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The Marlowe Files

Presented by OTRPODS

Welcome to The Marlow Files, a show that brings you classic noir detective stories from the golden age of radio. Rediscover the hard-boiled world of Raymond Chandler's iconic private eye through these re-broadcasts of the beloved radio program. First airing in 1947, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe became one of radio's most celebrated detective series, known for its sharp dialogue, atmospheric storytelling, and compelling mysteries. Follow Philip Marlowe, brought to life by talented radio actors, as he navigates the mean streets of Los Angeles, solving cases that take him from penthouses to dive bars, uncovering secrets, lies, and deadly schemes along the way. What sets Philip Marlowe apart is its noir atmosphere, witty narration, and complex plots that keep you guessing until the very end. Each episode delivers a complete mystery filled with memorable characters, dangerous dames, and the kind of tough-talking detective work that defined the genre. Whether you're a longtime fan of old-time radio or discovering these classic mysteries for the first time, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe promises to deliver suspenseful entertainment and a nostalgic journey through one of radio's most iconic detective series. Tune in and let the mysteries of Philip Marlowe captivate your imagination.

198 episodes

  1. Left Handed Murder Case

    Sep 3, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: January 10, 1950 Philo Vance #79, "Left Handed Murder Case," When Jan wakes screaming from the sight of her ex-husband Steve at her bedroom window, her parents David and Helen face a terrifying dilemma. Steve Cayley is a known gang leader whom the police have been unable to touch, and Jan fears he wants to kill her. Meanwhile, Steve himself appears at Philo Vance's office with a surprising proposition: he wants out of the criminal life and needs help escaping his own gang. Steve's lieutenant Lefty and the other gang members are already questioning his leadership and considering more permanent solutions to replace him. Steve agrees to meet Vance and District Attorney Markham at six o'clock to discuss turning evidence against his associates. When Steve fails to appear for the meeting, a call from Homicide Detective Douglas reveals why: Steve Cayley has been found murdered at 300 Roslyn Drive. As Vance and Markham head to the crime scene, suspicion naturally falls on those closest to the victim, including his embittered ex-wife Jan and her protective father David, who arrives home late that evening acting strangely evasive about his whereabouts.

  2. Tip Top Murder Case

    Sep 2, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: January 3, 1950 Philo Vance #78, "Tip Top Murder Case," chorus girl Susan Blake arrives at Philo Vance's office with a chilling typewritten threat: pay five thousand dollars by tomorrow or be dead by tomorrow night. Though she and her roommate Ella Andrews are struggling performers in the Tip Top Review with barely a penny between them, Susie refuses to go to the police, fearing the publicity could ruin her career. Vance notices something peculiar about the threatening note—every time the letter Y appears, someone first struck the Z key before typing over it. When Vance asks if someone might want to put her under obligation to them for that exact amount, Susie realizes there may be such a person and insists on visiting him herself. That person turns out to be Donald Graham, a big-time operator with mysterious connections and a strong romantic interest in Susie. When Vance later goes to check on her at the apartment she shares with Ella, they discover that Susie has had a visitor—but the outcome of that visit proves fatal, leaving Vance to untangle a web of obsession, extortion, and murder.

  3. Identical Murder Case

    Sep 1, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: December 27, 1949 Philo Vance #77, "Identical Murder Case," a shocking case begins when District Attorney Markham receives an unexpected visitor who has been shot. The dying man's face stuns Markham—he is the spitting image of Philo Vance. The victim reveals he was murdered because of his resemblance to the famous detective before succumbing to his wounds. Meanwhile, the ruthless gangster Tommy Orkett, who "doesn't tolerate mistakes," brutally disciplines his gunman Joe for shooting the wrong man. Orkett needs Vance dead because the detective has uncovered evidence linking him to the Hendrix murder. Vance returns to the city after locating a witness who can testify against Orkett, only to learn about his doppelganger's death. When Orkett boldly visits Vance's office to warn him off the case, the two men engage in a tense confrontation that turns physical. Just as the situation reaches a boiling point, Vance receives a call from Penny Daly, Orkett's girlfriend, who claims she wants to betray the gangster. She's afraid Orkett will kill her for refusing to participate in his plans concerning Vance, setting up a dangerous meeting that could be either Vance's salvation or a deadly trap.

