Broadway’s My Beat: The John Dotson Murder Case (EP4983)

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: "Broadway’s My Beat: The John Dotson Murder Case"

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Original Airdate: January 5, 1952 (radio drama)
Podcast Release: May 27, 2026
Episode Number: 4983

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into a classic "Broadway’s My Beat" mystery—the case of John Dobson's murder by poisoning. The story, set against the neon-lit, emotionally charged nights of Broadway, is less a whodunit than a character study, focusing on grief, beauty, insecurity, and the destructive power of appearances. Detective Danny Clover (Larry Thor) unravels the tangled relationships surrounding Dobson’s death, centering the drama squarely on Dobson’s widow, Edna.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Setting & Discovery of the Crime

[02:06–03:50]

• Danny Clover, NYPD detective, is called to the hospital where John Dobson lies dying of poisoning after being found unconscious in his car.
• Dr. Sinski provides details: Dobson was found with over $300 and nothing suggests suicide.
• Danny suspects murder, noting it's unusual to drink poison then drive.

Notable Quote:
"You ever hear of anybody drinking poison and going for a car ride?" – Danny Clover [04:18]

---

2. The Widow: Edna Dobson

[05:29–07:08]

• Danny visits Dobson's wife, Edna, in their Park Avenue apartment.
• Edna’s appearance and her obsession with beauty are immediately foregrounded; she's cold, more concerned with how she’s seen than her husband's health.
• Edna provides an alibi: John was with her for a candlelight dinner but left for an appointment with friend Floyd Gilmore.
• The dynamic of Edna and John's relationship (separate bedrooms, tension) is introduced.

Notable Moment:
Edna, after hearing of her husband’s poisoning:
"I want to be lovely for him. That'll take a while." – Edna Dobson [07:08]

---

3. Suspect Interviews: Floyd Gilmore and Isabel Martin

[07:36–10:56]

• Floyd Gilmore, John’s friend, claims John never made it to their meeting but admits, under pressure, to arranging for Dobson to meet another woman, Isabel Martin.
• Floyd reveals Dobson’s dissatisfaction at home and suggests John often sought “outside interests.”
• Danny visits Isabel Martin at the New Howard Hotel. Isabel, drinking and sarcastic, never met Dobson that night. Nothing in her room indicates a meeting with John.

---

4. John Dobson’s Death

[12:53–14:04]

• Dr. Sinski informs Danny and Edna that John Dobson has died from poisoning.
• Danny observes Edna’s carefully performed grief, her insistence on being “lovely” even in mourning.
• Edna’s complex relationship to beauty and her conflicted, performative mourning become central themes.

Memorable Scene:
Edna’s reaction to her husband’s death:
"Is that something awful for a woman, to want to be beautiful, for her dead husband?" – Edna Dobson [16:25]

---

5. Investigation Deepens: Motives and Backgrounds

[17:19–21:23]

• Sergeant Gino Cattaglia gives Danny background:
  • John Dobson had no job, lived off his wife.
  • Edna was previously married to Timothy French, a wheelchair-bound man who died in an “accidental” fall. French’s death left her wealthy.
• Danny visits the insurance broker, Jonathan Harvey, who insists both deaths (French and Dobson) were thoroughly investigated and deemed legitimate accidents.
• Edna’s transformation—from a “plain” bank teller to a glamorous woman after her first inheritance—emerges.

Notable Quote:
"She was plain then. Some thoughtless fellow could call her ugly. And Tim was a cripple. Unwanted people—they meet sometimes, fall in love, get married." – Jonathan Harvey, insurance agent [21:07]

---

6. Edna’s Obsession with Beauty

[21:40–23:31]

• Danny learns from a beauty salon attendant that Edna’s obsession with beautification began immediately after her first husband's funeral.
• Edna has spent extravagantly on facials, cosmetics, and custom clothes.

Salon Attendant’s Remark:
"Her first husband's funeral was at noon; her appointment was at 4." – Beauty Parlor Attendant [23:07]

---

7. The Confrontation & Confession

[23:49–28:02]

• At police HQ, Danny and Dr. Sinski confront Edna about her past and the deaths of both husbands.
• They break down her motives: transformation through money, need for validation, dependence on beauty.
• Danny presses that Dobson’s cheating is perhaps less about Edna than his own pattern as a gold-digger.
• Cornered and flattered by the image of press attention and public jealousy, Edna confesses to both murders.

