Episode 415: Double Edge

[00:00:16] Speaker A: The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society podcast. [00:00:27] Speaker B: Welcome to the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society, a podcast dedicated to suspense, crime and horror stories from the golden age of radio. I'm Eric. [00:00:36] Speaker C: I'm Tim. [00:00:36] Speaker D: And I'm Joshua. [00:00:37] Speaker C: We love mysterious old time radio stories, but do they Stand the test of time? That's what we're here to find out. [00:00:43] Speaker B: This week we're paying a visit to our listener library for an episode recommended to us by our Patreon supporter, Ryan. Thanks, Ryan. It's a series we haven't featured before, Tales of the Texas Rangers and the story is called Double Edge. [00:00:59] Speaker D: Tales of the Texas Rangers is a Texas style police procedural that ran on NBC radio from 1950 to 1952. It took plenty of inspiration from Dragnet, which had debuted a year earlier and continued on the radio five years after Tales of the Texas Rangers was no longer broadcasting. And like Dragnet, Tales of the Texas Rangers also made the jump to television. Airing on CBS from 1955 to 1958, [00:01:29] Speaker C: the radio version starred Joel McCrae as Texas Ranger Jace Pearson. McCray appeared in over 100 films over the course of his career, including the Most dangerous game in 1932, Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent in 1940, and Preston Sturge's Sullivan's Travels in 1941. 1946. McCray began to form almost exclusively in Westerns, a path he rarely strayed from for the next 30 years. And now let's listen to the results of that choice from Tales of the Texas Rangers. This is Joel McCrae as Jace Pearson in Double Edge, first broadcast August 3, 1952. [00:02:03] Speaker B: It's late at night and a chill has set in. You're alone and the only light you see is coming from an antique radio. Listen to the sounds coming from the speaker, listen to the music, and listen to the voices. [00:02:28] Speaker E: Tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray as Ranger Jace Pearson. Another authentic reenactment of a case transcribed from the files of the Texas Rangers. Names, dates and places in the following story are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record. [00:03:10] Speaker F: I'd like to talk to the ladies for a moment. We can't eliminate your work for you. I wish we could, but if your job is keeping a home in order, we'll try to lighten the load with a series of wonderful weekday radio shows on this same NBC station. Walter o' Keefe is your genial host on Double or Nothing and o' Keeffe's okay, set your dial to Double or Nothing and the laughter will add a bit of brightness to your day. Another friend of yours is radio's Warren Hull, who daily presides over Strike It Rich, the program with a heart, the program that can give you a lift while bringing financial happiness to a contestant. Dave Garraway is another gloom chaser in NBC's daytime schedule. And Bob and Ray, this year's Peabody Award winning comics make subtle fun of radio in a rib tickling way. So be sure to include them in your listening, too. Yes, as I said before, I wish we could eliminate your housework, but since we can't, maybe listening to these fine NBC shows will help to pass the time more quickly. Why don't you try it out tomorrow? And every day this week now, tales of the Texas Rangers. [00:04:16] Speaker E: And now, from the files of the Texas Rangers, the case called Double Edge. [00:04:27] Speaker A: It is 11:30 on a Monday morning in June during the early 1920s in the town of Holden, Texas. An elderly woman puts through a telephone call to the bank. [00:04:36] Speaker G: That's right, operator, a 423J. Now, you be quiet, baby. You know your mother doesn't like you to cry. Mr. Vance, this is Agatha Winford. How are you today? [00:04:48] Speaker A: Oh, just fine, thanks, Ms. Winford. Say, would you hold on a second, please? [00:04:52] Speaker F: Just a minute. [00:04:53] Speaker A: Here's your back book, Miss. [00:04:54] Speaker H: Fine, fine. [00:04:56] Speaker A: Now, what can I do for you, Ms. Winfrey? [00:04:59] Speaker G: Oh, I'm over here at Ms. Johnson, minding her baby while she's marketing, and I thought she wouldn't mind if I used her phone to call you. [00:05:05] Speaker A: Yes, ma'. [00:05:06] Speaker G: Am. Well, I just got a notice from you this morning, and I want to tell you the banks made an awful mistake in my account. [00:05:12] Speaker A: What is the mistake, Mrs. Winchester? [00:05:14] Speaker G: Well, I know I've got $43 left in my checking account, but that notice you sent said I've only got 23. Now, that's just not so. [00:05:22] Speaker A: Now, we're very careful here, ma'. [00:05:24] Speaker H: Am. [00:05:24] Speaker A: Maybe you made some kind of mistake in your dish. [00:05:26] Speaker G: No, I didn't. [00:05:27] Speaker A: Would you please excuse me, Ms. Winfrey? Can you hold on while I take care of a customer here? [00:05:31] Speaker G: Well, all right. [00:05:32] Speaker A: Thank you. Yes, sir. [00:05:33] Speaker G: What can I do? I'll be with you in a minute. Baby, Baby, baby, I. Oh, well, now, baby, don't you cry. That's a good baby. Now, you can just be nice while I finish talking to. Mr. Van's here. Mr. Van. [00:06:00] Speaker H: Give me all the money you got. [00:06:01] Speaker G: Still busy. [00:06:05] Speaker H: Give me the rest in the back of the drawer. [00:06:09] Speaker A: I don't have anymore. [00:06:09] Speaker H: You want your brains blowing out? [00:06:11] Speaker A: Give me that money. [00:06:12] Speaker G: Oh, Mr. Van. Mr. Van. Oh. Oh. [00:06:19] Speaker A: That's all I got. [00:06:22] Speaker H: Clean it up. [00:06:23] Speaker A: Yes. [00:06:24] Speaker G: What am I gonna do? [00:06:25] Speaker H: What's this phone doing off the hook? I don't know. Oh, yes. Oh. [00:06:32] Speaker G: Oh, this is awful. Operator. Operator. Oh, why don't you answer? Operator? Operator. [00:06:45] Speaker A: Misses Winford notified the sheriff that the bank was being held up within a matter of minutes. The sheriff raced to the scene only to find that the holdup men had already made a getaway. After a preliminary survey, the sheriff requested assistance from the Texas Rangers. Ranger Jace Pearson was assigned and arrived at the bank 15 minutes later. Over here, Jace. [00:07:05] Speaker I: Howdy, Sheriff. [00:07:06] Speaker A: I'm glad you could get here so fast. [00:07:07] Speaker I: It was only about 10 miles away when my headquarters contacted me. [00:07:10] Speaker A: Fellas that held up this place sure [00:07:12] Speaker J: had a lot of nerve. [00:07:13] Speaker I: How many were there? [00:07:13] Speaker A: Only two as far as I can gather. One of them kept the customers in the back. The other one got the money from the teller. Took nearly $6,000. [00:07:21] Speaker I: Anybody able to identify them? [00:07:22] Speaker A: Nope. They were both wearing bandanas over their faces. [00:07:24] Speaker I: How about their getaway? Anybody see them after they left the bank? [00:07:27] Speaker A: Not a soul that I could find. Seems like they just disappeared into th. We did get one break, though. [00:07:32] Speaker I: What's that? [00:07:33] Speaker A: Well, the teller keeps an extra $200 in his drawer just in case the bank is held up. 1020s with a special marking. [00:07:40] Speaker I: How are the bills marked? [00:07:41] Speaker A: There's a green dot inked in under the first letter. The serial number. Naturally. The bank's got a record of the numbers. [00:07:47] Speaker I: