Federal Agent 47-xx-xx (01) Escaped Convicts

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Federal Agent 47-xx-xx (01) Escaped Convicts"
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Release Date: April 3, 2025

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Introduction: The Great Escape

In the premiere episode of "Federal Agent 47-xx-xx," listeners are transported to the turbulent era of the Golden Age of Radio, where the suspense and drama of criminals on the loose unfold through vivid storytelling. The episode opens with a gripping narration that sets the stage for a high-stakes manhunt:

Narrator [00:02]: "Federal agent. Backbone of today's crusade against crime... Before the startled guards can come to life, six dangerous criminals, lifers all are at loose upon the world."

This introduction immerses the audience in the urgency and magnitude of the prison break, highlighting the collaboration among federal agents from various national bureaus.

Mobilizing the Federal Response

As the news of the escape spreads, federal agents swiftly mobilize to track down the fugitives. The episode captures the coordinated effort of modern science and communication technologies of the time:

Agent Smith [02:13]: "Calling all case officers."
Narrator [02:15]: "Calling all peace officers by teletype."
Agent Johnson [02:19]: "Be on the lookout for six men."

Despite the extensive search involving automobiles and airplanes, the convicts remain elusive within the first 48 hours post-escape. This initial failure underscores the cunning and preparedness of the escapees.

Formulating the Strategy

Desperate to recapture the convicts, the Federal Bureau assembles a specialized team of agents determined to end the spree of fugitives. In a strategic meeting, agents discuss their approach:

Agent Brown [03:05]: "We've all got pictures and details on each of the felons involved in this outbreak... Sooner or later, he'll turn up again in the same spots. And when he does. Get him."
Agent Davis [03:27]: "I have a few angles that might hurry things up for us... There's a woman who used to keep house for the gang... I have a hunch at least one or two members of the gang will come running to her to hide them."

Agent Davis proposes leveraging personal connections and past intelligence to anticipate the convicts' next moves, emphasizing the need for meticulous background checks and pattern analysis.

First Success: Capturing Slim Bracecourt

The agents' persistence pays off when they corner one of the escaped convicts, Slim Bracecourt, in a suburban setting. The confrontation is tense and showcases the agents' tactical acumen:

Agent Davis [04:28]: "Looks like Bueller's expecting company. Table set for two."
Beulah [04:38]: "If you think you can push your way into my room without a warrant, you're crazy."
Agent Davis [04:39]: "What's that you say?"
Slim Bracecourt [05:06]: "No, you don't. You don't take me. Go from Red."

Despite Bracecourt's resistance, the agents successfully detain him, marking their first significant victory in the pursuit:

Agent Johnson [07:03]: "Well, that's two."

The Endless Pursuit and Renewed Determination

Months pass with little progress in capturing the remaining convicts, leading to frustration among the agents. The narrative highlights the relentless nature of law enforcement and the challenges they face:

Narrator [05:30]: "Then, after an interval of six months."

However, a breakthrough occurs when Agent Davis receives an anonymous tip, reigniting the chase:

Mrs. O'Connor [06:02]: "I've got a tip for you. Do you want to know where to find Charlie O'Connor?"
Agent Davis [06:15]: "Thanks. Who's this calling?"
Mrs. O'Connor [06:16]: "This is his wife."

Final Confrontation: The Capture of Charlie O'Connor

Following the tip, Agents Davis and Johnson converge on a roadhouse, leading to the arrest of Charlie O'Connor. The tension escalates during Agent Davis's transport of the captured convicts, culminating in a dramatic showdown on a train:

Slim Bracecourt [08:38]: "You ain't got a ghost of a chance of taking me back to stir frayed."
Agent Davis [08:43]: "I'm taking you back and I'm taking you alone."
Agent Smith [09:35]: "I'd like to punch that first Dick in the teeth."

Bracecourt's desperate attempts to escape highlight the perilous nature of such missions. The episode reaches its climax with a standoff on the train, where loyalty and betrayal come to the fore:

Agent Smith [10:37]: "I'm not riding all the way, get it? I got friends, three of them... I'm scramming."
Agent Johnson [10:50]: "But isn't there liable to be shooting?"
Agent Smith [10:52]: "Better than spending your life in stir, ain't it?"

