Rogue’s Gallery: Special Added Attraction (Encore) (EP4750)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Episode Summary: "Rogue’s Gallery: Special Added Attraction (Encore)" (EP4750)

Release Date: July 8, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Detective Featured: Richard Rogue

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1. Episode Overview

In the thrilling installment of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, titled "Rogue’s Gallery: Special Added Attraction (Encore)", listeners are transported to the vibrant and suspense-filled world of the old-time circus. Hosted by Adam Graham, this episode spotlights Richard Rogue, a seasoned private investigator navigating the perilous underbelly of the circus industry to thwart a looming murder.

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2. Introduction to the Mystery

The episode kicks off with Richard Rogue receiving an urgent visit from Pop Price, the business manager of the Farrington Brothers Circus. Pop Price (Timestamp [02:21]) lays out a dire situation:

Pop Price: "Rogue, Somebody has threatened to murder Carlotta the Magnificent."

Rogue is promptly hired with a hefty retainer of $500 and two circus passes, setting the stage for a night fraught with danger and intrigue. His mission: prevent the assassination of Carlotta the Magnificent, the circus’s star aerialist.

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3. Investigation Unfolds

Determined to uncover the truth, Rogue partners with Betty Callahan, a tenacious newspaper reporter. Together, they arrive early at the circus to interview Carlotta before the evening performance.

Rogue: "I called Betty Callahan at her newspaper and asked her to attend the performance with me."

Their initial investigation involves questioning circus personnel and delving into Carlotta's personal and professional relationships. Carlotta herself appears to be a polarizing figure, garnering both admiration and resentment within the circus community.

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4. Key Characters and Interactions

• Richard Rogue (Private Investigator): The protagonist, whose sharp instincts and determination drive the investigation.

• Pop Price (Business Manager): The circus’s manager desperate to avert a tragedy and maintain the show's success.

• Carlotta the Magnificent (Aerialist): The target of the murder threat, known for her daring performances and strong personality.

• Betty Callahan (Reporter): Associates with Rogue to cover the story, adding journalistic pressure to the investigation.

• Lieutenant Urban: The police officer overseeing the case, whose interactions with Rogue reveal underlying tensions.

• Frank Davis: Carlotta's manager and the eventual culprit, whose motives and actions become central to the resolution.

• Mario the Clown: Initially suspected due to his proximity to the crime scene, later revealed to be an impersonator.

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5. Climax and Resolution

As the night unfolds, Carlotta performs her signature aerial act, defying death with her trapeze somersaults. During this performance, the murder threat materializes—the stage darkens, and Carlotta seemingly falls to her death, plunging the circus into chaos.

Rogue and Betty swiftly move to the aftermath, questioning Lieutenant Urban and scrutinizing the crime scene. Key evidence emerges:

• The Gun: A Smith and Wesson .38 caliber, identified as Mario the Clown's weapon.

• Clues: A bitten apple and a missing front tooth become pivotal in linking the crime to Frank Davis.

In a tense confrontation, Rogue pieces together the puzzle. He reveals that Frank Davis, driven by professional jealousy and financial ruin due to Carlotta's extravagant lifestyle, impersonated Mario the Clown to commit the murder. The bitten apple becomes undeniable evidence, leading to Davis's confession and arrest.

Rogue: "That front tooth Colada knocked out of his mouth gave him a kind of individualistic bite. It showed up as plain as the nose under his face."

The episode concludes with Justice served, Carlotta's legacy intact, and Rogue’s reputation as a top detective reaffirmed.

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6. Host's Commentary

Post-resolution, Adam Graham reflects on the portrayal of hard-boiled detectives during the era, positioning Richard Rogue among contemporaries like Ideal and Crime with William Gargan and the Fat Man with Brad Runyon. He highlights Rogue’s dominance in the radio detective genre prior to the introduction of iconic characters like Sam Spade.

