
Christopher London is hired by a sugar magnate to find out how one of his competitors is massively underselling him. However, London finds the case far more dangerous than he thought. Original Radio Broadcast: February 26, 1950 Originating in...
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Adam Graham
From Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham, and welcome to Barton Yarborough Week. This particular series was inspired by people who were curious about Barton Yarborough after the first final episodes of Dragnet featuring him prior to his death in late 1951, there was some curiosity about his work, while his most culturally significant performances in One Man's Family and I Love a Mystery have been, sadly, mostly lost. Yarborough was also a radio character actor who played so many characters in so many different types of persons programs, including many detective programs, and that's what we're featuring here. Every encore from Monday through Friday features Barton Yarborough in a different role, whether it is as a supporting character, a sidekick, or the villain. We'll get a little bit of a sample of his acting talent and then the whole week culminates over on the Great Adventures of Old Time Radio which where we feature a Barton Yarborough heavy episode of the Amazing World of Radio. As always, please note that all of these episodes are quite old, so any offers or information contained in the episodes may not be valid unless they're currently on our Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website. But now, welcome to Barton Yarborough Week.
Adam Graham (Host Commentary)
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. Box 13@greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 and become one of our friends over on Facebook facebook.com RadioDetectives well, before we do get started, I want to encourage you, if you can, to support our listener support campaign. Special thanks to Joel who gave in support of the show for sending access to our premium site and also one of the extras available, which include digital downloads of the Colonial Radio Theater's programs including Father Brown, Perry Mason, Treasure Island. Just a wide variety of different shows we are making available for you to enjoy at the $50 donation level we send. One option that's available is additional downloads from BBC Audio, including several Poirot Mysteries available and we also have Amazon Instant Video that will be sent. You can watch it on an eligible device or on your computer through Amazon Instant Video. Your choice of several Poirot Television movies starring David Suchet, including Appointment with Death, the Third Girl and Murder on the links. And we have even more Options available at support.greatdetectives.net well, we have two lost episodes between last week's show and this one. The titles are unknown and the title of this week's episode is a very different episode, I think. I hope you're going to enjoy it. From February 26th of 1950, here now is episode 6 of Christopher the Terrible
Narrator/Christopher London
Price of Sugar with a knife in his back. A nameless Filipino in San Francisco with
Christopher London (Protagonist)
a bullet in her body.
Narrator/Christopher London
A girl in Mid Pacific. But there were others. There were so many others. 8,000 of them on an island in the Philippines.
Narrator/Announcer
The National Broadcasting Company presents Christopher London. Created especially for radio by the world's foremost mystery writer, Earl Stanley Gardner. Produced and directed by William N. Robeson and starring Mr. Glenn Ford.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I am Christopher London. The whole thing started with a vague conversation about the murder of an unknown Filipino. Mr. Anders, president of the San Francisco Sugar Company, either could not or would not say what, if anything, he suspected.
Narrator/Christopher London
I'm sorry, Mr. London, I can't tell
Narrator/Announcer
you what I think because I don't
Narrator/Christopher London
know what I think.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I get the impression that it's not the murder that worries you.
Narrator/Christopher London
Why should it? I never saw the man. No idea who he was or why he tried to get to me. A knife in his back. The doctors wonder how he ever made it to my door.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
A knife in his back with your name and address in his pocket and his body terribly scarred as if he'd
Narrator/Christopher London
been beaten for years. Yes, it's all very mysterious, but the police are investigating I suppose they'll learn the truth in time. That's not what I wanted to see you about.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
What else then?
Narrator/Christopher London
The price of sugar. The price of sugar. Exactly. Now, this is all I can tell you.
Linda Anders
Uncle Ted, I wonder.
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, come in there. Oh, this is Christopher London. I niece, Linda.
Linda Anders
I've heard about you, Mr. London.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Now, whatever you've heard, I deny every word of it.
Linda Anders
Is Mr. London sailing with me, Uncle
Narrator/Christopher London
T. Maybe on the same ship would be a better way to put it. Yes, my dear. I want him to go to Manila.
Linda Anders
Oh, then you better go, Mr. London, whether you want to or not. You're as good as a board ship already.
