← Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Episode 621 - Spider Webb (Jeff Regan, Pat Novak, Pete Kelly’s Blues, & Dragnet)
02:06:49
We're celebrating the 105th anniversary of the birth of Jack Webb - one of the faces on the Mt. Rushmore of old time radio drama. Best known for Dragnet, Webb logged many an hour solving crimes on the air as cops, private eyes, and amateur...
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Jack Webb
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 down these Mean Streets and more old time radio detectives and crime solvers. It's a birthday party this week on the podcast as today we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the birth of Jack Webb, one of the patron saints of old time radio drama. Born April 2, 1920, Webb's place in radio history would be assured given his creation of Dragnettle alone. And while it was his most famous and most influential show, dracnet was only one of several programs during the golden age of radio where Webb played detectives. Today we'll hear four of his classic crime fighter performances, all featuring Jack Webb in top form with his signature severely understated style of acting. First up is an episode from Jeff Regan, investigator called the Guy from Gower Gulch. This one originally aired on CBS on November 13, 1948. Webb plays Regan with Herb Butterfield as his penny pinching boss, Anthony J. Lyon. Their latest client is a fella named Davy Crockett. No sooner has this Mr. Crockett been bailed out of jail that he's gunned down. Next we'll head to the San Francisco waterfront as Webb plays Pat Novak for hire in an episode known as Wendy Morris originally aired on ABC on May 8, 1949. Ms. Morris is the woman Novak's been hired to trail, but instead he discovers a different woman dead on the floor. The supporting cast in this one includes Tudor Owen. He plays Jocko Madigan, Pat Novak's barfly confidant and one of my favorite characters from any old time radio show. Then we travel back to the days of Prohibition for Pete Kelly's Blues, a short lived series that combined Webb's love of radio, crime drama and jazz, and which was later adapted by Webb for the big screen. Webb plays Pete Kelly, a cornet play player in a speakeasy jazz combo who can't avoid being pulled into trouble between sets. In this episode, an Armed Forces Radio Service rebroadcast of a show from July 25, 1951, Pete is handed a sealed envelope and he soon discovers that it's a very hot commodity around Kansas City, not to mention it's somehow connected to the murder of an altar boy. And we'll close with the big one with Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday in Dragnet. He co stars with Ben Alexander, who plays Officer Frank Smith in the Big Wat. This one originally aired on NBC on March 1, 1953. But before we hear just the facts, we'll kick things off with Jeff Regan, investigator, for our Jack Webb birthday salute. The party gets underway right after these messages. Say, there's a girl in our neighborhood who's always been mighty fond of Brenda Star follows her adventures regularly in the funny papers. So she was mighty thrilled when she that Brenda is one of the characters in that new series of comic buttons that Kellogg's Pep is putting out. So thrilled, in fact, that she started to specialize in collecting Brenda's Star buttons. And she already has five of them pinned right on her jacket. Of course, most of the fellows and girls in the gang think that it's more fun to collect different buttons. And that's why they want Cindy and Vitamin Flint Heart and Superman and all the others. Of course. However you do it, it's doggone exciting fun, as you know. The best part is these comic buttons are so easy to get. You don't send in any money, not even the box stop. And you can't buy them anywhere. But there's one of these exciting prizes in every package of Kellogg's Pep the Sunshine cereal. The crisp, tender whole wheat flakes with that catchy sunshine flavor makes mighty good eating for breakfast. So crisp and and fresh and toasty that, well, you want to pitch right in and eat hearty. And that's always a good idea on a cold morning. Yes, sir, Kellogg's Pep is mighty good for you. Mom knows that, so remind her to get plenty of Pee Pee Pee the Sunshine Cereal. KE Your best bet for hot breakfast is Quaker Oats. The giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Delicious, nutritious, makes you feel ambitious. The giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Yes, if you want to be a star in sports and school activities, make your hot cereal Quaker Oats. Cause Quaker Oats helps grow the stars of the future. You get more growth, more endurance from oatmeal than from any other whole grain cereal. Remember, Quaker and Mother's Oats are the same. And here's a word from RCA Victor. Last week, the curtain went up on the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball League and the 50th anniversary of the American League. There's no better way to celebrate than by enjoying at firsthand the thrills and the clean sportsmanship. Baseball today. Baseball today. It's the American way. Of course, the next best thing to a seat in the stands is a seat in front of a 19 inch RCA Victor television. RCA Victor's new Extra powerful picture pickup gives you the best possible reception everywhere. You know RCA Victor television is most in demand. But here's really important news. RCA Victor 19 inch television is available. It's on display now at dealer stores. So insist on the best. Insist on seeing 19 inch million proof television by RCA Victor. When you do, you'll agree, inch for inch, your best buy in television is RCA Victor 19 inch. Good evening. This is your Rexall family druggist with a welcome from the 10,000 independent druggists who have made the word Rexall part of our own store name. We've done that because we recommend and sell the 2,000 or more drug products made by the Rexall Drug Company. Like Rexall Milk of Magnesia, for example. Here's the milk of Magnesia that's so pure and creamy smooth, so free from that unpleasant earthy taste, even children spot the difference. Ask for the Rexall Milk of Magnesia at Rexall drugstores everywhere. And remember, you can depend on any drug product that bears the name Rexall. I dedicate this program to the fight against crime. Not merely crimes of violence and crimes of dishonesty, but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship. Crimes against America. My name's Regan. I get 10 a day and expenses from a detective bureau run by a guy named Anthony J. Lyon. They call me the Lion's Eye. With Jack Webb is Jeff Regan, the Lion's Eye stand bar for hard boiled action and mystery and thrilling adventure in tonight's story of the guy from Gower Go. It's a gray building about the color of moldy bread. It's an apartment house in the middle of Hollywood. And it figures that the guy who built it quit voting when they named the street it sits on Taft Avenue. My place is furnished with war surplus from the Spanish American War. Well, it's got a hat rack. And that's where I live. Number 308 in back where you get a view and some fresh air from the alley. One's about as bad as the other, but I got it fixed up kind of nice. Hot plate, coffee pot, an autographed picture of Sally Rand that somebody left there. Only mistake I made was putting in a telephone. Spoils a lot of things. Regan, it's the Lion. Wake up. We got a job. Why don't you sleep at night. Lucky for you, I got insomnia. We go broke. Try oval team. What kind of a job? How should I know? Get your clothes on. What are you doing? Reading the want ads? I got a note from a client. You mean you got money? Hundred bucks is all. Says he'll match it if we run him an errand. Where to? Santa Ana Canyon. He'll tell you. You know, you got morals like a cash register. Can he write his name? Davy Crockett. He's 50 years old. Well, he's a little old for cowboys and Indians, isn't he? That's his name. Davy Crockett. When's the wagon train pull out, Regan? I don't know how I stand for you. Get over there. Get where? Listen, a guy works pretty hard. Building up a business like I have takes a lot out of him. You got plenty on tap. I just want you to understand that, Saul, money doesn't grow on trees. Now, sometimes you gotta play your hunches like George Gallup. This time I got a feeling the guy's okay. He writes like a gentleman, Regan. I want you to treat him like one. But where do I find him? He's in a location. Can give us a lot of business. Where? The city jail. Yeah, that's the Lion. Born under the sign of the dollar. Well, it happened on Monday night. And I found the Lincoln Heights jail looking real tired after a rough weekend. They were putting fresh creosote on the walls in front of the drunk tank. And the guy at the desk looked like he burst his radiator. If anybody phoned for another reservation, it was about 1am but after a couple of jokes. I know about alligators. Sergeant Gonzalez hauled out a drawer with some cards in it. Under C. He found it. Full name, David Crockett. Cell 273, solitary. Gonzalez walked me through a couple of quarters and then he opened a cell and let me inside. Davy Crockett was there, awake and standing up. He was about 4ft high, skinny, with a head like a sunburned turnip. He had blue veins roaming all over his nose and a handlebar. Mustach, hold him up. He looked at me like I was holding the fifth ace. Howdy, stranger. My name's Regan, International Detective Bureau. How do I know? Start anything and I'll send up a racket. I work for the Lion. You called him maybe yes, maybe no. You got credentials? Where do you want him? Easy, son. Not talking to an amateur Flyweight champion, Buenos Aires, 29. Grab yourself a squat, partner. All right. What are you so nervous about? Nothing precautious, that's all. Let's start at the beginning, shall we? What are you locked up for? Fire plug got him in the dangerous places in this bird. What'd you do, steal it for your dog? No, parked my landlady's car alongside it while I ran a nerve. You don't get jugged for traffic tickets. There were two cops. Looked like a posse. I don't like injustice. All right, resisting arrest. Is that all? What more do you want? Told you I'm not a man to be trampled with. Taught judo in Tokyo. 34. The Japs still lost the war. Sit still, Reagan. You're working. On what? Well, it's just another errand. It's not much. Oh, come on, let's pick up the temple, will you? My bicycle's double parked. Say, you ever get saddle toes on a bicycle? I did once. Eight day races. Yeah, Yeah, I know. Now, what about this errand? Little package wrapped up in a sweater in the alley by the ash can. Go on. I calculate I dropped it about three and a half feet to the left of the big ash can by accident. Man can't fight with his hands full. I write down the address while you're here. All right? What's in that sweater you didn't want the cops to see? A polecat. It fits the rest of your story. Yeah. Son, there's nothing in the life of Davy Crockett won't stand inspection. When you get the package, check it in at the Union Station. And then what? Save me the stub. You get 100. Save it for bail. You could do this job yourself. Thought I told you, sonny, I like to be lonesome. So you had him lock you up on purpose? No, I just like it here. You want a reference check? Any of the boys in Gala Gulch movie. Cowboy, huh? Laddie, you're looking at the greatest jockey since Paul Revere. Eddie sand to Eddie Yado. I beat them all. Kentucky Downs, 39. Yeah, sure. Well, a job's a job, Davey, but I got a hot tip where I fit in. Why is that trailing the field? Well, I left the little man running his fingers through an old copy of Variety, and I went out into the street. It was about 3:00, and a truck was throwing some water out and giving the gutter a shampoo. I picked up my car and started out to play retriever. That's when I spotted the blonde tailing me. She was using a 37 packard, and the top was down. I could see her in the mirror. I could tell she had yellow hair like a rag doll. It took a few fast turns to get rid of her. But then I was solo when I pulled to a stop by the alley off Gower. It was in back of some old movie studios. About then, a drunk came pouring down the street, did a loop around a fire plug at the head of the alley and sat down. He was the talented kind, and I figured he thought I was Arthur Godfrey. Well, I scrambled over some broken beer bottles looking for the sweater. It finally showed, lying beside a pack of newspaper and some dame's torn petticoat. That's when the drunk lost his tilt and began looking at me. I picked up an old shoe, I wrapped it in a newspaper and I started out of the alley. The drunk went back to his audition, moving toward me. Mary, the dawn is breaking Marie, you'll soon be wakey. Hi, friend. Have a drink. That's not my brand. Call me a mug. A little drink between friends is real nice. We haven't been introduced. My name's Maxwell. What's yours? Slipped my mind. That's the trouble with the whole world. No fellowship. Except for my girl Marie. You know Marie? No, I don't. Sort of short and plump with a little sinus trouble. That's too bad. Thought you might have met her. Lots of fellowship in that girl. Every time you look another fella. All right, move it, buddy. Now, you don't want to get by me, friends. You want to stand right there and have a little drink. You got the subject we're going to talk about? Yeah, sure, sure. What's in the package? Dirty laundry. Ain't that funny, though. I just got me a new Bendix. Why don't you go into business? That's what I'm gonna do. You're my first customer. No, I. Lux, my dainties. Don't go away, friend. I ain't through with my sales talk. Well, hire a skywriter. Hold up my. Sir. Get your hands off of me. All right, Regan, the round's over. Yeah? What makes you the referee? This does. Friend here wants to play rough, Red. Reconsider, Regan. It'll make you happy. All right. What do you want? The package. Heard what he said, smart guy? Why don't you work for it, man? Don't leave Rean. We're not finished. I got the package ready. Give him a tip for picking it up. Sure. Oh. Guess I overpaid him. Well, it was easy to see it was their play. I had about as much chance as a midget in a basketball game. The muscles ambled off With a package that they took from me. And I crawled back for that sweater. It was still