Episode Transcript
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(00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam Graham,bringing you this week's episode of Box thirteen.
You got any comments, police feelfree to email me Box thirteen at
Great Detectives dot net. Please castyour vote for the show on podcast Alley
Podcast Alley dot Great Detectives dot net, and please visit our Facebook page Facebook
(00:52):
dot Great Detectives dot net. Allright, well, I want to continue
for just a moment on the wholecommversation I was having last Friday about Agatha
Christian old time radio. Now I'venot had time to hear back from anyone
else if they're aware of any AgathaChristie detectives in old time radio. But
(01:15):
what I've been able to locate hasmostly been There was a poor radio series.
There was also a performance of theCampbell's Playhouse of featuring a Poilo mystery.
And then there was a show calledMurder Clinic which aired from forty two
(01:38):
to forty three, and it featuredseveral several stories from Agatha Christie, someone
with poor Row, but there wasalso one with Miss Marble, and then
another one was someone I had notheard before, Parker Pine. Now,
while I was researching this, Icame up. Now I should mention that
(02:01):
the episodes with Marple and Parker Pineand all but one episode with Poirot of
Murder Clinic are basically lost at thispoint. But while I was doing all
this research, I came up withsomething very relevant to Box thirteen as well
as to Let George Do It.These shows are both noted for their introductions
(02:24):
the unique style that involves an advertisementrunning a newspaper. Um. While I
found a potential inspiration for this thatmay have been an inspiration for the creators
of Box thirteen and Let George DoIt, and it actually comes from an
(02:46):
Agatha Christie novel called The Secret Adversaryfeaturing Tommy and Tuppens. I hope I'm
pronouncing that correctly. Tuppens and theybasically their way of getting business is to
run an add and here is thead copy. They came up with two
(03:07):
young adventurers for hire, willing todo anything, go anywhere, Pay must
be good, no unreasonable offer refuse. They were kind of desperate for work,
so yeah, well we even takean unreasonable offer. But that to
me sounds a lot like the Boxthirteen ad and so I think that Chris
(03:31):
Christie device was certainly an inspiration forthe creators of both of both shows,
because I see I see a lot. I think there's a definite connection there.
So just a little tibbett um.But we're gonna go ahead and get
into today's episode of Box thirteen.This one is Diamond in the Sky.
(03:54):
We'll get into it in a second. Before we do, I want to
encourage you if as you make yourtravel plans for the new year, remember
this one website, Johnny Dollar Airdot com. Johnny Dollar Air dot com
is Priceline dot com, so youget the great deals that come along with
Priceline as well as being able tosupport great old time radio. So just
(04:17):
remember that name, Johnny Dollar Airdot com. But let's get into today's
episode, Diamon in the Sky Boxthirteen with the style of Paramont Pictures,
Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday buckstefteen gareof staff times you add LTE's for adventure.
(04:49):
I have it for you. Ifyou will go any place I can
offer Paris, if you will doanything you aldmn I need. If you're
interested, I call at my officeany day between the hours of any any
day between the hours of ten amand noon. I am a two forty
(05:10):
seven Wabash Place, signed William MartinParish Adventure. What a dream that could
have been? It was, butthe awakening was different. And now back
(05:42):
to box thirteen and then Holiday's newestADVENTURER. Diamond in the Sky sounded great,
the trip to Paris and the adventurefor the frosting on the cape.
Whoever mister William Martin was, hemust have known that waving a deal like
that in front of anyone was makingit a sure thing. But Susie,
(06:05):
as usual, had something to say. I don't know, mister Holliday.
Maybe if just somebody kidding you,that's a girl, Susie, get out
the wet blankets, spread him around. Then again, maybe this mister Martin,
it is beyond approach. The wordSusie is reproach. But I've got
a brilliant idea. What, misterHalliday, It's all very simple. I
(06:29):
go to see mister William Martin attwo forty seven Wabash Place. Wabash Place
was one of those little streets filledwith small businesses. The number two forty
seven was by itself no display windowin front, like the others. I
thumbed the bell button that had acard under it with William Martin engraved on
(06:50):
it. One minute later, afterintroductions, I was looking across the desk
at a short, stocky, applecheeked man who said, no one knows
you have come here, mister Holiday. No, just my secretary. Oh,
but she won't say anything. You'repositive? I am good. A
cigarette, mister Holiday, Yes,thanks, and a light. You do
(07:14):
not like my brand? All thelaxes of fuse. What's in it?
