The Big Story: A Search That Saved a Life (EP5077)

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

This episode dramatizes a 1954 investigative report where Chicago reporters Virginia Marmaduke and Joe Kordek uncover a bitter divorce case rooted in a mother's refusal to authorize

Key takeaways

• Virginia Marmaduke, portrayed by M.C. Strickland, was a pioneering Chicago journalist who became the first woman to cover crime and sports for major dailies and later served on the Board of Health.
• The central medical conflict revolves around Lynn Bigley's inverted bladder, which doctors warned would be fatal within a few years without high-risk surgery.

Main topics

• Parental medical decision-making and risk tolerance
• Investigative journalism and human-interest reporting

Notable quotes

"I never let them operate. There's so little time left. I want it all."

Conclusion

The episode delivers a compelling blend of mid-century dramatic storytelling and historical journalism

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (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 1 (0:11) Turning dreams into direction. Speaker 1 (0:17) Every journey brings us closer to the life we imagine. Speaker 1 (0:23) So, where will your journey take you? Etihad. Beyond borders. Speaker 3 (0:58) 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 The Big Story. But first, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I want to encourage you to check out our other podcast. And today, I'm highlighting Public Domain Video Theater, where we... Post public domain TV shows and movies in the detective genre. You can find that at videotheater.greatdetectives.net or on our YouTube page. We have our latest film up. It's Vincent Price in the Bat from 1959. Check that out at videotheater.greatdetectives.net. But now from February 10th, 1954, here is... A search that saved a life. Speaker 3 (1:59) The Big Story Speaker 8 (2:09) What is it? Speaker 5 (2:10) Nothing. I just think you ought to rest. What Speaker 8 (2:12) is it? Speaker 5 (2:14) It isn't anything. You just have to take care of yourself. Stop Speaker 8 (2:17) saying that. Stop saying that and not looking at me and lying to me. Speaker 5 (2:21) I'm not lying. Then Speaker 8 (2:21) what's the matter? Stan, what is it? What's the matter? Speaker 7 (2:32) The Big Story. The story you're about to hear actually happened. It happened in Chicago, Illinois. It's authentic and is offered as a tribute to the men and women of the great American newspapers. Speaker 7 (2:48) From the pages of the Chicago Sun-Times, the story of a search that saved a life. Speaker 7 (3:00) Chicago, Illinois. The story as it actually happened, Virginia Momaduke and Joseph Kardec's story as they lived it. Speaker 2 (3:27) sweltering hot in the stuffy courtroom. Sit there, Joe Kordick, with your head back and your camera beside you, and watch the angry buzzing of a fly against the dust-flecked windowpane. Sit there, Virginia Marmaduke, pencil in hand, listening to the aimless drone of the court clerk's voice, calling out names. Speaker 2 (3:51) Names and divorce actions, and the cases themselves, the dry, matter-of-fact charges, the unemotional statements that are the obituaries to a marriage. And then suddenly you hear... Speaker 8 (4:06) Don't keep asking me that. Don't keep asking me if I'm sure I want a divorce. I have to have one, don't you see? If I don't have one, my husband, he'll let them kill my child. Speaker 4 (4:17) Joe, did you hear what I heard? I sure did. Grab your camera. This one's a story for us in spades. Speaker 8 (4:35) business story. Speaker 4 (4:37) Isn't anything to talk about? Just leave me alone, please. We heard what you said in court, Mrs. Bigley. That sounded like a story to us. Speaker 6 (4:44) Just what did you mean your husband was going to let them kill your child? Who Speaker 8 (4:47) did you mean by them? I know you want news. I know it's your business. But get it someplace Speaker 4 (4:52) else, please. Look, we're not vultures, Mrs. Bigley. The story isn't everything. We don't just want to torture you for a front page spread. Maybe we can help. Tell us, please. Speaker 4 (5:06) Okay. Speaker 2 (5:12) Listen to her, Virginia Momadook. Put your pencil away and listen. This isn't one of those stories where you have to make notes. Listen, Joe Cordick, the pictures can come later. This isn't a story for posed shots. Just listen. Speaker 8 (5:31) I suppose a lot of marriages go sour. Like with Stan and me, that's not news. But this one was good once. We were like any two people in love. Speaker 8 (5:43) Is that you, honey? Speaker 5 (5:44) No one else but. Who were you expecting? Speaker 8 (5:46) Just my husband. Hi, husband. Hi. Speaker 8 (5:53) Very nice. Speaker 5 (5:54) Okay, what is it? Speaker 8 (5:56) What do you mean, what is it? Speaker 5 (5:57) That look. Come on, come on, give. Speaker 8 (6:01) Darn you. I had it all planned. What? I knew how I was going to tell you. After supper on the porch with just candlelight. Speaker 5 (6:11) Now, what are you going to tell me that requires candlelight? Speaker 8 (6:14) I didn't say it required it. I just think it's nice for a girl to have candlelight when she tells her husband they're going to have a baby. I don't Speaker 5 (6:22) see why... Speaker 5 (6:24) You know what you just said. Speaker 8 (6:26) I know. Speaker 5 (6:28) Us, Carol? A baby? Speaker 8 (6:31) Darling, you don't have to look so startled. Well... Aren't you glad? Speaker 5 (6:36) Glad? Speaker 8 (6:38) Well, that's no word for it. I... Speaker 8 (6:42) Honey, don't look like that. I'm fine. You're wonderful. Speaker 8 (6:56) He made me feel wonderful, too. We were so proud, so happy. The baby was born, a little girl. I could hardly wait to see Stan, to talk to him. Did you see her? Did you see our little girl? Speaker 5 (7:11) Carol, Carol, honey, why don't you rest? I said, did Speaker 8 (7:13) you see her? Did you see our baby? Speaker 5 (7:15) Well, no, I, um... Speaker 8 (7:16) You didn't. Speaker 5 (7:18) Look, Carol, please, dear. Speaker 8 (7:20) All right Speaker 8 (7:23) What is it? Speaker 5 (7:24) Well, it's nothing. I... I just think you ought to get some rest. What Speaker 8 (7:27) is Speaker 5 (7:27) it? It isn't anything, Carol. You just have to take care of yourself. Now, stop Speaker 8 (7:30) saying that. Stop saying that and not looking at me and lying to me. I'm not lying. You're not telling me something. They didn't let me see the baby. They said she was asleep. Stan, did you see her? Speaker 5 (7:42) Carol. Speaker 8 (7:43) What's the matter? Speaker 8 (7:46) Bye. Speaker 8 (7:54) He didn't tell me. But I found out. After three days of a living nightmare, I found out a doctor told me. Speaker 6 (8:03) Mrs. Bigley, your husband thinks I'd better talk with you. Speaker 8 (8:07) Why can't I see my baby? Stan says everything is all right. He's lying, isn't he? You're all lying. Speaker 6 (8:12) I'm sorry. She's a very beautiful little girl, Mrs. Bigley. The trouble doesn't show. Speaker 8 (8:21) What is it? Speaker 6 (8:23) An inverted bladder. Speaker 8 (8:26) What does that mean? Speaker 6 (8:28) It means you won't have your child very long, Mrs. Bigley. She can't live more than a few years. Speaker 8 (8:44) I don't think I knew even then what it would be like. Lynn. She was still just a new baby. You don't get really to love a baby until you hold it. Can you reach out your hand and fingers curl around your finger? Hang on to the pipe. So tight you feel I'll never let go. Speaker 8 (9:08) Mrs. Bigley, can't... After that happens, it doesn't matter what they say. Speaker 8 (9:14) They can talk all they want about abnormalities and three years to live