The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Danger with Granger: Counterfeit Plates (EP4906)
Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic "Danger with Granger" radio mystery, titled "Counterfeit Plates." Private detective Steve Granger is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse after a skilled printer is murdered for a set of counterfeit $20 plates. Granger must navigate a web of deception, evasive allies, and desperate criminals to prevent a flood of fake currency—and to bring the killers to justice. The episode is followed by Adam Graham’s signature commentary and listener feedback.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Setup: A Murder Over Plates

• [02:34] Granger is contacted by Nat, a printer, who pleads for help after being attacked and robbed of newly made counterfeit plates. By the time Granger arrives, Nat succumbs to his wounds, naming “Mitch” as his assailant.
• Granger and Ed (a government man) are pulled into the case, suspecting a connection between the counterfeit plates and an organized criminal effort.

2. The Investigation Begins

• [04:40] Granger’s detective work leads to strange encounters: He’s approached by a refined figure (pseudonym Henry Glazer) who tries to divert him with an unrelated “daughter-in-Philadelphia” job—clearly a ruse to distract from the printing case.
• Classic hardboiled dialogue and quick banter with a persistent reporter (later revealed to be a suspect) add to the period flavor.

3. A Mysterious Woman & a Dangerous Deal

• [13:41] Rita Swanson, Nat’s niece, enters Granger’s office with an offer: She’ll return the plates in exchange for Granger releasing her uncle.
  • Rita: “There was something stolen today from a man named Nat. Do I make myself clear?” [13:50]
• Granger, suspicious but playing along, arranges to meet her at Pier 7 under shadowy terms. She warns him not to involve anyone else.

4. Double-Crosses and a Close Call

• [18:07] Meeting at the pier, Rita hands off the plates, but both she and Granger are ambushed by gunmen—her "employers" attempt to double-cross both of them.
• Quick thinking and a police siren allow Granger and Rita to escape and regroup in a nearby restaurant.
  • Granger: “Now, baby, what's all this about? Your pals tried to shoot you down. Why?” [19:28]

5. The Truth About the Plates

• Rita reveals that the criminals lied to her, saying Granger was holding her uncle hostage. She learns Nat was murdered earlier that day—a shock that clarifies her manipulation.
• In a twist, the plates are found to be worthless: their “craftsmanship” is so poor they wouldn’t fool a child, dashing the criminals’ major counterfeit plan.

6. Setting the Trap

• [21:15] Granger and Ed stage Rita and himself as “critically injured” in the papers to lure the crooks into feeling safe, setting up a sting at a phony theater ticket agency (where the phony bills were being laundered).
• Undercover, they catch the main perpetrators—Mitch (the killer/reporter) and Merling (the mastermind)—red-handed trying to pass counterfeit bills.
  • Granger: “Well, well, our reporter friend. Alias, the mysterious Mitch, I presume. Come here, pal. I want you.” [23:55]

7. Resolution

• The criminals are arrested for murder and counterfeiting. Granger breaks the good news to Rita.
  • Rita: “I hope they both go to the chair.” [26:02]
  • Granger: “Went off like a three dollar alarm clock, baby. Merling and Mitch are in jail for Uncle Nat's murder…” [25:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Granger (on following a suspect): “I stayed 10 ft behind him, keeping an eye on his Homburg hat, which stuck out above the rest of the crowd.” [09:57]
• Cal Hendricks (Granger’s friend): “How's the peripatetic private eye this fine morn?”
  • Granger: “Hey, that's a twenty-five word. I'm only a twenty-dollar detective.” Cal’s love of big words leads to the episode’s running joke. [11:10]
• On the quality of the plates:
  • Ed: “That thing's so obviously phony it wouldn't get past a five year old child.” [20:58]

Important Timestamps by Segment

• [02:34] – Case Introduction: The murder and missing plates
• [04:40] – The first clues, suspect introductions, and distractions
• [13:41] – Rita arrives, offers a deal about the plates
• [18:07] – Ambush at the pier, shooting, and escape
• [19:28] – Confrontation with Rita: uncovering the truth
• [20:58] – Plates examined; found worthless
• [21:15] – The sting operation is planned
• [23:55] – Crooks caught red-handed
• [25:51] – News delivered to Rita, case resolution

Host Adam Graham’s Commentary Highlights

• [26:51] – Adam points out that Nat, the printer, would’ve been better off with a safer hobby, comparing him to Barton Drake who solves mysteries rather than creates potentially criminal “masterpieces.”
• [27:40] – Adam discusses the show’s use of criminal point-of-view scenes, concluding that here they “blunted” the mystery rather than adding suspense.
• [28:55] – A fun aside on word inflation: “Peripatetic isn’t a $10 word; it’s $25. And with inflation, maybe more.”
• [29:45] – Adam notes Granger’s sharp similes, particularly “went off like a $3 alarm clock,” which is period-appropriate and vivid.

Listener Feedback

• Valerie: Loves the variety, listens via SiriusXM, especially “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” and “Dragnet.” [30:20]
• Mechanic66: Points out period differences in body size and strength referenced in the podcast.
• SaySoft: Cites underused police procedures in radio fiction (like paraffin tests), with Adam noting historical limitations but agreeing on missed opportunities. [31:40]

Final Thoughts

This was a classic, twist-filled detective story brimming with sharp dialogue, double-crosses, and intrepid sleuthing. Granger’s world is dangerous, clever, and filled with memorable characters, while the show’s commentary underscores the unique charm (and quirks) of old-time radio mysteries.

Host sign-off:
“From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.” [34:30]