Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
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to Adam Graham peelbox one five nine one three. That's Peelbox one five nine
thirteen, Boise, Idaho eight three seven one five Well. In recent years,
I've taken to as one of our listeners support specials doing twice told tales,
and what we do is focus on a radio script which was written for
one radio program and then reused on a different radio program and see how the
script changed and how the two programs compare. We're going to start off today's
program with an episode of The Man Called X. And this is actually the
first available episode of The Man Called X. We've played this series not too
long ago, but it's been more than a year, and I've definitely missed
Herbert Marshall on the program, even though I've been enjoying dangerous assignment. Of
course. In The Man Called X, Herbert Marshall plays an international troubleshooter named
Ken Thurston who goes by the name mister X. And the episode we're going
to play today is actually the first available episode. The Man Called X began
as a summer series that aired for a weeks. It would air off and
on until nineteen fifty two. This episode originally aired on August the twenty eighth,
nineteen forty four, and the title is Murder Music and a Blonde Madonna.
Here's your Path through the Globe Theater. This is the Globe Theater,
the radio playhouse especially for men and women of the iron forces of the United
Nations. Just as the old theater has massed the best in entertainment since the
days of Shakespeare, today it means the best in radio drama or service men
and women all over the globe. Here to tell you about tonight's play is
your host at the Glove Theater, Herbert Marshall. Thank you and hello everyone.
Your favorite seat is really in waiting for you here at the Globe Theater.
No extra charge for loaders, and tonight's bill is one that I trust
will be well worth the hearing. There is one type of character that every
actor longs to play, whether he be the Aubrey Smith or Roddy McDowell.
That is the role of the quick witted romantic adventurer who moved through Monte Cristo
esque experiences, confronted with the numerable dangers, but usually confounding his adversaries by
shop thinking and subtle humor. Always, of course, there is a lovely
girl who makes the confounding all the more worthwhile. As I say, such
is the path that every actor longs to play. Now, there are side
of advantages about being your host here at the Globe Theater, or that means
that I'm also the casting director. And when a fat, juicy part of
the title have just described turns up, whom he suppose was chosen to portray
it, well, not for al Brad Smith or Roddy McDowell. I need
only adds the title of this play is the man called it. What happens
is of an exciting nature. I think you'll agree, So let's up the
curtain and let the play begin. Tonight, he finds himself involved with murder
music and a blonde Madonna. But at the moment he and Nancy is that
girl, are sitting in a booth and a smart cocktail round in midtown Manhattan,
him darling, yes, yes, you'll get a key in your next
staring at said blonde. Why don't you covin sit with her at the bar?
I want mine, Nancy. I look at other women only to remind
myself, but not one of them can compare with you, my sweet,
that's said a Rangel Pietro, who Martin is with onions. I don't know
why I ever fell in love with the kin. You know, I should
have gone for a really attractic gain. What's that one over there? Well?
At the bar, sitting next to that blonde girl. You've been over
to see him? Yes, my great Scott Bill Bill Messbit. Huh Bill,
over here came person. I haven't seen the foods since last college reunions.
Nancy. This is Bill Nesbit, my old roommate and the best All
American tackle ever. Bill. This is my fiance, Nancy Bessington. He
thinks she's a reporter. I'm glad to make an app I've been following your
career. Kim. Congratulations you always were interested in starving unsolvable puzzle. How
about you? I understand your or the fine a synthetic clemis in the country.
I've done a little in synthetic drink. Fine, join us? Fill?
What make him away from this beautiful blonde? What blonde? What drill
sitting next to you at the bar? Oh, she's not with me.
I don't even know it. And fine sit with her. Well, I've
still got half to drink at the bar. I'll get it. Seems like
a nice guy. Yes, swell, seeing you again, Candle, and
said, what are you doing while I'm on my way to Italy? Italy?
Sound? Might am? Is serious? Secret stuff? Say you?
Either of you the time? Gee, I've got to make a phone call
to the office. When do you leave? Well, I've got to catch
a buck of the airline terminal in fifteen minutes. Don't have too much time.
Oh, I'll not be right back. I wonder why feel is joined
very out of the place for a civillion to go these days. Stop acting
like a bird dog in October. Donny, you know I promised you I've
settled down, and I'm going to see to it that you keep that promise.
Daby lovel looks like your blonde hand is shutting off. How about you?
I owe you quiet? Sellers'll be I think she's dressed in horrible Oh
Mann't you being a little hard on us? But thank your left things got
about my little Bill? No, I wonder why she was into the rush.
Probably just remember the date with a boyfriend. Maybe, so pardon me,
Donning William? Yeah, Tro, where's the phone booth? I said?
I thank you? Hey, Bill, tell you all right? He
will Oh? No, yeah, Tro, don't watch that nounce he was
drinking from. Why not care? I have a hunt the police chemist will
find it was full of Poisoner's got to get back in my own apartment,
you know, I'm not as useful looking a course with you want to feel
a little sick. I know I don't see a particular a chipper myself.
He would have won the Nobel Prize for chemistry one of these days. Who
could have done such a thing. I don't know what's that you're looking at?
Something? I found him Bill's pocket. Oh but Kin, the police
should have a well after I've read it. What does it thing? Just
the name and address on it looks the week the Antonelli won't brought him Italy
brought. I never even heard of it. That's just a tiny village one
who want to Nellie? You can bet whoever Antonelli is. He's mixed up
in this affair somehow. I wonder in what way? Who do I?
