Podcast Summary: Richard Diamond, Private Detective – "The Martin Hyer Case" (07/23/1949)
Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The Martin Hyer Case
Release Date: December 15, 2025
Original Airing: July 23, 1949
Overview
This episode of Richard Diamond, Private Detective presents a tangled web of murder, blackmail, and betrayal. Detective Richard Diamond is hired by a captivating woman, June Hires, to follow her husband whom she suspects of infidelity. What begins as a simple tailing job quickly evolves into a murder investigation, where nothing is as it seems and everyone has ulterior motives. The episode is laced with Diamond’s trademark wisecracks and banter, offering a blend of suspense, noir atmosphere, and sharp humor—a classic example from the golden age of radio detective fiction.
Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown
1. The Setup and the Double Cross (00:48 – 03:16)
- Diamond’s Opening Remarks: Diamond’s comedic retelling of a failed baseball game between police and private detectives sets a playful tone.
- Quote (00:54): “I wound up stiffer than a pair of starched overalls because the private detectives are quick to take advantage...”
- June & Leon’s Plot: June Hires and her lover, Leon Fisk, scheme in a nightclub to murder their respective spouses and frame June’s husband, Martin.
- They arrange for a letter to incriminate Martin and plan to use a private detective as a witness at the crime scene.
2. Diamond Is Hired (03:43 – 06:38)
- June Meets Diamond: June, playing the worried wife, hires Diamond to follow her husband.
- Playful banter between Diamond and June, with flirtatious exchanges about her nylons.
- Quote (03:57, Diamond): “Oh, you’d look good if they were sweatsock.”
- Quote (05:18, Diamond): “I’m frisky, but I passed the foolish mark when I was three and a half.”
- Playful banter between Diamond and June, with flirtatious exchanges about her nylons.
- Helen’s Jealousy: Diamond’s girlfriend, Helen, suspects him of flirting with his client, leading to a humorous interlude.
- Quote (06:12, Helen): “With 52 gauge nylons. But you do count the threads. Oh, you wolf.”
3. Tailing Martin Hires (07:26 – 11:22)
- The Stakeout: Diamond and June surveil Martin’s movements from a parked car.
- Witty repartee about competition, trouble, and college days.
- To Sally’s Apartment: They follow Martin to an apartment building belonging to Sally Maxwell, Martin's supposed paramour.
- Diamond’s detective skills shine as he deduces which apartment Martin is headed to.
- Quote (10:08, Diamond): “Elementary, my dear girl. Process of elimination... Only one single girl on the fourth floor. Sally Maxwell.”
- Diamond’s detective skills shine as he deduces which apartment Martin is headed to.
4. Discovery and Arrest (11:22 – 18:12)
- The Crime Scene: Inside Sally’s apartment, Diamond and June find Sally dead and Martin holding a gun.
- Martin proclaims his innocence but is caught red-handed.
- Police, led by Lieutenant Levinson, arrive dramatically, bantering with Diamond and questioning Martin.
- Quote (12:25, Diamond): “Hello, Walt.”
- Letter as Evidence: A torn letter is found—a key piece of evidence intended to frame Martin.
- Diamond questions why the salutation is missing from the letter, nudging at a deeper plot.
5. Diamond’s Doubts and Reconstructing the Crime (14:24 – 18:12)
- Diamond’s Hunch: Diamond doesn’t think Martin could have killed Sally, especially since he didn’t hear a gunshot when entering the building.
- He orchestrates a test, asking the police to fire a shot to see if it can be heard (highlighting the importance of the crime’s timing).
- Quote (14:44, Diamond): “You want to solve a murder, don’t you?”
- He orchestrates a test, asking the police to fire a shot to see if it can be heard (highlighting the importance of the crime’s timing).
- The Letter’s Authenticity: Diamond questions the forgery of the letter and who could have actually sent it, causing confusion for the police.
- Classic noir logic loop with Lieutenant Levinson:
- Quote (17:42, Diamond): “If someone else did, the murdered girl couldn’t have. So anyone could have sent it... Isn't that right?”
