The Adventures of Sam Spade: Champion Caper 08/07/1949

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | The Adventures of Sam Spade: Champion Caper (08/07/1949)

Release Date: February 8, 2025
Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio
Host Actor: Howard Duff as Sam Spade
Producer/Director: William Spear
Writer: E. Jack Newman
Music Director: Lud Gluskin
Composer: Renee and Pierre Garaghan

---

Introduction

"The Adventures of Sam Spade: Champion Caper" is a quintessential episode from the Golden Age of Radio, showcasing the sharp wit and relentless determination of private detective Sam Spade. Set against the backdrop of San Mateo's bustling brokerage scene, this episode delves into themes of betrayal, corruption, and vengeance, all intertwined with the classic hard-boiled detective narrative.

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Case Brief

The episode kicks off with Sam Spade being summoned to the office of Elliot Champion, a prominent figure in San Mateo's brokerage business. Champion is embroiled in a complex situation involving embezzlement and tax fraud, with former employee Joe Josephs at the center of the controversy.

Notable Quote:

Sam Spade [03:35]: "Dear Manelli, you were there for the end of it and I was there for the start of it."

Champion seeks Spade's expertise to navigate the murky waters of financial deceit and impending threats from Josephs, who has recently been released from San Quentin after serving time for embezzlement.

---

Investigation

As Spade delves deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of deceit involving key players:

1. Elliot Champion: The victim and employer who was implicated in financial irregularities.
2. Joe Josephs: The disgruntled former employee seeking vengeance after being wrongfully convicted.
3. Lemuel Drigger: A former private detective with a murky past, employed by Champion to oversee investigations.
4. Mildred Champion: Elliot's niece, whose interactions with Spade hint at deeper familial tensions and secrets.
5. Aggie: An attorney connected to Josephs, providing insights into Josephs' motivations and background.

Key Discoveries:

• Champion had been skirting income taxes, leading to financial strain and the manipulation of records to frame Josephs.
• Lemuel Drigger's involvement suggests internal sabotage to protect Champion's interests.
• Joe Josephs harbors deep resentment, setting the stage for retaliatory actions.

Notable Quote:

Sam Spade [07:02]: "Later he got tired of the $20 a week you were probably paying him and decided to dip into the bin."

---

Confrontation and Resolution

The tension escalates when Champion is found dead in his home, clutching his lapel—a scene suggesting foul play. Spade's investigation leads him to confrontations with key suspects:

• Aggie: Provides a narrative that Josephs was a victim of circumstances, hinting at orchestrated framing by higher-ups.
• Mildred Champion: Her interactions with Spade reveal potential motives tied to family and business dynamics.
• Joe Josephs: Returns as a shadowy figure, embodying the revenge-driven antagonist.

In a climactic confrontation, Sam Spade faces off with the true antagonist—Mildred Champion. It is unveiled that Mildred, driven by a mix of personal vendetta and business desperation, orchestrated the murders to protect her uncle's illicit activities and shift blame onto Josephs.

Notable Quotes:

Sam Spade [23:24]: "Lamb, you tried to strike me, and I had to defend myself."

Joe Josephs [25:29]: "And he knew what they'd done to him, and he couldn't do anything about it."

Mildred's desperate attempts to cover her tracks ultimately lead to her own downfall, ensuring that justice prevails and the tangled plots of greed and revenge are meticulously unraveled.

---

Conclusion

With the mystery solved, Sam Spade reflects on the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of the case. The episode wraps up with Spade ensuring that all loose ends are tied, leaving listeners with a sense of closure and the enduring charm of classic detective storytelling.

Notable Quote:

Sam Spade [27:26]: "Period. And a report."

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sam Spade [03:35]: "Dear Manelli, you were there for the end of it and I was there for the start of it."

• Sam Spade [07:02]: "Later he got tired of the $20 a week you were probably paying him and decided to dip into the bin."

• Sam Spade [23:24]: "Lamb, you tried to strike me, and I had to defend myself."

• Joe Josephs [25:29]: "And he knew what they'd done to him, and he couldn't do anything about it."

• Sam Spade [27:26]: "Period. And a report."

---

Insights and Themes

• Betrayal and Trust: The episode explores the fragile nature of trust in business and personal relationships, highlighting how betrayal can come from unexpected quarters.

