Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Harry Baker Case (09/03/1949)
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

Overview of the Episode

This vintage detective episode plunges listeners into a web of love affairs, kleptomania, murder, and jewel theft. “The Harry Baker Case” sees private eye Richard Diamond drawn into an apparent suicide on Long Island after witnessing a wealthy woman’s shoplifting at a department store. What begins as a lighthearted excursion turns into a layered investigation involving blackmail, homicide, and a clever frame-up for murder.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. A Satirical Fashion Introduction (00:55 – 02:03)

• Richard Diamond opens with a bit about men’s “bold look” fashion, poking fun at the outlandish styles for comedic effect, before transitioning to “that little murder” he got mixed up in.
• Quote:
  “Imagine walking down Fifth Avenue, decked out in a new bright purple non shrinking suit, pastel shirt, yellow maybe hand painted tie and argyle socks. Got it? What do you think? Pretty bad. About the only thing I can think of that's more gruesome is that little murder I got mixed up in last week.”
  — Richard Diamond (01:28)

2. The Baker Household and a Sinister Plot (02:03 – 03:57)

• Harry Baker and his secretary/lover, Connie Loring, discuss plans to get rid of his wife, with the help of a hired crook, Nat Fox, for $500.
  • Connie is impatient; Harry wavers, but she insists he must go through with it.
  • Connie has already arranged the timing with Nat Fox at the department store.
• Quote:
  “If you're going to start changing your mind just when it looks like we can have all these things, I'm through.”
  — Connie Loring (03:00)

3. Diamond’s Banter with the Police (04:21 – 07:10)

• Lighthearted exchanges and insults between Diamond, Lt. Walt Levinson, and Sergeant Otis, highlighting Diamond’s mischievous, teasing rapport with the police.
• Diamond fakes involvement in a new corpse just to rattle Walt.

4. A Shoplifting Incident at the Department Store (07:34 – 12:04)

• Helen Asher (Diamond’s girlfriend) and Diamond go shopping; Helen spots Mrs. Lillian Baker shoplifting stockings.
• The store clerk is dismissive, but manager Mr. Pennywig explains they are aware: Mrs. Baker is a wealthy kleptomaniac, watched discreetly and her infraction bills are quietly paid by her husband.
• Milieu of light social comedy amid growing intrigue.

5. The Jewel Robbery and Suspect Nat Fox (12:04 – 15:00)

• Immediately after Mrs. Baker’s exit, a jewel theft of $300,000 is discovered.
• Suspicion swings between Mrs. Baker and a professional thief, Nat Fox, who's found in the store. Diamond searches him for jewels, finds only gum wrappers—a known tactic, suggesting an accomplice would retrieve the hidden loot.
• Quote:
  “The thief chews a lot of gum, palms some jewels and sticks them in the gum. Then he sticks the gum under something, and the confederate comes along later and scoops it up. If the thief gets spotted at the scene, he's clean. Just like Fox was when I searched him.”
  — Richard Diamond (13:55)

6. Suicide or Murder? The Baker Estate Visit (16:12 – 19:49)

• News arrives: Mrs. Lillian Baker has died in an apparent suicide by jumping from a balcony.
• Diamond and Lt. Levinson visit the Bakers; Harry Baker appears distraught, claims he found the stolen jewels under his wife’s mattress and confronted her, leading to her breakdown and death.
• Diamond finds the jewels sticky with gum, connecting them to the earlier theft.
• Introduction to Connie Loring, Harry’s secretary—and secret paramour.

7. Unraveling the Conspiracy (20:01 – 25:25)

• Diamond goes to Nat Fox’s apartment and finds him murdered (two bullets to the head), tying the case together: someone with the Bakers wanted to silence Fox.

• Back at the department store, Diamond identifies Connie as having been present after Mrs. Baker, implicating her as the accomplice.

• Diamond confronts Baker and Connie with the store clerk as a witness, catching Connie in lies about her whereabouts.

• Revelation: Connie and Baker are exposed. Connie picked up the gum-hidden jewels, killed Fox for silence, and helped Baker stage his wife’s “suicide.” The physical improbability of Mrs. Baker climbing and jumping due to arthritis, confirmed by Dr. Bischoff, seals the case.

• Quote:
  “She had arthritis, Mr. Baker. And Dr. Bischoff said she could barely walk upstairs, let alone climb over a four foot railing. He also told me that under the conditions, her age and everything, she couldn't have lasted more than a year. You were in too much of a hurry.”
  — Richard Diamond (25:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• (04:23) Otis’ recurring insult:
  “You turn my stomach.”
  — Otis

• (10:16) Diamond on the store clerk:
  “Don't ever put Ms. Phillips in the toy department. She's so nearsighted, she's liable to think the electric train is the 8th Avenue subway and climb on it at 5:00.”
  — Richard Diamond

• (26:07) Humorous ending as the case closes:
  After solving the case, Diamond is subjected to Helen’s gift-giving for Frances—“the bold look” in men’s fashion—which he finds hilarious and ghastly.

• (27:08) Crooning out with show tune lyrics:
  Diamond serenades Helen with “Younger than Springtime,” poking fun at the episode’s earlier fashion riff and the show’s playful tone.

Segment Timestamps

• Fashion Satire & Case Intro: 00:55–02:03
• The Conspiracy Unfolds (Harry & Connie): 02:03–03:57
• Police Station Banter: 04:21–07:10
• Shoplifting Scene: 07:34–12:04
• Jewel Robbery Discovery: 12:04–15:00
• Mrs. Baker's "Suicide": 16:12–19:49
• Diamond Investigates Nat Fox: 20:01–21:01
• Store Clerk ID & Final Confrontation: 22:10–25:52
• Comic Fashion Epilogue: 26:13–28:34

Original Language & Tone

The episode is peppered with Dick Powell’s sardonic, half-serious wisecracks, perfectly blending classic detective grit with dry humor. Dialogue between Diamond and Levinson (and Otis) delivers tongue-in-cheek exchanges that keep the episode light even as the body count rises.

Final Thoughts

This "Richard Diamond" outing is rich in classic noir elements—infidelity, greed, double-crosses—wrapped in arch repartee and even musical frivolity. Diamond’s clever deduction, the playful passing of suspects, and the ultimate exposure of a lovers’ conspiracy make the episode a standout for fans of Golden Age detective drama.

Key Climax:
“She had arthritis, Mr. Baker. … She could barely walk upstairs, let alone climb over a four foot railing.” (25:32)

Closing Zinger:
“Seersucker spats. And they were lovely.” (28:34)

A Golden Age comic crime caper, smartly scripted and wittily delivered.