Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Eddie Garrett Case 08/27/1949

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Richard Diamond, Private Detective – "The Eddie Garrett Case" (08/27/1949)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Date: January 5, 2026 (original airdate: August 27, 1949)
Episode Title: Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Eddie Garrett Case

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Overview

This episode of Richard Diamond, Private Detective dives into the gritty underworld of New York’s youth gangs and the destructive power of bad role models. Private Eye Richard Diamond is drawn into a race against time to save a troubled teen from repeating his condemned brother’s mistakes, unraveling a tangle of crime, loyalty, and the hope for redemption.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

New York Street Life and Setting the Tone

• Diamond’s opening monologue (00:50): Diamond nostalgically recalls childhood antics in the city and contrasts them with the perils facing today’s city kids—setting the stage for the episode’s theme of lost innocence and youthful misdirection.
  • “A kid can have a lot of fun, even in a big city. But it’s unfortunate that every once in a while there’s a boy who forgets to have fun and heads for trouble.” (01:28, Richard Diamond)

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The Incident at Pop Thompson’s Store

• Eddie Garrett, a young gang leader, and his friend Jim intimidate Pop Thompson, a local store owner, into cooperating with a numbers racket. When Pop resists, the boys beat him and rob his store.
  • "You ain’t been making enough on your numbers sales. We come to see why not." (02:15, Eddie Garrett)
  • “First they threaten to beat me up unless I sell the numbers. Then… send young hoodlums to see that they do.” (02:18, Pop Thompson)

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The Trouble with Eddie Garrett

• Eddie's reputation: He idolizes his brother Bill, who is on death row, and aspires to be a big shot in the underworld.
• The youth gang (“The Panthers”): Eddie is their boss, with ambitions to escalate their crimes from assault to stealing cars for local crime boss Sam Parrish.

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Diamond’s Involvement

• Lt. Levinson calls Diamond to fulfill Bill Garrett’s last request: talk to Eddie before Bill’s execution (04:22–05:13).
• Diamond visits Bill at Sing Sing (05:46):
  • Bill acknowledges his crimes but expresses worry for Eddie:
    • “He thinks I’m a big shot. I want you to convince him I’m not.” (06:32, Bill Garrett)
  • Diamond reluctantly accepts the mission, recognizing the generational cycle at play.

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Diamond Looks for Eddie

• Undercover at the club (10:24): Diamond goes to "The Panthers'" clubhouse on 26th Street, confronting Eddie and his crew about their path.
  • “Your brother says he thinks you’re in trouble. Are you trouble?” (10:59, Diamond)
  • “Maybe I do.” (11:09, Eddie Garrett)
• Diamond tries to reach Eddie but is met with hostility and is eventually knocked out by one of Sam Parrish’s muscle (13:12).

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Escalation: Storekeeper’s Fate & The Law Closes In

• Diamond learns from the police that the storekeeper is critically injured and that the law is after Eddie (14:00).
• The stakes: If Pop dies, Eddie could face a life sentence.

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Nancy Hyde: Eddie’s Girlfriend and Moral Anchor

• Diamond seeks out Nancy Hyde at her 37th Street residence (16:16).
  • Nancy is concerned for Eddie’s welfare and decries his brother’s influence.
    • “Eddie’s a good boy, but he worships his big brother and he thinks he’s tough.” (16:39, Nancy Hyde)
• Nancy becomes a hostage: After a brief, tense conversation and Nancy’s screams, Diamond and Eddie discover she’s been kidnapped (18:16–18:53).

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The Ransom Call and Diamond’s Play

• Coercion from Sam Parrish: Eddie learns that Nancy will be killed unless he comes to Parish. Diamond deduces Nancy is likely held at a warehouse (20:53–21:32).
• Diamond organizes a rescue with Lt. Levinson; they break into the dark warehouse with minutes to spare.

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The Showdown & Rescue

• Confrontation with Bart and Sam Parrish (22:21–23:45):
  • Eddie almost becomes a victim, but Diamond intervenes. Eddie and Diamond rescue Nancy.
  • "Sorry, kid. You know how it is. Drop it, Bart." (23:22, Bart)
• Sam Parrish arrives, gun drawn; shooting ensues.
  • Eddie bravely takes a bullet meant for Diamond, helping to subdue Parrish.

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Resolution & Redemption

• Aftermath: Eddie, shot, is taken to the hospital but survives. Pop Thompson also recovers.
• Juvenile justice: Eddie and his gang get suspended sentences, thanks to Helen Asher (Diamond’s love interest), who arranges for the boys to serve their time working on her farm—a chance at genuine reform.
  • “[Eddie and his friends] all got two years sentence suspended because my lovely redhead, Helen Asher, convinced the judge that the boys would become much better citizens if they worked out their two years on her farm upstate milking the cows.” (25:24, Diamond)

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Heartfelt Send-Off & Musical Finale

• Eddie and Nancy enjoy dinner at Helen’s before leaving for the farm, requesting Diamond to sing for them—he croons “Where Are You Now That I Need You” (26:43).
  • Playful banter between Helen, Nancy, and Diamond about his singing ability:
    • “After Eddie hears me, he may realize that crime does pay. It’s on your pretty head.” (26:27, Diamond)
• Eddie and Nancy sneak off together, foreshadowing a hopeful new chapter.

