Richard Diamond and Broadway Is My Beat

Summary

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Case Closed! – "Richard Diamond and Broadway Is My Beat"

Date: December 10, 2025
Podcast: Case Closed! (old time radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

This episode presents two classic radio crime dramas from the golden age: an installment of Richard Diamond, Private Detective starring Dick Powell, followed by an episode of Broadway Is My Beat featuring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Both stories plunge listeners into the gritty underworld of mid-20th century urban America, filled with double-crosses, shadowy motives, and crime-fighting detectives with a sharp tongue or a world-weary heart.

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Segment 1: Richard Diamond, Private Detective

(Starts at ~01:31)

Main Theme

Richard Diamond is drawn into a dangerous web after an unknown man, Eddie Burke, insists Diamond has a mysterious "package." What follows is a tale of mistaken identity, criminal betrayal, and murder, as Diamond races to solve the case—and clear his own name.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

Playful Banter to Propelling Crime

• Lighthearted Opener: The episode starts with Diamond's characteristic banter with his friend Helen, poking fun at his poverty and her wealth.
  • "You spent the dime, you name the crime." (01:47)
  • Helen: "Maybe, but you know, I seem to remember a past generation where the men took the women to dinner. I suppose you never heard of that arrangement." (02:23)
• A Mysterious Intruder: Eddie Burke arrives, demanding a "package" and alleging Diamond has already been paid for its safekeeping. Diamond is clueless but is pistol-whipped for his trouble.
  • "If you'd like to hire me and pay 100 a day, then I'll humor you and pretend to know what you're talking about." (03:36)

Diamond's Search for Answers

• The Package's Possible Importance: Police Lieutenant Walt Levinson brings up that Burke was previously involved in counterfeiting, suggesting the package might contain missing plates for printing fake money. (07:34)
  • "When Eddie was picked up, we never found the plates...Chances are he hid them." – Walt Levinson (08:35)
• Interview with Manny Warren: Manny, an old acquaintance of Burke now running a "legit" garage, is evasive but reveals Burke's girlfriend is Nancy Casey. (10:53)
• Dangerous Encounter with Casey: At Casey's apartment, Diamond is drugged after being served coffee by a woman posing as a roommate—Casey herself.
  • Casey: "You dropped your cup, Mr. Diamond. Oh, you shouldn't try and get up. That drug takes effect fast, you just tire yourself." (13:45)

Frame-Up and Climactic Confrontations

• Diamond Awakes to Murder: He regains consciousness, gun in hand and Burke dead before him—framed. (15:04)
• Detective Work and Showdown: Clues and a phone call lead Diamond to the Carter Hotel, where he finds Casey mortally wounded and confronts Manny Warren on the fire escape.
  • Memorable scuffle soundscape (21:08-21:15)

The Truth Revealed

• Casey, dying, confesses: The package contained the missing counterfeit plates. She lied to Burke and implicated Diamond to buy time, but was double-crossed by Manny. (21:34-22:52)
  • "All those stinking plates, they meant more to him than I did. He didn't trust me." – Nancy Casey (22:34)
• Melancholic Resolution: Diamond comforts Casey in her last moments with small talk as she slips away, underscoring the noir pathos.
• Back-to-Normal Banter: The story closes with Diamond and Helen exchanging quips about his dangerous profession followed by a tender song.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Diamond, after being pistol-whipped:
  "Oh, it isn't fun getting a face full of cold steel...I go to the blood bank once a week for a refill." (05:26)
• Casey's last words:
  "No, no. Got it. Talk. Talking keeps my mind off the pain. Talk to me. Talk to me, Diamond. Talk." (22:53)
• Diamond (singing to Helen):
  "How deep is the ocean, how high is the sky..." (25:04)
• Helen, wisecracking about Diamond's battered face:
  "Somehow that sweet song doesn't go with that battered face of yours. It's like Frankenstein whistling Mother McCree." (26:39)

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |-----------|------------------------------------| | 01:31 | Richard Diamond episode begins | | 03:10 | Eddie Burke confronts Diamond | | 05:26 | Diamond recovers from attack | | 10:13 | Interview with Manny Warren | | 11:17 | Diamond seeks out Nancy Casey | | 13:20 | Casey drugs Diamond | | 15:04 | Diamond awakes, framed for murder | | 21:08 | Confrontation with Manny Warren | | 22:34 | Nancy Casey's dying confession | | 25:04 | Diamond sings to Helen | | 26:39 | Helen's wisecrack |

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Segment 2: Broadway Is My Beat

(Starts at ~30:01)

Main Theme

Detective Danny Clover is drawn into a peculiar case involving a stabbing in Central Park, mysterious envelopes, strange bench-side gifts of money, and the haunting presence of a silent observer—culminating in a domestic drama laced with blackmail and psychological torment.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

The Crime Scene & Mysterious Witnesses

• A Park Bench Stabbing: Danny arrives at the scene in Central Park, where a boy named Paul Gilbert reports seeing a man with a knife in his back and another man in a hat observing before fleeing. (31:18-32:06)
  • "I saw the man take it out of his own back and throw it down. And then the man staggered away." – Paul (31:31)
• Canvassing the Witnesses: Danny interviews a host of quirky park regulars: a comic "governess," evasive men, and someone referred to as "the looker"—a woman who sits at her window watching the park each day. (35:24-36:24)

Victim's Home and The Money Trail

• Home of Harry Foster: Clover learns the victim regularly found envelopes of money on the bench—sometimes turning them in, sometimes keeping them at the urging of his wife. (44:07-45:43)
  • "For five weeks in a row... I told Harry he didn't have to turn it in anymore." – Mrs. Foster (45:43)

The Blackmail and the Final Confrontation

• The Envelopes Unveiled: An envelope found and brought to Danny is addressed to George Mason. It suggests Mason is being blackmailed for a murder he may not have committed. (49:17-50:02)
  • "It says you've made a terrible mistake, that's all. Not another word, see?" – Witness (50:02)
• Focus on Mrs. Mason ("the looker"): The narrative tightens around Mrs. Mason, a wheelchair-bound woman who is revealed to have orchestrated the blackmail plot, manipulating her own husband into murder out of spite and bitterness from a past accident.
  • "It's not much to ask, is it? Wanting George to suffer. Look at me." – Mrs. Mason (55:48)

Dramatic Unveiling of Motives

• Twisted Motives: Mrs. Mason, harboring spite after a life-altering accident she blames her husband for, manipulates the events to emotionally torture him, resulting in the murder of an innocent man who was simply in the wrong place.
  • "You're an evil woman." – Clover (56:27)
• Emotional Fallout: The confrontation devolves into bitter recrimination between the Masons.
  • "I didn't push you, Diane. I didn't push you. You fell off that ride." – Mr. Mason (56:05)

