August 9, 2025 • 37 mins
Original Release Date: May 29, 2023
Today's Mystery:A man named Tom Turkey shows up in Sam's office and says he's afraid someone's going to kill him.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 24, 1950
riginated from Hollywood
Starred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, Wally Maher
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Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
ake the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
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Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Today's Mystery:A man named Tom Turkey shows up in Sam's office and says he's afraid someone's going to kill him.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 24, 1950
riginated from Hollywood
Starred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, Wally Maher
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
ake 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 NEMT, follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us outon Instagram, Instagram dot slash Great Detectives.
(00:50):
Today's program is brought to you inpart by the financial support of our
listeners. You can support the showon a one time basis at support dot
com, Rate Detectives dot net,and you can also become one of our
ongoing Patreon supporters for his little lasttwo dollars per month. Just go over
to Patreon dot Great Detectives dot net. Now it's time for this week's episode
(01:15):
of Sam Spade. The original airdate is November twenty fourth, nineteen fifty
and the title is The Terrified TurkeyCaper. The National Broadcasting Company presents the
adventures of Sam Spade Detective Detectives Sweetheartat this dress, all over the floors
(01:53):
in the wall, that was justbusiness going on as usual during all occasions.
If they tried f a just triedto pluck my feathers and cook my
goose. And Thanksgiving too. Howcould they? Oh they were a mean
lot. Are you all right?Hale and hardy? Every giblin in place
and on a feather ruffled? Didyou reminize Thanksgiving? Oh? With heavenly
(02:14):
Mama had a turkey dinner, sagedressing, cranbray, soft candy, jass,
hard sighting, Hello, com clean, Effie Well, I had two
glasses. Everyone was there, CousinGerdy Dwight, missus Floss. I was
disappointed when you didn't show up there. Did you have Thanksgiving dinner? Sure
at the helping hand rescue mission wherethere's plenty of free parking and never a
(02:35):
cover charge. For further details,consult the report, which I will presently
be down to dictate on a tastychronicle of foul play, The Terrified Turkey
Caper for NBC, William Spear,Radio's outstanding producer director of mystery and crime
(02:55):
drama brings you the greatest private detectiveof them all in the Adventures of Sam
Spade. Damn boy, Oh,you were waiting for me having Thanksgiving dinner
at a rescue mission. Mamma cookedto perfectly rank your mother for me.
I tell her I'll be over thebrank wishbones with her to night and to
(03:19):
atone for my social indifferences. Here'sa little something I brought for you.
Oh you shouldn't have it's beautiful.Why is it a blunderbuss a blunder?
What bus as in step to therear out? Oh well, what does
it do? Shoots up? It'sa gun. Our founding fathers used it
in foraging for feathered food when theysettle this abundant continent. And it's mine
(03:44):
to do with what you will rageagain? And so boy, who gave
it to cross? Did you meeta founding father? Don't peak Nate.
November twenty fourth, nineteen fifty two, Detective Lieutenant I see Kelsey homicide detailed
San Francisco Police from Samuel Spate,Licensed number one three seven five nine six,
subject Turkey, Dear Kelsey. Thiswas a big week for the cranberry
(04:12):
pickers, the butchers, the sagemakers and the stomach pill people. But
for private detectives it was strictly fromhunger. My office door opened only twice
a day. Wants to let mein and wants to let me out.
And when on Wednesday I heard aknock on the door, I went into
a paroxysm of delight. Come in, come in, come in undrebo,
(04:33):
undrestead rhine. When I ran outof languages, I got up from behind
the desk, walked to the doorand opened it. Standing there was a
small, middle aged man with apink bald head. His blue serge suit
needed pressing, and he was nervouslyfingering a strawberry birthmark under his left ear.
(04:55):
Mister Samuel spe I am make me. I I have a moment.
You may have several, but notin the corridor. It's not in my
lease. Oh I'll come in good, good, good, Well you'll have
to excuse me, mister Spade.I I've had so few dealings with private
detectives. I find it hard tobegin where. Oh perhaps I shouldn't have
(05:20):
come at all. Goodbye, noton a wait a minute. Maybe I
can help you. Well you seeI. Oh, what's the use?
You won't believe me? Nobody does. I'd really better, Oh I waights,
waits, I'll believe you. AllI ask is a chance. Now.
Now let's start with your name.My name, yes, yes,
(05:41):
yes, my name to begin with. You won't believe that, but I
can verify it. Yes, Ican it's on the registration book of the
old Colony hotel, in the nineteenforty three phone book, and on my
old driver's license. Well, Ihave to know it before I can verify
it. Yes, yes, ofcourse you will. It's it's Tom.
Wha, that's not so hard tobelieve. Oh, you haven't heard the
(06:04):
rest of it. It's Tom Turkey. You see, I told you you
wouldn't believe it. I'd better gonow. Let me be the first to
believe you. Now, mister Tom, what's your problem? Oh, dear
dude, that's even harder to explain. Well, now that I don't believe,
(06:27):
But take a breath and jump intoit. Breath. Yes, my
name is Tom Turkey, and they'regoing to kill me for Thanksgiving. Well,
I had asked for it, andI had gotten it, and I
sat back wondering who had gone toall the trouble to play this funny joke
(06:49):
on. I was looking at myhand to see if there was any itching
powder on it where he'd shaken it. When my phone rang, I lifted
the receiver, swung around in myswivel, and gazed out of the street.
It was our COUCHU calling a privateeye whose reputation was shadier than a
mushroom seller. High Spady, Ihaven't seen much of you lately. Speedy
(07:10):
and I have to get together.Yeah, well so long. Wait wait,
I'll tell you why I called.I've had a pest in my office
keeps coming back. I think she'sa turkey. Somebody wants to dress.
I brushed him, but your namecame up, and I just wanted to
warn you he might be in tosee it. I'm confused now. I
never knew you to turn your backon our buck. Oh, I don't
want any of this. When hisbuttons are loose, my advice to you
(07:32):
is to bounce you. Wow.We've never traded advice before, COOCHI why
not? After all, we're inthe same racket. If we can't help
each other, sure, how sure, I appreciate it. Give me a
ring. We've got to get togethersometimes. Yeah. When I got a
free night, will jimmy parking meter? Yeah? H oh yeah, parking
(07:53):
meter, hilt spay. I turnedback to the desk and what I saw
in front of me was an emptychair. Tom Turkey had taken wing.
I got up and walked to thewindow, and a minute later I saw
him come out of the building downstairsand start to cross the street. And
then I saw something else. Alarge four ton truck was tearing down the
(08:13):
street, picking up speed. Instinctively, I shot at a warning, and
at the last second Tom Turkey scrambledfrom in front of the truck and disappeared
into the alleyway. A truck roaredup the street and on its side was
printed in gold letters, Haynes,you'll drive it. There was nothing to
say. It wasn't coincidence, thisnear mint mishap. But somehow I found
myself in tregue and wanting to hearmore of a little guy's story. He
(08:37):
said the old Colony hotel on theway, I stopped at the library.
Ain't found an old nineteen forty threephone book and looked he was listed,
Thomas Turkey had said. Out ofcuriosity, I rang the number. Huh,
I wonder if you can help me. I'm inquiring about a mister Turkey.
Turkey the Saints number. No more. I know I've not any cause
for him for years. School Nay, yeah, I know, I know.