Narrator/Christopher London
Well, I'd better get ashore, Mr. London.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
There's still a few minutes.
Narrator/Christopher London
Yeah, I suppose. How do you like the stateroom?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Oh, it's very elegant.
Narrator/Christopher London
Good. Now, is there anything else you want to know?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
You want me to find out how a company named Southern Cross is able to go on underselling your product, and that's all.
Narrator/Christopher London
That's all. Frankly, Mr.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Frankly, Mr. Anders, I don't get the
Narrator/Christopher London
reason for all this outlay of money this state rooms. Don't you? Maybe it's because if you don't come back, I'd like to think you died at luxury. Let's go in the show. Well, London will be waiting for me at the gangway. Keep an eye on her, will you? And look out for yourself, too. The ship was beautiful.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
The night was dark and the sea was calm. Hawaii was a long way beyond the horizon, and Manila and the Philippines still farther. The girl beside me at the rail was very, very lovely. She sighed rather happily and said.
Linda Anders
My uncle said you'd probably ask me a love question.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Did he, Ms. Anders?
Linda Anders
Won't Linda do?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Linda. Christopher, now that we've got that settled, let's get back to the questions your
Narrator/Christopher London
uncle said I would ask. Did he say what they'd be?
Linda Anders
Not exactly.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Well, did he say what your answers would be?
Narrator/Christopher London
Not exactly.
Linda Anders
Shall we walk around the deck?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
We walked once around the deck, and then we went into the cocktail lounge and had a coffee and brandy at a little table in a quiet corner.
Linda Anders
You know, Christopher, I think this is going to be a good voyage.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I hope it is. Have you ever been out to Manila before?
Jim Blake
No.
Linda Anders
Lots of times. I've gone with my uncle every time he went. Ever since I can remember. I. My parents died when I was a baby, if that explains anything.
Narrator/Christopher London
It does a little.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I suppose you know a lot about
Narrator/Christopher London
your uncle's business, then.
Linda Anders
That's one of the questions he said you'd ask me.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
And the answer.
Linda Anders
The answer is yes. I think I know as much about his business as he does.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
You're a very interesting girl, Linda.
Linda Anders
You know, that's what I always say. I always say, linda, you're a very interesting girl. Oh, don't look now. There's a man coming.
Jim Blake
You don't know me and I don't know you. But that ain't no reason why we can't yell at each other over the fence, now, is it? I'm Jim Blake from Texas, a Lone Star state. And where I go, I buy the drinks. Waiter.
Narrator/Christopher London
Coming soon.
Linda Anders
Won't you sit down, Mr. Blake?
Jim Blake
I am sitting, ma'.
Narrator/Christopher London
Am.
Jim Blake
My name's Blake.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Yes, that's what I thought you said. One of the New Jersey Blakes, no doubt.
Jim Blake
Now, you know, that is real funny.
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, I'm sorry.
Jim Blake
People's always joking me about Texas. What'd you say your name was?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I didn't say. However, it's London.
Narrator/Christopher London
Christopher London.
Jim Blake
Well, I'm mighty glad to know you, Chris. What'll you and Mrs. London have.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
15 or 20 years later? Linda and I pride ourselves out of
Narrator/Christopher London
the heart of Texas.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
She said she was tired, so I took her to her stateroom door. Good night, Linda.
Narrator/Christopher London
Sleep well.
Linda Anders
Oh, come in for a minute.
Narrator/Christopher London
What? All right, just for a minute.
Linda Anders
There's something I want to give you. Sit down while I find it. Maria. Not finished yet? No, ma', am, but pretty.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Linda's personal maid, a pretty girl from the islands, was still unpacking trunks. In a moment, Linda returned with a small decorated jewel case in her hand.
Linda Anders
Here it is, Christopher. Keep it for me, will you?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Oh, now, look, if this is jewelry, you'd better give it to the purser.
Narrator/Christopher London
Keep it safe.
Linda Anders
It's not jewelry.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Oh, and do you mind if I
Narrator/Christopher London
ask just what it.
