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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
The Falcon: The Case of the Ace of Spades (EP4775)
00:29:14
Today's Mystery: A gambling den kingpin is murdered, and a wealthy Waring client is suspected of the crime. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 22, 1953 Originating from New York Starring: George Petrie as The Falcon; Larry Haines; Mandel Kramer...
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- [00:02]
Mike Waring
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Adam Graham
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Mike Waring
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Adam Graham
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Mike Waring
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Adam Graham
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Mike Waring
We help you Save now. Through August 27th. Choose 12 months special financing and purchases of $299 or more offer subject to.
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Adam Graham
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Mike Waring
Minimum monthly payments required. See store@lowe's.com for details. Sam.
- [00:59]
Adam Graham
Welcome to the Great detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of the Falcon. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis. Support.grant greatdetactives.net and you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. And I want to welcome Kevin as our latest Patreon supporter at the detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Kevin. Well, now, from June 22, 1953, here is the case of the Ace of Spades.
- [01:57]
Mike Waring
We invite you to listen to the adventures of the Falcon as Mike Waring solves the case of the Ace of Spades. There's one thing you learn working as a private detective. A strong offense is the best defense. As a case in point, I give you Jimmy Valenti. Mr. Valenti is the boy wrestling with a mess of spaghetti at Joe's Little Italy. And there's no question who's gonna win. And as Jimmy finishes his opponent, the verdict is rendered by a ringslighter. Well, that's one dish they won't have to watch, huh? I was just admiring your technique. Maybe you'd like to give me a lesson. Anytime you say, Mr. Valentin. Who are you? Ace Kelly. Who? Ace Kelly. Oh, you're the guy from St. Louis. Tommy Harris told me about. Uh huh. Sit down. Thanks for drink. What do you got there? Vodka. Yeah. Well, that's good enough for me. I was expecting you last Wednesday. I know. When'd you get in? Last Wednesday. Why didn't you call me then? I couldn't find a phone booth. But you might as well learn it now, Ace. I don't like wise guys. Few people do. Besides, I'm not sure you could hold on this job. You don't look so tough to me. Want to feel my muscles? I know you don't like wise guys. Let's face it, Mr. Valenti. We don't seem to be very compatible. So I was that command. What's the matter, Ace? Don't you know when you're being kidding? Oh, is that what it was? I just wanted to see if you can take it. Well, I'm not very good at that, Mr. Valenti. You see, I only learned to dish it off. That's pretty cute. Yeah, it was something I heard on an old Mike Hammer show. Hey, you know something? I'm a car. You really are? Sure. That's why they call me Ace. Funny, Harris didn't mention you were such a funny guy. I guess he wanted it to be a surprise, huh? How much he tell you about me? Very little. Well, I run a small place on 76th street where a fellow can have a nice sociable evening. If you don't mind the car. That's right. Some people don't like to pay for their fun. That's where you come in. Now let me show you something. What's that? IOUs for 68 grand. They all given to you by one party? No, there are two of them. A Dickie Maynard and a Jackie Nadlin. You think you can collect? Well, I hate to go mercenary on you, Mr. Valenti, but what's in it for me? 10% of everything you bring in. And suppose I don't bring in a dime? I thought you were the kind of a guy who don't take no for an answer. These guys good for the money. They certainly are. Take this dicky man out. His old man was in the booze business with Big and Jackie Nadler. Owns Marboro Ballroom. Good luck. But if they don't pay, you don't collect. Get me? I got you, Mr. Valenti. But let's not even consider that possibility. I came a long way from St. Louis. I'd hate to go back empty handed. Just a second. I said just a second. Well, what do you want? Now that's what I call a leading question. Vicky, you are Richard Maynard. I asked you what you wanted. $24,000. 