The Strange Dr Weird 44-11-07 ep01 The House Where Death Lived

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio Episode: The Strange Dr Weird 44-11-07 ep01 The House Where Death Lived
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled The House Where Death Lived, host Harold presents a thrilling tale narrated by the enigmatic Dr. Weird. Set against the backdrop of the Golden Age of Radio, the story weaves a suspenseful narrative filled with mystery, vengeance, and dark intrigue. This summary delves into the key plot points, character dynamics, and notable moments that make this episode a standout addition to the series.

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The Tale Begins: An Ominous Invitation

Dr. Weird opens the story with an atmospheric setting:

Dr. Weird [00:48]: "Good evening. Come in. Won't. Hey, what's the matter? Surely you're not nervous. Perhaps it will help calm you if I tell you a story I heard just the other day about a fortune that can be yours for the taking. All you have to do is go and get it. I call the story The House Where Death Lived."

This invitation sets the stage for a narrative centered around mystery and suspense.

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The Encounter: Detectives Murphy and Smith

The story introduces Detectives Sam Murphy and Bill Smith, who arrive at the secluded mansion of Joshua Crawford, seeking assistance to solve a decade-old tragedy.

Joshua Crawford [03:20]: "I have work for you to do. In a vault in the cellar are jewels worth a quarter of a million dollars. And those jewels must be carefully guarded because they're bait for a trap. I'm setting a trap to catch seven murderers."

Crawford reveals his motive:

Joshua Crawford [04:08]: "Ten years ago, I was a wealthy man. I had a home on Long Island. I had a daughter whom I loved. I had a son-in-law who was like a son to me. Then one night when I was away on business, a gang of thieves, seven of them, invaded my house. They were after the jewels I kept in a vault there. In the end, they killed my daughter and her husband."

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The Plot Thickens: A Trap for Murderers

Crawford details his intricate plan to ensnare the killers:

Joshua Crawford [04:35]: "Those seven men would not believe I was the only one who could open that vault. In the end, they killed my daughter and her husband. I spent my entire fortune trying to trace the criminals. In the end, I succeeded. I learned their names: Big Jim Donovan, Trigger Thompson, Nicky Lavender, Tony Morton, Freddie Lake, Johnny Frisco, and Lefty Williams."

Detectives Murphy and Smith express their commitment to Crawford's vengeance:

Detectives Murphy and Smith [04:36]: "Absolutely, Mr. Crawford. And if I can lure them here, would you help me execute them?"
Joshua Crawford [04:42]: "Execute them? Yes. Help me to punish these men I've named."

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The Execution: Unraveling the Trap

As the night progresses, Murphy and Smith diligently search for the vault, managing to unlock it with Crawford's combination. However, their discovery leads to an unforeseen twist:

Detective [09:07]: "Look at them. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds. A quarter of a million bucks worth."

Their triumph is short-lived as Crawford's true intentions are revealed:

Joshua Crawford [09:29]: "Listen, Mr. Crawford, you got us wrong. We wasn't really gonna hurt you."

The detectives realize they’ve been deceived and are now trapped within the mansion:

Detective Bill Smith [09:29]: "We're locked in. But how could it be?"

Crawford manipulates the situation further, leading to the detectives' downfall:

Joshua Crawford [10:00]: "Look inside them, you'll find your friends."

The story culminates in a dark revelation where Crawford's trap results in the detectives' entrapment and presumed demise.

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The Aftermath: A Cautionary Conclusion

Dr. Weird concludes the tale with a chilling reflection on Crawford's fate and the lingering threat of the jewel-laden vault:

Dr. Weird [12:08]: "Unfortunately, poor old Mr. Crawford was unable to release his two victims from the trap he'd set for them. In the morning he was found tied up and laughing, unable to speak a single intelligent word. He's in an asylum now, still laughing. Frisco and Lefty are still down in that secret room, their pockets stuffed with jewels. But by now, of course, they're probably quite dead."

