Broadway's My Beat: The Thelma Harper Murder Case (EP4661)

Summary

Summary of "Broadway's My Beat: The Thelma Harper Murder Case" (EP4661)

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Adam Graham Radio Detective Podcasts
• Episode: Broadway's My Beat: The Thelma Harper Murder Case (EP4661)
• Release Date: March 26, 2025

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1. Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Detective Danny Klober, portrayed by Larry Thor, introduced in the gritty setting of Broadway's most tumultuous mile. The narrative sets a somber tone as Detective Klober encounters a mysterious incident in a police emergency ward.

Notable Quote:

"Broadway, it's the neon avenue of the beggars, the gleaming alley of the scavengers..."
— Larry Thor as Detective Danny Klober [00:24]

2. The Initial Incident

Detective Klober is called to attend to a girl, Janet Guilford, who has been brought in under suspicious circumstances. Dr. Sinski, the attending physician, suggests that Janet might have attempted suicide or been pushed into the river by someone intent on her death.

Notable Quotes:

"Maybe suicide. Maybe somebody wanted her dead. Pushed her into the river because they wanted her dead."
— Dr. Sinski [04:31]

"I could trouble you for a cigarette, Danny."
— Dr. Sinski [04:00]

3. Interview with Mark Guilford

Mark Guilford, Janet's husband, arrives at the scene. His demeanor raises Detective Klober's suspicions, especially concerning his relationship with Janet and recent events involving Thelma Harper.

Notable Quotes:

"She held it over me like a whip. She beat me with it. How? She was going to kill herself."
— Mark Guilford [05:23]

"Only so much. So you tried to make her wish come true."
— Detective Klober [05:34]

4. Uncovering Clues and Alibis

As the investigation unfolds, Detective Klober examines the alibi provided by Mark. Mark claims to have been working at the city power plant every night, but inconsistencies begin to surface, especially when Janet records improve upon her condition.

Notable Quotes:

"Thelma Harper was murdered. Shot in the back."
— Detective Klober [05:42]

"Mark's alibi checked. After that, there was only one thing to do. Pick up Janet Guilford."
— Detective Klober [12:38]

5. Discovery of Holly Morris's Murder

The plot thickens with the murder of Holly Morris. Janet Guilford becomes a person of interest, and further investigation reveals that Janet had motives tied to her tumultuous relationship with both her husband and Thelma Harper.

Notable Quotes:

"A bird this big lived in the room where your wife died. The gas in that room wasn't enough to kill a canary. Why should it kill your wife?"
— Detective Klober [28:26]

"I work. Every night of my life I work. Except holidays."
— Mark Guilford [11:43]

6. Confrontation and Revelation

In a climactic confrontation at the city power plant, Detective Klober confronts Mark Guilford. The truth unravels as Mark admits to murdering Thelma Harper and subsequently orchestrating the apparent suicide of Janet Guilford to cover his tracks. The survival of Janet’s canary serves as the pivotal clue that exposes Mark's deceit.

Notable Quotes:

"Why Holly, Mark? Why did you have to kill her?"
— Detective Klober [28:36]

"Imagine that a bird, huh? Meaning your wife was dead before you turned on the gas."
— Detective Klober [28:36]

"You have to find a replacement, Mark."
— Detective Klober [28:01]

7. Conclusion and Aftermath

Mark Guilford's confession leads to his demise as Detective Klober apprehends him. The episode concludes with reflections on the case, highlighting the importance of keen observation and the unraveling of hidden motives.

Notable Quotes:

"You're one of them. It's Broadway, My Beat."
— Larry Thor as Detective Danny Klober [00:24]

"The survival of the little bird was the canary in the coal mine."
— Detective Klober [28:26]

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Insights and Themes

• Deception and Alibi: The episode skillfully portrays how criminals can manipulate alibis to evade justice, emphasizing the detective's role in uncovering the truth.
• Symbolism of the Canary: Janet's canary symbolizes the fragility of life and serves as a critical clue that ultimately leads to the resolution of the case.
• Psychological Tension: The interactions between Detective Klober, Mark Guilford, and Dr. Sinski highlight the psychological complexities inherent in investigative work.

Conclusion

"Broadway's My Beat: The Thelma Harper Murder Case" delivers a compelling narrative filled with suspense, intricate character dynamics, and a satisfying resolution. Detective Danny Klober's unwavering pursuit of truth exemplifies the qualities of a classic detective, making this episode a memorable installment in the annals of old-time radio detective dramas.

