October 18, 2025 • 36 mins
Original Release Date: August 14, 2023
Today's Mystery:Sam is hired to find a sea captain, and then finds himself in the middle of desperate characters fighting over a string of pearls.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: Feburary 2, 1951
Originated from Hollywood
Starred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, William Conrad
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net
.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Today's Mystery:Sam is hired to find a sea captain, and then finds himself in the middle of desperate characters fighting over a string of pearls.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: Feburary 2, 1951
Originated from Hollywood
Starred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, William Conrad
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net
.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam 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 slash
(00:51):
Great Detectives. Today's program is broughtto you in part by the financial support
of our listeners. You can supportthe show on a one time basis support
dot Great Detectives dot net. Youcan become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters
for as little last two dollars permonth. Just go to Patreon dot Great
Detectives dot net. Well, nowit is time for this week's adventure was
(01:15):
Sam Spade. The original air dateis February the second, nineteen fifty one,
and the title is The String ofDeathcaper The Adventures of Sam Spade,
Detective Stay Detective Agency. Be sweetheart, San, you know you're on all
(01:42):
the papers. Don't think I'm happyabout it. You were standing on the
sidewalk pointing and there's a dot ofnine running from you to X where he
found the body. You mean,where they found the last body. If
there were several before us. Iknow all of four four people. Tell
me if how many dots were theyrunning from me to where they found the
body? Oh, let's see one, two, three, six twelve,
(02:04):
Sam, that's what I expected.What has it been for one, two,
three, six twelve? That's ohno, not really, but definitely
we just got in on a bigfinish. This is a tale of deceit
and intrigue, apt strung through manyislands in several countries. Yea, through
a great many lives. So Iam left with no choice but to call
it the String of Death Caper.For NBC, William Spear, Radio's outstanding
(02:35):
producer director of mystery and crime drama, brings you the greatest private detective of
them all, in the Adventures ofSam Spade. Don't shout, how are
you saying? Oh? I'm allright, I guess let me look at
you. Sam. You need torest. You've been staying up too many
(02:58):
nice and going around with the wrongpeople. You don't have to tell me.
I have only this to say.If the people I've been going around
with lately won't be going around anymore, So don't worry about me, oh
my coel, And if you sayso, terrible. Your eyes are bloodshot,
aren't everybody so? Your hands areshaking, true, Fee, And
(03:19):
here's why take it down. You'reready, don't make it. Don't make
it too gory, Ifee. IAm not going to pull any punches.
You'll have to take it as itcame the way I did. They'd fill
it in too, Lieutenant I seeKelsey homicide to tale San Francisco Police from
Samuel Spade, license number one threeseventy five nine six, subject the string
of death Caper. Dear Kelsey,It's hard to believe that the events of
(03:44):
the past forty eight hours all beganwith the discovery of the oyster, but
they did, and they made amarked change in the census figures of several
countries. The whole thing was incredible. The most incredible part of it was
that I was careless enough to letmyself get mixed up in it. The
entire see me saga began two daysago when my door opened and a woman
walked in showgirl type seven B,tight black skirt, two type blouse,
(04:09):
red alligator shoes, hair overdone insomebody's peroxide oven, you know that kind
of stuff. She choked gum,of course, and swung a black patent
leather handbag, and her charm braceletwas so loaded I wondered if she could
lift her arm Let's face it,I'm stranded. Really, where where'd you
think here? Right in this town? Well, my sympathies, won't you
(04:32):
sit down? Thanks? You're agentleman. The next time I take a
job somewhere, I'm going to carrya ticket back to where I came from
in a sixth day supply of krushing. What would you care to tell
me about it? I was doingan act at the gay Perie when the
blow fell, and they had abig floor show trying to boost business.
But it didn't boost it busted Aplace was padlocked, likewise the owner's pocketbook.
(04:57):
We were out two weeks salary.We I was Yaga, half of
the dance team of Ricardo and Agaand then Ricardo. The creep must have
been tipped off because the night weclosed, at the end of his first
number, he danced off the floor, out through the stage entrance and was
never heard from again. Well,I always say we're better off without those
kinds of people around anyway, notwhen he buffaloes out with all your savings.
(05:18):
I hate him already. Well,I sent a wire to my booking
agent for health and his answer cameback something like this. Here they're starving
in the street. At least yougot a hotel room to do it in.
Pardon what a hold? Those agentsor a shift deal? They only
like you when you're working. Ah, you're telling me my rents up at
(05:41):
the end of the week and afterthat. Who knows? Well? Now,
madam, your story has touched mevery deeply. Would it spoil your
timing any if I asked you whyyou came to see me? Hey,
you know you got a style there. It's unique, it's widely copy.
Now, don't flash too much ofthat rep part day and make me forget
what I came here for. Justunburden yourself, Volga, No more red
(06:04):
parties. The name's Kelly, KellyGreen. I wouldn't be seen on the
street as Olga. Pardon my mistake. Yeah, I came to ask you
to find a guy named Captain EricNostron. He's somewhere is in San Francisco,
an army man. He bought thattitle in a saloon in Tahiti,
a beach comber. Tell him Kelly'sgot some information. She wants to sell.
(06:29):
You can reach me at the EmbassyHotel six twenty seven. Just a
minute, Kelly. Yeah, Ihate to mention this to someone in your
position, but there's a thie formy services. Oh, he'll pay you
the kind of information I got.He wants real bad well, Tata clearing
(06:55):
everything off my desk, two shoeswith feet in a mine. I embarked
on this dangerous a signment. IfBryan don Levy will pardon the expression,
You know, I am not withoutsources of waterfront information, And in a
couple of hours I found myself ina bistro called a backwash, a place
that hangs so precariously on the westbank of the bay that flies come to
(07:16):
study it. Hallo, Sammy,ol Hello Eddie. What's a good word?
Well, Sammy, I know whatI hear, But what I hear
sometimes ain't the truth? Or amI too quick for you? Give me?
For instance, Well, the guyyou called about is sitting down at
the far end at this very samebar. At least he calls himself Captain
Eric Nostin. This is what Ihear from my side at the bar.
(07:39):
But whether he is or not whathe says, he is is only something
that can be verified by investigation,or am I too quick for you?
Whatever? Another point of beer aboutvender. Let me buy it, sir.
You can blame me drinks all night, but don't make the mistake of
trying to get me drunk. Makeit too, will you? Eddie?
Sam Sam? That means he knowsyou. You're okay by the ouse,
(08:01):
Well, then you're okay by CaptainNostro. Hey you want ubis. What's
the rest of it, Sam Spade? Well, I'll tell you something about
you, Sam Spade. You didn'tcome here to drink with me. You
came to talk. Should we goover in a booth? That's a good
idea, right, Yeah, nowI'm ready to listen. You know Kelly
(08:26):
Green, Kelly the dancer. Yeah, well every blasted sailor in the Orient
knows Kelly. Let me see now. The last time I remember her,
she was dancing on a table inSingapore for some Dutch officers. Well,
she's in town right now. Shesaid she has some information you'd want to
buy. I bet she as you'rea friend of hers. Since this morning,
that's long enough for me. Now, what are you private? Detective?
