Encore - New Year's Evildoers vs. Radio Gumshoes

Summary

Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Episode: Encore – New Year’s Evildoers vs. Radio Gumshoes
Date: December 28, 2025
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts

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Episode Overview

This special encore episode of "Down These Mean Streets" rolls back the clock for a double feature of New Year's-themed detective yarns from the Golden Age of Old Time Radio. The host presents two classic episodes: Dragnet's "The Big New Year’s," in which Joe Friday faces the somber task of tracking down a cop-killer on New Year's Eve, and The Adventures of Philip Marlowe's "The Old Acquaintance," where Marlowe seeks a missing bride-to-be enmeshed in secrets and violence before the midnight bells. The episode both celebrates New Year's by revisiting top radio gumshoes and dips into the darker side of humanity that makes these detective tales resonate.

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Featured Segment 1: Dragnet – "The Big New Year’s"

Summary

Detectives: Sgt. Joe Friday (Jack Webb) & Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough)
Original Air Date: March 8, 1951 (Story set on New Year’s Eve)

Dragnet’s signature docudrama style is on full display as Friday and Romero take us minute by minute through a harrowing night. The city is alive with celebration, but for the LAPD homicide squad, it's one of their hardest nights of the year.

Plot Breakdown & Key Moments

• Setting the Scene (07:34):

  • Friday, Romero, and partner Barney lament being pulled from family festivities as they head into the cold LA night, expecting the usual spike in crime.
    • Quote (07:42):
      Friday: "I'd like to see it just once—people celebrating New Year's without tearing up half the town."

• Tragedy Strikes – The Murder (12:02):

  • Veteran officer Jack Conley is shot and killed while on duty. He's found with multiple bullet wounds.
    • Quote (12:02):
      Friday: "That's Jack Conley, man. He's dead."
  • The mood turns somber as the detectives process the loss of a colleague and prepare to tell Conley’s wife the devastating news.

• The Investigation Unfolds (15:14):

  • Friday and Ben must inform Mrs. Conley of her husband’s death—an emotional, understated exchange:
    • Quote (15:15):
      Friday to Mrs. Conley: “He had an accident... Pretty bad... I’m sorry, Betty.”
  • The manhunt intensifies with interviews, witness canvassing, and a slowly tightening net around the suspect.
  • Leads point to a local bar, the 228 Club. Reluctant owner Ralph Stevens eventually caves, giving up the suspect: Harry Talmadge, a "hop head" (drug addict) with prior arrests.

• Chasing Shadows (22:30 - 29:13):

  • Days of legwork: the detectives grind through dead-end addresses and interrogate Talmadge’s associates, including "Big" Donaldson, who has gone straight thanks to Salvation Army meetings but provides useful leads.
    • Quote (26:14):
      Donaldson: “Man’s gotta turn good sometime during his life… I figure it’s time I stop living by the word.”
  • The moment of capture is tense, tragic, and chilling.
    • Quote (31:40):
      Friday (to Talmadge): “Why’d you kill him?”
      Talmadge: “’Cause I wanted to, that’s all. He was a cop.”
    • Quote (31:56):
      Friday: “It’s a big difference, mister.…Ask his family. They’ll tell you.”

• Resolution (32:06):

  • Harry Talmadge is convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to prison, and, rather bleakly, is paroled after six years.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Informing the Widow (15:15):
  “I’m sorry, Betty.”—Friday, delivering the heartbreak with empathy and reticence.
• Cop’s View of New Year’s Eve (07:34): “I’d like to see it just once—people celebrating New Year's without tearing up half the town.”
• The Killer’s Indifference (31:56):
  “It’s just one cop less. What’s the difference?”

Timestamps

• [07:34] - Setting the scene in Homicide
• [12:02] - Discovery of Jack Conley’s body
• [15:15] - The knock at the widow’s door
• [22:30] - The investigation’s slow grind
• [31:40] - Arrest and confession
• [32:06] - Trial outcome

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Featured Segment 2: The Adventures of Philip Marlowe – "The Old Acquaintance"

Summary

Detective: Philip Marlowe (Gerald Moore)
Original Air Date: December 26, 1948

Raymond Chandler’s famed private eye, Philip Marlowe, is roped into a New Year’s Eve case when a nervous insurance man, Paul Riker, hires him to locate his suddenly-missing fiancée, Nancy Marshall. The case is anything but simple, transforming into a frantic chase through LA’s criminal underground involving a vengeful escaped convict, a murdered slot machine operator, and mysterious women with dangerous motives.

Plot Breakdown & Key Moments

• A Wedding Nightmare (34:27):

  • Paul Riker’s bride-to-be vanishes hours before both her wedding and New Year’s.
    • Quote (34:45):
      Riker: "She called and said... she was in terrible trouble... the wedding was off."

• Attempted Murder at Marlowe’s Office (35:14):

  • Shots are fired through Marlowe’s door in an obvious attempt to silence the investigation.

• A Cast of Questionable Characters (37:38 - 43:13):

  • Marlowe’s investigation connects Nancy to Steve Doyle, a prison escapee seeking revenge, and to a sultry old flame, Adrian Star ("an old acquaintance").
    • Quote (38:14):
      Adrian: "I’m just—shall we say—an old acquaintance, that’s all."
    • Marlowe’s classic sharp wit is on full display as he spars with Adrian and the various underworld informants.

• Slot Machines, Betrayal, and Murder (43:13):

  • Jerry Graff, a slot machine mechanic, holds clues—but is found murdered, with the evidence (a gold buckle) suggesting Nancy, but the truth proves more twisted.

• Race Against Time (54:11):

  • As Marlowe pieces the puzzle, he uncovers a love triangle gone deadly: Adrian, jealous and devoted to Doyle, has orchestrated much of the chaos to keep him for herself, culminating in one last desperate, doomed flight from the law.

• Dramatic Conclusion and Reflection (56:44 - 59:47):

  • In a car chase on treacherous mountain roads, Adrian and Doyle crash and are killed.
    • Quote (56:32):
      Marlowe to Adrian: "Too bad a love like yours has to be wasted on a guy like Steve."
  • Marlowe stays on Lookout Mountain as midnight strikes, reflecting on the darkness and potential for kindness in the new year.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On New Year’s Eve and Resolutions (34:27):
  Marlowe: “I was sitting with my feet up... thinking of impossible New Year’s resolutions...”
• On Love and Motive (56:08):
  Adrian: “You'll never find out... Not now. And you'll never realize how much I love him either. That's why I did it, Marlow. It was the only way I could hold him for myself.”
• Marlowe’s Reflection (59:47):
  Marlowe: “And I wish then that someplace on everybody's list of resolutions they'd make room for that cup of kindness they were singing about.”

Timestamps

• [34:27] - Riker’s plea for help
• [35:14] - Shots fired at Marlowe’s office
• [38:14] - Marlowe confronts “the old acquaintance” Adrian Star
• [43:13] - Graff accosted, then found murdered
• [54:11] - Marlowe’s race to the mountain
• [56:32] - Adrian’s confession of motive
• [59:47] - Epilogue and Marlowe’s New Year’s reflection

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Episode Themes & Insights

• New Year’s as Metaphor: Both stories use New Year’s Eve—the traditional time of hope, renewal, and reflection—as a backdrop for tragedy, loss, and moral ambiguity. Behind every celebration, there's a shadow, a reminder that crimes and sorrows do not recognize the calendar.
• Cost of Police Work: Dragnet is stark in showing the personal toll on officers: missed celebrations, fractured families, and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice.
• Complicated Love & Loyalty: Philip Marlowe’s case is driven by conflicting desires—jealousy, revenge, longing for love—all culminating in violence and loss.
• The Weight of Conscience: Both shows invite listeners to consider their own choices in the coming year: Dragnet with a plea to remember the human face of the law, Marlowe with a gentle wish for "that cup of kindness" in the world.