  4. Chop Suey Murder Case

    Aug 31, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: December 20, 1949 Philo Vance #76, "Chop Suey Murder Case," In a tense scene at a Chinese restaurant, Johnny and his companion Georgie sit down for what should be an ordinary meal, but the atmosphere crackles with conflict. When Johnny orders a mysterious dish called "din-yip-har" that the puzzled waiter has never heard of, it becomes clear this is no simple dinner. Johnny's girlfriend Ev tries to understand what's happening, but he grows increasingly hostile and evasive. The tension escalates when Johnny cryptically reveals that this supposed meal is actually going to cost him $15,000, suggesting the restaurant order is a cover for something far more sinister. As Johnny's behavior becomes more aggressive and his companions press him with questions, it becomes evident that he's involved in dangerous business that extends well beyond the dining table. The seemingly innocent act of ordering Chinese food masks a darker transaction, and the friction between the characters hints at criminal dealings that will soon require Philo Vance's expert detective skills to unravel.

  5. Grey Glove Murder Case

    Aug 30, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: December 13, 1949 Philo Vance #75, "Grey Glove Murder Case," a terrifying scene unfolds as the household frantically tries to reach Edgar Downing, who is locked inside his bedroom. Matilda the servant rushes to alert Dick Staley and Ruth after hearing Mr. Downing's desperate cries. Despite their efforts, the solid oak door prevents them from breaking through to help. As they wait for the police to arrive, Matilda peers through the keyhole and witnesses an impossible sight: a single grey glove, seemingly acting on its own without any visible arm or body attached, is wrapped around Downing's throat, choking him. By the time Dick manages to look through the keyhole himself, the horrifying attack has ended. Edgar Downing now lies motionless on his back in the middle of the room, with the mysterious grey glove lying beside him. The household is left to grapple with the impossible question of how a disembodied glove could commit such a violent act, and what supernatural or sinister force might be behind this baffling crime.

  6. Birdcage Murder Case

    Aug 29, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: December 6, 1949 Philo Vance #74, "Birdcage Murder Case," tension crackles when Lane Williams arrives at the Dillon home to deliver an innocent party invitation from her fiancé, Stuart Worthington. The visit quickly exposes a web of romantic entanglements and simmering resentments. Jeff Dillon makes no secret of his attraction to Lane, even in front of his wife Edna, who confronts him about his obvious feelings for the younger woman. The uncomfortable scene ends with Lane's departure, but not before she mentions that Worthington's party will feature a magician performing the famous disappearing birdcage trick. After Lane leaves, the confrontation between Jeff and Edna escalates. Edna accuses her husband of being in love with Lane and willing to do anything to steal her away from Worthington. Jeff's dismissive responses only fuel her anger, until he makes a chilling declaration: the magician's birdcage trick has given him an idea for committing the perfect murder. What begins as a society party invitation transforms into something far more sinister as jealousy, infidelity, and murderous intent converge.

  7. Thundering Murder Case

    Aug 28, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: November 29, 1949 Philo Vance #73, "Thundering Murder Case," opens on a stormy night as the cantankerous David Wilkins berates his niece Wanda over the telephone about her failing marriage. He offers to pay off her husband to make him disappear permanently, insisting she come to his apartment immediately despite the pouring rain. The conversation is interrupted when his neighbor arrives at the door with homemade soup, only to receive a vicious verbal assault from the ungrateful Wilkins, who rails against her intrusion into his privacy and dismisses her kindness with shocking cruelty. After driving his neighbor away, Wilkins returns to his phone call and demands that Wanda hurry over while he's still in the mood to help her. As the rain pounds outside, he ominously remarks that it's "really a night for a murder." The stage is set for Philo Vance to investigate what promises to be a case involving bitter family disputes, unwelcome visitors, and deadly consequences on this thundering, storm-filled evening.

  8. Nightmare Murder Case

    Aug 27, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: November 22, 1949 Philo Vance #72, "Nightmare Murder Case," Grace Rawls arrives at Philo Vance's office in a state of distress over a series of disturbing dreams that have begun manifesting in reality. She explains that she first dreamed a mysterious man gave her five hundred dollars, and the next morning, that exact man appeared on the street and handed her the money before vanishing. Her second dream predicted she would receive a new car, and upon waking, she found the very car from her dream parked outside her door. Now terrified, Mrs. Rawls confides in Vance about her third dream, in which the same mysterious man told her she would meet someone named Sam Davis and kill him. Vance must unravel whether these prophetic dreams are elaborate psychological manipulation, an incredible coincidence, or something more sinister. As the seemingly impossible predictions continue to come true, he faces the chilling question of whether Mrs. Rawls is being set up for murder or driven toward committing one. With a woman's sanity and possibly her life at stake, Vance investigates this bizarre case where dreams and reality have become dangerously intertwined.

