Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case 04/28/1950

Summary

Summary of "Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case"

Podcast Title: Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case
Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Original Air Date: April 28, 1950

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Introduction

"Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case" transports listeners to the vibrant and tumultuous streets of Broadway during the Golden Age of Radio. Hosted by Larry Thor, who portrays the astute Detective Danny Clover, the episode delves into a complex murder case intertwined with the seedy underbelly of narcotics distribution and deception. Co-starring Sergeant Gino Tartaglia, portrayed by Charles Calvert, and Evelyn Wade, the narrative masterfully weaves suspense, character intrigue, and unexpected twists.

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The Murder of Max Wendell

The episode opens with Detective Danny Clover receiving a distressing message from Max Wendell, a respected distributor of patent medicines, neckties, and candy bars located on 39th Street. Max appears visibly distressed, urging Danny to meet him at his place of business [00:25]. Upon arrival, Max reveals his predicament: a former acquaintance threatens him with exposure of his past addiction unless he agrees to distribute narcotics. Max's refusal leads to his untimely death at the hands of Frank Howard, a notorious mobster with ties to the Rogues Gallery [02:53].

Notable Quote:

Max Wendell: "Don't do that again, Max. Say regular words and tell me the trouble." (00:14)

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The Acme Pharmaceutical Heist

Shortly after Max's murder, a significant heist occurs at the Acme Pharmaceutical Company. A staggering $100,000 worth of narcotics is stolen from a delivery car on Fifth Avenue, resulting in the death of the guard, Joe Masurek [05:13]. The protagonist's initial assumption points towards Wilbur Douglas, a salesman with a seemingly average life, including a wife and four children [07:40].

Notable Quote:

Evelyn Wade: "A pound of pork chops. Makes us deliver. Stick around the supermarket today." (05:40)

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Investigation and Suspicion

As Detective Clover and Sergeant Tartaglia delve deeper, inconsistencies emerge. Wilbur Douglas, initially the prime suspect, is missing, and his sudden disappearance raises eyebrows [06:03]. The detectives scrutinize Douglas's routine and connections, uncovering his interactions and questioning colleagues like Zach Bailey [09:01].

Notable Quote:

Sergeant Gino Tartaglia: "You’ve rid society of a vicious blot on its fair escutcheon." (04:29)

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The Twist: Evelyn Wade's Deception

The investigation takes a dramatic turn when Evelyn Wade, initially presenting herself as an assistant, is revealed to be intricately involved in the conspiracy. Her interactions with Detective Clover become increasingly suspicious, leading to her eventual murder [13:04]. This pivotal moment exposes the depth of corruption and deceit surrounding the case.

Notable Quote:

Evelyn Wade: "Is the same who killed the guard, who would be Wilbur Douglas, the salesman who was still in the ranks of the missing." (15:30)

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Climax and Resolution

In a tense confrontation, Sergeant Tartaglia accuses Danny Clover of being the true culprit, unveiling that Clover himself is Wilbur Douglas in disguise [16:12]. This revelation shocks both characters and listeners alike, showcasing the intricate layers of identity and betrayal. The climax underscores the themes of duality and the complexity of human motivations within the narrative.

Notable Quote:

Sergeant Gino Tartaglia: "I have to kill you too. Another bullet from this gun." (25:08)

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Themes and Insights

"Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case" explores themes of redemption, identity, and the pervasive influence of organized crime. The characters navigate a labyrinth of moral ambiguities, where trust is scarce, and appearances can be deceiving. The episode adeptly highlights the societal struggles of the era, particularly the battle against narcotics and the quest for personal integrity.

Notable Quote:

Sergeant Gino Tartaglia: "People open their mouths, it's printed, and the man's life is measured and thrown away." (13:36)

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the cyclical nature of crime on Broadway, emphasizing that despite the resolution of one case, the streets remain rife with potential for new conflicts and mysteries. The intricate storytelling, combined with stellar performances by Larry Thor and Charles Calvert, cements Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case as a standout installment in old-time radio detective narratives.

