This Is Your FBI: The Sinister Lighthouse 06/07/1946

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: This Is Your FBI: The Sinister Lighthouse (06/07/1946)
Release Date: April 5, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic true-crime dramatization from the golden age of radio, titled "The Sinister Lighthouse," originally aired as part of the "This Is Your FBI" series. The story unfolds around the kidnapping of wealthy young Howard Berkeley and how a returning war veteran and his wife are accidentally drawn into the case during their second honeymoon at a remote lighthouse. With timely intervention and cooperation from the FBI and vigilant citizens, the kidnapping is thwarted and justice is served, reinforcing the show's post-WWII message of civic responsibility and law enforcement efficacy.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Postwar America & Rising Crime

• Opening narration (01:52) stresses a postwar surge in major crimes, positioning the FBI as key in maintaining societal stability amidst this "tidal wave".
  • Quote: "It is the biggest crime wave in the history of our country." – Narrator [01:52]
• The context: Anne and Dick Roswell, newly reunited after Dick’s military service, head to a secluded lighthouse for a romantic getaway.

2. The Roswells’ Arrival and Discovery

• Anne surprises Dick with the lighthouse, fulfilling a wartime wish ([03:06–04:12]).
  • Lighthearted banter quickly turns tense as they discover an unconscious, blindfolded man—and are subsequently confronted by the kidnappers.
  • Quote: “Looks like we’ve stumbled into something, baby.” – Dick Roswell [05:43]

3. The Kidnapping Plot Revealed

• The intruders are holding Howard Berkeley for ransom and force Anne to handwrite the ransom note to misdirect police investigation ([09:09–10:16]).
  • Quote: “Mrs. Roswell is going to write a business letter for us.” – Kidnapper Boss [09:33]
• The note demands $20,000, to be placed in a boat, with a confirmation ad in the Baltimore Herald ([10:59–11:18]).

4. FBI Investigation Mobilizes

• FBI agents Grant and Coleman receive the case, coordinate with the Berkeley family, and set up to monitor the ransom exchange ([06:40–11:36]).
• Handwriting and fingerprints on the ransom note become the crucial lead in the investigation.
  • Quote: “That note was written by a woman. There are five good fingerprints of a man on it.” – Mr. Grant [18:55]

5. The Hostages and the Kidnappers’ Dilemma

• The kidnappers debate what to do with the Roswells, ultimately drugging both to keep them from interfering ([12:01–13:51]).
• The narrative emphasizes the evolving risk for criminals as unforeseen complications arise ([16:48–17:32]).

6. Break in the Case: The Ransom Note Fingerprint

• The FBI discovers the fingerprints belong to Dick Roswell—a recently discharged veteran—leading them quickly to the lighthouse ([18:40–19:42]).
  • Dick deliberately fingerprints the note, exploiting his military record to alert authorities.
  • Quote: “I did that on purpose. I knew my prints would be on record on account of being in the army.” – Dick Roswell [21:34]

7. The Tuneful Clue

• A unique signature tune, whistled repeatedly by one of the kidnappers, becomes the key to identification ([22:17–24:21]).
• Anne sings the tune for the FBI and local nightclub owner Mr. Cardoni, identifying it as the theme of singer Kay Wentworth ([24:04–24:25]).

8. Setting the Trap: Showdown at the Nightclub

• The FBI orchestrates a sting at the Key Club, inviting Kay Wentworth to perform to lure out the kidnappers ([25:30–26:52]).
  • The Roswells and FBI agents confront the culprits mid-performance, leading to their arrest.
  • Quote: “We went to a lot of trouble to arrange Miss Wentworth’s appearance here especially for you, mister. You ought to hear the finish of her number.” – Mr. Grant [26:25]

