Boston Blackie: Slamming Sammy Saunders (Encore) (EP4712e)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio – Boston Blackie: Slamming Sammy Saunders (Encore) (EP4712e)

Introduction

In this encore episode of Boston Blackie: Slamming Sammy Saunders, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with a suspense-filled detective drama. Hosted by Adam Graham of Radio Detective Podcasts, this episode intricately weaves themes of gambling, deception, and heroism, showcasing the clever detective work of Boston Blackie as he unravels a complex scheme threatening a star baseball player.

Plot Overview

The episode opens with a tense encounter between Sam Carter and Jimmy Saunders, setting the stage for the central conflict. Sam Carter, a local gambler, confronts Jimmy about a substantial debt:

• [03:35] Jimmy Saunders: "Well, if it's about the 50,000 I owe you, I don't have it."
• [03:54] Sam Carter: "You're into me for 50,000. But I'll tell you what I will do."

Carter proposes using Jimmy's brother, Sammy Saunders, a promising baseball player, to resolve the debt by introducing him to a young lady, Catherine Gray. This proposition hints at a deeper plan to manipulate Sammy into throwing games.

Key Characters and Interactions

• Boston Blackie (Dick Kalmer): The astute detective protagonist who seeks to protect Sammy from being exploited.
• Sam Carter (Sam): The antagonist, a gambler orchestrating the scheme against Jimmy and Sammy.
• Inspector Faraday: A police inspector convinced of Blackie's potential involvement in a murder, adding tension to the narrative.
• Catherine Gray: The intriguing young woman connected to the plot, whose true intentions unfold as the story progresses.

Significant Scenes and Quotes

1. The Debt Confrontation:

   • Sam Carter urges Jimmy to involve his brother in a scheme:
     • [03:54] Sam: "If you introduce your brother to a certain young lady, I'll forget you. Only a dime. How's that?"
   • This dialogue establishes the leverage Carter has over Jimmy and sets Sammy's fate in motion.

2. Boston Blackie's Investigation:

   • Upon meeting Jimmy, Blackie discerns Carter's manipulation:
     • [08:17] Jimmy Saunders: "Well, I owed him $50,000, but he canceled a debt because of a favor I did him."
     • [08:29] Blackie: "Carter's probably working on your brother to keep his eyes on Catherine Gray and off the ball."
   • Blackie's skepticism leads him to investigate further, suspecting Sammy is being forced into a rigged game.

3. The Critical Game:

   • The tension peaks during Sammy's pivotal baseball game:
     • [10:26] Dick Kalmer (Narrator): "It's the last of the ninth inning with the score tied at 2-0."
   • Blackie anticipates Sammy throwing the game but is surprised when Sammy instead secures a win, complicating Carter's plans.

4. The Murder Twist:

   • Inspector Faraday confronts Blackie with suspicions linking him to a murder:
     • [12:13] Inspector Faraday: "He was typing the name of his killer... you forgot about the ribbon."
   • This accusation propels Blackie to clear his name while continuing his investigation.

5. Discovering the Racket:

   • Blackie uncovers the true nature of Carter's scheme involving stolen diamonds hidden in a cake:
     • [24:35] Blackie: "Six beautiful blue white diamonds."
   • This revelation connects Carter's gambling operations with jewelry fencing, exposing the depth of the corruption.

Host Commentary and Analysis

After the dramatization, host Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the episode's intricacies:

• [31:03] Adam Graham: "Slamming Sammy Saunders is better with his baseball bat than with general thinking. I did like the idea of racketeers doing something other than gambling to involve a sports star. They telegraphed it a little bit, but still a pretty good take."

Graham appreciates the creative twist of integrating a sports star into a racketeer's scheme, highlighting the episode's ability to blend different thematic elements seamlessly. He also notes potential plot inconsistencies, such as the plausibility of Joe Ashe typing out "Boston Blackie" while being murdered, questioning the realism of character actions under duress.

Conclusion

Boston Blackie: Slamming Sammy Saunders delivers a compelling narrative filled with deceptive schemes, athletic tension, and detective ingenuity. Through well-crafted dialogues and strategic plot developments, the episode keeps listeners engaged while showcasing Boston Blackie's relentless pursuit of justice. Host Adam Graham's thoughtful analysis further enriches the listening experience, offering valuable perspectives on both the strengths and minor flaws within the story.