(09:00):
I knew a woman named Rabbit once, missus Rabbit about Turkey. Could
you remember what he looked like,I don't, hey, Manny, what
Turkey look like? Yeah, smallman round fifty, nice fellow man,
he said, Strawberry under his leftear. Strawberry under his left ear.
(09:20):
Mannie, Yeah, yeah, strawberryunder his left ear. Well, thank
you madam for your information, andthanks to Manny. Well, you're welcome,
but I don't know what you're gonnado with it. Old man Turkey's
dead, been dead for years.Curious sir, and curious air right book.
They had described the man who cameto my office twenty minutes ago,
(09:41):
and now he'd been dead for years. I continued on to the Old Colony
Hotel room seventy five cents. Itsaid Tom's room is one fourteen. Who
is it, Sam Spade? Oh, come in, mister Space. I'm
(10:01):
sorry I ran away. I didn'tthink you really believe Well, I'm not
sure I do yet. Tell me. Was that truck an accident? Oh?
I don't think so. No.They they made three attempts before to
kill me. Somebody tried to pushme in front of a train, and
then a wheelchair full of cement droppedoff a building and just missed me,
And then I was shot at.Oh who were they? And why would
they want to kill you? Idon't know. I just don't know.
(10:22):
Look, let's tack tack tack.I dialed your old phone number, and
the people who answered said, you'redead. Oh a lot of people think
I'm dead. Yeah. Look,do you still want me to work for
you? Oh? Yes, yes, please. Well, you'll have to
tell me more than I can't.I guess i'd better tell you everything.
Oh, it's it's hard to talkabout, mister Spade. It's not easy
(10:43):
to admit to someone you've been afoolish man. You see, I just
turned fifty. I was quite tiredof the life I'd led, proper,
dull and unfruitful accepting money. Mybusiness was wearing, and so was my
wife, Henriette. This has atraditional ring. Way to make it short,
I decided to run away. Oneday, I drove to work.
(11:03):
I parked my car in the middleof the Bay Bridge, where the suicide
note left it and disappeared. Wheredid you go? Oh? All over
the world. I took a jobon a boat. I did on a
boat, and then I settled inSan Paulo, Brazil under another name.
Now you're back. Why Maybe Igot lonely? Maybe I got wiser.
Maybe maybe I felt I paid enoughfor my mistakes. Let's just say I'm
(11:26):
back. I want to be withHenrietta. Have you seen her? I
checked into this hotel and wrote hera letter saying I wasn't dead. I
was back in San Francisco, andI wanted to come back to her if
she still would have me. ButI told her I wouldn't bother her unless
she wanted to see me, thatshe could contact me here. That was
a week ago, and you haven'theard from her. No. No,
(11:46):
And almost right away these attempts onmy life began. I see what's her
address, three one one eighth Monroe. Oh, she's taken her maiden name
again, Black Henrietta Commandments. No, no, I'm not going to see
her until she asks. Look,you're going to my apartment. Nobody a
body of there, and you're goingto see Henriette. That's right. Oh,
(12:09):
thank you, thank you, misterSpade. You do believe me.
I think I'm really ready to facethe world again. Now. I deposited
Tom in my apartment with instructions toopen the door for no one but me,
and then I proceeded to thirty oneeighteen Monroe, in the high Rent
(12:30):
district. I was ushered through acomely portico by a Japanese maid who told
me to wait in a study heavywith mahogany. In a moment, two
people came in. The woman worea black dress, silver pendant, flat
shoes, and a complexion the colorof apple meat. She was miss Henrietta
Black and or missus Tom Turkey.The man turned out to be Leander Loose,
(12:52):
the lady's attorney, business manager andCanasta partner. You say you have
something important to discuss with me,mister Spade, I do. I hope
you don't mind my asking mister Luceto be here, not at all.
Well, Missus Turkey, I justtalked to your husband Tom. Mister Spade,
if you please I say something arather feeble attempt at comedy, mister
(13:13):
Spade, Well, I wasn't tryingfor laughs. You are, Missus Turkey,
aren't you. I was you undoubtedlystill are. I've expected to hear
another one of these cruel jokes aboutmy name Thanksgiving time, mister Spade.
Someone was always going to stuff Tom, based him, dress him slice here
this season they're going to kill him. They are not going to kill him.
(13:33):
He's already dead. He's not dead, Missus Turkey, and you should
know it. Yes, he sentyou a letter saying he was back in
San Francisco and wanted to see you, mister Spade. This is going absolutely
far enough, not quite. Whatabout the letter? I know of no
such letter I see. Well,thank you for your time. I'm sorry
I bothered you. You use badjudgment in comming in the first place.
(13:56):
Yes, maybe you're right. Therewas falsehood in this someplace, Lieutenant,
and it stuck out like a fatgirl in slacks. The only thing to
do was to go back to myapartment, get Tom Turkey in confront Missus
t with her husband in the flesh. But when I got back to my
apartment building, I spotted, inrapid succession, one an ambulance to a
(14:18):
police car, and upstairs, outsidemy half opened apartment door, I spotted
three. You've been expecting it.What's going on? Kelsey? Serious?
Sam? Serious? Who's that boldheaded man moving around the apartment. It's
mccrackin, the new medical examiner,checking the stiff on your rug. I
stepped around you, lieutenant, andpushed the door all the way open.
(14:39):
I saw mccracker kneeling over the body, and a couple of men from homicide
taking photos. I moved into theroom feeling nothing good. A little guy
had given me a job, andwhile I was jacking with his wife,
somebody got to him and in myapartment where I'd stashed him. Mccrackin stood
up and I looked down at thebody. Then I looked again. Who
(15:00):
I saw wasn't Tom Turkey at all. It was a late private eye Al
Kochel. You are listening to theweekly adventure of radio's most famous detective,
Sam Spade. You Friday fans ofSam Spade, there's mystery on Saturday evening
(15:35):
too. On NBC Tomorrow, theMan called X sets out on another mission
of danger and intrigue in some faroff corner of the earth. Herbert Marshall
stars as the man called X,a man without a name who travels the
world over protecting his country's interests.He lives by his wits, and his
business is danger. He is theman called X. Tomorrow over most NBC
stations for top Sunday listening, It'sanother broadcast of the Big Show on BC
(16:00):
this Sunday. Your stars include FredAllen, Jack Carson, Mindy Carson,
ed Archie Gardner, Edwynn and manymany more. And Tallulah is your MC
as usual this Sunday, It's theBig Show on NBC. And now back
to the terrified Turkey Caper. Tonight'sadventure with Sam Spade while a man from
(16:30):
homicide, we're taking pictures, etc. You and I lieutenants were going round
and round on the question if Ididn't kill a man found in my room,
who did? And you were sufficientlyimpressed with my insults, Kelsey not
to hold me for the murder.We bobbed to each other and I left,
thinking back to the truck that hadalmost run Turkey down. I went
(16:52):
to the Haynes you drive truck rentalgarage. What do you man? What
do you want? I'm a detective. Could you give me a list of
names for everybody who rented a truckfrom you during the past few days?
Sure? He handed me a bigregistration book and I read every name for
(17:15):
the past week. For the firstfive days they all seemed to be nice,
normal, abnormal names. And thenunder the rentals for the day before
was the name of John Smith.John had given his address as seventy two
hundred Kurney, and I happen toknow that Kurney only goes up to twenty
hundred. The dispatcher said that Smithhad returned the truck about three hours before,
and he remembered them as an ugly, heavy set and rough voice character
(17:38):
who looked like an ex longshoreman.They had already washed the truck, so
the fingerprints were all out stuff.Yeah, it's mister Sprader. Look,
I'd like to speak with missus Turkif miss Black, if you don't mind,
(17:59):
come here, come in. Thankyou this way into the day,
right. And I was sure you'dlook into this affair a little more,
and realized that it was just ablind alley, a hoax of some kind.
