A Salute to the Law 1934-02-20 (xxx) The Avenging Angel Strikes Again

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: A Salute to the Law 1934-02-20 (xxx) The Avenging Angel Strikes Again
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled A Salute to the Law 1934-02-20 (xxx) The Avenging Angel Strikes Again, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with a thrilling crime drama narrated by Detective Nicholas B. Harris. The story weaves a tale of mystery, deception, and redemption set against the backdrop of 1930s Los Angeles.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Detective Harris introducing the narrative framework:

[00:38] Detective Nicholas B. Harris: "Ladies and gentlemen, we again bring you Detective Nicholas B. Harris... Proving to the youth of today the folly of committing crime."

The story centers around Mr. Collins, a wealthy benefactor committed to bringing justice to those unable to afford it. His dedication sets the stage for the unfolding drama.

The Mysterious Disappearance

The plot thickens when Mr. Collins, alongside Detective Harris, receives a distressing call from a 10-year-old boy, Jimmy Newton, seeking help to locate his missing father. Mrs. Newton, Jimmy’s mother, is reluctant to divulge information, fearing repercussions from the men holding her.

[01:26] Narrator: "A wealthy man under the assumed name of Mr. Collins called my office... to bring the wrongdoers to justice."

Upon visiting the Newton residence, they witness a car fleeing the scene at high speed, leading to the discovery of a seemingly deceased woman inside the house. However, confusion arises when Jimmy insists the woman is not his mother.

Unveiling Deception

Tensions escalate as Mrs. Newton regains consciousness, revealing the presence of another woman, Cora Lee. The investigation uncovers that Mrs. Newton had assaulted Cora Lee, leading to her confinement.

[04:22] Mr. Collins: "What about this other woman, Cora Lee? Who beat her up?"

[04:25] Mrs. Newton: "I did. I meant to kill her."

Mrs. Newton admits to the assault but remains tight-lipped about the circumstances, prompting Detective Harris to suggest separating Jimmy from the adults to facilitate a more open dialogue.

The Twist of Truth

As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Jim Newton, Jimmy's father, may have been coerced by men with German and Mexican accents to abandon his mining claim. Mrs. Newton explains the financial and emotional strains leading to her desperate actions against Cora Lee.

[06:55] Mrs. Newton: "I don’t know why Jim would go away and stay away without letting us hear from him."

Cora Lee emerges from her hospital visit, sharing her side of the story and the manipulation orchestrated by individuals named Reicher and Ortiz, who sought to undermine Jim Newton's mining interests.

[10:04] Cora Lee: "I knew he had an over to sell out his interest in the mine. And so Mr. Collins helped me send a wire to Jim advising him to take the offer and get back here as soon as he could."

Resolution and Reconciliation

The climax reaches its peak when Jim Newton returns, revealing the full extent of the conspiracy against him. Mrs. Newton's moment of madness is explained as a reaction to the immense pressure and deceit orchestrated by their adversaries. The episode concludes with forgiveness and the restoration of family bonds.

[10:58] Cora Lee: "Now, listen, Mrs. Milton, I'm the one that needs forgiven... Let's just forget the whole thing and pretend it never happened."

[11:18] Mrs. Newton: "Yes, I'll go with you, Mr. Collins."

Conclusion

Detective Nicholas B. Harris wraps up the episode, highlighting the moral lessons learned and teases future crime prevention stories aimed at educating the youth.

[12:37] Narrator: "And so, ladies and gentlemen, ends the story that I have entitled, 'The Avenging Angel Strikes Again.'"

[12:45] Detective Nicholas B. Harris: "Remember, next Tuesday night at 8:15, another salute to the law presented by Detective Nicholas B. Harris."

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Notable Quotes

• Detective Harris on Crime Prevention:

  [00:38] "Proving to the youth of today the folly of committing crime."

• Mrs. Newton on Her Actions:

  [04:25] "I meant to kill her."

• Cora Lee on the Plot Against Jim Newton:

  [10:04] "I knew he had an over to sell out his interest in the mine."

• Mrs. Newton Seeking Forgiveness:

  [08:36] "Oh, how can I do a thing like that by it. It's murder, I tell you. That's how it was."

Final Thoughts

A Salute to the Law 1934-02-20 (xxx) The Avenging Angel Strikes Again masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth, showcasing the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of greed and deception. Detective Nicholas B. Harris' narration guides listeners through a labyrinth of intrigue, ultimately delivering a satisfying resolution that underscores the importance of justice and forgiveness.