For fans of old-time radio dramas and detective stories, this episode exemplifies the genre's enduring appeal, blending suspense, character development, and intelligent storytelling. Whether reminiscing about classic radio or discovering it anew, listeners are sure to appreciate the intricate dynamics and heroic endeavors of Boston Blackie in this captivating tale.

Notable Quotes

• Sam Carter: "You're into me for 50,000." ([03:54] Sam)
• Boston Blackie: "Using a ball player is just about the only person who can... be in a certain city at a certain time." ([26:05] Adam Graham)
• Inspector Faraday: "Your name on that typewriter ribbon... Only I was smart enough to think to look at the ribbon and read what was on it." ([12:27] Inspector Faraday)

Listening Information

To delve deeper into more thrilling detective stories from the Golden Age of Radio, subscribe to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio on your favorite podcast platform or visit greatdetectives.net. Join host Adam Graham as he continues to unravel mysteries and engage with listeners through insightful commentary and humor.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

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[Sam]

That's oregonhomecarejobs.com Sam.

[Adam Graham]

Hello, this is Adam Graham. I hope you're enjoying this week's baseball themed encores. As a reminder, any offers or information contained in these episodes is not valid unless it's currently reflected on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website. And remember to listen to the amazing world of radio starting on Wednesday 28 May for the summer of Robert Louis Stevenson. Now enjoy another baseball related encore. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me, box13reatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter RadioDoTestives and become one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com RadioDoTestives Today's program is brought to you by the financial support of our listeners. And in particular, I want to thank Vivian for sending along a one time donation at support.greatdetectives.net and you can also send a donation via the Zelle app to [e-mail] or mail in a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. That's P.O. box 15913. Boise, ID 83715. And you can become one of our ongoing patreon [e-mail] well, now it's time for today's episode of Boys Boston Blackie. The Original Air Date April 29, 1947 and this one is slamming Sammy Saunders.

[Sam]

Baby, you love me. Maybe think of me. Maybe I like it. But I don't mean like.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come in.

[Sam]

Oh, hello, Jimmy. Come on in. Come in.

[Jimmy Saunders]

You wanted to see me, Mr. Carter?

[Sam]

I sure did.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Well, if it's about the 50,000 I owe you, I don't have it.

[Sam]

Oh, well, in that case, Jimmy, maybe you shouldn't be allowed at the roulette tables again till you've paid up.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Oh, but Mr. Carter, you can't do that to me. My luck will change. Give me a chance, will you? A chance?

[Sam]

Oh, come not, Jimmy. You're into me for 50,000. But I'll tell you what I will do.

[Jimmy Saunders]

What?

[Sam]

Your brother Sammy's one of the best baseball players in the league, right?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Well, sure, but what's he got to do with this? Look, I don't want him to know, you understand? I don't want him to know I've been gambling.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, he won't.

[Sam]

He won't, Jimmy. Now, if you introduce your brother to a certain young lady, I'll forget you. Only a dime. How's that?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Just introduce my brother to a girl. And you'll tear up my IOUs for that. Gee, I don't get it.

[Sam]

You don't have to. But I don't get my 50,000 either. What do you say?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Golly, Mr. Carter, I don't know what this is all about.

[Sam]

But you'll do it, huh? That's being a good boy, Jimmy. That's being a smart boy, too. Yeah, maybe the smartest you've ever been.

[Dick Kalmer]

And now on to Dick Kalmer as Boston Blackie.

[Adam Graham]

Enemy to those who make him an enemy.

[Dick Kalmer]

Friend to those who have no friend.

[Adam Graham]

Come in. Hello, Joe. Oh, hello, Carter.

[Sam]

Maybe you're surprised to see me, huh?

[Ruly Carter]

No, no, grazie, Carter.

[Adam Graham]

I thought you were sore at me.

[Sam]

Maybe I forgot what I was sore about.

[Ruly Carter]

That's good.

[Jimmy Saunders]

I hoped you would.

[Sam]

Sure, Joe, I don't hold a grudge. Guy's got a right to make a mistake once in a while.

[Ruly Carter]

Of course, you overdid it, but.

[Sam]

What are you doing writing a letter?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I. I was.

