In an 1895 London prison, condemned Alfred Ryder (as John Marriott) nervously waits to be hanged. Before he is taken to the gallows, Mr. Ryder admits to the chaplain, "I pushed a blind beggar into the gutter and I robbed his tin cup." More seriously, he murdered a woman. Ryder is surprised when the hanging rope snaps, saving his life. Ryder explains a vision showed him there would be only one way they could kill him. He asks for a last meal, explaining, "It's not healthy for a man to miss his breakfast." Repeated attempts to kill him are futile, and Ryder is released. But, soon, Ryder meets his Achilles' heel
**** The Devil's Laughter (3/31/59) John Ireland ~ Alfred Ryder, Ben Wright, Lester Matthews