9. Resolution and Reflection

• The criminals are tried and sentenced to life in federal prison ([26:52–27:50]).
  • Final narration underscores the inevitability of justice and cites the importance of citizen cooperation.
  • Quote: “With the cooperation of you, the American citizen, [the kidnapper] and all his breed will be wiped out.” – Narrator [27:37]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Romantic Wish Fulfilled:
  • “You said you’d like to find an old abandoned lighthouse…and, well, look.” – Anne Roswell [04:01]
• Criminal Pragmatism:
  • “This is strictly a business deal.” – Kidnapper Boss [09:14]
• Deliberate Fingerprint:
  • “Good. Then it worked.” – Dick Roswell, revealing he left prints on purpose [21:33]
• Signature Tune Discovery:
  • “That’s Kay Wentworth’s theme song…she’s a nightclub singer. I booked her here several times.” – Mr. Cardoni [24:25]
• Justice Delivered:
  • “You ought to hear the finish of her number. You’ll have a lot of time to whistle it.” – Mr. Grant [26:25]

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Notable Timestamps

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Crime wave context | Setup of postwar crime surge | 01:52 | | Lighthouse arrival | Roswells find the crime scene | 04:10 | | Hostage situation | Roswells confronted, forced to write ransom letter | 05:40–10:16| | FBI takes the case | Agents Grant and Coleman mobilize | 06:40–11:36| | Key evidence clue | Fingerprints and handwriting connect to Dick | 18:21–19:42| | Sting operation planned | FBI uses music clue to set trap | 24:03–25:30| | Culprits apprehended | Showdown and arrest at the Key Club | 26:14–26:52| | Case resolved | Kidnappers sentenced, public service message | 26:52–27:50|

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Tone and Style

• The dialogue combines hardboiled detective tropes with postwar optimism and civic responsibility, using both tense exchanges and lighthearted marital banter.
• A signature element is the use of a musical motif to distinguish the villain, making the case memorable and demonstrating clever detective work through cultural clues.
• The show maintains a brisk, suspenseful pace, ending with a reinforcement of the partnership between the FBI and American citizens in combating crime.

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Episode Value

This episode is an excellent showcase of 1940s radio drama, blending suspense, period-specific dialogue, and procedural detail. For fans of classic detective stories or old-time radio, it demonstrates both the formulas and flourishes that made "This Is Your FBI" a treasured historical artifact. The fact-based narrative, the swift resolution, and the inclusion of civilian courage all encapsulate the patriotic messaging of its era.

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Listen to this episode to experience how clever deduction, a catchy tune, and ordinary citizens can intersect to foil even the most sinister plans.

Transcript

[Mr. Grant]

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

[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 is representative in your community. Misses America, if your husband isn't with you by the radio tonight, please get him. Tell him that 14 minutes from now, the Equitable Society, the sponsor of this program, has some important news for homeowners as well as for people who are thinking of buying or building a home. Tell him that he's going to hear about a money saving plan that will give him and you special protection. It's known as America's Finest plan for home ownership. Tonight's FBI file, the sinister lighthouse.

[Narrator]

As we speak to you tonight, an unprecedented tidal wave of crime is sweeping our country from coast to coast through village and hamlet and town and city, destroying lives and property and smashing savagely at the very pilings on which rest the whole structure of American society. It is the biggest crime wave in the history of our country. As to its magnitud, we need say no more than this that major crimes alone, one of which we report tonight, are being committed at the rate of almost 5,000 every 24 hours. That morning, when her wounded veteran husband was discharged from a Long island hospital wearing his first set of civvies in nearly four years, Anne Roswell was waiting outside for him in their small convertible. A few hours later, they were driving slowly over a rough dirt trail.

[Dick Roswell]

Anne?

[Anne Roswell]

Yes?

[Dick Roswell]

Can I open my eyes now?

[Anne Roswell]

Dick, don't you dare.

[Dick Roswell]

But I'm supposed to see where I'm driving.

[Anne Roswell]

I'm handling that. And besides, we're almost there.

[Dick Roswell]

Where?

[Anne Roswell]

Never mind.

[Dick Roswell]

I smell salt water, don't I?