Linda Anders
Well, it's nothing. It's just that I'd rather you kept it.
Narrator/Christopher London
All right.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Good night, Linda.
Linda Anders
Until tomorrow, Christopher.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I took the jewel case back to my stateroom and found that somebody had shoved a note under my door. It read, take off that beard.
Narrator/Christopher London
We know you. The writer had a sense of humor.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
But in my experience, the most dangerous enemies are those that laugh. I took a closer look at the little jewel case. It had one of those intricate Chinese locks that are easy to break, but not easy to open without the proper key. I put the box in a pillowcase and carried it to the office of the ship's doctor.
Narrator/Christopher London
Now, what can I do for you, Mr. London?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Your laboratory is equipped with X ray I suppose, Doctor.
Narrator/Christopher London
Yes, of course.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Well, I know this sounds a little strange, but I wonder if you'd take
Narrator/Christopher London
a picture of this box here just as it is.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
It was exactly what I expected. I carried the box back to my stateroom, shoved it under the bunk and went to bed. I don't know how long I'd been
Narrator/Christopher London
asleep when suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I was out of bed like a shot. Just a second.
Narrator/Christopher London
Yes, please.
Linda Anders
I'm just asking if you will come at once.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
What?
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, yes, yes, all right.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I'll be there in a minute. Put on a pair of pants and shirt, hurried into the corridor and collided with.
Jim Blake
Where you're going, can't you? Oh, why, Howdy, London.
Narrator/Christopher London
Sorry.
Jim Blake
Hurry.
Linda Anders
Come in, Christopher.
Narrator/Christopher London
What's the matter?
Linda Anders
Well, nothing's the matter. I just couldn't sleep and I was lonely.
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, no. Look, look, do you realize it's 2:00am
Linda Anders
well, of course, if you'd rather go back to bed.
Narrator/Christopher London
All right, all right.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
What do you want to do?
Linda Anders
Would you like to play some gin rummy?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
No, I wouldn't like to play some gin rummy.
Linda Anders
Well, men love to talk about themselves. Let's talk about you.
Narrator/Christopher London
Okay. Get the cards.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
We played a few hands in silence.
Narrator/Christopher London
And then Linda asked Christopher.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
What?
Linda Anders
What did you think of Mr. Blake, the lone Star stranger?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
You ever been in Texas?
Linda Anders
No. Why?
Narrator/Christopher London
I wonder if he has.
Linda Anders
You mean, you think.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Oh, forget it.
Narrator/Christopher London
I've got gin.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
And now if you think that I've been away from my cabin long enough, I'm going back.
Linda Anders
Away from your cabin long enough? I don't understand.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Well, I just wondered if that precious jewel box of yours would still be there.
Linda Anders
Christopher, you don't think somebody's taken it?
Narrator/Christopher London
Would it make any difference?
Linda Anders
You opened it. But you had to break the lock off, didn't you?
Narrator/Christopher London
Why? What are you talking about?
Linda Anders
Because the lock was filled with solder. It couldn't be opened.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Well, I didn't open the case, Linda.
Linda Anders
Then why are you so casual about it?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Because it was filled to the top with just what you said was in it.
Narrator/Christopher London
Nothing but.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
No, I'll save you the trouble of asking. I had the thing X rayed.
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, yes, you can say that again.
Linda Anders
Oh, forgive me, Christopher. It was just a sort of a trial. My uncle and I wanted to be sure you were clever enough for this job. And you are clever, Christopher, really clever. You're the only man I ever met who's smarter than I. Christopher, would you consider kissing me good night?
Narrator/Christopher London
Yeah, I'll consider it.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
When I finally got back to my stateroom. The jewel case was no longer under
Narrator/Christopher London
the bed where I'd put it.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
But I think that as I went to sleep again, I may have had
Narrator/Christopher London
a smile on my face.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
The days that followed were filled with shuffleboard, and the nights were filled with dancing. Jim Blake, the Texas steer, was usually close by, but in time. Well, in time he got used to him. As you would a bad head cold. Every night when I turned in, I could expect to find another humorous little message tucked under my door, such as, roses are red, violets are blue, sugar
Narrator/Christopher London
is sweet, and you'll be a long time dead.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Meanwhile, in odd moments with Linda, I managed to get a little more information about sugar growing and refining. One moonlit night when we were together on the boat deck.
