Broadway Is My Beat: The Morris Bernstein Murder Case 06/16/1950

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio Episode Summary: "Broadway Is My Beat: The Morris Bernstein Murder Case" Release Date: June 4, 2025

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Introduction to the Case

Timeframe: [01:26] – [02:36]

The episode begins with Detective Danny Clover, portrayed by Larry Thor, introducing his jurisdiction—Broadway, described as "the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world." At [01:42], Clover sets the scene on Broadway at 4 AM, painting a vivid picture of an empty, shadow-laden street. He converses with his colleague, John, about his recent transfer, highlighting his preference for his current beat:

Detective Danny Clover ([01:57]): "I guess I'll always be pounding a beat and shaking doors."

Initial Discovery and Investigation

Timeframe: [02:34] – [03:53]

As the night progresses, Detective Clover responds to a distress call. At [02:36], he and John encounter a severely beaten man, later identified as Morris Bernstein. Clover notes the absence of a wallet, suggesting the beating was for robbery. They trace the incident to a bakery truck:

Detective Danny Clover ([03:20]): "This man in white shirt and white pants. Could be a delivery uniform."

Believing the truck belongs to the Felder Bakery, Clover decides to visit the establishment to gather more information.

Developing Leads and Interviews

Timeframe: [03:53] – [10:00]

At the Felder Bakery, Clover speaks with Louis Felder, the owner, who reveals that Bernstein was a reliable employee. Felder mentions recent attacks on his workers by a group he refers to as the "Hoodlum's Rat Pack." Clover learns from Richie Peel, another employee, that similar assaults have occurred, indicating a pattern.

Clover's investigation leads him to Gabe Kirby, a young man associated with the local youth club, the Titans. At [09:00], Kirby confronts Clover about his missing baseball cap, which was found near the crime scene:

Gabe Kirby ([09:03]): "I've been missing that cap for a month now. How about that?"

Despite Kirby's evasiveness, Clover remains persistent, uncovering that Kirby was allegedly at the Titans' clubhouse all night, alibi that initially seems shaky.

Connection to the Club (Titans) and Leah Golden

Timeframe: [10:00] – [21:15]

Clover's investigation deepens as he visits the Titans' clubhouse, where Officer Rucker, also known as Richie, oversees the youth. Rucker vehemently denies any involvement, asserting his commitment to guiding troubled youth:

Officer Rucker ([11:39]): "A man has an obligation to kids... Especially about kids who come up here without roots."

Despite Rucker's assurances, evidence begins to implicate him further when Clover discovers a letter addressed to Bernstein from Leah Golden, Bernstein's girlfriend. After a relentless search, Leah is found severely beaten in a vacant lot, providing a critical witness account.

During her interrogation, Leah divulges that she fled from a man known as Richie—a revelation that directly ties Officer Rucker to the case:

Leah Golden ([25:05]): "I was running away from a man. He wanted me to... a nice girl like me shouldn't be spending all that money for rent."

Confrontation with Officer Rucker

Timeframe: [27:12] – [28:41]

Armed with this information, Clover confronts Officer Rucker at the Titans' clubhouse. The tension escalates as Clover accuses Rucker of orchestrating the assaults to regain control and power:

Detective Danny Clover ([27:30]): "You were after her while you were superintendent in her apartment. She got you fired, didn't she?"

Rucker attempts to deflect the accusations, but Clover's relentless interrogation exposes Rucker's motives and connections to the gang responsible for Bernstein's murder:

Detective Danny Clover ([28:06]): "You figured a way to get back on him, didn't you? Volunteering your services to these kids."

The confrontation culminates in Rucker's realization of his impending exposure, leading to a physical altercation that underscores his guilt.

Resolution and Reflection

Timeframe: [29:00] – [30:16]

With Rucker's involvement unveiled, the case reaches its resolution. Detective Clover reflects on the complexities of his beat, emphasizing Broadway's dual nature—its dazzling facade and underlying darkness:

Detective Danny Clover ([29:00]): "Like I said, peel. Uptown. In the time of June, Broadway shimmers like an enchanted island... It's Broadway. My beat."