I'll help us some. We'll get out of circular by tomorrow morning. Every bank and police officer in Texas will have a copy. [00:07:52] Speaker A: It beats me how these fellows had so much nerve. Had it planned right down to the last move they even took into consideration. Oh, there's Jim Vance coming out of that office. He's a teller. Reckon he's bringing that list of serial numbers? [00:08:03] Speaker H: Uh huh. [00:08:05] Speaker A: Got that list of numbers for us, Jim? Yes, sir, right here. But there was something else I want to see you by. What's that? Well, now, I forgot all about this in excitement. The man who was holding the customers in the back, he passed me on his way out. Yeah? Seemed to be having trouble with his bandana. He slipped down a little just as he got alongside my window. [00:08:22] Speaker I: You mean you got to look at his face? [00:08:23] Speaker A: Oh, no, sir, not exactly. But I did say one thing. Remembered it while I was writing out those numbers just now. He had a. A mole under his eye. Pretty good sized one too. [00:08:32] Speaker I: Which eye was it under? [00:08:33] Speaker J: Right. [00:08:34] Speaker A: No, no, I got it twisted. I Was facing him. So it must have been his left eye. Well, at least we got some information for that bulletin, Jace. [00:08:40] Speaker I: Yeah, let's put it on the wires. We broadcast the list of serial numbers and a vague description of the bank robbers. The first day brought no results. On the morning of the second day, I received a call from Sam Crane, constable in the town of Compton, 30 miles from the scene of the robbery. He told me the bank in Compton had reported receiving one of the marked bills the day before. Sheriff wasn't free at the moment, so I went to Compton alone. 10 that morning I entered the constable's office. Well, j. Howdy, Crane. [00:09:12] Speaker H: Good to see you again. Real good. Been a long time since we worked together. [00:09:16] Speaker I: Over a year. What about that mark bill? Bank tell you who brought it in? [00:09:19] Speaker H: It took the bank a little while to find out. Had to go through all their deposit slips from yesterday. Finally told me it was the owner of a hardware store here. Man by the name of Alan. [00:09:27] Speaker I: Are you sure about that? [00:09:28] Speaker H: Yeah, and we might be lucky. Was the only 20 in his deposit for yesterday. [00:09:32] Speaker I: Haven't you checked him yet? [00:09:33] Speaker H: Well, no. I thought it might be better if you did it. See, Alan and I don't get along very well. Don't think he'd be too cooperative with me. This thing's too important to take a chance. [00:09:42] Speaker I: Uh huh. Tell me where his place is. I'll go see him. [00:09:45] Speaker H: It's just down the street. I'll go along with you, Jase, but if you don't mind, I'll let you do the talking. [00:09:50] Speaker I: Sure. You figure this Allen could have been involved in the robbery himself? [00:09:53] Speaker H: Him? [00:09:54] Speaker A: No. [00:09:55] Speaker H: Jays, old man Allen's over 60. [00:09:56] Speaker I: How come you two don't get along? [00:09:58] Speaker H: Well, about a year ago I bought some tools from him. No good. Any of the old buzzard never would let me have my money back. [00:10:04] Speaker I: I sure hope he can give us something to go on. [00:10:05] Speaker H: Well, if Alan does remember who handed him this bill, My guess is it'll turn out to be somebody who just passed through Compton. [00:10:11] Speaker I: Maybe so. [00:10:12] Speaker G: Constable. [00:10:13] Speaker H: Oh, howdy, Ms. Palmer. [00:10:14] Speaker G: Constable, have you had any luck? [00:10:16] Speaker H: Well, to tell the truth, I've been pretty busy since you came in this morning. Anyhow, I was sure your husband would be back by now. [00:10:21] Speaker G: He's. I told you, he went out yesterday afternoon Right after he got that phone call. Jeff's never stayed away like this without saying where he was going. [00:10:28] Speaker H: Now, Mrs. Palmer, he'll turn up. [00:10:30] Speaker G: But he didn't even take the car. Whenever he goes away, he always takes it. [00:10:34] Speaker H: Maybe he's over at his brother's place. Bet you haven't even called there, have you? [00:10:37] Speaker G: Well, no, I haven't. [00:10:39] Speaker H: Why don't you go home, then? He's probably been trying to reach you. [00:10:42] Speaker G: But it's 20 miles over to his brother's house. He couldn't get there without the car. [00:10:45] Speaker H: Maybe got a ride. Now you run along home before he gets worried wondering why he can't reach you. [00:10:49] Speaker G: You well? [00:10:50] Speaker I: All right, Tom keeping you busy, huh? [00:10:53] Speaker H: Yeah. That husband of hers is always taking off. [00:10:56] Speaker I: Are you sure he's not missing? [00:10:58] Speaker H: Nah. If Palmer takes a notion to go somewhere, he goes. He's only been away one night. [00:11:03] Speaker J: Uhhuh. [00:11:04] Speaker H: I swear it never rains, but it pours. For three weeks. Nothing's happened here. Now I got more work than I can handle. Well, here's the hardware store. Hope old man Allen memory's better than I think it is. [00:11:17] Speaker J: Oh, it's you, Constable, not a torch. I didn't want to do business with you no more. [00:11:22] Speaker H: Don't worry, Alan. I wouldn't think of buying anything from this store. Ranger Pearson here wants to ask you a few questions. [00:11:27] Speaker J: Well, all right. What's on your mind, Ranger? [00:11:30] Speaker I: Let me have that bill, Crane. For sure, Jase. Mr. Allen, you deposited this bill in the bank yesterday. [00:11:36] Speaker J: What's the matter? Account of it. [00:11:37] Speaker I: It's part of the money that was stolen from a bank in Holden. [00:11:40] Speaker J: Oh, you mean in that big robbery over there on Monday and. [00:11:42] Speaker I: That's right. [00:11:43] Speaker J: That's so. I read about it in paper. [00:11:45] Speaker I: This was the only 20 you deposited yesterday. Do you remember who brought it in here? [00:11:49] Speaker J: Let me see. No, Ranger. Don't reckon I do. [00:11:53] Speaker H: I was afraid he wouldn't. Jason. [00:11:54] Speaker J: Just what do you mean by that? Conscience. [00:11:56] Speaker I: Now, wait a minute, both of you. [00:11:57] Speaker J: I'm sorry, Ranger. Just give me a second or two. Maybe I can remember the fellow that brought it in. [00:12:02] Speaker I: Take your time. [00:12:03] Speaker J: See, now it's a bit. No, no use. I just can't bring him to mind. [00:12:09] Speaker I: Do you have any idea if it was yesterday morning or in the afternoon you got the bill? [00:12:14] Speaker J: Couldn't say. [00:12:15] Speaker I: What time do you take the money to the bank? [00:12:17] Speaker J: About 2:30. Same time, always due. [00:12:19] Speaker I: I see. And how much cash do you usually have on hand when you open the store in the morning? [00:12:23] Speaker J: Maybe 25, $30. Just enough to make change. [00:12:26] Speaker I: If somebody handed you a $20 bill anytime before noon, it would pretty much clean out your cash drawer, wouldn't it? [00:12:31] Speaker J: Yeah, regular wood. [00:12:32] Speaker I: Well, then, isn't it a pretty good chance you received the bill sometime between noon? And the time you went to the bank? [00:12:37] Speaker J: Well, I never thought of it that way, but I still don't. Wait a minute. Yeah, it's coming back to me now. I just finished eating and this fella come in and bought a box of shotgun shells. He was the one that gave me the 20. [00:12:50] Speaker H: You sure about that? [00:12:52] Speaker J: Yes, I'm