(08:50):
I am? And that brings upone other point, she said,
you would pay me for finding Ohsurely, what's your fee at twenty final
though year year is fifty on alot. Take it now, as far
as I'm concerned, you burned it. And wat's her address? Embassy Hotel,
Room six two seven NA. We'llget in touch with her. Well,
see you're around. Hey, waita minute, spade, Yeah,
(09:13):
how would you like to find someonefor me? Why not? Who are
you looking for? A man namedchan Lee? I suppose I tell you
the old starry Now you take alook at these. Look here, feast
your eyes. He took a swatchof velvet cloth out of a sea jacket
(09:35):
pocket and opened it on it.We're six very large, very breathtaking,
rose colored pearls. Nostrin's eyes flickedover each pearl as if he knew it
by name and lineage. He letme stare at them for several silent minutes
before he spoke again. They eversee such timeless beauty captured in six perfect
spheres? I haven't seen many likethose, ah, and there aren't many
(09:58):
twelve to be exact, twelve inall the world. What are pearls like
that? Worth? Well? Anyjeweler in the city would give you five
thousand dollars a pearl farm. Butif I had all twelve, I could
sell a set for seventy five thousand. I'd to get the half of the
twelve pearls nostri the ever year orthe twetoy oyster banks off the Barnio Islands.
(10:20):
No, I haven't been pearling lately. Ah, well, I am,
how is that where these came from? That's right, from the toy
toy banks. A friend of minenamed Julo named Hong kong Ai tipped me
off that twelve perfectly matched rose coloredpearls could be picked up at Kagiansulo from
a whole save bya called don't sayMao, Well, which is it?
(10:41):
I shipped over on a catch withtwo other men. Don't say ma asked
twelve thousand pesos for the lot,and I took him a damn. When
we left Kagayan Sulu, I gotcaught in a storm and I went overpart.
But I didn't fall accidentally. No, why was it on the ed
and thrown over bar buddies. Oneof the purls. Ah, they got
six up in my seabag. Theother six were sown inside my belt.
(11:03):
I still have those. Well,I trace those two guys all over the
Orient, but both of them waskilled the Morrow curse. They say,
so far eight people have died overthese pearls. The Morrow Curse. Yea
carney, isn't it? Yes?Yeah? Anyway, the rumor is that
the other six pearls have found theirway to San Francisco, and that a
man named CHANNELI knows about them.I've been here far height always and I
(11:28):
haven't found him. But what areyou plan to do when you find it?
Don't you worry? Spade? Ihave a buyer. I'll pay cash
for him, all right, I'llgive you fifty bucks worth of looking for
Channel. Now where can I getin touch with him? Are you in
the book? Yeah, then I'llfind you. It's just one thing,
Spade. If Kelly likes it,you must be straight here pick a pearl.
Ah wait a minute, Nostrands,you just said each one of these
(11:50):
pearls was worth five thousand dollars seventyfive hundred to me. But I want
to play it this way. Now. If you find Channel, you ask
him if he knows me, andI skim if he knows about the pearls,
maybe he won't talk to you.So hope he doesn't just showing the
pearl and then walk out. He'llfall all over him. You over to
find me. Well, you knowbest. I assume no responsibility for this
(12:13):
pearl. I can handle a responsibilityfor both of us. Yeah. Harry
Ching, a friend of mine whohas his ear to the oriental ground,
put down his mother tongue edition ofthat great Chinese detective Shylock Hole and directed
(12:33):
me to a little food store justoff Grand Street. There are a number
of people in the store looking atmerchandise. My man was small and fat
and behind the counter. Good afternoon. May I assist you? Chan Lee?
Oh no, my name Leanne.Harry Ching told me chan Lee would
be here. Oh before my namelean my name charm Lee. If personal
(12:54):
les are fourteens, you understand notfully? No, But I'm not here
doing choir about that dam. Doyou know a man named Captain Eric Nostron?
No, no, never hear nameKasta Nosano. He's big, red
pointed beard, rough register s.No ever hear the rose colored pearls of
(13:15):
Tomatami. The joke? Why youtalk pearl with Leon? I do you
chiny food? Not you? Imight have the wrong, shan Lee.
But do you know anything about pearlsOh? I can tell good pearl home
band, Paul, my uncle wantspearl trada' take a look at this.
(13:37):
Let me see you don't put inyour mouth, just bit it to test
skin. Oh yeah, sure,you joke with joke about what I know
where five more are just like that, worth five thousand dollars of piece.
Somebody pull your leg, pu deafane, you've called your pearl artificially call on
(14:03):
what maybe five dollars? Really?Nick, don't play joel on shan Lee
Lee. You went, oh,yes, not me bold a skeptic eye.
I took the pearl to a jewelerI know, and he told me
(14:24):
shan Lee a light in his stragglybeard. It was the finest specimen of
rose pearl he'd ever seen. WhenI went back to my office to wait
for Nostrian's call, when and ifit came, I say, I went
back to my office, but notdirectly in because just as I was putting
the key in my lock, somethingfamiliar pushed in between my shoulder blade.
It's the spade. I know allthe tricks that don't try and I just
opened the door and go in.You bet, I'll sit down at your
(14:50):
desk and put your hands on topof it. You were looking at the
tea and shan Lee's store, weren'tyou? I was? And I want
the pearl you have me? Youall right? If you're going to make
a scene, suppose you give mesomething. I don't have to give you
anything. That pearl belongs to me. It was stolen from me, along
with all the other Zierig Nostros.Right about those pills from Tung Semo and
(15:15):
Cagayan Sulo. Nostrand was crewe onmy catch, and on the way back
to Shanghai, he threw me overboardso he could have the pells himself.
Didn't you drown? Mister? Ihaven't a Sanderson. Some Jap fishermen picked
me up. This is the firstof the twelve rose colored pearls I've gotten
back, and I mean to getthe other eleven, even if it takes
a few dead bodies to accomplish it. Well. I admire spirit, sir,
(15:37):
but I'm afraid you've picked out atough career. Was Nostron, I
don't know. You must know you'reworking for him. He said he'd contact
me, honesty, how did youget tied up with him? A girl
named Kelly Green hired me to finda Call her all right and ask her
where Nostrand is? All right,I will don't point me not flight Embassy
(16:00):
Hotel. Oh six two seven.Please? Who are you calling? Please?
Miss Kelly Green? Hello, Kelly, Yeah, fam space, Yeah
it did Captain Nostron get in touchwith you. No, did you find
him? Sam? I did,Well, he hasn't come up here yet,
not just Sam. Thanks for calling. Goodbye. She hasn't seen him
(16:22):
yet. Thank you, missus spade. I'll be checking with you from time
to time. He pocketed his gunand stalked out with a five thousand dollar
pearl in his hand. I knewhe had heard the operators say Embassy Hotel,
and I knew he heard Kelly Green'sroom number, so I let him
get a small head start. Hewent directly to the Embassy Hotel. I
(16:45):
followed him into the lobby. Hegot the one elevator, and I had
awake until it went up and camedown before I got it. When I
arrived at the sixth floor, thedoor of six two seven was slightly open,
and there was a sharp odor inthe air, Ivan t Sander and
wasn't there. Neither was Kelly Green. But dragging himself across the floor trying
to reach the door was Captain EricNostri. He had two bullet holes in
(17:07):
his back. I try to helphim, but beyond he collapsed dead.
