The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio: "The Big Story – The Thirteenth Key" (EP4837)

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Original Big Story Air Date: June 4, 1947
Podcast Release Date: November 4, 2025
Featured Drama: The Big Story – “The Thirteenth Key”

Episode Overview

This episode marks the debut of "The Big Story" on the Great Detectives podcast—an influential and long-running anthology series dramatizing true crime investigations by American newspaper reporters. Host Adam Graham introduces listeners to the show’s Golden Age context, exploring themes of journalism, justice, and dogged investigation. The featured drama, “The Thirteenth Key,” is based on the real 1929 Snoke-Hicks murder case in Columbus, Ohio, and follows the determined reporting of James E. Fusco from the Columbus Citizen as he unravels a complex murder mystery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to "The Big Story" Anthology (01:44)

• Adam Graham provides background on the "Big Story," explaining its focus on real-life reporters solving major cases.
• Notable for rotating leads each week, mirroring the diversity and dynamism of American journalism's Golden Age.

Quote:

"It was an anthology series focusing on the investigations of newspaper reporters...intriguing cases from reporters across the nation, most of whom have been forgotten."
—Adam Graham (03:31)

2. Plot Breakdown: “The Thirteenth Key” (05:23 – 29:56)

A. The Crime Scene

• Reporter Jim Fusco arrives at a rifle range to investigate the murder of a young woman, identified later as Ellen Marion Johnson.
• Discovery: 12 keys scattered, an empty key ring suggests a 13th key is missing—a critical clue.

Quote:

"I found the key ring. You found 12 keys. Put 12 and one together and the conclusion is somebody took those keys off the ring to get at another key."
—Jim Fusco (07:18)

B. Gathering Clues and Suspects

• The victim is identified as a second-year med student at Ohio State.
• Interview with the roommates (Lenore Graham and France Beaton) yields hostility and limited information, but implicates a boyfriend: Lewis Jack, a veterinary student.

C. Lewis Jack’s Interrogation (14:10)

• Lewis is evasive, confused, perhaps hiding something, but ultimately released due to lack of evidence.
• The real twist comes when a landlady emerges, revealing the victim was living under an alias as a married woman with "Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith."

D. The Double Life and Narrowing the Search

• Reporter and police deduce that “Ed Smith” is a middle-aged doctor with a blue coupe, closely linked to the victim and the crime scene.
• Investigation points towards Dr. Lance Crackett, a physician and former pistol champion.

E. The Confrontation and Breakdown (24:30 – 29:56)

• Physical evidence: Green stains on Dr. Crackett’s lawnmower match the crime scene; a red stain in his blue coupe is sent for analysis.
• During questioning, Dr. Crackett tries to account for his actions, but is tripped up by Fusco’s knowledge of newspaper deadlines and timings—proving Crackett knew about the murder before the press revealed the victim’s identity.

Quote:

"How did you know the body was that of your girlfriend when the paper carried no name? That story appeared on the street at 1:30... The extra identifying the body was not out until 5. How did you know...?"
—Jim Fusco (27:49)

• Laboratory analysis reveals the stain in Crackett’s car is blood, clinching the case.
• Dr. Crackett is arrested, confesses under pressure, and is found guilty of murder in the first degree.

3. Historical Context and Reflections (30:51)

• Adam Graham discusses the unique voice introduction by the real James Fusco and considers whether this was a rebroadcast or a personal archival recording.
• Explains that winning the Pall Mall Award (with $500 prize) was as prestigious and lucrative as winning a Pulitzer Prize at that time.
• Notes research on how these radio episodes matched up against real cases, mentioning the notoriety of the Snoke-Hicks case in Columbus.

Quote:

"The idea of there being an afternoon paper...is really a relic of this age...you watched old movies about big city newspapers and they're running multiple editions and can say at any time, 'we gotta put an extra out.' ... It's tough to imagine."
—Adam Graham (32:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Discovery of the Thirteenth Key:
  "Somebody took those keys off the ring to get at another key... I know who. The murderer."
  —Jim Fusco (07:31)

• Confronting the Landlady with Multiple Truths:
  "That's the girl who lived at your place as a married woman?... And that's the girl you went out with as a single girl. Well, one of you is lying. Or she was."
  —Jim Fusco (17:43)

• Crackett’s Mistake:
  "How did you know the body was that of your girlfriend when the paper carried no name?...You can't prove that."
  —Jim Fusco and Dr. Crackett (27:49–28:08)
  "I can tell you in one word. Blood. That does it. That's it. You've helped to apprehend a murderer and you've got your big story."
  —Jim Fusco (29:26)

Important Timestamps

• [01:44] – Adam Graham introduces The Big Story series and gives historical background.
• [05:23] – Dramatic recreation: Opening of “The Thirteenth Key” and introduction of the murder.
• [11:09] – Fusco confronts the roommates for information.
• [14:10] – Interrogation of Lewis Jack.
• [16:25] – Plot twist: Landlady’s revelation of the victim’s double life.
• [19:55] – Clue confirmation: The 13th key and timing of Dr. Smith’s actions.
• [24:30] – Arrival at Dr. Crackett’s home; critical evidence found.
• [26:00] – Final interrogation and collapse of Doctor’s alibi.
• [29:26] – Laboratory results confirm the murderer; case closes.
• [30:51] – Adam Graham’s historical and production commentary.

Host’s Commentary & Closing Thoughts

• Adam Graham highlights the authenticity of the reporting and the unique archival nature of the episode.
• He underscores the rarity and value of these dramatized accounts as historical sources.
• Graham shares how rewards for journalism like the Pall Mall Award reflected real professional recognition in that era.
• He plugs additional resources and invites listeners' contributions in identifying other episodes’ real-life cases.

Final Impression

This episode delivers a tightly woven, suspenseful mystery rooted in real events, elevated by the period’s attention to journalistic process and the drama of the newspaper world. The narrative structure—rife with red herrings, tense confrontations, and methodical deduction—showcases the golden era’s approach to both reporting and radio drama. Adam Graham’s insightful post-show reflection provides valuable context and makes the episode especially rewarding for fans of both detective stories and media history.

For fans of classic mysteries, investigative journalism, or midcentury Americana, this episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio is a must-listen.