Podcast Summary: Nero Wolfe — The Beautiful Archer (11/24/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Theme:
Nero Wolfe and his sharp-tongued assistant Archie Goodwin unravel the mystery behind the murder of Willard Garth, embroiling them in a tale of passion, betrayal, and twisted love, centered on the accomplished archer, Diana Lawrence, and her sculptor father.

Table of Contents

1. Case Introduction & Character Setup
2. Initial Suspects and Motives
3. The Investigation Unfolds
4. Major Revelations & Climax
5. Resolution & Thematic Insights
6. Notable Quotes and Moments

1. Case Introduction & Character Setup

Key characters introduced:

• Nero Wolfe: Renowned for his intellect, aversion to physical activity, and love of beer.
• Archie Goodwin: Quick-witted, sarcastic assistant and narrator.
• Diana Lawrence: Fiery, skilled archer, daughter of sculptor Michael Lawrence.
• Michael Lawrence: Intense, artistic father with a mysterious attachment to Diana.
• Dr. Reynard Townley: Willard’s psychiatrist, directs the early intrigue.
• Willard Garth: Diana’s unstable fiancé, patient at the Townley Sanitarium.

Opening Setup:
Archie receives a call about a murder case and convinces Wolfe to take it due to their pressing need for money (01:29). The initial scene sets up Diana Lawrence’s strained relationship with both Townley and Garth.

Memorable Introduction (02:22):
"Yes, listeners, Archie is so right. He is the greatest detective in the world and the fattest and the least energetic.” — Narrator

2. Initial Suspects and Motives

Diana’s Confrontation with Townley (03:13–06:26)

• Diana tries to forcibly persuade Dr. Townley to let her see Willard, even threatening him with a gun.
• Townley manipulates events (fake phone ring) and confiscates Diana’s gun, ending the interview coldly:
  “The gun, I'm afraid, stays with me here in this Majolica cabinet. I'd scarcely feel justified in trusting you with it.” — Dr. Townley (06:26)

The Lovers’ Rift (06:58–09:13)

• Diana and Willard’s relationship is shown as dysfunctional, with Willard exhibiting paranoia and aggression, accusing Diana of only wanting his money and ultimately threatening her life.

3. The Investigation Unfolds

Initial Facts from Dr. Townley (09:28–11:12)

• Wolfe is told that Willard Garth was murdered during a chauffeured car ride with Diana. The handyman Haines, who drove the car, and Diana are both missing.

Visit to Michael Lawrence’s Studio (11:56–14:46)

• Archie interviews Michael Lawrence, who professes Diana’s innocence based on her classical beauty and civilized manners.
• Lawrence is defensive and secretive, even resorting to violence to protect Diana’s whereabouts, clocking Archie with a mallet.

“Why aren’t you trying to trick my daughter into disclosing her whereabouts?” — Michael Lawrence (14:47)

Developments from the Police (15:22–16:25)

• Diana is located and released due to lack of evidence—her alibi is that she didn't have the gun at the time (Townley allegedly took it).
• Wolfe is told that ballistics ruled out Diana as the shooter based on distance and circumstances.

4. Major Revelations & Climax

Discovering Haynes and the Weapon (17:02–18:31)

• The search for the handyman Haynes leads Archie to Sheepshead Bay, but Haynes isn't found immediately.

Wolfe Confronts Townley—The Missing Gun (18:41–19:12)

• Wolfe’s intuition is confirmed when Townley discovers that Diana’s confiscated gun is missing—it’s the murder weapon.

The Fatal Arrow (20:44–21:24)

• Upon arriving at the sanitarium, Archie and Wolfe find Dr. Townley murdered with an arrow in his back.
  “There’s an arrow in his back and he’s dead.” — Archie Goodwin (21:24)

The Final Showdown at the Lawrence Studio (22:04–27:02)

• Michael Lawrence is unmasked as the prime suspect. Wolfe connects the emotional clues (“Apollo’s face is more finished and… looks a little familiar.” — Archie, 22:08) to Lawrence’s hidden motives.
• Lawrence, desperate, brandishes a Derringer and confesses his twisted love for Diana, leading to his unmasking as both Garth and Townley’s murderer.

“Such love as yours is really hate. You were content to see her dead rather than relinquish her.” — Nero Wolfe (26:41)

5. Resolution & Thematic Insights

• Wolfe uncovers that Michael Lawrence, driven by a possessive, warped love for his adopted daughter, orchestrated the murders. His telltale confusion about the cabinet’s lock, knowledge of the weapon, and the dual nature in the sculpture confirm his guilt.
• Wolfe’s knowledge of Greek myth (Apollo and Ariadne) is pivotal:
  “He chiseled the features of the tortured God in his very own image.” — Wolfe (28:28)
• The episode ends with Wolfe, typically, turning his thoughts to food and the trivialities of daily life, even after solving a psychological labyrinth.

6. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Archie on Wolfe’s Reluctance:
  “When my boss has to leave the house, it’s a major tragedy. Sometimes he rages, sometimes he curses. Sometimes he keeps very quiet and grips the side of the car desperately and tries not to inhale any fresh air.” (19:52)

• Wolfe’s Sarcasm at Archie’s Expense:
  “Keep your eye on the road. And don't strain yourself to make superfluous witticisms.” — Wolfe (20:17)

• Wolfe’s Philosophical Zinger:
  “Such love as yours is really hate. You were content to see her dead rather than relinquish her like all miserly small hearted men. You would rather kill the thing you love than muster the generosity necessary to seeing it attain heaven.” (26:44)

• The Classic Wolfe Wrap-up:
  “As a matter of fact, neither did I. No one could possibly have determined the brand by any chemical means in existence. I knew that, you see, and I took the long chance that Lawrence didn’t.” (27:34)

• Mythological Motif & Motivation:
  “According to the Greek myth, Apollo fell deeply in love with the nymph. But because they were of different wares, he was condemned to pursue her always and never to catch her... He chiseled the features of the tortured God in his very own image.” — Wolfe (28:16–28:28)

Key Timestamps

• 01:29 — Archie takes the case; Wolfe’s fee and quirks.
• 03:13–06:26 — Diana’s confrontation with Dr. Townley.
• 09:28–11:12 — Dr. Townley briefs Wolfe on the murder.
• 11:56–14:46 — Archie’s tense interview with Michael Lawrence.
• 14:00 — Diana’s location nearly betrayed; “honey” slip.
• 15:22 — Detective Kramer updates the team; Diana's release.
• 18:41 — Wolfe calls Townley; discovery of missing gun.
• 20:44 — Arrival at sanitarium; discovery of Townley’s murder by arrow.
• 22:04 — Apollo’s face and the “reveal.”
• 26:41 — Wolfe exposes Lawrence’s motive and psyche.
• 28:16–28:28 — The motif of Apollo and Ariadne explained.
• 28:49 — Wolfe’s closing riff on dinner.

Summary Takeaway

A masterclass in Golden Age radio drama, “The Beautiful Archer” weaves complex psychology, classical allusions, and sharp detective work. Wolfe’s insights into the human condition—artfully reflected in Michael Lawrence’s obsessions and the myth-inspired sculpture—make this case memorable. The episode’s wit, rich character interplay, and emotionally charged denouement offer classic Nero Wolfe in top form.