• Justice vs. Vengeance: Joe Josephs embodies the thin line between seeking justice and succumbing to the urge for personal vengeance.

• Corruption: Through characters like Elliot Champion and Lemuel Drigger, the story delves into the systemic corruption that can permeate even the most respectable establishments.

---

Conclusion

"The Adventures of Sam Spade: Champion Caper" stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of detective fiction, seamlessly blending suspense, character development, and intricate plotting. For enthusiasts of old-time radio and classic detective tales, this episode offers a captivating journey into the noir-filled streets of San Mateo, guided by the incomparable Sam Spade.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Your message amplified.

[Sam Spade]

Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Mildred Champion]

Podbean.

[Sam Spade]

Podbean.

[Mildred Champion]

Podbean.

[Narrator]

Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Elliot Champion]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Narrator]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Elliot Champion]

My school uses Podbean.

[Sam Spade]

My church too.

[Joe Josephs]

I love it.

[Sam Spade]

I really do.

[Elliot Champion]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] the Adventures of Sam Spade Detective Brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic, the non alcoholic hair tonic that contains lanolin Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children too.

[Narrator]

Sam Spade Detective Agency.

[Sam Spade]

Me sweetheart.

[Narrator]

Oh, Sam, I'm so glad you called.

[Sam Spade]

Why?

[Narrator]

I don't know. I always am. Was it a good case? Sam?

[Sam Spade]

I didn't like it.

[Narrator]

Where are you?

[Sam Spade]

Morgue, San Mateo.

[Aggie]

Oh.

[Narrator]

Was somebody killed?

[Elliot Champion]

Yes.

[Narrator]

And do you know who did it?

[Sam Spade]

Yep.

[Narrator]

That's good.

[Sam Spade]

No, that's bad.

[Narrator]

Bad.

[Sam Spade]

Believe it or not, f I wish I didn't know who killed who.

[Narrator]

I don't understand. Oh, Sam, you sound so downhearted.

[Sam Spade]

Well, I'm sorry. I'll try to loosen up. Stay where you are, sweetheart. I'll be right down to dictate my report on the champion caper.

[Elliot Champion]

Dashiell Hammett, America's leading detective fiction writer and creator of Sam Spade, the Hard Boiled Private Eye, and William Spear, radio's outstanding produce director of mystery and crime drama, join their talents to make your hair stand on end with the adventures of Sam Spade presented by the makers of Wild Root Cream Oil for the hair. Before bringing you tonight's mystery, I'm going to take 28 seconds to tell you something that isn't a mystery. It's no mystery why so many millions of men, women and children have well groomed hair these days when America's favorite hair tonic, Wild Root Cream Oil, cost so little. Just 25 cents will buy you a get acquainted bottle and show you how neatly and naturally Wild Root Cream Oil grooms your hair, how it relieves annoying dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. Get Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children too. And now, with Howard Duff starring as Spade, Wildroot brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Oh.

[Narrator]

Oh, Sam. I read the afternoon paper. I don't Understand it either.

[Sam Spade]

Stop that. Really.

[Narrator]

After all this time, you'd think I'd be acclimatized to all kinds of human storms. I've got my pencil all ready. I myself again. I'm ready. Date, date. August 7, 1949. To. To whom, Sam?

[Sam Spade]

Jack Minelli.

[Narrator]

Two. Detective Lieutenant Minnelli, Homicide. Details. San Mateo police. From Samuel Spade. License number 127596. Subject. Are you listening, sir?

[Sam Spade]

Subject. The Champion caper. Dear Manelli, you were there for the end of it and I was there for the start of it. Which was in the reception office of Elliot Champion's brokerage house in San Mateo and where I first met Mildred Champion. Remember that old salve, how a woman in love is always beautiful? When I went in, I had no idea she was in love. And no idea she was beautiful. Not because she had lately been crying. But her sallow face without makeup, framed in a wisp of blond hair, wasn't flattered by the shapeless black dress, cotton stockings and low heeled shoes she was wearing. Certainly not the going idea of beauty. Nor did her conversation reveal anything to indicate love.

[Joe Josephs]

Oh, yes? May I help you?

[Sam Spade]

Mr. Elliot Champion. My name's Spade.

[Joe Josephs]

Spade. S, P, A, D, E. You don't.

[Sam Spade]

Have to write it. He's expecting me.

