This Is Your FBI: The Bogus War Bride 03/29/1946

Summary

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Podcast Summary: This Is Your FBI: The Bogus War Bride (03/29/1946)

Podcast Title: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: This Is Your FBI: The Bogus War Bride
Air Date: February 8, 2026
Summary By: [Your Name]

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Choice Classic Radio presents a gripping dramatization from the classic radio series "This Is Your FBI," entitled "The Bogus War Bride." Set against the backdrop of post-World War II America, the story follows an insidious passport swindle targeting returning GIs desperate to reunite with their foreign brides. The episode strikes a somber note, addressing both the vulnerability of war veterans and the chilling ruthlessness of swindlers preying upon their hopes.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Criminal Scheme Unfolds (02:17-05:37)

• Setting: A bustling Times Square bar frequented by returning GIs.

• Primary Characters:

  • George Canton: The conman, masquerading as a happy newlywed.
  • Betty Douglas: His accomplice, posing as his British war bride.
  • Victim GI: An earnest veteran longing to bring his wife over.

• The Racket:
  George and Betty feign a successful reunion secured through "finagling," catching the attention of vulnerable GIs and offering to procure fake passports for $500.

Notable Quote:

"If you can raise 500 bucks tomorrow, you can get your wife over here in two or three weeks, just like I did."
— George Canton (05:29)

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2. The FBI Gets Involved (05:53-07:07)

• Assistant Agent in Charge Everett learns of the scam via a directive from Director Hoover. The Bureau decides to pursue the swindlers, emphasizing compassion over prosecution for duped veterans.
• Special Agent Grafton is assigned to contact victims and gather descriptions.

Notable Quote:

"Mr. Hoover has no desire to arrest a veteran for trying to get his wife over here. All we want is their cooperation in exposing the swindlers."
— Assistant Agent Everett (06:45)

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3. Desperation and Deception (07:22-09:04)

• Swindlers’ Perspective:
  Betty and George discuss "changing scenery" to avoid getting caught, highlighting a pattern of preying on vulnerable GIs in various cities.
• FBI Investigation:
  Grafton gets credible descriptions: A 35-year-old man and a younger woman with a British accent, frequenting GI bars.

Notable Quote:

"The way to keep the dough is to change scenery before we get caught."
— George Canton (08:10)

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4. The Dangerous Exchange (10:10-13:35)

• Victim Calls Out the Con:
  The victim arranges to meet George, but instead of another swindle, he confronts the criminal, revealing he's aware of the scam.
• The confrontation escalates: George, feeling cornered, shoots the GI.

Notable Quote:

"You think I'm going to stand there and let him work on me?"
— George Canton (18:18, recounting later)

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5. The Aftermath and Escalation (16:18-19:03)

• Mitigating Circumstances:
  The narrator draws a parallel to Les Misérables, acknowledging the honorable (if unlawful) intent behind the desperate acts of the victimized GIs.
• FBI Reacts:
  The attack is reported, linking the fake passport to the criminals, who are now prime suspects.

Notable Quote:

"He was about to do it with the honorable intention of reuniting his family."
— Narrator (16:53)

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6. On the Run and the Final Con (20:46-24:44)

• Swindlers’ Anxiety:
  George and Betty squabble, increasingly paranoid. Betty spots a new lucrative target—Richard Adams, a wealthy ex-GI—which they hope will be their last score before fleeing to the West Coast.
• FBI Closes In:
  The Bureau, now identifying the crooks by name, uses the stationery purchase and fingerprints to trace them.

Notable Quotes:

"I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed anyway, until we're on the—"
— Betty Douglas (24:29)

"That guy Adams was like shooting lions in the zoo, baby."
— George Canton (23:53)

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7. The FBI Trap and Justice Served (24:50-25:28)

• Climactic Arrest:
  The supposed "victim" Adams turns out to be FBI. George and Betty are arrested.
• Narrator:
  Both criminals are sentenced to federal penitentiary for forging documents and still face state charges.

Notable Quote:

"We're really special agents of the FBI... Your victim down at the hospital is ready to identify you for publication. Now, come on."
— Assistant Agent Everett (25:00)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:17: Start of scam setup in the bar.
• 05:53: FBI agents get briefed.
• 07:22: Swindlers plan to move their operation.
• 10:10: Victim arranges the final meeting.
• 13:33: Shooting occurs.
• 16:18: Narrator discusses mitigating circumstances.
• 20:46: Swindlers debate their next move.
• 24:50: FBI sets the trap and arrests the criminals.
• 25:28: Closing remarks on justice and the importance of vigilance.

