Front Page Farrell 51-08-01 (xx) High Explosive

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Front Page Farrell – High Explosive"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Front Page Farrell 51-08-01 (High Explosive)
Release Date: January 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic broadcast from the "Golden Age of Radio"—an installment of Front Page Farrell, titled "High Explosive." The story centers on intrepid reporter David Farrell as he chases a dangerous, high-stakes story involving a notorious bank robber known as King Kerr. Listeners get a taste of what it was like to sit around the radio in the pre-television era, experiencing drama, suspense, and rapid-fire dialogue as the action unfolds in real-time.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Life at the Newspaper – Press Room Banter

(Timestamp: 02:33–06:39)

• The scene opens in the bustling offices of the New York Daily Eagle. Reporter David Farrell is joined by Monroe, an advertising salesman, as their workdays cross paths.
• Monroe gifts David two theater tickets, sparking a friendly debate about whose job is tougher—selling ads or reporting news.
  • Monroe jokes about the supposed ease of reporting:

    "Whereas you reporters—you bet you do. You don't have to go looking for news. It comes to you. Comes on the press service wires, or somebody calls up or some big shot issues a statement to the press." (C, 03:51)

  • David counters with the dangers of his line of work.
• Sally Farrell (David’s wife) arrives, excited for their night out. Their plans are abruptly threatened by an urgent call from the city desk.

2. The Breaking News – King Kerr's Standoff

(Timestamp: 06:39–09:05)

• David is alerted that infamous bank robber King Kerr is cornered by police in a tenement after a $178,000 heist.
  • David explains the gravity:

    “The police have King Kerr cornered in a tenement… He held up a place right in Manhattan three days ago and got away with $178,000 in cold cash.” (B, 05:40)

• Despite Sally’s protests and Monroe’s comic reluctance to trade jobs, David rushes to cover the story, demonstrating the conflict between personal life and professional duty.
• Sally insists on accompanying David, hoping the situation will resolve quickly enough for them to make the show after all.

3. The Siege – Reporting From Danger

(Timestamp: 06:56–09:05)

• At the scene, police captain Holland is organizing efforts to subdue Kerr. David positions Sally safely behind a building and joins the action, seeking a firsthand account.
• Farrell’s eagerness sets up tension with Captain Holland:
  • Captain Holland warns:

    “Take cover, man. Do you want to get your head shot off?” (D, 07:18)

  • David pushes for a scoop, risking himself for the story.

4. The Confrontation – High Drama in the Tenement

(Timestamp: 09:05–10:43)

• Sergeant Hardy attempts to sneak up on Kerr via a back stairway, with Farrell pleading to tag along for an eyewitness account.
• The confrontation with King Kerr is intense, filled with gunshots and shouts. A firefight ensues, culminating in David and Kerr wrestling precariously on a window ledge, witnessed by Sally below.
  • Sally’s panic is palpable:

    “It’s David. David’s wrestling with that man up there. Captain. Captain, he’ll fall. Hurry. Do something.” (E, 10:25)

5. Cliffhanger Ending

(Timestamp: 10:41–10:59)

• The episode ends on a classic radio serial cliffhanger—one of the men falls from the ledge as onlookers gasp.
  • Captain Holland, helpless, says:

    “If we try to shoot Kerr now, we might hit your husband.” (D, 10:32)

  • Another officer shouts:

    “Saints in heaven, Captain—one of them fell.” (B, 10:43)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the reporter’s job dangers:

  “Do you realize how far out I have to stick my neck to get tomorrow morning's headline?” (B, 04:05)

• On job envy:

  “An advertising salesman wants to change jobs with a humble reporter. That’ll be the day.” (B, 03:30)

• On the struggle between duty and domesticity:

  “If it’s that dangerous, I don’t want you to go either.”—Sally (E, 06:23)
  “Oh, it’s not really dangerous, dear.” (B, 06:25)

• High action description:

  “The police have their whole block closed off and the bullets are flying. Now, what do you say, Monroe? You go get this story and I’ll play golf for you next Sunday.” (B, 05:49)

• Cliffhanger suspense:

  “It’s David. David’s wrestling with that man up there. Captain. Captain, he’ll fall. Hurry. Do something.” (E, 10:25)
  “Saints in heaven, Captain—one of them fell.” (B, 10:43)

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Key Timestamps for Segment Reference

• 02:33: Banter between David and Monroe—whose job is harder?
• 05:33: David gets called to cover the breaking King Kerr story.
• 06:56: Arrival at the siege—David talks to Captain Holland.
• 09:05: Sergeant Hardy and David move in; tense standoff in the tenement.
• 10:25: Sally’s panic as David and Kerr fight on the ledge.
• 10:43: Cliffhanger ending—one man falls from the building.

