776 - Charity Takes It On The Chin

The Green Hornet - Unsolved Mysteries - Houdini -

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
The journey into the round of thestrain to get a bad I hope you
will enjoy the table, that itwill trill you a little and kill you
a little. So settle back,get a good grip on your nerve.
Where are we going? You'll findout when we get there. Well,

(00:29):
greetings, everybody, welcome back tothe show. Today we continue our journey
through the Green Hornet Show with aplay titled Charity Takes It on the Chin.
Also be sure to stick around atthe end for another unsolved mystery.

(00:49):
All right, sit back and enjoyfrom Green Hornet Charity Takes It on the
Chin, which aired June sixth ofnineteen thirty nine. The Green Hornet He

(01:10):
hunts the biggest of all game publicenemies that even the genn cannot reach,
The Green Hornet. The adventure CharityTakes It on the Chin. The events

(02:52):
and characters depicted in this drama arefictitious. Any similarity to actual persons,
living or dead is purely coincidental.Read as publisher of a newspaper, you're
in a position to know a lotabout people, aren't you. Well,
it depends on the type of personyou have in mind. You know people
in the public eye. Frankly,Bennett, I haven't been around the Sentinel

(03:14):
much. Laterly, you haven't.I've been letting it run itself, so
to speak. I see you well. In that case, perhaps I may
have some information, Bennett, who'sthe man? As you know, the
Welfare Board is trying to get anextra million, which, considering it right
now, one of my best reportersis at the meeting. Do you know
that I'm connected with the Welfare Board? You, Bennett? For the past
month, I've been serving as treasurerfor the special charity fund. A charity

(03:35):
relief is handled separately from their regularwelfare money. Yes, that's it.
I took this position without pay simplyto help out. Or doesn't your regular
business keep you pretty tired down?It would only my work as treasure on
a charity fund is practically routine.Or how do you mean I have nothing
to do with the actual dispressment ofthe money. Or naturally the setup requires
two signatures on each relief check mineand Tinkers tinker. Oh, he's head

(03:55):
of the welfare board, isn't me? Yes, as I was saying,
we each and the checks. Butin order to facilitate matters, I've been
putting my signature on blank checks.In that way, Tinker doesn't have to
wait for me at any time.Isn't that rather unusual? No, it's
done pretty often. That That meansyou've no idea whether those checks are for
the right amounts or whether they're madeout to the right people. That's precisely
what's bothering me. I have noreason to believe that Tinker is doing anything

(04:18):
dishonest, mind you, when he'sthinking this way, if you didn't have
some suspicions, be it. That'sall the suspicions. Tinker has a friend
named Murdoch. He's always around thewelfare board. I don't like him,
and I don't like the way heand Tinker are always together. I brought
your imagining thing. I hope Iam after this bet. If I were
you, i'd be careful about signingblank checks. I intend speaking to Tinker

(04:40):
about that very soon. Just now, of course, he's busy trying to
get this extra million for local charityout of the city council. I'll call
my office and see said appropriation hasbeen passed. Fine charity is a fine
thing, beut, But all thatmoney can be a great temptation for the
wrong people and with an extra millioncoming, Hold me up this case,

(05:02):
please, this case, mister Reid. Has Laurie brought back any news in
the city council meeting? Well theyhave, It's already in the papers.
Oh thanks you this case. I'llbe in very soon. Well the City
council. Old kay the extra millionfor charity. Minute? Remember what I
told you about those checks? Nopaper? Welcome bart you sixtra million for

(05:33):
charity City council persons relief appropriation.Yes, what is it? Young man
out here tying? But charity?Did? He fell out the usual form?
I told him he was a longlist. He said he needs help

(05:54):
immediately. He's very interesting. Ohall right, send him in. I'll
settle it. Another one figured thesixth one a day. Murdoch, Perhaps
you'd better go into that other RoAF, sure sure taker. After all,
the thing's spposed to be ani amardbusiness. If anyone gets an idea that
Murdoch and I are taking a cutand a chatting money, it might be.

