The Headless Peacock: The Adventures of Philip Marlowe (July 16, 1949)

“The Headless Peacock” is an episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, the old-time radio show, first broadcast July 16, 1949. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Philip Marlowe is hired by Ruth Dennis to find out about her boyfriend Gordon, who may be involved with stolen property—specifically a valuable headless peacock figurine worth $100,000 that was stolen months ago from eccentric millionaire Isaac B. When Marlowe investigates the theft and traces a connection to a betting operation disguised as a hat shop in Beverly Hills, he discovers a beautiful blonde woman making mysterious phone calls at the scene.

Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, including Marlowe's office, Isaac B's mansion on West Adams Boulevard, and a hat shop called Lester's that serves as a front for illegal gambling

Characters: Philip Marlowe, Ruth Dennis, Gordon Holzer, Isaac B, Everett Buzzwell, Ransom, a blonde woman

Listen for: The opening narration about crime as a 'suck-as-road nose,' the description of the stolen headless peacock and its $100,000 value, and Marlowe's discovery of the betting operation hidden behind the hat shop.

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.