As the night concludes, Clover's dedication to uncovering the truth amidst the chaos of Broadway reaffirms his role as the stoic protector of the city's most tumultuous streets.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Detective Danny Clover ([01:57]): "I guess I'll always be pounding a beat and shaking doors."
• Gabe Kirby ([09:03]): "I've been missing that cap for a month now. How about that?"
• Officer Rucker ([11:39]): "A man has an obligation to kids... Especially about kids who come up here without roots."
• Leah Golden ([25:05]): "I was running away from a man. He wanted me to... a nice girl like me shouldn't be spending all that money for rent."
• Detective Danny Clover ([27:30]): "You were after her while you were superintendent in her apartment. She got you fired, didn't she?"
• Detective Danny Clover ([29:00]): "Like I said, peel. Uptown. In the time of June, Broadway shimmers like an enchanted island... It's Broadway. My beat."

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This episode of "Choice Classic Radio Detectives" masterfully weaves a tale of intrigue and perseverance, showcasing Detective Danny Clover's unwavering commitment to justice in the vibrant yet perilous streets of Broadway. Through meticulous investigation and incisive dialogue, listeners are immersed in the Golden Age of Radio's quintessential detective narrative.

Transcript

[Will]

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[Larry Thor]

Radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank.

[Will]

You for [e-mail].

[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway's My Beat From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Larry Thor]

Broadway's my beat with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Glover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's a time on Broadway when the fury dies, the revelers give up and the street is an empty corner of a faraway world. It's four o' clock in the morning, the time of yesterday's newspaper drifting with the night wind. The time of the tired shadow and furtive sounds dimly heard. And you walk it because you're a policeman and your day's just over. You turn a corner because it's the way home. And some of the shadows melt into a man. And you're glad because it's a man, you know. Hi, Danny. John, how are you? Fine. You? Good. You got your transfer, huh? Yeah. I like it. I guess I'll always be pounding a beat and shaking doors.

[Larry Thor]

But I like doing it better here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's new, Danny? I don't know, John. The same, I guess. From down the street, probably. Just help me. Help. Come on. Right over there. Someone's in a hurry to leave that car. No light. Here's what they left. This man's been badly beaten up. Call box down the street. I'll get an ambulance. Wait. No need. Dead. Yeah. Call for him, John. See who he is.

[Louis Felder]

Okay.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you notice that truck in the alley, Danny? Yeah. I'll take a look. Did I find anything? No wallet. Looks like he was beaten for it. You the truck's a bakery truck. The Felder Bakery. That's not far from here. On First Avenue, near 39th. It's on the beat. Yeah. This man in white shirt and white pants. Could be a delivery uniform. Sure. They're open 24 hours a day. Call it in, John. Then stick with it. I'll get over to the bakery. Maybe those people can tell me something.

[Louis Felder]

They told me a man wanted to see me. You the man?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yes. Mr. Felder. Uh huh.

[Louis Felder]

Louis Felder. Look, friend, I'm sorry I can't help you. I got all the men I need to handle what I got. I suggest you try the baker's union. They try the union?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police, Mr. Felder.

[Louis Felder]

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. No disrespect intended. Just that so many men come in asking me for work. If there's been a complaint. Our product. One of my employees.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Truck 12. Who drives it? 12?

[Louis Felder]

You mean tonight?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tonight, yeah.

[Louis Felder]

I'll find out. Hey, who was on 12th tonight?

[Gabe Kirby]

What do you want?

[Louis Felder]

Who drove 12 tonight?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, just a minute.

[Gabe Kirby]

Morris had it tonight.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Of course.

[Louis Felder]

Morris Bernstein. Good man. Certainly. Morris has.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's dead.

[Louis Felder]

He's killed Morris in an accident.

[Detective Danny Clover]

His truck was torn apart. He was beaten to death.

[Louis Felder]

Oh, I've been afraid.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Afraid of what, Mr. Felder?

[Louis Felder]

Something like this would happen. One night they would beat a man until he died.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who?

[Louis Felder]

Hoodlum's Rat Pack. We don't know. Happened to another one of my boys last week. They turned over his truck, threw the bread into the gutter, attacked him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'd like to talk to him.

[Louis Felder]

Naturally. Sid. Sid Norman. Still here?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. Yes.

[Richie Peel]

Okay. Okay. Want me, Mr. Valder?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. A little bit late.

[Richie Peel]

I should be out in the route.

[Louis Felder]

This man is from the police. Sid Morris was killed tonight.

[Richie Peel]

Beaten up.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why did you say that, Sid?

