Broadway Is My Beat: The Blanche Dermit Murder Case 12/06/1952
episode
Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
28 min
4 speakers
8 chapters
transcribed 1 month ago
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What is the opening narration and premise of the Blanche Dermit murder case?
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God weighs my beat, from Plansburg to Columbus Circle, the gaudiest, the most violent, The lonesomest mile in the world. Broadway's My Beast with Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover.
Broadway flips the calendar, stares at the word December, holds chin between thumb and forefinger and wonders,
what happened?
Winter is here and the year is suddenly dying. Proof positive, the wind rising from the river that twists a headline around an ankle, lifts it up again, flattens it against the gutter. And there it is in bold face. So many shopping days left. So the evergreens are chopped, mounted, dyed blue and tinseled. Token of holiday season. Token that time's getting narrow for the layaway plan. So get with it. All you need's a dollar. It'll hold the dream till Christmas. Follow the decorations downtown and take a left. East 37th, where the season is manifest by holly and apartment windows and electric candles. And the latest thing, Merry Christmas in phosphorus paint. A glow in the dark. 11 o'clock time, nighttime, where I was.
In Miss Gaffney's apartment. And Miss Gaffney.
Look at the joint, will you?
I'm looking. I've been looking for the last five minutes, Miss Gaffney. Now will you settle down and tell
me what... Two years, I say, to get a full-length mirror. Now look at it. And now look what I've got. Confetti. You
ready to tell me what happened? You
know what happened. What's been happening around this neighborhood for the last couple of nights. I
mean to you.
I was trying on in front of the mirror, that's what. And that sniper took a pot shot at me. Why
didn't you pull the blind down?
At my age.
Well, you're lucky. You see this
lug?
Huh? Here, look at him. Embedded here in the mirror backing. 38, head high. Like I said, lucky.
Yeah. And I was standing right here. Two more inches and Myrtle Gaffney...
That's right. Now, let's take it from the beginning. Did you notice anyone following you tonight when you got home?
I could have been killed! Or
anyone loitering around outside?
He could have killed me in your stand here and I... We
don't even know what he looks like, Miss Gaffney. We want your help.
He could have killed me! He could have killed me! Shot me dead! Killed me! Out of
sinless anger, the frightening hysteria fitted themselves into the pattern of the city's newest violence. And it was the other emotion. That the shattering of mirror had been this close to the shattering burst of her life. That her life had been balanced on the bad aim of a man with a gun. That her life had been target for indiscriminate fury. And against terror was only this.
You protect me, you hear? That's what you people are paid for. To protect helpless, lonely women, you hear?
And give her the promise. And phone it in. And leave her now to darkness and bolted doors and windows blinded and locked against another coming of death.
And walk this winter's streets to where a room is, a hot plate, a minute coffee. And for a while after that, wander the narrow room. And for a while after that, sleep. The next day at headquarters is used in attendance at lineups where Miss Gaffney can identify no one. In marking areas on a map, trying to plot the boundaries of a sniper's violence. The cultured calm of the woman on the phone who was very definite she was next on the sniper's list but was unafraid. And suddenly there's quick winter twilight and the comment upon it by Detective Muckerman. Look at
him, Danny. Millions running home to a hot supper and take what eats you out on the kids. A way to live, huh? Yeah, it is. Me? My life is suddenly mixed up with panicky ladies who've had pot shots taken at them. That Lois Stewart over on West 31st.
How does Detective Danny Clover begin his investigation of the recent sniper attacks?
You've already told me about her. She wrote me a little poem how her life was really contained in that
flower vase the sniper shot to pieces in her flat. She wrote it down for me.
Here, I'll read it. You've already read it to me. Will you take the reaction of this Lois Stewart and pose it against the reaction of Mrs. B. Morrison, West 32nd?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the opening narration and premise of the Blanche Dermit murder case?
0:00–4:13
2
How does Detective Danny Clover begin his investigation of the recent sniper attacks?
4:13–6:41
3
What evidence do the police gather from the victims’ statements and the sketch artist’s drawings?
6:41–10:13
4
Who is the teenage suspect ‘Mickey’ and what role does he play in the sniper investigation?
10:13–14:00
5
How does Detective Clover interrogate Mr. Dermott about his wife’s death and the missing gun?
14:00–17:50
6
What is revealed about the sniper’s method of shooting through windows and the motive behind the murders?
17:50–21:30
7
How do the detectives reconstruct the night Blanche Dermit was shot and identify the killer?
21:30–24:04
8
What is the final resolution of the case and how does the episode close?
24:04–27:57
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
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