[Sam]

That. It's pretty typical. Nice and clear.

[Ruly Carter]

Yeah, I'm using a brand new ribbon.

[Sam]

I just put it in. Maybe you're gonna write a long letter, huh? Too bad she'll never finish it.

[Adam Graham]

Wait a minute.

[Sam]

Maybe Joe wouldn't want to be caught dead with this paper and his typewriter. And maybe he won't mind if I use his phone now. Maybe I'll hold you just as I told you. Maybe you'll like it. But why is it maybe. Maybe the moment.

[Adam Graham]

Hello?

[Sam]

Oh, Mike, this is Carter. Has Jimmy arranged for his brother to meet that girl?

[Ruly Carter]

I'm gonna make you very happy, boss. It's all set.

[Sam]

Maybe we're in business again. Then Mike might have taken care of everything here too. But guess what Joe was doing when I walked in.

[Ruly Carter]

I'm not good at guessing, boss.

[Sam]

He must have known he was in a jam. He was typing a letter to Boston Blackie.

[Ruly Carter]

To Blackie, huh?

[Sam]

To Blackie.

[Adam Graham]

Uh huh.

[Sam]

I've taken a paper out of the typewriter and I'm gonna burn it. Oh, by the way, maybe I was with you for the past two hours. Mike. You see, somebody just killed Joash and I don't Want to be blamed for killing them just because I did.

[Adam Graham]

You should have seen. You should have seen Inspector Faraday's face when I walked into his office. Barry.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, now, Blackie, why do you tease the inspector? You know you like him.

[Adam Graham]

Sure I do. And I like working on his police cases, but I. I can't help needling him. Honestly, I can't. He practically asks for it just because he's on a case and he hasn't asked for me.

[Mary Wesley]

Now, Blackie, if that's Inspector Faraday at the door, I don't want you to tease him.

[Adam Graham]

Well, I'll try not to. Come in.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Boston Blackie?

[Adam Graham]

Yes, Come in, Blackie.

[Jimmy Saunders]

I'm Jimmy Saunders. You don't know me, but you heard of my brother, Sammy Saunders.

[Adam Graham]

Slamming Sammy Saunders, the rookie baseball sensation?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Yeah.

[Adam Graham]

Well, why didn't you bring your brother along? I'd like to meet him. Oh, excuse me. This is Ms. Westlake, Mr. Saunders.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, how do you do, Mr. Saunders?

[Jimmy Saunders]

How do you do?

[Adam Graham]

What's in your mind, Jimmy?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Well, Blackie, I'm in a jam. You know Rolly Carter, the gambler?

[Adam Graham]

What about him?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Well, I owed him $50,000, but he canceled a debt because of a favor I did him.

[Adam Graham]

You can do someone a $50,000 favor. You're in a bigger league than your brother, Blackie.

[Jimmy Saunders]

All I did for Carter was introduce my brother to a girl named Catherine Gray. And now I'm sure I did something wrong.

[Adam Graham]

You sure did. Jimmy. Carter's probably working on your brother to keep his eyes on Catherine Gray and off the ball.

[Jimmy Saunders]

You mean throw games?

[Adam Graham]

That's right. But I'll put a stop to that. Your brother will really start swinging his bat around when I start throwing my weight.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Well, hello, Harry. You going two for four again today, Harry?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Two for four, Sam, it's nothing to you. You don't go four for five. You think you ought to be benched. Oh, hey, almost forgot. There's a man outside the locker room wants to see you.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Somebody to see me? Well, now, what somebody want to see me about?

[Jimmy Saunders]

I wouldn't know, son.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Well, I'll find out.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Yeah, you do. That guy probably wants you a photograph.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Gosh, I hope so. Well, hello. Do you want to see me?

[Adam Graham]

Yes. I mean, I sure did. I'm Boston Blackie.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Boston Blackie. Well, this sure is a mighty great pleasure. I sure have admired you, Mr. Blackie.

[Adam Graham]

Thanks. But look, you're heading for trouble, Sammy. Yesterday you met a girl named Catherine Gray, didn't you?

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

I sure did. And she sure is good to look at she can cook too.

[Adam Graham]

Sammy, listen, that girl is being hired by Ruly Carter, a gambler, to talk you into throwing games.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Oh, now wait a minute. That's a lie. And you say anything else like that about Ms. Gray.