Closing Reflection

• Clover's weary internal monologue, underscored by the night noises and neon glow of Broadway, cements the melancholy, existential undertone of the episode.
  • "It's Broadway—the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, my beat." (57:11)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Paul's innocent description:
  "All of them, except for midgets." (31:51)
• Bleak noir prose:
  "And try to erase from memory the other, the eyes of the woman filled with the name Terrors..." (38:59)
• Mrs. Foster, on the money:
  "For five weeks in a row. I told Harry he didn't have to turn it in anymore. I told him to go back, to be sure and keep going back every week. Yesterday too. And we'd be rich." (45:43-45:53)
• Mrs. Mason’s haunting malice:
  "It's not much to ask, is it? Wanting George to suffer. Look at me...Am I? What can you do to me? A cripple in a wheelchair in a prison. Would that be different?" (55:48-56:05)

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event | |-----------|----------------------------------------| | 30:01 | Broadway Is My Beat episode begins | | 31:18 | Paul describes the stabbing | | 35:24 | Interview with Ms. Cram, the governess | | 44:07 | Detective visits Mrs. Foster | | 49:17 | Envelope with blackmail letter received | | 53:01 | Letter confrontation with Mr. Mason | | 55:06 | Mrs. Mason’s chilling confession | | 57:11 | Detective Clover's closing narration |

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Final Thoughts

Tone & Style

The original language—rapid-fire wisecracks, poetic narration, wounded romanticism—results in an authentic, atmospheric immersion into radio noir. The performances are marked by witty repartee, melancholic monologues, and sharply-drawn emotional climaxes, especially in the unraveling of criminal schemes rooted in betrayal and personal tragedy.

For New Listeners

This episode is a classic showcase of radio crime drama’s power. The Richard Diamond story blends humor with hard-boiled detective action, while Broadway Is My Beat delivers a more somber, psychological tale of cruelty and loss. Both offer a window into the anxieties and artifice of their era, making this a memorable offering from the golden age of radio.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

This is Case Closed Crime stories from the golden age of Radio.

The makers of Camel cigarettes present Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective.

How will Camels get along with your throat? Listen. In a coast to coast test, hundreds of people with normal throats smoked only camels for 30 days. Noted throat specialists made weekly throat examinations of those smokers and reported not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking. Camels. Make your own 30 day camel test. Smoke only camels for the next 30 days. You'll see how well Camels agree with your throat. Pack after pack, week after week.

Now we bring you another transcribed adventure with Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring Dick Powell.

[Richard Diamond]

Diamond Detective Agency. You spent the dime, you name the crime.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, no.

[Richard Diamond]

Hi, Helen.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Hi, Rick. What kind of a slogan is that? You spent the dime, you named the crime.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, it only applies to people calling from phone booths, dear.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Well, I'm not calling from a phone booth.

[Richard Diamond]

Then you have no right to judge the merits of my slogan.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

This is logic, dear.

[Richard Diamond]

You worry about your millions and I'll worry about my slogans. Elva, how is your bulging little bank account these days?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Healthy, which is more than I am. I have a cold.

[Richard Diamond]

Why, you poor. Sure, I'll let you take me to dinner tonight. That should make you feel better.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Maybe, but you know, I seem to remember a past generation where the men took the women to dinner. I suppose you never heard of that arrangement.

[Richard Diamond]

No, but it does sound novel. Shall we try it?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Love to.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Richard Diamond]

I have 2 cents in my pocket. Meet me in front of the corner drugstore and I'll blow you to a stick of gum. Oh, Rick, on second thought, we'll split a stick of gum and save the other penny for entertainment.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

All right, I'll take you to dinner.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, if you insist. I'll meet you in your wallet at seven, dear. Bring your own cough drops. We'll have a. Wow. I do believe a living creature is wandered into my Emporium client. I think I put it more elegantly. But why quibble? See you at seven. Bye.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Bye.

[Richard Diamond]

Diamond? That's right. I'm Eddie Burke. Glad to know you, Mr. Burke. Eddie Burke? That's me. You said that before.

[Narrator]

Well?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, what? Diamond, you know why I'm here. Don't stall. Sorry, pal, but I can't seem to remember who you are or why you're here. Should I? What is this, a game? Just hand over the package. You've been paid.

[Narrator]

I have?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, that's news to my bank account. Diamond, don't get smart with me. Where's the package? Now, Take it easy, Burke. Let's get something straight. If you'd like to hire me and pay 100 a day, then I'll humor you and pretend to know what you're talking about. I have loads of screwy clients, but if you expect me to listen to your wild talk for free, start walking. I don't think I like this. That's tough. No, I don't think I like this at all.

[Narrator]

Well, that.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, I'm not sure I like that gun either. Then we're even. And now, no more stalling.

[Narrator]

Hand me the package.

[Richard Diamond]

All right. Only first you tell me where I find it. Okay? Okay. So you play it cozy. You plan to cash in on it yourself, huh, Burke? Either this is someone's idea of a bad joke or you're a pretty mixed up guy. What makes you think I should have a package that belongs to you? Casey got scared. Casey? Yeah, she decided the package would be safer with a private cop. She says she paid you a thousand to keep it till I came for. Well, all I can say is that Casey should never go near a lie detector. I never heard of her or you or your package. So put that gun back in your pocket and beat it, huh? You're pretty cool, Diamond. Only Casey don't lie. You open the package. You know what it's worth, pal. You're so stand up. Oh, up, Diamond. I'll. Suit yourself, Diamond. I'm not gonna kill you unless I have to. Glad to hear it. Now, suppose you don't talk big. You'll be seeing me again real soon. Only next time I contact you, you won't get off so easy. When you come to, if you're smart, you'll get that package and have it waiting for me. Now, keep your hands up. Hi, Burke. You're making a big.

Oh, it isn't fun getting a face full of cold steel. Your eyes seem to fly back into your head and by the time they bounce into position again, you're not seeing out of them. But in my business, things like this happen so often. I go to the blood bank once a week for a refill.

I don't know how long I was out, but when I came to, I made the mistake of dragging myself to the wash basin and looking in the mirror. Oh.

I looked like a bad dream trying to qualify as a nightmare. And then I got mad. I decided I wouldn't wait for Eddie Burke to come and see me. I'd rather find him first. I put my hat on what was left of my head. Picked up my car from the Garage and headed downtown to the fifth Precinct and Lieutenant Walt Levinson. Hi, fancy pants. How's it. Wow. What happened to your kisser? That's a new disguise, Walt. I'm posing as a pound of hamburger. Nice work. Even got the ketchup. No kidding, Rick. What gives? Well, a guy by the name of Eddie Burke must be a frustrated plastic surgeon. Well, he's not frustrated anymore. What caused it, Rick? It beats me. Burke came in, acted like I should have a package that belonged to him. Maybe he thought you were a Chinese laundry. Very funny.

[Narrator]

Haha.