(06:16):
My name is Drake, mister girlclothes the dog. Come in look
mister thinking it ain't for me,it's my wife. Shane Feelings so well,
drake. It takes time to carefor people. Cases like yours must
go through a regular routine. Canhead out charity everyone who comes asking for
it. Your case will be investigatedthe same as the rest. Yes,
but can I get something special tomy wife? The doc says she needs

(06:40):
medicine right away. Your name ison the list and will investigate. You
deserve charity. You'll get it assoon as possible. Yeah, but a
welfare board is already pressed to thelimit. You'll have to be patient.
I mean I figured with that extramillion, that extra million is practically drained
away already. Can't you think Iam very busy. You're deserving. You
may be tended to, that's all. Yes, it's only the kind of
the wife he's been the money.I mean, use it myself. He's

(07:09):
gone right up, be worked.He d always tire and can't afford to.
We have to figure out how toget our hands and I share that
million dollars you told that's after myyoung's already year marked for the other charitycases.
Of course, what's our plan saveus before we put five hundred forty
names on the charity Unless you havevillas and shared, I got it right
here, Abby abbott Adler August tening, Why don't you get these relaxed,

(07:36):
will you? They're okay. Idon't have anyone checking up on not a
chance. Well, these forty names, we'll be able to grab off one
hundred thousand for ourselves, perhaps twohundred. That set stuff and nobody the
wiser who it's just beneity connectate.What about benefit? He wants me to
have the checks gunt out before hesigned for that ruin. I don't worry,
Murdoch, I don't benef We doas he wanted, look crazy.

(07:58):
As soon as I got around toit, I told him it meant changing
the routine and it might take alittle time. Oh your store for a
long time. That's the angle,tinker. Plenty of graft for you and
me. Man, do you knowthat old saying murder? Charity begins at
the hole. That's it. Charitybecomes a hole that's rich. Hey,

(08:28):
Katy, there's one thing me ain'tlike I want and all if you want
to borrow money, I'm busy.What are we working for? Are we?
Newspapermen? Are charity investigators? Who? If I ask me, the
only people I know are newspapermen,and you're not in that class. Will
you stop pounding that typewriter? Don'ttell me you to a store because mister
Reed sent you out on a doorto door job. Sure you ought to
see my feet. They don't paythe sidewalk with matresses in this town.

(08:52):
After walking twenty miles, I know, why is mister Read so anxious for
us to talk to people who areon charity rolls? Who thinks there's something
going on? Yeah, Lawrie andVinny are here, mister Read. I'll
right you two. You can askmister Read all those questions they're bothering me
with claspraylorry any interviewers, mister Reid, we must have talked to about two

(09:13):
hundred. Yeah, we poses investigatorsfor the welfare board. If we had
a list, it wouldn't wasted somuch time going from one daughter the next.
Taker refused to release this list.Why always reason sounds all right?
He claims, revealing names with embarrassedthoris receiving charity. Well, plenty of
getting it, mister Reid. We'vefound lots and no complaints. Yeah,
ours appearance is a concern thinkers onthe level. Yes, for a city

(09:33):
the size of ours. More moneyis being spent, and conditions warrant our
charity expenses are weare on the lineis what they ought to be, Boss,
I tink her won't release that list. You can't prove anything like that,
Lory, how would you like toapply for charity charity? Me?
I'm serious. Sorry, I thinkI won't see reporters at all. The
only way to find the facts isfrom the inside. Say I get it,

(09:54):
boss, how we're all closed andwhat you're wearing now everything you can
if you had a chance to talkto benefits tell me him here from the
southern right, there's a racket goingon in Sherry. It's the filthiest there
is. Daily sunn wants to knowabout it all the way to rock bottom.
Look, lady, I've been cominghere to the welfare board every day

(10:18):
for a weekend. Sorry, we'redoing all we can here. I am
again. The name's loud, Imean Laurence. Sorry us all for time.
Tanry An getting now plays take onthe Lowry you talked to benne Chet.
I'll get triumph for the pid benchof the show. Whine my time