  9. Little Murder Case

    Aug 26, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: November 15, 1949 Philo Vance #71, "Little Murder Case," opens with a mysterious encounter on a quiet city street. A beautiful woman hails a cab and makes an unusual request: she wants the driver to take her to the end of the block, but drive as slowly as possible. When the confused cabbie questions why she doesn't simply walk the short distance, the woman becomes evasive and insistent, refusing to explain her strange behavior. She's not meeting anyone, claims she's not tired, yet she's adamant about making this brief, unnecessary journey by taxi. The peculiar fare's cryptic instructions and nervous demeanor suggest something sinister is afoot. Her urgency combined with her desire to move slowly creates an unsettling contradiction that hints at danger lurking just around the corner. As the cab crawls down the block, the woman's true purpose remains unclear, setting the stage for Philo Vance to unravel what begins as a puzzling taxi ride and escalates into murder.

  10. Deathless Murder Case

    Aug 25, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: October 25, 1949 Philo Vance #68, "Deathless Murder Case," a wealthy widow named Mrs. Dorothy Wayne arrives at Philo Vance's office with an extraordinary claim. The widow of millionaire Edward J. Wayne seeks Vance's help regarding a mysterious man named John Bell who insists he can keep her perpetually thirty-one years old - for the price of one hundred thousand dollars. Mrs. Wayne's astonishing assertion is that she has definite proof Bell is over four hundred years old. Meanwhile, a murder occurs when Bell shoots a man named Sam in his antique-filled apartment, claiming the victim's untimely appearance left him no choice. When Vance investigates Bell at his request, he encounters a charming eccentric surrounded by authentic historical artifacts who claims to have fought alongside Sir Francis Drake against the Spanish Armada in 1588, sailed to Jamestown with Captain John Smith in 1607, attended Pocahontas's wedding, and served with the Marquis de Lafayette in the Revolutionary War. Bell refuses to prove his age, instead challenging Vance to disprove it while promising to sell his life-extension secret to five wealthy women. As Sergeant Heath investigates the unidentified body found in an empty lot and various characters begin circling Bell's scheme, Vance must determine whether he's dealing with an immortal man or an elaborate con artist.

  11. Meeker Murder Case aka Necktie Murder Case

    Aug 24, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: October 18, 1949 Philo Vance #67, "Meeker Murder Case aka Necktie Murder Case," begins when David Worth arrives at Vance's office with a desperate plea. Worth clutches half of a torn dollar bill and claims he'll pay $10,000 for the other half, insisting it represents his happiness, security, and possibly his life. Before Vance can learn more, he's called to a murder scene where businessman John Meeker has been stabbed to death in his office. District Attorney Markham and Sergeant Heath inform Vance that Worth himself found the body and was discovered by Meeker's wife Helen bending over her husband's corpse. Worth had both motive and opportunity, as he stood to inherit control of the company. As Vance investigates, the mystery deepens. Worth maintains his innocence but refuses to explain the significance of the torn dollar bill, fearing it will implicate him further. Meanwhile, someone takes a shot at Worth outside his home, suggesting the real killer believes Worth possesses dangerous knowledge. With Helen Meeker, assistant Jeff Hallahan, and other employees all under suspicion, Vance must unravel why a half dollar bill could be worth a fortune and who desperately wants to keep its secret hidden.

  12. Tea Cup Murder Case

    Aug 23, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: October 11, 1949 Philo Vance #66, "Tea Cup Murder Case," begins when steward Algie Cochrane arrives in port with something valuable—the stolen 40-carat Elton Diamond from a London jewel robbery. Three dangerous men are eager to obtain the prize: Johnny Peters, Reginald Sands, and Burke, each warning Algie that he'd better be the one to get it. When Algie is found shot to death in his room with a vintage Webley revolver, District Attorney Markham calls in Philo Vance. The only clues are a tea kettle and two teacups—one wiped clean of fingerprints. The investigation leads Vance through a labyrinth of betrayal and violence. A diamond cutter dies while splitting the stone, and a desperate phone call from Edna Burke claims her husband Joe has committed murder. When Vance and Markham arrive at the Burke apartment, they find Joe dead and Edna claiming self-defense. As Vance examines the evidence—different guns, the missing diamond, and the curious detail about tea—he must untangle a deadly scheme where greed has left multiple bodies in its wake.