Linda Anders
Isn't it magic, darling? Isn't it simply magic? Christopher, I'm talking to you.
Jim Blake
What?
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry.
Linda Anders
What are you thinking about?
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, sugar, I guess.
Jim Blake
Oh.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Now, you say this Southern Cross company is selling sugar at a price that
Narrator/Christopher London
is actually below your cost?
Linda Anders
That's right.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Well, are your costs higher than they should be?
Linda Anders
They're as low as any in the industry, and I don't want to talk about it now, darling.
Jim Blake
Oh.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Perhaps they may have developed some new and better method of refining.
Linda Anders
Possibly. That's what you're supposed to find out. Christopher, I'm cold.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
A few days after leaving Honolulu, on the way to Manila, we entered a bank of thick fog, like a damp, clinging shroud. And it was in the fog that tragedy struck suddenly and without warning. I was standing at the rail near the stern, looking out at nothing, listening to the foghorn and the beat of the ship's engines. When I couldn't see a thing, I ran in the direction of the sound. Groping through the fog, I found. I found a white coat flapping emptily, caught in a boat davit.
Narrator/Christopher London
It was Linda's coat.
Narrator/Announcer
You are listening to Christopher London, starring Glenn Ford.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
It was an apparently harmless mission that Anders had asked me to undertake simply to find out how it was possible for a rival sugar refining company to undersell his product. Mr. Anders had warned me that the job might be dangerous, and so it was. I stood on deck in the swirling fog, holding Linda's coat in my hands and feeling sick at heart. The liner's searchlights were vainly glaring through the mist, but it was useless, and everybody knew it. I started for the radio room to send a message to Anders when a vague figure moved behind me.
Linda Anders
Christopher. Who was it?
Narrator/Christopher London
Linda.
Linda Anders
What's the matter? And what are you doing with my coat? I told Maria to wear it when I sent her to look for you. And then. Christopher. Was it Maria?
Narrator/Christopher London
I'm afraid so.
Linda Anders
Oh, poor Maria.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
An hour or so later, I found Texas Jim Blake in the bar.
Jim Blake
Well, howdy, London. Double scotch and soda for my friend here.
Narrator/Christopher London
Very good, sir.
Jim Blake
That was right nasty business about Ms.
Narrator/Christopher London
Anders maid, wasn't it?
Jim Blake
Understand? You think you heard a shot?
Narrator/Christopher London
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I. I heard a shot.
Jim Blake
Real on me. Who do you think would have wanted to kill that poor girl If I was in charge of this boat? I'd look for a gun that had been fired lately.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Well, I doubt if you'd find it at the bottom of the ocean.
Jim Blake
You think you'd throw it overboard?
Narrator/Christopher London
Wouldn't you?
Jim Blake
Well, now, I suppose I would. That reminds me of a story I heard about a cowpoke back in Texas. Seems to even Mr. Blake, do you
Christopher London (Protagonist)
ever get tired of that accent?
Jim Blake
How's that?
Narrator/Christopher London
What?
Jim Blake
I just talk the way folks talk in Texas. This ain't no accent, son. That's Texas talk.
Narrator/Christopher London
Yeah, okay, okay.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Oh, by the way, were you in Dallas or Galveston when Maria was shot and pitched over the side?
Jim Blake
London, let me ask you a simple question. Why do you care where I was
Narrator/Christopher London
at when that shot was fired?
Jim Blake
You think I killed her?
Narrator/Christopher London
Did you?
Jim Blake
In Texas?
Narrator/Christopher London
Yes, yes, I know in Texas they
Christopher London (Protagonist)
shoot men for less than that.
Jim Blake
You're joking me again, London. You know, London, I've been thinking. Now, naturally I know Ms. Lennon. Her uncle is interested in the sugar business in the Philippines. And just as it happens, I got an interest in sugar myself. I'm from Stockton. A company named the Southern Cross. You ever hear of it?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Southern Cross sugar. Yeah, sure, I've heard of it. They got a plantation of something like 50 square miles on the island of Negroes, haven't they?