As his body relaxed, his mouthslowly opened and five rose colored pearls rolled
out. You are listening to theweekly adventure of radio's most famous detective,
(17:29):
Sam Spade. Three Chimes mean GoodTimes on NBC. There's Music and Mystery
with the Chimes every Saturday Tomorrow evening. For mystery, Herbert Marshall stars as
(17:53):
the man called X. In allthe strange and far off corners of the
world, wherever there is intrigue,danger in romance, there you will find
the man called X. For music, there's your Hip Parade with the top
tunes in the land, as selectedby you and brought to you by Snookie
Lanson, Eileen Wilson and the HipParaders. Last week, Tennessee Waltz and
My Heart Cries for You were thetop tunes across the country. Will they
(18:17):
topple Well, You'll have the answertomorrow on your Hip Parade. And now
back to the string of death caperTonight's adventure with Sam's bade. After I
(18:38):
found Nostrin's body, I called you, Lieutenant Kelsey, and sold you as
little as I could. After that, I went out to dinner and then
home to bed. This hiatus wasnecessary in order to let the pot of
vicious intrigue bubble a little. Well, the next morning, at considerable expense,
we added a new character to ourplay, which was already an extravaganza.
(19:00):
Good Mommy, good morning. Iam not sure, monsieur, but
I am going to kill you.Let you live. A very effective entrance,
sir. And who are you Jacquesmalroe Aha of the Marrow Curse?
The same, monsieur. It waswe parted in the peppers that you found
the body of Captain Eric Nostrand inthe apartment of a girl named Kelly Green.
(19:22):
Well, I'm afraid I just happenedto be there. Did you happen
to know if anyone found a numberof pearls or Nostran's body? Well,
as far as I know, theydidn't. You mean they tawatawe pearls,
don't you? Ah? You knowabout it a little? Yeah, they
belonged to a man named Tongue SaMao who solemn or a man named Ivan
Sanderson who had them stolen from himby Captain Nostran, who had half of
(19:45):
his stolen from him. That's theinstallment I just read. Anyone, perhaps
it is mostly right, except forone important point. Soon say mar was
holding them for me. They werenot bought. They were taken from him
at the of a gun. It'sgetting involved, getting involved. I risked
my life in the shock infested watersof Towey Towey, diving for those pearls.
(20:07):
No man but me will possess him. Now Where to thank Kenny Green
and Ivan Saunderson. I don't know. A police don't know, so I
can't tell you. Ah huh,All right, mister spid you have an
honest face. I believe you.But if it turns out later that you
have deceived me, you will findto your regret the product. Marrow is
(20:32):
not an easy man to do businesswith. World where Following his exit,
I allowed a pause for a dramaticeffect, and then dissolved into the next
scene. On the front door ofChanley's grocery store, there was a sign
closed for the day, so Iwent around the block through an alley and
(20:52):
came up on his living quarters fromthe back way. I stood at the
back door and knew somebody was homelistening to some oriental ARY's shaw. Tried
the door, knod, it turned, and I carefully opened the door and
stepped in. What do you domy house? What light you're coming?
Pilot house? Turn that thing offand I'll tell you hold right, get
(21:17):
out, get off, I callpolice. Man. I didn't come here
to quibble with you. I cameto speak right from the shoulder. What
you talk about? How it's pI pol get out? You know Nostroun
was killed yesterday, don't you?I tell you before? I know no
man named Nostar? All right,we're Sanders. What the tall man with
a clipp mustache? Who was inyour store yesterday when I was there?
Well, plenty of people come mystore. I not know them all by
(21:38):
name? Come to anybody plenty mustaalright, alright, play it you're away
from But if you ever do,meet up with Sanders and just tell him
that I have the other five pearls, the ones Nostron was killed for.
Just as I closed the door behindme, I saw a pair of red
alligator shoes with a pair of nylonsdraped over them, pushed under a chair.
(22:03):
I hesitated a minute, thought better, and hurried away. I went
back to my office, pulled outa good book and read for three hours.
It paid off. Damn, Ihad to come. I'm in an
awful jam. I should say youare, and I won't get you any
easier when I called the police.I knew Eric was fun in my apartment,
but I didn't have anything to doit. Nuts. I called you
(22:23):
from here in ten minutes before Nostromwas found. Did alright? Alright?
He was there, but he wantedme to say he Wasn't you want me
to tell you something else about yourself. I checked with the Embassy hotel.
Your bill was paid for a monthin advance. You weren't stranded. It
was a murder set up from beginningto end. But I can't understand you're
being dumb enough to use your realname. He wasn't supposed to have been
killed there. It was supposed tohappen someplace else. That's what I thought.
(22:45):
But don't do it, Sam.I came here to tell you the
truth. I need your help.I can't help you now killing He made
me do it. He made mecome to San Francisco, wait for Nostrom
and then find him. Who madeyou? Sanderson? No cham chan Lee
he killed Nostrin. He shot him, but we heard somebody at the door
and went out the fire escape beforewe could search Nostrin. What do you
(23:07):
mean he made you do it?Look at this? That arm isn't pretty,
is it? There must be athousand holes in it? When'd you
start this? In Singapore? Janused to be there and he supplied me.
I had to follow him here becauseI didn't have enough money to buy
it. I see, Oh,Kelly, I'm sorry. Maybe the stage
(23:29):
will take that into considerate. Iwant to go into partnership with you.
Partnership doing what selling pearls? Youhave five of them? I have six
of them here? Where'd you getthese from? Chan? I heard you
there after you left. He gotexcited and had to take something to quiet
himself down. I grabbed these andbeat it while I was still under What
do you say, Sam? Let'ssell him and go someplace. Oh,
(23:52):
it might be arranged. Where's Sanderson? Ivan Sanderson? Yeah, he lives
on a boat. It's a y'alla trader anchored to Peer thirty two.
I don't worry about him, Sam, you can take care of him.
I probably can't. Did you everhear a guy named Jacques Maro Marow?
Jacques Maro, Yeah, is hein San Francisco? He was in here
yesterday looking for you and Sanderson.Sam. The deal's off. I don't
(24:14):
want to have anything to do withit. Here, keep the pearls.
I picked up the six pearls andput them in my office safe for the
other five. I take him fromNostri. Then I went down to the
waterfront looking for Sanderson. Sean Leewas still under drugs, there'd be no
problem for the police to pick up, Nor what Kelly Green once her drug
(24:36):
supply began to give up. Thetrader was a trim white yawl tied up
at Pier thirty two with a Jacobladder running down to its deck. I
climbed on and looking around, foundSanderson in a cabin, sitting behind the
table. It wasn't a commonplace thing, you see. He'd just been shot.
You can't do anything for me,Sam, there's nothing to do.
(24:59):
How did having as the Marlowe curse? Jack Marrow yea he made a vow
that he was going to kill anyonewho touch the pearls. Anyone? Did
he get your pearl? Yes?Who has the rest? I do?
(25:23):
Eleven? Who who my row findsout? I wonder how you're going to
feel dying eleven. That's when Iturned the whole thing over to you,
(25:44):
Kelsey. I went back to myoffice, put in a call to your
office and gave you a complete rundownon the case, from beginning to end.
Who did what and how you mightgo about finding you? Said to
be right over to pick up thepearls, but you got there a little
late. I had no sooner putdown the phone. When all right,
you have a pull? Give themto charm or he will not hesitate to
(26:06):
shoot you. Why you dead,Nostrum, I don't have time for talk.
