Episode 607 - Buck Private Eyes (Michael Shayne, Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, & Richard Diamond)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Episode 607 - Buck Private Eyes (Michael Shayne, Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, & Richard Diamond)
Release Date: December 8, 2024

Hosted by Mean Streets Podcasts, Episode 607 brings together four of Old Time Radio's most iconic detectives—Michael Shane, Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, and Richard Diamond—in a thrilling compilation of mysteries and investigations. Each detective navigates complex cases, showcasing their unique styles and approaches to solving crimes.

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1. Michael Shane – The Pursuit of Death

Plot Overview:
Michael Shane, a seasoned private detective in New Orleans, is approached by Shirley Kernan, a distressed woman convinced that someone is stalking and attempting to kill her. As Shane delves into the case, he uncovers a web of deceit involving Shirley's husband, friends, and hidden motives.

Key Events:

• Initial Encounter:
  Shirley Kernan seeks Shane’s protection, insisting she’s being followed. Shane's skepticism turns to concern as he witnesses Shirley's genuine fear.

  Shirley Kernan [08:23]: "I want to hire you. To protect me."
  Michael Shane [08:28]: "From being followed all the time. Find out who's following me."

• Suspicions Arise:
  Investigating her acquaintances, Shane suspects Johnny Terrence, a friend of Shirley's husband, and Ralph Pierce, Shirley’s friend, of harboring hidden agendas. A tense confrontation ensues when Shane is assaulted by Pierce while investigating.

• Climactic Discovery:
  Shane discovers that Shirley has been suppressing memories of killing her husband, Stanley Kernan, using her subconscious to mask the truth. The real perpetrator emerges, revealing complex motivations rooted in Shirley's fractured psyche.

  Michael Shane [29:38]: "Shirley was running away. Nobody was following her."

Conclusion:
Shane uncovers that Shirley's actions were driven by internal conflict and guilt, leading to the tragic death of her husband. This case underscores the psychological depths Shane is willing to explore to uncover the truth.

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2. Sam Spade – The Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail Caper

Plot Overview:
Sam Spade attends a high-stakes costume party tasked with guarding a priceless Josephine crown. The event spirals into chaos as theft and deception unfold among the masked attendees, leading Spade into a complex heist.

Key Events:

• The Setup:
  Spade meets Fritz Crockett and Mrs. Montague, who are to guard the esteemed crown. The atmosphere is vibrant with guests in elaborate costumes, setting the stage for intrigue.

  Sam Spade [35:03]: "I'm great. You need me."

• The Heist Unfolds:
  During the party, the crown is stolen despite the vigilant protection. Spade navigates through a maze of suspects, including deceptive characters like Charmaine Roget and the mysterious Mr. Crockett.

• Twist and Resolution:
  A dramatic confrontation in the den reveals that Mrs. Montague orchestrated the theft to reclaim the crown for its rightful place in France. Spade thwarts the nefarious plans, restoring order and ensuring the crown’s safe return.

  Sam Spade [55:19]: "He couldn't stay away from the pasteboards."

Conclusion:
Through cunning and perseverance, Sam Spade dismantles the elaborate scheme behind the crown’s theft, reaffirming his reputation as a master detective capable of handling high-profile cases with finesse.

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3. Philip Marlowe – The Face to Forget

Plot Overview:
Philip Marlowe investigates the mysterious disappearance of Dave Stroud, a young man whose sudden vanishing act leaves his fiancée, Ellen Wyatt, desperate for answers. Marlowe navigates the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles to uncover the truth.

Key Events:

• The Investigation Begins:
  Marlowe is hired by Ellen Wyatt to find Dave Stroud, who vanished without a trace. His search leads him through various locales, including dingy boarding houses and lively bars, in pursuit of leads about Stroud's whereabouts.

  Philip Marlowe [60:24]: "I was looking for Dave Stroud for a solid week, and his trail finally led me here."

• Encounters and Revelations:
  Marlowe crosses paths with Roy Taney, a suspicious individual with a murky past, and Vincent Price as Philip Marlowe, who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding mystery. Tensions escalate as Marlowe pieces together the connections between the missing man and those around him.

• Climactic Confrontation:
  In a tense showdown at the Fulton Station, Marlowe confronts Roy Taney, revealing the layers of deception that led to Dave Stroud’s disappearance and subsequent death. The truth about alliances and betrayals emerges, bringing closure to the case.

  Philip Marlowe [75:06]: "Manny Auerbach was the dead man, and Roy Taney was the killer determined to eliminate any loose ends."

Conclusion:
Philip Marlowe's relentless pursuit uncovers a tangled web of lies and motives behind Dave Stroud's disappearance. His keen instincts and tenacity lead to the resolution of the case, highlighting his role as a quintessential hardboiled detective.

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4. Richard Diamond – The Blackmailer’s Demise

Plot Overview:
Richard Diamond is enlisted by Fred Lane to eliminate his wife Mary’s blackmailer, Lewis Dixon. Diamond delves into the gritty world of blackmail and deceit, navigating through corrupt dealings and personal vendettas to resolve the case.

Key Events:

• The Assignment:
  Diamond is approached by Fred Lane to handle the blackmail situation discreetly, opting out of involving the police.

  Richard Diamond [90:17]: "I'm just interested in seeing that he doesn't bother Mary anymore."

• Investigative Challenges:
  Diamond's search for Lewis Dixon leads him to encounter informants like Rabbit Jones and Squeaky Horner, who provide scant information, complicating the investigation. His interactions reveal the dangerous nature of his assignment.

  Richard Diamond [96:53]: "How long will it take? I gotta catch that train."

• The Final Confrontation:
  Diamond uncovers that Roy Taney is the true antagonist behind the blackmail, orchestrating events to manipulate and control. In a dramatic encounter, Diamond confronts Taney, exposing his schemes and securing justice for his client.

  Richard Diamond [82:37]: "Roy Tawney was not Dave's brother. But he was the one who had murdered Manny Auerbach."

Conclusion:
Richard Diamond successfully navigates the perilous landscape of blackmail, exposing the manipulative tactics of Roy Taney. His effective handling of the case reinforces his prowess as a dependable and resourceful private detective.

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Final Thoughts:
Episode 607 of Down These Mean Streets masterfully intertwines the narratives of four legendary detectives, each delivering unique and engrossing tales of mystery and resolution. By highlighting their distinct investigative techniques and personal struggles, the episode pays homage to the enduring legacy of Old Time Radio detectives. Notable quotes punctuate the stories, providing deeper insights into the characters' motivations and the complexity of the cases they solve.

Notable Quotes:

• Shirley Kernan to Michael Shane [08:23]: "I want to hire you. To protect me."
• Sam Spade [35:03]: "I'm great. You need me."
• Philip Marlowe [60:24]: "I was looking for Dave Stroud for a solid week, and his trail finally led me here."
• Richard Diamond [90:17]: "I'm just interested in seeing that he doesn't bother Mary anymore."

Timestamp Highlights:

• Michael Shane’s Case:

  • Initial Hiring: [08:23]
  • Confrontation with Ralph Pierce: [25:14]
  • Discovery of Stanley Kernan’s Murder: [29:35]

• Sam Spade’s Caper:

  • Arrival at the Party: [35:03]
  • Theft of the Josephine Crown: [42:35]
  • Final Confrontation: [56:42]

• Philip Marlowe’s Investigation:

  • Searching for Dave Stroud: [60:24]
  • Interaction with Roy Taney: [75:12]
  • Resolution at Carter Station: [78:31]

• Richard Diamond’s Assignment:

  • Meeting with Fred Lane: [90:04]
  • Encounter with Rabbit Jones: [96:35]
  • Confrontation with Roy Taney: [82:37]

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Old Time Radio detectives, Episode 607 offers a captivating journey through classic noir storytelling, complete with suspense, intrigue, and the timeless charm of detective prowess.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave.

[Commercial Announcer]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective the Adventures of the Saint Starring Vincent Price. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Let's turn back the clock about 24 hours and drop in on Mr. And Mrs. Johnson. They're just returning from a football game.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, here we are. Home at last. And boy, am I hungry.

[Mrs. Johnson]

So am I. Let's start thinking about some food. Big juicy hamburgers maybe.

[Voice of the Product]

Say, that's for me.

[Commercial Announcer]

With plenty of catsup.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Uh huh.

[Commercial Announcer]

Del Monte Catsup. It has such marvelous flavor. And Mrs. Johnson really knows her catsup. Del Monte Catsup. The zestiest, liveliest catsup that ever pleased a man. Now that football season is in full swing, you'll find Del Monte Catsup a bigger help than ever. When planning lunches before the game or supper afterwards.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's a smart hostess who serves hearty.

[Commercial Announcer]

Food and lots of it. With plenty of Del Monte catsup. Handy to add bright, rich, spiced tomato flavor. Yes, that marvelous tomato flavor you find in Del Monte Catsup. The only catsup made with pineapple vinegar. That superlative vinegar that coaxes out all the best in tomato flavor. Remember, for real zip and zest, it's Del Monte Catsup every time. Next time you go shopping, look for Del Monte catsup.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You'll like its quality and you'll like its thrifty price.

[Commercial Announcer]

This is the cold season. What do medical authorities say about the common cold? Doctors tell us there's no known drug.

[Mr. Johnson]

Which will cure a cold.

[Commercial Announcer]

There are effective medications for treating complications accompanying or following a cold. If you've been taking sensible precautions and still have one cold after another, it's best to see your doctor. And here's another important health tip. When you have a cold and need a laxative, that's the time to rely on gentle xlax. Pleasant tasting chocolate. Xlax helps you towards your normal regularity. Gently overnight. Xlax gets along with any cold remedies you may be taking. And Xlax works where nature wants in the lower track, not the stomach. Taken at bedtime, Xlax won't disturb sleep. Gives you the closest thing to natural action. The next morning, you're well on your way towards your normal regularity without upset or discomfort. So when you have a cold and Need a laxative? Take xlax, the laxative you can use with complete confidence. Xlax helps you towards your normal regularity gently overnight. X Lax. Say, you fellows know how often the girls win out in spelling bees or reading contests? Well, nowadays I'm hearing of a lot of times when the girls are winning out and collecting comic buttons in that new series from packages of Kellogg's Pet. Of course, whenever that happens, the boys get busy right away and the race is on. Good fun it is too, because everybody gets a kick out of those true to life pictures of your favorite comic strip characters like Chief Brandon with his uniform and his official badge. And Tess Trueheart with her red hat.

[Mr. Johnson]

And long blonde hair.

[Commercial Announcer]

And Superman himself, complete with bright blue jersey and flying red cape and Superman insignia. So fellas, don't you let those girls.

[Mr. Johnson]

Get ahead of you.

[Commercial Announcer]

And girls, don't let the fellas get ahead of you. Everybody pitch in. It's easy, you know. You don't send in any money, not.

[Detective]

Even a box stop.

[Commercial Announcer]

And you can't buy these comic buttons anywhere. But every time that you open a package of Kelg's Pep, there's your snappy prize. And there's some mighty snappy eating too, because Pep is a whiz of a breakfast cereal. Tastes a crisp and sunny and golden toasted that well, you practically can't resist it. Pep's good for you too. Mom knows it's a grand dish to start off a cold, wintry day. So ask mom to get P E P the Sunshine cereal, Kellogg's pet. From first puff to last, there's never a rough puff in the Lucky. Yes, from the very first puff you.

[Mr. Johnson]

Get smooth, mild smoking enjoyment.

[Commercial Announcer]

The rich, mellow taste of fine tobacco. Because LS mft Lucky Strike means fine tobacco. And in a cigarette, it's the tobacco that counts. Now, fine tobacco costs more. And at the auctions, luckies pay more, millions of dollars more than official parity prices to get fine, light, naturally mild tobacco. Tobacco that smokes cool and smooth with never a rough puff. The independent tobacco experts can see the.

[Mr. Johnson]

Makers of Lucky Strike consistently select and.

[Commercial Announcer]

Buy ripe, mellow leaf. And a recent survey shows more of these experts, auctioneers, buyers and warehousemen smoke Lucky Strike regularly. Then the next two leading brands combined. That's a tip for you friends, for your greater enjoyment of smoking. Yes, for a smoother, milder smoke with never a rough puff, smoke the smoke. Tobacco experts smoke Lucky Strike. So round, so firm, so fully packed, so free and easy on the draw. I dedicate this program to the Fight against crime.

[Detective]

Not merely crimes of violence and crimes.

[Commercial Announcer]

Of dishonesty, but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship.

[Detective]

Crimes against America.

[Mr. Johnson]

I was driving pretty fast when the big black sedan came roaring at me. I tried to hold the car from crashing into the guard rail, but suddenly the wheel twisted out of my hands like a headstrong woman, and the car got a mind of its. The New adventures of Michael Shane.

[Commercial Announcer]

Private detective Michael Shane, reckless redheaded Irishman back again in his old haunts in New Orleans.

[Mr. Johnson]

This is your director, Bill Russo, inviting.

[Commercial Announcer]

You to listen to another transcribed episode.

[Mr. Johnson]

Which we call the pursuit of Death. Hey there.

[Commercial Announcer]

What do you read?

[Mr. Johnson]

Hi, Charlie. Oh, hi, Mr. Shane. Got the five star hot off the press. Here you are. Thanks. What? Take a look at dream girl, Charlie. You know, when you grow up. Yeah, but she looks like she's asleep on her feet. Hey, paper lady.

[Commercial Announcer]

What?

[Mr. Johnson]

It's a paper lady.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Don't do that. Don't talk behind my back and back.

[Mr. Johnson]

Okay? Okay, lady. Boy, she must have had a bad dream. Oh, Charlie. It isn't sleep in her eyes. It's fear.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hey, look out.

[Mr. Johnson]

What are you trying to do, get yourself killed? Or haven't you heard? It's bad to walk in front of traffic.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Somebody pushed me. I'm behind in.

[Commercial Announcer]

Jesse, nobody pushed you.

[Mr. Johnson]

Lady, I told you I was pushed.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I was just walking. I. I didn't want to cross the street. Somebody pushed me.

[Mr. Johnson]

Okay, okay. Somebody pushed you. You feel better now?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Yes. Yes, I do.

[Mr. Johnson]

Good. You know.

[Mrs. Johnson]

No, no, don't let go. Hold my arm.

[Mr. Johnson]

Hey, is that tight knot?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I suppose I sound silly now. For the first time in weeks, I feel. Who are you?

[Mr. Johnson]

Mike Shane, private detective. One of my hobbies. Keeping beautiful women from crawling under cars.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You're solid, dependable. I need something solid. Did you say private detective?

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah, from year to year, they issue the license down city hall.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I need you.

[Mr. Johnson]

Sure. Now, why don't you take it easy? You'll break up if you keep on like this.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I want you to do something for me.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah? Like what?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I want to hire you. To. To protect me.

