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Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 7 of 7)

Dick Powell is not only a voice actor. He's also a famous singer.[Photo © Yastremska/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 7

The battle with Spence is over, but there is still a lot of psychology involved in how Richard treats his girlfriend's questions and in how he and Walt handle 'Thank-yous'.

Women are from Venus...

Helen wants to know how Richard hurt his hand, but Richard doesnt want to tell her about his day. What does this show you about Richards beliefs about men and women?

Don't thank me

Whats the problem with doing a favour for your friend? Well, your friend then feels obligated to return the favour. How do you pay someone back for saving your life? This is the dilemma that complicates Richard and Walt's telephone conversation.

Listen and try to figure out...

~ why Richard behaves the way he does with Helen and Walt.

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Quizlet:

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Review time: Listen to the whole play again, from beginning to end, Length: [29:33].

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Richard is quite typical of what a man should be in the 1950s. Why doesn't he tell Helen what happened to his hand? And why do Richard and Walt get upset with each other over the phone? Share your understanding of the psychology behind these conversations in the comments below.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 6 of 7)

Spence relates how he built the bomb.[Photo © Couperfield/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 6

Diamond has a psychological advantage now. He goes back in knowing more than he did the first time. And this time, he has a plan. But for his plan to work, he needs Walt Levinson's cooperation and Otis' help in the music department. Together, they try to disarm Spence.

A Psychological Advantage

Knowing how Spence thinks of himself and how he feels misunderstood and unappreciated, Diamond is able to go in and tell Spence exactly what he wants to hear. He is still having a difficult time convincing Spence that he understands him, but gradually Spence does come to believe that Diamond recognizes his talent. For this, he is willing to spare Diamond's life, but he is still determined to go through with his plan of blowing up the police station. Then the music starts...

Do you hear that?

...music that no one else seems to hear. He's convinced that his own mind is creating it, that he is composing a song. Diamond continues to pour on the flattery about Spence's talent.

Spence's Masterpiece

Then Diamond has to masterfully turn the conversation from music to the bomb. He has to find out how it works so that he can disable it. Can he talk about the bomb without getting Spence overly excited? Will Diamond be able to save the day?

Listen to find out...

~ who wins this psychological battle, Spence or Diamond.

Well, it’s a real success story, isn’t it? Who would you like to praise or congratulate? Sometimes we call praise ‘kudos’. You could say, “Kudos to Diamond for…” or “Kudos to Otis for…” Any kudos for Spence? Try handing out a few kudos in the comments below.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 5 of 7)

Otis is nervous that he'll louse it all up.[Photo © Dean Drobot/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 5

Richard Diamond gets back to the fifth precinct with phonograph and album in hand. He puts Otis in charge of the music while he himself returns to the room with Spence and Walt Levinson.

Thoughts of Becoming a Maryr

Spence is getting excited. Time is almost up and the mayor hasn't jumped, but he will still be able to make his statement to the world by blowing himself and Lieutenant Levinson up... and maybe Diamond and Otis, too. He'll be a martyr and people will finally recognize his great genius. This is what is getting him excited. Diamond is worried that he might 'jump the gun'. (Like a runner in a race, he might start before the starting gun goes off.) He certainly has 'an itchy trigger finger'! He really wants to use the trigger to make the bomb go off.

The Challenge

Diamond has to make sure Spence doesn't blow up the fifth precinct a few minutes early. Otis needs the time to get the phonograph playing, and Diamond needs the music to carry out his plan. So Diamond makes a direct challenge to Spence. "All right, Spence," he says. "I'm going to prove you're wrong. I'm going to prove that I know more about you than you think!" It's daring. It's bold. You might even say it was a desperate attempt, but it's gotten Spence curious and he's still engaged in the conversation.

Listen to predict...

~ what will happen when Otis gets the music playing.

