Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it
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ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as two dollars per month by going to Patreon
dot Great Detectives dot net. Well, now we're going to get into this
week's adventure with the Falcon and this program aired three months after the previous episode,
and it brings us to the main body of the Falcon Radio episodes and
starts run of about a year, where the vast majority of episodes are in
circulation. Of course, there's a missing episode here and there, but it's
gonna be a while before we have to deal with a gap of several months
of missing episodes so we can get a bit more of a feel for the
rhythm of this story. So let's go ahead and take a listen to this
episode. Original air date August twenty third, nineteen fifty and the title is
The Case of the Larcenous lorc now the Case of a Larcenous Luck. It's
late Wednesday night in New York and in Arnie Kessler's very private gambling club on
East sixty ninth Street. Tall, handsome, gray haired George Watkins stands at
the end of the dice table, shaking the dice cup in his manicured hand
and makes his roll. Lives your number right all once again? Watkins shakes
the cup, Come on, little five and makes his roll seven. Watkins
smiles, Riley shrugs lightly, puts down the cup and pushes through the crowd.
He finds the door to Kessler's private office open and walks in. Seated
at the desk, Oh Watkins shitan, thanks, how to go tonight for
you? Fine? I'm clean, tough luck. I'm bound to change.
How's my credit strained the limit? I'm afraid I'll have to close the book
on you. That's all I wanted to know. Good evening, Kessley.
How you're down for thirty five grand? Watkins, that's a lot of groceries.
I understand. I'm a realist, Kestley. Don't fool myself, no
false pride. So I have to face the fact the moment. I'm no
big shot. I'm flat bum investment. I'm surprised you carried me this far.
Oh you'll pay you off. I'm glad you're so sure. It's my
business to be sure. In that case, a little more credit. Now,
let's not overdo a good thing. Chum. Gotta draw the line somewhere.
You know. You just pay that thirty five and you can have all
the credit you like. All right, I'll get it. You bet you
were Watkins, You bet all right? Rex? Here you are, Just
sign these papers and I'll run along just a minute, Watkins, way to
get this? How do you like this phrase? You're right, it's corny.
Maybe it's better like this now. I was better before, Rex,
Please, I mean I've gotta be going. Okays, here are the papers.
Here's okay. You know it's funny. I had it the right way
in my head, but it's gone. No. I'll tell you if I
could remember it's terrific, all right, Rex, but look what you're doing.
My name, I gotta look for that. Don't you even read what
you're signed? I can't be bothered. That's what I pay Watkins for my
business. That's right now? Now these checks? Right, I think you'd
be interested? Interested? And whereases and double entries and capital gains? I
say it's spinach and to Watkins with it? Okay? What can say?
I know you can get back to your work. It's a long Rex,
goodbye. I'll be saying, yes, I I gotta catch it. That's
a natural belief. What do you know about him? Watkins? Oh?
Great? Save me nearly ten grand income taxes last year? If you don't
even check on him? I read, reader, I know what I'm doing.
I make the mullah. What can see that? I don't spend it
faster than I make it? Oh, for the love of paid? Read
mean it? You expect me to marry you? You've got to have some
sense of responsibility? Yeah? Sure, sure, baby, Maybe there it
is. I know I get it. If you like not bad, not
bad, it's great. What are you doing? Call him my no good
of an agent? Becas I'm trying to take you not now, honey,
not no, hell and hellar and listen. I've got another even you'll be
able to sell it? Who is at the cold porter of the fifties?
I'm telling you I've got something that'll make you who else? Before you get
all? Will you shut up? You haven't even heard it yet? Goes
with those lyrics I show you yesterday. Now listen, do you hear?
Yes? Well it's a nice tune. But you know no, buts hollarin?
This is it? How soon can you get it to Sinatra? He
reasonable? We can now. Look, I don't want any argument all the
time. I'd bang out songs that sell themselves. You try to sit on
them. If it wasn't for that contract, Believe me, brother, you'd
be out. But fasten the corn ball. Why were you before I took
Gilbert strictly minor leagues? How's the big leagion? You're beating them? Huh?
You got a nice tune? I look, shut up. I want
you over here this afternoon and understand that creep always got to give me conversation.
You think a guy get some encouragement once in a while, but no
nice tone, he says, and you won't even listen. Got yep about
what? Why is this? And Rex? It's just that I'm worried.
