Let George Do It: Needle in the Haystack (Encore) (EP4588)

Summary

Episode Summary: "Let George Do It: Needle in the Haystack (Encore)" (EP4588)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham Radio Detective Podcasts
Release Date: December 31, 2024

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Introduction

In this encore presentation of "Let George Do It: Needle in the Haystack," listeners are transported back to the 1950s, immersing themselves in a classic detective narrative set against the vibrant backdrop of Pasadena during the Rose Festival. Hosted by Adam Graham, the episode combines thrilling mystery with the nostalgic allure of old-time radio dramas.

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Plot Overview

[02:21] The episode kicks off with George Valentine receiving an urgent plea from Ferdinand Vaas, whose prized possession—one dozen red roses, the culmination of his life's work—has been stolen. Vaas is desperate, believing these flowers hold more significance than mere flora.

[03:14] George Valentine, accompanied by his associate Brooksie, sets out to Pasadena to investigate the theft. Their first stop is Theodore Herman's flower shop, where they encounter Herman himself.

[08:00] Tensions rise as they discover that the shop has been broken into, with flowers scattered and the prized roses missing. Herman claims ignorance, pointing fingers at his brother, Joshua Herman, who had access to the shop and had recently received the roses via air express.

[10:24] The investigation takes a turn when Joshua Herman arrives, agitated and defensive. He reveals a potential link between the stolen roses and a smuggling ring, suggesting that diamonds may be concealed within the flowers.

[19:07] Valentine and his team collaborate with the local police, leading to the identification of a suspect driving a Cadillac. The pursuit culminates during the Rose Festival parade, where Valentine confronts the hijacker amidst the crowd's festivities.

[21:16] In a climactic showdown, it's unveiled that Theodore Herman orchestrated the theft to cover up his involvement in the smuggling operation, leading to the murder of his brother, Joshua. Valentine deftly pieces together the evidence, exposing Herman's deceit and ensuring justice is served.

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Key Characters and Interactions

• George Valentine: The astute and relentless detective leading the investigation.
  "Well, that's him, huh? The hijacker." [21:30]

• Ferdinand Vaas: The distraught client whose roses have been stolen.
  "My roses. One dozen red roses." [04:08]

• Theodore Herman: Owner of the flower shop, whose facade cracks under scrutiny.
  "My shop has never been broken into before, Mr. Valentine." [09:04]

• Joshua Herman: Theodore's brother, whose erratic behavior hints at deeper involvement.
  "Do I care? Am I interested in diamonds?" [24:09]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• George Valentine on the theft's impact:
  "I suppose it gives you kind of an empty feeling." [04:17]

• Ferdinand Vaas emphasizing the roses' uniqueness:
  "They're the Ferdinando Rose." [05:07]

• George Valentine assessing the investigation's progress:
  "A smuggler in Mexico or maybe a ring of smugglers." [18:42]

• Climactic accusation by Valentine:
  "Don't bother to look innocent. You killed your brother." [26:06]

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Host Insights and Commentary

Adam Graham provides thoughtful reflections post-drama, highlighting the episode's setting in Pasadena and its synchronization with the Rose Festival and the Rose Bowl game. Notably, he observes:

• [31:25] "This episode puts Let George Do It smack in the middle of the Los Angeles area."

• [31:25] Discusses the dynamic scripting based on real-time events, such as the outcome of the Rose Bowl game, noting, "the game score given I listened to it again was correct. Ohio State won 1714 on a fourth quarter field goal."

Graham underscores the timeless charm of old-school radio detective stories, emphasizing their enduring appeal and the seamless blend of suspense and drama.

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Conclusion

"Let George Do It: Needle in the Haystack (Encore)" masterfully intertwines mystery, character development, and setting to deliver a captivating listening experience. Through George Valentine's incisive detective work, listeners witness the unraveling of a complex plot rooted in greed and deception, all set against the festive yet chaotic environment of Pasadena's Rose Festival. Adam Graham's insightful commentary enriches the episode, bridging the golden age of radio dramas with contemporary appreciation.

For enthusiasts of classic detective stories, this episode exemplifies the genre's quintessential elements—sharp dialogue, intricate plotting, and memorable characters—ensuring its place as a standout installment in The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio series.

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Awards and Recognition

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio is a Podcast Award finalist, lauded for its authentic recreation of old-time radio dramas and insightful host commentary. Featuring esteemed actors such as Robert Daly (George Valentine), Virginia Greg (Brooksie), and Wally Mayer (Lt. Riley), the podcast continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling and nostalgic appeal.