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Sergeant Otis has a small part to play in Diamond's plan, but how important is it? If he louses it up, what will the end result be? If you were Diamond, would you leave the phonograph in Otis' hands? Please share your thoughts in a comment below.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 4 of 7)

Cool sales clerk making suggestions[Photo © YakobchukOlena/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 4

The psychiatrist gave Diamond a good idea. In order to use what he just learned about Spence, Diamond needs some music. He goes shopping at a music store but gets impatient with the sales clerk for obstructing justice.

Time Pressure

Diamond is under time pressure. He isn't at the store to browse. He needs to make this purchase right away, as quickly as possible. But the young sales clerk is chatty and also has store policy to follow.

Getting It Right

It was important to get the music right. It needed to be something that would move the emotions. It also needed to be calming.

Obstructing Justice

The clerk is so insistent on following the store policy that Diamond finally threatens to arrest her. What is the crime? Obstructing justice - getting in Diamond's way of apprehending a criminal.

Listen to predict...

~ what Diamond will do with the music.

Quizlet:

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Richard Diamond now has a phonograph and an album of waltz music. Do you think he has made a good choice on the music he selected? Please leave a comment below.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 3 of 7)

A psychiatrist gives insight on what makes Spence tick.[Photo © YakobchukOlena/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 3

Diamond consults with a couple psychiatrists and gains a lot of insight about how Spence's mind works. This is crucial information, but he still has to figure out a way to use this information to save Lieutenant Levinson, Spence's hostage.

What makes Louis Spence tick?

The psychiatrist has worked with Spence for four years in the mental hospital. He tells Diamond how Spence sees himself, how he sees authority, and whether he is capable of carrying out his threat.

Psychiatric Therapy

For Spence, his therapy used music. Hearing beautiful music made him feel secure. He sees himself as very talented and sometimes even believed he himself had written the song. But the feelings of safety and security brought on by the music would not last long. He would fight off anything that he felt was manipulating him to be good.

Insight

Time's up! Diamond has to get going, but at least the doctor has given him an idea.

Listen to predict...

~ what Diamond will do with the insight he has gained.

Quizlet:

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The psychiatrist helped us get inside the mind of Louis Spence. Now that you understand him better, what would you do it you had to stop him? Try to help Richard out with some suggestions. You can leave your suggestions in a comment below.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 2 of 7)

Time is running out.[Photo © Stoathphoto/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 2

Diamond gets pulled in to meet the insane man face to face. Will he be taken hostage too? His former boss and friend, Lieutenant Levinson, who has already been taken hostage by the crazed activist, doesn’t like doing this to Diamond, but he needs help…and Diamond is much more capable than Sergeant Otis.

Doomed

Lieutenant Levinson has given up hope. He called Diamond in to help, but the situation seems hopeless. What could Richard Diamond possibly do? What could any man do?

Hostage Negotiations

Diamond tries reasoning and negotiating with Spence, but Spence doesn't wear down. He knows he has the upper hand and enjoys shocking people with his demands.

The Dilemma

Diamond and Otis clear the building. But they have no idea about how to solve the hostage situation beyond that. Diamond isn't used to dealing with the insane. They seem too unpredictable, so he doesn't know what to do. Otis doesn't understand crazy people either. In fact, "Who does?" he says. Well, that gives Diamond an idea.

Listen to find out...

~ what Spence wants Diamond to do.

Quizlet:

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What is Richard Diamond's first strategy? At the end of this scene, who does Diamond decide to visit? Take a guess and share your thoughts in a comment below.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective — The Louis Spence Case (Part 1 of 7)

Otis: He won't let us in. He won't let the Lieutenant out! He's sitting there holding a big bomb, and it's ready to go off![Photo © Elnur/www.Bigstock.com]

Summary of Part 1

Bumbling cop, Sergeant Otis, pulls Richard Diamond away from chit-chatting with his girlfriend to rescue Lieutenant Levinson from a crazy man.