sure. [00:12:53] Speaker I: Did you know the man, Mr. Allen? [00:12:55] Speaker J: I've seen him around town and don't know his name. Could be. Lives in one of them farms outside Compton. [00:13:00] Speaker I: Could you give us a description of him? [00:13:02] Speaker J: Well, I ain't much of a hand at telling people what other people look like. [00:13:06] Speaker I: Well, do you remember if he had a mole under his left eye? [00:13:08] Speaker J: Mole? Tell you the truth, Ranger, I'm just not sure. Maybe he did, but I can't swear one way or the other. [00:13:16] Speaker I: All right, Mr. Allen. Thanks a lot. [00:13:18] Speaker J: One thing I'll say. If I was to see this feller again, I'd know him. [00:13:21] Speaker I: I hope we can show him to you soon. Come on, Crane. Let's get back to your office. [00:13:33] Speaker H: I still think the old man made a mistake, Jase. That bank job wasn't pulled by any local boys. [00:13:38] Speaker I: Maybe not. There's no doubt one of the men we're after was around here. We've got CP still around. [00:13:44] Speaker H: Ms. Palmer, what are you doing here? [00:13:46] Speaker G: I'm sorry to make a piss to myself, Constable. [00:13:49] Speaker H: That's all right. [00:13:49] Speaker G: I called Jeff's brother and he isn't over there. [00:13:51] Speaker I: I don't know where he is. [00:13:52] Speaker H: No, he'll turn up. [00:13:54] Speaker G: Something's happened to him. I know it. Ranger, maybe you can help me. Isn't there anything I can do to find my husband? [00:14:00] Speaker I: Well, you could have the constable file a missing persons report. That way, all the police in the state would be on the lookout for. [00:14:06] Speaker G: Will you do that, Constance? [00:14:07] Speaker H: Oh, sure, Ms. Palmer. But I think before you do that, you ought to give Jeff a little longer to show up. [00:14:11] Speaker G: I can't wait any longer. I couldn't sleep all last night. I know something's happened to it. [00:14:16] Speaker H: All right, I'll file a report. So long since I filled one out, I'm not even sure I've got the form. [00:14:22] Speaker I: I got some in the car if you need them. [00:14:24] Speaker H: Oh, here's one now. Mrs. Palmer, you're all upset. Why don't you go on home? I'll fill this out myself. [00:14:30] Speaker I: Don't forget, Crane, Mrs. Palmer has to sign the form. [00:14:33] Speaker H: Oh, yeah? [00:14:34] Speaker I: Probably be better if she fills in the description anyhow. [00:14:37] Speaker G: What kind of a description do you need, Ranger? [00:14:39] Speaker I: The usual Description, Height, weight, color of hair and eyes. Anything we can use to identify him? [00:14:44] Speaker G: Well, Jeff looks just about like anybody else. [00:14:48] Speaker I: No two people are alike, Mrs. Palmer. There must be something that's different about him. [00:14:53] Speaker G: I can't think of anything, except maybe a mole. [00:14:56] Speaker I: What's that? [00:14:57] Speaker G: He's got a mole under his left eye. [00:15:09] Speaker E: In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McCrae as Ranger Jace Pearson. [00:15:17] Speaker F: As a civilian at home, what is your obligation to a soldier in a foxhole in Korea? Maybe you haven't considered that question. If you haven't, it's understandable. A foxhole in Korea is pretty remote, after all, from your everyday life. And it wouldn't help if you were constantly worrying. But if you have stopped to consider it, the least we can do here at home in the States is to help keep America financially strong. That's the best way to back up the men in the Army, Navy and Air Force. One of the best ways to help keep America financially strong is to buy United States Defense Bonds regularly. If you think you can't afford it, look into the payroll savings plan where you work. You'll probably change your mind. You can have any amount you specify saved from each paycheck. When there's enough for a defense bond, it is purchased and turned over to you. And remember, today, defense bonds offer you more interest, a quicker return on your money. They're now even better. Invest more in defense bonds. [00:16:16] Speaker G: Now. [00:16:16] Speaker F: Tales of the Texas Rangers. [00:16:23] Speaker E: We continue now with Tales of the Texas Rangers and our authentic story, Double Edge. [00:16:36] Speaker I: I was fairly sure now that Jeff Palmer was one of the two men we were. After continued questioning of his wife convinced me she knew nothing of the bank robbery, we put out an APB on Palmer. Three days later, I had a call from the sheriff. A man whose description matched Palmer's had been found dead in a creek near Compton. Quickest way for me to get there was on horseback through two miles of brush. When I reached the creek, I forded it and headed upstream to the spot where the sheriff and his men were waiting. Howdy, Sheriff. [00:17:02] Speaker A: It's a good thing you had your horse. Jake saved you 20 miles of driving. [00:17:05] Speaker I: Yeah. [00:17:06] Speaker A: Oh. Whoa. [00:17:06] Speaker I: Charlie. [00:17:07] Speaker H: Oh, boy. [00:17:08] Speaker I: Who found the body? [00:17:09] Speaker A: Those fellas over there. They were out fishing. Spotted a man's arm sticking out of the water. Body had been wired to an old log, but it looks like one of the wires worked loose. Uh huh. [00:17:18] Speaker I: Let's take a look at him. [00:17:19] Speaker A: Yeah, Right over here, Jason. [00:17:21] Speaker I: Pretty sure it's Palmer. [00:17:22] Speaker A: Well, description checks with the one his wife signed. So I reckon it's him. Here we are. [00:17:27] Speaker I: Yeah. Shot four times. Fellow who did it must have been standing right next to him. [00:17:34] Speaker A: Somebody really wanted to make sure he was dead. I wonder why Palmer was killed. [00:17:39] Speaker I: Well, there's only two reasons I can think of. Either to shut him up or keep him from getting his share of the money. Maybe both. [00:17:45] Speaker A: Sounds reasonable. If we find the second man in that bank robbery, we'll probably have the one who killed Palmer. There don't seem to be much to go on. [00:17:53] Speaker I: One thing we can be pretty sure of, he was killed right here. [00:17:55] Speaker A: How do you figure that? [00:17:56] Speaker I: Tent's been made to cover it up, but you can still see quite a bit of blood on the ground here. [00:18:01] Speaker A: Yeah, I noticed that. But I thought he could have been killed somewhere else and brought here. [00:18:05] Speaker I: Then there wouldn't be all this blood. Not much bleeding after death. [00:18:08] Speaker A: Well, it would have been smart of the killer to do the job here. Certainly. Not many people around. [00:18:12] Speaker I: No. We'll have to go over the area. You check that cabin up on the hill, Sheriff? [00:18:16] Speaker J: Where? [00:18:17] Speaker I: Through those trees? [00:18:19] Speaker A: No, I didn't notice it before. [00:18:20] Speaker I: The person who lives there could have heard the shots. We better talk to him. [00:18:23] Speaker A: Okay. Opening in the brush. We can go up through here, huh? And it pretty much trampled from here on up the hill. Somebody's come down almost to the spot where Palmer was killed in the past [00:18:38] Speaker I: few days, too, from the look of it. [00:18:40] Speaker A: You think whoever lives in that cabin had something to do with this business? [00:18:43] Speaker I: Could be. [00:18:44] Speaker A: They might have been hiding out here together. And then. Hey, Jase. A man just ducked behind that tree up there. [00:18:49] Speaker I: Yeah. [00:18:50] Speaker