Podcast Summary: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Episode: “The Van Dyke Seance Case” & “The Jerome K. Jerome Case” – Richard Diamond, P.I.

Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Series: Classic Radio Detectives

Overview

In this episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers, listeners are transported into the witty, fast-paced world of the golden age radio detective, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, portrayed by Dick Powell. The double-feature presents two distinct cases: “The Van Dyke Seance Case,” involving spiritualist scams, murder, and jewel theft among New York high society, and “The Jerome K. Jerome Case,” a quirky, comic case wrapped around a supposed madman, a sealed room, blackmail, and a missing heir. Everything is brought to life through sharp banter, memorable characters, and a lighthearted noir tone, laced with Diamond’s trademark wisecracks.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

I. “The Van Dyke Seance Case”

(Start: 00:29)

A. Richard Diamond’s Introduction

• Diamond’s customary sardonic view of detective work, mixing in priorities: women, money, “and more women and more money.” (00:29)
• “About the fan letters to June Allison. Who knows? She never writes back.” – Diamond (01:08)

B. The Seance and Setup

• During a staged seance for wealthy Mrs. Myrna Van Dyke, “spirit” messages warn her of grave danger and urge her to trust Dr. Langley, her advisor.
• After the performance, Langley and the ‘Professor’ conspire to rob Mrs. Van Dyke of her jewels via another séance and future warning, planning a classic confidence swindle. (04:31)
• Diamond’s impersonation of a rural “Appleknocker” later lampoons the phony spiritualist racket with deadpan humor. (10:24)

C. Case Assignment

• Nancy Van Dyke, Mrs. Van Dyke’s cautious niece, hires Diamond to uncover the scam against her aunt, suspecting Dr. Langley’s intentions for the family’s wealth. Offers him a significant retainer (“Is $200 all right?” – Nancy, 07:11).
• Notable banter:
  • Nancy: “Did you ever model bathing suits?”
  • Diamond: “No, Mr. Diamond, but I have a very nice one. I got it in the south of France last season. I’ll show it to you sometime.” (07:38)

D. Police Backstory and Legwork

• Diamond checks in at the police station for files on Bunko artists, bantering with the bumbling Sergeant Otis and learning Dr. Langley’s a repeat scam artist (multiple aliases, two convictions) (08:36–09:50).

E. Investigation

• Diamond and girlfriend Helen crash Professor Leonardo’s séance under assumed identities (Appleknocker and Lulabelle), exposing the spiritualist as a fraud through sheer comedic sabotage (13:08–15:38).

F. The Murder

• Upon checking in on Mrs. Van Dyke, Diamond discovers her murdered—stabbed through the throat, wig on the dresser, towel on her head (17:06–18:04).
• Otis: “You sure can dig 'em up, can’t you?”
  • Diamond: “Mess, isn’t it? Yes, stabbing through. Looks like she was getting ready for bed. That’s a towel on her head, ain’t it?” (17:49)

G. The Chase & Climax

• Clues point to a planned double-cross: The doctor flees, leading Diamond to Flyaway Airport in thick fog. Another attempt at the jewels ends in violence—both Doctor and Professor meet their ends. (21:48–24:26)
• The revelation: It was Nancy Van Dyke, the niece and “sole heir,” who killed her aunt to frame the con men and inherit the fortune. Caught in her own words:
  • Diamond: “Oh, who said she was stabbed?”
  • Nancy (caught off-guard): “Well, I just—” (25:40–25:44)
• Motive and means: No struggle, implying someone trusted (“no signs of a struggle. Your aunt must have known the killer pretty well.” – Diamond, 25:51).

H. Closing Banter

• Diamond and Helen wind down, with playful banter and Diamond at the piano crooning “Don’t Blame Me” (27:09–27:50).

II. “The Jerome K. Jerome Case”

(Start: 31:15)

A. Odd Client, Odd Case

• Richard Diamond receives a surreal visit from Jerome J. Jerome, a self-proclaimed millionaire, G-man, songwriter, and owner of a mink farm (“You should do well.” – Diamond, 34:55).
• Jerome: “I’m a millionaire, Mr. Diamond.”
  • Diamond: “Well, bless your little pointed head.” (34:02)
• Jerome’s claim: He’s found a corpse and wants to act as Diamond’s bodyguard. (35:01–35:14)

B. Setup and Discovery

• An elaborate comic routine ensues as Diamond brushes off Jerome’s story—until detectives get a call: there’s indeed a corpse at the Osterham mansion, a museum sealed to the public (43:21).

