Broadway's My Beat: The Philip Hunt Murder Case (EP4823)

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Broadway's My Beat: The Philip Hunt Murder Case (EP4823)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: October 15, 2025

---

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic episode of "Broadway’s My Beat" titled "The Philip Hunt Murder Case," originally broadcast in 1951. Detective Danny Clover walks the listener through a tangled murder mystery on the “gaudiest, most violent, lonesomest mile in the world”: Broadway. Adam Graham provides context and analysis following the drama, focusing on the cast, plot mechanics, and listener feedback.

---

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Setting and Incident [02:34–06:14]

• Opening Monologue (Danny Clover): Broadway in the early morning sets the somber tone. Danny is quickly called to a homicide scene at Philip Hunt’s Fifth Avenue apartment.
• Discovery of the Crime: Philip Hunt, a wealthy retired securities investor, is found shot in his bedroom after a party. The murder weapon and evidence of a chaotic gathering are found nearby: glasses, various cigarette butts, and a fancy engraved lighter.
  • "There's a gun that did it, Danny. Revolver. Two shots missing from the chamber. One killed him over there on the bed." —Sergeant Mugman [03:59]

2. The Party and Initial Suspects [06:14–09:13]

• Party Details: Lois Hunt, the victim’s niece, and a soldier, Corporal Tommy Milo, are discovered passed out in the library—both drugged, not drunk.
  • "Their drinks were doped here. Girl’s glass smell. The corporal’s the same. Doctor Seski said it’s fortunate he got here in time." —Sergeant Mugman [05:18]
• Suspect Profiles:
  • Lois Hunt: Outspoken, brash, admits to randomly picking up party guests.
  • Corporal Tommy Milo: Claims he barely knew anyone; Lois contradicts him, noting their recent acquaintance.
• Party Dynamics: Lois says the evening was spontaneous and unplanned, gathering strangers for festivities.

3. The Investigation Broadens [09:13–15:48]

• Willard Jordan’s Connection: The engraved lighter leads detectives to Willard Jordan, an artist with party ties. At Jordan’s apartment, his wife (Melissa) and a male model (Pepe) establish Jordan's bohemian lifestyle but cannot account for his whereabouts.
  • "Willard stays way off and he’s roaming. Goes places, talks to strange people. From material to paint." —Mrs. Jordan [10:47]
• Barbara Sullivan Interview: Another party attendee, Barbara, offers little help and coldly dismisses the gravity of the murder.
• Second Murder — Willard Jordan: Jordan is found dead in the guest house on Hunt’s property, his coat still wet, linking him to the events of the night.

4. Police and Forensics at Work [16:27–21:42]

• Forensic Reports: Ballistics confirm the same gun killed both Hunt and Jordan.
  • "The bullet that killed Willard Jordan...sprang from the same gun that did likewise to Philip Hunt." —Sergeant Tartaglia [18:11]
• Motive Uncovered: Major Woodcock, Hunt’s friend and fellow retiree, reveals he’s been included in Hunt’s will, making him a potential suspect.
  • "Left me quite a sum. Enormous sum. Quite an overpayment for my work in his garden. Makes me a suspect, though." —Major Woodcock [21:05]

5. Analysis and Final Breakthrough [23:35–28:49]

• Fingerprint Discovery: Only Lois Hunt's pristine fingerprints are found on the murder weapon—not multiple sets, as would be expected at a party. Detective Clover suspects a frame-up.
  • "Not anymore [prints]. Wiped clean...Because it has prints on it. The most beautiful set of prints as possible. The entire hand of Lois Hunt." —Sergeant Mugman [23:46]
• The Poetry Book Clue: Tommy claimed Lois was reading “Sonnets from the Portuguese” when they passed out. But the book is found in Hunt’s bedroom, not the library—proving Lois’s movements post-dosing.
  • "But the book wasn’t there when we found you, Lois. Where was it? On the night table next to your uncle." —Danny Clover [27:13]

6. Confession and the Resolution [27:15–29:25]

• Danny Clover Confronts Lois: He reveals the logic used to unmask her—a combination of staged unconsciousness, the planted fingerprints, and the misplacement of the poetry book.
  • "Later you put on an act for Tommy. Pretended to pass out, waited for the drug you’d put in his drink to work on him. Then you got up, killed your uncle, came back, then drugged your own drink." —Danny Clover [27:26]
• Lois’ Motive: Jealousy, dependence, and a need to assert control after being infantilized by her uncle. She also kills Willard Jordan when he returns searching for his lighter and inadvertently threatens her.
• Dramatic Finale: Lois panics, threatens suicide, but ultimately surrenders.
  • "I don’t think my friends would have been sorry, Mr. Clover. I really don’t." —Lois Hunt [29:25]