[Mr. Johnson]

From what?

[Mrs. Johnson]

From being followed all the time. Find out who's following me. Can't you make him stop? He's driving me crazy.

[Mr. Johnson]

Look, lady, did you ever think of going to a doctor? Maybe. Maybe you're just imagining things. That business with a push.

[Narrator]

No, no, no, no.

[Mr. Johnson]

Way too much.

[Commercial Announcer]

Honey. He's waiting.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Waiting and waiting for a chance.

[Commercial Announcer]

In a moment, we'll return to the.

[Mr. Johnson]

New adventures of Michael Shane and the pursuit of death. It had been a particularly dull day. Even the wet had been dull, with heavy clouds hanging over the city. New Orleans gets days like that. They make you sleepy. I quit the office at 5 and stopped on the corner to buy my paper from Charlie the newsboy. Then this Joan Crawford type got in the way of a car. And would have been hit if I hadn't hauled her back onto the sidewalk. She must have gone for my daring due because she hired me on the spot. Yeah, to protect her. She thought somebody was trying to kill her. I was in no position to argue with someone holding 20 a day under my nose. So I started to drive her home. I found out her name Shirley Kernan. But she wasn't in a talking mode, so I just let her relax. She put her head against the back of the seat and closed her eyes. Fifteen minutes later, when I pulled up in front of the house, her eyes were still closed.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Please don't move.

[Mr. Johnson]

Don't you want to go in?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I'd like to just sit here for a minute. I haven't felt quiet and restful like this for a long time.

[Mr. Johnson]

My day started at 5. I've got lots of time.

[Mrs. Johnson]

A foolish woman afraid of shadows.

[Mr. Johnson]

Shadows and shadows. In New Orleans.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You can't imagine what it's like. All the time, day and night. With a feeling that someone is following me. Right behind my shoulder all the time.

[Mr. Johnson]

You talked it over with your husband?

[Mrs. Johnson]

How did you oh. Oh, my ring. He's away on a business trip.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, if you want me to earn that 20 a day, you better give me something to go on.

[Mrs. Johnson]

That's what makes it hard, Mr. Shane. It's a feeling. I tried to fight it myself, but I can't. It's there all the time. Someone right behind me.

[Mr. Johnson]

You said he's trying to kill you.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Once it was a car. A small convertible. At night, I stepped off the curb, and this car started towards me. I jumped back just in time.

[Mr. Johnson]

Recognize the car?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Johnny Terrence.

[Mr. Johnson]

A friend.

[Mrs. Johnson]

A friend of my husband's. But he hates me. Johnny's always hated me.

[Mr. Johnson]

You think he's the guy that.

[Mrs. Johnson]

If anybody I know is responsible, he must be the one.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, I can have a talk with him.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I don't know. I don't know. Right now I feel secure, relaxed.

[Mr. Johnson]

Because I'm here. It's a swift.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I can't fight this thing alone.

[Mr. Johnson]

Shirley. Been wondering where you were.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Hello, Ralph. Michael Shane. Ralph Pierce.

[Detective]

How do you do?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Mr. Shane's a detective. Ralph, the cat.

[Commercial Announcer]

They can stop.

[Mr. Johnson]

The cat's just after the bird.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Mrs. Kearney sucking it creeping up.

[Commercial Announcer]

There, there.

[Mr. Johnson]

The bird flew away. This happened off from Mrs. Kearney.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I can't stand it screaming. Shut the.

[Mr. Johnson]

Mr. Shane, would you wait here just a moment? Yeah, sure. Come, my dear.

[Detective]

I want to talk to Mr. Shane.

[Mr. Johnson]

You wait for me in the house.

[Detective]

Mr. Shane, you are a detective?

[Mr. Johnson]

That's what the lady said.

[Detective]

I presume you are to investigate Shirley's hallucination.

[Mr. Johnson]

Right again, Mr. Pierce.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'd like to help you.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah, you look like you're bubbling over with good intentions. What I mean is save you trouble. Oh.

[Detective]

You see, Mrs. Kernan is subject to mental aberrations.

[Mr. Johnson]

There must be an easier word. This pursuit, phobia. It's all mental.

[Detective]

Like a too vivid imagination.

[Mr. Johnson]

Like hypochondriac.

[Detective]

Who knows there's nothing wrong with him.

[Mr. Johnson]

But still feels aches and pains. Nobody's following her. Nobody. Nobody's trying to kill her. Absolutely not. Well, you know, before that cat and bird affair, I had the same opinion. But it must be nice to be as positive as you are about something. I know, Mr. Shane. That's what I said. You see, I'm new here. I just started to work. How do you fit in? I'm a friend of Shirley and Ms. Johnny Terrence. He's a friend of her husband. That's right. I just want to get it all straight in my mind now. What does this husband think of your being a friend of Shirley's? Mr. Shane, I've been trying to help you. Yeah, just the way I thought you would. I could get to dislike you, Shane. You work on it, Pierce. With a little effort, I'm sure you could get to hate me. Like I said, if it wasn't for that cat and bird business, I'd have probably washed it off Quick, charged the 20 to experience and gone home. But when it appears, it gave me ideas. Maybe somebody was trying to drive her crazy. Maybe Pierce. Maybe her husband. Maybe this Johnny Terrence had some answers. It wouldn't hurt to find out. Now, Mr. Terrence was home when I got there. Getting ready to go out. The playboy type. Got a heavy date. Mr. Shane, what can I do for you? Information, Mr. Terrance. About what? Shirley Kernan. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm much too much in a hurry. I understand you're a friend of her husband's. Stan and I were very good friends once. Were she fixed that. She doesn't like you either, and that's a compliment. You'll pardon me now, she's in a pretty bad way. I'm trying to help her. Go right ahead. What can you tell me about Shirley? Nothing. Look, Johnny boy, I'm trying to be nice. It's tough, but I'm trying. You've been following her. Is that what you wanted to ask me? One of the things, really, Mr. Shane, I'm late now for an interview. You'd be real sorry if something happened to her, wouldn't you, Terrence? Oh, it would break my heart. Oh, real sweet guy. Hard at gold. Goodbye, Mr. Shane. I should learn to control my temper. What is there about your kind of guy that riles me? Do I have to use force to get you to leave? You know it'd be a pleasure. All right, Shane. That's a sucker punch. Leading with your right. Didn't they ever teach you that at prep school?

[Commercial Announcer]

Get out. Get out.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah, sure. You know, I. I feel better. Yes, sir. I feel much better. These lounge lizards are all cut from the same pattern. You want to hit them the minute you see the supercilious grin on their faces. I was happy. This one gave me the opportunity. But I got the feeling there was another side to this guy. His hate on Shirley Kernan went deep and smoldered steady. It was too much parlor stuff. Pierce was oily, and Terrence was full of hate. The air was loaded with unspoken things and bitter feelings. Shirley Kernan was right at the core of it too. Maybe something I wasn't paying enough attention to was her husband. If I was a traveling salesman who wanted to drive my wife crazy, I'd sure do it while I was supposed to be on the road. Well, I kicked it around in my head as I drove toward town. I wasn't going very fast when I noticed a big black sedan come roaring up to pass me. I eased over to the right to give him plenty of room, but he wanted more. I eased over until I was practically scraping the paint off the guardrail. And protected the highway from a 30 foot drop. I thought, this guy must be three sheets to the wind. And then he really came at me. My car suddenly started to rumble. I tried to fight the wheel and get a look at the guy in the sedan, but I couldn't do both. I couldn't even do one. The guardrail splintered like matchsticks, and the steering wheel jumped out of my hands. I felt the car go up on its nose, poised for a second like a graceful elephant. Sometimes I get a head full of sense. I duck the rear end. Won the car. So we started downhill. Bouncing, rolling and twisting. I hung high. Just hoped I kept bouncing around and hitting the side so often and so hard. I felt like a straighter into a handball in a hot four wall game. I caught a flash of a big tree.

[Commercial Announcer]

And then.

[Mr. Johnson]

And everything stopped. Except that crazy front wheel spinning uselessly in the air. Spinning and spinning. Then the sandman came. I got very tired and closed my eyes.

[Commercial Announcer]

In a moment we'll return to the new adventures of Michael Shane. And the Pursuit of death.

[Mr. Johnson]

My first reaction to Shirley Kernan's hysterical fear. About someone following her all the time and waiting to pounce on her. Was that she needed a doctor, not a private detective. But a couple of things happened that made me curious. First, there was this thing with the cat and the bird. That almost made her go off the deep end. And then Ralph Pierce, her friend, tried to ease me out. And the parlor punk, Johnny Terrence, seemed to have some secrets too. Finally, I got into an argument with a black sedan and lost the argument. My car went through the guardrail and over. And then I passed off. When I came to, the front wheel was in the air, still turning lazily. Like a ballerina ending a pirouette. So I knew I hadn't been out very long. Then a door was pulled open, and I saw a lot of sky. And Pierce's head right in the middle of it. Mr. Shane, what happened?

[Detective]

I was driving along, and I saw you.

[Mr. Johnson]

Hello, Pierce. You just happened along, huh?

[Detective]

Yes. I was driving along, saw this car down here. I had no idea it was yours.

[Mr. Johnson]

It's quite a coincidence. Yes.

[Detective]

Here, let me give you a hand.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah, thanks. Can you walk all right? I guess so. No broken bones. At least no important ones.

[Detective]

Do you have many enemies, Mr. Shane?

[Mr. Johnson]

Whoever took me on this joyride wasn't a friend. Pierce.

[Detective]

I'll take you to town in my car. You can call for a toll car at the first gas station.

[Mr. Johnson]

My insurance company is sure going to hate me.

[Detective]

You know, Mr. Shane, what I was telling you before about Mrs. Kernan. Perhaps I was wrong.

[Mr. Johnson]

You think so, huh?

[Detective]

I still don't believe Shirley's suffering from anything but delusions.

[Mr. Johnson]

But whoever did this to you. Perhaps it was meant as a warning. To mind my own business. Yes, this sort of thing happens to be my business.

[Detective]

Certainly the money she's paying you can't.

[Mr. Johnson]

Compensate for bodily danger. Maybe not, but. Is that your car, Mr. Pierce? Yes. Black sedan, right? Fenders scraped and dimpled. You know, the car that pushed me over is a dead ringer for yours, as you said before.

[Commercial Announcer]

Quite a coincidence, isn't it?

[Mr. Johnson]

You seem to be quite a Boy, for coincidences. You see this bump on my jaw? It hit the dashboard. Yes. Well, here comes another coincidence. You'll regret this now. Later. I'm too busy now. If you want to ride back to town, the tow car will be coming back in a while. Why don't you wait, Mr. Pierce. Pierce's car. Prod. Like a contented tiger. I figured I'd stop at my office, clean up a bit and get my.38. Before I went any further on this case. I parked in front of my building and went up to the office with my hand on the doorknob. I had a feeling. Not bad, but maybe just a little uneasy. I threw the door open and stepped aside. Nothing happened. Craned my neck and took a look. There was a man sitting in my client chair. The one with springs. At least I think it was a man. He had a turban on his head and flowing robes that covered his feet. His skin was dark and very white. Teeth smiled at me as he went into a short commercial. Permit me to introduce myself. Mr. Shane. I am Re Mu, Seer and mystic in the realm of the mind. I am a friend of Mrs. Kerman's. Not another one. I am aware you are trying to help her. Yeah. What can I do for you? Perhaps I can aid you. Perhaps. All I want to find out is whether her life is really in danger. Or if she just imagines her life's in danger. Her life is in danger, but I do not believe it is from a physical source. Nobody's trying to kill her. No one but herself. We all contain within ourselves the seeds of our own destruction. Yeah. No, I don't place you in this setup. I want to help her too. You know John Terrence?

[Commercial Announcer]

No.

[Mr. Johnson]

I only know that Mrs. Kernan dislikes him. And that he evidently dislikes her. Yeah, with gusto. How about Pierce? Ralph Pierce? A malignant person, Mr. Sheen. An evil person. Oh, I do not know him well. I met him only once. But I felt the evil. It was my second meeting with him before I felt anything. What about Shirley's husband? Would he be trying to drive her out of her mind? Mr. Shane, these problems of the mind. They are susceptible of various interpretations.

[Commercial Announcer]

You understand?

[Mr. Johnson]

I am A friend of Mrs. Colonel. Yeah, you said that. I want only for her to have peace. Go on. There is one thing. Mrs. Kernan has always worn a necklace of one in particular she was found a heavy gold mesh necklace. For many weeks now, she has ceased to wear it. I asked her about it, but she reacted strangely. I feel it is important. Yeah. What's the matter? Don't your feelings have the answer? Ah, these problems of the mind. And you think someone is trying to drive her out of her mind? That explanation is much too simple, Mr. Shane. I fear when you find the answer, it will prove to be a great deal more sinister. It was beginning to percolate like a gentle little thing. Ramou's words stirred softly. Seemed to say something beyond what I actually heard. It would fit too. Would answer all the questions. Well, it was late, almost 11 o'clock when I parked in front of Shirley Kernan's house. Went up the front steps. I could hear voices behind the door. I rang the bell.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's Shane.

[Mr. Johnson]

What's the matter? Am I interrupting something?

[Mrs. Johnson]

No, no, no.

[Mr. Johnson]

How about inviting me in then?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, yes. Come in.

[Narrator]

Okay, okay.

[Mr. Johnson]

Take it easier. Well, hello, Terrence.

[Commercial Announcer]

What happened?

[Mr. Johnson]

You two kiss and makeup. This is my cue to exit. So long, Shirley.

[Commercial Announcer]

Relax.

[Mr. Johnson]

I'll see you some other time when the house isn't all cluttered. Always on the wing. Stick around, butterfly. I want words with you this time. You don't catch me off balance sheet.

[Commercial Announcer]

Come and come and.

[Mr. Johnson]

See. You're still a sucker for that right lead. All right. What are you doing here?

[Mrs. Johnson]

What do you think he's doing here? He's trying to frighten me.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, Terrence, I just wanted to find.

[Commercial Announcer]

Out if she'd heard from her husband.

[Mr. Johnson]

I haven't heard from Stan since he left. He usually writes. That's all. Terrence, you could have telephoned. I did. She refused to talk to me. Have you heard from your husband, Mrs. Kernan?

[Commercial Announcer]

No.

[Mr. Johnson]

Been gone. Quite usually right.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Are you gonna start on me now? I thought I could depend on you, Shirley.

[Mr. Johnson]

How about Pierce? Don't you depend on him, Dr. Lie and Cheat? Shirley, don't you make Stan's life miserable? No wonder he likes to go on the road to get away from you. No wonder he doesn't write.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I hate you. I hate you. You're the one behind all this. You're the one creeping behind me all the time.

[Mr. Johnson]

Miss Kernan, stop.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Ask him.

[Commercial Announcer]

Go on, ask him.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's here in this room, the feeling behind me.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's him, I tell you.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Evil, rotten.