[Joe Josephs]

Your business, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Private.

[Joe Josephs]

I have to have a little more than that, I'm afraid.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, is this hot here?

[Joe Josephs]

Mr. Champion can't stand fresh air.

[Sam Spade]

Obvious.

[Joe Josephs]

That's what makes it so warm in here. I'm sorry.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, it is hot. Just flip the switch and tell them I'm here.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Well, what is it, Mildred?

[Joe Josephs]

I was just going out. Mr. Spade is here. Says you're expecting him. But I don't find him listed in your appointment book.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Don't be an idiot. Send him in. Send him in.

[Joe Josephs]

You may go in now, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

He always liked that.

[Joe Josephs]

He's nice today.

[Sam Spade]

Sorry. Motor. That's your name, isn't it?

[Joe Josephs]

His office is the first on the right.

[Sam Spade]

Don't bother. I'll find it.

[Joe Josephs]

Thank you. I'll just go to lunch.

[Sam Spade]

Mr. Champion.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Well, don't just stand there. Come in and shut the door. What I have to discuss with you is private. I don't want that snoopy niece of mine listening to our conversation.

[Sam Spade]

She's out to lunch now. But does she listen then often?

[Lemuel Drigger]

All the time.

[Elliot Champion]

Why?

[Sam Spade]

She didn't know who I was.

[Lemuel Drigger]

I outsmarted her. There. I called you from the drugstore on the corner. I don't want anyone to know who you are, why you're here. Oh, now, where did I put that lighter?

[Sam Spade]

Behind the ink well.

[Lemuel Drigger]

I'm a dangerous man to play games with. Joseph's found that out once, and if he keeps this business up, he's going to find it out again.

[Sam Spade]

No games. You're dangerous.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Say, are you mocking me, Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Just wondering what you're talking about.

[Lemuel Drigger]

I just told you. You got ears, haven't you? Joe Josephs is back in town, and I'm not going to fool around with him.

[Sam Spade]

Mildred told me you were nice today.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Oh, she did, did she? Well, Mildred talks too much. That's what's the matter with her.

[Sam Spade]

She talks too much and you'd fire her, only she's your niece and you'd have to pay somebody else three times what you pay her to take everything she has to take.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Get out of my office. Oh, no, no. Wait a minute, Spade. It's just hot. I guess I.

[Sam Spade]

Who has turned on the heat?

[Lemuel Drigger]

It's Joe Josephs. He was released from San Quentin this week. And I've been receiving telephone calls from him telling me to beware and to watch out and a lot of other nonsense.

[Sam Spade]

What was he doing at San Quentin?

[Lemuel Drigger]

2 to 5 on an embezzling count. He's an ungrateful scoundrel, that's what he is. Why, I took him into my office as a junior executive, and six months.

[Sam Spade]

Later he got tired of the $20 a week you were probably paying him and decided to dip into the bin. Only he did a bad job, got caught. You testified against him. Now he's out and he's sore and he's threatening you.

[Lemuel Drigger]

And every time you yell cop around this town, there's always some snoopy reporter hanging around the sergeant's desk.

[Sam Spade]

Ain't that the truth?

[Lemuel Drigger]

Listen, Spade, I've got a half a million dollars tied up in this business, and I don't want anybody thinking I might get knocked over by some loony with a grudge.

[Sam Spade]

And that's why you didn't tell the police.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Don't you believe me?

[Sam Spade]

It'll do for now. You'll think of something better. Now, see here, impertinence is 15 a day and. No, that'll be 45 a day in expenses.

[Lemuel Drigger]

I want you to find Joe Josephs and bring him to me.

[Sam Spade]

Nuisance warrant.

[Lemuel Drigger]

More than that. I've got enough stuff in that desk drawer to send him back to Quentin if I have to.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, what kind of stuff?

[Lemuel Drigger]

Left over from his trial. It'll be grand larceny this time, and they don't stop at five years for.

[Sam Spade]

That kind of thing you withheld evidence.

[Lemuel Drigger]

I withheld.

[Sam Spade]

Get down. My back was only eight feet from the window and it came through from the other building across the court. The silencer either ruined the marksman's aim or he was just a bad shot because out of six tries he didn't connect with a thing but the desk lamp and a wastebasket. By that time, Champion and I were both on the floor, Champion on top of me. I kicked out the. And he kicked me back. I gave that up and twisted around for my gun. Across the court, a window was open about 6 inches, one corner of which was full of a dark sleeved hand and a gun arm. I fired at it from what is known as number six position. It's him.

