What happens
Reverend Dr. Thomas Garfield introduces the story of Nick Beale, a mysterious figure who appears at a waterfront bar called the China coast. Beale approaches Joseph Foster, the district attorney, who is pursuing racketeer Dale Hanson. Beale offers to produce account books that Foster needs for the case, and Foster accepts his help. Foster's wife Martha and his associates appear, and the story follows Foster's growing dealings with Beale. This is an episode of the Screen Director's Playhouse, a Thursday night NBC feature, broadcast on December 28, 1950, starring Ray Milland and Jan Sterling.
A waterfront area of a city, including the China coast bar and the High Water Canning Company, along with the Central Boys Club and the Foster home.
Characters: Reverend Dr. Thomas Garfield, Nick Beale, Joseph Foster, Martha Foster, Dale Hanson, Slade, Donna Allen, Mr. Finch
Listen for: Nick Beale's offer of the Hanson account books and Foster's decision to accept his help.
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.