Broadway Is My Beat 1949-12-24 - Nick Norman and Santa Claus

Summary

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Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Broadway Is My Beat 1949-12-24 - Nick Norman and Santa Claus
Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This festive episode revisits an original broadcast of Broadway Is My Beat, the noir detective radio drama set amid the glittering and gritty world of postwar New York. The story, set on Christmas Eve, centers on Detective Danny Clover’s search for Nick Norman, an ex-con playing Santa for a group of kids, who goes missing under mysterious circumstances. The tale weaves together themes of redemption, the spirit of Christmas, and streetwise humor amidst the loneliness and hope of Broadway.

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Main Themes

• The Holiday Spirit vs. Urban Hardship: Christmas in New York is shown as both magical and lonesome, where even ex-cons and orphans find moments of redemption and charity.
• Redemption and Second Chances: Nick Norman’s attempt to go straight and bring joy to children echoes the season’s redemptive themes.
• Community, Belonging, and Hope: The holiday gathering for underprivileged kids highlights the importance of kindness and togetherness.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Opening Scenes: Christmas Eve on Broadway

• Clover’s poetic narration paints Broadway as a place of both hope and despair on Christmas Eve (00:47).
• Early interactions include light banter about presents among police staff and the anticipation surrounding the arrival of Santa for the children’s party.

2. Nick Norman’s Introduction as Santa

• Nick Norman, former safecracker known as "light-fingered world famous safecracker," is to play Santa at the PAL (Police Athletic League) party (03:00).
• Marty Wednick, a former delinquent and PAL president, skeptically vets Nick Norman, leading to a comedic clash:

  “For 15 years I've been playing Sandy Claus at Sing Sing with no complaints… First day I am a free civilian, squirt gives me the hook.”
  — Nick Norman (Santa Claus) [03:02]

3. Deal with Danny Clover

• Danny and Nick have a past, and they’ve made an arrangement: Nick plays Santa, stays straight, and keeps clear of old habits (04:08).
• There's skepticism about Nick’s ability to resist temptation:

  “And leave their mother's purses alone.”
  — Clover (04:53)

4. Obstacle: Demand for Rent

• Simon Larrabee, a comically cold landlord, threatens to cancel the kids’ Christmas party unless a year’s rent ($750) is paid in advance (06:00).

  “When I rent something, I get a year's rent in advance. That comes to $750, doll. And I want it before there’s any party there.”
  — Simon Larrabee [06:12]

5. Chaos: Santa Disappears

• Amid shenanigans (including Sergeant Tartaglia getting stuck in a tree helping to decorate), Nick Norman vanishes while in Santa costume, reportedly taken by two men in a black sedan (08:07).
• Tartaglia is beside himself, and the department scrambles; special humor in Tartaglia’s justification for climbing the tree:

  “Because I'm a policeman.”
  — Sergeant Tartaglia [08:33]

6. Interviews and Investigation

• Clover questions Nick’s mother, who plays cagey and refuses to betray her son’s whereabouts.

  “One day when he was nine… Nick said, ‘ma, don't ask me where I been no more. Cause I'll lie to you.’”
  — Mrs. Norman [10:42, 12:21]

• Maxine (“Maxie”), a reformed shoplifter, tips Danny that Nick was last seen with Tussie Khan, a local mobster, at the Domino Club (16:19).

7. Showdown at the Domino Club

• Clover visits the Domino Club—a seedy, festive underworld hangout—to confront Tussie and locate Nick (20:01).
• The club scene is full of stylized, sarcastic noir dialogue:

  “You want Nick Norman... That's a big desire on a holiday.”
  — Tussie (Tussie Khan) [20:54]

• Clover is knocked unconscious by Tussie's men.

8. Resolution: The Christmas Miracle

• Clover awakens to Nick Norman, who good-naturedly helps him up. The "kidnapping" is explained away:

  "They heard I was out and wanted I should be Sandy Claus to a private party… They figured you was a mob, so they protected me from you."
  — Nick Norman (23:35)

• A note of apology from the would-be kidnappers is even comically smudged with tears (24:08).