He leaves listeners with a haunting invitation:

Dr. Weird [12:08]: "So if you want the jewels, you only have to go there and open the vault. And you have to go now. Too bad. But perhaps you'll drop in on me again soon. I'm always home. Just look for the house on the other side of the cemetery. The house of Dr. Weir."

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Notable Quotes

• Josh Crawford on His Vengeance Plan [04:35]: "Those rats deserve executing. And Mr. Crawford, if you can get them inside this house, we'll be the executioners."

• Detective Murphy on Agreeing to the Plan [05:00]: "Alright. Those rats deserve executing. And Mr. Crawford, if you can get them inside this house, we'll be the executioners."

• Dr. Weird’s Final Invitation [12:08]: "So if you want the jewels, you only have to go there and open the vault. And you have to go now."

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Themes and Insights

The House Where Death Lived explores themes of vengeance, deception, and the moral ambiguities of justice. Crawford's meticulous plan to avenge his family's death blurs the lines between righteous retribution and monstrous vengeance. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the corrosive effects of obsession and the unforeseen consequences of seeking personal justice outside the bounds of the law.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Strange Dr Weird masterfully blends suspenseful storytelling with classic radio drama elements, immersing listeners in a tale that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Through Dr. Weird's narration, Harold delivers a story that harkens back to the rich traditions of old-time radio, offering a memorable experience for fans of mystery and suspense.

Transcript

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[Voiceover Artist]

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[Adam Hatz]

Adam Hatz presents the Strange. Dr. Weir.

[Dr. Weird]

Good evening. Come in. Won't. Hey, what's the matter? Surely you're not nervous. Perhaps it will help calm you if I tell you a story I heard just the other day about a fortune that can be yours for the taking. All you have to do is go and get it. I call the story the House where Death Lived.

[Adam Hatz]

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[Dr. Weird]

My story, the house where Death lived begins with two men crouching in the bushes, staring at a great lonely old mansion on top of a windswept hill.

[Voiceover Artist]

Well, there it is. Spooky old joiners. Yeah. I don't like this job. Hey, you're nuts. We couldn't ask for anything easier. Yeah, but somehow that place gives me the creeps. What do you mean? You're a detective, remember? A private dick here to protect the old boy.

[Dr. Weird]

Yeah, yeah.

[Voiceover Artist]

All right.

[Dr. Weird]

Well, okay.

[Voiceover Artist]

Let's get on inside and tell the old guy the detectives Murphy and Smith are here.

[Dr. Weird]

Now wait a minute.

[Voiceover Artist]

In town, they said old man Crawford has a handyman who stays with him until after dark and then goes home. We're gonna wait. I'd rather see the old man alone. You get.

[Dr. Weird]

And so the two men waited in the gathering darkness outside until Frank the handyman left for the night. A few moments later, they banged the old bronze knocker on the front door of the ancient house. Yes.

[Voiceover Artist]

No, I didn't. Hey, what's that? There must be a loudspeaker. Of course. You're quite right. Here's a loudspeaker. Are you Smith and Murphy, the detectives I sent for? Yeah. Yeah, we are. Come in, please. You'll find me upstairs in my bedroom.

[Dr. Weird]

A minute later, old Joshua Crawford, sitting up in bed, surveyed his two visitors.

[Voiceover Artist]

So you're my detectives. Which of you is Murphy and which of you Smith? I'm Sam Murphy and this is my partner, Bill Smith. I'm glad you're here. Very glad. I have work for you to do. In a vault in the cellar are jewels worth a quarter of a million dollars. And those jewels must be carefully guarded because they're bait for a trap. I'm setting a trap to catch seven murderers. A trap to catch seven murderers? Yes. Ten years ago, I was a wealthy man. I had a home on Long Island. I had a daughter whom I loved. I had a son in law who was like a son to me. Then one night when I was away on business, a gang of thieves, seven of them, invaded my house. They were after the jewels I kept in a vault there. A vault to which only I knew the combination. Say, do you mean to. Shut up. Go on, Mr. Crawford. Those seven men would not believe I was the only one who could open that vault. In the end, they killed my daughter and her husband. I see. So you're that Crawford, huh? Yes. I spent my entire fortune trying to trace the criminals. In the end, I succeeded.

