Podcast Summary: Richard Diamond, Private Detective – "The Jerome J. Jerome Case" (09/17/1949)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode: Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Jerome J. Jerome Case
Air Date: September 17, 1949
Summary Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This classic episode of "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" delivers a sharp, witty mystery full of eccentric characters, snappy exchanges, and a genuine Golden Age of Radio whodunit. Richard Diamond—a wisecracking detective played by Dick Powell—is visited by the peculiar Jerome J. Jerome, who claims he's found a freshly murdered corpse. Diamond, skeptical but intrigued by his visitor's oddity, soon finds himself entangled in a convoluted case involving blackmail, a hidden room, city politics, and a fortune gone missing.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Unusual Client: Jerome J. Jerome

• Jerome’s Introduction (03:01)
  • Jerome presents himself as a millionaire, a G-man, and a songwriter, bewildering Diamond with his bizarre persona and rambling stories.
  • Memorable banter, e.g., Jerome claims he wrote "Swanee River," but Stephen Foster "stole the melody" (03:26).
• The Case Offer (04:09)
  • Jerome insists on being Diamond’s bodyguard, but instead piques Diamond’s interest with a claim about a "freshly murdered corpse."
  • Jerome departs, but not before dropping more odd remarks about "huffing hop toads" and his impending marriage to Miss America (05:30).

2. Diamond’s Doubt and Cop Connections

• Helen Asher's Skepticism (06:59)
  • Helen and Diamond discuss Jerome’s wild claims, with Helen showing concern but Diamond remaining sardonic and dismissive.
• Police Involvement (08:17)
  • Lt. Walt Levinson, Diamond’s police friend, calls about Jerome bothering the precinct with stories of murder.
  • They joke about ill-tempered officers, Diamond’s pranks, and department stress.

“You get down here in 10 minutes or I’ll have a warrant out for you, and I mean that. Now, step on it. By heaven, I’ll forget modern police procedure and drag out the rubber hose.” — Lt. Levinson (10:02)

3. A Body at the Osterham Place

• Jerome’s Phone Call (12:21)
  • Jerome reports he’s sitting on the corpse at the Osterham house, an old mansion now a museum with one sealed room.

“If you don’t want this corpse, I’m calling in Hawthorne of the death squad.” — Jerome (12:37)

• At the Scene (14:03)
  • Diamond and Levinson climb into the Osterham place, finding Jerome calmly sitting by a dead girl.
  • The body, a young woman named Adelaide (anklet found with her name), is identified as having been dead for days (16:19).

4. Investigation & Suspicions

• Adelaide Smith's Background (18:03)
  • Identified as a blackmail artist; worked for Patrick Mahaffy, an attorney.
• Patrick Mahaffy Interview (18:58)
  • Diamond questions Mahaffy, who denies knowledge of any connection to the Osterham estate or recent crimes.
• Lt. Levinson’s Discovery (19:56)
  • Mahaffy was in fact the executor of the Osterham estate, contradicting Mahaffy’s claim.
  • Timing around the mansion’s sealed room becomes significant; the room was sealed just a day after the murder.

5. Showdown with Mahaffy

• Confrontation (21:28)
  • Diamond intercepts Mahaffy as he tries to skip town with a suitcase full of cash, confronting him about his lies.
  • Mahaffy reveals a gun; tense bargaining ensues.
  • Mahaffy's theft comes to light—he siphoned the estate fund, and Adelaide tried to blackmail him.

“I'm offering you $100,000. You must be a fool.” — Patrick Mahaffy (23:08)
“Oh, this is a very elementary deduction. Come on, you can figure it out in Sing Sing.” — Richard Diamond (23:10)

• Resolution (24:52)
  • After a phone conversation with Levinson confirming the details, Mahaffy is outmaneuvered and Jerome helps subdue him, revealing himself as the missing Osterham heir.

“Wasn’t the museum rigged with a burglar alarm?” — Mahaffy
“Simple. A member of the family might still have a key.” — Diamond (24:42)

6. Revelations & Epilogue

• Jerome’s Identity (25:09)
  • Jerome explains his motives: as the missing heir, he tried to solve the case covertly, afraid of suspicion landing on him.
  • He promises Diamond a substantial reward once the estate is settled.

“Correction again. You receive a very substantial check as soon as the estate is settled. And thank you.” — Jerome (25:41) “Thank you.” — Diamond (25:46)

• Final Lighthearted Moments (26:11)
  • Jerome offers to sell hats, alluding to his days aspiring as a designer.
  • Diamond lightens up the mood with a song, and banters with Helen Asher.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jerome’s Absurdity:
  “My name is Jerome. Jerome.” (02:30)
  “You are Mr. Diamond, aren’t you?” (02:36)
  “I’m a millionaire, Mr. Diamond. I’m also a G man. I write songs too.” (03:01)
• Classic Diamond Wit:
  “Well, bless your little pointed head.” (03:03)
  “I went to Vassar. Now slow down before I pick you up and stuff you into a bottle.” (03:43)
• Comic Police Banter:
  “Why don’t you use Sergeant Otis’s tongue? You could beat an elephant to death with it.” — Diamond (10:07)
• Case Revelation:
  “He’d climbed in, but the alarm hadn’t gone off. Simple. A member of the family might still have a key.” — Diamond (24:42)
• The Real Heir & The Reward:
  “You see, I found out the money was missing, so I looked up the girl... She told me for 20,000 she’d show me the thief... So I became Jerome J. Jerome and hired Richard Diamond.” — Jerome (25:12)

Important Timestamps

• 03:01: Jerome J. Jerome’s wild introduction as client
• 10:07: Diamond and Lt. Levinson banter about police procedures
• 12:21: Jerome’s critical call about the corpse at Osterham Place
• 14:03: Diamond and police discover the body in the sealed room
• 18:03: Details about Adelaide Smith – the murder victim
• 19:56: Discovery that Mahaffy was executor of the estate
• 21:28: Diamond confronts Mahaffy as he attempts to flee
• 24:42: Diamond solves how the murderer accessed the sealed room
• 25:09: Jerome reveals his true identity and motives

Tone and Style

The episode’s dialogue is brisk, filled with sardonic wit, tongue-in-cheek repartee, and colorful characterizations. Richard Diamond’s style is irreverent and irrepressible, while even tension-filled moments maintain a playful, sharp-tongued edge. The humor, while vintage, remains sparkling and helps set this apart from hard-boiled noir.

Summary for New Listeners

Even if you haven’t heard the episode, you’ll enjoy this tale of oddball clients, eccentric millionaires, and a jaded detective facing a “locked room” blackmail murder. The case begins with nonsense but quickly evolves into an intricate investigation, culminating in a tense confrontation and a clever twist ending where the “crazy” client turns out to be both the missing heir and Diamond’s surprising benefactor. The episode perfectly captures the golden era of radio mysteries with fast-moving action, clever plotting, and laughter threaded through every twist.