  13. Black Gold Murder Case

    Aug 22, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: October 4, 1949 Philo Vance #65, "Black Gold Murder Case," Philo Vance and his secretary Ellen Deering fly to a southwestern dude ranch after receiving an urgent telegram from ranch owner Billings about a murder on the property. Bob Anderson, a young guest, has been found shot to death in the hills while out riding. However, upon landing, Vance receives a second telegram from Billings asking him to turn back without visiting the ranch, fearing the investigation will bring unwanted publicity and drive away guests. Undeterred, Vance proceeds to the Billings Dude Ranch, where tensions run high among the remaining guests. As Vance begins his investigation, he discovers that two young women at the ranch, both with distinctive southern accents and competing romantic interests, had set their sights on the victim. The circumstances are puzzling: Anderson rode out early one morning before breakfast, only to be discovered dead hours later with no apparent motive, no clues, and his horse still standing nearby. With the guests growing increasingly nervous about a potential killer in their midst, Vance must unravel the mystery behind this seemingly motiveless murder.

  14. The Shoeless Murder Case partial

    Aug 21, 2026 · 13 min

    Originally Aired: September 27, 1949 Philo Vance #64, "The Shoeless Murder Case partial," Philo Vance investigates the brutal murders of three young models who participated in a bathing suit contest at the estate of shoe manufacturer Walter Jordan. The killer has been stealing shoes from the victims, but the reason remains maddeningly unclear. District Attorney Markham reveals that one surviving model, Edith Graham, has a boyfriend with a criminal record, while Vance attempts to lure the murderer out of hiding by sending mysterious letters. When the trap fails to catch anyone, Vance breaks into Jordan's home to examine his private records and discovers that the first victim, Inez Stone, had been blackmailing Jordan, and that Edith Graham attempted to continue the blackmail scheme after Stone's death. As Vance pieces together the clues, he realizes the answer lies in the unique construction of Jordan's pool bathhouse, where conversations can be overheard through gaps between the walls and floor. Vance summons all the key suspects, including Edith, her boyfriend Joey, and Walter Jordan himself, to the bathhouse for a final confrontation that promises to expose the shoeless killer's identity.

  15. The Penny Ante Murder Case partial

    Aug 20, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 20, 1949 Philo Vance #63, "The Penny Ante Murder Case partial," When private detective Dan Smith is murdered, Philo Vance infiltrates a supposedly penny ante poker game to investigate the suspects. He quickly discovers that everyone at the table is cheating: Jacqueline Rice uses special cards and dark glasses, while Bill Baxter and his associate Ricky run a mail-order racket through their Rainbow Distributing Company front. The situation escalates dramatically when a customer named Joseph Peters arrives demanding the package he paid for, and Ricky reports that Baxter has killed the man. However, when Vance and District Attorney Markham break into Baxter's office, they find Peters alive, revealing Ricky's story was a lie and that Baxter has somehow turned the situation to his advantage. With their case seemingly stalled, Vance examines Smith's phone records from the day of his murder, noting the sequence and timing of calls to the various suspects. This detail catches his attention, and after planning to call an out-of-town newspaper Smith had contacted, Vance prepares to confront Baxter again, this time in disguise to catch him off guard.

  16. Checkerboard Murder Case

    Aug 19, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: September 13, 1949 Philo Vance #62, "Checkerboard Murder Case," A mysterious masked robber in a checkered suit and gray hat terrorizes multiple victims across town in what appears to be an impossible crime spree. At exactly midnight, three separate crimes occur simultaneously in different parts of the city, all committed by a man matching the same distinctive description. The pattern is baffling: the criminal deliberately ensures his victims can describe him in detail, even forcing grocer Mr. Martin to look at him carefully before claiming to make himself invisible and vanishing into thin air. When the reports flood into the police department, the desk sergeant is stumped by the bizarre contradictions. How can one man commit three crimes in three different locations at the exact same moment? And why would a criminal go out of his way to be identified and remembered? The case presents a seemingly supernatural puzzle that will require Philo Vance's keen analytical mind to unravel the truth behind the vanishing checkered bandit.

