Podcast Summary: Dangerous Assignment – “Find Szabo and the Briefcase” (Aired 05/03/1950)
Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 25, 2026 (rebroadcast)
Original Air Date: May 3, 1950
Main Character: Steve Mitchell (Brian Donlevy)
Setting: Paris

Episode Overview

This episode of Dangerous Assignment whisks listeners into the high-stakes world of Cold War espionage. U.S. secret agent Steve Mitchell is dispatched to Paris in a race against time—he must locate a missing Balkan courier named Szabo and retrieve a sealed briefcase containing sensitive materials, all before a crucial multinational meeting on atomic inspections. Murder, double-crosses, and a ticking bomb escalate the suspense in Mitchell’s frantic three-day quest through the shadowy streets of Paris.

Key Discussion Points & Major Plot Elements

1. The Assignment & Stakes Set (01:17—02:30)

• Steve Mitchell is tasked by his commissioner to go to Paris, find Szabo (a Balkan courier), and recover a lost report in a sealed briefcase.

• The political stakes are high: suspicion from the report’s disappearance threatens the success of an atomic inspection meeting.

  “Three days from now, a secret meeting on atomic inspections will be held in Paris... You've got just three days to do it in.” —Commissioner ([01:26])

2. The Investigation Begins (03:58—06:15)

• Paris police inspector Bravant offers the first leads, including a mysterious woman, Sari Tedescu, connected to Szabo.
• Mitchell tails Sari but loses her in a bar, encountering the enigmatic Anton, a concertina player with inside knowledge.

3. Danger in the Metro—Attempted Murder (07:00—08:49)

• Anton agrees to tell Mitchell what he knows for a price.

• As they meet, someone tries to kill Mitchell by pushing him onto subway tracks. Anton helps save him, but warns him of trouble.

  “Brother. That was close.” —Steve Mitchell ([08:36])

4. A Trail to Murder—and the Briefcase (09:35—13:09)

• Anton leads Mitchell to an apartment where they find Szabo strangled in a chair.

• The missing briefcase is discovered hidden beneath Szabo’s seat—government seals intact. Suspicion abounds as to why the killer left it behind.

  “If this man Zabo was killed because of briefcase, why did not killer take it with Sable?” —Anton ([12:46])

5. Twists and Nagging Doubts (13:42—14:44)

• Mitchell delivers the briefcase to Robertson at the American Legation, seemingly solving the mystery.
• Suspicions linger: “Somehow it's been too easy. Call it a hunch, or what have you. I begin to wonder if maybe I've been played for a sucker.” —Steve Mitchell ([14:44])

6. Piecing Together the Real Plot (15:00—18:29)

• Mitchell pressures the bartender for Sari’s location, leading to a tense confrontation with Sari in her hotel room.
• Sari confesses her involvement: she’s not part of the espionage, but instead tried to flee her country with Szabo’s help.
• She describes seeing Anton, the concertina player, at the airport and bar—crucial connection to the mystery.

7. Anton Unmasked—The Bomb Plot (18:46—20:16)

• Anton bursts in with a gun, revealing himself as the murderer and mastermind.

• His goal: he tricked Mitchell into delivering a bomb (disguised as the briefcase) to the peace conference.

  “You planted a bomb in that briefcase and got me to deliver it for you.” —Steve Mitchell ([20:38])

8. A Desperate Race Against Time (21:04—26:16)

• Mitchell frantically tries to track down Robertson and the briefcase as the secret meeting time nears.

• Paris police, a radio alert, and cab drivers are all enlisted in the hunt through Paris.

• After a wild series of leads—including a false address—Mitchell finally reaches the actual meeting just in time to prevent disaster:

  “Don't open that briefcase... There's a bomb in it! ... Another second and you'd all have been blown sky high.” —Steve Mitchell ([26:00])

9. Coda—Mission Accomplished, at a Price (26:30—26:56)

• Having saved the delegates, Mitchell plans to hand the unopened briefcase over to the French authorities—and seek “a nice, quiet nervous breakdown.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Espionage's Frustration:

  “Yeah, that's what I like about my job. I've always got so much time to do things in—three whole days.” —Steve Mitchell ([03:58])

• Facing Death in the Subway:

  “A hand suddenly shoots out of the darkness and grabs one of my ankles. I lose my balance. The train is almost on top of me... That was close.” —Steve Mitchell ([08:29])

• The Villain Revealed:

  “Concertina player develops strong hands. Strong enough to strangle you.” —Anton ([19:21])

• The Last-Second Save:

  “Wait. Don't open that briefcase... There's a bomb in it!” —Steve Mitchell ([26:00])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Assignment Unveiled: 01:17
• First Encounter with Sari: 04:44
• Attempted Murder in Metro: 08:29
• Discovery of Szabo's Body & Briefcase: 09:57–12:44
• Feeling Setup—Doubt Sets In: 14:44
• Confrontation & Sari’s Innocence: 16:36–17:38
• Anton’s Revelation & Fight: 18:46–20:16
• Bomb Plot Revealed: 20:38
• Race to Stop the Bomb: 21:04–26:16
• Final Showdown at the Meeting: 25:39–26:16

Episode Tone & Style

• Hardboiled, Self-Deprecating Humor: Steve Mitchell’s narration is wry, world-weary, and quick with a sardonic quip—classic for the era.
• Fast-Paced, Tense: The plot unfolds rapidly, with a style reminiscent of postwar espionage stories; frequent twists keep the listener guessing.
• Atmospheric: The setting is brought to life with references to the Paris metro, bars, and back alleys, giving an immersive old radio vibe.

Concluding Thoughts

This episode is a quintessential example of Dangerous Assignment’s blend of espionage, mystery, and radio-era thrills. The ticking clock, unexpected twists, and revelation of a bomb plot showcase the genre’s Cold War anxieties. The performances are sharp, especially Brian Donlevy’s smart-aleck style, and the story keeps listeners on edge till the very last second. Perfect for fans of vintage detective drama and radio noir.