Broadway Is My Beat: The Larry Moore Murder Case (01/12/1952)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 24, 2026
Main Characters: Detective Danny Clover, Johnny Welch, Ida Gray, Larry Moore, Sgt. Tartaglia, Sgt. Gino, Marty Mogavin

Episode Overview

This classic radio drama episode of "Broadway Is My Beat" plunges listeners into the heart of the city’s darkness, following Detective Danny Clover as he investigates a tangled case of murder, acquittal, and tragic consequence. The story opens with Johnny Welch, recently acquitted of murdering his wife, grappling with guilt, suspicion, and alienation as Clover pursues the truth behind two deaths: that of Welch's wife and the subsequent murder of Larry Moore.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Post-Verdit Dread

• Clover escorts Johnny Welch from the courthouse, noting Welch's lack of relief despite his acquittal.
• Welch is burdened—by public suspicion, personal grief, and a sense of unresolved justice.
  • [00:53] "The faces of the mob are already molded back into the old year's anguish..." – Detective Danny Clover

2. The Haunting Aftermath

• Welch’s Acquittal: Though found innocent in court with the aid of Ida Gray's testimony, Welch feels he cannot escape the verdict:
  • [01:58] "You know something, Danny?... They say I'm innocent. You say it. Me, I still don't know." – Johnny Welch
• Ida Gray's Role: Ida, who provides his alibi, is both friend and savior, but her testimony harbors secrets.

3. Larry Moore: Target of Suspicion

• Clover interviews Larry Moore, a piano player and acquaintance of the deceased Mrs. Welch, who’s just been assaulted by Johnny Welch:
  • [05:12] "He tried to make me confess... that I killed his wife." – Larry Moore
• Moore's Compassion: Moore refuses to press charges, showing unexpected empathy for Welch.

4. Welch's Downward Spiral

• Johnny's Alienation: Johnny drowns his pain in alcohol and is rejected by friends who remain suspicious.
  • [10:27] "The things inside I can see... Dances, friends. The people who smile want you to come along. I got no more friends." – Johnny Welch
• Clover’s Frustration: Clover is keenly aware Welch may spiral into violence, fearing what he might do next.
  • [07:14] "He's a sick man right now. You could go so far as to call him crazy, maybe... Next time maybe he'll be more thorough." – Sergeant Gino

5. Second Murder: Larry Moore's Death

• Moore is found stabbed to death, and suspicion again falls on Johnny Welch.
  • [13:11] "Larry Moore, Danny... in the morning, he's beat up. In the evening, he's dead." – Sergeant Gino
• Clover investigates and finds Johnny missing, issuing another all-points bulletin.

6. Peeling Back the Alibi: Ida Gray's Secret

• Ida Gray’s Real Story: Under questioning, Ida admits her relation to Johnny is deeper than friendship; she perjured herself for Johnny’s freedom.
  • [16:03] "I'm a technician... I assist in the preparation of antibiotic cultures. Do I scare you?" – Ida Gray
  • [16:44] "He killed a man last night. Stabbed him to death. A man named Larry Moore." – Detective Danny Clover
• Blackmail Motive Revealed: Bank records reveal Moore was blackmailing Ida to stay silent about her false alibi.
  • [22:45] "Yesterday, Larry Moore deposited in his bank the exact amount Ida Gray withdrew from hers. That is what it does to me, Danny." – Sergeant Gino
• Ida Attacked: Ida is found injured, muttering incoherently in the hospital.

7. The Truth Emerges: Tragic Revelations

• Confrontation with Johnny Welch: At a Bowery hotel, Johnny confesses his guilt after discovering the extent of Ida's sacrifices.
  • [25:43] "Did she tell you how she perjured herself for you? How you were never with her the night of your wife's murder?" – Detective Danny Clover
  • [25:53] "She told me... I told you if I killed my wife, I didn't want to live anymore. I meant it." – Johnny Welch
• Double Jeopardy: Legally, Johnny cannot be retried for his wife’s murder—a bitter twist of fate.
  • [26:06] "You can't touch me for it because I was acquitted. Double jeopardy. State can’t try a man twice for the same crime." – Johnny Welch

8. Final Reflections

• Clover's Contemplation: The episode closes with reflections on Broadway's capacity for both violence and loneliness, emphasizing the city's capacity to mask tragedy behind neon and noise.
  • [27:42] "It's a panic in neon, this Broadway where pleasure is a packaged commodity like pain... the lonesomest mile in the world..." – Detective Danny Clover

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [01:56] "The court found you innocent, Mr. Welch." – Detective Danny Clover
• [03:04] "I make you a promise out of the goodness of my heart. I'll get to the killer before you do. Hope to die if I don't." – Johnny Welch
• [10:27] "The things inside I can see. Dances, friends. The people who smile want you to come along. I got no more friends." – Johnny Welch
• [13:25] “Larry Moore, Danny... in the morning, he's beat up. In the evening, he's dead. You see it, Danny?” – Sergeant Gino
• [22:45] "Yesterday, Larry Moore deposited in his bank the exact amount Ida Gray withdrew from hers... Blackmail." – Sergeant Gino
• [25:53] "Did she tell you how she perjured herself for you? How you were never with her the night of your wife's murder?" – Detective Danny Clover
• [26:14] "That's right, Johnny. We can't hold you for assault with intent to kill for a long time." – Detective Danny Clover
• [27:42] "It's a panic in neon, this Broadway..." – Detective Danny Clover

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• [00:26–01:35]: Introduction & setting — Broadway’s emotional tone
• [01:35–03:12]: Johnny Welch’s uneasy freedom & promise of revenge
• [04:41–06:10]: Larry Moore’s beating and refusal to press charges
• [07:10–08:41]: Police concern over Welch’s mental state and escalating risk
• [13:11–13:49]: Discovery of Larry Moore’s murder
• [15:39–16:44]: Interrogation of Ida Gray; background on her relationship to Johnny
• [22:45–22:55]: Financial records reveal blackmail
• [24:36–27:20]: Final confrontation with Johnny Welch and truth-telling
• [27:42–28:28]: Broad, poetic closing narration about Broadway

Conclusion

This tightly woven radio play masterfully intertwines themes of guilt, obsession, and the flaws of justice. The characters’ emotional struggles are deeply rendered, especially through Johnny Welch’s tormented sense of responsibility and Ida Gray’s tragic devotion. Detective Danny Clover’s journey through the city’s underbelly is a meditative noir experience, rife with memorable dialogue and evocative language that capture the era’s signature style.

Perfect for fans of noir, mystery, and radio drama—this episode demonstrates how not all truths deliver comfort, and not all verdicts deliver justice.