Transcript

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[Larry Thor]

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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 today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. And you can support the show on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. And I want to go ahead and thank Sherry and Carolyn and Frances. Thank you so much for your support. You can also become one of our ongoing patreon [e-mail] now from May 5, 1950, here's the Thelma Harper 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 Klober. Broadway it's the neon avenue of the beggars, the gleaming alley of the scavengers who dart and search and revel in the blaze of fury, then gather in the gutters of night. There they count and catalog and compare the spoil salvaged from the litter of darkness, the materials of pain, the odds and ends of bitterness, scraps of illusion. And you watch them and try to move away. But you can't. You're one of them. It's Broadway, My Beat. The room is dismal and cold. The walls are covered with many Coats of green paint. You know that because initials have been gouged into them. Because there are scars where fingers have clawed at them. It's a room where pain is brought in off the streets and wrapped in sterile gauze and sent on its way. A police emergency ward close to the East River. A girl wrapped in a brown blanket lies on the table in the center of the room. And the naked light bulb draws the color out of her. Glitters on her dank hair. And finally, the man who has been bent over her sighs, shudders and finds you in a shadow.

[Dr. Sinski]

I could trouble you for a cigarette, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Sure, sure. Here.

[Mark Guilford]

Thanks.

[Larry Thor]

Well, Dr. Sinski.

[Dr. Sinski]

A moment, Danny. Give me a moment.

[Larry Thor]

The girl.

[Dr. Sinski]

I'll never adjust to it. The girl. She'll be all right, Danny. I think she'll be all right.

[Larry Thor]

Suicide attempt.

[Dr. Sinski]

This is a question, Danny. That's why I called you. Maybe suicide. Maybe somebody wanted her dead. Pushed her into the river because they wanted her dead.

[Mark Guilford]

You crazy, Doc? I've been telling you she wanted to die. So she picked the river.

[Larry Thor]

Who are you?

[Mark Guilford]

I'm her husband. I don't work at it, though, so I still don't understand why I was called. Maybe you can tell me, mister.

[Dr. Sinski]

This is Danny Clover. A good detective, A good man. Show him respect, Mr. Guilford.

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, okay. Please, Mr. Clover, will you tell me why I was called down here, please?

[Larry Thor]

Maybe they thought you'd shed a tear over your wife.

[Mark Guilford]

Give me another reason, Mr. Clover.

[Dr. Sinski]

We called him, Danny to identify the girl. We found one of those 10 cent store identification cards on her. It said she was Janet Guilford. Case of emergency to notify her husband, Mark Guilford. You see the results?

[Larry Thor]

You say your wife wanted to die, Mr. Guilford. You knew about that?

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, I knew. She told me often enough. She held it over me like a whip. She beat me with it. How? She was going to kill herself. Man like me can only take so much of that, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

Only so much. So you tried to make her wish come true.

[Mark Guilford]

Try again, Mr. Clover. I haven't been there in three months. Why would I?

[Dr. Sinski]

I want it to be quiet. It must be quiet, Mrs. Guilford. Don't be frightened, Mrs. Guilford. You're all right.

[Janet Guilford]

Who are you? Who are you to tell me I'm all right? Who are you?

[Dr. Sinski]

I'm a doctor, Mrs. Gilford. You must take it easy to shock.

[Janet Guilford]

Shock?

[Dr. Sinski]

Mrs. Gilbert, please.

[Janet Guilford]

I hate you.

[Mrs. Lamp]

I hate you.

[Janet Guilford]

I hate all of you. Good Samaritan. What do you get a medal for saving a life? I don't want no one won't.

[Dr. Sinski]

Mrs. Guilford, we brought your husband. Come here, Mr. Guilford. Your husband, Mrs. Guilford, he is very concerned over you.

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah? Yeah. Janet, you should.

[Janet Guilford]

Take your hands off me.

[Adam Graham]

Take them off.

[Mark Guilford]

Okay, Janet.

[Larry Thor]

Okay, Mrs. Guilford. Taking your own life.

[Janet Guilford]

Against the law. Against whose law? Yours. And yours. And his? My husband's. Mrs. Guilford, you're a policeman, aren't you?

[Larry Thor]

Yes.

[Mrs. Lamp]

I'll tell you something.

[Janet Guilford]

Because you're a policeman, you didn't let me die when I wanted to die. But I'll die. Even if I have to make you kill me. I'll do something and you'll have to kill me. Then I'll be dead, dead, dead.

[Larry Thor]

Then Dr. Sinski became impersonal about the whole thing.

[Janet Guilford]

Somehow.