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Listen and Engage

Subscribers can enjoy six different detective audio dramas each week, delve into hundreds of archived episodes, and engage with the community through listener comments and feedback. To explore more, visit Great Detectives of Old Time Radio or connect on Facebook at facebook.com/RadioDetectives.

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This summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for both longtime fans and new listeners seeking to dive into the thrilling world of old-time radio detectives.

Transcript

[Adam Graham]

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, inviting you to enjoy these New Year's themed encores that come from various points in our podcast history. The episodes are older, and as such, many of the offers or information contained therein may not currently be accurate unless it's also reflected on our Great Detectives website. But now enjoy today's encore and have a happy new year.

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you've got a comment, please send it to me box [e-mail] Be sure to cast your vote for the show on podcast alley podcastally.greatdetectives.net and become one of our friends on Facebook. Facebook.com Radiodetectives well, before we get into today's program, I do want to encourage you to try Audible. Audible brings you a world of great audio entertainment. You can enjoy great audiobooks, whether it's right off the New York Times nonfiction best seller list or you want to sit down with a classic mystery. If you don't have the ability or time to read at a given moment, audible is great. Whether you're in the car or out and about, walking or exercise. It's a great convenience and you can try it out free for two weeks and get a free audiobook by going to AudibleTrial.com GreatDetectives that's AudibleTrial.com greatdetectives well, this is the first Let George Do it episode of the 1950s, and it's momentous for another reason as well. We'll talk about that when we get back, but for now, let's go ahead and take a listen to Needle in the Haystack.

[George Valentine]

Personal Notice Dangers, My Stock and Trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you got a job for me? George Valentine. Write full details.

[Standard Oil Co.]

Standard Oil Co. Of California, on behalf of independent Chevron gas stations and Standard stations throughout the west, invites you to let George Do It. Needle in the Haystack Another Adventure of George Valentine.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

My dear Mr. Valentine, I quite appreciate the imposition of sending you this urgent demand on a holiday, but I must see you. I must have your help immediately. My entire life's work is in jeopardy. My labor, my love, the fruit of my brain has been stolen from me. 12 priceless objects, Mr. Valentine. The culmination of my life's endeavor. My entire fortune stolen. Please, please meet me at your office regardless of the hour. Most desperately, Ferdinand Vaas.

[George Valentine]

All right, all right, let's have it. Something Pretty valuable. Was stolen from you, is that right?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Oh, my most priceless possessions, Mr. Valentine. Without them, I am nothing. Without them?

[George Valentine]

Well, what were they?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

My roses. One dozen red roses.

[Brooksie]

You lost your roses, Mr. Vaas?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Precisely.

[George Valentine]

I. I suppose it gives you kind of an empty feeling.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Oh, rather, yes.

[George Valentine]

Yes, Brooksie, it's been a rougher weekend than I thought.

[Brooksie]

Wait a minute, George. Mr. Vaas, where. Where did you lose these dozen red roses?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

In Pasadena.

[George Valentine]

Look, buster, get out of here fast.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Before I. Mr. Valentine, what is the matter with you? Have you gone crazy?

[George Valentine]

Oh, no. I'm as sane as you are, Napoleon.

[Theodore Herman]

But let go of me.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Now, now, please listen, Mr. Valentine. If the flowers are worth thousands, my lights work.

[George Valentine]

They are sure, sure worth thousands of Rose bowl tickets. I know. Find a dozen roses among millions.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Oh, now listen to me. I have devoted my life to those roses. They're the only ones of their kind in the world. They're not just red.

[George Valentine]

No.

[Joshua Herman]

They're flame.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

They're crimson.

[Standard Oil Co.]

They're fire.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

The Ferdinando Rose.

[Brooksie]

Ferdinando?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

It was the Mater's idea. The name rather appropriate, don't you think? We live in Mexico City.

[George Valentine]

Oh, sure. I could tell from your accent.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Quite, quite so, Quite so. Oh, yes, yes, I see what you mean. But we've been there for years now, in climate, you know. Mr. Valentine, you don't seem to appreciate the Rose Festival in Pasadena attracts the world's foremost authorities on flowers. My unveiling of the Ferdinando today would have emblazoned my name in history.

[Brooksie]

Like Martha Washington.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

I beg your pardon?

[George Valentine]

Skip it. Never mind. Somebody clipped your butt. Stole them, huh? Okay. How did it happen?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Well, I came up on the train and then at the last possible moment, the Mater posted the roses to me by air express. So they be fresh, you know. But I have never received.

