Broadway's My Beat: The Seliah Jordan Murder Case (EP4739)

Summary

Broadway's My Beat: The Celia Jordan Murder Case (Episode 4739) Summary

Episode Release Date: June 25, 2025
Series: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Daily Mystery Dramas
Host: Adam Graham

---

Introduction to the Case [00:00 - 03:00]

The episode kicks off with Detective Danny Clover navigating the sweltering summer heat of Broadway, presenting a vivid backdrop for the unfolding mystery. Clover's weary narration sets the tone:

"In the summer's heat, Broadway is a wasteland, sullen, a place of regret... But I would rather have been at Jones Beach. But I wasn't." ([03:00])

As Clover contemplates the chaos of his current environment, he receives a disturbance from his superior, Mr. Chelsea, indicating that something ominous has occurred involving Celia Jordan.

---

Initial Investigation and Suspicions [04:00 - 10:00]

Clover meets with Mr. Chelsea, who reveals the grim news:

"Something's happened to Celia." ([04:22])

Celia Jordan, a 22-year-old woman, has been found murdered, and evidence points towards possible foul play. Chelsea introduces the possibility that Cliff Moore, Celia's acquaintance and a returned soldier with mental wounds from the war, might be involved.

Clover proceeds to gather more information, leading him to Detective Mugavan and Bartender Charlie, who provides an eyewitness account:

"They sat at that marble top table with the romantic crack in its surface." ([07:55])

This narration and witness testimony narrow down the timeline and suspect list, with Cliff Moore becoming a primary suspect.

---

Confronting the Suspect [10:00 - 17:00]

At the Suffolk Hotel, Detective Clover confronts Cliff Moore, portrayed by Jack Edwards, who is surprisingly dismissive:

"I know. What? The census taker missed me." ([10:07])

Clover presses further, uncovering that Celia had called Cliff to her apartment, hinting at possible tension between them. Cliff claims innocence but hints at his own struggles:

"I'm a nervous boy." ([10:55])

As the investigation deepens, Clover collaborates with Detective Mugavan, who reveals critical forensic information:

"She was poisoned." ([17:26])

This discovery shifts the investigation from physical assault to a covert method of murder, complicating the case.

---

Unveiling Hidden Motives [18:00 - 26:00]

Clover's pursuit leads him to Mrs. Chelsea, Paul's wife, who becomes a pivotal character in unraveling the mystery. Through a tense interrogation, Mrs. Chelsea divulges unsettling truths:

"That girl was blackmailing Paul." ([20:20])

She reveals that Paul Chelsea was being extorted by Celia Jordan for $50,000, implying a motive for murder. The dialogue crescendos as Mrs. Chelsea becomes increasingly agitated:

"Man is 50. He knows it. Realizes that the rest of his life has to be lived... Something like that passes close to him." ([27:41])

Her emotional turmoil and confessions bring clarity to the case, suggesting a deeper personal conflict driving the murders.

---

Climactic Revelation and Resolution [27:00 - 29:00]

The investigation culminates back at Mr. Chelsea's apartment, where Detective Mugavan and Clover confront the truth:

"He staged the whole thing. The room in a shambles, the blood stains on the floor. He figured killing was easier than paying blackmail." ([23:00])

However, a twist emerges as Cliff Moore admits to killing Paul Chelsea out of love and desperation:

"I got a medical discharge from the army because... I can't lift them... I beat a man to death when I can't even open a door." ([24:08])

In the final showdown, Clover identifies the true murderer, bringing closure to Celia Jordan's tragic case.

---

Host’s Commentary and Analysis [31:16 - 37:36]

After the dramatized conclusion, Host Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the episode's intricacies and performances:

"I appreciate the way they mixed up the typical formula of the series with the first murder not occurring until right before the commercial break and the identities of the killer or killers was a bit of a surprise." ([31:16])

Graham highlights Earl Ross's performance as Mr. Chelsea, noting his transformation from comedic roles to a more grounded, dramatic portrayal. He also discusses the storytelling techniques employed by director Elliot Lewis, praising the nuanced character developments and unexpected plot twists that elevate the narrative.

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Listener Feedback and Community Engagement [36:44 - 37:36]

The episode concludes with listener interactions, where Graham addresses feedback regarding previous episodes, particularly focusing on character motivations and plot developments. He acknowledges the complexities and occasional shortcomings in the storytelling, fostering a sense of community and continuous improvement.

