Case Closed! – "Pursuit and Boston Blackie"

Episode Date: December 24, 2025
Podcast: Case Closed! (old time radio) | Host: RelicRadio.com

Episode Overview

This episode of Case Closed! transports listeners back to radio’s golden age, featuring two classic crime stories: “Pursuit: The Masked Five” and a Boston Blackie adventure. Both stories immerse the audience in tense investigations, daring escapes, and clever detective work, highlighting the relentless efforts of law enforcement and private detectives to untangle criminal puzzles.

Segment 1: Pursuit – "The Masked Five"

Main Theme:
A tense, atmospheric manhunt led by Inspector Peter Black of Scotland Yard, unraveling a high-stakes bank robbery and the elusive gang behind it.

Key Discussion Points & Narrative Beats

• Scene Setting & Premise ([00:51–03:47])

  • Inspector Black and Sergeant Muffat are escorting a mysterious prisoner to London, convinced he's linked to the daring Barton’s Bank robbery of £500,000.
  • A sudden, suspicious stop on their supposedly direct train hints at foul play.
  • Memorable Line:
    • Inspector Black, weary from his passenger's complaints about manacles: "Just have to do the best you can, sir." ([03:45])

• Ambush & Escape ([05:00–07:47])

  • The train halts due to a decoy truck, and masked assailants launch a brazen rescue attempt.
  • The prisoner is killed in the chaos, and the attackers flee in a Vauxhall.
  • Quote:
    • Sergeant Muffat: "Like a doornail, sir."
      Inspector Black: "I find that neither amusing nor analogous, Muppet." ([07:43])

• Investigation & Deduction ([08:43–13:15])

  • Black and Muffat analyze the gang’s clever tactics and begin to piece together the robbers’ local knowledge.
  • A battered lorry driver, Jeremy Gullion, reveals details about the masked men and the Vauxhall.
  • They trail leads to Ambleside, arriving at the Chief Constable's house, where the suspect vehicle is inexplicably parked.
  • Quote:
    • Sergeant Muffat: "They must have been pretty familiar with these parts, sir... You think the Barton robbery could have been done by Carlisle people?"
      Inspector Black: "No, not necessarily..." ([10:09])

• Community Involvement & Tension ([14:24–16:51])

  • Inspector Black questions Chief Constable Bashford, whose car was used in the escape.
  • Bashford is indignant at suspicion but provides support and local knowledge.
  • Quote:
    • Chief Constable Bashford: "Dash it all, sir, you questioning the veracity of my statement? I've been with him since 8 o'clock." ([16:07])

• Break in the Case & Confronting the Gang ([18:20–27:57])

  • Police coordinate a county-wide dragnet.
  • Four suspects are tracked to a remote cottage; one is found dead (likely murdered by the gang to prevent him from talking).
  • Inspector Black deduces the motive: "He was probably delirious. That's why they killed him. Obviously they didn't want to leave him behind to talk." ([23:28])
  • The chase continues over treacherous terrain, finally cornering the last three gang members.
  • Dramatic Moment:
    • Three puffs of dust from warning rifle shots force the fugitives to surrender:
      Narrator: "I saw three puffs of dust explode above the head of each man. Then I saw them stop, hesitate, and begin the slow descent..." ([27:25])

Segment 2: Boston Blackie

Main Theme:
Clever detective Boston Blackie infiltrates a gang to clear himself of a murder charge, weaving deception and wit with help from his confidante, Mary Wesley.

