Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: The Avenger 45-09-28 (17) – "Death in Mid-Air"

Date: January 16, 2026 (original episode: September 28, 1945)
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode is a thrilling detective adventure from the golden age of radio, featuring “The Avenger” (Jim Brandon), his assistant Fern Collier, and their investigation into a series of deadly accidents at a one-ring traveling circus. When the star aerialist falls to his death in front of a shocked crowd, The Avenger suspects foul play. As secrets unravel—with circus finances in jeopardy, mysterious animal behavior, and rare creatures at stake—Jim Brandon ultimately reveals a clever murder plot fueled by greed.

Main theme: Uncovering the truth behind suspicious deaths at a circus, blending science, suspense, and classic whodunit storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Introduction at the Circus

• [01:41] Narrator introduces Jim Brandon, a biochemist who fights crime as “The Avenger” with the help of advanced inventions, aided only by Fern Collier.
• [02:35–03:58] Jim and Fern arrive at the circus, enjoying midway games and banter about balloons and cotton candy.
  • “Oh Jim, these little one ring circuses are more fun than the big ones.” – Fern Collier [02:58]

2. The Tragedy Strikes

• [04:56–07:27] The star event: Francia, the famed tightrope artist, performs a dangerous feat without a safety net but falls to his death during a trapeze trick.
  • “He missed the w—” (Announcer’s cut-off as Francia plunges) [06:58]

3. Suspicion and Investigation

• [07:29–09:43] Inspector White and The Avenger begin investigating; owner Mr. Baldwin insists it’s an accident.
• Jim raises doubts, referencing two prior fatal “accidents” at the circus:
  • “One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence, but three deaths just may be murder.” – Jim Brandon [09:33]

4. The Circus in Crisis: Motives & Tensions

• [12:00–14:21] Behind-the-scenes: Owner Eldorf and manager Baldwin discuss financial ruin unless financier Carver advances another loan. Carver, however, refuses, seeing more gain if the circus fails.
  • “…if you fellas hold this show up here for more than 48 hours, the Eldorf Circus will be ruined.” – Mr. Baldwin [09:50]
• The menagerie (caged animals) is especially valued, particularly a rare liger (lion-tiger hybrid) worth over $50,000.

5. Clues and Daring Risks

• [16:22–17:51] Jim explains his intention to perform as the “Great Gilberto”—to test if foul play is involved in the aerialists’ deaths.

  • “The great Gilberto, who will perform this afternoon, is none other than yours truly, Jim.” – Jim Brandon [17:18]

• [18:09–20:06] During Jim’s performance, he grows dizzy and nearly falls—but is saved by a hidden harness, proving sabotage not due to faulty equipment but something else:

  • “Whatever happened up there happened to me. I got dizzy and lost my balance.” – Jim Brandon [20:11]
  • “Do you know who’s behind all this?” – Inspector White [20:51]
  • “Not yet, Inspector. But all I’ve got to figure out now is why I lost my balance up there.” – Jim Brandon [20:53]

6. Chaos in the Menagerie

• [21:13–24:20] The circus is thrown into further turmoil when someone releases the animals from their cages. Louie, the balloon vendor, shoots several animals to restore order but heroically saves the valuable liger, raising suspicions about his motives.

7. The Reveal: The Avenger’s Confrontation

• [25:00–25:38] Jim catches Louie with the balloon gas machine, realizing it has been weaponized:
  • “It’s an instrument of murder. Turn that gas off.” – Jim Brandon [25:05]
  • “The Avenger is here as an invisible witness against you, Louie.” – Jim Brandon [25:13]
  • Louie attempts to flee, but the police are waiting.

8. Motive and Method Explained

• [27:28–28:46] Inspector White queries Jim on how the gas killed aerialists without affecting the audience:
  • “Because the gas rose to the top of the tent, displaced the oxygen and formed a pocket… that caused the aerialists to grow dizzy and fall.” – Jim Brandon [27:36]
  • Louie’s motive: he wanted the valuable liger. By causing chaos and deaths, he hoped the circus would close, making the menagerie (and the liger) available for cheap purchase.
  • “His motive all the way through was to force the circus out of business.” – Jim Brandon [28:38]

9. Final Revelations and Classic Radio Farewell

• [29:03] A final puzzle: Why wouldn’t Louie sell balloons before the show?
  • “Because if those balloons were brought into the tent… they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket and remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.” – Jim Brandon [29:07]
• (Amusing closing: Fern wants to manage “the Great Gilberto”—Jim’s brief aerialist persona.)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “The road to crime ends in a trap that justice sets. Crime does not pay.”
  – Jim Brandon / The Avenger [00:06]

• “One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence, but three deaths just may be murder.”
  – Jim Brandon [09:33]

• “Because the gas rose to the top of the tent, displaced the oxygen and formed a pocket or stratum up there that caused the aerialist to grow dizzy and fall.”
  – Jim Brandon [27:36]

• “Louie was after that liger in the menagerie. That rare animal is worth more than $50,000.”
  – Jim Brandon [27:48]

• “Because if those balloons were brought into the tent…they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket and remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”
  – Jim Brandon [29:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:41] The Avenger's backstory and inventions explained
• [06:58] Aerialist’s fatal fall
• [09:33] Jim’s “three deaths” rule—reason for suspicion
• [16:45] The rare liger revealed as the motive
• [17:18] Jim decides to go undercover as a performer
• [20:11] Jim realizes he was targeted by dizziness on the wire
• [25:13] Climax: The Avenger confronts Louie
• [27:36] Scientific explanation for how the gas worked
• [28:38] Jim ties up Louie’s motive
• [29:07] The balloon clue explained

Tone and Style

Fast-paced, atmospheric, and classic detective drama, the episode crackles with crisp 1940s radio dialogue: light humor in early carnival banter, escalating tension during the investigation, and a mix of matter-of-fact reasoning and melodrama as the mystery unravels. The Avenger's calm logic, Fern’s concern, and the circus folk’s suspicion lend an immersive "golden age" feel to the entire adventure.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Avenger” delivers both classic radio nostalgia and a clever, well-constructed mystery: a blend of scientific method, undercover daring, and classic motives of greed and opportunity. The atmospheric circus setting, rare animal intrigue, and inventive murder method (balloon gas as a silent killer) make it a standout for fans of vintage detective tales.