24,600 to be exact. Where'd you get that? IOU? Well, thereby hangs the tail. May I commit? No. You know, if I thought you really meant that. Are you going to get out of here? Relax. May not. You'll live longer that way. My name's name's Kelly. I don't care if it's Jenny Valenti, yeah. Now, go on, Peter. And what about your iou? Are you kidding? That thing isn't worth the paper it's written on. Now, if there's one thing I admire, it's a man who knows his rights. Well, I know mine. Well, I don't suppose you'd consider waving a man. Don't make me laugh. Even if I put it to you like this would be. Let me alone. If you think I enjoy doing this, man, you're absolutely right. I guess I'm just a great big bully. It. Hello, Jimmy. What are you doing here, Martha? Well, if the Martin won't come to Muhammad. Are you nuts? If I am, it's all your fault. Oh, darling, you don't know how I'd missed you. Go on, Martha, clear out. I'm expecting somebody. So is she. Not that it's any of your business, but it ain't a she. Now, go on, blow. You sure you really want me to? Am I sure? Oh, Jimmy, we were made for each other. Don't tell me you forgot. Monday night. Look, without hands. I'm worried about you, darling. I never knew anybody like hands off. That doesn't fool me. You're mad about me and that proved it. Yeah. Something you are not. Beat me all you want, but that won't make any difference. All right, Martha. Remember, you asked for it. Well? Oh, I said I ought to apologize. Don't you believe in knocking, Ace? Yeah, I did, Jimmy. But I guess you two had other things on your mind. Why don't you drop dead? Oh, don't get me wrong, honey. I didn't mean to spoil you. Come on, Martha, clear out. They had no right to say. I said clear out. All right. But you will call me, won't you? I'm staying with the police. You still here? Remember, darling? You promise? Sweet kids. Anybody ask? Yes. No. And keep your opinions to yourself. How'd you make out? Well, you know, for many of these things take time. So you didn't collect a dime? Not yet. And what'd you come here for? Well, I just thought maybe you'd want me to check in. All right, so you checked in. Anything else on your mind? No. And suppose you check right out and don't bother coming back unless you got something to give me. And I don't mind mean conversation. Now what? Enough to drive a guy out of his mind. All right, hold your horses, will you? Yeah, what do you want? That's a big idea. Yeah. Is there a Mic Waring in the house? Speaking Ohio Waring this is Sergeant Corbett. Who? Sergeant Corbett. Never heard of you. Oh, real sharp tonight, ain't we? What's on your mind, Clovet? You know a Jimmy Valenti? I know of him. Well, you'll never have a chance to improve on that. He was knocked off at 5 o' clock tonight. I think New York will bear up under the laws. Well, we're holding a Dick Maynard for the murder. They'd like you to get him out then. Obviously he didn't do it. Well, this is going to floor you, Falcon. But I think he did. But of course you're going to prove what mad fools we cops are. So come on down and make like a radio private eye. In a moment we'll return to the Adventures of the Falcon. And now back to the Adventures of the Falcon. It just goes to prove there's a little good in everyone here. Jimmy Valenti, by getting himself knocked off, got me a client. And an hour later I was down at headquarters with a capable Sergeant Corbett acting as combined guide and mc. You know, if you play your cards right, Mike, you may be able to get this sexy Maynard out. All you need is a hacksaw. Well, that's real sharp. I bet you heard that on the Hope Show. I did. All right, Daniels, open them up. Hey Maynard. Yeah? We got company. Have fun. You the Falcon? That's right. Well, what took you so long? Well, you know how narrow minded some people are, Maynard. So I thought I'd better put some clothes on before I came down here. You realize I've been in this rat hole since 9 o'. Clock. If you think this is bad, where do you get a load of Sing Sing? Don't be so funny. We might as well get one thing settled Wearing. When I pay for something, I expect service. Tell me something, Maynard. Do you have to make an effort to be this unpleasant or does it come naturally? What? You heard me. I've got a good mind to walk right out of here. Well, what's stopping you? A sergeant named Corbett. I'd hate for him to say I told you so. Did you kill Jimmy Valenti? Don't be ridiculous. Why do they pick you up? Well, you know the police. Sure. So I'm positive. They must have had a reason. What went with you and Valenti? I. I owed him some money. How much? I can't remember offhand. Come on, Maynard, don't give me that. Well, it was. Was around 25,000. How'd you lose it? In a poker game in his place. Why didn't you pay off? It may Be news to you, Waring, but gambling debts aren't legally collectible. You must have studied law with Mr. District Attorney. So when you decided to stand on your rights, Pawlenty thought he could intimidate me by sending a gunman around. You wouldn't happen to know this gunman's name? I certainly do. It was H. Kelly. And I take it this Mr. Kelly was the one who gave you that shellacking? Yes. And now, if there's anything else you'd like to know. No, I think I've got enough to hold me. How soon are you going to get me out of here? That all depends on whether or not I give in. What are you talking about? Well, I've never thrown a case in my life, but you don't know how badly I'm tempted. Now, keep your fingers crossed, Maynard. It's going to be quite a battle. Well, this is all very flattering, wearing, but I still don't see why you bothered to look me up. I thought that was pretty obvious. Eh? You were employed by Valenti. A lot of people were. Yes, but doesn't it strike you as odd that the man is killed less than 24 hours after you go to work