Philo Vance: Listless Murder Case 03/01/1949
Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
In this classic Old Time Radio episode of 'Philo Vance,' detective Philo Vance investigates a murder at the Consolidated Charities office, where the head of the
Key takeaways
- The murderer had a concealed bruise on their cheek, which was masked by makeup, indicating a physical altercation before the murder.
Main topics
- Fraudulent charity schemes
- Murder investigation in a corporate setting
Notable quotes
You'll get it. Donald is figuring out what I owe you. He'll have the figures in an hour.
If I don't get it, Mike, you'll get it. Right in the neck.
Conclusion
Philo Vance solves the 'listless murder case' by uncovering that Morton Gary killed Michael Miller
Transcript preview
Speaker 1 (0:00) Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. Speaker 4 (0:38) Is this today's collection, Donald? Speaker 5 (0:41) Yes, Mr. Miller. I opened the mail myself this morning. Speaker 4 (0:43) And all the checks are here, hmm? Fine. Tell me, what's the total? Speaker 5 (0:48) $12,450. All the checks are made out to consolidated charities, Mr. Miller. Of Speaker 4 (0:54) course. That's so that no irresponsible party can cash them, Donald. You see, people who contribute to our campaign want to make sure that the money goes to charity. I understand, sir. Speaker 5 (1:04) Would you be interested in the total we've collected so far? Yes. What is the amount? Uh... Here it is. $130,000. Good. Speaker 4 (1:15) And our campaign is less than two weeks old. Everything is going according to plan. O'Donnell, has Morton Gary phoned today? Not yet. I imagine he will, though. He's Speaker 5 (1:25) very interested in knowing how the drive is coming. Speaker 4 (1:27) He's taking that business of being chairman of consolidated charities too seriously. Oh? You think he may be a problem? Perhaps. Mr. Gary is a very prominent man. We need him. His name on our letterhead assures the legitimacy of our organization. Speaker 5 (1:46) Mr. Miller. Speaker 4 (1:47) Yes? Speaker 5 (1:48) What happens if Mr. Gary finds Speaker 4 (1:50) out what's really happening to the money? You mean suppose he finds out that only a small percentage goes to charity and I pocket the rest? Yes, sir. I don't think he'll find out, Donald. I'll answer that. Speaker 4 (2:03) Hello? Speaker 8 (2:04) Mike? Elise Avery. Speaker 4 (2:06) Hello, Elise. I thought this was old man Gary calling in. What's going on? Speaker 8 (2:10) I just hit a big one, Mike. Some sucker just gave me a check for five grand. Good Speaker 4 (2:15) for you, girl. Bring it in with you. Speaker 8 (2:17) Sure. Just thought you'd like to hear the good news, that's all. See you later. Bye. Speaker 4 (2:22) Bye. Speaker 4 (2:24) Now, where were we, Donald? Speaker 5 (2:25) We were just talking about Morton Gary. Now, what would happen if he found out what we're doing and the money we're collecting? Speaker 4 (2:32) First of all, he isn't going to find out. No? Speaker 7 (2:35) No. Speaker 4 (2:36) And second, even if he does, it doesn't matter too much. He'll squawk, Mr. Miller. He'll Speaker 5 (2:42) take this up with the police, maybe with the FBI. After all, we're using the mails. Speaker 4 (2:47) Yes, that's true, Donald. We are using the mails. And the mails are bringing us in a fortune. But Gary won't talk. Believe me. And even if he does start to talk, he'll never finish what he's saying. You can believe that, too. Come on in. Speaker 8 (3:25) Right. Speaker 8 (3:29) And, boss, armed to the teeth with a check for 5,000. Speaker 4 (3:32) The one you phoned about? Mm-hmm. Lay it right here, lady. I want to look at it. Speaker 8 (3:36) Here you are, chum. Paid to the order of Consolidated Charities. 