Episode 614 - No Business Like Snow Business (Rogue’s Gallery, Suspense, The Saint, & Sam Spade)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives) Episode: 614 - No Business Like Snow Business (Rogue’s Gallery, Suspense, The Saint, & Sam Spade) Release Date: February 16, 2025

---

Introduction In Episode 614 of Down These Mean Streets, hosted by Jane Wyman, listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio with four enthralling snowy mysteries featuring iconic detectives. As winter tightens its grip, the episode presents gripping tales from Rogue’s Gallery, Suspense, The Saint, and Sam Spade, each unraveling complex plots against a backdrop of snow and ice.

---

1. Rogue’s Gallery – "Snowbound"

Air Date: May 9, 1946 | Host: Dick Powell as Richard Roeg

Plot Summary Private Investigator Richard Roeg, portrayed by Dick Powell, finds himself snowed in at a secluded ski lodge after surviving an assassination attempt. With limited means of escape due to an unexpected blizzard, Roeg must uncover who tried to kill him and their motives while confined with a small group of suspects.

Key Points & Discussions

• Altered Will: Roeg is tasked by Judge Robert March to investigate a suspicious change in Anson Leeds’ will, which drastically reduces the inheritance for Leeds' adopted daughter, Pamela.
• Murder Investigation: The plot thickens when the gardener, Fred Kraft, is murdered to prevent him from testifying about the authenticity of the will.
• Suspicious Behavior: Pamela’s enigmatic behavior and the arrival of Peter Moore, the nephew, add layers of suspicion and motive twists.

Notable Quotes

• Dick Powell as Roeg: “[05:54] ‘Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison or the grave.’”
• Judge Robert March: “[19:43] ‘There has to be a Rocky Rhodes.’”
• Roeg: “[33:24] ‘That will was a fake. Fred Kraft was killed to keep him from telling the fact that he was not present when Anson Leeds signed it.’”

---

2. Suspense – "Catch Me If You Can"

Air Date: February 17, 1949 | Host: Jane Wyman

Plot Summary Jane Wyman stars in a tense narrative where her character devises a plot to murder her unsuspecting husband. However, her plan falters when her husband anticipates her move, leading him to enlist the help of detective Rocky Rhodes. Set in a remote mountain inn amidst a looming blizzard, the story unfolds with multiple guests harboring secrets and potential motives.

Key Points & Discussions

• Deceptive Appearances: Wyman’s character’s ability to mask her true intentions creates a gripping cat-and-mouse dynamic.
• Multiple Suspects: The arrival of surprise guests, including Frank Lovejoy’s character, adds complexity to the investigation.
• Climactic Reveal: The tension culminates in identifying the true antagonist behind the attempted murders, showcasing stellar performances and a well-crafted mystery.

Notable Quotes

• Jane Wyman: “[41:04] ‘I just have to kill Rocky Rhodes.’”
• Frank Lovejoy as Rocky Rhodes: “[27:43] ‘Yes, he’s dead. I put her there a few minutes ago.’”

---

3. The Saint – "Snow Use"

Air Date: October 29, 1950 | Host: Vincent Price as Simon Templar

Plot Summary Vincent Price embodies Simon Templar, "The Saint," who is engaged by a woman fearing for her life as her ex-husband and his new wife seem poised to commit murder against each other. Set in a picturesque ski lodge, the narrative delves into themes of jealousy, deception, and survival amidst the serene yet treacherous snowy environment.

Key Points & Discussions

• Amorous Russian Sculptor: A unique character twist where Larry Dobkin plays an amorous sculptor instead of his usual sidekick role, adding depth to the storyline.
• Show Revival: The episode marks the return of The Saint to the airwaves after a brief hiatus, highlighting audience loyalty despite casting changes.
• Detective Work: The Saint navigates through foggy motives and manipulative characters to untangle the web of impending murders.

Notable Quotes

• Vincent Price as Templar: “[25:30] ‘Oh, you are Simon Rhodes.’”
• Pamela Leeds: “[34:00] ‘She murdered my dad. He was murdered.’”

---

4. Sam Spade – "Chateau MacLeod Caper"

Air Date: January 26, 1951 | Host: Stephen Dunn as Sam Spade

Plot Summary In The Adventures of Sam Spade, Stephen Dunn takes on the role of the iconic detective Sam Spade. The story revolves around the murder of a wealthy man at his winter retreat, Chateau MacLeod, set against the looming Red Scare. Navigating through political tensions and personal vendettas, Spade uncovers a conspiracy involving forged wills and familial betrayals.

Key Points & Discussions

• Red Scare Influence: The episode reflects the era's paranoia, influencing both the show's production and its narrative.
• Actor Replacement: Due to the original star Howard Duff being caught in the Red Scare hysteria, Stephen Dunn steps in, emphasizing the show's resilience and audience demand.
• Complex Conspiracies: The intricate plot involving multiple murders and hidden motives showcases Sam Spade's unparalleled detective prowess.

Notable Quotes

• Sam Spade: “[33:54] ‘And Fred Kraft was killed to keep him from telling the fact that he was not present when Anson Leeds signed it.’”
• Lieutenant Urban: “[28:34] ‘Have you any evidence that. No, no, no, Judge.’”

---

Conclusion Episode 614 of Down These Mean Streets delivers a nostalgic journey through some of radio's most captivating detective stories, masterfully woven into a wintery theme. From the snowbound intrigues of Rogue’s Gallery to the high-stakes confrontations in Sam Spade, each narrative invites listeners to immerse themselves in suspense, mystery, and the timeless art of radio storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to Old Time Radio detectives, this episode promises thrilling adventures that resonate even decades later.

---

Notable Mentions

• Scripts & Production: Noteworthy contributions from writers like Ray Buffum and John Michael Hayes, with musical scores by composers such as Leith Stevens and Lucian Morowek.
• Actor Highlights: Stellar performances from industry legends like Dick Powell, Jane Wyman, Vincent Price, and Stephen Dunn, each bringing their characters vividly to life.
• Audience Appeal: The episode underscores the enduring appeal of radio mysteries, celebrating the rich legacy of early detective dramas.

---

Enjoy More Adventures Don't miss future episodes of Down These Mean Streets, where Jane Wyman continues to delve into the lives and stories of Old Time Radio's greatest detectives. Tune in next week for another captivating journey through the mean streets of vintage radio mystery.

Transcript

[Dick Powell]

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. 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.

[Vincent Price]

Adventures of the Saint Starring Vincent Price.

[Dick Powell]

Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of.

[Vincent Price]

The man with the action packed expense.

[Dick Powell]

Account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Jane Wyman]

Hello and welcome to down these Mean Streets, where at least in my neck of the woods, we just emerged from one round of winter weather and are expecting more snow and ice in a matter of days. So this week, with a chill in the air and slush on the ground, I've selected four snowy Old Time Radio mysteries for your listening pleasure. First up is Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Roeg in Rogues Gallery. We'll hear him in Snowbound, an episode that originally aired on Mutual on May 9, 1946. Rogue is at a ski lodge for some R and R, but after an odd encounter with a beautiful woman and her husband, Rogue catches a bullet in the shoulder. A good Samaritan saves him from a blizzard, but now he's snowed in for weeks before he can find out who tried to kill him and why. Next, Jane Wyman stars in Catch Me if youf Can, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense that originally aired on CBS on February 17, 1949. Ms. Wyman stars as a woman who's plotting to kill her husband. Only he's wise to the plan. He's pocketed some pills she intended to poison him with and he's called in help from an old detective friend. He's invited the man who has the colorful name Rocky Rhodes to their remote mountain inn. Now she's got to do away with him, find the incriminating evidence and determine which of their surprise guests, all of whom arrive ahead of a blizzard, is the detective in disguise. It's a great mystery with terrific performances from both Jane Wyman and Nightbeat's Frank Lovejoy as her most likely suspect. Then Vincent Price is the saint on Skeez in It's Snow Use. Originally aired on NBC on October 29, 1950. Simon Templer is hired by a woman who believes her ex husband is planning to kill her and his new wife is planning to kill him. It all leads to a ski lodge where the parties come together and murder arrives not long after. Now, two interesting notes about this episode. First, it's a rare saint show where Larry Dobkin is heard, but not as Louis, the Saints cab driver sidekick. Instead, he plays an amorous Russian sculptor. Don't worry, it all makes sense when you hear the episode. And second, its snow use marked a return to the air for the series after a short hiatus. Vincent Price had missed a couple of shows due to overseas travel, and Barry Sullivan was tapped to fill in as the Saint. Frustrated with an absent leading man, NBC actually cancelled the show, but revived it a month later due to an outpouring of audience support. Speaking of a cancelled show rising from the ashes. That's the case with our fourth and final series today, the Adventures of Sam Spade, starring not Howard Duff but Stephen Dunn as Dashiell Hammett's scum shoe. We'll hear Spade in the Chateau MacLeod caper originally aired on NBC on January 26, 1951. Sam Spade had been one of radio's most popular shows, but both its star and creator had the misfortune of being swept up in the hysteria of the Red Scare. NBC canceled the series in September 1950, but audience demand led to its return two months later. However, to come back to the air, Sam Spade needed to be played by a new actor, and there could be no further mention of Dashiell Hammett. So Steve Dunn filled Duff's shoes for 24 episodes before Sam Spade signed off radio for good in 1951. As for this episode, which came about halfway through Dunn's one and only season, Sam Spade investigates murder against a snowy backdrop at a wealthy man's winter retreat. The weather outside may be frightful, but these old time radio mysteries are delightful. We'll kick off our snow case with Dick Powell in Rogues Gallery right after these messages.

[Dick Powell]

Recently, in a big Eastern city, a group of trained men and women called on thousands of housewives and asked this simple question. What kind of container do you prefer for the food you buy? An overwhelming majority of housewives said they prefer to buy food packed in glass. Among them were a great many mothers of small children, and by a ratio of more than eight to one, these mothers said they insisted on prepared baby foods packed in glass. They gave many reasons, as you might expect, but here are the three reasons mentioned most frequently. First, glass lets you see what you buy before you buy it. Second, you can heat, serve and store leftover portions of prepared baby food in the same glass container. And third, these young mothers agreed that sterilized glass containers are cleaner and more sanitary. You can buy an increasing number of the better brands of food packed in glass, and all of the better brands of prepared baby food come to you in anchor glass containers sealed with Tampa proof anchor vacuum caps. Both products of Anchor Hawking.

[Vincent Price]

Now it's winners time again. Yes, sir. Here are the two winners. The carousel contest for the week ending November 8th.

[Dick Powell]

Each of these listeners wins a gorgeous 117 Jewel Harmon gold watch.

[Vincent Price]

Just for writing an interesting letter about Carrie Salt. The ladies watch goes to Mrs. A.O.

[Dick Powell]

Nobles Jr. Of Gainesville, Florida. Her suggestion tells you how to remove the printed dye from sugar bags or white feed bags.

[Vincent Price]

She suggests you dampen the bags with kerosene and sprinkle on Kerry's table salt. Then roll them up tight and let them stand overnight. Next day, just wash in soapy water.

[Dick Powell]

And watch the dye rinse away. Sounds like a wonderful idea. And here's the winner of the man's watch. He is Mr. Sandy Riza of Cleburne, Texas. And he bases his suggestion on 30 years of experience.

[Vincent Price]

He says, the best thing I have.

[Dick Powell]

Ever found for smoothing rough gears and.

[Vincent Price]

Silencing their noise is the use of.

[Dick Powell]

Kerry salt mixed with gear grease or compound. Congratulations to both of the winners. And folks, if you'd like to win one of these beautiful watches, listen for the easy rules later in this program.

[Vincent Price]

Meanwhile, remember, there's a fine Kerry salt for every farm and home use.

[Dick Powell]

There's deep penetrating Cary's table salt carries.

[Vincent Price]

Meat curing salt carries mineral supplement salt and many others. Always look for the flight bag box or cotton with a bright red band.

[Dick Powell]

And here's a word from RCA Victor.

[Vincent Price]

Last week the curtain went up on.

[Dick Powell]

The 75th anniversary of the National Baseball League and the 50th anniversary of the American League. There's no better way to celebrate than by enjoying at firsthand the thrills and.

[Vincent Price]

The clean sportsmanship of baseball today.

[Dick Powell]

Baseball today. It's the American way. Of course, the next best thing to.

[Stephen Dunn]

A seat in the stands is a.

[Dick Powell]

Seat in front of a 19 inch RCA Victor television. RCA Victor's new Extra powerful picture pickup gives you the best possible reception everywhere. You know RCA Victor television is most in demand. But here's really important news.

