Rocky Fortune: Murder Among the Statues 12/01/1953

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Rocky Fortune – Murder Among the Statues"

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Rocky Fortune: Murder Among the Statues (Original Airdate: 12/01/1953)
Release Date: May 7, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Starring: Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune
Summary Prepared By: Podcast Summarizer AI

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Episode Overview

Set in the bustling world of 1950s New York City, this classic radio detective episode stars Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune—hard-luck hero and snarky gumshoe. Rocky starts his day as a handyman in a strange shop full of plaster statues, but quickly finds himself tangled in a web of art theft, murder, and double-crosses. The episode is a quintessential whodunit, full of sharp wisecracks, tough guys, and plenty of period charm.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Progression

1. Job at the Statue Shop ([01:53]–[05:43])

• Rocky describes his new assignment: night handyman at Oliver Bates’ art shop full of cheap, saucy plaster statues.
  • Rocky Fortune: “It looks like Ivan suited on ladies night in an uninhibited Turkish bath. Most of the plaster statues are dames and most of the dames would be arrested on the spot if they ever set foot on Jones beach at daylight.” [02:19]
• Rocky meets Mr. Bates, the oily shop owner, who insists the statues are valuable reproductions but admits they're just plaster and not worth much.
• The routine is quickly interrupted by the arrival of wealthy art collector, Mr. Sproule, and his alluring secretary, Sharon.

2. The Colorful Customers ([05:43]–[08:30])

• Mr. Sproule storms in with Sharon, demanding Bates' attention about some “business.”
• Rocky exchanges flirty banter with Sharon, learning her boss collects rare ancient vases ("amphorae")—with lids!
• Rocky is then sent out for supper, unwittingly setting the scene for a darker turn.

3. Murder at the Art Shop ([08:30]–[09:57])

• Rocky returns to find Bates murdered, Sharon standing over his body with a smoking gun.
  • Rocky Fortune (to Sharon): “Somebody blew out the back of his head and it took a big gun to do that… Maybe a .45 automatic. Something like the one you’re holding in your hand.” [08:37]
• Sharon swears innocence, claiming she just found Bates dead, but panics when police sirens approach.
• The pair flee out the back, knowing neither of them would get a fair shake from the cops.

4. On the Run, Caught in a Web ([09:57]–[12:06])

• Rocky deduces Bates' shop was a front, pointing to his unusually high insurance policy and shady business with Mr. Sproule.
• Suddenly, Rocky and Sharon are kidnapped by two heavies: Benzinger, the mastermind, and Puddler, the muscle.
  • Puddler: “That say no, finger buster. That’s a six inch knife. You can cut a hair with it lengthwise.” [10:56]
• Rocky is knocked out and both are transported to a mysterious loft, signaled by the strange colored lights Rocky remembers passing out under.

5. Torture, Escape, and a Clue ([12:06]–[17:41])

• Rocky comes to, endure some rough treatment, and is interrogated about “where it is.” Rocky doesn’t know what “it” is.
• Rocky deduces the criminal hideout’s location from the pattern of colored lights—a clue that leads him to a flashy dog food neon sign visible from their prison and enlists help from an old glassblower pal, Charlie.

6. Rescue and the Double Cross ([19:24]–[21:11])

• Rocky stages a rescue for Sharon only to be double-crossed—she’s with the criminals!
  • Sharon (with gun drawn): “One move Fortune, I'll blow a disc out of your spine.” [20:08]
• The gang now has the real target: a battered plaster statue. Rocky, Sharon, Benzinger, and Puddler hit the road to Mr. Sproule’s mansion for the payoff.

