Latest / Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas / Frank Race: The Adventure of the Fourth Round Knockout (EP0811)

Transcript

Frank Race: The Adventure of the Fourth Round Knockout (EP0811) · Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas

0:28
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
0:34
is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it
0:38
to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot Net. Give us a call two
0:43
eight nine nine four seven eight three, and become one of our friends on
0:48
Facebook, Facebook, dot com, Slash Radio Detectives. Well, today's episode
0:55
is brought to you by the financial support of our listeners. Well, now
1:00
it's time to get into today's adventure, Frank Race. This one is called
1:06
the Adventure of the Fourth Round Knockout. The Adventures of Frank Race, starring
1:11
Tom Collin. The War changed many things, the base of the Earth and
1:26
the people on it. Before the war, Frank Race worked as an attorney,
1:30
but he traded his lawbooks for the Cloak and Dagger of the oss And
1:34
when it was over, his former life was over too. Adventure had become
1:38
his business, The Adventures of Frank Race. And now which Frank Race for
2:00
the Adventure of the Fourth Round Knockout. It never came to a war between
2:09
Brooklyn and the rest of the world. I'd be tempted to bet on Brooklyn.
2:14
Whatever they go for, there they go for with spirit whether it be
2:16
the Dodgers or boxing matches and one of the small local clubs. Mark Donovan,
2:22
a native son, had dragged me over to one of the clubs to
2:23
see young heavyweight on the way up the ladder. I fetch you ever expected
2:30
to see a fight like this? Race? Look at him man a corner
2:34
frescos at face, go on, kill him. It's round, Freddy,
2:36
kill him, boy, here's a rough customer, Freddy Face. U used
2:40
to be a long showman before Mike Lang picked him up. Mike used to
2:44
force your cab before it became a fight match. I'll admit I never saw
2:46
a fight like this. And before him tell me Marcus, I have they
2:49
never heard of the Marcus at Queensbury? Nah? Nah, who say?
2:53
I'll tell you later, missus Station w b k L A voice of Brooklyn
2:59
coming to you from the ring side of the Red Hook Stadium. Fourth round
3:01
of the main event between Freddy Natchez and Joe Kenny. Freddy has had things
3:06
all his own way tonight. He's moving into the center of the ring and
3:08
Kenny's back peddling. Oh. Freddy moved in fast and cut Kenny with a
3:14
straight left jab. Kenny is back on the ropes and Freddy's pawning him with
3:16
rights and left and lafonta Freddy la fata Kenny twists away. He's mighty tired,
3:23
though Freddy's shoveling after him. He intends to finish it in this round
3:28
and another right and left the Kenny's mid section, and a left to the
3:30
side of the head. Freddy's had that right hand cocked. He's looking for
3:35
a Sunday punch opening and the co u. Kenny tucked away and flicked the
3:38
light left into Freddy's face. Didn't seem much of a punch, but Freddy's
3:43
backing up a little. He's falling. Freddy Natchez his town. The referee's
3:47
counting six. Come on, get up your pomb hey sold to fight.
3:55
Who's the kitten? Let's get out of here. I want to go back
3:58
to the tress room. It's so light lying which Mike would come out of
4:11
Let us send us something, he said to be honest, sons. The
4:14
doctor got finished with Freddy. Doc what said Coloca need a doctor? Boy?
4:16
It was hardly hit. I didn't seem as though it was, but
4:20
I don't know, Mark. It was a funny fool. Dad that wasn't
4:25
a fail, it was a dive. Went into the tank like Esther Williams
4:29
at oh hello, Mike, tough right fu Yeah? Yeah, yet double
4:36
cross and I like to go in and slugging myself. So madam, Mike,
4:43
come on, don't think it's wid He's dead. Mart Freddy's dead dead.
4:48
What didn't seem like much of a punch mine. It wasn't. That
4:51
isn't what killed him. It was poisonous boys, so the doc says.
4:58
But I don't know. I don't know how who was around him before the
5:00
fire. Nobody, Nobody but me is the only one with him for the
5:04
last four hours, right up until the time he climbed into the ring.