[Stephen Dunn]

RCA Victor 19 inch television is available.

[Dick Powell]

It's on display now at dealer stores. So insist on the best.

[Vincent Price]

Insist on seeing 19 inch million proof.

[Stephen Dunn]

Television by RCA Victor.

[Dick Powell]

When you do, you'll agree inch for inch. Your best buy in television is RCA Victor 19 inch.

[Vincent Price]

I dedicate this program to the fight against crime. Not merely crimes of violence and crimes of dishonesty, but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship. Crimes against America. The F.W.

[Dick Powell]

Fitch Company, makers of Fitch's Saponified coconut oil shampoo and Fitch's Shaving Creams presents.

[Vincent Price]

Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue.

[Dick Powell]

In Rogues Gallery. Rogue speaking. Oh, first off, today being Thursday and things being the way they are, I want to thank my Aunt Beulah for sending me those pork chops from Barlow, Kentucky. She doesn't know it, but she's made me the most sought after man in town. Oh, well, next week. Spinach. Anyway, to get back to business, I didn't know that my old friend Judge Robert March was having a cocktail party the afternoon I dropped by his place to say hello. But as I walked into the patio, I was Richard the Glad Rogue. My old friend the Judge introduced me to an amber eyed blonde who answered to the the name of Pamela Leeds. And I smartly opened the conversation by saying hello.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, Judge March, do you mean to tell me that this is the famous Richard Roe investigator?

[Dick Powell]

I know it's disappointing, Pamela dear, but nevertheless, that's the Rogue.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, really?

[Dick Powell]

You're not really disappointed, are you, Ms. Lees? You're just amazed that a man who has done so many brilliant things could be so young and handsome.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Of course.

[Dick Powell]

Well, I can see that you don't need me, Richard. I think I'll go and circulate among my other guests. I'm sure that the two of you will never miss me. See you later, Judge. Thanks. You can believe almost anything he says, Pamela, Unless it's about himself.

[Vincent Price]

Or you.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Thanks for the tip, Judge.

[Dick Powell]

Would you like to take a walk around the garden? There's a bench under a weeping willow tree over there by the wall. That always makes me feel very poetic.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, I hate to miss that, really, but I was just leaving. I have to leave, really.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, you do? Oh, well, how are you gonna leave? You have a car here.

[Loreen Tuttle]

No, no, the judge was going to send me home in his car.

[Dick Powell]

Well, that's silly. Oh, yes, especially when I'm going out that way. Right past your house, as a matter of fact. I'll drive you home.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Were you really going out my way?

[Dick Powell]

Of course.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Then I'll go with you.

[Dick Powell]

Swell. Oh, incidentally, where do you live? Well, Pamela, this has been a kind of a short date. I. I hope I get a rain check on that bench under the tree. I have a lot of fascinating statements I'd like to make to you.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, we'll see each other again, won't we, Richard?

[Dick Powell]

How about tomorrow night? It's Sunday. You know, great nights. Sundays the moon will be full. There's dining and dancing at the Macombo and oh, Pamela.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Dr. Stevens, what's the matter?

[Rita Parker]

Is Father.

[Dick Powell]

Pamela, we've been trying to reach you.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Yes.

[Vincent Price]

You better come with me, Pamela. Your father is dead.

[Dick Powell]

Well, that's how it all began. We'll continue in just a moment. But now, here's Jim Doyle. I'd like to make a suggestion to the ladies. I'll bet you've often felt like singing the blues after you've shampooed your hair. The shampoo blues is a well known theme. I've just washed my hair and can't do a thing with it. Fitch's Saponified Coconut Oil Shampoo is just the thing to dispel those blues for. When you use Fitch's Saponified Shampoo, your hair is so lustrous and easy to manage, you'll be singing praises rather than the blues. It's made from pure vegetable and mild coconut oils, so it never leaves your hair dry and difficult to manage. It makes oceans of lather, too, that cleanses completely. Fitch's Saponified Shampoo also contains a special patented rinsing agent. Even when you rinse with hard water, this rinsing agent ensures that no soapy film is left on your hair. It leaves your hair shimmering with natural highlights. You can use Fitch's Saponified Coconut Oil Shampoo as often as you like with absolutely no fear of the shampoo blues. Ask for it at your drug or toilet goods counter. Look for the bottle with the bright yellow label. And now we return to Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue in Rogues Gallery. I'm fairly familiar with death and most of its forms. And maybe familiarity with a man with a scythe breeds contempt. But I felt awfully sorry for Pamela Leeds when her father answered. Leeds died. I was more than ordinarily interested when my friend, Judge Robert March called me the evening after Leeds death and asked me to come to his office. Richard, I am the executor of Anson Leed's estate, and I think there's something strange about his will. This is, of course, confidential, but he left the great bulk of his estate to a nephew, his sister's child, Peter Moore, with only a $50,000 legacy for Pamela and the rest of the estate going to the servants and various charities. Oh, only 50,000 to Pamela, huh? You think that's a little strange? I've been Anson Leeds, attorney, and I think his closest friend for 30 years. Rogue. I know how fond he was of Pamela, but Pamela was not his daughter, you know. She was adopted by Anson just before his wife died 20 years ago. Oh, Legal adoption, huh? Yes. And I'm in a position to know that Anson couldn't have loved Pamela anymore if she had been his own daughter. As a matter of fact, I drew up a will for him about six years ago in which he left almost all of his money to Pamela, with other small legacies to relatives and servants and charities. Was the old gentle, a little flighty in his last ears, no sound as a dollar, Extremely bright right up to the last. And Rogue, there was no change in the way he felt about Pamela. I know that. But I cannot understand this new Willow. When was it made? What's the date on it? Just a year ago this month. Here it is. Oh, I see Typed. Is this signature genuine? Oh, of course. There can be no doubt of that. I know that fancy Spencerian signature as well as I know my own. I realize, Rogue, that I'm giving you a problem here that is based on nothing more than a personal hunch. But I would never be at ease about administering the estate if I didn't have the will thoroughly checked. Uh huh. Well, let's see. This. This will mentions only Peter Moore. That's the nephew. Mm. Pamela leeds. Kate Schumann, 5,000. Oh, Anson's nurse. Been with him for, oh, six or seven years. A fine. And Fred Kraft, Anson's gardener. I've been with him, oh, 15 years. I guess they the nurse and the gardener witnessed the will. As you'll notice, I want to retain you to investigate that will for me, Rogue. Well, Judge, ordinarily I hold my clients up for a fee, but for you, Judge. Oh, I guess I could toss you a cup of packing tickets. Richard, this is very important to me. Will you handle it for me? Well, of course, Judge. First, looks like my first move is to go out to the Leeds estate and talk with the witnesses. See under what circumstances this document was written and signed. I'll see you later, Judge. How do you do? I wonder if I could see Kate Schumann. I'm Kate Schumann. Oh, I'm Richard Rowan.

[Rita Parker]

The investigator.

[Dick Powell]

Yes. What do you want to see me about? Well, Miss Shuman, I. Oh, could we go someplace where we could talk privately?

[Vincent Price]

Of course.

[Dick Powell]

My quarters are upstairs.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Richard Rogue.

[Dick Powell]

Well, hello, Pamela.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What in the world are you doing here?

[Dick Powell]

Well, I just came by to talk with Ms. Schumann.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I didn't know you knew her.

[Rita Parker]

He doesn't?

[Dick Powell]

No, we just met. I'll see you later, Pam.

[Loreen Tuttle]

All right. Stop by the library on your way out, will you?

[Dick Powell]

Oh, sure. Right in here, Mr. Rogue. Thank you.

[Rita Parker]

Now, Mr.

[Dick Powell]

Rogue, I came to talk with you about the will which you witnessed for Anson Leeds about a year ago. Oh.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh.

[Dick Powell]

Cigarette? No, thank you. I don't smoke. But I don't mind if you do. Thank you. Tell me, Ms. Sherman, who typed the. Well, I'll tell you the whole story.

[Rita Parker]

Mr. Leeds called me in one morning and asked me to do some typing for him.

[Dick Powell]

I often type letters and business things for him.

[Rita Parker]

Yes, I got my portable typewriter.

[Dick Powell]

And before he started dictating, he made me promise that I'd never mention the fact that he'd made a new will.

[Vincent Price]

Until after he'd passed on.

[Dick Powell]

Then he dictated the will to me. I see. Did he seem in good mental health at the time?

[Vincent Price]

He was perfectly normal.

[Dick Powell]

I was a little surprised at his terms.

[Rita Parker]

I mean, the way he left the money and he could tell that I was. He just told me that he had.

[Dick Powell]

Good and sufficient reasons for doing it the way he did and asked me to witness his signature. Uh huh.

[Rita Parker]

Then he asked me to get the gardener, Fred Kraft, to come in and witness it.

[Vincent Price]

I did.

[Dick Powell]

He signed the will in the presence of both you and Fred Kraft?

[Vincent Price]

Yes.

[Dick Powell]

Do you know Peter Moore? I've seen him here a few times on visits.

[Rita Parker]

I don't know him.

[Dick Powell]

Will he be here for the funeral?

[Rita Parker]

Yes. He's on his way here now.

[Dick Powell]

On his way here? He lives in another town.

[Rita Parker]

He lives in Garden City, Iowa, with his mother.

[Dick Powell]

She was Mr. Leeds older sister. Oh. Oh, well, thank you, Schumann. Who asked you to investigate the will, Mr.

[Vincent Price]

Rogue?

[Dick Powell]

I can't tell you that, except that it was an interested party. Well, everything happened just the way I said it did. I'm sorry to see Ms. Pamela left.

[Rita Parker]

With so little money. I'm very fond of her.

[Dick Powell]

Well, it certainly looks like everything was according to Hoyle. Thanks for talking so frankly with me, Ms. Schumann. You've been a great help. I'll just check with Fred Kraft and you can forget the whole thing.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I didn't expect to see you out here today, Mr. Rove.

[Dick Powell]

Well, I didn't expect to be here, Pamela. Judge of Arch asking me to drop by and do him a little favor, that's all.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, excuse me. It must be Peter.

[Dick Powell]

Certainly.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Hello, Peter.

[Dick Powell]

Hello, Pamela.

[Vincent Price]

I guess there isn't much I can say, is there, Pamela?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I know, Peter. Where's your mother? Didn't she come with you?

[Dick Powell]

No.

[Vincent Price]

You know Mother. She was very upset. She just couldn't make it.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, this is my cousin, Peter Moore, Mr. Rogue.

[Dick Powell]

Hello. How do you do? I think I'd better run along, Pamela. I Want to talk to your gardener? Name's Craft, isn't it?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Fred Craft. He'll be in his cottage. It's out and back. It's a little white cottage. He's probably asleep by now.

[Dick Powell]

Mr. Kraft. Mr. Kraft. Mr.raft. oh, good Lord. Homicide. Lieutenant Urban speaking. Hello, Urban. Richard Rogue. No kidding. Cook up some more business for me, Rogie. Well, you know me, Ermine. The Anson Leeds estate. This time the Leeds gardener was just chopped to death with a hand axe while he was asleep. Better get your boys and get out here. Hello, Judge. Marge. Richard Rogue. Yes, I'll Judge. Get that will to a handwriting expert. I think it's a phony.

[Vincent Price]

Oh.

