Broadway's My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case (EP4655)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Episode Summary: Broadway's My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case (EP4655) Release Date: March 19, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio," host Adam Graham delves into the intricate mystery of "Broadway's My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case." Featuring the charismatic Detective Danny Clover, portrayed by Larry Thor, and the enigmatic Sergeant Gino Tartaglia, played by Charles Calvert, the episode masterfully weaves a tale of betrayal, narcotics, and murder set against the vibrant backdrop of Broadway. Directed and produced by Elliot Lewis, with a captivating musical score by Alexander Courage, this episode promises listeners a rich narrative filled with suspense and classic radio drama flair.

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Plot Summary

Setting the Scene: The story unfolds on April 28, 1950, on Broadway, the bustling heart of New York City. Detective Danny Clover receives a frantic phone call from Max Wendell, a rehabilitated man running a patent medicine and necktie business on 39th Street (00:00 - 03:17). Max pleads for Danny's help, hinting at impending trouble linked to his past associations with narcotics.

The Murder of Max Wendell: Max's anxiety stems from a former associate demanding that he distribute narcotics, leveraging his past as an addict. Max's refusal leads to a violent confrontation where he is mysteriously killed in his drugstore (03:17 - 08:02). The killer leaves behind a chilling scene, including a kid’s face pressed against a window, signaling the brutality of the act.

Investigation Begins: Sergeant Gino Tartaglia informs Danny Clover that the suspected killer is Frank Howard, a known mobster with a history of violent crimes (05:19 - 07:21). As the plot thickens, a series of related crimes emerge, including a $100,000 narcotics heist at the Acme Pharmaceutical Company (07:21 - 10:21). The heist results in the death of guard Joe Masaryk and the disappearance of salesman Wilbur Douglas, Max Wendell's former associate.

Introduction of Evelyn Wade: Evelyn Wade, a dispatcher at Acme Pharmaceutical, becomes a pivotal character (08:41 - 09:59). Her interactions with Danny reveal inconsistencies in the routine delivery process and hint at deeper conspiracies within the company. Wade's mysterious behavior and subsequent murder add layers to the investigation, complicating the case further (10:21 - 27:40).

Twists and Revelations: As Detective Clover delves deeper, Sergeant Tartaglia provides cryptic insights, mentioning a colleague named Pinky Mgwatney and introducing tension between characters (14:17 - 17:17). The plot takes a dramatic turn when Tartaglia reveals himself to be Wilbur Douglas, the missing salesman, confessing to the murders due to his desperation and the weight of his past (17:17 - 19:17). Douglas’s confession unveils his motives rooted in fear and societal judgment, adding psychological depth to the narrative.

Climactic Conclusion: Douglas’s revelation leads to a tense final confrontation where the true extent of his involvement in the narcotics distribution and the murders is exposed. The episode culminates in a dramatic showdown that ties together the various threads of the mystery, resolving the case while leaving listeners pondering the complexities of guilt and redemption (19:17 - 28:38).

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Key Characters

• Detective Danny Clover (Larry Thor): A seasoned detective navigating the gritty underbelly of Broadway, Clover's determination and keen investigative skills drive the narrative forward.

• Sergeant Gino Tartaglia (Charles Calvert): Initially presenting as Clover's assistant, Tartaglia's true identity as Wilbur Douglas adds a profound twist to the story, revealing layers of deception and internal conflict.

• Evelyn Wade (Sylvia Sims): A dispatcher at Acme Pharmaceutical, Wade's role is crucial as her interactions with Clover uncover vital clues, though her mysterious behavior raises suspicions.

• Wilbur Douglas (Charles Calvert): The missing salesman whose hidden motives and past associations with narcotics form the crux of the mystery, ultimately leading to his confession.

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Notable Quotes

1. Max Wendell to Danny Clover (03:17):

   "What's the trouble, brother? Don't do that again, Max. Say regular words and tell me the trouble."

2. Sergeant Tartaglia Reflecting on the Murder (07:05):

   "Max's killer was a rogue who was one of the most studied clients of the Rogues Gallery. Frank Howard, by name and by number."

3. Wilbur Douglas’s Confession (18:17):

   "I am Sergeant Wilbur Douglas. Hey, Danny, do something. This is the manual."

4. Tartaglia on Guilty Perception (17:05):

   "L O V Love you all the T. I am me time I am."

5. Final Confrontation (27:38):

   "You. You killed somebody. Zach, out of the way. Go ahead, Clover. Go ahead."

