Podcast Summary: "Broadway Is My Beat – The Howard Crawford Murder Case"

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Date: December 3, 2025 (original airdate: August 5, 1951)
Main Detective: Danny Clover (portrayed by Larry Thor)
Summary By: Podcast Summarizer AI

Episode Overview

This gripping, atmospheric episode of "Broadway Is My Beat" follows Detective Danny Clover as he investigates the mysterious drowning of a man at a public swimming pool. What at first appears a routine drowning soon weaves into a web of theft, additional murder, and personal betrayals. The episode thrusts listeners into mid-century New York, exploring themes of urban alienation, desperation, and the dark side of fleeting summer dreams.

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. A Drowning at the Public Pool (04:34 – 07:19)

• Setting the Scene: The city is suffocating in August heat as Clover is called to a city pool where a man has drowned. Locker is found emptied.
• Suspicion Raised: Initial suspicion arises as robbery seems linked to the drowning – the victim’s possessions are stolen from his locker.
• Key Dialogue:
  • Detective Mugavins: "Kenny was flagged off his beat when this man was dragged out of the pool… The locker was empty, forced." (05:41)
  • Detective Danny Clover: "So you figure that man's drowning and his lockers being robbed? Had something in mind." (06:00)

2. The Lifeguard and The First Suspect (07:19 – 10:22)

• Interview with Russ Gavey: Lifeguard who tried to save the victim, shows scratches from struggle. Claims he did his best.
  • Russ Gavey: "He fought me. Had to take him under to break his hold. And when he stopped struggling, I got him out." (06:27)
• Medical Twist: Dr. Sinski reveals the man didn’t die from drowning, but from overly aggressive artificial respiration—implying murder.
  • Dr. Sinski: "Whoever administered artificial respiration to that man killed him as surely as if he had driven a knife into his heart." (07:39)

3. Broadening the Investigation (10:41 – 12:00)

• Background on Russ: Gino Tartaglia reports that Russ has a good reputation, "healthy, normal muscle boy, maybe a murderer." (11:21)
• Lead from a Pawnshop: Mr. Hanson reports suspicious pawned goods that tie back to the drowned man and a young attendant, Bobby Kent.

4. Bobby Kent's Fate (13:16 – 15:14)

• Discovery: Clover finds Bobby Kent hanged in his apartment, clearly murdered—escalating the stakes and mystery.
• Narration: "Bobby had been dead when I got there. Bobby had been murdered." (15:03)

5. Connecting the Sins – Theories and Evidence (17:01 – 20:48)

• Establishing Identities: Victim identified as Howard Crawford through cleaner’s marks. His wife provides a picture of their fraught marriage.
• Mrs. Crawford’s Indifference: Surreal detachment as she identifies Howard’s body.
  • Mrs. Edith Crawford: "Strange to me he's dead, but I'm gonna get used to it." (19:53)
• Suspicions Cast on Russ and Edith: Motive considered—was Russ involved with Edith?

6. Interview with Bobby's Girlfriend, Lucille Lang (21:42 – 22:49)

• Insight into Bobby: Lucille exposes Bobby’s thefts as a means to impress girlfriends; mentions Bobby intended to run off with $500 found in the stolen suit.
  • Lucille: "You think that's the end of the rainbow for a kid?" (22:24)
  • Lucille: "Bobby's dead from hanging. And I'm cooped up in a cage. So I ain't gonna make it, am I?" (22:49)

7. Unraveling the Motive and Climax (23:09 – 27:10)

• Piecing Together the Motive: Mugavins and Clover determine possible blackmail: Bobby realized the value of the suit and its owner, possibly threatening Russ.
• Surveillance on Edith and Russ: Edith is found at a motel on Queens Highway with Russ Gavey—the duo was planning to elope.
• Confrontation: Clover accuses Russ of both murders (Crawford and Kent) in the presence of Edith. Edith coldly disowns Russ upon facing charges.
  • Edith Crawford: "Only one thing, Russ. I'm a happy girl, Russ… you're going to be a burden. As long as lover here's got you, I don't want you." (27:02)
  • Detective Danny Clover: "Both of you. You're an accessory, Mrs. Crawford." (27:10)

8. Themes and Tone

• Urban Melancholia: The opening and closing narrations evoke the loneliness and harsh ambitions of Broadway.
• Disillusion and Detachment: Characters often display callousness or indifference, underlining the transient nature of their hopes and affairs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Broadway's My Beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world."
  — Detective Danny Clover (03:25)
• "Whoever administered artificial respiration to that man killed him as surely as if he had driven a knife into his heart."
  — Dr. Sinski (07:39)
• "Am I a murderer because I didn't make out with one poor slob?"
  — Russ Gavey (10:10)
• "Bobby was in. His shirt was ripped, his face bloody, hands tied behind his back, belt around his neck... Bobby had been murdered."
  — Detective Danny Clover (14:00)
• "Now, I'm a girl who's gonna tell you the truth, boyfriend. Every time I've thought of it. I've wished Howard dead every hour on the hour."
  — Mrs. Edith Crawford (20:30)
• "Both of you. You're an accessory, Mrs. Crawford."
  — Detective Danny Clover (27:10)

Important Timestamps

• 00:44–03:08: Intro, Bob Hope's message (skip for story content).
• 04:34: Opening narration and murder discovery.
• 07:19: Lifeguard interview and autopsy revelation.
• 13:16: Pawn shop lead and discovery of Bobby Kent’s body.
• 17:01: Theory building, victim’s identification.
• 19:03: Mrs. Crawford identifies her husband.
• 21:42: Interview with Lucille Lang, new leads.
• 23:09: Link between suspects becoming clear, Edith tracked to motel.
• 24:31–27:17: Final confrontation with Russ and Edith Crawford.
• 29:03: Episode closes with signature noir narration.

Conclusion

This episode of Broadway Is My Beat masterfully blends mystery, character study, and hardboiled dialogue. The twisting investigation leads Detective Danny Clover from an apparent drowning to murder, theft, blackmail, and betrayal, set against the sweaty, restless backdrop of New York's summer nights. Its sharp-tongued exchanges, resigned characters, and vivid cityscapes remain compelling, illustrating why classic radio drama endures.