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
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.
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)
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)
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
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.
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.