Black Museum - 09 - The Car Tire

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Black Museum - 09 - The Car Tire

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Hosted by Harold’s Old Time Radio
Original Narrator: Orson Welles

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Overview

In this episode of "Black Museum," Orson Welles tells the suspenseful tale of a car tire that became a centerpiece of a notorious criminal case. Set in the shadowy world of post-war England, the episode details how a simple stolen car leads to the murder of a policeman and, ultimately, the tire’s pivotal role in solving the case. Listeners are transported into Scotland Yard’s “Black Museum,” a collection of objects steeped in the history of crime, as Welles and a cast of police and suspects unravel the mystery behind "The Car Tire."

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. The Setting and the Murder (00:35–07:09)

• Introduction to the Black Museum:

  • Orson Welles opens by describing the eerie Scotland Yard museum where ordinary objects like a car tire are tied to gruesome crimes.

    “Here, in the grim stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard is a warehouse of homicide...” — Orson Welles (00:35)

• The Crime:

  • Two thieves, Ted and Harry, steal a sedan from a garage in South End for its valuable parts.
  • While joyriding, they're stopped by a police constable, Charlie Hacker, who questions them and requests their identification.
  • Tension escalates, and Ted shoots Constable Hacker, killing him.

    "Say your prayers, copper." — Ted to Constable Hacker during their fatal encounter (06:29)

2. Initial Police Investigation (07:09–12:42)

• Discovery of the Crime Scene:

  • Local townsfolk and Scotland Yard officers, Inspector Clancy and Sergeant Redding, discover the body and begin combing for clues.
  • Key observations include the constable’s unused torch and tracks that indicate a car sped off quickly.

• First Clues and The Car:

  • Tire marks are analyzed; the vehicle is identified as an "Evans car."
  • A list of stolen cars is compiled. Colonel Fentress reports his Evans car stolen—the same one involved in the murder.

3. Uncovering the Trail (12:42–18:27)

• Examining the Stripped Car:

  • The abandoned Evans car is found heavily stripped—tires, toolkit, and various parts are missing.

    “Those vandals, they've stripped the car of everything, even the four tires. Nothing left except evidence.” — Inspector Clancy (11:00)

  • Blood stains and a spent cartridge are found inside, tying the car to the murder.

• Strategy Shifts to the Black Market:

  • Clancy deduces that such an organized stripping operation must involve black market dealers in stolen car parts.
  • The investigation leads the police to several local garages to seek out anyone selling Evans tires.

4. The Garage Hunt and the Vital Clue (15:16–18:27)

• Policemen Go Undercover:
  • Sergeant Redding visits six garages. Suspicion arises at Randolph and Burns Motor Engineers when one partner, Ted, reacts defensively when tires are mentioned.

    "We can't set him. How can we when we haven't seen an Evans Tower in months?" — Ted Burns (17:25)

  • Redding senses guilt, prompting Clancy to dig deeper into the owners’ backgrounds via the Business Records Office and Scotland Yard’s Method Index.

5. Unmasking the Criminals (18:27–24:27)

• Suspects Identified:

  • Ted Burns’ criminal record, including auto thefts, places him at the heart of the investigation.
  • Police stake out the workshop, apprehend Harry Randolph, and confront him with evidence.

• Randolph Confesses:

  • Pressured with a deal, Randolph outs Ted as the mastermind and shooter, also revealing the location of the murder weapon and stolen goods.

    "I might have helped pinch the car but I'd nothing to do with the murder. He [Ted] shot a copper." — Harry Randolph (21:28)

• Apprehending Burns:

  • Clancy tracks Ted Burns to Liverpool, about to flee overseas; Burns is arrested.

    "Oh, yes, we have, Mr. Burns. All the evidence we need." — Inspector Clancy (24:20)

6. Case Closure and the Fate of the Tire (24:27–25:59)

• Orson Welles summarizes the impact: Constable Hacker’s murder is solved through methodical police work and the willingness of a guilty man to talk.
  • Randolph goes to jail; Burns is executed.
  • The tire, a seemingly mundane object, becomes a permanent artifact of murder in the Black Museum.