9. Restoring Christmas

• Back at the office, all is set right. Tartaglia is absolved, with Danny spinning a heroic tale to restore his dignity:

  “Sergeant Tartaglia. The kind of policeman who tracks down criminals to the lair... single handed rescued Santa Claus from the dead jaws of disaster.”
  — Clover [26:05]

• When Simon Larrabee still wants his rent, Nick gives him a “talking-to,” shaming him into granting the party “on the house” and even giving a festive donation (27:31):

  “Maybe you could think better with a pen in your hand, Simon. Pennant will write out a receipt for years rent in advance, huh, Simon?”
  — Nick Norman [27:32]

10. Closing Monologue

• Clover delivers a poetic reflection on the hope and belief that Christmas brings, even to Broadway’s loneliest, reminding all of the season’s magic (28:12):

  “On Christmas Eve, Broadway is almost like any other place in the world... You believe it, because on Christmas Eve, you believe a miracle... Broadway. My Beat.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Humor in Hardship:

  “Bah humbug, Danny. That's a Christmas expression I picked up—to be used when you wished it was the Fourth of July instead.”
  — Sergeant Tartaglia [14:57]

• Holiday Irony:

  "This is probably the first time in the history of Santa Claus that he's ever heisted from his appointed rounds."
  — Sergeant Tartaglia [15:52]

• Warm Redemption:

  “Feels good to be out, huh Nick?”
  — Clover (04:06)
  “15 years is a long night without sleep, Danny. Yeah, feels good.”
  — Nick Norman (Santa Claus) [04:08]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:47 – Opening Christmas Eve narration
• 03:00 – Introduction of Nick Norman as Santa; humor with Marty Wednick
• 06:12 – Simon Larrabee’s rent demands
• 08:07 – Sergeant Tartaglia’s tree mishap and Nick Norman’s disappearance
• 10:42/12:21 – Mrs. Norman’s reticence about her son’s whereabouts
• 16:19 – Maxine tips Clover to Nick’s location
• 20:01 – Arrival at Domino Club and confrontation with Tussie
• 23:35–24:08 – Nick Norman explains the misunderstanding, delivers comic apology note
• 26:05 – Clover spins the story, restoring Christmas and Tartaglia’s reputation
• 28:12 – Poetic closing monologue about Broadway at Christmas

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Conclusion

This episode is a classic blend of tough-talking detective drama and homespun holiday redemption. It offers a snapshot of 1940s radio drama at its festive best, where hardboiled banter, comic misunderstandings, and a genuine sense of community combine to celebrate the hope and generosity of Christmas—Broadway style.

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Not a moment wasted—just pure, nostalgic radio gold with a big-hearted holiday message.

Transcript

[Detective Danny Clover]

I want a new beginning for family on January 9th.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

The sequel to Greenland is so massive, you have to see it on the big screen.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I promise.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Who Comes to safety? Starring Gerard Butler and Marina Baccarin. Oh, my God. Hang on. Greenland 2 migration.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Rated PG 13. Broadway's My Beat From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Broadway's my beat with larry thor as detective danny clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway on Christmas Eve. Broadway's natives dance their Christmas dance to the music of carols flowing out of tinsel loudspeakers. The kids mash their noses against plate glass, lick it and watch the mechanical clown, the mechanized tour army, the tin man dancing a jig on a tin box. Their eyes are dark with desire and hunger. They make a wish on a neon star. That's how it is on Christmas Eve on Broadway. My Beat. On the morning of the day before Christmas, creatures are stirring at police headquarters. There's the patter of tired feet and the sound of manly giggles as little gifts are hidden in desk drawers or poured into Dixie cups or slipped under the police blotter. And in my office there's a kid I knew, name of Marty Wednick.

[Marty Wednick]

Danny, I don't like to disturb you at this unmentionable hour.

[Detective Danny Clover]

10 o' clock in the morning. Unmentionable?

[Mrs. Norman]

You kidding?

[Marty Wednick]

Sleep has not yet fled from my starry eyes. What makes me bounce my pillow at an hour, which is for the squares, is a problem.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's your problem, Marty?

[Marty Wednick]

Am I or am I not the child president of your branch of the Police Athletic League? So I promised my constituency of fellow former delinquents a Sandy clause for Christmas. That's the problem. When are you gonna give with a Sandy clause? Don't laugh, Danny. A former delinquent shouldn't be disillusioned. Could make him a neurotic. So I repeat on behalf of my constituents, where is Santa Claus?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He'll be here in a minute, Marty. Sergeant Tortaglia. Oh, here he is. Come on in, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the.

