
Casey, Crime Photographer 46-08-29 148 The Red Raincoat
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Casey
Well, Casey, how are you coming along with that crossword puzzle?
Ethelbert
I'm stuck, Ethelbert for a seven letter name beginning with H and it's a place in Ohio.
Casey
That's a tough one, Case.
Tony Marvin
Not for me, boys. Not for me.
Ethelbert
Hi Tony.
Tony Marvin
Hi fellas. Yes sir, the word you're looking for is Hocking. H, O, C, K, I, N, G. The Hocking Valley.
Ethelbert
Hey, that fits. Hey, I get it. Anchor hockey.
Tony Marvin
Oh, you said it, Casey. Anchor hocking. The world's largest makers of household glass. Prime photographer brought to you by Fire King. Ovenglass. Anchor glass containers, Anchor caps enclosures. All products of Anchor Hawking, a great name. Ink flat. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This is Tony Marvin. Every week at this time, the Anchor Hawking Glass Corporation brings you another adventure of Casey, crime photographer, ace cameraman who covers the crime news of a great city. Written by Alonzo Dean Cole. Our adventure for tonight, the Red Raincoat.
Ethelbert
Night. About 9:30. Rain. Hard pelting rain that has driven people indoors and left the streets deserted. At the corner a bus stops. A woman alights from it. She wears a red hooded raincoat that covers her head, most of her face. She turns into a side street lined with cheap walk up apartment houses. Midway of the block she's about to pass the entrance to an alley when from its darkness there's a gunshot. Then another and another. The woman falls on the street. Brakes are hastily applied to a bruising tactic as it comes to a skidding halt. The driver.
Police Officer
Police.
Ethelbert
Police. Police. Take Hopper. I heard those shots. Where from? That alley I think. I didn't see no one. Oh, this dame got it in the back.
Captain Logan
Three bullet holes.
Ethelbert
Stay here fellas. Don't let anybody touch her. I'm going to look in that alley. Get back you people. Get back. This ain't a free show. There's been a murder here. Push him back the lady so I'll have room to chew the picture. I'm doing the best I can, Casey. Move, you false fool. That's better. There's one for page one now.
Captain Logan
That'll be all, Casey.
Ethelbert
Well, look who's finally got here. My old pal Logan.
Captain Logan
How often do I have to tell you that no press pictures are to be taken at the scene of a homicide until after the police photographers get through?
Ethelbert
I've got a rotten memory, haven't I, chum?
Captain Logan
All right. I ought to take that camera away from you.
Ethelbert
Oh, no, you wouldn't do that to me, not with all these people looking up.
Captain Logan
Oh, not you cops. First is my back.
Tony Marvin
Tear the block so we'll have room to move around.
Ethelbert
Sergeant. Yes, Captain?
Captain Logan
Tell me what happened here.
Ethelbert
I can tell you that, Logan, a cab driver, that little guy over there, heard three shots fired from the alley here and saw this gal in the red raincoat fold up on the sidewalk. A uniform caught this guy right here, heard the shots, too, searched the alley and found nothing. All the rest is up to you.
Captain Logan
What does Doc's report show, Sergeant?
Ethelbert
He said the woman was killed instantly, Captain. One of those bullet holes is in line with the heart. Of course, you can't be sure it followed that line through her body until she's turned over.
Captain Logan
Well, don't do that, or my tech men get through.
Ethelbert
No, sir.
Captain Logan
Anyone find out who the woman is?
Ethelbert
Not yet, sir. When we can go through her pockets, we'll probably find something. That Williams is circulating through that crowd, Logan, Trying to locate someone who might know. Say, here she comes now, with a fat face.
Police Officer
Hello, Captain.
Captain Logan
Hello, Ms. Williams.
Police Officer
Casey, this lady thinks she recognizes the dead woman.
Ethelbert
Well, that's. Well, Annie, if you can identify her, lady, your picture will be in the paper.
Captain Logan
Hey, I happen to be in charge here.
Ethelbert
Oh, excuse oslo.
Captain Logan
Who do you think the dead woman is, lady?
Mrs. Patch
Well, as I was just telling this young newspaper woman, officer, I can't be sure because the poor thing is lying on her face, but I'm almost positive that's the body of Nora Gellhorn. Because she had a red raincoat exactly like that. She's the only woman in this neighborhood who'd wear anything so flashy. And I've got a notion that a safe wanted her out of the way.
Police Officer
Huh?
Captain Logan
What do you mean by that?
