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
to me 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. Well, now it's time for our four thousand, three
hundred episodes special. And honestly, at An intended to do something else for
this, but that involved a film adaptation and I really didn't have time to
watch the film and really give that attention it deserves. So hopefully we'll do
that for four thousand, three hundred and fiftieth episode. So I chose something
that was original to radio, and it's an episode of suspense, and it
from an era that we haven't featured too much on the podcast. We've generally
played episodes of suspense from the Hollywood era, in particular the nineteen forties and
early nineteen fifties. This is an episode that comes after Suspense had returned to
New York in nineteen fifty eight. This episode originally aired November the thirteenth,
nineteen sixty and the title is The Man Who murders People Radio fifty nine wrow
first on the dial, and now another tale well calculated to keep you in
suspense. Are you a commuter When you hurry on to that late train in
the evening, how do you choose your seat? You try to get as
bar as possible from the big black cigar, or as near as possible to
somebody reading your favorite periodical. Next time, look out, you may be
sitting next to the man who murders people. Now, before tonight's story of
suspense, let's listen to some words of wisdom from a good friend of yours
and mine, the host of CBS Radio's Daily House Party. Hello, this
is art link letter with a few words about that crippling disease known as arthritis.
What is arthritis? It's the most widespread chronic disease in the United States.
Actually, more than eleven million people suffer with arthritis, men, women,
even children. Eleven million. No wonder, it's called our country's greatest
crippler. What causes this cruel disease? Nobody knows. It's still a medical
mystery. The Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation is searching for the answers, and they
need your help. Research is costly, so is treatment. This humane work
can be carried out only with your support, So send a generous contribution today
to your local chapter of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation. Remember its care today
and a cure tomorrow. What or really you raspillin of gin over Rosvil Milvern
overway right here? Step up? Oh? I thought i'd never miss yours.
Oh my pack, stay right on there, I'll get them. Here's
your half box, nestaper, hell, no wonder you girls stumble wearing those
spike heels. My purse, there's my here, don't worry, give it
to me. Hey, want you chill? Dump the stuff again? And
two boxes? I guess that's everything. So I didn't have enough to worry
about. Everything has to go wrong and take it easy. Miss You caught
the train. That's something I wish I didn't have to take. Well too
right now? Or oh I wish I didn't have to take This is horrible?
What's the matter? Miss? Oh? I'm sorry I didn't realize I
was speaking out loud. Something you're reading in that paper? Bothero? Yes,
well, I wish I hadn't bought the paper, not by any chance.
The Roseville murders you're reading about. But how did you know? Eh,
everyone has those murders on his mind these days. I guess I'm awfully
cowardly about it, not at all. I know a lot of strong men
who find themselves afraid of the doc since those bodies began to turn up around
Roseville. It's not something to take lightly. You don't sound very scared me,
No. As a matter of fact, I've always been rather interested in
murders. Interesting. Yes, murderer is a very clever people, you know,
Genius is some of them. You can learn a lot studying these cases.
Learn. I wish someone would learn who the killer is. What's the
matter with the police anyway? Why don't they catch him? Why don't they
Because he's cleverer than they are, that's why. But this man is the
coolest, smartest killer that's ever been known in these parts. My girl,
Yeah, let's look at what the paper says. Oh no, no,
please, I can't bear to see that picture again. Poor man he murdered
last week. Now. I studied that picture for some time myself. Sounded
very interesting, you know, figuring out just what kind of a man he
was, what kind of trick he might fall for? Just how he'd react
when he knew he was going to be murdered. Please don't well you're trembling.
Yeh, well, I believe you're really frightened, don't you see?
I live in Roseville, Oh, live in Roseville. Eh? How do
you think it feels to get off at that lonely station at night? Not
knowing in what shadow this this creature may be standing watching me? So you
live in Roseville? Say, I'm not far from there myself. You ever
pass off a Jenkins's antique shop on Bowley Road, And that's my place?
I remember seeing it. My aunt's very interested in antiques. You must bring
her in sometime. I'll show her my personal collection. That's very kind of
you, glad to do it. Old weapons are my specialty. I got
some pretty rare stuff. But uh, getting back to this murders must we
mister Jenkis tickets I haven't ready please? Uh murdered I put that thing tickets?
Please? Here? You are conductor? You everything okay now? Miss?
