Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it
wind up in the gutter of the prison of the grave. They dressed in red, white and
blue and jumped from an ancient biplane at 3,500 feet twice a day every day and
nobody worried until five million bucks went along just for the laughs and death
went along for the ride. From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author of
crime fiction comes his most famous character in The Adventures of Philip
Marlowe.
Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe we bring you tonight's exciting
story The Birds on the Wing.
It had been the kind of quiet workless week that speaks well for human beings
in their relations with one another but doesn't do much for a private detective's
bank balance. So when at exactly noon the telephone call a jerk me out of
Chandler's new novel Little Sister and a voice edged with anxiety had dangled a
hundred bucks worth of negotiable bait my way, I had snapped at it. But then I
wondered if I'd done the right thing because it had been men musts Harry
Pembroke, guardian of the millionaire thrill-seeking screwball Paige Pembroke.
An hour and hour later I left the sunlight and felt my way into the gloom
of the carefully tucked away Hollywood bar where she had suggested we meet. When
I could see again I spotted her at a corner table that the old girl would be
the other side of 50 and doing a little too much to disguise it I had expected
but that she would be drinking her whiskey neat I hadn't. When I approached
her and introduced myself she started to come right to the point but didn't
quite make it.
I'm sorry you're probably dying for a drink. Frankly no miss Pembroke I'm not exactly dying. I know you men in your early afternoon
appetite for a friendly drink. There's no harm in it. Matter of fact I've already had a small drink myself.
No fooling. Waiter, this gentleman's order please. Yes ma'am, what will it be sir?
Scotch and soda if the lady will join me. Oh no, no I couldn't. Really? Well alright.
Scotch for me too waiter. Johnny Walker. Now Mr. Marlowe let's get down to business.
Have you ever been to Oxnard California? Uh-huh. Good because that's where my
nephew is. Also it's where the Calumet Valley County Fair is being held. Really?
Whatever that may be. Most important it's where you can probably find out what kind of
trouble Paige is in. You see the poor boy. Down to his last five million bucks.
I'm sorry miss Pembroke I don't think I want the job after all. Now one moment
why not? Well frankly I hope you'll excuse the reference to actual living
persons but your polo playing motorboat racing daredevil nephew is a jerk.
I know. Paige Pembroke the third is an unmitigated ass, a virile egomaniac, an idiot
who's never done an honest day's work in his life. Waiter where is that drink?
Right here ma'am. Oh thank you. Now Mr. Marlowe sit down drink your drink. When I referred to my
nephew as a poor boy in trouble I was only trying to avoid saying all this.
Your help sir? Yes well my help. Now your next question. Since I obviously share
your sentiments about my nephew why all this concern over him correct? Close.
Right. I want to help Paige Pembroke Mr. Marlowe because it's my job. My shall I
say bread and butter? All right say it. You see I'm executive of his estate which my
brother Paige's father left for him. Well as such I get $20,000 a year until Paige is 35,
another six years. But if Paige should die, disappear or be committed to any kind of a
public institution. Hmm? Institution. Oh. Before then the entire estate goes to
charity and I go find another job. And specialized jobs like handling five
million dollar estates are hard to come by these days. Now Mr. Marlowe this letter
here is all you have to go on. It was postmarked last night from Oxnard. Oh.
If you want your precious nephew to keep on being healthy you better come and get
him at once. The three of us had a nice little act going here at the Calumet
Valley County Fair before he joined us just for laughs. We intend to have a nice
little act going after he's gone. One way or another he's gonna go. A friend. Yeah?
What do you think? Oh it's five to one is nothing more than a woman spurned. Very
young woman Miss Pembroke. So you might be wasting a hundred dollars sending me
up there. Then you'll go. Go. Yeah but only because of my bank account. Mr. Marlowe
there'll be another hundred dollars for you if and when you get all this
straightened out. Now call me at my home Beverly Hills. Crestview 5-412. 4124? Yes.
As soon as you find out what's wrong. Oh Mr. Marlowe. Yes Miss Pembroke. On your way out
signal the waiter for me. Will you please?
