Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Building (EP4788)
Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Episode Overview
This episode features a classic Dragnet case titled "The Big Building" (original airdate: June 14, 1951). Host Adam Graham introduces the radio drama and provides thoughtful commentary afterward. The story follows Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of a wealthy society woman, Louise Marston. The drama explores themes of family conflict, the lure of wealth, and the tragic consequences of obsession—set against the clinical realism that made Dragnet famous.
Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown
1. Case Introduction & Initial Investigation
- Setting: Los Angeles, foggy Monday, February 8th.
- Incident: Louise Marston, a wealthy society woman, has been missing for two months before her husband, Dr. Robert Marston, finally reports it.
- Primary Investigators: Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero.
"You’re a detective sergeant. You’re assigned to homicide detail... A wealthy society woman in your city vanishes. Two months pass before her disappearance is reported to the police. There’s suspicion of foul play. Your job: investigate." – Narrator (01:44)
Highlights:
- Dr. Marston appears agitated but cooperative, claiming repeated arguments led his wife to leave for New York.
- He continues to receive letters from her, all postmarked New York, but lacking return addresses.
- Their son, Stanley, stopped getting letters at the same time as Dr. Marston—raising suspicions.
2. The Money Motive & Family Tensions
- Dr. Marston's Theory: Attributes the disappearance to a family money dispute, particularly involving Louise’s stepfather, William House.
- Assets: Louise had just been given $80,000 in bonds.
- Eyewitness Account: Marston’s secretary, Lenore Dexter, claims to have seen Louise and her stepfather at the airport the night after the disappearance.
"Just that. There’s only one reason for Louise disappearing the way she has. Money." – Dr. Robert Marston (07:20)
Marston’s Emotional Stake:
- Expresses longing for his wife, connecting her absence to his dream project—a new professional building to be named after him.
"Nothing’s very great unless there’s somebody to share it with." – Dr. Robert Marston (10:49)
3. Competing Suspicions: Step-father’s Accusations
- William House’s Entrance: He is direct, hostile toward Marston, and suspects Marston of murder.
- Denies Airport Meeting: Asserts Lenore Dexter’s story is a fabrication.
- House’s Motive: Paints Marston as a fortune hunter obsessed with the building and money.
"I think he’s murdered Louise. I think he killed her and buried her somewhere. That’s my honest opinion." – William House (12:43)
4. Handwriting Analysis & Stalled Investigation
- Official Analysis: Letters and bond receipt confirmed as genuine handwriting from Louise.
- Stalemate: Both men continue accusing each other; police cannot find Louise in New York.
- Weeks Pass: Case goes cold—no leads until a small but significant breakthrough.
"Our handwriting man’s checking over the letters and the bond receipt." – Sergeant Joe Friday (13:46)
5. Breakthrough: The Diamond Ring
- Housemaid’s Observation: During a dinner party at Dr. Marston’s, Lenore Dexter is seen wearing a large diamond ring—apparently the same worn by the missing Louise.
"Maid got a good look at the ring. Says it’s the same one Mrs. Marston was wearing the night she disappeared." – Sergeant Ben Romero (16:46)
6. Cracks in the Alibi: Lenore Dexter’s Confession
- Lenore Dexter Admits: Dr. Marston coached her to lie about seeing Louise and her stepfather at the airport.
- Motivation: Claims she was doing Marston “a favor”; he framed it as a harmless joke, but later frightened her into silence.
"He told me what to say. He said to do it as a favor for him." – Lenore Dexter (19:54)
7. The Architect’s Revelations & the New York Letters
- Architect Harold Whitmore: Discloses Marston gave him a stack of pre-written, sealed letters to have mailed from New York as a “practical joke.”
- Links the Timeline: The cement work in the Malibu house basement took place shortly after Louise’s disappearance.
"The doctor gave me a bunch of letters... said he was playing some kind of practical joke on his wife and son." – Architect Harold Whitmore (21:09)
8. Climactic Resolution: The Basement Discovery
- Police Take Marston to Malibu Cottage: Cement floor is ripped up; they search for Louise’s remains.
- Marston’s Breakdown & Confession:
- He orchestrated the cover-up, forged the narrative of Louise heading to New York.
- Admits to killing her after an argument over the building project.
"They’ve found her, you know that. Louise. Right where I buried her. What do you want me to say?" – Dr. Robert Marston (24:53)
"You wouldn’t understand, Sergeant. The only thing I ever wanted in my life, she wouldn’t let me have it. The building… Something that would last. Make people remember." – Dr. Robert Marston (25:00; 25:52)
9. Aftermath & Consequences
- Trial Outcome: Dr. Robert Marston is charged with first-degree murder but takes his own life in his jail cell before the case concludes.
"Ten days after his trial opened... the suspect took his own life in his jail cell by hanging." – Narrator (26:29)
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
-
"Nothing’s very great unless there’s somebody to share it with."
– Dr. Robert Marston (10:49) -
"I think he’s murdered Louise. I think he killed her and buried her somewhere. That’s my honest opinion."
– William House (12:43) -
"He told me what to say. He said to do it as a favor for him."
– Lenore Dexter (19:54) -
"They’ve found her, you know that. Louise. Right where I buried her. What do you want me to say?"
– Dr. Robert Marston (24:53) -
"The only thing I ever wanted in my life, she wouldn’t let me have it. The building... something that would last. Make people remember."
– Dr. Robert Marston (25:00; 25:52) -
"Well, you made it, Doctor. Why worry? You don’t need a building. They’ll remember you."
– Sergeant Joe Friday (26:11)
Host Commentary & Listener Feedback
Adam Graham’s Reflections (27:31)
- Remark on Practical Jokes: Finds the extent to which accomplices became involved in the “practical joke”—a murder plot—unusually far-reaching for today.
- Listener Comment: Mechanic 6682 quips, "I guess psychopaths with money need to see their names on buildings."
- Historical Clothing Trivia: Responds to a listener’s question about Dragnet characters and Clipper Craft suits, using it as a springboard for fun period research.
Memorable Moments & Timestamps
- Opening Recap of the Case: (01:28–03:00)
- Interview with Dr. Marston: (02:51–11:02)
- Hostile Step-father Interview: (12:04–15:00)
- Forensic Handwriting Results: (15:00–15:20)
- Break in the Case (diamond ring): (16:29–17:02)
- Secretary's Confession: (18:09–19:59)
- Architect's Testimony: (21:02–22:19)
- Confrontation in the Basement & Confession: (23:43–25:52)
- Aftermath (Trial and Suicide): (26:29)
- Host's Humorous Wrap-Up: (27:31–end)
Conclusion
The Big Building is a textbook Dragnet mystery: realistic, methodical, and tragic. The Marston case—driven by ego, money, and disappointment—uncovers how desperate ambition can unravel a life and destroy those close to it. The investigation, full of misdirection and subtle deceit, is punctuated by memorable lines and a haunting final confession. Adam Graham’s commentary highlights both the human drama and the period flavor that makes old-time radio so captivating for modern listeners.
Summary prepared by The Great Detectives Podcast Summarizer – For mystery fans and classic radio sleuths alike!