Old Time Radio Mysteries and More

Old Time Radio Mysteries and More

di F. Ziffel

Arti dello spettacolo

Let George Do It - Big Brother

George Valentine receives a letter that reads "My dear Mr. Valentine, my name is Lou Mendel. I own a nightclub named The Club Top Hat, which I'm sure if you've ever been there, you'll admit it's a very high class place. It's not the type place where we have any trouble and everything is strictly above board, which is where you fit into the picture puzzle, Mr. Valentine. There is this girl whose name is Dove. She's a new dancer, on account of she can't dance, but I like to be big-hearted. But as of today, my big heart has got me nothing but a blow on the head. This is the essence of the puzzle. Who hit me? Even more important is, what about Dove? She is somehow in the middle of the trouble, and for such a nice girl, I don't like it. Oh yes, this is a lot more than just what you may be thinking, because poor little Dove, you understand, looks upon me as a big brother. Signed, Lou Mendel". Soon, George and Brooksie arrive at the nightclub, and Mendel is giving them a tour of the place, while Dove is on the stage. Brooksie asks "How do you look upon her, Mr. Mendel?" He says "To me she's nothing, except I think I should help". George asks "You think she's in trouble?" Mendel says "I do not think very much, but there are some I know. Uh, the dressing rooms are down this way. We'll wait". George says "Suppose you start at the beginning. Oh...." Just then, they see a man with flowers standing near the dressing rooms. Mendel says "Good evening, sir. I think you're in the wrong place". Brooksie says "Oh, no he's not, Mr. Mendel. What beautiful flowers". The man says "Oh yes, thank you. Uh, I'm sorry I was in your way. Just waiting, that's all". George says "Haven't I seen you someplace before?"

Nick Carter, Master Detective - The Four Rings of Death

Nick Carter and his assistant, Patsy, are being escorted on a small motorboat to Tory Island, a small island just off the Long Island shore. Nick says "If I had known the weather was going to be like this, I never would have accepted this job". Patsy asks "Why are you doing it, Nick?" He says "Oh, as a special favor to Colonel Howard. A friend of his, Andrew Jessup, asked him to find the best code expert he knew. And he said I was the man for the job. So, when the colonel called me, I agreed to do it". Patsy asks "Just what is it you're going to do?" Nick says "Well, it seems that back in 1776, four wealthy Tories, who were afraid that Washington was going to capture Manhattan Island, got all their valuables together, and went to this little island where we're going to now. They buried everything somewhere on the island and recorded the burial place in a secret code, a cipher. They lived there for a while, then later were lost in a storm while trying to get back to the mainland". Patsy says "That sounds pretty fantastic, Nick. Is there any real truth in it?" Nick says "His lawyer, Andrew Jessup, recently came across something that convinced him the story is true. So, he rounded up the heirs of the four original Tories and arranged for them to meet on the island this afternoon. If I can decipher the code, they'll dig up the treasure and divide it". Patsy says "This is some night to dig up anything, I'd say". A few minutes later, the boat reaches the island. Nick and Patsy exit, and their escort heads back toward the mainland. Patsy says "Oh gosh, Nick. I wish you hadn't let that boat leave us here like this. This is the loneliest looking island I ever saw". Nick says "It's all right, Patsy. We'll go back with Jessup when he goes. Ah, that must be the house up there". As they begin walking toward it, they suddenly hear a man yelling! Then, a shot is fired! Nick says "Wait here, Patsy. I'm going to see what's wrong!"