[Aggie]

It's him.

[Sam Spade]

Get him, Spade. Get him, Spade.

[Lemuel Drigger]

What do you think I hired you for?

[Sam Spade]

I didn't bother to answer him. I went through the window, onto the fire escape and over to the next building. I did more. I went in that building which was apparently vacant, down the stairs and started out the back entrance. He. He.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Watch it.

[Aggie]

Watch it, Will.

[Narrator]

A big hurry.

[Sam Spade]

Hey, he came out of this building. Which way did he go? Who came out of what building? This building right here, just a second ago. Here? Yes.

[Joe Josephs]

Who?

[Sam Spade]

Him. The guy who just ran down these stairs.

[Joe Josephs]

What did he look like?

[Sam Spade]

Well, he.

[Aggie]

What'd he look like?

[Sam Spade]

I say, what'd he look like? Huh?

[Aggie]

Who?

[Sam Spade]

What? Where? Thanks. Don't mention it, Curly.

[Aggie]

Anytime.

[Sam Spade]

I couldn't tell her what he looked like because I hadn't seen him. After a careful search of the building which revealed nothing, I decided my suspect had eluded me for good and I returned to the office of Elliot Champion. He was sitting on his green leather chair wearing an expression to match.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Missed him, huh?

[Sam Spade]

Spade, what does Joseph look like?

[Lemuel Drigger]

Oh, I've got a couple of snapshots here somewhere. I. Oh, yes.

[Sam Spade]

Here, let's have a look. I was later to regret having those snapshots in my person. They showed a tall, thin face, haunted looking guy, an old looking. 28, good face, shock of black hair and dark eyes. I've seen plenty of Khan's embezzler type and he wouldn't have been cast in the part. In my movie there was nothing about him to indicate that he'd embezzled $2,000 or use a silencer on a gun. I dug two.38 slugs out of Champion's wall and went down to the street. Spade.

[Mildred Champion]

Oh, Spade.

[Sam Spade]

He was a heavy set man in a dirty white Panama hat and seersucker suit that didn't fit him around the middle.

[Mildred Champion]

Just a minute, Spade. Just a minute.

[Sam Spade]

He crawled out of a black sedan, jammed a cigar in his mouth and began sweating. He needed a shave. He'd always need a shave.

[Mildred Champion]

Hot afternoon, ain't it? Yes, sir. Sure is hot. Sure is a hot afternoon. Here, here, my card.

[Sam Spade]

Lemuel Drigger, Confidential Investigations.

[Mildred Champion]

Guess I should ought to have some new ones printed up, huh?

[Sam Spade]

I guess you should oughta, Lem. And change the name while you're at it. Didn't the commissioner bounce you nine years ago for rolling a pack before you did the booking?

[Mildred Champion]

Oh, let bygones be bygones, Spade. I'm in business for myself.

[Sam Spade]

How's punk? Try another racket.

[Mildred Champion]

Lem Spade. You been in to see old man Champion? Maybe. Maybe I was just gonna go in to see him myself when I spot you pull up. I recognize you from the pictures in the paper last week. I figured maybe you and me ought to talk.

[Sam Spade]

What did you figure you and me maybe ought to talk about, Lem?

[Mildred Champion]

Oh, you make it tough for a guy, Spade. We're in the same business, you know. What'd you go see him about?

[Sam Spade]

So long, Lem.

[Mildred Champion]

Hey, wait a minute. I'm an old gumboot, huh? Fat old gumboot who couldn't get a trick as a housekeeper or tail on the punk, is that it? Okay, Spade, okay. You're full of vinegar now. But just you keep my card. You'll want to see Lem Drigger before it's all tied up. You'll want to see me scroll, Lem.

[Sam Spade]

But he was right. I did want to see him. Because when I got down to the Chronicle office and looked up a morgue on the Joe Joseph's trial, the first thing that jumped out at me was the name Lemuel Drigger. Lemuel Drigger, private detective who had been employed when Mr. Champion had become suspicious of Joseph's account irregularities and who, together with Mr. Champion, caught Josephs red handed and who willingly offered his testimony the same at the trial which convicted Joe Josephs to San Quentin for five years. The file also gave the name of Joseph's lawyer, a man named Anthony Sper. The phone book showed an apartment address on Geary.