A: Look, he's starting up the hill. [00:18:53] Speaker E: Hold it right where you are. [00:18:55] Speaker H: Hold it, I said. [00:18:59] Speaker J: I ain't done nothing. [00:19:00] Speaker I: Nobody's saying you have. What's your name? [00:19:03] Speaker J: Dan. Dan Boughton, sir. [00:19:04] Speaker I: You live in that cabin up there? [00:19:07] Speaker J: Yes, sir. [00:19:07] Speaker A: Stay around there pretty much, do you? [00:19:09] Speaker J: Most of the time, except about once a week, I take my mule and go into town. [00:19:14] Speaker I: You heard any shooting around here in the last couple of days? [00:19:16] Speaker J: I. Yes, sir, I have. [00:19:19] Speaker A: When was this? [00:19:21] Speaker J: Reckons about four days ago. I. I was smoking some meat back at the cabin. Now I hear some shooting. [00:19:27] Speaker I: Did you come down the hill to see what it was? [00:19:28] Speaker J: Mr. Ranger, please don't ask me no more questions, Dan. [00:19:32] Speaker I: It's very important we find out what happened. You could help us. [00:19:37] Speaker J: Well, all right, sir. Soon as I hear the shots, I. I come about halfway down the hill. [00:19:43] Speaker A: Could you see anybody? [00:19:45] Speaker J: I seen a man bending over another man on the ground, I duck down quick. Here in Harris Brush. I was scared if he'd see me, he'd shoot me too. [00:19:54] Speaker I: Did you see his face? [00:19:56] Speaker J: Yes, sir. [00:19:56] Speaker A: You know who he was? [00:19:58] Speaker J: No, sir. [00:19:59] Speaker I: I don't think you're telling us the truth, Dan. [00:20:01] Speaker J: Mr. Ranger, I just live here in my cabin and I don't hurt nobody and I don't want nobody hurting me. [00:20:06] Speaker I: Dan, tell us who the man was you saw down here the other day. [00:20:10] Speaker J: I can't, Mr. Ranger. I'm scared. [00:20:14] Speaker I: Nothing's gonna happen to you, I can promise you that. [00:20:17] Speaker J: Well, like I say, I was hiding here in the brush. I didn't see this man's face good till he picked the other man up and carried him over to the creek. Then I see them real plain. [00:20:30] Speaker I: Who was it then? [00:20:33] Speaker J: The constable in the Compton, Mr. Sam Crane. [00:20:40] Speaker I: We questioned the old man further. He was absolutely sure it was the constable, Sam Crane, he had seen. We took Dan back into town with us. When we arrived at the mortuary where the dead man's body had been taken, we put Dan in an office next to the morgue. And I phoned the constable and asked him to come over as quickly as possible. The sheriff and I stayed in the room with Palmer's body. Five minutes later, Crane walked in. [00:21:02] Speaker H: I got here as quick as I could. Jace, what's this? Old. Oh, Sheriff. [00:21:07] Speaker A: Howdy, Crane. [00:21:08] Speaker H: You wanted me for something. [00:21:10] Speaker I: I found the body of a man. It could be Palmer, like you to identify him. [00:21:13] Speaker H: Well, sure, but why me? Why didn't you get Ms. Palmer? [00:21:17] Speaker I: Wanted to be sure we were right before we call her down here. There's no use getting her any more upset than we have to. [00:21:21] Speaker H: I didn't know him very well, Jace. [00:21:23] Speaker I: Didn't you? Funny, I got the idea you did. [00:21:26] Speaker H: That the body over there? [00:21:28] Speaker I: Yeah. Better take a look. [00:21:30] Speaker H: Where'd you find him? [00:21:31] Speaker I: In the creek, about 10 miles from here. Pull the sheet back, will you, Sheriff? [00:21:35] Speaker A: Sure, James. [00:21:38] Speaker I: Well, Crane? [00:21:39] Speaker H: Oh, you can cover him up again. It's Jeff Palmer who killed him. [00:21:45] Speaker I: I thought maybe you could tell us that. [00:21:47] Speaker D: Me? [00:21:47] Speaker I: Where were you at 11:30 Monday morning? [00:21:50] Speaker H: Monday? [00:21:50] Speaker I: Uh huh. Where were you? [00:21:52] Speaker H: Well, I don't know, Jace. Reckon I was in my office working. [00:21:55] Speaker A: I reckon you weren't, Crane. [00:21:56] Speaker H: Look, how about Tuesday? [00:21:58] Speaker I: The day after the bank was robbed in Holden? The afternoon that Jeff Palmer disappeared. [00:22:02] Speaker H: Jace, why are you asking me all these questions? [00:22:03] Speaker I: Because we think you and Palmer robbed that bank in Holden. [00:22:06] Speaker H: What? [00:22:06] Speaker I: The morning after the stick up you got the circular saying some of the money was hot Wait a minute. Jay went out to warn Palmer. When you found out he'd already spent some of the money and would probably be traced, you had to shut him up, took him out the creek and killed him. [00:22:17] Speaker H: You're crazy, Jace. If I did that, you think I'd have reported finding one of the stolen bills? [00:22:21] Speaker I: You had to do that. If you hadn't reported it, the bank would, and you knew it. [00:22:25] Speaker H: That's a pretty serious accusation you're making, Jace. [00:22:27] Speaker I: I wouldn't be making it unless I was pretty sure of what I was saying. [00:22:30] Speaker H: How can you be so sure? [00:22:31] Speaker I: Come into the next room with us, Crane. [00:22:33] Speaker H: What for? [00:22:34] Speaker I: You'll find out. Better take his gun, Sheriff. [00:22:36] Speaker H: Look, you old stealth. [00:22:38] Speaker A: That's better. [00:22:39] Speaker I: Now, come on. [00:22:40] Speaker H: Fine friend you turned out to be. [00:22:42] Speaker I: Think I like doing this? Dan? [00:22:47] Speaker J: Yes, sir. [00:22:47] Speaker H: Who's this? [00:22:48] Speaker I: Dan, take a look at this man. [00:22:51] Speaker J: Yes, sir. [00:22:52] Speaker I: You know him? [00:22:53] Speaker J: Yes, sir. [00:22:53] Speaker I: You sure you know him? [00:22:55] Speaker J: Hey? Yes, sir. He's Mr. Sam Crane. [00:22:57] Speaker I: Where'd you see him last, Mr. Ranger? Just tell us where you saw him, Dan. [00:23:02] Speaker J: Out in the creek at my place. [00:23:03] Speaker H: You lie. [00:23:04] Speaker E: Hold it, Crane. [00:23:06] Speaker I: Dan, when you saw him out at the creek, what was he doing? [00:23:09] Speaker H: He. [00:23:10] Speaker J: He takes some man off the ground and put him in the creek. [00:23:13] Speaker H: That's a lie, Chase. I've known you for 10 years. You're gonna take his word against mine? [00:23:17] Speaker I: Yes, I am. [00:23:18] Speaker H: Without giving me a chance? [00:23:18] Speaker I: You had your chance when Palmer's wife came in and reported him missing. He tried to brush her off. [00:23:22] Speaker H: You're a liar. [00:23:23] Speaker I: I didn't know why you were so lax then, but I do now. You were afraid we'd find your partner's body. [00:23:27] Speaker H: Why kill you? You like? I don't think you will [00:23:34] Speaker I: try that again, Crane. [00:23:36] Speaker H: You can't railroad me like this. I'm still a police officer. [00:23:40] Speaker I: That's something I've been ashamed of for the past three hours. Come on. During the ride to the county jail, Crane said nothing, but the hate and bitterness showed in his eyes. We booked him for murder and locked him up. We searched his house and found the money from the bank robbery sewed inside a mattress. Two months later, Crane was tried in the district court at Holden for armed robbery and murder. As the arresting officer, I was subpoenaed and took the stand against him. Trial lasted a week. When the jury left the courtroom, I went outside and stood on the courthouse steps. After a while, the sheriff came out and walked toward me. [00:24:21] Speaker A: Well, it's all over, Jace. Jury