
Cases of Mr Ace xxxxxx Murder of Frederick Miller
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Narrator
The cases of Mr. Ace starring George Rapp.
Dr. Gale
Yes?
Eddie Ace
My name is Eddie Ace.
Dr. Gale
Oh, yes. You're the private detective.
Eddie Ace
Yes. There was a message at my office from a Dr. Gale. Asked me to come right over here. Is he in?
Dr. Gale
I am Dr. Gale. Come in, please.
Eddie Ace
So you're Dr. Gail.
Dr. Gale
Shouldn't I be?
Eddie Ace
I didn't expect you to be a woman. Now, what can I do for you?
Dr. Gale
I want to retain you. To talk to me?
Eddie Ace
To. To talk to you.
Dr. Gale
You'll be amply repaid for your time.
Eddie Ace
You don't have to bribe me. All you have to do is tell me what I'm to talk to you about your experiences. Why?
Dr. Gale
You see, I'm a psychoanalyst, Mr. Ace. I'm planning a book dealing with criminal psychology and I intend to do something different. And there I need your help. I want the material fresh and unbiased, so to speak. From the point of view of a private detective, of more specifically an Eddie.
Eddie Ace
Ace, you make me feel very important. Is that a trick of a psychoanalyst?
Dr. Gale
No. That's a trick of a woman. What do you say, Mr. A?
Eddie Ace
All you want me to do is to come here whenever I'm finished a case and tell you about it.
Dr. Gale
The strange people you meet, what they said, how they reacted, what they were after.
Eddie Ace
Guess you know what you're after, Dr. Gale. All right. When do we begin?
Dr. Gale
I'm listening, Mr. Ace. I'm listening.
Narrator
The cases of Mr. Ace starring George Raft and produced and directed by Jason James.
Dr. Gale
You're sure my typewriter won't disturb you, Mr. Race?
Eddie Ace
I don't think the typewriter will bother me, but I'm not so sure about the typist.
Dr. Gale
When you arrived, you said you didn't expect me to be a woman. You were right. I'm a psychoanalyst. Shall we begin, Mr. H?
Eddie Ace
I see what you mean. Yeah. Well, it. It all started with a killing that was no business of mine. The murder of Frederick Miller. You know the corporation lawyer. His body had been found in his apartment. Three bullets in it. As I say, it was no business of mine until I arrived at my office over on 6th Avenue the morning after the killing. A man was waiting to see me. He was very small, very dark, very smooth. He smiled and showed me all his teeth. He had a lot of them. I opened my door and he followed me in.
Pierre Foray
Ah, merci, monsieur.
Eddie Ace
Sit down. You're French.
Pierre Foray
You are very observant, monsieur.
Eddie Ace
What can I do for you?
Pierre Foray
My name is Joy is Foray. Pierre Foray. I have selected you to perform for me a very important service we as serves.
Eddie Ace
Such as?
Pierre Foray
Oui, oui, oui. Now we come to it. Last night, monsieur, I performed a most impulsive act. I killed a man.
Eddie Ace
I see. You're a big boy now. You must learn to control yourself.
Pierre Foray
Ah, you are right. But that is how I am. I killed him. And I do not feel the regret. I feel only pleasure when I look into my eyes and see him die again and again.
Eddie Ace
That's better than a double feature.
Pierre Foray
I had warned this man, monsieur. Twice I had warned him to stay away from Sadie, my wife. He would not. So I killed him. It is simple.
Eddie Ace
You make it sound reasonable. Who is the lucky lover?
Pierre Foray
A pig named Miller. It is in all the papers.
Eddie Ace
Oh, such a fuss.
Pierre Foray
All for one pig named Miller.
Eddie Ace
Frederick Miller, eh?
Pierre Foray
A wee cochon.
Eddie Ace
What are your plans?
Pierre Foray
That is why I've come to you, monsieur. I am now on my way to the city hall of justice.
Eddie Ace
Giving yourself up?
Pierre Foray
Oui, but it is not serious. When I explain to the man in charge of the justice why I killed this Miller, he will let me go.
Eddie Ace
Yes, sure. He's cute that way. Well, why did you come to see.
Pierre Foray
Me do all for me? Two things, monsieur. One, five hundred dollars. And two, this little key.
Eddie Ace
This key here?