    “...another chapter of murder was closed, another record added to the Method Index section, and another exhibit, the car tire, was added to the Black Museum.” — Orson Welles (24:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chilling Introduction:

  “Here, in the grim stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard is a warehouse of homicide where everyday objects—a pin, a garden hose, a handbag. All are touched by murder.”
  — Orson Welles (00:35)

• On the Scene of the Crime:

  “He was shot three times... He was about to take down some particulars from a person or persons whom he'd met. The evidence suggests that, Sergeant. But wait a minute, Inspector. His torch is here in his pocket.”
  — Inspector Clancy (08:19)

• Confrontation with the Thieves:

  “Say your prayers, copper. Give me that gun. Don't let him take it, Chad. I won't. Don't worry. You ask for trouble, copper. You're going to get it.”
  — Ted Burns, at the scene of the murder (06:29)

• Police Deduction:

  “If it was vandalism, it was well planned, Sergeant... What was taken out of this car would probably be worth 2, 300 pounds on the second hand market.”
  — Inspector Clancy (14:17)

• Randolph Turns on His Partner:

  “It wasn't me who thought of the scheme. I... I was talked into it by him... Ted said we couldn't get enough parts and tires to stay in business otherwise.”
  — Harry Randolph (21:28)

• Summing Up the Case:

  "A crook's plan misfired into murder, and neither Burns nor Randolph had the talent for outwitting the men of the yard... another exhibit, the car tire, was added to the Black Museum."
  — Orson Welles (24:44)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:35 — Orson Welles introduces the Black Museum and the car tire
• 03:13 — Thieves steal the Evans sedan
• 06:29 — Constable Hacker is murdered during a confrontation
• 11:00 — Stripped car and vital evidence is discovered
• 15:16 — Police begin tracing stolen car parts and tires via garages
• 18:27 — Criminal records reveal the suspects’ identities
• 21:28 — Randolph details the crime; Burns’s role is revealed
• 24:27 — Orson Welles declares the case solved; the tire enters the Black Museum

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Overall Tone & Style

The episode maintains an atmospheric, suspenseful, and methodical tone, enlivened by Orson Welles’ signature gravitas and the procedural voice of Inspector Clancy. Dialogue is crisp and dramatic, emphasizing the patience, logic, and perseverance of traditional police work. The story remains anchored in the era’s sense of justice and intrigue, with the car tire symbolizing the unpredictable intersections of ordinary life and crime.

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For listeners interested in vintage crime drama, meticulous investigation, and the artifacts that bear witness to history’s darkest moments, "The Car Tire" is an exemplary tale in the Black Museum series.

Transcript

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[Orson Welles]

This is Orson Welles speaking from London, repository of death. Here, in the grim stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard is a warehouse of homicide where everyday objects a pin, a garden hose, a handbag. All are touched by murder. Here's a car tire. There were three others, all attached to a sedan. They were removed.

[Inspector Clancy]

Great Scott. Inspector, those vandals, they've stripped the car of everything. Even the four tires, sir. Does nothing. Nothing left except evidence.

[Orson Welles]

Now, today, one of those tires, the one that became a vital clue in the case, can be seen in the Black Museum.

[Inspector Clancy]

From the annals of the Criminal Investigation Department of the London Police, we bring you the dramatic stories of the crimes recorded by the objects in Scotland Yard's.

[Orson Welles]

Gallery of death, the Black Museum. Well, here we are in the Black Museum, Scotland Yard's museum of murder. As here lies death on the shelves around the walls. Death in many disguises. Here's a length of electric wiring. The protective insulation has been stripped away. Man touched it, he died. The jury found it was murder. Here's a card. Invitation to a party. The invitation was accepted. Death was the end of that. Here's the tire. It's an ordinary car tire. Once it belonged to a sedan that stood in a garage at South End on a certain night some years ago. Two men entered the garage quietly after first forcing the lock.

[Inspector Clancy]

There we are, Ted. Good work, Harry. Look at her, Ben. Spocking you. And she's ours once we get her out of the garage. That quietly does it. I'll take off the brake. Right. We'll push her out into the street and down the road a bit. Okay, I'm ready.

[Orson Welles]

The object of this stealthy midnight visit was a new car. The two men pushed the automobile down the slope of the road, jumping in when the car began to gather speed.

[Inspector Clancy]

All right, honey, get in. Oh, nice going. Get her started, Ted. Right. Not a sound behind us. We got away with it. It was easy. By morning, we'll have everything we want off this car. Tires, spare parts, the seat. And then we'll ditch what's left, eh? We'll make our fortune this way, Addie, my boy. Sounds easy money. It is. Come on. I'll show you what this car can do flat out.

[Orson Welles]

A car traveling fast along the road to Eastwood, its twin light cutting beans in the darkness of the night. And a policeman cycling homeward.