recommended the chair. They didn't seem to have any Trouble deciding he was guilty? [00:24:28] Speaker I: No, I reckon not. [00:24:30] Speaker A: I didn't know you'd walked out till after the jury came back. Sorry you didn't get to hear the verdict. [00:24:35] Speaker I: It's all right, sheriff. I wasn't anxious to hear it. [00:24:38] Speaker A: Jace, you don't mind my saying so, you're taking this thing too hard. [00:24:42] Speaker I: Maybe so. [00:24:43] Speaker A: Crane is no good. He's rotten clean through. You ought to be glad you helped him get what he deserves. [00:24:48] Speaker I: Somehow I can't feel that way. It's bad enough sending a man to the chair anytime. Somebody you've known and worked with. [00:24:55] Speaker A: Yeah. Reckon I understand how you feel. He owes the deputy to bring him out now. [00:25:00] Speaker H: I was hoping I'd see you before they took me away. [00:25:03] Speaker J: Pearson. [00:25:03] Speaker I: Hello, Crane. [00:25:04] Speaker H: Wait a minute, boys. I got a few words to say to Pearson here. [00:25:08] Speaker A: Remind what you got to say. Charlie, take him on. [00:25:10] Speaker I: Just a second. What were you gonna say, Crane? [00:25:13] Speaker H: You think you're pretty smart, don't you? Testifying against me like you did. [00:25:16] Speaker I: I only did what I had to. [00:25:18] Speaker H: Yeah, well, listen, Pearson, I'll get you. I'll get you over the last thing I do. [00:25:24] Speaker I: Sorry you feel that way. [00:25:25] Speaker H: You hear me, Pearson? I'm gonna get you. [00:25:27] Speaker A: Take him away, boys. [00:25:28] Speaker H: I'll get you, Pearson. I'll get you. [00:25:31] Speaker A: Dirty scum. He ought to have his face pushed in. [00:25:33] Speaker I: Come on, sheriff, let's go get some coffee. I went back to headquarters a week later, on the day Crane was to be taken from the county jail to the penitentiary, I received a message saying the sheriff wanted to see me. I drove to Holden and went to the sheriff's office. [00:25:51] Speaker A: Sorry to bring you all the way back here, Jason. I hope you're not gonna be sore at me. [00:25:56] Speaker I: What's up? [00:25:56] Speaker A: Well, it's about Crane. I was supposed to leave for Huntsville with him two hours ago. [00:26:00] Speaker I: No trouble, is there? [00:26:01] Speaker A: Oh, no, not a bit. Matter of fact, ever since he was sentenced, Crane's been a changed man. [00:26:06] Speaker I: How do you mean? [00:26:07] Speaker A: Well, his whole attitude's different, Jase. He even asked the judge to move up his electrocution date. Said he wanted to get it over with as quick as possible. Then he has to see you, Jason. [00:26:17] Speaker I: What for? [00:26:19] Speaker A: You've got no idea how sorry he is for the way he acted last week when he begged to see you. [00:26:24] Speaker I: Why? [00:26:24] Speaker A: Well, it was one favor I just couldn't refuse him. [00:26:27] Speaker I: Glad you didn't. Where is he? [00:26:28] Speaker A: I got him locked up back here. We're all set to leave. You want to wait till I bring him out? [00:26:32] Speaker I: I'll go with You? [00:26:34] Speaker A: I just can't get over the way he's changed. I reckon it's knowing he's going to die. Did he? [00:26:39] Speaker I: Well, whatever it is, I'm happy to hear he has changed. You know how bad I felt about this whole thing. [00:26:44] Speaker A: Yeah, and last week I thought you were wrong. Now I'm ready to eat my words. Here we are, Crane. [00:26:51] Speaker H: Okay, Sheriff. [00:26:52] Speaker A: I got a hold of Jace for you. [00:26:54] Speaker H: Oh, thanks, Sheriff. [00:26:56] Speaker I: Hello, Crane. [00:26:59] Speaker H: Jase, I. I don't know how to say this. [00:27:02] Speaker I: Don't worry about it. I understand. [00:27:04] Speaker H: No, I've got to say it. I. I figured out a dozen ways of telling you, and none of them seems right. I reckon the best way is just to say I'm sorry. [00:27:13] Speaker I: That's all right, Crane. [00:27:14] Speaker H: I've been thinking about it. The way I blew off at you. I was wrong. You just did what you had to do. Jace, will you shake hands with me? [00:27:24] Speaker I: Sure I will. [00:27:26] Speaker A: I reckon we better get moving, boys. [00:27:28] Speaker H: Would you do a favor for me, Jase? [00:27:31] Speaker I: If I can. [00:27:31] Speaker H: There's a girl over in Compton. We've been going together a few years. Might have been married someday. [00:27:38] Speaker I: You want me to go see her? [00:27:39] Speaker H: Would you, Jace? Drop in on her every now and then and see if she's getting along all right. [00:27:43] Speaker I: I'll be glad to. [00:27:44] Speaker H: I'd like to show you a picture of her, Sheriff. Is that my satchel over there? [00:27:48] Speaker A: Yeah. All packed and ready to go. [00:27:51] Speaker H: There's a picture of my girl in it. Could I have it? [00:27:53] Speaker A: Sure, Crane. [00:27:55] Speaker H: It's right on top. I feel real sorry for her, Jace. All the publicity. [00:28:00] Speaker A: This it in the leather frame? [00:28:02] Speaker I: Yeah. [00:28:03] Speaker H: I never deserved a girl like her in the first place. [00:28:05] Speaker A: Here you are. [00:28:06] Speaker H: Thanks. What do you think of her, Jace? [00:28:09] Speaker I: Pretty girl. [00:28:10] Speaker H: Bet she is. Here, let me get it into a better light. Now you can see what I wanted [00:28:17] Speaker A: you to see, Jake. [00:28:18] Speaker H: He's got a razor blade. I told you I'd get a little late. My arm. My arm. Drop that blade. Drop it. [00:28:27] Speaker I: Put cuffs on him, Sheriff. [00:28:28] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:29] Speaker H: Dirty, lousy. [00:28:30] Speaker G: Shut up. [00:28:30] Speaker A: Should have known better than to trust him. Where'd you get that razor blade, anyhow? [00:28:34] Speaker I: I had it hidden in the picture frame. [00:28:35] Speaker A: Say, your hand's bleeding, Jace. Did he get you bad? [00:28:38] Speaker I: Just nicked me a little. [00:28:39] Speaker H: Shut up in your throat. I told you to shut up. [00:28:41] Speaker A: Come on, Train. The last favor you'll get from me. [00:28:44] Speaker H: Get your lousy paws off me. Come on, Sheriff. [00:28:47] Speaker I: I hope you got room in your car for one more. This boy needs lots of company. [00:29:05] Speaker E: In just a moment, we will tell you the results of the case you have just heard. [00:29:09] Speaker F: Monday means music on NBC, and tomorrow evening you're invited to relax in your favorite easy chair or outdoors where you can catch a breath of a breeze and listen to the finest in musical entertainment on NBC. The Railroad Hour once again will bring you an original operetta by Jerry Lawrence and Bob Lee with music composed and conducted by Carmen Dragon. Your Railroad hour host, Gordon McRae will be joined by lovely Lucille Norman to bring you Starlight. Later, the Telephone Hour will present the brilliant young pianist Nicole Henriot as the special guest of the evening. And of course, Monday's musical entertainment wouldn't be complete without the Voice of Firestone. Tomorrow evening, the Voice of Firestone presents soprano Roberta Peters and the music of Howard Barlow and the Firestone Orchestra and Chorus. Yes, Monday night is truly a night to relax and beat the heat by finding the coolest spot available and listening to NBC's great musical programs. Be sure to hear them all tomorrow. Now the conclusion of Tales of the Texas Rangers. [00:30:20] Speaker E: And now, here are the results of the case you have just heard. [00:30:24] Speaker A: Sam Crane was taken to Huntsville Penitentiary and confined in the special cell block set aside for condemned prisoners. 