Notable Quote:

Narrator: "It’s Broadway, my beat, Broadway's My Beat. Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover..." (26:32)

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Cast and Production Notes

• Detective Danny Clover: Larry Thor
• Sergeant Gino Tartaglia: Charles Calvert
• Evelyn Wade: Sylvia Sims
• Additional Cast: Jeanette Nolan, Eddie Fields, Howard McNear, Clayton Post, Paul McVeigh
• Produced and Directed by: Elliot Lewis
• Musical Score Composed and Conducted by: Alexander Courage

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"Broadway Is My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case" stands as a testament to the rich storytelling and character-driven plots that defined old-time radio. Its intricate narrative and compelling performances continue to captivate audiences, offering a timeless glimpse into the mysteries that once echoed through the airwaves.

Transcript

[Danny Clover]

Your message amplified.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Danny Clover]

Podbean.

[Evelyn Wade]

Podbean.

[Danny Clover]

Podbean. Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Evelyn Wade]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

To launch their podcasts.

[Danny Clover]

Launch your podcast on podbean today.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

My school uses Podbean. My church too.

[Danny Clover]

I love it. I really do.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

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 Times Square to Columbus Circle the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world Broadway's my beat With Larry Thor as detective Danny Clover. Broadway it's the one dream left because the other dreams didn't happen the corner of the world where a million performers do their bit just for you it's carnival and clown and a girl blowing kisses the end of a fabulous ride that cost you a dime maybe you'll get your money's worth It's Broadway, my beat the month was April in the year of the zipper. The phone call came at noon. Max Wendell said he had to see me and quick. Danny, he said at his place of business on 39th street, which is where he sold patent medicines and neckties and candy bars. He reminded me which is where I went. Danny. Danny. Brother, am I glad to see you. You sounded worried when I talked to you on the phone, Max. Worried? Oh, bro, what's the trouble, brother? Don't do that again, Max. Say regular words and tell me the trouble. Sure, I was gonna. Wait a minute. I'll find on the radio a little. You know, you gotta be tuned to this type of music to be in style, not to the trouble. Look at me, Danny. What do you see? Max Wendell in an orange necktie trying to sell me a necktie. Max. Later maybe. Right. Now listen, when you look at Max Wendell, you see a completely rehabilitated, practically a new man type of man. You see that, huh? Cure did you good, Max, you look fine. Look, I don't need complimen. I got trouble. This morning a no good from way back came into here. You know what he wanted me to do? All right, all right. He said he's got pounds of the stuff. Narcotics? Yeah. And on account of once in the dead past, I was known as an addict of the stuff. He comes to me and wants me to distribute for him. Who was he?

[Evelyn Wade]

I don't remember his name.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Just A second, Danny. There's something I can do. Danny. It's the no good. From one back, Max shriveled against the blow of the bullet. Then his hands reached out, clutched the air, clutched at another moment of life. It wasn't there. The killer made sure. Then the killer wanted me. I threw myself to the floor and knocked over the perfume display. The lust was on him. And he moved slowly to where I was. Grinning at me. Grinning at the gun in my hand. Then I shot. The grin was still there. Again, the grin froze. Then there was the sound of sirens. And the official handlers of death were at the door. All the way back to headquarters, all I could remember was a kid's face pressed to a drugstore window. His eyes big with a spectacle of violence and death. Then someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Sergeant Gino Titaglia. Danny, what do you want to taglia.

[Evelyn Wade]

It was close, huh? Back then the drugstore was very close for you, huh? It's all over the department. How it was.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What else is new?

[Evelyn Wade]

You. You smell so pretty. Danny, what did Max Wendell want with you? You should sample some of his perfume. Which you sample.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What else is new, Sergeant?

[Evelyn Wade]

All right, Danny, all right. I was just trying to divert your mind with a crummy pleasantry. All right. I said all right.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What do we got on Max's killer, Danny?

[Evelyn Wade]

You.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You.

[Evelyn Wade]

You. You should be proud. You. You've rid society of a vicious blot on its fair escutcheon. You. You've carried the banner of decency high into the.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Don't sing me an opera today. Just tell it to me. Max's killer.

