Philip Marlowe: Daring Young Dame on the Flying Trapeze (Encore) (EP4748e)

Summary

Episode Summary: "Philip Marlowe: Daring Young Dame on the Flying Trapeze (Encore)" (EP4748e)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Daily Mystery Dramas
Host: Adam Graham
Release Date: July 6, 2025
Featured Detective: Philip Marlowe, portrayed by Van Heflin

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Introduction to the Story

In this thrilling encore episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, listeners are transported to the vibrant and perilous world of a circus, where private detective Philip Marlowe finds himself entangled in a web of deceit, love, and murder. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the bustling circus grounds at Washington Boulevard and Hill Street.

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Plot Overview

[05:53] Philip Marlowe’s Introduction to the Circus:

Philip Marlowe, reflecting on his upbringing and his enduring fascination with the circus, recounts his role as a sidewalk supervisor for the circus. His contemplative mood is interrupted when Ralph Cassanari, a partner in the circus, approaches him for assistance.

[07:45] The Trouble with Partners:

Ralph Cassanari introduces Marlowe to the circus's financial woes, primarily caused by Tassanari the Swede's excessive gambling. Cassanari fears that Tassanari might sell his shares to cover his debts, threatening the circus's stability.

[08:06] A Desperate Plea:

Ralph urges Marlowe to provide protection for the circus over the three-day event, offering $25 a day. Marlowe agrees, setting the stage for the unfolding mystery.

[09:03] Disturbing Developments:

As Marlowe assists in sobering up the drunken Swede, tensions rise. Marlowe overhears alarming conversations hinting at a potential "perfect crime" orchestrated by Tassanari, involving the trapeze acts.

[10:12] Suspense Builds:

Later, during a trapeze performance, a series of unsettling events lead to the mysterious death of Dr. Richard W. Stowe, who was closely associated with the circus. Marlowe’s investigation reveals inconsistencies that suggest foul play rather than an accident.

[13:17] Unraveling the Mystery:

Marlowe confronts Glorianne, Tassanari’s wife, uncovering her motives rooted in jealousy and desperation to save her marriage and the circus. The tension culminates in a dramatic revelation of the true culprit behind Stowe's death.

[21:00] The Climax:

Philip Marlowe pieces together the clues, linking Dr. Stowe's murder to Glorianne and Tassanari’s intricate plan to eliminate threats to their livelihood. A confrontation ensues, exposing the layers of deception within the circus community.

[28:24] Resolution:

With the mystery unraveled, Marlowe brings the culprits to justice, ensuring that the circus can continue its performances without the shadows of betrayal and greed looming over it.

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Notable Quotes

• Philip Marlowe on the Backdrop of the Circus:

  "I sat in a field box that evening at the small neat circus, unwound toward the big ax and the big moment arrived with butterflies warming up in my stomach and a pulse thumping madly in my neck."
  [11:08]

• Ralph Cassanari’s Plea for Help:

  "You are a private detective. I'm a detective, but I don't get much privacy."
  [00:37]

• Philip Marlowe on Trust and Deception:

  "I saw it. Brian."
  [14:34]

• Philip Marlowe Reflecting on Childhood and the Circus:

  "All of this reminded me of myself when I was a kid, reading Tom Sawyer and Huckpam And Belief. Well, I still believe in them."
  [28:24]

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Character Insights

• Philip Marlowe: Portrayed as a perceptive and introspective detective, Marlowe navigates the complex emotions and hidden motives of those around him. His deep connection to the circus reflects his longing for nostalgia and simplicity amidst chaos.

• Ralph Cassanari: A pivotal figure in the circus, Cassanari’s desperation to save the circus from financial ruin drives much of the plot. His interactions with Marlowe reveal layers of vulnerability and determination.

• Glorianne Cassanari: As Tassanari’s wife, Glorianne embodies the struggle between personal desires and professional obligations. Her actions are central to the unfolding mystery, highlighting themes of love, betrayal, and survival.

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Themes and Motifs

• Deception and Trust: The intricate web of lies spun by the circus partners underscores the fragility of trust in high-stakes environments.

• Nostalgia vs. Reality: Marlowe’s nostalgic feelings towards the circus contrast sharply with the grim realities he uncovers, emphasizing the duality of appearances versus truth.

• Justice and Morality: The quest for justice drives Marlowe’s investigation, raising questions about moral compromises and the pursuit of truth.