Climactic Quote:
"I killed them. I killed both of them. Will the reporters be here soon?" – Edna Dobson [28:02]

---

Host Commentary & Analysis

Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Commentary [31:43–36:44]:

• Emphasizes that the episode is more a psychological character study than a standard murder puzzle, with Edna the clear, central suspect.
• Notes ambiguity: the audience never gets concrete evidence, focusing instead on psychology and atmosphere.
• Explores the “radio-only” nature of the story—Edna’s transformation is left to the imagination, creatively engaging listeners.
• Highlights contrasts between Edna (beauty-obsessed, performative) and Isabel Martin (natural, spontaneous).
• Observes Dobson was essentially a gigolo; Edna’s belief in beauty as a ticket to love and happiness brings only dependence and disappointment.
• Side note: Congratulates Gino for fixing the fan—one of the episode’s few light moments.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Shadows of Broadway:
  "The circle of shadows was around them, around the man and his wife. The man with pale death at his cheek. The woman luminous, her face touched with infinite sadness—of infinite loveliness." – Danny Clover [13:34]

• On Edna’s Vanity:
  "You shock me because I insist on being beautiful. Even while Johnny lies dead. Is that something awful for a woman, to want to be beautiful, for her dead husband?" – Edna Dobson [16:25]

• On Confession:
  "I killed them. I killed both of them. Will the reporters be here soon?" – Edna Dobson [28:02]

---

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [02:06–03:50] – Discovery of the victim, initial investigative groundwork
• [05:29–07:08] – Meeting Edna Dobson, first impressions, and her alibi
• [07:36–10:56] – Floyd Gilmore’s account and Isabel Martin’s interview
• [12:53–14:04] – Dobson’s death, Edna’s grieving, focus on her appearance
• [17:19–21:23] – Sergeant Gino’s research and meeting with the insurance agent
• [21:40–23:31] – Beauty salon insights and Edna’s history of self-transformation
• [23:49–28:02] – Final confrontation and Edna’s confession
• [31:43–36:44] – Adam Graham’s analysis: character study vs. conventional mystery

---

Overall Tone

The episode blends classic noir narration with somber meditations on vanity, loneliness, and human frailty. Dialogue is poetic, alternating between dark cynicism and poignant introspection, culminating in a confession less about guilt than about longing for recognition—even in infamy.

---

For Listeners

If you enjoy a psychologically complex, atmospheric mystery—where the “how” and “why” matter more than the “who”—this is a striking example of radio storytelling that leaves most visuals to your imagination.

---

Transcript

[Edna Dobson]

With VRBoCare, help is always ready before, during and after your stay.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

We've planned for the plot twists, so support is always available. Because a great trip starts with peace of mind. You think a ticket for not wearing your seatbelt is the worst that could happen until you get in a crash. Suddenly a ticket doesn't seem so bad. Click it or ticket paid for by NHTSA.

[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, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis and at support.greatdetectives.net thank you to RA for supporting the show. That way you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go over to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from January 5th of 1952, here is the John Dodson murder case.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway's My Beat. From Times Square to Columbus Circle. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world.

[Narrator]

Broadway's my beat. With larry thor as detective danny clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

In the first week of the new year, Broadway is beside itself with promises. The new leaves have been turned over, the resolutions made. The wife has been kissed. In the morning, it's the time of only one martini before dinner. The high protein diet. And let the blonde stroll by without lifting your hat. Also, it's the week of the clearance sales. Good, slightly handled and non returnable, but in a bargain. So buy something, live it up. It's 1952, the year the boat will come in. It's got to be the year. And in the corridor where I was, the new year was a thing that came and went. Paced off by the quiet steps of nurses, a corridor of routine and pain. Emergency Hospital.

[Dr. Sinski]

Danny, you got here fast.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny, what's the trouble? Docinsinski?

[Dr. Sinski]

Come on. Report that came with the man said his name was John Dobson.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Can he talk?

[Dr. Sinski]

No.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How bad is he?

[Dr. Sinski]

I'm doing everything I can in here. One thing, he's not in any pain. There's the report over on the table with his effects.

[Detective Danny Clover]

John Dobson, Park Avenue address. Found in comatose condition in a parked car in East River Drive. Motor still running 8:20pm 40 minutes ago. Danny, what's the matter with him, Doctor?

[Dr. Sinski]

Poison.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Carrying a lot of money. Over $300 in his wallet.

[Dr. Sinski]

I've got saliva samples down in the lab, Danny. Until then, I have to treat symptoms. Can't tell what kind of poison may be self administered.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I doubt it. You ever hear of anybody drinking poison and going for a car ride? I'd say the man was driving when the poison hit him. Pulled over to the side.

