Dragnet 54-06-15 252 The Big Cat

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet 54-06-15: “The Big Cat”

Date: January 2, 2026
Length: ~26 minutes
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Classic Radio Drama Featured: Dragnet (original airdate: June 15, 1954)

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights a classic of radio drama: Dragnet’s “The Big Cat.” The story follows Detective Sergeant Friday and his partner Frank Smith as they investigate the reported escape of circus animals—including a dangerous black panther named Dandy—after a carnival truck is allegedly broken into in Los Angeles. What begins as a procedural search gradually unravels into something more poignant, touching on themes of fantasy, loss, and the blurry line between reality and wishful thinking.

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Key Discussion Points & Storyline Breakdown

1. The Case Begins: Reporting a Strange Theft

[00:38 – 03:29]

• Detective Friday returns to the office after court ([00:48]) and is quickly approached by Clarence Havill, who wants to report a theft—but not of a car or the usual cargo.
• Havill explains the truck belonged to his carnival and contained several animals: two monkeys (Cody and Mundy), two raccoons, and, ominously, a “black panther.”
• Memorable moment:

  “Yeah, here comes the bad part. This is what I was afraid of… A black panther.”
  — Clarence Havill ([03:13–03:24])

• Police issue a local broadcast searching for the animals.

2. Clarence Havill’s Story: Details and Doubts

[03:37 – 09:14]

• Havill narrates how he was notified by the driver, Bert, that the truck had broken down. Havill delayed helping because he wanted to finish watching the fights on TV ([03:41]).
• Found monkeys atop a pole; lured them down with lettuce. The raccoons’ tracks (“spoor”) found, but the panther (Dandy) was nowhere to be seen ([06:12]).
• The panther’s description:

  “He’s black. Jet black. Even blacker than that ink they’re talking about… about seven feet long… That’s counting the tail.”
  — Clarence Havill ([08:08])

• Despite reassurances of Dandy’s gentle nature (“as gentle as a kitten when you get to know him”), Havill admits the animal once nearly mauled his own brother, Clyde ([09:04–09:15]).

3. Citywide Panic and Community Reaction

[09:35 – 12:40]

• Authorities search the neighborhood and consult the Griffith Park Zoo on panther behavior.
• Media coverage causes a flood of calls from citizens worried about safety ([09:35]).
• A concerned resident, Sidney Norton, storms into the office demanding Havill's address so he can “punch him right in the nose” for endangering the city.

  “You protect him, but you don't care about me and my family, is that it?”
  — Sidney Norton ([12:15])

4. The Investigation Unravels

[13:24 – 15:21]

• Friday and Frank visit Havill’s home (San Fernando Valley), where he’s nonchalantly entertained by a monkey.
• Havill has “good news” from his brother; supposedly, the circus animals are being found scattered on the way to Nevada. Details become increasingly murky (no specific address for winter quarters, evasive answers) ([14:21]).
• Under pressure, Havill admits the carnival is not what it seems:

  “We haven't got no regular winter quarters… The Havill Amalgamated Combined Shows is really a gypsy carnival.”
  — Clarence Havill ([14:47–15:00])

5. Dead Ends and a Revealing Family Visit

[16:00 – 21:07]

• Multiple false alarms: “They said they found the panther”—but it turns out to be a black tomcat ([16:00]).
• All official records (truck, telegrams, sightings) turn up nothing. The police realize Havill’s trail is fabricated.
• Friday and Frank visit Havill’s sister, Lillian. She reveals:

  “Same place it’s always been… in Clarence’s head.”
  — Lillian Havill ([21:00])

6. The Truth About Clarence Havill

[21:07 – 26:25]

• Lillian explains Clarence had been a press agent for real carnivals but was fired years ago. Since then, he’s lived in fantasy, trapping small animals and pretending he owns a grand show.

• The police confront Havill, methodically dismantling his story with the evidence they’ve gathered ([22:04–23:39]).

