1001 Radio Crime Solvers: THE BRAVE RABBIT & THE IMPOLITE CORPSE

Podcast: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
Host: Jon Hagadorn (Nero Wolfe and Archie portrayed by Sydney Greenstreet, Larry Dobkin, et al.)
Date: November 26, 2025
Episode: “The Brave Rabbit” and “The Impolite Corpse” (Nero Wolfe radio plays)

Episode Overview

In this vintage double-feature episode, listeners are treated to two classic cases from “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe,” featuring the eccentric, genius detective and his irrepressible assistant, Archie Goodwin. The first story, “The Brave Rabbit,” revolves around political conspiracy, corrupt officials, and a peculiar rabbit farm; the second, “The Impolite Corpse,” takes on a murder within a high-powered advertising agency, where secrets, jealousies, and ambitious careers all play into crime.

The episode beautifully captures the snappy dialogue and period flavor of golden-age radio mysteries, delivering clever plots steeped in character and atmosphere. It’s an immersive glimpse into the cerebral yet wry world of Nero Wolfe as he unravels mysteries with logic, sarcasm, and a refusal to leave his comfort zone—unless absolutely necessary.

Case 1: The Brave Rabbit

[Begins ~02:57]

Key Characters

• Nero Wolfe: Renowned detective, famously sedentary, loves orchids and beer.
• Archie Goodwin: Wolfe’s sharp-tongued, street-smart assistant.
• James Collier: Committee secretary, owner of a rabbit farm, suspected of leaking information.
• Claire: Collier’s love interest with emotional ties to the case.
• Mr. Veeck (Veek): Criminal mastermind and manipulator.
• Marshall: Veek’s hired gunman.

Main Plot Points & Insights

Political Scandal & Mysterious Rabbits

• Wolfe is summoned by the Governor (through Williams) to investigate confidential leaks from a crime-fighting committee ([05:16]).
• Suspicion falls on secretary James Collier, who recently began spending all his time at a rabbit farm.
• “Nothing unusual, except Jimmy Collier has gone in for raising rabbits.” (Governor, [06:18])
• Archie goes undercover, claiming to have car trouble, to investigate Collier’s farm.

Interpersonal Tensions and the Setup

• Tense exchanges between Collier and Claire reveal money trouble and secretive meetings ([06:20–07:09]).
• Archie flirts with Claire, who seems to be acting as a lookout or sentinel outside Collier’s house ([12:19–14:05]).
• Archie senses Claire’s behavior is a signal, not genuine fright:
  “You’ve already signaled whoever you’re supposed to signal… That scream had a lot of carrying power.” (Archie, [14:40])

The Murder and the Frame-up

• A man is murdered in Collier’s darkened house—Archie fails to ID the killer due to Claire’s panicked hold ([18:38]).
• The victim is not Collier but a stranger (Marshall, as it turns out), described as “early 30s, height maybe 5’10, weight around 175, blonde hair, blue eyes, suit with a shoulder holster, manicured but dirty fingernails.” (Archie, [19:02])

Linking the Clues: The Dead Rabbit

• Wolfe pieces together the plot from the safety of his hotel room (true to character!). Knowing all along the symbolic role the rabbits play:
  “I already know exactly what role the rabbits play in our problem.” (Wolfe, [10:33])
• The investigation at the farm uncovers a friendly rabbit killed by a blow to the head ([23:21]).
• Wolfe quickly deduces:
  “He may be dead now, Archie, but he was friendly. Too friendly.” ([23:28])
• The rabbits’ reaction to the burial of a human body tips Wolfe off to the location of Collier’s grave.

The Confrontation and Solution

• Veek tries to manipulate Wolfe with a false confession, seeking to frame Collier ([17:08–18:08]).
• Wolfe lays out the solution in front of all parties, including the police:
  • Collier was murdered first and buried in the rabbit run.
  • The “friendly” rabbit—unafraid of people—approached someone during the burial and was killed to cover up the event.
  • Marshall, Veek’s hitman, was then killed by Veek himself to eliminate the only witness and further frame Collier.
  • The clue: dirty fingernails betrayed that Marshall had dug a grave—uncharacteristic for such a meticulously groomed gunman.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Archie’s wit (to Claire): “Nice moonlight we’re having. My name is Goodwin and blondes call me Archie… Brunettes call me Archie too… And what do redheads call you?” ([12:46–12:51])
• Wolfe, on the rabbits: “Cross examine the rabbits… You’re going to be quite surprised.” ([11:08], [23:06])
• Wolfe, confronting Claire:
  “You clung to Archie… because you had seen and recognized the murderer as the man you loved.” ([24:44])
• Wolfe, conclusively:
  “James Collier couldn’t have killed Marshall, because at the time he was killed, James Collier was already dead.” ([27:19])

Resolution

• The real culprit, Veek, is revealed and arrested.
• Archie gently comforts Claire, who confesses her love for Collier was already gone:
  “I didn’t love Jimmy. That was all washed up.” ([28:40])
• Wolfe explains the clever rabbit farm ruse as a method for passing secret messages via “carrot deliveries.”

