Podcast Summary:
Dangerous Assignment: Find Hired Killer Lupac (Paris) — Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Originally aired: August 16, 1950 | Podcast release: May 6, 2026
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell
Episode Overview
This episode of Dangerous Assignment follows U.S. agent Steve Mitchell as he is sent to Paris to capture the elusive contract killer Lupac, suspected of derailing critical European peace negotiations through a series of murders. With the aid of Inspector Murat of the French Surete, Mitchell must unravel a web of disguises, misinformation, and red herrings—all while navigating the classic intrigue of post-war Paris.
Key Discussion & Plot Points
1. The Assignment (01:20–03:19)
- Steve Mitchell is summoned by his boss, the Commissioner, and briefed on the murder of famed Swiss detective Aristide Reynal in Paris.
- Lupac, an infamous hired assassin with no known description, is believed responsible, especially since a series of deadly "accidents" have befallen European negotiators.
- Urgency: Mitchell must find Lupac before upcoming secret diplomatic talks on Monday.
"He's a hired killer and the cleverest man we've ever had in our hair... No one even has a description of him."
— Commissioner (02:26)
2. Paris: Initial Leads & Red Herrings (04:12–06:16)
- In Paris, Steve meets Inspector Murat and learns Reynal's body was found in an apartment belonging to "Balog," now vanished.
- A scant description of Balog emerges: small, dark, mustached, with glasses and a beret—describing half of Paris.
- Clues in Balog’s apartment: a rusty razor blade, beard whiskers in the basin, and two mirrors—suggesting someone recently tried to change their appearance.
"So now we're looking for a little man with horn rimmed glasses. With or without mustache and beard? You know, we're getting less to go on by the minute."
— Steve Mitchell (05:50)
3. The Restaurant Clue: Hugo’s and Celeste (06:29–12:31)
- A matchbook from Hugo’s restaurant points Mitchell there for leads.
- Hugo, the owner, admits Balog was a regular, often dining with another inconspicuous man—later identified by photo as the murdered Reynal.
- Celeste, a sultry acquaintance of Balog’s, becomes a person of interest. She tries to seduce Mitchell and invites him to her place.
- Ambush: As Mitchell follows a suspicious figure near Celeste’s apartment, he is knocked out and nearly kidnapped.
"Now, about filling me in on this guy Balog." — Steve Mitchell
"Of course... He came in here regularly, usually in company of another man..."
— Hugo (08:38)
"Why do we talk about Baylock? He bores me. I know something much more interesting to talk about."
— Celeste (10:48)
4. Dead Ends and Discords (13:34–17:34)
- Aftermath: Inspector Murat saves the groggy Mitchell.
- Oddities “discords” in the case begin to pile up: the two mirrors in the bathroom, the left-handed clues, and contradictions in Hugo’s story about Reynal and Balog always appearing together.
- Celeste goes underground: Mitchell offers Hugo a reward for alerting him if Celeste resurfaces.
"It's like listening to a pretty little tune and hearing a discord every now and then..."
— Steve Mitchell (14:37)
5. The Pursuit, a Fall, and an Apparent Resolution (17:34–21:09)
- Stakeout: Murat’s men see a Balog-lookalike visit Celeste’s apartment. Mitchell tests if the man wears glasses (suggests disguise).
- The pair is followed across Paris to a warehouse. The little man (believed to be Balog/Lupac) falls (or is pushed) to his death, apparently closing the case.
"Our little friend Balog realized he was cornered. He preferred to administer justice to himself."
— Inspector Murat (19:40)
6. The Real Solution: Deducing the Truth (21:09–24:09)
- Mitchell grows suspicious: The dead man wasn’t conclusively Balog—rather, just a lookalike (Crofton, an unemployed waiter).
- Key clues: matches used by a left-handed person; two mirrors suited for left-handed shaving; Reynal was left-handed.
- Theory: Reynal and Balog were the same man; Reynal went undercover to expose Lupac, but was killed and misidentified.
"I'm suggesting that Raynal and Balog were one and the same man."
— Steve Mitchell (23:08)
- Hugo’s Lie: Hugo's claim that Reynal and Balog dined together was a fabrication—a pivotal false lead.
7. The Confrontation & Showdown (24:09–26:20)
- Hugo revealed as Lupac: He appears, armed, admitting his role and intent to kill both agents.
- Standoff: Mitchell distracts Hugo with a ruse, uses the shaving mirror as a decoy, and, in the confusion, he and Murat shoot and subdue Hugo.
"For the first time in your life, you're gonna have to make a choice... Me or Murat."
— Steve Mitchell (24:49)
8. Resolution & Closing Notes (26:20–26:53)
- Justice served: Lupac (Hugo) is dying; Inspector Murat admires the poetic justice of the mirror clue.
- Tongue-in-cheek banter about the superstition of breaking mirrors wraps up the episode.
"Breaking a mirror is supposed to bring seven years bad luck... So it sure isn't true for Hugo anyway. He should live that long."
— Steve Mitchell (26:39)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Mitchell’s dry wit: Regarding being sent to Paris:
"I don't realize it's going to involve my trying to hold Western Europe together with mirrors, a book of matches and a rusty razor blade." (01:20)
-
Hugo’s comic greed:
"The experiment work. See my fingers? They are not quivering one bit." (08:29)
-
Celeste’s flirtation:
"Why do we talk about Baylock? He bores me... I know something much more interesting to talk about." (10:48)
-
Twist Revelation:
"I'm suggesting that Raynal and Balog were one and the same man." — Steve Mitchell (23:08)
-
Climactic standoff:
"For the first time in your life, you're gonna have to make a choice. Me or Murat." — Steve Mitchell (24:49)
-
Inspector Murat’s deadpan:
"International cooperation is a wonderful thing... but I must say I am becoming increasingly annoyed at your present attitude." (20:13)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Assignment Briefing: 01:20–03:19
- Clues at Balog’s Apartment: 04:12–06:16
- Interview at Hugo’s Restaurant: 06:29–09:09
- Seduction and Ambush with Celeste: 10:01–12:31
- Warehouse Pursuit and 'Resolution': 17:34–21:09
- The Reveal and Final Standoff: 21:09–26:20
Style & Tone
- The episode is classic noir: brisk, witty, laced with sardonic humor, puns, and fast dialogue.
- Mitchell’s narration grounds the action with wry observations and running commentary.
- Secondary characters, especially Hugo, supply comic relief amidst the high-stakes espionage.
Summary:
This tightly-constructed episode delivers all the hallmarks of classic radio detective drama: disguises, false identities, a femme fatale, red herrings, and a twist ending. Mitchell’s methodical unraveling of both physical and psychological clues ultimately exposes the truly dangerous man hiding in plain sight—a detective story worthy of The Golden Age of Radio.