(10:39):
talk well time your room, misterBennet, aren't you I'd like to talk
to you. My name's Lowry ofthe Sentinel of the Central Reeds Paper.
Why I was going to call him? Is that so, mister Benn,
come over here in the corner wecan talk with Listen to Charance. Yes,
just for his director, the bossor mister Reed, has his doubts

(11:03):
about the way thinkers running things here. He sent me over to see if
I could wangle anything from the inside. Did he tell you that I'm frasier
or here? Yes? Have youseen the list of charity people, mister
Bennett, not yet, though I'dask for it at your employer's suggestion.
I've also told Tinker I'm has refusedto sign checks in blank any longer.
Wow, you've been doing that unfortunately. Yes, then you don't know a

(11:24):
thing about who get these checks orhow much is going out exactly what the
Tinkers say When you told him youwouldn't do it anymore. He said he'd
see the checks were filled out first, but so far they haven't been.
Says he's been too busy and puthim down. Huh oh, hold on
here he comes now, Hello,Tinker better, I've been looking for You've
got another batch of check while theyfilled out. Well, not this batch,

(11:45):
I promise you the next one.But when these are filled out,
I'll sign before Bennett sounds very muchas if you don't trust me. You
can't keep charity cases waiting because ofa mere formality. And I suggest you
get these filled out at once reviewand say I do we take a little
turn. So we say tomorrow morning, pile, we're waiting. I was

(12:15):
right there when Bennetts off the tankher boss. I'm gonna see him this
norn and get the low down.You're seeing thinker this morning? Here about
the checks, yes, and iftake her stalls anymore, we'll know there's
something funny. Hey, Lawry,I thought you were going to see Bennets
you. Well, here's miss Benny. We'll try and find the begger.
What's fighting you? Well, Lenny, We're gonna tell a tap from police
headquarters, mister read General the wallpolice Bean look on for Treasure Bennett of

(12:35):
the Wealth Trader disapline. Benna disappeared. He hasn't been seeing since last night.
And you know what, all thefiles make it to the welfare board
have disappeared with him. So thepolice think Bennett's responsible or plenty the police
believe he's wipe the charity money.Why what do I get that idea from
Tinker? He says, the moneyis gone. When Bennett didn't show up
this morning, Thinker says he gotsuspicious and checked out. So the police

(12:56):
learned of bennett disappearance from tanking.What about missus Bennett, she insisted,
And it has gone away in atrip where that's just this. You won't
say, yes, Hogan Brick,I'm doing a remake on the front page.
What do you think of that guy? Bennett absconding without charity? Dough
headline? Have at misteclari. Yeah, let's go over to Benett's home.
You have a statement from his wife. Go with him, mis Beny for

(13:16):
pictures. Come on, lock invove. Here's the headline, Brick sure selling
across page one. Bennet abscond withcharity chilling. It's too strong. Have
you heard me? Someone's going toconvict Bennett before he's had a chance.
I has to read. What furtherproof do you want? Why do the
blind fool can see when it swipethe door? We're not blind fool's gunnagan.
Those are writers. Oh if you'rea farmer, was still run in

(13:39):
this newspaper. I don't do it, but I don't like it. You
don't have to be Gunnagan blues Bennettis guilty. Maybe he is. His
disappearance is too petty, especially afterwhat lover hurting say the Tinker, and
it's only one solution. Bennett mustbe found short time later in his apartment.

(14:03):
But Reid took Kato, with hisfaithful valet and the only living man
who know him as the green Hornetinto his company. Do you see Kato?
Tinker is heir apparently innocent while Bennettis gone. Maybe Tinker's inn I'm
betting Tinker's a gilly one. Kato, not Bennett. Tinker, in this
call of his Murdock have been lookingat charity funds. Bennett's the man to
have the checks filled out would haverevealed it. How folll up with your

(14:24):
It's odd that missus Bennett Horsey insistsher husband is innocent. There's merely gone
away in a trip, refuses toreveal where he's gone. She's hiding something.
I don't know, Kato, Idon't know. Her house will be
crowded as reporters tonight may be hardto get an unseen. Still we can
try here tonight, Missus Bennett andher son, maybe keeping quietut of fear,

