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Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective. The Adventures of the Saint, starring Vincent Price. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Hello, and welcome to a bonus holiday episode of down these Mean Streets. Well, we are officially in December and the holiday season is upon us. So each Wednesday this month I'll post a pair of seasonal mysteries starring some of our favorite radio detectives. It's a weekly countdown that'll take us all the way up to Christmas Eve. And today we're kicking off with Casey, crime photographer and Boston Blackie. Casey's up first in an episode called Christmas Shopping. It originally aired on CBS on December 19, 1946. Casey hits the department store with his girl Friday reporter, Ann Williams. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday crowd, Casey spots a notorious pickpocket lifting a wallet. But when Casey intervenes, the victim claims nothing was stolen. It's the start of a mystery featuring Stats Cotsworth as Casey and Leslie woods as Anne. Then we'll hear Richard Kalmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend. He stumbles into a jewel robbery while out to dinner with Mary Wesley and Inspector Faraday. But just like Casey in our first story, when the thief is caught, he doesn't have any of the stolen goods on him. Now, instead of a whodunit, Blackie has to solve a. How did he do it? Just in time for Christmas. I hope you enjoy these shows and they help to get you in the holiday spirit. I'll be back on Sunday with our next regular episode and next Wednesday with more Christmas capers. But for now, enjoy. Casey, crime Photographer and Boston Blackie. The anchor hawking glass corporation brings you crime photographer. Hey, Ethelbert. Oh, hello, Casey. What's Tony Marvin worrying about over there? Why, he's writing a holiday poem. Poem? And he stuck for something to rhyme with Christmas stocking. But Ethelbert, are you kidding? Certainly not. Oh, you mean Anchor Hawking. Oh, gee, fellas, that's wonderful. Anchor Hawking, a great name in gl. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Tony Marvin. Every week at this time, the Anchor Hawking Glass Corporation of Lancaster, Ohio and its more than 10,000 employees bring you another adventure of Casey, Crime Photographer, ace cameraman who covers the crime news of a great city. Written by Alonzo Dean Cole. Our adventure for tonight, Christmas shopping. Late afternoon. A crowded aisle in one of our city's largest department stores. Making slow headway through the jostling shoppers are. Casey. I've never seen the store so crowded. Yeah, we say that every year during the week before Christmas. Annie, where. Where are you taking me now, huh? Well, you haven't anything for your Aunt Harriet yet, so I thought we'd look at umbrellas there on this side of the store somewhere. Yeah. Annie, look, you can pick up a much nicer umbrella for Aunt Harry than I can. I trust your judgment absolutely, Annie. So suppose I shop for all the uninteresting items while you go up to the toy department and watch the electric trains again? Well, you know, I've still got to pick up a few more things for my sister's kids. Annie and. Hey, Annie, wait a minute. Hang on to your pocketbook. Keep an eye on that little guy in the black overcoat just ahead of us. That's Fingers Fogarty, one of the best known dips in the city. Pickpocket? Yep. Shove through this mob a little faster, Annie. Now, keep him in sight. I think he's closing in on a prospect. You mean he's made up his mind about whose pocket he's going to pick? Sure. Smart dips like Fingers don't dive into just anybody's pocket. They hang around bars and wait for some guy to flash a roll. And they tail him if he gets into a crowd like that. Look, Poker. He's doing his stuff now, Annie. No. Yeah, that big fat guy. He just bumped into Fingers. Took a wallet from his inside pocket. Well, I didn't see him. Neither did the fat guy as a smooth worker. Come on. You'll feel very badly when we stop his special brand of Christmas shopping. But pocket picking is considered antisocial. I've got to get Mr. Fogarty. Well, he squeezed through the crowd. I can't see him anymore. Neither can I. Look, Casey, yell out for somebody to stop him. Well, I yell, stop, thief. Well, you can't let him get away. He won't get away. Every cop in this precinct knows Fingers. He'll be picked up quick after a charge is brought against him. I'll help that guy who lost his wallet. Bring the charge? Yes, if you appear as a witness, I will. Where's the fat man? Excuse me, mister. Something happened to you a minute ago that I don't think you know about. What do you mean? Your Pocket was picked. My pocket? Yeah. A little guy bumped into you, and as he did, I saw his hand go into your inside pocket and come out with a wallet. Well, I happen to know who he is. And when you report your loss to the cops, I'll be glad you're mistaken, mister. I didn't lose my wallet. Huh? I'm sure. I'm more sure. I tell you, I saw him. When a guy sees something that couldn't be seen, he's either goofy or drunk. On your way, fella. Well, I'll be. Good thing you didn't get your hands on Fingers, Fogarty. He could have plastered you with a nice suit for false arrest. And I know he took a wallet from that fat guy's pocket. I was watching every move that Fingers made. Well, I was watching him, too, and I didn't see him take anything. And that fat man says he didn't lose a wallet. So, okay, I'm goofy or drunk. Maybe you only need glasses, but I do after this. Several glasses. Let's head for the Blue Note. You and Casey get your Christmas shopping done this afternoon, Ms. Will. Well, I accomplished quite a lot, Ethelbert, but not Casey. He got sore, and after that, nothing would please him. What'd you get sore about, pal? Nothing. Oh, he had a little eye trouble. Oh, gee, that's too bad. Did you see spots floating in front of your. Casey? My eyes are okay. Now, fill that glass up again, Ethelbert, and don't ask him any silly questions. Mine, too, ethelbert. Right away, Ms. Graham. Oh, now, Casey, don't you think it's about time you snapped out of your grouch? Well, it's pretty silly to get yourself all