[Dr. Weird]

Did you?

[Voiceover Artist]

Yes. I learned their names. They were called Big Jim Donovan, Trigger Thompson, Nicky Lavender, Tony Morton, Freddie Lake, Johnny Frisco and Lefty Williams. A tough bun.

[Dr. Weird]

Monkeys.

[Voiceover Artist]

How do you know they're guilty? I know. I spent a million dollars to find out and all my money was gone with the jewels for which my children were murdered. Those I kept. I came here with them to bait a trap for murder. You mean it? Listen, I know where five of those seven men are. All except Johnny Frisco and Lefty Williams. Now, if I say I know those men are guilty, even though I couldn't prove it in court, would you agree that they should be punished? Absolutely, Mr. Crawford. And if I can lure them here, would you help me execute them? Execute them? Yes. Help me to punish these men I've named. And the jewels in the vault are yours. Well, what do you say? We're your men. Those rats deserve executing. And Mr. Crawford, if you can get them inside this house, we'll be the executioners.

[Adam Hatz]

In just a moment, we'll return to our story and learn what happens to the murder trap set by old Joshua Crawford. Meantime, I believe Dr. Weird would welcome a brief escape from his shadowy world. Am I right, Doctor?

[Dr. Weird]

Yes. Yes, young man, you are right. All of us welcome the world of bright sunshine. Far from the terrors of the night, I could say no.

[Adam Hatz]

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[Dr. Weird]

Now, to continue my little story of the house where death lived. Old Joshua Crawford, promising to tell the detectives more about his strange plan for vengeance in the morning, has dismissed them and fallen asleep. And Smith and Murphy are talking.

[Voiceover Artist]

The idea of him trying to punish seven tough killers. There's something about this setup I don't like. Ah, forget it. Just Lucky sent for us. Our good luck, see? Someday we'll run across Big Jim Donovan and one of the others and tell him about it. Well, I get a laugh. Come to think of it, where is Big Jim and Triggering Nicky these days? Keep our ears open. We ain't heard a word of them for months. They're smart and lying low, that's all. Now, can it, will you? We got something to do tonight. We gotta prove we're good detectives by finding that vault those jewels are in. Come on. Let's get going.

[Dr. Weird]

For an hour, the two men silently prowled the big house while old Joshua Crawford slept. Then, in a far corner of the cellar.

[Voiceover Artist]

Hey. Hey, I found it. This door's a dummy. See? Look. Here's the door of a vault right behind it. Yeah, yeah, but look at it. It's like a bank vault. We'll never get it open. Well, what are we gonna do? Wait till tomorrow and see if we can get the old man to tell us the combination? No, we'll get that combination from him tonight. Hello. How about that combination, Mr. Crawford? Or shall I tell Sam to use that cigarette again? No, no, I'll tell. 7 right, 13 left, 4 right, 10 left, and 0, 7 right. 13 left. All right. Then left. Then 0. Now try it. Bang. That does it. He was telling the truth. Yeah. Fat lot of good it'll do him. Come on. Let's see what's inside. Great gosh, there's a whole room in here. Yeah, I'll say it is. The wall's a solid stone, too. Look, here's a little table with a cash box on it. Open it. Has it got the jewels in it? I would say it has.

[Dr. Weird]

Look at them.

[Voiceover Artist]

Diamonds, rubies, emeralds. A quarter of a million bucks worth.

[Dr. Weird]

Yeah.

[Voiceover Artist]

What's so funny? Oh, what a laugh. That crazy old coot saying he was going to use this ice for bait for seven murderers. Now we got the bait. I don't like it down here. Come on. Let's put the ice in our pockets.