[Mr. Johnson]

You belong in a hospital. Mrs. Kernan. You used to wear a gold mesh necklace. You don't wear it anymore.

[Narrator]

Why?

[Mrs. Johnson]

No. No.

[Mr. Johnson]

May I see it, please?

[Mrs. Johnson]

No, you can't.

[Commercial Announcer]

What are you trying to do to me? You're all against. You'd all like to see me dead. Look, Mrs. Turner, listen.

[Mr. Johnson]

What is it?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Do you hear It.

[Mr. Johnson]

I don't hear a thing. You're out of your this room. No.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's behind me. Coming closer.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, whatever it is, it's not inside the room. It's not behind you. Come in.

[Detective]

Well, hello, everybody.

[Mr. Johnson]

What's the gun for, Pierce?

[Commercial Announcer]

Just protection, Shirley.

[Detective]

Come with me.

[Mrs. Johnson]

No.

[Mr. Johnson]

Put it away, Pierce. I haven't forgotten our last meeting, Shane. Not one bit. Come on, Shirley.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I won't go with you.

[Commercial Announcer]

I won't.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I won't.

[Commercial Announcer]

You'll do as I say, Shirley.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You're all against me.

[Commercial Announcer]

No one cares about you. I do, my dear. It's here.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's here in this room. Coming closer.

[Commercial Announcer]

It won't touch me.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I won't let it.

[Mr. Johnson]

Shirley, come back here. Shirley.

[Commercial Announcer]

You won't find me.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I hide and be with myself all by myself.

[Commercial Announcer]

Stay.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, Pierce, you didn't make the grade in the big scene. Is it stand in for her husband? You're a fly. It isn't over yet.

[Detective]

Let's have my car key, Shane.

[Mr. Johnson]

I lost it.

[Detective]

I'm in.

[Mr. Johnson]

No multiquipper about shooting you. Say please, Shane. That's better. Yeah, thanks.

[Detective]

Now, if you two are wise men, you'll stay here.

[Mr. Johnson]

Everything's under control now. Let's keep it that way without bloodshed. I don't get this. What goes on, Shane? Got a car, Terrence? Yes, outside. Do you want to find out what it's all about? Yes, but what's happened to Shirley? Looks like we'll have the answer pretty quick. Come on, or we'll lose him. Terrence drove. He's a pretty good driver for a guy who spent most of his time steering his way around nightclub tables. We went through the downtown section faster than the law allows, keeping Pierce's car in sight. Once or twice we spotted Shirley's coupe a few blocks ahead of Pierce. Pierce didn't know it, but he was mighty helpful. We kept on in Indian file. They're heading out of town. We're doing 70 and not catching up. How are the tires on this jalopy, Terrence?

[Commercial Announcer]

Front ones are fine.

[Mr. Johnson]

In the back, we'll find out. Uh huh. Maybe I had you wrong, Terrence. You got guts. Thanks, Shane. We're on the offer sometime. Give you a few lessons on the manly art. It's a deal if I can practice on you. Like I said, maybe I got you wrong. They're taking a fork to the left and slowing up. I.

[Commercial Announcer]

Careful.

[Mr. Johnson]

We're getting too close.

[Commercial Announcer]

Got one of the headlights.

[Mr. Johnson]

All right, turn them off. We don't need them. Pierce's Shot at us was sort of a feeble last effort. And the cause he must have known, was lost. We got around to Ben. Pierce's car was just pulling off the road a few feet behind Shirley's coupe. It was a grassy place near the river. Shirley was running, her hair flying in the wind. A bright moon had cut the clouds. It was almost like twilight, sort of eerie. Piers started out after as we parked, and we started after them.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Charlie, come back.

[Mr. Johnson]

She reached a sandy place in the bank and fell to her knees. Pierce got to her and started to bend down to pick her up. But he. He stopped halfway and just watched, sort of fascinated. And then it hit me full force. I stopped dead. What is it, Shane?

[Commercial Announcer]

What's she doing?

[Mr. Johnson]

It's all over, Terence. Nobody can help Shirley Kernan any.

[Commercial Announcer]

In a moment, we'll be back with a thrilling climax to tonight's Michael Shane Adventure.

[Mr. Johnson]

We stood there about 50 yards from the river. Watch Shirley Kernan on our hands and knees at the bank of the river. It was all cold inside and sort of sick. Terrence had stopped when I did. He didn't get it. Come on, Shane. What are you waiting for? All right. All right, Terrence. Shirley's hands were in the sand when we got there. She was digging furiously and mumbling to herself. Pierce was quiet, watching hands and be clean again.

[Mrs. Johnson]

And I'll be me again. Nobody will be able to touch me or hurt me. I'll be me and all of them early.

[Mr. Johnson]

Don't, my dear. I'll handle it, pierce. All right, Mrs. Cunningham. Sorry.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I must dig. I must.

[Narrator]

No, no.

[Mr. Johnson]

Everything's all right. Nobody will hurt you.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Nobody will hurt me.

[Mr. Johnson]

No. You're safe now. I don't get it, Shane. I sound like a broken record, but I don't get it. Strain was too much. Piers can tell you, can't you, Pierce? Yes.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes.

[Detective]

It's all over now.

[Commercial Announcer]

All over.

[Mr. Johnson]

We left Shirley's car there. She drove back to town with Terrence and me. Pierce followed. Shirley was like a child now, looking up at me with those big eyes, as if I were going to protect. Only there wasn't even fear in her eyes anymore. Just a blank kind of look that I'd never want to see again. She's really cracked up. Yeah. Like Humpty Dumpty. All the King's men. Can't help but why? What caused it? Simple enough. The way she lost control when she saw a cat stalking a bird on a lawn. The delusion she had of being followed. The idea someone was trying to jump on her from behind and her gold neck. I know all that.

[Commercial Announcer]

But I don't.

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, you see, she. She was running away. Nobody was following her.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I'm alone. I don't have to run anymore. I'm me and all alone.

[Commercial Announcer]

What was she running away from?

[Mr. Johnson]

Herself. What? Her conscience. Pierce know it all the time, I guess. Or suspected. He was trying to protect her. But he couldn't do it. No one could. Shane, when I come up to your office for the first lesson in boxing, maybe you'll go into it a little more fully, huh? Yeah. Too much. Yeah. Sometimes you get a case you don't like. But you're in business, and you take what you get. Shirley's mind had played a trick. It had forced the knowledge of her guilt into her subconscious. So that she was able to forget what she'd done. But her subconscious couldn't forget. The two forces fighting each other finally snapped her mind. I guess there's always some kind of retribution one way or another. In her case, the toughest kind. Worse than prison. Even the chair. Next morning, when the police got to the spot at the bank of the Mississippi with shovels, they found what I knew they would. The proof of Shirley's guilt. The grave of Shirley's husband, Stanley Kernan. He'd been choked to death from behind with a gold mesh necklace. Shirley's necklace. This is your director, Bill Russo, again.

[Commercial Announcer]

Our story is based on characters created by Brett Halliday. The music is composed and conducted by John Duffy, and Michael Shane is portrayed by Jeff Chandler.

[Mr. Johnson]

The New Adventures of Michael Shane is.

[Commercial Announcer]

A Don W. Sharp production, transcribed in Hollywood and distributed exclusively by the Broadcasters Guild. Next week, you'll hear Michael Shane in another thrilling adventure from mysterious and colorful New Orleans. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective. Brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic, the non alcoholic hair tonic that contains lanolin and new Wildroot Liquid Cream shampoo.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Sam's a detective agency.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's me, sweetheart. You've heard of pulling a rabbit out of a hat?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Yes.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, I pulled one out of a pickle.

[Mrs. Johnson]

What happened, Sam?

[Commercial Announcer]

What happened? She asked. Well, goodbye.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, don't go, Sam. Don't you feel like talking about it?

[Commercial Announcer]

Frankly, no, but it's expected of me. Sharpen a carrot, grow me some rabbit punch get the hutch ready for I'm about to hippity hop through the door With a load on on the Flopsy Mopsy and Cottontail caper. Dashiell Hammett, America's leading detective fiction writer and creator of Sam Spade, the Hardboiled Private Eye. And William Spear, radio's outstanding producer, director of Mystery and crime Drama, join their talents to make your hair stand. Come on in with the Adventures of Sam Spade, presented by the makers of Wild Root Cream Oil for the Hair. Say, Mother, if you got a special thrill out of buying things the whole family can use, then stop at your drug or toilet goods counter for a big family sized bottle or tube of Wild Root Cream Oil, America's favorite family hair tonic. Dad, Junior, Sis. Yes, and you yourself, mom will find Wild Root Cream Oil ideal for grooming the hair neatly and naturally, for relieving dryness and removing loose dandruff. So, mom, ask for it tonight or tomorrow for sure. Wild Root Cream Oil Hair tonic. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children, too. And now, with Howard Duff starring his spade, Wild Root, brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade. Happy?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Here I am, Sam.

[Commercial Announcer]

What's the meaning of this?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Of what?

[Commercial Announcer]

My desk and my chair shoved over to one side of the office to.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Make room for the other desk and the bookcase.

[Commercial Announcer]

There'll be no other desk and no bookcase and no anything else.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I thought you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Don't say it. Don't even think about that name. You understand? Now? It's deliciously silent in here, don't you think? Ev.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Sam. Weren't you and he supposed to go in?

[Commercial Announcer]

Effie, would you like to have your mouth dry cleaned?

[Mrs. Johnson]

No, sir.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm sorry I spoke harshly. Forgive me. But the past hours have taken their toll on my nerves. Perhaps I should unburden myself. We'd all feel better.

[Mrs. Johnson]

All right, sir. Unbourbon yourself.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm still in command here. Two Mrs. Wellington, Van Cleve, Montague, Nob Hill. Where else? City from Samuel Spade. License number 137596. What else? The Flopsy Mopsy and Cottontail Caper, or How Fritz Crockett Saved the Day. My dear, dear Mrs. Montague. It all began Thursday afternoon when I entered my office and discovered a tall, wiry young man sitting in my chair with his feet up on my desk and sampling my office bottle.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Hi.

[Commercial Announcer]

The pose was so familiar, for a minute I thought it was me.

[Voice of the Product]

Hello, Sam. I'll be with you in a minute. Have a seat.

[Commercial Announcer]

Thanks, I think I will. The one you're sitting in. You see, the detective sits in that seat and the clients sit over there.

[Voice of the Product]

Well, that qualifies me for this seat, then. I'm a detective.

[Commercial Announcer]

I see. Well, the detective we like in this office is Sam Spade, see? He pays the rent he hires the secretary, he earns the money and he sits behind his desk. Now on your feet.

[Voice of the Product]

Okay, but with two detectives around here and only one detective's chair, it's gonna get a little crowded.

[Commercial Announcer]

Mind if I have a drink out of my glass? Oh, sure, sure.

[Mr. Johnson]

Here.

[Voice of the Product]

You know, we better make a note to get another glass too. And some scotch. I don't care much for that bourbon.

[Commercial Announcer]

No self respecting detective drinks scotch.

[Voice of the Product]

And put this down. We'll need another desk and new paint job. And these walls. I think something bright, robin's egg blue maybe soothes the nervous clients. And a bookshelf. You got that, Effie dear? Or am I going too fast?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Desk, paint, bookshelf, scotch, EP too, Effie.

[Voice of the Product]

She's a doll.

[Commercial Announcer]

Wait a minute. That's my line.

[Voice of the Product]

After I work with you a while, Sam, you'll appreciate me.

[Commercial Announcer]

So long.

[Voice of the Product]

I'm great.

[Commercial Announcer]

Bye.

[Voice of the Product]

You need me.

[Commercial Announcer]

Why?

[Voice of the Product]

Because we'd be an unbeatable team. With my talent and your luck, we couldn't miss.

[Commercial Announcer]

Luck.

[Voice of the Product]

Ever hear of Fritz Crockett?

[Commercial Announcer]

Chicago? Fritz Crockett? Yeah. Never heard of him. Awesome. Look, you're making a mark in your hometown. Now why do you want to work for me? Ins?

[Voice of the Product]

I lost my license in Chicago. Got caught on the hot side of a political battle. Worked for the losers and the winners framed me for my license.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, gee, tough care.

[Narrator]

That's true.

[Voice of the Product]

I can't get a license in any state until I clear that mess up. And so I have to work under somebody else's say yes.

[Commercial Announcer]

But why me?

[Voice of the Product]

Because I've kept my eye on you, Sam. I like the way you're developing. I think you could work well with me.

[Commercial Announcer]

Gee, thanks. Well, your applications received. Now give me a couple of years to think it over.

[Voice of the Product]

What's the matter, Sam? Afraid I might cut your reputation in town?

[Commercial Announcer]

You found me out. But anyway, bye.

[Voice of the Product]

Check in, huh? Look, you want to compare scrapbook sometime? A really good detective's gotta be an actor. I play any style. Listen, we're following a Russian countess to recover Gorky's original manuscript of the Lower Depths. I meet her in the lobby of the St. Mark disguised as an itinerant caviar salesman.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Countess Natasha Mishakov.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, here in San Francisco. My dear.

[Voice of the Product]

How long has it been? 8 years? 12 years? Have you forgotten little Andrea so soon?

[Commercial Announcer]

Andrea. Andrea. Sorry, sorry, no casting today.

[Voice of the Product]

Well, look, you gotta be an actor, Sam. Look, we're dealing a mortal blow to the gun running career of Don Jose Ortega Sanchez, the notorious bandit king. Don Jose, you have run your last Peace loving border countries. I am powerless to prevent your execution. Die like the proud Spaniard you are.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cigarette frets for heaven's sake, I help you.

[Voice of the Product]

Sam, look. You've been captured by a mutinous crew off an English tramp steamer. And I burst through the door. Get your bloomin bloody hands off that man.

[Commercial Announcer]

This one I can do myself. Awful mo Tigger. I don't know exactly why I sat there listening to the guy, but I did. He was a sort of a one man theater guild. He ran through 28 dialects. Played a scene in which James Mason and Montgomery Cliff were trapped by an Armenian rug merchant. And were saved by the voice of Gabriel Heater on the radio. Then he played all four of the Marx Brothers arguing with the Andrews Sisters. Then after the intermission, he told me a little bit about himself. Regaling me with spine tingling accounts of his Frank Merriwell type achievements on the football field in professional boxing and hockey. It was pretty thrilling stuff. But nonetheless, I was about to usher him out when he came up with a particularly good bit of dialogue.

[Voice of the Product]

I have a job for us.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, well. So, John. Where?

[Voice of the Product]

Yesterday, Sam, I met an old friend from Chicago. She remembered me from an important cocktail party.

[Commercial Announcer]

Saved it for her.

[Voice of the Product]

The party. Everyone was absolutely dreary until I became de rigueur with a brace of amusing anecdote.