Pierre Foray
Oui. You will hold it for me until after the man in charge of the justice has heard my case. When I return, you will give it to me.
Eddie Ace
Suppose you don't return?
Pierre Foray
If it is certain? How do I know? Because I am a Frenchman.
Eddie Ace
But.
Pierre Foray
But I say, if by some silly mistake I am detained, then you will give it to my lawyer. But only if I am detained by what you call a conviction of guilty.
Eddie Ace
Why not give it to your lawyer now yourself?
Pierre Foray
He still remains to be selected. And I do not wish to surrender myself to the justice dispenser with the key and my person.
Eddie Ace
I see. And this 500. What do I do with it?
Pierre Foray
That you keep it, monsieur, for your trouble.
Eddie Ace
Left. And I sat figuring the 500. And the key? It was a small brass key, the kind you use on your trunk. No marks on it except the number 427. I had foray doped as a nut. Anyway, Foray confessed to the killing of Miller. And the final editions told how Timothy Hogan, the wild Irish criminal lawyer, came forward with an offer to defend the prisoner. The next morning Hogan came into my office. I had a hunch he would.
Timothy Hogan
And as sure as I'm sitting here in your office, Mr. Ace, I'm certain that Pierre Ferret did not kill Miller.
Eddie Ace
He confessed.
Timothy Hogan
Confessed? Ha. There you have a darling confession. A Frenchman. A crime of passion and he gives himself up. No, no, not Foray. It's not. After talking to the man.
Eddie Ace
And what's your best guess?
Timothy Hogan
Think, man, think. Can't you see it?
Eddie Ace
Maybe I'm looking in the wrong direction.
Timothy Hogan
And that you are. Foray is covering up for someone.
Eddie Ace
Someone he loves his wife.
Timothy Hogan
Aha. That's the thought, Mr. Ace. That's precisely the thought. And that's why the case attracted me. There's no money in it, but it's sentimental and violent. And I'm Irish.
Eddie Ace
Could be. But if he's covering up for his wife, how are you going to get him to sing?
Timothy Hogan
I must. If I can get him to the cant. A confession from his wife. I could get her an acquittal with a twist of the wrist. Good heavens, man, look at the elements. Self sacrificing husband, outraged and betrayed wife. He comes forth at the last minute. Why, it's better than Mother McCree. I'll have the jury swimming in their own tears.
Eddie Ace
I like your script. How are you going to get it on the stage?
Timothy Hogan
Aha, that sir, that is the problem. And there I need your help. I know this much. Yesterday, before he gave himself up, Foray came to you. What did he tell you?
Eddie Ace
Nothing.
Timothy Hogan
He gave you something.
Eddie Ace
Nothing.
Timothy Hogan
Oh, I don't think you're telling me the gospel truth, mister.
Eddie Ace
I'm not.
Timothy Hogan
I see. Very well. I tried to persuade Foray to give his permission to talk to me.
Eddie Ace
That's better.
Timothy Hogan
But in the meantime, Mr. In the meantime, you might try to sound out the way for me. Very, very discreetly. Understand? But sound her out.
Eddie Ace
You hiring me?
Timothy Hogan
Yes. When you see what you can do.
Eddie Ace
I'm practically there now. Yes, Mrs. Ferray.
Dr. Gale
Go away.
Mrs. Foray
All day you reporters have been.
Eddie Ace
I'm a detective.
Mrs. Foray
What do you want?
Eddie Ace
Sit down.
Mrs. Foray
Say what you want and get out.
Eddie Ace
Do as I say or I'll take you Downtown.
Mrs. Foray
You don't frighten me a bit. I'm ready.
Eddie Ace
I see what you mean. Okay, I'll level with you, Mrs. Ferray. I'm not from McLees. I'm a private detective. I'm working for your husband's lawyer on the Miller killing. You knew Miller?
Mrs. Foray
Yes. Yes, I knew him. What is that at work on that rat? Pierre killed him. I hope he dies in the chair for it.
Eddie Ace
Yes, as you were seeing Miller, that might save him from the chair.
Mrs. Foray
Let him prove that. Just let him prove I ever saw Fred Miller outside of his office on business.
Eddie Ace
When did you see Miller last?
Mrs. Foray
None of your business. Get out.
Eddie Ace
Sure. Keep this in mind, Mrs. Ferray. Your husband confessed to the murder. Maybe you'll be able to give the jury the impression that he's covering up for someone else. Someone may be like his ever loving wife.