How you get pulls? Okay?In my safe here. I don't
think I'm going to give you anyarguments or pull anything clever. It will
be too bad if you did.I don't really know who these pearls do
them belong too? And I don'tcare much anymore. You can have the
(26:27):
worries instead of me. I willbe glad to worry about such a pleasure
they are. Stay where you are, show them to me a thank you.
No, I will go. Iadvise you against lazy outcry. I'm
(26:47):
glad they get rid of you.Go and have a long and happy life.
Oh oh, I have been handpicked by the god. He was,
but for a different reason. Heput the pearls in his pocket with
a little smile of triumph. Buthow easy it had been. He turned
and quickly walked out of the office. He even closed the door politely,
(27:10):
but outside he didn't get far.I ran for the hall, sidding my
thirty eight out of its holster.Chan Lee lay still on the floor in
his coat pocket had been turned insideout. Steps were pounding down the stair
well, and I followed my intersidewalk. He was half a block away
and running. I fired at him, and he stopped and fired back.
My second one caught him from achest and he fell twisting across the sidewalk.
I walked right up to him,but it was all over. Jacques
(27:33):
Maroux was dead, and one byone, twelve of the most beautiful rose
colored pearls in the world were droppingout of his hands, rolling down the
gutter and plopping into the sewer.Where they belonged period end of string?
(27:57):
Did they all go down the sewerevery pearl? Effie? Who knows where
they might be now? Maybe asa filtering player, maybe out to sea.
Dam Could I get off for metonight, Effie? Put that thought
out of your mind. They're notworth it. Oh but Sam, all
that I said, forget it.I'll go tight that up. Go on
(28:17):
scoop three times Mean Good Times.On NBC, there's music and fun in
the air Tomorrow evening style to suityour Saturday night of merriment. Dennis Day
brings you songs and comedy in hischarming, boyish manner, and then Judy
Canova gets together with her frolicsome friendsfor Mountain Melody and Mayhem, followed by
(28:41):
grand ol Opry with singing mc redFoley in his game. It's a Saturday
night of fun designed for you.All tight up, Oh Sam, those
pearls I give anything just to wearthem one night. Anything, Well,
(29:06):
I suppose it isn't worth it.But someday, somehow I want to wear
expensive jewels. Effie. I'd rathersee you with a sparkling light in your
eye any day looks much better onit. And of course it's cheaper,
Iffie. Is that a slur onmy character? Well? I don't get
paid too much too often. Allright, let's settle this thing right here.
You say you want some pearls.Oh, here you are six oysters,
(29:30):
three boys and three girls. Youcan grow your own at home.
Damn are those really oysters? Theyare? Indeed I picked them up at
Fisherman's Walk just this afternoon. Whatdo I do? Oh, I'll make
it easier for you. I alsobought a bottle of cocktail sauce. Which
will it be pearls or oysters onthe half shell? Oh? Damn?
(29:53):
So different. Let's see them knockuntil you say good night, Swigart.
(30:15):
The Adventures of Sam Spade are produced, edited, and directed by William Spear.
Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn. Loreene Tuttle is Effie. Script
for tonight's adventure by John Michael Hayes, Musical scoring by lud Gluskin, conducted
by Robert Armbrister. Join us againnext week, same time for another adventure
(30:53):
with Sam Spade, now the MagnificentMontague. Then it's Duffy's Tavern on NBC.
Welcome back. Well, I reallyenjoyed the concept of the story,
(31:18):
and also all of these crazy charactersthey had going around fighting over the string
of pearls. And I love theimage, you know, the audio image
to be somewhat oxymoronic, of thepearls going into the sewer. This is
one of those stories where I kindof wished it would have been fleshed out
(31:41):
as a two parter or adapted intoa five part Johnny Doaller story. It
felt like there was more potential andmore that could have been told, and
quite a few things where Sam hadto expouse it through a couple of points.
But other than being too Jordan,I thought this was a really solid
episode. Well, now we turnto listener comments and feedback, and I'm
(32:06):
going to read some listeners survey responsesfrom those who filled out or survey at
survey dot Great Detectives dot net.Dwayne writes, I enjoy all of the
feature detective shows. I have afairly long commute and the shows are a
great way to pass the driving time. Johnny Dowler is my favorite. Well,
thank you so much, Dwayne,and Eric writes look forward to these
(32:30):
shows every day. Perfect way torelax before bedtime. Thank you, Eric.
And then have a comment from Kerrie, who writes great podcast, Adam,
appreciate all that you do to researchthe material. Here's one vote for
you starting an old time radio adventurepodcast at some point in the future.
Ps I said, I enjoyed thecontent the most, but your hosting is
(32:52):
just as important. But it wouldn'tlet me choose both. Well, that's
okay. Carry I appreciated your response. As to the old time radio adventure
podcast. I do have plans forit when we get into our listener support
slash appreciation campaign. I'm going totalk more about it at the end of
(33:14):
the month. And finally we havea comment from Bob, who writes,
I will am a longtime old timeradio lover. I did stage shows yearly
with actors like Parley Bear, PegLynch, Alan Young and others. You
do a high quality show, greathosting of thorough knowledge and new content.
Well, thank you so much,and I truly appreciate your comments. With
(33:37):
that background, there was a reallyunique time in the seventies and eighties.
Really, maybe a bit more toan extent later on, but in the
seventies and eighties you had groups likeSpurred Back or the Friends of Old Time
Radio and they held advance where thosesurviving old time radio stars would attend.
(34:05):
They would have Q and A questions, It would be a place where they
could talk about their lives and careers, and in some cases they would actually
perform a radio dramas live on stagefor the convention along with others, and
it was a great experience for everyonethere. I'm not certain if that was
(34:28):
how Bob counted all those great actors, but from all the accounts, it
was fantastic to work with them andto have those opportunities back in those days.
All right, Well, now it'stime to thank our Patreon supporter of
the day, and I want togo ahead and thank Harold. Harold has
been one of our Patreon supporters sinceSeptember twenty seventeen, currently supporting the program
(34:52):
at the Master Detective level of fifteendollars or more per month. Thank you
so much for your support, Harold, and that will do it for today.
If you are enjoying this podcast,please follow us using your favorite podcast
software. And if you're enjoying thepodcast on YouTube, be sure to lock
the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. We'll
(35:15):
be back next Monday with another episodeof Sam Spade. Coming up. Next
Thursday, we'll be presenting previously uncirculatedepisodes of Mister Chameleon, and next Saturday
will begin our second run through Dragneton the great detectives of Old time Radio.
Join us back here tomorrow for yourstruly. Johnny doll or Ware,
(35:36):
Hey, I just knew thereout nobodyis there, and I hope you're a
sake boy. You ain't no JimmyArtist, because I got me a gun
under this rain coat. I'm noJimmy artist. I'm just trying to locate
a man named Julian. Julian,that's right, Man Sacavetti lived here.
Well, according to my records,mister Sacavetti and mister Julian are the same
man really, and here now hoodout, bag and baggage a week ten
(35:59):
days ago. Whatever name of you. Huh, don't suppose you have any
idea where he went, do you? Nope, you're having to see him
move yep. I'm and his wifeand their clothes left, all their furniture.
Huh didn't they have any to leave? This place was furnish form.