7. Host Commentary and Listener Feedback [32:43–37:18]

• Adam Graham’s Reflection: Praises Kathy Lewis’s performance as Lois, noting her rare but impressive appearances as a detective series villain.
  • "Now we got to hear Kathy Lewis as the murderer…unlike people like Virginia Gregg or Peggy Weber, we don’t get to hear her much now." —Adam Graham [32:43]
• Listener Questions: Discusses potential consequences for murderers acquitted on a technicality and insurance policy nuances from a different episode.
• Patron Acknowledgments: Thanks Patreon supporters and encourages interactions and subscriptions.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It never ends. Always cut off when it gets interesting. Always cheated of the ending." —Major Woodcock on dreams and life [19:02]
• "Somebody doped a drink and pressed her hand against the gun." —Danny Clover on the staged evidence against Lois [24:03]
• "You know everything… You and Uncle Phil came back and saw Tommy lying there alone. Then you appeared. You had a gun in your hand. You walked Willard to the guest house. Killed him because you had to.” —Danny Clover confronting Lois [27:59]
• "When I grabbed her, she didn’t struggle, just shrieked over and over. When I led her out of the room, she was still shrieking. And all of a sudden she stopped…Then she touched my cheek. She spoke to me: ‘I don’t think my friends would have been sorry, Mr. Clover. I really don’t.’” —Danny Clover's closing reflection [29:25]

---

Important Timestamps

• [02:34] – Story introduction; Danny Clover’s monologue
• [03:59] – Crime scene analysis by Mugman
• [05:08] – Introduction of Lois Hunt and Tommy Milo
• [09:13] – Lead on the lighter traced to Willard Jordan
• [15:48] – Discovery of Willard Jordan’s body
• [18:11] – Forensic link between murders
• [21:05] – Major Woodcock reveals inheritance motive
• [23:46] – Crime lab: only Lois Hunt’s full fingerprints on the murder weapon
• [27:13] – Book clue unravels Lois's timeline
• [28:49] – Lois’s near-suicide and ultimate confession
• [32:43] – Adam Graham’s post-episode analysis
• [37:18] – Lead-in to next episode; listener engagement

---

Tone and Style

The episode blends the poetic grittiness of Broadway’s My Beat—courtesy of Danny Clover's hard-boiled narration—with Adam Graham’s earnest, informative, and slightly nostalgic commentary. The actors' banter, the suspenseful plotting, and Graham’s after-episode engagement capture both noir drama and the classic radio fan community in an inviting fashion.

---

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners seeking a rich, detailed breakdown of the Broadway’s My Beat: The Philip Hunt Murder Case episode, including plot intricacies, standout moments, and Adam Graham's insightful post-show reflections.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

Do you know what happens when you replace your regular old electric water heater with a new electric heat pump water heater? You boost your savings a lot. In fact, Energy Star estimates that a family of four will save an average of $550 a year on their electric energy bills. And your new heat pump water heater can pay for itself in as little as three years. Level up with a heat pump water heater. Go to levelupmywaterheater.com to learn more.

[Lois Hunt]

This is the story of the One as a custodial supervisor at a high school, he knows that during cold and flu season, germs spread fast. It's why he partners with Grainger to stay fully stocked on the products and supplies he needs, from tissues to disinfectants to floor scrubbers, all so that he can help students, staff and teachers stay healthy and focused. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[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 Bait. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show by by mailing a donation to PO Box 15913. That's PO Box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. And be sure the check and the envelope made out to Adam Graham. Well, now, from April 21, 1951, here is the Philip Hunt 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/Announcer]

Broadway's my beat with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

In Springtime's early morning, Broadway depends upon the mood you're in now. The seesaw of color is gone, the riot of night sounds is stilled, and the revelers have found their sleep. There's nothing here but litter and mist and the beginning sunlight. But it's the start of an April day. That's something. You walk into it. And there's something else. The man standing against the lamppost, staring, hands locked in back of him and last night's newspaper trapped against his leg. Walk past him quickly, kid. It's better to start the day with a cup of coffee. I didn't have time for coffee. The call came while I was pouring the cream. The call with a code number that said homicide. That said an address on Fifth Avenue. That said get there and get there and get ushered into a room and into the presence of a man who uses words instead of numbers in describing death.

