Podcast Summary: Nick Carter (43-09-27) "The Glass Coffin"

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: Nick Carter 43-09-27 (025): The Glass Coffin
Original Air Date: September 27, 1943
Podcast Release Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Summary by: [Your Summarizer Name]

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode from the Golden Age of Radio, detective Nick Carter and his loyal assistant Patsy are drawn to a deserted movie studio to investigate an attempted robbery, only to uncover a tangled case involving murder, missing jewels, a supposed voodoo curse, and a mysterious "glass coffin." Set in a locked-up film studio returning from Hollywood for a single production, the story soon spirals into a classic whodunit with a mix of Hollywood intrigue and classic Nick Carter brilliance.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Progression

1. Arrival at the Studio and Initial Mystery

• [00:09] Nick and Patsy arrive at Joseph Stone’s shuttered movie studio, expecting to look into a robbery targeting actress Lulu Dore.
  • Patsy is initially skeptical: “This place looks like a stage set for the deserted village.” (B, 00:15)
• They learn from the gatekeeper (who's under police orders) that there's more at play—someone has been murdered, not just robbed.

2. The Murders & Strange Weapons

• [02:30] Discussion with studio owner Joseph Stone reveals that Boyd, an electrician, has been killed with a poisoned blowgun dart—strangely, a prop from Stone’s own old voodoo movie, "The Voodoo Curse."
  • Stone: “The blowgun and the arrow were mine... I tried to do a picture about a voodoo witch doctor...” (G, 02:43)
• Stone shares the studio’s troubled history with the voodoo picture, implying a curse.

3. Investigation of the Scene

• [03:46] Carter, Patsy, Lieutenant Riley, and Stone explore the murder site.
  • They find the victim placed oddly and footprints that provide a key clue—leather-soled shoes, not the rubber soles worn by technicians, implicating the killer.
  • Patsy: “Footprints in the dust. Golly, Nick, there goes your theory... Well, it was a cute theory while it lasted.” (B, 05:20)
  • Nick explains the significance of the shoes: “Those leather sole prints mean that it wasn't Boyd, but our friend the murderer who used the keys he took from Boyd to get in here.” (A, 05:56)

4. A Second Murder and the "Voodoo Curse"

• [06:29] The body of Bill Daly, the camera assistant, is discovered, stabbed with yet another prop weapon.
  • Stone: “That knife... it’s from that same voodoo picture.” (G, 07:32)
• Riley suspects Stone, noting his nervousness and the fact that all the murder weapons are from his film.
  • Riley: “My money's on Stones doing it.” (C, 08:01)

5. The Unfinished Film and a Key Voice

• [09:17] Stone screens the unfinished "Voodoo Curse" film for Nick and Patsy. They note the star, Lulu Dore, and a prominent leading man, Bart Tyson—whose voice Nick recognizes from somewhere recent.
  • Nick: "I've heard that voice very recently." (A, 10:12)
• Stone explains that Tyson was disfigured in an explosion during filming, ending his career and the movie itself.

6. Clues in Stage Nine

• [14:04] Nick and Patsy search Stage Nine, finding fresh makeup and a glass tank (the "glass coffin") with water that's far too fresh for an abandoned studio.
  • Patsy: “This panchromatic makeup wasn’t developed until Technicolor came in. … Somebody must have been here since.” (B, 14:47)
  • The jewels are cleverly hidden at the bottom of this tank.