[Dr. Sinski]

That's your business. Pardon me, Danny. I've got mine to do.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And the shadows gather. Wait on the edge of the circle of light that is a yellowing barrier against them. Holding from them the man locking from them his life. The shadows wait for a night's decision to be made. The beggars of darkness eager for the handout of death and working quietly within the fortress of light. Dr. Sinski, aware of the hunger of shadows moving quickly against them to deny them a man's dying. Watch it. Then leave them alone with. Go now to the Park Avenue address of John Dobson. Be told that his wife is at home. Ascend to the 30th floor apartment.

[Edna Dobson]

How clear does it have to be before it penetrates? There's no one home.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The woman's anger tears at her heavily creamed face. Intensifies the smallness of her eyes, the only color. The pale thin lips like an old scar.

[Edna Dobson]

Get out before I have you thrown out.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police, Mrs. Dobson.

[Edna Dobson]

I don't care who you are. You've no right to come here, to wake me, to make me show myself this way.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Your husband's in the police emergency hospital. He's been poisoned.

[Edna Dobson]

Come in. You could have phoned, you know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's true. We could have.

[Edna Dobson]

And you wouldn't have seen me like this in the way you're privileged. Few men have ever seen me in this. Even John. He has his own bedroom.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Maybe it didn't register. Mrs. Dobson. I said your husband has been poisoned. He's in the police emergency hospital.

[Edna Dobson]

Of course I'll go to him, if that's what you're implying. If you'd only phoned, I could have worn a proper. Now just have to throw on the first thing that. How bad is it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's dying.

[Edna Dobson]

The blow that crushes you, save for a finish right between the eyes. Is that how it's done?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It crushes you?

[Edna Dobson]

I love him. That answer your foolish question?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He was found in a parked car. Alone. You know where he was before that, Mrs. Dobson?

[Edna Dobson]

With me. We had a candlelight dinner here in the apartment. Over a dessert. He kissed me Full on the lips. Said he had to go out for the evening. It was hours ago.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did he tell you where he was going?

[Edna Dobson]

He whispered it against my ear. To his old friend, Floyd Gilmore. John and he exchanged old school ties for Christmas.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where do I find him, Floyd?

[Edna Dobson]

He has a devastating little flat in Gramercy Park. Done in bachelor's souvenirs. The longer you keep me, you know, the longer it'll take me to get to John. Silence.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll drive you down, Ms. Duff.

[Edna Dobson]

I want to be lovely for him. That'll take a while. So you won't bother waiting, will you? Of course you won't.

[Floyd Gilmore]

Hey, what kept. Oh, yes, what is it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Your name? Floyd Gilmore.

[Floyd Gilmore]

Well, yes. What's.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm Danny Clover. Police. You mind if I come in? Well, what for? It's about John Dobson. I understand. What about John? Something's happened to him. Might die.

[Floyd Gilmore]

Yeah, you better come in. In here. He might die.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's been poisoned. He was found a while ago in his car.

[Floyd Gilmore]

John?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I just talked to his wife. She said he'd been with you.

[Floyd Gilmore]

John never got here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's the matter?

[Floyd Gilmore]

Don't you believe me?

[Detective Danny Clover]

What? Was he coming to see you?

[Floyd Gilmore]

But I asked you something. Don't you believe me? I told you John never got here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I asked you something, too.

[Floyd Gilmore]

He was coming over to see me, that's all.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What for? To borrow a book? Play chess? What?

[Floyd Gilmore]

You can take fingerprints, Mister, I'm telling you, John wasn't here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's going to be pretty tough to prove, Mr. Gilmore. John Dobson had plenty of time to be here, be poisoned and leave.

[Floyd Gilmore]

Be poisoned? You mean be murdered?

[Detective Danny Clover]

If John Dobson dies, it'll be murder.

[Floyd Gilmore]

I'll tell you why he came here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Came here? You said he didn't.

[Floyd Gilmore]

All right, so I got mixed up. I got a quirk. I get my conjugations mixed when I'm under mental stress. Well, you want to listen to me or want to call me a liar and arrest me? Do what you want, mister.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go ahead, Tell me your story.

[Floyd Gilmore]

I had a friend I wanted John to meet.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mind if I ask why?

[Floyd Gilmore]

John doesn't get along with his wife. She didn't approve of his outside interest.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You were going to introduce him to an outside interest?

[Floyd Gilmore]

Well, this girl, this friend of mine is. Nice kid. Same kind of personality as John.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, that's right.

[Floyd Gilmore]

Pretty sure this friend of mine was. Well, fetching's the word. Not as pretty as Edna. Not nearly as pretty as John's wife.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Floyd Gilmore]

Could never understand that about John. A beautiful wife like Edna all her dough. Why he had so many outside interests. Why he should.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where do I find this friend of yours? Who?

