Broadway's My Beat: The Ann Cornell Murder Case (EP4685)

Summary

Summary of "Broadway's My Beat: The Ann Cornell Murder Case" (EP4685)

Podcast Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Broadway's My Beat: The Ann Cornell Murder Case
Host: Adam Graham
Release Date: April 23, 2025

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Introduction

In episode 4685 of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio," host Adam Graham delves into "Broadway's My Beat: The Ann Cornell Murder Case," an enthralling detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio. Set against the vibrant and often perilous backdrop of Broadway, this episode follows the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Danny Clover as he unravels the mysterious strangulation of a young music student, Ann Cornell.

Plot Overview

A. Initial Murder Witness Report

The episode commences with Joseph Goodwin (Joseph Curtin) storming into the police headquarters, breathless and insistent that he witnessed a murder on a Broadway sightseeing bus. Despite Detective Danny Clover’s (Larry Thor) initial skepticism, Goodwin's fervent recounting captivates him.

Joseph Goodwin [03:20]: "I saw a murder with my own two eyes. I saw a man strangle a woman. He was furious. She was dying. I saw it."

B. Detective's Investigation

Detective Clover begins piecing together Ann Cornell's background, discovering she hailed from London, Iowa, and was studying piano at the Spence School of Music. Goodwin provides critical details, including a distinctive clue: the murderer wore thick eyeglasses.

Detective Danny Clover [03:36]: "What did you see?"

C. Connection to Arthur Walker

As the investigation unfolds, another murder surfaces—Arthur Walker, a shoe salesman from the same hometown, murdered under similar mysterious circumstances. Clover connects Walker’s case to Ann’s, noting their shared origin and involvement in the Acme sightseeing tour.

D. Mrs. Doris Beeler's Revelation

Mrs. Doris Beeler (played by Florence Ravenel) emerges as a key figure. Upon meeting Detective Clover, she reveals troubling insights about her relationship with the victims, leading to the startling confession that she is the perpetrator behind both murders.

Mrs. Doris Beeler [26:54]: "I didn't mean to hurt you. Anne. Anne."

E. Climax and Resolution

In a tense climax, Mrs. Beeler confronts Clover, exposing her motives rooted in jealousy and unresolved emotional turmoil. Her confession unravels the intertwined mysteries of Ann Cornell and Arthur Walker, bringing closure to both cases.

Key Characters

• Detective Danny Clover (Larry Thor): A dedicated detective navigating the complexities of Broadway's underworld.
• Joseph Goodwin (Joseph Curtin): A pivotal witness claiming to have seen Ann Cornell's murder.
• Mrs. Doris Beeler (Florence Ravenel): The central antagonist whose hidden motives drive the narrative.
• Arthur Walker: A shoe salesman whose murder parallels Ann Cornell's, linking the two cases.

Notable Quotes

• Detective Danny Clover (Larry Thor): "Broadways might be from Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world." [02:13]
• Joseph Goodwin (Joseph Curtin): "I saw a murder with my own two eyes. I saw a man strangle a woman. He was furious. She was dying. I saw it." [03:20]
• Mrs. Doris Beeler: "I didn't mean to hurt you. Anne. Anne." [26:54]
• Detective Danny Clover: "I want to talk to you about one of your pupils." [09:19]

Host's Commentary

Following the dramatization, Adam Graham offers insightful commentary on the episode's narrative structure and character motivations. He reflects on the common trope where murderers manipulate police investigations to appear cooperative, drawing parallels to classic detective stories like those of Sherlock Holmes.

Adam Graham: "Sometimes murderers do help the police out like that. Today's death of a witness is probably one of the more frustrating ones."

Graham also engages with listener feedback, addressing questions about voice actors and character portrayals. He clarifies misconceptions and sheds light on the talents behind the voices that bring these classic dramas to life.

Adam Graham: "Virginia Gregg is very subtle about it, which also might be why she was so often called upon to play multiple parts."

Conclusion

"Broadway's My Beat: The Ann Cornell Murder Case" masterfully combines suspense, character development, and the iconic allure of Broadway to deliver a captivating detective story. Detective Danny Clover's unwavering pursuit of the truth amidst misleading testimonies and hidden motives underscores the timeless appeal of old-time radio mysteries. Host Adam Graham's thoughtful analysis and engagement with the audience further enrich the listening experience, making this episode a standout in the podcast's extensive lineup.

