Michael Shayne: Re-Create a Murder Party 05/28/1945

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Michael Shayne: "Re-Create a Murder Party" (Original Air: 05/28/1945)

Episode Overview

In this classic episode, detective Michael Shayne and his assistant Phyllis Knight attend one of society columnist Sherry Melton's famously unique parties. The evening’s entertainment—a reenactment of an unsolved murder—quickly devolves into a real murder investigation when a guest is killed and it becomes clear that someone at the party may be a murderer with unfinished business. The show blends classic detective banter, wit, and the puzzle-solving fun audiences expect from a Golden Age radio whodunit, featuring famous fictional sleuth Michael Shayne, Inspector Faraday, and a room of would-be crime experts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Premise: A Murder Party with Real Consequences

• The episode opens on the humorous fallout of a magazine feature on Michael Shayne, lampooning his “glamour boy” detective persona and stirring up playful rivalry between Shayne, his assistant Phyllis Knight, and Inspector Faraday.

  • Notable Quote:
    "A day from the life of Mike Shane, San Francisco sophisticated sleuth. Oh, anything for a story." – Michael Shayne, (01:18)

• Sherry Melton, lively socialite and columnist, invites them to a party where she intends to “re-create a murder” for her guests’ amusement. Faraday reveals that he’s skeptical:

  • Memorable Moment:
    "Mike, I'm leery of this sort of stuff. Something always goes wrong. It seems someone always gets hurt." – Inspector Faraday, (03:01)

2. The Game: Reenactment of the John Himes Case

[06:01 – 09:07]

• Sherry explains the party’s centerpiece: four crime experts must each solve the unsolved murder of miser John Himes, reenacted in a perfectly recreated bedroom. The main suspects each play a role in the staged scene.

• Shayne summarizes the facts: Himes was shot in a locked room, the secretary (the main suspect) had a perfect alibi, and the murder remains unsolved.

• A dramatic mock “gunshot” disrupts the scene; guests are shocked, only to discover Sherry staged it for effect.

  • Notable Quote:
    "Four famous crime experts and they don't know a fake gunshot from the real thing." – Sherry Melton, (11:11)

3. The Real Crime: A Guest is Murdered

[13:08 – 15:33]

• An outdoor crash and group confusion turns serious when Phyllis discovers the body of newspaper man Ray Rogers, strangled on the running board of Faraday’s car.
• The party's earlier lamp-throwing was a diversion to lure guests outside.
  • "Somebody made a mistake, Inspector. Somebody wants to kill you." – Michael Shayne to Faraday, deducing the killer meant to murder Faraday, not Rogers. (16:08)

4. The Investigation: Piecing Together Clues

[16:29 – 21:37]

• Shayne and Faraday investigate the partygoers’ alibis, discover the murder weapon, and discuss the layout of the crime and possible motives. Suspicion falls on all, but no clear motive emerges.
• The group returns to the original Himes murder scene for hands-on detective work, analyzing blood stains, shoe prints, and fingerprints.
  • "There's only one shoe print. Now, he couldn't possibly stand here and reach over to the phone on that table. It's too far." – Michael Shayne, (20:44)
• Shayne reenacts the killer’s movement, uncovering a physical clue: unusual fingerprints on a chair, matching the killer’s position.

5. The Solution: Unmasking the Murderer

[24:20 – 27:15]

• Back at the party, Shayne and Faraday line up evidence:

  • Fingerprints from the Himes’ scene and police honorary card.
  • A pair of tennis shoes with blood stains.
  • Analyzing the partygoers’ shoe sizes.

• Dramatic reveal: Dr. Kaler, famed criminologist and party guest, is the murderer. Clues: fingerprints, tennis shoes bought for noiselessness, and the fact that Kaler unconsciously recreated the crime in detail during the evening.

  • "The crime was so vivid in your memory that you unconsciously repeated it to the last detail. Your own subconscious was what trapped you, Doctor." – Michael Shayne, (26:37)

6. Motive and Denouement

[27:15 – 28:33]

• Phyllis wonders at Kaler's motive—why would a celebrated criminologist murder for no apparent gain?

  • Shayne explains: “His own vanity. The great criminologist commits the perfect crime. It's like a case out of the last book he published.” (27:36)

• The episode ends with light banter about detective fiction, sly jokes among friends, and a note that sometimes even the brilliant slip up—especially when ego gets in the way.

