Case Closed! - "Private Files of Rex Saunders" & "Pursuit: The Limehouse Killers"

Podcast: Case Closed! (Old Time Radio)
Episode: Private Files of Rex Saunders and Pursuit
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: RelicRadio.com
Stories Aired:

1. The Private Files of Rex Saunders – "Done to Death" (May 16, 1951)
2. Pursuit – "Pursuit of the Limehouse Killers" (July 15, 1950)

Episode Overview

This episode of Case Closed! features two classic crime dramas from radio’s golden age. First up is "Done to Death" from The Private Files of Rex Saunders, followed by “Pursuit of the Limehouse Killers” from Pursuit. Both stories plunge listeners into the worlds of detectives and crime-fighters, facing shadowy adversaries in complex cases involving murder, deception, and international intrigue.

The episode showcases the cynicism, sharp wit, and methodical approach of radio’s crime-solvers, delivering suspenseful storytelling rich with memorable moments and quotes.

Story 1: The Private Files of Rex Saunders – "Done to Death"

Main Theme

A seemingly straightforward case involving a jewel courier quickly escalates into a murder mystery involving deceit, counterfeit currency, and an international criminal scheme.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Opening and Setup (02:28–04:49)

• Rex Saunders and his assistant Alec await the arrival of the ship Trigania after receiving an urgent radiogram from a passenger named Alison.
• They meet Vivian Sears (posing as Alison), who claims to be a courier transporting $200,000 in diamonds and says her life is in danger.
  • “They're after this valise, this brown one here… Diamonds. Diamonds valued at $200,000. They're from the South African mines. I'm a courier for the Kent Diamond Syndicate.” — Vivian Sears, [04:26]

The Double-Cross (05:13–07:56)

• Rex takes the “diamond” bag and arranges to meet Vivian later, but soon realizes the person they met is not the real Alison (confirmed by the passenger list).
• Rex is held up in a taxi, loses the bag, and discovers it was empty—the supposed courier used Saunders to distract from her actual plan.

Unraveling the Truth (07:57–14:10)

• Rex learns the true Alison, a man, has been murdered. The plot deepens: was the courier’s story a ruse?
• Clues from the crime scene: cigarette butts not matching the victim’s brand and a matchbook advertising the Holly Inn.
  • “A very interesting piece of information. Allison had a frequent visitor. A young lady who I imagine fits the description of our brunette friend. Sears, Vivian. Sears. Vivian.” — Alec, [11:55]

False Trails and Twists (14:10–21:07)

• Police recover the missing diamonds after Vivian Sears’ fatal car accident.
  • “Miss Sears? Death wasn't an accident, Alec. I'm almost positive of it.” — Rex Saunders, [17:27]
• Scotland Yard reveals the victim was once an engraver—curious, given the metal filings found under his fingernails.
• A link is made to counterfeit British pound notes and to a roadhouse called the Holly Inn.

The Showdown (21:07–28:39)

• At the Holly Inn, Rex encounters Evelyn Gaines (Johnson’s secretary) and is ambushed by the same thug from the taxi.
• After a harrowing escape and a staged death, Rex and Alec catch up to Johnson and Gaines aboard a ship, overhearing their conversation about using Allison’s engraving plates for forging pound notes:
  • “Who'd ever think of looking inside the tire tubes of your car for counterfeit money?” — Evelyn Gaines, [27:20]
  • “I permitted you to get this far, Johnson. So that I would be sure to stop the counterfeit money from being circulated in England. However, I must say that you had rather a neat plan. Manufacturing the pound notes in the States. And then taking them to England in the tires of your car.” — Rex Saunders, [28:00]

Resolution (28:39)

• The criminal conspiracy is exposed: Allison was enslaved into plating counterfeit money and then murdered for it, as was anyone in the way. Rex, with police help, foils the plan before the money can be distributed.

Story 2: Pursuit – "Pursuit of the Limehouse Killers"

Main Theme

Inspector Peter Black of Scotland Yard is drawn into a deadly pursuit of a Limehouse narcotics gang after the inside man is murdered in the shadows of London’s underworld.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Case Assignment & First Clues (31:10–36:42)

• Black receives a tip from undercover agent Clive Furness (alias Roach) about the head of the narcotics ring, Jackman; while on the phone, Furness hears Jackman is murdered.
• Inspector Black and Sergeant Moffat investigate a Limehouse boarding house amid dank London fog, meeting the evasive landlord Caprillis and troubled tenant, Glory:
  • “You can taste the filthy stuff, sir.” — Sergeant Moffat on the Limehouse fog, [33:43]
  • “Just ask for Glory. Everybody in Lime Master knows Glory.” — Glory, [40:33]

Web of Lies (36:42–46:44)

• Black and Moffat suspect both landlord and tenants are withholding truths. They confirm their undercover man Furness has been murdered, and the girl Glory holds key information but is terrified.

Tightening the Net (47:02–52:06)

• Jackman is found alive, playing innocent. Black realizes their only way to an arrest is to catch the criminals with drugs or use the murder of Furness against them.
• Glory contacts police, frantic. She has stolen narcotics from the gang, is being pursued, and is afraid.

Final Confrontation and Aftermath (52:14–57:04)

• Glory is tracked to a station, wounded in a shootout with Jackman and Caprillis, who are captured.
• On her deathbed, Glory explains she stole the drugs and reveals where they're hidden:
  • “If I die, will you send me some flowers? The sort you'd buy for a girl.” — Glory, [56:22]
• Black honors her request but mourns the loss of both her and his fellow detective, closing the case.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Alec, remind me never to trust a handsome woman again, will you?” — Rex Saunders, [08:02]
• “Murder always upsets the neatest of plan.” — Rex Saunders, [28:07]
• “Just ask for Glory. Everybody in Lime Master knows Glory.” — Glory, [40:33]
• “If I die, will you send me some flowers? The sort you'd buy for a girl.” — Glory, [56:22]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [02:28] – Saunders and Alec receive the mission.
• [04:26] – Diamonds and courier danger revealed.
• [07:56] – Rex is robbed in a taxi; the ruse is uncovered.
• [12:50] – The real Alison’s body is discovered.
• [17:27] – Suspicion that Miss Sears’ car accident was murder.
• [21:07] – Confrontation at the Holly Inn; Rex is set up.
• [27:15] – Criminals toast to their plan (overheard by Rex).
• [28:07] – Final confrontation and plan revealed; criminals exposed.
• [31:10] – Inspector Black receives the Limehouse call.
• [34:33] – Black and Moffat interrogate Caprillis, the landlord.
• [40:33] – Introduction to Glory, the key witness.
• [46:03] – Glory found missing in the boarding house.
• [52:14] – Glory’s desperate call and pursuit in the tunnel.
• [55:56] – Glory confesses and gives location of narcotics.
• [56:22] – Touching request: flowers for Glory’s funeral.

Tone and Style

The dialogue brims with classic noir flair—wry, cynical, and taut. Both stories present labyrinthine plots, hardboiled detectives, and dark humor. The atmosphere is thick with tension, confusion, and the moral ambiguities of crime-solving in the radio era.

Summary Value

This episode is a master class in old-time radio crime storytelling, blending intrigue, double-crosses, and rich character work. Packed with dramatic twists, sly wit, and potent emotional beats, it delivers a window into the master detectives of yesteryear and the seamy worlds they navigated.

For listeners seeking suspense, wit, and the shadowy corridors of crime, this episode is a must-hear showcase of golden age radio at its finest.