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The Blue Beetle was an old time radio show based on the super hero character that appeared in Fox Features comic books.
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00:00The Blue Beetle
00:16Sweeping down upon the underworld to smash gangland comes the friend of the unfortunate, enemy of criminals.
00:36A mysterious, all-powerful character, a problem to the police, but a crusader for law.
00:42In reality, Dan Garrett, a rookie patrolman, loved by everyone but suspected by none of being, the Blue Beetle.
00:49As the Blue Beetle, he hides behind a strange mask in a suit of impenetrable blue-chade armor, flexible as silk but stronger than steel.
01:03Today's episode of the Blue Beetle is entitled Death Strikes from the East.
01:07In the city's Chinatown, sons of the Orient are restless, uneasy.
01:12The police department expects war between rival tongues to break out at any moment, and is prepared.
01:18What is behind this uneasiness?
01:20Is it something that concerns only the Chinese, or is there an Occidental hand at work, pulling the strings like a phantom puppeteer?
01:28As our story opens, patrolman Dan Garrett, who in secret is the Blue Beetle, discusses the situation with his friend and confidant, Dr. Franz, in his little apothecary shop.
01:38You know, Doc, weaning here on this counter, it's hard to realize that you and I are only a few city blocks away from the Orient.
01:45You're referring to Chinatown?
01:46Yeah.
01:47Well, I wish I knew what was going on down there.
01:50Do you think rival tongues are about to war on each other?
01:52Nope, I don't.
01:53Then what do you think is causing this unrest the newspapers speak of?
01:57Fear and resentment.
01:58Resentment?
01:59Of whom?
02:00Of us.
02:00You mean the police?
02:01Nope.
02:02A white race.
02:03But what have we done to them?
02:04We don't molest them.
02:06Well, it isn't that.
02:07I think there's some sort of a racket going on down there.
02:10Are you going to do anything about it?
02:11Well, I'm going to ask the chief to assign me to a beat in Chinatown.
02:15You'd better be careful, Danny.
02:17You could disappear down there and no one would ever find you.
02:19Well, be careful, all right.
02:21I've got a friend down there.
02:22A Chinese?
02:23Yeah.
02:24Restaurant keeper, Ling Wan.
02:26Culture gentleman.
02:27I saved his life once and he's never forgotten.
02:29I'd imagine he could be very helpful.
02:31Well, I've got to run down to headquarters now.
02:34Maybe Mannegan and I can both get assigned to that district.
02:36Well, good luck to you, Danny boy.
02:37Thanks, Doc.
02:38So long.
02:40Patrolman Dan Garrett is headed to the airport.
02:41It's headed for the Orient.
03:00You know, Danny, it's a wonder to me there ain't more big fires down here in Chinatown.
03:05Why, Mike?
03:05Well, everything's so congested.
03:07How's a fire engine ever going to get through here?
03:10Well, I'd be willing to bet that if I should sound a siren on this car, we'd have a clear track ahead almost immediately.
03:16Yeah, them babies can certainly scatter in a hurry.
03:19Hey, what's that, though?
03:22That thug smashing up that Chinese restaurant.
03:24Come on, Mannegan.
03:25That looks like Ling Wan.
03:26Okay.
03:26Hey, there, there, there, there, you heathen slurping.
03:32Lay off or I'll blast you.
03:34All right, now, all right, tight down.
03:36Where's the guy?
03:37What's on this?
03:38The whirlwind has truck.
03:40Who knows whither the whirlwind goeth?
03:42Hey, what kind of truck is that?
03:44Whirlwind, may I?
03:45It was a bunch of hoodlums.
03:46A rolling one.
03:47Ah, my friend, the Honorable Dan Garrett.
03:50After the whirlwind, the face of the sun appears to spread light upon a dark and dreary scene.
03:56I'm afraid the face of the sun has appeared too late to be of any help to you, Ling Wan.
04:00That which hath been is done.
04:02Yeah, but we're the law, and we want to know who done it.
04:05Uh, Ling Wan, this is my friend and brother officer, Mike Mannegan.
