Lux Radio Theater: The Maltese Falcon

Original Release Date: June 11, 2023

Today's Mystery:Sam Spade (Edward G. Robinson) tries to solve the murder of his partner and gets drawn into the intrigue over a mysterious black-enameled bird.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 8, 1943

Originated in Hollywood

Starred: Edward G. Robinson as Sam Spade, Gail Patrick as Bridget O'Shaughnessy, Laird Cregar as Casper Gutman, Charlie Lung as Joel Cairo, Bea Benderret as Effie, Eddie Mars as Wilmer, Fred MacKaye, Norman Field, Warren Ashe

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Episode Transcript

(00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Stadum Graham.If you have a comment, email it
to me Box thirteen at Great Detectivesdot net. Follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us outon Instagram, Instagram, dot com,

(00:51):
slash Great Detectives. If you areenjoying this podcast, please follow us using
your favorite podcast software. Well,this is our four thousand, one hundredth
episode special and we're going to bringyou the Locks Radio Theater adaptation of the
Maltese Falcon. Now, typically Idon't do hour long specials except for two

(01:14):
hundredth episodes like four thousand, twohundred, four thousand, four hundred,
etc. However, we have anotherMaltese Falcon adaptation we're going to play when
we finish up the Sam Spade serieswith Stephen Dunne. So I don't want
to have a situation we're playing thatstory too often. All right, Well,

(01:38):
all that out of the way,we're going to be bringing you Edgar
g. Robinson in The Maltese Falcon, the original airdate February eighth, nineteen
forty three. Let's go ahead andtake a lesson Let's presents Hollywood. The

(02:07):
lux Radio Theater brings you Edward gRobinson, Gail Patrick, and Laird Creegar
In The Maltese Falcon, Ladies andGentlemen. Your producer, mister Cecil B.
DeMille, readings from Hollywood, Ladiesand Gentlemen. Some people like mystery

(02:31):
stories because of the intellectual challenge theypresent. Personally, I'm seldom able to
figure out who done it without skippingto the back of the book. But
give me a good detective story,and like presidents, bankers, housewives and
chorus girls the country over, Ifind that my own troubles hold up their

(02:52):
tents like the Arabs and silently stealaway to night. We point with pride
to a triumph of the art,the Dashal classic The Maltese Falcon, brought
to us by three of our favoritestars, Edward g Robinson, Gail Patrick
and Laird Krieger. The Warner Brothersscreenplay was masterfully written and directed by John

(03:14):
Houston, who comes by his talentnaturally because he's Water Houston's son. For
the next hour, we'll follow theeerie trail of this fabulous falcon, which
is coveted by many people to theirgradial fortune and to the gradial health of
a few. I think most ofus have a secret desire to be detectives.

(03:35):
At least that seems to be verytrue of this audience, because you've
done some good, practical detective workby discovering dozens of different ways to use
Luck's Flakes, and that doesn't makeany of us unhappy. Nowadays, many
familiar materials are doing a wartime job. Nylon and silk are going into parachutes,

(03:55):
cotton, rayon and wool into uniformsand many other time uses. That
means that we on the home frontmust make the things we have last longer
so that our boys on the fightingfronts will have what they need. You're
all trying to track down ways andmeans to make washable fabrics last. And

(04:15):
the clue that's giving you domestic detectivesdissolution is Luck's Flakes. But now let's
track down the boat He's falcon,because here's the first act, starring Edward
g. Robinson as Sam Spade,Gale Patrick as Brigid, and Laird Krieger
as Gutman. At two o'clock inthe morning, the city of San Francisco

(04:46):
lies sleeping under a blanket of fog. Along a lonely street, a man
walks slowly, his footsteps ringing hollowlyagainst the wet pavement. He passes a
deserted alley and stops. The manturns and peers for a long time into
the shadows. Suddenly, one ofthe shadows moved. The man stumbles backward,

(05:08):
his hands reach out to shield hisbody. All right, straight,
open up. We know you're inthe strade. Come on, what is
it? It's Dundee and Paul Haws. I want to speak to you.

(05:32):
Let tenant, nice time to makea call. Yeah, four in the
morning. What did you watch stuff? We don't have any hours. On
the fourth Spade and a couple ofquestions ask you, hi town, Hello
Sam? What do you know aboutthis killing? Spade? Very little?
Aren't you with your partner? Wasn'the that's right? Spade? And aren't

(05:53):
your private detective? I guess you'dhave to change that name. Yeah,
now on, I just am Spade. Yeah, you don't seem very broken
up over this Spade Miles. Aren'tyou get shot dead two hours ago and
you toss it off like a Scotchand soda? No excuse me, will
you have one lieutenant, No,I won't okay, mind if I have
one lieutenant? You don't like me, do you don? I don't like

(06:15):
any cups who on on the force. I asked you what you knew about
miles Arts are getting killed? Onceagain? Very little ther boys called me
a ten after two. I understandthey found a webbly automatic in the alley
with one bullet out of it.Yeahs, aren't you out on a job
last night? For sure? Hewas supposed to be telling a fellow named
Floyd Thursby. Thursby, what for? Come on speed? What for?

(06:36):
We were trying to find out wherehe lived state? Suppose you answer once
without thinking so hard? I don'tlike this done? They what are you
sucking around for? Tell me toget out? He asked you why you
were telling Thursby? I wasn't mileswide, but as well reasonab we had
a client. It was paying goodUnited States Monday to have him. Who's
the client? And I'm sorry Ican't tell you that they reasonable, Sam,
give us a chance. How canwe turn up anything on miles killing

(06:57):
if you won't tell us what you'vegot? Okay? It was a girl
who wanted us to tale Thursday.What girl came into the office yesterday afternoon.
I didn't know who she was.Eff He announced her about three o'clock,
said there was a girl to seeme, Carolyne. Girl to see

(07:18):
you, mister Spade. She says, her name's Wonderly. What is she
for your customer? I guess soyou'll want to see her anyway, mister
Spade. She's a naca. Ohif you were in, Effie Darling,
will you comm Thank you Spade?That's right? And what can I do
for you this wonderly? Well,I I don't know where to start.

(07:39):
I asked at the hotel for thename of a reliable private detective and they
mentioned yours. And I suppose youtell me about it from the very beginning.
Well, I'm from New York.I've come here to find my sister.
Well, are you sure she's inSan Francisco? She was two weeks
ago. I had a letter fromher. She she came here with a
man named Thursday. Floyd Thursday,I mean she ran away with him,

(08:01):
yes, or mister Spade. I'vegot to find her modern father and Honolulu,
and it would kill them. I'vegot to get her back before they
come home. Well, what didshe say on the letter? Nothing except
that she was all right. Isent her a note begging her not to
do anything foolish. I sent itto General Delivery. I told her I
was coming out together. I shouldn'thave done that, should I? Oh,
it's not always easy to know whatto do. I haven't found her.

