This Is Your FBI: Crime in the Roaring 20's 01/04/1946

Summary

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Podcast Summary: “This Is Your FBI: Crime in the Roaring 20's”

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Title: This Is Your FBI: Crime in the Roaring 20's (01/04/1946)
Air Date: November 23, 2025 (original broadcast 1946)
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the rise of organized crime following World War I by recreating a case from the FBI files, centered on Red Martin—a “delinquent youngster of 1917” who rises through the ranks of the underworld in the "Roaring Twenties." Via dramatization and commentary—modeled on the style of 1940s radio—the episode illustrates how post-war social upheaval can lead to increased criminal activity, paralleled ominously with the aftermath of World War II.

The episode weaves together dramatized scenes of gangsters, their criminal enterprise, and the FBI’s determined pursuit, with narration warning against complacency regarding crime in postwar America.

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Key Discussion Points & Dramatic Highlights

1. Social Warning from the FBI (03:13–04:47)

• The narration opens with an urgent message from an impersonated J. Edgar Hoover, predicting increased crime after wars.

  • Quote:
    “After every great war, there has been a recession of moral fortitude. This one will be no exception... I fear, however, that this is wishful thinking.” — J. Edgar Hoover (03:56)

• Hoover draws parallels between the juvenile delinquents of WWI becoming the crime kingpins of the 1920s, suggesting history may repeat with WWII’s aftermath.

2. Enter Red Martin: Young Gangster’s Rise (04:47–08:56)

• Red Martin and his crew are depicted as ambitious, ruthless young crooks angling to move from “nickel and dime rackets” into major bootlegging operations.
• Red’s swagger and ambition set the tone for the type of criminal the episode seeks to warn against.
  • Quote:
    “Up to now, we’ve just been playing nickel and dime rackets. It’s time we graduated.” — Red Martin (06:49)
• A tense meeting with established bootlegger Legs Miller shows Red trying to muscle his way higher.
  • Rebuffed, Red promises, “Next time you and me get together, it’ll be you that gets the bounce.” (08:45)

3. Crime Escalates: Car Theft & Hijacking (09:24–12:23)

• Red and his gang escalate by stealing a car, hijacking a bootleg truck, and violently attacking rivals.
• The FBI agents begin to piece together the pattern of these interconnected crimes:
  • Quote:
    “The start of a new gang, eh? ...Let’s get busy and find out who they are and see how soon we can stop them.” — FBI Agents (12:25)

4. Loves and Double-Crosses: Soap Opera of Crime (14:18–19:02)

• Interludes show Red seducing Legs Miller’s girlfriend “Honey,” confirming his intention to take over not just the business, but every part of Miller’s life.

  • Quote:
    “I done research on you, honey. Now you see what I mean? I’m your kind of guy.” — Red Martin (15:49)

• Red’s ruthlessness culminates in shooting Legs Miller to seize control, after a deceptive confrontation where he turns on his own crew as well.

  • Memorable moment: Red threatens his own men, showing paranoia and brutality (18:44).

5. The FBI Closes In (19:41–26:17)

• The investigation continues with the FBI tracking the gang via clues: car purchases, Honey’s photo, and tailing her visits home.
• Agents employ patience, surveillance, and strategic thinking to locate Martin’s hideout.
  • Quote:
    “We’ll keep a 24 hour surveillance on the house and wait for Honey to show up.” — FBI Agents (25:47)

6. The Sting and the Fall (26:38–28:21)

• Red prepares for a showdown with a powerful rival but is outsmarted when the person entering isn’t Cicero, but FBI Special Agent Brown.
• The FBI arrests the whole gang in a coup de grâce:
  • Quote:
    “We just wanted to show you how easily you boys can be taken over. That’s all. Now drop your guns and file quietly downstairs.” — Special Agent Brown (28:02)