No? I intend to find out? Oh no, Kin, no,
not Italy. I pope you on nose in the dick, because I don't
like old friends of mine being poisoned. I'm funny that way. So this
is the town of a branch see, and you're as not much of it
left enough. They make ruin everything before the Americans are come. They doesn't
ruin your spaghetti. It's a masterpie. Yeah, yeah, I've always yeah,
they've always that make you look like, what's all the trouble over there?
Those gis look at bild there's got to lose their pembers. The Americans,
they don't like the souvenirs. What they buy from Castro. The peddlers
see him over there, Castle, the peddler. That's good. You know
him that my friend is a number statement. I'm a meat cancer the peddler.
The last time we come on? Yeah, yeah, boys, what's
the trouble? A gun? They'll smith what Matthew in now? Boys?
This ripe genuine I sag and joiosity. Look what mindset is on the bottom
m malade in New York, USA? Are gun give them one back?
There money but sip don't. They'll tear you limb from limon. I setting
applaud. It's the first you are, sais here you are fellows twenty dollars
better. I'm shot you was a common peddler. There's more to this the
meat than iver, wasn't there? No, No, I'm just the poor
peddler. The peddles. Yes, I can make you a better financial proposition,
mister Thurston. Those worlds are like the soft wings of a bird.
How much one hundred fifty. All right, what do I feel? Not
yet? You know a man called Antonelli. You are lucky. I am
more than familiar with his name. Luigi Antonelli was professed of music at the
University of FLORIDCE. What the devil would do want for the profet? Did
you say? Was yes? He last senior Professorian Folli died yesterday today.
It's under behind the school. I dislike Crazia thinks that this JUDI will pant
makes me? Why are the only still two mornings laughing? Your aunt from
Elli and but few friends? Who are those two women? His sister and
her daughter. They just arrived from home recently, so they just came down
from Rome the well two days ago. I saw that girl three the bar
in New York. Impossible should just say I agree with I'll tell you this,
but you are lying. It's the person. If you did not pay
me so well, I would be heard to the cueck. How well do
you really know these two women? Some of the truth. I have never
spoken to them for fifty don us more would do trun of the real truth
in that case, But cash in a cemetery. It's a deadline of objective.
It's more financial transaction cash please, oh here you are good now.
The truth is this, I prepend to be a pepler. Those charming ladies
pay me to stay in this town, so I can notify them should anyone
try to get near their house. Why are they too eager to get people
away from that house? Who knows? Perhaps? I nearly say, perhaps,
Senor Antonesdi, it's not in that cotton at all. Quiet and say
the women will be back to him from the funeral. Mm hmm. Mens
might have done for me. They back to the boards. Where would anton
Nelly be? No, I've never seen where that circase lead to the bench.
Let's tribe as. The women will back to me. Sorry they go,
but they say a kick, but they're too See behind that door,
h there was luck Antonelli. Can you hear me? It gives me goose
tampers to listen to that down out of his mind? Why did he kept
a prisoner? I will give you fifty a few we have to offer me
a million. My cousin not pay you. These women can fide very little
to me, and you're slipping a girl, Senor Antonelli. I am an
American. I know you are being held a prisoner. Can you hear me?
This is like a loan. I pick asilum. Let us get out
of Yes, the ladies way back to anywhere. I don't want to meet
them this way. What does this in your antom, Elli mean? I
haven't a famous idea yet. Maybe I'm no more after a formal call,
I am tending to pay with that your I have come to offer my condolences
that you're a lot. I've seen your persons on America. I've studied music
under your uncle of the University of Florence, to coming, mamma, visiting
your furston in your uncle Luigi, and he has come to pay his respects.
You come at an unhappy time, Signoria that since you are fish,
I want to sit down. I too feel your last day in Your brother
taught me much about music and more about life. He was a great man.
I am glad to know that someone younger the foreigners tin hostis memory be
What What was the cause of his death, Senora? While my daughter and
I were at home, the Nazis occupied this village. They knew how my
brother tells. This is no Mamma, the past. I came here to
Brady hoping to jog over all times with him. I was shocked that ungracious
Tina, I will get some wine, putting your first, Mamma. The
Nazis twine and they retreats from your wonderful America is at least forgot to loose
our wine cellars. I believe he will enjoy our wine. It's the finest
in this past. You will excuse me suddenly, h Traine, Why do
you look at me like that? I came to find death and I found
beauty. You are making love to me, Senior, to choose the most
unhappy time when a man has swept off his feet as I am now.
Love does not wait on birth or death. I had heard her in petuous
Americans were no, no, no, i senior. One ten the kids
of shall we say friendship? What would my mother think? She's still in
the wine cellar? Well? Then one your name, Tina, Tina,
Tina, I could compose the poem poem to that name. Mother is coming
back. Mother has no sense of timing. Those steps are hard than a
nose woman, Hita. First in your sistance, blast what an exposit garblet.
Yes, but a chilli made it for our ancestors, probably the Boger.
SENIORI does not know his history. The Borgers were poisoners, so they
were, Yes, SENIORI, kasty can tell me if you ever had a
sign of barolo. Yes, drink, SENIORI. Neither of your joining me.
No, Senor, and then I am sift. Your daughter at least
take part of an old American custament. It is called the loving cup.
When a man meets a girl as exposit as you are, Tina, he
asked her to drink first from his bad Tina is too young to drink.
Surely exceptions can be made. My daughter accepts your slattery, SENIORI. However,
drinking flattery to look at your daughters to have some of the chill taken
from the memory of her dead uncle. You have not touched your one,
SENIORI. I wouldn't think of it until your daughter first sipped from my brand.
