Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Counterspy – The Housing Racket (A0078)

Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date (drama): May 23, 1948
Podcast Date: April 11, 2026

Overview

This episode features a vintage radio drama from the series Counterspy, titled “The Housing Racket” (originally known as “The Bunco Builders”). Host Adam Graham introduces and comments on the episode, focusing on its depiction of post-war housing fraud and its intersection with broader issues of consumer protection. The show dramatizes the plight of returning veterans facing hazardous, shoddy housing and the collective action they take, which ultimately attracts both legal and criminal intrigue.

Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

Setting the Scene: Postwar Housing Crisis

• The episode opens in the aftermath of WWII, where demand for new homes—especially from returning veterans—is immense.
• Many rapid-construction housing developments have serious quality issues, leading to health hazards and buyer frustration.

Notable Quote
“You feel so powerless. When they're so young, they can't tell you what hurts.”
— Edie, discussing her sick child and the poor house conditions (04:44)

The Gorham Family's Plight (04:35–07:59)

• Andy and Edie Gorham’s child, Kathy, falls ill, likely due to their damp, newly-built home.
• The family can't afford both further payments on their failing house and much-needed medical recovery in a better climate.
• Andy resolves to stop mortgage payments, considering the money better spent on Kathy’s health—and sparks a neighborhood revolution.

Notable Quote
“Afford to lose Kathy, Andy?”
— Edie, expressing the stakes of their decision (06:50)

Neighborhood Meeting: Organizing for Justice (08:29–10:42)

• Andy gathers his neighbors, all victims of shoddy construction and high costs, to organize collective action:
  • List all home defects: “Green wood, flooded cellars, crumbling foundations, poor flashings, bad drainage...”
  • Decide to withhold mortgage payments until repairs are made or homes are improved.
  • Plan to seek legal advice and send complaints to federal authorities.

Notable Quote
“If we all stick together…I doubt Mr. Hobbs will foreclose on 45 houses at once.”
— Andy Gorham (09:49)

Introducing Law Enforcement: Counterspy's Involvement (11:12–12:57)

• The Veterans Administration, FHA, and the National Association of Home Builders urge Counterspy agents David Harding and Harry Peters to investigate—though they note a lack of clear criminal activity at first.
• Harding justifies involvement based on the potential for criminal fraud and the reputation of the homebuilding industry.

Notable Quote
“There's no visible cause for criminal proceedings... Still, two agencies have already called asking us to investigate.”
— Harry Peters (11:49)

The Confrontation with the Developer (15:14–16:35)

• Andy confronts Clifford Hobbs, the real estate agent:
  • Presents all neighbors’ returned mortgage statements.
  • Hobbs attempts to offer Andy a private fix in exchange for dropping the collective action.
  • Andy refuses: “Our only strength is in sticking together.”

Notable Quote
“The only deal I'll make will involve all 45 homeowners. When you're ready to talk one like that, call me up. Until then, you can whistle for your money.”
— Andy Gorham (16:30)

Hard Turns: The Mob Connection & Criminal Escalation (17:10–25:48)

• Investigation reveals the real estate company is secretly owned by Chris Mankato, a notorious racketeer.
  • Mankato’s history: rum-running, policy rackets, black markets.
• Mankato orders intimidation (and eventual abduction) of Andy Gorham to crush the neighborhood resistance.
• As pressure builds, Harding and Peters race to uncover fraudulent applications to the government and gather evidence for criminal prosecution.

Notable Quote
“Take away the head, you take away the power. See the deal? No?”
— Chris Mankato, threatening Andy (25:13)

Resolution: Justice Delivered (25:49–26:41)

• Counterspy agents rescue Andy just before he is harmed.
• Mankato and his enforcer are arrested for fraud and false government statements.

Notable Quote
“I'm sure they'll find it no trouble at all to convict you of false statements and fraud. Take them away, Peters.”
— David Harding (26:23)

Epilogue: Industry and Public Responsibility (28:31–29:56)

• Special message from Frank W. Cordright, VP of the National Association of Home Builders:
  • Warns buyers to verify builder credentials and home quality.
  • Association promises continued integrity in homebuilding for veterans and public alike.
  • Closing note: “Be sure you're buying good value and quality.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “You feel so powerless. When they're so young, they can't tell you what hurts.”
  — Edie, on Kathy's illness (04:44)
• “Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware. But in a tight market like housing, I think the seller should have some responsibility for what he sells.”
  — Andy Gorham (17:57)
• “The only deal I'll make will involve all 45 homeowners. When you're ready to talk one like that, call me up. Until then you can whistle for your money.”
  — Andy Gorham (16:30)
• “Take away the head, you take away the power.”
  — Chris Mankato (25:13)
• “Don't buy a new home without knowing everything about it.”
  — Frank W. Cordright, NAHB (28:35)

Host Adam Graham’s Commentary (31:40–38:32)

On Story & Execution

• Adam praises the episode’s depiction of a real postwar issue (“effective at establishing this problem and what was going on and what some people might have done about it”), but critiques the show for shoehorning the counterspy angle:
  • “The tortured logic used to insert Counterspy into this case is kind of stunning.” (31:45)
  • Notes the conflict would have fitted Mr. District Attorney or another legal drama better.

On Villainy and Escalation

• Comments on the rapid shift from civil dispute to criminal conspiracy:
  • “Our mob boss apparently has only two settings for persuasion, either bribery or quick execution...”
  • Criticizes the abruptness of this escalation and its fit within the series’ usual remit.

On Production Details

• Mentions issues with sound design, particularly mismatched volume levels and underwhelming sound effects—especially in light of listener feedback on past episodes.

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 04:35 | Introduction of Gorham family’s housing woes | | 08:29 | Neighborhood organizes for collective action | | 11:12 | Counterspy brought into the case | | 15:14 | Confrontation with developer Clifford Hobbs | | 17:10 | Counterspy agents begin investigation | | 19:00 | Evidence of fraud and racketeer ownership revealed | | 25:33 | Gorham threatened and rescued | | 28:31 | Frank W. Cordright’s message to home buyers | | 31:40 | Adam’s commentary on episode and fit with the series |

Takeaways

• Social Commentary: The drama effectively highlights the real perils of postwar housing shortages, poor construction, and the need for consumer vigilance.
• Collective Solidarity: The homeowners’ united stance leads to investigations and eventually exposes high-level fraud.
• Limits of Genre: Despite its relevance, the story awkwardly fits the “Counterspy” crimefighting formula—an observation echoed in Adam Graham’s critique.

Conclusion

This episode of Counterspy stands as both a time capsule of 1940s postwar anxieties (especially regarding veterans' housing and consumer rights) and a primer in the risks of formulaic storytelling. Host Adam Graham’s commentary, along with dramatized industry warnings, encourage viewers—then and now—to investigate thoroughly before making life-changing purchases.

Memorable Final Note:
“Don't buy a new home without knowing everything about it.”
— Frank W. Cordright (28:35)