(08:24):
No, No, I told herI'd be at the Saint Mark for
her to meet me there. ButI've waited three whole days. She didn't
come, didn't even send a message. It was horrible waiting. Yesterday afternoon
I went to the post office.Karin didn't come for her, Mayor,
but Floyd Thursday did or did youspeak to him? Yes, he wouldn't
tell me where Karin was, buthe promised to bring her to the hotel

(08:45):
this evening. Oh's all right,all right, oh, miss Wanderle.
This is mister Roger, my partner. How do you do anything I can
do? Sam? Well, MissWanderles sister ran away from New York with
a fellow named Thursbay As Wanderley seemsthirsty and has stated with him, knight

(09:05):
at the Saint Mark if you bringyour sister with him before your chances already,
won't Miss Wanderley want us to findhim as sister and get her away
from him back home? Right?Yes, but I want you to know
that he's a dangerous man. Idon't think you'd stop at anything. I
don't believe he'd hesitate to kill Corinif he thought it would save him.
At what time it's coming to seeyou? Between eight and ten? All
right, Miss Wanderley? Will havea man? Oh no, Sam,

(09:28):
No, this is too important forthat. I'll look after it myself,
Miss Wonderley. Oh, thank you, not at all? Oh? Oh
here, I I've brought some money. Will two hundred dollars be enough?
Oh? Again with yeah? Oh? Well, by the way, it
what helps him? If you meetThursday in the lobby, why will you
don't have to look for me,Miss Wanderley. I'll see you all right,

(09:50):
thank you? Goodbye, goodbye byMiss Wanderley. So good night,
yes, goodbye. What do youthink of you saw her first? Sam?
When I spoke first, I wasn'ttalking about a figure? What about
a story? Huh? Oh?What about it? Well? You got
a great brain, Mile, Yesyou have. Miles went out to tailor

(10:20):
Thursbay last night. Yeah, andThursbay shot him? Is that what you
think? Oh, that's what youthink that I don't know. Tom,
get on the phone, call aSaint Mark and ask for a girl name
Winderling. I thought of that myselfto Tanna, he's never registered. The
whole story was probably a fake,wasn't. How about yours, mister Spake?
Tell him what's your boyfriend getting at? I'll tell you what I'm getting
at, boyd. Thursday was shotdown in front of US hotel an hour

(10:41):
ago. Take a pause off me, easy, boss, don't got the
mother? Well were you the nightspade? I was right here all night
long? Got me proof? No? Do you think I shot Thursbay?
Huh yeah, I think you did. I know where I stand now Thursby
die? How did I kill him? I forget? He was shot three

(11:01):
times in the bank with the fortyfour. I'll tell people know anything about
him, nothing except they've been therea week alone alone? Or did you
find out who he was? Whathis game was? No, we thought
you could tell us dead. I'venever seen Thursday dead. Are alive?
Now? It looks if you didget Thursbey, you'll get a square deal
out of me. In most ofthe breaks know that I blame you a
life the man who killed your partner. But God wouldn't keep me from there.

(11:24):
To you fair enough, and Ifeel better about it if you'd have
a drink with me. No,no, Well, good night, gentlemen.
I'm tired. Hello, yes,oh, hello, this one la?

(11:54):
Where are you? Well? Godit department one, oh one.
I'll be there in a few minutes. Oh, by the way, what's
your name? Was warning Missus leBlanc? Okay, Missus LeBlanc, I

(12:16):
have a terrible confession to make.Yeah, go ahead, Missus le Blanc.
Well that that story I told youyesterday was all a story. Oh
that's all right. I didn't believeyour story anyhow. I believe you have
two hundred dollars. Oh you paidtoo much for someone who was telling the
truth. I see. Oh,let's clear up one thing first, mister
Blank, what your name now?What is it? Not le Blink?
No, it's really Shaughnessy. Firstname, Bridget Brigard Shaughnessy. Oh that's

(12:41):
what I can believe. Mister Spade. Tell me, am I to blame
for last night? Well, youwarned us that Thursby was dangerous. I
wouldn't say it was your porn.Oh thank you. Mister Archer was so
so alive yesterday, so solid andheart stop it any what he was doing.
Those are the chances we take anyway. There's no time for worrying about

(13:01):
that. Right now. There's aflock of cops running around with their noses
to the ground, mister Spade.Do they know about me? Well,
so far, all they know isif there's a girl somewhere. But must
they know about me at all?Mister Spade. Couldn't you manage to shield
me from home? Maybe? ButI'll have to know what it's all about.
Well, I can't tell you now. Later I will. You'll have
to trust me. Oh I'm soalone and afraid. I've got nobody to

(13:22):
help me. If you won't pleasetrust me, help me. Be generous,
mister Spinning. You don't need muchof anybody though you're good people arrived,
I think I man frob you getinto your voice when you say things
like he generates Spade All right,I deserved it, But the lie was
in the way I said nothing.What I said You're gonna leave if you're

(13:43):
like, oh no, not yet. I've got nothing against trusting you blindly,
but I can't do you any goodif I don't know what it's all
about. For instance, I've gotto have some sort of a line on
your friend's hrsby I met been HongKong. We came here just last week.
Where not from Hong Kong? Where? Why? I can't tell you.
I'll go on. I needed him, I was completely dependent on him.
He knew with me, took advantageof it to double Crossmo. Wow,

(14:07):
I can't tell you that either.Well, why do you want him
shadowed? I wanted to learn howfar he'd gone whom he was meeting?
Did he kill Archer? Yes,certainly, Firsbee had a luger in his
shoulder. Archer wasn't killed with alugar. Floyd always carried an extra devolve
in his overcoat pocket. Why allthe guns? He lived by them?

(14:28):
Picked the nice playmate? All right, let's have it now. How bad
a spot are you in? Asbad as bad? Could be physical danger?
Yes, and I'm not heroic.I don't think there's anything worse than
death. Oh, shut out.I mean someone I might kill you,
Yes, and they'll get me unlessyou help. You've got to help you
here. You've got to shut upall right, I'll help you, and

(14:48):
they'll probably give it to me too, all right, So why I guess
I won't be the first guy wholet a name make a sucker out of
him. Back again, mister Spade, whoever the fellow was here this morning,

(15:09):
here's his card. You'll Carol cureyour character foreign type. He smells
like Guardinia da Well shoot him ineffie. Right? Are you come in
with Carol? Very kind? Thankyou? No sit down now, mister

(15:31):
Carol, thank you. I'm SamSpade something I no volumes, Yes,
thank you. But first, maya stranger offer condolences for your partner's unfortunate
death. Thank you? And mayI ask mister Spade if there is a
certain relationship between that and the deathof the man Thursby. May I ask

(15:52):
that no, I beg your pardon, mister Spade. I'm trying to recover
an ornament that has been I alwayssay mislaid. I thought and hoped you
could assist me. The ornament isa statuette, the black figure of a
bird. Yeah. Now, Iam prepared to pay on behalf of the
figure's rifle owner the sum of fivethousand dollars for its recovery and what is

(16:15):
the phrase no questions will be asked? Five thousand dollars, a lot of
money, come in? Is thereanything else for me to say? Hello?
Good night, effie, and alot the door when you go with
you as mister car or five thousanddollars. What do you think you're doing?
I'm pointing a revolver the spot directlybetween your eyes. You will please

(16:37):
clasp your hands together at the backof your neck and do not move.
I tend to search your office,and if you attempt to prevent me,
I should certainly shoot you. Allright, go ahead. You will please
stand. I should make sure youare not armed. Certainly, all right?
Rob the down? Please drop it, Robert? Or do I twist
your arm off the elbow? Youhere? Take it? Thanks? I