[Commercial Announcer]

The job. Fret's the job. Oh yeah.

[Voice of the Product]

Well, anyway, she wants us to guard a valuable hunk of jewelry at a party tonight on Nob Hill.

[Commercial Announcer]

What's the money?

[Voice of the Product]

A hundred apiece. Plus mingling with Notch dancers and all the caviar we can eat.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, that was better than I expected. In fact.

[Voice of the Product]

Now here's what I want you to do.

[Commercial Announcer]

Wait a minute, what's this? Here's what I want you to do. This is the Sam Spade Detective Agency name. So? Because Sam Spade is the man who gives the orders around here. Now what do you want me to do?

[Voice of the Product]

Well, this is a costume party and we have to wear costumes. It's in the deal.

[Commercial Announcer]

Good. I'll break your leg and you can go as the man who came to dinner.

[Voice of the Product]

Sam, I already have the costumes.

[Commercial Announcer]

What?

[Voice of the Product]

Right here.

[Commercial Announcer]

Crockett, what would you have done if I didn't go with you?

[Voice of the Product]

The thought never entered my head. Sam, what are the costumes? Sam, 100 clams apiece is a lot of dough, isn't it?

[Commercial Announcer]

Agreed.

[Voice of the Product]

You are about to confront the reason we are being paid so much.

[Commercial Announcer]

What is that?

[Voice of the Product]

Your costume. You were to go as a rabbit. A white rabbit. Here's the suit. Oh, and here's the head. Notice the shocking pink ears.

[Commercial Announcer]

No, the dales off. It's been swelled fresh.

[Voice of the Product]

Now, wait a minute. I am also going as a rabbit, see? You will go as Flopsy and I will go as Mopsy.

[Commercial Announcer]

I will not go anywhere dressed in that ridiculous outfit.

[Voice of the Product]

$100, Sam.

[Commercial Announcer]

I will.

[Voice of the Product]

Well, Sam, let's talk this over. Now, look, I will talk to you as a businessman might talk to you. Now, Mr. Spade, you take your ordinary type detective and you have got it pretty solid.

[Commercial Announcer]

We talked and talked, and around 8:00 that night, I found myself still talking and walking up the steps of your Knob Hill mansion. Mrs. Montague cleverly disguised as Flopsy the rabbit, paw in paw with Mopsy Crockett. My headpiece covered everything but my eyes, nose and mouth, and I was grateful for that. When I passed the doormat I was stepping. Ah, what's up, Doc? But Fritz said it ahead of me. He walked in as if this were his personal Hutch. And you, Mrs. Montague, cruised over to us.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, here, my little bunny.

[Commercial Announcer]

Twins.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Aren't you both just darling? Which one of you is Mr. Spade?

[Voice of the Product]

Well, I'm Mr. Crockett. Mrs. Montague. Mopsy. You remember me from the Nesbitt soiree. Ronnie and Bonita. Or maybe it was Gypsy introduced us. Nezpa.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, yes. Oh, and Flopsy here must be Mr. Spade. I've always wanted to meet him.

[Commercial Announcer]

Thank you, Mrs. Montague. I am the straight man.

[Mrs. Johnson]

How do you like my costume? There's not another one like it in town. I'm the only wood nymph in San Francisco.

[Commercial Announcer]

The trays will swoon, they will.

[Voice of the Product]

Ah, you, Mrs. Montague, perhaps you'd be disposed to outline our job.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, of course, Mr. Crockett, myself, Mrs. Arlington, Crippett McGill and the famous Spanish artist Julio Diego are going to pick the woman with the most fascinating cost.

[Commercial Announcer]

Search no farther. It could be no one but you.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Flatterer. I'm not eligible. Then at 10 o'clock we will have the grand parade. The winner will lead the parade wearing a small jewel studded crown. Oh, it's darling. Diamonds and emeralds and all sorts of amusing things. Willow. This crown once belonged to Josephine of France.

[Commercial Announcer]

Imagine, Mrs. Montague. I hate to be an old killjoy, but are we here to guide the crown?

[Mrs. Johnson]

That's right, flossie. I mean, Mr. Spain.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, sorry.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Of course, I don't expect any trouble, but it's so valuable I can't take any chances. My husband picked it up in Iran. He's in pickles, you know.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, you know best.

[Voice of the Product]

Where is the crown now, Mrs. Montague?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, in a wall safe in the master bedroom on the second floor. Here's the combination to the safe written down.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'd rather not have the combination, if you don't mind, until it's time to get the crown.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, now, don't you be silly, Mr. Spade. Except for the crown, there's only 50 or 60 thousand dollars in the safe.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, well, if that's all.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Now, the safe is behind the Degar original now until I need you. Go and enjoy yourself.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, we'll go.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Maybe I'll even let you dance with little me.

[Commercial Announcer]

Fritz and I synchronized our watches and decided that until we were needed, we would lose ourselves in the crowd and keep our big rabbit ears open. Everybody was masked and loaded and it was all very gay. I brushed elbows with pirates, Northwest Mounted Police unmounted a gorilla, an Arabian princess, four Pocahontasi and assorted historical characters from Julius Caesar to Mike Romanov. While I was dipping a carrot into the punch bowl, a girl made her way over to me. I know it was a girl immediately. You could tell I tag her as a burlesque queen, but she didn't talk much like it.

[Mrs. Johnson]

E bunny or a she? Bunny.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm a he Bunny.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Would you like to dance with me?

[Commercial Announcer]

I'd be delighted.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Who are you?

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm not supposed to tell until the masks come on, but for now, just call me Flopsy.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Flopsy. How cute. You Americans have the cutest ideas.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes. Speaking of ideas, what do you represent?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, I am a Folieverger dancer. Do you like me?

[Commercial Announcer]

From where I stand, it would be next to impossible to dislike you. Believe me, it was easy. Tell me, have you been in this country long?

[Mrs. Johnson]

A few weeks. My family has sent me on a tour of America.

[Commercial Announcer]

I see.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I am here as a guest of Monsieur Montagu. Now tell me, you are a detective, are you not?

[Commercial Announcer]

As much as I regretted doing it, I hastily detached myself from Ms. Foley's beer of 1949. How she knew I was a detective puzzled me. I saw Crockett talking with a paunchy red devil and a middle aged Christopher Columbus and stopped by. They were big businessmen, obviously, and so. So was he. Well, now you take your ordinary harsh.

[Voice of the Product]

Tape abrasive a double duty.

[Commercial Announcer]

It was impossible to interrupt him, so I moved on. Finally I sat down to rest in a dim corner of the library. And I no sooner did than a large green pickle with two bandy legs sticking out of it sat down beside Want a bite of pickle? No, thanks. Go ahead. It's free. I only eat carrots, thank you. Just a second. I suppose you know who I am. As a matter of fact, I don't know. Well, I shouldn't tell you, but I'm lonesome for somebody to talk to. My wife's dancing with another man. Sometimes I think she only likes me for my money. I find that hard to believe. I have millions, you know. Just millions. I'm Horace Montague, the pickle king. I've sold more pickles than any living man. Congratulations. You like my costume? Never smelled anything like it. I came this time. It's just an ordinary new pickle. Sometimes there comes a dill, Sometimes there comes a gherkin. Oh, jolly. Once I came as a sweet sour mixture and I got very confused. Well, that's up to you, I guess. All I really have is my money. But I get tired of being so rich. It was fun in the early days. I was a pioneer, you know. You started, I suppose, with just a ward. That's very funny. Very funny. Yes. Well, keep laughing, Horace. I have to be running along. Thank you for talking to me. I was beginning to feel like an extra in Alice in Wonderland and headed back for the solace of the punchbowl. I saw Mopsy Crockett standing with a Foley's Berger dancer and went over to him, but he suddenly turned and hopped away faster than I could hop after him. Why the coyness? I couldn't understand. When I finally caught up with him 10 minutes later, he was waltzing with Anne of Austria who was hanging on his every word. And that was a lot of hanging.

[Voice of the Product]

Darling, until you've tasted my lame c, you, hands are the spirit of go H all baked in 1C.

[Commercial Announcer]

Mind if I cut in?

[Mrs. Johnson]

If you must.

[Commercial Announcer]

I mean, with the other rabbit. Come along, Mopsy.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, of all this pr.

[Voice of the Product]

Excuse me, darling. I come later back. Hello, Sam. What do you hear from the m?

[Commercial Announcer]

The idea of avoiding me.

[Voice of the Product]

Me avoid you? I don't know what you mean, frog.

[Commercial Announcer]

Don't you remember just 10 minutes ago my chasing it all over the floor?

[Voice of the Product]

So help me, I don't.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, there you are, my little bunny.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Voice of the Product]

Here we are, Mrs. Montague.

[Mrs. Johnson]

All right, you can give me the crown now. I'm almost ready to announce the winner of the costume contest.

[Commercial Announcer]

We haven't taken it out yet, Mrs. Montague.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You haven't? Well, you just said you were going to get it.

[Commercial Announcer]

I didn't, did you, Fritz?

[Voice of the Product]

Not I, Flopsy.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Now, bunny, stop playing jokes. One of you came up to me a couple of minutes ago and said you lost the combination to the safe. So I gave it to you again. You said you were going to get the crown. Now, where is.

[Commercial Announcer]

I don't know. But let's find it. When we arrived in the master bedroom, the worst had happened. The Degas original was down off the wall. The safe had been opened. Believe it or not, the 50 or 60 thousand dollars habitually kept in it wasn't even touched. But you, Mrs. Montague, weren't worried about the cash.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, it's not there. The Josephine crown is gone. All this is. What will Horace say?

[Commercial Announcer]

We're sorry, Mrs. Montagu. Sorry?

[Mrs. Johnson]

You were supposed to guard it. It's your fault. Maybe you stole it yourself.

[Voice of the Product]

Mrs. Montague, we did nothing of the kind.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I distinctly remember saying you were going to get it. And I did give you the combination again.

[Commercial Announcer]

I know.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's Horace. Horace. What happened? Hobby, dear.

[Commercial Announcer]

I was walking down the hall and a bunny came running out, dragged me into a room, made me take off my pickle. He hit me on the head with something. Then he took off his bunny suit, jumped right into my pickle and ran off. Oh, my head. Crockett and I dashed down the hall to the room the Pickle King had abdicated. On the floor was the limp, unfilled costume of a rabbit. The Montague's party not only had a flopsy and a mopsy, but it also had a thieving cottont. 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 new 25 cent get acquainted bottle 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 now back to the flopsy, mopsy and cottontail caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade. I left Fritz Crockett and you, Mrs. Sam, attending to Horace in your master bedroom and pounded down the stairs, through the guests and out the front door. I was standing there wondering where to pick up the tracks of a rabbit turned pickle when I saw the Foley's Berger dancer come running out of the Montague mansion through a side entrance and enter a taxi. I jumped into another cab and followed her, divesting myself of my flopsy costume. A root. She went almost to the west end of O'Farrell street and entered a shabby gray apartment house. I followed. I knocked on every door until I found hers. Yes, it's me. The He Bunny. Flopsy, Remember?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Why did you follow me here?

[Commercial Announcer]

Voila. Because you're so beautiful. May I come in?

[Mrs. Johnson]

No, thanks. I said no. Did you not hear me?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes, but have no affairs. I'm bonded. How did you know there was a detective. A detective's heart beating under my rabbit suit.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I am not going to answer. You have no right to come in here.

[Commercial Announcer]

Come on.

[Mr. Johnson]

How?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I think I overheard somebody say it. Now, if that is all you wanted to know, please go.

[Commercial Announcer]

Why did you leave the party early?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Because it bored me. I thought America was not a police state. Why am I being questioned?

[Commercial Announcer]

Because somebody stole the Josephine crown that belonged to Mrs. Montague.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You see, I heard that it was stolen and I am delighted. But I did not steal it.

[Commercial Announcer]

What's your name?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Charmaine. Roger. And what is your Sam Spade.

[Commercial Announcer]

Why are you so happy that the crown was stolen?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Because it does not belong in the ugly home of a rich American party giver. A childish woman who thinks only of her social position and her money.

[Commercial Announcer]

Where does it belong?

[Mrs. Johnson]

In France, where it was made and where it was appreciated.

[Commercial Announcer]

I see. How much is it worth?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Money. Almost 52 million francs in sentiment. More than one can say. Now will you leave me alone?

[Commercial Announcer]

You're saying that the crown means more to a Frenchman than money?

[Mrs. Johnson]

How would you like it if your Abraham Lincoln's desk was being used by some French businessman to serve cocktails over?

[Commercial Announcer]

I get the point.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I tell you again, I do not know what happened to the Josephine count tonight. Do you believe me?

[Commercial Announcer]

I did. But only because when she left the party, she wore only her costume. And that costume wouldn't have hidden. Well, she couldn't have had it on her. I went a block up the street, picked up a cab and sat in it until she came out five minutes later. She was now in street clothes and carrying an overnight case. She drove to Castle street and I followed. She went into a restaurant called La Parisienne. I waited a discreet moment, then went in. She was nowhere to be seen, but a tall, lean, black haired individual approached me with a menu in his hand. Good evening, monsieur. I regret to say that we are just closed. I'm not interested in meeting you. Where's the girl who just came in? Girl? In here? Don't dummy on me. She walked right in here 30 seconds ago. Brown hair, red coat. Charmaine Roget by name. You have made some mistake. You can see there was no one here. I have made no mistake. Now come clean, will you? Monsieur. Contain yourself. Please let me go. No girl came in. But if one did, there is no place to hide but the kitchen. All right then, show me the kitchen. Monsieur Bonneau. Monsieur. Oh my. Spade. Well, it didn't take you long to get here, Mr. Montague. Well, I.

[Voice of the Product]

Don't move, Mr. Spade.

[Commercial Announcer]

I have a knife at your neck. Yes, I feel it. Shall I take care of him, Monsieur Montague? No beno. Put down your knife. Thanks, Mr. Spade. Sit down at the table and talk quietly. You can go.

[Voice of the Product]

As you say, monsieur, but I will.