For fans of classic radio dramas, this episode exemplifies the storytelling prowess of the Golden Age of Radio, while also providing timeless lessons on morality and resilience.

Transcript

[Amica Insurance]

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[Detective Nicholas B. Harris]

Presenting Detective Nick Harris in a salute to the law. Ladies and gentlemen, we again bring you Detective Nicholas B. Harris. Chief of the internationally known Los Angeles Detective Agency. Bearing his name in another dramatized true life story. Proving to the youth of today the folly of committing crime. And now that Mr. Harris.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Mr. Lake. And good evening, everyone. Tonight I bring you the final chapter. Of the strange but true story of the Avenging Angel. Last week, a wealthy man under the assumed name of Mr. Collins called at my office. Explained that he wished to dedicate his life and fortune in helping others to avenge the wrongs perpetrated upon people who were unable through financial reason. To bring the wrongdoers to justice. It so happened that just that day. I had received a mysterious phone call. Asking for help on investigation. The call had been sent by a 10 year old boy, Jimmy Newton. Asking me to locate his father, his mother. Mrs. Newton refused all information concerning the disappearance of her husband. Because she had been silenced by the men who were holding her. Mr. Collins and I then located this Jimmy at school. He told how his father had been working the mining claim. And had been carried off by some men in the car with an Arizona license. Picked him up then to the school and took him in our car and took him to the Newton home. And as we approached that home, we saw a car shoot out of the driveway and turn the corner to great speed. Tried to follow the car was lost in traffic. Returning to the house, we found the door locked. And looking through the window. We saw the body of a woman lying on the floor. Thinking that this was Mrs. Newton and that she had been murdered. I broke the glass in the front draw window. And enter. To our great surprise, Jimmy claimed that the woman lying on the floor was not his mother. That he had never seen her before. And just then, this strange woman regained consciousness. We heard a noise in the next room.

[Detective Nicholas B. Harris]

The door opened.

[Mrs. Newton]

Mom.

[Mr. Collins]

What? Jimmy, is that your mother in the doorway?

[Jimmy Newton]

Sure it is. But gee, mom, what happened?

[Mrs. Newton]

Never mind now, Jimmy. I'll send you later.

[Mr. Collins]

So you're Jimmy's mother. Mrs. Newton.

[Mrs. Newton]

Who are you?

[Jimmy Newton]

He's Mr. Collins, Mom.

[Mr. Collins]

Yes, Mrs. Newton, Mr. Harris and I came to help you, if possible.

[Mrs. Newton]

Jimmy, have you been talking?

[Jimmy Newton]

Sure, Mom. They're going to help us first.

[Mr. Collins]

Mrs. Newton, who is this woman in the davenport?

[Mrs. Newton]

Her name is Lee. Coral Lee.

[Mr. Collins]

Why did she scream and faint when she saw you in the doorway?

[Mrs. Newton]

She was scared, I guess.

[Jimmy Newton]

Mr. Harris went to the drugstore. Mom, the phone for an ambulance.

[Mr. Collins]

I don't think she's seriously hurt, Mrs. Newton.

[Mrs. Newton]

Oh, I'm glad. I. I thought I killed her.

[Jimmy Newton]

Who's that in the other car, Mom?

[Mrs. Newton]

What other car?

[Jimmy Newton]

The one that threw out of our driveway just before we got here.

[Mrs. Newton]

I don't know, Jimmy. I. I don't know anything about it.

[Jimmy Newton]

But, gee, mom, didn't you see the car?

[Mrs. Newton]

No, I didn't.

[Jimmy Newton]

That's funny. Did she come in that car?

[Mrs. Newton]

Jimmy, please. Mother doesn't want to talk about it.

[Mr. Collins]

Jimmy, will you go outside and see if Mr. Harris is coming back?

[Jimmy Newton]

Sure. I'll go right now.

[Mr. Collins]

Please forgive me, Mrs. Newton, when I say I'm your friend and that I only want to help you.

[Mrs. Newton]

But why should you?

[Mr. Collins]

Because. Well, just to repay others who helped me when I needed a friend.

[Mrs. Newton]

It sounds mighty queer to me, but maybe you are on the level. All right. Only I don't know anything you can do.

[Mr. Collins]

Mr. Harris and I are going to help you find your husband. But you must help too, Mrs. Newton, by telling us everything that's happened.

[Mrs. Newton]

All right. All right, I'll tell you.

