Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
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us at Patreon dot Great Detectives dot net. Well, now it's time for
today's episode of the Adventures of Philip Marlowe. The original air date September the
eighth, nineteen fifty one, and the title is The medium was rare most
Saturdays at this time. We spent an exciting half hour of adventure in action
with America's public hero number one, Hopalong Cassidy. Well, even two fisted
call boys take summer vacations when they can, and Hoppy is no exception.
But hop along in Topper. We'll be back with us riding the CBS air
trails again two weeks from tonight, September twenty second. Get this and get
it straight. Crime is a sucker's road, and those who travel had wind
up in the gut of the prison of the grave. There's no other end,
but they never learn. From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author
of crime fiction, comes his most famous character in the Adventures of Philip Marlowe.
Now with Gerald Moore start as Philip Marlowe, we bring you tonight's transcribe
story. The medium was rare. Let me out of here. I've got
to get away. This is the time, a time when all I can
think of as trout streams trails through tall mountains where every man is hop along,
Cassidy. I was sitting in my favorite restaurant telling Mary my favorite hashling
are all about it? Oh, it all sounds a wonderful phil Yeah,
but that's not the half of it. There are waterfalls so high it seems
the cascade comes from Heaven itself. Going alone, you bet your sweet life.
I'm going alone. In the words of the poet, I'm going to
commune with nature. I'm the most natural thing you ever saw, Darling a
beautiful your charms so many, But you want me to be honest? Yeah,
you don't compare to a trout? Why you worm? I don't get
mad, baby, it's the season seasonerat. I don't like being compared to
a fish. Not a fish, baby, the queen of them all,
a mountain trub. Do you ever hear the Feather River country, Mary?
If it's out of Los Angeles County, I've never been there. So northern
California, northern fringe of the mother loads. It's your coffee mother. Who
Hey, you know something? If I started right now, I could make
it perform moaning a quick cup of coffee and doll I'll drop everything. Whow
if it ain't the clean living type, Hi Mollo. Hi, Cookie,
I thought they had you stashed away. Not no more parole last week?
No Kidden, Yeah, no Kiden, it was your bum wrap. It
sure was. If you're oute this son anything else? Yeah? When do
you get off a lot later than you do? Because you're getting off now?
Touchhet girl. Yeah, what kind of a crack is that? That's
French from on your team? Good dames. You try to say something nice
to him? And where did you get you? Yeah? Well, I
gotta go, Cookie, I'm sorry to say. Wait, wait, wait,
I'll go with you. Thanks Mary. Yeah, you're back. Bill,
give my regards to the fish. I leave your nickel doll. Better
keep it. The other buffalo will miss you. Well, you gotta face
it, Cookie, she's crazy about you, you think so. No,
Well, my car's in a lot here. I'm in a hurry, so
a lot too. Listen, Molow, I was just wondering you get around.
You've got any idea where Chiza is Chisana? Do you know any decent
people? Hey, Chaisano's my pal. He's as decent as I am.
You made the point. Cookie. Seems to me there was talk he had
something to do with you taking that rap in the first place. Huh,
listen, you don't think I'm trying to find him to knock him off or
anything like that could be, or about that bright It doesn't really matter.
I don't know where he is. I don't care. I don't want to
know where you are either. Well it suits me good? Oh, I
don't know what you're so kissed off about. I've done nothing to you,
neither, is Chasano make my taxes higher? Never mind? Oh you kill
me? Mollow? You talk about taxes? Yeah, I would you like
to pay taxes on this job? It's your heat? Yeah, one of
them? Barring things right and dry baby blue? Yet bat my eye?
Would you do it? San Quentin? Learn a trade good and a good
one. You decent people go right on paying takes. Is mollow? I
stayed right. Punks will get along. I watched Cookies Baby Blue convertible cut
out into the traffic, and in my own con drove away in the opposite
direction. Yeah, cookie sinched it. I was going to knock off for
a while, head for the Feather River country. Now. By the time
I reached my apartment, I could almost smell the pine trees. While I
tossed a few things into a bag. I saw myself every inch a modern
Isaac Walton. Oh you're Philip Moho, that's right. Oh, I'm so
glad you're here. I've been calling you. Oh I'm Lillian. Coins Are
you well? I told Pat not to waits Pat the taxi driver? Oh
him may coming? Well, yeah, I guess so, thank you.