7. The Statue’s Secret and Final Showdown ([21:11]–[24:29])

• At Sproule’s estate, the villains present the statue for a $50,000 reward.
• Rocky manages to foil the gang by causing a car crash into Sproule’s living room, subduing the baddies in the chaos.
• The true motive is revealed: the “plaster” statue is a priceless original—Aphrodite, carved by Praxiteles, smuggled into the country disguised as art schlock.
  • Mr. Sproule: “It’s not a plaster statue. It’s what’s underneath. There it is—Aphrodite, the goddess of love… carved by Praxiteles himself... Beautiful, beautiful!” [23:28]
• Rocky points out Sproule’s complicity and tells him, “You’re going to the can, old timey. You’re an accessory before, after, and during a murder.” [23:50]
• The episode ends with Rocky, ever the wise guy, asking Sharon, “Where does Puddler keep his Westchester book? I want to call the co…” [24:10]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Rocky Fortune: “You never really know when you start in just how a job’s gonna turn out. Sometimes the one that look like the tamest turn out to be the loaded.” [01:53]
• Sharon (about Sproule): “That old buzzard is Jonathan J. Sproule. He has $8 million invested in copper.” [06:35]
• Rocky Fortune: “You can call them amphorae, Liz. I call them bottle cap.” [07:42]
• Puddler (on torture): “Should I start with a telephone book?” [13:04]
• Rocky Fortune: “Ever notice some people use the phone book to look up numbers?” [21:45]
• Rocky Fortune (final wisecrack): “Let’s not go Pullman this time. I’d like to sit up all the way.” [20:49]

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Timestamps & Segment Guide

• 01:53 – Rocky describes starting work at Bates’ art shop
• 05:43 – Enter Mr. Sproule and Sharon; exposition about art collections
• 08:30 – Rocky discovers Bates’ murder
• 09:57 – Rocky and Sharon go on the run
• 10:48 – Captured by Benzinger and Puddler
• 12:06 – “Torture” sequence; Rocky gains the key clue
• 17:41 – Rocky seeks help from old friend Charlie
• 19:24 – Sharon double-crosses Rocky; the stolen statue is revealed
• 21:11 – The group arrives at Sproule’s mansion for the handoff
• 22:32 – Rocky forces a car crash to foil the criminals
• 23:28 – Sproule reveals the hidden statue is the Aphrodite
• 23:50 – Rocky reveals Sproule’s guilt & wraps up the case

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Episode Tone & Style

Frank Sinatra’s Rocky Fortune is irreverent, quick-witted, and never misses a chance for a quip—even in the face of danger. The dialogue is crisp, full of quick one-liners, classic hardboiled narration, and plenty of sly 1950s innuendo. Supporting characters, from the bumbling Puddler to the femme fatale Sharon, round out a fast-paced, twist-filled detective adventure.

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Conclusion

“Murder Among the Statues” is a rollicking tale of low-rent art, high-stakes crime, and snappy wisecracks that delivers everything fans love about golden-age radio detectives. With Frank Sinatra’s unbeatable charm as Rocky Fortune, this case is both amusing and suspenseful from start to finish.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

now. Frank Sinatra transcribed as Rocky Fortune. NBC presents Frank Sinatra starring as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

I guess I've had some strange jobs in my time. Once I was a shill for a guess your weight guy in a car. I'd come up there looking like a rube and he'd guess my way to 200 even everybody in the crowd gives him the old ha ha. However, they don't know I got the lead in my pants, about 50 pounds in my two hip pockets. You never really know when you start in just how a job's gonna turn out. Sometimes the one that look like the tamest turn out to be the loaded. Like the time I'm sent by the agency to play parlour maid to a gang of plaster Paris statues. The sign on the front of the window said Oliver Bates OBJ Dart. It looks like Ivan suited on ladies night in an uninhibited Turkish bath. Most of the plaster statues are dames and most of the dames would be arrested on the spot if they ever set foot on Jones beach at daylight. Pretty soon an oily little guy slides out under the door from the back room and oozes up to me.

[Charlie]

Yes, sir.

[Oliver Bates]

Yes, sir, what can I do for you? A reproduction for your library? A nymph? A satyr? Some fawn?

[Rocky Fortune]

Sure, anytime. What do you got in mind?

[Oliver Bates]

I beg your pardon?

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, it's all right. You Oliver Bates?

[Mr. Sproule]

Yes.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, the agency sent me over. They said you needed a handyman.

[Benzinger]

Oh, oh, of course.

[Oliver Bates]

Do you Know anything about dusting statuary?

[Rocky Fortune]

What is there to know about dusting it?

[Oliver Bates]

Well, the statues aren't intrinsically valuable, of course, but still, we must be careful.