[Evelyn Wade]

Max's killer was a rogue who was one of the most steady clients of the Rogues Gallery. Frank Howard. By name and by number, a mobster, a hoodlum. Suspicion of many killers, but killings by murder, as my neighbor Annie Berman would say. Danny, by the shooting of Frank Howard, you have performed a mitzvah.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Thank your neighbor Annie for me.

[Evelyn Wade]

Roger Wilco, Danny. I gave you a tl. Now you must give me one. What did Max want with you?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Howard wanted him to distribute narcotics. Max turned him down. Called me to tell me what a good boy he was. Howard murdered him for that?

[Evelyn Wade]

What a strange coincidence, huh? A coincidence, Danny, but there's a report lying on my desk at this moment which reports the heist of $100,000 worth of narcotics from the firm of Acme Pharmaceutical Company. When at noontime on Fifth Avenue. From a car delivering a portion of said narcotics to a qualified doctor. Said car was officially occupied by two Men. Wilbur Douglas, the salesman, and Joe Masurek, the guard. Only Douglas is missing, the narcotics is missing and Masurek is dead. That's how the robbery was discovered.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

How?

[Evelyn Wade]

A traffic policeman came over to tell him to move his car. But Massary, the sole occupant, wouldn't because he was occupied with a bullet hole between his eyes.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What company?

[Evelyn Wade]

I told you, Danny, pay attention. The Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Sorry to have kept you waiting, mister. You didn't keep me waiting. Well, yeah, you're quite resourceful. Yes, Miss Westfall?

[Danny Clover]

It's time for your throat spray, Mr. Vaughn.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, thank you, Miss Westfall. Pardon me, mister. Now, mister, why the devil don't you tell me your name? Mr. Westfall, come in here and throw this man out.

[Danny Clover]

I can't. He's a policeman.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Stay at your post, Ms. Westfall. I may need you. Hey, you're a policeman, sir, what can I do for you? My name's Danny Clover. What happened this morning? How come $100,000 worth of narcotics was stolen from the Acme Pharmaceutical Company? Let me tell you something. All that merchandise running around loose will play hob with. It's gonna do just that, Mr. Vaughn, unless you dec. Get off the dime. Fire your questions at me. Mr. Clover, what's the routine here? I mean, when one of your men is assigned to make a delivery, what happens? How does it work? With efficiency and dispatch. Like so. Our man is given a parcel for delivery to various supply houses and medical people. At the same time, he's given a root card. Then he doesn't know the route until immediately. Before he leaves here. Precisely, he goes downstairs to the garage. The dispatcher gets his car, the attendant hands him his keys. He drives out of the garage, picks up a guard at the corner and proceeds. I see. Now, what's your opinion as to what happened earlier today about the robbery? One needs no great perception to know that Wilbur Douglas shot and killed the guard, Joe Mazaric, and absconded with the narcotics. Yeah. Disgraceful. And Douglas with a wife and four little. Yes, Ms. Westfall.

[Danny Clover]

Effervescent salts, Mr. Fawn.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Thank you, Ms. Westfall. One moment, sir. Yeah, that'll teach my stomach to behave. Now, we were saying. Oh, kids, Douglas. A wife and four little kids. Yeah, that's all I know.

[Evelyn Wade]

Mr. Clover.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah? If you think of something real thrilling, have Ms. Westfall buzz the garage. Tell her to ask for me.

[Danny Clover]

Mr. Tobin, your car is ready. It's waiting for you at the loading platform. Mr. Tobin, your car is ready. It's waiting for you. At the loading platform. What are you doing in here? What do you want?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Danny Clover, police. You're the dispatcher.

[Danny Clover]

Don't they ever run out of you guys? You're the tenth cop today. I'm so popular all of a sudden. Not that I mind. I like it. I really like it.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Then you know why I'm here, miss.

[Danny Clover]

Peg. Peg Tooy. Sure, I know why you're here, Mr. Clover. The robbery. It takes a hundred thousand dollar robbery to make me popular with the fellas.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Tell me about it, Ms. Tui.

[Danny Clover]

Peg. We have to be formal just because a crime is committed. Call me Peggy.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Run it down for me, Peg. From the beginning.