Oh you're you're packing? Or are you unpacking? Oh? I'm packing.
I'm going to the feather of Why you can't be going anywhere? I need
your help, mister Morrow, I really do desperately. Yeah. Well,
I just thought i'd take a few days off. I'll pay you whatever's customary.
I just don't know where to turn it. Somehow. We've got to
locate them quickly. Leonard should be home with an wait a minute, wait
a minute, sit down, Missus Collins. Is it, yes, Lilian,
Leonard's my husband. He's back east on business. Just what do we
have to locate quickly? By jewelry? It was stolen last night? Oh
well, stolen jewelry is out of my line, Missus Collins. That's a
police charge. Oh no, oh, that is it. It can't be
why I thought about the police right away, of course, but I can't
call them in Leonard would hear about it? I know it. It would
be in the papers. And you understand, don't you? Oh, I
don't understand. Well, I just couldn't. That's all, Missus Collins.
Right now, I like fishing poles better than I do. You can't.
I mean you can, of course, but I do need your help so
much. Why can't I resist names? All right? But chats a level
with me? What jewelry? When did it happen? Who knew you had
it? Everything? Well, it was a necklace, diamonds and a diamond
bracelet. I had them in my jewel box last night. I'd only just
taken them from our safe deposit box in the afternoon. You took a mine.
No one, No one knew. Well, how did it happened?
The robbery? I mean well, I was in my bedroom, That's where
the jewel box was. I was dressing for dinner. The doorbell rang.
I had to answer it. Letty's on vacation now that mister Collins is in
the east. It was Sylvia, a friend of mine. We were to
have dinner together. I fixed a drink for us and then went back to
my bedroom for my wrap. That's when I noticed the jewelry was missing her
You had heard anything anyone in the hearse? No, of course the radio
was on music. You know. How would anyone get into the bedroom?
Well, the French doors opened onto a little terrace right by the bedroom.
I'd rather presumed whoever it was came in that way. How much would you
say? This jewelry is worth ten thousand dollars? Oh, that's what it's
insured for. Anything else taken? No, not a thing. Do you
wear this necklace and bracelet often? Oh? No, not really. When
Leonard gave them to me, he said they were for state occasions. Last
night was a state occasion? Oh my goodness, No, well that is
I if you didn't intend to wear them last night, why did you take
them out of the safe deposit box? I suppose you'll have to know I
needed the money, mister Malow, I have a debt. Leonard knows nothing
about if I wrote a check for ten thousand dollars, he'd ask questions,
I don't blame them. Well, there's just no need worrying him with it,
that's all. He doesn't know. You gamble, Huh. I didn't
say you didn't have to have you ever pawned anything before, Missus Collins.
No, no, I haven't. Well I got news for you. You
probably couldn't get ten grand for him, But if they're insure, it doesn't
matter unless you made a deal. I have them stolen so you could get
the insurance money. Really, mister mah, really, Missus Collins. Okay,
let's try to your place in the Koran. Yeah, these doors have
been jimmied, all right. Didn't it bother you to stay here last night
after it happened? Oh? I didn't. I stayed with Sylvia and Westwood
told her about the robbery. No, no I didn't. I started too,
but then I I was afraid I'd have to tell her too much.
You stay there last night and then come over to my apartment by cab this
morning? Well, I came here first, then to your apartment. I
wanted to be sure nothing else was missing, and then I decided to get
in touch with you. When head Pat drive me over. That's the taxi
driver. He's practically my juffer. He stand is right out in front of
our building here, one of those native born New Yorkers who never learned to
drive. Missus Collins, are you sure that you're telling me everything you know
about this. I believe me, I am mister Morrow. It wouldn't be
so stupid of me, not too, Yes, it wouldn't. I've got
to have that jewelry back before Landard comes. You'll just never understand the gambling
and awe. Well, he's gone so much and we have no children.
There just wasn't anything else to do. Can you understand that, mister Morrow.