Jim Blake
Yeah, fair 50 square miles of sugar cane. That's what they tell us poor stockholders. But I'm from Texas, and I don't believe nothing that I don't see. Folks that run this indig say we can sell more sugar and cheaper than any other company in the world. Well, I got money in this proposition, Chris. Good Texas money. And I'm gonna see for myself. You and Ms. Linda wouldn't want to come along, would you? Sort of look over plantation with me?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Why, Mr. Blake, I just bet Ms. Linda and I would be charmed to look over the Southern Cross plantation with you.
Jim Blake
Oh, you always joking me, London. But I mean that invitation seriously.
Narrator/Christopher London
And I mean it Seriously.
Jim Blake
Well, Lynn, that is just wonderful. Tomorrow we'll be in Manila. I got me a boat waiting for me. And they tell me the trip to Negroes just ain't nothing. Have another drink.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
A little later, I went down to Linda's stateroom to escort her to dinner.
Linda Anders
All right, Christopher, I'm ready.
Narrator/Christopher London
Linda, I've been talking to Jim Blake.
Linda Anders
Oh, the Texas steer?
Narrator/Christopher London
He's not funny. I think he's a killer. Yes.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I think he tried to kill you
Narrator/Christopher London
and got Maria instead.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Now he wants you and me to visit the Southern Cross plantation.
Narrator/Christopher London
Says he has Texas money in it.
Linda Anders
But why, Christopher? I don't understand. Why would he?
Narrator/Christopher London
Either a trap or a showcase. I don't know.
Linda Anders
Well, I still don't understand.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Neither do I. Whatever it is, though, you're going to stay in Manila while I take a look at it. There's no point in us both taking a chance. I left Linda in Manila at the local office of her uncle's company. Blake and I went on together to the island of Negros and the huge Southern Cross plantation. It rained constantly, and the growl of distant thunder was almost continuous. The director of the plantation was a suave, expressionless fellow named Juan Ibarra, who used words as if he were translating from another language.
Narrator/Christopher London
Coming from the south, he's Paduela Senoris, buried by the storm.
Jim Blake
If you haven't been in the Texas storm, you don't know what a storm is really like. What time is it, Chris?
Narrator/Christopher London
It's about 4.
Jim Blake
Well, now, let me see. We've done pretty well for one day's inspection. We've gone through the refinery from top
Narrator/Christopher London
to bottom, saw the loading dock, drove through one of the fields of sugar cane.
Jim Blake
Well, what do you say we'd go back to house and have us drink?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I could use one. Blake, While we drove back to the director's house, I asked a few innocent questions. Ibarra, tell me, how many men does it take to do the work in
Narrator/Christopher London
a place this size?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
It takes seven, 8,000, maybe.
Narrator/Christopher London
Seven?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Oh, that's a lot of men.
Narrator/Christopher London
Where do you keep them?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Where do I keep them?
Narrator/Christopher London
Yes.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I mean, where do they live? See, on the plantation here they live. I know that.
Jim Blake
Hey, Chris, I've been thinking about that refinement. Are you much of an engineer?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Enough to understand the simple process as refining sugar? It seemed like a good plant. As you say, Senor London, the plant is good.
Narrator/Christopher London
But it is just the same. Like many others. No difference. Yes. Yes, I suppose so.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I was asking about the workers on the place.
Narrator/Christopher London
What's that? No.
Narrator/Announcer
Wait a minute.
Narrator/Christopher London
Stop the car.
Linda Anders
Look.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I said stop the car.
Narrator/Christopher London
No.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Senior London, it is not to be wise to interfere. They're whipping that poor devil to death.
Jim Blake
Maybe he deserves it. Hi, Bar.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Nobody could deserve punishment like that. It is the only thing the bad ones understand, senor. And the subject was dropped just like that. Few moments later, Ibarra led Blake and me out in front of the plantation house and drove the Jeep away to the garage. For a moment we stood together in the rain.