• In a deeply moving moment, Havill confesses his yearning for his dream to be real:

  “Ever wanted something so bad you'd almost taste it? Get to a point where you think about it so much, pretty soon it don't come over like a dream anymore. It's real... You ever want anything like that?”
  — Clarence Havill ([23:50–24:08])

• Havill is quietly taken in for a sanity hearing, the case closed as a hoax born of longing and lost hope.

• Closing narrator:

  “Clarence Neil Havill was held over for a sanity hearing in Superior Court. On recommendation of the court, appropriate action was taken.”
  ([25:58])

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Notable Quotes

• “It’s the reason I waited so long to report it… A black panther.” — Clarence Havill ([03:16–03:24])
• “He’s black… Jet black. Even blacker than that ink they’re talking about… about seven feet long…” — Clarence Havill ([08:08])
• “You protect him, but you don’t care about me and my family, is that it?” — Sidney Norton ([12:15])
• “The Havil Amalgamated Combined Shows is really a gypsy carnival.” — Clarence Havill ([14:47])
• “Same place it’s always been… in Clarence’s head.” — Lillian Havill ([21:00])
• “Ever wanted something so bad you'd almost taste it?... Pretty soon it don't come over like a dream anymore. It's real.” — Clarence Havill ([23:50–24:08])

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Key Timestamps

• [00:38] – Initial stolen circus animal report
• [03:24] – Panther revealed missing
• [06:38] – Havill’s tale of recapturing monkeys
• [08:08] – Panther “Dandy” described
• [09:35] – City search and panic begins
• [12:15] – Heated confrontation with Sidney Norton
• [14:47] – Havill admits the carnival isn’t real
• [16:00] – False lead: The black tomcat
• [21:00] – Lillian reveals Clarence’s delusions
• [23:50–24:08] – Havill’s emotional confession
• [25:58] – Case resolution and court action

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Tone & Style

Dragnet’s story is told with trademark matter-of-fact narration—detached, procedural, with dialogue that’s direct and tinged with dry humor and melancholy. Clarence Havill’s dialogue, in particular, exudes both comic eccentricity and aching poignancy.

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For New Listeners

You don’t need a background in Dragnet or old time radio to find this episode gripping. More than a police story, “The Big Cat” is a study in loneliness, nostalgia, and self-delusion, told through the prism of a procedural investigation. By its conclusion, the drama deftly pivots from suspense to empathy—making for an unexpectedly moving hour of radio.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true.

[C]

The names were changed to protect the innocent drag myth.

[B]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to auto Theft detail. You receive a report that a circus.

[C]

Truck has been broken into. Several of the animals are missing.

[B]

Some of them are dangerous. Your job, find them. It was Monday, May 12. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Auto Theft detail. My partner's Frank, the boss of Chief of Detective Stad Brown. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from Superior Court and it was 11:46am when I got to room 40. Auto theft.

[D]

Hi.

[B]

How'd it go? Well, his lawyer's got a continuance. Yeah? How come? I don't know. New evidence they want to introduce. What's the DA's office say? Well, there's nothing they can say comes under the heading in due process, you know. Yeah. You think you're gonna nail him? Alex thinks so. The guy's admitted his guilt. Now he's claiming a confession is a lot of bunk. Says we got it out of him by force. Why now? True. If he did it without the confession, I guess shouldn't be too hard. We got all the evidence. We get the chance to lay it out for the jury. Yeah. When do you go back? Let's see. Set it off for a week, I guess. Yeah. Anything come in? No, not big.

[D]

Excuse me.

[B]

Yes, sir. Something we can do for you?

[D]

Like the report? Something stolen?

[B]

All right, sir. Just come on in.

[D]

Sure get service around here. All right, sir.

[B]

Now, what kind of a car was it?

[D]

Ain't no car.

[B]

Beg pardon?

[D]

No car. Stolen stuff in the car.

[B]

All right. What was it?

[D]

Well, it wasn't really a car anyway. A truck. That's what they stole it from. A truck.

[B]

All right, if you'll give us a description.

[D]

Far as I know, they might not have stolen it anyway. Might just have opened it and let them all out.

