Escape and Bold Venture

The Relic Radio Show (old time radio)

This episode of The Relic Radio Show presents two classic mid-century radio dramas: 'The Great Impersonation' and 'That Gun Will Kill You.'

Key takeaways

• The Great Impersonation (1949) features Leopold von Ragerstein impersonating Sir Everard Dominey to facilitate German espionage.
• A central plot point involves the distribution of microfilm containing lists of German agents in England and Ireland.

Main topics

• Old-time radio drama
• World War II espionage

Notable quotes

A life for a life.

Conclusion

A nostalgic deep dive into the golden age of radio suspense and charac

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:05) This Speaker 4 (0:11) is the Relic Radio Show, old-time radio entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com. Speaker 4 (0:24) Welcome back to the Relic Radio Show. Thanks for joining me this Tuesday. We'll begin this week with Escape and hear their story from April 23rd, 1949, titled The Great Impersonation. After that, it's Bold Venture and That Gun Will Kill You. That story aired May 14th, 1951. Speaker 1 (0:44) Tired of the everyday routine? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Speaker 1 (0:54) You want to get away from it all? Speaker 4 (0:56) We offer you... Escape! Escape! Transcribed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. Speaker 1 (1:10) It is September of 1939. The Germans are about to march into Poland, and you are standing in the English manor house with a complete list of Nazi agents in your possession. While facing you, guns drawn, are three people, who to get that list, would gladly kill you. Speaker 4 (1:34) Today, with Ben Wright starred as Sir Everard Dominey, we bring you an exciting story of super-espionage, as E. Phillips Oppenheim told it in his fascinating novel, The Great Impersonation. Speaker 6 (1:56) Incredible. Von Ragerstein, this is incredible. Speaker 6 (2:02) He is drunk? Speaker 7 (2:03) Dead drunk. He is seldom otherwise. Speaker 6 (2:06) Hold the light closer to the cot so I can see you. Truly incredible, von Ragerstein. You and he are as alike as... Well, I would share it with you lying here on the cot. Hair, nose, mouth, everything. Like a smudged and smeared portrait of yourself. Identical features. And Speaker 7 (2:26) we have the same color eyes. And there's not an inch of difference in our height. Where did you find him? Oh, he staggered into camp three days ago. He had been hunting lion upriver until his boys deserted him. He had not paid them in several months, I gather. I sent a runner to fetch you at once. That Speaker 6 (2:40) is something I shall have to report to Berlin as a serious breach of discipline from Ragenstein. You were to avoid all contact with me except through the usual channels. But, Dr. Schmidt, Speaker 7 (2:50) may I... Speaker 6 (2:50) Permit me to finish. Obedience to orders is as necessary in the secret service as it is in any other branch of the German army. I understand that. I have spent 20 years here in Tanganyika, establishing myself as a harmless old archaeologist. During that time, I have created an espionage organization second to none, right under the noses of the English. And not once have they suspected me. Is all that to be ruined because you choose to engage in a little frolic of your own? This was not a Speaker 7 (3:20) frolic. Sir, I weighed the risk very carefully and considered it worthwhile. I believe you will agree with me when I tell you that this man is Sir Everard Domini, an English baronet, and that we attended Oxford together. Shall I continue? Speaker 6 (3:37) Yes. Yes, continue von Ragerstein. Speaker 7 (3:40) He is a ne'er-do-well. He lives on a small sum that comes to him each month from his estate in Norfolk. He has been here in Africa almost as long as I. Eleven years. But I could go on for hours. I know as much about him as he does himself. And I've been thinking that... That you Speaker 6 (3:58) could go to England as Sir Everard Dominey and no one there would be the wiser. Speaker 7 (4:03) Dr. Schmidt, a German agent. In England, operating at Speaker 6 (4:07) the highest social level. Would be invaluable, I agree, but... But what, sir? The proposal raises three questions in my mind. So? What about the assignment upon which you are engaged here? A certain flexibility is necessary in these matters. And how will Dr. Goebbels feel about your leaving Speaker 7 (4:25) Africa? Speaker 6 (4:26) Surely Speaker 7 (4:27) by this time he has either forgiven me or forgotten the entire... incident. Speaker 6 (4:33) You don't know the little doctor, if you think that. When someone steals away one of his women, as you did, what was her name? Stephanie Strom. Yeah, as you did, Stephanie Strom. He never forgets and never forgives. But I will undertake the responsibility for initiating your plan. Prepare to leave for England at once. You will receive further orders before you embark. Thank you, sir. I must go now. There are many arrangements to be made. Speaker 7 (5:02) Sir, you said that there were three questions raised in your mind. Speaker 6 (5:06) Oh, yeah. I was wondering what to do with this Englishman. Kill him as soon as possible and dispose of his body. Good luck, von Ragerstein. Heil Hitler. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Speaker 7 (5:23) Heil Hitler. Speaker 7 (5:30) That night, a new Sir Everard Domini was born, and Leopold Ragerstein vanished from the face of the earth. Dr. Schmidt's arrangements were most thorough, and I arrived in London less than a month later. Mr. Mencken, we'll see you now, sir. Thank you. Speaker 5 (5:49) My dear Sir Everard, a most unexpected pleasure. Most... Dear me, how changed you are and how well you look. Credit Africa, Mr. Mangan. A wonderful country. It's done wonders for you. Dear me. Are you thinking of settling down here for a time? Speaker 7 (6:08) That depends a little upon what you have to tell me. Oh, yes. Yes, Speaker 5 (6:12) of course. Regarding the matter of Raja Unthank... Nothing has been heard of him since the day you left England. His body has never been found. And Speaker 7 (6:24) my Speaker 5 (6:25) wife? Her ladyship's condition is, I believe, unchanged. She is in excellent Speaker 7 (6:30) physical health, but mentally... Speaker 5 (6:32) She Speaker 7 (6:32) still swears to take my life if I ever sleep under the same roof, does she? Well, Speaker 5 (6:38) I... Speaker 7 (6:39) I see. She... I may very likely settle Speaker 5 (6:42) down at Dominy Hall. Oh, I'm afraid the estate is still not in very good condition. All those debts you left behind. Quite, Speaker 7 (6:49) quite. The business object of my visit to you is to ask you to make arrangements as quickly as possible for the paying off of the mortgages of the Domini estates. What? I've been making a good deal of money in Africa. Speaker 5 (7:00) Great Scott. A Domini making money. In the 40 years I've managed the Domini interests, I've never known that to happen. I can hardly believe it. Speaker 7 (7:12) Well, have lunch with me, Mr. Mangan, and I'll tell you something of my speculations in Africa. Thank you, Sir Everard. Oh, my knowledge of restaurants in London is a bit dated. May I suggest the Carlton? Speaker 5 (7:24) Excellent. Give me your hat, Sir Everard. I shall check it out. All right, Speaker 7 (7:37) I'll wait for you right here. Speaker 3 (7:42) Leopold, why didn't you let me know you're in England? Ah, Leopold, how happy I am to... I think Speaker 7 (7:48) you're making a mistake. My name is not Leopold. Speaker 3 (7:53) Darling, do you deny knowing Speaker 7 (7:55) me? Madam, I do not have the pleasure. My name is Domini. Everard Domini. I Speaker 3 (8:02) don't... Leopold, my address is 17 Belgrave Square. Come there at seven this evening. But Speaker 7 (8:12) my dear lady... Speaker 5 (8:13) I shall Speaker 3 (8:13) expect you at Speaker 5 (8:15) seven. Here we are. Seven, Charles. Dear me, Sir Everard, wasn't that Stephanie Stone? Well, I don't know. She mistook me for someone else. Oh, she is a marvellous actress, marvellous. I saw her in Macbeth last month. Table for two. Yes, sir. This way, please. She played Lady Macbeth, you know, and in that scene... Oh, excuse me one moment, Mr. Mangan. Seaman! Speaker 7 (8:36) Seaman, my dear fellow, how are you? Oh, Speaker 1 (8:38) Everard, what Speaker 7 (8:40) a surprise. May I introduce my friend and legal advisor, Mr. Mangan. Mr. Mangan, Mr. Seaman. How do you do? Seaman and I were business associates in Africa. Will you join us at lunch, Seaman? Thank you, but I cannot. Where are you staying, Everard? At my estate in Norfolk, near Flanknay. I'm driving there this evening. Why, I have to be in Norfolk on business tomorrow. Be my guest, will you? Thank Speaker 5 (9:04) you, Everard. Thank you. Good day, Mr. Mankin. Good day, sir. Now, as I was saying, I... Speaker 7 (9:10) What was I saying? You were about