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Host’s Commentary

After the dramatization, host Adam Graham provides insightful analysis and feedback on the episode (33:18 - 39:14). He praises the episode’s complexity and character development, noting the effective portrayal of New York’s essence through the characters of Clover and Tartaglia. Adam highlights the psychological motivation behind Douglas’s actions, suggesting a deeper internal struggle rather than mere involvement in narcotics.

Adam also critiques the procedural aspects, such as the utilization of Sergeant Tartaglia in the investigation process, questioning its practicality but acknowledging its necessity for dramatic purposes. He draws attention to the homage paid to Herb Butterfield through the fictional telephone exchange name, emphasizing the show's attention to old-time radio details.

Listener Feedback:

• Mechanic6682: Praises Detective Larry Thor’s consistent record of saving lives and preventing wrongful convictions.
• Kathy: Commends Tartaglia’s character for providing a balanced contrast to Clover, preventing the show from becoming overly dour and adding depth to the narrative dynamics.
• Vicky (Spotify): Appreciates the entertainment value despite some logical inconsistencies.
• Judy (New Zealand): Expresses enjoyment and gratitude for the show.

Patreon Acknowledgment: Adam thanks Clarissa, a Patreon supporter at the Psalmist level, for her ongoing support, underscoring the community aspect of the podcast.

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Conclusion

"Broadway's My Beat: The Max Wendell Murder Case" stands out as a compelling installment in "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" series. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and atmospheric storytelling, the episode successfully captures the essence of old-time radio mysteries. Host Adam Graham's thoughtful commentary further enriches the listening experience, providing depth and context to the dramatization. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to old-time radio dramas, this episode offers a captivating journey through suspense and detective intrigue.

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Stay Tuned: Join Adam Graham next Wednesday for another thrilling episode of "Broadway's My Beat" and follow the adventures of your favorite old-time radio detectives. Subscribe to "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" on your preferred podcast platform or visit greatdetectives.net for more episodes and updates.

Transcript

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[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 get into 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. And I do also want to let you know about Fulton Fish Market. When it comes to seafood, freshness makes all the difference. For over 200 years, Fulton Fish Market has been the most trusted name in seafood. Since 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 box box 13 at checkout. That's the best discount they offer and I do 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 use promo code box13 and taste the difference for yourself. Now from April 28, 1950, here is the Max Wendell murder case.

[Larry Thor]

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 it's the one dream left because the other dreams didn't happen the corner of the world where a million performers do their bit just for you it's carnival and clown and a girl blowing kisses the end of a fabulous ride that cost you a dime maybe you'll get your money's worth It's Broadway, My beat the month was April in the year of the zither. The phone call came at noon. Max Wendell said he had to see me and quick. Danny, he said, at his place of business on 39th street which is where he sold patent medicines and neckties and candy bars, he reminded me which is where I went. Danny. Danny. Brother, am I glad to see you. You sounded worried when I talked to you on the phone, Max. Worried? Oh, brother. What's the trouble, brother? Don't do that again, Max. Say regular words and tell me the trouble. Sure, I was gonna. Wait a minute. I'll turn down the radio a little. You know, you gotta be tuned to this type of music to be in style. Not to the trouble. Look at me, Danny. What do you see? Max Wendell in an orange necktie. Trying to sell me a necktie. Max. Later, maybe. Right now, listen. When you look at Max Wendell, you see a completely rehabilitated, practically a new man type of man. You see that, huh? Cure did you good, Max. You look fine. Look, I don't need compliments. I got trouble. This morning, a no good from way back came into here. You know what he wanted me to do, brother? All right, all right.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

He said he's got pounds of the stuff.

[Larry Thor]

Narcotics?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah.

[Larry Thor]

And on account of once in the dead past, I was known as an addict of the stuff. He comes to me and wants me to distribute for him. Who was he?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I don't remember his name.

[Larry Thor]

Just a second, Danny. There's something I can do. Danny. It's the no good from Max. Shriveled against the blow of the bullet. Then his hands reached out, clutched the air, clutched at another moment of life. It wasn't there. The killer made sure. Then the killer wanted me. I threw myself to the floor and knocked over the perfume display. The lust was on him. And he moved slowly to where I was. Grinning at me. Grinning at the gun in my hand. Then I shot. The grin was still there. Again the grin froze. Then there was the sound of sirens. The official handlers of death were at the door. All the way back to headquarters, all I could remember was a kid's face pressed to a drugstore window. His eyes big, red with a spectacle of violence and death. Then someone tapped me on the shoulder and was Sergeant Dino Tortaglia.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Danny.