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Notable Quotes

• On New York childhood:
  "Yeah, a kid can have a lot of fun, even in a big city. But it’s unfortunate that every once in a while there’s a boy who forgets to have fun and heads for trouble." (01:28, Richard Diamond)

• Confronting juvenile crime:
  "You get your gang together and explain. Harry says we swipe cars, so we swipe cars." (09:26, Sam Parish)

• Diamond’s moral code:
  "There’s no middle with me, Gary, if it's gotta be right or wrong." (06:12, Richard Diamond)

• Eddie’s regret and wish for redemption:
  "Man, I'm in some pretty bad trouble. But I swear, if I get out of it, I'll go straight." (23:56, Eddie Garrett)

• Diamond’s dry wit:
  "You heard what the kid said. Now, look. Yeah, well, well, well. Guns and everything. Like it goes bang, bang.” (13:02, Diamond)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening/Setting the Stage – 00:50–02:00
• Pop Thompson’s Store Incident – 02:00–03:16
• Diamond & Lt. Levinson on Bill’s Last Request – 04:22–05:13
• Sing Sing Visit – 05:46–07:23
• Eddie’s Clubhouse & Confrontation – 10:24–12:37
• Diamond Knocked Out – 13:12
• Police Reveal Storekeeper’s Condition – 14:00
• Visit with Nancy Hyde – 16:16–16:56
• Eddie & Diamond Search for Nancy – 18:21–18:53
• Ransom Call with Sam Parish – 20:53–21:08
• Warehouse Rescue – 21:35–23:47
• Parish Confrontation/Shootout – 24:01–24:43
• Resolution & Farm Sentence – 25:24–25:59
• Song and Romantic Farewell – 26:43–27:45

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Memorable Moments

• Diamond’s sardonic commentary—especially his jabs at police colleagues and his playful banter with Helen and Nancy, which lightens the heavy subject matter.
• Eddie’s redemption arc—risking his life to save Nancy and Diamond, then sincerely vowing to go straight in front of his sweetheart.
• Diamond’s musical send-off, blending noir detective spirit with a touch of golden age radio warmth.

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Tone and Style

The episode mixes hard-boiled detective grit with compassion, humor, and redemptive hope. There’s a clear moral throughline about how hard choices and strong role models can help break cycles of crime, all delivered in Richard Diamond’s witty, world-weary voice.

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This summary provides a comprehensive look at The Eddie Garrett Case episode for new listeners, capturing both the plot and spirit of a classic radio detective drama.

Transcript

[Richard Diamond]

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] Here is another in.

[Announcer]

NBC's great parade of new shows.

[Richard Diamond]

Now.

[Announcer]

Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective.

[Richard Diamond]

Hello there. This is Diamond. You know, I saw something the other day that's as typical of New York as the Empire State Building. I was walking down Second Avenue when I spotted some kids around the fire hydrant. They had turned it on and the whole gang was splashing around, keeping cool. They'd done something else, too. They'd found a barrel. And I suddenly remembered when I used to play in the gutter with the same kind of barrel. It's open at both ends, and when it's held over the gushing hydrant, it acts like a big hose. And a lot of passing New Yorkers can end up pretty wet. I stopped and watched, and just like always, one of New York's finest showed up and the kids scattered. He turned off the water and the fun was over. But not for long. Somebody was sure to give the kids a monkey ranch. And ten minutes after the cop had disappeared, the street would be flooded again. Yeah, a kid can have a lot of fun, even in a big city. But it's unfortunate that every once in a while there's a boy who forgets to have fun and heads for trouble. Like a case I got mixed up in not long ago. It all started in a candy store under the L on 9th Avenue.

[Pop Thompson]

And it's closing up, boys.

[Eddie Garrett]

We want to talk to you, Pop.

[Pop Thompson]

I told you I was closing up. Come back tomorrow and we can talk then.

[Jim]

Eddie said he wanted to talk to you, Pop. You better listen.

[Pop Thompson]

Yeah, what is this? You kids get out of my store. You want to buy something, you come back tomorrow.

[Eddie Garrett]

You ain't been making enough on your numbers sales. We come to see why not.

[Pop Thompson]

Oh, so that's it. First they threaten to beat me up unless I sell the numbers. Then they get sore because I ain't selling enough and send young hoodlums to see that they do. Well, you go tell your boss that I'm through selling numbers to poor people who think they can get rich quick. You tell your boss if he don't like it, I'm going to the police. Tell your boss that.

[Eddie Garrett]

Sure, we'll tell him. He wants us to tell you something.

[Pop Thompson]

I don't want to hear nothing from you bunch of no goods. Now you get out of here.

[Eddie Garrett]

Oh, no, that ain't nice. There's a chimp.

[Jim]

No, that ain't nice at all.

[Pop Thompson]

I told you to get out. If you don't, I'll call a cop.

[Jim]

You ain't calling anybody.

[Richard Diamond]

Pop, what are you doing?