You have to turn everything over to watch you. All right, Look,
I'll take it once more slow now try to dig it this time, baby,
will you when you're getting the chips? You hire yourself a business manager.
Everybody does it. I'm not the only thanks so much for telling me.
But everybody doesn't just sign papers and checks without even knowing what they are.
All right, let's not get in a hassle about it. Huh,
Well, if we're going to get married, he says, we're gonna get
married. Well, if it's going to be nagnagnag, I'm serious, Maybe
I am. I don't know why. We're only trying to be helpful.
I don't why you have Oh, for Pete's sake, Look, baby,
I got a great idea banging a lot in my head. I want to
get it on paper. Do you have to pitch a hissy? Now?
I want you cut it out? Honey, honey, look gun it listen?
Will you all right? I'll call what, I'll get an appointment.
See, he'll explain just how I stand financially. Black, get it all
figured out? Now? Will you please turn off the Niagara and let me
get to work. Oh oh, Kessley, Hello Watkins, might if I
come in? No, of course, not thanks. As a matter of
fact, I have something for you, lad I heard. Hey you are
five grand Oh god, at leastn't even thirty. It may take little time.
Oh that's all right, just so long as you settle up before you
leave town? Leave town? What makes you You bought a ticket for Chicago
this morning? How do you know? Have you been having me followed?
Let's just say I have a very sensitive weed you bought you, see,
Watkins. When I have money outstanding, I like to keep in touch.
That's why I don't want don't you going away until the account is closed?
I should have expected this very well, Kesley, You've got me no use
denying. There's the ticket I was leaving. As a matter of fact,
I'm on a bit of a spot. Let's face it. I I'm trapped.
How so well, I'll tell you always was one for cards on the
table. It's like this. That five thousand I just paid you came from
rex Elber Only Albert doesn't know it. I had counted on him for considerably
more from time to time. You understand, I can't rush these things or
they show up. Well, he'll Albert called a few minutes ago, wants
to go over the account. I don't know what's gotten into him all of
a sudden, but there it is. Have to face it. He wants
an accounting and I can't possibly explain the check I cashed it if it hadn't
happened so fast, or you were going to run out. Well, what
can I do? Perhaps if you give me back that five thousand and return
it to Rex, he may not press the charges. Sure, I blow
five grand. If Albert decides not to play ball, you're in the soup.
Anyhow, it was a thought. I don't call that thinking. Well,
what can I do? Albert? Isn't your only client? You have
others. That's why I give you credit. How they watched closer. Still,
I suppose over a period of time I could raise the rest take it
time. I won't rush things so long as I get payments on account like
this every so often. But I don't have time. That's just it.
Elbert wants a showdown today. Can't you stall him? Or not for long?
Only I could keep him from asking about that check. That there must
be something I can do not only there must be watkins that better be come
in? Does so? Ok? Now what can I do? Hey?
Wait a minute, what's the idea? Yeah, that's where Mike where he
lives at Falkin? You him? I'm a Howard? Is my name Vic
Hallaran Rex Elba's agent? Congratulations on what being Elba's agents? He must be
a gold mine, golden goose. More like somebody killed him? Oh yeah,
that's why I'm here. I need a detective. Heard a lot about
you. Always figure anybody has a reputation. He must have something on the
board. Oh, concede the point. Shall we go inside and talk business?
No need, I'll only be a minute. I discovered the body.
See so I'm on a spot. Cops just put me through the ringer.
Any reason you should be suspected other than discovering the body, and they suspect
every Oh and you've got nothing to worry about, no more than anybody else.
All right, it's like this, See who likes his agent all the
time? Gripes? How come you are I doing more for me? Frex
and me? He had words, often loud words. But he's my meal
ticket. I'm going to knock off my own meal ticket. Ah, yes,
the golden goose. Get out of what are you wearing? Okay,
Helen, try read of Vaughan war of at the exact club. You think
she did it? She makes up in it? How do you know she's
a dame? Rex's current. I believe me in a thing like this,
always include the dame in. I'll make a note of it. James said,
trouble. You can count it nothing but trouble. Allern, you're speaking
of the women I love. Take it for me wearing nothing but trouble,
spoken like a confirmed bachelor. Bachelor. I'm paying alimony three ways. Now
get on it, Wearing, we're in. Mike Wearing has been in Vic
Hallarin's employer for twenty minutes, just long enough to get from his own place
to the Zigzag Club where Rita Vaughan has just admitted him to her dressing room.