[Floyd Gilmore]

Isabel? At the New Howard Hotel. Ask for Isabel Martin, mister. Oh, and tell her I'm sorry we couldn't make it tonight.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The New Howard Hotel. A discreet brownstone in the discreet East 60s designed to recall the foamy days of Victorian elegance. The reproductions of antique hitching posts standing in frozen wonder at the sleek and snarling eight cylinder beasts flaunting their chrome. And the lobby hung with maroon velvet itself, frayed tassel swaying gently over simulated marble. And presiding over it, a frocked man savoring a well thumb pocket edition of Charles Dickens. Take courage by the hand. Break through the mists of old lavender. Dare to ask him for Isabel Martin. The consequence is no more than a compassionate smile, whispered room number and a ride in a self service elevator hung with the framed messages of beauty salons and crowd dentistry. The elevator finally ascends to the heights of the fifth floor.

[Edna Dobson]

Hi there.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

And hello.

[Edna Dobson]

You're late. I heard your footsteps in the hall. I opened my door and let out a call.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

Hi, John.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not John. I'm from the police, Ms. Martin.

[Edna Dobson]

Police? Floyd said he'd send me. John. He sends me you.

[Dr. Sinski]

Good old Floyd.

[Edna Dobson]

Where's good old Floyd? I want to scratch his face.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's go inside, Ms. Martin.

[Edna Dobson]

It's a lovely idea. Loveliest idea of the century. Let's everybody go inside. Let's everybody have a drink. Here, take a sip of mine. I was saving it for John, baby. He won't be here right for him. You take a sip of mine, baby.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You think you can understand what I'm going to tell you, Ms. Martin?

[Edna Dobson]

The things this girl understands. I'm not as gone as all that, Mr. Lonesome Little Drinky while waiting.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Clears the brain to tell me John Dobson is dying. He was poisoned.

[Edna Dobson]

That's why he stood me up, huh? Cause he's dying.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He waited for me, never showed up. Is that it?

[Edna Dobson]

That's it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Do you mind if I look around?

[Edna Dobson]

Love it.

[Insurance Agent]

Love it.

[Edna Dobson]

Note the tasteful arrangement.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There's another glass here on the night table. Part of a drink in it.

[Edna Dobson]

That's where it's been hiding. Come me a lonesome little drinky. I put you down and forgot all about you, didn't I? Poured myself a new one. When all the time. Lonesome little baby. Pardon me, dinky phone jinging hi there. And hello. This was Isabel. Well, for you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mr. Danny Clover speaking.

[Dr. Sinski]

Dr. Sinski.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny, get down here.

[Dr. Sinski]

There's nothing More I can do for him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Right away, Doctor. Get me an empty bottle, Miss Martin. I'll want to take your forgotten drink with me.

[Edna Dobson]

Empty? I got a life full of them, Mrs. Take your.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Doctor sinski. How is he, doctor?

[Dr. Sinski]

Not a chance, Mrs. Dobson.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Danny.

[Dr. Sinski]

She's in there with him. At such a time. Better leave them alone.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did he talk? Say anything?

[Dr. Sinski]

Once, for a second. Danny opened his eyes and said his wife's name. Said Edna, said my beautiful wife, Edna. Beautiful even in all her grief. I caught myself staring at her, watching her look. Look at her. Even in all her grief.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The circle of shadows was around them, around the man and his wife. The man with pale death at his cheek. The woman luminous, her face touched with infinite sadness, of infinite loveliness. The tear at her eyes edge not falling but held there. The small glistening of despair.

[Edna Dobson]

Johnny. Johnny. John. Doctor.

[Dr. Sinski]

My dear.

[Edna Dobson]

My husband. Dead. Johnny. He's dead. Dead.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Two of our CBS radio gals are at opposite extremes. Intellectually, Marie Wilson is empty headed my friend Irma. And Eve Arden is English teaching our Ms. Brooks. But in spite of this difference, Irma Peterson and Connie Brooks have two things in common. They're both funny and they're both yours to laugh at. On most of these same CBS radio stations Sunday evenings. Enjoy them both tomorrow night.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The New Year has doled out only so many of its night times and Broadway has already used them, drained them of their neon, their glitter, their anguish. Broadway takes its place in line to wait for the new fallings of darkness as it did on the fading edge of this nighttime that had come. Like other Broadway nights, it sparked the spectaculars into winking light. It opened corridors for solitude to walk. It carried on its wind, laughter and shock. And Broadway stands dazed and still, waiting for this night too to end. Where I was, the night wouldn't depart because it must linger on the face of a woman, on its beauty, on the tear that held the grief for her dead husband. And must listen close because her weeping is gentle, distant. Mrs. Dobson. Mrs. Dobson. Don't look at me.