No, I'll try. Missus Collins. There was something tragic about him.
A woman of means, an advantage. He was husbandless part of the
time and childless all at the time. I suppose that isn't an easy life,
but surely there must be other ways to fill the emptiness. Well,
Lilian packed a small bag and asked me to drive it as Sylvia's. As
we walked toward my car, a grinning taxi driver leaned out of his cab.
Thank you somewhere, Missus Garlands this time. Thanks Peth. I'm freeloading,
okay, but don't make it a habit. I gotta make a limited
I know, see you later, Peth. He's awfully nice. Mister Mark,
Yeah, it seems to be. Tell me about your friend Sylvia.
Oh well, there isn't much to tell. She's a nice person, a
widow. Oh, she just lives a block or so from here. Turn
on Wilshire to your left. Okay, tell me, does Sylvia have money?
I guess so. She seems to anyway, as a lovely apartment,
a nice car symbols anyway, why I just want Oh, by the way,
if you don't want her to know you've hired me, maybe you better
tell her I'm a business friend of your husband. Just drop by as you
were leaving the house something like that. Oh, oh, yes, that's
a good idea. Oh it's in this block, the big green apartment building
on the ride. Okay, that's funny, is it. Yeah? Oh,
here's a parking place. I wonder what Cookie is doing around here?
A friend of yours? No, no, not possibly a car park there
fearing job, baby blue cookies. All right, Sylvia's apartment. Who's the
first one on the side. You really don't have to come in, mister
mah names Murphy, Remember old friend of your husband. Yes, yes,
it's right. I'll commend to carry your bag and to meet Sylvia very partially
wealthy widows. Really, mister, do you think you will find my jewelry.
Okay, one idea so far, Missus Collins. If that doesn't work,
do you leave it up to me? Yes, yes, of course.
Oh oh here we are, oh little darling. I'm so glad you're
there. Oh hello, hello Sylvia. This is mister Murphy. Oh yes,
of course, mister Murphy. Sylvia Jennings. How do you do.
How are you welcome? In? Come in, both of you. I
was just getting ready for a swim. Sounds wonderful. Maybe I could scare
up the fair of trunks for you, mister Murphy. Oh thanks, No,
I've got to run along. I just stopped buying Missus Collins looking for
a husband. Mister Murphy's from out of town. Don't let it. For
years, I was all packed ready to come over here. Well all right,
you know you two don't have to explain anything to me. As a
matter of fact, I can go down to the pool alone and you two
can stay here and talk about all times. Sylvia relaxed, Bill, and
forgive me, mister Murphy. I've told stories like that myself so many times.
I know them by I'll bet you do it that you know I do.
No, I just won't have you thinking. Oh no, don't be
silly, darling. It's not important, but it is. Let you both
gout down to the pool and talk it all of I really have business to
tend to. Oh I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. Yeah, we'll just
keep it that way. But will we be hearing from you, Bob,
anything or anything you know? Oh? Sure, sure, sure you will
about anything about that, Silvia. All the case was beginning to have its
compensations. But I didn't think it Lilian Cullens at all. Sometimes I thought
she lied in her teeth, and sometimes I knew that she was just a
bewildered dame would have her jewels lifted. I passed Cookie's car again as I
left, and still no sign of him. I had told Lily, and
I had one idea. He was still at the taxi stand in front of
her a popping You really, Philip Marlowe, Yeah, it really am need
proof. No, No, that's okay. Missus. Collins wouldn't have been
with you if you weren't the right guy. You say, I can help.
Yeah, maybe so. Look, you drive her almost everywhere she goes.
Now, how about telling me just where she goes? Huh? Regulation
places, saxes, magnets, places for lunch, stuff like that. This
morning I took her over to a Hollywood address. Well, oh, hey,
there is one place she goes a couple of times a week. For
the last three or four weeks, I placed on top of one of the
hills up off a cold water canyon a friend of her. Well maybe she
usually asked me to wait though between fifteen minutes and a half hour. That's
all the longer she stays. When was the last time he took her there?