[Anne Roswell]

Do you?

[Dick Roswell]

We're in Maryland, right?

[Anne Roswell]

Are we?

[Dick Roswell]

Sure. And Maryland and salt water means we're somewhere along the shore of Chesapeake Bay.

[Anne Roswell]

Dick, keep your eyes shut.

[Dick Roswell]

Okay, I'll keep guessing. Let's see. You rented us a cottage. No. A tent?

[Anne Roswell]

No.

[Dick Roswell]

A foxhole.

[Anne Roswell]

All right, we're here. But don't look in there. Darling, you remember that letter you wrote me from some island about where you'd like to spend our second honeymoon?

[Dick Roswell]

Yeah.

[Anne Roswell]

You said that you'd like to find an old abandoned lighthouse and, well. Look,

[Dick Roswell]

baby, you did it.

[Anne Roswell]

I found it about a month ago. And finally Dug up the people who own it.

[Dick Roswell]

Aw, gee, this is wonderful.

[Anne Roswell]

They never come here, so they said we could use it.

[Dick Roswell]

Ah, baby, there's not much furniture. Who cares? Come on, let's go look inside. Quick.

[Anne Roswell]

Oh, be careful, darling.

[Dick Roswell]

Never mind my leg. Come on, give me your hand, baby.

[Anne Roswell]

Okay. That's the front door right there.

[Dick Roswell]

Well, what are we waiting for? Let's take over. How old is this place, do you know?

[Anne Roswell]

Very, very old.

[Dick Roswell]

Maybe we'll even find some buried treasure around.

[Anne Roswell]

I'm sure we will. Here we are.

[Dick Roswell]

Wait a minute.

[Anne Roswell]

What's the matter?

[Dick Roswell]

We've got to do this according to regulations. I'm carrying you through the doorway.

[Anne Roswell]

Oh, but Dick, darling, you can't.

[Dick Roswell]

You're right. I'm carrying you, baby. Come on. This is the way we do it. Careful. Okay, now a big kiss before I put you down.

[Anne Roswell]

Look. Look over there on the couch.

[Dick Roswell]

Wait a minute. You stand right here.

[Anne Roswell]

He. He looks like he's dead.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Dick.

[Anne Roswell]

Is he?

[Dick Roswell]

No, he's not dead, but he's sure knocked out.

[Anne Roswell]

What happened to him?

[Dick Roswell]

The hypo needle on this table probably had something to do with it.

[Anne Roswell]

What's he blindfolded for?

[Dick Roswell]

I don't know, but looks like we've stumbled into something, baby.

[Anne Roswell]

What'll we do, Dick?

[Dick Roswell]

We're gonna get the police as fast as we can. Come on.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Stay away.

[Dick Roswell]

Who are you? Answer me.

[Kidnapper Ox]

If there's any questions to be answered, the boss will take care of that when he gets here. In the meantime, that's for crashing the party without an invite. Now sit down.

[Narrator]

Earlier that day in the Baltimore field office of the FBI agent in charge Grant received an urgent telephone call, after which he quickly summoned Special Agent Coleman to his desk.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Got something hot off the wire, Mr. Grant?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Mr. Grant]

Do you know John Berkeley is.

[Special Agent Coleman]

You mean the plastics manufacturer here?

[Mr. Grant]

That's the one. He just telephoned his son, young Howard Berkeley, has been kidnapped.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Well, when was this?

[Mr. Grant]

Sometime after 6 o' clock last night. Young Berkeley had gone up to the family cottage on the bay yesterday by himself to work on his boat. Yes, at six o' clock he telephoned his home to say he was staying at the cottage all night. And that was the last they heard from him.

[Special Agent Coleman]

How did they know he was kidnapped?

[Mr. Grant]

The father just got an anonymous telephone call a while ago to that effect. Oh, the caller, a man, said Berkeley would receive his instructions later.