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Memorable Moments

• Victim’s Moral Stand:
  The GI’s decision to confront the scammer, not for revenge, but to protect fellow veterans.
• FBI’s Empathy:
  The Bureau’s commitment to supporting veterans rather than prosecuting them for misguided, desperate acts.
• Cunning Criminals and Irony:
  Betty’s wisecracks, George’s bravado, and their ultimate undoing at the hands of the law.

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Final Takeaways

This episode provides a tense, emotionally resonant look at postwar struggles, the ingenuity of swindlers, and the resolute role of law enforcement. Important themes include vulnerability, deception, justice, and empathy—making the story both a cautionary tale and a tribute to the perseverance of those who seek to do right, even in desperation.

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Transcript

[George Canton]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you.

[Narrator / Announcer]

For [e-mail] the Equitable Life Assurance 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 enacting tonight's timely case, I'd like to call your attention to a very significant fact about the sponsor of tonight's program, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And that's the increasing number of women who are becoming members of the Equitable Society. More and more women are seeking security through life insurance. They call on Equitable Society representatives eager to know of the many uses and applications of modern life insurance. In fact, a number of our Equitable Society representatives are themselves women. I'll tell you about one of them later. Just like the men, they realize the value of life insurance both to the individual policyholder and to the community. They know that by serving Equitable Society members, they serve America. Tonight's FBI file the bogus war bride.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

Tonight's case from the files of your FBI presents another in the series of demonstrations of gratitude for the heroic sacrifices of the returned veteran being performed daily by that lower rung member of America's criminal society, he who was first in lying, first in cheating and first in the pockets of his countrymen, the swindler. In a certain bar off Times Square which became a favored oasis of GIs during the war, two of the last three vacant stools have been quickly spotted by the deliriously happy couple just coming in the door.

[George Canton]

Well, here we are, baby. Why? Time to give us a couple of champagne cocktails.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Okay.

[George Canton]

We got a lot of celebrating to do tonight, huh, buddy?

[Narrator / Storyteller]

Rather.

[George Canton]

Oh, listen to that. Rather what?

[Betty Douglas]

Rather beer than any sport on earth, that's what.

[George Canton]

Oh, you kill me with those quick comebacks, baby. You know that's what got me into this mess to start with.

[Betty Douglas]

Now just what do you mean by that, George?

[George Canton]

That night in Piccadilly when I asked you to marry me, you came back with yes. So quick I didn't have a chance to change me bloomin mind.

[Betty Douglas]

Well, if that's the way you feel about it, I'll get right back on the boat and go home.

[George Canton]

Would you really, baby?

[Betty Douglas]

I say, what a jolly big lawyer I am. What?

[George Canton]

Here's your drink, sister. Oh, thanks. Here, baby. Here's to the Queen Mary for bringing me Princess Betty.

[Betty Douglas]

Here's to you, love.

[Veteran / Customer]

Congratulations, chum.

[Betty Douglas]

Huh?

[Veteran / Customer]

Congratulations.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Oh, thanks, pal.

[Special Agent Grafton]

My bride's still stuck over there. May take another six months, sir.

[Betty Douglas]

What a pity.

[George Canton]

Yeah, it's tough.

[Veteran / Customer]

Anyway, let me join in drinking to your reunion.

[Betty Douglas]

Thanks. It's awfully nice of you.

[George Canton]

Yeah.

[Veteran / Customer]

Well, here's to you.

[George Canton]

Here's hoping you and your missus beat that six month rap, Father. You know, confidentially, pal, my wife here would still be stuck over there too, if I hadn't run onto a way to do a little finagling. What's the matter?

[Betty Douglas]

Want us to get arrested on our first night?

[George Canton]

What do you mean, get arrested?

[Betty Douglas]

Stop talking about how we worked it, that's why.

[George Canton]

Oh, look, baby, the soldier here's one of us.

[Betty Douglas]

Well, you can't tell who else might be listening.

[George Canton]

There's no police in here.

[Betty Douglas]

Just because you don't see any brass buttons is no sign.

