at: www.streamload.com/vgarci[/quote:ccf6856648] (http://www.streamload.com/vgarci[/quote:ccf6856648])

Vince,

This show sounds awfully interesting but it's not listed on your streamload account. Please...please...please...can you help a brother out? <wink>

Draegerman

PS: I also promise to open a Streamload account as soon as I get back from Afghanistan. Take care all.