All right, mister Wearing, Now, what is it? Well,
there's no question about it. You're a dame, what a detective? And
dame's a trouble. Oh mm hmm. I have it on your authority of
a three time loser and you're looking for trouble. Rex Elver's trouble. Were
you it I was his dame, but I had nothing to do with his
death. If that's all you want, you might as well run along.
Who said it's all I want? I can tell you who killed Rex if
that's what you want, well, I'd like to get around with that angel,
but I'm in no hurry. Business manager, George Watkins, Why do
you say that Rex had an important with Watkins today? To check on watkins
handling of Rex's affairs, The murder was a little too opportune to be a
coincidence. All right, Rita, I'll check on it, and you can't
check on it here. Hey, you seem in a hurry to get rid
of me. I'm on in a few minutes. I'd like to get ready
and the show must go on. You said it, mister Wearing. Maybe
you think I'm taking Rex's depth to If you think it doesn't mean anything,
get out of here with you, Hello, George Watkins? Run who wants
to know? Like Wearing? Well, Well the Falcon, This is an
unexpected pleasure. You must be, Annie Kissling, I must be. Can
I have your drink? Oh? Thanks? You get around a lot?
How come you got around here? Could be? I like let it?
You know better? Than the buck the house percentage. Well, that's no
way to encourage business. Some kinds of business I can do without. So
you're looking for George Watkins. Huh, yeah, I understand he's the regular
patron here. I wanted to confirm it. You expect an answer from me?
No, I guess not. Is that all you wanted? Well,
i'd like to know how Watkins was doing away? No? I mean yeah,
Well I didn't think you tell me I'm not crazy. I started talking
about my client's affairs, i'd be out of business fast. No that case,
I guess I'm just wasting my time around here. I'm glad you realize
it might as well be running. Oh no, need to run, Wearing,
You can walk as long as it's to the nearest exit. Hello,
ask Cassler, what is it? Oh? No that rex Elbo wanted to
county with you today? Well I didn't know anyone, did accept you?
Why Mike Wearing was just here the falcon. I guess you've been losing at
the tables. Oh dear, he's still guessing. I didn't give him anything,
but if he's checking, I don't think yes, yes, thanks Cas,
who could have put him onto of course, that girl readA never did
care for her style of singing. Maybe I can figure a way to make
her change her tune. Hello, read back again. I thought i'd catch
the last show. But as long as you're table hopping, how about coaching
at mine for a while. Well, I only have a minute. I'll
set that all right. I've been checking on walking out anything. Uh huh?
He likes to gamble. Oh, well, I could explain what's wrong?
Speak of the devil? Hello reade, Am I interrupting anything, as
you certainly are. But sit down, you devil, Hi, beg your
pardon. Mister Watkins. This is Michael Wearing Wearing. Oh yes, yes,
I have heard of you, Frolani casline. Why do you ask that?
Why don't you answer it? I want to talk to Rita. Get
in the line. I was here first. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint
both of your time for my number. See you later. Rita been talking
about me Wearing Ask Rita, I intend to all Right, ladies and gentlemen
now here she is a little lady. Have all been waiting for her to
play and sing for you? Read them all. I have something that I
hope will be a treat for you with the brand new number that I wrote
myself, and here it is for the first time anywhere. Okay. I
wonder why she didn't come back to the table wearing she said something scared her.
Didn't you see her face when she left the floor walking? I didn't
notice. That's why I wanted to get back here to the dressing room.
There it is, somebody's in there. Yeah, look out, let's see
at the doors. I'm like, yeah it is, yes, Reda,
come to take you in my arm, not while they're away than shooting irons
wearing she missed, and so I see Hollerin, but let's not give her
another shot at you. What are you doing here anyway? Helling her off.
She's a cruck me. That's why I wrapped the gun. It was
self defense. She's a cruck, a great robber. Did you hit her?
And we were arguing, did you hit her? What difference? Did
you hit her? Hallerin, Well maybe I did, and the gunplayer really
was self defense. But I want Holleran to tell me, well, yes,
it was all right. Then I can let her go. Much as
I enjoy holding you in my arms, and I like it under different circumstances.
Now, what went on? Why when I heard her singing that song?