  • "Mike Shane, I suspect any man who parts his hair in the middle." – Phyllis Knight, poking fun at Kaler and herself, (28:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Detective Publicity:
  "A day from the life of Mike Shane... If they were going to write about me, why didn't they interview?"
  — Michael Shayne, (01:18)

• On Fake Danger:
  "Four famous crime experts and they don't know a fake gunshot from the real thing."
  — Sherry Melton, (11:11)

• The Vital Clue:
  "There's only one shoe print... If I put one foot on the blood stain here and my knee on this chair, I can... Now I can reach [the phone]."
  — Michael Shayne, (20:44–21:05)

• The Inspector’s Bluff:
  "I told you people I had a new angle on the murder. Actually, I didn't know a thing. It's an old trick, making the murderer think you have the answer."
  — Inspector Faraday, (25:42)

• The Final Trap:
  "The crime was so vivid in your memory that you unconsciously repeated it to the last detail. Your own subconscious was what trapped you, Doctor."
  — Michael Shane, (26:37)

• Epilogue Wit:
  "His own vanity. The great criminologist commits the perfect crime... It's like a case out of the last book he published."
  — Michael Shane, (27:36)

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 03:01 – Inspector Faraday expresses misgivings about the murder party gimmick.
• 06:01 – 09:07 – Partygoers re-enact the John Himes murder; the unsolved mystery is explained.
• 11:11 – Faux gunshot shocks the room; Sherry reveals party trick.
• 13:19 – 14:20 – Discovery of Ray Rogers' body outside.
• 16:08 – Shayne deduces the real target was Faraday.
• 19:15 – 21:12 – Clue analysis at the Himes site; fingerprint and shoe print revelations.
• 24:20 – 27:15 – Evidence, confrontation, and confession: Dr. Kaler is unmasked.
• 27:23 – 28:33 – Closing reflections on the case and the nature of crime-solving.

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Episode Character & Tone

The episode features fast banter, dry detective wit, and a playful sense of suspense. Shayne is gruff but clever, Phyllis cheerful and supportive, Faraday world-weary but wily, and the suspects each ripe for suspicion. The tongue-in-cheek attitude toward crime fiction conventions makes the mystery both engaging and entertaining for listeners.

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Summary by Choice Classic Radio | For the love of detective stories from the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[Announcer]

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]

[Narrator]

the Adventures of Michael Shane Private Detective. The people who make 76 gasoline and Triton motor oil. Union Oil Company present. The adventures of michael shane private detectives starring wally mayer and kathy lewis. Many an exciting case crosses the desk of our detective friend Mike Shane. Right now. There's something special on that desk. Bending over it are Mike, his assistant, Phyllis Knight, Inspector Faraday. Watch. Mike frowns grimly. Then slowly, carefully, he turns the next page of Lear magazine.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, no. Oh, no.

[Sherry Melton]

Mike, where did they get that picture of you?

[Michael Shane]

Oh, no. A day from the life of Mike Shane, San Francisco sophisticated sleuth. Oh, anything for a story. If they were going to write about me, why didn't they interview?

[Inspector Faraday]

What are you kicking about? His publicity. That super sleuth, that maestro of the clue, that glamour boy of detectives.

[Sherry Melton]

Yeah.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hey, hey. Here's a picture of both of us. Handsome detective inspect scene of society murder. The willowy damsel on his left is Mike's current heart in. Hey, current. I like that.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure, it seems Mike is a wizard with the ladies, but read all about it on page seven.

[Michael Shane]

I'm packing my bags and heading for the mountains.

[Phyllis Knight]

Spare the suitcase. This may be a client. Hello? Yes, this is his secretary. I'm sorry, he's busy right now.

[Michael Shane]

Who is it?

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, oh, yes, yes. When?

[Michael Shane]

Who is it?

[Sherry Melton]

Sh.

[Phyllis Knight]

Tonight, 7:30. Why, I'm sure he'd be delighted to come.

[Michael Shane]

Honey, honey, I'd be delighted to what?

[Phyllis Knight]

Certainly, certainly, I'll tell him. Thank you very much, Miss Melton. Goodbye.

[Michael Shane]

Now, what have you got me into?

[Phyllis Knight]

Your magazine story is paying dividends already. Mr. Shane, you and I are going to attend one of the Exclusive parties of Ms. Sherry Melton.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, no, not that S.O.B. sister.

[Phyllis Knight]

But of course, she gives such different parties. And her newspaper column. Why, she might write you up too.

[Michael Shane]

Yeah, well, I can skip that.

