Cloak and Dagger: The Secret Box (A0018)

Summary

---

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.

---

Transcript

[Indeed Advertiser]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com Arts. Just go to Indeed.com Arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Johnny Marco]

This is the story of the one As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up 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-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger. But first I do want to encourage you if you are enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software and our listener support and appreciation campaign continues. You can become one of our ongoing patreon supporters for $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from July 23, 1950, here is the Secret Box.

[Harry Stevens]

Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive? What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the oss, ordinary citizens, who to this question answered yes, this is Cloak and Dagger. Black warfare, Espionage, International intrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS in today's adventure. The Secret Box concerning an American agent who was sent into a Japanese infested jungle to take back a prisoner. The role of John Marco, the OSS agent is played by comedy star Jerry Lester. The story is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington files of the Office of Strategic Services, a story that can now be told.

[Johnny Marco]

I always carry this little box around with me. I never knew when it might come in Handy it was about as big as a small lunchbox, eh? Well, to begin at the beginning.

[Harry Stevens]

I.

[Johnny Marco]

Happened to be in the radio room at OSS headquarters in Bamo that night when the message came through.

[Harry Stevens]

Have important Japanese captive for you. Can you come get him?

[Mrs. Terry]

Come soon.

[Harry Stevens]

Chop patrol only 2 mile away again for OSS headquarter in Palmo. From Ancient Terry.

[Johnny Marco]

So that's how Harry Stevens and I happened to be in an AT18 flying over Agent Terry's position about 86 miles behind enemy lines in Burma. And like I say, I had this little box in my knapsack. Oh, oh, in case I forgot to mention it, my name is Johnny Marco. Snappy songs and witty sayings. Just mention my name in Sheboygan. Oh, they loved me in Sheboygan.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah, yeah, I know, Marco.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey Harry, did I ever tell you about my last date in Frisco before I went overseas?

[Harry Stevens]

I can hardly wait.

[Johnny Marco]

Her name was Rose. She had a name like a flower and a face like a weed. I called her Cream of Wheat because she was so mushy.

[Harry Stevens]

Marco, I have but one thing to say to you.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, talk to me.

[Harry Stevens]

I hope you live to be as old as your jokes.

[Johnny Marco]

You know the trouble with you, Harry, you don't realize you're carting around a million dollars worth of talent.

[Harry Stevens]

I tell you, they love me and your boy. Good night.

[Johnny Marco]

The city.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah, hang on. Going to take a dive, see if I can find the landing strip.

[Johnny Marco]

We had figured our checkpoints carefully, but when we reached our rendezvous, all we could see was a rough field with a Buddhist pagoda at the far end. Nothing else, no landing strip, no markers, no one waiting downstairs. Just a rough field covered with brush. We knew something must have gone wrong.

[Harry Stevens]

I don't get it, Marco.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, the Japs probably closed in and they're afraid to come out of hiding.

[Harry Stevens]

Oh, great. Live Jap prisoners aren't dropped in our laps every day.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, Harry, who is this Agent Terry anyway?

[Harry Stevens]

Oh, missionary. He's been working with a tribe of Anglo Burmese for years. Colonel says he's already radioed back a lot of information on enemy positions. This is the first prisoner he's ever taken. What a rotten break.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, look. Circle around again. Maybe we'll see something.

[Harry Stevens]

Nope. Better head back before we run into trouble ourselves.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, Harry, Harry, look, look. The brush, it's being yanked away.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah, yeah, I see it. Look, those natives, they're putting up the white marker stripes.

[Johnny Marco]

The safe to land panels out it. Gee, it's like seeing something pop before your eyes.

[Harry Stevens]

Let's go.

[Johnny Marco]

That landing strip came out of nowhere. Just all of a sudden, there it was. The plane bumped the ground and rolled in. But we kept the motor still running in case of a jab trick, and we sat there and waited for whatever was going to happen next. Harry. Harry, look, look, look. Something or somebody's coming out of that clump of bamboo at the end of the field.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah. Keep your hand on your gun. I'll make a quick getaway if I have to.

[Johnny Marco]

Check. Check. Harry. Harry. Natives.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah, but are they friendly spears?

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, they're armed. Let's get out of here.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah. Hey, wait a minute.

[Johnny Marco]

What's the matter?

[Harry Stevens]

There's a white woman.