Mrs. Foray
I said go on, get out.
Eddie Ace
Oh, by the way, did you ever see this key before?
Mrs. Foray
No. Now get out of here. And tell that rat Pierre I'll do my best to get a ringside seat for his execution.
Eddie Ace
I went back to my office, opened my door and then I saw him. A man was sitting behind my desk. He got to his feet. He didn't introduce himself, but I could tell by the bulge in his right pocket that he had a very good reference.
Timothy Hogan
You are Mr.
Pierre Foray
Ace.
Eddie Ace
What do you want?
Timothy Hogan
The key, Mr.
Eddie Ace
Ace. What key? Please, Mr.
Timothy Hogan
Ace, do not act childish. Give me the key.
Eddie Ace
I'm bigger than you are.
Timothy Hogan
But if you force me to use this gun, I shall be liver than you are. The key, please.
Eddie Ace
He pointed a stubby little revolver at my head. I gave him the key. He thanked me politely enough and left. I counted 10, then raced down the hall to the fire exit, slammed down the iron stairs and picked up behind him as he was leaving the building. He went straight to the Times Square station. I went right behind him. He went directly to the lockers. I was right behind him. He inserted a key in the locker number 427. Through the latch, pull the little door open and then it must have been hours later when I opened my eyes, I was still in the station. Near me and around me were maybe a dozen more cops and interns milled around. But bending over me was Detective Lieutenant Walsh.
Pierre Foray
Feeling better, Ace?
Eddie Ace
Yeah, I. Oh, my head. What happened?
Pierre Foray
Bomb exploded in a locker.
Eddie Ace
Anybody killed?
Pierre Foray
Yeah, the man who opened the booby trap. Blown to bits and three bystanders. You were lucky.
Eddie Ace
You can say that again.
Pierre Foray
All right, I will. You were lucky. And I mean lucky. That you didn't open it yourself.
Eddie Ace
I? How could I open it?
Pierre Foray
With a little key you showed Sally for a.
Eddie Ace
You certainly get around.
Pierre Foray
Where'd you get that key?
Eddie Ace
From Pierre Fore.
Pierre Foray
Oh, Pierre Foret, eh?
Eddie Ace
That's the name. He came to my office, gave it me to hold. You can ask him.
Pierre Foray
Well, suppose you ask him, Ace. But you better get yourself a good spiritualist. Pierre Ferre hanged himself in his cell two hours ago.
Eddie Ace
Walsh took me down to police headquarters. He talked to me for two hours. He didn't learn a thing. But I did. Pierre was visiting sell by Hogan and Mrs. Foray just before he strung himself up. It was Hogan who found his body. When he went back to talk to him again, I asked Walsh what he knew about Hogan, and he didn't know much. I left police headquarters and went around the corner to Jenny, the bail bond. Jenny had been around New York longer than the city charter and runs the biggest bay.
Narrator
Buy five quarts of Castrol Edge, full synthetic motor oil and get a $15 gift card after rebate plus two times points at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Eddie Ace
Oh, oh, oh. O'Reilly Auto Parts. Upon mill in town, I asked her what she knew about Timothy Hogan. She didn't know much offhand, but promised me a rundown by morning. I said I'd call her and left it at that. Outside, the rain was just beginning to wash the town. A hack pulled up. I opened the door, bent to get in, when the butt of the gun came down across my skull. And that was that. It was the cold water that brought me out of it. I opened my eyes. A ceiling and a chandelier spun around. I closed them again.
Timothy Hogan
Leo, douche him again. Ace. Ace, you hear me? Get up.
Eddie Ace
The man said. Get up. And the man lent it. The man was big, big enough to lift me to my feet with one hand. I tried to open my eyes. There were battleships tied to the lashes, but I made it. Two other mugs flanked me with Mike in front of me. The rug was wet with blood and water. The water and the rug were theirs. The blood was mine. Somebody must have taken a bad working over. I began to figure it must have been me, but I couldn't remember. In fact, I didn't even know who Ace was when Mike barked the name.
Timothy Hogan
You hear me, Ace?
Eddie Ace
Give me. Give me a drink of water.
Timothy Hogan
Leo, give him a drink.
Eddie Ace
Better.
Timothy Hogan
You're making a lot of trouble for us, Ace. It ain't necessary.
