Episode 666 - All the Write Moves: Raymond Chandler (Suspense, Mollé Mystery Theatre, & Philip Marlowe)

Summary

---

Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Episode 666 – All the Write Moves: Raymond Chandler

Date: May 3, 2026
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts
Theme: A tribute to Raymond Chandler — his life, legacy, and four classic radio adaptations, featuring Phillip Marlowe, anthology tales, and Chandler's indelible mark on mystery fiction.

---

Overview

This episode launches a month-long series highlighting great mystery writers of the Golden Age of Radio, beginning with Raymond Chandler. The host provides context on Chandler's influence as a founding voice of the hardboiled detective genre, creator of Philip Marlowe, and explores how his work was adapted across several radio anthology programs. Four radio episodes are shared:

• "Pearls Are a Nuisance" (Suspense)
• "Murder in the City Hall" (from "Spanish Blood" on Mollé Mystery Theatre)
• "Trouble Is My Business" (The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, Van Heflin)
• "Red Wind" (The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, Gerald Mohr)

---

Key Discussion Points and Episode Structure

1. Raymond Chandler’s Legacy ([00:56])

• Introduction to Chandler:
  The host contextualizes Chandler as a giant in American crime fiction, founder of the hard-boiled school, and the inventor of Philip Marlowe.
  “We’re starting this series with one of the best, Raymond Chandler, a founder of the hard-boiled mystery genre and the creator of Philip Marlowe...” ([00:56])
• Chandler on Radio:
  • Marlowe featured in two radio series:
    • Van Heflin starred in 1947
    • Gerald Mohr (1948–1951)
  • Chandler’s stories also adapted for anthologies like Suspense and Mollé Mystery Theatre.
  • This episode offers a sampling: comedic, political, and classic noir stories.

2. "Murder in the City Hall" (Mollé Mystery Theatre, adapted from "Spanish Blood") ([07:25])

Plot Highlights:

• Lt. Sam Delagara investigates the murder of political candidate Donegan Mar amidst city hall intrigue.
• Themes: Corruption, loyalty, and political manipulation.
• The story unfolds with shifting suspicions, planted evidence, cover-ups, and personal connection — Delagara’s old friend is the victim.
• Political bosses, blackmail photos, and twists: the supposed suspect (Imlay) is discovered to have also been murdered before the crime pinned on him.

Key Moments & Quotes:

• “Something happened to his marriage too. What kind of sour? Feel sorry for his wife, Belle.” ([08:54])
• “Do you want me to do anything about this?”
  “Donnie's eyes stare at me from the walls, wherever I look.” ([14:40])
• Identifying the real killer:
  “Only I’m pretty sure now a woman really killed Downie.” ([31:48])
  “You’re going to suffer, Belle...by living with the memory of how you killed him.” ([33:39])

Timestamps of Key Segments:

• Introduction: [07:25]
• Crime scene setup: [08:22]
• Suspicion shifts: [10:05]
• Plot twist (Imlay’s death): [17:22]
• Confrontation and reveal: [31:04–34:00]

3. "Pearls Are a Nuisance" (Suspense) ([36:21])

Genre: Satirical, comedic take on the detective genre. Story:

• Walter Gage, an unambitious “detective,” must recover a string of pearls—actually fakes—stolen from a high-society woman.
• Partners with Henry Eichelberger, a tough but kind-hearted suspect.
• Farcical detective tropes: misidentifications, bar fights, underworld contacts, and double-crosses.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• Walter’s laid-back attitude:
  “I wasn't doing anything that morning except looking at a blank sheet of paper in my typewriter and thinking about writing a letter.” ([36:21])
• Gage’s reluctant heroism:
  “I'm powered to recover Mrs. Penroddock's pearl. $50 reward and no embarrassing questions.”
  “You think I'd bother myself to hook some phonies?” ([46:24])
• The solution involves swapped phone numbers and a comic showdown, ending with the pearls returned (and Henry sailing for a new life).
• “You could have taken the money a dozen times...but even that repelled you...” ([59:02])
• Henry’s farewell letter: “The ease with which you talked Mr. Gallimore out of $5,000 has changed my life. I have been taking English lessons myself and I'm now practicing on a wealthy widow woman. Not without financial success…” ([61:56])

Timestamps of Key Segments:

• Setup: [36:21]
• First meeting with Eichelberger: [40:56]
• Plot thickens, false pearls revealed: [46:12]
• The denouement: [58:22]
• Henry’s final letter: [61:56]

4. "Trouble Is My Business" (The Adventures of Philip Marlowe with Van Heflin) ([66:55])

Genre: Classic Chandler private eye—cynical, poetic, deeply complicated. Plot:

• Marlowe is hired by Wadsworth Jeter to dissuade a “gold-digging” woman (Harriet Huntress) from marrying his adopted stepson, Grover—who is involved with debts owed to gambler Marty Estelle and possible forgery.
• Chain of deaths: Arbogast (handwriting expert), Grover, and hired guns.
• Marlowe investigates, untangles a web of lies, and ultimately exposes Jeter and his chauffeur as the murderers—motive: inheritance.

Key Quotes & Moments:

• Chandler’s signature opening:
  “The moment old man Jeter came into my office, I made up my mind not to vote for him if he ever ran for president.” ([66:55])
• The dry wit:
  “My rate is 25 bucks a day, plus expenses.”
  “Money is no object.”
  “Except when you don’t have much of it.” ([67:57])
• Climax: Grover’s death, Marlowe’s deduction about the inheritance motive, and Harriet’s unlikely role as an avenger.
  “You killed John Arbogast to throw suspicion on Marty Estelle...” ([89:05]) “If Jeter dies, he doesn't have to pay me my fee. We're even.” ([90:25])

Timestamps of Key Segments:

• Case assignment: [67:29]
• Marlowe’s investigation: [69:08–71:55]
• Plot twist and climax: [86:24–90:25]

5. "Red Wind" (The Adventures of Philip Marlowe with Gerald Mohr) ([94:19])

Genre: Atmospheric, noir masterclass. Plot:

• The hot Santa Ana winds set the stage for violence—a murder in a bar, a mysterious woman with missing pearls, and a labyrinth of betrayals.
• Marlowe entangles with Lola Barsley, stolen pearls with sentimental value, and multiple dead men (including a Mexican intermediary).
• Marlowe pieces together who killed whom, confronts the sadness behind Lola’s loss, and ultimately finds and discards the phony pearls for good.

Quotes & Moments:

• The classic Chandler opening lines:
  “There was a rough desert wind blowing into Los Angeles that evening... On nights like that, every booze party ends in a fight…” ([95:06])
• Dialogue:
  “I’m a great admirer of bolero jackets.” ([97:57])
  “Wouldn't you like to know that I'm a private detective?” ([99:13])
  “I listened awhile to the wheeling seagulls. All at once I realized that the wind had died. The Santa Anna had blown itself out. The Red Wind was done. It was over. It was cool again.” ([118:54])
• The emotional resonance:
  “You’ll never get over Johnny Dalmas. Goodbye, Lola. If anybody ever bothers you again, let me know. Name’s Marlowe. Philip Marlowe.” ([118:36])

Timestamps of Key Segments:

• Atmospheric introduction: [94:19]
• Marlowe meets Lola: [97:57]
• The chase for pearls, multiple murders: [100:14–114:19]
• Emotional coda: [117:50–118:54]

---

Memorable Quotes

• Raymond Chandler’s Opening Ruggedness:
  “Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gutter, the prison, or the grave.” ([00:00])
• On Detective Life:
  “I like not doing anything. It gives me something to do.” – Walter Gage, “Pearls Are a Nuisance” ([36:21])
• On Corruption:
  “[Mar was] a great guy, till he got into politics. Then he changed, got mixed up with the mud.” – Lt. Sam Delagara ([08:45])
• Hardboiled Poetry:
  “There was a rough desert wind blowing into Los Angeles that evening. It was one of those hot, dry Santa Ana’s...” – “Red Wind” ([95:06])
• On Suffering and Justice:
  “You’re going to suffer the way Donnie wanted you to suffer. You're going right on living with the memory of how you killed him until you've really paid. The hard way.” – Lt. Sam Delagara ([33:39])
• Closing Reflection:
  “I listened a while to the wheeling seagulls. All at once I realized that the wind had died. The Red Wind was done. It was over. It was cool again.” ([118:54])

---

Chandler’s Style and Themes Explored

• Sharp Dialogue & Humor: Net drawn between suspense and irony, from Gage’s comic misadventures to Marlowe’s sardonic quips.
• Bleak Justice: Crimes often solved, but with compromised victories—truths hidden, wounds lingering, the innocent changed forever.
• Atmospheric L.A.: Chandler’s Los Angeles, a city of sunshine and shadows, corruption and honest men pushed to extremes.
• Complex Women & Motivation: Women as both victims and avengers; the price of desperation, loss, and love.

---

Timestamps—Episode Structure Overview

• Host Introduction & Chandler Context: [00:56–03:19]
• "Murder in the City Hall" (Spanish Blood): [07:25–34:00]
• "Pearls Are a Nuisance": [36:21–62:24]
• "Trouble Is My Business": [66:55–91:30]
• "Red Wind": [94:19–118:54]
• Host Outro and Reflections: [123:48–125:05]

---

Closing Thoughts & Recommendations

This episode masterfully celebrates how Chandler’s writing defined the soul of the American detective and reshaped radio storytelling. The selected adaptations show the breadth of Chandler’s material: from noir tragedy to biting farce, from city hall graft to doomed romance.

A must for fans of classic radio, noir, and sharp, tragic wit.
If you're new to Chandler or vintage detective radio, this is an ideal gateway into both.

---

Next Episode Preview:
The host promises to return next week with another legendary crime author and more classic audio mysteries.

---

Support & Engagement:

• Rate and review the podcast on your platform of choice.
• For donations: buymeacoffee.com/meanstsot

---

End of Summary

Transcript

[Narrator/Detective]

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.

[Announcer/Host]

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.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Podcast Host]

Hello and welcome to down these Mean Streets and more old time radio detectives and crime solvers. Today we kick off a new month and a new series, with each Sunday in May focusing on a different mystery writer whose works were adapted for radio. And we're starting this series with one of the best Raymond Chandler, A founder of the hard boiled mystery genre and and the creator of Philip Marlowe, one of the most famous fictional sleuths of all time. Chandler is best known for his novels and short stories starring Marlowe and the detective had a pair of radio shows devoted to his adventures. The first starred Van Heflin and aired in the summer of 1947. The second, which was also one of the best radio detective dramas period, starred Gerald Moore and aired from 1948 until 1951. But other Chandler stories were adapted for anthology shows, including Suspense and the Mole Mystery Theater, and we'll hear two of those tales today. First up is Pearls are a Nuisance, a comedic mystery presented on suspense on April 19, 1945. It stars Alan Joselyn and William Bendix, who's best known to radio fans for starring in the Life of Riley. We'll also hear Murder in the City hall, an adaptation of Chandler's story Spanish Blood that aired on the Mole mystery theater on April 5, 1946. Then it's Mr. Marlowe with adaptations of two of Chandler's short stories. Most of the radio adventures of Philip Marlowe were original mysteries, but some Chandler works were directly adapted for the air, particularly in the Van Heflen 1947 series. Well, here Trouble Is My Business from August 5, 1947, and Red Wind, starring Gerald Moore from September 26, 1948. Our anthology of Raymond Chandler mystery stories begins right after these messages.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Miracle Whip has a flavor so pleasing. Miracle Whip tastes so lively, so teasing. Miracle Whip Only one of its kind Miracle Whip Best salad dressing you'll find

[Announcer/Host]

Miracle Whip is the only one of its kind because it's a different type

[Narrator/Detective]

of salad dressing made from a secret craft recipe.

[Announcer/Host]

Miracle Whip combines the best qualities of old fashioned boiled dressing and fine mayonnaise, so it's truly distinctive and, and delicious with a flavor millions of folks call just exactly right. Try it, won't you? One taste will tell you why. It's America's favorite salad dressing, the one and only Miracle Whip.

[Philip Marlowe]

And if you don't mind, I'd like to suggest something that you might share with your friends.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

And that something is a glass of sherry before dinner, naturally, a glass of Petri California Sherry. I say Petri Sherry because it's the

[Philip Marlowe]

perfect before dinner wine.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You couldn't think of a better way

[Philip Marlowe]

to begin a meal.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That Petri Sherry has a beautiful inviting color like, like dark amber. And for flavor, well, you've heard sherry described many times as having a rich nut like flavor. But if you want to learn for the first time what those words rich and nut like really mean, you just taste Petri Sherry. It's wonderful. Serve Petri Sherry by itself or serve it with hors d' oeuvres or, or

[Philip Marlowe]

those little cocktail sandwiches.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

And incidentally, if you prefer the sherry dry, you know, not sweet, just ask your wine merchant for Petri pale dry sherry. Well, the important thing to remember is if you want sherry, you want Petri Sherry because that means good sherry.

[Announcer/Host]

Life is swell when you keep well. That's why post 40% Bran Flakes have become America's largest selling bran flakes. Every 1 ounce serving of post 40% bran flakes provides bran to help prevent irregularity due to lack of bulk in the diet. They're so delicious tasting and so good for you too. Tomorrow, serve America's favorite Bran Flakes. Post 40% Bran Flakes. I dedicate this program to the fight against crime. Not merely crimes of violence and crimes

[Walter Gage]

of dishonesty, but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship. Crimes against America.

[Announcer/Host]

And now, the Mole Mystery Theater presented by M O L L E Mole the Heavier Brushless shaving cream for tender SK. Good evening, this is Jeffrey Barnes welcoming you to the program that presents the best in mystery and detective fiction. More than a year ago we presented on this program a hard hitting detective story entitled Murder in the City Hall. I received many letters from you fans telling me how pleased you are with that story. And I wasn't surprised. For that story was based on a novelette entitled Spanish Blood written by one of the greatest of the modern mystery writers, Raymond Chandler, author of the Big Sleep and of the recent hit motion picture Murder My Sweet. Well, tonight we're going to repeat that fine story. So here it is, Raymond Chandler's Murder in the City hall. Oh say Mr. Barnes, before we get started, started, let's turn the clock back to hate o' clock this morning. You know hate o'. Clock, the time of morning that lots of men hate because they have to shave. That is, except the man who shaved with Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream. Yes, sir. With Mole. It's smooth. So smooth, it's slick. So slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M, O L L E. Mole, the heavier brushless cream for tender skins.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That's right.