Adam Graham: "At this point, we're actually still several months away from when ABC would hit on an idea that would become one of radio's most successful, and that was bringing Sam Spade to the air. So still, Rogue is pretty well dominating the field when it comes to the hard boiled private eyes."

Graham wraps up by inviting listeners to engage with the podcast community and previews upcoming episodes, maintaining the show's engaging and interactive spirit.

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Notable Quotes

• Pop Price ([02:21]): "Rogue, somebody's going to attempt to murder one of the circus leading luminaries during tonight's performance."

• Richard Rogue ([12:22]): "This is my last night as a performer. The circus world loses its greatest attraction after tonight's performance."

• Carotta the Magnificent ([17:41]): "We've just witnessed a murder."

• Frank Davis ([26:22]): "You think you can get away with killing us here?"

• Richard Rogue ([26:53]): "I'm not at all sure I like being alone in the menagerie at midnight."

• Adam Graham ([31:52]): "Rogue is pretty well dominating the field when it comes to the hard boiled private eyes."

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Conclusion

"Rogue’s Gallery: Special Added Attraction (Encore)" masterfully blends suspense, character development, and classic detective work, embodying the essence of golden-age radio dramas. Through Richard Rogue's astute investigation, listeners are treated to a compelling narrative that underscores themes of jealousy, deception, and justice. Adam Graham’s insightful commentary further enriches the listening experience, making this episode a standout in the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio series.

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Subscribe to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio on your favorite podcast app or visit greatdetectives.net for more thrilling mysteries and engaging commentary.

Transcript

[Richard Rogue]

Sam.

[Adam Graham]

Hello, this is your host, Adam Graham, reminding you to listen on July 13th as we bring you the premiere of the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio and also reminding you that today's program comes from our archives and so any offers and information contained therein may not be valid unless currently reflected on our Great Detective of Old Time radio [e-mail] but now on with Circus Week. 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. Box13reatdetectives.net Be sure to cast your vote every month on podcast ally podcastally.greatdetives.net and give us a call. 208-991-4783 well, before we do get started with today's show, I do want to remind you about Audible. Audible is great. It offers you a fantastic library of both classic works as well as recent best sellers. So even if you don't have time to read, you can still stay up on the top of books you need to be reading. Plus, not only get one audiobook a month, you also get a discount on all other audiobooks purchased through Audible. I just picked up four full cast modern audio dramas for $2.95 each, so there's some great deals to be found for Audible members. You can try it out and get a free audiobook by going to audibletrial.com greatdetectives now it's time for today's episode a special added attraction.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