[Marty Wednick]

Way oh, what, this guy's a sergeant, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, Tartaglia, this is Marty Wetnick. He wants Santa Claus.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, he's coming, Danny. He's coming. Come on in, Sandy. Everybody make way, everybody, for Santa Claus.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

And what's your alias name? Little Boy.

[Mrs. Norman]

Ho ho.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Hi.

[Marty Wednick]

Hey, this guy's a Santa Claus.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Who's the kid?

[Detective Danny Clover]

The punk?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Danny, who is he?

[Marty Wednick]

Marty Wednick, that's who I am. So you're Santa Claus, huh? Audition me Something what?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Why you crumbly little.

[Marty Wednick]

Take your hands off me, Santa Claus. Is this the Christmas spirit?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I'll give it to you in the mouth fresh kid.

[Marty Wednick]

You and how many rings?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Wait a minute.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Wait a minute, you two. Marty, this is Nick Norman.

[Marty Wednick]

Nick Norman, the ex con.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

How do you like this monster? For 15 years I've been playing Sandy Claus at Sing Sing with no complaints mind you. The first day I am a free civilian. Playing me old part to squirt gives me the hook. I resigned from Sandy Claus. I didn't get treatment like this even from the guards.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Take it easy, Nick. Marty didn't mean it. Did you Marty?

[Marty Wednick]

How was I to know that Sandy Claus here was the world famous light.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Fingered safe cracker Ex light fingered world famous safecracker. You.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How does he meet with your approval, Marty?

[Marty Wednick]

Well, the costume is sloppy, the beard's moth eaten, but yeah, he'll do.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Don't do me no favors, punk.

[Marty Wednick]

You want to know something, Nick?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

What?

[Marty Wednick]

Something I like you. I think you are the best Santa Claus that has ever been my privilege to present to my constituents of the pal. This is from the Hartnett.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

That's better. You gotta show respect for Sandy Claus. What time's your party?

[Marty Wednick]

Eight o' clock tonight. You'll be there?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I'll be there.

[Marty Wednick]

Well, so long, Danny. Sergeant Santa Claus. See you at the party. Merry Christmas.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

That's a good kid. Appreciates the finer things.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Feels good to be out, huh Nick?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

15 years is a long night without sleep, Danny. Yeah, feels good. And thanks for the job of Santa Claus. I would miss it after all these years.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The deal we made. That feels good too, huh?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh yeah, yeah, the deal. Sure, Danny. I'll keep my promise to you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's good. You won't Forget what happened 15 years ago on Christmas Eve.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

How can I forget? It was like today. I was all dressed up like Sandy Claus. I had a few idle hours and right in front of me there just happened to be an idle safe. So I cracked it. So I got caught.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Uh huh. What are you gonna do now? Between now and eight o', clock, the time the party starts.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Walk the thoroughfares and wish everybody joyous tidings and pat kids on the head.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And leave their mother's purses alone.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, Danny, how can you talk to Sandy Claus that way? I promised you that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sure you did. Hey, to Taglia. Yeah, Danny, tag along A Santa Claus. Fresh air will do you both good.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, gee, thanks, Danny, thanks. You know, the fresh air will do us both good.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, but hold his hand to Taglia. So he won't get lost. We don't want him to get lost, do we?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, no, Danny, no.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Because what's Christmas without Santa Claus? Have fun, boys. So everybody was happy. And that was good because. Because it was the season for it. Sergeant Tartaglia was happy because I had not only given him permission to leave the room, I told him to go out and take a walk with Santa Claus. And everyone knows that Santa Claus is always happy, even if, once upon a time he had to spread his glad tidings around Sing Sing. I considered it a while. And then I decided to inhale the bloom of Christmas as it filtered through police headquarters. And it made me feel happy, too. It lasted for two inhales.

[Simon Larrabee]

The sign on the door says Lieutenant Danny Clover. I don't believe in signs. What's your name?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Uh, what's yours?

[Simon Larrabee]

I came prepared for a question like that.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Here's my card.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks. Simon Larrabee, Real Estate and Rentals. You renting something, Mr. Larrabee?

[Simon Larrabee]

Ah, that would give you the upper hand. Two questions to my one, and you haven't answered it yet.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny Clover. Like the sign says, that's my name.

[Simon Larrabee]

You're quite right. I am renting something.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go ahead. Ran away. I like to watch.

[Simon Larrabee]

I'm doing it now, just looking at you. I'm renting that property known as the warehouse at 2290 E. Grand St. Well.