burned up just because you made a mistake. I didn't make a mistake, Annie. Fingers Fogarty took a wallet from that fat guy's pocket. What burns me up is I didn't find out why the fat guy denied it. Well, how could you have found out? Oh, I don't know. But I'm supposed to be a newspaper guy, Annie. Why, we may have missed a story with pictures. Here's your refreshment, folks. Oh, thanks, Ethelbert. Say, have you stopped into your office since you finished shopping? Hey, bartender, who's the boss here? Well, what do you want? You want to buy a nice Christmas tree? You got some nice ones. A wagon full of them. Fresh from Nova Scotia. Let's see. One. I'll be right back. Say, Casey, have you two stopped in at your office since you finished your shopping? Certainly not. This is our day off. Then you ain't heard the big news yet? Not big news. One of your police reporters, Jake Birkin, was in a few minutes ago and tipped me off about it. Gee was all excited. What happened, Ethelbert? About half an hour ago the cops arrested the kidnapper and murderer of Gregory Walters. They did? Where? Where'd they get him? Well, like you know, before the Walters family paid over that $50,000 ransom to the kidnapper, the FBI made a list of the serial numbers on the bills which they circulated all over the country. Of course we know all that, Ethelbert. How's this tree, mister? Nice and bushy, huh? Let's see. One a little taller. A little taller. Okay. Ethelbert, will you tell us about that kidnapping? Well, I'm getting to it. Come on, come on. Well, a guy walks into a TAVERN over on 36th street tonight, orders a drink and hands a barkeep a 20 buck bill with one of them hot numbers on it. The barkeep checks the number, calls a cop, and when the cop searched the guy, he found about 500 bucks more of the ransom dough in his pocket. Ethelbert, who is the guy who had the ransom dough? The cops identified him. Well, they knew him as soon as they laid eyes on him. But Ethelbert, who is he, please? Hey, hey, is this tray big enough, mister? Let's see. Well, let's see. One a little thicker around the bottom. Thicker around the bottom, will you please? Casey and I know him. He's always been a small time crook and I was surprised to learn he was mixed up with anything so big as kidnapping and murder. Oh, say, will you tell us? I am telling you. It's that little runt Fingers Fogarty. Fingers Fogarty? Yeah, the dip. He had Walter's ransom dough on him. About 500 bucks, just like I said. Naturally, Fingers denies having anything to do with the kidnapping. He said he lifted the dough out of the pocket of a guy who was Christmas shopping in S.J. franken's department store around 4 o' clock this afternoon. Casey Frankens and that fat guy denied he's been robbed. Do you think he was? I can't see Fingers as a kidnapper. He's always been just a slimy little sink thief. What's this about a fat guy? Annie, come on. We're going to tell Logan what happened in Frank's. What did happen? Well, never mind, you'll hear it later. Ethelbert. So long. So long. Hey, hey, is this one big enough for you, mister? I tell them to a whole complete news story in two short words. Then they run off and Leave me out on a limb. What limb? Too big. Hmm? Oh, you. Oh, no. We've gotta have a really big tree. So you think Fingers Fogarty may be just the victim of circumstances, Casey? Circumstances peculiar to his profession. Miss Williams and I have told you what happened, Logan. You can add it up. Captain, have you got anything on Fogerty outside of the $500 found in his pocket? Not yet, Ms. Williams. The joint he lives in is being searched. But we don't think he was chump enough to hide the rest of his ransom money there. If he lifted the five Cs and that fat guy, he has no rest of the dough to hide. Now, look, Casey. Fingers Fogarty knows you pretty well, doesn't he? Yeah, sure. He knows me, certainly. Now, hasn't it occurred to you that he may have put on an act for your benefit? I don't get you. Let's assume that Fingers is the real kidnapper. It's been over a year since the ransom money was paid. Fingers has been careful. He hasn't tried to pass any of the 50 grand because he knows it's red hot. But now he figures the heat has died down. So he sends up a trial balloon. How do you mean, trial balloon? He's got a record as a dip, Ms. Williams. He figures if he gets caught passing that dough. We'll believe that he lifted the money from a guy's pocket. And to cinch it, he acts like he's lifting it from a guy's pocket. While Casey is watching him. He picked you for his star witness, pal, Logan. Hasn't it occurred to you that the fat guy might have been sending up that trial balloon? Huh? What do you mean assume the fat guy is the real kidnapper. And he wants to know how safe it is to pass those ransom bills. He knows that Fingers is a pickpocket. Well, he goes to one of the little runt's hangouts. And flashes a roll in front of him. And then he leaves the joint, saunters into a crowded store where it'll be easy for Fingers to work. And Fingers does exactly what's expected of him. That's a reasonable theory, Captain. Sure. If Fingers gets caught passing that dough. The kidnapper learns about it from the papers and continues to let the money cool off. Also, Fingers has a long record. You cops won't believe anything he tells you. You'll tag him as the Walter's kidnapper, which will leave the real one sitting pretty. The only thing the real kidnapper didn't figure. Was that someone might see Fingers take His wallet. Well, maybe you got something there, Casey. You and Ms. Williams have never seen that fat guy before? No, no, but we'll know him if we see him again, though. Definitely. Your description might fit a thousand guys in this town. I want you two to go up to the record room and look at some pictures we've got in the file. Oh, great. That'll only take us about four or five hours. Okay. See? And this was to have been our night off. Perhaps you'll forgive this last minute reminder, but there are now exactly four more shopping days until Christmas. That means a very real problem to those of us who like to put things off as who doesn't? Is there anyone you've overlooked? Anyone to whom you want to give something