They're the kind of people who neverowned more than make carry. That's the
way I have figuring fast, travlingand short acquaintances Now I once knew a
(36:22):
fellow up in Kings City. Checkus out on Instagram, Instagram, dot
com, slash Great Detectives, andfollow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives From
Boise, Ottaho, This is yourhost, Adam Grahamson and Off
Welcome to the Great Detectives of OldTime Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
is your host, Adam 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 slash
(00:51):
Great Detectives. Today's program is broughtto you in part by the financial support
of our listeners. You can supportthe show on a one time basis support
dot Great Detectives dot net. Youcan become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters
for as little last two dollars permonth. Just go to Patreon dot Great
Detectives dot net. Well, nowit is time for this week's adventure was
(01:15):
Sam Spade. The original air dateis February the second, nineteen fifty one,
and the title is The String ofDeathcaper The Adventures of Sam Spade,
Detective Stay Detective Agency. Be sweetheart, San, you know you're on all
(01:42):
the papers. Don't think I'm happyabout it. You were standing on the
sidewalk pointing and there's a dot ofnine running from you to X where he
found the body. You mean,where they found the last body. If
there were several before us. Iknow all of four four people. Tell
me if how many dots were theyrunning from me to where they found the
body? Oh, let's see one, two, three, six twelve,
(02:04):
Sam, that's what I expected.What has it been for one, two,
three, six twelve? That's ohno, not really, but definitely
we just got in on a bigfinish. This is a tale of deceit
and intrigue, apt strung through manyislands in several countries. Yea, through
a great many lives. So Iam left with no choice but to call
it the String of Death Caper.For NBC, William Spear, Radio's outstanding
(02:35):
producer director of mystery and crime drama, brings you the greatest private detective of
them all, in the Adventures ofSam Spade. Don't shout, how are
you saying? Oh? I'm allright, I guess let me look at
you. Sam. You need torest. You've been staying up too many
(02:58):
nice and going around with the wrongpeople. You don't have to tell me.
I have only this to say.If the people I've been going around
with lately won't be going around anymore, So don't worry about me, oh
my coel, And if you sayso, terrible. Your eyes are bloodshot,
aren't everybody so? Your hands areshaking, true, Fee, And
(03:19):
here's why take it down. You'reready, don't make it. Don't make
it too gory, Ifee. IAm not going to pull any punches.
You'll have to take it as itcame the way I did. They'd fill
it in too, Lieutenant I seeKelsey homicide to tale San Francisco Police from
Samuel Spade, license number one threeseventy five nine six, subject the string
of death Caper. Dear Kelsey,It's hard to believe that the events of
(03:44):
the past forty eight hours all beganwith the discovery of the oyster, but
they did, and they made amarked change in the census figures of several
countries. The whole thing was incredible. The most incredible part of it was
that I was careless enough to letmyself get mixed up in it. The
entire see me saga began two daysago when my door opened and a woman
walked in showgirl type seven B,tight black skirt, two type blouse,
(04:09):
red alligator shoes, hair overdone insomebody's peroxide oven, you know that kind
of stuff. She choked gum,of course, and swung a black patent
leather handbag, and her charm braceletwas so loaded I wondered if she could
lift her arm Let's face it,I'm stranded. Really, where where'd you
think here? Right in this town? Well, my sympathies, won't you
(04:32):
sit down? Thanks? You're agentleman. The next time I take a
job somewhere, I'm going to carrya ticket back to where I came from
in a sixth day supply of krushing. What would you care to tell
me about it? I was doingan act at the gay Perie when the
blow fell, and they had abig floor show trying to boost business.
But it didn't boost it busted Aplace was padlocked, likewise the owner's pocketbook.
(04:57):
We were out two weeks salary.We I was Yaga, half of
the dance team of Ricardo and Agaand then Ricardo. The creep must have
been tipped off because the night weclosed, at the end of his first
number, he danced off the floor, out through the stage entrance and was
never heard from again. Well,I always say we're better off without those
kinds of people around anyway, notwhen he buffaloes out with all your savings.
(05:18):
I hate him already. Well,I sent a wire to my booking
agent for health and his answer cameback something like this. Here they're starving
in the street. At least yougot a hotel room to do it in.
Pardon what a hold? Those agentsor a shift deal? They only
like you when you're working. Ah, you're telling me my rents up at
(05:41):
the end of the week and afterthat. Who knows? Well? Now,
madam, your story has touched mevery deeply. Would it spoil your
timing any if I asked you whyyou came to see me? Hey,
you know you got a style there. It's unique, it's widely copy.
Now, don't flash too much ofthat rep part day and make me forget
what I came here for. Justunburden yourself, Volga, No more red
(06:04):
parties. The name's Kelly, KellyGreen. I wouldn't be seen on the
street as Olga. Pardon my mistake. Yeah, I came to ask you
to find a guy named Captain EricNostron. He's somewhere is in San Francisco,
an army man. He bought thattitle in a saloon in Tahiti,
a beach comber. Tell him Kelly'sgot some information. She wants to sell.
(06:29):
You can reach me at the EmbassyHotel six twenty seven. Just a
minute, Kelly. Yeah, Ihate to mention this to someone in your
position, but there's a thie formy services. Oh, he'll pay you
the kind of information I got.He wants real bad well, Tata clearing
(06:55):
everything off my desk, two shoeswith feet in a mine. I embarked
on this dangerous a signment. IfBryan don Levy will pardon the expression,
You know, I am not withoutsources of waterfront information, And in a
couple of hours I found myself ina bistro called a backwash, a place
that hangs so precariously on the westbank of the bay that flies come to
(07:16):
study it. Hallo, Sammy,ol Hello Eddie. What's a good word?
Well, Sammy, I know whatI hear, But what I hear
sometimes ain't the truth? Or amI too quick for you? Give me?
For instance, Well, the guyyou called about is sitting down at
the far end at this very samebar. At least he calls himself Captain
Eric Nostin. This is what Ihear from my side at the bar.
(07:39):
But whether he is or not whathe says, he is is only something
that can be verified by investigation,or am I too quick for you?
Whatever? Another point of beer aboutvender. Let me buy it, sir.
You can blame me drinks all night, but don't make the mistake of
trying to get me drunk. Makeit too, will you? Eddie?
Sam Sam? That means he knowsyou. You're okay by the ouse,
(08:01):
Well, then you're okay by CaptainNostro. Hey you want ubis. What's
the rest of it, Sam Spade? Well, I'll tell you something about
you, Sam Spade. You didn'tcome here to drink with me. You
came to talk. Should we goover in a booth? That's a good
idea, right, Yeah, nowI'm ready to listen. You know Kelly
(08:26):
Green, Kelly the dancer. Yeah, well every blasted sailor in the Orient
knows Kelly. Let me see now. The last time I remember her,
she was dancing on a table inSingapore for some Dutch officers. Well,
she's in town right now. Shesaid she has some information you'd want to
buy. I bet she as you'rea friend of hers. Since this morning,
that's long enough for me. Now, what are you private? Detective?