for him? Well, I never could hold down a job for long. Would you care to hazard a guess as to who killed him? What about your client? I hate to say this, Ace, but I don't think Maynard was a boy. I don't know. He seems like a pretty good prospect to me. Naturally, you say that in your position. My position? Well, you might have turned the trick yourself that I never considered. Well, think about it for a minute. It's a possibility we mustn't overlook. You know where I like you. Why, Ace, this is so sudden. Well, I'm a creature of impulse, so I'll tell you what I'll do. You know a girl named Martha? Martha who? Oh, well, that's where the mystery comes in. I never did catch her last name, but I know she's living at the Clayton. Why should I go to the trouble of running her down? Well, she was Valenti's sparring partner. That's very interesting. Got any other information I can use? Yeah. If you run into him, make sure you watch yourself in the clinches. Well, hello, Martha. Martha? Well, isn't that your name? Now, look, mister. Don't get me wrong, Ms. Barnum. I just want to make sure I've got the right girl. Did you know a Jimmy Valenti? What? Well, that's what I want to talk to you about. May I You're wasting your time. Warehouse is the name. Mike Waring. I'm a private detective. You're still wasting your time. I don't know anything about the maiden. But you do know something about Valenti. Now, why don't I sit down and you can tell me all about him. Why should I? It always helps. Help who? That remains to be seen. You were in love with Valetti, weren't you? What if I was? I'm not ashamed of it. But when he tried to brush you off. Who told you that? A gentleman named ace Kelly. Well, Mr. Kelly is a dirty, filthy liar. Jimmy was crazy about me. He had a funny way of showing it. I didn't mind even when he cuffed you around. Don't be a fool. That only proved that he loved me. Well, I say you learn something new every day. How long has this great romance been flourishing? Two weeks. As long as that, huh? Oh, you stupid idiot. What do you know of love? Very little, apparently. Get off. But we haven't finished our little talk. Are you going to get out of here? You won't believe it, Martha, but this happens practically every week. Just as I start to roll, the woman in the case always orders me on. Oh, do they all have guns, too? No. That's why I won't even stop to argue with you. Night, angel. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Hello, E. Well, if it isn't Martha. You'll excuse the informality, but I never did learn your last name. Mr. Warington. Well, he's the persevering kind. What's your community? I intend to. Hey, is that thing loaded? I know a good way for you to find out. What if you tell him about me? Well, I guess I'm just a big old blabber. Ace, I asked you something. Well, you see, Martha, Mr. Waring represents a boy named Dickie Maynard. So, what's that going? Well, he doesn't think man had killed Valenti, so he was looking for other candidates. And when he brought me into the picture, I figured we might as well make it a group shot and include you. You know what you're going to get for that? Oh, now, you wouldn't really shoot me, would you? Oh, can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't? Well, I can give you a million. But I don't think any of them would have as much sense as this. Oh, give me. Come on. Come on. And now what do you think is going to happen to you? You fake bully. I dare you to hit me. You called it. Go on see if I'm afraid. No, I don't think you are, Martha. I think you enjoy it. What? And if that's your idea of fun, I'm just the boy to accommodate. Hiya, Mike. How's it going? How should it go, Colin? Oh, you want to see Maynard again? Not particularly, but I'm afraid I'll have to. Who's that? Mike Waring. It never occurred to you, Mr. Waring? What's he locking up for? I guess he doesn't trust. You mean I've got to stay here? What the devil have you been doing? Oh, I've been having myself a ball. You know, I've got a mind to get. Don't kid yourself, Maynard. You haven't got a mind. If you had, you wouldn't be in this spot. Just who do you think you're talking to? The most obnoxious client I've ever been privileged to serve. Now, would you give that tongue a rat? Did you ever hear of a girl named Martha Barnum? No. You sure? I'm put. Wait a minute. Is she a little blonde? That's right. Yes. She was at Valenti's place the night of the game. She walked in and she made a piss of herself. What happened? Valenti threw her out. Why didn't you tell me that before? You didn't ask me. That's good reason. Did anything else happen during the game that I should know about? No. Were you the only big loser? No. There were a couple of us. Who are the others? MC A man named Lou Hirsch. What did he go for? I didn't want you to make out the check. Then he didn't give Valenti an iou? No. But who else besides you? Jackie Nadler. The boy who owns the Marlboro Ballroom? Yes, I think so. How much was Nadler clipped for? Around 40,000. I bet you boys were betting as much as a nickel and a dime at a clip. Very funny. I guess not. Why didn't you tell me about n before? For the very simple reason I know. I didn't ask you. All right, Mayard. I