[Special Agent Coleman]

And in the meantime, here's the location

[Mr. Grant]

of the cottage Berkeley gave me. You should be able to find it. All right.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Uh huh.

[Mr. Grant]

You better take a run up There right now and see if you can pick up any leads.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Okay.

[Mr. Grant]

I'll arrange to have approaches covered right away. So we'll get the ransom note without having to contact Berkeley in the open to get it?

[Mr. Cardoni]

Right.

[Mr. Grant]

Get back here as soon as you can. Things may start moving fast.

[Dick Roswell]

Anne.

[Anne Roswell]

Yes, Dick?

[Dick Roswell]

Give me your hand. I. I want to stand up a minute, but that man said my leg's getting stiff.

[Anne Roswell]

Oh, here, wait a minute.

[Kidnapper Ox]

What are you doing?

[Dick Roswell]

Just stretching.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Sit down.

[Anne Roswell]

He's just got out of an army hospital. He was wounded.

[Kidnapper Ox]

So what?

[Anne Roswell]

He has to exercise his leg.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Not on my time. So sit down.

[Dick Roswell]

If you didn't have that gun.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Look, look. I've got it.

[Dick Roswell]

Okay.

[Anne Roswell]

How. How long are you keeping us here?

[Kidnapper Ox]

I told you, that's up to the boss. Wait a minute. That's him coming now.

[Anne Roswell]

Does that mean we can go?

[Kidnapper Ox]

Well, you can ask him that question. You must have saw your car,

[Kidnapper Boss]

Ox.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Kidnapper Boss]

Whose car is that?

[Kidnapper Ox]

Well, we had some unexpected company, but everything's under control. Oh.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Who are they?

[Kidnapper Ox]

They claim they got permission to use the lighthouse for a second honeymoon.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Well, how romantic. Who are you?

[Dick Roswell]

I'm Dick Roswell, and this is my wife.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Where do you come from?

[Dick Roswell]

We live in a New York suburb. Scarsdale.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Oh, the Westchester set, huh?

[Kidnapper Ox]

What do we do with them?

[Kidnapper Boss]

Mr. Roswell?

[Dick Roswell]

Yes?

[Kidnapper Boss]

I think you ought to know what's going on here.

[Dick Roswell]

I already have an idea.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Did you tell him, Ox?

[Kidnapper Ox]

Of course not.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Well, that character on the couch there is what you'd call in Westchester a houseguest. He's staying here until we collect a chunk of dough from his old man kidnapping. Lady, you're being very crude. This is strictly a business deal.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Look, what are you telling them all this stuff for?

[Kidnapper Boss]

Because they're going to help us, Ox, on account of this as a business deal. Mrs. Roswell is going to write a business letter for us.

[Kidnapper Ox]

What's the idea?

[Kidnapper Boss]

A dame's handwriting will set up a good false lead.

[Mr. Grant]

Oh.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Oh, yeah, I get it. And besides, her fingerprints won't mean anything, huh?

[Kidnapper Boss]

That's right, Ox. Mrs. Russell, you'll find a box of paper and a pencil on the table there.

[Anne Roswell]

You mean you. You want me to write?

[Dick Roswell]

It's okay, baby. Here. Here's the paper.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Did I ask you to butt in?

[Dick Roswell]

I'm just handing her a sheet of paper, that's all. Here, Andy.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Ready, lady?

[Anne Roswell]

Yes, sir.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Then take this note. To Mr. John R. Berkeley, 2705 Linwood Drive, Baltimore.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Here's the Berkeley's. Morning mail, Mr. Grant. Just came. Good and if I'm not mistaken, here's the letter we've been waiting for.

[Mr. Grant]

Handle it carefully, Goldman. We don't want to spoil any fingerprints.

[Dick Roswell]

Right. Here you are.

[Mr. Grant]

Cleared the post office at 2:00am this morning.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Yes.

[Mr. Grant]

Well, let's have a look.

[Special Agent Coleman]

What does it say?