[Dr. Weird]

And get out of here.

[Voiceover Artist]

Okay, I'm ready. Huh? What is it?

[Dr. Weird]

That bolt.

[Voiceover Artist]

It's shut. No, it can't be. Well, it is. There's no way to open it from this side. But it's got to be. Push again. Gotta. It's locked. We're locked in. But how could it be? How'd it happen? Happened when you lifted the cash box. An electric mechanism locked the vault door when the rat took the base. That's him. That's his voice? Yes, by means of a loudspeaker. The whole house is wired with loudspeakers and microphones. You see? I've heard every word you uttered. Listen, Mr. Crawford, you got us wrong. We wasn't really gonna hurt you. No, no. Let us out here. To be sure, push on the stone directly behind the cash box. Yeah. A hidden door will open. A hidden door. Yeah, yeah. I got you. Come on, Bill. Here's the stone. Help me push it here. Wall is open here to go over me on the side. I find it. A much larger room in there, I assure you. Come on, Bill. Must be a way out now. The wall was close to my height to stop over there. Too late. Never mind. You won't be lonely. Look about you. You'll find many old friends to keep you clean company. What's he talking? I don't know. Shine your light around. Look. Seven coffins. Seven coffins in a row on the floor. Look inside them, you'll find your friends. The dry air has preserved them very well. Big Jim Donovan on this one. And here. Here's Trigger Thompson. Mickey Lavender, Tony Morton, Freddie Lee. These. Nice to arrest him. Yes. There for you. Unless you wish to confess and stand trial. Confess? What do you mean, confess? But you Are Johnny Frisco and Lefty WILLIAMS the last two of the seven murderers I've been seeking for 10 years? No. It took my detectives a long time to find you. You were clever from being crooks. You changed your names and became private detectives. But I found you at last. Now, will your confession stand? I know you're wrong. I gave the other the same chance, but each refused to confess. Look at them. They died a far more painful death than the electric chair. They died of starvation. Okay, Mr. Crawford, we confess. I am Johnny Frisco. Bill is Lefty Williams. Good. Good. Now come down. Let us out. You gotta let us stand. Trying to hear you gotta. I can't come down to let you out. You've tied me up. I can't get loose. You'll have to stay there until Frank arrives in the morning to set me loose. You'll have to stay there with your friend. I hope you won't be lonely.

[Dr. Weird]

Unfortunately, poor old Mr. Crawford was unable to release his two victims from the trap he'd set for them. In the morning he was found tied up and laughing, unable to speak a single intelligent word. He's in an asylum now, still laughing. Frisco and left him. They're still down in that secret room, their pockets stuffed with jewels. But by now, of course, they're probably quite dead. So if you want the jewels, you only have to go there and open the vault. And you have to go now. Too bad. But perhaps you'll drop in on me again soon. I'm always home. Just look for the house on the other side of the cemetery. The house of Dr. Weir.

[Adam Hatz]

That man will be back here again in a moment with a word about next week's scalp tingler. Meantime, it's not very far from scalp to hat. And having gone that far, perhaps I should remind you that this program is brought to you by Adam Hack, America's famous hatter. Seriously, gentlemen, I hope you'll take a look at the latest ball line of Adam Hacks. Their top quality, identified by the famous Adam Krecht. And their price, 345 to $10. Visit your Adam Hat Shop tomorrow. Now, that man.

[Dr. Weird]

Dr. Weir, I hope you'll drop in again next week. I want to tell you about a cat that had a human soul. Or at least acted as if it had. And so, with the rest of the story, you'll have to wait until your next visit. Good night.

[Adam Hatz]

Join us again next week at this same time for another visit with The Strange Doctor Weird. The Strange Doctor Weird, directed by Jock McGregor, is presented by the makers of Adam hats, the hats that are always topped in quality. This is mutual.

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