Pat Novak for Hire: Don't Tell Hilda 02/27/1949

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Pat Novak for Hire: Don't Tell Hilda" (02/27/1949)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Pat Novak for Hire: Don't Tell Hilda
Original Air Date: February 27, 1949
Summary Compiled: November 29, 2025

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Overview of the Episode

This episode of "Pat Novak for Hire" is a quintessential hard-boiled detective drama, set against the San Francisco waterfront, where murder and deception are just part of everyday business. Pat Novak, tough-talking private eye for hire, finds himself entangled in a web of amnesia, mistaken identity, and murder after a mysterious woman collapses in his company and dies. As Novak navigates false leads, suspicious characters, and a suspicious cop, he struggles to clear his name and untangle a plot built on a faked identity, a dead heiress, and betrayal.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pat Novak’s Introduction and Atmosphere

• [02:34] Pat Novak (Jack Webb) paints a moody picture of his life as a waterfront detective, immediately setting the "noir" tone:

  "Down in the San Francisco waterfront, everything but murder is a parlor trick. … It’s a good living if you don’t run short of bail bonds and Benzedrine."

2. Mysterious Woman’s Arrival

• [03:38] In the rain, a distressed, amnesiac woman bumps into Novak and asks for help.
  • Memorable noir banter establishes both Novak’s cynicism and the woman’s confusion:

    Hilda: “I think I've lost my memory.”
    Novak: “Who are you?”
    Hilda: “I don't know.”

  • She soon passes out in the cafe, provoking immediate suspicion ([06:14]).

3. The First Death – Setup for the Case

• [06:28 & 07:54] The woman dies, apparently from an overdose. There’s no identification, only a reference to the name “Hilda.” Novak, fearing he’ll be implicated, consults his friend, Jocko Madigan, an inebriate ex-doctor.

4. Hellman’s Suspicions

• [10:30] Inspector Hellman, a perennial adversary of Novak’s, confronts him at home, sure that Novak’s involved:

  "So are you, Novak. You're gonna look good sucking your thumb in the gas chamber." ([10:41])

5. Tracing the Woman’s Identity

• [12:45] Jocko uncovers a clue: Eight years prior, a 17-year-old heiress, Marcia Halpern, disappeared from a hospital with amnesia. The description fits the dead woman.
  • Novak pursues this lead to wealthy Emory Halpern’s residence.

6. The Halpern Connection — Enter Mark Taylor

• [14:43] Emory Halpern is absent, but lawyer Mark Taylor is present. He confirms the photo Novak shows him is of Marcia Halpern.
  • Upon learning Marcia is dead, Taylor acts shaken:

    “After all these years to come back, and then this.” ([16:09])

• [17:52] A twist: Taylor receives news that Emory Halpern died in a car accident the previous night — suspicious timing.

7. Perfume Clue and The Introduction of Hilda

• [20:39] At the accident scene in Sacramento, Novak finds a perfume-soaked handkerchief near where Halpern died — a woman was likely present.

• Later, Novak drops in on Taylor and meets Hilda Travis, a stunning, cool-tempered “family friend”:

  Hilda: “Would a drink take off the rough edges, Mr. Novak?” ([22:03])

• Novak tests her perfume against the handkerchief – a direct, seductive exchange loaded with tension.

8. The Will, the Motive, and The Real Plot

• [24:09] Jocko’s research reveals Emory Halpern recently updated his will: if Marcia was dead, the estate goes to Mark Taylor.
• Taylor withdrew money to pay for a Lisbon passage for “Helen Dupre,” a name not previously involved.

9. The Final Confrontation and Confessions

• [25:20] In a showdown at Taylor’s apartment, Novak accuses Taylor and Hilda of orchestrating the entire scheme. Jocko IDs Hilda as the woman he saw at the crash scene, confirming her role.
  • Taylor’s guilt unravels as Hilda turns against him:

    Hilda: "You're all right on the straightaway, but you're a bad guy on the curves, Mark." ([26:47])

• The plot is revealed:
  • “Helen Dupre” was impersonating Marcia Halpern to claim the inheritance.
  • Taylor and Hilda planned the deaths.
  • The scam unravels due to poor performances, Novak’s observations, and a crucial witness.

