Summary: Danger with Grainger — "Innocent, Innocent" (EP4861)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date of Drama: 1956/57
Podcast Release Date: December 8, 2025
Featured Story: Danger with Grainger, episode: "Innocent, Innocent"

Main Theme

Steve Granger investigates a seemingly open-and-shut murder case where a young man, Ronald Polly, has been caught red-handed. Hired by Ronald’s sister, Irene, Granger quickly discovers layers of deception, hypnotism, and a plot that implicates not only a criminal mastermind but, in a twist, the victim’s own family.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Discovery of the Crime (03:20–04:48)

• Police respond to a call at the Tangrove estate; the butler leads them to Mrs. Tangrove’s body.
• Ronald Polly is found on the lawn with the murder weapon and passes out when questioned.

"How do you like that? The kid passed out cold." – First Officer (04:42)

• Steve Granger introduces the case as a “sweet little frame for murderers you ever saw.” (04:48)

2. Client Visit & The Case Against Ronald (05:11–06:19)

• Irene Polly hires Granger to clear her brother, Ronald, who is under arrest.
• The facts look grim: Ronald was found at the scene with the murder weapon and a prior criminal record for car stripping.

Irene: "Mr. Granger, I want you to clear my brother of a murder charge." (05:19)

3. Meeting with Lieutenant Rankin & Interview with Ronald (06:19–10:05)

• Police believe Ronald is guilty but note he won't admit to an accomplice.
• Granger interviews Ronald, who claims memory loss—last thing he remembered was something in his eye, then meeting a mysterious, swarthy stranger who offers help and then... nothing.

Ronald: "The last thing I remember yesterday is around noon. I was walking down 8th Street… The next thing I know, I’m arrested." (07:56)

• Granger suspects Ronald is covering for someone, and asks for info on his old car-stripping friends.

4. Chasing Leads: Pool Room & Car Stripping Gang (10:22–13:05)

• Granger investigates the pool room, searching for the described stranger and Ronald’s old associates (Billy Hanlon, Pete Brown).
• He meets resistance and thuggish intimidation, realizing he's getting too dangerous for comfort.

5. Run-In with the Real Criminals (13:18–15:29)

• Granger is forced into a car by thugs, who interrogate him about his involvement; they’re anxious not to be connected to the Tangrove murder.
• After confirming his motives with Irene, Granger is released—then promptly shot at by another assailant in a drive-by with a license-less car (15:29–15:46).

Granger: “The bullets whizzed past my ears… obviously I was getting too close to somebody for that somebody’s comfort.” (15:46)

6. Hypnotism and the Mastermind Emerges (16:14–19:39)

• Granger theorizes the attacker used a rented car with removed plates, suggesting professional methods.
• After further investigation, the butler identifies "Denon Vashley," an “occult therapist,” as connected to Mrs. Tangrove.
• Rankin, still convinced of Ronald’s guilt, reveals a paraffin test proved Ronald fired the murder weapon—yet Granger counters: the shooter’s still at large while Ronald is locked up.

Granger: “I've been shot at twice. It couldn't have been Ronald Polly… That proves there’s another party involved.” (19:51)

7. The Hypnotic Setup (20:48–22:49)

• Under pressure, Ronald admits to working for the pool room owner and reveals the stranger injected him after failing to remove the cinder from his eye.
• Police confirm Vashley is a hypnotist.
• Granger discovers a towel with burn holes in Vashley’s room, used to muffle the gunshot as the hypnotized Ronald unwittingly fired it, setting him up as a patsy.

8. Face-off with the Villains & Final Twists (23:27–27:51)

• Granger calls Irene, confirming Vashley is the likely mastermind.
• In a tense confrontation, Vashley confesses: he hypnotized Ronald and orchestrated the robbery and murder, planning to dispose of Granger with a poisoned needle.

Vashley: “It took weeks of planning… First, get the combination to the safe. Second, find a suitable sucker... Third, put the plan into operation. You, Mr. Granger, came as an anticlimax.” (25:17)

• In the scuffle, Granger turns the gun on Vashley, who’s shot.
• The final twist: Granger confronts Irene with proof she was in league with Vashley, using her brother as the fall guy and plotting to double-cross her partner.

Granger: “You framed your own brother into the shadow of the death chamber.” (27:04)

9. Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Commentary (29:22–32:00)

• Adam notes the classic “biggest mistake” trope: the criminals doom themselves by involving Granger.
• Questions the logic of hiring a PI when the frame was so airtight.
• Honors Patreon supporters and responds to a listener’s comment about a previous episode’s plot.

Adam: “Once again, we’ve got a case where the criminal’s biggest mistake is hiring Granger.” (29:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Granger (intro): "A dead woman and a dumb kid as sweet little frame for murder as you ever saw…” (04:48)
• Irene Polly: “Please, Mr. Granger, just go down and listen to what Ronald has to say. Please.” (05:47)
• Lt. Rankin: "Forget my temperature. Now c'mon, how about playing along with us?" (06:13)
• Granger (as narrator): “I figured my tailor would be able to afford another payment on his new house…” (16:16)
• Vashley (revealing his plan): “It took weeks of planning… First, get the combination to the safe. Second, find a suitable sucker... You, Mr. Granger, came as an anticlimax.” (25:17)
• Granger (to Irene): “You framed your own brother into the shadow of the death chamber.” (27:04)
• Adam Graham (commentary): “This, I think, is probably the most inexplicable example… there was no reason for her to hire a private investigator…” (29:30)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Crime Scene & Set Up: 03:20–05:11
• Granger’s Investigation: 06:19–10:22
• Pool Room/Underworld Leads: 11:48–13:05
• Drive-by Shooting: 15:29–16:14
• Proof & Confrontation with Rankin: 19:39–20:48
• Ronald’s Full Confession/Hypnosis Revealed: 20:48–22:49
• Final Showdown with Vashley: 24:00–26:11
• Confrontation with Irene: 27:01–27:52
• Host Commentary: 29:22–32:00

Tone & Presentation

The episode maintains a wry, sometimes noir-light tone: Granger is world-weary yet persistent, Rankin is bluntly skeptical, and the plot unfolds with a mix of investigative grit and dry humor. The host, Adam Graham, provides thoughtful, succinct analysis with characteristic warmth and occasional wit.

This summary covers all major developments and character dynamics, highlighting the intricate plot twists and classic “frame-up” mechanics that make this vintage detective story a standout. If you missed the show, you’ll return knowing who did it…and who tried to double-cross everyone for the loot!