The Case of the Unwelcome Christmas Present

0:00Hello? Yes, this is the Falcon speaking. Oh, Nancy, I'm glad you called. You busy, Delay? Oh, you are? For all that angel, you know what that means. Anything that happens to me this evening will be a dead loss. This is Ed Hurley, he's inviting you to listen to the adventures of the Falcon. Starring Les Stamen. You met the Falcon first in his best-selling novels. Then you saw him in his thrilling motion picture series. Now, join him on the air when the Falcon solves the case of the unwelcome Christmas present. The Christmas present. The Christmas present. The Christmas present. The Christmas present. The Christmas present. In a Saturday afternoon in New York, two days before Christmas. And on Manhattan's busy corners, Galey dressed Santa Claus as ring their nails while people rushed to do their last minute shopping.

1:02One of those freddick shoppers is a man named Larry Sterling, but the crisis in the store windows seemed to frighten him. And as he shakes his head sadly, a small delivery truck pulls alongside. And the driver, the watcher, in four minutes, calls to him. Hey, Lester. Lester, huh? Me? Yeah. Can you lend me? Can you lend me? You look like a nice guy. Oh, thanks. How are we? Don't go away. I'm sorry, I'm busy. I take it easy, Lester. What's your name? Sterling. Larry Sterling. Glad to know you. My name is Haynes. Walter Haynes. I've been watching you. So I noticed. You got a girl? What's it to you? Look, Sterling. I don't want to do your favorite. Don't bother. Okay, that's the way you feel. Hey, wait a second. What kind of a favor? How would you like to give your girl a silver fox jacket for Christmas? You crazy. Then you know what those things cost. Yeah, and I haven't got the Canada dollar. Well, would you be willing to spend 75 bucks for one?

2:02What? Get in the car. Well, make up your mind, Sterling. You want to look at this jacket or your doll? Why can't I see it out here? Of course there's a cop watch in this. Hey, careful not to sit on the box. Is it in here? Yeah. Take a look. Pretty, huh? Is this stolen merchandise, Haines? Oh, look, Sterling. There's been no questions until you know lies. All I know is that any gal who gets a jacket like this is going to think a boyfriend is plenty or right. That's 75 bucks, you said? That's right. And throw in that gift box. Do you notice a label? Two apartment brothers. Hey, that's one of the biggest furries in town. Oh, sure. When you go from gets a load of that, what do you think she'll say? The one that I got the money. Okay, if you don't want the cash. No, no. I'll take it, Haines. I'll take it, Haines. There. You get yourself a buy there, Sterling. Take it from me, pal. You don't know what you worked in, do you?

3:04You better fill up the tank, Joe. I'm going out again. Only sold one silver fox today. I think I'll have to try lower broccoli. I wouldn't. I wouldn't. Oh, hello, Pony. Hello, Haines. Which, which you dropped from? Steve Ellis told me you kept your truck here. What's up? Mr. Ray No is looking for you. We know. What for? Don't you know? No, no, what I do. It's what Ray No thinks you didn't do. Oh, he's crazy. You want to sell him that? All right. You know there's no talk in here once he gets an idea in his head. Hey, Pony, what do I do, huh? How would you like to hide out in my place? You mean you'd let me? Why not? For but a very lower thought out of it. Why should it? For somebody might rent. I'm not worried. I want you to know, Pony. I'll never forget you for this as long as I live. I know you mean well, darling. But if Mr. Ray No ever discovers this little deceit, that's not saying very much, is it?

4:12Uh, look, Haynes. Maybe it would be better if... If what? I'll skip it. Go ahead. Thanks. You know, Pony, for a minute, there was a fraud you changed your mind. Oh, there's a very little danger of that. Ray No. I'm delighted you remembered, then. Oh, Pony, will you please shut the door? So was the trap. Yes. But your very lucky hands. Not every rat is offered such attractive fate. That was a very fine piece of work, Pony. Listen, Ray No. You promised me nothing would happen to him if I brought him here. Good, I... Well, let's not worry about the challenge. Oh, uh, Haynes, I believe you know Leonard. Sure he does. We're old friends, aren't we? Power. Oh, come get out. Pony, fight Leonard. That's hardly the way to treat a guest. Really, Haynes, I'm so sorry about this. May I offer you something?