(14:48):
Perhaps the sudden appearance of the GreenHornet may make a reveal any secret
knowledge you may have. What's debt? Yes, what's happened to those pool
one? In the meantime, thepeople who have been depending on charity ask
just it, Kato. A lotof the we're going to suffer atted hardship
of that charity fund isn't located.However much I regretit, Cata, it
must be done. I must goout as the Green Hornet last kate on
a weapon. If the car checkedimmediately, Missus Bennett is going to hear

(15:15):
from the Green Hornet. The curtainfalls on Act one of our Green Hornet
Adventurer. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just
a few moments now to continue ourstory. Bennett, treasurer of the Welfare

(15:48):
Board, disappeared with all the filesand records. The police believed that Bennett
had absconded with the charity funds,but britt Reid, unconvinced of bennett guilt,
assume the role of the Green Hornetto uncover those who were really guilt.
It's late in the evening. MissusBennett is being questioned by reporters.
How well about it, Missus Bennett, you keep saying you know where he

(16:08):
is. He isn't kill me.Why don't you tell her he is anything
he is? How about the charitydoor? Yes? How about that money?
While they crowded around Missus Bennett andhe had a twenty year old son
and the Bennett Library, the tollfigure slipped through a side window into the
hall. All the reporters left theirhats here on the table and find the
lotteries here. It is initials E. L. D. Reed took an

(16:37):
endlope from his pocket and slipped itunder Larry's hat. Then he left to
await developments and left the letter underLorry's hat. Catto. He's sure to
find us when he's ready to go. It's addressed to Missus Bennett. Yes,
sir, I'm going back inside.I want to be there when she's
had a chance to read it.They dingism bed they bought it us.
They will at a side Catto.My reporters are still in the library.
I'll have time to find a goodhiding. He's before they go on into
the hall. What mammy get behindthese days? To come on? I

(17:06):
want to ask missus bennon a coupleof questions. When this marm leaves,
maybe she'll talk them. My motherhas nothing more to say. You'll have
to leave. Looks like you havea chance. Soon they're all going out
into the hall. O him,Missus Bennett. If you won't talk for
your headache, not ours, youknow your own mind, your hats on
the table, Will you take himand go? We have nothing more to
say. You know what the policeare saying, Missus Bennett. I know
what everyone's saying. But you're inon the front door. Outside. Listen,

(17:27):
listen, Bennett outside, Oh,Jim, Jim, take it easy
way. If there were only someway out of this. Can't blame those
reporters, after all, they wereonly doing their jobs. You think that
your father should be left over totalk like this? And good health,
Missus Bennett. Now that that mom'sleft, all about time. I told
your reporters to get out. Wealways started to stayed behind in the library.

(17:47):
Are not staying any longer? Getout of the other Now, wait
a minute, missus Bennett. Ihad a reason for hanging around. I
think your husband's innocent. I knowhe I saw him yesterday at the welfare
board. You did, sure,we had a long tald. Don't listen
to my mother. It's a trickto get you off your car on the
level. He's right. Look,Missus Bennett, hasn't the Sentinel given your
husband every possible break? We're theonly newspaper that hasn't gone after mister Bennett

(18:07):
Hammeron's home. Yes, I didn'tknow that, don't you see? My
mother's very tired. Missus Bennett.The Sentinel wants to help. You're honest,
but if you keep on the insecretiveabout things, can't tell you anything
more. Okay, I've grabbed myhat and scram Hey, what's that?
Why? It's a letter addressed toyou mother? It must have been under

(18:29):
my head. But it hasn't nostamp. I'm certainly wasn't there before.
What's it about it? Mother?What's wrong? Hey? Lawry? Look
at the top of that letter?Whoa the seal of the Green Hornets?
I don't under then? Why shouldthe green Hornets right to me? Let
me see that letter. I'll waita minute. Don't be so suspicious.
We're not going to burn it.Well, be missus Bennett. According to

(18:53):
risk letter, you've already paid twentyfive thousand ransom to the green Hornet.
That's not so. What about this? It says pay to me and my
partner. Don't tell me the hornet'sworking with someone else. It's not true.
I haven't paid any money at somecrank home, ma'am. I've seen
plenty of green Hornet notes. Thisis no pay but it can't be.
Oh, I don't know what I'msaying. Let me take this note.