The S.W. fitch Company, makers of Fitch's Saponified Coconut Oil Shampoo and Fitch's Shav Creams, presents Dick Fowl as private investigator Richard Rogue in Rogues Gallery. Rogue Speaking don't look at me like that just because my shirt is half torn off and my face is scratched and my neckties under my ear. I just walked into a store to buy a pair of socks right in the middle of a sale of nylons. Oh, women. Long red fingernails, staring eyes pushing, clawing all elbows and high heels. Yeah. Anybody know where I can trade my pair of nylons for a white shirt? Oh well. As I returned from this shopping expedition and was looking on the world at large with a jaundiced eye, I walked into my office and found this soup sitting there overflowing with a large and robust gentleman with a toothy smile and the manner of a man who was just meeting an old school charm after 40 years of separation. I cringed a little as he rushed happily toward me with a hand like the Business end of a claw machine clutching at mine. I'd never seen him before. Mr. Rogue. You are Mr. Rog, are you not? The celebrated investigator? Yes, that's right, Mr. Rogue. I'm very happy to make your acquaintance. Very happy. My name is Price. Pop Price. I'm called by those who know me. I'll have a chair, Mr. Price. Thank you, sir. Thank you. I have called on you, Mr. Rogue, to retain your services, Mr. Price. How about starting at the beginning? Now, when you get through with your end of the story, I'll tell you mine. It'll be a quick yes or no man. A few words that I like. Well, I'll be brief. I realize that you're a busy man, Mr. Rogue. Yes, sure. Go on. I am business manager for the Farrington Brothers Circus. The world's greatest show. You've seen the circus, of course. Been running here for three weeks at the Coliseum. Well, no, I haven't, but I. Then you missed something, sir. You've never seen Carlotta the Magnificent, the world's premier aerialist. The only woman in the world who ever attempted to swing through the air between two flying trapezes, turning four complete somersaults in midair, defying death without even the security of a net beneath her. It's a breathtaking sight, Rogue. Positively breathtaking. Now, look, mister, if you're selling tickets to the circus, I. I came here to employ you, Rogue, in your professional capacity to prevent a murder. Somebody's going to attempt to murder one of the circus leading luminaries during tonight's performance. Rogue, Somebody has threatened to murder Carlotta the Magnificent. No kidding. It's a little unusual for murderers to issue invitations. Now, here it is, Rogue, the death threat. Well, can't get much out of that. Pasted on the back of a circus hand bill, letters cut from newspaper headlines. You'll die during tonight's performance. Now, Pop, isn't that a little dramatic? How is the note delivered? It was on her makeup table this morning. Huh. Does she have any enemies in the show? Well, frankly, Rogue, Carlotta is. Well, she's the kind of a personality that makes enemies. She's very sure of herself, exceedingly conceited. As a matter of fact, she's what you would probably call an 18 carat died in the wood. Oh, well, fine. As strong as an ox, as smart as a fox, as mean as a snake and as brave as a lion. She's 38, but she still considers herself a fatal beauty. As a matter of fact, she's fine looking woman, Wonderful figure, big brown Eyes. Sounds like a fascinating character. Who would want killer in strict confidence? Rogue? Almost anybody who's ever had anything to do with her. Well, that narrows it down a little. Have you told the police about this threatening note? Yes, I told them and I've told the newspapers. Oh, I knew you wouldn't want to leave them out. You know what I think, Pop? I think this whole thing is a press agent's dream. Lots of free publicity. Believe me, Mr. Rogue, you are wrong. Tonight only. Tonight only, a special added attraction. See the Murder of Carlotta the Magnificent along with the Greatest show on Earth, all at the regular place. Oh, Pop, thanks for coming in, but I. Just a minute, Mr. Rogue. I have here something which I think might change your mind by way of a retainer. Oh, all that stuff. Well, that does help to convince me you're on the level. Shall we say $500? That's a nice round figure. There you are. And here are two passes to the circus tonight. I'll see you there. Rogue. You must prevent that murder. Well, that's the beginning of our story. We'll continue in just a moment. For now, here's Jim Doyle. I'd like to say something to the ladies. You know that one of the rules of modern life is perfect cleanliness. For instance, women years ago would be horrified at the thought of washing their hair every day, as many of our Hollywood stars do. But then, they didn't have Fitch's Saponified Coconut Oil Shampoo in those days. If they had, I wager they would have used it frequently. For Fitch's Saponified Shampoo always leaves the hair lustrous and easy to set. Made from pure vegetable and mild coconut oils, it won't dry the hair or make it harsh feeling. It cleanses thoroughly too, for it makes loads of fluffy lather. Even in hard water, this lather whisks away every bit of dust and dirt, leaves your hair fragrant and sparkling clean. Ask for a professional application of Fitch's Saponified Coconut Oil Shampoo at your beauty or barber shop. Or buy an economical bottle at your drug or toilet goods counter. Look for the bottle with the bright yellow label. And now we return to Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue in Rogues Gallery. Ordinarily, I wouldn't go to the circus even if the elephants carried water for me. But when Pop Price, the business manager of the Farring Brother's Circus, paid me five bills to prevent the murder of Carlotta the Magnificent, I called Betty Callahan at her newspaper and asked her to attend the performance with me. That Evening. We went early. We wanted to interview the great Carlotta before the big show started.