Where's miss Blank? Oh she's upstairs, lying down. The whole affair
is upset her, and she askednot to be disturbed. I think the
wisest course of action for you,mister Spade, is just to let the
matter drop. You can't let amurder just drop, mister Lewis, the
(18:22):
police wouldn't hear it? Huh murderwho? An unfront private detective named al
Couchell. What does this have todo with Henrietta? Al Couchell called me
earlier today and said that Tom Turkeywas a crackpot, a little man with
delusions. He tried to tap meoff. Take in his case, he
sounds like a perceiving man. Well, he didn't perceive ending up in my
apartment with a bullet in his head. Oh that's too bad. But I
(18:44):
still I left Tom Turkey in myapartment for safekeeping, and when I returned,
he was gone and Couchell was dead. Well that explains itself. Obviously,
this detective knew that Tom Turkey wasa phony, and Turkey killed him.
It can figure that way and anumber of other ways. It's just
fade. I have no desire tosit here trading subtleties with you. As
yet, no one has demonstrated thatthe real Tom Turkey actually exists alive.
(19:08):
Now, until you do have somethingmore concrete and less mythological, Miss Black
requests that you do not come aroundopening up old wounds. You've made an
eloquent point. Just tell me onething if I can. When did Tom
Turkey disappear? I mean, whatmonth? What day it was? Oh?
Yes, nineteen forty three November,but I'm not sure of the exact
(19:30):
day. I think it was inthe third week. Could it have been
on Thanksgiving? Very possibly? Verypossibly. I returned thoughtfully to my office
and did a little rapid mental arithmeticand came up with a number seven.
From November twenty third, nineteen fortythree to November twenty third, nineteen fifty
(19:51):
was seven years to the day,and I pondered this, what did the
number seven mean to the life ordeath of Tom Turkey. I had just
hit upon the answer and was cryingeureka when my office door opened unknocked,
and a visitor came in unannost Hewas ugly, heavy set and looked like
an ex long shoreman. I waitedto see if the voice checked you spray?
(20:15):
Who shall I say? Is callingCaptain Jim Smith and here's my calling
card. The first the first bulletgrazed my shoulder and tore the padding out
of my coat. The second bullethit the water cooler and it crashed over
water and all on top of me. Where the third bullet hit I wasn't
(20:37):
sure at the time, because doctnesscame rushing through my head like a freight
tree. When I opened my eyesagain, I expected to see Saint Peter
checking my ID card. But allI saw with the dust balls under my
desk and a fly bathing himself ina pool of water, spreading slowly over
(20:59):
the floor. There was blood onmy hand, but it came from a
glass cut. I was in shambles, but alive. Captain John Smith had
shoved off, obviously thinking as bulletshad done their work. I'm a side
Lieutenant, Sam Kelsey. If youfound anything more about Tom Turkey, doesn't,
(21:22):
Sam? Frankly, I'm beginning towonder if there is such a guy,
well, Clever Kelsey. A fewminutes ago, a gorilla by the
name believe it or not, ofCaptain John Smith just tried to kill me
in my office. Go on,Sam, I find it hard to think.
You find it hard to think,period? Really, Sam, did
you get him? No? Hope? But my office is a wreck,
and there's a whole blasted in mywall big enough to put a basketball in.
(21:45):
What did the use of bazooka?I figured, dumb dumb bullets,
some dumb that's illegal in it?Kelsey, Doesn't it strike you as significant
that every attempt on Turkey's life hasbeen vicious, as if someone not only
wanted to kill him but also mutilatehim. Yeah, yeah, now that
you mention it, somebody probably wantedto make identification difficult, even dead.
They didn't want anybody to know whohe was. Now listen carefully, Kelsey,
(22:07):
this is real deep. Tom Turkeydisappeared on Thanksgiving of nineteen forty three.
A person has to be missing sevenyears before he can be legally dead
and his insurance collected. Now,if someone had Turkey insured, they could
collect the day after this Thanksgiving.If Turkey didn't show up before, you
mean somebody's trying to kill him forthe insurance, I would say so,
(22:29):
Kelsey, I would say so.Now hurry up and find them. When
I put down the phone, Iheard a heavy pounding. For a minute,
I thought it was in my headuntil I turned to face the door,
and standing there was a small pilgrimwith bandy legs in black stockings,
pantaloons, white conored coat and stillpipe. He wore silver buckles, and
(22:56):
what he was pounding on the floorwas an eighteenth century blunderbuss. Hallelujah,
And they got the right place.Who off hand? I'd say so,
if you're looking for Captain John Smith, he just left Pocahontas is expected any
minute. Now, don't you gotrying to confuse me. I'm too thirsty.
What's on your mind? Well,I'm looking for a fellow named Dan.
Oh, I'm so thirsty. Iforgot sam space. Yeah, that's
(23:18):
it, that's it. That's hOh you broke your water bottle? Yeah?
Good good, that's stuff poison anyway. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hey say
yeah, do you happen to haveany hard cider around fresh shout? Oh,
I'm kind of thirsty. You knowany type of corn squeezings? Here?
(23:41):
Try this stand? Yeah good?Huh you like that? Huh?
Follow me? But before we go, you suppose we could have an acceptate
(24:03):
for the road. It's bitty cool. I gave him a little, but
not too much, because I didn'twant him to lose his way. He
walked me right down market streets sowe could look in the liquor store windows.
He said it gave him a comfortablefeeling to know there was so much
good in the world. And thenwe turned right a few blocks until we
(24:23):
came to the Helping Hand Mission acrossits gray front of banner promised special holiday
food and comfort to the unfortunate,and on the street in front of it
there was a brass band sending onsignals to the paternity that any minute the
great feast of Thanksgiving would begin.The band members and other volunteer workers were
all dressed as pilgrims. A quaintcouncy My pilgrim led me to a dark
(24:45):
corner of the club room, andsitting there, unhappily, was none other
than Tom Turkey. Hello, mister, stay, Hello Tom, What happened
in my apartment? And why didyou run away? I wasn't faith.
You told me not to actual thedoor until you came back. Well,
somebody knocked on the door and saidit was you, So I opened it
and two men came here. Tommywas one of the male couchu yes,
(25:06):
the detective. The other man wasa big, ugly looking fellow. And
when they saw I was alone,they started arguing. Above what Well,
the detective said that now that hebrought the ugly man there, he wanted
his money. The ugly man pulleda gun and they started to fight.
Oh dear, I I slipped outthe door, and when I was halfway
downstairs, I heard a shot andkept on running. Well, how couchel
(25:30):
is dead. Oh my, Ithought so. This was the only place
I could think of to hide.Oh. When Henrietta finds out I've been
mixed up in a murder, she'llnever take me back. Henrietta, Hey,
Tommy, did your wife ever haveany insurance on you before I ran
away? She did a fifty thousanddollars policy. But oh that would have
(25:51):
lapsed by now. Maybe maybe didn'thave a suicide close in it a suicide?