[Inspector Clancy]

Hello. What's that up there ahead? What? A man in the center of the roadway. Oh, wait till our lights pick him up. Clearly. It's a. It's a copper. Oh, but he's got his hand up signaling us to stop. Ted, you don't think. Well, the word's got out. This car's been pinched. Not a chance. Then what's this copper doing? Might want to lift home. You never know. There's his bike at the side of the road. Ted, I don't like. Take it easy, will you? Bluff our way out. If he makes trouble, I can handle him. Well, go easy on using that gun. Leave it to me. Good evening, constable. Anything the matter? I'll. I'll have to ask you not to speed like that along this road, sir. Were we speeding? Well, I think, you know, you were saying that there's been a number of serious accidents around here lately. Oh, dear. Now, may I see your license? My. My license? Yes, sir. You know, funny thing. I'm afraid I don't have it on me, constable. Then I'll have to request some other means of identification, sir. Well, I. Do you know, I haven't anything on me at all. Well, where are you going, sir? And where have you come from? Well, we. We're just driving. Is the car yours? No, constable. The car belongs to me. Oh, I see, sir. Then would you tell me his number? It's on the front of the car if you want to see it. I know the number. But do you? Well, no, not offhand as I thought, sir. This is a stolen car. Stolen? You'd both better get out now. Come on. I'll have to take down some particulars.

[Orson Welles]

Yeah, yeah.

[Inspector Clancy]

What makes you think you can order us around there? Get out. I see. Say, come on. I want your name. And put that gun away. Say your prayers, copper. Give me that gun. Don't let him take it, Chad. I won't. Don't worry. You ask for trouble, copper, you're going to get it.

[Orson Welles]

A car drives away. A man lies dead on the roadway. A murder has been committed. Murder? Of a policeman.

[Inspector Clancy]

Lovely morning, George. I wouldn't think it to read a morning paper, Tom. Nothing in it but crime. Oh, you won't find much crime around these parts. Here. What's the matter with your dog? No one seems to have found something ahead there. It's not like him to get that excited. What's the matter with him? Here, wait a minute, George. Unless I'm mistaken, it ain't only in the morning papers you'll find crime. What do you mean? Well, ahead there, over by the side of the road, it looks like a man. Come on. It's Charlie Acker. He's dead.

[Orson Welles]

By morning. Scotland Yard was represented the scene of the crime by Inspector Clancy and Detective Sergeant Redding.

[Inspector Clancy]

He was shot three times reading. Nasty business, sir. He has a notebook lying on the ground beside him. Yes, and he was holding a pencil in his right hand. Well, that seems fairly straightforward, sir. He was about to take down some particulars from a person or persons whom he'd met. The evidence suggests that, Sergeant. But wait a minute, Inspector. His torch is here in his pocket. Is it? And there's no street lighting nearby. How could he have been writing? By the light of a vehicle, presumably? Of course, sir. Either the headlights or the interior lighting of a car or a truck. More likely the interior lighting, don't you think, Inspector? Well, we'll work on that assumption first. Which means it was a car. There are some tracks here. You can see the skid marks now. They might be caused by a car starting fairly fast. I want those tracks photographed.

[Orson Welles]

The photographs were duly sent to certain experts at Scotland Yard. And a report came back to Inspector Clancy.

[Inspector Clancy]

Report from the Yard, sir? Yes, Sergeant. Reading. Those tracks were made by an Evans car. An Evans, eh? Get a full list of all stolen cars within a 50 mile radius. We'll see if there was an Evans amongst them.

[Orson Welles]

There were two. One was found. Inspector Crancy interviewed the owner of the other.

[Inspector Clancy]

Yes, it was taken the night before last, Inspector. Some bounder picked the lock of my garage and got away with the car. I'll get a full description from you, sir. Certainly. But I say I see from there in the Scotland Yard doesn't usually go chasing stolen cars, does it? Not usually, Colonel Fence. Oh, there's something else behind it, is there? Excuse me a moment. Hello? Hello? Fence speaking. Oh, yes, yes, yes, just a moment. It's for you, Inspector. Thank you, sir. Hello? Yes. Redding at Raleigh. I see. Yes, yes, I'll come down right away. Something happened, Inspector. An Evans car's been found, sir. Abandoned in a ditch outside Raleigh. A new Evans index mark TW6120. But, but, but that's mine, Major. Then you'd better come along, sir.

[Orson Welles]

They found the car. The police going over it for fingerprints. Curious crowd gathered around it. It's a vastly different car from the one Colonel Fentress had locked in his garage two nights earlier.

[Inspector Clancy]

Great Scott, Inspector. Those vandals, they've stripped the car of everything, even the four tires. Nothing left except evidence. Hey. What do you mean, Inspector? This was the car concerned in the murder of Constable Hacker on Eastwood Road. My car concerned in that killing. Come with me, Colonel. I'll show you the evidence to prove it.

