A Man Named Jordan 1945-02-28 Senor Chavez

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: A Man Named Jordan – "Senor Chavez" (February 28, 1945)
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Main Theme

This episode of "A Man Named Jordan" plunges listeners into the smoky intrigue of wartime Istanbul, where the eponymous Rocky Jordan, owner of the Café Tambourine, navigates a tangle of international criminals, shifting alliances, and the looming consequences of war. The episode focuses on a mysterious Spanish expatriate, Senor Chavez, whose home appears to be at the center of clandestine wartime dealings and possibly a refuge for escaping Nazi war criminals.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Café Tambourine & Istanbul's Atmosphere

• The episode opens with descriptions of the Café Tambourine near Istanbul's Grand Bazaar: a lively, dangerous place, "clouded with the smoke of oriental tobaccos, crowded with humanity, alive with the babble of many languages." (00:13)
• This sets a vivid tone for the drama, emphasizing the city's role as a crossroads of espionage and intrigue during World War II.

2. Intrigue Around Senor Chavez

• Ali’s nephew uncovers suspicious activity at Senor Chavez’s house, noting a parade of trunks, boxes, and visitors with European names but Central European accents. (00:13–01:45)
• The boxes, marked as merchandise, reportedly contain "money, gold, precious stones, art objects; things of great value...hidden in the basement." (01:25)
• Rocky hypothesizes that Chavez is running a station for escaping Nazi war criminals, given the valuable items, clandestine passage, and suspicious company.

Quote:

"Rocky, you wouldn't believe it. Such money I have never seen."
— Triflis (02:55)

3. Rocky’s Meeting with Triflis

• Rocky meets the international crook Triflis, who hints at a lucrative but illegal new business and proposes a partnership. (02:19–03:29)
• Triflis is coy, refusing to discuss details in public, but arrangement is made to meet privately for further discussion.
• Rocky suspects Triflis's operation is aiding "people who are in danger"—likely Nazis seeking to flee justice using forged documents. (03:06–03:21)

Quote:

"It is an operation which helps many people. People who are in danger."
— Triflis (03:12)

4. Rocky and Duke’s Reflections

• After Triflis departs, Rocky and his associate Duke discuss the potential for using Triflis's crooked expertise to their advantage. (03:42–05:00)
• They reflect on Turkey's recent declaration of war on Germany and implications for Nazis hiding in neutral Istanbul.

Notable Exchange:

"Turkey has declared war on Germany... they're going to round up all the crowds, huh?"
— Duke (05:19)
"Yeah, and the Japs. Now…the hineies are in a little better shape if they can get their hands on a phony passport."
— Rocky (05:24)

• Rocky reveals how high-ranking Nazi officials have been funneling treasures and money into Turkey in anticipation of escape—and now must vanish or face post-war trials.

5. Moral Stakes & Motivation

• Rocky lays out the stakes: the villains now in Istanbul are "the real heels of the war," the masterminds behind atrocities. While many may escape, Rocky resolves to intercept at least a few. (06:25–07:25)

Memorable Quote:

"These guys we're fighting here in Istanbul, they're the real heels in this war... They know they're slated for a blank wall and a firing squad. Some of them will get away with it, but we'll take care of a few."
— Rocky (06:25–07:25)

6. Preparations and New Leads

• The next morning, Rocky struggles with his broken arm as Ali helps him dress; Ali's nephew (the informant at Chavez's) is arriving soon. (07:25–09:23)
• The nephew brings news: more strangers have arrived at Chavez’s house at dawn, suggesting the plot thickens. (09:06)

7. British Intelligence Connection

• Duke reports visiting the British Embassy and speaking to Major Pettigrew, who confirms suspicions about Nazi fugitives in Istanbul and wants to collaborate with Rocky. (10:33–12:11)
• Rocky is hesitant to involve officialdom, preferring to handle matters quietly.

