Bewildered Bird-watcher (aka Penthouse Roof): Let George Do It (April 19, 1948)

“Bewildered Bird-watcher (aka Penthouse Roof)” is an episode of Let George Do It, the old-time radio show, first broadcast April 19, 1948. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

George Valentine is hired by Dr. Elliot Wormsley, a statistician and bird-watcher, to investigate a possible murder the doctor witnessed from a penthouse roof. Using binoculars trained on the River House across the river, Wormsley believes he saw a man push another man off a roof, but hesitates to contact police due to concern for his reputation. George visits the River House posing as a potential tenant and encounters the wife of broker Philip Dunlap, whose secretary reports the man has been missing for two days. George and his associate Brooksie search the grounds with Dr. Wormsley and discover a body in an overgrown lot behind the building.

New York City, primarily the River House penthouse building and surrounding grounds

Characters: George Valentine, Brooksie, Dr. Elliot Wormsley, Mrs. Paula Dunlap, Philip Dunlap, Hal, Mr. Stevens

Listen for: The clever setup of Dr. Wormsley's hesitation to report what he witnessed, the suspicious circumstances surrounding Philip Dunlap's absence, and the discovery of the body that confirms the doctor's fears.

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.