The Avenger – "The Subway Ghost"

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

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic Golden Age radio detective story: "The Avenger – The Subway Ghost." The episode follows Jim Brandon (The Avenger) and his assistant Fern Collier as they investigate a series of eerie subway "ghost" appearances that coincide with a string of daring robberies in midtown. Blending crime-solving with a touch of supernatural intrigue, the episode explores how a cleverly executed illusion is manipulated as part of a criminal plot.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Initial Incident on the Subway

[01:09–07:55]

• Setting: Jim Brandon, Inspector White, and motorman Larry investigate the subway after a series of reports of a "ghost" seen on the tracks.
• Incident: As the train travels its route, the trio sees a mysterious man on the tracks. The train appears to run over him, yet when they search, the man has vanished.
• Speculation: All three men witness the event, raising questions about the nature of the "ghost."
• Quotes:
  • Inspector White: “I’m glad all three of us saw it. I swear I wouldn't trust my own eyes if I'd been by myself.” [06:47]
  • Jim Brandon: “This one promises to be rather difficult to explain... That ghost couldn't have been anything with dimension because there was no place for it to hide and no time for it to run away.” [07:04]

2. Competing Investigations: Ghost vs. Robberies

[09:04–12:13]

• Conflict: Inspector White is pulled away to work on a major bank robbery; Brandon chooses to continue investigating the subway ghost.
  • Inspector White: “While you and I spend the afternoon in the subway chasing after our ghost, the biggest bank in town is robbed.” [07:55]
• Theories and Motives:
  • Fern questions if the ghost is a prank; Brandon considers there’s no material motive.
  • Mr. Stevens (subway supervisor) reveals that "ghost" appearances have led to numerous lawsuits, mostly from professional insurance collectors, but the motive still isn't clear. [09:28–10:48]
• Quotes:
  • Fern: “You don’t think it could be someone's idea of a prank?” [09:23]
  • Jim Brandon: "We can't afford to discount anything." [10:48]

3. Pattern Recognition: The Link Between Ghost and Robberies

[12:13–15:48]

• Connecting the Dots: Fern and Jim review newspaper reports and map the locations of the "ghost" sightings and the robberies.
• Key Insight: The ghost always appears in the same subway section, and robberies happen nearby. One motorman, Mike Leary, is present during all incidents where the ghost and robberies coincide.
  • Jim Brandon: “There’s a definite connection between the ghost and the robberies... Now your theory is that the thieves used the subway to make their getaway. Exactly.” [13:18]
  • Inspector White: "Well, now we're getting someplace. That could account for the fantastic disappearance of the robbers." [13:43]

4. Another Subway Stakeout & Murder

[15:48–19:49]

• Action: Brandon, White, and Leary return to the subway, intent on catching the "ghost."
• Details: They notice cobwebs hanging from a girder just before a shot rings out, and Leary is killed.
  • Inspector White: “Somebody shot Larry!” [18:03]
  • Jim Brandon: “I’ll go after him. Take care of Larry, Inspector!” [18:14]

5. The Ghost's Illusion Exposed

[19:49–22:40]

• Investigation: Brandon reveals the "ghost" was a projected image onto a screen of manufactured cobwebs, produced by a hidden projection machine rigged to the subway structure.
• Explanation: The cobwebs are destroyed when the train passes through, erasing evidence.
  • Jim Brandon: “Those cobwebs served as a screen on which the moving picture of a man was projected… When we find that, we have our ghost.” [20:37]
• Confrontation: The murderer is identified as a member of the gang, not a railway worker.

6. Undercover at the Gang’s Hideout

[26:43–31:37]

• Leads: A book of matches from a tavern in a rough part of town is found in Leary's room, prompting Brandon and Fern to stake out the location.
• Observation: They spot known criminals gathering for a payoff—the loot from the robberies.
  • Fern: “Jim. If he's a local crook, he probably fingered all those robberies for some strange gang.” [28:26]
• The Avenger’s Move: Brandon (as the invisible Avenger) joins the gang's back room meeting, disables them, and the police arrive to arrest the gang.

7. The Scheme Explained

[31:37–32:57]

• Fern Summarizes: The ghost scheme was used to halt trains between stations, letting criminals enter unnoticed and make underground getaways.
• Method: The emergency exit allowed criminals to access the subway after Leary let them in. The fake “track walker” (Freddie Barlow) set up the illusion and signaled when all was ready.
  • Fern: “Well, now that ghost can rest in peace in the archives of the commissioner’s office.” [32:42]
  • Jim: “Yes, and I can take you to that dinner I cheated you out of last night.” [32:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Illusion Over Reality:
  • Jim Brandon: "Those cobwebs served as a screen on which the moving picture of a man was projected." [20:37]
• The Nature of Investigation:
  • Fern: “Patience is the deadliest weapon of the law. And the best detective in the world is a total loss without it.” [27:21]
• Humor & Banter:
  • Fern: “What about dinner, Jim?”
    Jim: “I'm afraid you'll have to go on a diet for a few hours, Fern.” [26:52]

Timeline of Important Segments

• [01:09] – Subway ghost first appears to the main characters.
• [09:28] – Introduction of lawsuits as a possible motive.
• [12:13] – Brandon pieces together link between ghost and nearby robberies.
• [15:48] – Second subway stakeout and Leary's murder.
• [19:49] – The ghost illusion is revealed; projector and cobwebs uncovered.
• [26:43] – Brandon and Fern stake out the criminals' tavern hideout.
• [31:37] – Scheme and mechanics of the ghost illusion fully explained.
• [32:46] – Case closed and Jim invites Fern for dinner.

Tone & Style

• Detective realism mixed with playful banter between Brandon and Fern.
• Tense urban atmosphere, punctuated by moments of wit and warmth.
• The episode maintains a brisk, investigative pace true to 1940s radio drama.

Conclusion

"The Subway Ghost" is a classic detective yarn featuring ingenious criminal deception, a touch of the supernatural, and the steady rationality of Jim Brandon and Fern Collier. Through methodical investigation and a bit of patience (and invisibility), The Avenger uncovers the truth behind the ghost, exposes a criminal enterprise, and brings closure to a frightened city—with a promise of dinner.