[Benzinger]

Aren't they beautiful?

[Rocky Fortune]

What happened to this one? She bite her nails?

[Oliver Bates]

That is the Venus Danilo.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh. Well, when do I start?

[Oliver Bates]

Right away. I'll expect you to keep all the statues dusted, the floor swept and the windows cleaned.

[Rocky Fortune]

Tell me, Mr. Bates, what is all this stuff? Looks like dream night in a DT ward.

[Oliver Bates]

My dear fellow, these are some of the finest statuary reproductions available. For example, this is a gargoyle from Notre Dame.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, I remember this cat. He used to play fullback. Sam Gargoyle.

[Oliver Bates]

And this is the Aztec God Polygo Chilea, Chillio Gasunite. Of course, you know you'll spend the nights here.

[Rocky Fortune]

They told me. But I didn't bargain for this collection of gremlins. Is this stuff to genuine McCoy? Of course not.

[Oliver Bates]

They're plaster reproductions. Take this one, the Haggard Bay. The original stands in the Palazzo del Marco in Florence. Isn't she lovely?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. She reminds me of the old broad that sells the pretzels on 48th Street. She's got cobwebs on her nose. Look out.

[Oliver Bates]

Be careful.

[Rocky Fortune]

Fasten her up a little bit. Take my shuttle. Look out, you fool.

[Sergeant Finger]

It's falling.

[Rocky Fortune]

I got it. I got it. You fool, you idiot. Look what you've done. Her arm comes off, that's all.

[Oliver Bates]

Get away from there. Don't touch it.

[Rocky Fortune]

Maybe I could glue it back on. No, no.

[Puddler]

Go away.

[Oliver Bates]

Get out of here.

[Rocky Fortune]

How much does it cost? You can take it out of my salary. Don't touch it. Look, Mr. Bates. What's it worth? What's it worth?

[Sergeant Finger]

Oh.

[Oliver Bates]

Oh, well, I suppose it really can be mended. I'll just carry it back to the shelf after this.

[Benzinger]

Be careful.

[Rocky Fortune]

Okay. Hey, Gargoyle. How do you think he'll do against Southern Cal? It turns out the Bates is running strictly a schlock house. He imports these plaster dummies from Italy for a couple of hundred lira piece, which in American money ain't worth counting. He sells them over here to art lovers for 25 clams, which is a markup. Would have Macy's tail talking to gimbals. I put in a couple of hours talking football with a gargoyle. When a car squeals to a stop in front of the store. One of those fine jobs about three and a half blocks long with a chauffeur out in the cold, an old geezer in a Scotch Plaid Shaw crawls out of the back and totters in. He's leaning on a silver headed cane and a blonde headed dish with a pair of legs that weren't off a piano.

[Mr. Sproule]

Bates. Bates. Where is he? Bates.

[Sharon]

Don't excite yourself, Mr. Sproule. Remember the doctor?

[Mr. Sproule]

Oh, that doctor's an idiot. Bates, you.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah.

[Mr. Sproule]

Oh, you're not based.

[Rocky Fortune]

I'm Rocky Fortune.

[Mr. Sproule]

Rocky, I don't want you. Bates.

[Sharon]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Oliver Bates]

Rule. I was in the back. I didn't hear you. Get Mr. Sproule's chair.

[Mr. Sproule]

I don't want a chair. I want to talk about Mr. Sproule.

[Oliver Bates]

Perhaps we'd better go inside now.

[Rocky Fortune]

Here.

[Mr. Sproule]

Here. I drove all the way from Westchester to this miserable little shop and I won't be put off.

[Oliver Bates]

Of course, Mr. Sproul. We can talk in my private office. This way.

[Mr. Sproule]

Oh. Oh, yes, yes, of course. Sharon, wait here for me.

[Sharon]

Yes, Mr. Spruel.

[Rocky Fortune]

He's a peppery old buzzard, ain't he?

[Sharon]

Mm. That old buzzard is Jonathan J.

[Mr. Sproule]

Spruce.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, you mean he's the old nut with the copper money, huh?

[Sharon]

He has $8 million invested in copper. Yeah.

[Rocky Fortune]

That's a lot of copper. You work for him?