Yes, well, no, noit didn't. I've yeah, yeah,
you'd like to talk to Henrietta,wouldn't you. All right, here's
your phone number. Call her upand tell her where you are. Year
I I don't think I could.I would too frightened. You've got to
do something to help yourself. Ifyou don't by midnight, you might be
(26:12):
a cold turkey. I'm sorry,Just swift out, all right, I'll
do it. Belly went and madethe call. When he returned, he
said that a man had answered,who said Henrietta would come down and pick
tom up. He didn't want towait, but I sat on him.
(26:33):
The pilgrim brought us a dish ofturkey dinner, saying he couldn't stand food.
In himself, and we munched aspell. In a little while,
a limousine pulled up in front ofthe Mission with someone in back whom I
couldn't see. The chou first steppedout and came in inquiring for Tom Turkey.
It was Captain John Smith himself.When he saw me, a look
of shocked surprise came over his una handsome face. Hoping to catch him
(26:56):
off balance. I told at himit was the liveliest thing that has happened
at Helping Mission in years, andwe have a third high school. Money
was even changing hands. When Iheard the odds starting to go against me,
I realized I'd better come up withsomething. He uses biding, and
I did. The bandy Leake Pilgrimsshoved as bunder us write my hand and
I swung Smith dropped like pheasants onthe wing. I looked up. The
(27:18):
passenger from the limousine was just comingin here. What's the meaning of this?
It means, Leander LuSE, thatyou're not going to carve Tom Turkey
up for your Thanksgiving insurance policy.Hellelujah drumstick anyone period and the Rupu farm.
(27:45):
I well, it's as plain asthe cranberry stain on your dress loose,
says Henrietta's business manager had her powerof attorney, and secretly he kept
making the payments on Tom Turkey's insurancepolicy. Oh and then he collects hi
Am Rietta and keep the money himself. If sometimes your lightning mind frightens me,
I'll go type that up. Threechimes mean good times on NBC.
(28:14):
There's fun and laughs with the chimeslater tonight, when Ed Gardner stars in
Duffy's tavern. As usual, Duffywon't be there, but Archie, the
manager will definitely be on hand toserve his blue plate special of grilled English
Language. This Sunday, the BigShow comes your way again too. Lula
will be your hostess, and thestars include Fred Allen, Jack Carson,
Edwynn, Meredith Wilson, and manymany more. It's the Big Show Sunday
(28:38):
on NBC. Here the man whokilled Alcuto and try to kill you with
his name really Captain Johnsman. Nowhe could we have a Thanksgiving paper without
(29:02):
a Captain John Smith said, wouldn'tbe right. It was a coincidence,
wasn't it. Well, if youpromised not to tell anything his real name
was Michael Giuseppe Yoblonsky Smith. Icalled him John, for sure, you're
so kind? Are we going overto your mother's for cold turkey snakes?
Well? All right, but Idon't think they'll be much left. Oh
you see my cousin Gret he couldn'tfind a little boy, and mother phone
(29:25):
and said he just found him.He was inside the turkey eating his way
out. Effie, is there noway to curb that tongue of yours?
There's one way? Well, comehere, good night, good night.
(30:03):
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 Larry Roman andJohn Michael Hayes. Musical scoring by Ludbluskin,
conducted by Robert arm Brewster. Joinus again next week, same time
(30:56):
for another adventure with Sam Spade.Here the Magnificent Montague. Then visit Duffy's
Tavern on NBC Welcome Back. Iwould have saved this episode for Thanksgiving,
(31:22):
but by my calculations, will havefinished the Steve dun run, and I
think even the one episode we haveafter that right before we get into Thanksgiving.
But this episode will definitely be somethingthat will eventually replay at Thanksgiving.
(31:44):
I'd actually read online that this episodewas a script reuse of The Pilgrim's Progress,
and I don't see any connection atall. Jeff Reagan at the time
was written by Larry Roman, andsome people might have just assumed that Roman
(32:06):
would just dust off his two yearold Thanksgiving script and use it again,
Like I don't know, a Thanksgivinglift over A credit Roman for coming up
with a good script idea, Andif there were any similar beats, they
didn't really stand out to me.I think this is an entirely different scenario.
(32:28):
It's a good script, and Ithink Steve Dunne does a good job
with it. It's take on Spade, I think, is a lot more
jovial and even just a little joyousand mischievous, and I would say that
Howard Duff's portrayal is definitely superior,with that sort of hint of world weariness
(32:52):
that goes with it. But I'menjoying being with Steve Dunne. He's fun
to lesson too, and I likedthe episode. I did think that throwing
in John Smith as like a Thanksgivingelement. Was a bit of a mistake
because Captain John Smith was associated withthe Jamestown Settlement, not the Plumouth Settlement,
(33:20):
you know, which that's the differencebetween being in Virginia and being in
New England. Other than that,I think this was a really solid and
fun holiday tale. Listener comments andfeedback now, and we start with Jeff
on Patreon, who writes, justlisten to the farmer's daughter Keeper and have
one serious issue with this episode.They left us hanging on an important issue,
(33:45):
what happened to the dog? That'sa good point, Jeff, and
I think that is a plot holethat they did not really address and really
should have. That was a greatseries. I'm sorry it got cut short
like I did, but thank youfor bringing it and all the other great
shows to us. Well. Thankyou so much, Jeff, and I
hope you're enjoying the Steve Dunn seriesas well. We turn to YouTube and
(34:09):
some comments on the Mopsy Flopsy andCottentale. Caeper Edward highlighted the quote the
US government is not entirely without influencein Washington and adds funny stuff, and
Betsy says, funny one I enjoythe commentary at the end as well well.
(34:29):
Thank you so much, Betsy,I really appreciate it. And now
it is time to thank our Patreonsupporter of the day. Thank you to
Bruce, Patreon supporter since July twentytwenty two, currently supporting the program at
the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollarsand fourteen cents or more per month.
Thank you so much for your support, Bruce. And now we'll do it
(34:51):
for today. If you are enjoyingthis podcast, please be sure to subscribe
to it using your favorite podcast software, and be sure to rate and review
the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Monday with another
episode of Sam Spade, but joinus back here tomorrow for another Yours truly
Johnny doll or adventure. Where howlong have you worked from, mister Abbott?
(35:15):
A year and a half way?You're from San Pedro, no San
Francisco, I answered an ad Iwanted to get out in the country for
a while, away from the citylife. All right, what happened between
Monroe and Abbotts? They had aquarrel, A loud, loud quarrel.
Mister Abbott's very good with a quarrel. Yes, you know even I've wondered
(35:37):
about that. What mister Monroe quarrelingwith mister Abbott and then just leaving all
of a sudden, probably went toSan Francisco. I don't know where else.
He Oh, what's the matter,Judy. That looks like mister Monroe
now, yes, end of thebar. I thought he was away.
(35:58):
It's him, all right. I'dlike to talk to him, and you'll
have to hurry. It looks likehe's getting ready to leave. Excuse me,
Hey, hey, just a minute. You calling me? Yes,
mister Munroe, Johnny Dollar Universal AdjustmentBureau. I'm in town about the claim
on Duke Red. But I heardyou left town. I ad you talked
(36:21):
to mister Abbot about that claim.Well, you had power of attorney for
him and signed the claim. Iwonder if I could talk to you.
I'm a leaving town again right away. Oh look, can I just have
a minute of your time? Itwasn't my horse belong to Ben Abbot.