Mrs. Patch
Well, her husband, officer, has been carrying on something disgraceful with another woman. Mrs. Gallhorn told me that herself. And she wasn't the sort of let a man divorce her just because he happened to fall in love with somebody else.
Ethelbert
So I think that her husband shot her.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, I know it's an awful thing to say, mister, but from the goings.
Police Officer
On I've heard about it, I think.
Mrs. Patch
He'S been planning to put her out of the way for a long time. As I was saying to my eldest daughter, Eloise, only lasted.
Captain Logan
Now, where do these Gellhorns live?
Mrs. Patch
Oh, over there in the corner building on this side of the street. That's number 371, apartment 4C. I live in the apartment house next door. I'm Mrs. Patch. Mrs. Ida Patch. I said to my eldest daughter only last night.
Captain Logan
Excuse me, Mrs. Patch, who's the other woman in this case? The one you say Gellhorn's been carrying on with?
Mrs. Patch
Oh, her name's Randall. Emma Randall. She and her husband live in the same building as the Gellhorns. Their apartment's directly across from mine.
Ethelbert
Hey, wait a minute. This Emma Randall has a husband?
Mrs. Patch
Yeah, poor man. Hey, you know, he stands the way of Ferris Gellhorn's plans, too. So if you policemen don't act fast and put that murderer behind bars, you'll act fast.
Captain Logan
Mrs. Patch, if a checkup shows that your story is okay.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, you'll find it's true, all right. I'm not the only person in this block who's been expecting a thing like this to happen.
Ethelbert
Captain Logan here, Sergeant. The photographers and tech men are finished. You can examine the body now.
Captain Logan
Come on, Mrs. Patch. I want you to make your identification positive.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, I hate to look at the poor thing. Well, Captain, I know my duty.
Captain Logan
Will you turn the body over, Doctor, so we can see the face? Thanks.
Ethelbert
She wasn't a bad looking gal, Annie.
Police Officer
Nope. Kind of pretty. Oh.
Captain Logan
What's the matter, Mrs. Batch?
Mrs. Patch
Wait.
Police Officer
That isn't Nora Gellhorn. It isn't?
Captain Logan
No.
Ethelbert
That's Emma Randall, the woman you said Gellhorn was in love with.
Mrs. Patch
Yeah, but that's Nora Gellhorn's raincoat. I'm sure that now that I see it close.
Captain Logan
Since Mrs. Gellhorn isn't inside of us, you'll have to revise your theory. I guess. You don't think Gellhorn would shoot the woman he's in love with.
Police Officer
No, no.
Mrs. Patch
He was crazy about Mrs. Randall.
Police Officer
He wouldn't shoot her.
Ethelbert
Too bad, Logan. For a few minutes, it looked as though you had a sweet suspect in a case that was half sewed up.
Captain Logan
Well, it may still be that way, Mrs. Patch. What kind of a guy is Randall, this dead woman's husband?
Mrs. Patch
Well, he's a nice, quiet kind of fellow.
Ethelbert
Quiet?
Captain Logan
Kind of? Did he know about his wife from Gellarhorn.
Police Officer
Oh, he must have.
Mrs. Patch
Everybody knew.
Captain Logan
He sounds like the answer, Casey. This guy Randall stood all he could, then waited for his wife tonight and paid her off.
Mrs. Patch
James Randall wouldn't do that. He couldn't have done it.
Captain Logan
I'm afraid that's something you can't be sure of, lady.
Mrs. Patch
But I am sure. Mr. Randall hasn't been outside of his apartment since early this evening. He was inside it when I heard shooting down here on the street.
Captain Logan
How do you know he was inside?
Mrs. Patch
Well, his living room was just across the court from mine. One of his shades was up a few inches, and I saw him over there lying on the couch.
Ethelbert
You saw him?
Mrs. Patch
Well, just by accident, of course. I never spy on my neighbors.
Ethelbert
Well, that's that, Logan. Yeah, but there's another possible angle.
Captain Logan
What?
Ethelbert
That red raincoat. Mistaken identity.
Police Officer
Gellhorn may have thought he was shooting his wife.
Ethelbert
That's it, Annie.
Captain Logan
Yeah. Wait a minute, Mrs. Patch. You're sure this is Mrs. Gellhorn's raincoat?
Mrs. Patch
Oh, I'm positive. I recognize it by those peculiar buttons and that little mended place on the right shoulder.
Captain Logan
Well, have you any idea why Mrs. Randall should have been wearing it?
