Leonidas Witherall - The Corpse Meets a Deadline

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Leonidas Witherall – The Corpse Meets a Deadline
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Date: June 15, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features an installment from the classic radio series "The Adventures of Leonidas Witherall," particularly the episode titled "The Corpse Meets a Deadline." Set in the golden era of radio drama, the show revolves around Leonidas Witherall, a New England schoolmaster known for his uncanny resemblance to Shakespeare, who frequently gets involved in solving crimes. In this episode, Witherall visits the Dalton Herald newspaper on behalf of his housekeeper, Mrs. Mullet, but quickly finds himself entangled in tense confrontations, bruised egos, and a brewing murder mystery within the newspaper’s bustling newsroom.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Developments

1. A Favor for Mrs. Mullet

• Setting the Scene (00:17–01:46)
  • Leonidas Witherall and Mrs. Mullet approach Mr. Forrest, the Dalton Herald’s editor, to publicize Mrs. Mullet’s Ladies Aid Society’s upcoming event.
  • Mrs. Mullet insists her event is worthy of headlining, even humorously suggesting, “he should be glad I’m giving him a scoop.” (Mrs. Mullet, 01:43)

2. Confrontation Over Scandalous News

• Mr. Bennett vs. Mr. Forrest (01:50–03:24)
  • Mr. Bennett storms in, furious over a photograph of his daughter at a gambling den printed by the Herald.
  • Furious exchange: Bennett accuses Forrest of ruining his daughter’s reputation; Forrest refuses to apologize, maintaining journalistic objectivity.
  • "I ought to thrash you, Forrest. I ought to treat you the way my grandfather handled a smart aleck newspaper man out west..." (Mr. Bennett, 02:35)
  • Physical altercation narrowly avoided, but Bennett leaves vowing vengeance: "I see that justice is done, Forrest. I’ll see that you’re taken care of, no matter how far I have to go." (Mr. Bennett, 03:19)

3. The Newspaper Tour and Human Stories

• A Glimpse Behind the Presses (03:31–05:49)
  • Mr. Forrest offers Witherall and Mrs. Mullet a tour of the newspaper’s printing operations, describing Linotype machines and lead melting cauldrons.
  • Pat Welsh, a printer, hints at personal misfortune: “Pat had an unpleasant experience. Lost his paper. It was very sad, Leonidas. Terribly sad.” (Mr. Forrest, 04:57)
  • Light banter surfaces about what qualifies as “news,” referencing the classic journalism adage: “when a dog bites a man, that’s not news. But when a man bites a dog…” (Mrs. Mullet & Leonidas Witherall, 04:08–04:19)

4. Tensions in the Newsroom

• Jackie Bigelow’s Grievance (06:22–08:01)
  • Reporter Jackie Bigelow feels betrayed by Mr. Forrest for blocking his opportunity to work as a foreign correspondent.
  • Jackie confronts Forrest: “You killed my chance, Forrest. I’ll never get out of this town now…that was my one big chance. And you fixed it so I’d miss the boat.” (Jackie Bigelow, 07:27–07:44)
  • The exchange turns darkly memorable:
    • "Maybe I can do something for you sometime. Like cutting your throat." (Jackie Bigelow, 00:06 & 08:01)

5. The Return of Mr. Bennett

• Regrets and Further Demands (08:18–09:00)
  • Mr. Bennett visits Leonidas Witherall, apologizes for his earlier outburst, but stands by his criticism of Mr. Forrest.
  • He requests Witherall’s help regarding the disgrace to his daughter, quoting Shakespeare: “You have too much respect upon the world. They lose it that do buy it.” (Leonidas Witherall, 08:40)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He should be glad I'm giving him a scoop.”
  — Mrs. Mullet (01:43), with her trademark blend of bravado and wit.

• “I ought to thrash you, Forrest...He got a horsewhip and he whipped that editor within an inch of his life.”
  — Mr. Bennett (02:35), escalating the old-school drama.

• “When a dog bites a man, that's not news. But when a man bites a dog...”
  — Mrs. Mullet (04:10), citing journalism wisdom.

• “You killed my chance, Forrest. I'll never get out of this town now...Maybe I can do something for you sometime. Like cutting your throat.”
  — Jackie Bigelow (07:27 & 00:06/08:01), unforgettable for its intensity.