7. Aftermath and Moral Warning (28:21–29:20)

• The narrative closes, noting Red Martin is executed in the electric chair and his gang imprisoned. The episode’s narrator starkly warns the public about the ever-present risk of postwar crime waves.
  • Quote:
    “It happened before, it can happen here again. The FBI and your local law enforcement officers will fight it day and night. But it must be fought by all the people if it is to be licked. What are you doing about it in your community?” — Narrator (29:08)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Character/Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|-------| | 03:56 | Narrator / Hoover | “After every great war, there has been a recession of moral fortitude... I fear...this is wishful thinking.” | | 06:49 | Red Martin | “Up to now, we’ve just been playing nickel and dime rackets. It’s time we graduated.” | | 08:45 | Red Martin | “Next time you and me get together, it’ll be you that gets the bounce.” | | 12:25 | FBI Agent | “The start of a new gang, eh? ...Let’s get busy and find out who they are and see how soon we can stop them.” | | 15:49 | Red Martin | “I done research on you, honey. Now you see what I mean? I’m your kind of guy.” | | 18:44 | Red Martin | “Any of you don’t want to play ball with me, line up against the wall and I’ll check you off right now.” | | 28:02 | Special Agent Brown| “We just wanted to show you how easily you boys can be taken over. That’s all.” | | 29:08 | Narrator | “It happened before, it can happen here again...What are you doing about it in your community?” |

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Key Segments & Timestamps

• FBI’s introductory warning: 03:13–04:47
• Red Martin’s initial rise/bootleg proposal: 05:41–08:56
• First major heist (auto theft, hijack): 09:24–12:23
• Red woos Honey (Miller’s girlfriend): 14:18–15:49
• Red takes over by force: 17:11–19:02
• FBI investigation montage: 19:41–26:17
• The final sting and gang’s downfall: 26:38–28:21
• Closing moral/cautionary message: 28:21–29:20

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Tone & Style

The episode employs sharp, fast-paced, old-time radio dialogue—brisk, punchy, and hard-boiled—in both the criminal dramatization and the official narration. The FBI is presented as methodical but deeply concerned about postwar youth crime, while the criminals are brash, ambitious, and ultimately doomed by their own violence and hubris.

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Summary Takeaway

“This Is Your FBI: Crime in the Roaring 20’s” is both an action-packed radio thriller and a societal warning. Through Red Martin’s brief, violent career—from small-time hoodlum to gang kingpin, destroyed by his own ambition—the show offers a cautionary parallel between postwar crime surges of the 1920s and those feared in the 1940s. The ultimate message: battling the roots of crime requires vigilance not just from law enforcement, but from every American citizen.

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Transcript

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[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

The Equitable Society presents this is your FBI. This is your FBI an official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. Before opening tonight's file. This first broadcast of 1946. This first week in January is a good time to look forward into the future and back at the past. We of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States are happy to report that the end of World War II finds our society in a stronger position than ever before. Our membership, our assets and the amount of life insurance owned by our members increased during the war years, so the Equitable Society has weathered this war as successfully as it did three previous wars and seven major depressions. We wish to report also that in the future as in the past, the premium dollars of Equitable Society members will be invested in ways that benefit the entire country. And by serving its members, the Equitable Society will continue to serve America. Tonight's file crime in the roaring twenties.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

This week, as America begins the first year of another post war era, she faces here at home, just as she did some 25 years ago, those many grave problems which grow out of war. But of them all, none is a greater menace to the right of American citizens to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness than that problem which is splashing more and more black ink across the front pages of our newspapers every day. Crime. Addressing the International association of Chiefs of Police. Recently, Director J. Edgar Hoover of the Federal Bureau of Investigation your FBI uttered this warning.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

After every great war, there has been a recession of moral fortitude. This one will be no exception. I hope, as you do, that the racketeers, the overlords, the desperados and the criminal scum who characterize the Roaring Twenties will not come back to the American scene. I fear, however, that this is wishful thinking. Once they get a start and find they can succeed, we shall face very serious trouble. It is the delinquent youngster of the war years who is now graduating into the ranks of seasoned criminals. They are now becoming the postgraduates of crime and are committing the more despicable offenses.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

It was the Delinquent youngsters of 1917 and 18 who graduated into the seasoned criminals of that post war era who made the Roaring Twenties roar. Roar with the explosions of pistols, machine guns and pineapple bombs. Will it happen here again? This is how it happened then. This is how one Delinquent youngster of 1917 became a postgraduate of crime in the Roaring Twenties. In a cellar room of the Black Cat Club, a roadhouse just outside a large Midwestern city, the slot machines and dice games, as usual, were taking more than giving. While upstairs on the main floor, the young hip flask set were drinking bootleg liquor in dim corners and dancing the Black Bottom to a pastely faced orchestra. Presently, young Red Martin and two companions sweep into the room and take over a booth in a corner.

[Red Martin]

Hey, waiter. Gil, give these guys a setup and bring me a Coke, will ya?