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Notable Quotes

• Danny Clover:
  "Show me a body and I'll help you weep." ([04:13])

• Mr. Chelsea:
  "Something's happened. And I know why, too." ([05:12])

• Mrs. Chelsea:
  "Some women never know why suddenly they come to hate the men they used to love." ([19:15])

• Detective Mugavan:
  "Pain must have been hers." ([17:26])

• Waiter (Cliff Moore):
  "I can't lift them. No more than that." ([24:04])

---

Conclusion

"The Seliah Jordan Murder Case" is a compelling installment of Broadway's My Beat, weaving a complex narrative of love, betrayal, and desperation against the backdrop of Broadway's vibrant yet perilous streets. Through intricate character interactions and unexpected plot twists, the episode masterfully engages listeners, inviting them to unravel the mystery alongside Detective Danny Clover.

---

For those who haven't listened yet, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the Golden Age of Radio detective dramas, enriched by stellar performances and Adam Graham's insightful commentary. Whether you're a mystery aficionado or a nostalgia seeker, "Broadway's My Beat" promises an enthralling auditory experience.

Transcript

[Danny Clover]

Sam.

[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, to 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 send a donation using the Zell app to box Thirteenreatdetectives.net and I want to thank Robert for supporting the podcast that way. Thank you so much for your support, Robert. You can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from July 24, 1950, you Here is the Celia Jordan murder case.

[Narrator]

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[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, the thrilling drama of murder and mystery and the people who walk the Great White Way with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious. Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. Here's a taste treat you can enjoy indoors, outdoors, at work or at play. The cool, long lasting mint flavor refreshes you. The smooth, steady chewing helps keep you fresh and alert. Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing. Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum Healthful, refreshing, delicious.

[Danny Clover]

In the summer's heat, Broadway is a wasteland, sullen, a place of regret. It's a time when the breeze puffs in from the river, dies suddenly before it touches your dampened cheek. The time when you wake up already exhausted, then pause before your office door and consider arson. Broadway fans itself with a newspaper and finds fascination watching a fat fly crawl against a sweating window. The thing to do is give up. Except you've got a job. Except you've got to pay the rent. Pick up the check, buy the beer, leave the tip, meet the installment. July or not, you've got to make a living, kid. For my part, I would rather have been at Jones beach. But I wasn't. The apartment was expensive, but something had gone wrong. The upended furniture, the torn drapes, the slick paintings abstracted into crazy angles against the wall, the empty liquor bottles. The place was a mess, which included the man who Nagged at me.

[Mr. Chelsea]

You've been doing nothing but walk around. Say something to me so I'll know you're working.

[Danny Clover]

I'm working, Mr. Chelsea. I walk around and observe and jot little things down in this little book, and that's what I get paid for. You.

[Mr. Chelsea]

You don't care, do you? What do you care if someone's been killed? Slashed to death?

[Danny Clover]

Show me a body and I'll help you weep.

[Mr. Chelsea]

If you'd only listen to me. Stop walking around and hear what I've got to say.

[Danny Clover]

All right. Go ahead, Mr. Chelsea.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Something's happened to Celia.

[Danny Clover]

Celia Jordan. That's the name, isn't it? So I'll know.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Why don't you pay attention? Look at those spots over there. Blood. I'd say they were blood.

[Danny Clover]

Drunks have a habit of getting themselves nicked. I can show you statistics.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Something's happened to Celia.

[Danny Clover]

Mr. Chelsea. Why are you here? What are you doing in this apartment? I asked you that 10 minutes ago, and you told me something's happened to Celia. What are you doing here?

[Mr. Chelsea]

I had a date with her tonight. I have one with her almost every night.

[Danny Clover]

I see. Is this Ms. Jordan's photograph? She's young. About 22, I'd say. But then I'm not very good on guessing ages. For instance, I'd say you were about 53, 51. You see what I mean? I'm not very good about ages.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Something's happened.

[Danny Clover]

Don't do that again, Mr. Chelsea.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Well, something has, and I know why, too.

[Danny Clover]

Now I'll listen to you.

[Mr. Chelsea]

I've known Celia for three years. Met her at a banquet for my corporation stockholders. She was there because. Well, if you must know. Well, she was in a cake.

[Danny Clover]

You met her in a cake, Mr. Chelsea?

[Mr. Chelsea]

Well. Well, I pulled the ribbon that was attached to this big cake on the table, and Celia popped out.

[Danny Clover]

That sometimes happens.

[Mr. Chelsea]

And it was just about this time that Cliff went away.

[Danny Clover]

Cliff?

[Mr. Chelsea]

Cliff Moore. A boy that Celia used to know. He was in the army. Went overseas with the occupation forces three years ago.