[Danny Clover]

I already opened my heart to nine other policemen. Mr. Clover, you'll make the tent.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You dispatched Wilbur Douglas's car.

[Danny Clover]

Permit me. I know it by heart already. At 11:15, the orders came down from upstairs to get Mr. Douglas's car ready. I gave the orders. It should be ready at 11:30. Mr. Douglas made his appearance in our garage. At 11:32, I spoke over the loudspeaker like this. Mr. Douglas, your car is ready. Excuse me. I'm so excited I don't know what I'm doing.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You talked to Douglas?

[Danny Clover]

Only over the loudspeaker. Here. You know, you're the first one to ask me that question.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Did you see anyone else talk to him? A stranger, a visitor?

[Danny Clover]

No.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Did he go out of the garage at all, even for a minute?

[Danny Clover]

No. No. You've got an entirely new list of questions. I like it. No. Mr. Douglas stayed here all the time perusing his briefcase. But then Zack gave the attendant here, Zack bailey. Zach gave Mr. Douglas the keys to the car and Mr. Douglas drove off to pick up the guard who was waiting for him in the front.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Where is Zach?

[Danny Clover]

He out there amongst the cars someplace. You can't miss him. He's the only human being down here besides me.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Thanks, Peg. Thanks a lot.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, likewise, I'm sure.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Zach.

[Evelyn Wade]

Yeah. Another cop, huh?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Another one. Zach, about Douglas.

[Evelyn Wade]

How long does this go on? I already told everybody everything I know. The general manager, the manager, the assistant manager, the detectives, the cop on the beat, the cook across the street, the bark and dogs. How long does this go on?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

As long as we want. Zach, did Douglas talk to anyone while he was here?

[Evelyn Wade]

When I handed him his keys, he said, thanks, Zach.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Besides you, nobody.

[Evelyn Wade]

Who else is there to talk to? He pasted the root card on his windshield, tooted the horn and drove off on a mission.

[Danny Clover]

Zach, get Mr. Lister's car ready.

[Evelyn Wade]

Excuse me, Mr. Detective. I also gotta Work for a living.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

From here on, it looked open and shut. Find Wilbur Douglas, the salesman with a wife and four children, who suddenly discovered there was more joy in $100,000 worth of narcotics. It's happened before. Men have killed men for that. So it looked open and shut. Wilbur Douglas had killed Joel Masarek for that. But the teaser was not so simple. In another part of the city, another murder had happened. A little hoodlum had killed Max Wendell the Link Narcotics. At headquarters, Sergeant Tataglia shook his head and looked at me as if he were bewildered.

[Evelyn Wade]

I'm bewildered, Danny.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah, me too.

[Evelyn Wade]

Even with outside help, I'm bewildered.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You got some talent on the outside detector.

[Evelyn Wade]

Yeah. Where I eat across the street at the lunch room. And today being Friday, Pinky Mgwatney is in town to have lunch with me. And Pinky is talented. I discuss such things as this with Pinky.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, who is Pinky?

[Evelyn Wade]

A truck driving fellow who drives trucks. An upstanding prince of a youth who hauls produce and the goodies we eat from yon into the here along highways and byways. Who? Hey, the phone rang, Danny.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Thanks. Danny Clover speaking.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, this is Peg Toohey, Mr. Clover. You know, the dispatcher.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What is it, Peggy?

[Danny Clover]

I forgot to tell you yesterday. I forgot to tell you that.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What? What did you forget to tell me?

[Danny Clover]

Hey, sure, honey. You call for me tonight, Peg? No, no. You let me too hug. Sure, honey. It's okay for tonight? Of course. I'm home now. Pick me up right away, honey. Right away. Goodbye, honey.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Peg. Peg, what happened? It took me 20 minutes to wheedle Peg's home address out of personnel at the Acme Pharmaceutical Company. They finally favored me with it. It was a Brownstone on West 18th street, four flights up, room six. Peg? Peg, it's Danny Clover. Peg. Yum. Peg, what happened? Let me lift you up.

[Danny Clover]

No. Nothing will help me now. Nothing. I don't want to die. I don't want to.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Who did this to you? Who shot your pig?