[Larry Thor]

What do you want? Titaglia.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It was close, huh? Back then. The drugstore. It was very close for you, huh? It's all over the department. How it was.

[Larry Thor]

What else is new?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You. You smell so pretty, Danny. What did Max Wendle want with you? You should sample some of his perfume, which you sampled.

[Larry Thor]

What else is new? Sergeant Tagla.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

All right, then. All right. I was just trying to divert your mind with a crummy pleasantry. All right. I said all right.

[Larry Thor]

What do we got on Max's killer, Danny?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You. You. You should be proud. You. You've rid society of a vicious blot on its fair escutcheon. You. You've carried the banner of decency high into the.

[Larry Thor]

No, don't sing me an opera today. Just tell it to me. Max's killer.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Max's killer was a rogue who was one of the most studied clients of the Rogues Gallery. Frank Howard, by name and by number. A mobster, a hoodlum. Suspicion of many killers. Killings by murder. As my neighbor Annie Berman would say. Danny, by the shooting of Frank Howard, you have performed a mitzvah.

[Larry Thor]

Thank your neighbor Annie for me.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Roger. Wilco, Danny. I gave you a tl. Now you must give me one. What did Max want with you?

[Larry Thor]

Howard wanted him to distribute narcotics. Max turned him down, called me to tell me what a good boy he was. Howard murdered him for that.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

What a strange coincidence, huh? A coincidence, Danny. But there's a report lying on my desk at this moment which reports the heist of $100,000 worth of narcotics from the firm of Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Larry Thor]

When?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

At noontime on Fifth Avenue. From a car delivering a portion of said narcotics to a qualified doctor. Said car was officially occupied by two men, Wilbur Douglas, the salesman, and Joe Masaryk, the guard. Only Douglas is missing. The narcotics is missing, and Masaryk is dead. That's how the robbery was discovered.

[Larry Thor]

How?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

A traffic policeman came over to tell him to move his car. But Massarek, the sole occupant, wouldn't because he was occupied with a bullet hole between his eyes.

[Larry Thor]

What company?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I told you, Danny, Pay attention. The Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Larry Thor]

Sorry to have kept you waiting, mister. You didn't keep me waiting. Well, you're quite resourceful. Yes, Miss Westfall?

[Evelyn Wade]

It's time for your throat spray, Mr. Vaughan.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, thank you, Miss Westfall. Pardon me, Mr. M. Now, mister, why the devil don't you tell me your name? Mr. Westfall, come in here and throw this man out.

[Evelyn Wade]

I can't, he's a policeman.

[Larry Thor]

Stay at your post, Ms. Westfall, I may need you. Hey, you're a policeman, sir, what can I do for you? My name's Danny Clover. What happened this morning? How come $100,000 worth of narcotics was stolen from the Acme Pharmaceutical Company? Let me tell you something. All that merchandise running around loose will play hob with it. It's gonna do just there, Mr. Vaughn, unless you decide to get off the dime, fire your questions at me. Mr. Clover, what's the routine here? I mean, when one of your men is assigned to make a delivery, what happens? How does it work? With efficiency and dispatch. Like so. Our man is given a parcel for delivery to various supply houses and medical people. At the same time, he is given a route card. Then he doesn't know the route until immediately before he leaves here. Precisely, he goes downstairs to the garage. The dispatcher gets his car, the attendant hands him his keys, he drives out of the garage, picks up a guard at the corner and proceeds. I see. Now, what's your opinion as to what happened earlier today? About the robbery? One needs no great perception to know that Wilbert Douglas shot and killed the guard, Joe Mazaric, and absconded with the narcotics. Yeah. Disgraceful. And Douglas with a wife and four little. Yes, Ms. Westfall.

[Evelyn Wade]

Effervescent salts, Mr. Vaughan.

[Larry Thor]

Thank you, Ms. Westfall. One moment, sir. Yeah, now that'll teach my stomach to behave. Now, we were saying. Oh, kids. Douglas with a wife and four little kids. Well, that's all I know, Mr. Clover. Yeah. If you think of something real thrilling, have Ms. Westfall buzz the garage. Tell her to ask for.

[Evelyn Wade]

Mr. Tobin. Your car is ready. It's waiting for you at the loading platform. Mr. Tobin, your car is ready. It's waiting for you at the loading platform. What are you doing in here? What do you want?

