Case Closed! – “Squad Cars and The Line-Up”

Podcast: Case Closed! (Old Time Radio)
Episode Date: September 3, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com

Episode Overview

This episode presents two classic radio crime dramas: “Squad Cars” from South Africa, and America’s “The Line-Up.” Both stories draw listeners into the tense, methodical world of mid-century police work, as told through authentic dialogue, vivid atmosphere, and procedural detail. "Squad Cars" follows Johannesburg police officers tackling a sophisticated burglary ring, while "The Line-Up" dramatizes a post-crime investigation and suspect identification in a big-city police headquarters.

Segment 1: Squad Cars (00:28–25:07)

Main Plot

In Johannesburg, Mrs. Garfield is awakened by suspicious activity at her neighbor's house, leading to a chain of police involvement as officers race against time to catch skilled burglars. The investigation uncovers inside knowledge of alarm systems, with Lieutenant Anderson of the Robbery Squad going undercover to dismantle the ambitious gang from within.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

• Initial Crime & Civilian Responsibility
  Mrs. Garfield, frustrated by her husband's reluctance, calls the police after spotting burglars next door.

  • Quote:
    • Mrs. Garfield: “You just can't ignore burglars.” (02:13)

• Police Respond Rapidly
  Officers arrive minutes later, only to find the thieves gone. Mrs. Garfield regrets not calling sooner.

  • Quote:
    • Mrs. Garfield: “It was my fault. I should have phoned you sooner.” (06:34)

• Investigative Work
  Lt. Anderson recognizes a pattern: burglar alarms are bypassed without a trace — hints of an inside man, likely an ex-employee of the alarm company (Henderson).

  • Quote:
    • Lt. Anderson: “There's somebody with them who knows alarms very well. Probably worked at installing them at one time.” (07:20)

• Suspect Interrogation
  The police focus on David Hotz, an ex-employee with suspicious finances, who eventually cracks and offers to turn state’s evidence to save himself.

  • Hotz: “If I do, the others... they'll kill me.” (11:17)

• A Risky Undercover Operation
  Anderson proposes infiltrating the gang using Hotz as a go-between. Anderson volunteers for the dangerous undercover job.

  • Quote Highlighted by the Brigadier:
    • “Do you have anybody in mind for the job?”
    • Anderson: “Well, I'd rather like to try it myself, sir.” (12:30)

• Infiltrating the Gang
  Anderson meets “Gary Thurgood,” the gang’s organizer, and gains entry as an “ex-con” and driver, orchestrating his own inclusion.

  • Notable exchange:
    • Anderson: “What sort of big time stuff?”
    • Thurgood: “Safes, banks, payroll... robberies too big for me. But I need people, and a car.” (14:50)

• The Sting Operation
  Officers set up a wire—concealed radio in Anderson's undercover car—allowing police to shadow the gang’s operation in real-time.

• Climax: The Raid and Aftermath
  A tense raid unfolds as the gang is caught in the act (18:53). Anderson cleverly drives off with Thurgood hidden in his car boot (trunk), ensuring police capture him without arousing suspicion.

  • Memorable Moment:
    • Anderson: “I've got him in the boot.” (21:30)
    • “So what do you want us to do? Send a car to chase me?”—A cunning play to keep up appearances.

• Denouement The law catches the entire gang. Elaborate subterfuge is maintained so that Hotz’s identity as an informant is hidden, and Anderson returns to his real role.

  • Summary:
    • “Eventually, Hutts was set free after receiving a suspended sentence, and Lt. Anderson resumed his true identity.” (24:11)

Notable Quotes

• “I'd rather be a live coward than a dead hero.” – Narrator/Mr. Garfield (02:51)
• “You can't take me in. I haven't done anything.” – David Hotz (09:44)
• “Very wise of you. ... I'll turn state's evidence. I'll tell you everything you want to know.” – David Hotz (10:59)
• “You realize you may get hurt.” – Brigadier Peltzer (16:04)
• “I can look after myself.” – Lt. Anderson (16:08)

Key Timestamps

• 01:19 – Burglary discovered by Mrs. Garfield
• 04:26 – Police squad receives radio alert
• 07:00 – Robbery Squad takes over
• 08:06 – HQ discussion: sabotage of burglar alarms
• 12:30 – Anderson volunteers to infiltrate the gang
• 18:53 – Sting operation/housebreaker raid
• 21:30 – Anderson outsmarts with “boot trick” (hiding Thurgood)
• 24:11 – The aftermath and wrap-up

Segment 2: The Line-Up (26:22–end)

Main Plot

Inside a bustling American police HQ, officers organize a line-up to identify suspects from a violent robbery that left a man dead. The drama follows the methodical line-up process, interrogation of witnesses and suspects, and the search for the killers, all depicted with detailed, realistic dialogue.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

• Witness Identification (The Line-Up Process)
  Mr. Bomesh, a reluctant witness, is guided through the line-up of suspects for a recent holdup.