[Sergeant Mugman]

There's a gun that did it. Danny. Revolver. Two shots missing from the chamber. One killed him over there on the bed. We're still looking for the other slug.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who is he? Mugaman.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Philip Hunt. Securities investments. Retired about two years ago to try to enjoy himself, the maid said.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

The maid called it in.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What else?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Funny. Let's go. I'll show you. It's down the hall. Big party here last night, Danny? Glasses. Scotch, bourbon, Gin. Cigarette butts. Gold tipped. Cork tip. Lipstick tipped. Oh, this too.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Pocket lighter. Fancy one.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Give me a light one.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Thanks.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Yeah, real fancy. In Evans. Catchy engraving on it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

From Barbara to Welland. It'll have to be traced. Mm.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Found it in the bathroom in the shower stove. Doorbell. Mate will get it in here. Danny, the library.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Who are they?

[Sergeant Mugman]

The girl stretched out on the couch is the niece of the dead man. Name's Lois Hunt. The mates lives here?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Him.

[Sergeant Mugman]

The soldier over there on the chair. The maid didn't know him. Never saw him before.

[Detective Danny Clover]

How about the rest of the people at the party?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Nothing there yet. Maybe the girl and the corporal will know when they come too. Dr. Sinski gave him a needle.

[Detective Danny Clover]

A needle? To a couple of drunks. What are you talking about?

[Sergeant Mugman]

They're not drunk. Their drinks were doped here. Girl's glass smell. The corporal's the same. Dr. Sinski said it's fortunate he got here in time.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then the gathering together of the police reporters and the press photographers. The statement for the noon editions. The jolly farewells over the dead. And the promise of the mention of your name. The bribe for more detail. More. You know what, Danny? Gotta compete with the comics, kid. And the walking away from it. And in your office, the arrangement and rearrangement on your desk of the clutter that attended Philip Hunt's dying. Cigarette lighter. A gun fired twice. Two glasses stained with death. And a few hours later, the quiet opening of the door and two kids stand waiting, bewildered, their eyes not touched by the morning light.

[Lois Hunt]

Dr. Sinski said it was all right for you to interrogate us now. He said.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, come in, Miss Hunt. Corporal. Sit down.

[Lois Hunt]

Thanks.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You sure you feel all right, Miss Hunt, we.

[Lois Hunt]

No, no, no, I'm fine. Just a little dazed. I've had other mornings like this. Maybe not quite so sad. Uncle Phil? Dead.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You, Corporal? I'm fine, sir. Just fine. Oh, he'll be all right. Dr. Sinski's a good man. You two known each other long? Been going together a long time? Yes, sir, a long time. Maybe five or six months. I saw Lois at a USO dance.

[Lois Hunt]

You're lying, Tommy. Don't tell a man a lie.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I know what I'm doing, kid. Just maybe you don't, Corporal. You. You tell me those.

[Lois Hunt]

I only met Tommy last night. He was sitting at a bar, lonely, kind of lost. Made him so attractive. I'm rich. I bought his drinks.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And you took him to the party at your home.

[Lois Hunt]

There wasn't a party. We made up as we went along. You know, Barha picked up people who said funny things. I took them home because I wanted to celebrate Tommy, the nice corporal.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It wasn't a pickup serve. Lois is a fine girl.

[Sergeant Mugman]

She's not.

[Lois Hunt]

Yeah, I am. Tommy, you're sweet.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Was your uncle at the party, Lois?

[Lois Hunt]

We crashed in on him just as he was getting ready for bed. We all kissed him good night. That's how gay we were. We all kissed my uncle good night.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's how you left him, going to bed? Yes, sir. Then you rejoined the party? Yes, sir.

[Lois Hunt]

This gun, is that the one that killed my Uncle Phil?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You know the gun?

[Lois Hunt]

It's given to my Uncle Phil by his employees. They know how he loved guns.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You know the gun, corporal? Yes, sir. Lois took it out of the case so I could show the party how. How a soldier uses a gun. Who'd you show your tricks to, Tommy? Who else was at the party? I don't know, sir. Honest, I don't know.

[Lois Hunt]

How did he know them if I didn't? They were strangers. Funny party strangers. We had fun.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yes, sir. Just fun. Then I passed out. And Lois was sitting there, already passed out, with a book in her lap. She'd been reading poetry to me, and she passed out. And I laughed. I remember.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Danny, I. Pardon? Pardon me, Danny. They have traced a cigarette lighter from descriptions distributed hither and yon by calm, efficient men under beat.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, you'll tell me, huh? Sergeant Oteglio.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Sold by Tiffany's to one Willard Jordan, 2346 East 80. Steady customer by Tiffany's. Me, I only gaze in their windows on Sundays.

[Detective Danny Clover]

All right, I'll check it.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Do that, Danny. And also bid adieu to Ms. Hunt. Her wealthy lawyer has put up bail.

[Detective Danny Clover]

For her and the corporal.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

No arrangements have been made with the military. Him we can keep. Bail is only for the likes of Ms. Hunt.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Yeah.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Take care of things. Be calm and efficient while I'm out at d'. Artaglia.