beautiful, practical and inexpensive? Well, you'll find the answer in Fire King Oven glass. Whether it's a single Fire King casserole or an entire set of Fire King Oven Glass, prices are unbelievably low and it'll take a minimum of shopping time at your favorite chain, variety, hardware or department store. So remember, with housekeeping, a real problem in this post war era. Fire King Oven glass is a gift that makes it easier in so many ways because Fire King makes foods go farther and enables you to turn leftovers into delicious main courses. Fire King Oven Glass is a product of Anchor Hawking, a great name in glass. Oh, I don't recognize any picture here, Logan. Oh, me either. Oh, golly, Captain, why don't you have some good looking crooks in your files? I'm gonna have nightmares looking at pictures of so many ugly men. You should see the women, Logan. You know, there's one picture here that bothers me. It resembles the guy a lot, but look at the description that goes with it. Nick Pencer, Woolstock Prison. Discharged 1944, armed robbery. Age 30. Height five feet. Well, you said your fat guy was a six footer and at least 45 years old. Yeah, he weighed a good 250 plus to this. Nick Pence's weight has given us only one hundred and thirty five. Well, they can't be the same man then. No, no, not a chance. It's funny though. There is a resemblance. We need more than that. Let's all go home and get some sleep now. Me for that. Me too. I'm so tired I can't think. I'm falling over. I'll murder anybody who wakes me up before noon tomorrow. Oh, no, no, thank you. No thanks. Hello? Morning, Annie. Who's this? Wake up, kid. It's Casey. Casey. Oh. Oh, Casey. Casey. Yeah. You remember me, don't you? Yes, I do, and it's only 9 o'. Clock. And what is the big idea? Annie? Look, I think I know where to look for that fat guy. You do? I certainly do. The old beam wasn't working last night, but when I woke up a few minutes ago I had it. The strong resemblance between that young half pint crook, Nick Pencer and our big fat 45 year old guy can't be just coincidental, Annie. They must be relatives, maybe brothers. Well, I've looked in the phone book and found only one pencil listed John Pence, a contractor who lives and does business out on Dudley Road. I thought you might like to drive out there with me and see what John Pencer looks like. Uh, why don't you have the cops go out and look at him? Annie, you're not awake yet. Only you and I can identify that fat guy. Besides, if, if you and I find him, Annie, we get. We get an exclusive. The cops are in on it, Every paper and towel. Well, I'm awake now. All right, where'll I meet you? I'll be outside your door with a car in 15 minutes. Casey, I've got to dress. We'll make it half an hour, then we'll make it a full hour and no sooner. Well, what are you going to dress yourself for, a Christmas tree? Listen, Annie, I can bathe, shave and get into my clothes in 10 minutes. I put on underwear. Goodbye. We're getting close to that address, Annie. Yeah, this isn't a very attractive neighborhood. John Pence, a contractor, can't be much of a concern. And John Pence, a contractor, may be no relation whatever to the Nick Pencer in the police files. Name's very unusual, Anne. I have a hunch, uh. Oh, there's the place. Yep. I'll stop here so we can look the joint over. Well, there's a concrete garage attached to the house with a good sized truck inside and room for another concrete mixer in the work yard. Oh, Casey. Established businessman. Don't go in for kidnapping. I think we're on a wild goose chase, Annie. That guy coming out of the garage. What about him? He's just a skinny little. Annie, you need glasses and a more photographic memory. He's the man of that police picture. Of course. Nick Pencer. Now I know my hunch was right. He's looking over here. He's never seen this before. But I'll get rolling anyway. Now how can we find out if he has a fat brother? Well, drop into one of these neighborhood stores and make a few inquiries. Then what? How can I tell until I find out what I hope to find out? Annie, you're the kindest girl for asking questions. You really are. Stop there. We'll stop here. We're going to this little drugstore right here. The druggist usually knows everybody in the neighborhood. Come on. Okay, but I think it would be simpler and more sensible to make inquiries at the precinct police station. I don't want the cops in on this. Until we know where we stand here, let me do the talking. It's your party, wise guy. You handle everything. What can I do for you young people? Hello, Pop. We're gonna have. What kind of ice cream soda do you want? Annie, if I must have an ice cream soda. Chocolate. Chocolate. Same for me. Two chocolate sodas. That's right. By the way, I'm looking for a party in this neighborhood by the name of Pencer. I imagine you know the family well. Pencer? Yeah. Never heard the name before. You never heard it? Change my order to Raspberry. Yes, miss. One raspberry. I'm just a stranger here. Come down from upstate to handle this place while my son's away hunting. Maybe my granddaughter can tell you what you ought to know. Say, Katie. Yes, Grandpa? Come here. Feller's looking for a party by the name of Penner. Penner? No, not Penner. Pencer. Oh, I know the Pencers. All of them. You do? That's swell. Mr. Pencil is down the street over his office. He's a contractor. What's he look like? Is he. He's Mr. Pantish. Short and skinny and his first name is Nick. Well, Nick Pence is not the contract. Yes, he is. Ever since he got out of prison a couple of years ago. You say somebody's gone to prison, Katie? No, Grandpop. They've come out. That serves him right then. The man's reformed now. Oh, that's bad. Very bad. Grandpop. A little deaf. Yeah, I can see that. Sister, I understand that my friend Nick has a brother or a cousin? No. Maybe an uncle? No. Here's a Sodas. Who gets a raspberry? He does. Here you are, mister. Thanks. And Mr. Casey. You have earned it. Sister. You mean Mr. Nick Pencer has no relatives at all? He's got a sister and a nephew. That's a great help. How old's the nephew? About 10? No, ma'. Am. It's the funniest thing. Mr. Guspence is a lot older than his uncle. Huh? Mr. Gus is Mr. Nick's boy. Partner, I