Casey, Crime Photographer: Holiday (Encore) (EP4850e)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode Summary: Casey, Crime Photographer — "Holiday (Encore)"

Host: Adam Graham
Series: Casey, Crime Photographer
Original Air Date: November 25, 1948 (Rebroadcast November 23, 2025)
Episode Title: Holiday

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Overview of the Episode

This episode, aired as a special Thanksgiving encore, brings listeners an installment of Casey, Crime Photographer set on Thanksgiving Day. The show follows Casey, a hardboiled but compassionate newspaper photographer, as he gets swept up in a case involving an ex-safecracker friend, blackmail, and underworld intrigue. The episode explores themes of redemption, trust, and loyalty—all against the backdrop of the holiday.

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Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. Thanksgiving in the Blue Note Café

• Setting: Early afternoon, Thanksgiving Day. The story opens as Casey and his colleague Annie Williams are out in the city.
• Casey and Annie’s Plans: They're intending on a rather elegant Thanksgiving, with dinner at the Ritz and a play afterward, but these plans take a quick turn when duty (and friendship) calls.

Notable Quote:

"Movies in the afternoon, the Ritz for dinner, and then an evening show. Huh. You are having a holiday." (Casey, 07:17)

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2. A Friend in Trouble: Biff Connors Returns

• Biff Connors: Once a top safecracker, now a reformed man with a family and a small business.
• The Dilemma: Biff is being strong-armed by two thugs (working for the infamous Nick Reynolds) to crack a safe, under threat to his family.
• The Stakes: The planted gun under Biff's store counter and escalating threats force him to consider the criminal proposition against his will.

Notable Quote:

"I'm an ex-con, Casey, a three-time loser. You know what it'd mean for me if the cops found a gat in my possession? You'd get the book? Sure. I'd be put away for keeps." (Biff, 10:16)

Timestamps:

• [09:28] — Biff confides in Casey about the planted gun and threats
• [12:31] — Casey deduces the men behind the threats

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3. Piecing Together the Underworld Plot

• The Blackmail Connection: Casey suspects that the safe the thugs want Biff to crack may belong to Monty Summers, a private investigator turned blackmailer with dirt on Nick Reynolds.
• Risk Calculation: The team realizes that if the police are brought in, Biff as the safecracker will be "thrown to the wolves"; if not, they risk Reynolds getting away scot-free.

Notable Dialogue:

Annie: "If we could get the evidence that would put Nick Reynolds away... what a story!"
Casey: "And if the evidence got Nick Reynolds sent to jail, this town would be a much better place to live in." (16:43)

Timestamps:

• [15:13] — The risks of contacting police discussed
• [16:43] — Motivation to expose Nick Reynolds

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4. The Safecracking Plan and Casey’s Scheme

• Setup: Biff is forced to go along with the safecracking at midnight, with the criminals threatening his family if he refuses.
• Casey’s Plan: While Biff stalls, Casey comes up with a plan inspired by movie cowboy antics—to stop the gang's getaway car by lassoing it with a steel cable.

Notable Exchange:

Annie: "If you and I came back and hid ourselves, when Reynolds and his gang come out, we... cover them with guns?"
Casey: "We'd only get ourselves shot. But wait a minute... Lasso! Man, horse... I’ve got an idea, Annie!" (24:19–24:26)

Timestamps:

• [22:16] — Casey and Annie case Monty Summers’ house
• [24:26] — Casey’s inspiration for the lasso-style trap

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5. The Safecracking, Getaway, and Casey’s Trap

• Execution: The gang breaks into Summers' house and cracks the safe. A briefcase full of incriminating evidence is retrieved.
• The Trap: As the crooks rush to escape, Casey enacts his "lasso" plan—having previously attached a steel cable between the car and a tree. When the car speeds off, it’s abruptly stopped—sending the gangsters through the windshield, but sparing Biff, who braced himself as advised.

Notable Quote:

"Imagine the horse was lassoed, not the rider. The horse had stopped and the rider keeps on going over its head. That’s what happened to the crooks’ getaway car." (Casey, 30:02)

Timestamps:

• [26:38] — The crooks emerge, escape sequence begins
• [27:01–27:16] — Car is lassoed, crooks crash

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6. Resolution and Thanksgiving Reflections

• Outcome: Biff escapes the situation clean. The evidence in the briefcase will take down Nick Reynolds and protect Biff from prosecution. Annie and Casey return to the Blue Note for a late-night, makeshift Thanksgiving dinner.
• Tone: Lighthearted camaraderie and gratitude close the episode, with playful banter around the cost of their adventure and overdue bills.