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Conclusion

"Daring Young Dame on the Flying Trapeze" stands out as a compelling installment in the Philip Marlowe series, blending classic detective noir elements with the unique and colorful setting of a circus. Van Heflin's portrayal of Marlowe adds depth and charisma to the narrative, making this episode a memorable journey through intrigue and suspense.

Listeners are left anticipating the next adventure, eager to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of Philip Marlowe and the captivating mysteries he unravels.

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Note: This summary focuses solely on the narrative content of the episode, omitting advertisements, host commentary, and non-content segments as per the request.

Transcript

[Ralph Cassanari]

Sam.

[Philip Marlowe]

Hi.

[Adam Graham]

This is your host, Adam Graham. We are taking a recording break this week and during this break we'll be bringing you a special series of encores centered around the circus. Get ready for Clowns and acrobat and so much more in this week of encores. Please note that because these episodes are several years old, any offers or information may not be valid unless currently listed on our Great Detectives of Old Time radio [e-mail] also we will return on Sunday, July 13th with the premiere of our new series, the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio. For now though, please enjoy your visit to Circus Week on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com radioactive great detectives I do want to let you know about our other podcast in particular the Amazing World [e-mail] Our Patreon supporters voted for a Summer of Summer replacement program. So we've been bringing you a whole variety of programs from true crime to comedies and drama anthology programs. And we still have four more episodes to go, so you can check it out. Amazing Great Detective and I want to encourage you to check out all of our podcasts [e-mail] you can access them right from the top of the site. Well, now we're going to return to the Adventures of Philip Marlow. And we aren't going to start back with the Gerald Moore series, which is the better known and more popular series that continued on for two years and then came back as a summer replacement series from 1948-50 and then summer of 51. We're going to start out with the first Philip Marlow series, which was a summer series that starred Van Heflin and aired over NBC and was sponsored by pepsident. At this point, Van Heflin was very much a big up and coming star in Hollywood, having won a Best Supporting Act Actor Oscar. Although these days he's probably best remembered for his work on Shane, where he was not the main character. That honor fell to Alan Ladd. But at any rate, this episode that we're going to play Today was the third episode in the series. Original Air Date July 1, 1947 and and this one's the daring young dame on the flying trapeze.

[Glorianne]

For the safety of your smile, use Pepsodent twice a day. See your dentist twice a year. Lever Brothers Company presents the PepsiDent program. The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, starring Van Heflin. Pepsodent presents Philip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler's famous private detective. You've seen him on the screen in lady in the Lake, Murder My Sweep, the Brasher Doubloon and the Big Sleep. Now Pepsodent brings you the adventures of Philip Marlowe on the air and starring MGM's brilliant and dynamic young actor, Van Heflin. Now, families all over America have named their favorite toothpaste. New Pepsodent with Irum. New fresh tasting Pepsodent with the new cool, minty flavor. It's the 3 to 1 favorite over all other toothpastes. Yes. In a recent test, families from coast to coast compared new Pepsidin with other toothpastes at home. And by an overwhelming vote, by an average of three to one, these families preferred new Pepsodent over all other toothpastes. On all these counts, they said new Pepsodent tastes better, makes breath cleaner, makes teeth brighter. Yes, on all these points, families 3 to 1 declared new Pepsodent better than the average of all other toothpaste they tried. Get it for your family right away.

[Philip Marlowe]

There comes a certain time in the year when I don't want to see midget auto races. I just want to see midgets. When I prefer sawdust to stardust and popcorn to all other kinds of corn available in Hollywood. The circus was moving in on the grounds at Washington Boulevard and Hill street. And I was turning in my usual fine job as sidewalk supervisor. It was exciting. It brought back all the sounds and sensations and convictions of childhood. And then someone had me firmly by the wrist and I turned to look into a pair of steady, smoky dark eyes. That could be dangerous. Excuse me, sir, but you are a private detective. I'm a detective, but I don't get much privacy. Yeah, my name is Ralph Cassanari. Who told you I was a detective? My feet aren't that flat. Do you know a gentleman named Al Sikhanolfi? Well, I know an Al Siconolfi. Yes, he pointed you out. He asked me what was the big idea, what was my angle? Hiring a private detective? He gave me an idea. When is Al Sigonalfi had any ideas to spare? Mr. Marlow, besides owning one third of this very fine little circus? I am Tassanari of Tatsanari the Swede and Glorian the trapeze stuff. The most Brilliant aerial acts in the business. I own this circus with Gorian and the Swede. But where does Al Sichen Alfi fit in here? Now the Swede gets drunk and gambles fantastic sums of money. This circus is worth a quarter of a million dollars. Already the Swede has gambled away much more than his third of the circus. And a partner may sell out his other partners without even consulting them. You're afraid the Swede will sell you out to pay for his debts? Yeah, and if he did that, I should not hesitate to, uh. Oh, watch yourself. Alt second offer has made it plain that the gamblers expect payment immediately. Now, would you consider giving us your protection during the three days that we're going to be here? $25 a day in expenses. That's the night. Cheap enough, I know, but you see, I'm a sucker for circus. Yeah.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Is this the office of Philip Marlow?

