Wendy Morris: Pat Novak, for Hire (April 30, 1949)

“Wendy Morris” is an episode of Pat Novak, for Hire, the old-time radio show, first broadcast April 30, 1949. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Pat Novak is hired by lawyer Crockett Odom for $300 to watch wealthy client Wendy Morris, a heavy drinker whose husband Stanley recently returned from military service and hospitalization. Odom suspects the man is an imposter after her money. That night, Pat accompanies Wendy and Stanley to a gambling club, but before meeting Wendy at a hotel as arranged, Pat is knocked unconscious. When he arrives at the hotel room, he finds a dead woman—but it's not Wendy. The victim is Emily Van Kirk, a traveler whose room was confused with Wendy's by the desk clerk.

San Francisco waterfront, Telegraph Hill apartment, the Mother Lode gambling club, Galbraith Hotel, Pat's office

Characters: Pat Novak, Crockett Odom, Wendy Morris, Stanley Morris, Frankie Fannen, Craig, Jack O'Malley, Emily Van Kirk

Listen for: The clever murder setup, Pat's investigation despite police pressure, the surprising identity of the killer, and the dark twist of mistaken identity that costs an innocent woman her life.

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.