Perry Mason 1949-11-03 (1604) Honeymoon Murder Case

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Perry Mason 1949-11-03 (1604) Honeymoon Murder Case

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with the classic Perry Mason episode titled “Honeymoon Murder Case”. Originally aired on November 3, 1949, this installment showcases the brilliant legal maneuvers of Perry Mason, portrayed by John Doe, as he defends Martha Smith, a newlywed accused of the heinous murder of Wilfred Palmer. The episode masterfully blends suspense, drama, and courtroom strategy, offering a timeless portrayal of justice in action.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens with a glimpse into the tumultuous emotions of Martha Smith, who finds herself entangled in a murder accusation. Officer Maple introduces the gravity of her situation:

Officer Maple [02:16]: “Can you imagine what it must be like to sit in a courtroom while one witness after another... Honest testimony which makes you appear to be a murderess.”

Martha's distress is palpable, setting the stage for Perry Mason's intervention to uncover the truth.

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Investigation and Rising Tensions

As the investigation unfolds, Diaz Whitlock, a key witness, arrives at the Criminal Court building. His interactions hint at underlying secrets:

Franny [03:05]: “Do we go right into Judge Newman's courtroom office in Naples?”

Officer Maple [03:09]: “Not till Mr. Noble is ready for you to give your testimony.”

Whitlock's reluctance and the guarded responses from Officer Maple create an air of mystery, suggesting that not all is as it seems.

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Courtroom Drama Unfolds

The heart of the episode lies in the courtroom, where Perry Mason's adept questioning seeks to dismantle the prosecution's case. A pivotal moment occurs during the testimony of Mr. Bissell, the justice of peace who performed Martha and Donald Smith's wedding shortly after the murder:

Procter and Gamble [06:43]: “You mean the murder of Wilfred Palmer?”

Mr. Bissell [06:45]: “Yes.”

Procter and Gamble [07:00]: “... you married Martha and Donald Smith about five hours after they... after Palmer was murdered.”

This revelation raises critical questions about the timeline and the Smiths' relationship with the victim.

Perry Mason capitalizes on Mr. Bissell's overconfidence, meticulously exposing inconsistencies in his testimony:

Procter and Gamble [08:15]: “Did this couple act the way most couples about to get married act?”

Mr. Bissell [08:21]: “Yes.”

Procter and Gamble [08:30]: “Well, that's different. Then you noticed there was something wrong with them.”

Mr. Bissell [08:39]: “I sure did. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I had an idea that they were criminals or something.”

Mason's strategic objections and pointed questions begin to unravel the prosecution's narrative, highlighting Mr. Bissell's subjective observations rather than objective facts.

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Strategies and Clues

Behind the scenes, Franny and Officer Maple strategize to counter Mr. Noble's (the prosecutor) tactics:

Officer Maple [10:28]: “I'm going to let him take all the fight out of me... Give him enough rope to trip himself.”

This behind-the-scenes maneuvering underscores the tactical depth of Perry Mason's defense approach, relying on overconfidence of the opposition to expose their weaknesses.

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Cliffhanger and Anticipation

As the episode progresses towards its midpoint, tensions escalate with the imminent testimony of Alan Whitlock, poised to deliver game-changing revelations:

Franny [11:05]: “Watch. Well, Perry Mason knows he's up against a clever, ruthless antagonist...”

The narrative teases a forthcoming twist that promises to challenge Perry Mason's skills, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the resolution of the Honeymoon Murder Case.

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Conclusion

“Honeymoon Murder Case” exemplifies the enduring allure of Perry Mason through its intricate plot, compelling characters, and masterful legal drama. By skillfully intertwining suspense with strategic courtroom battles, the episode not only entertains but also highlights the timeless quest for truth and justice. Listeners are left on the edge of their seats, eager to hear how Perry Mason will ultimately unveil the real murderer and vindicate his client.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Officer Maple [02:16]: “Can you imagine what it must be like to sit in a courtroom while one witness after another... Honest testimony which makes you appear to be a murderess.”

• Procter and Gamble [07:00]: “... you married Martha and Donald Smith about five hours after they... after Palmer was murdered.”

• Mr. Bissell [08:39]: “I sure did. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I had an idea that they were criminals or something.”

• Officer Maple [10:28]: “I'm going to let him take all the fight out of me... Give him enough rope to trip himself.”