[Philip Marlowe]

Better still. This is Philip Marlow.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Ralph Passionari. Hydra this morning. Didn't he?

[Philip Marlowe]

Go ahead.

[Ralph Cassanari]

This is his partner, Glorian. I'm in a downtown bar with a Swede and he's terribly drunk. I know this isn't your job, but won't you come down and help me get him sobered up for the night? Please?

[Philip Marlowe]

All right, Mother Marlo. Be right down. I found the Main street bar where Glorianne said I'd find her and the Swede. The Swede was potted like Grandma's begonia. And with the help of the bartender and four professional loafers, we got him into my car. I told Glorian to drive. Yeah, leave me alone with you. I'm all right. Just take it easy.

[Ralph Cassanari]

What shall I drive, Mr. Marlow?

[Philip Marlowe]

Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. I'll stay back here and wrestle. The suite for the championship.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Just left him alone for an hour to do some shopping.

[Glorianne]

I'm telling you something, honey girl.

[Philip Marlowe]

At Tassanari makes any more passes at you, I'll beat him brainless.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Oh, please don't pay any attention to him, Mr. Marlowe. He thinks everyone at the circus is okay.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now back in your seat. Yeah, and that flip doctor too.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Oh, be still.

[Philip Marlowe]

I'm telling you something, honey girl. One of these days I'm gonna get absent minded on that trapeze. And I'm not gonna catch you friend Tassanari. How's that?

[Ralph Cassanari]

Don't listen. Doing, Mr. Mar.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, then tell muscles to let go of my ears. Yeah, Perfect crime.

[Glorianne]

Who know if was an accident or not.

[Philip Marlowe]

Then I'd own half a circus instead.

[Glorianne]

Of just a third.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Mister, he's drunk.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, but drunk or so he's got one doozy of an idea, they're drunk or sober. Hey, my wrist.

[Glorianne]

What's that?

[Philip Marlowe]

I knew some interns, Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, who obliged with some oxygen and a mask. A half hour of breathing that oxygen deeply in. The Swede was stone cold sober and back in my car again. He was making certain cagey explanations. Marlow, you don't want to take that.

[Glorianne]

Stuff I was mumbling about seriously.

[Philip Marlowe]

You know, I. I was drunk. After all, Glorianne's my wife. Oh, naturally, I. I don't like other.

[Glorianne]

Guys giving it AI.

[Philip Marlowe]

But that. That screwy talk about me dropping Tassanari accidentally on purpose. Oh, but yet it's a perfect crime.

[Glorianne]

I was only talking, Marlow.

[Philip Marlowe]

I wouldn't do that to Tassanari. Of course not. He'd be all broken up about it, wouldn't he? I sat in a field box that evening at the small neat circus, unwound toward the big ax and the big moment arrived with butterflies warming up in my stomach and a pulse thumping madly in my neck. Ladies and gentlemen. Cousin, I am displeased. Who will attain to the dizzy of.

[Ralph Cassanari]

The limits of this top and without.

[Philip Marlowe]

A net, without a net, mind you.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Will execute the most daring Manila ever.

[Philip Marlowe]

Witnessed on the high trustee.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Ladies and gentlemen, the daring and justifying functionary and Swede.

