← Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Episode 633 - Back on the Beat (Dragnet, Broadway is My Beat, Tales of the Texas Rangers, & The Line-Up)
02:10:18
We’re riding along with some of old time radio’s hardest working cops as we kick off Season 13 of Down These Mean Streets! Sgt. Joe Friday hunts for a hold-up man who resorted to murder in “The Big Smart Guy” from Dragnet (originally aired on...
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- [00:00]
Vincent Price
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.
- [00:55]
Podcast Host
Hello and welcome back. Today down these mean streets where it's been a minute since I talked to you. Thank you as always for your patience. Between summer camps, travel and unfortunately real world job responsibilities, I had to take an unexpected hiatus. But I hope you enjoyed the Adventures of Superman and his battle against the Atom man last month. And I hope you're ready for more old time radio detectives and crime fighters. And today, as we kick off the thief 13th season of this podcast, I've pulled some adventures of my favorite old time radio cops. We're giving the private eyes and the amateur sleuths a break and focusing on the radio detectives who carried a badge. First up is the Big Smart Guy, an episode of Dragnet, the grandfather of all police procedurals. It originally aired on NBC on June 8, 1950. Now Dragnet had just marked its one year anniversary on the air when this episode aired. In the early days of the show, Jack Webb, Sergeant Joe Friday, was partnered with Sergeant Ben Romero, played by Barton Yarborough. Now Romero is my favorite of Friday's various radio and TV partners. Yarborough's folksy demeanor and his Texas accent serve as a nice counterbalance to Jack Webb's staccato. No nonsense in this one, Friday and Romero investigate a homicide where robbery appears to be the killer's motive. Next up is Broadway Is My Beat and an episode known as the Harry Brett Murder Case. This one originally aired on CBS on July 31, 1950, and it stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Now this is a show that's on the opposite end of the spectrum from Dragnet, with colorful dialogue and a cop who wears his heart on his sleeve. Both are good shows and both are very different. Webb's focus for Dragnet was authenticity, but on Broadway, as My Beat, writers Morton Fine and David Friedkin constructed their own New York City full of verbose characters who wouldn't have felt out of place in a Damon Runyon story. In this episode, Clover's latest case involves a piano player who's killed at the Keys while he's playing in a bar. For our third show, we leave the big cities behind and travel to the Lone Star state where Joel McCrae solves crimes from the saddle in Tales of the Texas Rangers. Like Dragnet, this show presented authentic cases pulled from police files. And like on Dragnet, Ranger Jace Pearson used modern crime solving science to catch crooks. But unlike other police procedurals, he also relied on old fashioned techniques to get the job done. We'll hear the Hatchet originally aired on NBC on February 11, 1951, where the Rangers pursue the killer of a popular high school teacher. And finally, we'll hear a show that lies in between Broadway Is My Beat and Dragnet. It's a more straightforward police procedural, but it has room for characterization and humor. It's the lineup starring Bill Johnstone as lieutenant Ben Guthrie and Wally Mayer as sergeant Matt Greb. Like Friday and Romero on Dragnet, they make a good team with Mayor's jovial family man alongside Johnstone's more stoic bachelor. Both of these guys were incredibly versatile and busy. Radio Supporting Actors We've heard Wally Mayer as Michael Shane, as Lieutenant Riley on Let George do it, and in supporting parts on everything from Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe to suspense. Bill Johnstone, for his part, was a voice of the shadow. He succeeded Orson Welles in the role of radio's invisible crime fighter. We've also heard him as Inspector Kramer on the New Adventures of Nero Wolf and on shows like Philip Marlowe and Johnny Dollar. Most of the series was written by E. Jack Newman, a veteran radio mystery writer, and he penned the show We'll Hear Today originally aired on CBS on November 1, 1951. It's the jolted Justice Job case. The lineup always had amazing episode titles. Guthrie and Grab are on the case when an argument between two men ends when one of them pulls a knife. We're riding along with radio cops and our shift begins with Dragnet right after these messages.
- [06:00]
Vincent Price
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Now let's take a quick musical trip to blue ribbon lands to places around the world where folks enjoy internationally famous Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Ready now. See how many you can guess. Yes, Harris is right. In gay Paris, folks just like yourself enjoy that smoother tasting Pabst Blue Ribbon finest beers served anywhere. Now. That's right. That's right. Managua, Nicaragua, another wonderful place where internationally famous Pabst Blue Ribbon is served and enjoyed. Next. Chicago is right. That's right. Yes. All over America, all over the world, folks enjoy that number one international favorite Pabst Blue Ribbon finest beer served anywhere. It's the beer the whole world knows about. And remember, the quality that has carried the fame around the world is yours for the asking. So next time somebody says, what do you have? Give them the world's best answer. That's smoother, smoother, smoother. Patched Blue Ribbon beer. 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 of 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 little. You know about the little white tablets in the little green pocket roll just awaiting for the moment when you need em to bring your acid indigestion under control. Tums are the little white tablets in the little green pocket roll. Tums for the tummy. T U M s bring relief quicker than you'd best for any kind of acid distress. Keep them handy in the pocket roll. Keep your tummy under tummy's control. Tums are fast, effective and safe. Tums relieve the discomfort of acid indigestion quickly with no danger of acid rebound, sometimes caused by harsh alkalizers. Always carry Tums 10 cents 3 roll pack. A quarter. New Tum 6 roll pack with free metal carrier, 49 cents. 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. The story you were about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima Cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes brings you Dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. A woman has been shot to death. The apparent motive, robbery. The killer's still at large. Your job, find him. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all Long cigarettes. Smoke extra mild. Fatima. Yes, Fatima is the king size cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos. Superbly blended to make it extra mild. To give Fatima a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. That's why Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. Enjoy Extra mild Fatima yourself. Best of all, long cigarettes. It's wise to smoke extra mild. Fatima. It's wise to smoke extra mild. Fatima 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 Friday. March 16th. Was damp in Los Angeles. We're working the night watch out of Homicide. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. It was 11:45pm when we got to where we parked our car. Second in Maine. Couple of drops on the windshield. Yeah, I hope it holds off. I was thinking of going out to see the Cubs and Pirates play an exhibition game tomorrow. Guess maybe now I won't. You might be lucky. What's the weatherman say? I don't know. Get the radio off. It's a slow night. Yeah. Might not be to my night. What? March 17th, is it? Oh, yeah. 62A, call your station. All units in vicinity of 102 South Virgil 211 and shooting, code three. All units in Virgin South, Virgil 211 and shooting code three. Unit 13, take the call. Happy St. Patrick's Day, 11:58pm we arrived at 102 South Virgil, the bottling hotel. Four story building. Sergeant Shimer met us in the lobby and informed us that the shooting took place at 11:40pm in room 432, occupied by Mr. And Mrs. Theodore V. Benham. Mrs. Benham was the victim. We went up to the fourth floor where Officer McCready was stationed outside the room. Any witnesses? Only Benham says it was a thief. You talking to people on this floor? None of them saw anything. They're all in their rooms. Any other way out of here? That stairway in the rear leads the roof. I took a look. Nothing up there. Where's Benham? Across the hall, lying down. Cox is with him. Okay. Let's look at the body. We went into the room, a dreary place with a single light hanging from the center of the ceiling. The carpet was faded and worn in spots. On the north side were a closet and a bathroom. Against the east wall was a dresser. Across the room was a double bed, and at the foot of the bed a window looking out over the roofs of adjoining buildings and the marquee of a movie house down the street. A steamer truck was in the corner and a straight back chair was next to the door. The mirror of the dresser was smashed, and on the dresser a Gideon Bible. On the bed was the body of a woman sprawled face down were several splotches of blood on her coat. On the chair was a.3220 revolver which McCready said belonged to Benham, the husband of the murdered woman. We asked McCready to put in a call to the crime lab and we went across the hall to question Benham. This is an awful shock. I'm not feeling well. I'm under doctor's care. Hemophilia. Awful shock. Sit down, please. Yes, I. I don't know what it'll do to me. I should be in the sanitarium right now. What's he taking care of? Lincoln Sanitarium in Eagle Rock. Could you tell us what happened tonight? Why, yes. We. My wife and I, went out to the Sycamore Cafe over in Alvarado. What time was that? Oh, about 9:30. Had a couple of drinks and something to eat. Listened to a piano player, then came home. I unlocked the door and Elizabeth went in first, went over to the dresser. I just walked over to her when a man stepped out of the closet in back of us. He had a gun. Can you describe him? I don't know. I don't know. Did you see his face? No. He had a blue bandana over his face and he had a cap on. A blue and white check. Did you notice his clothes? No. No, I didn't. Anything else? He seemed very nervous and he wasn't holding the gun still. My wife was opening her purse and I said, well, I haven't got very much, but I'll give you what we had. And he fired and hit Elizabeth. I pulled my gun from my overcoat and started shooting. Are you in the habit of carrying a gun? No, no, no. I noticed suspicious looking men follow me lately, so I bought one. Is this the gun here? Yes. Then what happened? Well, I fired all the bullets. I don't know how I missed. The room was small. He kept moving around all the time. But I guess I did miss. Then he ran out of the room. But how old would you say this man was, Officer? I haven't the faintest idea. See you a minute, Sergeant? Sure. Will be back, Mr. Benham. This has been an awful shock to me. Wonder how his wife fell. LaCride. He told us that Sergeant Shimer had found a woman in the Nevada Hotel next door who might know something. When? Next door in question. Mrs. Caroline Cromwell, a resident of the hotel. She occupied room 415 on the top floor. She told us that about 20 seconds after she heard the shots, she looked out the door of her room and saw a man come down the back stairs, which leads to the roof of the hotel and enter room 402. She'd seen the man several times and was positive of her identification. Sergeant Shimer said the man was registered as Jack Morrison, who went to room 402. Turn again. Who's that? Police officer. What do you want? Like to ask a couple of questions. I was going to bed. We'd like to talk to you. Won't take very long. All right, what do you want to know? How long you been in your room? About 10 minutes. What? Where were you? To the movie. Which where? Right down the street. Why are you asking me all these questions? You been drinking? A little. Not much. Mind if we look around a little? I was out all the time. I didn't know nothing about a shooting. And you won't mind if we look around? You won't find nothing here. These all the clothes you got? Yeah. Is this your coat? Yeah. Yo, you're wearing this tonight, were you? No, it's the only coat in the closet. What'd you do with the coat you were wearing? Yes, I was wearing that one. Did you spill it? What? A bottle of whiskey. It broke. Oh, how do I know? Got a hole here in the sleeve. What'd you do with a broken bottle? Threw it away. Where? I don't know. On the street. Joe, I found something. A shirt stuck down between the wall and the bathtub. Looks like blood on it. This yours? Where's the shirt you wore tonight. Take off your pajama top. Why? Take it off. All right. But I didn't have nothing to do with that shooting next door. What happened to your arm? Guy shot at me. Who? I don't know. I bought a bottle and had a couple of drinks and went to the movie for a little while. Would you mind moving away from the bed, please? No. No. Hey. I came out of the movie because I was getting dizzy. I went up on the roof here to get some air. While I was standing there, a guy ran across the roof and shot at me. What'd the man look like? I don't know. He came from the roof of the hotel next door and ran into this place. How big was he? It was dark. I couldn't see. What'd you do? Well, after I was sure he was gone, I came down. I was gonna have my arm fixed in the morning. Better get your clothes on. Why? You got a pretty bad arm. You better have it fixed up. We'll take you to George Street Receiving Hospital. It's all right. I don't have to go there. Find anything, Ben? No. You got a clean shirt? No. Well, you better wear your pajama top, then. Here's something. What'd you say your name is? Jack Mars. Here's a card I found in the closet. Says, tommy Kane, report for work. Joe's Cafe, eight o', clock, March 1st. Who's Tommy Kane? That's me. Where are you from? Elgin, Illinois. How old are you? I'm 22. Why'd you leave Elgin? No work. I been bumming around. You ever been arrested? I was picked up on a vague charge a month ago. Here? Yeah. I don't know why you guys are bothering with me. When somebody gets shot, we bother. 