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. It happened in a place called Bay City, where I was unwelcome
to a fat fry cook with a secret and a dapper gambler. But to the long arm of the law I
was poisoned. It happened like this.
From the pen of Raymond Tramper, 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
Long Arm.
I got my Sunday best done going strutting with Miss Laura Bentley. Oh fine. Every time
I take a shower I've never seen it. All right. Okay. Hello. Mr. Philip Marlowe please. Yes
speaking. One moment please sir. Bay City is calling. Bay City. I have your party sir.
Go ahead sir. Thanks. Hello is that you Marlowe? Yeah. This is Ernie Parch Phil at Bay City.
Parch? Yeah you remember me don't you? No I can't see. Oh yeah yeah Ernie Parch you're
the guy who saved my life when the Bay City law left me beat up and bleeding all over
the city dump right? Yeah yeah yeah that's it. Oh yeah. Marlowe please listen. What?
I'm in an awful jail. Like what? I just got out of jail yesterday. A year and a day. Jail
Ernie? Yeah yeah a very neat frame Phil but not half as neat as the one they're trying
to hang on me now. This one's worse. You remember my wife don't you? Grace Paul Blige? Yeah
yeah what about her? She's dead Marlowe. Oh no. She was murdered. They're gonna try to
pin it on me. You'll come right away huh? Well look Ernie I'm poisoning Bay City you
know that. Please. Ray Sturman would give a year's pay just to watch me break an arm.
Five if I drowned. But Marlowe you don't know it was Sturman who had you messed up for sticking
your nose into Bay City politics. No no but I can sure second guess it was tough cop tactics
all the way. Can you mean you won't help me? Yeah well Ernie really I'm sorry kid but you
better get yourself an honest lawyer and- In Bay City? You know better than that Phil.
Who'd have the guts to knock heads with the police in this town? Especially when they
got a custom tailored pigeon like me standing by with one wing already clipped. Phil I tell
you it looks like I murdered Grace. Yeah now look here- Phil I saved your life once. Okay
what's your address Ernie? It's 38 Orlando Drive. Bay City was a snug seacoast town some
20 miles southwest of LA and about twice that distance from being on the up and up. A string
of gambling houses were politely winked at by some elements of the law and its gamblers
in turn politely winked back while the folding money passed from sucker to slicker to crooked
cop. But Bay City also was home to a lot of honest fishermen, retired real estate brokers
and another element of the law good cops. Which side Detective Lieutenant Ray Sturman
was on I'd never been able to figure. He only added one way all cop morning noon and night.
That kind of made any private detective feel a little less welcome than a leper. Well an
hour after dark I pulled up and parked well away from 38 Orlando Street. Five minutes
later I was watching a nervous Ernie Parch wear out the carpet in his shabby living room.
It was at Art Minnelli's place Phil about a year ago. The little casino south north
on the edge of town. I've had a few drinks with some of the guys who worked at my gas
station. One thing led to another and finally we were out there trying to pyramid 50 percent
bucks into 50 thousand. That's when the cops came in huh? Yeah yeah you know one of those
pre-election raids that look good in the papers. You want a drink? No no thanks. But look that
raid couldn't have gotten you a year and a day Ernie. Oh no but the gun they found in
my top coat pocket could have. And did. Yeah 38 I'd never seen before in my life. Plant
huh? Yeah plant that I could only figure two ways Phil. Either someone at Art Minnelli's
place just happened to choose my pocket to drop his gun into or someone just happened
to drop it in on purpose. Someone who was sweet on Grace and wanted me out of the way.
Now look you're sure you know what you're saying Ernie? Positive. 366 days in prison
with only one miserable letter from her convinced me. Bad in the word I got at Gumbo's place
late this afternoon. Gumbo's place? Yeah yeah Gumbo Shantier. The chicken joint run by a
fat fry cook named Lou Gumbo. Grace worked there. I stopped in just before I ran into
Lieutenant Rake Sturman. Wait a minute wait a minute what do you mean ran into Sturman?