(17:06):
sit out over there and behave yourself. You you have grooved me, mister
spade, and I'm sorry. Iguess I got a little annoyed. I
don't like guys who make a phonyoffer of five thousand dollars. You are
mistaken. This spade that wasn't isa genuine offer. Yeah, and I
am prepared to pay five thousand dollarsfor the figuous return. You have to
figure now, and why did yourisk serious injury to prevent my searching for

(17:30):
it? Well, I should sitaround, let people come in and stick
me up, so the offer stillgoes. Uh oh, certainly, all
right, let's put the cards onthe table. Your first guess was that
I have a bird. Now there'snothing to that. I want your second
guest. But you know where itis, or at least that you know
it is. Way you can getit where. You're not hiring me to
do any murders or burglaries for you, but simple to get it back if

(17:51):
possible, and an not as lawfulway, if possible, and in any
event, with discretion. I amat the hotel Belvet deal when you wish
to communicate with me, Good evening, mister Spade. Oh I wait,
you know girl in Wonderley. NoI do not love Blank No, I
love about Bridge. Chan. Saythe hotel bell with you, mister Spade,

(18:12):
Room six five five okay, ohbiden, way, may I have
my repover back? Please? Ohyeah, sure, sure I've forgotten.
Yeah, there you are. Thankyou. Now you will please keep your
hands behind your head. I stillintend to search your office. Well I'll
be all right, go ahead,thank you, I mean, mister spad,

(18:48):
do you have any news for me? Yeah? A little? I
mean, did you manage itself thatthe police won't have to know about me?
Oh? They won't for a whileanyway. Oh you won't get into
any trouble. You won't, misterspool. Oh I don't mind a reasonable
a lot. Do sit down?Please sit down. I like you aren't
exactly the sort of person you pretendedly, are you? I'm not sure I

(19:11):
know what you mean a schoolgirl manner, stammering, blushing and all that,
because if you are, honey,we'll never get anybody. I'll stop acting,
all right, I'm sorry, I'mgood. I saw Joel Cairo to
night. You know him only slightly. What do you say about? What
about me? Nothing? But whatdid he talk about? What he offered
me? Five thousand dollars the blackBird? Oh? Did he? And

(19:32):
what did you say? I said, five thousand dollars A lot of money,
it is. It's a lot morethan I could ever offer you if
I must bid for your loyalty.Oh that's good coming from you. I
What have you given me besides twohundred dollars? Have you given me any
of your confidence? Any of thetruth. Can't you trust me a little
longer? How much is a little? What are you waiting for? Well,

(19:52):
I must talk to Joel Cairo.You can see him tonight. He
can't come here. I can't lethim know where I am. I'm afraid
of my place. Then what aboutit? All right? But wait,
you'll have to let me go aboutthis in my own way. You mustn't
have a fair well, yes,sit and listen while you talk over all
time. You're a strange person.I like you. Yeah, Well,

(20:15):
no, one overdoing. No,I'm just got on. No shaughnessy,
I might advise you, mister Spade. There's a boy outside who seems to
be watching the house as I parted. Boy who is he? Oh?
I don't know. I've done mynightcare. I'm telling me around town all

(20:36):
evening. Did he follow you tomy apart? I shouldn't be far that.
Well, let's start the meeting.I'm delighted to see you again,
miss Shaughnessy. I was sure youwouldn't be jo I'll make a drink.
Let's go ahead, Bridget let's juststay and told me about your order for
the for the falk and how sooncan you have the money ready, It
is ready in cash. Oh,yes, you're ready to give us five
thousand dollars if we turn over thefalk and to you, I should be

(20:59):
able to give you the money tosay half past ten in the morning.
But I haven't got before. Oh, don't worry, I'll have it in
another week at the most. Imust wait a week, or perhaps not
a whole week. And why,if I may ask, are you willing
to sell it to me at all? I'm afraid after what happened to Floyd,
I'm afraid to touch it except toturn it over to somebody else right
away. Tell me exactly what didhappen to Floyd? It was murdered.

(21:21):
But the fat man fat man,did you hear? I don't know,
I suppose, So what difference doesit make? Might make a world of
difference. Yes, you might beable to get around the fat man Joe
or as you did that one.It needs to hand bool what was his
name? The one you did awaywith? You get away to you here?
I pulled down this. This isthe second time you've put your hands

(21:47):
on me, mister Spade. I'lltry and make it the last. You
better get out. Cayrol I'll callyou tomorrow. You're working for her now
said, I'm working for myself.I want to go. You offer,
just say so, the offer stillstaying. I get out very well,
good night, used to space.Well, we've got some fine friends,
mishaughnessy. They always try to throttleyou. I suppose I ought to thank

(22:11):
you. You've had to talk withCairo, and I can talk to me.
Well, it didn't work out theway I hoped. I'll have to
go now. No, no,no, not until you've told me about
it. Am I a prisoner?Maybe? Or maybe that kid outside hasn't
gone home yet? Do you thinkhe's still there? Likely I'll stay for
a while anyhow, Okay, Oh, well, what's this bird? This

(22:33):
falcon? Maybe everybody's all steamed upabout it. It's a black figure of
a bird, a hawk or falcon, about a foot high or what makes
it sound important? I don't know. They wouldn't tell me, but they
promised me five thousand dollars if Ihelped them get it from the man who
had it, that was an Istanbul. Yes, I'll go ahead, that's
all. They promised me the moneyto help them, and I did.
And then we found out that JoelCairo wento deserters, taking the falcon with

(22:56):
him and leaving forward in me nothing. So we did exactly that to mister
Cairo. Then I wasn't any betteroff than before, because Floyd hadn't any
intention of keeping his promise to meabout sharing. Equally, I learned that
by the time we got here.What's the bird made of? Porcelain of
black stone? I don't know?You're a liar? What a liar?
Yes I am, I've always beena liar. Don't brag about it.

(23:21):
There any truth at Tall and Landyard? Some not very much. All right,
we've got all night before us.I'll put some coffee on. We'll
try again. Oh I'm so tired. I'm so tired of lying and thinking
up lies and not knowing what's thelion? What's the truth? Don't ask
me? Please, don't if there'sany kindness in you at all? Now,

(23:41):
what are you trying? Now?That's right? Going on the beauty?
Let your eyes get nice and starry. What's your arm from mine?
I can look pleadingly at me.Oh you're great. Do you think it's
going to get you any place?I couldn't with you? No, Well,
don't be so sure, we'll hearAct two of The Maltese Falcon,

(24:19):
starring Edward g. Robinson, GailPatrick and Laird Creegar in just a moment.
Meantime, I have exciting news foryou. The package of luck you
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(24:44):
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(25:07):
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A soap that's really mild, Butthat really gets after the dirt and
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(25:32):
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(25:55):
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(26:18):
of the Maltese Falcon starring Edward gRobinson as Sam Spade, Gail Patrick as
Bridgid, and Laird Krieger as Gutman. On the trail of the Black Falcon,