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key plot points, character dynamics, and notable dialogues, while providing insights from the host to enhance understanding for new listeners.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the great detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Broadway's My Beat. But I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I want to let you know about Fulton Fish Market. When it comes to seafood, freshness makes all the difference. And there's something special about getting seafood straight from the [e-mail] for over 200 years, Fulton Fish Market has been the most trusted name in seafoods, supplying top chefs, restaurants, and now home kitchens across the country. Their expert fishmongers carefully select every order, ensuring you get seafood at peak freshness, whether it's wild caught salmon, succulent scallops, or perfectly tender shrimp. And because you're a listener of this podcast, you can enjoy 17% off your entire order by using the promo code code box13 at checkout. That's the best discount they offer. And I earn a commission when you use my code. So it's a win win for great seafood and supporting the show. Ready to bring restaurant quality seafood to your table? Visit fultonfishmarket.com and use promo code box13 to taste the difference. Now, from May 26, 1950, here is the An Cordell murder case.

[Larry Thor]

Broadways might be From Times Square to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, my beat. Larry Thor as Detective Danny Fog. There are several ways to consider the moon over Broadway. It depends upon your job or the company you keep. You can hold somebody's hand and point to it. You can stand on a street corner and sneer at it. Or you can do it the way I did. Stick your head out of the window at police headquarters and try to focus through the haze laid down by the neon. I had just about focused when the interruption came.

[Joseph Goodwin]

My name's Goodwin, they said. Walk right in.

[Larry Thor]

All right, close the door.

[Joseph Goodwin]

I never saw such a sight in all my life.

[Larry Thor]

Sit down, Mr. Goodwin.

[Joseph Goodwin]

You really expect me to sit down after what I just saw? You really do.

[Larry Thor]

What did you see?

[Joseph Goodwin]

A murder with my own two eyes.

[Larry Thor]

Sit down, Mr. Goodman. You don't believe me, do you? I'll tell you, Mr. Goodman, the statistics are against you. We get a dozen calls a day from eyewitnesses to murders.

[Joseph Goodwin]

You see? I told you.

[Larry Thor]

Mostly they turn out to be nothing at all. Drunks, that sort of thing.

[Joseph Goodwin]

I saw a murder. I saw a man strangle a woman. I saw his face. I saw her face. He was furious. She was dying. I saw it. Now, don't tell me to sit down either.

[Larry Thor]

Tell me about it.

[Joseph Goodwin]

From the bus. The Acme site seemed to look Stuart. I got there early, so I got a seat near the window.

[Larry Thor]

What are you talking about, Mr. Goodwin?

[Joseph Goodwin]

The sightseeing bus. I had a seat by the window. That's how I saw it.

[Larry Thor]

Go ahead.

[Joseph Goodwin]

We had just left Chinatown. That was part of the tour. I didn't like Chinatown. It was murky and oriental and it made me feel finicky.

[Larry Thor]

Go ahead, Mr. Goodman.

[Joseph Goodwin]

We left Chinatown and we were riding along. I was watching the street signs go by. You know 31st Street, 32nd Street, 33rd Street.

[Larry Thor]

I do that myself. That's a good one. Go ahead.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Well, around about 35th street and First Avenue, I saw a murder.

[Larry Thor]

Go ahead.

[Joseph Goodwin]

It was in one of those houses. And I remember to observe something.

[Larry Thor]

And what was that?

[Joseph Goodwin]

The house was on the right hand side of the street going north.

[Larry Thor]

What did you do when you saw this murder, Mr. Goodman?

[Joseph Goodwin]

What does a responsible citizen do when he sees a murder while he's riding on a bus? He tells the bus driver.

[Larry Thor]

And what does the bus driver tell you, exactly?

[Joseph Goodwin]

What an irresponsible bus driver always does. He said he had a schedule to keep.

[Larry Thor]

Pardon me, Mr. Goodman. Danny Clover speaking. Danny Mugavin. What's on your mind? Downtown, Danny. Girl's been strangled. Huh? Where? 2416 First Avenue, near 35th. Second house in the corner on the right hand side. Going north. Danny? Yeah. Where are you? Back here, Danny. In the bedroom. All right, Danny, in here. That overstuffed chair facing the window like she was. Yeah. What's that, my friend? People upstairs. Noisy types, Noisy plumbing. Another kid's bouncing a ball on the floor. Sounds like a ball dangled the bruises in his throat. Ripped dress. She's just a kid. 18. Music student from London, Iowa. You saw this gown in the front room? Yeah. Who was she? My kid who came to the big city to study music. Then here a month. Name? Ann Cornell. Nothing. Danny. The ball game's over. Two letters from home, Danny. Pictures of her mother and father. A couple of dresses, coats in the closet. All the ordinary things for a girl from a small town. Maybe the boys from Technical.

[Joseph Goodwin]

How do you do it?

[Larry Thor]

How?