In a final twist, Bracecourt and his accomplices attempt to seize control, but Agent Davis remains steadfast, ensuring the convicts are securely transported back to the penal institution.

Conclusion: Justice Served

The episode concludes with the successful recapture of Slim Bracecourt and Charlie O'Connor, reinforcing the theme of unwavering dedication among federal agents. The narrative closes on a note of triumph, emphasizing the triumph of law and order over criminal ingenuity.

Narrator [12:38]: "Checkpasser. What do you mean? His name's Herb Evans. He's a federal agent."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Narrator [00:02]: "Federal agent. Backbone of today's crusade against crime..."
• Agent Brown [03:05]: "Sooner or later, he'll turn up again in the same spots. And when he does. Get him."
• Agent Davis [03:27]: "There's a woman who used to keep house for the gang... I have a hunch at least one or two members of the gang will come running to her to hide them."
• Slim Bracecourt [05:06]: "No, you don't. You don't take me. Go from Red."
• Agent Smith [09:35]: "I'd like to punch that first Dick in the teeth."
• Agent Johnson [10:52]: "Better than spending your life in stir, ain't it?"

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Insights and Themes

"Federal Agent 47-xx-xx (01) Escaped Convicts" masterfully captures the tension and drama of a classic manhunt. Through dynamic dialogues and strategic plot development, the episode delves into themes of perseverance, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of justice. The portrayal of diverse federal agencies collaborating underscores the multifaceted approach required to tackle organized crime. Additionally, the character dynamics, especially between Agent Davis and Agent Smith, add depth to the narrative, illustrating internal conflicts and differing motivations within law enforcement.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, offering listeners a comprehensive overview while highlighting pivotal moments and quotes. For enthusiasts of old-time radio dramas, this episode delivers the suspense and excitement emblematic of the genre’s golden era.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Federal agent. Backbone of today's crusade against crime. Scotland Yard French American Bureau of Investigation, Canadian Northwest Mounted. Federal agents from all nations join hands to blast criminal activity from the face of the earth. Federal agent. Early on the morning of April 23, six convicts blast their way with stolen dynamite through one of the walls of a great penal institution. Before the startled guards can come to life, six dangerous criminals, lifers all are at loose upon the world. Quickly, all the aids of modern science are rushed into use by wireless, by interstate radio.

[Agent Smith]

Calling all case officers.

[Narrator]

Calling all peace officers by teletype.

[Agent Johnson]

Be on the lookout for six men.

[Narrator]

Escaped convicts by automobile. By aeroplane, men search the surrounding country. 24 hours later, still no trace of the men is to be found. The prison break, carefully planned and executed, is successful. Then 24 more hours. With the trail fast growing cold, the Federal Bureau is called on the job. Bronze skinned young men, silent, grim, are called upon to do what all other methods of police and penal procedure have failed to do. Assembled in a small room in a large city.

[Agent Brown]

All right, men. We've all got pictures and details on each of the felons involved in this outbreak. Needless to say, the men must be returned to the penal institution from which they escaped through teen job. Check up on the history and background of each convict. Sooner or later, he'll turn up again in the same spots. And when he does.

[Narrator]

Get him.

[Agent Brown]

That's all.

[Agent Smith]

Okay, I'll get after him.

[Agent Davis]

Well, Herb, what do you think?

[Agent Johnson]

Looks like a long assignment, Red. How about you?

[Agent Davis]

I have a few angles that might hurry things up for us. I was in on the case when the treasury man arrested Slim Bracecourt. I have a hunch that Bracecourt led the mob that broke out of prison. If you're with me on this, we might work together.

[Agent Johnson]

Lead the way, old son.

[Agent Davis]

There's a woman who used to keep house for the gang before they were sent up. She visited him a couple of times during the trial and tried to perjure herself on the stand. I have a hunch at least one or two members of the gang will come running to her to hide them.

[Agent Johnson]

Not Bracecourt.

[Agent Davis]

Oh, no, not Braecott. He's too smart. But a couple of those hoodlums couldn't pass a third grade test. They're the ones we'll round up first. Come on, partner. There's work to be done.

[Narrator]

And so federal agents take up the trail. Working in forces, working separately, working in pairs, they cover the ground. In a suburb of a large city, two of them meet with their first success. Right?

[Beulah]

Yeah.

