Boston Blackie: Richard's Diamond Case 10/25/1945 - Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Transcript

Narrator/Announcer (0:00)

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Mary Wesley (0:39)

John, who was that man who just left?

Shorty (0:41)

Boston Blackie. Myra. I want him to look at the diamond I'm buying tomorrow.

Mary Wesley (0:45)

John, you shouldn't have done that. Why?

Shorty (0:47)

Boston Blackie is a diamond expert. I want to be sure I'm getting the real thing before I pay for it.

Boston Blackie (0:52)

After all, I don't want to put

Shorty (0:53)

$75,000 in a piece of glass.

Mary Wesley (0:55)

John, you shouldn't have let anyone know you have the diamond until you can put it in the vault.

Shorty (0:58)

A Boston Blackie can be trusted, Myra. Besides, I had this in my pocket all the time.

Mary Wesley (1:05)

Put that gun away, John. It scares me.

Shorty (1:07)

All right, dear, but don't worry about anything. Blackie's the only one in town who knows a diamond is here.

Mary Wesley (1:12)

I don't know why you sucked in. I still wish you'd. Oh, that's probably Carolyn on the phone. Shall I tell her we'll join them for dinner tomorrow night?

Shorty (1:19)

Yes, why not? Tell her we'd be glad to. And while you're talking, I'll make out a list of people I. I might turn this diamond over.

Mary Wesley (1:25)

All right, dear. Hello? Hello, Myra? Yes, Carolyn. I was expecting you to call. Oh, sorry it had to be so late, but Frank and I just got back from the country. Well, how was it? Wonderful. Myra now. But tomorrow. Oh, my Billy shot. John. John. John. Darry, what happened? What's the matter? Oh, John. John, what is it? What is it? Oh, John, you're hurt.

Shorty (1:52)

He came in the door for the diamond. I shot him in the shoulder.

Mary Wesley (1:57)

I shot him first and he shot. Wait. Who was it, John? Was it Boston Blackie?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Boston Blackie: Richard's Diamond Case" (October 25, 1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Boston Blackie: Richard's Diamond Case
Air Date (Original): October 25, 1945
Date of Podcast Release: March 21, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

Overview

This episode of "Boston Blackie" drops listeners into a classic whodunit from the golden age of radio. Blackie, a clever detective with a knack for trouble, becomes both a suspect and investigator in the murder of John Richards, who was killed during the attempted theft of a valuable diamond. Meanwhile, Blackie's friend Mary Wesley faces a crisis of her own—her dog Mutzie is slated for destruction after being accused of biting a man for the third time. The cases intertwine as Blackie tries to clear both his and Mutzie’s names by exposing the real criminal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Setup: Diamond and Danger

[00:39]

John Richards has a rare diamond and asks Boston Blackie, a known diamond expert, to authenticate it.
Mary Wesley voices concern over letting anyone know about the diamond’s presence, fearing for their safety.

2. A Murder and an Accusation

[01:25]

During a phone conversation, a commotion occurs, and John Richards is shot.
Before dying, Richards claims Boston Blackie shot him, setting up Blackie as the prime suspect.

Shorty: "He came in the door for the diamond. I shot him in the shoulder." (01:52)

3. Blackie in the Frame

[03:23]

Inspector Faraday wastes no time in accusing Blackie, noting his bullet wound as damning evidence.
Blackie maintains his innocence and tries to concoct an alibi involving a gun accident at Charlie Kingston's apartment.

Faraday: "You're not gonna wisecrack your way out of this one, Blackie. I know you're at Richard's house. I know you stole the diamond from him. And I know he shot you before you shot him." (04:15)

4. The Dog in the Dilemma

[08:04]

Mary’s dog Mutzie is at risk of being euthanized for biting a man named Robert Washburn, allegedly for the third time.
Mary and Blackie attempt to persuade Washburn to withdraw the complaint. Blackie notices something odd: Washburn's bandaged hand shows no pain when shaken.