[Richard Rogue]

The circus press agent was in today with a story on that threatening note. Mr. Addison had him come out of the office. Don't walk so fast, Richard. Wait a minute. He said no circ press agent was going to chisel any free space from our people for the mortals can gag like that.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Yeah, well, he's probably right. Excuse me, sonny. I'll tell you, we'll take him some pink lemonade and some cotton candy when we go back. That'll make him happy, huh?

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, George, I better go back with a murder story if I have to commit it myself.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

All right. Hey, buddy. Yeah? Where do I find Colada the Magnificent? What do you want with her? We're from a newspaper. You want to interview her about that death threat she got today. Yeah. How did you know about it? Who doesn't? Everybody in the show is hoping.

[Richard Rogue]

You mean they're hoping she'll be killed.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

We can dream, can't we? Carlotta's the worst nuisance that ever hit the circus business. I've been in this racket 20 years and I never knew a game who could make so many people hate her so much. She's a genius. Well, thank you. Thank you. You stutter a little bit there, don't you? Sorry. Where do we find this nobody? Sweetheart, you're on the right track. Last dressing room in this.

[Richard Rogue]

This circus must enchiladas hot stuff. Look at the size of that star on her door.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Yeah. Now, Betty, I'm going to tell her I'm a reporter. Might be able to get more out.

[Richard Rogue]

All right.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

What do you want? Away from the Evening Bulletin.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, are you from the press? I love the place. Did you bring a photographer? Would you come in?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

The photographer will be along later.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, please make yourselves comfortable. This young man is my manager, Frank Davis.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Hello, Mr. Davis. How are you? Here, take this chair, miss.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, thank you, Mr. Davis. Now, you want to ask me some questions? No.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Why, yes, Carlotta, if it isn't too much trouble. Tell me, what is your last name?

[Richard Rogue]

I am Carlotta. Do we have to have this young lady here? I would like to talk to you alone.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Oh, I'm sorry. This is Ms. Betty Callahan. She's also on the paper. My name is Richard Rogue.

[Richard Rogue]

You are a very handsome man, Mr.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Rogue.

[Richard Rogue]

You are strong, no?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, I managed to drag myself around. But let's. Let's talk about you, Carlotta.

[Richard Rogue]

Could we put this interview off until after they performs tonight?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Mr.

[Richard Rogue]

Rogue, perhaps we could have dinner you and I.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

You're not very worried about the death threat, are you?

[Richard Rogue]

Me? No. Why should I worry? It's professional jealousy, that is all. Somebody is jealous of Carlotta the Magnificent. Someone who is less beautiful, less talented. That could be almost anybody. They're all jealous, aren't they, Frank?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Why shouldn't they be? Believe me, Mr. Rogue, Carlotta is the queen of mall. I've seen all of them in the last five years. And Carlotta here's the payoff. There's never been anyone within a mile of her.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, Frank. Frank is such a sweet boy. He loves me. But I am tired. I'm weary. Tonight I leave this earth.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, when did you decide that?

[Richard Rogue]

I decided two weeks ago. This is my last night as a performer. The circus world loses its greatest attraction after tonight's performance.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Isn't that tragic, Carlotta? Does Pop Price in all of your decision? Price? Oh, of course.

[Richard Rogue]

He knows his art is breaking. What will his show be without Carlotta? Magnificent. What will it be? Answer me.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

I don't know.

[Richard Rogue]

It will be nothing.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Yeah, well, now. Now, look. What did you do when you found that threatening note?

[Richard Rogue]

I turned the note over to Price. He turned it over to the police. Have you seen my act, Mr. Rogue?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

No, no.

[Richard Rogue]

We're going to see it tonight. Carlotta, I am sensational.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, Carlotta, that note you received was lying here on your makeup table when you came in today, right?

[Richard Rogue]

Yes. Young man, have you ever tried to do four somersaults a hundred feet in the air? Me without a net?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Oh, now, look, Carlotta, I. I want to know about that note. You don't want to get killed, do you?