[Inspector Faraday]

Kids, I don't like this setup. I don't like it at all even.

[Michael Shane]

Say that again.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, Mike, you don't understand. I'm invited to the same party. Yeah, she called me up. I told her I like parties, but being inspector of homicide, I never know about my evenings. Then she said I had to come because she was going to recreate a murder.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, one of those things.

[Inspector Faraday]

Mike, I'm leery of this sort of stuff. Something always goes wrong.

[Michael Shane]

What do you mean?

[Inspector Faraday]

It seems someone always gets hurt.

[Michael Shane]

Well, but why Is she doing it? What's her reason? What goes?

[Phyllis Knight]

Not what, darling. Who goes? And the answer we do. Say, you know something? This is a real party, and it's such an attractive house. Don't you think so, huh?

[Michael Shane]

My collar's too tight. I told you I can't wear a tuxedo. I feel like a pallbearer.

[Sherry Melton]

Ah, Mr. Shay. Why, you're much handsomer than in that magazine. You should wear a tuxedo on every case.

[Michael Shane]

Ms. Melton, this is my. Well, this is Ms. Phyllis Knight.

[Phyllis Knight]

How do you do, Ms. Melton?

[Sherry Melton]

Yes, yes. Well, come on into the lounge. I want you to meet everybody. The party tonight is just a mad inspiration. The other day I was having lunch with Freddy, oh, you know, Freddie, the senator from Kansas or Florida or someplace. And I said, darling, I'm going to give a party. And. Oh, wait, here's a man I want you to meet. Sherwood.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Yes, my little butterball.

[Sherry Melton]

Ms. Knight, this is Sherwood Armstrong.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, the mystery story writer. How do you do?

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Rather bored up to this moment, but now I see possibility.

[Sherry Melton]

Sure would. Before you ask her out onto the balcony to talk over story ideas, you better check with Mr. Shane here.

[Michael Shane]

I'm glad to know you, Mr. Armstrong.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Wish I could say the same, sir. I've always admired your ability and now your good taste.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, go away with you, you wretch. I want these people to meet somebody really important.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Well, I'll be back.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, there's our man. The one with the big glasses and bushy hair. Dr. Taylor?

[Dr. Kaler]

Yes.

[Sherry Melton]

Dr. Kaler, Michael Shane and Ms. Phyllis Knight.

[Dr. Kaler]

How do you do, Mr. Shane?

[Sherry Melton]

Dr. Kaler studied psychology in Vienna, and he writes all those fascinating books on dreams and why people commit murder.

[Dr. Kaler]

Oh, Ms. Melton, please.

[Phyllis Knight]

Of course, we've all heard of you, Doctor. One of our best criminologists. Mike, you must read some of his books.

[Michael Shane]

Yes, I must. Sherry.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sherry, may I see your mom?

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, Ray, I almost forgot you. Ray and I used to work on the same newspaper in Chicago. Look, darling, I want you to meet a publisher.

[Phyllis Knight]

Dr. Kaler. I'd love to read some of your books. You must tell me which one to start on first.

[Dr. Kaler]

You are very kind, madam, but I'm afraid you would find them very technical and perhaps dull.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, no, no. If I can't understand what you mean, I'll ask Mike to explain it to me. He's a wonderful student, you know. You should see his library.

[Inspector Faraday]

You really should.

[Narrator]

Doctor.

[Michael Shane]

Huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

He's got a complete file of Esquire Faraday.

[Michael Shane]

Well, I was wondering where you were.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, get you tuxedo and patent leather shoes. Oh, by the way, Doctor, how are you coming with that next book?

[Dr. Kaler]

Very well indeed, thank you.

[Phyllis Knight]

Then you two know each other?

[Narrator]

Oh, sure, Doctor.

[Inspector Faraday]

Kayla's helped me out with several cases now. Jealous, are you?

[Michael Shane]

Oh, of course I'm not. Wait a minute. Ms. Melton is trying to say something.

[Sherry Melton]

We are now going to have a buffet supper. After that, I have a surprise for you. I won't tell you what it is, but I'll give you a hint. It's murder. Quiet, everybody. Quiet, please. I brought all of you upstairs to this bedroom because we're going to play a game.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, I don't care what Faraday says, Mike. This is going to be fun, huh?

[Sherry Melton]

Now, I want four of my guests to pay particular attention. Inspector Faraday. Yes, Mr. Shane? Yes, Dr. Kaler?

[Dr. Kaler]

I'm ready.