[Richie Peel]

Well, because it follows. It happened to me last week. But I was lucky. I ran away from him. Morris probably stopped to reason with him. He was that kind of a man.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you recognize any of them, Sid?

[Richie Peel]

No. They jumped me when my back was turned. I was gathering up loaves of bread, sweet rolls, things like that. And some. Something hit me in the back of the head. I didn't stop to say hello. I just ran.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How many were there? Could you tell me that?

[Richie Peel]

Four or five maybe. Punks. Just kids. I could tell by their voices. Gee, the kids nowadays, they gather in rat packs and kill.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Felder, any reason this should happen to your trucks? Your men?

[Louis Felder]

I don't know. Maybe it's because my men are out alone at 4 o' clock in the morning. I don't remember ever doing anything wrong. Excuse me, please. Stop the machines. Stop the ovens don't work anymore today. Go home.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The Dan men didn't look happy. They looked worried. It was as if suddenly the scene were taking place in slow motion. The tentative movements, the glances. One man detaching himself from the rest, walking over to Louis Felder. Then the rest forming a questioning circle around him. But Mr. Felder just shook his head and walked through the door. It was 4:30 and I went home. At 10 o' clock I was back at headquarters. There was a man waiting for me in my office, just as I knew he would be. The fates had fashioned it that way. They'd grinned and put their heads together and conspired that Sergeant Tataglia should always be waiting in my office when I closed the door behind me.

[Richie Peel]

Here we are, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

We are indeed.

[Richie Peel]

I understand you had a pretty rough night of it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You're going to brighten up what otherwise might be a drab day. Is that it?

[Richie Peel]

My utter best, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks. What do you got?

[Richie Peel]

This baseball Cap found some 50ft from the scene of the beating, up in the gutter. It might or might not have something to do with what happened. The last is my own comment upon matters.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's see.

[Richie Peel]

Yeah, Danny. Here. If you will notice on the inside there's a sweatband. And on the sweatband is printed in ink a name and address. My middle boy, Rufio Taglia, did the same to his three propini.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Gabe Kirby. It says 1412 West 18th.

[Richie Peel]

That's pretty far from where Morris Bernstein was killed, Danny. So like I said, this cap might or might not have something.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let me find out how toia. The address printed neatly in the baseball cap was a cold water tenement. A scar, an open wound fashioned of peeling brownstone of litter. Something that scurried under your feet, then darted into a hole. It watched you with bloodshot eyes as you walked up the stairs. Then at the landing, you heard it come out again. You knocked at a door and a woman, haggard, resigned, told you her son Gabe was at School. The 16th Street Vocational School. And at the school a man sighed, shrugged, walked away from you, came back with Gabe Kirby and said you could use his office. He was Used to it. Then he left you alone with Gabe?

[Gabe Kirby]

The principal pulled me away from something very interesting. The Secret life of a Drainpipe Plumbing two way. Why did he do that?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sit down. Game.

[Gabe Kirby]

The courteous approach. I've been making a catalog how you guys approach us. Guys. Yours is a courtesy type. Glad to add it to my collection.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You've been in trouble before. Game. Lots of times.

[Gabe Kirby]

I wouldn't say lots. I'm only 18 years old. My shadow. Yeah, I have my shit.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. This baseball cap belong to you?

[Gabe Kirby]

Hey, you're a Blue Ribbon retriever. I've been missing that cap for a month now. How about that? I never dreamed I'd see that cap again.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Game.

[Gabe Kirby]

I'm sorry, pal. I can't offer you a reward. But I'll even it up for you someday when conditions are better. I thank you from the bottom of me heart for bringing back me cap. It's a good luck charm. My bat and.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sit down, Gabe. I said sit down. Okay, okay.

[Gabe Kirby]

The approach changes, huh? Mr. Policeman.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where were you last night, Gabe?

[Gabe Kirby]

Somebody broke into a grocery store last night.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where were you?

[Gabe Kirby]

I slept on an iron cot. All night.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not at home, Gabe. Your mother told me you weren't home last night.

[Gabe Kirby]

Only your lady told you that. Thank her for me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where were you?

[Gabe Kirby]

In a room over a garage. We call it a club room. I belong to a club. The Titans. Last night I slept there. We take time sleeping there, we boys. To watch over a lot of things we wish we had.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You were there all night?

