The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Danger with Grainger: "Phony Photographer Case" (EP4866)

December 15, 2025

Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

This episode features an installment from the classic radio detective series "Danger with Grainger," spotlighting the "Phony Photographer Case." Host Adam Graham transports listeners into the smoky world of 1950s private detective radio drama. Steve Granger, a wisecracking PI, finds himself enmeshed in a web of blackmail, murder, and undercover intrigue—centered around a redheaded nightclub camera girl with a mysterious agenda and a set of suspicious "lipsticks." The narrative weaves through tense encounters, underworld dealings, and a surprising twist involving a hidden photograph and the ingenious use of spy gadgetry.

Adam Graham follows up the episode with his own commentary, reflecting on the story's twists, the era’s espionage tropes, and listener feedback.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

1. Case Introduction and the Inciting Incident

• [02:54] Steve Granger stumbles upon an illicit deal going down—some "rocks" (likely diamonds) are exchanged, but the hand-off is interrupted by a flash photograph, resulting in murder.
  • Granger: “There's nothing as quiet as a knife. If I shot the guy, there'd be a thousand cops around in two minutes. Give me the camera.”

2. Meeting Ricky Moore—the Camera Girl

• [04:56–05:55] At the Arabian Nights nightclub, Granger is approached by Ricky Moore, a redheaded camera girl nervous about being followed.
  • Ricky: “I get through here in a few minutes. Walk out with me. Like you and I had a date.”
  • Granger agrees, sensing she’s in danger.

3. The Mystery Deepens

• [06:02–07:29]
  • Granger visits Ricky's apartment at her request after she spots someone watching her.
  • He encounters a suspicious man outside but chases him off.
  • Granger gets knocked out by an unknown assailant, and Ricky subsequently disappears.

4. The Photographer’s Darkroom and Alibis

• [08:03–11:24]
  • Granger visits Ricky’s boss, Frederick Gray, who claims ignorance of the photographer’s fate.
  • Granger eavesdrops as Gray secretly conducts a clandestine meeting with the man who was watching Ricky.

5. Blackmail, Murder, and Missing Photographs

• [11:26–16:17]

  • Granger’s investigation uncovers bloodstains in Gray’s studio, implying foul play.

  • Granger learns from his newspaperman friend Cal that a photographer named Phil Grant was murdered (the same Grant referenced in the opening exchange).

    • Notable: "Phil Grant, news photographer found stabbed to death on Pier 13. Editor claims he was working in a smuggling..." — Cal Hendricks [14:31]

6. Climax—Tying Up the Threads

• [17:20–23:13]

  • Granger reunites with Ricky at Gray’s office. Together, they discover Gray’s body hidden in a locked broom closet.
  • Granger realizes the crime is connected to a blackmail and diamond smuggling ring.

• Notable Discovery:

  • Granger finds that Ricky’s “lipsticks” are actually covert cameras.
    • Granger: “Could it be possible that these are not lipsticks? They might be cameras.” [21:11]

7. Showdown & Resolution

• [22:12–23:13]

  • In the alley near the nightclub, Granger overhears Clint Karen (the club’s owner) and Muncie (the thug) plotting to finish off Ricky and cover up their crimes.

  • Ricky and Granger are cornered, but Granger reveals he has the incriminating pictures and uses them as leverage. A fight ensues, and the police arrive.

  • Granger: “I don't think Ms. Moore has the pictures, Karen, because I've got them. And a couple of lipstick cameras I swiped out of her apartment.” [23:04]

• Aftermath:

  • Karen and Muncie are arrested for murder and smuggling. The pictures, taken with Ricky’s lipstick cameras, are used as evidence.

8. Final Dialogue & Reveals

• [23:55–24:39]

  • Granger asks Ricky why she returned to the club despite the danger; she confesses she wanted to take more photos for her undercover news assignment.

  • It’s revealed Ricky was actually a newspaper photographer investigating the crime ring and Phil Grant’s death.

  • Notable Quote:

    • Ricky: “I couldn't. This was a hush hush assignment. And Granger, just to show you how the news feels about you, here's a check.” [24:13]

  • Granger closes with his trademark humor and flirtation:

    • Granger: “Well, well, I love figures, Ricky. Whether they're numerical or physical. Say, how about the lipstick cameras? Got one with you today?”
    • Ricky: “No. Well, with you I figured I'd need regular lipstick.”
    • Granger: “Hmm. I got news for you. You could be right.” [24:35–24:39]

Host Adam Graham’s Commentary & Listener Feedback

Commentary Highlights

• [25:35] Adam Graham reflects on the episode:

  • Surprised by the twist that Ricky wasn’t just a camera girl but an undercover reporter.
  • Remarks on the fanciful nature of lipstick spy cameras, noting they existed for espionage but were “probably just the writer having some fanciful fun” in the context of newspaper reporting.

• Notable Quote:

  • “On the bright side, Granger actually got a check that wasn’t expected and got a date with the woman involved in the case. So this is one of those cases that make up for all the other ones where the woman turns out to be a lying femme fatale who stiffs our hero.”

Listener Mail Segment

• [26:40]
  • Graham reads feedback from a listener named Dawn on Spotify, who is amused by Adam’s strong opinions on “what makes a fixer good or bad.”
  • Graham clarifies his takes are shaped by consuming "a ridiculous amount of golden age crime fiction."

Patreon Acknowledgment

• [27:34]
  • Brief thanks to supporter Catherine, with a callout to Patreon listeners.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “There's nothing as quiet as a knife.” – Unnamed thug [02:54]
• “My name is Ricky Moore.” – Ricky Moore [07:39]
• “Could it be possible that these are not lipsticks? They might be cameras.” – Steve Granger [21:11]
• “I couldn't [tell you]. This was a hush hush assignment. And Granger, just to show you how the news feels about you, here's a check.” – Ricky Moore [24:13]
• “Well, well, I love figures, Ricky. Whether they're numerical or physical.” – Steve Granger [24:23]
• “On the bright side, Granger actually got a check that wasn’t expected and got a date with the woman involved in the case.” – Adam Graham, host [25:50]

Important Timestamps and Segments

• [02:54] — Opening crime and introduction of the smuggling plot
• [04:56] — Granger’s meeting with Ricky Moore at the nightclub
• [06:02] — Call for help and Granger’s investigation begins
• [08:03] — Interview with Gray and stealthy eavesdropping
• [11:26] — Clues to the blackmail scheme
• [15:36] — Granger and Ricky reunite; search for Gray
• [17:20] — Discovery of Gray’s body
• [21:11] — Revelation of lipstick cameras
• [22:12] — Showdown in the office; true villains arrested
• [23:55] — Final wrap-up and revelation of Ricky’s true identity
• [25:35] — Host commentary and analysis
• [27:34] — Patreon and listener feedback

Tone and Style

The episode blends classic noir hardboiled narration ("I was hit hard enough to flatten my arches...") with a brisk, snappy dialogue. Granger's wisecracks and persistent sleuthing keep the tension high, while moments of banter and cheeky flirtation add charm. Adam Graham’s commentary is warm, knowledgeable, and lightly humorous, with a nostalgic respect for Golden Age detective fiction.

For Those Who Haven’t Listened…

This episode stands as a gripping and twist-filled classic detective yarn. Private Eye Steve Granger untangles a web of blackmail, murder, and undercover reporting in the glittering, gritty world of nightclubs and newsrooms. The plot revolves around identity, hidden evidence, and clever spy gadgets, capped with a noir flourish and a dash of romance.