[B]

Yes, sir. Well, the sooner we get this report filled out, the faster we can start looking for the stolen merchandise.

[D]

Yeah, just thought of that myself. Should have.

[B]

All right, sir. Now, what's your name?

[D]

Clarence Havill. H A V I L L. No R. Most people put A R in it. Haverhill it ain't. It's Haver.

[B]

Where'd the theft take place?

[D]

Corner Fountain, delongpre. Right on the corner there, just south of the red zone on Fountain.

[B]

All right, sir. What was taken?

[D]

You see, I got this call from one of the drivers who works for my brother and me. Drives one of our trucks. Called and said the machine had broke down. Wanted me to bring another tractor over.

[B]

Well, we can get to all that later, Mr. Havill. Now, what were the stolen articles?

[D]

Animals, sir. Animals from our carnival.

[B]

What kind of animal?

[D]

Oh, a couple of monkeys, Cody Mundy, two raccoons.

[B]

All right, sir. Anything else?

[D]

Yeah, here comes the bad part. This is what I was afraid of.

[B]

What's that, sir?

[D]

It's the reason I waited so long to report it. I thought maybe he'd turn up.

[B]

What's that, sir?

[D]

A black panther.

[B]

We got a description of the animals and the local broadcast was gotten out on them immediately. 12:18pm we continued to talk to Clarence Havel.

[D]

Friday night. That's when it happened.

[B]

What time Friday night?

[D]

About 7:05 or 7:10. Right after the fights went on. That's when the phone rang.

[B]

I see.

[D]

I was kind of sore about being interrupted and the fights was on. Always watch them. Most of my friends know not to call me then.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Well, anyway, the phone rang. I got up and went over to answer. It was Bert.

[B]

Who was Bert?

[D]

Bert Newell. He's the driver.

[B]

Oh, I see.

[D]

Said he had a breakdown at Fountain. Delong Cree. Asked me if I had an extra tractor. Happens I did. Bert asked me to bring it over. Said he wanted to use it to get the Shoe to Nevada.

[B]

So you drove over then, huh?

[D]

Not right away.

[B]

How's that?

[D]

Well, looks like the fight wasn't going to last much longer and I wanted to see the finish of it, so I stuck around for a couple more rounds. After that I left, drove over and found Burt right on the corner. Just standing there. Not trying to do nothing about the breakdown. Just standing there?

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Well, you just bet I read him off. Told him the least he could have done was get out a ranch or something. Tried to find the trouble. I read him off good.

[B]

Yeah, see?

[D]

Didn't do no good. He's shiftless, you know. Real shiftless.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

You know Bert, do you?

[B]

No, sir.

[D]

Shiftless. You know him, you know that.

[B]

You want to go on, please?

[D]

Oh, yeah. Well, we got the trailer on the hitch and the tractor hooked up. Only took a couple of minutes and got it done and Bert took off.

[B]

Where was he going?

[D]

You know over to Nevada. Gonna play a show there. Overton gonna play a show there?

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Right by Lake Mead. Overton?

[B]

Yes, sir. When'd you find out the animals were missing?

[D]

When I got the wire from my brother. That's when I got the first Inkland.

[B]

When was that?

[D]

Last night. Company phoned me about. Oh, I guess it was about 8:30.

[B]

I see. You have the telegram?

[D]

No, I told you they phoned it.

[B]

What did it say?

[D]

Yes, the animals are gone from. My brother said that the animals weren't on the truck when it got to Overton. Told me about how the locks on a couple of the cages is busted and smashed and the animals was gone.

[B]

Well now, sir, is it possible that the cages might have been broken into some other place than Los Angeles?

[D]

Might be, yes. Might be. Ain't likely.

[B]

Why'd he say that?

[D]

Only reason I know of. Cause it ain't likely. Not only that, I got proof of it.

[B]

How do you mean, sir?

[D]

Well, soon as I got the wire, I went down to Fountain de Long Cree. Went right there and looked around. Figured I might as well go down there, look around, I might find something, you know. Took a big four cell flash, went down the corner.