may want to talk to you again, so don't go away. Sergeant. Sam. Is Jackie Nadler around? I want to know. Mike Waring. I'd like to come over and see you. I don't think I can squeeze in Waring. I'm a busy man. You know what I mean? Yeah, but a jury might take up even more of your time. Haven't you seen the papers? Yeah. Any terrible about the Russians? I was referring to the local news. Did you Read about Jimmy Valenti? No, I don't believe I did. But you understand, Waring, I got other problems in my mind. You know what I mean? Well, I'm working for a fellow named Dickey Maynard. Glad to hear it. He had some trouble with Valenti over a gambling debt. So just occurred to me you did too. Where'd you pick that up from, Mr. Mayor. Well, it's crazy. I didn't know if a lot of you penny my client says otherwise. Who cares about your client? Apparently no one. Doesn't that make you feel sorry for him? I can't tell you how much. Maybe you'd like to swap places with him. Forget it, Mike. I don't think it's in a card. You know what I mean? No, I don't, Jackie. But don't bother explaining. You'll only have to go through it again for the police. You know what I mean? I tell you, Sergeant, this Jackie Nadler is our boy. Well, if you say so, Mike, I say so. He was in the same poker game the night Dicky Maynard was taken to the cleaner. Ah, then you admit now that Maynard had a motive. I never said he didn't. But Jackie Nader has a better, better one. How do you figure that? He was a bigger loser. Now he denies he owed Valenti any money. Well, maybe he didn't. Oh, don't be a SAP, Corbett. It's obvious Jackie Nade lying. You boys are smart. You turn up his iou. Well, then I guess we're smart, huh? Take a look at this. That isn't Jackie's IOU. I thought it was. Where'd you get this? Mr. Nler was nice enough to loan it to us for our investigation. But it's smart. Paid in full. Uhhuh. Now I don't want to rush you, Falcon, but it's getting late and your client's still in the brig. Mistake. And if you're going to show us how a smart private dick operates, you'll never find a better time. In just a moment we'll return to the Adventures of the Falcon. And now back to the Adventures of the Falcon. What is it the poet said about the best slave plans anyway? After Sergeant Corbett dropped his bombshell, the Jackie Nadler had no motive to kill Jimmy Valenti. I was thrown for a loss. And Sergeant Corbett didn't miss the opportunity to pick up the ball. Well, I gotta hand it to you, Falcon. You certainly outdid yourself this time. Now hold it, Sergeant. That IOU doesn't mean a thing. It doesn't? No. How do you know where Jackie Nader got it? Well, what difference does it make? It's marked paid in full. What does that prove? Anybody could have written it, including Jackie. Oh, now, look. Well, couldn't he? And why didn't he tell me about it when I phoned him? Well, maybe he just doesn't like you. You know, that's possible too. I don't doubt it. At the moment, I'm not even fond of myself. Yeah, you got a partner there. Well, I still. Wait a minute. I got an idea. Oh, no, spare me that. There's one man who might know if Jackie actually redeemed that iou. Oh, Ace Kelly. I got a hunch Valenti brought him in from St. Louis just to take care of accounts receivable. Oh, now, cut it out. You're breaking my heart. Well, does it hurt to check? No. But I can tell you one thing. If this idea doesn't pay off, it certainly ain't gonna do you much. Hello, Ace. How about you? Well, what are you staring at? You know, I would have sworn this is Mr. Kelly's apartment. Would you? I can't get over it. You recognize it, Sergeant? No, can't say as I do. Who is it, Martha? Only us, Ace. Well, this is a surprise. If you're surprised, think of me. Oh, you mean my sir, huh? Now, that's a switch I never expected. What happened to your eye, angel? I fell over myself. I bet you enjoyed the trip. What's that supposed to mean? Nothing. But I'm sure you and Ace will be very happy. You're so suited to one another. Now, look here. Don't let him get under your skin, honey. You know, Mike, I don't know why I put up with your foolishness. You like me, remember? Oh, yeah, but I'm a fan. All right, all right, fellas. Now that's enough. What do you guys want anyway? Did you ever hear of Jackie Nadler? Why? Because Valenti held his iou. And I bet the sergeant here Jackie never paid off. That's where you're wrong. What? I told you so. Listen, Ace, are you sure of that? Positive. I picked up the money myself. Do you remember the time, Bob? Must have been around 6:30 that night. Thanks, Kelly. That clinches it. I don't see why, Sergeant. Because that confirms Jackie Nadler's story. Well, it's good enough for you, Colby. It certainly is. And what are you waiting for? You better go along with him, Ace. All right, quit the clown unwearing. You know better. What happened to that money, Nadler? Pager you tell me. Okay. You kept it for yourself. You said nabler redeemed his IOU at 6:30. So? So Gimbaletti was killed at 5. And if you picked up the money an hour and a half later, you must have been working on your own. What's he talking about? I'm sorry, Martha, but that's life. Just when the cards seem to be coming your way, someone has to trump your ace.