[Larry Thor]

There was suddenly a cotton daub in one hand, the hypo in the other. In a few moments, Janet Guilford's protests became sobs. The sobs trailed off into sleep. And each morning after that, reports were put on my desk. Janet Guilford was in shock. Then she was a little better, taking nourishment. On Monday, they sent me some ink blots. Translation, Janet Guilford was a lot better. Tuesday, she was ashamed of what she had done. Thursday, she was released. Then it was Thursday night, and a squad car called into headquarters. Central park detail calling. The spring night had just been shattered. A woman's been found shot to death a couple hundred yards in back of the zoo. Get down here. I did. Hi, Danny.

[Janet Guilford]

Right over here.

[Larry Thor]

Okay, Florian, brief me. What happened up on that flat, Danny?

[Detective Clover]

And atop the big rock.

[Dr. Sinski]

Come on.

[Detective Clover]

Yeah, right over there, that happened.

[Larry Thor]

Shot in the back, huh? Mm.

[Detective Clover]

From up close, I'd say someone had an arm around it with a gun.

[Larry Thor]

Find the weapon? No.

[Detective Clover]

Maybe it's around. We'll have to wait until daylight, make sure.

[Larry Thor]

Attractive woman like that.

[Detective Clover]

Well, she tried to be. We had a little more time to look. Danny. An awful lot of makeup anyhow. Too much for just strolling in Central Park.

[Larry Thor]

Identification?

[Janet Guilford]

Yeah, yeah.

[Detective Clover]

Wallet, Social Security card, driver's license. Name's Thelma Harper, 1414 Front Street, Bronx. Lisa, what says in the wallet?

[Larry Thor]

Let's see. Yeah, And a little more flashlight for you. Oh. She had a lot of friends.

[Dr. Sinski]

You mean those pictures?

[Larry Thor]

Yeah.

[Detective Clover]

Yeah, she did. I guess one of her friends fooled her.

[Larry Thor]

Wait around. You're getting careless about light fire. Oh.

[Detective Clover]

Oh, sorry.

[Janet Guilford]

How about this?

[Detective Clover]

What?

[Larry Thor]

I'm not sure. These Coney island snapshots. A man and a woman with their heads stuck through cardboard props to make them look like hula dancers.

[Detective Clover]

And very clear that's pretty clear, Denny. I'd say the woman was Thelma Harper.

[Larry Thor]

Me too. You know what I'd say about the man? No, I don't.

[Detective Clover]

Say it so I'll know.

[Larry Thor]

I'd say his name was Mark Guilford. I'd say this is the man whose wife tried to commit suicide a few days ago. At headquarters they gave me Mark Guilford's address. A rooming house on West 16th Street. It was dawn, but already the watch women of the street were leaning out of upstairs windows, their arms folded and resting on pillows to ease the hardships of their occupation. They watched me, classified me, nodded Don's greeting to each other with their eyes, pointed me out to each other and then discarded me in favor of a yelping dog. A hallway lighted with a 10 watt bulb. I found the door to Mark's room. There was no answer. I tried the knob. It was locked. Then there was the sound of someone coming up the stairs. It was Mark Guilford. Hey, you.

[Mark Guilford]

What are you doing? You're trying to play.

[Janet Guilford]

Hey.

[Larry Thor]

Good morning, mark.

[Mark Guilford]

Oh, it's Mr. Clover of the police department. What's the matter, Mr. Clover? Janet. Try it again.

[Larry Thor]

Let's go into your room.

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, sure, sure. Here, I'll turn on the light. It's not cozy, but it's private. Till now. You may have the chair, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

You've been out, Mark?

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, sure, but a big night. Home at dawn every night. It's that way with me.

[Larry Thor]

Big. Tell me about tonight.

[Mark Guilford]

Mind if I wash my face and hands first? No. You don't mind? What's special about tonight?

[Larry Thor]

Thelma Harper. She was.

[Mark Guilford]

You mind handing me that towel, Mr. Clover? Thanks.

[Larry Thor]

Tell them the Harper, Mark.

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah. Good kid. She's a lot of fun. Takes a man's mind off of things. Man like me.

[Larry Thor]

She was found dead tonight in Central Park.

[Mark Guilford]

I'll just hang this towel out the window to dry. I always do that and never dry.

[Larry Thor]

You didn't hear me, Mark. Thelma Harper was murdered. Shot in the back.

[Mark Guilford]

I heard you. What do you want me to do? To cry? Scream? Tear my hair out? Man like me, I don't do things like that.

[Larry Thor]

But a man like you has your picture taken with Thelma at Coney Island. What else does a man like you do, Mark? Like tonight?