[Sherry Melton]

And Sherwood Armstrong. Sherwood, will you look around this room and tell us us what you see besides people?

[Sherwood Armstrong]

A double bed, nightstand, telephone, two chairs and a bureau.

[Sherry Melton]

Yes. Does. Does anything about it look familiar to you?

[Inspector Faraday]

No.

[Sherry Melton]

How about you, Dr. Kaylor? It's a complete mystery, Inspector Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, the arrangement and spacing of furniture does look familiar to me. Reminds me of the bedroom of a man who was recently murdered.

[Sherry Melton]

You're right, Inspector. The bedroom of John Hines. I've arranged everything to duplicate his bedroom. And tonight, we're going to reenact the murder.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike, that killing's never been solved.

[Sherry Melton]

As you all know, I like to give unique parties. So I've invited four famous crime experts here tonight to give us their own solutions of this unsolved mystery. Mr. Shane, do you know the details of the case?

[Michael Shane]

Well, fairly well. It. It happened about two months ago. John Himes was a rich old miser. He was found shot to death in his bedroom with the doors and windows locked from the inside. The only suspect was his secretary, and he had a watertight alibi.

[Sherry Melton]

Is that right, Inspector?

[Narrator]

It is.

[Sherry Melton]

All right. Now, you, Dr. Kaler, will be John Hines. Lie down on the bed, please.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hurry up.

[Sherry Melton]

Hurry up. Don't be so shy, Doctor.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right.

[Sherry Melton]

And you, Sherwood, you will be the killer. Stand outside the door till we call you.

[Phyllis Knight]

This is very exciting.

[Michael Shane]

Yes.

[Sherry Melton]

Now, as Inspector Faraday tells us what happened that night, Dr. Kaler and Sherwood will act it out for us. Now, if you please, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, it's about midnight. John Hines is in bed, probably asleep. Doors and windows are locked. Somebody comes to his hall door.

[Sherry Melton]

All right.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sherwood Hines thinks it's his secretary. He gets out of bed Goes to the door. He unlocks and opens it. The killer enters. At first there's no struggle, no outcry.

[Sherry Melton]

Careful, Dr. Kaler. Put on your glasses. You can't see where you're going.

[Dr. Kaler]

Of course not, madam. Neither could Mr. Himes. If he had worn his glasses, he would have seen it was not his secretary.

[Inspector Faraday]

Correct, doctor. The killer advances into the room, demands the old man hand over the cash he has hidden in the house. The old fellow refuses. The killer insists. He raises his gun and then.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike.

[Narrator]

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[Phyllis Knight]

Mike. Mike.

[Michael Shane]

Everybody stay where you are.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who fired that shot?

[Narrator]

Armstrong did. He had the gun. I saw him.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Don't be ridiculous, Ray. I was just faking a gun with my pipe.

[Michael Shane]

Please.

[Dr. Kaler]

Is anyone hurt?

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, no, no. Only your dignities. Four famous crime experts and they don't know a fake gunshot from the real thing.

[Narrator]

What?

[Michael Shane]

You mean it was a phony?

[Sherry Melton]

Of course. I sl slap this yardstick here on the bed pillow.

[Dr. Kaler]

Very amusing. A perfect example of mass psychology and suggestions.

[Sherry Melton]

Now let's get on with the crime. You've been shot, Dr. Kaler. So stretch out on the floor.

[Dr. Kaler]

Yes. Perhaps like this, beside the bed.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, that's perfect. You make a very convincing corpse, Doctor. And now, Inspector, if you'll just go on.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, there's nothing more to tell. The killer didn't find the money he was after, so he slipped out of the house again.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Perfect crime, eh? Well, if the police couldn't solve it, I can. Oh, at least I will in my next book. That's where a writer has it all over.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, we'll solve it, Mr. Armstrong. In fact, just this evening, I got a fresh angle on the case, which I can't tell anyone yet. Wow. That means a neat headline. Sherry Melton's Party Gives Police Answer to a Puzzling Murder.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, always the news hawk, Ray. But meanwhile, let's play my game. You four masterminds have 30 minutes to solve the mystery. You're each to go to a different room, so you can't Compare notes. In 30 minutes, we'll vote who has the most exciting solution. And the prize. Champagne, of course.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hurry up, Mike. We've got just 10 minutes to go.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, honey. Of all the dimwit stunts. This is it.

[Phyllis Knight]

Come on, come on.