[Danny Clover]

I see. And you took over.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Cliff is back now. Celia told me. She said she saw Cliff on the street and he recognized her. But she didn't recognize him.

[Danny Clover]

Oh. Why?

[Mr. Chelsea]

She found out Cliff was discharged for mental reasons. Something about he was hurt on maneuvers. Oh, I don't know.

[Danny Clover]

You're trying to say that this Cliff.

[Mr. Chelsea]

That this Cliff has done harm to Celia. That's what I'm trying to say.

[Narrator]

What about those blood stains?

[Detective Mugavan]

What do you think I'm saying?

[Danny Clover]

It could have Been nothing. Or it could have been what the man said. A violence unknown, unshaped, born and nurtured in the December love of the man for a woman. And finally, the violence, assuming its pattern and its texture. The room torn in anger, the room empty of the woman, the room stained with blood. The policeman has to make sure he calls the men from technical. And they come with their scales and their rules and the sharp little knives they scrape and measure and weigh. The blood is human blood. Does it equal death? That's an equation a policeman has to solve. At the hotel where Cliff Moore lived, they told me he'd checked out. No, he hadn't left a forwarding address. And that meant an all points bulletin on Cliff Moore and Celia Jordan. And in a few hours, a call from Detective Mugavan. A bartender on 3rd Avenue had recognized a picture of Celia Jordan. Would I care to come down and check? I cared.

[Detective Mugavan]

Hi, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, Mugavan. Which one recognized the picture?

[Detective Mugavan]

Charlie, over there. Hey, Charlie.

[Bartender Charlie]

Another suds coming up, Detective Mug.

[Detective Mugavan]

No, no Charlie, just you. No more beer.

[Bartender Charlie]

What'll it be, Detective Mug?

[Detective Mugavan]

This is Danny Clover, Charlie. The detective handling the case I was.

[Danny Clover]

Telling you about, Charlie.

[Bartender Charlie]

Well, I'm glad to know you, Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Mug tells me you recognize Celia Jordan's picture. Was she in here?

[Bartender Charlie]

Well, no, she was that and not alone with a man. And, well, she might be. She's that pretty.

[Danny Clover]

When was that?

[Bartender Charlie]

Oh, yesterday. Toward the cool of evening, in the twilight cocktail hour, they sat at that marble top table with the romantic crack in its surface.

[Danny Clover]

What time did they leave?

[Bartender Charlie]

Oh, around 8, I'd say. They were hungry, went off to eat.

[Danny Clover]

How do you know the girl was so pretty?

[Bartender Charlie]

I kept hovering around the table that way, willy nilly. I was forced eavesdropping.

[Danny Clover]

Were you forced to hear where they went?

[Bartender Charlie]

I was indeed. To Matthew's. The steakhouse on Second Avenue.

[Waiter]

It was.

[Danny Clover]

You waited on this girl? Hmm?

[Waiter]

I'm certain of it. Of course, yes.

[Danny Clover]

Was she with anyone?

[Waiter]

She was a young man, a nervous temperamental type. I'd classify him the way he handled his eating tools, the way he addressed himself to his food. All symptoms of.

[Danny Clover]

How long were they here?

[Waiter]

A modest time. They ate neither too quickly or too slowly. Rather rare in these times.

[Danny Clover]

How long?

[Waiter]

An hour and a half. An hour and 40 minutes. What does it matter one way or another?

[Danny Clover]

They left here around 10 o' clock. Mmm.

[Waiter]

Around 10 o' clock.

[Danny Clover]

Did you?

[Waiter]

Permit me to anticipate your question, friend. They left by cad. Yellow cad?

[Bartender Charlie]

Yeah, I picked him up at a stake joint on second. What's the matter? They committed something.

[Danny Clover]

Where'd you take them?

[Bartender Charlie]

To the girl's apartment on 63rd. Man tells me to wait. I wait an hour, an hour and.

[Danny Clover]

A half, two hours.

[Bartender Charlie]

My meter is a bloom with money. Donnie comes and spoils it.

[Danny Clover]

All alone.

[Gino Tartaglia]

All alone.

[Bartender Charlie]

I gather that they. What does it matter what I got anyway? I take the guy to the address he gives me.

[Danny Clover]

Where?

[Bartender Charlie]

The Suffolk Hotel on 70 Feast. He committed something.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah. Come on in.

[Waiter]

Well, don't stand there.

[Danny Clover]

Come on in. You're Cliff Moore.