The ride to Oxnard was a pleasant but frustrating hour-and-a-half drive along
the kind of beckoning sun-scrubbed Pacific shoreline that always demands to
know why you have to work for a living. The ride through Oxnard with the
sprawling County fairgrounds located at a semi-retired airport was a fast 10
minutes. So all in all it was a little better than three o'clock and there was
still a measure of boyish bounce in my stride when I started past the prize
cows and playing in fancy leg horns and headed for the midway looking for the
act Paige Pembroke adjoined just for laughs. But it was four o'clock and I had
checked a half a dozen death-defying numbers before I was standing in front
of a banner Columbus could have used for a sale and said I was getting warm. In
iridescent orange cloth on black it read the plunging comets taffy star and midge
manet on wings of death with feelers setting nap with the controls. The
greatest parachute act in the world admission free 5 and 9 p.m. North end of
the midway. Come one come all. Yeah this had to be it. At the north end of the
midway just outside of a sagging weather-peeled hangar I found the World
War one biplane that went with the plunging comets being mothered by a
mechanic who didn't have grease on his face and beyond that on an inside wall
of the hangar with a parachute used in the act each on a separate hook its
owner's name carefully block lettered on a card tacked above taffy midge and Eddie
and then scrawled in black crayon the name I wanted most of all to see.
Lost something mister? The voice went with the woman and the woman with the act. At the top there was what used to be called the
boyish Bob sticking out of a white aviator's helmet circa 1918 then a
bright red leather jacket open wide at the throat like riding britches black
boots a color of hair that stuck out and said this one was taffy. I asked if you lost
something have you? Well come to think of it yes six foot two eyes are blue and
carries a big big checkbook. Seen one around? Maybe why who are you?
Name's Philip Marlowe the millionaires friend of me out salesman here's my card.
Oh mind your card or the very funny jokes now what do you really want?
Paige Pembroke before he breaks his neck in your act or isn't he in it yet? I
don't remember now your point what is it? A letter you could have written letter
that says Paige is in trouble where is he? Goodbye mr. Marlowe. Take it easy
wings you wouldn't want to hold that on somebody who's only trying to help
brother Paige would you? I mean what reason could you possibly have other
than five million bucks you might want for your very own? Why you I said goodbye
What's the matter taffy you having problems? Yeah this mr. yacht salesman is
Emmett Kingston head of the fairs midway and you'll be surprised how popular he
is with the concessionaries. Now are you going? What else? Good day miss taffy mr.
Kingston. You know sometimes it works lead with your chin ride with a punch and
watch for your opening. I figured I'd try it just that way so ten minutes later
when Emmett Kingston was carnival people from checkered vest past on eight
watch father high button shoes and shaped like a bowling pin left taffy and
started trundling down the midway I went after him when he stopped in front of a
lunch wagon I stopped too and when he went in and approached the man playing
pinball machine was maybe five foot four and from where I stood conscious of it I
was still behind him. At the pinball machine a stranger with a thin face that
wore a nervous toothpick was also watching a little man's game. Oh boy doc
I speak so when I moved closer to the trail my face turned away from Kingston
nobody seemed to mind. Jack of many trades I see. What? Oh mr. Kingston how are you sir?
Fine Hershey just fine. 800 more as jackpot doc come on come on. You wanted to speak to me mr.
Kingston? No Hershey nothing important except about last night. Last night sir?
Yeah you were working late for a parachute rig weren't you boy? Or am I wrong to
consider two o'clock in the morning an odd hour for you to be folding me silk?
Hey doc you're gonna shoot it aren't you? Of course yes go on I'll shoot for the gentleman.
Yes sir. Hey 2,000 3,000 4,000 hey that's great and I'll do that again with your last
bolt. Was there something else mr. Kingston? Yes Hershey why were you near the shoots at
that hour and don't bother denying that you were because Eddie Knapp saw you there.
Well son? Well I I was there to double check the rig is mr. Kingston. Hey look I'm sick and tired
of Mitch Maynard complaining about the way I pack her shoot. It's a stupid excuse just trying to
cover the fact that she's losing her nerve. Hey boys don't ignore me. Shut up you and get going.