[Dick Powell]

Well, have you any evidence that. No, no, no, Judge. This isn't the court this time. I've got a hunch, that's all. One of the witnesses, the gardener, has just been chopped to death. Now get an expert on that will and tell him we'll call him for a report on the signature tonight. And you'd better come out here. One of the things I like about you, Rogie. The corpses you find are always so dead. Oh, I see what you mean, Irvin. Say, from the looks of this room, the late Fred Kraft put up quite a row, didn't he, huh? Uh huh. But not enough of a row to get out of that couch he was lying on when he got that first blow with the axe. Let's shake the joint down, shall we? Mm. Why was he killed? And all I have is a theory. I don't want anybody in the house to know that he was one of the witnesses on a will made by Anson Leeds. A will is in question. I get it. You think he might have been put out of the way to keep him from testifying as to the validity of the will, eh? That's my theory. Oh, and there's something that might back it up a little. What? Look there on the floor. Yeah. Stub of a plane ticket. Hmm. From Garden City, Iowa. You sound like Garden City means something to you. Come on, no tricks, Rogie. What's with Garden City? That's the town where Leeds was born and raised. That's the town Peter Moore just arrived from. Oh, I got here as soon as I could, Rogue. Oh, good heavens. Hello, Judge. Kind of a mess, isn't it, Judge? Are you having that well checked? Yes, I have Carl Friend, the handwriting expert, working on it. What did you know about Fred Craft, Judge? Oh, he was an old family retainer in the best sense of the word, Lieutenant. He and Anson Leeds were more friends than they were Employer and employee. How come Anson only left him $5,000 then? I don't know. Fred was a thrifty man. He had quite a nest egg saved from his salary and from investments he had made on tips for Manson. His estate will be worth, oh, I should say conservatively, $60,000. Who gets it now that he's dead? Well, Pamela Leeds. You know, she's been like a daughter to old Freddy. I happen to know that she's the sole beneficiary in his will because I drew it up for the old man. This case has more angles than a six pointed star. Yeah, yeah. Here's a cute one I just picked up. Rogue. Look, a lady's wristwatch. Where'd you find it? On the floor, right over there. It's got a broken link, like it might have been torn off of somebody's arm. Ah. Well, whose is it? It's engraved on the back. To Pamela from dad. Pamela. Oh. Come on, let's get in the house. Urban, you'll want to question everybody, won't you? Yeah. I've got the boys holding Miss Leeds, Peter Moore and the nurse Schuman in the library. While you're talking to them, the judge and I are going to be busy upstairs. I'm afraid I don't understand, Rogue. Just what is it we're looking for in Kate Schumann's room? I don't know. I don't know, but she's mixed up in this thing someplace. Take a look in the bathroom, will you, Judge? If you see anything the least bit out of line, call me. Okay, Rogue. Oh, look, look. Here's paydirt. Yes, Kate Schuman's diploma from nursing school. See where it was issued? School of Nursing, City Hospital, Garden City, Iowa. Yeah, that town keeps popping up, doesn't it, huh?

[Vincent Price]

Yes.

[Dick Powell]

Well, look, I want you to witness this, Judge. Here are two cigarette stubs. Lipstick on the tips. Fresh. No, no, don't touch them. Just leave them right where they are. All right. But, but, Rogue, you said yourself that the nurse couldn't have killed Kraft. She was in the house at the time that he was murdered. Yeah, I know, I know. But I've got an idea that's beginning to make sense. You got a pencil? Yes, yes. Let me use it. Here, I want to copy this phone number from Kate schumann's scratch pad. Bl6791, room 323. You know, rogue, we have no right. Now, look, Judge, this is beginning to weigh on your conscience. You better get downstairs with Urban. He's a warrior, too. I've got a lot of work to do and a long distance phone call to make. You go downstairs and tell Urban I'll be down as soon as I have convicting evidence on a murderer. All right. I'm going to have to impress on you that I mean business. There's been a murder committed. Now, one of you know something about it, we don't.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Lieutenant Urban, I tell you, we were all here in the house when Fred was killed.

[Rita Parker]

I wish you'd go away and leave us alone.

[Dick Powell]

What was your wristwatch doing lying in a pool of blood near the body of the murdered man? Ms. Leeds, why was a link torn wide open on the band?

[Rita Parker]

I don't know.

[Loreen Tuttle]

It was on my dressing table this morning.

[Rita Parker]

I know it was.

[Dick Powell]

Yes, well, three witnesses saw it lying at the scene of the crime.

[Vincent Price]

Look, Lieutenant, why don't you let the poor girl alone?

[Dick Powell]

I was with her when Fred Kraft was killed. So was I. We were all right here in this room. That's very interesting. All of you establish your alibis for a very important time. Were you all working together? Now, one of you start talking. How about you, Peter Moore? How do you account for the fact that the stub of a plane ticket from Garden City, Iowa, was found at the scene of the crime?

[Vincent Price]

Plane ticket?

[Dick Powell]

I came out on a train. Yeah. When were you in Fred Kraft's cottage?

[Vincent Price]

I haven't been out there in four years.

[Dick Powell]

You may have to prove that statement more in court. This is outrageous. You can't keep us here pounding questions.

[Vincent Price]

At us, making accusations.

[Dick Powell]

There's been a murder committed. It's my business to find out who did it. I'm going to find out. Judge, go get Rogue. Tell him I want him down here right now. All right, Lieutenant.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Peter, please don't let him question me anymore.

[Vincent Price]

Look, Lieutenant, it must be perfectly obvious.

[Dick Powell]

That no one of us could have had anything to do with the murder.

[Vincent Price]

It was probably some transient. I suggest, Lieutenant, that you use some other means to try.

[Dick Powell]

Yes? Yes. What's the matter? The upstairs looks like a cyclone hit it. And Richard Rogue is gone. Yes, I was gone. And I'll tell you more about it in just a moment. First, here's Jim Doyle, who wants to tell you some facts about shaving. Yes, men, it's a fact. Fitcher's no brush. Shaving cream does give as smooth and comfortable a shave as you could hope for. Plenty of research and testing have gone into the making of this fine cream. And now it combines the qualities you want. Smoothness of texture, a clean, tangy odor. And a skin conditioning ingredient for sensitive skins. Fitches no Brush softens up the toughest beards so your razor will glide easily, giving you a close, clean shave without scraping or irritation. It leaves your face feeling smooth and cool. Leaves your disposition calm and cool, too. For Fitch's no Brush shaving cream is designed for sensitive skins. For men who prefer a lather cream, it's Fitch's Brush Cream. Gives lots of creamy lather that stays moist all during the shave, giving a smooth, comfortable shave. Rinses off easily, too. Both Fitch's Brush and Fitch's no Brush shaving creams come in economical 25 and 50 cent sizes. Ask for either type. But for solid comfort shaves, be sure it's Fitch spelled F I T, C H. And now we return to Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Rogue in Rogue's gallery. The more I looked around the upstairs room in the mansion of Anson Leeds, the more I suspected that what started out to be the investigation of a validity of a will had turned into the investigation of not one murder, but two. I made a long distance call. Then I called a doctor friend of mine who admitted that a clever murderess could disguise the effect of morphine poisoning. Then I checked the telephone number I found on Kate Schuman's scratch pad. Found that it was the number of the Hotel Splendide. I went there. In the lobby, I was stopped by my friend Todd Reeves, the bellboy.

[Vincent Price]

Hello, Mr. Rogue. What are you doing?

[Dick Powell]

Take a ride with me in the elevator, will you, Todd? I'm calling on a guest of yours in room 323. Yeah.

[Vincent Price]

What's the matter?

[Dick Powell]

They in trouble now? Just don't ask any questions. You want to make 20 bucks?

[Vincent Price]

Oh, sure. Who do you want killed?

[Dick Powell]

Just take a ride with me. And do me a favor. Give me your passkey, Todd.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, that's what the 20 bucks was for. You want me to get fired?

[Dick Powell]

Oh, I'll back you up if you get in trouble.

[Vincent Price]

Yeah, then I'll really get me the boot. You want me to stick around?

[Dick Powell]

No, I don't. I think the less you know about this case, the better off you're gonna be.

[Rita Parker]

Who is it?

[Dick Powell]

Shove off, Todd. I'm going in.

[Rita Parker]

Who is it?

[Dick Powell]

Hello? Stay right where you are, please.

[Rita Parker]

What do you want?

[Dick Powell]

I want to talk with you about a.

[Vincent Price]

Oh.

[Dick Powell]

This is a typical Rogue trick. Telling us to wait here and disappearing. If I ever get. I'll get it. Hello? Hello, Urban.

[Vincent Price]

Hello, Rogue? Where the devil.

[Dick Powell]

Look, Anson Leeds was murdered. Don't say a word to the people you're holding there. One of them is the killer. Right. The will is a forgery, and I have the proof. Hold everybody until I can get there for the payoff. Be about 10 minutes. All right, Urban. I'll take the party from here. Okay, Rogue. And this had better be good. It will be. And this concerns all of you. In the first place, I've talked to Carl Friend, the handwriting expert. That will, leaving everything to Peter, is a forgery. There are five copies of the will, and the signature on each of the copies is identical. It's impossible for anybody, even a man in the best of health, to write his name exactly the same way five times.

[Vincent Price]

That's not true, I tell you.

[Dick Powell]

Shut up. The signatures were made by placing a sheet of carbon paper under one authentic signature of Anson Leeds and tracing it through to the fake wills with a sharp pencil, then inking the signature in over the tracing. Don't bother denying it, Kate. Carl Friend photographed the signature under a powerful light with an enlarging camera. The particles of graphite under the ink sparkle like diamonds.

[Vincent Price]

Ah.

[Dick Powell]

That will was a fake. And Fred Kraft was killed to keep him from telling the fact that he was not present when Anson Leeds signed it.

[Rita Parker]

I didn't kill Fred Craft.

[Dick Powell]

No, but you killed Anson Leeds with morphine poisoning.

[Loreen Tuttle]

She murdered my dad. He was murdered.

[Dick Powell]

Yes, Pamela, I just came from the mortuary. There are obvious syringe punctures in his arm. But Dr. Stevens. Yes, I know, Judge. He signed a death certificate for heart failure. But I found this vial of morphine tablets in your room, Kate. And this. This bottle of belladonna hidden in your desk. You kill Leeds with morphine and then drop belladonna in his eyes to dilate the pupils. Oh, that was very clever. Because the only outward sign of morphine poisoning is the fact that the pupils of the eyes contract to pinpoint size.

[Vincent Price]

I killed him.

[Rita Parker]

But I'll never go to jail for it.

[Stephen Dunn]

Grab her, Judge.

[Dick Powell]

Grab her. Get the syringe away from her. Kate. I was too late, Rogue. Yeah. Yeah, she was too fast for us with that shot of poison. Kate. Kate. Kate. Too late. She's dead. Rogie.

[Vincent Price]

I. I don't understand. Why did she do it, Mr. Rogue?

[Dick Powell]

For game. For game. You were an innocent. Part of the plot to kill Anson Leeds. Peter.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Peter.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, no.

[Dick Powell]

Stop being so mysterious, Rogue. If you know who killed Fred Kraft, say so. Was it Kate?

[Vincent Price]

No. No.

[Dick Powell]

No, it wasn't. The murderer of Fred Kraft is in jail. I put her there a few minutes ago. She was a good friend of Kate's who was resentful of you. Pamela. And ambitious for her son to be a wealthy man. Peter, she needs you. Kid. Better get down to the jail. See your mother. She loved you so much that two people died so you could inherit a million doll. Well, that was the end of that case. Peter Moore's mother was tremendously jealous when all Anson Leeds adopted a little girl, Pamela, and made her the heir to his fortune. And after her school days, friend Kate Schumann was installed as the old man's trusted nurse. They plotted his murder without Peter's knowledge. Mrs. Moore was in Kate's bedroom when I was questioning Kate. And when she learned that the will was being investigated and that I was going to talk with Fred Kraft about it, she killed him. She made a complete confession and was executed for the crime. I felt sorry for Peter. He's a nice kid. Pamela felt sorry for him, too. She felt so sorry for him, she's going to marry him so he'll get the Liege fortune anyway. You know, that hardly seems fair, getting a girl like Pamela and all that money, too. You know, I. I could have gone for that Pamela. Lovely girl. Oh, lovely girl. But after all, I need another girl. Like Frankenstein needed another monster in exactly the same way. You know what I. This is Dick Powell again, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you enjoyed our story tonight. Ray Buffum wrote it. Leith Stevens composed and conducted the music, and Dee Engelbach produced and directed. Now, don't forget, you've all got a date with us next Thursday night. We have a story for you about an alibi that is blown up by gunfire. There are some lovely people in it. We call it the murder habit. So make a date with us, will you? Thanks for listening. And now, here's Jim Doyle. Be with us again at the same time next week. Oh, and by the way, be sure to see Dick Powell in his latest RKO picture, cornered at your local theater soon. Remember, tune in next Thursday, same time, same station, when you will again hear Dick Powell as private investigator Richard Roeg in Rogues Gallery. Remember, if dandruff is your problem, ask for Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo. It's the only shampoo made whose guarantee to remove dandruff is backed by one of the world's largest insurance firms. No other shampoo can make this statement. Ask for Fitch's Dandruff Remover Shampoo at your drug or toilet goods counter. Beauty or barbershop, Fitch is spelled F, I, T, C, H. And now AutoLight and its 60,000 dealers and service stations Present Suspense.

[Vincent Price]

Tonight, Autolight brings you the Academy Award.

[Dick Powell]

Nominee, Ms. Jane Wyman in a dramatization.

[Vincent Price]

Of the outstanding mystery novel, Catch me.

[Dick Powell]

If you can, a suspense play produced.

[Vincent Price]

And directed by Anton M. Leiter.