  • Quote:
    • Sergeant Grab: “Each of the suspects you will see will be numbered. ... Call out the number, if you’re sure...” (27:48)
  • Colorful suspect Q&A:
    • “Were you carrying a gun when you were arrested?”
      • “Yeah.”
    • “Tell us.”
      • “.38 Smith & Wesson.”
    • “No, that isn’t him.” (29:00–29:13)

• Investigative Banter
  Detectives exchange quips and casual conversation about the difficulty of eyewitness IDs and the slippery nature of the perpetrators.

  • Notable:
    • “Those guys sure know what they’re doing. Turn around and face the wall before anybody gets a peek.” – Lt. Anderson (31:04)

• Victim and Witness Interviews
  Mr. Dodge, the loan office manager, describes how he shot one of the robbers and what unfolded in the heist.

  • Mrs. McCall (15-year-old wife of one suspect) is questioned about her husband’s criminal associates, revealing a web of aliases and recently acquired relationships.

• Procedural Setpieces

  • Police track down leads via moniker files, check up on released felons, and follow the chain of evidence.
  • Action sequence: Detectives pursue “Bill Chambers,” believed accomplice, who flees across rooftops and resists arrest.

• Confronting the Crime’s Emotional Impact

  • The trauma on Mrs. McCall is palpable when she learns her new husband has been killed in a police shootout.
    • Quote:
      • “John McCall has a police record as a holdup man. ... We think he's been working with another man recently, holding up loan offices around town.” – Lt. Anderson (46:32)
      • Mrs. McCall: “He wouldn't do anything like that.” (46:52)
  • “He was shot to death.” – Lt. Anderson delivers the blunt news. (47:13)

• Resolution & Reflection
  The episode closes with detectives following up leads, supporting each other through the grind of police work, and the ongoing search for closure in a city’s underworld.

Notable Quotes

• “Wish he had been at my place this afternoon when it happened.” – Sergeant Grab, on witness anxiety (27:28)
• “Do they put you in jail for being in love?” – Mrs. McCall, illustrating innocence and tragedy (43:17)
• “He told me everything about himself.” – Mrs. McCall, about her husband’s past (45:15)
• “I never shot a man, not even in the war.” – Mr. Dodge, after shooting a robber (36:31)

Key Timestamps

• 27:06 – Line-up begins; witness Mr. Bomesh brought in
• 28:52 – Suspect Q&A
• 31:17 – Identification challenges discussed
• 36:02 – Crime scene and shooting aftermath with Mr. Dodge
• 41:58 – Mrs. McCall questioned about her husband
• 47:13 – Mrs. McCall is told her husband is dead
• 52:45 – Dramatic rooftop pursuit and shooting
• 53:16 – Closing the segment; wrap-up comments

Memorable Moments

• Squad Cars:
  • Mrs. Garfield’s insistence on “civic duty” and her sarcastic, determined attitude.
  • The nerve-wracking undercover sting, especially Anderson’s cool-headed trick with Thurgood in the trunk (boot) of his car.
• The Line-Up:
  • The banter and weary compassion between police partners – “If I weren’t a married man…” / “Oh, you always say that…” (31:32)
  • The line-up format itself, immersing listeners in the procedural world.
  • The palpable heartbreak of Mrs. McCall upon learning her teen marriage is over in tragedy.

Tone & Style

The episode artfully maintains the clipped, dry humor, hardboiled anxiety, and procedural realism characteristic of golden-age radio police drama. Both segments submerge the listener in the detail-oriented, methodical, yet perilous world of detectives and the everyday people swept into crime’s orbit.

Conclusion

Listeners are treated to tightly-wound stories of crime and enforcement, replete with tension, psychological nuance, and the ethical ambiguity of law enforcement going undercover, as well as the personal fallout for bystanders and loved ones. The episode is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic audio crime drama—the atmosphere, the interplay, and the shadow of violence and justice.