My special tobacco? But the heelsin ashtay ah. Thanks Well, mister
Martin, you wrote that letter thebox thirteen and here I am ah good
down to business. Then he openeda drawer to got a photograph and studded
(07:34):
across the desk for me. WhatI saw was a picture of a diamond,
But what a piece of ice?I was studying it when Martin spoke
again. I see by your expression, mister Holliday, that you are popularly
impressed. Oh I'm impressed, misterMartin. What is this the rock of
Gibrawler or something not quite? Thatis the nabbiliest diamond? Oh you've held
(07:59):
everything, yes, yes, buthard as it concerned me here. These
credentials will tell you who I am. William Martin. But that's my name.
Yes, but well you look,Martin asked me. Sheet the papers
with his photo on him. Itwas William Martin, representative of Jason van
van Declare name sounded familiar, Martin, read my expression again. And mister
(08:20):
Van Deflift is a diamond merchant.He has recently purchased the Merapilis for a
million dollars. There's a lot ofhay for a lot of eyes. I
beg your father er, I'm sorry. Go ahead, mister Mark. The
gem is in Paris. I amto get it and bring it over here,
I say, And Mark's thirteen.You will go with me. Mister
(08:43):
Halliday, I have reservations for youon the honor just a man. Are
not a bodyguard, mister Martin raa private DETECTI please? Nothing? So
who to mister Harriday. No,I have a much better plan. But
first let me tell you something.There is no jewell thief in the world
who would not risk everything to getin the happiness. They could never sell
(09:05):
it, no, no, butit could be cut up and any one
of the smaller stones would more thanrepay the thief a a coubble. Yes,
I guess you're right. Okay,where do I can then? Hell,
it is very simple, but likeall simple things, it is brilliant.
I thought of it. Congratulations,Thank you. Now you will pick
up the diamond in Paris. Iwill go on the same plane, but
(09:28):
we shall be complete stein joels toeach other. Do you begin to see,
mister Holiday. Sure, if anyone'swise that you're going over to get
the stone, they'll follow you exactly. But I won't have it you will.
I shall stroll around Paris as atourist. Anyone following me will be,
shall we say, following a redbackgroun. All right, let's say
(09:54):
it. Oh, but there's onlyone thing wrong on I did not think
of some being important. Yeah,that's right me. Suppose this plan doesn't
fool anyone that I'm set up likea clay pigeon. You lose a marvelous
Now I'm just another claim for theinsurance company. No, no, no,
you have no worthy. Well maybeI worry easily, mister Martin,
(10:16):
especially if I'm carrying a million dollarsworth of date. Mister Holliday, Only
you and I know of this,Yeah, can be no league of information
unless you tell someone. Oh sure, I'll go around telling everyone that Dan
Holidays is set up here. Iam fellows, come and get me.
They're right, and thieves would killto get the diamond they have already.
(10:37):
Why I can tell you the historyof the stone. Can cut that murder,
London, murder, Vienna, twodeaths. Mister Martin skept the cooks
tour of the mark, But youadvertised for adventure, mister Holiday. You
will go any place, do anythingwhere touche a little below the belt.
(11:01):
But touchet and you've added one moreto the population of Paris. Martin's plan
was simple, and if it worked, a good way to get the marabolous
into the United States, I said, if, hey, who invented that
word? Well? It was threedays later that I was ready to leave
(11:22):
passport Okay papers in order. Inthe phone call from Martin wanting me not
to recognize him when we were onthe plane, I gave instructions to Susan
and left for the airport. Afew hours later I was out over the
Atlantic. Martin said, well infront of me and never once looked back.
(11:43):
So I played it his way,and beyond a quick look paid no
attention to him. Then, asI was settling down to watch the ocean
go pasted underneath Holiday, mister DanHoliday, Oh yes I'm Holiday. I'm
Marie and Carson your stewardess. Ohhow are you fun? And you wonderful?