[Dick Powell]

Friends, have you actually tried them, those dandies, those dillies down the dales and up the hillies? Wide Gap Auto Light Resistor Spark plugs. Well, by Cornelius, do prove to yourself that Wide Gap Auto Light Resistor spark plugs actually make your car idle smoother, give you better performance with leaner gas mixtures, save you gas dollars, and cut down interference with radio and television reception. My, oh, my. If you want to see a satisfied, smiling guy, switch to Auto Light Resistor Spark Plugs. Only the Auto Light Company offers car and truck owners everywhere their sensational advantages. So head for your nearest auto light dealer and replace old Narrow Gap spark plugs with Wide Gap Auto Light Resistor spark plugs. Remember, be right with Autolight. And now, Autolight presents Jane Wyman in.

[Vincent Price]

A tale well calculated to keep you in suspend.

[Rita Parker]

Let me tell you. Let me talk as long as I can. It's my last chance to explain about Phil and all the trouble I had afterwards. Phil got me into this mess that the night he died, I sat near his bed waiting for him to fall.

[Vincent Price]

Asleep, and he said, margot, was there anything in that milk you gave me tonight?

[Rita Parker]

Well, of course, darling. Dr. Landers prescribed it. A sedative.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, you're a beautiful woman, Margot. Very beautiful, yes.

[Rita Parker]

He was taking so long to fall asleep. It was already after three in the morning. I listened to the wind. Phil and I were all alone, stuck in that godforsaken mountain inn ever since he fell ill just before Labor Day. There we were, 10,000ft above sea level, not a soul for miles. The fall season was over and all the other guests were gone. And even Joe, who owns the inn, had gone down to Leadfield to get his window supplies. I shivered, thinking of the dark, ragged, lonesome mountains outside. And Phil opened his eyes.

[Vincent Price]

You're a good actress, Margot. Better off the stage than you were on, I expect. But I know you're fed up with our marriage. Have been ever since I became ill.

[Rita Parker]

I haven't complained, Phil.

[Vincent Price]

No, it wouldn't fit the part. But you feel trapped out here in Colorado, don't you? You'd rather be in New York, I wonder. Margot, those pills you put on my lunch tray last week. They weren't my regular vitamin pills. Maybe you want your freedom and my money enough to poison me.

[Rita Parker]

Don't be ridiculous, Phil.

[Vincent Price]

Well, anyway, I didn't take them. I hid them with a note saying that you tried to give them to me. Then I called a friend of mine, long distance. An old friend.

[Rita Parker]

Who?

[Vincent Price]

A detective named Rocky Rhodes. Rocky and I both stayed at this inn one summer.

[Rita Parker]

And what did you tell this Rocky?

[Vincent Price]

Never mind what I told him. Just remember, he's due here tonight or in the morning.

[Rita Parker]

A detective. Phil, you're a fool.

[Vincent Price]

I want a divorce, Margot.

[Rita Parker]

You do?

[Vincent Price]

Yes. Without any strings. Those pills are exhibit A. If they're poison, blackmail.

[Rita Parker]

Phil, darling, if you want a divorce, you can have it without threatening me.

[Vincent Price]

You'll sign the papers tomorrow?

[Rita Parker]

Of course, darling. I only want to make you happy. But now go to sleep, Phil. You need a good rest. Go to sleep. I stroked his forehead and the sedatives finally took effect. His breathing became very heavy and even. I looked at him and thought he was smart not to take those pills. But not smart enough. He shouldn't have told me about that detective. He thought he was protecting himself and that I wouldn't dare do anything now. But he was wrong, because I had to now. I couldn't afford to wait and lose everything when he divorced me. And besides, I'd find those pills in the letter before the detective got here. There was practically no risk, the way I'd planned it this time. Outside, it had started to rain, a heavy downpour, and the only other sound in the world was Phil's breathing. I picked up the extra pillow and put it down carefully, carefully over his face. He didn't move. I pressed the pillow down on the side so that no air could get in, no air at all, and held it there a long time. Once the pillow shook a little when Phil's head moved. Once there was a gurgling sound. And that was all. When I lifted the pillow and took it back in its place. The job was done. Everything I ever wanted, money and freedom, was right in my hands.

[Dick Powell]

Phil was dead.

[Rita Parker]

Dead of a heart attack. Dr. Landers would say. But wait a minute. Unless someone found those pills with a note from Phil. Phil hadn't died of poison, so I was safe. But there would be questions, questions I didn't want to have asked. I had to find those pills myself. I started to search. First the pillow under Phil's head. No. Then the nightstand beside his bed. And the desk under the window. No. Where could he have hidden it after all? The bell. Could it be filled? Detective? Already? Rocky, rocky roads. I'll have to be very careful. Just a minute. I'm coming.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Just a minute.

[Rita Parker]

Yes. Well, don't stand there. It's raining in.

[Vincent Price]

I'm sorry. I think I'm lost. I'm looking for Pine View Lodge.

[Rita Parker]

But you are lost. This is Fisherman's Net.

[Vincent Price]

I know. I saw the sign.

[Rita Parker]

It's. It's closed for the winter.

[Vincent Price]

Well, could you put me up?

[Rita Parker]

The manager's away. There's only me and my husband.

[Vincent Price]

The luck of the Irish. They meet a beautiful blonde and she's married. Every time. You wouldn't turn me out in this storm. I'm soaking wet.

[Rita Parker]

I'm afraid I.

[Vincent Price]

Please, just tonight. In the morning. I'll get my bearings.

[Rita Parker]

Well, if it's. If it's only for one night.

[Vincent Price]

Yes, that's all. Thank you. What a vacation.

[Rita Parker]

Where are you from?

[Vincent Price]

Chicago newspaper man. My name is Mike Sheldon.

[Rita Parker]

How do you do, Mr. Sheldon? I'm Mrs. Wetherby.

[Vincent Price]

How do you do? Where do I bunk, Upstairs?

[Rita Parker]

Yes, you can take the Trout Room. Every room is named for a different kind of fish. It's the second room on the right from the top of the stairs.

[Vincent Price]

Thank you. It's great of you to let me stay.

[Rita Parker]

Would you like some hot coffee?

[Vincent Price]

Fine. It's no trouble.

[Rita Parker]

Well, not at all. I was going to make some for myself.

[Vincent Price]

I can use some. All right.

[Rita Parker]

No, no, wait. No, not that room. No.

[Vincent Price]

What's wrong, Mrs. Wetherby?

[Rita Parker]

Well, I said. I said the second door on the right. The Salmon Room, not the Trout Room. I made a mistake. Forgive me, but this is my husband's room and he's not well. I was afraid you'd wake him up. Oh, that was bad. Very bad. Making a slip like that in front of Phil's detective, Rocky Rhodes. Because, of course, Mike Sheldon was Rocky Rhodes. Who else could he be? And I had to find those pills before he did and started making trouble. Before I could get back to the search, two more unexpected guests popped in at Fisherman's Net. A small, dapper man with a black mustache and slick black hair.

[Vincent Price]

But I'm Charlie Miller. I got a reservation here and I'm staying, sister.

[Rita Parker]

But the manager is away. He didn't mention any reservations.

[Vincent Price]

Well, I must have forgot, then. I made it by telephone from KC that is. I mean, I asked a friend of mine to make it.

[Rita Parker]

A friend of his? Was it Phil? Was Charlie Miller Rocky Rhodes? He couldn't be a detective. He was too stupid. No, no. Mike Sheldon was Rocky Rhodes. There was a girl with Charlie Miller. I thought she was Mrs. Miller.

[Loreen Tuttle]

No, I'm Susan Quinn. Mr. Miller and I met on the bus.

[Vincent Price]

Yeah, and we were Great pals. Right off. I. I call her Susie Q. You get it? Yes.

[Rita Parker]

But the initials on your suitcase are Sr. Ms. Quinn.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, well, I borrowed my sister Sheila's suitcase. Sheila Riley. She's married. Sheila and I always borrow each other's things.

[Rita Parker]

Was it true, or was her name Susan Rhodes, Nicknamed Rocky Rhodes? Things are getting more complicated every minute. Two men had arrived, and Sheldon seemed the most like a detective. It was too late for me then to go on hunting for the pills. It was morning. In case questions were asked later, I had to be able to say I had done what a wife with a sick husband ought to do. I had to take Phil his breakfast on a tray.

[Vincent Price]

Well, Mrs. W. Hey, you're an early bird. Here, let me help you.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, thank you, Mr. Miller. This is my husband's breakfast. If you'll open the door.

[Vincent Price]

Sure thing. There you are.

[Rita Parker]

Thank you. Phil. Phil, dear, I brought you.

[Vincent Price]

Something wrong, Mrs. W?

[Rita Parker]

My husband, he looks.

[Vincent Price]

He looks. Anything I can do? Say, he does look pretty green at that. Mr. Weatherby. Hey, Mr. We. You better sit down, Mrs. Wetherby. It looks to me like your husband has passed away.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, no, no, no, no.

[Vincent Price]

Here, now, just sit down.

[Loreen Tuttle]

All right.

[Vincent Price]

Now, you just cry on Uncle Charlie's shoulder. It'll do you good.

[Rita Parker]

You're very kind.

[Vincent Price]

Well, good morning. Oh, say, Sheldon.

[Dick Powell]

Got a little trouble here.

[Vincent Price]

Trouble, Mrs. Wetherby? Well, her husband's passed away in his sleep, looks like.

[Rita Parker]

I brought his breakfast. I thought he was a slaven.

[Vincent Price]

Will you.

[Rita Parker]

Will somebody phone Phil's doctor, Dr. Landers and Salisbury Gap?

[Vincent Price]

Well, of course, but.

[Rita Parker]

Excuse me.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm afraid I better go to my room. Mrs. Wetherby. Mrs. Wetherby.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, Ms. Quinn. What happened? Have I been asleep?

[Loreen Tuttle]

When you got to your room, you fainted.

[Rita Parker]

I still feel rather faint.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I brought you some brandy. Could you drink a little?

[Rita Parker]

Not now, I couldn't. Where's Mr. Miller and Mr. Sheldon?

[Loreen Tuttle]

They're moving your husband's body.

[Rita Parker]

No, they mustn't.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Dr. Landers told Mike to on the phone. The rain turned to snow during the night and he won't be able to get here because of the storm. Not until the snowplow gets through. So he thought it best we put Mr. Weatherby.

[Rita Parker]

Not outdoors.

[Loreen Tuttle]

No. There's a hillside cellar out back.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, yes. What else did Dr. Landis say about Phil?

[Loreen Tuttle]

He said it must have been a heart attack and that you have nothing in the world with which to reproach yourself. He's sure you did everything you.

[Dick Powell]

For suspense, Autolight is bringing you, Ms.

[Vincent Price]

Jane Wyman in radio's outstanding theater of Thrills, Suspense.

[Dick Powell]

Say, Hap. Look at that stack of valentines. Quite a pile, child. In fact, flocks will come. Oh, they're not for me. They're valentines to Auto Light Resistor spark plugs. Listen to this one. You've won my heart with your kisses and your hugs and a set of Auto Light resistor spark plugs. How's that happen? The spark gloves. Why, sure. Everybody loves Auto Light Wide gap resistor spark plugs. Replace your narrow gap plugs with these beauties to make your car idle smoother, give better performance with leaner gas mixtures. Actually save gas dollars. Now, here's a valentine that's right in line. Oh, Valentine, will you be mine and will you make me happy? Put Auto light resistor spark plugs in my car. Help make it smooth and snappy. Boy, that's hitting on all six. Well, naturally. Here's another valentine that touches this old heart of mine. Oh, Auto Light resistor spark plugs. With me you are a fixture. You help my car run smoother far and go on Lean gas mixture. Say, Arnold, that's the best yet. But right now, here's suspense. And now, Autolight brings back to a Hollywood soundstage. Ms. Jane Wyman as Margot in Catch me if you can a tale well calculated.

[Vincent Price]

To keep you in suspense.

[Rita Parker]

I kept up my act all that day, and I didn't overplay it. I'm not the type for floods of tears. So I adopted a wan, gentle sadness which made the others think me very brave. But all the time there were two things on my mind driving me crazy. Who was Rocky Rhodes and where had Phil hidden the pills? I couldn't hunt for them. Somebody was always in my room, fussing over me. Finally, in the late afternoon, I managed to get away. I just started to look through Phil's clothes when.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, here you are. I was looking for you. No snowplow will get through here today. I'll just have to put up with Charlie Miller's jokes another evening.

[Rita Parker]

Are his jokes that bad?

[Vincent Price]

Well, you heard him ragging Susan, calling her Susie Q. Nicknames.

[Rita Parker]

Lots of people have the nickname habit. My husband had a friend named Rhodes. He nicknamed Rocky Roads.