[Mark Guilford]

I work.

[Larry Thor]

What?

[Mark Guilford]

I work. Every night of my life I work. Except holidays. Where? The city power plant. I nurse the dynamos, listen to their whining. One stops whining, lights go out in the street and houses. I coax the dynamo, lights go Back on. I do this every night. Tonight too. You can check.

[Larry Thor]

We will.

[Mark Guilford]

Have you asked Janet about Thelma's murder?

[Larry Thor]

No. Should I?

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, you should. That's what broke Janet and me up. This Thelma kid. Between swearing to kill herself and or Thelma, Janet had me on a merry go round. Good figure, wouldn't it, Mr. Clover?

[Larry Thor]

You'll stick around her Mark, in case we need you for anything?

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, sure. Glad to. But you'll see, Mr. Clover, it's like I told you. That Janet. Janet very confused girl. Very.

[Larry Thor]

Mark's alibi checked. After that, there was only one thing to do. Pick up Janet Guilford. It should have been simple. She'd given us an address. I went there in a squad color. I would have made it, except that the east river stopped me. Somewhere in the middle of the river is where she would have lived if the address had existed at all. Then an all points bulletin. Pick up Janet Guilford. She was wanted for questioning in connection with a murder. And all the while a thought was taking shape and trying to get itself heard. Eventually, I would have put it into words if Dr. Sinski hadn't beaten me to was at headquarters. And he started off gently.

[Janet Guilford]

Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Come in, Dr. Simpson.

[Dr. Sinski]

Thanks. Am I interrupting? Danny, then.

[Larry Thor]

All set.

[Dr. Sinski]

Boy, I got a few things on my mind.

[Larry Thor]

Me too. I've been thinking that.

[Dr. Sinski]

It looks like we both were.

[Larry Thor]

I'm sorry, doctor. Go ahead.

[Dr. Sinski]

You know, when you practice medicine around the police department, something happens to you. Something rubs off and sticks.

[Janet Guilford]

What are you trying to say, for instance?

[Dr. Sinski]

This. A police physician gets his medicine mixed up with motives. I treat a wound. I ask myself what circumstance. What did the world do to this person to produce this hurt?

[Larry Thor]

You're getting at something, Dr. Simski.

[Janet Guilford]

Yeah.

[Dr. Sinski]

Yeah, Danny, I am. I'm trying to explain. I'm trying to excuse myself for making a suggestion. Belongs to your department.

[Larry Thor]

I'd be happy for it, Danny.

[Dr. Sinski]

Several days ago, a woman named Janet Guilford tried to kill herself. In her hysteria, she swore she would die somehow, even if she made the police kill her. People say all sorts of things under stress. But now, go ahead. I been reading the reports. Suppose Janet killed Thelma Harper. Janet would be a murderess. A woman can be executed. Janet would get her wish she'd die.

[Larry Thor]

Pardon me, Doctor. Danny Clover speaking.

[Janet Guilford]

Mugaban.

[Dr. Sinski]

Danny, we found Janet Guilford.

[Larry Thor]

Good. Where is she?

[Dr. Sinski]

In a fleabag on 3rd Avenue. 2220. You better hurry, Danny. She might not be here in this room here.

[Janet Guilford]

Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, no.

[Janet Guilford]

Yeah.

[Dr. Sinski]

Suicide. Poor motor spot. Still working on Her?

[Larry Thor]

Who found her?

[Mrs. Lamp]

I found her. I found her right there where she is now. And I didn't touch a thing.

[Janet Guilford]

Except.

[Larry Thor]

Except what?

[Mrs. Lamp]

Well, I kicked out the window. I smelled gas in here, and I saw right away what happened. So I kicked out the window and called you police.

[Larry Thor]

Who are you?

[Mrs. Lamp]

Mrs. Lamp. I own this awful place. Mr. Lamp left it to me, and I run it as a tribute to his memory. He told me on his Deathbed, he said, Mrs. Lamp, I'm leaving you the fleabag I want.

[Larry Thor]

Okay, okay. How did you happen to find her?

[Mrs. Lamp]

Well, this lady here told me yesterday. She said she might not be home for a couple of days. So I come in to feed her canary, and I smelled gas and I saw and kicked in the window and called you police.

[Mark Guilford]

Wait.

[Janet Guilford]

Yeah, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, what is it?

[Dr. Sinski]

My poor motor boy just gave me the nod.

[Larry Thor]

Dead. Janet Guilford's dead?

[Dr. Sinski]

Yeah, Danny. Dead.