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Memorable Episode Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• The Weight of Police Work:
  Friday, on New Year's working the night shift
  (07:34) "I'd like to see it just once—people celebrating New Year's without tearing up half the town."

• The Task No Cop Wants:
  Friday, telling Mrs. Conley her husband is dead
  (15:15) "I’m sorry, Betty."

• The Indifference of a Killer:
  Harry Talmadge (the suspect) when asked why he killed a cop
  (31:56) “It’s just one cop less. What’s the difference?”

• Marlowe on New Year's Resolutions:
  (34:27) “...thinking of impossible New Year’s resolutions and what the girl on my butcher’s 1949 calendar would or would not be wearing.”

• Adrian’s Desperation:
  (56:08) "You'll never realize how much I love him... That's why I did it, Marlow... I was willing to wait. Can you understand that?"

• Marlowe’s Final Reflection:
  (59:47) "...I wish then that someplace on everybody's list of resolutions they'd make room for that cup of kindness they were singing about."

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Conclusion

This New Year's bonus episode offers more than nostalgia: it’s a meditation on how American radio’s hardest-boiled detectives faced the darkness of the world with realism, empathy, and a touch of hope. Dragnet’s procedural precision and Marlowe’s world-weary poetry work in tandem to memorialize not just fictional crimes, but also the traditions of bravery, justice, and (sometimes) hard-won resolution—both personal and professional. The episode closes with a reminder from the host and Vincent Price to shun prejudice, cherish liberty, and judge only by character.

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Next Up

• Next Episode Teaser: Radio adaptation of the noir classic "Double Indemnity"
• Host’s Sign-Off:
  “Good night, happy listening, and happy New Year.”

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If you love classic detective drama and stories where the stroke of midnight means both renewal and reckoning, this episode is a perfect way to ring in (or reflect back on) the new year, radio gumshoe–style.

Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

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 or 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.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Narrator/Host]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Hi and welcome to a bonus episode of down these Mean Streets. One last show before we bid farewell to 2018. And with 2019 right around the corner, we've got a pair of New Year's Eve mysteries from two of my favorite radio detectives, Sergeant Joe Friday of Dragnet and Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe. First, Jack Webb stars in the big New Year's and although this story takes place on New Year's Eve, it originally aired on NBC on March 8, 1951. In this story, Friday and his partner Ben Romero catch the case when a fellow cop is shot and killed. Barton Yarborough co stars as Romero, the first partner Friday had when Dragnet premiered on radio and television. Romero's tenure came to an end when Yarborough passed away six months after this episode aired. Then Gerald Moore stars in the Old Acquaintance, originally aired on CBS on December 26, 1948. Marlow's new client is looking for his fiance who disappeared just before she called off their wedding. He wants Marlo to make sure she's safe. And despite the detective's plans to spend New Year's relaxing with a lovely lady, he takes the job after someone takes a shot at both him and his brand new client. Mel Danelli, Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt wrote the Scott script. The cast includes Gloria Blondell, Edgar Barrier, David Ellis, Lou Krugman, Stan Waxman and Jeff Corey as Lt. Ibarra. Norman McDonnell is your producer and director. The countdown to midnight begins right after these messages.

[Narrator/Host]

Lucky Strike and Lucky Strike alone offers you important evidence. Gathered in the tobacco country by the world famous Crosley Pole, this evidence reveals the smoking preference of auctioneers, buyers and warehousemen, the men who really know tobacco. Here's what the Crosley poll found for their own personal smoking enjoyment.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Independent tobacco experts again name Lucky Strike first choice.

[Narrator/Host]

Lucky Strike first choice over any other brand. The these experts know their business. Their overwhelming preference for Lucky Strike we believe has a direct relationship to the quality tobacco we purchase for Lucky's and to the real deep down smoking enjoyment you may expect from fine tobacco. And when these veteran tobacco experts name Lucky Strike First Choice for their own personal smoking enjoyment.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Then you know. Lsmft. Lsmft.

[Narrator/Host]

Lucky Strike means fine tobacco, and fine.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Tobacco is what counts in a cigarette.

[Narrator/Host]

So smoke the smoke. Tobacco expert smoke Lucky Strike. Remember independent tobacco experts Again name Lucky Strike first choice.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Lucky Strike first choice over any other brand.

[Narrator/Host]

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[Podcast Host/Commentator]

You're a detective sergeant.

[Narrator/Host]

You're assigned a homicide detail.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

It's New Year's Eve in your city.

[Narrator/Host]

And you're on special duty.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Thousands of people crowd downtown streets. One of them is a killer. Your job. Find them. Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime.

[Narrator/Host]

For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

With the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the.

[Narrator/Host]

Side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your.

[Narrator/Host]

Police force in action.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

It was New Year's Eve. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of Homicide special duty. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from dinner, and it was 8:35pm when I got to room 42, homicide. Joe. Hi, Barney. How is it outside? Cold. Not keeping people at home, though. Did you check the crowds? Yeah. Been watching her from the window here. Seems bigger than last New Year's. Crazy. You're on with Ben and me tonight. Is that right? Uh huh. Thought I was gonna have it off. Wife had a little house party planned and everything. Well, that's too bad. Maybe next time, huh? That's what I said last New Year's. Guess we better start moving. Yeah. Where's Ben? He went down the hall a minute. Said he'd be right back. I better take my top coat, huh? Yeah, I would if I were you. Nothing for us in the book, is there, Barney? I almost forgot. Jack Conley called. Having a little party out at his house. Once you Romero to drop around when you get off. Said he'd call back. Huh. Hi, Joe. Hi. You about ready? Yeah. Let me grab my overcoat. All right. I just tagged back. Communications switchboard's lit up like a Christmas tree during a Miller bid. Just like last year. They're starting off strong. Four 15s, 507s. Cars coming in with a dozen. I'd like to see it just once. People celebrating New Year's without tearing up Half the town. I get it. Homicide, Friday. Oh, yeah, Jack. Yeah. Well, Barney just mentioned it. Well, we'll try and make it. You know how things are tonight. Yeah, we'll try. Sure. Thanks a lot. There's Jack Conley, Ben. On his way home. He wants us to drop by his place if we get off early tonight. Not much chance of that. You ready? Yeah, I am. You Barn? Let's go. I guess you can't tell. We might get a break. The crowds are starting in pretty early. Good chance they'll break and go home right after midnight. That should get us off early. That was the idea last year, wasn't it, Ben? Huh? Yeah. What time did you get off? 6am. Together with Sergeant Barney Luchak. Ben and I left the City hall and started a cruise at the southern end of the central area. As any police officer can tell you, New Year's Eve for him is one of the hardest working nights in the year. This one was no different for us. Within an hour, we'd had more than a half a dozen calls to check out. Street fights, drunken driving, disturbing the peace. The usual complaints that you'd expect to get when a community of 3 million celebrates New Year's Eve. 9:43pm we were cruising in the area of Alameda and Macy Street. Unit 72R at Wilshire in Geneva at 311. At 3:11. KMA 367. Roger, 72R. Unit 1:12 at 83 Mayor Avenue. See the man keep the peace. KMA 360. No stopping them, huh? It's a big night. Smoke, Joe? No. No, thanks. Attention all units. All units in the vicinity at East Main and Darwin and officer needs help. That looks like we got one, huh? Yeah. Is in the vicinity at East Main and Darwin. An officer needs help. Guess we better handle it, huh? All right. The next one on the left, Ben. We can go out. Darwin. Yeah, I better call him. 80K to Control One. Eight okay to Control One. What's the matter? I guess they're busy. 80K to Control One. 8 okay to Control One. Stand by, 80K. Attention all units. All units in the vicinity. The call to 80 East Main and Darwin is now a shooting. I guess you better push it, Ben. Yep, got it down to the floor. All units in the vicinity. The call to East Main and Darwin is now a shooting. The call is now code three. KMA 367. That's it coming up then. East Main. Yeah, there's a crowd there on the corner. I guess you better pull up here, huh? All right, come on. Over by light pole. Ben. Joe. Man lying on the sidewalk. You want to check the crowd, bunny? Yeah, okay. Let us through here, please. Can we get through? Excuse me. Look, will you please get back? Move back, please. All right, come on. I wonder if you'd just move along. Just move along. Move along. Give us a little room to work.

