Broadway Is My Beat: The John Lomax Murder Case 12/31/1949

Summary

Podcast Summary: Broadway Is My Beat | The John Lomax Murder Case

Choice Classic Radio's "Broadway Is My Beat: The John Lomax Murder Case" is a captivating episode that transports listeners to the vibrant yet shadowy streets of Broadway during the Golden Age of Radio. Hosted by Detective Danny Clover, the episode masterfully weaves a tale of mystery, deception, and intrigue centered around the enigmatic figure of John Lomax.

---

Setting the Stage: Broadway's Allure and Dangers

Detective Danny Clover sets the scene in the bustling heart of Broadway, describing it as "the gaudiest, the most violent, the loneliest mile in the world" ([00:41]). This vivid portrayal establishes Broadway not just as a place of dreams and performances but also as a backdrop for darker human dramas.

The Mysterious Obituary and the Impostor

The plot thickens when Clover encounters a man named Louis Box, who urgently brings him to room 8 12, hinting at "big trouble" ([02:19]). Upon investigation, Clover discovers an obituary for John Lomax, detailing a hit-and-run accident and burial. However, an encounter with another individual claiming to be John Lomax challenges the authenticity of the obituary. This impostor declares, "John Lomax is not dead. Never did die" ([02:20]), immediately raising red flags for Clover.

A Visit to the Lomax Residence

Seeking answers, Clover visits the home of Mrs. Lomax in Queens. Mrs. Lomax firmly asserts her husband's death, stating, "We buried him two days ago" ([05:52]). Despite her assurances, Clover's instincts tell him something is amiss. Her reluctance to provide a photograph and the fact that she tore up all pictures of her and her husband add layers of suspicion.

Uncovering Secrets at the Baghdad Baths

Clover's investigation leads him to the Baghdad Baths on Ninth Avenue, a place frequented by the real John Lomax. Here, he meets Ephraim Sabo, who reveals that Waldo Toklas, his partner, had stolen John Lomax's overcoat and wallet ([10:14]). Sabo's tangled relationship with Toklas introduces a new suspect and motive, hinting at financial desperation and betrayal.

Confrontation with Paul Rand

The narrative reaches a critical point when Clover interacts with Paul Rand, a pianist and protege connected to the Lomaxes. Rand's evasive behavior and cryptic statements, such as "I can get dreamy about pointing this gun at you" ([26:05]), suggest deeper involvement in the unfolding mystery. His interactions with Mrs. Lomax further complicate the web of deceit, leading Clover closer to the truth.

The Climactic Revelation

In a dramatic turn, Mrs. Lomax confronts Clover, revealing that Paul Rand was responsible for her husband's death, mistaking Waldo Toklas for John Lomax due to Toklas's impersonation efforts. She admits, "I shot him because he was going to kill you" ([26:59]), tying together the motives of jealousy, mistaken identity, and financial gain.

Resolution and Justice Served

Detective Clover's relentless pursuit of the truth culminates in the uncovering of Paul Rand's guilt. Through meticulous investigation and sharp intuition, Clover restores justice, ensuring that the tangled mysteries of Broadway are resolved.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Detective Danny Clover ([01:11]):

  "Broadway. It's a time and a place and a state of mind where you bang your head against a wall so the lights will be brighter, the noises louder..."

• John Lomax ([02:20]):

  "Big trouble."

• Ephraim Sabo ([10:14]):

  "You from the police, you say?"

• Sergeant Taglia ([11:00]):

  "Danny, you're coming in late this morning. It's 11:30 in the a.m. come in here."

• Paul Rand ([25:58]):

  "That's why I can get dreamy about pointing this gun at you."

• Mrs. Lomax ([26:35]):

  "Oh, here. Take it. I'm afraid of it."

• Detective Danny Clover ([27:26]):

  "Because you gave it all away."

Conclusion: A Masterclass in Radio Mystery

"Broadway Is My Beat: The John Lomax Murder Case" exemplifies the quintessential Old Time Radio detective story, blending suspenseful storytelling with rich character development. Detective Danny Clover's journey through deceit and danger on Broadway offers listeners a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists and profound revelations. Whether you're a longtime fan of classic radio mysteries or a newcomer seeking an engaging tale, this episode delivers an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

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[Danny Clover]

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[Choice Classic Radio]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] Broadway's My Beat From.