[Lois Hunt]

I'm very sorry.

[Mrs. Jordan]

I'm busy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police. Does Willard Jordan live here?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Yes, he does. I'm his wife. What is it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

May I come in?

[Mrs. Jordan]

I suppose so. We'll talk here, if you don't mind. I'm getting ready to go out. What is it you want?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Is your husband home?

[Mrs. Jordan]

No. You'd better stop in another time. Mr. Clover.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Where is your husband?

[Mrs. Jordan]

I don't know. I didn't invite you to go in there. Where do you think you're going?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Is he your husband?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Pei Pei. I told you, if you stared in that mirror once more, I'll scream. Sit down. Sit down and drink your drink. And don't you move. And don't you open your mouth.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Not your husband, huh? Then who?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Pepe. You must know Mr. Clover. He's a model for my husband. Willard did him as Narcissus.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's Pepe doing here now?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Waiting. He dropped in to see Willard. Willard's going to paint him for his summer show.

[Detective Danny Clover]

When's the last time you saw your husband, Mrs. Jordan?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Early yesterday morning. I handed him his sketch pad when he walked out of the door. Now, you tell me something. Why is it so important for a policeman to talk to my husband?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He was at a party last night where a murder was committed.

[Mrs. Jordan]

You think Willard did it? Willard?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I didn't say that. I just wanted to talk to him, that's all.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Willard committed murder. Pepe. Pepe. One more time and out you go.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Doesn't it worry you that your husband didn't come home last night?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Why should you worry me? What do you mean?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Willard has not come home like this before.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Oh. Oh, I see what you mean. Yes. Willard stays way off and he's roaming. Goes places, talks to strange people. From material to paint. Let's see. Yes, he said he was going to take a model around last night.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What model? A Pepee.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Barbara, I think. Yes, Barbara Sullivan. Nice girl. You've seen her in the beer ads, Mr. Clover. She lives close by. I'll tell you where. If she knows where Willard is, phone me. Let me know, will you? Course you will. Whatever it is slipping under the door. I'm trying to get some sleep.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Open up, Ms. Sullivan. It's the police. Open up.

[Lois Hunt]

This is me in last night's frock. This morning's iPads, trying to sleep away the bags under my eyes. So you won't lose a kick when you draw mustaches on me on the billboards.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Mrs. Jordan told me you might know where her husband is.

[Lois Hunt]

Melissa told you that? Good old Melissa.

[Detective Danny Clover]

We want Willard for suspicion of murder.

[Mrs. Jordan]

What?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You were with him last night. With Willard. Where is Willard now?

[Lois Hunt]

Sleeping off a Jag under a cold water tap in the shower stall of the Fifth Avenue mansion. I know. I threw him there myself. Everything I do myself.

[Detective Danny Clover]

He's not there anymore. We peaked.

[Lois Hunt]

Then go look for a man with wet coat and pants. Dry the gutter on 3rd Avenue and 28th. Willard's favorite, his pride and joy.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's where you left him.

[Lois Hunt]

I left him in the shower stall.

[Mrs. Jordan]

I told you that two yawns ago.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You threw Willard in the shower? Went home. What time did all these good things happen to you?

[Lois Hunt]

Maybe 2, 3, 4 in the morning.

[Mrs. Jordan]

I don't remember.

[Lois Hunt]

All was on my mind was my beauty sleep. I'm vain. Coddle my beauty, get fat checks for coddling it. So you want Willard for murder. Anyone I know?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Philip Hunt. You were in his house last night.

[Lois Hunt]

That's where I was. That's where that pale little rich girl took us. I wish I'd known. Maybe I could have wheedled the old man into using me in his advertisement.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's all it means to you? A man's murder? Or wanting Willard for it, maybe.

[Lois Hunt]

Come to me with a Hollywood contract, mister, and I'll show you what things can mean to me. I'll change overnight for you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'll live for it. Keep posing for beer, Ms. Sullivan. Just so I'll know you're around.

[Lois Hunt]

I'll do it. Good. Because I'll keep it in mind. You'll be staring at me through shop windows by now. It's iPad time again.

[Detective Danny Clover]

So a half day had gone by and I had nothing. The Technical Division had something, though, and they gave it to me. There'd been about 17 people at the party last night at the home of Philip Hunt. And 17 people, according to the kind of drinks, dregs in the bottom of liquor glasses and fingerprints. Maybe nine men and eight women. So far, I had talked to three of the 17. Result shrugs and bleary answers. Result nothing. Back now to the home of Philip Hunt and talk to his niece again. Outside, this time in the small garden. Sit in a wrought iron chair and watch Lois Hunt take her three o'. Clock Scotch and soda.