[Richard Rogue]

Look, I take a big swing, then four somersaults, then I grab the trapeze on the other side. It is impossible unless you are me. This I have to see. Carlotta. Feel that muscle, Mr. Ro.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Sure. Wow. Hey, that's something. Yes, you're as strong as in. Well, you. You're very strong. Yeah, and I've got the scars to prove it, haven't I, Carla? Yes.

[Richard Rogue]

Frank and I were scoffing this morning. Look, open your mouth, sweetheart. There. The front tooth. I knocked it out. He is scuffling with Carlota, who could tear him to pieces.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

She didn't mean to do it, Mr. Rogue. We were just kidding around.

[Richard Rogue]

But I'm very feminine. I have a lovely figure. I dress very quietly on the street. You'll be proud of the when we go to dinner tonight, Mr.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Rob. Oh, I'm sure I will. Look, Carlotta, I hate to Be practical. But aren't you a little worried about the note, I mean, Pop Price is worried.

[Richard Rogue]

Of course he's worried. He's afraid I'm leaving his show.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

You're on in 10 minutes.

[Richard Rogue]

Think pink.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Don't pay any attention to him, Carlotta. I'll take care of him for you.

[Richard Rogue]

Well, we'll have to hurry to our seats. We don't want to miss your performance.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

We'll be watching you, Carlotta.

[Richard Rogue]

You will hurry. There will be a tremendous crowd tonight. This is Carlotta the Magnificent's last performance.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Oh.

[Richard Rogue]

Kind of hard in the public, isn't it? Of course I will see you after the performance, Hanson.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Thanks for coming back to see us, Rogan. You too, Ms. Callahan. Well, we'll see you later tonight, Carlotta.

[Richard Rogue]

If she should live so long.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

You know, Betty, I sometimes wonder if she really wants to talk to me after the show.

[Richard Rogue]

You know, Richard, I feel that if I knew Carlotta the Magnificent just a little better, I'd kill her myself. She was absolutely brave in the way she flirted with you and that Davis. She's young enough to be a son. She's a. She's a brazen flirt.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, you could take some lessons from her, Benny.

[Richard Rogue]

What?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

That's a girl who knows what she wants.

[Richard Rogue]

On second thought, the two of you should make a wonderful couple. You could just sit around and talk to each other about each other. And lead a life of great bliss.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, I'll say one thing for Pop Price. He figured us in for some good seats. They're practically part of the show.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, I love circuses. I think they're exciting. Don't you, Richard?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Sure. Sure. The first honest work I ever did was carrying hay for the horses. When the circus came to town, there were of it. I guess it was the last honest work I ever did too.

[Richard Rogue]

Well, you can be an animal fan if you want to. Personally, I like the clowns.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Oh, I like clowns too.

[Richard Rogue]

Look, Richard. Look at that clown with a camera coming around here. See him? See him?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

You're the one dressed like a woman.

[Richard Rogue]

Look at that hat. Isn't it ridiculous?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

You've got one just like it, haven't you?

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, it's just like a man. The hat that clown has on has real fruit on it. Apples and oranges and grapefruit.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

At least the hat's practical. Did you see Mario? Grab that apple off and take a bite on it.

[Richard Rogue]

Mario? Is that the famous Mario?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Why don't you look at your program? I paid two bits for it. That clown in the red white and blue outfit with the putty nose, the big shoes. And Mario, the highest paid clown in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. Your attention, please. The Thanksgiving Brother Circus, the greatest show on earth, proudly presents the most sensational attraction ever to be seen on any stage, in any circus or any theater. America's premier circus proudly presents the greatest aerialist of all time.

[Richard Rogue]

Carlotta must have written that herself.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

And death defying feet. No neck protects this intrepid artist from certain death. In case of a mishap.

[Richard Rogue]

Good.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Ladies and gentlemen, the feature attraction of this great show, Carlo the magnific.