to ask me if I cared for a drink, and I was about to say yes. A Scotch and soda. Oh, yes. The same for me. Speaker 5 (9:19) Yes, sir. Sir Everard, do you think it wise to return to Dominy Hall before... Lady Dominy has been prepared for it. Speaker 7 (9:29) Mr. Mangan, does she really regard me still as the murderer of Roger Unthank? Speaker 5 (9:34) The Speaker 7 (9:34) mystery Speaker 5 (9:34) has never been solved. It's well known that you two fought that night and that you staggered home almost senseless. Roger Unthank has never been seen since. If I'd Speaker 7 (9:45) killed him, why wasn't his body found? Speaker 5 (9:47) Oh, there are many theories and quite a few superstitions. You may as well be prepared for one of them. There's not a soul for miles around, Dominy Hall, who doesn't believe the ghost of Roger Unthank still haunts the Blackwood near where you fought. But that's incredible. Yes, yes, I would agree. Except that from time to time, it has been heard shrieking and sobbing. Oh, come Speaker 7 (10:10) now, Speaker 5 (10:11) Meg. Sir Everard, Sir Everard, I have heard it myself. Speaker 5 (10:25) Tired, Mr. Mangan? Just a bit, but we shall be there in a few minutes. I telephoned before we left London, and they have rooms ready for us. Speaker 7 (10:31) Any of the old Speaker 5 (10:32) servants still left? Oh, none. Every servant and caretaker we've had there has given notice within a month. At least a dozen swore that they had seen the ghost of Roger Unthank and heard his call at night. That's the sole reason why I haven't recommended long ago that you should get rid of Mrs. Unthank. Speaker 7 (10:49) Oh, she is still in attendance upon Lady Domini? We Speaker 5 (10:51) couldn't get anyone else to stay there. And her ladyship absolutely declines to leave the hall through that gate, Sir Everard. Yes, I remember. Oh, some of the old wall is down, I see. That wall has been down, to my knowledge, for 30 years. Of course. I'd forgotten. We've kept the old place weathertight. And I don't think you will miss the timber we were forced to sell. Speaker 7 (11:15) Any from the Blackwood? Speaker 5 (11:18) Not a twig. Not... One of the woodmen would ever go near the place. You Speaker 7 (11:24) and I will take a look at the blackwood in the morning. Speaker 5 (11:26) Well, if you insist, Sir Everard. How does it feel to be at home after all these years? Speaker 7 (11:37) I feel as though this is my first visit. Speaker 5 (11:43) Oh, good evening, Mrs. Unthank. Speaker 3 (11:46) There's no place in this house for you, Everard, Dominique. No place here for a murderer. Really, Speaker 7 (11:52) my good Speaker 3 (11:53) woman. Can Speaker 5 (11:53) you Speaker 3 (11:53) face me, Everard, Dominique? You who murdered my son and made a madwoman of your wife. Speaker 7 (11:58) Mrs. Unthank, return to your duties at once and understand that this house is mine to enter or leave when I choose. And you Speaker 5 (12:05) will treat Sir Everard with Speaker 7 (12:06) respect. Speaker 5 (12:08) Have rooms been... prepared for it? Speaker 3 (12:11) You'll be in the West Wing, Mr. Mangan. And the Oak Room has been prepared for Sir Everard. You mentioned respect, Mr. Mangan. If he stays here against my bidding, perhaps her ladyship will show him what respect means. Good night. Speaker 5 (12:28) My dear Sir Everard, I'm dreadfully sorry that such a... Oh, that's quite all right. Speaker 7 (12:33) Quite all right. Well, I... I think I'll turn in immediately. Speaker 7 (12:41) We'll make rounds of the estate after breakfast. Sir Everard, are Speaker 5 (12:45) you really going to sleep in the oak room? Yes. Why? Have you forgotten it's next to her ladyship's? Speaker 7 (12:55) And... No, I have not forgotten. Good night, Mr. Mangan. I do not know how long I had been asleep when I felt the thin, cold pressure against my throat. I opened my eyes and I saw a hand, a small, slim hand in the moonlight just beneath my chin. Speaker 3 (13:27) If you move, you will die. Remain still. I wish to look at you. Speaker 1 (13:35) Rose. You Speaker 3 (13:36) are very brave to have come here. Braver than I remembered. Speaker 7 (13:41) Why do you wish to kill me? Speaker 3 (13:43) Doesn't it say somewhere? A life for a life. You killed Roger, I think. Last night his spirit called to me below my window. No, don't move. Let me look at you, my husband. A strange thing to own after all these years. A husband. What do Speaker 1 (14:08) you see? Speaker 3