Harold's Old Time Radio – "Murder Clinic 42-09-29 (11): Death in the Dressing Room"

Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" spotlights a vintage radio drama from the series Murder Clinic, specifically the story "Death in the Dressing Room." The main theme revolves around a murder mystery set in London's bustling Orient Club, blending blackmail, jealousy, mistaken identity, and detective work. The plot follows the imposing Sir Henry Merrivale, known as "HM," who investigates the backstage stabbing of star dancer Francine Rapport, unraveling the web of secrets among performers, club owners, and patrons.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The Orient Club and Its Characters

• The Orient Club is at the height of its popularity, run by the suave Tony Kaplan and starring dancer Francine Rapport.
• Francine is rehearsing a new act, the "Japanese temple dance," with tensions running high between her and Tony over routines and oil-covered costumes.
  • [04:13] Francine: "Tony, it gets all over me when I finish. I feel like I’ve been in an oil well."

2. Backstage Drama: Rivalries and Schemes

• Francine is both Tony's main star and entangled in a fraught relationship with him.
• Paula, Francine's maid and aspiring dancer, has a flirtatious and manipulative relationship with Tony, suggesting promises of fame and wealth if she complies.
• Francine suspects infidelity and threatens Paula if she continues to interact with Tony.
• Sir Henry mentions Scotland Yard’s ongoing investigation of a clever pickpocketing racket at the club, where guest wallets are stealthily pilfered and returned, minus cash.
  • [09:23] Sir Henry: “The method is harmless and very nearly undetectable. But the takings each week must be enormous. Very ingenious.”

3. The Blackmail Plot with Monty Forsyth

• Francine is blackmailing Monty Forsyth, a young diplomat, threatening to release indiscreet letters unless he pays her £1,000.
  • [07:56] Francine: "Don’t be mad, Suga. It’s only a thousand pounds."
  • [08:03] Monty: "That’s impossible. I haven’t that much money."
• The payoff is to be delivered in a wallet to Tony Kaplan at the club, with a strategic phrase (“I beg your pardon, you dropped your wallet, Kaplan”) to ensure plausible deniability.

4. The Murder and the Investigation Begins

• During the club’s show, a woman in white is seen picking up and nervously pocketing a man’s wallet.
• Sir Henry notices the out-of-place action, follows her into the dressing room area, and together they discover Francine dead—stabbed with scissors.
  • [15:02] Sir Henry: “What’s this? She’s dead.”
• Initial suspicion falls on Paula, who vehemently denies involvement, and the club’s complex relationships are quickly laid bare.

5. Unraveling Alibis and the Twist of Identity

• Tony maintains his innocence, claiming he never left the orchestra platform during Francine’s fatal timeframe.
• The investigation reveals a piece of torn letter in Francine’s hand addressed from “Monty,” directly tying the blackmail side plot to the murder.
• Sir Henry suspects a substitution took place during the dance routine, hinting that someone besides Francine performed on stage during the time of the murder.
  • [25:10] Sir Henry: "How did she get [oil] there?... from the oil that was smeared on those jewels on her costume while she was on that floor dancing. Why was she out there dancing instead of Francine, Tony?"
• Paula is confronted about the oil on her arms – the telltale sign she was the dancer in the blue spotlight, not Francine.

6. The Confession and the Solution

• Pressured, Paula confesses Tony killed Francine with scissors; Paula just danced in her place to provide Tony with an alibi.
  • [26:09] Paula: “He kill her with scissors... He promised. Marry me. I do nothing. Nothing.”
• Sir Henry notes his suspicion was anchored on the fact that, despite appearances, the dancer during the temple dance was not Francine, who was much more talented.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:46] Francine challenges Tony on her routine:
  Francine: "Let’s cut it out, Tony, it’s too corny... waving your arms around like snakes that went out with the ark."
• [09:23] Sir Henry explains the pickpocket racket:
  Sir Henry: “A guest here with a good many drinks inside him seldom remembers exactly how much money he has in his wallet… Very ingenious.”
• [15:02] Discovery of the murder:
  Sir Henry: “What’s this? She’s dead.”
  Paula: “I didn’t do it. I swear I didn’t do it.”
• [25:10] Sir Henry deduces the substitution:
  Sir Henry: “She’s got oil on her hands and arms. Tony. How did she get it there?... It was from the oil that was smeared on those jewels on her costume while she was on that floor dancing… Why was she out there dancing instead of Francine?”
• [26:09] Paula’s confession:
  Paula: “He kill her with scissors. He promised. Marry me. I do nothing. Nothing.”
• [26:21] Sir Henry’s parting view on fairness:
  Miss Forsyth: "The clever ones of this world have it all their own way, haven’t they?"
  Sir Henry: "No, I think not, Miss Forsyth."

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:00-06:05] – Rehearsal tensions; Francine confronts Tony and Paula.
• [07:00-08:25] – Blackmail exchange between Francine and Monty Forsyth.
• [09:11-11:31] – Sir Henry explains the club pickpocketing racket.
• [12:48-15:02] – Sir Henry and Paula discover Francine’s body.
• [15:32-21:45] – Early investigation; suspects' alibis examined; blackmail subplot revealed.
• [23:11-26:09] – Sir Henry uncovers the identity deception; Paula confesses.
• [26:16-27:00] – Sir Henry’s final deduction and commentary.

Tone and Language

“Murder Clinic: Death in the Dressing Room” is delivered in classic golden-age radio style, combining brisk dialogue, witty comebacks, and dramatic exchanges in accents fitting the setting. Sir Henry is gruff, dryly humorous, and perceptive; Francine is brassy, vulnerable, and sharp-tongued; Paula is earnest and desperate; Tony is suave but slippery.

Summary Conclusion

This episode delivers a tightly woven backstage murder mystery, complete with a clever alibi, a switched performance, and crisp detective work. Sir Henry Merrivale’s methodical approach, aided by a sharp eye for both dance and motive, brings justice to Francine in a plot where jealousy, ambition, and greed collide behind the glamour of the Orient Club.