Rosie get this stumble bum out of here will you? Sure mr. Kingston whatever you say. Oh yeah this is
social huh? All right all right doc I'm going of my own free will too. I can stay if I wanted to.
Hershey you were saying? Well just this mr. Kingston Mitch Maynard and Taffy star fighting
because of that Pembroke fellow or because Eddie Knapp is crazy about Taffy is one thing but but
bringing me and my work into it is different. Meaning? The parachutes Mitch and Taffy use are
identical. In the act both girls jump from the plane wing at the same time but Mitch always
gets scared and opens her shoes sooner than Taffy so Taffy is on the ground long before Mitch but
this has nothing to do with the way I rig the shoes and I think. All right all right Hershey nobody's
blaming you. Say you. Yeah? You wouldn't be trying to sell another yacht in here would you? Just
waiting for the finish of an exciting pinball game. Is that all right or is it time to call
Rosie again? No no it's quite all right we're leaving. You try for the jackpot. Come on Hershey it's
about time for the five o'clock show. Oh yes mr. Kingston. Hmm only forty thousand to go. It's the first time I ever hit the jackpot.
Oh that's pretty good mr. Marlow considering that it wasn't your nickel you won on. Oh now that you
mentioned it mr. Pembroke it wasn't which should take care of the introductions huh? Yeah and that
leaves very little but something but definitely. Marlow you can tell aunt Hattie from me that at
the moment I don't need a watchdog and when and if I do I'll go to the nearest city pound for one
not to a private detective agency. I told myself it was foolish to slam the door on my way out so I
slammed the door on my way out. I started north down the midway toward the open stands and the
five o'clock sharp performance of the plunging comets. When I got there the act was already
underway with the silver biplane taking off. Eddie Knapp in white at the controls, Taffy in a red
jacket and parachute crouched on one wing, Midge Maynard in blue jacket and shoot on the other. Then
as they slowly gained altitude high button shoes himself took over the PA. They did it up well and
by the time the plane was at about 3,000 feet every pair of eyes was riveted skyward and an
unexpected hush thicker than winter fog had settled everywhere. At 3,500 feet the plunging comets, Taffy,
Star and Midge Maynard with fear that Eddie Knapp and the controls. They will not open their parachutes until they are within 500 feet of the ground. Now watch, they should be ready. Yes, there they go.
Drawn up tight arms close into their sides they jumped. Specks in the sky growing bigger as they fell.
1,000, 2,000, 3,000 feet and then from Taffy shoot cloth long and colored a huge flag rippling in the wind from the end of a long rope. The flag seemed to rise above her as she fell until the slack was gone and then suddenly a shoot open billowing. And then Midge, another flag rippling from the end of a long rope and then the flag drifting free. Midge's shoot not open, Midge plummeting down, down to the hard ground.
The third slammed home all the way around kicking hard at every stomach. A minute ago a girl very much alive. Our smashed still body. Some place near me a woman cried. There was a bitter, sick, sweet taste in my mouth as I headed for the hangar where I'd first met Taffy.
At the moment I figured the guy who packed the parachutes was a good man to see. When I got there the only one present was Emmett Kingston.
Stop right there boy and tell me straight and fast just who you are. Philip Marlow, Los Angeles private detective Mr. Kingston. You can prove that? Sure. Here is my business card state license county permit. I'm working for Paige Pembroke's aunt. She wants his nibs kept out of trouble.
Which has what to do with your being here now Marlow. Here at this hangar I mean. Close to where the parachutes are kept. I'm not sure Kingston. I've only got a hunch. A hunch that Midge Maynard's death was no accident.
Yeah I got more than that already Mr. Detective. I've got proof. Oh? You see this flag? It's the one that came off Midge's shoot. There's a long rope attached to it. Yeah I know I saw the act. Pulls the shoot open after the flag's flown a while right?
Sometimes but not tonight Mr. Marlow. Tonight it couldn't. Why not? Wasn't it attached to the shoot? It was. One end to the shoot release cord the other to the base of the flag. What went wrong? Nothing. Nothing Mr. Marlow except that the long rope on Midge's shoot was cut in two by a very sharp knife.