[Philip Marlowe]

Passionary and the Swede came bounding into the arena and over to the two spidery ladders that zoomed up into the very peak of the big tent. Up there, where it was hot, high and dangerous. Two magnificently made men climbing that slim ladder, their brilliant capes flowing behind and going up higher, smaller, higher. And then they were on their tiny platforms, removing their case manual skins. They turned, faced each other across the board like divers. Not a voice, not a breath, not a sound. I began to perspire. The net was being gathered back. Then suddenly Cassaneri raised his right arm and smiled, dropped his arm and the Swede shot out into space like a comet and a gay waltzing. Somehow insane music began. It was all the announcer said, at least to me, daring and terrifying. Whirl and spin and contact. Swing, swing, swing and spin. Spinning and whirling. Contact and break. Hands locked to rosin. Hands, contact and break. Spin, whirl, cartwheel and contact. Swing, swing, swing and leap. Split second timing in the split second, split again with crapeze bars flying into place where and when they were needed. I looked away, my head drumming and swimming, and I looked up again. I looked up and the thing that had been tying my stomach in cold, hard knots. The thing I was afraid of happened.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Look out.

[Philip Marlowe]

The music played a gay tune. The clowns poured into the arena, grinning happily. I saw the youngish, handsome doctor race across the sawdust, followed by Glorianne across the arena. I saw Al Siconolfi get up and disappear into the crowd. I went out too. Outside, I managed to get a shaking match to a quaking cigarette. In my mind, I heard again and again the drunken voice of the Flying Swede. Come back to me. One of these days I'm gonna get absol minded on that trapeze. And I'm not gonna catch your friend Tati. How's that, huh? Only it was all wrong. It didn't add up. Because the body that had plummeted to the ground hadn't been the body of Ralph Cassini, but of the man who had plotted the perfect crime. Gloriana's husband, the Flying Sw. What? Oh. Oh.

[Ralph Cassanari]

You were in there.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yes, I saw it. Brian.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I think I could kill Ralph for this.

[Philip Marlowe]

You think? Tessa, Mary dropped your husband purpose.

[Ralph Cassanari]

What do you think?

[Philip Marlowe]

Look, Lorian, I. I took this job. You know why. And, well, all this reminded me of myself when I was a kid, reading Tom Sawyer and Huckpam And Belief. Well, I still believe in them. I felt the same way about the circus. The last childish illusion the man holds onto so he doesn't get too hard.

[Ralph Cassanari]

You're not tough at all, are you?

[Philip Marlowe]

I was gonna like this job. And he's happy. Do you know what I'm talking about?

[Ralph Cassanari]

Yes. I'm sorry we failed you.

[Philip Marlowe]

Look, Glorian, the Swede is dead. And you think Tastineri killed him. But it's the perfect crime. You can't prove anything.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Look, maybe I didn't love the Swede very much, but he was my husband, and on the square.

[Philip Marlowe]

Did you love Tassaneri?

[Ralph Cassanari]

If I did, it's all over now. I'm gonna prove to everybody in circus business at least that he killed my husband.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah? Well, how?

[Ralph Cassanari]

You'll see, little boy. Good night.

[Philip Marlowe]

I watched her go back into the big tent. And then I drove home and dreamed all night of AL s smiling his yellow smile and disappearing into the crowd. I got up late and went down for coffee in a newspaper. The story was there on page one. Also a silky, leggy picture of Gloriana. Beneath it, the caption reading, Show Must Go On Dare's High Trapeze and Passionary After Mate Falls to Death. I looked at my watch. It was late, later than I thought. For the daring young dame on the flying trapeze, it was almost too late.

[Glorianne]

You are listening to the Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Van Heflin. Yes, families all over America have named their favorite toothpaste New pepsidant with invigorating Irum foam. New Fresh tasting pepsidants with the new cool, minty flavor. It's the three to one favorite over all other toothpaste in recent home tests. Like families from coast to coast, the James M. Sinclair family, East 2nd Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Like new Pepsodent better than any other toothpaste. In fact, Mrs. Sinclair says this new.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Pepsodent made a big hit with our whole family. Especially my son Jimmy. He's so crazy about that Pepsodent flavor. It's less of a problem getting him to brush his teeth. Now. My husband likes the way Pepsitine leaves his mouth feeling so much cleaner and his breath fresher. And as for me, I've never found any toothpaste better for brightening my teeth.

[Glorianne]

Yes, families from coast to coast, by an overwhelming average of 3 to 1, say new peptidant is better than any other toothpaste they tried. Better for taste, better for cleaning the breath, better for brightening teeth. Remember, this is not just our opinion. It's the honest conviction of the Sinclairs and other families who compared new pepsidants with brands they had at home. So why not have your family try New pepsidants, the only toothpaste containing Irum get it.

[Philip Marlowe]

Without delay.

