Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: Boston Blackie – “Blood on Blackie’s Sleeve” (Original Airdate: 09/20/1945)

Date of Choice Classic Radio Release: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Boston Blackie centers on a tense murder mystery involving Boston Blackie himself as a prime suspect. After the release and subsequent murder of the vengeful Fred Arlen, Blackie, along with a cast of possible suspects—all with motive—races against the police to solve the crime and clear his name. The story spirals through twists, false alibis, and old resentments, all delivered with the classic sharp wit and rapid-fire dialogue characteristic of Golden Age radio detectives.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. The Mystery Sets In: Suspicion on Blackie

• Scene Setting (00:41 – 01:34):
  • In the parking garage, Blackie is hurrying and appears nervous. When questioned about a red stain on his sleeve by Jim, Blackie evades the inquiry.
  • Quote [01:17]:
    Jim: “The red stuff…That looks like blood. What is that?”
    Blackie (deflects): “That’s none of your business.”

2. A Warning and a Motive

• Carol’s Warning (01:51 – 03:47):
  • Carol Williams meets Blackie, alerting him that Fred Arlen, freshly out of jail (thanks to Blackie’s testimony), has sworn to kill him. She shares her new identity, Leslie Barnes, and address.
  • Carol: “Fred’s going to kill you, Blackie.” [02:24]

3. The Murder and the Suspects

• Murder Discovery (04:01 – 05:47):

  • Inspector Faraday calls Blackie to inform him that Fred Arlen has been killed at the Midland Hotel. Blackie becomes a primary suspect, as Arlen vowed revenge against him.
  • Inspector Faraday: “An old pal of yours, Raggy...has sworn to kill you...he’s been dead just a little while. And I have a hunch you killed him.” [04:22]

• Suspect Spotlight (05:28 – 10:54):

  • John Arlen, Fred’s brother, is questioned and admits resentment toward Fred, even saying:
    John Arlen: “I’d like to shake [Fred’s killer's] hand…He made my life miserable since we were little kids.” [05:48]
  • John and Bill Andrews, another associate, both discuss alibis and their hatred for Fred.
    Bill Andrews: “I was his business partner…After he went crooked, I spent a few years in prison myself. I’d have killed him on general principle…” [10:10]

• Blackmail Subplot (11:13 – 12:28):

  • Jim, the garage attendant, attempts to blackmail Blackie about the “blood” seen on Blackie’s sleeve.
    Jim: “It was blood on your sleeve last night, Blackie. And when a guy gets shot, he bleeds…It’s 50 bucks or do I go to the cops?” [11:34–11:55]

4. Investigation and Deceit

• Police Inquiry (13:13 – 14:20):

  • Faraday brings in Carol Williams, revealed to have purchased the murder weapon, and suspects her involvement.

• Pawn Shop Detail (14:04 – 15:29):

  • Rodman, the pawnshop owner, reveals Carol bought the murder gun and that a man (identified as John Arlen) followed her to learn what she purchased.
  • Blackie connects the dots: “Did you identify the girl who bought the gun?...Right after this Williams girl left my shop, a fellow walked in and asked me what she bought. So I told him she had bought a pistol.” [14:39–15:04]

5. The Trap & The Twist

• Wheelchair Twist (16:03 – 16:44):

  • Blackie tricks Bill Andrews (who's supposedly paralyzed) into standing and walking by faking a fire.
    Blackie: “You’ve just taken half a dozen very healthy steps. I thought you couldn’t walk.” [16:29]
  • Andrews is exposed as having faked his paralysis for two years, casting suspicion on his alibi.

• Establishing Alibis & Exposing Lies (17:13 – 18:43):

  • Inspector Faraday clears John Arlen based on alibi verification (seen in the lobby at the time of the murder).
  • The timeline is challenged—was John really in the lobby before or after the killing?

6. The Reveal: The Real Killer Exposed

• Key Demonstration (21:10 – 23:40):

  • Blackie demonstrates that someone could call room service from the lobby—not from the victim’s room—to create a fake time of death. This points to John Arlen as the real killer, who staged a call after Fred’s death to frame a later time of death.
  • Blackie: “You think I’m in room 802, don’t you? ... I’m in a booth in the lobby using the house phone. Maybe the same phone John used at 8:16 to call room service after he’d killed his brother.” [22:13]

• Breakdown of the Crime (23:07 – 24:23):

  • The episode clarifies that John Arlen followed Carol, stole the gun, and killed his brother, then established a false alibi using the lobby phone.

• Secondary Reveal (24:11–24:23):

  • Bill Andrews is guilty of insurance fraud, not murder.
  • Inspector Faraday: “He’s been posing as a cripple ever since to collect a lot of heavy accident insurance compensation. …All I’m interested in is this guy John Allen.” [24:11–24:18]
  • Blackie (with trademark wit): “You’ve got the goods on him only because I supplied the material.” [24:23]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Blood on the Sleeve:
  Jim: “The red stuff down there by the sleeve buttons…that looks like blood. What is that?” [01:17]
• Vengeful Motives:
  Carol: “Fred is different from the others…I was his girl for three years.” [02:35]
  John Arlen: “I’d like to shake [the killer’s] hand…I’d like to have killed him myself.” [05:48]
• Blackie’s Signature Sarcasm:
  Blackie: “Bet it outsmarts you. Who's dead, Inspector?” [04:19]
• Classic Detective Breakdown:
  Blackie: “You think I’m in room 802, don’t you? …I’m in a booth in the lobby using the house phone.” [22:13]
• Dramatic Unmasking:
  Blackie: “You’ve just taken half a dozen very healthy steps. I thought you couldn’t walk.” [16:29]
• Episode Ending Banter:
  Blackie: “You’ve got the goods on him only because I supplied the material.” [24:23]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Blood on Blackie’s Sleeve Discussed: [01:17]
• Carol’s Warning and New Identity: [02:12–03:14]
• Murder Revealed; Blackie Implicated: [04:22]
• John Arlen’s Hatred for the Victim: [05:48]
• Bill Andrews and John Devise Alibis: [08:20–09:05]
• Jim Blackmails Blackie: [11:34–11:55]
• Wheelchair Trick Exposes Bill: [16:29]
• Faraday Confirms John’s Alibi: [18:30–18:43]
• Fake Phone Call Demonstration: [22:13–22:23]

Summary Tone

The episode captures the classic, brisk, and clever tone of radio detective stories. Boston Blackie’s confidence, Inspector Faraday's skepticism, and the suspects’ desperate plotting all contribute to the suspense and entertainment, with wry humor peppered throughout.

Conclusion

This episode is a quintessential Golden Age detective drama, featuring false leads, dark motivations, sharp verbal jousting, and a clever solution. Boston Blackie remains cool-headed and quick-witted, ultimately solving the case in trademark style and clearing his own name with a combination of deductive reasoning and street smarts. For fans of classic radio mysteries, “Blood on Blackie’s Sleeve” is a twisty, engaging ride from start to finish.