  17. Oxford Murder Case

    Aug 18, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: September 6, 1949 Philo Vance #61, "Oxford Murder Case," Philo Vance takes a leisurely hansom cab ride through the park on his way to meet District Attorney Markham, only to be drawn into a mysterious situation by his talkative driver, Edward Smith. The cabbie tells Vance about an elderly couple who have been meeting regularly on a park bench for the past year. However, the old gentleman has mysteriously stopped appearing over the last few days, leaving the elderly lady waiting alone. Smith recalls the last time he saw them together, when the woman was crying and pleading with her companion not to do something, though the gentleman apparently went ahead with his plans anyway. The cabbie describes how the man tenderly kissed the woman before leaving that final night, suggesting their relationship was more than a simple quarrel could explain. Smith insists something sinister is afoot and challenges Vance to investigate, pointedly questioning his credentials as a private investigator when Vance initially shows little interest. With the elderly woman likely waiting on that same bench at this very moment, the stage is set for Vance to uncover what has become of her mysterious companion.

  18. Brotherly Murder Case

    Aug 17, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: August 30, 1949 Philo Vance #60, "Brotherly Murder Case," opens with a thrilling chase sequence as two criminals, Tommy and his boss, flee from police after a botched robbery that leaves Tommy wounded by a watchman's bullet. With a patrol car in hot pursuit, the boss manages to shoot out one of the police vehicle's tires, allowing them to escape with their loot. Despite the close call, the boss remains confident and hints at a mysterious upcoming job that promises a massive payoff of one hundred thousand dollars with virtually no risk involved. The intriguing setup suggests that someone else will be doing the dirty work while these two criminals simply collect their payment without even showing their faces. Tommy's confusion about this unusual arrangement mirrors the listener's curiosity as the boss cryptically explains they won't have to do anything at all. As they speed toward their hideout to begin their wait for this fortune, the stage is set for a complex case that will surely require Philo Vance's legendary detective skills to unravel what criminal scheme is truly unfolding.

  19. Blue Penny Murder Case

    Aug 16, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: August 23, 1949 Philo Vance #59, "Blue Penny Murder Case," opens with Philo Vance and District Attorney Markham enjoying an afternoon of skeet shooting, locked in a competitive tie. Their leisurely contest is interrupted by the breathless arrival of Markham's secretary, Ellen Deering, who has hiked out to the remote shooting field with urgent news. A woman named Edith Allen has been murdered in her apartment, and the case presents a baffling puzzle: there appears to be no motive whatsoever. The victim was happily married, her husband has an airtight alibi, and nothing in the apartment has been disturbed. While Markham views the lack of motive as the most difficult type of case to crack, Vance sees it as the most fascinating. As they prepare to leave the skeet field and investigate, Vance's competitive spirit shifts from sporting clays to the intellectual challenge ahead. The amateur detective relishes the opportunity to unravel what promises to be a complex mystery surrounding Edith Allen's seemingly inexplicable death.

  20. Johnny a Murder Case

    Aug 15, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: August 16, 1949 Philo Vance #58, "Johnny a Murder Case," Gang leader Johnny A. coldly executes rival mobster Nick Keating with a shotgun blast through a window, then drives to his girlfriend Sonny Belmont's house to say goodbye before she leaves for South America. What Johnny doesn't know is that Nick was Sonny's brother, and she's already gone to District Attorney Markham with information about the killing. Markham learns that Sonny has set a trap, telling him Johnny will return to her place at midnight. He recruits detective Philo Vance to join the stakeout, anticipating an easy arrest. However, the situation becomes more complicated when Big Eddie Morris, Johnny's chief rival, begins circling the block in his car. At the stroke of midnight, a massive explosion tears through Sonny's house. When the smoke clears, a body identified as Johnny A. is found in the rubble. Vance tracks Sonny down in South America by phone, but something about the entire situation troubles him, and he doubts the case is as simple as it appears.

  21. Deep Sea Murder Case

    Aug 14, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: August 9, 1949 Philo Vance #57, "Deep Sea Murder Case," Millard Case, a determined man accustomed to getting his way, insists on hiring Captain Smith's fishing boat despite being told it's already chartered. When all other boats have left the dock, Case pays double to secure passage with Smith and his mate Iggy. Once at sea, Case excitedly reels in his first catch of the day, but the fishing trip takes a sinister turn when the captain and his crew reveal their true intentions. The boat wasn't hired for an innocent fishing expedition—Smith and Iggy are using it as cover for a smuggling operation involving thousands of dollars worth of diamonds being transferred at sea. When Arthur Case arrives at Philo Vance's office with District Attorney Markham to report his father's disappearance, Vance immediately heads to the Summers dock at the foot of Dobbs Street to investigate. With Millard Case due back at three o'clock but missing, and no reports of accidents, Vance must piece together what happened on that fishing boat and whether the elder Case's vanishing is connected to the criminal operation unfolding on the water.