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:17 – Leonidas and Mrs. Mullet pitch Mrs. Mullet’s event to the Herald
• 01:50 – Mr. Bennett’s angry confrontation about the newspaper’s photo
• 03:31 – Tour of the Linotype machines and the lead-melting process
• 06:22 – Jackie Bigelow’s confrontation with Mr. Forrest
• 08:18 – Mr. Bennett’s apology to Leonidas Witherall and request for help

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Tone and Style

The episode carries the lively, theatrical flair of classic radio drama. Sharp, witty dialogue and character-driven humor blend seamlessly with moments of tension and looming menace, all underscored by the familiar setting of a bustling mid-century newsroom.

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Summary

“The Corpse Meets a Deadline” immerses listeners in a web of newsroom rivalries, personal vendettas, and local drama, setting the stage for what is likely to turn into a murder mystery. Memorable character interactions and classic journalistic dilemmas—publicity vs. privacy, ambition vs. loyalty—drive the narrative, all wrapped in the rich, nostalgic style of old-time radio.

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Transcript

[Jackie Bigelow]

Thanks for everything, boss. Maybe I can repay the favor sometime. Maybe I can do something for you like cutting your throat.

[Narrator]

WO presents the distinguished American actor Walter Hampden in the Adventures of Leonidas Witherol. Tonight's adventure, the Corpse Meets the deadline. Leonidas Witherall is the New England schoolmaster who looks like Shakespeare and is always getting mixed up in murders. At the moment, Mr. Witherall has gone to the city desk of the Dalton Herald. It's a very urgent mission on behalf of his housekeeper, Mrs. Mullet. And Leonidas, along with Mrs. M, is explaining it to the Herald's editor, Mr. Forrest.

[Leonidas Witherall]

You see, Forrest.

[Mr. Forrest]

Yes, Leonidas.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Mrs. Mullet, here is. What's your title, Mrs. Mullet?

[Mrs. Mullet]

I'm director of Public Relations for the Dalton's Ladies Aid and Get Together Society. Early Wednesday afternoon, group section two leaving on track seven. And our group's holding a special meeting tomorrow.

[Leonidas Witherall]

They're having a guest lecturer, Forrest.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, really? Who is it?

[Mrs. Mullet]

We're having Mrs. Hildegard Fish, who wrote South American Question Mark and Balkan Riddle. She's going to speak on Russia. Russia? What does it mean?

[Leonidas Witherall]

Completely baffled, isn't she?

[Mr. Forrest]

And you want us to mention it in the Herald, huh?

[Mrs. Mullet]

Mention it?

[Leonidas Witherall]

Well, if you could eliminate the news about General Eisenhower and General Patton and just turn, say, 10 columns over the Mrs. Mullett group.

[Mrs. Mullet]

Forrester, aside from Mrs. Fish, we're having an election and our spring tea dance. Gonna be a big day.

[Mr. Forrest]

All right, Mrs. Mullet. We'll see that you get all the space you deserve.

[Leonidas Witherall]

How's that, Mrs. Mullet? I told you we could persuade Mr. Forrest.

[Mrs. Mullet]

Persuade him? Why, he should be glad I'm giving him a scoop.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, I am, Mrs. Mullet. We don't often get a break like this.

[Mr. Bennett]

There you are, Forrest.

[Mr. Forrest]

Mr. Bennet.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Hello, Mr. Bennett.

[Mr. Bennett]

Forrest, you're a stupid, ill, irresponsible, cheap, yellow journalist.

[Mr. Forrest]

Now look, Bennett, all I did.

[Mr. Bennett]

Look at this paper of yours. Look at that picture. On the front page, too. I told you not to print that horrible picture of my daughter.

[Mr. Forrest]

There's no harm in that.

[Mr. Bennett]

Running this picture of that rotten gambling den with all those crooks. And there at the table, my daughter.

[Mr. Forrest]

I can't help it if your daughter visits gambling joints.

[Mr. Bennett]

Bennett, the girl's just 18 years old. She went out on a date. She's no idea where they were going.

[Mr. Forrest]

Just the same, she was there.

[Mr. Bennett]

She wanted to leave the minute they got to that. That evil, iniquitous place.

[Mr. Forrest]

But she didn't leave. The cops came in and our man got the picture. And it's not our fault that she's in it.

