Originally Aired: September 7, 1948
Philo Vance #9, "The Midget Murder Case,"
Theatrical manager Billy Edwards is shot during rehearsal with his vaudeville troupe, which includes Colonel Tim the midget, trapeze artist Louise, human giant Andy Anderson, and magician Duke Miller. When District Attorney Markham discovers the tiny two-inch French pistol used in the shooting, he calls in Philo Vance to investigate. Edwards lies unconscious in the hospital, unable to identify his attacker, while Vance keeps the manager's condition secret from the newspapers and his suspicious performers.
As tensions rise among the troupe members, Duke Miller tries to convince Louise to team up without Edwards, hinting at romantic feelings and making veiled threats about revealing Edwards' relationship with her. The protective Colonel Tim fetches the gentle giant Andy Anderson to defend Louise from Duke's advances. When Vance arrives to question the group, he warns them that evidence will soon send one of them to prison. The case takes a darker turn when Markham and Sergeant Heath discover Mrs. Edwards' body stuffed in a trunk, strangled by someone with powerful hands.