Oh? Yes? Thanks? I was just awfully nervous about missing the
train. My aunt worries. So if I'm not on the early way,
I know how it is. Whether it gets your supper hop tonight. Here's
my ticket, thank you tickets, have your tickets ready? Huh Let's see
now where were we? Oh? Yes, the paper, Oh, get
out. First victim two months ago, young mechanic from the Parkway filled station
found in the reservoir, stabbed in the hat, apparently thrown out of a
car. No clues whatever. And he was such a nice young fellow.
We often talked while he was servicing my car. Then when I when I
saw this in the papers, check and murder. Wealthy broker left New York
on the four forty five one evening and never arrived home in Then, just
like the poor mechuntic body turned up three days later at the foot of the
Mill Road embankments. Again a knife wound in the heart. But no knife,
no weapon, no clue, just a body. That's the one that
horrified me. So suppose I should have a flat tire in my car tonight
when I get to the station, I'd have to phone the garage and then
sit and wait in the dark shed all alone. I can see how you
feel. Or even if I try to drive to the garage, I'd have
to go slowly, and it's right through the woods and I'm the man who
murders people jumps out of the woods in front of your car. Yes,
definitely something to be nervous about. I hate to leave the house to go
to work in the morning, and poor Aunt Maud she worries all day till
I get home. It doesn't a pretty girl like you have a boyfriend to
look out for. Well, I haven't been living in Roseville very long,
you know. I've been thinking I get off the station after Roselle. But
if you like, I could get out and see you to your car and
then take the bus on up. Oh, I couldn't let you do that.
It's not much out of my way at all. As a matter of
fact, I often drive down that way in the evenings. It's a beautiful
drive up the mill Road past the reservoir. But well, you're looking at
me so strangely. I think I will go with you and see you to
your car. No, No, I don't want you to. Well,
we can talk about it later. But get back to the murderer again.
You know, I wouldn't mind being called crazy if I could baffle the police
as cleverly as this fellow does. Last week, Now that was the third
time do you stop what's in my head? Stop talking about the Roseville murder.
I don't want to hear anymore. I tell you, I don't want
to talk about bodies being found and fiends with long knives hiding in the woods.
I'm come now. You mustn't let yourself get so excited this man who
strikes so cruelly. Don't you wonder what started him murdering? Do you suppose
power was what he wanted? Power over me? May I sit down?
What is this sea taking? No? No? I I turned it forward
so I could put my bundles there. But I can move them here.
I'll I'll just pile them on top of each other there. How I am
wrong? Uh? I think I'll go back. It's kind of smoke.
Good bids to Jenkins. I'll talk to you again later. In just a
moment, we will return for the second act of suspense. Do you start
out for a drive in a car with the faithful anxiety of a soldier going
into battle. Cars have been created for our pleasure and convenience. However,
carelessness has made them responsible for more human death than any planned carnage in the
history of man. It's hard to know why people who have no desire to
destroy themselves should be guilty of this kind of irresponsibility. Despite the many automatic
features in today's automobiles, nothing has yet been invented to take the place of
human intelligence in control. Whenever you take your car out, whether for an
errand in the neighborhood or a long trip on the highway, remember it takes
only one split second of inattention on your part to make all the safety features
of your car meaningless, to turn the whole, comfortable, luxurious machine into
a weapon as personally destructive as any h bomb. Drive with constant caution,
common sense, and courtesy keep your car from destroying you. Miss. Are
you crying? No, No, it's nothing. Gosh, is there anything
I can do? I mean, I'm sorry. I'm the one who should
apologize. It's silly of me, but I've been so nervous. And then
that meant that man, you mean that heavy set guy who just left?
Yes, that has has he been annoying you? Oh? No, no,
no, it's not that really, it's just well, I live in
Roseville. Oh oh yeah, I guess you've heard of the murders that have
been going on in that area. I'll say some guy's been knifing people at
night and leaving the bodies around. Yes, and the killer is still at
large, and of course everyone in the neighborhood is terribly frightened. Police can
seem to get any clue at all on the case. No, and the
papers are so full of it that it's hard to put the guestly thing out
of your mind. About this guy who was sitting here, That's what I'm
getting at. I was terribly nervous to start with. And this man sat
down beside me just as we were leaving New York, and the first thing
you know, he started to talk to me about those murders. He's got
a charming approach. I didn't want to talk at all, especially about that.