[Narrator/Host]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Ben. Yeah, Joe. Have a look here, huh?

[Narrator/Host]

Huh?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

That's Jack Conley, man. He's dead. His full name was John Patrick Connolly. Serial number 367 was one of the veteran officers in Central Homicide. He lay face down on the pavement, one of his legs straddling the curbstone. He'd been shot twice at the base of his skull. There were four more bullet wounds in his back. Ben got to a phone, call Homicide and told them what had happened. Two dozen cruiser cars and more than a half a hundred men were immediately dispatched to the scene of the killing. They circled the area for a dozen blocks around and started a door to door search for the killer. Suspicious looking pedestrians were stopped at every street corner and questioned. 10:30pm the ambulance arrived and Jack Conley's body was taken to the morgue along with Thaxter and Bryant from Homicide. Barney Luciek. Ben and I continued checking in the immediate vicinity of the killing. We found no one who'd admit that they actually saw the shooting. Half a dozen people in the crowd told us that they heard the shots and they saw Connolly fall to the pavement. They'd also seen a man standing behind Connolly turn and run down the street right after the shooting. No one had followed him. The man was described as medium build, wearing a dark suit and a dark hat. That's all I could tell us. 11:25pm Ben and I met Barney Lucheck back at the car. Barney, do you get anything checked out? Every store in the neighborhood that's open. Not much. How about you? It was the same. Pretty thin. Brian and Thaxter turned up a newsboy down the street. He told him he saw the guy in the dark suit running down the street. Thought he saw the guy come out of this bar here. We heard that too, Barney. We talked to the bartender. He doesn't recall the name. I'll say. I almost forgot. I checked with the office. Mrs. Connolly's been calling in, wants to know where her husband is. Oh, now, I asked Personnel to hold off notifying her. Something bu fellas would want to tell her. You knew Connolly pretty well, didn't you? Yeah. Long time. Family man, three kids. You fellas don't want to tell her I'll call personnel back. They can do it. No, it's all right. We'll tell her. 11:40pm Ben and I got in the car and headed out for the home of the slain officer, Jack Conley. The house was on Ralston Avenue, just a few blocks from where Ben lived. We parked the car and started up the front walk. The lights were burning in the living room. Lousy job. What? I said it's a lousy job. Yeah. Better try it again, huh? I heard it. Somebody's coming. Oh, hi, Joe. Ben. Hello, buddy. Hi, buddy. I'm sure glad you can make it. Everybody's here. Come in, Come in. Okay. Thank you. I'm still waiting for that wandering husband of mine who's not here. By midnight, he's going to be in the doghouse for sure. Here, let me take your coat. No, Betty, that's all right. I wonder if we could go back into the kitchen. We'd like to talk to you, Smiley. Can't you stay long? Well, no, not too long. Oh, that's too bad. Well, come on back in the kitchen. I'll get you something. Maybe you can drop back later on. Jack should be here by then. He better be. Come on in. By the 1. Have you seen Jack? That's what we wanted to talk to you about, Betty. What? You want to sit down? Betty? What is it, Joe?

[Narrator/Host]

Tell me.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Well, he had an accident. Where is he? I want to go see him. How bad an accident? Pretty bad. I want to go see him, Joe. If he's hurt, I want to see him. Couldn't be that bad, could it? Yeah. Oh, please, Joe, please. Not dead. Tell me, Joe, Please. I'm sorry, Betty. Dear God. Oh, God. Want to give me a hand here, Joe?

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

She's white as a sheet. Be worse when she comes, too. We better get a hold of the family doctor. No, we're going to have to wait. We'll never get through now, huh? Phone lines are probably jammed. It's midnight. Oh, yeah. Happy New Year. 12:30am we finally got a hold of the Conley's family doctor and he told us that he'd be over as quickly as possible. Some of Ben Connolly's relatives at the party said that they'd look after things until the doctor arrived. Ben and I left the house and drove back to the scene of the murder. The house to house check of the entire area was still going on. There was no trace of the killer. 1:30am A low fog moved in over the city. Traffic began to thin out a little. The street crowds disappeared. 2:00am the search went on. A little before 2:30, a patrolman on foot located a taxi cab driver in the neighborhood who claimed that he'd seen a man answering the killer's description. Just after the shooting, Ben and I went down the street to talk to the driver. He sat behind the wheel of his cab. It was especially equipped with shortwave radio to handle calls directly from the taxi company's dispatch office. It on? For whatever it's worth, Officer, it happened just a minute or two before I picked up my last fare. What time was that? Do you remember Remembering, too. And I got it right here on the way, Bill. How was that? Yeah, yeah, here we go. 9:48pm I was parked just where I am now. Same old stand. Picked up a fair, drove him to North Main and Satello, and I came back here. My cab broke down. Lousy distributor. I've been waiting for the repair truck ever since. Well, just what was it that happened before you picked up that fair here? Was it 9:48, is that right? Yeah. 9:48. Yeah, well, I was going to say it was just a minute or two before that. I was parked right here. This guy comes running down the street through the crowd. He was really running, too. Yeah, go ahead. He's almost passed me when he stopped all of a sudden, turned around and looked at me. I thought he wanted a cab, so I opened the door for him. He just looked at me and said, never mind, or something like that. And then he took off down the street. Maybe he was just a little goofed up. I don't know. Can you remember what he looked like? Oh, about your build, I guess. Medium. Had a hat on. Dark hat, dark suit. Did you get a look at his face? Yeah, he's about 28 or 30. Dark complexion. Anything else you remember about him? No, not for sure. He looked like a hundred other mooches down around this neighborhood. Just listen to those calls come in, huh? New Year's Eve, and I draw a lame cab. Well, there's nothing else that you remember about this man that you think might help us? No, you got it all, Sergeant. Just acted a little queer, that's all. Goofed up, probably. Did you see which way he went when he took off? Right down the street that way. Lost himself in a crowd.