10. Novak’s Conclusion

• [27:34] Novak’s closing monologue dissects the scam and how it failed:

  “Well, it seems that Marcia Halpern was dead for years. Somewhere on the other side, a girl named Helen Dupre got the story out of her… The same night, they planned to kill the old man the way they did. That way Helen Dupre and Mark could split the dough. But they figured it wrong. Sometimes it only takes one.”

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Pat Novak’s signature hard-boiled narration:

  • "You get that way from winking at too many things. Well, it's a good living if you don't run short of bail bonds and Benzedrine." ([02:34])

• Hilda’s loaded invitation:

  • "Won't you come in?" ([21:43])
  • "We'll finish our drinks and pray for a cloud burst." ([23:21])

• Inspector Hellman, eternally unimpressed:

  • "With you, that's a lifetime. The guy said you were good friends. That's the way our story is going to read you." ([19:14])

• Novak’s summary of the double-cross:

  • “She was nice too. If you don’t mind claw marks.” ([28:50])

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Timestamps for Key Moments

• [02:34] Pat Novak's gritty introduction
• [03:38 – 06:28] Encounter with amnesiac woman (‘Marcia Halpern’/Helen Dupre); she dies suddenly
• [10:30–11:50] Inspector Hellman’s grilling of Novak
• [12:45] Jocko’s investigation; Marcia Halpern backstory
• [14:43–17:52] Meeting Mark Taylor; identification of Marcia; news of Emory Halpern’s death
• [20:39–21:40] Perfume handkerchief clue; Novak meets Hilda Travis
• [24:09] Jocko reveals Taylor’s inheritance motive
• [25:20–27:34] Final confrontation, plot unraveling, and Novak’s closing

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Summary and Flow

• The story is a classic puzzle of identity and greed, with multiple suspects, a disorienting “amnesia” twist, and a world-weary detective piecing the case together even as his own guilt seems likely. The tone is sharp, witty, and tinged with melancholy – the hallmarks of radio noir. Pat Novak’s voiceover provides not only clues, but the texture of a world where loyalty is suspect and everyone has something to hide.

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Recommended for fans of hard-boiled mystery, rapid-fire dialogue, and twisty inheritance plots.

Transcript

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[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Bring to you the greatest old time radio shows.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

On YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Narrator / Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, the American Broadcasting Company brings to its entire network one of radio's most unusual programs. Pat Novak for hire.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

There's a sign out in front of my office reads that way. Pat Novak for hire. Oh, there's no way to dress it up. You're in business. Down in the San Francisco waterfront, everything but murder is a parlor trick. You rob a few graves, you can pay the rent. Nobody cares if you got sore eyelids. You get that way from winking at too many things. Well, it's a good living if you don't run short of bail bonds and Benzedrine. I discovered that Friday night after the fight broadcast, I wound up in a little whiskey barrel on Powell Street. I had a Glasgow farmer out of the red. When they closed the bar, I drifted across the street for a cup of coffee. When I came out, it was raining and the street was deserted. I stood in the doorway and watched the dull neons through the rain. They looked splotched and dim like watercolors rubbed with a damp rag. It was beginning to rain harder. I started out of the doorway when she ducked in and bumped up against me.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. Just wait for your blockers on the next one, huh?

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I guess I bumped into you.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Don't go out on a limb.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I'm very sorry. I guess I didn't know where I was going.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You seem to be headed in the right direction.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

How do you mean?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Forget I noticed.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Raining awfully hard. I wonder if you ever noticed how.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

When it rains, you feel lonely and lost.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Yes. Yes, that's it. How when it rains, you feel lonely and lost.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. Well, we're both great readers, so if you'll let me get by, I want to get a cab.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I wonder if I could ask you something funny.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

The bars are closed.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

No, I meant coffee. I'll pay for it.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

All right.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

In here?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Sure. Come on. The counter will do. All right. What's it gonna be?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Hey, you back again?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Yeah.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Two coffees.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

How come?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I'm nervous. Two coffees.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

You like a bear claw?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Maybe. You know what we want? Two coffees. Yeah.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Be right with it.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Thank you. I know it's funny asking you in here, but I have to talk to someone. I don't know what I'm doing.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I won't argue.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I've been away a long time. Guess a long time.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. The kids will be glad to see you back. Stop it, will you, Sis? Get to the point. Put the show on the road.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Is.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I think I've lost my memory. At least it seems that way at first.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Who are you?

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I don't know. I suppose you don't believe it.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

No, but I convince hard. Here you are. Oh, coffee.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Everything all right?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah, yeah, everything's fine. You're down here if you need anything else. You thought up a name yet, buster?

