Podcast Title: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Guilty Party 59-05-20 (13) The Fallen Angel

Release Date: January 19, 2025

Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio

Overview

"Guilty Party 59-05-20 (13) The Fallen Angel" is a captivating episode from the BBC series Guilty Party, presented by Harold's Old Time Radio. This episode delves into the mystery surrounding the death of Leonard Angel, exploring themes of business rivalry, marital discord, and the fine line between accident and foul play. The narrative is skillfully woven through a combination of scripted drama and unscripted interrogations, engaging listeners in a classic whodunit set against the backdrop of the Golden Age of Radio.

Plot Summary

Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Joe McCready, a seasoned private investigator, introducing the premise of Guilty Party. Listeners are invited to solve the case alongside a panel of experts—John Arlott, FR Buckley, and Robert Fabian. The crime in question is detailed in "The Fallen Angel," where Leonard Angel is found dead, seemingly from an accidental fall off his rooftop.

Joe McCready [00:01]: "The BBC presents Guilty Party, a problem in crime detection in which you are invited to match your wits with a panel of experts..."

The Crime Scene

Joe and his inspector partner embark on the investigation late at night, searching for the residence of Leonard Angel in Maidenhead. Upon locating a large private house, they discover Leonard Angel lying dead in what appears to be his pajamas on the concrete yard.

Joe McCready [01:00]: "I expect many not enclosed people to visit them around here... A glorious moonlit night. All the more reason why we shouldn't be lost."

Interview with Laura Angel

Joe contacts Laura Angel, Leonard's wife, who presents a distraught and somewhat incoherent account of the events. She describes a recent party where tensions arose, leading to an argument.

Laura Angel [02:35]: "I really am sorry about this, but we had quite a party. When I went to bed, I more or less died."

Investigation of Cause of Death

The initial assumption is that Leonard died from a fractured skull, possibly due to a fall from the rooftop where he was known to exercise. However, discrepancies emerge, such as the location of the windows in their flat, casting doubt on the accidental fall theory.

Joe McCready [03:34]: "He died from a fractured skull."

Introducing the Suspects

Further probing reveals that Leonard Angel was in a business partnership with Ferdy Tremaine, Johnny Tidmarsh, and David Jenkins at Corwood Plastics Limited. The investigation uncovers tensions over a takeover offer, which Leonard opposed, potentially providing a motive for foul play.

David Jenkins [06:03]: "We all wanted to accept, but Len angel wouldn't agree."

Interrogations Unfold

The episode features intense interrogations with each suspect:

1. David Jenkins: Exhibits a blasé attitude towards Leonardo's death, hinting at financial motives.

2. Ferdy Tremaine: Initially appears cooperative but reveals potential conflicts of interest related to the takeover.

3. Johnny Tidmarsh: Provides an alibi but shows inconsistencies that raise suspicions.

Ferdy Tremaine [08:00]: "If I'd come back here, I'd have sucked him one. I'd lost patience with the man."

Unraveling the Mystery

The panel, through meticulous questioning and analysis of evidence such as muddy skid marks and the presence of keys, deduces that the death was orchestrated to appear accidental. The key clue lies in Ferdy Tremaine's knowledge of the spare room and his collusion with Laura Angel, suggesting a premeditated plan to eliminate Leonard.

Joe McCready [19:56]: "We thought he came back to the flat intending to argue with angel, knocked the door and was told that angel was in the spare room."

Conclusion of the Investigation

In a dramatic revelation, the panel uncovers that Ferdy Tremaine, in collusion with Laura Angel, manipulated the scene to stage Leonard's death as an accident. Tremaine's motive stemmed from the impending takeover, which Leonard had blocked. The meticulous planning involving the trapdoor, the use of plastic materials to soften the fall, and the misleading skid marks all point to a calculated murder disguised as an accident.

Narrator [Final Section]: "Mr. Tremaine knew that this man was in the spare room and not normally in the room with his wife... a certain amount of collusion between Ferdy Tremaine and Mrs. Angel."

Notable Quotes

• Joe McCready [00:01]: "The BBC presents Guilty Party, a problem in crime detection in which you are invited to match your wits with a panel of experts..."

• Laura Angel [02:35]: "I really am sorry about this, but we had quite a party. When I went to bed, I more or less died."

• David Jenkins [06:03]: "We all wanted to accept, but Len angel wouldn't agree."

• Ferdy Tremaine [08:00]: "If I'd come back here, I'd have sucked him one. I'd lost patience with the man."

• Joe McCready [19:56]: "We thought he came back to the flat intending to argue with angel, knocked the door and was told that angel was in the spare room."

Key Discussions and Insights

Business Rivalry as Motive

The episode underscores how business disputes and financial incentives can drive individuals to extreme measures. Ferdy Tremaine's ambition to secure the takeover offer provides a clear motive for orchestrating Leonard's death.

Joe McCready [05:15]: "If there's any bright spot in this tragic affair, that's it. I need the money."

Marital Discord and Collusion

The strained relationship between Laura and Leonard Angel becomes a focal point, revealing how personal conflicts can intertwine with professional tensions to create a lethal combination.

Laura Angel [04:17]: "We had another row after our guests left, so we went and slept in the spare room and I slept in our room."

Deceptive Appearances

The meticulous staging of the crime scene highlights how appearances can be deceiving. The presence of seemingly accidental evidence, such as skid marks and the positioning of the body, serves to mask the underlying intent.

Investigators [18:45]: "She supplied him with a key to the flat... pushed him out of the window..."

Conclusion

"Guilty Party 59-05-20 (13) The Fallen Angel" masterfully blends suspense, intricate plotting, and classic detective work to engage listeners in unraveling the mystery. Through skillful storytelling and detailed character interactions, the episode not only entertains but also invites the audience to ponder the complexities of human motivations and the dark side of ambition. The revelation of Ferdy Tremaine and Laura Angel's collusion serves as a compelling reminder of how personal and professional conflicts can culminate in tragic outcomes.

Produced by Tony Shrine and written by Edward J. Mason, this episode stands as a testament to the enduring allure of radio dramas from the Golden Age of Radio, offering a rich, immersive experience for both long-time enthusiasts and new listeners alike.