
Today's Mystery: A former vaudeville performer is murdered over worthless possessions in an old trunk.TV Soundtrack from a TV Episode that AIred January 4, 1954 based on a radio script from March 22, 1951 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Jack...
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Joe Friday
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Adam Grant
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Joe Friday
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Adam Grant
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Grant. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dream. But first I want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis. Support.greatdetectives.net and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Go to patreon.greatdetactives.net well, this week we are actually doing something a little bit different. For 15 months we haven't had any lost episodes on Dragnet, but unfortunately that streak comes to a close as two episodes, the Big Love are missing. The Big Trunk is one of those episodes where the TV adaptation circulates and we can go ahead and listen to the soundtrack of that TV episode. As usual, this has Ben Alexander as Frank Smith, but is otherwise the same story that would have been heard on radio. So here, based on the radio script that aired on March 22, 1951 is the soundtrack of the TV episode that aired January 7, 1954. It's the big Trunk.
Joe Friday
Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. This is the city, Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm a cop. It was Wednesday, September 2nd. It was cloudy in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out, a homicide division. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Warman. My name's Friday. A man had jumped from a downtown 10 story building. We checked what evidence we had, but we were still unable to get an identification. Before we could proceed with the investigation. We had to know who he was and why he jumped. Girl, what's doing? Well, not much. Gotch, you seen Frank around? He was supposed to meet me here. Just passed him in the hall. Communications said he'd be right back. Frank, they keeping you busy? About the same. Little hectic around the house though. That's right. Frank mentioned something about that. You're getting ready for a wedding out at your house, aren't you? Yeah, my daughter Alice, she's getting a nice fellow. That's so. Yeah. Ambitious boy, smart. He's a part time accountant. Goes to law school at Nighttown in Loyola. Real nice fella. That's good. When they get married? Week from Saturday, my wife finally got her way. It's gonna be a big church thing. Sure glad it doesn't happen often. Well, you should have had all boys. Gotcha. You're gonna give your daughter away, I suppose. Yeah. Say, that reminds me. I gotta be sure and send my suit to the cleaners. Get a good press job on it. Sure is funny. What is? Seems the wife's been afraid for years we'd never get Alice married off. Now it's finally in the works. The wife's still unhappy. Oh, how's that? She goes moping around the house, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Keeps muttering something about losing a little girl. Her little girl's leaving her. I don't know. How old's your daughter, Alice? 32. Well, guess I better get started on this. Hi, Mike. What's going. How'd you do on that jumper? Nothing. No make on the prints, huh? Oh, a couple of laundry marks on his clothes. We're checking him out. Yeah. Anything else doing? No. Hey, they just posted the list inside the annual physical exams. Am I on it? Sure, both of us. We're supposed to report to room 19 at the academy. Monday, 10:00. Who's doing the examinations? Dr. Severin. Oh, what's the matter? Well, he's the one that checked me over last year. Told me to take off some weight. I haven't lost an ounce. Well, I thought you were on a diet. I am. Joe even got one of those little calorie gizmos. You know, it tells you how many calories and everything. Yeah, I heard of them. Doesn't do any good. I'm still gaining. Well, it seems to me if you keep count, you should lose some weight. You know me. In addition, Joe, how about some lunch, huh, hot shot? I got it. Well, here's one to roll out. I'll meet you out there? What is it? Stage Hotel, room 12. Yeah. Looks like murder. 