[Joseph Goodwin]

How do you stand over a dead girl and haggle over a desk? Tell me, how do you do it? Because I want to know.

[Larry Thor]

Mother. He called us Danny. It says his name is Sandy McKay. Says he found a girl like that you knew. And Sandy oh, get out.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Please.

[Larry Thor]

Get out.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Leave me alone with Anne. Just for a while. Too many things that I never told her. Just for a while, please.

[Larry Thor]

How old are you, Sandy? Oh, get out. 19. Help us, Sandy. We want to find Anne's murderer. You'll help us do that, won't you, Sandy?

[Joseph Goodwin]

What does it matter? She's dead. Anne's dead.

[Larry Thor]

You knew her back home in Iowa? No.

[Joseph Goodwin]

No.

[Larry Thor]

Where. Where did you meet? Through friends? Someone. It was.

[Joseph Goodwin]

It was at school. I was walking down a hall and I saw her in one of the classrooms. I just went right in, right up to her and talked to her. Everybody laughed.

[Larry Thor]

What school, Sandy?

[Joseph Goodwin]

The Spence School of Music. She was studying piano there. My family wants me to be a musician. I hate it. But it was all right because all of a sudden, there was Anne in a room.

[Larry Thor]

You found her here like this? Tell me about that, Sandy.

[Joseph Goodwin]

We had a date. When I knocked, she didn't answer. Then I crawled, and still she didn't answer. And then the door just opened. I guess it was a draft someplace.

[Larry Thor]

It just opened.

[Joseph Goodwin]

So I came in and. Hey. Hey. Don't touch her.

[Larry Thor]

Leave him alone, Magdalen. Leave him alone. A little while after that, the technical squad arrived, very efficient with their cameras, their dusting powder and their little black book. Sometime after that, they took Sandy McKay down to headquarters for further questioning. Then I went home to sleep. The next morning, I walked down Broadway, turned left two blocks and found myself in front of a tired building that has a lot of names. You take your choice, you walk up four flights and you get four offers. You're perfect for a fairy tale ballet that's opening in New York. You make a stunning cover on a muscle magazine. You can play ukulele with a college boy combo in Atlantic City if you got a song that's trying to be published. All with a slight fee, of course. And on the fifth floor, you find what you're looking for. Alonzo and Blank Spencer, School of Music. Learn as you learn. I went in. I beg your pardon? My. All right.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Trumpet. Playing like that gives me simple.

[Larry Thor]

I don't know why, but my name's Danny Clover.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Danny Clover. You don't have to worry about that. We'll think of a fine name for you. Something that will look good in life. Alonso Alonzo. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. What is it, Blanche? Oh, another student, huh? What's your name, young fellow? He told me. Danny Clover.

[Larry Thor]

You don't have to worry about that. I'm from the police.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, the police band, huh?

[Larry Thor]

Let's hold that for A little while. I want to talk to you about one of your pupils.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Brass or spring?

[Larry Thor]

Anne Cornell. Tell me about her.

[Joseph Goodwin]

A very talented girl. She is a nothing.

[Larry Thor]

Don't care about her talent. Mr. Spence. I've come to tell you she's dead. I bet she's dead.

[Joseph Goodwin]

But how? Yesterday she was here. How?

[Larry Thor]

Murdered. Strangled.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, poor, poor girl. Oh, I'm sorry. What I said to him.

[Larry Thor]

Sorry. You said she was here yesterday, Mrs. Spence. At what time?

[Joseph Goodwin]

In the afternoon, as usual every day, Mr. Clover. She was a talented girl.

[Larry Thor]

She really was.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

Did you notice anything about her yesterday?

[Joseph Goodwin]

But she was happy.

[Larry Thor]

Since that boy, Sandy McCain. Yes.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Since he walked into her classroom one day and started to talk to her. Since then, so happy it showed her face. Music. Oh, who'd want to kill her?

[Larry Thor]

We're trying to find that out.

[Joseph Goodwin]

We'll help, won't we, Alonso?

[Larry Thor]

Of course.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Ann Cornell enrolled a month ago. Paid for her tuition in advance. She came from London, Iowa. London, Iowa. Thank you, Blanche. She came regularly for her instruct. She met Sandy McKay. She seemed happy.

[Larry Thor]

What else?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Well, that's all we know of her, Mr. Clover. Nothing more than that. Nothing at all. Hi, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Guess who? Huh?

[Joseph Goodwin]

I said, guess who, Danny. A former child's play. I play with the Cartaglia bloodhound, Giuseppe, who always gets a laugh. Oh, when the Cartaglia bloodhound responds to my humor like that, I just gotta up his rational, strong heart. I don't know, Danny. That dog, he just wraps me around his third finger.