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode is brisk, conversational, packed with classic melodrama and witty banter between characters. It balances the everyday realities of working in journalism with the life-or-death stakes of covering crime in a big city, all while building toward a suspenseful, unresolved climax.

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For the next part of the story, listeners are encouraged to tune in to the following day’s installment.

Transcript

[A]

We now present the exciting, unforgettable radio drama Front Page Farrell. The story of a cracked newspaperman and his wife. The story of David and Sally Farrell. Today, David is covering the story which he calls high explosive. If you want to help prevent cavities in your teeth, do as your dentist tells you. Kalanose amazing new anti decay tooth powder with ammonium ion actually helps prevent cavities. Yes, new Kalanose tooth powder actually helps prevent cavities. No matter what dentifress you are now using, you owe it to your health to use the new Kalanose anti decay tooth powder with ammonium ion. Greatest dental discovery since the invention of the toothbrush discovered by the University of Illinois Foundation. New colonose is not a cure all, but your dentist will tell you that in most cases, new colonose correctly used reduces tooth decay, reduces the number of cavities in your teeth. Kalanose also has amazing dental floss action. That is, it sends thousands of active cleansing bubbles to penetrate deep between your teeth. Helps remove food particles that can cause unpleasing breath lead to tooth decay. That means fewer fillings, less pain, healthier teeth and sweeter breath for you. Do as your dentist tells you. Get new kalanose tooth powder. You'll like its cool, minty flavor. It's popular price. And now, Front page Farrell and the story he's covering for his newspaper, the story he calls I explosive. In the office of the great metropolitan newspaper, the New York Daily Eagle, another working day is coming to an end. The rooms are filled with sound and the aisles with movement as reporters and clerical workers prepare to leave while their replacements come on for the next shift. But David Farrell is an oasis of calm in all the hustle and bustle, sitting patiently at his desk in a far corner. Then a stocky, well dressed man approaches and David Farrell looks up and says, hi, Monroe.

[B]

I've been waiting for you.

[C]

Sorry I'm late getting over to you, David.

[B]

It's all right. My wife hasn't come yet.

[C]

Well, here you are, David. Two tickets for Love in Springtime, just like Uncle Monroe promised.

[B]

Hey, two on the aisle, no less.

[C]

I hope your wife likes the show.

[B]

Oh, Sally, you'll like it.

[D]

All right.

[B]

Yeah, she's been after me to take her for two months now. They couldn't get tickets for Love of Money. It's a smash hit. Thanks a lot, Monroe.

[C]

Oh, don't mention it. I was stuck with him anyhow. David, I was supposed to take this advertising manager seeing and at the last minute the guy calls up. He's Sick or something.

[B]

Are you sure you can't use him yourself?

[C]

Are you kidding? I've seen Love in Springtime three times already.

[B]

Tough lives, you space salesman lead. See all the shows, go to all the nightclubs, golf every weekend. The newspaper pays for everything.

[C]

Oh, yeah? Well, suppose Mr. So and so, who buys 50,000 lines of advertising a year, wants to go to such and such a hotspot, and you're not feeling so good that night, but you have to take him anyhow. You think you'd like that?

[B]

You're too sophisticated, Monroe.

[A]

That's your trouble.

[B]

Blase and all that sort of thing.

[C]

We should change jobs for a while. You wouldn't envy me mine.

[B]

Oh, boy. Now, there is something. An advertising salesman wants to change jobs with a humble reporter. That'll be the day.

[C]

Well, why not? Who leads a softer life than you? Do you do like fun?

[A]

I do.

[C]

Listen, you know what I've got to go through to get business?

[B]

Oh, sure, sure.

[C]

I got to break my head to go out and look for it, and that's only the beginning. Whereas you reporters.

[B]

Oh, we take it easy, don't we?

[C]

You bet you do. You don't have to go looking for news. It comes to you. Comes on the press service wires, or somebody calls up or some big shot issues a statement to the press. All you've got to do is ask a few questions and put the answers in newspaper style. What's so hard about that?

[B]

The news comes in to us. Oh, yeah. Monroe, do you realize how far out I have to stick my neck to get tomorrow morning's headline?

[C]

Yeah, just far enough to reach the telephone. You should play golf sometime with some of my customers. You'd know what danger is.

