Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | The Falcon: The Case of the Running Waters (07/13/1952)
Release Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Choice Classic Radio

Episode Overview

This episode revisits “The Case of the Running Waters” from the classic radio detective series, The Falcon. Set amidst Cold War intrigue in Rome, the story follows private detective Mike Waring (The Falcon) as he becomes entangled in an espionage web involving double agents, coded notebooks, murder, and a woman driven by desperation. The episode perfectly blends old-school detective banter, Continental noir atmosphere, and political intrigue, providing listeners the thrill of Golden Age radio drama.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. An Arrival in Rome and an Ominous Set-Up (00:29–03:00)

• Steve Waters arrives in Rome under mysterious circumstances, immediately shown to be a fast mover—arriving “without baggage and without friends. And already he’s got a gun and a girl.” (00:53)
• He quickly confronts Marie Antonescu, spinning a tale of seeing her father in prison in Bucharest and blackmailing her into cooperating—with her father’s life as leverage.

2. A Deadly Assignment and an Unwilling Co-Conspirator (03:00–05:05)

• Waters reveals that Marie’s boyfriend, Kirby Patterson, is a target—she is to drug him so Waters can impersonate Kirby for a secret meeting.
• Distressed, Marie reluctantly agrees to help, torn between fear for her father and her love for Kirby.

3. The Poisoned Drink and the First Victim (05:05–06:46)

• Marie and Kirby share a tense drink. When Kirby notes "It's got a peculiar taste" (05:59), Marie insists it's nothing—moments later, he collapses, drugged.
• Waters and his cohort prepare to take over Kirby’s assignment.

4. Complications and Cover Identities (06:46–12:07)

• On the Rome Express, Mike Waring encounters Roberto Stefani, who tries (and fails) to convincingly pose as an ally:
  • ”You pack a gun. Naturally. In our work.” (08:10)
  • Waring uncovers Stefani’s Communist Party ties, further complicating the web.
• The real Kirby Patterson meets with Waring, authenticating himself, and hands over a coded notebook for a sensitive assignment.

5. Murder on the Tiber: The Real vs. the Imposter (12:35–18:06)

• Waring is later summoned by Captain Emilio Balbo of the Carabinieri to identify a body fished from the Tiber; it's Kirby Patterson—dead, despite having recently given Waring the notebook.
• Waring is drawn into investigating the double—‘Kirby’ he met previously was an imposter.

6. Marie Under Pressure, and Fractures of Trust (18:06–21:23)

• Waring confronts Marie, revealing Kirby’s death and pressing her about her involvement. Marie breaks down, blaming Waters, insisting she was forced to comply under threats to her father.
• Waring reasons that Waters must still be in Rome—he cannot leave until the coded notebook is deciphered.

7. Closing in on the Culprit (21:23–25:41)

• Post research with the house detective, Giulio Farinacci, Waring tracks down Waters to Stefani’s apartment. He finds Waters dead—shot with a German Luger.
• Waring and Giulio are discovered above the corpse by Captain Balbo, who suspects Waring until Giulio vouches for him.
• New evidence (the murder weapon, found to be Marie’s gun with her fingerprints nearby) casts suspicion on Marie.

8. Resolution and The Real Villain Revealed (26:52–end)

• Confronted, Marie swears innocence: “I tell you, you are wrong, Capitano. I did not kill Steve Waters. I was in my hotel all evening.” (26:52)
• Waring interrogates the evidence and points out a missing hole in the logic: someone else tipped off Marie and stole her gun.
• Piecing together who had the opportunity and knowledge to orchestrate events, Waring deduces the real killer: Giulio Farinacci, the house detective.
  • “Who knew I was looking for Steve Waters? Who was in a position to remove Kirby’s body from Marie’s room? Who alone had the opportunity to steal her gun? Obviously, someone employed by the Hotel Nazionale. Obviously. You.” (28:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Waring (The Falcon):
  • “When it comes to murder, there’s no place like Rome.” (00:40)
  • “If you ever wondered why Rome wasn’t built in a day, maybe I can explain. They didn’t use American labor.” (00:54)
• Marie Antonescu:
  • “I would die if anything happened to you.” (05:17)
  • “Sometimes we cannot help ourselves.” (05:31)
• Kirby Patterson:
  • “I got a mickey. Did you hear that, Roberto? He thinks he was drugged.” (12:38)
• Captain Balbo:
  • “You will be good enough to observe, Signor Waring. I would be most interested in your deductions.” (13:30)
• Giulio Farinacci (house detective, unmasked as the traitor):
  • “No one knows the criminal mind like Giulio Farinacci." (09:38)
• Mike Waring (on the murderer's identity):
  • “Maybe when you join Steve Waters, you can start a new Communist cell. You’ll find a lot of hot prospects down there.” (28:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29: Waters approaches Marie, begins his manipulation.
• 03:00: The blackmail & poisoning scheme is revealed.
• 05:48: The drink is poisoned; Kirby is drugged.
• 08:10: Waring exposes Roberto Stefani’s Communist ties.
• 12:35: Waters, impersonating Kirby, confronts the real Kirby, who realizes he’s been drugged.
• 13:30: Captain Balbo brings Waring to see Kirby’s corpse.
• 18:06: Waring confronts Marie about her involvement.
• 21:23: The net begins to close around Waters.
• 25:41: Waters’ corpse is discovered; Waring is a suspect.
• 26:52: Marie’s final interrogation, breakdown of the evidence.
• 28:10: Waring reveals Giulio as the real enemy agent and murderer.

Episode Tone & Style

Transitions are brisk, dialogue is clipped and witty, embodying the classic American noir/detective style. The characters engage in a tense mix of banter, suspicion, and dramatic confessions, set against a backdrop of Cold War tension and Continental intrigue.

Conclusion

This episode is a textbook example of Golden Age detective drama: mistaken identities, double-crosses, and a whodunnit with all the classic radio tropes. The Falcon’s dry wit, political backdrop, and the unmasking of the seemingly helpful house detective as the true villain keep listeners engaged up to the clever denouement.

Listeners will love:

• The period feel and dialogue (“He didn’t use American labor.”)
• The intricate, layered plot
• The ultimate twist—nailing the villain hiding in plain sight

Recommended for old-time radio mystery lovers and fans of classic spy stories.