The Case of the Harried Husband

0:00The craft foods company bring you the adventures of the Balkan starring Les Damon. Hello. Yes, this is the Balkan speaking. Oh, Lila. I'm glad you called. I'd like to come me out tonight, Angel. I have to see a client who's going to make my fortune. This boy's a big shot and he's going to show me how to make a killing. This is Ed Hurley. He plans inviting you on behalf of the craft foods company to listen to the adventures of the Balkan. You met the Balkan first in his best selling novels. Then you saw him in his thrilling motion picture series. Now join him on the air when the Balkan solves. The case of the harried husband.

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2:04lunchenably walks down the fourth floor corridor at the hotel main room. It's obvious from Mr. Rogers attitude he thinks he doesn't have a care in the world. Point. When he opens the door to his room, he learns differently. Hello Jeff. What? Don't be frightened darling, it's only me. How did you get in here Rita? I gave the Deskquick one of my prettiest smiles in ten bucks. Well you had no business. Of course not Jeff. But you're a hard man to see these days. Well as a matter of fact. You were just about to call me. Word of honor. Don't lie honey, you do it very badly. Oh now look, Rita. Oh don't take on so Jeff. On the other hand, there are things you do exceptionally well. Which reminds me how's Mrs. Davis? You mean Pat Davis? Well what I mean. You know what that is. I know what it better be. Now Rita there's no reason for you to act like this. Oh sure but then there's no reason for me to be nuts about you either.

3:05You're not the brightest guy in the world. No. And when it comes to looks I've known prettier boys too. Still you're crazy about me. You haven't helped me. And heaven help you if you got any ideas about this Pat Davis. I tell you sweetheart it's strictly business. When does it pay off? Well you know how it is. These things take time. That's what you told me last week. Well you just be patient baby. When are you going to see her again? Tonight at nine. Is this tonight? Could be. How do I look? Come here you dog. Oh. You know I'll cut your heart out if you ever get any other ideas about another woman. Hey is that clock right? You still got time for one more. I get to work.

4:08Oh good evening Miss Dodger. Hello Charles. Is there a lady? We're rushing. Follow me please. She's been waiting long. Oh ever since eight thirty. Well do it good. Sure. Well Pat. I couldn't imagine what happened. I'm sorry baby I was detained. Will you care to order no Miss your Rogers? What do you say Pat? Well I'm not hungry at the moment. Okay Charles we'll call you when we're ready. I'm going to go to my very good Miss you. How have you been honey? Well I'll let you care. You haven't called me in a week. That's because I've been working on a big deal. A big deal? Listen sweetheart if this thing goes through. We can kiss this town goodbye. You mean that Jeff? Would I lie to you? Well what is it? I just got word from the boys at Hollywood Park that they're ready to roll. I don't understand. Well a friend of mine has got a race fix from Monday. This naggle paid fifty to one. You sure Jeff? You know how bad. I tell you it can't miss. But when it comes to horses...

5:09Oh if you think I don't know what I'm talking about. Of course not darling. Okay then. How much money can you raise? Me? Yeah. Well I could manage a thousand. Oh I'm chicken feet. But Jeff that's all I have in the bank. What about your husband? My husband. Yeah. In a racket like his he must keep a lot of cash on hand. Well... Well doesn't he? I suppose so. What do you mean you suppose so if someone plays a number that hits Barney has to pay him off right away? Well I don't know much about Barney's business. Well take it from me it's strictly cash and carry and policy in this town is heavy cash. Well... Well what do you want me to do? Find out where Barney keeps it. But Jeff. Don't worry we're not going to take it with us. As soon as our horse comes in you'll put it back. Then it's you and me for foreign shores. But the policy. Come on sweetheart make up your mind and I'm not going to hold a boat for us. All right Jeff. You can make the reservations.