[Mr. Collins]

What about this other woman, Cora Lee? Who beat her up?

[Mrs. Newton]

I did.

[Mr. Collins]

You?

[Mrs. Newton]

Yes, I did. I meant to kill her.

[Mr. Collins]

But why, Mrs. Newton? Why did you want to kill her?

[Mrs. Newton]

When she told me about Jim, oh, then everything just went black and. Oh, look.

[Cora Lee]

Look.

[Mrs. Newton]

She's coming too.

[Mr. Collins]

That's right.

[Mrs. Newton]

Listen, I'll go out in the kitchen, and Pete will get her away.

[Mr. Collins]

Maybe that's best. Oh, take it easy. Take it easy.

[Mrs. Newton]

Where is she?

[Cora Lee]

Don't want to hit me again.

[Mr. Collins]

Mrs. Newton is gone. There's nothing to be afraid of now, monsieur.

[Mrs. Newton]

Where's Emile? Where's Philippe?

[Mr. Collins]

Emile?

[Mr. Reicher]

Philippe.

[Mrs. Newton]

Yes, Emile. Right here. And Philippe Ortiz. Where are they?

[Mr. Collins]

Men who brought you here?

[Mrs. Newton]

Yeah, sure. Sure, they brought me here.

[Cora Lee]

They were gonna take me back to Jim. They haven't gone, have they?

[Mr. Collins]

Yes, I'm afraid they have.

[Cora Lee]

Why, that dirty rat. Say. Say, who are you? I never saw you before. How did you know my name?

[Mr. Collins]

Collins is my name. I was sent out on this case.

[Cora Lee]

What do you mean, sent out on this case? Who sent you?

[Jimmy Newton]

Mr. Harris is back, Mr. Collins. The ambulance is coming too.

[Cora Lee]

Ambulance?

[Mr. Collins]

For you, Ms. Lee. To take you to the hospital.

[Cora Lee]

I don't want to go to any Hospital.

[Mrs. Newton]

Please, Ms. Lee, don't make a noise.

[Cora Lee]

No, not me. I'm not going to a hospital. I'll run away.

[Mr. Collins]

You see? Now, don't be foolish. You want to get well, don't you?

[Cora Lee]

Oh, yeah, sure.

[Mr. Collins]

Then go to the hospital. There's nothing to be afraid of. You'll be treated with kindness and consideration. I promise you that.

[Cora Lee]

Yeah, yeah, but Maybe. But I got no money to pay for a hospital.

[Mr. Collins]

That'll all be taken care of.

[Cora Lee]

How do you know?

[Mr. Collins]

Never mind now. Just go to the hospital and get well. That's all you have to think about.

[Narrator]

Well, if that wasn't Jimmy's mother, who was it, Cullen?

[Mr. Collins]

My name's Lee corally, Ms. Or Mrs. Ms. I think. Just after you left, Jimmy's mother showed up.

[Narrator]

Yeah, Go on.

[Mr. Collins]

Yes, and it was Jimmy's mother, Mrs. Newton, who beat up Ms. Lee.

[Narrator]

Did she give any reason to it?

[Mr. Collins]

No, but she promised to tell me everything. Look, Harris, would you have time to take Jimmy with you and bring him back later? I think Jimmy's mother will talk more freely to me if Jimmy isn't around.

[Narrator]

Yeah, I think that's a good idea, so I'll do that. Hey, Jimmy.

[Mr. Collins]

That these two men kidnapped your husband?

[Mrs. Newton]

Well, I. I don't know for sure whether Jim went with them willingly or was forced to go, but after Jim was in the car, one of the men, the one with a German accent, he called me to the back door and threatened me.

[Mr. Collins]

Threatened you?

[Mrs. Newton]

Well, he said if I tried to reach my husband or told anyone about his being gone, why, they'd grab Jimmy and I'd never see him again.

[Mr. Collins]

Had you known these men before?

[Mrs. Newton]

Yes. I saw them once when they. When they were both working for my husband on his claim near Mojave. That was over a year ago.

[Mr. Collins]

Your husband still had faith in this claim?

[Mrs. Newton]

Oh, yes.

[Mr. Collins]

Mr. Collins, do you suppose this German and Mexican were scheming to get your husband's claim away from him?

[Mrs. Newton]

Maybe they were. I don't know. Still, I couldn't figure out why Jim would go away and stay away without even letting us hear from him. Until the two men came here again today with that woman who calls herself Coraline.

[Mr. Collins]

What happened then?

