Harold's Old Time Radio: The Avenger – "Death in Mid-Air"

Episode Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Source Show: The Avenger
Episode: Death in Mid-Air

Overview

In this exciting episode from the classic radio serial "The Avenger," detective Jim Brandon (a.k.a. The Avenger), with his resourceful assistant Fern Collier and ally Inspector White, investigates a series of suspicious deaths at a small traveling circus. Aerialists have perished under mysterious circumstances, culminating in an especially dramatic "death in mid-air." As suspicions rise and circus fortunes falter, Jim goes undercover to solve the mystery—unmasking jealousy, sabotage, and a plot involving a rare, valuable animal.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Circus Atmosphere and Initial Incident

Atmosphere Set: Jim Brandon, Fern Collier, and Inspector White attend a charming small-town circus, excited by the fun and games.
- [03:16] Fern: “Oh look, cotton candy. Let’s get some.”
- [03:54] Fern: “A balloon.”
Main Event: The daring aerialist Franciati prepares for a high-wire trapeze act without a safety net.
- [06:09] Fern (anxiously): “Oh, I’m afraid to look.”
- Disaster strikes: Franciati misses his landing and tragically falls to his death.
  - [06:40] Narrator: “He lets go. He somersaults. He missed the W–”
  - The audience is shaken, and the act is halted.

2. The Investigation Begins

Inspector White and Jim Brandon suspect foul play, referencing past accidents and pressing the circus management for answers:
- [11:07] Jim: “One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murder.”
- Tensions rise with Mr. Baldwin (ringmaster/manager), who is wary of halting the circus’ tour due to financial consequences.
- Local financier Mr. Carver refuses to help keep the circus afloat, hinting at ulterior motives.

3. Motive and Means

Discovery of the Liger: Jim and Fern inspect the menagerie, discovering a rare liger.
- [18:19] Jim: “It’s a very rare animal, Fern. Part lion and part tiger… worth a lot of money.”
Jim volunteers to go undercover, performing as "The Great Gilberto" in a risky tightrope act, seeking more clues.
- [18:52] Jim (to Fern): “The Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than yours truly, Jim.”
- [21:02] Fern (nervously): “I just know something awful is going to happen to him.”

4. Another Near Tragedy and Clever Detecting

Jim’s act almost ends in disaster: He becomes dizzy and nearly falls, saved only by a hidden safety wire.
- [21:54] Fern: “Why, he’s hanging in midair!”
- [22:29] Jim: “Fit as a fiddle, Fern.”
Jim reveals he suspects the cause was a “gas pocket” in the circus tent, meant to incapacitate the performer atop the wire.
- [22:33] Jim: “Whatever happened up there happened to me. I got dizzy and lost my balance.”
- The performance proves the deaths may not be accidental.

5. Motive Revealed: The Valuable Liger

Animal Escape Orchestrated: Animals, including the liger, are let loose on purpose during a tense vote on circus workers’ futures. Louis, the balloon vendor, is involved in shooting valuable animals and “saving” the liger.
- [25:48] Jim: “Louie shot a lion and one of the hippos.”
- [26:00] Jim: “Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn’t continue its tour.”
Inspector and Jim close in on the culprit. Jim arranges a trap for the true murderer in the tent.
- [27:35] Jim: “The Avenger is here as an invisible witness against you, Louie the Avenger.”
- Louie tries to escape, but the plan fails; evidence ties him to all three murders.
  - [27:45] Jim: “That balloon inflating tank you have there. That is all the state will need to prove your crimes against you.”