Doctor him. I'll get out ofmy way. Hey, wait a minute,
let him handle his own dirty business. Mister Munrol, get out of
(36:42):
my way. I hope you'll bewith us then in the meantime, send
your comments to Box thirteen at GreatDetectives dot net, Follow us on Twitter
at Radio Detectives, and check usout on Instagram, Instagram, dot com
slash Great Detectives From Boise, Ottaho, This is your host, Adam Graham,
signing 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 NEMT, follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us outon Instagram, Instagram dot slash Great Detectives.
(00:50):
Today's program is brought to you inpart by the financial support of our
listeners. You can support the showon a one time basis at support dot
com, Rate Detectives dot net,and you can also become one of our
ongoing Patreon supporters for his little lasttwo dollars per month. Just go over
to Patreon dot Great Detectives dot net. Now it's time for this week's episode
(01:15):
of Sam Spade. The original airdate is November twenty fourth, nineteen fifty
and the title is The Terrified TurkeyCaper. The National Broadcasting Company presents the
adventures of Sam Spade Detective Detectives Sweetheartat this dress, all over the floors
(01:53):
in the wall, that was justbusiness going on as usual during all occasions.
If they tried f a just triedto pluck my feathers and cook my
goose. And Thanksgiving too. Howcould they? Oh they were a mean
lot. Are you all right?Hale and hardy? Every giblin in place
and on a feather ruffled? Didyou reminize Thanksgiving? Oh? With heavenly
(02:14):
Mama had a turkey dinner, sagedressing, cranbray, soft candy, jass,
hard sighting, Hello, com clean, Effie Well, I had two
glasses. Everyone was there, CousinGerdy Dwight, missus Floss. I was
disappointed when you didn't show up there. Did you have Thanksgiving dinner? Sure
at the helping hand rescue mission wherethere's plenty of free parking and never a
(02:35):
cover charge. For further details,consult the report, which I will presently
be down to dictate on a tastychronicle of foul play, The Terrified Turkey
Caper for NBC, William Spear,Radio's outstanding producer director of mystery and crime
(02:55):
drama brings you the greatest private detectiveof them all in the Adventures of Sam
Spade. Damn boy, Oh,you were waiting for me having Thanksgiving dinner
at a rescue mission. Mamma cookedto perfectly rank your mother for me.
I tell her I'll be over thebrank wishbones with her to night and to
(03:19):
atone for my social indifferences. Here'sa little something I brought for you.
Oh you shouldn't have it's beautiful.Why is it a blunderbuss a blunder?
What bus as in step to therear out? Oh well, what does
it do? Shoots up? It'sa gun. Our founding fathers used it
in foraging for feathered food when theysettle this abundant continent. And it's mine
(03:44):
to do with what you will rageagain? And so boy, who gave
it to cross? Did you meeta founding father? Don't peak Nate.
November twenty fourth, nineteen fifty two, Detective Lieutenant I see Kelsey homicide detailed
San Francisco Police from Samuel Spate,Licensed number one three seven five nine six,
subject Turkey, Dear Kelsey. Thiswas a big week for the cranberry
(04:12):
pickers, the butchers, the sagemakers and the stomach pill people. But
for private detectives it was strictly fromhunger. My office door opened only twice
a day. Wants to let mein and wants to let me out.
And when on Wednesday I heard aknock on the door, I went into
a paroxysm of delight. Come in, come in, come in undrebo,
(04:33):
undrestead rhine. When I ran outof languages, I got up from behind
the desk, walked to the doorand opened it. Standing there was a
small, middle aged man with apink bald head. His blue serge suit
needed pressing, and he was nervouslyfingering a strawberry birthmark under his left ear.
(04:55):
Mister Samuel spe I am make me. I I have a moment.
You may have several, but notin the corridor. It's not in my
lease. Oh I'll come in good, good, good, Well you'll have
to excuse me, mister Spade.I I've had so few dealings with private
detectives. I find it hard tobegin where. Oh perhaps I shouldn't have
(05:20):
come at all. Goodbye, noton a wait a minute. Maybe I
can help you. Well you seeI. Oh, what's the use?
You won't believe me? Nobody does. I'd really better, Oh I waights,
waits, I'll believe you. AllI ask is a chance. Now.
Now let's start with your name.My name, yes, yes,
(05:41):
yes, my name to begin with. You won't believe that, but I
can verify it. Yes, Ican it's on the registration book of the
old Colony hotel, in the nineteenforty three phone book, and on my
old driver's license. Well, Ihave to know it before I can verify
it. Yes, yes, ofcourse you will. It's it's Tom.
Wha, that's not so hard tobelieve. Oh, you haven't heard the
(06:04):
rest of it. It's Tom Turkey. You see, I told you you
wouldn't believe it. I'd better gonow. Let me be the first to
believe you. Now, mister Tom, what's your problem? Oh, dear
dude, that's even harder to explain. Well, now that I don't believe,
(06:27):
But take a breath and jump intoit. Breath. Yes, my
name is Tom Turkey, and they'regoing to kill me for Thanksgiving. Well,
I had asked for it, andI had gotten it, and I
sat back wondering who had gone toall the trouble to play this funny joke
(06:49):
on. I was looking at myhand to see if there was any itching
powder on it where he'd shaken it. When my phone rang, I lifted
the receiver, swung around in myswivel, and gazed out of the street.
It was our COUCHU calling a privateeye whose reputation was shadier than a
mushroom seller. High Spady, Ihaven't seen much of you lately. Speedy
(07:10):
and I have to get together.Yeah, well so long. Wait wait,
I'll tell you why I called.I've had a pest in my office
keeps coming back. I think she'sa turkey. Somebody wants to dress.
I brushed him, but your namecame up, and I just wanted to
warn you he might be in tosee it. I'm confused now. I
never knew you to turn your backon our buck. Oh, I don't
want any of this. When hisbuttons are loose, my advice to you
(07:32):
is to bounce you. Wow.We've never traded advice before, COOCHI why
not? After all, we're inthe same racket. If we can't help
each other, sure, how sure, I appreciate it. Give me a
ring. We've got to get togethersometimes. Yeah. When I got a
free night, will jimmy parking meter? Yeah? H oh yeah, parking
(07:53):
meter, hilt spay. I turnedback to the desk and what I saw
in front of me was an emptychair. Tom Turkey had taken wing.
I got up and walked to thewindow, and a minute later I saw
him come out of the building downstairsand start to cross the street. And
then I saw something else. Alarge four ton truck was tearing down the
(08:13):
street, picking up speed. Instinctively, I shot at a warning, and
at the last second Tom Turkey scrambledfrom in front of the truck and disappeared
into the alleyway. A truck roaredup the street and on its side was
printed in gold letters, Haynes,you'll drive it. There was nothing to
say. It wasn't coincidence, thisnear mint mishap. But somehow I found
myself in tregue and wanting to hearmore of a little guy's story. He
(08:37):
said the old Colony hotel on theway, I stopped at the library.
Ain't found an old nineteen forty threephone book and looked he was listed,
Thomas Turkey had said. Out ofcuriosity, I rang the number. Huh,
I wonder if you can help me. I'm inquiring about a mister Turkey.
Turkey the Saints number. No more. I know I've not any cause
for him for years. School Nay, yeah, I know, I know.
(09:00):
I knew a woman named Rabbit once, missus Rabbit about Turkey. Could
you remember what he looked like,I don't, hey, Manny, what
Turkey look like? Yeah, smallman round fifty, nice fellow man,
he said, Strawberry under his leftear. Strawberry under his left ear.