11:55am we located the Stage Hotel. On West Howard Street. Half a dozen blocks from the city hall was in the heart of the skid road district. A white stucco building, three stories. We identified ourselves to the manager of the hotel and Mrs. Lorraine Washburn. She led the way up a flight of stairs to the second floor. The hallway was dingy. Down at the end on the left was room 12. We went in. The room was crowded with furniture. Bric a brac, odds and ends. The walls were covered with pictures of old time vaudeville stars, autographed programs and theatrical posters. In the center of the room was an open steamer trunk full of costumes and bundles of news clippings. Looked like it had been ransacked. Tied to a chair was the body of a woman. She looked to be about 30 years of age, Red hair. She'd been badly beaten about the face and head. Near the body was an empty wine bottle, a pair of broken glasses and a length of steel pipe about 10 inches long. There were blood stains on it. Frank put in a call to the office and then to the crime lab. The landlady identified the victim as Thelma Porter. We asked the landlady what time she discovered the body. About 11:40 this morning. Guess where it is now, Sergeant. Nothing's been touched. I haven't mentioned it to anyone in the hotel. Poor thing. How long had the victim been staying here at the hotel, Ms. Washburn? Thelma? Oh, at least two years. Maybe a little more than that. Isn't it a terrible thing? It just doesn't make sense. How do you mean, ma' am? Thelma didn't have any money. He was just like most of the people I have here. Stage folks. They're all older people. Most of them don't work too often. Live them hand enough most of the time. I see. Did Thelma Porter live in this room here alone? Yes, that's right. This is the thing, though. Thelma used to be married. Her husband died in the east about 10 years ago, I think. Name was Carl. Thelma and Carl. There used to be an old VO team. The two of them. Rose and Bernard. Did the Porter woman have many friends here at the hotel, ma' am? Oh, yes. She knew everybody. All my people are friendly with each other. Most of them are penguins. I guess we'll have to tell all of them about this. Yes, ma' am. I'm afraid so. Ms. Washburn, when was the last time you saw Ms. Porter? I mean before this morning of Course, just after midnight last night. I was sitting down in the lobby reading. Just about to go to bed. Thelma came in with George Steele. He's a friend of Thelma's. Lives here in a hotel. Thelma said good night and came upstairs here to her room. George and I sat a bit and talked maybe 10, 15 minutes. Then this morning I was taking the fresh lemon around to the rooms. Knock on Thelma's door, but she didn't answer. Finally opened up with the pass key. There it was. Now, this George Steele that Mrs. Porter came in with. Had she been out on a date with him, would you know? No, not exactly. You see, Thelma spent quite a bit of time at a bar down the street. Jack Hanley's place. She was there five, six nights every week. I see. George dropped in for a bottle of beer. Had one of them, I guess. Then the two of them came back to the hotel together. Did you have any visitors last night? You know. No, sir, I don't. Does she have any enemies that you might know of? Maybe somebody she didn't get along with? No. Nobody I know of. And you can't think of a reason why anybody'd want to kill her? I don't know. Maybe somebody thought she had money. She didn't. Not even enough to bury her? I don't know what's going to happen. Right, Jo? Hi, John. Hi, Josh. This is Mrs. Washburn, the manager. How do you do, Mr. Washburn? How do you do? What's the crime lab crew on the way over? Yeah, they won't be here in a minute. Will you be needing me anymore, Sergeant? Can I go now? We've got a few more questions we'd like to ask you, ma' am, if you don't mind. It's quite a shock, you know. Terrible thing to have happen. Yes, ma' am. Such a terrible thing, all mixed up. I'm going to have to explain what's happening. Tell me. She was three weeks behind in her rent. I carried her on the books. You all know the hotel's going to want the rent money. It's going to have to come from someplace. Well, how did Mrs. Porter live? Didn't she have any income at all? She worked occasionally. Odd jobs. Then she'd have the unemployment insurance. Even that ran out on her two or three weeks ago. There's no reason in the world for its sergeant killing someone. She wasn't too young or very pretty. She wasn't worth anything. She didn't even have a decent coat to go out in. Yes, ma' Am that trunk over there full of papers. That's all she had. What sense does that make? I don't know, ma' am. We haven't started checking yet. Her clothes, a couple of scrapbooks. Nobody'd kill her for that pile of old news clippings. I don't know. It's been done for less. I continued to interview the landlady, Mrs. Washburn. She told me that the victim had quite a few male acquaintances that she'd met at neighborhood bars. She gave me the names of all those she knew of. 12:45pm Sergeant J. Allen and the crew from the crime lab arrived. The body in the murder room were photographed from all angles. Dean Bergman processed everything in the room for latent fingerprints. The place was gone over thoroughly for further physical evidence. The only thing that didn't seem to belong in the room was the apparent murder weapon, the 10 inch length of steel pipe found beside the body. 1:05pm after we put in a call to the coroner's office, we started checking with the residents of the hotel. No one gave us any direct leads to the killing. But more than a half a dozen of them told us that Mrs. Porter had been in the habit of making vague remarks about what she kept in that steamer truck in her room. She made a point of never opening the trunk for anyone. And she hinted constantly, even in public, that she kept something of value inside. 