there, wrapped around something hard and round. When I ripped it off, a shine caught my eyes. It was a metal can of movie film. And the word Peru was marked on it. Not much for all the hush hush, but it must have had a story. Well, I looked up a friend of mine who won't a camera shop and I made a commotion with a $5 bill that shook the sand out of him. And he rented me a projector with sound. The lion's house was the next stop. We threw up a sheet on the wall and turned on the film that completed the night we had a trip to a good neighbor without a passport. Turned out to be a Joan Fitzpatrick giving with some kind of a travel. The most colorful in the world. A temple of worship. Home of Peru. 2000 years old. Stop screaming. It's free. You know I can't stand movies. I got sore eyes. All right, shut up and listen. Peru, the marketplace. A street vendor dressed in gay native costume selling delicacies to Peruvian children. Beads and jewels of exquisite beauty wrought by the hands of master Peruvian artisans. Horse racing and innovation from the modern world. And native. I'm going to bed. You won't sleep. I stole your eye shade. Oh, Regan, I gotta get up early. I got lots to do. It'll keep a veritable symphony of motion. And so it's with heavy heart we say adieu to lovely Peru, land of the Peruvians. Land of charm and enchantment. And with the setting sun we take our leave. Well, what'd you get out of it? A headache. Yeah, we'll talk about it in the morning. No, I can't wait. What you doing now? I'm phoning the city jail, looking for a room, looking for information. Davey will supply it. You've been drinking. Now, listen, big shot. Somebody's after this film for some reason. I'm gonna find it. City jail, Sergeant Gonzalez speaking. Danny's. Regan. Oh, hi. You Regan? I'm glad you called. I just got that joke about the alligators. Yeah, well, do me a favor, will you? Sure, pal, sure. Say, I told it to the lieutenant. He's still laughing. You know, it may earn me a promotion, pal. Let me talk to Davy Crockett. Oh, I can't do that, Regan. Well, you can say I'm his lawyer. Well, it's not that, pal. He's not here anymore. What do you mean? Some guy bailed him out 20 minutes ago when I was telling the lieutenant the joke. This guy in the briefcase comes in, slaps down the bale, out walks your friend. Well, he said he liked it there. That Davey must have changed his mind. Where'd he go? Not very far. Just over to the morg. Well, the cowboy from Gower Gulch had spun his last yarn. Gonzalez told me that somebody had shot Crockett as soon as he hit the street. Oh, none of this made sense. The phony job, the blonde who tailed me, the fight in the alley, the corny movie. Now a lion shoved the film in a desk and I went out the door. I cut across his yard, but I stopped on the opposite sidewalk. My car wasn't alone. It was a 40 foot Nash sniffing at its rear fender. Hey, Regan. Well, Maxwell, that's me. You look different. Did you take the cure? Shut up. Somebody wants to see you. If it's Marie, tell her my book's full. Thought you might like a lift. No, I got a friend who runs a streetcar. Now, go on, beat it. Regan, don't be that way. Offer him a panatello, Maxwell. Who's this? Your father in law? You smoke, Regan? No. It might explode. Yes. So long. Hold this, Preston. Get in, Max. Max, I told you before, you're on probation. That's all right. Don't pick on him, teacher. He didn't hurt me. Get in front, Max. Sure. Where's your other boy, Red? We could play some bridge. I thought he'd do better in the shoe business. The one I gave him didn't fit, huh? I'm a much misunderstood man, Mr. Egan. I'm sure you'll put your best foot forward. I'd love to. My card. Horace Grundy. Sometime earlier, a little man called me Mr. Regan. Custer or Boone or Davy Crockett. Of course. I want you to understand I get many such calls. Party line. It's a private number, but the salesmen bother me. Anyway, it's tough to be popular. Davey tell you what he was selling? No. Well, he didn't tell me either. Have it your own way. When I told him I'd meet him, he said he'd arranged to get out of jail. He said all he wanted was a job. And he got one? Yes. Only there's no future to it. I wouldn't want anything like that happening to you, Mr. Regan. I'll renew my insurance. No, you'll come with me. It's more friendly. Suppose I don't like to talk? You won't have to if everything goes all right. Your taxi and you're paying the fare. All right, Maxwell. Clover Field. I Never knew a guy could say the name of an airport and make it sound like Forest Lawn. Grundy sat in the corner checking the manicure on his fingernails. And Maxwell drove out Olympic. By the time we skidded into Clover, I figured absolutely nothing. It was still only 4am but there was a string of cars parked in the lot. I spotted a 37 Packard Roadster, but I was too busy getting rushed up onto the field to look for the blonde. Besides, the faster we ran, the more excited Grundy got. Then we rounded the hangar and the reporters hit us. Say, Louis B's pretty sore, huh? No, no, Louis B and I are friends. Just his plugs are burned. Let us through, boys. Hey, wait a second. This junior who's traveling on the plane, they say he wants a quarter of a million. You're going to pay him today? After I see a workout. Come on, Regan, let's go. Yeah, you're a real big man, Grundy. I'm gonna be, Regan. El Romano. Best rep of any horse in South America. So that's it, huh? Where the ruins come from. What's that? Peru? Oh, sure. Peruvian National Airways gave Julio a special plane. Everything special, like in the movies. Well, look, suppose you watch him unload. I'll take a back seat here. Oh, no, no, Regan. This is a big day. I want you to see. What? What's the ambulance for? No, don't look at me. Stick around, Regan. It could be you. Hey, got that stretcher over there. Oh, you. Kick me. Hit me. Kick me. It's Julio. Not the guy who owns him? Must be. I tried to hold him. Behold. Or break. Oh, my. Take it easy, boy. We got you. What happened? Bounce. Bounce the landing she is, Rob. That is all. Where is the doctor? You're going to the hospital. Lie down. I'm broken in six places. Lift up the stretcher. Come on, boys, hurry it up. Oh, he kick. He kicked me. Move fast, boys. Yes. Hot. Grundy. Mr. Grundy, the horse. The guy with the plane started to yell. Just about the time they took Julio toward the rear of the ambulance. Grundy took a dive for the cargo door and so did everybody else. Then I had to stand there while six feet, a big shot cigar turned into a crybaby. Look, Regan. Look at the horse's leg. He's kicked himself. Okay, so he's. But he might not run again. He was going to be mine, Regan. That's too bad. Call a vet. I have already paid 50,000 retainer on the horse, Regan. I'll send you a Lawyer. I got an idea you're connected with this. Oh, dry up, buster. It's an accident. Yeah, I got an idea there's going to be another accident. Yeah, Grundy, maybe you're right. Hey, I didn't wait to see if he went down. Maxwell swung, but I took off through the crowd. It figured that Cloverfield wasn't for me and I wasn't gonna stick around for the daisy. Then I spotted a ride. The rear end of Julio's ambulance. I made it just as the buggy started to move. I pulled the door shut and tried not to step on that stretcher inside. I shouldn't even have bothered that the stretcher was empty. The only patient was me. You are listening to the story of the guy from Gower Gulch. Tonight's adventure with Jeff Regan, investigator. Commissions are still available in the Army Nurse Corps. Reserve graduate, registered nurses between the ages of 21 and 45 may qualify for service with this fine organization. If you are interested in joining the Army Nurse Corps and believe that you qualify for a commission, apply to the adjutant general, Washington, D.C. and now back to Jeff Regan, investigator and the story of the guy from Gower. Gouch. Well, things were beginning to move like a hula dancer with a hot foot. Davy Crockett sent me out to pick up a roll of movie film. A Joan Fitzpatrick travelogue on Beautiful. There was something in it that was hot. But Crockett got himself plugged before he could say what it was. There were shots of a horse race in Peru. And when a big buster named Grundy turns up buying a nag from a Peruvian breeder, I figured a connection. So did Grundy. When the horse got hurt and Julio did a disappearing act with his money, everybody looked at me. That's when I took the shortest way to Hollywood in an ambulance, got my car and made it for home. Only parked up the street from my apartment was that same 37 packet roadster I'd been dodging all evening. The blonde wasn't in it. She was sitting in my place looking real hopeful. Good evening. You keep late hours, Mr. Regan. That's the kind of friends I've got. Perhaps you ought to change them. I'll stick it out. What do you want? A little chance to talk to you. It'll keep till morning. But, Mr. Reagan, I have been waiting so long. You've got to talk to me now. Why? I'm Davy Crockett's wife. You've got something that belongs to me. I don't see any wedding ring. I I don't wear one, Scare off the other boys. That's not a very nice remark, Mr. Regan. No. But you'll let it go. Only because it's not important. Oh, stop it. You're not Davey's wife. If the little guy had anybody he could trust, he wouldn't have had to call him a lion. All right, Mr. Regan, I lie. Now, let's have it. Lady, what are you after? The roll of film. That figures. It's mine. Convince me. Mr. Regan, you're becoming very annoying. Why don't you call the police? Well, I tell you, it is mine. Let's see the pink slip. And so it is with heavy heart we bid adieu. That's enough. Yeah, Yeah. I thought I knew that voice. Davey stole the roll from my library. Now may I have it back? Homicide will turn it over to you when they're ready. I can't wait. What makes it so valuable? I'm not sure. Then how do you know it is? Because I'm not stupid, Mr. Regan. Somebody goes to a lot of trouble to break into my film library. But he only steals one roll of film. Go on. I put the police on Davey, follow them to the jail. So you go after the film. That add up to pretty important business. Did you push those holes in Davey? Of course not. Now you're gonna get a chance to prove that when Homicide starts speaking in your cupboard about the film, I'll buy it from you. No sale. There's the door, lady. Use it. I threw the light switch and grabbed for the floor. When the noise stopped, I looked up. My landlady was gonna be mad. The shots plowed a few holes into her flower pot. The blonde turned a couple of different colors and decided she could find safer company. She left with a fire escape without even goodbye. Well, I headed for the lions. The idea being to make sure that he turned that film over to the police and advertised that I didn't have it anymore. That figured to cool me off and I could catch some sleep again. When I got there, the lion looked kind of excited. He was wrapped up in a silk robe with red and gray stripes and he carried a drink to match. He was holding a piece of that movie film up to the light. Hey, Regan. I've been calling all over for you. Where you been? I've been looking for a bed. I don't pay you to sleep. You're on a job. Now, I've been thinking since you left, we're handling this wrong. Yeah, now, that's what I figure. Get on the phone. What for to tell Homicide you got a package for him. You're turning over that film right now. Easy. You heard me, big shot. I'm tired of playing the fall guy. Now, Regan, you don't know what you're saying. I've been running over the section on that Peruvian horse race. And you know what? You picked the winner and we're gonna collect. Who's making book? The insurance company. Well, come on, clear it up. Look at this clip. Yeah. Well, what do you see? What do you see? Looks like a horse. But look at him. He's way out in front. El Romano. Yeah, maybe. Now, here's the way I add it up. This film tells a story or everybody wouldn't be grubbing around for it. Well, now, that takes a big brain. So somebody's engineering a phony. Who? That's what you're going to find out. But I'll tell you one thing. That nag's insured by Banner Trust. And they pay off big if we can turn up the swindle. Right. Give me that picture. Where you going? Over to Grundy's to check the horse. Now you're talking, Regan. You dig that out and we'll be eating squab. Yeah, and if you don't, you'll be collecting your unemployment insurance. Yeah, the payoff's about the same. I didn't like it any better than a fan dancer likes a wind tunnel. I'd already seen enough of Grundy and his boys for one night. But when the lion gets an idea, he's like a hangman with a new rope. So I went out to test it. I found Horace Grundy's place. It was a bright new house in the San Fernando Valley. There was some fancy fence in back and a stable. Looked like the paint was still wet where it said El Romano. A trailer was parked on the road with a truck from the veterinarians. When Grundy opened the front door, he looked like he'd been sitting a three day wake. But without any beer. Hello, Regan. What's the verdict? It's bad, Regan, bad. Tendons torn. Never run. Never. You said that? I can't believe it. I knew somebody else liked the animals. A guy from Gower Gulch decided to talk. Maybe if you keep your hands in the audience. What else did Crockett say? Now you got him on the wheel. All right, you drive. That's better. Do you know the horse is insured? Not by me it isn't. You don't own it. You just paid a deposit. Sure, 50 GS. You got it back yet? There's plenty of time. Julio's in the hospital. Oh, well, now, if it wasn't for the accident, you would have coughed up another 200,000. Yes. No. What difference does it make? The whole deal's a bust. Now, what if that horse is a phony? Say some more, Regan. I don't know much more. Davy Crockett was a movie fan. You're doing fine. He had pictures. I wouldn't advertise them, but there's a shot of a horse winning a race. Take a look here. Give me that. All right. It's economy size. You're gonna ruin your eyesight. I got a magnifying glass for my income tax. Well, let's get a light behind it. Now, let me see. Horse, you get a star. Four white feet. I can do that well myself. Listen, Regan. Horse in the stable's got three. That does it. My boss gets promoted. Come on. Come on outside. I'll show you. I'll take your word for it. Let go of me. I got my information. Max Maxwell, where are you? I told you, don't whistle the bulldogs. You're in it now, Regan. You're on my side. All right. Drop your blood pressure. There's a handkerchief on the play. Hey, wait. Wait. Hello. I look for somebody. Good morning. Pan America. Si, Si. I'm Julio. Is Mr. Grundy. It's the guy with his mouth open there. How do you do? I'm so glad to meet him. Choke it. Okay. You switched horses. No, no, you're not understand. El Romano, he kicked me. Wait for the encore. Mr. Grundy with belief, I'm telling you. Look, you better make it fast, Julio. This guy goes off. Shut up, Regan. A man trades a stretcher for a slab. Let him talk. The hospital. I did not go. Julio is honest. A debt comes first. The interest's going up. When El Romano hurts himself, I know the deal is off. I know I must see the consul. So we cash the check. What? Here we are. 10,000. 