[Detective Danny Clover]

If it makes you happy. Wait a minute. That's our clubhouse. That's where the kids are having our Christmas party. Are you?

[Simon Larrabee]

What else can it be? Where's the rent?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Rent for what?

[Simon Larrabee]

Rent for that property known as the warehouse at 2290 E. Grand St. You.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mean it hasn't been paid? How much is it?

[Simon Larrabee]

It's $62.50 a month. Oh, that includes utilities.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll pay it. The club's treasurer will reimburse me.

[Simon Larrabee]

You don't understand, Mr. Clever. When I rent something, I get a year's rent in advance. That comes to 750, doll. And I won it before there's any party there.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Are you kidding? Why are those kids gonna get money like that?

[Simon Larrabee]

Well, I'll give you until 8 o' clock to get the money, and I'll just sit right here until then.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right. Grab yourself a police gazette.

[Simon Larrabee]

Never touch the stuff.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Suit yourself. Excuse me, Simon. Danny Clover speaking.

[Mrs. Norman]

Danny? Danny, this is Patrolman Curcio.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, what is it? I can hardly hear you, Curcio.

[Mrs. Norman]

Yeah, yeah, well, no wonder. Listen, what I gotta talk through. Listen, Danny. Hey, you see what I mean?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why the sirens? What's the trouble?

[Mrs. Norman]

Sergeant Tartaglia is up a tree.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Mrs. Norman]

Sergeant Tartaglia is in a tree on the avenue. A playground, Danny. He flipped his lid. He's telling anyone that'll listen that there ain't no Santa Claus. Hey, you better come on down, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

When I got down to the avenue a playground, it was having the Christmas party of its life. A 30 foot tree, complete with tinsel, candy canes, colored popcorn balls, firemen and a scared sergeant policeman forlorn and lost, pinned to its top branch. The fire department finally convinced Artaglia that a ladder was a safe invention for getting down on the tall trees at the bottom rung. He almost believed it when his feet touched the ground. They gave him a blanket because he was suffering from shock. He was about to tell the newsreel boys his ordeal when I faced him.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, Danny, Danny. I was about to tell the newsreel boys my ordeal.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Just tell me first, Autaglia, because I hardly ever get to them movies.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I. I'll be with you in just a minute, sir. Oh, Danny, it was awful. It was something awful.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I only ask this because there's so much about you I don't know, Titaglia. Why do you climb trees?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, I don't, Danny. The height scares me. When I was a child, a tree threw me on the ground.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Still you climbed this tree. Why?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Because I'm a policeman.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That makes sense. But how?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, sure it does, Danny. The kids see me, I am a policeman. They need to put a star on top of that Christmas tree.

[Detective Danny Clover]

They.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

They ask me because I am a policeman and can do such things. I couldn't let the department down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

So you leave Nick Norman alone all by himself because you don't want to let the department down?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I knew you would say that. But I trusted Nick because he is Santa Claus. He told me I could trust him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sure you can, Tortaglia. But what happened to Santa Claus? He's not around.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

That's right.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

There ain't no Santa Claus. Like I've been saying.

[Detective Danny Clover]

They told me you were saying that. What happened to him, Tortaglia? Well.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, Danny, Whilst I was up in the tree pinning the star below me, I saw a big black bulletproof sedan.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What kind?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

A big black bullet proof sedan.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Now I know. Then what happened?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, this big black bulletproof sedan stopped by Nick, our Santa Claus. Two men got out, talked him for a minute, then took him one by each arm, deposited him in the car, closed the door and away they sped, careening on two wheels. I. I yelled at them to stop Danny, but I guess they didn't hear me on account of the hustle and bustle.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, Santa Claus. Taglia, where is he? Where'd he go?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, if I was Santa Claus, I know where I'd go.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not that it matters, but where?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, to my mother on Christmas Eve. She deserves something like that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm sure she does.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

May we have you now, Sergeant Tartaglia?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, make good in the newsreels, Tartaglia. This may be your big chance.

[Mrs. Norman]

Yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How are you, Mrs. Norman?

[Mrs. Norman]

Hi.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm Danny Clover.

[Mrs. Norman]

Yeah?

[Detective Danny Clover]

May I Come in, Mrs. Norman?

[Mrs. Norman]

Why?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I want to talk to you.