I have told you I cannot allow my daughter, but I am still
it is difficult to know where flattery ends and rudeness begins. With you.
I'm not Tina. Surely you can't object to drinking your own wine? Oh?
Can you? Of course? Not? No? Certainly not well,
then, very well you no, No, you did not really think I
was going to drink it, did you, Signori, considering that it will
probably kill you? When I doubt of it very much. And now the
comedy is over. Signor, Oh you know how to use a revolver?
Although yes, and I must insist that you stand quite stiller. I will
shoot a hole between your very expective eyes. H Egne of course hiding behind
the screen. Who wos you should not have come here? An take care
of this gentleman. As always it is a placious to take care of,
show him to the stellar and tie him up securely. Just my luck.
Yeah, I am having a quiere little party with two of the loveliest ladies
in Italy, and I have to go to Annassy Feller with agg Don't you
think that gun is superfluse with you? I take your chance? Well,
is your shame taking my money and then telling those women who I am?
Mister? Believe me? It is very difficult to have both a conscience and
a bank book at the same time. What wouldn't you do for money?
Off hand? I can't really imagine how much did they pay you to double
cross me? One thousand lira? I thought so a thousand lira not worth
the paper it's pointed on. It is, of course not. You're beginning
to make me very nervous. Italy is an occupied country. But that that
money wasn't worth one good American nickel if I thought you were telling me that
too. Have I ever lied to you? Yeah, but always with such
charms say obviously by now? Oh yes, I have seen us say that
they would take uncomely across the German line just before dawn. You have no
sentiment, egn think of that poor old man. Or five hundred dollars I
could reap bucket and at the same time custos go two hundred five Either my
prize or I sit here and staff, which will be naturally. I cannot
let you die. It's a deal. Now, there's no use unless I
can get to Antonelli's room. By the nearest child, I have a key
to the room for fifty more. No two hundred nets. What can I
do? My heart will not allow me to permit you to be eaten by
those ups. Wait, I cut you free. You have a noble,
sly god. Sometimes it's amazing how money will make me a soft this pasty
there you are free now and here is the key. Thank you. Now
come with me upstairs to Antonelli. I'm sorry, mister Thurston. I must
if you. I'm really quite tired. I've had enough and made enough for
one day. And tell me the eggs. We come now to the parting
of the way. I go back to town and you go to that's probably
right there. Go m your uncle Nelly see you, and to Nelly.
Who are you? I don't know you. Go away, I don't know
you. Please to understand what I'm saying. It's very important. I've come
to take you away away from those women. I don't know you don't yes,
I know all that. How can I make you understand? I'll take
you to the hospital. I'll take care of you. You'll be well again.
Stop coming and listen to me. I don't know you. I do
not know you. I don't know my name is Ken Thurston. Go away?
You want to hurt me and like if the women hurt me. No,
I'm a friend of Bill Nesbert and a friend of yours. Ah.
Now, I believe you, great Scott, but I had to make you
sure. Thank Heaven you've come. You mean you'd be It was the only
way to keep those women from finding anything else. So you pretended to be
out of your mind. Ye, fool them completely. Nah, how is
my friend ill? Next? He's dead dead, Yes, murdered, poisoned
by your niece, Tina. She is not my niece. She and the
other one are agents. So they get stopped, I thought, But why
did they kill neb He wanted me to sell to his company my brother's formula.
Your brother, yes, before the war. My brother was one of
the great chemists of Europe. Oh SOPs that what happened to your brother?
He was killed by the Nazis. You say he had a formula the Billings
that wanted, yes, for a new type of thing, Terry post Terry,
Well, I really don't know. I'm a musician. I know nothing
of science. But my brother handed the formula to me to keep for the
day when Italy would be free. Did the women get the formula? Formut?
No, no, no, they tried. They after say they after
day. But I for the goad works. Senor Antonelli regarded with you,
Yes, where in this room there you hit it? Where m no,
no time, that's it, that's the formula. I don't understand what you
mean when a musician plays the tune and the key of using D flat as
the code for the letter A. I see a musical code exactly played and
varied five times only I and all the variations. When it's recorded, the
entire formula is spelled out, And you've kept in your mind all this time.
Yes, yes, I assure you. It has been nerve wracking the
home that same tune over and over. But I had to do it so
I wouldn't forget good evening. That is also they good morning. This is
no time for your keep American wits and your certain My daughter is a very
good shot. I would advise you to sound quite steep. What are you
going to do with me? He tells, right, we are taking you
to Bernin in Berlin. Don't beat me up your food, So you're taking
the Germany. Yes, we have doctors who can make that idiotic mind that
he's still love his chicken, still, you lunatic. Let him cannot send
them humming over and over again, because that's humming a gagging donta hurts me.
I'm just an old man who had the fasts not work. Antonelli,
hold up, you, don't you a little witch? Shot The gun Antonelli,
I have it, mister X fine, don't move, ladies, Shall
I shoot them? Both of them? I don't understand. It's very simple,
Senior Antonelli is not the fool you presume them to be. She's not
insane. No, Senior, it's you and your daughter and people like you
who are the insane ones. But now I think I shall do with you
what they do with all madded dogs. Mother, I am said, do
not let him kill us in your surces. It will be a pleasure to
destroy you both. No, Senior Antonelli, let's not use their tactics.
There was a judget for them, judges made up of your own people.