[Brooksie]

Did you call the airline?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Oh, yes, yes, the boxes transported all right yesterday. But somewhere in the express delivery service it became lost or stolen. The service insist that they've never even heard of it.

[George Valentine]

Oh, look. That sounds more like a mix up in mail than it does.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

I have the name of the man at the delivery branch office. I'm not concerned with whether he's a criminal or an idiot. All I want is my roses. I have tried to see him alone and I've gotten nowhere. There's only a few hours left, ma'am. My roses will be wilted unless you help me not.

[George Valentine]

All right, all right, take it easy. We'll go see this guy with you. Oh, brother. What a way to start the new year. Waking People up. My aerial's busted. I can't see the game today. You got any idea how many packages we've handled the past two weeks? Flowers to Pasadena, Coals to Newcastle.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

My good fellow, the package was distinctly marked F. Vaaz, Pasadena, California. Yet somehow your company has made a mistake.

[George Valentine]

We don't make mistakes anyway. Oh, say, it's not a bad thing once you open your eyes. The flower vase.

[Joshua Herman]

That's it.

[George Valentine]

That's what happened.

[Brooksie]

Flower vase.

[George Valentine]

Yeah, I got a small district. It's the name of one of our little floor shops in my area. It was marked for them, wasn't it? That's where I had the delivery boy take it. You sent this guy's package to a flower store? Oh, well, I mean, yes, but. But that was the way it was addressed. I thought. F. Vase. It was marked flowers.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Naturally, I thought you was distinctly marked.

[Theodore Herman]

Vase.

[Joshua Herman]

Vase.

[George Valentine]

I tell you, first, I'll. Cut it out. Will you, Both of you? The flower vase, huh? Come on, Brooksy. We can find it. All right.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Wait a minute for me, old fellow.

[George Valentine]

Oh, no, you don't, buster. Apologize to the man and then wait for us at your hotel. I'm crazy enough to go sniffing for roses. I'd rather go crazy alone.

[Brooksie]

This is it, I guess, George.

[George Valentine]

Yeah.

[Brooksie]

It's not much of a shot.

[George Valentine]

Well, it's a neighborhood place. Far cry from all the excitement up on Colorado, isn't it?

[Brooksie]

Looks like it's open, though. Somebody isn't rushing to get an early seat for the parade.

[George Valentine]

Oh, brother, when I think I could be having scrambled eggs and waiting to tune in the orange bul.

[Brooksie]

George, look.

[George Valentine]

Yeah, the joint's a mess. Flowers all over the floor.

[Brooksie]

The lock was broken. This shop's been broken in.

[George Valentine]

You mean broken up, angel and boxes all torn open, counter tipped over. I certainly don't see any roses. Huh.

[Brooksie]

Maybe this didn't happen so long ago, George. I mean, I thought I heard.

[George Valentine]

Yeah. Background. Slow down.

[Theodore Herman]

Let go of me. I'll call the police. Now what do you want?

[George Valentine]

Just take it easy, Shorty. Take it easy. Now. What's the big idea playing scavenger hunt in here?

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, me? Well, I didn't do it. I'm the owner. Theodore Herman. Flowers for funerals. That's me.

[George Valentine]

Mr. Herman. It just doesn't make sense. None of it.

[Theodore Herman]

My shop has never been broken into before, Mr. Valentine. Never. I hate trouble. Funerals. A few corsages, maybe somebody remembers a wedding anniversary. That's all I ask.

[George Valentine]

Yeah, sure, I know. I know it's tough, but you say There wasn't any money taken out of the cash register. Well, how about those roses?

[Theodore Herman]

Well, I have nothing to do with the Rose Festival. I'm just a small man.

[George Valentine]

I mean, did you get the package? One intended for Mr. Varden.

[Theodore Herman]

But I tell you, the only business I had yesterday.

[Brooksie]

Where's the receipt? George, what was with the papers? Where the condo tipped over.

[George Valentine]

Yeah. Yeah, sure. That's it, all right. 4:00pm yesterday. Received delivery. Air express package, Mexico City.

[Brooksie]

So your memory's not so good, is it, Mr. Herman?

[Theodore Herman]

Here, let me see. Oh, but I didn't. There, you see? J.H. it says J.H. of course. It was my brother.

[George Valentine]

Your brother?

[Theodore Herman]

Joshua Herman. He signed for the package. I remember now. I had gone to Forest Lawn. Joshua stayed here for an hour or so.

[George Valentine]

But didn't your brother say anything when you got back? He must have put those roses someplace in water, maybe. They must have been here several hours.

[Theodore Herman]

He didn't say anything unless. Well, he might have made a mistake and put them in the big refrigerator back here. He's not a flower man. Cold storage is usually just for orchids.