Mrs. Patch
Well, I suppose Nora Orgel won't lend it to her.
Captain Logan
Weren't they enemies?
Mrs. Patch
Well, not outwardly. Like most jealous women, they may believe they were friends. Would have made things kind of difficult if they didn't, seeing as they not only lived in the same house, but worked in the same restaurant.
Ethelbert
Worked in the same restaurant?
Mrs. Patch
Yeah, Harley's Grill. They're both waitresses there.
Captain Logan
Do you know if Mrs. Gallhorn or her husband are home now?
Mrs. Patch
No, I don't. Their windows aren't on my side of the house.
Captain Logan
That's too bad.
Ethelbert
Let's find out for ourselves, Logan.
Captain Logan
We will, Casey. Sergeant, take charge here.
Ethelbert
Yes, sir.
Captain Logan
Have Martin take Mrs. Patch down to headquarters and get a complete deposition from her.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, I'd much rather go with you, Captain.
Ethelbert
You and the Captain can get together later, Mrs. Patch, but I'll shoot that picture of you now.
Mrs. Patch
Bit of paper, Mr. Taylor?
Ethelbert
The best paper in town.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, goodness. I look just a fright in this old coat on account of rain.
Ethelbert
I didn't get buying clothes on. You would only gild the lily.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, Mr. Chase.
Ethelbert
Now, just stand just as you are. Hold that bewitching smile. That does it.
Mrs. Patch
You want to take another?
Captain Logan
If he does, he's staying here without me. Come on, Miss William.
Ethelbert
I'll take more shots of you later, Mrs. Pat. Coming, Logan?
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Captain Logan
Try to pull yourself together, Mr. Randall. I'm sorry we had to bring you such rotten news.
Ethelbert
And my wife did. Tough fellow. Please let me go to her. I gotta see her.
Captain Logan
Not now.
Ethelbert
Later, pal. Yeah, but she's lying down there in the street, you say? In the rain.
Police Officer
They'll have taken her away by now, Mr. Randall. You can go to her when you get a little more used to the idea of what you'll have to see.
Ethelbert
Maybe. Maybe that'll be better. Who killed her, Captain? Who shot my wife?
Captain Logan
Well, we hope you may be able to help us find that out.
Ethelbert
I don't know. I can't help you.
Captain Logan
Before we came to you, we stopped at the Gellhorn's apartment. Nobody was home.
Ethelbert
Why'd you stop there?
Captain Logan
We want to meet Mr. Gellhorn especially. He a friend of yours?
Ethelbert
He's a neighbor.
Captain Logan
I see.
Ethelbert
You. You've been talking to people, Captain. Someone's been telling you things?
Captain Logan
Oh, frankly, yes. Randall, do you think no Ferris Gellhorn.
Ethelbert
Would be the last man in the world who'd kill my wife?
Captain Logan
That wasn't the question I meant to ask you. You think he's the sort who'd kill his own wife?
Ethelbert
I. I don't know.
Captain Logan
When you let us in here, Mr. Randall, you said you'd been asleep.
Ethelbert
Yeah, I. I was tired and I came home from work and I lay down on the couch there. What time was that? It was around half past six, Mr. Casey. I slept until your knock at the door woke me up. Was plenty of daylight when you fell asleep around half past six, Mr. Randall, why did you turn the electric lights on then? The lights? Yeah, we saw a crack of light under the door before we knocked and woke you up. Well, you see, when my wife is. Was working late, Mr. Casey, I always turned the Light on for her if I was going out or going to sleep. You see, she. She headed to come home to darker, partner.
Captain Logan
Would you keep your big mouth shut, Casey, and let me handle this?
Ethelbert
It was a question we wanted answered, wasn't it?
Captain Logan
I'd have asked the question, and I'll check on the answer. Now, you attend to your job and let me attend to mine.
Ethelbert
Okay? I'll take some pictures. No Morning Express readers who want to know what the dead woman's apartment looks like. That'll be a good shot of this living room. Now, I'll get one of the bedroom.
Police Officer
Mr. Randall, you must try to pull yourself together. You just must.
Ethelbert
I'll do my best, Ms. Williams.
Captain Logan
How long had you been married, Randall?
Ethelbert
H. Yes.
Captain Logan
When did you and your wife meet the Gellhorns?
Ethelbert
About two years ago. Captain.
Captain Logan
What sort of a fellow is Gellhorn?
Ethelbert
I hate the guys inside. He's a lousy wolf and a double crosser.