Hold up the huntman, Oh you've cast him? Me say, I'm afraid
you're heroic to come a little lady go? Is there anything I can do?
I'm afraid not. You're to fleet? Now? Did you find out
why they wanted this old man? Naturally? Fine? Senior Antonelle had a
formula? Can you me safe? What if the person note stood for chlorine
and the next three notes stood for oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen? Yes?
If? What would it all me? Wouldn't you like to know so?
And to night? Go share the production of the Man called X.
I know you'll me in thanking, Bernie Schunfeld for his excellent script, Felix
Mills for composing and conducting the score, and Bill Robeson, who presided in
the control room. By the way, the role of Agar was played by
Hans Conriede as a farewell gesture to an active life in radio theaters and as
a prelude to an even more active life in theaters of a different nature.
Mister conried I might add, relinquished the finest head of hair in the Western
Hemisphere to become private. Con reed his army serial number, escaping me for
the moment. Watch out for him if his performance as Egon is any indication
he'll be a slippery man to deal with on the evening of Payday. By
the way, it was really was fun to play the role of Chanceston.
Saw you and I trust to enjoy the adventures of a man called X.
As for the next performance from the Grobe, You're here Walter Abel, Louise
Alberton, Ralph Bellamy and David Bruce in a neat little siller called Lady.
Here's a short preview that hit him hard. I could tell by the way
he looked, by the way he watched me all night as I sat there
as a bar, just staring at him, never saying another word. And
when he left the closing time I followed him. He managed to walk rather
slowly at first, almost definingly, as if he didn't care. And then
he went a little faster and faster and faster, until it was almost funning,
and then suddenly stopped and turn What do you want? Why do you
keep on following me? You have something to tell me? You're wasting your
time. You know what's going to happen to him. You can prevent it.
Get it off your content. Don't ask me, Go ask the guy
to give it to me. Nothing nothing. It was money, wasn't it.
Somebody gave you a bar. I ain't talking, I kill you,
and I ain't staying around here either. I'm going to get so far with
him. Look, God, it's going to be a good show, and
I know you will want to hear it. So jump down on the inside
of your helmet liner that you have an appointment at the Globe Theater with Phantom
Lady starting water Able, Louise Alberton, Ralph Bellamy and David Bruce I'll be
on hand to show you your seat and take care of the introductions so your
next performance then it is Herbert Marshall wishing you all the best, and I'll
be seeing you. You have been listening to the Globe Theater with Herbert Marshall
as posts the Master of Ceremonies. The Globe Theater is presented for service men
and women of the Allied Armed Forces all over the globe. Listen for our
next Globe Theater production soon, Welcome Back. I had listened to this episode
several times, and I think this is the first time that I noticed.
At the start, when ken Thurston is on a date, his date says,
I don't know why I'm with you. I should have gone with someone
really attractive, like that guy over there. And that was meant to be
a way of introducing the person who is going to get killed. But that's
a little brutal. I mean, man or woman, if you're on a
date, I can't imagine it ever going well to say why am I with
you instead of someone attractive like that person over there. Now, the Ken
Thurston having a girlfriend point would continue through the first full season of The Man
Called X, and then would be dropped, there would be barely a hint
of romance. So this is a little bit different from the rest of the
series. The Globe Theater format deserves some explanation. It was not a special
recording or reperformance of the Man called X. There were very strict rules for
Armed Forces radio service transcriptions as well as those that were sent to our allies
that they couldn't contain the advertising, and so you had programs like Globe Theater
or Mystery Playhouse that have host recording commentary and doing introductions to cover the sort
of essential bits that would be done by network announcers, but might also contain
advertisements. So in this case, Herbert Marshall was serving as host for an
episode that had previously been recorded and aired in the States and was being sent
by transcription to America and its allies. Now, of course, it's also
worth noting that this episode has a different Zelschmidt than you'll typically hear, and
I think in the past I've said that Hans Conried originally played the same character
that Leon Blasco did of pagon zel Schmitt, but here I believe the character
is actually Egon zell Schmitt, who was played by Hans Reid, and it's
possible that there was a radio episode where Ken met Pegon Zelschmidt for the first
time, but the episode is simply lost. We don't have the first episode
of the continuing Man called X series, which began after Hans con Reid was
inducted. But overall, it's an interesting story and it was so interesting that
the writer as well as producer William In Ropeson, reworked it for another series
that Ropeson was in charge of. Christopher London was a nineteen fifty series and
it starred Glenn Ford as a private investigator. Christopher London was created by Earl
Stanley Gardner in the same sense that Fat Man was created by Dashel Hammett.
Essentially, a garden came up for the basic idea of the character and then
collected Jacks. Of course, Earl Stanley Gardner is best known as the creator
of Perry Mason. But this is a private investigator and let's see how the
script gets adapted in a very different time and set of circumstances. The original
air date May twenty nine, nineteen fifty, and the title as pattern for
Murder in New York. Famous composers Ships his brandy. In days, the
lovely lady vanishes on the French riviera, A childish tune is played again and
again behind the luck door, jagged pieces of a horrible puzzle fitted together into
a pattern of murder by Christopher London. The National Broadcasting Cup Presents Christopher London,
created especially for radio by the world's most widely read mystery writer, Earl
Stanley Gardner, transcribed, produced and directed by William M. Robson and Stein.
Mister Glenn Ford. I am Christopher London, who can't even take a
little walk in the moonlight with a beautiful woman without finding a dead body in
his path. Everyone else seems to be able to do the average sort of
thing, go to a show or a concert without the man in the next
seat winding up with a stiletto in his back. But not me. No.