5:08
Afraid I'm in a jam. Did Freddy have any enemies? Mind? It
5:12
doesn't well, I mean, is there anybody in particular might have wanted him
5:15
out of the way? Was there anything unusual about this man? There was
5:18
a lot of betting race too much for a small club, bug, I
5:21
mean, somebody muted be a big killing. Yeah, but who wasn't one
5:26
of the big plungers. Most of them bet on my boy. Any particular
5:30
gambler around here goes for nothing, But sure things Oh yeah, Benny's slowte
5:33
but he's Claire on this one. I saw him better grand on Freddy just
5:36
last night. Race. I know you get big dough for your work,
5:43
and I ain't got that kind of money. But you're a friend of Mark.
5:45
Said's good enough. Oh what are we gonna do? Race, Let's
5:47
look up the sure thing boy. Benny's slote nobody lives. Yeah, sure,
5:53
he's got kind of a mansion up in the hills off Grandstand or Parkway.
5:56
Profane rod better drive me up there him Penny's slowed all. I seem
6:08
to connect that name with recent headlines. W yeah, yeah, got a
6:12
big splash something about the fixtion of favorite of the track, the horse lost,
6:15
and they say funny rake in a hundred jec Oh here's Ravine Road.
6:18
Nah, but I locked the door on your side, race Margot Horn pretty
6:25
now a road on the shop toyns. Yeah, see what's name? Yeah?
6:30
I know the road pretty good, though it's a dry penny round a
6:32
lot before you got that feign guy so nuts about canary yellow job. So
6:38
it's like it makes gambling paywell, well they can say that again. How
6:41
you turn my rear vision mirror up? With you run that okay, yeah,
6:46
yeah. The guy behind us has his bright's and a spotlight. You
6:48
wanted up brine and perfect visions mandatory on this run, the spotlight seems anxious
7:00
to pass it narrow. I'll let him blind when we come straight away,
7:09
all right, hedn't wait and Mark I got just brow bolly out. I'm
7:15
gonna get that kind of rason. Well, let's say a few words to
7:18
him myself be able to follow his tail at his shows. Make up some
7:21
crme. We're making him fast. But there's a light. Now, now
7:25
we canned curves and let's see it. There's the car hood. I'm gonna
7:30
portra in his baby's tail and then he stops. Light's deceptive mark. But
7:34
that car seems to be bright yellow. Hey it is. It must be
7:40
Bunny slows chat. I told you buy it seems to be slowing down.
7:43
Yeah, he knows we're telling him. Probably scared stiff we're stopping. That's
7:46
so await other here's why I read the riot act of this character. I'd
7:55
like to add a few words of my own yellow rat and maybe getting out
8:01
of his car, I'd probably want to hear what we have to say.
8:05
That's pretty dangerous driving. You did back their friend? What was your hurry?
8:07
Yeah, Penny, what's the idea you want to kill somebody with it?
8:11
Never mind, Mike, never mind When a guy dilip, I guess
8:16
we had nothing to say to Benny slowed after all. Yeah, but Race,
8:20
we followed this guy over a winding road doing better than sixty. We
8:22
were less than thirty feet behind him. He's alone in the car. I
8:24
know all that, Mark, but just the same Benny Slots dead. Look,
8:37
Race, Maybe we ought to call in a car so they'll come in
8:39
sil I'd like to clear Mike Lang before any arrested me. All right,
8:43
you're the boss Benny Slot's house. Now I want I should come in with
8:48
you. No, you make a rounds with the gambling hangouts, since they
8:50
then talk floating around about the fight the gambling card. Right, I got
8:54
back to my apartment, went for a call from me. Mark drove off,
8:58
and I studied the exterior of the house that sure Thagan's built. There
9:03
was an excellent taste and need glass and break much bigger than it seemed the
9:07
first glance. I decided to see if the interior matched. Yes, one
9:20
look at the woman in the doorway. It was enough to tell me who
9:22
would provided the aspects of good taste in life late in the slote fashion some
9:26
Paris are taking care of her dress. They didn't come close to what nature
9:30
had provided to the feeling. Here was a woman no man could ever whistle
9:33
at. It takes breath to whistle. Now I help you. Is this
9:39
the slope residences? No, he's as close as they'll ever get, though
9:45
the eye can him. Well, I'm not selling anything, really, I
9:48
just want to discuss a dead man I found up the room. Come in.