Quote:

"I'll do the thinking for this outfit... Unless Major Pettigrew or any other authority of any country knows about what we're doing, the better off we're gonna be."
— Rocky (12:30–12:45)

8. A New Clue Emerges

• Ollie’s nephew arrives with "news of the utmost importance," as the episode builds suspense for the next installment. (12:59–13:11)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Triflis, on his criminal enterprise:
  "Oh, Rocky, I'm afraid not. But a fine occupation. Very remunerative and no risk." (02:43)

• Rocky’s sardonic view on criminal associates:
  "Triphalus is a necessary evil... If it wasn't for people like him figuring out strange ways of making a dishonest dollar, we wouldn't have much fun." (04:48)

• On the shifting balance in Turkey:
  "This ain't a neutral country no more." — Duke (05:19)

• On postwar reckoning:
  "They know they're whipped. They know they're slated for a blank wall and a firing squad." — Rocky (06:52)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:13 – Introduction to Café Tambourine and the intrigue around Senor Chavez
• 02:19 – Rocky’s encounter with Triflis
• 05:10 – Discussion of changes caused by Turkey's entry into the war
• 06:25–07:25 – Rocky explains the stakes and his commitment
• 07:53–09:23 – Morning preparations and Ali's update
• 10:33 – Duke's meeting with Major Pettigrew at the British Embassy
• 12:59 – Arrival of Ali’s nephew with urgent news

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Tone and Style

The episode carries a hard-boiled, atmospheric style with brisk repartee, ethical ambiguity, and a clear-eyed view of the kinds of villains hiding in the shadows of war. Dialogue is sharp, and Rocky’s narration has a weary optimism and biting humor emblematic of the period’s radio detectives.

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Summary

This episode immerses listeners in classic Golden Age radio drama—balancing suspense, moral ambiguity, and clever banter. It effectively sets up a tangled web of crooks, Nazi fugitives, and shadowy deals in wartime Istanbul, foreshadowing more intrigue as Rocky works to unmask both criminals and justice-evaders—setting the stage for the next dramatic installment.

Transcript

[A]

In those places in this world where intrigue and danger go hand in hand, where death and disaster are the rewards of weakness, in such places will be.

[B]

Found a man named Jordan. In a narrow street off Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, not far from the Mosque Valid Sultan, stands the Cafe Tambourine, run by a man named Jordan. The Cafe Tambourine, clouded with the smoke of oriental tobaccos, crowded with humanity, alive with the babble of many languages. Ollie, Rocky, Jordan's faithful man Friday, has just told Rocky, Duke and Tony of a discovery made by his nephew who. Who is in the employ of a Spaniard named Chavez. At the home of Chavez, many strange things have been happening. Many trunks, boxes and crates have arrived. Many strange men and women with Spanish, Swedish and Swiss names, but with the accents of Central Europe pass through the home of Chavez. Ali's nephew reports that the boxes which arrive labeled merchandise, contain money, gold, precious stones, art objects, things of great value which are hidden in the basement. Rocky, intrigued by the possibilities of profit in this information, shows interest in further investigation. His theory is that Mr. Chavez has established a station for escaping Nazi war criminals. When the others leave, Rocky drifts down into the cafe. And when he sees an old acquaintance, an international crook rejoicing in the name of criflets, he walks over to his table and says.

[A]

Hello, triplets. How's tricks?

[C]

Rocky, my friend? Sit down, sit down.

[A]

Yeah, thanks. I haven't seen you for some time. Where you been?

[C]

Oh, I have been away. I making arrangements to enter a new business. Rocky, I am now engaged in that business.

[A]

No kidding? Anything legal? Enough to talk about?

[C]

Oh, Rocky, I'm afraid not. But a fine occupation. Very remunerative and no risk.

[A]

Sounds good. Making any money?

[C]

Rocky, you wouldn't believe it. Such money I have never seen. I. I think perhaps you would be interested.

[A]

Sounds very possible. What's the deal?

[C]

It is not within the law, Rocky.

[A]

Go on.

[C]

It is an operation which helps many people. People who are in danger.

[A]

Sounds better all the time. How about a breakdown on it?

[C]

I cannot talk here, Rocky. Tomorrow, perhaps in your office. I need a partner, Rocky.

[A]

Okay. Tomorrow at noon. Be there.

[C]

I shall be there. Rocky, a deal.

[A]

So long, Triflis. Deal.

[C]

Tomorrow, then.

[D]

Hey, what's that big smile on your kisser for? Rocky?

[A]

Hey. Just had a talk with Triflers. He wants me for a partner. Huh?

[D]

Trifless. Teaming up with you?

[A]

Yeah, we're gonna talk it over tomorrow noon in my office. And if he's mixed up in the deal? I think he is, he's gonna be mighty useful. Duke, he's my pigeon.

[D]

Anything you can tell me about.

