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Green Hornet - Citizenship-Insurance Racket (aka-Political Racket)
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Green Hornet - Citizenship-Insurance Racket (aka-Political Racket) - 05/05/1938
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Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. An adventure of the Green Hornet. He hunts the biggest of all game public enemies that even the G Men cannot reach. The Green Hornet. It's sam. The Green Hornet is a copyrighted feature of fictitious characters and events in which the principal character is Brit Reed, manager of the Sentinel newspaper. Only Cato, his faithful Japanese valet, knows the dual role. The young millionaire plays to strike at lawbreakers within the law who cannot be reached through the court. Though innocent of major crimes, the Green Hornet is hunted by everyone. The cry of both police and underworld is dead or alive. Get the Green Hornet. Joe Desmond, boss of one of the wards on the Lower east side. Managed by cash and votes to maintain a strong position in his community. He laughed at all attempts to interfere with his racket and continued to take advantage of the arriving immigrants. As tonight's adventure of the Green Hornet opens we find Desmond in his office in the rear of the club rooms of the social club from which the ward is controlled. This is hot. This makes me laugh. Hey, Nelson, get a load of this. What is it, Desmond? The Daily Sentinel. The Sentinel wants conditions investigated. Yeah, I wouldn't laugh too hard if I was you. Why not? The boys from the DA's office have been eyeing this place the past few days. So what? Didn't we put the right boys in office, let them try and do something about us? Sure, but just the same, if I was running things, I'd lay low on the citizenship rack until the heat dies down. Forget it. How about some business? There's a bird in the club rooms now. If you want to talk to him. He's got cash on him. Over a hundred bucks. You talked to him yet? Sure. He's fresh from Ellis Island. Wants to make his fortune in America. Wants to become a citizen. You told him details? Well, sort of. Melvin can use some more labor. Send the bohunk in. How many more can Melvin put on the job? All he can get. The bigger the payroll, the better. It's one of those city jobs I'LL call that guy in. His name is Russo. Tony Russo. Talks enough English to get by. Good. Hey, you, Russo. So, what's the matter? Come on in here. We'll get you fixed up. Shoes. Hello, Tony. My name's Desmond. Just call me Joe. Hello, Joe. How do you like America, Tony? She's a like of this country. He's a wonderful place, Tony. She's a make a much to the one. That's right, Tony. And we're here to help you fellas. Of course. You want to become a citizen as soon as you can, don't you? Shoo. Shoosh. Have you found out what's required? Oh, shoes. I gotta make them a home here a long time. That's the usual thing. But there are ways to take a shortcut. What's with this? If you could get a hundred dollars together, we could make you a citizen right now. And if you were a citizen, I could put you to work right away. 100th. $100 don't matter. Make me a United States. America. That's right. I told you all about it. Tony repaired the month. Good. These are making me a maracan. Give it to me. The job? Yeah, but it's got to be kept quiet, you understand? It isn't the regular way of doing it, but it'll be all right. You got a what you call a pull, no? Yeah, I got the pull. You pay your cash, get your papers, and then I'll take you over and get your job right away, huh? Sure. Thank you. See, Tony, She's a Know how. She's a red. I stand straight. I raise at the right hand and I say the word. I pledge allegiance. Allegiance to my fl. You know it. All right? Sure. Remember one thing. What's this? Now, if the other men find that you've been made a citizen before them, you might get sore about it. You got to keep quiet. Don't say anything, or you might go to jail. Hand over the money. Here's your paper. The price should come high. I got so little amount. That's all right. You're going to work right away. No. Antonio Russo. She's Americana. No. Sure. Oh, thank you. Thank you so much. I am so happy. Look, look. I carried the flag, the stars and the stripe. That's the stuff. Take him out, Nelson. Melvin, Put him right to work. All right. Come on, Tony. Sure thing. I'm so happy. I sing my country. All right, Tony. Hold it, folks. Don't sing on the street here. I am very happy. Now, listen, you wait right here. Don't go away. Where do you go? I won't get a car to take you to your job. Now don't go away. I'll be back in a minute. My country is a