Podcast Summary: "21st Precinct 56-04-26 (134) The Gorilla"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 28, 2026
Original Broadcast: April 26, 1956
Episode Title: The Gorilla

Episode Overview

In this classic radio drama from the "21st Precinct" series, listeners are plunged into a typical, chaotic shift for New York’s finest—one that takes an unusual turn when a report comes in about a 'gorilla' on the loose. The story expertly blends police procedural realism, the color and pathos of urban life, lively neighborhood characters, and a touch of comic absurdity as the precinct chases down what is, in fact, a chimpanzee loose in a tenement. The episode is an engaging window into Golden Age radio, showcasing both suspense and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Storyline Breakdown

1. The Bustling Start to a Precinct Shift

• [01:45] Captain Cronin narrates the typical onslaught of calls—an armed robbery, a child struck by a car, and an armed suspect chase. Police resources are stretched thin but respond effectively and maintain order.
• Cronin gives listeners a tour of the precinct’s jurisdiction and introduces the nature of police work in the heart of New York.

2. Introduction of Mrs. Shandon and the "Gorilla"

• [03:54] Mrs. Shandon, a neighborhood eccentric, approaches officers with a story about spies and a gorilla breaking into her apartment.
• The officers humor her, recognizing her as a frequent visitor with a history of delusions (“Those spies have been after her for about 10 years." [06:53], Patrolman Cole).
• The dialogue is both compassionate and playful, balancing community care with investigative duty.

Notable Quote:

• [04:49], Mrs. Shandon: "There was the gorilla in my apartment and the spies out in the hall. There was no place to turn. I didn't know where to go. It was terrible."
• [06:19], Patrolman Cole: "You just walk right up to that gorilla. You look him in the eye and you tell him you don't want to have a thing to do with him. ... If you're not afraid, he'll probably feel it. He's probably gone already."

3. Discovery of the Real Problem: A Chimpanzee on the Loose

• [07:52] A call comes in that there is a chimpanzee (not a gorilla) on the loose at 683—right where Mrs. Shandon saw her intruder.
• Captain and officers mobilize to assess and catch the animal, learning its backstory from Carl Stafford, a neighbor tasked with caring for the chimp ("Arthur") for a friend in the carnival business.

Notable Quote:

• [08:55], Carl Stafford: "He's an educated champ. He’s never been in a cage. He’d go wild if he ever got into a cage. He’s almost human... It’s just like having a mature kid in the house, I’m telling you."

4. The Neighborhood Hunt

• [10:59]-[13:45] Arthur the chimp runs across rooftops, fire escapes, and tenement buildings, eluding police, firefighters, ASPCA agents, and even circus trainers over nearly two hours.
• The show paints an atmospheric, fast-paced chase, capturing the confusion, effort, and humor in mobilizing a whole city block for a loose monkey.
• Multiple agencies respond, and the logistical headache is palpable.

Notable Quote:

• [12:15], Carl Stafford (on the chase): "I’m telling you, I had it, and I don’t care who knows it. ... I swear it’s the last chimpanzee I’m taking care of. ... Up the stairs, down the stairs, into the basement, into the courtyard."

5. Mrs. Shandon’s Conspiracy Deepens

• [16:58] Mrs. Shandon brings the police in to show “fingerprints” of the gorilla/spies. She’s convinced the chimp is part of a spy plot.
• Officers treat her claims gently, reaffirming that her safety matters.

Notable Quotes:

• [18:01], Mrs. Shandon: "That gorilla isn’t really a gorilla at all. It’s just a spy dressed like a gorilla. One of the spies that’s been after me."
• [19:07], Captain Cronin: "No, they haven't got you, Mrs. Shandon. We’re here to protect you."
• [19:21], Mrs. Shandon: "When they shift to dressing up like a gorilla and they come after me, it’s time to be afraid."

6. The Capture of Arthur

• [19:33]-[22:00] After an exhaustive search, Arthur is located hiding in a second-floor apartment. The officers and Carl employ a gentle approach, luring him with a banana into a portable cage.
• The operation succeeds without harm, though the animal has wreaked havoc inside the temporary hideout.
• During cleanup, police discover evidence that the apartment's tenant is a bookmaker, neatly layering the episode’s comedic animal chase with a turn to gritty police work.

Notable Moment:

• [21:45], Carl Stafford (after Arthur is caged): "Oh, I’m ashamed of you, really. I’m ashamed. You’re supposed to be a trained chimp. You’re almost human. And look what you did. Look at the trouble you caused."

Notable Quote:

• [22:12], Captain Cronin: "Well, he did such a good job here, I was thinking maybe I can have him made a detective. And assigned to the 21st Squad."

Memorable Moments & Tone

The episode is a wonderful blend of:

• Urban Realism: Gritty, procedural details of police life and paperwork, delivered in the no-nonsense, sardonic cadences of 1950s New York (see Cronin's narrations).
• Humor and Pathos: Mrs. Shandon’s story is handled with kindness and wit, adding levity without ridicule. The chase's scale and inconvenience are wittily observed by the officers and Carl Stafford.
• Human Nature: The real-world chaos of Arthur's escapade—disrupting an entire block, revealing hidden criminality, and tying into the quirkiness of local lives—showcases the unpredictability and humanity of urban policing.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:45] – Captain Cronin’s opening narration, setting the scene
• [03:54] – Mrs. Shandon introduces the “gorilla” and spies subplot
• [07:52] – Realization: The intruder is a chimpanzee
• [10:57]-[13:45] – Full-scale hunt is underway, involving multiple agencies
• [16:58] – Mrs. Shandon insists on the spy/gorilla conspiracy; emotional capstone
• [19:33]-[22:00] – The final capture scene and discovery of the illegal bookmaker
• [22:12] – Lighthearted conclusion with Cronin suggesting Arthur as a detective

Iconic Quotes

"There was the gorilla in my apartment and the spies out in the hall. There was no place to turn."
— Mrs. Shandon [04:49]

"You just walk right up to that gorilla. You look him in the eye and you tell him you don't want to have a thing to do with him."
— Patrolman Cole [06:19]

"If I know something like this was going to happen, I never would have agreed to take care of him."
— Carl Stafford [08:53]

"That gorilla isn’t really a gorilla at all. It’s just a spy dressed like a gorilla."
— Mrs. Shandon [18:01]

"Well, he did such a good job here, I was thinking maybe I can have him made a detective. And assigned to the 21st Squad."
— Captain Cronin [22:12]

Final Thoughts

This episode is a true slice of mid-century police storytelling: a case that begins as pure urban farce grows into a city-block-spanning hunt, exposes a gambling operation, and gently honors the humanity of both law enforcement and those they serve—eccentric or otherwise. The script’s interplay of compassion, humor, and suspense offers a shining example of why radio drama endures.

Listeners are treated to a multi-layered adventure, equal parts comedy, intrigue, and genuine urban drama, lovingly brought to life by a talented cast and classic writing.