[Larry Thor]

Well, snipe, whenever you finish laughing. Protective.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh. Oh, I'm finished, Danny. The next item on the agenda, Danny, is Fanny. I apologize for being funny. So kill me.

[Larry Thor]

I may.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Yeah. Well, the next item on the agenda, to wit, the police department of London, Iowa, have graciously completed our files on the deceased Ann Cornell.

[Larry Thor]

You'll tell me about it? Ponte.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, it's a pleasure, Danny. Anne Cornell was indeed 18 years old. Did indeed come here to study the piano. Was from a respectable Iowa family. Indeed. Never a mark against the girl. Loved and respected by all and sundry. I guess it's a big tragedy in our hometown, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Where isn't it? What else did I get?

[Joseph Goodwin]

New reports from Technical. They went over the girls room with a fine tooth comb, claw and mail. Nothing. Nothing that didn't have a reason for being there.

[Larry Thor]

Fingerprints?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Hers. The boys Handy, McKay. And the set identified as belonging to the landlady who has 10 fingers and a dead tight alibi. Nothing. I told you, Danny. In these departments, nothing. But in Another department, Something. Yeah, it could possibly be something.

[Larry Thor]

You'll share it with me, Tertaglia.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, Danny. Why should I share it? Belongs to you. While you were out, the phone call came in. I have the transcript here.

[Larry Thor]

Just tell it to me.

[Joseph Goodwin]

It's from a Mrs. Doris Beeler. Friend of yours, then?

[Larry Thor]

Never heard the name before. What does she want?

[Joseph Goodwin]

She sounded like a nice lady. She says if you will come to her apartment, Hotel, the Jackson on West 87th, she will what I did. She will tell you about the murderer of ann Cornell.

[Adam Graham]

Yes?

[Larry Thor]

Mrs. Bealer? Mrs. Doris Bealer?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Yes. What do you want, young man?

[Larry Thor]

I'm from the police, Mrs. Ber. Danny Clover. I had word that you thought.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Yes, please come in, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

Thank you.

[Joseph Goodwin]

The hallways in your city, they're so long and dark. No windows. I suppose it's because there's so little room to spread out here. This is my first time here, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, yes.

[Joseph Goodwin]

I'm from Iowa. I've never been away from home in my life, except once when I was a little girl. Oh, please sit down, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

Thank you.

[Joseph Goodwin]

You'll find that chair the most comfortable. And they're all so rocky.

[Larry Thor]

But you're from Iowa, Mr. Ber. From London, Iowa?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Why, yes, from London, Iowa. Born and raised there and married there to. Mr. Beer, I'm here to teach you. In London, I away. But how did you know?

[Larry Thor]

They told me over the phone. You could tell me about Anne Cornell's murderer.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Yes, I can, Mr. Covert. I can. Oh, just the doorbell. I'll go see who it is and Send him away. Mr. C. I'll only be a minute. Yes? Oh, Mrs. Ber.

[Larry Thor]

Mrs. Beer. Mr. Beer. What happened? Who was it? Tell me.

[Joseph Goodwin]

And why?

[Larry Thor]

She lay her body pressed against the wall of a narrow channel hallway. There was something serene in her face, a serenity that denied the spectacle, violent death that made of her. They closed her eyes against the blood that soiled her clean dress. Her going away dress, that was all. The silent corridor receiving her death and the serenity. Nothing else. You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. There's this about Broadway. It'll lay your odds on anything. The girl walking towards you will smile two to one. Sorry, kid, you lose that one, but you're welcome to try again. The little guy eyeing the dancers on the spectacular Rita 5. He got lost in Dream Alley and can't go home. No play. No. Here's a good one, kid. A Parlay on murder 18 year old girl, studied music, strangled a woman, shot down because she opened the door. And both from a whistle stop called London, Iowa. Clever, huh, kid? Make your play any way you want it. And at headquarters the next day a man has been trying to tilt the odds in your favor.

[Joseph Goodwin]

You haven't listened to a word I said, Mr. Clover. All I ask of you is that you listen.

[Larry Thor]

All right, Mr. Goodman, I'll listen. You were saying?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Now, see, you haven't heard a word. Do you want to solve the murder of that poor little girl I saw being strangled? Do you really want.

[Larry Thor]

What is it you want to tell me, Mr. Goodwin? That you've solved the murder?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Practically. Practically it was I who saw the deed. In the excitement of revealing the crime to you, I. I completely forgot a most important detail. A most lurid detail.

[Larry Thor]

And that is?

[Joseph Goodwin]

The man who was strangling that girl wore eyeglasses. Thick eyeglasses. There, Clover, it's all yours. Yeah, Danny, see, I am at your beck and call. Oh, you got company.