Music
In just a moment the second act of Philip Marlow but first Sunday nights on CBS. The biggest bargain in show business today. Skelton, Bergen and Benny without spending a penny. Amos and Andy, Eve Arden, Corliss Archer. 4A's four star entertainment. The family hour with its Hollywood stars and stirring dramas. The contented hour with its musical stars in brilliant form. Horace Height with his rising stars. Eight great shows heard on most of these same CBS stations every Sunday night.
With the ninth Jack Benny being heard on them all. Hear them all this Sunday night. Now with our star Gerald Moore we return to the second act of Philip Marlow and tonight's story the birds on the wing.
Music
When Midge Maynard's grim accident turned out to be grim a murder I left Kingston and headed for a phone to call my client. Everywhere the chill of the viciously spectacular death lay like a soggy blanket. At the exposition office I found a phone and finally got through to Hattie Pembroke. She listened up to the word murder and then between gasps insisted on coming out to help me.
When I hung up I turned to see that the pilot Eddie Knapp had been standing in the door listening. He looked sick.
What's it to you mister? What's what to me? Midge, the long drop she took out there. In Pembroke I heard you say Pembroke. What do you got to do with him? Just a minute fella I'm not sure it's any of your business. It's my business alright. That kid gave me a big grin up there just before she jumped. And I watched her fall every inch of the way. So did everybody else. Look I know how you feel Eddie.
I don't have any idea how I feel. Don't try to kid me that mob out there loved it. That's the only reason they come to watch the hypocritical buzzards. You got a finger in this pie. An angle all your own I'm gonna find out what it is.
Take it easy Knapp you're talking yourself into something real silly. Yeah. Listen ever since that last Pembroke showed up here there's been trouble brewing. Now Midge is dead. She was a friend of mine. Best friend I had.
Aren't you pulling a switch Buster? What happened to your red hot passion for Taffy Star? You nosy. Come here you jerk. Look out for my arm. Come on buzz boy unless you want to take over the busted wing stand still.
Now get this Eddie I've got no beef with you yet. In fact we might even be on the same team because I want Pembroke out of here just as much as you do. So call off.
Who are you? Private detective named Marlow. I got news for you. Midge fell because her shoot was fixed she was murdered. Murdered? You heard me.
Where? Where's Hershey? He packed the shoots have you talked to him? No I can't find him. You mean he's run away with that filthy hair pine cycle. Now listen for your own sake Eddie leave Hershey to me and the police. You know where he's staying?
No no I don't. In town someplace. Well didn't he ever tell you where? Come on think Eddie. Well yeah he told me he had a buddy in town. Some guy who runs a pool hall I didn't pay much attention. That's enough for a starter I'll find him. And keep a lid on your temper Eddie I'll see you.
As I crossed the grounds to my car I looked back once at Eddie Napp standing in the office door rubbing the shoulder I twisted for him. I hoped he'd stay out of circulation until I got back because the bond storming flyer was charged up like a high tension wire.
The way he felt it be Sparks no matter who he touched. Taffy, Pembroke or Lyle Hershey. But my immediate worry was the location of the lambing parachute packer so I drove into Waxnard. Found a phone booth and went through the book calling pool parlors. I finally hit pay dirt at a joint called Pindy's. It's 212 B Street upstairs in the back.
212 B Street was an apartment second floor rear over a boarded up fish market. I went up the stairs to the half open door with my hand around my 38. But the shooting part was all over. Because Lyle Hershey was crumpled in the bedroom door with a slovenly abandon that violent death always has.
The look of the puddle of blood under him he'd been that way over an hour. I started backing out just as someone else started up the stairs. So I flattened myself against the wall beside the kitchen door and waited.
Lyle. Lyle it's Taffy. Come on in. Take a good look Taffy. What are you doing in here? Where's Lyle? He's a great egg baby. He holds water like a duck's back. What do you mean? That wherever there's murder there's also motive and you've got it Taffy. Lots of it. Me? What are you talking about?