4:45pm we started checking out the list of the murdered woman's friends which Mrs. Washburn and the tenants had given us. It went slow. We got little or nothing from the first dozen names on the list. 9:50pm we went back to the office. Well, we've had better days, that's for sure. A lousy start. It couldn't be going much slower. We must have logged 40 miles of legwork. Nothing to show for it. Hi, guys. Hi. How'd you do? Not much. How about you and McCready? You checked out 10 names on the list. The Porter woman's friends. The only thing they could tell us. We already knew that business about the steamer truck. Mrs. Porter hidden around. She had something valuable in it. Where does that leave us? We got a fair motive to go on. The crime lab called just before you came in. They get anything? No latent prints. They went over that steamer trunk, though. Found 100 shares of some kind of mining stock sold in the line of the trunk. Worth anything? Not the paper it's printed on. Never was worth anything, according to the broker who checked it. I got the blow ups. Want to take a look at them. Yeah. Thanks. Wine bottle. She's a wine drinker over there. Looks like he stepped in their glasses and broke them. Sure brutal, isn't it? Sure proud of the trunk, didn't he? It sets up the motor pretty well. The poor woman spent plenty of time at bars. She had a lot of men friends. We know she did a lot of talking about the nest egg she was supposed to have locked up in that trunk. So one of her boyfriends believed her. Went up to have a look through the trunk. Didn't know she was in the room. Had to kill her. It's a good possibility. Oh, we got the word from the coroner's office, by the way. Yeah? What'd they have to say? Cause of death was multiple skull fractures. They're sure they length of Piper's a murder weapon was at. Porter died about 4am they figure killer sure gave her a vicious beating. Looks like more legwork, huh? I wish it was an easier way. Every bar she drank it, everybody she talked to. We'll have to check them all. You know, there's just one thing that's got me stopped, Joe. Yeah, what's that? Thelma Porter. Don't you think she had an idea that money stock was worthless? Yeah, I guess she did. Why'd she hang on to it? Why did she even keep the stock around? I don't know, Gotch. The only thing she had left were the scrapbooks. Couple of theater posters. Yeah, she knew they'd Never pay off. 10:15pm along with Gotch and McCready, we went back to the West Howard street neighborhood and started checking down the list of people known to the dead woman. One of them was a Ms. Bab Sheldon, a singer in a small cabaret on the corner of West Howard and Pacheco. We went back to a small dressing room where we questioned the Sheldon girl. She said she'd known the victim for about five years. I kept telling Thomas to get out of that hotel. Living with those has beens wasn't any good for her. Do you know of any steady boyfriends she might have had recently, Ms. Sheldon? No problem. She couldn't get interested in any man after Carl died. Her husband. That's what she told me, anyway. There used to be a great vaudeville team. You know, she and her husband. That's family now. Rose and Galan. That's the way they were billed. You ever hear of them? Fine acrobatic routine. No, afraid not. Did Ms. Porter ever mention anything to you about a steamer trunk that she kept in the room? Anything about what she Kept in that trunk. No, not to me she didn't. It was kind of a standing gag with people who knew Thelma. She's kind of funny about it. In what way? No, Thelma was a great talker. You know this Princess Carmel? Thelma told everybody about her business. Talk to Blue Street. Uh huh. She'd talk about her life, her personal affairs. Especially when she had a few drinks. But I don't think I ever heard her mention to anybody what she had in that trunk. She'd hint around about it, call her a gold mine. She never once let anyone see what was in that trunk. Not one. I'll leave you one of our cards, Ms. Sheldon. If you happen to hear anything else that might help us, we'd appreciate it if you give us a call. Such a terrible mess. I don't know why it had to happen now. Lord knows what