think. And he Comes in here all the time. What does Mr. Gus Pencil look like? Well, he's tall and fat and in the face he looks like Mr. Nick. Annie, give me that chocolate. You take the raspberry. Here's Mr. Gus now. Oh, Casey, he's our fat guy. Mr. Gus, these people were just asking about you. They're friends of Mr. Nick. Oh, that's Ben. Is that so? He recognizes us, Casey. Yeah, Wasn't it lucky I had dropped in here when I did to find friends of Nick's grandpop. Go back to your back room and put me up two bits worth of turpentine. Two bits worth turpentine. Go along and help him, sissy. He can never find anything. I'll show him, Mr. Guy. So you two were asking about me? You've been told that we were. I noticed a car outside with a press sign on it. Yours? Yeah. And you were looking for me because of what you happened to see in Franken's yesterday. If I said no, you wouldn't believe me, right? This hand in my pocket has a gun in it, mister. So do exactly as I tell you. Okay? Remember, don't pull anything. Here's a bottle of Terps. Thanks, Grandpa. Here's your two bits. Come on with me, folks. You said you wanted to pay Nick a visit, Casey. We got no choice, honey. Right. So long, Grandpa. Hey, ain't you folks gonna finish your sodas? No, we lost our appetites. You didn't take even a sip of your raspberry, mister. That's what you think, sister. Get into your car, both in the front seat. You drive, fella. I'll sit in the back with this gap. Well, I drive to. Just down the street to Nick's place. Mine. He and I are partners in everything. And he'll be tickled to see your old. Turn into the workout and park in our garage and next to the truck there. Okay, That's fine. Now what do we do? You and your boyfriend don't do anything, lady. And to make sure you don't, you hit Casey with your gun. And you get the shape that'll keep the two of you quiet for a while. Nick. Nick. Yeah, what do you want? Gus, come out of the garage, quick. Okay. Whose car you got in there? You'll see. Come inside and help me close these doors. Okay. Hey, hey, what's the idea? Take a look inside this car. Who's a guy in a dam? The two I told you about last night saw that dip take the hot dough from my pocket. They got wise to the way out and located us. Hey, police. No, these two are newspaper mugs. I figured they were making this play on their own, so we got to take care of them. We can't bump them off here. We can. We do it nice, clean and quiet. Get those big spools of adhesive tape from the house. What are you going to do? You'll see. Get that tape. Got the gal all tied up, Gus. And help me with this guy. Yeah, wrap some more tape around his ankles. Okay. Yeah, he's fixed now and solid. All right. Climb into that truck and start the motor, Nick. Oh, the carbon monoxide treatment, huh? Yeah. Nice clean and quiet. We just lock them in this closed garage to breathe the gas. Tonight, when it's dark, we get rid of their bodies in their car. Start the motor. And I worked the tape off my mouth against that fender. Nod your head if you're okay, kid. Good. I'm gonna try to pull the adhesive tape off your wrists with my teeth. I'm getting lightheaded. Gas is beginning to work. I got the tape. Now pull and turn your wrists. Pull more. Annie. Man, I did it. Your hands are free. Pull the tape off your mouth now. Oh. Okay. The gas. Keep your head down low, kid. Try to hold on. I will. I will pull this tape off my hands. You better let me free my ankles first so I can get to that truck and shut off the. No, no, no. Free my hands. Those two guys may be just outside where they can hear. Yes, but. But. But if it keeps on running. If it doesn't keep on running, we'll have no second chance like this. Free my hands. All right, all right. I've got the end loose. Pull now. There does it. Now unwind your ankles while I get this stuff off of mine. What? What good will it do us? We can't get out of here. Get out. Don't breathe, Judy. This garage is solid concrete. And I heard them lock those heavy doors when they went out, so I've got my ankles free. Hang on, kid. I'm picking you up. What are you gonna do? I'm putting you in this truck. This truck? Why? It's taking us out of here. Keep your head down. Okay, I'm driving through those do. Oh, Casey went through. It's pure air. Wait a minute. Look. Also, those two Panzer guys. They heard us. Listen, they have guns, too. Step on my gas. Casey, drive past them. Let's get away. I can't. You can. What's the matter? Swallow the motor. Duck. They're shooting. Why are they running away? Then they're getting into that car, they're gonna try to get away. If I can only get this motor started again. That did it. Now, come on, Casey. Don't drive toward their car. They'll stop driving into their. This 10 ton truck does a nice job when it hits a tin can like that. Oh, Casey, my nerves will never be the same again. I'll never recognize mine either. Come on, let's call city desk. Get the cops out here so we can get to the Blue Note. I need another pair of glasses, the kind you'll fill. Recently in a big Eastern city, a group of trained men and women called on thousands of housewives and asked this simple what kind of container do you prefer for the food you buy? An overwhelming majority of housewives said they prefer to buy food packed in glass. Among them were a great many mothers of small children. And by a ratio of more than eight to one, these mothers said they insisted on prepared baby foods packed in glass. They gave many reasons, as you might expect. But here are the three reasons mentioned most frequently. First, glass lets you see what you buy before you buy it. Second, you can heat, serve and store leftover portions of prepared baby food in the same glass container. And third, these young mothers agreed that sterilized glass containers are cleaner and more sanitary. You can buy an increasing number of the better brands of food packed in glass. And all of the better brands of prepared baby food come to you in Anchor glass containers sealed with Tampa proof Anchor vacuum caps. Both products of Anchor Hawking, a great name in glass. You didn't kill them two kidnappers when you threw that truck at him, Casey? No. Bethelbert? No. The cops pulled him out of the