[Announcer/Host]

Mole is the shaving cream that's heavier. The cream that's made for a wiry, hard to cut beard or tender skin. Because mole is heavier, it not only softens your whiskers, it stands them up straighter and lets your razor clip them off. Close and clean. So you shave faster, closer, easier. And you shave painlessly with Mole, the heavier brushless cream for tender skins. Mole. Now for tonight's Mole mystery. Murder in the City Hall. Down this corridor, Sam. It's the end office.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh, can you beat it, Sam? Bumping off Donegan.

[Announcer/Host]

Mar boy. Will this make trouble down at City Hall?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Right, Pete.

[Announcer/Host]

Two months till election and one of the candidates for judge is dead as a doornail.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

We went to school together, Donnie and me. Carried the torch for the same girl. He won. He always did. He's a great guy.

[Announcer/Host]

Here, Sam. We turn down this way.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Donny Moore was a great guy till he got into politics. Then he changes, got mixed up with the mud.

[Announcer/Host]

Keep out of politics. That's my motto.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Something happened to his marriage too. What kind of sour? Feel sorry for his wife, Belle.

[Announcer/Host]

Still carrying the torch for her, Sam?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah, maybe.

[Announcer/Host]

Here we are.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

All right, officer. Lieutenant Sam Delagara and Pete Marcus of Homicide taking over.

[Announcer/Host]

Yes, sir.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Here's a body

[Announcer/Host]

slumped over in his chair with two bullet holes in his chest.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Anybody hear the shot, Pete?

[Announcer/Host]

No. The office is probably soundproof.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Who reported the killing?

[Announcer/Host]

His secretary. She went to lunch an hour early today. And when she came back, she found this and phoned the police. And Mars wife.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Where's she now?

[Announcer/Host]

The secretary? They sent her home.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

She was getting hysterical. Look, Pete. Here's a gun in his hand. Only that hasn't been used. Probably his own.

[Announcer/Host]

Don't see any empty shells any place, Sam. Whoever did it must have been smart enough to pick up the shells. Here's his appointment pan.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Somebody named Imlay was due here at 12:15. It's 1:30 now.

[Announcer/Host]

Who's Imlay?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Wait a minute. Sure. There's an assistant DA named Imlay on Big Boss Master's ticket. Running for judge against Mar. Sam, you don't think. I don't know what to think yet. Hey, take a look at this writing on the pad. Hmm. Pretty shaky, isn't it? Very shaky. Just as.

[Announcer/Host]

Hello, boys. Afternoon, Mr. Coroner.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

How are you, dad?

[Announcer/Host]

Well, well. An important stiff this time. Yes. Let's see what we can make of it. Two slugs, eh?

[Philip Marlowe]

Small ones.

[Announcer/Host]

Look like about.25 caliber. A lady's gun. Close to the heart, but not touching. Must have died about an hour ago. About 12:30.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Maybe a minute or two after he was shot.

[Announcer/Host]

You don't have to be so cheerful about it, Pete.

[Walter Gage]

Here they are.

[Announcer/Host]

What, Sam?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

The missing shelves. The murderer hid them in the humidor there under some cigar butts.

[Announcer/Host]

Let's see him.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yep.

[Announcer/Host]

Just as I thought.25 caliber shells from a small gun.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Like maybe a woman would use.

[Announcer/Host]

I got it. Hello?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh.

[Announcer/Host]

Oh, yes, Commissioner, this is Lieutenant Pete Marcus.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah.

[Announcer/Host]

Uh, no, nobody's been here but the coroner. Hold everything till you get her.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Sure thing.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

No, no.

[Announcer/Host]

Printer, cameraman yet. Only me and Sam Delagara.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah.

[Announcer/Host]

Yes, sir. Here's Sam. The commissioner wants to talk to you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Hello, Commissioner.

[Walter Gage]

Sure.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What are you doing on the case?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

What am I doing on the case? Well, I was just standing around. They sent me over.

[Announcer/Host]

Your pals were Donny Moore, weren't you? Sure.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I knew Donny Mar. But I didn't room with him. Okay, Commissioner, you're the boss. Right away. Pete, you've got to take care of things till the commissioner gets here. Me?

[Announcer/Host]

What about you?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

He's ordered me to take a run up to Mars Cabin at Puma Lake. Don't tell anybody. Only I'm calling on Donnie's wife first.

[Announcer/Host]

What's the idea of sending you off like this?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

My guess is that he doesn't want me working on this case. Oh, hello, Mr. Sam.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

My, it sure is good you came.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Minnie, I'm sorry about what's happened, but I've got to see Mrs. Marr right away.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, sure. Come on in, sir.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

No reporters yet?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, no, sir.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Nobody ain't been here yet. Only the commissioner. He just phoned about five minutes ago.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

The commissioner phoned here? Why, yes, Mr. Sam. What'd he say?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Well, I don't rightly know, Mr. Sam. He talked to Mrs. Ma. And she ain't said a word, even to me, ever since she heard the awful news. She just stands around like she's dazed.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Well, I'll go on into her. And don't talk to anybody, Minnie. Don't say anything. Hello, Belle.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, I Don't know what to say. It's all so terrible.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I know, I know. Donnie was in a tough racket, Belle. And when you play with fire.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

You killed him, Sam. That's the important thing. Have you any idea what?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

There might be one suspect.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

A man or woman?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

A man. Somebody connected with the Masters gang Donnie was running against.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

What's this rotten city government coming to, Belle?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Are you really sorry, Donny Skills?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Why do you ask that?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I want to know. Yes.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Yes, I am sorry, Sam. I really am. I didn't think I could be. But now that he's dead, I knew

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

something went wrong between you two. Donnie had been running around with a fast crowd. Other women.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, please. I'd rather not talk about it.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Just as you say. What did the commissioner just say to you on the phone?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, how do you know he called?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Well, let's not go into that, Belle. What did he say?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Well, it seems that a man named Emily, one of Donnie's opponents in the election, had been mixed up with a nightclub singer called Stella Lamott. The commissioner found some rather sensational pictures of Emily and Stella in Donny's desk.

[Walter Gage]

What?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Why? He's crazy. Pete and I looked. We never saw any pictures.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

The commissioner thinks Donnie was trying to blackmail Emily into withdrawing from the race. Evidently, he and Donnie had quite a row, and Emily beat him to the draw.

[Walter Gage]

Do.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Do you believe that, Belle?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I. I don't know what to believe.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Do you want me to do anything about this?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, I do, Sam. I do. Donnie's eyes stare at me from the walls, wherever I look.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

How about giving me the keys to his cabin up at Puma Lake?

[Announcer/Host]

Why?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I've been ordered to go up there and look around.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Certainly, Sam. You can have the keys. But wait just a moment. I'm going with you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You know what I think, Belle? They're sending me up to Puma Lake to get me out of the way down there.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Who's they?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh, the commissioner. And behind him, Boss Masters.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Sam, do you think Big Boss Masters might have had Donnie killed?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh, no, Bill. That doesn't add up.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Why not?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Because Masters would never have allowed Imlay to become involved in such a thing. Imlay was running on Master's ticket.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Well, then you don't think Imlay is the murderer?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I don't know. Oh, it might be just what the commissioner says it is. A quarrel over those pictures of imlay and Stella LaMotte. After all, Donnie might have threatened to blackmail him.

[Announcer/Host]

Laying.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Donnie's done a lot of things lately I haven't been proud of.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Well, here we are at the cabin, see? A lonely little place. When was Donnie up here last?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, I don't know. He was always coming up here for conferences. At least he said he was coming here.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Well, I'll nose around a bit, see what I can find.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I'll come along with you, Sam.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

No, Bill. No, no. You wait here in the car. You can turn on the radio if you like. I'll be right back. Take it easy, Kim. Calm down.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I'll be all right.

[Philip Marlowe]

We interrupt this program to bring you

[Announcer/Host]

the latest bulletin on the City hall

[Philip Marlowe]

murder of Donagan Mar.

[Announcer/Host]

The police are now working on the theory that Ma was killed in a quarrel resulting from pressure which he was putting on his rival, Assistant District Attorney Imlay, in order to force his withdrawal from the coming municipal election. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Imlay, but at present, Imlay's whereabouts are unknown. Keep tuned to this station for further bullet.

[Narrator/Detective]

Come on, Belle.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

We're getting back to town.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Did you find anything?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Sam, let's get going and I'll tell you on the way.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

You did find something. You can tell by the expression on your face.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yes, Val. Something I wasn't supposed to find.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

What?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

A dead man. A bullet through his temple.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Sam, who is it?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Imlay.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Imlay?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

And he's been dead for hours. At least since last night.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

But.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

But Donnie was killed this morning.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That means Imlay couldn't have killed Donnie.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Exactly.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Then who did?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That's what I'm gonna find out.

[Announcer/Host]

As the curtain falls on Act 1 of tonight's Mole mystery. It looks as though Mar and Imlay don't stand much chance of being elected.

[Narrator/Detective]

No.

[Announcer/Host]

What think you, Mr. Seymour? Well, Mr. Barnes, would you believe it if I told you that there are plenty of men who'd be willing to change places with either of them damn well, almost, anyway. For instance, there's the fellow who'd sooner be shot at than shave. And say, man, if that's how you feel about shaving, chances are you have wiry whiskers or a tender skin. So try Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skins. Mole gives you a shave as smooth as sailing, as slick as a whistle. Yes, Mole is a heavier cream. The cream that not only softens your whiskers but holds them up straight as cornstalks while your razor cuts them down quickly, easily. With Mole, you shave faster, closer, easier. And you shave painlessly.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Try it.

[Announcer/Host]

See if you don't say it's smooth. So smooth it's slick. So slick it's A smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M O L L E. Mole. The heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skins. Mole. Now here is Jeffrey Barnes and Act 2 of Murder in the City Hall. Young Police Lt. Sam Delagara suspects that the city's political machine is behind the murder of his old friend, Donegan Mar. The police believe that the machine candidate for the judgeship, a man named Imlay, committed the killing in self defense. But Delagara knows Imlay could not possibly have chosen killed Donegan Mar. Now he returns to police headquarters. Hi, Sam. Good thing you're back already. The Commissioner wants to see you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah, and I want to see him too. Listen, Pete, were you in Mars office when those Stella the Mark photographs were found?

[Announcer/Host]

Yeah, but I didn't find them.

[Philip Marlowe]

The Commissioner did.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Did you see him find them?

[Announcer/Host]

No, but I don't think he planted

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

them, if that's what you mean. That's exactly what I meant. Now look, Mar is murdered. So the voters are gonna think Big John Masters had him killed because he was giving the political machine a run for the money. You don't think that, do you, Sam?

[Philip Marlowe]

No, I don't.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

But even if the killing had no political meaning, Masters and his machine would have to clean this killing up fast or else. And if they can pin the killing on Imlay, the case is a cinch. Then Masters gets all the votes. How do you figure that? Well, Masters and the Commissioner pin the killing on Emily, you get it? But they do it so it looks like Mar was blackmailing him. So Mar is a villain and Imlay's practically a hero because he shot in self defense.

[Announcer/Host]

Good Lord, Sam, you don't.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That's the way they've doped it. Commissioner.

[Announcer/Host]

Ah, there you are, Delagara.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Evening, Commissioner.

[Announcer/Host]

Go out of my office here. I want to talk to you. Find anything of a Puma Lake?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I wasn't supposed to, was I?

[Announcer/Host]

This is no time to be making cracks. You're on the carpet.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

What's up?

[Announcer/Host]

You didn't do a very good job of it. Mar's office this morning. You said you went over it. And yet you failed to find the photographs Marr had in his desk.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

So you walk in and find them immediately.

[Announcer/Host]

That'll be enough, Delegara. And when I order you up to Puma Lake, you stop by and pick up Mar's widow and take her along with you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh, word certainly gets around fast, doesn't it? What's wrong with my taking Mrs. Mar up there?

[Announcer/Host]

Never mind. Trouble with you, Delagara, is that you're always too quick on the trigger, too fast on the pickup. For your own good. Now, that doesn't fit in with what the department expects of you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I suppose you're trying to say that you want my badge.

[Announcer/Host]

That's right.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Okay, here it is.

[Announcer/Host]

You're being suspended for a hearing, Delegara.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

And to lay off the MAR case. That's it, isn't it?

[Announcer/Host]

There isn't any MAR case. Imlay's admitted the shooting through his attorney claim self defense. You'll surrender in the morning.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh, Imlay admits the murder, huh?

[Announcer/Host]

Yes. My advice to you is to relax a bit. Stop trying to blame everything on the political machine in the city. Pay a little more attention to being a good cop.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That's a trouble, Commissioner. As a good cop, I can add up a few things I know about this case and they don't make sense. But I can promise you one thing. The killer of Donegan Moore isn't going to get off unpunished.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Yeah, who's there?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

It's me, Sam Delagara. Hello, Joey. Okay, copper. Come in. What do you want? I got $100 for you. This ain't Christmas. Why? You know a girl named Stella Lamont? I don't know. I might. Well, you ought to. Stella Lamont's only her stage name. Her real name. Stella. Chill. She's your sister.

[Henry Eichelberger]

So what?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

What about her and assistant D.A. named inlay?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Nothing.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You better talk fast, Joy. You're gonna be sorry. Stella's accused of the killing of Donnie Marr.

[Henry Eichelberger]

She never even knew Marr.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

But she did know Imlay.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Well, what's wrong with that?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

She was playing him for a shakedown.

[Walter Gage]

Yeah?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Tell me more.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Stella and a guy named Toribo were working together on it.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

He put Stella up to it. So she put put some drops in Imlay's liquor and he passed out. Then she and Toribo set up those pictures. She put an arm around his neck and put a bottle of liquor in his hand. And just like a dame, she gets scared and spills the whole thing to me. Why'd she get scared? She got to like him.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Le she was afraid Toribo might rub him out.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

So I follow Toribo. I live in a shutter. After a while, I trail him to Big John Master's apartment.