[B]

I see.

[D]

Yeah, I was right. That's where it happened. Yeah, that's where they got away. Found a spoor, you know.

[B]

I beg your pardon?

[D]

Spool tracks. Found them all over the place.

[B]

Oh, I see. Of the panther?

[D]

No, raccoons. Oh, not only that, I found something else.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Monkeys. Found them too.

[B]

Where were they?

[D]

Phone pole, right up on the top. Just sitting there shivering. They're kind of little, you know. Get real cold easy. We have them around the place. They wear little sweaters, get chilly real easy.

[B]

How about the rest of the animals? You see any sign of them?

[D]

No. I went over to a little store near there and got a head of lettuce. 17 cents. Took it back to the phone pole. Showed that the season. Shlomi, they love lettuce.

[B]

Is that the monkeys?

[D]

Yeah. Mama's a white eared. Love lettuce.

[B]

They came right down then, did they?

[D]

Yeah, right down the pole. Slithered right for the lettuce. It was scared stiff being up there on that pole all night. Should have had their sweaters.

[B]

What about the other animals?

[D]

Not a sign of them. Just the spore of the raccoons. Haven't the slightest idea where they might have gone. No real problem. No, not them.

[B]

How do you mean?

[D]

Easy to replace. Just go up in the Hollywood Hills. Lots of them there. Run all over the place. Upset in garbage cans. Imagine some of the people would be glad to have me come up there and take them away. Raccoons ain't no problem.

[A]

Save over $200 when you book weekly. Stays with VRBO this winter. If you need to work, why not work from a chalet? If you haven't seen your college besties since, well, college. You need a week to fully catch up in a snowy cabin. And if you have to stay in a remote place with your in laws, you should save over 200 a week. That's the least we can do. So you might as well start digging out the long johns because saving over 200 on a week long snowcation rental is in the cards book [e-mail].

[B]

Well, Mr. Havel, what about the panther?

[D]

Well, he's a problem.

[B]

Yes, sir. Can you give us a description of the animal?

[D]

He's black.

[B]

Yes sir.

[D]

Like the inside of a well. Jet black. Even blacker than that ink they're talking about about seven feet long. Oh, easy there.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

That's counting the tail. Seven feet.

[B]

Anything else about him that we should know?

[D]

No, just a plain black panther. Nothing special.

[B]

Is he dangerous?

[D]

Well, not unless he meets somebody. Dante's got a temper.

[B]

That's the name of the animal, is it? Dante?

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

Namely that.

[D]

Cause he's blacker than the pitch of the Inferno. Daddy, you're pretty sure he got out.

[B]

Of that truck when the monkeys did, huh?

[D]

Well, I ain't going to give you no written guarantee, but I'm sure of it.

[B]

All right, sir, we'll start looking for him right away. Mr. Havill, where were these animals coming from?

[D]

Winter quarters. The standard ordnance is going to be our first. Just starting the season.

[B]

Was there anything else you can tell us that'll make it easier to find the panther?

[D]

No, not a thing. Just be careful, that's all. Don't hurt him. He's really as gentle as a kitten when you get to know him. Like a big overgrown cat. Gentle?

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

That's something Clyde didn't understand.

[B]

Who's Clyde, sir?

[D]

My brother Clyde.

[B]

Oh, I see.

[D]

He didn't like Dandy, didn't understand him. That's what caused the trouble.

[B]

What was that?

[D]

Last winter, Clyde came to see the show. Tell me about the bookings. We discussed about how the best way to exhibit Danny would be and Clyde got too close to change. Daddy almost killed him.