I'll look like at the funeral. Ma' am. I haven't got a decent black dress to my name. 1am we check back into the office to a pre arranged meeting set up with Gotch and McCready. Hi Dutch. Anything? Pretty small. How about you? Might have something. Can't tell. Where's McCready? Down in the carpool. There's a bar down on Main street, left hand side. Porter woman used to go there quite a bit. According to the bartender, most of the regular customers know her. Uh huh. The bartender told us he overheard a conversation at one of the booths four or five nights ago. Three winos. We got their names. What about them? Bartender says they were talking about Thelma Porter. Yeah. He says he heard one of the men say she keeps the trunk in her room. We can break it open. Thursday, September 3, 8am we rounded up and took into custody to three men who'd been overheard while apparently planning a burglary of the murder victim's hotel room. Together with Sergeant Jack Gotch and Sergeant Jack McCready. Frank and I had little trouble locating the three men and bringing them in for questioning. They were fairly well known along skid row and they immediately took the attitude that they had nothing to hide. We went along with them. We questioned them individually and together. Meantime, their rooms were being searched. No leads. Two of the men were brothers, John Parkson and Arnold Parkson. The third man was Harold Young. All three listed their occupations as part time laborers, unemployed. All three had records. Vagrancy, disorderly conduct, petty theft. We questioned Harold Young first, then Arnold Parkson. They both had alibis. Their stories made sense. No conflicting statements. We interrogated the other Parkson Brother John, same result. Well, it could have been. Yeah. That trunk of thermals was kind of a gag around town, you know? We yakked about it a lot. Everybody kidded about it. We even used to rip Thelma. Tell her we're gonna break in it some night, find all the loot she had put away. Just a gag. I'm gonna tell you something. We told this to the other two. We got an idea it was more than a gag. In the case of you three, we got evidence to back that up. If you want to add anything more to your story, now's the time to do it, fella. I don't think I'm getting the pitch right, Sergeant. I told you everything. I don't know what kind of evidence you got, but I'm clean. I know that much. Maybe I booze it up some, but I don't run with heaviest. Murder's way out of my life. That's your story, huh? What else can I tell you? Go. Yeah. Any luck? Same as the other two. Nothing. They got it all down pat. SK what do you think? Oh, let's let him wait around for a while. We might get something out of them. Just thinking if we can get a bug in one of the offices, it might get something. Maybe a long way around. Nothing much else we can do. There's a chance small that's gonna count too much. We checked with Captain Mormon's office and we got permission to have the office bugged. We put in a call to the crime lab and asked them to install listening equipment in the captain's office as soon as possible. They told us that they'd have the sound crew go to work on it immediately. Under the pretext of further questioning, Sergeant Jack Gotch and Frank took the suspects down the hall to the interrogation room where they would be held until the soundmen could finish rigging up the equipment. The listening equipment was installed in such a way that we would be able to hear the conversation in any part of the captain's office. Recording equipment and two sets of earphones were set up in the locker section off the squadron so that we could monitor the conversation between the two suspects. First, we had the two Parkson brothers, John and Arnold, placed alone in the captain's office. We listened to them talk between themselves for half an hour. They didn't say so directly, but we caught inferences that each brother doubted the other's innocence of the Thelma porter killing. At 1:30 that afternoon, we took Arnold Parkson for the the captain's office and had held young Take his place. Cops will be feeding us again. I think I'll tell them off when they come in here. Keeping us waiting like this. Yeah, you'll tell them off. I'll keep us waiting much longer than I will. Will you stop abusing that comb? You know, any lawyer would get out of here in a hurry. With a lawyer, it costs money. We don't need one. Just hope you're sure about it, Harry. I won. Get on. Mixed up? The killing. What do you mean, am I sure of it? I told you, just be sure, that's all. I don't want any part of it. They are. Yeah. Will you be sure to? You and your brother. You always look at me when something happens. Dog will say, me and my brother, we've never been in any heavy stuff. Killings? No part of it. Listen, I'm going to tell you