[Larry Thor]

You are listening to Broadway's My Beat, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. You've got to listen close. On Broadway, that's the only way you can tell if the sound you just heard was laughter or somebody beating back a scream in his throat. Not that it makes a lot of difference. Broadway reacts to clowns and murder in pretty nearly the same way. In the matter of Thelma Hopper, a woman who died in Central Park, Broadway was appreciative of the setting. It went with spring in the suicide of Janet Guilford. Broadway passed it off as the B production, which went with the main feature. Horace Sergeant Gino Taglia said it the next day in my office.

[Mark Guilford]

This is where I came in, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Huh?

[Mark Guilford]

This is where I came 20 years ago, this very day.

[Larry Thor]

What are you talking about, detective?

[Mark Guilford]

20 years ago, there sat in that very desk you are now ensconced a Lt. Marsala. His daughter Nina came to visit him. I walked in, we looked without a word, was hardly spoken. We walked down to the City hall and became Mr. And Mrs. Pataglia.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, it's your anniversary. Congratulations.

[Mark Guilford]

I knew I dragged that out of you.

[Janet Guilford]

Hey, hey, look, Danny.

[Mark Guilford]

A new shave. Courtesy of the ever loving Mrs. Tartaglia and the shave master. She gave me my face. And this shave. Make a handsome couple, huh?

[Larry Thor]

Striking Tartaglia, then, please.

[Mark Guilford]

Now, Danny, if you don't mind, I think that's enough vital chatter. How's about let's get into work, huh?

[Larry Thor]

All right, if you put it that way.

[Mark Guilford]

Frankly, Danny, work is at a lull.

[Larry Thor]

Imagine that. And I thought we had a murder.

[Mark Guilford]

To work out you know, I. I just don't understand, Danny. I thought this case was open and shut.

[Larry Thor]

Tell me how.

[Mark Guilford]

Well, Janet Guilford tries to commit suicide, fails. He's unhappy because she fails. Delma Harper, who is gadding about with Janet's husband, is found shot to death. Then Janet tries to commit suicide again. She succeeds one and one makes two.

[Larry Thor]

As simple as that?

[Janet Guilford]

Sure.

[Mark Guilford]

Janet murders the source of her trouble, which is Thelma. Then Janet turns on the gas.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, it's probably just that way. But what about Thelma Harper? Anything there?

[Janet Guilford]

No.

[Mark Guilford]

We have questioned Ms. Harper's friends and enemies with dispatch and diligence. Each one has produced a textbook type alibi which would be tough to crack with a crowbar.

[Larry Thor]

All of them, huh?

[Janet Guilford]

Except Holly Morris.

[Larry Thor]

Who's Holly Morris made? Why haven't you questioned her?

[Mark Guilford]

Well, we can't find her nowhere. As if.

[Detective Clover]

Whoosh.

[Mark Guilford]

She went up in a puff of smoke.

[Larry Thor]

Taglia, get an all points bulletin out on Holly Morris. Find her. Bring her in. Find her. To Taglia.

[Detective Clover]

Turn around.

[Janet Guilford]

Pay attention.

[Dr. Sinski]

Danny. It's Mugavin.

[Larry Thor]

Oh. Anything? Nothing.

[Dr. Sinski]

Danny, why don't you tell somebody you're hiding out? Communications.

[Larry Thor]

You found me. What do you want?

[Dr. Sinski]

I tracked down every lead on Holly Morris. Seems everybody knows everything about her except where she's disappeared to.

[Larry Thor]

Stay with it, Danny.

[Dr. Sinski]

It's a plain to everybody that Janet Guilford committed the murder.

[Mark Guilford]

What are you building?

[Larry Thor]

You'll stay with it, Muggerton.

[Janet Guilford]

Okay, okay.

[Dr. Sinski]

If you're interested, there's a guy waiting for you in your office.

[Janet Guilford]

When I was looking for you. A peek in your office.

[Dr. Sinski]

There's a guy there, Danny.

[Janet Guilford]

I'll keep checking with you. Danny. Danny. Danny.

[Detective Clover]

Such a long time, no say hiya, Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Hi, Irv. What's on your mind, Danny?

[Detective Clover]

I could tell by your expression you are very busy in the brain department. So I'll come right to the point. I will not tell you how is Mrs. Newman, or about the lousy cab business.

[Larry Thor]

What is it? Er.

[Detective Clover]

It's about a dame by the name of Holly Morris.

[Larry Thor]

What about her?

[Detective Clover]

I understand the police department needs it. There are bulletins that is affecting the company garage. Her picture. Have you seen this woman reported?

[Larry Thor]

You know where she is?

