Podcast Summary: Black Museum-05 - The Bloodstained Brick Bat

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Air Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Orson Welles (narrator)
Episode Theme:
This episode of "The Black Museum," hosted by Orson Welles, delves into a case from Scotland Yard's infamous collection—the bloodstained brick bat. Through evocative narration and dramatized scenes, the story explores jealousy, suspicion, betrayal, and murder within a seemingly ordinary household in suburban London.

Main Theme and Purpose

The central focus of this episode is the story behind a brick stained with blood, now displayed in Scotland Yard’s Black Museum. What begins as a routine domestic hiring quickly escalates into tragedy. Orson Welles guides listeners through a layered mystery, illustrating how seemingly mundane objects become instruments—and evidence—of violent crime.

Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Black Museum

• [00:00-01:40] Orson Welles introduces the Black Museum, setting a grim and suspenseful tone, and presents the case of the bloodstained brick bat.
  • "Here lies death upon these tables. Within these cabinets, the files of death labeled with day and day and name a victim." — Orson Welles [01:40]

2. The Friskin Household and the Arrival of Dick Terry

• Ann Friskin places an ad for a handyman; Dick Terry, a young man with good references, is hired.
• [03:09] Establishment of family dynamics: Anne (younger wife), James (elderly husband), Alma (cousin), and the introduction of Dick.

3. Growing Tension: Suspicion and Scandal

• Dick performs well, but his rapport with Anne and frequent visits for cold drinks arouse Alma’s suspicions.

• [06:08] Alma warns Anne about appearances, citing potential gossip.

  • "People will talk about nothing, you know. And if James should hear from the wrong person..." — Alma [06:18]

• Alma later brings her concerns to James, who dismisses them.

  • "I'm fully capable of protecting my honor, as you doubtless would call it." — James [07:50]

4. Emotional Underpinnings: Confessions and Unrequited Feelings

• Dick, feeling overwhelmed by his feelings for Anne, gives notice. Anne presses him for the reason, and he confesses he’s enamored with her, unable to cope.
  • "It's you, Mum. I'm crazy. Seeing you day in and day out and having you nice to me. Just nice to me. And thinking of you with him and me not having the ghost of a chance. I can't stand it..." — Dick [09:12]

5. The Crime

• [10:07-10:35] On a stifling summer night, James is attacked in his bed with a heavy object—later revealed as a brick bat.
• Dr. Kinder is summoned and calls for an ambulance, highlighting James' critical condition.
  • "Friskin has a badly fractured skull. And with his heart condition he has about one chance in 100 to live." — Dr. Kinder [11:23]

6. Police Investigation

• Initial confusion: Dick is missing, fueling suspicion.

• Inspector Ralph questions Dick, who claims innocence but admits fleeing in fear.

  • "I guess I didn't want to be blamed for doing it. Who would blame you? Somebody. Anybody. Did you do it? No. I never touched him. Never." — Dick [13:03-13:45]

• Alma suggests to police that Dick’s affection for Anne made him a suspect but also cautions against easy answers.

7. The Search for Evidence: The Brick Bat

• Alma produces the bloody brick bat, found “in the little pile of leftover bricks.”
  • "It's the weapon. … I found was in the little pile of leftover bricks at the foot of the garden." — Alma [16:52]
• Inspector questions how Alma knows it's the weapon; she points to the blood stains.

8. Shift to Murder Investigation

• [18:01] James succumbs to his injuries, shifting the investigation from assault to murder.
• Anne visits Dick in custody; an emotionally fraught exchange lays bare their bleak circumstances:
  • "Here I'm stuck for it, but I didn't do it." — Dick [18:44]
  • "Now, I'll get you a lawyer. I have money now. I'll take care of you." — Anne [19:09]

9. Police Theories and Breakthrough

• Inspector and Sergeant discuss potential motives and relationships.
• Anne gives herself and Dick an alibi, leading to Dick’s release.

10. The Real Culprit Revealed

• The Inspector points out inconsistencies in Alma’s story regarding the brick’s location.
  • "There is no pile of bricks at the garden. It happens to be in the rear yard, near the back door..." — Inspector Ralph [22:28]
• Under questioning, Alma confesses:
  • "She had everything. Even the boy with his sheep's eyes. I had nothing. I thought if I got rid of James, who was too dull to care, she'd be blamed. After her, I'm next of kin. I'd have everything." — Alma [22:59-23:32]

11. Conclusion and Aftermath

• Alma is convicted and removed; Dick disappears into London anonymity; Anne sells the house and leaves, haunted by her tragic history.
  • "And the memory of a mistake made through loneliness and mistaken kindness." — Orson Welles [23:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If there's one thing that can upset normalcy, it's spilt blood." — Inspector [00:55]
• "Poor Dick. You've held this inside you all this time?" — Anne [09:27]
• "Anything you may say will be taken down in writing and may be used in evidence against you." — Inspector to Dick [19:12]
• "Why did you kill your cousin, Miss Galvin?" — Inspector Ralph [22:50]
• "She had everything. Even the boy with his sheep's eyes. I had nothing." — Alma Galpin [22:59]

Important Timestamps

• [00:00-03:09]: Introduction, setup, and ad for handyman.
• [06:08]: Alma warns Anne about appearances.
• [09:12]: Dick's emotional confession to Anne.
• [10:35]: The attack on James and the discovery.
• [13:03]: Police question Dick about his absence.
• [16:52]: Alma presents the brick bat to the Inspector.
• [18:01]: James' death confirmed—case becomes murder.
• [22:28]: Inspector reveals hole in Alma's story.
• [22:59]: Alma's confession.

Tone and Language

The episode’s tone is suspenseful and slightly melodramatic, characteristic of vintage radio drama. Orson Welles’ narration is rich, atmospheric, and deliberate, helping to shape the emotional backdrop and tension. The dialogue between characters maintains a sense of period authenticity, with subtle undercurrents of jealousy, loneliness, and British restraint.

Summary For New Listeners

This episode is a gripping example of Golden Age radio storytelling. It takes listeners into the heart of a British domestic tragedy, shows how suspicion and loneliness can twist relationships, and culminates in a chilling confession. The allure of The Black Museum lies as much in its atmospheric crime reconstruction as in the dark psychology of its characters.

If you haven’t listened, here you’ll find betrayal, unrequited love, and a classic whodunit—all wrapped up in the evocative cadence of Orson Welles.