[Agent Davis]

Oh, hello, Beulah. Mind if we come in?

[Beulah]

What's the beast, Copper?

[Agent Johnson]

Federals to you, Beulah. Anybody else home?

[Beulah]

Not a soul.

[Agent Davis]

Good. We'll come in.

[Beulah]

Say, listen, copper.

[Agent Davis]

What's that?

[Beulah]

If you think you can push your way into my room without a warrant, you're crazy.

[Agent Davis]

What's that you say?

[Agent Johnson]

He's hard of hearing. So am I at times. Find anything, Red?

[Agent Davis]

Looks like Bueller's expecting company. Table set for two. Couple of nice sized steaks decorating the drain board here.

[Beulah]

I'm expecting my girlfriend.

[Agent Davis]

Your girlfriend smokes cigars.

[Beulah]

What do you mean?

[Agent Davis]

Or maybe you do. First thing I noticed when I walked in was cigar smoke. Suppose you take a peek in that closet, Herb, while I stand clear of the door.

[Slim Bracecourt]

No, you don't. You don't take me. Go from Red.

[Agent Davis]

Well, that's one.

[Narrator]

Thus, federal agents chalk up their first victory. One accounted for, five more still at liberty. Grimly, they set to the task of rounding up the other five escaped convicts. Lead after lead proves fruitless. Trail after trail grows cold and is lost. Then, after an interval of six months.

[Agent Davis]

Yes?

[Mrs. O'Connor]

Is this the FBI?

[Agent Davis]

Yes. Trace this call, Herb. There's something screwing.

[Mrs. O'Connor]

Hello? Hello?

[Agent Davis]

Yes.

[Mrs. O'Connor]

I thought you'd hung up.

[Agent Davis]

What did you say?

[Mrs. O'Connor]

I've got a tip for you. Do you want to know where to find Charlie O'Connor?

[Agent Davis]

We might.

[Mrs. O'Connor]

You'll find him in a roadhouse at 6237 Elmhurst Drive with a. A girl.

[Agent Davis]

Thanks. Who's this calling?

[Mrs. O'Connor]

This is. This is his wife.

[Agent Davis]

Hello? Hello? She hung up.

[Agent Smith]

Yes? Yes.

[Agent Johnson]

What's the address? 6 and Pine. All right, thanks.

[Agent Davis]

What'd you find?

[Agent Johnson]

All came from a pay station at 6th and Pine. You want to enclose it?

[Agent Davis]

No. This call's on the level. Get your hat. We're going to visit a Roadhouse at 6237 Elmer Drive.

[Agent Johnson]

Okay, let's go.

[Narrator]

Private room in the back.

[Agent Davis]

Come on.

[Agent Johnson]

Here's the room.

[Agent Davis]

Let's walk in.

[Gang Member]

All right.

[Agent Johnson]

It's locked.

[Agent Davis]

Crash it.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Agent Davis]

Look.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Already got a gun out of it. Thank you.

[Agent Johnson]

Well, that's two.

[Narrator]

With two of the six escaped convicts accounted for, federal agents pressed their relentless hunt for the other four men. But things do not break easily for them. One by one, they give up the search. Other pressing business gives them little chance of continuing the hunt for the other escaped men. Then one day, on a routine assignment in a small town 2,000 miles away from the scene of the prison break, a lone officer is passing through the corridors of a small country jail. With a county sheriff?

[Slim Bracecourt]

Oh, we. We don't have so many folks occupying these cells.

[Agent Smith]

Cramps.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Vagrant mostly.

[Agent Davis]

So I see.

[Slim Bracecourt]

As sheriff of this here county, I don't put up no monkey business. If a feller's a cramp, he's a potential criminal. I say throw him in for 30 days, make him work for his keep and then send him tooting across the state line. Believe me, don't come back.

[Narrator]

Why, I. What's that?

[Agent Davis]

The man in this cell.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Oh, him. Yes, I picked him up for loitering around the other day. Reckon I know a tramp when I see one.

[Agent Davis]

Reckon you made a swell arrest when you picked on him, Sheriff.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Agent Davis]

He's wanted by federal authorities. His name is Slim Bracecourt.

[Agent Brown]

Yes.

[Slim Bracecourt]

What?