Let me see, day before yesterday, I think, yeah, yeah,
this day before yesterday, I followed pets instructions through every devious curve to
the top of coal Water Canyon. The thing that interested me most was not
what was ahead, but what a who was behind me? In the big
expensive car. The sun was hitting the windshield just right to obscure the driver.
I slowed at the isolated to dress noticed another big car parked in front.
When I stopped, the car behind me stop, A well dressed woman
got out and went into the house. As she did, she passed another
well dressed woman coming out. It looked like a change of shifts. As
she drove away, I got out of the car. I went up to
the door. Someone somewhere I was watching me. I could feel it.
Yes, oh hello, I do not believe you have an appointment, sir,
Oh no, I didn't think to make one. Excuse me please at
one moment, what a creep and what a joint? You were well coming?
Please? Yeah? Thanks? May I enquie who referred you here?
I have to have a reference, Madame mustin cist references, She insists.
Yeah, well, I'm a friend of Missus Collins Lilian Collins. Oh,
yes, yes, Missus Collins. Yes, you will follow me, then
Madame will see you. Now more to the point, I will see Madame.
I followed the Peter laure character down a dark in the hallway. As
far as I could tell, it was no door. I head. It
looked like a blind alley. Even in the darkness, I sensed that someone
could see me. I didn't have long to think about it. Just when
we reached what looked like an impast little man ahead of me pulled some heavy
drapes aside and nodded for me to enter. I walked into a room that
was heavily draped on all sides, pungent with the smell of incense, and
studying me from across the room, a Grecian robe woman seated beside, So
help me a crystal ball. You will come in, please and be seated.
Yeah, I will, you see, I am. You will remain
silent. It is so necessary your silence. Run you will go. Yes,
he very clever. Those drapes and they're closed. You can't tell where
the door is. I must insist your silence is very important. You are
in need of help, much help, or you would not be here.
Yeah, well you could say that. You make it very difficult for me
to see what is in store for you. Crystal is cloudy, very cloudy,
aw quid breathing on it. Please excuse me. Now you are seeking
something, probing, searching out and this is not a good thing. Some
thing's won must knock assume. I regret to say for you, I seem
much trouble, great trouble, and day. You are in need of rest,
my friend, rist and sleep along. Sleep. Bruno will help you.
Bruno will help you to sleep. In just a moment we will return
to the second act of Philip Marlowe at first. Through the years, Red
Cross has helped the victims of disaster, brought comfort to servicemen and camps and
hospitals, and to their families. Today, with the country rising to meet
the challenge of aggression, the Red Cross has been asked by the government to
undertake tremendous tasks. By giving generously to the Red Cross, you will help
mobilize for the defense of your families, your community, and the nation.
Give as much as you can, and now with our star Gerald Moore.
The second act of Philip Marlowe and Tonight's story, The medium was rare.
Madam's prediction was suffocatingly accurate. Runo helped me sleep all right with a strong
assistance a sponge full of ether. My watch said. It was two hours
later when I came out of the anesthetic, a long way from the house
on the top of Colwater Canyon. I was in my own car, parked
on a strand of beach north of Santa Monica. Ten minutes in a blast
of bourbon later, I ended Sylvia Jennings a popping again. This time there
was no sign of cookies, baby blue car. I don't think Lillian would
belong. She remembered some shopping she had to do, did she. You
don't look as if you felt very well. Mister Marlow. Oh, I
feel just fine. I just woke up from a long sleep. And by
the way, Missus Jennings, you really shouldn't call me mister Mallow. Oh.
Oh, yes, where on earth do you suppose I got the name
mallow? I really wouldn't know. Okay, where's Lilian? Huh? I
told you she went shopping without a purse? Well? What that blue bag
there? She was carrying it when I brought her here. Now, isn't
that all? Yes, isn't it? Oh? At the door? Excuse
yes, I wanted to see Jad. Oh you must be mistaken. There's
no one here about that name. He was, dear, I m wait
for him. No, you can't come in here. Oh, Cookie,
Hello? What sallow? Oh it's one of those happy coincidences. Cookie,
for the first time in my life. I'm glad to see you. I'll
close the door. Missus Jennings, make yourself at home. I'm afraid I
don't understand this, mister Marlow. Yeah, well I was afraid I wouldn't
for a while. But stick around. I think things are going to clear
up in a hurry. Listen to Mollow. What's the pitch here? You
noticed him? Not as well as I'm going to you show you so Chisano
here, Cookie, I'm sure he'll leave here about an hour ago with another
day blowing white dress. Yeah, she didn't seem too happy about going with
Jason's hell him sure to a house up at the top of Cold Water Canyon.