[Philip Marlowe]

I see.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

See? Did I get my hundred bucks? It listens good so far. What do you make of it, Joey? Only that Stella didn't kill Ma. Imlay must have done it. Where can I find Stella? I think maybe she's left town. Just like I'm gonna Do it ain't healthy for me in this hut.

[Announcer/Host]

Get your hands up over your head, both of you. Don't look this way, copper. Keep your back turned. No, no, I. What do you want? I don't know you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That's why I'm here, Toribo. I want to get acquainted with you. Shall I come in?

[Philip Marlowe]

Why not?

[Announcer/Host]

You're halfway in already.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah,

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

well, a nice little place you got here to rebound. Must be in the money. Did you come here just to admire my apartment? No, but I might as well, as long as I'm here.

[Announcer/Host]

Who are you, anyway?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Take a look at my back. Ever see it before from a broken window? What's the matter?

[Announcer/Host]

You nuts?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You been out of here in the last half hour?

[Announcer/Host]

Who cares?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You've been doing any shooting, Toribo. With a stool pigeon named Joey. Chill.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

No, Joey.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Don't tell me Joey's been killed.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

All right, little girl.

[Walter Gage]

Who are you?

[Announcer/Host]

Shut up, Stella, and get back in the other room.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I'm Stella Lamott. I'm Joey's sister. Don't tell me he's been killed.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

About 20 minutes ago. He was telling me all about. What?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh.

[Walter Gage]

There.

[Announcer/Host]

That ought to keep that copper quiet.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Trevo, what do you know about Joey being killed?

[Announcer/Host]

What do you mean, what do I know?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Who killed him?

[Announcer/Host]

How do I know?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

You've got to talk faster, Evo. You've got to tell me where you were a half hour ago.

[Announcer/Host]

Shut up, Stella. Get on the phone and get Masters here in a hurry. This is Jeffrey Barnes again. In just a moment, we'll return you to act three of Murder in the City Hall. Here's something for dandruff sufferers to keep in mind. Most ordinary hair preparations are no more effective for combating dandruff than plain water is. For they merely do what plain water does. That is, remove loose dandruff. But a scientific product called double dandarine does more. It actually works where most ordinary hair preparations fail. For double dandarine kills the germs that many outstanding authorities contend are a cause of a common type of dandruff. Yes, and it actually kills these germs on contact. Now, the amazing effectiveness of double dandarine is due to a special ingredient called alzan, an active antiseptic so remarkably efficient that many hospitals use it. And among hair preparations, double dandarine. And double dandarine alone has it. So try double dandarine and. And see if you don't agree that most ordinary hair preparations can't compare with its dandruff combating Effectiveness. If you're not satisfied, return the empty bottle and get your money back. Buy double Danderene at your druggist.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Look, Mr. Masters. He's coming too.

[Announcer/Host]

All right, Stella. All right. Pretty tough, Lieutenant, isn't he, Toribo? Too tough for his own good. Come on, copper, sit up.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Well, quite a reception, huh, boss? Masters himself. What's the idea?

[Announcer/Host]

All right, Delagar. From now on, I'll do the asking. What do you want? Coming here to Toribo's apartment?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I was looking for Stella Lamar.

[Narrator/Detective]

Why?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I want to find out who killed Donnie.

[Announcer/Host]

Marr wants her to find out. Imlay has confessed to his attorney that he killed Mars.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Why hasn't he appeared and made his own confession?

[Announcer/Host]

We expect him to do that in a day or two.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Only he won't, because he's dead. Lying flat on his face in that cabin up at Puma Lake.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Imlay dead?

[Announcer/Host]

He can't.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

And what's more, he was dead before Mar was killed. He couldn't have killed Mar.

[Announcer/Host]

Well, a garb. What you say is sure, sure.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Imlay probably went up to talk with Mar as soon as he got one of those pictures. You had Toribo fake. Why wouldn't he when he went to Seymour last night and not this morning? It must have got into a fight and Imlay got killed.

[Announcer/Host]

You mean Marr killed Imlay?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Who else could have done it up there?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

And who killed Mar?

[Announcer/Host]

Yeah, who killed Mar?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

How about it, Masters?

[Announcer/Host]

Oh, why should I have Marr murdered?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You must have had those pictures of Stella here plot in Mar's desk.

[Announcer/Host]

All right, Delagar. We did plant those pictures. We had to do that. Only now.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Now it won't work because Imlay's dead.

[Announcer/Host]

Deliguer, I'll pay you five grand if you can find me. The murder of Imlay. How much do you know about the case?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Several things. First, Mar evidently got a fake phone call from someone making an appointment for Imlay at 12:15 today. Now, that must have scared Marr if he knew he'd killed Imlay the night before. So what did he do? Under the circumstances, why stall a course? Send his office girl off to lunch. Put his gun where he could reach it in a hurry, Be all set for trouble. And when his 1215 visitor arrived, he got his gun out, but he didn't use it.

[Announcer/Host]

So what?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I'm not sure yet. But Mar was no slouch with a gun and he was on edge. He was all set. Why didn't he shoot?

[Announcer/Host]

Why? Because it was a woman who called on him. A woman you Mean Stella here because she loved dimly, even though she started to frame him.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Why, you dirty. No, I didn't kill Mar.

[Announcer/Host]

Come on, Stella, talk. You must have known that Mara's gonna blackmail your boyfriend. Sure, Stella.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Are you.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Loudy.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Look out. This is for you, Toribo. You killed Joey.

[Announcer/Host]

Why, you little.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

No, Toribo. Stella.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I got him, didn't I?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yes, Stella.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

And I don't mind kicking off myself, only.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Only yes.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

You got to believe me when I say I. I didn't kill Mar. Somebody else did that job.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Oh, hello, Mr. Sam. Hello, Minnie. Where's Ms. Mark?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

In the other room. She just sits in there and watches.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Okay. Okay.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, Sam, I've been waiting and waiting. What? What's happened?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Stella Lamoth just killed a skunk by the name of Toribo. Case is officially closed. I guess Tendani's murder on Toribo somehow. There'll be an inquest, of course. Investigations. Plus a lot of people shooting their mouths off to horn in on the publicity. The papers will play it up big for a while, but as far as the police are concerned, the case is tied up in a pack.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, Sam, I'm so glad it's all over.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yes.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Only I'm pretty sure now a woman really killed Downie.

[Philip Marlowe]

A woman?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yes, Belle. But they'll never know who.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

One of those women he'd been running around with, maybe. What makes you think a woman killed him?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Because he was shot with a small gun, such as a woman might use.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Sam, that doesn't prove it was a woman.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

No, not exactly. But for a while, I was sure Stella Lamott might have killed him.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

But she didn't.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

No, I'm positive of that. Her dying words to me tonight were that she didn't kill Donnie.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

And you believed her? Oh, Sam, how could you take the word?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

We had to believe her, Belle. The caliber of her gun didn't match the shells I found in Donnie's office. And then on my way here, I began adding up all the clues.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Then you know who killed Donnie?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Donnie didn't die right away, Bell. The coroner said that Donnie had nerve. He tried to protect someone. Someone very close to him.

[Narrator/Detective]

Belle.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

And the writing on his appointment plan was pretty shaky. He must have written Imlay's name on the pad afterwards, when he was alone and dying. Well, maybe Donnie was sorry how he had treated you, Bell.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

What?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Anyway, he wanted to shield you.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, all right, Sam. It was the horrible kind of women he went around with. I was desperate. I had to stop downtown.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

They like the case. As it stands now, nobody will ever figure out who killed Donnie. I'll get my police job back. All right. And you, Belle, you're gonna do what Donnie wanted you to do.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Do? Do what, Sam?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You're gonna suffer, Belle, the way you're already suffering.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

No.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

No, Sam, I can't suffer.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

You're going to suffer the way Donnie wanted you to suffer. You're going right on living with a memory of how you killed him until you've really paid.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

The hard way. No, Sam, I'm not. I couldn't bear that. I'll give myself up.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Okay, Belle, let's get going.

[Announcer/Host]

And now, this is Jeffrey Barnes again inviting you to be with us next week when we present the greatest modern mystery classic of them all. Emlyn Williams's famous play and motion picture, Night Must Fall. And as guest star, Ms. Virginia Field, star of the Broadway hit Dough Girls and the motion picture Waterloo Bridge. Now, this is Dan Seymour saying good night until next Friday at this same time when the Mystery Theater presents Night Must Fall. Tonight's mystery theater presentation came to you from radio city in new york. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company. Now, the roma wine company of fresno, california, presents. Suspense. Tonight, Roma Wines bring you a play of suspense and smiles starring William Bendix and Alan Jocelyn. Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wine. That's R O M a Roma Wines, those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live, to your happiness and entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of everyday meals. Yes, right now a glassful would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you a remarkable tale of suspense. And with Raymond Chandler's satirical suspense tale, Pearls Are a Nuisance. And with the performances of William Bendix and Alan Jocelyn, Roma Wines hope indeed to keep you in suspense. It's quite true.

[Walter Gage]

I wasn't doing anything that morning except looking at a blank sheet of paper in my typewriter and thinking about writing a letter. It's also quite true that I don't have a great deal to do any morning. But I like not doing anything. It gives me something to do. And I don't like telephone calls that interfere with it. That's why I have two telephones. One a public phone that I can ignore and the other a private phone which I better answer if I know what's good for me. And I do.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

What did you say, darling?

[Walter Gage]

I said, good morning, dear.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

How are you, darling? Busy?

[Walter Gage]

Yes and no. Mostly no. Why?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Somebody has stolen Mrs. Pen Ruddock's pearls and I want you to find them.

[Walter Gage]

Possibly you think you have the police department on the line. This Is the residence of Walter Gage. Walter Gage speaking.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

If you aren't out here in less than half an hour, you'll receive a small parcel by registered mail containing a diamond engagement ring.

[Walter Gage]

I'll tell Mr. Gage when he comes in. No, I went naturally. I even hurried. Ellen's voice has that effect on me and I think it's the way she says.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Walter, darling.

[Walter Gage]

Yes, Helen?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Mrs. Penrik's pearl necklace has been stolen.

[Walter Gage]

So you said on the telephone. My blood pressure remains normal.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

It's a string of 49 matched pink pearls that Mr. Penro gave his wife on their golden wedding anniversary.

[Walter Gage]

Only 49 pearls for 50 years of marriage. Wonder which was the bad year.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, shut up, darling. The worst part of it is the pearls.

[Walter Gage]

False faults. Evidently they're all bad years.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Don't be silly, Walter. The pros were real enough when Mr. Penrodd gave them to us. The fact is she sold them and had copies made. Those copies have been stolen. You've got to get them back, Walter.

[Walter Gage]

What does it matter if they're false?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Well, she's terrified that the safe will blackmailer when he finds out their own imitation. If Mr. Penrott ever hears that she sold original.

[Walter Gage]

I begin to see what might be described as daylight, but she. Where do I start looking for these baubles from which your elderly employer is so loath to be separated?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Because I know who stole them. The chauffeur we had here a few months, Walter. A horrid big bruiser named Henry Eichelberger. He left suddenly the day before yesterday for no reason at all. Without a word. I'm sure he stole the curls.

[Walter Gage]

How big did you say he is?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

About six feet.

[Walter Gage]

In that case, three. Three? Six foot three.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Three.

[Walter Gage]

I'm sure he didn't take them, dear. Couldn't it?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

He tried to kiss me once, Walter.

[Walter Gage]

Oh, he did? Tried to kiss you, huh? Where is this big slab of meat, darling?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Here's the address he gave me when he first came here to work. Sounds like an unpleasant neighborhood.

[Walter Gage]

Not half as unpleasant as it'll be for Eichelberger when I arrived. Tried to kiss you, did he?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

The pearls are the important thing, Walter. And be careful. He's six foot three, remember?

[Walter Gage]

I find it difficult to forget. Eichelberger's address proved to be a seedy looking hotel. Upstairs, over a Chinese laundry at the head of the stairs, the door marked manager. I rang the bell. Pull up Bud Road. I'm not inquiring for a room. I'm looking for one Henry Eichelberger. Whom I'm informed lives here.

[Announcer/Host]

If he does, he ain't registered.

[Walter Gage]

That as, of course, you know, is contrary to the law.

[Announcer/Host]

A wise guy. Hey, down the hall.

[Walter Gage]

Jack to 18. Have the kindness to show me the way?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

What do you know? A duke's, no less. Okay, your lordship, pick up your feet, eh?

[Narrator/Detective]

This is it.

[Walter Gage]

He's out. Have the goodness to unlock the door. I wish to go in and wait for the. This Eichelberger in a pig's val.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Who do you think you are, Jake boy?

[Walter Gage]

I wouldn't call me names if I were you.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You wouldn't? Hey, well, that just shows the difference between you and me, cuz I would.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You want to make something out of it?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Hey.

[Walter Gage]

Yes.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Hey, that wasn't fair. You got 20 years on me.

[Walter Gage]

Hey. Well, open the door. Hey, I have no time to argue with you. A buck.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Two bucks.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

And I won't even tell Uncle Boer when he comes.

[Walter Gage]

That is a deal, brother.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You can have.

[Walter Gage]

I'll take that for you. Hey, thanks. Hey. Here's your money. If you hear any noises later on, ignore them. If there's any damage, it'll be paid for generously. I hope you know what you're doing. Hey. I searched all the likely places where you might have hidden the necklace. And then I searched all the unlikely places. No necklace. Then I heard approaching footsteps.

[Henry Eichelberger]

How did you get in here, sonny?

[Walter Gage]

The explanation of that can wait. I'm looking for one Henry Eichelberger.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Are you he get you a real comedian. Wait till I loosen my belt before you make me laugh.

[Walter Gage]

My name's Gage. Walter Gage. Are you Eichelberger?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Give me a nickel and I'll sell you.

[Walter Gage]

I'm the fiance of Ms. Ellen McIntosh. I'm informed that you tried to kiss her.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What do you mean? Try it.

[Walter Gage]

I hit him rather severely on the left eye, then the right, and I gave him a crushing uppercut to the jaw. He looked at me with an air of patient resignation and then hit me. I bent over and took hold of the room with both hands and spun it. When I had it nicely spinning, I gave it a full swing and hit myself on the back of the head with the floor. I believe I lost consciousness at about this point. At any rate, I was no longer aware of the time of day.