[Gabe Kirby]

All night. From 8 o' clock on. You can check with Richie.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Richie? Who's he?

[Gabe Kirby]

You don't know Richie? Mr. Richard Peel. An important man. He's the athletic director of the Titans. Volunteered for the job. He sets us boys a good example.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The other Titans, where were they?

[Gabe Kirby]

Who knows? I was sleepy, so I went to sleep. Check with Mr. Peel.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Gabe. Your cap was found 50ft from where a man was killed. Beaten up and killed by a gang. A man named Morris Bernstein.

[Gabe Kirby]

Morris Bernstein. And my cap was there, huh? Well, how about that check with Mr. Peel, Mr. Policeman? Over the Conway garage on 20th. And now I hear plumbing two way calling me. Hey, you'll excuse me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey.

[Officer Rucker]

Hey, you. You looking for someone?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, I am.

[Officer Rucker]

Who are you looking for?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Richard Peel.

[Officer Rucker]

You found him. You from the employment agency? No, I thought you're from the agency Police. I thought you were from the agency. There's no phone here. They said they'd send a man over if anything turned up for me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What do you do here, Mr. Beale? What do you mean this place? Over a garage? Empty?

[Officer Rucker]

Not empty, Mr. Clover. Not empty, Mr. Clover. Look around. We've got some equipment. Barbells, wall exercises. Enough for now.

[Detective Danny Clover]

This is where the titans meet, huh?

[Officer Rucker]

That's right. We'll get it fixed up.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I still don't understand. What do you do here?

[Officer Rucker]

I thought you'd know by now. The boys need a direction. I try to give them that. Get them off the street, organize teams, you know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You like doing that?

[Officer Rucker]

A man has an obligation to kids. Haven't you ever told yourself that, Mr. Clover? Especially about kids who come up here without roots, broken homes, drunken fathers and working mothers, or worse. It's my obligation.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, I suppose more people should feel the way you do.

[Officer Rucker]

So somebody has to. What am I telling you for? You'd know. Ever read any statistics on juvenile delinquency? Then you'd be the one to know. These kids need something to let them know their heritage rights, things like that. Give them direction. They don't find that on the street.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's a reason I came up here, Mr. Peel.

[Officer Rucker]

I know. Not many adults come up here. They're just not interested.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's about Gabe Kirby.

[Officer Rucker]

Something's bothering you, I can tell. Just what about Gabe?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He said he was here last night. All night.

[Officer Rucker]

I know why he said that. Because he was. Seems to me I know just what you're going to say. And it seems to you A boy 18 years shouldn't stay out all night. All right, suppose Gabe went home. What'd be there for him? The drunken father I told you about.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You'd swear he was here all night.

[Officer Rucker]

On that cot over there, and I slept on the other one. I assure you, Mr. Clover, if some young man got into trouble last night, it wasn't Gabe Kirby. You have my 100% word on that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Peel found my hand, shook it, looked me straight in the eye 100% and invited me to address a meeting of the titans. The boys would appreciate friendly advice from a friendly policeman, he assured me. I mumbled something and got out. At headquarters, the routine of tracing down the murderers of Morris Bernstein gnawed at the day until there was nothing left but the nighttime. I gave it up and went home to sleep. That didn't work either. So I went back to headquarters. The files on rat packs. From a social point of view, from a criminal point of view, from a statistical point of view, educational. But no help in the murder of Morris Bernstein. So I thought I'd try to sleep again. At 2 in the morning, it should come. It didn't on the street. Back to it. A friend stopped me. Officer Rucker. How are you, Danny? Long day, huh? Yeah. How's it been for you? Quiet, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Not a peep.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Nothing. Nobody. I've been keeping a close eye on every person, every car. They don't look right, I question them. So far, nothing. You'll keep on it, huh, John? You told me to do that. It won't change. Good night, John.

[Larry Thor]

Get some sleep, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It'll do you good. Danny. Danny, watch out.

[Will]

Stop.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Stop. All right, Danny. Danny, you all right? Yeah, just knocked me down. License? No lights. No license, Danny. Those blind, didn't they see me? They saw you, all right. You're lucky, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Because whoever it was they tried to.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Kill.