He couldn't stay off the subject, and he kept saying, what a
genius the murderer is, talking about the men that were killed, and now
they sell from me. But then knew they were going to be murdered.
Oh no, please, don't cry again. What's the matter with that guy
talking to a girl like that? And then he said he'd get out of
Roosevelt with me and take me to my car. And I was scared and
didn't want him do an, he insisted, and sister did he wait?
That guy comes back, I'll tell him a thing or two. What they
say you, I'll tell you what's gone on. No, please, look,
you've annoyed this lady, tild she's almost hysterical. That's why. Why
what are you tat? Do you think you are forcing your conversation? And
the girl who's frighting, the nervous and wants to be left alone? Who
says I forced myself on the girl? You must be crazy. There's something
wrong with one of us, but it's not me. I'll get out of
this car. Do you hear me? What do you mean ordering me around
the train? I mean business, bright, this is And the next time
I see you hanging around this lady, I'll knock your block off so I
get gone before I really get h Never I heard of such a thing,
y'all who don't try to respectful? Yah, I don't think he'll be any
more bother. I was sure he was going to hit you. Having trouble
up here. It's all right, Conductor Fellow was a bit annoying to the
lady, but nothing serious. We straightened it out. I don't know if
it's the murders or what. But this Roseville runch you're as hard on the
nerves lately. Guess all your passings are a little jittery up here, guyan
noise girl, lady smacks another lady's kid. Man breaks the window because it
won. Well that's that all quiet? Uh huh gosh, I'm I'm sorry.
I'll let you in for that scene, but I thought it was best
to show my ment business. I guess you're right, but I'm glad it's
over. What a train ride, all included on your commutation, no extra
charge for the fireworks. I'm just exhausted. You'd think I've been doing the
work. Well, you've been under a strain. How about sitting back and
relaxing. Let me fix that back for you. Oh then, uh,
just take it easy from herein. It's pretty nerve wracking for you. I
don't know what I would have done if if you hadn't come along, mister
mister mackenzie, Bill McKenzie, mister mackenzie, you know I uh, I
believe I've seen you on this train before. I'm certainly glad you saw me
this time. I'm glad too, for more than one reason. Well none
that it's over. I guess I was a bit silly about the whole thing.
Fatman didn't really have such a bad face at all. He's no monster,
just tactless, that's all. That's right. But me, with my
fraid nerves waving in the breeze, I suspect a rabbit of being the Roseville
murderous I met one on the mill Road in the dark. It's sure the
guy is probably harmless, but there's no reason why I should go on annoying
you, even unintentionally. Well, I do thank you for stopping you.
By the way, my name is King Murray, mister McKenzie, I lived
just outside of Rosedale, the other side of the reservoir. Well, i'd
annoy you, Miss Murray. I live in Newbury myself. But look,
if you're still frightened, thank you that I don't feel a bit frightened.
Nah, my car is quite near the tracks and it's only a ten minute
drive home. I'm sure you'll be all right, because I could see you
home and then I could grab a bus back to Newbury if you'd like me
voy. It won't be necessary, really, mister mackenzie, call me Bill,
won't you? Since we're kind of neighbors. We ought to get better
acquainted, all right, Bill? O? Kay? Yes, I told
you I've seen you on the train before. Yes, Well, to tell
the truth, I've I've noticed you particularly. That's flattering. And since luck
has brought me your acquaintance, may I mean I take the advantage of it
and suggest I'd like to see you again sometime? Well? I wow,
how about dinner or a show some night or whatever you'd like to do.
I'd like to, but it's kind of sudden, kay, But please say
yes. Well, you might come up to the house in the evening and
meet my aunt. You mean, when I have a stamp of approval,
we can go on from there. That's about it. That suits me.
Fine, Let's see, this is Wednesday. How about tomorrow night? Great?
I can't make it tomorrow. Oh Friday? Then Friday will be all
right. How about eight o'clock? Right, I've got to get off here.
Are you sure you don't want me to ride up with you? Oh?
No, thanks, Bill, I'm not scared anymore. How about your
address? Kneh, I'm on Prinsipt Road, number forty two. It's a
big white house. To stop a new road. I'll find it all right,
see your Friday. Kay bye. In a moment we will return for
the third act of suspense. Hi, maybe you'll recall this tuneful reminder of
times past. This is Dennis James with something else worth remembering. It's this.