[Sharon]

I'm his secretary.

[Rocky Fortune]

Must be nice to have $8 million in copper.

[Sharon]

You work for Mr. Bates?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah.

[Sharon]

Must be very interesting work.

[Rocky Fortune]

It's a living.

[Sharon]

Can you tell me about the statues?

[Puddler]

Sure.

[Rocky Fortune]

What do you want to know?

[Sharon]

Well, are they all in the plaster?

[Rocky Fortune]

All except Gargoyle. He's in training.

[Sharon]

Very funny. You really know about them?

[Benzinger]

Sure.

[Rocky Fortune]

Bates couldn't get along without me. Look, when you've tucked the old man in for his afternoon nap, why don't you come on back and I'll tell you all about him?

[Sharon]

I'm sorry. I'll be busy with Mr. Sproule's collection all day.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's he collect? Bottle caps.

[Sharon]

Mr. Sproule is probably the world's foremost private collector of antique artifacts.

[Rocky Fortune]

Is that a fact?

[Sharon]

He has the only complete set of early Greek amphorae with lids.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's amphorae?

[Sharon]

Vases. Delicate ceramic vases.

[Rocky Fortune]

And he's got the lids?

[Sharon]

That's right,

[Rocky Fortune]

sweetie. You can call them amphorae, Liz. I call them bottle cap. About this time, Bates pours himself out of his office and sends me out for supper. I'm not particularly anxious to go because the counterman at the one armed joint around the corner has his shirt button two buttons lower than Sharon. But the effect is not the same. I inhale a bowl of chili and a Piece of rubber meringue pie and head back to the store. There's nobody in front of the store, so I walk through to the back tipping my hat to the haggard bay as I pass. And I open the office door. Good, you're still here. I was afraid you'd. Hey, what's Bates doing on the floor? Mr. Bates. Mr. Bates.

[Sharon]

He's dead.

[Rocky Fortune]

You ain't kidding, lady. Somebody blew out the back of his head and it took a big gun to do that.

[Sharon]

A gun?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, maybe a.45 automatic. Something like the one you're holding in your hand. Maybe you better give it to me right now. You better tell Rocky all about it.

[Sharon]

Well, I. I didn't do it.

[Rocky Fortune]

Look, Sharon, I find you standing over a stiff with a real hot rod.

[Sharon]

You gotta believe me. I found him this way. Mr. Spruel left his shawl. He sent me back for it, and I walked in and. I.

[Rocky Fortune]

Don't tell me that you picked the gun up off the floor.

[Sharon]

I don't know why.

[Rocky Fortune]

Hey, you're real scared, aren't you?

[Sharon]

It was awful. I touched him. My hand.

[Rocky Fortune]

All right, all right, all right. Slow down. Did you see anybody when he came in?

[Sharon]

No. Yeah. Yes.

[Rocky Fortune]

Wait a minute.

[Sharon]

There was a. There's a black car halfway down the block. And it drove off just as I came in.

[Rocky Fortune]

Maybe it was a heist. Let's see. Bates kept his roll in his pocket. It's gone, all right. He must have had a couple of hundred in that.

[Sharon]

Hey, what is it?

[Rocky Fortune]

An insurance policy on his last shipment. Well, the shipment is safe. Bates should have made the policy straight. Live in Grace.

[Sharon]

What?

[Rocky Fortune]

That Snow White and the two dopes. What, a patrol car? Somebody must have heard the shot.

[Sharon]

What'll I do? They won't believe me.

[Rocky Fortune]

Look, we're both in a spot, camping out over a corpse that's not popular with the lads in blue. Sharon, this whole deal is fishy in the Fulton Street Market on Friday morning. Come on.

[Sharon]

Where are you going?

[Rocky Fortune]

Out the back.

[Sharon]

But the police will think they're like

[Rocky Fortune]

if we stay here. They won't have to think. They'll pin it on you like a gardenia. Come on. We do a Comanche sneak out the back door while the cops waste the taxpayer's rubber squealing to a stop in front. We beat it down an alley and around the corner onto the street. By the time we slow down to a walk, Sharon's out of air, breathing heavy. Which on ear looks good.

[Sharon]

What do we do now?

