Summary of "Casey, Crime Photographer: King of the Apes (Encore)" (EP4752)

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Daily Mystery Dramas
• Host: Adam Graham
• Episode: Casey, Crime Photographer: King of the Apes (Encore) (EP4752)
• Release Date: July 10, 2025

Overview

In this thrilling installment of "Casey, Crime Photographer," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, where Casey and his team delve into the mysterious and perilous world of circuses. The episode, titled "King of the Apes," weaves a captivating tale of jealousy, deceit, and murder centered around a renowned circus act featuring Charles King and his intelligent orangutans.

Plot Summary

Setting the Scene ([02:23] - [07:00])

The episode opens at the bustling Blue Note Cafe in Lancaster, Ohio, where Casey and his colleague Ann Williams discuss their annual assignment: covering the circus's feature act, "King of the Apes." They express skepticism about the act's portrayal, noting that the advertised "20 or 30 giant gorillas" are, in reality, six highly trained orangutans under the control of King Charles.

Introduction to Key Characters ([07:00] - [12:00])

Casey and Ann meet Charles King and his wife, Bernice King, who introduce them to their team, including Johannes Fleet and Tyann, a Dayak tribesman from Borneo. Charles boasts about the intelligence and training of his orangutans, particularly Nimbu and Dillinger. However, underlying tensions surface when Charles reprimands Fleet for his jealousy and Tyann for his drinking habits.

Uncovering Suspicious Activities ([12:00] - [19:00])

As Casey observes the interactions between the humans and apes, he becomes suspicious of the unnatural behavior exhibited by the orangutans. Notably, an expert from the zoo reveals that Nimbu was not naturally sick but had been drugged. Concurrently, Fleet's erratic behavior and his proximity to both Charles and Bernice raise red flags.

The Murder and Investigation ([19:00] - [24:30])

The plot thickens with the sudden murder of Luigi Fenelli, Charles's boyfriend, found dead with a murder weapon linked to Tyann. However, Casey's intuition leads him to distrust Tyann's confession, suspecting Fleet's involvement. Leverage and strategy come into play as Casey devises a plan to expose Fleet's duplicity by manipulating Dillinger's behavior.

Climactic Confrontation ([24:30] - [27:10])

The tension culminates in a dramatic showdown where Fleet attempts to eliminate Bernice King to cover his tracks. A fierce struggle ensues, resulting in Fleet's death at the hands of Dillinger, the very orangutan he sought to use as an instrument of murder. Charles King survives the ordeal, and justice is served, revealing Fleet as the true antagonist.

Key Characters

• Casey Crime Photographer: The astute and observant protagonist who unravels the mystery.
• Ann Williams: Casey's colleague, providing support and keen insights.
• Charles King: Renowned circus owner and performer, owner of the intelligent orangutans.
• Bernice King: Charles's wife, whose emotional facade hides deeper motives.
• Johannes Fleet: Chief assistant with dubious motives, ultimately revealed as the murderer.
• Tyann: Dayak tribesman from Borneo, initially suspected but later cleared as Fleet's pawn.

Notable Quotes

• Casey on the Orangutans ([05:19] Casey): "Now, circus posters underrate a little bit, Applebert. The 20 or 30 giant gorillas are really six orangutans."
• Charles King on Orangutan Intelligence ([09:39] Charles King): "The orangutan is found only in Borneo and Samatla. In size, he is the second of the great apes ranking next to the gorilla."
• Casey's Suspicion ([22:03] Casey): "He knows more about big apes than King does. I think Johannes Fleet doped Nimbu and gave that cry that caused Dillinger to kill King."
• Ethelbert on Poetic Justice ([22:05] Ethelbert): "We're seeing a nice example of poetic justice. Mrs. King has Fleet arrange her husband's death so she can have Fenelli. And then Tyenne destroys the man she wanted and himself at the same time."

Host's Commentary and Insights

After the dramatization, Adam Graham offers insightful commentary on the episode:

• Circus as Entertainment: He highlights the role of circuses before the advent of television, emphasizing their significance in providing entertainment and showcasing exotic animals to audiences who otherwise lacked access to zoos. “Circuses really were highly regarded before television as this source of entertainment...” ([32:28]).

• Cultural Accuracy: Graham appreciates the accurate representation of the Dayak people, noting that they are a real ethnic group with diverse subgroups and languages. “The Dayak people were not something that were made up by Alonzo Dean Cole. That's an actual people group...” ([32:28]).

• Listener Engagement: He thanks Patreon supporters, encourages listener interaction through ratings and reviews, and promotes upcoming episodes and features on their website and social media platforms.

Conclusion

"King of the Apes" serves as a masterful blend of suspense and detective work, showcasing Casey's relentless pursuit of truth and justice. Through clever storytelling and rich character development, the episode not only entertains but also offers a glimpse into the complexities of human-animal relationships and the dark undercurrents that can exist beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic performances. Adam Graham's post-episode analysis deepens the listener's appreciation for the historical and cultural contexts portrayed, making it a memorable entry in the "Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" series.