[Adam Graham]

Sammy, wait a minute. Use those hands of yours to swing a bat, not to swing punches.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Well, nobody's saying anything against Ms. Gray. Nobody's saying I'll throw any ball games. Cause I ain't throwing a ball game for anybody. And you're lucky I don't throw you right out that door.

[Dick Kalmer]

It's low and on the inside for a count of two and two. It's the last of the ninth inning with the score tied at 2 0. In fact, this entire game is a twos for the moment.

[Adam Graham]

Hello, Mary. I finally made it. How's the game going?

[Mary Wesley]

I don't know. It's tied or something. And your friend Bill Slater is talking about nine something.

[Adam Graham]

Slater means ninth inning tied on it. Well, let's see what happens now.

[Mary Wesley]

What do you expect to happen?

[Adam Graham]

I expect Saunders to throw the game if he gets a chance.

[Dick Kalmer]

Jones rounds first.

[Adam Graham]

Hey, hear what Slater said? It's the last half of the ninth and Jones is on second base with a winning run.

[Catherine Gray]

Is that good?

[Adam Graham]

It's perfect. Saunders comes to bat now and let's listen.

[Dick Kalmer]

Yes, it's the last half of the night and the score is tied to two off. New York has the winning run on second base with two out and Slammin Sammy Saunders is coming to back.

[Mary Wesley]

Is this where Saunders can throw the game?

[Adam Graham]

This is a wonderful opportunity for him not to win.

[Dick Kalmer]

A hit here means the ball game for New York and Saunders is overdue Your fingers, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

All right, but I wish I knew what for.

[Dick Kalmer]

Yes. Hit now and it's all over Now. Here comes the pitch and it's a long drive to left. It's going. It's up against the wall. Ah, that's it, folks. Saunders smashed to left to sent Jones across the plate with the winning run. And the ball game is over.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, that's that. Mind if I turn the radio off?

[Adam Graham]

No, go right ahead.

[Dick Kalmer]

Yes, it's New York by a score of 3 to 2. Thanks to that.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, Blackie, he didn't throw the game.

[Adam Graham]

No, he won it, Mary. And that's bad?

[Mary Wesley]

I thought you didn't want him to throw it.

[Adam Graham]

I didn't. That would have been bad for the game. But because he got that hit, it's gonna be bad for him. Carter will kill him for that double. Course. Unless.

[Mary Wesley]

Unless what?

[Adam Graham]

Unless I don't Know what this is all about? Maybe I don't. Maybe I am wrong about. Come in, sir. The home Buddy's home and nobody's come to see him. I'm in, Faraday. But you're getting out.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure, when I'm ready to leave.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, now, now, now, Blackie. You promised you'd be nice to Inspector Faraday.

[Adam Graham]

What, and spoil a beautiful friendship?

[Inspector Faraday]

What friendship? Blackie, do you know a guy named Joe Ashe?

[Adam Graham]

No, I don't know him. I don't feel a bit badly about it. Why?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, he knew you. He was starting to write something. But your name was all he wrote. If you didn't know him, why did you kill him?

[Adam Graham]

Blackie, what makes you think I killed him?

[Inspector Faraday]

Your name on that typewriter ribbon. He was typing the name of his killer. Of course, you were smart enough to destroy the paper Joe Ashe was writing on, but you forgot about the ribbon. Only I was smart enough to think to look at the ribbon and read what was on it.

[Adam Graham]

Don't you think I might have been smart enough to think of the ribbon too, if I saw what he was writing?

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, all right, you didn't kill him. But even if your name was on that ribbon, I don't want you on this case. Now, don't leave your apartment, see? Did you hear what I said? Don't leave.

[Adam Graham]

Well, Mary, you heard what Faraday said, didn't you?

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah, he said, don't leave. Hey, Blackie, where are you going?

[Adam Graham]

Me? Oh, I'm leaving.

[Catherine Gray]

Oh, Sammy, you're a darling to help me with the dishes.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

I'll do the chores all by myself if you'll let me. Ms. Gray. Honey, that was a mighty fine meal you cooked, especially that cake. Oh, sure will miss you when we go on the road after tomorrow's game.

[Catherine Gray]

I miss you, Sammy. Where's the team going first?