(08:50):
I am? And that brings upone other point, she said,
you would pay me for finding Ohsurely, what's your fee at twenty final
though year year is fifty on alot. Take it now, as far
as I'm concerned, you burned it. And wat's her address? Embassy Hotel,
Room six two seven NA. We'llget in touch with her. Well,
see you're around. Hey, waita minute, spade, Yeah,
(09:13):
how would you like to find someonefor me? Why not? Who are
you looking for? A man namedchan Lee? I suppose I tell you
the old starry Now you take alook at these. Look here, feast
your eyes. He took a swatchof velvet cloth out of a sea jacket
(09:35):
pocket and opened it on it.We're six very large, very breathtaking,
rose colored pearls. Nostrin's eyes flickedover each pearl as if he knew it
by name and lineage. He letme stare at them for several silent minutes
before he spoke again. They eversee such timeless beauty captured in six perfect
spheres? I haven't seen many likethose, ah, and there aren't many
(09:58):
twelve to be exact, twelve inall the world. What are pearls like
that? Worth? Well? Anyjeweler in the city would give you five
thousand dollars a pearl farm. Butif I had all twelve, I could
sell a set for seventy five thousand. I'd to get the half of the
twelve pearls nostri the ever year orthe twetoy oyster banks off the Barnio Islands.
(10:20):
No, I haven't been pearling lately. Ah, well, I am,
how is that where these came from? That's right, from the toy
toy banks. A friend of minenamed Julo named Hong kong Ai tipped me
off that twelve perfectly matched rose coloredpearls could be picked up at Kagiansulo from
a whole save bya called don't sayMao, Well, which is it?
(10:41):
I shipped over on a catch withtwo other men. Don't say ma asked
twelve thousand pesos for the lot,and I took him a damn. When
we left Kagayan Sulu, I gotcaught in a storm and I went overpart.
But I didn't fall accidentally. No, why was it on the ed
and thrown over bar buddies. Oneof the purls. Ah, they got
six up in my seabag. Theother six were sown inside my belt.
(11:03):
I still have those. Well,I trace those two guys all over the
Orient, but both of them waskilled the Morrow curse. They say,
so far eight people have died overthese pearls. The Morrow Curse. Yea
carney, isn't it? Yes?Yeah? Anyway, the rumor is that
the other six pearls have found theirway to San Francisco, and that a
man named CHANNELI knows about them.I've been here far height always and I
(11:28):
haven't found him. But what areyou plan to do when you find it?
Don't you worry? Spade? Ihave a buyer. I'll pay cash
for him, all right, I'llgive you fifty bucks worth of looking for
Channel. Now where can I getin touch with him? Are you in
the book? Yeah, then I'llfind you. It's just one thing,
Spade. If Kelly likes it,you must be straight here pick a pearl.
Ah wait a minute, Nostrands,you just said each one of these
(11:50):
pearls was worth five thousand dollars seventyfive hundred to me. But I want
to play it this way. Now. If you find Channel, you ask
him if he knows me, andI skim if he knows about the pearls,
maybe he won't talk to you.So hope he doesn't just showing the
pearl and then walk out. He'llfall all over him. You over to
find me. Well, you knowbest. I assume no responsibility for this
(12:13):
pearl. I can handle a responsibilityfor both of us. Yeah. Harry
Ching, a friend of mine whohas his ear to the oriental ground,
put down his mother tongue edition ofthat great Chinese detective Shylock Hole and directed
(12:33):
me to a little food store justoff Grand Street. There are a number
of people in the store looking atmerchandise. My man was small and fat
and behind the counter. Good afternoon. May I assist you? Chan Lee?
Oh no, my name Leanne.Harry Ching told me chan Lee would
be here. Oh before my namelean my name charm Lee. If personal
(12:54):
les are fourteens, you understand notfully? No, But I'm not here
doing choir about that dam. Doyou know a man named Captain Eric Nostron?
No, no, never hear nameKasta Nosano. He's big, red
pointed beard, rough register s.No ever hear the rose colored pearls of
(13:15):
Tomatami. The joke? Why youtalk pearl with Leon? I do you
chiny food? Not you? Imight have the wrong, shan Lee.
But do you know anything about pearlsOh? I can tell good pearl home
band, Paul, my uncle wantspearl trada' take a look at this.
(13:37):
Let me see you don't put inyour mouth, just bit it to test
skin. Oh yeah, sure,you joke with joke about what I know
where five more are just like that, worth five thousand dollars of piece.
Somebody pull your leg, pu deafane, you've called your pearl artificially call on
(14:03):
what maybe five dollars? Really?Nick, don't play joel on shan Lee
Lee. You went, oh,yes, not me bold a skeptic eye.
I took the pearl to a jewelerI know, and he told me
(14:24):
shan Lee a light in his stragglybeard. It was the finest specimen of
rose pearl he'd ever seen. WhenI went back to my office to wait
for Nostrian's call, when and ifit came, I say, I went
back to my office, but notdirectly in because just as I was putting
the key in my lock, somethingfamiliar pushed in between my shoulder blade.
It's the spade. I know allthe tricks that don't try and I just
opened the door and go in.You bet, I'll sit down at your
(14:50):
desk and put your hands on topof it. You were looking at the
tea and shan Lee's store, weren'tyou? I was? And I want
the pearl you have me? Youall right? If you're going to make
a scene, suppose you give mesomething. I don't have to give you
anything. That pearl belongs to me. It was stolen from me, along
with all the other Zierig Nostros.Right about those pills from Tung Semo and
(15:15):
Cagayan Sulo. Nostrand was crewe onmy catch, and on the way back
to Shanghai, he threw me overboardso he could have the pells himself.
Didn't you drown? Mister? Ihaven't a Sanderson. Some Jap fishermen picked
me up. This is the firstof the twelve rose colored pearls I've gotten
back, and I mean to getthe other eleven, even if it takes
a few dead bodies to accomplish it. Well. I admire spirit, sir,
(15:37):
but I'm afraid you've picked out atough career. Was Nostron, I
don't know. You must know you'reworking for him. He said he'd contact
me, honesty, how did youget tied up with him? A girl
named Kelly Green hired me to finda Call her all right and ask her
where Nostrand is? All right,I will don't point me not flight Embassy
(16:00):
Hotel. Oh six two seven.Please? Who are you calling? Please?
Miss Kelly Green? Hello, Kelly, Yeah, fam space, Yeah
it did Captain Nostron get in touchwith you. No, did you find
him? Sam? I did,Well, he hasn't come up here yet,
not just Sam. Thanks for calling. Goodbye. She hasn't seen him
(16:22):
yet. Thank you, missus spade. I'll be checking with you from time
to time. He pocketed his gunand stalked out with a five thousand dollar
pearl in his hand. I knewhe had heard the operators say Embassy Hotel,
and I knew he heard Kelly Green'sroom number, so I let him
get a small head start. Hewent directly to the Embassy Hotel. I
(16:45):
followed him into the lobby. Hegot the one elevator, and I had
awake until it went up and camedown before I got it. When I
arrived at the sixth floor, thedoor of six two seven was slightly open,
and there was a sharp odor inthe air, Ivan t Sander and
wasn't there. Neither was Kelly Green. But dragging himself across the floor trying
to reach the door was Captain EricNostri. He had two bullet holes in
(17:07):
his back. I try to helphim, but beyond he collapsed dead.