What happened? Well Phil I was on the street getting into my sedan you see. Yeah. I picked
it up from a guy who was using it while I was away. When Sturman pulled up alongside
me in a squad car and he started to tell me how much he liked seeing ex cons back in Bay
City. What interrupted him? Oh a call on a police radio. But before he left he promised
to drop around here some time tonight and chat a while. And before that at Gumbo's place?
I found Grace. Now wait a minute wait a minute you've had enough Ernie. No. You found Grace
in what? We had a fight. She admitted running around said I wasn't worth waiting for. But
she wouldn't say who was. I slapped her hard. Alright take it easy. Grace is dead now murdered
remember? Yeah yeah she's dead. Yeah and they're gonna tag me for it. Maybe. Now tell me what
happened after you left Gumbo's. I ran into Sturman like I said. Yeah. Then I drove around
for a couple hours to cool off. When I got hold of myself I came back here and I found
her strangled to death in that chair Phil. It was horrible. What did you do about it
Ernie? I'm not sure exactly. Here I changed my mind. Thanks Phil. Now I decided to get
her out of here. It was just getting dark so I waited a little and then I carried her
down the stairs and I put her in my car in the back seat. I put a blanket over her. She's
still there Phil. I was gonna drive the car away but well I guess I lost my nerve. What
am I gonna do Phil? Sturman might be here any minute. Ernie Ernie that won't do it.
Alright kid are the keys in the car? No no I got them here. What are you gonna do? I
don't know but you get out of here do something. But what Phil? Anything go to a movie act as
relaxed as you can do anything except come back here for at least two hours now go on.
Alright Phil whatever you say I'll go to a movie yeah right now right away. Thanks Phil
I know you'll get me out of this. Ernie Parch's vote of confidence made comfortable listening
for both of us. When he was gone and I was down the rear stairs and out to his car in
the alley keys in hand I realized that it stopped right there in the back seat. Then
in the light that spilled from a nearby unshaded window I saw I was going to have company.
Sharp pointed elevator shoes careful blue flannel and patterned with a hair over a pasty
face. All of it no more than five and a half feet and held together by a hand painted tie
that sported a dapper knot the size of a cantaloupe. Good evening I wonder if you could help me
I'm looking for Ernie Parch at 36 Orlando Drive. I couldn't find any number on this
house is it? Yeah but Parch isn't in he just left. Oh you know where he went? No no. He
went to the movies. It's all right gorgeous I only want to talk to him. My name is Art
Minele I'm a friend of his an acquaintance. You? The same. He went to a movie Mr. Minele
I saw the picture so I'm going home back to San Diego. I live there. Oh good San Diego
means US 101 to the south and right past my next stop. I came in a cab or don't those
keys in your hand there say that you're leaving. I mean I don't want to appear presumptuous.
Or wait for a taxi. Or wait for a taxi. Shall I get in or do you want to slide over to the
driver's seat from here? I want to slide if that's all right with you. Tell me Mr. Crew
Shutter. You had business with Ernie? Personal business. You Mr. Minele? Yes I wanted to
see Ernie about a good location I have in mind for a new gas station. You know about
such things? No no and I don't think you do either Minele unless of course the pumps can
be converted into roulette wheels. Oh you know who I am eh? Yeah. I also know it's a little
strange for you to show up at Ernie's place the day after he gets out of the state pen
for a frame that took place at your little casino. What are you getting at Mr. Crew Shutter?
An outside chance that you yourself were responsible for that frame? That you're anxious to see
what if anything Ernie intends to do about it? The lights red Crew Shutter. No fooler.