[Narrator/Host]

I couldn't be bothered.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Mm. How about when he came running down the street towards you? You happen to notice where he was coming from? Matter of fact, yeah. That was just after I heard those gunshots. Of course, I didn't know there were gunshots, Sam. Yeah, Looked to me like he came out of that joint up there, right near where the cop was shot. Which joint was that? The228. That bar up there. Well, it wasn't much, but it was the only lead we had to go on. Seven persons in the vicinity at the time of the shooting had volunteered the information that the killer had been a recent customer at the 228 Club, the neighborhood tavern. The owner and bartender of the club, a Ralph Stevens, had been questioned twice that night by different officers, and he twice denied that there was any possibility that the killer could have been a patron of his bar. Stevens denial didn't make any more sense than the killing itself. We made arrangements to have the cab driver we interviewed come down to the city hall to check through our mug books for the suspect. By 10am the next morning, the body of the slain homicide officer, Jack Connolly, had been posted. Four bullets were taken from his back, two from the base of his skull. Russ Camp ran the slugs through ballistics, where they were identified as having been fired from a.38 caliber Colt special revolver. 11am we drove back to the 228 Club, where we talked to some of the customers who'd been there the night before. Three of them told us that they'd seen a man answering the general description of the killer in the bar shortly before the shooting. Ben and I went back to the stockroom at the rear of the bar and talked to the owner, Ralph Stevens. Look, how long does this thing have to go on anyway? I told you everything I knew last night. We know that Stevens doesn't seem to jive with what the rest of the witnesses saw, though. Maybe you better take it up with them. I don't know anything about it. I got work to do. You're in my way there. Excuse me. How come you're so sure that the man we want wasn't in your place last night? I'm not on trial here. You asked me what I know and I told you. You don't mind. I got work to do. You mind moving over there? We'd appreciate it if you'd cooperate. All right. If you want to know the truth, you're not good for my business here. Cops never are coming around asking questions. Customers don't like it. It's no good for business, no good at all. A cop was killed last night right outside your front door. Now, half a dozen people say that the guy who did it was in here drinking. I run this place. It's mine. I say the man wasn't in here. Still like to know how you're so sure. I'm getting a little tired of this. I don't have an office down at the City hall to lounge around in. I got work to do. How about leaving, huh? You want to get your coat? We can talk to you downtown. Come on now, before I call my lawyer. Go ahead and call him. Where's your coat? Why do we have to have trouble? I haven't got any beasts with you. No trouble, Stevens. We have to get to the bottom of it, that's all. Like to have you cooperate, maybe. The guy was in here last night. He came in a couple of times, that's all. I didn't want it to get out. Bad for business, those things. Things can't afford it. Keeps customers away. Then the man was in here last night. Is that right? I wasn't trying to cover for him. Hardly know him. I just didn't want it to get out. I got a right to protect my business. Who is the man? Harry Chalman. He's a hop head. If he did it, it probably wasn't his fault. How do you mean? He was hyped up last night. Uses heroin. He probably didn't mean to shoot. Where do we find him? I wouldn't know if this is right. Old address. What is it? Fairview Hotel. Try. 11:35am New Year's Day. We got in touch with Barney Luciek and Tom Bryan from Homicide. They drove downtown to check at the Fairview Hotel for the suspect. Ben and I finished questioning the owner of the 228 Club. And we went back to the office. 11:58am Barney Luciek and Brian got back. Barney, what have you got? Fairview Hotel in South Grand. Was that the one? Yeah. Did you find it okay? Yeah. Talked to desk clerk. Tommy registered there? Yeah, he was. Checked out two months ago. No leads. You are listening to Dragnet.

[Narrator/Host]

A series of authentic case histories documented from official files.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

1:00Pm New Year's Day. After we found that the suspect, Harry Talmage, had checked out of the Fairview Hotel months before. Ben and I went back to the office and ran his name through R and I. The information given us by Ralph Stevens, the owner of the 228Club, was apparently correct. The record on Talme showed that he was a confirmed user of narcotics. He served two brief terms for illegal possession of narcotics. And another short term in the county jail for petty theft. We got out of broadcast and an APB on Talmons. We checked out all his known friends and relatives. The places that he frequented, hotels, boarding houses that he'd stayed at no leads. With the help of Lt. Walters and narcotics detail, we finally found the trail most likely to lead us to the suspect. The peddlers who were suspected of supplying Talmadge with narcotics, they were kept under 24 hour watch. Three days passed, no results. January 4, 9am Ben and I went to the funeral and burial services for the murdered officer, Jack Conley. 11:00am we got back to the office. Don't know why, Joe. I just don't cotton to funerals. Not a cops funeral anyway. I don't blame you. Wife looked a lot better, didn't she? Yeah, she do bang up good considering. Barrel, Joe. Hi, Barney. We're safe, honey. That young fellow you told me about, he phoned you, Ben. Oh, is that right? Did you give him the information? Yeah. He wanted to know all about taking the police department examination. Now who's that? One of my neighbors boys. A nice kid. Wants to get on the force. I told him to apply at Room 5 City hall any weekday to make his application then. That it? Fine, Bonnie. Thank. Well, they got the recruiting campaign going now. Yeah, all this month. Taking applications from all over the country. I'll get it. Homicide, Friday. Oh, yeah, Walters. Mm. Just a minute. Okay. A, L, D S O N. Donaldson. Okay, fine. Thanks a lot. Lew Walters, Narcotics. Might be something. What's that? Huh? Well, he got a line on one of the mules who used to push heroin to Talmade. He's a guy by the name of Donaldson. He's been sounded out. He's ready to talk to us. This Donaldson was close to Talmadge? Well, supposedly, yeah. You know where Talmadge is? Well, let's ask him. Ben and I left the office and drove to the address on South Alameda where Donaldson, a friend of the murder suspect, was supposed to be staying. Turned out to be a cheap hotel in the skid row district. Was next to one of the rescue missions down there. We finally located Donaldson across the street. He was standing on the sidewalk along with four or five other men. They were listening to a small Salvation army band playing outside one of the beer joints. I hardly miss any of these sidewalk meetings, Sergeant. Like them, band music, even listen to the sermons. Do me a lot of good. Understand, you're not pushing junk anymore, Donaldson. Is that right? You want to call me Big, Sergeant? Name's really John, but everybody calls me Big. All right. No, I haven't been pushing junk. Not for months. All through with it. Well, when's the last time that you saw Harry Talmage? A couple of weeks ago. I'M not much for Harry anymore. Like I say, I've been regular at these sidewalk meetings. Hearing the sermon. Changes the way a fella does things, you know? Yeah. Man's gotta turn good sometime during his life. Not getting any younger. 58. I figure it's time I stop living by the word. Say, that's nice music, isn't it? Yeah. Do you have any idea where we might find Talmage now? I might have a few ideas on it. I don't know. Say, I guess neither one of you fellas use snub. No. No, don't bother you, does it? No, go ahead. That's all right. I know the last boarding house Harry stayed out of.