[B]

All officers in the area where the panther had escaped were notified and an additional team of men were called from Metropolitan Reserve to patrol the vicinity. The presence of the animal on City streets presented a very real menace to all citizens in the city. A team of detectives from auto theft detail were dispatched to the corner of Fountain and Delongray to talk to the people who lived in the area. However, they were unable to come up with any new information on the escaped panther. Frank and I talked to chief of Detective Thad Brown and with Captain Nelson who decided to start a block by block search for the missing cat. Authorities from the Griffith Park Zoo were consulted as to the possible hiding places of the anima. When the afternoon newspapers hit the streets, calls began to flood the complaint board asking for additional information on the panther. Local radio and television broadcast carried stories about the escape and the number of calls went up. Additional men had to be called to care for the switchboard. The search went on. Frank and I worked in the field along with the other men from auto theft detail and officers from Metro division. Every possible hiding place in the vicinity of Fountain and Delongre was searched without turning up any new information on the cat. Was the opinion of authorities that the panther might try to hide in the brush of the Hollywood Hills and the search was moved to that vicinity. Tuesday, May 12th. Frank and I got back to the office from the area. We've been up all night looking for the animal. You want to check for the skipper? Anybody around who can bring in some coffee? I'll call Sal. He'll bring some over. That'll be a good idea. Ask him to send over a sandwich, too. What kind you want? I don't care. Just tell them. Make sure the coffee's hot. Yeah. Yes, sir.

[C]

I'd like to talk to the men who are working on the panther.

[A]

Think.

[B]

Yes, sir. Come right in the hall.

[D]

I find him here.

[B]

One sergeant party. Maybe I can help you.

[C]

You working with the search party?

[B]

Yes, sir. My partner and I have been out with them.

[C]

Have they caught it yet?

[B]

No, sir, not yet.

[C]

They know where it is.

[B]

Coffee? Well, no, sir, we don't.

[C]

That's what I thought. I'm Sydney Norton. I live in this town.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[C]

Got a family? I pay taxes.

[B]

Uhhuh.

[C]

Just want to ask one question.

[B]

Yes, sir. Go ahead.

[C]

Now, according to papers, it's Havil or whatever his name is. He owns the Panther. Is that right?

[B]

His name is Clarence Havil.

[C]

But he owns the cast.

[B]

Yeah, sure. That's right.

[C]

Well, I want his address.

[B]

Beg your pardon?

[C]

I want the number of his house. That's simple, isn't it?

[B]

We're not allowed to give that out. I'm sorry.

[C]

All I want is his address. So I Can go over there and punch him right in the nose. You gonna give it to me?

[B]

No, sir. Who's your superior? Captain Nelson.

[C]

Well, where is he? I want to talk to him.

[B]

He's in Chief Brown's office right now. Where's that? It's down at the end of the hall. Office number 26.

[C]

All right, I'll talk to him. I want that man's address and I want it now. Terrible thing for the law to allow a person to keep animals like that so they can get away and walk around killing anybody they meet. If you cops can't do anything about it, I can. You can just bet I can.

[B]

If you go out and cause Mr. Havel any trouble, you're liable for arrest, sir.

[D]

By whom?

[B]

Any policeman that he wants to call.

[C]

Well, you protect him, but you don't care about me and my family, is that it?

[B]

No, sir. You both got rights of protection under the law. Now, if Havel's done anything, we'll take care of it. When? As soon as we find that panther.

[C]

Well, you may just be wrong. I've been talking around. There are a lot of people who.

[B]

Feel like I do.

[C]

A lot of them, enough maybe to decide to do things our way.

[B]

Well, I wouldn't try it, Mr. Norton.

[C]

Too late, mister. You can't do anything about it. We will. Me and my friends. We'll take care of it. It's out of your hands. We'll take care of Havel. Take care of him good.

[B]

I wouldn't make book on that.

[C]

He's gonna stop us.

[B]

Like I told you, any cop that Havell calls. Frank and I talked to Sidney Norton and we finally convinced him that any action he might take would not help the situation. We sent him home, and then we met with Captain Nelson and Chief Brown. The progress of the search was reviewed and it was decided to continue it in the Lake Hollywood area and in the upper Griffith Park Hills. All days off had been canceled and additional officers were joining in the hunt for the panthers. After the meeting, Frank and I got some breakfast and then we drove out to Clarence Havel's home with a large ranch house at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Monterey Avenue out in the San Fernando Valley. We drove through the gate and parked the car. Clarence Havill was sitting on the large porch waiting for a small monkey was sitting on his shoulder.

