Podcast Summary – "A Crime Letter From Dan Dodge: The Runaway Redhead Caper"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Title: A Crime Letter From Dan Dodge – The Runaway Redhead Caper
Original Air Date: December 6, 2025
Episode Description:
Relive the intrigue and wit of classic detective radio with “A Crime Letter From Dan Dodge.” The episode channels the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio with clever banter, a puzzling crime, and a nod to the legacy of Sherlock Holmes.

Episode Overview

This episode follows private eye Dan Dodge, played by Myron McCormick, as he unravels the mystery of "The Runaway Redhead." Through witty exchanges with his spirited secretary Susie, Dan pieces together a case filled with classic deductions, sleight of hand, and photographic evidence. The story is told in a tongue-in-cheek style, referencing detective fiction staples while crafting a charming standalone caper.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Playful Sherlock Holmes References

• Susie kicks off the episode humorously:

  “Daniel D. Dodge, Ltd. Are you answering the phone or announcing a train?” (01:11)

• She is influenced by reading Sherlock Holmes, humorously referencing her allegiance.

  “I've decided once again that you and not Sherlock are the world's greatest detectives.” (01:20)

• Dan parries with dry wit:

  “You're not just pouring Doyle on the troubled water?” (01:27)

• They both compare their case naming skills to Holmes and Watson, poking fun at detective tropes.

2. Setting the Stage: The Detective Office

• Dan sets the mood:

  “It was the quiet, drizzly afternoon that Daniel D. Dodge, Ltd. The only sounds in the office were sizzling sputters in two different keys, one from a steam radiator and the other from my effervescent secretary...” (02:43)

3. Case Introduction: The Runaway Redhead

• Dan begins dictating his report to Susie and mentions the key players:
  • Steve Wilkins, a boy, a girl, and a boat – all involved in the mysterious snapshot that is central to the case.
• Susie admires Dan’s ability to deduce facts:

  “Dan, it's amazing how you can observe and deduce things from other things when… well, I can't even.” (05:28)

4. Classic Detective Logic and Observation

• Dan walks Susie (and the audience) through observing details in a photograph, leading to key deductions:
  • The girl in the snapshot is inferred to be an “outdoor masculine type.”
  • The crucial clue: She buttons her coat on the men’s side, an observation indicating a reversal or deception in the image.
• Susie tries her own hand at deduction, displaying her earnestness and comic naiveté:

  “The girl is the outdoor masculine type, right?... It's not bad. She buttons her coat on the wrong side, huh? On the man's side.” (06:07–06:19)

5. The Photograph’s Hidden Truth

• Dan contacts the Marine Exchange to double-check facts about the Norwegian motor ship Aurora. He discovers the photograph was developed in reverse (negative reversal), leading to a key breakthrough:

  “Yeah, the, the processing outfit pulled a boner, printed it with a negative reverse. That means the Aurora was coming in, not going out.” (06:57)

6. Case Resolution and Gentle Ribbing

• Dan ties up the case, humorously cautioning Susie not to get “drunk with power” after she successfully deduces some of the clues:

  “Very good. But don't get drunk with power.” (07:49)

• Susie persists with questions about the coat’s buttons and who took the photograph, keeping Dan on his toes.
• Dan explains the photo gimmick—a timer allowed the people in it to take the picture themselves (08:33–08:36).

7. Signature Banter and Wrap-Up

• The episode closes on their playful, affectionate dynamic:

  “You with your flying fingers and me with my big flat feet. Let's keep it that way.” (08:48)

• Dan promises to call Susie later and maybe solve a few more mysteries—together.

8. Next Week’s Teaser

• Dan teases the next installment:

  “A murderous villain aboard a ship full of wild animals. A fabulous jewel, a beautiful woman… The Beryl Green Caper.” (09:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On detective prowess:
  • Susie: “Anyway, I've decided once again that you and not Sherlock are the world's greatest detectives.” (01:20)
  • Dan: “You're not just pouring Doyle on the troubled water?” (01:27)
• On Observations:
  • Susie: “You ought to read some of this. It might help you.” (03:21)
  • Dan (joking as Holmes): “Beyond the obvious fact that you're a medical man… moved to St. Louis and are here in New York in search of a missing niece… beyond that, I know nothing about you.” (03:23)
• On Snapshots and Clues:
  • Dan: “Yeah, the, the processing outfit pulled a boner, printed it with a negative reverse. That means the Aurora was coming in, not going out.” (06:57)
• On Teamwork:
  • Dan: “Sweetheart, we have a partnership, you and I. You with your flying fingers and me with my big flat feet. Let's keep it that way.” (08:48)

Important Timestamps

• 01:11: Susie greets Dan in a Holmes-inspired intro
• 02:43: Dan sets the noirish office scene
• 05:10–06:00: The report dictation and photographic deductions
• 06:07–06:19: Susie analyzes the photo’s details
• 06:57: Dan solves the photo mystery with the Marine Exchange
• 08:33–08:36: The truth about the snapshot’s mechanics
• 08:48: Dan and Susie reflect on their partnership
• 09:11: Teaser for next week’s episode

Conclusion

This episode of "A Crime Letter from Dan Dodge" is a loving homage to the detective genre, brimming with sharp dialogue, self-aware humor, and affectionate nods to Sherlock Holmes. The interplay between Dan and Susie provides ongoing charm, as logic and levity guide listeners through the mystery. For fans of classic radio, this caper delivers clever twists, memorable banter, and the promise of more adventures to come.