[Larry Thor]

Danny Clover, police. You're the dispatcher.

[Evelyn Wade]

Don't they ever run out of you guys? You're the tenth cop today. I'm so popular all of a sudden. Not that I mind. I like it. I really like it.

[Larry Thor]

Then you know why I'm here, miss.

[Evelyn Wade]

Peg. Peg Toohey. Sure, I know why you're here, Mr. Clover. The robbery. It takes a hundred thousand dollar robbery to make me popular with the fellas.

[Larry Thor]

Tell me about it, Ms. Tui.

[Evelyn Wade]

Peg. We have to be formal. Just because a crime is committed. Call me Peg.

[Larry Thor]

Run it down for me, Peg. From the beginning.

[Evelyn Wade]

I already opened my heart to nine other policemen, Mr. Clover, you'll make the 10th.

[Larry Thor]

You dispatched Wilbur Douglas car.

[Evelyn Wade]

Permit me? I know it by heart already. At 11:15, the orders came down from upstairs to get Mr. Douglas's car ready. I gave the orders. It should be ready At 11:30, Mr. Douglas made his appearance in our garage. At 11:32, I spoke over the loudspeaker like this. Mr. Douglas, your car is ready. Excuse me. I'm so excited, I don't know what I'm doing. You talk to Douglas only over the loudspeaker. Here. You know, you're the first one to ask me that question.

[Larry Thor]

Did you see anyone else talk to him? A stranger, a visitor?

[Evelyn Wade]

No.

[Larry Thor]

Did he go out of the garage at all, even for a minute?

[Evelyn Wade]

No. No. You've got an entirely new list of questions. I like it. No. Mr. Douglas stayed here all the time perusing his briefcase. But then Zack gave the attendant here, Zach bailey. Zach gave Mr. Douglas the keys to the car, and Mr. Douglas drove off to pick up the guard who was waiting for him in the front.

[Larry Thor]

Where is Zach?

[Evelyn Wade]

He's out there amongst the cars someplace. You can't miss him. He's the only human being down here besides me.

[Larry Thor]

Thanks, Peg. Thanks a lot.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, likewise, I'm sure.

[Larry Thor]

Zach.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah. Another cop, huh?

[Larry Thor]

Another one, Zach. But, Douglas, how long does this go on?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I already told everybody everything I know. The general manager, the manager, the assistant manager, the detectives, the cop on the beat, the cook of the the bark and thugs. How long does this go on?

[Larry Thor]

As long as we want. Zach, did Douglas talk to anyone while he was here?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

When I handed him his keys, he said, thanks, Zach.

[Larry Thor]

Besides you, nobody.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Who else is there to talk to? He pasted the root guard on his windshield, tooted the horn and drove off on a mission.

[Evelyn Wade]

Zach, get Mr. Lister's car ready.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Excuse me, Mr. Detective. I also gotta work for a living.

[Larry Thor]

From here on, it looked open and shut. Find Wilbur Douglas, the salesman with a wife and four children, who suddenly discovered there was more joy in $100,000 worth of narcotics. It's happened before. Men have killed men for that. So it looked open and shut. Wilbur Douglas had killed Joel Masarek for that. But the teaser was not so simple. In another part of the city, another murder had happened. A little hoodlum had killed Max Wendell the Link Narcotics at headquarters. Sergeant Dattaglia shook his head and looked at me as if he were bewildered.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I'm bewildered, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, me too.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Even with outside help, I'm bewildered.

[Larry Thor]

You got some talent on the outside detector.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah, where I eat across the street at the lunchroom. And today being Friday, Pinky Mgwatney is in town to have lunch with me. And Pinky is talented. I discuss such things as this with Pinky.

[Larry Thor]

Who is Pinky?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

A truck driving fellow who drives trucks. An upstanding prince of a youth who hauls produce and the goodies we eat from yon into the here along highways and byways. Who? Hey, the phone rang, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Thanks. Danny Clover speaking.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, this is Peg Toohey, Mr. Clover. You know, the dispatcher.

[Larry Thor]

What is it, Peg?

[Evelyn Wade]

I forgot to tell you yesterday. I forgot to tell you that.

[Larry Thor]

What? What did you forget to tell me?

[Evelyn Wade]

What? Are you sure, honey? You call for me tonight.

[Larry Thor]

Thanks.

[Evelyn Wade]

No, no. You let me talk. Sure, honey. It's okay for tonight? Of course. I'm home now. Pick me up right away, honey. Right away. Goodbye, honey.