04:08The devastation which is mine is honored by the presence of a friend of the brave and Honorable Dan Garrett.
04:14Well, now, we'd like to get the facts in this case.
04:16Uh, suppose you let me talk with Ling Wan, Mannegan, or you make a report on this.
04:21I've had a hunch something like this was happening frequently here in Chinatown.
04:42You say, Ling Wan, that if a merchant refuses to pay tribute,
04:46money to the one you call the Purple Dragon,
04:50or to buy his merchandise to him,
04:52his shop is wrecked as yours was just now?
04:54That is true, my friend.
04:56The Purple Dragon controls the commerce of Chinatown.
05:00Well, what happens if the merchant still refuses to deal with the Purple Dragon
05:03after his place of business is wrecked?
05:05Some member of his family disappears.
05:08If it is an elder son, he meets the hatchet man in some dark street.
05:15If a younger son, he is found strangled.
05:19If the merchant has only daughters, one of them is kidnapped and offered as a human sacrifice
05:25to please the Tibetan Earth Goddess.
05:28Do you mean to say that they're actually sacrificed?
05:31Killed?
05:32There is a ceremonial conducted by the Purple Dragon,
05:35which includes human sacrifice.
05:39Before the ceremony, however,
05:41the victim's hair is cut off and sent to her parents.
05:44If a sufficient amount of money is paid,
05:47the victim is released.
05:49Good Lord, Ling Wan.
05:50Why haven't the police been informed of this?
05:52One does not seek certain death, needlessly.
05:55The Purple Dragon's eyes are everywhere.
05:59Oh, Ling Wan,
06:00you're taking a great risk in having me in your home.
06:03But I assure you something will be done immediately to end this state of affairs.
06:07Who is this Purple Dragon?
06:09Have you any idea?
06:10He must be a powerful Oriental.
06:12There is a growing suspicion
06:14that the Purple Dragon is not of our race,
06:18but of yours.
06:19What?
06:20A white man?
06:21I am sorry to say it, my friend,
06:23but it is so.
06:24Well, Dan Garrett is going to do something about that,
06:27and he's starting right now.
06:30I've sworn to uphold the law,
06:32to serve justice,
06:34to drive every crooked racketeer from this city.
06:37This extortion racket must be smashed.
06:40Doc, I've never heard of such a fiendish method of extracting money from honest businessmen.
07:00And you say Ling Wan believes the Purple Dragon to be a white man?
07:04That's right.
07:05He must be a very rich man.
07:06Yes, I imagine there are very few who refuse to pay tribute or to purchase their supplies through that crook.
07:11Well, so far as you know,
07:13the Purple Dragon has confined his extortion activities to Chinese merchants.
07:17Yes.
07:17I feel certain that if his operations extended beyond the confines of Chinatown,
07:21the police would have heard of it.
07:23I wonder what the extra's about.
07:25Well, just a minute, Doc.
07:25I'll buy a paper.
07:27If the extra's read all about it,
07:29Commissioner Warren's daughter kidnapped.
07:31Here you are, boy.
07:31Yes, sir.
07:33If the extra's read all about it,
07:35Well,
07:36What do you know about this, Doc?
07:39Well, what is it, Danny?
07:40Commissioner Warren's daughter was kidnapped last night as she left a dance at the casino.
07:43Commissioner Warren?
07:44Yes, the Commissioner of Markets.
07:46Oh, I wonder what's back of that.
07:48The kidnappers can't expect to get much money out of Warren.
07:51He's not wealthy.
07:52No, and he's one of our most efficient officials.
07:54Say,
07:55you don't think...
07:57Well, what is it, Danny?
07:58I'm going over to Commissioner Warren's house and make a little investigation.
08:02Hey, hey, what's that?
08:03Someone gets through a stone through the store window.
08:05Oh, here it is.
08:06There's a note tied to it.
08:08Well, what does it say, Danny?
08:10It says,
08:11Devastating tornado descend upon honorable place of business.