Now, like that night I went to Carnegie Hall to hear the new
Piano Concerto by my old friend Louis de Chaise. Louis was the kind of
man you seldom come across anymore, vital despite sixty odd years, with an
eye for the ladies, twenty cigars a day, evenings of brandy, roulette
and romance. Well after the concert, he slipped away with me to a
small bar around the corner from Carnegie Hall, where we could chat quietly.
Christopher, Oh, I did test to listen to my own music, Oh,
nerve racking, Hi, it will be good to get away to relax,
no music, no work. Where are you going when Delta? She
has written me to spend a holiday at a shateau in Monte Carlo La the
pianist. Yeah, oh, that's a great artist. I've heard her play?
Or what if they moost were markable? Willen of our time? Even
now it's sixties. You can captivate the half of men, halverage, the
vitality, the allure. Hi, I fair in love with her twice in
my life. Once it's sixteen and again at forty. I even wanted to
marry her. Me Louis Doch is willing to marry, but I couldn't.
He thought, extravagant. Oh that is another statement, what Delka. She
lives to the hilt compared to her. I'm middle class. Oh how that
woman lives the fortune she's lost at Roulette, the racing car. She has
bought a shuttle, she's lived in She sounds wonderful at sixty, she is
not only a great pianist, linguist, mathematician, poet. Do you know
you sound as though you're still in love with her? It's too bad you
couldn't afford her? Or need I tell you how little a composer like me
earnest she concerts? The sale of record that is old. Oh for a
man with my taste, it has been hard, but now or it will
be changed, Christopher, when I return, I should be a wealthy man.
Now how are you going to manage that? I cannot tell you,
Christopher, I get your planning? Is this he taken? Now? Do
sit down, mademoiselle. I was at the concert. Oh, it was
a beautiful concert on mister Oh, oh you know who I am? Oh?
How nice you are? Oh? Yes, a girl called Anne,
And this is mister London. Hello. Hello, another man cheers? How
about you, young manny? Yes, the young lady may have whatever she
wishes. Oh no, I only intend all the dances. Thank you?
Please another connect for me, Christopher? No, no, thanks? And
I tell you that you are the most beautiful young lady that I've met in
many a DaLie Christopher, isn't she ex Chris, it's very I'm partial to
lavender eyes and red hair. Thank you. Perhaps you are, musician.
Oh no, I'm I'm not. It's strange my sitting here with two men
who lead such exciting lives. I too, heavens, I know the name
Christopher London. Thank you very much. Yes, do you all concert to
mister chez to your beauty, mademoiselle, and thank you. Oh look,
isn't it a Toby over there where? Over there in the corner? Turned
around and tell me no resemblance. But it is not eat Toby. No,
I see now it isn't. Oh dear, what kind is it?
Oh? Let's see, it's eleven forty. Oh, I must make a
phone call to excuse me for a second. I'll be right back. La
la, la, la la. Such beauty. Oh that's not scheme.
That red hair, that red hair is one of the finest wigs I've ever
seen. Or Christopher ridiculous somewhere I've met her before. But where you scenically
young men? Oh no, my friend, you are so wrong. You
are honey, I I am what's the matter? My eyes? I Christopher?
Wait, what's wrong? I want to mester? He's dead shew.
You better not to wash that cornea glass. I have a hunch the police
will find poison in it, getting us to turn our backs. That's the
oldest trick in the world. We fell for it, that redhead. Yeah,
yeah, the beautiful phony redhead. You were right, mister London poison.
How about the girl, inspector, not a trace. What gets me
is the motive. Why bump off an old guy who writes music. Maybe
the music was real housing, somebody didn't want him to go abroad. That's
tough luck. Europe must be swell this time of year. Yes, I
think it will be. What do you mean I'll see you when I get
back? Or are you going to the south of France. There's a woman
I ought to meet. That's different. I thought you were going on business.
I am inspector, grim business. It's always hard to lose a friend,
especially when his music has brought joy to a world which needs all a
joy I can get. I was angry, cold, angry, poor Louis
de Chaise, never again to see his old love, the great, the
famous one Delker, and to come back a wealthy man. What did it
all mean? Why should he die at the hands of a girl with lavender
eyes and a lilting voice. So I boarded a plane for France, and
the next night I walked into the fabulous casino at Monte Carlo. I went
from table to table looking for the artist and woman known as one Delker,
when suddenly, A la la lun Well, Phil's a Ruccio. Huh,
how time flies? Last time I saw you, a a grand jury was
indicting you for murder. Yeah, but I got a good up. This
as Broadway, Yeah, a lot safers as you were deported, Phil,
I got news for your London. I ain't particular the letter that seeing you,
fraid I'll spoil some little project you're working on. Listen, I'm a
respectable businessman brought must off a chain arrest here as the driven snow you might
say speaking, I mean, I bet probably every politician from mar sate a
room is bribed up for their beatars. Are sweet London better yet? Dunt
talk? Just beat it? Get out of Monaco, try bull Garry or
Iceland. You know I've often wondered, Zeruccio, did you really have forty
guys killed off like the DA said? Or was it all is? I'm
warning you London stop needling, I got full in Europe. I can have
you out of here in a day. Keep your nose clean and stay out
of my hair. I knew Phil Zerruccio compared to him, Lucky Lucciano and
Lepki were sissies? Or was he on the level about turning over a new
lead? And what was he doing here in a plaid dinner jacket wondering about
the casino of Monte Carlo? Did you know the girl of the lavender eyes?