As his body relaxed, his mouthslowly opened and five rose colored pearls rolled
out. You are listening to theweekly adventure of radio's most famous detective,
(17:29):
Sam Spade. Three Chimes mean GoodTimes on NBC. There's Music and Mystery
with the Chimes every Saturday Tomorrow evening. For mystery, Herbert Marshall stars as
(17:53):
the man called X. In allthe strange and far off corners of the
world, wherever there is intrigue,danger in romance, there you will find
the man called X. For music, there's your Hip Parade with the top
tunes in the land, as selectedby you and brought to you by Snookie
Lanson, Eileen Wilson and the HipParaders. Last week, Tennessee Waltz and
My Heart Cries for You were thetop tunes across the country. Will they
(18:17):
topple Well, You'll have the answertomorrow on your Hip Parade. And now
back to the string of death caperTonight's adventure with Sam's bade. After I
(18:38):
found Nostrin's body, I called you, Lieutenant Kelsey, and sold you as
little as I could. After that, I went out to dinner and then
home to bed. This hiatus wasnecessary in order to let the pot of
vicious intrigue bubble a little. Well, the next morning, at considerable expense,
we added a new character to ourplay, which was already an extravaganza.
(19:00):
Good Mommy, good morning. Iam not sure, monsieur, but
I am going to kill you.Let you live. A very effective entrance,
sir. And who are you Jacquesmalroe Aha of the Marrow Curse?
The same, monsieur. It waswe parted in the peppers that you found
the body of Captain Eric Nostrand inthe apartment of a girl named Kelly Green.
(19:22):
Well, I'm afraid I just happenedto be there. Did you happen
to know if anyone found a numberof pearls or Nostran's body? Well,
as far as I know, theydidn't. You mean they tawatawe pearls,
don't you? Ah? You knowabout it a little? Yeah, they
belonged to a man named Tongue SaMao who solemn or a man named Ivan
Sanderson who had them stolen from himby Captain Nostran, who had half of
(19:45):
his stolen from him. That's theinstallment I just read. Anyone, perhaps
it is mostly right, except forone important point. Soon say mar was
holding them for me. They werenot bought. They were taken from him
at the of a gun. It'sgetting involved, getting involved. I risked
my life in the shock infested watersof Towey Towey, diving for those pearls.
(20:07):
No man but me will possess him. Now Where to thank Kenny Green
and Ivan Saunderson. I don't know. A police don't know, so I
can't tell you. Ah huh,All right, mister spid you have an
honest face. I believe you.But if it turns out later that you
have deceived me, you will findto your regret the product. Marrow is
(20:32):
not an easy man to do businesswith. World where Following his exit,
I allowed a pause for a dramaticeffect, and then dissolved into the next
scene. On the front door ofChanley's grocery store, there was a sign
closed for the day, so Iwent around the block through an alley and
(20:52):
came up on his living quarters fromthe back way. I stood at the
back door and knew somebody was homelistening to some oriental ARY's shaw. Tried
the door, knod, it turned, and I carefully opened the door and
stepped in. What do you domy house? What light you're coming?
Pilot house? Turn that thing offand I'll tell you hold right, get
(21:17):
out, get off, I callpolice. Man. I didn't come here
to quibble with you. I cameto speak right from the shoulder. What
you talk about? How it's pI pol get out? You know Nostroun
was killed yesterday, don't you?I tell you before? I know no
man named Nostar? All right,we're Sanders. What the tall man with
a clipp mustache? Who was inyour store yesterday when I was there?
Well, plenty of people come mystore. I not know them all by
(21:38):
name? Come to anybody plenty mustaalright, alright, play it you're away
from But if you ever do,meet up with Sanders and just tell him
that I have the other five pearls, the ones Nostron was killed for.
Just as I closed the door behindme, I saw a pair of red
alligator shoes with a pair of nylonsdraped over them, pushed under a chair.
(22:03):
I hesitated a minute, thought better, and hurried away. I went
back to my office, pulled outa good book and read for three hours.
It paid off. Damn, Ihad to come. I'm in an
awful jam. I should say youare, and I won't get you any
easier when I called the police.I knew Eric was fun in my apartment,
but I didn't have anything to doit. Nuts. I called you
(22:23):
from here in ten minutes before Nostromwas found. Did alright? Alright?
He was there, but he wantedme to say he Wasn't you want me
to tell you something else about yourself. I checked with the Embassy hotel.
Your bill was paid for a monthin advance. You weren't stranded. It
was a murder set up from beginningto end. But I can't understand you're
being dumb enough to use your realname. He wasn't supposed to have been
killed there. It was supposed tohappen someplace else. That's what I thought.
(22:45):
But don't do it, Sam.I came here to tell you the
truth. I need your help.I can't help you now killing He made
me do it. He made mecome to San Francisco, wait for Nostrom
and then find him. Who madeyou? Sanderson? No cham chan Lee
he killed Nostrin. He shot him, but we heard somebody at the door
and went out the fire escape beforewe could search Nostrin. What do you
(23:07):
mean he made you do it?Look at this? That arm isn't pretty,
is it? There must be athousand holes in it? When'd you
start this? In Singapore? Janused to be there and he supplied me.
I had to follow him here becauseI didn't have enough money to buy
it. I see, Oh,Kelly, I'm sorry. Maybe the stage
(23:29):
will take that into considerate. Iwant to go into partnership with you.
Partnership doing what selling pearls? Youhave five of them? I have six
of them here? Where'd you getthese from? Chan? I heard you
there after you left. He gotexcited and had to take something to quiet
himself down. I grabbed these andbeat it while I was still under What
do you say, Sam? Let'ssell him and go someplace. Oh,
(23:52):
it might be arranged. Where's Sanderson? Ivan Sanderson? Yeah, he lives
on a boat. It's a y'alla trader anchored to Peer thirty two.
I don't worry about him, Sam, you can take care of him.
I probably can't. Did you everhear a guy named Jacques Maro Marow?
Jacques Maro, Yeah, is hein San Francisco? He was in here
yesterday looking for you and Sanderson.Sam. The deal's off. I don't
(24:14):
want to have anything to do withit. Here, keep the pearls.
I picked up the six pearls andput them in my office safe for the
other five. I take him fromNostri. Then I went down to the
waterfront looking for Sanderson. Sean Leewas still under drugs, there'd be no
problem for the police to pick up, Nor what Kelly Green once her drug
(24:36):
supply began to give up. Thetrader was a trim white yawl tied up
at Pier thirty two with a Jacobladder running down to its deck. I
climbed on and looking around, foundSanderson in a cabin, sitting behind the
table. It wasn't a commonplace thing, you see. He'd just been shot.
You can't do anything for me,Sam, there's nothing to do.
(24:59):
How did having as the Marlowe curse? Jack Marrow yea he made a vow
that he was going to kill anyonewho touch the pearls. Anyone? Did
he get your pearl? Yes?Who has the rest? I do?
(25:23):
Eleven? Who who my row findsout? I wonder how you're going to
feel dying eleven. That's when Iturned the whole thing over to you,
(25:44):
Kelsey. I went back to myoffice, put in a call to your
office and gave you a complete rundownon the case, from beginning to end.
Who did what and how you mightgo about finding you? Said to
be right over to pick up thepearls, but you got there a little
late. I had no sooner putdown the phone. When all right,
you have a pull? Give themto charm or he will not hesitate to
(26:06):
shoot you. Why you dead,Nostrum, I don't have time for talk.
How you get pulls? Okay?In my safe here. I don't
think I'm going to give you anyarguments or pull anything clever. It will
be too bad if you did.I don't really know who these pearls do
them belong too? And I don'tcare much anymore. You can have the
(26:27):
worries instead of me. I willbe glad to worry about such a pleasure
they are. Stay where you are, show them to me a thank you.
