The William Larson Extortion Murder Case: Boston Blackie (March 17, 1948)

“The William Larson Extortion Murder Case” is an episode of Boston Blackie, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 17, 1948. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

William Larson, a wealthy man supporting his late brother's children, is being extorted by two criminals who demonstrate their seriousness by firing a rifle through his window. Desperate for help, Larson calls Boston Blackie to come to his house that evening. When Blackie arrives, he finds Larson dead, shot twice in the head while sitting in his library chair.

A town with a quiet residential neighborhood; Larson's house in Cedar Lane and its library

Characters: Boston Blackie, William Larson, Jane, Roger, Kerry, Inspector, Harry, Jim

Listen for: The extortionists demonstrate their deadly intent; Larson's urgent plea for Blackie's help; the discovery of Larson dead in his library chair with two bullet wounds to the head.

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.