08:16Its inquisitive patrolman Garrett extends nose into Chinatown.
08:21And it's signed, the Purple Dragon.
08:23Let me see that note.
08:25Yeah.
08:26It's apparently written with a brush that the Chinese use.
08:29Yes, yes.
08:30But it wasn't written by a Chinese.
08:32How do you mean?
08:33Chinese writing is distinctive.
08:36The technique of Chinese brush writing is such that even if a Chinese were writing
08:40in English, the brush marks would be distinctively Chinese.
08:44This note was written by a man who at one time might have lettered addresses on shipping
08:48aces.
08:49A shipping clerk, I would say.
08:51Well, that's very interesting, Doc.
08:52The Purple Dragon, or whoever writes his notes for him, is a white man.
08:57Well, Doc, this note spikes my gun.
09:00I can't endanger you and your business.
09:01Oh, don't be silly, Danny.
09:02Don't be silly.
09:03Your duty comes first.
09:05I can take care of things here.
09:07And just let somebody start something.
09:09There are things in my laboratory back there that will make them wish they'd stayed away.
09:13Well, I've got to be going, Doc.
09:15Take care now and don't worry.
09:17I'm not going to Chinatown.
09:19My next call is in the opposite direction.
09:32Commissioner Warren, I've been assigned by the police commissioner to do a little investigating
09:36in this case.
09:37Yes, I'm glad you have, my boy.
09:39I'd appreciate any information you could give me, Commissioner.
09:41I'll give you what I can.
09:43Have you any enemies?
09:45Yes, plenty of them.
09:47In my position, there are bound to be individuals and groups who resent my interference with
09:51their attempts to extort money from the firms that do business with the city.
09:54Oh, there is an extortion racket.
09:56Well, yes.
09:57At least I am convinced that many merchants are paying out money to protect their goods
10:01and places of business from destruction.
10:03In Chinatown, for instance?
10:06Oh, yes.
10:07How did you know?
10:09I have a friend in Chinatown.
10:11I see.
10:12Well, to be frank with you, I've been conducting a quiet investigation down there.
10:16Do you think your daughter's kidnapping is in retaliation?
10:18I'm certain it is.
10:19Why?
10:20This note.
10:21I received it about an hour ago.
10:23Here, read it.
10:25The Tibetan Earth Goddess is angry.
10:28You are interfering with her plan.
10:30Unless you cease your efforts, you will never see your daughter again.
10:35Signed, the Purple Dragon.
10:38Hmm.
10:39This note was written by a white man also.
10:41Beg pardon?
10:41What did you say?
10:42Hmm?
10:43Oh, I, uh...
10:44I said this note was written...
10:45Excuse me.
10:47Messenger, leave package for Annabelle, Commissioner.
10:50Thanks, Lingchow.
10:51Who was it?
10:52Lingchow.
10:52No, see.
10:53Messenger, push button.
10:55Leave package on doorstep.
10:56None away.
10:57All right, Lingchow.
10:58You may go.
10:59Uh, better not open that, Commissioner.
11:00Hmm?
11:01Might be a time bomb or some type of infernal machine that'll explode when opened.
11:04It doesn't feel heavy enough.
11:06Any sound of ticking?
11:08Not that I can hear.
11:09Better let me have that package.
11:10I'll open it.
11:11You stand over there.
11:12Now, be careful, Garrett.
11:13Boss can't afford to lose men like you, you know.
11:15Thanks, Commissioner.
11:17Well, here goes.
11:20Hmm.
11:21What is it?
11:23A box full of golden hair.
11:26My daughter.
11:26Her hair is that color.
11:28You don't think that...
11:29Oh, no.
11:29She's not dead yet, but something will have to be done quickly, and I'm going to do it.
11:33What are you going to do, Dan?
11:34I've got a hunch, and I'm going to play it.
11:36What can I do to help?
11:38Call up the Income Tax Bureau and find out, if you can, which two or three persons in the
11:42city showed the greatest increase of income last year.
11:46Also, find out anything else you can about them.