[Glorianne]

We continue with the Adventures of Philip Marlo, created by Raymond Chandler and starring Van Heflin, who appears by arrangement with Metro Golden Mare, producers of the Hucksters, starring Clark Gable.

[Philip Marlowe]

The lion act was going on when I arrived at the circus grounds and practically ran to Glorianne's tent. She was in her tights and cloak, ready to go on. Look, Glorianne. You're kidding. This is a gag. You're not going up there.

[Ralph Cassanari]

One minute, little girl.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, you're out of your mind.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I'm going up. This past denarius. It proved you to kill the seed.

[Philip Marlowe]

You add that up. My arms are full of bundles.

[Ralph Cassanari]

How's the. Mary agreed to go up with me. Why? Why aren't his nerves shattered after yesterday? Because he knows he didn't make a mistake yesterday. He knows he dropped my husband purposely and not because his timing or reactions were wrong. Do I make sense?

[Philip Marlowe]

Up to a point.

[Ralph Cassanari]

You're thinking he may drop me? Perfectly.

[Philip Marlowe]

And I wouldn't like that.

[Ralph Cassanari]

He won't drop me.

[Philip Marlowe]

What makes you so sure?

[Ralph Cassanari]

Because, Tasi, Mary loves Me. He wants me. Does that make sense?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Well, go to it, little girl. I watched Glorian, so small and slim and fragile as she went up that thin ladder. My throat swelled tight and the butterflies took off in my stomach again. She was on the platform, removing her silk cape, folding carefully over the rail. They were facing each other, smiling. Smiling. Dead, sultry silence. Then for minutes I sat there, petrified, watching a cold sweat channeling down my back. For 10 minutes I stopped breathing. I died once. Only once. I had to close my eyes. And in that second, I. I heard the crowd roar. Everyone was standing up, screaming and goggle eyed. I groped to my feet and there she was, bowing and laughing and throwing kisses into the crowd and a tassen area and at me. Then she pirouetted and ran up the ramp to her dressing 10. I got there with Tassinari. Her eyes warmed for me and then froze again for Tassanari.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Come in, little boy. And you? Tassanari.

[Philip Marlowe]

Tassanari, Ralph also, is the name I bear today.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I talk to Tassanari now. I want Mr. Mahler to hear what I have to say to you. Which is? First? That I'm through with you.

[Philip Marlowe]

Not because of the accident.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Yes. But because it was not an accident.

[Philip Marlowe]

You don't believe that. May I suggest that maybe Al Siconolfi has a meaty part in this picture?

[Ralph Cassanari]

No. Hassan Ali. He'll kill the Swedes.

[Philip Marlowe]

Dorian, that's not true.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Dr. Stowe seems to think as I do.

[Philip Marlowe]

Ah, yes, Dr. Stowe. I did pass your tent last night after the accident.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Accident?

[Philip Marlowe]

I heard you and the Caphite, unsuccessful doctor, speaking together, oh, so intimately.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Spare your insult, Tatina.

[Philip Marlowe]

Speaking together, deciding conveniently perhaps, that I kill the Swede.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Richard never accused you. He only.

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, he's the one, eh? Richard, get out. If I wanted to murder a man, it would be easier to take my gun from my trunk and shoot him. Yeah, but that wouldn't be the perfect crime.

[Glorianne]

Why should I want to kill the Swede?

[Philip Marlowe]

Because he might have sold you out to pay his debts. Because you'd get half of his share of the circus because you were in love with his wife. I see. You think you have a case, huh? I hope not. Glorienne knows what I mean.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Only perhaps Tas and I had better go now.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, yeah. I'm very sorry, Glorian. For all of us. Good day. Good day, Mr. Marlowe. He padded out softly, like a panther, resentment and hatred smoldering in his Eyes.

[Ralph Cassanari]

That was horrible, little boy. I better lie down now.