Pierre Foray
Now look what you look like.
Timothy Hogan
Busted nose, busted lips, busted eyes. You think we like to do Things like this. And just look at me. Old lady's rug.
Eddie Ace
Don't. Don't let it break you up.
Timothy Hogan
Just look at yourself. And for what?
Eddie Ace
Tell me, for what?
Timothy Hogan
Because you get stubborn.
Eddie Ace
You mustn't be impatient. I'm not very bright. What am I stubborn about? All we want to know is where.
Timothy Hogan
Is the envelope Poiret gave you?
Mrs. Foray
Michael, how much longer will you be?
Timothy Hogan
Just a few more minutes, Ma.
Eddie Ace
Oh, just look at that rub. I'll have it cleaned. Well, hurry up.
Mrs. Foray
The hot kitchen's getting all burned.
Eddie Ace
All right, Ace, I'm through talking nice. Where's the envelope? Hurry. Didn't give me any. Leo, take it.
Pierre Foray
Oh.
Eddie Ace
And the last I remember, there was the old hack screaming about her furniture. I know. I smashed a chair when I went down, and that made me feel pretty good. I felt the water hitting my face again. I got my right eye unstuck. I was on my back in a field up in the Bronx. The rain washed over my bruised face, and that felt fine. But I couldn't stay to enjoy it. I remembered there was a phone call I had to make. And by the time I let myself into my apartment over on 3rd Avenue, the Sun was up. I looked into a mirror. I never saw the guy before in my life. But even if he was a stranger, I had to do something for him. I wrapped some ice in a towel, held it over my face, and then I picked up the phone.
Mrs. Foray
Jenny's bail bombs.
Eddie Ace
You sleep in that ratty office of yours, Jenny?
Mrs. Foray
Well, there are citizens being arrested, you know, day and night. Ace, I got that schmear on holding for you.
Eddie Ace
How does he shape?
Mrs. Foray
Well, he was a mouthpiece for the old Ringo mob back in Prohibition, you know. Ringo got pushed over, rest his soul. Hogan fronted for the policy boys in Harlem, and finally he broke away from the heist guys, went into straight criminal law. Only the very highest types. Criminals.
Eddie Ace
Where does he hail from?
Mrs. Foray
Why, he's from here. It says, Tim P. Hogan, Washington University, class of 28.
Eddie Ace
X. X? What's that mean? X?
Mrs. Foray
It says here. It says. I see you didn't finish at Washington. No record, any old school.
Eddie Ace
I see.
Pierre Foray
All right.
Eddie Ace
Thanks, Jenny. Yeah.
Mrs. Foray
Anything else I can do for you?
Eddie Ace
Yeah, keep a nice fat bail barn warm. I may need it.
Mrs. Foray
Who is in?
Eddie Ace
What? Oh, don't let the face frighten you, Mrs. Foray. I'm just breaking it in for Boris Carloff.
Dr. Gale
What?
Mrs. Foray
What happened to you?
Eddie Ace
What happened to me shouldn't happen to a private detective. But it did. Sit down. We're gonna make with a little talk.
Dr. Gale
Look, I'm.
Mrs. Foray
I'm in an awful hurry, Mr.
Dr. Gale
Ace.
Mrs. Foray
I was just going out.
Eddie Ace
What did you and Hogan tell Pierre in his cell yesterday?
Mrs. Foray
Well, I didn't want to go. That lawyer Hogany insisted. Well, I. I guess I blew my top. I. I told Pierre I was going.
Dr. Gale
To tell the jury the truth.
Mrs. Foray
That Freddie. Freddie Miller begged Pierre to give me a divorce. He wouldn't. Instead, he took money from Fred to keep his mouth shut and not make a scandal.
Eddie Ace
And you figure that's why Pierre strung himself up, so there was no chance for him.
Mrs. Foray
That's the one thing I regret.
Dr. Gale
He didn't go to the chair.
Eddie Ace
You must have had quite a burn for this guy Miller.
Mrs. Foray
When. When I love a man, I love him. I love him.
Eddie Ace
I feel kind of lost now, eh?
Mrs. Foray
I loved him, Eddie. It's going to be awful tough. Freddy was.
Dr. Gale
Freddy.
Mrs. Foray
Oh, what's the use? I. I wind up with memories in four walls. Kind of memories you can't forget. Kind of cut your heart out every time you breathe.