(26:41):
Sam Spade has followed nothing but blindalleys. But now a call comes
from his secretary. He was heretwice, mister Spade. He wouldn't leave
his name though, no place likeregion. He said something about the Hotel
Barkley. Well, what did helook like, ethic? Can you describe
him? Lass? Easy enough?A big fellow, about two hundred and
seventy pounds, Yeah, a fatman. In the lobby of the Hotel

(27:07):
Barklay, Sam Spade watches for thefat man, but he sees only the
boy who has followed him for thelast three days. All right, all
right, son where is he?What? Come on? Where is he?
You worked for him? Don't youoho? A fat man? I
want to speak to him. Whatdo you think you're doing, Jack Kittenley,

(27:29):
I'll tell you when I am.We've been tailing around after me for
three days now. I'm getting alittle sick of it. You can tell
the fat man, I said,so shove off. You have to talk
to me before you throw Sonny,So will he? I said, shovel
and take a hat out of yourpocket. Comes, don't scare me much.
Keep asking food. You're gonna getit plenty. People lose their teeth
talking like that. You want tohang around people? Light and tell the

(27:52):
fat man I called me. Leavehis name, hello, mister Spade,
Mister Gutman called he says the boygave him a message. Room four or
seven the Barkley this afternoon at three, mister Spade, lighted to see you.

(28:15):
Delighted. How do you do it? Witan? Sit down, my
friend will have a little drink.I can't stay long. Sorry, I've
got an appointment at the attorney's office. So it's interesting say when missus Spade
excellent, excellent. I just trusta man who says we he's got to
be careful not to drink too much. It's because he not to be trusted

(28:37):
when he does. You're a closemouthed man, mister Spade. I liked
the dog. I enjoy it betterand better. I just trust a close
mouthed man. He generally picks thewrong time to talk, says the wrong
things. Wilson, we'll talk aswell when we talk about the black bird.

(28:59):
You're them and for me, sir, no beating about the bush,
but right to the point. Butfirst, sir, answer me a question.
Are you here as miss shaughness isrepresentative or mister Cairo. There's not
being certain about it either way yet. It depends, But which will you
represent? It will be one orthe other, not necessarily. Who else

(29:22):
is there? Well? Me,that's wonderful, sir, wonderful. I
do like a man who tells youright off that he's looking out for himself.
Let's talk about the blackbird. Letmister Spain, have you any conception
of how much money can be gotfor that blackbird? No? Well,
sir, if I told you him, if I told you half, you

(29:47):
call me a liar. No,not even if I thought so. You
know what the bird is? Ofcourse, no, I don't. You
don't. They didn't tell you that. Well. I know what it's supposed
to look like, and I knowthe value in human life you people put
on it. But miss sure ashe didn't tell you what it is,
and Cairo didn't, I that Imust know what it means. What do

(30:12):
they? What is your impression,sir? Well, there's much to go
by. Cairo wouldn't talk. Girlsaid she didn't know that. I took
the grant that she was lying.Then they don't know. I am the
only one in this whole, wide, wonderful world who does. That's great

(30:34):
when you've told me that'll make twoof us mathematically correct, sir, But
I don't know if that I'm goingto tell you now, don't be foolish.
You know what it is. Iknow where it is. That's why
i'm here. Well, sir,where is it there? You see?
I must tell things, but yourefuse. That is hardly equitable, sir.
No, no, no, no, I don't think we can do

(30:56):
business along these lines. You don'there. I think again, I think
fast. I told that gunman ofyours that you'd have to talk to me
before you finished. Now i'll tellyou now that you'll do your talking the
day you're through. What are youwasting my time for? I can get
along without you not talk talk Comein, willma? Oh yeah, yeah,
come in, sunny. Keep yourhand off your gunn or I'll lock

(31:18):
your ears down. Listen, youjust stand over there, Wilma. Excitable
young man. Missus, I'll makeup your mind gutman while you're doing it.
Keep that council away from me.I'll kill him. Mister Spade,
I must say, you're the mostviolent temper. I'll think it over.
You've got all five thirty, andyou're either in or out for keeps lead.

(31:51):
Oh. I guess might be excellentor might be crumbing. But missus
Spade didn't raise any children dippy enoughto make guesses in front of a distant
attorney in a stenographer. Mister Spade, I wish you wouldn't regard this as
a formal inquiry. And please don'tthink I have any belief in those theories.
The police see before you see theythink you chay. Yeah, what's
your theory? Is simple? Tellme who ought you was shadowing Thursday before,

(32:15):
and I will tell you the murder. Oh, that's where you're wrong.
Whether or not I'm wrong isn't foryou to judge. I'm a sworn
officer of the law, mister Spate, my duties. Thought this was an
informal talk. At least think Imixed up in those kelleyes. My best
chance of clearing myself it's bringing themurder is all tied up. My only

(32:35):
chance of ever tying them up isby keeping away from you and the cops,
because you'd only come up the world. Now just a minute. I
don't want any more of these informaltalks. You want to see me again,
pinch me or subpoena me or something, and I'll come down with my
lawyer. See you at the end. Quiest. Hey you well, hy

(33:07):
son. I didn't expect to seeyou in the five twenty five. I
hope, I haven't kept you waiting. Keep on riding me and they'll be
picking iron out of your living andcheap with a crooked bagaudy of a pattern?
Got being ready to dark? He'swaiting at the hotel. Get going?

(33:30):
Are They're on their way up now? Thank you? Oh? Hello,
operator, I don't want to receiveany calls for about an hour.
Yes, thank you. I getat Sunday. Yeah, got, here's
a common six shooter. Well,what's this? I took it away from

(33:50):
him as a faith he might hurthimself. I'll get you space someday.
I'll let you have it right,wait outside will Bye dads. Sir,
you're a chap worth knowing an amazingcharacter. Yeah. I have mixed a
drink for you. Oh, bythe way, I owe you in a
part la. Never mind, let'stalk about the bird, all right,

(34:12):
sir. Let's mister Spade. Thisis going to be the most astounding thing
you ever heard. What do youknow, sir about the Knights of Rome?
Nothing? Well, they were crusaders, mister Spade. In fifteen thirty
nine, these crusading knights persuaded theEmperor Charles the fifth to give them the

(34:32):
island of Malta. He made butone condition. They were to pay him
each year the tribute of a falcon, an acknowledgement that Malta was still under
spade. You follow me, Yeah, so far? Good, well,
sir. The knights were profoundly gratefulto the Emperor for his generosity towards them.

