CounterSpy: The Society Swindler (A0128)

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

CounterSpy chief David Harding investigates a fraudulent charity racket operating among wealthy East Coast society members, targeting the mastermind Alfred

Key takeaways

• David Harding uses a fake rival gangster to trigger Alfred Babson's paranoia and expose the World Refugee Fund fraud ring.
• The episode highlights the historical power of society gossip columnists, with Countess Maroney wielding enough influence to control wealthy social circles through fear of print exposure.

Main topics

• Charity fraud and embezzlement schemes
• Old-time radio drama analysis and historical context

Notable quotes

"Time is money, Carla."

Conclusion

The episode delivers a tightly plotted vintage crime thriller while offering rich historical context about

Transcript preview

Speaker 5 (0:00) For many of us, going further isn't a choice. It's a feeling we can't ignore because ambition has a way of outgrowing where it began. Speaker 5 (0:11) Turning dreams into direction. Speaker 5 (0:17) Every journey brings us closer to the life we imagine. Speaker 5 (0:23) So, where will your journey take you? Etihad. Beyond borders. Speaker 2 (0:35) Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Counterspy. But first, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one-time basis, support.greatdetectives.net, and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net. But now, from October 11th, 1949, here is The Society Swindler. Speaker 3 (1:30) Pepsi-Cola, P-E-P-S-I, that's your smartest cola buy. Speaker 3 (1:39) Pepsi-Cola presents Counterspy. Speaker 7 (1:58) Harding, counter-spy, calling Washington. Speaker 3 (2:24) The case of the Society Swindlers. Another counter-spy report to the American people. Brought to you each Tuesday and Thursday by Pepsi-Cola. Speaker 1 (2:33) Pepsi-Cola gets a spot. Two full glasses, that's a lot. Speaker 3 (2:37) That's right, you heard what they said. Two full glasses of sparkling Pepsi from one big 12-ounce bottle. You're getting an extra glass full. And what a delicious glass full. The most refreshing, delightful cola that ever tickled your taste. You can't top Pepsi's tangy flavor. And that big, big bottle saves you money, goes twice as far. Pepsi is America's big, big favorite. And America's biggest cola value. So why take less when Pepsi is best? Whenever you reach for refreshments, remember... Speaker 1 (3:09) Why take less when Pepsi's Speaker 3 (3:12) best? And now, to Counterspy. Speaker 3 (3:23) Twenty-two stories above the streets of Manhattan, in the paneled library of a penthouse, a well-groomed man in a satin smoking jacket sits at a heavy oak desk. His eyes are fixed impatiently on the sweet second hand of his unique alarm wristwatch as a dark-haired woman reads from a list. Speaker 5 (3:42) General and Mrs. Ralph C. Maxton, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Nestor. Commissioner and Mrs. Stephen W. Otis. Oh, by the way, Alfred, Mr. Otis has just been elected chairman of the Board of General Oil. Speaker 4 (3:54) I know all about Otis. Please continue, Carlisle. Mr. Speaker 5 (3:57) and Mrs. George R. Pace. Ambassador and Mrs. Victor... Ambassador and Mrs. Victor Pagano. Mr. and Mrs. Lance. Speaker 4 (4:06) That'll be all, Carlisle. Speaker 5 (4:08) Alfred, I haven't finished the list. Speaker 4 (4:10) You heard my alarm watch. Time is up. Three and a half minutes. Speaker 5 (4:14) You're a strange man, Alfred. Speaker 4 (4:16) Time is money, Carla. About that list. Is she to it that the guests appear at Mrs. Grayson's party for the World Refugee Fund? Speaker 5 (4:26) With my name on the invitation as co-hostess, no one will dare refuse to appear. They're all deadly afraid of what I may write in my weekly column. Speaker 4 (4:35) One unkind word from Countess Carlo Maroni, and they're in hot water. That title pays you real dividends, doesn't it? Speaker 5 (4:43) Thanks to your cleverness in organizing the World Refugee