This Is Your FBI: The Big Shakedown 10/18/1946
episode
Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
29 min
6 speakers
4 chapters
transcribed 1 month ago
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What is the show and sponsor introduction to this 1946 FBI case drama?
Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com.
The Equitable Life Assurance Society presents, This is Your FBI. This is Your FBI. This is your FBI, the official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. Are you one of the 47 million Americans who benefit from group insurance? Listen carefully to this special message from Mr. Francis B. Davis, Jr., chairman of the board of directors of the United States Rubber Company.
Mr. Davis says, and we quote, We deeply regret losing an employee, but we are glad to be able to help in easing the financial burden on his family through group life insurance. What will happen to my family if? That's a worry that troubles every husband and father. Our company's answer to that universal if is group insurance and peace of mind.
Yes, group insurance is something worth owning. In 14 minutes, the Equitable Life Assurance Society will give further important information about group insurance, which will interest both employers and employees. Tonight's FBI file, The Big Shakedown.
When the last United States census was taken... There were 300,000 people in this country who gave their address as prison. What made those people criminals? How had they become different than the ordinary law-abiding citizen who does his job and goes his way? The answers to those questions are not simple, but it can be said that the criminal does have two characteristics that outweigh all others. The first is greed. The overwhelming desire to get something for nothing. The second is ego. The ability of the criminal to believe that he is smart enough to get away with any crime, be that crime robbery, larceny, forgery, auto theft, or even murder.
Tonight's file opens in the library of one of our state prisons. The custodian of this book-filled room, an inmate named Lawton, is seated behind a desk. A second prisoner enters.
How are you today, Mr. Lawton?
Oh, hello, Chick.
Here's that last book I borrowed. I finished it.
Well, good for you.
You know something? That's the most pages I ever read in my life.
You should feel justly proud. Thanks.
Hey, what's this I hear about you?
What do you mean?
You're getting out of here.
Oh. Yes, I'm leaving day after tomorrow.
Gee, I'm sorry to hear that.
Your what?
Oh, I didn't mean about your getting out. That part's swell, but we'll miss you around here, that's all.
I appreciate that, Jake.
You know, you're the only guy in this whole joint with real class.
Thank you.
Mr. Lawton, tell me something, will you?
Yes?
This touch you got sent away for, extortion, wasn't it?
That's right.
What's the game on that? Why do you ask? Well, I guess maybe books have changed me. You see, I kind of got ambitious to be more than just a guy heisting delicatessen.
That's most commendable.
To tell you the truth, Mr. Lawton, I want to be a guy like you. That's very flattering, Chief. I mean it. You see, I get out of here in a month myself. Maybe there's some way we could get together then, huh? Well, I... I'd work for you for nothing at first, just to learn the business. That's allowed, Chick. That's allowed. Oh. Well, what do you say, Mr. Lawton?
You mean, will I take you on?
Yes.
When you're released, Chick, get in touch with me.
Just a minute. Yes? Hello. Well? Does Mr. Lawton live here? Who are you? My name is Chick Pelly. Who are you? I'm Mrs. Lawton. What did you want with him? Well, him and I were up... That is, we were both in... Look, just let me see the guy, will you? He asked me to come here. Okay. Wait a minute. George.
Well?
There's a character at the front door with a very loose lower lip. He says you asked him to come here.
What's his name?
Pelly. Chick Pelly.
Oh, of course. Chick and I were away together.
Nice company you kept.
Grace, darling, the state prison is hardly a gentleman's club.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the show and sponsor introduction to this 1946 FBI case drama?
0:00–7:33
2
How does the narrator define the causes of criminal behavior at the episode's opening?
7:33–9:56
3
How does Lawton recruit and train Chick Pelly in the extortion scheme?
9:56–22:20
4
What extortion plan is executed against William Graham and how is the first payoff arranged?
22:20–29:56
Speakers
6 identifiedMore from Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
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