Notable Quotes:

Annie: "I've had a swell day, a real day for Thanksgiving, because we accomplished something worthwhile." (29:33)
Ethelbert: "You two had quite a holiday." (30:46)
Casey: "Here, I've been roped in myself." (31:23)

Timestamps:

• [29:20] — Thanksgiving reflections at the Blue Note
• [31:55–31:59] — "Happy Thanksgiving" to all

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Host Adam Graham’s Commentary

After show, [34:22]:

• Production Notes: Adam observes that the episode only features a handful of actors, with some doubling up. Most action is described rather than depicted.
• Sponsor/Commercial Critique: Comments on how product advertisements (notably for Tony Home Permanent) are awkwardly inserted, and compares this to more effectively integrated commercial segments in other shows.
• Casey's Character: He appreciates that the story shows Casey’s "soft side," always ready to help someone in need.
• Holiday Programming Rarity: Notes that Thanksgiving-themed detective stories are rare—only four in fourteen years, two from Casey, Crime Photographer.

Notable Quote:

"Casey’s just, you know, a soft guy’s soft side. Somebody’s in trouble, they need help, and Casey, you know, will go out of his way to help them. And I think that’s true... in the pulps as well as on the radio program." (Adam Graham, 36:17)

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Memorable Moments

• Casey’s “Lasso” Plan: An inventive, movie-inspired stunt to halt the criminals’ getaway car with a steel cable—blurring the line between radio mystery and cinematic western action ([29:51]).
• Thanksgiving Reflection: The episode closes with camaraderie, cold turkey, and a sense of gratitude for both adventure and friends—an unusual but fitting Thanksgiving conclusion for a detective program ([29:33]).

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment & Content | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:02 | Casey and Annie discuss holiday plans | | 09:28 | Biff confides in Casey about the threats to him | | 12:31 | Casey deduces the criminals' identities & plot | | 15:13 | Weighing risk of involving the police | | 16:43 | The stakes of exposing Nick Reynolds | | 22:16 | Casing Monty Summers' house; setting up the climax | | 24:26 | Casey’s plan inspired by western movies | | 27:01 | The lasso/trap executed, crooks stopped | | 29:20 | Reflection and makeshift Thanksgiving dinner | | 31:55-31:59| "Happy Thanksgiving" closing | | 34:22 | Host commentary and episode analysis |

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Conclusion

This Thanksgiving-themed Casey, Crime Photographer episode deftly blends suspense, clever amateur detective work, and a touch of holiday warmth. Viewers are treated to a vintage story about loyalty and redemption—alongside a dash of radio-era ingenuity and humor. Despite minimal cast and mostly off-screen action, the episode thrives on character interplay, light banter, and the clever (if unrealistic) “lassoed getaway car” caper.

For those who missed the episode: Expect a slice of golden-age detective radio, with holiday spirit, strong moral undertones, and a reminder that sometimes, doing the right thing is the best celebration of all.

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Transcript

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[Podcast Host Adam Graham]

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[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

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[Ms. Annie Williams]

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[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Sam.

[Podcast Host Adam Graham]

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham, and this week we're bringing you a special Thanksgiving Encore. America prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving this week. As always, remember, any offers or information offered in this podcast is not valid unless it's referred to on our Great Detectives website. Since this episode was from a few years back, here now is our Thanksgiving Encore. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box13reatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter RadioDoTestives Become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com RadioDoTactives Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time [e-mail] and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetactives.net well, last year we brought you an episode of Casey Crom, Photographer, that was set at Thanksgiving and was actually on the next series of the show. We were playing sustaining episodes and this episode was from the Anchor Hawking run. Well, this week we're going to bring you another episode from the next run of the show. This one's not part of Anchor Hawking, this part of the Tony Home Permanent run, which would take over in March of 1948. So let's go ahead and take a listen to today's episode. The Original air date November 25, 1948 and the title is Holiday.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

The way that gives that natural look is T o n I. Tony, Tony, Tony Home Permanent.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

The wave that gives that natural look brings you. Crime photographer. Good evening, everyone. This is Bill Cullen greeting you for Tony Home Permanent and inviting you to listen to another adventure of Casey, crime photographer, ace cameraman who covers the crime news of a great city, written by Alonzo Dean Cole. Our adventure for tonight, holiday, Thanksgiving Day, early afternoon. Among the crowd that stole tightly by the Blue Note Cafe is a slight worried looking man who, unlike the other strollers, doesn't appear to be in a holiday mood at Fifth Bib Connors, huh? Hey, remember me, fella? Casey Morning Express. Sure, I remember you. Hey, Casey. Couldn't be better. Biff. I haven't seen you since. Gosh, it must be three years. Closer to four. I guess it is. Ms. Williams, let me introduce Mr. Connors.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Hello, Mr. Connors.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Nice to meet you, Ms. Williams. Heard some nice things about you, Biff. They tell me you're married now, raising a family, got your own business, doing fine. Yeah, well, I gotta be running along. Nice seeing you, Casey. Been introduced to you, Ms. Williams. So long. So long, Biff.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

