Phyl Coe Mysteries 1937-09-07 The Dead Magician

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Phyl Coe Mysteries 1937-09-07 The Dead Magician"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode: Phyl Coe Mysteries 1937-09-07 The Dead Magician
• Release Date: June 23, 2025

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Introduction

"Phyl Coe Mysteries: The Dead Magician" transports listeners to the golden age of radio drama, where the brilliant young detective Phyllis Cole (Phyl Coe) unravels the mysterious murder of the acclaimed magician, Umberto, during one of his awe-inspiring performances. This episode masterfully blends suspense, clever deduction, and engaging character interactions, offering a captivating listening experience for fans of classic mystery stories.

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Setting the Scene

The story unfolds at the opulent Regal Variety Theatre, a bustling venue filled with eager spectators anticipating Umberto's latest magical feat. Phyllis Cole, the daughter of the renowned criminologist Philip Cole, is among the audience, seated beside the esteemed mystery novelist, Thomas Taylor.

Notable Quote:

• Umberto: "And now comes my most remarkable achievement... Who will be so kind as to come up here to the stage to assist me, please?" (03:24)

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The Illusion and the Murder

Umberto begins his renowned illusion, promising to perform a trick that has mesmerized audiences across 37 countries. He selects a volunteer from the audience—Phyllis Cole herself—to participate. As the lights dim and the count begins, anticipation builds. However, moments after the illusion commences, chaos erupts.

Key Events:

• Umberto performs a complex card trick, showcasing his dexterity with one hand while wearing gloves.
• He selects Phyllis Cole to assist in his next illusion, intensifying the drama.
• During the trick, the lights go out briefly, and upon their return, Umberto is found dead on stage, having been shot.

Notable Quotes:

• Phyllis Cole: "So he's dead. Quiet, please. Quiet, everybody. Quiet. No. That magician's been murdered." (05:27)
• Umberto: "Thank you, my friends." (03:22)

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Investigation Begins

Taking immediate control of the situation, Phyllis establishes herself as the de facto investigator. She commands the ushers and stagehands to secure the exits, ensuring that no one leaves the premises until the matter is resolved. Phyllis's authoritative demeanor quickly sets the tone for the investigation.

Key Actions:

• Phyllis instructs the ushers and stagehands to guard all exits.
• She requests the presence of a medical professional to assess Umberto's condition.
• Tom, the mystery novelist and Phyllis's boyfriend, offers his assistance, hinting at potential inspirations for his next novel.

Notable Quote:

• Phyllis Cole: "I want you ushers and stage hands to guard all the exits. Don't let anyone leave the theater." (05:27)

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Suspects and Clues

Phyllis begins her methodical investigation by examining the crime scene and questioning potential suspects. Two primary individuals come under scrutiny: Eddie Daniels, the property man responsible for stage props, and Sam Bulliva, a trombone player in the orchestra.

Eddie Daniels:

• Role: Property man; oversees props used during performances.
• Actions: Claims innocence but exhibits nervous behavior.
• Clues:
  • Gun used in the murder lacked fingerprints, suggesting gloves were worn.
  • Sandbag found near the stage controlled by backstage ropes, indicating backstage tampering.

Sam Bulliva:

• Role: Trombone player in the orchestra.
• Actions: Initially denies involvement but later confesses under pressure.
• Clues:
  • Admits to dropping a sandbag to create a diversion.
  • Possessed a gun loaded with blanks, intended for dramatic sketches.

Notable Quotes:

• Phyllis Cole: "This man is dead. The bullet entered his chest on the right side." (06:14)
• Eddie Daniels: "That gun's loaded with blanks for one of the dramatic sketches on this week's build." (08:00)
• Phyllis Cole: "Whoever did it must be backstage here somewhere." (07:41)

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The Reveal

As tensions mount, Phyllis skillfully narrows down the suspects by piecing together inconsistencies in their statements and actions. The confrontation reaches its peak when both Eddie Daniels and Sam Bulliva are implicated.

During the climax, Eddie Daniels admits his guilt, revealing the motive behind the murder:

• Motive: Revenge for the death of Eddie's daughter, who suffered at Umberto's hands.
• Method: Used the distraction of the sandbag and the illusion's lights-out moment to execute the perfect crime.

Phyllis's keen observation and logical reasoning lead to Eddie's confession, ensuring that justice is served.