[Philip Marlowe]

I left wondering if there'd be a show that night, tradition or no tradition. I walked for a half an hour, and then a police squad car came screaming down Washington Boulevard toward the circus grounds. Mad dogs and Englishmen go out. And the noonday sun. But Marlo runs in it. I found this small colony of cops in one of the dressing tents. The man on the cot had taken a lot of pulses in his time, but he didn't have a single one to show for it, not even his own. Good looking, youngish Dr. Richard W. Stowe was dead. Detective Lieutenant Ibera held out a small automatic to. Hello, Marlo. I hear you've been masterminding things around here lately. Ever see this gun before? I may have heard of it. A man named Ralph Tessenari, connected with his show, has disappeared. Know something about that? He was fresh from a lover's corps last I saw him. Or maybe just out walking it off. Possibly. But the dead doctor and Tassanare both went for a pretty little trapeze queen named Glorianne. Was anything stolen here? No. The circus hand over. The muffled shot came running before anything could have been taken for the gala. Glorian. How does she feel about this? She's in her tent, heavily committed to a case of hysterics. Marlowe divvies on any information you get out of her. Look, Dorian, you can't go on like this. Now, let me get something for you.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I'll be all right.

[Philip Marlowe]

Just a sedative to settle your nerves.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Oh. Oh, no. We never take that thing. It's bad for going up on the track. No, no, I'll say that's the best thing.

[Philip Marlowe]

Please, you. You can't go up there tonight. Anyway. Tassen's missing. I'll go see what I can find for you. I rummaged through Dr. Stowe's medical bag while Ibera watched from across the tent. I found a small black book. I leafed through it with my hand. Still hidden in the bag was a small case history book with sketchy data. Bodies, cases, the treatment given the medication prescribed. I very quietly tore out the last page, pounded and slipped in my pocket as I creaked to an approximate upright position. Find anything to quiet the little woman, Marlow? No, not a thing, Lieutenant. Thing. I'll try a drugstore. Tablets of cyclodom grains. One and a half. One tablet with warm water for nerves or sleep. What is it? It's a common sedative, but I can't sell you any without a prescription. What can you tell me? Anything about those drugs? Some. But you will find a lot more in Dr. Toral Solman textbook on Pharmacology. Textbook of Pharmacology? It's only in the main library, I think, but it's complete. That'll tell you all you want to know. I'm sure the druggist was right. The Textbook of Pharmacology told me all I wanted to know. Also, this was a very limited edition. It was probably the only one of its kind that had on the page devoted to cyclodrome a smudge of lipstick in the shape of a woman's finger. It was all and more than I wanted to know. And all at once I was old. Very old. From now on, I was going to leave illusions to high school girls and magicians.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Hello, boy. Back again.

[Philip Marlowe]

I see you're dressed for work.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Glorian Cathaneri return?

[Philip Marlowe]

I wouldn't know. But I think I do know who killed the Swede.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Castenari?

[Philip Marlowe]

I gravely doubt that.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Well, then, who? Not Elfic and Alfie.

[Philip Marlowe]

Glorian. You're a dainty little thing. And that's a particular reason why you should break yourself of little unsightly habits. Like touching your fingers to your mouth to turn back pages in books.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Are you all right, little boy?

[Philip Marlowe]

Was the Swede all right when he went up with tessenary last night? Or was he just slightly under the influence of a sedative drug that calms the nerves, yes, but slows up their reaction time.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I don't understand such matters.

[Philip Marlowe]

You admitted to me today that it isn't wise to take such sedatives before your act. But you did get a prescription for such tablets from Dr. Stowe and you said nothing about them.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I was upset. After the sweep was killed. I needed some.

[Philip Marlowe]

But according to Dr. Stowe's case, you got the tablets before the Swede was killed. And you left him at the bar for an hour yesterday while you did a little medical research at the main library. And that night, the Swede split. Second timing. Didn't quite split, did it? Of course, you weren't afraid to go up with that scenario today. He didn't miss the Swede. The Swede missed him.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I hated him.

[Philip Marlowe]

She didn't want him. You just wanted the circus. All of it. So you killed a Swede with his own perfect crime. Only it was too perfect. You couldn't pin the murder on Tasha. You had to think of something more down to earth.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Go on, little boy. Make glory and proud of you.

[Philip Marlowe]

Dr. Stowe knew that you hated Your husband, he knew that you had those tablets. He knew that the Swede didn't make mistakes. Last night, when Tassenary heard you and Stowe whispering together. Stowe was telling you what he suspected, wasn't he? He was a doctor. And he is furious at the thought of being used in a murder.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Raising your voice.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, if you didn't shut up the doctor, he'd talk. So you shot him with Passionaries gun after staging a very nice row with Tessa Nary in front of me that would pin it on Tessa Nary. You let Stow take you in his arms to muffle a shot that was particularly pretty.

[Ralph Cassanari]

No, Little Boy was not.

[Philip Marlowe]

No, it was not.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Little Boy, you've had a bitter day.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, it's time that I grew up. Anyway, that's for my act.