tea sweet. We want to talk to you. Jesus. What do you want? We're police officers. We want to ask you a lot of questions about what you did in that place just now. Better come down to headquarters with us. I gotta wait to hear my friend. The shoes will come back. Talk to him in Italian Pete while we take him along. Come on, brother. You're going riding with us. Hey, wait a minute. So where do we go? I got a new job. I gotta go to work. They're taking your hands off of me. Relax, Tony. Relax. We aren't going to hurt you. Hey. Hey, Gus. Nelson. Those bugs in the DA's office picked up Russo. They did? Yeah, just before you drove us. Keep the motor going. Chopper will be right here. Orders from Desmond. He's seen it from the window. What's up, Slido? Rally the drive in. I'm checking out of this when Chopper rides. There's trouble. Sit still. Here comes Desmond and Chopper now. But I p. And Chopper. What? What are you doing, Desmond? Those lugs picked up a witness. As sure as shooting. He'll talk. We got to stop him. How? You'll see. Go on, drive. Chase that car. Get close enough to do some good. Red light ahead. Go through. I told you Desmond warned you. Shut up, Nelson. I thought you had a drag. In the right places. They get that guy to the office, he'll talk. And there'll be Sentinel reporters there to get it. Hang on. We're taking his turn fast. There they are. Gone. The cop saw us. Keep going, cher. You get ready he him as we go past. Step. Sentinel x street piper desmond held in murder police question big shot and gangster. Your Sentinel radio commentator Joe Desmond, notorious ward boss, was released late this afternoon after questioning by police in connection with the brutal slaying of Antonio Russo. Russo was picked up by special investigators to be queried in regard to suspected irregularities. But before arriving at his destination, machine gun bullets took his life. In his pocket was found a newly purchased life insurance policy. Desmond, licensed to handle certain forms of insurance, admitted selling him the policy a short time previous to the shooting, but declared he knew nothing of the murder. Once more we have had demonstrated the futility of police in combating well organized crime. In the opinion of this commentator. That's enough of that, Cato. I thought sure they'd got someplace when they picked up one of the poor devils. The Desmond's worked on. Yes. Man did the murder Then it's the old story, Cato. There were witnesses who identified Desmond as one of four men in the murder car. Then how did he get flee? He was released, Cato, because he had an alibi for the time of the shooting. So did his partner, Nelson. Oh, and they had a lawyer on the job and officials who are in their pay. The witnesses were vague on their identification after Desmond's attorney went after them. By the time the police got around to checking the license number on the murder car, they found it. An entirely different car than the one described by the witnesses. Perhaps you have to work alone, Mr. Brett. I don't know how even the Green Hornet can get a Desmond in his racket, Kato. No. But tomorrow I'm going to get everything I can in connection with Desmond and Nelson and all the rest of their rotten grafting gang. If the law can't smash them, the Green Hornet will. The next morning, Brett Reed's secretary at the phone. No, Gunnigan. Mr. Reed hasn't come back yet. Jenks is here if you want him. Oh, Morris. The city had to say Casey. Well, he hinted that he didn't want you. Gunnigan don't know what he wants. Hand him a story and a silver platter and he says it's not enough. Mr. Reed's been writing Gunnigan pretty hard. He's after information concerning Joe Desmond. You're telling me. He rotted me out of bed last night. Told me, get up and get out and hang around wherever I thought best to pick up things about the Rat. Rat? Desmond. I tell you, Casey Reed is on the warpath. He has been for some time where Desmond was concerned. Well, I got plenty to tell him. You really learned things. Yeah. I got Gannigan said you were here. Thanks. Yeah. Say, boss, have I got news? I doubt it, but come on. Desmond has a racket you didn't know about. What's that? He gets immigrants while they still got cash. Makes them think they're getting their citizenship. Tells them if they get it, you get them a job right away. Takes their cash. I give some what they think is citizenship papers, but which turns out to be nothing but a simple life insurance policy for which they pay an exorbitant rate. You know about it? More than that. After they've got their paper, he takes them to Andrew Melvin, in charge of city improvements. Melvin puts him to work, puts him on the payroll and when