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

You'd be crazy to believe me. Guess you'd be crazy. But I can't remember anything.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Now, look, lady, if you got amnesia, see the police.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

You don't believe me?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I don't know. Maybe you are leveling. But if you're off your rocker, go to the police. But suppose.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Suppose there's something that happened before and the police would be looking for me. Please, would you try to help me?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

How bad are you? Do you know what town you're in?

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Yes.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Have you been here before? Do you live here?

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I think maybe. Seems like the place I've been.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

All right, I'll put you in a cab. You go see the police.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

No. I feel funny.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Eh?

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I think I'll go outside for a minute. I don't want Hilda to not. Please. I'm going to call the police. Help me.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Mister, your girlfriend's on the floor. Yeah. Any suggestions?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

No.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

She's your date.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

All right. Here, give me a hand, will you? Where you gonna take her? The hospital. She's an amnesia case. I hope your memory's good, huh? You'll need it for answers. Your girlfriend's passed out for good. Don't tell me.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I feel a pulse. Mister, you're gonna have to start over.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Because she's all used up.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

That's good. You got a wailing wall? Sure. Use the counter while I call Homicide. It didn't take 2020 vision to see I was in trouble. Maybe it was an accident, maybe it wasn't. I didn't have any idea why she keeled over there. But with a figure like hers, I knew it wasn't old age. I'd call the Homicide, met Hellman, was gonna be in the picture soon. Then I'd stand about as much chance as a cornfield and a stone quarry. Well, I went through the girl's stuff. She had no identification. There were a couple of snapshots of her, but no name. I told the waiter my name and where Hellman could find me. Then I got out of there. I looked up Jocko Madigan, an ex doctor who liked his booze pretty well. Smart guy. But he used a Mason jar for a jigger. I finally found him holed up in some after hours joint on Geary Street. He was talkative.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Hello, Patsy. A small jug for Mr. Novak. Waiter.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I want to talk to you, Jocko.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Patsy, you shouldn't be here. It's after hours.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. Look, Jocko, I need some help. What do you know about amnesia?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Oh, a temporary blessing. I thought I had it myself once.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Stop it, will you?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

But it just turned out to be a case of bad bourbon. A peasant's drink. I've decided.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Get up the street level long enough for me to talk. I'm in trouble. Yes, I met some blister tonight who took a dive after one cup of coffee.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Oh, I see.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

She had amnesia, or she thinks she did.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

If she's dead, why worry about amnesia? It's a minor ailment.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Because Hellman's gonna think I had something to do with it. She picked out my lap. Don't you see how it's gonna add up?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

I have high hopes.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I gotta do something in a hurry.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Was she a nice girl?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yes, I guess so.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

How come you met her?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

What difference does it make? Tell me about amnesia. Could she phony it?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Maybe not for long. What makes you think she did?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I Don't know. She acted like a butterfly with a jag on and she headed straight for me. It just doesn't add.

[Inspector Hellman]

No.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

What cell block can I find you in?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You can get off your spine and go to work for me. You know the hospital circuit. Hit them all. And find out everything you can about recent amnesia cases.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

How far back do I go?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Until you find one that jibes with.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

This girl, it's impossible. Where do I start? I feel like Noah when they told him to beat the flood.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

She's blonde, blue eyes, expensive clothes.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

How big?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Just the right size for a good dream. Start checking now and give me a ring at my place.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

No identification?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

None. She only said one thing when she fell.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Something crude?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

No. She mentioned a gal by the name of Hilda.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

That should be easy to trace. Sure, just look it up in the phone book. You will find it somewhere between hell, homicide. Right, lover?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, there wasn't anything I could do for the next few hours except sublet from an ostrich. I had to keep undercover because all I had to work on was a couple of snapshots and a girl named Hilda. Neither figured to get me out of this mess. Hellman was bound to ask a lot of questions. Because I had as much business being with a dead girl as Lucky Luciano when a finishing school. After I left Jocko, I took a C car downtown and I went home to grab some sleep. When I walked in the apartment, the lights were out. That didn't make any difference. Hellman's badge was shining like a lake in Ireland. He was making himself at home with my ice cubes.

[Inspector Hellman]

Hello, Novak. Put the light on so I can watch you turn pale.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Alright, Hillman, get to the point.

[Inspector Hellman]

Sure. Who was your girlfriend?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I don't know. She was the coy type.