[Legs Miller]

Okay.

[Red Martin]

What's with the Coke? Why don't you take a real drink, Red? None of that rotgut for me, pal. You can't make dough out of it, and ulcers too. And I'm gonna make dough out of it. Yeah?

[Special Agent Brown]

How do you mean?

[Red Martin]

Tell you all about it in a minute. Hey, look. Yeah? Couple of dames over there making a big play. Forget him. I'll show you something with real class. Where that blonde, huh? There she goes now. Toward the back. Hey, that's for me, fellas.

[Special Agent Brown]

Are you kidding, Red? You know who that is?

[Red Martin]

That's Leg's mother's name. I know. Guy that runs this joint. Yeah? Look, stupid, don't you know who Legs Miller really is? Yeah, I know. He does a little bootlegging.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

A little?

[Red Martin]

He ain't in the pint and quart business. He runs the stuff by the truckload. Yeah, sure. He's the guy I'm here to do business with. Are you kidding, Red?

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Where'd you sell it?

[Red Martin]

Boys, you're coke rib. Okay. Say, tell Casey I want to see him.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Sure.

[Red Martin]

Now, before this Casey gets here, I want to tell you guys something.

[Special Agent Brown]

Okay.

[Red Martin]

Up to now, we've just been playing a nickel and dime rackets. It's time we graduated.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

How?

[Red Martin]

We'll hook up with a gang like Legs Millers, make some real dough. And if we're smart, we'll have our own business before you know it. Okay.

[Special Agent Brown]

Well, gee, Red, I.

[Red Martin]

What's the matter? You yellow?

[Special Agent Brown]

No, no, of course not.

[Red Martin]

Wanna see me, Red?

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Yeah.

[Red Martin]

What about? You know. What about Casey? Yeah, but Legs ain't. Don't give me that. He's here. I saw his dame go back a minute ago. Look, Red, the guy is busy. I want to see him now. Okay, kid. Come on. Stick right here, boys. I'll be back with a deal. Legs.

[Legs Miller]

Yeah, Casey.

[Red Martin]

Hey, got a minute?

[Legs Miller]

What is it?

[Red Martin]

I. I got a guy here wants to talk to you.

[Legs Miller]

Okay, bring him in.

[Red Martin]

You want me to leave?

[Legs Miller]

No, stick around, honey.

[Red Martin]

Go ahead, Red. Okay. This here is Red Martin.

[Legs Miller]

Hiya.

[Red Martin]

Hi, Legs.

[Legs Miller]

What do you want, kid?

[Red Martin]

I want to talk business. I'm not a kid.

[Legs Miller]

He means now he's shaving, honey.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

But where did he get those big shoulders?

[Red Martin]

You like him, sweetheart?

[Legs Miller]

What do you mean by that crack kid, darling?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

He means, do I like him, and I do.

[Red Martin]

Look, Legs, you want to talk business or don't you?

[Legs Miller]

Okay, Mr. Martin. What kind of business?

[Red Martin]

Did Casey tell you anything about me?

[Legs Miller]

Yeah. What's on your mind?

[Red Martin]

Well, I got a proposition for you. Yeah? You've been doing pretty good for yourself, but you could be doing a whole lot better.

[Legs Miller]

No kidding.

[Red Martin]

Yeah. Here's my deal. This will really put you on top. I got some guys. You got some guys? I bring my guys in and join up with you and work on a commission. Before you know it, everybody in a whiskey business is working for us.

[Legs Miller]

That's your proposition?

[Red Martin]

Yeah. How's it sound to you, Daisy, huh?

[Legs Miller]

Bounce this bum.

[Red Martin]

Wait a minute.

[Legs Miller]

I said bounce him.

[Red Martin]

Keep away from me. I'll walk out of here under my own power. But I want you to remember something, Legs. Next time you and me get together, it'll be you that gets the bounce.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

What?

[Red Martin]

And your dame here will get to stick around and try out these big shoulders.

[Legs Miller]

Why, you.

[Special Agent Brown]

What happened, Red?

[Red Martin]

Did you make a deal? No, but I made a promise. So let's get started on it.

[Special Agent Brown]

What are we gonna do?

[Red Martin]

First, we're gonna get lots of power on wheels somewhere. Come on.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Crime, like history, repeats itself. This juvenile delinquent product of World War I has his counterpart today somewhere in the nation. A youngster like Red Martin may be planning a similar career of ruthless violence. Let him listen, then. Listen and learn. The first report on Red Martin is received in the local office of the FBI.

