The Here's Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, private detective.

Hello there, this is Diamond.

Well, it's Christmas Eve Eve and every year about this time my business takes a big nose dive.

People usually pack up their troubles and start unpacking colored lights and Christmas tree ornaments. So tonight instead of

telling you about one of my hair-raising exploits we're going to tell you a

Christmas story. So with apologies to Mr. Charles Dickens, we'd like to bring you an adaptation of one of his most famous stories,

The Christmas Carol.

Now, I'd better explain something first.

This version isn't exactly the way you heard it many times before.

Because the particular type of characters I usually get mixed up with,

this story is written to fit their talents and characteristics.

Different from the Dickens original story. written to fit their talents and characteristics.

Different from the Dickens original, certainly,

but we feel that this story could easily happen today anywhere.

Like maybe right here in New York on a little side street just off the boundary. So now I'd like to introduce our

characters. Mr Eberdiser Scrooge will be played by my good friend and guiding hand

to the 5th Precinct Homicide Division. Lieutenant Walter. What?

Otis.

The character of Jacob Marley will be played by one of my dearest friends and constant

companions.

Otis, that's you, eh?

Oh, uh, Sergeant Otis Loveloon.

...