 Flash gun Casey, press photographer. Out of a big city's roaring light, out of a great newspaper's pounding heart, come the exciting adventures of a man with a camera. Flash gun Casey, press photographer. Columbia presents a new adventure character, Flash Gun Casey, press photographer. Tough, daring, typical of the men who often risk their lives so that you may see the news as well as read it. Their salaries are not large and they seldom get much credit, but their lives are packed with danger and thrill. Tonight and every Wednesday night at this time, Columbia invites you to follow the story of Flash Gun Casey and the people who pass in swift moving parade for the shutters of his camera. The night story, the taste of the swift place. The clock in the tower of the express building leads exactly 7 p.m. In the city room, at birth, the night city actor is arguing with Casey, a tall, powerfully built man who is carrying a plate case and a camera. Quit griping Casey, you've got your pictures, now go develop them. Okay, but for the last time, don't send me to any more weddings. I hate weddings. Tell me that's what you marry. That day of her arrives out here that's a private one. Not a meet-the-parade. A lot of big shots there. Bays, green and radiant. I was knee-deep into leather. Did Anne Williams cover the story okay? I guess so. My job was to take pictures of the clan base. Not to write about it. Many a guy had to give a month's salary to be in the same room with Gloria Delores. Ouch. What's the matter now? That name, Gloria Delores. I wonder who dug that much. Mr. Loris is one of our most famous movie stars. There's all that's going on in the world today. A mere wedding is unimportant. Whenever a woman like Mr. Loris gets married, it's not about mere wedding. And I hope you've got some good shots. White Batman or get barely ripped from the lens. And the express would like to use those pictures sometimes tonight? If you don't mind. Okay, okay, but if the public never sees the story of Mr. Loris... Thanks, Anne. That's what I mean. The story of the Delores. The poor guy doesn't count. Already he's missed the Delores. Out of the pictures tonight. He wouldn't know. He's been too busy arguing against that wonderful institution's no-nismatic. I'm not arguing against it. I only say, then, someone else when our dear people want pictures of a happy dear people. We'll cover a lot of assignments like the Delores wedding. That doesn't mean I'll have to like him any better. You mean we'd rather be taking pictures of something? Are you kidding? But Mr. Loris, good luck. We didn't. Good luck. Yes. And so did the groom, Mr. Delores. Knock, knock, and at my door. Well, come on in with him. Hey, no wonder why. You're letting in too much light. What's happening here? That's why they call it a dark room. A room? Hi, Mr. Stunny. I just put him in a suit. Faces and figures should be telling any moment, huh? I'm a big Deloree, sir. I mean, I'd do anything in the back room. You, uh... You old girl. What? And stop with her. I don't know why everyone does that when they come into one of these rooms. Peter, you won't let me. Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Stunny. You're here. You're making that man at my ear. Hmm. Hey, Stunny. He has a marvelous marriage. Good you say, sir. Maybe a hundred million up. What's this? Whatever it is, it's not a wedding. Oh. Looks like a workshop. Hmm. Look, here's another room. A long room for this odd-looking scene. Damn. And here's a close-up of one. I never took these. How'd they get my camera? Somebody took them. Yeah. Well, get this. Some guy running over. Well, he's running right toward the land. Yeah, he looks mad. Uh-oh. Recognize it? No, but I do everything else. Or I think I do. These pictures are of the Hartley Laboratory. What? Oh, he's from dinner, isn't he? One of the greatest. He's a regular estate. Six or seven buildings on the place. And that's all his experiments say. This looks like a machine shot. I, uh, suppose a lot of people would like to know it's around here. You can say that again. But they're not allowed to. Well, work is done in secrecy. Hartley even has his own private guard. They won't allow a camera within a mile of the place. I sent a guy to take pictures of a wedding, and he comes back with the Hartley Laboratory. But I'd said he won't ever took those shots. You think I'm crazy? I know, I know. And the ones of the wedding, you didn't take those either. Oh, someone picked up my plate case by mistake. I got his. See? It's almost exactly like mine. The gentleman was very careless. It was a natural mistake. Why we were stumbling over each other. That shin dig was represented by every news photographer in town. Not forgetting the ones in the magazine. Yeah. Well, whoever he is, I'm glad he didn't hold the laboratories to an exclusive. At least he took some pictures of the wedding, too. Well, we'll