[Richard Rogue]

Well, there comes your girlfriend. She's climbing up to a trapeze.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Oh, beautiful figure, hasn't she?

[Richard Rogue]

Lovely for her age.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty. Huh? Carlotta the Magnificent is ready to go. You'll soon find out whether you're covering a hoax or not.

[Richard Rogue]

You don't think there's any doubt of a being a hoax, do you, baby?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

I'm not sure of anything.

[Richard Rogue]

Well, I wish this were over.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

So do I. Well, there she goes out on the trapeze.

[Richard Rogue]

So she takes a big swing.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Looks like a tough way to make a buck, doesn't it?

[Richard Rogue]

Well, why doesn't she dance?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

She's gathering momentum. Here come the somersaults. Betty.

[Richard Rogue]

Richards keep falling.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

That note meant business. Betty, come on. We've just witnessed a murder. We'll return to our story in just a moment. But now here's Jim Doyle, the man from the Fitch Company, who wants to say something about one of his favorite subjects. That's right. Dick Fitch's no Brush shaving cream is a favorite subject with me because men are always so pleased with it after they've tried it. FitchesNo brush combines three different shaving ingredients into one easy to use cream. One of the ingredients, a special skin conditioner, helps prepare even a tender, sensitive face for a solid comfort shave. Fitchesno Brush also has a creamy, non greasy texture. It helps the razor do the job in a hurry, even if your beard is tough. When you finish your shave, your face feels cool and refreshed and smooth as can be for men who prefer lather their spitches Brush cream. It gives lots of rich, dense lather that stays moist all during the shave. Rinses off easily too, leaving your face feeling smooth and pleasantly cool. Join the thousands who have found shaving pleasure through their switch to Fitch. Both Fitch's Brush and Fitch's no Brush shaving creams contain the special skin conditioner for sensitive faces. And Both come in handy 25 and 50 cent sizes. And now Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue. In Rogue's gallery. I get invited to a lot of things, but this was the first time I was ever invited to watch a murder. As I sat there in my box seat at the circus, watched my self elected Benedict fell out of the magnificent tumble to her death, I felt a great emptiness. I would probably have shown how I felt with much more gusto if Betty Callahan hadn't been practically tearing my arm off. The whole place was in a turmoil, and it took Betty and me quite a while to get down to where Lieutenant Urban was standing not far from the body. Please clear the arena, the upper exits and leaving. Use the upper exits, please.

[Richard Rogue]

I've got to call my city desk.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Go ahead, Betty. You can find a phone someplace down around the business offices. I'm going to talk to Urban. He looks a little upset.

[Richard Rogue]

I'll be right back.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Right. Take it easy now.

[Richard Rogue]

I'll hurry.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

What are you doing here? Well, I'm working for the corpse. What do you mean, working for the corpse? A simple. I was hired to keep this from happening. Who paid you? Pop Price. The head man with his outfit. How'd it happen? Well, there are two.38 caliber bullets in the body. Somebody did some nice shooting. Oh. While the drums were rolling to cover up the noise. And the arena was darkened except for the spotlight on the victim. Wow. It's very nice planning. Now stay right here, Rogue. You may want to talk with me later. Okay. I'm not going anyplace. It's immediate. Hello, Price. Mr. Rogue, may I stick with you a moment? Are you priced business manager of this layout? Yes. This is horrible. Where were you when it happened? I was standing in the entry back there. I was worried. Oh, you were? Of course he was. He'd been warned that Carlotta was going to be killed at this performance. I can handle this, Rose. I don't think I had anything to do with it, do you? She was leaving the show. This was to be her last performance, wasn't it? Yes. At least she intended to quit. She was always threatening to quit. And this time it looked like she meant it. Eh? What would happen to your show if Carlotta left it? She was the star, wasn't she? Yes, she was the stellar attraction, huh? So you'd have been in trouble. She was spotting you, wasn't she? And you took this way of getting even. That's a good theory, Urban. Thanks. Who was with you when it happened? Bryce? I was alone. Careless of you. Somebody punched a hole in your meal to you now don't leave the premises. I want to talk with you. Later. Where's the dead woman's manager? I want to talk with him. He's in her dressing room. His name is Davis. Oh, he is there. Well, we'll call on him there. Come on, Rogue.

