← The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
Martin Kane: October 29, 1953 (EP4576)
00:34:02
Today's Mystery:Martin Kane is hired by a man accused of robbery and murder to find the gun and the real killer. Original Air Date: October 29, 1953 Originating in New YorkStarring: Mark Stevens at Martin Kane; King Calder as Lieutenant Gray...
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- [00:00]
Geico Narrator
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- [01:29]
Adam Graham
Welcome to the Great detectives of Old Time Radio. I'm Boise Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to introduce you to Martin Cain, Private Detective. First, I do want to encourage you to check out our other podcasts, particularly as we're getting into the Christmas season. I want to highlight the amazing world of radio where starting tomorrow we will be bringing you Christmas specials on that podcast. Every other day through Christmas Eve we have four great specials for you. Also on the Old Time Radio Snackwagon, we have a special Christmas tree that you can hear on Monday@snackwagon.net and of course, our Christmas programming for great detectives of Old Time Radio starts tomorrow. Now onto Martin Cain, Private Detective. Martin Cain is a forgotten multimedia franchise that really had a huge present in 1949. Into the early 1950s, the series premiered over Mutual Radio and on television over NBC. The NBC TV version was one of the first popular TV detective franchise with each episode broadcast live. William Gargan starred in the role to start with, but would be succeeded by Lloyd Nolan, Lee Tracy, and finally Mark Stevens, who we'll hear today. While the series was popular due to it being broadcast, most of the episodes from this run were lost, although a few surviving recordings have surfaced and have been released by various public domain DVD companies and are available online. However, Martin Cain was so popular that there was a syndicated TV Version starring Gargan and filmed in Europe that was released in 1957 to cash in on the character's popularity. In addition to radio and television, there was also a two issue comic book released in 1950 by Fox Features. Now there are said to be 29 radio episodes of Martin Cain in existence. At least that's what Wikipedia tells me. However, none of them are actually available or in circulation. To play this episode we have is from 1953, but according to the Encyclopedia of Old Timer Radio, the Martin Cain radio series, which had moved to NBC, signed off the air in 1952. And this is listed on various websites as a traditional old time radio program. But it's a bit more complicated. This is a recording of the audio broadcast over the TV band For analog tv. The audio was broadcast on a slightly different frequency than the video and then the television combined them. However, during that period of analog television, there existed TV band radios where you could listen to what was being played on television even if you couldn't see it. I remember seeing one of these back in the late 1980s. Such a device does not currently exist for digital television signals. I feel comfortable playing this episode because this is something that people would have listened to on their radios during the golden age of radio. And I'm excited to hear this episode. I've been looking forward to it for quite a while. I'm not going to let a little technicality ruin it. It'll be interesting to hear how this works out. So here from October 29, 1953 is Martin Cain, private detective.
- [05:32]
Geico Narrator
The makers of those increasingly popular cigarettes Sano, the cigarette with far less nicotine. Encore cigarettes that filter the smoke but not the taste. Present Martin Cain starring Mark Stevens. Hey, yo, what's your name? What's wrong? Don't try anything. I said what's your name? Thompson. Albert Thompson. Why? Something wrong, Officer? You sure this is the man? He's the one I saw all right. He did it. Did what? I don't know what you're talking about. Who are you? I saw you running out of that store after the shooting. You killed that storekeeper. I don't know what you're talking about. What store? I haven't done anything. He's the one. I'll sweat it. Come along, mister. Oh, look, Officer. Please yourself, Officer, please. I'll need you too. You're making a terrible mistake. I never saw this man in my life. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. We're all set on our end. Oh no. Nothing's going to happen to that witness. He's in a Real safe place. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Anytime you want him for the grand jury, he'll be there. Well, thank you. Yeah, I'll be checking with you right along. Right. Well, the DA is a very happy man. He's got a singed case against Albert Thompson. Oh, what did you drop in for, Kane? Congratulations. Yeah, What'd you do? Not me. It's you that rates the medals, Lieutenant. You and your department. The way you solved that murder, that's pretty good. Well, the whole case just kind of walked in here. Fred Wallace, the guy who spotted Thompson at that bus stop, he's the one who gets all the credit. You got anything new on Thompson? Well, the identification looks pretty solid. Kane got a smart lawyer, Ed Randall. He could beat you in court unless you come up with more evidence. Including the murder weapon. Yeah, we're working on it. You know, Kane, the taking that robbery was about 200 bucks. When we examined Thompson, he had 207 bucks on him. Maybe he saved it up. Yeah? How? His wife didn't know anything about it. Look, Lieutenant, when a fellow's planning on buying his wife a new coat for her birthday, he doesn't tell her what he's saving up for. Tell me, how do you know so much about Thompson? He's Ed Randall's client. So? Ed Randall is a client of mine. Oh, he thinks Thompson's innocent. Thinks that your witness made a mistake. Good lawyer. Smart, too. You. You think the witness made a mistake, too? I don't know. That's why I'm hired to find out. You sure picked a tough way to make a living. Some guys climb mountains you won't even get off the ground. Fred Wallace made a positive identification, by the way. I called his house. You've taken him somewhere. Why? For his health gain. Oh, come on, Lieutenant. Thompson couldn't hurt anybody. He hasn't got any mob connections. He's just a little guy that fell in a great big hole. I want to see Wallace. You're wasting your time, Kane, and that's straight. You're convinced that Thompson's guilty. I can't be. Not yet. Well, I'm only about 90% convinced because we still haven't found the gun. However, Fred Wallace kind of makes up for it. I still want to see him. Well, you'll see him, all right, but not alone. I'll be there, too. Everything all right, Mr. Wallace? Fine, fine. Yeah? Yes, sir. Hi. Thanks. One of the commissioners sees this guy's food bill. Hello, Cain. Hello, Lieutenant Wallace. This is Martin Kane. How do you do, Mr. Hello, Mr. Wallace. Kane's a private detective. Right now he's working for Thompson's lawyer. I see. He'd like to ask you a few questions. Mr. Wallace. You're sure you couldn't have been mistaken in your identification? No, sir. What makes you so positive it was Thompson you saw running out of the shop after you heard the shots? Just was, that's all. Tell me, was he wearing a hat? A hat? Yeah, hat. Yes. Yes, he was. Thompson doesn't wear a hat. Mr. Wallace never does. Never has. Well, he could have on this job. Kane, do I have to talk to him? Why not? Mr. Wallace, we're both after the same thing, aren't we? The truth. That's just why I went after that policeman the moment I saw Thompson. Why? It's my duty as a citizen. You think I like hanging around this hotel room? Not being able to go about my normal business? Or seeing my name spread all over the newspapers? I have to testify at that trial. It's the right thing to do. You know, Cain, most people would be afraid to stick out their necks. We could use more men like Mr. Wallace. Yeah. Civic virtue is a great thing, Lieutenant, as long as it doesn't convict the wrong man. Why would I do a thing like that? Just a mistake, Mr. Wallace. A simple, ordinary, human mistake. It happens all the time, every day, just like it happened here. You couldn't possibly seen Thompson run out of that store. He was clear across town at the time. That's what he says. I saw it, darling. Mr. Wallace, what was the weather that day? What kind of a question is that? Would you answer it, please? I don't see what difference it makes. I. I think it was a nice day. Yes, it was a nice, warm day. The man who ran out of the store, was he wearing a topcoat? He could have. Was he? No. I just told you it was a warm day. He wouldn't be wearing a topcoat. Your logic's good, Mr. Wallace, but your memory is bad. It was a warm day and Thompson was wearing a topcoat. The people at his office will swear to that. He's just trying to trick me. Now, I just want you to think and think hard. Mr. Wallace. Isn't possible that you made a mistake in your identification? Mr. Kane, I'm not a fool. If I listen to you and change my story, I'd be a fool. Some people would say I was scared off. Others said I was bought off. No, sir. I said it was Albert Thompson, and Albert Thompson, it stays. Well, convinced? Nope. But I got a better chance of talking back to Tide. Albert's in here, Mrs. Thompson. Thank you, Mr. Randall. Why don't you go right on in and I'll wait out here for Mr. K. Alfred. Hello, Helen. You all right? Yeah. You know, they're treating me all right. Mr. Randall's here with me. He said he was coming. He's a very fine lawyer. Wasn't he? He tried to get him to lower the bail. He's still working very hard. Yeah, I know they won't do it. A guard told me they $25,000 is the lowest Bailey ever heard of for a murder. Mr. Barnes came to see me from the office. Wanted to know if he needed any money. What'd you tell him? I thanked him very much. I told him we'd manage. Oh, Albert. He said. He said all your friends believe in you. Helen. Mr. Randall's very optimistic. He. He thinks this Mr. Kane is sure to find some new evidence.
