Podcast Summary: Case Closed! (Old Time Radio)

Episode: Jeff Regan and Pat Novak
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Description: Crime stories from the golden age of radio, featuring cops, robbers, and private investigators. This episode reopens classic cases, bringing them to life once again.

Story 1: Jeff Regan - "The Prodigal Daughter"

Characters Introduced:

• Jeff Regan: Private investigator.
• Anthony J. Lyon: Head of the International Detective Bureau.
• Daniel Carter: A distraught father seeking help.
• Melody (Janice King): Patrice Carter's roommate.
• Oliver Fig: Coroner.
• Rhonda (Red): Pat Novak's acquaintance.
• Patrice Carter: Missing daughter.

Plot Overview: Jeff Regan, a seasoned private investigator, is approached by Daniel Carter, a troubled father desperate to locate his daughter, Patrice, who vanished five years prior after her mother's death. Regan is offered a $2,000 fee by Anthony J. Lyon of the International Detective Bureau to track Patrice down in New Orleans.

Key Events:

1. Engagement of Jeff Regan ([03:08] - [04:17]):

   • Daniel Carter admits defeat in locating his daughter and offers Regan a substantial fee.
   • Regan expresses skepticism about Patrice's willingness to return, given her solitary departure.

2. Arrival in New Orleans ([05:13] - [05:53]):

   • Regan arrives at the Roosevelt Hotel, encountering a suspicious man posing as part of the Delta Cotton Growers convention.
   • Realizes the discrepancy in the convention details, hinting at foul play ([06:07]).

3. Investigation Begins ([06:52] - [09:21]):

   • Regan visits Patrice's dilapidated apartment only to find her deceased body, misleading him initially.
   • Melody (Janice King) denies any knowledge of Patrice's death, pushing Regan to suspect a setup.

4. Discovery at the Morgue ([10:00] - [12:05]):

   • Regan obtains Patrice's death certificate, which states leukemia as the cause of death.
   • Despite the official report, Regan remains unconvinced and returns to confront Lyon with his findings ([13:00] - [13:35]).

5. Confrontation and Deception Unveiled ([19:16] - [26:47]):

   • Regan uncovers that Patrice's death was staged to deceive Lyon and Daniel Carter.
   • Melody reveals she is, in fact, Patrice Carter, having faked her death to claim a trust fund her father set up for her.

6. Resolution ([26:47] - [28:26]):

   • The plot unravels as Regan confronts Lyon, exposing the intricate scheme involving fake identities and falsified death certificates.
   • Patrice asserts her independence, rejecting her father's attempts to reconnect, and the fraudulent nature of the International Detective Bureau is revealed.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel Carter ([02:16]): "I've never heard from her, Mr. Regan, since she left. I don't know where she is, but I want her back."
• Jeff Regan ([25:19]): "Patrice Carter wasn't the type to do a striptease for a living."
• Melody ([25:37]): "I want that card too, Patsy. I want it ahead of Chris."

Insights and Themes:

• Deception and Truth: The story delves into the complexities of truth in investigative work, highlighting how easily false narratives can be constructed.
• Family and Estrangement: Patrice's strained relationship with her father underscores themes of familial obligations and personal autonomy.
• Corruption and Ethics: Anthony J. Lyon's morally ambiguous practices illustrate corruption within supposed institutions meant to uphold justice.

Story 2: Pat Novak for Hire - "Jack of Clubs"

Characters Introduced:

• Pat Novak: Private investigator.
• Inspector Hellman: San Francisco Police Inspector.
• Connie Riley: A seductive woman linked to the case.
• Max Coleman (Kurt Toomey): An innocent thief caught in the scheme.
• Jocko Madigan: Ex-doctor assisting Novak.
• Christopher Downs (Chris): Suspect involved in the murders.