[D]

Hi. Come on up and sit down.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

How's it going, Mr. Friday, Mr. Smith?

[B]

All right, sir.

[C]

Pretty good, sir.

[D]

Get you anything? Glass of ginger beer, maybe? Got some cold in the icebox?

[B]

No, Sir? No, thanks.

[C]

Heard from my brother this morning all right.

[D]

In Nevada. Got a telegram. Company phoned it to me again. Good news.

[B]

What's that, sir?

[D]

Well, beginning to look like it's all a mistake, sir. The whole thing. Looks like the animals didn't get away here in Los Angeles.

[B]

Why do you say that?

[D]

Well, there's a telegram from a brother. Said they found the Cody Mundy in one of the raccoons in Baker, California. Found them alongside the road, tired and hungry. Guess they're sorry now they got out of the truck.

[B]

How about the panther? Any word on him?

[D]

No, not yet. But Clyde set some men out to look for it. Sure Danny will turn up.

[B]

How can we get in touch with your brother, Hamilton?

[D]

Can't.

[B]

What?

[D]

Can't get in touch with him out in the desert looking for Danny. Out of touch.

[B]

Can you give us the address of your winter quarters here in town?

[D]

I can't do that, Mr. Friday.

[B]

Why not?

[D]

You don't know him, sir.

[B]

You run a circus and you don't know where the animals are kept?

[D]

Well, not really a circus, a carnival.

[B]

Yes, sir, we understand, but. What's the address?

[D]

I don't know.

[B]

You haven't any idea?

[D]

Not the least.

[B]

And you can't tell us where to reach your brother?

[D]

He's out looking for Danny.

[B]

How about it, Havel? Something that you're not telling us, Havel?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, is this.

[D]

We haven't got no regular winter quarters. Not regular setup. That's why I can't tell you where it is. Ain't none.

[B]

All right, go ahead.

[D]

You see, the Havel Amalgamated Combined Shows is really a gypsy carnival.

[B]

How do you mean that?

[D]

Well, we ain't got no big operation. Couple of mangy animals. We don't have a license to keep them in the city. Only quarters we got are vacant lots. We set up and stay there until the neighbor starts to complain and we move on. Trucks for the shore are registered in states where the fee is smallest. And we got about every deal we could to keep the cost of operation down.

[B]

Now, what about the panther, Daddy? Yes, sir.

[D]

Only real attraction we got. Man killer. I told you about how I almost got Clyde, didn't I? I told you that.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Gotta understand, Anthea or nothing works with him.

[B]

Is that right?

[D]

Might be something about D. It could be our officer.

[B]

We gave him this number.

[D]

Yeah, Hang on just a minute. Hello? Yeah, this is. Number, huh? Yeah. Just a minute, mister.

[C]

You.

[D]

Mr. Friday? Your office.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[D]

No trouble at all. Like to do what I can.

[B]

Yes. Friday? Yes, Cooper, that's right. Well, you want to give me that address? I checked out. Did it? Huh? No, we'll get right over. Frank, let's go.

[D]

Good news?

[B]