[Special Agent Brown]

Special Agent Brown speaking.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Morning, Mr. Brown. Police headquarters. I think this is one for you FBI fellows.

[Special Agent Brown]

All right, what is it?

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Morristown. Across the state line last night.

[Special Agent Brown]

Yes.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Three young fellas stuck up an all night garage and auto storage slug the man on duty and escaped to the black Cadillac sedan.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Mm.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Believe they came back across the state line with it.

[Special Agent Brown]

What are the details?

[Narrator / FBI Official]

The garage man gave a pretty fair description of him. I've got all the facts about the car. Good.

[Special Agent Brown]

What the thieves look like?

[Narrator / FBI Official]

One of them was about 5ft 11, big shoulders, red hair. Seemed to be the leader.

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

The other two.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Give me your leg, will you, Casey?

[Red Martin]

Better wait. We. We gotta stop for this railroad crossing, you know.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Don't worry.

[Red Martin]

I ain't taking no chances with a.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Load of legs booze.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Well, looks clear to me.

[Red Martin]

Give me that light before we go. Put your hands up and get out of that.

[Legs Miller]

What is it?

[Red Martin]

Hey, what's the idea? Shut up and get out of there quick.

[Special Agent Brown]

They ain't fooling, Casey.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

We better haul out.

[Red Martin]

Yeah, go ahead, kid.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Right.

[Red Martin]

This is for not moving when I told you. Drag him over the ditch, Al. Quick. Okay. You know where to drive the truck, Joe. Get at it. Sure, Casey. I guess we better rough you up a little too. So everything look on the up and up for you when your pal comes out of it. Okay. And you better not ride the next load we knock off. Legs might start wondering. Just tip me off about it. Right. Hey, you know something? What? Knocking off this truck makes me and Legs partners after all.

[Special Agent Brown]

What's the story, Bob?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

It's the Cadillac we're looking for, all right. And I've got some fingerprints.

[Special Agent Brown]

They abandoned it right at the scene of the hijacking.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Yes. The watchman at the crossing who saw it take place said one hijacker drove off with a truck. And while he was calling the police, the other two disappeared on the run down the tracks.

[Special Agent Brown]

What about the two men in the truck?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

He was sure one of them was slugged. But by the time he made the call and got over there, there wasn't a sign of anybody or anything but the Cadillac.

[Special Agent Brown]

Since the victims didn't bother to report to the police. That tells what was in the truck.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Liquor.

[Special Agent Brown]

Exactly.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

But why did the hijackers leave the Cadillac there?

[Special Agent Brown]

They don't have to worry about a hot car anymore. They can buy their own now. They obviously stole it to pull this job and get a stake.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

The start of a new gang, eh?

[Special Agent Brown]

Yes. So let's get busy and find out who they are and see how soon we can stop them.

[Red Martin]

Hiya, Red. Oh, hiya, Joe.

[Special Agent Brown]

I've been looking all over for you.

[Red Martin]

What's the matter?

[Legs Miller]

Huh?

[Red Martin]

Nothing, nothing.

[Special Agent Brown]

I just thought we might get a couple of dames and go dancing.

[Red Martin]

I'm a scratch. Why? I already got a date. Oh yeah? With who? Legs Miller's dame.

[Legs Miller]

Huh?

[Red Martin]

Yeah, I sent word to her. I told her I'd be here. Oh, you did, huh?

[Special Agent Brown]

What makes you think she'll come?

[Red Martin]

She'll come, you know.

[Special Agent Brown]

Can mean plenty of trouble, Red.

[Red Martin]

This kind of trouble I like.

[Special Agent Brown]

Yeah, but if Legs find you.

[Red Martin]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Huh? You're coming in the door. Blow, will you?

[Special Agent Brown]

Okay, but take it easy, will you, Rick?

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[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Hello, Shoulders.

[Red Martin]

Hi, honey. Sit down.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Thanks.

[Red Martin]

You want a drink?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

No.

[Red Martin]

Okay. How's his legs?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

He's all right.

[Red Martin]

Did you tell him you were coming here now?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

What do you think?

[Red Martin]

Well, he's got to know sooner or later.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

What do you mean?

[Red Martin]

About us.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

You're wonderful.

[Red Martin]

That's right.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

What about us?