That's fine, Cookie, Then what happened? You wouldn't believe it.
I'm all set to move in talk to Jaisano when some jake jumps me and
stuffs my face full of a sponge thing. It was loaded, you pasted,
huh yeah for a while. When I wake up, I'm sitting in
my car big as you please don't at the bottom of the canyon. I
thinkur Jaisono started from here. He'd be coming back, so I come back
and you. Interesting story is in missus Jennings. None of it's true,
of course not. How'd you get a line on Chisano? Cookie? It's
talking ton He's got a new racket, got something to do with a rich
dog. You know who this thing is? Tell me she's right out of
a blowbook, that's who. I don't figure her with Chaisana shirt. I
gotta believe what I say. Yeah, Cookie, me too, and maybe
you two will believe this gun if you see it where you are and keep
the hands up. I know, I get to know you better. Missus
Jennings, stop me if I'm wrong. You're set up suckers, wealthy females.
Condiment of visiting madame who tells fortunes based on what you've told crazy and
you're in no position to talk. Maybe then the madame predicts some trouble for
him. I warned him of dangers ahead. Shut up, like, maybe
your jewelry isn't safe where it is, take it out of the bank,
keep it at home where you can watch it, Lilian. And when the
poor stoop does that, you come in the front door on Jisana comes in
the back the cup of jewels. I said, shut up, you think
that's the deal. I think that's the deal. Cookie breaking my arm.
Only if I have to baby, get the gun, crack and bring missus
along. Cookie, the three of us are gonna have our fortunes. Told.
Oh fuck that Jaisano. What a sweet deal he's got. I didn't
figure him for so smart. He's a big brain, all right, And
waitily here is we're cutting in on him, sharing the take h this way
everybody makes though me you Jaisano, even the little doll here leave me alone?
Easy? Does it? Cookie? You pretty smart yourself? How do
you figure out it was gonna make a business deal with Chisano? Yeah,
no, chimp mollow. I got every shameless figure you're all looking for that
one big sweet deal like Jisana has got them moving on. It's a natural.
Yeah, you're right, Jizo will never go for him. He's got
no choice. Dog. Hey, watch it, Morlow. There's a kiek
in a proud color ahead of you having watching him. Why's missus Jenny's gun?
Cookie right here giving them a minute. You ain't gonna plug, come
on, come on, give it me? Okay, but I don't get
you. Thanks you hidden? Yeah, and that's not all. You ran
right into that police cause to where I played at. Honey, Hey,
that wasn't very bright. Oh got a couple of customers for you, oppice.
I had to move quick, sure, sure, Oh yes, we
do. The Lively one's got a great racket. I'll tell you about it
later. Cookie over there, I wants to see his parole off. You
want me to take them in? I should do and tell your brother.
And it come to sixty nine fifty six canyon rim top of Coal Water Canyon,
right away, where there must gets loaded. The house at the top
of the canyon had the empty look that only occupied houses can have. Cookie
had tipped his hand just in time. I was better off traveling light.
I knew I'd have no trouble getting in Schisannah was probably expecting me. Was
so right, you're late, Marlow. Well, some days it takes me
longer to come out of ether than others. And you must have done a
good job. Bruno, I always try, mister chisa Oh, believe me.
Chissano's under promotion. Get the business over with. Well, Madam,
I didn't recognize you without your crystal ball. Never mind that mollow okay,
I won't. Where's Lilian she's she's arresting A look at Chissano. You're a
nasty little racket Here is one thing, but kidnapping is another. Yeah,
yeah, and murder something else. Again. You forced us, mister Marlow.