5-0-0-0. Endorse it, cash it, and it's all yours. Speaker 4 (3:47) People sure are suckers, aren't they, Annie? $5,000. You'd think they'd investigate a charity before they started giving their money away. Speaker 8 (3:55) Sure. But there are lots of legitimate charities, thank goodness. That makes our job that much easier. Oh, uh, Mike, let me take a look at that list. Speaker 4 (4:05) What list? Speaker 8 (4:06) The list of guys who've kicked in and the amounts. I need some dough. Thought maybe you'd give me a check for my commissions. Speaker 4 (4:14) Well, I'll have to get it for you, Elise. Speaker 8 (4:16) Okay, but while we're waiting, suppose you give me my cut of this five grand I just brought in. Speaker 4 (4:22) Uh-uh. Gotta wait till the check clears the bank, baby. You know, you've been dealing with suckers all day. Kindly remember that I'm not one of them. Speaker 8 (4:31) Me either, Mike. That's why I want my commission on the dough I've already brought in. You'll Speaker 4 (4:36) get it. Donald is figuring out what I owe you. He'll have the figures in an hour. Then, if you're a good girl, I'll give you a check. Speaker 8 (4:44) Kid, if I was a good girl, I wouldn't be in this racket. But bad or good, I'll get that check. Speaker 4 (4:52) You're pretty sure you'll get it, hmm? Speaker 8 (4:54) If I don't get it, Mike, you'll get it. Right in the neck. Speaker 2 (5:03) I Speaker 3 (5:08) beg your pardon, miss. Yes? I'd like to see the district attorney, please. My name is Morton Gary. Speaker 2 (5:13) Oh, yes, Mr. Gary. You telephoned for an appointment, didn't you? Speaker 3 (5:16) Yes, I did. Speaker 2 (5:17) Well, just a moment, sir. I'll find out if Mr. Markham can see you now. Thank you. Mr. Morton Gary to see you, Mr. Markham, by appointment. Speaker 2 (5:28) Would you go right in, Mr. Gary? Right through that door there. Speaker 3 (5:31) This door here? Speaker 2 (5:32) Yes, yes, that's the one, Mr. Gary. Speaker 3 (5:34) Oh, thank you, miss, thank you. Mr. Markham? Speaker 6 (5:37) Come in, please, Mr. Gary. Speaker 3 (5:40) How do you do, Mr. Markham? Mr. Gary, please sit down, sir. Oh, thank you, thank you. Mr. Markham, I have come to ask you to investigate a very unscrupulous man, Mr. Michael Miller. Speaker 6 (5:51) Miller? I Speaker 3 (5:52) don't believe I know the name. I didn't either until a few weeks ago. He's not from this city, Mr. Markham. He claimed to be very philanthropic and was forming an organization to be known as Consolidated Charities. Yes, Mr. Gary. He induced me to lend my name to the organization, which I did. Many of my friends have contributed to it. And now I have reason to believe the entire thing is a fraud. I see. He's collecting money but not turning it over to charity, is that it? Oh, I believe he is turning over a small percentage of the money to legitimate societies, Mr. Markham. But I've asked to see statements of monies collected and dispersed, and Mr. Miller has refused to allow me to see any records. I begin to understand your suspicions, Mr. Gary. Michael Miller, you said the man's name was? That's correct. His offices are in the Lyons building. Speaker 6 (6:35) Well, I'll investigate this at once, Mr. Gary, and thank you for calling it to my attention. If your suspicions are correct, we'll put a stop to this racket, but fast. Advance, this is Markham. Speaker 7 (7:01) Well, my favorite district attorney... at home. Speaker 6 (7:04) Thank you. Speaker 7 (7:04) Sounds important, Markham. Speaker 6 (7:06) It is. I called your office and they said you'd left for the day, Vance. I'm in the office of the Consolidated Charities in the Lyons building. How soon can you get here? Speaker 7 (7:13) At once, if it's important. Speaker 6 (7:14) It's very important. We had a complaint late this afternoon about a Mr. Michael Miller, who was the head of this supposed charity organization. Actually, it was a racket. Speaker 7 (7:22) Go ahead, Markham. Who made the complaint? Speaker 6 (7:24) Morton Gary. Oh. You know him,