That was short and sweet. Your friend could hardly contain his joy at meeting you. Yeah, look worried, Casey. I don't think his mind was really on you. Who is he?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Well, he used to be one of the cleverest safecrackers in the country.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Safecracker?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

He knew more about safes than the people that make them. Keep him out of jail, though. He served three stretches.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

You don't usually introduce needy or criminal associates.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Biff wasn't the usual kind of criminal, Annie. Since his last term in the big house. He's going absolutely straight too. I know that. Yeah. I hope nothing's gone wrong with a guy.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Oh, probably not. Here's the blue note.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Let me push open the door for you. Well, look who's here. Hi, pal. Good afternoon.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Apple, Burt.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Happy Thanksgiving to both of you. And to you in big red letters. Had you turkey and trimmings yet?

[Ms. Annie Williams]

No, we plan to go to a movie and then have dinner about 7 o'.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Clock. You having it here? What? Thanksgiving dinner in this joint? Oh, not a chance. What's the matter with this joint? The chef's putting out a $.75 special today.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Stacy's taking me to the Ritz for dinner. And then we're going to a play.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yep. Movies in the afternoon, the Ritz for dinner and then an evening show. Huh. You are having a holiday. We're not gonna waste any of it hanging around here. As much as we love you, Edelbert. Oh, Casey, it just came to my mind.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

As of November 1st, you owe us.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