Did you hear? I didn't see you in the club. I was
over the side near the door. All Right, you heard the song?
Yeah? She said it was hers. She made it up? I did.
Rex called me this morning, all hopped up. Here's a new number.
Plays it for me over the phone. It's this very song wearing,
this very song. I played it for Rex. That's where he got He
said it was his. We were going to publish it under his name.
We thought it would be more popular. Look, I know Rex's style.
You can't. I know his style too. I was influenced by it,
I admit that. But I wrote that song. That's a lie, even
if it is halerin. Is that any call to slug the girl? Or
did you just toss that in because you don't like dang? I couldn't help
blowing my lid wearing I'm I'm sorry, but this crooked doll? Right?
All right? Hold it freedom. You say you made up the song?
When this morning Rex was working on a tune. It was something like this
one, but not the same. Watkins you were there, you remember,
well? Then Watkins left and Rex and I were talking and all of a
sudden it came to it and you played it for Rex? Yes? And
he played it for Hallerin. Yes, And he told me I know what
he told you. Did you play it for anyone else? Read then until
the night? No? And it's just your word against Hollerin's. But yes,
But I too hope to prove Wearing. Each one will stick to his
own story. Oh, I think I plenty? What can what? Who
killed Rex Elder? You want I proved who killed Rex? Elver? Maybe
that isn't as important as who wrote the music, but it should determine who's
going to have to face it? Who worrying? Well? Considering that Watkins
is indep to Kessler, And where'd you get that idea? Maybe from kestor
himself? You couldn't? Why not because I because I don't owe him.
That's not what Kesler told me? What he didn't tell you anything? What
makes you so sure he told me he didn't? And there must be something
he could he who'll make Wearing? I have got the gun from her?
And what good do you think it's going to do you? Hell, there's
one sure thing won't do you any good if you make a move, so
stay where you are, all of you. I'm getting out of here.
Fifteen minutes have passed since George Watkins grabbed Rita's gun and beat a hasty retreat
from the Zigzag Club. Mike has used that time to hurry to Arnie Kessler's
apartment, but Kessler's thug, Rocky, has just hushered him in here he
is, mister Kessler. Yeah, aren't wearing? What is it this time?
Well? I put you on kind of a spot, Kessler. I
figured I ought to tell you what kind of a spot I told George Watkins.
You tipped me about his oweing you. He grabbed a gun and cleared
out. I thought he might come here, Thanks for the warning. I
can take care of myself. Sure, Still, I thought you ought to
know, all right? But how come he fell for you bluff? Oh?
I guess he's out of his element. I imagined until today, except
for weakness of gambling, Watkins stuck pretty close to the straight and the arrow.
Yeah, And since he really is, And howk to you? He's
running out or to clinch it? How do I know he ran out just
because you say so? And I see you're not as green as what disappointed
no, I expected it. Well, that could be the answer to if
I'm bluffing. Yeah, a rocky okay, And just in case Wearing isn't
loving you, that's Watkins. Check him for our right. I want to
see Kesler. Yeah, why don't find your ride wearing? It's Watkins.
When you get to know me better, Kesler, you'll never doubt me.
I'm glad, all right, missus Kesler. Here he is, and here's
his either wearing. Hello, Watkins. I've been expecting you. I should
have known you are on his side. That's what he wants you to think.
But if he shut up and let me do the talk, he certainly
certainly might as well face it. I've bungled again, played right into his
hand. Maybe, But now we have him on our home ground. Please
Castler, no violence, not what I had in mind, at least for
now. As long as we're both here together. He can't play one off
against the other like he's been doing. No, that's not necessary. I've
proved my point. I wouldn't say so. You rattled Watkins. He lost
his head and came running to you. Why to check on what you told
them? He thought I might have lied about him? You mean he wanted
to see if you told the truth about him. Now he was Kesler,
and I know he isn't hock to you. Now that I know who the
murderer is, it's the only thing that makes sense. Oh, you know
that too, I should Warring. I know how it looks the talking Watkins.
Are you suggesting that Watkins killed elbow Wearing? Oh? I haven't said
that, but you shouldn't jump the conclusions Watkins. Well, but Thennett,
I don't understand unless you think I'm the murderer, what difference does it make
if I owe Kessler money. My relation to him doesn't affect anyone else.
