Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio — "Let George Do It: Man Under the Elm Tree (Encore)" (EP4883)
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

Overview

In this episode, host Adam Graham presents a classic "Let George Do It" mystery drama, "Man Under the Elm Tree," featuring Howard McNear. The story centers on a boarding house in a quiet college town, where suspicions surround a recent widow, her strange boarders, and a mysterious death. George Valentine and his keen assistant Brooksie are called to investigate when sinister events suggest a past murder may not be as accidental as believed, culminating in a tense unraveling of motives, red herrings, and a twist on who really deserves suspicion.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Case Introduction — Seeds of Suspicion

• [03:07] George Valentine receives a cryptic letter from Del Hannigan, who asks him to "help out" as his sister, Letitia Packler, seems headed for trouble due to her wealth and poor choice of companions.
• [04:18] Letitia runs a boarding house; her brother suspects new boarder Rick Stevenson is after her money.
• [04:54] Del: "She likes to make friends, only the wrong kind of friends. The kind that ought to be in prison."

2. Meet the Boarders — Quirks and Motives

• [05:15–06:17] Introductions to eccentric Skinny Adams, a failed and fragile former chemistry assistant with a penchant for fame and stories.
  • Mrs. Packler (on Skinny): "He was ambitious, but not very successful. And then there was an explosion..." [06:18]
• [07:02] Other boarder: Rick Stevenson, who claims to be in jewelry but raises suspicions.

3. Hints of Tragedy and Hidden Truths

• [08:35] Del reveals the source of his sister’s "too much money": the accidental death of her husband, Tom, in a hunting accident.
  • Del: "That crazy no good husband of hers. Dumb, that's all he was. Got himself killed dragging his own shotgun backward through a fence." [08:39]
• [09:08] Del's obsession: "He's after Tish's money, I tell you."
• George's retort: "So are you, aren't you?" [10:10]

4. Danger in Plain Sight

• [11:16] Skinny is found dozing in the sun, exposed after someone lowers his protective umbrella—a move that could be fatal to a man of his frailty.
• [13:20] George tests the umbrella: "It's all you can do to force that catch...it couldn't slip. Somebody pushed it down." [13:32]
• [14:26] Discovery: Rick Stevenson is, in fact, an insurance investigator; he’s probing Tom Packler's death, not a love interest.
  • Brooksie: "Federal State's life insurance company...Suggests you look into it. Rick Stevenson must be an insurance investigator." [14:29]

5. Mounting Suspense, Hidden Motives

• [17:27] Tension at the picnic; the town's attempts at normalcy thinly veil growing paranoia.
• [19:09] Odd detail: the American flag hung backwards. George suspects sabotage, possibly aimed at causing Skinny to fall from the balcony.
• [20:25] Brooksie connects a missing porch post to a booby trap, intended for Skinny if he tries to right the flag.

6. Collapse of the Cover-up

• [21:00] George prevents Skinny’s injury; realizes the attempts on his life are linked to what he may have witnessed.
• [21:43] George: "The insurance company’s angle, everything about it...If Rick Stevenson is their investigator, they certainly must suspect that it wasn't just a shotgun accident." [21:44–21:55]
• [22:46] Stevenson receives a call from police, confirming suspicions are closing in—then he abruptly disappears.

7. Shocking Discovery — The Murderer Revealed

• [24:10] Stevenson is found shot dead in the woodshed, moments after speaking with the police.
• [25:10] George confronts Mrs. Packler, who unravels:
  • Mrs. Packler: "He found out...He was coming to get me, and I had to kill him." [25:21]
  • Brooksie: "Were you afraid Mr. Stevenson would find that shotgun, examine it for evidence?" [25:33]
• [26:18] Mrs. Packler admits she feared Skinny had seen the original killing; tried to arrange fatal accidents for him.
  • Mrs. Packler: "He’d tell him he'd seen me shooting my husband." [26:18]

8. The Irony and the Truth

• George reveals the twist:
  • Skinny couldn't have witnessed the murder—his failing eyesight meant he couldn't even notice the flag was backwards.
  • George: "I mean, there was never any real evidence against you concerning your husband. You did commit a perfect crime. Perfect except for a guilty conscience." [27:04]
  • Stevenson, ironically, was just a conman pursuing the widow for her money—his involvement with the insurance company was a friendly tip, not an official investigation.

9. Epilogue — The Elm Tree Secret

• [28:00] Skinny muses on attention-seeking and storytelling, ultimately revealing his secret vision under the elm trees was fanciful—a memory of seeing "Newt Rockney," a famous football coach, rather than an eyewitness to murder.
  • Skinny: "No, no, no, no, Mr. Valentine. I just finally learned something...you know, people don't like to listen to people unless people tell people what people want to listen to." [28:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Derailing the Motive:
  • George Valentine: "So are you, aren't you?" (to Del Hannigan about being after his sister's money) [10:10]
• The Real Reason for Attempted Murder:
  • Mrs. Packler: "He'd tell him he'd seen me shooting my husband." [26:18]
• George Unveils the Truth:
  • George Valentine: "You did commit a perfect crime. Perfect except for a guilty conscience." [27:04]
• Skinny’s Revelation About People:
  • Skinny Adams: "People don't like to listen to people unless people tell people what people want to listen to." [28:18]
• Final Twist
  • Skinny Adams: "Well, miss, that time I saw Newt Rockney standing under the Elm..." [28:54]

Adam Graham’s Commentary

• [33:20] Adam Graham praises the episode: "I had my suspicions about the wife early on, but I got turned about in so many directions."
• He commends Brooksie for her sharp intervention that saves Skinny Adams’s life.
• Listener feedback highlights nostalgia and gratitude for classic detective stories, and the value of the podcast and its app for fans of Old Time Radio.

Important Timestamps

• Case set-up & letter from Del Hannigan: [03:07–04:52]
• Skinny Adams introduced: [05:31]
• Del explains suspicions: [08:35–10:10]
• Rick Stevenson revealed as an insurance investigator: [14:26]
• Danger to Skinny Adams: [13:20–20:25]
• George saves Skinny from the balcony trap: [21:00]
• Stevenson found dead: [24:08]
• Mrs. Packler’s confession: [25:21–27:14]
• Skinny’s final "secret": [28:54]

Conclusion

"Man Under the Elm Tree" delivers both a clever locked-room mystery and explorations of guilt, self-delusion, and the search for significance within a small town’s seemingly quiet life. Layered performances, red herrings, and an ultimately poignant twist make this episode a standout in “Let George Do It.” Adam Graham’s post-show reflections and listener remarks reinforce the enduring appeal of radio detective drama and the power of storytelling—both true and imagined.