6. The Explanation and Wrap-Up

Mystery Conversation: Inspector probes for details—how the gas worked, why Louie did it, and his true motive.
- [29:59] Jim: “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.”
True motive revealed: Louie recognized the value of the liger, only owned by the circus by chance. He tried to profit by sabotaging the circus, driving down its price so he or his associates (the “jungle circus”) could acquire the menagerie—with the rare liger hidden among more common animals.
- [30:12] Jim: “That liger… is worth more than $50,000… Louie began making offers to buy the menagerie…”
Fern’s final question: Why couldn’t people buy balloons before entering the tent?
- [31:25] Fern: “Why wouldn’t Louis sell them to people until after they came out of the big tent?”
- [31:29] Jim: “…if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose… they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”
Comic relief: Fern jokes that she wants to manage “The Great Gilberto” (Jim’s trapeze act), ending the episode on a light note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

[11:07] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murder.”
[18:52] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“The Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than yours truly, Jim.”
[26:00] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn’t continue its tour.”
[29:59] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“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.”
[30:12] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“That rare animal is worth more than $50,000… Louie began making offers to buy the menagerie through an outfit called the jungle circus.”
[31:29] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“Because if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose. And if that happened, they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”
[31:45] Fern Collier:
“I’ve decided to manage the great Gilberto. I want to see if I can get him from bookings.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

[05:11] – Franciati’s daring act and fatal fall
[09:18] – Baldwin and Inspector White argue over stopping the circus
[11:07] – Jim Brandon posits murder as a possibility
[18:19] – Discovery and significance of the liger
[21:14] – Jim competes as “The Great Gilberto,” nearly falling victim
[25:31] – Animal escape in the menagerie: chaos and gunshots
[27:35] – The Avenger reveals himself and confronts the murderer
[30:12] – Explanation of motive and method; the value of the liger
[31:23] – Balloons as key evidence
[31:45] – Humorous closing by Fern Collier

Episode Tone & Style

Filled with suspense, the episode blends classic radio detective drama with moments of levity, particularly the banter between Jim and Fern. The dialogue keeps to a fast pace, with period-appropriate expressions and a strong sense of camaraderie between the leads. The tone shifts seamlessly from tense (circus tragedies, chase of a murderer) to playful (banter about circus tricks and managerial ambitions).

Summary

"Death in Mid-Air" is a compelling mystery from the Golden Age of Radio, expertly embodying the era’s blend of family entertainment, suspense, and gentle humor. The Avenger proves that even the most innocuous setting—a circus—can prove deadly when greed and deception take center stage. Jim Brandon’s scientific prowess and cool under pressure, aided by Fern’s warmth and wit, make for an engaging slice of vintage detective storytelling.

Harold's Old Time Radio: The Avenger – "Death in Mid-Air"

Episode Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Source Show: The Avenger
Episode: Death in Mid-Air

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Circus Atmosphere and Initial Incident

Atmosphere Set: Jim Brandon, Fern Collier, and Inspector White attend a charming small-town circus, excited by the fun and games.
- [03:16] Fern: “Oh look, cotton candy. Let’s get some.”
- [03:54] Fern: “A balloon.”
Main Event: The daring aerialist Franciati prepares for a high-wire trapeze act without a safety net.
- [06:09] Fern (anxiously): “Oh, I’m afraid to look.”
- Disaster strikes: Franciati misses his landing and tragically falls to his death.
  - [06:40] Narrator: “He lets go. He somersaults. He missed the W–”
  - The audience is shaken, and the act is halted.

2. The Investigation Begins

Inspector White and Jim Brandon suspect foul play, referencing past accidents and pressing the circus management for answers:
- [11:07] Jim: “One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murder.”
- Tensions rise with Mr. Baldwin (ringmaster/manager), who is wary of halting the circus’ tour due to financial consequences.
- Local financier Mr. Carver refuses to help keep the circus afloat, hinting at ulterior motives.

3. Motive and Means

Discovery of the Liger: Jim and Fern inspect the menagerie, discovering a rare liger.
- [18:19] Jim: “It’s a very rare animal, Fern. Part lion and part tiger… worth a lot of money.”
Jim volunteers to go undercover, performing as "The Great Gilberto" in a risky tightrope act, seeking more clues.
- [18:52] Jim (to Fern): “The Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than yours truly, Jim.”
- [21:02] Fern (nervously): “I just know something awful is going to happen to him.”