[Mr. Grant]

Berkeley is supposed to leave $20,000 and fives, tens and twenties in a sack in the boat up at the cottage.

[Dick Roswell]

When?

[Mr. Grant]

By midnight tonight.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Say, what's that say about the Baltimore Herald?

[Mr. Grant]

Berkeley is to run a notice in the afternoon's Herald saying instructions are being complied with.

[Special Agent Coleman]

The usual threat, of course. To the victim.

[Mr. Grant]

Yes.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Well, there's not much time to get that notice in the paper.

[Mr. Grant]

It'll be in there. And the money will be in the boat tonight, too. I'm calling Berkeley now to arrange it. While I'm doing that, get a messenger and shoot him over to the Bureau with that note.

[Special Agent Coleman]

To check it for fingerprints?

[Mr. Grant]

Yes, and the handwriting, too. Which is a woman's or I miss my guess.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Looks like it.

[Mr. Grant]

Well, we ought to hear from the Bureau in two or three hours. Maybe we'll get the lead that will drown those water rats.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Say, boss.

[Kidnapper Boss]

What is it, Hucks?

[Kidnapper Ox]

You need any help?

[Kidnapper Boss]

No, I'm just about finished.

[Dick Roswell]

What's he doing?

[Kidnapper Ox]

Tying Berkeley up. We deliver him tonight.

[Anne Roswell]

Can't he whistle any other song?

[Kidnapper Ox]

He happens to like that song. He also happens to like the singer who uses it.

[Dick Roswell]

It also happens to be driving us crazy.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Well, everything's in real good shape, boss.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Well, what time is it?

[Kidnapper Boss]

Why?

[Kidnapper Ox]

Well, it'll take us nearly an hour to row across to that boathouse.

[Kidnapper Boss]

That's right.

[Kidnapper Ox]

How much time we got?

[Narrator]

Enough.

[Kidnapper Ox]

You haven't said what we're gonna do with him and her.

[Kidnapper Boss]

That's right. Well, Ox, give me the hypo needle.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Berkeley don't need no more, boss. I just stuck him a few minutes ago, remember?

[Kidnapper Boss]

Ox?

[Mr. Cardoni]

Yeah.

[Kidnapper Boss]

The needle.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Okay. There you are. And here's the stuff.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Mrs. Roswell.

[Anne Roswell]

Yes, sir?

[Kidnapper Boss]

Raise your right sleeve.

[Dick Roswell]

Wait a minute. Well, you're not gonna give her any hypo.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Raise your sleeve, Mrs. Roswell.

[Anne Roswell]

No, no, don't.

[Dick Roswell]

You heard what I said.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Raise your sleeve.

[Anne Roswell]

No, no, no.

[Dick Roswell]

Get away from her. Get away from her. You.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Hold it.

[Anne Roswell]

Thank God.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Thanks, Hux. Now, Lurk, load Berkeley in the boat, will ya, while I put Mrs. Roswell to.

[Announcer]

And now, before the FBI file on the sinister lighthouse resumes as it will in just a moment, here's that important message for homeowners and home buyers this week at the Equitable Life Assurance. Society I met a self sacrificing father because of an expensive operation that saved his little daughter's life. This father found that he was unable to meet the monthly payments on his home. But he'd forgotten that the Equitable Society's Assured Home Ownership plan provides a cash fund for just such financial emergencies. Well, you should have seen the relief on his face when he learned that he could keep his home and that the cash fund in his assured home ownership plan would take care of his monthly payments for a full year. This cash fund is just one of five major advantages of the assured Home Ownership plan. The other four 1. The mortgage is cancelled, paid off in full if owner dies. And besides, every dollar previously paid on principal is returned in full to the widow along with a canceled mortgage. Two, the special cash fund increases as the mortgage shrinks. It can be used to shorten the term of the mortgage. Pay off a 20 year mortgage, for example, in as little as 14 years, saving six years interest. 3. Mortgage interest not at 6%, not at 5%, but at only 4%. 4. Liberal allowance to cover title search, lawyers fees and other closing costs. No broker's commission or bonus charges. Frankly, there is no other plan like this anywhere. The Equitable Society calls it America's finest plan for home ownership. It protects you against the two major hazards of home death and hard times. So if you're planning to buy or build a house, or if you now own a home, get complete information on the Assured Home Ownership Plan from your Equitable Society representative. That's the Equitable Society. Equi T A B L E. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And now back to the FBI file. The sinister lighthouse.