Well, we're not sure yet. They said they found the panther. The address we'd gotten on the telephone was in the Hollywood Hills, just off Beechwood Drive. Frank and I drove down the freeway, turned off at Gower, up Franklin to Beechwood and we continued up to Ledgewood Drive. By the time we got there, other units had arrived in the immediate vicinity where the animal had been seen was surrounded. From one of the officers we got the story. The pants had been seen by one of the civilians searching the area. The animal had run between two houses and jumped through a window into a ground floor garage. We checked the house, but we found that the occupants were not there. Because of the danger of the panther's presence and the difficulty of taking it alive, it was decided to try to shoot it. The officers involved in the search were armed with large caliber weapons. Frank and I took two sawed off shotguns and we approached the door leading to the garage. Who's covering the window? Mac? All right, I'll hit the door. Stand back. We'll try to see what's inside. Okay. I can't see anything from the window. Well, might be behind those boxes at the rear there. Yeah. You all set? Yeah. See anything? No. Wait a minute. Back there behind the cases. Looks like something there. All right, you take that sign. Right. Take it easy. Sure. You don't have to spell it. All right, Frank, Right from where you are, can you tip those boxes over there? Yeah, I think so. Well, let's try it. Maybe it'll drive them out in the open. All right. Well, there he is. Yeah. Looks pretty mean. Black Tomcat. The event was similar to several that had happened during the hunt for the black Panther. During the 20 odd hours we've been looking for the animal, there'd been several reports that seemed authentic enough to be checked out. All of them turned out to be false. By this time there were over 300 officers engaged in the search. Frank and I went back to the office and put in a call to the telegraph company in an effort to find Clyde Havill. They checked through their files, but they were unable to find any record of any wires. We then put in a call to the California Nevada Border Station in an attempt to get information. Yes, sir, that's right, Havel. Amalgamated Combined shows what a V Victor I v ll Havel. Well, what we got, it should have come through Saturday.

[D]

The 13th?

[B]

No. Might have been Sunday the 14th. You pretty sure about that, are you? Was it possible? All right, I understand. Okay, thank you. If anything turns up, will you call us? Friday, extension 2507. That's auto theft detail. Right. Thanks again. Bye. How about if they got a record of the trail going through? They never heard of it. We immediately put in a call to the authorities in Baker, California. We talked with members of the State Highway Patrol and from them we obtained the information that there had been no stray animals captured in the vicinity during the past few days. The conversation with them lengthened the possibility that the story we'd gotten from Clarence Havill was a lie. We checked his house, but Havel wasn't there. His neighbor, he obtained the name of his sister. 6:10pm we drove out to the address of two family stucco duplex. We rang the bell and we waited.

[D]

Yes?

[B]

Ms. Hatle?

[A]

That's right.

[E]

What is it you want?

[B]

We're police officers. Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Hello.

[C]

How do you do, ma'?

[B]

Am?

[E]

What is it you want?

[B]

We'd like to talk to you about your brother.

[D]

Clyde.

[B]

No, ma'.

[D]

Am.

[B]

Clarence.

[E]

Mr. Friday. I've done what I can for him. If he's in trouble again, we just gonna have to go it alone.

[B]

What if we could talk inside? Now?

[E]

Come on in.

[B]

Thank you very much.

[E]

What's he done this time?

[B]

Beg your pardon?

[E]

What's my brother done this time?

[B]

Does your brother own a circus?

[E]

Is this a joke?

[B]

No. Man's pretty serious, does he?

[D]

Sure. Big one.

[E]

Cavill's amalgamated in combined shows. Travels all over the country. Animals concessions. Even got a man eating black pants.

[B]

Yes, ma'. Am. That's one of the things we want.

[E]

To find out about Dandy.

[B]

You know the animal, do you?

[E]

Oh, Clarence's friends do. Talks about him all the time.

[B]

You know where the circus is right now?

[E]

Same place it's always been, ma'.

[B]

Am.

[E]

Never been any place else.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

In Clarence's head.

[B]

We continued to talk to Lillian Havill. From her we got the background of the story. She told us that her brother had been a press agent for one of the larger carnivals, but that he'd been discharged several years before. Since that time, he talked of very little else but the day when he'd be able to start his own show starring Danny the Man Killing Black Panther. He went on to tell us that he spent most of his time in the hills of the San Fernando Valley trapping small animals. Preparing for the first tour of the carnival. We called the office and notified Them. The search for the black panther was called off. 8:46pm we left the duplex and we drove out the freeway to the valley. When we got to Havel's, he was sitting on the front porch reading. The monkey was still on his shoulder.

[D]

Hey, come back, huh?

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Found Andy yet? Sure hope you come up with him. I hate to lose the main attraction. You've had any word of him yet, huh?

[B]

No.

[D]

He's a sly one. Old Dandy.