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

St. Louis. I like it in St. Louis. I get home runs there.

[Catherine Gray]

I hope you get lots of them. Darling, would you do me a favor?

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

I'm mighty glad to do anything for you, Ms. Gray.

[Catherine Gray]

Well, I have a friend in St. Louis. She used to live with me and loved my cakes. Would you bring one to her?

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Why, sure. Mighty glad to. Just bring it down to the ballpark tomorrow.

[Catherine Gray]

Oh, I certainly will. And think. Thanks. Well, all the dishes are done, thanks to your help, Sammy.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Mighty nice of you to let me help you, Ms. Gray. Honey. Well, now we got lots of time to sit and talk, ain't we?

[Catherine Gray]

Well, it's getting rather late, Sam, and there's an important game tomorrow.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Yeah, I reckon you're right. I'll just go out the back way here. It's closer to the bus.

[Inspector Faraday]

Night, Miss Gray.

[Catherine Gray]

Good night, Sammy. And thanks for helping me.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Thanks for letting me. Sure was a pleasure. Night.

[Catherine Gray]

Maybe you love me. Maybe think of me. Maybe I like it. But I don't mean maybe. He's gone, honey. Or should I call you Mr. Carter when we're talking business?

[Sam]

Maybe. Everything worked out all right, I think.

[Catherine Gray]

Oh, we have him just where we want him, Honey. You'll never know what it's all about.

[Sam]

Maybe nobody else will ever know either. Everything's wonderful, isn't it?

[Catherine Gray]

Certainly is.

[Sam]

Yeah. Joe can't double cross us because he dead. And Boston Black, he's going to take the rap for his murder. And best of all.

[Catherine Gray]

I know, sweetheart. Our hopeless hitter of home runs.

[Sam]

Yeah. Best of all, Sammy Saunders us up to his batting eye in a racket. And he doesn't have any idea what it's all about.

[Dick Kalmer]

And now back to Boston Blackie. Jimmy Saunders loses $50,000 at roulette. Ruly Carter, owner of the gambling house, cancels Jimmy's debts.

[Adam Graham]

When Jimmy introduces his ball playing brother Sammy to a beautiful girl named Catherine Gray, Blackie suspects that Sammy is being railroaded into throwing ball games.

[Dick Kalmer]

But even after meeting the girl, Sammy continues to hit. Meanwhile, a man named Joe Ash is murdered by Carter. The evidence indicates Boston Blackie might be the killer. Inspector Faraday, however, is convinced of Blackie's innocence.

[Adam Graham]

And as we return to our story, Blackie pays a visit to Ruly Carter's gambling den.

[Ruly Carter]

I'm thinking you're not smart, Jimmy. I'm telling you. You know you can't beat the roulette wheel.

[Jimmy Saunders]

I can if I get lucky, Mike. That's why I came down here at noon before anybody else got here. Maybe alone I can do something for myself.

[Ruly Carter]

You're betting against the house, kid. I'm telling you, the house always wins.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Oh, I'll get a win.

[Adam Graham]

Stop.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Hello, Blackie.

[Ruly Carter]

I'm familiar with the face, but I haven't seen seen it in here before. What do you want, Plucky?

[Adam Graham]

Two very simple things, Mike. First of all, I want to see really cut him.

[Ruly Carter]

He's not here.

[Adam Graham]

Oh, well, then I'll at least get the second thing I came for. Something that occurred to me as I stood in the doorway and watched Jimmy play the wheel here and your right foot go to work.

[Ruly Carter]

What do you mean my right foot go to work?

[Adam Graham]

Simply that this wheel is crooked. You can control the number. You want the ball to stop at what? It's an old gimmick, Mike. Why?

[Jimmy Saunders]

They've been cheating me.

[Adam Graham]

They certainly haven't been giving you a fair shake. Look, Jimmy. See that little ball that goes around? There's a metal stop.

[Ruly Carter]

Wisen up the sucker, Blackie. Nobody's gonna love you for that.

[Adam Graham]

I'm so worried. Jimmy, listen.

[Jimmy Saunders]

Yeah?

[Adam Graham]

There's a magnet in this table. When Mike touches a button with his foot, the magnet attracts the ball and falls into a space nowhere near the number you're betting on. Want me to show you?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Yeah.