[Narrator]

In crimes of abduction such as reported tonight from the files of your FBI kidnappers have all the advantages at first. But not for long does this unfavorable balance remain intact. For time and events in the course of executing their prepared plot are constantly at work against them. And quite often it is some unexpected event which leads to their undoing. Certainly in this case, the appearance of the war veteran and his bride at the lighthouse hideout was an unexpected event. It is now about 11 o'.

[Announcer]

Clock.

[Narrator]

On the floor of the lighthouse lie the unconscious forms of the war veteran and his bride. A few yards away, the kidnappers are putting out from shore in a rowboat at their feet, the drugged body of their victim. And in the Baltimore office of the FBI a few miles away.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Well, an hour from now, Mr. Grant, the kidnappers will have collected that $20,000. And here we are just Sitting.

[Mr. Grant]

I know. This is the toughest part of a kidnapping case, Coleman.

[Special Agent Coleman]

I'd give anything if we could be at that boathouse when they get there.

[Mr. Grant]

So would I. But we can't gamble with the victim's life.

[Special Agent Coleman]

We should be hearing from Washington.

[Mr. Grant]

I know. They've had the ransom note for several hours now.

[Special Agent Coleman]

There must have been some fingerprints on it.

[Mr. Grant]

Maybe none. They've got a record of Washington? I hope so. Grant speaking. Right. It's Washington.

[Special Agent Coleman]

All right, I got my fingers crossed.

[Mr. Grant]

Hello? Yes.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Uh huh.

[Mr. Grant]

Woman's handwriting, huh? We figured that much. Any record of it. I see. What about fingerprints?

[Dick Roswell]

What?

[Mr. Grant]

But that doesn't make sense.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Uh huh.

[Mr. Grant]

All right, I got the name, lives where. Okay, we'll go to work on it right now. Thanks.

[Special Agent Coleman]

What doesn't make sense?

[Mr. Grant]

The note was written by a woman. There are five good fingerprints of a man on it.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Well, that's not so hard to take.

[Mr. Grant]

But this part is. The duplicates of those prints were found in the non criminal file. Huh? They are the prints of a discharged veteran with a clean record. Well, what's more, he was just released yesterday morning from a Long island army hospital.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Mr. Grant]

That's what I say, but fingerprints don't lie. I know he and his wife live with his family in Scarsdale, New York. Let's get the New York office on the phone and fast.

[Kidnapper Boss]

See?

[Kidnapper Ox]

Say, boss. Well, I think we. We got away with them 20 GS too easy.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Just keep on rolling, Ox, and be thankful for this bug.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Anyway, I'm glad we got that kid off our hands now.

[Kidnapper Boss]

I think you've got a point there, Ox.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Yeah, I was beginning to get.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Announcer]

Look, that.

[Kidnapper Ox]

That kid won't be able to tell nobody nothing about us. Cause he never got a look at us.

[Kidnapper Boss]

That's right.

[Kidnapper Ox]

But the other two got a real good look at us. So maybe we ought to go back to that lighthouse and knock him off for keeps.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Look, so far we've done this job clean and that's the way it stays.

[Kidnapper Ox]

But they can identify us.

[Kidnapper Boss]

For that they need our names, where we're from and our fingerprints. None of which they have. Yeah, but if keep on rolling to where we hid the car, we're getting back to New York fast.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Oh,

[Mr. Grant]

take it easy, fella, huh? You'll be all right.