7. Eavesdropping on the Thieves

• [16:05] Nick and Patsy overhear crooks discussing their boss's plan to recover the hidden jewels from the tank, and how murders were committed to protect the secret.
  • Crook: “He had Lippy planted up on that catwalk just in case somebody got an idea to go into that electrician’s storeroom...” (G, 16:42)

8. The Glass Coffin Trap

• [18:03] Nick and Patsy are discovered and locked inside the tank with water pouring in (the "glass coffin").
  • Crook: "We'll throw them in there. Then when they're good and drownded, we'll drain the tank and get them and the other stuff out at the same time." (I, 18:04)

9. The Final Showdown

• [20:18] On set, as filming resumes, a masked man (Tyson) stages a heist to steal Lulu Dore’s emeralds.
  • Tyson: "Surely I will. It's those emeralds I'm particularly interested in." (D, 21:41)
• Nick, having escaped, confronts Tyson, leading to a shootout and Tyson's attempt to escape across the catwalk—culminating in his capture after a fall.
  • "You say you want us to drop you at headquarters, Riley?" (A, 23:04)

10. The Wrap-Up: Motives and Methods Revealed

• [23:12] In the closing scene, Nick explains the mystery:
  • Tyson, the aged leading man, turned to crime after his career ended, using his skills with makeup to disguise himself as various criminals over the years and pilfer jewels.
  • Nick: “Tyson was a consummate actor, and he had complete knowledge of makeup. He disguised himself as a different character, I imagine, for each robbery.” (A, 25:16)
• The jewels stolen from Lulu Dore and others were hidden in the tank as "colored stones."
• Tyson's psychological trauma and opportunity (Stone, out of pity, made him caretaker) enabled the crime spree.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the eerie atmosphere:
  “This place looks like a stage set for the deserted village.” – Patsy (00:15)
• On the mysterious murder weapon:
  “The blowgun and the arrow were mine... I tried to do a picture about a voodoo witch doctor...” – Stone (02:43)
• On finding key clues:
  “Those leather sole prints mean that it wasn't Boyd, but our friend the murderer...” – Nick (05:56)
• On the ruined star:
  “We had a bad explosion and his whole face was terribly scarred. That's why we could never finish this picture. He never could act in pictures again.” – Stone (11:47)
• On the killer’s skills:
  “Tyson was a consummate actor, and he had complete knowledge of makeup. He disguised himself as a different character...” – Nick (25:16)
• On Nick’s escape from the tank:
  “He cut a piece of that heavy glass with a diamond in his ring.” – Patsy (23:30)

Important Timestamps

• 00:09 – Arrival at studio, initial mysteries
• 02:30 – Discovery of murder method (poisoned blowgun)
• 05:56 – Key clue: footprints & shoe sole deduction
• 06:29 – Second murder, suspicion shifts
• 09:17-11:11 – Viewing unfinished film, voice recognition
• 14:04 – Discovery of fresh makeup & tank
• 16:05 – Overhearing crooks; plot revelations
• 18:03 – Nick and Patsy locked in the tank
• 20:18-22:46 – Confrontation, Tyson's unmasking, shootout, and capture
• 23:12-25:53 – Explanations, how the mystery was solved

Episode Tone and Language

The episode maintains a suspenseful, witty, and quick-paced atmosphere, full of classic detective banter, period slang ("camera punk," "doll," "Dick," etc.), and a blend of skepticism and bravado from all the central characters—especially Nick, Patsy, and Riley.

Summary & Takeaways (for Non-Listeners)

• The Glass Coffin is a classic Nick Carter case brimming with old-Hollywood intrigue, voodoo legends, and intricate criminal disguises.
• The twist: The seemingly supernatural events and string of unsolved jewel robberies were all the work of disgraced actor Bart Tyson, using his makeup skills to evade capture for years.
• The "glass coffin" is both a literal tank used for underwater film shots (and near-murders) and a metaphor for Tyson's own inescapable downfall.
• In trademark style, Nick Carter unravels the entire plot with deductive reasoning, keen observation, and swift action—even escaping death by diamond ring!

For Next Episode Tease

• Nick hints at a new adventure in Montana involving robbery, murder, and Scubby nearly losing his mind: “Yes, that was the first case that Scubby and I really worked out together. ... Nick just missed being buried alive.” (A, 26:52/27:02)

A compelling tale of masks, hidden treasures, and dark secrets—Nick Carter’s “The Glass Coffin” is a vivid time capsule from the golden age of radio detectives.