[Larry Thor]

The company's leaving. Sergeant, will you hold the door open for him? Goodbye, Mr. Goodwin.

[Joseph Goodwin]

But, but see here, you can't just dismiss.

[Larry Thor]

Goodbye, Mr. Goodwin.

[Joseph Goodwin]

That's the thanks I get. Well, it takes all kinds to make a world, I always say. Goodbye, Mr. Goodwin. Whenever you're in the neighborhood, stop in to see it. I said something wrong, daddy? All right, so I apologize. Don't stand there biting my head off without opening your mouth.

[Larry Thor]

What have you got on, Mrs. Bealer?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Thanks, Danny. Mrs. Beeler, we checked the elevator boy. Sex work. Nobody asked for her. While you were in her apartment talking to her, nobody went up even to that floor. They know because it's very quiet that time of day in that hotel.

[Larry Thor]

The other exit.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Check, Danny. There's a service entrance in the back. Nobody saw nobody come in or go out. Mostly because they didn't bother to care if anybody came in or out. They admit the possibility that somebody might help us.

[Larry Thor]

All right, all right.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Well, Danny, you yourself ask me, I.

[Larry Thor]

Hate myself for it. What do you got on Mrs. Beeler from the London, Iowa police.

[Adam Graham]

What?

[Joseph Goodwin]

I expected that. She was a nice lady, known and respected by her neighbors. She was married to a Mr. George Beeler, a music teacher who is at present out of town from London Island. Oh, Danny, those small towns, you know, there's something so peaceful about them. Many times has Mrs. Tartaglia and I entertained a wanderlust to go to such a town.

[Larry Thor]

We even.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Yeah.

[Larry Thor]

Then you think the wanderlust can lead you back to your desk, huh? I think it can go on.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Try it.

[Larry Thor]

The fabulous. Close the door gently on your way out.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Roger, we'll call.

[Larry Thor]

There was nothing to do after that except think about it. The process didn't lend itself well to the old familiar scars in the gently falling dust of police headquarters. I went outside. I almost made it to the sidewalks of the civilians pulled alongside of me and stopped. And the door opened and Officer Foro leaned toward me.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Hi, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, what do you want?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Come on, Johnny.

[Larry Thor]

Homicide, 34th Street.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Each side, right in the subway.

[Larry Thor]

It took seven minutes to get there. The subway was going about its business. The comings and goings of the underground civilian. Except a corner of it. The corner defined around the green bench near the magazine stand. Three policemen in uniform held back a crowd whose face looked like it had a veil drawn over it. And between the subway traffic and the soft clickings of the mob, a man in a brown ready made suit shouldered his way. Hi, Danny. Here, come on, hold my hand. I'll get you through this barrier of curious ounces. What happened? Magdalen? Guy stretched out on the bench. It happened to him. What did? He was pushed into the side of a moving subway train. Witnesses? Yeah. That lady with the bundles. The brown paper bag, huh? Briefly. Mugglen. Well, according to her, she just put a dime in a turnstile.

[Joseph Goodwin]

I see this man here standing near.

[Larry Thor]

The edge of the platform reading the newspaper. And all of a sudden. Did you hear me, Danny? Try it again. Yeah. Well, anyhow, a guy walked up and back up and pushed him against a train.

[Joseph Goodwin]

The guy ran before anybody knew what happened.

[Larry Thor]

The man on the bench. Identification? Oh, yeah, plenty of that. Hotel key, driver's license, Social Security card. Large cars. It work okay. Prison name is Arthur Walker. A traveling salesman of shoes employed by the Black Parrot Shoe Company. A letter in his pocket indicates he was here in a buying trip. Where to check in. Anything on that? Yeah. Vickers Hotel on 47th Street. I know the place down there.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Respectable.

[Larry Thor]

Did you find out where this Arthur Walker came from? I benit you for you to ask me. Arthur Walker came from London, Iowa. I beg your pardon?

[Joseph Goodwin]

I'm sorry, sir. We can't register you without baggage. Unless of course, you pay in advance. You can do that?

[Larry Thor]

I can do even better. Look.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, a policeman. That's what the badge says, doesn't it? I'm quite near sighted. You might be from the gas company.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, I might. You had a guest here, Arthur Walker.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, he's one of most My most desirable clients.

[Larry Thor]

Mr. Walker is.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Whenever he makes a buying trip to New York. He comes to our hospital race. The vicar in the vicar's chain had a guest. But we still have him.

[Larry Thor]

No, he's dead. Murdered.