[Janet Guilford]

Gentle, Dan, gentle.

[Detective Clover]

Let me at least dramatize it. Yesterday, in the afternoon, gets into my cab.

[Dr. Sinski]

A thing.

[Detective Clover]

Take me through the park, she says. I take her through the park. She talks to me about spring and such things. Then take me home, she says. I take her home. The fare is A$60. I say. She gives me a fin For a tip. This is so you will remember me, she said. And when I saw a picture in the garage, I remembered her even better. The generous lady is Holly Morris.

[Larry Thor]

Where'd you take her?

[Detective Clover]

To a basement apartment in a brownstone. 2967 W. 68St. Hey, Danny. You'll come to the house for blisters sometime.

[Janet Guilford]

It's always open.

[Larry Thor]

Ms. Morris? Ms. Morris? Anyone home? Ms. Morris, are you asleep? I'm from the police. Ms. Morris, wake up. She lays bald across the neatly made bed. Her eyes staring, her mouth open in the silent, ugly grimace of a scream. A scream that was never heard because it had been cut off, strangled back into her throat. The thing that did it was a silk stocking, knotted, cutting deep into the flesh of her throat. I worked at it. The knot was tight, tight. And then it crashed, crash the back of my skull. And it was all pain everywhere, all. And it came again.

[Janet Guilford]

Hey, what's going on down there?

[Larry Thor]

And the far off voice was washed away because it came again. There was the sound of running down a long, long corridor. The ticking clock bent. Nothing. Nothing.

[Janet Guilford]

Come on, come on, come on. Wake up. Wake up. You. You say something I can understand, you hear. Wake up. Get up and talk to me. What? What's going on here?

[Larry Thor]

Who are you? Dewey.

[Janet Guilford]

I'm Dewey. What are you doing here? What happened?

[Larry Thor]

If you. I'm a policeman. Now you tell me what happened.

[Janet Guilford]

I'm Dewey. I'm the superhero. Run things.

[Larry Thor]

Keep the water hot.

[Janet Guilford]

Complaint apart.

[Larry Thor]

What about the girl on the bed, Dewey?

[Janet Guilford]

Oh, I didn't notice her. I only noticed you. I heard noises. I hurried to the scene. I found your body on the rug.

[Larry Thor]

Start all over, huh? What about the girl in the bed?

[Janet Guilford]

She's a tenant. I like her.

[Larry Thor]

She's dead, Dewey.

[Janet Guilford]

I just don't believe you. You believe she.

[Mark Guilford]

Everyone is a potential dead.

[Larry Thor]

Strangled. A little while ago. I walked in on it. Whoever strangled Holly Morris tried to beat me to death. I guess you disturbed him.

[Janet Guilford]

Oh, the fellows will never believe it when I tell.

[Larry Thor]

Look, Dewey, you still haven't told me very much about Holly. You want to do that now or down at headquarters now or at headquarters now. Then tell me.

[Mark Guilford]

Well.

[Janet Guilford]

Well, Holly Morris was our latest tenant. She paid her rent a month in advance. Oh, she was lavish with her money in that she tipped profusely and gave gratuities whether the occasion called for it or not. Obviously a woman of wealth and station. Believe me, that's all I know. Oh, I'd hate to go to headquarters and have a blemish on my record.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah, stick around, Dewey.

[Janet Guilford]

However, if I can be a further assistance.

[Larry Thor]

Call us. We'll call you.

[Dr. Sinski]

The blows a human skull can take, but both inside and outside.

[Larry Thor]

Take it easy, Dr. Sims.

[Dr. Sinski]

Hold still, Danny. You had so much already. You can't take a little more? This is a work of art, what they did to your head.

[Larry Thor]

You like it, huh?

[Dr. Sinski]

It's like all art, Danny. I don't know much about it, but I know what I like. Yes, Do I like this particular masterpiece of Lancy? I don't like.

[Larry Thor]

Thanks, doc. Hey, watch it.

[Dr. Sinski]

Oh, you're maligning me, Danny. Oh, my non paying patience. Say, I have such a beautiful bedside manner. There, you fixed up, Danny. Till the next time. How many next times can there be.

[Larry Thor]

No more for Holly Morris? Why? Can you tell me why?

[Dr. Sinski]

This is even a worse headache for you, isn't it, Danny? Three people dead. A heavy responsibility for you. For society.

[Larry Thor]

The suicide, Danny. Guilford's. That's what bothers me. If it weren't suicide.

[Dr. Sinski]

Stay where you are, Danny.

[Janet Guilford]

I'll answer.

[Mark Guilford]

First aid room.