[Richard Rogue]

Rachel, wait for me.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, hurry up, Betty Urban marches on. All right, Davis, we just want to ask some questions. You have been associated with Carlotta for five years. Who would have wanted to kill her? Believe me, Lieutenant Urban, if I knew, I'd murder them. You don't know what Carlotta meant to me. I loved her. She had a lot of enemies, but just name off a few of them, William. Well, she had a run in with the animal trainer Cliff Stewart the other day in a big fight with Mario the Clown last week. And she and Pop Price weren't getting along very well. She threatened to choke him to death a few nights ago when she was threatened, threatening to quit and taunting him about it. Well, must have been one of them. They didn't understand Carlotta. They didn't know how to handle her. One of them killed her, Davis. Did she leave a will? Who gets her money? She had no money, Mr. Rogue. She spent it as fast as she got it. Sometimes a little faster. I tried to get her to save some money for the future, but she was too big hearted. If she didn't have any dough, how come she was quitting? A thousand dollar a week job. Her doctor ordered her to take it easy for a while. Her heart was acting up. I had it all fixed for a three month rest in Mexico City. That's what she wanted. We found the gun, Lieutenant Urban. Where? Right by the third ring. The gun is a Smith and Weston.38. And there were two ejected cells laying right by it. Well, it must have been dropped as soon as it was fired. That. That gun belongs to Mario the Clown. How do you know? I have seen it in his trunk a thousand times. So has everybody else in the circus. It's his all right. It's got his initials on the bus. Mario, eh? That murdering skunk. I'm gonna kill him for this. He did it. He shot Carlotta. Mario was standing in the ring right about where the shot was fired. Just a few minutes before the murder.

[Richard Rogue]

That's right, Richard. We were watching him when the house lights dim for Colada's entrance.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Yeah, that's his routine. I'm going to find him. Davis, take it easy. I think the police can handle this. This is a personal thing. Give me that gun. Cut it off, Davis. Now Sit down. Take it easy, Davis. Where's Mario's dressing room? Right next door. Yeah, Come on, Urban. Let's go see how funny this clown really is. Mario. Mario, open up. This is the law, you know. He just may not be in there. Well, we'll see.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, Richard, he's dead.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

No, I don't think so. He's been chloroformed. Smell it. Look, here's the bottle. He's still got the saturated cloth in his hand. Well, don't stand there waving at my face.

[Richard Rogue]

Why would he chloroform himself?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

What makes you think he did? Murderers do funny things. Come on, let's get him out of here. Help me lift him, Rogue. Now, wait a minute, Irvin. Why don't you wait until he comes out of it? The way you're going at it, he'll be in the electric chair before he wakes up. You saw him right there at the edge of ring number three just before Carlotta was shot, didn't you, Rogue? Yes. Anybody else around him? No. And Carlotta was shot with Mario's gun. That's all I need. I'm taking him down and booking him for Betty. I bet if your paper prints that story the way you sit, you're going to live to regret the day the printing press was invented. Urban's jumping the gun. Nobody ever went to that much trouble to frame themselves to the chair.

[Richard Rogue]

Look, Richard, I'm your greatest admirer and all that. You're just being bullheaded. Nobody but Mario was near the spot where the gun and the spent cartridges were found. Pure logic proves that he's the guilty man.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, somebody might have been impersonating Mario.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, that's ridiculous.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

This. Hey.

[Richard Rogue]

What are you doing?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

I'm going back to the circus. There's one piece of evidence that everybody forgot to check.

[Richard Rogue]

I'm not at all sure I like being alone in the menagerie at midnight.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

No. Well, hang on to my hand. We'll be in the main arena in just a minute.