1:30am we took King to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital where they found that a muscle in his upper right arm had been severed and the right side of his chest was bruised. Before taking him to Ward 1300 General Hospital for further treatment, we took him back to the roof of the Nevada Hotel. Still trying to rain? Yeah. Where were you standing when you got shot at, King? Right over there. I was leaning against the bricks. Where'd the man come from? Out of that door. The other roof. Roof of the Bartlett Hotel? Yeah. Was he running when he shot at you? Yeah. Yeah, he was. Where'd he run? Right across here, where we are. Then he went through this door here into the Nevada Hotel. Did you notice anything unusual about him? Well, his face was covered with a handkerchief and he wore a checkered cap. What you said before, it was too dark. Well, I could see that. I mean, you know, I could see that. I couldn't see his face. You were standing over there with the parapet. Yeah, about. About. About here? Yeah, that's it. Mm. All right, let's get over the roof of the bar a little high. Can I help you over? No. Come on, Ben. Never been in this hotel before, King. No. Everything all right, McCrae? Yeah. Crime lab's here. Check in the murder room. Benham awake? I think so. Mr. Benham? Yes. Mind if we come in? Of course not. You ever seen this man before? Let me see. Can you stand over there in the light? My eyes aren't as good as they used to be. Okay, Move over there. How's that? That's better. This the man who shot your wife? No, that's not the men. We left instructions for another car to take Theodore Benham to the Lincoln Sanitarium in Eagle Rock. We took Kane to Ward 1300 General Hospital. 2:42am we arrived back at the Bartlett Hotel where police chemist Ray Pinker had finished his examination. Three slugs.38 caliber and five slugs.3220 were found in the mattress, in the walls, all on the same side of the room. On the floor of the room were found a piece of white cloth and some brown threads. Ray Pinker returned to the crime lab while Ben and I made a search of both hotels, the incinerators, the alley, and all likely places for the missing. 38. Was not found. 3:48am Ben went to the Record Bureau to check on any possible criminal record Kane might have had. I went to the crime lab to see what Ray Pinker had found. Nothing on this one. Must have been a clean miss. And nothing on these four 3200 and twenties. Where'd you find those? Dug the.38 out of the window frame. 3200 twenties are in the south and east walls. How about the others here? Well, on these two.38 slugs, I found minute portions of threads. They compare with the dress and coat. One of the deceased. Hi. Hey, Ben. I checked King's record. He told the truth. Nothing more than a vague charge, huh? How's this coming? There's threads on two of the.38 slugs and on one of the.3220s. Same kind of threads. Same kind.3220. That's the gun Benham used. Yeah. Did you check the cloth yet? I will right now. Venom must have been shooting an awful while. Where'd you find that? 3220 slug, Ray. On the floor near the bed. Nothing on any of the other 3,220s. No. Yeah. This piece of cloth matches the shirt. How about the coat and those threads? Got only a couple of threads that might match. Let me have a coat. There you are. We better have Benham take another look at Kane, huh? Yeah, I guess so. I could use a cup of coffee. How about you? As soon as we get finished. How about it, Ray? Gotta make it. Yeah. A match. That's it, huh? Oh, one more thing. Yeah? Fresh stains on the carp of that room. What kind? Whiskey. March 18th. We picked up Benham at Lincoln Sanitarium and drove him to the general hospital. Three times he asked us to stop someplace so he could have a drink. We told him he'd have to wait. We arrived at Ward 1300 at 1:40 and Kane was brought out. Take a good look, Mr. Ben. Now, that isn't the man. I'm sure of it. All right, Kane, tie this handkerchief over your face. No, no. This way. That's right. I'll put on this cap. Kane, stand over there, please. A little further. That's good. All right, Mr. Benham. You know, his eyes and forehead look a little familiar. But I don't know. All my nerves are all shot. I can't be positive. I'm a sick man. All right, King. Wish I could help you boys. So do we. Come along, please. You don't have to take me back to the sanitarium. Just take me to a streetcar. I'll make it all right. Good. Thank you. Sergeant? Yeah? Can I see you a minute? Sure. Yeah. Did you notice anything when you first brought Kane out of the ward? No. You must have been closing the door. Yeah, I was. That man, Benham, he winked at him. You are listening to Dragnet. The case history of a police investigation presented in the public interest by Fatima Cigarettes. If you smoke a long cigarette, it will be in your interest to listen to a typical case history of a Fatima smoker. It's the case of Dick Hyland, sports columnist for one of the great Los Angeles newspapers. This is his actual signed statement. Do I smoke a lot when I'm reporting a close ball game? You bet I do. Do I still enjoy smoking when the game's over? Right again. Because I smoke a mild cigarette, Fatima. No other king size cigarette tastes so good, is as mild as Fatima. I agree it's wise to smoke extra mild, Fatima. And so do more and more smokers every day. Actual figures show extra mild. Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. So enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. The king size cigarette. Which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos. Superbly blended. To make it extra mild, you will prefer Fatima's much different, much better flavor. You will agree it's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. The best of all long cigarettes. We took Benham back to his sanitarium. On the way, he asked if he could be excused from testifying at the inquest and preliminary hearing. We told him it couldn't be done. 7:00pm Ben and I returned to the general hospital and took Keane into a small room adjoining the prison ward. After three hours of interrogation, he stuck to his story. Cigarette cane. Thanks. How's arm? All right. Hurts a little now. When you guys going home? When we get a straight story. I've been telling you all I know. Yeah, you've been telling us the same story for two days. But it doesn't hold water. What do you mean? How do you account for the fact that parts of your clothing were found in that room? I told you before. You must have made a mistake. No, no, it's no mistake. Mr. Benham's starting to think he recognized you. What? Why'd he wink at you? He didn't wink at me. We got somebody here who saw him. And he seems to think whoever did the shooting didn't take the gun with him. When we drove him back to sanitarium, he asked us if we found it yet. He thinks we will. How long has Benham lived in la? A long time. How long? Why do you want to know how long he's lived here? Is a dead woman really his wife? Well, certainly she's his wife. Why? Where's he been since the shooting? In the sanitarium in Eagle Rock. What's the matter with him? Hemophilia. You know what that is? No. You sure that was his wife? Positive. She wasn't a stool pigeon? Stool pigeon? Where'd you get that? Out of you. You guys never saw her before? Never. You never heard of her? Cane, what's eating you? Did you check on her? We always do. You don't make mistakes on anything like that. Do you not know? But she was a pretty nice woman from all we could find out. Happily married for 30 years. Something's wrong. What? Kane, what's wrong? Whole setup. Yeah? Yeah. What Benham say about me? We told you. He says you look a little bit like the man you say. Anything else? He winked at you, Kane. Why? She wasn't a bad looking woman. Wasn't she, Kane. All right. Now, how about it? You guys swear that was his wife? Yeah. Okay, I'll tell you where the.38 is. Where? The mattress on the roof of the Nevada Hotel. Venom cut a hole in it that day. He told me to hide the gun there after the shooting. All right, let's have a look. I don't want anybody to know I'm telling you this. Why? Benham's a real smart guy. He's got a gang. He's in on it as much as I am. Yeah, he double crossed me. Tried to kill me. I'm going to jail. He's going with me. Maybe he will. Kane told us that he had known Benham for about two months. During that time, Benham helped him along by giving him a couple of dollars every once in a while. On March 11, Benham got Kane a room and the Nevada Hotel and gave him $20 to buy a gun, which Kane did. On March 15, he gave Kane a blue bandana and a checkered cap. On March 16, he told Kane that he'd been sent by a gang in Chicago to kill a woman who was a stool pigeon. He promised Kane $100 for his help. Early that evening, Benham told Kane how to enter their room and where to hide when they came home. Benham stood by the door. Kane stepped out of the closet and after a few words, shot. As he moved toward the bed, Venom started shooting at him. Kane ran from the room and hid the gun in the mattress on the roof, then went to his room and flushed the cap and bandana down the drain. 11:15pm Ben and I found the gun where Kane said it would be.38 Special Detective Colt Revolver, 2 inch barrel, number 381327. 11:52pm we checked and found no evidence that Benham belonged to any kind of a gang. March 19, 9am Ben and I reported into Homicide and picked up Captain Steve. We went over to Dr. Wagner to learn his autopsy report. It showed that the deceased had been shot three times. 238 slugs and 1.3220 were recovered from the victim's body. They were initial for evidence. 