Case 2: The Impolite Corpse

[32:03]

Key Characters

• Walter Channing: Victim, advertising executive, not well-liked.
• Brenda Barclay: Channing’s secretary (and former lover); she becomes Wolfe’s client.
• Tom Bennett: Disgruntled fired employee.
• Doris Channing: Channing’s wife, suspicious and resentful.
• Alan Meelik: Head of agency’s media department, Brenda’s former fiancé.
• Kelly: Shoeshine boy.

Main Plot Points & Insights

The Murder Scene

• Channing is murdered late at night in his office—a “hole as big as your chest”—seated at his desk, gun found on the floor some 10 feet away ([38:36], [39:02]).
• Suicide is initially suspected, but soon ruled out: “The gun was held against his chest and fired… But it wasn’t suicide, Mr. Wolfe.” (Brenda, [39:16])

Complicated Relationships & Motives

• Multiple suspects with grudges: Brenda (scorned lover/former fiancée), Doris (jealous wife), Alan Meelik (angry at being dumped), Tom Bennett (fired staffer).
• Violent memos and office politics are central — focus on a memo Channing dictated that eliminated daily shoeshines, coffee breaks, and threatened job security ([36:16–36:41]).

Key Clues & Forensic Details

• Ink stains and aniline dye on the carpet suggest someone knelt at Channing’s feet to clean his cuff, leaving evidence on the floor ([46:26–46:34]).
• Laboratory analysis reveals carbon tetrachloride and perchloroethylene (used in typewriter and spot cleaners) on Channing’s trousers.
• Aniline dye (in shoe polish) matched the kind used on women’s (suede) shoes, not men’s ([57:04–57:12]).

Wolfe’s “Sanctity of Deskhood” Theory & Re-enactment

• Wolfe posits people behave differently “behind the desk”—few are permitted into that space ([54:06]).
• He orchestrates a dramatic re-enactment:
  “The killer had to be someone Channing would allow to kneel at his feet without alarm.”
• At first, suspicion falls on Kelly (the shoeshine boy), but the shoe polish on the carpet is the wrong kind ([56:57–57:12]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Archie, analyzing the logic: “Still figure it’s so important?” Wolfe: “Absolutely essential.” ([54:12])
• Wolfe, on the memo as a red herring: “That memo was sent around the morning after Channing was killed. For only one purpose—to point suspicion at Kelly.” ([57:48])
• Wolfe unmasks Brenda:
  "Three questions, Archie, with one answer. That spells the name of the murderess. Our own client, Brenda Barkley." ([58:12])

The Solution

• The murderer is Brenda Barclay, who knelt in front of Channing under the pretext of cleaning his cuff, then shot him. She planted evidence to frame Kelly (the shoeshine).
• Wolfe explains: "If a woman... knelt in front of Channing to clean that ink spot, that smudge could have rubbed off her shoe onto the carpet." ([57:24])
• Brenda tried to mislead police with fabricated evidence and false suspicion on the shoeshine—her motive: vengeance, jealousy, and the promise of stock shares after 15 years’ employment.

Resolution

• Brenda is exposed; she breaks down under the evidence.
• Wolfe, in his typical style, ends the day by demanding a beer and advising Archie to avoid trouble—especially with blondes.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Wolfe and Archie’s Banter:
  Wolfe: "Archie, you better don't puff up about it. Those vest buttons won't stand the strain.”
  Archie: “I can't get you a bottle of beer. Why not? You ordered me to hold you to four a day.” ([44:02])
• Wolfe’s Deductive Brilliance:
  “The obvious can be too obvious.” ([56:26])
• On Office Politics:
  “If you want my opinion… whoever killed Walter Channing did the rest of us a favor.” (Employee, [41:21])

Key Timestamps

• 04:16 — Mobsters discuss hiding from a governor’s crime committee.
• 06:18 — Collier’s sudden interest in rabbits noted.
• 12:19–15:21 — Archie's comedic interaction with Claire, and their approach to the murder site.
• 18:38 — Murder revealed at Collier’s house.
• 23:16 — Dead rabbit discovered, clue to the burial.
• 27:19 — Wolfe reveals Collier is dead.
• 36:09 — Villainous memo at ad agency sets up next murder.
• 39:06 — Forensic evidence discussed by Archie and Wolfe.
• 54:06–54:39 — Wolfe’s “sanctity of deskhood” demonstration.
• 57:04–58:12 — The murderer's identity is deduced and revealed.

Episode Tone & Style

Wolfe is his usual mix of irascible, cerebral, and sardonic, while Archie is flippant, charming, and dogged. The script is packed with wit, period idioms, and detective fiction tropes, all delivered in brisk radio dialogue full of humor and snappy repartee.

Conclusion

These two Nero Wolfe mysteries showcase how golden-age radio masters the art of character, deduction, and entertaining sleuthing. Clever setups, distinctive clues, and real human foibles keep listeners hooked as Wolfe sorts fact from red herring—all with Archie’s wisecracks along for the ride.

Recommended for:
Fans of classic mysteries, radio drama, witty banter, and tightly-constructed detective plots.

(Note: All timestamps are approximate and may vary by podcast player.)