[Commercial Announcer]

Keep out an eye. Let's keep an eye out. Sit down, please. Wade, while you're here, I have a personal matter to take up with you. About the Josephine crown? Yes. Well, I'm sorry to report that as yet I haven't found it. Good. I'd be happy if you never found. Oh, does Mrs. Montague know you failed this way? No, and I'd be equally happy if she didn't know. In other words, you want me to stop looking for it. That's the idea. You could make a pretense of trying to find it, but no more. That's interesting. I'll pay you a good fee if you'll do this for me. Why don't you want it found, Mr. Montague? Well, I'll talk to you man to man. Please. Though a French girl showed up in town. Charmin. Roget. What? Are you serious? Quite a bit of her at the party. Well, she's young and beautiful and to the point. I was indiscreet. I see. She turned out to be more designing than I realized. A black man of a sort. She didn't want just money. She wanted the Josephine crown. And you let them steal it? Well, I told them I'd get them into the party and furnish them a Car and the rest is up to them. Why don't you just give them the crown? Well, I couldn't. My wife values it too much. It's her prized possession. She even wears it around the house when just the two of us are there. Oh, that's cute. Now will you forget about this spade? I'm afraid not, Mr. Montague. I'm hired out to your wife, who asked me to guard it. I did a bad job, so it's up to me to get it back. You see? No speed. I. I can't afford a scandal with that girl. Well, you'll have to work that out for yourself. Very well. I'm sorry. I must admit, Mrs. Montague, I underestimated your husband. For at that point he produced a gun out of thin air and very professionally relieved me of mine. He called the proprietor, Bono, who appeared with Charmaine Roget. They held an immediate kangaroo court. Sentence was about to be pronounced when the front door burst open and in swept a tall character in black beret and cape and sporting a handlebar mustache. Prominently pinned on his cape were a brace of French war medals, including the Croix de Guerre and so on. His entrance held everybody bug eyed, including me. Keep your mouth shut. Space.

[Voice of the Product]

Ah, what a joyous, charming gathering have we here. Oh, the glow of warm friendship fills the room like a cottage fireplace in Alsace Lorraine.

[Commercial Announcer]

Ah, no, it cannot be.

[Voice of the Product]

Can I believe these weary eyes of mine? Is it not truly my intimacy?

[Commercial Announcer]

Monsieur Montague.

[Voice of the Product]

I kiss you on both cheeks in happiness.

[Commercial Announcer]

I don't seem to remember. Oh, but you have not so soon forgotten.

[Mrs. Johnson]

And me?

[Voice of the Product]

We met at the legation in 38.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Those years.

[Voice of the Product]

Do you not recall the nights in Montmartre and the days in Montpar? Oh, my goodness.

[Commercial Announcer]

When he bent over to kiss Montague again, his mustache fell off as usual. Crockett had overplayed. And before he could straighten up, Bono hit him in the back of the head and he fell flat on his face, out cold. That was my cue to go into action. I turned over the table, wrestled with heart, while Charmaine was striking at me with a heel of a shoe. I got to the gun first and everything came to a sudden low. At that point, Fritz Crockett came to.

[Voice of the Product]

Oh, mes amis, where did the sudden darkness come from?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, well, you can drop the dialect, Crockett. I wish I had a picture of you there on the floor for your scrapbook.

[Voice of the Product]

Oh, it was in the act, Sam. All in the act.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, well, you think you're well enough to hold this gun while I make a Search? Oh, leave it to me, Sam.

[Voice of the Product]

Everything will be under control. Now. Stand back, everybody. I'm in charge here. The US Government is not entirely without influence in Washington.

[Commercial Announcer]

The Josephine crown hidden in the baking oven and called the police. I was afraid the incident struck a blow at Franco American relations until a search of Charmaine, Roget and Bono produced two tickets not to Paris or Points French, but the Rio de Janeiro and you know the rest. Mrs. Mon, your husband went home and you forgave him. He made a superb gesture and contributed to international harmony by returning the Josephine crown to the French Historical Society. And when you asked who might be the man to guard the crown safely back to la belle France, I was overjoyed to be in a position to recommend to you Fritz Crockett. I hope he marries Soubrette and stays over there. Period. End of report.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, Sam, isn't that Fitz Crockett an exciting man?

[Commercial Announcer]

Don't let's talk any more about him. Let him get his own program. The first person in this office to mention his name again is a rotten egg. Now go type that up. Don't buy a different brand of hair tonic for every member of your family. Get the one kind they all like. Wild Root Cream Oil Hair tonic. Wild Root Cream Oil Grooms your hair neatly and naturally, relieves annoying dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. Get a bottle or two of tonight 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, Sam.

[Mrs. Johnson]

All typed up.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, thanks, Sonny.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Sam's Bay Detective Agency. Oh, it's for you, Sam.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hello? It's me, Sam. Fritz. Oh, no, I'm at the airport.

[Voice of the Product]

I just wanted to tell you I'll be out of town for a while. Won't be using the office, so just take the whole thing over.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, that's very generous of you.

[Voice of the Product]

And you can use Effie if you need her for anything.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, I'll never be able to repay you. Oh, that's all right.

[Voice of the Product]

You did a pretty good job on the caper today.

[Commercial Announcer]

I was just talking with Mrs. Montague.

[Voice of the Product]

And I told her.

[Commercial Announcer]

I said, if you want to be.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You're not even listening.

[Commercial Announcer]

I've heard enough of him for one day. Come here. Tonight, she'll have to be satisfied with my one arm.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's good enough for me.

[Commercial Announcer]

Good night, sweetheart.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Good night, Fritz.

[Narrator]

Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road, and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave there's no other end, but they never learn.

[Commercial Announcer]

For your enjoyment, Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum brings you Raymond Chandler's most famous character in the Adventures of Philip Marlow.

[Detective]

To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious.

[Narrator]

Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum.

[Detective]

Here's a taste treat you can enjoy indoors, outdoors, at work or at play. The cool, long lasting mint flavor refreshes you. The smooth, steady chewing helps keep you fresh and alert. Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing.

[Narrator]

Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum.

[Detective]

Healthful, refreshing, delicious. Now, with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe, we bring you tonight's exciting story, the Face to Forget.

[Commercial Announcer]

All right, all right, wise guy. I told you once you couldn't come up here to this room, Marlow.

[Narrator]

That's right, landlord. But I found all I needed. Well, you won't be able to use.

[Commercial Announcer]

It after I teach you some manners, snowflake. Oh, I'll teach you to break into a respectable room and house.

[Narrator]

Not leading with your rights, you won't. Get up.

[Mr. Johnson]

Come on, get up.

[Narrator]

Okay, I'll teach you something about cooperation, Landlord. All I wanted to do was look this room over and I was nice about asking.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cut it out.

[Narrator]

I got my rules and I got a job to do. I've been looking for Dave Stroud for a solid week, and his trail finally let me hear.

[Commercial Announcer]

I got to look out for my rumors privacy.

[Narrator]

Sure, sure. Only Dave Stroud checked out of here this afternoon. He's no longer your guest. Anyway, I found enough in here to know Stroud's taking the train tonight for San Francisco. So that winds up my lecture and, I'm happy to say my business with you and your charming establishment. Good night, landlord. When I stepped out of the cheap, musty rooming house into the warm night, I felt for the first time in a week that I wasn't wasting my time. That by tomorrow I'd know why a quiet young guy named Dave Stroud had suddenly dropped everything. That gave life some sense, everything from a lovely girl to a fine job. And vanished completely. I stopped in a phone booth, called my client and told her to meet me in an hour at the Leopard Spot, the bar in her hotel. Then I made a reservation on the 10 o'clock train from San Francisco, went home and threw a toothbrush and shirt into a bag. And when I walked into the Leopard Spot, I was right on time. I found my client, Ellen Wyatt, in a booth near the back. The soft rose lights touching her face made me wonder all over again. What kind of pressure it could possibly have been to drive Dade Stroud away from a girl like this?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I tried to wait my apartment upstairs, Phil, but I just couldn't. Is it good news?

[Narrator]

I hope so, Ellen. That broken down rooming house over in East LA paid off all right.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Dave was staying there.

[Narrator]

Yeah, he had been, under the name of Donald Stranagan.

[Mrs. Johnson]

But why would he take a place like that? He must have plenty of money with him.

[Narrator]

Oh, well, the city's cluttered with those joints. They're as common as tin cans. He figured you can't look into all of them. We were just lucky.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Then he knows what he's doing. There's nothing wrong with him. Like. Like amnesia?

[Narrator]

No, it's something else, ellen. Good evening, Ms. Wyatt.

[Commercial Announcer]

Martini?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Yes, please.

[Detective]

For you, sir?

[Narrator]

Martini sounds fine.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Right, Marlow? Maybe that hunch I had about gambling, maybe it was right after all. Couldn't some kind of terrible jam with gamblers do this to Dave?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I'd mind, but I checked that and drew a blank. Say, listen, Ellen, the description of Dave I got at that rooming house isn't too complete. That snapshot I asked you about, did you bring it?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, yes.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, good.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It's in my purse here. That was taken on our first four years ago.

[Narrator]

Four years ago? Those years made quite a change in both of you.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Yes, Dave and I are good for each other, Phil.

[Narrator]

Oh, sure.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I. I only hope that the next four years.

[Detective]

Martini, very dry.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Detective]

Oh, thank you, sir.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, I. I wish we had the kind of news we could toast.

[Narrator]

Maybe we will. Sooner than you think.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You've got a new lead. You know where Dave is?

[Narrator]

Well, close enough to be pretty sure he's taking at 10 o'clock to San Francisco.

[Mrs. Johnson]

San Francisco?

[Narrator]

Yeah, and so am I. Phil, how about coming down to the station with me, huh?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Me? But do you think that's wise? What if he saw me first?

[Narrator]

Well, it's worth a chance for you to point him out to me. What do you say, baby? Got something to drink to now?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Yes, and I better do it fast before I start to bawl. Tears would be awful in a martini. No luck, Phil. I still haven't seen him.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute. How about that one Ellen over there at the cigar counter.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Oh, the fella in the T shirt.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Dave couldn't look that sloppy. And besides, he's taller. Well, that's it, Phil.

[Narrator]

Yeah. Well, I guess we missed him. I better get aboard, huh?

[Mrs. Johnson]

This kind of scares me you. You don't think Dave just pretended to be leaving that he tricked you.

[Narrator]

No, no, those leads weren't planted. They weren't that good. Don't worry, baby. Dave will be on this train when it pulls out. I'll bet my last buck on it.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Find him for me, Phil.

[Narrator]

Sure. You just keep that chin up.

[Commercial Announcer]

I will.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You called me the very first chance you get.

[Narrator]

Pardon me, lady.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm sorry. Hey, you mean. Yeah. Just a short minute, my friend. Unless you happen to favor dirty shirt size 17, you're in for a big disappointment.

[Narrator]

What are you talking about? Well, I think you made a small mistake.

[Mr. Johnson]

There.

[G]

Isn't that my bag?

[Narrator]

I'm afraid not. Mr. C.P. is in. Philip Emerson Marlow.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, how do you like that? I saw you pick it up back there at the information booth. That's where I left mine. I could have sworn it belonged to me. I'm sure sorry.

[Narrator]

It's all right. Happens to everybody sooner or later.

[Commercial Announcer]

That's mighty big of your friend. Say, you're going to be on Old 61 for Frisco, too, aren't you?

[Narrator]

Right. So.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, let's call this an introduction. Our back's my handle. Manny Arbeck, on the road for Pfeiffer Plumbing Fixtures.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'll see you on board.

[Narrator]

Not much doubt about that. No.

[Commercial Announcer]

We might get up a little game. Fun, huh?

[Narrator]

Oh, fine.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah. Well, I better shake a leg and get my bag.

[Mr. Johnson]

I'll find you, all right. I never forget a face.

[Narrator]

Maybe I ought to cut my head off. I stopped off in Mike and Poppin just long enough to drop my suitcase. And as we pulled out, I moved through the train to the dining car and picked a seat where I could keep an eye on the rest of the tables for Dave Stroud, who, even if I didn't recognize his face, I knew from his fiance would handle a knife and fork. European st. Be likely to order liver and bacon and drink tea without sugar and would probably be dressed in Willard tweeds with a shirt collar open. Well, as soon as I sat down, the car began to fill. My table companion, a quiet tab collar type, had his own business and knew how to mind it almost 100%, which he did for the 15 minutes it took him to eat.

[Detective]

Well, I don't know why food always tastes better on a train, but it does. Thanks for letting me share the table with you.

[Narrator]

Oh, not at all.

[Detective]

Perhaps I'll see you later in the club car. We might have a nightcap.

[Narrator]

Yeah. It's a deal.

[Detective]

Fine. So long.

[Narrator]

So long.

[Commercial Announcer]

So there you are.

[Narrator]

Fine.

[Commercial Announcer]

I've been Looking high and low for you, my friend. What you doing in here? They serve nothing but food in this car, you know. Say, who's your pal?

[Narrator]

I don't know. I don't know. He was here 15 minutes and we didn't get that far.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

[Narrator]

You do?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, Those quiet birds give me the willies too. You know, friend, I've seen him someplace before and I never forget a face. You didn't catch his name, huh?

[Narrator]

He didn't throw it.

[Commercial Announcer]

He didn't throw you like that. Yes, sir, you're right on, my friend. Well, it'll come to me. Faces are kind of a hobby with me. I meet a lot of people, but I never forget a. Hey, have you lost somebody in here? The way you keep looking around, yeah.

[Narrator]

But I think I found them again.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hey. Hey, what's up? Where you going?

[Narrator]

Play follow the lead. I'll see you all back.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hey, Marlow, come back. You dropped something here.

[Narrator]

In spite of the fog kicked up by the traveling typhoon who never forgot a face, I'd managed to catch a glimpse at the door of a bunch of tweeds and an open collar on a bill that exactly fit the four year old snapshot in my wallet. I bucked a huddle of undecided dark blocking the aisle, but managed to keep him inside all the way back to car 16 without being seen there. I watched him unlock compartment L and go inside. I was convinced it was Dave Stroud, but at this point I had to be sure. I went to look for the conductor and finally found him tucked away at a lonely table back in the club car as intent on his ticket count as a cheat at solitaire. I figured I could afford the time now, so I decided to wait. I headed back for the seat and I ran into my dad. Dinner partner. The tab. Color.

[Detective]

Well, hello again. You're a little early for that night cap, but sit down anyway.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Detective]

Oh, by the way, I'm Roy Taney.

[Narrator]

Oh, mine's Marlow. Philip Marlow.

[Detective]

Philip Marlow. I've read that name many times. You're the famous private detective.

[Narrator]

Well, private detective anyway. Glad to know you, Tony.

[Detective]

Privilege for me. Oh, are you looking for a match?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective]

Oh, keep them, keep them. I have others.

[Narrator]

Oh, thanks. Thanks again.

[Detective]

Are you on a case now, Marlowe, or shouldn't I ask?

[Narrator]

Well, as a matter of fact. I know.

[Commercial Announcer]

Man, are you hard to hang on to. But you're mighty lucky I'm honest, my friend. You see this?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I see. It's my wallet.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, when you Bolted out of the dining car. You dropped it on the seat. I found it for you.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Commercial Announcer]

Nothing fell out but this picture here and. Is she all right? Man, oh, man. Who is you, boy? The name, I mean.

[Detective]

Huh?

[Narrator]

Don't tell me. I bet you've seen before.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah. Yeah, that's right. And I never forget a face.

[Narrator]

Uh huh. Well, thanks. Now, if you let me have it, I'm very grateful.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sure, sure glad to be of service, my friend.