[Richard Diamond]

Don't kill yourself. You crack some more like that and I might. Come on, let's get back to work. Well, I didn't know what package he was talking about and told him so. He thought I was lying and went to work on my face. Well, cheer up. It's an improvement. Hmm. Bless your brass buttons and head. Thank you. You're welcome. Anyway, this was supposed to be a warning of what would happen next time Burke contacts me. What's he gonna do, make weekly visits or something? Oh, no, no. Nothing chubby like that. He just promised to look me up once more. The package. I see what brings you down here. You come to cry on my shoulder or fill out an assault charge against Burke? Neither, you sympathetic soul. You just thought you might know something about this Burke guy. I'd like to look him up and play some more games. I'll bet. Well, we've had Eddie Burke down here a few times. I'll get his file. What's his racket? He was sent up on a counterfeiting rap several years ago. Before that, he was mixed up in about every. Yeah, here we are. There's this folder.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Richard Diamond]

It's a big one, isn't it? How about a look at a list of his friends? He said a gal named Casey told him I had the package. Casey? Never heard of him or the girl by that name. Oh, sure. She's the lad with the bat.

[Narrator]

What bat?

[Richard Diamond]

The one she struck out with. Struck out? What are you talking about? You remember Casey at the bat? Yeah, but that was a man that. Oh, here, look at the file. The only name you'll find connected with Brick is Manny Warren. Manny Warren? Oh, when was Manny mixed up with Burke on that counterfeiting rap? He couldn't prove anything against Manny, so we let him go. You think he might know where Burke is now? It's hard to say. Manny's been running a big garage over on 71st. The address there in the folder. Yeah, well, that seems to be the only Lead here. You know that package Burke lost and thinks you might have thought that was important, huh? Important enough to bash my head in. Why? I'm just thinking. When Eddie was picked up, we never found the plates he was making the phony dough from. Chances are he hit him. You think the plates might be in the package? Could be. Only I still can't figure out why this Casey Damon says she gave them to you. Neither can I, fatty, but I'll try and find out. See you later.

I drove across town and located Manny Warren's big garage. From the looks of the place, Manny had come a long way from his counterfeiting days with Eddie Burke. There were several trucks inside, but just one man, a beefy looking character pounding out a dent in one of the truck fenders. I walked over to him.

Say, buddy.

Hey.

[Narrator]

Hey.

[Richard Diamond]

Ah, is the boss around? Who wants to know? That's a silly question. I want to know. Maybe he is, maybe he ain't. What do you want to see him about? I'd like to hire a truck. My relatives are coming in town for a sightseeing tour.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, skip it. Where's Manny? You tell me who you are, maybe I'll tell him you're here. Boss don't like to be interrupted all the time. Okay, okay, we'll play it your way. Tell him Richard diamond wants to see him. Richard Diamond? You're the private eye. The private black eye at the moment. Snap it up, huh? Okay, I'll tell you, Bill, on that blue car, you'd better. Ah, hello, Manny. Well, diamond, haven't seen you around for quite some time. I bet you've been heartsick. Yeah. What brings you down here? Eddie Burke.

[Narrator]

Eddie?

[Richard Diamond]

Okay, Bill, get back to work.

[Narrator]

Yeah, yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

Come on in the office, Diamond.

Sit down. I'm not tired. About Eddie. What about him? You seen him lately? Uh, well, what I want with a punk like Eddie? You were pals once. I'm glad you said once, Diamond. That was seven years ago. I run a legitimate business now. So it seems. You must have made plenty off that counterfeit money to start a place like this, Manny.

[Narrator]

Just watch yourself, Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

They proved Eddie was mixed up in.

[Narrator]

The queer money, not me.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, let's skip the small talk. You know of any place Eddie might be staying as? Like I say, it's been a long time since I knew Eddie.

[Narrator]

He had a girl back then, though.

[Richard Diamond]

Maybe he still runs around with her. Was her name Casey by any chance? Yeah, yeah, that was it. Nancy Casey. She might be listed in the phone book. She might be. I'LL take a look anyway. I'm sorry. That's all the help I can give you. Shammas. You look it. Yeah, yeah. Don't I? I'll drop around again sometime, though. Always glad to see a familiar face.

I left Banny's Garage and headed for a phone booth. In the book, I found a listing for a Ms. Sn. Nancy Casey. The address turned out to be a rundown apartment building on the west side. But there was nothing rundown about the girl who answered my knock. She stood in the doorway with a head tilted as if to say, what can I do for you? Only the hard look in her eyes seemed to say, don't get ideas, bud. And her mouth, all it said was, well. Are you Nancy Casey?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Uh, Nancy's out. I'm a roommate.

[Richard Diamond]

Do you expect her back soon?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yeah, she shouldn't be long. Who are you?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, just a friend of hers. Mind if I come in and wait?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I guess not.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, thanks.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I was just making some coffee.

[Richard Diamond]

Smells good.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Sit down. I'll get you a cup. Cream and sugar?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, yes. Thank you. Tell me, do you know many of Nancy's friends?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

A few. Why?

[Richard Diamond]

Nancy and I have a mutual friend. I'd like to get in touch with him.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, here's your coffee.

[Richard Diamond]

Thanks. The friend's name is Eddie Burke.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, yeah. I heard Nancy speak of him. Your coffee all right, huh?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, yeah, fine.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yeah, Nancy talks about this Burke guy a lot.

[Richard Diamond]

He ever come up to see her or.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Once or twice. I was always out, though.

Nancy should have been here before this. You have a date with her?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, not exactly.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

She goes out with a lot of guys. Me, I like to stay home. Read a lot.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, to each his own.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Do you read a lot?

[Richard Diamond]

Only bubble gum wrappers.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I read heavy stuff. Historical novels.

[Richard Diamond]

Good for you.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You want some more coffee?

[Richard Diamond]

No, no, that's plenty.

Sort of hot in here, isn't it?

[Narrator]

Is it?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah.

Real hot.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

It'll get hotter, Mr. Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

Diamond? How did you know my name?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Your picture's been in the paper. Like I say, I read a lot. You getting tired?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, I. Oh, no.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, yes. The coffee shouldn't take long. You dropped your cup, Mr. Diamond. Oh, you shouldn't try and get up. That drug takes effect fast, you just tire yourself.

[Richard Diamond]

You. You Casey?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

That's right. I'm Nancy. Casey. Find it hard to stay on your feet, Diamond?

[Richard Diamond]

My. My head. I.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Your what? You can't even stand straight.

The big, strong detective.

[Richard Diamond]

It was a long, peaceful sleep. I kept having a falling sensation, like I was floating down into A dark well, only there was no bottom. My head felt light. And finally, I don't know how much later, I. I seemed to stop floating. My senses came back and I remembered Casey and the cup of coffee.

And then I heard the pounding. At first it sounded far away, but it got louder. I felt something in my hands. I tried to focus on it as the pounding continued. It was my gun. Then I heard the voice. Open up. Police. Open up.

I looked across the room, but I didn't like what I saw.

Eddie Burke was propped up in a chair. And there were two bullet holes in his head. And chances were, the bullets had come from my gun. Come on, open up in there.

[Narrator]

It's the police.