93 days later, still defiant, he died in the electric chair. [00:30:39] Speaker E: Next week, Joel McCrea and another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers. Joel McCray is currently seen in San Francisco. Story, a Warner Brothers release. The cast included Tony Barrett, Virginia Gregg, Frank Gerstel, Parley Bear, Paul McVeigh, and Robert Bice. Technical advisor was Captain Mt Lone Wolf Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers. This story was transcribed and adapted by Charles E. Israel and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keach. Tales of the Texas Rangers is heard each week overseas through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Hal Gibby speaking. [00:31:41] Speaker F: Tonight here the Hollywood Full concert on NBC. [00:31:46] Speaker B: That was Double Edge from Tales of the Texas Rangers here on the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society podcast once again. I'm Eric. [00:31:55] Speaker C: I'm Tim. [00:31:55] Speaker D: And I'm Joshua. [00:31:57] Speaker B: That came to us by a recommendation from our listener library from our Patreon supporter, Ryan. Hi, Ryan. Thanks so much. Something we haven't done before. Tales of the Texas Rangers. Uh, wow. Yeah. That's Dragnet. [00:32:12] Speaker D: Dragnet meets Gunsmoke. [00:32:14] Speaker I: Yeah. [00:32:14] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:32:14] Speaker C: Although it preceded Gunsmoke by a little bit. [00:32:17] Speaker D: Wow. [00:32:17] Speaker C: Yeah, it was on the heels. [00:32:19] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:32:20] Speaker D: Wow. Because it really feels like it's tapping into that. [00:32:24] Speaker C: So someone from the creative team of text readers went to Gunsmoke. [00:32:27] Speaker D: Ah, that makes sense. But it is weird to hear a Parley bear. To hear Chester playing a sheriff. [00:32:34] Speaker B: That character voice, I didn't know that was him. [00:32:36] Speaker D: You can hear it. I mean, you can't. [00:32:37] Speaker H: I can't. [00:32:39] Speaker B: The bad sheriff. [00:32:40] Speaker D: No. Well, the sheriff was not bad. It was the constable. [00:32:43] Speaker B: The constable was bad. Right. Okay. Yeah. He was the good guy then. [00:32:46] Speaker C: The helpful one who argues with the hardware store owner. [00:32:49] Speaker B: Right, Right. [00:32:51] Speaker D: No, the constable argues with. [00:32:53] Speaker B: Yeah, the constable has the problem with the hardware store owner. [00:32:56] Speaker D: Guys, we listen to this. [00:32:59] Speaker C: There's a lot of police titles in [00:33:00] Speaker B: here that push pause. We're going to listen to this. I liked it a lot. All right. How do I put this? When you listen to something and either at the end you're going, wow, I was so enthralled, or, wow, I'm so disappointed or angry or miffed. Right. Gauges reaction when there is a literal. At the end of. I don't have the strong reaction either way because it was really good. I thought the performances were great. I didn't stand up and be like, wow, cool. Right. But it's kind of hard to explain, but that benignness of my reaction tells me it was good. [00:33:44] Speaker D: What I admired most in this script were small creative choices. So maybe that speaks to your middle of the road reaction. Right. It's not the like, wow or boo. There's just a lot of like, nice. [00:34:00] Speaker B: Exactly. That would explain it. [00:34:02] Speaker D: And it starts from scene one, which is my favorite scene in this entire episode because it is such a unique and interesting way to A, enter the story, and B, to reframe a scene that in film and radio and books, we've seen over and over again, a bank robbery. But this idea of having the babysitter call the bank, and then she hears, as is listening in on this bank robbery just as we as listeners to the radio show are listening into all of it. And I just thought, this is just a writer who cares about my experience as a listener. He could easily just write that as a. All right, stick them up. [00:34:52] Speaker C: Yep. [00:34:52] Speaker D: Check the box. Bank robbery. You know, you've heard it millions of times. Instead, he crafted this really interesting scene created, along with the performer, an entire character who is superfluous to the narrative. She never comes back. There's no reason for that scene to exist the way it exists, other than, hey, this is a fun way to tell this story. [00:35:19] Speaker C: And I took it as not necessarily important. But that happy accident of her overhearing this, she was able to get the police there faster than if she had not. [00:35:30] Speaker D: Yeah. I don't mean that. It doesn't Play a role in the sequence of events, but the amount of detail to her character is not needed. But you know who this lady is [00:35:42] Speaker B: and what does that sound like? Dragnet. [00:35:44] Speaker D: Dragnet. Yeah. Definitely the other really Dragnet quality. And again, it plays some role in the narrative, but not one that if you took it away, you would miss. And that is the grudge between the constable and the hardware store owner. Right. When it's all said and done, you go, okay, maybe that was a little foreshadowing that the constable is not as easygoing as he presents himself to Jace. [00:36:11] Speaker B: Right. [00:36:12] Speaker D: But overall, it just makes that scene, again, a scene we've seen a kajillion times. Cop interviews a potential witness and gives it color. [00:36:23] Speaker C: Yeah. And you know, it is, again, narratively a nice excuse for. Why do I have to talk to him? [00:36:29] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:36:30] Speaker C: Because he won't talk to me. [00:36:32] Speaker B: There is a disturbing moment in this when Tom. I believe the cabin owner. Tom. [00:36:40] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah. [00:36:41] Speaker D: You're thinking of Uncle Tom's cabin. I think it's Dan. [00:36:44] Speaker B: Dan. Three letters. [00:36:46] Speaker C: I know there was a cabin owner. [00:36:48] Speaker B: Yeah. When the cabin owner's reluctant to give up information because he's afraid of the constable. And he convinces him like you got to. And all right, well, then he brings him into the station, puts him in a room, and then brings the guy in in front of him and says, tell me what you told me. This is exactly what I was terrified of, sir. Could I not just look through a window and him not know? And I go, yeah, that's the guy. Like, that was to me faulty a little bit. Like, that's really mean to do to that guy. Like there's a. There are other ways he could have identified him, knowing how terrified he was. It seemed really mean to do to. [00:37:35] Speaker H: True. [00:37:35] Speaker D: I also think it shows Jace's confidence in the fact that he's got him. [00:37:40] Speaker C: Yeah. I think I took. You are not wrong about how that. But to use that as a way to shake his suspect. [00:37:49] Speaker B: Right. At the expense of that poor guy who's terrified. [00:37:55] Speaker D: But again, I don't think Jace has any idea that going forward he's going to just let the constable walk. [00:38:01] Speaker B: No. [00:38:02] Speaker C: And I mean as a little bit departure from Dragnet. The murder scene is gruesome. [00:38:08] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:38:09] Speaker C: They say shot four times. Basically point blank. [00:38:12] Speaker B: Point