9:56
She snapped the light on. As we went into the living room.
9:58
The room wasn't empty him. Two glasses were on the coffee table in front
10:01
of the fireplace, and a slightly balding man was sitting stiffly on the the
10:05
van. Oh, mister Race, Frank Race, mister Race, this is
10:11
mister Hornigan, a pleasure, mister Race. Mister Hornigman was just leaving.
10:16
Yes, yes, I was just leaving. I sent you the statements in
10:20
the morning, Miriam. Mister Hornigman is our investment console. And mister Race
10:24
very interesting business. Rather dull, really facts and figures. Most people who
10:30
just aren't cautious enough to handle their own affairs. Does anybody have a match?
10:35
Allow me, Miriam, look out your clumsy pools. No harm done,
10:45
bend yourself, Honigman. No, no, the whole book of matches
10:48
just flared up in my hand. It's a bad habit, falling the cover
10:52
over behind the matches. Yes, yeah, stupid of me. Well,
10:56
good night, good night, good night now, mister Race, I was
11:03
driving along your road with a friend. Man on a yellow car almost drove
11:09
us off the road. My husband an exceedingly heavy man, about fifteen,
11:13
not heavy, fat and fifty five. But you you're twenty two, mister
11:20
Race. We followed mister sload. When he reached his car, he was
11:26
dead. I could still use a light for this cigarette. What makes you
11:31
so emotional, missus Slode? I asked you for a light, mister Race,
11:37
of course were you'll forgive me for being so old fashioned about dead husband.
11:46
Thank you for the light. Welcome? Now? Shall I mixes a
11:50
few martinis and get some dance music on the radio. You needn't be sarcastic,
11:54
mister Race. My husband's death is not unexpected, and it's neither us
12:00
shock nor a loss. Why not unexpected? Well, he's had a very
12:03
serious heart ailment for many years. That could do it, But I don't
12:07
think so. You see, I've had a sneaking suspicion that's grown a bit
12:11
stronger since I came in here. What do you mean I think your husband's
12:16
been murdered, missus loads justice. Benny Natches was murdered in the ring a
12:20
few hours ago. Oh, you ought to put on some fresh makeup.
12:24
You are pale, your hands shaking just a little. Isn't that understandable with
12:30
my husband dead? He was dead when I let your cigarette a moment ago.
12:33
It must have been his heart, mister Race, what motive? Motive?
12:37
Well, let's take yours, rest us mine. You obviously hidden well,
12:43
so did a lot of other people. Yeah, I'll take your word.
12:46
Man, Benny made my life miserable. I had orders to stay away
12:48
from other people, men or women. I wasn't even allowed to let anybody
12:52
into the house unless he was home, including honyman different not the romantic tail.
12:58
Benny was a jealous fool. I think that's a story you'd better tell
13:01
the police. I think I can convince you that that isn't necessary, mister
13:05
Race, If you'll give me the chance there's something I'd like to show you
13:09
one. It's in this drawer over here. Does this convince you, mister
13:16
Race? An automatic pistol? Well, that's always convincing. I'm not going
13:20
to have you involved in me in this. Do you understand an automatic demands
13:24
a lot of respect and complete attention. Mine is distracted momentarily by a movement
13:30
outside the window. You needn't look for help, mister Race. This house
13:33
is quite isolating. I know it is. You said your husband had enemies.
13:39
Do you have a choice due with your own? Why? Maybe very
13:43
important to know in the next few moments. Do you know how to use
13:46
that cannon you're pointing at me? I assure you I'm an expert. Let
13:50
me I have a demonstration. Do you think you can hit that lamp?
13:52
Put it out quickly? What are you getting at? I'm not sure,
13:56
but I think I'm trying to say a little night. Don't look now that
13:58
there's a man outside the garden. No, don't turn a rifle, Harry
14:03
Connors. I don't know if he's going to shoot you with me, but
14:07
you's after it might be to your advantage to get rid of that light.