11:48When you get the information, phone it to Dr. Franz or to me at his shop.
11:53I'm certain that one of these persons will prove to be the Purple Dragon.
12:18What does Dan Garrett plan to do next?
12:21Will his activities draw down upon his good friend, Dr. Franz, the wrath of the Purple
12:25Dragon?
12:26What will happen when the Blue Beagle faces the Purple Dragon?
12:31Meanwhile, in a rumor joining the auditorium of a little Chinese theater deep within the
12:35confines of Chinatown, a group of hard-faced men are receiving instructions from their
12:41chiefs.
12:42I want you men to get this straight.
12:43There must be no slip-up.
12:45At 11.30 tonight, you have Commissioner Warren in this theater, or else.
12:49I don't care how you get him here, but get him.
12:52Sure, boys, we'll get him.
12:53Bring him in the back way.
12:55Put him in one of the boxes to the left of the stage.
12:57Is that clear?
12:58Yes.
12:58You two men stay with us.
13:00Tell him if he makes a move to escape, he'll never see his daughter alive again.
13:05You got that straight?
13:05Yeah, we got it straight.
13:07Well, and you leave the rest to the Purple Dragon.
13:20In Dr. Franz's laboratory, Dan Garrett is donning the mask and blue chain armor of the
13:25Blue Beetle.
13:26Oh, Danny, Commissioner Warren called just before you arrived.
13:30Oh, what did the commissioner have to say?
13:31He said the two most financially successful men last year were Roger Gillespie, the contractor,
13:38and a fellow by the name of Anthony Rondos.
13:40Gillespie seems to have made a fortune during the building boom last year, and Rondos apparently
13:45made a great success of the importing business.
13:48Rondos is our man, I'm sure of it.
13:50Where's he lived, did Warren say?
13:51Yes.
13:52He recently bought the Ridley home.
13:54I know that place.
13:56Yes, Danny, I know.
13:57I remember you visited the house secretly one night while you were making an investigation
14:01of Banker Ridley's strange death on the operating table.
14:04That's the place.
14:05Well, that'll be the Beef Bull Beetle's first call tonight.
14:08So long, Doc.
14:09Yes, this is Rondos.
14:23What's that?
14:25Now, now, listen, Navy.
14:26I won't be able to see you tonight.
14:28I'm going with some of the boys to a show.
14:30A Chinese masquerade.
14:33What?
14:34Well, I'm going as the Purple Dragon.
14:38Yeah.
14:39Ain't that something?
14:40Yeah.
14:41Yeah, well, goodbye.
14:42I've got to get going.
14:48The Blue Beetle.
14:49Yes, Mr. Purple Dragon, alias Tony Rondos.
14:52Extortionist and blackmailer, the Blue Beetle.
14:54No, you're wise to my racket, eh?
14:56Yes, and I'm going to end your racket tonight.
14:58That's what you think.
14:59But no one is going to end my racket tonight or any other night.
15:02I'll just bother to shoot.
15:04Your bullets can't pierce this chain armor I'm wearing.
15:06The Blue Beetle is...
15:08Oh, my throat.
15:10Good work, Wang Pau.
15:11Pull the silken cord tighter around the Blue Beetle's neck.
15:14And that's enough.
15:16He's gone under.
15:17Let him drop.
15:18Is the Blue Beetle dead?
15:22I don't know, but tie him up and throw him in the vault downstairs.
15:25Oh, here.
15:26Here's a hundred bucks.
15:26Buy yourself a new opium pipe.
15:28I'm going down to Chinatown.
15:30I'll deal with the Blue Beetle later.
15:32Oh.
15:32Oh.
15:32Oh.
15:32Oh.
15:33Oh.
15:33Oh.
15:34Oh.
15:34Oh.
15:35Oh.
15:35Oh.
15:36Oh.
15:36Oh.
15:36Oh.
15:37Oh.
15:37Oh.
15:38Oh.
15:38Oh.
15:39Oh.
15:40Oh.
15:40Oh.
15:41Oh.
15:42Oh.
15:44Oh.
