Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Boston Blackie 45-05-09 018 – Cover Up For Mary
Original Air Date: May 9, 1945
Summary Date: September 6, 2025

Main Theme:
This episode follows Boston Blackie as he works urgently to clear his friend Mary Wesley, falsely suspected of murder, and exposes a complex plot involving mistaken identity, arson, and financial deceit. The show is a classic example of the Golden Age radio detective drama, mixing sharp banter, suspense, and a twisty plot.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Breakup and Threats (starts 00:56)

• Mary Wesley meets John Richards, her persistent ex. Mary tells Richards their relationship is over and to stop contacting her.
• When Richards refuses to accept, Mary brandishes Blackie's gun for protection.
• Quote:
  “Don’t make me use this.” – Mary Wesley (01:44)

2. A Suspicious Fire and a Murder (02:27)

• Inspector Faraday is notified of a fire at Richards’ home, where a body is found, shot through the head.
• The coroner determines death occurred before the fire; a nearby couple heard a gunshot and saw a girl, believed to be Mary, leaving the scene.
• Quote:
  “We found a body in the house and it looks like murder.” – Chief Warren (02:29)

3. Mary's Return and Blackie’s Involvement (03:07)

• Mary returns, shaken, gives the gun back to Blackie, hinting she used it to scare Richards, not to kill.
• Blackie promises to cover for her and reassures her she’s safe, deepening their bond.
• Quote:
  "I had to do it, Blackie. I had to keep him away from me. I'm so nervous." – Mary Wesley (04:04)

4. Evidence Stacking Against Mary (04:21–09:49)

• At the crime scene, Faraday discovers a threatening letter to Richards, signed by Boston Blackie.
• The body is mistaken for John Richards due to dental records.
• Faraday suspects Blackie is covering for Mary, who had a motive and was seen at the scene.
• Memorable Faraday-Blackie Banter (07:26):
  “You wrote this note to Richards threatening to kill him.” – Faraday
  “My, my Inspector, you can read.”
  – Blackie

5. Mary on the Run and Blackie’s Dilemma (09:49–13:46)

• Blackie warns Mary to hide out as the police close in, sending her to a movie theater to lay low.
• When confronted, Mary insists she didn’t shoot Richards, only fired into the floor.
• Quote:
  “Did you kill John Richards?” – Blackie (13:24)
  “What do you think?” – Mary Wesley (13:29)

6. Investigation into John Richards’ Circle (16:10–19:26)

• Blackie shifts focus to Richards’ business partner, William Emery.
• Blackie and Shorty investigate Emery’s apartment and find inconsistencies—a half-smoked cigarette and a packed suitcase—suggesting Emery left suddenly.
• Crucially, Blackie realizes the murdered man did not have the freckles Mary described Richards as having. This casts doubt on the identity of the body.

7. Dental Record Plot Twist (20:10–24:33)

• Blackie questions the involved dentists, Drs. Madison and Lindell.
• Blackie theorizes that Lindell altered Emery’s dental work to match Richards’, allowing Richards to fake his death by substituting Emery’s body.
• Lindell confesses under pressure:
  Quote:
  “Richards did. All I did was to go out to Richards’ house and fix Emery’s dental work. Emory was dead when I got to Richard’s house… Richards changed his name to Robert Carlton.” (24:20–24:30)

8. Case Closed – Motive and Resolution (25:00–end)

• Richards is captured and confesses; it’s revealed he killed Emery because Emery caught him embezzling and threatened exposure.
• Mary Wesley is cleared, and Blackie jests that she should give back his gun—Mary comically turns it on him to insist on going home.
• Closing Joke (25:47): “There you are. Now, what’s the idea of taking it and pointing it at me?” – Blackie
  “A darn good idea. I just want to make sure we go to my apartment, that’s all.” – Mary Wesley

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mary’s Defiance (01:44):
  “Don’t make me use this.” — Mary Wesley, brandishing a gun at Richards.

• Blackie Confesses to Cover-up (07:08):
  “Sure, sure, I did.” — Blackie admits to writing the threatening letter, misleading the police.

• Comic Banter (07:15):
  “Did I misspell a word or something?” — Blackie, maintaining his wit even accused of murder.

• Plot-Twisting Revelation (19:29):
  “Mary told me in the movie that John Richards was freckle faced. The man I found dead before the fire didn’t have any freckles… I’ve got a hunch John Richards isn’t even dead.” — Blackie

• Dental Forgery Exposed (24:33):
  “He changed his name to Robert Carlton. He thought he’d be safe as long as the police thought he was dead.” — Dr. Lindell/Blackie

• Wry Ending (25:47):
  “A darn good idea. I just want to make sure we go to my apartment, that’s all.” — Mary Wesley, after playfully taking Blackie’s gun.

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:56 | Mary severs ties with Richards; gun confrontation | | 02:27 | Fire and body found at Richards’ home | | 04:21–09:49 | Police investigation, Blackie-Faraday confrontation | | 12:44 | Blackie and Mary reunite at the movie theater | | 16:10 | Blackie investigates William Emery’s apartment | | 19:29 | Blackie realizes the murdered man is not Richards | | 20:10–24:33 | Confrontation at the dentist’s office; plot unraveled | | 25:00–end | Case resolved, Mary and Blackie’s playful closing exchange |

Tone & Original Style

Boston Blackie’s signature wit and the chemistry between him, Mary, and Inspector Faraday mix suspense and humor throughout (“How does a flat foot pick up such fancy legal terms with his toes?”). The pacing is brisk, with layered twists and fast repartee that echo the best of 1940s radio detective storytelling.

Conclusion

This “Boston Blackie” episode is a fine example of radio’s suspenseful, character-driven mysteries, where the titular sleuth combines intelligence, loyalty, and humor to solve a seemingly airtight case. The payoff—a clever switch with the dental records and a murderer who faked his own death—delivers both satisfaction and entertainment, all while showcasing the enduring appeal of Golden Age radio drama.