Where Theres a Will: The Adventures of Philip Marlowe (October 17, 1948)

“Where Theres a Will” is an episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 17, 1948. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired to help three heirs—Edward Shields, his cousin Harlan Crane, and secretary Barbara Haynes—locate $300,000 in bonds hidden by their eccentric aunt Bernice. The aunt's will requires them to find the bonds within 24 hours using three transparent map pieces that only reveal the location when combined. Marlowe soon discovers that someone is willing to kill to keep the others from the prize, and he must navigate a web of deception on Twin Islands to uncover who is really behind the scheme.

Los Angeles and Twin Islands in Indian Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains

Characters: Philip Marlowe, Edward Shields, Harlan Crane, Barbara Haynes, Bernice (deceased aunt), Luther Willard, Jambul (caretaker), The little man with a scar

Listen for: The reveal of who planned the murders and sabotage, Marlowe's witty commentary about the heirs and their schemes, and the unmasking of the real conspirators among the trio.

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.