15:44Oh.
15:45Oh.
15:46Oh.
15:46Oh.
15:47Oh.
15:47Oh.
15:48I demand to know where you're taking me.
15:51To see your daughter, Commissioner Warren.
15:53Where is she?
15:53Where have you hidden her?
15:54If you've harmed the hair of her head, I'll see...
15:56Don't worry, Commissioner.
15:58She ain't dead yet.
16:00Her hair's a little short since the purple dragon cut it off.
16:03But that was necessary for the part she's playing tonight.
16:06Part?
16:06What part?
16:07She's playing a part in a Chinese play.
16:09What sort of a game is this?
16:10My daughter's not an actress.
16:12Let me out of here.
16:13Quiet.
16:13Quiet, Commissioner.
16:14If you want to see your daughter again, alive,
16:17all right.
16:21What is it you want?
16:22A purple dragon wants you to resign as Commissioner of Marquis.
16:25What?
16:26Never.
16:27I've sworn to protect the merchants of this city against extortion rackets,
16:31and I intend to do it.
16:32Better think it over, Commissioner.
16:34This part your daughter's playing is awful dangerous.
16:39Come on, Commissioner.
16:40This is the place.
16:41In you go.
16:43Maybe you'll change your mind when you see the plane.
16:58Meanwhile, in his laboratory,
16:59Dr. Franz is working on some of his interesting experiments.
17:03Hmm.
17:04Mm-hmm.
17:05Yes.
17:06Now, let's see.
17:07Four cc's of number 17.
17:11Someone out front in the store.
17:13Uh, coming.
17:15You always say,
17:16Dr. Franz?
17:18Yes.
17:18Yes, I am Dr. Franz.
17:20What can I do for you?
17:21Oh, me.
17:23How do I look in this Chinese costume?
17:25What?
17:25Oh, Danny.
17:27Bless my soul.
17:28Well, well, well, well, you know, you know, for a minute, I, I thought Confucius himself
17:32had entered my shop, and my disguise is, oh, it's excellent, Danny, excellent.
17:36Uh, but why is the Blue Beetle dressed as a Chinese coolie?
17:39Well, the Blue Beetle is attending a theater party in the old Chinese theater tonight as
17:43an uninvited guest.
17:45And I think that when the party is over, the purple dragon and his extortion racket will
17:49be a thing of the past.
17:50Anything I can do to help?
17:52Yes.
17:52Well, I, uh, saw among your collection of curios an ugly Chinese warrior's mask.
17:58I'd like to borrow it for tonight.
17:59Why, sit with me, Danny.
18:00Sit with me.
18:01I, I'll get it for you.
18:02It, it, it's in this chest right over here.
18:04I'm going to throw a scare into some real as well as fake Chinese tonight.
18:08Ah, here, here it is.
18:10Hey, what an ugly mask.
18:13Here, let me put it on.
18:15There we are.
18:17Now, how do I look?
18:18Oh, terrifying.
18:19That's good.
18:20Well, the stage is set and the audience is waiting.
18:24Good night, Doc.
18:25The Blue Beetle is playing a new role tonight.
18:43In a dimly lit auditorium, a hushed group of Chinese merchants await the performance they
18:48have been ordered to attend.
18:50In a box at the left of the stage sits a man, apparently the only Occidental present.
18:56Beside him sit two grim-looking individuals in Chinese costumes.
19:01A strange power seems to hold the audience hypnotized as the curtain begins to ascend and
19:07reveals a large altar in the center of the stage, surrounded by lighted candles.
19:11Upon the altar is stretched the bound figure of a white girl, shorn of her hair and clad in
19:19a white silk kimono, embroidered with a large purple dragon.
19:24Before the altar stands a gigantic Chinese, his head covered with a golden helmet and his face
19:32hidden behind a cruel, hideous mask.
19:35His upraised hands clutch a two-edged sword.
19:39Back of him are grouped a dozen-tenth muscled Chinese, likewise masks.
19:43Suddenly, mighty Tibetan goddess angry.