14:20
We'll return to the Adventures of Frank Race in just about one minute. And
14:33
now back to the Adventures of Frank Race. Miriam Slowed fired a split second
14:41
before the man outside the window. Let's go with his rifle, and I
14:43
dived to the first sound, dropping hard to the floor behind the band and
14:46
await from the window. We found each other in the dark, all right,
14:52
Yes, a good shot. So what are you going to do do
14:56
your Harry Connors comes in and see you hit me? That's him? You
15:01
gamble on something? What There's no point in risking shooting mats in the dark.
15:05
Give me time to crawl upont way at the door. That's where you've
15:09
gone at the window? All right, maam, I hey you in there?
15:20
Answer me here, am Yeah? Nice work with him? All right,
15:30
turn on the light. He was gonna kill me, wasn't he.
15:33
He certainly didn't come courting a young widow. I suppose you tell me who
15:37
Harry Connors is, because he's coming. Two of him. He getting very
15:39
busy around here again. Harry and I were engaged before I married Benny.
15:43
He introduced us. How did he come to no sload? How are you
15:46
used to make bets for Benny? When Benny didn't want other people to know
15:48
his money was up. When was the last time? Just before Benny and
15:50
I were married three months ago, they had a fight about getting there.
15:54
Yes, Harry, but he'd killed both of us real He's out to keep
16:00
Happy's promise or maybe finish the last half the partner while I ruin your drapers?
16:07
What are you gonna do? Sorry? Friend to hurry up? Talk
16:08
him away in the closet for a while. Will we enjoy a nice drive
16:11
in the cool night air? Where are we going? Call my friend Mark
16:14
Donovan will pay a visit to a fighter named Joe Kenny who knocked Freddy Nx's
16:18
out of this world? Is Kenny's joined right here? Good? You and
16:27
miss slow take a few turns around the block. I want to talk to
16:30
Kenny alone, right race yell if you nate me? Huh yeah? Benny
16:41
slowed sent man come in. I looked. Benny wants me to front from
16:48
it and not just kill and tell him not gonna do it the dirty double
16:51
cross it. And he doesn't want you to get excited excited? Does he
16:53
matter? Was he too yellow to come up here himself? I don't want
16:56
to be mixed up in this poison. It ain't my line if something went
17:02
wrong. Yeah, you can say that again. I'm set up to take
17:04
a dive in a sixth and then Freddy crows up and dies, I'm in
17:07
the fourth. Benny says, you'll get your money back. I better get
17:11
it back, he said, I had after eleven years in the ring.
17:15
I'm too old. I was willing to make one killing, but not the
17:19
kind that's just got. All I wanted was dope. Just don't talk in
17:25
your break even. I'll talk all right if anybody starts to finger me at
17:27
the inquest. But he's too smart. We're all supposed to be betting a
17:32
natches. I know how he switched his action to me, placing his door
17:34
against mine and everybody else's. He bet a thousand dollars and natches. Yeah,
17:40
I should have gotten wise right then. Then he wouldn't bet one lousy
17:44
grant on a sure thing. You know him better than that. What do
17:48
you? What do you mean? They're not wouldn't be boys. I never
17:53
saw you before. You're a cop. No, you're a cop. He's
17:59
trying to him. I'll take it easy care. Yeah, you ain't getting
18:00
me. He came at me like he was an old fighter and his reflexes
18:06
were just a tribal slow. But he could hit caught me whatever the heart
18:08
and my knees buckled. But I caught him behind the knees and dumped into
18:11
the bloor. I ground my heel into his ship. As he got up,
18:15
he jerk forward slightly in the planned one blow in his stomach and let
18:18
him have an elbow on the side of the jar, and I pumped on
18:21
him as it fell. All right, not Kenny, don't move, I'll
18:26
break your wrist. All right, you got me. I told you I'm
18:30
not a cop. I'm investigating for Mike Lang, Freddy's manager. All I
18:33
wanted to save his neck. You on the level. Yeah, I'm not
18:37
gonna get back to a normal conversation, and I'll let you have. Okay.
18:42
You said that you knew that Benny switched his action to you and cleaned
18:45
up by betting on your women. Well, Benny's dead, huh, he
18:52
yes, And the key to was murder, and Freddy's is the man who
18:55
placed the bets for Benny. Now, who was it, Well, I
19:00
don't know for sure. I don't even know his name. What it was?