[Joseph Goodwin]

But that's shocking. Positively shocking. Oh, Mr. Walker, he was always so generous. Never said goodbye without money in his palm. Never.

[Larry Thor]

Tell me more about him.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, he's a shoe salesman. Gave me a sample pair once. His demands were polite, modest. Only once did he call on me, the manager, personally.

[Larry Thor]

What they call on you for?

[Joseph Goodwin]

For a ridiculous tourist type of thing. He wanted me to arrange a ticket for him on some acne sightseeing tour. A sophisticated man like Mr. Walker in shoes and so on.

[Larry Thor]

When was this? The tour? When was it?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Let me see. Why, it was the day before yesterday. That's it. The day before. Anything else?

[Larry Thor]

Nothing. Except your carnation welted manager. Hey, Danny. I'm enjoying myself. I'm glad you are, Mugavan. This Acme bus tour up nooks and down the crannies of old Manhattan is a revelation to me. I'm enjoying it. But I don't get it. Two men we know of took this ride. One saw murder. Another got pushed in front of a subway train. Maybe somewhere. Right.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Ladies and gentlemen, we see the edifice known as the Radio City Music Hall. The fact that to remember about this place is that in the lobby there is a mechanical boy that once in hours sings the song of the Mexican nightingale, the original Spanish language. Also in the lobby there are many. We stop here for five minutes so that you can look at the Fulton street market. In this market it is possible to negotiate for the purchase of Florida pompano. Lump crab meat, jumbo shrimp.

[Larry Thor]

It's just a coincidence, Danny. What can happen on the sightseeing two and has to do with two murders? I don't know. Maybe just what you said, a coincidence.

[Joseph Goodwin]

On either side of the street. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the Bowery where the Blossom meets the Jets.

[Larry Thor]

Up all out.

[Joseph Goodwin]

All out for three. Me dreamy Chinatown. We will have a 30 minute stop over here.

[Larry Thor]

We too, Denny. Sure.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Now. Now I want all of us to sit together in our little party. Acne goods by special arrangement with the shopkeepers of Chinatown has arranged a delightful side tour during which you will be able to buy valuable and rare examples of all the end of art at wholesale prices. Please follow me.

[Larry Thor]

We too, Danny. Just you, Mugavan.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Huh?

[Larry Thor]

Huh? How long do you think it'll take to get over to the house where Anne Cornell was strangled? To First Avenue and 35th by subway. Maybe seven minutes. Yeah, about that That'll give a sightseer plenty time to commit a murder and get back here to become a sightseer again. Wouldn't it, mug?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Huh?

[Larry Thor]

Wouldn't it, Magan? Enjoy China, Tom. Kid. I'm going to try it. Magan was wrong. The trip took eight minutes, but on the way up to An Cornell's room, there was a delay. A woman who told me she was the manager asked me what I wanted. I said, the room of an Cornell and showed her my badge to underline the point. She said Ms. Cornell's room had been rented to a piano teacher because it had a piano in it. She said, listen. Then she said, the music teacher sat.

[Joseph Goodwin]

There, its fingers moving over the keys of the battered upright. I watch it. That's the way it should be played at, see? I'll play it again easily. I do it again. Now watch my right hand.

[Larry Thor]

I didn't know you were a piano teacher, Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Goodman. Mr. Goodwin.

[Joseph Goodwin]

No one by the name of Goodwin is here. What do you mean by interrupting this lesson? Get out of here.

[Larry Thor]

I'm sorry. I didn't know you were giving a lesson, Mr. Bealer. That's right, isn't it? You are Mr. Bealer.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Pay no attention to him, Anne. Here. Now I'll show you once more.

[Larry Thor]

I want you for murder. Mr. Beer. Mr. Beer.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Leave me alone. Leave me alone.

[Larry Thor]

For murder, Mr. Beer.

[Joseph Goodwin]

You understand why I had to kill my wife, don't you, Aunt? She followed me here. She didn't want me to love you.

[Larry Thor]

And Arthur Walker. Why did you kill him?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Please.

[Larry Thor]

How did you kill him, Mr. Bealer?

[Joseph Goodwin]

I had back home. It was scandal and I. That's why you went away from me.

[Larry Thor]

Wasn't that Arthur Walker, Mr. Beeley?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Oh, I had to kill him. He was in New York selling shoes.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah. He was also on the Acme sightseeing tour with you.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Of course he was. Then he read in the newspaper about my wife's death.

[Larry Thor]

He knew you killed her, didn't he?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Yes.

[Larry Thor]

What about Ann?

[Joseph Goodwin]

Mr. Walker remembered he missed me. All the while the bus stopped in Chinatown. He didn't see me again until the bus was ready to leave.