[Joshua Herman]

Stand still, everybody. Look at the orchid remarks. Sister Raleigh. Ms. Gun.

[Theodore Herman]

Closer.

[George Valentine]

Suppose you stop waving it around the room, Ronald.

[Joshua Herman]

I can't help it.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

I'm cold.

[Joshua Herman]

Waiting all morning for you guys to stop jabbering.

[George Valentine]

Well, get out of my way so fast, buster. You're the guy who tore up this joint.

[Theodore Herman]

Of course he did. He did it. He was caught.

[Joshua Herman]

He was hiding. Shut up, shorty. I ain't got no roses. There's nothing in there but a quarter ice cream. Now step to one side.

[George Valentine]

I said stick around.

[Joshua Herman]

Don't get any bright ideas about fighting. Following me, Valentine?

[George Valentine]

You didn't find the roast, huh? Come on. Who do you work for? You're not bright enough to want them.

[Joshua Herman]

You can't hurt my feelings, Valentine. But I can hurt yours.

[George Valentine]

You don't die.

[Joshua Herman]

Yeah, that's better. Now, you want to know where I'm going? I'll tell you, bright eye.

[Theodore Herman]

I.

[Joshua Herman]

The hot bath.

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, dear. All I ask of life is a good, steady flow of funerals. And now.

[George Valentine]

Oh, skip it, will you? There's too much excitement over a dozen roses, even for Pasadena.

[Brooksie]

He certainly is, George. But he didn't find them.

[George Valentine]

Well, that's what I mean. There's only one person who does know where they are, Mr. Herman. Your brother Joshua. Now, where is he?

[Theodore Herman]

I don't know. I loaned him my car last night and he's been gone ever since. He's from out of town. You See?

[Brooksie]

Gone. Well, why didn't you report it?

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, there's nothing wrong. Don't misunderstand me. Joshua said he had to get into condition for the game, that's all.

[George Valentine]

The game?

[Theodore Herman]

Of course. That's why Joshua's here. He's wealthy, he's successful, he's just a little blind, that's all. He thinks Ohio State is going to be California.

[Joshua Herman]

The California bear is losing all its hair. Its teeth are growing.

[George Valentine]

Come on, come on, come on. The roses.

[Joshua Herman]

Let me tell you that any team from the Midwest can lick any team from anywhere. Solari, Lucy Gronk. I never heard of him. Step right up and place your best. Gentlemen, I will give you.

[George Valentine]

Come on. Bartender, bring us two cups of coffee, will you?

[Joshua Herman]

I, I say, that guy didn't want to talk football either.

[George Valentine]

What guy?

[Joshua Herman]

Well, I was there in my brother's store like I told you. I, I signed for those roses. Sure. And then this guy comes in a few minutes later. He didn't even know who Savic was. Can you imagine that?

[George Valentine]

Did somebody want to talk roses?

[Joshua Herman]

No, he didn't talk at all. Big six foot monkey, flashy dresser, you know. Takes one look at the Rosas, they were the only ones in the joint. He grabs some fats, throws me a dollar bill and then he runs.

[George Valentine]

You're getting warmer, brother. Remember anything else about him?

[Joshua Herman]

Hey, he left a big Cadillac sitting at the curb with a motor running.

[George Valentine]

Catch the license number?

[Joshua Herman]

Well, sure, sure I did. It was blank. Blank something.

[George Valentine]

Three, eight.

[Joshua Herman]

Yeah, Mr. Valentine. I just thought he was a big sport, grabbing flowers for his wife, you know. You know. Oh, yeah, yeah. Something else too. He was kind of squint eyed and had a mole on his cheek.

[George Valentine]

Okay, thanks very much. Ohio. Stick around.

[Joshua Herman]

What was he anyway, A crook or something? Say, you know, I. I'm not really from Ohio State, you know, I, I just happen to know a girl who was born in Dekton once. And let me tell you that we're.

[Theodore Herman]

But Joshua and I will be seeing the parade, going to the game.

[George Valentine]

Keep your eye on Ohio, will you, Brooks? He's in the next room there, beyond the Palms.

[Brooksie]

Sure, George.

[Theodore Herman]

We don't want to be mixed up in any trouble. It's his holiday.

[George Valentine]

I'm sorry, Mr. Herman, but I'm telephoning the police and two bits say they want you both to stick around to answer questions. This three ring circus is getting wackier by the minute.

[Brooksie]

But where is Ohio? I don't see him, do you?

