Choice Classic Radio Detectives | “The Saint: The Cake That Killed”

Original Air Date: January 8, 1950
Podcast Air Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

Overview

This episode transports listeners to the witty, thrilling world of Simon Templar, aka "The Saint" (voiced with suave charm by Vincent Price). The story, “The Cake That Killed,” blends humor and danger in a classic whodunit. Templar visits a whimsically-named bakery, “The Bachelor’s Friend,” to buy bread and walks away entangled in a murder mystery involving a suspicious cake, a series of unsavory characters, a double-cross, and a hunt for missing diamonds.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Highlights

1. A Peculiar Bakery Visit ([01:16]–[03:01])

• Simon Templar enters “The Bachelor’s Friend” bakery, intending to purchase bread but is handed a cake by a nervous employee, Peggy.

• An ominous duo—Mr. Greg and Morton—appear, and Simon is swiftly ushered into a car for a suspicious “ride to the ocean.”

  Notable Quote:

  “My mother used to bake terrible cakes. Battleships. Used them for anchor.”
  — Simon Templar [01:51]

2. Attempted Disposal and a New Ally ([03:01]–[07:38])

• Simon is forced into a cab driven by Benny, with instructions from Greg and Morton to take Simon for a “long drive.”

• Recognizing Peggy is in danger, Simon convinces Benny to return to the bakery.

• They break in to find Morton dead.

  Notable Quote:

  “If I was you, I wouldn’t toy with no Boy Scout ideas about doing a good deed.”
  — Morton, warning Simon [03:01]

3. Unexpected Guests and Growing Danger ([07:38]–[10:04])

• Back at his own apartment, Simon discovers Peggy has sneaked in.

• A comic yet tense exchange about the cake ensues; Peggy wants it back, but Simon realizes he left it in Benny’s cab.

• Mr. Greg arrives, gun drawn, accuses Simon, and is knocked out by Simon in a physical tussle.

  Notable Quote:

  “You can search me, but I warn you, I’m ticklish.”
  — Simon Templar, when Peggy demands the cake [09:43]
  “I had this lamp all picked out to hit him with.”
  — Peggy, after Simon knocks out Greg instead [11:08]

4. A Frame-up and a Murder ([11:29]–[14:51])

• The police nearly catch Simon—he’s found holding the murder weapon after Greg is shot dead, apparently framed for the killings.

5. The Cake’s Cab Detour ([14:51]–[19:37])

• Simon traces Benny’s cab and discovers Benny was knocked out by Peggy, who was desperate to retrieve the cake.

• Benny is confused but safe; Peggy’s motives become clearer—she’s after something hidden in the cake.

  Notable Quote:

  “She kept talking about cake, and then she hit me on the head—and I don’t even like cake!”
  — Benny, bewildered cab driver [16:42]

6. The Real Villain Emerges: Hector Vanderpoel ([19:37]–[21:50])

• Simon is held at gunpoint by Hector Vanderpoel, the bakery owner. Hector reveals the cake holds stolen diamonds, the result of a planned double-cross.

• Peggy is caught returning for the cake.

• A standoff ensues; Hector attempts to get the diamonds but is shot and disarmed by Simon.

  Notable Quote:

  “Why do diamonds make a cake taste better?”
  — Simon Templar, sarcastically baiting Hector [18:39]

7. Mystery Unraveled: The Double-Cross Double-Crossed ([21:51]–[23:07])

• Simon deduces that Hector murdered Greg and Morton to keep all the diamonds for himself.

• In a final twist, Simon reveals that no diamonds were ever baked into the cake—Hector’s double-cross started before Peggy’s attempted scheme.

  Notable Quote:

  “Vanderpoel knew, if you remember, that the jewels weren’t in your bag before you opened it. How? Simple. He knew you didn’t have the jewels. How did he know that? Simple again. He hadn’t put the jewels in the cake at all.”
  — Simon Templar, to Peggy [22:33]

8. Classic Saint Wit and Final Words ([23:01]–[End])

• Peggy and Simon are left with just the cake (no jewels), ending the mystery with banter and a playful reference to choosing cakes—and friends—wisely.

  Notable Quote:

  “O, cakes and friends we should choose with care. Not always the finest cake that’s there is the best to eat. And the plainest friend is sometimes the finest one in the end.”
  — Narration, quoting Margaret E. Sangster [23:07]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The rapid-fire banter between Simon and Peggy, marked by charm and comic timing, keeps the episode buoyant despite multiple murders.
• Simon’s constant one-liners and philosophical asides exemplify his “gentleman adventurer” persona.
• Twists—double-crosses within double-crosses—keep both Simon and listeners guessing until the end.
• The episode delivers the classic “Saint” flavor: clever deductions, beautiful women, ruthless villains, and a big-hearted hero.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bakery Visit & Dangerous Ride: [01:16] – [03:01]
• Morton’s Murder & Break-In: [03:01] – [07:38]
• Peggy’s Visit & Cake Disappearance: [07:38] – [10:04]
• Greg’s Confrontation & Knockout: [10:04] – [11:29]
• Frame-up and Second Murder: [11:29] – [14:51]
• Cake’s Trail & Benny’s Story: [14:51] – [19:37]
• Vanderpoel’s Reveal & Final Standoff: [19:37] – [21:50]
• Solution & Wrap-Up: [21:51] – [End]

Final Thoughts

A quintessential “Saint” story, “The Cake That Killed” dishes up murder, diamonds, and deception with a generous helping of dry wit and roguish charm. Vincent Price shines, the plot crackles with twists, and every character is either hiding a secret or hiding a weapon (sometimes both). Listeners are left hungry for more—and perhaps for a slice of non-lethal cake.