[Announcer/Host]

For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you as stars Mr. Alan Joslyn and Mr. William Bendix, whom you are hearing in Pearls are a Nuisance by Raymond Chandler, which is Roma Wines presentation tonight of suspense.

[Walter Gage]

Between the acts of suspense.

[Announcer/Host]

This is Truman Bradley for Roma wine.

[Walter Gage]

We quote now a brief word from the famous hostess, Elsa Maxwell.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

The delicious flavor of tender broiled chicken, the succulents of spring lamb garnished with mint leaves deserves the matchless flavor complement of Roma California Sauternes. This delicate wine, pale gold in color, delightful in bouquet, is a delicious flavor mate with fish or fowl.

[Announcer/Host]

Yes. Just as the musical conductor blends the tones of different instruments, so the knowing

[Walter Gage]

hostess can combine the flavors of food with wine.

[Announcer/Host]

Each glass full of Roma Saturn is alight with Roma's rich heritage in winemaking. Here is a masterpiece of the wine growers age old skill. And all Roma wines, you'll find, are always unvaryingly good. The result of carefully selected grapes picked

[Walter Gage]

at the peak of perfection in sunny

[Announcer/Host]

California's choicest vineyards and gently pressed. Then the natural juices are stored and

[Walter Gage]

guided with the ancient skill of Roma wineries to full goodness.

[Announcer/Host]

Roma wines do not vary, are always high in quality, yet cost only pennies a glass. More Americans enjoy Roma than any other wines. R O M A Roma wines and now Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood sound stage. William Bendix as J. Henry Eichelberger and Alan Jocelyn as Walter Gage in Pearls are a Nuisance, A muscular drama replete with situations well calculated to keep you in suspense.

[Walter Gage]

While I was thinking about the possibility of getting back to my feet in the very near future, a wet towel began to slap at my face and I opened my eyes. The face of one Henry Eichelberger was close to mine and bore a certain appearance of tender solicitude.

[Henry Eichelberger]

But I thought maybe you was killed, Jackie. You got a stomach as weak as Chinese tea.

[Walter Gage]

What happened? As if I didn't know you tripped

[Henry Eichelberger]

on an itty bitty tear in the carpet. You feel like getting up? Here, I'll give you.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Come on.

[Walter Gage]

Thank you, Henry. May I call you Henry?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Yeah. No tax on it. You look okay.

[Walter Gage]

Why'd you tell me you were sick, Eichelberger? You swine. That does it.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Cut it out. You'll musk my hair.

[Walter Gage]

I wish you'd fall down when I hit you, Henry.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Just.

[Walter Gage]

Just once. It would do wonders for my morale.

[Announcer/Host]

Ah.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You know, you and me could get along, Jack. I never kiss your girl, even if I ain't saying I wouldn't like to. Is that all the cheating on you?

[Walter Gage]

Well, no. There's another matter.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Sit down and tell me the score. Only no more haymakers. They give me a headache. Promise?

[Walter Gage]

I promise. Tell me, why did you leave the employ of Mrs. Penradoc?

[Henry Eichelberger]

You tell Me? Am I what you might call a good looker?

[Walter Gage]

Well, Henry, don't soap me. No. Then I wouldn't call you handsome exactly. But unquestionably, you ate your spinach as a child. That's a consolation.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Get you a real comedian. Wait till I loosen my belt. Look, suppose you fell for a doll with stars in her hair. A guy like me that looks like a taxi going down the street with both doors open. Then suppose you get a job where you see this doll all the time and every day. What would you do, Jack? Me a just quit the job.

[Walter Gage]

Ellen. Yeah, Henry? I'd like to shake your hand. Go ahead. Now, there's one more thing, one rather insignificant detail. I'm empowered to arrange for the return of Mrs. Penroddock's pearl. $50 reward and no embarrassing questions.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You got nerve, Jack. So you think I stole some marbles and I'm sitting around here waiting for a flock of dicks to swarm me.

[Walter Gage]

The police have not been told, Henry, and you may not be aware, but the pearls are false.

[Henry Eichelberger]

False? You mean they're false?

[Walter Gage]

Exactly.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You think I'd bother myself to hook some phonies?

[Walter Gage]

You mean you didn't steal the necklace, Henry?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Now, look, if they was ringers, I wouldn't be bothered. And if they was real, I wouldn't be holed up in no cheap flop in LA waiting for a couple of Carlos of johns to put the sneeze on me, would I?

[Walter Gage]

That's exactly what I thought, Henry. Well, as long as you didn't steal them, how'd you like the job of helping me recover? Are you kidding? No, Henry. It's obvious that if you didn't snatch these marbles, I believe that's the expression, someone else did. And you can help me find him. How about it?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Why not?

[Walter Gage]

Why not indeed?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Well, you got any ideas of where to start?

[Walter Gage]

Yes, I have. I feel that we must, as they say, tap the grapevine. When a string of pearls is stolen, all the underworld must be seething.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Maybe you got right. But this underworld that's doing all this season ain't gonna seize much over a strange. A glass bead, sir. I might punch it.

[Walter Gage]

I am thinking, Henry, that the underworld probably has a sense of humor. And a thief who went to the trouble of stealing some worthless crinkets would be the butt of considerable coarse jest there.

[Henry Eichelberger]

The nucleus of an idea. Nat, I would say something like that could get around the pool rooms and start a little wholesome chuckling.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

All right.

[Walter Gage]

Yes. All we need to do is to locate a reliable Crook, see?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, there's a key name Lou Scandisi that runs the Blue Lagoon downtown. Might be interested in some marbles, but he don't like being asked questions.

[Walter Gage]

He sounds dangerous.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Henry Eichelberger]

We'll turn him inside out and take a look at his liver.

[Walter Gage]

Very well. Let us go and beard this Scandizi character in his malodorous den.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Yeah, let us go and beard. Leave us. Do what you said,

[Walter Gage]

Mr. Scott. Blue Lagoon wasn't difficult to find. It was a rather soiled establishment bathed in an unpleasant blue light. Henry and I went through a small, dim dining room to a door marked Private.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You scant daisy, huh?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Who wants it to know?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Me and my friend here want to talk to you. Oh, talk.

[Walter Gage]

I'm listening.

[Henry Eichelberger]

It's about some pearl 49.

[Walter Gage]

Is that right, Walter? Quite right, Henry.

[Henry Eichelberger]

A pearl necklace that somebody hoisted.

[Philip Marlowe]

Go on to get out before I

[Announcer/Host]

have you thrown out.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You do what I'll do.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I'll do nothing.

[Henry Eichelberger]

That's better. Do Face, what about them pearls?

[Walter Gage]

Well, I don't think I heard about it.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Try to remember. Maybe if I pulled off one of your ears, it might help.

[Walter Gage]

Henry, you seem to be doing all the work. Do you think that's quite fair?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Okay, you work them over. These fat guys bruise something lovely. Take it easy.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I ain't heard nothing.

[Philip Marlowe]

You guys insurance a man, huh?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Now you're cooking with helium, doe face. What insurance company you boys work for? Give him our card, Walter.

[Walter Gage]

This is my personal card. Has my phone number on it.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Yeah, okay. Okay.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

You.

[Walter Gage]

You may be surprised, you. You may get a cough.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What do you think?

[Philip Marlowe]

Water?

[Henry Eichelberger]

You think this muzzler is leveling with us?

[Walter Gage]

I dare say he wouldn't be above telling us an untruth.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Get you a real comedian. Wait till I lose my belt. You've given us the straight good Scandisi.

[Announcer/Host]

Great goods, absolute.

[Walter Gage]

We'll cooperate.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I bet you got a call.

[Walter Gage]

Okay.

[Henry Eichelberger]

So long, Scandi. And keep your schnozzle clean if you don't want to be looking for it under your desk case.

[Walter Gage]

And that goes for your cat, too. Scandisi. Hey.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Well, what now?

[Walter Gage]

I think we've done adequate days work, Henry. The procedure would seem to be for me to go home and wait for the telephone to ring. Bearing glad to hiding from the underworld.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What about me?

[Walter Gage]

I would suggest that you wend your way homeward. Also. Here's my private number. Call me in the morning.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Okay. See you tomorrow.

[Walter Gage]

I went home and waited for the phone to ring. I must have fallen asleep. After a while, it was quite dark when the call came through. Well, here goes. Walter Gage speaking. Acme Insurance Company.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

When did you become an insurance company?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, hello.

[Walter Gage]

It's you, Ellen. Why didn't you call on the private phone?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I didn't have the number handy. You haven't found the pearls yet?

[Walter Gage]

How'd you know?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

We just got a telephone call.

[Walter Gage]

From whom?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

He wouldn't say. All he said was he heard from somebody named San something Scandizy.

[Walter Gage]

And that's it.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

That we were looking for the pearls.

[Walter Gage]

Has he found out the pearls are false?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

No, I didn't tell him.

[Walter Gage]

All right, don't worry. We have an idea how to get them back.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

We? Who's we?

[Walter Gage]

Henry and me.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Henry? Henry who?

[Walter Gage]

Michel Burger. I've hired him to help me find the pearl.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Are you out of your mind? Didn't Henry take the pearl?

[Walter Gage]

Of course not. He only left because he was in love with you.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, Walter, that big brute. How could you say such?

[Walter Gage]

Ellen, I thought you'd be flattered.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Flattered? I never want to speak to you again, Walter Gage. Goodbye, Ellen.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, women.

[Walter Gage]

I sometimes wonder. Hello, honey. I'm so glad you called back. Listen, darling.

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, you caught up.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Honey.

[Philip Marlowe]

Sweetheart.

[Walter Gage]

Who's this?

[Philip Marlowe]

Never mind.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Your name's Gage?

[Walter Gage]

Yes.

[Henry Eichelberger]

A guy named Scandizi says you're looking for some oyster fruit. A frail named McIntosh says you're the guy to talk to.

[Walter Gage]

Possibly.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Well, I got 49 of them, pal. Pink 1.5grand is the price.

[Walter Gage]

Well, that's absurd. Those pearls happen to be false.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Quit your kid and you heard me. Five grand.

[Philip Marlowe]

Jeez.

[Henry Eichelberger]

I'll give you tomorrow afternoon to scrape it together. Then I'll call you and let you

[Philip Marlowe]

know where to meet me.

[Walter Gage]

Hello, Ellen? This is Walter.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I told you I never wanted to speak to you again.

[Walter Gage]

All right, I won't speak. Just tell me the name of the man who sold Mrs. Penrodic's pearls for her.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Gallimore. Roger Gallimore. He has a jewelry company downtown. Thank you, Walter.

[Walter Gage]

How do you like it, darling? I was beginning to see the light. The next morning I went to see this Mr. Gallimore. He was a tall, pink man of about 70. And he listened to my narrative of events, which considerable interest.

[Announcer/Host]

5000 seems like a good deal for a string of false pearls.

[Walter Gage]

Yes, indeed, Ian. You know what I think, Mr. Gallimore?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

What, Mr. Gage?

[Walter Gage]

I believe that the pearls are in fact real. You're a very old friend of Mrs. Penroddick. Perhaps even a childhood sweetheart. When she gave you the pearls to sell, you didn't sell them, Mr. Gallimore. Instead, you gave her $20,000 of your own money and returned the pearls to her pretending they were imitations of the original necklace. Son, you think a lot smarter than you talk. I try very hard, Mr. Gallimore. And I'm correct.

[Philip Marlowe]

Embarrassingly so, Mr. Gage.

[Announcer/Host]

Pearls are real.

[Walter Gage]

Now, what would you like me to do? Give me $5,000 with which to get them back. Mr. Gallimore felt much better after he'd had a glass of water. And some hours later I managed to convince him that I knew approximately what I was doing. He gave me a check for $5,000. This check, Henry.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You mean he gave it to you? 5,000 fish, just like that.

[Walter Gage]

You have said it.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Well, I'll be a Mickey Fin at a woman's club lunch. Kid, you got something with that daisy chain chatter of yours?

[Walter Gage]

Thank you, Henry. At any rate, all that remains now is for the phone to ring.

[Henry Eichelberger]

You can say that again.

[Walter Gage]

Very well, I'll. Hello, Gage? Yes. Who's this?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Guess.

[Walter Gage]

You got the dough? It's in my pocket at this exact moment. If I have any assurance of honorable treatment, I'm prepared to go through with it.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, you get the marbles. Okay.

[Walter Gage]

We're in this business a long time

[Henry Eichelberger]

and we can't afford the wealth. If we did it, it'd get around

[Walter Gage]

and nobody would play with us. I understand. What are your instructions?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Tonight at eight shop, you'll be at Pacific Palisade. You got that?

[Walter Gage]

Yeah.

[Henry Eichelberger]

At the end of the Dyke Road,

[Philip Marlowe]

corner Sunset and Corona Delmar.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Be there at 8 sharp. And come alone. And no gun, no funny business, no smart work and no slip up. Nobody get hurt. That's the way we do business.

[Walter Gage]

Very well. Oh, one last thing. Where did you get my phone number? From Scandisi.

[Philip Marlowe]

Who else?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Eight o' clock, then.

[Philip Marlowe]

And no tricks.

[Walter Gage]

That is very interesting.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What? What?

[Walter Gage]

A telephone.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Yeah, yeah. Hooray for Alexander Graham. What's his name? But what did the guy say?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, yeah.

[Walter Gage]

It's all arranged, Henry. I'm to meet them tonight all by myself and give them the money.

[Henry Eichelberger]

All by yourself, huh? Get you a real comedian. Wait till I loosen my belt. They'll take the dough and leave you laying there bleeding all over yourself. And they'll still have the marbles. I ought to go with you, Henry.

[Walter Gage]

It's my duty. And I must brave these monsters in human guys. Alone and unattended. Of course, I do have a big car. And you could hide on the floor under a rug.

[Henry Eichelberger]

It's a cinch. But maybe Walder, the only Thing wrong with you, as far as I can see, is you got holes in your head. All I'm trying to do is keep you from getting another one. I'm going with you.

[Walter Gage]

So it was settled. Henry was to go with me. That afternoon I stopped at the bank where I cashed Mr. Gallimore's check and changed it in a hundred dollar bill. You counted as though it were your own.

[Announcer/Host]

Five thousand.

[Walter Gage]

Five thousand.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Five thousand.