[Danny Clover]

Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Choice Classic Radio]

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

[Danny Clover]

Broadway. It's a time and a place and a state of mind where you bang your head against a wall so the lights will be brighter, the noises louder, thereby furnishing proof that you're enjoying yourself. And at holiday season, you bang your head harder and conjure up visions. The new year, the new prom, the golden girl who will smile to you from the crowd and beckon. It could happen. It's Broadway. My piece. There's a place on Broadway. It nudges onto Columbus Circle and calls itself the Dover Hotel, then retires into its own faded respectability. At 8 o'clock of a cold weekday morning, Broadway walks past it on its way to work. So was I when a man darted out of its doorway, saw me, darted some more and tugged at my sleeve. He said he knew me, knew I was a policeman and that's what he needed. So then we were in an elevator and he said his name was. What did you say your name was?

[Mr. Box]

Box.

[Danny Clover]

Louis Box. Well, just what seems to be your trouble, Mr. Box?

[Mr. Box]

I said to myself, I said, Mr. Box, there's trouble in room 8 12.

[John Lomax]

Big trouble.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, very big.

[Mr. Box]

Mr. Clover. He won't answer. He won't let Mr. Box in.

[Danny Clover]

He won't. Who won't? Who won't?

[Mr. Box]

Mr. A guest in 8 12. Right this way, Mr. Clover. Right down the hall. Every time I open the door, he throws a bottle at Mr.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Box's hand.

[Danny Clover]

Has he hit Mr. Box?

[Mr. Box]

Three times. Here and here and here. This is the room. Mr. Box will unlock the door for you now.

[Danny Clover]

Now, you'll go back to your desk and Mr. Clover will go in.

[Mr. Box]

Very well, but just be careful. Those bottles, he. He always aims at Mr.

[Danny Clover]

Box's head. Yeah. Don't worry. All right, you. Hey, what do you put down that Bottle. I said put it down. It's better now. Tell me. It's so funny.

[John Lomax]

Funny? Mister, the funniest thing. Look, it's all here in this paper. Go ahead, mister. Read it for yourself.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Hey, this paper's two days old.

[John Lomax]

Sure. Sure it is. On account I got it two days ago. Go ahead, read that obituary. Right where I'm pointing.

[Danny Clover]

John Lomax, victim of hit and run accident, was buried today at the Queen Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Dr. Lomax.

[John Lomax]

Of $36. He plays. I call for a drink. I'm Lomax. Mister. I'm John Lomax.

[Danny Clover]

Huh?

[John Lomax]

Sure, sure. And Martha's my wife. Look, I'll tell you about it.

[Danny Clover]

I'm looking. Tell me.

[John Lomax]

Four nights ago. Yeah, it was four nights ago. When whoever was supposed to be me was hit and run. I went to a Turkish bath, you know.

[Danny Clover]

So you had a bath. So?

[John Lomax]

So they stole my overcoat and they stole my wallet. Roll me. But I was too smart for them.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, you sure were. How were you too smart for them?

[John Lomax]

I had some money rolled up in my shirt sleeves. Trick. I landed in the Navy. Enough to pay for booze in this crummy room. That calls for another drink.

[Danny Clover]

How long have you been here?

[John Lomax]

So I said, I saw the papers. I've been laughing ever since.

[Danny Clover]

Why don't you go home?

[John Lomax]

I'll tell you why.

[Mr. Box]

Tell me.

[John Lomax]

I think my wife is happy I'm dead. Yeah. Yeah, she is.

[Danny Clover]

Mr. Lomax. Hey, hey, Mr. Lomax. A grinning mask of foolish delight and motley bliss arranged itself on the face of John Lomax. And having so arranged itself, Mr. Lomax proceeded to fall flat on same. John Lomax had been hilarious because another man died bearing his name and identity. So much happiness over the dead makes me curious. So I went out to the home of John Lomax in Queens. It was like every other home on the block. Even the cracks in the stucco were identically placed. But what made the Lomax home different was it had a different number over its doorbell.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Yes?

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Lomax? Mrs. John Lomax?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Yes.

[Danny Clover]

I'm Danny Clover. The police, Mrs. Lomax.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Police?

[Danny Clover]

Now, don't be frightened, Mrs. Lomax.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Well, come in, Mr. Clover. Please come in.

[Danny Clover]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Oh, I pick up these things. Woman's pajamas. Look so lost just lying on a chair. Here. Sit here, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Thanks. It's about your husband, Mrs. Lomax.