[Narrator/Host]

That'll help.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Any place on a tough street. I can give you the address. Well, is he still there, do you know? I don't think he is, no. Matter of fact, I'm sure he's not. Wish Harry'd come around and see me. Like to get him interested in these sidewalk meetings. Get him listening to the sermons. Might help him. Did an awful lot for me. Yes, sir. Will you say that you saw Talmadge about two weeks ago? Well, not quite two weeks ago. It was the day after Christmas. Came down to my hotel and wanted some money. I couldn't give him any. That's when he told me he was moving. Going to some rooming house up around the City hall section up there. Did he mention any address? Not that I recollect, no. That sure is nice music, isn't it? Well, how about some of his other friends, Biggs? You think they might be able to help us? Well, Duke might help you. Harry and old Duke are still great friends. Duke sees him more than I do. Where do we find you? Well, you know the penny arcade down in South Maine? Right down from the train depot there? Yeah, that's where Duke works. He's a janitor there. I've been trying to get Duke to come to the sidewalk meetings, too. He sure could stand it, old Duke. Well, thanks very much, Biggs. Not at all, sergeant. Always glad to help out. Now, look at that now. All out of snow. Say, you couldn't see your way clear, could you? There you go, Big. That's sure Christian of your sergeant. I'll handle this. Just like a personal law. It's all right, Big. Don't say anything about us talking to you, though, huh? Not to anyone. No, sir, I won't. You can trust me. Say, when you see Harry, give him a message, huh? Well, what's that? You tell him to come and see me. I Want him to show up at the end these meetings, hear the sermons. It could change everything, Sergeant. Could give him a new life, new soul. Brand new soul for Harry. Think of that. Yeah, I could use 1. 3pm Tuesday, January 4th. We drove down to the penny arcade on South Main. Harry Talmage's friend Duke wasn't there. The manager of the place gave us his home address and we checked it out. Duke wasn't there either. We staked out at the place for the rest of the afternoon. Duke failed to show. At 6 o' clock that night, Barney, Luch and Brian from Homicide came out and relieved us. Ben and I had dinner at Johnny Copen and then we went back to the office. 7:20pm Want to grab that, Joe? Yeah, I got it. Homicide, Friday. This is Lucheck, Joe. Oh, yeah. Barney Thomas's friend just showed up here. We're talking home now. Let me tell you. Anything? Yeah.

[Narrator/Host]

You got a pencil?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

You better write this down. All right, Wait a minute. Just a second. All right, go ahead. 1727 West Hoover, apartment three. That was 1727 West Hoover. Is that right? Yeah, apartment three. What's the pitch? All right, Talmage. Duke says he's there now. All right, Barney. Thanks. Bye. Lucheck. Yeah. What's he got, Harry? Talmage supposed to be at this address. Ben and I got in the car and drove out to the West Hoover street address where we met Luciek and Brian. 1727 was a small two story apartment house, Spanish stucco in style. Apartment three was at the rear of the first floor. All right, Luch, you want to pick up Brian and you cover the back. Right. Jo. Come on, Bill, let's go. Get us up the stairs, huh? Number three. Okay, I'll cover you. No sound inside. Doors open. Well, let's have a look. No, it's empty. You want to try the bedroom? I'll check the kitchen. Joe. Joe. In here. All right, Tommy, watch the man. Got a gun, Joe? Grab it. All right, you're a cop. Come on, drop it. Drop it. My arm. I got it, Joe. All right, come on, on your feet. All right, Gammon. Backing up. All right, come on. Hold still.38 revolver, Joe. Colt special. All right. How about it, Talmage? It's mine. What of it? Where's your coat? I don't know. Why'd you kill him? Cause I wanted to, that's all. He was a cop. Is that your only reason? I told you he was a cop. What's the difference? It's a big difference, mister. Why I killed him. It's just One cop less. What's the difference? Ask his family. They'll tell you. The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator/Host]

On March 26, trial was held in Superior Court Department 86, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

In a moment, the results of that trial. Harold Wesley Talmage was found guilty of manslaughter by jury trial and was sentenced to the state penitentiary. He was paroled after serving six years in prison.

[Narrator/Host]

You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department.

[Narrator/Host]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes is brought to Dragnet.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Portions transcribed from Los Angeles Stay tuned for Counter Spy. More good mystery on NBC.

[Narrator/Host]

When it started, a girl's wedding in New Year's Eve, we're only six hours away and I didn't think the bride to be would make either one of them. But that was before I ran up against the slot machine operator, the escaped convict, and above all, the old acquaintance. From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author of crime fiction, comes his most famous character as CBS presents the Adventures of Philip Marlowe. And now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlo, we bring you tonight's exciting story, the Old Acquaintance. At 6 o' clock in the last evening of the year, I was sitting with my feet up on my office desk thinking of impossible New Year's resolutions and what the girl on my butcher's 1949 calendar would or would not be wearing. But at that present point, there was a soft, almost apologetic knock on my office door. I said, come in. And saw a quiet man in quiet clothes who extended a quiet hand. He introduced himself as Paul Riker, a Beverly Hills insurance broker. But the tremor in his voice said very worried clothes, which on New Year's Eve was something I could do without.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Mr. Marlow, you've got to find Nancy Marshall for me.

[Narrator/Host]

Just for a springboard, Mr. Riker. Who is Nancy Marshall?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

She's my fiance. We were to be married at my place in Beverly Hills tonight.

[Narrator/Host]

New Year's Eve?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Yes. You see, it was at a New Year's Eve party a year ago that we met for the first time.

[Narrator/Host]

When did you last hear from her?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Two hours ago.

[Narrator/Host]

She called and said that she was.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

In terrible trouble, that nobody, especially the police, could help her that, well, that the wedding was off.

[Narrator/Host]

I see. You're sure it's not just a matter of your being left at the altar? Huh?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Another man? Oh, no, no, I'm certain That's not it. Now please, Mr. Marlow, will you help me?

[Narrator/Host]

Mr. Riker, to you New Year's Eve means wedding bells, but to me it's something else. Specifically, a cozy little apartment on Wilshire Boulevard where there's a very nice girl and a couple of chilled bottles of sham.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

What is it, Ms. Marlowe? What's wrong?

[Narrator/Host]

Somebody outside. Right. Get away from that door, quick. Whoever threw those shots through the frosted glass in my office door wasn't interested in checking up on his marksmanship. Because by the time I got to my feet he was taking the stairs to the street. When I got outside, I was just in time to see him pile into a pickup truck and roar off. The best I could do was get a face full of exhaust fumes and the last three numbers on his license plate which read 71 1. When I got back to Riker, in the glass on my office floor, I found the potential groom whiter, shakier and less quiet than at our first meeting. Marlow, did you get him?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Do you know who it was?

[Narrator/Host]

No, I don't. Now relax a minute, Riker, and think. Who could possibly object to you and Nancy getting married?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

But that's just it. There's nobody I know of, Mr. Marlowe.

[Narrator/Host]

And I'm positive that the same is true of Nancy. All right, now tell me, where does Nancy live?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

In a Villa at 1428 North Havenhurst Drive, number 12.

[Narrator/Host]

But I. I've already been there and she's gone. Were you inside?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

No, no, the door was locked.

[Narrator/Host]

But Mr. Marlowe, I. I thought you.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Had specific plans for this evening.

[Narrator/Host]

I do, but from the way things stack up right now they've got a better chance of keeping than Nancy Marshall. Now look, go back to your place in Beverly Hills. Stay away from frosted glass windows and wait til you hear from me. We're real lucky, Mr. Riker. It still might turn out to be a happy new year. When Riker left the office, I called Lt. Ibarra at police headquarters. After being told that it would take at least a half hour to get my kind of lead out of the 711 I had on the pickup truck's license, I headed for Nancy's villa on North Havenhurst, where it took me 10 minutes to outsmart the catch on the back door. Inside, except for a carelessly overturned box of old snapshots which meant nothing to me, a lot of half open drawers and closets, I was no place. And in the kitchen, where there was a full cup of cold coffee next to an open newspaper, the Setup was almost the same, but not quite, because on the front page of the paper there was a banner story, complete with pictures that shouted the news of three men who had broken out of the state penitentiary that morning. And one of them a man named Steve Doyle. At a face that I'd seen only minutes ago on one of the snapshots in the overturned box. I grabbed the paper and started back to check with the snapshot once again for good measure. But the second I stepped into the living room, I stopped.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Hello. I don't believe I know you.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh, the voice matched the lady perfectly. She was tall, beautiful brunette, about 30, wearing a beige metallic wool jersey that covered more curves than a ride on a roller coaster. But the large monogram day on her purse meant that this was not the woman who had planned to marry Paul Reichert.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I said, I don't believe I know you.

