Broadway's My Beat: The Ernie Cauldwell Murder Case (EP4637)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode Summary: Broadway's My Beat: The Ernie Cauldwell Murder Case (EP4637)

Release Date: February 26, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio by Adam Graham Radio Detective Podcasts

---

Introduction

In this enthralling episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham delves into the dramatic and suspense-filled narrative of Broadway's My Beat, specifically focusing on Episode 4637: The Ernie Cauldwell Murder Case. This summary captures the essence of the episode, blending the gripping audio drama with Adam Graham's insightful commentary and listener interactions.

---

Plot Overview

Setting: The story unfolds on Broadway, a bustling and often perilous stretch of New York City, in the mid-20th century.

Main Characters:

• Detective Danny Clover (Larry Thor): A seasoned investigator navigating the complexities of his latest case.
• Peggy Webster (Peggy Webster): The distraught wife of the accused, seeking justice for her husband.
• Jimmy Webster (Jimmy Webster): Peggy's husband, wrongly confessing to the murder.
• Sergeant Tartaglia (Travis Faulkner): A deputy sheriff from Norcross County with questionable motives.
• Father Garrity (Father Garrity): A compassionate priest involved in the case.
• Doc Rundle (Sergeant Tartaglia): A dubious medical practitioner linked to the victims.

---

Detailed Summary

Initial Investigation: The episode commences with Detective Danny Clover addressing airport stress, transitioning into the mystery of Ernie Cauldwell's murder. Peggy Webster arrives at the police station, passionately asserting her husband Jimmy's innocence despite his confession.

• Peggy Webster: “I know Jimmy didn't do it, Mr. Clover. I just know Jimmy couldn't kill a man. Not Jimmy.” [04:30]

Clover grapples with the perplexing confession, questioning Peggy about her husband’s sudden admission.

Unraveling the Confession: Jimmy Webster's confession appears inexplicable as he portrays himself as a person incapable of murder. Peggy’s unwavering belief in Jimmy’s innocence fuels Detective Clover’s determination to uncover the truth.

• Danny Clover: “Then why did he confess? Your husband seems a normal, healthy boy with a good brain. Why would he confess to a killing he didn't do?” [04:42]

The Pillowcase Clue: A mysterious rubber pad for a crib and a card from Sophie Driscoll in Peggy’s possession raise questions about hidden motives and unseen threats.

• Peggy Webster: “It's a rubber pad for a crib, Mr. Clover. Here. These boxes by my bench. They gave me a shower during the afternoon drink. Blankets, bibs, diapers, nighties. This is strange.” [14:21]

Confrontation with Sergeant Tartaglia: Detective Clover interrogates Sergeant Tartaglia, uncovering links between Sophie Driscoll and the murder, pointing towards deeper conspiracies within Norcross County.

• Travis Faulkner: “Sophie Driscoll was a real sick girl. Oh, how the moments she wasn't drinking were too few and far between.” [18:48]

Father Garrity’s Testimony: Father Garrity provides crucial information about Sophie Driscoll's background, connecting her to Norcross County and hinting at her possible involvement in the mysteries surrounding the case.

• Father Garrity: “Sophie Driscoll came to me with this letter. It’s a letter of introduction from Father Westfall.” [24:05]

Climactic Resolution: Detective Clover pieces together the puzzle, revealing Sergeant Tartaglia's sinister role in the murders. A confrontation at the Cozy Club in Harlem leads to Tartaglia’s downfall, exonerating Jimmy Webster.

• Danny Clover: “You made good time, Lieutenant. Hi, Anderson. Let’s talk.” [27:00]
• Jimmy Webster: “I killed him. I shot him.” [06:22]

Conclusion of the Drama: The narrative concludes with Clover reflecting on the case's complexities and the intertwined relationships that led to the truth's unveiling. The final moments illustrate the harsh realities of Broadway's underbelly and the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Clover.

---

Host’s Commentary and Analysis

Adam Graham’s Reflections: Post-drama, Adam Graham provides a thoughtful analysis of the episode, critiquing character motivations and plot developments.

• Character Portrayal: Adam highlights the unusual portrayal of Sergeant Tartaglia as a racial bigot, a rarity in Golden Age detective programs, adding depth to his villainous character. He remarks, “It's rare to have Golden Age detective programs portray a character as a racial bigot... but they do do that with Faulkner.” [31:52]

• Plot Mechanics: Graham critiques the believability of Jimmy’s confession, questioning the logic behind his sudden admission and the absence of a clear motive.

• Clue Assessment: He finds the pillowcase clue particularly perplexing and offers insights into its narrative significance, pondering whether it was intended as a red herring or a pivotal element in the story.