[Mrs. Lomax]

What?

[Danny Clover]

When did you see him last?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Forgive me, Mr. Clover, but I don't quite understand what you're driving at. My husband is dead. We buried him two days ago.

[Danny Clover]

I'm sorry, Mrs. Lomax. I'm sorry. It's just that. How are you sure it was your husband who died?

[Mrs. Lomax]

What? Oh, you mean because he was so badly smashed up in the accident? I knew him because it was his wallet they found on the dead man and John's overcoat.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe that wasn't enough. Maybe it was someone else.

[Mrs. Lomax]

It wasn't. I know because there was a card in the coat advertising the Baghdad Baths. John always went there for days on end instead of home.

[Danny Clover]

What did your husband look like, Mrs. Lomax? Do you have a picture of him I could see?

[Mrs. Lomax]

I'm afraid not. After the funeral, I tore up every picture of John and of John and me that was in the house. John was dead and it was done. Can you understand that?

[Danny Clover]

Will you describe him to me? I mean, a physical description. Coloring, weight?

[Mrs. Lomax]

John was 5 11. He had a haunch. I mean, he weighed about 180 pounds. He was overweight. He had thin, sandy hair and kind of faded blue eyes and a kind of funny, loose face.

[John Lomax]

Fitz.

[Danny Clover]

Fitz.

[Mrs. Lomax]

What?

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Lomax, there's something.

[Paul Rand]

I got the papers. You miss me, Doc?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Oh.

[Danny Clover]

Who?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Paul. Paul, this is Mr. Danny Clover of the police department. He was asking about John.

[Paul Rand]

What do you want to know about John lomax and why?

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Lomax, you haven't introduced me to your friend.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Oh, how silly of me. I was so flustered when Paul just walked in without knocking or anything.

[Paul Rand]

You gave me the key so I could run out for the papers. Remember, doll?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Oh, of course. I thought it would be simpler that way. This is Paul Rand, Mr. Clover. A very talented pianist. A sort of protege of John and me of you.

[Paul Rand]

D I'm sorry. I haven't the mood to play something for you, Mr. Clover. So you'll tell me instead what there is about John Lomax you're bothering Martha about.

[Danny Clover]

I'll tell you. Protege. There's a drunk in the Dover Hotel who says he's John Lomax. And he says John Lomax is not dead. Never did die. You think maybe he's lying?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Of course he's lying. My husband is dead. Isn't he poor?

[Paul Rand]

Yeah, sure, darl. Dead. What are you building, policeman?

[Danny Clover]

Who are you going to believe?

[Paul Rand]

A drunk or a widow? Get out of here.

[Danny Clover]

Leave her alone. The look on their faces was like a motion picture. A watch where suddenly the action is frozen and still. A boy may be 24 with an animal's hard grace, the lips drawn tight away from his teeth, the eyes wary and stagnant. And the woman more Mature, gentler, almost pretty. But in her eyes, nothing. Nothing she wants you to see. A telephone directory gives you the address of the Baghdad Baths. So you go there because you have to sweat out some questions on a man who says he's John Lomax and not deceased. You walk up three flights of a dank building on Ninth Avenue. There's a dank card that says Baghdad Baths. Ephraim Sabo, proprietor. Waldo Toklas, proprietor. You walk in, ask for Ephraim or Waldo, a receptionist who's beating her eyelashes. And she winks you back to the steam room. Hey, Ephraim. Hey, Waldo. Maybe you better come out. It's the police, Ephraim. Or is it Waldo? Put on a towel and come out.

[Ephraim Sabo]

You off duty policeman. Well, you come to the right place. Nothing like Baghdad Baths to draw out of a man what's bothering him.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, I bet. Ephraim, you know a man named John Lomax?

[Ephraim Sabo]

Know him well? John Lomax used to come here every weekend, like for his pores, to feel good. Hasn't been here lately, though.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe because you rolled him. Stole his overcoat and wallet.

[Ephraim Sabo]

You from the police, you say?

[Danny Clover]

That's what I said.

[Ephraim Sabo]

Yeah, we rolled them. Stole those things. But then Waldo stole them from me.

[Danny Clover]

Your partner. Where is he?

[Ephraim Sabo]

Disappeared. Walked out of here with Mr. Lomax belongings which belonged to me by squatter's rights. He disappeared?