[Larry Thor]

Peg. Peg, what happened?

[Evelyn Wade]

Peg, please.

[Larry Thor]

It took me 20 minutes to wheedle Peg's home address out of personnel at the Acme Pharmaceutical Company. They finally favored me with it. It was a Brownstone on West 18th street, four flights up, room six. Peg. Peg, it's Danny Clover. Peggy Y. Peg, what happened? Let me lift you up.

[Evelyn Wade]

No. No. Nothing will help me now. Nothing. I don't want to die.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I don't want to.

[Larry Thor]

Who did this to you? Who shot your Peg?

[Evelyn Wade]

I don't want to die. I don't.

[Larry Thor]

Spring comes to Broadway in many ways. The loudspeakers blossom and bear the fruit of the Charleston. The rainmakers dance their ritual dance and bear no fruit at all. And Broadway is diverted. Broadway is happy. Spring is here. You can stand under the shade of a paper mache papaya tree, drink papaya juice, plead your newspaper and read of murder. Double feature. Max Wendell, druggist, murdered in cold blood in his place of business. Should have caught that one. Peg Toohey, dispatcher, murdered in cold blood in a cold water flat. A person could cry. Yeah, spring is here. It's been in training in the summer camps and it's opening the season in its old championship form. Or as Sergeant Gino Tortaglia put it, oh, I will.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

L O V Love you all the T. I am me time I am. Danny, I feel so good inside this invention of spring. Ah, the things you can do to a fella.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, yeah.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Even Mrs. Tartaglia noticed it. Mrs. Tartaglia said to me, Sergeant Tartaglia, you have become so frisky. Almost as frisky as the Tartaglia bloodhound. Giuseppe, have you perchance been heisting Giuseppe Stronghot lately?

[Larry Thor]

She said to me, Mrs. Tortaglia said that. Now you tell me about Peg Toohey's murder.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Gladly, Danny. Seems that Ms. Toohey was shot with the same gun that killed the Acme Pharmaceutical Company guard in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue. This means, obviously, that the killer of Ms. Toohey is the same.

[Larry Thor]

What else? Detector?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Well, let me finish, Danny, please. Is the same who killed the guard, who would be Wilbur Douglas, the salesman who was still in the ranks of the missing.

[Larry Thor]

See, I let you finish. What else, Tataglia?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

The Narcotics Division has put its hand in the pie, as indeed it has every right to same. And it has, huh? Mr. Clover? That is indeed Mr. Clover. And I am Sergeant Gino Tartaglia. How do you do? It's so much easier than I thought. I've come to Give myself up, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

You're Wilbur Douglas.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

How do you do, Mr. Douglas? I am Sergeant Wilbur Douglas. Hey, Danny, do something. This is the manual.

[Larry Thor]

You're giving yourself up, Mr. Douglas. That means you stole the narcotics, committed the murders.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

No, no, no. It only means that I'm tired and I'm sick. I'm sick of hiding, sick of running away. I'm a family man, Mr. Clover. Man gets used to a family, to a pattern.

[Larry Thor]

If you didn't do these things, why did you run away, mister?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Why does anyone from anything? I was scared. I came out of a building and found the guard dead. He was sitting in the car, dead. It scared me, so I ran away.

[Larry Thor]

That was stupid, Mr. Douglas.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, was it? Was it? They all believed I did it. The management, you, my family. Yes. Newspapers are wonderful, Mr. Clover. I read them all the time. People open their mouths, it's printed. And a man's life is measured and thrown away.

[Larry Thor]

Peg Toohey. How well did you know her?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Only enough to say I'm sorry she's dead.

[Larry Thor]

Suppose we believe you, Mr. Douglas. Will you cooperate with us? I mean cooperate?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Will you let me talk to my family? Yes.

[Larry Thor]

Thank you, Mr. Clover.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

It means a bit.

[Larry Thor]

Let's go on the premise you're innocent, then someone you knew. Someone knew you handled narcotics for your firm. Someone knew you were to make a delivery. Someone knew your route. Who could that be? Oh, no, no one. No one.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Only the general manager.

[Larry Thor]

Someone else knew someone who made contact with you without your knowing it. A stranger. Someone who asked for a light or a handout. Someone you talked to about yourself, about your job. Well, think, Mr. Douglas, think. No, no, no.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

There was no one. No one.

[Larry Thor]

Well, it was only there was someone. Who, Mr. Douglas? Tell me who.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

A girl. I was having a drink In a bar. She came up to me and talked to me. She liked the way I looked. She said. I've never done that before.