[Lois Hunt]

Sure you won't have one, Mr. Clover?

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, thanks. Listen to me, Lois. All I want you to do is try to remember who else was here last night. Somebody who had a motive for killing your uncle.

[Lois Hunt]

I had a motive. Money. I inherit most of the estate. How's soldier boy? Tommy. Nice kid. I'M going to visit him tomorrow.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You mean you just picked these people up and brought them home?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Well, sure. Grab bag.

[Lois Hunt]

You never know.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Ms. Lars in the guest house.

[Lois Hunt]

What's the matter, Francis?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I was cleaning.

[Lois Hunt]

Please, please look.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The guest house was just across the garden and up a few steps. The place was neat as a pin. Starched linen curtains, maple chairs and three shag throw rugs placed at interesting angles. On the one that stretched diagonally across the floor was a man. I knelt beside him, away from the blood stain that had spilled from the bullet wound in his chest. His coat was still moist and it was spread open. There was a label on the inside pocket. Tailored, it said, by Jensen's mills, expressly for Mr. Willard Jordan. And Mr. Willard Jordan was dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. With the kids of the Beverly Hills Beavers to the right of him and those two curious revenue agents to the left of him. Jack Benny meets Plenty of trouble this Sunday night on cbs. Be listening. Be laughing with the Jack Benny show tomorrow night. And be with us too, for the fun with Eve arden as our Ms. Brooks on most of these same CBS stations.

[Detective Danny Clover]

The long winter is dead on Broadway and the street mourns its dying without a tear. What's to weep, kid? The dawn banging on the radiators tearing sleep into pieces on a cold morning the standing on the street corner in the night wind trying to thumb through the racing foam with hundred percent wool mittens and the girls so bundled up you can see their face that's to weep. Give me the springtime, kid. In the springtime things Bud and blossom. The girls, the neon flowers, the field of golden daisies on the Translux. Look at it now, kid. Artist dead in Fifth Avenue Guest house Police Sift Murder clues Search Link with death of Philip Hunt Millionaire Ever smelled posies like that, kid? Spring's come to Broadway. Give up to it. And at police headquarters. That's just what Sergeant Dattaglia did. He gave up to it.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Ah, Danny. The missus has been slipping the sulfur with the molasses into my pizzas lately. It's that time of the year again, goody.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Tastes good that way.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

The way Mrs. Tartaglia makes a pizza, Danny. No harm could come to it, no matter what felony she commits to it. Which reminds me, when you're coming to partake of a springtime pizza.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Soon, Gino, soon as I can.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

A promise. Goody. I have also by mail, so invited Lady Jane Pugh the ne' er do well, lady detective from London town.

[Detective Danny Clover]

She's coming.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

No, she has not as yet replied. With her RSVP and an English caper, no doubt.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What else?

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

I will notify you, Danny, when she accepts you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Do that, Jim.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Now, firstly and to the forefront, the boys in technical have deduced that the bullet that killed Willard Jordan artist sprang from the same gun that did likewise to Philip Hunt.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Thanks for telling me.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

I thought you would relish it. Secondly, and in the background, Major Robert E. Woodcock, retired.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Try me again, Zeno. I haven't had my sulfur and molasses.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

Major Robert E. Woodcock, retired. Partook of breakfast every morning of his retirement with the late deceased Philip Hunt. A fact established by Sergeant Mugman while questioning the housemate.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Free morning, huh? That's interesting, Gino. Only a stab in the dark. But if a fellow wanted to talk to this Major Woodcock, he would go.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

To the Union Club. Where the retired Major resides, naturally.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Naturally. Major. Major Woodcock. Wake up. Major. Wake up.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

It never ends. It never ends.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Major.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

I'm awake, young man. Awake for a current dream, you know. Never ends. Always cut off when it gets interesting. Always cheated of the ending.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I'm from the police, Major.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

And old pussyfoot boy. You're from the police. Be proud of it. Nothing to be ashamed of. Walk on tiger's feet.

[Detective Danny Clover]

About Philip Hunt.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

My friend. My old friend. Chaperoned a mademoiselle around Paris in the old army days. Together, Phil and I. Many sunny days to remember. You want to know if I was with Phil the night he died?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Were you?

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Dropped in for a brandy game. Chess. A lot of young people took me in tow. Made me act the Major with a boy. A young corporal who was there. I'm afraid it was a rather pathetic entertainment.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then you got away from them?

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

They were happy to dismiss me. Shunted me upstairs to old Phil. We had our quiet brandies, our endless chess game. Never finished it. And cried. Old soldiers tears. And so to bed.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You didn't come back for breakfast.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

You know about that, do you? Had breakfast with Phil every morning since our discharge. In the library. 7am Pleasant. Then we'd putter around in the garden. Pleasant. A ritual.