[Danny Clover]

How long has he been gone?

[Ephraim Sabo]

Four or five days, for all I care. He could have dropped dead because he sinned against me.

[Danny Clover]

I got news for you, Ephraim. He may have done just that.

[Ephraim Sabo]

Wild elf drop dead. When?

[Danny Clover]

Four or five days ago. Maybe. Hit and run, maybe.

[Ephraim Sabo]

You mean Waldo was in an accident?

[Danny Clover]

Maybe.

[Ephraim Sabo]

Why didn't I know about it? I'm all he's got.

[Danny Clover]

Because he sinned and stole another man's overcoat and wallet. So he was buried under an assumed name. Maybe. John Lomax. Maybe.

[Ephraim Sabo]

Maybe. Maybe, maybe. Maybe. You ain't sure.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe I ain't. I'm sure of one thing. You sin too, Ephraim.

[Ephraim Sabo]

Uh huh.

[Danny Clover]

Change that towel for something more formal. We're going for a ride.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Danny, you're coming in late this morning. It's 11:30 in the a.m. come in here.

[Danny Clover]

Taglia.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Yeah, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Shut the door.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Yeah, sure, sure. Oh. What's up, Danny?

[Danny Clover]

A riddle is up. Guy is killed in a hit and run accident, identified as John Lomax, buried as John Lomax. Now I'm not sure he's John Lomax.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Hey, that's a good riddle.

[Danny Clover]

It gets better. There's a Guy sleeping it off at the Dover Hotel who says he's John Lomax.

[Sergeant Taglia]

He does? Who?

[Danny Clover]

Who does? Danny Tataglia. You know what I'd do if I were Sergeant?

[Sergeant Taglia]

Oh, yeah, Danny, sure. If you were a sergeant, you would send an order for the exhumation of the body of the first mentioned Lomax. The dead Lomax.

[Danny Clover]

That's exactly what I do. Do it.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Yeah, sure, Danny, sure. What are you going to do on account of you're a lieutenant?

[Danny Clover]

I'm going to dig up a live man who calls himself Lomax. I want to introduce him to a woman who calls herself his widow.

[Mr. Box]

So I said to myself, I said, Mr. Box, this man has indeed some pride left after all.

[Danny Clover]

What made Mr. Box say that?

[Mr. Box]

Because the guest in 812 took a shower a few minutes ago. That's a good sign on New Year's Eve.

[Danny Clover]

Mr.

[Mr. Box]

Box is happy for him.

[Danny Clover]

I'll take the elevator back down, Mr. Box. I'll find my way to 812 myself. Mr. Lomax. Come on, Lomax. Open the door. Lomax.

[John Lomax]

Break it down.

[Danny Clover]

Break down the door. Yeah. I can't. I'll get a key. Come on. Come on.

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[Danny Clover]

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[Danny Clover]

Come on.

[Mr. Box]

You caught Mr. Buck.

[Danny Clover]

Give me your pass. Key.

[Mr. Box]

What?

[Danny Clover]

Give me the key.

[Mr. Box]

Of course. Here you are. Oh, wait for Mr.

[Paul Rand]

Box.

[Danny Clover]

Lomax. Lomax. It's Danny Clover.

[Mr. Box]

Did he do it, Mr. Clover? Did he turn over a new lead? My goodness, what's that? Far escape winter doing open letting in that cold winter.

[Danny Clover]

Mr. Bucks. Now you can say to yourself, you can say, a murderer threw a man out of a window in my hotel.

[Choice Classic Radio]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beats, starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. $53,000 in cold hard cash and wonderful prizes. What a wonderful ending that would be to the old year. Well, Sing It Again is coming along with all that in the jackpot tonight. And some smart CBS listener can knock it off by solving the phantom voice riddle. Sing It Again is heard on most of these same CBS stations. So a $53,000 happy new year, maybe. Happy New Year. Anyway, for Sing it again is heard every Saturday night.

[Danny Clover]

On the happy holidays. Broadway wears the happy clothes, complete with happy mask. The wooden barriers are up in the shop windows. And Broadway's herd stampedes down the long alley. The dust it raises its confetti. Whirlwinds of confetti, bursts of confetti that explode and play like marvelous fountains. The jewels of light they reflect is the light of neon and Mazdas. There's a Mazda at police headquarters, too. It casts a veil of yellow light and it hangs in the long concrete hallway that leads to the morgue. When the sergeant speaks, it makes a cold echo.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Now, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Okay, Tuttaglu. Ephraim.