[Inspector Hellman]

So are you, Novak. You're gonna look good sucking your thumb in the gas chamber.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I suppose your coroner is full of good news.

[Inspector Hellman]

She died of an overdose of sleeping pills. Coroner's report is murder.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

How about the space mark? Suicide?

[Inspector Hellman]

No dice. You don't take sleeping pills. Then tour the town for a spot to take a nap.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

So she died in a coffee joint. What am I supposed to do? Carry a stomach pump?

[Inspector Hellman]

You're supposed to tell me who she is. We'll go from there.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I don't know. Neither did she.

[Inspector Hellman]

I've got that down as a lie.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You file it any way you want, Hellman. She was amnesia.

[Inspector Hellman]

So are you, Novak.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

All right, hire a medium then. I told you. She came into the restaurant a total stranger. We got social, but she Died a total stranger.

[Inspector Hellman]

How are you gonna prove it?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I don't know. I knew who she was. I wouldn't play footsie with you. Do I have to draw a map? She came in trying to sort out her marbles and never got there.

[Inspector Hellman]

I see.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

What did you find out? How about clothes markings?

[Inspector Hellman]

That's your department.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

How about laundry marks?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

I don't know.

[Inspector Hellman]

I guess she washed her own. Look, Novak, you're a big boy now. You're in a spot. If you want to help, now's the time to do it.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You got everything I know. From here on, you work the ball downfield.

[Inspector Hellman]

All right. You just answer the doorbell from time to time. When you see a guy grinning out there, that'll be me coming to pinch you for murder.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, that'll take lots of doing, mister, and lots of proof. You remember that.

[Inspector Hellman]

I'll try, Novak, but I may get amnesia.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Good night, Big sh.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

When Hellman left, I backed into my headache and went to bed. Oh, sure. I was in a spot now. The scorecard said murder and I was the medalist on the first round. If the police didn't know who she was, that meant she had no record we could work on. I still had the funny hunch about that gal pulling a phony. But if it was phony, I was worse off. I had all the best arrows in town pointing to me. Once Hellman began to build a case, I could throw away those vacation folders. I slept until about 9. The phone began to ring and I rolled over expecting to hear Gabriel on the other end of the line. It was just Jocko. Hello? Novak talking.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

This is Jocko. I've been working all night.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

We'll build a monument later. What'd you find out?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

The morning paper says the girl was murdered.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah, Hellman gave me a preview. What'd you find out at the hospital?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

I've got a complete list of amnesia victims. I know more lost souls than a Hong Kong bartender. Yeah, most of them. Men trying to get away from the little woman.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, you're a big help, Jocko.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Don't hang up till you hear about the girl.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Go ahead.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Nothing on file for the last eight years. In 1941, a 17 year old girl walked out of California General Hospital. She hasn't been heard of since.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

How's the description?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

It fits like last year's bathing suit. She was Marcia Halpern. The daughter of Emery Halpern?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. Who's he?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

A pocket heavy guy down on Montgomery Street.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, get right down there. Thanks, Jocko. You saved my life.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Well, I Hadn't intended to go that far. See you later.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, it was my one chance, even if the odds looked bad. I called up Halpern's office and said he wasn't in to try him at home. It was listed for a place up on Pacific Heights, so I took a cab over there. When I walked in the lobby, I could tell old man Halpern was making as much money as you can without your own printing press. The apartment made Buckingham palace look like something George had picked up at a fire sale. The doorman was a sober looking specimen. The kind of guy that breathes every other Tuesday. He gave me the fish eyes. I went up the elevator to the third floor. Halpern's apartment was at the east end. Butler showed me in, and I waited. In the living room was a real cozy place, about the size of a small rugby field. A door opened on the side and 200 pounds of Regency oozed into the room like a wet ghost.

[Inspector Hellman]

Good morning.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I'm Mr. Taylor.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I'm Novak. Where's Halpert?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Mr. Halpern is away on a business trip. I'm Mark Taylor, the family lawyer. I believe that's the phrase.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, I'll drop by later, huh?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Perhaps I can help you. I take care of most of Mr. Halpin's business now.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Did you know his daughter?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yes. Yes, it was quite tragic.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

That's what I hear.

[Narrator / Announcer]

She was a victim of amnesia. She forgot all the details of her home.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Must have been a temptation. Did the police ever do anything on it?