wreckage in fairly good shape, considering they'll be able to walk to the chair. How about the ransom money? Did the cops find it? Yeah. Yeah, Gus, the fat guy confessed the Walters kidnapping and told where he and Nick had hidden the dough. Gee, and all because you and Ms. Williams did some Christmas shopping. Say, what happened to the Little Dip Fingers, Fogarty? Well, in trying to clear himself of a kidnap and murder charge, Ethelbert Fingers made so many admissions about his own specialty that the cops can keep him in jail until 1999. Gee. 1999, huh? Good heavens, Casey, what's that coming in the door? What on earth? Hey, what do you say, mister? That's the biggest tree I got on the wagon. Okay? Yeah, huh? Yeah. Now, that's what I call a real Christmas tree. Ethelbert, what are you gonna do with such a big tree? Tree? Well, you couldn't get a little Tree in that big room. Prime Photographer, starring Stott Scottsworth as Casey, is brought to you each Thursday at this time by the Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, makers of fire king oven glass, Anchor glass containers, anchor caps and closures, all products of the Anchor Hawking Glass Glass Corporation, a great name in glass. Ryan Photographer, directed by John Deetz, is written by Alonzo Dean Cole and is based on the fictional character of Casey, created by George Harmon Cox. The original music is by Archie Blair, and The program features Ms. Leslie woods as Anne and John Gibson as Ethelbert. Herman Chittison is the Blue note pianist. Thursday night on CBS is the biggest show in town, so stay tuned for exciting dramatizations on Reader's Digest radio edition, which follows immediately over most of these stations. Now for our sponsor, the Anchor Hogging Glass Corporation and all of us on the show, this is Tony Marvin wishing every one of you a joyful and happy holiday at this Christmas time. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. It. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle Belladay. Faraday, just because we're going out to have Christmas dinner together, don't forget you're driving an automobile, not a sleigh. Don't tell me what object to Inspector Faraday's being full of Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve? No, Mary, I just object to his voice. Very amusing. I know now what I should have given you for Christmas. A sense of humor. If I didn't already have one, how could I tolerate you? Well, somebody should give you both a book of instructions on how to get along. Especially he him. You know, we're only kidding, Mary. We are. Stop that man. Stop that man. Did you hear that buggy? Stop him. Shopkeeper's chasing a man up the street. Step on it, Faraday. We can catch him. Don't tell me what to do. Pull up to the curb now, Inspector, and I can grab him. Now, take it easy. Take it easy. Okay, we just passed him. Wait, wait. Don't jump till I've slowed down a little. Well, hurry up or he'll pass us. Now, Blackie be careful. You mean Blackie be quick. Now, look out. Here goes. All right, you, you're holding right here. Now, let's go, baby. Man, let's go, baby. Sure, as soon as the shopkeeper you just rob gets here. And here he comes. Hold on to him. Hold on to him. He took four diamond rings out of my store. Now give me those rings. Give them to me. I don't have no rings of yours, Max. Oh, yes, you do. Right in your pocket here. I've watched you since you ran out of the store, you couldn't have given them to anybody. I'll hold them while you sit, okay? They're not here. No. Because I didn't take nothing, see? Well, where are my rings? I want those rings. So go find them. I got news for you. You ain't gonna find them on me. Now, on to Dick Kalmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend. He took the rings out of the tray on the counter here, Inspector Faraday. He said that? Yes, but he did. He took the rings and ran out that door. Sorry, mister. Mr. Stacy, unless I find the stolen rings on this guy here, what can I do about it? Nothing, Faraday. Absolutely nothing. Why are you. Look, Blackie, you and this copper pal of yours searched me twice out on the street and here in the store. The rings ain't Army. But they are. You took them. I saw you. If I took a Mac, where are they now? I have a pretty good idea. I hope it's better than pretty good, Blankie because this guy's made four rings do a pretty good disappearing act. And I know how too. Yeah, he threw them away when he saw he was being chased. That's a lie. Yes. Yes, he could have done that. He could have. I'd like to bet he didn't. Oh, go ahead, bet. Only let me alone. It's Christmas Eve. I got someplace to go. I'll say you have to. Headquarters, where I'm gonna hold you until I find out who you are. And if you want it for anything else. The only thing I want it for is Christmas Eve dinner. Hey, Blackie. Yeah? You're supposed to be such a genius. What happened, friend? Before I'm through with you for your Christmas dinner, I'm gonna make you eat those. All visitors back behind the ropes, please. The passengers are coming down the gang plank now. Hey, God. God. Yes, what is it? My name's Clark. I'm here to pick up a guy who don't speak English. See? Not a word of it. Would you help me find him? You know what he looks like? Yeah. Yeah, he's a big guy. About six. Six, maybe £250. His name's Abby. Well, there's a big guy coming down the gangplank now with a sign on him. Maybe that's the guy. Oh, yeah, he looks like the guy I won. Hey, Abby. Abby, he's coming over. So I guess he understands his name even if he doesn't understand English. Yeah, I guess so. Thanks. No trouble. At all. All visitors behind the ropes, please. Sanyabbi bologrino. Retsom Claw. You big jerk. Brag. All right, all right, all right, all right. You don't know what I'm talking about, Abby, because you don't know a word of English. But you use a gun good. Pretty good, they tell me. And if you do, we'll be speaking the same language. All right. Where are those rings, Martin? Where are they? Listen, Clark, I told you, I don't have them. You're lying. I know you took them out of the store because I saw you run out of the place and beat it up the street. Well, if you'd hung around, you'd have seen me nabbed and