Captain Logan
But if you suspect him of her.
Ethelbert
Murder, I know you're wrong. He wanted her to live. He didn't want her dead.
Police Officer
This man sounds like a square shooter, Captain.
Captain Logan
Yeah, he does, Ms. Williams.
Ethelbert
Check me down on that, too.
Captain Logan
So, you're back again?
Ethelbert
Kitchen. Mm. I didn't want to miss anything.
Captain Logan
Who's there?
Ethelbert
Fellowty. Captain.
Captain Logan
Come in.
Ethelbert
We found Mrs. Gellhorn.
Captain Logan
Oh, is this.
Police Officer
I'm Nora Gellhorn, Captain. This officer came to the restaurant for me. He told me why.
Captain Logan
Sit down, Mr. Gellhorn. I've gotta ask you some questions.
Police Officer
Just a minute, please, Jim.
Captain Logan
Yeah, Nora.
Police Officer
You know I didn't like your wife. I had plenty of reason not to. But I'm very sorry for you.
Ethelbert
Thank you.
Police Officer
Now, Captain, what did you want to know?
Captain Logan
Well, first, Mrs. Gellhorn, did you lend Mrs. Randall the raincoat she wore tonight?
Police Officer
Yes, I did. It was pouring when she got through work, and she didn't even have an umbrella with her. I was working late tonight in another girl's place, and I figured the rain had stopped by the time I finished, so I said, take my coat.
Captain Logan
And you remained at the restaurant after Mrs. Randall left there, Mrs. Gellhorn?
Police Officer
Yes, I did.
Ethelbert
I checked. And Mrs. Gellhorn was in the restaurant when Mrs. Randall was shot, captain.
Captain Logan
Oh, okay. Polity.
Ethelbert
Mrs. Gellhorn?
Police Officer
Yes?
Ethelbert
You said you worked late tonight in another girl's place?
Police Officer
That's right.
Ethelbert
And do you usually come home at the same time as Mrs. R.O. randall?
Police Officer
Usually.
Ethelbert
Did your husband expect you at the usual time tonight?
Police Officer
I guess so. I didn't bother to tell him. He doesn't care when I come home or if I come home.
Captain Logan
That looks like the payoff. Casey.
Ethelbert
Yeah?
Captain Logan
You know where your husband is tonight, Mrs. Gohorn?
Police Officer
He told me he was going to the movie.
Captain Logan
What theater?
Police Officer
I don't know. You might find him at any of the neighborhood theaters except the 4th Avenue. He went there last night to see Lost Holliday.
Ethelbert
We'll pick him up. Sergeant Flanagan's posted guys at all the theaters around here, captain. And that Mrs. Patch gave us a first class description of gellhorn.
Police Officer
Oh.
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Concerned Parent
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Police Officer
Just try to relax, okay?
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Police Officer
His Patch is the one who's been telling you cops.
Captain Logan
He told us nothing that you and Mr. Randall haven't verified, Mrs. Bellhorn.
Police Officer
Oh, all right, then. My husband has been two timing both me and Jim Randall here, but if you've got an idea that he killed Emma, you're wrong.
Ethelbert
I've told him that, Nora.
Captain Logan
Well, Mrs. Galloway, you think he'd have liked you out of the way? And Randall here, though he and Mrs. Randall would be free to get married?
Police Officer
Sure, he'd have liked that. But I know that he wouldn't.
Captain Logan
Come in.
Ethelbert
We've got Gellhone, sir.
Captain Logan
I'm all ready for him, Sergeant.
Ethelbert
He's downstairs. You want him brought up here?
Captain Logan
Yeah. Wait a minute. He hasn't been told anything?
Ethelbert
Oh, not a word, sir.
Captain Logan
Where'd you get him?
Ethelbert
Coming out of the Fourth Avenue Theater.
Police Officer
Fourth Avenue?
Captain Logan
You said he'd seen the show there, Mrs. Gellhorn.
Police Officer
I thought he had last night. I can't understand.
Captain Logan
I can go into that bedroom, Mrs. Gellhorn, into the bedroom for just a few minutes. Close the door and don't come out till I call you. Then come out quick.
Police Officer
All right, I'll do it, but I. I don't.
Captain Logan
Okay. Sergeant, have Gellhorn brought up. Yes, sir. The Captain will see him up here.
Ethelbert
Pete, come on. The old surprise treatment for Gellhorn, Logan.
Captain Logan
Yeah. His reaction when he sees his wife alive is all I need now.