• Influence of Old-Time Radio: Graham acknowledges Broadway's My Beat for its entertainment value despite plot flaws, emphasizing the importance of character interactions and the overall ambiance they create.

Listener Feedback: Adam shares comments from listeners, enhancing the episode’s engagement and community feel.

• Caleb from Pennsylvania: Appreciates the nostalgic element of the radio drama and draws parallels to modern equivalents, noting the timeless absurdity of certain murder motives. “It's not so much about the destination, but the friends you meet along the way.” [34:44]

• Terry from YouTube: Enjoys the concise storytelling and praises the show’s ability to resolve complex cases efficiently. “They do manage to cover a lot of ground in a relatively short time…” [34:44]

• Jasmine from Chicago: Commends the show for keeping old-time radio alive and influencing contemporary writers and artists. “These shows are so amazing and they influence future writers and artists of the comic and detective genre.” [34:44]

Adam Graham extends gratitude to long-time supporters like Judith, reinforcing the podcast’s community-oriented approach and encouraging new listeners to engage and support the show.

---

Closing and Teasers

As the episode wraps up, Adam Graham teases the next installment of Broadway's My Beat and hints at upcoming mysteries, maintaining suspense and listener anticipation.

• Final Drama Tease: The episode concludes with a brief continuation of the drama, setting the stage for future developments in Peggy Webster’s story and Detective Clover’s ongoing investigations. Peggy encounters a new threat, ensuring listeners remain hooked for subsequent episodes. [39:10-40:06]

• Engagement Encouragement: Adam invites listeners to share their thoughts via emails, social media, and patronage platforms, fostering an interactive and supportive listener base.

---

Conclusion

Broadway's My Beat: The Ernie Cauldwell Murder Case offers a captivating glimpse into the challenges faced by Detective Danny Clover as he untangles a web of lies, confessions, and hidden motives on the perilous streets of Broadway. Through meticulous storytelling and engaging character dynamics, combined with Adam Graham’s insightful commentary, the episode not only entertains but also invites listeners to ponder the intricacies of justice and human nature.

For those new to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, this episode exemplifies the rich narrative tapestry and enduring allure of Golden Age radio dramas. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, Broadway's My Beat promises a thrilling auditory adventure that keeps the spirit of classic detective stories alive.

---

Connect with The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

• Website: greatdetectives.net
• Patreon: patreon.greatdetectives.net
• Social Media:
  • Twitter: @radiodetectives
  • Instagram: instagram.com/greatdetectives

---

Thank you for tuning into The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. Subscribe to stay updated with the latest episodes and continue your journey through the fascinating world of old-time radio mysteries.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

Airport stress.

[Danny Clover]

Step into relaxation with the Platinum card and get that wait, am I famous? Treatment. Enjoy complimentary access to over 1400 airport lounges with the American Express Global Lounge.

[Peggy Webster]

Collection and the Platinum card.

[Danny Clover]

Learn [e-mail] Explore Platinum Terms apply. You need parts. O'Reilly Auto Parts has parts. Need them fast. We've got fast. No matter what you need, we have thousands of professional parts people doing their part to make sure you have it. Product availability Just one part that makes O'Reilly stand apart. The professional parts people.

[Adam Graham]

Oh, oh, oh.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[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 first, I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us. Using your favorite podcast software, our Listener support campaign, you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net and I want to go ahead and welcome Jasmine as our latest Patreon supporter at the rookie level of $2 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, jasmine. Now, from April 7, 1950, here is the Ernie Caldwell murder case.

[Danny Clover]

Broadway's My Beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway's my Beat with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Broadway, where the torrent of night races through the neon chasm and you're caught up in it and whirled and crushed against the shrieking and the shadows. Then you wake and the night is gone. There's nothing, only the debris of night and the stain of its rage. You count yourself lucky because you think you're one of the few who got away. Then you take a good look and you know you didn't make it. It's Broadway, My beat. Sergeant Tartaglia had told me an hour ago she was waiting. Then a little later, he came in and told me again. Then I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. The fact of her presence had been whispering to me from the reports I pretended had to be filled out from the desk drawers that needed cleaning and had been cleaned only yesterday. I couldn't put it off any longer, so I told Tartaglia to show her in.

[Travis Faulkner]

You can go in now, Mrs. Webster.

[Peggy Webster]

Thank you.

[Travis Faulkner]

Here, here, Mrs. Webster. I will get you a chair. Sit down, Mrs. Webster. Go on, sit down. It's perfectly all right to sit down?

[Peggy Webster]

Thank you very much, Mr. Tartaglia. Sergeant Tartaglia?

[Travis Faulkner]

That's right, Mrs. Webster. Maybe you can do something.

[Danny Clover]

Hey, shut the door, Tartaglia. And don't put any calls through for a while, huh?