19:04
One guy what did he look like? Fight? Did you get anything
19:17
out of Joe Kenny Race? If somebody shot him when I was talking to
19:18
him? Holy? Look at you? You looked like someone's been using you
19:23
for a drum. Where's Miriam Slow? I want to make a phone twelve?
19:27
You all like cafeteria on the corner, and so did I, and
19:30
we'd better find him. I want to run back to her house check up
19:33
on Harry Connors. Connors was the reason for my phone call. I thought
19:37
i'd see what I could pick up about him. What did you find out?
19:40
While he was a betting commissioner for Bunny Sloughty, but nobody used to
19:42
be He used to be a pharmacist. Now, ain't that interesting? Since
19:48
Natz hasn't probably been every poison? Very interesting? Oh, he's a cafeteria.
19:53
Well do you see the phone move through the window? Seem to be
19:56
empty? What was your wind? As she comes from around the cornet looking
20:03
for me? Yes, who did you call before Bill Honigman? You met
20:07
him at the house? Or I thought you might want to examine my husband's
20:11
books, or I asked Hornigman about his recent business dealing. It might be
20:15
a good idea. First, I think I'll call him Freddy and matches his
20:18
wife. Of the circumstances, I'm sure she won't be sleeping. Can I
20:22
give you any information? It's time for you to have another cigarette. Somebody
20:29
shot him while I was talking to it. Anybody, anybody at all your
20:37
husband's saw just before the fight. Missus matches only Mike Kline. But Mike
20:42
wouldn't hurt Freddy. I know it wasn't here. You know it, and
20:45
I know it. With the coroner jury ward, you got to think,
20:48
well, somebody wanted Freddie to throw the fight, but that was earlier in
20:52
the day. Besides, Freddie said it was just the joke joke. Yes,
20:57
he was a real estate salesman wanted to self ready at house. Did
21:00
Freddie act strangely before the fight, different from other times? No, he
21:07
wasn't so nervous like he sometimes got any reason why now? He took something
21:12
to calm him down. He even took a nap. What did he take?
21:17
Some kind of appeal? He got it from the real estate fellow.
21:21
He must have took one himself, because Freddy asked him if he took vitamins,
21:23
and he said no, He had a nervous stomach, and then he
21:26
gave Freddie one at them and told him if he took it just a couple
21:30
of hours before the fight, he'd feel fine and work. Yeah, it
21:34
was fine when it left, right, Thank you very much? Missing that
21:38
Chi fine them? Fine, don't killed my Freddie? Come on in in
21:56
a moment. He used to outside waiting the car stand over there? Well,
22:02
Race, are you coming or not? Be right there? I got
22:03
your where's mister Donovan? He had to leave. I didn't hear the car.
22:11
He probably carried it to avoid waking the neighbors. You go out of
22:15
your way to make it obvious. You don't like me, but I do.
22:19
I like you very much. Well, they don't show it. I
22:26
I feel so alone, Race, I need somebody to hold me, baby
22:32
me a little. That could be an invitation. Other men wouldn't like to
22:37
have me in their arms. Race get closer. I race for her.
22:44
We're a crowded city in the desert island. Should have been a companion.
22:49
M There'll be more for us, won't their race? We'll meet again,
22:55
won't we away from all this? Of course we will. After Benny's funeral,
23:00
we can meet knights at the cemetery. And hold hands as we sit
23:03
on his tombstone. You ul know Miriam as a gentleman present Horniman, Hi,
23:08
I'm sorry, this is embarrassing. I got here and nobody was at
23:14
home. I must have dozed off. Were you spying on me? No?
23:18
No, I I dozed. Mister Horningman left evidence of his presence in
23:21
the entry hall, his raincoat, hat, rubbers. I catch cole easily,
23:26
mister Race. I know it must seem silly to you when there's no
23:29
sign of a store. Race. Look the closet. Harry must he's gone.
23:33
I noticed that only came in. Aren't you going after him? You
23:36
please can pick him up with well. I I hope he's in it,
23:40
and I hate to see still set the middle of out here. It's nice
23:45
even if you aren't engaged anymore. No, or maybe you will be again?