Eddie Ace
Come here.
Mrs. Foray
What am I gonna do, Eddie? How can I forget it?
Eddie Ace
Easy. You call me Eddie. Just try calling me Freddie.
Dr. Gale
All right, I'll try it. I'll.
Eddie Ace
A little later, I remembered that Sally was just on her way out when I arrived. I asked where she was headed for. She heads a little. But then I saw the court orders on the desk. She was going down to the First national bank to open Pierre Foray's safety deposit box. I went with her. A small vault contained some jewels, an insurance policy and a bulky package wrapped in brown paper.
Mrs. Foray
The jewels are mine. I'll take them with me.
Eddie Ace
Maybe we better see what's in this package.
Mrs. Foray
I can't imagine what it could be.
Eddie Ace
Money. Thousand dollar bills. Must be 50 of them.
Mrs. Foray
$50,000. Where did he get all that?
Eddie Ace
Not in my private eye business. In this envelope. I think we better open it in the presence of a lawyer. Look, I'm going upstairs to see if anybody's around that looks familiar. Here, take this nickel.
Mrs. Foray
Yeah.
Eddie Ace
Call police headquarters, Lieutenant Walsh. Tell them to meet me right now at Timothy Hogan's apartment. This is important for both of us, angel, so don't trip. I'll wait for you outside. I waited. Four minutes later she joined me. Told me Walsh was starting out. We got to Hogan's apartment first.
Timothy Hogan
Well, Mr. Race, Mrs. Forgotten. What happened to your face, Mr. S?
Eddie Ace
I ran into an open gun cell in the dark.
Timothy Hogan
Oh, really?
Eddie Ace
Now?
Timothy Hogan
Where?
Eddie Ace
I didn't get the address, but it was the home of that mug named Mike you keep on your payroll, I see.
Timothy Hogan
What else do you know?
Eddie Ace
Put that heater away, Hogan. Walsh is on his way up. I'll give it to you fast. Frederick Miller, a lawyer, Eastern Nealand court. Dug into your background, found out you weren't a member of the bar. Never finished law school. Why, you aren't even a shyster.
Timothy Hogan
That's why I killed him.
Eddie Ace
Right.
Timothy Hogan
But Foray confessed.
Eddie Ace
That was the deal you made with him. 50 GS if he confessed to the murder of Miller.
Timothy Hogan
You think a man would confess to a murder for any amount of money?
Eddie Ace
You convinced him you'd get him an acquittal on the unwritten law. But before he agreed, he wanted full protection. This little envelope we got out of his safety deposit box.
Timothy Hogan
That's true, Mr. Ace. That's true. I had to give him my signed confession just in case anything went wrong.
Eddie Ace
And plenty went wrong. He didn't trust you. You tried to get that confession back. But you'd watch every move he made before he confessed to the police. That's why he came to me. Gave me a key to a booby trap. He figured you'd try to get that key from me, open the booby trap and get your head blown off. But you sent one of your mugs instead.
Timothy Hogan
You leave nothing for me to say. Yes. Is there anything else you'd like to know before I kill you?
Eddie Ace
Yeah. How did you manage to kill Foray in his cell?
Timothy Hogan
That, my friend. That is the trade secret which I cannot divulge.
Eddie Ace
Too bad, Hogan, right? Guy like you, I know that Walsh will feel the same way about it, but he's a city cop.
Timothy Hogan
Mr. Ace, you are priceless. But you made just one little mistake. You see, Sally here wasn't in love with Miller. You didn't even know him. Sally was and always has been in love with me.
Eddie Ace
That true, Sally?
Mrs. Foray
Here's your nickel, Eddie. I didn't make that call to police headquarters.
Eddie Ace
So little Sally wasn't three timing, she was four timing.
Timothy Hogan
You know, Ace, it's remarkable you've stayed alive as long as you have. Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you?
Eddie Ace
Can I skip that question and take the $32?
Timothy Hogan
Go home, Sally.
Mrs. Foray
Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry, Eddie. Believe me, I am.
Eddie Ace
Gone home and stop in your stiletto.
Pierre Foray
Going somewhere, Mrs. Foray?
Eddie Ace
Look out, Walsh. He'll shoot.
Timothy Hogan
That's a darling wreck, Tim. Sally, did you double no get your car?
