The Paper Bullets: Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator (December 5, 1951)

“The Paper Bullets” is an episode of Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator, the old-time radio show, first broadcast December 5, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Barry Craig, a confidential investigator, takes on a case to recover a stolen manuscript worth $50,000—the prize-winning novel "The Cry of the Hyena" by eccentric author Eric Trent. The manuscript vanished from publisher Hillary Grayson's office, and Craig discovers the theft may be connected to jealousy over the contest results.

A publishing office and various locations around the city, including a buttermilk bar on 8th Avenue

Characters: Barry Craig, Hillary Grayson, Eric Trent, Oscar Sachs, Trev, John, Mrs. Cora Talbot, Stanley Talbot

Listen for: The mystery of the stolen manuscript and the true identity of Eric Trent; Oscar Sachs' claim that Trent is not an American author and therefore ineligible for the prize

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.