Ethelbert
Certainly looks as though everything fits.
Captain Logan
Even the theater where they picked him up. He'd seen the picture there, so he could describe every part of it that was shown while he was waiting in that alley.
Police Officer
He went there after the shooting to establish an alibi.
Captain Logan
Sure, mister.
Ethelbert
Sure he is, Captain.
Captain Logan
Bring him in.
Ethelbert
You don't have to.
Captain Logan
I'm Captain Logan, Gellhorn.
Ethelbert
You're the boss of these monkeys who've been putting a muscle on me. What's the big idea?
Captain Logan
We're simply doing a little investigating, Mr. Gellhorn. Investigating what?
Ethelbert
And why Here, Randall, what's your part in this? Why have I been brought to his apartment?
Captain Logan
I'll explain, Gellhorn. If you need an explanation after. Lady, come out of that bedroom. You in that bedroom.
Ethelbert
Come out. Nora.
Captain Logan
Think you're looking at a ghost, Gellhorn.
Ethelbert
What's my wife doing here?
Captain Logan
She's the last person you expected to see, isn't she? You thought she was dead. Why? If so, wipe that phony look of innocence off your face. The woman who wore your wife's red raincoat tonight was Emma Randall. She's dead.
Ethelbert
Emma's dead?
Captain Logan
Yes, Gellhorn. With three bullets in her back that you put there.
Police Officer
I. I get it now, Captain. He mistook her from me in my raincoat.
Ethelbert
He killed my wife. Let me out of my Camel. I've got him, Captain. Not before I get a picture.
Tony Marvin
What's this all about?
Captain Logan
You know, Gellhorn, I'm arresting you on a charge of murder.
Tony Marvin
Me?
Captain Logan
Murder?
Ethelbert
I got a shot of that, too.
Captain Logan
All right, boys, let's get him back there at Cor.
Ethelbert
You can't do this to me. You don't know what you're doing.
Police Officer
Well, come on, Casey. This case is all sewed up. Let's get our stuff to the paper.
Ethelbert
Okay, Annie. But I wonder.
Police Officer
What?
Ethelbert
If this case is sewed up right?
Casey
After what you and Ms. Williams have told me, Casey, I can't see any doubt of that fella Gellhorn's guiltiness.
Police Officer
There isn't any doubt, Ethelbert. Except in case he's much too active. Imagination.
Ethelbert
Oh, Annie, you closed your mind like Logan. You two had so completely sold yourselves on Gellhorn's guilt before you saw him that nothing could unsett you. Didn't mean a thing to you. For instance, when Logan's big surprise act laid an egg. Oh, that Gellhorn didn't act as if he was looking at a ghost when his wife stepped out of that bedroom.
Police Officer
Well, so what? He probably got a flash of Emma Randall's face after he shot her, realized the big mistake he made and was all prepared.
Ethelbert
Well, that's possible. Yeah. You know, Mrs. Gellhorn took longer than she should have to come out of that bedroom. And then she looked more nervous than her husband. I'd like to know why.
Police Officer
Oh, Casey, you're trying to make something out of such little things.
Ethelbert
The parts of the case fit too smoothly, Annie, as though they'd been oiled by somebody. Yeah, but I can't figure it out. Oh, nuts.
Casey
You know, this Gel Horn business is a lot like another murder I read about. It happened over in England.
Ethelbert
And that's the Haslington murder.
Casey
Yeah, Haslington was the name of the gal who got shot. You know about it, huh?
Ethelbert
Yeah.
Police Officer
Well, that's a famous old timer, Ethelbert. Happened before any one of us were born.
Casey
It was all news to me when I read it a couple of months ago in a detective magazine. They called it the Case of the Sable Cloak.
Ethelbert
Case of the Sable. Yeah. Detective magazine, Wood. Say, you know, I promised to show you those pictures I took last night that the paper didn't have space for.
Casey
Yeah, I like to see them.
Ethelbert
Here. Here's a print of the Randall living room. This is the bedroom. And here's Mrs. Patch.
Police Officer
And will she be sore because her picture didn't make the paper? She's the woman who gave us the lead on Gellhorn.
Casey
Ain't she a funny looking old dame. Look at the.
Ethelbert
Yeah, she's a dangerous old dame. Say, wait a minute. Give me that picture I took of the bedroom.
Casey
Huh?
Ethelbert
I noticed it before, but it didn't register. Look at the pillows on the bed.
Police Officer
Well, they're just pillows.