(34:52):
The very first year, they senthim not an insignificant live bird,
but a glorious golden falcon, andcrusted from head to foot, with the
finest jewels in their coffers. Well, sir, what do you think of
that? I don't know. Theseare facts, historical facts. They sent

(35:16):
this jeweled bird to Charles, whowas then in Spain, but it never
reached Spain. Famous Admiral of Buccaneerstook the knight's galley and the bird.
In seventeen thirteen it turned up inSicily. In eighteen forty it appeared in
Paris. It had by that timeacquired a coat of black enamels, so

(35:37):
that it looked like nothing more thana fairly interesting black statuette. Then,
in nineteen twenty two, a greatdealer named Charalius founded in an obscure shop
no thickness of enamel could conceal valuefrom his eyes. Three cups, sir,
Yeah, Oh, go on,wellsurn to hold it safe. Charleos

(36:00):
re enameled the bird. I gotwind of his fine, But when I
arrived in Athens, I discovered thatthe bird was gone and Charleius murdered.
That was over twenty years ago.Well, sir, it took me twenty
years to locate that birth, butI did. I traced it to the

(36:22):
home of a Russian general, oneKemiedoff, East Tamboo. I sent some
agents to get it. Well,sir, they got it and I haven't
got it. Where's kamdot oh Keemdoff? He died very saddled. Yeah,

(36:47):
his heart was there a knife init or a bullet? Your glass?
Sir? There go And now beforewe start to talk prices, how so
are you willing to produce the falcon? That's quite satisfactor. Well, sir,
here's to a fair bargain. Breakup. Oh, what's your idea

(37:13):
of the fair bargain? Twenty fivethousand dollars when you deliver the falcon to
me, and another twenty five thousandlater on, or I'll give you one
quarter of what I realize on thefalcon. That would amount to a vastly
greater solf. How much greater?Oh? No, shall I say one

(37:37):
hundred thousand? That would be theminimum? M h And the what what's
the maximumber? What would you sayto a quarter of a million? Well,
then you think the fingers is wortha million at least? That's that's

(38:00):
a lot of doll A lot ofdoll No, no, huh and the
um matt maximum? And what's thematter, mister Spain? Are you feeling
you? I feel? What isthe what is in that? That drank

(38:22):
a dream? Oh? I druggedit? Yeah, you will be unconscious
very shortly, mister Spain. You'dbetter lie down. I wouldn't want you
to fall. That's We're very good. That's very Oh Joe, Joe,

(38:49):
come in. Is he unconscious?Yes, you know he's a very interesting
person, Joe, the kind ofa man I am sure dealing with.

(39:19):
We pause now for station identification.This is the Columbia Broadcasting System. After

(39:47):
a brief intermission, Edward g.Robinson, Gail Patrick, and Laird Creeker
will return in the third act ofThe Maltese Falcon. Now here's a question
for the women in our audience.If you could make your stockings last far
longer just by doing one very easything. Would you do it? Of

(40:08):
course you will? Then listen tothis. Recent tests show how to cut
down stocking runs over fifty percent.Yes. A famous laboratory, the United
States Testing Company Incorporated, repeatedly washedrayon stockings different ways, then tested them
on an almost human machine, asort of mechanical leg that strained stockings the

(40:34):
way you do in actual wear.Here's what they found. Washing with new
improved LUX cut down runs over fiftypercent. Yes, the luxed stockings tested
on the machine didn't go into runsnearly as easily as stockings washed with a
strong soap or rubbed with cake soap. They lasted ever so much longer.

(40:58):
You see, new improved LUX saveselasticity, so stockings can take extra strain
without breaking into runs so easily.And here's what girls find in actual experience.
Why I got over twice the wearfrom my LUX stockings. Lucks cut
my runs almost in half. Thatmeans a lot now that stockings are so

(41:19):
precious. Better stick to LUX andavoid those enemies of stockings, cake soap,
rubbing and strong soaps. One specialhint about rayons they need twenty four
to forty eight hours drying time,get new improved lucks tomorrow. It's in
the same familiar box and your dealerhas it right now now, mister de

(41:43):
Mill returns to the microphone. Oneof tonight's stars through the Atlantic recently.
We'll hear about it right after playnow. The third act of The Marty's
Farton starring Edward G. Robinson,gave Patrick and Laird Prigar. When Sam

(42:05):
Spade woke up, he was alonein the hotel room, pale and still
shaking from the effects of the drug. He's gone to his office, where
Ethel stares at him in alarm.Mister Spade, what happened to you?
No? I went visiting this afternoonwith that knockout drops and came through just
a little while ago. I spreadout on a man's floor. Who did

(42:27):
it? A fat man? Butwhy? Didn't have a chance to ask?
Evidently wanted to get me out ofthe way for something. But I
don't get at you. Hello,Yes, what I can't hear you?
Give it to me again? Yes, I've got that captain who Jacoby?
Yes? I hello, Hello,she's gone? Who's gone? Who was

(42:53):
the shaughnessy. Girl, she wantsyou. Here's the address. She's in
some kind of trouble, mister Spade. She was telling me something about a
captain, a ship captain named Jacobe, and then and then something happened to
her. What happened, I don'tknow. Like she was being choked.
Listen, is that the outside door? I'll see? Yes? What do

(43:16):
you do? Who is it,Eppie? I don't know what. Let's
do, Spain. Yes, thispackage? What you he told me?
What are you? What's the matterwith you? Or you du lock the

(43:44):
door? Yes, give me thescissors from the desk. But yeah,
I want to see what's in thispackage. Here. He did about four
slugs and then that's all. Comeon, put yourself together, I'm all
rush, we'll see. Yeah,this is what I think it is.
Yeah, yeah, what is it? You've got it? Angel, We've

(44:10):
got it. The Maltese falcon.The fuck look at it? The blackbird
a million bucks under a coat ofan armor. She send him with it.
That's what he tried to tell us. He must be Captain Jacobby.
Listen, I've got to get toher as soon as I've done formed the
police. Tell him out happened toforget it, brought a bundle O can't
get it straight now, Yes,I leave a bird and a safe when

(44:30):
I call you, bring it tothat anti street address. Caught it.
Yeah, and after you bring itto me, go out and call Dante.
Tell him to come on the rondadabout six cops. No mistakes,
SEPPI, I may need them.Just keep your hands up, mister Spade
and come in whom to shut thedoor. Well, so we're all here

(44:52):
waiting for you. Now, let'ssit down, mister Spade and be comfortable.
Yeah, Sam, I tried tocall y'all. I wanted to tell
you it's all right. They've beenholding me here all last night and today.
But you've come to no harm,Miss Shaughnessy as yet. Oh,
mister Spade, I believe you know, mister Cairo. Yeah, how do

(45:13):
you do? And Wilma go.You're carrying a rod. Let me sing,
I get away. You're not goingto frisk me. Stand still,
but your pawn, man, I'mgoing to make you use that gun.
Ask your boss if he once weshut up before we talk, sit down,
will mister Spade, you're certainly amost headstrong individual. Well let's talk.