[Mr. Bennett]

Forrest, I told you yesterday not to print it.

[Mr. Forrest]

Sorry, Bennett. It was the only shot we had. And a good one, too.

[Mr. Bennett]

You've ruined my daughter's reputation. You've disgraced her.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, don't be such a blue nose, Bennett. Now, if you don't mind, I'm busy. I've got an addition to. Get out.

[Mr. Bennett]

I ought to thrash you, Forrest. I ought to treat you the way my grandfather handled a smart aleck newspaper man out west. He got a horsewhip and he whipped that editor within an inch of his life.

[Mr. Forrest]

If you don't watch your tongue, Bennett, I'll have you thrown out of this office.

[Mr. Bennett]

Oh, you wouldn't dare.

[Leonidas Witherall]

No, no, no, no, Mr. Bennett, I don't want to interfere, but perhaps if you'd cool off.

[Mr. Bennett]

You keep your beard out of this with.

[Mrs. Mullet]

Hold your tongue, Mr. Bennett.

[Mr. Bennett]

Forrest. You filthy.

[Mr. Forrest]

Get away from this death. Bennett. Yes.

[Mr. Bennett]

Let me get my hands on your throat. Forrest. Just a. Bennett, I'm going to show you. Let go of me, brother. Mr. Bennett.

[Mr. Forrest]

Take your hands off course.

[Mrs. Mullet]

You let go of him, Mr. Bennett.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Come on, Mr. Bennett, or I'll.

[Mr. Forrest]

All right, all right, you crazy fool. Get out of here. I warn you.

[Mr. Bennett]

All right, Horace. I'm getting out now. But this isn't the end of it.

[Mr. Forrest]

Go on.

[Mr. Bennett]

I see that justice is done for us. I'll see that you're taken care of, no matter how far I have to go.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Looks as though Mr. Bennett's going to be a very serious problem for us.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, him, Leonidas? No, I. I'm used to that.

[Leonidas Witherall]

He seems to be extremely excitable.

[Mr. Forrest]

You've got him all wrong. Sure, he'll rave and rant for a while, write letters, and then he'll calm down.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Well, I hope so. It doesn't seem as trivial as that, though. I know Bennett. He's very headstrong old gentleman. And your printing that picture has defiled his little child's good name.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, forget it, Leonidas. Oh, come on. I don't often have you down here. Suppose I Show you and Mrs. Mullet around the place? Feel like touring the plant?

[Mrs. Mullet]

Oh, I'd love to.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Lead on, Macduff.

[Mrs. Mullet]

I'd like to see the room where the news stickers are. Mr. Mullet knew a lot about news. You know, he had a definition of news, Mr. Witherl.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Was it by any chance about a dog?

[Mrs. Mullet]

Well, that's right. He said that when a dog bites a man, that's not news. But When a man bites a dog.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Is that right?

[Mrs. Mullet]

Yes.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Anyone ever take a good bite out of Mr. Mullet?

[Mrs. Mullet]

Well, how did you know?

[Mr. Forrest]

These are the Linotype machines, Leonidas.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Quite a formidable array of them. Forrest, could we go over to one

[Mrs. Mullet]

of them and get a closer look?

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, sure. Come on. Pat Welsh over there will explain his machine to you.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Pat. Yes, Mr. Forrest?

[Mr. Forrest]

Let up a second, Pat. We have visitors. This is Mr. Witherall and Mrs. Mullet.

[Mrs. Mullet]

How do you do?

[Mr. Forrest]

Pat here was once a publisher himself.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Oh, really? Yes, but I don't talk about it much.

[Mr. Forrest]

Pat had an unpleasant experience. Lost his paper. It was very sad, Leonidas. Terribly sad.

[Leonidas Witherall]

The machines work like a big typewriter, you see. You push the keys and they cut letters on what we call lead slip.

[Mr. Forrest]

Yes, Pat had big ideas once, but he. He had to learn the lead isn't wasted.

[Leonidas Witherall]

After we print the paper, it's melted down again.

[Mr. Forrest]

Of course, lots of us have to learn. We all make mistakes.

[Leonidas Witherall]

It's evident for us that Pat would rather not talk about his old career. Now, where do you melt down the lead?

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, we have it in those big cauldrons. You see them on the platform up there? They're right over your head.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Oh, yes.

