Radio review – SDP – “Chicago Deadline” (1949) **

Uninspiring adaptation of one of Alan Ladd’s lesser Paramount movies. It has one advantage over the film – you never see the dead girl so you can make up your own mind about what sort of person she is, instead of being let down by Donna Reed. But the running time is too short and the story too flawed to create anything evocative along the lines of Laura; Ladd’s reporter is too unmotivated in his quest. The most interesting thing is the chat at the end between Ladd and director Lewis Allen, who jokes about Ladd’s co star being ideal in this one because you don’t have to pay her.