(45:34):
Yeah, you're ready to make thefirst payment and take the falcon off
my hands. You're sure you haveit, Sam, have you? I
didn't just after noon, but Ihave now. Then I am willing to
pay Joel the money play. Wait, there's another thing to be taken care
of. First. We've got tohave a fall guy. I they your
pardon. At least you've got tohave a victim, somebody they can stick

(45:57):
for those three murders too. Oh, only two murders, mister Spade,
thurs be undoubtedly killed your part allright too. The point is I've got
to come through with somebody a victimwhen the time comes. If I don't,
I'll be it. And whom doyou recommend as this victim? Oh?
Well I'm not. I say howabout giving him a wellmer here he'll
do? Why you get away punk? By goading? Mister Spade, you

(46:22):
are a character. I'm best dead. We tell them all the cops will
be happy and we'll be free asthe air. But what do you think
of this? Will Man? Mightyfunny? Yeah, mighty funny. Well,
anyway, killed Thursday made the orderfor the part. Get up on
your feet, away, Punk,I've taken all the riding for you.
I'm gonna take it up and shootit down yourself, will man. Mister

(46:45):
Spade, your plan is not atall practical. Let's not say anything more
about it, all right, I'vegot another suggestion. Want to hear it
most assuredly. Give him the oldChiro first. We give them you,
mister Spade or Misshaughnessy. About that. You people want the falcon, I've
got it in the fall guy's partof the prize. As for Mishaughnessy,

(47:07):
who think you can be rich forthe part, I'm perfectly wanting to discuss
it with you. What's the matter. You don't mean that you couldn't because
I don't think the cops will behappy. Questionally, I see only one
guy who's really right. That's woman. I'll kill him. I'll kill he
stop it, stop here, I'lllet him go. I told him a
way off me. I want him. I hated to do that, but

(47:31):
the punk had it coming to him. There's your fall guy. Mister Godman,
what do you say? I don'tlike it. Either you'll say yes
right now, or I'll tell thefalcon. I'm a whole lot of you
in no right you're gonna have Willmancall him inside. Joe, my secretary

(48:05):
left an hour ago at the parkand shareaby here in a few minutes.
What about money government in a fewminutes when she gets here? Oh wow,
let's get the details. Face whythat well might killed Thursday? And
why and where did he shoot CaptainJacoby? Well, I shall be candid
with you, sir. Thursby wasMiss Shaughnessy's alive. We believed that disposing

(48:28):
of him would frighten Miss Shaughnessy intopatching up her differences with us. Sounds
all right, now, Jacoby.Captain Jacoby's death was entirely Miss Shaughness's fault.
That's a lie. I'll tell youwhat happened. Cairo saw in the
newspaper that jacoby ship was arriving.He remembered that Jacoby and Miss Shaughnessy had
been seen together in Hong Kong.Well, Sir, he put two and

(48:52):
two together. Guess the truth.She had given the bird to Jacoby to
bring here. As at that junctureyou decided to slipped me the makey.
Huh. Well, I'm sorry therewas no place for you in our plans,
mister stayed, mister Cairo, andWilma and I went to the boat
to call on Captain Jacoby and Misshaughnessy. We persuaded Miss Shaughnessy to come to

(49:14):
tourneys, or so we thought.Well, so we mere men should have
known better. Our route to myhotel, Captain Jacoby and the Falcon slipped
completely through our fingers, except thatWilmer put a few bullets in him while
he was running away. Oh,by the way, you said Jacoby died,
Yes, but not until after webrought me up the falcon. And

(49:37):
there's a bright side to everything,isn't there. I'll get it. It's
my secretary. You don't mind ifI go to the door with you all.
Come on, mister Space. Well, thanks a lot. I wrapped
it up again. Is there anythingelse? Oh? Thanks? Let me
have it quickly here all right?Guess the pleasure ought to be after twenty

(50:02):
years? Twenty years? There itis there? You are, beauty?
Is it? Is it? TheFalcon? The original? We will make
sure your knife Joe here, thankyou. Just a tiny cut in the
enamel, and underneath we find gutman. What's the matter. It's a fake,

(50:25):
it's dead. It's a Faketrey Cathy. All right, Sean, I
say you've had your little Joe.Now tell us about it. No,
Sam, No, that's the oneI got from Kemiedoff. I swear you
bundled it, gutman, you andyour stupid attempt to buy it. Kemedoff
caught on how valuable it was.He put a fake in its place.
Yes, that is Kemedoff's sound,There's no doubt of it. Well,

(50:51):
Joel, what do you suggest thatwe stand here and shed tears and call
each other names? Or shall wego to East Stamboul? Stamboul? You
you are still going to look forthe falcon. For twenty years I have
wanted that little item and have beentrying to get it. I'll go on
trying very well. I'll I'll gowith you. Get Wilma. Let's start

(51:14):
tomorrow, Yes, tomorrow, windomweek. Why he's gone, the window
is open, she's gone. Well, a lot of things we have little
enough to boast about. The worldhasn't come to an end just because we've
run into a little setback. I'msorry about your money, mister Spade,
but of course you didn't earn it. I held up my end. You

(51:34):
got your falcon. You're all right, luck not mine, but it wasn't
what you wanted my hat, Joe. I'll wait a minute, mister Spade.
It will do you no good toargue. I haven't the money with
me anyhow, I had an ideathat with it. Now, sir,
we'll say goodbye to you, andsince the shortest farewells are the best,
adieu and to you, miss Shawn, and say I leave the lead falcon
as a little memento adieu. Sam, Sam, what are you going to

(52:00):
do? Nothing but those murders?You are mixed up in them. You
said yourself the police needed a victim. Call him, now tell him about
Gutman. I don't have to callhim. Gutman will be nailed before he
goes a block. But when he'snailed, he'll talk. That's you.
We're sitting on Dynham. We've onlygot a couple of minutes to get offsets
with the cops. Now give meall of it, fast talk. Where
shall I begin? Well, theday he first came to my office,

(52:22):
why did you want thesby shadow?I told you, Sam, I suspected
him of betraying you know, Iwanted to find out. That's a lie.
You had to fesby Hook and youknew it. You wanted to get
him out of the way before Jacobbecame with a bird. Isn't that so?
Yes? What was your scheme?Well? I thought that if he
saw someone following him, he mightbe frightened him. The going away,
Well, he must have told Thasbiethat Archer was following him. Yes,
I told him, But please believeme, Sam, I wouldn't have told

(52:42):
him if I thought there's the goodkilling Well, if you thought he wouldn't
kill Archie, you were right,Angel didn't. No, Archer had been
a cop too long to be caughtlike that up a blind alley where's gun
tucked round his hip and his overcoatbuttoned. But he would have gone up
there with you, Angel. Hewas just dumb enough for that, Sam.
And then you could have stood usclose to him as you were likeding
the dog and put a hole throwhim with a gun you had gotten from
Thursby that night. Don't don't talkto me like that, Sam. You

(53:04):
know I didn't shut up there inthis part of the school girl. Why
did you shoot him? No?I didn't mean to it first, I
didn't really, But when I sawthat Thursby couldn't be frightened. I,
Sam, go on, go on, when you found the thirst, we
didn't mean to tack larger. Youborrow the gun and did it yourself.
Right. Yes, you didn't knowthen that Gutman was here hunting for you
until you have First we had beenshot, and then you knew you needed

(53:25):
another protector, so you came backto me. Yes, But but Sam,
it wasn't only that. I wouldhave come back to you sooner or
later. From the very first minuteI saw you, I knew that.
I well, if you got agood break, you'll be out of Saint
Quentman in twenty years and you cancome back to me. Then. Oh
no, you're not going to I'mgoing understand you. Oh oh no,

(53:45):
don't, Sam, don't say thatyou're taking the fall, Darlly. You're
doing this to me. Don't youunderstand, Sam, I'm in love with
you. That's good. But youcan't you can't, Yes, I can't.
You kill the man, darling.Remember you know, deep down in
your heart you know that, inspite of anything I've done, I love
you. I don't care who lovestoo. I'm not going to play for
soccer. I won't walk in Fsbi'sand I don't know how many Alice foot