[Richard Rogue]

Thank goodness there are some lights in the arena.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Yeah. Awful looking place in here, isn't it?

[Richard Rogue]

I don't imagine we're improving that much.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Okay. All right. Now, here's the third ring. We were watching Mario. He was right about here, wasn't he?

[Richard Rogue]

Yeah. Over this way a little, I think.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, it's bound to be here someplace.

[Richard Rogue]

Richard, what are you doing down on your hands and knees?

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

I'm looking for a clue, baby. A clue that's going to send somebody up for murder. I'll show that urban guy How a really sharp investigator works.

[Richard Rogue]

Oh, let's get out of here, Richard.

[Carlotta the Magnificent]

Well, it's got to be here someplace. Well, someplace. I've got it. I've got it, Betty. Drop it, Rogue. Huh? Drop it. Huh? Oh, okay. Okay. Davis. I always do as I'm told when I'm talking past a.45. You killed Carlotta, didn't you? Yes, but I'm not going to be arrested for it. Nobody. I can prove I did it. But you, Rogue. And you're not going to live to tell it. And neither is Ms. Callahan here. All right, Ms. Callahan, get over here. Over by Rogue. You think you can get away with killing us here? It's worth trying, isn't it? Well, okay. Look out, Betty. I didn't have anything to lose, so I arrest him. I may not be as strong as Collada was, but I was stronger than Frank Davis. And I had the advantage of some judo I'd picked up during a date with a hatchet girl. I got the gun away from him and turned him over to Irvin. He admitted killing Colada. She was quitting the business and demanding an accounting of her cash. Davis had gavel most of it away in Umayo's routine. So he slipped him a Mickey, borrowed his costume and his gun and took his place in the arena that evening. And you know, when he was impersonating Mario and Betty and I watched him take a bite out of an apple, he got off another clown's hat, remember? Well, I found the apple, and that's what convicted him. That front tooth Colada knocked out of his mouth gave him a kind of an individualistic bite. It showed up as plain as the nose under his face. The part of the apple that was left. Smart work, huh? Well, they executed Frank Davis for the murder of Carlotta the Magnificent. She was. She was quite a girl. Quite a girl. Betty didn't seem to like her, but. Well, after all, women are all alike. Everyone you meet is different. You know what I. This is Dick Faligan, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you enjoyed our story tonight. Ray Buffum wrote it. Leith Stevens composed and conducted the music, and D. Engelbach produced and directed. But don't forget, you've all got a date with us next Thursday night. We have a story for you about. About a girl, a boy and a gun. So make a date with us, will you? Thanks for listening. And now, here's Jim Dawson. Be with us again at the same time next week. Oh, and by the way, be sure to see Dick Powell in his latest RKO picture. Cornered at your local theater soon. Remember, tune in again next Thursday, same time, same station, when you will again hear Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue in Rogues Gallery. Remember, if dandruff is your problem, ask for Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo. It's the only shampoo made. Who's guaranteed to remove dandruff, is backed by one of the world's largest insurance firms. No other shampoo can make this statement. Ask for Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo at your drug or toilet goods counter, beauty or barbershop? It's dispelled. F I T C H.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, some good evidence collecting by Mr. Rogue manages to solve the case. I should mention here how hard boiled detectives really were developing about this time because I mentioned before that Rogue was the first. However, in January 1946, he was no longer the only one, two days before he was joined by two new hard boiled detectives, one of which we've already played, that being, of course, Ideal and Crime with William Gargan and the Fat man with Brad Runyon, played by J. Scott Smart. But at this point, we're actually still several months away from when ABC would hit on an idea that would become one of radio's most successful, and that was bringing Sam Spade to the air. So still, Rogue is pretty well dominating the field when it comes to the hard boiled private eyes. Well, that's it for this week. We'll be back tomorrow with Let George do it. In the meanwhile, send your comments to [e-mail] follow us over on Twitteradio detectives and give us a call, 208-991-4783. But from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.