23:48
Both were you? You were engaged to Harry Connors, Yes, Horningman,
23:53
didn't you know threw him over to marry Benny Sloane. Of course Benny
23:57
was older and fat, but he didn't have money. Maybe she'll go back
24:02
to Harry. No, yes, maybe she will. Of course she might
24:07
marry somebody else with money. Temporarily some fella who might have made a big
24:11
killing on a betting transaction. That's possible. I'm sure Missus Sloats Fromancis don't
24:18
interest me. Missus load, don't you mean, Miriam you're on better turned
24:22
man telling me Missus Slade wasn't Harry Connors your investment consulate before Huntington took over.
24:29
Yes? Why because Connors used to place your husband's bets and Hollington took
24:34
over the job. He's the one who placed Benny's bets for the fight.
24:37
Are you accusing me of killing Sloat? Yes, and that's then you're a
24:41
fool because whoever killed them also killed Joe Kenny, and I can prove I
24:45
was in my hotel when Kenny was killed. Who told you Kenny was killed?
24:49
Miriam told me when she called her asked me to come over here.
24:52
Oh that's too bad because I didn't tell Miriam until after she had called him.
24:57
Oh, Nick, when you fool Marry, I didn't know. Fortunately
25:02
I didn't rely on you, Hornig. No, Missus Sloat still has an
25:04
automatic, and this time it won't be the light bulb. Bye, Hid,
25:08
Before you pull that trigger, mirryam, I might warn him you're in
25:12
for a deafening silence. I opened your person every the gun while we were
25:15
driving back in the current. What what it was? Floated up? Oh
25:25
my arm? You let him get away? I did a guy like that
25:37
trying to say no to mean my end rights can't get on might though you
25:41
never want dame there wildcat, But that sissy little guy Hornigman just the victim
25:48
of wild love. He wanted the money and sweet Miriam, I can tell
25:52
you how she shot Kenny, But what's your poison? The others Now,
25:56
he's the type who has a pill remedy for everything. Only he had a
25:59
few specialmens made up for special people. Slow disolving capital, the late accent.
26:06
I still don't see how you Paganore. You don't look like a guy
26:08
who takes chances. However, he was over shows in somewhere with him.
26:14
It was the way he carry's matches. He didn't follow his usual behavior.
26:18
What do you mean we've bet the cover behind the match isn't the court fire?
26:22
A careful conservative person wouldn't do this. He had better call it police,
26:26
Mark and call Mike Lang to tell him he can go to sleep now.
26:38
The Adventures of Frank Race starring Tom Collins with Tony Barrett as Mark Donovan
26:42
comes to you from Hollywood. Others heard in tonight's cast were Florence Hallet,
26:47
Frank love Joy, Tom Holland, Michael Ann Barrett, Jack Crucian and Ted
26:51
Bvonnels. This series has written and directed by Buckley Angel and Joel Murcotton.
26:55
The music is composed and played by Ivan Ditmars. Be sure to be with
26:59
us again this time next week for another dramatic chapter in the adventures of Frank
27:03
Race Art Gilmore speaking. This is a Bruce Als production. Welcome back,
27:41
while another great supporting role by Frank Lovejoy, who will hear in a staring
27:48
wall whenever when we get to a nightbeat or plays Randy Stone also love Mark
27:56
Donovan. Is this representative of the Golden age Radio vision of Brooklyn is a
28:04
somewhat rock is placed, but in a mostly friendly, benign sort of way.
28:11
Well, that will actually do it for today. I want to remind
28:14
you that coming up in about a month we'll be premiering our sixth show.
28:21
On every Saturday, we will have for you the lineup in which you will
28:26
see the innocent, the guilty, the vagrant, the thief, and the
28:30
murderer. So you want to be expecting the lineup coming January fifth of two
28:37
thousand and thirteen, Well, that will actually do it for today. Follow
28:42
us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, become one of our friends on Facebook,
28:47
Facebook dot com, Slash Radio Detectives, and take our listeners Survey Survey,
28:53
dot great Detectives dot net. But from Boise, Idaho, this is your
28:56
host, Adam Grahamson and off