Ethelbert
Yeah, but they're on top of the bedspread uncovered.
Police Officer
I don't.
Ethelbert
Randall's alibi, Andy. What, Anne. Now, wait a minute. Look at this picture of the living room. The window shades are pulled to within a few inches at the bottom. Now, that narrow space is all Mrs. Patch had to look through when she saw Randall lying on the couch.
Police Officer
What has pillows in the bedroom? Got to do.
Casey
That's what I'd like to know.
Ethelbert
Ethelbert, you say you read about the Haslington murder in a recent magazine? Was the magazine True Murder Chronicles?
Casey
Yeah, but it was the Case of the Sable Cloak.
Ethelbert
Yes.
Casey
What does it.
Ethelbert
You've been a great help to me tonight, pal. And to Ferris Gellhorn, I. Come on, Annie. We're gonna pay another call on Emma Randall's husband.
Police Officer
Well, okay, Casey, but I'd still like to know.
Casey
So would I, but what was the. Oh, they always do that.
Ethelbert
Who's that, Casey? Mr. Randall and Ms. Williams. May we come in? It's important. Just a minute, Casey.
Police Officer
How will you go?
Ethelbert
You'll soon know, honey. That door just closed inside there.
Police Officer
So what? I don't know why you haven't told me all you.
Ethelbert
I've been too busy thinking to tell you any. Come in. Thanks, Randall. Sit down, Ms. Williams. Thank you, Casey. I'll rest on my feet. Thanks.
Captain Logan
What.
Ethelbert
What have you come to see me about? New evidence and your wife's murder. New evidence? Yeah. Gellhorn didn't kill her. What do you mean? See, it's. It's awful stuffy in here. You mind if I lift this shade and raise the window a little, since you're already doing it. Thanks, Randall. You ever read a story called the Case of a Sable Cloak? I. No. It's funny. It was published only a few months ago in True Murder Chronicles, and I noticed several issues of that magazine here last evening. Well, I. Those magazines belong to my wife. I never read them. I see. Well, this particular story told about a rich Englishman who fell hard for a gal named Haslington. He wanted to marry her, but he had a wife. His wife owned a sable coat. And one night he shot and killed a woman who was wearing that coat. But the woman had borrowed it from his wife. And the woman was Miss Haslington. Well, that. That. Like Gellhorn and Emma. Uh huh. Yeah. The cops were pretty sure to remember the famous Haslington case if a similar murder occurred and to jump to conclusion based upon it. See if everything was previously arranged to point that way. Don't you think so? I. I don't know. Oh, sure you do. I tell you how the guy who really murdered your wife was fairly smart. He started to point suspicion toward where he wanted to fall. Soon after, that magazine story gave him his big idea and he figured a pretty fair alibi. He even had an excuse for a light to burn when it shouldn't have, so he could be seen in a place where he wasn't. What Are you driving at. After the murder, he continued to play smart. He denied his belief in Gellhorn's guilt while constantly pointing the finger at him. Then he got rid of the clothes he'd worn out in the rain. I looked for him while I was in your bedroom last night. You're accusing me because you slipped up on a little detail last night and because tonight, the two of you made a bigger mistake.
Captain Logan
Keep away from that door.
Ethelbert
Come out of that room, Mrs. Gellhorn. Come out.
Police Officer
All right, here I am.
Ethelbert
You shouldn't have let your murder partner come here to talk things over, Randall. And you shouldn't have hidden her so clumsily before you let us in. He knows, Nora.
Captain Logan
He knows everything.
Police Officer
Shut up, Jim. He wouldn't have known anything if he hadn't said that.
Ethelbert
It doesn't matter now, does it?
Police Officer
Yes, it does.
Mrs. Patch
Don't make a move.
Police Officer
Means you too, Ms. Williams.
Ethelbert
Is that the gun your boyfriend used to kill his wife with?
Police Officer
If it is, you'll never prove it.
Captain Logan
Nor what are you going to do?
Police Officer
The only thing to do, Jim. Kill these people. They know you killed your wife and that I helped you. They can send us to the chair.
Ethelbert
You'll never get away with it.
Police Officer
We'll tell the police you broke in here and I shot you in self defense.
Ethelbert
Just a second, Mrs. Gellhorn. I want to go on living and I've arranged things so I will. How do you mean you've forgotten I opened that window.
Police Officer
Window? Mrs. Patch.
Ethelbert
She's been getting an eyeful and an earful.
Mrs. Patch
I'll have you know, Mr. Casey, that I only happened to be at this window by accident.