[Vincent Price]

It's a change from Dusty Rhodes, at any rate. By the way, where are you from?

[Rita Parker]

Boston. Why do you ask?

[Vincent Price]

Oh, just idle curiosity.

[Rita Parker]

You know what they say about curiosity. Would you excuse me, please? I was going over my husband's things.

[Vincent Price]

Yeah, go right ahead. I'll just keep you company. Looking for something?

[Rita Parker]

No, I Want to pack so I can leave as soon as possible. I want to get back to New York.

[Vincent Price]

I don't blame you. Need any help?

[Rita Parker]

No, thank you. As a matter of fact, I. Would you mind? I'd rather be alone.

[Vincent Price]

No, no. It's not good for you to be alone. I'll just stay here and keep you company.

[Rita Parker]

Nosy.

[Vincent Price]

Did you say something?

[Rita Parker]

No, I.

[Vincent Price]

Here's a book of Oscar Wilde's. Why don't I read to you while you work? Let me see. Did your husband own all these shoes?

[Rita Parker]

He did.

[Vincent Price]

Wealthy man, apparently. How nice for you. Now, how about some poetry? Let's. Let's try this one. The Poor Dead Woman whom He Loved and Murdered in her bed. Shall I Go on, Mrs. Wetherby?

[Rita Parker]

But I couldn't let Sheldon unnerve me. I had to keep cool. I went on packing and he went on reading on and on, endlessly about blood and prisons and hangings while I tried not to miss anything of Phil's. I had to have those pills an hour later in my room. I knew I didn't have them, but Rocky Rhodes didn't have them yet either. Otherwise he would have said something. But the pills didn't have to be in Phil's room. Which one was Rhodes, Miller or Sheldon? I would have to find out by elimination. After dinner that night, I went into the main parlor and Charlie Miller grabbed me and danced me over to the fire.

[Vincent Price]

Ah, here you are, Mrs. W. Now, you just sit right here and have a high ball, see, and we'll have a nice little cozy chat with little old Charlie.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, you're so formal, Charlie. Call me Margo.

[Vincent Price]

Margo? I'll bet your mother called you Maggie. You thought up Margo to use on the stage.

[Rita Parker]

On the stage? How did you know I was an actress? This was the clue I'd been looking for.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, a guy with my experience can always tell.

[Rita Parker]

You can?

[Vincent Price]

Sure. And I know how you actresses operate. You all take different monikers. I'll bet you were great, baby.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, I wasn't very good. There was only one way that Miller could have known about my being on the stage. From film.

[Vincent Price]

You weren't very good. I know different, baby. So what if you only played tank towns? I sure wish I'd seen you.

[Rita Parker]

You didn't miss much. Really? Tank towns? That was Phil's story, all right. Miller was Rocky Rhodes, and he was just drunk enough to handle.

[Vincent Price]

Hey, look, how about you and me going up to my room where we can be alone?

[Rita Parker]

That wouldn't look right. Charlie. We could go out and sit in my car. It's in the garage. Got a heater and a radio. The hotel radio is broken. We can say. That's why we're going to listen to the music.

[Vincent Price]

Wonderful. You're a wonderful little woman, Maggie. Full of ideas. Not a bad little wagon, baby. But this front seat is so full of steering wheel. Let's get in the back.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, it doesn't heat as well in the back.

[Vincent Price]

How about a drink?

[Rita Parker]

You first.

[Vincent Price]

Okay. Right out of the bottle. Oh, boy. This is what I call living music. Plenty of bourbon. What a beautiful blonde. Never saw such a beautiful blonde. Gonna give Charlie a kiss? Oh, wow. Sweeted molasses. Get warm enough now, baby? Plenty warm. Could turn off that heater.

[Rita Parker]

I'm still a little cold. Charlie.

[Dick Powell]

Huh?

[Rita Parker]

Just stay close to me. In a minute we'll turn it off then. Slowly he sagged against me and his head fell on my shoulder. And when I pushed him away, he fell forward against the steering wheel. I hope nobody heard that. I gotta get out of here before it gets me too. I kept on my feet going around the car. I was dizzy and getting numb. Then a few feet from the garage door, I keeled over. For a minute or more, I could move. Then I crawled toward the door. It took forever to get there. I opened the door, somehow pushed it shut and half fell out and lay in the snow, breathing the clean air, thanking my lucky stars I've been smart enough not to drink. That's why it got Charlie sooner, because he was drunk. I looked at my watch and decided to wait 15 minutes. What a wonderful thing that carbon monoxide is. No smell, no nothing. It just creeps up on you. In 15 minutes, Charlie Miller, alias Rocky Rhodes, would be good and dead. He was dead, all right. When they found us, they carried me into the house and gave me a drink and put me to bed. I went right to sleep, knowing Rocky Rhodes was dead. When I woke up, I remembered the car key. I had said Charlie started the car, but somebody might think to check the key for fingerprints and find mine. I put on a fur coat over my nightgown and ran all the way to the garage. I got in the car, reached for the keys, and they weren't there. Why? Why would anybody take my keys? And who would take them? Rocky Rhodes? No, he was dead. But was he? Had I killed the wrong man? I don't know how I ever got through breakfast.

[Vincent Price]

That's too bad about Charlie. Margot, stop worrying about it. It wasn't your fault. Look tired. You want to take a walk? Get Some fresh air.

[Rita Parker]

I. I don't feel up to it.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I was planning to go up to that lookout cabin on the peak.

[Vincent Price]

No, no, no. I'm too lazy for that. I mean a short walk.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Is it a long climb, Mrs. Weatherby?

[Rita Parker]

Long and steep. Believe me, I only made it up there once. But my husband used to go there often.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I guess a good climb will do me good. Think I'll try it alone. Bye. I'll be back before.

[Vincent Price]

Bye. Be careful, Susan.

[Rita Parker]

I didn't even hear her leave. I was thinking about Phil's walk to the lookout cabin. There was where he'd hidden the pills. I knew it. I knew it in my bones. Why hadn't I thought of it before? Oh, I'd have to hurry. I couldn't let anyone find those pills except me. I managed to get away from the men and slipped out by the back door without being seen. A ladder goes up from the trail to the lookout door. The door of the cabin stood open. I climbed the ladder quietly and stepped in and saw Susan on the other side of the room, near the door to the balcony. She was holding an envelope attached to a card. And she was reading the card. And suddenly, definitely I knew. Miss Rocky Rhodes, I presume.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh. Oh, you scared me, Mrs.

[Rita Parker]

I see you found what you're looking for. The pills my husband hid. You want to know if they're really poisonous.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I read this card. Is it some kind of a joke?

[Rita Parker]

Oh, no, it's no joke. One of them would kill a man. But that's not what killed Phil. I smothered him with a pillow. You didn't know that, did you?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, you shouldn't be telling me this.

[Rita Parker]

Phil told me you were coming, but I was expecting a man. I never dreamed Rocky Rhodes was a woman.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You've mistaken me for someone else. Really?

[Rita Parker]

Oh, come off it. You're already responsible for Charlie Miller's death, coming here under an assumed name. I killed him because I thought he was Rocky Rhodes.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You killed him? Oh, no, you didn't. Oh, you're ill, Mrs. Wetherby. You're imagining.

[Rita Parker]

Stay where you are. You think you'll get out of here alive? I wouldn't go out that door if I were you. You'd step right off into blank space.

[Loreen Tuttle]

But you can't do these things. They'll catch you.

[Rita Parker]

Who? How? Those pills are the only evidence against me. And I'll destroy them as soon as you're gone.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Will you stop?

[Rita Parker]

Stay where you are, you fool. What good does that do you, throwing them out? Watch where they fall. There. Right on the path. They'll stay there until I go down. But you've played your last card. I'm not going to waste any more time.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Let go, Mrs. Weatherby. Let go.

[Rita Parker]

You're going over the edge, Susie. You're going to be another tragic accident.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Let go of that table, you fool.

[Rita Parker]

Inch by inch, we're getting there. Now, out on the porch, I'll pull.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You over with me. Will you?

[Rita Parker]

Will you really?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Someone's coming. Someone's climbing the trail. It's Mike.

[Vincent Price]

You're crazy, Mike.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Let's start railing.

[Rita Parker]

I remember falling. Falling. Then. Then a sharp pain. Then I don't remember anymore. Until I woke up here in the snow and found you bending over me. Who are you? Where did you come from?

[Vincent Price]

I just came up from the village, Mrs. Wetherby. We know the whole story.

[Rita Parker]

The whole story.

[Vincent Price]

Now, just take it easy, Mrs. Wetherby.

[Rita Parker]

I know you must be a doctor. The doctor. They'll never hang me.

[Dick Powell]

No, Mrs. Wetherby, they'll never hang you.

[Stephen Dunn]

You're dying now.

[Rita Parker]

No. No, I can't die. After all I've had to do to live. Where did Mike go?

[Vincent Price]

I'm right here, Mrs. Wetherby.

[Rita Parker]

Like a vulture waiting for me to die. You're Rocky Rhodes, aren't you, Mike?

[Vincent Price]

No, Mrs. Wetherby.

[Rita Parker]

You're lying. It has to be you. I killed Charlie. And he wasn't Rocky Rhodes, and Susan wasn't. You have to be. I. I have to know. I have to kill Rocky or I've done it all for nothing. Rocky Rhodes mustn't find those poison pills.

[Vincent Price]

Your husband didn't die from Poison, Mrs. Wetherby, so you would have been safe.

[Dick Powell]

Even if the pills were found.

[Rita Parker]

But. But Rocky Rhodes.

[Vincent Price]

None of those people was Rocky Rhodes. Your own guilt made you suspicious of everything they did.

[Rita Parker]

But there must be a Rocky Rose. Phil said there was. There has to be a Rocky Ro.

[Vincent Price]

Is she dead, Doctor?

[Dick Powell]

I'm afraid she is.

[Vincent Price]

There I was being sorry for her and her husband being dead. Just think, she killed her husband and one of us. And none of us would ever have known it if she hadn't told Susan all about it in the cabin. It was good of you to get here so fast, Doctor. Well, I'd have gotten here sooner if it hadn't been for the blizzard. Maybe none of this would have happened. By the way, I'm not a doctor, Mr. Sheldon. My name is Rhodes. Rocky Rhodes.

[Dick Powell]

Thank you, Jane Wyman, for a splendid performance. Ms. Wyman, would you do me a favor?

[Rita Parker]

I'd be glad to.

[Dick Powell]

Mr. Wilcox, would you autograph my script?

[Rita Parker]

Why, certainly. What shall I write?

[Dick Powell]

Well, why not just write to ALRSP Wilcox from Jane Wyman.

[Rita Parker]

A L, R, S P. What does that stand for?

[Dick Powell]

Auto Light Resistor Spark plugs.

[Rita Parker]

Oh, of course. I should have known. A plug for plugs.

[Dick Powell]

Why, sure.

[Rita Parker]

Well, ALRSP it is. There. How's that?

[Dick Powell]

Thank you. And did you know, Ms. Wyman, that besides Auto Light resistor spark plugs, AutoLight makes over 400 other products for cars, trucks, airplanes and boats. In 28 auto light plants from coast to coast. Auto Light makes complete electrical systems for many makes of America's finest cars. Batteries, generators, starting motors, coils, distributors. All ignition engineered to meet the highest standards of leading automotive engineers. So, folks, tomorrow treat your car to an expert motor tune up. Visit your local auto light service station listed in your classified telephone directory or the dealer who sells your make of car. And be sure to specify original factory parts. You're right with Autolite. And now in introducing again our star, Ms. Jane Wyman, I wish also to extend to her, on behalf of our.

[Vincent Price]

Sponsor and all of us here on suspense, our sincere congratulations on her nomination.

[Dick Powell]

For the Academy Award for her splendid performance in the current Warner Brothers picture Johnny Belinda. And to wish her the best of luck in balloting.

[Rita Parker]

Thank you very much. And may I congratulate Suspense for being one of the top radio programs on the air. Truly radio's outstanding theater of thrills.

[Dick Powell]

Thank you, miss1.

[Rita Parker]

And I'll be listening next week when James Mason and his lovely wife Pamela Calino appear in the Agatha Christie story Where There's a Will another gripping study in suspense.

[Dick Powell]

Tonight's suspense play was adapted by Sylvia Richards from the current best selling mystery by Pat McGear. Music was composed by Lucian Morowek and conducted by Lud Gluskin. The entire production was under the direction of Anton M. Leider.

[Vincent Price]

Auto light resistor spark plugs have been adopted as original factory equipment by six.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Leading makes of cars and trucks.

[Dick Powell]

So switch to Auto light.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Good night.