- [14:25]
Adam Graham
He.
- [14:28]
Geico Narrator
I may not even have to go to trial. Helen, I. Helen, I get up soon. Oh, Helen, I want you to meet Martin Cain. Hello, Mr. Thompson. Kane, can you help us? I don't know yet. Have you talked to Wallace? I talk to him. He'll make an excellent witness for the state. How do you see that, Ed? Well, it's not good. Not bad. District Attorney's office has been working just as hard as we have. Has he got an offering? Indictment Brady has. See, Albert, our main problem is your alibi. If we could only prove that you were nowhere near that store when it happened. No, but I wasn't. I wasn't. I was on my way home. A dozen people must have seen me. Two dozen. A hundred people could have seen you, Mr. Thompson. Nobody ever sees you on a subway or a bus. I'm afraid you have no alibi, Ed. I'll keep right on working, mainly on finding the gun. The big job will be yours in court. I know. I'll need everything you can get me to shake Wallace in cross examination. Oh, look, let's not give up the ship. Never can tell about juries. Sometimes they go for the strangest story. What's strange about Albert's story? That's the truth. He never hurt a soul in his life. Well, he's an honest, decent, hardworking man. What jury would believe he's a murderer? Yes. Yes, I know, Inspector. Yes, sir, I know this isn't that big, but the. Well, the District attorney's been on my neck all week. Yeah. He says he's got to have the gun that killed Thompson or else. That's right. So I put all the Men I could spare on it, sir? No, sir. No, sir. Nothing so far. What? Well, Inspector, I think my men know their jobs. I pick most of them myself. Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I understand you. Yes, I certainly do. Thank you, Inspector. Good night. Want some, Kane? Warm out tonight. Not for a private detective. What do you want? I want some help. Still working for Ed Rendell? That's right. Well, come around and see me when you quit. Maybe that'll be too late for Albert Thompson. No, for you, Lieutenant. You want to find the gun, don't you? What do you think? I get it or I get fired. I don't know whether it'll be the inspector first or the DA Maybe neither. You want to help me? Hey, Kane, you holding out on me? Hey, do you know where that gun is? I know where that gun isn't. And I know a little fellow that doesn't know anything at all about it. Albert Thompson. Now, Kane, say what you've got to say. All right. You won't find the gun until you find the man who used it, and it wasn't Albert Thompson. You've already proved that. Yeah? How? You've had your best men out looking for the gun, and they can't find it. They've questioned every enemy, every friend that Thompson ever had. They've looked every place where he could have bought or rented a gun. And they're gonna keep right on looking for. Well, they can keep on looking from now until next year, but they're gonna come up with nothing. Maybe. And maybe not. We'll see. Look, Lieutenant, stop wasting time. Now, look, can you tell me what you want or. Or take off. Get me a rundown, a description of every. Every pickup artist that looks like Thompson. Oh, for crying out loud. How many can there be? 50, 100, 500? I don't know. And I can't spare a crew on the files. Yeah, well, then you find him. And while you're at it, try and find the witness. Who? Him. Do it. Meantime, I'll go along with Thompson. I got a witness for him. Lieutenant Gray? Yes, sir. Oh, she did, huh? Yeah. That's too bad. No, no, I didn't think of that. Well, all I can do is keep right after it. Yes, sir. Of course. As soon as I get anything. District Attorney. They just took Mrs. Thompson to Bellevue. A complete nervous collapse. Not much you can do about that, is there, Kane? Everything we've got so far says that Thompson did it. You show the DA one solid fact on the other side of the ledger, and Thompson's practically a free man. Look, will you give me the rundown? I'll try to get that fact and you show it to the DA. Did you ever meet Mrs. Thompson? Real nice woman. That's right, Sergeant. Meet me in the photo gallery in five minutes. This better be good, Kane, for everybody's sake. Especially for my clients. If we miss, we get another chance. He doesn't get another chance. This is his last time at bat. Well, Kate, I hope you pay your taxes. I had three men working on that list all night. Thanks, Lieutenant. Only nine names, huh? That's right. Out of about 400. We eliminated everyone who didn't correspond at least roughly, to Thompson's physical description. Only two possibilities. Three are in prison, two are on the west coast, two were in the hospital at the time, and the other two are right here in New York. Carl Shaw, Larry Spencer, with a complete rundown on each. O'Kane, this isn't a lending library. If I tag one of these guys, I'll buy you a set of cast iron bookends for your birthday. You'll be hearing from you. My first possibility, Carl Shaw was