I want you not to pro Chisano. Listen and not kitten. If
you've done anything Lilian, I'll take you. He's perfectly safe. She's not
been harmed yet, that's right, not yet. She'd better not be she
Oh, there you are, Lilian. She can't be. There's no one
there. It's an old gag. Chisano gives me a chance of my gun.
Now, the three of you stand up there by the windows. Now
look, ma, Now you look, you and Bruno and Madame take a
good look out the window, and let me know when the law arrives.
You know, Madame, even without your crystal ball, I can see trouble
for you, much trouble. Lilian had been given the ether treatment too.
We found her when the police arrived. She was okay, just thoroughly frightened.
She wasn't all we found when we searched the place. Chissano hadn't fenced
the jewelry as fast as they stole it. The parade of women who came
to claim it all later read like the social register, Yeah, social register,
the elite, the four hundred. Yeah, well, I know a
place where the four hundred give way to four thousand, luscious lovely mountain trucks,
all the forest primeval, the murmuring pines in the Yeah, you know
what, I don't think I'm gonna make it. The Adventures of Philip Marlowe
Bringing You Raymond Chandler's most famous character, Star Gerald Moore, was produced and
transcribed tonight by Cliff Howell and written for radio by Kathleen Hight. The cast
included Gloria Blondell, ed Max gen Bates, Harry Bartell, Betty lou Gerson,
Leuke Krugman, Eda Rehese Merron, and Jane Avello. Gerald Moore may
currently be seen in the Santana production Sirocco. The special music for Philip Marlowe
is composed by Pierre Garagank and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Be sure to listen
again next week at the same time when Philip Marlowe save this time strained sounds
came from a bungalow court, or did they An old woman thought so,
but she had quite an imagination. A crack in the wall held a secret,
A couple of guys held guns, and a nice guy held on for
dear life. Just as systematic exercise builds a strong body, so to systematic
saving build a strong future. Save systematically for your future and for your country's
future. With the United States defense bombs. Defense bombs are serious e bonds,
safe, sure, profitable. The systematic, easy way to buy defense
bonds is through the payroll savings plan where you work. So for the defense
of your future, for the fans of your country's future, buy your full
share regularly systematically of United States Defense Bonds. Roy Roland speaking. This is
the CBS Radio Network. Hi, this is Andrew from OTR Westerns dot com.
I wanted to invite you to come take a look at our site.
We stream live OTR Westerns twenty fours today, seven days a week, along
with putting out podcasts of old time Radio Westerns. Check us out at OTR
Westerns dot com. You're listening to the great detectives of old time Radio with
Adam Graham. Now let's get back into the show. Welcome back well Um,
another great episode. Loved it, you know, right from the title.
I also like how hump Along Cassidy actually got worked into Philip Marlowe's monologue.
That was an, you know, very cute touch. Um. I
also liked the idea of marlow linger um hungering for a vacation away from the
city. Uh. You know when you read some of the later marlow books,
such as The Long Goodbye and particularly Playback, Uh, the literary marlow
definitely could have used getting Away from the City. I was kind of interesting
where they used an obvious Peter Laura character, but Marlow kind of just you
know what I lad knowledge, Yeah, it's a Peter Laura character. You
will hear attempts to impersonate him on all sorts of old time radio programs.
The story felt very appropriately chand Loress the Fortune Teller bed kind of call to
mind an element of Farewell, My Lovely, which became the movie Murder My
Suite. So a fine episode and I am really gonna miss this one as
we next week is our last episode with Gerald Morris Philip Marlow even though we
do have one more marlow related episode the next week, but we'll talk more
about that then. A few listener comments are really quickly, and we have
Julie and Linda both I say they love Philip Marlow and I'm glad they're enjoying
the series, and I hope they'll enjoy what's to come. Well Tomorrow it's
Boston Blackie, and then on Monday, the New Adventures of Michael Shane really
this time, and then join us back here next Wednesday for one more episode
of the Adventures of Philip Marlowe in the meantime, send your comments to Box
thirteen at Great Detectives dot and it, Follow us on Twitter and Radio Detectives,
and become one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook dot Com. Slash
Radio Detectives from Boise Idahole, This is your host, Adam Graham's son and Off