[Aggie]

That you, Aggie? Hold on a minute. I was just trying to get dinner over before you showed up, but I guess I'm late tonight. Who are you?

[Sam Spade]

Mr. Spieser?

[Aggie]

That's right.

[Sam Spade]

My name's Spade. I'm a private investigator. I'm trying to locate a former client of yours, A man named Josephs.

[Aggie]

Come in, come in. I was expecting Aggie, but come in.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks.

[Aggie]

I always fix my own dinner. Poached egg and half and half ulcers. Name? Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah.

[Aggie]

Want an egg?

[Sam Spade]

No, thanks. I'm on duty.

[Aggie]

Mind if I finish?

[Sam Spade]

It's up to you.

[Aggie]

Who's your client, Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Elliot Champion. Joe Josephs is back in town and he's been making telephone threats and throwing 38s around.

[Aggie]

38S, huh?

[Sam Spade]

Mm. You know where he is?

[Aggie]

Joe was a nice kid, but a calendar job. Born with one war going on. A depression on deck and another war in the hole. Makes a difference. The calendar got him. Everything was against him. At the trial, too. I couldn't do anything. He thought I let him down and told me so. He got real sore when they read the book at him. Threatened Champion and that private dick, Lem, Dreger, Drager and everybody else said he was railroaded.

[Sam Spade]

You were, as attorney.

[Aggie]

I know, I know. But he didn't have a chance in a million of beating that rapper. He thought I ratted when I took the guilty plea in court's mercy. All for a lousy two grand. Well, he's done his time and he's out now.

[Sam Spade]

He hasn't gotten in touch with you?

[Aggie]

Nope.

[Sam Spade]

No threats?

[Aggie]

Nope.

[Sam Spade]

Ever write to you from prison?

[Aggie]

Nope.

[Sam Spade]

Any idea where he'd be in town?

[Aggie]

No.

[Sam Spade]

Is it possible he has a mother?

[Aggie]

Nope.

[Sam Spade]

Then I guess I leave you to Aggie.

[Aggie]

We play records. Aggie used to be a violinist.

[Sam Spade]

Well, it's up to her.

[Aggie]

Spade. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah?

[Aggie]

If you find Joe, tell him where I live. I'd like to see him.

[Sam Spade]

Why?

[Aggie]

I don't know. Maybe I just want to see what five years in the pen does to a kid like that.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, I'll bet you do. Yeah?

[Joe Josephs]

Is this you, Mr. Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Who's this?

[Joe Josephs]

This is Mildred Champion. Remember me? In my uncle's office.

[Sam Spade]

I remember.

[Joe Josephs]

Mr. Spade. You're looking for Joe, aren't you? I know you are. You don't have to answer me. I think I can help you find him. I must talk to you right away before something terrible happens. Please come out to the house before something terrible happens. It's right in the corner.

[Sam Spade]

I got out to the house as fast as I could, but not before something terrible had happened. The front door was open and all the lights were on, and Elliot Champion was lying at the foot of the stairs in the front hall holding his lapel as if it would. Get away from me.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Don't touch me. Don't try to move Me. It's in my lungs somewhere. And I. I never thought.

[Sam Spade]

It didn't look like there'd be much use, but I beat it up the stairs to the hall phone to call emergency. Ambulance.

[Mildred Champion]

Hello?

[Sam Spade]

Hello? What the.

[Mildred Champion]

This is Joe.

[Sam Spade]

So you hired a private eye to.

[Mildred Champion]

Look me up, huh? Well, he'll never find me. But I'll find you. Yeah, Mr. Champion, I'll be seeing you real soon.

[Sam Spade]

I didn't get it then, but I got it a second later. I grabbed for the banister, missed, and hit the top railing. A pair of hands held me up long enough to go through my pockets and then let me go. And that's the last thing I remember.