Now tell me why would I want to frame Ernie Protch? I don't know. Could be Minele that
you did it accidentally you know a little gun hidden in a big hurry. Or it could be
you had a tighter reason huh? Like what? Like Grace Protch very pretty girl. You're out
of your mind? Yeah sure I am Minele. Just plain nuts. So why don't you get out here,
get yourself a nice sane taxi cab it'll be safer. Alright. Just as you say. Hey Mister,
Neil was telling me to lift going through the highway. Sure he is. Aye it's slow. Come
on Norm we'll ride them back soon. No I got stuff in there close that door and beat it.
Oh okay Happy. Thanks a lot. Stop Mr. Crew Shutter. What kind of stuff? Rum Minele. I'm
a bootlegger who never got the word believe me. Oh but I do. The light green Mr. Crew
Shutter. So long. I went three short blocks then I got out of the traffic and drove as
far back toward Orlando Street as a vacant lot that was only a block away from Ernie's.
There after I wiped the wheel the gear shift everything else I touched clean prints. I
left the sedan as is and walked back to where I originally parked my own car. Behind the
wheel of my coupe I spent the next 20 minutes finding Gumbo Shanty where Grace Parkwood
and Daddy Longleg standing knee deep in the Pacific Ocean and circled at the waist by
an imitation ship's deck for summertime outdoor eating. A gangplank led up from the street
level and when I'd gone about half the length of it I saw something at the door ahead shaped
like a bowling pin topped by a chef's hat and encompassed by a yard and a half of hickok
belt that said this had to be fat fry cook Lou Gumbo or ski returning the reversible
sign from open to close. Sorry Mr. I'm closing early tonight. Food's all gone. How about
a drink. I only want a quick shot Gumbo. Gumbo. You're a stranger here. How you know the
name. It's written overhead in four foot letters. I keep my eyes open. Okay. Go on in.
Make it fast. I want to hit the hay. You live here? Yeah. What do you want? Scotch. Anything
with it? A little information. About what? Girl who works for you Grace Park. I don't know
anything about her. Not even for five Gumbo? Make it ten. Okay ten. And the drinks on the
house huh? Okay Mr. Grace Park is five foot two eyes of blue also. She quit work at six
tonight like she does every night period. Uh huh. Here's to you. Now tell me where's
she been going while Ernie's been in stir? For another ten? Yeah for another ten. On
one condition no more lousy poems Gumbo. Just a few straight facts huh? Sure. Another
drink? No no no. Thanks first. Where's she been hanging around? Little casino. That's
Manelli's joint huh? Yeah Manelli's place where a lot of people hang out. What is it?
What are you staring at Gumbo? Window hey? I thought I saw someone out there in a dick
looking in. Probably seagulls. Forget it. Now look I'd like to know. Shut up. Sure it
is someone. Get away in the car. Oh any idea who it was? I said any I. I heard you. Now
go on home mister get out of here. Take it easy big guy you got twenty bucks. Stupid.
Here's your lousy twenty bucks and the drinks on the house and good night. After one question.
The guy in that car that just took off was it Manelli? I'll repeat myself good night
mister. Okay. Let it go at good night Gumbo but just for now. I wasn't going to get any
more out of Gumbo so I went back to my car pointed north toward the edge of town in the
little casino where I figured I might get a lead on Manelli's whereabouts. Thirty minutes
later when I was there out of my car and standing in front of what looked like an oversized concrete
block house alone in a parking lot the size of the Coliseum. I figured different. A huge
sign out front red clothes for all orations will reopen soon bigger and better than ever.
Gambling in Bay City was obviously on the QT like an artillery barrage. Every time I
got back to 38 Orlando Street nearly three hours had gone by since I'd last seen him.
As I started up the steps toward the light in his living room. I wasn't happy over the
lack of information I had for him. But when I opened the door and saw what was waiting
for me it didn't matter. In one huge beefy freckled hand there was the usual police department
38 revolver. Hello kid. The ice cold gray eyes the thick broken nose the nasty curl of
the lips all belong to Bay City's toughest homicide detective lieutenant Rick Sturman.