[Travis Faulkner]

All right, then.

[Peggy Webster]

Thank you for letting me talk to you, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

It's all right.

[Peggy Webster]

Forgive me for the way I look. I came over in my lunch hour. And this new. It's regulation for the girls who work in the drill press, so our hair won't get caught. I didn't have time to.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, you look fine, Mrs. Webster. Fine.

[Peggy Webster]

You know why I'm here, don't you, Mr. Clover? That's why you didn't want to see me right off.

[Danny Clover]

There's nothing we can do. Your husband confessed to the murder.

[Peggy Webster]

I know Jimmy didn't do it, Mr. Clover. I don't know any other way to say it, any other way to convince you. I just know Jimmy couldn't kill a man. Not Jimmy.

[Danny Clover]

Then why did he confess? Your husband seems a normal, healthy boy with a good brain. Why would he confess to a killing he didn't do?

[Peggy Webster]

I don't know. Maybe because he thinks someone else did it.

[Danny Clover]

Someone you. Maybe.

[Peggy Webster]

Jimmy loves me. He'd do a thing like that for someone he loved. Just talk to him, Mr. Clover. That's all I ask. You'll see then what kind of a boy he is. You'll see.

[Danny Clover]

When is it going to be, Ms. Lofton?

[Peggy Webster]

The baby? In August. We want a little girl, I think.

[Danny Clover]

You're still working?

[Peggy Webster]

Oh, yes. The Fearless Vacuum Cleaner Company is very nice to me. To all of us. They said I could keep working for as long as I thought it was all right.

[Danny Clover]

Well, then you take care of yourself, Ms. Webster.

[Peggy Webster]

It doesn't matter about me. It's Jimmy. Will you talk to him? Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I made you overstay your lunch hour. Just tell him to call me and I'll explain it to them.

[Peggy Webster]

Will you talk to Jimmy?

[Danny Clover]

All right, Mrs. Webster. I'll talk to him. So you're not wearing the blue suit.

[Jimmy Webster]

Who are you?

[Danny Clover]

Danny Clover. You a padre? I didn't ask for no padre. It's too early. Anyhow, it goes trial, the judge looking sad, shaving my hair.

[Jimmy Webster]

You'll get your turn.

[Danny Clover]

I'm a policeman. Oh. So? I just talked to your wife, Jimmy. What for? What does he have to talk to her for? Talk to me. I'm right here in cell 42, tier 3. Day and night, 24 hours. So you'll do it. Talk to me and leave her alone. Leave Peggy alone. What do you want with her anyhow? What will she tell you that I won't? But I killed Ernie Caldwell. I killed him. That's all you need to know, Jimmy. Yeah? Yeah. What do you want? You killed Caldwell. You're sure? How can a man not be sure of shooting somebody? Go ahead, you know. Go ahead, you tell me. How can a man kill a guy up close and not know about it? If he were drunk? No, not me. Not drunk. What did you do with the gun you killed Ernie with? I killed him. I shot him. I threw the gun away. Where? In a trash can. A sewer? I don't remember. I was upset. I can't remember a thing after I pulled the trigger. Why did you kill him? You know Ernie Caldwell? Why ask me? I know where he Caldwell. I know about the man he came here with. Travis Faulkner, deputy sheriff from Norcross County. That's a thousand miles from here, Jimmy. That's how far I ran. But they caught me running from Ernie and Faulkner. Yeah. I stole a drum of gasoline once, Clover. They put me to building county roads. I couldn't see doing that. I slugged a guard and ran a thousand miles to New York. You did pretty well in New York, Jimmy. Job a fine wife. Leave her out, huh? Peggy knew all about what happened in Norcross County. Maybe she killed Caldwell. Maybe you know that. Maybe that's why you're saying your.

[Travis Faulkner]

Take it easy.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, that's better. Listen to me. Listen to me, Clover. I killed Ernie Caldwell. I shot him and dragged his body into an alley. I saw him standing there and I shot him dead. If the boy had had a brass band or a rooftop, he couldn't have announced it with more clarity, more defiance. He had motive, all right. A man had chased him across miles, across time. This man could grind out, destroy the life the boy had built for himself, for his wife, for his coming child, and for this. The boy shot him dead. There was motive and there was confession. And I stayed with it and didn't stop to ask myself why. The Department of Records gave me the hotel address of Travis Faulkner, Deputy Sheriff, Norcross County. I called him, told him I wanted to talk to him. Sheriff Faulkner told me there was a lot of New York left for him to see. If I wanted to talk to him, I'd have to meet him at the penny arcade on 56th Street.