[Dr. Sinski]

Dr. Sinski speaking. But you can't. Lieutenant Clover.

[Larry Thor]

I'll take it, Doctor. Lieutenant Clover speaking.

[Mrs. Lamp]

Oh, Mr. Clover. I insisted on talking to you. You were so nice and so polite. You remember me, the fleabag lady?

[Larry Thor]

Oh, yes, yes. What's on your mind, Mr. Lamp?

[Mrs. Lamp]

The bird, Mr. Clover.

[Larry Thor]

What?

[Mrs. Lamp]

The bird. The little canary that belonged to poor Mrs. Guilford. The one in her room, remember?

[Larry Thor]

What about it?

[Mrs. Lamp]

Well, I was just wondering about the law in these matters. The law about a dead person's property. You know, the heirs and so forth, and their lawful right.

[Larry Thor]

Mrs. Lamp, please get to the point.

[Mrs. Lamp]

Well, I was just wondering if Mrs. Guildford has no heirs. Please, may I keep the little bird? I've grown so attached to it. Oh, the melodies it makes up right out of its own little head.

[Larry Thor]

It still sings.

[Janet Guilford]

Oh, yes. Like a bird.

[Larry Thor]

Keep it, Mrs. Lapp. Keep it. There'll be no other airs.

[Mrs. Lamp]

Oh, thank you.

[Larry Thor]

Thank you, doctor.

[Dr. Sinski]

What then?

[Larry Thor]

The headache. You did good. It doesn't bother me anymore.

[Mark Guilford]

Hey. Hey, who's that down there?

[Larry Thor]

Danny Clover. That you, Mark?

[Mark Guilford]

Hey, Danny. Come on up. The spit coordinator.

[Larry Thor]

Okay.

[Mark Guilford]

Down the catwalk, Danny. Be careful. Only got handrails at strategic places. You can walk out into the air if you ain't careful. How you feeling, boy? From this height? Does it get you in the stomach by the sight?

[Larry Thor]

You know, I never been in a power plant before. Those dynamos.

[Mark Guilford]

Watch it, Danny. Watch the blow torch.

[Larry Thor]

Yeah.

[Mark Guilford]

This conduit pipe sprung A leak? A little well job. You caught the right in the midst.

[Larry Thor]

Don't let me disturb you now.

[Mark Guilford]

Go ahead. Go ahead, boy. What's on your mind? You and far between. When I get to talk to someone.

[Larry Thor]

On this job with all this machinery to baby, I can appreciate it.

[Mark Guilford]

Ah, these dynamos run themselves. I only wish I had their brains. So why the nighttime call, Danny?

[Larry Thor]

You like it here, huh? You like your work?

[Mark Guilford]

It pays.

[Larry Thor]

You're going to have to find a replacement, Mark.

[Mark Guilford]

I was wondering how you were going to phrase it.

[Larry Thor]

Three of them. Why did you have to kill them?

[Mark Guilford]

Wasn't easy. Took my lifetime to build up to it.

[Larry Thor]

You almost got away with it.

[Mark Guilford]

I figured I did. What happened?

[Larry Thor]

We found out your wife didn't commit suicide. A bird this big lived in the room where your wife died. The gas in that room wasn't enough to kill a canary. Why should it kill your wife?

[Mark Guilford]

Imagine that.

[Larry Thor]

A bird, huh? Meaning your wife was dead before you turned on the gas. Suffocated. I figure about the same effect as illuminating gas.

[Mark Guilford]

Yeah, I read up on that one. Imagine that when you're a bird.

[Larry Thor]

Why Holly, Mark? Why did you have to kill her?

[Mark Guilford]

She was around when I had my argument with Thelma. First I paid her off, and then she got green. So I changed my mind. Killing got easier all the time.

[Larry Thor]

Why the argument with Thelma?

[Mark Guilford]

Thelma was saying me goodbye. After my wife tried to drown herself, Thelma suddenly wanted no pause.

[Larry Thor]

Oh, you killed her. Shot her in the park.

[Mark Guilford]

And my wife got blamed for it. For her.

[Larry Thor]

Let's go, Mark.

[Mark Guilford]

You've been sensible up to now, Danny. It's been a pleasure listening. Listening to.

[Larry Thor]

Let's go.

[Mark Guilford]

After what I can do to people, Kill them? I found out I can do that. Stay where you are, Danny, or I'll weld you to that pipe.

[Larry Thor]

Put down that torch, Mark.

[Mark Guilford]

Oh, you know I can't do that. Uhoh. Reach me a gun again.