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There's only one all brand. It's Kellogg's All Brand. So relieve a
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Kellogg's All Brand. Oh, Donnie's doors then you never do open? Miss?
Let me do it? Oh scared me, conductor? Yes, will
you please? I have so much to care. Just let me get in
there. Oh oh Heaven's sake, Sam, Sorry that was me, And
let me pick him up again. Ma, dear, Oh, look off,
don't step on that bag. I get him rolling all over. Hey,
wait till I catch that hat fox. Ah. Here's the two packages.
Hat Fox, the pocketbook and your newspaper. Thank you. Conductor.
Here, I'm through with the paper. I'll let you enjoy the Roseville murders.
Thanks Smith. Wait a minute, hey, I you got everything?
Yes, thank you? May I sit down? I certainly? But why
what do you want? I want to apologize to you, mister Jenkins.
I've been feeling dreadful about that young man being so hasty with you, young
sir Galahad. If I annoy you, why don't you keep away from me?
That's just it? You don't annoy me? Well, if I don't
you estly, mister Jenkins. It's hard to explain just how it happened,
but well, I was so tired and nervous and all. And the young
man got the impression that you'd been upsetting me. A bit impetuous of him,
wasn't it. I guess it was. Actually I know you didn't mean
to upset me, and I was terribly embarrassed when he spoke to you that
way. Oh, pretty embarrassing all around. I'd say, I didn't know
what to do. He meant, well, you see, and it all
happened so fast. Anyway, I thought i'd walk back and find you to
tell you how sorry I am over the whole mixer. Well, I don't
know. I am not accustomed to being taken for a measure, but you
weren't at all. I wouldn't have been speaking to you in the first place
if you hadn't looked like a respectable person. Well, I certainly wasn't being
treated, and I would have been talking if I hadn't been so unstrung.
But you know what nerves can do to a person. Well, I knew
you were jumpy about something the first time I looked at you. My name
is Kay Murray, mister Jenkins. Can't we shake hands? And no hard
feelings? Well, all right, young lady, I guess it was all
just a misunderstanding. I didn't intend to be rude, and well it's nice
of you to understand. Oswell, Oswell, say, here's your station now,
Yes, you're right on time. Oh let's see if I got everything.
You have quite an armful, you know, Miss Murray. I'll repeat
that offer I made before if you like, I mean about seeing you to
your car if you want me to do. Oh, no, it really
isn't necessary. Pretty dark night, young lady. But gee, I don't
know now that it comes right down to it. I guess I would feel
better if you'd walk over with me. Then I can drop you off at
the bus station, if you're sure it won't make you too late. Oh
no, I never run on a schedule. I'm often busy half the night
week at a hurry. There's the car fire. No, no, just
the other side of the grove, wachester jump which way? Oh? Right
over here there's a path all right. You see if you don't stumble,
you certainly don't waste much electricity in these statement. Now this is the bad
part in through the trees here. Why I'm glad you came. H start
all right and quietly trained on? Mm hmm, sick. Did you hear
something? What do you mean? There it is again, let's stop a
minute here it is someone following us. I don't hear a thing. It
must have been the trees. I could have sworn. Well, maybe not.
Let's go. Oh gee, you really have me worried for a moment.
Strange what trick's mental suggestion can play, very strange. Why there probably
isn't a living soul within half a mile of here, not at this time
of night. Now, if i'd been alone there he is look between the
trees that he's got a gun case that's till. No, no, it
can't be. I don't know you're here. It's not too dark for me
to shoot straight. You the conductor on the Roseville train. Case, if
you'll just step back on the path and put your hands over your head.
No no, no, run ca, you'll shoot You've killed her. I
doubt it. I A'm too low. Let's see, that's what I thought.
Bullet didn't even touch her. It's those heels. She tripped and hit
her head. You almost got away from you, But what are you waiting
for? Where's the knight? You'll see it soon enough. First come over
and give me a hand with this girl. I won't help you. I
won't move you do. I have to get to disagreeable. Why don't what
you killed me? You get it over it just a minute? Who do
you think I am? I know who you are. The one day everyone
will know your hair. You can't get away with it all that, mister,
I happened to be riding that train a special investigator. Why this gal
dropped her purse boarding in Grand Central and was so edgy about it? I
began to wonder what was inside I managed to spill her bundles later and get
a quick look in the purse while retrieving them. Then I remember the madman's
third victim was last scene walking with a pretty girl. Well, why do
you think I followed the two of you? Why? I don't know what
was in the purse. You ever see one of these approving knife? You
never know what's turned a normal mind into a crazy whirlpool of hate. Ah
me, I would have been the fourth victim. My purse? Where is
it? You're trading it for a pair of bracelets, sister. I never
thought the man I was after would be wearing spike heels. Suspense, You've
been listening to The Man who Murders People? Written for Suspense by Marianna Norris.