[Pop Thompson]

Now you get away. Head free.

[Eddie Garrett]

No, please.

[Pop Thompson]

Help.

[Eddie Garrett]

Shut up. Okay, Jim, make him shut up, please.

[Pop Thompson]

I'm an old man.

[Jim]

Yeah, yeah, sure you are, Pop. But old guys like you need exercise. Think he's had enough? Yeah.

[Eddie Garrett]

Grab some item of cigarettes and cigars off the counter.

[Jim]

Yeah, sure. Hey, we better get out of here. Maybe somebody heard him yelling.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay. Grab your box of candy too. I got a date with Nancy tonight. I'll grab a couple.

[Jim]

I got a date too.

[Eddie Garrett]

Let's go. Down this alley.

[Jim]

Yeah.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay, okay. Slow it down. Let's get over to 27th Street. Come on. Mr. Parish wants to see us, right.

[Jim]

Hey, Ed.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah?

[Jim]

You got to see your brother today.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah.

[Jim]

How's he doing?

[Eddie Garrett]

He's doing all right.

[Jim]

Ain't he scared or nothing? What's the matter, Eddie? Hey, what did I say? What did I say, huh?

[Eddie Garrett]

I told you once not to say nothing about my brother.

[Jim]

I was just asking. I didn't say nothing.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, you asked if he was scared, didn't you?

[Jim]

Okay, okay.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, he ain't scared. He's a big shot. He wasn't scared of the guy knocked off by the cops or nothing else.

[Jim]

See?

[Eddie Garrett]

Not even a hot seat. Hey, that's the cop has spotted us.

[Nancy Hyde]

Come on.

[Richard Diamond]

Diamond Detective Agency. We filtered the chalk on the way to your throat.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh, for Pete's sake, Diamond, aren't you ever serious?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, Lieutenant Levinson. What's the matter with you? Did someone swipe one of your ultras?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now stop that. I wouldn't call you unless it was something important.

[Richard Diamond]

I know you're losing Sergeant Otis to Barnum and Bailey.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You stop that.

[Eddie Garrett]

Ringling Brothers?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Don't be ridiculous.

[Richard Diamond]

I'm not. What are. The sideshow could boast a pointed head with a gray suede face.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Diamond, I have an important message for you. So for the sake of my sour stomach, act like a normal human being for five minutes.

[Richard Diamond]

It's sure to be a strain, but go ahead.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Bill Garrett wants to see you.

[Richard Diamond]

Bill Garrett?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yes. Goes to the electric chair tonight at 8 o'.

[Richard Diamond]

Clock.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

And he wants to see you.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, he can't sit in my lap.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Look, I don't like the type any more than you do. He's going to die.

[Richard Diamond]

So why the cracks? The guy he shot had a wife and two kids. Maybe you want me to make cracks about them.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

All right, all right. But will you see him? It's his last request.

[Richard Diamond]

All right, sure.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

I'll call the warden, tell him you'll be up.

[Richard Diamond]

Now, you be sure and put in the call. If Otis does it, the warden will get so confused, they'll turn Garrett loose and toast me. Well, in my business, you get a lot of scurry ones, but you never know where they'll lead. So if you've got that nervous, got to get in trouble feeling, you follow it up. I put in a call to my lovely redhead, Helen Asher, and told her I'd be a little late, but keep the bottle spinning anyway. Then I took off for Sing Sing. Hello, Garrett.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hello, Simon. I'm glad you got here.

[Richard Diamond]

Wouldn't miss it.

[Eddie Garrett]

Neither would I, unless I could help it.

[Richard Diamond]

Look, Garrett, I'm busy and you're on a tight schedule. Now, what's on your mind?

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, it's like this, Rick.

[Richard Diamond]

The name's Diamond.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay. I know you hate guys like me, but I ain't ashamed of what I've done. That's the way I live. That's the way I'm gonna go out.

[Richard Diamond]

If you want someone to listen to you feel sorry for yourself, you'll be long? In a few minutes. Before eight.

[Eddie Garrett]

Maybe I better forget it. You ain't got no use for nothing.

[Richard Diamond]

I got use for everything. That doesn't include guys like you. There's no middle with me, Gary, if it's gotta be right or wrong.

[Eddie Garrett]

And right keeps you out of trouble, huh?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, not always, but it helps people to live together. Okay.

[Eddie Garrett]

I guess. You know I got a kid brother.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah?

[Eddie Garrett]

He's going on 17. And it looks like the family's gonna have another guy for you to hate.

[Richard Diamond]

What do you want me to do?

[Eddie Garrett]

He thinks I'm a big shot. I want you to convince him I'm not.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, what's he done?

[Eddie Garrett]

I don't know, but he's just like I was when I was that age. Tough, wise guy. He wants to be just like me.

[Richard Diamond]

Has he been up here to see you?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, but that don't change his mind. Just makes him mad with the world. I ain't getting soft, see? But he's a great little guy. And he's smart. A lot smarter than I was. It's just gonna take someone to show him which foot to get off on him.

[Richard Diamond]

Ah. Okay, okay. What's his first name and where can I find him?