It affects Kessler. And but surely you can't think he killed Rex. Why
they didn't even know each other. I know they didn't. Well then ah,
wait, Elba demanded an accounting with you today, didn'ey, Watkins?
Never mind? Don't answer. But you know he did. And you've been
juggling your count to pay off Kesler, so you get panicked. Well,
shut up, Watkins, Yes, all right. If you told Kesler about
the spot you were in, you paid off part of what you owed him,
but there was still a heavy balance. Elba sent you to jail,
Kessler would never get his balance, so he killed Elbert to protect his investment
New So that's how many times do I have to tell you to shut up?
Watkins? I'm the one you like to shut up Kesler. But before
you decide on the rough play, you so thoughtfully postponed, before you ought
to know the police snow I came up here. Yeah, I think I'd
have stuck my neck out like this. Otherwise, let's face it, Kessler,
the jig is up. One thing I don't understand wearing what's that hollerin?
You said? My argument with Rita about the song is what tipped you
to the murderer, as it did. But if Kessler's the murderer, he
had nothing to do with the song. That's just the point. What he
didn't know Elbert had nothing to do with him, then how could love calrain?
Regardless of who really wrote the song. Either way, we know that
until last night, only you and Rita and Elbert had ever heard the song.
Right, Yes, but when I was at Kessler's before Rita played it
at the club, Kessler was humming the song. He was he was,
so I knew he must have been at Albert. Remember elbows at the piano
when he was murdered. He must have been playing the to him and Tesla
killed him. And I see, so that takes care of the murder.
Now everything is subtled except who really wrote the song. Oh oh, that
that's settled too. Yeah, yes, I was wrong, Rida wrote it
all right. We had a long talk and she convinced me. Oh yeah,
yeah, yeah, quite a day wearing quite a dame. But who
didn't like dames? For me? All I said was anybody who falls for
a day must be nuts well wearing Take hands with Napoleon Bonaparte Welcome Back.
Really a solid adventure with the Falcon. It's always helpful to use an audio
clue on a radio program, and it's clever enough that it works, but
you're not going to have your attention immediately drawn to it. I will say
that, while it's early days for the Fulcon on this podcast, I've really
been enjoying the Tremaine and Damon episodes. The Me and episodes were fine,
but those, as far as we could tell from the two we had from
nineteen forty five, had a different feel. This case seems reminiscent of the
sort of investigation we'd hear on Filo Vans or Boston Blackie, And I think
part of the reason I draw that association is that you hear a lot of
the same actors that would have worked on those shows. While Mister Cameleon also
originates from New York, it feels like they've got a very different set of
actors who typically work with the Hummers. But this feels like very much the
same sort of talent pool that Boston Blackie and Fileo Vants tended to draw from.
But I think that the stories feel a lot smarter, and the side
characters are a bit more interesting. They're a lot less. One note,
I'm actually really quite enjoying this so far now. Of course, the big
thing that I'm still getting used to is how long it takes for the Falcon
to get involved, But that doesn't in any way hinder my enjoyment. It's
just like, is he going to show off this episode? But he always
does, and so I'll just keep that in mind. All right. Well,
now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I
want to go ahead and thank Robert. Robert's been one of our Patreon supporters
since December twenty eighteen currently supporting the podcast at the shamous level of four dollars
or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Robert,
and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please
follow us using your favorite podcast software. If you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube,
be sure to lock the video, subscribe to the chant, and marked
a notification bell. We will be back next Monday with another episode of the
Falcon, But join us back here tomorrow as we begin another Yours truly,
Johnny doll or Cereal, where the name he gave is a known Jewelsye,
several previous convictions Smiley pre and the call was made from here in Cranesburg.
Yeah that's right. Well that's very remarkable. Why so, well, this
is quite as small town as you've no doubt noticed, now, as strange
you would draw attention, be somewhat conspicuous, Oh not necessarily. Smiley may
have come here some time ago to establish himself. You may even have met
him, mister Crane. Oh oh no, I'm quite sure that I was
utterly impossible. Did we are you a description? No? No, of
course not. Then how can you be so sure? Well? I just
have met any strangers in the last few months. Not a one. I
see well, I am now at home. Can I can I you have
something from the bar, mister gran Oh no, no, no, thank
you, No, I really have to run on. I only stopped in
for a minute. Did you have anything special in mind? Oh no,
no, no, nothing at all. I don't believe you, mister Crane.
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.