[Danny Clover]

I don't want to die. I don't want. Podbean, your message amplified.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Ready to share your message with the world. Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Danny Clover]

Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Evelyn Wade]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

To launch their podcasts.

[Danny Clover]

Use Podbean to record your podcast.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast.

[Danny Clover]

Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere.

[Danny Clover]

Launch your podcast on Podbean. Today.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Spring comes to Broadway. In many ways, the loudspeakers blossom and bear the fruit of the Charleston. The rainmakers dance their ritual dance and bear no fruit at all. And Broadway is diverted. Broadway is happy. Spring is here. You can stand under the shade of a paper mache papaya tree, drink papaya juice, pleat your newspaper and read of murder. Double feature. Max Wendell, druggist, murdered in cold blood in his place of business. Should have caught that one. Peg Toohey, dispatcher, murdered in cold blood in a cold water flat. A person could cry, yell. Spring is here. It's been in training in the summer camps and it's opening the season in its old championship form. Or as Sergeant Gino Totaglia put it.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, I will lov love you all the tea I earn me time I love. Oh, Danny, I feel so good inside. This invention of spring had the things he can do to a fella.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, yeah.

[Evelyn Wade]

Even Mrs. Tartaglia noticed it. Mrs. Tartaglia said to me, Sergeant Tartaglia, you have become so frisky. Almost as frisky as the Tartaglia bloodhound, Giuseppe. Have you perchance been heisting Giuseppe's strong heart lately?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

She said to me, Mrs. Tartaglia said that. Now you tell me about Peg Toohey's murder.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, gladly, Danny. Seems that Ms. Toohey was shot with the same gun that killed the Acme Pharmaceutical Company guard in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue. This means, obviously, that the killer of Ms. Toohey is the same.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What else, Detector?

[Evelyn Wade]

Well, let me finish, Danny, please. Is the same who killed the guard, who would be Wilbur Douglas, the salesman who was still in the ranks of the missing.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

See, I let you finish. What else, Detector?

[Evelyn Wade]

Narcotics Division has put its hand in the pie, as indeed it has every right to same. And it has, huh, Mr. Clover? That is indeed, Mr. Clover. And I am Sergeant Gino Cartaglia. How do you do?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It's so much easier than I thought. I've come to Give myself up, Mr. Clover. You're Wilbur Douglas.

[Evelyn Wade]

How do you do, Mr. Douglas? I am Sergeant Wilbur Douglas. Hey, Danny, do something.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

This is the man you're giving yourself up, Mr. Douglas. That means you stole the narcotics, committed the murders. No, no. Not only means that I'm tired and I'm sick. I'm sick of hiding, sick of running away. I'm a family man, Mr. Clover. Man gets used to a family, to a pattern. If you didn't do these things, why did you run away, Mr. Duck? Why does anyone from anything.

[Evelyn Wade]

I was scared.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I came out of a building and.

[Evelyn Wade]

Found the guard dead.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

He was sitting in the car, dead.

[Evelyn Wade]

It scared me, so I ran away.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It was stupid, Mr. Duck.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, was it? Was it?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

They all believed I did it. The management, you, my family.

[Evelyn Wade]

Newspapers are wonderful, Mr. Clover.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I read them all the time. People open their mouths, it's printed, and the man's life is measured and thrown away. Peg Toohey. How well did you know her?

[Evelyn Wade]

Only enough to say I'm sorry she's dead.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Suppose we believe you, Mr. Douglas. Will you cooperate with us? I mean cooperate? Will you let me talk to my family? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Clover. It means a bit. Let's go on the premise you're innocent. Then someone you knew. Someone knew you handled narcotics for your firm. Someone knew you were to make a delivery. Someone knew your route. Who could that be? Oh, no. No one. No one. Only the general manager. Someone else knew. Someone who made contact with you without your knowing it. A stranger. Someone who asked for a light or a handout. Someone you talked to about yourself, about your job. Well, think, Mr. Douglas, think. No, no, no.

[Evelyn Wade]

There was no one. No one.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

There was only. There was some. Who, Mr. Douglas? Tell me who.