20, 30, 40, 50. Your down payment is up. Now we are one big happy United nations law. Well, that's what happened. Now there were two guys with their mouths open. By the time we got him closed, the little gent from Peru had waddled off someplace. And Grundy folded his money and started to laugh. He was happy. And at least I had what I came for. Figured I could dump the whole plate of spaghetti on the lion. The lead horse in the travelogue was a different nag from the one in the Stable. So I got in my car and headed for home. But I picked up a newspaper on the corner. And then the whole bucket turned upside down again. The green sheet was loaded with publicity shots of El Romano from South America. And he was exactly the same oat burner that came in on the plane, feet and all. No switch there. Hella. There was something phony in this act. It was that winner in that Fitzpatrick film. Well, for a minute I felt like a test pilot in a yo yo factory. And then the string broke. I took a fast run to the lions. And one more look at those movies, I had it. Case was beginning to wind. Ten minutes later, I was back on Gower Gulch. Yes? Who is it, Regan? You alone? Don't be insulting. I'll open the door. What's the matter? You're slow. What do you want? Ask me in. No, no. Ask me in. Look out. Be careful, Regan. I have a gun. Well, Julio. Yes. Julio. Huh? What are you doing here? Well, I told you. I know, back at my place. You're aiming at her, not me. She's been to Peru. She has the films. You knew that. You whistle like a noise. I go to the movies like everybody else. I keep my eyes on the winner. After Hollywood Park, I should have known better. Yeah, there are lots of races. El Romano was a dud. He came in last 60 lengths with Davy Crockett digging in the spurs. You gave the nag of build up phony publicity of the sucker and insurance company. A quarter of a million. I was over. Can it. You could have never closed a sale without Grundy watching a workout. That would have been a slowboat to China. You want to be a sailor too? Oh, stop being tough, will you? You wore yourself out when you kicked up El Romano in that plane. It looked good. Not to me or Joan. Look out, Regan. You are asking for a daily double. Yeah, well, I'm gonna take it across the board. Give me that gun. You're breaking my ass. That's the idea. I'll kick you in this stomach. He better go back to his stretcher. Well, yeah. Why? You can be useful when I'm working. What about after hours? I'm not bad, you know. I never noticed. Look again. No, I'm all through with the ponies. Wanna bet? Davy Crockett told me to play my hunches. Here I am. Yeah, but you're a loser. What do you mean? You threw those holes into Davey. It was Julia. Oh, you're trying real hard. But he was on the plane. What do I do now? Well, you might bit of fond of do to Gower Gulch. That's not funny, Regan. I know it. But you ran out of film. Well, the whole thing blew up like a hoop skirt in a high wind. Julio had a real good thing until he ran into the little man with a good memory and a dame with a fast trigger finger. Her blackmail pitch was already set up, but Davy figured to queer it so she had to knock him off. Well, the hospital boys came after Julio and Homicide dated Joan the Travel Queen. The lion was pretty excited about the way things worked out. He figured that the insurance company would come across with some green stuff for exposing a fraud. They did. That was the color of the season pass they gave him to the Burton Holmes Travel Lectures. Foreign is featured as Jeff Regan with Herb Butterfield as Anthony J. Lyon. It's CBS at the same time next week for more Hard Boiled action and mystery with Jeff Regan, Investigator written by Larry Roman and Jackson Gillis, produced by Sterling Tracy. Included in tonight's cast were Leo Clary, Clayton Post, Yvonne Petey, Ed Begley and Herb Ellis. 29,000 nurses are needed to join the new Army Nurse Corps Officers Reserve. For the first time in history, qualified nurses have the opportunity of receiving commissions in the regular Army Reserve. These nurses will remain on inactive status ready to serve their country in time of emergency. 4,000 of them, if they wish, may choose active duty. All nurses who receive commissions will benefit from the opportunity for specialized training offered to them by the Army. Inactive reserve status will not interfere with the nurse's civilian life, but the educational opportunities offered her by the Army Medical Department will be of a great advantage in her work. Don't wait. If you're a registered graduate nurse between the ages of 21 and 45, drop a card for complete information to the adjutant general. Washington, D.C. original music for this program is by Milton Charles. Bob Stevenson speaking. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Pat Novak for higher. Sure, I'm Pat Novak for hire. That's what the sign out in front of my office says, Pat Novak for hire. It's up there in block letters. But down on the waterfront in San Francisco, good printing doesn't mean a thing. You get that on the death certificate. If you're trying to make a living down here, you're not gonna have any standing in the community except in a police lineup. I rent boats and do anything else that goes with a weak will and a strong stomach. It's not all bad. Once in a while something happens that makes you feel good for a moment. Like remembering somebody you kissed a Long time ago. But most of the time you buy your beer the hard way. It works out all right because most people learn to fall in love with a dollar bill and forget about trouble and everything. Sounds all right, but sometimes it isn't. Like saying Happy New Year to a lifer. I found that out Wednesday night. I was sitting in the office with a sports page reading about those big tears that Washington senators were shedding when I saw Crockett Odom for the first time. He was a big red faced guy and the veins stood out on his face and made a pattern as if he slept on an alligator bag instead of a pillow. He walked over to the desk and started to get quiet in a loud voice. I want to talk to you, Mr. Novak. Go ahead, pile up a lead. My name's Odom. You've heard of Crockett Odom? I don't get around. Tell me about it. I'm a lawyer and I want you to watch a client for me. Her name is Wendy Morris. Is she hard to watch? Can get bloodshot eyes just looking at her. She drinks a little. What's a little? How should I answer? Any way you like. A pint of court. What's a little, Odom? Is she a dipso? We'll leave it there. She can make a quart of gin disappear while anybody else is looking for the corkscrew. Mm, what am I supposed to do? Hide the bottles? Mr. Novak, a full grown octopus couldn't do that. I'm afraid this is more serious. It involves her husband. Let her take a drink and lose him. It'll save you money. It involves her husband or somebody who's supposed to be her husband. Well, she's got a bad memory. She's a very wealthy girl, Mr. Novak. Five years ago, she married a man by the name of Stanley Morris immediately after he went into uniform. You make it sound selfish. He's been gone ever since. Until a month ago. Spent most of that time overseas, the rest in the government hospital. Yeah, now that he's back, something very peculiar has happened. I don't think the man is her husband. Well, that's a hard part to play. She got any theories? I think she suspects, too. I don't know why I feel that way. He seems to have picked up where he left off. He knows everything about her. Seems normal. But I'm sure the man is an imposter. Look, Odom, find a corner and patch up that story. You can't get that nearsighted on five years booze. You don't understand, Mr. Novak. He was seriously injured. That makes identification hard. You think Stanley Morris is dead? I think he died somewhere along the line. This man took his place. That's a lot of trouble just to share a boarding room with a boozer. Not if he can share it with someone else. On her money. That's why I want you to watch her. Particularly tonight. Why tonight? Is Stanley full of temper? It's been leading up to this. He wants her to go to a gambling club. And I know he's too friendly with the owner of the club. I want you to go along as a friend. Now, look, mister, I wouldn't go as her friend to a masquerade ball. If you're making a deal, make it out in the open. Do it your own way. Novak. It's $300. Earned it any way can. Yeah. Where's the club? She'll take you. Just pick her up at this address. Does she know about it? She'll understand you. In fact, that's the only risk you run. I told you, she drinks most of the time. When she doesn't, you're the type she gobbles up. Yeah. I'll bring some cheese instead. That won't do any good. It's not the flavor she likes, Mr. Novak. It's the crunch. The knife. When Odom walked out of there, I knew he was the kind of a guy who'd put the wolf at your door if he could get one wholesale. On the way up the pier, he stopped and looked out at the bay as if he intended to do away with it before morning. And then he turned and disappeared around the corner. Well, I sat there for a while and I went over his story. I was sure it wouldn't hold any more water than a grosser hole, but I had no way of checking. Finally, about 7:00, I closed the office and I went by the address he gave me. It was a modernistic apartment up on Telegraph Hill. One of those places where they let a guy out of the basement long enough to paint murals on the front. This one had a guy waving a blonde wig in front of a tired old monk named Faust. Wendy Morris apartment was up on the second floor and when I rang the buzzer, she opened the door with a nice easy motion, like a cat getting ready to eat its young. I could see right away what Odom was talking about. If you ever built a house, you'd want somebody like her. In the blueprints, she leaned against the doorway and she was wearing a crepe evening gown that was supposed to let you know that nature had given her a square deal. She didn't say anything at first. She just kept fingering a glass and looking at you as if you knew she was full of gin and comfort. It makes a nice rattle. Are you Mr. Novak? Yeah. I rattle, too. Invite me in. I'll bet you do. Come in. So you're paid to like me. Will a drink help, Mr. Novak? Yeah. Sit down. I'll get some soda. No, this will do. What did Crockett tell you? He said you got thirsty. Did he mention men? Crockett thinks they're related. His sole concession to the medical profession. He mentioned your husband. Where is he? I thought that was the problem. Sounds phony. There must be a way to spot old husbands. How? I wouldn't know. Do you think Stanley Morris is dead? I don't know, Mr. Novak. Do you care either way? As long as I'm safe? No. Stanley was no bargain. Why'd you marry him? I don't know. I suppose I confused a hangover with love. Well, he sounds exciting. About as lively as a dish rag in a steam bath. It doesn't make any difference now. Mr. Novak, I'm frightened. You've got to help me. You're in for $300, that's all. Where is this gambling joint? Out on Gary Boulevard. It's called the Mother Lode. The sense of humor belongs to Frankie Fannin. Is he funny enough to deal with Stanley? I don't know. Stanley's been out there every night for two weeks now. He's forcing me to go. There must be a reason. There must be a reason. For what? Don't tempt me. Stanley, this is Mr. Novak, my husband. I never heard of you. Novak? You got me worried. He's a friend of mine. What does he do, drive a beer truck? My husband is being subtle, Mr. Novak. He's going with us. Dan. We don't know anybody well enough to take him with us. You don't have to feel burdened. I'll take him. Aren't you wearing out that leash? Now, look, mister, I'm here on a straight deal. Cash and carrying your credit through from now on. That mouth of yours cost you dough. Go ahead and pout, Stan. You look better with your lip turned in. All right. If you like him, he goes. I'll have to make another reservation. Hand me the phone, Novak. Yeah. Here. Thanks. Let's go, Wendy. Your friend backed out. I hope they got a good price for my head. Because when I started down. Shoulder blades were the best I could do for height. I rolled over once and then I stretched out on the floor as hard as a piece of chewing gum on the theater seat. I don't know how long I chased that woman in the bathing suit. Must have been about an hour when the phone began to ring. I tried to get up once or twice, but I couldn't get the boxcar off my chest. And the phone kept ringing like a piece of crystal in a hailstorm. I finally made a ladder out of my knees and got to the phone. Yeah? How's your head? It's a little ripe. What's on your mind? Something's gone wrong. I have to meet you. Not at these prices. I just got a message from Crockett Odom. I'm leaving now. I want you to meet me in room 314 of the Galbraith Hotel. Where is it? A third rate trap on Powell Street. It's important. Will you come? Yeah. And I'm sorry about your head. I'll have to rub the bruise for you. Wait till I get there. You can rub one of your own. She was right about that hotel. In a good season, they couldn't have drawn transient mice. I got there about a quarter to 10. I rode up to room 314. There was nobody there, so I sat down and started to wait. The floor was quiet except down at the end of the hall somebody was playing a phonograph record. The music was thin but loud, and I knew they were old records. Way back when, this bird