[Narrator]

Anytime I can.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, speaking of familiar faces, this is the gentleman that you had dinner with, huh?

[Narrator]

That's right. Auerbach. This is the gentleman. Mr. Auerbach. Mr. Tawney. For better or worse, till your destination do you part.

[Detective]

How do you do?

[Commercial Announcer]

T? That's funny. You know, I was just telling Marlow here that I reckon recognized you from some place.

[Detective]

It's very unlikely. I have a fair memory myself. I don't remember you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, I don't know. I'm pretty good. Hey, wait.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm getting it.

[Mr. Johnson]

Sure, sure.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, this is silly. Why, I saw you tonight in the railroad station.

[Detective]

That's impossible. I was so late, I nearly missed the train.

[Commercial Announcer]

Me too. Only you had a good reason. Oh, yes, sir, my friend. You were kissing the little woman goodbye. I couldn't see her too well, but she was quite a looker. And judging from the way you were going at it. Yeah, yeah. Now, wait. Wait a minute, friend. I didn't mean any offense. I was just kidding you along. Yeah. Well, I guess I'll go buy my way into a little poker.

[Narrator]

Excuse me.

[Detective]

I suppose there has to be one on every train.

[Narrator]

Yeah, yeah. They help the ride like a square wheel.

[Detective]

Yeah. Well, I think I'll go read a while, Marlow. Good luck on your case.

[Narrator]

When the conductor climbed out of his pile of tickets to Stretch, I went over, introduced myself and asked the $64 question.

[Commercial Announcer]

Car 16, compartment L, huh?

[Mr. Johnson]

Well, let's see.

[Narrator]

Oh, here it is, Mr. Marlow.

[Commercial Announcer]

That room's occupied by one Daniel Stacy.

[Narrator]

Daniel Stacy? Sure. Same initials as Dave Stroud.

[Commercial Announcer]

But we're not carrying any Dave Stroud tonight.

[Narrator]

Don't bet on that, Conductor. It was that simple. I walked up through the train to car 16. And when I got to the door of Compartment L, I'd already decided on how to handle Dave to convince him that he had to go back to Ellen Wyatt, regardless of what had happened to him. Yeah, I had it all figured until I heard it. It had come from inside. The door was unlocked, but the lights were out. When I got them on again. I realized that nothing was simple.

[Mr. Johnson]

Ever.

[Narrator]

Stretched out on the floor of Dave's room was Manny Auerbach, staring straight up as he rocked with the pitch of the train, the side of his head against a sharp steel corner, his eyes already beginning to glaze.

[Commercial Announcer]

He said he knew I remember sometime.

[Narrator]

Remember what? Why did you come here? Manny, he said.

[Commercial Announcer]

I remember.

[Narrator]

Manny.

[Mr. Johnson]

Manny.

[Narrator]

Well, Marlow, it's your move again. Let's see. It's hell list. Ellen Wyatt. Who's that?

[Mr. Johnson]

What?

[Commercial Announcer]

Ooh.

[Detective]

To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The lively, full bodied, real mint flavor.

[Commercial Announcer]

Cools your mouth, moistens your throat, freshens your taste.

[Detective]

And the chewing itself gives you a little lift, helps you keep going at your best. So for real chewing enjoyment, that's refreshing.

[Commercial Announcer]

And long lasting, always keep Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum handy.

[Detective]

Healthful, delicious Wrigley Spearmint Gum will make every day more enjoyable.

[Commercial Announcer]

Now with our star, Gerald Moore, the.

[Detective]

Second act of Philip Marlowe, and tonight's exciting story, the Face to Forget.

[Narrator]

Either it had been the flat of the pistol crashing against the side of my head or my head crashing against the stone hard floor of the compartment. Then it turned light into dark and left me with a welt behind one ear that size and shape of a cue ball. I couldn't tell which. When I had both my eyes open, I knew that it didn't matter. That nothing mattered, really. Except that I was tearing into Manny Auerbach's dead face while only inches away, a pair of feet were moving. Feet that belonged to Dave Stroud, whose suitcase in toe was on his way out, one hand already on the doorknob. I went for him. Or on the knees. By the time I was off the floor and after him, he was well out in front. But wrestling with a heavy steel door at the end of the empty passageway slowed him down. When we reached the platform between the cars, he was almost mine. But then suddenly, a hand shot out of the dark, grabbed a fistful of shirt front and spun me hard against the opposite door. No, a hand that belonged to a man in a tab color, Mr. Roy. Tawny, plus a.22 automatic and minus his club car. Velvet voice.

[Detective]

Get up, Marlow.

[Mr. Johnson]

We've got a little talk coming.

[Narrator]

At this stage, it'll be a pleasure, believe me.

[Detective]

We'll see. What do you want with Dave Stroud?

[Narrator]

I'm a census taker. Who's real? Got it.

[Detective]

Time's running short, Marlo. When you get off at this stop coming up. You stay off.

[Narrator]

Yeah. What's your angle, Dave?

[Detective]

He still needs my help.

[Narrator]

Still gonna have it no matter who he kills.

[Detective]

Kills? What's that supposed to mean?

[Narrator]

Manny Auerbach. The chummy one who couldn't forget faces. He's very dead back in Dave's compartment.

[Detective]

Well, then that loudmouth wasn't just a blowhard salesman after all. He was what Dave's been running from. One of those lousy card shop slips.

[Narrator]

That's honey.

[Detective]

Yeah, but they don't count, Mr. Detective. Nothing counts anymore. But they've getting out of a chance that can cost him his hide. Just for the record, that game back in LA three months ago, that cost Dave every cent he had plus 10 grand he didn't. Was about as level as the rest of that knee pants town ever gets.

[Narrator]

Which makes you what?

[Detective]

Two things, smart Alec. First, a guy from Detroit, a real town who doesn't like a lousy fix. And second, I like a fix even less when the sucker on tap is my own brother. Now, peeper, get back away from that door. The station's on that side. I wouldn't want you to run for it and get shot before you got to say a few words. Back over here.

[Narrator]

Marlow. Take it easy with that gun, huh? They go off, you know.

[Detective]

All right, the pitch. Let's have it.

[Narrator]

Now, what's Dave to you, Ellen Wyatt? Mean anything?

[Detective]

Not very much. But Dave is sorry about that. So when you get back to your client, you tell it. Hold it just like you are and stay cheerful.

[Commercial Announcer]

Just stop. Carter. Carter. Gentlemen.

[Detective]

Conductor.

[Narrator]

This.

[Detective]

This train. Wait here a while. I mean, is there any time to get off and stretch?

[Commercial Announcer]

No, sir. Just stop long enough to pick up little mail. Leave little mail once in a while, take on a passenger.

[Narrator]

Hardly ever, though.

[Mr. Johnson]

Carter.

[Commercial Announcer]

Folks aren't much on traveling. Oh, by the way, aren't you the gentleman who was looking for Mr. Stacy?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I found him. Thanks.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, don't mention it.

[Mr. Johnson]

Glad to be of service.

[Commercial Announcer]

Say, don't get too close to the edge here, gentlemen.

[Mr. Johnson]

Carter.

[Commercial Announcer]

Carter, California.

[Narrator]

We. We were talking about Ellen Wyatt. Honey, why didn't precious brother Dave ever let her know that he had to lay low? That he was in a jam with gamblers? A bunch of roses with cod and clothes could have gone a long way. Or again, there's the tough.

[Detective]

Oh, button that up, Marlow. I don't know any of the details. Maybe the kid didn't want to know. He couldn't stay away from the pasteboards. Maybe he just didn't want her to worry anyway. That's not the point.

[Narrator]

And what is that?

[Detective]

A broken heart beats a broken skull seven times a week. You should know that much.

[Narrator]

People. So?

[Detective]

So I don't want you, the girl or anyone else to know where Dave is heading. At least not until I get back to la, buy my lonesome and call a few spades.

[Commercial Announcer]

Just that.

[Narrator]

Like they do in Detroit maybe, huh?

[Detective]

Like they do in Detroit. No Maybe. You tell the Wyatt babe I look her up then. Now you get over there at the door and you take your choice.

[Narrator]

Jump or get pushed.

[Detective]

Jump, Pushed or shot. Go on, Marlow. This is where you get off on. The longer you wait, the harder it's gonna be. Name it. Jump, push or shot.

[Narrator]

I couldn't say much for the alternatives. But one look back over my shoulder at the gaping 22 automatic level at my head and Tawny's ice cold gray eyes above made up my mind for me. Jump. It had to be. I. I would always remember one thing about Carter, California. The right of way was more sand than stone. I. I was grateful.

[Commercial Announcer]

Carter Station. Willis handset speaking. The Limited left 10 minutes ago. No, no. Package for you, Ms. Dully Span. Am I sure? Sure I'm sure. Huh? Me snapping at you. Now listen, Ms. Lily Brass or some people. Say, what happened to you, son?

[Narrator]

Hi, Tripp. Dad, this is important. Can you tell me where the Limited stops next?

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, is anybody getting on at Murdoch Corner?

[Narrator]

No, no, no. The first real stop. A good sized town.

[Commercial Announcer]

Let's see. Smoke cigars, huh?

[Narrator]

No, no, no thanks. Look, dad, this counts. Now come on, tell me, will you?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, yeah, sure. Well, no, there's Fulton. That's a half hour wait. You got a match, please, sir?

[Narrator]

Oh, yeah, Here. Here's a whole bookkeeping. Now tell me, how far is Fulton?

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, 40, maybe 50 miles. Upgrade on the road.

[Narrator]

How can I get there in a hurry? I gotta catch that train.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, if you got a car, you can.

[Narrator]

Where can I rent a car or get a cab?

[Commercial Announcer]

Not a chance, honey. Oh, excuse me. Jake's calling from Bakersfield. He's. He's expecting a grandchild.

[Narrator]

Hurray for Jake. Now listen to me, dad. There's a dead mine on the Limited and his killer as well. And I was tossed off the train. Now let's take the business.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, in that case, let's call ahead and get the police.

[Narrator]

No, I don't want that.

[Commercial Announcer]

Why not, John?

[Narrator]

Because for one thing, the killer may have been justified. Self defense in the sight of the law will toss him into a lot of panic and Only end up in more gun play. And for another, I have a very personal Likes to grind getting tossed off the train. Yeah, among other things. Now, will you tell me, that coupe out there, is it yours?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, but I can't for 50 bucks. My car. Your stretch. Cash.

[Narrator]

Cash. Here. Also, here's my credentials. I'm a private detective out of la. I'll get your car back to you as soon as possible. I'll pay you another 50 when I do. Now give me the keys. Will you quit?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, sure.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Here.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's one in the middle.

[Narrator]

Thanks, dad. And don't worry. I'll drive real K. What's the matter, son?

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, you're staring like you don't feel so good. What is it? Your head, maybe?

[Narrator]

Yeah. Yeah, my head. Maybe I ought to have it examined. Sometimes it's real slow coming up with the truth.

[Commercial Announcer]

The truth? What do you mean, son?

[Narrator]

I mean I got a big fat hunch. A hunch that may be able to stop a second murder if I make it to Fulton in time. So long, dad. Thanks a lot. You've been a great help. My apologies and congratulations to Jake. Like the station agent himself, Willard Hansen's coop was a little less than spry. But with the accelerator jammed hard to the floor and only straight, empty highway ahead. I managed to keep it at a straining 70 most of the way. And 50 minutes later, when I tore into Fulton and followed the street markers to the station, a long, low, welcome sound of the night told me I was on time. The train was just getting underway again. I slammed to a stop at the end of the depot, piled out of the coupe and started. I started to run for the last car, but I changed my mind. That train could chug on its merry way without me. After all, it was going without Dave Stroud and his big brother. The two men were walking down the deserted platform toward me. I slid back into the shadows of a pile of crates and waited, my hand tight on the.38 in my pocket, suddenly positive that my hunch was now a sure thing. Roy Tawney was not Dave's brother. But he was the one who had murdered Manny auerbach in car 16, compartment L. And he was ready to try murder again.

[Detective]

All right, Strah. That's far enough. Hold it there.

[Narrator]

Tarny.

[Voice of the Product]

You're out of your mind.

[Commercial Announcer]

You've got no reason to kill me. I'll never say anything. Ellen knows that. That's why I ran. I could never turn Ellen over to the police. I. I love her.

[Detective]

Oh, yeah, sure. You're nuts about It. You got lots of reasons to be, haven't you? Reasons like Ellen crossing you up for me and a tall stack of dough. Reasons like knowing that we're both responsible for knocking off our ex boss to come into that. Sure, kid. You got lots of reasons to love her.

[Voice of the Product]

But, Tiny, I tell you, I do.

[Commercial Announcer]

I ran away, didn't I?

[Detective]

Oh, but of course, Mr. Stroud. Of course. You ran so that you could wait for a smart time in a smart place to try blackmail.

[Commercial Announcer]

No, no, that's not it. I ran because I love Ellen. Because whatever she's done has been your fault.

[Detective]

Oh, no, kid. You got it all wrong. The lady was the pilot all the way even to hire in a lousy people named Marlow to tag you so that I'd know where to get my hands on you.

[Voice of the Product]

The man on the floor in my.

[Detective]

Compartment, the dead man that was a loudmouthed salesman with a memory for faces. He would have spoiled everything if he'd remembered that he saw me with Ellen in the railroad station and passed it on to Marlow. I had to shut him up and then give the peeper a big cock and bull story about you being my brother and in hot water with gamblers.

[Commercial Announcer]

And Marlow was the other one. The one who grabbed for me.

[Detective]

That's right, Stroud. That was Marlow. Too bad he didn't grab. Better, isn't he?

[Narrator]

Yeah, perfect. Shame, Tony.

[Commercial Announcer]

You dirty lawsuit. He's got a gun.

[Narrator]

Makes two of us.

[Detective]

Is he dead, Mama?

[Narrator]

Yeah, Dave. Even in Detroit, he'd be called dead. Come on, Dave. We got some telephone calls to make. The police, for one.

[Commercial Announcer]

All right, Marlow. Is all this really true?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I'm afraid so, Dave. A girl you wouldn't turn in for murder wanted to murder. You believe it, kid. All at once. It'll be easier later on that way.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, sure. Thanks, Marlo, for getting here when you did.

[Voice of the Product]

You saved my life.

[Narrator]

Well, not exactly. Guy named Willis Hanset gets part credit for that guy who runs a railroad station at Carter, California, and also smokes cigars and sometimes runs out of matches.

[Detective]

What does that have to do with it?

[Narrator]

Everything, Dave. See, Hansen needed a light, and I gave him a book of matches that Roy Tawney had given me earlier in the club car. I hadn't noticed them then, but I did. When Hands had used them, they came from the Leopard spot, Dave.

[Commercial Announcer]

The Leopard sp. Yeah, the. The cocktail lounge at Ellen's hotel.