On your October bill. Oh, well, that's all right. Just carry it over to. Gonna need all the dough I've got on me today, Annie. And you'll need all you got on you in December. I don't like the Dunn a pal, Casey, but I know. Oh, hello, Bibbs. Excuse me for butting in like this, Ms. Williams, but Casey, after I left you outside, I. I got to think. We're glad to see you again, fella. How about having. No, no, no, thanks. I hope you'll excuse me, Ms. Williams. Casey, you finish asking too much. Well, you step outside with me while I can talk to you along. Well, I. I'd appreciate it, Casey lot.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Sure, go ahead, Casey. I'll wait for you here.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Oh, well, okay. Any thanks? Okay, Biff. Thanks a million. You look awful worried, fella. What's this all about? Are you a busy professional woman? A teacher? A nurse? Perhaps a business career girl? Well, Tony, home permanent is a blessing for busy women like you. It takes so little time to give yourself the most natural looking wave you've ever had. With Tony, you don't have to spend half a day away from home. You don't have to sit under a hot dryer while your Tony wave is taking. You can listen to the radio, read, do anything you like. This weekend, get the Tony kit complete with plastic curlers for just $2. Follow the simple directions and see how convenient it is to Give yourself the loveliest wave you've ever had. With Tony home permanent the wave that.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Gives that natural look T O N I ton.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Turn into the side street, Casey. It ain't too crowded. We can talk. Okay, Beth. I. I oughtn't wish this on you, Casey. You ain't a guy who owes me anything. After I run into you by accident a while ago, I got to thinking that maybe it was one of them. Them signs. You see, I'd been praying. It was always a regular in my book. And I got to think that maybe you was the one guy in the world I could turn to for help. Yeah, well, what kind of help do you need? I'm not so heavy with dough. I had plans for the day. But if you've got to help, I don't want any money. Oh, well, you're not in trouble then. Wait a minute. You in wrong with the cops again? Not yet. Not yet, Casey. I've been 100% straight since I came out of stir last time I asked you to believe that. I believe you, Beth. I. The wife and I build up a nice little business. We got to. We got a store uptown. Tobacco, candy, toys, stationery. Things were going along just swell until two weeks ago. What happened then? A couple of guys come into my store with a proposition. They wanted me to crack a safe. Yeah. They offered me 5,000 bucks to do this job. Nice money. I told them where to go with it. A couple days later they come back. They raised their offer to ten grand. They threw them out of the place. Gone. That didn't give me nothing. He told me I'd play along with him or else. Then this morning, I found a loaded.45 caliber automatic under my candy con. A gun? Yeah. I'm an ex con, Casey. A three time loser. You know what it'd mean for me if the cops found a gat in my possession? You'd get the book? Sure. I'd be put away for Keats. The gun was planted under that counter, Casey. Sometime during the night I wrapped it up. I made an excuse to the wife that I had to come downtown and I went to the North Bridge and I dropped it in the river. This gun was left where you'd be sure to find it. Yeah. It wasn't meant as a frame. Just a. As a hint of what'll happen if I don't play ball. Or the two guys been around to follow up their hint? I don't know. I ain't been back to the store. Oh, since I left the bridge. I just been walking around, trying to think. Wife don't know anything about them guys in the proposition. I ain't told her and I can't tell her. She knows all about my record. You can figure how scared she'd be. And you haven't told the cops? Has a guy like me ever rented a cop? Well, it'd be smart if you ran to him this time. No. No? No. Why not? In the first place, they wouldn't believe me. The next con, they figure I was trying to put something over. I can't blame him, Casey. Well, I can tell him. You gotta promise me you won't. Well, Biff, listen. Suppose they did believe me. What happens? They set a trap for the guys who propositioned me. Them guys got friends who'll know that the squeal that the cops acted on had it come from me, my life wouldn't be worth a nickel. Yeah. Guess you got something. Promise me you won't say nothing to the cops, Casey. You got it. What do you want me to do, Biff? I don't know. I just had to talk to somebody, that's all. A guy I knew was right. And I ain't got such a good head, Casey. I figured maybe. Maybe you could figure my way out. Thanks for the compliment. Well, who are the guys that came to you with this proposition? I don't know. They didn't tell me their names when I get around a little. What do they look like? One was tall and skinny, had a long face and big yellow teeth. He kind of looks like a horse. Yeah. The other's a little dark guy, heavy set. Wait a minute. The one you say looks like a horse, has he got a long scar on his neck? Yeah, like somebody done a shiv job on him. Can't be two mugs who answer to that description. Scar, neck, horse face. Must be Jake Bannister. Head, strong arm. Goon for Nick Reynolds. Nick Reynolds? Well, you must know who he is. The name's familiar. But you are out of touch with Erect Kid. Nick Reynolds is the Mr. Big behind some of the dirtiest crooked work that goes on in his town. But he poses as a solid, respectable business guy and the cops have never been able to nail him. Oh, wait a minute. Tell me more about the little heavy scent mug. Well, he. He looks. He's got a cauliflower ear like a pug and he stinks of perfume. Tony Shep. He's another of Reynolds guys. This is beginning to sound like hot stuff. I don't suppose they told you whose safe they want open, huh? No, they Tell you anything about it? Only there was a small house safe, A real tough one. That's what he needed. An old hotshot like me. And they offered you dough to crack it? 10 grand. They didn't say anything about giving you a share of what's in it. That's right. I got a notion there isn't any dough in the box to share, Casey. Just something that somebody wants and is willing to pay high for it. Think you can find out from those guys where the box is? The location of the house and who lives there? Well, they won't tell me unless I say I'll play ball with them. That's right, they won't. Look, Biff, go back to your store. They ought to be paying you a visit there today after planting that gun. Try to learn all you can. And then? Well, I made other plans for this afternoon. But I'll, I'll stick around to Blue Note. I'll write down the number of a phone booth there so we can talk in private when you call. There. Here it is. Thanks, Casey. I got a dinner date for around seven that I can't break, fella. And then I'll be tied up for the rest of the evening. So if your guys don't show by seven, things are gonna have to just ride a while, I guess. In the meantime, I'll be running down a little tip I got on Nick Reynolds. The tip? Yeah, it's just a piece of gossip I didn't think much of until I heard your story. Now, it may mean something. Well, so long, Biff. Take it easy now and try not to worry, huh? I'll try. But you remember you promised me, Casey, you won't tell the cops. Yeah, yeah, that's right. I won't tell the cops.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

And because your ex convict friend is so worried, Casey, you leave me sitting here in the Blue Note for most of the afternoon.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

I, I, I phoned you. I'd be a little delayed.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

A little delayed? Look at the time. It's nearly 5 o'.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Clock.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

You were taking me to the movies this afternoon, remember?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Please, kid, what's a movie when a guy's in a jam.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, yeah, poor fellow is in a bad spot.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

He's in a terrible spot from what Casey's told us, Ms. Williams. And I don't see what can be done about it without help from the cops. And if they're brought into the picture, Ethelbert Biff would be killed for squealing. Nick Reynolds is behind this thing and he plays rough.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Casey, you said you've been following Up a tip on Reynolds.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

You know Monty Summers, Annie, of the Summers Detective Agency?