working in the garage. He told me a straight sounding story about not being crooked anymore. He had a wife and kids now. His past was really behind him. And so on and so on. I thought he'd never stop telling me how he'd become a new man. But all I wanted to hear from him was his alibi for the time of the killing. And he had one. He was working here. The fellow at the next bench could prove it. Carl Shaw was in the clear. What'll it be, Mr. Kane? A little information, Charlie, on a guy named Larry Spencer. Well, he comes around Regular customer? He was till a couple of weeks ago. Then last night he showed up again. How come? Says he was away. Vacation. He wouldn't have gone away around the day after Columbus Day, would he? Maybe. What? On October 13th, the druggist was killed in a heist. Yesterday they indicted a man named Albert Thompson for the murder. The 28th. Between those two dates, Larry Spencer decides he needs a vacation. That's quite a coincidence, isn't it? Oh, excuse me, Mr. Charlie. I've got customers, mister. Yeah, I know you got customers. You got customers because you still got a license. Remember when I proved that those high school kids didn't pick up their booze here? I remember. What's Spencer been up to lately? I don't know. Honest. You got any money? Oh, I let him run a tab once in a while. The last one had me worried. Oh, why? Well, when he didn't show up those couple of weeks, I figured he was gone for good. And yesterday he came in and settled up. Okay, Johnny. Thanks, Larry. Who is it? Hi, Kane. Lieutenant Gray. Phone. Come on in. Hello, Mr. Wallace. Well, Mr. Kane, how are you? What do you want? I want you to look at a picture, Mr. Wallace. What picture? Well, who's this? Where'd you get this? A guy named Larry Spencer. He's got a police record. He's got a hobby also, of holding up storekeepers. Are you sure, Mr. Wallace? This isn't a man you saw run out of that store? What are you trying to do to me, Mr. Ken? Never mind what I'm trying to do to you. Think of Albert Thompson. Are you sure this isn't the man you saw run out of the store after the shooting? No. I told you once before. You're not gonna make a fool at me. Not now or not on the witness stand. I'm not changing my story. Lieutenant Gray. Oh, yes, Kane. Say, I'm glad you got my message. Listen, some of the boys down the hall brought in quite a gang of crapshooters. One of them was Larry Spencer. You want me to hold him? I don't know. Did you get anything on him? No. I was hoping to. Well, there's no point in holding him. He won't do me any good in the tank. You think he'll lead you to the gun, huh? I don't know. I think he's got his stashed way in some nice quiet place. Ready for another job? Yeah, I'll buy that. How's it look? I made a contact with a friend of his. A hood? No, his girlfriend. She works in the Diamond Dance place. I'm going over there now. Hey, you don't care how you spend your money, do you? Let me know if it was worth it, will you? Sandy sure forgot about Spencer fast. She's been dancing with that new guy all evening. He wouldn't need to give me any tickets. I'd answer them for free. Well, I hope Spencer doesn't come in, that's all. Sandy'd be awful sorry. So would that dream boat. Spencer'd kill him. Larry Spencer'd kill him. Why, you kidding? You know, I don't get it. What's a guy like you doing in this place? Maybe I like to dance. Uh. Oh, there we go. Here. Hey, you must own an oil well. Anyway, the next that's on them now. You keep them. Well, I could use them. You getting time? A little. Want to sit down? No, I like dancing with you too much it's not a job. I like it. Well, that last one was sure living it up. One ticket. Hey, Sandy's still dancing with that guy. Can you blame her? Maybe somebody ought to tell Larry Spencer about it. Don't. Mind your own business. Say, they look nice together. Make yourself at home. Thanks. I'll get some coffee. You're awfully nice. I'm glad you're here. I was glad to be here too. But all I had in mind was finding out if Larry Spencer used this flat for a gun drop. Who's the guy? His name's Larry Spencer. The girls told me about him. The guy you're gonna marry, huh? I don't know. You haven't helped much. Oh, come on, Sandy. Now, please let me say something. You know, things. Things happen quick. Too quick. You want something, you have to put out your hand and grab it or else it goes right by. Larry thinks fast. He gets things. I never wanted to know how. But you get what you want too, don't you? I try, Sandy. Only maybe with you it'd be different. It'd be a chance to stop being scared. Scared? Try to tell him every time I see him. But I don't know. Time rushes by and there's never enough left. What are you scared of, Sandy? What Larry done? I don't want to talk about him. What's he done, Sandy? Why? Tell me. Well, why? Why do you have to know? Long story, Sandy. Hello? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. There is someone here who told you? Hello? You can ask Larry yourself. He's coming over right now. What do you want? I'm waiting for you. Who is he? Friend. Oh, get out. If I ever catch around here again, I'll break your face in. You hear me? I hear you. Who is this guy? Let me go. I said who is it? What do you want? I want you to change places with a nice little guy that's being framed for murder. Did you commit it? You're nuts. Pretend I went out and came back. Go on, beat my face in. Lemme alone. I'm gonna start paying you off. Now get the gun. Go ahead, get it. Sandy, help me. Thanks, Sandy, for not helping him. I couldn't, not after what you said. I always thought Larry was small time. He killed somebody and. Get the gun. Here, Cain. I told you, didn't I? If you want something, you have to reach out and get it. Will I. Will I ever see you again? If you ever need me. Sandy, if you're ever in trouble. Right now I want to start the wheels rolling for somebody who is lieutenant Gray, please. How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like finishing your laundry and successfully matching all your daughter's baby socks together on the first try. Let's see. Panda socks, firetruck socks, socks with those cute little strawberries on them. You matched each and every one of those tiny socks. I mean, has this ever happened in the history of laundry? And a penguin wearing a cowboy hat? Socks done. Enjoy the moment dad. You've earned it. Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico Getting help for mental health shouldn't be as hard as it is. Thankfully, Mindful Therapy Group is here to make your mental health journey as painless as possible. Be seen in as little as 48 hours for in person or telehealth appointments. Mindful partners with thousands of licensed clinicians to find the perfect fit for you. 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- [31:55]
Adam Graham
Welcome back. Another episode that reflects the challenge of eyewitness testimony. In this case, the stubbornness of the witness and his pride made it hard for him to admit he'd made a mistake or could have. The episode had a mix of solid, talented leads and somewhat amateurish over the top guest stars with a decent enough mystery, which kind of fits my experience of the TV episodes of Martin Cain as well. The actors who played Martin Caine were all very, very talented performers, but they really had to carry the show. When dealing with the spotty guest performances for William Gargan, he identified that the show was casting good looking but untalented actresses, which offended his sense of professionalism and morality because he viewed it as them just trying to sell sex in a much less overt way than television does today. I do think that for audio, without being able to see it, it still worked pretty well for the most part. The narration by Martin Cain helps, which can be a bit superfluous over telev, but I think is a nice touch over radio to help the listener's imagination. Mark Stevens was a very good actor with a solid career as a leading man in Hollywood in the late 1940s and into the 1950s, and he probably deserves more attention than he gets. In addition to playing the lead role on Martin Cain, he also starred in another TV series that was related to Radio Big Town and he has a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood for television. Although I kind of sense that as more of a combined thing for his work both in television and in motion pictures. We probably should have heard Mark Stephens on the podcast before. He did a few really good noir films and also starred in the Lux Radio Theater adaptations. And hopefully we will get to some of those adaptations soon. Well, now it is time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. I want to go ahead and thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to thank Cheryl Lee. Sheryl Lee has been one of our Patreon supporters Since March of 2018, currently supporting the podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Shirley. And that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. We will be back next Tuesday with a special Christmas Eve episode, but join us back here tomorrow as our Christmas episodes get underway with Broadway's My Beat. Where.
- [35:13]
Geico Narrator
Oh, excuse me, son. Danny Clover speaking. Danny? Danny, this is Patrol and Curcio. Yeah, what is it? I can hardly hear you, Curcio. Yeah, yeah, well, no wonder. Listen. What? I gotta talk through. Listen, Danny. Hey, you see what I mean? Why the sirens? What's the trouble? Sergeant Tartaglia is up a tree. What? Sergeant Target Tagula is in a tree on the avenue. A playground, Danny. He flipped his lid. He's telling anyone that will listen that there ain't no Santa Claus.
- [35:39]
Adam Graham
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13reattactives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great. Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.