[Red Martin]

We're in business, baby.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Just like that, huh?

[Red Martin]

Look, I had this figured months ago. And when I got ready for you, that's when I sent you the word.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Really?

[Red Martin]

Yeah. You see, there was a lot of things I had to do along the way. Get cars, which I got. Get dough, which I got.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

And now you, which you ain't got.

[Red Martin]

Don't be a sucker, baby. I'm your kind of guy.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

How do you figure that?

[Red Martin]

You Hear that music? Hear what the guy is playing?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Yeah, that's my favorite song.

[Red Martin]

That's why he's playing it. See the box there?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Yes.

[Red Martin]

It's loaded with them orchids, your favorite flower. And I got an order in with the jeweler for a ruby ring. That's your favorite rock.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

How did you know all this?

[Red Martin]

I done research on you, honey. Now you see what I mean? I'm your kind of guy.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

You're forgetting something, Red.

[Red Martin]

What's that? Legs. What about him?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

He's going to have something to say about this.

[Red Martin]

I figured that too. Honey, you know something? I'm going to give him a chance to. To say it. Got to pay a call to Mr. Legs Miller tomorrow.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

I found the dealer. Finally, Jim.

[Special Agent Brown]

Good.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

He sold them two secondhand Cadillacs. Here are the descriptions.

[Special Agent Brown]

Registered in what name?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Jack Smith. Obviously an alias.

[Special Agent Brown]

What did Jack Smith look like?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

The one with the red hair. According to the dealer, there's a report from Washington. Those fingerprint, Jim.

[Special Agent Brown]

Thanks. Did we get anything on the redhead? Yes, his name is George red Martin. Served six months in a reformatory in 1917. Here's the full description and photo is on the way.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Good.

[Special Agent Brown]

I think I'd better get over to police headquarters and see if they have anything on the private life and public habits of said George Red Martin.

[Legs Miller]

All right, you guys, listen to me a minute, will you? Now, here's what I figure we'd do.

[Red Martin]

Yeah.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Hello, darling.

[Legs Miller]

Oh, hi, honey. Come on in.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

What is it, Legs, a convention?

[Legs Miller]

No, sweetheart, it's sort of like a reception committee. For who, Mr. Casey. Oh, the boys here got some kind of bad reports on him.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Like what?

[Legs Miller]

He's been hanging around with that punk Red Martin. Which just about accounts for a lot of that liquor we've been losing lately. Yeah?

[Red Martin]

Hi, Alex.

[Legs Miller]

Come on in, Casey.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Okay.

[Red Martin]

What is this, a meeting or something?

[Legs Miller]

Yeah, a real important meeting. It's about you.

[Red Martin]

What do you mean?

[Legs Miller]

Where have you been tonight?

[Red Martin]

I was just down collecting a little doe I had riding on an egg. Why?

[Legs Miller]

Let's see the doe.

[Red Martin]

Oh, sure.

[Legs Miller]

Here I get up.

[Red Martin]

Now, wait a minute, Legs. What's the matter with you?

[Legs Miller]

The horse's name was Red Martin, wasn't it?

[Red Martin]

Red Martin? I don't know what you're talking.

[Legs Miller]

Okay, boys, pick him up. Take him out for a little ride.

[Red Martin]

Now, wait a minute, Legs. Give me a chance, will you? Get him out of here, quick. All right, get him in the air, everybody. Cover him, boys. First, when he makes a move for his heater, gets a belly full of this Hiya, honey. Hello, Red Legs. This is what I told you would happen, remember?

[Legs Miller]

Yeah.

[Red Martin]

I want all you guys to listen to me. I'm in it. I'm taking over. Any of you don't want to play ball with me, line up against the wall and I'll check you off right now. Okay, then you're working for me. Hey, you come just in time. Red. Casey, get over there with Legs.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

What?

[Red Martin]

I said get over there. Oh, sure, but what's the idea? There ain't gonna be any double crosses in my outfit. You double cross Legs, you might double cross me. I'll take it both of you. Oh, all right. Wait a minute.

[Special Agent Brown]

Honey.

[Red Martin]

From now on, as long as you play it straight, these big shoulders are yours.

