Ed Helms

Norris only needs to see two things, the unnatural flush of the dead woman's skin and the lighting fixtures in the tenement building where she was found.

Norris only needs to see two things, the unnatural flush of the dead woman's skin and the lighting fixtures in the tenement building where she was found.

As Norris knows, this gas is not only poisonous, it's also colorless and odorless, a deadly combination he and Alexander Gettler know all too well from their work examining New York City's dead. The presence of carbon monoxide also explains why Travia's been in a stupor and the strange hue of the alleged victim's skin.

As Norris knows, this gas is not only poisonous, it's also colorless and odorless, a deadly combination he and Alexander Gettler know all too well from their work examining New York City's dead. The presence of carbon monoxide also explains why Travia's been in a stupor and the strange hue of the alleged victim's skin.

Anna Fredrickson's death was a tragic accident. At some point, as she got drunk with Francesco, one of them must have caused the gas leak.

Anna Fredrickson's death was a tragic accident. At some point, as she got drunk with Francesco, one of them must have caused the gas leak.

Charles Norris feels compelled to testify in Francesco's case. He knows this man is innocent. Well, innocent of murder anyway. And he has the scientific facts to prove it.

Charles Norris feels compelled to testify in Francesco's case. He knows this man is innocent. Well, innocent of murder anyway. And he has the scientific facts to prove it.

It wasn't the first time Norris and Gettler took on the political powers that be and won. And it wouldn't be the last. Of course, Francesco did still get convicted of improperly disposing of a corpse, and I'm going to give it to the prosecutor on that one, but he did avoid the death penalty because Gettler and Norris investigated and intervened.

It wasn't the first time Norris and Gettler took on the political powers that be and won. And it wouldn't be the last. Of course, Francesco did still get convicted of improperly disposing of a corpse, and I'm going to give it to the prosecutor on that one, but he did avoid the death penalty because Gettler and Norris investigated and intervened.

From gas leaks to lead pipes to radioactive watches, which is an actual thing you could buy at the time, there was a lot that could kill you in 1920s America. Time and time again, Gettler and Norris cracked cases that cops couldn't crack. And they were just about the only ones in New York City capable of getting to the bottom of the especially twisted mystery of Formula 6.

From gas leaks to lead pipes to radioactive watches, which is an actual thing you could buy at the time, there was a lot that could kill you in 1920s America. Time and time again, Gettler and Norris cracked cases that cops couldn't crack. And they were just about the only ones in New York City capable of getting to the bottom of the especially twisted mystery of Formula 6.

I'm Ed Helms, and this is Snafu, a show about history's greatest screw-ups. This is the story of how Prohibition backfired so badly that the government chose to poison thousands of Americans. Today, a string of mysterious deaths presents Norris and Gettler with another mystery, even as the culprit hides in plain sight. One thing we know about Alexander Gettler is that he loved the Yankees.

I'm Ed Helms, and this is Snafu, a show about history's greatest screw-ups. This is the story of how Prohibition backfired so badly that the government chose to poison thousands of Americans. Today, a string of mysterious deaths presents Norris and Gettler with another mystery, even as the culprit hides in plain sight. One thing we know about Alexander Gettler is that he loved the Yankees.

And we also know that, as a workaholic, his thoughts were never far from his work. So indulge me as I paint a picture for us. Gettler attending a real Yankee game and piecing together a few work thoughts. Sunday, August 2nd, 1926. Alexander Gettler, notorious workaholic, has given himself a rare day off to enjoy Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

And we also know that, as a workaholic, his thoughts were never far from his work. So indulge me as I paint a picture for us. Gettler attending a real Yankee game and piecing together a few work thoughts. Sunday, August 2nd, 1926. Alexander Gettler, notorious workaholic, has given himself a rare day off to enjoy Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

His beloved Bronx Bombers are facing the Chicago White Sox, and they're off to a rough start. In the top of the first, Chicago left fielder Bib Falk hits a weak ground ball off Yankee pitcher Waite Hoyt and drives in a run. Bib, Waite. Come on, you gotta love these old-timey baseball names, right? But Gettler, well, he's not loving it.

His beloved Bronx Bombers are facing the Chicago White Sox, and they're off to a rough start. In the top of the first, Chicago left fielder Bib Falk hits a weak ground ball off Yankee pitcher Waite Hoyt and drives in a run. Bib, Waite. Come on, you gotta love these old-timey baseball names, right? But Gettler, well, he's not loving it.

By the time he's gotten to his seat and lit up one of his White Owl cigars, his Yankees are already down by a run. Now, even amidst all the peanuts and crackerjacks, Gettler's mind wanders to what he's been seeing in his lab and in the news. All over the city and all over the country, people are dying, going blind. Remember that bootleg cocktail, Ginger Jake?

By the time he's gotten to his seat and lit up one of his White Owl cigars, his Yankees are already down by a run. Now, even amidst all the peanuts and crackerjacks, Gettler's mind wanders to what he's been seeing in his lab and in the news. All over the city and all over the country, people are dying, going blind. Remember that bootleg cocktail, Ginger Jake?