(19:15):
You can't publish that he was yourhead. This will help your post.
Sure the green Hornet's got him,then maybe the cops won't be so positively
skipped out himself. I don't carewhat you do, only please please get
out. Okay, come on,clicker, don't worry, miss Bennett.
Can't harm your husband. Head boy, what a story. Leaving his mask

(19:36):
and gun in the card, butread once more. The presentable publisher of
the Sentinel walked into a drug storeand then heard the phone booth. I
think you should beat his home.If he doesn't answers there, I'll try
his office to arrange for him tocall him Murdoch, and yet bound Murdock

(20:03):
just pulling a double cross. It'llbe an extra out of butut it in
a few minutes. Are you're talkingabout it? Thank go look at that
extra. I don't know how yougot to a phone home. Murd I
can keep his mind busy after thatextra comes on, I don't want to
take her to be able to getBurdock on the phone. Stay on the
port to hurt me and Murdock's ohman, join me there. It's right

(20:25):
around the corner. And I gotgoing. Let no hardy X beat hardy
days about defended family. Wait,tell you you got the wrong number.

(20:48):
This is a fifth time you've called. Look it up? Then hang up
Murdock. Who's the double as thathang out? What's this a stick up?
Take that? Good luck? MurdI. Yeah, I'm moving the
lights. Why I've seen pictures ofthat masktre Who are the dream hornets in
that paper? Have you plugged mewith that gun? I'm keeping my right,

(21:12):
Yeah, yeah, okay, greenHornet sends, how do you don't
like it? Like the twenty fivethousand from who was your partner? It
says here the earlier I think itwouldn't be fool enough. Now I sat
pulling a bone hit plate like this. Maybe he figures twenty five thousand extras
worth going after say, I thinkI didn't tell me nothing about you,

(21:36):
Hornet? I should wait chip here? What are you doing here? See
what that ransom note says about Bennett? You mean about him going to be
released? He you think he willbe He can't be released. I ain't
the play him. Maybe think itfigures the same thing. Appliers say you
you're you're in with? Why elsewould I be here? Why should you
think I'll cut you in on acharity graft? Do you want it the
way like Bennet and grabbing a lotfor himself? What? No, listen

(22:00):
horn? It let me call Tinkernot at home? Then where else?
What do you pay? He ain'thome, he must be out the farm
with Bennett. Oh, I'll fixit up. Each slam cut me.
I'll go ahead the phone. You'renot calling anybody? That said listen horn,
and I'll stay out of it.I don't want nothing. Yellow crawling
crugs. He said, you wantto get rid of me, but you
don't have to. I don't wantnone of the door. Who put the

(22:22):
rod down? Ye shaking murder?Don't let it stop? Got it and
cast'll hold him for a few minutes. When he comes to we go after
Tinker. I made sure he believestinkers at the place where Bennett is held
personally. They'll take care of atinker if he's been unable to get Murdock

(22:45):
on the phone. He'll be hereany second. Kay Don't you've been watching
the door? Yes, sir,someone going to stand beside the door.
KAYO give him a chance to seeme before you do the job. I
understand you're ready to get already.I've been trying to get you on the
phone. Murder. Have you seena sentinels? He saw it, you
know, but I green on itand it's too minute. Good toll across
the hall. Yes, my book, grab his heart. He's going with

(23:10):
us. Murdock can recover soon.He'll head for the farmhouse. Then we'd
follow it. Tak her there wouldthey in my throat? To where am

(23:30):
I? In my home? Ithe green hold. It can't here to
finished me, but I'm still alive, so think I wanted to get me
out of the way too. ButI'll fix him. Go out to the
farm, take care of him.He won't expect to see me, and

(23:53):
take a gun, tie the doubleacross me. Here we are, kiddo.
You wait, figured Murdock. Letus right here to the farmhouse where
Bennett is kept. And there's Murdock'scar up the head. That's air.