In a moment, the names of our players and a word about next
week's story of suspense. We never stopped to think about this. Radio is
the swiftest, most flexible news medium. In addition, as veteran CBS newsman
Lowell Thomas observes, I wonder if you are taking full advantage of something that
radio can do best of all, that is keep you informed on national and
world events. The Daily Human Show, That's what I'm here for and I
hope that you will join me each evening for a fast swing around the world
Lowell Thomas each Monday through Friday night at this radio address. Now here's news
about CBS News Soon, Broadcasting's foremost news service brings you twice the coverage,
double the detail, double the debt. Starting Monday, November twenty eighth,
each weekday, CBS News goes double for you for a full ten minutes every
hour on the hour. The first word in speed, the last word inaccuracy.
CBS News goes double for you on CBS Radio. Heard in tonight's story
were Vivian Smollen as Kaye, George Petrie as Jenkins, Alan Manson as Bill,
and Maurice Totland as the Conductor. Listen again next week when we return
with Knights on Red Mountain by William N. Robeson, another tale well calculated
to keep you in suspense wr W Albany, New York, Welcome Back.
It should be noted that two weeks after this episode was aired that Suspense was
canceled, which shows that the end of the Golden Age of radio wasn't driven
by a decline in quality, and of course suspense would return seven months later
to close out the Golden Age of radio along with yours truly, Johnny Dowler.
This was just a tremendous script and really all of the actors and it
hit it out of the park. Just great performances all around. Now,
of course, two of those actors we know pretty well on this podcast,
Maurice Tarplin, who played the undercover man was in Space, actor Faraday on
Boston Blackie, which I guess was my one reason in doubting his conclusion.
And then of course George Petrie has played the lead in a couple series,
but has also done a lot of guest acting in New York based radio series
as well as recurring roles. Most recently we heard him as Da Markham on
Follows Now. I don't recall hearing Alan Manson before nor Vivian Smollen, But
Vivian Smollen was actually quite inexperienced New York radio actress had two very prominent soap
opera roles. He played the daughter of Stella Dallas on that series. In
addition, she took over the lead role on Our Gal Sunday in nineteen forty
four and played it until the series went off the air in nineteen fifty nine,
actually acting opposite Carl Swinson for nearly an decade now. While this particular
performance was a different role than her soaps rules, he definitely channeled some of
that energy into her performance and it really does work. And for me,
I think that I suspected each of the four characters on stage throughout the performance,
but I didn't suspect her until the last act. Again, I thought
a really brilliant episode of suspense and I hope you enjoyed it as well,
and hopefully we will get to the episode that I intended to do sooner rather
than later. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the
day, and I want to go ahead and thank Philip. Philip has been
one of our Patreon supporters since June of twenty twenty, currently supporting the podcast
at the rookie level of two dollars or more per month. Thank you so
much for your support, Philip, and that will do it for today.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
Join us back here tomorrow when we begin our regular weekly line up with the
Falcon Where What's the matter? You fight to meet him? Why not?
Now careful for slugging me is no way to get me to work for you.
Everybody thinks I'm scared of Courtez. Look, I want to meet him.
You understand I've been ready right along. Only Whitney wouldn't sign me up.
Whitney's your manager. Yeah, so Whitney is scared of Cortez. He
said Cortez wouldn't throw fly, So well, maybe you will have to Cortez
gets through with you. Funny man. Now you look, you came here
to get me to help you out of the fight with Cortez. You can't
expect my overwhelming admiration. You've got it wrong. I just want a fair
fight. When I lick up might I want nobody's saying that he took a
dive. That's not the way you put a bill. That's the way I
meant it before. Now you're gonna take the job orch You want me to
check what quote les? Go find out if she was telling the truth about
Rich? Yes? Why not just report what you said to the commission and
let them investigate. Well, I don't want to stick my neck out if
she's lying. What's the girl look like? Really? Yeah? All right?
Boston I'll take the job. I hope you'll be with us then.
In the meantime, de 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.