[Walter Gage]

And now a roll of quarters, please. Roll of quarters, please. There seems to be an echo in here. Leave them in the wrapper. Oh.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Quite heavy, aren't they?

[Walter Gage]

Yes, aren't they? And so late that evening, I found myself out on the Pacific Palisades with Henry Eichelberger boy in the back of the car. I was very nervous. I think Henry was also. Neither of us were any too sure of what was going to happen that night.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, me back.

[Walter Gage]

What's the matter, Henry? Aren't you comfy back there?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Oh, I'm comfy all right. Only my heater keeps. Keeps digging into me.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Ain't we there yet?

[Walter Gage]

Well, we're getting close. Stay down. This is business. This is the end of the line. Henry, be careful. They're probably watching me.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Okay.

[Walter Gage]

What's that?

[Henry Eichelberger]

It's me, Walter. My. My gun is breaking my back.

[Walter Gage]

Well, stop sitting on it.

[Henry Eichelberger]

I did. Anything stirring?

[Walter Gage]

No. Keep quiet.

[Henry Eichelberger]

I'll make like a little mousey.

[Walter Gage]

Don't you think we've waited? I mean, don't you think we've waited long enough?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Henry, we only been waiting 15 minutes. You sure this is the place?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yes, of course.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Well, let's get out of the car and see if anybody shoots at us. Then we'll know if somebody's around.

[Walter Gage]

Well, that seems to be the difficult way of finding out, but let's try it. I personally feel sure that there's no one here but you and I.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Suckered. You know what happened, Walter?

[Walter Gage]

What do you think, Henry?

[Henry Eichelberger]

It was just a tryout, that's all. Tomorrow this guy calls you again on the phone and he says, sorry, but they had to be careful. And they'll try again tonight, maybe. Maybe out in San Fernando Valley. And the price is now 10 grand on account of their extra trouble. I ought to go back and twist that Scandisi so he spends the rest of his life looking up his left picture.

[Walter Gage]

Well, Henry, what's the next move?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Feed it home, I guess. Anyhow, I won't need this gun anymore. My back is sore enough from it.

[Walter Gage]

We stood there and looked at one another, Henry and I He doubled his hands into fists and shook them slowly. In his sadness, I, too, was melancholy. In the brief time I'd known Henry, I'd grown very fond of him.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah, that's it, all right.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Nothing else to do but beat it on home. That's all is left to us.

[Walter Gage]

I took my right hand out of my pocket. I have large hands. In my right hand nestled the roll of quarters I'd gotten from the bank that morning. My hand made a large and heavy fist around them. Henry didn't notice.

[Henry Eichelberger]

What are you looking at me so funny for, Walden?

[Walter Gage]

I just wanted to say good night, Henry. You had two strikes on me. This is the big one.

[Henry Eichelberger]

I don't get it.

[Walter Gage]

He got it. Then my fist, with nearly a pound of metal in it caught him squarely on the jaw. For a moment, he wavered back and forth on his feet, and then. Henry. Henry Eichelberger lay motionless on the ground, as limp as a rubber glove. I found the pearls twined around his ankle inside his left socket. Well, Henry, I said, although he couldn't hear me, you're a gentleman, even if you are a thief. You could have taken the money a dozen times today. You could have taken it a little while ago when you still had the gun. But even that repelled you. You threw the gun away, and we were man to man. But still you hesitated. In fact, Henry, I said, for a successful thief, you hesitated just a little too long. But as a sporting man, I can only think more highly of you. Goodbye, Henry, and good luck, I said. I put a hundred dollar bill in his chubby little fist and withdrew. End of story.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

But how did you know it was Henry?

[Walter Gage]

Darling, you told me so. Little lemon cookie. You were quite sure of it, I know.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

But you must have had proof of some kind.

[Walter Gage]

Well, there was one other minor detail that convinced me. Henry was the guilty party. I gave Scandisi my phone number. But I have two telephones. One's a private line. Only two people had that number. You were one of them. Henry was the other. When Henry's accomplice got in touch with me, he used the phone number I'd given Henry, not the one I gave Scandisi. You see.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, darling, you're so clever.

[Walter Gage]

Of course, you may kiss me if you like. A few months after Ellen and I were married, we received a letter postmarked Honolulu. It was from Henry.

[Henry Eichelberger]

My dear, dear Walter, I have only just received the joyous tidings that you and Eleanor embarked upon the happy tide of holy matrimony. I am so Glad for you. I often think of you, Walter. Particularly with an overwhelming curiosity as to what it was you struck me with that night. Ah, well, I dare say it can only be conjecture on my part now. A hammer perhaps. That I allowed my jaw to be exposed to your weapon while I stood there meditating as to whether to take your 5000 then or wait for 10 the following evening was a human error of judgment. At any rate, I entertain no feelings of ill will towards you. On the contrary, I am indebted to you greatly. The ease with which you talked Mr. Gallimore out of $5,000 has changed my life. I have been taking English lessons myself and I'm now practicing on a wealthy widow woman. Not without financial success. I to Jo spot devotedly. Henry P. S. Was it perchance an anvil?

[Walter Gage]

I wonder.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

You know, Henry wasn't such a bad fellow. All I really disliked him for was his barbaric English. Now he's changed that. Maybe I should have married him. What do you think Wall?

[Walter Gage]

Oh, gets you a real comedian. Wait til I loosen my.

[Announcer/Host]

And so closes. Pearls are a nuisance in which Roma Wines have brought you William Bendix and Alan Joslyn as co stars of tonight's study in suspense. Suspense is produced, edited and directed by William Speer. Before our stars return to the microphone,

[Walter Gage]

let me say a word for Roma Wines, the sponsor of suspense.

[Announcer/Host]

Elsa Maxwell's hospitality is always simple and unaffected.

[Walter Gage]

The other day she said a few

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

old friends, some comfortable chairs, a glass or two of good Roma California sherry and there you have the perfect combination for a pleasant evening at home. In fact you'll find the light nut like flavor of this glorious amber golden. Roma sherry is delightful anytime. A delicious prelude to dinner. A gracious note of hospitality whenever friends drop in.

[Announcer/Host]

Best of all, Roma wines are so

[Walter Gage]

reasonable priced any family can afford to serve them regularly. The goodness of Roma wines can add a lot to the joy of your daily living.

[Announcer/Host]

Always delightful, always unvaryingly high in quality,

[Walter Gage]

yet cost only pennies a glass.

[Announcer/Host]

And the next time you use vermouth,

[Walter Gage]

sweet or dry, use Roma vermouth.

[Announcer/Host]

Zestful herb flavored Roma Vermouth is blended, mellowed, developed and bottled in California with all the traditional winemaking spirits skill of Roma wineries.

[Walter Gage]

Try Roma Vermouth soon, won't you? This is Alan Jocelyn. I trust that you died in the wool. Suspense fans who are accustomed to somewhat heavier meat on these Thursday dramas weren't displeased with our efforts in the interests of gaiety and insouciance. Do you concur, Mr. Bendix?

[Henry Eichelberger]

Who gets you? A real comedian. Wait till I loosen my galluses.

[Walter Gage]

Courtesy impels me to tell you that Mr. Bendix here is being heard weekly on his own radio show, the Life of Riley. And Paramount impels me to say that he'll soon be seen in their production two years before the.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Permit me to return the favor. Hey, Alan Johnson is soon going to be seen in the 20th Century Fox 30th anniversary production Colonel Effingham's race.

[Walter Gage]

Thanks, Bill.

[Henry Eichelberger]

No, not at all, not at all.

[Announcer/Host]

Next Thursday you will hear John Payne and Stuart Irwin as stars of Suspense presented by Roma Wines. R O M A Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcast Casting System.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

For the safety of your smile, use Pepsodent twice a day. See your dentist twice a year. Lever Brothers Company presents the pepsident program. The Adventures of Philip Marlowe. Starring Van Heflin. Philip Marlow, the screen's most famous private detective. Created by Raymond Chandler, brought to you on the air by pestilence and starring MGM's brilliant and dynamic young actor, Van Hefler. Now, families all over America have named their favorite toothpaste. New Pestidant with Irium. New Fresh Tasting Pepsodent with the new cool, minty flavor. Yes, in a recent test, new Pepsident was preferred 3 to 1 over any other toothpaste.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

It's true. With families all over America, new Pepsodent is the favorite three to one.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Families from coast to coast recently compared new pepsidant with the toothpaste they were using at home. They preferred new Pepsidin by an overwhelming average of 3 to 1 over any other brand they tried. These families 3 to 1 said new Pepsidin taste better, makes breath cleaner, makes teeth brighter.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Yes, in a recent survey, families 3 to 1 said new Pepsodent tastes better, makes breath cleaner, makes teeth brighter.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Get new Pepsid and toothpaste for your family right away. Now. The Adventures of Philip Marlo starring Van Heflin.

[Philip Marlowe]

The moment old man Jeter came into my office, I made up my mind not to vote for him if he ever ran for president. He was tall and thin, with straight compressed white lips. He wore a neat pinstripe flannel suit with a small rosebud in the lapel. He carried an ebony king and he wore spats. He looked a smart 60 and unless he's oats has got nasty. I gave him another 15 years, which was pretty big of me. He sat down, speared me with those barbed gray eyes and came right down to business.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Mr. Philip Marlow, I believe.

[Philip Marlowe]

That's right.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

My name is Wadsworth Jeter.

[Philip Marlowe]

How do you do, Mr. Jada?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You're a private detective?

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, why not?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Frankly, sir, I'd expected the Hollywood detective's office to be somewhat more glamorous. Or rather more elegant, shall we say?

[Philip Marlowe]

No. Philo Vance has a branch office here on the fourth floor, if you're shopping around.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

No, no, no, no. You'll do, I'm sure.

[Philip Marlowe]

My rate is 25 bucks a day, plus expenses.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Money is no object.

[Philip Marlowe]

Except when you don't have much of it.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

That seems to be the motivating philosophy where Ms. Harriet Huntress is concerned.

[Philip Marlowe]

Who or whom is Ms. Harriet Huntress?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

A rather standard, rather obvious gold digger who wishes to marry Grover.

[Philip Marlowe]

Huh. You want to tell me who Grover is?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Grover is my adopted stepson. My late wife's son.

[Philip Marlowe]

Go on.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Next year, he will inherit a million dollars left him by his mother.

[Philip Marlowe]

Which explains Ms. Huntress's interest in Grover.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Precisely.

[Philip Marlowe]

Look, Mr. Jeter, am I being hired to smear Ms. Harriet Huntress?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Not at all. Merely to disillusion Grover about her.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, well, that's the same thing. I think you better find yourself another boy.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

There's more.

[Philip Marlowe]

Okay, let's hear it.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Do you know a man named Marty Estelle?

[Narrator/Detective]

Sure.

[Philip Marlowe]

He's a big time gambler out on sunset strip.

[Walter Gage]

Why?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Mr. Estelle claims my son Grover owes him $50,000.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, then Grover better pay up. If I know Marty Estelle.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

But suppose my son doesn't really owe Estelle the money.

[Philip Marlowe]

Does he or doesn't he?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Mr. Estelle supplied photostat copies of Grover's notes with Grover's signatures. I thought they might be forged, so without Grover's knowledge, I took them to a handwriting expert named John Arbogast. A sort of detective.

[Philip Marlowe]

No, he's not sure he wants more time.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I. I'd like you to take over the case.

[Philip Marlowe]

Harriet huntress and all Ms. Huntress, as

[Wadsworth Jeter]

you may know, is associated with Mr. Estelle.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, that's incidental. I'll handle the forgery case and not the slander job. Now, where does this Arbogast have his office?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

On Sunset Miraivar.

[Philip Marlowe]

Okay, I'll look it up. Ms. Hunters.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

She lives at the El Milano on North Sycamore.

[Philip Marlowe]

I'll look her up, too. Harbor Gast and Huntress, in the order named. There was no snooty secretary to prevent me from walking right into John D. Arbogast's extremely fat presence on Sunset, near Ivar. He was an enormously fleshy gent with a thick neck that was in folds like a concertina. He wore a wrinkled dark suit that needed cleaning and some reweaving where it had some small holes in it. Arbogast just sat and stared at me with the whites of his eyes. Because those three holes that needed reweaving were bullet holes. And John d' Arbogat was dead. Very recently.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Dead.

[Philip Marlowe]

I left in a hurry, and as far as I could tell, nobody saw me come, nobody saw me go. My next stop was the swank El Milano Hotel on North Sycamore. Just a second. Mister. Something you want? Yeah, yeah. Who are you? I'm the house detective. Well, I'm looking for a Ms. Harriet Hunters. Ms. Hunters ain't seeing anyone. You can tell her it's Marty Estelle. Are you Marty Estelle? I'm from him. That's different, ain't it? That's none of your business, is it? Well, whatever you're up to, you're not playing it very smooth. Now, some days I feel like playing it smooth, and some days I feel like playing it like a waffle iron. If you must know, I'm one of the boys. Philip Marlow, private eye. Here, it's my card. Yeah, well, that's another story.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I'll phone up to Ms. Hunter.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah? Say I'm from Marty Estelle. And that make it convincing, huh? How much convincing? Oh, well, how much do those cigars you're smoking cost you? 22.50. Box of 50. That much convincing? Well, that's cute.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You and me are going to get along.

[Philip Marlowe]

I'll phone Ms. Hunters, but you go right on up. Room 814.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I just know it'll be all right.

[Philip Marlowe]

Harriet Hunters was too tall to be cute, too beautiful to be really cheap. Her green eyes were wide set and there was plenty of thinking room between them. Her hair was a dusky red, like fire seen through a haze. The green eyes were that much green ice as she sized me up in the doorway.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Well, what's the big message, sonny?

[Philip Marlowe]

I'd have to come in. I never could speak very well in public. Come in. Never could speak very well on a dry throat, either.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

There's the Scotch.

[Philip Marlowe]

Help yourself. Thank you.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

So you're from Marty Estelle?

[Philip Marlowe]

No, not strictly. Not even loosely. Not at all, in fact. What's your racket? No racket.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Marty will love to know you used his name.