(09:20):
Mannie, Yeah, yeah, strawberryunder his left ear. Well, thank
you madam for your information, andthanks to Manny. Well, you're welcome,
but I don't know what you're gonnado with it. Old man Turkey's
dead, been dead for years.Curious sir, and curious air right book.
They had described the man who cameto my office twenty minutes ago,
(09:41):
and now he'd been dead for years. I continued on to the Old Colony
Hotel room seventy five cents. Itsaid Tom's room is one fourteen. Who
is it, Sam Spade? Oh, come in, mister Space. I'm
(10:01):
sorry I ran away. I didn'tthink you really believe Well, I'm not
sure I do yet. Tell me. Was that truck an accident? Oh?
I don't think so. No.They they made three attempts before to
kill me. Somebody tried to pushme in front of a train, and
then a wheelchair full of cement droppedoff a building and just missed me,
And then I was shot at.Oh who were they? And why would
they want to kill you? Idon't know. I just don't know.
(10:22):
Look, let's tack tack tack.I dialed your old phone number, and
the people who answered said, you'redead. Oh a lot of people think
I'm dead. Yeah. Look,do you still want me to work for
you? Oh? Yes, yes, please. Well, you'll have to
tell me more than I can't.I guess i'd better tell you everything.
Oh, it's it's hard to talkabout, mister Spade. It's not easy
(10:43):
to admit to someone you've been afoolish man. You see, I just
turned fifty. I was quite tiredof the life I'd led, proper,
dull and unfruitful accepting money. Mybusiness was wearing, and so was my
wife, Henriette. This has atraditional ring. Way to make it short,
I decided to run away. Oneday, I drove to work.
(11:03):
I parked my car in the middleof the Bay Bridge, where the suicide
note left it and disappeared. Wheredid you go? Oh? All over
the world. I took a jobon a boat. I did on a
boat, and then I settled inSan Paulo, Brazil under another name.
Now you're back. Why Maybe Igot lonely? Maybe I got wiser.
Maybe maybe I felt I paid enoughfor my mistakes. Let's just say I'm
(11:26):
back. I want to be withHenrietta. Have you seen her? I
checked into this hotel and wrote hera letter saying I wasn't dead. I
was back in San Francisco, andI wanted to come back to her if
she still would have me. ButI told her I wouldn't bother her unless
she wanted to see me, thatshe could contact me here. That was
a week ago, and you haven'theard from her. No. No,
(11:46):
And almost right away these attempts onmy life began. I see what's her
address, three one one eighth Monroe. Oh, she's taken her maiden name
again, Black Henrietta Commandments. No, no, I'm not going to see
her until she asks. Look,you're going to my apartment. Nobody a
body of there, and you're goingto see Henriette. That's right. Oh,
(12:09):
thank you, thank you, misterSpade. You do believe me.
I think I'm really ready to facethe world again. Now. I deposited
Tom in my apartment with instructions toopen the door for no one but me,
and then I proceeded to thirty oneeighteen Monroe, in the high Rent
(12:30):
district. I was ushered through acomely portico by a Japanese maid who told
me to wait in a study heavywith mahogany. In a moment, two
people came in. The woman worea black dress, silver pendant, flat
shoes, and a complexion the colorof apple meat. She was miss Henrietta
Black and or missus Tom Turkey.The man turned out to be Leander Loose,
(12:52):
the lady's attorney, business manager andCanasta partner. You say you have
something important to discuss with me,mister Spade, I do. I hope
you don't mind my asking mister Luceto be here, not at all.
Well, Missus Turkey, I justtalked to your husband Tom. Mister Spade,
if you please I say something arather feeble attempt at comedy, mister
(13:13):
Spade, Well, I wasn't tryingfor laughs. You are, Missus Turkey,
aren't you. I was you undoubtedlystill are. I've expected to hear
another one of these cruel jokes aboutmy name Thanksgiving time, mister Spade.
Someone was always going to stuff Tom, based him, dress him slice here
this season they're going to kill him. They are not going to kill him.
(13:33):
He's already dead. He's not dead, Missus Turkey, and you should
know it. Yes, he sentyou a letter saying he was back in
San Francisco and wanted to see you, mister Spade. This is going absolutely
far enough, not quite. Whatabout the letter? I know of no
such letter I see. Well,thank you for your time. I'm sorry
I bothered you. You use badjudgment in comming in the first place.
(13:56):
Yes, maybe you're right. Therewas falsehood in this someplace, Lieutenant,
and it stuck out like a fatgirl in slacks. The only thing to
do was to go back to myapartment, get Tom Turkey in confront Missus
t with her husband in the flesh. But when I got back to my
apartment building, I spotted, inrapid succession, one an ambulance to a
(14:18):
police car, and upstairs, outsidemy half opened apartment door, I spotted
three. You've been expecting it.What's going on? Kelsey? Serious?
Sam? Serious? Who's that boldheaded man moving around the apartment. It's
mccrackin, the new medical examiner,checking the stiff on your rug. I
stepped around you, lieutenant, andpushed the door all the way open.
(14:39):
I saw mccracker kneeling over the body, and a couple of men from homicide
taking photos. I moved into theroom feeling nothing good. A little guy
had given me a job, andwhile I was jacking with his wife,
somebody got to him and in myapartment where I'd stashed him. Mccrackin stood
up and I looked down at thebody. Then I looked again. Who
(15:00):
I saw wasn't Tom Turkey at all. It was a late private eye Al
Kochel. You are listening to theweekly adventure of radio's most famous detective,
Sam Spade. You Friday fans ofSam Spade, there's mystery on Saturday evening
(15:35):
too. On NBC Tomorrow, theMan called X sets out on another mission
of danger and intrigue in some faroff corner of the earth. Herbert Marshall
stars as the man called X,a man without a name who travels the
world over protecting his country's interests.He lives by his wits, and his
business is danger. He is theman called X. Tomorrow over most NBC
stations for top Sunday listening, It'sanother broadcast of the Big Show on BC
(16:00):
this Sunday. Your stars include FredAllen, Jack Carson, Mindy Carson,
ed Archie Gardner, Edwynn and manymany more. And Tallulah is your MC
as usual this Sunday, It's theBig Show on NBC. And now back
to the terrified Turkey Caper. Tonight'sadventure with Sam Spade while a man from
(16:30):
homicide, we're taking pictures, etc. You and I lieutenants were going round
and round on the question if Ididn't kill a man found in my room,
who did? And you were sufficientlyimpressed with my insults, Kelsey not
to hold me for the murder.We bobbed to each other and I left,
thinking back to the truck that hadalmost run Turkey down. I went
(16:52):
to the Haynes you drive truck rentalgarage. What do you man? What
do you want? I'm a detective. Could you give me a list of
names for everybody who rented a truckfrom you during the past few days?
Sure? He handed me a bigregistration book and I read every name for
(17:15):
the past week. For the firstfive days they all seemed to be nice,
normal, abnormal names. And thenunder the rentals for the day before
was the name of John Smith.John had given his address as seventy two
hundred Kurney, and I happen toknow that Kurney only goes up to twenty
hundred. The dispatcher said that Smithhad returned the truck about three hours before,
and he remembered them as an ugly, heavy set and rough voice character
(17:38):
who looked like an ex longshoreman.They had already washed the truck, so
the fingerprints were all out stuff.Yeah, it's mister Sprader. Look,
I'd like to speak with missus Turkif miss Black, if you don't mind,
(17:59):
come here, come in. Thankyou this way into the day,
right. And I was sure you'dlook into this affair a little more,
and realized that it was just ablind alley, a hoax of some kind.