[Eddie Garrett]

His name's Eddie. He's got a club they call the Panthers.

[Richard Diamond]

You know the kind? Yeah, with Me? It was the Brownies.

[Eddie Garrett]

It's over on 26th Street. And he's got a girl he told me about. Her name's Nancy Hyde. She lives with her aunt over 37th Street.

[Richard Diamond]

Okay, I'll see what happens.

[Eddie Garrett]

He's tough.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, lots of guys are tough, Garrett. Sometimes if they get a break, they turn out to be so tough they even get to be all American.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, I'd like that. I'd like to see the kid get.

[Richard Diamond]

To be all American. That might be a little difficult, but you never know. Maybe they've got television down there. The kids around here, boss.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay, tell them to come in.

[Richard Diamond]

Okay, Eddie. Go on in.

[Eddie Garrett]

Thanks, Muscle man. Are you Mr. Parish? Hello, Eddie. We took care of old man Thompson like you said.

[Richard Diamond]

Good, good.

[Eddie Garrett]

You beat him up bad. Bad enough.

[Jim]

Yeah, yeah, we really waked him over. We got.

[Announcer]

Shut up.

[Eddie Garrett]

I'll get a talking. What do you think's running a schmop anyway?

[Jim]

Okay, okay.

[Eddie Garrett]

Get a load of that, Bart. We got a big shot.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, yeah.

[Eddie Garrett]

You run your bunch pretty good, don't you, Eddie? I run the whole club. The Panthers got 23 members now. You hear that, Bart? 23 members. And Eddie's the big boss. I like that. I like you, Eddie. You and me and the 23 Panthers is gonna go a long way. Well, that's something I wanted to talk to you about, Mr. Parish. We're getting awful tired of just beating up guys. We want to start doing something big, like knocking over gas stations or something. So you want to start doing something big, huh? Like knocking over gas stations, huh?

[Richard Diamond]

Yes.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, you got a lot to learn, Eddie. Well, I've been going all right, ain't I?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Now, you're going to do a lot better.

[Eddie Garrett]

How would you and the Panthers like to start making some really big cash?

[Jim]

Hey, we'd like that. Shut up.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, what does the boss say? The boss says. Great. What do we do to cinch, Bart? Go out in front and see that we ain't disturbed.

[Richard Diamond]

Sure thing, Boss.

[Eddie Garrett]

Black carries a gun, don't he, Mr. Parish? Yeah, Eddie, he carries a big one. I'm going to carry one someday. Sure you are. You're going to be a big shot. But you got to learn first. You got to start from the bottom to be a big shot. Now, here's the pitch. You get your gang together and explain. Harry says we swipe cars, so we swipe cars.

[Jim]

I don't know, Ed. Beating up guys is one thing, but swiping cars is pretty dangerous.

[Eddie Garrett]

Look, it's a cinch we go out in the road someplace, and one of us thumbs a ride. When the car stops, we all jump in. Later on, we knock the guy over the skull and take the car.

[Jim]

Stealing cars is a tough rat.

[Eddie Garrett]

If you get caught. But we don't get caught, see? If we catch a stoop out on the road someplace, it'll take him a long time to get to a phone. We drive the car to Mr. Parish's warehouse and collect. 50 bucks, easy. I don't know yet.

[Richard Diamond]

Better?

[Eddie Garrett]

No. You're in a gang, and that means you're in on it whether you like it or not.

[Jim]

Okay? Okay. Yet you're the boss.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay. We pull a face job tonight.

[Jim]

I thought you had a date with Nancy.

[Eddie Garrett]

I got a date. I can break it. She does what I tell her.

[Jim]

Hey, what do you want?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, this is a private club.

[Richard Diamond]

I'm looking for Eddie Garrett.

[Eddie Garrett]

Who wants him?

[Richard Diamond]

Nobody, for a present, but I'm still looking for him.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, beat it. You smell like a cop.

[Richard Diamond]

You got a good nose. That's pretty close.

[Jim]

Hey, just some.

[Eddie Garrett]

Shut up.

[Jim]

We ain't seen any.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, that's right. We ain't seen him.

[Richard Diamond]

Okay, but if you do, tell him I got a message from his brother.

[Eddie Garrett]

From my. From his brother?

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah. Tell him that if you see him.

[Eddie Garrett]

Oh, wait a minute. I met a carrot.

[Richard Diamond]

Good for you. Proud of it.

[Eddie Garrett]

Oh, you're a wise guy, ain't you?

[Richard Diamond]

I'll tell you later. Your brother says he thinks you're in trouble. Are you trouble?

[Eddie Garrett]

It's a hard one. What made him think that?

[Richard Diamond]

He runs around with it. He says you think you're a big shot.

[Eddie Garrett]

Maybe I do.

[Richard Diamond]

Then you're in trouble, sonny.

[Jim]

What are you talking to this guy for, Eddie? He talks crazy. Why don't we throw the bum out?

[Richard Diamond]

How you gonna do it, grow 12ft?

[Jim]

Oh, you're a pretty wise guy, you are. You wouldn't act so wise on the other end of a shiv.