[Rocky Fortune]

That's a good question. There were a Couple of leads I got in mind.

[Sharon]

Leads?

[Rocky Fortune]

That Bates was as phony as a showgirl's eyelash.

[Sharon]

Why do you say that?

[Rocky Fortune]

Couple of reasons. For one thing, what would a two bit operation like that need a night watchman for? He never had one up until the time he hired me. For another thing, that insurance policy. It was for 50 grand.

[Sharon]

What does that mean?

[Rocky Fortune]

He had something in that store beside dying swans.

[Sharon]

But what?

[Rocky Fortune]

That's what I'd like to know.

[Benzinger]

Look.

[Rocky Fortune]

Let's move.

[Puddler]

You ain't goin nowhere. What

[Rocky Fortune]

if that's your finger, pal? You got stuck in my back. Your nails need cutting.

[Puddler]

That say no, finger buster. That's a six inch knife. You can cut a hair with it lengthwise. Okay, Mr. Fencing. I got him.

[Benzinger]

Good work puddling.

[Rocky Fortune]

What's the idea then?

[Benzinger]

Shut up.

[Rocky Fortune]

Look out for the knife. You'll damage the herringbone.

[Puddler]

One more bite of you, I'll damage the backbone.

[Benzinger]

All right, Puddler. I'm sure they'll cooperate.

[Rocky Fortune]

In a pig's eye. What do you want?

[Benzinger]

Well, you see, I have my car and I thought I might drop you somewhere.

[Rocky Fortune]

No, thanks. It's a nice night. I'll walk. Enter the car.

[Puddler]

Wise guy.

[Rocky Fortune]

All right, all right.

[Benzinger]

Would you prefer the back or the jump seat, miss?

[Sharon]

Doesn't make any difference.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, I'd like to get back. All right. Don't push,

[Benzinger]

everybody. Comfy?

[Rocky Fortune]

Of course. Your gorilla's sitting on my head.

[Benzinger]

Really, Putler, you should be polite to our passengers.

[Puddler]

Well, Mr. Fensinger, you don't want him to know where we're going, do you?

[Benzinger]

Certainly not. Let him up.

[Puddler]

Okay, but if you don't want him to see.

[Benzinger]

Don't be crude about it. The civilized way is like this.

[Rocky Fortune]

Mr. Benzinger reaches back from the front. Se lays the butt of a.38 just back of my ear. I lose interest in most everything at that point. And start on a personal inspection tour of several deep shaft coal mines without benefit of safety light. The next thing I see is a pair of bushy eyebrows. And I figure it's John L. Checking up on my union card. By the time I get my eyes propped wider, I discovered it's the ape Puddler looking at me. For a while I think I'm still out because his face is turning from green to red to orange to yellow to blue and back to green. It takes me a minute to figure. Suddenly I get it. I am in some kind of a loft with a skylight. And the Technicolor effect comes from an advertising sign somewhere outside.

[Puddler]

His bat in his eyes, Mr. Bansinger.

[Benzinger]

Give him some water.

[Puddler]

Yeah. Wet plug.

[Benzinger]

Not that way.

[Rocky Fortune]

In a glass. What are you guys trying to pull?

[Puddler]

Should I start with a telephone book?

[Benzinger]

Not yet, Butler.

[Puddler]

The telephone book won't hurt him much. It just kind of perks him up.

[Benzinger]

Wait. You are Rocky Fortune?

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah. Hey, where's the girl?

[Benzinger]

In the next room. Fortune. Before I let Butler earn his keep, perhaps you'd like to tell me where it is.

[Puddler]

Where what is you say, Mr. Benzinger? If you let me start with a telephone book, this wouldn't happen.

[Rocky Fortune]

Quiet.

[Benzinger]

Your employer saw fit to resist our simple questions.

[Rocky Fortune]

You knocked them off.

[Benzinger]

Unfortunately, Puddler's reflexes are quicker than his intellect.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Benzinger]

Therefore, it's up to you to tell us where it is.

[Rocky Fortune]

I don't know what you guys are talking about.

[Puddler]

I can start with a Staten island book. Mr. Bunsinger.

[Benzinger]

That's real.