[Larry Thor]

Do you know her name?

[Evelyn Wade]

Yes.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Evelyn Wade. At least that's what she told me. We were talking and the bar closed. So she asked me to come up to hotel for a nightcap, and I went.

[Larry Thor]

Where is it?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

There's the grand hotel in West 67.

[Larry Thor]

Can I call my family now, Mr. Clover? Yeah. Put it through for him to Taglia, then lock him up.

[Evelyn Wade]

Yeah, what is it? What is it, please? What do you want, Ms. Suede? I'm very busy. Now I'm busy. Another time. Come back again.

[Larry Thor]

I'm from the police, Ms. Wade.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, thank you. I already bought my tickets. Have a nice ball.

[Larry Thor]

I want to speak with you. May I come in?

[Evelyn Wade]

All right, you may come in. I want you to know that I'm.

[Larry Thor]

I won't take long. May I sit down?

[Evelyn Wade]

You don't mind if the blinds are drawn, do you? Sound. Hurts. My eyes.

[Larry Thor]

It's all right.

[Evelyn Wade]

Please.

[Larry Thor]

All right, Miss Wade. Just tell me what I want to know and I'll leave. Tell me about Wilbert Douglas.

[Evelyn Wade]

Douglas?

[Larry Thor]

Wilbert Douglas?

[Evelyn Wade]

Mm. I know him.

[Larry Thor]

You knew he was married.

[Evelyn Wade]

All right, I know him.

[Larry Thor]

There.

[Evelyn Wade]

I know him. I told you.

[Larry Thor]

How did you happen to meet him?

[Evelyn Wade]

We met people. Meet people. Get lonely. Meet.

[Larry Thor]

Miss Wade.

[Evelyn Wade]

It's not a good day for me time, Doug. I gotta be alone.

[Larry Thor]

You met Wilbur Douglas in a bar. Later you came up here, the two of you. How much did he tell you about himself?

[Evelyn Wade]

Ah, nothing. I lied to him. He lied to me. We knew that Smiles drinks. When he put his arm around me, he was polite.

[Larry Thor]

You knew where he worked. You knew what his job was, didn't you?

[Evelyn Wade]

He told me, but. Oh, pardon me. Clumsy, knocking over a phone.

[Larry Thor]

Here, I'll get him here.

[Evelyn Wade]

Thank you. Hello? Oh, yeah. You got the wrong number. Of course I'm sure. Wrong number. Fella had the wrong number.

[Larry Thor]

What fella?

[Evelyn Wade]

He had the wrong number. I wouldn't know.

[Larry Thor]

Mrs. Wade. Mrs. Wade.

[Evelyn Wade]

I wouldn't know what fellow.

[Larry Thor]

Who are your friends, Ms. Wade?

[Evelyn Wade]

I don't get out much. Oh, please.

[Larry Thor]

Please don't go out much, Ms. Wade. I want to find you here when I come back. I went downstairs to the lobby. It bothered me about the phone call. There was a man reading a comic book at the switchboard. I asked him about it because it bothered me. I'd have to do more than that, he said. So I let him peek at my badge. That was all I Had to do. He said no, it couldn't have been a wrong number. A guy asked for Evelyn Wade, so he put him through. How could this become a wrong number? Who was it? I asked. He didn't know. Then I questioned him about Evelyn. All he knew about her was she made phone calls. He wrote them down in a little because they were worth 20 cents apiece to the hotel. It took another peek at the badge to make him give me the list. The next morning at headquarters, I put Tartaglia on it.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Explain it to me again. What you want me to do, Danny? My brain this morning is in the.

[Larry Thor]

Foggy, foggy do this morning. You have the cross reference phone book that I have?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

You gave it to me.

[Larry Thor]

Take these telephone numbers. Cross check them against a name and an address. I'll phone them as you give them to me.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Is that all you want? Why didn't you say so? Okay, Danny. Will do.

[Larry Thor]

Now?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, yeah, now. Pennsylvania 60599. John Ainley business.

[Larry Thor]

Ainley supermarket. Ainley here. Police department, Mr. Ainley. Routine check. You know a Ms. Evelyn Wade? Yes. Once a week she buys a pound of pork chops. Makes us deliver. Stick around the supermarket today. Mr. Ainley, I may want to talk to you. Extra tiger.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

A moment. Danny Butterfield, 89970. Pierre.