Thank you good. Here's a letterfor you. Letter you're shirts for
(12:07):
me, mister Holiday. Seat nineteen, flight twelve. Check all the way
through and then all right, thanksMisscussion. You're welcome all miss Carson.
Is there something you want? Well, just an answer to a question.
Who gave you this? We knownit was among last minute letters and packages
and gifts broad passengers. Oh Isee well, thanks again, Misscussion.
(12:30):
Not at all, mister Holiday.The letter was from Martin. Brief into
the point I was to go toan address in Paris and stay there until
he called. Well, mister Martinwas playing them close to his vest.
Maybe he didn't trust me, andwho could blame him with a million dollars
worth of diamond for Nancy wasn't dealingall the cards at once. Well,
(12:50):
all I had to do was waitingfor morning Paris. Early next morning we
landed at the Bourget Field. Istuck close behind Martin, leaving the plane,
but he didn't give me a tumblesoon. Well, I guess my
queue was to hold up at theaddress mention the letter until he got in
touch. I was trying to flydown a taxi when the last time you
(13:13):
saw Paris, mister Holiday, olloscars. Looks like you're having trouble.
Yes, a little saying how doyou get one of these rounded grass offers
to stop? You wave in Frenchlike this? Oh, just like that.
I teach me the wave like that, and I'll be able to get
a taxi in Paris. Of course, if you'll lend your face. There's
(13:35):
nothing to it. Oh I amI almost forgot. I came out here
to find you something wrong. Passportpapers? No, but I believe this
is yours. How did you getthis? I found it on the floor
of the plane just after you left. Oh, what's the matter? I
(13:56):
nothing? Can I give you alift? No thing? So I had
my reports to make out maybe someof the time. If we're still in
Paris, Well, i'll be forthree days before the hot back to the
stage. No, I see,well, thanks a lot, Missconsin.
I'll be seeing you, I hope, so, mister Holiday. She walked
away from me. In my handwas the letter from Martin telling me where
to stay until I heard from him. I hopped into the cab, gave
(14:18):
the driver the address, and thenleaning back in the sea clinking. The
letter was in my inside coat pocket. Pretty hard for anything to fall out
of there. But my coat hadbeen on a hangar, and I'd been
away from it just long enough foranyone to pick up that letter. So
if anyone was wise to the waythe game was being played, Martin was
(14:39):
home safe, while I stood upbetter than even chance of being picked off
a first base. A half hourlater, I was sitting in the little
room with the address given me whenyes are we Hello? Yes, oh
(15:01):
Martin? Yes, everything was allright fine, Now you are sure no
one knows where you are? WhyHoliday? All right, no one knows.
Now here is an address. Goto it. There you will pick
up the package. Okay, now, don't write this down. Remember it
all right, all right, Ican remember it. No, no,
(15:26):
no, do not repeat it.They have just remember it all right,
all right, Please, mister Holiday, you understand my concern. Look my
next out of yard to Martin.Of course, of course. Now listen,
there is a monsieur Correy ask forhim. Identify yourself with these words,
I've come from the sky. Youhear that I got it done?
(15:50):
What? There will be no question? Those worlds are how cold? Now?
I am registered at the Vodom Hotel. Leave the pitch for me at
the disk just like that, Ileave it I am doing now. That
is all guest is up to you, mister Horniday. Okay, and yes
(16:11):
what now? For your sake,I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong. And
now back to Box thirteen and Diamondin the Sky with Alan ladd as damn
(16:37):
Holiday. The rest was up tome, Martin said. All I had
to do was collect the Morablis diamond. See that I wasn't caught off face
delivered to Martin, and then thatwas all. I hail a cab on
the street, kata sank rude legaremwith an action like let's just talk English?
(16:59):
Huh. Yes, it wasn't verygood. Are you an American?
No? A Londoner from Limehouse hoping? So that was forty five rue de
la gere, wasn't it? Yes? That's right? How did you know
I was an American? You kidding? I drove a cam three years in
Brooklyn. He wants to know howI know he's an American. Okay,
(17:21):
I'm asked, then you should knowwhat this means. Step. I don't
never mind the tickets me. Iain't heard that since the days in flat
boys. Hold on, felt herewe go. You're here, Governor want
me to wait? Yeah, andgive that mother hut? They what's that?