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Adam Graham
Welcome back. The Falcon was a series that was never above its in jokes. Doubtless most of you probably recognize the voice of Larry Haines as the man who played the OSS operative in Cloak and Dagger on Saturday. But Haynes was really a New York radio institution and at the time he was playing Mike Hammer. And that's why Ace said a snappy line he gave was something he'd gotten off of an old episode of Mike Hammer. Now, it's also worth noting that we heard Haynes not only as Mike Hammer in terms of a detective hero, he also starred in one of my favorite forgotten detective series, Easy Money. And he also starred in the 15 minute syndicated 1940s detective series Manhunt. I also really did love Mike Waring's interactions with his client. It makes me think we need more episodes where Waring absolutely has contempt for his client and has no problem telling him. Well, listener comments and feedback now. And regarding the case of the Jack of Diamonds, Saysoft writes, once again, in the world of the Falcon, everyone is driving a blue Nash. The writers must have had some sort of inside joke about that. Well, as far as I know, Eugene Wang was the only rider for the series. But maybe it was a joke between the rider and the producer. Or maybe to Eugene Wang, he was just such a big fan of the blue Nash that that was the only car for him. I've wondered if it might have been a deal with the network that it was easier for the show to mention blue Nash's rather than other real life makes of cars. But now that the series switched from NBC to Mutual, I'm not certain if there's a really good explanation for it, but I appreciate you calling that out. And then we go to Spotify where there's a comment on the same episode and Chameleon of Central Place Headquarters. Right. So this just occurred to me. At the beginning of every episode he says, hello, yes, this is the Falcon speaking. So we are the listener are expected to believe that the person is asking for the Falcon, but every episode is a woman who is asking him out. This means that when they first meet, instead of introducing them himself, as Michael, he introduces himself as the Falcon. Just saying. Very good point. And as the Falcon admitted last week, he doesn't even know why he's called the Falcon. Nevertheless, it is not only his business pseudonym, but his romantic one, I guess. And then Zach writes regarding the case of the Strawberry Blonde. I love these. Keep it coming. Always nice to hear the old shows on a Monday at the office. And then Emmett comments. Farewell Les Damon. Farewell Les Ralph Bell. I sure will miss hearing the Falcon. Always listen to the great Detectives podcast during my breakfast. So breakfast will not be the same without the Falcon. It wasn't the all time best series, but it did a good job holding my attention and was always entertaining. Well, thanks so much. And it's was definitely a farewell to Les Damon. But we're not quite finished with the Falcon. We got a few weeks left and while I'm not aware of any more detective programs that we have featuring Les Damon, we never quite say goodbye to Ralph Bell. Whether it was Philo Vance or Boston Blackie or Mr. And Mrs. North. If you had a new New York based radio series that wasn't made by the Hummerts, you'd find Ralph Bell in it. But we are getting to the end of the Falcon and I'm glad you've enjoyed the series so far and I hope you enjoy these episodes or playing with George Petrie. Alright, well that will 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. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We'll be back next Monday with another adventure with the Falcon. But join us back here tomorrow for for an entirely different and shorter Charlie Chan serial.
- [28:37]
Mike Waring
Where, however, we have more work here. Here are all the Colonel's business papers on this desk. I'm sure there's nothing here that can help. I've been through them all. No, it is not an expected place. We should look for papers. I seek no. And what papers? Charlie, think please, both of you. What was young man doing here? Searching for papers, is that not so? Yes, we assume that he apparently did not find them. Or if he did, he hid them when he heard you. Ms. Evelyn and Sir Reginald come to room. Now. Where would you, if you were caught unawares, hide papers? Remember when Fox is pursued by hounds, he eludes his pursuers by thinking like them.
- [29:22]
Adam Graham
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.
- [29:37]
Mike Waring
Com.
- [29:38]
Adam Graham
Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.