[Larry Thor]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Every Saturday evening, two top music makers bring CBS listeners an hour of great entertainment. Vaughn Monroe is on hand with his famous band playing the five top tunes of the week as chosen by Variety. Gene Autry then comes along with a half hour of ranch ballads and roundup comedy. The Vaughn Monroe Caravan and the Gene Autry show are regular Saturday evening features on most of these same CBS stations. Hear them both. This Saturday.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Night slips out of Broadway's fingers. Broadway is left alone, empty handed, bewildered. The long, long day. 100% pure, 100% unadulterated. Now walks the street and invites Joe. What's to do, kid? Well, there's the guy at the newsstand to the comic books and the hot tips. No, there's the pinball machines and the flea circus. There's the trash baskets with the morning papers. Try that. The day old murder of a bakery driver warmed over for this morning's commuters. Nothing. A policeman run down by an unidentified car. Better. And at police headquarters, you try to readjust the adhesive on your ribs when the door bursts open.

[Louis Felder]

Danny, what do you think you're doing?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Leave the bandage alone. Don't get upset, Dr. Sinski. I was just trying to ease it a little.

[Louis Felder]

Take your hands away from it. Here, let me look.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's all right, isn't it?

[Louis Felder]

Who did this job on you boys.

[Detective Danny Clover]

In the police emergency hospital?

[Louis Felder]

Oh, medical students. Amateurs. College boys.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That bad?

[Louis Felder]

As a matter of fact, it excites a certain envy in me. Danny. This is a very progressive way to apply a bandage to a cracked rib.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What are you doing?

[Louis Felder]

That's good. Serves you right. You couldn't call your old friend Dr. Sinski no matter what time of night. You don't approve of Simsky's medicine. Next time someone tries to kill you, Danny, please call on me. Do that for an old friend. Please.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You made a deal.

[Will]

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[Louis Felder]

This will leave a small scar to make you interesting. Otherwise, you'll live.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you, Doctor. I can button up my shirt now. What's the matter?

[Louis Felder]

I called on you for another reason, too. Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah.

[Louis Felder]

Here, let me help you with the buttoning.

[Officer Rucker]

Yeah.

[Louis Felder]

Danny, we. We completed the examination of the body of Morris Bernstein. And I won't bore you with medical terminology, but the man was beaten in such a way. A new way for hoodlums. Methodically, systematically beaten. Even after he sank into unconsciousness, whoever attacked him, Danny, made sure Morris Bernstein would die.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Doctor, that slip of paper on my desk that Tartaglia just brought in.

[Louis Felder]

Oh, of course.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's an address.

[Louis Felder]

2650 Riverside Drive. Who's Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

MORRIS Bernstein's. I'm gonna find out why somebody wanted him dead. I beg your pardon? Are you.

[Richie Peel]

Whatever you want me to be. That's what I am in this place. Pardon me. Russell speaking again. Look, Mrs. Braverman. Just tell Mr. Braverman to pull down the blinds. That's my only advice to you. How do you like that? Somebody wanted to look at Mr. Braverman. Now, what is your complaint?

[Detective Danny Clover]

My name's Clover, from the police.

[Richie Peel]

Here are my wrists. Slip the handcuffs on them. Take me far away. Arraign solitary.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You don't look like a criminal, Mr. Russell. You been working here long?

[Richie Peel]

I'm a new boy. I'm just breaking in one month.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did you know Morris Bernstein I read.

[Richie Peel]

About him in the papers about hoodlums beating him up.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm trying to find out something about it.

[Richie Peel]

Well, I can tell you this. He lived in apartment 6A. Four room apartment shared by four other gentlemen who had exclusive rights to use kitchen number 2A. Otherwise it was just. It's a nice day. Yes, isn't it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Between Mr. Bernstein and me, Anyone up there in his apartment now? Any of the four gentlemen?

[Richie Peel]

I curtsied them all out on their way to work this morning.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I want to talk to them later.

[Richie Peel]

About seven o' clock. I think that's when they'll all be home from the world. Another pardon, please. Russell speaking. Yes, Mr. Scar on the mail is in. How do I know whether you've got anything? I haven't put it up yet. Well, all right then. We'll wait for him to see. It's a rebel, Mr. Corbett. He wants me to see if he has any mail before I put it in his box.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll wait.

[Richie Peel]

Thank you. Let me see. Jordana Westfall Valentine. Look, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Richie Peel]

A letter for Morris Bernstein.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let me have it, Shelley.