[Detective Danny Clover]

But you didn't come back that morning. Why?

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Too tired. Overslept. Over brandied. I wish I had come back.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Why?

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Bid Phil a good journey. Dead men can hear things like that, you know. Pleases them. There was another reason. I wish I'd have come back.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What? To console Lois?

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Hadn't thought of that? No. To thank Phil for including Me in his will. Left me quite a sum. Enormous sum. Quite an overpayment for my work in his garden. But you knew about that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, I didn't.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Makes me a suspect, though.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It does.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

That should be interesting. When do you ask me about Willard Jordan, the artist?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Right now.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Painted my portrait, Willard did. There it is, hanging in back of me. Major Robert E. Woodcock. Retired. Leaning against a field piece. Classic clap trap. But I've grown rather fond of it. That's all there is of me now. Me and it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I can always reach you here. Major.

[Major Robert E. Woodcock]

Bill's gone. Where else would I go?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Doesn't matter to you that I'm a widow now, does it? You have to ask me questions.

[Detective Danny Clover]

That's right, Mrs. Jordan.

[Mrs. Jordan]

I won't answer them. I don't have to answer them. Please get out and let me alone.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You told me you weren't at Lois Hunt's house last night.

[Mrs. Jordan]

What?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You heard what I said.

[Mrs. Jordan]

All right, I was at Lois Hunt's house last night.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I know.

[Mrs. Jordan]

It was a terrible party.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Pepe take you to the party?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Pepe never goes to parties. He spills things on people's rugs. I went alone.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Did Lois pick you up at a bar?

[Mrs. Jordan]

I never go to bars.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Then you were following your husband.

[Mrs. Jordan]

So what? So what?

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's your right, Mrs. Jones.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Of course it is. I was his wife. Just tagged along. Just in case Willard got into trouble with that brewery poster, that's all. Saw Willard going to the house, waited a while, then I went in too.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Willard got into trouble, Mrs. Jordan. Where were you?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Well.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Well, what?

[Mrs. Jordan]

A girl has to be sociable at a party. Anybody knows that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Somebody gave you a drink.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Never did get to see Willard.

[Detective Danny Clover]

And you must have gotten to know some of the people.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Just names like Nicky and John and Bobby. Honestly, I don't remember a lot. Honestly.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Can I see you, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Oh, sure. Mugavin. Come on in. What have you got?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Got a report here from the fingerprint department. You know what's strange, Danny?

[Detective Danny Clover]

The gun's got the prints of 17 people on it.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Well, maybe it did have once. Not anymore. Wiped clean.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What's the drama for, Muggerman? Why don't you just say it didn't have any prints on it?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Because it has prints on it. The most beautiful set of prints as possible. The entire hand of Lois Hunt. Here's a photostat without a blemish or a smear.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Killer.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Lois Hunt, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You think so?

[Sergeant Mugman]

I'm asking you, Danny.

[Detective Danny Clover]

No, I don't think so. Somebody doped a drink and pressed her hand against the gun.

[Mrs. Jordan]

If.

[Detective Danny Clover]

If Lois had handled the gun to kill both men, she'd have handled it twice. Then there would have been two sets of prints, not one.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Yeah. Killer tried to plant a frame, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

I don't know.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Maybe.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What else?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Nothing. Just these photographs of the Hunt mansion. Interiors, exteriors. Six of the people who were at the party last night are outside. You want me to bring them in?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Yeah, one at a time.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Okay.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Wait a minute. Back here.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Michael.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Have you talked to that corporal lately? A couple of times.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Sticks to his story. Passed out right after the girl did.

[Detective Danny Clover]

She'd been reading to him. Isn't that what he said?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Poetry. Even told me the name of the book. Sonnets from.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Look at this picture. Mugavan. Library where the kids were found. Dope boy sitting here, girl there. See any book near them? Now look at this one. Picture of Hunt dead in his bedroom. Squint. Mugavan. What's the name of the book?

[Sergeant Mugman]

Sonnets from the Portuguese. You don't have to talk to those people now, do you, Danny?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Miss Lawrence is upstairs in her room. I'll tell her you're here.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Take me to her, please.

[Mrs. Jordan]

This way.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What time did you find Ms. Lois and that soldier in the library, Francis?

[Mrs. Jordan]

About a quarter after six. I told that other policeman that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Quarter after six. Isn't that pretty early?

[Mrs. Jordan]

Sure it's early. I do it every morning. Clean up in the library so Mr. Hunt and that major could have their breakfast.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Saw Ms. Lois and the soldier passed out and went to tell Mr. Hunt. You saw Mr. Hunt dead and called the police.

