Crackling Airwaves Old Time Radio
Oct 4, 2026 · 30 min · 9 segments
The Fat Man starred J. Scott Smart, who played the detective Brad Runyon. The show ran on the ABC Radio Network from 1946 to 1951. Supporting actors were Ed Begley, Betty Garde, Vicki Vola, and Paul…
A fat man is not supposed to have the physical endurance and staying power of the thinner, leaner boys.
When he lugs that extra weight around, he loses his wind quicker, and his muscles tire faster.
If you've ever made a forced march with 50 or 60 pounds of equipment on your back, you'll know what I mean about a fat man's extra weight.
But quick thinking will save a tremendous amount of energy, and a fat man has to save his energy in my business because you need every bit of it when you're fighting with a murderer.
[dramatic music plays] It's funny how much you can tell about a person at a glance, especially if you've trained yourself to take in everything.
I liked this guy the minute he walked in my office, and I felt sorry for him.
I liked him because his eyes were honest and intelligent.
He was in his late 30s, nice-looking without being handsome.
His conservative, well-made clothes told me he had a commuter's ticket in his pocket and a growing bank account he'd earned himself.
I felt sorry for him as he stood in front of my desk because I'd seen the same expression on the face of a soldier in Belgium when his wife wrote him she wanted a divorce.
He didn't waste any time, and I knew he was telling the truth.
Mr. Runyan, my name is Acheson, John Acheson.
Sit down, Mr. Acheson.
Oh, thanks.
I, I hope you'll understand.
I always try to.
What's the trouble?
I don't like this sort of thing.
I, I don't like anything sneaky or underhanded, but, but there's nothing else I can do.
I, I can't stand it any longer.
It's, it's driving me crazy.
I, I, I can't sleep.
I, I can't eat.
I, I walked around the block four times before I could make myself come in.
Wife trouble?
A fat man is not supposed to have the physical endurance and staying power of the thinner, leaner boys.
When he lugs that extra weight around, he loses his wind quicker, and his muscles tire faster.
If you've ever made a forced march with 50 or 60 pounds of equipment on your back, you'll know what I mean about a fat man's extra weight.
But quick thinking will save a tremendous amount of energy, and a fat man has to save his energy in my business because you need every bit of it when you're fighting with a murderer.
[dramatic music plays] It's funny how much you can tell about a person at a glance, especially if you've trained yourself to take in everything.
I liked this guy the minute he walked in my office, and I felt sorry for him.
I liked him because his eyes were honest and intelligent.
He was in his late 30s, nice-looking without being handsome.
His conservative, well-made clothes told me he had a commuter's ticket in his pocket and a growing bank account he'd earned himself.
I felt sorry for him as he stood in front of my desk because I'd seen the same expression on the face of a soldier in Belgium when his wife wrote him she wanted a divorce.
He didn't waste any time, and I knew he was telling the truth.
Mr. Runyan, my name is Acheson, John Acheson.
Sit down, Mr. Acheson.
Oh, thanks.
I, I hope you'll understand.
I always try to.
What's the trouble?
I don't like this sort of thing.
I, I don't like anything sneaky or underhanded, but, but there's nothing else I can do.
I, I can't stand it any longer.
It's, it's driving me crazy.
I, I, I can't sleep.
I, I can't eat.
I, I walked around the block four times before I could make myself come in.
Wife trouble?
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