[Mrs. Norman]

About what?

[Detective Danny Clover]

About Nick. About your son.

[Mrs. Norman]

Come in.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks.

[Mrs. Norman]

In here in the parlor. Sit down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Norman]

No, not on that seat. That one. What do you want to talk about? About Nick.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Do you know where he is?

[Mrs. Norman]

Don't tell me no more. One day when he was nine years old, Nick said to me, he said, ma, don't ask me where I been no more. Cause I'll lie to you. That's what he said.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then you don't know where he is.

[Mrs. Norman]

Don't make me go through that again, sonny. Say, who are you to ask me questions?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I told you I was.

[Mrs. Norman]

Yeah, yeah, you did. You said you's Danny Clover. That don't mean nothing to me. Oh, you must be the guy come about.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Aha, I am. That's why I came.

[Mrs. Norman]

Uh huh. Will you tell me what you come here for?

[Detective Danny Clover]

For? You know, just as you said.

[Mrs. Norman]

Oh, this I like. This lets me play cagey like in the old days. What are you talking about?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You know, your son, Nick, he got.

[Mrs. Norman]

A square more than that, kiddo. What about Nick?

[Detective Danny Clover]

We want him to be our Santa Claus.

[Mrs. Norman]

Bingo.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's good.

[Mrs. Norman]

Oh, it must be a good feeling, a young man like you, big, strong, looking for Santy Claus. Me, I just sat here in my rocking chair, Mrs. Norman, thinking about the times we had. Me and Big Ed, my husband, the time.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I have to go now, Mrs. Norman. Where's your son?

[Mrs. Norman]

Oh, you made me go through it again. One day when he was nine years old, Nick said to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, well, thanks, miss.

[Mrs. Norman]

Oh, don't ask me where I've been.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Hi, Danny. Did you find Santa Claus?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

No.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Uh, Tartaglia. What are you doing about it? Me?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Nothing.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's good. Anyone to see me?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah. In your office. Uh, hey, Danny. Danny. What are you angry at me for, huh?

[Mrs. Norman]

Danny.

[Marty Wednick]

Hey, Danny. What's this I hear about Santa Claus taking a powder?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You'll get your Santa Claus. Marty. You still here? Simon?

[Marty Wednick]

Larrabee.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yes, yes, yes. I'm waiting.

[Simon Larrabee]

Just as I told you. I'm waiting for my 750 to rent.

[Marty Wednick]

Can you imagine this Ghana Than he on Christmas Eve. He wants his rent. This is a Christmas no Santa Claus, no party. What am I going to tell my constituents?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It'll work out, Marty. We'll get the money someplace I ate, okay? Shut up, Simon.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

But Danny.

[Marty Wednick]

No Sandy Claws.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Hold it. Hold it, everybody. I got a solution. Communications. This is Sergeant Cartagli in Danny Clover's office. An all points bulletin. Pickup man, description as follows. Height 5' 11. Weight 235. When last seen, was wearing a red suit, a red hat with bells and black boots. Identifying marks as a long snow white beard. What's his name? Santi Claus.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat. Starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. $51,000 in cash and wonderful prizes. Danny Seymour might play Santa Claus to you tonight. And he might fill up your stockings with that 51 grand. If you can identify the phantom voice, listen in just a little later tonight to sing it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway brings you Christmas in a lot of ways. You get dribbled around by the opposing teams of last minute shoppers. You ride backwards on up escalators so you can be in a good position for the down escalators. You get mauled and shoved and picked over. And finally you get gift wrapped and sent on your way. My way was out to lunch and back to police headquarters. Holding my Christmas stocking in my hand. I had two things. No rent and no Santa Claus. Two nothings which made for an empty holiday. Sergeant Titaglia wasn't enjoying himself either. And he expressed himself with sentiment.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Bah humbug.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What did you say to Taglia?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Bah humbug, Danny. That's a Christmas expression I picked up. To be used when you wished it was the Fourth of July instead.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, me too.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You seen the afternoon papers, Danny?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Take a look at it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You look at it for me. What does it say?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, first it has got a picture on the front page of a tree. In the tree is me. Then it says under it it says Officer Gino Tartaglia.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Hey, Danny. They spelled it right. Officer Tartaglia spent the afternoon cavorting in a tree to the delight and applause of all the little.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It runs on like that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Forget it. It wasn't your fault then.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