[Theodore Herman]

Well, maybe twice. Needed to wash his hands, Miss Brooks. I'll go. You're looking for Ohio state. He's outside.

[Brooksie]

What?

[Theodore Herman]

He said he needed some fresh air, miss. Coffee makes him sleep.

[Brooksie]

Oh.

[Theodore Herman]

Through the back door there toward a parking lot. Parking lot? Oh, you don't suppose he's on his way again, do you? Mine is blue sedan.

[Brooksie]

No, no, there he is over there, asleep in the back seat.

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, yes, yes. You'd better let me snap him out of it. Joshua. Joshua. No, wait a minute, miss. Stay where you are.

[Brooksie]

What's the matter?

[Theodore Herman]

Wait till I cover him with a blanket. He's. Mr. Harmon, go back inside. Get Mr. Valentine off that throne now. Hurry. I shook him. He was blood on my hands. Me asking for a steady flow of funerals. There he was, dead. My own brother stabbed.

[Standard Oil Co.]

We'll return to tonight's adventure, adventure of George Valentine in just a moment. One of these days you get in your car to start out to a dinner party, a business trip or maybe a family gathering. You touch the starter and. Oh, dead battery. But there's an easy way to avoid that kind of holdup and have your car start fast every time. The protective service you get at independent Chevron gas stations and at standard stations will do it. They can tell in a jiffy if corrosion is threatening the battery cables. They'll make sure the water level is right and the terminal posts and clamps are okay. Why not get this speedy protective service tomorrow? Avoid the delay and extra costs of a neglected battery. It's especially important at this time because short trips in cold weather put extra drain on the battery, cut down its ability to do its job. And of course, your battery loses power most when your car is used least. So for full starting power and to keep your lights and radio working properly, ask for a battery check. It's another protective service offered you at standard stations and at independent Chevron gas stations where they say and mean we take better care of your car. And now back to tonight's adventure of George Valentine. January 2, 1950. And where are you? Pasadena, of course. But you didn't come to see the rose festival. No. You only came to see 12 red roses belonging to Mr. Ferdinand Vaz. Well, you haven't found them yet. And you didn't come to see the Rose bowl game like Joshua Herman did. Only of course, he won't be seeing it either now that he's dead. His too full of thorns, little fingerprints.

[George Valentine]

A blanket with a hook. Er, but everybody's in a hurry.

[Joshua Herman]

You had to go ringing bells. The city limits.

[George Valentine]

All right, all right, let it happen.

[Joshua Herman]

Oh, everybody's looking for a dozen roses. Car hijacked them last night. That guy and let him get the rope. Yeah. Ohio State might remember some more.

[George Valentine]

I don't know. Say, I told me about the one with the garnet.

[Brooksie]

Mike Riley.

[George Valentine]

I felt risky. Anything else but true.

[Joshua Herman]

What do you mean?

[George Valentine]

That original story about the roses.

[Joshua Herman]

Yeah, but there were some roses from Mexico City. We know that delivery service man told you. He handled the package.

[Brooksie]

Yes. And Joshua Herman told you he opened it, George. He saw the roses. They're what the man came and took.

[George Valentine]

Oh yeah, yeah, sure. Thugs and hijackers and knife artists are all interested in a valuable new type flower.

[Brooksie]

You mean you smell something besides the.

[George Valentine]

Sure. Smuggling. What else?

[Joshua Herman]

Smuggling?

[George Valentine]

Oh, it goes like this, Riley. A smuggler in Mexico or maybe a ring of smugglers. I don't know. Decide to take advantage of the season. Must be a lot of flowers being shipped around right now for the Tournament of Roses. Well, it's a good time and way to send something in, isn't it?

[Joshua Herman]

Inside the roses or maybe some of the Maponi roses. Yeah, yeah. Ah, only the other stuff still happens. The misdelivered package, the hijack.

[George Valentine]

All I'm driving at, Riley, is send out a description of Ferdinand Vaz. Find him and you'll find the answer.

[Joshua Herman]

What?

[George Valentine]

Well, that's right. I checked the hotel. Vaz never registered there. He's a phony. But at least he could tell us what it's all about. It was his bouquet. Well, come on, come on, get to work. He can't be anything worse than a smuggler and a murderer.

[Joshua Herman]

We got a lead on that car, Lieutenant. Cadillac. Blank, blank something. Three eight. The one you said the guy who took the flowers is driving. Good work, Sergeant.

[George Valentine]

Who's it registered to?

[Joshua Herman]

We're checking it up now. The guy driving was big, dark, sweat eyed with a mole. Where's the car? Just parked, that's all. Lieutenant. How could anybody move anywhere with the streets all cleared for the parade? It's right in the heart of Pasadena with the rest of the world. Oh, no, no.