(54:07):
steps. You killed Myles and you'redying over for it. Sam, that's
the cops. Don't let them in. Please sit tied, honey, Sam
Man, you got the fat boy. They get too a swell. Here's
another one for you. She killedMyles? Can you prove it? And
I'm as shaughnessy, Can I proveit? Go on tell them? Yes,

(54:28):
all right? Come on, holdon Ashaughnessy. This this doesn't mean
anything to you, does it.Maybe you're going anyway. The chances are
you get off for twenty years.You do, I'll wait for you,
and if they hang you, Angel, I'll always remember you as times you'll

(54:59):
return to the your phone in justa moment. But now listen a minute.
Ammunition for attack shells for a defenseagainst the enemy. Our boys must
have these things to win the war, and you may be unknowingly throwing away

(55:21):
material needed to help them win.Waste fats and greases from your kitchen contain
bliscerin, one of the things thatgoes into the making of explosives. No
amount is too small to save.Think of it this way. One man
doesn't make an army. Yet together, millions of individual Americans make up the
finest army in the world. Ifevery American housewife turns in one pound of

(55:43):
waste household fats a month, together, that will make five hundred and forty
million pounds of smokeless powder a year. Now here's what our government asks us
to do. Strain waste fats andgreases into a can and a clean,
smooth edge can. Don't use glassor paper. Contain is because they break
your leap. The cans you usewill be salvaged later. Keep the can

(56:04):
in a cool place, and whenit's full, take it to your local
meat dealer. You'll pay you cashfor each pound of fat. Try to
do this early in the week whenhe's not so busy as weekends. Remember,
only waste fats and oils are wanted, not anything you can use or
reuse yourself. Every bit is precious. Save it carefully. Within twenty one
days of the time you turn itinto your butcher, it will be on

(56:24):
its way to send your message tothe exits. Now here's mister Demill.
Next week's play asks a very vitalquestion. So vital I'm taking it to
the man on the street for ananswer before I introduce our stars, the
question our husband's necessary. Now here'sa man who's just come in from the

(56:46):
street. What do you think,sir, A husband's necessary? My wife
says yes. My draft boot saysno. Me. I just do what
they tell me. Now I saywhat it is. Yet lady has to
say, in your opinion, misshusband's necessary? Are you kidding? That's

(57:08):
the way it goes. Nobody agrees, but they'll go into that matter later
because the big news has to dowith George Burns and Gracie Allen. To
night the Maltese Falcon had its shareof thrills, but in recent weeks Edward
g Robinson has been on the roadto adventure in real life. We'll get
the inside story now, is heand Gail Patrick and Laird Gregor come back

(57:30):
for a curtain call? Must havebeen pretty exciting crossing the Atlantic in wartime,
Eddie Oh. We went over byplaying Gale and as we approached the
other side it was nipping tut therefor a few minutes. I wasn't sure
whether I'd make it or not.Nazi planes go after you. No,
we were playing bridge and I madethe bit doubled and redoubled. Did you
fly back to Eddie. I cameback on a ship layered. I was

(57:50):
sure I got a chance to seea submarine, but nothing happened. The
word must have gone out the LittleCaesar was a board. I don't care
about that CV. Purely because ofLittle Caesar I received a great distinction.
Fellows made me an honorary member ofthe gun crew. Seriously, Eddie.
In entertaining our soldiers in England,how did you find them? Are they
cheerful? Cheerful and determined? CB? As for the English people, nothing

(58:15):
seems to bother them. They've hadrationings so long it isn't the topic of
conversation now. That great clot BigBen was somebolic of the whole country.
To me, every time it strikesit seems to be saying it's later than
you think it all fit. Love. I suppose you did some broadcasting yourself
over there, Eddie. Well,one afternoon I broadcast six messages to the

(58:38):
continent in French, Spanish, Romanian, German, Danish and Italian. What
no Greek? While I'm working onRussian at the moment. I want to
be able to say thank you toall the Russians I meet from now on
have you read many successes on thescreen, But in years to come,
I think you will value most thesuccess you achieved in this job for your
country. Thank you, CD.What are you doing here next week?

(59:00):
Now, that's when the big questioncomes up again, Eddie, because next
week our play is the paramount comedyhit, Our Husbands Necessary, and in
it we'll present those eminent thespians GeorgeBurns and Gracie Allen's. In the play,
George works in a bank and Gracieis secretly trying to help his career.

(59:22):
So tune in next Monday night andget Gracie Allen's answer to that burning
question. Our Husband's Necessary sounds likea lot of fun cyd good Night,
good night, good night, anddon't miss George and Ratie. Our sponsors,

(59:42):
the makers of Lux Flakes, joinme in inviting you to be with
us again next Monday night, andthe Lux Radio Theater presents George Burns and
Gracie Allen in Our Husbands Necessary.The successil b de Mille saying good night
to you, Frum Holly would Edwardg. Robinson will soon be seen in
the Columbia Picture Destroyer. Gail Patrickhas starred in the Republic production Hip Parade

(01:00:07):
of thaneteen forty three and Laird Kriegar'snext picture is the twentieth century Fox Technicolor
production Hello Frisco, Hello, Heardin the Night's Play, where Charlie Lung
as Cairo, d Benederet as Effie, Eddie Marr as Wilmer, and Warren
ashe Charles Seal, Leo Cleary,Fred McKay and Norman Field. Our music

(01:00:27):
was directed by Lewis Silbers. Andthis is your announcer, John M.
Kennedy reminding you to tune in nextMonday Night to hear George Burns and Gracie
Allen in Our Husband's Necessary. Here'swhat Betty said, hasn't Jane got a
lot of pep and charm? Buthere's what Betty thought. That woman gets
in my hair? Where does sheget all that energy? Do you envy

(01:00:50):
others because they have more pep thanyou? Maybe your trouble is plain vitamin
deficiency. Thems may help you feelbetter than you ever thought you could.
Limbs have the six vitamin formula.Doctors and doors three vital minerals also get
that vim's feeling. It's VII forvitamins double ms for minerals them. This
is the Columbia Broadcasting System. Welcomeback. Well, this is an interesting

(01:01:22):
episode of the Locks Radio Theater.Typically when we play Lucks Radio Theater presentations,
we typically have some of the originalcast present. For example, in
the adaptation of Laura, I thinkthe only person we were missing was Clifton
Webb. Here we don't have anyonefrom the original movie. And this is

(01:01:46):
something you would see with Locks RadioTheater when you got towards the end of
its run in the fifties, andbudgets were not what they once were and
viewership wasn't what it was During thewar, the issue tended to be actor
availability. Add to normal issues thatyou would have with an actor's schedule in

(01:02:12):
terms of other movies that they're workingon, and the top four or five
players in the multi se Falcon we'reall very busy during wartime, the fact
that many of them were involved inwar work and entertaining the tropes, and
you could easily end up in asituation where you just couldn't get anybody.
Now, this can be a freeingthing for a director as well as for

(01:02:38):
actors. If you have someone whois in the original film, then the
radio costars are going, to somedegree or another, try to match their
performances to what was seen on screen. Here, you've essentially got a talented
cast that could make their own performancechoices not necessarily be tethered to what happened

(01:03:02):
in the screen version. And Ithink that there are some key differences that
set this apart from the movie,and it's still a very good interpretation of
the novel, although it does makesome interesting choices along the way. But
in no means is it a badadaptation or a bad play or performance.