5:12No, no, I don't want anything. That's where we differ. Because I do. Two weeks ago, you received your usual consignment of third jackets. One coat was different. Where is it? In my truck. Then it will be good enough to check, sure. I've never mind. I've already looked. It doesn't matter. You did? No. You know something, I must have sold it by mistake. Oh, you've got to believe me, Mr. Ray No. Of course I do. Who was the lucky guy? Well, it's just a trouble, I don't know his name. Leonard. I've been looking forward to this for a long time, Haynes. I'll get through with you, your own mother won't know you. What was his name? I don't know. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. What was his name? I don't know. What the hell is that, Ray No? Keep lettered away from him, you'll kill him. I hope not, Bonnie. But, if he does, well, in our trade, death is always an occupational hazard.

6:15Carry on. Yeah, you're the superintendent of this building. And that's right. You got a Larry Sterling living here? Oh. Come on, Pop. Get with it, Larry Sterling, do you know him? Sure. What a problem it is he living in. Three A. Thanks. But he ain't home now. Is not? Help. Went out about 20 minutes ago. What does he do back? He didn't say. Well, how's that letting me wait for him? Oh, help yourself. Well, I mean, he's a part of it. And he's a part of it? Yeah, he's got a pass key, haven't you? Oh, I'm sure. Well, I suppose you'll let me borrow it. Oh, I couldn't do that. Why not? I'll make it with you well. Did you use ten bucks? Yeah. Well, what you got to do is let me borrow your key.

7:15I know, I told you can't. You don't understand, Pop. My name's Leonard. You see, I have an old friend of Larry's. I want to surprise him. Yeah, sorry. All right. I know, tell you what I'll do. You still want to make that ten? And not if it's going to be. No, forget the key. Well, I want to know is when Larry came home tonight did he have a big package with him? Big package, eh? A package about this size. Eh, why do you want to know? Now, listen to your joke. I'm asking the questions. Well, I don't have to ask. And I say it through. Oh, you keep your hands, myself. Good morning. Help! Help! Just keep them trying to pass. Oh, you're smart. You got me wrong, Pop. I don't want to hurt you. I'm why don't we forget this ever happened? You'll just get out of here. Okay, if I was you, I wouldn't mention to Larry that anybody dropped around a sim. I wanted to be a surprise. Yeah? Yeah. I'm going to be awful angry if you spoil it. I'll take care of yourself, Pop. I'd hate to drop around again to do it for you.

8:15Oh, yeah. I shouldn't do this, George. We promised we wouldn't open our presence till Christmas Eve. Now, Larry, twenty-five is one way or the other. We'll make a difference. Is it a rope? Nope. Lounge in pajamas? Ah, you'll never guess. They'll let me see. Oh, Larry! Didn't expect a furcona. No, I didn't. Well, what do you say? God, I think it's love, Larry. For God, try not. Oh, sure. There's certainly not enthusiasm about it. I'm sorry, honey. Guess I'm behaving badly, but you see... Who is it? Hello? Is that you, Miss Cohen? Yes. This is Parker, the superintendent, who is Australian lives. Do you expect to see him tonight? As a matter of fact, he's here now. Could I talk to him, please?

9:16Sure. It's for you, Larry. Who is it? The superintendent of your building. Fine. Hello? Hi, Mr. Sterling. Oh, what's the trouble, huh? I just heard you order something. And Phil was around here tonight asking questions about you. Oh. If you wouldn't give us name, but he wanted me to let him in your apartment. He was awful interested in that big box you brought home tonight. When I wouldn't tell him anything about it, he almost hit me. Oh, listen, Papa. Are you sure he was after me? I'm positive. If I was you, Mr. Sterling, I'd be careful. Oh, thanks a lot, Papa. I'll be seeing you. What was the trouble, Larry? Somebody's awfully curious about that fur coat. Now, why would anybody in his right mind be interested in that coat? It's a nice way for you to talk. I don't want to hurt your feelings, darling. But if you pay more than $20, but there's you, we're stuck. So you think I was a sucker? I do. You know, you could be wrong, too. How are you going to prove it? Maybe I can, but if you give me the classified directory, I'll find me someone who can.