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key elements of the Perry Mason episode, providing both an engaging narrative and insightful commentary for listeners and enthusiasts of classic radio dramas.

Transcript

[John Doe]

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[Procter and Gamble]

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[Franny]

Dirt out. Tide gets close. Cleaner than any soap.

[John Doe]

Hold on now, Franny. There are some pretty wonderful new soaps.

[Franny]

I know it.

[John Doe]

And some absolutely sensational new sudsing products.

[Franny]

I know that too, Bob. But I also know that Tide gets clothes cleaner than all of them.

[John Doe]

Yes, and I know it too, Franny. Tide gets clothes cleaner than any soap, any other suds, any other washing product known. That's because Procter and Gamble's Tide not only leaves clothes free from dirt, it removes dingy soap film too. Yet, with all this extraordinary cleaning power, Tide is safe, truly safe for all your washable colors. What's more, Tide actually brightens soap dulled colors. And in hardest water, Tide gets sheets, pillowcases and towels whiter than any other washing product known. Keeps them white, too, week after week, never turns them yellow. And all this goes for your whole family wash too. So when you choose a washing product, remember this. No soap, no other suds, no other washing product known. Will get your clothes as clean as Procter and Gamble's Tide.

[Franny]

Tide in Sturps out. T I D Tide.

[Officer Maple]

Stop a moment. Think. Think how you'd feel if you were in Martha Smith's shoes. Can you imagine what it must be like to sit in a courtroom while one witness after another. Honest witnesses, too, give testimony. Honest testimony which makes you appear to be a murderess. Can you imagine what it must be like? Is it any wonder Martha's face is tossed and sprained? She looks as if she were close to the breaking point. We're going back to the courtroom in just a moment. Going to watch and listen as Perry Mason fights to keep things from being too bad for his clients. But first, let's join the real murderer of Wilfred Palmer. Let's join Allen Whitlock, the woman who should be sitting in Martha Smith's place right now. Alan gets out of a taxi in front of the Criminal court building, says.

[Franny]

Do we go right into Judge Newman's courtroom office in Naples?

[John Doe]

No, Miss Whitlock, no.

[Officer Maple]

Not till Mr. Noble is ready for you to give your testimony. Yeah, let me get the door for you.

[Franny]

Oh, I thought I could go right into the courtroom.

[John Doe]

And witnesses are usually allowed in the.

[Officer Maple]

Courtroom only while they're Giving their testimony. Wouldn't want them influenced.

[Franny]

There's so little I know about the law.

[Officer Maple]

Lucky you.

[Franny]

Except one thing.

[Officer Maple]

What's that? We turn left here.

[Franny]

I shouldn't like to tangle with it.

[Officer Maple]

Hope we're not so bad.

[Franny]

I bet you'd be really mean to me if I murdered anyone.

[Officer Maple]

I couldn't be mean to you.

[Franny]

Not even if I were a murderer.

[Procter and Gamble]

Are you?

[Franny]

If I were, I wouldn't tell you. If I were and I were caught as Martha Smith appears to be caught, do you know what I think I'd do, Officer Maple?

[Officer Maple]

What?

[Franny]

I don't think I'd fight. I think I'd give up. Throw myself upon the mercy of the court. Isn't that the way they put it?

[Officer Maple]

That's the way they put it.

[Franny]

You think the court would show me much mercy, Officer Maple?

[John Doe]

If I were the court, you know.

[Officer Maple]

What I'd do to you, Miss Whitlock? What I. Here's the witness room. We go right in here. Now, why did Alan Whitlock say such a thing? What can be in her mind? Could she have, for one fleeting moment the fear that when she faces Perry Mason, he'll learn her guilty secret? Or was this just another thrill? Meanwhile, inside the courtroom itself at the defense table, we hear.

[Franny]

Here. Here's the water, chief.

[Officer Maple]

Thank you, Donald. May I have it, Mr. Mason? May I give it to Martha? Oh, yes, of course. Donald. Here. Darling.

[Franny]

Donald.

[Officer Maple]

No, no, no, darling.

[Franny]

Donald, what I have done to you.

[Officer Maple]

Drink your water, Darling, what I've done to you. Try to pull yourself together.

[Franny]

Do you know what the prosecutor's going to try to do?