[Richie Peel]

I can tell you who it's from. The girl whose name and address is on the upper left hand corner.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I can see that.

[Richie Peel]

Yes, but this girl, she's Morris's girlfriend. They write letters to each other even though they could phone. This has been going on since a girl moved away from here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, when did that happen?

[Richie Peel]

Just before I came to work here. Someone told me. Let me. Maybe Morris. Mr. Scarn, were you clicking? No mail, Mr. Scar.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There was no more mail for Mr. Scar and sorry, no more information about Morris Bernstein. Very sorry. Try the girl, Leah golden on the return address. Maybe she could help. Maybe Leah could. I tried it at a rooming house on West 76. The woman shook a mop out of the window and told me Leah golden had moved to another rooming house on West 90th. 2346 West 90th. It took 10 minutes, Noel. Leah golden moved to a furnished room in a flat on 116th Street. A kid told me Ms. Golden was a nice lady, gave him bubble gum, but was gone now. Moved. Don't ask nobody where, mister, because nobody knows. At headquarters I put out an all points bulletin on Leah Golden. Find her, I said. What does she look like? They asked me. I added it up for them, all the scraps of description I'd salvaged in darkened hallways on the screaming street. Find her, I said. And at 1 in the morning.

[Louis Felder]

Danny? Danny, you're asleep.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, Dr. Sinski.

[Louis Felder]

There's no time. Danny. They found Leah Golden.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Louis Felder]

The call came to my office. Routine. No, Danny. Just hurt. How bad?

[Officer Rucker]

I don't know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where?

[Louis Felder]

In a vacant lot on Amsterdam Avenue. The man who found her said she was beaten up. The ambulance is waiting. I thought.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's go. From somewhere out of the alleys, detaching themselves from the shadowed streets, from the unlit doorways, breaking away from the night, whispering they'd come, the seekers after someone else's pain. They stood in a circle, silent, hungry for the spectacle. Stood on tiptoe, strained for a look at the girl lying broken in a patch of weeds. The policeman held them back, and they murmured their seething protest. And in the building, standing at the edge of the lot, windows had been flung open, heads poked out of them, and the gallery seats were filled. Dr. Sinski pushed away, open for us. And they retreated from his fury. Then he kneeled at the girl's side.

[Louis Felder]

In my case. Danny, a bottle. Give it to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

This one?

[Officer Rucker]

Yeah, yeah.

[Richie Peel]

Quickly.

[Louis Felder]

So much blood.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ms. Golden.

[Louis Felder]

Not now, Danny. Not now.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm sorry.

[Larry Thor]

Sorry.

[Louis Felder]

In the morning. You can question her. In the morning, Maybe.

[Gabe Kirby]

What's all the excitement? The garbage man will move her.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who was that? You up there in that building. Who was that?

[Louis Felder]

Danny, I need help with the girl. Gently, very gently.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I nodded another officer into the building to look out for who had yelled down to us to bring him to me. I'd be at headquarters, and I helped Dr. Sinski. Back at headquarters, I waited. The officer came in, reported no one in the building knew who it was that yelled. Then later, a couple hours later, word came down from Dr. Sinski that I could talk to the girl. Ms. Golden.

[Leah Golden]

You are Mr. Clover. The nurse told me. Before you sit down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah?

[Leah Golden]

Will you crank up this bed so I can sit up so we can talk better?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sure. All right.

[Leah Golden]

Oh, pull it down. Oh, my back. I didn't realize.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's better. I can come back later. Ms. Golden.

[Leah Golden]

No.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right, but if it's too much to talk now.

[Leah Golden]

Please.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who beat you up?

[Leah Golden]

I don't know. Boys. Young men. I'd never seen them before.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No faces you'd recognize?

[Leah Golden]

No faces. But the names they call me, I've heard them before. In Europe.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's something else.

[Leah Golden]

You want to know why I was running away?

[Detective Danny Clover]

We need to know that.

[Leah Golden]

I was running away from a man.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Morris Bernstein?

[Richie Peel]

No.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then who? I don't understand it, boy.

[Leah Golden]

I lived at the same apartment house that Maurice did.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I know. That's why we were.

[Leah Golden]

I met him there. Maurice We. I don't know. We went to the movies together. Did things like walking and looking at each other's face. Something was happening between us. Something. Always hated the word love. He said it. It wasn't enough.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why were you running?