Had he ever heard of one delta? I strolled out into the gardens
thinking, thinking, hand me for your thoughts. Kit. Well, Oh,
Professor Solima, Oh bless you kid, It's good to see you.
I've missed you dreadfully. How did you know I'd be here? Intuition?
Mine women, don't kid me, Professor, every time I'm working on a
case, you Papa Pavana, Paris, everywhere i'd go. Ah, but
you pay me so well? Kit, Can I do any favors now for
you on your humble service? You can trust me? Oh? Yes,
always for a price. And you've been in Jailson's l s. Are you
only a fortnight in Algiers? Oh? Kit? Algerian prisons are gloomy places.
I suppose I've got to let you help me. Yeah, that's right.
You're my conscience. Kit. You always pay me to do something legal
and saved me from evil associations. I have a proposition. Oh words are
like rose petals. Much fifty? What do I steal? Do you know
a woman called one Deer? Oh? Yes, a great woman, I
kennis, a beautiful Take me to her chateau. Oh now, I'd be
cheating you if I get that. See the poor lady was did you say?
Was? Yes? Married the Saints Cherisher. One Dolka died yesterday the
morrow morning is as you stand here, professor, behind this two stone.
I just like great yards intense, But this funeral fascinates me, and I
wonder who those two mourners. Oh they are only relatives as sister and a
nice I came from, the only reason I wonder what they look like.
Whish they'd raise up their veils. That's better, thank you. Well.
The mother must have been a beauty in her day. One Delka was even
more beautiful at sixty. Her only relegives. Oh yes, yes, that's
right. She never married, did she? Oh? The niece's exquisite Now
he Now, isn't she the most beautiful brunette you've ever seen? So?
She just came from Poland? In this did she? Yes? Well,
the day before yesterday I saw her sitting at a bar on fifty sixth Street
in New York in a red wig. All that seemed possible. Now she
came from Polifessor. It grieves me to tell you this, But you're a
liar, Oh kit, If you didn't pay me so well, I'd be
hurt to the quick. Now, how well do you really know these two?
Why not tell the truth? I've never spoken a word to a fifty
dollars more. Would you tell me the real truth? Oh? Well,
in that case, I thought so cash, professor. Professor Rascal, all
right, there you are good. Good Now the truth is this? Those
charming women pay me to stay in this town. Thought I can notify them.
Should anyone climb get near one Dolker Schateau, Why are they so eager
to keep people away from the house? Who knows? Perhaps I'll merely say,
perhaps von Delker is not in that coffin at all, and I've got
another pass here you might do it will get into trouble entering without permissioner,
you're a stickler for ethics at the wrong time. Professor, Then does it
this is quite a place? Yes, thanks Tamari Entwinett. I wonder where
the servants are even that's a strange think. A few days after the two
women arrived here, not a servant could be located naturally, where could one
delker be? I don't know, not matter. I swear it is true.
I wonder where that staircase leads over? Then, oh, that's to
the bedrooms. Right, let's try look here, women will be coming back
from the humor zoom courage, Professor, staircase was built two state kits behind
that door. Perhaps that's one delker. Undoubtedly, let's see here, and
that's a lot, one delker. One delker is that you? Yeah?
It gives me goose pimples? Do wear that? A great pianist playing market
child? Feeble minded? Insane? Maybe? Yes? And why she being
kept a prisoner in her own house? And look, I'll give you another
fifty now if you were to offer me a millionaire, I couldn't tell your
kid, But those women tell me very little. One deer, one delker,
Look, I know you're being held a prisoner. I've come to help
you. Can you hear me? It's like a lunatic asylum. Come on,
let's get out of Yes, yes, so they'll be back soon.
And I want to meet those lovely ladies on a different basis. For kid,
What does one dog I mean to you? A friend of mine loved
her? Yes, it's you. I have come to offer my condolences at
your loss. I am from America. I played many times in the Philharmonic
Orchestra when one Dulka was the soloist. Won't you come in, mamma.
This is an American gentleman who knew poor Anti. He has come to pay
his respects. You come at unhappy time, won't you see it down?
Thank you? Madame. Your sister was one of the great musicians, one
of the great women of the century. She inspired me to love music into
love life. She will be remembered as was Bernhardt and Jusis and Madame Fury.
I am glad to know someone young. And if foreigner still holds on
men or in the ear. What was the cause of her death? Madame
no more nea. She insist on going to casino. She loves to play
roulette, and that night it rain in the rain, and she couch cold.
She was so weak. I don't climb, mamma. The past is
over. There're no servants here to attend to your needs. Madam. We
wish to sit here alone with our grief, but we are being ungracious.
Anna the wine. Ah, your name is Anna, yea. My sister
had always a great wine seller. You stay here, Anna and entertain these
gentlemen. I will get the wine. Why you look at me like that,
monsieur. I came to find death and I found beauty Angela. It
is so seldom one caesar polish girl with hair so black. My father was
part Italian. Oh, I see, you know were renoir alive today.
He would wish to paint you. Your coloring is exquisite. The black black
hair, the leavender eyes. Make love to names you do. She's a
most unhappy time. Oh, when a man has swept off his feet,
Love does not wait on birth or death. I had heard how impetuous Americans
were, like, Oh no, no, what would my mother say?
Now she's still in the wine cellar. You are a wicked women, Winkey.
Yes, what is your name? Christopher? The name of a saint.
