Casey, Crime Photographer
Death of a Rattlesnake
Recreation
by
Set in the world of newspaper crime reporting, Casey, Crime Photographer follows photographer Casey and reporter Ann as they investigate murders and other crimes. Their work takes them from crime scenes to the Blue Note, where Casey and the club’s bartender, Ethelbert, often talk over the latest case.
This recreation presents “Death of a Rattlesnake,” a story built around a murdered blackmailer, an actress with a hidden past, and a former newspaper employee recently released from prison. Casey’s investigation connects the victim to Sylvia Brewster and to Peters, her father. The script was reused from an earlier broadcast under the title “Account Settled,” with the story’s characters and clues leading toward a confession and a fatal consequence.
Staats Cotsworth reprises his role as Casey, joined by Vicki Vola, Marvin Miller, Frank Nelson, and Betty Wragge. Organist Ashley Miller provides the music, with direction by Ira Ashley and sound effects by Ed Blainey and Walt Gustafson. The performance has the immediacy of a live radio recreation, including a cast assembled for the occasion rather than the original ensemble. Its mix of newsroom investigation, noir-tinged mystery, and the familiar Blue Note wrap-up makes it a distinctive entry in the series.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.