have to run them. I doubt if that plate case of yours will ever turn up. I'll get it back. You're lucky you didn't walk off with your camera. And that must be like mine, too. Hey, look for it. This is serious. The guy who took these pictures had no right being on that prop. I suppose I don't know that. What's so funny? I'm thinking how surprised the guy was when he developed your pictures. All that glamour and no machines. You know, what I can understand is this man here. He's got a right toward the camera. Yes, it is, sir. This looks as though he was... Wait a minute. Who are you near at the wedding, Casey? I've been trying to think. Blake of the Star is a good man. Raymond of the Inquirer. John's a fashion magazine. The four of us all are stuck together, moving around, taking shots of the other celebrities, as well. Oh, but it couldn't be one of them. Why not? I've known them for years. They wouldn't take a chance like that. Some guys have settled their souls for a little dough. I'll take this. First speaking. What? That's very interesting. About six hours ago, eh? Thanks. Okay, I'll switch you to a rewrite. Dixon, take this. That was Kelly. Are Kelly in covers, please? Yeah. They just found a plain-closed guard out of the Hartley Laboratories. Two bullets in his chest. Killed about six hours ago. Does that mean anything to you, Casey? Yeah, it does now. He's the guy here in the picture. He was running to stop that camera. And in the excitement, our photographer got him on a film before he shot him. Yeah, that's the way it ends up. Well, get out there and see if we're right. And check on your friends, Blake, Raymond and John. And be careful. It'll be much easier for him to finish off his second victim. And from where I sit, you look like the next prospect. What a beautiful woman. Mr. Doris looks extremely lovely. A guest shot. A ballroom and table beautifully decorated. But I can't see where any of it helps me. Well, I've explained, Mr. Couch. I never took those pictures. Then who did? I don't know. I suppose you do know that he has the ones you took. Well, he must have. Like these, no doubt. I don't remember my plate case being out of my hands for a moment. A moment would be enough. Well, there's no way they can trace it to me. I'm safe. Are you? It's a long time for him getting a man in there. I mean, at a time when he could work with a camera and not be interrupted. But opportunity won't come again. And I suppose it's useless to ask for money. Quiet, you failed. Well, I greatly appreciate nothing of this very lovely actress. I would much more appreciate looking at the photographs you lost. Especially the ones of that new fox penetrating machine. I know two corporations that pay a hundred thousand dollars for that. I've never failed before. And you've always been paid before. I was listening to my radio just before you came in. Do you know the guard that you eliminated has been found? He came out of nowhere running toward me. And he stopped this on me. Yes, I had him. He pictures on one of the plates. Very clever. Do you always photograph your victims before doing away with them? I never killed anybody before. Well, I never did. I didn't think I'd ever have to. Well, the first one does leave you to try to take it. After that to become easy. But if you had brought the photographs directly to me... But I had to be at that wedding, Mr. Koch. As it was, I'd barely made it. Yes, that's a tough job, which is such a wonderful line. Tell me, how did you feel walking on the wall that luxury immediately after this frozen with a light? Pardon, I suck at photography. I suck at photography. I suck at photography. I wonder what... I wonder what your employers would do if they even dreamed that the pictures would sometimes take a reverse pattern. Remember, that was my idea. The same camera for both my ordinary work and the work I do for you. That way no one will ever become suspicious, you know? Don't doubt that someone is at this very moment. And he knows that the photographer is not only at peace, but also, as we say, someone who doesn't hesitate to stop another dream. You're right. But how's he going to know it's me? Well, maybe he won't, but... Just one of your pictor-taking friends will start to ask questions. No matter how subtly put, be careful. I will. And if he should become too inquisitive, you can always sample him as you hit the guard. Yes, when that gentleman makes his appearance, he's the man who has your back. And you've been left holding one. He's the same guy, all right? The murderer rolled his body against the wall and put a machine cover over him. Now, wait, wait. They didn't let you in today. No, but I thought the man who found him also had a couple of slogans, ma'am. Whose slogans? Lieutenant Logan of the homicide squad. Oh, did you tell them about the pictures? Yeah, and every photographer I could think of I left the, uh, plate case