[Mrs. Terry]

I am Mrs. Terry. Gentlemen, one would never suspect I was an agent who had one.

[Harry Stevens]

Well, what's the angle? I mean. Well, I beg your pardon, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Terry]

Oh, it's very simple really. Me husband, the late Reverend Oscar Terry, a God fearing man, went to his rest a few months ago.

[Johnny Marco]

You mean, ma', am, that you're the agent who's been sending all that information to OSS headquarters in Bamo?

[Mrs. Terry]

Naturally. This is Lin Tao. I suppose you'd call him me right hand man. Say, how'd you do, Lyn?

[Harry Stevens]

How you do?

[Johnny Marco]

Hi.

[Mrs. Terry]

Lynn, incidentally, sent the radio message. He does so enjoy tinkering with mechanical devices. I showed him how to use it. Unfortunately, however, my husband, the late Reverend Oscar Terry, a God fearing man, was the only one of us who knew how to take it apart and put it together again. Lynn.

[Harry Stevens]

Yes, Ms. Terry?

[Mrs. Terry]

That radio. You have it?

[Harry Stevens]

I have it here.

[Mrs. Terry]

Excellent. Captain, would you either have this replaced in bomber with new parts or have a new radio dropped over to us?

[Harry Stevens]

Why, sure, Mrs. Terry. I'll see what can be done for you.

[Mrs. Terry]

Oh, thank you so much. Oh, fancy. I almost forgot. We have a Japanese prisoner for you.

[Johnny Marco]

There were about a half a dozen natives a short distance away standing around the cart. In it they had a Jap officer with his hands and feet tied. They dragged him over.

[Harry Stevens]

Get down. Get out of court.

[Johnny Marco]

He was a surly character. Maybe I would be under the same circumstances. Anyway, he didn't say a word, just glared at us from under the bloody bandage around his head.

[Mrs. Terry]

Here is your guest, gentlemen. Colonel Sawaka, the Japanese high command. He resisted arrest rather strenuously, so it was impossible to avoid banging him around a bit. Well, goodbye now and good luck. And do give my regards to your colonel.

[Johnny Marco]

We loaded Colonel Sawaka into the small plane and a few seconds later, as we swung over the field, we looked down and saw that all Trace of the strip had completely disappeared. The brush was replaced and there was nothing. Only jungle.

[Harry Stevens]

How's our friend Colonel Sawaka doing? Markov?

[Johnny Marco]

Well, he's a little tied up at the moment. Hey friend, how you doing? Friend doesn't want to talk.

[Harry Stevens]

You know something? That's the best audience you'll ever have, Marco. One who can't understand English.

[Johnny Marco]

Oh, come on now, will you hear? Hey, maybe you got something. Hey friend, did you know that the former ruler of Russia was called the Tsar? His wife was called the Tsarina. And you know what they called his kids. Get a load of this Czardenes. Yeah, you know, I think you're right, Harry. Friend obviously doesn't understand a word of comedy English. What's that?

[Harry Stevens]

Chat back.

[Johnny Marco]

Ack.

[Harry Stevens]

They've spotted us.

[Johnny Marco]

Can we get away from him now?

[Harry Stevens]

We can try.

[Johnny Marco]

That's climbing, Harry. Gee, a thousand feet in about a half a minute.

[Harry Stevens]

Ah, it's no good. Can't get out of range this way.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, what do we do?

[Harry Stevens]

I'll level off and head for home. I can't get away from him. I just climb him.

[Johnny Marco]

You did it. We're out of range now.

[Harry Stevens]

I think you spoke too fast. Trouble. Ah, Black must have hit one of the engines. It's knocked out.

[Johnny Marco]

Oh, fine.

[Harry Stevens]

Well, it could have been worse. I can get us back on one.

[Johnny Marco]

Oh brother, if you were your sister, I'd marry you.

[Harry Stevens]

Oh, you're a big hearted guy, you know that, Marco?

[Johnny Marco]

Well, I don't go around proposing every day.

[Harry Stevens]

You better go back and see how friend is doing. Friend? Colonel Saka doing extremely well, thank you. Keep me your hands on the flying instruments, Captain. Hey, and you Lieutenant, keep your hands in the air. Way in there. I thank you.

[Johnny Marco]

You dirty dog face. You spoke English all the time.