[Dick Roswell]

Who. Who are you?

[Mr. Grant]

We're special agents of the FBI.

[Dick Roswell]

FBI?

[Mr. Grant]

That's right.

[Dick Roswell]

Oh, Anne. My wife. Where is she?

[Mr. Grant]

She's right here.

[Dick Roswell]

But they were.

[Mr. Grant]

Apparently she was drugged.

[Announcer]

She's coming around all right.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Now, Mr. Grant.

[Mr. Grant]

Good.

[Special Agent Coleman]

It'll take a couple of minutes for her mine to clear if I ever

[Dick Roswell]

get my hands on those Jews.

[Mr. Grant]

Just tell us what you know about them, quickly.

[Dick Roswell]

Sure, but. But how did you get here?

[Mr. Grant]

I mean, fortunately, your fingerprints were on the ransom note.

[Dick Roswell]

Good. Then it worked.

[Mr. Grant]

What do you mean?

[Dick Roswell]

I did that on purpose. I knew my prints would be on record on account of being in the army. And maybe you could trace us here that way.

[Mr. Grant]

That's just what happened.

[Dick Roswell]

Ann and I came here for our second honeymoon.

[Mr. Grant]

We know all that. We've talked to your folks. And you stumbled into a kidnapping.

[Dick Roswell]

Yeah.

[Mr. Grant]

And they forced your wife to write the note. That's right. They've collected the ransom by now. Now it's up to us to catch them, with your help.

[Dick Roswell]

What do you want to know?

[Mr. Grant]

How many were there?

[Dick Roswell]

Two.

[Mr. Grant]

Can you give us a good description?

[Dick Roswell]

Let me see.

[Mr. Grant]

Did they have any distinguishing characteristics or marks or habits that might help us?

[Dick Roswell]

The only habit I remember was the boss kept whistling the same tune over and over and over.

[Mr. Grant]

What tune?

[Dick Roswell]

I never heard it before.

[Mr. Grant]

Any particular reason for him whistling it?

[Dick Roswell]

The other one let something slip about some girl that sings it all the time.

[Mr. Grant]

Who was she?

[Dick Roswell]

He didn't say.

[Mr. Grant]

Did you get any idea where they're from?

[Dick Roswell]

They seem to know New York pretty well.

[Mr. Grant]

See if you can remember how the tune went.

[Dick Roswell]

Well, I'm not much good at that.

[Anne Roswell]

Dick.

[Dick Roswell]

Ann. Ann, darling.

[Anne Roswell]

Dick.

[Dick Roswell]

Everything's all right, baby.

[Mr. Grant]

Maybe she can remember how that tune went.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Yeah.

[Dick Roswell]

Anne. Listen, baby.

[Anne Roswell]

Dick, I'm so sick.

[Dick Roswell]

You're gonna be okay, darling. Listen, you gotta help these men. They're from the FBI.

[Anne Roswell]

What?

[Dick Roswell]

That tune he was whistling all the time.

[Anne Roswell]

Tune?

[Dick Roswell]

Yeah, the. The one that kidnapper whistled. How did it go?

[Anne Roswell]

I. I don't remember.

[Dick Roswell]

Sure you do. You never forget a tune. Come on, snap out of it, baby. You remember that song. It might help the FBI, Cat.

[Mr. Cardoni]

The FBI? What do you want to see me about?

[Mr. Grant]

Since you're a prominent nightclub operator here In New York, Mr. Cardoni, you might be just the man who can help us.

[Mr. Cardoni]

What do you mean?

[Mr. Grant]

We want you to identify a tune for us.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Tune? What tune?

[Mr. Grant]

We don't believe it's published. Probably special material. Mrs. Roswell.

[Anne Roswell]

Yes.

[Mr. Grant]

Would you sing it for him?

[Mr. Cardoni]

Hey, now, look here. If this is some trick to get this girl an audition.