8:00pm Captain Steed, Ben and I went to the sanitarium and told Benham that there were a few angles we wanted to clear up before the inquest. Next morning, Venom got dressed and we drove back to the Bartlett Hotel. Was raining. I'm still trying to remember what happened. I was very shocked that night. Yeah, I suppose you were. Well, sometimes my memory comes back for a little bit. The red light Yeah, I see. You know, the man who did the shooting, knew you lived in room 432, and he knew you'd be gone that night. How do you suppose he figured that out? Well, I've been noticing that a lot of men have been following me. Suspicious looking man. I told that to Sergeant Friday, didn't I, Sergeant? Yeah, that's right. Must have been one of them. You ever give money to characters on the street so much they might follow you? Hey, that must be it. Many times. They used to do that. I'd be nice to them. They'd try to make friends. You remember any of them? Yeah. Yeah, I do. There was old man Dorsey, Jolly Swanson, and fellow named Kane. Blaine Cane. Yeah, that Hatchy Cane. There you are. There you are. The young man you took him see in the hospital. I'm thinking. I believe that's Kane. Are you sure? Quite sure. He's the burglar. What makes you think he was a burglar? What else would he be? He didn't rifle any of the drawers or steal anything, did he? Must have got there just before us. Did you have anything important there? Yes, some insurance policies. And your wife? Yeah. How much? One policy for 4,000, two for 2,500 each. Who's the beneficiary? I am. We took Benham up to room 432, where he got out the insurance policies on his wife and showed them to us. Then Captain Steed asked him to reenact the shooting. Benham acted as the killer. I played Benham and Ben acted as his wife. Well, the man was over here in the closet. My wife and I came in that door, and then my wife went over to the dresser. Oh, over here. Did you turn on the light? Oh, yeah. And then I closed the door and went over behind her. Like this. Oh, she was closer to the bed. Yeah. Yeah. Were you standing next to her? Yeah. You start to take off your coat? I was just going to when this man stepped out of this closet here. How far? Oh, here? Yeah, right here. Then what? Well, he held a gun in his hand and asked how much money we had. Elizabeth said we didn't have much from here. Yeah, but. But she turned around like this? Yeah, that's it. What happened then? Well, then I said, I haven't got very much, but I'll give you what we have. And started shooting. Yeah, but you said before that your wife started looking in her purse. Yeah, that's what she did. I forgot. And that made him think she was going after a gun. How do you know Well, I suppose that's what he thought. He shot and Elizabeth fell on the bed. I pulled out my gun and started shooting, and the man ran out the door. And that's all. That's exactly what happened, huh? Just as I remember it. Will it help you? Not very much. What's the matter? Well, if you were standing where I am, there'd be bullet holes on that side of the room there, wouldn't it? They're all on this side. I see. I got it. Come with me. Where you going? On the roof. What for? I want to show you something. It's raining. There are two umbrellas in the closet. I'll get them. Why do you want to go up there? I. I think I know where that gun might be hidden. I bet it's there. Here, you take this umbrella. Thanks. We'll take this one, Captain. Let's go. I bet it's up there. We'll find you. Got your flashlight, Ben? Yeah. Should be around here somewhere. What? The mattress. My wife used to take sunbaths on it. Where would it be? Just about here. I don't see any. Sure, it's up here. I bet it's on the next roof. Didn't you say Kane lived in that hotel? He probably moved it. Flash your light over there behind that elevator shaft. There? Yeah. There. You see it? We have to climb over this parapet to get on the other roof. Watch it, Jeff. It's pretty slippery. Oh, it is slippery. Oh. Is this mattress here? That's it. Take a look, Joel. Right. No, nothing here. Did you look all around there? Did you look in the corners? No. That'd be a good place to hide a gun, don't you think? Let me see. Might be a hole cut in one of them. Oh, maybe the other corner. No. Maybe this one. Yeah. You see the mattress have been cut? No, no. It's got to be here. Where is it? It's here. I tell you it's here. I know it's here. I'll find it. I'll find it. You wait. You'll see. I'll get it. I know it's here. I'm fine. You wait. I'll get it. I'll get it. Getting wet. Joe, we got the.38. Kane told us about it. You ready to talk? Yeah. Insurance. That why you did it? Yeah. I'm a sick man. Let's go. Venom. On your feet. All right. They played that. That ball game the other day. Yeah? Who won? Pirates, 8 to 7. Sure do like baseball. Must be a real nice business. Yeah. Fans only yell if they never do it. What's that? Kill the umpire. The story you have just heard was true. Only the name were changed to protect the innocent. On July 2nd trial was held in Superior Court Department 89, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to extra mild Fatima. Here is the actual report from coast to coast. Extra mild Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. Yes, more and more smokers every day are discovering that Fatima is the king size cigarette that is extra mild. Extra mild because it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobacco. Superbly blended, intended to make it extra mild to give it a much different, much better flavor and aroma. Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. Best of all, long cigarettes, it's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. Thomas Kane was convicted of second degree murder and received a term as prescribed by law. Theodore V. Benham was convicted of first degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He received a life sentence and died in prison one year later. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Chief of Police WA WH Warden, Los Angeles Police Department. Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles, this is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company. Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. The refreshing, delicious treat that gives you chewing enjoyment presents for your listening enjoyment. Broadway's My Beat From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway's My Beat. The thrilling drama of murder and mystery and the people who walk the Great White Way. With Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. Here's a taste treat you can enjoy indoors, outdoors, at work or at play. The cool, long lasting mint flavor refreshes you. The smooth, steady chewing helps keep you fresh and alert. Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing. Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. Healthful, refreshing, Delicious. A time comes finally to Broadway when the emptiness is big. When solitude walks the street. Arrogant and brave. It's a time when the neon carnival is wound down. When the blazing furnace of light darkens and grows cold. And on the pavements glistening with the tears of despair, the stragglers walk. They plead for a door to open, for a light to be turned on. Solitude is at their heels. Please, kid. For a friend but it's no good, kid. Broadway's closed for the night. But there are side streets where it's never closed or trumpets scream and saxes weep. In the 50s, for instance, in a little joint called the 34 Club, for instance, where I was. Where death was. And this time it was a circular platform raised above the bar with a piano on it and a dead man resting his head on the keys. And all of it defined in the darkness by a spotlight that changed colors. And all of it revolving like a big toy, slow, round and round. And the man tries to explain to you why it wasn't turned off. It isn't that we were sitting here enjoying the spectacle of it, Mr. Clover. It's just that in cases of murder, I read someplace you're not supposed to touch nothing, but nothing. It was going around like that when, before, during and after the murder. Hey, you got yourself a puzzle. How to figure out from where the shot came from with that platform going round and round and round. Turn it off. I'm glad somebody finally came through with an order there. I'm a man who doesn't function Very well, Mr. Clover, unless somebody gives me an order. Spineless, that's me. Still, you manage this place, Mr. Darby. You own it too, huh? Sure, but what courage does that take? The decisions are made by Kay. She hires the musicians, pays the salaries. That's my wife, Kay. You ever heard her sing, Mr. Clover? Like a dream. You don't talk about to nobody. She hired the man up there? Absolutely. Heard him playing piano in some forlorn joints. Hired him on the spot. He was very great. That boy on the piano. What else about him, Mr. Darby? What else about Harry Brett? He's dead with a bullet hole in him. Maybe you can tell me why. Maybe I can. Wanna hear, Mr. Clover? Huh? I got a good why. Harry Brett was singing siren songs into the ear of my wife, Kay. That could be motive, couldn't it? Yeah, uh huh, it could. Did your wife. Listen, my wife, Kay, you. You won't mind asking her yourself. You won't mind at all. Now, tell me how it happened. I Wish I could, Mr. Clover, but. But I just can't. Try. Oh, it's no use. Because I was out in the sidewalk at the time, communing with something or someone. Has no name. This something? No. But I can give you a list of witnesses on the street who witnessed me communing. They know the look that comes over me. That's how they know. You want the list? Yeah. But later you'll stick around. So you can give it to me later. I got no place else to go. Just no place. Who can tell me how it happened? Jack, over there. Jack Gage, the boy sitting at the bar crying because his friend is dead. He's sorry. The pianist is dead. Sure. Somebody has to play a dirge at a funeral. Don't they, Mr. Clover? Don't they, Harry? Harry. You were too good to die, kid. Too good. Mr. Gage, I'll have to ask you some questions from the police. You have to tell me what happened. We were on the platform up there, turning round and round, playing good. Harry was playing so good at her. Chin side. I still hear it. It still hurts. Just you and Harry were up there. Me on clarinet and Harry on piano. And the trumpet. The trumpet. Charlie Walker. Charlie, the trumpet and I, the clarinet were out. Harry took it away from us. Nobody could play against what he was doing. It was. It hurt. That's when he was shot. Yeah, there was a shot. At first I thought it was a drum, but then I knew it wasn't a drum because there's no drum in the number. The drum's out with the rum. Who talks about me? Who talks about me when my back is turned? Out of my way. It's burning. I gotta put it out. Take a minute. Who are you? You don't know Ray Richard? I beat out heartbeats for the people on the drums. What are you, an agent? Hey, Jack, why the tears? Without tears, I'll go die. Beat out your own march and go die. I'll do that. It was burning me up and I didn't know what. A death march. That's what's inside me. A jazz time death march. Hey, who died beside me? Harry Brett. He was murdered. I gotta play him into the other world. I gotta. Hey, you kill him, Jack. You kill him. Cause you love him so much. Look at that dirty rocking Jack. He's drunk. That don't give him the. Listen to him play. Listen to that crazy, crazy man. You haven't told me yet how it was, Jack. Huh? Oh, about Harry. Well, there was this shot and Harry goes. Oh, like that. Oh, he puts his head on the keys and dies. Nobody cares. Everybody runs away. Harry dies and they run away. Where did they run? Where did who run? Be specific. It's the time to be specific. But trumpet. Charlie Walker, who knows? K. Darby to her apartment, I bet. Right down the street, number 16. Call on her. Tell her I sent you. Tell her that. Yeah. What? K. Darby live here? You're who? Danny Clover. Police. All right. He'll be in the way, but all right. I was told I'd be able to find K. Darby here. Who can find K. Darby? Guys like you, people who come knocking on a door. Ask me about K. Darby, I'll try to translate it to you. Let's not bother, huh? Where is she? It's a little late, isn't it? 3:30 in the a and the M the next room. Get her. If so, say you. But only because you got a badge tucked away. Kay. Visitor. Kay. Man from the police. Kay. He wants to find you. Danny Clover. There's some things I want to ask you. Yes? About Harry Brett. Ah, don't mind him, Mr. Clover. Charlie here thinks anyone who doesn't play a trumpet might as well be making a music with a comb and tissue paper. You feel that way, huh, Charlie? Charlie who? What's the matter with you, Mr. Clover? Been away from the world for six years. I'm Charlie Walker. Charlie blows a trumpet, you sing. Isn't that right, K? That's right. Why did you leave the 34 Club after the shooting? I was upset. She was upset. Leaned on old Charlie Walker for strength in time of need. You came here with Charlie? Yeah. I left word about leaving. Seeing Harry dead, I knew what would happen if I stayed. Oh, what? I'd want to keep looking at him lying there? I wanted to see him. Doesn't matter. Just that I left word that I'd be here with Charlie. So if the police wanted to question us, we'd be here. What can you tell me about Harry? A lot. He could play the piano like an angel. His fingers touched my arm too much when we talked. I hated the sight of him. Does that take care of it? Where were you when Harry was shot? Sitting with me at the bar. That's right, Charlie. Ah. Why a mess about a