21st Precinct 56-01-13 (119) The Platform - Harold's Old Time Radio

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio — 21st Precinct 56-01-13 (119) “The Platform”

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode of "21st Precinct,” listeners are transported to the tense, bustling atmosphere of a New York City police station in the 1950s, where personal loyalty, police process, and public duty collide. The episode, “The Platform,” dramatizes the efforts of the 21st Precinct’s officers as they handle multiple cases in one night, most notably tracking down a fugitive accused of murdering his wife, while also grappling with the emotional fallout for the fugitive’s extended family.

Key Discussion Points and Storyline

1. Raid on a Dice Game (0:35–2:52)

The episode opens with the precinct responding to a report of illegal gambling. Captain Cronin, narrating, details a dice game raid in the back of a barbershop.
- “Seventeen men were placed under arrest. The patrol wagon was summoned. They were brought to the station house for booking.” (00:56, Captain Cronin)
The scene is chaotic, reflecting the lively, unpredictable nature of police work.

2. Mrs. Deason’s Dilemma (2:52–10:29)

Amidst the hubbub, Mrs. Eva Deason arrives, troubled, seeking help from the police about her husband’s brother, Fred, who is wanted for murdering his wife.
- “You know how many times I walked past the police station? How many times before I came in?” (03:59, Mrs. Deason)
- She reveals her husband, John, has been clandestinely helping the fugitive Fred by giving him money withdrawn from their savings.
- Mrs. Deason confides her fears: “His brother could kill three wives and rob four banks, see John – he’ll be all right. It’s a loyalty stick up for the family.” (08:02, Mrs. Deason)
- She expresses her frustration at her husband’s denial of Fred's madness: “I can’t mention it around the house. One word that anything’s wrong with Fred makes John mad. He thinks it’s a reflection on him. He thinks people will say it runs in the family.” (08:20, Mrs. Deason)
- She finally resolves, “That’s what I made up my mind. Enough’s enough.” (10:29, Mrs. Deason)

3. Police Strategy & Interrogation (11:33–19:00)

Captain Cronin takes Mrs. Deason to the Detective Squad, where Lieutenant King corroborates her story with Brooklyn’s 62nd squad. It’s confirmed the fugitive, Fred, is still at large, suspected to approach his brother for aid.
Officers bring in John Deason, Mrs. Deason's husband, for questioning:
- John initially denies recent contact with Fred and offers an alternative explanation for the money: “I took the money out of the bank for other personal reasons. To pay somebody I owed it.” (15:32, John Deason)
- Under pressure, his defensive loyalty and denial are evident: “You’re crazier than he is!” (18:59, John Deason, to his wife)

4. Family Loyalty vs. Duty (19:05–20:41)

The family’s emotional crisis comes to a head as Eva declares her intention to leave John:
- “Because I can’t live with a man who don’t know right from wrong. Even after 15 years.” (19:22, Mrs. Deason)
John finally cracks under the pressure, confessing the truth:
- “I met him. Yes, twice. He called my place of business. He said he needed some money. I went to the bank and I got it... He called on the telephone yesterday. Here’s another hundred dollars. I took that out of the bank today.” (19:51, John Deason)
- John reveals the meeting place: the 77th Street station at midnight, where Fred threatened violence if not given money.

5. The Platform Stakeout and Capture (20:41–24:35)

Police set up an elaborate stakeout at the subway platform.
- “Detectives were posted near the change booth at turnstiles and at frequent intervals along the Hundred Yard Underground platform…” (21:32, Captain Cronin)
After tense waiting, Fred arrives, but attempts to flee onto the tracks:
- “Fred, hold up. Get off the track. He’s going to hit the third rail. Now. Fred. Fred.” (24:01, Officer on the scene)
- Chaos ensues and Fred is apprehended, injured by contact with the third rail.
- “He did his brother a favor. We’ll have to plead insanity.” (24:35, Captain Cronin)