Where's miss Blank? Oh she's upstairs, lying down. The whole affair
is upset her, and she askednot to be disturbed. I think the
wisest course of action for you,mister Spade, is just to let the
matter drop. You can't let amurder just drop, mister Lewis, the
(18:22):
police wouldn't hear it? Huh murderwho? An unfront private detective named al
Couchell. What does this have todo with Henrietta? Al Couchell called me
earlier today and said that Tom Turkeywas a crackpot, a little man with
delusions. He tried to tap meoff. Take in his case, he
sounds like a perceiving man. Well, he didn't perceive ending up in my
apartment with a bullet in his head. Oh that's too bad. But I
(18:44):
still I left Tom Turkey in myapartment for safekeeping, and when I returned,
he was gone and Couchell was dead. Well that explains itself. Obviously,
this detective knew that Tom Turkey wasa phony, and Turkey killed him.
It can figure that way and anumber of other ways. It's just
fade. I have no desire tosit here trading subtleties with you. As
yet, no one has demonstrated thatthe real Tom Turkey actually exists alive.
(19:08):
Now, until you do have somethingmore concrete and less mythological, Miss Black
requests that you do not come aroundopening up old wounds. You've made an
eloquent point. Just tell me onething if I can. When did Tom
Turkey disappear? I mean, whatmonth? What day it was? Oh?
Yes, nineteen forty three November,but I'm not sure of the exact
(19:30):
day. I think it was inthe third week. Could it have been
on Thanksgiving? Very possibly? Verypossibly. I returned thoughtfully to my office
and did a little rapid mental arithmeticand came up with a number seven.
From November twenty third, nineteen fortythree to November twenty third, nineteen fifty
(19:51):
was seven years to the day,and I pondered this, what did the
number seven mean to the life ordeath of Tom Turkey. I had just
hit upon the answer and was cryingeureka when my office door opened unknocked,
and a visitor came in unannost Hewas ugly, heavy set and looked like
an ex long shoreman. I waitedto see if the voice checked you spray?
(20:15):
Who shall I say? Is callingCaptain Jim Smith and here's my calling
card. The first the first bulletgrazed my shoulder and tore the padding out
of my coat. The second bullethit the water cooler and it crashed over
water and all on top of me. Where the third bullet hit I wasn't
(20:37):
sure at the time, because doctnesscame rushing through my head like a freight
tree. When I opened my eyesagain, I expected to see Saint Peter
checking my ID card. But allI saw with the dust balls under my
desk and a fly bathing himself ina pool of water, spreading slowly over
(20:59):
the floor. There was blood onmy hand, but it came from a
glass cut. I was in shambles, but alive. Captain John Smith had
shoved off, obviously thinking as bulletshad done their work. I'm a side
Lieutenant, Sam Kelsey. If youfound anything more about Tom Turkey, doesn't,
(21:22):
Sam? Frankly, I'm beginning towonder if there is such a guy,
well, Clever Kelsey. A fewminutes ago, a gorilla by the
name believe it or not, ofCaptain John Smith just tried to kill me
in my office. Go on,Sam, I find it hard to think.
You find it hard to think,period? Really, Sam, did
you get him? No? Hope? But my office is a wreck,
and there's a whole blasted in mywall big enough to put a basketball in.
(21:45):
What did the use of bazooka?I figured, dumb dumb bullets,
some dumb that's illegal in it?Kelsey, Doesn't it strike you as significant
that every attempt on Turkey's life hasbeen vicious, as if someone not only
wanted to kill him but also mutilatehim. Yeah, yeah, now that
you mention it, somebody probably wantedto make identification difficult, even dead.
They didn't want anybody to know whohe was. Now listen carefully, Kelsey,
(22:07):
this is real deep. Tom Turkeydisappeared on Thanksgiving of nineteen forty three.
A person has to be missing sevenyears before he can be legally dead
and his insurance collected. Now,if someone had Turkey insured, they could
collect the day after this Thanksgiving.If Turkey didn't show up before, you
mean somebody's trying to kill him forthe insurance, I would say so,
(22:29):
Kelsey, I would say so.Now hurry up and find them. When
I put down the phone, Iheard a heavy pounding. For a minute,
I thought it was in my headuntil I turned to face the door,
and standing there was a small pilgrimwith bandy legs in black stockings,
pantaloons, white conored coat and stillpipe. He wore silver buckles, and
(22:56):
what he was pounding on the floorwas an eighteenth century blunderbuss. Hallelujah,
And they got the right place.Who off hand? I'd say so,
if you're looking for Captain John Smith, he just left Pocahontas is expected any
minute. Now, don't you gotrying to confuse me. I'm too thirsty.
What's on your mind? Well,I'm looking for a fellow named Dan.
Oh, I'm so thirsty. Iforgot sam space. Yeah, that's
(23:18):
it, that's it. That's hOh you broke your water bottle? Yeah?
Good good, that's stuff poison anyway. Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hey say
yeah, do you happen to haveany hard cider around fresh shout? Oh,
I'm kind of thirsty. You knowany type of corn squeezings? Here?
(23:41):
Try this stand? Yeah good?Huh you like that? Huh?
Follow me? But before we go, you suppose we could have an acceptate
(24:03):
for the road. It's bitty cool. I gave him a little, but
not too much, because I didn'twant him to lose his way. He
walked me right down market streets sowe could look in the liquor store windows.
He said it gave him a comfortablefeeling to know there was so much
good in the world. And thenwe turned right a few blocks until we
(24:23):
came to the Helping Hand Mission acrossits gray front of banner promised special holiday
food and comfort to the unfortunate,and on the street in front of it
there was a brass band sending onsignals to the paternity that any minute the
great feast of Thanksgiving would begin.The band members and other volunteer workers were
all dressed as pilgrims. A quaintcouncy My pilgrim led me to a dark
(24:45):
corner of the club room, andsitting there, unhappily, was none other
than Tom Turkey. Hello, mister, stay, Hello Tom, What happened
in my apartment? And why didyou run away? I wasn't faith.
You told me not to actual thedoor until you came back. Well,
somebody knocked on the door and saidit was you, So I opened it
and two men came here. Tommywas one of the male couchu yes,
(25:06):
the detective. The other man wasa big, ugly looking fellow. And
when they saw I was alone,they started arguing. Above what Well,
the detective said that now that hebrought the ugly man there, he wanted
his money. The ugly man pulleda gun and they started to fight.
Oh dear, I I slipped outthe door, and when I was halfway
downstairs, I heard a shot andkept on running. Well, how couchel
(25:30):
is dead. Oh my, Ithought so. This was the only place
I could think of to hide.Oh. When Henrietta finds out I've been
mixed up in a murder, she'llnever take me back. Henrietta, Hey,
Tommy, did your wife ever haveany insurance on you before I ran
away? She did a fifty thousanddollars policy. But oh that would have
(25:51):
lapsed by now. Maybe maybe didn'thave a suicide close in it a suicide?
Yes, well, no, noit didn't. I've yeah, yeah,
you'd like to talk to Henrietta,wouldn't you. All right, here's
your phone number. Call her upand tell her where you are. Year
I I don't think I could.I would too frightened. You've got to
do something to help yourself. Ifyou don't by midnight, you might be
(26:12):
a cold turkey. I'm sorry,Just swift out, all right, I'll
do it. Belly went and madethe call. When he returned, he
said that a man had answered,who said Henrietta would come down and pick
tom up. He didn't want towait, but I sat on him.