[Larry Thor]

Pierre what?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

That's all, Danny. Just Pierre. 1976 East 9 7.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, Pierre. Pierre. At your service. Police Department, Pierre. Routine check. Evelyn Wade. Do you know her? Evelyn?

[Evelyn Wade]

Of course.

[Larry Thor]

I would know Evelyn anywhere. The texture of her hair is dream. And she would stick around. Pierre. We may want to discuss it.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Gramercy, 38099. Myrtle Lance.

[Larry Thor]

I'm busy. Another one to take me.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah. Atwater 97598. Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Larry Thor]

What?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Atwater 97598. Acmeet Pharmaceutical Company. Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Eight.

[Evelyn Wade]

Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Larry Thor]

Garage.

[Evelyn Wade]

Hello?

[Larry Thor]

Hello? Sorry. Hello. Wrong number.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Pleasure. 4396.

[Larry Thor]

That's all. To Taglia. You did good.

[Evelyn Wade]

I took so long. I know, but. Please come in. I was in the kitchen. Look at me with a towel in my hand. Please have a seat.

[Larry Thor]

Thank you.

[Evelyn Wade]

You said you'd come back. I feel better now. I. A little. Would you like some coffee?

[Larry Thor]

No. No, thank you.

[Evelyn Wade]

I could make you some.

[Larry Thor]

Miss Wade, why did you call the garage the other day? The garage of The Acme Pharmaceutical Company.

[Evelyn Wade]

Acme?

[Larry Thor]

Please, Ms. Wade. I know you called.

[Evelyn Wade]

Then why do you ask me?

[Larry Thor]

It's all over now, Miss Wade. Can't you understand that? All over. I know why you called.

[Evelyn Wade]

Then why do you Ask me.

[Larry Thor]

You wanted to get Wilbur Douglas away from his car. Just the right moment. You were working with someone and you had it timed when to call. After Wilbur Douglas had put his root card in the car.

[Evelyn Wade]

I wondered why I had to call at just that moment. Is that why?

[Larry Thor]

Who told you to call?

[Evelyn Wade]

He knew Wilbur would have to come to the phone when I called. Wilbur is married. Wilbur couldn't afford to say no to me.

[Larry Thor]

Who told you to call me?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Oh, I told her to call.

[Larry Thor]

Hello, Zach. How come you're not attending cars at the garage at this hour?

[Evelyn Wade]

Yeah, he told me to call. Zach did?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Now what, Clover? Now I have to kill you, too? Another bullet from this gun.

[Larry Thor]

Another dead man on your side. I'd congratulate you, Zack. You timed it neat. Got Wilbur's root card. Knew where he'd be at what time. Waited till he made his delivery. Killed the guard, lifted the narcotics.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Congratulate me some more, Clover.

[Evelyn Wade]

You. You killed somebody.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Zack, out of the way. Go ahead, Clover. Go ahead.

[Larry Thor]

Narcotic, Zach. You needed a distributor. You sent a hood over to see Max Wendell because Max once was a distributor. Only Max balked, called police.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Then you know why Max had to die. Why I sent the hood back to kill him. Only you were there. You're a louse, Clover, messing things up.

[Larry Thor]

A lonely little girl who suddenly remembered that Wilbur got in that phone call. She tried to tell me about it. And you killed her, too.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Yes, and you too, Clover. You understand how it is, don't you? Congratulate me once more. Then you can close your eyes.

[Larry Thor]

Where's the narcotics?

[Evelyn Wade]

Zach has it. Don't you, Zach?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Sure I do, baby.

[Evelyn Wade]

Oh, but you killed. Oh, I don't know. Now, this man here, you think about it. Her girl thinks about. Oh, Zach, kiss me. Be nice to me, Zach.

[Larry Thor]