But you are yet you are charming Anna, Anna, Oh, Anna,
I could compose a tone poin to that name. Mother is coming back.
Mother has no sense of timing steps so hard an old women here,
Anna, or the gentleman his wine. Taste it and tell me if you
have ever had a finer Amma Rose. So yes, drink, monsieur.
Aren't you joining me? Not just though? Oh but I insist your daughter
at least take part in an old American custom. Yes, it's called the
loving cup. Now, when a man meets a girl as lovely as your
daughter, he asks her. He asks her to drink first from his glass.
Anna is too young to drink, Oh, for surely an exception can
be made her. I accept your flattery, monsieur. However, it is
not flattering, no to look at you as to have some of the chill
taken from the memory of your dead aunt. Wait. Don't I hear a
piano being played somewhere? Oh? No, young man, imaginations treaks.
You know my courses? Oh yes, yes, of course I must have
imagined it. Come, Anna, you shall have the first sip from my
glass. I cannot allow my daughter, I insist. It is difficult,
young man, to no where flattery ends and rudeness begins with you. Sure
you can't object to drinking your own wine? Anna, or can you?
Oh? Of course no, no, no, certainly not well then,
oh no, no, that's a pretty funny accent you girls are wearing all
right, Wise guy, now just stand quite still. What a smart little
revolt. It'll do the work, professor, Yes, yes, won't coming
tie this fool up in the cellar? Oh? Why you shouldn't have come
here, oh, professor, Sometimes you shake my faith in the human race.
You're listening to Christopher London starring Glenn Ford, and Professor that gun pointing
in me is superviolius. Ah, bless you, kid. I'll take no
chances with you? Or where's your shame? And taking my money and then
telling those women about well, it's difficult to have both a conscience and a
bank book at the same time. What wouldn't you do for money? Offhand?
I can't really make him tell me. How much did they say you're
the double cross me? Fifty thousand francs? Well that's hardly worth the effort
the way Frank's earlier days. Now, I don't undermine my competence in international
finance, kid, you know I pity you here, you'll sit and staff
while they go on trying to get his secret from her? What secret I
wish I knew? I asked Lottie as the girl who calls herself Anna,
Lottie from New at New Jersey worked in a burlesque for a while, I
bet you did. I asked her, what secret? Would one docrev on
this snarl at me? It's amazing how beautiful women can snarl. Louis de
Ches was poisoned at the bar by Lutty. Why he was coming to visit
one Delker? He was sure he'd strike it rich. What had one Delker
written him? And why should she, of all people be kept a prisoner?
Why the fake funeral? Too bad? You will never know the answers.
Yeah, I think they're sleeper now, oh yes, I'll think of
that wonderful woman, professor. Haven't you any sentiment? Well her five hundred
dollars in American money. I could wait buckets and at the same time cut
your cords two hundred five either my price or I sit here and I starve.
Now, which is it going to be? No? Naturally, I
can't let you die. That's a deal. There's no use unless I get
to that room upstairs, or by the merest chance I picked the old lady's
pocket. Well, yes, I have the key and for another fifty No,
no, no, no, and I do. My heart can't allow
you to be eaten by rats. Wait, I'll cut your brief. You're
a noble sword professor. Yes, now here's a kick. Now we go
upstairs to find one duck. Oh not me. Now I've had another one
day. I'll go back and have sweet dreams in your hotel room. Now,
thanks, give me the money before. I haven't done me. How
about tomorrow. Fortunately, in the past your credit has been good. Well,
kick, we come to the parting of the ways. I back to
town and you too, Yes, yes, who knows where Madame one Dalka,
Madame Mondalka are do you? I don't know you? Go away,
I don't know you. Please try to understand what I'm saying. It's very
important. I've come to get you away from these women. Don't know you.
Yes, I know all right, I know I know about that.
We're going to get you out of here. I'll take you to a hospital.
I'll take care of you. You'll be well again. Will you stop
playing and listen? To me. My name is Christopher London. I'm a
friend of Louis de Chaise. Good. I had to make sure, Thank
Heaven, you have come. The fools, the arrogant fools. Who did
they think they were browbeating some fool little old lady. How easy it was
to pretend I was out of my mind. You say you know my friend
Louis. Yes, he was all set to say for France when he was
murdered. Murdered. Oh, no, fool, poor man, how horrible.
That's why I hated to tell you. Well, at my age once
friends die one by one. Who killed him? That girl? It was
that girl, wasn't it. Yes, oh, poor Luis. He was
always a boy's heart about a pretty face, like I am about a handsome
face. I must say, young man, I could not ask for a
final looking rescuer than you. How romantic of you to bother about an old
lady like me? Well, not really an old lady. Don't be too
optimistic. And we've got to get out of here. This is a dangerous
game. Yes, I see them all hanged yet or the guillotine, a
pretty head chopped off? Oh my, poor Luigi, tell me why did
they kill him. He was the only one to whom I concided my secret.
Secret, young man, I have three passions attracted of men, the
playing of the piano and the roulette wheel. The first two I must,
but the third Now at last I have. After years, I have discovered
the perfect mathematical system to break the bank at Multical. This gang found out
about my system. They take over my chateau and they pretend to be my
relatives, get rid of my friends, get rid of my servants, and
I am their captive. But I do not tell them the system. I
destroy all papers, all calculations. Ah, I have Look, this is
no time to play. This is the system played the tune in the using
flat as the code for number one. The old musical code naturally played a
very bad times, and it's recorded. The entire miracle system is spelled out.