Cloak and Dagger - Operation Sellout

Captain Taggert knew something was up when Colonel Palmer met Corporal Barnes and me at the dock that night. He hadn't come down from London just to wish us bon voyage. There wasn't time for such formalities in the OSS, even when a couple of its agents are embarking for the coast of Nazi occupied France. When the colonel's jeep pulls up to a stop, he steps out and says "Captain Taggert?" The Captain says "Yes, sir". Palmer says "This is the radio operator, Captain?" Taggert says "That's right, sir". The radio operator says "I'm Lance Corporal Barnes, sir, of the Sussex Guards". Palmer says "You men are all set?" They say "Yes, sir". Palmer says "You shove off in twenty minutes. That will put you ashore below Saint-Nazaire just before dawn. After you've been landed, you'll move inland exactly 6 km. You'll be met there by an agent of the Marquee. You understand?" They say "Yes, sir". At that point, the Colonel starting giving Taggert and Barnes a lecture about the importance of the mission. They didn't need it, because they already knew. German submarines have been hitting the allied convoys hard in the Atlantic, and shipping losses had to be cut. It was Taggert's job to locate the Nazi submarine bases, and it was Barne's job to radio the information to the Allied Air Forces back in England. As the Colonel continued lecturing, he looks at Taggert and says "You're not listening". Taggert says "Oh, I'm sorry, Colonel. I heard it all in London two days ago. Sir, I was wondering why you came down here to say it again". Colonel Palmer says "I may have had another reason for coming down". Barnes says "There's been a change in plans, sir?" Palmer says "A slight one, yes. Originally, you two would have taken on this mission alone. I've decided now to send a third man with you". Taggert says "Oh, who is he, sir?" Palmer says "I rather say nothing about it until you see him. He's already on the boat. He'll be something of a surprise to you, but your reaction to him may well determine the success of your mission".

Jeff Regan, Investigator - A Tree Grows in Encino

It was about half past lunchtime when Jeff reported back to the Lyon's office to see what was on tap for the afternoon. There, he saw a thin, haughty little man sitting across the desk from the Lyon. Anthony J. had his mouth wide open when Jeff saw him. Lyon says "Jeffery, come in, I uh I've been waiting for you. This is Mr. uh ... The man says "McMurray. Johnathan McMurray". Lyon says "Yes, he uh, he thinks he needs our help". Jeff says "Not sure yet, Mr. McMurray?" He says "Yes, I am quite sure. It is your employer, Mr. Lyon, who is not sure". Lyon says "Now, I wouldn't say that, Mr. McMurray, uh, yours is a very unusual case". Jeff says "Suppose somebody tells me what this is all about?" Johnathan says "I will explain my own problems, Mr. Lyon. Mr. Regan, it's quite simple. I want you to prove I am guilty of murder". Jeff says "What?" Lyon says "Yeah, quite simple, Jeffrey". Johnathan says "I have murdered my wife, Mr. Regan. I've gone to the police and confessed. They refused to believe me. It's up to you to prove I'm right". Lyon says "Yeah, of course, Jeffery ...." Jeff says "Wait a minute, fatso. Let's get all the story. You killed your wife and the police won't believe you? When?" Johnathan says "On the morning of April 3rd, at 3:00 AM, three years ago. I had gone to bed early the night of the 2nd. I heard noises several hours later. I assumed they were burglars, so I went downstairs taking my gun, of course, and saw a figure breaking in. Naturally, I fired. It was my wife". Jeff says "Your wife was breaking in to your own house?" Johnathan says "It seemed that way at the time. Perhaps, I was not fully awake. We all make mistakes, you know".

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe - Room 304

The telephone is ringing in Mr. Wolfe's office. As normal, his assistant, Archie Goodwin answers it and says "Mr. Wolfe's office". A woman with a French accent says "Hello, is this Mr. Wolfe?" Wolfe says "If it's for me, I'm not here". Archie says "What if it's a case? Wolfe says "If it is, tell them no". Archie says "I will not". Wolfe says "Confound you, Archie. Do as I say". Archie gets back on the phone, and the woman asks "Is this Mr. Wolfe's residence?" Archie says "Yes". She asks "Is this Mr. Wolfe?" Archie says "Uh, yes, Mr. Wolfe speaking". She says "Oh, I am in very much trouble. Could I see you please, immediately?" Archie says "Well now, yes. What kind of trouble, Miss?" Wolfe says "Give me that phone, Archie". He says "No. Uh, sorry, I had to turn the radio down. it's too loud, you know". She says "Oh, may I see you right away? I give you 1,000 dollars". Archie says "Oh, yes indeed! Come right over. The address is 601 West 35th Street". She says "I cannot, Mr. Wolfe, I just cannot come there". Archie says "Well, where do you live?" She says "I am staying at the Pol Hotel, Room 304 and ...." Suddenly, Archie hears a gunshot over the phone! He says "Hello ... hello... Boss, that was a shot. I heard a shot and the line clicked off". Wolfe says "Trouble, women are always trouble". Archie says "I'm going over to her hotel and see what goes on". Wolfe says "By all means, Mr. Wolfe". Archie says "Yeah, uh, I'm sorry Mr. Wolfe, but we need the money and this was 1,000 dollars". Wolfe says "If you will excuse me, I have to attend to my orchids". Archie says "Mr. Wolfe, what about the girl and the shot?" Wolfe says "Fascinating, isn't it? You figure it out".