Before we continue with Richard diamond, here are a few words about smoking enjoyment. Try the one sensible test of cigarette mildness. Try the 30 day camel test. Smoke only camels for 30 days. Enjoy camel's rich full flavor. Pack after pack through steady smoking. The only sensible way to judge a cigarette. You'll see for yourself how well Camels agree with your throat. In a coast to coast test, hundreds of smokers with normal throats smoked only camels for 30 days. Noted throat specialists made careful weekly examinations of the throats of those smokers and reported not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking. Camels. That's proof of Camel mildness. The kind of proof no, no other cigarette gives you. Tonight, start your own 30 day camel test. Make Camels your steady smoke for the next 30 days and you'll discover why Camel is America's most popular cigarette by billions.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

How mild, how mild?

[Richard Diamond]

How mild?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

How mild can a cigarette be? Make the candle a 30 day test and you'll see.

[Richard Diamond]

Smoke Camels and see.

[Narrator]

And now back to Richard diamond, private detective starring Dick Powell.

[Richard Diamond]

I opened the door of Nancy Casey's apartment and admitted Lieutenant Walt Levinson, homicide. And he had good reason to be there for Eddie Burke. Was certainly a case for homicide. I brought Walt up to date. Told him about Casey drugging me and my finding the gun in my hand. It's a good thing Walt was my friend. He believed me. Well, Rick, it's been quite a day. Slugging, drugging. Now it looks like somebody's trying to frame you. But good. Yeah. What brought you here anyway, Walt? Anonymous phone call, Rick. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to make it look like you killed Burke. Who was it? Casey.

[Narrator]

Dame?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, but I don't think she's in this alone. Who else? Manny Warren. Oh, Joel. Legit. How do you figure him in? When I got here, Nancy Casey was expecting me. I was watching her when she fixed that coffee. I didn't see her slip in the drug. That means the drug was already in the cup. Well, what said got to do with. Oh, you think Mandy tipped her off that you were coming over? Well, who else besides you? He's the only one who knew I was looking for. Well, what are we waiting for? Come on. Let's have a talk with Morgan. No, no, no. You let me do it, Walt. You'll be busy here for a while anyway, and we'll have to prove Manny did it, not just accuse him. Okay, okay, you can give it a try. Only, look, bright eyes, until you find out why Burke was killed and just how those characters all fit together, you're gonna be on the spot. I still have to report it was your gun that killed Burke. Commissioner might not be happy when he hears I let you go. Well, you hold off the commissioner, Walt. You should be used to that by now.

I left the apartment and drove across town back to Manny Warren's garage. But I still couldn't figure the tie in Nancy. Casey had lied to Burke, told him I had the package he was looking for. Then she drugs me and Burke is killed. And somewhere in this mess, Manny Warren was involved. But how? I quit thinking about that as I parked in front of the garage and went inside. Bill the beefy character was still the only man around.

Ah, you're back again. Either I am, or you've got bad eyes. Tell Manny I want to see him.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

He ain't here.

[Richard Diamond]

Besides his claws in time. Beat it. Now, look, pal, don't make with a runaround. Where's Manny? I said he ain't here. You got no right coming in here after closing time. I got half a mind to throw you out. You try it, and I'll scatter your half mind all over this floor. Why, you. Now, where's Manny Warren? Let go. Let go me.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

You're choking me.

[Richard Diamond]

Manny. I hear tell you. Maybe it's home. Where's home? I don't know. Now, where's home? I don't know, I tell you. Maybe that's him now. Okay, enter the office and answer it. And if it is Manny, ask him where he is. And don't try anything, or I'll make you look like I feel.

[Narrator]

Manny ain't gonna like this.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, shut up. Just answer that phone and hold the receiver up so I can hear, too.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Hello, Bill, this is Casey. Is Manny there?

[Richard Diamond]

No. No, he ain't.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Well, I'll try his home then. If he should come in, though. Tell him I found a place I'll be staying in for a while. I'm registered at the Carter Hotel as Nancy Collins. You got that?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, I got her. Well, that's as good as Manny's address. Come on, Bill. Well, you think you're taking me to that closet over there? That'll keep you out of the way temporarily. Oh, no, you don't.

I dragged Bill into the closet, locked it, and then headed for the Carter Hotel. Nancy Casey could clear up a lot of questions and I was in a good mood to play quizmaster. She was in room 312, and I took the elevator to the third floor. Then I reached her room. But before I could knock, I tried the door. It was locked. I threw my weight against it. I tried again and the door flew open.

[Narrator]

No.

[Richard Diamond]

It was quite a sight. Nancy Casey was writhing on the floor with a knife in her back. There was an open window, and climbing out of it onto the fire escape was Manny Warren. I scrambled after him. I was too close and Manny knew it. He didn't try and run. Instead, he aimed a kick at my face as I climbed onto the fire escape.

Diamond. I'll kill you.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

I'll kill you, Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

Manny Warren took a long trip down.

I went back into the room. Nancy Casey was in a bad way, and I phoned for an ambulance.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, it hurts, Diamond. It hurts.

[Richard Diamond]

Take it easy, honey.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Tried to kill me, too. I hadn't expected that.

[Richard Diamond]

Why, Casey? What's it all about?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Plates. Those counterfeited plates. All this over some stinkin plates.

[Richard Diamond]

The package Eddie Burke thought I had?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yeah. Eddie left it with me for safekeeping. I turned him over to Manny. He told me we'd clean up and leave town by the time Eddie got out. Only we didn't. Eddie came to me, wanted the plates.

[Richard Diamond]

So you lied and said you'd give them to me.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I needed time. I needed time to talk to Manny. He decided how to get rid of Eddie when you came along. He told me to drug you. He'd handle the rest. Then I came here. I phoned him at home, told him where I was.

[Richard Diamond]

He didn't waste any time getting here.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

All those stinking plates, they meant more to him than I did. Man. He didn't trust me. This way, nobody knew about the plates but him. He didn't trust me.

[Richard Diamond]

But in his business, you don't trust anyone now. Oh, I better keep quiet and lie still.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

No, no. Got it. Talk. Talking. Keeps my mind off the pain. Talk to me. Talk to me, Diamond. Talk.

[Richard Diamond]

All right, Nancy I'll talk to you.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You swim, Diamond? I used to like swimming.

[Richard Diamond]

It's a lot of fun.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yeah, it's fun.

Hurts I still good pain.

I never could stand pain.

[Richard Diamond]

Nancy.

Well, at least it doesn't hurt anymore, does it, kid?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Rick?

[Richard Diamond]

Yes, Helen, dear?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You sure I can't get something to help your face?

[Richard Diamond]

Not unless you have an old gas mask handy.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You poor boy. I can't stand to see you all beaten up like this.

[Richard Diamond]

You can't stand it? Honey, honey, it's my face.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

When it's present form. I wouldn't brag about that.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, now, that's what I like. A gal to cheer you up after a hard day's work.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Hard day's work. Pistol, whipped, drugged, framed. What a business. And what do you get out of it?