Hello Marlow. I've been waiting for you too long kid. Why would have baked a little cake
if I knew I was going to have this much time. Where's Ernie Park Sturman? He's under arrest
kid. We found his wife's body. He's under arrest for murder. You know what else kid?
So are you. In just a moment the second act of Philip Marlow but first Fred Allen's crack
that it's no wonder comedians can't find work when singers go comical has had a fast reply
from Bing Crosby. Bing has invited Fred to be his guest on a CBS show this Wednesday
night and you can get right into the very middle of the argument on most of these same
CBS stations where Bing Crosby show is Wednesday night. Be sure to hear Fred Allen's visit
to Bing show this Wednesday following Groucho Marx and You Bet Your Life. Now with our star
Gerald Moore we return to the second act of Philip Marlow and tonight's story The Long
Arm. Lieutenant Sturman moved toward me. He curled the thick fingers of his left hand
into a fist. I braced myself for the blow that never came. Instead he shoved his face
up close to mine and his mouth twisted into a one sided grin that was as full of fun as
a set of thumb screws. Well you finally came true for me didn't you kid? I don't know
what you're talking about. I've been waiting a long long time for you to pull something
in my town Marlow where you can't run back across the line and hide behind the skirts
of your cop friends over in L.A. You're having yourself a pipe dream Sturman. Lieutenant Sturman!
And don't forget it. Real sorry officer. Now do you mind explaining what this is all about?
It's one of my rights as a citizen you know even in Bay City. As far as I'm concerned
killers ain't got any rights. Not something you had nothing to do with Grace Porch's murders
so I can tell you why you're a stinkin liar private detective. I suppose private detectives
have no rights either huh? None. We found the girl's body in a car parked at a vacant
lot and somebody overlooked a couple of fingerprints which I'm gonna match up with yours Marlow.
How come you're so sure? Because we pulled Ernie Porch out of the movies five minutes
after we found his wife. And jail birds sing in Bay City Marlow we don't horse around with
them. Come on let's go. Wait a minute. Before you push too far on the wrong track there's
an angle here you ought to know about. There's always an angle with you ain't there bright
boy. Yeah but you're gonna like this one. First in that car you're so proud of you're
gonna find prints from one Art Minelli. The gambler? That's right. One who stays in operation
when everybody else in Bay City is closed up. You better find out whose toes you're
stepping on down at City Hall before you. We got problems in our town Peter but that's
not one of them. Now if you got something intelligent to offer spill it without wisecracks. All right.
Ernie Porch was framed a year ago in Minelli's joint no doubt on Minelli's orders. Why? Because
Grace Porch was a pretty girl with the end for gamblers that's why. All the time Ernie
was in the cooler she was running down to Minelli's place and I got a witness to prove
it. It also makes her the kind of little cheat tramp that gets out of hand. Go on detective.
Mellie showed up here tonight with no satisfactory reason for it. What's more you warned Ernie
Porch just this afternoon that you were keeping an eye on him. Even if you wanted to kill
his wife he's not stupid enough to have done it tonight. From a L.A. standpoint it was
a perfect time you see because you guys would go for it just exactly as you have. What do
you think we're stupid? Now look I know you got no use for me Stone but you're a cop after
all. As long as somebody's got to take a rap it might as well be the right guy. You know
what sweetheart? What? Your fairy story makes average listeners. Just average not the
mouse. Now get going. Too tired to take what I know I'd be given. Once Rick Sterling got
me inside the Bay City headquarters. I made my decision fast. There were three steps in
the front course to the wall and he was right behind me. I took the first two then turned
and grabbed. He sailed over my shoulder and I heard him land flat on his back on the sidewalk
as I rounded the corner of the house. I crossed the backyard bolted the fence and put a hundred
yards of alley between us before I even stopped to think. Then I went back to my car drove
down to the water again and Gumborsky's chicken shanty. The place was dark and locked up tight.