[Harry Stevens]

Enough to tell you that if you do not do as you are told, I put the bullet through your head. I thank you Lieutenant, for leaving gun within easy reach. Can you do anything, Martin?

[Johnny Marco]

I have nothing. He's got us.

[Harry Stevens]

Fire. Do not talk, just continue to fly a plane.

[Johnny Marco]

So Harry kept the plane steady, his back to our friend. And I just stood there and watched Colonel Sawaka as he manipulated the parachute and buckled it on, changing the gun from one hand to the other as he put his arms through the straps of the chute. Then he opened the handle of the waste door.

[Harry Stevens]

I will say goodbye now. It was unpleasant ride.

[Johnny Marco]

Why you.

[Harry Stevens]

Hands in the air. Keep the hands in air. Much better. Now I shoot to you both. Then I jump.

[Johnny Marco]

Goodbye, friend. Don't forget to write the jerk shouldn't.

[Harry Stevens]

Have opened a waste off first. All I had to do was bank the plane over on its side. And we lost him.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah, we lost him, all right.

[Harry Stevens]

Uh. Oh.

[Johnny Marco]

His chute open. Oh, fine.

[Harry Stevens]

Mission unaccomplished. Well, anyway, it was a nice ride.

[Johnny Marco]

Glad you thought so.

[Harry Stevens]

Uh, second engine couldn't take the strain of that flip flop.

[Johnny Marco]

Is it cocking out?

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah, it cocked all right. Hit the soap, Marco. We better bail out.

[Johnny Marco]

I made it okay. Rolled over a couple of times when I landed and pulled the chute down. But it was another story with Harry. As he bailed out, his slipstream caught him, flung him back against the horizontal stabilizer and cut a gash in his head. Miraculously, his chute opened and he drifted into the green jungle and landed upside down in the top of a tall mahogany tree. Harry. Harry, are you all right? Can you talk?

[Harry Stevens]

Mark. Shroud. Line of the chute. They're tangled. Kick it out. My head. I cut it.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah, I see.

[Harry Stevens]

Marco, get me done.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah, yeah. Easy, boy. Now I'll do something. Something, but what? I tried to climb the tree to reach him, but it was no use. The trunk was bare, smooth. I kept slipping back. It was as if the two of us were in the middle of a nightmare. Harry. Harry, can you hear me? Yeah, yeah. I can't climb that lousy tree. It's too slippery. There's nothing for me to hold on.

[Harry Stevens]

Marco, it's no use.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, what do you mean it's no use?

[Harry Stevens]

If you waste time standing there, you'll be caught. Japs all around. You know that as well as I do.

[Johnny Marco]

Harry, will you listen to me now?

[Harry Stevens]

You listen to me. Get away now, will you? You may have seen the plan.

[Johnny Marco]

Oh, shut up now, will you shut up.

[Harry Stevens]

Get out of with both dead ducks. I know I am anyway. Just do one thing, Marco.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah?

[Harry Stevens]

Don't leave me here to starve or fall into Japan. Maybe you can make it back alone.

[Johnny Marco]

You're nuts. Now, I. I couldn't do that.

[Harry Stevens]

Just don't leave me to starve. Marco, please. Please. Huh? Shoot me first through the head. Marco, please.

[Johnny Marco]

I knew he was right. I couldn't leave him. Please, Marco, not that way. And I couldn't stay, Marco. Well, I took the.45 from the holster at my belt. When I heard the dry click of the hammer being drawn back, I. I broke out in a sweat. My hands started to get wet too. I counted 1 2.

[Mrs. Terry]

Well, listening.

[Harry Stevens]

What?

[Mrs. Terry]

From the looks of it, we are right in.

[Harry Stevens]

Lynn.

[Johnny Marco]

Tao and the natives went to work Swiftly knocking down a second, smaller tree against the mahogany. They scaled it like cats to the base of the branch where Harry was hanging, tossed a loop of rattan across the branch and pulled it toward it. Then they lifted Harry and passed him from hand to hand, lowered him gently to the ground. And all the time I just stood there next to Mrs. Terry, feeling the blood pounding in my head. And I put the pistol back into my holster.

[Mrs. Terry]

Lynn, that other bandage, please.

[Harry Stevens]

Here. Here you are, Ms. Terry.