[Waiter]

I'll close the door and sit down, will you?

[Danny Clover]

We've been looking for you, Cliff.

[Waiter]

Now, that's mighty nice.

[Danny Clover]

The police.

[Waiter]

Oh, I know. What? The census taker missed me.

[Danny Clover]

You know why we've been looking for you?

[Waiter]

Gosh.

[Danny Clover]

Huh?

[Waiter]

I don't know you well enough, so I said, gosh, that's because my cigarette just rolled off the table. Step on it, huh? Thanks. You were looking for me? Why?

[Danny Clover]

Because of Celia Jordan.

[Waiter]

She's coming back to me on bended knee and she's rousted the whole police department to find me. Good sweet four square. Celia?

[Danny Clover]

She's missing, Cliff. We found blood stains in her apartment.

[Waiter]

That guy, that Paul. Chelsea beat her up. Oh, I bet she had fun.

[Danny Clover]

Cliff, we know you were with Celia last night. We know you took her home, spent some time in her apartment.

[Waiter]

Swell, Swell.

[Danny Clover]

What happened between you and her yesterday?

[Waiter]

Walked and talked and sipped a few and had a steak. You know, boy and girl, hand in hand. The things magazine ads are made of.

[Danny Clover]

What happened in her apartment?

[Waiter]

Oh, sad times. She had a smile all rehearsed to drag out for the occasion. You're a nice boy, Cliff, and we did have fun. But you're broke. The best you can expect is 50 a week if you're your type of successful. Anyway, Cliff, there's the thing. She didn't know how to say it, so she called it the thing. She said it in capital letters.

[Danny Clover]

About what?

[Waiter]

I got a medical discharge from the army because? Or because I'm a nervous boy. Post war Germany made me nervous. Also a live landmine during maneuvers.

[Danny Clover]

What else?

[Waiter]

I don't know. So you can't find Celia, huh?

[Danny Clover]

No, we can't.

[Waiter]

When you find her, let me know if she needs any help.

[Danny Clover]

Sure. Don't run away, Cliff.

[Waiter]

You kidding? I sit here and run away all the time because I'm a nervous boy.

[Gino Tartaglia]

Look what I got on the tray, Danny. Nice surprise, huh?

[Danny Clover]

Huh?

[Gino Tartaglia]

Come on, sit down. Danny and I will cater to you. Iced tea. Danny, look. Boiled Hot water. Courtesy the lab boys with their Bunsen burners. Jewels of ice. Courtesy the deft hand of Gino Tartaglia. Per learning from a water cooler. Teabags. Courtesy Mrs. Tartaglia, who is friendly with the friendly jewel. Tea man. Glasses.

[Danny Clover]

Gino. Gino, what have I ever done?

[Gino Tartaglia]

Well, you have been considerate and kind to me, Danny. So this is just a small token of the. Well, how do you want it? With or without lemon? With the best way to fight the heat.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Hey.

[Gino Tartaglia]

Coming up. Danny.

[Danny Clover]

Gino.

[Gino Tartaglia]

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. You want to know. Is there any progress in the search for once Celia Jordan vanished. Possibly mayhem committed upon, possibly deceased. Stop me if I'm wrong.

[Danny Clover]

No, no, go ahead.

[Gino Tartaglia]

There is no progress. Anything else, Danny?

[Danny Clover]

No, no, I guess there's nothing else. You know. Excuse me.

[Gino Tartaglia]

Certainly.

[Danny Clover]

Thank you. Danny Clover speaking.

[Celia Jordan]

I understand you've been looking for me, Mr. Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Who is this?

[Celia Jordan]

Celia Jordan.

[Danny Clover]

Are you all right?

[Celia Jordan]

Not a mark on you, Mr. Clover. Anywhere. Come see for yourself. You really should. It leaves your mind.

[Danny Clover]

But we thought. Where are you, Ms. Jordan?

[Celia Jordan]

At the Amsterdam Hotel on 34th street, room 2412. I'll be ready for you. You see? You see, Mr. Clover, I'm perfectly all right. The arms, legs, throat. I wore this sun suit especially for you. So you could see I was all right all over.

[Danny Clover]

I'm all right, Ms. Jordan.

[Celia Jordan]

Except inside, since I called you. It's funny. Inside it doesn't feel so good. Inside, it hurts.

[Danny Clover]

Here, let me help you. Lie down here on this couch.

[Celia Jordan]

Thanks. You know, something is.

[Danny Clover]

Don't talk. I'll go get a doctor.

[Celia Jordan]

No, don't go. It really hurts.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

It hurts.