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Summers Blackmail Bureau would be a better name for his outfit.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yeah, that's right. Well, Summers is a shakedown artist of the dirtiest kind. He's done a lot of work for Nick Reynolds, but he doesn't work for him anymore. There's been a bust up.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Yeah, I heard that.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

My tip was that Summers pulled the old double cross and collected evidence against his boss, Reynolds, enough to send him away for life. Now Reynolds is supposed to be paying in plenty to keep that evidence under his hat.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, that tip sounds like a phony. Reynolds wouldn't pay a blackmailer. He'd have him bumped off. Well, sure.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Like you just said, Casey, Nick Reynolds plays rough. Yeah, but he's too smart to play rough when he stands to lose by it. Though, if Summers has the goods on Reynolds, it's in documentary form that won't be destroyed by his death. It's a sense that Summers has convinced his old boss that the stuff will be made public if he's killed or if he disappears. Yeah, that's so. But Casey, what's it got to do.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

With your friend Beth Connors?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

ETHELBERT 2 of Nick Reynolds trusted hoods offer Biff a flat sum, not a share. To open a house safe, you mean? Well, it could be Monty Summers documentary evidence that Reynolds wants.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

And if it is, and we could get it. Casey, what a story.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

What a story with exclusive pictures. It'd be worth missing an afternoon movie for, wouldn't it, kids?

[Ms. Annie Williams]

I'll say.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

And if the evidence got Nick Reynolds sent to jail, this town would be a much bigger, better place to live in. But how is this theory of yours going to help Biff Connors? Casey, it doesn't. It's a complication. Well, since Biff hasn't phoned, I guess Reynolds mugs didn't show up at his place. He's probably taking the holiday off.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

No, I'd like a little holiday myself and away from this place. I'm hungry, Casey. Let's start for the Ritz.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Well, it's not nearly 7 o' clock yet. Annie. I told the guy if he phones, I'll tell him you've gone to the Ritz. Casey.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

And a. Oh no, Ethelbert. I'm not gonna have my Thanksgiving dinner spoiled by phone calls for Casey.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

You're so anxious to get out of the good old blue note. Ms. Williams, I thought.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, you think again. After we leave here, you tell nobody.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Where to reach us.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

We're gonna have the rest of this Day to ourselves.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yeah, you, you do as Ms. Williams says, pal. Really nothing I can do for Biff tonight. And he's gonna stall those guys anyway. Whatever you say, Casey. Yeah, well, come on, Annie.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

At last we're going places.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

That's right. So long, Ethelbert. So long. Oh, Mr. Casey? Yes, Walter? Phone call for you in the booth, Mr. Connors. Uh, oh no, no. Excuse me, Annie.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

I might have known, Ethelbert. I might have known.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Hello, Casey speaking. This is Beth. Beth. Carnage. Anything happen? Plenty. Them guys were here and I couldn't stall them like you told me, Casey. Couldn't stall them? No, they said they'd get my wife and kid if I didn't fall in line. They weren't bluffing. I gotta do their job. Tonight at 12 or else. 12? Tonight? Yeah, I promised him I will and I have to. There's no way you or anybody else can help me now, pal. I just phoned cuz I said I would and you wouldn't be kept hanging around till 7 o'. Clock. That's all. All. Hey, wait a minute. Don't hang up. I know you're talking. Listen, Biff, after you promised those guys that you do their job, did they tell you where it's going to be cast? You know what you promised me, Casey? No cops. You've got to trust me, fella. Now give me that address, will you? Okay. It's on Riker Avenue, number 393. 90 Riker? That's right. Those two guys will go there with you at 12 tonight. Yeah, and they'll be watching me every minute, Casey, with guns in them. Well, listen, stay in your store. I'll get in touch with you there by 10:30. You got some plan, Casey? You think there's a chance? There's a swell chance, Biff, there's every chance. Now stop worrying, kid. You'll hear from me in a couple of hours. Hold on. I got faith in you, Casey. Still on. Faith in a liar? I can't figure any chance.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't tell me we're not heading for the Ritz and turkey dinner.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

No, we're going to have to look over Monty Summer's house right now.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Oh, you mean Monty Summer's a black man?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

I looked up his address this afternoon just in case. He lives at 390 Riker Ave. Come on, Annie, let's go.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

So long, Ethelbert.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

So long. No Thanksgiving dinner for you two. Over the thing through the woods the friend of this house we go the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the something or other. Hi, Heather Bird. Say, wasn't that Casey and Ms. Williams just leaving the Blue Note? Hello, Mr. Cullen. Yeah, that was them. Well, they didn't speak to me. Well, they was going so fast. They must not have seen you. Yeah. Why the speed? Well, they're trying to stop a safe cracker from cracking a safe he don't want to crack. I don't quite follow you, Ethelbert, but I gather that crime does not take a holiday. No. In case he figured it would, he'd promised Ms. Williams Turkey and trimmings at the Ritz. That's where he made his mistake. Mistake? Why I'd call that a pretty sound idea for Thanksgiving Day. Making a promise to a woman, Mr. Cullen, that's always a mistake. Oh no, Ethelbert. Tony made a promise to millions of women and it's been a great thing for everybody. You see, not many years ago no one ever dreamed women could give themselves satisfactory permanence right at home. But Tony developed a gentle cream cold wave that they knew would give wonderful results with all types of hair. So they made a promise and backed it up with a guarantee. They said Tony will give you a permanent that lasts just as long as a fifteen dollar beauty shop wave and is guaranteed to look more natural or your money back. And women were interested. They tried Tony and the promise came true. They found they can give themselves waves and curls with Tony that are so soft and shiny they look like naturally curly hair. So they told their friends. And what's happened? You asking me or is that a reader Oracle question? I guess everybody knows the answer, Ethelbert. Now, more than a million women each month use Tony home permanent. More than a million? That's a lot of women. Yes. Each month another million women give themselves lovely Tony waves. That the whale of a big house. Annie, Aunty Summers lives well.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Oh, now that we're looking at it, Casey, what are you going to do?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