Notable Quotes:

• Phyllis Cole: "Eddie, why did you shoot Humberto?" (08:26)
• Eddie Daniels: "Yeah, I shot him. That dirty skunk? He deserved worse than that." (08:27)
• Phyllis Cole: "I shot Umberto because of what he did to my sister. I held the gun right against his chest and I fired." (10:08)

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Conclusion

"Phyl Coe Mysteries: The Dead Magician" concludes with Phyllis Cole successfully solving the case, showcasing her exceptional detective skills. The episode not only provides a thrilling narrative but also invites listeners to engage interactively by participating in the Filco Mystery Contest, challenging them to solve the mystery for a chance to win cash prizes.

Notable Quote:

• Narrator: "So Eddie Daniels, the property man, murdered the great Umberto. And you have just heard Phil Cole, the famous girl detective, find the murderer." (12:37)

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Timestamps

• [03:22] Umberto introduces himself and announces Phyllis as his assistant.
• [05:27] Phyllis discovers Umberto dead and takes charge of the investigation.
• [06:14] Phyllis examines the bullet wound and surrounding evidence.
• [07:41] Phyllis concludes that the murderer must be backstage.
• [08:00] Eddie Daniels reveals the gun was loaded with blanks.
• [10:08] Phyllis confronts Eddie with his motive and confession.
• [12:37] Narrator summarizes the resolution of the mystery.

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Conclusion

"Phyl Coe Mysteries: The Dead Magician" is a quintessential old-time radio mystery that captivates listeners with its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and immersive storytelling. Phyllis Cole's journey from audience member to adept detective provides both entertainment and inspiration, embodying the spirit of classic radio dramas.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, quiet please. A murder has been committed. Here's your chance to play Detective Filco Mysteries on the air. The new, exciting, thrilling, chilling radio contest that pays you huge cash prizes for having fun. Every week at this same time over this station, your Filco Radio tube dealer brings you Transcribed the Filco Mystery Contest $50,000 in cash for the winners. $50,000 in cash for solving simple mysteries. Weekly prizes. Big grand prizes. A real contest of skill. Anybody can enter. Nothing to buy and you may win. All you need is the free Filco Mystery book your Filco Tube dealer will give you. Tells you all the amazing details, shows you how easily you can win. Lists all the prizes. Contains free entry blanks. You cannot win without this book. Get your free copy right away. Already got your thinking caps on? Then here goes. Filco Mystery number one. Listen carefully. Keep your wits about you. Better have pencil and paper handy. Jot things down in your Filco Mystery book. Of course, if you already have it and if you haven't, be sure you get it as soon as possible. Phyllis Cole. Her friends call her Phil Coe. The beautiful girl detective daughter of the late Philip Cole, world famous criminologist, is going to solve a mystery right before your ears. And then you are going to show how she solved it. Come on, let's play detective. Your first case is the case of the dead magician. Up there on the stage of the Regal Variety Theatre, the great Umberto just completing his clever manipulation of a pack of cards. The trick the magician is doing now is all the more amazing because Umberto is wearing a pair of gloves. Ah, there it is. Using only one hand with a lightning quick gesture, he has banned the whole pack out like a peacock's tail. It's a beautiful trick and the audience appreciates Umberto's skill. As well they should. He takes a bow. And now he's taking off the glove. He walks over to the wings and with studied carelessness, he tosses the gloves to someone waiting off stage. And now he's back in the center of the stage to make an announcement. The great Umberto.

[Umberto]

Thank you, my friends.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Umberto]

And now comes my most remarkable achievement. The illusion which has made me famous in 37 countries of the world. It gives me particular pride to perform my illusion this evening, because seated here before me in the front row is Ms. Phyllis Coe, the daughter of that world famous criminologist, the late Philip Coe. And seated beside this charming lady is the well known mystery novelist, Mr. Thomas Taylor. And now for my amazing illusion. A human being, a man or a woman from this audience will seat himself upon this chair here on the stage. I will stand in front of this person with my back to the audience and have the lights put out for the merest instant. When the lights are again put on, the person will have disappeared. Now, who will be so kind as to come up here to the stage to assist me, please? Please.

[Narrator]

Someone, Anyone.

[Umberto]

There is no danger.

[Phyllis Cole]

Me.

[Umberto]

Ah, this young lady here.

[Phyllis Cole]

Well, I do, Mr.

[Umberto]

Perfectly, my dear. Come up these little steps, please. Allow me.