hauled off the police headquarters. If you were caught by the police, you'd still be in jail. Not me. I ain't got no record. Remember Blackie and that cop, Faraday took me down there, checked on me and let me go. All right, you ran into trouble, but you got out of it. Now, where are those rings? I ain't got it. You took them out of the store, so why haven't you got them? Calm down and give me a chance to. I'll give you just 10 seconds to hand over those rings. I spotted a jewelry store, encased it for you. Now, don't try to cross it. Hey, now, look, don't get tough, or maybe I'll just leave the rings lay right where they are. Oh, you will? Yeah, I will. Hey, let go. After I've taught you a little lesson, huh? Hey, Abby. Atonum. Hey, who's that monster? He's a character wanted for murder in Europe. A friend of mine sent him to me for Christmas. Friend, huh? He don't understand no English, but he's tough. I'm gonna prove that to you. Yeah. Abby. Des Bruno. Abby. Leader. Luck. Santa. Hey, Santa. Hey, call this guy off. Call him off? I'll tell you. Call him off. Almost broke my jaw. Clock. Abby. Struve. Conderlight. You lay off now, Martin. That is, unless you still have the idea. You're not telling me what you did with those rings. Sure, I'll tell you. When the jeweler was chasing me, I see a Santa Clause up the street ringing his bell and collecting stuff. So? So when I passed him, just before Blackie grabbed me, I threw the rings in a big iron pot the Santa Claus had. Nobody saw me. And I know how to get him back. You better. Now, I thought for a minute there that you was going to be the only guy in history who gave Santa Claus A present. Blackie, what's the matter with you and Inspector Faraday? Everybody else in this restaurant is having fun, but look at you two. I'm sorry, Mary. And I don't like what that guy Joe Martin did to us this evening. And I don't like the fact that we had nothing on him in the file at headquarters. No. Eat your dinner, both of you. All right. This is Christmas Eve and we're supposed to be having a party. When we let Martin go, my appetite went with him. Well, Blackie, what did he do with those rings? Who knows? He took them, according to the jeweler. But he got rid of them somehow without being seen. Apparently, he didn't throw them away because we searched the street. Nope. When you two see Santa Claus, tell him that what you want for Christmas is an explanation of how Martin got rid of those rings. Hey, wait a minute, Mary. That's not a bad thought. Hmm? Mm. No. I know how those rings were hidden and why they haven't been found. Oh, now, wait a minute, Blackie. What's Santa Claus got to do with that? Martin gave the rings to Santa Claus. What? Blackie, haven't you heard? There ain't no Santa Claus. There was one ringing a little bell on the corner near the jewelry store. Yes, and Martin passed him just a few seconds before I caught up with him. But how would Martin give those rings to Santa Santa Claus without Santa Claus knowing it? By tossing them in his collection bucket. Faraday, come on, we're getting out of here. Blackie, that Santa Claus won't still be there. No, but all those street corner Saint Nicks are working for the welfare society. Yeah, so I'll call them and they'll tell me where we can find the guy. You think Santa Claus still has the rings, huh? Yep, if Martin hasn't found him by now and taken them back. In which case, we'll find Santa Claus has been clipped. Who is it? Joe Martin. Clark, Come in. It's me. Never mind the introduction. Where are the rings? Well, keep 2 ton Tony from the bed away from me. I got the rings right here. Well, where I want them is right here in my hand. Sure, sure. There you are. Thanks. Have any trouble with Santa Claus? No, the plan worked great. Good. You'll never even be able to tell anybody I was there. Now be a good little boy and I take you in to see Santa Claus, Faraday, and maybe he'll bring you a nice little promotion. Look, he's an off duty Santa Claus right? Now, I know. According to the Welfare Society, his name is Henry James. How many more flights are there? Only this is a fine way to spend Christmas Eve. We may spend from now till New Year's working on a murder case. Faraday, if the welfare agency was right and another guy phoned for information about the same Santa Claus just before we did. I know. Oh, finally. Here's the door. If he's in the kind of trouble you claim he is, he won't be in any condition to answer the door. Don't remind me. You and your theories. You had no right to think he's dead. I hope I'm wrong, but I'll guarantee if he's not dead, he's tied up or unconscious or both. Well, if you're so smart you have that all figured out, you ought to be smart enough to know the only way we'll get in is to open the door ourselves. Brilliant deduction, Inspector. Yeah, that's all mine. I'll try the door to see if it's Blackie. How do you think up such wonderful ideas? Uh oh. Somebody's opened it for us. Sorry to keep you gentlemen waiting so long. I was taking a nap. Are you Henry James? Yes. The Santa Claus on the corner near that jewelry store that was robbed earlier this evening? Yes. Yes, I am. Well, I'm Boston Blackie, and this is Inspector Faraday of the police. Oh, how do you do? I saw you catch the thief, Blackie. You did? Hey, won't you come in? Thank you. James. Yeah? Did you have a visitor a little while ago? A visitor? Yeah. Oh, I had no visitor. No one came here and held you up to get back the four stolen rings he tossed in your collection? Why, no, Inspector Faraday. No one's been here. And my collection bucket's right here on the table, untouched. This collection bucket of yours hasn't been touched, James. Certainly not. Blackie. According to you, Joe Martin tossed the rings in the Santa Claus collection bucket. This is it. I know. According to you, Martin called the welfare society and found out where this particular Santa Claus lived. Somebody asked about Mr. James before I called. You don't say. But Mr. James says nobody's been here. Well, he ought to know. And you ought to know how ridiculous you are. I've looked through this collection bucket, and there were no rings here. Nothing but coins. Santa Claus wasn't held up here. No rings were