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, 100 a day and a very high Mercuricrome.

[Narrator]

Bill.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, I'm serious, Rick. Other men lead pleasant, quiet lives. They have nice jobs, nice homes, nice wives.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Ho, ho, ho.

[Richard Diamond]

I knew this conversation was leading somewhere.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Well, while we're on the subject, I'm not safe, dear.

[Richard Diamond]

I want you to hear the nicest song.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, no.

[Richard Diamond]

I'll sing it just for you.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I might as well give up with my cold. You can sing louder than I can talk.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, save for the skin of my vocal cords.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Just wait until one day you have laryngitis. Coward.

[Richard Diamond]

How much do I love you?

I'll tell you no lie.

How deep is the ocean.

How high is the sky.

How many times a day.

Do I think of you?

How many roses.

Are sprinkled with dew.

How far would I travel.

To be where you are?

How far is the journey.

From here to a star?

And if I ever.

Lost you.

How much would I cry.

How deep is the ocean?

How high is the sky.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, very nice.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, thank you, dear.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Only somehow that sweet song doesn't go with that battered face of yours. It's like Frankenstein Whistling Mother McCree.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, clever, clever. You know, I could take my bruises and leave.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Why don't you just snap off the lamp and then I won't notice them?

[Richard Diamond]

Helen, at times you are endowed with genius. Come here.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

And have you catch my cold? Not in your life.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, then let's turn the lights back on, dear. I can't stand to see all this darkness going to waste.

[Narrator]

Dick Powell will return in just a minute. Here's a very special way to remember your valentine. Next Thursday, give a carton of camels, a special carton that's all dressed up in Happy Valentine colors. It's available wherever Camels are sold. Camels make such a welcome gift. They're America's most popular cigarette, leading all other brands by billions.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

How mild, how mild. How mild can a cigarette be?

[Richard Diamond]

Smoke Camels and see.

[Narrator]

Here's Dick Powell with a special message.

[Richard Diamond]

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Every week, the makers of Camels send thousands of packs of Camels to military and veterans hospitals. That's to help show the hospitalized men and women of our armed forces that the folks at home haven't forgotten their sacrifices. This week, the gift Camels go to Veterans Hospitals, Northport, New York and Madison, Wisconsin. U.S. army Station Hospital, Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky, to all overseas hospitals operated by the Northeast command of the U.S. air Force. Now, until next week. Enjoy Camels. I always do.

[Narrator]

Tonight's adventure of Richard diamond was written by Dick Carr with music by Frank Worth. Virginia Gregg was heard as Ellen Asher and Alan Reed as Lt. Walt Levinson. Others in the cast were Bill Conrad, Jeanette Nolan and John Dana. Richard diamond, private detective, is transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle.

Be sure to listen to another great camel show, Vaughn Monroe and the Camel Caravan every Saturday night. Want to know why you should pack your pipe with pa? The bite is out and the pleasure's in.

[Richard Diamond]

When you smoke Prince Albert, it's specially treated not to bite your tongue. The bite is out and the pleasure's in.

[Narrator]

So if you smoke a pipe and want the fine flavor of choice tobacco with rich natural tobacco fragrance, pack your pipe with Prince Albert. The national joy Smoke.

Listen next week for another exciting adventure of Richard diamond, starring Dick Powell.

Broadway's my beat From Times Square to Columbus Circle the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

Broadway's my beat with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

In the early twilight, Broadway is dappled with beginning shadows. It the time of the small shock. The springtime's day starts its long scream down into night it's time, clock time, the hour for going home again Close the ledger, lock the store Figure the overtime Smile at the boss and out into the street Blink, then run the subway waits for no man Home again End another day again.

But my day was just beginning north on Broadway into the east Central park around the 80s and push through the crowd whose focus was a park bench that faced the street.

[Richard Diamond]

All right, come on, come on. Break it up there.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Let him through.

[Narrator]

And Sergeant Mugaman tells you why you're there.

[Richard Diamond]

Right over here, Danny. Land right there near the bench.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I found the knife. I didn't pick it up. I really.

[Richard Diamond]

Who's the boy, Paul.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Paul. Gilbert. I haven't been home from school yet.

[Narrator]

Oh, you'll go home in a squad car, Paul.

[Richard Diamond]

I. I promised him.

[Narrator]

With the siren, Danny, with the siren. What happened, Paul? How did the knife get there?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I saw the man take it out of his own back and throw it down. And then the man staggered away.

[Richard Diamond]

Did I show you this, Danny? All this blood, wherever he is, he's hurt real bad.

[Narrator]

I want you to think for a minute, Paul. What did this man look like?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Tall, I guess. Yeah, I guess that's all he was. Tall.

[Narrator]

Most grown ups are tall, aren't they, Paul?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

All of them, except for midgets.

[Narrator]

One more thing, Paul. Was there anyone with this man? Think hard.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

No, I don't think so.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, you told me that the other.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Man I saw wasn't with him. The other man in the hat just watched him. Then the man in the hat ran away. He wasn't with him.

[Narrator]

What did the man in the hat look like?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

He had a hat. That's all I know. I got scared. I ran.

[Richard Diamond]

That's right, Danny. Paul ran right into Officer Curcio on the beat. Almost knocked him down. Curcio came back, saw the blood on the bench, the knife, phoned it in.

[Narrator]

Paul, did you know the man? The man with the knife?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

No, uh. I usually don't come home from school this way. We had an after school game with the 8v2 over there on the playground. This is the first game of the.

[Narrator]

Inner Mural squad car. Mugaban for Paul with a siren.

Then the careful tracing, the sifting through the shadows of a city, the dust of a city, the hiding places of a city into which a wounded man must crawl and lie for a time, and then wander in search of a kindlier place, a docker place, and leave behind him the trail of the wounded, the blood of his life.

But the man who'd been stabbed had done none of these things. The hospitals told me that the doctors. The fella in the neat white jacket in the drugstore across from the park, who, not having a wounded man, offered me a special on shaving cream. Then the legwork of the man on the beat, harvesting the crop of those who had been at the scene of the crime, sorting them, packaging them, parceling them out to me one by one.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Look, mister, how many rights do we have to give you guys? I was calling on my girl. Brought her a box of chocolate covered peppermints. She was beginning to understand me.

[Narrator]

We won't keep you long.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

You don't understand, mister. I don't Stick close to my little bird. She busts out of a cage. I've known her to do that when I pop out two minutes for a corner newspaper.

[Narrator]

You're in the park this afternoon. Saw a man who was stabbed. Can you describe the man?

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

I was never in the park where an unfortunate got stabbed.

[Narrator]

An officer took your name. You made him erase it, start all over again. Because he wasn't spelling it right.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

So you caught me in a lie.

[Narrator]

Can you describe the man who was hurt?

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Describe who got a chance to get close to him? Everybody pushing, shoving, like it was a parade for a general. I'm lucky I got a peek at the top of his fleeing skull.