[Mrs. Jordan]

I told that other policeman that too. Miss Lois.

[Lois Hunt]

What is it, policeman? Hello, Mr. Clover. Come on in. That'll be all, Francis.

[Mrs. Jordan]

Well.

[Lois Hunt]

Come to tell me something about that soldier boy, that Tommy Milo. I'm going to try to do everything I can for him. You want a drink?

[Detective Danny Clover]

That gun that killed your uncle and Willard Jordan had your prints on it.

[Lois Hunt]

Aren't you warm? I am just as second one the casement open. It's much more pleasant, don't you think? Now, what did you say?

[Detective Danny Clover]

The gun had your prints on it.

[Lois Hunt]

Didn't it have everyone's? We all handled the gun. Why just my prints?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Because you wiped off everybody's prints and put your own on it.

[Lois Hunt]

Oh, I must have been loaded. Why did I do that?

[Detective Danny Clover]

Make me think what I thought that you'd been framed. Someone had put the gun in your hand when you'd passed out.

[Lois Hunt]

You've come to tell me you don't think that.

[Detective Danny Clover]

What were you reading to Tommy when that dope drink caught up with you.

[Lois Hunt]

Some sonnets, I think everybody else had left, so I thought sonnets were just the thing. Corny, huh?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You were reading the sonnets and all of a sudden you felt dizzy and you went to sleep. Is that what happened?

[Lois Hunt]

Exactly. I told you.

[Detective Danny Clover]

But the book wasn't there when we found you, Lois. What?

[Lois Hunt]

Where was it?

[Detective Danny Clover]

On the night table next to your uncle.

[Lois Hunt]

But I was drugged. How would it get there?

[Detective Danny Clover]

You put it there. That was an oversight, Lois. You carried it up to your uncle's room.

[Lois Hunt]

But I was drugged. You know that. The doctor knows that I was drugged.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Later you put on an act for Tommy. Pretended to pass out, waited for the drug you'd put in his drink to work on him. Then you got up, killed your uncle, came back, then drugged your own drink.

[Lois Hunt]

Don't tell me what I did. If I'd done that, I would have died. The doctor said that drug was deadly. Your own doctor.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You didn't have anything to worry about. Frances, your maid, always cleaned up the library at 6 o'. Clock. You knew she'd yell for help. Now, tell me about Willard Jordan Lewis.

[Lois Hunt]

Don't talk to me like that. Don't tell me what to do.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Willard Jordan came back, didn't he? He was looking for his cigarette lighter.

[Lois Hunt]

You know everything.

[Detective Danny Clover]

You and Uncle Phil came back and saw Tommy lying there alone. Then you appeared. You had a gun in your hand. You're so smart, you walked Willard to the guest house. Killed him because you had to.

[Lois Hunt]

Smart uncle was told me what to do, why I had to do it.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It wasn't just the money you had that your uncle gave you everything you wanted.

[Lois Hunt]

Like I was a little girl. Like I didn't know my own mind. Just the way you're talking to me.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Let's go, Lois. No, no, no. Come on.

[Lois Hunt]

No, I won't go. I'm gonna kill myself.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Get away from that window, Lois.

[Mrs. Jordan]

I'm doing it. I'm gonna jump.

[Detective Danny Clover]

I don't care. I'm gonna jump. Listen to me. Don't you come near me. I'm gonna die. You'll be sorry, all of you.

[Mrs. Jordan]

But when I'm lying down there, you'll be sorry.

[Detective Danny Clover]

My friends will come and they'll look at me and they'll be sorry. When I grabbed her, she didn't struggle, just shrieked over and over. When I led her out of the room, she was still shrieking. And all of a sudden she stopped. Then she looked at me, bewildered at first. Then smiling an etiquette smile that a girl gives a man after a pleasant dance. Then she touched my cheek. She spoke to me.

[Lois Hunt]

I don't think my friends would have been sorry, Mr. Clover. I really don't.

[Detective Danny Clover]

On Broadway, the fury of the night races against the time of dawn. It needs those hours to prove itself. The mob, the grinning faces the voice that whispers, but hurry, time's at your heels and the night lasts only so long. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, My beat.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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 cast, Kathy Lewis was heard as Lois Hunt, Lee Millar as Tommy Milo, Peggy Weber as Melissa Jordan, Michael Ann Barrett as Barbara Sullivan and Russell Simpson as Major Woodcock. Our defense program today calls for sacrifices. But the better we produce, the fewer those sacrifices will be. To do this most effectively, we must all work together toward top productivity. The free booklet, the Miracle of America, gives the story of the American system and of the benefits which increased productivity through teamwork has brought to all of us.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Box to 10 Times Square Station, New York City, for your free booklet, the Miracle of America. Remember, the better we produce, the stronger we grow. Stay tuned now for Sing It Again, which follows immediately over most of these same CBS stations. Joe Walters speaking. This is cbs, where you laugh at Jack Benny every Sunday night. The Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Detective Danny Clover]