ever dropped in his bucket out on the street. Blackie. How wrong can a guy get? And now back to Boston Blackie. Joe Martin steals four rings from a jewelry store just before he is caught by Boston Blackie. He Runs down the street and tosses the rings into the collection box of a street corner Santa Claus. Later, at Santa's room, he apparently recovers the jewelry. But when Blackie and Inspector Faraday come to see Santa, Santa, whose real name is Henry James, insists that his collection box has not been touched. As we return to our story, Blackie continues his questioning of Santa Claus. Look, Mr. James. Yeah? Blackie Faraday is going back to headquarters because he thinks I am wrong. Maybe he's right. But I still say that Martin tossed those rings into your collection bucket. Believe me, Blackie, the collection is right here. It's untouched. I was about to take it to the welfare society, and as I said before, no one's been here to see me. No one but you and the inspector. You are sure you're not playing Santa Claus to Joe Mothman? Working with a thief? I should say not. I don't know why you should think so. Because when I called the Welfare Society to get your name and address, I was told there'd been another call inquiring about you just a half an hour before. Is that so? I think that was Joe Martin calling to find out where he could find you. Well, no, Joe Martin came here, Blackie. In fact, nobody did. And you've been right here in your room ever since you came back to get out of your Santa Claus suit. Yeah, yeah, Black. Every minute. Every. No, no, no, Wait now, wait. I was out for just a minute on the telephone at the end of the hall. Who was on the phone? And when Was this? About 20 minutes ago. It was a man at the welfare society. Asked me if I'd collected a lot of money tonight. Did the man say who he was? No, no. Just that he was an officer of the society. I wouldn't have known him if he had given his name. I work for the society only at Christmas time. That's it. Then while you were on the phone talking to Martin or some friend of his, either Martin or an accomplice slipped in here and got back those stolen rings. Isn't that possible? Well, yes. Yes, it is. My. My back was to the hall while I was on the phone. And the door to this room was partially open. And thanks to what you've just told me, Mr. James, this case is practically close. No, Mary, don't stuff me so. So full of pillows that I can't stand up. Blackie, you want to look like a big, fat, jolly Santa Claus, don't you? Yes, but not like an overstuffed chair. There. You're well padded. And your Coat's buttoned up. Now, try on your beard and let's see how you look. Say, if I get clipped with this thing on my face, you might say my assailant is beating around the bush. Oh, Blackie. Well, how do I look? With your cap on, I'd never know you, and that would be all right with me. Well, you think that Joe Martin will know me? Oh, I don't think so. He doesn't know you as well as I do to begin with. I wish you wouldn't try this, though, Blackie. It's the only thing I can do since Faraday wouldn't give me any help. But Martin's address. Well, in a way, he can't be blamed for not offering you any help. This isn't a murder, king. And besides, you've been wrong all along. According to him, that is. Well, well, young lady, hand me that sack of phony presents and I'll put this case in the bag. Friday. Homicide. Hello, inspector? This is Mary Wesley. All right, let's have it, Ms. Wesley. Have what? Blackie's newest theory on how to make me waste my time. Blackie's newest plan isn't going to waste any of your time. Instead, in fact, you may not have enough time to get down there and help him. Get down where? Well, after you gave him that fellow Martin's address, he got dressed in a Santa Claus suit and went down there alone. What's he bothering Martin for? We haven't got anything on him. Blackie is positive that Martin retrieved those stolen rings from Santa Claus's collection bucket. And I'm positive Blackie's positively out of his mind. Well, anyway, I think you ought to go over to Martin's right away. You know the way Blackie's little schemes sometimes get him into trouble. This time I hope he gets himself into plenty of trouble. Well, gee, maybe it'll get him out of my hair. I gotta hand it to you, Clark. Yeah, Slick trick calling that Santa Claus at his house and keeping him on a phone while I sneaked in and got the rings out of his collection. I was just luck that it worked. What would we have done, Martin, if he'd taken his collection right down from his corner to the. The welfare society? Yeah, that would have been just too bad, I guess. Too bad for you. Why? Because my boy Abby knows how to use a gun as well as his fists. Hey, look, you got the rings back, didn't you? Yeah, sure, over there on a table. I came to your room to be sure I got him back, but Abby's gonna be my chief assistant from now on. In charge of guys who make mistakes. Understand? Okay, I understand. But it's sure gonna be tough working with a guy who can't speak English or understand it. I don't want him to be easy to work with. If you can't talk to him, you can't get friendly with them. Trigger men shouldn't have friends. They can't. Hey, wait a minute. Who's there? Santa Claus. Get rid of him, Martin. Okay. Merry Christmas, son. Merry Christmas. Hey, fatso, beat it. The same Santa. Martin, no. Beat it, Mac. You got the wrong house. Merry Christmas, my boy. Can you spare. Beat it, I said. Now, wait a minute, Martin. He's collecting for the poor. Let him come in a minute. Okay. Come on, Santa. Come on in. Thank you. And a merry Christmas. What do you want from us, Santa? Oh, anything you care to give. Just anything to help make it a merry Christmas for the poor. Like those four diamond rings on the table there. How about letting me give that beer to yours a touch? No. Hey, it's Boston. Blackie. I thought it was some kind of gag. Watch out. He's gonna swing that sack he's carrying. You'll have to swing it faster tonight. Oh, good work, Martin. You really flattened him. Now get him up on his feet. I've got a gun on him. Sure. Oh, come on, Blackie, get up. Thanks. Hey, what are you gonna do with him? You can't kill him here. I'm