[Michael Shane]

We can spend all night dreaming up solutions, but none of them will be right. Crimes aren't solved by slapstick.

[Phyllis Knight]

It's just a game. Think up something really dramatic. I want you to be brilliant tonight, Mike. We've got a famous criminologist and a mystery story writer. Show them what we can do.

[Michael Shane]

We's that sounded like outside. Come on. Come on,

[Inspector Faraday]

Mike. It's an accident or something. Outdoors.

[Michael Shane]

Let's go.

[Phyllis Knight]

I'm coming, too. It can't be an auto smash up. There's nothing on the street.

[Michael Shane]

Sounded closer to the house anyway. Maybe here on the ground.

[Inspector Faraday]

Can I help, gentlemen? I don't know, Doctor. We got to search the garden. I got a flashlight in my car. So have I, Inspector. I'll get it. Okay, let's spread out. Search both sides of the house.

[Dr. Kaler]

Right.

[Michael Shane]

I'll take the left wing here. No, no, angel, not you.

[Phyllis Knight]

But, Mike, I want to.

[Michael Shane]

No, no. You're not going to prowl around through bushes in the dark. Now, go on. Go and beat him.

[Phyllis Knight]

All right, you old worrywart.

[Michael Shane]

Who's that?

[Inspector Faraday]

Answer me.

[Dr. Kaler]

Who is it?

[Inspector Faraday]

An elk looking for his lodge.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, Saturday. Well, did you find anything on your side?

[Inspector Faraday]

Nah, too dark. Ray was supposed to bring me his flashlight. I got tired of waiting.

[Michael Shane]

Well, come on, let's go get our own flashlights.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike. Inspector, where are you?

[Michael Shane]

Coming. Coming.

[Inspector Faraday]

Maybe we're just chasing our own tails. This is another one of that woman's party gags.

[Phyllis Knight]

It isn't. It isn't. Faraday.

[Michael Shane]

Huh?

[Phyllis Knight]

What I just found doesn't belong at any party.

[Michael Shane]

Found what?

[Phyllis Knight]

On the running board of Faraday's car. A dead body.

[Inspector Faraday]

Stand back, everybody. We can't see what we're doing.

[Michael Shane]

Looks like he was knocked out first and then strangled with his own tie.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh, but who would want to kill Ray? And why?

[Inspector Faraday]

What was he doing on my running board? He said he was going to get the flashlight from his car.

[Michael Shane]

Well, that's Fairly simple, Inspector. Ms. Melton says that's his sedan right behind yours. Looks like a riddle, but it's the same make, model and year.

[Phyllis Knight]

Sure, he thought he was getting into his own car.

[Michael Shane]

Did. Did any of you people see anybody come near this car?

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Not me.

[Dr. Kaler]

Only this night. We were all looking for the cause of that crash.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh. Oh, I forgot. I found the cause. Here's what's left of it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Looks like a table lamp.

[Sherry Melton]

An expensive one, too. It was at the end of the hall upstairs. Somebody must have thrown it out the window. The cook found it in a flower box.

[Michael Shane]

That's it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Smashed on purpose to get us outdoors.

[Sherry Melton]

But. But why? I'm the only person Ray knew in town. I invited him here to the party so he. Well, so he wouldn't be lonely. I invited him to. To his death.

[Phyllis Knight]

No one saw the killer. No one has a motive. Where do we go from here?

[Inspector Faraday]

First off, to the telephone. I got a call.

[Dr. Kaler]

Headquarters.

[Michael Shane]

Just a minute, Inspector. Phil, stay here and see that nobody touches the body.

[Phyllis Knight]

All right, Mike.

[Michael Shane]

Now, Harriday, what is it you know, about the murder of John Hymes? What is it the killer's afraid of, huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't get you, Mike.

[Michael Shane]

Did you take a good look at Ray Rogers body just now? Of course. No. No, you didn't. Not a good look. Ray Rogers was just about your height. He had the same stoop shoulders, same gray hair.

[Inspector Faraday]

Holy jumpy. And he was getting into my car.

[Michael Shane]

Exactly. Somebody made a mistake, Inspector. Somebody wants to kill you.

[Sherry Melton]

This is the window right here, Mr. Shane. You can see it's still raised. The lamp fell into the flower box on the ground floor.

[Michael Shane]

Yeah, but it's so smashed up. And you've handled it, I guess. Fingerprints are out.

[Inspector Faraday]

But we know that the killer was here on the second floor. Ms. Melton, can you place everybody at the moment you heard the crash?