[Edna Dobson]

Don't dare look at me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll take you home.

[Edna Dobson]

There's no need. I'll manage.

[Detective Danny Clover]

If you want to lie down or need something, the matron.

[Edna Dobson]

Will you have a dressing room?

[Detective Danny Clover]

What?

[Edna Dobson]

A room. Something with a mirror in it. A brightly lit mirror.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I suppose there's one somewhere in.

[Edna Dobson]

I shock you, Mr. Clover. I shock you because I insist on being beautiful. Even While Johnny lies dead. Is that something awful for a woman to want to be beautiful for her dead husband?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I don't know.

[Edna Dobson]

You know it now, Mr. Clover. You've seen me ugly and you've seen me like this. The lovely one is the woman Johnny knew. The woman Johnny saw when he died. There was never any other. You understand that, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I think so.

[Edna Dobson]

Good. Now leave me alone with him, will you, please? I mean alone. No gratuitous sympathizers. No one to see me with tears on my face. Alone.

[Gino Cattaglia]

To you, Danny. A good, good morning. You slumbered well in the land or not, I hope?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, not so good, Gino. I didn't get home from the hospital until late, and when I finally got to bed.

[Gino Cattaglia]

Well, here's something that'll revive an otherwise drab day. Danny. Surprise.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Electric fan. What for?

[Gino Cattaglia]

Startles you, huh? The self same fan you commissioned me to have repaired last July. I saved the department money. All fixed and ready to go, to wit. Like Miami.

[Detective Danny Clover]

This is the same.

[Gino Cattaglia]

The same fan by which we have called other names. Motor torn apart to the quick and revived by me, Gino Cattaglia. Plus The Proto Tools Mrs. T slipped into my galoshes for Christmas. Professional, huh? Feel a breeze?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's January, Gino. Turn it off, Gino.

[Gino Cattaglia]

Yeah? Any other puttering you'd like to have done around here?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Just put her the word about the medical examiner's report, Roger.

[Gino Cattaglia]

John Dobson did indeed die from a poison which Dr. Sinski did label as being of the alkaloid family. Specific poison and time taken will not be known until autopsy is performed under vital organs.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What else have you got?

[Gino Cattaglia]

Some background material on Mr. And Mrs. John Dobson dug out by obediently yours and the good detective Mugavan, if you please. Indeed, Mr. Dobson lived by no visible means of support. Nice house, nice clothes, no job. Prior to his exchanging marriage vows with Mrs. Dobson, he lived off handouts from friends.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go on.

[Gino Cattaglia]

Mr. Dobson did attach himself and married Mrs. Dobson while she was still in widow's weeds.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, EDD and adoption.

[Gino Cattaglia]

Was married before to a Timothy French, deceased.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What did Mr. French die of, Gino? Could you find that out?

[Gino Cattaglia]

I did. I did. From an accident. Mr. French was a wheelchair case from his youth. Three years after his marriage to his wife, he had a misfortune, fell out of his chair, down the steps, and

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mrs. Dobson inherited his estate. Isn't it?

[Gino Cattaglia]

Now, wait a minute, Danny. I'll look in these reports.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Just take a second. Never mind, you know, put them on my desk. You did real fine Today?

[Gino Cattaglia]

Just wait till July when you can enjoy that friend Danny, the nice things you'll say about me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And study the reports the sergeant leaves on your desk. Find that the widow of Timothy French had inherited $250,000, more than half of it in insurance. Find the name of the insurance broker who had handled it. Jonathan Harvey, 12 Broad Street. Go to him. Talk to him.

[Insurance Agent]

Let me make my puny attempt at trying to understand you, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Go right ahead.

[Insurance Agent]

I'll have to black it out on this scratch pad. Let's see. Under a general heading, we have your reinvestigation of the death of Timothy French. Edna's first husband.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's right.

[Insurance Agent]

Then draw a line. And underneath your reasons for doing so, what shall we put down, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mrs. Dobson's second husband died last night of alkaloid poisoning.

[Insurance Agent]

Newspapers added at great length. I read the head.

[Dr. Sinski]

Aha.

[Insurance Agent]

I see what you're after, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thank you.

[Insurance Agent]

Now, I can fill in this side. Here we have death of husband number one. Here, death of number two in the short space of two years. Hmm, interesting.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm glad you agree.