[George Canton]

Okay, okay.

[Veteran / Customer]

Look, I don't know how you worked it to get your wife over, but I'd sure like to know.

[George Canton]

Well, I guess you can tell from the way Betty's putting the clamps on me that it's kind of a down under proposition, if you know what I mean.

[Veteran / Customer]

Anything that will get my wife over here is all right with me. After all, she's got a right to be here, hasn't she?

[George Canton]

Come on, let's all move over to that empty booth in the corner.

[Betty Douglas]

Okay.

[George Canton]

Come on, baby. Excuse me, Mr. Slide In, Sugar Charlie. Now, look, pal.

[Betty Douglas]

Yeah?

[George Canton]

Maybe I better tell you first how much this deal cost me.

[Veteran / Customer]

How much?

[George Canton]

500 smackers. 500? Can't you raise it?

[Veteran / Customer]

I guess I can.

[George Canton]

No, these guys work fast.

[Veteran / Customer]

Well, I'll have the dough tomorrow. That fast enough?

[George Canton]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Veteran / Customer]

Okay, what's the proposition?

[George Canton]

Was it all right with you if I tell him, Betty? After all, I gotta help a buddy, you know.

[Betty Douglas]

Go ahead.

[George Canton]

Okay. If you can raise 500 bucks tomorrow, you can get your wife over here in two or three weeks, just like I did.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Really?

[George Canton]

Sure. And here's how it works.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

In the local field office of the FBI. Assistant Agent in Charge Everett has just summoned Special Agent Grafton to his office.

[Special Agent Grafton]

You sent for me, Mr. Everett?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Yes, Grafton. I just got a special teletype from Director Hoover. A swindle case he wants us to go to work on right away.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Yes, sir.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

It's a fake passport racket being worked against returned veterans whose foreign brides are still over there, huh? Due to the tremendous backlog of applications for passports and other necessary papers. It may be several months before some of the wives can get over here.

[Special Agent Grafton]

I know.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

So the racketeer spots a veteran whose wife is way down the list and sells him a fake American passport to send to his wife.

[Veteran / Customer]

Mm.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Have we got any lead?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Two of these fake passports were picked up in London yesterday when two brides presented them for inspection.

[George Canton]

I see.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

They're being rushed to us by air mail. But in the meantime, here are the names and addresses of the two husbands here in the city.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Aren't they liable to arrest on a conspiracy charge?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Technically, yes. But Mr. Hoover has no desire to arrest a veteran for trying to get his wife over here. All we want is their cooperation in exposing the swindlers.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Well, then I better try to contact them right away.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

One of them lives out in Jackson Heights, the other one up near Columbia University. Here are the addresses.

[George Canton]

Okay.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

See if you can get a good description of who sold them the passports and how and where they were contacted.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Right.

[George Canton]

You got that passport to the sucker nearly ready, baby?

[Betty Douglas]

Just about, George, old thing.

[George Canton]

Oh, look, can that accident, will you, when we're not working on somebody.

[Betty Douglas]

Okay, sugar, but if I slip out of character in the middle of a deal sometime, well, it just might be rather embarrassing for us, don't you know?

[George Canton]

You and your British understatement.

[Betty Douglas]

Look, George, you better get some more of this kind of paper from the station, or we're about out.

[George Canton]

Never mind. We'll get some more when we get to the west coast.

[Betty Douglas]

Yeah, but we only got enough left. But what did you say?

[George Canton]

I said we'll get some more paper in the West Coast.

[Betty Douglas]

What do you mean, west coast?

[George Canton]

That's where we're going.

[Betty Douglas]

How come?

[George Canton]

Look, baby, we've been sprinkling these phony passports around here like confetti.

[Betty Douglas]

And making lots of nice dough, too.

[George Canton]

I know. And the way to keep the dough is to change scenery before we get caught.

[Betty Douglas]

What makes you think.

[George Canton]

Nothing. We're hotter than a couple of tamales right now.

[Betty Douglas]

So?

[George Canton]

So two more suckers after tonight, and we head for Frisco.

[Betty Douglas]

Why Frisco?

[George Canton]

Because, my pet, there is a very sad situation out there, too, huh?

[Narrator / Storyteller]

Yep.

[George Canton]

There's a lot of poor GIs out there with wives way out in Australia.