Key Discussion Points & Narrative Beats

• Complication Introduced: Blackie Under Suspicion ([30:25–33:36])

  • Mary Wesley hires a detective agency to shadow Blackie for his own protection as he investigates Fredericks' gang.
  • Blackie ingratiates himself with the criminals, seeking inside information but becomes a murder suspect when a watchman is found shot after a heist.
  • Memorable Exchange:
    • Mary: "I want you to follow someone."
      Detective: "Shadowing's easy, Ms. Wesley. So easy we sometimes hate to take money for it." ([31:47])
    • Who?
      • Mary: "His name is Boston Blackie." ([32:21])

• Inside the Gang: Earning Trust and Raising the Stakes ([34:00–39:11])

  • Blackie participates in a robbery, apparently shooting a watchman with blanks.
  • The watchman is later found dead; the gang suspects Blackie's loyalty but allows him to stay for now.
  • Threat:
    • Fredericks: "There may be trouble. And if there is... I'll kill you before you can move an eyelash." ([35:22])

• Detective Tension & False Alibi ([39:43–43:49])

  • Blackie’s alibi falls apart when it's revealed the supposedly tailing detective lost his trail.
  • Inspector Faraday moves to arrest Blackie for murder.
  • Comic Relief & Tension:
    • Blackie: "Your mind is so dull, you could be arrested for carrying a blunt instrument." ([41:51])

• Blackie Fights Back: Exposing the Real Killer ([44:09–48:18])

  • Blackie surmises Bill, one of the gang, shot the watchman to “cover” after Blackie had left.
  • Blackie confronts the gang for a confession, gets ambushed, and is knocked out.
  • He escapes and seeks evidence to clear his name.

• Comic Pages Clue & Cornering the Criminals ([49:50–54:33])

  • Blackie uses Tommy’s obsession with comic papers as a lead to track him down at the newspaper delivery.
  • Climax:
    • Blackie wrings a confession out of Tommy, confirming Bill’s guilt and Fredericks' involvement:
      Blackie: "That watchman was more than hurt at that hold up. He was killed. And I think you killed him."
      Tommy: "It was Bill!" ([51:09])

• Showdown & Closure ([52:19–54:33])

  • With Faraday’s grudging cooperation, Blackie arranges for Fredericks’ arrest, recovers the stolen money, and clears his own name.
  • Comic Banter:
    • Inspector Faraday: "You know, Blackie, maybe it takes a little longer when we work alone on a case, but we sure get results."
      Blackie: "Wanna know a way we can solve cases quicker?... Next case when we work alone, I'll work alright." ([54:29])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Why is it that we can't carry guns and they can?" – Inspector Black ([07:26])
• “The fifth man should have stayed here. He might be alive. Careful now. Come on...” – Inspector Black, on the dangerous price of disloyalty among thieves ([21:33])
• “I find that neither amusing nor analogous, Muffet.” – Inspector Black, on black humor amid tragedy ([07:45])
• "You shot the watchman on that job, didn't you?" "Sure. With blanks." – Inspector Faraday & Blackie, as Blackie’s alibi crumbles ([40:29])
• "He was probably delirious. That's why they killed him. Obviously they didn't want to leave him behind to talk." – Inspector Black ([23:32])
• "There may be trouble. And if there is... I'll kill you before you can move an eyelash." – Fredericks, threatening Blackie ([35:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pursuit story begins: [00:51]
• Ambush on the train: [05:00–07:47]
• Interrogation of Chief Constable: [14:52–16:51]
• Raid on the cottage – one gang member found dead: [22:49–23:39]
• Final chase and surrender: [25:58–27:57]
• Boston Blackie story begins: [30:25]
• Mary hires detective to shadow Blackie: [31:22–32:21]
• Blackie joins Fredericks’ gang: [34:00–35:22]
• Robbery and watchman incident: [37:04–38:49]
• Blackie’s alibi falls apart: [41:02–42:31]
• Comic page clue at the newspaper truck: [49:50–51:47]
• Confession and Fredericks' arrest: [52:19–54:33]

Episode Tone & Style

The tone mixes hardboiled police procedural with witty repartee. “Pursuit” is serious, methodical, and tense, focusing on logic and deduction under pressure. “Boston Blackie” blends classic detective confidence with fast-talking humor, especially in exchanges with Inspector Faraday and Mary.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers two tightly constructed, suspenseful tales—from a rural English manhunt to urban gangland scheming—each showcasing how wit, deduction, and a bit of humor bring justice in the world of old time crime radio. The stories are rich in period atmosphere, expressive dialogue, and classic radio sensibility, perfect for fans of vintage whodunits.