[Narrator / Announcer]

The police were not advised. Mr. Halpern hired private detectives. But she was never found. Yes, it was quite tragic.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You wear your mourning a long way, Taylor. She'd be about 25 now, wouldn't she? Taffy hair, blue eyes, nice figure.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I believe she had leanings in that direction.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Why? Mr. Novak, I think I may know where she is.

[Narrator / Announcer]

You don't know what that would mean to this family, Mr. Novak.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You don't know what it would mean to me. Mr. Taylor, here's a snapshot.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Let me see it.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, Taylor, this is not a B movie.

[Narrator / Announcer]

This is a picture of Marcia Halpern.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You sure?

[Narrator / Announcer]

I don't make many mistakes, Mr. Novak.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

All right, if you've used up your quota, she's downtown.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I'll get in touch with Mr. Halpin right away.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

No, take your time. She's dead.

[Narrator / Announcer]

When?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Last night. She got sleepy, huh? Yeah, that's right. Somebody gave her enough sleeping pills to stock a drugstore.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I see. After all these years to come back, and then this.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

It Was most tragic. Yes.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yes, I was about to say that. It'd be a great blow to Mr. Halpin. It'd be a very great blow to Mr. Halpin. Have the police any ideas?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

A few. You know anybody named Hilda? No, why? Just sweeping out the corners. When's Halper due?

[Narrator / Announcer]

This afternoon. I'll arrange an. Excuse me, please. Hello, this is Mark Taylor. No, that can't be right. When did it happen?

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[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yes, yes.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Please keep me advised.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You ought to wear a purple suit. Taylor.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I have bad news, Mr. Novak. Brace yourself.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I'm lightheaded. Go ahead.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Mr. Halpern was killed in a motor accident last night. His car plunged down a ravine near Sacramento. That's very strange.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. That must have been a great blow to Mr. Halpern. Well, I left there and went downstairs. All the way down. I had the funny feeling that something was wrong. The way a person feels when he goes into a doctor's office with an incurable disease. It may have been Taylor. I don't know. He seemed all right, but I still had that feeling that something was out of place. Like a broken line in a perfect picture. I crossed the street and called Hellman. It was too early in the day because he was as sad as a tap dancer in moccasins.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Hellman talking.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

This is Novak. How's the case?

[Inspector Hellman]

You look better every minute.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

How's the identification?

[Inspector Hellman]

We're moving slow. So far we know she's a woman.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

That's right. Her name's Marcia Halpern. She disappeared in 1941 with amnesia.

[Inspector Hellman]

San Francisco?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. She's the daughter of Emory Halpern.

[Inspector Hellman]

And we'll check with old man helping.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You better send your best man because he rolled a car and killed himself last night. Where? Sacramento.

[Inspector Hellman]

I got news for you, too.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah? We got a statement from that waiter who wrote it.

[Inspector Hellman]

He says you brought that Girl in for coffee. Also, you were nice and chummy.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I knew her for five minutes.

[Inspector Hellman]

With you, that's a lifetime. The guy said you were good friends. That's the way our story is going to read you.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Suit yourself. I'm busy.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Yeah?

[Inspector Hellman]

Where you going?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Same place you are. Helman, Sacramento. If I didn't move fast, I was deader than a Philadelphia nightclub. When they start taking statements, you can wire for flowers. I called Jocko and told him to check up on old man Halpern's estate. I borrowed a car and drove up to Sacramento. The accident was just outside of there. When I got to the spot, Hellman was already in charge. He's gonna make a fight for the job and last judgment. They were down in the ravine and Hellman was beating around the bushes, making more noise than a venetian blind and a typhoon. Hello, Hellman. Did you find anything?

[Inspector Hellman]

Get your own hashtag. I'm busy.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Where's the body?

[Inspector Hellman]

You get the blues if you don't see one corpse today. He's up in town.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Did you notice those tracks up there in the road?

[Inspector Hellman]

Yeah, Double tracks. Don't mean a thing.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Oh, sure. Maybe two cars fell down and one got lost. Wake up Hellman. If he drove over the side, he sure had a tough time making up his mind.

[Inspector Hellman]

When you're through on that pipe, I'll send over another. I'm going over to the car.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Hellman went over the car. I started looking through the bushes. I don't know what I expected to find. Maybe an old Boy scout. After about 10 minutes, I shifted over to the other side and it showed up right near the ground, under a bush. Hellman must have seen me because it came right over. What is it?