[Insurance Agent]

However, I'm afraid that's as far as it goes, Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tell me why.

[Insurance Agent]

Perhaps you don't know that my company conducted a most thorough rundown on Mr. French's death. Found it accidental. Though I am an Insurance Man, Mr. Clover, I am also a friend.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Huh?

[Insurance Agent]

Friend. Confident to all my clients. As I was to Tim French, as

[Detective Danny Clover]

I would be to you. You knew him well?

[Insurance Agent]

My dear young man, I nurtured his romance with Edna.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How did you do that?

[Insurance Agent]

Edna was a teller at the Ruxton bank on Wall. One day I wheeled him along with me while I made a deposit for him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And that's where he met Edna Dobson, in the bank.

[Insurance Agent]

She was plain then. Thoughtless fellow. Could call her ugly. And Tim was a. Forgive the word, a cripple. Unwanted people they meet sometimes fall in love and get married.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then one of them dies in a fall.

[Insurance Agent]

There you go again, beating your head against a blank wall. It's useless, Mr. Clover. We spent thousands of dollars proving it to ourselves. Tim died accidentally.

[Detective Danny Clover]

So leave there and decide a thing. Mrs. Edna Dobson, ex bank clerk, widowed twice, was a woman you wanted to talk to again. Go to her apartment house. She's not the home you're told by a maid who opened the door for you and got right down on her knees again to dust. Where is she? She's going to a funeral tomorrow. So she's down to the beauty parlor, naturally. Which one? Lawson's. Naturally so thank the maid who waved her feather duster goodbye to you and go to Lawson's and meet another woman dressed fashionably clinical in a white jersey uniform, who sits behind a desk and asks questions.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

You a husband?

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, I'm afraid not. I want to see your boyfriend.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

Eh, Boob we got under the dryer belongs to you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I want to see Mrs. Dobson.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

What have you been doing all morning? Man, Mrs. Dobson's been here since nine. Facials, hair set, contouring, refinishing, reweaving, everything on the menu. And you walk in just as she walks out. I don't envy you.

[Edna Dobson]

Oh, why, if you're a fellow who's

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

going to help her through this bereavement, frankly, I don't envy you. Frankly, you don't look as if you can afford it. I'd get fired if Mynheer lost and knew I was talking like this. Mine here is Dutch, you know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, I didn't.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

But I like your face to be blunt. Mostly because I like men's faces and I hate to see them be suckered.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I appreciate this.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

The dough that Edna Dobson spends on lotions and contours and facials since the first day she came in here.

[Dr. Sinski]

When was that?

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

I remember because when she stepped in here, mine here said, I accept the challenge. Her first husband's funeral was at noon. Her appointment was at 4.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And since then she spent a lot

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

of money not only with us. Take a walk down the street to Rexford's. Find out the dough she spends there on clothes to make her look of the form divine. But believe me, save yourself the walk. I know.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, I want to thank you for all you've done for me.

[Beauty Parlor Attendant]

Not that I dislike Mrs. Dobson, you understand. Just that I like to be frank. Understand what I mean?

[Dr. Sinski]

Right in here, Mrs. Dobson.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, hello, Mrs. Dobson. Come in. Sit down.

[Edna Dobson]

Sit down here.

[Dr. Sinski]

This is Police Headquarters, Mrs. Dobson. The taxpayers don't furnish us with upholstered

[Edna Dobson]

furniture, it's so dusty.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, Detective Michael.

[Dr. Sinski]

Uh huh. Now you can sit down, Mrs. Dobson.

[Edna Dobson]

Thank you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And I want to thank you for coming down here to see me.

[Edna Dobson]

Did I have a choice?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, I didn't want to barge in on you again. I know you like to ready yourself before you meet people.

[Edna Dobson]

Thank you again. Very considerate.

[Dr. Sinski]

I was telling Mrs. Dobson out in the hall how nice I thought she looked after all she's been through.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's right, Mrs. Dobson. You do look very lovely.

[Edna Dobson]

Thank you. Why did you ask me to come here?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, I have a few things I want to Talk to you about.

[Edna Dobson]

I see.

[Dr. Sinski]

We were surprised to hear you'd been married once before, Mrs. Dobson.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What of it? I think it's important that we should know about your first husband.

[Edna Dobson]

Know what about him?

[Detective Danny Clover]

How he died.

[Edna Dobson]

He died four years ago. He fell down the steps in his wheelchair.

[Dr. Sinski]

Did you push him?

[Edna Dobson]

I'm sure there's nothing else you want to say to me.

[Dr. Sinski]

Did you push him, Mrs. Dobson?