[Sherry Melton]

Well, no, I was in my bedroom fixing My hair.

[Phyllis Knight]

And where is your bedroom?

[Sherry Melton]

Through this door here. But, Sherwood, you were in the room across the hall.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Take it easy, Sherry. You put me in there because of the contest. I was cooking up a solution for the murder. I mean, of John Hymes.

[Sherry Melton]

Well, how about you, Dr. Kaler? You were in the next bedroom down the hall.

[Dr. Kaler]

I cannot oblige, madam. I also was deep in thought.

[Sherry Melton]

Well, I guess no one saw the man then. The inspector and Mr. Shane were downstairs. So were all the other guests.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

As a writer of murder thrillers, I'd say the man came here with no idea of killing Ray, was strangled with his own ties. So the man was without a gun.

[Dr. Kaler]

You assume the unknown Mr. Armstrong. The victim was strangled, which is a masculine technique in murder. Therefore, a clever woman with a strong arm might choose that very method.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes, yes, a red herring. That's very clever.

[Sherry Melton]

Dr. King.

[Michael Shane]

Ms. Melton, I know you're famous for unusual parties, but why did you decide to reenact a murder tonight?

[Phyllis Knight]

Why?

[Sherry Melton]

Why? It was just an inspiration of mine. And then Sherwood suggested we do the case of John Himes. I interviewed the old man once, and, yes, I even. Even covered his inquest for my paper.

[Inspector Faraday]

I see. Sherwood Armstrong suggested it. When we entered your. Your contest, you asked all of us if the room and furniture looked familiar. You, Mr. Armstrong, said not at all.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Well, that. That was just an act. Sherry and I knew you'd made sketches of the actual scene, and we wanted to trip you up if we could and get a laugh.

[Michael Shane]

But why did you pick the particular murder of John the Himes?

[Sherwood Armstrong]

I knew him. He was a fan of mine. Read all my books.

[Inspector Faraday]

So you and Miss Melton both knew him?

[Dr. Kaler]

That is hardly a crime, Inspector. I, too, knew Mr. Himes. We were members of the same club. However, it is disturbing that they should choose that particular unsolved crime. As a psychologist, I know the subconscious desire of every killer to confess his murder. Some return to the scene. Some even talk about it to strangers. The criminal subconscious feels cheated of the drama, the notoriety which comes with his confession or capture.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Look here. I don't like the drift of this talk.

[Dr. Kaler]

I apologize, my friend. I'm always going off into a lecture. I'm sure neither of you is guilty. None of us is. We have no motives.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ah, here come my boys. Well, it's about time. You ready, Mike?

[Michael Shane]

All set. Honey, get your coat.

[Phyllis Knight]

Are we leaving?

[Michael Shane]

Yes, we are. The answer to Ray Rogers death isn't here. It's in a house that's been padlocked for two months.

[Phyllis Knight]

This place is dusty.

[Michael Shane]

Did you expect John Heim's ghost to meet us with a vacuum cleaner?

[Inspector Faraday]

If I remember right, this is the bedroom. Yeah, it is. We've left everything in place. Nothing's been changed.

[Michael Shane]

The old guy was a miser, all right. Not enough furniture for a dollhouse.

[Phyllis Knight]

Inspector, you told us tonight you had a new idea about this case. What was it?

[Inspector Faraday]

That's the blood stain over there, Mike, in front of the telephone stand.

[Phyllis Knight]

Inspector, what was it? Maybe it's our solution.

[Michael Shane]

Don't bother him, honey. Hey, there's the print of a shoe here on the edge of the blood.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, the killer made it. Wore tennis shoes. We tried to trace it.

[Michael Shane]

How about fingerprints?

[Inspector Faraday]

All identified. Well, except for one. Probably an old print. Maybe some visitors couldn't match it up with our files.

[Phyllis Knight]

Anyway, you said a secretary lived with Himes. You sure of his alibi?

[Inspector Faraday]

Positive, Phil. Nice young fella. He got a phone call in the afternoon that his uncle was dying down at Carmel. He got the Carmel in the evening and it turned out to be a fake call. The murderer just wanted him out of the way.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, he could have sneaked back that night.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, no, he had witnesses. In fact, he telephoned long distance about midnight to tell himes he'd be back in the morning.

[Michael Shane]

I remember it now. The operator said somebody answered the phone but didn't say a word, just hung up.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, we figure the murderer picked up the receiver to hear who was calling. He cleaned the receiver afterwards and put it back. That's when he stepped in the blood.