[Inspector Hellman]

What'd you find?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

A handkerchief. Oh, that's funny.

[Inspector Hellman]

What's funny about it, too? It's a handkerchief. The old man had a nose, didn't he?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Well, he must have loved it then. His hanky's loaded with perfume. Take a whiff Here.

[Inspector Hellman]

Yeah. Recognize it?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Sure. I don't know about you, but I smell a rat. Things began to move. This was the first break, and Hellman knew it. I went back to town and I tried to get in touch with Jocko. But he was running up a tab somewhere. So I drove over to see Mark Taylor again. When I got to the apartment, I found out he wasn't in. But the pinch hitter was all right. When she opened the door, I got a nice warm feeling, like a melted cheese sandwich. She was standing there in a dark silk evening gown. It was strapless and she had no worries. When she spoke. It was like saying, put another log on the fire.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Good evening.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Taylor? In here.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Won't you come in?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Sure.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Mr. Taylor won't be in for a while. I'm waiting for him myself.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I see. I'm Pat Novak.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Is it urgent? Anything I can do?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

If it were, you'd get my vote. Who are you?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

I'm Hilda Travis. I'm a friend of the family.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Which family?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Would a drink take off the rough edges, Mr. Novak?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

It might.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Good. I'll make one.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I brought Taylor a present.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

How nice. A girdle, maybe, or am I being catty?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

No, a handkerchief. This one. Do you like it?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Should I?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I thought you might want it for a keepsake. I found it in a ditch up in Sacramento. About 10ft from Emory Halpern.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Poor Emory. Here's your drink.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Thanks. Poor Emory. It's full of perfume, or the smell.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

That wouldn't do any good. You want to know if it matches my perfume?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

It's your idea.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Go ahead.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

All right.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Now closer.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

That's it.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

See?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

It's early in the evening, Mr. Novak.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Don't blow a fuse.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I won't until I find out who killed Marcia Halpern.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Good luck, for everybody's sake. By the way, the police think you.

[Kerrygold Advertiser]

Killed her, don't they?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Did Taylor brief you?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

A little.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I asked him this morning if he knew a girl named Hilda.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

He must have forgotten.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah. Everybody's got amnesia just to make things easy.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Did you kill her just to make them hard? Did you?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I see. Well, just tell Taylor I called.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Don't be a savage, Mr. Novak. You haven't finished your drink and it's raining outside.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I'll finish this one.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

That's good.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Sit down beside me.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Here.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

We'll finish our drinks and pray for a cloud burst.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

She turned out to be an old fashioned girl. She had about eight of them before I got out of there. I tried to pump her, but she wouldn't talk about Marcia Halpert. I just became a family friend. After I left, I ducked into a drugstore and started phoning Jocko. I finally caught him at the hunt room. He'd worked his way below the label already.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Hello, Patchy. I'm having a wonderful time.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah? What'd you find out?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

I just heard a funny story.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

It's old. What about Halpern?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

He barely changed his will. After the girl died, the whole estate goes to her.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Who's next in line?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

A fellow named Mark Taylor. That's the new part of the world drawn up three Weeks ago.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Good boy, Joto.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

So I looked up the dope on Mark Taylor. He's a family friend.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

It's a new club. Go on.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Looks all right. Some funny bank book stuff, though.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

For instance?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Well, he drew 3,000 bucks out last month for a Lisbon Passage. A girl named Helen Dupre. Maybe she's a foreign cinema discovery.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

He's no talent scout. Meet me down in homicide in 10 minutes. Jocko. If we're lucky, we'll show Hellman something.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

What?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

How to draw to an inside straight. Hurry up and don't stop for a bracer.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Just don't smell my breath. See you soon, Oba.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I'd explained everything I could to Hellman when Jocko got there. I went over it for him and sent him out on an errand. He was to meet Hellman and come up to Taylor's apartment. I went on ahead. It was about 11:00 o'clock when I knocked on the door.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Mr. Novak. So soon?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah, I'm coming in. Hello, Taylor.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I won't say you're wearing out your welcome, Mr. Novak, but it's getting very thin.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You better take time out and pack your bags.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Is that nice, Patsy?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Because a guy named Hellman wants you for murder.