blank. [00:38:12] Speaker D: Yeah. And another benefit to adding a lot of color to scenes that may or may not be narratively significant is it works to hide clues because you start to get accustomed that you're gonna get a lot of character building and world building and you aren't necessarily paying attention to every detail. And even when there are moments like when the wife of the robber comes and says her husband hasn't returned home and the constable's dismissive of it, as a listener, you go, well, that guy is somehow involved in the robber. He's either been killed by the robbers or he is a robbery. But that hides the fact that what that scene is actually doing is providing some clues that the constable is the bad guy. His dismissal of it, and I did not pick up on that. [00:39:04] Speaker B: What I found really great about that piece of writing was he passes that woman in the street, he dismisses her on the way to the hardware store. Right. Okay. And I think either this is important or just. What's the word we use to give. [00:39:26] Speaker D: Color. [00:39:27] Speaker B: Just color. Just. This is his daily life. [00:39:29] Speaker D: Yeah. Dragnet style. [00:39:30] Speaker B: Dragnets. Thank you. It's very much that. Not necessarily. We're just. This happened on the way there and you don't. Not everything's a clue. Not everything leads to that. Sometimes we got to listen to him walk down the hall, 15 steps to get coffee and Dragnet style. When we find out that that dismissiveness was important, I went, oh, right, that. And I found that really fun. [00:39:56] Speaker D: And as a first time listener to Tales of the Texas Rangers, that also informs the character of Jace for a new listener. The fact that he instantly picked up on that was weird. The constable's dismissiveness, it tells you, like how he would have handled that. He would have given her more respect and taken her seriously. Even if perhaps he thought she was over worrying, he would have asked more questions and made sure she was worrying over nothing. [00:40:26] Speaker B: Right. Or at the very least been more consoling or said, meet me, we'll talk as soon as I'm done with this. Something to that effect. The other thing about this is Jace is an underused first name. That sounds stupid, but I. That's a good name. [00:40:43] Speaker D: Jace. [00:40:44] Speaker B: Yeah, I like that name. [00:40:46] Speaker A: I. [00:40:47] Speaker B: That's my new name. That's. I'm now Jace Webster. [00:40:51] Speaker D: Eric Jace Webster. [00:40:52] Speaker B: Yeah. No, no middle. [00:40:53] Speaker D: It's because it sounds like Chase. [00:40:56] Speaker C: So his horse's name. He says it once in the. [00:41:00] Speaker D: But it's in the charcoal. [00:41:02] Speaker C: Charkey. Like charcoal. [00:41:03] Speaker D: Yes. Yes. [00:41:04] Speaker C: Shortens the charkey. [00:41:06] Speaker B: CPO Turkey. [00:41:07] Speaker C: Yes. Get out. [00:41:13] Speaker B: I just pulled that stupid show out of my dusty bins in my head. [00:41:20] Speaker D: Another unnecessary addition, but its inclusion elevates it, is the fact that Jason the constable have known each other for 10 years. They've worked in cases, not best friends. [00:41:34] Speaker B: But he had a healthy respect for him. [00:41:36] Speaker H: Yeah. [00:41:37] Speaker D: And so they become kind of mirror images of each other. They both end up feeling betrayed by the other. And the constable, because of his nature, expresses it through, you know, rage and bitterness. And Jace just through sadness and regret. Right. [00:41:54] Speaker B: I like his disappointment. And that's the word. It's a weird sentence, stutter. But in the storytelling, I like Jace's disappointment, the sadness. [00:42:03] Speaker D: He walks out. He doesn't want to even hear the sentence. He knows what it's going to be. So it builds his character up nicely. [00:42:10] Speaker C: But I also like, in the same vein, that once he's got the evidence of who this is, just no hesitation. [00:42:17] Speaker D: Oh, yeah. [00:42:17] Speaker C: No doubts. No. [00:42:18] Speaker B: Yeah. He didn't mess around. [00:42:20] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:42:21] Speaker B: So we think you killed him and just went after him. [00:42:25] Speaker D: Yeah. He doesn't let his emotions or disappointment color his understanding. Understanding of facts and evidence. [00:42:32] Speaker B: Great line where he says, I'm a cop. You know, he says, I'm a cop. And I've never been more disappointed in the last three hours. Waiting for him to arrive or whatever. I'm paraphrasing, but I love that line. [00:42:43] Speaker D: And what did you think of the last scene where he's called in to visit him? Did you believe his change of heart or were you just waiting for what the scheme was? [00:42:55] Speaker B: Got me. I thought we were going down the path, Lone Ranger Esky kind of thing, where, gosh, I really screwed up and that Jace would feel a little better, that he felt remorse. Then he attacked him. And I went, holy crap. [00:43:13] Speaker C: For me, it was that writer thing of. I knew when they wanted me to know of, like, when the conversation is happening and this is going on a little too long for a redemption. [00:43:25] Speaker D: I assumed immediately that it was a trap. I'm not sure why. I'm maybe just a more cynical human being. But it was still fun because for me, it was like, we need to shake my hand. Like, oh, no, don't do it. [00:43:38] Speaker B: Sure. [00:43:38] Speaker D: He's got a tiny snake in his hand. It's something there. Oh, no. I ended up being disappointed because I imagined I was absorbed in it. So I didn't look at the. The remaining time. And it was moving on at quite a pace. I didn't feel like it was necessarily completely wrapped up yet. And so when he talks about, will you go see my girl? I created this whole scene like, oh, he's gonna go visit his girlfriend and she's gonna try to kill him. [00:44:05] Speaker B: Sure. You mentioned a few weeks back about how you don't like people having a turnaround. In their life. Some foxhole revelation. [00:44:14] Speaker D: Not people in general. You hope for that. But in fiction, I feel it has to be earned. [00:44:19] Speaker B: Right. Or even in real life, a lot of times we have that. I mean, when people pass in our lives, we're very affected by it. But we can also very soon go back to the way we were. So it takes a lot and it takes work. Right in this story. Was really happy that it wasn't the ending that he was. [00:44:40] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:44:41] Speaker B: I'm a changed man because I was like, ah, that's going to be a hokey ending. [00:44:44] Speaker J: Yeah. [00:44:44] Speaker B: And I was really happy that it wasn't the ending of this. Again, giving it that hokey. No offense to the Lone Ranger. I've got the Lone Ranger tattooed on my arm, everybody. So I'm not ripping the Lone Ranger show. I'm just saying it's got that. [00:44:59] Speaker C: It's pitched to a younger audience. [00:45:01] Speaker B: Yes, exactly. [00:45:02] Speaker D: A kid should learn early. People don't change. Grow up, kid. [00:45:09] Speaker B: I just didn't want that kind of ending. And I was glad it wasn't, but I thought that's where it was going. [00:45:15] Speaker D: Yeah. I think that. Well, in fiction, it has to be better set up. And I mean, there's nothing more moving than a really well written, plausible redemption arc for someone. In fiction, I just think it is difficult to pull off because it's so rare in real life. It is like the Flitcraft parable and the