Mrs. Foray
No, no, I didn't, Tim. Honest, I didn't.
Timothy Hogan
The dying.
Eddie Ace
Stop Wailing Sally, he can't hear you. He's dead.
Mrs. Foray
And I wish he'd killed you. A brilliant man like him, shot down.
Dr. Gale
Like a dog, and you stand there.
Eddie Ace
Okay, Walsh. From here on out at your party, the confessions in the envelope will give you the score. Sally is right. He was a brilliant man. And that's how Timothy Hogan died. Yeah. I called Walsh when I left Sally for a minute at the bank. She could have been held as an accessory to the murder of her husband in the cell. But Walsh never got her down to headquarters. She took the header out of the window. I guess it was better for her like that.
Dr. Gale
Well, that was a gory business, wasn't it?
Eddie Ace
Gory? I thought I'd give you the mild ones first.
Dr. Gale
Mild? Good heavens. Do you mean that this sort of thing goes on with you all the time?
Eddie Ace
Only when business is good.
Dr. Gale
Well, for my sake, then, I hope business improves. Good night, Mr. Ace.
Eddie Ace
There's. There's something I like to say, Dr. Gale.
Dr. Gale
Yes?
Eddie Ace
Well, it's. Never mind. Maybe next time.
Dr. Gale
Or maybe the time after that.
Eddie Ace
You're reading my thoughts, Mark. Private. Good night, Dr. Beale.
Narrator
George Raft as Mr. Ace will be back in a moment with news of next week's case. But now a word from our sponsor.
Eddie Ace
Thank you. Next week I have another appointment with Dr. Gale. I'm going to tell her about a murder that shouldn't have happened, not even to a corpse.
Narrator
And George will all be waiting to hear that. In the assisting cast tonight, you heard Jeanette Nolan, Kathy Lewis, Theodore Von Eltz, Leo Cleary and Stanley Farrar. The music was composed and conducted by Sandy Courage. This is Carlton Caddell speaking and inviting you to listen again to George Raft in the cases of Mr.
Podcast Summary: "Harold's Old Time Radio"
Episode: "Cases of Mr. Ace xxxxxx Murder of Frederick Miller"
Release Date: February 13, 2025
"Harold's Old Time Radio" transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, reviving classic radio dramas that families once gathered around before the advent of television. In the February 13, 2025 release, titled "Cases of Mr. Ace xxxxxx Murder of Frederick Miller," host Harold presents a gripping detective story featuring the seasoned private eye, Eddie Ace, portrayed by George Raft. This episode delves deep into the murky waters of criminal psychology, betrayal, and unexpected twists, all set against the backdrop of mid-20th century New York City.
The episode unfolds with Eddie Ace, a savvy private detective, being approached by Dr. Gale—a psychoanalyst seeking Ace's expertise for her upcoming book on criminal psychology. Dr. Gale's unconventional approach requires firsthand accounts from detectives like Eddie Ace to provide a fresh, unbiased perspective.
[00:44] The interaction between Eddie Ace and Dr. Gale sets the stage for the narrative. Dr. Gale requests Ace to recount his cases, emphasizing the unique insights only a seasoned detective can provide.
As Ace begins to recount the murder of Frederick Miller—a corporate lawyer found dead with three bullet wounds—he introduces us to Pierre Foray, a Frenchman who claims responsibility for the murder. Foray presents Ace with a peculiar proposition: hold onto a small brass key (numbered 427) and accept $500 for his assistance.
[04:07] Pierre Foray: "Oui, oui, oui. Now we come to it. Last night, monsieur, I performed a most impulsive act. I killed a man."
Ace's skepticism is evident as he delves deeper into Foray's confession, suspecting ulterior motives. The plot thickens when Timothy Hogan, a crafty Irish criminal lawyer, enters the narrative, challenging Ace's interpretation of events.
[06:50] Timothy Hogan: "And as sure as I'm sitting here in your office, Mr. Ace, I'm certain that Pierre Foray did not kill Miller."
Hogan's interrogation reveals that Foray's confession might be a cover-up for something more sinister. Ace's investigation leads him to confrontations, betrayals, and a web of deceit involving Mrs. Foray, Pierre, and Hogan himself.