[Dick Powell]

This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting the Adventures of the Saints. Starring Vincent Price.

[Vincent Price]

The Saint. Based on characters created by Leslie Trotters and known to millions from books, magazines and motion pictures.

[Dick Powell]

The Robin Hood of modern crime now.

[Vincent Price]

Comes transcribed to radio starring Hollywood's brilliant.

[Dick Powell]

And talented actor Vincent Price as.

[Vincent Price]

The Saint.

[Stephen Dunn]

Snow sports who likes ski trains. I'd rather have an old fashioned mountains. I should have stood.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Hello.

[Stephen Dunn]

On the other hand, perhaps not. Hello.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Seat next to you isn't taken.

[Stephen Dunn]

I admire intelligent women. Sit down.

[Loreen Tuttle]

All Right. But I'm not intelligent.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, you're being modest.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I am not.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, I'm sorry. You are beautiful, though.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I bet you say that to all the beautiful girls you meet. Do you like to ski?

[Vincent Price]

No.

[Loreen Tuttle]

And why are you on the ski train?

[Stephen Dunn]

Because of the telegram you sent me.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Then you are Simon Templar? I kind of thought you looked like one.

[Stephen Dunn]

Thank you. Your telegram sounded desperate. What do you want me to do?

[Loreen Tuttle]

A very small favor.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yes?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'd like you to be my husband.

[Stephen Dunn]

What?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Are you married?

[Stephen Dunn]

No, but I.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, then nobody will mind if you're my husband.

[Stephen Dunn]

And nobody will my.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Look, Peggy, I said only for a while. None of my husbands was ever able to say I outstayed my welcome.

[Stephen Dunn]

None of your. Peggy, how many husbands have you had?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I have a terrible memory. I do remember a Smith and a Jones, though. Of course, they're easy names.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah. Look, may I ask you why you want me to be your husband?

[Loreen Tuttle]

So nobody will murder me. You see, it's child Charlie thinks I'm married to the saint. He'll think twice before beating my brains out. Which will be the neatest trick of the year, he said. On account of I don't have any brains. I'm quoting Charles.

[Stephen Dunn]

Who is Charlie?

[Loreen Tuttle]

He's in the car up ahead with the blonde.

[Dick Powell]

Oh.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, he's a friend of yours?

[Vincent Price]

Oh, no.

[Loreen Tuttle]

He used to be my last husband. I mean, he was my husband last.

[Stephen Dunn]

I think I understand. And why should he want to kill you? Alimony that you get from him. It doesn't seem much of a moment motive.

[Loreen Tuttle]

It's a lot of alimony. Also, he doesn't like my following him around.

[Stephen Dunn]

You follow him around?

[Vincent Price]

Why?

[Loreen Tuttle]

To make sure Vicki doesn't kill him.

[Stephen Dunn]

Vicki?

[Loreen Tuttle]

That's a blonde. She married Charlie after me.

[Stephen Dunn]

And she wants to kill him.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, who wouldn't? Besides, she doesn't even like him. But she's crazy about money. And if she kills him, she'll get all the money and I won't get any alimony. So I know a girl who supposed to be forward and ask the man to be her husband. Anyway, not the first time they meet. After all, this is a matter of life and death. So. So, Simon, will you be mine?

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah. Here's Snow Valley. Out we go.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, Simon, look. All the taxicabs are slaves.

[Stephen Dunn]

So they are.

[Vincent Price]

Climb right in, folks.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, thank you. Come on.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Thank you.

[Vincent Price]

Where to?

[Stephen Dunn]

We're going to the Snow Top Hotel. Snow Top Hotel? It's a nice lobby. I better go register. And register. Look, Peggy, let's pretend we're not married. I mean, let's not pretend. We're married to the hotel clerk.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'd never marry a hotel clerk.

[Stephen Dunn]

Peggy, I didn't mean. Never mind.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Charlie and Vicki must have gone upstairs already. You think they were on a honeymoon?

[Stephen Dunn]

Don't finish that sentence. I'm going to register. I'll get separate rooms for it.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, but Simon, is that friendly?

[Stephen Dunn]

It's practical. Excuse me. Vicki.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, my gorgeous. Okay, at last you're coming to.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What are you doing here?

[Dick Powell]

Oh, sculpting.

[Vincent Price]

Like anything, even snowman. I'm sculpting, but for right now I'm making a bust.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Wiki what? Anybody can see a. Vicky. You'll be busy all winter, Sir.

[Stephen Dunn]

I'm having now the studio in the woods.

[Vincent Price]

You wishing I make you a bust.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Also I'm going to be too busy to be sculptured. Who is it? Skull.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, Peggy, don't saying that. All my life I'm dying for you. You look fine par while laughing, that's all.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, well, I'll think about it.

[Stephen Dunn]

What's to think, Peggy?

[Vincent Price]

Is necessary to leave.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Look, Sergey, I'm married again. No, his name is Simon.

[Dick Powell]

I don't minding the husbands.

[Loreen Tuttle]

The husbands might be minding you.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, my beautiful.

[Vincent Price]

What I'm doing with mine chisel is not the business of any.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Charlie doesn't mind your sculpturing. Sc. Sc. Making a past of vacation.

[Dick Powell]

No, she's not so beautiful like you.

[Vincent Price]

Also. I'm not admiring this.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Charlie, Vicky's calling you.

[Vincent Price]

I go, but mine heart stays with you.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You better not leave it here. Somebody might step on it.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, Peggy. Who on earth was that?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, that was Sergey Popov son.

[Stephen Dunn]

I don't believe it.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, it happens in Bulgaria all the time. That's where he comes from. He's got a studio out in the woods and he's making a bus. He tries to do that with all of Charlie's wives.

[Stephen Dunn]

I never heard of him before.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, you must have. He's a very famous chiseler.

[Stephen Dunn]

Peggy, I've got us a couple of rooms. Yours is 218. We can pretend we're married for your husband's former benefit. The clerk will show you up to your room in a minute.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What are you going to do?

[Stephen Dunn]

I'm going to find the bar and drink myself to.

[Vincent Price]

216. 217.

[Dick Powell]

Ah, here we are.

[Vincent Price]

218.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Thanks, Mr. Clerk. Which room do the Thompsons have?

[Vincent Price]

Room right next to yours, ma'am, if you need anything.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Thank you.

[Stephen Dunn]

You're very welcome.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Coming. Simon. Simon, where are you hiding behind the door?

[Vincent Price]

Peggy. Peggy.

[Stephen Dunn]

Peggy. What are you doing on the floor?

[Loreen Tuttle]

There was an earthquake and the hotel fell down and hit me on the head and I'm dead.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, come on now. Let me help you up. I'll put you on the couch. There.

[Loreen Tuttle]

And now you can go right back and get my head. You left it on the floor.

[Stephen Dunn]

Your head's where it belongs. Seems to be a little too much of it, though.

[Loreen Tuttle]

That's where the hotel should be.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, but this isn't the earthquake. What happened?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Somebody knocked at the door just after I got here.

[Stephen Dunn]

That would be about an hour ago. Go on.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I stuck my head out and boom.

[Vincent Price]

Who boomed you?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I didn't see him. Do you want to boom him back?

[Stephen Dunn]

I might enjoy it. But Becky, do you have anything worth stealing?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, you can believe me. Who steals my purse steals trash.

[Stephen Dunn]

Besides, your purse wasn't stolen. It's right here on the table. Strange.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm hungry. Simon. I think getting hit on the head's good for my appetite.

[Stephen Dunn]

It may not be good for your head. Especially if the next time you get hit a little harder. How does your head feel now?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Like it's beginning to belong to me.

[Stephen Dunn]

Eat some more steak, Simon.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Are you trying to fatten me?

[Stephen Dunn]

Of course not.

[Loreen Tuttle]

With a top off. I mean. He's a sculptor, you know. Yes, but he's crazy about my figure.

[Vincent Price]

So am I.

[Loreen Tuttle]

And he isn't even married to me.

[Stephen Dunn]

Look, neither am I.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You don't have to shout. Even though I did throw myself at your head. It doesn't mean I have to have a figure like a flower sack.

[Stephen Dunn]

I didn't say good evening.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Good evening, Simon. Mrs. Sergey.

[Stephen Dunn]

Papa.

[Vincent Price]

No, no. I stay here.

[Stephen Dunn]

That's a joke and that's debatable. But. Oh, my beautiful.

[Vincent Price]

This one sounds like her husband.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, yes, he's my husband. His name is Simon. He.

[Stephen Dunn]

He's her husband.

[Vincent Price]

No, don't. Apologizing also is not necessary.

[Stephen Dunn]

Standing up. I'm being courteous. And I'm not inviting you to sit down.

[Vincent Price]

This is a way to treat great sculpture like myself. I, who are the Michelangelo of right now.

[Stephen Dunn]

There's one thing you unquestionably have in common with Michelangelo, Mon. Your fingernails. They're dirty.

[Vincent Price]

I mean, salt also.

[Stephen Dunn]

I see Vicky is coming in. Ricky. Oh, Vicky. Yes, there she is. Where's her husband? He doesn't come in week. Oh, why not?

[Dick Powell]

Who cares?

[Stephen Dunn]

Maybe.

[Vincent Price]

Perhaps he's suffering from dyslexic.

[Stephen Dunn]

I should dearly love to see a man suffering from dyslexic. Something eat, no doubt you know. Oh, Wikish is coming here. Yes, I've been noticing.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, my love, we've been waiting long. And who is this lovely man?

[Dick Powell]

These lovely people you're with? Well, she is Peggy. And he's her husband.

[Stephen Dunn]

How do you do? My name is Templeton.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm Vicky Thompson. You've lost something, haven't you darling?

[Rita Parker]

Oh.

[Loreen Tuttle]

How about your husband? What are you? I've seen you someplace before.

[Rita Parker]

Uh huh.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Where? In Charlie's photograph album. Oh, you know, I am darling, Charlie's former wife. And I know all about the long winter evenings when Charlie shows his photograph album to his wife. Sergey, I don't think we better bother these nice people any longer.

[Vincent Price]

Let's go have our dinner. But we.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Have you seen Charlie?

[Stephen Dunn]

No.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I see. Well, come along. Sergey.

[Vincent Price]

Confidential. I do not understand being weak people.

[Stephen Dunn]

Why not?

[Vincent Price]

She's worrying about her husband.

[Stephen Dunn]

Been ridiculous.

[Vincent Price]

I'm seeing you sooner. Huh?

[Stephen Dunn]

Not if I'm seeing you sooner.

[Vincent Price]

A diamond.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Did you notice Vicki?

[Stephen Dunn]

Yes, I did.

[Loreen Tuttle]

She does that to people. What I meant was she turned pale as soon as I mentioned Charlie to her.

[Stephen Dunn]

So she did. Which reminds me, where is Charlie?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, it's so pretty out here.

[Stephen Dunn]

A very high type snow.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Of course, none of my former husbands ever took me for a walk on our honeymoon. But I don't mind.

[Stephen Dunn]

Good. It's funny Charlie didn't show up all through dinner.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Would you mind not discussing other people? Let's discuss us.

[Stephen Dunn]

Well. Hey.

[Vincent Price]

Huh?

[Stephen Dunn]

What happened to that snowman?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Snowman? Oh, he must have melted.

[Stephen Dunn]

He was right there on the side of the road. He didn't melt, Peggy. Because it gets colder, not warmer in the nighttime.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I wouldn't say that.

[Stephen Dunn]

Peggy, be still. Look, the snow is completely flat where the snowman was. And sleigh marks right next to the spot.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm cold, Simon. I wonder why are you more interested in that snowman than you are in me?

[Stephen Dunn]

Thought he had a kind face. Come on, Peggy, let's go back to the hotel and get warm.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm going right to my room.

[Stephen Dunn]

I'll take yours. Oh, Simon, I want to make sure nobody hits you on the head again. Oh, but before I do, you know, I'm a little worried. About Charlie, perhaps. Oh, clerk.

[Vincent Price]

Yes, sir?

[Stephen Dunn]

Have you seen Mr. Thompson around?

[Vincent Price]

Mr. Thompson? Oh yes.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh no. Oh yes. Oh no what?

[Vincent Price]

I was merely remarking that I know who Mr. Thompson is and I have not seen him around. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Thompson was asking about him too.

[Stephen Dunn]

I see. Thank you.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What is?

[Stephen Dunn]

Things seem to be disappearing around here. This snowman. Charlie Thompson. Peggy, we're not going downstairs. We're going out again. To look for Charlie? No, the snowman.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, any resemblance between me and an Eskimo is no coincidence. It's a lie. I'm freezing. We've been all over town looking for that bar. Insane.