[Philip Marlowe]

I'm shaking in my shoes.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

You're some kind of detective, aren't you?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah. Pardon? Philomato. Good Scotch here. I'm glad you like it? Now, what's your business? All right. How much will you take to give up Grover? You look smart, but you talk stupid. Old man Jeter's pretty tough. His idea is that you get nothing, you get smeared. I don't see it that way. How much? How about $50,000? How about $500? How about talking about the effect of the rain on the rhubarb? Now, look, sister, suppose we skip the footwork? Considering the sobering fact that a man named John D. Obast has already been murdered in this little case. Does that have anything to do with me? I don't know. He was hired to analyze some notes Grover gave Marty Estelle. He was killed just after I took over the case.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Do you think Marty Estelle works that way?

[Philip Marlowe]

You know him better than I do. Desi. Have you told the police yet? Now, I thought I'd see if I could make a deal with you. First. I'm gonna tell you something.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

My people were nice people who never

[Philip Marlowe]

got involved in murders.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Old Jeter ruined my father. My dad shot himself and my mother died of the shock. I'm gonna fix Jeter for that someday, even if I have to marry his

[Philip Marlowe]

son to do it. Adopted stepson, really. There's no relation at all. It'll hurt Jeter just as hard and

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

the kid will have a million dollars next year. I could do worse, even if he does drink too much.

[Philip Marlowe]

You wouldn't want Grover to hear that, now, would you? No.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Turn around and have a look, gumshoe.

[Philip Marlowe]

I turned fast. He stood about four feet from me. Big blonde, powerful whiskey in his brain and blood in his eyes.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I can say anything I want around Grovers. All right with him, isn't it, Grover?

[Philip Marlowe]

That's right, Harry.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

He's trying to break us up. Grover, what do you think of that?

[Philip Marlowe]

I think maybe I better break him up.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

That's what I think of that.

[Philip Marlowe]

She laughed, and that made me mad. I turned a gal at her. It was a dirty look. It was the look of the month. That was a mistake. The big guy hit me. I went over sideways. It wasn't a hard punch, but my head to hit a dead going down. And the desk got the decision. It gets dark fast in Southern California, but seldom that fast. When I came out of it, Grover the lawn sucker puncher and Harriet Huntress were gone. But the bottle of scotch was still there. So I took that for souvenir and stepped in my pocket and floated down the elevator into the street. It was dark by the time I got back to my apartment. On Hobart Avenue in Hollywood. I turned on the light and there stood a big guy. Another big guy. This was National Big Guy Week. This one had a big nose the dead color of wax. And he had a.22 caliber Colt Woodsman pointed straight at me.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Close the door and reach.

[Philip Marlowe]

Come on. I turned a little to close the door. I got my hand under my coat. Then I turned back to Waxnose fast. I had my Luger out. We stood there facing each other. Waxnose didn't seem at all impressed with my automatic. I just came to tell you to be smart. You're looking at a Luger, mister.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I know men of distinction carry Lugers. Me, I pack this small boar because I can shoot. If you think you can take me,

[Philip Marlowe]

go to it, Huluk. What's the game?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Maybe you can take a hint and maybe you can't.

[Philip Marlowe]

Maybe. Maybe not. What is it? Lay off, old cheater's boy. When I wouldn't think of contradicting anyone who uses a colt woodsman. 22 with the front sight filed off. Must think he's pretty good. I am good. Yeah, and that's why I say, okay, pal, we'll see. Speaking of.22s, do you know anybody named John Arbogast? I meet such a lot of people. Well, this one was fat and shot three times with a.22.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I don't remember shooting no fat guys today. So long, chum. Remember what I told you.

[Philip Marlowe]

Lay off, Grover. So long.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Yeah,

[Philip Marlowe]

swell.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Ah, shut up.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah. Mr. Marlowe.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Oh, Mr. Jeter.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, your son, or your adopted son or your stepson, or whatever he is, poked me in the jaw today.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

He is both my stepson and my adopted son.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, both of them poked me in the jaw. My word. Where? In Ms. Huntress apartment.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You spoke to her?

[Philip Marlowe]

What did she say? She wants 50 grand and no dice. I offered her 500. Just as a gag. Just as a gag.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Mr. Marlow, perhaps you underestimate the importance of this message.

[Philip Marlowe]

Listen, Mr. Jeter, there are some very unusual angles to this case. For example, a gunman just stuck me up in my own apartment and told me to stay off of this case.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

What?

[Philip Marlowe]

I don't see why this case should get so tough.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Good heavens. Listen, Mr. Marlow, my chauffeur, Waldo will pick you up in my limousine. I want to talk to you.

[Philip Marlowe]

All right. Well, tell Waldo to park on ho by facing Franklin.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

He'll be around for you in 20 minutes.

[Philip Marlowe]

Good. Just give me time to drink my dinner. Bye. Bye. I sat next to Walter, the chauffeur as he tooled the big Jeter limousine through Hollywood along the glitter of the Sunset Strip, out past Beverly Hills toward Bel Air. At Cavelo Drive, we swung left for a couple of hundred yards and left again, aiming for a driveway flanked by 12 foot wrought iron gates. Then something happened. Someone was standing in the glare of our headlights. Waldo swore and slammed on the brake shelf.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You stupid. Go. Get out of the driveway.

[Philip Marlowe]

Man stepped toward us and the next minute there Was that same Colt.22 staring into my face again. All right, this is a heist. Get out of the car, both of you.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Look.

[Philip Marlowe]

Wax notes. Haven't you had enough fun for one night? Buzz off, bum. Shut up and get out. I'd have to think some more on that, buster. I'm warning you. I'll let you have it. Don't be a ghoul. You go. All right, you asked for it.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Hey, hold.

[Philip Marlowe]

You shot the guy. Yeah, I shot him. It was this all in fun. Yeah, some fun.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

It did the work.

[Philip Marlowe]

Jeter's house is right ahead. You sound as if you just shot a nickel in a pinball machine instead of a man.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Now listen.

[Philip Marlowe]

Turn off those lights and let's get out of here, but fast. Foreign.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You are listening to the Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Van Heflin. Yes, Families all over America have named their favorite toothpaste New pepsidant with invigorating irum foam. New fresh tasting Pepsidant with a new cool minty flavor. In a recent test, new Pepsidant was preferred 3 to 1 over any other toothpaste.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

It's true. Families all over America say new Pepsidin is their favorite three to one.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

The William Kilpatrick Family 212 South Missouri Claremore, Oklahoma. Preferred new Pepidan on every single count. The Kilpatrick say new Pepsidant tastes best of all. Makes breath cleaner, makes teeth brighter. On all these counts by an overwhelming average of 3 to 1. Families prefer new Pepsodent over any other toothpaste they tried.

[Philip Marlowe]

It's a fact.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Families 3 to 1 say new Pepsidant tastes better, makes breath cleaner and makes teeth brighter.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Remember, this is not just our opinion. It's the honest conviction of the Kilpatricks and other families who are asked to compare New pepsidant with the toothpaste they were using at home. Get new Pepsodent, the only toothpaste containing urium. Get it for your family without delay. We continue with the Adventures of Philip Marlow starring Van Heflin, who appears by arrangement with Metro Golden Mayor, producers of the Romance of Rosie Ridge starring Van

[Walter Gage]

Johnson,

[Philip Marlowe]

Wallace and I drove back to my apartment again, leaving wax notice lying dead in the Jeter driveway. We went back to my place to start all over again, over what was left of my purloined scotch. Yeah, this is good scotch you've got here, Marlow. Inch bottle, not this. Sure. Benched it from the apartment of Harriet Hunters. Well, bottoms up, Waldo. Do you think that gunman was there to scare young Grover into realizing Marty Estelle means business? Could be. I always drove Grover home around that time. It just doesn't sound like Marty Estelle to pick that sort of a helper.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Sure, maybe that's why he picked him,

[Philip Marlowe]

because it didn't seem like Marty Estelle. Yeah, that's good thinking. Waldo Darkman, 37. Rah, rah, rah. That would be either the cuffs or Mr. Jeter. Hello, Mr. Marlo. Yes, Mr. Dieter. And the reason we're not in your study now is lying outside of your front gate. What's that you're saying? Somebody jumped us outside of your gate and Waldo shot him dead.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Good Lord. Listen, Marlo, come here at once, do you hear?

[Philip Marlowe]

At once. I'll send Waldo.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Mr. Jeter, I want to see you.

[Philip Marlowe]

You, Waldo, will tell you all about it. Mr. Jeter.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Marlow.

[Philip Marlowe]

Good night, Mr. Jet. After Walter the chauffeur had left, I went back to the El Milano Hotel. Hawkins, the house stick, was all smiles and open palms. I placed no confidence in his smile and twenty dollar bill in his pocket.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Harriet Hunters again.

[Philip Marlowe]

What's the matter? Just take me up to her apartment, that's all, huh?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Yeah, sure.

[Philip Marlowe]

Right this way, fella. Hawkins took me to the eighth floor, room 814, and opened the door. There was someone in the room waiting.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Here's company for you, Mr. Estelle.

[Philip Marlowe]

Beat it, Hawkins. Yeah, this is the guy I was telling you about. Mr. Estelle come in earlier today.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Said he was from here.

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, sure, sure. Come on in, Marlow. I came to see Ms. Hunters, not you, Estelle. Well, first of all, Harriet's not home. I came to tell her what happened outside of Jeter's gate. So you keep informed. I can't wait for her any longer. Gotta get back to the casino now. Then, what did you come back for, Marlow? I'm looking for the Jeter boy. After what happened to him tonight, he needs somebody to walk behind him. You think I play games like that? All I know is we were shot at. I asked you a question. I answered it to the best of my knowledge. What knowledge? For example? Well, for example, you hold $50,000 worth of Grover's notes for gambling debts. I've got $50,000 invested in the kid. Would I be likely to bump him off? Ah, that makes sense all right. I always make sense. I'm bully for you. When I have 50 grand invested in

[Wadsworth Jeter]

a guy, I'm have to find out all about him.

[Philip Marlowe]

Like about old Jeter hiring a man

[Wadsworth Jeter]

named Arbogast to work for him.

[Philip Marlowe]

Arbogast was shot today. You know it. I know because I had you followed. You didn't tell the lower Marlow. That could be very hard on you. Well, could. Does that make you and me friends? Little blackmail, huh? Not much. We'll call it tattletail grail mail from now on. Do you stop bothering Ms. Huntress? Yeah, you win, Marty. Well, that's all. I've got to go. Well, I'll just wait around for a bit. Okay. Well, Harriet, Scotch is in that cabinet there. Thanks. I'll roll up my pants and go waiting in it. You know, Mama, I like you. You're cute. So long, Shaman. Marty. Estelle was right. He wouldn't kill anybody who owed him money and was soon to come into a lot of it. Now I was in bed with the police for not reporting Abigast murder. Well, I looked around Harriet's apartment vaguely, walked into the bedroom and stopped because mixed with a fragrance of good perfume and good cosmetics was the plain, ordinary homespun odor of gunpowder. I walked across the room and yanked open the closet door. Stepped back. They're just as big as life, but as dead as they ever come was young Grover Jeter. And at Grover's feet, among the graceful shoes in Harriet's closet was a tiny pearl handled automatic. I felt bad about that because I guessed that the dainty holes bullets from that dainty gun would fit the two dainty holes over Grover's heart. I put the neat little pistol in my pocket. I. I thought old man Jeter ought to know about his son. I thought. I didn't expect to find Waldo the chauffeur and Harriet Huntress with old Jeter in Jeter's big study. But there they were.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Why, Mr. Marlow and about giving up hoping to see you tonight.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, I changed my mind about coming out again, Mr. Jeter. A wallow. Didn't expect to see you here, Miss Huntress.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Didn't you?

[Philip Marlowe]

Did you expect to see me here? Never mind that, Marlow.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I want to know where my son is.

[Philip Marlowe]

What do you mean, Mr. Jader?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

He's missing, that's what I mean. Oh, he's missing and no one knows where he is.

[Philip Marlowe]

I know.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Eh, what's that? Where?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Marlow.

[Philip Marlowe]

Ms. Huntress, where did you and Grover go After Grover took that sucker punch at me in your apartment.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

We went out together in a taxi.

[Philip Marlowe]

During the ride, I had a change of heart. I didn't want Grover or Grover's money.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I told Grover to find another playmate and I got out in Beverly Hills. Grover went on in a taxi.

[Philip Marlowe]

Where did you go?

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Back to my apartment. Later I got out my car to

[Philip Marlowe]

come down here and tell Mr. De Jeter.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I decided to forget the whole thing

[Philip Marlowe]

for him to call off his dime novel. Sleuth, a dime will no longer buy a novel of any description. But that is beside the point.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You said you knew where Grover is. That's not beside the point, is it, Mr. Mallow?

[Philip Marlowe]

He's back in Harriet's apartment. Well, I didn't let him in.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

How on earth could he?

[Philip Marlowe]

Hawkins, your house detective, let him in. The last I saw of Grover, he is dead.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

What?

[Philip Marlowe]

What's that? Dead. Dead. Shot with a small caliber gun.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

I can't believe it. I. I can't. It's GROSS.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

It's dead.

[Philip Marlowe]

Ms. Huntress, this.25 caliber pistol was on the floor at Grover's feet. Here, take it. Take it over, will you? Mine.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You murderous, you. I'm not you, you cold blooded murderer.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Oh, stop that.

[Philip Marlowe]

Stop it, both of you. It could have been suicide.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Suicide? Well, yes, that's a possibility, of course.

[Philip Marlowe]

I see you like that idea, Jeter. But it wasn't suicide.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Then she did it. The murderous, the scheming, contemptible.

[Philip Marlowe]

It was murder. And it's fairly obvious who did it. Jeter. Eh, Marty Estelle is my guess. Well, guess again, waldo. Estelle had $50,000 invested in Grover. He wouldn't kill a golden goose like that. And Wax knows didn't do it because he was dead. Thanks to Waldo here. That means her. She did it. There had to be a motive and an opportunity.

[Announcer/Host]

Well, it was her apartment after all.

[Philip Marlowe]

Correct, Waldo? But Grover was Jeter's adopted stepson.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

More like a real son. He was to me, a real son.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, yeah, but did you lovely people know that in the state of California, a man can inherit from an adopted son who has money and who gets dead. Did you know that, Mr. Jeter?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Why, what do you mean?