[Elliot Champion]

The makers of Wild Root Cream oil are presenting the weekly Sunday adventure of Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective, Sam Spade. Now here's important news on good grooming. If you want the well groomed look that helps you get ahead socially and on the job. Listen. Recently, thousands of people from coast to coast who bought Wild Root Cream Oil for the first time were asked, how does wild Root cream oil compare with the hair tonic you previously used? The results were amazing. Better than four out of five who replied said they preferred Wild Root Cream oil. Remember, non alcoholic wild Root cream oil contains lanolin. It grooms the hair naturally, relieves dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. So if you want your hair to be more attractive than ever before, get the generous new 25 cent size of wild Root Cream Oil. America's leading hair tonic. On sale at all drug and toilet goods counters. It's also available in larger economy bottles and the handy new tube. By the way, smart girls use Wild Root Cream Oil too. And mothers say it's grand for training children's hair. Get Wild Root Cream Oil again and again. The choice of men and women and children too. And now back to the Champion Caper, Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

The neighbors had complained of gunshots, which was fortunate for me. I still might have been lying at the bottom of those stairs in Champion's house, Lieutenant, if you hadn't walked in, applied first aid, asked me my name and listened to my story. You considered the threatening phone call after my client's death as a cover up and promptly sent out a general alarm on Joe Joseph's. I took an aspirin and a taxi cab for home. Halfway uptown, I discovered the pictures of Joe Josephs were missing from my wallet. And that is why I was absent at the medical examiner's inquest. This morning, instead of going home, I Went out to San Mateo, jimmied the lock of Champion's office and violated city ordinance number 352B. My dead client's desk revealed one important item. An income tax voucher dated August 17, 1944, noting him delinquent. Then I found another important item. Same for 1943. His secretary's desk was even more interesting. What I found there led me to one, call her home. Result, no answer. And two, to revisit Attorney Speezer. I found him poaching another. Aggie.

[Aggie]

All right, all right, I'm here. It's late, Aggie. What's the idea? Unless it's Beethoven, I don't. Oh, Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Aggie have a show?

[Aggie]

Yeah, left early. Has to work tomorrow.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, it's too bad.

[Aggie]

What's with you? Still looking for Joe?

[Sam Spade]

Yep.

[Aggie]

Any leads? Wish I could help you, Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Elliot Champion was shot and killed in his home tonight.

[Aggie]

No.

[Sam Spade]

That all you have to say, Joe.

[Aggie]

Do it.

[Narrator]

Maybe Podbean. Your message amplified.

[Sam Spade]

Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Narrator]

Podbean, the AI Powered all in one podcast platform.

[Elliot Champion]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Sam Spade]

Use Podbean to record your podcasts. Use Podbean AI to optimize your podcast. Use Podbean AI to turn your blog into a podcast. Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Sam Spade]

You don't seem scared for a mouthpiece Joe didn't like.

[Aggie]

If you mean, should I be next, no, I'm not scared, Spade. The kids should realize for this time, I liked him and did all I could.

[Sam Spade]

You've been here all evening, Aggie. Could you prove it? Yep. You may have to. Did you know Mildred Champion was married to Joe Josephs?

[Aggie]

Yeah. How'd you know? It's a secret.

[Sam Spade]

I found this marriage license in a desk drawer.

[Aggie]

Nosy, huh?

[Sam Spade]

I found something else. Champion didn't pay his income taxes all the time.

[Aggie]

A lot of people are like that, Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Me, I. When Drigger testified against Joe at the trial, so did Champion. Mildred worked in the office, but she didn't testify.

[Aggie]

Wife can't testify against husband. Real good stories made. But what about Joe?

[Sam Spade]

Champion had something on Lem Dreger. And Drager had something on Champion. Joe's in between. You tell me. Huh?

[Aggie]

Huh?

[Sam Spade]

All right, I'll tell you. It's all about a green kid hired into a brokerage firm to be framed on a phony embezzling charge to cover up a tax delinquency you want to finish it?

[Aggie]

I can't. I don't know it.

[Sam Spade]

You've got ideas, though.

[Aggie]

Yeah. Yeah, Spade, you're right. I've got ideas. And all of them make me sick inside. That kid stood there and told me he was innocent. He said it a million times if he said it once. And he told me he thought Champion was short with the income tax people.

[Sam Spade]

And if Champion was short, he could phony up a book and get a worn out private detective like Drager to testify that there'd been a fraud. And Joe takes the rap.

[Aggie]

If that's what happened, they did it pretty good.

[Sam Spade]

Did you mention anything like this at the trial?