Plot Overview: Pat Novak, a private detective struggling to make ends meet, becomes embroiled in a complex scheme involving forgery, theft, and murder. When an unexpected $1,000 deposit appears in his bank account, Novak suspects foul play, leading him to uncover a tangled web of deceit centered around a mysterious "Jack of Clubs."

Key Events:

1. The Mysterious Deposit ([30:00] - [32:42]):

   • Novak notices an unaccounted $1,000 deposit labeled "Friday" in his bank account, questioning its origin.
   • Confronts the bank, leading to suspicions of FBI involvement and entangling him in a larger conspiracy.

2. Meeting Connie Riley ([33:51] - [36:17]):

   • At his apartment, Novak encounters Connie Riley, who seductively engages him, complicating his investigation.
   • They discuss the mysterious "Jack of Clubs" and its significance, hinting at deeper criminal activities.

3. Uncovering the Truth ([37:00] - [48:21]):

   • A series of events, including a murder in Novak's apartment and clues pointing to Max Coleman, unravel the conspiracy.
   • Inspector Hellman pressures Novak, leading to confrontations and the discovery that the "Jack of Clubs" was a fake used to manipulate funds.

4. Final Confrontation and Resolution ([55:35] - [58:25]):

   • Melody (Connie Riley) reveals her true intentions, aligning with Novak to expose Anthony J. Lyon's fraudulent operations.
   • The intricate plot involving fake identities, fabricated deaths, and stolen trust funds is fully exposed, leading to the downfall of the corrupt detective bureau.

Notable Quotes:

• Pat Novak ([31:43]): "Look, bloomer girl, just mark the slip, huh?"
• Inspector Hellman ([37:38]): "Who is he, your father?"
• Melody ([55:35]): "You're a funny guy, Novak."

Insights and Themes:

• Identity and Deception: The narrative underscores the fluidity of identity in criminal endeavors, where individuals adopt false personas to manipulate outcomes.
• Trust and Betrayal: Novak's interactions reveal themes of trust, both abused and rebuilt, highlighting the fragile nature of alliances in investigative work.
• Corruption within Law Enforcement: Inspector Hellman's duplicitous behavior illustrates the pervasive nature of corruption, blurring the lines between law enforcement and criminal activities.

Overall Conclusions and Reflections

This episode of Case Closed! masterfully intertwines two gripping stories that explore the depths of human deception, the complexities of familial relationships, and the pervasive nature of corruption. Through the intricate investigations of Jeff Regan and Pat Novak, listeners are immersed in the golden age of radio's crime storytelling, complete with suspense, unexpected twists, and morally ambiguous characters.

Listener Takeaways:

• The Importance of Skepticism: Both stories emphasize the need for investigators to question official reports and dig deeper beyond surface-level truths.
• Complexity of Human Relationships: Familial bonds and personal vendettas play significant roles in driving characters' motivations and actions.
• Enduring Appeal of Classic Crime Narratives: The intricate plots and multifaceted characters reflect the timeless appeal of old-fashioned detective storytelling.

Final Notable Quote:

• Jeff Regan ([25:24]): "That's what you want. Cigarette?"

This quote encapsulates the essence of the deceptive interactions that drive both narratives forward, highlighting the blend of charm and suspicion that defines classic radio crime dramas.

Credits:

• Jeff Regan: Played by Jack Webb
• Anthony J. Lyon: Played by Wilms Herbert
• Melody: Played by Lorette Philbrandt
• Pat Novak: Played by Tudor Owen
• Inspector Hellman: Played by Raymond Burr
• Additional Cast: Betty Lou Gerson, Victor Perrin, Ted De Courcia, and Herb Butterfield

Production:

• Written by: E. Jack Newman
• Produced and Directed by: Gordon T. Hughes
• Original Music: Del Castillo and Basil Adlam

Support and Further Listening: For more thrilling crime stories from the golden age of radio, visit RelicRadio.com or listen to the show via their Shoutcast stream. Support the series by donating through their website to keep these classic tales alive for future audiences.