Bix was a man instead of a memory. It stopped after a while and I looked at my watch. It was after 10. So I left the hotel and I went out to the gambling joint. I toured the room, but I couldn't find Wendy or Stan. I got a guy at the window and he remembered somebody like Wendy. So I asked about her. He just pointed over at Frankie Fannin's office and went on making change. I crossed over and knocked at the door. The guy that opened it had a face like three pounds of warm putty. It was moist and pink. And you got the idea. They put the color in with a spray gun. And if his heart was made of the same stuff, they drained the oil out first. Yeah? My name's Novak. Who's arguing? I want to talk to you. Yeah? Where's Wendy Morris? I don't know. She was in here tonight. It's a jail term. I don't follow women home. Am I supposed to buy that? Look, Junior, I don't care whether you live or die. I haven't seen her. How about her husband? He owes Me, dough. What else? Ask his wife. He's an IOU to me. I don't know what you're doing here, but you better make your point fast. Now, look, Fannin, if you got a party, I don't want to blow out the candles. But I want some answers. Yeah? She got boosted in here tonight. Why? I brought her in for word games. I told her if her husband didn't square his fill, I'd work him in a hamburger. Yeah, she offered to bring the buns. Now, that's all the talk you get, mister. Tip the girl on your way out. I need the money. Come in. Choose up and tell me which one's Novak. I am. What's on your mind? The other guy's lucky. I'm Craig from Homicide. Where's Hellman? He's got a mouth full of canary. Novak? That's right. I just left room 314 of the Galbraith Hotel. So did I. Two of us made it, then the girl didn't. Novak, he's trying to tell you Wendy Morris is dead. How do you know she's dead? It's the only reason cops drool. You want to see her, Novak? No. She was better alive. Come on down. Anyway. Maybe I didn't try hard enough. When I walked out of there, I felt like a voice teacher with adenoids. Whoever Craig was, he was smart and he tagged all the bases. Because as we moved through the lobby, he motioned to me and the desk clerk nodded. Well, I didn't worry about that desk clerk. Because he hadn't said no for years. But when we got to room 314, I needed China Passage. There were three or four Craig's men grouped along the dim hall like dirty shadows. And inside, Wendy Morris was stretched out, looking in the wrong direction. There was a white sheet draped over. And I wondered where the hotel had borrowed that. But Craig wanted to talk. You must have had a big beef, Novak. Sorry. We were friends. Oh, that. That was fun. I was supposed to meet her here. She didn't show. The desk clerk says she did. Not while I was here. I was in that gambling joint. By 10:30. The desk clerk says you ask about Wendy Morris. Then you came up here and killed her. That's the way I'm gonna book you. Check on her husband. You can fit him in near the top of the list. She got one. It's a lot of blonde hair. To keep indoors, huh? Good blondes run like salmon. Wait a minute, Craig. Give me that sheet. Well? Well, yeah. Craig, you better not book me for Wendy Morris. Huh? If you do, you'll mix up all the on duty angels because somebody killed the wrong woman. This isn't Wendy Morris. You must be wrong. How do you know? How does anybody know? They look different. They got different personalities. Take your pick, Craig. But somebody got the wrong woman. Take another look. I don't need another. With Wendy, the first looks for names and faces. Yeah. If you take a second look, mister, it's for love. I guess Craig liked to pick his dead. Because when he found out the woman on the floor was somebody else, he started to shake a little. And his mouth hung open like a broken screen door. I didn't blame him much. I tried to think back and piece it together, but it wouldn't work out. It almost made sense, like the broken phrases of an old conversation. But not enough of it came back and there was still something missing. What happened to Wendy Morrison? How about this girl on the floor? Where did she get her drag with heaven? I looked down at her again. She was pretty, if you like quiet girls. She had a vacant look in her eyes. As if the brains had checked out without letting her know. And the color was starting to leave her face. The light was bad and you had to look close to see her skin. There were little splotches of pink and the rest was white. Like shrimp that hadn't been boiled long enough. Craig was worried, and that's something he couldn't hide. Who is she, Novak? I don't know, Craig. We didn't meet her soon enough to know. You should have checked the hotel register. Says Wendy Morris. Who read it for you? Oh, you're tough, Craig. How about you got the wino skin? Step? Keep on talking, I'll get you some help. Come on in. He wants to make a statement. On the bed, Novak. Where'd you get your boys, Craig? They look tired. On the bed, Novak. All right, Joe. Take his arms. Yeah. The other two. Hold his head back against the bed. Where's Wendy Morris, Novak? I don't know, copper. You sure you're from Homicide? So? It's against the law. Don't tell anybody. Now make a statement, Novak. Yeah. Here's a statement about you, Craig. We'll find out downtown. You can save some teeth. Where's the other girl? I don't know. Hold him up. Yeah. Where's Wendy Morris, Craig? You can go. Put his head against the bed. It's for exercise. Now, Craig. All right. He's not a season pass. We don't have to hang on to him. Craig's boys left me hanging on the foot of the bed with somebody's dirty towel and an old garter the maid forgot to pick up last month. I felt my way down to the lobby and into the street and most of the time one question kept going through my mind. Craig was going to run me in before. Why had he changed his mind? Well, I found out when I started to turn the corner. Craig had a tail on me and he was real hard to spot, like a Red Nash at the top of the mark. He moved out from under a light near the pool room on the corner and I watched him in the windows as we walked along. After a while I quit worrying about him because I knew in a pinch he couldn't follow a conversation with a printed form. Well, I had a lot of ground to cover so I looked up Jocko Madigan. He's a good guy. And he was a smart one too, until he found out if your eyes get red enough you don't need rose colored glasses. I finally found him at the cafe house as tight as a tennis racket in the rain. God rest ye merry gentlemen Let nothing you dismay I want to talk to you. Some belated Christmas carols. Patsy. The piano player quit and everybody else dropped out so I'm doing it acapella by myself. All right, Jocko. Christmas eluded me, Patsy. I got up through Christmas Eve and then I seem to have missed Christmas entirely. Did they hold? Well, it wouldn't happen if you'd get up in the morning. Oh, I refuse to get up early, Patsy. I refuse to get up in the morning until the streets have been aired. The only things that should be around at that hour are peasants and a bunch of random dudes. Jocko, would you listen? I'm in trouble. I'm not surprised because you're a counterfeit, Patsy. You're a piece of plate in a room full of sterling. You're like some of the rest of these people, running around in a hurry, just plunging into anything. Look at the papers. Some people have spent years shooting a rocket 110 miles into the air. What's the use? Will you listen? What's the use? When you get 110 miles up, all you can do is turn around and come on back down again. We're killing time 110 miles in the air instead of learning to spend it down here. All right, all right. Oh, it's depressing, Patsy. Running around in a frenzy like a rooster in a barnyard full of ducks. I'm ready to take to drink. Are you all through, Jocko? Yes. Humanity's a Tough life. What kind of trouble? I bought a murder wrap for 300 bucks. If it's a bargain, why complain? Who's dead? I don't know who she is. Homicide founder in a hotel on Powell Street. I tagged by before the murder. Serves her right. If I were a woman, I wouldn't trust you in the middle of Stanford Stadium with 80,000 people. It was the wrong woman. It was supposed to be a gal named Wendy Morris, but she didn't show. That was shrewd of her. I was hired by a lawyer named Crockett Odom to watch her. Why? She's a dipso. She must have some faults. Odom suspects her husband. He was in uniform, and now that he's back, Odom figures he's a fraud out for the girl's money. Can't the girl tell the difference? She's not sure. I don't think she was observant. Now, look, this is a big Jocko. I can't fill in all the holes. You gotta help me. I want you to check on Crocodom, will you? I need some money. Oh, you'll booze it away. Now, hurry, Jocko. If you need money, get a job. Oh, I can't go to work, Patsy. I'm a victim of my own conscience. Yeah, I'm stuck with a dilemma. I'm willing to go to work, but I work too cheaply. And on the other hand, I'll not support slave labor. So it's morally impossible for me to go to work. Good night, lover. It was about 11:30 when I left Jocko, and the two beatings began to catch up with me. I had enough headache to pass out to a Bay Meadows crowd on a bad day. The tail behind me began to look tired, so I dropped by headquarters to give him a rest. I asked for the head of Homicide, but the desk told me that Hellman was on his honeymoon. And they kind of laughed when they said it. As if they thought he got the girl there on a bench warrant. All they'd done at headquarters was identify the dead woman. Her name was Emily Van Kirk and she had no record. I dropped to the hotel and the first break showed down there. The desk clerk knew about Emily Van Kirk. He'd mixed the rooms up and he'd put Wendy in the wrong one. That meant that maybe she was at the hotel after all. It also meant that Emily was in the clear. She was just a girl on her way to Seattle and she got a longer ride than she paid for. I called Wendy's, but I couldn't get an answer. So I dropped by my place to wait for Jocko. Stanley Morris was there chewing his fingernails. And when I walked in, he was up to the wristwatch. Mr. Novak. Where's my wife? You're hiding her. He's good enough to hide, but this isn't the night. Where is she? She must have gone to you after that hotel. How do you know she was there? Did you drop by too? Doesn't make any difference. Well, it makes a big difference for me. We're all out of phones now. Tell me about that hotel, Crockett. Odom told me to come there. Why? I don't know. I was supposed to be there at 10:30. Was some kind of a crazy scheme. There's a dead girl mixed up in one. Sorry it wasn't Wendy. Hodem tried to break up this marriage. I wish he had. You sound feeble, mister. You don't know her the way I do. She's a cold blooded animal. The only cold blooded animal that doesn't bear fur. They're building a case. I don't know what. Have her around. I suppose you would. There's a certain localized beauty you'd go for, but nobody else would have her. Find out what she is. A puff adder with a good figure. Yeah. Wait a minute. Huh? We got company. Somebody's coming in the door. Watch it. There goes the light. All right, stand back. Couldn't have died any faster with a priority. I got to the door and threw on the light switch. But whoever it was had gone and the hall was dark. When I got back to Stan, he was lying there like a well trained sponge. He wasn't a good enough guy to bleed in the living room, so I dragged him into the kitchen and left by the back way. I had to get word to Jocko, so I left a message at his place telling him to get in touch with me at Wendy's. I went up there to sit on her doorstep and wait if it took all night. I wasn't gonna freeze though, because she opened the door as soon as I knocked. She was still wearing that crepe gown and she was yawning and stretching her arms. Oh, you might not want to bring her home to mother, but you'd want to start anyway. Do you always look at women this way, Patsy? I feel like Eve. And I'll bet you got a kitchen full of apples. Do I argue or come in? You may argue, but do it in here. When did you get back? Why? Somebody just killed Stan. If you're sure the drinks are on Me? He didn't like you either. We'd be even if he had anything to start with. Don't ever marry Patsy. Now, look, lady. I'm nursing a murder rap and I need some answers. Was Stan a phony? He's the same guy I married, if that's what you mean. You weren't sure four hours ago. I wanted an answer then. What kind? You're too far ahead, Patsy. Come to a trot and have a drink. Lady, has anybody ever told you about a slow burn? I got one now. I'll bet you have, darling. This room is big enough for games, baby. Give me a Patsy. Go find a guy with a bag of wild oats. Stop shadow boxing, Patsy. All right, baby. Patsy. That's what makes the poor so happy they don't have phones. Yeah? Patsy, this is Jocko. What'd you find out? Crockett Odom is in love with Wendy Morris. Does it go both ways? Different rate of exchange. I got something else, too. Yeah? A will is a big temptation. Go ahead. If she bows out, all the dough goes to her husband. Maybe the guy is a fraud. Oh, he's going to have it straightened out. What else? The funny part of the will. If they're both dead, all the dough goes to Crockett Odom. You better see him in a hurry. Well, that doesn't make sense. If he killed her and got all that dough, it'd cost him that much to get another liker. Maybe not. You haven't seen her, Jocko. He wouldn't pass that up. She's nice and speedy. Oh, I can explain that. When you're over 50, you don't mind the speed. It's the freewheeling you hate to think about. When Jocko hung up, I knew we had a good pair of suit. That story of Stan's finally made sense. There was only one reason why he could have been called there at 10:30. And for the first time, I tumbled why Craig had let me go back in that hotel room. Everything was right in place, like a mix master in a bride's kitchen. I dropped by headquarters and left a note. And then the girl and I ran into Craig down at the desk. I briefed him on what had happened, and we rode up to Crockett Odom's apartment. When we got to the living room, things turned stormy. Hello, Novak. It's too late to start a party. You're gonna like this one, Odom. That's right, darling. You'll love it. This is Craig from Homicide. He