6:18Come. Hello Jeff. You back again Rita? Evidently. I was wondering how you made out with Pat Davis. Not so hot. What happened? I guess it just wasn't my night. I can't believe it. It does seem incredible doesn't it? It does to me honey. Because you know I think you're irresistible. You want my autograph? Well if it's on a picture it might help. It would be a wonderful way to remember you. Come again? Well obviously I'm not going to have much more. What are you raving about? I picked up this envelope at the desk. Give me that. I've already opened it. And can you imagine my surprise? I didn't know you were going to Canada. Who says I am? Oh did you buy the ticket for a friend? Oh now Rita baby you don't think I'd run out on you. Well it doesn't make any difference. You know how I feel about you Jeff. I would never stand in your way. But I wonder how Mrs. Davis will take it.

7:19And what about Barney Davis? What about Barney Davis? I was just wondering if he'll be able to bear up under his loss. Have a nice ride Jeff. I've had mine. 41 left. 28 right. 14 left. 37 right. What the devil? Yeah what is it Barney? You busy Doc? I was just going to take my vitamin. I'll take a double dose later. Come in here I want to show you something. What's cooking Barney? Me. Take a look at that safe.

8:21Hey Sim was been in there. Yeah hey. Well look at me Barney I don't know nothing about it. You sure Doc? I swear. There was over 50 grand in that till. Why ain't the only one who's got the combination? What about Tony Farrow? He left the place after I did last night? Get him. I ain't here. Phone this morning say wasn't coming in. No. No. He said he ate some Chinese food or something yesterday. He didn't feel so hot. By told him once I told him a million times with his ulcers he ought to mess around with stuff like that. And what do you recommend in my case? I'm suffering from a loss of 50 grand. Oh. Well maybe we ought to go up and see Tony. Say no more Doc. That's one prescription I'm going to follow. I don't know if I understand you. What's the matter Tony? I thought I was speaking English. Yeah but I can't believe it.

9:21I've got to walk off with that though. Oddly enough that's just the question I was going to ask you. Well what about Doc here? I left the office before you did. Well I guess you're elected Tony. Well am I? That's the way it looks to me. What about your Mrs? Pat? She knows a combination. Are you insane? Yeah yeah yeah. You take that back. Let me go. Are you going to take that back? You think you're smart. When I tell you something Mr. Davis, you're a sucker. If I told you what I know about Pat. What do you know about Pat? Never mind. But I do mind. And if you're trying to keep a secret from me I know just the thing to bring it out in the open. Who's there?

10:22Oh sorry me Pat. What's the matter Bonnie? Look upset. I just got some distressing news. You want a drink? That might help. What happened? You know I don't like to bother you with my problems. You always treat me as though I were a child. I didn't mean it that way honey. Well? Here's to us. No. I won't drink with you unless you tell me what happened. Well you know Tony Farrow works for me. The one who's always walking around with all those pills? No no that's Dr. Juden. Tony's the tall good looking one. Of course he isn't so handsome right now. What do you mean? He said a couple things about you. What? Oh it doesn't matter. What did he say? That you were carrying on behind my back. How can you have the nerve to say a thing like that? Well you asked me. I can't. You asked me to that horrible man. Now, apparently. You'll stoop there while he attacked my friend. You took his word against mine.

11:23Where you going? What do you care? You don't love me? Pat, come back. Pat! Oh no please. This is Mr. Rogers in 412. Yes sir. What do I have to do to get a little service around here? This is the fourth time I've called for a bellboy. I'm sorry sir, I'll check. Never mind he's here now. Just a second. Take it easy, will you? You got your... Hey, what's it? I... Dear... Oh! Yes? You read a shaman? That's right. I was wondering whether you'd like to go out with me. What? Actually I'm just trying to be polite because you don't have much choice in the matter. What are you babbling about?

12:24I name a sergeant Corp and I'm with the homicide division. So? A boy friend of yours got himself knocked off last night. A boy friend of mine. Didn't you use to run around with Jeff Rogers? You mean Jeff? Yeah. I don't believe you. Why would I lie to a pretty girl like you? Better pack a bag honey, I think you're going to be away for a long, long time. That's the second. Yeah? You might worry in the falcon. That's right. I'd like to talk to you. You think you're in any condition? What happened to your face? I had an accident. It must have been a big boy. It was not kind. Anything you say? You don't believe me? What difference does it make? Your face and your story Mr. Ridd. Scolari. Read since Scolari. Sit down. Thanks. Oh, it's on your mind. You read about that killing last night?

