Crime Doctor: "Substitute Hero" (Aired 1945-04-08)

Episode Overview

In this classic episode of "Crime Doctor," host Harold takes listeners back to the golden era of radio drama. The story, "Substitute Hero," unfolds around a love triangle, a fraudulent divorce, deception, greed, and ultimately, murder. Dr. Eugene Albertson, his nurse Jean, her husband Bob Mason, and the scheming pseudo-lawyer Archie Moran become entangled in a web of lies and blackmail—culminating in a deadly confrontation unraveled by the incisive mind of Dr. Ordway, the Crime Doctor.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Albertson Household: Tension and Discontent

• Dr. Eugene Albertson, a wealthy invalid, relies on his nurse, Jean Albertson (married to Bob Mason), and chauffeur, Bob Mason, who is disgruntled with his job and marriage.
• Dr. Albertson confides in Jean, implying Bob’s driving agitates him and he’d like to fire him, but wonders if Jean would leave as well (03:01).
  • Jean reassures: “No, sir. I like it here.” (03:23)

2. Bob’s Downward Spiral

• Bob is upset after being let go by Dr. Albertson. He drinks at a bar, vents about Jean staying employed by Albertson after his firing, and threatens dramatic action to get her back.

  • "She lets the boss fire me and she goes right on working for him. She ain't even unhappy about it." (04:02)

• Bob’s frustration leads to a drunken incident, resulting in his arrest for throwing a brick through Jean’s window when denied entry. (05:00)

3. Divorce Negotiations: Scheming and Deception

• Archie Moran, posing as a lawyer, confronts Dr. Albertson with Bob’s grievance—blaming Albertson for the Mason marriage breakup.
• Dr. Albertson offers a settlement: if Bob agrees to a divorce (so Jean can remarry), he’ll pay Bob’s expenses and extra money. (06:15)
  • "If she could arrange with her husband for him to obtain the divorce in another state... I'd be willing to pay his expenses and... give him a sum of money." (06:15)
• In private, Moran reveals to Bob they’ll split the settlement ($3,000). Moran insists Bob fakes a six-week trip to Reno for the divorce; he’ll forge telegrams and paperwork to make it convincing. (07:22)

4. Fraudulent Freedom and New Beginnings

• Bob calls Jean, pretending to be calling from Reno, confirms their divorce, and says he’ll be "back in six weeks with a decree." (07:51)
• Jean and Dr. Albertson, believing the divorce is real, confess their affections and soon marry. (09:08, 09:28)
  • Dr. Albertson: “I know I'm much older than you, but I hope you've grown to like me a little.” (09:13)

5. Blackmail and the Truth Revealed

• Later, Moran arrives to inform Jean and Dr. Albertson that Bob never went to Reno, and their marriage is illegal.

  • “I learned a very astonishing thing this morning. Your marriage is illegal.” (13:02)

• Moran produces proof from the Reno court. The telegrams had been sent by Bob’s friend as part of the ruse. (13:16)

• Moran doubles down, hinting Bob may charge Jean with bigamy unless paid off, now desperate for cash. (14:07, 14:18)

• A twist emerges when Dr. Albertson claims to have paid Bob $50,000 total ($3,000 initially plus $47,000 extra) to expedite the divorce, a figure Moran claims to be unaware of—revealing collusion and potential double-cross. (14:43)

6. Blood Money and Murder

• Moran, furious over the alleged missing money, confronts Bob. A heated argument ends in Moran shooting Bob dead.
• At the crime scene, Moran insists he shot in self-defense, alleging that Bob fired first in a quarrel over money. (16:20–16:32)
  • Moran: “I shot him in self defense. Man's got a right to shoot in self defense.” (16:20)
• The inspectors and Dr. Ordway examine the physical evidence:
  • Two guns, two shots
  • The trajectory and placement of the body
  • Witnesses heard two shots with a pause of up to 15 seconds between (18:16)

7. Forensic Unraveling by Dr. Ordway (The Crime Doctor)

• Ordway points out the flaw in Moran’s story:

  • The bullet that killed Bob entered his back, meaning he could not have been shooting at Moran.

  • Details about the sequence and position of shots reveal that Moran staged the scene to look like self-defense by firing an extra shot into the wall after killing Bob. (21:26–21:47)

  • Inspector: “He couldn't have been, Moran, because the bullet that killed him shattered his spine and lodged in his lungs. That means the bullet entered his back. After you killed him, you heard people in the hallway. So you got Bob's gun and fired a shot into the wall.” (21:33–21:47)

• The game is up: Moran is arrested for murder.

8. Final Explanations and Resolution

• Jean confirms Dr. Albertson never really paid the extra $47,000; he lied to create distrust between Moran and Bob, hoping the truth would emerge in their quarrel. (22:33–22:38)
  • Jean: “Thought if he could get two thieves quarreling among themselves, the truth might come out.” (22:35)
• Inspector Jackson formally arrests Moran on suspicion of murder. (22:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 03:23 | "No, sir. I like it here." | Jean Albertson | | 04:02 | "She lets the boss fire me and she goes right on working for him. She ain't even unhappy about it." | Bob Mason | | 06:15 | "If she could arrange with her husband for him to obtain the divorce in another state... I'd be willing to pay his expenses and... give him a sum of money." | Dr. Eugene Albertson | | 09:13 | "I'm glad to hear it, my dear. Now, I feel free to speak to you. Yes, I've grown very fond of you, Jean. I know I'm much older than you, but I hope you've grown to like me a little." | Dr. Eugene Albertson | | 13:02 | "I learned a very astonishing thing this morning. Your marriage is illegal." | Archie Moran | | 16:20 | "I'm giving it to you straight, Inspector. I shot him in self defense. Man's got a right to shoot in self defense." | Archie Moran | | 21:47 | "He couldn't have been, Moran, because the bullet that killed him shattered his spine and lodged in his lungs. That means the bullet entered his back. After you killed him, you heard people in the hallway. So you got Bob's gun and fired a shot into the wall." | Inspector Jackson | | 22:35 | "Thought if he could get two thieves quarreling among themselves, the truth might come out." | Jean Albertson |

Notable Scenes and Timestamps

• [03:01-03:26]: Jean tells Dr. Albertson she will stay even if her husband is let go.
• [04:00-04:08]: Bob bemoans Jean's lack of loyalty after his firing.
• [06:08-06:43]: Dr. Albertson proposes the “divorce money” plan to Moran.
• [09:08-09:31]: Jean and Dr. Albertson reveal their feelings, marking the episode’s turning point.
• [13:02-13:30]: Moran drops the bombshell of the illegal marriage.
• [16:20-16:32]: Moran’s self-defense claim upon shooting Bob.
• [21:23-21:47]: Dr. Ordway exposes Moran’s murder as premeditated, not self-defense.
• [22:35-22:38]: Jean explains the fake $47,000 payment—Albertson’s ploy to reveal the truth.

Summary and Takeaways

"Substitute Hero" is a classic radio mystery fusing emotion, greed, and justice under the familiar, comforting tones of 1940s radio drama. The episode’s suspense builds around a con gone wrong—where Bob and Archie's plot to swindle Dr. Albertson unravels, leading to murder and a forensically satisfying conclusion by the Crime Doctor.

Listeners are left with classic noir themes: the dangers of greed and manipulation, the sharp instincts of the sleuth, and the comeuppance of wrongdoers. The period’s language, pacing, and performances shine throughout, evoking the social and moral dilemmas of wartime America.