- Classic noir logic loop with Lieutenant Levinson:
6. Confronting Leon Fisk (19:14 – 24:23)
- The Showdown at the Cellar Club: Diamond visits Leon Fisk’s club, laying out his suspicions and bluffing with reconstructed letter evidence.
- He accuses Fisk of plotting with June to kill his wife and frame Martin.
- Quote (21:42, Diamond): “Your wife is killed tonight.”
- Quote (22:13, Diamond): “You didn’t count on her starting a second one, so you went up to her apartment and killed her with Martin’s own gun.”
- He accuses Fisk of plotting with June to kill his wife and frame Martin.
- June’s Involvement Revealed: Fisk brings June out, exposing her complicity. The two plan to kill Diamond to cover their tracks, but June hesitates.
- Tension and threats escalate until June panics and tries to flee.
7. Resolution and Aftermath (24:23 – End)
- Diamond’s Daring Escape: In the chaos, Leon attacks Diamond and flees. Diamond manages to shoot at Leon as he drives off.
- Epilogue at Helen’s: Diamond, wounded again, goes to Helen’s for first aid and some needed comfort.
- Light romantic banter and an impromptu serenade with “Sleepy Time Gal” round out the tale.
- Quote (27:25, Diamond, singing): “Sleepy time gal, you’re turning night into day...”
- Light romantic banter and an impromptu serenade with “Sleepy Time Gal” round out the tale.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Flirtations and Trouble:
- Diamond (06:38): “Well, there you are. You sit around and wait for a meal ticket to come in, and just because it happens to be fitted with curves, your best girl digs up the green-eyed monster.”
- Diamond’s Methods:
- Diamond (10:08): “Elementary, my dear girl. Process of elimination. We're lucky this time. Only one single girl on the fourth floor. Sally Maxwell. Come on, it's 406.”
- Police Comedy:
- Lieutenant Levinson (12:33): “Otis, didn’t you see if it was unlocked?”
- Otis: “I forgot, Lieutenant. You mallet head.”
- Noir Logic:
- Diamond (17:41): “Well, if he didn’t send it to himself, then someone else did. And if someone else did, the murdered girl couldn’t have. So anyone could have sent it. Isn’t that right?”
- Final Confrontation:
- Leon Fisk (24:13): “You and Diamond go swimming together.”
- Diamond (24:16): “Leon, give me that gun.”
- Romantic Wind-down:
- Helen (26:18): “Oh, I like your poor little messed-up face.”
- Diamond (27:26, singing): “Don’t be mad now, baby. Sleepy time gal...”
Key Timestamps
- 00:48: Beginning of Diamond’s narration
- 02:32: June & Leon conspire to kill their spouses
- 03:43: June hires Diamond
- 07:26: Diamond & June tail Martin
- 10:34: Arrival at Sally Maxwell’s apartment
- 11:22: Discovery of the murder & police arrival
- 14:24: Diamond disputes Martin’s guilt
- 17:41: Noir logic loop with evidence
- 19:14: Diamond confronts June; drives to see Fisk
- 20:20: Enters the Cellar Club; confronts Fisk
- 21:49: Fisk confronted with reconstructed letter
- 23:29: June’s involvement revealed
- 24:23: Aftermath and resolution
- 25:38: Diamond’s arrival at Helen’s for first aid
- 27:26: Musical coda with “Sleepy Time Gal”
Tone & Style
The episode typifies classic radio noir: snappy dialogue, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a strong undercurrent of danger. Dick Powell’s Diamond is charmingly cynical, quick-witted, and flirts with both trouble and the women around him. The show moves briskly, blending hard-boiled detective tropes with light-hearted asides and romantic moments.
Conclusion
The Martin Hyer Case delivers a satisfying mix of intrigue and entertainment, encapsulating the sly humor and sharp plotting that made Richard Diamond, Private Detective a staple of radio’s golden age. Fans of old-time radio and noir mysteries will find plenty to love in the episode’s tangled web of deception, culminating in a classic Diamond serenade and a wink to both danger and romance.