[Narrator]

That's right. And I couldn't buy Tawny's having them as just coincidence. A tie to Me, Ellen too. Tighter. Hunch said so. Wait here, will you, kid? That'll only be a couple of minutes. I've got a long distance call to make before we get in touch with the police.

[Detective]

To Ellen.

[Commercial Announcer]

But what are you gonna tell her, Marlow?

[Narrator]

Anything, Dave. Anything that'll keep her right where she is, ready and waiting for what's gonna turn out to be the LA police. I won't be long, kid. After the telephone call, Dave and I spent a long hour with the Fulton police explaining why a man named Roy Taney was lying in their quiet railroad station, face down in a pool of his own blood. And it was a long hour again with the railroad officials who arrived with their own set of questions. Well, it was 4:00 in the morning before we were finally aboard a train heading back for la. Dave Stroud and I sat opposite each other in silence through that bleak, empty hour when you can almost feel the day that's coming up nudge the one that's just gone by. I was real glad to see it go. I sat there looking at Stroud and wondered if he'd ever heard the lyrics of a song. A train whistle always makes me think of. My mammy done told me When I was in knee pants My mammy done told me Son, a woman's a two face A worrisome thing Will leave you to sing the blues in the night.

[Detective]

Remember, friends, to make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to refreshing, delicious.

[Commercial Announcer]

Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. There's lots of cooling, real mint flavor in every stick.

[Narrator]

And chewing Wrigley Spearmint helps keep you feeling fresh and alert.

[Commercial Announcer]

You feel better, work better, get more.

[Detective]

Fun out of doing things. So indoors, outdoors, wherever you go, keep some healthful, refreshing Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy. To make every day more enjoyable, treat yourself often to delicious Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum. The adventures of Philip Marlow, bringing you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Raymond Chandler's most famous character star Gerald Moore, are produced and directed by Norman.

[Detective]

MacDonald and written for radio by Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt.

[Commercial Announcer]

Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel.

[Detective]

Sammy Hill, Roy Rowan, Parley Bear, Larry Dobkin, Elliot Reed and Junious Matthew. The special music is composed and conducted by Richard Arant.

[Commercial Announcer]

The makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum invite you to be with us next.

[Narrator]

Week when Philip Marlow says, this time I tangled with three snakes. The first was made of gold, the second wore a mustache and the third was in the bag. And each in its own way. Poison season.

[Detective]

Bob Stevenson speaking.

[Commercial Announcer]

This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. The makers of Camel cigarettes present Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective. Here's a question that was asked of 113,597 doctors in a nationwide survey a few years ago. What cigarette do you smoke, Doctor? The brand named Most was Camel. Again and again since then, a cross section of America's doctors has been asked that same question. And again and again every time, the brand named most has been Camel. Yes, according to repeated surveys, more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette. Now we bring you another transcribed adventure with Richard Diamond, Private Detective starring Dick Powell.

[G]

Diamond Detective Agency. Our fee deductible on next year's income tax. Richard diamond, private deduction speaking.

[Commercial Announcer]

I beg your pardon?

[G]

Sorry, it's much too wordy to go over again.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes, Mr. Diamond, this is Fred Lane speaking. You once did a job for a friend of mine.

[G]

Well, if your friend wants his money back, tell him I've already spent it.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, no, nothing like that. He recommended you.

[G]

Well, will wonders never cease?

[Commercial Announcer]

I'd like to hire you, Mr. Diamond. May I inquire as to your fee?

[G]

You may. A hundred dollars a day in expenses.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, that is rather steep, but I think I can manage.

[G]

Spoken like a true millionaire, Mr. Lane.

[Commercial Announcer]

I live at 1482 Riverside. Please get here as soon as possible.

[G]

Well, I'm pretty busy, but I'll try to.

[Commercial Announcer]

I Please do, Mr. Diamond. I'll have a check waiting for you. Hmm.

[G]

Mr. Lane. Go to your front door. I'm there. People who promise to have checks waiting are people for whom diamond loves to work. I went downstairs, picked up my car and drove to the address on Riverside. Rang the doorbell, the door opened, then my blood pressure started doing push ups. She was tall, blonde and wore a dress that would have even been banned on television.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You must be Mr. Diamond.

[G]

Well, how can you tell? Don't other men drool?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Come in, please. Fred's expecting you.

[G]

Fred?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Mr. Lane, my husband.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh.

[Mrs. Johnson]

This way, please. Fred's in the den. I do hope you'll be able to help us, Mr. Diamond.

[G]

Well, so do I, Mrs. Lane. What seems to be the trouble?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I'll let Fred explain to you. This whole business has got me rather upset. It's in here.

[G]

Fred. Yes?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Mr. Diamond's here.

[Mr. Johnson]

Oh, good.

[Commercial Announcer]

Come in, diamond, come in.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I'll be upstairs, Fred.

[Mr. Johnson]

Of course, dear.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sit down, Mr. Diamond.

[G]

Thank you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, you got here in a hurry. You're certainly true to your word, sir.

[G]

I owe it all to my Boy Scout training.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, here, as I promised.

[G]

Check Good. Good. Now that we're both men of our word, let's make with some more words. Why do you want to hire me, Mr. Lane?

[Commercial Announcer]

It's about my wife, Mary. She's being blackmailed, Mr. Diamond.

[G]

Oh, I see.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's been going on for a month now. Finally, last night, she broke down and told me all about it.

[G]

All about what, Mr. Lane? Why is she being blackmailed?

[Commercial Announcer]

She made a few mistakes before I met her. No reason to go into that now. But the blackmailer knows all about those mistakes.

[G]

You speak as if you knew who the blackmailer was, Mr. Lane.

[Mr. Johnson]

I do.

[Commercial Announcer]

Perhaps I should clarify that a bit. However, I don't know the man personally. But Mary tells me he was a classmate of hers during her college years. She told me his name was Lewis Dixon. That he was staying at the Brewster Hotel on 35th. I went there this morning to have it out with him. And he checked out last night, huh?

[G]

Mr. Lane, I still don't see why you hired me. Now that your wife's told you about the blackmail, you could just report it to the police. Next time this Dixon guy calls, they'd nab him.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm not interested in turning him over to the police, Mr. Diamond.

[G]

I don't quite follow you.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm only interested in seeing that he doesn't bother Mary anymore. When you locate Dixon, let me know. I intend to give him a thrashing he'll never forget.

[G]

That's letting a blackmailer off pretty easy, Lane.

[Commercial Announcer]

Perhaps. But if we prosecute, well, publicity and all, I think Mary's gone through enough. Like I say, all I'm interested in seeing that he doesn't bother her anymore. Call me about five and let me know what progress you made. Good day, Mr. Diamond, and good luck.

[G]

And that was that. That. Go find a blackmailer, diamond, so your client could beat him up. Screw it. You bet. But the $100 check in my pocket made up for my own feelings on the case. And I set out to find one Lewis Dixon, blackmailer. Lane seemed to think Dixon would have a record. And if he was right, Lieutenant Walt Leson could give me a lead. It was almost noon when I parked in front of the 5th Precinct and walked into Walt's office.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, hello, Ricky boy. Pull up a chair. Just in time to watch me finish my lunch.

[G]

Oh, you are so generous, Walter. No, thanks.

[Commercial Announcer]

No, thanks? What?

[G]

No thanks? I won't have a piece of your pie.

[Commercial Announcer]

What's wrong with this pie?

[G]

My wife made it, that's what's wrong.

[Commercial Announcer]

You insinuating my wife's a bad cook.

[G]

Of course not. She just bakes fattening pies. They're too doughy.

[Commercial Announcer]

How do you know it's too doughy? Before you taste it, you can tell.

[G]

By looking at it.

[Commercial Announcer]

That's ridiculous.

[Mr. Johnson]

Here, now, let me cut this piece in two.

[G]

Now try it.

[Commercial Announcer]

Go on, try it.

[G]

Well.

[Commercial Announcer]

Is it doughy?

[G]

Not in the least.

[Commercial Announcer]

I guess that proves you. Wait a minute.

[G]

Something wrong, fatty?

[Commercial Announcer]

You've eaten my wife's pies at the house before. You never thought they were dope.

[G]

Pour me some coffee, please, Lieutenant.

[Mr. Johnson]

You know, I should book you for swindling. What do you want down here anyway?

[G]

Oh, just a little peek at your files.

[Mr. Johnson]

Who is it you're looking for this time?

[G]

Guy by the name of Lois Dixon. Ever hear of him?

[Commercial Announcer]

Dixon? Ralph Dixon, a pickpocket. Herbie Dixon, a con man. I can't play Sir. Louis Dixon offhand. What's his racket?

[G]

Blackmail lately.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, charming. Why haven't we been called in on the case?

[G]

My client doesn't want publicity. Besides, he just wants to poke the guy in the snoot a few times and tell him he's been a bad boy.

[Commercial Announcer]

What?

[G]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right. Finish what's left of your pie while I go through the files. And Walt.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[G]

Have your wife bake lemon meringue next time, huh?

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh.

[G]

I checked the files. There was nothing on Lois Dixon. I thanked Walt, went to my car and drove across town to a little bar called the Bats Cave. The Bats Cave was as dingy as the name implied. But I didn't go there for entertainment. I was looking for Rabbit Jones, a guy who knew more about the underworld than Rudolph Halle. Like most informers, Rabbit Jones was a mean, whining character and he didn't like me any more than I liked him. But he did like my money, and I liked his information. It was always a fair trade. I found him in the last booth nursing a half filled glass of beer. Hello, Rabbit. Well, now, that's a cheerful greeting. You must have won a horse race today. Or weren't you running?

[Mr. Johnson]

Big joke.

[Commercial Announcer]

Ha, ha.

[G]

Oh, Rabbit. You spread sunshine wherever you go, don't you?

[Commercial Announcer]

Who ask you to sit down? I get sick of you private dicks. Go bother someone else.

[G]

Oh, drop the small talk, Rabbit. I won't pay over the usual price, so don't make your information hard to yet.

[Commercial Announcer]

Maybe I got nothing to sell.

[G]

Pal, the day you stop selling information, I start knitting argyles.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay, okay. Who is it?

[G]

Lewis Dixon.

[Commercial Announcer]

Where's Adele?

[G]

You know I always pay.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, this ain't my week for trusting people. Fork it early.

[G]

Search yourself. There. Now, about Lewis Dixon.

[Commercial Announcer]

I never heard of it. Let go.

[G]

Don't get smart, Rabbit. I pay for talk straight.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay, okay. Take your hands off of me.

[Narrator]

I know.

[Commercial Announcer]

You rough boy's got to show your muscles.

[G]

Oh, shut up. You don't get my money unless you earn it, Rabbit. So start earning.

[Commercial Announcer]

Like I say, I never heard of a guy named Lewis Dixon. But you know, with my contacts, I can find out about him. So drop the rough stuff.

[G]

How long will it take?

[Commercial Announcer]

That all depends. What's this Dixon guy's line?

[G]

Blackmail. There's a chance he might have been mixed up in some other rackets the past few years.

[Commercial Announcer]

Give me two hours. If he's been around lately, I'll find out.

[Mr. Johnson]

Now.

[G]

Make it one hour. I'll meet you back here.

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay. A diamond?

[G]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

I wish I had more nerve. If I had more nerve, I'd slip a shiv in you some night.

[G]

Oh, I wish you had more nerve too, Rabbit. I'd enjoy beating you to pieces for trying it. On your way, punk. Rabbit shuffled out of the bat's cave with a slow, heavy step, like a man reluctant to step out into the sunlight. I spent the next hour checking car of my own, then returned to the bat's cave and waited for Rabbit. He came in a half an hour late, took the stool beside me and ordered a beer before he turned to me.

[Commercial Announcer]

You picked some tough guys to get a line on, Diamond? Oh, I had a bad time.

[G]

Stop singing the blues, Rabbit.

[Commercial Announcer]

And if the guy has worked the rackets, he's been quiet about it. I couldn't find one guy who knew.

[G]

You sure of that, Rabbit?

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, sure I'm sure. I did find a few guys who'd heard of him, though.

[G]

Keep talking.

[Commercial Announcer]

Now, two different guys were at Squeaky Horner's floating crap game the other night. And they say a guy named Lewis Dixon was there.

[G]

How did they know it was Dixon?

[Commercial Announcer]

We was flashing Doe around, telling everyone where the big shot he was.

[G]

But they don't know where he is now.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, if they did, I'd tell you. Maybe Squeaky Horner knows. He ran the game.

[G]

Where's Squeaky now?

[Commercial Announcer]

When the game folds for a few days, Squeaky hangs out around a penny arcade at 3rd and Chestnut.

[G]

I know the place.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, then go and talk to you and leave me drink my beer in peace.

[G]

I passed a few more insults with Rabbit as I paid a check, then drove to the penny arcade, third in Chestnut. Squeaky Horner was hunched over a pen ball machine. And when he saw me, his eyes lit up like the tilt sign.

[Mr. Johnson]

Ricky Diamond. Hey, how you been, Rick?

[Commercial Announcer]

No, not bad.

[G]

Squeaking you.

[Mr. Johnson]

Hey, great.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hey, look. Look at that score. Got nickel.

[G]

Oh, sure, yeah.

[Mr. Johnson]

Thanks.

[Commercial Announcer]

What brings you down there, Ricky?

[G]

I understand a guy named Lloyd Dixon was at your game a few nights ago.

[Narrator]

Hey, Rick.

[Mr. Johnson]

There's a lot of boys drop in.

[Commercial Announcer]

From time to time. It's hard. Do you say Dixon?

[G]

That's right.

[Mr. Johnson]

Yeah, I remember him.

[Commercial Announcer]

Blow hard every time he rolled a dice. He said, Lewis Dixon's the best crap shooter in town. Prove it.

[Mr. Johnson]

Dice.

[Commercial Announcer]

That's what he said.

[G]

You ever seen before, Squeaky?

[Commercial Announcer]

Let me see. No, he was a stranger. I got a good memory for faces. This boy I never seen before.

[G]

Oh, great. Was he with anyone you might know?

[Commercial Announcer]

I'm afraid not. Ricky come alone?

[Mr. Johnson]

He left alone.

[Commercial Announcer]

Wish I could help you, though.

[G]

Thanks anyway.

[Commercial Announcer]

Thank you for the nickel. Hey, look at that score go up.

[G]

Squeaky's score was running very high, but mine was still zero. So far, not one definite lead as to the whereabouts of Lewis Dixon. I spent another half hour combing the known informers, but to no avail. A little after five, I went to a phone booth and called my client, fred Lane. Hello, Mr. Lane?

[Mr. Johnson]

Who's this?

[G]

Richard Diamond.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's Walt, Rick. Walt.

[G]

What are you doing there?

[Commercial Announcer]

Anti guess.

[G]

Oh, no.

[Mr. Johnson]

Red Lane.

[Commercial Announcer]

Your client, Rick?