[Mrs. Terry]

That's a good fellow. Thank you so much. How's your head now, Captain Stevens?

[Harry Stevens]

Much better, thanks.

[Johnny Marco]

I still don't understand.

[Mrs. Terry]

How did you. 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.

[Johnny Marco]

Lady, no one ever needed you more.

[Mrs. Terry]

You say Colonel Sawaka escaped? Dear, dear, what a pity. Now, I think that bandage will do till you get back.

[Harry Stevens]

Ms. Terry.

[Mrs. Terry]

Yes, Lynn?

[Harry Stevens]

Lynn say leave now. Do not stay back to village.

[Mrs. Terry]

Oh, yes, great. But that poses a problem. As I told you earlier, our radio is out of use.

[Johnny Marco]

So there's no way of contacting headquarters and telling them to send a plane for us.

[Mrs. Terry]

Exactly.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, do you think we can make it back through enemy lines on foot?

[Mrs. Terry]

Possibly. Take five or six days anyway.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah, but it could be done, couldn't it? I mean, we could sneak through, couldn't we?

[Mrs. Terry]

Bypass the Japs?

[Harry Stevens]

So I don't can do lintel help take you?

[Mrs. Terry]

Capital idea. Lintao. My husband, the late Reverend Oscar Terry.

[Johnny Marco]

A God fearing man.

[Mrs. Terry]

Thank you. He would approve heartily.

[Johnny Marco]

Lin Tao knew plenty of shortcuts, and we followed him, skirting Jap patrols all the way. There was something uncanny about the way he led us over miles of jungles. We kept our packs light because we had a pretty long hike ahead. But just the same, I kept that little box with me. I never knew when it might come in handy. Then we came to a small stream.

[Harry Stevens]

Ah, must go to stream here. Take off shoe.

[Johnny Marco]

Well, wait a minute, Lynn. Why bother? We'll be wading through a lot of water. And why take our shoes off and on?

[Harry Stevens]

But door Ashlyn say if shoe get wet feet wet or time many sore. Come on, Fee. Will not be easy for you to walk much distance To Bamo.

[Johnny Marco]

We crossed several more brooks. And we kept taking our shoes off and on, on and off. The jungle along the banks grew thinner, and so did we. The sun beat down harder. The water washed sand up around our knees. The shoes off off and on, on and off. We'd Splash it and stumble. Then start walking again. Couple of days of this, we were pretty beat. Except for Iron Man Lynn.

[Harry Stevens]

Ah, feel good.

[Johnny Marco]

Lynn.

[Harry Stevens]

Lynn. This son I'll have to hold up a while. Uh, we'll rest here in your scream.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, this is an ideal spot for a picnic. 50 million insects can't be wrong. Got you first, you little foreigner.

[Harry Stevens]

Hey, Marco, got any water left? My canteens dry.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah, sure.

[Harry Stevens]

Here. That's all you got?

[Johnny Marco]

It's okay. Go ahead.

[Harry Stevens]

Drink it, Lyn. This is all the water we got. Glenn tout say do not worry. Watch. I will show what to do so you know.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, wait a minute. What are you digging? A hole in the sand.

[Mrs. Terry]

Watch.

[Harry Stevens]

First, dig a small hole in sand near stream. Place leaf embalm like this. Now, when water come through sand and leave it not be muddy, can drink.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, that's the greatest. The leaves act like a filter you make.

[Harry Stevens]

Our water is clear. Drink it with your hand. Will not hurt you. Now.

[Johnny Marco]

This Lin Tao had a dozen cute little tricks like that. He'd have been a riot in vaudeville. Well, the next morning we were back on the trail, pushing our way through sharp blades of grass. And all of a sudden we heard the tinkle of an iron bell.

[Harry Stevens]

Hey, Lynn, what's that? Escape hook. Elephant coming. Dangerous villager in jungle. Put iron bell around neck to warn. Dangerous. We've got guns. We've got guns. Let's shoot at him from two sides. No, no, no, no.

[Adam Graham]

Do not shoot.

[Harry Stevens]

Not go too high. Only make the elephant much angry. Do not shoot.

[Johnny Marco]

Still the size of them. Look at the size of them. It's like being charged at by a six story. Still.

[Adam Graham]

Still.

[Harry Stevens]

Don't I shoot yet?

[Adam Graham]

Only if we must.

[Johnny Marco]

Phew. Passed right by us.