[Officer Maple]

Now, please drink this water.

[Franny]

No. Mr. Mason told me he's going to try to prove that you helped me plan Wilfred's murder.

[Officer Maple]

He's already tried, Mr. Mason. Didn't let him get very far, though. I'll take a sip of this water.

[Franny]

Thank you.

[Officer Maple]

Love me oh, so much, darling.

[Franny]

That's why I do.

[Officer Maple]

Shh. Darling. Darling, the day's almost over.

[Franny]

Tomorrow won't be any better.

[Officer Maple]

You mustn't believe that. You must know tomorrow will be better.

[Franny]

No.

[Officer Maple]

And it will. Tomorrow will be just as good for us as today's been bad. Tomorrow, Mr. Mason, will start our defense.

[Franny]

How can there be any defense? Against what, Donald? They want to see us dead, Donald. They want to put us both in the electric chair. Oh, my darling, what I've done to you.

[Officer Maple]

Now, darling, that isn't so. You'll learn it isn't so.

[Procter and Gamble]

Ready to proceed, Mr. Mason? Yes, I think so, you, Honor. In My client's name. Thank you for the recess, Mr. Noble. Mr. Bissell. John Bissell. Take the stand, please.

[Franny]

Can't they leave anything?

[Officer Maple]

Who's this? The justice of peace who married us. Oh, well, leave him to me.

[Procter and Gamble]

You're an active justice of the peace, Mr. Bissell?

[Mr. Bissell]

I have my place right on the main highway, just over the state line. And you can't miss it, Mr. Noble. It's homey. Couples come to me from all over.

[Procter and Gamble]

Oh, then you perform marriages, many of them?

[Mr. Bissell]

Oh, hundreds. Hundreds of happy, happy.

[Procter and Gamble]

Now, Mr. Bissell, have you ever performed a marriage ceremony for anyone in this room?

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes, indeed. Those two.

[Procter and Gamble]

When did you marry them, Mr. Bissell?

[Mr. Bissell]

Why, that's a matter of record, Mr. Noble.

[Procter and Gamble]

But when?

[Mr. Bissell]

The night of the murder.

[Procter and Gamble]

You mean the murder of Wilfred Palmer?

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes.

[Procter and Gamble]

Remember the time?

[Mr. Bissell]

Why, that's a matter of record, too. I think it was just after midnight.

[Procter and Gamble]

Ah. So you married Martha and Donald Smith about five hours after they. That is, after Palmer was murdered.

[Mr. Bissell]

I did.

[Procter and Gamble]

How long would it take to drive from the city to your place?

[Mr. Bissell]

3 1/2 hours, if they're in a hurry. Average about 4 and a good road all the way.

[Procter and Gamble]

I see. Now, you remember this couple distinctly?

[Mr. Bissell]

Oh, yes, yes.

[Procter and Gamble]

Any particular reason?

[Mr. Bissell]

Well, they were so very nervous.

[Procter and Gamble]

That's all, Mr. Bissell. Your witness, Mr. Mason. Thank you. Now, Mr. Bissell, you say you've performed.

[Mr. Bissell]

Hundreds of marriages every year, sir? Literally hundreds of marriages? Yes.

[Procter and Gamble]

So you've had a chance to observe many couples about to be married?

[Mr. Bissell]

Thousands.

[Procter and Gamble]

And you said Martha and Donald Smith were nervous?

[Mr. Bissell]

Very nervous.

[Procter and Gamble]

Mr. Bissell, let me ask you. How do marrying couples usually act?

[Mr. Bissell]

Nervous.

[Procter and Gamble]

And this couple was nervous?

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes, but that's all.

[Procter and Gamble]

One moment, Mr. Bessel.

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes?

[Procter and Gamble]

Did this couple act the way most couples about to get married act? Come, now, there's no need to be frightened.

[Mr. Bissell]

Oh, yes, that's it. They acted frightened.

[Procter and Gamble]

Thank you. Mr. Bissell.

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes.

[Procter and Gamble]

You now say Martha and Donald Smith acted frightful frightened?

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes. I remember saying to Mrs. Bissell she was a witness. I'll just bet there's something wrong with those two.

[Procter and Gamble]

Well, that's different. Then you noticed there was something wrong with them.

[Mr. Bissell]

I sure did. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I had an idea that they were criminals or something.