[Betty Douglas]

Oh, of course, of course. And I must do something for me blooming sisters down under.

[Narrator / Announcer]

What?

[Special Agent Grafton]

Can I Come in, Mr. Everett?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Oh, come ahead, Grafton. Did you locate the husbands?

[Special Agent Grafton]

I talked to one of them. The other's out of town.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

What'd you find out?

[Special Agent Grafton]

Well, I Got a pretty good description of the swindlers.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Good. How many are there?

[Special Agent Grafton]

A man and a woman.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Oh, yes.

[Special Agent Grafton]

He's around 35. She's younger and speaks with a British accent. They play the midtown bars frequented by servicemen and put on a big act about how happy they are to be reunited. She plays the part of his British bride who's just arrived.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

I see.

[Special Agent Grafton]

And some serviceman whose wife is still overseas butts in and asks how they managed it.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

And there's another victim ready to be taken.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Cost this chap $500.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Well, obviously the swindler didn't produce a phony passport on the spot at their first meeting. I mean.

[Special Agent Grafton]

No, the victim raised the money and they met again next day to complete the deal.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

But he had no idea of where to contact the swindler in the meantime. That's right.

[Special Agent Grafton]

First contact was at a bar, and the second meeting took place at the victim's house.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

All right, phone the descriptions of the swindlers to the police department and see if they check with anybody they have a record on. Right. And I'll get every available agent we have and get them started covering all midtown bars at once.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Hello?

[George Canton]

Hiya, pal. This is George.

[Veteran / Customer]

Oh, hello there. Everything set?

[George Canton]

I talked to the guys and they didn't want to do business.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

What?

[George Canton]

They wanted to lay off for a while. Afraid they might be getting hot.

[Veteran / Customer]

Yeah, yeah, but look, I. I already raised the 500 bucks. They can't back out on me. I gotta get my wife over here.

[George Canton]

Okay, okay. You're gonna get it here.

[Veteran / Customer]

Yeah, but you just said.

[George Canton]

Keep your shirt on with you. You're in.

[Special Agent Grafton]

I don't get it.

[George Canton]

Look, I'm not letting a buddy down. I talk the guys into making a deal for you. Yeah, they're just scared to deliver any more in person. The new customers, you see.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Oh.

[George Canton]

So I promised I'd deliver yours for them and collect the dough for them.

[Veteran / Customer]

Then you've got it.

[Betty Douglas]

Sure.

[George Canton]

Have you got the 500 with you?

[Narrator / Storyteller]

Yeah.

[Veteran / Customer]

Where'll I meet you? At that same bar?

[George Canton]

No, no, we better make it somewhere more private. I don't want to get caught either. You know, I'd have a tough time proving I'm not mixed up in this business.

[Veteran / Customer]

Sure, I know. I'll meet you wherever you say.

[George Canton]

Okay. How about your place?

[Veteran / Customer]

Swell. 36 Cherry Lane, down the Village. Basement apartment.

[George Canton]

Okay. Be there in 20 minutes.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Nobody like that in your files, huh, Sergeant?

[George Canton]

Okay.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Well, thanks a lot anyway.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Police headquarters hasn't got anything on them, Griffin?

[Special Agent Grafton]

No.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Then I'll teletype the descriptions to Washington to see if identification has got anything that checks.

[George Canton]

Okay.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

You better hop out and cover a few midtown bars yourself for a while. Right. Take the area between Broadway and 8th Avenue from 46 to 49th. I've got the rest covered.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Want me to call in in case something breaks?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Yeah, and I hope there's a break before another victim loses $5.

[George Canton]

Just a minute.

[Veteran / Customer]

Oh, hello, George.

[George Canton]

Come on in.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Okay.

[George Canton]

Look, I can't stay long, guys. Gave me an hour to get back with the dough. And besides, Betty don't know I'm doing this as she'd be scared to death.

[Veteran / Customer]

I was afraid you might change your mind yourself on the way down here.

[George Canton]

Ah, you know I never let a buddy down.

[Veteran / Customer]

I know.

[George Canton]

Okay, where's the dough?

[Veteran / Customer]

Where's the passport?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

I got it right here.

[Veteran / Customer]

Well, let's see it.

[George Canton]

What's the matter?

[Narrator / Announcer]

You think it's a gag?