[Evelyn Wade]

A girl.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I was having a drink in a bar. She came up to me and talked to me. She liked the way I looked. She said. I've never done that before. Do you know her name? Yes. Evelyn Wade. At least that's what she told me. We were talking and the bar closed.

[Evelyn Wade]

So she asked me to come up.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

To hotel for a nightcap, and I went. Where is it? It's the Grant hotel on West 67. Can I call my family now? Yeah. Put it through for him, Titaglia. Then lock him up.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, what is it? What is it, please? What do you want?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Miss Wade?

[Danny Clover]

I'm very busy. Now I'm busy. Another time. Come back again.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I'm from the police, Ms. Wade.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, thank you. I already bought my tickets. Have a nice ball.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I want to speak with you. May I come in?

[Danny Clover]

All right, you may come in. I want you to know that I'm.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I won't take long. May I sit down?

[Danny Clover]

You don't mind if the blinds are drawn, do you? The sun hurts my eyes.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It's all right.

[Danny Clover]

Please.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

All right, Miss Wade. Just tell me what I want to know and I'll leave. Tell me about Wilbur Douglas.

[Danny Clover]

Douglas?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Wilbert Douglas?

[Danny Clover]

Mm. I know him.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You knew he was married.

[Danny Clover]

All right, I know him.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

There.

[Danny Clover]

I know him. I told you.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

How did you happen to meet him?

[Danny Clover]

We met people. Meet people. Get lonely. Meet.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Miss Wade.

[Danny Clover]

It's not a good day for me, time to. I gotta be alone.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You met Wilbur Douglas in a bar. Later you came up here, the two of you. How much did he tell you about himself?

[Danny Clover]

Ah, nothing. I lied to him. He lied to me. We knew that Smiles drinks. When he put his arm around me, he was polite.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You knew where he worked. You knew what his job was, didn't you?

[Danny Clover]

He told me. But. Oh, pardon me. Clumsy, knocking over a phone.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Here, I'll get it. Here.

[Danny Clover]

Thank you. Hello? Oh, yeah. You got the wrong number. Of course I'm sure. Wrong number. Fella had the wrong number.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What fella?

[Danny Clover]

He had the wrong number. I wouldn't know.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Miss Wade. Miss Wade.

[Danny Clover]

I wouldn't know. What fellow?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Who are your friends, Miss Wade?

[Danny Clover]

I don't get out much. Oh, please.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Please don't go out much, Miss Wade. I want to find you here when I come back. I went downstairs to the lobby. It bothered me about the phone call. There was a man reading a comic book at the switchboard. I asked him about it because it bothered me. I'd have to do more than that, he said. So I let him peek at my badge. That was all I had to do. He said no, it couldn't have been a wrong number. A guy asked for Evelyn Wade, so he put him through. How could this become a wrong number? Who was it? I asked. He didn't know. Then I questioned him about Evelyn. All he knew about her was she made phone calls. He wrote them down in a little book because they were worth 20 cents apiece to the hotel. It took another peek at the badge to make him give me the list. The next morning at headquarters, I put the taglia on it.

[Evelyn Wade]

Explain it to me again. What you want me to do, Danny? My brain this morning is in the foggy, foggy do this morning.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You have the cross reference phone book that I have?

[Evelyn Wade]

You gave it to me.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Take these telephone numbers. Cross check them against a name and an address. I'll phone them as you give them to me.

[Evelyn Wade]

Is that all you want? Why didn't you say so? Okay, Danny. Will do.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Now?

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, yeah.

[Danny Clover]

Now.

[Evelyn Wade]

Pennsylvania 60599. John Ainley business.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Ainley supermarket. Ainley here. Police department, Mr. Ainley. Routine check. You know a Miss Evelyn Wade? Yes. Once a week she buys a pound of pork chops. Makes us deliver. Stick around the supermarket today. Mr. Ainley, I may want to talk to you extra time.

[Evelyn Wade]

A Moment, Danny Butterfield, 89970. Pierre.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Pierre what?