Narrator/Christopher London
He seemed a little subdued.
Jim Blake
Too bad about what we seen back there. I guess they ain't real human nor. They're more like animals.
Narrator/Christopher London
Would you beat a horse or a
Jim Blake
dog to death as a stockholder in this here plantation? I'm gonna talk to you, Bar, about that. You coming in?
Narrator/Christopher London
No, no. You go on ahead.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I'll be right with you.
Jim Blake
Okay. I sure am sulking.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Rain.
Narrator/Christopher London
Ain't nothing like Texas rain, though there
Christopher London (Protagonist)
was something ominous about the place. Not just the steady rain or the thunder grumbling in the distance. Not just the cruelty I had glimpsed
Narrator/Christopher London
in the sudden jungle. Now it was something more.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
It was something worse than I was
Narrator/Christopher London
willing to let myself believe.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
As I entered the house, I saw that the living room was dark and apparently deserted. But there was a log blazing in the fireplace. So, feeling damp and cold, I went
Narrator/Christopher London
and held my hands to its warmth.
Linda Anders
Senor London?
Narrator/Christopher London
What?
Narrator/Announcer
Oh.
Narrator/Christopher London
Well, hello.
Linda Anders
I am Dolores, Senor London.
Narrator/Christopher London
Hello, Dolores.
Linda Anders
I was told you like scotch and soda.
Narrator/Christopher London
Yes.
Linda Anders
I have a drink all ready for you here by the fire. You drink for me too?
Narrator/Christopher London
Well, you or somebody seems to think of everything. No, thanks. You're Mrs. Ibarra, I suppose?
Linda Anders
No, senor. I am just Dolores.
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh.
Linda Anders
Is your drink as you would have
Narrator/Christopher London
it is Just right, Dolores, senor? Yes, Dolores.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Just right.
Linda Anders
Hi. How can I say? I had expected you to be the same like other friends of the Cakey Bar. But you are different. So we are different.
Narrator/Christopher London
Save it. I suppose you were told to get me to talk another time. It might be kind of pleasant to play that game. But not tonight. There's something I want to ask you, even though I don't expect an answer. If I asked you to come away with me, away from this plantation, right now, tonight, would they let us go? I.
Linda Anders
I do not know.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
That's the answer I expected. I'm gonna change it to some dry clothes. How long she'd been standing there in the doorway, I don't know.
Narrator/Christopher London
I hadn't heard a sound. But as I turned away from Dolores. And started to my room.
Linda Anders
Hello, Christopher.
Narrator/Christopher London
Linda. I told you not to come.
Linda Anders
Aren't you glad to see me?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Now, Linda, I wasn't hired to be your companion or your bodyguard.
Narrator/Christopher London
Now I was hired to make one single investigation.
Linda Anders
Yes? How's the investigation going this time?
Narrator/Christopher London
Your uncle wants to know how Southern
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Cross is able to undersell him.
Narrator/Christopher London
I think I'm beginning to understand, Christopher.
Linda Anders
I got a wire in Manila for my uncle. He's making some kind of a deal. He wants you to drop the whole thing.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
And that was that. I was just to drop the whole thing. But the whole thing was something I couldn't drop. Too much blood had been shed. Late that night, when the others were
Narrator/Christopher London
asleep, I stole out of the house.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
The center of the storm had veered around to the east. And seemed somewhat nearer by the flashes of lightning. I found the road I was looking for. The road Ibarra had avoided during our tour of inspection. The path wound through the jungle for perhaps a quarter of a mile and
Narrator/Christopher London
then came to what was unmistakably a concentration camp.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
The miserable collection of shelters was completely surrounded by a high stockade of steel and barbed wire. The single gate was guarded by a sentry with a tommy gun. One look was enough.
Narrator/Christopher London
Now I knew the secret of the Southern Cross's success.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Forced labor, Slavery. I returned to the house and cautiously opened the door.
Jim Blake
Well, howdy, Chris. Been out walking, have you? Take his gun, Barf.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
It will be better you do not move, Senor.
Narrator/Christopher London
Gracias.