[Ralph Cassanari]

And Glorian.

[Philip Marlowe]

I've sent for the police. Glorian. They'll be here pretty soon.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Little Boy Athenai is there. He's waiting in the Runway across the arena. He came back.

[Philip Marlowe]

He doesn't even know he's wanted. Probably.

[Ralph Cassanari]

Oh, Little Boy, I have let you down. Let me make it up a little. Let me go up there.

[Philip Marlowe]

Will you come down again?

[Ralph Cassanari]

Yes, of course.

[Philip Marlowe]

By the ladder, I mean.

[Ralph Cassanari]

I won't let you down again, Little Boy. I promise it. We circus people won't disappoint you again. Please, they're waiting.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, the show must go on, mustn't it? All right. Go ahead, lady. They're waiting. She ran. Ran out laughing, throwing kisses. And I walked out after. Stood in the Runway, watching. I watched the small, delicate figure going up the ladder. Then she was at the platform, rosin on shoes, rosin on the hands and wrists and sultry silence. Not a voice, not a breath, raising her hand in a gesture of exquisite grace and sureness and smiling at passing eyes. Smiling. And there it was. This was it there. Ghostly packs of small fry from my school days gaped up with me and shivered with kid delight. I was a kid again, gawking up at the circus guy and the circus lady, the daring young dame on the flying trapeze, Cassaneri and Glorian. Or positively the last performance anywhere on earth.

[Glorianne]

You have just heard. Van Heflin starring in the new mystery series, Raymond Chandler's the Adventures of Philip Marlowe, brought to you by the Lever Brothers Company, makers of Pepsodent. Van Heflin will return in just a moment. Have you tried? Have you tasted the new Pepsidin toothpaste? Its lingering, minty flavor is so fresh and inviting families prefer it by an overwhelming average of 3 to 1 over all other toothpastes. In a recent nationwide test, they said new Pepsidin tastes better, makes breath cleaner and makes teeth brighter. Remember, new Pepsidin gives you more invigorating irrium foam. It sweeps dulling film away. No Wonder it's the 3 to 1 favorite with families all over America. Get new Pepsidin with Erieum for your family right away. Now here is Van Heflin, star of the Adventures of Philip Marlowe.

[Philip Marlowe]

King Leopardi had the hottest trumpet and the coldest eye and show business. And he loved yellow silk, so they called him the King in yellow. We consider his short, eventful life. Next week, when is Philip Marlowe? I have some business with the King in Yellow.

[Glorianne]

Tonight's story was written by Milton Geiger, based on the character of Philip Marlowe, the screen's most famous private detective. Created by Raymond Chandler, heard with Van Heflin tonight as Gloria Ann was Loreen Tuttle. The original music was composed and conducted by Lynn Murray. This is Wendell Niles inviting you to listen again next week at this same time to another exciting mystery on the Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Van Heflin with a distinguished cast. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. The three episodes that were actually in circulation back when we did the Adventures of Philip Marlow on the podcast were all based on short stories by Raymond Chandler. By this, of course, I mean the NBC series starring Halflin. This one and the next one are different in that they are original stories. This one was a pretty decent detective program. I did struggle with a couple of things on here. I'm not certain I buy the idea of Marlow being someone who hasn't been disabused of his childish notions about the circus. I also found the whole little boy name that's used repeatedly to be a bit over much. Now, to be fair, Chandler stories and Chandler esque stories often had characters give somebody a nickname and keep, you know, using it over and over again. But for a half hour story, I think this was perhaps a bit too much and came off as too repetitive. While Raymond Chandler characters will often have that repeated note, it's not often that they begin every sentence to Marlow with their pet nickname. One other thing to note, while he is uncredited, I am fairly certain that I heard the voice of Jeff Chandler as the Swede. Now, I do want to go ahead and thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to go ahead and thank Martin patreon Supporter since September 2017, currently supporting us at the Detective Sergeant level. $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Martin. That will do it for today. If you are listening on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. Join us back here tomorrow for the Man Called X. And Thursday, a previously uncirculated episode of Sherlock Holmes. We will be back next Tuesday with another previously uncirculated episode of Philip Marlowe. Then next Thursday, listen for a previously uncirculated episode of Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons. And we'll be back next Tuesday with another episode of Philip Marlowe. In the meantime, do send your comments to box13eightdetives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives. Check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com great detective detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.