[Eddie Garrett]

Shut at you. Come on, get out of here.

[Jim]

What about this wise guy, Ed? You want to be left alone with him?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jim]

Okay. Okay. But I'd still like to wake this wise guy over. Hey. Hey, what's the idea? You tripped me, Ed. You see that?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

That's.

[Jim]

Wise guy tripped me.

[Richard Diamond]

You're pretty clumsy, sonny. Now beat it. Why?

[Eddie Garrett]

You hate him. Beat it.

[Richard Diamond]

You're lucky you didn't pull that knife, Jim. You look pretty silly with a broken arm.

[Jim]

Yeah, okay. Okay, wise guy. I'll see you.

[Eddie Garrett]

You again. Now, tell me what you want, and then you get out of here.

[Jim]

Too.

[Richard Diamond]

Nice clubhouse you got.

[Eddie Garrett]

It's all right.

[Richard Diamond]

It's 6 o'. Clock.

[Eddie Garrett]

So it's 6 o'.

[Pop Thompson]

Clock.

[Richard Diamond]

Doesn't it bother you? Two more hours and your brother dies.

[Eddie Garrett]

So what?

[Richard Diamond]

So he doesn't want you to end up the same way.

[Eddie Garrett]

Don't you worry about me, mister.

[Richard Diamond]

Your brother's worried about you. He wants me to help you. How about it?

[Eddie Garrett]

I don't need no help. You're a copper. Guys like you that sent my brother to the chair.

[Richard Diamond]

I'm not a cop, Eddie. But I used to be.

[Eddie Garrett]

You ain't a cop?

[Richard Diamond]

No. But if I was just a plumber and I had the chance to put your brother away for a killing, I'd do it.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, I thought so. You look like the type. You're still a copper. And you're no good. Now go on, get out of here. I don't need no help from a lousy copper. I don't need no help from anybody.

[Richard Diamond]

Hey, Eddie. Oh, didn't know you was entertaining.

[Eddie Garrett]

This guy's just going. Come on in, boy.

[Richard Diamond]

Let's go, Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

What do you mean, let's go?

[Richard Diamond]

I want to talk to you. We'll go up to my place.

[Eddie Garrett]

I ain't going nowhere with a lousy copper.

[Richard Diamond]

Copper?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, yeah, he's been in here preaching to me.

[Richard Diamond]

Better leave, flat foot. Come on, Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

No, I ain't going nowhere.

[Richard Diamond]

You heard what the kids said. Now, look. Yeah, well, well, well. Guns and everything. Like it goes bang, bang.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, hey, wait a minute, boss. I don't want no killing.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, don't worry, Eddie. I'm just gonna put the flat foot to sleep. No.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, you slugged him with a gun.

[Richard Diamond]

Mr. Parish wants to see you about tonight. Huh?

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay. He ain't that, is he?

[Richard Diamond]

No, no, I just tapped him a little one. Come on, Tap me a little one. That was the biggest understatement of the year. He tapped me so little, my health. My head felt like it was in sections. I lay there for a while trying to find the piece that did my thinking. And when I started coming out of was like trying to open a beach umbrella in a 90 mile wind. I didn't know how long I'd been lying there, but when I finally opened my eyes, I. I saw something that made the beating a welcome relief.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, look, Lieutenant, he's with us again.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, no. Shut up, Otis.

[Eddie Garrett]

Rick. Rick. How do you feel?

[Richard Diamond]

I wish I was dead. Oh, now, it can't be that bad. No. Well, you lie down here and look up at Otis. Makes you want to Slash your wrist.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, he's riding me again.

[Richard Diamond]

You're all right. Here, try to. Try to sit up without my head. Oh, now, who beaned you? A guy named Bart Lippett. He didn't know me, but I recognized him. Small time muscle man. Works for Sam Patty. A lovely group. How the devil did you find me? We certainly weren't looking for you. We came down to pick up Bill Garrett's kid brother. Pick him up? What for? Your job's homicide. Yeah, he and another kid beat up an old storekeeper last night. Guy's in pretty serious conditions. Oh, no. How serious, Walt? Well, the doctors say critical. But he does stand a chance. Hey, now, wait a minute.

[Jim]

Where are you going?

[Richard Diamond]

What time is it?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Seven o'.

[Richard Diamond]

Clock.

[Eddie Garrett]

Why?

[Richard Diamond]

I got an hour to keep a promise. I hope that storekeeper doesn't die. If he does Sing Sing, he'll be building their electric chairs in tandem.

[Announcer]

In just a moment, we will return to Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring Dick Powell. But first, traffic accidents claim a victim on the average of more than one a minute, all day, every day in the year. The difficulty is that people continue to think of the horror of accidents as always happening to someone else. It never occurs to us that we may be killed. Dashing out to lunch tomorrow, the National Safety Council reports that in almost every motor vehicle accident there is one or more violations of the law. Speed, drink and carelessness being the worst offenders. Every motorist and pedestrian is urged to support actively the safety movement in his own community. Be careful. The life you save may be your own. And now back to Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, Private detective.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, the law was after Eddie Garrett, and I'd promised his brother that I'd keep him out of trouble. If the storekeeper died, Eddie was sure to get life. But if he lived and I could make him give himself up, I'd stand a good chance of helping him. I remember that Garrett had said Eddie had a girl, so I took off to 37th street in a hurry.