[Ephraim Sabo]

My, my, that's neat. Could use something like that down at Baghdad Baths. Slide them in, then slide them out when they're done. Shouldn't make no quips in here, should I?

[Danny Clover]

Who is this man, Ephraim?

[Ephraim Sabo]

It's a little hard to tell. Could be John Lomax. Same who used to habitually my sweat baths. Same Ian Waldo stole from. The same John Lomax who'd drink more so he could perspire more. Could be. Hey, you fellas come up with Waldo yet?

[Danny Clover]

Take Ephraim out of here to tagley. And send Mrs. Lomax in.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Yeah, Danny, sure. Come on, Ephraim. Hey, look. Did you say that these bats are really good for the system?

[Ephraim Sabo]

Ain't nothing like them.

[Danny Clover]

Kidding.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Why. Why did you have me brought here, Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

I want you to identify a man. A man who was murdered. Man who once told me you were his wife.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Is that. Is that the man?

[Danny Clover]

You tell me, Mrs. Lomax.

[Mrs. Lomax]

I never saw him before in my life. There is a kind of resemblance, but I never saw him. I don't. I don't understand why you want to torture me. Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

You say this man is not your husband?

[Mrs. Lomax]

No. No. Please, Mr. Clover. Please take me out of here.

[Danny Clover]

All right, Mrs. Lomax. Did your husband carry insurance?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Is that going to help you find out who ran down my husband?

[Danny Clover]

Maybe. I don't know.

[Mrs. Lomax]

My lawyer is handling all that. Harold Quillen in the craft building. He is a lawyer. He answers rude questions. Why don't you ask them of him?

[Danny Clover]

Don't do that, Mrs. Lomax. You can go home now. It didn't wear well. Her casual way of considering the insurance, for example. Things like insurance need worrying about. How else can a helpless widow buy her daily needs? Whatever were her daily needs? That's why I'm a policeman. I can't get my mind off details like that. They tweak me and I Need to know answers. So I went to the lawyer named Harold Quillen and asked for some cooperation. Why don't you stop bothering that poor woman, Mr. Clover? Well, I'm not bothering her, Mr. Quillen. It's you. As far as I can see, we're just chatting. Isn't that what we're doing? Well, isn't that what we're doing? Answer me. Oh. Does my rocking in this swivel chair annoy you? I find it restful. Rhythmic restful. When was the last time you were disbarred for non cooperation, Quillen? Come now. Look, friend. I know it's your job to protect your client. That's my job too. To protect Mrs. John Lomax. And she needs protecting for my nasty little mind that makes me think sometimes that everybody's a potential murderer. You, me, everybody. But I don't see. Since Mrs. John Lomax is pretty close to what's a murder. My nasty little mind makes her pretty close to being a murderer. How much insurance did her husband carry? $50,000 for accidental death. I was just coming to that. Double indemnity for accidental death. As a corpse, Mr. Lomax is worth exactly 100,000 dol. A man who was not loved gets killed. And it pays double to his loved one. And a hundred thousand dollars can buy a lot of things. Can buy back the lost years. A woman can buy them back by getting herself a protege. A boy who can do things with a piano. A boy who can make a woman remember she was once a girl. But all that money bought me was a trip back to Queens. To a house like all other houses on the block. Even to not having a mourning wreath on its door. But from this particular house came the sound of big music.

[Paul Rand]

Oh, it's the police again. You know, I can't get it out of my mind. You're a door to door salesman. Ever in that line of work, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Lomax. I want to talk to her.

[Paul Rand]

What about? You can tell me. I'm her friend. I get her the morning papers, remember?

[Danny Clover]

So Talk to me, Mrs. Lomax.

[Paul Rand]

Go away like the rain. Come again some other day.

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Lomax.

[Paul Rand]

Mrs. Lomax is not in, Mr. Clover. Sorry, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Uh. Oh. I changed my mind. I'll talk to you, Paul. I came all the way out here, so I might as well talk to somebody.

[John Lomax]

Come in.

[Paul Rand]

Come in, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Thanks.

[Paul Rand]

You sure you were never a salesman? That foot in the door gimmick. Very professional.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, I studied.

[Paul Rand]

I told you she's not home. But you don't have to believe that if you don't want to. Like you're not believing it. Now look in this closet, policeman. Maybe I'm lying. Maybe she's in here, huh? No, not in here.