Broadway is My Beat - The Charles Crandall Murder Case

The police were called to the scene of a murder in an alley near Broadway Street. Detective Danny Clover was assigned to the case. Detective Muggerman was already at the scene. When Danny arrives, he finds a dust heavy trail of blood leading to a dead man. He with a look of anguish on his face, sitting against a faded brick wall. The man's hand was still clutching to the entrance of the bullet wound. Muggerman was gently leaning over him, searching through the dead man's pockets. He suddenly finds something, then reads it. Danny asks "What did you find, Muggerman? He says "I found him like that. All broken up about the bullet in his chest. He tried to tell me why it was there, but he never got the words out. It was phoned in from the back room of a bar down the alley. A friendly chap wandered out for a breath of fresh air. He saw this, then ran back inside to make his call to the police. Then, he bought drinks for the house. He's still celebrating if you want to talk to him". Danny asks "Did you talk to him?" Muggerman says "Yeah. Friendly lush invited me to a cold beer. I didn't take it". Danny says "Did he know this man?" Muggerman says "I asked him, and he said he never had the pleasure. All the other citizens of this alley never had the pleasure, I checked". Danny asks "What's that in your hand?" Muggerman says "This? Oh, I almost forgot. It's a ticket for parking made out to Charles Crandall. He was overparked in a loading zone. He can snap his fingers at it now, huh?" Danny says "Anything else?" Muggerman says "That's all. Not a thing. Nothing. Except that expensive watch on his wrist". Danny says "No wallet, no identification, just the parking ticket?" Muggerman says "That's all. A wristwatch and a parking ticket. Not much for a grown man to leave behind, is it Danny?"

CBS Radio Mystery Theater - Bulletproof

Rocky Stark and his wife, Kim, are having breakfast. Kim says "Another cup of coffee, before you go to work, honey?" Rocky says "No, Kim, I .... " Kim says "If you're saying no because you don't think we can afford it ...." Rocky says "Well, can we?" Kim says "You're in one of your down moods again. Things are not all that bad with us". Rocky says "Sure, living in one room in a condemned tenement, and me, with a crummy night watchman job that pays peanuts, and you can say things aren't all that bad?" Kim says "We got each other. To me, it's everything, Rocky". He says "Kim, baby, don't get me wrong. Those two years behind bars. Taking the rap for that creep partner of mine, Manny Revell, I thought of you all day, and I dreamed of you all night. And all that time, I'm thinking when I get out, everything will come up roses again. Manny owes me. I'm thinking, he'll pay off". Kim says "Oh, Rocky ...." He says "So, what happens? I go to see him at the Golden Calf to tell him I'm out, and what does he say? He says I'm afraid you are out. Then he tells me he has a new partner, that two-bit punk, Johnny Mallory". Kim says "Rocky, sweetheart, forget it. What's the sense of going over it again and again?" Rocky says "Because I can't forget it. I thought we were running a legitimate night spot and all the time, behind my back, Manny's got a loan shark operation going. He comes to me and says, kid, I'm a three-time loser. You take the bath for me and I'll make it up to you. Sure, I took the bath all right and I'm still drowning and you along with me". Kim says "Look, things are going to work out for us. Your brother, Frank, helped you get that job, and it's a step toward something better. Now, you better get moving, or you'll be late .... "Suddenly the doorbell rings. Rocky opens the door, sees two men there, and says "Hello?" One man says "Are you Rocky Stark?" He says "Yeah". The man says "I'm Lieutenant Chambers, and this is Detective Rollins. You are under arrest for the murder of Johnny Mallory".