[Mr. Grant]

We identified ourselves, Cardoni, and we're after a couple of kidnappers. Sing the tune, Mrs. Roswell.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Okay, okay. I know it's not an audition gag.

[Mr. Grant]

Now, what's tune?

[Mr. Cardoni]

That's K. Wentworth's theme song. Oh, she nightclub singer. I booked her here several times.

[Mr. Grant]

Where is she now?

[Mr. Cardoni]

Around town. Why?

[Mr. Grant]

Who's a boyfriend?

[Mr. Cardoni]

Is she married?

[Mr. Grant]

To whom?

[Mr. Cardoni]

Trumpet player. Oh, that bad?

[Special Agent Coleman]

Look, Mr. Grant.

[Mr. Grant]

Yes?

[Special Agent Coleman]

Just because our man whistles a tune all the time doesn't necessarily mean he knows Kay Wentworth.

[Mr. Grant]

That's true.

[Special Agent Coleman]

He might be, well, just an ardent admirer of hers. Is Ms. Wentworth singing anywhere now, Mr. Cardoni?

[Mr. Cardoni]

No.

[Special Agent Coleman]

You know what I'm thinking, Mr. Grant?

[Mr. Grant]

I believe I do, Mr. Cardoni.

[Mr. Cardoni]

Yeah.

[Mr. Grant]

I'm sure you book your talent for the club far in advance, but this is an emergency. And if you'll cooperate with the FBI,

[Announcer]

you may be helping us.

[Mr. Cardoni]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, as the piece de resistance of our Sunday night celebrity show here at the Key Club, we present that scintillating singer of sophisticated songs, Ms. K. Wentworth.

[Kidnapper Ox]

There she is, boss. Oh, she's gorgeous.

[Kidnapper Boss]

And you keep quiet now, Ox, or you'll eat this bottle.

[Special Agent Coleman]

Boss.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Shut up.

[Dick Roswell]

You

[Anne Roswell]

is just a name to move.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Hey, boss.

[Kidnapper Boss]

I told you to keep quiet.

[Kidnapper Ox]

Look who's coming this way.

[Kidnapper Boss]

I don't care who it is.

[Kidnapper Ox]

It's them kids from the lighthouse.

[Anne Roswell]

What?

[Kidnapper Ox]

And they got two other guys with him.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Let's get out of here.

[Mr. Grant]

Just a minute, you.

[Kidnapper Boss]

What's the idea?

[Mr. Grant]

I believe you already know Mr. And Mrs. Roswell here. And we're special agents of the FBI.

[Kidnapper Boss]

Look, I don't know what.

[Anne Roswell]

Get him in.

[Mr. Grant]

All right, then sit back down, both of you. We went to a lot of trouble to arrange Miss Wentworth's appearance here especially for you, mister. You ought to hear the finish of her number. You'll have a lot of time to whistle it.

[Narrator]

The Berkeley kidnappers were tried and convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in a federal penitentiary. Yes, the tremendous upsurge of crime in post war America finds the kidnapper at work again. Undaunted by the fact that his predecessors back in the 20s and early 30s were without exception, brought to justice. But your FBI warns him here and now that once again, with the cooperation of you, the American citizen, he and all his breed will be wiped out.

[Announcer]

Next week, another thrilling case from the files of your FBI. We'll tell you about it in just a moment. Certain features of the equitable Society's assured home ownership plan are easily remembered. Such as the low interest of only 4% and the fact that if the owner dies, the widow owns the home free and clear. But there are other facts about this plan that you should know. And that's why we suggest you see the nearest Equitable Society representative without delay. He has all the information at his fingertips and plenty of literature for reference and study. Call him. Tomorrow. Look up the number of the Equitable Life Assurance Society in your phone book. Equi T A B L E. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

[Narrator]

Next week we will bring you another colorful story. From the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Flowers for the cops.

[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 composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner. The author was Frank Ferries. And your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your FBI Is a Jerry Devine production. And 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. 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. Flowers for the corpse on this is your FBI. This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.