[A]

Guess I can tell you what I think. Oh, brother, I'm weary. Let's sit down over here and have a beer before we turn in, shall we?

[D]

Sounds good to me.

[A]

Oh, Hakeem, draw two, will you?

[E]

Yes, chiefendi.

[D]

Boss. You look tired enough to call it a day. Why don't you turn in?

[A]

I'm going to in just a few minutes. Just want to relax a little bit before I hit the pad. You know, Duke, I think our little chum triplets is going to be a great help to us.

[D]

Yeah, well, it's about time triplets was helping somebody. There's one guy that makes me sorry I didn't stay home and practice my piano lessons instead of learning to fight.

[A]

Triphalus is a necessary evil, Duke. If it wasn't for people like him figuring out strange ways of making a dishonest dollar, we wouldn't have much fun.

[D]

Yeah, maybe you're right, Rocky.

[A]

Sure, I love guys like Trifless. They think they're so clever that it's like shooting fish to outsmart them.

[D]

What's the angle, boss? What's Trifless cooking up now?

[A]

Well, I tell you, Duke, since Turkey has declared war on Germany, there's a lot of embarrassment in certain circles. Know what I mean?

[D]

Yeah. This ain't a neutral country no more. And they're going to round up all the crowds, huh?

[A]

Yeah, and the Japs. Now, the Japs are just plain out of luck because a Jap's a Jap. But the hineies are in a little better shape if they can get their hands on a phony passport.

[D]

That what triplets is up to?

[A]

Sounds like it to me. It all adds up, Duke. The dope we've got in this house where Ollie's nephew works, the whole thing. Nobody expected Turkey to declare war. The Germans who can get out of Germany? The rankers in the Nazi Party. They've been shipping their money and their valuables into Turkey for months, waiting for the day when they have to change their names and their nationalities to beat the war guilt trials and the confiscation of the piles of dough they've stolen from the little people in Germany. Great little group, Duke. Fine little gang.

[D]

Yeah, we're going to take a shot at getting them, huh, Rocky?

[A]

Can you think of any more pleasant work? No.

[D]

Sounds like a job that could be enjoyed.

[A]

You know, Duke, these guys we're fighting here in Istanbul, they're the real heels in this war. They're the guys that stood on balconies and shouted their lungs out selling a lot of dummies and the fact that they were members of a master race. They're the guys that gave the orders to wipe out the population of towns like in Czechoslovakia. The guys that robbed the churches and looted the towns in every country the huns occupied. Yeah.

[D]

And now they're gonna try to get away with it.

[A]

Yeah. Now while Hitler chews the carpet and orders the soldiers in the square headed civilians to die defending their homes and their fields, these big shots are taking a powder. They know they're whipped. They know they're slated for a blank wall and a firing squad. Some of them will get away with it, but we'll take care of a few.

[B]

The next morning, Rocky Jordan awakens with a feeling that something unusual is going to happen to him this day. A premonition of something unfinished. As his mind clears, he remembers the trip. Will be at his office at noon, Crifless, the nondescript hanger on who has suddenly blossomed into a man of wealth. As he is struggling with his shirt, trying to get his broken arm through the sleeve, the door to his quarters opens and Ollie, his faithful servant, says.

[E]

What is the matter, Rocky? I heard such language.

[A]

Yeah, I was just trying to get this thing.

[E]

Let me help you. Rocky, you are so impatient.

[A]

Creeping boy like me having to be dressed.

[E]

Rocky, you cannot get that arm through your sleeve with the bandages on it. It's too big.

[A]

Yeah, we'll slip the sleeve then.

[E]

Yes, Rocky, I will.

[A]

Yeah, that does it.

[E]

Rocky, my nephew, the one I told you about. The one who's working as a houseboy for senior Chavez. Yeah, he'll be here in an hour. You said you wanted to talk with him.

[A]

Yeah, that's right, I do.

[E]

He is most anxious to talk with you. I hope it is not too early, Rocky.

[A]

Yeah, Look. Hand me that brown knitted tie there, William.

[E]

Yes, Rocky? Should I I tie it for you?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

My gosh, I didn't know how much I used that left arm of mine. Hadn't any idea. What a handy thing. It's your nephew. Run across any more dope? That sounds interesting.

[E]

I think so. Get your chin up, Rocky. I cannot see what I'm doing.

[A]

Sorry, old man.

