 The Blue Beetle. Weeping down upon the underworld to smash ganglin' comes the mysterious, all-powerful character who is a problem to the police but a crusader for law. In reality, Dan Garrett, a rookie patrolman, loved by everyone but suspected by none of being the Blue Beetle. As the Blue Beetle, he hides behind a sprained mask and a suit of impenetrable blue chain armor, flexible as silk, but stronger than steel. Today's episode of the Blue Beetle is entitled The Frame-Up. Stanley Rogers, convicted of killing Beth Doyleton, small-time loan shark and gambler, is in the death house at the state penitentiary awaiting death by electrocution. Rogers, Zion of a prominent and respectable family, claims he shot in self-defense. But the jury thought otherwise. As our story opens, patrolman Dan Garrett, who in secret is really the Blue Beetle, is entering the little apothecary shop of Dr. Franz, his confidant and friend. Hello, Doc. Where are you? I am back here. Is that you, Danny? Yes. What are you doing? I'm working on some experiments in my laboratory. How are you this morning? Oh, I'm feeling great. I've been waiting for you to show up. Anything special? Here's something in the personal column of this morning's paper that might introduce you to the Blue Beetle. I am desperate. My brother awaits death by electrocution for a crime he did not commit. Can you help me? Brenda Rogers. But that must be Stanley Rogers who shot Beth Doyleton, a small-time regattier. Yes. Rather strange case, if I remember correctly. Rogers admitted he shot Doyleton, but claimed it was in self-defense. He shot him with a pistol he found in Doyleton's apartment, I believe. Yeah. Wasn't it brought out in the file that Rogers hold Doyleton a large sum of money? Yes. He borrowed from him on several occasions to cover his gambling water. Where did Rogers meet Doyleton? He was introduced to Rogers by a girl, chance acquaintance of a gambling criminal. That's too bad. Rogers comes with a good family. I kind of understand his getting mixed up in such a thing. Well, he was a little wild at college. Too much money to spend. Often at an early age, wasn't he? Yeah. He was really raised by an older sister who spoiled him. He's certainly in a spot now. Yes, he is. What are you going to do about that notice in the newspaper? Well, I'm going to pay a visit to young Rogers in the death house. Never talk with him. As Dan Garrett? Or as the Blue Beetle? As the Blue Beetle. But how are you going? I'd like to use some of your invisible paint, Doc, but I can get to Rogers without anyone knowing it. It'll be dangerous if you're caught. I haven't been able to perfect the liquid yet. A little serve my purpose. I won't be with Rogers very long. Well, be careful, Danny boy. Well, don't worry, Doc. Well, I've got to get down to headquarters now. If I can, I'll be back later to change into my Blue Beetle chain armor and mask. I'll be here to help you with any time you want me, Danny. Thanks, Doc. The learn. I'm going to read up a little on the Rogers case. Panigan, get your feet off that table and stand at attention. When your superior officer enters the room. Yes. Oh, hello, Danny. It's you. I was just getting a little shut-eye. The night's the time for sleeping? Yeah. I know, but I've been on extra duty lately. And you have to catch up when you're asleep with headquarters. Yeah, that's it. And besides, I was waiting for you. I want to ask you a few questions, Mike. Well, fire away, me boy. If it's about crime and criminals, officer Mike Panigan is a regular encyclopedia. Encyclopedia? Yeah, that's it. What do you know about that Doyleton? Oh, him. He was a small-time loan shark before the Rogers vibe bumped him up. Do you think Roger's killing of Doyleton was premeditated? No, I don't. Maybe do I? This Georgetown guy was a bad egg. Where could I find out more about him? Well, maybe Charlie Storm, but the sun could help you out. Oh, that's a good idea. I'll give him a ring. They say, Dan, why are you so interested in this Rogers case? Oh, I'm interested in the loan shark rackets, and I want to find out all I can about those connected with it. Hello, son? Give me Charlie Storm, please. And maybe the commissioner would assign us both to it if we asked him. Later, perhaps, Mike. The president, I... Oh, hello, Charlie. This is Dan, Dan Garrett. See, what do you know about that Doyleton? Yeah? Yeah, Maroney? Top man, huh? Really? That high? Hey, that's very interesting, Charlie. I think I'll get busy and really dig into this loan shark business. Well, Danny, what did you find out at police headquarters? I phoned Charlie Storm with the sun. He should be able to give you value of his information. He told me that a man named Maroney was the top man in the loan shark racket. Was Doyleton associated with him? No. The point was to hang around the gambling holes and racetracks by means of attractive girls in his employ who strike up casual acquaintances with heavy bettors. Get himself introduced to a loser as a wealthy playboy and one might touch for a loan. I see. Would you say he wasn't working with Maroney? No. In fact, he was planning to set up a rival loan business working among the poorer class of unfortunate people who really need money. But that's a legitimate business. Not the way these loan sharks run it. Well, how do you mean? Well, I'd say a man borrowed a hundred dollars. He also had to take out life insurance for the same people to assure the loan being paid back in case he died. These costs and interests on the loan are pyramided so that in some cases the borrower has paid over five and six times the amount of the original loan and he still owes the principal. Boy, that's crooked business. Of course it is. And that's the racket the blue beetle is going to smash. Where is the blue beetle going to light first? In the fell of Stanley Rogers at the State Penitentiary. Have you the liquid of invisibility, Danny? Yeah, right