[Larry Thor]

Then Walker did just what I did.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Retraced his steps.

[Larry Thor]

You killed him in the subway.

[Joseph Goodwin]

He found out about Anne when he read that Anne was dead.

[Larry Thor]

Dead?

[Joseph Goodwin]

But you're not dead, Anne. You're not. Now, listen. Listen to me. I didn't mean it. You made me angry. You ran away from me. And then I came to you. And you tried to run away again. And I had to keep you Here. I didn't mean to hurt you. Anne. Anne. And play. Play. Here, I'll show you. I'll show you how.

[Larry Thor]

His finger gripped the ugly sounds and hurled them against the back of Anne's death. Again, again, again. Then the thread that bound his sanity gave way. There was a secret smile on his face. He knew Anne was sitting beside him. Broadway screaming now, it sneered. Makes a fist at the night and the midway's boiling. Its yokels and clowns were a jack in the box with leaps and dark doorways and it's a geek with no arms, no legs and no heart. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, My beat. Broadway's My Beat Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. With Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. The program is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The musical score was composed and conducted by Alexander Curry.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Included in tonight's cast were Joseph Turns.

[Larry Thor]

Norma Varden, Florence Ravenel, Jack Crucian, Sam Edwards and Bert Holland.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Presents. You've been listening to the adventures of Detective Danny Clover and Broadway Is My.

[Larry Thor]

Beat and fiber McGee and Molly. Join us again Monday night at 9:05.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Once again for Fen Presents.

[Larry Thor]

This is Air Force Sergeant Mark McCormick.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. This was rebroadcast from Fen, aka the Far East Network, which served American personnel in Japan, the Philippines and Guam, most likely from the 1970s. This is a case where I have to wonder if the killer would have gotten away with it but for his efforts to cover his own tracks by reporting the case to the police even after he killed the shoe salesman. The tour wouldn't have been viewed as significant by Danny if the killer hadn't claimed to see the murder from the tour bus. But sometimes murderers do help the police out like that. Today's death of a witness is probably one of the more frustrating ones. You don't expect the witness to be genre C savvy, but even without being genre savvy, you would think that Danny would keep an eye on someone who had information to disclose about a murder because it's not beyond the realm of possibility that some might per harm. And he has a lot of experience with that. And also, I will admit that I did decide to mention Fulton Fish Market after hearing that they were featured in this episode. Sometimes you just can't pass up that sort of tie in. Alright, well, listener comments and feedback now. And we start over on YouTube and we have some comments regarding the Marsha Dean murder case. Ronser writes, do I hear the laugher? And that's reference to a character from the Adventures of Superman? No, I don't believe so because Broadway's my beat at this point was Hollywood based and the actor who played the laugher worked in New York, a very distinct voice. And I actually don't know the name of the actor behind the voice. And he's not only played the laugher, he played the Apostle Peter in the Greatest Story Ever Told, that radio series which we featured for one of our Easter specials on the Amazing World Radio. His voice has shown up a couple of times on great detective programs. He was in an episode of Nick Carter and also an episode of Ellery Queen, again, both New York based programs. Then a comment from Kamal who writes, I can't talk now. Why you're standing right here. Why do they always meet at 10pm why don't they know it's a setup when they say come alone? I will say that there is some reason to not immediately dismiss a request to come alone because people are oftentimes really nervous and have cause to be and they may there may be someone around or nearby that they don't want to hear what is going to be told to the police. That said, you would think that the policeman who had as many witnesses die on him as Danny Clover would come up with some alternate ways to handle those sort of requests. And Mechanic6682 said, I easily recognized Howard McNear on both roles, but I also thought I heard Virginia Gregg twice. It could be. I honestly do have some difficulty recognizing when Virginia Gregg and a lot there are actors and probably even more actresses that I don't always recognize when they're doing multiples because they're able to make each of their voices sound so very different. Of course, there are some more standard Virginia grade characterizations. So if I happen to recognize, oh, that' one Virginia Gray characterization and that kind of sounds like another, but I often don't pick up on that with her. She's very subtle about it, which also might be why she was so often called upon to play multiple parts. Like even in something like the Nick Shern matter. If you didn't know that she did a very similar voice in playing Meg in Meg's palace as the landlady who she played in part two of that story before appearing as Kathy O'Dare in parts four and five, you wouldn't actually know that they doubled up. But there are many other actors and actresses who aren't quite as subtle when they do their doubles. And then have an email from Lawrence who writes concerning the Storyline of last week's Broadway's My Beat and this is by email the Marsha Dean murder case. I always question when a client who turns out to be the murderer comes to hire the detective. This is a plot not only used for this show, but I heard it used on different radio detective programs as well. To me, it's just plain ridiculous. However, in thinking about the why, I came up with the explanation Sherlock Holmes gives at the end of the story, the adventure of the retired colorman, which used the same narrative. Joseph Amberly hires Holmes to find his missing wife, yet he's the one that killed her. The why being, he figures that Sherlock won't be able to solve the case and he can then state to everyone, I tried. I even enlisted the services of Sherlock Holmes with no results. Basically a sick mind to begin with. Otherwise a normal person would place a perfunctory police report and move on. Just my deduction with a wink. Yours truly, Lawrence. Well, thanks so much, Lawrence, and it's a fair point. And certainly it applies to something like this week's episode as well. And it probably should temper some of our criticism of the way that murderers act, because oftentimes when people think, well, why didn't the murderer just do that? There is an expectation unspoken that the murderer is a normal person who is going to act within normal expectations. But by the fact that they are committing calculated murder, there's already something that's a bit different about them. Of course, you don't want to just let writers get away with total and utter nonsense, but some perspective, and I think that certainly does make sense. And it's something you could apply to today's case as well. We turn to Spotify, where we have a comment first regarding episode 4661, the Thelma Harper murder case. Charles writes, I always love hearing Sheldon Leonard and that distinctive voice of his. He is my favorite part of It's a Wonderful Life. I appreciate the comment, Charles. I wouldn't say he is my favorite part of the film, but I'm somewhat gratified to hear from someone who associates Sheldon Leonard with It's a Wonderful Life. Because when I hear other people talk about him, they associate him with other things. Horse racing stories and like some of the more shady characters he played at various times. And to be clear, he had an amazing career, not just behind the microphone, but an incredible TV producer. I mean, you look at some of the programs that he produced, the Danny Thomas show, the Andy Griffith show, and the Dick Van Dyke show, as well as I Spy but for me, when I think of Sheldon Leonard, I think of him playing Nick and It's a Wonderful Life and him saying to George and Clarence, oh, you pixies go through the door or out the window. And apologies to the estate of Sheldon Leonard for that horrible attempt at an impersonation. But he is also a lot of fun on radio. But that it's a wonderful live association comes from the fact that I've seen that movie so many times because I grew up in the time where the film was considered public domain and it was actually on television all year round. I remember watching it a couple of times in summer. And then finally, the Lion's eye Comments regarding the Max Wendell murder case and regarding the company that was robbed in that episode. Acme Pharmaceuticals. I knew they made anvils, bird feed and dynamite. Wow, they are diverse. Well, I will say this for Acme, it's kind of a natural fit for them. When you think about all of those chemicals that the coyote ordered from Acme. I mean, you had like growing pills and slow down pills and speed up pills. So of course they had a pharmaceutical company. All right, well, thanks so much. Appreciate all your comments. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Wendy, Patreon supporter since May of 2019, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per. Thanks so much for your support, Wendy. And that'll actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Wednesday with another episode of Broadway's My Beat. But join us back here tomorrow for Mr. And Mrs. North, where that murder.