[Stephen Dunn]

There's only a little more ground to cover. We've worked our way around to the back of the hotel.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I know, but, Simon, finding a snowman in the middle of all this snow, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

[Stephen Dunn]

The difficulty of that has always been overrated. There's an easy way of finding a needle in a haystack.

[Loreen Tuttle]

How?

[Stephen Dunn]

He just sit down on the haystack.

[Loreen Tuttle]

That's the end. What I just said, Simon, it was a joke.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah. Let's keep the condom station on a higher level.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon.

[Stephen Dunn]

What?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Straight ahead. Near those trees. There he is.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah. Doesn't seem to have been damaged much. He's frozen solid. We're about 100 yards from the hotel. And we should have a wood pile here, which is just what we need. Some nice dry wood.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I need a nice hot bath. What good is wood?

[Stephen Dunn]

It burns. I'm going to build a fire.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, I appreciate your worrying about me, Simon, but it'll be even warmer in the hotel.

[Stephen Dunn]

I'm not building the fire for warmth. I'm building it because I want to give that snowman a hot foot.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, that's a very pretty fire, but why do you keep staring at that snowman?

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh. Oh, I'm waiting for it to melt.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Now, that isn't a nice thing to do to Sergey's work. We've begun to melt already. Oh, fine.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah, yeah. Now we know why the snowman was moved, don't we?

[Vincent Price]

That's Charlie.

[Loreen Tuttle]

He was in the snow. Oh, Simon. Is he dead?

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah, he's very dead. Somebody beat his head in. Well, the sheriff will be over in a little while, Peggy, as soon as he gets his galoshes on.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I hate to think of trouble, Charlie lying out there in the snow. It was never an outdoor man.

[Stephen Dunn]

Peggy, maybe you better run upstairs to your room.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon tells me.

[Stephen Dunn]

It's just that I wanted to get over to Sergey's studio before the sheriff gets there.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You think Sergey killed Charlie and put him in the snowman?

[Stephen Dunn]

It's possible. Charlie's death makes Vicki a very rich widow. Sergey might approve of that. I'd like to ask.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'll go with no. Peggy, the wife's place is at her husband's side.

[Stephen Dunn]

And it looks still weird now.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Another word and I'll marry you right out here in the lobby.

[Stephen Dunn]

Never mind. Let's go get ourselves a sleigh.

[Vincent Price]

This here is the studio, folks.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, Peggy, why don't you stay out here in this lake?

[Loreen Tuttle]

You don't think all their sculptures have themes inside them?

[Stephen Dunn]

No, but he might be dangerous.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm coming with you.

[Vincent Price]

You don't mind if I come, too?

[Dick Powell]

A little dark out here.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, no, we'd love having. Come on.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Okay. Oh, the studio looks like a hunting yacht.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah, the Prince of Graustark should be inside. But he won't be. Look, the windows.

[Dick Powell]

3, 4.

[Stephen Dunn]

Color us know.

[Vincent Price]

He ain't answering too quick.

[Stephen Dunn]

The door's open. Come on.

[Loreen Tuttle]

It's so dark.

[Stephen Dunn]

Wait a minute. I'll find the lights.

[Vincent Price]

What.

[Stephen Dunn]

Came from that window?

[Vincent Price]

Say, what's going on here?

[Stephen Dunn]

All right.

[Vincent Price]

Hey, that's my slave.

[Stephen Dunn]

That was your sleigh.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Somebody please shut the door. It's so cold.

[Stephen Dunn]

All right, now.

[Vincent Price]

What are we gonna do now?

[Stephen Dunn]

We'll phone town, look at the phone.

[Vincent Price]

Anyone see one? No. They don't have lines strung out in these woods.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, that's fine.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, look what I found.

[Stephen Dunn]

Huh? Oh, it's a wallet. Not much help. No identification in it.

[Loreen Tuttle]

But Simon is the kind Charlie always carried with lots and lots money in it.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah, perhaps, but it's empty now. It could just as well be Sergey.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Sergey carries a purse.

[Stephen Dunn]

Simon, now you mention that Charlie's wallet was missing when we found it.

[Vincent Price]

Ain't missing anymore.

[Stephen Dunn]

I wonder if any spare socks are going to turn out.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Spare socks?

[Stephen Dunn]

Charlie Thompson was wearing one red sock and one green one. Somebody may have walked off with the mate to one of them. Well, come on, everybody, let's start walking.

[Vincent Price]

Going to take us about a week to walk back the hotel. Snow's kind of deep out there, and.

[Stephen Dunn]

Sergey may not be back for hours or months.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, there are a couple of pairs of skis in the corner near the door.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah, they're very decorative.

[Loreen Tuttle]

People go from place to place on skis.

[Stephen Dunn]

Sure, sure, People who can ski.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I once read a book, Simon. They said skiing is really very simple.

[Stephen Dunn]

It is.

[Vincent Price]

Don't look at me. I ain't getting on them wooden death truck trap.

[Stephen Dunn]

All right, you stay here. We'll send for you. You mind?

[Vincent Price]

Don't mind at all.

[Stephen Dunn]

Hey, Peggy, now look, I'll help you get those keys strapped on.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I hope it's down here all the way. Simon, you're such a Liar. You're such. This is wonderful. Just like slime.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah, so long as you stay on your feet.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, I'm hungry.

[Stephen Dunn]

Hungry. Well, when we get back to town.

[Loreen Tuttle]

And you know what I'd like?

[Stephen Dunn]

What?

[Loreen Tuttle]

A salami sandwich.

[Stephen Dunn]

Peggy, people get shot for jokes. Like, I'll take a second.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You're half.

[Stephen Dunn]

Shots came from the puddle of trees down the slope. Hey, Peggy, do you know what bad little boys do?

[Loreen Tuttle]

This the time.

[Stephen Dunn]

But if we can get under the smoke here, get to some rocks. Of course.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Make snowball with rocks.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah. He can't get us unless he gets a lot closer.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, dear. I can't see who it is.

[Vincent Price]

He's moving in.

[Stephen Dunn]

He'll have to come out into the open. Okay, I've got one ready. All right. Now he's moving out towards us. Here goes.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, you hit him.

[Stephen Dunn]

Now for the next.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You hit him again. Oh, Simon. Now I know how they felt it. Bunker Hill. Gosh, I'm so glad to get back to the hotel.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, Mr. Templer.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, yeah, the sheriff's.

[Vincent Price]

He wanted to see you as soon as you came in. He's in the manager's office to your left.

[Stephen Dunn]

Thank you. Would you send someone out to Mr. Popoff's studio? We've left a sleigh driver standard there.

[Vincent Price]

I'll take care of it, sir.

[Stephen Dunn]

Thanks.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, do you know who killed Charlie and Chanda?

[Stephen Dunn]

Well, I'm not sure, but I think it isn't going to take much longer to find out. Hello, Sheriff. I'm Simon templer. I know. Mr. Templer, the saint.

[Dick Powell]

This is a great pleasure.

[Stephen Dunn]

Thank you. And this is Peggy Smith, Jones and so forth.

[Dick Powell]

Glad to meet you. My name's Hudson. Got statements from Mrs. Thompson, the sculptor fellow. Mr. Templar, I thought you might have something to add.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yes, I have. It might be better if you got them in here, though. And we cleaned up the whole thing at once.

[Dick Powell]

Oh, they're right in the next room. Hold on.

[Stephen Dunn]

Would you mind stepping in here, folks?

[Vincent Price]

Oh, I am disgusting. Is this the way to spend?

[Loreen Tuttle]

The lawyer, maybe. Several lawyers, yes.

[Stephen Dunn]

When your husband arrived at the hotel, what was the first thing he did?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, he said he was going to take a shower. I left him upstairs.

[Stephen Dunn]

I see. Excuse me a minute. Desk. Oh, clerk, will you get me a sprig of holly with berries on it? I noticed a florist shop in the lobby. No, I know it isn't Christmas yet. No, it's not for a gag. It's for a noose.

[Vincent Price]

Confidential, everybody.

[Stephen Dunn]

This Simon is crazy for mistletoes.

[Vincent Price]

Is that Sandwich?

[Stephen Dunn]

I kissed a girl under a mistletoe once and no different. Oh, come in.

[Vincent Price]

Here you are, Mr. Templar.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, thank you. Would you please hand me that vase on the table, sir? Thank you again. Very nice. Sprig of the berries are green Now. Why?

[Vincent Price]

Well, hello.

[Stephen Dunn]

Just a minute, Peggy. Look, clerk, when a man wants a sprig of holly with berries, he wants red berries. Now you go right out and get me what I want.

[Vincent Price]

I'm sorry about the berries being green. I. I guess they aren't ripe yet. I'll go right now. Oh, no.

[Stephen Dunn]

Excuse my boss.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, Diamond. You broke the ball.

[Vincent Price]

He was also breaking the head.

[Dick Powell]

The Clerkey, Mr. Templar. Why did you.

[Stephen Dunn]

I just wanted to make sure he wouldn't try playing games with his gun.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Sheriff gone?

[Stephen Dunn]

Yes, Peggy. The one he tried to kill us with.

[Loreen Tuttle]

But if he was the one, who. Then he must have been the one who.

[Stephen Dunn]

Who killed Thompson.

[Dick Powell]

He is.

[Loreen Tuttle]

But why now? What reason would he have to kill Charlie?

[Stephen Dunn]

I think he'll tell us. He seems to be with us again. Good evening. I hope you slept well.

[Vincent Price]

Now listen, you.

[Dick Powell]

You listen. Sit down.

[Stephen Dunn]

Thank you, Sheriff. Charlie Thompson was killed in his shower. Then he was dressed, dragged out of the hotel and planted inside the snowman. That's why you moved the snowman, wasn't it? So that you wouldn't have to carry the bodies of greater distance.

[Vincent Price]

I never took touched Jolly Thompson.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yet I know you did. How, Templar? Thompson's corpse was wearing one red sock and one green. It meant whoever had dressed him was colorblind. Yes. Yes. And the business with the holly proved that the berries were really red. But when I told our friend here that they were green, he had to take my word for it. He couldn't tell the difference.

[Vincent Price]

Why?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Why you. You evil man. Simon. He must have been the one who hit me over the head in my womb.

[Stephen Dunn]

That's why I knew Mrs. Thompson hadn't killed her husband.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What do you mean?

[Stephen Dunn]

You wouldn't have had to hit Peggy over the head in order to get into your husband's room. And I couldn't suspect Mr. Popo.

[Vincent Price]

Why not? Some of my best friends are suspecting me.

[Stephen Dunn]

Because you would never have left Thompson's empty wallet in your own studio. It was the clerk Peggy and I surprised planting it there. After, of course, he had taken all the money out of it. That's why Thompson was killed, Mr. Popple. He always carried lots and lots of money in his wallet. Peggy supplied that information. You mean this clerk? He tried to frame me. So I am looking like a Murderer. That he did.

[Vincent Price]

How do you like that? A man who tried to chisel on a chiseler.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, we're alone.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, yes, so we are.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Simon, did you know that some people pronounce skis? Skis.

[Stephen Dunn]

There must be a moral in that someplace.

[Loreen Tuttle]

An immoral. Simon, we're not really married. But you could kiss me anyway. Nice, Simon.

[Stephen Dunn]

Very nice.

[Dick Powell]

You've been listening to another transcribed Adventure.

[Vincent Price]

Of the Saint, the Robin Hood of modern crime.

[Stephen Dunn]

Now here's our star. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Vincent Price inviting you to join us again next week at the same time for another exciting adventure of the Saint. Good night.

[Dick Powell]

Tonight's script was written by Louis Vitis.

[Vincent Price]

This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company. The National Broadcasting Company presents the Adventures of Sam Spade. Detective Sam say Detective agency me, sweetheart.

[Loreen Tuttle]

How was your vacation, Sam?

[Vincent Price]

Who said it was a vacation?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, I thought you said you were going skiing for a weekend with me.

[Vincent Price]

F. It's always work. Do you know you can get killed on skis?

[Loreen Tuttle]

If you say so, Sam.

[Vincent Price]

Yes.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Most people just break their leg.

[Vincent Price]

Most people pick some easy little slope, the cowards. But I know a ski run up near a town called Lucerne. That's sudden death.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I know a ski run called the Back Breaker.

[Vincent Price]

Really? How?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Big, dull and when they named Suicide Drop.