[Veteran / Customer]

I just want to see what I'm getting for my money. Didn't you?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Yeah, yeah, sure.

[George Canton]

Well, okay. Hey, yeah, thanks. And I'm telling you, pal, it's a perfect imitation too.

[Veteran / Customer]

Uh huh.

[George Canton]

All the information you gave me on your wife is fixed up in there, right? All you gotta do is paste a picture on there and you're all set.

[Veteran / Customer]

Yeah, all set to get my wife and me in a jam maybe. And lose 500 bucks besides.

[George Canton]

What?

[Veteran / Customer]

She'd have as much chance of getting through on this as she would on a hat check.

[George Canton]

What are you talking about? My wife came through on one and I cut out the lion.

[Veteran / Customer]

Mister, I got wise to your racket this morning. You rooked a pal of mine on the same deal.

[George Canton]

Look, buddy, you got me wrong. I'm not mixed up in any racket. I said cut out, lyin. But I'm telling you that I went.

[Veteran / Customer]

Through with this just to get you down here. And the reason I haven't got a couple of cops waiting for you is because I wanted to do a little work on you myself first.

[Narrator / Announcer]

First?

[George Canton]

Now what do you mean?

[Veteran / Customer]

I mean like, stand up, you dirty chiseler, and take another one.

[George Canton]

Stand up, soldier.

[Veteran / Customer]

Put that gun away.

[George Canton]

Not when it's about to go off, Sucker.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Some of the most important people in the American business world are women. While waiting for tonight's FBI file to reopen, let me tell you about one who works for our sponsor, the Equitable Life Assurance Society. This week at the Equitable Society, I met one of America's outstanding businesswomen. She's a leading life insurance saleswoman. I asked her just how she happened to be in the life insurance business. Well, she said, when my husband and I were just starting out in life, we had very little money, but we had great plans. And we had a brand new life insurance policy in the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. One month later, my husband died. Well, the money from his Equitable Society policy didn't lessen my grief and shock, but it did help me through some mighty difficult times. One day I thought to myself, why, I can sell this. I can show people the importance of life insurance because I know from personal experience. So I got a position with the Equitable Society and now I spend my life in this satisfactory business of building security. Well, having talked with her, I understand why 30% of all equitable Life Assurance Society policies are currently being bought by women. Professional women, business women, women whose career is a home. Women everywhere are seeking the protection and security that comes with a policy in the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Yes, women too, know that this week and every week for more than 86 years, the equitable Life Assurance Society has been building security for you, your home and your country. And now back to the FBI file, the bogus war bride.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

There is a principle of human justice embodied in the codes of law wherever human rights are respected. A principle often referred to as mitigating circumstances. In the Victor Hugo classic Les Miserables, Jean Valjean was guilty of a robbery, but he stole in order to feed his starving family. That was the mitigating circumstance which lessened his guilt in the eyes of the just. Such a defense might be offered to lessen the guilt of the GI who was a victim of impersonation and conspired in the forgery of a passport. He was about to do it with the honorable intention of reuniting his family. In the office of the FBI Assistant Agent in Charge Everett is just finishing a telephone conversation as Special Agent Grafton enters the office.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Yes, yes, all right. And thanks a lot, Inspector. We'll have an agent over there right away. Grafton.

[Special Agent Grafton]

What's up?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

That was Inspector Riley of the homicide squad.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Oh.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

An ex serviceman was shot and seriously wounded a little while ago in his Village apartment.

[Special Agent Grafton]

I see.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

We don't know whether it has any connection with the shooting, but a fake passport made out for his wife was found in the man's pocket.

[George Canton]

Uh.

[Betty Douglas]

Oh.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

The police are taking him now to St. Anthony's Hospital. By the time you get there, he may have regained consciousness.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Well, I'm on my way.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Ask the police to let you have that fake passport. It might Be our best lead to date in case the chap doesn't recover. And get back as soon as you can, will you?

[Narrator / Storyteller]

Right.

[Betty Douglas]

With it?

[George Canton]

Me, George.

[Betty Douglas]

Huh?

[George Canton]

Get your stuff together quick, baby. We got a scram.

[Betty Douglas]

Why, what's all the excitement?

[George Canton]

I had to let the sucker have it.

[Betty Douglas]

You did what?

[George Canton]

Somebody put him wise. He was waiting for me with both fists.