[Oliver Bates]

Ten, please.

[Rocky Fortune]

Point.

[Puddler]

Down, boy.

[Benzinger]

At the proper moment, Puddler, you may use the Manhattan Red book. Fortune, your time is running out and I am running out of patience.

[Rocky Fortune]

Why don't you just give up?

[Benzinger]

Bates would have an assistant who didn't know.

[Rocky Fortune]

Bates didn't tell me anything. He didn't even trust me with his two bit statues. You should have heard him holler when I broke the arm off an old plaster bag. You'd have thought it was made out of gold. You guys are making a big mistake if you think he told me anything.

[Puddler]

It's not yours, Mr. Pansinger. This crumb won't talk. Why? Don't you love it?

[Benzinger]

On the contrary, Butler, I think he has talked.

[Rocky Fortune]

I have.

[Puddler]

He has.

[Benzinger]

Butler, you will escort Mr. Fortune somewhere into the country. And lose him permanently. Unfortunately, I will not be able to accompany you in the car. I'm sure Mr. Fortune would give his word of honor not to make any trouble.

[Rocky Fortune]

Oh, yeah, sure. Cross my heart and hope to die.

[Benzinger]

Yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised. But just to make sure. A puddler.

[Puddler]

Yes, Mr. Bansinger.

[Benzinger]

The Brooklyn Book.

[Puddler]

Right.

[Sharon]

Oh,

[Rocky Fortune]

I am back in the coal mine again. And I'm beginning to figure I should have portal to portal pay this time. The first thing I notice is a delicate aroma. It is vaguely familiar. And then I place it. The last time I got down to the track at Monmouth Park. When the train comes out of the tunnel on the Jersey side, a sudden essence arrives simultaneously with the sunlight. I discover that this is a place where all good pigs go to die. Sickaucus, New Jersey. Well, this is where I am again. I bat one eye and find I'm driving along with Puddler. He's got one hand on a portable howitzer and the other on the wheel. So I play possum. When the car stops, Puddler gets out on his side. And comes around the back to get me. Only when he gets there, I'm gone.

[Puddler]

Hey. Hi. Hey, yo.

[Rocky Fortune]

So long, sucker. He pumps a couple of quick shots after me. But outside of one lucky hit on the rear window, I'm home free. I head into town to stop on this side of the George Washington Bridge. To put in the call of my old friend Sergeant Finger of Homicide.

[Sergeant Finger]

Fortune, where are you?

[Rocky Fortune]

Never mind. Listen, you want the guy who rubbed out the odd deal of Bates?

[Sergeant Finger]

You're darn right I do. Fortune, if you.

[Rocky Fortune]

They put the snatch on me.

[Narrator]

Two thugs.

[Rocky Fortune]

A guy named Benzinger and a Neanderthal man named Puddler.

[Sergeant Finger]

What are you raving about?

[Rocky Fortune]

You gotta find them. They got a girl.

[Sergeant Finger]

How nice for them. Look, Fortune, why don't you make it easy for all of us? Turn yourself into the nearest precinct.

[Rocky Fortune]

Finger, you gotta believe me. Don't you want the guy that knocked off Bates?

[Sergeant Finger]

You bet I do. Turn yourself in, Fortune. I'll let you take a manslaughter plea.

[Rocky Fortune]

I haven't got time to talk to you, knucklehead.

[Sergeant Finger]

Wait a minute, Fortune. Don't go away, man. Let's talk this thing over. How have you been? What else is new?

[Rocky Fortune]

There's Sergeant Finger for you. Thinking all the time gonna trace the call. Bye now. I drive into town and get stuck in a traffic jam on 10th Avenue. When I'm sitting between two 20 ton trucks. Both of them dumping carbon monoxide down my throat. I keep thinking of that blonde. Kind of fragile. Like she was made of spun glass. But real spun. And then I remember Puddler with his face changing colors like a chameleon. A bell rings and a little electric light bulb lights up in pond my head. I head down 10th Avenue to the offices. And we workshop with the Mama Spectacular Company. Down in the shop, working with a blowtorch, I find old Charlie's for bota.

[Charlie]

Rocky, I ain't seen you since you was fired for misspelling a word in that beer sign on 42nd Street.