[Adam Graham]

Yeah. Bend down with me, Blackie.

[Ruly Carter]

I told you nobody's gonna love you. And I wasn't gonna kid. And I'm going to mess you up for this, Black.

[Adam Graham]

You mean you're going to try to suck it?

[Jimmy Saunders]

Blackie, maybe we just made some trouble for ourselves.

[Adam Graham]

Well, that wasn't trouble, Jimmy. That was fun.

[Sam]

Hey, what's going on.

[Adam Graham]

Blackie? Hello, Connor. I was told you weren't in.

[Sam]

What brings you down here, Blackie?

[Adam Graham]

A little workout, that's all. I think your stooge Mike is a little under the weather. And the table?

[Sam]

What's the real reason?

[Adam Graham]

I'll tell you. Joe Ash is dead. You knew him, didn't you?

[Sam]

Yeah. Just hang around.

[Adam Graham]

I think that's one of the things he did. Everybody knows he also fenced stolen jewelry.

[Sam]

I wouldn't know about that.

[Adam Graham]

I suppose you're gonna tell me you didn't even know him.

[Sam]

Maybe I've met him.

[Adam Graham]

Maybe you had a little run in with him, too. That's why I came down here. I thought you'd be happy to know he's out of circulation.

[Sam]

Maybe I am. And maybe I don't like guys coming into my place without an invitation. And maybe you know what this is in my hand, Blackie?

[Adam Graham]

Yes. It's a gun. And maybe you know what's on my mind. Got it?

[Sam]

I don't know and I don't care. So suppose you get out of here and stay out. And when I say stay out, that's one time I don't mean maybe.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello?

[Adam Graham]

Hello, Mary.

[Catherine Gray]

Oh, hello, Blackie.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey, I've been waiting for your call.

[Adam Graham]

For how long?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I'm 23 years old and 23 years.

[Adam Graham]

Cute. Mary. I found out something and I want to find out a little more from a certain Ms. Katherine Gray.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey, Blackie, you stay away from her. I understand she's beautiful.

[Adam Graham]

Possibly. But Mary Carter is using Sammy Saunters and some kind of a racket, and I've got to find out what it is.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, if you're going to find out from Catherine Gray. I'm going with you.

[Adam Graham]

Oh. Oh, no, you're not. One beautiful girl at a time is all I can stand. Goodbye.

[Catherine Gray]

Now will you beat it, Blackie? I got introduced to Sammy Saunders because I wanted to meet him, that's all.

[Adam Graham]

I'm sorry. I can't believe that's all. Ms. Gray, what's cooking? And I don't mean what's up?

[Catherine Gray]

I'm baking a cake.

[Adam Graham]

Oh, the domestic side. You don't look at it.

[Catherine Gray]

The complaint department is closed. Goodbye, Blackie.

[Adam Graham]

I'll say goodbye if you'll be a good girl and tell me why Carter wanted Sammy Saunders to meet you.

[Catherine Gray]

Oh, company. I hope it's who I think it is. Maybe he'll shut you up. Come in.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Howdy, Ms. Gray. Oh, it's you again, huh?

[Adam Graham]

Yes, me again.

[Catherine Gray]

Sammy, throw this guy out of here.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Yes, I sure will, Ms. Gray. This fella tried to say I'd throw a baseball game. Well, I'll tell.

[Adam Graham]

Take it easy, Sammy. Take it easy. Admit I was wrong about that. That hit you got yesterday won the ball game.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

It sure did. Well, Ms. Gray, you ready to go on down to the ballpark with me?

[Catherine Gray]

I would have been ready before, but. But this guy kept bothering me.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Oh, bothering Miss Gray, huh? Well, Blackie, I'm gonna be mighty nice to you and just warn you this time, but next time I'm sure gonna let you have it.

[Adam Graham]

Sammy, I still think.

[Inspector Faraday]

Go.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

I might knock the COVID off you, Blackie. Yes, sir. Now, Ms. Gray, you got that cake ready for me to take to St. Louis with me tomorrow?

[Catherine Gray]

Uhhuh. It'll be ready in just a few minutes. Oh, you've decided to leave, have you, Blackie? So soon?

[Adam Graham]

I've heard all I wanted to hear, Ms. Gray, and that's all I wanted to know. Hi, Bill. Busy, Blackie.

