The Jonathan Diamond: Boston Blackie (June 23, 1944)

“The Jonathan Diamond” is an episode of Boston Blackie, the old-time radio show, first broadcast June 23, 1944. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Boston Blackie is arrested in Chicago based on a false identification by Miss Moray, who claims he stole money from her grandfather. However, once alone with him, she reveals the truth: she needs his help recovering the Jonathan Diamond, a valuable gem that was stolen from her apartment. The diamond belongs to her fiancé George Atwater's father, and she must return it by tomorrow night when George returns from a trip. Blackie escapes from custody and heads to New York to recover the diamond before the theft is discovered.

Chicago and New York, 1944. Police headquarters, a hotel room, and the Atwater house.

Characters: Boston Blackie, Inspector Faraday, Miss Moray, George Atwater, Detective Monahan, Shorty, Duke Warlum

Listen for: Blackie's clever escape from handcuffs and police custody using only a handkerchief; his banter with Miss Moray as she manipulates him into helping her; Shorty's street-level information about the diamond theft and Duke Warlum's involvement.

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.