[E]

My. My nephew reports that two more visitors have arrived at the home of senor Chavez. They arrived at dawn.

[A]

Ah, come on, come on. That time must be all right. Let's get out of here and have a talk with your smart relation.

[E]

Here's your coat, Rocky.

[D]

Where.

[E]

Where's the sling? You. You must have that arm in a sling.

[A]

All right, Doctor. It's over there in the dresser.

[E]

Hmm. Yes, here it is.

[A]

Nice. I don't know what I'd do without you, Ellie. You've been more than a mother to me.

[E]

You're making fun of me, Rocky.

[A]

I don't know whether I am or not. Hey, Rocky. For the love of Mike. Come on in, Duke. I sure get a lot of privacy around this joint. What's the matter? Am I getting fat or something? You guys figure I'm getting too much sleep?

[D]

I just came up to see if you were awake, Rocky. What's he doing here?

[E]

Duke? I came to tell Rocky that my nephew would be here soon.

[A]

This joint is paved with good intentions.

[D]

Oh.

[A]

Well, what's the occasion, Duke?

[D]

Well, I've been out around already this morning. I thought maybe you'd need some help getting into your duds with that broken arm.

[A]

Ollie got me dressed all right. Where you been, Duke?

[D]

Over to the British Embassy talking to Major Pettigrew.

[A]

Yeah? What do you have to say?

[D]

Well, I just sort of asked him what was going on. Now that there's a war on, the.

[E]

People of Turkey are glad that we have finally declared war on the Axis. We have a fine army, one of the finest in the world.

[A]

I don't think the Turkey's planning on taking any very active part in the war. What did Pettigrew think, Duke?

[D]

He thinks the same as you.

[A]

Hey, Ollie, how about running downstairs and having the kitchen send up a little breakfast, huh?

[E]

Yes.

[A]

You had breakfast, Duke?

[D]

Yeah, I had one early, but I'm.

[B]

Ready for another one.

[E]

I had mine. Shall I have two breakfasts sent up, Rocky?

[A]

Yeah, that's right. Bacon and eggs over easy and whatever else they have, but quick.

[E]

Right away, Rocky. As soon as I get that done, I shall go get my nephew and bring him here.

[A]

Okay, Ollie. See you later.

[D]

Reason I came back. Boss Petticrew wants to see you.

[A]

He does? What about?

[D]

Something's cooking. Something that he thinks you can handle better than his outfit.

[A]

Did he give you any. Any hints as to just what?

[D]

Well, I tell you, Rocky, while I.

[A]

Was talking to him, I just casually.

[D]

Mentioned the fact that you were pretty sure that there were a lot of crowds here in Istanbul passing as neutrals.

[A]

Yeah, Maybe you talked too much.

[D]

I didn't tell him anything. I was just seeing if I could get him to talk enough to do us some good.

[A]

What'd he say?

[D]

Well, he thinks you're right. In fact, he knows you're right. He wants to work with you.

[A]

That's just fine. What do I want to work with him for? What do we need him for?

[D]

Well, don't jump down my throat. I didn't crack anything to him. All I know is that he's got some dope on a few people that he's suspicious of. And he's willing to let you use the information. Go talk to him yourself.

[A]

Okay, I will. And look, Duke, I'll do the thinking for this outfit. Don't be getting 9ft 5 when you're 5ft 9. I'll make the contacts and the decisions.

[D]

Okay?

[A]

Okay.

[D]

So I got out of line. I'll get back in.

[A]

That's good. Unless Major Pettigrew or any other authority of any country knows about what we're doing the next few weeks, the better off we're gonna be.

[D]

Okay. Nobody's hurt.

[A]

Come in.

[E]

Rocky. When I went downstairs, my nephew was there waiting for me.

[A]

Yeah?

[E]

Senor Chavez had sent him to town on an errand. And he came by here. Can you see him now?

[A]

Yeah, I suppose so.

[E]

He is very excited, Rocky. He says that he has news of the utmost importance for you.

[B]

These are exciting days in Istanbul. And at the Cafe Tambourine. With Turkey in the war against the Axis nations. Many things are happening. And Rocky Jordan is going to be interested in an exciting new venture. Don't miss tomorrow's dramatic episode of A Man Named Jordan. A Man Named Jordan is written and directed by Ray Buffam. And is presented every day Monday through Friday at the same time. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.