13:26Which one? This is New York, you know? I'm in at the main hotel. You got a fellow named Jeff Rogers? Well, the whole of my wife for the murder. Your wife? Read a shaman. And your name is Scolari? Well, that figure is. That's Ridd is maiden name. We're separated. Was this Jeff Rogers the cause? I was my fault. Read a picked up with Jeff F. Dysdodhorcino Ron. But she never killed him. And who did? That's what I'm paying you to find out. Did you say pain? Well, 500 bucks for your first spell. And a little while longer. One, two, three, four, five. Oh, thanks. I don't want you to bother with this anymore you have to. Well, I'll need certain information. I can fill you in. Okay. What kind of a boy was this, Jeff Rogers? Oh, real chisan over type. James Earl went nuts about him. Who was the last one? The damn name Pad Davis. Now who's she? I don't know. But for those 500 bucks maybe you can find out. I'll be seeing you wearing.

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15:38So whether you melt velvita for a swell cheese sauce or slice it thick for hearty sandwiches, you'll find velvita is a mighty handy helper mother. Get a two pound loaf tomorrow, won't you? It's America's favorite cheese food. The one and only velvita made by craft. Now back to the adventures of the falcon. And hour has passed since Mike was retained by a Mr. Vincent Scolare to solve the murder of Jeff Rogers. And now as we find Mike, he's about to earn his retainer. Who is it? Telegram for Mr. Pat Davis. Oh, just a minute. Hello. Well, you're not with Western Union. Well, I tried to enlist, but they wouldn't have me. What do you want? Awfully drafty out here. Well? Now I can assure you, Mrs. Davis, I'm perfectly respectable.

16:40I'm a second-class scout in troop 87. Come in. Thanks. You don't look like a boy scout to me. Well, I'm kind of tall for my age. What's your name, Mr? Wearing. Just wearing? Well, as a mic that goes in front of it, but no one seems... What's the matter, Mrs. Davis? Something, Bernie? Why? Well, the way you wrinkled your nose when I mentioned my name, I thought maybe you smelled something offensive. Maybe I did. Falcon? Oh. What do you want? Well, as I started to explain, in order to be a first-class scout, I have to pass mapmaking. And my assignment is to locate all the Pat Davis' in New York. How are you doing? Well, not bad. Would you mind telling me a little about yourself? What kind of men do you prefer? Those who know where they're not wanted. Oh, they're hard to find. Was Jeff Rogers like that? Who? Jeff Rogers. Boy who was murdered last night? I never had the pleasure. You sure? If that's the only reason you came here. I know, I can get. You've been reading my mind.

17:41Well, I've had enough practice. But I don't know what I'm going to tell my scout master. He's going to be awfully disappointed. Who's there? Only me, Pat. You're home early. Yes, yes, I had a purpose. I wanted to apologize for last night. You stormed out of here before I had a chance to say I'm sorry. Well? Well, now I'm no longer sorry. What? What was the fork I'm doing here? Who? A private detective. There was no one here all after me. Don't lie to me, Pat. Dr. Julian Soyne. Are you going to take him? Yes. I'm going to take him. I'm going to take him. I'm going to take him. Dr. Julian Soyne. Are you going to take him? Yes. Did you wire wearing to get you evidence for a divorce? Did I? That's the funniest thing I've heard in years. I'm glad it tickled you. We'll see if Mr. Wearing finds it so amusing. Voney, you're not going up to seem. You mind? Darling, you've got to believe me. There's absolutely nothing to it.

