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

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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