[Theodore Herman]

Grand Avenue.

[Joshua Herman]

Right where the parade is forming.

[Brooksie]

Talk about niggers in a haystack there.

[George Valentine]

I'm not so sure. Good place to hide. But a good place to get caught too. Not even a crook can resist parade.

[Joshua Herman]

That Cadillac's on the street somewhere.

[George Valentine]

Look, Brooksie, you and Riley go ahead. I'm going to take a look around. If our hijacker is here, he'll be quite a magnet.

[Joshua Herman]

Quit shoving. Plenty of room for everybody to. Sorry.

[George Valentine]

There was a lady Standing on my foot. As soon as the parade starts, you search me, buddy.

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, boy.

[Joshua Herman]

Look at them girls on the floats. They're flying. With a bathing suit made out of daisies. See you. Oh, boy. She loves me. She loves me not. She loves me. She. Hey, quit shoving you. You see, over my shoulder you can. Hey.

[Standard Oil Co.]

Yeah.

[George Valentine]

Rollo, it's me, Valentine. Remember?

[Joshua Herman]

You followed.

[George Valentine]

How was your hot bath?

[Joshua Herman]

I had coffee instead.

[George Valentine]

Beat it, man at work, huh? Don't you know it's a holiday?

[Joshua Herman]

I still carry a gun. Get lost.

[George Valentine]

Okay. You slide through the crowd. I slide through the crowd.

[Joshua Herman]

Join me. You join the people.

[George Valentine]

I don't mind. Go ahead. Pull the trigger. Fearless for Dick with a few thousand witnesses. Sure. Come on. Create a little excitement. Don't slide that way, cop. Over there. Yeah, yeah. Thanks.

[Joshua Herman]

Hey, what do you want, Valentine?

[George Valentine]

Oh, not much. Spotted him yet.

[Joshua Herman]

Shut up.

[George Valentine]

You'll never find him staring at the girls like that. Come on now. Keep your mind on your work. I won't interrupt. Oh.

[Joshua Herman]

Oh, there he goes.

[Theodore Herman]

What?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

There he goes in the squat coat, red necktie. Running out on the street.

[George Valentine]

So that's him, huh? The hijacker.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Oh, I. I say, Valentine.

[George Valentine]

Well, hello, Mr. Vaz. Welcome to the party. What'll I do with them boys?

[Joshua Herman]

I can't shake him.

[George Valentine]

Well, never mind. Get after that red necktie.

[Joshua Herman]

He's got the flowers.

[George Valentine]

Sure. Get the hijacker. Let's see what's in those flowers.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

I'll attend to Valentine. Run. A man will get away. He's.

[George Valentine]

He's. He's heading for one.

[Joshua Herman]

The floats, boss. Wait a minute. You can't shoot a guy in this crowd.

[Theodore Herman]

Will you do as I say?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

A run. After all, Valentine, a chap could use.

[George Valentine]

A knife in a crowd.

[Joshua Herman]

Quite success.

[George Valentine]

A knife? Well, not on a decoy, I'm afraid.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Beg a par.

[George Valentine]

I got fans in the audience, mister. About a dozen cops watching me. You see what's happening to your strong boy already back there?

[Ferdinand Vaas]

Get out of the street.

[George Valentine]

Well, stick around and watch the same happen to yourself, not to me. Throw down on one to go, Buster. I'm going to grab that hijacker myself.

[Joshua Herman]

Hey, you.

[George Valentine]

Come back here.

[Hijacker]

Stop.

[George Valentine]

I saw you run up there on the float. Hijacker. Stop, would you? Oh, you don't get a free ride out of here. Wait for me all you want.

[Theodore Herman]

Get away. Just you.

[George Valentine]

That's all, Buster.

[Hijacker]

Get away from me.

[George Valentine]

Oh, no. You. Strike three. You're all out.

[Joshua Herman]

That's it, Valentine.

[George Valentine]

We got them.

[Joshua Herman]

We got them all. Smugglers. That's it.

[George Valentine]

All right.

[Joshua Herman]

And you know what it is? Diamonds. A fortune in diamonds. The Englishman folded up like a lawn chair and told us everything.

[George Valentine]

Who did the murder, Riley?

[Joshua Herman]

Don't you worry. We'll sweat it out of one of them, all right. Joshua Herman saw too much or something, that's all. So they sent somebody after him to keep him quiet. Except for the Herman's, they're all tied together.

[George Valentine]

And this guy, the hijacker, he stuck his nose in too, huh?

