Podcast Summary: Dangerous Assignment – "Deadly Bacteria" (06/07/1950)
Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dangerous Assignment – Deadly Bacteria
Original Air Date: June 7, 1950
Podcast Release Date: April 8, 2026
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell
Notable Guest Characters: Commissioner, Lt. Devrick, George Champlin, Kozan, Abdul, Kumsar
Setting: Istanbul, Turkey
Episode Overview
In this exciting "Golden Age of Radio" thriller, international agent Steve Mitchell (Brian Donlevy) is dispatched to Istanbul, Turkey, to investigate a mysterious plot that threatens thousands of lives. The mission becomes a race against time as Steve follows a trail of sabotage, deadly bacteria, and deception in a desperate attempt to prevent a mass disaster and expose those who plan to frame Americans with a biological attack.
Key Discussion Points and Plot Summary
1. The Assignment and Initial Briefing
- Steve Mitchell receives his orders from the Commissioner: Investigate the disappearance of an American radio commentator, George Champlin, in Istanbul who reported “something hot” on tape relating to a possible sabotage or smear against the U.S.
- “I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble.” (01:00, Steve Mitchell)
- Champlin’s cryptic call: He claimed to have evidence of a plot against the U.S. set to occur Thursday.
- Steve is sent to work with Lt. Devrick of Istanbul police and find both Champlin and the crucial tape.
- Insight: The backdrop involves Cold War paranoia and propaganda—attempts to discredit Americans abroad.
- “We're up against a giant conspiracy to discredit us in all parts of the world.” (01:48, Commissioner)
2. Arrival in Istanbul and Deadly Discovery
- Steve arrives just as Champlin’s body is discovered—supposedly killed in a suspicious car crash.
- Eyewitnesses Kozan and Abdul recount seeing another person (possibly a woman) struggling with Champlin before the crash (05:01–06:30).
- Steve and Devrick discover a burnt fragment of magnetic tape on Champlin’s body.
- Memorable moment: The protagonist painstakingly recovers what might be an overlooked clue.
- They play the fragment (08:06–09:13), revealing conspiratorial voices plotting an attack for “Thursday at midnight.”
3. The Threat Unveiled: Deadly Bacteria
- A university researcher, Kumsar, bursts in: Bacteria samples—some of “the most deadly known to man”—were stolen from his lab after he was attacked.
- “In those test tubes were some of the most deadly bacteria known to man.” (11:47, Kumsar)
- Clue tie-in: The plotters are heard on the tape referencing the need for “necessary equipment”—now revealed to be stolen bacteria.
- Stakes clarified: The plan is to unleash disease and blame the Americans, exacerbating international tensions.
4. Chasing the Clue: The Ferry Boat Whistle
- Steve notices a background sound on the tape—a ferry boat’s whistle, precisely at 10:00 p.m., helping to fix the location.
- Implements a clever forensic plan: Record ferry whistles at incrementing distances on the same night to match volume levels with the original tape (15:02–18:24).
- “When the two needles hit the same spot on the dial. That's it.” (17:16, Steve Mitchell)
- The volume-matching method identifies that the “call” was made about nine blocks from the waterfront.
- Notable quote: “It also means the room we're looking for is somewhere on the circumference of that circle I just drew on the map.” (18:44, Steve)
5. High Stakes Search and the Final Confrontation
- Systematic search of buildings along the identified zone, aided by a tip from an apartment owner.
- Misstep: They almost search the wrong apartment, but realize from a clue on the tape (“pull the window down”) that the real room is elsewhere—a rooftop room with a sash window, not a casement window.
- “How did that guy close the window?...He pulled the window down...It was an up and down window. And this one's a casement window. This isn't the room.” (22:26–22:47, Steve & Devrick)
- Find the correct room as the plotters emerge, and a chase begins.
- Big reveal: The supposed “innocent witnesses,” Kozan and Abdul, are unmasked as conspirators—voices matched from their initial testimony and the recording (23:53–24:12).
6. The Race to Stop Mass Murder
- Kozan flees with the bag of deadly bacteria, heading toward the new American-engineered water filtration plant at Lake Dercos—a recent U.S. project, set to start at midnight.
- “So that's the plan. Kozan dumps the bacteria in the water and then half the city drops dead.” (25:06, Steve)
- High-speed pursuit to the plant; brief gunplay and chase up the water tank ladder.
- Steve wrestles Kozan, causing him to lose his grip (and the bag)—Kozan plunges to his death.
- Closing thought: “Yeah, those bacteria were deadly, all right. To Cozen.” (27:08, Steve)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Yeah, Danger is my assignment... I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble.” - Steve Mitchell (01:00)
- “Of course many will die. That is the plan. The Americans will be blamed for it.” - Tape conspirator (08:26)
- “In those test tubes were some of the most deadly bacteria known to man.” - Kumsar (11:47)
- “It also means the room we're looking for is somewhere on the circumference of that circle I just drew on the map.” - Steve Mitchell (18:44)
- “How did that guy close the window?...He pulled the window down...This isn't the room.” - Steve & Devrick (22:26–22:47)
- “So that's the plan. Kozan dumps the bacteria in the water and then half the city drops dead.” - Steve Mitchell (25:06)
- “Yeah, those bacteria were deadly, all right. To Cozen.” - Steve Mitchell (27:08)
Timestamps for Critical Segments
- Assignment and briefing: 01:00–03:14
- Discovery of Champlin’s fate and recovery of tape: 04:20–09:13
- Playing the tape, spotting clues: 08:06–09:39; 09:45–10:56
- Reveal of bacteria theft: 11:04–12:07
- Ferry whistle forensic plan and location search: 13:39–19:02
- Rooftop chase and reveal of real conspirators: 23:13–24:12
- Final pursuit, climax at filtration plant: 24:37–27:08
- Resolution/afterword: 27:08 onward
Summary and Tone
This episode expertly mixes suspense, spycraft, and Cold War melodrama. The fast-paced story and the clever use of forensic deduction (analyzing sound levels and background details on tape) are standout features. The dialogue is taut but often witty, especially in Steve's self-deprecating asides and sharp interplay with the local police.
Listeners are treated to a classic cat-and-mouse plot with a layered mystery and a ticking clock, ending in a life-or-death struggle high above Istanbul.
For New Listeners
If you’ve never tuned in to old time radio thrillers or "Dangerous Assignment," this episode offers an excellent taste of the genre’s sharp pacing, espionage atmosphere, and ingenious problem-solving—plus a healthy serving of midcentury international intrigue.