Maybe he's dead and maybe you killed him. Keep him quiet because maybe he fouled up Midge Maynard's parachute on your orders. Consequently he had you over a barrel. On my orders? You're out of your mind.
And maybe you had to get Midge out of the way because you objected to Page Pembroke and his idle millions honing into the act. Objected so strenuously that you was doing something about it such as sending threats to his Aunt Hattie. Let's face it baby it fits.
But not tight enough Marlow. Oh Page darling. Taffy I got worried when you didn't come back to the car so I decided don't move Marlow or I'll shoot. Pembroke if you've got any sense in that gold plated skull you're a show with Marlow. I stood outside and listened to enough of your crackpot theories to know you're nuts. I don't need any advice from you at this point so keep your long nose out of my business. Now listen you half brain toad. Now you just stand there like a good little boy. Taffy and I are leaving and don't try to follow too fast. Go on Taffy outside I'll follow you. So long detective.
I let him go. Spent twenty useless minutes searching the almost bare apartment for any kind of an answer but came up with nothing. Hershey's body at my feet convinced me there was nothing in Oxnard for Marlow. The sooner I dumped the whole mess into the laps of local law and order the better. So I kicked out the ten cent lock on the flimsy door and went down the stairs. I cut through an alley to the street and started across to where my car was parked. I was bracketed by a pair of headlights on a sling.
A complete Nash convertible.
Hey there Marlow. Marlow what you doing here boy?
Nothing even that's an exaggeration Kingston. What about you? I thought you had a show tonight.
I certainly do but the police don't give a hoot about that boy. They insisted that I bring the rest of Midge Maynard's parachute harness in for investigation. Get in and come on will you son? Maybe you can help me out.
Okay I want to see the police myself. Oh is this Midge's stuff here?
Don't mind holding it do you? You know this is a waste of time boy. All they have to do is pick up Lyle Hershey and they'll get all the answers.
They'll have to pick him up alright but he'll give them problems not answers Mr Kingston. Lyle Hershey's dead he was murdered.
You say Lyle? Yeah yeah just came from his place. Somebody shot him.
Great suffering sardines. Well that means there's another killer and still on the loose. I knew I shouldn't let him do it.
Let who do what? Why Taffy's going to give an air performance tonight. They pulled me into the grounds just as I was leaving and told me that Pembroke fella's going up in Midge's place.
You mean those two showed up out there? It doesn't make sense. Well Pembroke's got plenty of nerve in his own chute so I guess.
Chute? Yeah he's. Wait a minute wait a minute Kingston stop under that streetlight will you?
What is it Marlowe what are you looking at? Sure sure red smudges on the inside of these straps. There's something wrong here Kingston but I can't quite peg it.
Say Kingston what time is that performance going to start? Wait nine o'clock. Five minutes and five miles to go come on boy turn the heap around and romp on it we got a killer to catch.
Swing out in front of the hangar Kingston hurry. It's empty they're already out on the runway. Yeah there's one parachute still on the rack.
Why there's Eddie Knapp chute and he never goes up without it so who's at the controls of that plane out there? I don't even have to guess it's Eddie Knapp all right but he figures a suicide doesn't need a chute.
Pile out Kingston as far as you go I'm taking over from here. Come on move get out. They're turning around now. He's going to make us run back this way so long Kingston here he comes.
Wow what are you doing? Come back. I waited until there was no possible chance for a miss and I headed the car straight into the path of the plane pulled the hand throttle out as far as it would go and jumped.
There on it was easy. The plane sort of stumbled over the car rolled up on its nose and stayed there. Quick work by the volunteer crash crew took care of that. Box of bandages took care of the collection of minor cuts and bruises all around and the Oxnard police took care of Eddie Knapp.
Everything had come out more or less even except my client Hattie Pembroke. She showed up at the finish line slightly on the bias which no doubt was her normal late evening state. Also she was as full of questions as an insurance adjuster.
Now young man I paid you a substantial sum of money for this day's work and therefore as your employer I'm certainly entitled to a comprehensive report of the entire business and I insist that you.