[Narrator/Host]

The name is Arthur Murray. You're late for your rumble lesson.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Oh, never mind. The joke's bright, boy. It's a waste of your time and mine.

[Narrator/Host]

All right, then, we'll play it very straight. Name is Philip Marlow. I'm a private detective and I'm working for a very worried man. Now, you. What's your connection with Nancy Marshall?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I'm just, shall we say, an old acquaintance, that's all.

[Narrator/Host]

Not enough. I'll prime the pump some more. I was hired to find Nancy, who seems to be in a lot of trouble and coincidentally in trouble on the same day that Steve Doyle breaks out of stir. Now, once more. Exactly where do you fit in?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I don't think I'll tell you, Mr. Marlowe, if you don't mind.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, I. Oh, pearl handled, huh? How very chic.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

But deadly. Now get in that closet there, Marlowe. Go on.

[Narrator/Host]

All right, all right. Just so we don't go through this same routine when we meet again. And we will. Who are you?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

You don't listen very carefully, Marlowe. I've already told you that I'm an old acquaintance. It's the season for them, remember? Now get in there and shut up.

[Narrator/Host]

Ansi Marshall's villa was post war construction at its worst, closets included. So I didn't stay tucked away with the mothballs any longer than it takes to say old acquaintance. The minute I kicked my way out, I went right for the telephone and my only 100% bona fide lead. The number 7 11. This is Lieutenant Ibarra. Malo Ibarra. Anything for me on that license number? Oh, yeah. If you're sure it was a pickup truck. The chances Are pretty good that it either belongs to a party named Maurice J. Calder at 409 South Maine or 1 Jerome Graff, 3221 and a half Melrose Avenue. Check. What's up, Phil? Anything I might be interested in? It depends. Ever hear of a guy named Steve Doyle, One of that gang that broke out this morning? The very same, matter of fact. He's probably driving that pickup truck right now. But look, I borrow it. I think I know what I'm doing. So how about letting me run this end of it until I get stuck? Well, there's a girl named Nancy Marshall mixed up in this and a delay at this time might cost her her life. All right, I'll stay clear, Phil, for a while. Good. But just so you don't get too careless, remember Doyle got out of jail this morning the hard way.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

He killed two guards.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh, fine. Goodbye, Marlon. I got the four. I knew that my first choice had to be wrong because Maurice J. Cole had turned out to be a bankrupt junkman. And his pickup truck, which was loaded with everything including the kitchen sink, had three flat tires and hadn't moved in a week. So if the numerals 7, 11 were going to live up to their reputation, Jerome Graff had to be my man. And that made the time to be careful now. 3221 and a half. Melrose was a tired cottage set back about 50 weed covered feet from the sidewalk and from the rusted sign Jerry Graff mechanic dangling at a crazy angle from a weather beaten beam over the front door, I gathered that the place doubled as both Mr. Graff's living quarters and shop. I didn't see any truck out front, so I decided to try the alley in the rear before I knocked on any door. It was then that I noticed for the first time that I was being watched by a short man with a long face who was slouched against the nearby tree like a marionette with no strings attached.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

If you're lost, mister, maybe I can help you.

[Narrator/Host]

Maybe. I was looking for a pickup truck. Seen one around.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

A pickup truck? Now I wonder what that could be.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, it's a small deal, about a half a ton and I get it. Okay, here. Here's five. Now my question.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Jerry Graff owns a pickup truck, but it ain't here. It's been out since dark. But Jerry's in. He's working late tonight.

[Narrator/Host]

Working at what? Come on, you got your five talk.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Okay. It ain't no secret.

[Narrator/Host]

Jerry's a nursemaid for one armed bandits slot Machines, huh? Is that his record?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Yeah. He used to be a big boy with them too.

[Narrator/Host]

But times have changed.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Now he just works on them for other guys.

[Narrator/Host]

What other guys?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Oh, mister, I wouldn't answer that for even another five. I wouldn't stay in business very long if I did. But I'll tell you one thing for.

[Narrator/Host]

Free, in case you're gonna visit Jerry. What's that?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Watch out for him. He's a very nasty man.

[Narrator/Host]

Thanks, but I can take care of myself. Buster. What do you want? Information. Where's your pickup truck? Graph. Somebody stole it, but he didn't leave his card. Why? What are you, a private dick? That's right. But one that works close to the law. So why don't we call the boys in blue and tell them all about it? The cops?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

No, wait a minute. I don't like the law pattern around here.

[Narrator/Host]

Come on in.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I'll tell you what you want to know.

[Narrator/Host]

Let's not skip any of the details, huh? Like, for example, the name Steve Doyle. Doyle?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I. I don't know.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, okay, fella, you win. The story goes something like this. Wanna try again? That maybe a monkey wrench will convince you? You don't throw any straight in your talk crap.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Come on.

[Narrator/Host]

What do you say? Do we play for the wall? Come on, talk. Come on. Come on. Wait on.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I'll talk.

[Narrator/Host]

All right. I've had enough so far. I know a girl named Nancy. Marshall's in some kind of trouble because Steve Doyle broke out of the pen this morning. Now, you fill in the blank.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Oh, sure, sure. Why not?

[Narrator/Host]

Steve Doyle, he used to be crazy about Nancy, but she didn't go for him. Then about a year ago, a little more maybe, Steve got picked up for knocking over a grocery store. He figured he was caught because Nancy tipped the law to get him out of her hair. Now he's out to get Nancy for revenge. Is that it? Yeah, that's it. And anyone who's close to her gets the same treatment. Now, chummy. Now, tell me, was Doyle here? Is he the one who's driving your pickup truck? Yeah, but it wasn't my idea. He shoved a gun in my face, said we were old friends and asked for the keys. You know where he is now? No, but if I did, I'd keep it to myself. Doyle's full of hate, brother. You can count on that. Now, what do you say about Clarin? Out of here, just as soon as I find out. One more thing. Now, there's another girl mixed up in this. She's a brunette With a lot of curves. And the initial A. Calls herself an old acquaintance of Nancy's. Any idea who she is? Oh, not the slightest. You're a liar, Graff. And if I had time, I'd beat the truth out. Oh, you haven't, believe me. Because if you don't hustle, mister, when you do catch up with Nancy Marshall, you're gonna catch up with a corpse, nothing more. When I got outside, two things stood out in my mind like a pair of cleats. Carnegie Hall. First, my client's fiance was not the most innocent dame in greater Los Angeles. And second, I wasn't gonna get any place until I could locate the old acquaintance. But then, just as I started for my car, the slouch who had sold me the dirty thumbnail sketch on Jerry Graf came running toward me. Hey, hey, hey, mister.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Did everything work out all right?

[Narrator/Host]

I was called away on some other.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Business, or I'd have been here waiting.

[Narrator/Host]

Waiting for what?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Well, you know, in my game, I now and again give a guy a little more dope than he bargained for.

[Narrator/Host]

And in that case, I sometimes end up with a bonus, so to speak. Right now, we're about even. But if you can tell me anything about a beautiful brunette whose first name starts with an A, I'll give you a bonus. It'll keep you in beer and pretzels from now until the 4th of July.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Name that begins with an A?

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Hey, she.