[Nancy Hyde]

Yes?

[Richard Diamond]

Are. Are you Nancy Hyde? Why? Well, I. I'm looking for Eddie.

[Nancy Hyde]

Oh. Well, I haven't seen him.

[Richard Diamond]

You're a little nervous.

[Nancy Hyde]

No, I'm just a little worried about Eddie. Who are you?

[Richard Diamond]

I know his brother. He wanted me to find Eddie.

[Nancy Hyde]

Oh, his brother. Well, I don't know where Eddie is. And you stay away from him.

[Richard Diamond]

You don't approve of Eddie's brother?

[Nancy Hyde]

No, and I'm not afraid to say it. Eddie's a good boy, but he worships his big brother and he thinks he's tough. So you can just go tell his brother that Eddie's not going to turn out like him. Not if I can help it.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, he's not if I can help it either. I am a private detective, Nancy. My name's Diamond.

[Nancy Hyde]

You said that Eddie's brother wants you to find Eddie.

[Richard Diamond]

He does. But he wants to keep Eddie out of trouble as much as you do.

[Nancy Hyde]

Oh, well, honestly, Mr. Diamond, I don't know where Eddie is. He called me a little while ago and said that he might be able to come over later.

[Richard Diamond]

And he didn't say where he was?

[Nancy Hyde]

No.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, if he does come, try to keep him here and I'll get in touch with you later on.

[Nancy Hyde]

All right, Mr. Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

I went down the hall and back down the steps in a hurry. When I reached the street, I stopped and waited for a cab to come along. I took out a cigarette, was just about to light it when I spotted a shadow ducking in behind the doorways, making its way up the street toward me. I slipped back in the building and waited.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, what is this? Take it easy, Eddie.

[Jim]

Oh, the copper let me go.

[Richard Diamond]

That storekeeper you beat up may die. I'm taking you down to the station.

[Eddie Garrett]

What?

[Richard Diamond]

That's right. He's in a bad way. Now, come on, let's go.

[Eddie Garrett]

I might have known it. You said you wanted to help me. That's a laugh.

[Richard Diamond]

This is the only way I can help you. Oh, sure, but if the law picks you up, you won't. Won't stand a chance. May even get shot.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, I'll take my chances.

[Richard Diamond]

Not tonight, you won't.

[Eddie Garrett]

Let me go. Let go of my arm.

[Richard Diamond]

Now, look, I don't want to hurt you, so stop kicking.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, this is swell, this is. Everybody wants to help me. My brother's going to chair. And if that old guy dies, I'm going to prison. Please let me go. I just as soon get shot. I ain't got nothing to live for.

[Richard Diamond]

I'll take it easy, kid. The old boy might not die. Then we can work something out. What was that?

[Eddie Garrett]

That's Nancy. That's Nancy. Let me go. Come on.

[Richard Diamond]

I turned him loose and we both went up the stairs three at a time. We reached the door and I got that lousy feeling the screams had stopped. And from the way she was yelling, it would take a lot to shut her up. Like dying.

[Eddie Garrett]

It's locked. Nancy. Nancy. She don't answer.

[Richard Diamond]

Look out.

[Eddie Garrett]

She ain't here.

[Richard Diamond]

Look in the other room.

[Eddie Garrett]

Nancy.

[Richard Diamond]

She ain't here either.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, what's the gun for?

[Richard Diamond]

Get rid of the window, quick.

[Eddie Garrett]

What's the matter?

[Richard Diamond]

That car driving off down there. You know it.

[Eddie Garrett]

Oh, why?

[Richard Diamond]

Because I saw your girl being pushed in it. I couldn't take a shot because it might have hit her.

[Eddie Garrett]

He took it down the fire escape.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah. Eddie. Eddie, who would want to kidnap Nancy?

[Eddie Garrett]

I don't know.

[Richard Diamond]

I don't know. You're working for Sam Parrish, aren't you?

[Eddie Garrett]

How did you know that?

[Richard Diamond]

I recognized his muscle man just before he put me to sleep.

[Eddie Garrett]

I ain't saying nothing now.

[Richard Diamond]

Look, you stupid little idiot. Aren't you worried about your girl?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, sure I'm worried about her. What's that got to do with Mr. Parrish?

[Richard Diamond]

Nothing. Maybe. But if he heard that the law was looking for you, he might be afraid you'd talk. What were you and your gang doing for Parrish?

[Eddie Garrett]

I can't tell you.

[Richard Diamond]

Okay. Okay. Then you're on your own. If the girl gets killed, they'll let you cry about it for the rest of your life. And Sing Sing. I'm through trying to help you, Eddie. You're too far gone.

[Eddie Garrett]

You're no good. Wait a minute, Mr. Diamond, please. I'll tell you. I don't want Nancy hurt. Please, I. I don't know what to do.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, first try to take it easy, and then tell me what you were doing for Sam Parrish.