10:27Yeah. I don't know whether I've got the right party or the problem do you want? The 12A. This is it. Are you, Mike Wearing the Falcon? That's right. My name is Larry Sterling. I hate the body, Mr. Wearing. Why not? Come in. What's on your mind? I'm not too busy. I'd like to talk to you about what? This. Go on. Open the box. It's fur jacket. I bought it this afternoon. My man named Walter Haynes. How come it's sporting the Dupont Brothers label? This guy Haynes let me to believe it was stolen. Oh, the old rack at the end. There's a new one on me. Well, what do you want me to do? Get your money back? No, I was a sucker, Mr. Wearing. And I'm willing to take my loss. What's your problem? How much would you guess I paid for this coat? Well, I don't know $100. $75. But my girlfriend says it isn't worth $20. Well, if this coat's worthless, why is somebody so anxious to get it from me? What do you mean? My superintendent told me several parties were making inquiries about me. What does it mean? Funny they should all ask if I brought home a big, bulky box that looked like it might contain a fur jacket.

11:30Let me see that coat again. Well? It still looks like a skin rabbit to me. That I've been wrong before. Let's see what the experts down at Dupont Brothers have to say. Yes, sir? Is there something I can do for you? There is. I could one of your fur jackets in this box. Oh, I'm awfully sorry, sir, but the exchange department has closed till after Christmas. Well, I don't want to exchange it. I just wanted to pray. Well, I'm afraid that's out of the question now, Mr. Err... Wearing. Well, as you can see, we're practically rushed to death. Well, how long would it take you to look at it? My dear fellow, you just won't understand. Mr. Dupont himself would have to look at it, and I wouldn't dare disturb him now. Oh, I see. But I suppose I'll leave the jacket here. Well, I can't make any promises to wearing. Oh, that's all right. I wouldn't take my chances.

12:31I'll be back in an hour. Hello. Huh? Oh, hello, a lady burglar. Hope I didn't start with you. Not particularly. Well, if I'm in your way... Oh, think nothing of it. You must be Mike Wearing, also called the Folk. I guess I must be. And you? You can call me Bonnie. Well, I'd like nothing better. A young man named Larry Sterling dropped into seal about an hour ago. Oh, did he? Well, that's what I've been led to believe. How did you get in here? I could say the door was unlocked. Yes, you could, but I wouldn't necessarily have to believe you. That case, you may as well know the truth. I used these. Oh, that's not nice, Bonnie. It's a penal offense. Oh, thinking of calling someone?

13:32Just a police? Oh, let's not be hasty, shall we? Who are you? Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Mr. Wearing, Mr. Reno. You'll forgive me for not shaking you. As I understand, that gun makes it rather awkward, doesn't it? There. What do you want, Renon? Did Bonnie explain? I didn't get very far. Mr. Wearing, I have reason to believe that the young man named Larry Sterling, left the fur jacket with you today. Why should he do that? Maybe he became suspicious. Maybe he had a reason to be. Maybe? But that's hardly the point. Where is the coat, Mr. Wearing? My client bought that coat in good faith. In good faith? As he gave 75 bucks for it. I assure you, neither of you will lose by this transaction. Well, I don't know. His girlfriend was awfully crazy about it. Shall we say $1,000? Shall we say nuts? Suppose I send one of my agents around. He's much more persuasive than I am. Come, Bonnie. Hold it.

14:32What do you think you're going? Home, naturally. Have you any objections? Yes, several. You're staying here to the police arrive. We're overlooking one thing, Mr. Wearing. What did gun? Uh-huh. Well, somehow I've got a feeling... We'll go rain oats. Stupid, londering. Oh, you're a fool. Your type can never let well enough alone. You better take a slug of this, Mike. I'll never mind stealing. I want to hear the rest of your story. It's just like I told you. I walked in here, I found you stretched out on the floor. How come you decided to pay me a visit? Well, I know. Renaud was on his way over. You didn't think it necessary to warn me. I tried to call you, but there was no answer. Why did you tell Ray-Naw you hired me? I didn't. And who did? My girlfriend, George Ecolon. He found out where she lived. I guess it wasn't very bright ever, but George had told my gun over to see you.