[Narrator]

Oh, that's all.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Look, I want to explain why I lied about not being in the park. My girl, the bird thinks I work for a living. It's a little white lie.

[Richard Diamond]

I used to keep her cage, that's all.

[Narrator]

You can go.

[Richard Diamond]

Then.

[Narrator]

The man who is eager, whose eyes dart and pierce, who follows you as you move away from him, stays close to you, kneads the lapel of your coat.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

I was real close to him.

[Richard Diamond]

He had a knife in his back. He breathed in my face. I could tell you the color of his eyes, how close I was.

[Narrator]

Now tell me.

[Richard Diamond]

Blue eyes.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Washed out blue.

[Richard Diamond]

And no tears in them. No tears at all. No remorse for the evil doing that had brought wrath upon him.

[Narrator]

Blue eyes. What color hair?

[Richard Diamond]

Dirty. A dirty color. All matted. No. No, it was blond and shining. And it was a kind of light that shone about it. That's because he was dying. Dying in protest against all the wickedness that'll drown. Drown us all.

[Narrator]

Big man, a short man of his.

[Richard Diamond]

What does it matter how he looked? I was close to him, I tell you. He reached out his hand to me, touched my hand. The tears on my face.

[Narrator]

Help him out of your office. Motion a policeman over, watch him, be gentle with a man. Take him away, and then motion for the next one to come in.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Realize, of course, that you're imposing on my time. Not that I mind. It could be a welcome relief from those spoiled monsters I simper and smile at. And diaper.

[Narrator]

You're a nursemaid, Miss Cram, is that right?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Call me governess and call me Virginia, Miss Cram. Doesn't sound like me at all. Don't you think?

[Narrator]

You take the children to the park.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Every day, 4 to 5:30. Except on rainy days. On rainy days, the children and I stay at home. And I'm permitted callers from 4 to 5:30. That's on rainy days.

[Narrator]

You told an officer you saw the man who was hurt.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I was making conversation. I needed that to get those brats out of my hair.

[Narrator]

You didn't see him?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I wouldn't have gone near him. But I can tell you who did see him. The looker.

[Narrator]

Who?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

The looker. All of us in the park know her. She sits in a window across the street on the fifth floor. Watches every move we make, every day. Sits there and watches. It makes you feel as if you're being spied on. Know What I mean?

[Narrator]

Fifth floor in an apartment on 80th and 5th.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Well, you can't miss her. Just stand out in the street for a while. Her eyes will bore right through you.

[Narrator]

But on a rainy day, I know you're permitted callers. That's all, mister.

Yes? I'm Danny Clover, police.

We haven't done anything.

[Richard Diamond]

I know.

[Narrator]

I don't even know who you are. There's no name card on your door. You want to come in and talk to us? All right.

I'm George Mason.

[Richard Diamond]

She's my. In the wheelchair.

[Narrator]

Diane's my wife. Good evening, Ms. Mason. Diane. Diane, dear.

Diane, we've got a visitor. He said good evening to you.

Say hello, diane.

This is Mr. Clover from the Police, Mr. Mason. There was some trouble earlier across the street from you. Talk to her. You know.

[Richard Diamond]

I'm trying something. Maybe it'll do her some good, talking to her.

[Narrator]

No one ever does, you know.

[Richard Diamond]

You just talk to her and I'll answer you.

[Narrator]

All right. There was a man stabbed across the street from you, Mrs. Mason, in the park.

[Richard Diamond]

Yes, I heard about it when I came home.

[Narrator]

Have you found the man? No. Mrs. Mason. I understand that you sit by a window every day. That's right.

[Richard Diamond]

That one.

[Narrator]

She sits there, watches. It's her pleasure today. Every day. Then she must have seen what happened. She must have.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Pretty. Pretty what?

[Richard Diamond]

What are you trying to say, Diane?

You see how it is? I'm sorry.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

George.

[Richard Diamond]

Yes, what is it?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I saw a man today. I saw a knife today.

[Narrator]

Is there anything you can do? Can you talk to her, Diane?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

A man today. A knife today?

[Narrator]

Yes. Well, can you tell me what the man looked like, sweetheart?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Nice.

[Richard Diamond]

Was he a big man? Was he a small man? Was he a nice man?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Man.

[Richard Diamond]

Did you like him?

[Narrator]

And try to erase from memory the other, the eyes of the woman filled with the name Terrors, the known terrors that dart and scurry, gnaw and nibble at the fleeting instance of serenity within her and try to wash away in the city's night Screaming the crooning of a tuneless song. Suddenly the known words a man, a knife. And know that the eyes that absorb all movement, all shadow, all light on faces and things that pass before them have seen nothing. Not the man who was stabbed, not the one who did the stabbing. And then the long walk to the darkened room. Turn on the shaded light bulb and search the cupboards for sleep. And finally it comes.

In the morning. The scorching cup of coffee, the walk to headquarters and the cheery greeting on the threshold from the cheery sergeant of Tiglius.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Welcome, Danny. Welcome to your abode, away from your abode.

[Narrator]

Good morning, Gino.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Ah, the best, the sunniest, the bravest.

[Narrator]

Not so early, Hudson. All I've had is a cup of coffee.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

For which I am delighted.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

For which I am delighted. Come, I will escort you to your office, Danny. You will see there how I have taken the liberty to spread upon your desk a repast.

[Narrator]

I shouldn't have done it, Gino.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

A repast consisting of a hot paper, container of coffee and. And a half a dozen cinnamon bums. Voila. The repast partake.

[Narrator]

Looks good.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

How else should they look? The cinnamon bums were baked in the oven of Mrs. Tartaglia with her own two lily whites. Go ahead, partake, munch if you like.

[Narrator]

Delicious. Thank Mrs. Tartaglia for me.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Goes without saying. And now to the events of the morning.

Okay if I disturb while you munch?

[Richard Diamond]

No.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

We of the department have discovered that this park bench upon which an alleged man was allegedly stabbed has been a lucky bench. Or unlucky, depending, of course, on the point of view of whom sat there.

[Narrator]

You'll explain it to me, Gino.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

It goes without saying. The lucky part of the bench is that five weeks ago a man found a punnet wrapped in a newspaper. $300. Turned it over to lost and found.

[Narrator]

So.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

So is that four weeks ago, same man turned into lost and found from the same bench.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

A.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

A like newspaper containing another 300. And we have not seen this pleasant, honest citizen since.

[Narrator]

Do you have his name?

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Oh, it goes without.

Harry Forster. 1345 West 161. I should keep the cinnamon bums hot for you, Danny.

[Narrator]

I'll do that, Gino. You go ahead and do that.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Please help me. Please come in and help me.

[Narrator]

What's the matter?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

My husband.

[Richard Diamond]

No one will help me.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

I asked the neighbors, they said, call the police. Call an ambulance. Please help.

[Narrator]

Where is he?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You'll help. He's in our bedroom. I think he's. I think he's dying.