All right all right Hattie Hattie whoa I'll run through it once more and that's all. Now look first the threatening letter you got was written by Midge Maynard because she was afraid Paige was going to break up the act you get it.
But the real screwball was Eddie Knapp. He was crazy about Taffy Star and insanely jealous when your nephew and his money showed up. Knapp decided if he couldn't have Taffy nobody else would because he'd kill her.
And yet Midge Maynard was the one who got killed. You catch on quick Knapp killed Hershey because he was afraid Hershey had seen him tampering with the shoots you get that. No.
On second thought Marlow maybe you better submit a written report tomorrow. Yeah with adding machine and clothes. Now look Hattie it's not that. Hey Marlow.
Marlow Paige and I want to apologize. We treated you pretty badly tonight and well you did save our lives. Business is business. Yeah that's right.
He was hired to do a job dear and he did it. I'm only interested in one thing Marlow. How'd you know it was Eddie Knapp. Well nobody had a really good motive for killing both Midge and Hershey so when I realized the shoots had been switched I knew Midge's murder was a mistake.
And there it was easy. How'd you find that out Marlow? From red smudges on the inside of the harness shoulder straps. Red that had to come from your leather jacket there Taffy. The one Midge always wore was blue.
Hmm. Very interesting. Well Hattie write the detective a check so he can go. That's the best idea you've had to date Pembroke. And include on it the price of a repair job on Kingston's car a new tweed suit to replace this one that lost knees and elbow on the runway when I jumped.
Also don't forget the bonus you promised for keeping your job alive Hattie. Oh just a minute Marlow. As for you Pembroke the only reason I'm not filing an assault and battery charge against you is that you've got great grounds for a counter suit. What do you mean?
This. Bless you my boy. Mail me the check good night.
Well a few informal cups of coffee at the Oxnard police headquarters cut through most of the paperwork. But at that it was after two when I finally picked up my car and drove the inland highway for home past dark quiet farms where down to earth people made down to earth
livings and slept at night. And the countryside was full of them. So it was with a real sigh of relief that I finally opened the door to my apartment and look forward to some peace and quiet. Hello Mr. Marlow.
Aren't you Gracie Allen. Yes. Well how'd you get into my apartment. Well you see this key. Yeah. Well it didn't fit so I opened the door and walked in. Well that figures. What can I do for you. Mr. Marlow you're a famous detective and I think you're just the man to handle a very important case for me. Oh really. Well I'd be very happy to Gracie. What's your problem. Well you see Mr. Marlow our sponsor won't let my husband Sugar Throat Burns sing on our program. And I want you to invest in our program.
I want you to investigate the possibilities of another radio program George can sing on. And then our sponsor will realize he's wonderful and let him sing on our show. Well I'm sorry Gracie and the next time you pass my house I'll be very grateful. Oh thank you. And I'll be looking for you too. Goodbye. Goodbye.
The Adventures of Philip Marlow bringing you Raymond Chandler's most famous character star Gerald Moore and are produced and directed by Norman MacDonald. Script is by Robert Mitchell and Gene Leavitt.
Featured in the cast were Lois Corbett Rita Lynn Don Randolph Junius Matthews Jack Moyles and Jimmy Eagles. The special music is composed and conducted by Richard Aron.
Be sure to be with us again next week when Philip Marlow said.
It started with a kid hawking papers on Hollywood Boulevard and move from there to a house full of hate on a quiet street. A blonde liar on ice skates and a corpse in a burned out shack and it all wound up right where it began in the heart of the kid on the corner.
Two music programs that make your Sunday afternoon listening a delight and a pleasure are the symphony and the core leaders. The core leaders sing popular and semi classical songs and stirring style.
The symphony brings you excerpts of great orchestral works. Here the symphony and the core leaders tomorrow and every Sunday as well as Sammy K's Sunday Serenade now heard exclusively on CBS.
All of these outstanding music programs are heard on most of the same CBS stations. This is Roy Rowan speaking.
Stay tuned now for gangbusters which follows immediately on most of these stations.
This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system.