Philo Vance: Million Dollar Murder Case 03/15/1949

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

In this classic episode of 'Philo Vance: Million Dollar Murder Case,' detective Philo Vance investigates the murder of wealthy recluse Ezra Simmons, who was killed in his heavily fortified mansion despite

Key takeaways

• The killer bypassed the electric eye system by landing on the flat roof with a helicopter, avoiding ground-level detection.
• Jim Jonas used the fact that he was believed to be in South City miles away to create an alibi, but flew in secretly using a rented helicopter.

Main topics

• Murder mystery
• Alibis and false timelines

Notable quotes

"I can tell you who did. Vance, you did it. You got in."

"He flew in from South City in about four or five hours... Then he rented a helicopter from a flying field about ten miles down the road."

Conclusion

Philo Vance solves the seemingly impossible murder by deducing that the killer used a helicopter to land on the flat roof of

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. My dear Harold, fine. In a few seconds, you will learn why this mansion is so completely burglar-proof. I saw the men working on the wall, Mr. Simmons. They were finished with the masonry two days ago. Oh, yes. They were finished with the masonry. A wall ten feet high now completely covers the front of this place of mine. And there is nothing but a cliff in back. But a mere wall and a cliff are not sufficient protection. I'm afraid I don't understand. You will, my dear Harold. You will. You are my caretaker, but your work will be relatively easy. Believe me, it will be easy. Speaker 1 (1:11) Oh, what's keeping those men? Keeping them from what, sir? From trying out the device they've installed. I can't imagine... Hear that, Harold? Harold, you hear that? What is it, Mr. Simmons? It's an electric eye system, Harold. It's completely foolproof and burglar-proof. If anyone so much as approaches within six feet of any part of those walls, that alarm goes off. Nobody can get to me here, Harold. Nobody. Mr. Simmons, you've never told me who it is you were afraid of. Who it is? It could be any of a dozen people, Harold. Weak people. People who resented the fact that in the battle of business, I was successful and they weren't. But now I'm safe, with you to look after me 24 hours a day. You can depend on me, Mr. Simmons. Indeed I do, Harold, and indeed I will. It's true I know nothing of your background, but you strike me as satisfactory. Speaker 1 (2:05) You look me square in the eye all the time. That's important. Besides, I'm used to taking chances on people. Five years ago, when I first hired Betty Jarnis as my secretary, I knew nothing of her either. Miss Jarnis is very capable. Yes, and very lovely. And I've rewarded her, Harold. Just as I'll reward you if you are faithful to your duties. When I die, she receives a considerable fortune. I'll do my best, Mr. Simmons. Oh, Harold. Just to prove to you that I'm not an old fool, I said I knew nothing about you. That is true. But just in case you were sent here by one of my friends... Mr. Simmons... Please don't think I overlooked that possibility. Just in case you were sent here by one of my friends, allow me to assure you that I have means of protecting myself at all times. See? That gun is entirely unnecessary where I'm concerned, sir. Perhaps. Speaker 1 (3:02) but it is well to have it with me all the time, regardless. I'm glad we had this little chat, Harold. As you can see, I'm protected from strangers by the wall and its electric eye, and I'm protected from my own household by this gun. I'm completely safe, and for the first time in years, I'm at ease. Very good, sir. I'm glad. I'm an old man, Harold, and this is the freedom I've been looking forward to for years. Perhaps I don't have too long to live, but they're going to be easy years. Harold, didn't you hear what I said? Yes, sir. You said perhaps you don't have too long to live. Speaker 1 (4:03) Jim. Jim, are you there? Hello, sis. I'm here. Why are you calling? I had to talk to you, Jim. So much is happening and you're a thousand miles away. Another gripe about that job of yours? Yes, it's still Mr. Simmons. He's unbearable. So why don't you quit? Why do you keep calling me up and complaining every week? Oh, no. No, I don't quit this job. Not with all that money I'm being left in Simmons' will. I'm sticking. Well, then watch your beef. Speaker 1 (4:29) He's moved out to a place in the country. There's a wall around the house. The window's a barred. And I've got to work there and live there. What do you want me to do? I don't know. All I know is that this place is a prison. Gray stone, flat roof. Those barred windows and the wall. I feel like I'm in jail. Oh, if only something would happen to the old buzzard. Like what? Like realizing that you deserve a couple of days off a week so you can have a fling at living? That's not what I'm thinking, Jim. I was thinking that it looks like I'm going to be able to live only if Mr. Simmons dies. Take a letter, Miss Jonas. Yes, sir. To Frank Rodney, Bank Building City. Dear Frank, in reply to your letter of even date, the answer is no. Speaker 1 (5:25) Sincerely. Sign my name to it. Yes, Mr. Simmons. Now then, take a letter to... Mr. Simmons, could I please fix myself some lunch now? I can take the rest of the letters this afternoon. Of course not. My mail comes first. But it's three o'clock, sir, and I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast. Dissatisfied here, Miss Johness? If you are, I might be able to make other arrangements for a secretary. Of course, there are other changes that would be made at the same time. Speaker 1 (5:50) Change is affecting my will. Mr. Simmons, will you please forget about that will? That's all I ever hear from you. After all, I just wanted a sandwich. Is that so unreasonable? It is inasmuch as I have other things for you to do. You know, Miss Tarnas, perhaps you've been with me too long. Take a letter to my attorney. Ask him to please be here tomorrow morning and to bring my will with him. Vance? Oh, Vance. Oh, just a minute. Speaker 1 (6:28) Markham, what are you doing here at this hour? Come in. Thank you, Vance. I'm sorry to have awakened you. Awakened me, my friend? No, you didn't. I haven't been to bed. I've been reading up on criminal identification through hair analysis. Very interesting. Kept me from realizing it was daylight. Vance, don't you ever do anything that ordinary people do? Like sleep, you mean, Markham? I'd have gone to sleep if I were tired. I wasn't, so I stayed up. Speaker 1 (6:54) How about you district attorney's hours don't begin this early do they they do when there's a murder and There's been a murder Vance in that case mark a