[Harry Stevens]

Yeah. Maybe he didn't think we were worth noticing.

[Johnny Marco]

You know something, Harry? One thing I can't figure out about an elephant with a tail at both ends. How does he know which end to sit on?

[Harry Stevens]

Oh, funny man. Come on, let's make time.

[Johnny Marco]

Lynn Tao did our seeing and our thinking for us. He did everything but walk for us. And we got sort of used to leaning on him. Nothing could happen to Iron Man, Lynn. Only it did.

[Harry Stevens]

Lynn. Lynn.

[Johnny Marco]

Harry. Harry. He's dead. That knife went right in his back. Where'd it come from? They came out of the jungle, at least 50 of them. Half naked savages, carrying long stalks of bamboo that had been sharpened to deadly points. Their leader was a giant. Must have been about 6 foot 7. He held up his hand and the sudden silence scared us more than the noise.

[Harry Stevens]

Juan Danley.

[Johnny Marco]

What did he say? Did you understand him?

[Harry Stevens]

Harry, look. Friends. Savvy? Friends? No. No friend. Quan Dunley. White devils.

[Johnny Marco]

White devils. That was us. They slashed off pieces of the vine ropes around the tree and twisted them about us so we could just move our legs. Then they pushed us ahead of them through the gray daylight of the jungle, through the dim passages of winding lianas, the climbing tropical plants above. A stray bird shot color through the overhanging trees. After about a mile, the path became a trail. The lianas were cut away. We tripped over some coconut husks by the side of a charred fire. We were coming into the village then. Harry saw them first.

[Harry Stevens]

Marco, look. Up there in the poles.

[Johnny Marco]

Human heads. A row of skulls.

[Harry Stevens]

Headhunters. Marco, these are headhunters. Move, Quandonly, move.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, look.

[Mrs. Terry]

Chief.

[Johnny Marco]

Chief, you got it all wrong. Now. We're not devils. We're friends. Friends?

[Harry Stevens]

It's no use, Marco. American. You are right. It's no use.

[Johnny Marco]

Colonel Sawaka, I am a great friend.

[Harry Stevens]

Of these head hunters, for I want them of your coming. Told them you are quandan le. White devils who come to bring a plague and a pestilence to them. I give. Put the devils away.

[Johnny Marco]

They untied us and threw us in a straw thatched hut they called a basha. Through the makeshift door, we could see the skulls on the poles, an endless row of them under the hot sun. And up the poles streamed columns of jungle ants, giving them an ancient burial.

[Harry Stevens]

Looks like the end of the line, Marco. Yeah.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, wait a minute, Harry. That chief speaks a little pidgin English. He understands a little. Do you think we could reason with him?

[Harry Stevens]

He doesn't look like the reasonable type. Besides, our friend Colonel Sawaka got to him first. The tribe's convinced we're dangerous.

[Johnny Marco]

Yeah, about as dangerous as a glass of buttermilk money.

[Harry Stevens]

Bacchus. And it's Sawaka outside talking to the guard. I'm not.

[Johnny Marco]

We got company.

[Harry Stevens]

I trust you are comfortable, Captain.

[Johnny Marco]

Lieutenant, why don't you climb a tree.

[Harry Stevens]

A little monkey watch tongue was most fortunate for me. I found a way here to a friendly camp.

[Johnny Marco]

Sorry, I don't like your friends.

[Harry Stevens]

My friends do not like you either. Think you are devil. Americans who bring evil to their people. Sleep well. Tomorrow you will join Heads and Poles.

[Johnny Marco]

In the morning they brought us out. I guess we were pretty important because the big chief himself came over to tie us to the poles. Then I got an idea. I sneaked my hand in my pocket and grabbed a coin. Just held it tight. Hey, Chief, look at this. What are you doing carrying dimes around in your ear? Well, what do you know? Another in your other ear, and here's one in your nose.

[Harry Stevens]

Toba.

[Johnny Marco]

Say, you're a pretty sly character, aren't you? Regular walking bank of England.

[Harry Stevens]

Barka. What are you up to?

[Johnny Marco]

Just a couple of magic tricks. If I get get away with them, I tell you, they love me in Sheboygan.

[Harry Stevens]

Toba magic.