[Dick Kalmer]

Well, hello there. No, I'm not busy. Just waiting for the lineups. Come on in, fella. Glad to see you.

[Adam Graham]

Thanks, Bill. Just dropped in to say hello.

[Dick Kalmer]

You want to sit up here in the booth with me when the game starts, Blackie, you can watch me broadcast the play of a plan. I might even put you on the.

[Adam Graham]

Air between any today's baseball by Bill Slater and Boston Blackie? No thanks, Bill. You're on your own. Who's going to win today?

[Dick Kalmer]

Who's Slammin Sammy playing for?

[Adam Graham]

I see what you mean. Bill, do you know a guy named Ruly Carter?

[Dick Kalmer]

Well, just well enough to hate him by his first name.

[Adam Graham]

Why, I imagine he comes out here to the game every day. Know where he sits? Sure.

[Dick Kalmer]

He's got a box of his own straight down the line there toward home plate from this broadcasting booth.

[Adam Graham]

Why, I'm gonna want to see him later. Thanks for the dope, Bill.

[Dick Kalmer]

Well, it's no trouble at all. Drop in again, Blackie, any old time.

[Adam Graham]

Thanks, Bill. I'll do that. So long. So Rud. Carter.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, watch where you're going.

[Adam Graham]

Well, if it isn't Inspector Faraday, you, huh? And if it isn't, I've got bad news for whoever you are because you look like the inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blackie, don't you remember I told you to stay in your apartment till I found out who killed Joe Ash?

[Adam Graham]

Yes, I remember it, Faraday. But I also remembered that there was a ball game today. And I can't resist a ball game any more than I can resist solving your cases for you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, I suppose you know who killed Joe Ash, huh?

[Adam Graham]

Stay right here with me, Faraday, and I'll not only tell you who killed Joash, I'll show you a racket that will simply kill you.

[Dick Kalmer]

Your attention, please. Your attention, please. This is Bill Slater with the batting orders for today's game for New York.

[Sam]

Maybe you should have given Sammy Saunders a cake before the game.

[Inspector Faraday]

Want me to take it?

[Catherine Gray]

I don't mind catching. Besides, if it was left in the locker room, the players might have helped themselves.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

You might have a point there.

[Adam Graham]

Hear me out.

[Sam]

Certainly gonna enjoy this game. Maybe you are, too, huh?

[Catherine Gray]

With everything worked out to absolute perfection. Oh, I should say so.

[Sam]

Darling, don't you want me to put that cake under the chin?

[Catherine Gray]

No, really. I'll hold it in my lap. It'll be safer.

[Adam Graham]

Maybe it'll be safer in my lap. Come on, Farnie.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm here.

[Catherine Gray]

Blackie. You again?

[Adam Graham]

Yes, but for the last time. I think I'll take that cake.

[Sam]

You'll take nothing.

[Inspector Faraday]

Look out, Blackie. Carter has a gun.

[Adam Graham]

Well, let him have something else.

[Inspector Faraday]

Maybe this will do.

[Adam Graham]

Nice going, Faraday. That sock took the cake. And now, Ms. Gray, I'll take this cake.

[Catherine Gray]

No, you don't. Let go of that.

[Adam Graham]

Sorry. I'm awfully sorry. There we are. Now, let's see what kind of a cake this is.

[Inspector Faraday]

Lanky, this is no time to look at a cake.

[Adam Graham]

This isn't any time to look at a cake, Paraday. It's time to look. I told you I'd break this case for you. And I'll start by breaking this cake.

[Catherine Gray]

No, no, really, don't let him.

[Adam Graham]

Let him try to Stop me. Six strawberries on top. That must mean six of something inside.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you mean? Blankie?

[Sam]

Maybe he doesn't know what he means covered.

[Adam Graham]

I won't tell you. I'll show you after I break it open. There, look what's inside the cake. Six beautiful blue white diamonds.

[Inspector Faraday]

And what diamonds?

[Adam Graham]

Check these and I think you'll find they're stolen. Faraday, I've got an idea the cold icing on this cake covered some awfully hot ice.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Gosh, there's a sure mighty good cake that Ms. Gray baked. Sure you don't want some of it, Blackie?