[Phyllis Cole]

Thanks.

[Umberto]

Now, you will kindly be seated upon this chair.

[Phyllis Cole]

All right. Now what do I do?

[Narrator]

You do nothing. It is I who will do so.

[Umberto]

Ladies and gentlemen, the young lady is seated. And now I stand in front of the young lady with my back to the audience. So, are you ready, my dear?

[Phyllis Cole]

Okay, go ahead.

[Umberto]

Now, I will count three slowly. On the count of three, please flash all the lights off and then on again instantly.

[Eddie Daniels]

Yes, sir.

[Umberto]

And now I begin to count.

[Narrator]

1, 2, 3.

[Phyllis Cole]

Will everyone please remain seated?

[Narrator]

A man.

[Phyllis Cole]

So he's dead. Quiet, please. Quiet, everybody. Quiet. No. That magician's been murdered. We don't know whether he's been murdered or not, madam, but he has been shot. Now, can all of you ushers and stagehands hear me? My name is Phyllis Cole. I'm a criminologist. An amateur, but still, I've had experience with these cases. I want you ushers and stage hands to guard all the exits. Don't let anyone leave the theater. One of you, please go out and get the police.

[Umberto]

Okay, I will.

[Phyllis Cole]

Now, is there a doctor in the audience?

[Narrator]

Yes, Ms. Coe, I'm a doctor.

[Phyllis Cole]

So please come up here and examine this man.

[Narrator]

Of course, immediately. Phil.

[Phyllis Cole]

Phil. What?

[Narrator]

Tom, you sure you want to get mixed up in this?

[Phyllis Cole]

Of course I do. It's my duty.

[Narrator]

Well, I might get another novel out of this. But don't do anything rational.

[Phyllis Cole]

Don't worry. Well, Doctor, what about it?

[Narrator]

This man is dead. The bullet entered his chest on the right side.

[Indeed]

Who could have done it?

[Phyllis Cole]

Ms. Cole entered the front of the body on the right side. Well, that girl could have done it. She was rather close to the magician. You'll remember the girl?

[Narrator]

Of course. It must have been the girl. But where is she?

[Phyllis Cole]

She must have run away. You over there. Are you one of the stage hands?

[Eddie Daniels]

Yes, ma' am. I'm Eddie Daniels, the property man.

[Phyllis Cole]

All right, Eddie, stand by, will you, please? I may want to ask you a few questions.

[Eddie Daniels]

Yes, ma' am.

[Phyllis Cole]

Tom.

[Narrator]

Yes, Phil?

[Phyllis Cole]

Right after the shot, I heard a gun thrown on the stage. Will you look for it, please? Sure. It's probably under that black curtain at the back of the stage.

[Narrator]

Yep, you're right. It is here. Shall I pick it up?

[Phyllis Cole]

Yes, but do it with a handkerchief and examine the gun for fingerprints. Right. Oh, doctor, have you found anything of interest?

[Narrator]

Not much, Ms. Cole. As I told you, the bullet entered the right side of his chest. Yes, and there are no powder marks or burns on the dress shirt or coat.

[Phyllis Cole]

Thank you very much, doctor. Oh, this is simply all. Please, please. You'll have to be quiet, miss. I'm not a miss, I'm a widow. I'm Mrs. R.J. brown. Well, Mrs. Brown, I must ask you to be quiet. How can I be quiet?

[Umberto]

Bill, look out.

[Narrator]

Oh, boy, that was close.

[Phyllis Cole]

You're telling me.

[Eddie Daniels]

I'll say it was close, Ms. Cole. That sandbag fell all the way down from the flyloft over the stage.

[Phyllis Cole]

Where are the ropes that control these sandbags?

[Eddie Daniels]

They're backstage. Come on back and I'll show you.

[Phyllis Cole]

All right. Lead the way, King.

[Narrator]

I'm tagging along, Phil.

[Phyllis Cole]

All right, Tom.

[Eddie Daniels]

Ernest Coe here. Here are the ropes.

[Phyllis Cole]

I see. And here's the one that dropped the sandbag after it was loosened.

[Narrator]

Whoever did it must be backstage here somewhere.

[Phyllis Cole]

Who's back here? You may as well come out and show yourself.

[Eddie Daniels]

All right, line up, the three of you.

[Narrator]

Look out, Tom.

[Phyllis Cole]

He has a gun.

[Eddie Daniels]

I'll drill the first one of you that moves.