6. Poignant Close (24:35–End)

The episode closes with Captain Cronin reflecting on the constant flux of police work:
- “And so it goes around the clock, through the week, every day, every year, a police precinct in the City of New York is a flesh and blood merry-go-round… Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone.” (24:50, Captain Cronin)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Enough’s enough.” (10:29, Mrs. Deason)
“A husband tells a wife a lie about some money, she runs to the police. You ever hear anything so ridiculous? That’s what’s the matter with lying. Mr. Deason keeps getting people in trouble.” (16:26, Captain Cronin)
“Because I can’t live with a man who don’t know right from wrong. Even after 15 years.” (19:22, Mrs. Deason)
“He did his brother a favor. We’ll have to plead insanity.” (24:35, Captain Cronin)
Reflections on the precinct: “A flesh and blood merry-go-round… Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone.” (24:50, Captain Cronin)

Key Timestamps

00:35 — Opening set-up: Captain Cronin narrates precinct events.
02:54 — Mrs. Deason approaches police for help.
04:25 — Mrs. Deason reveals deep family trouble and the fugitive’s crime.
10:29 — Mrs. Deason decides “enough’s enough.”
13:20 — Police plan: Investigation proceeds, John Deason to be picked up.
15:06–19:00 — Interrogation of John Deason and dramatic family confrontation.
20:41 — John confesses meeting details with Fred; police prepare the stakeout.
22:44–24:35 — Subway platform climax: Fred’s arrival, attempted escape, and capture.
24:50 — Captain’s closing thoughts on the nature of police work.

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a solemn, procedural, and suspenseful tone, with dramatic dialogue interspersed with the steady, no-nonsense narration of Captain Cronin.
Themes of duty versus family loyalty, the cost of secrecy, and the striving for justice in the face of human frailty are sharply drawn.

This summary preserves the tension and humanity of the original broadcast, offering newcomers to old time radio a glimpse into both vintage police drama and the timeless dilemmas found at the intersection of family, crime, and civic responsibility.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Did you know that parents rank teaching financial literacy as the toughest life skill? That's where Greenlight comes in. The debit card and money app made for families. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores, automate allowance and track spending with real time notifications. Kids learn how to earn, save and spend responsibly while parents have peace of mind knowing smart money habits are being built with guardrails in place. Try Greenlight risk free today@greenlight.com trygreenlight. That's greenlight.com try greenlight.

B (0:35)

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. Sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Cronin. Vincent P. Cronin. I'm Captain in command of the 21st Precinct. I was doing night duty. 4pm to 8am was a busy night in the precinct. At 8:20pm Patrolman Joseph McGill rang in stating he had reason to believe there was a dice game in progress in the rear of a barbershop on his post. The desk officer, Lieutenant Patrick Gorman, conveyed this information to me and I instructed him to notify the 6th Division plane clothesman whose job it is to enforce the laws relating to public morals in the 21st and the other precincts of the division. At five minutes after 9pm four plainclothesmen arrived in the precinct to act on the information. With the assistance of Patrolman McGill, two men from sector car number two and myself, the suspected premises were raided. A dice game was in fact in operation. 17 men were placed under arrest. The patrol wagon was summoned. They were brought to the station house for booking. The muster room was swarming with suspects and police officers as Lt. Gorman took the pedigree of the first suspect and entered it into the arrest record. I stood behind the desk.

C (1:47)

All right, all right. Keep it quiet.

B (1:49)

Where do you think you are? All right, next.

C (1:53)

That's this one.

B (1:54)

Come on, Step right up there. What's your name? That's the traffic, huh, Captain? Yes. Yes. Joe. IW first name is? Joseph. Joseph? Yeah. What's the middle name? Joseph. C. Joseph. Carlo. C, A, R, L. That's right. C, A, R. Round. How do you spell the last time? E, R, W, O, D. Hey, look, I want to get this straight. I wasn't shooting crap. I was in the barbershop to get a haircut. You could ask anybody. How old are you? 32 in March. Where do you live? 3420 Florence Avenue in the Bronx. In the Bronx? Yeah. What's your occupation? Electric? Electrical. Contact. When McAdo rings in, I Want to talk to him, Sergeant? Okay, Captain. Search him to go. Why is he half. There's a bondman coming. He's on his way. Do what the. Lieutenant Pelgia. We don't want to be here all night getting you. Okay, but I was. Let's see what that woman wants, Sergeant. Yes, sir. Now, lady, over here, please. Everything.