And we've got to think as though we planned to crack a safe here ourselves.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Be easiest to go in and out from the front.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

See, I think I'd come here in a car. I'd park it under one of these trees. Not directly in front of the house of course, but close enough for a.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Quick getaway and leave a lookout in it.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

No, no, no, I wouldn't do that. A guy sitting in a parked car might attract attention, which I don't want. I'd post a lookout, but he won't be in the car or even near it most of the time.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, now that that's decided what do we do?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

I don't know, kid. Trying to make us think. I'm pretty sure that Nick Reynolds will come here himself with Biff and those rod men tonight. He trusts nobody but himself to take that evidence out of the safe. He'll want it in his own hands. Take it away and examine it, Destroy it.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, if there's a chance of getting him, we've got to get the cops in on this.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

But they catch Biff opening the safe. In spite of everything that we could say in a guy's favor, the law says that fourth offenders go up for life. We've got to catch Reynolds with the goods and at the same time keep Biff out of it.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

It's a large order.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Sure is. I'm afraid it's too large, kid. I can't see any way to fill it.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Casey, if you and I came back here at midnight and hid ourselves, when Reynolds and Biff Connors and the others come out, we can cover them with a couple of guns. We'll capture Reynolds and his gang and let Biff Connors get away.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Annie, can you really picture you and me in a gangster movie? Act like that, we'd only get ourselves shot.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

I guess we're not the right type. Why aren't we? Like some of the characters we see in the movies? They solve everything so easily by just drawing their trusty automatics and going bang, bang, bang.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Wish we were.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

What am I, a woman or a mouse? In that western we saw last week, a gal my size captured a dozen tough cattle rustlers all by herself.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Well, her boyfriend was pretty good, too, don't we?

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Tall, dark and handsome in the fancy pants. He was certainly a shock with a lariat, too.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

He lassoed the character who tried to steal grandpappy's beef ranch. He yanked him off his pinto p pony so hard, I kind of got aching bones myself.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

It's so easy in the movies. Oh, well, line of thinking isn't getting us anywhere.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Wait a minute. Maybe it is. Lasso Man. Horse.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Casey. What?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

I've got an idea, Annie.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

You have?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yeah. Come on, get in the car. I'll tell you about it. We're on our way to borrow something that I'll need. Then I'll get to Biff Connor and tell him honestly that he has a. A swell chance. I really got a chance, Casey. Bet you have every chance. Tell me. Nuh. Not yet. Do tell me about the setup for the night as you got it from Reynolds. Rodman want to meet him a couple of blocks from here, see? At 11 o', clock like I told you. That's right. They'll be in a black sedan. They'll have the tools I'll need for the safe job. Then we drive right out to the Riker Avenue house. They say the guy owns the joint won't be there. That's why the Jeff's got to be done tonight. There's only a servant in the house and he's been fixed. They don't look for any trouble then? No, they claim it'll be a set they do for a surprise. You're the only one who's not headed for trouble, Casey. Tell me what. No, no. Unless you know about this whole thing, the better for you. But I want you to be sure to do three things. Yeah. First, after you open the safe, don't let any of the guys with you destroy anything they take out of it. Act scared. Insist on getting out of the house right away. Okay. All right. Now second, when you reach the getaway car, get into the back seat. Backseat. Yeah. Third, take a grip on the front seat and brace yourself. Brace yourself with all the muscle that you've got.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

They've been in that house over an hour.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

These summer's safe must be really tough. Reynolds had to get an expert like Biff this job.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

You're sure it was Nick Reynolds that we boggle into the house?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

I am dead sure. He went in with Biff and Horsebader. Reynolds presence here, Annie, means that we guessed right about his deep personal interest in that safe. Casey, that explosion from inside the house, it means Biff has had to blow it safe.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, then it's open now and he'll.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Soon be coming out. That's right.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

You're certain the lookout didn't see what you did a while ago?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

No, no, of course he didn't. It was at the end of the block across the street when I was working in the dark.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

I hope the work you did works.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Mistrust old cowboy Casey and. Quiet. Quiet. Keep back any shadows that are coming from the house now, and fast.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Reynolds is carrying a briefcase.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