lousy piano player? You hated him, too, huh? From the top of his toupee to tippy toes. He was egotistical, vain, selfish, snobbish. He loved himself. Know the kind of guy I mean? He had me there. And after that, a moth started to whirr around the light bulb. We all saw it at the same time. We watched it. There was nothing more to say. Suddenly, we all got tired and wished everybody'd go away. I walked Charlie out to the street. He hailed his cab, I hailed mine. I went home, went to Slee. The next morning, I went through the motions. Get up and breakfast and the morning papers propped against the sugar bowl and to work. Check in at headquarters and let them know you're calling on Ray Richard Drummer because when you saw Ray Richard a little while ago, he wasn't in condition to talk about murder. Maybe the morning would change it all. When I got to his door, Ray's Hymn to the sun had a feathery quality to it. Ray looked better. Hi. Come on in. Thanks. Did I interrupt? No. Sit down. Me too. I'm woozy. Really woozy. Almost knocking over my drums. That's quite an opportunity you got there, huh? I heard you play a little bit last night. Interesting. Interesting? Why was it interesting? I don't know, I. I'm grateful you remember me. Because of my drums? Just that it was strange. Man gets killed and you react by. By. By doing that? Uh huh. For Harry Brett, pianist. His phrase for his dying. See, I'm lucky. Lucky. And people, things, I react to them. Everything has its tempo. I don't need words. I see you. You a policeman? Look. Kay Darby. You know her? That's Kay. Exactly her. What about yourself? Me? Yeah. Works out. End of show. Not really. That right? I'm trying to find out whether you killed Harry Brett, not me. You're wrong about that. I mourned for him. Yeah, I heard. And you left the club later. After that, I took a walk. A skid row type walk. Because the night and the thing that happened to Harry needed that. You can't leave death quickly. You can't have it touch you and go home and forget it. Right? You gotta do it gently. So I went back to the dying and the half alive. Then I came home and tried to hold the feel of it, the tempo of it, with my drums. And I could let it go. But I couldn't work that out either. I was trying when I came up here. Yeah? Where were you when Harry was killed? I can't give you addresses. What do you mean? I had a half hour break from bandstand. Boozed it up and a couple of joints around. Why didn't you stay at the 34 Club? They got a liquor license. It's enough to play there. I don't have to live my half hour breaks there. Are you glad Harry's dead? Doesn't make any difference. I'll hire another piano player. Did you kill him? No. Be afraid to kill. You've got a tempo for that too. Yeah, I have. Would you like to hear it? Not now, Ray. But stick around your drums in case the yen suddenly hits me. Danny. Come in. Tartaglio. Thanks. The toughing, huh? What is this murder of this piano player? It isn't fair to the ballistics department. How this murder of this piano Player was performed. Got them worried, huh? Yeah, indeed. This guy getting shot on a revolving stage. How are they supposed to find out where the shot came from? Puppy, huh? You took the words out of my mouth. The shot could have come from any place, the line of the bullet being a sea can, to a revolving circle whose formula is PI r squared to the nth power. Oh. Will you excuse me? That goes without saying. Thank you. You're welcome, I'm sure. Danny Clover speaking. I told you I was afraid. Mr. Clover. Who is this? Ray. Ray Richard, please. Drummer, of course. Of course it is. What's the matter with you? A guy's been hanging around out front. What guy? What are you trying to say? I just saw him come into the house. Listen. I don't hear anything. Ray. No. Ray. Ray. What is it? The shots and the scream held the tight blend of terror. And I wrote it, followed it behind the siren, gouging a channel through the streets. It took six minutes to get to Ray's room. The room was empty. No Ray, nothing. Correction. The room was flooded with music coming from a phonograph. That and a streak of blood on a rug, lending its own touch to the shrieking room. But most of all, it was the music. A record. I looked at it. Tempo for timpani, it was called. The room didn't need it. It needed another quality. The quality that came after violence. The tempo of silence, maybe of death. And wherever Ray Richard was right now, I had a feeling he was covered with it. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The lively, full bodied, real mint flavor cools your mouth, moistens your throat, freshens your taste. And the chewing itself gives you a little lift, helps you keep going at your best. So for real chewing enjoyment that's refreshing and long lasting, always keep Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy. Helpful, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Gum will make every day more enjoyable. We now continue with Broadway's My Beat, written by Martin Luther Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Broadway is a place that can get excited about a lot of things. Joe Lewis and War Coming out of retirement, the terrible Turk pinned the referee at St. Nicholas Arena. And up in Central Park, Robert the Rhinoceros had twins and had his name changed to Alice. Broadway stands in front of the Paramount Building and gawks at the Translux. I didn't have it so good. Reason a pianist named Harry Brett was shot on a revolving stage in a nightclub. Reason a trap Drum player named Ray Richard had left testimony of death in his room. Reason I had to go to work. I called headquarters, had an all points bulletin sent out on Ray Richard, let them know I was on my way Back to the 34 Club in the early afternoon. The place was bleak, without reason, pointless, like an old false face that hung on a dime store shelf for too many Halloweens. Kay Darby was sitting at the bar, making a pattern of wet stains for the bottom of her glass. When she saw me, she looked as if she wished I'd never happened. Oh, not again, Mr. Clover. Why not? Many's a time I meet someone and say to myself, oh, not again. And you're telling yourself that now, huh? Sit down if you want. I only make the offer because sometimes breeding gets the better of me. Maybe I should tell you, Kayla. Don't tell me. You want me to shiver when you point your finger at me and say I'm a suspect for murder. Save it. I wouldn't even shrug. Did you kill Harry? Uh, no. Not. Nope. Look, you don't understand, do you? Understand what? About me. I'm trying to get it over to you. I'm being in a dull, gray mist. I was getting ready to salt my beer with a tear when you walked in. Oh. Yep. This whole thing, this killing, is going to break Lou to the nub. Lou? Your husband? You mean the publicity? He was just getting this little gin mill afloat. Now, tell me this, K. How close were you with Ray Richard? Drummer boy Ray? That's right. What would I want with him? You tell me. He's talented. I know. Once I was with him where people drink out of glass thimbles and listen to violin music. He beat out for my amusement a rhythm with the fiddle with pickle forks. What about Ray? He's missing. Maybe. Wait a minute. The bar phone. Yes. Yes, he's here. Someone from your side of the tracks wants to talk to Mr. Clover. Thanks. Hello? Danny, we got Richard, Danny. Found him. Hold him, Gino. I'll be right down. Go by way of the east river docks, Danny. That's where they fished him out. Drowned, dead at the docks. The heat clawed at the mounted police, at their horses, and they in turn, clawed at the crowd. The crowd with the pale, sullen face rejecting the heat, the stain of heat on its body and its clothes, dodging, scurrying from under the hooves of the rearing, sweating animals. Because the spectacle of death was for free. The crowd would not be denied by man or beast or element. From the river, the vapors of night were beginning to rise in the distant moan of a ship as it entered into the horizons of night. And death had shaped itself a proper setting. And someone known to you moved across it, pushed his way through the supernumerary sponge and spoke to you. Yeah. Come on, Danny. I'll get through the crowd. Where is he, Magavan? Down at the edge of the dock. Boys have fished him out, laid him out in one of the machine sheds. All right, one side, one side, please. One more shot here, dear. Oh, will you please step aside? Damn. Here, Danny. Here, I'll uncover him. Oh, yeah, they shot him up good from up close and threw him in the river. How long did you say he'd been in the river? Oh, not long, Danny. Just long enough to. There's no blood on him. Yeah. Identification? Yeah, it's Musicians union card, local 802. This is the Ray Rich and driver's license issued Deray Richard. This check from the 34 club signed by Kay Darby, made out Deray Richard. Description tallies in this Golangin watch, Danny, with the initials RR on the back. That spells Ray Richard. Huh? Yeah, I remember it. Do something for me, Muggleman. Oh, sure. Danny, call headquarters. Have him pick up Lou and Kay Darby and a trumpet. Huh? A trumpet named Charlie Walker. Next time you invite a trumpet player, Danny, pick a spot with better acoustics. This offends the ear, this hole. Listen how it echoes. Hey, See what I mean, huh? Reminds me of a dance crib I played once in Selma, a la bmi. Same acoustics, same type of studio response. I was playing the trumpet in a manner unknown to this world. And those Yokos just lay there like these stiffs. Stop it, Charlie. You're disgusting. What's the matter, Lou? You develop a set of taste all of a sudden? No, just that with all these dead around me, gives me the feeling I should commune with something. Why did you bring Charlie and me here, Mr. Clover? I want you to identify a body we found in the East River. Someone we have pleased or vice versa? That's a good question. Take all the time you need. I want you to be sure. The shape is familiar, but the face, it's hard to tell. Mr. Dobby. I recognize the suit. Uh huh. I recognize him. You know who it is, of course. Don't you? I've seen him wear it many times. Therefore, the body belongs to. To Ray Richard. Of course. Ray Richard. I only hesitated because a man doesn't rush into a thing like this. What do you say, Charlie? Ray Richard. Recognize this ring? Of course I do. Mr. Clover, that's Ray's, all right. He parted with me many times when he needed more money for more booze. All right? That's all he was. Murdered. Huh? Huh, Charlie. What makes Lou and me your darlings? Other people could have killed Ray, tossed him in the water. Like who, Charlie? Like the clarinet. Jack Gage. Like Kay. The song of Songs. By the way, Mr. Dombey, where is Kay? I've been waiting for you to tell me why she isn't here. She. She was at the club the last time I saw her. Why? She's not there anymore. Upstairs, they say. She's not anywhere. Where is she, Mr. Darby? You mean Kay's disappeared? You mean you can't find her? You gotta find her. I'm nothing without Kay. You gotta find her, you hear? I hear. And we will, Mr. Darby. Honest. We. Attention all cars. Attention all cars. 9:33pm Pick up K. Darby. She's 5ft 4 inches tall, weighed about 121. She has black hair, dark brown eyes. Danny Clover speaking. You fellas looking for K. Darby? Who is this? G. Brooks. I run the Kit Kat in Harlem. She's here now. Hold her there. You come get her. We're late. She's gone. She's a long time gone. Where'd she go? She said she wanted to wear the music with. Real secret. I told her where. Where? Brick Wall Club Lenox. AV Who? Kay Darby. She been in here? Ben left. Where'd she go? I know there's a great piano around the corner. Maybe there, I said K. Darby. I know was, but not now. You know where she went? Yeah, I know all right. Where? What she was looking for. Where? Room upstairs. All the way up stairs as far as you can go. One room on the last floor. Try K. K. She stood there before me in the corridor, blocking the open door. Her eyes closed, head moving back and forth to the rhythm of her wordless song. The music that came from the room and back of her drain touched her, lolled over her. What do you want here? You found him, huh? Okay. He won't let me in. He and the other two. Uhhuh. They're worshiping something in there. They won't let anybody in. But I'll wait. Get out of the way, K. No. Get out of the way, you two. Hello, ray. Hi. Hi, Mr. Clover. We've been looking for you, Ray. That's funny. I didn't think you would be. You made a mistake, Ray. Me? Uh huh. Man shot up like that. Saw a little blood in your room. A mistake? Who was he? Nothing. I looked for a man who was nothing. I found him on that walk you took in skid row. Yeah. That's when a derelict of the same size and build, you switch clothes with him, watch, ring, kill him and throw him in the river with your identification. Yeah. And didn't fool you, huh? He's the pianist, Harry Brett. Did he need killing, too, Ray, huh? Kay hated him. He bothered her. I like Kay around me. She likes it, too. Loves it. Let's go. Loves it, Loves it. I didn't stop at Ray's frenzy. The girl stood in the doorway watching him. In a little while, she came into the room and sat at his feet. Then it was over. All over, the nighttime leaps down on Broadway the revelers swarm the streets to embrace it Laughter pours into the shadowed places and for a time, kid, no despair just explosions and the sweet promise and have a drink on me For a time for a little time it's brought way the giest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world Broadway My Beat Remember, friends, to make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. There's lots of cooling, real mint flavor in every stick. And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you feeling fresh and alert. You feel better, work better, get more fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, wherever you go, keep some healthful, refreshing, wriggly spearmint Chewing Gum handy. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. Hope you've enjoyed tonight's story and that you're enjoying Wrigley Spearmint Gum every day. We invite you to join us next week at the same time when Detective Danny Clover returns again with Broadway's My Beat. Broadway's My Beat, Brought to you by Wrigley Spearmint Gum is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. The program is written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. This has been a Radioclassics.com presentation. Programs are copyright their respective owners. All rights reserved. The National Broadcasting company presents Joel McRae in Tales of the Texas Rangers Tonight transcribed from Hollywood. Another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers. Sales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McRae as Ranger Jace Pearson. Texas. More than 260,000 square miles and 50 men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America. Now, from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact only. Names, dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record. Case for tonight, the hatchet. It is 8:30am Sunday, May 16, 1941. The Halleck family of Rock Point, Texas, is preparing to leave for church. You want any more toast, Jim? Nope. All I want is another cup of coffee. I'll get it myself. Why don't you sit down and eat? Well, I would if I could get that boy to the table. Robert. Robert. I'm coming, Ma. You've been saying that for half an hour. Your eggs are getting cold and we'll be late for church. All right, all right. And never mind that all right business. When your mother called you, you just come a running. Gee whiz, Pa. Gotta wash my face, Donna. I'll be right there. Well, see that you are. You'll go without your breakfast now. You come sit down, Hattie. No need of your stomach being empty. Just coffee will do for me. Seems like the older a boy gets, the harder it is to get him out of bed in the morning. What time did he get in last night? After 11. Him and Sadie Lewis went to the picture show. I told him I wanted him home at 10:00 nights. Oh, Jim, it was Saturday night. He goes to school all week. Well, school will soon be over. He'll be working with me in the store all summer. Maybe he won't feel much like staying out half the night when he's been on his feet all day. Look at the time. Robert. Come here. Pa. Here. Well, it's about time. Get your breakfast. But the eggs will be like rubber. I don't want anything to eat. I'm not hungry. Well, why didn't you say so before? Your ma wasted her time and the food. You gotta eat something. I'll have breakfast when we get back from church. Sure, that'll be fine. You can make more work for your ma that way. Gee, Pa, I just don't feel hungry now. Oh, leave him alone, Jim. I'll get him something later. I just put the dishes in to soak. You two want to get out of my way? Why don't you go next door and tell Mr. Driscoll we're about ready to leave. Is he riding with us again? Yes, he's riding with us again. So stop sulking about it. Come on. You ought to be glad to have your teacher for a neighbor. You wouldn't be at the head of your graduating class. If it weren't for his helping you. I see enough of him in school without seeing him Sunday too. Yeah, well, when you get away to college in the fall, you might be wishing you had somebody like him close by to give you a hand. Ring the bell. He don't answer. Maybe he went on. He told us. And I didn't hear his car. Come on. Maybe he's out in the back, Mr. Driscoll. That's funny. Run up the back steps and take a look in the kitchen window. Oh, why don't we just go without him? Will you do like I tell you? Okay. See anything? No. Ian. Pa. Pa. What is it, son? What's the matter? Look at him lying there on the floor. Oh, Pa, what is it? What happened to him? Come away, son. Don't look anymore. Come away. I gotta call the sheriff. It looks like he's been murdered. Sheriff Alvin Jeffers took one look at the scene of the crime and put in a call for the assistance of the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was assigned. Mighty bloody job, Jace. No weapon in sight? Nope. Judging by the marks, though, it was something with two edges, one blunt and one sharp. Probably a hatchet, Sheriff. Either that or two weapons. That's possible, but not likely. You say the JP's been here? Soon as we're finished, the body will be moved into the funeral home for autopsy. Established time of death. That'll help. Where'd your call come from? Neighbors next door. The Hallecks man. Wife and son, man and boy spotted Driscoll through the window when they come to get him for a lift to church. I'd like to talk to him. Sure. I told him to stick to home. We can go out back and hop the fence, avoid that crowd out front. Good. Front room. Looked like Driscoll went in big for books. Yeah, he was an English teacher at the high school. Alex boy. Robert was in one of his classes, I think. Driscoll live alone? Widower. Here, step on this box and hop the fence. You go ahead. I can get over without him. Okay. Well, Hal, saw's coming. There he is at the back door. Howdy, sir. Ranger, Come on in. Thanks. Ranger Pearson. Jim Hallett. Howdy. Howdy. Oh, my wife, Hattie and my boy, Robert. Howdy. Howdy, Ranger. You found Driscoll's body This morning. Me and Robert saw it through the window. What time? About quarter to nine. That's when we always leave for services. Jace. I ought to call my office, have the funeral home come for the body now. All right. Go ahead. Mind if I use your phone, Halleck? Help yourself. I'll show you where it is, Sheriff. Oh, you'd better stay, Robert. You and your dad found the body. Would you mind, Mrs. Halleck? Not all in here, Sheriff. Either of you see Driscoll yesterday or last night? We both saw him outside last night. A little after six. I was coming home from the store. I sell groceries. Robert was outside waiting for me so he could take the car. Big date, huh? Yeah. What was Driscoll doing? Digging a flower border on his lawn. You talked to him? Just called to him after Robert took the car and drove off. Asked if he planned on riding to church with us. No sense taking two cars when neighbors are going to the same place. I see. Is that all? That's all. You didn't hear anything during the evening or the night? Nope. Me and Hattie turned in a little after nine. How about you, Robert? What time did you get home? What time did you get home? You can tell him. I know you was late. Your mother heard you come in a little after 11. Where were you? To a picture show with Sadie Lewis. What did you see? I. I don't remember the name of it. Bing Crosby's in it. Jace, you gonna be much longer? Oh, no, Sheriff. Why? I spoke to my office. One of my deputies got a report. Rancher named Finney chased somebody off his place with a shotgun last night. Doorbell. Hattie. I'm going. Did the deputy think the report might have anything to do with the Driscoll's murder? Who knows? Fella Finney saw was doing something around a cattle tank, though. Good place to get rid of a weapon. Cattle tanks have been used by before. Maybe we ought to go out and take a look. Yeah. It's Gene to see you. Hi, Bob. Hi. Hi, Mr. Halleck. Sheriff. Hello, Gene. Yeah, I just drove in to see if Bob wanted to go out to the shack and camp. And I saw that crowd in front of next door. Somebody killed old man Driscoll, huh? Yeah. I can't go with you today. Well, yeah, guess not. Are you helping the sheriff, Ranger? We're helping each other. Well, boy, I sure hope you catch that guy. Ms. Driscoll was the best teacher we ever had. We'll try to square things for him, Gene. Come on. Jason. Yeah. Thanks for your help. We may want to talk to you again later. You're sure welcome, Ranger. Bye. Bye, ma'. Am, folks. Bye, Ranger. Who was that kid? The one who just came in. You mean Gene? No. Name's Gene McCready. Pamela Roberts. They Go to school together? Why? Just wondering. Robert Halleck ever give any of you any trouble around here? Yeah, we'll take my car. No, he's a good kid. Why? I just got a feeling he was covering up for something, that's all. Like what? If I knew that, I wouldn't be wondering about it. How far to Finney's place? Turn off to the right about six miles out. Just this side of the Lewis place. The Lewis place? Robert Halleck says that he was out at a movie last night. Night With a girl named Sadie Lewis. Yeah, she lives out there. Mike Lewis. Daughter. Only 15, but a big girl for her age. Lewis watches her like a hawk. I'd like to stop by the Lewis place and talk to that girl. Okay. We can go out there after we check at Finney's. Well, right here's about where he was when I spotted him. I called, but he started to run. I threw a load of buckshot after him. You didn't see who it was? No, I didn't. I was too far off. About 300ft back toward the house. What time was that Penny? Oh, just for 11 o' clock last night. Wasn't that kind of late for you to be out here? Well, I've been visiting. I was cutting across the ranch, walking home. From where? Mike Lewis's place. We get together Saturday nights. Play cards. Oh, no, no, not for money. Just passing time. You always carry a shotgun when you your passing time? Well, matter of fact I do. Bag of jackrabbit once in a while. Going? Coming between here and Mike's place. So I always throw the gun just in case. I see. I see better than you do, Jace. I've eaten out here. Mrs. Finney can do more things with a jackrabbit in a pot than most women can do with a chicken. Okay. I was just checking now about the fellow you saw. Oh, yeah? Yeah. Well, like I said, when he didn't answer my call, I fluffed him with a shot. I don't think I hit him though. A little too far. Barely saw him as it was. Which way did he take off? Well, that away highway's about a mile across country there. You chase him? Yep, sure did. But I reckon he was a lot younger than me. What makes you say that? Well, after two minutes of running, I was a puffin. Like an engine in a tunnel. He was pulling away with every jump. Is there anything around here he might have been trying to steal? No, not a thing. Unless he was trying to make off with a cow. And there'd be Nothing to try on foot. Well, Sheriff, guess we'd better chuck our boots and hop in there. My cattle tank. That's right, Finney. But what for? If we're lucky, the weapon that was used in the killing of the high school teacher, Driscoll. The cattle tank was big. The bottom was covered deep with a couple of inches of oozing mud and slime. He slithered around in a few. Almost half an hour. Pretty thick along the bottom, Jace. Yeah, it sure is. I was going to have it cleaned out next month. Looks like we're going to have to save you the trouble and the expense. We have to call a pumping crew, Sheriff. Yeah, it looks that way. Hey, give me a hand up, Penny. All right. Thanks. Wait over here, Jason. We'll boost you out. Okay, Sheriff, we're sure gonna feel silly if we have this pumped out and there's nothing here. We'll feel sillier if we don't have it done. And there is something here that turns up later. I think we oughta. What's the matter, Jase? I feel something here under my foot. Yeah, I felt it coming over this way, too. Some