[Procter and Gamble]

Your Honor, I object. Be quiet, Mr. Noble. He's your witness. But you started this. But sit down. Go on, Mr. Mason. So, Mr. Bissell, you. You thought there was something wrong with this couple?

[Mr. Bissell]

I said so.

[Procter and Gamble]

And why didn't you report them to the police? I'M familiar with the laws of your state, as I'm sure you are.

[Mr. Bissell]

Yes.

[Procter and Gamble]

Then you must know the penalty for performing a wedding ceremony when you're suspicious of the couple.

[Mr. Bissell]

But I didn't know. You're excused, Mr. Biss, I'd like to explain.

[Procter and Gamble]

You're excused. Get off the stand. Your Honor, I'd like to. If you don't mind, Mr. Noble, I'd like to say something at this point. Come here, Mr. Mason. I'd like you to hear it, too. Yes, sir. This court has always felt that the primary purpose of a trial is for the presentation of evidence. There are statutes based on good common sense governing the presentation of that evidence. You gentlemen know the rules as well as I and Mr. Noble. Your Honor, I am. Mr. Noble, in your eagerness to win this case, you are straining at those rules. I will not warn you again. As for you, Mr. Mason, when it's your turn to present evidence, please remember what I've said applies to you as well. This court will do its best to be just and fair. We'll also conduct this trial in an orderly fashion. You may proceed as it's getting late in the afternoon. If you'd like to adjourn until tomorrow, Mr. Noble, the state is near the end of its presentation. Your Honor, I believe we can finish it this afternoon.

[Officer Maple]

All right, then. Call your next witness.

[Procter and Gamble]

I'd like Lieutenant Tragg back on the stand again, but it will take a moment to get him in. All right, get him. You recess for five minutes.

[Franny]

Perry.

[Officer Maple]

Yes?

[Franny]

I just phoned Paul at the clinic and he has a dozen men out checking. Good leave.

[Officer Maple]

Fine.

[Franny]

You don't want to save trouble and expense by getting the woman's name out of Martha, do you?

[Officer Maple]

If I try again, it'll just make her more stubborn. I'm going to do my best to make her come to me. I think I'll make everyone come to me.

[Franny]

What does that mean?

[Officer Maple]

Noble's getting ready to wheel up his mystery witness. Oh, right after Trag. He said he'd finish this afternoon.

[Franny]

So?

[Officer Maple]

So that means he thinks he's got his licked. He's going to try and wind up in a hurry, take all the fight out of me.

[Franny]

I don't get it, chief.

[Officer Maple]

I'm going to let him do it.

[Franny]

What?

[Officer Maple]

I'm going to let him take all the fight out of me. I'm going to let Noble come to me. Darling, give him enough rope to trip himself. Give him enough rope to pull that name out of Martha in spite of herself. You hope about Martha yes, about Noble. I know. I'm going to let him build his case so high he'll splatter when it falls. Watch. Well, Perry Mason knows he's up against a clever, ruthless antagonist. But he's found one weak point in Noble's character. Overconfidence. And he's banking on that overconfidence to overbalance. However, Mason's in for a shock tomorrow when Alan Whitlot takes the stand. Be sure to be with us.

[Franny]

Dirt out. T I D D Tide.

[John Doe]

With so many really good washing products being used, a woman has to be given a mighty good reason before she'll switch to a new one. Well, we think we can give you the best reason in the world for changing to Tide. Listen. Procter and Gamble's Tide will get your clothes cleaner than any soap, any other suds, any other washing product known. Tide leaves clothes free from dirt and more. Tide removes dingy soap film, too. Yet with all this amazing cleaning power, Tide is truly safe for all your washable colors. In fact, Tide actually brightens soap dull colors. And in hardest water, Tide gets white things whiter than any other washing product known. So try Tide. Watch those suds billow up. Notice how different they look and feel and see your family wash at its cleanest best. No soap, no other suds, no other washing product known will get your clothes as clean as Tide.

[Franny]

Tide gets clothes cleaner than all of them. T I D E Tide.

[John Doe]

Harry Mason, the famous character created by Earl Stanley Gardner, is brought to you by Tide, Proctor and Gamble's amazing new discovery for your whole family wash. Try Tide yourself and you too will agree you've never used anything like it. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.