[Aggie]

Surmise is not admissible. There was no way to investigate it and no way to prove it. Joe was a nice kid, Spade, and he told a good story. I've been fooled a lot of times. What do you think?

[Sam Spade]

I haven't met him yet.

[Aggie]

All right, he's done his five years. He came out. Now they want him for killing the man who sent him up. His whole life's gone and for what? Spade, I hope you don't find him. I hope nobody ever finds him.

[Sam Spade]

But we did find Joe Joseph's lieutenant. He was right under our noses all the time. When I called you, you told me to come on down to the morgue of the county hospital. We both stood and looked at Joe Josephs.

[Lemuel Drigger]

Ah, it's a funny thing, Sam. We had an alarm out for an hour on this guy. We've been looking all over for him and he turns up right here. Only he's dead. He's been dead since last night, about seven.

[Sam Spade]

Seven? Same time Champion was killed.

[Lemuel Drigger]

TB just got the whole story. Had it awful bad in prison. I'm a sick ward. His last two years wanted out awful bad. When his time was up last week he made him release him. But he wound up here. Died in the hospital. He looks awful young to be a con and all. I don't know, Sam. He's just a kid, isn't he?

[Sam Spade]

Up until then you had some kind of case against Joe Joseph's. But when the medical examiner reported that my client had been shot with a.32, the rest of it began to fall into place. Lem Trigger's office was a dirty room over a shoe repair shop on Mission Street. The glass on the door hadn't been washed in five years and neither did anything else. You can hardly tell where the office left off and Lem began.

[Mildred Champion]

Oh, hello, Spade. I've been waiting for you. I thought you'd get over for some talk. Talk?

[Sam Spade]

What made you think that, Lem?

[Mildred Champion]

Well, you're here, ain't you?

[Sam Spade]

All right, let's make talk. Talk. Did the silencer ruin your gun, huh? Come on, come on. I want it all. You phoned tonight after Champion was killed. You've been phoning him right along saying it was Joe.

[Mildred Champion]

No, just a minute, Spade. We're in the same.

[Sam Spade]

And you shot at him with a silencer on your 38th this afternoon to make it look real good.

[Mildred Champion]

You can't prove anything. I didn't kill him.

[Sam Spade]

One slug out of your gun will match that up. Every cop carries a.38. You were a cop once.

[Mildred Champion]

Now, Spade, you got this all wrong.

[Sam Spade]

Because you thought he'd called you in for protection. He called you in once on another job.

[Mildred Champion]

Listen, I know what you're thinking.

[Sam Spade]

Business was so bad, you had to drum it up, didn't you? Joseph was released from prison and it was unnatural. Only it didn't work. Champion called me instead. And you tried to shake me down.

[Mildred Champion]

Well, I only thought we had kind of worked together, you know, make it a good thing.

[Sam Spade]

I told you once you should try another racket, but you didn't take my advice. Now you're gonna have to.

[Mildred Champion]

What do you mean?

[Sam Spade]

Because your license will be revoked pretty quick. You got into a lot of trouble about two minutes from now.

[Mildred Champion]

I did. I was right here.

[Sam Spade]

What are you trying to say? I swore out a complaint on you for assault and battery.

[Mildred Champion]

Hey, wait a minute. I ain't done nothing to you. Champion's dead and I did.

[Sam Spade]

Lamb, you tried to strike me, and I had to defend myself. And I did make out a complaint, Lieutenant. I phoned your. And two of your men were on the way out to pick him up when I heard a footstep outside the door. I knew who was there and what she was there for. And I did the only thing I could think of at the moment. And it was lucky I did it. Her own.32 was in her hand when she came in the door. She looked at me and Lem, smoking gun in my hand, looked at him stretched out on the floor. Then she looked back at me. The gun fell from her hand and she began to cry. Hello, Mildred.

[Joe Josephs]

I wanted to do it. I came here to do it.

[Sam Spade]

I know why.

[Joe Josephs]

Why did you stop?

[Sam Spade]

You.

[Joe Josephs]

Why?

[Sam Spade]

My bullets went into the ceiling. He's just knocked out.

[Joe Josephs]

No.

[Mildred Champion]

No.

[Joe Josephs]

He ought to be dead.

[Sam Spade]

Dead. No, no, no. Not anymore. Mildred.

[Joe Josephs]

You tricked me. You knew I was coming here, and you know he should die.