[Narrator / Announcer]

We've been over that once, Mr. Novak.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah, but we got a whole new infield this time. Hellman thinks you killed a girl named Helen Dupre.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I don't know a girl named Helen Du Pray.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

The bank vouchers say yes. They say you brought her over here six weeks ago.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Wait a minute, Pat.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Oh, you made the team too, angel. They got you all fixed up for old man Halpern's case up in Sacramento.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Get out of here, Novak.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I left a drink here.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Find a bar there.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Get out of here.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I wouldn't want to jam this gun through your face.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Come on in, Hellman. Did you bring him with you?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Yeah.

[Inspector Hellman]

Come in here, fella. Is that the girl?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Yeah, that's her.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Where'd you see her before?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Sacramento, last night.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

He's crazy. It's a plat, Mark.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Tell her more. Junior. You sure she's the one?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Yeah, she was on the road and I seen her at the car with this old fella.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Hang on, lady. The road gets bumpy from here on.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

My lights were out, so I guess she didn't see me.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Take this little guy out of here.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

I got a story. I seen you hit the old fellow, then start the car.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

I didn't hit him on the head. I told you that, Mark.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Yes, you did.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Tell him, Mark. Tell him I was here.

[Narrator / Announcer]

How can I. When you tip omit.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

That's right, Taylor. Get out while you can.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Tell him I was here, Mark.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Oh, you little fool. Don't you know you've told them already?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

You're a bum guy, Mark. You've been a bum guy all along.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I keep my mouth shut.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

I'll give you a chance to talk. I'll tell you about him, Novak.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Shut up, you little half witch.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

You're all right on the straightaway, but you're a bad guy on the curves, Mark.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Keep still, angel.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

A tin horn punk like you all talk lot.

[Narrator / Announcer]

You'd better say it fast.

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Yeah.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You get any prize in the house, Taylor?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

Take your choice.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Are you working for a living, Hellman?

[Inspector Hellman]

Yep.

[Narrator / Announcer]

All right, then, let's go. Yeah.

[Inspector Hellman]

See you downtown, Novec.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

She all right, Jocko?

[Jocko Madigan (Ex-Doctor)]

I'm out of practice.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Well, Patsy.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

You like it this way, baby?

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

No complaints. I've always gone first class.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

I wouldn't like it the other way.

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

Yeah, I could have used a little.

[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

More time, but I'm not greedy.

[Hilda Travis / Female Acquaintance]

Still raining out, Betsy?

[Pat Novak (Detective)]

No, it stopped raining. Beginning to clear up and over. Come on, Jocko. I'm talking to myself. Well, it seems that Marcia Halpern was dead for years. Somewhere on the other side, a girl named Helen Dupre got the story out of her. She looked a lot like Marcia Halpern. So she waited until after the war and contacted this Mark Taylor. They cooked up a hoax and the pot boiled over. She was supposed to fake amnesia and stumble into the hospital. The pictures in the wallet would be printed. Mark would identify her as Marcia Halpern. The same night they planned to kill the old man the way they did. That way Helen Dupre and Mark could split the dough. But they figured it wrong. Another girl named Hilda Travers had the story, too. She put the squeeze on Mark. He blundered. He found out he didn't need a phony Marcia Halperin after all. The new clause in the will gave Mark the dough. So he loaded Helen Duprez with sleeping pills while Hilda gave the old man his last ride. All he had to do was wait for the dough and then split with Hilda. Few things went wrong. Sometimes it only takes one. Helen did her part, but she was no Bernhard. Then at the last minute, she knew something was wrong and mentioned Hilda. I kinda began to wonder when Mark identified that picture so fast. After more than eight years. He identified it immediately. And then there was that handkerchief. From there in, it was free wheeling. All we had to have was a witness. That guy from Sacramento. Well, he was some actor. That Jocko picked up in the hunt room. Hellman finally cleaned up the mess. Taylor's in the clink. And of course, the girl already picked up her end of the check. She was nice too. If you don't mind claw marks. Well, it all worked out and Hellman's happy. Except that actor keeps calling him up for parts.

[Narrator / Announcer]

The American Broadcasting Company has just brought you the third of a new series.

[Inspector Hellman]

Pat Novak for Hire, starring Jack Webb.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Jack o' Madigan is played by Jack Lewis. Inspector Hellman is played by Raymond Byrd. Music was composed and conducted by Basam Ablum.

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[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

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[Pat Novak (Detective)]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

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[Amnesiac Woman / Hilda Travis]

Crave, which is anything from am, pm.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

What more could you want?

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[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

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