[Philip Marlowe]

Your inheriting Grover's million dollars would be a motive for killing him, wouldn't it, Mr. Marlow? That was the motive, Jeter. And it was Waldo's job to find the opportunity to murder Grover. For you. All right, Marlow, that'll be all for you. Well, Waldo the Darkness.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Gun.

[Philip Marlowe]

Fanner. Drop that gun. Waldo. Shut up.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

I said drop it.

[Philip Marlowe]

Hey, that's nice shooting, Harriet. My hand. My hand. Papu put a little band aid on for you.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Waldo.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Waldo, you could have gotten into my apartment wearing that chauffeur's uniform. You could have gone into the garage entrance and up the back way.

[Philip Marlowe]

Sure, when Grover let him in. He backed Grover into the room with his gun. But he shot him with yours. How much was Jeter going to pay you for this job?

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Walter, don't talk wallow.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

He's bluffing.

[Philip Marlowe]

You're telling me he's bluffing. Nice kids, these college boys. Tell me, was it Dartmouth or Dannemora? Waldo.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Shut up, copper.

[Philip Marlowe]

You killed John Arbogast to throw suspicion on Marty Estelle. Then you hired Waxnose to fake a hold up on Grover. Why again? To throw suspicion on Marty Estelle. To make it look as though Estelle was trying to scare Grover into paying his gambling debts. If I hired Waxnose, why would I have shot him tonight? Because you like to kill people, Waldo. When I was brought out here tonight, Waxnose thought I was Grover in the car. He began to fake his holdup. But you just couldn't resist taking one of your snappy snapshots at Waxnose, could you? Waldo, shut up.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Could you?

[Philip Marlowe]

Next, Mr. Wadsworth.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Jeter. Look here, Marlow. You. You can't accuse me of.

[Philip Marlowe]

Doctor, he's sick. Call a doctor.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Call a.

[Philip Marlowe]

It's his heart.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

If Jeter dies, it's your fault, Marlo.

[Philip Marlowe]

Okay, Waldo. Tell you what I'll do, Waldo. If Jeter dies, he doesn't have to pay me my fee. We're even. Okay, Waldo. Harriet, angel, listen, go call the doctor. And while you're there, call the law. Hu. Peter didn't die. His heart was as good as mine. If you want to make anything out of that. The law had Jeter and Waldo cold. And I mean cold. Me? Well, I went out a couple of times with Harriet as I sat home with her a couple of times drinking her scotch. It was nice, all right, but I didn't have the money or the clothes or the manners. Still, I was sorry. When she went to New York to live, she had absolutely the best scotch I ever tasted. Maybe because it was free. I don't know.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

You have just heard Van Hepple starring in the mystery series Raymond Chandler's the Adventures of Philip Marlowe, brought to you by the Lever Brothers. Company, makers of Pepsodent. Van Heflin will return in just a moment. Have you tried. Have you tasted the new Pepsidin toothpaste? Its lingering, minty flavor is so fresh and inviting, families prefer it by an overwhelming average of 3 to 1 over any other toothpaste they tried. In a recent nationwide test, these families said new Pepsidin tastes better, makes breath cleaner and makes teeth brighter. Remember, new Pepsidant gives you more invigorating Irum foam. It sweeps dulling film away. No Wonder it's the 3 to 1 favorite with families all over America. Get new Pepsodent with Arium for your family right away. Now here is our star Van Heflin.

[Philip Marlowe]

The need for food in Europe tonight is desperate. Starvation faces a multitude of our fellow men. There's a way you can help. For $10, a package containing 21 and a half pounds of food will be sent for you to a friend or a relative or any member of an organization you designate in Europe. Or simply say, to a little French girl or to a Belgian war widow. Your order will be strictly respected and you'll receive a signed receipt from the person who received your gift. Send $10 now. Send all you can. Send your $10 to CARE C A R E CARE New York. Help keep America the hope of the world.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Tonight's story was adapted by Milton Geiger from the story Trouble Is My Business by Raymond Chandler, creator of Philip Marlow, the screen's most famous private detective. The original music was composed and conducted by Lynn Murray. This is Wendell Niles inviting you to listen again next week, same time to another exciting mystery on the adventures of Philip Marlo. Starring Van Heflin was a distinguished cat. This is NBC, the next broadcasting company.

[Narrator/Detective]

It was hot, boiling hot that night. I wanted to grab a beer and turn in early. So what happens? I get my beer, but with it comes a gunshot, a beautiful woman in trouble and murder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author of crime mystery CBS presents his most famous character brought to you now in the Adventures of Philip Marlo. With Gerald Moore starred as Philip Barlo. We bring you tonight's unusual story, Red Wind.

[Narrator/Detective]

There was a rough desert wind blowing into Los Angeles that evening. It was one of those hot, dry Santa Ana's that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that, every booze party ends in a fight and meek little housewives feel the edge of a carving knife and study their husband's necks. Anything can happen when the Santa Ana blows in from the desert. I closed up my office early. I got tired of reading Philip Marlow, Private Investigator backwards on the ground glass of my office door. So I locked up and decided a nice cold beer would taste good before I went up to my apartment. Filler up again, Mr. Marlon Marlowe.

[Philip Marlowe]

Marlon?

[Walter Gage]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Detective]

Marlon's a fish.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah, I know.

[Narrator/Detective]

Marlin's also the name of a lady on the radio. Marlon, comma Mary. The story of.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yeah, my wife listens to it.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah, good for her. Hey, you a bartender?

[Philip Marlowe]

Another ride? Yeah.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

That drunk again.

[Narrator/Detective]

What do you expect in this business? Autograph hounds? Magus, Sappy, you hear?

[Announcer/Host]

Be right with your sport.

[Philip Marlowe]

Gotta draw this man a beer.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Crying out loud, these stumblebums.

[Narrator/Detective]

Hey, bud, you got another customer? Backus.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Hey, bud, you seen a lady in here lately?

[Philip Marlowe]

A lady?

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Tall, good looking, brown hair, a print bolero jacket and a blue silk dress?

[Philip Marlowe]

No, sir.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

No, sir.

[Philip Marlowe]

Nobody like that.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Spinning. All right, Straight scotch, fast.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yes, sir.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator/Detective]

As the man drank, I noticed the drunk was grinning at him. And then, without changing his grin, the drunk swept a gun from somewhere so fast it was just a blur coming out. Made a couple of hard snaps and a little smoke. Very little. You other guys don't move. So long, Waldo. Don't move, you two.

[Walter Gage]

Poor Waldo.

[Narrator/Detective]

I bet I made his nose bleed.

[Walter Gage]

So long, boys.

[Philip Marlowe]

Break up.

[Narrator/Detective]

Get on the phone, kid. I'll get his license number.

[Announcer/Host]

Holy smoke.

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

Too late.

[Narrator/Detective]

He drove away in the dead guy's car.

[Philip Marlowe]

Maybe he ain't dead.

[Narrator/Detective]

No, he's dead all right. Oh, that guy was using a.22 target pistol. When they use that kind of gun, they don't make mistakes. Where's your phone? This is for the police. Prowl car boys were there in five minutes. Warlow was out of business all right. Nothing in his pockets told who he was, but he had about $700 on him. And with that kind of heavy coin, you can buy a good 1910 automobile even today. Well, I told the cops what I knew, including about Warlow's brown haired pretty girl in the bottom. It was about 9 o' clock when I stepped out of the elevator in my apartment house and almost walked right into a brown haired pretty girl in a bolero jacket waiting for the elevator on my floor. Oh, excuse me just a minute, lady.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What is it?

[Narrator/Detective]

I'm a great admirer of bolero jackets.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

What?

[Narrator/Detective]

Now, take the one you've got on, for instance.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry.

[Narrator/Detective]

No, no, no, wait.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

If you'll be good enough to let me? Oh, you've made me miss the elevator.

[Narrator/Detective]

That's just as well.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What?

[Narrator/Detective]

Well, it's better you don't go out in those clothes.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Just what do you mean?

[Narrator/Detective]

Tall, good looking. Bolero jacket, blue silk dress.

[Walter Gage]

Mm.

[Narrator/Detective]

Lady, might I take the trouble of telling you that you're in trouble?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Trouble?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah. The cops are looking for you in those clothes.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I haven't done anything.

[Narrator/Detective]

Maybe not. But if I were you, I'd have a little talk with me.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

We've all done nothing.

[Narrator/Detective]

41 across the hall. I know things about you. Well, good girl. Come along. It took a firm grip on her arm, but I managed to get her to my room. I rustled up some drinks, but when I turned to give her hers, I. I saw she held a small automatic. She looked at me steadily. I put down both glasses slowly so I wouldn't be misunderstood. Look, sister, I know it's hot tonight and heat does funny things to people, but let's put that little thing away and have a nice cool drink, huh?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Don't move.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, I'm strictly frozen in my tracks.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Stay that way.

[Narrator/Detective]

Okay, okay. Wouldn't you like to know that I'm a private detective?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Private detective?

[Narrator/Detective]

I can prove it if you'll let me. That's better. I don't like those things pointed at me.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I'll have that drink.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, good. I don't often give good liquor away like this. I can't afford it.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Why are they after me?

[Narrator/Detective]

Well, a man was just shot in a bar down the street. Before he got it, he'd been asking about a tall, pretty girl with a bolero jacket.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What did he look like, this man?

[Narrator/Detective]

He was tall, about 5 11, slim, dark. Dark brown eyes with a lot of glitter. The dark suit, white handkerchief in the breast pocket. And he must have seen you early at night to know how you were dressed. Am I getting anywhere?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

He used to be my. My chauffeur.

[Narrator/Detective]

You had an appointment with him, didn't you? He asked for you, didn't he?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Yes, I had an appointment with him. He'd stolen something from me. When he left three days ago. I was going to buy it back from him.

[Narrator/Detective]

Why didn't you tell the police?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I couldn't tell him.

[Narrator/Detective]

It was valuable, wasn't it? Valuable enough for waldo to steal $15,000 peanuts.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

But it wasn't the value. You see, it meant something to me. The man I loved gave it to me. Now he's dead. We shot down over Germany. I go back and tell my husband that he probably hired you he did?

[Narrator/Detective]

How much is he paying me? And where is this husband of yours?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

He's at a meeting.

[Narrator/Detective]

This late at night?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

He's a very important man. The hydroelectric engineer.

[Narrator/Detective]

Never mind about him. What about Waldo? Why was he knocked off?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

You mean he's dead? Waldo is dead?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yes, sister, he's dead. Very dead. Screaming won't bring him back.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I'm not going to scream. Who would that be?

[Narrator/Detective]

There's a dressing room behind the door.

[Henry Eichelberger]

Hide there.

[Narrator/Detective]

Take your glass with you.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

All right, all right.

[Narrator/Detective]

I went to the door, making a loud yawning sound. Foolishly, I didn't have my gun. That was a mistake. Because when I opened the door, the guy on the other side certainly had one. A.22 target automatic that had already killed one man that night. And I knew the bald head, the flat, shiny eyes. And the face like a poisonous lizard. Baldy put the muzzle of his gun lightly against my throat. I backed into the room and Baldy kicked the door shut. You alone? Look for yourself. I'm asking, not looking. I'm alone. You and that dumb bartender saw me dust off Waldo. What did Waldo do to you? Who's asking? Just making conversation. He stooled on me on a bank job we did together. Got me four years in Michigan, Penn. How is he? Dead. Well, I'm still good, drunk or sober. Tell me why I came here, pal. You heard the bar keeping me talking. I told him my name and where I lived. That's how. Pal, I said. Why skip it? A hangman won't ask you to guess why he's there. You're pretty tough at that, ain't you, pal? But you're slamming off. All right, but could you get that gun out of my neck and try somewhere else? Just any place. This better? This suits you all right. Just so it isn't my neck. Say when, pal. It's your party. I leaned against the gun weakly. Door of the dressing room showed a crack of darkness. The crack widened. I began to shake a little in spite of the heat. Girl came quietly into the room. But there was white all around her irises. She was scared. She had a gun in her hand. But I was sorry for her. Dead sorry. She tried to make the door a scream. Either way, it would be curtains for both of us. Scared, mister?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Worried about any little thing?

[Narrator/Detective]

I couldn't talk. The girl floated in the air somewhere behind Paulie. Her horrified face was drifting toward us. My mouth was as cold and dry as yesterday's toast. Well, kid, how's it feel? You ready yet? Say the word. Well, don't think all night about it. If you're gonna do something about it, do it. Why not, pal? I like this. Suppose I yell, go ahead? Yeah, go ahead.

[Philip Marlowe]

Hey,

[Narrator/Detective]

thanks, sister. Advise me. Everything I have is yours, now and forever.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Is he dead?

[Narrator/Detective]

You flatter me no end, lady. I only punched him.

[Philip Marlowe]

I.

[Narrator/Detective]

Get out of here while I call the cops down on this killer.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Good night.

[Narrator/Detective]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. That jacket marks you for the cops. Leave it here. You don't need it in this kind of weather.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh, yes.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Here.

[Narrator/Detective]

Okay. See you again.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What?

[Narrator/Detective]

I don't know. Who might it be? The rival of a dead flyer and things like that. On second thought, forget the whole thing. I'll see that the police get Jesse James here. Good night, lady.

[Walter Gage]

Yeah?

[Narrator/Detective]

You mean me?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Yes, please.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, you again.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Get in. I want to talk to you.

[Narrator/Detective]

You want to know what happened at headquarters?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Yes.

[Narrator/Detective]

I went down to headquarters with the law and gave him the story. I left you out of it.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh, thanks.

[Narrator/Detective]

You saved my life. So no one knows anything about you. Incidentally, neither do I.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

My name is Mrs. Frank Barsley. 212 Fremont Place, Olympia 24596. That what you wanted?

[Narrator/Detective]

I guess so.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Well, there it is.

[Narrator/Detective]

Now, where'd you really come back?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I wanted my pearls.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, no. Pearls too?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Yes.

[Narrator/Detective]

All right, tell me about the pearls. We've had a murder, a beautiful mystery woman and a sadistic killer. And an heroic rescue. Now we will have pearls.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I risked to buy them back from the man called Waldo.

[Narrator/Detective]

And I saw everything that came out of his pockets. There weren't any pearls.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Could they be hidden in his apartment?

[Narrator/Detective]

It's possible.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Waldo lived on the same floor you do in this apartment house.