[Michael Shane]

It doesn't add up, though, Inspector. There's only one shoe print. Now, he couldn't possibly stand here and reach over to the phone on that table. It's too far.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, does it matter?

[Michael Shane]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Let me try something. If I put one foot on the blood stain here and my knee on this chair, I can. Yeah, Now I can reach it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Say, come to think of it, that's where we found the stray fingerprints. Right where you got your hands right now on the back of that chair.

[Michael Shane]

Okay, now we're clipping coupons. That fingerprint belongs to the killer of John Himes and Ray Rogers.

[Phyllis Knight]

All right, but whose print is it? The inspector doesn't know.

[Michael Shane]

Well, we'd better know, and in a hurry. The murderer tried to get Faraday once. Tonight he'll try again. And the next time? Who knows?

[Narrator]

In just a moment, we'll rejoin Mike and Phyllis in their adventures. A few minutes ago, we mentioned some of the advantages of Union Oil spark plug service. Now, as a featured part of this service, the Minuteman will also inspect your ignition cables. These are the small, thin wires which deliver electricity to the spark plugs. Naturally, if any of them are defective, even brand new spark plugs won't receive enough juice for proper firing. In other words, a faulty ignition cable will leak electricity. So, for a complete, accurate check on your car's firepower, have the minutemen service your spark plugs and ignition cables. You'll notice the increased power and snap in your engine as soon as you drive away. You'll find Union Oil Minutemen ready to serve you wherever you see the sign of the big orange and blue 76. It is midnight. Mike, Phyllis and Inspector Faraday are at headquarters. Mike and Phyllis are bent over a desk studying a police file.

[Inspector Faraday]

No luck, kids, huh? Boys, recheck those fingerprints. None on record.

[Michael Shane]

But we've got to have it, Faraday. Your life may depend on it.

[Dr. Kaler]

All right.

[Inspector Faraday]

There are 130 million people in the United States. Shall I ask every one of them to mail me their prints?

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, easy, Inspector, easy.

[Inspector Faraday]

We're stymied. That's all there is to it.

[Michael Shane]

Well, we'll keep on trying. Phil and I have been going through the coroner's report here. So far, nothing new.

[Phyllis Knight]

The bullet entered skull immediately below right ear. Death was almost instantaneous. Deceased fell to floor and position shown in photographs. The eyeglasses held in his left hand were crushed and embedded in his palm. And the opinion of the doctors.

[Michael Shane]

What was Hymes doing with the eyeglasses in his hand? He was nearsighted. We covered that at the party tonight.

[Inspector Faraday]

Mike, he probably never put his glasses on. That's why he mistook the killer for his own secretary.

[Michael Shane]

Why do we have to assume that? Why not the opposite?

[Phyllis Knight]

Opposite? What do you mean?

[Michael Shane]

Well, perhaps Himes was taking his glasses off. So what?

[Inspector Faraday]

Does it make any difference?

[Michael Shane]

Does it make any difference? Look, Faraday. Look, all we need to get this killer are three things. A pair of tennis shoes, a set of fingerprints and an address, that's all.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just sit down and write ourselves a letter to Santa Claus.

[Michael Shane]

No, no, we'll get the fingerprints from the police files.

[Inspector Faraday]

But we just looked.

[Michael Shane]

Not everywhere, Inspector. We'll get the address from the phone book and the tennis shoes at that address.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, party doesn't sound quite as lively as it did a few hours ago.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike, that paper sack. Everybody will know their shoes carry it like a bottle of champagne.

[Michael Shane]

Here comes our hostess.

[Sherry Melton]

Well, at last. We thought you'd never get back. My guests want to go home.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, they can shortly. Where are they?

[Sherry Melton]

In the bar, most of them.

[Dr. Kaler]

Sheer escapism, gentlemen. Personally, I prefer this book of poetry.

[Phyllis Knight]

Shakespeare's Sonnets. How nice.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

What's wrong with a copy of Sherwood Armstrong? Any luck, boys?

[Michael Shane]

Well, I think so. How about it, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Dr. Kaler, you're an expert on fingerprints. I have on these cards two sets of fingerprints. Will you examine them and tell us if they're identical?

[Dr. Kaler]

Certainly. This whorl here and the lines, they're identical.

[Inspector Faraday]

Do you recognize them?

[Dr. Kaler]

No.

[Inspector Faraday]

Mr. Armstrong, do you recognize them?