  22. Tick Tock Murder Case

    Aug 13, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: August 2, 1949 Philo Vance #56, "Tick Tock Murder Case," begins with detectives Dan and Billy passing time at police headquarters playing Pinochle, with Dan owing Billy a mere 28 cents after another losing hand. The monotony of their evening shift is suddenly shattered when a burglar alarm sounds from the Wellington Loan Company on Rugby Street. Someone is tampering with the safe, and this quiet night is about to turn into something far more serious. The two detectives spring into action, racing to beat their fellow officers to the scene. As Dan flips on the siren and they speed through the streets, they know the burglar has likely heard the alarm and may be making a hasty escape. What begins as a routine robbery call will draw the sophisticated detective Philo Vance into a puzzling case where timing proves to be everything, and the ticking of a clock holds the key to unraveling a deadly mystery.

  23. Cheesecake Murder Case

    Aug 12, 2026 · 27 min

    Originally Aired: July 26, 1949 Philo Vance #55, "Cheesecake Murder Case," opens with a deceptively tender domestic scene between Jane Ashley and her boyfriend Billy. Over an uneaten piece of cheesecake, Jane playfully teases Billy about a special present she's made for him. When she finally reveals it—a handmade mask to protect his identity—the sweet romantic moment takes a dark turn as the true nature of their relationship becomes clear. Billy is a criminal, and Jane is helping him conceal his identity during robberies. With his partner Mike waiting downstairs in the car, Billy prepares to rob a photographer who keeps cash in his studio. As Billy leaves wearing Jane's mask for luck, he coldly remarks that if the photographer resists, he'll be the one needing luck—an ominous threat that suggests violence may be imminent. The juxtaposition of Jane's loving concern and Billy's casual criminality sets the stage for what promises to be a deadly encounter, one that will presumably require Philo Vance's detective skills to unravel the truth behind what becomes the Cheesecake Murder Case.

  24. Racket Murder Case

    Aug 11, 2026 · 25 min

    Originally Aired: July 19, 1949 Philo Vance #54, "Racket Murder Case," opens with a puzzling encounter when a young woman arrives at Vance's office with her companion Jack Davis. She becomes upset when Vance calls her Betty Crane, insisting she's never heard that name before—even though she's the third person that day to call her by it. The woman, who goes by Janie, storms out with Jack, and the two report back to their mysterious boss. It becomes clear they're involved in some kind of protection racket, pressuring local merchants to participate in their scheme. When honest shopkeeper Joe Cummings refuses to cooperate and threatens to go to District Attorney Markham, the boss gives a chilling signal to Jack, and Cummings is murdered. When Markham arrives at Vance's office seeking help, he explains the baffling case: Cummings was shot in his haberdashery shop with no apparent motive, no evidence, and no leads. Vance must unravel the connection between the mysterious woman with two identities and a seemingly motiveless murder, knowing that even the cleverest killers eventually make mistakes.

  25. One Cent Murder Case

    Aug 10, 2026 · 28 min

    Originally Aired: July 12, 1949 Philo Vance #53, "One Cent Murder Case," Dale Leslie bursts into Philo Vance's office with an urgent problem. She's about to sign a Hollywood contract, but Al Baker, owner of a penny arcade on South Street, knows about something shameful from her past and threatens to bleed her dry once she becomes a star. Dale has already told her tough, lovestruck manager Davy Rowland about Baker's threats, and now she fears Rowland will do something violent. She desperately hires Vance to prevent Rowland from confronting Baker. Meanwhile, the nervous Al Baker contacts District Attorney Markham, asking him to warn off the dangerous Rowland. As Baker unpacks new office supplies and discusses his concerns with Markham, tensions escalate between all the parties involved. The case intensifies as Dale prepares to sign her Hollywood contract with Mr. Kraft while Vance and Markham work to prevent a confrontation that could destroy her career before it begins. With a violent manager, a blackmailing penny arcade owner, and a life-changing contract hanging in the balance, murder seems inevitable.