[Richard Diamond]

And no one would.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

No one.

[Richard Diamond]

No.

[Narrator]

Mrs. Foster?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yes. Yes. Harry's wife. He came home last night and. And there was blood. He just looked at me like an animal. And there he is. Mister. Help him. Please. Help him.

[Narrator]

Dead.

[Richard Diamond]

No.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

No, you're wrong.

[Narrator]

He's been dead for a long time.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

He was asleep. Only asleep.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. On CBS this Sunday evening, Charlie McCarthy will play a tattoo artist for a group of sailors while beautiful Ann Southern acts as his reluctant model. There'll be more fun with Eve Arden, Amos and Andy, Red Skelton and Corliss Archer. Stay with CBS this Sunday for these great comedy programs will be heard on most of these same stats. In the Maytime, the sun grins down and pats Broadway's cheek. Broadway loves it. The sunlit minutes are added to the 10 minute break for a cigarette. The walk is slower, the sway gentler. The windows are opened wide and the doors too. And glints of sunlight are carried through long hallways on the sigh of a summer's wind, touching the lips of the girl at the typewriter, touching the hand of the man at the water cooler. Watching her touching the steel of the file cabinets, warming them. And having made the tour back onto Broadway and start all over again.

But where I was, there was no warmth. Only a woman drawing a shawl tight around her shoulders and talking quietly to her dad.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Harry. Harry, listen to me. You were right. We should have told them. We should have told them all about it. And you wouldn't be like this. And I would.

[Narrator]

Mrs. Foster, what should you have told us?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

What? What did you say?

[Narrator]

What should you and your husband have.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Told us about the money? Nothing else.

[Narrator]

Money found on the park bench.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yes. You see, we should have told them, Harry.

[Narrator]

But he did, Mrs. Foster. He reported it, turned it in.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You don't understand.

I knew no one would understand.

[Narrator]

Then maybe you can help me.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Friday.

Was always Harry's day off from the factory out there. You can see it from here. See, on his day off, I pack him a little lunch and he'd kiss me goodbye. Walk uptown to Central Park. He gone. He always went alone. He always sat on the same bench. Harry used to describe it to me, what he saw, people he talked to. Felt as if I'd been there with him.

[Narrator]

And one day he found money in.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

A newspaper and turned it in, like you said. The next week, turned it in. But after that I told him he didn't have to do that anymore.

[Narrator]

You Mean he found more money? Is that what you're trying to tell me?

You mean he found more money for.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Five weeks in a row. I told Harry he didn't have to turn it in anymore. I told him to go back, to be sure and keep going back every week.

Yesterday too.

And we'd be rich. No more of this. No more factory.

[Narrator]

Why didn't you call us when he came home hurt? Call a doctor.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Who would have spoiled it, ended it, the money. Don't you see? I thought he'd live. And we with that money.

No, you couldn't. You couldn't see.

[Narrator]

Then she turned from me and walked over to the window. Stared out of it across her shoulder into the noon sunshine. I could see the factory emptying its lunchtime employees. The crowd breaking off its fragments to the curb with the lunch pails, to the push carts for the ham on white and coffee. Then the other sound. The feet in the doorway, the entrance of the professionals. Coroner, photographer, reporter. The man had been murdered. I left.

Then back again to Central park and the park bench of the statue. Sit on it. A man named Harry Foster used to find money here, and he was killed. And a woman who had seen it happen. A woman who sat at a window every day. I looked up to the window. She wasn't there. I wondered why.

I knew why. She was in the wheelchair. There was a man pushing it carefully down the steps.

[Richard Diamond]

Can you scooch a little to the side, friend?

[Narrator]

Oh. Need a hand?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, if you want.

Thanks.

[Narrator]

How are you feeling, Mrs. Mason?

[Richard Diamond]

She ain't gonna answer you.

[Narrator]

I didn't know she left the house.

[Richard Diamond]

Why should you even bother?

[Narrator]

Oh, I'm Danny Clover, Police.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, hi. I'm Ben Taylor. Got a U. Drive down the street. Only Mrs. Mason here.

[Narrator]

Different kind of a take drive. I see. Just today?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Oh, no.

[Richard Diamond]

All the time. From one to three. The elements willing. I take her for a ride. Sometimes here, sometimes there. Oh, sure, sure. Right away, Ms. Mason. See you, Danny.

[Narrator]

Oh, wait a minute. How long have you been doing this, Ben?

[Richard Diamond]

Or since her accident? Since. At Coney last year. Height or back here and up here? Head.

I guess I better take her. I heard her cry like that before. I can't stand it.

[Narrator]

Sure. It's a nice day, Mrs. Mason. I hope you enjoy your ride. Oh, she will.

[Richard Diamond]

She likes riding in the car. See you around, Danny.

[Narrator]

I watched Ben lift her gently out of the wheelchair, lift her into the back of the car, close the door, fold the chair, place it in the car trunk, then back and saying something to her. She Looked up. For an instant, her eyes found me. Then she smiled and shaped a lost word with her lips. They were gone.

And back at headquarters, the wall clock ticking off the hours of Harry Foster's death, ticking off the hours that his murderer came to a park bench, looked at it, smiled, walked away in the warm sun, ticked off the question of why money had been left there for Harry Foster to find week after week on Friday's twilight, and at 4 o', clock, the door opening slightly, and all you saw of the man was his cocked head.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

You Mr. Danny Clover?

[Narrator]

That's right. You want something?

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Only to know if you're Mr. Danny Clover and to give you what I have in my pocket. They said I should give it to you, you being the interested party and all.

[Narrator]

What have you got in your pocket? This.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

An envelope, stamped and everything. I found it.

[Narrator]

Give it to me. It's addressed to George Mason.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Anybody can see that. That's the husband of that woman, the cripple. The one they call a looker in the papers. The one they think they saw that stabbing. I did right bringing it to you.

[Narrator]

It's been opened. You open it. Don't lie to me. You opened it and then resealed it.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

All right, I opened it. I'm a normal kind of fella with all the normal curiosities. First, I was going to mail it when I found it, but then I saw who was addressed to. I couldn't restrain myself. I'm like the proverbial cat, Mr. Clover.

[Narrator]

It could make trouble for you, being like that.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Not when you see what's in it. Not when you see what it says. It says you've made a terrible mistake, that's all. Not another word, see? You can't do anything to me for just reading that. You just read it yourself. That's why I brought it to you, because I'm a cooperative citizen.

[Narrator]

Where'd you find it?

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

At Grant's tomb. I've been curious about that tomb for years now. Finally, I took time off to go to study it. Then I found a letter on the steps, and I never did get to really study Grants, too tough.

[Narrator]

You'll stick around, huh? Some of our boys want to have a long chat with you. They enjoy curious fellows. Sure.

[Lieutenant Walt Levinson / Manny Warren / Various Male Characters]

Anything you say. I'm nothing if I'm not cooperative. Just nothing.