[Celia Jordan]

Ben, don't go.

[Adam Graham]

Help me.

[Danny Clover]

Even after death touched her, whispered to her eyes, pleaded with me. The attitude of her body was a beggar's, contorted in pain, twisted and long, grotesque with despair. And suddenly she could no longer reject it. And her body eased with the acceptance was still because the poison inside her was stilled, its shadow on her lips, in her eyes, the violence that had been marked for Celia Jordan was finally hers. Celia Jordan was de.

[Narrator]

Remember, friends, to make every day more enjoyable. Treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint chewing gum. There's lots of cooling, real mint flavor in every stick. And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you feeling fresh and alert. You feel better, work better. Get more fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, wherever you go, keep some healthful, refreshing Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy to make every day more enjoyable. Treat yourself Often to delicious Wrigley Spearmint chewing gum. We now continue with Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.

[Danny Clover]

Summer begins its long dying, and Broadway reacts to the process about the same as anywhere else, with regret for the smile and closed eyes. Except on Broadway, there'll be more things to remember, huh, kid? The evenings, just as twilight washed over you and the lights on the translocks flicker like fireflies and dance out the dance of how it is to be at war in the summertime. And the cool evening breeze from the air cooled, movie refreshing till the newsreel sends out a cold wind. You shiver and move to another place. Because in summer, a man needs something he can hold onto. Something to latch onto. Like the murder of that girl there in that hotel in a sun suit. Poisoned. Murdered. Saying the last word she ever said into the ears of a policeman. And the next morning at headquarters, the policeman sits in his office remembering her words but finding in them no trace of a murderer's name. Then a door opens and a voice that's welcome calls you Danny. And it's Dr. Sinski.

[Detective Mugavan]

Danny, this heat, this inferno, can take the heart out of a man.

[Danny Clover]

Well, sit over there by the window, Doctor. Pretty girl might walk by and set a cool breeze in motion.

[Detective Mugavan]

Dreamer.

[Danny Clover]

It's no good, huh, Doctor? You can't put it off.

[Detective Mugavan]

No, Danny. That's why I'm here. Yeah, I wish it could be just a chat, but man wishes and death. Ah. The report on Celia Jordan.

[Danny Clover]

Poisoned.

[Detective Mugavan]

You were right, Danny. The girl was poisoned. What kind? Doesn't matter much. What matters is that there was enough to kill her.

[Mr. Chelsea]

What?

[Detective Mugavan]

Pain must have been hers.

[Danny Clover]

How long?

[Detective Mugavan]

Poison that takes maybe three hours to act with five minutes of terrible pain at the end.

[Danny Clover]

Anything else, Doctor?

[Detective Mugavan]

You asked me to examine her for a cut or a wound. Well, there was nothing, Danny. Her skin was not even scratched, not even the shadow of a bruise. This is important.

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, because it might give me your murderer. Excuse me, Dr.

[Detective Mugavan]

Mugavin here.

[Danny Clover]

Danny, I want you to take a plant. Mugavan.

[Detective Mugavan]

Okay, Danny, where?

[Danny Clover]

Who sunk? Hotel on 71st. Cliff Moore first. Cliff Moore. Got it. Danny.

[Detective Mugavan]

This Cliff Moore, he murdered the girl?

[Danny Clover]

Maybe. But I don't think so.

[Detective Mugavan]

Oh, this is a day for riddles, huh, Danny?

[Danny Clover]

No, Doctor, this is the day where I get a choice. I get two suspects for the price of one.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Yes?

[Danny Clover]

My name's Danny Clover. I'm from the police.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Are you Mrs. Chelsea? You have the correct house?

[Danny Clover]

Yes.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Well, then, please Come in.

[Danny Clover]

Thank you. Mrs. Chelsea, I.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Sit down, please.

[Danny Clover]

All right.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Yes?

[Danny Clover]

I wanted to talk to your husband.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, I'm afraid not. He's not home.

[Danny Clover]

You know, I stopped at his office. He wasn't there either.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

No, of course not.

[Danny Clover]

Then where is he?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, I'm afraid I couldn't tell you that. I really don't know where he is. The bother of.

[Danny Clover]

Don't you care where he is?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Paul, My husband.

[Danny Clover]

Oh, no, Mrs. Chelsea.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Is Paul in trouble?

[Danny Clover]

Yes, he is.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

I'll fix your drink if you'd like.

[Danny Clover]

No, don't bother. It's in connection with a murder.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

The one in this morning's paper. Celia Jordan's.