18:41Why would I want it to force? That's what I intend to find out. And I don't think anyone can be as helpful in that as Mr. Wearing. Alright, alright. What do you mean? It should be Michael Wearing. And you? My name is Barney Davis. What's on your mind? Davis. Call me Barney. Everyone else does. Oh, I wouldn't presume. No, I want it to be real friendly. You were around to see my wife this afternoon. You were around to see my wife this afternoon. You were around to see my wife this afternoon. You were over to see your wife this afternoon. You were about to tell me where I am now? So are you having a Bible of Fire? I am. You just met this afternoon? You're lying. OK, have it your way. We were childhood sweethearts. Who put her up to getting the divorce? Look, David, you're out of your mind. I'm working for a girl named Rita Sherman. A woman there holding for that Jeff, what's his name's murder? That's right. What does Pat have to do with her? Well, you're providing part of the answer right now. I don't get it. Your wife was running around with Jeff Roger.

19:43You're a liar. She didn't even know the guy. No. Well, I'll bet she tried to stop you from coming up here and learning the truth. What? Am I right? Now, listen to me, wearing. I love my wife. Well, bully for you. And if you think you're kidding me with this routine, you're not. Doc? Want me? Yeah. Come in here for a second, will you? Just think. This is Mr. Wearing. Hi, here. Hi. What do you think of this specimen? You mean you want a diagnosis? No, I've diagnosed this trouble myself. But I want you to do is give him a treatment. Oh, sure. And look, little man, put away the lead pipe. You got it wrong, Wearing. It's a very delicate instrument. You're to them taking a spinal tap, didn't you? Well, I work the other way. I'm just going to tap your skull. No. Oh. Oh. How do you feel, Mike?

20:45Huh? I don't know why I should try to revive you. This is the first time I can remember you being quiet in months. When did you get here, Sergeant? So pentanin' phoned me after the brawl was over. Now, what went on here? Well, you know that Rita Sherman you're holding? The girl who murdered her boyfriend. She didn't. What makes you so sure? She's my client. A silly of me to even ask. It's funny Rita didn't tell me about it. Is her husband who hired me? What's his name? Vincent Scallari. He told me it was his fault. He didn't read a broke up. Rodgers has nothing to do with it. But you know Rita didn't kill him. Yes, Corbett. This boy Jeff was quite a man with the ladies. That I discovered for myself. Well, did you discover anything about a girl named Pat Davis? Pat Davis, no. Well, Jeff kissed her off. How do you know that? I'll leave it to Rita. You don't think I'd take her word for it? Well, she may know something. She might, but I doubt it. Otherwise, she certainly wouldn't have hired you. Well, let's find out.

21:48What do you want? What do you want? What do you want? All right, Lyons, open them up. I am. Hey, what happened to you? He got that for you in his head. Come on, open them up. Hello, Rita. You're wasting your time, Sergeant. I am not answering any more questions. You'll have to, Angelou. Who are you? Mike Wearing. Mike Wearing. Yeah, sure. Husband hired me to act for you. My husband. Vincent Scullari. All right, all right. I give up. What's the answer? Well, it's very simple, Rita. I doubt it. I've done a lot of silly things in my life, but I never got married. What? But you can stick around with the wearing. Maybe we can do business. Remember, tomorrow at your grocers, you can get a wonderful new salad oil for your homemade salad dressings.

22:52You're cooking, you're baking. It's craft salad oil. The first salad oil for home use ever offered by the makers of all those wonderful craft dressings. Craft salad oil is a lighter-bodied oil, super-fined to blend perfectly with other ingredients. Get a pint or quart bottle tomorrow at your grocers. Ask for craft salad oil. And now back to the adventures of the falcon. Just a few seconds have passed since Mike Wearing learned that Rita Sherman was never abri'd. From which our hero draws one conclusion. Obviously, if Rita was never married, her husband couldn't have hired Mike. I don't get it. I don't get it at all. You boys aren't fooling me, see. I just as well run along. I tell you this, Galari claimed he was your husband. Oh, could he have been? Well, he gave me $500 to represent you. Here, look.