This is the story of the 1. As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top priority. That's why he chooses Grainger. Because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs for the replacement product he needs. And next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Even with the expectation that the maid was going to show up, she was taking an awfully big risk. If the maid was late or the police doctor couldn't get there right away, or. Or if the doctor was not quite as good as Dr. Sinski, she could have died. It was a huge gamble. But then again, who ever said murderers are always sensible? Now we got to hear Kathy Lewis as the murderer. And it's worth talking about. She's an incredibly talented radio actress. But unlike people like Virginia Gregg Or Peggy Weber. We don't get to hear her much now. At this point, she was playing Irma's best friend on My Friend Irma. And she'd also be on frequently on radio anthology programs like Suspense or the Whistler every week. Much earlier in her career, she played Phyllis Hamilton to Wally Mare's Michael Shane. But she didn't appear as often in guest roles in detective programs. For the most part, the Major disclosed that he had a motive for doing the killing, which I think is sensible. There is nothing that gives the police more suspicion than if you act like there was no motive and they find out that there was. And we have a comment for Carol who writes, I've enjoyed listening to you for years and it is time to show my appreciation. Well, thank you so much and I appreciate your donation. Thanks so much. And then mechanic 66 writes regarding the episode the Ben Justin murder case over on Spotify. Since they knew they couldn't be tried again for the same crime, why would they bother killing anyone? Or for that matter, paying blackmail? Well, I think one thing that the insurance agent referenced in that episode was the idea that for $100,000, they keep trying the episode had the idea that they could somehow have the insurance money clawed back, although I guess it would kind of depend on how the insurance contract was written. Would the insurance company be able to reclaim the funds, perhaps by filing a wrongful death suit? Or is the lack of a criminal conviction enough to allow them to keep the insurance money? So I'm not certain the technicality on that. And I guess beyond that is just the whole social angle. Even if you're not criminally convicted, if somebody comes out with evidence that you did the murder, that's very convincing to the public, you're not going to prison, but life may be very unpleasant for you. And so those are the things that I would expect go into committing the murder now. And as I said, whether they legally would be able to get the money back, I'm not certain. Although there is a clear intimation from what the insurance agent said that the insurance company believed that they could could somehow get the money back, which is why they were keeping an eye on Ben Justin and his relationship with this couple in this case he investigated. And then Reinzer comments on the on YouTube regarding the Kenneth Mitchell murder case. What a case. Wow. Well, thanks so much. Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. I Want to thank Sh Cheryl, Patreon supporter since April 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the Showmas level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Cheryl. 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 will be back next Wednesday with another episode of Broadway's My Beat. But join us back here tomorrow for Dragnet Wear.

[Detective Danny Clover]

This is Hank Coulter, Sergeant Friday, Sergeant Ben Romero, Police Department. Hank, I wonder if you'd tell these officers a little of what you told me about Kilgore, TV specialist. All right, now suppose I'm a customer and I come in to Kilgores. I don't like the size of my repair bill. What were you instructed to say? Well, we generally tried to talk him out of any complaint. Suppose I complained about all the multiple charges. I want an explanation of the work you did.

[Sergeant Tartaglia]

What then?

[Detective Danny Clover]

He just tell you that? It wouldn't do any good to explain. You wouldn't understand all the technical stuff anyway. Tell us Kilgore's attitude with the customer. You mean about the loose wire stuff? Yeah, please. Well, Kilgore used to tell us that if we only charged 50 cents for fixing a loose wire, the customer wouldn't believe we really fixed his set. So we used to charge quite a lot more. Well, how much more? For example, for a nickel's worth of wire, we'd usually charge $4.75.

[Sergeant Mugman]

Pretty fair profit.

[Detective Danny Clover]

It's a real rob. What else can you tell us? Eh, well, we'd never let a customer watch any of the TV repair jobs. For example, if a customer calls and says he thinks the tube's blown out and it'll only be a simple replacement job in his home, we'd tell him the parts are getting hard to get and we'd have to take his set into the shop and charge him a higher rate because we had to pay black market for prices for the tube.

[Adam Graham]

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

[Detective Danny Clover]

This is the story of the one as head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces.

[Adam Graham]

Plus 24.

[Detective Danny Clover]

7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Dutch provides 24.

[Adam Graham]

7 access to licensed vets with unlimited.

[Detective Danny Clover]

Virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any.

[Adam Graham]

Time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments and shipping is always free.

[Detective Danny Clover]

With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.