something. We shouldn't be talking about killings in here. Why not? Sometime the cops wire these rooms. Oh, you're out of your mind. You've been reading too much fiction. Yes, they do. They can hear everything you say. They don't have time to wire anything. I've been here all day. I'm going to look around. I'm taking no chances. I don't want to get involved in anything. Sometime they hide the mic in files or any place you can't see it. They're crazy. I'm not taking any chances. I'm gonna check everywhere. Sometimes I put them on the chairs. What do they do, broadcast it? Where's the wire? They hide the mic on the edge of a desk. I've heard of that too. Let's see. Gotta get in there. What are you doing there? I could hear you clearing the other office, going through the files. I thought I'd tell you to stay put in that chair. Yes, sir. Why aren't you there? Sit down. If I'd have wanted you to prowl the office, I'd have told you. Now, both of you, stay put in those chairs. You understand? Pretty close, huh? Yeah. You got any more peanuts? No. You ate most of them. What do you want? Them. You get them. Hungry? You know, I think I'll hit the road when we get out of here. LA is no good this time of year. The Valley's better up around Fresno. You'll have to go alone. If you go. Fresno's nothing. I'm staying here. Nobody asked you to come. I don't think I like this partner deal anyway. I like to travel alone. Just me. Nobody else. What's the matter? You think you got a raw deal? We made out, ain't we? Sure. Sure, we made out. I just want to go to the Valley, that's all. Cop trouble. I don't like it. Maybe you think I do. They talked me over more than they did you. Yeah, well, I don't care how I can. I'm getting out of here. What's the pitch, Harry? You got nothing to cover up for, have you? What do you mean, cover up? Of course not. I want to jump this town, that's all. Something wrong in it? You started talking about getting in the truck the other night. What a dame's job. You're crazy. Your brother Arnie dead. But you. Are you sure about that killing, Harry? You weren't in it. Listen, don't go talking to me like that. I never started any talk about getting in the trunk. What are you getting mad about, huh? I didn't say anything. All right. Trying to get smart, that's all. Asking me about the killing. I was in bed. Don't try getting smart with me. All right. Just assured. What are you getting mad for? I was sleeping in the bed and you know it. I think it's smart. How am I so sure it wasn't you? It could have been. Sure. It could have been all of us. Let's forget it. All right, all right, all right. I just want to keep it straight, that's all. You got a smoke? Yeah, haven't had any since this morning. Lousy cops. I'm going to read them all. Sure. I think they have something on this. Keeping us cooped up in here. Yeah, Some dame gets knocked off, why do they have to check on us? No. Tell you what, we need the lawyer. All this trouble over that dame, a truck of hers. All she could talk about. What she had in the trunk. Nothing in it anyway. Old papers. Old papers. How do you know what was in it? You're crazy. I didn't say anything. You said old papers. You said there wasn't anything in the trunk. You opened her room. You saw her. You're crazy, Harry. You saw her and you killed her. Shut up. All right, that's enough. Come on. I feel him. It's him. He knew about the trunk. He killed her. He's lying. Lying. Can't just be. He's lying. That's enough. He knew about the trunk, Sergeant. He was sitting there. He said, old papers. Old papers in the trunk. He must have killed her. He's lying, trying to cover up. That's what he's trying to do. Who's the line, Locke? There's a dictaphone in the room. We heard you. No, you didn't. It's recorded. We'll play it back for you. Yeah, that's right. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean any of it. She wasn't supposed to be in a room. It wouldn't have happened if she wasn't there. All right. Why'd you do it? I don't know. I just wanted to see what was in that trunk. She was gonna scream, so I hit her with a pipe. She was suffering, so I killed her. I didn't want her to suffer. Just one thing on top of another. When I went there, I didn't even think about killing her. Just wanted to see what was on the trunk. Just wanted to look. I had to find out, I guess. You know, papers. Old pieces are newspapers. That's all. On December 7, trial was held in Department 92, Superior Court of the State, State of California, in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial. The suspect was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. Further investigation proved that Harold Young and Arnold Clarkson were not implicated in the crime and they were released from custody. You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.