[Jimmy Webster]

Just a minute, Mr. Clover. I'll be right with you. Hot dog. Hot diggity ziggity, dog. It's too Bad. You can't share this with me, Mr. Clover. Cause I ain't gonna let you Turkish.

[Danny Clover]

Delight a night in a harem. Think you can deny yourself for a little while, Faulkner? Just long enough to talk to me.

[Jimmy Webster]

Well, I'll tell you, my mouth's been watering to get at those guns over there. Why don't you talk to me while I do a little shooting? What do you want to talk to a country sheriff about?

[Danny Clover]

Lieutenant Jimmy Webster. Let's talk about him.

[Jimmy Webster]

Just saying his name leaves a dirty taste in my mouth, Lieutenant. What are you New York Police waiting for? Why don't you execute him right now? Electric chair. That's how you go about out here, isn't it?

[Danny Clover]

That's right, Sheriff.

[Jimmy Webster]

That's too good for him. Quick like that. You know what? I could get down on my knees and Beg you for, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

No, I don't.

[Jimmy Webster]

Just leave me alone in a cell with him. Just for a little while. Hey, this looks like a good little cheap gun. I'll treat you, Lieutenant, if you'd care to shoot with me.

[Danny Clover]

I'm sorry, mister.

[Jimmy Webster]

I was gonna use that gun. What are you. Now? Were you really going to do that, boy?

[Danny Clover]

Leave him alone, Faulkner. I said leave him alone. It's all right, son. You can use this gun.

[Jimmy Webster]

Yeah, it's all right. But you won't get in my way, will you, boy?

[Danny Clover]

No. Here, take the gun. I don't want it. I changed my mind. It's all right. Take it.

[Travis Faulkner]

Oh, thanks.

[Danny Clover]

Thanks, mister, but I. I changed my mind. We do a lot of things different here, Faulkner. Get used to it.

[Jimmy Webster]

You expect me to get used to that? I couldn't. No more than I could get used to the idea that my buddy was murdered right here in your fair city.

[Danny Clover]

Ernie Caldwell.

[Jimmy Webster]

Ernie was the best friend a man ever had. We were close, Ernie and me. And that pig killed him. Just because Ernie was doing his duty.

[Danny Clover]

Maybe he didn't kill Ernie.

[Jimmy Webster]

You not only do things different, you think different, don't you, Lieutenant? Boy's wife been crying on you.

[Danny Clover]

When you got to New York, you and Caldwell, you didn't try to take Webster right away. Your signed statement says you were here almost a day and a night before you tried to take him. Why was that?

[Jimmy Webster]

I'll tell you. Only because you asked me polite, Lieutenant. Ernie and me, we had an old acquaintance to look at. Just to talk over old times. Oh, God. This shooting's gonna rob me of my spoil. Change. Got five pennies for a nickel a dinner.

[Danny Clover]

I poured five bright and shining Coppers into his hand toil worn with pulling slot machine levers. I said no. When he offered me the nickel, he said, well, I'll thank you. Thank you. I said. Goodbye. It was 3:30 when I left the arcade. What I had was nothing. What I had was nothing at all. The thought turned into those words all the way uptown, through Manhattan, under the river and into Brooklyn. That's what I had to tell Peggy Webster. I had nothing at all. At the gate of the Fearless Vacuum Cleaner Company, the guard and I exchanged badge numbers and he said, Mrs. Webster's bench is right down there. Peggy.

[Peggy Webster]

Oh, hello, Mr. Clover. Wait. Will you wait just a minute?

[Danny Clover]

Sure.

[Peggy Webster]

Now. Oh, it was wonderful of you to come up here, Mr. Clover. I'm grateful. You know I'm grateful.

[Danny Clover]

Of course. Peggy.

[Peggy Webster]

Yes, what is it, Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

What?

[Peggy Webster]

Oh, nothing.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Peggy, I.

[Peggy Webster]

But you'll keep trying now that you know that Jimmy didn't commit that murder. I'm sure.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Peyton.

[Peggy Webster]

Yes?

[Danny Clover]

You know that even if Jimmy is not guilty of this murder, he's still wanted in another state. He's an escaped convict. One way or another, we're going to have to extradite him.

[Peggy Webster]

I know that. I'll wait for him, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

I'll keep trying to hurt.

[Peggy Webster]

I know you will. Look. Look at this, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Pretty. Real pretty.

[Peggy Webster]

I bet you don't even know what it is.

[Danny Clover]

No. No, I don't. But it's pretty.

[Peggy Webster]

It's a rubber pad for a crib, Mr. Clover. Here. These boxes by my bench. They gave me a shower during the afternoon drink. Blankets, bibs, diapers, nighties. This is strange.

[Danny Clover]

What is this?

[Peggy Webster]

This package. A messenger brought it a little while ago. The guard passed it through because he knew about the shower. Here, I'll show you.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, Pillowcase.