Gunsmoke - Jaliscoe

U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon and his deputy Chester are in the office when a young boy walks in slowly. The boy says "Marshall ... Marshall Dillon". Matt says "Over here, son. What's the trouble?" Chester says "Why, that's Will Thompson's young'un, Mr. Dillon". Matt says "What is it, kid? What's wrong?" The boy says "Dad ... Mom ... They burned our house ... Cut the fences ... Four of them ... My sister ... ". Suddenly, the boy collapses on the floor. Matt says "He's been shot. Hold that lamp down here, Chester". Matt looks over the boy, and says "There's blood all over the back of his shirt. Will Thompson, he's a homesteader, isn't he?" Chester says "That's right. He came to Dodge City about three months ago. Took a section over by Mulberry Creek. Mr. Dillon, you want me to go get the doctor?" Matt pauses for a moment, and says "No, the boy doesn't need a doctor now". Soon, Matt and Chester ride out to the Thompson's place. Chester says "Burned the house is right, Mr. Dillon. It's still burning". Matt says "Yeah, what's left of it is. Watch yourself, Chester". He says "Yes, sir". Matt says "No sign of life, though. Whoever did it's probably long gone by now". Chester says "There's no reason to hang around". Matt says "Let's tie up here and look around on foot. Bring up your carbine, Chester". He says "I got it, Mr. Dillon". After a few seconds, Matt says "They even fired the corn crib. Now, why would anybody want to ... " Matt stops, and Chester says "What is it? What's there?" Matt says "A dog, shot". Chester says "A dog? When they even shoot the dog, it's a ...." Matt asks "See something?" Chester says "Yes, sir. it's Will Thompson. I think it's Will". Matt says "What do you mean, you think it's Will? Matt walks over, looks at the body, and says "Scalped".

Frontier Gentleman - The Shelton Brothers

J.B. Kendall, an Englishman and a reporter for the London Times newspaper, is exploring the American West and writing stories about life and death in the new territories. Starting in St. Louis, he traveled by riverboat up the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers and finally docked at a town named South Sunday in the Montana territory. He disembarked and made his way to the express office in hopes that there would be a letter with his remittance from England, as he had only fifty dollars left in his pocket. The clerk says "Good afternoon, just off the boat?" Kendall says "Right. I wonder if there's a letter for me, J.B. Kendall". The clerks says "Kendall, uh, any trouble on the way up? I hear the Sioux have been kicking up their heels. Sitting Bull's making big medicine again. Don't sound good". Kendall says "We didn't see any". As the clerk is looking over the correspondence, he asks "You're English, ain't you? Kendall says "Yes". Clerk says "I figured by your talk. We don't see many of you in these parts. Uh, nope. Nothing for you, mister". Kendall says "You sure? It's rather important, from England". Clerk says "Nope. Nothing. Maybe tomorrow on the overland though. Say, you planning to stay awhile?" Kendall says "I think so". Clerk says "You better get registered then". Kendall says "Registered?" Clerk says "Over at Sheriff Clanton's office. There's a notice on the wall, maybe it missed your attention. It says that all strangers to South Sunday will, within one hour of arrival, register at the office of the sheriff or be prosecuted. That's Clanton's orders. I'm surprised you missed the signs. They're all over". Kendall says "Thank you". Clerk says "That's all right. Wouldn't want to see you in trouble. This ain't the healthiest town in the territory for strangers".

The Whistler - Death Comes at Midnight

John Prentice, wealthy manufacturer, and his wife Clara, along with their grown daughter Eva, and her fiancée, Dwight Cooper, are attending a lecture. The wife and daughter are dressed and in the living room awaiting Dwight's arrival. John is still getting ready. Just then, the doorbell rings. Eva says "Well, there's Dwight now. Mother, I'll go to the door". Clara says "Oh, wait a minute. Eva, you'd better make sure who it is before you open the door". Eva says "Oh mother, are you still worrying about that dream daddy had last night?" Clara says "Well, I can't help being nervous about it". Eva says "Well, of course it's Dwight. We're expecting him, aren't we? I'm going to let him in". She opens the door, and Dwight says "Hello, darling. Good evening, Mrs. Prentice". Eva says "Now, you see mother. It wasn't the big bad wolf after all". Dwight asks "What's this about a big bad wolf?" Eva says "It seems as if mother believes in dreams, and Dad had a terrible one last night". Clara says "I don't believe that all dreams have a meaning, but the one John had last night was a prophecy, and I'm concerned about it. He kept hearing a man's voice telling him over and over that he was going to be murdered within 48 hours". Dwight says "Murdered? Oh well, I wouldn't be alarmed, Mrs. Prentice. According to psychologists, a dream has no possible relation to the future. They say a dream comes from experiences of the past that have been registered in the subconscious mind". Just then, the telephone rings. Eva answers "Hello?" The voice on the line says "Is Mr. Prentice there?" Eva says "He's busy right now, could I take a message?" The voice says "Yeah. Tell him he better come to the phone whether he's busy or not if he wants to save his life". Eva says "What?" The voice says "It's a matter of life and death".

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