[B]

All right, all right. Ah, here comes Sally. We'll ask her.

[E]

Hello, David. Am I late?

[B]

No, darling. Sir.

[E]

Hello, Mr. Monroe.

[C]

How have you been, Mrs. Farrell?

[E]

Oh, fine, thank you. So excited. Ever since David told me you were giving us tickets for Love in the Springtime. It's awfully nice of you.

[C]

Oh, not at all, Mrs. Farrell.

[B]

Sally, I think Monroe's losing his mind. He wants to change jobs with me.

[C]

Really?

[A]

Why not?

[C]

Look at my. Don't you think your husband's job would be a vacation for me? Nothing to do but sit back, let the news come in.

[E]

Well, I don't know about that.

[B]

Aha. There you are.

[C]

Oh, never mind. She's biased.

[E]

David, do we have time for dinner before the show? I mean, a nice long one.

[B]

I guess so. Hmm.

[E]

That's your phone, David.

[B]

I know. I just thought. Look, I'm gone. I left just a minute ago.

[E]

Come on, Dylan.

[B]

Wait a minute. No, no. Maybe I have better answers.

[E]

Hope nobody wants you.

[A]

Hello?

[B]

Farrell speaking. Yes, Pete.

[A]

Well, I. I.

[B]

Look, I was just leaving, but.

[E]

No, but, David. Tell him you're on.

[B]

Sally. What is it, Pete?

[A]

Who?

[B]

King Kerr. Holy smokes, David. No, wait a minute. Hold it while I get a pencil.

[C]

Yeah, okay.

[B]

Now, where is he?

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

All right, Pete. I'll get on it. That was a city desk.

[E]

Can't we go to the show now?

[A]

David?

[B]

There you are, Monroe. Perfect chance to change jobs with me.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The police have King Kerr cornered in a tenement.

[C]

Who's king? K.E.

[B]

Of the Dean of bank robbers, that's all. That's why they call him King. He held up a place right in Manhattan three days ago and got away with $178,000 in cold cash.

[C]

And now they've arrested him.

[B]

Arrested him, my foot. They tracked him down in his tenement. He's shooting it out. The police have their whole block closed off and the bullets are flying. Now, what do you say, Monroe? You go get this story, and I'll play golf for you next Sunday.

[C]

No, no, no, thanks, David. I never did like flying bullets. You know, a man can get killed hanging around him.

[B]

Oh, it's a cinch. Nothing to it.

[C]

Oh, my insurance company wouldn't like it. Neither would the front office. So long, David.

[B]

Change jobs with me, Willie.

[E]

David, are we going to miss the show?

[B]

Oh, we'll see it some other time, honey. No, wait a minute. Look, you might as well go ahead and see. It's happening.

[E]

Oh, not without you.

[B]

Well, I can't take you on this assignment, though, honey.

[E]

If it's that dangerous, I don't want you to go either.

[B]

Oh, it's not really dangerous, dear.

[E]

Well, then why can't I come along? Maybe it'll be over soon, David, and maybe we'll be in time for the show. Or at least for the second act.

[B]

Boy, Monroe gets gray hair from his job. If he had mine, he wouldn't have.

[C]

Any hair at all.

[B]

Darling, you stay here. You'll be safe behind this building. Don't move away until I come for you.

[E]

Where are you going, David?

[C]

Nowhere.

[B]

Don't you worry. Just over to speak to Captain Holland. You'll give me all the dope, and you stay right here.

[E]

Now, David, be careful.

[B]

Captain Holland.

[A]

Yes, what is it?

[D]

Oh, it's you, Feral.

[C]

Take cover, man.

[D]

Do you want to get your head shot off?

[B]

No, sir. All I want is a story of my newspaper.

[D]

Well, Stay alive and you'll have your story. Kerr isn't getting away from us this time, Becker. Hey, Becker, where are those machine guns?

[C]

Coming right up, captain Holland.

[B]

I don't see Kerr, captain. Where is he?

[D]

He's up on the fifth floor. Farrell goes around to different windows and takes pot shots at us. Everybody else is out of the building.

[B]

Hey, there he is. I saw him that time.

[D]

Now, make sure he doesn't see you. He's a good shot.

[B]

What's the matter with him? Is he crazy? He can't win this fight.

[D]

Oh, he's crazy. Maybe he's thinking how long he'll go to jail for holding up that bank, and he doesn't care. All set, beggar?

[B]

All set, captain. What about tear gas, Captain Holland?