(26:33):
The pilgrim brought us a dish ofturkey dinner, saying he couldn't stand food.
In himself, and we munched aspell. In a little while,
a limousine pulled up in front ofthe Mission with someone in back whom I
couldn't see. The chou first steppedout and came in inquiring for Tom Turkey.
It was Captain John Smith himself.When he saw me, a look
of shocked surprise came over his una handsome face. Hoping to catch him
(26:56):
off balance. I told at himit was the liveliest thing that has happened
at Helping Mission in years, andwe have a third high school. Money
was even changing hands. When Iheard the odds starting to go against me,
I realized I'd better come up withsomething. He uses biding, and
I did. The bandy Leake Pilgrimsshoved as bunder us write my hand and
I swung Smith dropped like pheasants onthe wing. I looked up. The
(27:18):
passenger from the limousine was just comingin here. What's the meaning of this?
It means, Leander LuSE, thatyou're not going to carve Tom Turkey
up for your Thanksgiving insurance policy.Hellelujah drumstick anyone period and the Rupu farm.
(27:45):
I well, it's as plain asthe cranberry stain on your dress loose,
says Henrietta's business manager had her powerof attorney, and secretly he kept
making the payments on Tom Turkey's insurancepolicy. Oh and then he collects hi
Am Rietta and keep the money himself. If sometimes your lightning mind frightens me,
I'll go type that up. Threechimes mean good times on NBC.
(28:14):
There's fun and laughs with the chimeslater tonight, when Ed Gardner stars in
Duffy's tavern. As usual, Duffywon't be there, but Archie, the
manager will definitely be on hand toserve his blue plate special of grilled English
Language. This Sunday, the BigShow comes your way again too. Lula
will be your hostess, and thestars include Fred Allen, Jack Carson,
Edwynn, Meredith Wilson, and manymany more. It's the Big Show Sunday
(28:38):
on NBC. Here the man whokilled Alcuto and try to kill you with
his name really Captain Johnsman. Nowhe could we have a Thanksgiving paper without
(29:02):
a Captain John Smith said, wouldn'tbe right. It was a coincidence,
wasn't it. Well, if youpromised not to tell anything his real name
was Michael Giuseppe Yoblonsky Smith. Icalled him John, for sure, you're
so kind? Are we going overto your mother's for cold turkey snakes?
Well? All right, but Idon't think they'll be much left. Oh
you see my cousin Gret he couldn'tfind a little boy, and mother phone
(29:25):
and said he just found him.He was inside the turkey eating his way
out. Effie, is there noway to curb that tongue of yours?
There's one way? Well, comehere, good night, good night.
(30:03):
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 Larry Roman andJohn Michael Hayes. Musical scoring by Ludbluskin,
conducted by Robert arm Brewster. Joinus again next week, same time
(30:56):
for another adventure with Sam Spade.Here the Magnificent Montague. Then visit Duffy's
Tavern on NBC Welcome Back. Iwould have saved this episode for Thanksgiving,
(31:22):
but by my calculations, will havefinished the Steve dun run, and I
think even the one episode we haveafter that right before we get into Thanksgiving.
But this episode will definitely be somethingthat will eventually replay at Thanksgiving.
(31:44):
I'd actually read online that this episodewas a script reuse of The Pilgrim's Progress,
and I don't see any connection atall. Jeff Reagan at the time
was written by Larry Roman, andsome people might have just assumed that Roman
(32:06):
would just dust off his two yearold Thanksgiving script and use it again,
Like I don't know, a Thanksgivinglift over A credit Roman for coming up
with a good script idea, Andif there were any similar beats, they
didn't really stand out to me.I think this is an entirely different scenario.
(32:28):
It's a good script, and Ithink Steve Dunne does a good job
with it. It's take on Spade, I think, is a lot more
jovial and even just a little joyousand mischievous, and I would say that
Howard Duff's portrayal is definitely superior,with that sort of hint of world weariness
(32:52):
that goes with it. But I'menjoying being with Steve Dunne. He's fun
to lesson too, and I likedthe episode. I did think that throwing
in John Smith as like a Thanksgivingelement. Was a bit of a mistake
because Captain John Smith was associated withthe Jamestown Settlement, not the Plumouth Settlement,
(33:20):
you know, which that's the differencebetween being in Virginia and being in
New England. Other than that,I think this was a really solid and
fun holiday tale. Listener comments andfeedback now, and we start with Jeff
on Patreon, who writes, justlisten to the farmer's daughter Keeper and have
one serious issue with this episode.They left us hanging on an important issue,
(33:45):
what happened to the dog? That'sa good point, Jeff, and
I think that is a plot holethat they did not really address and really
should have. That was a greatseries. I'm sorry it got cut short
like I did, but thank youfor bringing it and all the other great
shows to us. Well. Thankyou so much, Jeff, and I
hope you're enjoying the Steve Dunn seriesas well. We turn to YouTube and
(34:09):
some comments on the Mopsy Flopsy andCottentale. Caeper Edward highlighted the quote the
US government is not entirely without influencein Washington and adds funny stuff, and
Betsy says, funny one I enjoythe commentary at the end as well well.
(34:29):
Thank you so much, Betsy,I really appreciate it. And now
it is time to thank our Patreonsupporter of the day. Thank you to
Bruce, Patreon supporter since July twentytwenty two, currently supporting the program at
the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollarsand fourteen cents or more per month.
Thank you so much for your support, Bruce. And now we'll do it
(34:51):
for today. If you are enjoyingthis podcast, please be sure to subscribe
to it using your favorite podcast software, and be sure to rate and review
the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Monday with another
episode of Sam Spade, but joinus back here tomorrow for another Yours truly
Johnny doll or adventure. Where howlong have you worked from, mister Abbott?
(35:15):
A year and a half way?You're from San Pedro, no San
Francisco, I answered an ad Iwanted to get out in the country for
a while, away from the citylife. All right, what happened between
Monroe and Abbotts? They had aquarrel, A loud, loud quarrel.
Mister Abbott's very good with a quarrel. Yes, you know even I've wondered
(35:37):
about that. What mister Monroe quarrelingwith mister Abbott and then just leaving all
of a sudden, probably went toSan Francisco. I don't know where else.
He Oh, what's the matter,Judy. That looks like mister Monroe
now, yes, end of thebar. I thought he was away.
(35:58):
It's him, all right. I'dlike to talk to him, and you'll
have to hurry. It looks likehe's getting ready to leave. Excuse me,
Hey, hey, just a minute. You calling me? Yes,
mister Munroe, Johnny Dollar Universal AdjustmentBureau. I'm in town about the claim
on Duke Red. But I heardyou left town. I ad you talked
(36:21):
to mister Abbot about that claim.Well, you had power of attorney for
him and signed the claim. Iwonder if I could talk to you.
I'm a leaving town again right away. Oh look, can I just have
a minute of your time? Itwasn't my horse belong to Ben Abbot.
Doctor him. I'll get out ofmy way. Hey, wait a minute,
let him handle his own dirty business. Mister Munrol, get out of
(36:42):
my way. I hope you'll bewith us then in the meantime, send
your comments to Box thirteen at GreatDetectives dot net, Follow us on Twitter
at Radio Detectives, and check usout on Instagram, Instagram, dot com
slash Great Detectives From Boise, Ottaho, This is your host, Adam Graham,
signing off.
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