[Peggy Webster]

Hand embroidered. It's lovely.

[Danny Clover]

But what's strange about it?

[Peggy Webster]

The card that came with it from here. Here it is. From Sophie Driscoll, Aetna Hotel. And don't you see, I don't know any Sophie Driscoll. I thought she was a girl working here at the shop. I checked and she isn't. I just don't know anyone by that name. Oh, that's quitting time, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. I'll take you home, Peggy. And Peggy. Yes, I'll take.

[Father Garrity]

The Etna Hotel. Gives you greeting. Yeah, sign the alias here and tell me what it's going to be.

[Jimmy Webster]

With or without, huh?

[Father Garrity]

With or without a bath, Buster.

[Danny Clover]

Sophie Driscoll.

[Father Garrity]

Uh, sorry. But, uh, come to think of it, I'm not sorry at all.

[Danny Clover]

Just uh, Buster, read this.

[Father Garrity]

You gotta wait. If you want me to do that, I gotta find my glasses, and that's tough to do without my glasses.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, but the shape of it spells badge. And the six hazy spots on it spells.

[Father Garrity]

It does, huh? What about Sophie Driscoll?

[Danny Clover]

What about her?

[Father Garrity]

Sleeping it off, Buster. So she can wake up and get herself another bonded reason for sleeping it off.

[Danny Clover]

Show me.

[Father Garrity]

Sure. A hop, skip and a jump down the hall.

[Danny Clover]

Let's walk. Sure.

[Father Garrity]

Sophie wanted criminal or something goose pimply like that. Oh, top drawer. Confidential, huh? Well, here's a room on the bed.

[Danny Clover]

So.

[Father Garrity]

Hey, Sophie really out, wouldn't you say so, Buster?

[Danny Clover]

Something like that. Ms. Driscoll. Hey, Ms. Driscoll, wake up. Wake up.

[Father Garrity]

Hey. On her hands, running down. No, that's. That's Brad, ain't it, Buster? Sophie. Hey, Sophie.

[Danny Clover]

Save it. She won't answer. I had a question to ask her, but she won't answer. You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. One thing about Broadway, if you've got talent, if you've got a twist that'll lift you out of the mediocre, Broadway will patch you lovingly on the head. And thank you for the diversion. The opportunities are infinite. You can spell mop with two peas or confess to a murder, or be found stabbed to death on a narrow bed in a small room in a dismal hotel. My part of it was trying to make the last two fit together. Why, I asked myself, had a boy confessed to a murder? Why, I queried, had an anonymous woman sent his wife a present? Why, I asked, had the anonymous woman met violent death at headquarters the next morning, Sergeant Gino Tartaglia had his own approach.

[Travis Faulkner]

I've been asking myself questions, Danny, and no answer. However, in the matter of the death of Sophie Driscoll, the boys at technical report the following. No fingerprints on the murder weapon and and to wit, thousands of fingerprints in that hotel room, perhaps going back to 1912. Conclusion, to wit, we have indubitably encountered a riddle as to the death of Sophie Driscoll. Indubitably.

[Danny Clover]

What about the boy, Jimmy Webster? How is he?

[Travis Faulkner]

I peeked into his cell on the way up. Here he sits there. I remarked to myself that he must be in a strange and storm tossed mood. Indubitably.

[Danny Clover]

You've been improving your vocabulary again, Titaglia.

[Travis Faulkner]

Ah, you noticed it, huh, Danny? Every night Mrs. Tartaglia reads me to sleep with a word from the dictionary. Last night it Was indubitably.

[Danny Clover]

I'm happy for you. What else, Tataglia?

[Travis Faulkner]

What else is a morsel which may or may not tweak your thinking bone Kwit? Sophie Driscoll, according to our intelligence, was a real sick girl. Oh, how the moments she wasn't drinking were too few and far between. However, she was trying to get rid of her sickness. She was a patient of a phony who calls himself Doc Rundle. A doc who makes the Bowery his home and his office. The end of my report.

[Danny Clover]

Goodbye to Taglio.

[Travis Faulkner]

You gone someplace, Danny?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. To Doc Rundle. Rundle. Doc Rundle.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Where's your turn, boy? I'm having a daydream.

[Danny Clover]

Now.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Now, I take a little sedative to calm me down. Now, now, now. Here. Sick, aren't you, boy? Sick. Sick. Well, I'll heal you, kill you, set you on the path of sanitary living. The beautiful life. Sans alcohol, sans nightmare, sansad.

[Danny Clover]

You can do all that?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

It's a promise, boy. I can show you testimonials that'll make you want to kiss my feet. Now, the question is, how do you want the cure? I have two methods, equally costly, equally desirable. Mental therapy or electrotherapy. My patients have a choice.

