Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 21st Precinct 54-07-21 (054) The Ledge
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Original Air Date of Show: July 21, 1954

Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold’s Old Time Radio" features a broadcast of the classic police procedural radio drama, "21st Precinct." Titled "The Ledge," the story centers on Captain Frank Kennelly and his squad as they respond to a tense suicide attempt involving a distraught woman sitting on the eleventh-floor window ledge of her apartment. The episode offers a gripping, humanizing look at police work, emphasizing both the emotional challenges and methodical procedures officers faced during emergencies in New York City.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

[01:01] Start of the Police Procedural – A Day Begins at the 21st Precinct

• Captain Frank Kennelly sets the atmosphere, describing the start of his shift, the routine of turning out the platoon, and administrative tasks.

  • “My name is Kelly Frank Canelli. I'm captain in command of the 21st... it was a clear sunny day and pleasantly cool for the time of the year...”
    (D, 01:01)

• Typical Inner Workings: Small administrative discussions, referencing court subpoenas, and shifting desk responsibilities.

[02:26 – 04:37] The Forgetful Motorist

• A local woman, Ms. Giesham, enters the precinct after her car keys were found left in her locked vehicle. Officers explain the policy—removing keys as a theft deterrent—and issue her a summons despite her protests.
  • “I think it's a lot of nerve to give me a ticket over something like that. After all, it's my car. If I wanted to leave my keys in it, I could do it.”
    (A, 04:10)

[04:37 – 09:25] Emergency: Woman on the Ledge

• Serious Call: Captain Kennelly is alerted about a woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Woolsey, threatening to jump from her eleventh-floor ledge at 781 East 66th Street.
• Police Response: Emergency Service squads, sector cars, and patrol officers quickly mobilize, clearing onlookers and strategizing around the building.
  • “Suicide or attempted suicide is a serious problem. But its seriousness is multiplied several times because an individual in that frame of mind generally has no regard for other lives…”
    (D, 04:39)

[10:25 – 14:08] Inside the Scene: Persuasion and Despair

• Mrs. Woolsey's Isolation: Neighbors and officers reveal her as a reclusive, troubled widow. The team attempts to talk her inside, only able to approach from a nearby window.
• Human Connection: Police try various approaches, from offering coffee to empathizing with her struggles, but she remains determined yet wavering.
  • “Sorry to cause you all this trouble, Captain. That's all I wanted to tell you.”
    (A, 13:07)
  • “No, I've got to jump. I don't care to live anymore.”
    (A, 13:14)
  • “It would be a great favor to me if you didn’t.”
    (D, 13:48)

[14:08 – 19:43] Life on Hold – Talks, Telegrams, and Reflection

• Emotional Engagement: The team takes turns conversing with Mrs. Woolsey, learning about her loneliness and recent heartbreak—a telegram from her son, Ernest, who couldn’t visit.

  • “Nobody that wants to, nobody that need to. It wouldn't make any difference to anyone. No one at all.”
    (A, 17:28)
  • “For my son, Ernest... He wanted me to come out to California. I would have gone too quick. And I’m afraid to fly... I just can't ride on a train.”
    (A, 19:12)

• Practical Precautions: Police have strung up life nets below but know they're dangerous and insufficient.

• Attempting Distraction: The Captain tries to steer the conversation to everyday topics, inviting her to share more about her life and grievances, like soiled curtains.

[19:43 – 24:02] Shifting Strategy – The Phone Call Ruse

• Key Realization: The team suspects that her son’s failed visit is central to her despair.

• The Plan: Using a neighbor’s phone, officers decide to call Mrs. Woolsey’s apartment in hopes she’ll re-enter to answer the phone.

  • “Do you think it would take more than 10 seconds to get that door open after you hit it?”
    (D, 22:44)

• Cooperation: Everyone, including neighbor Mrs. Westall, becomes part of the quiet orchestration to resolve the crisis.

[24:02 – 26:47] Resolution – Action and Aftermath

• Dramatic Climax: As the phone rings, Mrs. Woolsey moves inside to answer it. Officers immediately break down her door, rush in, and bring her to safety.

  • “I didn't want to come in. I wanted to jump. I still want to jump. Please let me go.”
    (A, 26:08)

• Afterword: Mrs. Woolsey, distraught and disoriented, shares her longing and disappointment about her son. The captain consoles her.

  • “I haven't seen him in four years... He could have come to see me...”
    (A, 26:30)

• Reflection on Police Work: The episode closes with a narration about the daily unpredictability and emotional labor of police work at the 21st Precinct.

  • “And so it goes around the clock through the week, every day, every year. The police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry-go-round.”
    (D, 26:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bureaucracy and Care
  • “It's an offense to leave the keys in your car.” (D, 04:04)
• On the Human Risk of Suicide in Urban Spaces
  • “Suicide or attempted suicide is a serious problem... generally has no regard for other lives.” (D, 04:39)
• On Personal Pain and Isolation
  • “No, I've got to jump. I don't care to live anymore. There’s nothing left at all.” (A, 13:14)
  • “It would be a great favor to me if you didn’t.” (D, 13:48)
• Dark Humor / Police Camaraderie
  • “You did, until you handed us a summons from hero to bombing. One easy lesson. Oh, our one hard summer.” (D, 04:32)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:01] – Start of the day at 21st Precinct, Captain Kennelly’s monologue.
• [02:26] – [04:37] – Police interact with a motorist about keys left in car.
• [04:37] – [09:25] – Suicide attempt report, police mobilization.
• [10:25] – [14:08] – Engagement with Mrs. Woolsey, attempts to talk her in.
• [19:43] – Discussion about Mrs. Woolsey’s son with the emotional root of crisis revealed.
• [22:44] – The phone call plan is set in motion.
• [24:02] – Resolution, officers burst in and save Mrs. Woolsey.

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a classic, measured, and compassionate police procedural tone—methodical, direct, but marked by empathy and flashes of fatigue and wry humor. The original dialogue is naturalistic, reflecting the era's radio style, characterized by brisk exchanges, respectful address, and efficient crisis management.

For Listeners

This episode paints a vivid, human portrait of mid-century police work—its routine frustrations, sudden emergencies, and the emotional complexity of dealing with citizens in acute distress. It’s a thoughtful, suspenseful window into both a bygone era and timeless challenges, handled with sensitivity by the 21st Precinct team.