[Johnny Marco]

That's right. Toba magic. Now, if you get me that knapsack you grabbed for me, I'll do more. See knapsack bag from back, savvy? Remember, we'll do Toba.

[Harry Stevens]

Do not listen to Kuandali. But off ahead now.

[Johnny Marco]

Hey, Chief, look at this. Look at this. Now you see it, now you don't. Pesto, coins disappear. Get knapsack or you'll disappear. Savvy? Boy, that coin trick got him in the cheek. Pushed Sawaka aside and sent one of his rover boys to get my knapsack. They brought it to me, and I took out the little box. I always knew it would come in handy sometimes. Then the chief held up his hand again, and I went into my act. Rather, what an audience. And what a performance. Now, watch closely, ladies and gentlemen. The hand is quicker than the eye. Resto chango, I take this little glass of water. Just an ordinary glass of water, if you will. Observe closely. And presto. It turns color.

[Harry Stevens]

You're doing great, kid, I tell you. Cut off with the hat. Still. Be still.

[Johnny Marco]

You tell them, Chief. The devils is devils. Go away, little man, you bother me. Now for the next bit of magic, ladies and gentlemen. I pulled every trick in the book out of that little box. Drew cigarettes from the chief's ear. Pulled flowers out of empty pots. Yanked a dozen colored scarves out of a single white handkerchief. And then I broke a stick in half and put it together. Boy, did they love it. And now for my final bit of hocus pocus, ladies and gentlemen.

[Harry Stevens]

Hey, Marca, why don't you try sawing Sawaka in half?

[Johnny Marco]

And forget to put them together? I got something better. As I was saying.

[Harry Stevens]

They'Re coming after.

[Johnny Marco]

Maybe this will stop him.

[Mrs. Terry]

Look.

[Harry Stevens]

Look.

[Johnny Marco]

Watch. Sign. Sign from gods. Look. It stopped him. All right. I pulled a beam blower out of the box, blew hard, and out came a tiny doll dressed in a Jap uniform without his head, and he floated to earth. The superstitious native stepped back, afraid to come any closer. See. See? Sign. Japanese is Kuandang Lee. God say so. Americans. Friends. Friends. Dial there on the ground. Japanese Dao. Sign from Gods Follow Great White Father.

[Harry Stevens]

And fight Japanese chief.

[Johnny Marco]

You tell him. He told him all right. The big trouble we had afterwards keeping them from tearing Sawaka apart, we wanted him alive to take back to OSS headquarters in Bamo. Well, that's the story. The next day, the headhunters led us back through the jungle with our prisoner. There's only one thing I'm sorry about. Too bad Variety couldn't have caught my act. I tell you, they loved me. In Burma.

[Harry Stevens]

Captain Harry Stevens and Lieutenant John Marco safely delivered Colonel Sawaka to OSS headquarters in Bamo, where he gave valuable information on Japanese war industry and finance. And so, once again, the report of another OSS agent closes with the words mission accomplished. Listen again next week for another true adventure from the files of the OSS on Cloak and Dagger. Starred in today's Cloak and Dagger adventure as Marco was Jerry Lester. With Larry Haynes as Harry, Colonel Sawaka, Daniel Ako, Mrs. Terry, Irene Hubbard, the Colonel Raymond Edward Johnson. Others were Carl Weber, Arnold Robertson and Jerry Jarrett. The script was written by Winifred Wolf and Jack Gordon. The music was under the direction of Murray Ross. Today's true OSS adventure was based on the book Cloak and Dagger by Corey ford and Alistair McBain. This has been a Louis G. Kahn production in association with Alfred Hollander, as was under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marks. Programs get your programs here, mystery fans. There's an exciting evening waiting for you tonight on NBC. First, some listener will have a chance to win $1,000 for solving the case on $1,000 reward.

[Indeed Advertiser]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com Arts. Just go to Indeed.com Arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A great story. So many great twists and turns in this adventure and I like Just as with the episode with the cartoonist, 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. Now it's worth noting that our star, Jerry Lester was kind of a big deal in 1950. This was his first radio dramatic role, but he did a lot of comedy. He was a featured comic on the Kraft Music hall in the early 40s and then he got his own show for Pepsident in 1943. And he was also a pioneer in on television. He hosted Broadway open House in 1950 and 1951, which is often cited as a precursor to the Tonight Show. He began alternating with Maury Amsterdam before becoming the sole host later on in the season. Steve Allen, who was the first Tonight show host, said that the big problem for Broadway Open House was that it was still really early in the age of television. There were a lot of mid sized cities that didn't have tv and you also had sponsors who really didn't think that you could show a program at 11 o'.