15:32Mike, that coat must be worth thousands. What was the name of that character you bought it from? Waterhands. I get the phone book and see if he's listed. Don't bother, I can tell. I'm wearing it. He lives in 2719, West 93rd apartment, 2D. Thanks. And you're Leonard. I think Mr. Renaud told you I'd be around. As he did, I want that coat wearing. You know, Leonard, Renaud made a bad bet. You're on the more persuasive than he is, and you're not nearly as pretty as Bonnie. You tell me you're a pretty tough cooking. You don't want to believe everything you hear. No, there's one way to find out. I don't know the way, Mike. Hey, Robert. Nice going, Larry. I hope you don't mind me ruining that decade. Oh, no. I've had a lot easier to get a new bottle in this boy-will-in-you head. Come on, let's go, fella. I'm going to be... ...see, here we are. He's sure this is the right place, the name plate says Walter Harvey. That's probably an alias. Notice the initials are the same. Could be a coincidence. Yes, could be. The Leonard son of the Zoe and you, he was...

16:33Uh-oh. What's the last? Door is open. Careless of Mr. Hayes. Yes, that sort of thing can cost you your life. And in this case, it did. What? Isn't that a hand sticking out of that trunk? Yeah, I think so. Oh, no. That's a good easy, Larry. Oh, look at his face. He was beaten to death, wasn't he? Yeah, that's a fairly safe assumption. Oh, poor Hayes. I'm not going to be able to do it. I'm not going to be able to do it. I'm not going to be able to do it. That's a fairly safe assumption. Oh, poor Hayes. Mike, you've got to find out who did this. Why? Well, you can't let Perranoge in a way with this. Look, maybe we ought to take this from the beginning. Who am I working for anyway? I don't understand. You came to my apartment this evening with the yarn and Hayes has sold you a hot fur coat. Well, it's true. And if you were stuck, why didn't you write the whole thing off? Why'd you bring me into this? Well, I told you that. Don't you understand, wearing that coat must be worth thousands. All right, all right. Let's assume for the sake of argument it is.

17:34What does that mean to me? We'll split them on you. What money? You admit the coat must be stolen? Well, maybe it is a reward. Well, there's one way to find out. Suppose we see the brother's dupe aunt. Yes, sir. Can I help you? I hope so. My name is Wearing. I was in here a little earlier today. I left a coat to be appraised. Oh, yes, of course. I had Mr. Dupe aunt look at it. Would you be good enough to identify your merchandise? That's the same one, Larry. Yeah, I can have a few aunt that fur. I know what's the coat worth. Would you care to venture a guess? Judging by the trouble it's caused, I'd say $10,000. Oh, your way off, sir. What did I tell you? 20? If I might be so bold, what'd you pay for this coat? Well, you can't judge by that. If I'm going to the bargain rate. And he gave? Believe it or not, $75. Really? Well, strictly, I'm renewing Mr. Wearing.

18:34This is a very rare example of Genesis Philly die. Oh, English translation, please. Skinned Ali cat. And as such, it isn't worth a dime. You don't understand, at my age. You sure that's the same coat as positive? That the coat's worthless. Why was Haynes killed? I don't ask me, Larry. I'm a stranger to hear myself. Maybe you already know. It doesn't know it's value. I doubt that. Very no, Leonard and Bonnie are too slick of a tree or they get worked up over a phony fur piece. But it must mean something. That's obviously. And brother, very no, knows. Well, maybe you won't mind sharing his information with us. Are you going to find him? Through Leonard and you think you'll cooperate? If it's put to him the right way. Remember how you knocked him cold? Yes. Well, don't forget how you did it. I may want you to try it again. Still here, Mike? Right way left. Come on, Leonard.

19:34Get up. Come on, palsy. You'll miss Santa Claus. Yes, but I won't miss you, Mike. Don't move, Chomer, I'll let you have it from here. It wasn't nice of you to fool us that way, Leonard. I would have sworn you hadn't moved an inch since we left. Don't feel too bad, worry. I only moved to. From here to where you left my gun and back. Where's the coat? Are you still hopping on that? You're wasting your time, it's worthless. You're just a soon taken over your dead body. I think he means that, Mike. Well, I don't. You're bluffing, Leonard. You shouldn't have called me, pal. You know where he... Larry. Larry, are you all right? Yeah. Thanks a lot. It's been a little fright, your folks. Oh, that's perfectly all right, friend. Another second in this fork and would have been cold turkey. What about him? He's dead. Well, to whom are we indebted? Yeah, who are you? It's a night of Larry, don't you know me? Mr. the way your face looks, I don't think your own mother would. Hey, buddy. You got a girl. Haines. Sure.