I went around to the back where his living quarters were and listened. Crocodiles slithering
over the floor inside would have made the same sound. I pushed the door open and went
in. Was Gumborsky all right but you couldn't tell it from his face. That had been worked
over long and hard by an expert. He didn't know I was there until I touched. Get away.
Go on. Get out of here. Who gave you the beating Gumbo. Lay off me please. Am I
taken off already. All right. Come on. Get up. That's it. Now look Gumbo. You told me
one thing about Art Minnelli that Grace Parch went with Joyner a lot and you spotted somebody
outside the window and you're clammed up. I come back now and I find you like this. Isn't
it obvious you're wasting your time trying to protect him. Shut up. Shut up and get out
of here. Listen to me you poor sap. Can't you see you're going to be living with this
from now on. Every time he gets the jitters he'll give you another going over to match this
one. He really gets jumpy Buster and then he'll do worse than that. Don't you get it.
Listen mister let's guess him. I know what will happen if I open my up again. I'm just
not going to take that chance. Don't you realize we'll never lick Minnelli if we don't fight.
Leave me alone. Leave me alone. I'm not saying nothing. You understand nothing. Not one word.
Now get out. Come on get out. All right you miserable sucker I'm through talking to you.
You'll think the other guy gave you a light massage by the time I'm through with you.
Here look what you think. Hey. Now stay where you are. I don't want to kid you mister but
I will unless you beat it. I'd rather face that than talk. You're getting in too deep
aren't you gumbo. There's nothing else I can do. No nothing to me. I know which side my
bread's butted on. Yeah but you made one big mistake already. Mistake. What do you mean.
You left yourself wide open for this coffee. Sorry sucker. I don't have much time. Drop
the gun. Come on drop it. That's better. Now just tell me one thing and I'll leave you alone.
All I want to know is where I can locate Art Minnelli right now. He's at his club with
their little casino. You're lying. I was down there as closed as being remodeled. I'm not
lying. All right you need some more rubbing. OK. OK. He's got a suite of room downstairs
under the club. They're not being done over. That's where he lives. He ought to be there
now. But you got to protect me. Storm Minnelli will kill me. He'll kill me. That's all I
want to know. Salon gumbo. At the first phone booth I came to I stopped looked up a base
city number and made a call which took five minutes. Then I went on to the little casino.
I parked on a side street then went down the ramp to the underground garage in the rear.
There was a door between two ornate bronze urns Alibaba size and I started to talk to
Art Minnelli. On a hunch I stopped and studied the decoration on one of the urns. I finally
found it. A small hole in the side. I took my handkerchief out and stuffed it into the
hole. From somewhere inside the apartment I heard a chime ring. I got my gun out then
tried the door and it opened into a long lush hole where he draped at the far end with a
heavy gold curtain. I waded through a green carpet deep enough to mow up to the curtain
and pulled it aside. Minnelli sat at a wide glossy desk methodically filing his nails.
His eyes staring straight at me. You got this far. Come on in. Don't tell me you're all
alone here Minnelli. No I got five hundred dancing girls smart guy. What's on your mind?
You act like you were expecting me. I knew somebody was coming. There's an electric
iron those brass jugs out of the door. Anybody passes it rings that chime there. Satisfied?
Now what's with the gun? Put it away. In a minute maybe. Seeing lieutenant Sturman tonight?
Why should I? You've been rubbing elbows with homicide. I didn't kill anybody. No I guess
you didn't. I've got a good idea who didn't. Ernie Parch of course. No no no chance. He's
your business partner lieutenant Rake Sturman himself and five will get you ten he's got big
news for you. Yeah. Hey Rake. Steady Marlo. Don't move. Well look what crawled out of the woodwork.