Take your hands off. Just wait. Watch out, Zach. He stood there swaying, shaking his head against the recognition, against the knowledge that his life was almost through. And his eyes stared at it, spilling over his fingers. Then there was no more life. Evelyn weighed with silence in her pain. In a little while, a doctor came and said she needed a lot of help. He said he'd see she got it. Broadway's deserted now. The night has given up and it's becoming another day. And for an hour, the fury lies sleeping. Then an engine will start and a horn will blow and people will run out from under the earth to awake the fury. And it starts all over again. 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 was produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. The musical score was composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. Included in the cast tonight were Sylvia Sims, Jeanette Nolan, Eddie Fields, Howard McNear, Clayton Post and Paul McVeigh. From taco night in Tulum to sushi in Tokyo, make every bite rewarding with gold from Amex wherever you dine, four times the membership rewards. Points at restaurants worldwide are piling up. Learn [e-mail] terms and points CAP apply.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. I thought this was a good mystery, which was a bit complex, but without becoming convoluted as usual, we get great New York characterizations that are really evocative, particularly for production that came from Hollywood. In terms of logic, I think the explanation of the courier why he ran was kind of weak. He said he ran because everyone would think he was guilty, but the reason everyone thought he was guilty was because he ran. Now there might have been some suspicion had he stayed, but it became such a big suspicion because he was on the lam. I think it makes more psychological sense though when you realize he was having this relationship, although I think he was denying the extent of it to the police. So he probably already felt guilty though because of the relationship, not for any involvement in the robbery, and probably feared that that relationship would end up coming to light. I will say in terms of police utilization, Danny, using a sergeant to read phone numbers off to him is kind of the thing that an efficiency expert would tag and say, you know, we don't really need to be doing this. Sargeant makes a pretty high salary and anybody who could could read off the numbers. And of course this is probably not a two man job anyway. It's kind of like a how many police officers does it take to change a light bulb Question. Probably the two was necessary for radio purposes to make it interesting to listen to. And we already know who Tartaglia is, even if it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for him to be here. I will also note a telephone exchange being named Butterfield which shows the level of importance importance to Herb Butterfield in old time radio. And if you get honored with a fictional telephone exchange being named after you, that says something. All right, well, listener comments and feedback now. And we have comments regarding the Ernie Caldwell murder case. And Mechanic6682 writes, I think that makes Larry, I. E. Larry Thor. Three for three and saving a guy from the electric chair. Well, that is the record you want your hero to have. Kathy writes, I love Tartaglia, a great character to compliment Clover and Clover's description of the city, always very descriptive. One of my favorite series after Johnny Dollar. And I think that's a great point about Tartaglia as a balance to Danny. The thing with Danny Clover is that he can be a lot, very heavy, dour. And what stops the show from being way too much for the audience is Tartaglia, who brings a relative lightness to the proceedings. Now, he is not a fool. I think if you went too light, too much comic relief, you would have a situation where you undermine the whole tone of the series. But his approach to dealing with life, to dealing with the harshness of the reality that the police have to encounter every day is very different from Danny. He is balanced by his family. He finds escape in light literature, which Danny and maybe the show teases him about a little bit, but I think it's a way that he escapes a little bit, manages to keep balance and to not let the job overwhelm him. At the same time, he's not Sergeant Otis. He knows his stuff. He is reliable, he is steady. And is that perfect support for Danny? I would say he was the more normal one, but according to him, his wife calls him Sergeant Tartaglia, so I can't quite say that. Still, I think he is critical to making this series work. And then we have a comment from Spotify where Vicky writes, you're right, it doesn't always make sense, but it's always entertaining. Well, I can't argue with that, Vicki. And then we have a comment on our listener survey from Judy, who writes, I enjoy this show. Well, thanks so much. Appreciate you listening there in New Zealand. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Clarissa. Clarissa has been one of our Patreon supporters since March of 2024. The show at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Clarissa. And that will actually 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 Mr. And Mrs. North.

[Evelyn Wade]

Hello, Mrs. Rowland? Yes.

[Larry Thor]

Are you alone?

[Evelyn Wade]

Why, yes. Who is this?

[Larry Thor]

Never mind, Just listen And don't do any more talking. It's about your husband and it's important.

[Evelyn Wade]

What?

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

Don't talk, I said. Your husband's with me. He's been kidnapped.

[Larry Thor]

And as soon as we can get together on the door, we'll let him go. In the meantime, keep your mouth shut.

[Evelyn Wade]

But he's not.

[Sergeant Gino Tartaglia]

I told you to keep your mouth shut. Don't say a word about this to anybody. And if you call in the police, we'll kill him.

[Larry Thor]

No. Remember what I told you, Mrs. Rowland. Sit tight and wait for my call. I'll be in touch with you later.

[Evelyn Wade]

Hello?

[Larry Thor]

Hello? What's wrong?

[Evelyn Wade]

My husband. My husband, he's been.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13GreatDetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off from taco.

[Larry Thor]

Night in Tulum to sushi in Tokyo. Make every bite rewarding with gold from Amex. Wherever you dine four times. Membership rewards points at restaurants worldwide are piling up. Learn [e-mail] Explore Gold terms and points cap apply.