That's what I tried to tell Mrs. Tartaglia.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Doesn't she believe you, Danny?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

She called me on the phone. I said hello. She said, signal Tarzan Then she started laughing, hysterical. I can't get her to talk. Every time I pick up my phone, all I hear is Mrs. Tartaglia laughing.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I got my problems, too.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

This is probably the first time in the history of Santa Claus that he's ever heisted from his appointed rounds.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Maybe. Hey, did you get in touch with Nick's mother again like I told you?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, Danny, she ain't nowhere to be found. The old they must have skipped. And the 200 Santa Clauses that the boys investigated. Not one of these is Nick Norman under the beard. I'll get it, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Sergeant, huh? Yeah, he's here.

[Simon Larrabee]

It's for you, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you. Danny Clover speaking.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Danny, this is Maxie. You know Maxine Riddell.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How are you, Maxie?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

I'm in lingerie, Danny. Come on down.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

In the lingerie department at Fletcher's department store, working. I got news for you. News About Nick Norman. You interested, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I am.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hold on to everything, Maxi. I'll be right down.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Here. Mister, take the slack knife down over to that girl over there. She'll gift wrap it up. Hi, Danny. How am I doing?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Great, Maxi, only great. How long you been working here?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Only for the Christmas season, Danny. But the way I've been operating, I think maybe they'll keep me on.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

No.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No questions about your background.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

You mean about me being a shoplifter, huh? That's the reason I got the job. The way I was lifting things, I told them it'd be cheaper for them if they put me on the sales force, so they did. So for 22 bucks a week. I'm an honest mouse. Anyway, it's steady.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Keep it that way, huh, Maxie?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Anything you say, Danny. Well, now that we've had our tea, I guess you want to know about Nick.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yeah.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Breaks my heart to be a stoolie. You know how it is, Danny. Me with my former alliances.

[Detective Danny Clover]

But it's different now.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Yeah, different. I want it to be different for Tussie, too. You remember how it was between me and Tussie?

[Detective Danny Clover]

How was?

[Mrs. Norman]

Was gorgeous.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

That's why I'm being a pigeon, Danny. If Nick made up his mind to be a kosher citizen, he should stick to it, not fall back into the arms of a mob like a doll. Who says, Mama?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Which mob, Maxie?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Tussie Khan's such a name for a gorilla. Tussie? How do you figure a name like that?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I don't know him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where do I find him?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Tussie just got back from Chicago. He bought the Domino Club. I happened to be passing there on my lunch hour and I saw Nick in a Santa Claus suit drinking grape juice with Tussie. Oh, excuse me, Danny, a customer. Yes, madam. Something for yourself?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks, Maxie.

[Marty Wednick]

For what?

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

We have some gorgeous outside girdles, madam, for everyday wear. They're right over here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Limu Emu and Doug.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Here we have the Limu Emu in.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Its natural habitat, helping people customize their.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates Excludes.

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[Detective Danny Clover]

The Domino club in the West 50s is a bright and shiny joint club plastered with black glass. It stands close to the ground between two peeling brownstones. When you walk into it, you have the feeling you're walking into the mouth of a beetle. Its walls are lined with black mirrors, but its ceiling is draped with folds of scarlet silk. And at six o' clock of a Christmas Eve, the boys, complete with Christmas wrapped girls, are beginning to gather. You ask a busboy in white tie and tails, where's Tussie Carnes? And he lifts an eyebrow to a guy standing near the bandstand. A guy grinning like an alley cat while a girl pins a sprig of mistletoe to his lapel. You wait till she kisses Tussie and Tussie kisses her, but his eyes are open and flicking around the joint. So he sees you and pushes the girl away. Beat it, Blitzen. I got company.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Merry Christmas, stranger. You want something from Tussie Boy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Same to you. I want Nick Norman.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, that's a big desire on a holiday. Why you want Nick? Tell Tussie boy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Maybe I got to explain. I'm Danny Clover, a cop. I want him.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Don't everybody come with me. Sonny, Santa's right down at the end of this hallway. Merry Christmas, Melvin.

[Marty Wednick]

Ain't it though, Tussie?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Merry Christmas, George.

[Simon Larrabee]

Likewise, I'm sure.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I brought you present, boys.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Goody, likewise. Where's Nick Norman?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

This fella here, he says to Tussie Boy, he wants Nick Norman, our Santa Claus.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, what big eyes you have, mister.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

And you know something else that's plain precious, boys?