[Sam Spade]

You know it that won't bring Joe back.

[Joe Josephs]

How many real tramps have you met in your life, Mr. Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Lots. And some who just thought they were.

[Joe Josephs]

Well, you met the genuine product yesterday. My uncle, for example. He stole money from himself and made it look like Joe did it.

[Sam Spade]

I know about that.

[Joe Josephs]

And this one. Why didn't you let me kill him, too?

[Narrator]

Why?

[Sam Spade]

Easy. Easy.

[Joe Josephs]

When I went over to see him in the hospital the first time, I knew he was dying, he had that look in his eyes.

[Narrator]

Helpless.

[Joe Josephs]

And he knew what they'd done to him, and he couldn't do anything about it.

[Sam Spade]

But you figured that you could. So you killed your uncle when you found out Joe died and you came here to kill them.

[Joe Josephs]

They killed him. They killed Joe when they sent him to prison. Five years I waited for him to get out of that awful place. I waited to hold him in my arms and tell him it was all over. Five years I waited to help him forget his hate. My hate. Five years. I loved him so much. Every day.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, easy.

[Joe Josephs]

Then he came back to me the way he did. Those pictures were all I had left of him. After five years of waiting. Loving him. Now he's dead. What can you or I or anybody do about what they've done to him? Look at me, Mr. Spade. Go ahead, look at me. I'm not what you'd call beautiful. I'm not even very pretty. Nobody would ever look at me twice. Well, Joe looked at me and he loved me. Now he's dead, and I'm dead inside. I'm dead inside, and I'll be glad when I'm dead. Outside.

[Sam Spade]

Period. And a report.

[Narrator]

Oh, Sam, they were so unhappy.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. Add a notation that I won't be around for the coroner's inquest.

[Narrator]

Sam, you can't do this.

[Sam Spade]

Report, when duly notarized, should be admissible as testimony. I want to get out of town for a few days. Sour, ragged.

[Elliot Champion]

And. Now listen to this. Later this evening, if you happen to stroll down to the corner for cigarettes or ice cream, why not also pick up some Wild Root Cream oil hair tonic? Your whole family will like the way Wild Root Cream oil grooms the hair neatly and naturally relieves dryness and removes loose dandruff. And ask your barber for a professional application of Wild Root Cream oil hair tonic again and again. The choice of men and women and children, too.

[Narrator]

Didn't make any mistakes.

[Sam Spade]

Of course you didn't.

[Narrator]

Are you really serious about getting out of town for a few days?

[Sam Spade]

I am.

[Narrator]

The world's too much with you, huh, Sam? EFFIE I know it's poetry, Sam, but it seems kind of appropriate right now. I don't care if she did kill those two men. I feel sorry for her.

[Sam Spade]

What's that got to do with poetry?

[Narrator]

What's kind of poetic justice? Oh, why does she dress the way she did? And in that black dress and low heels?

[Sam Spade]

A form of penance, I guess, of mourning. Absence of her missing lover. Lover? Yeah. Now, now, now, look, look. You'll have to type it all over if you keep that up.

[Narrator]

But, Sam, it's all so beautiful and tragic and you watched it all happen with. Don't you understand? I'm so proud of you. Oh, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Come on. Come on. Dry up and go home.

[Narrator]

Good night, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Good night, sweetheart.

[Elliot Champion]

The adventures of Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective, are produced and directed by William Spear. Sam Spade is played by Howard Duff. Loreen Tuttle is Effie. Tonight's Adventure with Sam Spade was written for radio by E. Jack Newman. Music was directed by Lud Gluskin, with score composed by Renee and Pierre Garaghan. Join us again next Sunday when author Dashiell Hammett and producer William Speer join forces for another adventure with Sam Spade, brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children, too. This is Dick Joy reminding you to get Wild Root Cream Oil, Charlie.

[Sam Spade]

It keeps your hair in trim. You see.

[Elliot Champion]

It's non alcoholic, Charlie.

[Sam Spade]

It's made with soothing lanolin.

[Elliot Champion]

You better get Wild Root Cream Oil, Charlie.

[Sam Spade]

Start using it today.

[Elliot Champion]

You'll find it. You will have a tough time, Charlie.

[Sam Spade]

Keeping all the gals away.

[Elliot Champion]

Hiya, Charlie. Get Wild Road right away. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.