[Narrator/Host]

She visited with Graff this morning.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Maybe.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, it's possible. Come on, think. Think hard.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

She's kind of tall. Dresses like a million bucks.

[Narrator/Host]

That's right. Now, what's her name? Here, look. $20 bill. Her name. What is it?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

It's. Yeah, yeah, I got it. Adrian Star, 1312 Lookout Mountain Road.

[Narrator/Host]

How do you know that?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

It was on the registration card in her car. I took a peek. Why'd she.

[Narrator/Host]

Trouble at graphs? I'll take my 20.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Goodbye.

[Narrator/Host]

I beat it up. The walk to graphs. And when I got inside, I found exactly what I expected. Doubled up on the floor in the middle of a lot of oily machine parts. And still holding his stomach with both hands was Jerome Graff, a very dead man. I started for a telephone to call Lieutenant Ibarra, but then I noticed something small and gold lying a few feet away from the body. When I picked it up, I saw it was an ornamental buckle, the kind that a lady might wear on a coat. So I decided to skip Lt. Ibarra for the time being, call my client instead. Hello? This is Marlow Riker. Oh, yes, Marlow, what is it? What have you found out? Quite a bit. But first I've got to know one thing. Does Nancy Marshall have a gold belt buckle? A gold belt buckle? Yeah.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Why? Why, yes, she does.

[Narrator/Host]

On her black coat. But what about it, Marlow?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

What does it mean?

[Narrator/Host]

I'm not sure, Mr. Riker, but it may mean that Nancy Marshall just killed a. Foreign. Just a moment. We will return to the second act of the Adventures of Philip Marlo. But first, by this time, a week from tonight, Jack Benny will have made his first broadcast exclusively on the CBS network. Starting next Sunday. You'll find Jack here with Mary Livingston, Phil Harris, Rochester, Dennis Day, Don Wilson and all the others who have made the Jack Benny Show a regular Sunday evening delight for millions of Americans. Just for fun, the Jack Benny kind of fun. Make a New Year's resolution to hear the Jack Benny show every Sunday, starting a week from tonight, January 2nd, over these same CBS network stations. And now with our star, Gerald Bohr, we return to the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story, the Old Acquaintance. When I told Paul Riker that the chances were good that his bride to be had just knocked off a slot machine operator, my client reacted like I kicked him in the stomach. When he caught his breath again, he started telling me I was wrong and didn't stop until I hung up on him. Next thing on the agenda was I called on Lieutenant Ibarra. Lieutenant Ibarra speaking. Marlow again, Lieutenant. Oh, did you find the owner of that pickup truck, Phil? Yeah, I found him, Ibarra. I'm calling from his shop now. I had a talk with the guy. It was Jerry Graff. What do you mean, was Jerry Graff? Somebody came in here and shot him just after I left. He's dead. He knew Steve Doyle, all right, but I'm pretty sure Doyle didn't kill him. Ibarra. Oh, then who did? Any idea, Marlow? Well, looks very much like my client's fiance, Nancy Marshall. I still don't know where she is or how it all fits together. But look, I got a lead on an old acquaintance of Nancy's named Adrian Star. She lives up on Lookout Mountain Road. If you don't hear from me in, say, an hour, you might check number 1312. That's my next stop. Okay. Just be sure it's not your last stop. Goodbye. I drove up Laurel Canyon to Lookout Mountain. The only sign of life was a young couple parked where they could look down at the city lights if they wanted to. I backed into a bushy driveway Across Madri and Star's bungalow and stopped. It was small, modern, and looked deserted except for one dim light upstairs. I was about to get out and verify that when a pair of headlights flashed down the road and a yellow convertible swept to a halt in front of the place. It was Adrienne Starr who got out. She started up the walk toward our front door, stopped suddenly, then ran back to her car and drove off again. I kept the yellow convertible in sight when it turned on Havenhurst and stopped in front of Nancy Marshall's villa. I pulled up in time to see Adrian step inside and close the door, so I followed her.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Marlow, what do you want?

[Narrator/Host]

I want to know what Jerry Graff means to you.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Adrian, I don't know any Jerry Graff. So it means nothing.

[Narrator/Host]

Come on, stop it. You went down to his shop to see him this morning. I thought you might like to know that he's dead.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Dead? Mm.

[Narrator/Host]

The cops are hungry for anybody who so much as knew his name. Maybe I better come inside and talk it over, don't you think?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Yeah, maybe better. Just a minute.

[Narrator/Host]

Thanks. Hey, it's dark. Why don't you turn on more lights? Because I like it this way. Okay, but, honey, if you've still got that pearl handled popcorn of yours, let's leave it out of the conversation and let's make it straight. Why'd you drop in on Graff this morning? Because I knew that sooner or later.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Steve Doyle would head there. I had to know if Steve intended to leave town or was still determined to get his crazy revenge.

[Narrator/Host]

And all for Nancy Marshall, huh? You know, you're sticking your neck out quite a ways just for old times sake, baby. Steve Doyle's a pretty tricky guy to mix with at this point.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

You can say that again. Fell. Steve. Oh, Steve.

[Narrator/Host]

Steve Doyle?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

That's right. Who are you?

[Narrator/Host]

Mr. Marlow. Private detective.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Sit down over there. Private detective. Keep your hands out of your pockets. I don't like you because you're half.

[Narrator/Host]

Cop, but play it smart, you won't get hurt.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Well, Adrian, like old home week, huh? Oh, it's been a long time, Steve. Yeah. Yeah, it sure has. Where is she, Adrian? Where's Nancy? I don't know.

[Narrator/Host]

Steve, you're lying to me.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

This is her place. You got him with a key. You've been down to see Graff. You know where she is. All right, so tell me, and tell me fast. Listen, forget it. Forget about Nancy. This revenge will only get you in the gas chamber.

[Narrator/Host]

Please, let's get away.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

We can still make it across the porter. Please take me with you. I love you, Steve, just like I always have, even when you threw me over for Nancy. Shut up. Shut up. Just tell me where Nancy is.

[Narrator/Host]

Come on, Adrian.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I don't know, Steve.

[Narrator/Host]

Stop it, Doyle. Where is she?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Steve, you're hurting me.

[Narrator/Host]

Doyle.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Don't move, Mallow.

[Narrator/Host]

All right, so I told you to behave. I've been through a lot, and I'm tired and I'm running out of time.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

You're getting in my hair, and that's bad.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Oh, no, Steve, don't.

[Narrator/Host]

I won't shoot him. I can't afford the noise.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I can give him something just as good. Now, Adrian, try again. Where's Nancy? Come on. Where is. I don't know.

[Narrator/Host]

I couldn't remember where I was or how long I've been lying there. But gradually I got the crazy idea that I was being robbed by a very unhappy crook, because I was sure that somebody was crying and going through my pockets at the same time. Oh. I tried to open my eyes. All I could see was a little gold buckle danced back and forth in front of me. When it finally disappeared altogether, I rolled over and hauled myself up onto my knees. And then it all came rushing back to me. I'd been in Nancy Marshall's villa with Steve Doyle, Adrian Star. But they were gone now, and I was alone. I heard a car start outside, so I got on my feet, made it along the wall to the door. It was Adrian, and she was behind the wheel of my coup. Stay away from me, Marlo. Where's Doyle?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

My car has gone off to Nancy. I've got to stop him, Marlow, so get out of the way.