[Edna Dobson]

For your information, the insurance adjusters asked me the same thing. If they hadn't reached the conclusion that it was an accident, would I be here?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sit down, Mr. Dobson. Close the door and sit down. This will only take a few moments. Thank you.

[Edna Dobson]

Why did your Mr. Mugavin ask me that question?

[Dr. Sinski]

Well, you don't have to ask him, Mrs. Dobson.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Ask me.

[Dr. Sinski]

I'll tell you why. Because his death left you a rich woman.

[Edna Dobson]

Then by your reasoning, every woman who inherits money is a murderer.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You met your first husband while you were a teller in a bank, didn't you? How did you meet your second husband, John Dobson?

[Edna Dobson]

Shall I tell you? Shall I really tell you?

[Dr. Sinski]

If you don't mind, Mrs. Dobson.

[Edna Dobson]

I was eating salted peanuts in a bar. He sent over a note and a bottle of wine.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who paid for the wine?

[Edna Dobson]

What?

[Dr. Sinski]

The Lieutenant asked you. Who paid for the wine?

[Edna Dobson]

Who do you think paid for it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I doubt whether Mr. Dobson did. He was pretty broke from what I could find out.

[Edna Dobson]

That's right. He was broke. What about it? I fell in love with him. Not right away, but eventually I fell

[Dr. Sinski]

in love with him. Mr. Dobson was a good looking man. I imagine a lot of women fell in love with him.

[Edna Dobson]

But I married him.

[Detective Danny Clover]

When did you find out he was running around with other women? Mrs. Dobson.

[Insurance Agent]

He's dead.

[Edna Dobson]

Leave him alone.

[Dr. Sinski]

Lieutenant asked you, Mrs. Dobson, when did you find out about him?

[Edna Dobson]

Leave him alone. Leave him alone.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did he start taking interest in other women when he barged in on you one day like I did, and saw you like I did?

[Edna Dobson]

What difference does it make?

[Dr. Sinski]

Here's the way we figure, Mrs. Dobson.

[Edna Dobson]

I know what you think. You think I killed my first husband and you think I killed Johnny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I don't think we'll ever know about your first husband. Unless you want to tell us it was an accident.

[Dr. Sinski]

Here's the way we figure, Mrs. Dobson. Your first husband died and you came into all that money. With money, you could make yourself beautiful. Beauty salons, custom dresses, the works. The way you always wanted to be. Isn't that right, Lieutenant?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then you met a handsome man. A man who believed you were Beautiful John Dobson. He married you. He had no job. He lived off you. You were satisfied with that. As long as he believed you were lovely.

[Dr. Sinski]

She is lovely, Danny. I don't care what you say.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then he changed. He started to go around with other women. You couldn't tolerate that. You poisoned him.

[Dr. Sinski]

You ever see a woman who could wear clothes like her?

[Detective Danny Clover]

No. No, I haven't.

[Dr. Sinski]

The way she does her hair.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah. Beautiful.

[Edna Dobson]

You think so?

[Dr. Sinski]

The reporters will think so too.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The photographers too.

[Dr. Sinski]

There'll be pictures of you in all the papers.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All your exclusive clothes. Every woman in the city will be jealous.

[Edna Dobson]

When women look at me, I can tell what they're thinking. They are jealous.

[Detective Danny Clover]

There'll be interviews on the stand. All the men, the women. The women crowding the courtroom to get one Pikachu.

[Edna Dobson]

I kill them. I killed both of them. Will the reporters be here soon?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Broadway's sleeping now. The furious avenue of the night is still stretches out in front of you without beginning, without end. The dumping ground of refuse and ashes and leftovers. The neon words are turned off. But look there where the sidewalk meets the street. It's your name written on water. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway. My beat.

[Narrator]

Broadway's my Beat Stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia and Jack Crucian as Mugavan. The program was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. In tonight's story, Irene Tedro was heard as Edna Dobson. Featured in the cast were Florence Lake, Gene Tatum, Bill Boucher and Earl Ross. Tomorrow night, the gal who made good Tuesday nights, Audrey Totter as Millie, joins the Sunday lineup on most of these same stations. Yes, from now on, you can meet Millie and all her hilarious friends, too, Sunday nights on CBS Radio. On the more serious side, tomorrow marks the debut of the People Act. CBS Radio's new series about community problems solved by American communities. You'll find the People Act a fascinating, rewarding experience every Sunday night on CBS Radio. Starting tomorrow night. Bill Anders speaking. And remember those lovable rascals, Amos and Andy are here every Sunday on the CBS Radio Radio Network.