[Danny Clover]

You know about her?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Paul doesn't think I do, but I know all about her. Unfortunate. Some women never know why suddenly they come to hate the men they used to love. They blame it on routine getting old. Habit. So silly.

[Danny Clover]

You hate your husband because of Celia Jordan.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Has he murdered her?

[Danny Clover]

Maybe. Maybe someone else. We'll find out.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

I wouldn't suspect anyone else if I were you. That'd be stupid. Paul killed that girl.

[Danny Clover]

He told you he did.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Much as did that. I confess it. I listen in on his telephone conversations. He thinks I chocolates when I lie in bed. Oh, I knew. But I listened to his conversations on the extensions. Not much fun. But then it's not much effort either.

[Danny Clover]

What are you trying to tell me, Mrs. Chelsea?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

That girl was blackmailing Paul.

[Danny Clover]

Oh.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

$50,000.

[Danny Clover]

Was your husband going to pay it?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

He said he'd meet her at the Amsterdam Hotel. But I know it wasn't to pay the money. Oh, my, of course not. $50,000, Paul.

[Danny Clover]

And I guess he did commit murder. If what you say is true.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Please understand me. I'm plump, I'm a Hennard, I eat chocolate and I sleep most of the the day. I'm a woman in her late 40s, so I would lie. But not to help Paul. Not Paul.

[Danny Clover]

Then you're glad your husband might be held for murder?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Well, I'll miss him. He's not coming home when he usually does. Might throw my days off. It'll be an effort to get used to it. But on the whole, Mr. Clover. Yes, on the whole I'm glad about it. Delighted, as a matter of fact. Nothing nice has happened to me in a long time. I'd like that drink, Mr. Clover, wouldn't you?

[Danny Clover]

I said no, thanks. Which gave Mrs. Chelsea reason to pop a fruit filled nugget in her mouth. She didn't offer me one of those, so I knew my time was Up I left. I checked Mugavan. Cliff Moore hadn't stirred. Mugaman told me then to find Mr. Chelsea. Back to his office. Not in. Try his club. I tried his club. Not in Try the bar around the corner. Not there. So I went to a place without being told. The apartment where I'd first met Mr. Chelsea. Why, I reasoned, shouldn't Mr. Chelsea be there again? For the sake of sweet old nostalgia. The door was open. I walked in. Place looked better. Neat. Everything in its place. The pictures, furniture, Mr. Chelsea. I knew it was him because once I'd noticed he was getting bald. The pattern of it was the same. But Mr. Chelsea had been battered, beaten with a fury that demanded a lot of pain. Get there before death did. The pain had made it. So had death. Now it gave me a new place to go.

[Detective Mugavan]

Here, Danny. Here I am. Shade of this doorway.

[Danny Clover]

Cliff Moore.

[Detective Mugavan]

He's in his room in the hotel. Hasn't stood from it. What's the matter, Danny? You don't look good. Looks like more than the heat.

[Danny Clover]

I just cut myself a murderer. Oh, yeah. Paul Chelsea.

[Detective Mugavan]

Well, that should make you look good anyway.

[Danny Clover]

Better. Those blood stains he showed me in Celia Jordan's room, they were his. From a cut under his arm. I saw it. I took the bandage off.

[Detective Mugavan]

So why so gloomy? You got him.

[Danny Clover]

He staged the whole thing. The room in a shambles, the blood stains on the floor. He figured killing was easier than paying blackmail. But he made a mistake.

[Detective Mugavan]

What's the matter with you, Danny? Of course he did. So why?

[Danny Clover]

Not that kind of mistake. He got himself beaten up. Beaten to death, but for sure. With an andiron.

[Detective Mugavan]

Cliff Moore?

[Danny Clover]

I think so. Go back to headquarters, Mugaban. I won't need you anymore.

[Waiter]

Come in. Oh, it's you. It came back to me. I'm that interested.

[Danny Clover]

You are, Cliff.

[Waiter]

Doctors find me so sometimes. Kids and women. This I understand. But you, now that throws me.

[Danny Clover]

You interest me. Because you're a murderer.

[Waiter]

Point of information. Who did I murder?

[Danny Clover]

Paul Chelsea.

[Waiter]

Oh, him. So why did I murder him?

[Danny Clover]

A simple motive. An old one. You loved Celia. You beat Chelsea to death with andiron because he killed your Celia.

[Waiter]

Every minute I learn new things. This Chelsea, Celia's good companion. He killed her, huh?

[Danny Clover]

I think so.