[Narrator]

I wouldn't say that. But you stick around, huh?

Hi, Ben.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, hello, Danny. Hey, how do you like this, huh? I rigged up so when it's a sunny day, the telephone is on the outside of my shack. Inspiration, huh?

[Narrator]

Fine.

[Richard Diamond]

Who wants to be on the inside when outside it's sunny?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

Car rent. And, Danny, I can give you rates.

[Narrator]

Just talk.

[Richard Diamond]

If you don't do business together, we never become enemies, huh? What's on your mind, Mrs. Mason? Ah, yeah. Sad, huh? You know, if you set your mind to it and consider all she's been through. And then look at her. She's a pretty woman.

[Narrator]

I noticed you said she was hurt in an accident at Coney Island, Ben. What kind of an accident?

[Richard Diamond]

On a rolly coaster. You know, one of them rides fell off. Right near the end of the ride. She stood up, fell.

[Narrator]

Was she with anyone?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

Her husband. You want to know something? In spite of the heartbreak of having a wife like that, you know, Mr. Mason is one of the nicest guys I ever met.

[Narrator]

What about Mrs. Mason, Ben?

[Richard Diamond]

What about her?

[Narrator]

Can anyone ever talk to her? Have a conversation with her?

[Richard Diamond]

I talk to her.

[Narrator]

About what?

[Richard Diamond]

Things.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You know.

[Richard Diamond]

Ain't it a pretty day, Mrs. Mason? Is there a draft on you, Mrs. Mason? I talk to her, but she just hums and sings. But, you know, I think she's getting better. Maybe I'm contributing.

[Narrator]

Where'd you go driving today?

[Richard Diamond]

Down Riverside Drive. You know, the river, Grant's tomb, the churches.

[Narrator]

Thanks a lot, Ben.

[Richard Diamond]

Anytime, Danny. Anytime at all.

[Narrator]

Oh, hello, Mr. Clover. Good evening, Mr. Mason. We're delighted to see you.

[Richard Diamond]

Please come in.

Diane.

[Narrator]

It's Mr. Clover.

Diane looks better, doesn't she, Mr. Clover? Yes. Yes, she does. I brought you something, Mr. Mason. Here.

[Richard Diamond]

Huh? A letter.

[Narrator]

It's addressed to you. Read it.

[Richard Diamond]

I don't understand.

[Narrator]

Read it.

[Richard Diamond]

Yes, it is.

[Narrator]

It's addressed to me. But it's been opened. That's right. Read it.

[Richard Diamond]

All right.

[Narrator]

Note says you made a mistake, Mr. Mason. Mrs. Mason, your husband might be electrocuted for a murder he committed.

[Richard Diamond]

Leave her alone.

[Narrator]

I wasn't going to touch her.

Cut it out, Mrs. Mason. What's the matter with you? Have you gone out of your mind?

[Richard Diamond]

Clover?

[Narrator]

I said cut it out, Mrs. Mason. I told you, leave her alone.

[Richard Diamond]

All right.

[Narrator]

You've come here to accuse me of murder, but.

[Richard Diamond]

Leave her alone.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

George.

[Narrator]

Don't worry about anything, dear.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Get me a drink of water.

[Narrator]

What?

[Richard Diamond]

What did you say?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

A drink of water, George. Cold water from the refrigerator. Diane, darling, a drink of water. Do it. You won't be able to wait on me anymore. Mr. Clover is going to take you away from me.

[Richard Diamond]

You're talking like you know what you're saying.

[Narrator]

You do know what you're saying.

[Richard Diamond]

What's happening? What's happening to us.

[Narrator]

It's already happened. It's all over.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Poor George.

[Narrator]

Paid off, didn't it, Mrs. Mason? Sitting at the window, watching. Watching for a man your husband could kill.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Simple little man. He came and sat on the same bench every Friday. He got paid for a while.

[Narrator]

It was you.

[Richard Diamond]

You wrote that first letter to Ann.

[Narrator]

And this one made me pay blackmail to a man who didn't even know me. Didn't know anything about me.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

It was so simple. Write a letter, put a stamp on it, drop it from the car. Someone picked up the first letter and.

[Narrator]

Mailed it about five weeks ago. A letter with instructions in it?

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Why, yes.

[Narrator]

Leave money every Friday on the park bench. The man who picked it up, Mr. Mason, you thought was a blackmailer, so you killed him.

[Richard Diamond]

She's crazy.

[Narrator]

She really is. She's crazy.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

No, I'm not. I'm just a cripple, George. I can't move from this chair, honest. But I'm not crazy.

[Richard Diamond]

She's crazy.

[Narrator]

What did that first letter say, Mr. Mason? When that man saw me push my wife off a ride at Coney island, he demanded blackmail. But I didn't push Diane.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

And why did you pay the money, darling?

[Narrator]

But you weren't going to let your husband alone, were you, Mrs. Mason? Even after he did what you wanted him to do, Murder a man. Another letter. That one your husband's holding, telling him he killed the wrong man.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

It's not much to ask, is it? Wanting George to suffer. Look at me.

[Narrator]

You're an accessory, Mrs. Mason.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Am I? What can you do to me? A cripple in a wheelchair in a prison. Would that be different? Tell me how.

[Richard Diamond]

I didn't push you, Diane. I didn't push you. You fell off that ride.

[Narrator]

You fell.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Liar, Diane. You're a liar, Diane.

[Richard Diamond]

You listen to me. I made it up to you. I carried you.

[Narrator]

I waited on you.

[Richard Diamond]

I went crazy that day. I hated you. I don't know why. I don't.

Oh, I know why.

[Narrator]

You're an evil woman.

[Richard Diamond]

Evil.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

Poor George.

[Richard Diamond]

You should have died.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

You should have. You should have.

Poor George.

[Richard Diamond]

Poor you should have died.

[Narrator]

It's night on Broadway now there's easy laughter and a trumpet scurls its music into the grinning mob it's top of the evening have another drink on me, kid let's at this dance out It's a street gouged out of a scarlet dream It's Broadway the gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world Broadway, my beat.

Broadway's my beat stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover, with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia and Jack Crucian as Mugavan.

[Richard Diamond]

The program was produced and directed by.

[Narrator]

Elliot Lewis, with musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. In tonight's story, Lamont Johnson was heard as George Mason, Kathy Lewis as Diane Mason, and Virginia Gregg as Mrs. Foster. Others in the cast were Herb Vigren, Lou Krugman and Johnny McGovern.

Every Saturday night, Jan Murray takes a tip from Danny Clover and goes looking for people only. Jan's beat is the United States by coast to coast form. He offers a grand in cold, hard cash if you can identify the phantom voice. So stay tuned now as Jan Murray and sing it again. Follow immediately on most of these same CBS stations.

Joe Walters speaking. This is cbs, where you laugh at Jack Benny every Sunday night.

[Helen Asher / Nancy Casey / Various Female Characters]

The Columbia Broadcasting System, Sam.