The climax sees Ace entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, culminating in a booby-trapped locker explosion orchestrated by Hogan to eliminate evidence and silence Ace. Despite multiple attempts on his life, Ace maneuvers through the chaos, uncovering the truth behind the murder and the intricate relationships between the characters.
Eddie Ace (George Raft): A resourceful and intuitive private detective whose skepticism drives the investigation forward. Ace balances professionalism with a gritty determination to uncover the truth.
Notable Quote:
Eddie Ace: "You don't have to bribe me. All you have to do is tell me what I'm to talk to you about your experiences. Why?"
[01:18]
Dr. Gale: A psychoanalyst with a keen interest in criminal psychology, seeking Ace's firsthand experiences to enrich her book. Her interactions with Ace reveal her manipulative yet professional demeanor.
Notable Quote:
Dr. Gale: "I want the material fresh and unbiased, so to speak. From the point of view of a private detective, of more specifically an Eddie."
[01:25]
Pierre Foray: The enigmatic Frenchman who confesses to Frederick Miller's murder. His motives and reliability are central to the plot's development.
Notable Quote:
Pierre Foray: "I killed him. And I do not feel the regret. I feel only pleasure when I look into his eyes and see him die again and again."
[04:19]
Timothy Hogan (Theodore Von Eltz): A cunning Irish lawyer with deep ties to the criminal underworld. Hogan's strategic maneuvers aim to manipulate the justice system to his advantage.
Notable Quote:
Timothy Hogan: "A confession from his wife. I could get her an acquittal with a twist of the wrist."
[07:21]
Mrs. Foray (Kathy Lewis): Pierre's wife, whose emotions and secrets play a pivotal role in unraveling the mystery. Her interactions with Ace hint at a deeper backstory involving love, betrayal, and regret.
Notable Quote:
Mrs. Foray: "Yes, I knew him. What is that at work on that rat? Pierre killed him. I hope he dies in the chair for it."
[09:34]
Initial Confrontation with Dr. Gale ([00:44] - [02:16])
Pierre Foray's Confession ([03:54] - [06:21])
Timothy Hogan's Skepticism ([06:50] - [08:48])
Confrontation with Mrs. Foray ([09:01] - [10:20])
Locker Booby Trap Incident ([10:35] - [12:20])
Interrogation of Jenny, the Bail Bond Operator ([12:55] - [18:09])
Final Showdown at Timothy Hogan's Apartment ([21:09] - [24:02])
Resolution and Reflection ([24:48] - [25:26])
Eddie Ace on Professionalism:
"You don't have to bribe me. All you have to do is tell me what I'm to talk to you about your experiences. Why?"
[01:18]
Pierre Foray's Justification:
"I killed him. And I do not feel the regret. I feel only pleasure when I look into his eyes and see him die again and again."
[04:19]
Timothy Hogan on Jury Manipulation:
"A confession from his wife. I could get her an acquittal with a twist of the wrist."
[07:21]
Mrs. Foray's Desperation:
"When I love a man, I love him. I love him."
[19:17]
Eddie Ace's Realization:
"You convince him you'd get him an acquittal on the unwritten law. But before he agreed, he wanted full protection."
[22:04]
Final Confrontation Reflection:
"Gory? I thought I'd give you the mild ones first."
[24:52]
Trust and Deception: The episode intricately weaves a tale where trust is a rare commodity. Characters frequently engage in deceit, masking their true intentions, which keeps listeners guessing until the very end.
Psychological Manipulation: Dr. Gale's role highlights the intricate dance between psychology and detective work, emphasizing how understanding human behavior is crucial in solving crimes.
Betrayal and Redemption: Pierre Foray's actions and eventual demise reflect themes of betrayal, both personal and professional, while Eddie Ace's relentless pursuit of the truth symbolizes a quest for redemption and justice.
Moral Ambiguity: Characters like Timothy Hogan embody the shades of gray in morality, showcasing how appearances can be deceiving and intentions are not always pure.
"Cases of Mr. Ace xxxxxx Murder of Frederick Miller" stands out as a quintessential episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio," masterfully blending suspense, character development, and intricate plotting. Through Eddie Ace's journey, listeners are treated to a nostalgic yet timeless narrative that underscores the essence of classic radio dramas. With memorable performances, especially by George Raft as Mr. Ace, and a compelling storyline filled with twists and emotional depth, this episode reaffirms the timeless appeal of old-time radio storytelling.
End of Summary