[Danny Clover]

Tell me about Martha and you, Paul.

[Paul Rand]

Gladly. And I tell you the music. I feel better with music. It makes me polite.

[Danny Clover]

If it makes you polite.

[Paul Rand]

The romance of Paul and Martha. That's music like this.

[Danny Clover]

The big musical romance. When did it begin?

[Paul Rand]

Someplace in time. Someplace in space.

[Danny Clover]

I'm a square, Paul. I don't understand big talk like that. What month? What year? That's what I understand.

[Paul Rand]

The month.

[John Lomax]

May.

[Paul Rand]

What else? Merry, merry month. The year 1949. Hey, is it still 1949? Policeman.

[Danny Clover]

Her husband. When did she tell you about him, this husband fella?

[Paul Rand]

Martha told me he existed, but I never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance. Charming setup, huh?

[Danny Clover]

You never met your patron?

[Paul Rand]

No. Oh, pity. I was going to be so brave and noble and hundred percent fellow when I met him.

[Danny Clover]

I can tell. You're a prince.

[John Lomax]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Paul Rand]

That's what Martha calls me sometimes. Sometimes?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah.

[Paul Rand]

I was gonna tell the old John boy, the deluded husband, who it was was deluding him.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. But you never got the chance.

[Paul Rand]

No dope gets himself killed in an accident before I can release him.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Thanks, Paul. For the music. For just being you.

[Paul Rand]

You know, the.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Hi, Danny. What'd you find out?

[Danny Clover]

Maybe a motive. Just maybe. See?

[Sergeant Taglia]

Hey, wait, wait, wait a minute, Danny. Don't you want the report on the exhumation?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Tell it to me.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Well, the prince checked with those that are on file on an application for a permit for the Baghdad Bats made out to one Waldo Toklas.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, but drunk was right.

[Sergeant Taglia]

Yeah. Oh, Danny, you got a visitor in your office.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, who?

[Sergeant Taglia]

Mrs. Lomax. Well, ain't you surprised, Danny?

[Danny Clover]

Uh, I'm not surprised at all.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Hello, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Mrs. Lomax. You know, Mrs. Lomax, I was just telling Sergeant Intaglia. I was just telling him. I'm not surprised at all.

[Mrs. Lomax]

About what?

[Danny Clover]

Your being here. If you're here to tell me you killed your husband, that'll make two coincidences all at once.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Mr. Clover, you didn't mean what you just said. That's cruel.

[Danny Clover]

That's one of the words they use about violent death. I can even attend it to the death of Waldo Toklas.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Who?

[Danny Clover]

Waldo Toklas. A petty thief who also ran a Turkish bath. It goes like this, Mrs. Lomax. Waldo stole your husband's coat and wallet in the dark. He was run down by a hit and run driver. By Someone who thought it was your husband. Someone who wanted your husband dead.

[Mrs. Lomax]

No, no, it wasn't like that. Not like that. That's why I came here. To tell you. I'm frightened, Mr. Clover. Frightened?

[Danny Clover]

Your upper lip didn't even quiver down there in the morning. Why didn't you tell me then? That was your husband, wasn't it? The dead man downstairs. Why didn't you tell me then?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Don't you see the stick when the fright of whom?

[Danny Clover]

Me. Sergeant Dattaglia. Your conscience. The pianist, Paul Rand.

[Choice Classic Radio]

Which Paul?

[Danny Clover]

I just looked around the room. He's not here. Tell me all about Paul Rand.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Paul killed Walter to ran over him. From the way Toklas was dressed, he thought it was my husband.

[Danny Clover]

Did he say pardon me after he killed him?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Stop it. Stop it. He didn't know. Not until you told him my husband was alive at that hotel. So Paul went there and killed my husband.

[Danny Clover]

You sound glad. Cold. But if you're unemotional about a man's dying, you're glad he's dead.

[Mrs. Lomax]

My husband was a heel. But I didn't kill him. I didn't. I thought it really was an accident until Paul told me what he'd done. Oh, Paul. Paul.

[Danny Clover]

Start with Paul and go on from there.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Paul. He's a killer. He enjoys killing. I'm frightened. Don't you understand? He enjoys it. If he knew I were here, he'd.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe he would. I think we'll go ask him.

[Paul Rand]

Where have you been, Martin?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Paul.