[G]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

Better get over here right away. You are now unemployed, Lane.

[Mr. Johnson]

That's right.

[Commercial Announcer]

Waited. Before we continue with Richard diamond, here is an important question.

[Mrs. Johnson]

How mild?

[Commercial Announcer]

How mild? How mild? How mild? How mild can a cigarette be? How mild can a cigarette be? Here's a good way to find out. Make the 30 day camel mildness test a sensible test based on steady smoking. Smoke only Camels for the next 30 days and compare them in your T zone. T for throat, T for taste. See how much you enjoy Camel's rich full flavor pack after pack. As your steady smoke. See how well Camels agree with your throat week after week. As your steady smoke, you'll soon see why Camel is America's most popular cigarette. Buy billions of cigarettes per year. Yes, and you'll soon be a steady Camel smoker. How mile? Mile? How mile? How mile? How mild can a cigarette be? Make the Camel 30 day test.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Can you see?

[Commercial Announcer]

Smoke Camels and see. And now back to Richard Diamond, Private Detective starring Dick Powell.

[G]

Fred Lane's body lay on the floor of his den. There was a letter opener lying beside the body and it fit the hole on his back. Tomorrow morning's paper would carry Fred Lane's obituary. It would tell where he was born, what he did with his life and when he died. But it wouldn't tell who killed him. And that's what I wanted to find out.

[Commercial Announcer]

Looks like you really put up a fight, Eric.

[G]

Yeah, the room's torn up a lot. Who did it, Walt?

[Commercial Announcer]

Louis Dixon, the guy you've been out looking for.

[G]

Do you have him?

[Commercial Announcer]

Uh, Mrs. Lane gave us the information. Seems Dixon came here to the house about two hours ago.

[Mr. Johnson]

He wanted more dough for Mrs. Lane.

[G]

Pretty nervy to come right here.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Mr. Johnson]

Guess she figured Lane might be out.

[Commercial Announcer]

Anyway, Mrs. Lane called her husband Fred.

[Mr. Johnson]

Came in, invited Dixon to the den.

[Commercial Announcer]

For a talk and sent Mrs. Lane upstairs.

[G]

Oh, well, that fits. Lane starts beating up Dixon. Dixon grabs the letter opener and kills Lane.

[Commercial Announcer]

Swear it figures. Ms. Lane said she heard the struggle, but her husband had told her to stay in her room. And then she heard Dixon run out, so she came down and found the body and called us.

[G]

Did you get the prints off the letter opener?

[Commercial Announcer]

No. Ms. Lane said Dixon was wearing a pair of gloves when he came in. Sorry. Never took him off.

[G]

That's great. Well, Fatty, I hope you have more luck picking up Dixon than I had. Nobody around town seems to know him.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, Mrs. Lane gave us a good description. I put out an apv. What about you? You still on the case?

[G]

I was about to give it up when I phoned, but I can keep going as long as my legs hold up good.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'd like to nab the sticks and.

[Mr. Johnson]

Guy as quick as possible.

[G]

Me, too, Walt. I don't like people to go around killing my clients. Just isn't good for business. The boys were taking a body down to the morgue as I left. It looked like a hard day for my shoelather. The only thing I could do was keep pounding the pavement in search of someone who knew or had known Lois Dixon. Cigarette stands, boogie joints, cheap boarding houses, nothing down to the Bowery missions, small bars, guys on the corners.

[Commercial Announcer]

Louis Dixon?

[Narrator]

Yeah. Never heard of them.

[G]

And so it went. I headed back for my office and the comfort that comes when you sit in a chair with your feet on the desk. But when I reached the entrance of the office building, Squeaky Horner was standing there waiting for me.

[Mr. Johnson]

Hey, Ricky, where you been?

[Commercial Announcer]

I've been waiting here a long time, almost to know.

[G]

Oh, what's on your mind, Squeaky?

[Commercial Announcer]

You still looking for Louie Dixon?

[G]

That's a silly question. Why?

[Commercial Announcer]

Because I seen him about an hour And a half ago.

[G]

Are you sure?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah, I'm sure.

[Mr. Johnson]

I got a good memory for faces.

[Commercial Announcer]

After I leave the arcade, I'm walking up, I see him.

[Mr. Johnson]

Biggest life where.

[G]

Does he know?

[Mr. Johnson]

I tell him.

[Commercial Announcer]

See, he goes into Henry's flop house. He's staying in one of Henry's rooms, Not in a hall like most of the guys. He's under another name.

[G]

What name? Squeaky Jack.

[Mr. Johnson]

Lighten you one.

[Commercial Announcer]

I should take you to the place, Ricky.

[G]

Yeah, Squeaky. I want this. You should.

[Mr. Johnson]

Here's the room, rookie.

[Commercial Announcer]

You want I should knock?

[G]

Never mind.

[Mr. Johnson]

What?

[G]

Just hold it right there, Leighton. Or is it Dixon?

[Mr. Johnson]

What are you talking about? What's the idea of busting in here like this?

[G]

What about it, Squeaky? Is he the guy?

[Mr. Johnson]

No doubt about it, Ricky.

[Commercial Announcer]

He's the same guy was at the game a few nights ago.

[Mr. Johnson]

What game are you talking about? I never seen you before in my life.

[G]

All right, Squeaky. I can take it from here. Thanks a lot.

[Commercial Announcer]

Anytime, Ricky.

[Mr. Johnson]

Hey, hey, what gives anyway, bud?

[G]

Suppose you tell me, Dixon.

[Mr. Johnson]

Why do you keep calling me Dixon?

[Commercial Announcer]

The name's Jack Layton.

[G]

Well, we'll see about that. There's one person who should be able to identify you for sure. Fred Lane's widow. Get your hat, pal. Well, it looked like the end of a hard day. I forced Leigh or Dixon outside and into my car. Then we drove to the Lane house on Riverside. The police had left and Mrs. Lane was alone. I took my man inside, and Mrs. Lane looked at him closely. I knew it would be just like the movies. She'd point and say, that's him. That's the man. Mr. Diamond.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I'm sorry, Mr. Diamond. Juan, I've never seen this man before in my life.

[G]

This, dear children, is the story of.

[Mr. Johnson]

Why a detective gets.

[G]

Gets ulcers. But as I was driving late and back toward town, I began thinking Squeaky Horner had never been wrong about a man before. And why had Dixon been so hard to locate? I hadn't been able to turn up one man who knew him. So instead of driving Layton back to his room, I drove to the Brewster Hotel, where Lane said Dixon had been registered for a week. There it was a different story. The desk clerk positively identified Jack Layton as the man who had registered as Lewis Dixon. At last, things began to shape up.

[Mr. Johnson]

Why did you bring me here to your office? I want to get back to my room.

[G]

You heard what the desk clerk said. You registered as Lois Dixon. Why?

[Mr. Johnson]

Oh, that desk clerk was loony.

[Commercial Announcer]

He made a mistake.

[Mr. Johnson]

You heard what Mrs. Lane said she never saw me before.

[G]

So she said. But I think differently, Leighton. And up here all alone, we can have a nice little chat. You're going to tell me all about it.

[Mr. Johnson]

I got nothing to say.

[G]

No? Then suppose I open the conversation? Now, that was a first sentence, Leighton. Now, do I start on a paragraph, or will you talk instead?

[Mr. Johnson]

I don't know a thing.

[G]

Okay, stupid, we'll do it the hard way.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Yes? Oh, Mr. Diamond.

[G]

Hello, Mrs. Lane. Mind if I come in?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Of course not. Please do.

[G]

Suppose we go into the den? I'd like to have a little Talk with you, Mrs. Lane.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, I'm sorry. I'm not feeling too well, Mr. Diamond, the shock and all.

[G]

Oh, yes, yes, of course. It must have been trying, my bringing that Leighton man here for you to identify.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, yes, it was it. If you could come back tomorrow, perhaps.

[G]

Oh, I. I'm afraid not, honey. Now.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Very well. I'm sorry you picked up the wrong man, Mr. Diamond.

[G]

Oh, sure, yes. It's funny. Two other people swore he was the man known as Lewis Dixon.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, it's hard to identify someone accurately, I imagine. But I was certain he wasn't Dixon.

[G]

Mm. Well. Well, you tidied up the den quite a bit.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Just what is it you wanted to talk to me about, Mr. Diamond?

[G]

Well, there's no hurry. No hurry. Say, this is a handsome room. Nice house, too. And all yours, along with everything else your husband owned.

[Mrs. Johnson]

That's rather a cruel thing to say.

[G]

Oh, come off it, Mary. It was a wild scheme.

[Mrs. Johnson]

What do you mean?

[G]

I mean that you invented a phony character, a Lois Dixon, and set up a murder with every clue pointing to a man who never existed.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You're crazy.

[G]

No, no, Mary, you were crazy to think a stunt like this would ever work. You hired a bum named Jack Layton, gave him money, had him register at the Brewster Hotel as Louis Dixon. Then you had him hit some of the gambling joints and make sure people heard his name as Lois Dixon. Then he was to disappear.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I won't stay here and be insulted.

[Commercial Announcer]

No.

[G]

Soon I'll take you down to headquarters. You can be insulted there.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, I hope you have proof, Mr. Diamond. You'll need it.

[G]

Well, Leighton was reluctant at first, but let's say I persuaded him to talk. I dropped him by the 5th Precinct on my way over here.

[Mrs. Johnson]

How much do you make as a private detective, Mr. Diamond?

[G]

Oh, Mary, Mary, don't talk like that. First chance you got, you'd stick a knife in my back too.

[Mrs. Johnson]

It was just a suggestion after all.

[Commercial Announcer]

No, no.

[Mr. Johnson]

Drop it.

[Commercial Announcer]

Drop It.

[G]

Well, well, First a letter opener on your husband and now you try to bean me with a paperweight. Honey, you're just not safe around a desk.

[Commercial Announcer]

Are.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Rick?

[G]

Yes, Helen, dear?

[Mrs. Johnson]

I've been thinking.

[G]

Show off.

[Commercial Announcer]

No, really.

[Mrs. Johnson]

I think you should put your business.

[Commercial Announcer]

On a more dignified level.

[G]

You don't say.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You should try and attract a higher type clientele.

[G]

Oh, I don't know. This lame fellow I worked for today was no slouch.

[Mrs. Johnson]

But what happened to him? He got killed. That's the trouble with your cases. They're too dangerous.

[Commercial Announcer]

If you don't get into trouble, your clients do. True, true.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You should concentrate on more Simpsons for wealthy clients. Like divorce cases and inheritance claims.

[G]

Oh, great. Maybe I should even carry a pottery puff in my shoulder holster.

[Commercial Announcer]

All right, so it wouldn't be as exciting.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Get the same fee and you wouldn't get so many black eyes.

[G]

Then I couldn't come here to you for sympathy, dear.

[Commercial Announcer]

Rick, I'm serious.

[G]

Okay, honey, okay, just. Now, tell me, just how do I go about attracting a higher type clientele.

[Commercial Announcer]

As you put it?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, you start off by putting on more pretentious front.

[G]

Meaning I eat more.

[Commercial Announcer]

Meaning you act a little more dignified.

[G]

Well, do go on, Ms.

[Commercial Announcer]

Usher.

[Mrs. Johnson]

You should also have someone at the office to answer the phone for you.

[G]

Oh, Helen, it only rings once or twice a day. I think I have enough strength to pick up the receiver that often.

[Mrs. Johnson]

What's strictly for appearances?

[G]

Oh, I see. Anyone in mind for the job?

[Mrs. Johnson]

Well, I have a lot of free time.

[G]

Oh, fine, dear, fine. I'm glad it's free. I should be able to afford that.

[Mrs. Johnson]

And then after we build up the business. Rick, are you listening?

[G]

Hmm?

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, sure.

[G]

Sure, baby.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Sure you are not. You're just waiting for me to take a pause so you can sneak in a song.

[G]

Oh, honey, how can you be so suspicious? But since you did bring up the.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Matter, I should have known better.

[G]

Oh, live and learn, dear. Live and learn. If they asked me I could write.

[Commercial Announcer]

A book.

[G]

About the way you walk and whisper and look I could write a preface on how we met so.

[Commercial Announcer]

The world would never forget.

[G]

And the simple secret of the plot Is just to tell them that I love you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Alive.

[G]

Then the world discovers as my bookends how to make true lovers of.

[Commercial Announcer]

Friends.

[G]

Then the world discovers as my book ends how to make two lovers.

[Commercial Announcer]

Of friends oh, very nice.

[G]

Well, thank you, sweet Only.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Now, let's get back to your business.

[G]

Oh, who wants to talk about business? Come here.

[Mrs. Johnson]

Now, Rick, stop it. Rick, I wanted to.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, Rick.

[G]

Now. Now then, you were saying I shouldn't get on a more dignified level.

[Commercial Announcer]

I was.

[G]

Oh, that's what I like. The gal with a one track mind.

[Commercial Announcer]

Dick Powell will return in just a moment. What's America's most popular cigarette? Camel is in the lead by billions of cigarettes per year. One reason is that America's smokers have found out how rich, how flavorful Camels are pack after pack. Another reason is that America's smokers have discovered how well Camels agree with their throats week after week. Are you smoking the cigarette America enjoys most? If not, start smoking mild, flavorful Camels tonight. How mild? How mild? How mild can a cigarette be? Make the Camel 30 day test and you'll see.

[Voice of the Product]

Smoke Camels and see.

[Commercial Announcer]

Here's Dick Powell with a special message.

[G]

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. As a token of friendship and to help show hospitalized veterans and service personnel that America remembers them, the makers of Camels send thousands of packs of Camels to service in veterans hospitals every week. This week the gift Camels are going to veterans hospitals Minneapolis, Minnesota and Bay Pines, Florida. Florida U.S. naval Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee to all hospitals operated by the Alaskan Air Command. Now, until next week, Enjoy Camels. I always do.

[Commercial Announcer]

Tonight's adventure of Richard diamond was written by Dick Carr with music by Frank Worth. Virginia Gregg was heard as Helen Asher and Alan Reed as Lt. Walt Levinson. Others in the cast were Benny Rubin, Mary Jane Croft, Howard McNear and Peter Leeds. Richard diamond, private Detective, is transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle. Be sure to listen to another great Camel show. Vaughn Monroe in the Camel Caravan every Saturday night. Listen next week for another exciting adventure of Richard diamond starring Dick Powell. Now stay tuned for this is your FBI followed immediately by Ozzie and Harriet.

[G]

Over most of these stats.

[Commercial Announcer]

Now here is our star, Vincent Price.

[Mr. Johnson]

Ladies and ladies and gentlemen. In a prejudice filled America, no one would be secure in his job, his business, his church or his home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quacks and adventurers whose followers make up the irresponsible lunatic fringe of American life. Refuse to listen to or spread rumors against any race or religion. Help to stamp out prejudice in our country. Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.