Linda Anders
Christopher, I told you to drop the whole thing. Now see what you've done? You've ruined everything.
Jim Blake
It's late, but I guess we don't feel much like sleeping now, do we? So let's just sit down in front of the spar and swap yarn.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Isn't one of the mob missing?
Narrator/Christopher London
Where's Dolores?
Jim Blake
We don't need her for this little party. Come here, baby. Come here and sit down beside me.
Linda Anders
All right, chief.
Jim Blake
No. Now, if we're all together, I'll call the meeting to order.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
What happened to that Texas draw, partner?
Jim Blake
I guess I'm just a big ham at heart.
Narrator/Christopher London
But it serves a purpose.
Jim Blake
With that twang, you can talk to anybody and get away with practically anything.
Linda Anders
Christopher. Sausage the night we sailed.
Jim Blake
Yeah, London's smart.
Narrator/Christopher London
He's a lot too smart for his own good.
Jim Blake
I kept telling him that on those notes I left for him under his cabin door.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Look, will I be interrupting if I ask a few questions?
Narrator/Christopher London
Questions? No, no, no. Go ahead. Well, first, about me.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I assume you have some kind of plan in mind?
Narrator/Christopher London
Oh, yes, yes, yes, that's what I figured.
Linda Anders
If only you'd listen to me, Christopher,
Narrator/Christopher London
before it was too late.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
This talk of nothing. Why can't we not dispose of sh. London without delay further? Take it easy.
Jim Blake
There's no hurry. Anything else you want to know?
Narrator/Christopher London
London?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
I think I already know most of it. I suppose the Filipino who was killed in San Francisco came from here.
Narrator/Christopher London
That's right.
Jim Blake
Managed to sneak off the place somehow.
Linda Anders
I see.
Narrator/Christopher London
Naturally, I had to kill him.
Linda Anders
That was close. I hate these stones.
Narrator/Christopher London
I didn't know you scared so easily, Linda. Oh, by the way, was it you
Christopher London (Protagonist)
who killed your maid?
Narrator/Christopher London
Maria?
Linda Anders
Well, I had to, Christopher. She caught Jenny together and guessed how it was. She said she was going to tell you, so. So I had to.
Narrator/Christopher London
You know, Linda, for a nice girl,
Christopher London (Protagonist)
you're something out of a nightmare.
Linda Anders
Christopher, you shouldn't talk to me like that. After all, it wasn't as if
Narrator/Christopher London
I
Jim Blake
think that hit the house.
Narrator/Announcer
Listen, I would go.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
There was a split second of confusion. But a split second can be the difference between life and death. I threw myself at Blake, slamming my shoulder into his chest, and we crashed to the floor. I got out of there with a broken left arm and a revolver. I don't know whether it was Blake's or Ibarra's. I don't know how much damage I did, but at least there was nobody following me. As I retraced the road to the
Narrator/Christopher London
slave stockade, a sentry was standing at the gate holding a tommy gun cradled in his arm. I got as close to him as I could, sheltered by the trunk of a huge mahogany tree less than 15ft from the gate.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
And then he heard me.
Narrator/Christopher London
Who was there?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Now listen to me very carefully. I'm giving you a chance to save your life. Drop your gun and open that gate.
Narrator/Christopher London
Who are you?
Christopher London (Protagonist)
A friend. Open the gate and let those men
Jim Blake
out
Christopher London (Protagonist)
and I'll give you one more chance.
Narrator/Christopher London
I don't want to hurt you.
Christopher London (Protagonist)
Let those men out. Well, if that's the way it's got to be.
Narrator/Christopher London
And Linda? She's dead too? Yes, Mr. Anders, with the others. When the men streamed out of the stockade, there was no stopping them. But she died instantly with her bullet through her heart. What she did sounds as impossible as all the rest of it. Then actual slavery sounds impossible, too. Have you any idea how much actual slavery still exists in the world today? It's not a comforting thought, but one
Christopher London (Protagonist)
we can't afford not to think about.
Narrator/Christopher London
Freedom is still something to fight for.