[Adam Graham]

No, thanks, Sammy. Go ahead and enjoy yourself.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Oh, this is mighty good cake. You want a piece, Ms. Wesley?

[Mary Wesley]

Ah, not me. I've got to watch my figure.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Yeah, sure is Something to watch, Ms. Wesley.

[Adam Graham]

Mmm. This good cake, Sammy, don't you understand? I found six stolen diamonds inside that cake.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Yeah, so I heard. Funny place for diamonds, ain't it?

[Adam Graham]

Very good place for them when they're stolen, Sammy, and need to be taken to a fence.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

What's anybody taking a cake to a fence for? All a fence is good for is to knock home runs over.

[Mary Wesley]

Sammy, the kind of fence Blackie is talking about is a person who buys and sells stolen goods.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Oh, is that right? Well, I never heard of that kind of fence.

[Adam Graham]

And I never heard of a more perfect way to move stolen goods around the country than the one in which Carter was trying to use you.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Mr. Carter was trying to make me do something wrong. Why, I'll bat that guy to the scoreboard and tell him what?

[Adam Graham]

I was trying to use you, Sammy. And no one would have ever suspected you of working for him either. You see, a ball player is just about the only person who can. Well, you can count on being in a certain city at a certain time.

[Mary Wesley]

On certain days, you play in St. Louis, and on certain days you play in Chicago. On other days, you have to be in Boston and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Well, I sure can hit home runs in Pittsburgh.

[Adam Graham]

You can be met by someone buying Carter's stolen goods in Pittsburgh, too. And no one has to worry about whether or not you'll be there, because where the team goes, you go. And everybody has access to the entire season schedule to know beforehand just where you'll be.

[Mary Wesley]

So you see why Mr. Carter was using you to carry and deliver his stolen jewelry and those cakes, don't you?

[Adam Graham]

Nope.

[Catherine Gray]

No.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, he always knew where you'd be, and his fences always knew where to meet you. And since you were there because of a ball game, why no one would ever suspect you were traveling for Mr. Carter, too.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

I wouldn't do anything for that, Mr. Carter. I was carrying those cakes for Ms. Gray. She was mighty pretty. Mighty near as pretty as you, Ms. Wesley.

[Adam Graham]

Don't let good looks fool you, Sammy. Ms. Gray was mixed up with a murderer, you know.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Yeah, I read something about Mr. Carter killing a Mr. Ash.

[Adam Graham]

Ash was killed because Carter formally used him to take stolen jewelry out of the city. And Carter thought Ash was about to double cross him.

[Slamming Sammy Saunders]

Well, gosh, sure am glad you found out all this, Blackie.

[Adam Graham]

But Carter made one mistake. He tried to frame me. You know his box score? No hits, no runs, one error. Sam.

[Catherine Gray]

Sa.

[Adam Graham]

Sam Sa it.

[Mary Wesley]

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[Adam Graham]

This is Andrea J. Graham, author of the web surfer series O and A Madam's Wife. You're listening to the great detectives of Old Time Radio.

Welcome back. Well, I guess if you were going to have someone who needed the case to be explained to him, it'd be slamming Sammy Saunders, who thankfully is better with his baseball bat than with general thinking. I did like the idea of racketeers doing something other than gambling to involve a sports star. I thought that was a nice twist. They telegraphed it a little bit, but still a pretty good take. I also think it was kind of funny how Faraday, you know, got Boston Blackie into the case. It's like he's subconsciously trying to get him in. I mean, going over and asking the why did you kill him? Question. Because he taught Blackie's name. It's. Yeah, it's either the killer trying to frame Blackie, or it was he was typing and then killed. It's really hard to imagine someone typing out Boston Blackie. Could anyone, you know, do normal typing after they've been shot and dying? They'd be hunting and pecking, I would think, though. Blackie's reasoning was off a bit in this episode, too, because he reasoned that Saunders would be in trouble if he didn't throw that very knots game. But gamblers generally would have a specific game they would throw, and it wouldn't necessarily be the one that they were playing that night. All right, well, that's all for now. If you do have a comment, send it to me. Box13greatdetives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook.com RadioDetectives and check out our YouTube archive. YouTube. Great detectives.net we'll be back tomorrow with yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Remember, next Wednesday will be our start of Rocky Jordan. And then join us back here next Thursday for another episode of Boston Blackie. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.