4. Another Near Tragedy and Clever Detecting

Jim’s act almost ends in disaster: He becomes dizzy and nearly falls, saved only by a hidden safety wire.
- [21:54] Fern: “Why, he’s hanging in midair!”
- [22:29] Jim: “Fit as a fiddle, Fern.”
Jim reveals he suspects the cause was a “gas pocket” in the circus tent, meant to incapacitate the performer atop the wire.
- [22:33] Jim: “Whatever happened up there happened to me. I got dizzy and lost my balance.”
- The performance proves the deaths may not be accidental.

5. Motive Revealed: The Valuable Liger

Animal Escape Orchestrated: Animals, including the liger, are let loose on purpose during a tense vote on circus workers’ futures. Louis, the balloon vendor, is involved in shooting valuable animals and “saving” the liger.
- [25:48] Jim: “Louie shot a lion and one of the hippos.”
- [26:00] Jim: “Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn’t continue its tour.”
Inspector and Jim close in on the culprit. Jim arranges a trap for the true murderer in the tent.
- [27:35] Jim: “The Avenger is here as an invisible witness against you, Louie the Avenger.”
- Louie tries to escape, but the plan fails; evidence ties him to all three murders.
  - [27:45] Jim: “That balloon inflating tank you have there. That is all the state will need to prove your crimes against you.”

6. The Explanation and Wrap-Up

Mystery Conversation: Inspector probes for details—how the gas worked, why Louie did it, and his true motive.
- [29:59] Jim: “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.”
True motive revealed: Louie recognized the value of the liger, only owned by the circus by chance. He tried to profit by sabotaging the circus, driving down its price so he or his associates (the “jungle circus”) could acquire the menagerie—with the rare liger hidden among more common animals.
- [30:12] Jim: “That liger… is worth more than $50,000… Louie began making offers to buy the menagerie…”
Fern’s final question: Why couldn’t people buy balloons before entering the tent?
- [31:25] Fern: “Why wouldn’t Louis sell them to people until after they came out of the big tent?”
- [31:29] Jim: “…if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose… they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”
Comic relief: Fern jokes that she wants to manage “The Great Gilberto” (Jim’s trapeze act), ending the episode on a light note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

[11:07] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“One death may be an accident. Two deaths may be coincidence. But three deaths just may be murder.”
[18:52] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“The Great Gilberto who will perform this afternoon is none other than yours truly, Jim.”
[26:00] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“Someone wanted to make sure the circus wouldn’t continue its tour.”
[29:59] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“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.”
[30:12] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“That rare animal is worth more than $50,000… Louie began making offers to buy the menagerie through an outfit called the jungle circus.”
[31:29] Jim Brandon / The Avenger:
“Because if those balloons were brought into the tent, they might get loose. And if that happened, they would fly up only as far as the gas pocket or remain suspended there. That would have given the whole scheme away.”
[31:45] Fern Collier:
“I’ve decided to manage the great Gilberto. I want to see if I can get him from bookings.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

[05:11] – Franciati’s daring act and fatal fall
[09:18] – Baldwin and Inspector White argue over stopping the circus
[11:07] – Jim Brandon posits murder as a possibility
[18:19] – Discovery and significance of the liger
[21:14] – Jim competes as “The Great Gilberto,” nearly falling victim
[25:31] – Animal escape in the menagerie: chaos and gunshots
[27:35] – The Avenger reveals himself and confronts the murderer
[30:12] – Explanation of motive and method; the value of the liger
[31:23] – Balloons as key evidence
[31:45] – Humorous closing by Fern Collier

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The Avenger - Death in Mid-Air

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: The Avenger – "Death in Mid-Air"

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Circus Atmosphere and Initial Incident

2. The Investigation Begins

3. Motive and Means

4. Another Near Tragedy and Clever Detecting

5. Motive Revealed: The Valuable Liger

6. The Explanation and Wrap-Up

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Episode Tone & Style

Summary

Transcript

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: The Avenger – "Death in Mid-Air"

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Circus Atmosphere and Initial Incident

2. The Investigation Begins

3. Motive and Means

4. Another Near Tragedy and Clever Detecting

5. Motive Revealed: The Valuable Liger

6. The Explanation and Wrap-Up

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Episode Tone & Style

Summary