Narrator/Announcer
That was Christopher London, starring Glenn Ford and created especially for radio by the world's most widely read mystery writer, Earl Stanley Gardner. Christopher London is produced and directed by William N. Robeson and was tonight written by Mindwith Lord. Musical score was composed and conducted by Lynn Murray. The supporting company included Joan Banks, Virginia Gregg, Barton Yarborough, Ted decorphius, Alan Reed and Ben Wright. Mystery fans, you'll find two other great house packed adventure programs on most of these NBC stations every Monday night. Listen tomorrow night for Night Beat and Dangerous Assignment. In one hour of intrigue and adventure on NBC on Night Beat you'll meet Randy Stone as portrayed by Frank Lovejoy. You'll travel the night beat of a newspaper with Randy as he searches the big city for a story to make good reading in the morning edition. Then it's time for Brian Donlevy and Dangerous Assignment. Wherever there's trouble brewing throughout the world, there you'll find Soldier of Fortune Don Levy chasing down the forces of evil
Narrator/Christopher London
to their very layers.
Narrator/Announcer
These two programs, Night Beat and Dangerous Assignment add up to one hour of the best in action packed adventure mystery. And you'll hear them both tomorrow night on NBC and be with us again next week at this time when Christopher London returns with another exciting excursion against crime. Stay tuned for the Phil Harris's and then Sam Spade on NBC.
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Adam Graham (Host Commentary)
Welcome back. Well, this was one of the more dramatic radio programs. This is, this is actually one of my favorite ever of any program. This was well done, dramatic with a lot of surprises and twists and turns and I loved it as much the second time as I did the first time. I listened to it quite a while back. This is definitely a show with some staying power and this timeless battle for freedom. Alright, well that will actually do it for today. Comments from podcast greatly enjoy the shows. Thank you so much for your support. We will be back on Wednesday with Let George do it. In the meanwhile, send your comments to box 13@greatdetectives.net give us a call 208-99-14783 and become one of our friends on Facebook, facebook.com radiodetactives but from Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham signing off.
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Narrator/Christopher London
Com.
Episode: Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar (Encore) (EP4951)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: April 13, 2026
This dramatic episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio features an encore presentation of "Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar," an electrifying radio mystery originally broadcast in 1950. Hosted by Adam Graham as a special part of Barton Yarborough Week, the episode not only showcases Yarborough’s versatile radio talent but also delivers a suspenseful tale created by Erle Stanley Gardner and brought to life by Glenn Ford as Christopher London. The story intertwines a corporate investigation with a chilling secret lurking beneath the tropical veneer of sugar plantations in the Philippines, weaving together themes of murder, exploitation, and the enduring fight for freedom.
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:37 | Introduction to Barton Yarborough Week | | 05:21 | Beginning of the Christopher London dramatization | | 07:00 | Linda Anders and the voyage to Manila | | 11:18 | The mysterious jewel case and threats | | 13:54 | Linda's test of Christopher | | 15:00 | Sinister warning message | | 16:23 | Maria’s murder discovered | | 22:19 | Whipping incident hints at deeper exploitation | | 26:38 | Discovery of the hidden concentration camp | | 27:49 | Blake drops his Texan accent/betrayal revealed | | 28:54 | Linda confesses to killing her own maid, Maria | | 29:08 | Violent escape and the revolt on the plantation | | 31:03 | Closing reflection on the theme of slavery and freedom | | 33:25 | Adam Graham’s post-show commentary |
The episode blends classic radio drama suspense with a noir sensibility: witty detective banter, sinister undertones, and moments of existential reflection on good, evil, and the fight for justice. The host’s commentary is both enthusiastic and reverent, emphasizing the enduring impact of stories that challenge social complacency.
Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar stands out for its ambitious plot—melding a whodunit, corporate intrigue, romance, and a hard-hitting social message about exploitation and the undiminished relevance of fighting for freedom. Through memorable characters and escalating tension, the episode delivers both entertainment and a call to conscience—echoing for modern audiences just as it did in radio’s golden age. Host Adam Graham’s passion for old time radio and the legacy of Barton Yarborough frame the episode as both a tribute and a reminder of radio mystery’s lasting cultural power.