20:34Mike, this is Waller Haines. Wait a minute. If your Haines was the stiff in your apartment. Ray, no. Leonard killed him. Oh, the old double cross, huh? Yeah. Or where you've been? Well, they kept me tied up and sometimes the property. On his? Yeah, yeah, on his. After I got loose I went to Larry's apartment and some other day I told me I could locate him here. I must have been, George. What's this all about, Haines? What sweat all about? This fur coat. Believe me, Larry, I don't know. I got it in a consignment with my regular merchandise. Where does Bonnie come in? Right on cue, Mr. Wary. But he would do something about that door, Mike. Yes. Next time get a spring, so it'll close. Where's the coat, Mike? I want it. Oh, what do you say, Haines? I say give it to her. No. She's a pretty determined young lady, Larry. Here you are, Bonnie. Where it well? No, just drape it over the chair. No. All of you stay put for the next five minutes. The first one who gets careless enough to show his face out of the doorway will get it blown off. Good night, folks. Thanks a million.

21:35Get the phone sterling, they believe you had a rough hair. Hurry up, Larry. Call downstairs. I thought you were going to rush, Wary. I've been worried about that, Colt Haines. Forget it. You won't get away. Oh, shit. Keep the coat for all I care. At my fuller this business. I know, Blamin. Oh, uh. It's a deadly... What happened to the box that came in? Why'd you it away? Your kid. Why was it more than anything, wasn't it? I looked like I worked at box wearing it on my cloud. Why make an issue over little things like that, Haines? Unless it isn't a little thing. As far as we see, get away from that door. You want the box, don't you? I'm done if I can see why. Looks like any other cardboard box to me. Maybe if I were to rip the cardboard apart, they cut that out. Oh, what do you know? Pretty cute, huh? Whatever I think I'm looking for a letter pasted between two sheets of cardboard. You did, Hel, you gave me the lead. This is pretty important piece of stationary, Haines. Look at the name on top, Moscow Federation. I want that letter, Wary. Yes, I'm beginning to understand why. Do I get it, Mr. You certainly do.

22:36Ah! Did you have to do that, Larry? I have to. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Did you have to do that, Larry? I have to do that. You realize he was going to kill you? Sure, but I might as well be dead. You realize that was my last bottle of Christmas cheer? Now what am I going to do? Warying, Haines, is a real great job. Oh, thanks, Larry. Say, Haines, you better be running off to see your girl. I don't like it the complete story, and what happened from yesterday morning till last night. What was in that letter anyway? Something the boys in the Department of Justice have been looking for for a long time. You've heard of the International Movement known as Moscow Federation. Yes, unfortunately. Well, that letter contained a complete list of outfaces here in South America that are cooperating with them. Well, how did it wind up in Haines' hands? Right, oh, out of the regionally. He was an agent for Moscow.

23:37He was told to contact these organizations and Haines was working for Renault. Oh, sure. Peddling hot fur was a blind for the mob. He was Renault's boy until he realized what a wonderful source of blackmail that list was. So he got you to hold the list for him while he carried out his plan. He killed Renault and messed up his face so it would pass for his own. Well, where did Bonnie figure it out? Well, okay, she didn't even know the score. She thought the coat was the all-important thing. How did you know it wasn't? How'd a praisell give me the tip-offs? And the one thing we'd overlooked in the case was the box it came in. Well, what made you realize Haines was the killer? It was a story you told. He claimed he was beaten up and kept a prisoner in Bonnie's place. And he came to my house right after he escaped and learned where you were. But when I asked him about the corpse in his own apartment, he wasn't even surprised. Right off the bat, he knew what it was Renault. Against that, all right, me? Thanks a lot, Mike. I'll be saying it. Wait a minute, where are you rushing off to? I'm here to begotten. This is the night before Christmas. My girlfriend, George, you must still be wondering what happened to me.

24:38Oh, yes, of course. But what about you? Well, I guess this is my unlucky night. I don't have a date. On Christmas Eve? Isn't that irony for you? Being Santa Claus are the only two guys in town who I left holding the bag.