[Johnny Marco]

Clock.

[Adam Graham]

But there were some people who watched it. George Carlin cited it as a key early influence. In addition to this, Lester also was the host of Cavalcade of Stars. Now it seems to me with Cloak and Dagger having this big TV comedian and the real interest in television, this would have been a great opportunity for NBC to play up the appearance. But all I could find on Lester's appearance was this item from a back of a newspaper where someone stated that he'd been told like it was some top secret gossip that Lester was going to make his first radio dramatic performance, which nicely confirmed that there wasn't some other radio dramatic performance that we'd miss more or among the many, many lost episodes that are out there. So it seems like a bit of a missed opportunity for NBC. Although the fact that NBC didn't really promote Cloak and Dagger or do any of that publicity work for it is part of the reason why the series was obscure and ended up fading to obscurity for decades afterwards. I'd really be curious what sparked Lester's interest or how this ended up working out. Like, was Lester a friend of somebody on the program? Now of course, Lester Starr did fade after the 1950s. He did some theater. He ended up being forced into retirement due to Alzheimer's in 1975. He could not memorize his monologues. His younger brother Buddy might be more better remembered today. He did a lot of the movies with Jerry Lewis and he was also in Barney Miller, among many, many other projects as a really solid character actor in many roles, particularly comedic roles. All right, listener comments and feedback. Now we start on Spotify Where Norse jeweler Donnie Jawler writes regarding the episode Direct Line to Bombers. I feel bad now for not giving this show a shot. It has the storytelling of the Silent man with the honest brutality of Tales of the Texas Rangers, the strange and dangerous places of Dangerous Assignment with some music from Johnny Dollar. Now I'm going to go back and listen to episode one. Thanks for bringing these to us, Adam. Well, thank you so much and I hope you enjoy them. And of course coming in at the sixth episode of Cloak and Dagger, not a whole lot behind, but it really is an underrated and under talked about series and I'm really pleased that we're able to give it some broader exposure as part of our Great Adventurers podcast and getting that launched. And then we turn to listener comments on the episode from YouTube where a listener starts by quoting what I said during this episode. That's why I'd never make it as a spy. Sounds like something a spy would say, oh no, you found me out. Now I would say that was funny, but of course I'm not a spy. But that is also what you would expect a spy to say. I just, I don't think I can win. So I will just let the audience determine it. I will say that large man hosting an Old Time Radio Play podcast, if that's my cover, then I must work for an organization out of Get Smart. On a more serious note, knowing something of the limitations of strategic bombing at this point, I have to wonder how much of this episode is actually real. I don't believe that they could call in bombers on a specific bakery. At best, the bombers could target the general area, but in that case the agent isn't necessarily any safer by running. Well, it's a good question. I do think that these are based on true events. However, from going through the episode the Eyes of Buddha, I noticed that there were quite a few points in that story which were composites of other events. I. I would assume that they wanted to cover as much as they could within the number of episodes that were approved. So there could be some composite events and there could be some situations that are greatly simplified. Keeping in mind as well that not necessarily all operational details of what happened during the war would be declassified. So there are limitations in that direction as well. And then a listener, Teagan, comments, that was great. Thank you. Love the thumbnail too. Well, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Spend a lot of time trying to get those just right for our listeners and particularly on YouTube where with old Time Radio, you know, the visuals do matter, even if that's what you're posting on YouTube. All right, well, now it is time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. And I want to go ahead and thank Monica, Patreon supporter Since March of 2019, currently supporting the podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Monica, and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of Cloak and Dagger. If you are listening to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, we will be back tomorrow with our 4800th episode special, which will be our first final listener support and appreciation specials for the Great Adventurers. We will be back on Tuesday with the next installment of Flash Gordon. And if you want to find out what's happening with Flash Gordon and you're listening to the Great Detectives, be sure and subscribe to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio. In the meantime though, do send your comments to Box13@Green Great Detectives.net follow us on Twitter @RadioDetectives. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.

[Indeed Advertiser]

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job posts seen on other job sites with Indeed sponsored jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com Arts just go to Indeed.com Arts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.