Podcast Summary:

Choice Classic Radio Detectives – The Falcon: "The Case of the Lonely Hunter"

Original Airdate: August 3, 1952
Podcast Date: January 15, 2026

Overview

This episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives presents "The Case of the Lonely Hunter" from The Adventures of the Falcon. Detective Mike Waring (aka “The Falcon”) is dispatched to Cairo by Army Intelligence to investigate a narcotics smuggling ring. The story unfolds as Waring finds himself entangled in blackmail, murder, and intrigue amid a cast of expatriates, local fixers, and lost lovers, all centered around an ill-fated diamond ring.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage in Cairo

• Mike Waring (The Falcon) is sent to Cairo to probe suspicious activities linked to narcotics moving from Egypt to the US.
• The tone is classic hardboiled detective with a wry, world-weary flavor.

“Seems someone there started a new pyramid club and Army Intelligence wants me to find out if they're paying off in lead.”
— Mike Waring (The Falcon), [00:28]

2. A Gathering of Rogues and Old Flames

• Vince Torrio, an American ex-gangster in exile, bemoans his fate being stuck in Cairo instead of Italy.
• Vince is approached by Yusuf Ben Ali, who tries to recruit him for an opium smuggling job.
• A chance encounter with Carol Morgan (former girlfriend of Vince’s old boss, Lucky) sets off the episode’s intrigue.

“It's Carol Morgan, all right. It sure is a small world... I was wrong about Egypt. This could be the land of opportunity.”
— Vince Torrio, [04:21]

3. Blackmail and Old Ties

• Vince corners Carol in her hotel room, suggesting blackmail over her past with Lucky and current involvement with Abdul Salim Bey, a wealthy Egyptian official.
• He tries to extract either her affection or valuables, gets her ring, and threatens future interference.

“What do you want, Vince?”
— Carol Morgan, [05:01]
“Oh, I was gonna be nice, but you wouldn't let me.”
— Vince Torrio, [06:20]

4. Carol’s Relationship With Abdul Salim Bey

• Abdul and Carol’s relationship is tested by suspicions and secrets from her past.
• Abdul receives warnings about Vince and Carol’s connections, indicating others are surveilling the situation.

5. Murder and the Falcon’s Predicament

• When Waring tries to confront Vince, Vince knocks him out.
• Waring awakens beside Vince’s stabbed body, with Abdul accusing him of murder ([12:19–13:00]).
• The ring becomes the central piece of evidence, with questions about its true owner and authenticity.

“It was Mr. Torrio. It will probably come as no shock to you. He was stabbed to death.”
— Abdul Salim Bey, [12:20]

6. A Frame-Up and a Paste Copy

• Waring is set up with the stolen ring, accused of receiving stolen goods, and threatened with years in a Cairo prison ([24:00]).
• He realizes the ring returned to Carol is a fake—a paste copy, not a diamond ([26:38]).
• The real diamond ring was apparently what Vince's murderer wanted.

“A diamond is the hardest substance in the world. So let's see... You've marred the stone. Then obviously it wasn't a diamond.”
— Mike Waring, [26:38–26:48]

7. Revelation and Resolution

• The paste ring proves Carol isn’t the killer or the thief; she would have worn the real diamond otherwise.
• Waring confronts Yusuf Ben Ali, deducing he murdered Vince for the real ring during the confusion, and planned to frame Waring for both theft and murder.

“Who would know better? You walked in on Vince while I was out cold. You thought it was too good a chance to miss, so you murdered him.”
— Mike Waring, [27:16]

8. Wry Farewell: Falcon Kicked Out of Cairo

• With the case solved, Abdul still expels Waring from Egypt, humorously referencing the recent abdication of King Farouk.

“Farouk was king of all Egypt, and—”
— Abdul Salim Bey
“You did it to him.”
— Mike Waring
“Exactly. Bon voyage, Mr. Waring.”
— Abdul Salim Bey, [28:41–28:43]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Waring's opening quip:
  “No, you'll have to cancel me out tonight, angel. I'm on my way to Cairo. Cairo, Egypt. The land of the Pharaohs...”
  — [00:17]

• Vince on Cairo:
  “For my part, they can take it and give it back to the pharaohs.”
  — [01:52]

• Carol’s defiance:
  “I haven't done anything in the last six years I wouldn't want anyone to know about.”
  — Carol Morgan, [05:35]

• Abdul’s dry wit:
  “I now hold the position of chief assistant. Oh, no. Oh, yes. I'd love you to see our new headquarters. But frankly, old chap, I don't think you'll like them one bit.”
  — [13:04]

• Mike’s deduction:
  “Well, I say a diamond is the hardest substance in the world... You've marred the stone. Then obviously it wasn't a diamond.”
  — [26:38–26:48]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Mike sets out for Cairo: [00:28]
• Vince meets Carol: [03:05]
• Vince blackmails Carol: [05:01–06:49]
• Waring confronts Vince (fight/murder): [09:43–12:25]
• Waring accused of murder: [12:19–13:16]
• The ring’s significance debated: [14:38–19:16]
• Yusuf steals the ring: [20:08–22:26]
• Paste ring experiment: [26:38]
• Conclusion: killer revealed (Yusuf): [27:16]
• Farewell: Waring expelled: [28:28–28:43]

Final Thoughts

In classic noir fashion, “The Case of the Lonely Hunter” spins a complex web of greed, betrayal, and mistaken identity, all sharpened with sharp dialogue and a clever twist. Waring’s perseverance and wit—along with his tendency to land in trouble—anchor the adventure, resulting in both justice for the victim and a comic send-off for the detective himself.