[Agent Davis]

The man in this cell is Slim Bracecourt.

[Slim Bracecourt]

You mean.

[Agent Davis]

Let me in to talk to him, will you? By golly, sure, sure. Here, I'll open it up. You run along and get some coffee. You seem to be suffering from the cold.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Yeah, yeah, I'll get my deputies around. Handy too.

[Agent Davis]

Well, Slim, the end of the trail, eh?

[Agent Smith]

You think you're smart picking me up in a small town hooscaw, don't you? Well, let me tell you something, G man. You ain't got a ghost of a chance of taking me back to stir frayed.

[Agent Davis]

You're wrong, partner. I'm taking you back and I'm taking you alone.

[Narrator]

And so by mere chance, the leader and most dangerous member of the prison Break mob is taken into custody by federal authorities. And a lone federal agent undertakes the dangerous task of transporting him back to prison. Just before the train is scheduled to leave, the county sheriff leading another prisoner approaches the federal man and his carefully shackled convict.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Say, I just got a call from the next state. They got that extradition paper signed for this hot check artist I'm leading. Asked me if you could take him along and drop him off to him.

[Agent Davis]

Well, I have my hands full with Brayscourt here. I don't like to.

[Agent Smith]

But you got your hands full, G man. You better let that sissy faced boy alone and spend full time on me if you want to keep me.

[Agent Davis]

Okay, Sheriff, I'll take him. Handling Brace court isn't a full time job anyway. Swing aboard son. And we're off. You boys try to behave now. I'd like to get a drink of water. Remember, I've got my eye on you. No tricks.

[Agent Smith]

Ah, shut up.

[Agent Davis]

I'll be back in just a minute and read you a bedtime story.

[Agent Smith]

I'd like to punch that first Dick in the teeth. I will too, before this train rides over.

[Agent Johnson]

What do you mean?

[Agent Smith]

Laugh and punk. You're lucky and you don't know it. I'm not riding all the way, get it? I got friends, three of them. They're boarding a train when we stop at the next station for water and I'm scramming. You better break with us.

[Agent Johnson]

Yeah, but. But isn't there liable to be shooting?

[Agent Smith]

Sure, but what's that? Better than spending your life in stir, ain't it? Keep mum now. He's coming back.

[Agent Davis]

You. Here's some water. I thought you boys looked a bit thirsty. Might as well sit back and take it easy, cuz we belong right ahead of us. Hey.

[Agent Smith]

Hey. What are we stopping for? Couldn't you get us tickets on a gut train? Or do they make G men ride tape class, you know?

[Agent Johnson]

What are we stopping for?

[Agent Davis]

Water, most likely.

[Agent Smith]

Yeah, most likely. Why don't you peek out and see?

[Agent Davis]

Sure, why not? We need some fresh air in this compartment anyway.

[Gang Member]

Okay, G man, up with your mitts.

[Agent Davis]

What's this?

[Gang Member]

Come on in, boys. The Fed's all alone.

[Agent Smith]

Speed. By golly, I'm glad to see you.

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Gang Member]

We got your message. Knew just what compartment to come through and everything. All right, Dick, where's the keys to those irons?

[Agent Davis]

In my pocket.

[Gang Member]

Toss them out now. Never mind, I'll get them. Keep your mitts up, though.

[Agent Smith]

And this smart guy thought he'd keep me with a guy who broke out a federal stir. What made you think you could keep us?

[Narrator]

Who's a punk?

[Gang Member]

Kiddo's chain to you, slim.

[Agent Smith]

He's a check passer. He's wanted in the next state. Chain him loose, too. Give him a break.

[Gang Member]

Okay.

[Agent Smith]

And give him a gun. He can hold this G man till we're off the train. It's a chance for you, kid, to show what you're made of. If this stick as much as looks at you, I'll shoot him down. Come on, boys.

[Narrator]

Hey, is this gun loaded to the hilt?

[Gang Member]

I loaded it myself.

[Narrator]

Fine, then drop your gun.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Drop those guns away, you little punk.

[Agent Johnson]

Maybe that'll make the rest of you stand back.

[Slim Bracecourt]

Hey, what's the idea?

[Narrator]

Checkpasser.

[Agent Davis]

Checkpasser. What do you mean? His name's Herb Evans. He's a federal agent.