(17:41):
I don't know? Not just wait, okay, Governor, I'll be
here. I went into the house. As for Monsieur Kay gave him the
code words I've come from the sky, and without a word, he went
to the fireplace, left it outa brick and handed me a velvet case.
After all this, I had totake a look inside the case.
(18:07):
Well, the marabulous looked like apiece of something that would make any crut
risk his neck or mine. Isnapped the case shut. Ray said nothing.
He just watched me. Showed meup. All right, Limehouse,
bind o'me hotel and on the way, you don't bother the fly off.
I don't know what this is allabout. Sit, but when you went
in that house, that cart pulledup back of it and stopped. Huh,
(18:29):
And they kept their motor ut too. Limehouse was right. It looked
as though somebody had talked but notme, and said then Mark would pull
away. The big cartailed after us, Limehouse, turning his head to talk
to me. They're tailing us,all right? Can you get away with
this act? The three cylinders stillworking? A good Answerman, You've gotta
make it. What did you do? Pinch the crown jewels? You're a
(18:49):
warm stop on. Don't do yourbest? Would you? Did you pull
a heist? No? Okay,you've gotten on his face. All right,
Governor, there's nothing keeping this acttogether but ternamites holding hands. But
here we go. The big kindthe back didn't lose an inch. Limehouse
and I had to go through anempty stretch of road, so I told
him. I thought that's where themugs and the big car would make their
(19:11):
pitching. As. You're right,But I've got an idea I can use
it. Listen, look down thestreet. Do that turn to the right.
Yeah. I'll get close to thecurb as I can, and you
get ready for a jump show.I'll act like I'm going straight, But
where do I showed you? I'llturn fast to the right. You jump
out rolling the doorway or something?What about you? I'll make a.
(19:32):
You turn back out, pull themugs down the street after me. You
got it, got it? Here'syour fare? Plus, Hey, that's
too much fun since Tony Island.Okay, pal, try for the brass
ring. Nah, how a boy, Limehouse? It worked. I collected
a few bruises, but I'd stillhave the diamond. Farther down the road,
(19:55):
Limehouse stopped. He had too becausethe boys in the big car angle
in front of his cab. Iwaited long enough to make sure Limehouse was
going to keep his health. ThenI doubled back and forth until I came
out on the main street. There, I took a bus eye. I
felt like having lots of people around. I got to the bottom hotel,
walked to the desk and told theclerk I wanted to leave a package for
Monsieur William Martin. Oh brother,I got the surprise of my life when
(20:21):
the clerk told me there was noMonsieur William Martin registered there. Well,
I sat down to figure that oneout. Then, just when I was
about to give up, old no, no, no, don't look at
me, Martin. But the devilthen that you are not speaking to me.
Now you had to stone yes,that I almost did that happened?
(20:45):
It's a long story. You wantto hear it now? Oh no,
we have not enough time. Look, I will put part of my newspaper
on the sofa between us. Then, when no one is looking, put
the diamond under the paper. Okay, then what after a minute, I
will pick up the newspaper, Andy, and I hope this high school is
with you, mister Martin, funnyquill, don't worry. Well, I
(21:11):
looked like it all finished. Ikind of chickens that weren't there. A
half hour later, I went tothe room at my hotel. I just
had the door open when I lookedfor my deep dream of peace with a
knot on my head and a distastefor the whole proceedings and the room,
(21:33):
well, it was in shambles.Somebody had fine comba at the drumming on
my head. The manager knew nothingabout it. That made us even because
I couldn't figure why somebody took thetrouble to slug me and searched the room
when I didn't have a diamond,unless unless somebody thought I was still caring.
(21:56):
That's somebody. I had an idea, and forty minutes later I was
sitting across from Iron Carson and alittle sidewalk to pay. Mister Holiday,
You're insane. I will be afteranother knock on my head. But why
do you accuse me? Because noone but Mark knew where I was going
to stay in Paris? And you, but this is ridiculous. How should
(22:18):
I know the latter you've said droppedout of my continy? It did drop
from your pocket and I did notread it. Really, I think this
is a ridiculous story on mister Martin, who wasn't at his hotel to pick
up a diamond worth a million dollars. Men chasing you, hitting you,
searching your room, and now simplybecause I had my hands on a letter,
you will accoose me of a whoelse knew it? You're a mister
(22:41):
Martin. That's another thing. Inever saw you with anyone on that plane.