Ethelbert
I believe you, Mrs. Patch. Give me that gun, Mrs. Gellhunt. Thank you. Now you two smart killers sit down and wait for the cops. Go on, Randall, phone headquarters. Annie.
Police Officer
Okay, Casey. After I phoned. Fetty desk. Oh, but wait a minute. You still haven't told me why those pillows on the top of the bed.
Ethelbert
We'll go over to the Blue Note, Annie, and I'll tell you all about it.
Police Officer
All right.
Ethelbert
Oh, Mrs. Patch.
Mrs. Patch
Yeah?
Ethelbert
I guarantee that your picture will be in the Express tomorrow.
Mrs. Patch
Oh, Mr. Casey.
Tony Marvin
Food supplies still present a picture of confusion. Many of the old established brand names are scarce. Many new names appear on your grocer shelves. Under the circumstances, how can you be sure of getting the quality you want? May I make this suggestion? First, look for a name you know. And second, and especially when in doubt, buy glass packed foods for the glass container in itself is a guarantee of quality. Being transparent Only the best can be packed in glass. Only the best is packed in glass. Anchor glass containers and tamper proof anchor caps so widely used for the packaging of better foods are products of Anchor Hawking, a great name in glass. Now back to Casey and Ann at the Blue Note Cafe.
Casey
This Randall and Mrs. Gellhorn planned the killing so they could be free to tie up with one another. Huh, Casey?
Ethelbert
That's right, Ethelbert. Yeah.
Casey
You still haven't told me what you had on Randall when you went to his place, Casey.
Ethelbert
I didn't have anything. Except the Haslington case you'd mentioned.
Casey
You mean the case of the Sable Corps Cloak?
Ethelbert
Okay, pal, the Case of a Sable Cloak.
Casey
I think that's a nice title.
Ethelbert
I only had that. A hunch about those bed pillars and the hope that Randall would crack up and make an admission.
Casey
Yeah, what was your hunch about them bed pillars?
Ethelbert
I figured Randall might have rigged up a dummy to fool Mrs. Patch. That all she really saw were his pants and shirt stuffed with pillows.
Police Officer
And that was all she thought, too. Ethelbert, when Randall came back after the shooting, he got out of his wet clothes, put on the dry ones that had covered the dummy and tossed the pillows back under the bed, but a little too carelessly.
Casey
What did he do with the clothes he'd worn out in the rain?
Police Officer
Put them in Gellhorn's apartment. They belong to Gellhorn. Randall had even worn his things.
Casey
Say, he and that Mrs. Gellhorn thought of almost everything.
Ethelbert
Yes, almost everything.
Casey
You know, Casey, it's like my sister Edna says, quote, anything that's not worth doing is not worth doing well, unquote.
Tony Marvin
Crime Photographer is directed by John Dietz and stars Stotts Cotsworth as Casey. It is written by Alonzo Dean Cole and is based on the fictional character of Casey created by George Harman Cox. It's lighter, more compact. It requires no deposit, no return to the store. We're talking about that famous Anchor Glass beer and ale bottle pioneered by Anchor Hawking. It will shortly be released for civilian use. Watch for it. The new Anchor Glass One Way no Deposit bottle, a product of Anchor Hawking, a great name in glass. Our cast included Ms. Leslie woods as Ann Williams and John Gibson as Ethelbert. The Blue Note pianist was Herman Chittison and the original music was by Archie Blyer. Crime Photographer is brought to you each Thursday at this time by the Anchor Hawking Glass Corporation of Lancaster, Ohio and its more than 10,000 employees ank Anchor Hawking, a great name in class. Tony Mormon speaking at the CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Campaign Representative
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Concerned Parent
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Campaign Representative
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Insurance Representative
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Police Officer
Just try to relax, okay?
Insurance Representative
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Podcast Summary: Casey, Crime Photographer 46-08-29 148 The Red Raincoat
Podcast Information:
In the episode titled "The Red Raincoat", listeners are transported to a gripping noir narrative featuring Casey, a tenacious crime photographer. Set against the backdrop of a rain-soaked city, the story delves into a mysterious murder that unravels a web of deceit, mistaken identity, and clever detective work. This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key plot points, character interactions, and pivotal moments that drive the story forward.
[02:18] The episode opens on a dark, rainy night where a bus pulls up to an otherwise deserted street corner. A woman steps off, clad in a distinctive red hooded raincoat, which conceals much of her face.