[Danny Clover]

You tilt your head backward, Paul, you'll notice. Company. Me.

[Paul Rand]

Oh, it's you again. Clothes.

[Danny Clover]

Don't bite your lip. You're dreaming this whole thing.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Paul, I. Oh, Paul.

[Paul Rand]

Come on, dog. What are you trying to say?

[Danny Clover]

This. She's made an honest effort to say you're a killer, that's what.

[John Lomax]

Huh?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. I'm piecing it all together and I come up with this. You killed Waldo Toklas. Mistake. You killed John Lomax. No mistake. Reason. A widow with a hundred grand. Reason for you to be a killer, right?

[Paul Rand]

As the saying goes.

[John Lomax]

As rain.

[Paul Rand]

Martha probably said I didn't mind it either, huh?

[Danny Clover]

Something like that.

[Paul Rand]

That's why I can get dreamy about pointing this gun at you.

[Danny Clover]

You don't have to. I'm not finished talking.

[Paul Rand]

You're finished. Unless your next sentence starts with a prayer. You're just about done.

[Danny Clover]

I'd point that gun at Martha to be smarter.

[Paul Rand]

Rush me, Clover. That way you can die in action.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Yeah, exactly. That.

[Paul Rand]

Crazy woman.

[Danny Clover]

You crazy.

[Mrs. Lomax]

That's good. Paul's dead. That's good. He needed to be dead.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Give me that gun, Mrs. Lomax.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Oh, here. Take it. I'm afraid of it. I don't know where I got the courage to pull the trigger.

[Danny Clover]

Emotions, Mrs. Lomax, sometimes they get the better of us. And they make us pull the trigger. One way or another.

[Mrs. Lomax]

You want to thank me, I know, but don't.

[Danny Clover]

All right, I won't. I wasn't going to.

[Mrs. Lomax]

You weren't. For saving your life.

[Danny Clover]

Did you do that? If you did, that's what you were thinking about when you had emotions. Thanks.

[Mrs. Lomax]

But I shot him because. Because why? Don't you see? Of course you do. I shot him because he was going to kill you.

[Danny Clover]

That's your version. I've got one.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Don't you have to call your office, report this or something? Paul's dead, you know.

[Danny Clover]

He'll stay that way. Don't be frightened. Not of Paul, of me.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Of you.

[Danny Clover]

Because you gave it all away.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Gave away what? What are you saying about Paul?

[Danny Clover]

The promises you must have made to him for killing your husband. Whatever kind of love you promised him, whatever share of $100,000, things like that.

[Mrs. Lomax]

You knew all the time.

[Danny Clover]

Just recently, when I found out the man you identified as your husband was Waldo Toklas. When Paul told me he never met your husband.

[Mrs. Lomax]

But he didn't.

[Danny Clover]

Of course he didn't. So you had to tell him how your husband was dressed so he could kill him with a car that would include the coat he was wearing. Just like that. Mrs. Lomax?

[Mrs. Lomax]

Yes. Look.

[Danny Clover]

Hey. Get away from that door.

[Mrs. Lomax]

Don't worry. I'm not going to run away. It's the new year, Mr. Clover. It's a time for wishing good things.

[Danny Clover]

Some people do.

[Mrs. Lomax]

You want to know my wish, Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

It won't come true if you tell me.

[Mrs. Lomax]

I know it won't anyhow. But it's this I wish there was some way some way, Mr. Clover it would make my new year a happy one if there was some way I could kill you.

[Danny Clover]

Broadway's knocking itself to pieces the celebrants with a funny hats Lean out of the windows of the astor and drop paper cups on the celebrants with the tin horns there's laughter and crowd and holiday and swirl the fine thing, the glance and the words A happy new year and means it the avenue means it with its heart it happens once a year on Broadway the gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world Broadway, my beat.

[Choice Classic Radio]

Broadway's my beat Stars Larry Thor as detective Danny Clover and is written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The musical score was arranged by Alexander Courage and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. And our pianist was Sam Fuhrman. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The cast tonight included Charles Calvert, Jeanette Nolan, Jay Novello, Leo Penn, Fred Howard, Bob Bruce and Barton Yarboroug. Now stay tuned for Sing It Again, which follows immediately on most of these same CBS stations. Joe Walter speaking. This is cbs, where you find Broadway's My beat. Every Saturday night, the Columbia Broadcasting System.