You spoke to no one, Yougot off alone. Really, mister
Holiday, it's a fantastic story.No one saw me with Martin exactly.
(23:02):
And now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to the
Bourget. He's taken up too muchof my time already. All right,
all right, miss Carson, butwill you do me a favor. What
confess to the whole thing. AdmitI'm a notorious international jewelsy No, I
just get me on the plane backof the States. Look, I I
(23:22):
apologize. All right, all right, I accept the apology, and I'll
do my best to get you outof Paris. You will you seem to
be allergic to trouble here. You'reso right, miss Carson, You're so
right? After that rag wear allin Paris, New York's Laguiria Airport.
(23:48):
Sure look good to me. Iwas leaving the field when welcome home,
all well, claim, what anice surprise? I went more. Come
on, hey, wait a bitof what is this? You're a writer,
write a line for yourself. Nowwhat are you talking about? I'm
talking about a pinch holiday which thisis arrested? Wait a minute. It
(24:10):
didn't make sense. Nothing made sense. On the way into the city,
Cling wouldn't say a word for everyquestion I asked, He growled. Finally
in his office, where's the diamondholiday? Diamond mirabulous, mirabulius? Where
is it? I smuggle it in? Cling? So you got through customs?
How quit starling? Where is it? Are you kidding? I've made
(24:33):
it an ice and nobody, kids, nobody. Now, wait a minute,
why did you pick me up?I stopped the nat of Office to
say, alone, Susie told methat you were in Paris. Yesterday we
got word from Jason van der Cliffthat the Mirablius diamond he was to get
from Paris hasn't shown up. Wechecked with the Paris police. A guy
named Koray described me. Is thatit. Susie tells me you're in Paris.
(24:53):
Kloray describes you and two or twomake four? Now start talking well.
I told cling the story starting withMartin's let of the Box thirteen and
ending with my return to the States, and you approved that. Yarn good
Martin and ask him that'll be alittle tough. He's dead. What Yeah?
(25:14):
When did you leave for Paris?Day before yesterday? Martin's body was
found in the river that day.We didn't get an identification out of yesterday.
Van the Cliffe identified him, clinging, you're you're crazy. I tell
you Martin went to Paris on thesame plane with me. Here is Martin's
photograph. Take a good look.This isn't the Martin. Vander Cliff Watter,
(25:38):
his own agent and the Martin theMartin, I went with, was
a fake, will probably kill thereal Martin took his place. He was
his own photo and the credentials.He showed you all right as a brilliant
remark. And with the crooks whochased me in Paris, my being head
(26:00):
over the head after I got thediamond, I yeah, it's easy to
figure out you're fake. Martin sentthose hoods after you to get the diamond
and get rid of you for goods, so you couldn't identify him. That's
why he was measured at the hotel, because it didn't expect me to show
up the diamond and the crack overthe head. Yeah, your room search,
sure, sure, sure. WhenI got away from his boys,
he sent him to my room,thinking I might go back there before I
(26:21):
went to the Bondom. I walkedin while they were searching the room,
and they slugged me. Don't justsay cling, I'm in the clear.
How well, because I had nothingto do with the holiday. You've got
your story, but only Martin cankeep you out of jail. Then you've
got to find Martin. How hemust have taken an earlier flight from Paris,
(26:42):
But how could he get the diamondsthrough customs. I don't know.
You know, Holiday, this lookslike the end of Box thirteen for you.
Martin loses himself in a city ofseven million, lays low, and
leaves you to take the rap.What if I find him, You'll still
have to make him talk for somecling. You know, I've never been
mixed up in anything shady. MaybeI've been roped in because I follow things
(27:04):
through, but but never deliberately.What are you getting at? Well,
well, you let me find Martin. How you're our only link with him
and you don't know a thing abouthim. He could dye his hair,
leave off his glass. I know, I know, But but if I
don't find him, I'm in trouble. Is that right? You've never been
more right in all your life?All Right, if I don't find him
(27:26):
in twenty four hours, I'll walkback in here and you can do what
you want with me. Is thata deal? You? No? Holiday?