19:50The white infidel has defied her will, so Tibetan goddess must be appeased.
19:57Human sacrifice must be made upon the altar.
20:02No!
20:03No!
20:04That's my daughter!
20:05I am your daughter!
20:06Tibetan goddess, speak again.
20:07The white say, death to white maiden.
20:08No!
20:09No!
20:10No!
20:11I'll do anything!
20:12What is it you demand?
20:13White infidel interfere with priests of Tibetan Earth goddess.
20:15He encourage Chinese merchants to withhold tribute.
20:16My priest, Purple Dragon, demand you'll resign from my office.
20:17No!
20:18I won't do anything!
20:19That's my daughter!
20:20No!
20:21That's my daughter!
20:22That's my daughter!
20:23I am your daughter!
20:24I am your daughter!
20:25I am your daughter!
20:26I am your daughter!
20:27I am your daughter!
20:28I am your daughter!
20:29I am your daughter!
20:30I am your daughter!
20:31I am your daughter!
20:32I am your daughter!
20:33I am your daughter!
20:34I am my daughter!
20:36I am her daughter!
20:37I am your daughter!
20:38I am your daughter!
20:39I am my daughter!
20:40The kind of goddess have opened.
20:43Her verdict is just quite laden.
20:48Only her blood the fondest also will appease Earth goddess.
20:54The blue beetle!
20:55The beetle!
20:56Yes!
20:57The Blue Beetle!
20:58of the oriental god of final judgment is the blue beetle is in the vault of my home
21:06when so put him there oh god of impression he calls for sacrifice oh god i give you
21:16your brother i'll bless you with my magic ray the world of old goddess is in ruling
21:22he cannot be part willing to give the father's a special soul
21:30get it all over you you'll ruin our racket oh
21:33one thing all of you real training in chinese i can handle you all
21:39this is for you must be never go down there triple dragon and here you go
21:45and here comes the police to pick up the pieces come on and get out of here no you don't
21:50there'll be room for you in the wagon but don't move people like chinese the sword
21:54that's going to take care of you these tiny sevens of course thanks commissioner for the warning hey
22:01you merchant to the audience here's your chance to clean up your own racket
22:09clean out the rats that have been infesting after this no more will the purple dragon shake the thought
22:14of human sacrifice over your head he has been unmasked by the blue beetle the blue people's work is done
22:31and so the blue beetle smashed another racket and regained for his fellow citizens the admiration and
22:42respect of a grateful people later that night patrolman dan garrett no longer in the costume of the blue
22:48beetle sits in dr fran's laboratory discussing the case with dr fran well danny uh what gave you your
22:55first clue the package of hair the commissioner received and to think that such things can be
23:02why didn't some of those chinese merchants report this racket to the police you're a vengeance you
23:06know doc fear is the greatest enemy of mankind back of every hatred every failure every broken
23:12human relationship that's very true danny well doc run along now gotta get some sleep sometime that's
23:18true patrolman dan garrett has to rest if the blue beetle wants to fly good night doc i'll go up in
23:24tomorrow and see how you're coming along with that new portable television set you're building
23:39so dr franz is working on a portable television set will it be successful how can the blue beetle
23:45use it to run down criminals what will be the blue beetles next case these questions will be answered
23:50in the next episode of the blue beetle
24:04and now here's the blue beetle himself to say a few words
24:12the moral of this story as i see it is that mankind is the same irrespective of color race
24:19nationality or religion if everyone realized that probably there'd be fewer wars in other words there
24:28are the good and the evil the strong and the weak among all peoples and all races in our world yes and
24:36perhaps in other worlds cultivate and associate with the good fight the bad admire the strong and help the weak
24:45no matter what your color race nationality or religion
25:04the blue beetle is a copyrighted fox feature appearing in mystery men comics magazine and the blue beetle
25:10magazine the blue beetle is on the air twice a week on this same station
25:15consult the broadcast schedule in your local newspapers and don't forget to listen in to
25:19the blue youtube
25:21the blue beetle
25:33oh
25:33oh
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