with them. That's right, it's racist. A lot like what that'll do. Yeah, there's thousands of those cases. What about your pals, Blake Raymond and Johns? And our pals? The guys I bump into making them around. But you've known them a long time. Yeah. Well, what do you really know about them? Yeah, they all have cameras and plate cases like mine. I mean, personnel. That's personal. Now, look, this is no time for this. All right, all right. If you two feel like using some funny language, I can always leave you alone. Oh, forget it, William, forget it. Yeah, Blake is married. I had two kids. I found them at home reading them. Our hearts were young and gay. I wish ours were. Well, go on, go on. He was sort of surprised to see me, as I don't usually make those little photos of it. We know you're a fit man, I tell you. Quiet. Anyway, I asked him what he'd been doing before the wedding. With finesse, I hope. I'm always done. Yeah, like a tank. And what was Mr. Blake doing? Roaming around. Oh, fun. You see, that guard was murdered around two o'clock. The wedding took place at three. The reception at four. So the guy you did... You don't have to draw a blueprint. Where did you find Raymond of the Empire? At a bar. With a blonde. No, already. Not the one you know, Bert. Oh, there are a lot of redheads in the world. And what had he been doing prior to three o'clock? Roaming around. That's just dandy. That's just dandy. And Jones of the fashion magazine. I also founded a bar. The one at the fantasy club. Alone. Yeah, but his girlfriend worked there. And early this afternoon... No, wait, wait. Don't tell me. Don't tell me. Let me get it. Don't tell me. Don't tell me. Let me get it. He was roaming around. Right. Not an alibi and a bunch. I still can't believe one of them did it. I still can't believe one of them did it. It must be. It must be. Well, I found two of them at bars. And that's where I'm going. Can I take a long case? Can I take a long case? Why not? Down the blue note, huh? Yeah. It's a musician. What's that? It's a musician's hangout. Casey always goes there when he wants to think. They have a piano player there. They have a piano player who's his nerve. And sometimes helps me solve a problem. Well, I hope he can help you with this one. And you'd better warn Williams about that bartender. Yeah. His name is Eppelbert. And he reads the Atlantic Monthly and lords on singing. And he's tough. Sometimes he had to be the bouncer, but you'll enjoy him. I think there's a jam session going on. It's only 11.30. The musicians don't roll in here until they have through work. Oh. Want to sit at the bar? Fine. Eppelbert, put down that new republic and give us some service. I have fresh guts. Service. A republic? Look. One world. How do you find it? Great. It says here on paper. Read the book. This may be it didn't absorb it. I did. It's excellent. Hey, what are you looking at? You ever see a pretty girl before? Not that pretty. Well, thank you, Eppelbert. This is Ann Williams, Eppelbert. She's new on the express. I'm showing her the site. Philip V. Beer. Williams. Two beers. I'm surprised that you find time to read a book. Yeah. Right now, I'm surprised, but not about that. Blake Remer-John has to be one of them. But why? Well, what do we have to see with a fortune? Yeah. They wouldn't talk about it out there today. Two beers. No heads on them. Hey, thank you. What did you think of Thomas Payne, Flash Gun? He was a very great man. Yeah. Quote. These are the times which try men's souls. Unquote. I know all about Thomas Payne, Miss Williams. I'm going over the piano. I want to come along. Oh, listen, Flash Gun. It's not that I don't want to lend you a near-Eppelbert, but I have a lot of my mind. Maybe earning in his music can help straighten me out. Well, I'll stay put and hear about the famous revolutionary again. Thanks, Miss Williams. I said you'd enjoy it. As you no doubt know, Miss Williams, Thomas Payne. Oh, yeah. Slow night. Not too good. What's on your mind? Money. Anything you'd like to hear? Nope. As long as you stick to the old one. We agree on that. Remember this one? I like 20. But we still have the songs. Sometimes that's all we have. Yes. Pretty girl you left at the bar. I'm a reporter. I've only been in town a few weeks. Thinking, aren't you? Getting nowhere fast. Want to talk about it? I can't. Niceest-looking girl I've ever seen you with. You ought to marry, Casey. How about yourself? Yes. I tried it once. And? She left me. Just like that? Just like that. You see, I didn't make enough money. She wanted too much. And she met a guy who had it? That's right. It's funny the way a guy thinks when he's losing a woman. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her. To give her the things she wants, he'd almost commit murder. Some guys do. Yeah. What's the matter, Casey? Did I say something? I think you did. You going? Yeah. And thanks, Ernie. You've been a great help. I may see you later on. William, sometimes I have to throw a guy out, but it ain't like it was in the old days. No? No. Then they threw me out. Look, William. I've got it on the lawn. You go back to the office and help Bert go. I'll see him in an hour or so. Where are you going? To see a dame at the fantasy club. And you can't come. And for Bert, Williams will pay for my beer. Okay, ma'am. Turn your head a little to the left. That's it. Hold it now. Oh! You only thought so. Anyway, we'll take another one to make sure. All right. I'm awfully glad you dropped around, Casey. Who am I? I saw you sitting at the table out front while I was doing my number. I didn't think you came to take my picture. Of course. There's no novelty for you to have your picture taken. You sit for a howl a lot. Once a week regularly. You must be loved. It's still nice to have someone else photograph me. Um, how's this? Not as attractive as Mr. Lawrence? Oh, you're different types. How's help me? It was quite a wedding. Yeah. Were, um, were you with howl before you went to him? Now he was working. I know, but, uh, I thought you might have had lunch together. Not today. Um, this better? Yeah, fine. But, uh, don't cross your legs. Oh. And don't smile. We'll make this one sort of, uh, tender. Oh. I couldn't look sensitive if I tried. Think of green fields and moonlight nights. moonlight. But I still won't look sensitive. Oh. That does it. Look for them and they express. Oh. How many to take all together? Seven. Can I have a set? Sure. I'll drop them over to the towers. That's where you live, isn't it? Uh-huh. Fantastic. Perhaps we could, uh, have lunch together. And get howl for it, ma'am. We wouldn't have to have lunch there. As far as that goes, we could have it here. Yeah. I never thought a fantasy club would have dressing rooms like this. This dressing room looks more like an apartment. Just a few personal touches, I bet. Just a few personal touches. Mm-hmm. Very elaborate. And those rocks I've been photographing on your lovely arms. They almost reached the elbows. They're, uh, real, I imagine. Everything I wear is real. Mm. I noticed that Mickey was sporting around this past winter. You like it? Well, those foxes over there are nice, too. Oh, gosh, it must be great to have an income. Are you kidding? Well, you don't buy those things singing at nightclub. At least not one like this. Why do you work in a nightclub, ma'am? Apparently, you don't have to. Well, I like to be seen. And it's something to do. I don't have to tell you I'm not much of a singer. But you're really something to look at. Oh, thanks. Then, uh, we have a date for lunch? If it weren't for Hal, I wouldn't hesitate a moment. Oh, forget Hal. I'd like to marry sometime. How long have you two been going together? Almost two years. That's amazing. Why? He's very generous. Yeah, I can see that. I like to live well. You don't know what it is not to have anything. Oh, don't I? I'd rather be dead than to live like some people. Nothing but the best for you, huh, ma'am? Oh. Don't you think I deserve it? So do thousands of other girls in the world. There are girls who haven't even enough to eat. Are you giving me a lecture? No, but, uh, that's why we're not going to have lunch together. You are too expensive, I mean. Perhaps to you, I wouldn't be too expensive. It wouldn't land. You'd miss those lovely gifts that Hal passes on. I still don't see any reason why we couldn't see each other once in a while. And by the way, yeah, where is Hal? Oh, he usually drops in around this time. Shall I tell him you were here? Why not? Would you like to wait for him? No, I'll run along. I think I'll develop these pictures tonight. Oh, that's wonderful. The Express thanks you, and I thank you. Do you think one of them might be on the theatrical page tomorrow? The theatrical page? You wonder, Ray Dole Casey, there's a possibility you'll find one on the front page. So long. Hiya, Benny. Any pay phones here? Yeah, sure. Over there by the section. Oh, thanks. Speaking. Hello, Berg. Casey, what do you think we're printing? The boy's companion? Where are you? Phone booth at Benny's Fantasy Club. I just got some shots for the morning papers. And if I were you, I'd leave plenty of space on the front page. Well, you'd better get back here with something sooner. I'll hold a four-line spread in the obituary for you. What are the pictures? And what suspect is there to have the benefit of your latest brainwave? I just shot some pictures of the suspect's girlfriend. I'm on my way down to develop them. Now, unless I miss my guess, you'll be writing to the end of this story in the Mars paper. And by the way, you'd better get one of Logan's men down here. The way things look right now, I'm... Oh, hold on a minute. Here comes our friend. I think he's gonna make a call in the booth next to me. Maybe I can catch part of it, hold it. He