wants you for murder. It doesn't sound right, Craig Novak's calling it. See him? I talked to Stan before he died. He tipped your mitt, Crockett. He couldn't tip a water glass. He was smart enough to know you sent for him. That's why he didn't show at 10:30. You better have it in writing. No, I don't need it that way. I got Craig. He won't let you out that easy. What's he talking about, Craig? Homicidal shake him down too fast. You're with a walking dead now, Craig. I left a note. They know you killed the girl. Are you crazy, Craig, to come up here? I can't argue now. He's too lucky, Odom. I got all sevens tonight. Craig Crockett. Odom sold you bad goods. He did everything wrong. Thanks, Odom. I'm gonna leave you, but don't let the bag get too heavy. Now wait a minute, Craig. You're not gonna let me hang for this? You won't. They burn in this state. Stay away from that door, Craig. Sorry, Odom. You dealt me in, but I got bad cards. I want to see you play them alone. Can you get by this gun? I'll make a try. Hang on to your skin. Give me a hand, Novak. Yeah, anything to help you die. Here. How's Odom? He'll keep. Yeah. I'm sorry, Novak. What to do wrong? Everything. But mostly when you let me go up in that hotel room. Yeah, I should have pinched you then. I'm a tender hearted guy. You're a bum, Craig. I can move you down a step lower even. You're a liar. I checked. You're not working for the city. They never heard of you downtown. I'm not gonna make it, Novak. Lay my head down. Yeah, I'll put it down easy. Goodbye, Craig. I hope you have a long night. If Craig made the morning, he had to cheat. They patched up Odom and got most of the story out of him. Jocko was right. Odom got tired of chasing the girl and went after the money. Instead. He drummed up that phony story to plant a reason for a quarrel. And then he tried to pay it off in that hotel room. He offered a cut to Craig for the heavy duty work. Wendy was supposed to show up at 10:15. Craig had kill her and wait. When Stan showed up at 10:30, Craig was supposed to stage a fight and kill him. That way he'd be in the clear and so would Odom. They'd say it was a husband and wife quarrel and Craig had a phony shield to back him up. Craig dreamed up that story about being a cop. But the whole scheme went haywire when the desk clerk mixed up the rooms. Craig killed the wrong woman and Stan got there late. That's why he got scared when it turned out to be somebody else. So he let me go. Odom was a that Stan had showed up and knew the story. So he had a ticket right away. The guy who tailed me was handy for that. When did I first tumble to something wrong? When I was sure that Crockett Odom had told a lie. He said the girl was a dipso. But when I got there, she was drinking soda with her whiskey. And a good dipso won't waste that much time. Well, it worked out all right. Hellman was on his honeymoon, so he didn't have any questions. I'll bet his wife did. Novak for Hire was previously released by abc, the American Broadcasting Company, for listeners in the United States and rebroadcast for our men and women overseas. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education. This one's about Pete Kelly. It's about the world he goes around in. It's about the big music and the biggest, big trouble in the big twenties. So when they ask, you, tell them. This one's about the blues. Pete Kelly's Blues. Pete Kelly's Blues, starring Jack Webb. With story by Jim Moser and music by Dick Cathcart. My name's Pete Kelly. I play cornet. You'll find us at 417 Cherry Street, Kansas City. It's a standard speakeasy. We got 35 cases of cut whiskey and a seven piece band. We start every night at 10 and we play till 6 in the morning. It's not much, but the contract runs out in June, 1924. After that, there's a place in South Chicago that may take us. In the meantime, we're working here on Cherry Street. The lease is made out to George Lupo. His brother gave it to him after the funeral. The kind of music we play started out as a backroom exercise in a little swamp stop called Myrtle Grove. LaRocca took his Dixieland band to Risen Webers in New York. We got as far as Kansas City. It's no place to get off a train unless you're a SACA male. Because around here everybody works at the same job, staying alive. Half a buck buys a pair of socks, a spaghetti dinner or a down payment on murder. Last night everything turned sour. About midnight, the town was down on its hands and knees trying to crawl through one of those Kansas City hot spells would blast by every third day. It was heat and headaches all the way. Our drummer, Nick, was dragging the beat and I went bad. 12 bars in on the Memphis blues. Well, I figured we better cut the set short. So we started to fight our way through one chorus of Roses of Picardy. That's when the kid came in and stood by the bandstand. He was tall enough to see over a quart of milk with a face the size of a minute and just about as. All right, let's get off for a while. Who's your friend, Pete? I don't know, but he must be tone dead. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly? Yeah, son, I heard you play. You sound good. We've been better. What's on your mind? Father Cronin sent me to see you. You doing a little missionary work? Oh, no, sir, nothing like that. I'm an alder boy over there. Father calls me Little Jake. We sure got you working the late shift. I've been trying to get a hold of you all day. Father wants a favor. Well, make it a small one. I'm all out of the big one. He just wanted to know if you could come by St. Timothy's and see him. He said tomorrow morning, right after the 9:00. Okay. Tell him he keeps terrible hours. I'll be there. Thanks, Mr. Kelly. Kelly. Yeah, that's right. I'm a kid. Goodbye. He knows his way out. Should I go, Mr. Kelly? Be to Kid. Yes, sir. Goodbye, Mr. Kelly. Yeah, goodbye. Jake. You got someplace private we'd like to talk? This is my office. Now listen hard, bright eyes. There's enough gun in this coat to blow you right through the wall. I'll take your word for it. We coming in nice and you get funny mouth. Now, you got someplace we can talk? I can't leave. I gotta do a number. Do it. We'll be right here. About 10ft from your stomach. Yeah. All right, let's go. You look sick, Pete. What's the matter? I feel fine too. Sorry. Now, everybody ready? Let's go. All right, you proved it. Now let's go. Yeah. Keep them going, Red. How many shall we do, Pete? If this works out of about 10 minutes worth, let's go. The alley will do. We need a favor, Kelly. Yeah. There's a run on them tonight. Give me the envelope, Dex. Yeah. You got an inside coat pocket, Kelly? Come on, come on. Either throw or pass the dice. Hold him, Dick. F him up, Dex. Come on. Now, this is how. Here's an envelope. It goes in your inside coat pocket. And it stays there until 6:00 tomorrow night. You don't open it, you don't mess with it. What happens at 6:00? You'll be the first to know. Well, I stood there in the alley and watched him walk away. Inside, Lupo was blowing up a storm. Something about paying for a seven piece band and only having sex. Well, it wasn't worth trying to get back on the stand. I got a cab and went up to my room. I tried to get to sleep. It was no good. I got up. I was sick to my stomach. After that, I went to sleep. The next morning I made a pass at some breakfast and tried to look through the sports page. Harry Heilman got 4 for 5 against the Red Sox, but that's all. I read that envelope had me. People have been taking out in alleys before and they've been worked over. Usually to get something away from them, not to give it to him. No matter how I tried to put it together, it wouldn't come out thin or fat, it wouldn't slice. I had the envelope and I had to wait till 6:00. Well, I gave up on the coffee and I started over to see Father Cronin. It was a little after 9:30 when I started up the steps of St. Timothy's I figured mass was almost over, so I hung around in the vestibule for a couple of minutes trying to look like a part time bell ringer. Hi, Mr. Kelly. Hello, Jake. Father's back in secrecy, Mr. Kelly. He sent for me to show you the way. They move it? No, Sis. All right, Jake, show me the way. This way, Mr. Kelly. Down this aisle. Well, I guess I was too busy trying to act like I knew my way around to pay much attention to a fat, chunky little guy wearing a brown Borsalino hat. He stood up in a back pew a couple of aisles over. The church was empty except for the three of us. Little Jake found out about it just before I did. Mr. Kelly, that man back there. All right, mister, I'll take that envelope. Jake, get down. Mr. Kelly, look out. Look out. Well, in Kansas City you learn early to look for trouble any place, anytime. But this is the first time it caught up with me in the middle of a church. The last three shots were a waste of money. Jake went down like young wheat in a hailstorm. When I grabbed for him, I hit my head in the base of a marble pillar. I lost the edge right there. By the time I hit the street, he was gone. I Guess I covered every alley and street in the neighborhood, but it was like trying to wash a pail of dirty water. I don't know how much later it was when I stopped for a minute in an empty doorway and tried to remember what I was chasing. Well, a siren was crying off somewhere in the distance and I started back for the church. The coroner's wagon was just pulling away as I got there. I didn't see Father Cronin around, so I went back to the rectory and rang the bell. He came to the door and his shirt slated. He stood there for a minute just looking at me. Then he motioned me inside. In here. Sit down. The kid, Father. Little Jake, he's dead. You want a blow by blow? I know, Father. I was there. Sure you were there. You're always there. I should have known better than to call you. I should have known it meant trouble. Wait a minute, Father. This wasn't my party. I called you here today to ask you a favor, Pete. Yeah, I know. You don't know. It's too late now. We were going to have an altar boys picnic tomorrow at Washington Park. I wanted you to play a little music for us. We won't be going now, Pete. We got a funeral instead. Yeah? What do you want me to say? Don't say anything, Pete. If you've got any private fights, that's your business. But don't bring your beef into the church. I never saw the guy before, Father. Don't kid me. He didn't come in here to shoot Little Jake. Now look, I know this is hard to understand. You bet it's hard to understand. We've been over it before. But you ran with the same pack, you hung onto the same friends. You had it all figured out. Well, you figured this one, Pete. There's a nine year old boy on his way to the morgue. He took a gangster's bullet that you earned. Now you go ahead, figure it. I got this envelope. I don't want an explanation. Take your excuses and pedal them where you need them for the bootleggers and the gunman. Take them to your crowd. This envelope, Father. They shoved it in my pocket. I was out in the alley behind the club. Two guys, they worked me over. I didn't think they'd try anything like this. Neither did Little Jake. All right, Father. I told you I was sorry. Go on home. Why don't you stop cutting at me and say a prayer for that kid? I would, but I'm too busy praying for people like you. Well, you couldn't blame him. How do you explain away a dead kid lying in front of an alder rail? All I could offer was a 2 cent envelope in my coat pocket. In a wild night in an alley, I started to walk back to my room. I tried to paste up some kind of an answer, but I got nothing. I was halfway home when the last breeze left town. I went someplace to cool off. My clothes were soaking wet and I decided to take a cab the rest of the way. I reached in my pocket and all I had was 23 cents. So I kept walking. Sunday morning's the same in any town. Empty streets and everybody home trading the comic section and living off a Saturday night. You could live here all your life. And on Sunday morning you just got in town with about noon. When I got to my hotel, I went up to the second floor and unlocked my door. They were sitting on the bed. Their coats were off and they'd hung them on the back of a chair. The same two boys who'd given me the envelope last night. Got a real hot room here, Kelly. You ought to move off this court. Yeah, next time I'll get twin beds. Is everything all right with that envelope? It made a murder, mister. You take it. Put it back in your parrot. Now get this, both of you. There's a lot of something wrong here. I've had my turn. You find yourself another fall guy. There's a lot of inside coat pockets in this town. Look for a new one. We like yours. And that's where it's going to stay. Now. You don't listen good. Me and Dex put it out last night and you didn't pick up on it. We got you on board and we'll tell you when to get off. 6:00. Boy, how long do you think this Jag will last? Look, I'm cashing in. I've had enough. What are you doing this morning? Trying to pray your way out? The priest wanted a favor. I got it. Luck. Yeah. Daddy James, now, he's busy. From 2 or 5. Sure. Come on up, Benny. He went for it, huh? On his way up. We're gonna stay a while, Kelly. Well, there's only three chairs. I'll make it easy for you. Stay put, mister. No, he's your friend. I'm checking out. First time you've been right? Well, it happened so fast, I didn't even see his arm move. My knees buckled and I pitched forward. I don't know how long I laid there, but when I opened my eyes, the afternoon sun was almost gone. What was left of it. Was bleeding through a rip in the blind. I could hear somebody breathing hard like a fat man on a hot day. And when I rolled over, I saw him. A tough Prohibition agent by the name of Cage. The weather didn't make any difference to Cage. He always looked that way. His collar was wilded and it looked like arrows. First try. His necktie was pulled down and the knot was twisted. The heat had worked him over so that the front of his shirt was splotchy and damp. Reminded you of a first Raider's map of the world. He was sitting in a chair with his arms draped over the back and his head resting on his hands. He was smoking a Milo Violet, but it didn't help that much. His mouth was wound around a toothy grin. And he looked like a mountain lion who'd just eaten her young. You can get up now, Kelly. You made your point. Yeah, sure. How