[Umberto]

Get me?

[Eddie Daniels]

Hey, cut it out, Sam. Shut up, Eddie. This is my business.

[Phyllis Cole]

Eddie, do you know this man?

[Eddie Daniels]

Why, sure. It's Sam Bulliva, who plays a trombone in the orchestra. Okay, Sam, hand over that gun. No, you don't.

[Phyllis Cole]

Get away.

[Eddie Daniels]

Eddie.

[Phyllis Cole]

Eddie.

[Eddie Daniels]

Now, don't worry, Ms. Cove. That gun's loaded with blanks for one of the dramatic sketches on this week's build. And Sam must have swiped it out of my property room here. One move out of you, Sam, and I'll slug you.

[Phyllis Cole]

Let's all go into your property room, eddie.

[Eddie Daniels]

Yeah, sure, Ms. Cole.

[Phyllis Cole]

All right, Sam, you first.

[Eddie Daniels]

Okay, I'm going.

[Phyllis Cole]

You come in, too, Eddie.

[Eddie Daniels]

Yeah, sure.

[Phyllis Cole]

And you, Tom, and how. Now, Sam, why did you drop that sandbag?

[Eddie Daniels]

I wanted to scare you out of the theater.

[Phyllis Cole]

Why did you shoot Humberto?

[Eddie Daniels]

What if I did?

[Phyllis Cole]

Did you or didn't you?

[Eddie Daniels]

Yeah, I shot him. That dirty skunk? He deserved worse than that. Shooting was too good for him.

[Phyllis Cole]

Never mind that. Where were you standing when you shot him?

[Eddie Daniels]

Right behind him, down in the orchestra pit.

[Phyllis Cole]

I see. And then you threw the gun up on the stage?

[Eddie Daniels]

Yeah, then I ducked out under the.

[Narrator]

Stage, through the door in the orchestra pit.

[Phyllis Cole]

Tom, are there many fingerprints on the murder gun?

[Narrator]

Matter of fact, darling, there don't seem to be any. The murderer probably wore gloves.

[Phyllis Cole]

Thanks. Now, Eddie, I'd like to ask you a few questions.

[Eddie Daniels]

Sure.

[Phyllis Cole]

You were backstage when the shooting occurred, so you might be able to help us clear up a few points.

[Eddie Daniels]

Okay, Ms. Cole, what's the use of wasting any more time?

[Narrator]

I told you I shot the guy, didn't I?

[Phyllis Cole]

Yes, but I still wanted to. Now, Eddie, you said you're the property man, didn't you?

[Eddie Daniels]

Yep, that's right.

[Phyllis Cole]

Just what are your duties?

[Eddie Daniels]

Well, it's my job to take care of the props. You know, anything that an actor handles on stage is called a prop. It may be a pack of cigarettes, a cane, a bunch of flowers or anything. For instance, those gloves that Umberto threw to me.

[Phyllis Cole]

I see. Where were you when Umberto was shot?

[Eddie Daniels]

I was in the wings. I was waiting to take that chair off after his act.

[Phyllis Cole]

You were there when the light went out?

[Eddie Daniels]

Yes, ma' am, I heard him barrow count three and then the shot was fired.

[Phyllis Cole]

I see. All right, Eddie.

[Narrator]

Thank you. Let me go.

[Umberto]

I didn't do it.

[Phyllis Cole]

I tell you, I didn't do it.

[Umberto]

I didn't try what you say.

[Narrator]

Hey, Captain, bring that girl in here, will you?

[Umberto]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Come on, you.

[Phyllis Cole]

I didn't do it. Let me go. I didn't do it.

[Narrator]

I found this girl running down 13th street with a stage dorm and chasing her. So I nabbed her and brought her back in.

[Phyllis Cole]

Thanks, officer. Go while on the stage, will you? You might be able to help.

[Eddie Daniels]

Okay, ma' am.

[Phyllis Cole]

What are you doing here?

[Eddie Daniels]

Well, Glenda, I shot Umberto and they caught me.

[Phyllis Cole]

Oh, no, Sam, you didn't do it. You didn't. Now, wait a minute, Glenda. How do you know Sam? Well, believe my boyfriend, we're going to be married. But he didn't do it. I did it. I shot Umberto. Glenda. Glenda. What are you saying, Mother? Mrs. Brown, I heard what she just said, but she didn't do it. I tell you, I did shoot him, Mom.