[Eddie Garrett]

We used to beat up guys that wouldn't sell enough numbers. Mr. Parrish controls a lot of the numbers racket. We were supposed to start swiping cars. He was gonna pay us 50 bucks a car.

[Richard Diamond]

Now call him.

[Eddie Garrett]

Call him.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, here's the phone. But for Pete's sake, don't let on that you know anything's up.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay?

[Richard Diamond]

I want you to tell him that you've decided to give yourself up.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay? If he's got Nancy, I'll kill him.

[Richard Diamond]

You just be sure and tell him that you're gonna give yourself up. He'll tip you whether he's got Nancy or not.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Yeah?

[Eddie Garrett]

Mr. Parish?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Eddie, is that you?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Oh, good.

[Eddie Garrett]

Good.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Me and Bart have been looking all over town for you. The cops are after you.

[Eddie Garrett]

I know. I'm gonna give myself up.

[Richard Diamond]

You what?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, it's better this way. They might go easier on me if I do.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Look, kid, you gotta stop talking like that. You're gonna be a big shot. You can't go turning yourself into the law.

[Eddie Garrett]

No, I'm gonna do it.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You come down here and talk to me first. Where are you?

[Eddie Garrett]

It's no good, Mr. Parish. I'm leaving for the station right now.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah?

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You ain't going nowhere unless you want to see your girlfriend scooped out of the East River.

[Eddie Garrett]

You have got her? Sure, I got her.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You get on down here. I just left her. And she don't look so happy. She's with Bart. And you know Bart.

[Eddie Garrett]

You turn. He knows good baseball.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

You get out of my office in 20 minutes or I'll call Bart and the little girl dies. Now get down here.

[Richard Diamond]

Hello?

[Eddie Garrett]

Hello? He's got it, Mr. Diamond. I gotta get down there or he'll kill her.

[Richard Diamond]

Where's his office?

[Eddie Garrett]

You don't have Nancy there. He told me she was with Bart. I gotta go.

[Richard Diamond]

You do and he'll kill you. Then he'll do the same with the girl. You can't take the chance.

[Eddie Garrett]

What are we gonna do? I only got 20 minutes.

[Richard Diamond]

Does Parish have another office or a hideout?

[Eddie Garrett]

No, no. Wait a minute. Yes, he does. Sure. The warehouse. He told me about it this afternoon. We were supposed to take our stolen cars there.

[Richard Diamond]

Okay. I'll call Lt. Levinson and tell them to meet us there.

[Eddie Garrett]

You think that's where they got Nancy?

[Richard Diamond]

I hope so. 20 minutes isn't much time. I put in a call to Walt and briefed him in a hurry. Then Eddie and I took off at the warehouse. It was at the foot of 14th Street. And by the time we got there, we had only 10 minutes left. The building was as dark as a foggy grave and locked tight. We found a window in the basement and finally Jimmy'd our way in. You all right, Eddie?

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, but I can't see nothing. Come on.

[Richard Diamond]

That looks like some stairs.

[Eddie Garrett]

Maybe we guessed wrong. What was that?

[Richard Diamond]

I don't know, but there was a jockey on it. Come on. Hey, look.

[Eddie Garrett]

There's a light.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, A little office in the back. Now, you stay here. There might be some shooting.

[Eddie Garrett]

Bart's in there with Nancy. I went in on it.

[Richard Diamond]

This is no time to argue. Now, back over against the wall.

[Eddie Garrett]

Gosh, I bump into some boxes. Oh, shut up.

[Richard Diamond]

Look, it's Bart.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hold still.

[Pop Thompson]

Who's that?

[Eddie Garrett]

What are we gonna do? He's got a gun.

[Richard Diamond]

Answer him. Answer him.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah.

[Richard Diamond]

Quick.

[Pop Thompson]

Come on.

[Richard Diamond]

Come on.

[Pop Thompson]

Who's out there?

[Eddie Garrett]

It's me, Bart.

[Richard Diamond]

Eddie, what are you doing here? We've been looking all over for you.

[Eddie Garrett]

I'm on the lam. The cops are after me. So I remembered this place.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, ain't that nice? The boss been worrying about you. Come on back, Eddie. Got a friend of yours here. Go on. I'm going to circle him. Sure.

[Eddie Garrett]

Sure, Bart, I'm coming.

[Richard Diamond]

Come on over here where I can see you. Yeah, that's it. Okay, kid. Now hold it right there.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, what's the idea?

[Richard Diamond]

Well, the boss is afraid you'll do some talking if the cops pick you up. So I got orders to knock you off. Sorry, kid. You know how it is. Drop it, Bart.

[Eddie Garrett]

Hey, he said drop it.

[Pop Thompson]

Oh, you learned duck, Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

You got him.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah, thanks for the assist. Let's see if the girl's in the office.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, I got a gag in a mouth.

[Richard Diamond]

Nancy.

[Eddie Garrett]

She's okay.

[Richard Diamond]

Yeah.

[Eddie Garrett]

Oh, Nancy, honey.

[Richard Diamond]

Here, I'll get those ropes off you.