[Danny Clover]

Which one did you use on Sophie Dreskell?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Sophie. Sophie recommended you to me.

[Danny Clover]

Sophie was murdered. Before she could tell me anything.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

I knew she was murdered. It brought great sorrow to all of us. To me especially.

[Danny Clover]

Share it with me, doctor. Tell me about Sophie.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Give me a good sanitary reason why I should do that.

[Danny Clover]

I'm from the police. Sanitary enough, Doc?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

You think I murdered Sophie?

[Danny Clover]

She came here often?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Every day. Every day? From the day I made her believe I could help her. And then last Tuesday.

[Danny Clover]

What happened last Tuesday?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

She had an appointment with me. I set aside two hours for her. For her alone, from seven to nine. Sophie didn't keep it.

[Danny Clover]

That upset you?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Oh, yes. Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. So much so that I went to her room and beat on her door.

[Danny Clover]

Then what?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

She screamed at me, wouldn't let me in. All my work was wiped out. I knew it. She screamed at me and laughed. I know she's been drinking again. There were men with her, laughing and ning around to renounce me on my way.

[Danny Clover]

Last Tuesday, huh? A murder was committed that night. Did you know that, Doc? The murder of a deputy sheriff named Ernie Caldwell.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

You accused me of that too. You are sick. I could help him.

[Danny Clover]

Here. Some other time. Document. But you'll be here if I need you, huh, doc? After that, there was nothing at all. Doc Rundle went Into another daydream and I went through the exit. Back at headquarters, I wrote it all down. Sophie Driscoll had had a party the night of the murder of Ernie Caldwell. A couple of days later, Sophie Driscoll was murdered. Then I drew a line and added it up. Sophie Driscoll was a key, and Sophie Driscoll was dead. There was a cipher missing. The way it happened was simple enough. The phone rang. Father Garrity of St. Christopher's Church wanted to see me about Sophie Driscoll. Father Garrity?

[Father Garrity]

Yes, boy. You must be Mr. Clovar from the pulley.

[Danny Clover]

That's right.

[Father Garrity]

This way, please. Through this door. Please be seated.

[Danny Clover]

Thank you.

[Father Garrity]

About Sophie Driscoll. She was rather tall, Mr. Clover. Is that the one? Heavy set, with blond hair.

[Danny Clover]

Yes.

[Father Garrity]

Sophie Driscoll came to me about two years ago.

[Danny Clover]

She was in trouble.

[Father Garrity]

Oh, she came to me with this letter. It's a letter of introduction from Father Westfall. You see, this is sometimes sent a person moves away from home. One parish priest will write a letter of introduction to the priest of a new parish. This is such a letter.

[Danny Clover]

I see.

[Father Garrity]

I assured Mistress School that she would be welcome to our flock. And she attended church quite regularly for a while. Then it became very infrequent that she attended services. Finally, she stopped coming altogether. I haven't seen her for a year. And I thought perhaps.

[Danny Clover]

Just one thing, father. Where did Ms. Driscoll come from?

[Father Garrity]

Oh, come from? Well, why, here it is right here on the letter. It's postmarked Norcross County.

[Travis Faulkner]

Have a nice talk with Father Gowdy.

[Danny Clover]

Denny, you're reading again to there, Danny.

[Travis Faulkner]

I am eating circus peanuts. Mrs. Tartaglia heisted from the Tartaglia children. Have some.

[Danny Clover]

Thanks, I will now.

[Travis Faulkner]

Go ahead. Help yourself, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Thank you.

[Travis Faulkner]

Ain't it awful the way nothing tastes so good as a stolen confection?

[Danny Clover]

Awful. Yeah.

[Travis Faulkner]

Have a nice talk with the father.

[Danny Clover]

Realize the father told me Sophie Driscoll came from Norcross County.

[Travis Faulkner]

Hey, Danny, you think maybe the father has got a grapevine into the police department, huh? I only mention the possibility because this is exactly the morsel of information I was going to bequeath upon you that Sophie Driscoll did indeed come from Norcross County.

[Danny Clover]

Take your peanuts and get out of here.

[Travis Faulkner]

Well, before you throw me out again, Danny, there is more to this bit of information than meets the ear.

[Danny Clover]

You don't say.

[Travis Faulkner]

Yeah, Danny. Yeah. It seems that for a series of misdemeanors, this aforementioned Sophie Driscoll was asked to leave the county at a time when the deputy sheriff was by the name of Travis Faulkner, whom heretofore I have not mentioned.

[Danny Clover]

Faulkner. Yeah.