here, Doc. I'm going to use it. Go along, Doc. The blue beetle is going to fly right into jail. Meanwhile, in the electrocution chamber at the State Penitentiary, some officials are testing the lethal equipment. How about the electrodes, Sam? Cleaners and I've played warden. And the straps. All in order, sir. Have you tried the switches? I was just about to do that, sir. All right. Shoot some juice through and check your dial. Yes, sir. Just a moment. I'll give you the 1,800 volts and then jump it to 2,000. All right. What's your dial indicate, Sam? 2,000. That should be strong enough for young Rogers. Yeah, it's too strong, in fact. But the court has ordered its execution and it's our duty to carry out their orders. Want any more? Nope. Shut everything off. That's all for today. I'm going to my office. I'd like to see you there later to check the tales for the execution in the morning. Yes, sir. Has Father Callaghan seen young Rogers today? I think he's with him now, sir. Ask him to see me in my office when he's finished with Rogers. My son. Are there any messages you'd like me to give to anyone? What's the use, father? Everyone thinks I'm a murderer. What about your sister, Brenda? She still believes in you. What can I say to her that she doesn't already know? Perhaps a little word of farewell? Farewell. Farewell. Yes, I'm going to farewell. I'm going to burn for something I didn't do. There, there, my son. You mustn't let yourself go like that. Try to face things bravely. Secure in the knowledge that there is another life after death. But I'm not ready for death yet, father. I want my life now. Why can't somebody do something for me? I'm innocent. I'm innocent, I tell you. Everything possible to do has been done, my son. No work from the governor, father. I'm sorry, my son. Perhaps later tonight. Your lawyer has been in touch with his secretary. We are all doing everything we can. Thank you, father. I'm sorry I acted as I did. Please leave me now. I'd like to be alone. Farewell. Good night, my son. Good night, father. Oh, God, wait for come with me, please. I'd like to speak with you a minute. Sure thing, father. I'll write with you. What was that humming there? Was that the sound of that? That was the sound of the blue beetle's magic rays. The blue beetle? Yes, the blue beetle. But I can't see anyone. I am invisible. What are you doing here? I've come to help you. Who sent you? Your sister. My sister? But how did she... Never mind how she got in touch with me. Now listen to what I have to say. Speak softly so the guard won't hear you. This invisibility of mine may not last long. All right. Now, tell me what happened the night you shot Doyleston. I didn't shoot him. But you admitted in court that... Yes, I know I did. And at that time, I thought I had shot him. I... I don't understand. The night of the shooting, I'd gone to Doyleston's apartment to ask him for more time in which to pay my application. Oh, hello, Rogers. Come to pay your notes. Well, I'd like to talk it over with you. Come in. Oh, uh, you know Maroney here? Yes, I met him at the Golden Fencing Club. Hello, Rogers. Hello, Mr. Maroney. Well, I'll leave you two together. There's that private business to talk about. Oh, look, Maroney. Why don't you step into the bedroom there and wait till I finish with Rogers? It won't take long. And you and I can finish our business. Okay, but make it snappy. I ain't going on. Now, what have you got to say, Rogers? Well, I... I can't tell you what I owe you now. If you'll wait till I get the principle of my father's estate next year, I'll pay you double. I can't wait that long. When I lend money, I've got to get it back to lend to somebody else. That's how I make a living. But I thought... Don't be silly. Now, listen, every dollar I lend brings me back five or even $10 interest. The guys that borrow from me pay me back, or else. But I can't pay you back now. Well, then, tomorrow morning, your boss is going to know about this. You can't do that. I lose my job at the bank. The disgrace would kill my sister. Hey, there's an idea. Your sister's got what it takes. She's a swell-looking gal. I could use her in my business. What do you mean? I could use her at the gambling joint. She could leave the customers on and persuade them to gamble heavily. They lose money, need to borrow. Then she introduces them to me. That's what happened to me. Oh, sure. And that's the way the old-army game works. Why, you dirty, slimy rat. My sister wouldn't wait for feet on you. Well, maybe after I told her to jam your inch, she might consider my proposition. That is, if she loved you, maybe she'd be worth more to me. You wouldn't stare a peltier with any stuff. I go and beat it, kid. I got other business tonight. I won't leave this room until you promise that. I'll beat it. I swear I'll throw something off your head going around. You'll throw a snuff in off my head. This will stop you. Down that gun, Rogers. You can't get away. And that's just the way it happens. Then... then you did shoot Doyleton, Rogers. I thought I did at the time, blue people. In the excitement, I imagined I pulled the trigger. But since then, as I think back, I know I didn't pull the trigger of that gun. Did you take the gun to Doyleton's place with you? No. I saw it lying on the table near where I was standing in Doyleton's apartment. But a bullet was fired from that gun. Maroney testified. Wait a minute. Maroney... Say... that gives me an idea. Do you think you could save me from... I don't want to try. I didn't shoot Doyleton. I didn't. Take it easy, Rogers. Look. Call the guard and have him get the warden here in a hurry. Tell him you want to make a statement. But what good will that... When the guard unlocks the cell door to let the warden in, I'll slip out. All right. All right, I'll do it. Oh, God! God! I want to see the warden. The warden! What has the blue beetle in mind? Who is Maroney? And what has he to do with this case?