No, I will go. Iadvise you against lazy outcry. I'm
(26:47):
glad they get rid of you.Go and have a long and happy life.
Oh oh, I have been handpicked by the god. He was,
but for a different reason. Heput the pearls in his pocket with
a little smile of triumph. Buthow easy it had been. He turned
and quickly walked out of the office. He even closed the door politely,
(27:10):
but outside he didn't get far.I ran for the hall, sidding my
thirty eight out of its holster.Chan Lee lay still on the floor in
his coat pocket had been turned insideout. Steps were pounding down the stair
well, and I followed my intersidewalk. He was half a block away
and running. I fired at him, and he stopped and fired back.
My second one caught him from achest and he fell twisting across the sidewalk.
I walked right up to him,but it was all over. Jacques
(27:33):
Maroux was dead, and one byone, twelve of the most beautiful rose
colored pearls in the world were droppingout of his hands, rolling down the
gutter and plopping into the sewer.Where they belonged period end of string?
(27:57):
Did they all go down the sewerevery pearl? Effie? Who knows where
they might be now? Maybe asa filtering player, maybe out to sea.
Dam Could I get off for metonight, Effie? Put that thought
out of your mind. They're notworth it. Oh but Sam, all
that I said, forget it.I'll go tight that up. Go on
(28:17):
scoop three times Mean Good Times.On NBC, there's music and fun in
the air Tomorrow evening style to suityour Saturday night of merriment. Dennis Day
brings you songs and comedy in hischarming, boyish manner, and then Judy
Canova gets together with her frolicsome friendsfor Mountain Melody and Mayhem, followed by
(28:41):
grand ol Opry with singing mc redFoley in his game. It's a Saturday
night of fun designed for you.All tight up, Oh Sam, those
pearls I give anything just to wearthem one night. Anything, Well,
(29:06):
I suppose it isn't worth it.But someday, somehow I want to wear
expensive jewels. Effie. I'd rathersee you with a sparkling light in your
eye any day looks much better onit. And of course it's cheaper,
Iffie. Is that a slur onmy character? Well? I don't get
paid too much too often. Allright, let's settle this thing right here.
You say you want some pearls.Oh, here you are six oysters,
(29:30):
three boys and three girls. Youcan grow your own at home.
Damn are those really oysters? Theyare? Indeed I picked them up at
Fisherman's Walk just this afternoon. Whatdo I do? Oh, I'll make
it easier for you. I alsobought a bottle of cocktail sauce. Which
will it be pearls or oysters onthe half shell? Oh? Damn?
(29:53):
So different. Let's see them knockuntil you say good night, Swigart.
(30:15):
The Adventures of Sam Spade are produced, edited, and directed by William Spear.
Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn. Loreene Tuttle is Effie. Script
for tonight's adventure by John Michael Hayes, Musical scoring by lud Gluskin, conducted
by Robert Armbrister. Join us againnext week, same time for another adventure
(30:53):
with Sam Spade, now the MagnificentMontague. Then it's Duffy's Tavern on NBC.
Welcome back. Well, I reallyenjoyed the concept of the story,
(31:18):
and also all of these crazy charactersthey had going around fighting over the string
of pearls. And I love theimage, you know, the audio image
to be somewhat oxymoronic, of thepearls going into the sewer. This is
one of those stories where I kindof wished it would have been fleshed out
(31:41):
as a two parter or adapted intoa five part Johnny Doaller story. It
felt like there was more potential andmore that could have been told, and
quite a few things where Sam hadto expouse it through a couple of points.
But other than being too Jordan,I thought this was a really solid
episode. Well, now we turnto listener comments and feedback, and I'm
(32:06):
going to read some listeners survey responsesfrom those who filled out or survey at
survey dot Great Detectives dot net.Dwayne writes, I enjoy all of the
feature detective shows. I have afairly long commute and the shows are a
great way to pass the driving time. Johnny Dowler is my favorite. Well,
thank you so much, Dwayne,and Eric writes look forward to these
(32:30):
shows every day. Perfect way torelax before bedtime. Thank you, Eric.
And then have a comment from Kerrie, who writes great podcast, Adam,
appreciate all that you do to researchthe material. Here's one vote for
you starting an old time radio adventurepodcast at some point in the future.
Ps I said, I enjoyed thecontent the most, but your hosting is
(32:52):
just as important. But it wouldn'tlet me choose both. Well, that's
okay. Carry I appreciated your response. As to the old time radio adventure
podcast. I do have plans forit when we get into our listener support
slash appreciation campaign. I'm going totalk more about it at the end of
(33:14):
the month. And finally we havea comment from Bob, who writes,
I will am a longtime old timeradio lover. I did stage shows yearly
with actors like Parley Bear, PegLynch, Alan Young and others. You
do a high quality show, greathosting of thorough knowledge and new content.
Well, thank you so much,and I truly appreciate your comments. With
(33:37):
that background, there was a reallyunique time in the seventies and eighties.
Really, maybe a bit more toan extent later on, but in the
seventies and eighties you had groups likeSpurred Back or the Friends of Old Time
Radio and they held advance where thosesurviving old time radio stars would attend.
(34:05):
They would have Q and A questions, It would be a place where they
could talk about their lives and careers, and in some cases they would actually
perform a radio dramas live on stagefor the convention along with others, and
it was a great experience for everyonethere. I'm not certain if that was
(34:28):
how Bob counted all those great actors, but from all the accounts, it
was fantastic to work with them andto have those opportunities back in those days.
All right, Well, now it'stime to thank our Patreon supporter of
the day, and I want togo ahead and thank Harold. Harold has
been one of our Patreon supporters sinceSeptember twenty seventeen, currently supporting the program
(34:52):
at the Master Detective level of fifteendollars or more per month. Thank you
so much for your support, Harold, and that will do it for today.
If you are enjoying this podcast,please follow us using your favorite podcast
software. And if you're enjoying thepodcast on YouTube, be sure to lock
the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. We'll
(35:15):
be back next Monday with another episodeof Sam Spade. Coming up. Next
Thursday, we'll be presenting previously uncirculatedepisodes of Mister Chameleon, and next Saturday
will begin our second run through Dragneton the great detectives of Old time Radio.
Join us back here tomorrow for yourstruly. Johnny doll or Ware,
(35:36):
Hey, I just knew thereout nobodyis there, and I hope you're a
sake boy. You ain't no JimmyArtist, because I got me a gun
under this rain coat. I'm noJimmy artist. I'm just trying to locate
a man named Julian. Julian,that's right, Man Sacavetti lived here.
Well, according to my records,mister Sacavetti and mister Julian are the same
man really, and here now hoodout, bag and baggage a week ten
(35:59):
days ago. Whatever name of you. Huh, don't suppose you have any
idea where he went, do you? Nope, you're having to see him
move yep. I'm and his wifeand their clothes left, all their furniture.
Huh didn't they have any to leave? This place was furnish form.
They're the kind of people who neverowned more than make carry. That's the
way I have figuring fast, travlingand short acquaintances Now I once knew a
(36:22):
fellow up in Kings City. Checkus out on Instagram, Instagram, dot
com, slash Great Detectives, andfollow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives From
Boise, Ottaho, This is yourhost, Adam Grahamson and Off
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