[Mrs. Newton]

Well, I let them in, and I asked about Jim, and the German Reicher answered.

[Mr. Reicher]

Your husband is good at help, Van Newton.

[Narrator]

Si, signora. Only he don't want he should see you no more.

[Mrs. Newton]

Jim. Jim doesn't want to see me. What do you mean?

[Narrator]

For you, senora.

[Detective Nicholas B. Harris]

He is, what you say, washed up.

[Mrs. Newton]

What? Oh. Oh, he couldn't be?

[Cora Lee]

No. Well, Jim told me differently, but.

[Mrs. Newton]

Who are you?

[Mr. Reicher]

This is frulein. I mean, Ms. Lee Von Newton. Ms. Cora Lee.

[Mrs. Newton]

Jim told you? Jim talked to you about me?

[Cora Lee]

Oh, sure, plenty. But I wanted to see for myself. Main thing I came for though is Jim sings.

[Mrs. Newton]

Jim stings. Yeah.

[Cora Lee]

You know his personal belongings. Said they were all in one closet. Did you bring in those suitcases, boys?

[Mr. Reicher]

Yeah, they're in the car. Come on, Philippe, and help me get them.

[Mrs. Newton]

So. So you've stolen my Jim away from me.

[Cora Lee]

I wouldn't say stolen, sister. You lost Jim before I ever laid eyes on him. I'm sorry for you, but I. How a little shrimp like you could expect to hold a he man like Jim Newton is more than I can.

[Mrs. Newton]

Well, you'll see. Little shrimp, am I? You'll see. You'll find out. Put down that poker.

[Mr. Reicher]

Oh, please. Please don't hit me.

[Mrs. Newton]

I'll kill you. I'll be so pleased. I'll not beat you.

[Cora Lee]

You're father.

[Mrs. Newton]

Miserable little.

[Cora Lee]

There is she.

[Detective Nicholas B. Harris]

Santa Maria, what has happened?

[Mr. Reicher]

There's Cora.

[Mrs. Newton]

There in the corner on the floor.

[Mr. Reicher]

Himmel. Cora's dead. You've killed her.

[Cora Lee]

I hope so.

[Mr. Reicher]

Come on, Motifa.

[Jimmy Newton]

Getting out of here.

[Mrs. Newton]

Oh. Oh. What got into me? What did I do that for? Oh, Even if she did take Jim away from me. Oh, how can I do a thing like that by it. It's murder, I tell you. It's murder. That's how it was, Mr. Collins. I guess I was crazy for those few minutes.

[Mr. Collins]

Will you go with me tomorrow to the hospital and see Coralie?

[Jimmy Newton]

Yes.

[Mrs. Newton]

Yes, I'll go with you, Mr. Collins.

[Mr. Collins]

Well, good afternoon, Miss Lee.

[Cora Lee]

Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Collins. I'm sure glad you brought Mrs. Newton.

[Jimmy Newton]

Hello, Ma.

[Mrs. Newton]

Jimmy. Well, I thought you were at school. What are you doing here?

[Jimmy Newton]

Mr. Collins brought me, Mom. He said Mr. Lee wanted to see me. He bought me these flowers too, to bring to her. Look, Mom.

[Cora Lee]

Aren't they lovely? They're the nicest flowers I've ever had from anybody. Jimmy and I have been having a nice visit, haven't we, Jimmy?

[Jimmy Newton]

Swell.

[Cora Lee]

Now, look, Jimmy, we'll have lots more visits. But would you wait outside now while I talk with your mother and Mr. Collins?

[Jimmy Newton]

Sure, Miss Lee.

[Cora Lee]

Now, look, Mrs. Newton, please let's not say anything about what happened yesterday. I had it coming, but it wasn't all my fault. They lied to me, Riker and Ortiz, about how things were between you and your husband. And I never knew anything about Jimmy.

[Mr. Collins]

You'd better tell Mrs. Newton the whole story.

[Mrs. Newton]

I want to.

[Cora Lee]

Well, I did like Jim. I was crazy about him, but he never gave me a tumble. So Riker suggested that if you send his things out to him with word that you were through. Well, I mean, if we brought them and told Jim that, why, then maybe I'd have a chance. But I know now that I never would have had you.

[Mrs. Newton]

You've seen Jim these last six weeks?

[Cora Lee]

Yeah, in that new Discovery camp 90 miles from the railroad north of Kingman. I was running a boarding house there. That's how I met your husband and his partners, Reicher and Ortiz.