[Betty Douglas]

George, you mean you.

[George Canton]

You think I'm going to stand there, let him work on me?

[Betty Douglas]

You stupid fool, you.

[George Canton]

Look, baby, don't stand here gabbing. I kill the guy. Don't you understand?

[Betty Douglas]

Well, if you're sure you killed him, that's not so bad.

[George Canton]

What do you mean?

[Betty Douglas]

They'll have a tough time tying it in with you, George. You had sense enough to bring it back with you, didn't you?

[Narrator / Announcer]

What?

[Betty Douglas]

Don't tell me you left that fake passport down there. Yeah.

[George Canton]

Yeah, I did.

[Betty Douglas]

Oh, brother.

[George Canton]

Oh, stop your beeping, will you? We gotta get out of here.

[Betty Douglas]

Not me, huh? We're a lot better off staying right here.

[George Canton]

How do you figure that?

[Betty Douglas]

If somebody put them wise to us, they can also put the cops wise to what we look like. Okay, but we'll be watching every train, bus and airline for us.

[George Canton]

All right, you stay here, baby, but I'm getting out.

[Betty Douglas]

Wait a minute. They catch you, I fall too. Yeah, but we. No dice, George. You're sticking right here with me, you understand? Okay, now sit down, genius. Give me the whole story.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Well, I talked to the victim, Mr. Everett.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Good. What'd you get?

[Special Agent Grafton]

Grafton, the swindler we've been looking for shot him. But he was apparently in such a hurry to get away, he left the fake passport behind.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Was he able to give more than a description of the swindler?

[Special Agent Grafton]

Only that he's known as George and the girl is Betty. That's all.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

I see.

[Special Agent Grafton]

The fingerprints of both of them are probably on this fake passport.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

We'll put it through for a check right away.

[Special Agent Grafton]

And we ought to have another lead in the kind of paper they used in making them up.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Right.

[Special Agent Grafton]

Shall I take a sample of it and start checking stationers to see who handles it and who's been buying it?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Yes, you start the ball rolling on that while I cover on all train, bus and air terminals. Right. And then we'll. Hey, wait a minute. Yeah, well, we'll watch the travel terminals anyway. They're probably taking the smarter course of staying under right here. In that case, it's up to us to smoke them out. And I think I've got an idea that'll do just that.

[Betty Douglas]

George.

[George Canton]

Huh?

[Betty Douglas]

I'm getting. There's not a thing in the morning paper but your little stunt last night. You ought to hire a press agent.

[George Canton]

Never mind the wisecracks, will you?

[Betty Douglas]

Oh, for heaven's sake, relax. You've been jumping up and down like a sewing machine all morning.

[George Canton]

I got a right to be jumpy, haven't I?

[Betty Douglas]

You don't hear my knees knocking, do you?

[George Canton]

I don't like it there not being anything in the paper about it.

[Betty Douglas]

Told you to get a press agent.

[George Canton]

I don't mean that.

[Betty Douglas]

Well, what do you mean?

[George Canton]

Look, sometimes cops keep things like this out of the paper on purpose.

[Betty Douglas]

Like what purpose?

[George Canton]

Like when they suspect somebody of doing the job and don't want the papers to tell them so and make them harder to catch.

[Betty Douglas]

Will you stop feeling the police breathing on your neck?

[George Canton]

Look way off when you. I'm sick.

[Betty Douglas]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

[George Canton]

What is it?

[Betty Douglas]

Well, genius, you can relax.

[George Canton]

What'd you find?

[Betty Douglas]

The newspaper didn't ignore your little party last night after all.

[George Canton]

What's it say?

[Betty Douglas]

The sucker's not dead. What then?

[George Canton]

What do you mean, relax?

[Betty Douglas]

He's in the hospital, will recover. And all he will say for publication at this time is that the shooting was all a mistake and he refuses to identify the person who did it.

[George Canton]

No kidding. Well, what do you know?

[Betty Douglas]

I think you ought to send him some flowers.

[George Canton]

George, I think we ought to get out of here now. Let's head for the coast, like I said.

[Betty Douglas]

Wait.

[George Canton]

What?

[Betty Douglas]

How would you like for us to make maybe a lot of money all at once first?

[George Canton]

How do you mean?

[Betty Douglas]

Selling another passport.

[George Canton]

Oh, are you crazy?