I see it. Look out. Set himself in the car. He's going to drive.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Started the motor.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Soon as the others get in, I'll help him make a good fast getaway.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

If he doesn't start that car fast.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Say that to me. The others are in the car now.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Reynolds has taken the front seat beside the driver.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

That's perfect.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Now they're all in.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

It's time for me to impersonate a cop. Here goes. Hey, you fellas in that car you made the driver.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Step on the gas gate and hard.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

It won't be long. That did it.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Good work, Casey. The scheme worked.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Couldn't fail. Come on, we got to get Biff out of this. Hope he braced himself, too.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Yeah, well, if he didn't. Oh, look, a man's calling from another car.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Okay, fellas. Me? What happened to the car? There's nothing in front of us. There's nothing there now. Suddenly, the thing stopped like we hit a stone wall. I see your three playmates went half through the windshield. Yeah, they're out cold. Casey. What? Never mind. You haven't got time to ask any questions. Now, around that corner, you'll find a black Ford cooler. Here's the key. Get in, drive home quick as you can. And if anybody ever asks, you say you've never been near Riker Avenue. Come on, Biff, get going, quick. Okay, pal, whatever you say. But I'd sure like to know what happened to that car. See what the sleeping Mr. Reynolds has in his briefcase.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Yeah, I want to see.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

A lot of letters, canceled checks, photographs. All incriminating, I imagine. Now, Annie, we'll call the cops and.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Then, Casey, you think a gal may safely hope for a bite of dinner? For soft water shampooing, use Tony Cream Shampoo. Even in the hardest water, Tony Cream Shampoo.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yes, even in the hardest water, Tony Cream Shampoo gives soft water shampooing Rinses away dandruff instantly Leaves hair so soft, so smooth, so shining clean today bring out the sparkling beauty of your hair with soft water shampooing. Get the handy tube or jar of Tony Cream Shampoo. It's new. I'm terribly sorry we can't get you and Casey. Nothing better out of the kitchen than this cold turkey, Ms. Williams. But of course, the cooks left hours ago.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Oh, I just love cold turkey, Ethelbert. And at this hour of the morning, so much nicer than the dinner I expected to have at the Rift.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yeah, well, I'm awful sorry, Annie. I certainly gummed up your day, didn't I?

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Don't you ever know when I'm kidding, Casey? I've had a swell day, a real day for Thanksgiving, because we accomplished something worthwhile.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Your palate. Say, you ain't told me yet how you made that car stop like it had hit a stone wall. You've seen a lot of Wild west movies, Ethelbert? Sure.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Well, then you've seen men pulled off running horses with lassos?

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Lots of times. And a horse always kept on running. Yeah. Well, now, imagine the horse was lassoed, not the rider. The horse had stopped there and his.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Rider would keep on going over its head.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

That's what happened to the crooks getaway car. You lassoed that car, Casey amounted to that.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Casey brought a very strong 150 foot steel cable out there.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yeah, with a hook at both ends.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

In the darkness, he hooked one end of his cable to the axle of that car and the other end to a big tree.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

And I made a noise like a cop to startle the driver into a good fast start.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

And when the cable paid out to its litter.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Oh, I get it. And the only reason Biff Connors wasn't knocked through the windshield like the others was cause he braced himself like you told him. That's right. Even he was a little dazed when he climbed out though.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Anyway, Reynolds and his mob are all washed up thanks to the stuff in that briefcase. They can't hurt Viv Connors or anyone else.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Hmm. You two had quite a holiday. Mm, a grand one.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Oh, have some more cold turkey, Casey.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Yeah, I think I will, Annie. And it didn't cost you anything. You saved money by not going to the movies, to the rich for dinner and to a play after. Well, sure, that's right. Yeah. You can't knead all the dough you got on you. Of course not. Huh. I hate the done a friend, Casey. But there's a little matter of that long overdue October bill and you gotcha, Casey.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

I'm dead to rights.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Oh, if this isn't an ending for a grand day here, I've been roped in myself. Well, as my sister Edna says, quote, if you give a calf enough rope, he can't be led to wolf. No, no, you. You can lead a calf before he cross. I'll be darned if I don't forget it. Unquote. Well, all right, pal. After that, here's what I owe you. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving, Ethelbert.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Crime Photographer, starring Stots Cotsworth as Casey, is directed by John Deetz. It's written by Alonzo Dean Cole and is based on the fictional character of Flash Gun Casey. Created by George Harmon Cox, original music by Archie Blier and The program features Ms. Jan Miner as Anne and John Gibson as Ethelbert. Herman Chittison is the blue mouth pianist. This Bill Cullen asking you to listen again next week at this same time to another exciting adventure of Crime Photographer. And also inviting you to listen to this is Nora Drake Radio's thrilling serial romance heard every Monday through Friday, 2:30pm New York time over most of these stations. Both of these programs Brought to you each week by Tony Home Permanent. The wave that gives that natural look. And the new Tony cream shampoo for soft water shampooing even in the hardest water. This is CBS where 99 million people gather every week. The Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

