Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Results, Inc 44-10-07 (01) The Haunted House

Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Original Air Date: October 7, 1944
Featured Cast: Lloyd Nolan (Johnny Strange), Claire Trevor (Theresa Travis)

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic broadcast from the Golden Age detective comedy series Results Incorporated. Private eye Johnny Strange and his newly hired secretary, Theresa Travis, are engaged to find an authentic haunted house for a mystery novelist. Their search for atmospheric spookiness quickly turns real as they stumble upon not just cobwebs but a dangerous, hidden criminal—and a mystery stranger than fiction. The episode blends sharp banter and suspenseful twists, capturing a perfect noir-meets-screwball tone.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. The New Venture and Secretary Search (00:33–03:12)

• Johnny Strange is setting up his new detective "problem-solving" business, Results Incorporated, and places a deliberately flamboyant ad for a secretary.
• Theresa Travis applies, ticking all Johnny's boxes (blonde, between 22 and 28, with a quick wit) and quickly demonstrates her capability and humor.
  • Quote:

    “Now listen, I'm not advertising for a professor of classical literature. I want results, sister. Results.”
    — Johnny Strange (01:17)

• Their rapid-fire banter sets a playful, screwball mood.

2. First Client: The Haunted House Request (03:13–06:50)

• Mrs. Farnsworth, a mystery novelist (pen name Bethany Hesken), hires them to locate a genuinely haunted house—ideally with a ghost and plenty of atmosphere, for inspiration.

• The agreed fee: $200 for swift results.

• Johnny and Terry accept the challenge, with Terry set to photograph options.

  • Quote:

    “Can you find me a haunted house?”
    — Mrs. Farnsworth (05:26)

  • Quote:

    “We'll look around and see what we can find.”
    — Johnny Strange (06:19)

3. Small-Town Secrets: The Barnsdale House (07:01–10:03)

• Johnny and Terry travel to Ashley Junction for leads, encountering a reticent local who spills the legend of the Barnsdale House—site of the murder of Albert Barnsdale by Eddie Carson, now thought haunted.

• Townsfolk avoid the place, citing tales of eerie sounds and supposed ghostly goings-on.

  • Quote:

    “Some folks claim old Albert returned to haunt the place...a couple months ago, then things began to happen. Doors a-banging... like Albert was strangling all over again.”
    — Local Old-Timer (08:18)

4. The Haunted House Investigation (10:03–13:01)

• Johnny and Terry arrive at the decrepit Barnsdale place at night, seeking paranormal "atmosphere."

• They discover a secret panel and passage behind a candlestick. During their exploration, Theresa fears she sees hands reaching out of the darkness—a moment that captures genuine spookiness.

  • Quote:

    “This candlestick opens a moving mantle leading into a secret passageway. Say, Bob Hope couldn't do any better.”
    — Johnny Strange (11:58)

5. Revelations in the Darkroom (13:01–14:35)

• Back at the office, Theresa develops the photos and they spot a menacing figure in the background—realizing it’s Eddie Carson, the escaped killer and supposed haunt of Barnsdale, believed to be dead.

• The lighthearted banter gives way to serious concern as they recognize the danger.

  • Quote:

    “A couple of seconds more and I'd have been a ghost.”
    — Johnny Strange (13:43)

  • Quote:

    “That's Eddie Carson, the killer... he broke out a little over two months ago. Remember? It was in all the papers.”
    — Johnny Strange (13:47)

6. The Capture Plan and Return to the House (15:04–17:43)

• Instead of calling the police, Theresa proposes they catch Carson themselves for the publicity.

• They strategize how to lure Carson, aware he’s both a murderer and unstable.

• Encountering an air raid warden en route, they brave blackout conditions to re-enter Barnsdale for their amateur stakeout.

  • Quote:

    “Think of the publicity: ‘Eddie Carson captured by the president of Results Incorporated!’”
    — Theresa Travis (15:08)

7. Confrontation With Eddie Carson (17:43–22:54)

• Carson captures and locks them in the house, brandishing a lantern and a gun, revealing he is haunted by the murder he committed.
• Theresa cleverly maintains Carson’s attention with flattery, convincing him to pose for camera “portraits” (flashbulbs), hoping the light will alert townsfolk despite the blackout.
  • Quote:

    “Would you like to meet Albert?… I keep him here in this closet ‘til it’s time for me to strangle him again.”
    — Eddie Carson (20:19)

  • Quote:

    “If I’m going to die now, I’d like to die knowing I’ve done something really big in my life… Like taking a picture of Eddie Carson.”
    — Theresa Travis (21:10)

8. Flashbulb Rescue and The Final Struggle (22:54–26:34)

• The flashbulbs do their job: police, seeing the flashes during blackout, storm the house at the last moment.
• Carson panics, attempts to hang Johnny and Terry, but a chaotic fight ensues and Johnny subdues Carson with a flourish worthy of radio drama.
  • Quote:

    “That’s a little trick I picked up in the Marines.”
    — Johnny Strange (25:55)

  • Quote:

    “We’re going to splash him across page one of every paper in the state… With pictures by Theresa Travis and results by Johnny Strange.”
    — Johnny Strange (26:27)

9. Epilogue: The Aftermath & A New Client (26:50–27:57)

• Back at the office, Results Incorporated is lauded in the papers as daring heroes.

• Mrs. Farnsworth returns, delighted with the adventure and eager to pay.

• The final scene: as they answer the phone, news arrives of another prison break—implying more excitement ahead.

  • Quote:

    “We have found you a house that has everything: a murderer, a ghost named Albert, a sliding panel, two attempted murders and a couple of unused graves—and pictures to prove it!”
    — Johnny Strange (27:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Job Interview Flirtation:
  “You can try both, brother. Just try.”
  — Theresa Travis, on whether she meets the ad’s requirements (02:57)

• Sinister Local Lore:
  “Some folks claim old Albert returned to haunt the place. Place wise, nobody will go near the doggone house.”
  — Local old-timer (08:18)

• Theresa’s Quick Thinking:
  “If I’m going to die now, I’d like to die knowing I’ve done something really big in my life....”
  — Theresa Travis (21:10)

• Comedic Close:
  “We’re going to splash him across page one of every paper in the state!”
  — Johnny Strange (26:27)

• Terry’s deadpan:
  “At least it would be exciting...”
  — Theresa Travis, after being locked up by a murderer (24:25)

Episode Structure with Key Timestamps

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|------------------| | Flamboyant ad, secretary interview | 00:33–03:12 | | Mrs. Farnsworth’s haunted house request | 05:08–06:56 | | Townsfolk & haunted house legend | 07:01–10:03 | | The eerie investigation & secret panel | 10:03–13:01 | | Revelation of Carson through photos | 13:01–14:35 | | Plot to catch Carson, air raid warden | 15:04–17:43 | | Carson confrontation, locked in | 17:43–22:54 | | Flashbulb ruse & physical fight | 22:54–26:34 | | Back in office, aftermath, new case | 26:50–27:57 |

Tone, Style, and Legacy

The episode is a quintessentially witty, fast-paced blend of detective thriller and screwball comedy. Banter between Johnny and Terry brims with double entendres, sly feminism, and rapid, rat-a-tat delivery. The supernatural is quickly supplanted by hardboiled crime, but the playful interplay between the leads ensures the tone remains light—even in peril.

For listeners:
If you love quick-witted detective stories, repartee, and genuine radio suspense (with just a hint of classic camp), this episode is both representative and memorable—a perfect entry into both Results Incorporated and the golden era of radio drama.