[Evelyn Wade]

That's all, Danny, just Pierre. 1976 East, 797.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Pierre. Pierre. @ Your service. Police Department. Pierre. Routine check. Evelyn Wade. Do you know her? Evelyn?

[Danny Clover]

Of course.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I would know Evelyn anywhere. The texture of her hair is dream. And she would stick around. Pierre, we may want to discuss it.

[Evelyn Wade]

Gramercy 38099. Myrtle Lance.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I'm busy. Another one to take me.

[Evelyn Wade]

Yeah. Atwater 97598. Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What?

[Evelyn Wade]

Atwater 97598. Acmeet Pharmaceutical Company. Danny.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Eight.

[Danny Clover]

Acme Pharmaceutical Company. Garage.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Hello? Hello? Sorry. Hello. Wrong number.

[Evelyn Wade]

Pleasure. 4396.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

That's all. To Taglia. You did good.

[Danny Clover]

I took so long. I know, but please, come in. I was in the kitchen. Look at me with a towel in my hand. Please, have a seat.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Thank you.

[Danny Clover]

You said you'd come back. I feel better now. A little. Would you like some coffee?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

No. No, thank you.

[Danny Clover]

I could make you some.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Miss Wade, why did you call the garage the other day? The garage of The Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Danny Clover]

Acme?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Please, Ms. Wade. I know you called.

[Danny Clover]

Then why do you ask me?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It's all over now, Ms. Wade. Can't you understand that? All over? I know why you called.

[Danny Clover]

Then why do you ask me?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You wanted to get Wilbur Douglas away from his car. Just the right moment. You were working with someone and you had a timed one to call after Wilbur Douglas had put his root card in the car.

[Danny Clover]

I wondered why I had to call at just that moment. Is that why?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Who told you to call?

[Danny Clover]

He knew Wilbur would have to come to the phone when I called. Wilbur is married. Wilbur couldn't afford to say no to me.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Who told you to call me?

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, I told her to call.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Hello, Zach. How come you're not attending cars at the garage at this hour?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. He told me to call. Zack did.

[Evelyn Wade]

Now white clover. Now I have to kill you too. Another bullet from this gun.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Another dead man on your side. I'd congratulate you, Zack. You timed it neat. Got Wilbur's root card. Knew where he'd be at what time. Waited till he made his delivery. Killed the guard, lifted the narcotics.

[Evelyn Wade]

Congratulate me some more, Clover.

[Danny Clover]

You. You kill somebody.

[Evelyn Wade]

Zack, out of the way. Go ahead, Clover. Go ahead.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, Narcotics, Zack. You needed a distributor. You sent a hood over to see Max Wendell. Because Max once was a distributor. Only Max Box called police.

[Evelyn Wade]

Then you know why Max had to die. Why I sent the hood back to kill him. Only you were there. You're a louse, Clover.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Messing things up. Lonely little girl who suddenly remembered that Wilbur gotten that phone call. She tried to tell me about it and you killed her too.

[Evelyn Wade]

Yes, and you too, Clover. You understand how it is, don't you? Congratulate me once more. Then you can close your eyes.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Where's the narcotics?

[Danny Clover]

Zach has it. Don't you, Zach?

[Evelyn Wade]

Sure I do, baby.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, but you killed. Oh, I don't know. Now, this man here. You think about it. Her girl thinks about. Oh, Zach, Kiss me. Be nice to me, Zach.

[Evelyn Wade]

Take your hands.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Watch out, Zach. He stood there swaying, shaking his head against the recognition, against the knowledge that his life was almost true. And his eyes stared at it, spilling over his fingers. Then there was no more life. Evelyn Wade was silent in her pain. In a little while, a doctor came and said she needed a lot of help. He said he'd see she got it. Broadway's deserted now. The night has given up and it's becoming another day. And for an hour, the fury lies sleeping. Then an engine will start and a horn will blow and people will run out from under the earth to awake the fury. And it starts all over again. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, My Feet, Broadway's My Beat. Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover, with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The musical score was composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. Included in the cast tonight were Sylvia Sims, Jeanette Nolan, Eddie Fields, Howard McNear, Clayton Post and Paul McVeigh.