Fund. Ah, dear sweet charity. What a blessing to mankind. Speaker 1 (4:51) Mr. Batson. What is it, Zero? Olsen's here. It's Speaker 4 (4:55) 20 seconds late, Zero. Yeah, I Speaker 1 (4:58) know, boss. I kept him out in the hall like you said. Speaker 4 (5:01) Let's see. It's two minutes to eight. One minute and thirty seconds. That's enough time to give Colton. Speaker 5 (5:10) Alfred, you'll be back? Speaker 4 (5:11) In one minute and forty-five seconds. All right, Jill. Down the hall. Speaker 4 (5:22) Jerome, did Bolson walk up from the 20th floor as I ordered? Speaker 1 (5:27) Yeah, boss. Everything's set. Speaker 1 (5:31) Good evening, Folsom. Hiya, Mr. Pabson. Speaker 4 (5:34) You wanted to see me? Folsom, you've worked the room, that table for me at 11 of our charity parties. You're an excellent group, yeah? And I pay you well. No complaints, Mr. Pabson. Then, Folsom, why did you withhold some of the money from your table at last night's party in Philadelphia? I give you... Speaker 4 (5:51) Exactly 20 seconds Speaker 1 (5:52) to explain. I don't get you. I was watching you, Paulson. You cut yourself a nice slice. You got me wrong, Zero. I wouldn't do a thing like that to Mr. Babson. You're a liar. Zero, let him go. Okay. I can explain, Mr. Batchelor. There's Speaker 4 (6:07) no time left to explain. You wasted it lying. Please, just give me... You Speaker 1 (6:11) heard the boss. Time's up. Get Speaker 4 (6:12) moving. Speaker 4 (6:15) Zero, open the elevator door for both. With pleasure. Speaker 4 (6:22) That's the way out for you, Folsom. The elevator's not there. It's 22 floors below, and you're going down to meet it. What? You're taking a suicide dive, Folsom. That's why I had you get off at the 20th floor and walk the rest of the way up to be sure you wouldn't be traced to my penthouse. All right, Zero. Speaker 1 (6:41) So long, chiseler. Speaker 8 (6:52) One minute and 30 seconds Speaker 4 (6:54) on the nose for Poulton. Time to piss right, Mr. Pabst. Of course, little old. That's the way to treat time. Exactly right. Speaker 5 (7:22) babs and charming of you to come. Speaker 4 (7:24) I hope this party will provide you with plenty of material for your society, Column. Speaker 5 (7:29) Oh, yes. And the roulette table's just piling up money for the World Refugee Fund. Speaker 4 (7:35) Ah, sweet charity. Speaker 5 (7:38) I got your signal, Alfred. Anything wrong? Speaker 4 (7:41) Come into the study, Column. I have a minute and a half for you. Speaker 4 (7:55) I heard something this afternoon that may mean trouble. Speaker 6 (7:57) Oh? Speaker 4 (7:57) About a man called George Walsh, the cleverest and biggest fake charity organizer on the West Coast. I've just learned that Walsh is headed here to begin operations in East Coast society circles. Speaker 5 (8:10) Alfred, we have that big affair at Vera Ashton's home outside Washington next month. Are you afraid of trouble over that? Speaker 4 (8:18) That you can leave to me. More important, Carla. Yes? You are a valuable asset in this business. If Walsh should try to buy you away from me... Speaker 5 (8:31) Don't you trust me? Speaker 4 (8:32) You know about Poulsen's suicide. The same thing could happen to anyone else who double-crossed me. Speaker 4 (8:44) Ah, my watch tells me our time is up. I have to be going. See you soon, Carla. Speaker 1 (9:47) It's Speaker 6 (9:47) counter-spy headquarters, is it not? I wish to see David Harding, and I don't need your help for that, young man. Speaker 1 (9:53) Madam, you shouldn't be in this corridor at all. You'll have to be announced. That's the rule. Rule? Speaker 6 (9:58) Government by bureaucracy. It wasn't this way when Grover Cleveland piloted our ship of state. Speaker 1 (10:04) Who shall I say is calling? Speaker 6 (10:05) I'll say who's calling when I get in there. Speaker 1 (10:08) Very sorry, madam, but I can't lie... Young man, Speaker 6 (10:10) remove your hand from my arm or I'll slap your face. Very well. Drop it. An organization of ruffians. Speaker 6 (10:22) So there you