[Betty Douglas]

We're both crazy if we don't make this sale.

[George Canton]

Who too?

[Betty Douglas]

According to the paper here, the rich and social Richard Adams, ex GI is having all manner of trouble getting his blooming British broad over here. Don't you know? Yeah, yeah, he's crying about it from the plush depths of his penthouse apartment. And here's the address. Hey, I'll make up a book for him right away. You trade it to Mr. Adams for 5,000 and we'll be off for Frisco.

[George Canton]

Well, here's the report on that fingerprint check, Mr. Everett.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Identify them.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yes, sir.

[George Canton]

The man is George Canton, alias George Patterson. And the girl, his accomplice, Betty Douglas, former nightclub entertainer. Both have swindling records.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Good enough.

[George Canton]

And we've located the stationer who sells the paper used in the fake passports. Oh, he identifies George Canton as one of his customers, but has no address for Canton.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Well, we won't worry too much about that. Right now, I have a plan in mind that should solve all our worries.

[George Canton]

Open up, baby.

[Betty Douglas]

Okay. Well, it's about time you showed.

[George Canton]

California, here we come.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

You did okay.

[George Canton]

Oh, that guy Adams was like shooting lions in the zoo, baby.

[Betty Douglas]

How much?

[George Canton]

Five GS, just like you said.

[Betty Douglas]

Where is it?

[George Canton]

Right here.

[Betty Douglas]

Give it to Mama.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Huh?

[Betty Douglas]

You heard me. I said give it to Mama.

[George Canton]

But, sweetheart, I can.

[Betty Douglas]

First I want to see if it's all here.

[George Canton]

What's the matter? Do you think I can add?

[Betty Douglas]

Yeah, I think you can subtract too.

[George Canton]

Trust me, huh?

[Betty Douglas]

The last guy I trusted was the last guy.

[George Canton]

Hey, what's the idea? Why haven't you got your stuff packed yet?

[Betty Douglas]

It'll only take a minute.

[George Canton]

I guess you didn't have much faith in my salesmanship, huh, baby?

[Betty Douglas]

Not after your performance last night.

[George Canton]

All right, all right. Lay off that now, will you? It's all turned out sweet, hasn't it?

[Betty Douglas]

I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed anyway, until we're on the, uh.

[George Canton]

Oh, keep quiet.

[Betty Douglas]

It's too late for that. Whoever it is must have heard us talking.

[George Canton]

Okay, you go to the door and throw it open. I'll be ready with a blast.

[Betty Douglas]

You think?

[George Canton]

Go on. Do what I tell you.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

Hello, there.

[George Canton]

Well, Mr. Adams.

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

That's right.

[George Canton]

And your butler too. What's the idea?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

If you'd brought the young lady with you, we wouldn't have had to follow you here.

[Betty Douglas]

What do you mean?

[Assistant Agent in Charge Everett]

I mean, miss, that we're really special agents of the FBI What? I'll take that gun. Your victim down at the hospital is ready to identify you for publication. Now, come on.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

For forging and counterfeiting a government document, the passport swindlers are now serving full term in a federal penitentiary. After he has paid his debt to the United States government. The man called George must still stand trial on a charge of assault with intent to commit murder in New York State. And once again, your FBI joins with your local law enforcement officers in urging you, the potential victims of swindlers, to be wary of the stranger with a proposition. If the proposition is sound, it will keep long enough for you to investigate it and the person who offers it. If it is unsound, your investigation will prove it to be so. That is your duty to yourself and to society.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Next week, another exciting adventure story from the files of your FBI. We'll tell you about it in just a moment. As you listen to tonight's radio program, you must have realized why you look to your FBI for national security. Trained men Such as these FBI agents are the best safeguards you can have and you can depend upon the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States for the financial security life insurance for the same reasons able trained men and women experts in preserving homes in keeping children in school making old age comfortable the Equitable Society representative in your community the name Equitable Society is in your telephone book is skilled in all phases of life insurance security and experience in its application to your particular problems he yes and she specialize in building security for you, your home and your country.

[Narrator / Storyteller]

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

[Narrator / Announcer]

The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Life Assurance Society's broadcast are adapted from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all 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 Ferrais and your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your FBI is a Jerry Devine production. 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 when the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The delinquent parents on this is your FBI. This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.