the need arises, purges himself to give Desmond an alibi. Oh, you knew. Of course I knew. You think I'm after Desmond for. Well, I thought it was because of the graft in his ward. Ah, it's a mere detail. And you call yourself a reporter? Jinx, lay off. Get after Melvin. Find out what you can about him. Somewhere in this setup Desmond has built, there must be a weak link. It might be Melvin. Find out. Okay, boss. I'll try. Galligan, please, if I can, Onlyan, here's what I want. Give me a story on Andrew Malfin. Yeah, that's the man. Story. I want to scare him. I want him to think we have a lot of information on him. Leave his name out, but point it so he'll know what we mean. We can scare him enough. He might back down on that alibi he gave Desmond and Nelson. Get the idea? I thought you would. Later that same day in Desmond's office, This confounded Sentinel. What's the matter? Desmond Melvin will lose 10 pounds from worry if he sees this. I wouldn't trust Melvin. He'd run out on us if the heat was turned on. And maybe you think the Sentinel ain't turning on the heat. This won't do, Nelson. Get it? It won't do. What do you mean? I have an idea that when Andrew Melvin reads this, he might take his own life. That night Brit Reed drove as the green horn. If Malvin will have to the car we just saw leave his house. We'll wait inside Kate until he returns. I think the Hornet can make him talk. After what the Sentinel published. I hope so, Mr. Brett. Leave the car here in the alley. Grab the master keys and the weapons. I had. The keys. Yes, sir. That one won't do good. Flashlight, kiddo. Yes, sir. Quietly. Maybe servants. Come on. Okay. In here, kido. Are we able to watch the front door? Mr. Bay? It's so loud. Go in this corner. What's the matter? He's a fascia. I don't see anything. Chair 1 with the back toward us. Yes, sir. In the floor a foot. Someone sitting there. Keep back, Cato. Stack him up. Cato. Yes, sir. It's Melvin. He's been shot through the head. Dead? Yeah. That car that drove away as we turned the corner. The police. Someone must have heard the shot and called him. There's a notice bit. I'll take it. We gotta get out. There's a gun on the floor. Cato, pick it up. Yes, sir. This way, quickly. Lights. Blue lights. Right. All right. I got to call my paper. Hold on. If it's suicide, where's the gun? Say, listen to that. What is it? The car. It's coming out of the alley. It's the Green Hornet. Let me hit that phone. The Green Hornet. This ain't suicide. It's murder. Murder by the Hornet. When other means to expose Desmond failed. Britt Reed, as the Green Hornet, attempted to frighten Melvin into confessing his part of the racket. Which included, among other things, the murder of a witness for the state. Arriving at Melvin's home, Brett Reed found the man dead. A gun and note pointed to suicide, but Reed knew it was murder and removed the gun and note. Police arrived as the Hornet fled and the next day's newspapers carried an eight column banner dragnet out for Green Hornet. What else does it say about the Hornet? Desmond? The cops got theirs. He drove away. Didn't they find a suicide note? No. The gun? No, didn't find the thing. Except Melvin's body. Don't drive so fast, Nelson. I'm nervous. Well, what's the odds Melvin's dead? He won't talk now. No, but I and the Hornets blame. That puts us right in the clear. I hope so. There's just one thing. What's that? The Hornet's got the note and gun. So what? There's no way to connect them to us. I still don't like it. Gosh, boss, I never saw you nervous like this. Well, you see me now. You always laughed at anything of this sort. Listen, punk, when we had the law to worry about, I didn't worry. Sure. Not when the DA tried to investigate me. That was a laugh. But now. Now what? I don't like it. The Green Horner don't work like anyone else. He's after something. If he wasn't, what did he take the gun and note for? Well, what could he be after? Maybe cash, maybe power. Maybe he's figuring on taking over the ward. Maybe he's after me. I don't know. But I don't like it. Now, what about the party? You figure on going ahead with it? Sure. Sent the bids out. We got to go ahead with it. Our political pals figure on us. We got to make some plans for the next election. The party has to go on. Why shouldn't. Well, I just thought maybe you being so nervous. The party's on. The bids all went out yesterday. Holy macro case. Imagine this. A party. What? Desmond is throwing a party in his social club. Every crook in town will be there. It's not that sort of a party. It's an important one. Mostly important. Politicians in my part of town will be on tap. They will? Sure. Soup and fish and Champagne, James. Well, tell