23:52So what's that prove? Well, what have I got to gain by a story like this? I don't know. Maybe you're a cop. I'm a private detective. Are you any good? A falcon good. I sing, sing, is loaded with people who'll be glad to vouch for him or I, Sergeant Narkov. Listen, Rita. You have no idea who this galari is? Well, what do you look like? Good looking boy. At least he was before someone played potsy on his face. A 5-11 dark hair. Nope. Spoke with a very slight accent. I can't play some. But he must be a friend of yours. Well, how do you figure that? Well, this was hardly the act of an enemy. Unless he was so confident I would foul this up and land you in the chair. You could do that too, you know. Listen, Mike, you sure you haven't imagined all this? I was borny, Davis, fit into this. Remember that path, Davis, I told you about? Yeah. Well, that's his wife. Why didn't you say so before? He didn't give me a chance. You know anything about this, Rita? Well, only that Jeff used to see you occasionally. Was he in love with her? I wouldn't think so. You only bought one ticket for Canada. Then you knew he was running out on you.

24:52He was running out on Mrs. Davis. I was supposed to meet him there later. Why would he run out on her? Well, I wouldn't know for sure, but I think she gave him some money to invest. Oh, how much money? I have no idea. Well, I have. Huh? An idea. I just got to haunt you this Vincent Scullary might be. Oh. Tell her name, Tony Farrow. He works for Barney Davis. He does. Did the last I heard? Well, what are we waiting for, Sergeant? Let's see if he's still gainfully employed. Um. Hello, Barney. Well. It isn't my good friend, DeFolken. Yeah. So a little worse for where? Nah. How did that happen? You don't really care. You know Sergeant Corbett? Oh, sure. How are you, Sergeant? Fine. I brought him along to vouch for me. You wouldn't believe me when I told you I wasn't working for your wife. Well, I believe you now. That's very big of you. What convinced you? Pat told me the truth.

25:52Your wife ran? No. Where is she? Out. You mean you trust her alone? What kind of a crack is that? Oh, come on, Barney. Wait. You know the last guy who sounded off like that. That's Tony Thurrow. How did you know about him? He was up to see me. You made a bad enemy there. I'm not worried. Well, you should be. You know what he went and did? No. But you're going to tell me anyway. He hired me to work for Rita Sherman. Well, but don't you see his motive? He hoped that I could pin the Jeff Rogers murder on you. Who I mean? Because he hated you and you were a hot suspect. Your wife was seeing Rogers. Listen, Waring, I told you before. You've got a face at Barney, you've got a patty. Take that back. Watch it, Davis. Believe me, that little girl never deserved anything you did for her, including murder. What did you say? A wipe or ten, Barney. You heard me the first time. All right, Sergeant. Make like a policeman.

26:58I know I shouldn't ask questions, Mike. No, don't be silly, Rita. I'd be disappointed if you didn't. Well, all right, then. What was this all about? Well, it was the oldest story in the world, Angel. Barney thought Jeff Rogers was going to steal his wife, so he took steps. Said steps, being the Jeff's room where he killed him, huh? Exactly. Well, how did you know that Barney was the guilty critter? When I learned that Vincent Scalari was Tony Farrow. Well, if your purpose was to confuse me, Mr. Waring, you succeeded. Well, you know why Tony was beaten up? Yeah, because he made a crack about Barney's wife. Mm-hmm, which came out when Barney was questioning him about 50 grand that was missing from the safe. So? So if Tony had swiped the dough in addition to insulting Pat Davis, what do you think would have happened to him? Barney would have killed him. And the mere fact that Tony was alive, therefore meant that Barney had checked up on a story and found it to be true. And once I realized Barney knew about Rogers and his wife, I knew he killed him. I get it. How good for you. Any further questions, Angel? Mm-hmm.

27:58Well, then it's my turn now. How is for you and me, too? Nope. Now, how can you tell what I was going to say? When it comes to that department, every woman is a detective. Good night, Angel. There comes a time in the life of every homemaker when she has to fix a dip. And she has to fix a dinner fast. And that's when craft dinner is such a help. You see, in just seven minutes cooking time, craft dinner makes delicious macaroni and cheese. A wonderful tender macaroni with fine cheese flavor all through. Just like I said, in only seven minutes cooking time. That's because every package of craft dinner gives you a special quick cooking macaroni and just the right amount of craft grated for that grand cheese flavor. So, tomorrow, get a couple of packages of craft dinner.

29:04This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.