[Narrator]

I did.

[Phyllis Cole]

I did.

[Eddie Daniels]

They're both crazy, Ms. Cove. I told you I did it. Ain't that enough?

[Narrator]

Well, this is the craziest murder I ever heard of. Everybody wants to go to jail.

[Phyllis Cole]

Quiet, Tom.

[Narrator]

Yes, dear.

[Phyllis Cole]

Now, Mrs. Brown, I tell you, my daughter didn't do it. I shot Umberto. Why? Because. Because three years ago, I had another daughter, Linda's younger sister. She met Umberto and fell in love with him. And one night they ran away together and got married. Then I began to get letters from my baby. Heartbreaking matters. She said that her husband mistreated her, beat her terribly. Several months later, they. They sent her back to me. She'd taken poison. I swore then that I'd get the man who killed my baby. And now I've had my revenge. That man's dead. And I killed him. I was sitting in the front row, and when the lights went out, I shot him and threw the gun up on the stage. I was sitting in the audience, too, Mrs. Brown, but I didn't see any flash when the shot was fired. Of course you didn't. I tell you, I shot him because of what he did to my sister. I held the gun right against his chest and I fired.

[Narrator]

You did not, Brenda.

[Phyllis Cole]

Sam, I tell you I did.

[Eddie Daniels]

You women are both lying to save each other.

[Phyllis Cole]

And, Sam, you're lying to save Glenda. Oh, why don't you children stop it? I shot that beast, and I'm ready to take the consequences. Mrs. Brown, there are no fingerprints on the gun. Well, I wrapped a handkerchief around the gun. Yes. Yes, that's what I did. You see, Ms. Coe, you can see that my mother's rot Lion. I did it. I tell you. I did it. No way. Be quiet, all of you. Tom.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma' am.

[Phyllis Cole]

Since you're holding the murder gun in your hand, I suggest you aim it at Eddie Daniels, the property man.

[Narrator]

It's loaded, you know.

[Phyllis Cole]

Of course. And if Eddie makes a move, you better pull the trigger.

[Eddie Daniels]

Hey, wait a minute. What's the idea?

[Phyllis Cole]

My friends, Eddie Daniels is the only one in this room who could possibly have killed Umberto. Are you going to tell us about it, Eddie?

[Eddie Daniels]

Yes, ma' am. I guess I might as well. Now that I look back on what I've said During the past 10 minutes, I can see that I made enough mistakes to hang an army. Yeah, I stood on the wings and shot that rat Umberto and chucked the gun out toward those curtains on the stage. Umberto seemed to have a way with young girls. And like Mrs. Brown here, I once had a daughter, too. Well, come on. What are we waiting for?

[Narrator]

So Eddie Daniels, the property man, murdered the great Umberto. And you have just heard Phil Cole, the famous girl detective, find the murderer. Of course, you know how Phil Cole found it out. You heard everything that happened. You know everything Phil knew. It ought to be very simple for you to point out why Phil Coe suspected Eddie. Can you? How good a detective are you? $50,000 in cash prizes are waiting for the best detectives among you listeners to this program. Over 2000 weekly prizes and 51 huge grand prizes in the great Filco Mystery Contest. It's all fully explained with fascinating diagrams and full details in the Filco Mystery book, which your Filco tube dealer will give you free if you haven't yours already. Get it just as soon as you can. Then you can enter this easy contest that pays big cash rewards. There never was a simpler, easier, more exciting contest. Nothing to buy. Anybody can enter. This is a real contest of skill. Conciseness, clearness, neatness and good common sense are the only things that count. Enter the Philco Mystery Contest. Now. Go to your Filco tube dealer and get the free mystery book with the official entry blanks. Read the rules and directions carefully. Follow them exactly. Study the diagram in the case of the dead magician. Then answer the simple question. Your answer may be the winner. Don't miss a single one of the Filco mysteries. Listen. Every week at this time over this station, better be sure you have Filco radio tubes in your set. So the perception will be good and clear and you won't miss a single important detail of any mystery program. You want to win some of that $50,000 in cash, don't you? Then get started. Be a detective. It's fun. Next week, Phil Ko, the girl detective, brings you another swell mystery, the missing masterpiece. Listen in at this same time over this same station. Read all about it beforehand in the free Filco mystery book. We hope you win.

[Phyllis Cole]

Sam.

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[Phyllis Cole]

Just try to relax, okay?

[Indeed]

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