stones in the mud. No, this is metal. Wait, I'll get it. What is it, Jace? Look for yourself, Sheriff. Just about what we're looking for. A hatchet. You are listening to Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson. We continue now with tonight's case. The Hatchet. An authentic story from the files of the Texas Rangers. Was the murder weapon all right? The blood had been washed away from most of it, but there was skin tissue and hair that had stuck to the blunt end and. Well, I reckon that's it all right, Jace. But who threw it away on my place? And why? Killer wanted to get rid of it in a place he thought nobody'd be liable to find it. Must have thought of this spot last night. That means he knew the place. He wouldn't cross the range on foot unless he did. You say he ran off that way? That's right. Like Sheriff said, highway is about a mile. He could have left a car there he was getting back to. Or he might have cut off in another direction when you lost him. You have horses here, don't you, Finney? Why, sure, sure. But nothing like the one you're towing in that trailer behind your car. It's really a horse, Ranger. I think so, too. What I want is a mount for the sheriff here. Where do you figure on riding, Jase? Out on the range. See if we can pick up a trail. I'll unload Charcoal and start ahead. And you walk back to the ranch house and get one of Finney's horses and catch up to me. Chase. Hey, Chase. I'll wait for you, Chef. He's an easy boy. Mr. Jace. Find anything? Track's all right. Not too heavy on this ground, though. They're easy to lose. Yeah, but this is a straight shot from the ridge. Looks like he was sure going for the road all right. No doubt about it. If he left a car there, we might be able to find some tire marks where he parked. Afraid you're gonna be stymied there, Jase? Why? County just worked. The roads. Over shoulders are all fresh gravel. Oh. What's the shortest way to the Lewis ranch? Go back for the car or keep riding. We'd save a little time going back for the car. Not much. Well, Charcoal's full of run. Let's give him a chance for workout. Come on. The Lewis ranch was big and well kept. There was something dismal and brooding about it. When we got inside, I knew what it was. It was as though the place were reflecting the personality of the heavy browed man who owned it. So you want to see my daughter, huh? That's right. What about? Just want to ask her where she was last night. She was into the movie house with Robert Halleck. Yeah, we'd like a little more information than that. Mike, the ranger. I know everything my daughter does. I can tell you anything you want to know. That may be so, Mr. Lewis, but we still want to see her. That's an official request. I'll call her. Sadie. Come into the house. Into the parlor. I didn't know anybody was here. Sheriff and arranger want to talk to you. They don't think you and Robert was at the show last night. Nobody said that. You don't have to say it. Look, if you can't keep out of this, you can take your mind reading act into another room until we're finished. It'd be better if you didn't interfere, Mike. Go ahead, ask. Maybe I'll be interested in the answers too. Sadie, don't be nervous. Just tell the truth. Were you with Robert Halleck last night? Yes. Where'd you go? We went. Where did you go? To the movie. Remember the name of the picture? The new one with Bing Cross? You saw that with me a month ago when I took you to Sweetwater. I saw it again. There's no other show to see in town, is there? Robert brought you the ticket stubs, didn't he? Paul brought you the ticket. Stubbs that's right. Ranger brought me the Stubbs. When my daughter's supposed to be someplace, I want to make sure she's there. I'm not gambling on being fed any lies. No, I can see that you're not gambling that your girl might tell you the truth either, given the chance. Reckon the law's got nothing to say about that. I reckon not. Let me have that package, Sheriff. Yeah. Here. What's in it? Just something I want you to look at. Hatchet. Yeah. You ever see this before? No. How about you, Sadie? You ever see this before? No, sir, I never. Why are you asking us about it? Just routine. This is the weapon used to kill Driscoll, the high school teacher. All right, sheriff, wrap it up again. Let's go. Sorry to bother you, Mr. Lewis. Yeah. You ready, Sheriff? Yeah. Goodbye, Mike. Sadie. Sadie. You've been lying to me. Answer me. Looks like Sadie's in for a rough time, Jace. She wasn't telling the truth. He knows it. Her story ties in with Robert Halleck's, Jace. I know. Be dark by the time we get back to Finney's Place. Movie house open tonight? Sure. Why? I want to talk to the manager. The theater was a small town showplace. The manager couldn't remember seeing Robert Halleck and Sadie Lewis. He referred us to the ticket taker. Ticket taker? Turned out to be Robert Halleck's pal, Gene McCready. Come on, Gene, talk up. Was Robert here for the show last night or wasn't he? I don't know. He's your best friend. And you were on the door last night. If he came in, you saw him. Yeah, he was here. Did he stay for the whole show? No. No, he didn't stay for any of it. How do you know? Did you see him leave before it was over? He. He didn't even go in. He just stopped by to get a couple of ticket stubs from me. So that's it. Why didn't you tell us that right off? Because I. I promised Bob that if anybody asked, I'd say him and Sadie was here. Well, why would anybody ask? Bob thought Sadie's father might. He's asked me before when they were supposed to be here. Well, I guess that's what we wanted, Jason. It's part of it, not all of it. Gene, I want you to forget that I asked you anything. Understand? Yes, sir. Let's go, Sheriff. I guess we better pick up Robert Halleck and the Lewis girl, Jace. Not yet. All we know is they didn't see the show. That isn't enough. Don't see why not. This wasn't just a train. Driscoll didn't have no enemies. Unless it was one of his pupils. Hated him. We can narrow it down to one student though. Not until we've checked on all of them. I'm gonna sleep on this tonight. When school opens tomorrow, I'm going out there. Driscoll had been a popular teacher at Rock Point High. But he had an iron bound code of ethics where honesty was concerned. And that was the key I needed. I found the answer in a batch of test papers he'd been grading. I took the papers back to the sheriff's office. Morning, Jason. Morning. Find anything out? The school? Plenty. Look at these. What are they? English class test papers of Robert Halleck and Gene McCready. I see. Alex. Mark's pretty high. 94. Yeah. Hey. Only half the answers on McCready's paper have been checked. His isn't graded. Compare them and you'll see why. His answer to every single question is exactly the same as Halleck's all the way down the line. Driscoll must have noticed it while he was markin. You think McCready was cribbing his answers from Bob Halleck's paper? Halleck was at the head of the class. McCrady was just barely hanging on. Those papers were clipped together in the drawer of Driscoll's desk with this slip of paper. A few notes scribbled on it and Driscoll's handwriting. Here. Read what it says. An obvious case of cheating flunk McCready. If Halleck knew of this, advise principal, neither should be permitted to graduate. Well, test was on Friday. Driscoll must have been grading those papers. After school let out, Halleck came home. But Gene McCready was sitting out a punishment in another class for being late. That means Driscoll might have run into Gene Friday afternoon and asked him about it. That's what I figured. Of course, Gene could have told Bob later. Yeah, he could have. Robert Halleck's the boy all right. Jace. He lied about where he was Saturday night. And Gene was working at the theater. Maybe yes, maybe no. You get the autopsy report yet? Oh yeah, yeah. Came in this morning. What time did Driscoll die? Between 9:30 and 10:30 Saturday night. Then we can't eliminate Gene McCready. Why not? He starts taking theater tickets at 6:30, but the box office closes at 9 when the main feature goes on again. He's got nothing to do after that. His work's finished. Well, I didn't think of that. You better give me the hatchet, Sheriff. I'll need it. Sure. Got it locked in the drawer here. What's your plan? You go out to the school, get Bob Halleck and bring him to his father's store. I'll meet you there. Would you want Gene McCready, too? He's not in school. He's supposed to be home sick. We can pick him up later. I don't want him and Robert together. Ranger, you're crazy. Crazy, I tell you. Now, calm down, Mr. Halleck. You admit the hatchet comes from your place? No. A minute ago you said it did. Well, it disappeared months ago. It was lost. It got lost again in a cattle tank. Where's your car? Out back, through that door. All right, let's look it over. Your son was using this car Saturday night? Yes. Why? What are you looking for? Hatchet had to be carted away from Driscoll's. And there was blood on it. I'm looking for a stain. Well, you don't see any, do you? No. I see a spot on the front seat that's cleaner than the rest. You smell that? It's been rubbed with gasoline. Ranger, you're wrong. You gotta be wrong. My kid wouldn't do a thing like that out here. Robert. Here we are. Chase. Paul, what's the matter? Why did they take me out of school? Son. Son, whatever you done, me and your mom will stand by you. Now, tell them the truth. You were at the show Saturday. Tell him you were. How about it, Robert? Gene said you just dropped by to pick up ticket stubs. I. I wasn't at the show. Why didn't you tell me? Why? I couldn't. Because of Sadie's father. He'd kill her. You better tell us what happened, boy. Why? I picked up Sadie in the car at 6:30. We went into the movie house to leave the car with Gene and get the stubs. You left the car with Gene? Yes, so it'd be around the theater in case Sadie's PA came by. Well, then what happened? Then we arranged for Gene to meet us out at the crossroads between the Lewis place and Finney's at 11 o'. Clock. So I'd have the car take Sadie home. See? See, Ranger, he didn't have the car all the time. Go ahead, Robert. Where did you and Sadie go? We. We went for a ride with somebody who picked us up behind the theater. What do you mean by somebody? Who? Sadie's mother. What? Why Sadie? Lewis mother is dead. No, she isn't. That's what? Mr. Lewis tells everybody they were divorced before he moved here with Sadie. Could that be true, Sheriff? Well, jeez, I don't know. Mike Lewis always had his wife died. She. He just hated her, that's all. And, well, if he finds out Sadie's been seeing her, he'll beat her up. All right, Robert. I think you're telling the truth. There's something I want you to identify. This. Why, that's our old kindling hatchet. Where'd you see it last? Well, the shack. Me and Gene built a shack up in the woods last fall. We go camping up there. I built most of it. Cause Gene, he was working part time after school at Finney's ranch. That's right, Jase. Gene did work for Finney for a while. Come on, Sheriff. We'd better go pick him up. Gene McCready wasn't at his home and he wasn't sick. We got the location of the shack he built with Robert Halleck. Got horses and rode into the woods to look for him. There's the shack. Jeez. Just through that clump of trees. Yeah. Come on, Sharkey. Hey, the door's opening. It's Gene. Harry. Gene. What are you doing up here? Just come up to take you into town, Gene. Few things we want to ask you about. Like what? Like how you spent Saturday evening between the time you stopped taking tickets and the time you met Robert at the crossroad between the Lewis place and Finney's. Come on, Gene. I'll boost you up behind me. Well, can I. Can I get my jacket? It's inside. Go ahead. Hey. He don't look guilty, Jace. Not a bit rattled. I know we could be wrong, but you better give me your holster, Sheriff, if he's gonna ride behind you. Yeah, I guess you're. Look out, Jace. You hit, Sheriff? No, but I hit him. He had a rifle in there. Kept out shooting just as you leaned over. Oh, you hit me. Let's see. There's a flesh wound through the side. I didn't want to hurt him, but Mr. Driscoll wasn't gonna let me graduate the old fool. All right, shut up. Hold still till I fix this wound. Will he be all right, Jace? Yeah. I'm sorry I had to do that, shooting a kid. Yeah, but his being a kid doesn't make you bulletproof. And it didn't stop him from killing Driscoll. There. All right, Sheriff. Let's rig a litter and carry him in. Gene McCrady was just old enough to stand formal trial for the murder of his High school instructor. On September 20, 1941, he was taken to the state penitentiary at Huntsville to serve out a sentence of 25 years. And here again is the star of our show, Joel McCrae. There's a poem that was sent to me by Captain Mt Lone Wolf Gonzales, who is commander Company B of the Texas Rangers. It's not only amusing, but seems to reflect the thoughts of many a police officer. I hope you'll enjoy hearing it. It's called not guilty. I guess I've seen a thousand men go in this jail and out from tramps with month old whiskers to rich men with a gout not one of them was guilty of the crimes the law accused. Seems they were all just victims of some officer's abuse. From the time the keys are rattled till they're locked up in the cell Their voices though they differ From a whisper to a yell the song is always just the same that everyone will sing I don't see why they put me here I haven't done a thing Makes no difference what they've done or how mean the crime has been when they're locked behind those prison bars they're always free from sin Though the evidence be solid and their voice with guilt may ring they'll stand right up and tell you I haven't done a thing Good night, folks. See you again next week. Good night. Next week, Joel McRae in another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers. Joel McRae is currently seen starring in the Universal International Technica production Frenchie. Tonight's cast included Tony Barrett, Marley Bear, Mike Barrett, Sam Edwards, Joe Duvall, Tom Cook and Gerald Moore. This story was transcribed and adapted by Joel Murcott and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach. Hal Gibney speaking. