In the old days, people used to listen to the radio the way we sit around and watch T.V. They often had a favorite "show" that came on regularly, with familiar voices playing the parts. A favorite genre of radio show was "SUSPENSE!"
Plot of "Sorry, Wrong Number":
Leona Stevenson is the spoiled, bedridden wife of Elbert. One day while listening to a crossed telephone connection, she hears two men planning a woman's murder. She learns that it is scheduled for 11:15, when a passing train will hide any sounds of screaming. She calls the telephone company and police, but with few concrete details, they can do nothing. Complicating matters, her husband is late and their servants have the night off, so she's all alone in her New York City apartment.
As she makes phone calls, she starts to discover some disturbing things about her husband. According to an old friend of Elbert's who calls Leona, he appears to be involved in some shifty business. We also learn that she's not really an invalid. It's all in her head.
It turns out that Elbert is deeply in debt and needs a bunch of money. The person he owes has hinted to him that his wife, Leona, must be worth a lot in life insurance, meaning if she were to die, he would get a lot of money.
A man named Evans calls Leona and reluctantly informs her that he was involved with the shifty business, but that Elbert no longer owes any money. He's off the hook.
When Elbert finally calls, Leona gives him Evans' message. It is now only minutes from 11:15, and Elbert begs her to go to her balcony and scream for help, but she still thinks she's too ill to get out of bed, even though she can hear someone downstairs. She gets killed, a call comes through, and the murderer answers the phone and says, "Sorry, wrong number."
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