me something. Desmond's a crook. Everyone knows it. Not till he's probably all right. But everyone still knows it. Yet they'll accept favors from him. Why? As far as the record goes, Desmond isn't crooked. We can suspect all we want, but that doesn't make him a crook. Well, if I knew what I do about him and was invited to a party of his, I'd certainly not go. Yeah, but Casey, you're not after votes. That's the difference. I'm glad I'm not you going. Wouldn't miss it. You're not after votes. I'm after the guys that are after the votes. Besides, I'm curious. And I got hunches. What? Look here. Melvin's murdered. Yes, Just at a time when he might have squealed and made it hot for Desmond. Very convenient for Desmond. What? Makes me wonder if my own little hunch might not be correct. What's that, Jinx? I hate to think that the Green Hornet would kill. What? I mean it. I wonder if he did kill. Or if someone else did it and framed him. You have a right to your hunch. But as usual, you're all wet. Have it your way, Jinx. I'm gonna take in Desmond's party and I'll make a bet with you. What's that? Maybe it won't be known, but I bet Dallas to Donuts one of the men will be there is the Green Hornet. You wouldn't be smart enough to realize it. You could talk to the Green Hornet face to face and never spot him. Yeah, well, I just like the chance. Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available. And so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better too. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Want to get more work done with less effort on TikTok, creators are sharing AI automation tips that sell save time and deliver better results. Tap to discover. Try TikTok now. Yes, Mr. Reed. Oh, very well. Mr. Reed wants to see you. Okay. Yeah. Boys. Oh, Jinx. You going to this party Desmond is giving? Sure. Thought I covered any objections. Cover it, Jenks. But don't go alone. No. Take a Couple plain clothes men from headquarters. Think it'll be tough? I don't know what it'll be. But if anything does happen, I'd like to be sure that some of the people there will be on the level. Get detectives who are just as anxious to get the goods on Desmond as we are. Okay. Maybe you got hunches too. What do you mean? I had a hunch the Hornet might be there. Maybe he bumped Melbourne because Desmond wanted him bumped. Jenks, I think you have something. Huh? That isn't a hunch, it's a theory. Why not publish it? You mean that? Credit one of the police with it. Let it be a police theory that the Hornet might be in league with certain political bosses. Okay. And use that for a new lead when information lags on the Melvin murder. Right. I'll be at Desmond's party with bells and detectives. Here's hoping something happens. This company isn't even fit for a couple of flat feet. Lay off the cracks, Jinx. Remember, we ain't here because we liked. Besides, a reporter ain't such hot company. Hold it, flat foot. Can I give you credit for Ethereum? The Melvin Pumpho? Yeah. Thanks, Jinx. I wonder where all these rat face mugs go in the daytime. Crawl back in the cracks in the woodwork. Something. I don't know what it is. Nelson. How to get around that the Hornet might be here. Don't ask me. I had the feeling all evening something was going to pop out. Jinx of the Sentinel has it too. See who's with him. Dicks. Yeah, and they haven't done anything but stand and wait. I know. Well, what's the matter with everyone? What do you mean? It seemed like they was waiting. Waiting for something? Yeah. Oh, it's screwy. It's crazy. Come on, let's have a drink. I don't feel like drinking. I'm going out for some fresh air. My collar is kind of tight. What time is it now, Jinx? Little after midnight. Why? Funny. What's funny? Maybe I was wrong. I should have felt something would happen before this. I wonder if he is here. Who? The Green Hornet. If he is, I'd like to know it. I'd like to get my hands on him. That's what I would like. Desmond, I checked with the doorman. There's no one here without invitations. Okay. It was just a fool idea. Mine. We checked the list of Misreal careful, didn't we? Sure. I guess nothing will happen. I never saw you with a jitters like this. Listen, boss. What's the matter with you. I just come from the back room. Well, what of it? I just wondered. Did you leave the window open there? No, I shut it and locked it and had the slide closed over it. That's what I thought you said. Why, it's wide open now. It is? Who opened it? I don't know, boss. I went to check up and see if the room was all set for the meeting to discuss the slate of the next election and seen the window open. I'll go have a look. Yeah, you better. Well, I'm going to have a