Blackie: "I squeezed it as hard as I could and he didn't wince. That means Mutzy never bit him." (11:21)

5. Following the Diamond Trail

[14:02]

Blackie confronts Mrs. Richards, who suspiciously has the missing diamond herself.
Faraday arrives, arrests Blackie, and takes the diamond as evidence.

Mrs. Richards: "This is the man who killed my husband." (15:04)

6. A Canine Clue

[17:51]

In a pivotal moment, Mutzie runs off, leading Blackie and Mary to a buried jacket with a bullet hole and blood stain—the real perpetrator’s clothing.
They trace the jacket via a cleaner’s tag to Johnson Cleaners and get an address: Robert Washburn's.

7. The Reveal: The Real Culprit

[21:14]

Faraday visits Washburn’s home, unknowingly meets the butler but is tipped off by Blackie. Blackie realizes that the butler is actually Washburn in disguise.
Washburn, not Blackie, has the gunshot wound (evidence that he struggled with Richards and was shot by him, not vice versa).

Blackie: "Washburn slugged me as I was leaving Richard's house last night. Then he tried to rob Richards, only Richards didn't want to be robbed and shot first." (21:37)

Faraday: "Washburn switched with the butler… Grab the guy pretending to be the butler and you'll have Washburn, bullet wound and all." (23:33)

8. Justice For All—Including Mutzie

[24:02]

Faraday confirms Blackie’s theory: Washburn confesses, and his wound matches the crime scene.
Mary's dog is exonerated, and Blackie cracks the case.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Blackie’s wit with Inspector Faraday

Boston Blackie: "It was a good morning, so you came along, Inspector. Pull up a straight jacket and make yourself at home." (03:58)
Faraday’s determination

Faraday: "Now, Blackie. I knew the day would come and I really had you cold, and this is it. I'll take that diamond. I'll have one of my men take you down to headquarters. Well, where's your sense of humor, Blackie? No joke about the electric chair." (15:16)
Clever deduction about the dog bite

Boston Blackie: "I squeezed it as hard as I could and he didn't wince. That means Mutzy never bit him." (11:21)
Lovable banter

Mary Wesley: "Oh, Blackie, I'm so happy. Think I'm nuts, Mutzy? Mutzie, don't scratch the floor like that, please." (24:29)

Boston Blackie: "After what he's done for us, we're gonna see that tonight Mutzi is one dog who is going to put on the dog." (24:49)

Segment Timestamps

[00:39] – Start of Richards’ diamond affair; Blackie’s involvement
[01:25] – Murder and Mary’s phone call
[03:23] – Inspector Faraday confronts Blackie about the shooting
[08:04] – Mary and Blackie discuss Mutzie’s accused biting incident
[11:21] – Blackie discovers Washburn faked the dog bite
[14:02] – Blackie confronts Mrs. Richards, is arrested
[17:51] – Mutzie finds the buried jacket evidence
[21:14] – Jacket traced to Washburn via cleaner’s mark
[23:33] – Faraday unknowingly meets Washburn disguised as a butler
[24:02] – Case closes: Blackie and Mutzie are cleared

Tone and Style

The episode brims with brisk, witty dialogue, classic detective genre elements, and humorous banter between Blackie and Faraday. Blackie’s sarcasm, the earnestness of Mary, and the dog Mutzie add light-hearted charm and suspense in equal measure.

Listen For

Smart clues: Blackie’s deduction based on shaking Washburn’s bandaged hand.
Banter: The constant wisecracking between Blackie and Faraday.
Intertwined plots: The way Mutzie’s case and the diamond theft overlap.
Classic OTR pacing: The rapid sequence of cliffhangers and reveals.

This episode serves as a stellar example of old-time radio detective storytelling—complete with red herrings, clever twists, and a satisfying conclusion where the good guy (and his dog) come out on top.