[Travis Faulkner]

The same Faulkner who even now is in our city. The same who came after Jimmy Webster. The same who. Hey, this being a deputy sheriff, this is pretty steady work, huh, Nanny?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Thank you very much, Sergeant Ataglia. You've been real assiduous. I have the missing cipher. Now, it could add up. It could add up to the exoneration of a boy who had confessed to a murder he didn't do. Or it could add up to zero and the boy's execution. Either way, it had to be done. I went to Faulkner's hotel. He was out. They told me. I asked where. They didn't know. They told me. Seeing the sights maybe. Deputy Sheriff Faulkner was crazy about the sights of New York. They told me. So I put out an all points bulletin. I needed a long talk with Deputy Faulkner. And at 11 at night, the call came from a cabbie. He had driven Faulkner to points of interest. Faulkner liked the one called the Cozy Club in Harlem. Very interesting. Yeah, he should be there now. I put in a call to the Harlem precinct. Have them alert Detective Anderson. I wanted Anderson with me. You made good time, Lieutenant. Hi, Anderson. They tell me you asked for me. Any special reason? No, I. I think I'm going to grab a killer. I'd just like to have you along. I might need you. Any special killer? Ernie Caldwell's. Maybe Sophie Driscolls. Maybe Caldwell, the deputy sheriff from Norcos County. Well, you got a boy who confessed to that, didn't he? We have. But I like this one better. Well, it's not always a matter of what you like, Lieutenant. No. No, it isn't. But it all adds up. So neat. Anderson, Travis, Faulkner. That's who you want? Yeah. Faulkner came to New York with Caldwell. They were supposed to pick up Jimmy Webster, but they waited. They got a right to do that. Yeah, but they called on an old acquaintance. Faulkner told me that. So? So the old acquaintance was Sophie Driscoll, also from Norcross County. They had a party for old times sake. A drunken party, I've been told. Well, that could happen with old acquaintance. Yeah, and it could happen that a drunken Faulkner could kill his buddy pal. Because there was a falling out among old acquaintances. And Sophie witnessed the murder. When she learned Jimmy was being held for it, she tried to make it up to him with a little gift for his baby. So you figured Sophie was killed because she might have got sorry enough to spill the whole business, huh? Yeah, but that still doesn't wipe out the boy's confession. No. He thought his wife killed Caldwell so that Caldwell couldn't take Jimmy away from her. That could wipe it out, couldn't it? Yeah, it could. Let's go in. Anderson. There he is. Anderson, over there. That man at the corner table. Yeah. Come on. Hi, Faulkner. Hey.

[Jimmy Webster]

Well now, how to you, Clover?

[Danny Clover]

Hi. Sit down.

[Jimmy Webster]

Sit down, Clover. Who's your friend?

[Danny Clover]

My name's Anderson. Detective Anderson.

[Jimmy Webster]

A detective now? Well, feature it, will ya?

[Danny Clover]

Okay, Faulkner. Let's get out of here.

[Jimmy Webster]

You kidding? You suddenly gone simple. My minimum charge ain't up yet.

[Danny Clover]

Things can't wait. Faulkner. You're charged with murder.

[Jimmy Webster]

Yeah, I am.

[Danny Clover]

Huh.

[Jimmy Webster]

You've really gone simple, ain't you?

[Danny Clover]

Two murders. Ernie Caldwell and Sophie Driscoll. You ready?

[Jimmy Webster]

Ready? No, I ain't ready. It ain't murder killing two like that.

[Danny Clover]

You ain't taking me, Clover. Watch it, Danny. His gun. Give me that. I sure will fault nurse, so help me. You too, Clover. You can have it too. No, he can't. I watched Faulkner. There was a kind of fascination in watching a man like Faulkner. The sudden swift ebb of his life as he crumpled there before me, his eyes closing over the final fact that a bullet from Anderson's gun had done it all. Anderson smiled, smiled up at me, ashamed of the hurt in his leg. He said something about I was right after all. Broadway's happy now. There's easy laughter, and a hot trumpet skirls its song out into the grinning mob. And a man puts his hand in a trash can. It's the journey you made because you had no choice. The excursion to the end. Of all the streets in the world, it's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mild in the world. Broadway. My Beat. Broadway's My Beat Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover, with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The musical score was composed and conducted by Alexander Courage.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. An interesting case. Indubitably. It's rare to have Golden Age detective programs portray a character as a racial bigot, particularly when it doesn't have anything to do with their crime. But they do do that with Faulkner, although there's a limit to how overt they are about it. Regardless, he's a thoroughly unpleasant character overall, so it's not very surprising that he turned out to be the killer. His name is an odd choice. Faulkner is a name that would have been very much in people's minds as Southern writer William Faulkner had won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949. Beyond that, I have a lot of troubles with the crime and the way the case played out. Jimmy suspecting his wife of having committed the murder is just. It doesn't make sense, particularly as she had no criminal history and presumably they didn't even own a gun beforehand. And without that motivation, his reason for confessing disappears. It also should be said that his confession is something that Joe Friday and Dragnet would have never bought, many questions about it that he was not willing to answer. Though the pillow clue may be the most bizarre aspect of the case, the idea that the woman sent a baby shower present because she felt guilty for withholding evidence that could save the baby's father is just kind of head scratching. Did Faulkner learn that she was going to talk, or did he learn about the shower present? And it seems that it would have made sense for him to kill her right away before she could reveal herself. And it was indicated that there had been some passage of time in between the murder and Mrs. Webster coming to Danny now, the one thing I will say for Broadway's mobbeat is it's not a show that has to make sense to at least be a little entertaining. It's not so much about the destination, but the friends you meet along the way. And you have some interesting characters like Mrs. Webster, Detective Anderson, and the obviously drunk quack doctor that provided some good interactions despite the flaws with the plot. I also found myself curious about that letter of introduction to the New York Parish Prison Priest. I've never heard of that being done. Is that something that Catholics do? Or do other denominations do? That?