[Rocky Fortune]

How's the old glass blower? They still call you on every sign north of Trenton. Sure, sure.

[Charlie]

Who could make a Spectacular without old Charlie?

[Rocky Fortune]

And Mama still makes all the big signs, huh?

[Charlie]

We got a little competition, but they don't make nothing more than signs on powder room.

[Rocky Fortune]

That's what I figured. Charlie, I gotta find a special sign.

[Charlie]

What Sign.

[Rocky Fortune]

All I know is the colors. Green, red, orange, yellow, blue, green.

[Benzinger]

Uhhuh.

[Charlie]

Which is longest?

[Rocky Fortune]

The yellow. The green was the shortest.

[Charlie]

Yeah, yeah. I'll check it in the records for you, but I think I know the one.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah? What one?

[Charlie]

It's a beautiful sign. Six Cycle Animation. I. I worked on it only last year.

[Rocky Fortune]

Where is it?

[Charlie]

A Benson nurse in Brooklyn. R5 dog food. Let R5 suit.

[Rocky Fortune]

Charlie looks it up and gives me the address. I put 10 gallons of gas in Mr. Benzinger's car, which I think is very nice to me under the circumstances, and head out to Bensonhurst. There's a sign with two dogs chasing each other around in circles. I take a line of sight from the sign to find two possible skylight windows. I climb up the stairs to the first loft and boil in. Turns out to be an artist who was painting a replacement for September Morn. His model takes a dim view of my intrusion, so I get out in a hurry. The second loft, I figure, has got to be it. I go up the stairs real quiet. The door at the top is ajar and I ease my way into the room without squeaking. The hinge room is empty. I go across to the other door, grab hold of the doorknob and yank. Sharon, are you all right?

[Sharon]

Oh, Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

The door was open. Why don't you get away?

[Sharon]

I was tired. I just got loose. When I heard you, I. I thought it was those men coming back.

[Rocky Fortune]

No, I left Puddler with the pigs. But he could have gotten back by now. We better get out of here.

[Sharon]

I'm so glad to see you.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, come on. We were. Wait a minute. Listen. Here they come.

[Sharon]

What do we do?

[Rocky Fortune]

Look, they don't know I'm up here. Come on over here behind the door.

[Sharon]

What are you gonna do?

[Rocky Fortune]

I brought a tire jack up from the car. We'll knock him off like ducks in a shooting gallery when he comes through the door.

[Benzinger]

Shh.

[Charlie]

Careful, Putler.

[Benzinger]

Don't drop it.

[Rocky Fortune]

Looks like Butler hits himself a ride back from Jersey. Here they come now. Ready, One.

[Sharon]

Drop the wrench, Rocky.

[Rocky Fortune]

What the.

[Benzinger]

Grab him, Putler.

[Sharon]

Don't bother. I have him covered. One move fortune, I'll blow a disc out of your spine.

[Rocky Fortune]

Lady, please do me a favor and shoot. I came back to rescue you.

[Sharon]

Well, that was very sweet of you. Did you get it, Benzinga?

[Benzinger]

Yes, Ms. Butler? Bring in the statue.

[Puddler]

The arm is off, but I didn't do it.

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, what do you know? The old bat from the art store. What do you want with that statue?

[Sharon]

Never mind.

[Benzinger]

I Told you we'd get it for you, miss.

[Sharon]

You've done brilliantly, haven't you? First you shoot bait, and this imbecile lets Fortune get away from him. Come on, pick up the statue and we'll all go in the car.

[Puddler]

How about Fortune? Couldn't I just.

[Sharon]

He comes with us till it's over. Let's go.

[Rocky Fortune]

Lady, if we're going in the car again, may I make one request?

[Sharon]

What is it?

[Rocky Fortune]

Let's not go Pullman this time I'd like to sit up all the way. We are a happy crew in the car. Benzinger, Puddler, Sharon, the plaster statue and little old Curly headed me. We head north on the east side, drive over the bridge of the parkway into Westchester. When we roll through an iron grill gate with a big sign on it saying Spruel, I begin to get the idea.