[Mrs. Newton]

But why didn't Jim write me?

[Cora Lee]

Oh, but he did. But he trusted Riker to mail the letters instead. Riker burnt them. I never realized until yesterday what Riker intended doing. And last night, after the doctor attended me, why, I got to thinking about the risks Jim was running being mixed up with those two men. And I knew he had an over to sell out his interest in the mine. And so Mr. Collins helped me send a wire to Jim advising him to take the offer and get back here as soon as he could. We sent it in care of the sheriff, and so we know it'll reach him. Why, Mr. Harris fixed that.

[Mrs. Newton]

Oh, thank you. Can you ever forgive me?

[Cora Lee]

Now, listen, Mrs. Milton, I'm the one that needs forgiven. But if it's all right with you, let's just forget the whole thing and pretend it never happened. Now, can't we do that?

[Mrs. Newton]

Of course, if you're willing to.

[Jimmy Newton]

Mom, Mom, Dad's here.

[Mrs. Newton]

Your father? Oh, he's here?

[Jimmy Newton]

Yeah. Can I bring him in? Ms. Lee, can I?

[Cora Lee]

Sure, Jimmy, bring him in.

[Mrs. Newton]

Oh, Jim, honey.

[Mr. Reicher]

Gosh, I'm sure glad to see you and Jim again.

[Mrs. Newton]

Oh, Jim, darling.

[Narrator]

Now, now, I'm so glad to see you.

[Mr. Reicher]

You'll have to kind excuse my wife, folks. She cries easy, always has. And we haven't seen each other for quite a while. But, Cora, what happened to you? What put you in the hospital?

[Cora Lee]

Oh, a little accident, Jim. Nothing serious. I'll be back tossing flapjacks within 10 days at the latest, the doctor says. Did you get my wire?

[Mr. Reicher]

Yes, and I got the money, too, for my interest. Thanks a lot. I guess you've met my wife.

[Cora Lee]

Sure, we've met. But you haven't met Mr. Collins.

[Mr. Reicher]

Well, I'm sure glad to meet you, Mr. Collins.

[Mr. Collins]

I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Newton. You won't mind my having a mining engineer make a report on that claim of yours?

[Jimmy Newton]

Mine?

[Mr. Reicher]

Say, that's what I've been trying to do for years. Only I've never had enough money to.

[Mr. Collins]

Hire a good one. Well, now, Look, I think Ms. Lee is had enough company for one day. Sure.

[Mr. Reicher]

Come on, everybody.

[Mrs. Newton]

Goodbye, Cora. Thanks for everything. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Cora Lee]

Goodbye, Mrs. Newton. Hey, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Newton]

Yes, Ms. Lee?

[Cora Lee]

Would you do me a favor?

[Jimmy Newton]

Sure, Ms. Lee.

[Cora Lee]

Stay and talk to me for a while. You know, Jimmy, your parents haven't seen each other for quite some time and they might like to, well, kind of get acquainted.

[Jimmy Newton]

Why, I'd love to.

[Narrator]

And so, ladies and gentlemen, ends the story that I have entitled. The Avenging angel strikes again.

[Detective Nicholas B. Harris]

Thank you, Mr. Harris. Ladies and gentlemen, you have just heard the concluding chapter of a true to life story brought to you by Detective Nicholas B. Harris, internationally famous Los Angeles criminologist and chief of the detective agency bearing his name. Although this was a true story, fictitious names and places have been used throughout this narrative. The story was dramatized for radio presentation by Ralph Burchard and as a Carolyn Caro production. Those participating in the radio drama were Dorothy Wade C. Andre Falk, Bob Poulton, Carolyn Caro, Calvin Ellison and Charles E. Bender. And now, may we call your attention to a new series of crime prevention programs featuring Detective Harris and titled How Detectives Work. This new series is heard each Sunday afternoon over this same station at 12:30pm all the scientific methods used in modern day crime prevention are explained by Mr. Harris. Remember the time, 12:30. The station, KECA and the program How Detectives Work featuring Detective Nicholas B. Harris. Next Tuesday, the Nick Harris program will be heard at its regular time, 8:15. Remember, next Tuesday night at 8:15, another salute to the law presented by Detective Nicholas B. Harris.

[Amica Insurance]

At Amica Insurance. We know it's more than a life policy. It's about the promise and the responsibility that comes with being a new parent, being there day and night and building a plan for tomorrow today for the ones you'll always look out for. Trust Amica Life Insurance. Amica Empathy is our best policy.

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