[Marty Wednick]

No, do tell us, Tussie.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

The fella says he is a cop. Isn't that cuter?

[Marty Wednick]

I could die.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yeah, so show the fella Santa Claus her, fellas. Merry Christmas, Danny Clover. Oh, Tussie boy said that, didn't he?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Stay away from me.

[Marty Wednick]

But first we want to wish you on a star.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Are you too crazy? Stay away from me.

[Simon Larrabee]

I think that was not enough stars. I'll give him another package.

[Marty Wednick]

You know that Tussie's good to us. He gave us the best Christmas present two fellas could ever have.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Don't be greedy, Melvin.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Leave some for me.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, look at that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's all gone.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Come on, Danny, open your eyes.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yeah, open your eyes, Danny. It's getting late. Ain't you right? Christmas is coming.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, it's you, Nick Norman.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, Danny, call me Sandy Claus. That's the nicest alias I got.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Now look, Nick, I'm going to.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, hey, I'll help you up, Danny. Sit on the edge of the sofa there. Yeah, Santa Claus, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Santa Claus, huh? So help me, Nick, where I'm gonna put you? You'll spend the next 94 Christmases in solitary.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Take it easy, Danny. Come on, let's get out of here. I'll be late for that kids party. Come on.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You mean let's get out of here? Just like that? I don't have to beat my way out of here before. What's all this about, Nick?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Santa Claus, you adult today, Danny. What's the matter with you?

[Detective Danny Clover]

But you were kidnapped.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Kidnapped?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Me?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I would want to do a thing like that to jolly old me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

A man in the tree said two guys pushed you into a car. He only had a bird's eye view. But he said kidnapped.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, you mean Melvin and George.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I mean Melvin and George.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Two pals from Chicago, Daddy. They heard I was out and wanted I should be Sandy Claus to a private party they was giving. That's all harmless, guys, pals, buddies, we enjoy each other.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, they enjoyed me too.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Before they left town for this party, they said to tell you. Oh, wait a minute. I wrote it down. It says that Dear Danny Clover, sorry we made a mistake and beat up your head. May the bells ring a joyous Noel for you. Signed xx. That's Melvin and George. Yes.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Fake, huh?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Sure. They knew some mob or other might try to get me a Santa Claus. They figured you was a mob, so they protected me from you like. Like you was fibbing about being a cop. After they walloped you unconscious, they went through your pockets and saw you was really a cop. So they wrote this note. The running ink, you see here on the note, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

A.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

That's tears. You'll forgive him, won't you, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. How about your mother?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Well, that was your error, Danny. You didn't tell mom you was from the police. So she taught. Just like Melvin and George gave me the double talk. Yeah, that's my mom. A grand old dame, you know. You know what I told her once when I was nine years old.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

Yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You know, my sleigh's outside. I'll give you a ride back to my office.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, that means the whole thing was an error in identification and motive, as they say, huh, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's right. Isn't that right, Santa?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Sure. I'll tell it to you again if you want.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, never mind. What happened to Simon Larrabee?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, he went out for a feast of spud nuts and coffee.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, you don't look very happy to Tagley.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

No, Danny, I ain't happy. Unhappy, very.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's the matter? We've got Santa Claus. Come on, smile. It's going to be a fine Christmas.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I can't, Danny. I just can't. It's Mrs. Tartaglia. Yeah, now she ain't laughing anymore. The neighbors are laughing and Mrs. Tataglia is crying.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Why?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, the later editions of the paper said that that Santa Claus was heist and it was because I was in a tree. Yeah, the papers say I single handed messed up Christmas.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Bad as that, huh? Well, I'll tell you to tag.

[Marty Wednick]

What about my Christmas party?

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Not yet, Sandy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Wait till you get to the party.

[Marty Wednick]

Say, the press was saying that you were snatched, Sandy. What gives? It said that mobsters grabbed you.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Nah, it was just a little misunderstood.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's right, Marty. Nick was grabbed by mobsters, huh?

[Marty Wednick]

Yeah. Well then how'd he get away?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sergeant Tartaglia.

[Marty Wednick]

Yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Uh huh. Sergeant Tartaglia. The kind of policeman who tracks down criminals to the lair.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I am Denny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The kind that single handed rescued Santa Claus from the dead jaws of disaster.