[D]

Can't reach him with it. I could send a squad of men into the building, but somebody might get hurt. I thought I'd try it this way first. Okay, Becker. Now, when you see him.

[C]

Here. Here, let him have it.

[B]

Did I get him, captain?

[D]

There's your answer. You didn't.

[B]

Captain Holland. Captain Holland, sir.

[D]

Yeah, what is it, Hardy?

[B]

Sir, I was in this tenement last year, and there's a back stairway maybe Kerr does know about. Maybe I could sneak up that way all along so he wouldn't notice and get the drop on him.

[D]

Okay, Hardy, you want to try it?

[B]

Captain Holland, Back along.

[A]

What's that, pearl?

[D]

Nothing dory.

[B]

Oh, why not, captain? I wouldn't get in the way. Be a good fellow, will you? If the sergeant gets Kerr, I'll have a terrific eyewitness account. I'll scoop every other newspaper in town.

[D]

How's touristic?

[B]

Oh, no, captain.

[A]

I'll keep back.

[B]

I know how to take care of myself.

[D]

What do you say, Hardy?

[B]

Whatever you say.

[D]

Okay, Pharaoh, it's your own funeral.

[B]

Well, King Kerr is somewhere on this floor, sergeant Hardy. The question is where? Except by the front windows. Judging from the shots, I'm going after him. Farrell, you stay here. Look, maybe I'd better come along. You stay back here. Understand? You said you wouldn't get in the way. All right. All right, sergeant. I'll wait for you here.

[A]

Good luck.

[B]

Sergeant Hardy.

[A]

You back, you lousy copper.

[B]

Wait a minute, Kur I. Hey, hey, take it easy. Your gun is empty anyhow. Yeah, but don't worry, copper. I'll get you just the same.

[E]

Captain Holland. Captain, have you seen my husband?

[D]

What do you want, lady?

[A]

You've no business here.

[E]

He's David Farrell of the daily eagle. He said he was coming here.

[A]

Captain Holland.

[C]

Captain, look at that up there.

[D]

Holy mackerel.

[A]

Hold it.

[D]

Hold your fire, everybody.

[C]

Who are they, Captain? Who are those two guys wrestling out in that ledge? Kerr.

[A]

One of them's Kerr.

[E]

It's David. David's wrestling with that man up there. Captain. Captain, he'll fall. Hurry. Do something.

[D]

I. I can't Do a thing, Mrs. Farrell. If we try to shoot Kerr now, we might hit your husband.

[B]

Saints in heaven, Captain.

[C]

One of them fell.

[A]

A moment ago, David Farrell was locked in a deadly struggle with a desperate criminal high above the city streets. He now which man is falling before Sally Farrell's horrified eyes. Be sure to listen again tomorrow for Front Page Farrell and the exciting newspaper story he's covering, which he calls high expl. Stop paying fancy prices for floor wax. Arrow Wax gives you all you want in a wax and saves you up to 30 cents on every pint. Yes, let's face the plain facts about floor wax prices. Arrow wax, at only 29 cents a pint will leave a high glossy shine on your linoleum and hardwood floors that will delight even the most particular housekeeper. And you don't need to rub, you don't need to buff arrow Wax. All you do is spread it on your floors. It polishes itself to a beautiful, long lasting luster. Most important of all, when you pay $0.29 for a pint can of Arrow Wax, you pocket a 30 cent, saving over the price of most other leading brands. It's like getting the second pint free. Join the millions of housewives who say Arowax is the biggest floor wax bargain in the stores. You'll like Arrow Wax. Get a can today and save work. Save 30 cents. Save even more on the larger sizes. Front Page Farrell is from the original radio play by Frank and Dan Hummert and produced under their supervision. Dialogue by Harold Gaz. Stots Cotsworth plays David and Florence Williams as Sally. It will be on the air at the same time tomorrow. This is Larry Elliot saying goodbye for the sponsors of Front Page Peril. If you suffer from painful corns that make it agony for you to wear shoes, torture for you to walk, listen. There's an amazing liquid that's guaranteed to remove your corns or double your money back. It's Free Zone Liquid Corn Remover and it goes to work to cool and soothe the burning pain and starts to remove the corn the instant it's applied. Then, when continued to use as directed, this amazing liquid actually removes the corn. There's no muss, no fuss, no need to wear bulky, uncomfortable feeling pads. Get F R E E Z O N E Free Zone Liquid Corn Remover. Today. With this understanding, if Free Zone doesn't remove your corn and give you blessed relief from pain while it's doing it, we will give you double your money back. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.