[Joshua Herman]

That's what I mean. Come on, buddy. Come on, wake up. Wake up. Why, we'll be done in time for the parade. Valentine. Well, what.

[Hijacker]

What happened?

[Joshua Herman]

Yeah, you see, here comes our answer to the dime.

[George Valentine]

Come on. You're all right, buster. Wake up.

[Hijacker]

Oh, yes.

[George Valentine]

Yes.

[Hijacker]

Somebody hit me.

[Joshua Herman]

Oh, isn't that too bad?

[Hijacker]

Yes, I was. Somebody was walking up. Get off this float. What are you doing on my float?

[Joshua Herman]

Get off your float.

[Theodore Herman]

Up.

[Hijacker]

Of course it's mine, you idiot. Most of the floats lined up for 10 blocks of mine. I'm a floral designer.

[Theodore Herman]

Well.

[Joshua Herman]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Hijacker]

I ran into Herman's last night and bought some roses. I ran into every flower shop and front yard in Pasadena. But don't you understand? We needed them. At the last minute, we were short of roses.

[Joshua Herman]

At the last minute, we thought you were a hijacker. You interfered with the big smuggle.

[Hijacker]

Do I care? Am I interested in diamonds?

[George Valentine]

Well, you should be. They're in the roses. You bought it.

[Hijacker]

At first I thought I would sue you, gentlemen. Now I don't think I will. Oh, there goes the first bed.

[George Valentine]

How about those dozen roses?

[Hijacker]

Look, getting ready for the parade. We just throw all the flowers into bins for the decorators to use as they work. Gentlemen, this year I used 325, 550 roses. And you're looking for diamonds in a dozen roses. Excuse me.

[Joshua Herman]

Oh, no.

[George Valentine]

Look at the floats, Riley. No.

[Joshua Herman]

Look. Elephants made out of roses. Girls throwing roses all over the crowd. Horses decorated with roses. Horses even walking on roses. Roses.

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, roses.

[George Valentine]

Don't let it get you, Riley. You said you could work your murder case out all right. Why worry about the dime?

[Joshua Herman]

But there. There a fortune in diamonds. Maybe those roses are in the hubcap of a float. Or maybe somebody will just throw them in a garbage can. Well, at least you can't say we don't do things big in California.

[George Valentine]

Final score. Well, that's good. We better be moving if we're going to reach the car.

[Brooksie]

Oh, George, what a game.

[George Valentine]

Well, I have to admit, they don't play bad football. In the Midwest. Mr. Herman.

[Brooksie]

Yes. It was so nice of you to bring us.

[Theodore Herman]

Not at all.

[George Valentine]

Make quite a day for us.

[Brooksie]

George, you forgot the blanket.

[George Valentine]

No, I didn't. Angel, I've been thinking about it.

[Brooksie]

What? But you left it back up there. You better run back.

[Theodore Herman]

I didn't get it, Ms. Bro.

[George Valentine]

Don't bother. Leave it there. Forget it. I. I don't want us to get separated in the cross.

[Brooksie]

But if you said you were thinking about it.

[George Valentine]

The other blanket. I was thinking about Angel. I've been thinking about it all through the second half. And feeling guilty for sticking around to see who won.

[Theodore Herman]

Why, Mr. Valentine, what are you talking about?

[George Valentine]

A steady flow of funerals, Mr. Herman. Yours.

[Theodore Herman]

What?

[George Valentine]

Don't bother to look innocent. You killed your brother. I can wrap it all up in a blanket. The one the police have. Exhibit B. The one with a hole in it. George.

[Brooksie]

What a nerd.

[George Valentine]

The one Mr. Herman here covered his brother's body with. Angel, remember? Remember how you walked outside so Joshua lying in the back seat and you thought he was asleep? Yes. Well, I guess maybe he was asleep.

[Theodore Herman]

Oh, Mr. Valentine. No, Joshua was lying.

[George Valentine]

Yeah, Mr. Herman, it was you went over to open the car door and then told Ms. Brooks not to come any closer. You pulled a blanket over your brother so she wouldn't be upset by seeing him. Told her to run to me for help.

[Brooksie]

Well, yes, George, that's right.

[George Valentine]

Well, Brooksie, how did the hole get in that blanket? Unless our friend here stabbed his brother through it after you'd gone and just before he came running back to the bar. How about it, funeral fan?

[Theodore Herman]

Goodbye, Mr. Valentine.

[Joshua Herman]

Hey, what you.

[Theodore Herman]

Excuse me. Get up.

