Death Wish: Boston Blackie (October 1, 1947)

“Death Wish” is an episode of Boston Blackie, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 1, 1947. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Boston Blackie locates Jimmy Wells, a salesman who has apparently decided he wants to be killed by the underworld. Despite Wells' insistence on being left alone, Blackie becomes convinced something sinister is afoot and takes Wells into police custody for protection. Blackie then investigates to discover who wants Wells dead and why.

Boston, including Jimmy Wells' home, police station, streets, and Blackie's apartment building

Characters: Boston Blackie, Lucky, Jimmy Wells, Dorothy Wells, Inspector Faraday, Walter Branch, Tommy, Mary

Listen for: Boston Blackie's determination to protect a man who doesn't want to be protected, and the revelation that Jimmy Wells owes gambling debts to Walter Branch

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.