Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Nero Wolfe: Deadly Sell-Out (01/05/1951)

Episode Overview:
This episode features "Nero Wolfe: Deadly Sell-Out," a hard-boiled murder mystery from the classic radio detective series. The story unfolds as Nero Wolfe and his witty assistant, Archie Goodwin, become embroiled in the murder of a missing prizefighter. The case quickly escalates into blackmail, double-crosses, and further murder, plunging the team deep into New York's criminal underworld. As always, Nero Wolfe’s incisive intellect and Archie's street-smart banter lead the way.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Case Introduction and Missing Prizefighter

• Archie Goodwin answers the office phone to a new client, Brock Rainey, who’s seeking help finding his missing prizefighter, Pepe Gato. Wolfe is surprisingly interested:
  • Wolfe (00:53): “I’m fascinated by the thought of anyone misplacing a prizefighter. They're usually quite large, aren't they?”
• Context: Gato recently lost a fight, and it’s suspected he may be in danger.

2. Blackmail and the Underworld

• At Brock Rainey’s apartment, Jerry Fay tries to blackmail him after witnessing a payoff for Gato to throw a fight. She threatens to expose him to Arnold Lawson, a wealthy man who lost $25,000 on the fixed fight. The tension is thick with betrayal and desperation for money.
  • Jerry Fay (03:18): “Okay, Mr. Rainey, have it your way. I'll go find someone with a more sympathetic ear. Someone like Lawson. Arnold F. Lawson. So long.”
• Rainey tries to stall her, needing time to pay her off, setting the stage for escalating stakes.

3. Discovery of Gato’s Murder

• Archie and Rainey search Gato's penthouse. They discover a woman’s expensive hat and, more grimly, Gato’s body under a roof awning:
  • Archie (11:38): “Yeah, we found him, chum. A little late. Two holes in his dorsal development and... dead as a clay pigeon.”
• The hat is tagged as a custom piece by "Madame Yeta," which leads to the next phase of investigation.

4. Tracing the Hat to a New Suspect

• Wolfe sends Archie to Madame Yeta, who reveals the hat belonged to Mrs. Celia Lawson, wife of Arnold Lawson.
• Archie interviews Arnold Lawson, who provides a convoluted alibi and claims the hat was lost by his wife weeks before:
  • Lawson (15:06): “A month and a half ago. I was with Celia on a bus top, she was wearing that hat and the wind blew it off her head.”

5. The Blackmailer’s “Auction” and Her Murder

• Jerry Fay contacts Wolfe to “auction” off information about the killer, inviting Archie to Gato’s penthouse:
  • Jerry (17:00): “A few facts, all in good condition and guaranteed to make it a cinch to snag the Gato killer.”
• Just as Jerry is about to reveal the murderer’s identity, she is shot through the window, mirroring Gato’s demise. Archie gives chase, but the killer escapes.

6. Gathering the Suspects—Revelation and Confession

• Wolfe gathers Brock Rainey, Arnold Lawson, and attempts to summon Mrs. Lawson. Arnold is evasive about his wife's whereabouts and reveals he and his wife had a falling out.
• Wolfe notes a contradiction when Arnold demonstrates knowledge of a fire escape at Gato’s penthouse, which he shouldn’t know about:
  • Wolfe (24:51): “Who told you there was a fire escape there?”
• Wolfe exposes Arnold as the actual murderer, motivated by jealous hatred of his wife’s affair with Gato:
  • Wolfe (25:15): “You worshipped her until she became fascinated by a young savage animal known as Pepe Gato. No, at that point, the worship shifted into reverse and you went green with hate.”

7. Climax & Justice

• Arnold draws a gun to avoid arrest, but Mrs. Lawson appears with a gun of her own, returning to collect her hat and ultimately stopping Arnold, presumably by lethal means.
• Wolfe and Archie reflect on the moral grayness and the necessity of her act:
  • Archie (27:17): “Will it go tough on her, boss?”
  • Wolfe (27:17): “Why not? She killed a man in cold blood, though she actually saved our lives while doing so.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Archie Goodwin’s wit throughout (e.g., bantering about raises and women’s hats):
  • “There must have been a time in your life when knick-knacks from Tiffany figured in the budget. Not to mention steak dinners and champagne—or, what did you feed your girls, peppermint lozenges?” (06:18)
• Classic Wolfe arrogance:
  • “Mr. Rainey, if I were not a modest man, I would point out to you that you're getting quite a bargain.” (10:05)
• Dramatic confrontation and deduction:
  • “Mr. Lawson, allow me to congratulate you. You have in mind to see your wife convicted of the murder of Pepe Gato and so punish them both for having dared to fall in love.” (25:06)
• Final wisecrack about dinner:
  • “If she hadn't done what she did, what would have happened to the lobster bisque?” (27:25)

Important Timestamps

• 00:53 – Wolfe agrees to take the case, intrigued by a missing prizefighter.
• 03:18 – Jerry Fay threatens to expose the fight fix to Lawson unless paid off.
• 11:38 – Discovery of Gato’s body.
• 12:52 – Archie contacts Madame Yeta; learns the hat was made for Mrs. Lawson.
• 15:06 – Arnold Lawson weaves an alibi about how the hat ended up at Gato’s flat.
• 17:00 – Jerry Fay offers to “auction” the killer’s identity.
• 19:32 – Jerry nearly reveals the murderer but is shot.
• 24:51 – Wolfe exposes Arnold for knowing details he shouldn’t.
• 25:15 – Wolfe deduces Arnold’s motive and method.
• 26:19 – Mrs. Lawson confronts Arnold, gun in hand.
• 27:25 – Wolfe’s closing musing about lobster bisque and justice.

Tone and Style

The episode is filled with sharp, fast-paced banter between Archie and Wolfe, atmospheric noir elements, and hard-boiled detective work. The world is grimy and corrupt, but the dialogue remains witty and slyly humorous, in classic Nero Wolfe style.

Summary Use:
For listeners who missed the episode, this summary provides a detailed walk-through of all the major plot points, character dynamics, and turns of the case, ending with the clever unraveling of the mystery and moral ambiguity that makes Nero Wolfe stories so enduring.