(01:03:24):
It's just different from the movie.There were some interesting choices, to be
sure. Some of the most memorablelines of dialogue in the film were left
out, but somehow we kept thebrief scene where they met the da That
said, I think the cast capturedthe spirit of the novel really well and

(01:03:46):
with their own unique twist on thematerial. Laird Kreegar gave an interesting performance,
and I think to his credit,he didn't do what nearly everyone's sense
has done in coming to the Maltesefalcon in trying to invoke Sydney Green Street.

(01:04:09):
Rather, he did his own performance, made his own effort to take
Casper Gottman off the page and bringhim to life. And it was in
and of itself a good performance.And what's really impressive about it is,
I honestly don't remember having heard ofmister Kreegar before listening to this, and

(01:04:34):
I was imagining, you know,what type of films like, had he
had some career, you know,going back to the decades, And I
found out that mister Kreegar was twentynine years old when he did this performance,
and I would not have thought thatat all. And so to me,

(01:04:55):
this comes across as a really confident, in gutsy performance. The same
time, it does highlight how completelyand utterly brilliant Sydney green Street was in
the film and how he just absolutelyelevated the film. Either way he played

(01:05:15):
Casper Gottman. Kreegar turned in agood performance, but it's not going to
make anyone forget Sydney green Street.And then you have Edward g Robinson,
who very subtillite gives a completely differenttake on Sam Spake. The radio version
doesn't meant some key moments that werein the film, such as when Sam

(01:05:43):
did the whole like mocking of allthe lines that bridget had fed him,
and the scene where he turns Bridgetin is so much shorter than in the
film, and of course you don'tget the famous line about the falcon being

(01:06:08):
the stuff dreams are made of,And to me, his take on Sam's
fade is a lot more cynical thanBogart's. What comes across is that Sam
was not the least tempted by bridgetO'Shaughnessy as portrayed by Robinson, who remains

(01:06:28):
just this very cool customer throughout theentire play. With Bogart, you get
a sense that he really and trulywas into bridget and was tempted by her
to go against his better judgment.And the scene where he talks about things

(01:06:50):
how it has a duty if someonekills his partner to do something, and
that if someone kills it detective,it's bad for detectives everywhere is him reminding
himself of his duty and to dowhat is right instead of what feels good

(01:07:12):
in the moment, and the linethe stuff dreams are made of really comes
off as this sort of philosophical pause. With Robinson's Sam Spade, it's really
not all that complicated. He isnot going to be a sucker for anyone.

(01:07:33):
He's not going to get himself sentto the gas chamber because he fell
for a pretty face. And eventhe lines that were the same, for
example, when he talked about hercoming to him after she's released from prison,

(01:07:54):
well there's a subtle sense with Bogartthat Sam really means it. All
you get from Edward G. Robinson'sSam is a bit of contempt for her.
He has one, he has caughther, he has turned the tables,
and now he's turning her in andwashing his hands of the whole affair.

(01:08:17):
The changes are relatively small, butthey really pack a punch and change
how you feel at the end ofthe production. Now, obviously there's a
case for both performances, and bothmen were and in Bogart and Robinson you
have two of the greatest actors whoever lived. So it does come down

(01:08:43):
to a matter of preference. I'msomeone who is always going to lean towards
the original, but I can appreciatethat Robinson gave a performance that was again
very different from what we got onscreen and on a to be different.
So again this was intriguing for justhow different it was while still being so

(01:09:09):
very similar to what ended up onscreen. And the other thing I did
want to talk about is the commercials. And what's really astonishing at with Locks
is if you listen to the seriesenough, you get to see how a
company that sells essentially the same productchanges its sales pitch to suit the times,

(01:09:35):
to suit what consumers are thinking aboutat any given moment, because the
earliest episodes of the Locks Radio Theatercame during the sluggish sort of recovery from
the Depression, and then of courseyou had the World War two era episodes,

(01:09:55):
and then the post war era andinto the fifties, and it's interesting
to see how their sales pitch evolvesover time. So really intriguing even on
the commercials. I hope you enjoyedit. Now it's time to thank our
Patreon supporter of the day, andI want to go ahead and thank Laura.

(01:10:15):
Laura has been one of our Patreonsupporters since April of twenty eighteen,
currently supporting the show at the shawmust level of four dollars or more per
month. Thank you so much foryour support, Laura, and that will
do it for today. If youare enjoying this podcast, please follow us
using your favorite podcast software. NextSunday we'll have the concluding episode of the

(01:10:43):
Bob Baileyweek celebration, and then theday after that, Steve Dunne returns as
Sam Spade on Monday. But joinus back here tomorrow as we start our
celebration of the one hundred tenth birthdayof Bob Bailey with an episode of What
George Do It? Where at thelocal newspaper Angel the woman the desk gave

(01:11:06):
me hers. Everybody in this townsure has an opinion, all right,
the guy killed his wife, simpleas that. Listen. It is now
three days since the strange disappearance ofmissus Grip George. She was drawn,
Oh I know. They went swimmingtogether off the place down Shore Road and
she got a cramp and drawn.We claimed he tried to rescue were I

(01:11:29):
don't see what's Oh well, maybeit is kind of an unusual time of
year for swimming. I'm a daytoo. It wasn't day, it was
night. Yeah. Guy in thebarbershop said he saw missus brill once a
couple of years ago when they firstmoved here. Sort of a drab mousie
brunette. Not exactly the I wantto go swimming it's so beautiful in the
moonlight type. They haven't found herbody yet. That's where Riley is dragging

(01:11:53):
the bay. There were no witnesses. Caretaker named Nicholson, but he didn't
see it. Rills were away travelingmost of the time. They just got
back. He's a writer of sorts. The chambermaid's full of gossip too.
Mister Brill is behind in his rent, and yet somehow he had enough money
to keep up the premiums on abig life insurance policy on his drab little

(01:12:14):
wife life insurance. Lots of nailsin the coffin? Aren't there double indemnity?
Does it say that? What?Oh excuse me, well, I
happen to know what you're talking about. Who doesn't he had her insured double
double indemnity. Oh yes, it'sfifty thousand in case of an accident like
drowning. But we must say something. You want a paper friend, go

(01:12:35):
ahead takes of course, Of course, I wanted makes good reading. Doesn't
more excitement than this little old townhas ever had. Sympathizes with a husband.
What a rope around is? W'llstop it? All of you be
quiet. Wow, we're running aforum. I think it's simply horrible.
All this talk. The man's wifedied, that's all strategic. It's none

(01:12:59):
of your business, you know her, lady. Nobody in town really did
or him either. But I thinkthanks for the newspaper, mister. I
guess he didn't care for your opinion. Lady. That man was marking grill.
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, do send
your comments to Box thirteen at GreatDetectives dot net, follow us on Twitter

(01:13:21):
at Radio Detectives, and check usout on Instagram, Instagram, dot com,
slash Great Detectives From Boise, Ottaho. This is your host, Adam
Grahamson and Off