[Edna Dobson]

Sam,

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

you think a ticket for not wearing your seatbelt is the worst that could happen? Until you crash, Click it or ticket paid for by nhtsa.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, this is one of those cases. It really was a character study, much more than a mystery. We really aren't presented any other plausible suspects. And our focus is continually brought back to Edna. And in Fact, they don't really answer any of the typical evidence based questions that would be key to finding proof in a typical mystery. For example, the insurance company made a big deal of the fact that they investigated the death of the first husband and were totally satisfied that it was an accident.

[Edna Dobson]

And.

[Adam Graham]

But she admits that she killed him and it's not really addressed how or what actually happened. There is also this really tough line between reality and fantasy when it comes to her looks. And let's be clear, this is a story you probably could not have done on television. Not because of moral concerns, but because you couldn't show this on a 13 inch black and white television and have people buy into it. Radio gives you words and your imagination fills in the picture. You have the insurance agent saying she looked plain. Some might even have said ugly. And then you have Danny describing her. Now, once she's made up and has all of her looks together as she wants them, Dany describes her as infinite loveliness. So the audience member imagines someone they might rate as poor to fair turning into good to great. And that's really in your imagination. I do think Danny's suggestion that Dalgson cheated because he saw her without her makeup or with face cream on, that seems absurd. I think I could believe more the idea that Dalton was exhausted by the performative nature of her beauty and her insecurity about it. It's at a very extreme level in this episode. And that does contrast with the woman John had a date with, who was much more spontaneous. But I think there's also the assumption that she must have done something for him. That's not really true as it's. That's not true, particularly with a lot of men, particularly with Dodson, because what they uncovered about Dodson is that he was essentially a gigolo, no source of income, living off women. He sweet talks women and cheats on them because that's what he's done. That's what he's always done. And there was no transformation in his character. And I guess in a broad sense, Edna becomes this very sad figure who really believed that beauty and its maintenance would bring her ultimate happiness. Instead, it kind of brought her into a state of dependence on it and failed to fulfill its promise. On a brighter note, good on Geno for fixing the fan and finding something to do with his Christmas tools. The open question though, is whether he was late or early in addressing the need for the fan. But either way, he's right. It will be appreciated come July. Well, listener comments and feedback and we have a comment on YouTube where Stanley writes. Really good show regarding the episode the Mary Smith murder Case. And now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to MCF, Patreon Supporter since March 2021, currently supporting the podcast at the master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, mcf, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We'll be back next Wednesday with another episode of Broadway's My Beat. But join us back here tomorrow for Dragnet, where?

[Insurance Agent]

Well, when did Abbott call in to notify you?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Monday afternoon. Told us he thought his wife might have been spending the weekend with her sister. When he found out she wasn't, he called us.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You meet the boy when you were out there?

[Dr. Sinski]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

That's another thing.

[Dr. Sinski]

How do you mean?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

The kid came riding up on a bike and we were talking to one of the neighbors. We tried to talk to him, but the old man came out and hustled the boy into the house. Then he started chewing us out.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's his trouble?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Told us it was our job to find his wife, not to go prying into his stepson's affairs. That's a new slap. Well, how about the woman's friends and relatives?

[Detective Danny Clover]

They've been checked out yet? Out?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Well, she's on it now. I don't think he's had much luck contacting him so far. I'll tell you the truth, I don't like the looks of it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mrs. Abbott have any other relatives here?

[Insurance Agent]

I mean, besides his sister and two aunts?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Yeah, I got the list right over here. Sure wish we had a chance to

[Detective Danny Clover]

talk to that boy.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Notice anything else out of the way about Mr. Abbott, Al?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, I don't know.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Here's that list, Joe.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, thank you.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Abbott was upset, all right. I don't know, though. He didn't exactly strike me as reacting the way a normal man reacts when his wife's disappointed.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, how about a copy of this report? You got one to spare?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Yeah, sure. Just a minute.

[Dr. Sinski]

Yeah?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

Missing Persons.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Barghetti.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

That's right. This is Barghetti speaking. Who's that? Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Sure. About what? All right.

[Insurance Agent]

Good.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Four o'?

[Dr. Sinski]

Clock.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Fine.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

All right, son.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Goodbye.

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

That was the boy I was telling you about. Mr. Abbott's stepson.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What do you want?

[Lieutenant Mugavan]

He wants to talk to us. Sounded worried about his mother. They think something's happened to her.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13@Great Detectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives, and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car and with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Edna Dobson]

Who says renting can't feel like home? Make your rental feel like yours. It all starts with one scroll. Download TikTok to discover easy home decor ideas.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Hey, everyone, check out this. This guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Advertiser]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.