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

Now, for a moment, let's talk about another kind of youngster. The kind of clean cut American boy in a typical American home who is going to be one of America's worthwhile citizens. This week at the Equitable Society, one of the agents told me a story that gave me quite a kick. It seems that when he got home the other evening, his young son Jimmy, aged eight, was chewing candy. Well, like fathers everywhere, he said, don't eat that candy now, Jimmy. You'll spoil your dinner. Where'd you get the candy, anyway? Fred gave it to me, said Jimmy. His father's in the candy business and he brings home samples. Say, dad, why don't you ever bring home some life insurance samples? Well, Jimmy's dad tried to explain. Look, son, he said, life insurance isn't like candy. Candy is something you can see and feel and touch and taste right now. But life insurance. Well, now, let's suppose that Fred's dad should die. There wouldn't be any more candy unless Fred's dad had arranged for life insurance to keep Fred supplied with candy and food and clothes. Well, Jimmy thought a minute and then he said, I get it. I get it. Life insurance is candy for when the samples run out. Candy for when the samples run out. That's something to think about. Life insurance is candy for future delivery. Security for tomorrow. Well, thinking about that makes us, of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States feel pretty happy about the work we do. There's a real satisfaction in being in a business like this. You see, we always know that what we're doing today will benefit boys like Jimmy and millions of other young Americans far, far into the future. Yes, this week and every week for more than 86 years, the equitable Society has been building security for you, your home and your country. And now, back to the file on crime in the Roaring Twenties.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Red Martin and his companions, delinquent youngsters of 1917, had now graduated into major crime. And together with thousands like themselves whose potential counterparts after this war were to be far greater in number had added the explosions of their guns to the roar of the Roaring Twenties. It is now some 30 or 40 minutes after Rhett Martin's blazing Tommy gun put him on the little throne which had been occupied by the man called Legs Miller. The murdered man has been discovered. The police notified they the special agents of the FBI are now viewing the bodies.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

That's Legs, all right.

[Legs Miller]

The other one I've heard him call.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Casey.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Who did it, waiter?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Do you know?

[Special Agent Brown]

Let me answer that, officer. It was Red Martin, wasn't it?

[Red Martin]

Waiter?

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Well, I.

[Special Agent Brown]

It's Red Martin and his gang who've been knocking off Legs Miller strikes.

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

That right?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

I seen Casey and Red Martin together. But why did Casey get it?

[Special Agent Brown]

I guess Martin doesn't want any double crosses on his staff. Find anything, officer?

[Narrator / FBI Official]

Couple of slugs on the floor that went clear through him.

[Special Agent Brown]

I'd like to have them for a lab check, if you don't mind.

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

Yeah.

[Special Agent Brown]

Obviously, Martin doesn't intend to do business here.

[Narrator / FBI Official]

He'll probably set up a new headquarters.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Waiter. Yes, sir?

[Special Agent Brown]

Did Legs Miller have a girlfriend?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Yes, sir.

[Special Agent Brown]

Is this her picture on the desk here?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Yes, sir.

[Special Agent Brown]

With all my love, honey.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

That's what she was called.

[Special Agent Brown]

We're taking this picture along too, officer. All right, Ms. Brown, I guess we can go now. And let's keep our fingers crossed. This picture could be the clue to the whereabouts of Red Martin.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Assuming you mean that when Red Martin takes over, he takes everything over.

[Red Martin]

Right.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Red?

[Red Martin]

Yeah.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

What time is it?

[Red Martin]

A little after 10.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Thanks, money.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

It's time.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

No, no, I ain't bored.

[Red Martin]

What's the matter?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Well, these past few days haven't been what you might call exciting.

[Red Martin]

Now, look, honey, I told you.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

I know. We have to stay here until the heat's off. Couldn't you pick someplace else for a hideout? Did it have to be two dingy rooms above a garage?

[Red Martin]

We ain't gonna be here forever.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

We already have been.

[Red Martin]

Who is it? Me, Al. Come on in. Hiya, blondie.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Hello, Junior.

[Red Martin]

Wanna see me, Red? Yeah. Tell the boys that tomorrow we start expanding.

[Special Agent Brown]

We do?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

How?

[Red Martin]

We're gonna start taking over Mr. Cicero's customers. That's a big order. I'm a big guy. Tomorrow the boys start calling on Cicero's customers to tell them from now on, they're buying from us. Okay. It'll be okay until Cicero decides to.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Pay us a visit.

[Red Martin]

That's what I want. It'll be a quick way to take over. We'll be here waiting for him. Pass the word on, Al. All right. See you later.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

After Mr. Cicero. Do we hide out again?