long you been here? Long enough to fill out your book and slip. You're going to jail, mister. What for? Sleeping on the floor for the dead guy on the bed. Who is he? I don't know. How'd he get there? You put him there after you shot him. I'll get your hat. Look, Prohibition's your racket. Dead bodies are out of your line. Not when I find them in your room. Now let's go downtown. We'll both tell Homicide. We'll find the details later. Dave, you couldn't find yourself in a mirror? I didn't have anything to do with this and you know it. I've been out for the last three hours. This happened after they slugged. Save it for the jury. All I know is I got a phone tip to check. Room 205. I come up here and I find you and a dead guy. That's all I need. You can dress it up fancy and make it look cute. But it still comes out murdered. There's enough liquor in this town to float it away. And you're wasting your time with a killing. It's none of your business. You're my business, big shot. Somebody put two pounds of lead in Benny's chest. And you're my pick. Benny who? Benny Davis. He worked for Mike Quinlan. You look pale. Yeah, I'm just beginning to feel the squeeze. Mike Quinlan on one side. And those two trigger men that you let walk out of here on the other. You got it. And I'll be turning a handle. Now, before you start worrying about your picture in the paper. You better turn up the two guys that were here with me. That part of the same dream? They gave me an envelope to hold for him. The price on it's going up for the minute. A nine year old kid died for it. And this guy here on the bed. That's a good story. Do you write him down or just make him up? Look, you got nothing on me and I haven't got much time. I'm leaving you. That's all right. I call downtown the minute you hit the street. They'll pick you up. In the meantime, you better come up with more than you got. They don't hang you in this state on a hunch. I'm gonna check this room over. I'll find all we need. You couldn't find your head with both hands. Goodbye, Cage. All right. You got till midnight, big shot, and then I'll be around. I'll have it all set up. All we'll need is time to run the extras. Well, I could have used a cold shower, but with Cage there, I didn't have the room to dry off. I went down the hall and headed down the back stairs. I figured even if Cage was right about calling downtown, I might have an edge if I move fast enough. The sun was on the downgrade, but it didn't make any difference. It'd done a good job all day and the heat was boiling up out of the ground. If I was going to come out at all, I had to have some help. So I started to look for the only honest guy I know. An ex bootlegger by the name of Barney Ricketts. The only bootlegger in the country that went broke in 1922. He drank himself out of business. I phoned eight different places and tried four. Nobody'd seen him. I was about ready to give up when I finally found him sitting in the middle of a bourbon fog in a little Spanish joint somewhere on the edge of the East Bottom. He was sitting at a back table, trying his best to make time with a plaster bust of Queen Isabella. Ah, P.T. my boy, you're just in time. I'm not quite certain, but I think the young lady here has a friend. I gotta talk to you. Bonnet. If you're any good at all with Spanish, now is the time. I was positive she'd loosen up on this second bottle of wine. But no, she's utterly uncharitable. And I think she's a picture of a perfect boy. Yeah. All right, Bonnie. To a member of the old Castilian school, there can be no excuse for the conduct she's exhibited. Yeah. Why, do you know I was even good enough to Buy her three rounds of Portuguese brandy. Imported, mind you. But what do I get for my pains? Not even a civil thank you. Listen, let me ring a Barney. Sitting here in the most gentlemanly fashion, sipping this delicate nectar and trying vainly to keep the party going. But does she help? No. I've talked to her about politics, medicine, literature, Keats, Byron, Shelley, Faith Baldwin. I've even talked about the weather. Barney, she's a statue. Oh, a simple oversight. PT it could happen to anyone I love. I'm in trouble. Of course you're in trouble. You'll always be in trouble because you're a child of adversity, a son of scorn. The fate spit in your eye and you try to retaliate. But the wind's always blowing in the wrong direction. You're a lost leaf in the mortal storm, Beatty. You're a pebble shaking a tiny fist at the mountain. You'd like to fight for some strange, fantastic cause, wouldn't you? But you can't find anybody your size. Men are too small and the gods are too big. Petey, you're lost. You all through now? Yes. What kind of trouble? A pair of bum murder wraps. Somebody slugged me in my room and I woke up with a dead guy. Dubious honor. You mentioned two murders. One of them was an Oller boy over at St. Timothy's the other guy worked for Mike Quinlan. The same Quinlan that controls most of the Canadian import here in town? Yeah, that's him. Time short. Let's finish the brandy. Two guys started all this at the club last night. Names are Lud and Decks. Mean anything to you? This law sound better with more brandy. You picked two of Quinlan's first strings. Lud, Sandel and Dexport are both killers. Look, they gave me an envelope to hang on to. Now nose around. See if you can find out what it all means. The dead guy up in my room, his name's Benny Davis. See if you can find out where he fits in, will you? It'd be a lot simpler if you just joined Quinlan's gang. Benny Davis holds a card in the same organization. Well, how about Lud and Dex? Any bad blood between them? And if there is, it doesn't show. They're closer than unborn peas. You sure about that, Barney? Police blood? It can't be that wrong. Benny's sister will tell you the same thing. Where do I find her? Chelsea Apartments. Beautiful girl, Petey. When you're my age, she'll disturb your memories. All right, now get going, will you? See how close you can get To Quinlan's headquarters. Find out what you can about Ludden, Dex and Benny Davis. Maybe Quinlan's got him on a special job or something. Find out what it is, will ya? You'll find me in a temporary economic slump. P.T. i'll need car fare. Well, that makes two of us. I'm broke. You'll have to do it on foot. Oh, well, I have friends here and my credit's unlimited. Hurry up, will you, Barney? One moment, Alfonso, would you loan me a dollar and a half? Come on, let's go. He's only bluffing. He won't shoot. Well, Barney headed down toward Bale street from Mike Quinlan's place. And I started crosstown for the north end in the Chelsea Apartments. I couldn't begin to work it out. If Dex and Lud were such good friends with Benny Davis, why did they kill him? And if they didn't do it, who planted his body in my room? And why? Well, I was running way late and there wasn't much time to catch up. I finally found the Chelsea Apartments on the corner of Stocker and Bales with an old three story wooden frame. I checked the mailbox and Louise Davis was down for apartment 17. Well, inside the hallway was dark and a couple of gas jets were smoking up the ceiling. There was a potted palm by the foot of the stairs and it looked like it was growing out of old gum wrappers and cigar butts. Apartment 17 was at the rear of the first floor. She answered the door and you could tell right away Barney was right. She was pretty and she had enough smile to last you for years. Yes. You Louise Davis? That's right. I can do better for you. You're Pete Kelly. I've heard you play. Yeah, well, so far you're batting a thousand. Can I come in? Yeah, sure. You didn't bring your band, so it must be a social call. I'll make this short. It's about Benny. What about him? That's what I want to know. He's got a couple of friends. I got to know about him. Benny isn't that popular. You mean Lud and Dick? They'll do. They got trouble and they're cutting me in. What kind of trouble? Well, I'm not sure. That's why I came to you. I can't help you. They never tell me what they're doing. Well, they gave me an envelope. They told me to hold it till 6 o'clock tonight. You haven't got any problems. You'll know in an hour. Yeah, well, maybe I'm tired I want to know now. I'll take any lead you got. They found out I told you this. They might not like it. They got some kind of a beef with Quinlan. Does Mike know about it? I wouldn't know. I just heard them talking one night. They're not happy with the money Quinlan gives them. They got any plans? I don't think we've got to talk about this. Let me get you a drink. Now, look, this is the last trip around for me, lady. I gotta have everything, you know? You said something about an envelope, didn't you? That's right. You got it right here. If you open it, you'll understand everything. Well, they gave it to me sealed. They want it back the same way. If you want to be around to give it back, you'd better open it. You got a guarantee. Andy? All I know is the three of them are working on something big. I don't know what it is, but I heard some talk about an envelope. It's your choice. You ask for a lead and you got it. Yeah. We'll hold hands when they cut me down. You got a letter opener? Pete, look out. Well, it all happened faster than a Mexican divorce. Louise Davis was dead before the echo left the room. Well, I got to the window, but whoever did the shooting was gone. I grabbed the envelope and on my way out, I took another look at her. There wasn't anything left but the smile. I cut through a couple of back lots and down an alley. I stopped in the doorway and opened the envelope. Inside was a handful of typewritten sheets. Looked like a lot of headache for five pieces of paper. And then the bell rang. Two of them were consignment slips for 8,000 gallons of high grade Canadian whiskey. The other three slips were detailed breakdowns for a convoy of trucks. They showed special truck routes over the Canadian border into the States. To miss the hijackers and the Prohibition agents. They showed a day by day schedule for each truck on a trip down from the border. Well, it's not too tough to hijack a load of booze. But when you got it laid out, right down to the time, the place and how many bottles is like money in the bank. I knew right then why the envelope meant so much to Ludden Decks. What I couldn't understand was where they got it, why they gave it to me to hang onto. Well, maybe they were working for Quinlan. But why didn't he have the papers? And why weren't they in his safe? Mike had a big one. Well, the questions were still piling up. There Was an outside chance. But I couldn't stand still. So I crossed over to the Kansas and headed down Boulder Road to Fat Annie's place. Maggie Jackson did two things good. She sang the blues better than the guy who wrote them. And she could pick up an idle rumor at three miles. Hi, Pete. Maggie. What do you know? I knew you'd be here tonight. You always come in together. Trouble and Pete Kelly. Yeah, I know. I never come around except when I need something. As long as I have it to give. You got it. It's my quindess time, ain't it? Well, that's part of it. I meant it up to my ears. You got an envelope. I heard. Yeah. Mike Quinlan and some of his boys have been here. About an hour ago. They tore the paper off the walls looking for you and Dex and Ludd. Dex and Ludd? Mike wants all three of you. Yeah. Anything else? No. Bonnie Ricketts call for you. Did he leave a number? He's still waiting on the phone. I took the call. He said you'd end up here, so he just hung on. Well, I'll get it right now. Yeah, the boss is kind of mad. The phone's been tied up for two hours. All right. Thanks, Maggie. Sure. And good luck, Pete. Hello, Barney. Ah, there you are, Petey. That'll be a dollar 25 for another three minutes. Yes. All right, operator. Alfonso, five more quarters, please. Don't know the quarters. Just a minute, Petey. Alfonso doesn't know the quarters from the house. Yeah, well, hurry up. Thank you. Now, then, Pete. No, no, Alfonso. No more money for the moment. What's going on, Barney? Where are you? Fort Madison, Iowa. I'm troubleshooting for you, Pete. What'd you find out? It's a double cross. Mike Quinlan's involved in one of the biggest deals of his career. And Benny Davis, along with Dex and Ludd, stole the consignment papers. Yeah, I know. That's what's in the envelope. You better get them back to Quinlan. I understand he's been tearing up the town for him. What do I do about Dex and Ludd? Yes. You might easily end up like Benny Davis. Seems Lud and Dex didn't want to split it three ways, so they killed him. You sure about all this? That's why I'm up here in Iowa. I suggest that you join. No. I'll see you when you get back. It's been a gay, mad world, petey. We drove 60 miles an hour all the way up here. Yeah. Alfonso's drunk. He thinks the phone's a slot machine. He's waiting for the payoff. Well, as soon as I hung up the phone, everything fell into place. I had one big worry. To get back to the club and unload those papers before Quinlan caught up with me. Well, almost everything made sense now. Except the killing of Louise Davis, Benny's sister. It was easy to see why they dropped Benny along the way. But why his sister? How did she tie in? Well, on the way back to town, I mulled over a couple of possibilities and I figured maybe I came up with the answer. I started back for town and it was rough all the way. I kept thinking any minute I'd bump into Mike Quillen. And I couldn't be sure that I'd lost Dixon Ludd. It was almost dark by the time I got back to the club. The band was waiting around for the Sunday rehearsal. We ran through one number, and then things got cloudy. Now, Kelly. You're early, Dex. Close enough. No, not for me. You said 6:00. Your horn's no match for this gun. Give me the envelope. Six o'clock, Dex. All right. Let's try someday, sweetheart. Hand me that plunger, will you, Red? I'll give you the pickup. All right, you can pack up. I'll see you 10. You gonna give me that envelope, or do I blow it out of your pocket? The same way you handle Louise Davis? I don't know what you're talking about. I think you do. You killed her and you killed her brother. You got it all figured out, haven't you? Kidding. Players, right, Dex? Don't turn around. You got it wrong, Lud. I don't think so. I never should have let you kill Benny. That should have been the tip off. And that kid in the church and Benny's sister. You had to make the big try was for me and you, Lud. It won't wash. You're gonna die, Dex. Pick a spot to lay down. Not in the back. L. You'd give me a better chance than that. What I. Look out, Lud. Like I said, Dex, pick a spot. Well, that wraps it up, Kelly. You better sit down, Lud. No, this'll do. It won't be a long wait. I don't mind standing. Suit yourself. Six o'clock, Lud. Here's your envelope. Yeah. Thanks. Yeah. Hello, Pete. Hi, Father. Just gonna stop by. I heard the gunshots. I knew you'd be around. Let me tell you again, Father. I'm sorry about Jake. I don't know what else to say. I'm just sorry. I believe you. We'll have the funeral for little Jake tomorrow. Maybe you want to stop by. Yeah. Some things never figure. A nine year old kid shot down. No reason for it. None in the world. Nine year old kid. It's done, Pete. Don't waste your pity on little Jake. He's got a big lead on both of us. I don't get you, Father. You and I should die as good as a nine year old. Pete Kelly Slew Starring Jack Webb with story by Jim Moser and music by Dick Cathcart. Scoring by Matty Matlock. The music of Pete Kelly's Big Seven consists of Dick Cathcart on cornet, Matty Matlock on clarinet, Nick Fatou on drums, Ray Sherman on piano, George Vaness on guitar, Judd Denot on bass, Mo Schneider on trombone. The songs of Maggie Jackson were written by Arthur Hamilton. Pete Kelly's Blues is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service. Sound off for Chesterfield. Chesterfield first cigarette with premium quality throughout in both regular and king size brings you Dragnet. Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a bunco fugitive detail. You get a call from another city to pick up a burglary suspect. You know the name he's using. You know where he's living, your job. Pick him up. When you're asked to try a cigarette, you want to know, and you ought to know, what that cigarette has meant to people who smoke it and who smoke it all the time. For almost a year now, a medical specialist has given a group of Chesterfield smokers thorough examinations every two months. He reports no adverse effects to their noses, their throats or sinuses from smoking Chesterfields. More and more men and women all over the country are finding out every day that Chesterfield is best for them. Enjoy your smoking. Try Chesterfield's today. You'll find Chesterfield much milder, with an extraordinarily good taste. Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case. Transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Tuesday, June 4th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Bunko fugitive detail. My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Steed. My name's Friday. We were on our way out from the office and it was 9:42am when we got the corner of Selman Fountain, the Arizona Carlton Hotel. Guess we check over there, huh? Yeah. You got the mugs? Yeah, right here. I'm awfully sorry, Mrs. Hartfield. Yes, I know we say each room is air conditioned. Well, yes, ma'am, but it is true. I. I know, ma'am, but the air conditioning is on full now. All right, ma'am. Yes, I'll send some right up. I'll be with you right away. Front. Here, boy. Get some ice water up to Mrs. Hartfield and 502. Right away. Now. Sorry to keep you waiting. It's all right, sir. What is it you wanted? We're a police officer, sir. Here's our identification. There's nothing wrong, is there? Don't know what I'd do if anything else went wrong. The air conditioning unit went out this morning making excuses. I don't know how much longer the ice water's gonna hold out. What is it? What's wrong now? Do you have a Mr. George Richmond registered here? Probably gives his home address as Modesto Richmond? Let's see here. Wait a minute, sir. How do I know you're what you say? Police department's always sending out circulars saying to be careful about this sort of thing. It's a respectable hotel, you know. How do I know? Here's our identification again, sir. I showed it to you before. Oh, Friday. How about yours? Yeah, here you are, sir. All right. Can't be too careful. Your own office says that you know. Careful anybody can come in here with a badge. Yes, sir. And if you'd just check the register for us, please. Yeah, sure thing. Oh, yes, sir. Here he is. Richmond George, Modesto, California. Is he here now? No, checked out day before yesterday. Oh, excuse me, Jesse. Registration desk. Yes, Mrs. Hartfield. Yes, ma'am, I know. That's what we advertise. Yes, ma'am, but it's on the way up. No, ma'am. I sent the boy myself. Yes, ma'am. I'm sure he'll be there. All right, Mrs. Hartfield. Yes, ma'am. I may quit now. What was it you wanted with Mr. Richmond? Well, you said that he moved out, huh? Yes. Bag and baggage, day before yesterday. You leave any forwarding address? No, I talked to him when he left. Didn't say a word about where he was going. Was there anyone in the hotel he was especially friendly with? Anybody who might know where we can reach him? No. Kind of kept to himself. Nice fella. Sure tipped good. Kept to himself, though. Uh huh. Is there anyone around the place who might know where he was going? Bell boys. Maybe the waitress in the coffee shop. Oh, no, I hardly think so. He didn't eat here. Don't blame him. Well, thank you very much, sir. Here's our card. If you hear anything from Mr. Richmond, we'd sure appreciate a call. You bet. I'll give you a ring. He got any mail while he was staying here? No, no, nothing. Not even a phone call. Didn't use the room for anything but to sleep. Real quiet. Good tipper, though. Did he drive a car, do you know? No, no, not there. No. Say, come to think of it, you might check with Ernie. Ernie? Yeah, Drives a cab, usually right out in front. He picked up Mr. Richmond one night. Might be able to show you something. All right, sir. Thank you very much. If anything comes up. Appreciate that call. Okay. Hope you get what you're looking for. Registration desk. Yes, Mrs. Hartfield. Let's go, Frank. All right. I know, ma'am, but the ice water's on the way up. I can't understand why it isn't there, but I am. The manager fell out there might be him. Yes? Yeah. Excuse me a minute. Yeah? Your name Ernie? That's right. What can I do for you? Police officers. We'd like some information. I got a permit to park here? No, it's not that. We'd like to know if you remember picking up a George Richmond here. Oh, Richmond, huh? Yeah, that's right. Richmond. Well, name doesn't make any bells ring. What's a guy look like? You got those mug shots, Frank? Oh, yeah. There you go. You a cop too? Yes, sir, I'm an officer. Yeah, you kind of look like one. Is this the guy? Yes, sir, that's him. You remember picking him up? Yeah. Seems I've seen him before. Yeah, yeah, good tipper. Yeah, I picked him up. Let's see, a couple days ago. Drove him downtown. Sure, downtown. Remember where you took him? Gee, it was a couple days ago. Like I said, yes, he. I haven't got the slightest idea. 10:07am we continue to talk to the cab driver. He was sure that he'd picked up George Richmond on Sunday night. But he was unable to tell us where he'd taken the suspect. We drove back downtown and checked with a cab company on the driver's way. Bill. We found that he'd made three pickups that night from the hotel on Fountain Avenue. The first stop listed was a large cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles. We checked with the cashier. She was unable to identify the mug shots of Richmond. The Second stop was a large apartment out on Wilshire Boulevard. We checked the manager of the place and she told us that she didn't recognize the name. We showed her the mug shots of Richmond and she said that she thought she'd seen the man two weeks before. When she asked him what he wanted, he said that he was looking for a Ms. Norman. Because of the way he'd acted, the landlady hadn't told him that there was a tenant by that name living in the place. She gave us the apartment number of the Norman woman and Frank and I went up to see her. Want to try it again? Yeah. Who is this? Police officers. What? Police officers? We'd like to talk to you. Just a minute. And what's this all about? Ms. Margaret Norman? Yeah, that's right. What do you want with me? What if we could come in, please? Be a little better than talking out here in the hall. Yeah, I guess so. Come in. Thank you. My name's Friday. This is my partner, Frank Smith. Pleased to meet you, man. Yeah. Hi. You alone here, Ms. Norman? Yeah, I just got up. Have to excuse the way. The place looks kind of messy. Yes, ma'am. Mind if I put on some coffee? Not gonna be able to answer any questions before I have a cup of coffee. Go right ahead, ma'am. What is it you want to see me about? You know a man named Richmond? Richmond? Yes, ma'am. George Richmond. Why'd you ask, Pat? What's he done? We'd just like to know if you know him. Do you? Yeah, I know him. What do you guys want him for? We'd like to talk to him, Ms. Norman. Uh huh. Don't want to tell me what it's about, huh? Well, it'll be better if we talk to him. Yeah. Either one of you got a cigarette? Yes, ma'am. Here you go. Match. Thanks. You know, there's no love lost between me and George. Is that right? You bet there isn't. Lousy. Bummer. Get a drugstore cowboy. He's a girl out for dinner. One lousy night and a cheap dinner. Figures he owns her. You know where he is now? I haven't got the slightest idea. If I did know, I'd sure tell you. Bet I would like to see him get his way. He treated me. You know any of his friends? Anyone who might know where he is? I think he's got a friend, at least. I never met any of them. Does he drive a car, do you know? No, not him. Always took a cab. Used to kill me. Anywhere we went, he'd take a cab. One lousy block and he took a cab. Like to be a sport. Always tipping big. Regular drugstore cowboy. When'd you see him last? Must have been a couple of weeks ago. That much? Anyway, last time I saw him. Don't care if I never see him again. Where he acted. I thought he was gonna kill me, ma'am. Went out to dinner and we got back here. He'd been drinking a lot. Got real nasty. I told him he better be gone. You know, it was late and all. Yes, ma'am. Well, like I said, it was late. And he got real nasty. Started yelling at me, called me all sorts of things. I'm not gonna let any man say things like that to me. So I told him to get out. I never want to see him again. One lousy dinner and he thought he owned me. Will you go ahead, Mr. Armond? He hauled off and hit me right there in the hall. Hit me as hard as he could. Almost broke my jaw, you know. I let out a scream and he beat it. Caused such a commotion, I had to move. Then this didn't happen here, Isn't it? No place. Over on Vermont. I moved the next day. Where'd you meet Richmond? At the club. So you got another cigarette? Yeah. There you are. Match? Thanks. What club's that, ma'am? Where I work. Green Lantern, downtown. I'm cigarette girl. I met him there. He came in one night, acted real big. Asked me if I'd have dinner with him. As it happened, I didn't have an engagement that night, so I said yes. Well, we kind of went together for a while. I see. Sure hope you get him. Real bad guy. Way he treats women. Terrible, he. Say, wait a minute. Yes, ma'am? I know someone who might be able to tell you where he is. Who's that, ma'am? Fellow named Hank. Used to hang around the club. I saw George talk to him at the bar once in a while. Well, do you know where you can find this fella, Hank? No, but I can tell you where his girlfriend lives. That help? Yes, ma'am. It will place over on 3rd, out near Fairfax. Do you know his full name, ma'am? Gee, I gotta think about that. Let's see. Jeanette. That's the girl Jeanette introduced him as Palmer. That's it. Hank Palmer. I don't know about him, though. What's that, Ms. Norman? He's a real mean one. Kind of quiet. Not like George. George likes to shoot his mouth off. But Hank is quiet. He's trouble, though, ma'am. Well, one night we went up to Jeanette's for a couple of drinks. Hank took off his coat. That's why I say he's rough. Yeah, sure. Carries a gun. 1:45pm we got the description of Hank Palmer, and then Frank and I drove back to the City Hall. We ran the name and description through R and I, but we got no make. We sent the name to George Brereton, CII up at Sacramento. We got communication off to Washington asking them for information on Palmer. We also checked the name of Palmer's girlfriend through our records, but we got no information. We contacted Captain Steed and arranged for a stakeout to be placed on the apartment of Palmer's girlfriend, Jeanette Allen. Two days went by. Palmer and Richmond failed to make an appearance. We talked to Jeanette Allen, but she couldn't supply us with any information as to the whereabouts of the two men. Descriptions of the men were broadcast. Informants were questioned. We contacted the Modesto Police Department department, and they sent us all information on the places Richmond was known to frequent while he was in Los Angeles. The kickback from Sacramento and Washington gave us no new information on Richmond, but Washington had him listed as having two arrests for armed robbery in adw. In the east, another week passed. The stakeouts on Jeanette Allen's apartment continued. No sign of either of the men. Sergeant Al Panogies of the Bunco Fugitive Detail worked with us in trying to trace their movement. On Saturday, June 15, we got word from an informant that Bitchman and Palmer had been seen in town. We checked with the stakeout at the apartment, but they'd seen nothing of the two men. Frank, Al Panoges and I drove out to relieve the stakeout. Hey, Panoj. Yeah, Frank. Sure hot in this room, isn't it? Air just laying there. Yeah. Paper says it's the hottest June 15th on record. Is that Ms. Allen? Yes, Sergeant. You haven't heard from Palmer at all since he got back, is that it? No, not a word. I don't really believe he's in town. I'm sure if he was, he'd look me up. Never done this before. Say, would it be all right if I got a glass of water, miss? Sure, help yourself. Right out in the kitchen. Thanks. How about you, Joe wants some? No, no, thanks, Al. Yeah, Joe? Yeah. Cab stopping out in front. Man getting out. Might be one of them guys wearing an overcoat on a day like this. You coming in here, Al? Yeah, yeah. Cab's pulling away. Okay. You want to take that side of the door, Frank? Right you better go into the bedroom, Ms. Allen. You think there's gonna be some trouble? Well, it depends on the way he wants it. Oh, well, I guess you know best. I hope not. All I need is to have to move again. Somebody in the hall. Oh, he's stopping. All set. Right. Who are you? You Hank Palmer? Yeah, so what? Police officers. Lousy cop. Joe, he's got a gun. I'll get him. All right, hold it up, Palmer. Stop or I'll fire. Get away from me, cop. Hold it up, Palmer. All right, sir. Come on, pull out of here. Come on, get in the call. Frank Gray Mercury. License number is 1S69 105. Right. Better call an ambulance too. What? Pano. He's hurt bad. June 15, 8:40pm Sergeant Al Panojis was removed to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. His condition was listed is critical. The bullet had entered his chest and was still embedded below the left lung. His family was notified and after Frank and I got out the APB on Palmer, we drove by to pick up Mrs. Panojis. We dropped her off at the hospital and Frank stayed with her. Palmer's description was put out as was the description of the car he commandeered to get away. I ran the number through our DMV and found that it was registered to a William Evans. 