Maltese Falcon. It's the beams falling. People try to change their life and they just slowly slip back into the ruts they are familiar with. And so it can ring hollow. And fiction, if not done really, really well. So I agree with you. I was glad he tried to kill Jace. [00:45:55] Speaker B: I will say also that by Ryan bringing this to us. First of all, Ryan knows us really well at this point. And I think he was dead on in saying, oh, you guys will like this. Here's something you haven't done and you'd like. And you were right to the point that I'm going to be listening to more of these. [00:46:15] Speaker D: It is so technically good. [00:46:18] Speaker A: Yes. [00:46:19] Speaker D: I couldn't come up with a better word than good. I mean, it is so expertly done in terms of performance and script writing that production values. Yeah. It's the kind of series that you can listen to. And if an episode's like, fine, it's still going to have all these rewarding tiny bits to it. [00:46:38] Speaker B: Gunsmoke. Yeah, Dragnet. I know we just keep saying those, but it's in that same vein. [00:46:43] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:46:43] Speaker C: And Joel McCrae is fascinating to play it so understated, so straight and have so much there. [00:46:51] Speaker B: There's a lot of depth. There's a lot of depth to. Not a lot of work in the performance. [00:46:57] Speaker D: Yeah. Because there's no machismo there. [00:47:00] Speaker H: Right. [00:47:01] Speaker D: There's no swaggering quality to his performance, but you believe that he's not going to give you an inch if he thinks you've done wrong. Yeah. Interesting. Interesting performance. [00:47:14] Speaker B: Well, vote. Yeah, I'll start this week. It definitely Stand the test of time. It's definitely piqued my interest to hear more of these. In fact, that's what I'm going to do tonight. So I will have probably within a week, nine or ten of these. The first eight minutes before you fall asleep. Before you fall asleep and be desperate to find out how they ended. I don't think it's classic in the sense of, wow, that's new territory. I mean, it's really getting hard for me to throw classic on stuff. We've had a few in the last few months that surprised me, but. So I'm not going to give it classic, but I'm going to give it a really, really, really good. And Stand the test of time. [00:47:58] Speaker C: The one sort of criticism that can be laid at its feet is it's Dragnet, but not quite Dragnet and it's Gunsmoke, but it's not quite Gunsmoke. But by combining an excellent stab at both of these becomes its own unique thing, which is excellent. I'm very curious to hear more to know if this was the outstanding representative of this series and it is a classic, or if this is what the series is like. And then maybe there's someone down the road that, like, that's the one. [00:48:22] Speaker B: Right, Exactly. [00:48:24] Speaker C: So I'm hedging my classic bets, but it's excellent. It's fantastic. Volt Stand a the test of And, you know, it might be my own dumb assumptions, Tales of Texas Rangers. I just assumed, like, okay, 18 E's Old West. [00:48:38] Speaker D: Yeah. This is set in the 1920s, they say at the top. [00:48:42] Speaker B: Yeah, it does say that. 1920s. Yep. [00:48:46] Speaker C: So it also. In a combination of those sort of two genres, it's. And sort of halfway between the past and what would have been contemporary. It's really interesting balancing act. [00:48:58] Speaker B: I'm sorry, I missed something. Are these Tales of the Texas Rangers based on true stories also? [00:49:03] Speaker D: Yeah, they do the Dragnet style. That's what I thought to find out what happened to the constable. [00:49:09] Speaker C: And the name's been changed for obvious reasons. [00:49:12] Speaker D: It's the most sarcastic disclaimer ever. God, I hate you. Yeah. Oh, speaking of the stuff at the top, really quick, I did love the commercial that's talking about to the housewives that we can't take that incredible crushing burden off your shoulders of housework, but we can make it a little lighter with our radio shows. And I was like, wow, I'm a 1950s housewife. Cause I almost exhausted exclusively listen to old time radio while doing mundane chores around the house. That is my go to for making something like fixing a leaky faucet. Like exciting, right? I could listen to gun smoke and fix this leaking faucet. I don't fix many leaky faucets. That made me sound way more masculine and efficient than I am. I fixed a couple. [00:50:12] Speaker B: I don't do any housework. [00:50:15] Speaker D: But my vote. Yes. I pretty much agree with everything you guys just said. I'd have to hear more to deem whether this is a tale of the Texas Rangers classic but really fascinating. I'm just gonna repeat what you guys said. I do think it's a little overshadowed by Dragnet and Gunsmoke, but everything kind of is to some degree in this era and if not overshadowed, is so influenced by it that it's hard to separate it from those inspirations. Whether or not it preceded it or came afterwards, it kind of doesn't matter at this point in history. Kind of gets all clumped together. Definitely Stand the test of time. Thank you, Ryan. [00:50:58] Speaker B: Thank you, Tim. Tell him stuff. [00:50:59] Speaker D: Please. [00:50:59] Speaker C: Go visit ghoulishdelights.com, home of this podcast. You'll find other episodes there. If you like listening to the Going Dragnet, Gunsmoke. What are those like? You'll find episodes we've listened to there and we've talked about them. As you might imagine, we said really nice things. And you can just find all kinds of a wide variety of episodes of old radio that we listen to and love and sometimes complain about. You'll also find a link to our store. If you enjoy us and you're like, I want to wear a T shirt with their logo. You can do it. We'll help you. You go to our store and you buy that T shirt. That's probably more help than you actually needed. You'll also find a link to our Patreon page. [00:51:36] Speaker D: I like that Tim thinks taking someone's money is helping them [00:51:41] Speaker C: because I care. [00:51:42] Speaker D: Go to patreon.com themorals and support this podcast. Be like Ryan. We hang out with Ryan a lot. We see him on zoom Happy hours at his shows. He is a really great part of our morals community and you can join that too. Just go to patreon.com themorals we have all kinds of bonus materials there for obvious reasons. It's a Patreon Duh. [00:52:16] Speaker B: The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society Theater Company performs live on stage classic recreations of classic old time radio shows and a lot of our own original work. You can come see us performing live audio drama on stage. Putting our money where our mouth is. [00:52:34] Speaker A: Right? [00:52:34] Speaker D: Money's filthy. [00:52:36] Speaker B: Just go to ghoulishdelights.com to find out where we are performing, what we're performing and how to get tickets. Go there, find out. See us. We record the audio of those live performances as well and make those available to our Patreons those shows. So that's another perk of being a Patreon. What is coming up next? [00:52:57] Speaker D: Next is my choice and we will be listening to the marvelous Barastro from Suspense. Until then. [00:53:07] Speaker H: What do you think of her, Jace? [00:53:09] Speaker I: Pretty girl? [00:53:09] Speaker H: You bet she is. Here, let me get it into a better light. Now you can see what I wanted you to see. Jake. He's got a razor blade. [00:53:18] Speaker B: Holy crap.