[Sharon]

Benzinger, you come in with me and bring the statue. Remember, you tell the blind old fool you were bait's assistant. Puddler.

[Puddler]

Yeah?

[Sharon]

Keep the motor running. And when we get the payoff, we've got to get out fast. Come on.

[Benzinger]

We're after you, miss.

[Sharon]

And keep Fortune sitting. T.

[Rocky Fortune]

The light, as they say, begins to dawn. Whatever it was Bates was trying to sell, the Spruel Sharon hijacked and cut

[Puddler]

herself in, said Stella Minute they should have let me use the phone book.

[Rocky Fortune]

You notice some people use the phone book to look up numbers.

[Puddler]

They go, never thought of that.

[Rocky Fortune]

He never thought of a lot of things. Like, for instance, this car's got an automatic shift.

[Puddler]

Yeah? So what?

[Rocky Fortune]

Well, you ought to have it neutral, not in drive like you got it.

[Puddler]

Listen, wise guy, you trying to tell me how to drive a getaway car? You gotta be ready to start on an instant's notice.

[Rocky Fortune]

Like this.

[Puddler]

Hey, get your foot off.

[Benzinger]

Give me that.

[Puddler]

Look out the car. You got my foot jammed on.

[Rocky Fortune]

Yeah, it's a great pickup that tomorrow's got, huh?

[Puddler]

Going right into that house. Look out.

[Rocky Fortune]

We go through the French doors like a knife through cheese and end up on the opposite wall of the living room with Benzing a pin between the bumper and the brick fireplace. Puddler's slightly out of commission, having stuck his head through the windshield. I pile out of the car with Puddler's guns. Shannon's knocked head over tea. Cuddle out like a light, but still breathing. Very pretty.

[Mr. Sproule]

What is this? What happened?

[Rocky Fortune]

Pardon me, Mr. Frull. Is this the Sawmill River Parkway?

[Mr. Sproule]

What is the meaning of this? I'll call the police.

[Rocky Fortune]

I think it's a great idea. And when they get Here, we'll hand them that statue you cut.

[Mr. Sproule]

Oh, no, no, no. It's mine. I paid for it.

[Rocky Fortune]

Lots of people paid for it. Bates, for one.

[Mr. Sproule]

Why, what are you talking about? I just paid this man $50,000. He's Bates assistant.

[Rocky Fortune]

He's bates murderer. Murderer? Why did you pay 50 grand for this plaster statue?

[Mr. Sproule]

Why, it's not a plaster statue. It's what's underneath. Look. Look, I'll show you. There.

[Sharon]

There.

[Mr. Sproule]

There, you see? There it is. Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Carved by Praxiteles himself. Oh, it's beautiful. Beautiful.

[Rocky Fortune]

You had Bates steal it for you. Covered over with that cheap plaster statue to hide.

[Mr. Sproule]

Ah, you think I care now it's mine, all mine.

[Rocky Fortune]

I hope the two of you are very happy. Maybe she'll write your letters.

[Mr. Sproule]

Letters? What are you talking about?

[Rocky Fortune]

You're going to the can, old timey. You're an accessory before, after and during a murder.

[Mr. Sproule]

She's beautiful. Beautiful.

[Rocky Fortune]

And that reminds me. Sharon? Sharon, baby, can you hear me? Honey, What?

[Sharon]

What is it?

[Rocky Fortune]

I got something important to ask you.

[Sharon]

What?

[Rocky Fortune]

Where does Puddler keep his Westchester book? I want to call the co.

[Narrator]

NBC has presented Frank Sinatra as that footloose and fancy free young gentleman, Rocky Fortune. Others in tonight's cast were Jan Minor, Ted Osborne, Leon Janney, Joseph Julian, Ed Begley and Mandel Kramer. Tonight's script was written by Ernest Kanoy. Fred Wade directed. Now, to tell you about next week's adventure, here's Frank Sinatra as Rocky Fortune.

[Rocky Fortune]

Ever see a magician pull the disappearing act on somebody? I always wonder how they did it. And then finally I found out a carnival guy pulled a disappearing act on me. The only trouble was he was trying to make me disappear for keeps. I'll tell you about it next week. See you around. This program was transcribed. This is the NBC radio network.