dance. What the heck. Nothing will happen. What are you so worried about? Hey, Maisie, how about a dance? I don't feel much like dancing, Nel. No one feels like doing anything. Blast it. This is the worst party. Nelson, the boss wants you. Me? Yeah. Just call down. Go to the conference room. Okay. I'll see you later, Maisie. Yeah, don't be long. Now. Where are you, boss? Where is he? Window's still open. This way. What the. Take it easy. Raise the hands. Turn slow. You. That mask, too. Lod. The Hornet. Joris the Hornet. Desmond. Joe. Joe, where are you? I'm taking his place. You're likely to squeal after the cops pick you up. No, no. What cops? What cops? Do you think those flat feet out there aren't over their health? They're here to crack the Melvin murder. Listen. Wait a minute. Who you working for? Who do you think? Desmond. Everyone get their goods on Desmond. He's too handy at putting those who might squeal out of his way. Not me. No, no, not me. I won't squeal. You bet you won't. Desmond has the rod that killed Melvin. What'd you take it for? It was all set for a suicide. I know the police wouldn't accept a suicide theory. That's where the boss fell down. There was too much reason to suspect murder. But that's why I took the rod and the note and to blame for the murder. Now I'm putting myself in the clear. The boss as well. He'll follow up what I do, plant the gun on you. You can take the murder app. Wait, wait. Listen to me, won't you? You do the. Listen, don't worry. Even though you're blamed for the murder, don't bother you any. You won't know about it. Well, don't bother me. Wait a minute. Why don't you let me talk? There's five shots left in the gun. They'll match the one that was taken from Melvin's body. Don't Kill me. Give me a chance. I won't squeal. I swear I won't squeal. Not get the chance. Oh. Help. Help. It's a green harness. You take it. Rat. Help. He's got me. The harness. I shouldn't squeal. Help. Help me. Where's the harness? That. That window. Get after me. It was here after all. Grab the Elsa. No. Jake's. You're all right. That gas he uses don't kill. He tried to get me. I don't know why the gas didn't knock me out. Chase that car. Get the green on him. Watch you. Desmond, the double crosser. He had me put on a spot. He's the one. He's the one that got Andrew Melvin. He had him bumped. Where is he now? Come on, get this mob out of here. Go on now. Get back out of there. Don't let this room over. No chance getting the hoarded. Now I'm gonna talk. I'm gonna spill everything. Listen. Desmond is a killer. Hey, get a load of this. There's Desmond in this clothes press. Knocked out. Killed. Wow. I ain't that just gas. The Hornet's gas worked on him all right. Wait, let me show you. Let me prove he bumped Melvin. How? Here, let me show you. His pocket. There. There's the gun he used. We'll test it. Check the bore. You'll find it's the same rod that killed Melvin. And Desmond did it. Ain't I telling you? Check the gun. That'll prove it. The Green Hornet didn't do it. Desmond done it. He was the boss of everything. He had Tony Russo bumped off. He ran the insurance racket. Throw that crook in jail. Try to have me bumped, will he? I'll fix him. Boy, we got a story. Let me get my paper. Green hearted appears at party. Murder attempted. Yeah. Break everything. Now, K, are you sure of that, Mr. Brett? Nelson had to frame Desmond because he was sure that if he didn't put him in jail, Desmond would get him. Yes, sir. When he starts talking, he'll involve Nelson. Kato, I think the racket will be smashed before long. Expecting a call from headquarters any minute. I'll answer it. Yes. Yes, James. He did good work. Now all you have to do is find the Green Hornet. Okay. Call the office and give the details to a rewrite. Catum. Desmond has started talking. That is good. He denies all knowledge of the Hornets. But he must admit enough to send him where he belongs. Hello. Let me have the desk. You call Gunnigan. Yeah. Hello, Gunigan. Concerning that headline you hope to use someday I'll use it. Desmond and his rackets are both finish. Confesses to murder read out about the green hornet sentinel xp piper green hornet still at large. Field in Farrington Speaking the Green Hornet program originates in the studios of WXYZ Detroit and is presented each Tuesday and Thursday at this same hour through the facilities of the Mutual Broadcasting System. Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance and now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset, so enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better too. If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H. VAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.