Mark Saber, Homicide Squad – Case of the Hair of the Dog - 1952 This is an episode of Mystery Theater. It was also called, Homicide Squad as well as, Mark Saber.
Saber, Tom Conway, is an ex Scotland Yard man who now works for a big city Police force in the U.S.
Phillip Van Zandt, a mobster wanted for questioning on a robbery, is picked up in front of the apartment of well know loan shark and racketeer, James Craven. Zandt, tells Police detective, James Burke, he could not have pulled the job since he was in visiting Craven.
Burke pays Craven a call and gets no answer at the door. A few boots to the door, soon gains entry. Inside, Burke finds Craven dead with a nice hole in the middle of his back. Zandt is hauled off to jail while Burke calls in, Inspector Mark Saber (Tom Conway). Conway looks over the body and notices dog hair on Craven's suit.
A quick look around Craven's apartment turns up a book with names and dollar amounts listed. Conway goes over the book and finds that one of persons in the book, Christine McIntyre, lives next door.
Saber questions McIntyre about the murder. No joy here as McIntyre has an airtight alibi. But she does have a rather annoying little dog.
Next on the list is local butcher, John Doucette. When asked by Conway why he owed Craven money, Doucette slugs Conway. This starts a general free for all with more than a few blows exchanged between the two. Conway finally gets the upper hand. Doucette admits to a gambling debt and then laughs. "No way I need to pay a dead man is there?" Conway now heads over to interview Craven's partner, Larry Blake. Does Blake know who would want Craven done in. During their talk, Conway notices a photo of McIntyre on the wall. He files that away and heads back to the squad room.
Saber now hears from the coroner's office. The hole in Craven's back was not caused by a bullet, but by a sharp blade.
And who uses a sharp blade? The butcher, Doucette maybe? Conway gives the matter some thought and then pays a new visit to McIntyre. Conway lets slip that he knows who the killer is. He also mentions he will be at Cravens apartment that evening.
Conway dims the lights and sits quietly in Cravens place waiting to see who comes a calling. In through the window comes Blake armed with a spear gun. "Ah, ha, that explains the hole in Cravens back". Conway thinks to himself.
Conway jumps Blake and delivers a sound beating. It seems that Blake was annoyed that Craven was making a play for his girl, McIntyre. He had climbed out on the ledge outside McIntyre's place and shot Craven with the spear gun. He then just reeled in the spear, leaving the body inside the locked apartment.
Blake is taken into custody and the case is closed.
Not great, but still a watch-able example of an early Police detective show.
The director was Howard Bertherton. The d of p was Walter Strenge.
In 1954, the series would move to the UK with Donald Gray taking over the title role. (b/w)
Saber, Tom Conway, is an ex Scotland Yard man who now works for a big city Police force in the U.S.
Phillip Van Zandt, a mobster wanted for questioning on a robbery, is picked up in front of the apartment of well know loan shark and racketeer, James Craven. Zandt, tells Police detective, James Burke, he could not have pulled the job since he was in visiting Craven.
Burke pays Craven a call and gets no answer at the door. A few boots to the door, soon gains entry. Inside, Burke finds Craven dead with a nice hole in the middle of his back. Zandt is hauled off to jail while Burke calls in, Inspector Mark Saber (Tom Conway). Conway looks over the body and notices dog hair on Craven's suit.
A quick look around Craven's apartment turns up a book with names and dollar amounts listed. Conway goes over the book and finds that one of persons in the book, Christine McIntyre, lives next door.
Saber questions McIntyre about the murder. No joy here as McIntyre has an airtight alibi. But she does have a rather annoying little dog.
Next on the list is local butcher, John Doucette. When asked by Conway why he owed Craven money, Doucette slugs Conway. This starts a general free for all with more than a few blows exchanged between the two. Conway finally gets the upper hand. Doucette admits to a gambling debt and then laughs. "No way I need to pay a dead man is there?" Conway now heads over to interview Craven's partner, Larry Blake. Does Blake know who would want Craven done in. During their talk, Conway notices a photo of McIntyre on the wall. He files that away and heads back to the squad room.
Saber now hears from the coroner's office. The hole in Craven's back was not caused by a bullet, but by a sharp blade.
And who uses a sharp blade? The butcher, Doucette maybe? Conway gives the matter some thought and then pays a new visit to McIntyre. Conway lets slip that he knows who the killer is. He also mentions he will be at Cravens apartment that evening.
Conway dims the lights and sits quietly in Cravens place waiting to see who comes a calling. In through the window comes Blake armed with a spear gun. "Ah, ha, that explains the hole in Cravens back". Conway thinks to himself.
Conway jumps Blake and delivers a sound beating. It seems that Blake was annoyed that Craven was making a play for his girl, McIntyre. He had climbed out on the ledge outside McIntyre's place and shot Craven with the spear gun. He then just reeled in the spear, leaving the body inside the locked apartment.
Blake is taken into custody and the case is closed.
Not great, but still a watch-able example of an early Police detective show.
The director was Howard Bertherton. The d of p was Walter Strenge.
In 1954, the series would move to the UK with Donald Gray taking over the title role. (b/w)
