Candy Matson 49-07-07 02 The Cable Car Case - Harold's Old Time Radio

Transcript

Candy Matson (0:09)

Hello, Yukon 28209? Yes, this is Candy Matson.

Narrator (0:22)

Do you have a little unsolved murder in your home? Got some blackmail you want to unload? Are you the victim of some vulgar extortionist? I know a girl you should meet. She may not be the greatest private eye in the world. So what if it does cost you 3 or $400? She sure is sweet. She's Candy Matson. Like to meet her.

Candy Matson (0:48)

Hello, Candy Matson? Well, I wasn't sure when I looked in the mirror this morning.

Unknown (0:52)

Had a rough night, eh?

Candy Matson (0:53)

Oh, there have been rougher ones. Look, voice, before you get caught with my receiver down. Who are you and what do you want?

Unknown (1:00)

As to who I am, you'll find out very shortly. What I want is you.

Candy Matson (1:04)

How romantic. And over the phone.

Unknown (1:06)

Yeah, let me finish. What I want is you to lay off that cable car business.

Candy Matson (1:11)

Oh, that. Well, I'm afraid I can't. You see, I was sitting beside him when they discovered his transfer had been punched. Sort of permanently. That's how things happen with me. I get into the craziest routines. You see, I used to be a model. I've been told I have the proper displacement for such a career. But I found there wasn't enough money in it. A girl has to maintain a nice apartment on Telegraph Hill keep enough clothes to highlight the displacement I mentioned and also eat, doesn't she? Sure. So I turned private eye. You meet a better class of people. Mostly named Rigger or Mortis. Now, take this cable car deal. It's positively fantastic. But after all, this is radio, isn't it? Like to hear how the whole thing happened? Leave us trip along to Act 1. I wanted to get downtown that morning, but I couldn't take the F car. They were ripping up about 87 streets, which is par for the course. So I walked down Telegraph Hill and up to Mason. That's where the Bay and Powell cable car stopped.

Lt. Ray Mallard (2:33)

All aboard. Come on, Lana, show that shapely ankle. We gotta make the Fairmont by Whitsuntide.

Candy Matson (2:42)

The car was loaded and so was the character next to me. I tried to budge into the seat between him and a Fisherman's Wharf dowager, but I couldn't quite make it. I'd forgotten my shoehorn. Say, pardon me, but would you mind reading your Wall Street Journal over that a way a bit. I'd like to sit in here.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio - Candy Matson 49-07-07 02: The Cable Car Case

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction

In this electrifying episode of "Candy Matson", listeners are plunged into the tumultuous streets of San Francisco, where Candy, a sharp-witted private detective, navigates a web of deceit, murder, and high-stakes investigation. "The Cable Car Case" masterfully blends suspense with classic radio drama elements, delivering a captivating story that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

Plot Overview

The episode opens with Candy Matson receiving a mysterious call urging her to abandon her involvement in the cable car business. Unfazed, Candy delves deeper, uncovering a sinister plot surrounding the murder of Dwight Ellsworth aboard a San Francisco cable car. As she pieces together the puzzle, Candy finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, leading her to confrontations with unsuspected allies and formidable adversaries.

Key Characters

Candy Matson: The protagonist, a tenacious private detective with a knack for getting to the truth.
Rembrandt Watson: A quirky photographer and Candy's old friend, whose unpredictable behavior adds both comic relief and tension.
Lt. Ray Mallard: A police lieutenant who is both an ally and a source of contention for Candy.
Mrs. Ellsworth: The sophisticated yet ruthless wife of the murdered Dwight Ellsworth, harboring dark secrets.

Detailed Summary

The Murder on the Cable Car (00:09 - 05:24)

The episode kicks off with Candy on a cable car journey, where she witnesses the shocking murder of Dwight Ellsworth. Attempting to blend in, she engages in conversation with her companion, whom she later identifies as Lt. Ray Mallard. The interaction raises suspicions about Candy's involvement, prompting Mallard to question her integrity.

Candy Matson [00:22]: "She sure is sweet. She's Candy Matson. Like to meet her."

Lt. Ray Mallard [05:07]: "He looks like the advance man for Lewis and Clark."

Confrontation and Alliance (05:24 - 15:22)

Determined to clear her name and solve the murder, Candy reaches out to her friend Rembrandt Watson for assistance. Their partnership is immediately tested as they navigate through misleading clues and confrontations with law enforcement.

Candy Matson [08:02]: "What gives? You're in on something and I want to know about it."

Rembrandt Watson [14:10]: "I'm looking right at you, Candy."

Investigation and Deception (15:22 - 26:52)

Candy's investigation leads her to Mrs. Ellsworth, who cunningly accepts her offer to pay for the investigation, masking her own motives. As Candy delves deeper, she uncovers a conspiracy involving the sabotage of the South Sea Island Steamship Company. The plot thickens as Candy realizes the extent of Mrs. Ellsworth's deceit and the lengths she's willing to go to seize control of the company.

Candy Matson [26:05]: "The South Sea Island Steamship Lines were slowly being sabotaged."

Mrs. Ellsworth [14:07]: "I'm not in the mood. Just make it a double."

Climax and Resolution (26:52 - 29:18)

In a dramatic climax, Candy confronts Mrs. Ellsworth, leading to a showdown that results in Mrs. Ellsworth's demise. The intertwined relationships and betrayals reach their peak as Candy reflects on the tangled web she's navigated. The episode concludes with Candy mending her relationship with Lt. Mallard, hinting at future collaborations and unresolved tensions.

Candy Matson [28:12]: "Listen in again to the further adventures of Candy Matson. Girl sucker."

Candy Matson [29:08]: "You know, at times it's kind of fun to be in the arms of the law."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Candy Matson [00:22]: "She sure is sweet. She's Candy Matson. Like to meet her."
Lt. Ray Mallard [05:07]: "He looks like the advance man for Lewis and Clark."
Candy Matson [08:02]: "What gives? You're in on something and I want to know about it."
Rembrandt Watson [14:10]: "I'm looking right at you, Candy."
Candy Matson [26:05]: "The South Sea Island Steamship Lines were slowly being sabotaged."
Mrs. Ellsworth [14:07]: "I'm not in the mood. Just make it a double."
Candy Matson [28:12]: "Listen in again to the further adventures of Candy Matson. Girl sucker."
Candy Matson [29:08]: "You know, at times it's kind of fun to be in the arms of the law."

Conclusion

The Cable Car Case serves as a quintessential episode of the Candy Matson series, encapsulating the essence of Golden Age radio dramas. Through sharp dialogue, intricate plotting, and vibrant characters, the episode delivers a memorable narrative that resonates with both long-time fans and new listeners alike. As Candy Matson continues her quest for justice, audiences are left eagerly anticipating her next adventure.