When I was a kid, Ialways wanted to be a cop.
My father wanted me to be asign painter. Now I realized my father
was a smart man. All right, Go ahead, A needle in a
(27:51):
haystack. I was hunting, pardonit, was a pretty sharp needle.
Any character who could think I'm aframe as need as this one would be
tough to locate if they still intown, but I had to go ahead.
It took me two hours to remembersomething that would help me seven hours
more to follow it up at anhour to get hold of Iron Carson and
take her with me, then callClean give him a setup. It was
(28:12):
later that night that I knock onthe door. Yeah, telegraph from mister
Benjamin Slide. Hello Martin. Iused to be a salesman. I'm good
at sticking my foot in doors.Who are you, mother Hubbard? And
I've come to take a look inyour cupboard. Mister Martin, my name
(28:37):
is Sleeve, Benjamin's Sleeve. Soyou did die your hair, and you're
much prettier without glasses. I havenever seen you before in my life,
yes, but I've seen too muchof you. Come on, Slater,
Martin, give it up with you. What brought you here? One of
your peculiar cigarettes? I remembered Itried to smoke one when I first met
you. You haven't seen Yes,I went to your fake office in Wabash
(29:02):
Place. There was an ashtray withsome cigarette but still in it. It
took me seven hours to run downa dealer who makes your cigarettes. Clever,
but I still deny ever having seenyou before in my life. Oh
okay, let's try something else.Come in place, Ley Martin. This
is miss Carson. Our steward ison the trip over. Remember, miss
(29:27):
Carson. Is this the man whogave you the letter to give it to
me? Yes? That's the manI did not. Oh slips carton this
game, Martin. Besides your handwritingand the letter can be identified, you
are too much too clever dot,miss Carson. Oh okay Martin, without
(29:48):
a gun or just another setting duck, I get up and come on.
(30:15):
But mister Holliday, how did misterMartin got the diamond over here? It
was his market, that's Susie.He left it in Paris. He got
off and planned to reach time laterApparis police Uponnis. You know, he
was pretty silly, silly How didyou figure that out, Susie? Well,
a million dollars spris. Look atall income tax you'd have to pay
(30:37):
on it. Huh Oh, goodnight, Susie. Wee same time.
Alan Ladd cars is Dan Holiday inBox thirteen. Alan Ladd appears through the
cousin see a Paramonte watch farm inhis latest picture. Diagon thirteen is directed
(31:04):
by Richard Sandl was an original storyby Sal Store, adapted for radio by
Russell Hughes. Original music is composedand conducted by Rudy Schrager. The final
Tusi is played by Sylvia Picker andLieutenant Kling by Edmund McDonald. So Dutson
is supervised by Verne par Simpson.This is a main Fair production from Hollywood.
(31:32):
Welcome back. You know, Ithink that some people have the whole
Box thirteen concept pegged as Hello,I am really ready for you to take
advantage of me. Oh well,it's a hard way to get plots,
but at least a doubt he runsinto much Rider's plot. All right,
(31:55):
well, we'll go ahead and we'llwrap this up. Got any comments?
Send him to me Box thirteen atGreat detach Actors dot net. No,
I'm not taking a trip to Paristo pick up a diamond anyway. And
again, please cast your vote forthe show over on'm podcast Alley podcast Alley
dot Great Detectives dot net. Tomorrow, it's Pat Novac for hire from Boise,
(32:17):
Idaho. This is your host AdamGraham sign and all. Hello everyone,
(32:44):
my name is Andrew Ryanson, thehost of the old time Radio Daily
Westerns. I'm inviting you to checkout my podcast to Daily's show about old
time radio Westerns, which include TheLone Ranger, Cisco Kid, Tales of
the Texas Ranger, Gun Smoke,Challenge of the Yukon, and mini more.
Go to our show notesite o tR Westerns dot com. That's ot
(33:05):
R westernswan us dot com, orsearch in iTunes for Oldtime Radio Daily Westerns.
Thanks and hope you enjoy