[Larry Thor]

My fix arms. Where I'm taking you. Come on.

[Mark Guilford]

No, you won't take me. You won't take me. Danny.

[Larry Thor]

Mark, come back here. His scream preceded him as he fell from above. Then, in that sudden swift time, the face masked in horror, the eyes pleading into mind as he clawed the air past me. A man's awful recognition that he's dead. Then the instant was over. There was not. Dawn touches Broadway now. It bleeds the color out of the neon, turns the gold of the spectacular into dross. And the remnants of night are driven back into the earth. You walk the gray street from behind a doorway. You hear an old sound, the sound of weeping. You know that the nighttime will never leave it's found a refuge, it's godway 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 Jane Webb, Eleanor Audley, Jack Cruchen, Sheldon Leonard, Bert Holland, and Stanley Farrar.

[Monday.com Advertiser]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Dandy's tendency to confront killers alone is ill advised, but probably even more so here given the location of Mark's workplace. I tend to think that if your job doesn't typically involve working around high voltages, you you really shouldn't add it in if you don't have to. And this really could have waited until after he came off shift. Also, it feels like the final clue was so obvious and was just dropped into his lap by the landlady at the fleabag. By definition, the little bird's survival is proof that the wife didn't commit suicide. I mean, it's a canary in the coal mine for crying out loud. Though, I think it was a good ride right up until the conclusion when it kind of went off the rails a little bit. All right, well, listener comments and feedback and we go to YouTube for the Tommy Stafford murder case and mechanic 6682 comments broad white Way My Beat is one of the better detective shows from old Time radio. That being said, this was pretty bad. The whole thing was very obvious from the start. The thing in the House of Mirrors was clearly a setup as interesting and cinematic as it was, you know, in the audio sense. I tend to agree with him on that. I will say one thing nice about this episode is it didn't become completely obvious till the end. I mean, I'm always suspicious when Sheldon Leonard shows up in these type of shows, but that alone doesn't necessarily prove he was a murderer, particularly after the Alibi checked out. Ronser, on the other hand, wrote great show. Thanks, Adam. Well, thanks so much Ronser. And we have some listener Feedback via email Sherry writes, Just a note to tell you how much I enjoy your old time Radio Detective Podcast podcast especially Let George Do It, Johnny Dollar, Rocky Jordan, Philip Marlo, the Falcon. But they're all good. I also enjoy your commentary, which conveys a sense of goodness and decency. God bless you. Well, thank you so much. That's very kind of you, Sherry. I really do appreciate the comment. And then we have a very interesting comment from our listener survey. Neil writes, I never missed the show. I had brain surgery recently and as I came out of a two day coma with all my family around my bed, I mumbled a few words. They all leant forward and asked me to repeat them if I had the strength. How many great detective shows have I missed? My wife was not impressed. After sitting at my bedside for 39 hours holding my hand without a break, she hoped to hear that I loved her as my first words. I don't think either myself or Adam Graham will ever be on her Christmas card list. If you ever want to visit Strafford Upon Avon in England, don't we live there? And while it's the most beautiful, serene and historic place in England, you'd be dangerously near to her radar. Well, Neil, thank you so much for the comment and I'm so honored to be such a big part of your day and glad the surgery came out okay. And I will take your warning to heart, Neil. So I will say your wife waiting by your bedside for that long is probably a very reasonable and understanding woman, so she won't be mad at me forever. So I should be able to have the option of visiting Strafford upon Avon in 2030, maybe 2035. But once again, Neil, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it and made my day. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day. And I want to thank Monica. Monica's been one of our patreon supporters since March 2019, currently supporting the podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Monica, 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 where, darling, this is a.

[Janet Guilford]

Blind alley in more ways than one. Well, then, if Val Stacy didn't go out to the street, where did he?

[Mark Guilford]

What's the matter, Jerry?

[Janet Guilford]

Calling this something here. Where? Right at my feet. I almost stumbled over it.

[Detective Clover]

It's a match. Wait till I strike him.

[Janet Guilford]

It's a man.

[Detective Clover]

Sam Zachary.

[Janet Guilford]

Jerry. He looks like he. He is.

[Dr. Sinski]

He's dead.

[Janet Guilford]

Oh, no. That's Teddy. Darling, are you all right? Yes. Okay, now, look, you going to get Bill?

[Detective Clover]

I'll wait here.

[Janet Guilford]

All right.

[Larry Thor]

And leave that door open.

[Janet Guilford]

I will, dear.

[Detective Clover]

Oh, for the last match, I hope.

[Adam Graham]

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 greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Grahams, signing off.