[Narrator/Host]

Somehow I managed to jump back just in time to keep from getting a press job with the tread of my own fist tires. And it took 10 minutes of steady concentration to get it through my throbbing head that Adrian had actually stolen my car and was gone. Oh, the cold air must have helped me, because one thought led to another, and I finally began to separate the thought facts from the fancies. I hadn't dreamed all I thought I had. And when I realized that the whole idea hit me and hit me hard. I knew that I'd better get out to Lookout Mountain in a hurry. I made it to sunset, filled the cabin, collapsed night.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Where to, mister?

[Narrator/Host]

Look out. Mountain road. Make it fast. It's rugged in this trap.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

New Year's Eve, you know.

[Narrator/Host]

Here's 10 bucks. Does that help? It's important.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Oh, it helps plenty. I know. Great shortcut.

[Narrator/Host]

A new road that's not yet finished.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

But how are yon bumps?

[Narrator/Host]

You more won't matter, pal. Let's go. When it was over, I felt like I'd crossed the country on a pogo stick. But the cab driver was a genius, and with a shortcut, we made the distance to Lookout mountain. Less than 10 minutes. When we got near the place, I sent the cab back down the hill. Out of danger went the rest of the way on foot. As I got within sight of Adrian's bungalow, I saw Steve Doyle getting out of the yellow convertible. I ran up to the house, tried the door. It was locked. Nancy, where are you?

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

I know you're in that baby.

[Narrator/Host]

I'm gonna find you have to take this joint apart. You got some old business to settle, remember? So have we, Doyle. Drop that gun. Stand still.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Okay.

[Narrator/Host]

You won't need that gun anymore, Doyle. Just kick it over there out of the way.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Someday I'll get you for this, fella.

[Narrator/Host]

I doubt it, Steve. You're all finished, but you're too thick headed to see it. Well, I guess it's time to relax and wait for Adrian. And we call the cops.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Adrian just arrived, Marlo. Don't turn around or I'll kill you. Adrian. There we are. Marlo. Touch your gun back here to me.

[Narrator/Host]

Come on now.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

It's better. Oh, Steve. Steve. Are you hurt bad, darling? Can you make it to the car?

[Narrator/Host]

I'll try.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Adrian.

[Narrator/Host]

Got me in the side.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

It's bad. Oh, Steve. Hurry, darling, hurry. I'll be with you in a minute. I'll make it, okay.

[Narrator/Host]

Well, Marlo? Yeah, okay, Adrian.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Tell me one thing first, Marlo. Did Steve get to Nancy?

[Narrator/Host]

No. You killed Graff in time to shut him up, too, huh? So Steve will never know the truth, will he, Adrian? Could be it was you who crossed him and sent him to prison.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

You'll never find out. Not now. And you'll never realize how much I love him either. That's why I did it, Marlow.

[Narrator/Host]

It was the only way I could.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Hold him for myself. And I was willing to wait. Can you understand that?

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah, I guess I can. Too bad a love like yours has to be wasted on a guy like Steve. You'll never get away, honey.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Not with him.

[Narrator/Host]

You'll never make it.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Maybe not. But if he goes out, at least I'll be with him, Marlo. And that's the way I want it.

[Narrator/Host]

If you're gonna do anything, Adrian, you better get it over with fast. That siren's a friend of mine. He's coming here.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Adrian. Coming, Steve. You're A good guy, Marlo, And a smart one. Just don't follow us, that's all. So long, Marlo.

[Narrator/Host]

Happy New Year.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Marlow. Marlowe, lad.

[Narrator/Host]

Connor, just pull out of here. Who isn't it? Steve Doyle and Adrian Stary. Bara. That road makes a horseshoe turn. That'll bring them out down below us. There, that junction. I've got one of those streets blocked, but the other one's wide open. Look, Ibarra.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

There they are.

[Narrator/Host]

She's stopping at the crossroad. Yeah, they've spotted my men down there. She's turning around. They're heading out the other way. She must be crazy, Marlow. They'll never make that curve at that speed. They're not slowing down, Ibarra. She's heading straight for that stone wall. Well, speed, that's it. It's all over. They're both dead when the boys got to them. Killed instantly. By the way, how's your head feel now? Any better? I'm okay. Byron. You take care of Nancy Marshall, all right? Yeah. She locked herself upstairs. Sent her home to Paul Riker in the squad car. The driver hurries. They can still be married on New Year's Eve. You oughta Peg. Does Jerry Graff's kill earlier tonight? Marla, what made you change your mind? Well, I found a gold buckle near Graff's body Bar. I figured it was a fancy little belt buckle that Nancy had dropped. I saw exactly the same buckle when I was coming to after Doyle hit me on the head. And it was not a belt. It was on a shoe. Adrian Shoe. It was the mate of the one I'd found. Once you know, Adrian Star killed Graph, you put the rest of it together. Is that it, huh? See, for a price. Graph helped Adrian double cross Steve. She had to kill him to keep him from talking. She hit Nancy out for the same reason. If she knew that if Steve ever got to Nancy, he'd learn the truth. I wonder why she didn't kill Nancy, too. I think she intended to, Ibarra. And she did it all, really, because she loved the guy too much. Strange deal, Marlow, right to the end. You know, she didn't have a chance to make that curve down there, the way she was driving. Not even if she wanted to make it. Ibarra. Yeah, well, it's five minutes to midnight, Phil. Happy New Year, fella. I want to see a lot of you in 1949. Same to you, Lieutenant. Good night. After Ibarra and the others left, I stayed up on Lookout Mountain and watched the New Year come to Los Angeles. A new year didn't seem to change things much, at least on the surface. Somewhere down the road, a gang struck up Auld Lang Syne. I thought again of Adrian Starr, a girl who loved not wisely, who had called herself an older acquaintance.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

Yeah, I'd never forget her.

[Narrator/Host]

As I walked back to my car, the city was ringing out the old and ringing in the new. And I wish then that someplace on everybody's list of resolutions they'd make room for that cup of kindness they were singing about. And then a guy could say, happy New Year and mean it. The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, created by Raymond Chandler, stars Gerald Moore and is produced and directed by Norman McDonald. Script is by Mel Danelli, Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt. Featured in the cast were Gloria Blondell, Edgar Barrier, David Ellis, Lou Krugman and Stan Waxman. Lt. Abaro was played by Jeff Corey. The special music was by Richard Arant. Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlo says they all knew he was aboard the yacht when it exploded and sank. And everybody called his death an accident. Yeah, that is everybody except the cops himself. He said it was murder. An hour of wonderful delirious comedy is still to come to you tonight on cbs. You'll soon hear Hollywood's Eve Arden starring as the unusual school mistress, our Miss Brooks. Later, Lum and Abner will open the doors of the jotam down store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas and let you stock up on the last from their never failing supply of wisdom and good humor. Our Ms. Brooks starring Eve Arden is heard at 9:30 and Lumet Abner at 10:00', clock, both Eastern standard Time over most of these same CBS network stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking for cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

And we just heard Dragnet and Philip Marlowe. That wraps up our special episode. Thanks for joining me. Next Sunday I'll be back with our first show of 2019, an old time radio adaptation of the film noir classic Double Indemnity. In the meantime, you can tune into Stars on Suspense, my other old time radio podcast, and you can follow the show and message me through my facebook [e-mail] meanstreets podcasts. Next time, Double Indemnity. Until then, good night, happy listening and happy New Year.

[Narrator/Host]

Now here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen, in a prejudice filled.

[Podcast Host/Commentator]

America, no one would be secure in.

[Narrator/Host]

His job, his business, his church or his home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quacks 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.