I'll get his gun raked. Sit down Minnelli I'll take it myself. Yeah that's better. I don't
budge either one of you. Wait a minute what is this? Shut up. You said you killed Grace
Parch but you were in love with her. We used to meet her right here in this room. Yeah that
was before she found out a couple of things and began to put the pressure on me. We got
in a brief did they and I lost my head. Now shut up. Okay Marlo let's have it. How'd you
dope it? How? And Borsky took a beating tonight just because he mentioned Minnelli here. With
a little more pressure he mentioned someone else. You Sturman. And why would you shut Gum
Borsky up about Minnelli unless you and Minnelli were connected. That connection was all I needed.
Right on the button sweetheart. For all the good it'll do you. Listen I don't get this
I don't understand. You don't have to anymore you're through. What are you saying Rake? You
know too much about me Minnelli. You know it all. Wait you can't do this. Yes I can. In
fact Marlo here gave me the idea. He even worked out all the motives. So it's easy. I came
here to arrest you for Grace Parch's murder. You resisted and I had to shoot you. Isn't
that a shame? But about this hernie Parch. I intended to hang it on him Minnelli but he's
nothing to me. I don't care if he lives or dies. But you you're getting too big for
your britches anyway. So this is better and I get three birds with one stone. Grace Minnelli
and you Marlo. Before you start pulling the triggers Thurman you better ask your boys.
A couple of them are waiting for you behind that gold curtain there. You're a liar Marlo.
The electric guy would have tipped us off if anybody else came in. I blinded that eye with
my handkerchief on my way in. Dernie how long you been there? Not long enough. Better
drop it lieutenant. I don't take orders from you sergeant. You do tonight. Chief himself
sent us out. Yeah I took the liberty of going over your head lieutenant just before I came
in. Under the circumstances you'll understand. Why you. Better drop it lieutenant. Drop it.
Okay now come on. You two guys too. Come along quietly. Sure sure. Always glad to ride with
old rakes Thurman anytime at all. Just as long as there's a couple of policemen in the
same car. Before it was all over in the Bay City police headquarters everybody from the
mayor the dog catcher put his two cents in. And I'd given the same answers to the same
questions at least fifty times. All about crooked cops and rake Sturman in particular.
But finally hours later I was free to go home. As I drove through the quiet streets I was
still thinking about cops. This time the other kind. The underpaid overworked cops. That
pound the city sidewalks day and night. You know the guys who do everything from telling
kids the way to the grocery store to. Untangling the rush hour traffic. Yeah. I thought about
each one of those cops who someday. Chases a hopped up gunman down a blind alley and.
Doesn't get home that night. Or any night. Ever again. Then I forgot all about rakes
Thurman. Because after all he was just one bad one in a multitude of good ones. An insignificant
sore on the long arm. The adventures of Philip Marlowe bringing you Raymond Chandler's most
famous character star Gerald Moore are produced and directed by Norman McDonald and are written
for radio by Robert Mitchell and Jean Levitt. Featured in the cast were Barney Phillips
Ted Osborne Sidney Miller Tom Tully and Britt Holland. The special music is composed and
conducted by Richard Aron. Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlowe
said. It could have been perfect. Snow bound in a mountain lodge with a girl who was falling
in love. But also present were a widow sick with rage. A bitter old woman. A jealous man.
All with reason they hate me. More than anyone else in the world. Two all star bouts are
promised on CBS this Wednesday night. Bing Crosby faces Fred Allen across the CBS mic
to battle it out on who's funnier singers or comedians. And in the second attraction
Gracie Allen and a smashed fender team up against not so gorgeous George Burns and a
guilty conscience. This Wednesday also brings you Groucho Marx his ad libs and his teams
of opposites on you bet your life. And a Dr. Christian story about two redheads in love.
One action variety. They're all yours with Dr. Christian Groucho Marx Bing Crosby and
Fred Allen and George and Gracie on most of these same CBS stations this Wednesday night.
This is Roy Rowan speaking. Now stay tuned for Pursuit which follows immediately on most
of these same CBS stations. This is CBS where Wednesday night is Bing Crosby night. The
Columbia Broadcasting System.