[Red Martin]

Come here, baby. Well, look, just play along with this for a few more days, will you?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Oh, I wish you didn't have those big shoulders.

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

What luck.

[Special Agent Brown]

Bob.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Enough, I think.

[Special Agent Brown]

What do you mean?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

I checked the photographer this morning who made this picture of Honey. Well, he said all he knew she was a nightclub singer. So I checked with the booking officers and I finally got this address.

[Special Agent Brown]

Whose?

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Her mother's on the north side.

[Special Agent Brown]

I'm bound to see her mother once in a while. We'll keep a 24 hour surveillance on the house and wait for Honey to show up. Brown speaking.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Jim, the girl just came home to see her mother.

[Special Agent Brown]

Yes.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Better get over here so we can follow her back and pick up Martin.

[Special Agent Brown]

You follow yourself, Bob, and then come on in.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Why?

[Special Agent Brown]

I want to pick up everybody at once.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Yes, but how?

[Special Agent Brown]

You keep tabs on Honey and find Martin's hideout. I think I've got a way for seeing that everybody is at home when we go calling.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Joe.

[Red Martin]

Yeah? Stand over there by the window.

[Special Agent Brown]

Right.

[Red Martin]

Now, find yourself by the door.

[Special Agent Brown]

Okay.

[Red Martin]

And don't take any chances. Have your rods on that door when she opens. And Honey?

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Yes, darling?

[Red Martin]

For the 10th time, go on back home to your mother's.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

Nothing doing. I'm staying here.

[Red Martin]

Look, baby, that was Cicero that called and said he was coming over. Not a magazine salesman, Cicero.

[Honey (Legs Miller's Girlfriend)]

I'm not afraid of Cicero.

[Red Martin]

So I suppose you like his shoulders too, darling. Okay, then. Get out of line of that door anyway.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

Hey, Red.

[Special Agent Brown]

Yeah, right here.

[Red Martin]

How many? Three cars. Folk get set for anything. They'll be upstairs any minute. But they won't all come up here. Never mind what stays downstairs. Just take care of what comes in that door. That's all. We have to. Listen, Red. Only one guy coming up.

[Special Agent Brown]

Yeah, Must be Cicero himself.

[Red Martin]

Gonna try talking first? I guess we let him have it when he comes in. I'll take care of him. Come in. Evening. That's not Cicero. Hey, who are you, pal?

[Special Agent Brown]

I'm Special Agent Brown of the FBI.

[Red Martin]

You better get out of here. There might be a lot of shooting in a minute.

[Special Agent Brown]

There'll be an awful lot lot. If any of you starts at Martin, those are FBI agents down there and they're ready to blast you to kingdom come. But Cicero, I'm afraid I'm guilty of impersonating Cicero. Mr. Martin.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

What?

[Special Agent Brown]

We just wanted to show you how easily you boys can be taken over. That's all. Now drop your guns and file quietly downstairs. We'll go to headquarters and arrange futures for one and all.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Young Red Martin's short and unprofitable career of crime ended with his death in the electric chair. The members of his mob were sentenced to long terms in prison. That was a page out of the Roaring Twenties, part of the criminal aftermath in America of World War I. Already the criminal aftermath of World War II is splashing black ink across the front pages of our newspapers. It happened before, it can happen here again. The FBI and your local law enforcement officers will fight it day and night. But it must be fought by all the people if it is to be linked. What are you doing about it in your community?

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

Before we tell you about next week's case from the files of the FBI a word about a man worth knowing. To the FBI, America looks for national security. And to the Equitable Society, three and a quarter million Americans look for the financial security of life insurance. These three and a quarter million people are the sole owners of the Equitable Society because, you see, the moment they purchase life insurance through an Equitable Society agent they became part owners of this great mutual organization. Yes, like your FBI, the equitable society representative in your community is constantly working for the security of you, your home and your country.

[Narrator / FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover]

Next week we will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The innocent Killer.

[Narrator / Equitable Society Representative]

The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Societies broadcast are taken from the files of the Federal Bureau of of Investigation. The role of J. Edgar Hoover was impersonated, but all other names used are fictitious. And any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental. Tonight, the music was under the direction of Frederick Steiner. The author was Frank Ferries and your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your FBI is a Jerry Devine production. Now, this is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community and inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time for this is your FBI.

[FBI Investigator Jim]

This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.