[Orson Welles]

That car is the first link in a long chain, at the end of which is the murderer. And a further link is the missing four tires, one of which became the vital clue in the case. That tire can be seen today in the Black Museum. A car was found abandoned in a ditch outside Rayleigh.

[Inspector Clancy]

You can see for yourself, Colonel Fentress, on the running board. A dark stain there. It's blood. Yes, it's blood. And see this? Eh? Oh. A spent cartridge case. It was found on the floor of the car. Then my car was concerned in that poor fellow's murder. We'll make confirmatory tests, of course. The blood stain will be checked against the constable's grouping and the cartridge case will go to ballistics.

[Orson Welles]

These routine checks must be carried out. But Colonel Fentress knew, and Inspector Clancy knew that the driver of the stolen car had taken part in the policeman's murder. And knowing this, the Inspector was able to reconstruct the crime.

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[Inspector Clancy]

We don't know why Constable Hacker pulled the car up, Sergeant. He was cycling home. Perhaps the Evans car was speeding. Well, whatever the reason, he called on it to halt. And in the process of questioning, he came to realize the car was stolen. He'd have brought out his notebook and pencil to take down some particulars, sir. And for doing that, he was killed.

[Orson Welles]

The picture of the crime was clear. But now, how to find the driver of the car? Nothing was known about him. There were no eyewitnesses. One man had seen the driver and he was dead. Where would they begin searching?

[Inspector Clancy]

We'll begin Right here at the car, Sergeant. It's funny about those tires, sir. Very funny. But not only the tyres are missing. No, the toolkit's been taken and the jack and most of the spare parts. The windscreen wipe has been removed so the headlamps and a car radio Colonel Fentress had installed. Vandalism, sir? Well, if it was vandalism, it was well planned, Sergeant. Yes. Now there are lorry tracks over there. The stuff was loaded on and driven away. Car stealing, sir? For spare parts and tires. A very profitable pastime. What was taken out of this car would probably be worth 2, 300 pounds on the second hand market. Black markets up for the tires. I wonder who handles second hand parts and tires around this district. Come on. Where to, Inspector? The nearest garage.

[Orson Welles]

They found a garage less than half a mile away. The proprietor, reassured that he was not under suspicion, proved to be helpful.

[Inspector Clancy]

Spare parts and tires. Quite a few places around here. Who handles them, Inspector? Could you list them for us, sir? Certainly. Come into the office.

[Orson Welles]

There were six names on that list. Six visits to make. Sergeant Redding made them posing as a driver in search of new tires.

[Inspector Clancy]

Oh, good morning. I need four new tires for an Evans car. Can you help me out?

[Orson Welles]

Williams and Sons were sorry they hadn't had any tires to sell for months past. Field and Company said the same thing. So did Hammond and Barden, Kennedy and Sons. Then Sergeant Redding paid his last visit. The sixth name on the list. A small motor workshop on the road out of Eastwood. A car was being overhauled by a mechanic. A lorry stood on a vacant block of land beside the workshop. A sign at the front of the building said Randolph and Burns Motor Engineers and Spare Parts.

[Inspector Clancy]

Yes, sir. Oh, I need four new tires for an Evans car. Can you help me out? An Evans, do you own an Evans car? Oh, don't me, it's for the Governor. I've been everywhere trying to get these tires. Well, you know I might be able to set you up. Of course they're in short supply. We'll pay whatever you ask for them. Okay. Here, I mean will you. What is it? Fellow here wants to buy some Evans tires. Huh? Chauffeur, aren't you mate? Yeah, that's right. We can set him up, can't we? No, we can't. But Ted, he'll pay the right. I tell you we can't. We can't set him. How can we when we haven't seen an Evans Tower in months? But Ted, people just don't bring us second hand tires anymore, mister. Sorry.

[Orson Welles]

The Sergeant went out, went back to where Inspector Clancy was waiting for his report. Something had seen deep in the eyes of the man called Ted. Told him the search was at an end.

[Inspector Clancy]

I don't know what spoiled it, Inspector. Perhaps he recognized me. Perhaps he was just being cautious. You say the other man was ready to sell you the tires? Ready and willing, sir. I think they're the ones we want. I'm almost sure of it. All right. We'll make some further inquiries about them both. First of all, their business registration. We'll get their full names from that.

[Orson Welles]

The Business Records Office holds many secrets. The directors of England's leading companies. The balance of power and mighty industrial concerns. It also lists the many thousands of small businesses, companies, partnerships, sole traders, their trade management personnel.