(24:15):
I'll take Tinker on now, pulayingin the back room in the farmhouse where
Murdock will find him. You'll callthe police so they'll be here soon,
yessir. I'll stay around to makesure Murdock doesn't start using that gun before
they get here. Once the policefind Bennett, they'll get the whole shoulder.
I gotta go slower. And thatTinker trapped me, that ter I

(24:37):
got out of his first game,that bumped me off. Hey, he
won't get us second chance. Puton the lights. Who is it?
Help me? It's just you,Bennett. Where's Tinker? I've seen nobody.
How long are you going to keepme tied up? Your murdydoctor?
You can't try to meet Bennett?Where's thank you? Where's the green on
it? I don't know what you'retalking about. Tell me that way,

(24:59):
will you. I'm staying right hereuntil Tinker shows up. He figures he's
finished me. Now you'll come foryou. I'll put out the light and
wait for him my dock. Waitdidn't Tinker in another room, recovered consciousness,
and then the farmhouse. Realizing wherehe was, he moved stealthily through

(25:21):
the old house until he reached theroom where Bennett was tired. He opened
the door. Is anyone in here? I've been expecting you, Tinker,
verydoch Yeah? You and your don'tyou get double across me and grab all
the door. Didn't check what he'sgot. The green horned round of my
place to put me on a spot, but it didn't work. What are
you talking about? The green hornerwas working for you. Is that the
best talking you can take out?Don't try to pull her all over my

(25:42):
eyes, my doctor. How ever, get to the police. Shut up
you, I know, and I'mbeing double cross Tinker. I'll see here
you'll listen to me, thinking bythis time i'd be finished. Then you
ain't satisfied with our neat little schemeto grab off a couple hundred grand from
the welfare board and then a rapon Bennet. You were the one.
It wasn't set us by du callinga horn. Enough me talk and we'll

(26:02):
do you no good. But Donnajun frame me. Will you I think
I didn't judge it and doesn't havegas picker, and I take care of
you and Bennett. I'll find thatgreen horner. Then well, Mac please
let's get out of here. Thankthe Lord. Don't move pickures I by,
you'll have that. Try to getpast me. But you're a good

(26:23):
work by. It's a minute anyou all right? Yes, I if
you're on time. I didn't manageyour rest. But duck, he's tried
to show me. I'm showing methe rest him. You too, it
was tinkerside your kidnapping. Better youyou've turned pinned out on me. There's
plenty I'm bought, I guess,so it's better start talking. Take these
guys out and moving. It'll sealaway with you babies on the outs.
On them, officer, these twomen at the knocking to share any fun?

(26:44):
Take it that me so I wouldto blame. We'll have you all
of these ropes. Digitt to misterBennett. When you make you on a
facial statement, we'll have him called. They like her? How about some
pictures? I got plenty, Larry, Oh, I gotta get him into
the newspaper. I can't bond thestory. But you can't bond pictures.
So I'll be as sportant in thismoney of your cars? Nothing doing there
was He's car. Hey, Lowry, get your hands out of my pocket?
Are your keys? Don't hello giveme tomorrow? Anybody Lowry hunts like

(27:06):
Alady come back to hol seeing thepaper. It's Lowry. The way you
took those keys out of Don's pocket, I could kiss take it for my
birthday. Clicker. Come on,let's get the story in with pictures like

(27:26):
Street Pepper, thirty best men,Bennett quer Extreet, Pepper, think doing
more ducking done it? Get hearted, Donlart. Unsolved mysteries how deferent to

(28:23):
persons who may still be living.Character names in some of these unsolved mysteries
have been changed. In several ofthese unsolved mysteries, the police have been
faced with the problem of a murdererwho could gain access to a room locked
and bolted on the inside, andthen his crime committed leave that same room
locked and bolted behind him. Therewas one man to whom these phenomena presented

(28:45):
no problem. Harry Houdini, themaster magician of all time, and to
Night's unsolved mystery is his famous challengedto death. The scene is the outskirts