[Narrator/Detective]

Then why didn't I know him, at

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

least by sight, when he just moved in last week? He managed to get a sublet.

[Narrator/Detective]

Sort of amateur magician on the side, huh?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

It's getting rather late.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah. What about your husband? This hot, mysterious night?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

He's still at his meeting.

[Narrator/Detective]

Good.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Why did you say that?

[Narrator/Detective]

I didn't have any answers. We just sat there looking at one another. I was suddenly aware of the hot desert wind stirring up the night. I took hold of her and I kissed her. She sat very still. I was shaking when I let go of her. Her voice trembled a little when she spoke.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I mentioned to then I wasn't always this way. Only since Johnny Dalmas was killed in the war. He gave me those pearls. 41 of them with a diamond propeller clasp. I'd have loved them if they were wooden beads. Because he Gave them to me. I love Johnny. Where you love just one time. Understand that.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yes, I can. What I don't understand is how you could explain a fifteen thousand dollar pearl necklace to your husband.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Told him they were imitation, that I bought them myself.

[Narrator/Detective]

How did Waldo latch onto them and what they stood for?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

When my husband was in Argentina, Waldo and I would go for long drives. I was restless and wretched because of Jesus, Johnny. Sometimes Waldo and I had a little drink together, but that was all.

[Narrator/Detective]

But you confided in Waldo about those pearls. And when your husband came back, Waldo stole the pearls and offered to sell them back to you. He'd tell Papa, oh, I was a fool. Now you think the pearls are upstairs in Waldo's apartment?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I suppose it's a lot to ask.

[Narrator/Detective]

I've been paid. I'll go look. Wait here. Was I gone long, Lola? Well, no.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

No pearls.

[Narrator/Detective]

No pearls. There was a man in Wala's room.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Man?

[Narrator/Detective]

You know a guy named Leon Velasanos?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

No, not by name. I don't know.

[Narrator/Detective]

Mexican, South American. About 45, small, iron gray hair, very neat. Fawn colored suit, wine colored tie.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

No, I don't think I know such a man. You say he was in the room?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What did he say?

[Narrator/Detective]

Very little. In fact, nothing. He was dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You are listening to the Adventures of Philip Barlow, created by one of America's most outstanding writers of crime and mystery fiction, Raymond Chandler. Our story for today, the Red Wind, continues in just a moment. But first, a message of interest for all young men. How would you like to be up there in the wild blue sky, flying America's mightiest bombers, fastest fighters and newest jet jobs? Believe me, it's a great feeling to know that you have the skill, the courage it takes to become a pilot officer in the United States Air Force. The Air Force that's second to none. Keep your eye on the local newspapers and your nearest Army Air Force recruiting station. An aviation cadet recruiting team will be in your community soon. If you're between the ages of 20 and 26 and a half years of age, single and a high school graduate, plan to see the aviation cadet interviewing team. If you pass the mental and physical examination, you'll be accepted for the 52 week Aviation Cadet Training Program. When you graduate, you'll be a second lieutenant in the U.S. air Force, the mightiest of all. And now back to the Adventures of Philip Marlow with Gerald Bohrs, our star. We continue today's adventure.

[Narrator/Detective]

I sat with Lola Barsley in her car listening to the hot wind gallop around in the midnight streets. I just told her about the Latin looking man I'd found in Waldo's room in a very dead condition. I held her hands until they stopped trembling and then I gave her the few remaining details. He had a gun in his shoulder holster, but someone had strangled him before he could set up in business with a gun.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Someone? You mean Waldo?

[Narrator/Detective]

Maybe. You see that convertible coupe, two cars ahead of us?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh, it's been there for hours there before. I parked here to wait for you.

[Narrator/Detective]

Leon, the guy in Waldo's room came in that car. But according to the key container he carried, it isn't his car.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Whose car is it? Does it matter?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah, it belongs to a lady, according to the tag on the car keys. Eugenie Kolchenko, West Los Angeles.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Never heard of her.

[Narrator/Detective]

Mm. Well, you better go home now.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What are you going to do?

[Narrator/Detective]

Drive that flossy convertible around and wave at my friends? Impress people? You run along now. Me? I've got another date.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Yes, what is it, please?

[Narrator/Detective]

Ms. Eugenie Kolchenko.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Yes, what is it?

[Narrator/Detective]

Did you lose or misplace a pigeon? Gray convertible coupe.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

What are you saying?

[Narrator/Detective]

Don't be alarmed. I found it, brought it home to you.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Ok. Come in, please. It is a reward you wish. Shall we see?

[Narrator/Detective]

Snap out of a dragon, lady. Who was he?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Was who?

[Narrator/Detective]

A little guy, Leon, you loaned your car to. He's dead. Who was he?

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh, no, no.

[Philip Marlowe]

Eugenie, darling.

[Female Character (e.g., Belle or Lola)]

Darling, come here, please.

[Announcer/Host]

What's the matter, my dear?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who is this man?

[Narrator/Detective]

I came about Ms. Kolchenko's car. What about a car? Well, the gentleman who borrowed it couldn't return it on account of he isn't alive.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

He's dead, darling.

[Narrator/Detective]

He is dead. That's putting it more bluntly, of course.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Dead, huh?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah, completely. Who are you? Philip Marlow, private investigator. My card.

[Announcer/Host]

Have you told the police yet?

[Narrator/Detective]

Never do it once. What can be profitably deferred pending negotiation?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Aesop, I might negotiate.

[Narrator/Detective]

Just what do you know, Marlow? Well, a man named of Waldo was shot in a bar tonight. I happen to have the insight as to who he was. And when I visited his apartment tonight, I found this Leon Velisanos dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He wouldn't have had $500 and 20s

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

on him, would he?

[Narrator/Detective]

No, but this waldo had over $700 on him when he was killed in that cocktail bar. Mostly in 20s. Is there a basis for negotiation yet? Very well, Marlow.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There were certain bills for some stuff

[Philip Marlowe]

Ms. Kolchenko here had charged to my account.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

But, darling, you told me I might Charge to your account.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right, my dear, so I wasn't broke.

[Narrator/Detective]

That might be the understatement of the decade, but go on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I had the bill safely in my briefcase.

[Announcer/Host]

Somehow there's Waldo.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Had a chance to steal the briefcase. I hired leon, gave him $500 to

[Announcer/Host]

buy back those bills from Waldo.

[Narrator/Detective]

Instead, Waldo took Leon's coupons, was forced to kill Leon in the process. And he went out to keep another date and walked into an old pal hostile enough to blow him down.

[Announcer/Host]

Then somebody still has those bills, and

[Lieutenant Sam Delagara]

I'm in for a divorce suit, huh?

[Narrator/Detective]

Hmm. The man who shot Waldo got away in Waldo's car with your briefcase. And it could be cops caught him

[Announcer/Host]

and the police have the briefcase.

[Narrator/Detective]

Maybe. But the police are interested in solving crimes, not in tossing mud for the benefit of sensation eaters. I have a friend or two at headquarters. Let me see what I can do.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's worth $500 to me, Marlow.

[Narrator/Detective]

Then that's what it'll cost you. Good luck and thank you, Mr. Marlow. Philip Marlow.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Remember, my name is Frank Barsley.

[Narrator/Detective]

Barsley. Oh.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And just what does that mean?

[Narrator/Detective]

The big hydroelectric engineer?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Yes. How'd you know?

[Narrator/Detective]

Never mind. May I use your telephone? Someday I must tell you about Ibarra. Now, he's a salt of the earth. Ibarra. Detective lieutenant over at Central Homicide. Well, I phoned Ibarra from Ms. Kolchenko's house and told him where he could find a well dressed cadaver named Leon. And furnished a few small details. I gave Ibarra time to check my tip. And then I went down to see the good lieutenant and told him why I'd been up in Waldo's room. Only to find Leon instead of a certain lady's string of pearls. Pearls, eh?

[Walter Gage]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Detective]

I thought Waldo might have had them up there. Whose pearls were they? Ladies. Go on. Or they might have been in Wardo's car that Warlow's killer drove away in.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah. What?

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah, they might have. Yeah. Also a batch of bills charged to the account of a certain Frank Barsley. Yeah. Police aren't interested in domestic scandal. They want to prevent or solve crimes. Right.

[Philip Marlowe]

So?

[Narrator/Detective]

So I've got $500 for the police fund if those pearls and those bills are returned to their rightful owners. Quit your kidding. It's a valuable necklace. Yeah. There's your necklace. Take it away. And the Levelly Borough. Just tell me straight what it's all about. All I ask. Sure, sure. Well, you see, this Waldo was blackmailing a wife with the pearls and her husband with the bills. Bossily, that's the guy's name. Sent Leon to get the bills from Waldo. Waldo killed him and then stepped out and got nailed by that guy in the bar he'd stool pigeoned against once. Well, if Bossley's name stays out of the papers, I get 500 bucks. It goes to the police fund.

[Announcer/Host]

Thanks.

[Narrator/Detective]

We'll keep him out. I'm not in this case for money. I just want to get back the bills and the pearls. Sure. And like you say, Marlo, the police

[Narrator/Announcer]

aren't in business to sling mud.

[Narrator/Detective]

Look, you can deliver the pearls to the lady yourself if you like. No, you better take them to her, Marlow.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You see, except for that diamond propeller clasp on them. They're phony.

[Narrator/Detective]

Phony. But look, Marlow, I know pearls, real pearls, feel gritty between the teeth.

[Narrator/Announcer]

These are hard and glassy. Try.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah, they're phony. All but the clasp, Marlow. All but the clasp. I took the pearls and had them appraised the next morning at a gilt edged place in Beverly Hills.

[Announcer/Host]

Phony.

[Narrator/Detective]

All with a clasp. An imitation as good as these. Couldn't have been made that fast. These were the pearls that Waldo had stolen. I took the glass pearls to a dive on Melrose and had them duplicated for $20. I had the jeweler attach the diamond clasp to the $20 duplicate string of pearls. Then I called up Lola.

[Walter Gage]

Hello, Lola.

[Narrator/Detective]

Okay, you're in.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh, Mr. Marlow. Yes. Okay.

[Narrator/Detective]

Here, I have a string of pearls for you.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Oh, really, Philip, Really. Did you get.

[Narrator/Detective]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Lola. Lola was getting set to gyp you. He sold the real pearls and made up a string with the diamond clasp.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

May I at least have the clasp?

[Narrator/Detective]

Sure. Meet me at 4 at Nikolayev's.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Nikolayev's at 4. I'll be there.

[Narrator/Detective]

There you are, Lola. These are the pearls the police found in Waldo's car.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

You were right. They're not my pearls.

[Narrator/Detective]

I'm sorry, Lola.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

No. Still have the clasp that Johnny gave me.

[Narrator/Detective]

Well, I'm happy if you are.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

Happy? No, not quite happy. See, this morning my husband told me we're to separate.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, I'm very sorry, Lola.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

You've been very kind.

[Narrator/Detective]

That's all right.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

This is goodbye, I suppose.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yeah. You'll never get over Johnny Dalmas. Goodbye, Lola. If anybody ever bothers you again, let me know. Name's Marlow. Philip Marlow.

[Female Character (e.g., Stella Lamott or Lola Barsley)]

I remember. Philip Marlow.

[Narrator/Detective]

I drove almost to Malibu. Then I parked. Then I walked way out on a rock cliff jutting into the Pacific Ocean. Then I reached into my pocket and dug out the string of Bohemian glass pearls Lt. Ibarra had found in Waldo's car. I cut the knot at one end and slipped the pearls off one by one. One by one I flipped them into the water. Should have seen the gulls swoop down on them. Then they flapped up again, screaming indignantly. Phony pearls. They'd fooled Waldo and Lola Barsali, but they couldn't fool Acego. I said aloud, to the memory of Johnny Dalmat, just another four flusher. I listened a while to the wheeling seagulls. All at once I realized that the wind had died. The Santa Anna had blown itself out. The Red Wind was done. It was over. It was cool again.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The Adventures of Philip Barlow, created by Raymond Chandler, stars Gerald Moore and is produced and directed by Norman McDonald's. In tonight's story, Red Wind, Lola was played by Peggy Weber and Barry Kroger was Baldy. Joan Banks played Eugenie Kolchenko, Jeff Corey was Lieutenant Ibarra, Parley Bear was Barsley. Lou Krugman was Waldo and Wilms Herbert played the bartender. The special music was conceived and conducted by Ivan Ditmar. Philip Marlowe will be back in just a moment. Young man, Be a Marine Combine travel, adventure and education at no expense to yourself. When you are a Marine, you can travel to the far places of the earth and carry on at the same time your own educational program through free Marine Corps Institute correspondence courses. You have plenty of courses to choose from, and an ideal way of studying geography or history is to take a course dealing with the background of the area in which you are stationed or any of the more than 160 Marine Corps Institute courses. Thanks to this Marine Corps Institute, thousands of Marines are making continual educational advancements during their service in the U.S. marine Corps. That opportunity, upon becoming a U.S. marine is yours for the asking. Check with your nearest Marine Corps recruiting office tomorrow for complete information. Next week at the same time, be sure to tune in for another adventure of Philip Marlow. When Marlo says I was low, very

[Narrator/Detective]

low, the night I set out searching for the girl with the strange hazel eyes. The fog which hung over Los Angeles didn't help. I felt even worse when I found her, but by then I had death on my hands.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If you like your laughs mingled with spicy music, be around tomorrow to hear the premiere of Alka Seltzer Time, featuring Herb Shriner and Raymond Scott's quintet. There'll be guest stars, too. Here's a show that's guaranteed to keep Monday from being blue. It's coming your way Mondays through Fridays over most of these CBS stations. So consult your local newspaper for the time of Alka Seltzer time. This is Roy Rowensby speaking for cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Podcast Host]

We just heard stories by Raymond Chandler as presented on Suspense, the Mole Mystery Theater and the Adventures of Fate. Philip Marlowe, 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 mystery. In the meantime, you can check out Stars on Suspense, my other Old Time Radio podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Thursdays. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can [e-mail] Meansts OTR. I'll be back next week with more Old Time Radio Detectives. But until then, good night and happy listening.

[Announcer/Host]

Now here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen. In a prejudice filled America, no one would be successful 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.

[Wadsworth Jeter]

Help to stamp out prejudice in our country.

[Announcer/Host]

Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.