[B]

Sly.

[D]

He knows if you find him, he'll go back in the cage. You just keep looking now. He'll turn up.

[B]

Search has been called off. Hamilton called off? That's right.

[D]

You mean you quit looking?

[B]

That's right.

[D]

Well, you can't do that. You can't. Danish animal like that loose in the city, all the people in dire danger. You can't call off the posse.

[B]

Why don't you tell us about it? What do you mean? All right, Hanno, tell us why you did it, huh? Why'd you report the panther being gone?

[D]

Because she was one to save all the people from dire danger.

[C]

Why don't you tell us the truth, huh?

[B]

We've checked your story.

[D]

Now, just a minute. Ain't no man that says I tell lies. No man.

[B]

You say you got two telegrams from your brother, Is that right?

[D]

Yeah, from Clyde.

[B]

Well, we checked with the telegraph company. They've got no record of any such messages.

[D]

It's a big company. They might have lost them.

[B]

I don't think they lost them.

[D]

Might have.

[B]

You told us the carnival truck went into Nevada, didn't you? Is that right?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

We checked at the border. They don't know anything about the show.

[D]

Well, there are a lot of roads into Nevada. Maybe you called the wrong station.

[B]

We talk to the right one.

[D]

Big truck, red and yellow hav's combined. Amalgamated shows. Letters about this big on the side. Yellow letters got a picture of Dandy on the side. Mean you can almost count his teeth.

[B]

You told us the truck was registered in your name. DMV has no record of it.

[D]

Well, must be some mistake. It's got to be wrong.

[B]

We talked to your sister. She tells you don't have any kind of a show.

[D]

Lillian said that?

[B]

That's what she said.

[D]

You here too?

[B]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Lillian told you I didn't have no show. Lillian told you that?

[B]

Go and get your coat, Helen, huh? Little cold out tonight. You might need a coat.

[D]

We going someplace?

[B]

Yes, sir. We're going to have to take you downtown.

[D]

Why?

[B]

Well, you had half the city on a wild goose Chase here caused a lot of people a lot of work. Turns out there was no reason for it. We're trying to find out why you did it. Why, yes, sir.

[D]

You ever wanted anything bad, Sergeant?

[B]

What?

[D]

Ever wanted something so bad you'd almost taste it? Get to a point where you think about it so much, pretty soon it don't come over like a dream anymore. It's real. Honest and true. Real. You ever want anything like that?

[B]

I wouldn't know.

[D]

Well, that's the way it was with Havel's Amalgamated Combined Shows. That's the way it was. I was weaned on sawdust. Been around it all my life. The animals, sideshows, the alley, all of it. Been my whole life. When I left, it just seemed like I jumped into a big hole that didn't have no bottom. Wasn't anything to hang onto, nothing to tie down to, you know, Always I had in the back of my head that I could do it again. I was a good publicity man. Goody used to pack the main. Never no trouble getting the people in when I was there. When I left, I knew I'd be back. I knew it with my own show. Have those Amalgamated Combined Shows. The biggest in the world. I guess I just got so I believed it too much and lost the line between what's real and what I was dreaming. It was this morning when you was out here. Remembered and tried to stop you from going on with it. Tried. And then there's a phone call where they'd found Daddy. Didn't seem right to stop things then.

[B]

Just.

[D]

It didn't seem right.

[B]

All right. You want to get your coat? Yeah.

[D]

You gonna take me downtown? The police car?

[B]

That's right.

[D]

Gonna use a siren?

[B]

For what, sir?

[D]

Siren?

[B]

There's no reason for any siren.

[D]

I suppose not. Used to have sirens. When I come to town, me and the chief of police ride down the street. Sirene going. Everybody knew I was in town. Big to do. Everybody knew I was there. Things are sure changed. Not very much things have changed. People used to know I was in town.

[B]

I still do.

[C]

Clarence Neil Hav was headed held over for a sanity hearing in Superior Court. On recommendation of the court, appropriate action was taken. Dragnet. The story of your police force in action is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.

[D]

Sam.