I've kept it in my mind all this time, played it so I
would not forget. Okay, why this guy I told you to keep your
hands up. Hello, Ruccio, you're at the bottom of all Listen,
what are you going to do? Don't meet me again. I have you
with the ax fool, Stop playing and come across with that system. A
system I'm just an old lady who get Oh no you don't. Ruccio's not
so fast. Get his gun? H I have it? Shall I shoot
a boat? It would be a pleasure. You're not insane. No,
and my fingers are exceptionally strong thanks to Mozart. You're silly girl. I'll
stand god, Monsieur London. You get the police. What about the other
woman? Where is she? Not matter she shows up, I'd take care
of her. If she does not show up, the police they will find
her. You're everything that Louis said, Madame brave, wise and beautiful.
I think soon I shall play a concert dedicated to you, sire. Oh
if I were twenty years younger. You are eternally young, Madame, all
up your ends? Oh you caught them. I'm afraid you're a heroic sad.
I'm a little late, professor. Oh, when the alcor give him
a gun, he will stand guard until I come back with the police.
You must be weary, weary, nonsense. After you are done the police
come to the castido, I will be there playing my system. I'd treat
you to champagne and introduce you to all the pretty girls. Oh so that
was it? Desition to break the bank. But what is the system you'd
like to know? Professor? Oh, yes, very much, very much.
Yeah, I see, Well give him your assistant Mandelka allegro Konmoto.
That was Christopher London starring Glenn Ford, transcrit produced and directed by William N.
Robeson, and created especially for radio by the world's most widely read mystery
writer, Earl Stanley Gardner. The night's play was written by Bernard Schoenfel for
the musical score composed and conducted by Van Queve. Included in mister Ford's Company
where Ben Wright, Eleanor Oddley, Ramsey Hill, Jeanette Nolan, Ted de
Corsia, Georgia Ellis, and Rick Vallen. Throughout the week, NBC brings
you the best that venture mystery dramas on the air. You'll hear action pack,
fast moving plots to hold your interests right up to the smashing climax on
such thrilling programs as Big Town, Mister District Attorney, The Big Story,
and Dragnet. Every week on most of these NBC stations. On Dragnet,
you'll hear the documented cases from the Los Angeles Police File. The Big Story
brings you true tales from the front pages of America's newspapers. Mister District Attorney,
the Champion of the People takes you through an exciting episode in the conviction
of a criminal. Welcome Back, Well a pretty interesting adaptation. It's got
some similarities, obviously, but they changed a lot, from the location,
to the gender of the person who was being visited, to what the code
actually revealed. Because the man called X episode was the man called X,
and it was in the middle of World War Two, there would be a
war application here. They've got some freedom with the narrative to make the mcgoffin
something that was more appropriate. There were a few things that were a little
off. I thought that Christopher's friend dying because someone played the hole look over
their trick. I mean, that has to be the most embarrassing way to
die, at least top ten. I mean, seriously, if I felt
for that, I think I'd die of embarrassment. I also thought the gangster
from the US was a really unnecessary addition. It just kind of complicated the
plot and he didn't actually get to do anything because he was unnecessary. It's
sam almost like there was a thought that there needed to be this mob boss,
who was in back of this for some reason. I don't know why
they thought he was necessary, but he wasn't, and he just chewed up
airtime and was rather pointless. One thing I kind of questioned them not changing
were the scenes where Christopher London was sweet talking the young woman. Sure sounded
a lot better coming out of the mouth of Herbert Marshall as opposed to Glenn
Ford. I should also add that I don't know if the Professor was actually
a regular recurring character on Christopher London. The series recorded I think a little
less than twenty episodes, and only three of those are in circulation, so
he could have been showing up on a semi regular basis and we wouldn't really
have an idea. But other than that, I thought it was a relatively
smooth transition from a World War Two based script to a postwar script and between
the two actors, so I hope you enjoyed that. It was definitely a
different comparison and Christopher London, I should add, is a series that we
did quite a while back. It was two thousand and twelve and you may
have heard it if you listen to our volume one feed at Volume one dot
Great Detectives dot net. It also has its own feed in a lot of
podcast stores as kind of a legacy thing since the feed's been around for eleven
years now. So if you want to hear more Glenford as Christopher London,
you can check that out wherever you download your podcast from. Well, now
it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Robert,
Patreon supporter since March of twenty nineteen, currently supporting the podcast at the
rookie level of two dollars or more per month. Thank you so much for
your support, Robert, and that will actually do it for today. I
do want to remind you we have a public domain video theater episode released today.
It's an episode of Dangerous Asament. Check that out at video Theater dot
Great Detectives dot net or also on our YouTube channel at YouTube dot Great Detectives
dot net. We'll be back tomorrow with our regular line. I'm starting with
the Adventures of Sam Spade. Where Who's Rosalia? You must have seen them
at Say Ryan Yes with the reason Next week she and my Louis were to
be married. It's tough, do you think as Dominick was in love with
her. Maybe I think nothing, Senora. Two men friends alone in a
book and a heavy fuck. One of them dies, the other says it.
There's an accident. It's not for us to think guesses. See what
am I supposed to do in the records of the police. May Louis Day
in an accident. In the hearts of his friends, he was mud for
my sake, for Dominic's, for the sake of us off. We must
know the truth. For this, I prefer to employ one who is a
professional and depatio. I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime,
do send your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow
us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com, slash Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is your
host, Adam Graham signing off.