[Marty Wednick]

This guy did that?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yep. I'm just about to call the press boys and tell them about it.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I mean it, Tataglia. Don't be so modest. I'm gonna do just that. Danny, put Marty in a cab to Taglia. I'll send Santa down the squad car in a little while.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah, sure. Well, come on, little tyke. I mean Marty.

[Marty Wednick]

Okay. Merry Christmas, Danny.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Whatever you tell the press guys, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll swear to it. Sure, sure you will.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

This is a fine Christmas you're giving everybody, Danny. How about yourself?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll have fun at the party. I always do. Where is it?

[Simon Larrabee]

Where's my money?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, look, Mr. Larrabee, it's Christmas.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Of course it's Christmas.

[Simon Larrabee]

That's why I want my rent, so I can have a Merry Christmas.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Hey, Danny, who is this guy that needs rent to have a merry Christmas?

[Detective Danny Clover]

This is Simon Larrabee. He wants a year's rent in advance for that warehouse where the kids are having their party, or else no party. Yes.

[Simon Larrabee]

That's who I am.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Oh, like that, huh? So that's how you are, huh, Simon?

[Simon Larrabee]

Stop breathing in my face, Anakin.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

All them kids wanting to have a party, and a Simon like you wants to louse it up.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Put him down.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I ain't doing nothing, Danny. Just holding Simon up so's I can breathe in his face. I want you to think about something, Simon. Think about all those kids that are looking forward to that Christmas party, which ain't gonna happen on account of you. Think about it.

[Mrs. Norman]

All right.

[Maxine Riddell (Maxie)]

I'm think.

[Simon Larrabee]

I'm thinking.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Yes, maybe you could think better with a pen in your hand, Simon. A pennant will write out a receipt for years rent in advance, huh, Simon?

[Simon Larrabee]

Of course, of course, of course. Christmas spirit and all that.

[Mrs. Norman]

Yes.

[Simon Larrabee]

I'll get my receipt book.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Ah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh.

[Mrs. Norman]

Oh, my.

[Simon Larrabee]

Well, I haven't felt so good in years. Ah, yes. Here you are, Mr. Glover. A receipt for a year's rent in advance. And tell the darlings Merry Christmas with this.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, yeah, I will.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Ain't he a nice fella, Danny? Come on, nice fella. I'll take you to a party. Merry Christmas, Danny.

[Mrs. Norman]

He said merry, Merry, Merry Christmas, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Merry Christmas. Yep. Merry christmas. On Christmas Eve, Broadway is almost like any other place in the world. The bells ring out, the horns blow, there's laughter. The Mazdas on the Trans Lux spell out slowly, word by word, peace on earth. Goodwill to men. And you read it. You believe it, because on Christmas Eve, you believe a miracle. Then a whirl of confetti is in your eyes and you're pushed along with a crowd. And you never see the next news bulletin. You don't try to look back. It's Broadway. The merriest, shiniest, lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway. My Beat.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Broadway's My Beat stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover and is written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The musical score was composed by Alexander Courage and conducted by Wilbur Hatch and the program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The cast tonight included Charles Calvert, Gill Stratton Jr. Howard McNear, Hal March, Bert Holland, Shep Menken, Estelle Dodge and Peggy. We. On Christmas afternoon, Jack Benny will be heard as guest star in a full one hour version of the comedy the man who Came to Dinner. Charles Boyer, Gregory Peck, Rosalind Russell, Dorothy McGuire, Henry Fonda, John Garfield and Gene Kelly will be starring alongside Jack in this special holiday hour. Then an hour later, Jack will be back with his own Sunday night gang for 30 more minutes of holiday hilarity. In fact, the best idea really is. Stay tuned to CBS all day Christmas day. Now stay tuned for Sing It Again, which follows immediately on most of these same CBS stations. Joe Walters speaking. This is cbs, where you find Broadway is My Beat. Every Saturday night, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

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[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

I'm here on a job site with Tim, who owns his own electrical contracting business.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Three employees and two work trucks.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

Tim traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance. We're positively here where he needs us most.

[Detective Danny Clover]

They sure are.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

With step by step help on all his insurance needs. All for shockingly low rates. Shockingly low, huh? Just a little bit of electrician humor. Do you get it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I got it.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

You know, it feels like we have a real connection. All right, I'll stop.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save.

[Nick Norman (Santa Claus)]

It feels good to Geico.