talked to me earlier tonight. Then took some pictures of Mary. First paper he told me. But why at one in the morning? Now, I'm certain he's the one. I'll be careful. When I come for the money, above your aunt's chit-chat, I'm safe with Adam. You mean I've gotta take care of him tonight? What do you think I'm made of? It was only this afternoon that I... I know, Mr. Koch, but I never expected that to happen. You think so? I'll do it tonight. Did you hear that? You moronic offspring of a printer's devil. You had your hand over that mouthpiece. Of course I had my hand over the mouthpiece. Think I want you to take all the credit? Now get this. Send several of Logan's men over to Koch's antique shop on Cedric Avenue. Mr. Koch will be in the apartment upstairs. Pick him up. And I may need one of Logan's men while I'm developing these pictures. After all the run around you've given Logan, you know how he'll feel about sending a man out to protect you. Okay, but you know what happens to your story if they miss Koch and our friend gets me. Well, Logan will probably take that chance but I'll ask him. And I doubt if a man could have time to get here anyway. If that's the way it is, maybe a better frame that obituary and purple satin in the glass, for me. So long. Yeah. You want to see him? No. What the back says? I've been in the express building before. Well, only at two in the morning is it. So you finally noticed what it's holding? I noticed it when you first opened the door. That's good. Relax. Relax now. We're old friends. John's a fashion magazine and tasty to express. There's a couple of guys around town. Cut it. Is that the same John you used on the guard? They mean one respect. It doesn't make much noise. What makes you suspect me? I could have sworn that we're coming. Why is it that all criminals insist on knowing why they were suspected? Well, if it'll gladden your heart any, I'll tell you. It was a piano player. He said something which made me think of you and Mara. Then I thought of your salary as a photographer. You made a mistake when you went back to the fantasy club the second time, Casey. You shouldn't have tried to pump Mara. Doesn't she know what you're doing? No. Where'd you think the money came from? She never asked. Just as long as it came in, huh? But I don't think it was a mistake. I gamble that Mara would repeat our conversation word for word, except the part where I wouldn't take their lunch. Here I am. Oh, no. Incidentally, the police picked up a friend of yours about 15 minutes ago. Name of Koch. Antique dealer over on these sides. Oh, I see that one hit home, huh? Well, you're all true, Hal. Later maybe, but right now you are. Easy. Easy on the trigger, finger. You should hear it all. The big mistake is yours and coming here. I never had any evidence against you. Any real evidence? I have now. You'll never use it. I've already used it. It's been used right now. You walk in this room, staring straight at me with a gun in your hand. You should have looked behind the door. There's been a witness in this room all the time. In fact, right behind you now. Do you think I'd fall for that whole gag? It's not a gag. You must think I'm dumb. I guess you heard enough. Okay, have Logan come in. You'll be dead when he gets there. Where did you get that blotcher? Oh, Massalbert. Quote, he who gets sucked over the bean is easy to arrest. Unquote. Put down that American murky, Massalbert, and draw me a beer. That's not the American mercury. It's... I know. It's still one world. I am, Massalbert. Hello, Massalbert. Oh, the case is a loan. It's between us. That's all right. She was really worried when you tore her out of here, Casey. Yeah? Yeah. Then did you, Massalbert? I had to break away from this book for a while tonight, but I managed to send which ain't a very interesting article. Would you mind drawing my beer for me, Massalbert? I want to sit over by Ernie and listen to a couple of numbers. Not at all. But this article was about guys who steal industrial designs by photographing them. And you know what I think? What? Well, just for a starter, understand? They all ought to be sucked over the head, but hard. Quote, he who gets clumped over the conch is out of commission and easy to put in a clink. Unquote. Please, Applebert, our beer. Yes, Applebert, our beer, and this time be sure he pays for it. You've been listening to Flash Gun Casey, press photographer. The first of a new series of adventure programs based on the fiction character created by George Harmon Cox. This series is written by Ashley Buck in collaboration with Mr. Cox. The program tonight was directed by Albert Ward and produced for Columbia by Chester Renear. Join us again next Wednesday night at this same time for another swift-moving story of a press photographer, Flash Gun Casey. The adventure, murder off the record. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.