And Doug. Here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Liberty Liberty Savings.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. 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 Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Podcast Host Adam Graham]

Welcome back. The number one thing that stands out to me about this episode is just the lack of actors in it. You know, we've got our three regulars and then we've got this safecracker. One of the actors doubles up to play the weir. And as Dr. Joe Webb points out, we never hear the the gangsters. And nearly all the action occurs off screen and we're only told about it later. And we'll have to see how many of these issues are persistent with the Tony's run when we get to it. I will say that even though Tony's is a permanent, their sponsorship of Casey was only temporary. So if you get into those episodes and find them not quite your liking, be aware that there will be another sponsor and more changes in the series. There's a relatively few number of those in circulation. I do think that the lack of actors. One potential thing that stands out to me is that this was actually released on Thanksgiving. So you might have had a bit of a skeleton crew and there could be be some economizing. I do like that. We did get a bit of, you know, Casey's just, you know, soft guys, soft side. You know, somebody's in trouble, they need help and Casey, you know, will go out of his way to help them. And I think that's true. You know, in the pulps as well as on the radio program, the commercials were something that Dr. Webb had issue with, particularly the, in the middle of the episode commercials. And I tend to agree with him. Some of those in episode commercials he mentioned comedy programs and some that I can think of, or Burns and Allen, you know, great commercials that got worked into the story. And even if you want to look at more of a dramatic program with Martin Kane on television, they actually did these same sort of embedded commercials and it worked on the Martin Kane TV show because, you know, the tobacconist, he was like a regular character. And you know, Martin Kane had a reason for going in there. You know, Ethelbert doesn't really have a good reason to be discussing Tony's home permanent. And so that, that, that's a bit awkward and I don't think works as well. There are others too, that I think are, you know, if not like completely awkward, they're just kind of a waste of time. Lum and Abner for General Electric, those commercials, there's no humor and there's just not a whole lot of value in them. So it's a tricky thing. I will say that I did like the singing commercial later on. I thought that one was pretty cute. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Murph McB, Patreon supporter since February, currently supporting us at the chalmers level of $4 or more per month. Well, that will do it for today. If you are enjoying this podcast, please rate and review it wherever you're downloading this podcast from. Now, I will note as we close that it's really rare for us to have Thanksgiving detective programs. We've had a total of four in 14 years and two of them have been episodes of Casey Crom, Photographer. And I don't actually expect we'll have any additional detective episodes with a Thanksgiving theme. But if you do find yourself hungry for more Thanksgiving old time radio goodness, then I encourage you to take your plate and go over to a second helping over on a amazing world of radio. Amazing. Great. Detectives.net there. On Wednesday we will have our annual Thanksgiving special. Of course, we will be back next Monday with another episode of Casey Crom, Photographer. But coming up tomorrow, we'll have an episode of Jeff Regan where Arthur Drake.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Mirabel's husband, had bought 500,000 worms 12 months ago from Myron Balak. The worms had cost 5,000 bucks. Mirabel's prize winnings converted to cash. They'd started a worm farm. The algebra of the multiplication of worms began to get out of hand. The way Mirabel told it. So I said, maybe we better get out to her place and get the dope straight from the worm grower's mouth. She said, okay. The Drake place was on the El Segundo flats between LA and the ocean. Rancho Gusano in the Spanish Worm Ranch. That meant clapboard house, tin mailbox, gasoline cans and orange crates lying around the yard. I thought of a beautiful kid like Mirabelle Drake living in a place like that. And then all of a sudden I was thinking of something else.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Oh my heavens. Arthur shot himself.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Come on, baby. Those shots came from out the back of the house. I ran around to the back of the tumbled down house. Mirabel Drake 15 seconds in back of me. Yeah, but Arthur Drake hadn't shot himself. There was a third shot just as I rounded the corner of the house and I saw a tall gaunt guy in overalls. He had an old fashioned Springfield rifle in his hands and when he saw me, he shouldered it. Stop now. You sure?

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Sure.

[Podcast Host Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13reatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter RadioDetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com RadioDetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Limu Emu and Doug here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates.

[Ms. Annie Williams]

Excludes Massachusetts 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 Granger to stay fully stocked on the product 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 granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Limu Emu And Doug here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds of with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Narrator/Casey Crime Photographer (Stokes Cotsworth)]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Commercial Announcer]

Liberty Savings Ferry. Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.