[Inspector Clancy]

Here we are. Sergeant Randolph and Burns Motor engineers. Eastwood Partners. Edward Byrne. That'll be your friend Ted. And Harold Randolph. Probably the other man I spoke to. Well, take a note of their names. We'll see if the Method Index section knows them.

[Orson Welles]

The Method Index section at Scotland Yard. That's a vast room of records. The walls are lined solidly with filing cabinets. Here are the details of all the crimes from murder to petty theft. Here are the names and the aliases of all the criminals ever convicted in any English court. Filed and cross filed for easy checking.

[Inspector Clancy]

Those two men you asked me to check, Inspector Clancy. Find anything on them? Sievers? There's no record for Harold Randolph. What about the other one? Burns? Yes, we know him. Ted Burns, motor mechanic. Four convictions. The first from my hometown, funnily enough. Oxford City Police Court. The charge? Stealing a motor car. And what were the other three charge? Receivers. All connected with motor theft, sir. One was for removing spare parts from parked vehicles. Another time he was convicted for selling a stolen car. That's all I want. Thanksgivers.

[Orson Welles]

Inspector Clancy and Sergeant Redding drove back to Eastwood. On the road there, about 50 yards from the motor workshop, they waited. They saw two mechanics leave at 5:30 on their way home. Then a few minutes later.

[Inspector Clancy]

There he is. Inspector. That's Harry Randolph. And he's alone.

[Orson Welles]

It was a very peaceful scene. The casual passerby would have noticed a dark scene. Sedan slowing down beside a thick set man in overheads.

[Inspector Clancy]

Mr. Randolph? Yeah. Oh, it's you. Still after them ts eh? In a manner of speaking, sir. This is Inspector Clancy from Scotland Yard. Scotland yard? Get in, Mr. Randolph. Not me, Inspector. Now you've got nothing against me. On the contrary, we have a great deal against you. Get in.

[Orson Welles]

Randolph was defiant at first. But when the advantages of Turning King's evidence into were pointed out to him. He became almost verbose.

[Inspector Clancy]

It wasn't me who thought of the scheme. I. I was talked into it by him. The scheme being to steal cars, sell their spare parts and tires and abandon them? Yeah. Ted said we couldn't get enough parts and tires to stay in business otherwise. He talked me into helping him to pinch the Evans. Well, go on. Well, everything was sweet. And then on the way back to Eastwood, the cop signals us to stop. Tells us we were speeding. He'd have got our names and all. So you shot him dead. I didn't do it. Ted shot him. The gun's hidden in the desk down at our works. His fingerprints will be on it. I told him not to shoot. He wouldn't listen. We took the lolly down, got everything we could from her car and brought it back. And where is that stuff now? Some of it we sold. And three of the tires went off late today. I would have sold a lot to the copper here, but Ted was wise to him. He can smell coppers. Three were sold. Then one tire is left on the premises. Yeah, but listen, won't you? I might have helped a pinch. The Garbutt. I'd nothing to do with the murder. He shot a copper. A report on the tyre we found on the premises, sir. It comes from an Evans car, all right, and matches the tracks near Constable Hacker's body. Then our case is complete, Sergeant. The gun was found. The fingerprints on the wheel rims belong to Randolph and Burns. And now the tire. All right, Randolph, you've one more chance to help us. Where's Burns? Come on, you must have some idea. Right? But you gotta look after me. I'm not promising anything. Where's Burns? He's trying to get away. Overseas, I think. He was heading for Liverpool. He was always talking about a pal of his who was a ship's mate. Can you remember the name of the ship? I think it was called the Briar Rose. I have reason to believe your name is Ted Burns. Ted what? You got the wrong man, Jim. I don't think so. Mr. Burns, I have here a warrant for your arrest on a charge of murder. You got nothing on me. You got no evidence. Oh, yes, we have, Mr. Burns. All the evidence we need.

[Orson Welles]

And today that tire occupies a place in the Black Museum.

[Inspector Clancy]

Orson Welles will be back with you.

[Orson Welles]

In just a moment. The murder of Constable Hacker on the lonely Eastwood Road was solved by the patient methods of Scotland Yard and by the talking of Harry Randolph, whose verbosity put him behind bars for many years to come and brought his unholy friend Ted Burns to the last walk, the end of a rope one morning at 8 o', clock, a crook's plan misfired into murder, and neither Burns nor Randolph had the talent for outwitting the men of the yard. So it was that another chapter of murder was closed, another record added to the Method Index section, and another exhibit, the car Tire, was added to the Black Museum. And now, until we meet next time in the same place and I tell you another story about the Black Museum, I remain, as always, obediently yours.

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