Ethelbert, Casey's sidekick, narrates:
"Night. About 9:30. Rain. Hard pelting rain that has driven people indoors and left the streets deserted."
As she walks into a side street lined with run-down apartment buildings, gunshots erupt from an alley, striking her down. The bus driver attempts to flee, but rapidly brakes to avoid further tragedy.
A police officer arrives at the scene:
"[02:53] Police Officer: Police. Police. Take Hopper. I heard those shots. Where from? That alley I think. I didn't see no one."
Captain Logan quickly assesses the situation:
"[03:02] Captain Logan: Three bullet holes."
Casey, eager to capture the moment, begins taking photographs despite Captain Logan's admonitions:
"[03:29] Captain Logan: How often do I have to tell you that no press pictures are to be taken at the scene of a homicide until after the police photographers get through?"
The investigation intensifies as Casey gathers eyewitness accounts. A uniformed officer mentions:
"[04:14] Sergeant: He said the woman was killed instantly, Captain. One of those bullet holes is in line with the heart."
Captain Logan seeks to identify the victim, prompting Sheriff Mrs. Patch to step forward with a pivotal claim:
"[04:53] Mrs. Patch: ... that's the body of Nora Gellhorn. Because she had a red raincoat exactly like that."
She alleges that Nora's husband, Ferris Gellhorn, had motives rooted in infidelity:
"[05:08] Mrs. Patch: He'S been planning to put her out of the way for a long time."
Casey and Ethelbert take photographs of Mrs. Patch to document her testimony, despite Captain Logan’s warnings.
As the plot thickens, Mrs. Patch introduces Emma Randall, another key figure connected to Ferris Gellhorn. Suspicion begins to narrow on Emma’s husband, James Randall, who claims to have established an alibi by watching a movie at the Fourth Avenue Theater.
Ethelbert notes inconsistencies in Randall's story:
"[08:11] Ethelbert: ... mistaken identity."
Casey draws parallels between the current case and a famous murder case from England:
"[20:34] Casey: It was all news to me when I read it a couple of months ago in a detective magazine. They called it the Case of the Sable Cloak."
Casey’s keen observation skills lead to the discovery of inconsistencies in the crime scene photographs. He notices:
"[21:27] Ethelbert: I noticed it before, but it didn't register. Look at the pillows on the bed."
These subtle details suggest that Randall orchestrated the crime to frame Gellhorn, mimicking the Haslington murder case. The realization dawns that Randall used a red raincoat to create a false narrative, drawing inspiration from the magazine story to solidify his alibi.
The climax unfolds when Casey and Ethelbert confront Ferris Gellhorn:
"[17:57] Ethelbert: You're the boss of these monkeys who've been putting a muscle on me. What's the big idea?"
In a revealing exchange, Gellhorn confesses his unintended role in Emma Randall's death:
"[18:39] Ethelbert: Emma's dead?"
Finally, Casey exposes Randall's scheme:
"[25:09] Ethelbert: She's been getting an eyeful and an earful."
With the truth unveiled, Ferris Gellhorn is arrested for his inadvertent involvement, while Emma Randall is established as the intended target. Randall’s attempts to manipulate the scenario crumble under Casey’s relentless pursuit of the truth.
Casey's final reflections tie the case back to classic detective tales, underscoring the timeless nature of ingenuity in solving crimes:
"[28:21] Ethelbert: What did he do with the clothes he'd worn out in the rain?"
Ethelbert on the Crime Scene:
"[02:18] Ethelbert: ... the woman falls on the street."
Mrs. Patch’s Accusation:
"[04:53] Mrs. Patch: ... That's Nora Gellhorn. ... a safe wanted her out of the way."
Casey’s Deduction on Pillow Details:
"[21:27] Ethelbert: ... Look at the pillows on the bed."
Final Confrontation:
"[25:53] Captain Logan: ... I'm arresting you on a charge of murder."
"The Red Raincoat" masterfully blends suspense with investigative acumen, showcasing Casey as a sharp and resourceful crime photographer. Through meticulous observation and critical thinking, Casey unravels a complex murder plot, reinforcing the enduring appeal of golden-age radio dramas. This episode not only entertains but also pays homage to the classic storytelling that defined an era of radio entertainment.
Listeners unfamiliar with the episode will find themselves engrossed in the narrative, drawn into the atmospheric setting, and intrigued by the intricate plotting that leads to a satisfying resolution. "The Red Raincoat" stands as a testament to the timeless allure of detective stories and the brilliant performances that breathe life into them.