C. The Sealed Room

• The dead girl: Adelaide Smith, a blackmail artist and former secretary to Patrick Mahaffy, attorney for the Osterham estate.
• Jerome broke in and found the body, believing it to be a trick to throw him off—a classic radio farce in the making (“You should be careful, Mr. Lonely Levinson. You bite someone. Have you been checked for rabies?” – Jerome, 46:37).

D. Investigation & Revelations

• The girl had a sizable bank account, indicating lucrative blackmail work. Connections to Mahaffy, who handled the Osterham trust, are revealed—he’s embezzled from the estate.
• Discovery that one “heir” to Osterham estate was a cocker spaniel; the other—missing for years—turns out to be Jerome in disguise (53:13).
• The murder engineered by Mahaffy to cover his theft; Jerome/Jerome’s odd behavior was an eccentric ploy to flush out the killer.

E. Climax

• Diamond confronts Mahaffy, who attempts to bribe and then threatens Diamond.
• The showdown is interrupted by Jerome, who helps foil Mahaffy and confesses his true identity.
  • Jerome: “Just a little eccentric. You see, I found out the money was missing, so I looked up the girl. She told me for 20,000 she’d show me the thief. She told me to meet her at the museum that night, and the thief would be there. When I got there, she was dead.” (56:12)

F. Comic Resolution

• Jerome promises Diamond a hefty check for his “services” as soon as the estate is settled.
• More lampooning ensues, with hats, music, and Helen’s good-natured exasperation (“Well, yes, but where did the band come from?” – Helen, 58:47).

Notable Quotes & Moments

“Van Dyke Seance Case”

• Diamond’s Philosophy: “Women, money, women and more money. Don’t misunderstand me, I’ve got other habits too... but no matter how you slice it up, it still boils down to the same ghastly facts.” (00:34)
• Expose at the Séance:
  • “I just wanted to find out how phony you were. Now, you ought to be ashamed, taking advantage of old ladies like Mrs. Van Dyke. Shut up. Who are you? The name’s Diamond. Look me up sometime. I’m in the phone book under Detectives.” (15:47)
• On the Murder:
  • “She didn’t have to worry about trying to button it because it was pinned together at the neck with a long knife.” (17:29)
• Closing Zinger:
  • Helen: “What’s to eat?”
  • Diamond: “Bring some milk, will you, dear?” (26:39)

“Jerome K. Jerome Case”

• Diamond’s Client Interview:
  • “I’m a millionaire, Mr. Diamond. I’m also a G-man.”
  • Diamond: “I knew this would jump the track sooner or later.” (34:04)
• Jerome’s Departure:
  • “Mr. Diamond, remember huffing hot toads have no hair.” (36:30)
• On the Sealed Room:
  • Jerome: “When we passed this room, we noticed it was sealed. I asked why and the guard said it was because the late Mr. Osterham had stipulated in his will that the rest of the house could be shown—but not this room.” (46:03)
• Climactic Confrontation:
  • Mahaffy (to Diamond): “Now you better answer it. That's the police, and they know I'm here. All right. But you say one thing wrong, and I'll have to shut you up permanently.” (54:36)
• Jerome’s Confession:
  • “Just a little eccentric. You see, I found out the money was missing, so I looked up the girl. She told me for $20,000 she’d show me the thief. She told me to meet her at the museum that night.” (56:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (00:29): Diamond’s opening monologue—philosophy of detection and comic intro
• (04:31): The spiritualist scam—the true nature of the séance revealed
• (07:11): Nancy Van Dyke hires Diamond
• (13:08): Diamond and Helen’s comic break-in to the séance
• (17:29): The murder is discovered—Mrs. Van Dyke dead
• (18:18): Police investigation at the scene of the murder
• (21:48): Foggy airport confrontation, violence erupts
• (25:40): Nancy Van Dyke slips and gives herself away
• (31:15): “Jerome K. Jerome Case” begins—Diamond’s office interview
• (43:21): Investigation at Osterham mansion, discovery of the sealed room and corpse
• (46:03): Jerome’s story of finding the body
• (53:13): The cocker spaniel inheritance; Jerome’s true identity
• (54:36): Diamond-Mahaffy confrontation, case ties up
• (56:12): Jerome’s eccentric confession and summary of the case

Tone & Style

The episode preserves the rapid-fire, wisecracking style of the original detective radio plays, with Diamond’s narration riding the line between comic and noir, breaking tension with humor. Supporting characters figure as foils and comic relief, amplifying the breezy energy and intricate plotting characteristic of classic radio detectives.

Takeaway

These two Richard Diamond stories exemplify the intrigue, humor, and distinctive personalities of golden age radio’s detective fiction. Listeners get both a winking send-up of hard-boiled tropes and genuinely twisty mysteries—with plenty of “ghastly facts,” musical interludes, and playful repartee that remains delightful for detective fans past and present.