[Leah Golden]

A man worked there at the apartment house.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What man?

[Leah Golden]

He wanted me to. He said that a nice girl like me shouldn't be spending all that money for rent. He said that?

[Detective Danny Clover]

What man?

[Leah Golden]

Listen to me. One night he walked into my room. I tried to reason with him, but he wasn't hearing me, so I screamed. He ran away out of the room.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Didn't you tell someone about it?

[Leah Golden]

Morris. Morris had him discharged. He went to the owner of the building and had him discharged.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The man's name, Ms. Golden.

[Leah Golden]

I don't know what you. The name they call him by, that's all. Richie. They called him that. And after that, I ran. But he followed me. Wherever I ran, he followed.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You'll be all right, Ms. Golden. I'll try to make it that way. Hey.

[Officer Rucker]

Hey there, Mr. Clover. Come back to clubhouse. Lift for me?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, I am. How you feeling, Mr. Peele?

[Officer Rucker]

I'll feel better after this. Nothing like a workout on the barbells to make a man feel good, huh? You caught me in the middle of some repetition presses, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Press away. I'll wait.

[Louis Felder]

Thank you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Now.

[Officer Rucker]

Well, I relax between exercise, Mr. Clover. What's on your mind?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You are, Mr. Beale. That's why I'm here.

[Officer Rucker]

Oh, you want to hand me that sweatshirt?

[Detective Danny Clover]

We got a girl down at the doctor's hospital. She says you were bothering her.

[Officer Rucker]

Oh, what's her name?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Leah Golden. She only knew you as Richie. The Titans. Your club calls you that, too.

[Officer Rucker]

Yeah, I know Leah Golden. She got hurt, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

On account of you, Richie.

[Officer Rucker]

Oh, come now.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll tell you about it. You were after her while you were superintendent in her apartment. She got you fired, didn't she?

[Officer Rucker]

I quit that job. The people there.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, you know, Leah told Morris Bernstein about you walking in on her one day. So Morris onto it. You got fired.

[Officer Rucker]

People like that think they run the world, don't they?

[Detective Danny Clover]

People like you, Richie.

[Officer Rucker]

No, not me. Look at me. An out of work guy. Somebody waves a finger and I'm out of a job.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You figured a way to get back on him, didn't you? Volunteering your services to these kids.

[Officer Rucker]

Look, I'm cooling off. Time for my bicep building exercises. You want to watch out for a minute, uh.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Leave him alone. I said leave him alone.

[Officer Rucker]

Hey, Clover, don't push me around.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Stand there. And listen, the kids, Richie, you heated them up, fed them your poison. Pointed out Morris Bernstein and Leah golden and said, sick them.

[Officer Rucker]

I did that, huh? Good for me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

With Bernstein. You were there, huh? You finished it up when the kids were through. Your boys, peel. The juvenile authorities will want them.

[Officer Rucker]

You got a long way to go, Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Just uptown. Get your shirt on.

[Officer Rucker]

That easy, huh? Oh, you're so. You're soft, Clover. You look big, but you're soft.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Like I said, peel. Uptown. In the time of June, Broadway shimmers like an enchanted island. Night falls and the wave of neon floods the streets, showers it with its light and color. The million sounds and it ebbs. The pavements strike glints where dreams were caught in the mud. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway. My beat.

[Larry Thor]

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 tonight's cast were Harry Bartel, Maria Palmer, Barney Phillips, Jack Crucian, Billy halop and Howard McNear, Jack Benny, Amos and Andy, Charlie and Edgar. They're off on summer vacation. But Sunday night on CBS still offers one of radio's top bargains in entertainment. Red Skelton, Lucille Ball and Corliss Archer are still here with their unbeatable brands of comedy, plus the bright new comedy star, Steve Allen. There's superb music with Dick Haymes and Joe Stafford on the contented hour with Guy Lombardo and his sweetest music this side of Heaven with Percy Faith, his orchestra and his guest stars. Horace Hyde is on hand with the original Youth Opportunity Program. And hit the jackpot can hit home to you with fine prizes if you get a call and can solve the secret saying they're all here this Sunday on most of these same CBS stations. So be listening, won't you, Joe? Walter speaking. This is cbs, where the Goldbergs are. Every Saturday night, the Columbia Broadcasting System.