[Larry Thor]

Last night has got the whole department in an uproar.

[Joseph Goodwin]

That watchman's murder on the east side?

[Larry Thor]

Mm. They dropped it in my lap at about 6:00 this morning and I haven't been able to come up with a thing. Except this. What's that, Bill? The murder weapon. The guy that cracked that safe last night used this on the watchman and then forgot to take it with him.

[Joseph Goodwin]

What is it, Bill? A sash weight?

[Larry Thor]

No, no, it's part of a sectional, Jimmy. What in the world is a sectional, Jimmy? Have you ever seen one? Oh, it's a tool that's made for burglars. It's like a. Like a. Like a crowbar, only it splits up into three sections so it can be carried in a grip without being seen. I never knew There were tools that were specially made for burglars. Oh, there's plenty of them. And they aren't easy to come by either. This one was made by a pro.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Do you know who made it?

[Larry Thor]

Well, Pam, I'm not sure, but I got a pretty good idea. It's got the same markings and workmanship as a Jimmy we picked up about two years ago. Belonged to a thug named Newsle. A safe cracker. One of the best.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Well, then that should make things easy, Bill. If you know who made this Jimmy, all you have to do is arrest him and you got the murderer.

[Larry Thor]

Well, it isn't as easy as that, Pam. The man who made this Jimmy didn't rob that safe last night. How do you know? Because I sent him to jail about six months ago.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Well, then he's gotten out. That's it, Bill, this newsletter man has broken out of prison.

[Larry Thor]

He couldn't have, Pam.

[Joseph Goodwin]

Why not?

[Larry Thor]

Because I sent him up for murder. He was electrocuted the day before.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.