Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio — Sealed Book Ep07: The Accusing Corpse

Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Broadcast: (Golden Age of Radio, Date unknown)
Episode Summarized: The Accusing Corpse
Summary Prepared For: August 21, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Sealed Book presents “The Accusing Corpse,” a classic radio drama full of murder, betrayal, and cunning double-crosses. The story revolves around Philip Drake, his wife Vivian, and her scheming brother Roger. Set in a brooding country mansion and the shadowy woods beyond, the tale explores desperate attempts to escape unhappiness, a fake murder, ensuing blackmail, and the ultimate irony of a body that exposes the true killer. The episode is a textbook example of pulp suspense from the Golden Age of Radio, blending melodrama, sharp dialogue, and a twist ending.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: Marital Discord and Threats (03:15–04:31)

• Wealthy stockbroker Philip Drake and his wife Vivian face the dissolution of their rushed three-month marriage.
• Vivian prepares to leave, taunts Philip about another man, and asks for the car.
• Philip, desperate and unstable, threatens her with a gun — “If I can’t have you, no one else will!” (04:14, Philip Drake).
• Roger, Vivian’s brother, enters amidst the escalating confrontation.

2. The “Murder” and Its Aftermath (04:39–07:04)

• A gunshot sounds. Vivian is presumed dead, Philip distraught, and Roger proposes disposing of the body to protect Philip.

• The truth is revealed: the murder was staged. Bullets were blanks, Vivian is alive, and Roger masterminded the deception.

• Roger and Vivian plan to extort money, with Vivian hiding in a secret apartment in town.

  “It was very clever the way you taunted him into doing it.” (06:45, Roger Martinson)
  “You always know what you’re doing.” (06:59, Vivian Drake)

3. The Blackmail Game (07:39–14:46)

• Roger visits Philip and convinces him to hand over $20,000, promising silence about the “crime.”

• Vivian, frustrated by confinement, pressures Roger to speed up the extortion.

• Roger uses patience and psychological manipulation, intent on extracting maximum funds.

  “Blackmail is an art… Philip will give us many times over the money I hold in my hand.” (08:37, Roger Martinson)

• Tension grows between Vivian and Roger over her enforced hiding and Roger’s domination.

  “You will do exactly as I say, Vivian. Exactly. Do you understand?” (09:09, Roger Martinson)

4. Philip’s Growing Suspicion and the Search for the Grave (15:01–18:56)

• Under the weight of guilt and suspicion about Roger’s motivations, Philip finally confronts Roger.

• Philip demands to see Vivian’s grave, increasingly convinced the murder was faked.

• The two visit the purported burial site; Roger reluctantly digs. To their mutual shock, they discover Vivian’s real corpse, complete with a gunshot wound.

  “Vivian isn’t dead, and there’s no use pretending she is. Everything that’s happened was part of a scheme.” (18:19, Philip Drake)
  “Look…you see what I’ve uncovered?” (18:44, Roger Martinson)
  “A hand.” (18:48, Philip Drake)

5. The Poisoned Drink & Deadly Confession (22:01–23:52)

• Back at the house, Roger prevents Philip from calling the police. He prepares a drink for Philip, secretly laced with poison.

• Roger reveals his plan as Philip succumbs.

  “In a very little while...you’ll be dead.” (22:59, Roger Martinson)
  “You murdered her!” (23:28, Philip Drake, dying)

6. The Twist: Accusation from the Grave (24:13–27:18)

• Police and coroner arrive. Roger crafts a story pinning murder on Philip, asserting it was a murder-suicide.

• Coroner Dr. Smith questions Roger, uncovering inconsistencies. He produces a damning piece of evidence: a clothes delivery slip dated after the supposed murder—found in Vivian’s pocket.

• The ruse unravels; Roger is exposed as the true killer.

  “You’re lying, Mr. Martinson. I have in my hand a slip of paper…that will send you to the electric chair.” (26:27, Dr. Smith)
  “The corpse has accused you from the grave of murder.” (27:01, Dr. Smith)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Philip’s Desperation (04:14):
  “If I can’t have you, no one else will. Do you hear?” — Philip Drake

• Roger’s Ruthlessness (09:09):
  “You will do exactly as I say, Vivian. Exactly. Do you understand?” — Roger Martinson

• Revealing the Ruse (06:51):
  “You don’t think I was going to let him discover that the bullets had been removed and blank cartridges substituted, did you?” — Roger Martinson

• Twist of Fate (18:48–19:05):
  “A hand…Vivian. No. No, it can’t be.” — Philip Drake
  “Yes, Philip. Here’s the bullet hole under her heart. The bullet hole you made.” — Roger Martinson

• Downfall of the Villain (26:27–27:11):
  “You’re lying, Mr. Martinson. I have...a slip of paper that…will send you to the electric chair…The corpse has accused you from the grave of murder.” — Dr. Smith

• Roger's Agony (27:11):
  “No, it can’t be. I had everything planned perfectly. Perfectly. Do you hear? Down to the last detail. I couldn’t have failed.” — Roger Martinson

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening and Setup: 03:15–04:31
• Fake Murder and Unveiling the Plot: 04:39–07:04
• Blackmail Escalates, Tension Builds: 07:39–14:46
• Suspicion and the Night Dig: 15:01–18:56
• Poisoned Drink, True Confession: 22:01–23:52
• Police Investigation & Final Revelation: 24:13–27:18

Takeaway

A classic tale of manipulation, greed, and ironic justice, “The Accusing Corpse” embodies the conventions of mid-century radio drama. It’s a tightly plotted story where evil unravels under its own weight, culminating in an “accusation from the grave” that poetic justice fans will savor. Suitable for any listener drawn to the macabre twists of vintage radio suspense.