*Patreon Freebie!* The Disappearance of 'Good Time Joe'

Wow, Broadway in the 1920s was a VIBE. Flappers were flapping, mobsters were mobstering, and rich people were indulging in all sorts of debauchery in the hidden corners of seedy speakeasies. Today's episode focuses on one rich person in particular - Joseph Force Crater. Joseph was a judge who enjoyed the company of Broadway's young and beautiful chorus girls, but when the judge mysteriously went missing one hot summer evening, those Broadway beauties had also seemingly vanished. Further complicating the investigation was the fact that, as it turns out, plenty of people would have liked Joseph out of the picture.

 

Episode Sources:

"The Untold Stories of Broadway, Volume 3" by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, 2016

“Finding Judge Crater: A Life and Phenomenal Disappearance in Jazz Age New York” by Stephen J. Riegel

“History’s Greatest Mysteries, S4 E7: The ‘MIssingest’ Man in America” Mar. 13, 2023

“The Lurid History of Broadway in the 1920s”

“Broadway and the Theater District” by Pasquale Mele, Apr. 24, 2020

“Crater Fate Believed Held in Girl’s Memory” The Mercury, Nov. 8, 1939

“Case No. 13595: It’s thirty years later, there’s plenty of data - but still no Judge Crater” by Tom Meehan, NY Times, Aug. 7, 1960

“Crater is Reported Seen in Night Club” NY Times, Sep. 10, 1930

“Dancer in Hospital Gives Clues to Crater” NY Times, Oct. 18, 1930

“The Judge Steps Out (Part One)” by Clive I. Morrick, Jan. 3, 2016

“The Judge Steps Out (Part Two)” by Clive I. Morrick, Feb. 5, 2016

“The Judge Steps Out (Part Three): Rumors and Sightings” by Clive I. Morrick, Apr. 1, 2016

“Judge Crater, Call Your Office [the disappearance of Judge Crater]” Jul. 27, 2023

“Today in History: The Mysterious Disappearance of Joseph Force Crater” by Irene Madrigal, Aug. 6, 2021

 

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