[Mr. Forrest]

You see the steam coming off? Well, that's piping hot lead in that cauldron boiling like noodle soup.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Ah, noodle soup. Get that, Mrs. Munn.

[Mr. Forrest]

Well, the slugs are melted right in there, you see. And then we cool it and feed it down to the machines.

[Mrs. Mullet]

Where are the presses? That's another thing I want to see.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, we'll go there now. We're running an edition, so you'll see the whole works.

[Mrs. Mullet]

Running an edition. Well, shouldn't you do something first about my story, the Lady's literary Groom?

[Leonidas Witherall]

Oh, yes, Forrest, Mrs. Mullet would like you to stop the presses for it.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, we'll get it in the next edition, Mrs. Mullet. I put our top reporter on the job, Jackie Bigelow, the minute I get back upstairs. Jackie's our best man, you know.

[Mr. Bennett]

He'll do.

[Mr. Forrest]

You.

[Jackie Bigelow]

Sent for me, Mr. Forrest?

[Mr. Forrest]

Yes, Jackie. I just left Leander's Witheral. He had some woman with him, a Mrs. Mullet. Mullard? Yeah, I know her.

[Jackie Bigelow]

Sort of a neighborhood housekeeper up around the Birch Hill section.

[Mr. Forrest]

Yes, well, she's having a taffy pool for a ladies club. Get one of the kids out front to call it Witherald. Get the whole story. Write a couple of sticks for the three stars. All right, that's all, Jackie. You can go.

[Jackie Bigelow]

That's all as far as you're concerned, Forrest. Yes, but I want to do a little talking. This is just as good a time as any.

[Mr. Forrest]

Well, hurry up. I've got a desk full of copying in.

[Jackie Bigelow]

Uh huh. You know what it's about? It's about a phone conversation you had with Cosmopolitan Syndicate.

[Mr. Forrest]

Oh, that wasn't anything.

[Jackie Bigelow]

Oh, that wasn't anything, huh? I worked for six months to get Cosmopolitan to make me that offer.

[Mr. Forrest]

You wouldn't have enjoyed being a foreign correspondent, Jackie. Especially in Chung Kings. Tough grind. Thank you.

[Jackie Bigelow]

I wouldn't, huh? That just happens to be why I got into this newspaper racket. All my life I've wanted to be a foreign correspondent. You knew that.

[Mr. Forrest]

They asked me for a frank opinion, Jackie. I told him I thought you were a pretty fair reporter.

[Jackie Bigelow]

Don't lie to me, Forrest. You told him I was a punk reporter? I found out you did that for one reason. Because you're naturally a louse.

[Mr. Forrest]

What an imagination you've got, Jackie.

[Jackie Bigelow]

You didn't want to lose a good man yourself these days. That's tough, isn't it?

[Mr. Forrest]

Will you cut it?

[Jackie Bigelow]

I couldn't get into this man's war the regular way. The army turned me down. You knew that too. You know, I've been eating my heart out covering this small town junk while just a little way down the railroad tracks. The whole bloody world's on fire. You killed my chance, Forrest. I'll never get out of this town now. It might be a year, two years, maybe forever. That was my one big chance. And you fixed it so I'd miss the boat.

[Mr. Forrest]

Lay off checking.

[Jackie Bigelow]

I'm gonna.

[Mr. Forrest]

You heard me. Lay off. City Des. Forrest. Uh huh. Yeah. Yeah, okay. Right. Get into that jalopy of yours and beat it over to the Perkins. Shipyards burning up. Three alarms have gone out.

[Jackie Bigelow]

Okay, I'm on my way. And thanks, Forrest. Thanks for everything. Maybe I can do something for you sometime. Like cutting your throat.

[Leonidas Witherall]

What can I do for you, Mr. Bennett?

[Mr. Bennett]

I've come here to your place, Mr. Witherall, to apologize for my behavior this morning at the Herald office.

[Leonidas Witherall]

It was deplorable, Mr. Bennett. But of course, you felt printing that picture of your daughter was very embarrassing.

[Mr. Bennett]

That's just the point. I wanted to apologize to you. But I certainly don't intend to retract anything I said to Forrest. In fact, I want your help.

[Leonidas Witherall]

Really, Mr. Bennett, isn't this much ado about nothing? As the poet said, you have too much respect upon the world. They lose it that Dubai.