[Waiter]

A puzzle. Why did this old Mr. Chelsea murder something young and precious and vibrant, like they say, Like Celia?

[Danny Clover]

You can answer that all by yourself, can't you, Cliff?

[Waiter]

Yes, I can. You killed her because she was gonna blackmail him. Did you know this whole blackmail thing was all my idea? Because I'M cynical and sick. The proud possessor of a medical discharge.

[Danny Clover]

Let's go, Cliff. Stop it, Cliff. I said let's go.

[Waiter]

Let go on and hit me. There's nothing I could do to you, so hit me.

[Danny Clover]

What?

[Waiter]

Look at my hands, my arms. I can't lift them. No more than that. That live mine I told you about. I fixed them like that. I can lift them. Maybe four inches. That's what makes me so interesting.

[Danny Clover]

That's how I can take an andiron.

[Waiter]

And beat a man to death when I can't even open a door or lift a cigarette off the floor without.

[Gino Tartaglia]

Crawling like an Alamo.

[Waiter]

You call me a murderer. Oh, thanks, Mr. Clover.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, my. And I was just dozing off too. What now?

[Danny Clover]

May I Come in, Mrs. Chelsea?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, and I was just dozing off too.

[Danny Clover]

I have to talk to you.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, please come in. Oh, I hope this won't take too long. Sit down.

[Danny Clover]

No, I don't think so.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

What now, Mr. Clover?

[Danny Clover]

But Paul. Oh, Paul. He's dead.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, you're silly.

[Danny Clover]

He's dead, Mrs. Chelsea.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

He is Paul. What? Why, you're not kidding me. He really is, isn't he?

[Danny Clover]

Huh?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

You better leave me alone, Mr. Clover. The things I said about him. You won't believe me if I cry.

[Danny Clover]

No, I won't.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

I don't blame you. Please, Please go away. Who killed him?

[Danny Clover]

You don't know who killed Paul. It was this way. Your husband murdered Celia Jordan.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

I told you that.

[Danny Clover]

Because she demanded blackmail. Because she threatened to tell you about what Paul had been doing.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

And I knew about it all the time. Errors. A comedy of errors. Tragedy.

[Danny Clover]

Blackmail was a scheme whipped up between Celia and her boyfriend, Cliff Moore.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

And this boy, this Cliff, he killed my husband.

[Danny Clover]

Why should Cliff do that?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Why? Oh, my. You ask me that a police?

[Danny Clover]

Yeah, that's what I asked you.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Well, I think it's obvious, don't you? Paul kills his girl. Cliff shoots my husband.

[Danny Clover]

I didn't say your husband was shot. Oh, your husband was beaten to death.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Oh, Cliff beat him to death.

[Danny Clover]

You know, I've come to know your husband. Working on this case, peeking into small corners of his life. He was a man I can understand. I feel sorry for him.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Tell me how so I can feel sorry for him too. I suppose I owe that to Paul.

[Danny Clover]

Man is 50. He knows it. Realizes that the rest of his life has to be lived. Something he wanted all his life and missed. Something like that passes close to him. He clutches onto it.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

I don't understand you at all.

[Danny Clover]

Something like a beautiful Girl. Sympathetic girl.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Celia.

[Danny Clover]

You can't really blame him now, can you, Mrs. Chelsea?

[Mrs. Chelsea]

After all, he had his own home. He had me. What's wrong with me? Go ahead, tell me. I can take it. What's wrong?

[Danny Clover]

You couldn't hold your husband.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

Why? Why couldn't I hold him? Tell me why.

[Danny Clover]

Celia Jordan. Young, beautiful, warm. Her mind was lithe. Young.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

You filth.

[Danny Clover]

You like Paul was kind to Paul. Something he wanted all his life.

[Mr. Chelsea]

Filth.

[Danny Clover]

Something he didn't have with you. That's why you killed him. Beat him and beat him and beat him until he was dead.

[Mrs. Chelsea]

He died too quickly. He wouldn't even give me that satisfaction valve.

[Danny Clover]

Let's go, Mrs. Chelsea. When dawn touches Broadway the shadows linger for one final caress Then leave and take away the night A cloud drifts and far away a bird dips and touches it with a wing the time has come for the day the people will. The fury gathers the crowd funnels into the streets. Walk easy, kid. The shock is on. It's Broadway. The gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway, My beat.