1627 East Poinsettia, Hollywood. Along with Sergeant Ullery. I checked out the address. Mrs. Evans told us that she hadn't seen her husband for several hours but when he left the house, he had told her that he was going to a lodge meeting. We got a description of him and got out a local and an APB on him. I called the hospital and found that they'd operated on Panojis but that they were unable to remove the bullet. His wife collapsed. Frank had her taken home where she was cared for by their family doctor. 12:46am A radio car out in Chatsworth picked up Evans. He told him that Palmer had forced him at gunpoint to drive him to the Valley. There he'd forced Evans from the car and driven off. Evans couldn't give the officers any idea of where the suspect might have been headed. Two hours later, the car was found abandoned on Spring Street. It was placed under surveillance and a dragnet of the downtown area was started. Metro Division Assigned 20 teams of men to make a block by block search of the vicinity. The details at the bus stations and at the airports were alerted. 4:12am I got a call from Frank and I drove over to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. Hi. How's it Going? I'm good. Just saw the doctor. Well, how's Al? He just died. You are listening to Dragnet. The authentic story of your police force in action. Chesterfield is the first cigarette to offer smokers premium quality in both regular and king size. King size Chesterfield contains tobaccos of better quality and higher price than any other King size cigarette. Chesterfield is first to name all its ingredients. Ingredients that make the best possible smoke. And Chesterfield gives you this scientific report. No adverse effects to the nose and throat of a group smoking only Chesterfields. So enjoy your smoking. Change to Chesterfield today. Much milder, with an extraordinarily good taste. When an officer is first accepted by the police force. He spends 13 weeks at the police academy. In that period, he learns the basic fundamentals of being a peace officer. On graduation from the academy, he's assigned either to traffic or to a tour of duty in one of the city jails. Then, depending on his aptitude and the way he conducts himself in the field. He's checked on for possible transfer to one of the detective divisions as an investigator. By the time a police officer gets his assignment to the detective bureau. He's become a professional troubleshooter. He knows how to handle himself, and he knows how to treat the lawbreaker. He's on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and he wears a gun when a hoodlum shoots a police officer. He's showing society that he has no regard for the law. And at the same time, he is announcing that he will not hesitate to kill an unarmed citizen. Sergeant Alfred Panoges had been a policeman 14 years. He'd begun traffic and then had been transferred to the Juvenile Division. From there he went to Homicide detail and then to Bunco Fugitive Division. He was a professional peace officer and he'd been murdered. He gave his life to protect the people who paid his salary, the taxpayers. His killer was still at large, and we had to find him. The search of the downtown area was intensified, but it netted us nothing. Frank and I checked the immediate area around the abandoned car. In talking to the people in the vicinity, we found a newsboy who had seen Palmer park the car. He said he was unable to tell us where the man had gone. But he said that he thought he might have gone into a bar near the corner. We checked the place, but the bartender was unable to give us any information. Two days passed. We rechecked the known hangouts of the two men. Neither of them had been seen. Tuesday, June 18th. We got word that Palmer had been seen entering an apartment house on South Alvarado, 1014. A Frank and I drove over to talk to the landlady. Palmer and Richmond? No, no, I don't think I know them. What if you take a look at these pictures, Ms. Holbrook, see if you recognize him. Sure. Yeah, he's a mean one. Haven't seen him though. This one, ma'am? This one. I know him. Which one's he? That's Richmond. No, that's not his name. Told me it was Reichman. Said it was John Reichman. Lives up in 206. That's in front. Is he in now, ma'am? No, he went out this morning early. First time in a couple of days he went out early. You expect him back soon? Oh, I don't know. Right off might be. I don't generally know when they're coming back. Don't keep tabs on him. You know them? Yeah. Tenants. A nice bunch, most of them. Quiet. Had a full place last two years. Uh huh. How long is this? Reichman? Yeah, that's it. John Reichman. How long has he been here? Oh, he's kind of new. He took over the room from a friend of his. Yes, ma'am. Does he have any friends in the building? Anyone that he sees? Quite a bit of. Well now, there's a girl in 306. He sees quite a bit of her. Well, who's that? Ms. Holbrook? That'd be Barbara McIntyre. Nice girl, dancer. Works downtown at one of the clubs she in now, would you know? Oh, she should be. Yes. Hardly ever gets up much before noon. Hardly ever. She works late, you know. Yes, ma'am. Does Richmond drive a car? Richmond? Oh dear now. Well, I don't know. I don't think so. Seems like he's always coming home in a cab. Comes in at all hours. I don't think he's going to last here. Why you say that, ma'am? Cuz I don't think he will, that's all. Plays the radio late, makes noise, you know. Then there was a fight. The girl didn't want to do anything about it, but I certainly think she should have. Well, what's that about, ma'am? Oh, one night, let's see, it must have been about a week ago, Reichman or Richmond or whatever his name is, came home and he was. Well, he'd been drinking quite a bit, you know. Yes, ma'am. Well, he went up to the girl's apartment and they had an awful brawl, screaming and yelling. An awful brawl. I went up and asked her if there was something I could do. But she yelled through the door and said no, that everything was all right. Of course it wasn't ma'am. Well the next day the poor thing had a black eye that just wouldn't stop. All bruised up. Had a bandage right here on her forehead. Must have hit her awful hard. No sir, I don't think he's going to last. You're pretty sure that you haven't seen this other man though, are you? Well let me see that picture again. Mm. This one? No, no, no, I'm positive. I never saw him. Of course that don't mean he wasn't here ma'am. Well like I said, I don't pay much attention to them. They pay their rent and I don't bother them. They come and go as they please. Say what do you want them for? Is it about that Mr. Richmond? Yeah. Is it about him beating up that poor girl? No ma'am. I should have known about him. No sir. He ain't gonna last long around here. What if we could see his room, Mrs. Holbrook? Well I guess it's all right. I'll get the key. All right ma'am. Thank you. Here. Yards right up the stairs and then to the front of the hall. It's on the right at the far end of the hall. Well we'd rather you'd come up with us ma'am. Oh well all right. Glad to help. The way he must have beat that girl. A fiend, that's what he is. Sure isn't going to last long around here. No ma'am, he sure isn't. Before we looked at Richmond's apartment we tried to check with his girlfriend. We found that she wasn't in. The manager let us into her apartment but we found no indication where she might have gone. Then we went downstairs and searched Richmond's place. He wasn't there. The land that he stood by. When we searched the place in a closet we found a small arsenal. A gas grenade, a sawed off shotgun and two boxes of shells. There were also several revolvers along with over 150 rounds of ammunition. We called the office and arranged for a stakeout on the building. Sergeants Ullery, Gerard, Gilmour and Miller came out. Gerard and Gilmour covered the front entrance. Ullery and Miller were stationed at the back of the building and Frank and I covered Richmond's room. The residents of the apartment were warned to stay inside their rooms and to keep their doors locked. 10:30pm There was still no sign of the suspects. We waited. 11:00. 11:15, midnight Joe. Yeah? Looks like it might be them. Cab pulling up in front. How about Gerard and Gilmore? No, can't see him from here. Yeah, looks like Palmer and Richmond. You got the girl with them? Where is she? She's walking between them. Makes it tough, huh? Yeah. Well, I won't try to take them on the street this way. They're coming in the building. Uh huh. They should be here pretty quick. Figures if they're coming here. Upstairs. Girl's apartment, huh? Sounds like it. Wonder if they went in with her. I'll just have to wait. Wait a minute. Somebody outside There in the hall. Yeah. Hold it. I don't feel right. I tell you, it's too quiet. Something's up. All right, mister, let's hold it. Cops, George. Mean it? I'd give it up, Palmer. They made the street. No more. Gerard should get him. Look at that car, Joe. Let's go. Looks like they're in that store. You want to cover me while I try to get over there? All right, Take it easy. Right. You all right, Frank? Right. All right, I'm coming over. I'll cover you. You see Gilmore and Gerard? Yeah. They're behind the Buick over there. Come on out of there, Richmond. Palmer, come on. Throw the guns out. You come in and take us, cop. Give it up, Richmond. You're at a dead end. There's no way out of there. It won't make one. They're coming out, Joe. Okay, okay. I quit. You got Richmond. I quit. Now don't shoot anymore. Please don't shoot anymore. You won't shoot anymore, will you? Please throw that gun out here. Come on. All right, here it is. I'm throwing it out. Now don't shoot anymore, please. Got it. All right, I'll check Richmond. Right. I have. Got any gun. I gave it to you. I'm hurt. Can't you see that? I'm hurt bad. I told Gilmore to call the ambulance. Richmond's dead. How about this one? Police hit. I don't know how bad. I should have known not to kill a cop. I would have been like this. Ride and kill that cop. I didn't mean to, I guess. Scared, that's all. Scared. You can understand that, can't you? Yeah. You want to shake him, Frank? Yeah. Watch it, Frank. He's got another gun. You all right? Yeah. Palmer. Palmer. I'll check him. Robonnet. He's dead. Look here. Jar. What's that? Got these in his pockets. Must be 50 or 60 rounds of ammunition there. Yeah. Doesn't look like he was ready to quit. He was ready. The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On July 26, an inquest was held in the coroner's office in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that inquest. Now here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you, George Veniman. Friends, every day more and more people are changing to Chesterfield and finding Chesterfield is best for them. One reason for this is premium quality. Chesterfield is first to give you premium quality in both regular and king size. Another reason Chesterfield gives you this scientific report. No adverse effects to the nose and throat of a group smoking only Chesterfield. I smoke an average of two packs a day and I'm convinced Chesterfield is best for me. Try him. Regular or king size? I think you'll find Chesterfield is best for you. At the coroner's inquest, it was found that the deaths of George Thomas Richmond and Henry Donald Palmer were justifiable homicide. It was found that they were armed and were killed while resisting arrest. You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brayscher. Heard tonight were Van Alexander, Joyce, Merrill McCluskey, Paul Richards. Script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schumann, Hal Gibney speaking for a million laughs. Tune in Chesterfield's Martin and Lewis Show Tuesday on this same NBC station and sound off for Chesterfield's either regular or king size. You'll find premium quality Chesterfield much milder. Chesterfield is best for you. Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles Ladies and gentlemen, wherever and whenever people need help, the Red Cross answers the call. When a flood stricken family needs shelter, when a crippled child must learn to walk and play, and when a wounded soldier needs blood, the Red Cross is always there. Now, the Red Cross needs your help to keep up their many services. This year, $93 million is needed. So when the Red Cross volunteer calls on you, please answer the call and give generously. We just heard Jack Webb in, Jeff Regan, investigator Pat Novak for hire. Pete Kelly's Blues and Dragnet. That will do it for this week's show. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope you'll be back next week for more Old Time Radio crime solvers. In the meantime, you can check out Stars on Suspense, my other Old Time Radio podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Thursdays. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com meansts OTR. I'll be back next week with more Old Time Radio Detectives. But until then, good night and happy listening. 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 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.