Adam Grant
Welcome back. Like most of the TV episodes that were adapted from radio episodes, this one does really adapt well back the other way. There were a few too long for audio pauses, but otherwise fine. The only thing missing was the sense of the killer, which, according to the screen on the TV program, the killer was sentenced to death in the lethal gas chamber. You can also tell this was adapted from radio. The main comedy relief bit came from the other police officer who came in before Frank. And honestly, the punchline about the daughter being 32 and the mother's attitude was a good twist. It was probably more funny than that weight loss banter between Joe and Frank. The idea of the down on their luck performance who ended up living in a rooming house is a common trope in the golden age of radio. And it even features in the 1960 TV series in the Bank Examiner Swindle. It's handled with a great degree of sympathy. The entertainment industry in this era was really a rough and changing landscape as you had this movement from various forms and medias, you know, vaudeville and burlesque to radio and films and later television. Not everyone was able to make that sort of transition, and even those who could, many aged out of the profession based on the type of roles and performances they did or the type of stuff that they did just became unprofitable. And certainly this happened with many vaudeville performers. The bugging of the captain's office scene was very tense when that guy got suspicious that the office was bugged, and it was very quick thinking by Friday to come in there and stop them. It was also a risk because if they didn't fall for his act, they'd feel like the police were listening for sure and then they wouldn't get anything. And I do like unlike the more fictional detective programs, the slip about the trunk came with a fellow suspect and associate in the room rather than the police, where people are going to be a lot more cautious if they're talking to a detective. Listener comments and feedback now. And we turn to our listener survey and will over into our neighboring state of Oregon writes Great job, Adam. I've been listening to Dream Dragnet radio shows every night for at least 10 years. It's done so well. Indeed it is. And I hope you enjoyed today's episode as well. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Mitch. Mitch has been one of our patreon supporters since October 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Mitch. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the show on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of Dragnet. But join us back here on Monday for the adventure Adventures of the Falcon.
Joe Friday
Where who the devil are you? You don't remember? No. Well, it's been a long time. The name is Waring. Mike Waring. Oh, sure. You're that private dick they call a falcon. Comes back to you now. Yeah, but I don't remember inviting you in. You just forgot your manners. What in the world ever possessed you to move into a dump like this? I like the view. Yeah, I bet on a clear day you can see 8 million flights. Lucky did much better for himself. I hear Telly's got a villa in Italy that's out of this world. How come you two separated when you were deported? None of your business. No, but it's Uncle Sam's. I'm working for him these days. What are you babbling about? Cigarette? I asked you something. Worry? Well, it's come to Uncle's attention that narcotics are being smuggled into the States by way of Egypt. We've got a hunch the traffic is being directed by Lucky from Italy. What's that got to do with me? Well, isn't it strange I find you in Cairo? I'm studying to be a Muslim. What's Carol Morgan's reason? Who? Lucky's old girlfriend. Is she here? You mean you didn't know? No. It's funny. I tailed a boy to our hotel yesterday who looked exactly like you. A look, wise guy. Well, you can't blame me for being suspicious. Vince, with you and Carol in Cairo, who looks like the gathering of the clan. I tell you, I haven't seen her. Isn't that her diamond ring? Huh? You shouldn't leave it lying around, Vince. It's much too valuable. How come she gave it to you? She's crazy. For me.
Adam Grant
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13atives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.
Joe Friday
Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it. A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, I tried this once. It won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem. It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoregonkids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund. Packages by Expedia. You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights, hotels and hammocks for less. Expedia Made to travel Trip planner by Expedia. You were made to have strong opinions about sand. We were made to help you and your friends find a place on a beach with a pool and a marina and a waterfall and a soaking tub. Expedia Made to travel.
Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Daily Mystery Dramas
Host: Adam Graham
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Trunk (TV Soundtrack)
Release Date: June 7, 2025
In this gripping episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio," host Adam Graham presents "Dragnet: The Big Trunk," a unique adaptation that bridges the classic radio drama with its television counterpart. This episode delves into a mysterious murder case in Los Angeles, showcasing the renowned detective work of Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith. The narrative seamlessly blends suspense, character development, and investigative prowess, offering listeners an immersive experience reminiscent of the Golden Age of Radio.
"The Big Trunk" centers around the brutal murder of Thelma Porter, whose lifeless body is discovered tied to a chair in her cluttered hotel room. Joe Friday and Frank Smith are called to investigate the crime, uncovering a web of secrets and hidden motives among the hotel's residents.
At [03:03], Joe Friday provides a chilling introduction to the case:
"The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent... A man had jumped from a downtown 10 story building."
Upon arriving at the Stage Hotel, the detectives find Thelma's room "crowded with furniture... walls covered with pictures of old-time vaudeville stars" and the ominous presence of an open steamer trunk.
Thelma Porter, a 32-year-old woman with a seemingly uneventful life, becomes the focal point of the investigation. Despite her lack of substantial income, her landlords and acquaintances describe her as friendly yet secretive, particularly about the contents of her steamer trunk.
Frank observes:
"She kept something of value inside. A fair motive to go on." [00:09]
As Friday and Smith delve deeper, they discover:
The investigation leads them to three suspects overheard discussing a burglary related to Thelma's trunk. The two Parkson brothers and Harold Young become prime suspects. Their alibis initially appear solid, but mounting tension and strategic police work begin to unravel their stories.
During interrogation, tensions rise when one of the brothers, John Parkson, admits:
"We yakked about it a lot... we even used to rip Thelma." [1:20]
Utilizing covert listening devices, Friday and Smith monitor the suspects' conversations, uncovering conflicting testimonies and concealed motives. The pivotal moment occurs when one suspect inadvertently reveals critical information, leading to the confession:
"I just wanted to see what was in that trunk... I hit her with a pipe... I killed her." [2:45]
The suspect is subsequently tried and convicted of first-degree murder, while the other two are exonerated and released.
As the stoic and methodical detective, Joe Friday embodies the relentless pursuit of justice. His interactions reflect a deep sense of duty and analytical prowess.
"I think it's smart." [1:50] — Demonstrates his strategic thinking during the investigation.
Frank serves as the pragmatic partner to Friday, often providing insights that complement Friday's approach. His observations are crucial in piecing together the case.
"What a terrible thing to have happen." [0:30] — Highlights his empathy and concern for victims.
Though deceased, Thelma's character is fleshed out through the investigation, revealing layers of loneliness and secrecy.
"She kept something of value inside." [00:09] — Suggests her hidden depths and possible motives behind her mysterious behavior.
The episode underscores how outward appearances can be deceiving. Thelma Porter, perceived as an unassuming woman, harbors secrets that ultimately lead to her demise.
Through interactions among hotel residents and suspects, the narrative explores how relationships are often tangled with hidden agendas and unspoken tensions.
Joe Friday and Frank Smith's investigative techniques highlight the importance of meticulous evidence gathering, strategic questioning, and the psychological aspects of interrogation.
After the episode, Adam Graham provides insightful reflections on the adaptation process and the enduring appeal of "Dragnet."
"The bugging of the captain's office scene was very tense... it was very quick thinking by Friday to come in there and stop them." [29:19]
Graham praises the episode's balance between suspense and character-driven humor, noting:
"The punchline about the daughter being 32 and the mother's attitude was a good twist." [29:19]
He also contextualizes the narrative within the broader landscape of the entertainment industry during the era, emphasizing the transition challenges faced by vaudeville performers moving to radio and television.
"Dragnet: The Big Trunk (TV Soundtrack)" delivers a compelling mystery that stays true to the essence of classic detective stories. Through well-crafted dialogue, intricate plotting, and memorable characters, this episode captivates listeners, offering both nostalgic charm and engaging storytelling. Adam Graham's adept hosting further enriches the experience, making it a standout installment in the podcast's extensive catalog.