[Narrator]

Remember, friends, to make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. There's lots of cooling, real mint flavor in every stick. And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you feeling fresh and alert. You feel better, work better, get more fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, wherever you go, keep some healthful, refreshing, Wriggly Spearmint Chewing Gum handy. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The makers of Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum, hope you've enjoyed tonight's story and that you're enjoying Wrigley Spearmint Gum every day. We invite you to join us next week at this time when Detective Danny Clover returns again with Broadway's My Beat. Broadway's My Beat Brought to you by Wrigley Spearmint Gum is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. The program is written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and stars Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover with Charles Calvert as Tartaglia. Included in tonight's cast were irene Tedro, Joyce McCloskey, Jack Crucian, Earl Ross, Jack Edwards and Tom Holland. Bob Stevenson speaking. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. I don't know if Danny had much choice but to bait Mrs. Chelsea. I don't know if he is able to find evidence to convict her otherwise. I appreciate the way they Mixed up the typical formula of the series with the first murder not occurring until right before the commercial break and the identities of the killer or killers was a bit of a surprise. It's worth noting that Earl Ross played Mr. Chelsea. And it was an interesting experience listening because the voice I didn't trouble placing, but I recognized some of the cadences. And then I realized who it was. The character Ross is most famous for playing is Judge Hooker over on the Great Gildersleeve. And I'd heard him in some other things. There was the Hardy Family radio series with Mickey Rooney, and he was even in an episode of Let George do it we played a couple of years back. In all of those appearances, he used pretty much the same voice as he did for Judge Hooker. Here we got a more natural voice tone. And this is something Elliot Lewis seemed to like to do, as he had done it a few months previously with Jody Gilbert, who was best known for her comedic work on Life with Luigi, and used this very exaggerated voice. And so he liked to take these actors known for comedy and give them more grounded, dramatic roles to perform. It is also something he would do at an even higher level when he took over as showrunner of Suspense, where he would have people like Red Skelton, Jack Benny and Bob Hope playing dramatic roles in the suspense episodes they guest starred in. Well, we turn to listener comments and feedback and we start off with an email from Barry, who writes in regarding the Frank Biscoe murder case. I don't really get your criticism of Danny's second visit to it to Sylvia Briscoe or some of the writing, for that matter. He had a direct link with her through an unbiased witness to Della Sloan, the second murder victim. He would have postured himself with confidence to try to get her rattled. Her story was plausible, of course, but it certainly didn't explain why the number was written in his apartment and why she was calling a man, hitting on Sylvia. That's a fair point, I suppose. I guess my thing with that particular episode is he came up to the apartment essentially making noises like she was gonna go down, down. She had some really serious questions she had to answer. And then she gives the answer that some man came up and hit on her. And Danny's like, oh, well, there goes my whole case. And by narration indicates that essentially everything has been undone because she made that statement. And then he had to get a clue in order to figure out how it actually happened. And I do think that this is maybe one of the more challenging parts of Broadway's My Beat is typically it'll look like Danny has got the solution in the last, you know, seven, eight minutes of the episode. But then something comes up and it turns out he's on completely the wrong track. But he gets some clue that puts him on the right track, and that part where he's shot down can be somewhat awkward, you know, And I think to an extent, that was true today because Danny accusing the wrong man kind of depended on him not being observant about his hands and not checking in further to his medical records. And so sometimes these surprise twists are a result of the fact that if you think about it, Danny didn't quite research or ask the right questions or come fully prepared in some basic, obvious way. And then we have a comment from Sham. Every time I hear Broadway's My Beat, I feel uneasy, like I'm listening to the Twilight Zone or something. The characters are all over dramatic, some on the verge of hysteria. Tartaglia is the only one who keeps me grounded. You and Danny Clover both. Thanks so much for the comment. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I want to go ahead and thank Emmett. Emmett's been one of our Patreon supporters since March 2018, currently supporting the podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Emmett, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Wednesday with another episode of Broadway's My Beat. But join us back here tomorrow for the conclusion of the Moonstone, where you.

[Danny Clover]

Ask a great deal, Mr. Blake. Among my beautiful roses I find peace and serenity, whereas before I only knew lies, deception and skulduggery.

[Narrator]

Then I cannot induce you to re enter the case.

[Waiter]

Sergeant Cuff.

[Danny Clover]

What's that you said, Mr. Blake? Sergeant Cuff, will you help me apprehend.

[Waiter]

The criminal who stole the moonstone?

[Danny Clover]

Yes, Mr. Blake, I will. Oh, thank you, Sergeant. It's just occurred to me that I'll enjoy my roses ever so much more. When I finally laid the ghost of the moonstone to rest, I. I think I'll begin with our money lending friend, Mr. Septimus Luca.

[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.