(29:12):
of Liverpool, England, at thehome of mister Henderson. A group of
guests are assembled to meet mister HarryHudini, and among the guests is a
Scotland Yard Detective inspector who has beenworking on England's latest unsolved crime against the
finished dinner. The men are inthe smoking room enjoying cigars and coffee as
their hostess, Missus Henderson, precedesthe ladies into the smoking room. I

(29:33):
know you geners will haven't finished yourcoffee, but the rest of us are
really awfully anxious to hear little Houdini. Delighted of course, my dear the
inspector was in the middle of tellingus about the Scotland Yards laces. Oh
that too, well, the thingis really battling. Here we find a
house, doors all bolted and locked, windows bard and everything tight. The
milk hasn't been picked up off thefront porch for three days. That makes

(29:55):
us investigate. We break open thedoor, find an elderly woman lying,
the father half dead, murdered,mul for two set on the table,
and eight witnesses who swear that noone entered or left the house with or
without the old woman. But loyalwitness is reliable. How can you be
certain that no one entered You don'tknow the old ladies, neighbors haste everything.

(30:15):
I suppose though, that you,mister Houdini, don't see anything difficult
about the locked and bolted doors,since you're in the habit of getting out
of our priest handcuffs, no ourjail. Cell I am not quite as
bad as you make me out tobe. After all, I make no
secret of the fact that I getout of handcuffs and cells and locked safes
and all the rest of it bytrickery and sleight of hand. But couldn't

(30:36):
the murderer of who murdered the oldwoman have done the same thing? I
mean, you use the same vottrickly to get out of the room and
house. But what mister Houdini meansis that the equipment he uses is all
specially prepared. But I saw,mister Hudili myself locked in a steel vault
on the stage, and it wasn'ta faked vault, because the manufacturers were
there and tastified that it was agenuine feet And yet you got out of
that into Houdini. But it wastrickery just the same. You see,

(31:00):
safe had to be brought on tothe stage before the performance started, well
before the curtain went up. Ihad removed the strong steel springs and substituted
Greek soft springs on their place,and so opening the safe was simple.
I placed the original steel springs,of course, before the safe was returned
to the manufacturers. Simple as that. Oh, yes, inspector, that
trick is simplicity itself. And yetthere are people who insist that you must

(31:22):
be a spirituals capable of who shallwe say, disembodying of them. These
people who make these claims are fakespiritualists. They're just furious at me because
I expose their trickery. But yes, mister Hudinny, that what I have
determined to do a trick, onein which I shall not use a trick
box or a clicklobe, and Ishall do it underwater. Listen. I

(31:48):
shall be placed in an ordinary packingcase. It may be examined by experts
while it is being manufactured, sothat there can be no trickering go on.
Then, when I am placed inside, the lid consisting of three pieces
will be nailed in place. Yes, we follow then the box or the
case will be rope lifted on atackle to the deck of a dog boat,
moved out to the middle of theharbor, and lower it into the
water. Wait, great, great, oh, I can see if we

(32:12):
move in one to two minutes andeight seconds, the box will be raised
to the surface, and the worldwill have lost the greatest magician of the
aid. You, mister Houdini,will be drowned, said I. I
shall be seated on the lid ofthe steel nailed on the rope box.
I shall not be drowned. Andif I am it's will proved what I

(32:35):
never mind that at present? Tomorrow, Yes, tomorrow for noon. What
do you mean tomorrow? For now? I shall do aditional trick tomorrow for
noon at the docks in the mouthof the Mersey River. I shall call
it. Let me see, ahah, I have it. Harry Houdini
in the Challenge to Death. Notonly was Harry Houdini the master of magicians,

(33:00):
but also he was a master showman. The morning's papers carried the story
of his challenge to death. Thepolice tried to interfere on the grounds that
he was endangering his life, butarrangements went ahead and at five minutes to
twelve on the crowded and noisy waterfront, the tug boat, Elsie whistled that
she was ready for her part ofthe experiment. The tag's already, mister

(33:21):
Hudini, and everything is ready hereif he were already, and then I
suppose I better get inside of thebox. Oh I wish you wouldn't.
Oh, but no, no,no, do not be afraid. The
line just is afraid of Hudi.Now no, Now, I am depending
on you to see that everything isdone properly. Harry Houdini stepped into the
wooden panking case. Two Burley carpentersstepped forward, placed the three plank lid

