Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: The Avenger – Fiery Death

Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode features an installment of "The Avenger," a suspenseful detective drama from the golden age of radio. In "Fiery Death," Jim Brandon (alias The Avenger) and his assistant, Fern Collier, investigate a string of mysterious street deaths initially diagnosed as an inexplicable fever. Their scientific detective work uncovers a sophisticated murder racket using high-tech gadgets and dangerous chemicals, leading to a tense confrontation with a shadowy criminal mastermind.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

Mysterious Street Deaths (03:00–07:00)

• Several recent deaths, including that of a Mr. Meadows, are initially thought to be caused by a deadly fever. Jim Brandon and Inspector White notice a pattern: all victims die suddenly in public places.
• An odd clue: Each victim has two fountain pens, one noticeably oversized and empty.

Notable Quote:

• Inspector White (06:10):
  "Judging from these medical reports, these men died from a strange kind of fever that the doctors haven't been able to identify."

The Fountain Pen Clue & Scientific Detective Work (07:00–15:00)

• Jim Brandon discovers the oversized pens are hollow and contain trace elements with a slight burnt odor.

• Brandon theorizes a powerful radioactive element—actinium A—is used. Its properties and potential lethality are explained:

  • Jim (13:55):
    "It's a powerful radioactive element ... it disintegrates much faster than radium ... if recharged and released suddenly it could penetrate the pores and nose and throat to such an extent that a man would instantly suffocate and die. And the death would seem to be from natural causes."

• With the help of forensic tests and his "telepathic indicator," Jim links the deaths to technology and a criminal plot.

The Murders' Motive and the Money Trail (15:00–22:00)

• The narrative shifts to the criminals. Raymond Doyle wants to have his partner (Albert Chrome) murdered for insurance money.
• The killers operate anonymously, only meeting clients via a screen and requiring an elaborate blindfolding procedure for secrecy.
• The price for murder is $20,000; leverage is used to ensure payment and silence.

Memorable Exchange:

• Boss (18:16):
  "I know you've helped yourself to $50,000 of your firm's money ... if you get rid of him before he finds out, no one will be the wiser."
• Doyle (18:51):
  "All right, I'll pay ... You'll get your money."

Tracing the Perpetrators (22:00–28:00)

• Fern and Jim decide to tail Doyle, suspecting he's meeting his criminal contact to deliver the remainder of the payoff.
• As Doyle waits in a seedy restaurant nervously, The Avenger forms a plan to impersonate an underworld client.

Notable Observation:

• Jim (27:30):
  "Trailing Doyle has its advantages. I'm glad he likes baseball ... But I can't keep my mind on the game today."

Infiltrating the Gang & Final Confrontation (28:00–38:00)

• Jim (posing as “Jones”) is blindfolded and taken to the gang's hideout.
• He courageously maintains his cover, cleverly staying one step ahead and getting Trotter, the henchman, to reveal crucial information.
• The final showdown with Benny, the gang's leader, involves a booby-trapped room and a failed attempt to kill The Avenger with a room full of electricity.

Quotable Showdown:

• Benny (36:24):
  "To kill the Avenger is the dream of every criminal. But the honor will be mine."
• The Avenger (37:00):
  "Pull the switch then, Benny, and let's see what happens."

The Science Explained & Case Closed (38:30–End)

• Jim explains to Inspector White and Fern how the murders were conducted:
  • Dummy pens were filled with actinium A, “activated” from a car-mounted cathode ray device emitting a special Omega ray.
  • Victims' oxygen was ionized, causing death by suffocation and heat—making the cause appear natural.
• The inspector asks about the key clue: Why suspect Doyle? Jim reveals his deduction sprang from Doyle making his firm (not his family) the insurance beneficiary.

Closing Exchange:

• Inspector White (39:55):
  "You say these murders were committed by planting these dummy fountain pens...?"
• Jim (40:10):
  "That's right, inspector. The actinium served as a receiver for a special power ray..."
• Jim (41:25):
  "Doyle had a wife and three children. He would hardly make his business firm the beneficiary unless he expected to outlive his partner."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Inspector White (07:45):
  "But if he died from natural causes, why are you interested, Inspector? ... we've had five cases like this."
• Jim Brandon (13:55):
  "If a method could be devised whereby that actinium A could be recharged and released suddenly, it could ... seem to be from natural causes."
• Boss (18:16):
  "I look into the business of my clients before I do a job for them."
• Benny (36:24):
  "To kill the Avenger is the dream of every criminal. But the honor will be mine."
• Jim Brandon (41:25):
  "Doyle had a wife and three children … He would hardly make his business firm the beneficiary of his insurance unless he expected to outlive his partner."

Important Timestamps

• 03:00: First unexplained street death—Meadows collapses.
• 06:10: Inspector lays out the baffling “fever” case to Jim Brandon.
• 13:55: Jim deduces actinium A as the hidden weapon.
• 18:16: Negotiation for murder: extortion and payment with Doyle and the Boss.
• 27:30: Stakeout at the restaurant.
• 36:24–37:00: The Avenger's final confrontation with Benny.
• 39:55–41:25: Scientific explanation and case wrap-up.

Tone & Language

• Classic “radio detective” style, with dramatic exchanges, brisk investigative talk, and suspenseful criminal plotting.
• Jim's articulation blends scientific clarity with moral urgency; Fern is supportive and sharp; Inspector White provides the procedural voice; criminals speak in brusque, streetwise tones.

Conclusion

"Fiery Death" is a prime example of golden-age radio detective storytelling: inventive, suspenseful, and peppered with science fiction flair. The case moves from the puzzling to the ingenious, culminating in The Avenger’s scientific deduction and action-packed confrontation, delivering both mystery and justice to a shadowy murderer-for-hire syndicate.