Podcast Summary: The Avenger 45-08-24 (12) The Blue Pearls

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: The Avenger 45-08-24 (12) The Blue Pearls
Original Air Date: August 24, 1945
Podcast Release Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode features a restored broadcast of The Avenger, a classic radio show from the Golden Age of Radio. In “The Blue Pearls,” Jim Brandon (alias The Avenger) and his assistant Fern Collier investigate a string of seemingly accidental deaths connected to a dope-smuggling ring using blue pearls as their delivery method. The narrative unravels a criminal enterprise hiding beneath social respectability, showcasing themes of justice, subterfuge, and scientific ingenuity.

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. The Epidemic of Reckless Driving and Suspicious Deaths

• Inspector White convenes detectives: Reckless driving in the city has led to a wave of fatalities, and he vows aggressive action. (03:02)
  • “Reckless driving is a crime against public safety.” – Inspector White [03:48]
• Jim and Fern encounter a car accident: They witness a woman’s car weaving before crashing; she is found dying and obsessed about her missing pearls. (04:01–05:10)
  • “My pearls… my pearls.” – Unnamed accident victim [04:56]
  • Jim recognizes her “dying thought was of her pearls.” [05:31]
• Initial investigation: No pearls are found at the scene, leading to suspicion about their real value or purpose. Jim notes the victim was drugged, indicating foul play. (05:54)

2. The Club Rendezvous and the Pearl Scheme

• Dining undercover: Jim and Fern visit Club Rendezvous, suspecting it’s linked to the victims. Jim suspects a narcotics operation—one requiring “the utmost caution.” (06:44–07:00)

• The staged pearl accident:

  • Brenda Clegg (later revealed as part of the criminal ring) “accidentally” breaks her necklace, asking diners to help recover the pearls. Jim quietly retains some, realizing they’re the key to the operation. (07:34–08:00)
  • “Those pearls are absolutely worthless. The whole string could be bought for 10 cents.” – Jim Brandon [09:24]
  • He deduces pearls with dope are being discreetly delivered during the confusion—a clever method to avoid suspicion. (09:27–09:54)
    • “It would be an extremely clever way to deliver a pearl or two that contained dope, wouldn’t it?” – Jim [09:40]

• Waiter interrogation: Jim questions Frederico, the waiter, and discovers Brenda has pulled this trick multiple times at the club. (10:25–11:59)

  • “She tips me well and I ask no questions.” – Frederico [11:09]

3. The Ring Starts to Unravel

• Brenda turns on her partners: Brenda Clegg, fearing arrest and dissatisfied with her cut, threatens to expose the ring. Smokey (her partner) kills her before she can confess. (12:32–13:50)

  • “You don’t have what it takes to pull the trigger. You’re yellow, Smokey.” – Brenda Clegg [13:24]

• Jim’s strategy: On discovering the murder, Jim persuades Inspector White to keep Brenda’s death secret for 24 hours to draw out the rest of the gang. (14:26–14:36)

  • “We’ve got to give this dope ring a chance to keep Operating if we want to pull in the whole mob.” – Jim Brandon [14:29]

4. The Undercover Trap

• Fern goes undercover: Fern poses as Brenda’s friend to learn about the dope operation and a mystery motorboat key found among Brenda’s things. Fern plans to draw out Brenda’s accomplice, the Countess. (15:09–17:28)
• Meeting the Countess: Fern gains the Countess’ trust by providing Brenda’s address and hinting at shared exploits, leading them to leave together. Fern cleverly signs “Loch Island” on a check to tip off Jim. (17:44–19:40)
  • “Signing Loch Island instead of your name... was quick thinking.” – Jim Brandon [30:08]

5. Capture, Escape, and The Avenger’s Intervention

• Pursuit: The Countess spots they’re being tailed; she and Fern use an apartment house as cover, ultimately meeting up with Smokey. [20:05–21:29]
• Confrontation: Smokey, realizing Fern is an imposter, reveals he killed Brenda; Fern is tied up, destined for disposal with the gang’s planned escape. (21:47–24:58)
• Jim Brandon’s rescue: Using his “invisibility” device, Jim confronts the criminals aboard the motorboat, subdues Smokey, and forces their surrender to authorities. (25:52–26:45)
  • “I’m the Avenger, Countess.” – Jim Brandon [26:14]
  • “Now turn the boat around and make for the dock. Unless you prefer to swim back.” – Jim Brandon [26:38]

6. Case Resolution and Aftermath

• Ring is busted: The boat shipment is intercepted; the narcotics squad arrests the entire operation. (28:36–28:53)
• Explaining the scheme: Jim shows Fern an actual blue pearl—wax, tinted blue, indistinguishable in a cheap necklace, used to smuggle drugs. (29:17–29:38)
  • “The shell of the bead is made of wax and tinted blue. Just enough coloring for a discerning eye…” – Jim Brandon [29:19]
• Reflections: Fern thanks Frederico for his act of loyalty, and Jim commends Fern’s quick wits.
  • “Maybe if I stick around long enough, you will make a real detective out of me.” – Fern Collier [30:08]
  • “I don’t know whether I’d like that or not, Vern. Real detectives are supposed to have long noses and big ears.” – Jim Brandon [30:13]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Reckless driving is a crime against public safety.”
  – Inspector White [03:48]

• “My pearls… my pearls.”
  – Dying woman [04:56]

• “It would be an extremely clever way to deliver a pearl or two that contained dope, wouldn’t it?”
  – Jim Brandon [09:40]

• “You don’t have what it takes to pull the trigger. You’re yellow, Smokey.”
  – Brenda Clegg [13:24]

• “We’ve got to give this dope ring a chance to keep operating if we want to pull in the whole mob.”
  – Jim Brandon [14:29]

• “I'm the Avenger, Countess.”
  – Jim Brandon [26:14]

• “The shell of the bead is made of wax and tinted blue… for a discerning eye to distinguish it from an ordinary pearl.”
  – Jim Brandon [29:19]

Key Timestamps

• 03:02: Inspector White addresses the crime wave
• 04:25–05:10: Jim and Fern rescue the accident victim obsessed with pearls
• 07:34–09:00: Brenda’s staged pearl accident at the club
• 11:05–11:59: Waiter Frederico questioned
• 13:24: Brenda Clegg murdered as she tries to confess
• 14:26: Jim advocates for secrecy to catch the whole gang
• 17:44–19:40: Fern’s undercover meeting with the Countess
• 21:29–24:58: Fern captured, criminals plot escape
• 25:52–26:45: The Avenger’s invisible intervention and capture of the gang
• 29:17–29:38: The mechanics of the blue pearl drug-smuggling revealed
• 30:08–30:19: Fern celebrates her success and Jim teases her detective skills

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode maintains the brisk, suspenseful tone characteristic of 1940s crime adventure radio. Dialogue is sharp and clever, often laced with wry humor and understated affection between the leads. The villains display classic gangster bravado, while The Avenger balances scientific rationality, heroism, and an ever-present sense of fairness.

Summary

“The Blue Pearls” deftly mixes thrilling crime drama with unique period charm, spotlighting the ingenuity of criminals and sleuths alike. Using scientific gadgets and quick thinking, Jim Brandon and Fern Collier dismantle a hidden narcotic ring, using undercover tactics and timely intervention to bring about justice. For fans of classic radio, this story is a fine encapsulation of adventure, suspense, and the timeless promise that “crime does not pay.”