A little background

As the series title says, Richard Diamond is a private detective. Richard used to be a police detective, working for the police force. So he knows the guys on the police force. He used to work for Lieutenant Levinson and they are still good friends. Sometimes Levinson asks for his help on a case. As a private detective, Diamond can chose whether to take the case or not, and he isn’t quite as restricted to following the rules. That means, if need be, he can punch or threaten to shoot someone to make him talk, but a police detective wouldn't be allowed to do that. Six years ago, he worked with the men who are still on the police force. Diamond respects some of his former colleagues, but not all of them. He is always putting Sergeant Otis down. It is always done as a joke, but his teasing is cruel. In Diamond’s opinion, Otis isn’t intelligent enough.

Intelligent Private Eye vs Bumbling Cops

A little tension between the police and the private detective is quite typical of the detective story genre. It makes the private detective necessary because the police are bumbling idiots that will mess up the investigation.

An Extremist Making a Point

The story we’ll be listening to is called “The Louis Spence Case”. It was first aired on March 5th of 1950. That’s a long time ago, but it’s still relevant today. Louis Spence has a bomb and he has a cause that he’s willing to die for. In today’s world, we often hear news about a guy blowing himself up along with a lot of other people at the same time. We might call him a terrorist or a suicide bomber. He’s extreme and he’s trying to make a point. It’s often for a political cause. In this story, the bomber has his reasons too. As you listen to the story, think about the psychology behind the actions — what is it that makes Louis Spence ‘tick’? What is it that makes him do what he does?

Listen to find out...

~ what Otis has to tell Diamond.

Quizlet:

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Otis sure is in a panic! Do you think Diamond should go down to the police station with him? What is the risk? Share your thoughts in a comment below.

Andy's actions speak loudly in his favor. He kills a man, but in doing so, his motives shine through. ~ Gunsmoke, The Choice, part 5

Andy's actions speak loudly in his favor. He kills a man, but in doing so, his motives shine through. ~ Gunsmoke, The Choice, part 5

~ Gunsmoke, The Choice, Part 4

Photo: © Bigstock Photo |  jeffbanke Andy: Any objections, Marshall?

Getting Up on the Wrong Side of Bed

Andy didn't appreciate the night in jail. He and Matt don't see it the same way at all. Matt locked him up for his own good, to protect him while he was drunk. But Andy, too sure of himself for his own good, was sure he could look after himself. It's morning now and he's being released, but he's not relieved its over. Oh, no! He's sullen and angry. You might say he's "gotten up on the wrong side of bed". He feels untrusted by Matt Dillon, the Marshal of Dodge City, so in return, he keeps his distance.

A Bad Gamble

Let's look at it from Matt's point of view, now. He really wants to help Andy, so Andy's rejection hurts him. He actually sees himself in Andy. A little of Matt's background is hinted at here, but he doesn't go into any details. That was the old Matt. He's a new man now...and Andy could be too! But Matt knows that decision will have to be Andy's personal choice. He cannot make it for him. Matt wants to believe in Andy, to trust that he'll make the right decision, but at this point, that looks doubtful. Matt fears he has made a bad gamble. He bet on Andy doing the right thing, but it looks like he'll lose that bet.

Suspicious Behavior

As Andy distances himself from Matt and the law, Matt interprets it as suspicious behavior. It looks like Andy is up to something. He's gotten hired back on by Jim Buck as the shotgun man. Andy's certainly a likable fellow, and charm can be used to hide one's true motives. Matt understands the deceptive side of human nature and he also knows a few facts that, when added up, make it look like Andy's charming behavior and springs from highly suspect motives.

You've Been Warned

Matt warns Andy that he suspects he's 'up to something'. It looks like he's planning to do something bad or deceitful – a little bit tricky. Matt hopes the warning prompts Andy to make the right choice.

Listen to find out...

~ how Andy got hired back on with Jim Buck, and

~ why Matt thinks that is suspicious behavior.

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Do you believe that Andy is going straight, or do you think he and Kerrick really are up to something? What brings you to this conclusion? Tell us all about it in a comment below.