(33:43):
in place, and nailed the liddown. With every blow of the hammer,
those of the waiting crowd field theirhearts fill faster. The rope,
a stout one inch rope, istied about the paking case. The hook
of the hoisting line is slipped aboutthe rope, and at a signal,
the derek hoists the packing case andit's shuben cargo over the edge of the

(34:04):
dock. Oh, I told itfear. Oh I couldn't sleep all night.
Thirty seconds time seems to be standingstill. We must have been down
long enough to get house, Yes, had time to do anything. It's

(34:27):
one minute. I think we've gota hoist the packing case. Yes,
we should never have let him dothis. You come to that. I
have my oldest mister Houdini. Thisis you can't let him down after all
in the sturments? Are they goingto hoist him up now? Oh?
Not yet? One minutes and thirtyseconds. Oh, this is awful.
It's quite's like at telling an execution. Yes, it's only worse if the
pecking kid should slip off the hookand go to the bottom. Yes,
oh, I haven't followed it.And if it's already done that and landed

(34:49):
upside dog. Two minutes one,two, three, four, five,
six, seven eight, oyster ey. The dripping case is hoisted out of
the water, and there, seatedon the lid holding to the rope is

(35:09):
Harry Huddini. The tugboat moves tothe wall. The packing case is examined
and found nailed in place. Onceagain, Harry Huddini has been successful.
In just a moment, you willhear the solution to the mystery of Harry
Hudini's trick. The challenge to death, ladies and gentlemen, inasmuch as any

(36:47):
solution must have necessity be supposition,liberties of fine place and character have been
taken in the solution for which youhave been waiting. The scene is once
again mister Henderson's home in Liverpool,England. Mister Harry Dennie is explaining his
most famous and spectacular trick. Thechallenge is to death. Well, of
course, not Trudini. We allsaw the tricks performed. But even now

(37:07):
it still seems impossible. As theinspector said yesterday, once a thing is
explained, it is simplicity itself.You see, I know much from study
that the audience reaction is of twowidely different qualities. How has happens to
who? To begin with? Whenthe trick, any trick, is commenced,
the attention is all directed toward thearticle employed. The box has examined

(37:29):
to see that it is genuine,the hope to see that it is strong,
and the nails to see that theyare ill. But ah, and
here is the great point. Whenthe trick has succeeded, the audience has
eyes only for the performer of thetrick. But even then I still don't
see I am explaining to you nowthe process of thought that precedes the working
out of the details, knowing thatthe audience will watch me once the trick

(37:52):
is over, I in turn knowthat if I remove myself from the facility
of the packing case while it isbeing brought ashore, no one will pay
the slightest attention to it. Theyare all too busy seeing that I personally
am not up to any more twigs. They ignore my assistants, who are
guarding the packing case better than explainhow you got out Getting out of the

(38:14):
case. That was saving it wasgetting the lid back ready for inspection.
That was the cheap worry, yousee. When I stepped into the packing
case, I carried with me avery small but very powerful pair of nail
cutters, thin enough to slip betweenthe lid and the case, And as
soon as the nails were driven homeby the carpenters, I cut them between

(38:36):
the lid and the box. Assoon as the packing case was submerged,
I slipped the three boards of thelid to one side and clambered out.
Then I replaced the three boards andsat on them to hold them securely in
place. When the box was hoistedto the deck of the tug boat.
I left my assistance to remove thecut nails and replaced them with the same

(38:58):
type of nails. All this theydid hidden behind the canvas covering on the
ship's rail, while the crowd waswatching me at the stern of the boat.
Then if he got out as easilyand as quickly as that, why
did you keep us in suspense?My friend? For that very reason to
keep you in suspense, else therewould be no reason for my calling the
trick the challenge to death. MissusDeanie, you said something yesterday that if

(39:22):
you were drowned, they would provesomething I did. It would have proved
for all time that I was nota spiritualist using my astral body to perform
disappearance tricks.