gonna turn him over to Abby and let Abby take him for a little walk. Hey, Abby. This is pretty dangerous, Clark. Be a whole lot more dangerous if Blackie stays alive. Don't forget, he's seen the rings. And I'm wanted for murder out west. And Blackie can describe me. I sure can. Hey, Abby. What's the matter with that big hulk? Okay, martin. He knows. Just what kind of language is that? Quiet, Blackie. All you have to know is that Abby's taking you for a walk. With a gun on your back? Oh, that's pleasant, Abby. Uka sena sena. Come on. Clark, have Abby get this guy out of here. The cops may not be far behind him. We better wait until those carol singers outside go away. Yeah. Wait a minute. They won't suspect anything. I'll have Abby take them out right now. But what about those carol singers? They're just outside the house. I'll tell Abby to keep a gun on Blackie and shoot him if he opens his mouth. Hey, I got a better idea. Make Blackie sing and keep him Singing. Then it'll seem like he's happy going down the street with Abby. Good idea. Hey, I'm really not in good voice this evening, gentlemen. You won't be in good condition when Abby gets to quiet, Martin. Hey, Abby. Soda redsum Blacky lingo Finostuda Bang bang, bang bang. Icky redsim glad. All right, all right. Go on, get going. Start singing, Blackie. Come on, start singing. A command performance, huh? I didn't know you had such an appreciation for my talent. So long, Blackie. So long, so long. I said keep singing, Black. If you stop once more, Abby will shoot. I won't stop then. So long, so long. Sucker opens like a merry Christmas Jingle bell, jingle all the way oh, what fun is to ride in a one horse open sleigh Give me help. I can't yelp But I'm on a spot where we'll go I don't no, but I know I'll be shocked. Hear what that guy said when I passed? Jump him fast. Oh, listen to my squawk. I have to sing this silly thing cause he'll kill me if I talk. Hey, I don't think that what you speak to him is Greek. He doesn't know a thing. Come on, let's jump the guy. Watch out for guns. I'll just pass you by and let you hear me. All right, I've got her. That's it. Here, here, let me out of him, fellas. I can take care of him myself now. Hey, nice punch, mister. Nice going yourself, fellas, for understanding those words I was singing. Okay, but at first we thought you were nuts. Hey, here comes a police car. Hey Blackie, you all right? Well Faraday, you decided to give me some help after all. Yeah, when Ms. Wesley phoned me and said you going through with your crazy plan, I thought I better get down here and keep you out of trouble. Who's the big guy on the sidewalk? The guy working for Martin and his buddy who was going to give me a one way ride into the country. Oh great, he's safe here. Let's go into the house and get Martin and his friend who wanted to go out west. Yeah. Come on. Oh, look, there they go. Making a break first. Yeah, well, let's break up that break. Snap. You snap in the name of the law. Watch out Bradley. They're trying to shoot their way out. This will stop him. That made him suck. Come on, let's grab him. Watch out, Frankie, that guy's got a gun. You bet I have. You're not gonna get a chance to use it though, boy, I've got this one. Take care of the other one, Parody. Don't tell me what to do. Okay, okay, okay. Lay off, copper. No more, Blackie, no more. Okay, Martin, no more. If you give me those rings, Clark's got em. Come on, you, Clark. Let's have em. Yeah, okay, here they are. Here. 1, 2, 3, 4. They're all there? Apparently. Good. And Martin, Clark and their pal Abby are all yours. Wow. You take these guys back to my squad car, will you, Blackie? You're after this chase. I'm tired. Oh, great, old man. I go all out to catch these guys and you're the one who's all in. More on turkey, Inspector Faraday? Yeah, a little bit, Ms. Worthing. Blackie, how about you? I'll have more of everything. If Dirkie were brain food, I'd say you had plenty of room for it, Blackie. Now, Inspector, this is Christmas Day. Blackie, promise not to fight, Mary. He's still upset because the case we just worked on didn't involve a murder. You talk as if I like murder, Blackie. You must like it. And Inspector, the way you've murdered that turkey. Very droll, very drool, don't you? Now she's telling me what I mean. This thing must be contagious. You know, Inspector, I'm glad the stolen rings case wasn't more complicated than it turned out to be. Yeah, I'm glad we got it solved before Christmas was over. Me too. Well, Inspector, men generally put a ring on a finger. But because Clark and Martin stole some rings, we put the finger on them. Hello, everybody, this is Dick Kalma. Every week after we finish one of our Boston Blackie shows, I indicate what I hope we'll be doing the following week. Now, just a second. This time it's going to be a little different. Blackie, what's with you? What is going on here? Just a minute, Faraday. Please. Friends, I said I'm not going to tell you what we will be doing next week. That's good. I'm going to tell you what we hope you will be doing. Very confusing. Isn't almost everything confusing to you, Inspector? Listen, everybody. What for? Out. Patience, Faraday, patience. Next week I hope you and everyone you know and love will be enjoying the best holiday season you ever had. Yeah. Now that the next year will be a good, great year for all of you. Could I say something, Blackie? You, Inspector, can say anything and you probably will. All I say is Merry Christmas to our listeners, Blackie. Merry Christmas to them all. Well, genius, how about one of your usual taglines? Not this time, Faraday. All I say to everybody, from Mary, Wesley and all our cast is until our next meetings, season's greetings, Sam. Now here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen. In a prejudice filled America, no one would be secure in his job, his business, his church or his home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quack and adventurers whose followers make up the irresponsible lunatic fringe of American life. Refuse to listen to or spread rumors against any race or religion. Help to stamp out prejudice in our country. Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.