[George Valentine]

No, no, Mr. Harmon, you're not going anyplace. 103,000 people make a pretty good J. Yeah, sure. Riley Bars's story and his phony name. Well, they were just cooked up to get me interested. So I'd help him trace the downs.

[Brooksie]

The flowers were supposed to go to Mr. Herman. To the flower base?

[George Valentine]

Yeah, that's right. Of course, that's how they were addressed. The delivery man told us so there wasn't any mistake.

[Brooksie]

But if they were supposed to go to Mr.

[Joshua Herman]

He's already confessed that much, Ms. Brooks. He was part of the smuggling ring himself.

[George Valentine]

Wise and the tough boy couldn't understand why he hadn't got the delivery yet. Or rather, why Herman couldn't produce the diamonds to pass on.

[Joshua Herman]

They thought he was trying to pull the fast one.

[George Valentine]

Then Herman got the notion of saving himself by killing his big shot brother at a time when there Were so many people mixed up in it, it almost. Well, anybody else would be a suspect.

[Brooksie]

He'd rather had money, didn't he?

[George Valentine]

Uh huh. Lots of it. We all knew that. Herman could have squared himself with the boys and then some.

[Brooksie]

It ends up and he doesn't even have a rose to his name. Murderers are crazy, aren't you?

[Joshua Herman]

Don't exaggerate, Ms. Brooks. People are too. Look, look here. I still sit at the steering wheel.

[Brooksie]

No, there's an opening, Lieutenant.

[George Valentine]

Hurry up.

[Joshua Herman]

Step on it. Oh yeah.

[George Valentine]

Here we go.

[Brooksie]

There, you see, we made 10ft.

[Joshua Herman]

Yeah. Hey, what time is it?

[George Valentine]

Well, it's 7:30.

[Joshua Herman]

Where are we now, huh?

[Brooksie]

Pasadena.

[Ferdinand Vaas]

I don't believe this.

[Theodore Herman]

Do you?

[Brooksie]

Almost to the city limits though. George, I wonder if anybody else who saw the game today's home yet.

[George Valentine]

You know, it's too bad we don't have a two way radio set in this car. We could ask him.

[Brooksie]

We could also tell him Happy New Year everybody.

[Standard Oil Co.]

If the family car could pick up a pencil and write a list of New Year's resolutions, I bet you'd find this at the top of the list. I'm for Chevron Supreme Gasoline and Chevron supreme is for me. Smart car for this premium quality gasoline is climate tailored based on year round weather reports. It's tailored to each season and to the west's different altitude and temperature zones. So to get the best out of your car each month in 1950 and wherever you drive, go on Chevron supreme with the first tank full. You'll notice how much better your car responds. Faster starts, smoother pickup in traffic, powerful ping free performance on hills. In fact, you can't buy a better gasoline for today's high compression engines. Why not try Chevron Super Cream tonight or ask for it tomorrow at independent Chevron gas stations and at Standard stations where they say and mean we take better care of your car. Tonight's adventure of George Valentine has been brought to you by Standard Oil Co. Of California on behalf of independent Chevron gas stations and Standard stations throughout the West. Robert Daly is starred as George. Let George do it is written by David Victor and Jackson Gillis and directed by Don Clark. Virginia Greg appeared as Brooksie, Wally Mayer as Lt. Riley. Ben Wright was heard as Ferdinand, Stanley Farrar as the expressman, Bob Griffin as Teddy, Clayton Post as the thug, Bill Conrad as Josh and Sidney Miller as the hijacker. The music is composed and presented by Eddie Dunstetter. Your announcer John Hen. Listen again next week, same time, same station to Let George Do It. This is the Mutual. Don Lee Broadcasting.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, this one was an interesting show because Let George do it. Up until that point, really, they had not given us any tip as to a geographical location that the show was set in. We know really that it was in a western city, fairly large and in driving distance of some smaller towns. Could put it anywhere. Didn't even necessarily have to be in California. This episode puts Let George do it smack in the middle of the Los Angeles area. I'm not certain if any other episodes mention this and the game score given I listened to it again was correct. Ohio State won 1714 on a fourth quarter field goal. Now this actually aired on the same day as the game, so there had to be two versions of the script, one that would be read for an Ohio victory and the other if it was a California victory. I'm sure anyone that went to the Rose bowl this year will attest that times may have changed, but the traffic hasn't. Alright, well, that will do it for this week on Let George Do It. Join us tomorrow for Sherlock Holmes. In the meantime, send your comments into Box 13@Great Detectives.net Become one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook.com RadioDetectives and you can always give us a call. 208-991-4783. From Boise, Idaho, though, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.