Arson in Old Time Radio

Of all the crooks and nogoodniks who prowl the underbelly of Old Time Radio, few are as low and despicable as an arsonist or firebug. A robber or murderer usually has a personal connection with their victims and might even be able to convince themselves that the victim somehow deserves the hurt visited upon them. The victim of a firebug is usually an innocent bystander, someone who is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If the arsonist had a shred of humanity, the possibility of harming an innocent victim would be enough to keep them from their chosen crime. Like other crimes, an arson case is based on motive, often it is to defraud an insurance company to get them to pay off on a policy by making the fire seem accidental. Unfortunately, actual accidents can occur leading to the death or injury of innocent bystanders or the heroic firefighters who respond to the criminally induced blaze.

There is a subset of arsonists who set fires for the dubious pleasure of watching a structure burn. A certain amount of pyromania is part of the human condition. Home-Coming Bon Fires are a spirit-building ceremony on campuses across the nation. Any Scout you talk to will have happy memories of safely building and tending their first campfire. Candles are a part of any romantic evening.

The pleasure of a firebug becomes deviant because the fire he sets does not have a constructive or social purpose beyond the perverse pleasure of watching a fire blaze. The firebug does not intend to hurt people, but they often do.

• Casey, Crime Photographer, January 1, 1948, CBS, "Hot New Years Eve Party". Instead of nursing their hangovers at the Blue Note on New Years' morning, Casey and Ann have been up all night covering a suspicious warehouse fire. Naturally, Casey and the cops suspect the local mob and know they cannot be touched until he and Ann discover that there is a witness whose life is in danger.
• The Green Hornet, April 13, 1946, WXYZ Detroit, ABC, "Figure on the Photograph". The fire chief loses his life in a clothing store fire. A photographer from Britt Reid's newspaper got a shot just as the building's walls are collapsing. The picture holds a clue about what really started the fire if only the police can be convinced.
• Calling All Cars, December 3, 1936, CBS/Don Lee Pacific Network, "The Fire Detective". Chief Lutke of the Oakland, California, Fire Department, describes how the arson squad works with the Fire Fighters to preserve evidence and with the police to apprehend the firebugs.
• Firefighters, March 30, 1950, Syndicated by William f. Holland Productions. Everyone thinks the old Wilcox mansion must be haunted, but Jimmy and Trudy Collins go in anyway because they are trying to raise funds for the Junior Fire Fighters Club. As they are leaving, over their shoulders they see that the house is on fire. After the fire department puts the blaze out, Jimmy and Trudy become the focus of an arson investigation.
• Crime Does Not Pay, July 3, 1950, MGM Syndication, WMGM New York, "The Lady Loves Kittens". A story of what may be the most nefarious crook in Old Time Radio, someone who is not only a firebug but who also hurts kittens!
• Suspense, March 27, 1948, CBS, "Night Must Fall". Based on the 1937 play by Emlyn Williams. Robert Montgomery hosts and acts in this adaptation. It is the story of a subtle and vicious murderer who tries to cover his tracks with arson.
• Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, April 5, 1959, CBS, "The Frisco Fire Matter". Johnny is supposed to get a major lead on a warehouse fire in San Francisco from his old friend, Smokey. Before the case can be broken, Smokey gets shot, which doubles Dollar's reasons for solving the case.