[Jimmy Webster]

Of course.

[Adam Graham]

It's also a point that wasn't necessary to the story as Tartaglia already had the information. Well, listener comments and feedback. And we start with a comment from Caleb, who writes in regarding the Francie Green murder case. Hope all is well with you and the family. I almost had to start laughing as soon as the recent episode of Broadway's My Beat started mentioning a photograph taken at a nightclub. I know that you've detailed at length the absurdity of that particular motive. Thankfully, Danny Clover acknowledges how nobody cares about a person in a background of a random photo. I'm often terrible at figuring out the murder or motive in these shows, but this motive happens so, so often in old time radio. What would be the 21st century equivalent? Someone takes your photo with their smartphone. But then even if you steal the phone, it's probably stored in the cloud somewhere. Really enjoy Broadway's My Beat. Thanks for playing it. And as always, for all that you do to keep old time radio alive, and that's from Caleb in Pennsylvania. It would be probably the dopiest sort of crime to modernize. Imagine somebody who was in the background of a picture trying to steal the phone or trying to bribe them, delete the picture, or even killing them to get the phone, which ironically would be the one thing that would get law enforcement going through their social media and their pictures, although not necessarily looking for whatever you think is so important. I don't actually think that the motive becomes more silly if put into modern times. It just becomes more transparent how silly it is, if that makes sense. And then we go to YouTube where Terry writes, I do enjoy these detective stories. They are nice and short and very interesting. Well, thanks so much Terry. And the short is an interesting aspect of it because they do manage to cover a lot of ground in a relatively short time and getting cases usually wrapped up within half an hour. And then a comment from Jasmine over on our listener survey in Chicago. Jasmine writes, I listen to your show every night because it is so thrilling to hear these great old time radio shows. I like to learn about all these long ago radio era programs when this was what people listened to as a visual presentation. These shows are so amazing and they influence future writers and artists of the comic and detective genre. Thank you. Well, thank you so much Jasmine. And it's a good point about the influence of these programs because while the general public awareness of many old time radio programs is quite limited, there are a surprising number of creative people who listen to them and and are influenced by it in the way that they put their own work together. I watched a lot of cartoons when I was a kid back in the 80s and 90s and didn't get into listening to old time radio until later and have been surprised to hear things that obviously inspired things that I watched as a kid. And of course we have quite a few artists and writers who have written into the program over the years and our listeners. All right, well now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Judith. Judith has been one of our patreon supporters since March 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the Seamus level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Judith, and that will 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?

[Peggy Webster]

Oh, my Glory. You hit her.

[Danny Clover]

Let me go, Pam. I've got to see if she's hurt.

[Peggy Webster]

She must be Jerry, lying there.

[Adam Graham]

Oh, my arm.

[Danny Clover]

Quick, we've got to get up to a doctor.

[Peggy Webster]

No, no, I, I don't need a doctor. The car didn't hit me. I just fell.

[Danny Clover]

I'm terribly sorry, miss. Let me help you out.

[Peggy Webster]

No, no, I, I, I don't have to be helped. I'm perfectly all right. Well, you've got to be on the safe side. We'll take you home.

[Danny Clover]

Yes, get in the car and we'll drive you right over. Where do you live?

[Peggy Webster]

Where I live. That's funny. I can't remember.

[Danny Clover]

Well, don't worry about it.

[Peggy Webster]

If you just give us your name, we'll find out where you live. But I can't remember my name either. You don't remember anything? Well, just that I put on this red dress and. Wait a minute. Somebody was chasing me. Somebody with a gun.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.