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. There's music, fun and prizes Monday through Friday on NBC. To help your busy morning along, Tommy Bartlett brings you welcome travelers. Walter O', Keefe, MC's double or nothing. Clever quizmaster Bud Collier asked the questions on Break the Bank. Jack Birch presents Songs and stories and Dave Garraway with melody and humor. That's Monday through Friday on NBC. Now hear the $64 question. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Ladies and gentlemen, we take you now behind the scenes of a police headquarters in a great American city where under the cold, glaring lights will pass before us the innocent, the vagrant, the thief, the murderer. This is the lineup now, Mr. Borden. Who? Oh, well, hello, Mr. Guthrie. Oh, I mean, Lieutenant Guthrie. I'm sorry. It's okay. Don't apologize. Smoke? I get my pipe. Thanks. We think we might have the man you saw going into Mr. Frankly's house this afternoon. Well, see, that's quick work. You fellas really go after everything, don't you? We try to, yeah. I only saw him for a minute, but I think I can remember him by the pants and the jacket he was wearing. Well, I hope you can remember his face too. May I have your attention, please? You people out there on the other side of the wire in the audience room. May I have your attention, please? Thank you. My name is Greb. Sergeant Matt Grab. I'll explain the lineup to you. Each of the suspects you will see will be numbered. I'll call off a number, their name in charge at the end of each line. When I ask for questions or identifications, call out the number. If you're sure or not too sure of the suspect, have him held. The officers who took your name will assist you. They're seated among you. When the prisoners leave here, they are sent to the washroom and dressed back into their jail clothes. It makes it quite difficult to bring them back after they leave here. The questions I ask these suspects are merely to get a natural tone of voice. So do not pay too much attention to their answers, as they often lie. Bring on the life. All right, boys, move it right along, all the way over to the end of the street. Lieutenant, there's the man right up there. That tall fella? Well, let's wait till he's questioned you. Number 10, face the front. The front. All right, keep your eyes straight ahead. When I call your number, step out to the circle. Answer the question so the people out there can hear you. Okay. Number one. Jack Canley, burglary. Where do you live? Bayview, Oregon. Come on. You'll have to speak up, Jack. I live in Bayview, Oregon. Now, look, I've told you and every officer you've met around here has told you. When we ask you where you live, we want the address you slept at the night before you were arrested. Is that clear? The rest of you understand it, okay? Jack. I don't remember some flea bag on East Arapaho street who remembers that kind of an address? Were you alone when you were arrested? I was drinking beer with a friend. What was his name? His name's Lorraine. Price have a gun on you, Jack? When? When you were arrested? Oh, yeah. All right. What kind? A webley Fosbury, automatic V8. Shot? Yes. Right at 38. Hey, I'll be here A few days. Drop here, say hello. We can talk about guns. Thanks. I'll do that. Okay. Number two. Frederick Hammer, assault. Come on, come on, hustle it up. Frederick. Where do you live? 5162 South Central. Louder, so the people can hear you. Freddie ain't got nothing to say. Well, you had quite a bit to say at dinner time tonight. Every cook in the jail kitchen heard you. I don't like your job. You'll get used to it. The address again. 5162. Sell. Sancho. Stand up straight. Take your hands out of your pockets. He's looking for my lighter. It's in the property room. What do you do for a living? Truck driver. How much do you weigh? 218. Do you know a man named Frank Iachino? Yeah, I know him. Do you know how much Frank weighs? How much? 132. He may not weigh much, but he's got an awful big mouth on him, I'll tell you that. We heard all about it, Freddie. Can I help it if he falls down, cuts his lip? Concussion, concussion, percussion, who cares? Okay, step back. He ought to be here. Step back. That's enough. That's enough. Number three, Rex Gilman. Open charge. Where do you live, Rex? 3617 Plymouth Avenue. I take your time. Since 47. Watch your business. Mechanic. Own a car? I have a. That's him. You. Yes, I. I've been certain of it ever since he walked out on that staircase. Okay. Sergeant Graham. Yes, sir. Number three, hold for interrogation. Hi, Ben. Hi. How's Mr. Frankly? About the same. Knife wound's pretty bad. A lot of internal bleeding. Three transfusions so far. Any luck with Frankly's wife? Divorced in 1948 after 23 years of marriage. She's remarried, living in San Francisco now wired. Ed Carg is at the hospital sweating it out now. I relieve him at midnight. Nasher will follow up about 4. Frank Lee has anything to say, we'll get it down. Good. No prints on the kitchen knife. That make any sense? I'm still hoping on some. They picked up on a glass. What about Gilman? Borton identified him. Claude Abrams is in your office. He's Frankly's attorney. Advised frankly on how to handle the thing with Gilman. Met him at the hospital. Oh, Mr. Abrams, this is Lieutenant Guthrie. Glad to meet you, lieutenant. How do you do? Keep your seat, Mr. Abrams. I understand you advised Mr. Frankly about this matter with Gilman, Mr. Abrams. Yes. I explained that he could take it to court but I tried to talk him out of taking action because of the expense involved. However, he insisted. I even called on Gilman at his garage and explained what Mr. Frankly was going to do, hoping Gilman might rectify his mistake or refund the money. What was Gilman's attitude? Persecuted. Called Mr. Frankly several names. Mr. Frankly have plenty of money. Almost a quarter of a million dollars. Still got it all. Except what Lillian, his wife, took from him. Seems funny he'd create so much ruckus over a small matter like this with a garage man if he has all that money. Well, I won't keep you any longer, Mr. Abrams. Oh, Mr. Frankly ever mentioned someone named Faye? Not that I recall. We didn't mix socially. He mentioned the name several times in coma. A lieutenant. Do you think that garage man did this to Mr. Franklin? That's what we're trying to find out, Mr. Abrams. Rock. Skillmanal Town. Okay, just sit in that chair, Gilman. Okay. No, no, no, no. That one. Okay. My name's Ben Guthrie. You know Sergeant Greb. You know why you're here. Something about frankly, he's in pretty serious condition. Goman. He's beaten up and stabbed. We picked you up because we learned that you had words with frankly about some work you did for him. What about it? I did what he asked me to do. I put white sidewalls on his tires, and I told him I couldn't guarantee the job. When it didn't work out and they turned yellow, he got nasty about it. I told him to stay away from my garage. Did you threaten Mr. Franklin? No, I didn't threaten him. I just told him he better not try to take me to court over it, A little thing like that. What did you mean when you told him that? Well, I meant that he better not do it. That's all. Well, what I want to know is what alternative actions did you have in mind? None. I. I just didn't want him to do it. It's kind of hot in here. Can I. No. You were talking about the tire business. You must have had something in mind. I suppose I did. I don't know what. I don't know. What's the matter with your hand? I was reaching for the light switch in the dark, and the back of my hand touched the wall. It's rough plaster. Well, it seems to me you'd put the palm of your hand against the wall to feel for the switch. There's an extra wall by my switch. It's just a little office they built in when I leased the joint. You have to go in sort of like this, and that's the wall I brush with the back of your hand. Yeah. I don't quite get the picture there. What is it, a little partition or what? That comes out by the switch. It's just part of the wall in a little area. And you hit it with the back of your hand reaching for the light switch. Look, if you don't believe me, mister, go down and look for yourself. Or send one of your sergeants down there. Maybe one of them's got brains enough to figure out how it could happen. Maybe. You know, you guys make me sick with your questions. If the answer you get doesn't ring the bell, you're gonna be real tough about it. Real tough. Don't sit there. Sit here. Don't take off your coat. Don't raise the window. Don't smoke nuts. You guys make me sick, Sergeant and lieutenant, but I'll laugh. Just like those wonder boys I ran into in the army. They don't know how to do anything but keep their pants pressed and their shaving gear 2 inches from their toothbrushes and field inspection. I've seen enough of you cops today to last me all my life. You really make me sick. Anything else, Gilman? Yeah. When you're out pounding around waiting for that 30 years to end so you can get your rocking chair money, I'll be able to buy and sell both of you and all the rest of these guys around here. When Sergeant Asher and Sergeant Quine questioned you earlier, did they ask you if you had seen Mr. Frankly today? Yeah. What did you tell him? I told him no. Did they ask you if you had gone over to his house today? Sure. Well, I told him no. Doesn't quite check. Gilman, Mr. Borden lives right across the street from Mr. Frankly's house. He picked you out of the lineup tonight and identified you as the man who went up the walk to Mr. Frankly's house about 1:30 today. Okay, okay, I was there. Where? At Frank Lee's house at 1:30. Yeah, but he wasn't there. I didn't see him. I. Now, look, you guys. I went over here to see him about the attachment and the summons. He sued me for that lousy little bill. He wasn't home. I tied up my bank account this morning with some kind of a written I. Well, he wasn't there. Look, do you think I beat him up and stick a knife in him for that? When you went to his house, did you ring the bell? No. Did you not? No. Look, I was pretty hot about the attachment and the summons. When I got to the House. I thought maybe he'd see me coming up the walk from his window or something and wouldn't answer the door. So I just opened it and walked in. I wanted to see him. I could say things to him in his house that I couldn't say to him in a courtroom. Things about the white sidewalls? Yeah. What'd you see in his house? What'd I see? Nothing. He wasn't around. I yelled his name a couple of times and then left. Did you go through the house? No. Not even to the kitchen? No. After you left this house, where'd you go? Back to my garage. The boy at your garage told Sergeant Asher you didn't get back until after 3: o'. Clock. Well, I stopped and had lunch. I forgot. What'd you have for lunch? Well, I stopped at some beanery on Tremont Street. I found a parking place and then I had a sandwich and a couple of beers. We asked you earlier if you'd been to Frankly's house this afternoon. You said you hadn't. Why did you deny that you'd been there? What do you mean? Well, what are we supposed to think? Rex, we're trying to find out what happened to Mr. Frankly. You tried to hide that part of it from us. We'll have to hold. You check into your story more thoroughly. Well, how are you going to check what? I told you? I didn't have anyone around to prove he wasn't there in the house when I went in. Oh, you're wrong. There's one witness. Gilman. Who? Lawrence. Frankly, tomorrow night, most of these same stations bring you Earl Wrightson and Alfredo Antonini's orchestra with Jimmy Carroll and a fine singing cast in a musical salute to Rogers and Hart. Hear composer Richard Rogers himself and hear the wonderful show tunes Rogers and Hart penned for unforgettable Broadway productions. That's tomorrow night, part of your Friday night family music parade on CBS radio. Do they scrub these places with ether? I don't think they even use it anymore. Always smells the same. Yeah. Hi, Ben. Matt. Hi. Hi. Just in time. Down here. Think you'll make it? Well, keep trying. Don't take too long. He's awfully weak. I want to put him under sedative as soon as you're finished. Okay, Dan. Now look, when we get in the room, Gilman, and just keep your mouth shut. Do what you told better. Put your cigarette in there. Oh, okay. Now remember what I said. Yeah. I don't know. Yeah, Ash is in with him. Now, please state your full name up close to the bed. Gilmour. Fine. Lawrence J. Frankly, where do you live? 32. 