Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode: Cloak and Dagger – The Secret Box (A0018)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: September 13, 2025
Audio Drama: Cloak and Dagger, “The Secret Box” (original airdate: July 23, 1950)

Main Theme

This episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio showcases a classic wartime espionage drama from “Cloak and Dagger.” “The Secret Box” is a suspenseful, true-to-life account of an OSS (Office of Strategic Services) mission in the Burmese jungle during World War II. It follows American agent Johnny Marco, his comrade Harry Stevens, and their harrowing journey behind enemy lines to retrieve a Japanese prisoner—with help from a mysterious box of magic tricks.

Key Discussion Points and Episode Flow

1. Introduction & Mission Setup (03:44–04:38)

• The story is introduced by Harry Stevens, establishing the backdrop: an OSS mission based on real events.
• Johnny Marco, a wisecracking agent with a background in show business, is summoned to extract a valuable Japanese prisoner from deep within enemy territory in Burma.
• Agent “Mrs. Terry,” an unassuming British missionary widow, and her right-hand man Lin Tao are revealed as local allies coordinating the prisoner handoff.
  • Notable quote by Mrs. Terry:
    “One would never suspect I was an agent … Naturally.” (07:49)

2. The Airstrip Rendezvous & Unexpected Allies (06:41–09:06)

• Marco and Stevens nervously circle a landing area camouflaged amidst jungle brush.
• Natives quickly reveal a hidden landing strip, illustrating the risks and ingenuity employed by guerrilla allies.
• Mrs. Terry hands over their reluctant Japanese prisoner, Colonel Sawaka, noting:
  • “He resisted arrest rather strenuously, so it was impossible to avoid banging him around a bit.” (09:31)

3. In-Flight Hijinks & Betrayal (10:16–13:19)

• The flight back is tense—Marco uses comedy to defuse nerves, trying his jokes on the taciturn prisoner.
• Suddenly, Sawaka reveals he speaks English and seizes control of the situation with a hidden gun, forcing the Americans to comply.
  • Notable quote – Colonel Sawaka:
    “If you do not do as you are told, I put a bullet through your head. I thank you.” (12:07)
• Sawaka attempts to parachute to safety but is outsmarted and ejected mid-air by Harry's quick maneuvers. He survives the jump and escapes into the jungle.

4. Survival and the Jungle Ordeal (13:41–21:36)

• The damaged plane forces a crash landing; Harry is wounded and trapped in a tree, needing rescue.
• Mrs. Terry and Lin Tao reappear, orchestrating a daring rescue and patching Harry up.
  • Notable moment: Marco contemplates mercy-killing his friend to prevent him from being captured or starving until help arrives, a genuinely tense and emotional highlight.
• With no working radio and cut off from headquarters, the team must trek back through miles of hazardous terrain, guided by Lin Tao and his jungle know-how.
  • Lin Tao provides clever survival tips—filtering water with leaves, forging safe paths, and instructing on keeping feet dry to avoid incapacitation.

5. Elephant Encounter & Tribal Danger (20:46–22:40)

• The group narrowly avoids disaster when an elephant stumbles upon their path.
• The biggest threat, however, arises when Lin Tao is suddenly killed by a thrown knife, and the Americans are captured by a tribe of headhunters, manipulated by Colonel Sawaka into believing the Americans are supernatural “white devils.”
  • Notable exchange:
    • "White devils. That was us." (22:40)
    • "Move, Quan Dun Lee. Move." (22:21)

6. The Secret Box–Magic for Survival (24:16–29:29)

• Awaiting execution alongside previous victims (“human heads on poles”), Marco hatches a life-saving plan: he performs sleight-of-hand magic using his “secret box” of tricks to awe the tribe.
  • Pulling coins out of ears, producing colored scarves, and a climactic display with a doll in a Japanese uniform, Marco frames himself and Harry as “friends” and Sawaka as the true evil spirit.
  • Notable exchange:
    • Marco: “See? See? Sign. Japanese is Kuandang Lee. God say so. Americans. Friends. Friends.” (29:29)
  • The tribe, convinced, turns on Sawaka, and the OSS agents secure their objective.

7. Mission Accomplished & Epilogue (29:32–30:09)

• The Americans safely deliver Colonel Sawaka to OSS HQ, where he provides crucial intelligence.
  • “And so, once again, the report of another OSS agent closes with the words ‘mission accomplished.’”

Host's Commentary and Analysis

8. Adam Graham’s Historical Context (32:44–36:16)

• Adam Graham draws comparisons to previous episodes, noting the diversity of OSS recruits and the use of civilian talents such as magic and performance.
  • “You get an illustration of how people in the OSS came from a lot of civilian backgrounds that came in handy in ways that you wouldn't expect.” (32:44)
• He sheds light on guest star Jerry Lester, best known as a comedian and early television host, and queries why NBC didn't better promote his dramatic radio debut.

9. Listener Comments and Q&A (36:16–40:38)

• Adam fields comments praising the unique storytelling style and the program’s blend of fact and fiction.
  • Listener compares the series to The Silent Man and Dangerous Assignment (“the storytelling of the Silent Man with the honest brutality of Tales of the Texas Rangers... with some music from Johnny Dollar.”).
• Graham discusses historical accuracy concerns and production realities—acknowledging that many episodes condense or fictionalize real events for drama.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Content | |-----------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:54 | Mrs. Terry | “One would never suspect I was an agent who had one… Naturally.” | | 12:07 | Sawaka | “If you do not do as you are told, I put a bullet through your head. I thank you.” | | 15:23 | Harry Stevens | “Just don't leave me here to starve. Marco, please. Please. Huh? Shoot me first through the head. Marco, please.” | | 16:53 | Mrs. Terry | “We saw the Japanese ack hit your plane almost immediately after you left us. And we came along to the jungle in case there should be need of us.” | | 22:40 | Johnny Marco | “White devils. That was us.” | | 29:29 | Johnny Marco | “See. See? Sign. Japanese is Kuandang Lee. God say so. Americans. Friends. Friends.” | | 32:44 | Adam Graham | “You get an illustration of how people in the OSS came from a lot of civilian backgrounds that came in handy in ways that you wouldn't expect.”|

Important Segments with Timestamps

• Mission Briefing & Jungle Drop: 03:44–09:06
• Flight, Betrayal, and Crash: 10:16–13:19
• Desperate Jungle Survival: 13:41–16:39
• Jungle Trek & Lin Tao's Ingenuity: 18:11–19:33, 20:03–20:33
• Capture by Headhunters & Magic Trick Escape: 24:16–29:29
• Host Analysis & Listener Comments: 32:44–40:38

Tone and Style

• Dramatic and suspenseful: The audio drama balances wartime tension with moments of banter, dark humor, and resourcefulness under pressure.
• Wry, self-effacing humor: Johnny Marco uses comedy to cope (“They loved me in Sheboygan”) and ultimately to survive.
• Warm, insightful, and appreciative: Adam Graham’s commentary connects the program to its historical roots and teases out its unique qualities for a modern audience.

Conclusion

“The Secret Box” blends intrigue, peril, and humor—showcasing WWII espionage with a show business twist. Not only is it a gripping story of survival and ingenuity, but it also highlights how diverse backgrounds and unexpected talents (like magic) had genuine value in wartime intelligence work. Adam Graham’s commentary deepens the appreciation, providing context both historical and media-related, while listener feedback demonstrates fresh discovery and enthusiasm for a gem of radio drama history.