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The Falcon - The Case of the Superfluous Murder

·28 min·2 clips

The Falcon is on a case where a gun has one bullet too many, and a man shares the same troubling problem.

This episode of Science Fiction Radio presents "The Falcon - The Case of the Superfluous Murder," a radio drama starring Les Damon as the Falcon. The story follows the Falcon, a detective character originally from novels and films, as he investigates a peculiar case. The episode is introduced by announcer Ed Hurley on behalf of the Kraft Foods Company. The Falcon receives a phone call from someone named Jimmy but must postpone their plans due to his current investigation. His case involves a gun that contains one bullet too many and a man experiencing a similar problem of excess. The narrative is framed as "the case of the superfluous murder," suggesting a killing that may be unnecessary or in excess. The episode is presented as part of a series of Sunday afternoon adventures for the character. A significant portion of the transcript consists of a promotional advertisement for Kraft salad oil. This advertisement describes the oil as a new, lighter-bodied product for homemade dressings, cooking, and baking. Kraft claims this is the first salad oil offered for home use by their company. The oil is promoted as being "super refined" by a special Kraft process for better mixing. The promotional message emphasizes the oil's utility in salad dressings, chiffon cakes, and any recipe requiring liquid shortening. Listeners are directly urged to look for the beautifully labeled bottle at their grocer. The detective's brief dialogue establishes an immediate sense of urgency and mystery around the central case. The concept of a "superfluous murder" introduces a classic mystery trope questioning motive and necessity. The advertisement frames the use of Kraft salad oil as its own "adventure in flavor" for the home cook. The promotional copy uses persuasive language, calling the oil "wonderful" and attributing "new magic" to it for recipes. The episode's tone is dramatic and suspenseful, fitting the thriller genre of the Falcon series. Its style blends narrative radio drama with a direct commercial interlude from the sponsor. Listeners who enjoy classic radio detective mysteries from the mid-20th century would appreciate this episode. Those seeking a continuous science fiction or purely narrative experience might skip it due to the prominent commercial content.

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