Danger with Grainger: The Invented Husband

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Episode: EP4851 – “The Invented Husband”
Original Air Date: Nov 24, 2025
Featured Drama: “Danger with Grainger” (from 1956/1957)
Summary Prepared By: Podcast Summarizer AI

Overview

In this episode, host Adam Graham introduces another mystery from the Golden Age of Radio, featuring the series “Danger with Grainger.” The story “The Invented Husband” centers on a convoluted murder case involving mistaken identity, a fabricated marriage, and a large sum of missing money. Private detective Steve Granger is enlisted by a desperate young couple to clear them of murder charges after an ill-conceived scheme backfires, landing them at the top of the police suspect list.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Setup: A Scheme Gone Wrong

[02:55–05:47]

• Virginia Morse and Mark Phillips approach Steve Granger for help.
• Their plan: Virginia, not actually married, is brought in by Mark as his mother’s new secretary. To appease his suspicious mother (who thinks any woman interested must be after Mark's inheritance), they invent a husband for Virginia.
• Complication: When an unidentified body turns up in the river, they identify it as Virginia’s imaginary spouse to further their ruse.
• The situation spirals when the police reveal the man wasn’t drowned; he was murdered.

Quote — Mark Phillips:
“We need your help. We want to be cleared from a murder charge.” ([05:15])

2. Granger Digs In: Connecting the Dots

[07:15–13:00]

• Granger consults his police contact, Lt. Jake Rankin, who confirms the dead man (Copy) had a criminal record and was from Chicago.
• Granger taps underworld contacts and learns the murder is tied to a $60,000 heist involving two crooks: Copy and Roy Decker.

Notable banter:

• Lt. Rankin ribs Granger, acknowledging their history but instructs him not to get in the way:
  “Now, Granger, I’m not going to raise my voice... but talk fast. What do you want to know?” ([07:44])

3. Rough Interrogations & Narrow Escapes

[14:30–21:00]

• Granger tracks down Decker at the Fleming Hotel but gets bludgeoned and locked in a closet for his trouble.
• He’s rescued by underworld informant McCray, who confirms the $60,000 is at the heart of the case; Decker is after Virginia, believing she knows where the money is.

Notable Exchange:
“Don’t argue with danger.” – Decker, as he roughs up Granger ([17:30])

4. False Leads and Real Wives

[22:00–26:30]

• Lt. Rankin believes he has the case wrapped up, holding Virginia and Mark on suspicion, based on a waiter’s overheard conversation.
• Granger points out the real Mrs. Copy (the murdered man’s actual wife) has just arrived from Chicago—suggesting a possible frame-up.

Quote:
“One day...I’ll bat a baseball over your skull just to turn the other truth, my friend.” – Lt. Rankin to Granger, exasperated by the detective’s hunches. ([25:13])

5. Turning Point: The Real Killer’s Motive

[26:40–28:40]

• Granger observes the real Mrs. Copy acting suspiciously, retrieving a hidden bundle of cash from her hotel room—revealing the $60,000 loot.
• Mrs. Copy confronts Granger at gunpoint and confesses; she planned to kill Granger to cover her involvement.

Quote — Granger:
“I’ve always had a theory that no dame can shoot straight.” ([28:15])

• After a tense moment, Granger is able to disarm her. Police arrive and take her into custody.

6. Resolution: Justice and a Happy Ending

[28:40–31:30]

• Mrs. Copy is arrested; ballistics are expected to tie her to both murders.
• Virginia Morse and Mark Phillips are cleared, free to marry with Mark’s mother’s blessing.

Closing Jokes:
“You gonna wear a monkey suit? …After all, you don’t look your best when formally dressed.”
“When in a tux, I look deluxe.” – Granger and Rankin, celebrating with light-hearted banter. ([31:18])

Host Commentary & Listener Feedback

Host Insights — Adam Graham

[32:30–34:56]

• Adam reflects on the “cheesiness” found in the show’s conclusion, noting that even by 1950s standards, the one-liners in “Danger with Grainger” are especially tongue-in-cheek—sometimes to the point of being over the top.
• He critiques the plot’s convenience—wondering why any sensible criminal would hide stolen cash in a hotel room rather than a more secure location.
• Mentions the period adverts (especially for the Air Force), which offer a window into the era’s mindset and recruitment tactics.

Quote — Adam Graham:
“It was also nice to hear some ads from the era… Even military recruitment ads capture a bit of the times…” ([33:04])

• Listener “panic.66” on Spotify mentions: “Horrible pun indeed.” Adam agrees, noting the show’s penchant for cheesy dialogue but finds it mostly charming.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------|------------------| | Setup & Introduction | 02:55–05:47 | | Granger Investigates | 07:15–13:00 | | Encounter with Decker | 14:30–21:00 | | The Real Wife Emerges | 22:00–26:30 | | Climax/Showdown | 26:40–28:40 | | Resolution & Wrap-Up | 28:40–31:30 | | Host Commentary | 32:30–34:56 |

Notable Quotes

• “This is Steve Granger, private detective, with a story about a girl who invented her husband for herself and then found she was accused of his murder.” – Granger ([03:36])
• “You kids don’t believe in making my job easy, do you?” – Granger to Virginia and Mark ([05:59])
• “Don’t argue with danger.” – Decker ([17:30])
• “I’ve always had a theory that no dame can shoot straight.” – Granger ([28:15])
• “When in a tux, I look deluxe.” – Granger ([31:30])
• Host Adam: “Cheesiness, even by standards of the era…” ([33:12])

Conclusion

This episode is a quintessential example of old-school radio detective drama—full of unlikely schemes, snappy dialogue, and colorful characters. “The Invented Husband” weaves mistaken identities and criminal intrigue into a rapid-fire caper solved by Granger’s tenacity and a bit of luck. The story ends with justice served, a couple cleared to marry, and the hero cracking wise to the finish. Adam Graham’s commentary adds context, humor, and a touch of present-day nostalgia, rounding out an episode that’s equally entertaining for mystery fans new and old.