[Eddie Garrett]

Man, I'm in some pretty bad trouble. But I swear, if I get out of it, I'll go straight.

[Nancy Hyde]

You'll be all right, Eddie. I know you will.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Ain't that coming, Hosing?

[Eddie Garrett]

Look out, Eddie. Hold it right where you are.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, things are really getting crowded.

[Eddie Garrett]

That's Parish, Mr. Diamond. I guessed you shoot pretty good, Diamond. I saw you get bought. I guess I'm going to have to pay you back for that.

[Richard Diamond]

The law is on its way, so.

[Eddie Garrett]

They find a more daddy. Don't shoot Nancy. Please shoot me, but don't shoot Nancy.

[Richard Diamond]

Here they come. Parish.

[Eddie Garrett]

You seem pretty anxious, mister, so I'll let you have it first. No, you can't.

[Lieutenant Levinson]

Look out, Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

Eddie, you slob.

[Richard Diamond]

Parish.

[Eddie Garrett]

Eddie.

[Richard Diamond]

Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

He's hurt, Mr. Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

Both, Parish, but his is permanent. Eddie. Eddie, where you hid?

[Eddie Garrett]

I think in the stomach.

[Richard Diamond]

We'll get you to a hospital quick. You saved my scalp when you jumped in front of me. Thanks.

[Eddie Garrett]

I hope I. Parish.

[Richard Diamond]

I paid him in full.

[Eddie Garrett]

What time is it?

[Richard Diamond]

8:35, Eddie.

[Eddie Garrett]

Funny, I don't feel so bad about my brother now that it's over. Probably be sore about me helping a cop. You know, I don't mind. Especially when it's a nice guy like you.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, Walt busted in. They got Eddie to the hospital. Otis crippled over a pipe and broke his big toe. So they had to throw him in the wagon along with Eddie and his girl. Eddie recovered all right. So did the storekeeper. He helped beat up the kids. All got two years sentence suspended because my lovely redhead, Helen Asher, convinced the judge that the boys would become much better citizens if they worked out their two years on her farm upstate milking the cows. Before Eddie left for the farm, Helen had him over to the house and he brought his girlfriend.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, we got to be going, Mr. Diamond. I gotta catch a train. Thanks for the swell dinner, Miss Ash.

[Nancy Hyde]

It was my pleasure, Eddie. It was wonderful. Oh, Mr. Diamond.

[Richard Diamond]

Yes, Nancy?

[Nancy Hyde]

Ms. Asher was telling me that you sing.

[Richard Diamond]

Oh, Ms. Asher is sometimes afflicted with an extreme case of blabitis.

[Eddie Garrett]

Well, hey, I'd like to hear you sing something before I take off. Would you, Mr. Diamond?

[Nancy Hyde]

Certainly he would.

[Richard Diamond]

Do you want it after I tear out your pretty tongue, the lungs or before you dear, sweet little girl.

[Nancy Hyde]

You mustn't talk that way in front of Gay. Yes, Rick. I think we're married. He's not as tough as he sounds. Come on, Mr. Diamond, give.

[Eddie Garrett]

Yeah, I'll give you a hit in the head.

[Richard Diamond]

Helen. After Eddie hears me, he may realize that crime does pay. It's on your pretty head.

[Nancy Hyde]

Just sing. Stop making like a prima donna.

[Richard Diamond]

What do you want to hear?

[Eddie Garrett]

Oh, something romantic.

[Richard Diamond]

Bless your little pointed head. You kids go sit on the sofa.

[Eddie Garrett]

Okay? Come on.

[Richard Diamond]

Where are you now that I need you now that I want you so badly I surprise you where are you? Where did fate leave you? Funny how I dreamed you'd still be standing by anyone I had you at my second call I called you anytime at all I guess I took you too much for granted I never thought I'd lie awake and sigh where are you now that I need you? Now that I love you so madly I could die how was that, kids?

[Nancy Hyde]

Rick, look.

[Richard Diamond]

Well, how do you like that? They're stealing our stuff. Come on, Eddie, break it out now. You got to catch a train. Eddie. Nancy. Oh, my goodness.

[Announcer]

You have just heard Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring Dick Powell. Helen was played by Virginia Gregg, Lieutenant Levinson by Ed Begley. Also in our cast were Wilms, Herbert Sheldon Leonard, William Tracy, Mary Ship, Sydney Miller and Bill Conrad. Music was under the direction of Frank Worth. Richard diamond is written by Blake Edwards and directed by Richard Sanville. And now, Dick Powell.

[Richard Diamond]

Friends, I want to remind you of the wonderful group of programs NBC has on tap for tomorrow afternoon and evening. Shows like Hollywood Calling, Guy Lombardo, Four Star Playhouse, the Ethel Merman show and the NBC Symphony. For the best in radio listening tomorrow and always keep your dial turned to your favorite NBC station.

[Announcer]

Dick Powell soon will be seen in the screen version of the best selling novel, Mrs. Mike. Now, this is Eddie King inviting you to be with us again at the same time next week when we will again bring you Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, Private Detective. This program has come to you from Hollywood. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.