32 Humboldt Street. How old are you, Mr. Franklin? I'm 53. I understand that you're seriously hurt. Is that true? Well, that's what the doctors tell me. Are you willing to make a true and full statement of how and in what manner you came to the injury from which you're suffering? Closer, Gilbert, closer. Right under the light. Can you hear me, Mr. Franklin? Yes. Who caused the injury from which you're suffering? Was it this man? Do you recognize him? Yes. Gilman. The man at the garage, did he cause you these injuries? I did. Shut up. Mr. Frankly, is Rex Gilman the man who beat you up and attacked you with a knife in your home today? Mr. Frankly, we have good reason to believe this man attacked you. Will you please tell us if he's the one, Mr. Franklin? No. Rex Gilman did not attack you. No. What did I tell you? I told you to shut up. Well, who did attack you, Mr. Frankly? Who did this to you? It was a woman. What Was her name, Mr. Frankly? Where can we find her? You've been repeating the name Faye in your delirium. Was it Faye? Say who? Go away. I. I don't want to have anything done about it. Mr. Frankly, I. Doc. That's all. Ben. You guys, I told you. Get him out of here. Matt, come on. You guys are gonna look pretty silly. Nurse, get the floor orderly and notify the morg. Want one? Oh, thanks. Thanks, Doc. You sure he knew what he was saying? You heard him answer everything else. Yeah, there's everything we could dig up then. Okay. Frankly, he's been having a time for himself ever since his divorce three years ago. Advertising the papers and joined a lonely hearts club. Met several women. A man like frankly using that means to meet a woman. Sound funny to you, Ben? Yeah. Well, maybe he had something definite in mind about the kind of woman he wanted to meet. Well, he saw three of them pretty regularly, all fairly young for him. Ellen Bennett, age 29, the city stenographer. Madge Givens, age 29, the city waitress. Laura Vickers, age 31, the city also waitress. No one named Faith. Second names. Helen, May, Madge, Diana, Laura, Christine. Well, we have enough suspects. Yeah, and more coming. He was having all sorts of fun. Carter and Murph are trying to locate the Givens woman, Laura Vickers, married eight months ago, lives out on the coast. Helen Bennett's in the interrogation room with Patterson Carter. She says frankly asked you to marry him last month. She turned him down. They're still talking to her. Hi. Hi. Billy and Grant came up with something. Oh? Been re questioning people in the neighborhood. Woman came to see, frankly, twice last week. Saw him often. Drove a new Cad convertible, blue. Well, that doesn't sound like a waitress or stenographer. Well, what about these? Nothing like them. This one's an early 40s, blonde, nice looking, well groomed. Three different people who remember seeing her said she was one of those kind. You could give 10 or 12 more years and still not tell the difference. Anything on the car? No license number. Man named Masterson was pretty sure he's noticed a Cherry Hills plate frame on it. No cab dealers in Cherry Hills? We're checking dealers all over town. I put some in on auto supply stores, too. If she bought the plate frames, one of them might have put them on for her. Better call Park Hill Division. That's nearest to Cherry Hills. Give them the stuff you have. Blue Cat convertibles aren't too plentiful even there. Okay. Oh, I talked to your witness Borden again. You remember her? Yeah. Said she always wore nice sport clothes when the weather was nicer. Saw her come by one day with some golf clubs stacked in the back of her car. Guthrie Carter just called in. Tracked down Franklin's landlady. Name's Face Selig. Good. What's the address? 2479 Vista, Cherry Hills. Right. Mrs. Ceiling? Yes. Lieutenant Guthrie. Police, miss. Sergeant Greb. May we come in, please? Yes. Now I have your coats. Well, that won't be necessary. Only going to stay a minute. We'd like to get a little information from you, if possible, about Lawrence Franklin. Oh, yes, we understand you were his landlady. I own the house on Humboldt Street. Larry rented it from me, but I dislike the title. Landlady. Oh, sorry. I suppose you read about his death in the papers. Yes, of course. I was very upset over it. I've known Larry for a long time. Well, maybe you can tell us something that'll give us a hint as to what actually happened at his home last Tuesday afternoon. Well, I'm sure I don't know. In his coma, Mr. Franklin mentioned the name Fay several times. That's your name, isn't it? Yes. Do you have any idea why he'd mention your name? No. No idea. Well, according to people our men have talked to in the neighborhood, you drop by to see Mr. Frankly, quite often. What people? Oh, just people in the neighborhood. Was he a good friend of yours? He was an old friend of Doug's, my late husband. Why would these people talk to you about me? Well, they didn't talk about you, Mrs. Seeley. They just remembered you and the car you drove and that you saw Mr. Franklin quite often. That's why you're here. That's right. When was the last time you visited Mr. Franklin? Last month, I think. Do you know Helen Bennett? Should I? Mr. Frankly was intending to marry her at one time. Not so long ago. Thought he might have mentioned it to you. No. Larry contemplating a second marriage? I'm surprised. Well, he was in good health, had money, no responsibilities. Seemed good marriage material. Oh, you misunderstand me. I've always thought of Larry as a wonderful catch. But he often mentioned to me that he'd never trust another woman and that he'd never marry again. When did he tell you that? Many times last year. Week, in fact. Well, a moment ago you said you hadn't seen him for over a month. Did you forget? Yes, I suppose I did. We had dinner together last week. Are you trying to confuse me? Now, this is a personal question, Mrs. Seeley, but we'd appreciate an honest answer to it. Did you ever think of marrying Mr. Frankly yourself? I suppose so. Ever talk about it? I suppose we did, yes. But I've explained how he felt, and I've been quite aware of his feelings for some time. What you say about Mr. Frankly's attitude toward women puzzles me, Mrs. Seeley. We've learned that he had correspondence with several. Saw two or three regularly besides the woman named Helen Bennett. You're talking about that silly lonely hearts thing, aren't you? Yes. Larry had an obtuse sense of humor, writing all those women and meeting them. Man with his education and social background and connections. Honestly, I know all about it. It's been going on ever since Lillian left him. Well, we'd like to hear what you have to say about it, if you don't mind. Mrs. Seeley, dear, I'm late now. I have an appointment for lunch downtown. Could you cancel? I certainly could not. Mrs. Seely, we're investigating a homicide. We've got to check into everything. You may be able to help us a great deal. Well, I'll. I'll try and telephone my friend. Excuse me, please. Certainly. No. What do you think, Ben? Nice woman. Very attractive. Yeah. Boy, look at this. I'll bet this living room set cost two grand if it cost a picture. And what was that? Well, it isn't a telephone. The bathroom. Yeah. It's locked. Okay. Matt. Yeah. Oh, she's taking something. Oh, no. What did you take? Mrs. Healing. I won't. Here it is, man. Oh, Lysol Kitchen. Must be in the back somewhere. Eggs or milk? You're doing all right, then. I want to die. Lie quiet, Mrs. Healing. Don't talk. Doing quiet now. Here, drink it. No. Drink it. Here. Here we are, Ben. I'll get her head. All right. Come on. Now try this. No, no, don't. Wait. Anything I can do? Just a minute. Oh, no. Oh, no. Well, it got down. I never became angry like that before in my life. I hit him with my handbag. It started his ear to bleeding. When I hit him again, he stumbled and started toward me. I became very frightened. This all happened in the kitchen? Yes. All right. Go on. He didn't try to hit me back, but he did try to hold my arms. I saw the knife laying there on the board and I used it. I thought he was dead when I left. You have no idea what it's like knowing he was with her. Are you talking about Helen Bennett? No. The others too. I would have made Larry a good wife. We were perfectly matched. I told him I'd have been a wife he could take to his club and introduce to people. One he'd have been proud to do things with. Travel and things. Yes, we'd have made a nice couple. But Mr. Frankly didn't want it that way. Is that it? He wanted something else. Them waitresses. Stenographers. Do I look 46 years old, Lieutenant? No, I wouldn't say so. My friends tell me I could pass for 35. Larry was nearly 50. Maybe past it. I could have made him happy, certainly. Giving him more than Lillian ever gave him. She let herself put on weight, didn't watch her clothes. A woman should keep herself up, don't you think? Yes. Yes, we'd have made a nice couple. We could have had a wonderful life together. The lineup, where before you pass the innocent, the vagrant, the thief, the murderer. Listen again next week when we again bring you the lineup. May I have your attention, please? You people out there on the other side of the wire in the audience rooms. May I have you your attention, please? Thank you. My name is Grab. Sergeant Matt Grab. I'll explain the lineup to you. Each of the suspects you will see will be numbered. I'll call off and number their name in charge. If you have any questions or identifications, please remember the number assigned to the prisoner as I call his name at the end of each line when I ask you a question. The lineup, starring Bill Johnstone as Lieutenant Ben Guthrie and Wally Mayer as Sergeant Matt Grab was written by E. Jack Newman with music composed and conducted by Eddie Dunsteadter. Featured in tonight's cast were high averback, Howard McNear, Lou Krugman, Dave Young, Bob Sweeney, Sidney Miller and Virginia Gregg. The lineup is produced and directed by Jaime Del Valle, Bon Monroe and his music making company. Hope you'll all be on hand to join them this Saturday evening when songbird Betty Cox drops in to sing. They'll all be heard on CBS Radio as usual and you're invited to help yourself to the Monroe style rhythm this Saturday evening on most of these same stations. Dan Coverley speaking. And remember, you'll enjoy Theater of Today every Saturday in the daytime hours on the CBS Radio Network. Foreign.
- [128:19]
Podcast Host
We just heard Dragnet Broadway Is My Beat, Tales of the Texas Rangers and the lineup 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 Fighters. In the meantime, you can check out Stars on Suspense, my other Old Time Radio podcast. New episodes of that show will be back this Thursday. 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 until then, good night and happy listening.
- [129:39]
Vincent Price
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.