[Michael Shane]

No, I don't.

[Inspector Faraday]

And Miss Melton?

[Sherry Melton]

Why, no, but I'm not an expert.

[Dr. Kaler]

May I ask where you got these prints?

[Michael Shane]

From the back of a chair in the bedroom of John Hymes. The second card is from the file of honorary members of the police force.

[Sherry Melton]

Oh. I mean, isn't that strange?

[Michael Shane]

You were about to say, Miss Melton, that you, too, have been an honorary policeman for the past three years.

[Sherry Melton]

I? Yes, but surely you don't think that

[Inspector Faraday]

I never did like the idea of your parlor entertainment. Miss Melton, when I came here tonight, I expected that something might go wrong, or at least that the murder of John Himes might be present.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

Now, just a minute, Inspector.

[Narrator]

I think you're going.

[Inspector Faraday]

I told you people I had a new angle on the murder. Actually, I didn't know a thing. It's an old trick, making the murderer think you have the answer. He'll stampede and give himself away.

[Michael Shane]

Which is exactly what happened. The killer tried to remove the inspector, but he made a mistake. Out there in the dark, he got the wrong man. Now, I have here in this paper bag, a pair of Kenneth shoes worn by the murderer. May I. May I ask you, gentlemen, what size shoes you wear?

[Sherwood Armstrong]

A number nine.

[Dr. Kaler]

Also a nine.

[Michael Shane]

I see. But the night you killed John Himes, you wore an eight and a half, Doctor. Kayla.

[Inspector Faraday]

The night I.

[Dr. Kaler]

Sir, this is a joke.

[Michael Shane]

Is anyone laughing? The sole of this left shoe shows traces of blood. The blood of John Himes. The blood you stepped in when you answered the phone in that bedroom.

[Dr. Kaler]

But, no, they are not my shoes. I do not play tennis.

[Michael Shane]

You bought them because they were noiseless, Doctor. We found them in the closet in your room at your club.

[Inspector Faraday]

And the fingerprints are from your honorary police card.

[Michael Shane]

You convicted yourself, Doctor. When you reenacted the crime. You pointed out to us that Himes mistook the visitor for his own secretary because he hadn't put on his glasses. The crime was so vivid in your memory that you unconsciously repeated it to the last detail. Your own subconscious Was what trapped you, Doctor?

[Phyllis Knight]

Golly, Mike, I wish that magazine had waited a few days. Now they really have something to write about. Mike Shane outwits famed criminologists.

[Michael Shane]

Well, I'd say the honors go equally to our friend and companion, Inspector Fowler.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't know, but all I did was to smoke him out with a big, wise act.

[Phyllis Knight]

You know what gets me kids is why Kaler did it. He hardly knew John Himes. He had no motive.

[Michael Shane]

He told us the motive, honey. His own vanity. The great criminologist commits the perfect crime. He. It's like a case out of the last book he published.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike Shane. You didn't tell me you'd read any of his books.

[Michael Shane]

Every one of them, honey. And I can show you a book at my apartment he wrote back in 1937. And on one of the pages I scribbled, someday this man's going to commit a murder.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, and I thought I was the only one who suspected him.

[Dr. Kaler]

What?

[Michael Shane]

Oh, now look, angel.

[Inspector Faraday]

Why, you were draped on Kayla's arm all evening.

[Michael Shane]

What?

[Inspector Faraday]

Dr. Kayla, how clever of you. Shakespeare sonnets. How utterly wonderful.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, I was just playing up to him.

[Sherwood Armstrong]

I knew you did?

[Michael Shane]

How?

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike Shane. I suspect any man who parts his hair in the middle.

[Michael Shane]

This is Mike Shane again.

[Sherry Melton]

And this is Phyllis, both reminding you

[Michael Shane]

that next Monday evening we'll be on the air one half hour earlier. Same night, same station.

[Phyllis Knight]

Remember, won't you? Mike and Phyllis at 8 o' clock next Monday. Good night.

[Narrator]

Tune in again next week at 8 o' clock for another adventure with Michael Shane. Private Detective, starring Wally Mayer and Kathy Lewis, with Joe Forte as Inspector Faraday. Tonight's story was written by Richard DeGraff and based on the character created by Brett Halliday. Music was composed and directed by Bernard Katz. This is John Lang saying good night for the people who make 76 gasoline and Triton motor oil. Union Oil Company. This is the mutual don lee broadcasting system.

[Michael Shane]

It.