[Vincent Price]

Effie, stop trying to top me. You just can't. This was the deadliest ski country ever seen. You just sit there while I do a Christiania swing down Market Street. A Galender sprung up the stairs and a tail mark right through the door. With a tail I took out of the deep freeze Only last night, the Chateau McLeod caper for NBC. William William Spear, radio's outstanding producer Director of mystery and crime drama, brings you the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade. I just wanted to prove I could do it. I did a herringbone up the stairs and those clothes.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I just bet you've read it all those things, Sam, you were never in the snow country at all.

[Vincent Price]

So you don't believe me, huh? Well, here, doubting Effie, I brought you proof. And don't tell me I rented this.

[Loreen Tuttle]

A snowball?

[Vincent Price]

Yes, Sam.

[Loreen Tuttle]

A real snowball?

[Vincent Price]

Yes. I brought back two of them in a thermos box.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Threw the other one.

[Vincent Price]

I threw it at a policeman. It was a freezing, you know, soaked with water and ice.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, Sam, you're wonderful. I can't believe it. You had trouble this weekend?

[Vincent Price]

Oh, no. You cut that snowball open and you'll find a blood stained bullet inside of it. And behind the bullet Lies a tail. Ready?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm always ready, Sam.

[Vincent Price]

Yes, they fill an M2. Sierra County Sheriff's Office, Lucerne, California. From Samuel Spade, San Francisco license number 137596. Subject, the Chateau McLoud caper. Dear Sheriff, you run a neat little car to your up there at Sierra. And I hate to be snide, but when my train steamed into the cold mountaineer of your lovely little village of Lucerne, I knew the chill of death was afoot. It had to be. The place was too beautiful to last. The background hills were right out of the Alps, the snow from Grandma Moses, and the rustic buildings that snuggled under the mantle of white were just too cute for words. It was abnormally perfect. Something had to give.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, you were the only young man who got off the train. Are you from a cloud?

[Vincent Price]

Well, I'm supposed to find a Chateau McLeod.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, what do you know? I got the right man on the first try. Rufus sent me down to pick you up.

[Vincent Price]

And you could pick me up almost anytime.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, that took a little chill off the day. Here we go.

[Vincent Price]

Mush. Mush. We glided out of the station, runners squeaking on snow, the soft pad of hooves, and the jangle of mar. We had a bearskin lap roll. It was a short bear, so we had to move close. Her cheeks were apple red and her silk brown hair flowed in a spanking breeze. Oh, it was a scene that will forever be etched in my memory.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Rufus tells me you're an advertising genius.

[Vincent Price]

Well, I have placed a few ads in my day. Mostly Help Wanted.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Ha ha. Don't get me. He says you're gonna put the McLeod tanneries right on top with a new campaign. You know, you're supposed to have a big name.

[Vincent Price]

Just state letters. Sam Spade.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, well, I'm Rita Parker. I'm supposed to be Rufy's girlfriend. Of course, I think it's only to make his wife mad, but it's fun up here.

[Vincent Price]

Yeah, but this is my first trip.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, then you're in for a treat. That is, if abnormal psychology appeals to you.

[Vincent Price]

What does that mean?

[Loreen Tuttle]

The McLeod Guest Register is always full of dynamite. For example, this weekend reads thusly, Rufus McLeod with half of the money in the world, trying to get the other half.

[Dick Powell]

Good.

[Loreen Tuttle]

His wife, who has an interlocutory decree.

[Vincent Price]

Mrs. Interlocutor?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Yeah, her boyfriend, Paul Endicott, gigolo type. Charlie Allison, co worker and friend to Rufus. He's a food technician or something. Dull down. And then there's Toier Fenborg, ski instructor, who comes down like a wolf. On the fold and people like that.

[Vincent Price]

Yes, well, I'll never remember all the names. I'm in the ad game, you know. It's initials to me. I call people well, RL TS NTG and R. You know.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, the names don't mean a thing. Just remember this every 30 seconds.

[Vincent Price]

Duck. I beg your pardon? The McLeod estate was eight miles out of town and it seemed we were there in no time at all. Rita Parker hustle the alpine buckboard mayor into a stable while I went up to the chateau to meet my employer, Rufus McLeod. It was more of a Swiss chalet. You know, where the second floor is larger than the first. And I guarantee that no one in Switzerland could have afforded this chalet. Even with the second floor the same size as the first. I walked in and found Rufus, big and red faced, standing in front of a fireplace that could easily have roasted a brace of oxen rump to rump. Of course. You're Sam Spade. I am, Mr. McClellan. And you came at an opportune time. There was no one around to overhear our conversation. I suppose you wonder why I hired a detective for a place like this. Well, not especially. I go where the people go. And the money? You'll be paid well for your time and trouble. I must be quick. In essence, this is my suggestion situation. Earlier this week I received an anonymous letter saying that if I invited the guest list I'd planned for this weekend, there might be serious trouble. Here's the letter. Keep it to yourself. It's a Los Angeles postmark. I see. Well, we might start by tracing down this typewriter through an LA detective agency. Every one of my charming guests is from Los Angeles. One of them wrote it, if you ask me. Very likely. I want to know who wrote it, if I can. But more than that, I wonder what serious trouble the writer is referring. The girl you sent to pick me up said you had a very volatile group of people assembled. Yeah. Perhaps they're high strung individuals, but they're civilized. I'm sure their conflict would never get beyond a cutting phrase or two. Or perhaps a punch thrown here or there. Well, then you really don't believe you'll have any trouble? Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I thought it would be advisable to have a man like yourself around. Yes, one who deals in trouble professionally. Perhaps if things do get out of line, you can help repair the damages or even prevent things from occasional. Well, I'll do my best, Mr. McLeod, but it's not easy to look for something when you don't know what you're looking for. Here they come back from the ski runs. I told them you were handling an advertising campaign for my can. They came stamping in, pulling off gloves, unzipping parkers, and if it hadn't been for the grown up dialogue, looking all the way like a group of carefree children. It was hard to believe that the chill of death was also in an even day. I couldn't keep my eyes off one of the particular members of the group. Mossberg ski boots, Chinese vermilion downhill pants and a candy striped parker, which she now pulled over her left lovely head. The sweater she wore underneath was, I'm sure, designed for someone much smaller. A dachshund, perhaps.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Is this the advertising man you've been telling me about, Ruth?

[Vincent Price]

Oh, Mr. Samuel Spade, my half wife, Cora. Half. Well, how. How are you doing?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Glad you came, Sam. We can always use another sport in the cloud. Everybody shut up. Introducing the incomparable, fabulous Mr. Samuel.

[Vincent Price]

Hey, Sam.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'll give me a pass, Sam. Me, Paul Endicott, Rita Parker, Charlie Allison. Charlie's the one who doesn't see.

[Vincent Price]

I'll take snowshoes any day. I can't get anywhere in snowshoes. You've heard perhaps of the tortoise and.

[Loreen Tuttle]

The Hare Rufus Ring for some drinks? Tom and Jerry, top toddies, coffee, garage, something.

[Vincent Price]

We're having hot buttered rum. That stuff's warming in the kitchen.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, get it up. Get it up right away, Carl. And as for the rest of you. Ready? A one, a two, a three.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, yeah, old man. Shout till the rafters ring Stand and drink a toast once again Let every loyal layman sing a bodie dodie do. They took up a song with Augusto lifting imaginary drinks into the air. And it was all very jolly. For a party that was supposed to be fought with danger, this one certainly started out in just the opposite direction. The drinks came and things got even merrier. Lunch was served, and afterwards I slipped into some outdoor gear and strapped on some ski. Everybody scattered different directions. Rufus, McLeod and I ski to a place three miles away called a halfway cabin. Between the chateau and the cabin was a small lake called Royal Lake, completely frozen over. Rufus stood in front of the cabin firing a 3030 at a target set up down in the woods to the east. What do you see through the glasses, Spade? Two bullseyes. And nothing outside of the aid ring. That's great offhand shooting at this range and standing on skis. Well, I can do much better than that. Watch this. See that Silver tip on that big Norwegian fur over there. Yeah, I'll cut it off. Hey, look out. Huh? Well, he came swooping out of nowhere. Spade.

[Dick Powell]

I swear he did.

[Vincent Price]

Well, I think he hit him. Who is it? That's Paul Lindott. Oh, no. He's up. Good. There's Cora with him. You told me nobody was supposed to be skiing in that area. They're not. Well, here he comes. And he looks plenty mad. What do I care about him? He just have to Cora for the money I give him, that's all.

[Dick Powell]

You might have kill me, you stupid fool.

[Vincent Price]

You weren't supposed to be skiing there. Undercut. And it was an accident. Yeah, well, that was no accident. All right, all right, all right. Knock off the that's you keeper. I'll throw one at you. Oh, that I'd love.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Now stop it. And the rest of you, quit acting like children.

[Vincent Price]

Your boyfriend threw a sucker punch at me, Cora. And even if he is my guest, there's a limit to hospitality. I don't call one punch and even trade for a 30. 30 bullet. You aren't hit, so don't start crying. Rufus.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I have a feeling you wouldn't mind if he were hit. You wouldn't mind at all, Paul. I've just decided I don't like you without a mustache.

[Vincent Price]

Well, from then on, everybody dropped the pretense and you knew where you stood. And it was chilly, too. Later in the day, we were all back at the chateau again and Paul Endicott wove his delicate variation on his main theme. I'll knock your block off. I tell you, Mr. Endicott, you have some delusions. I have no delusions. Tozier. I've seen the way you look at Cara. The way you two are always trying to lose me on the trails. Some people ski faster than others. Yeah, well, let me tell you something. The next time you try to wolf this girl, it's going to be your last. I'm nobody's wolf. I'm a ski instructor. That is what I was hired for. Well, stick to what you were hired for. And knock off the extracurricular activity. I don't have to take this kind of talk from you. Anything you'd like to do about it? As a matter of fact, there is. Fell. Get it, boy? Yes. You want me to stop them, Mrs. No.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, I want you to take me out of here.

[Vincent Price]

Oh, all right, all right.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, let's put on our skis and get out of here.

[Vincent Price]

Okay. Here, I'll help you.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, no, thank you. Is that you, gentlemen?

[Vincent Price]

Well, even so. Won't take a minute.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Ready?

[Vincent Price]

Yes.

[Dick Powell]

There we are.

[Vincent Price]

Now, where are we heading, Mrs. McLeod?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, I thought we might go out to the boathouse. It's on the southern tip of Royal Lake. It's only a mile and a half nothing. And my name is Cora. I'm not really Mrs. McLeod anymore.

[Vincent Price]

That's kind of rough on you, isn't it? Bringing your new boyfriend around, all of your ex husband's friends.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, I like it up here. Rufus likes to have me. They're not all against Paul. At least they weren't. But he's on the defensive so much he's going to make enemies of all of them.

[Vincent Price]

Yes, he's off to a rousing start, I'd say.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You know something, Sam? I don't care about Paul and the reason, really. Or Rufus McLoud or Toa Finborg or anybody. I just care about Cora McLeod.

[Vincent Price]

Well, now, that's a good, honest answer. You know, most people wouldn't be that frank, but Sam.

[Stephen Dunn]

Yeah?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I haven't known you long. Well, I. I like your style.

[Vincent Price]

Style?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I could care about you.

[Vincent Price]

It broke my heart not to stop right there on the trail and kiss her because that's what she wanted me to do, so that's why I didn't do it. And I'll never turn down anything better. Well. Next scene, a boathouse. When we got there, it was not at all the way I thought. Food technician and close friend of Rufus McLeod was there working on something that baffled me at first. It's a nice boat, Mr. Spade. That's what it is. Belongs to Rufus. Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen one up close before. I take you for a ride. But this one needs a lot of work before anybody could use it. I'm just cluttering. What prompted you to come out here, Cora?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Because Paul and Tosha Spinborg got in a fight over me and I got tired of the whole thing. Sam and I went out for some air.

[Vincent Price]

Well, glad you did. I was getting a bit lonesome. You see, Sam, they always leave me in a cloud of snow on their skis. And I just plod along on snowshoes all by myself. Well, maybe we can go walking together sometime. I used to be able to shake a pretty good snowshoe. A deal.

[Dick Powell]

Tomorrow morning.

[Vincent Price]

I'll show you the place.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Sam, I think I'll stick around here and help Charlie with the ice boat. Oh, unless you're crazy about ice boats. Why don't you go back to the chateau? We'll be There in time for dinner.

[Vincent Price]

Well, I don't need any engraved invitation. I hope you catch a common cold. The trouble with that girl was that she only wanted one man and of time around her. Back at the chateau, there was no one but the cook. The Marjorie Main part, too tall. As supper time approached, Rufus came in, then Rita, then Cora, then Allison, and finally Tozier. In that order. And the order is important because, you see, nowhere in the list is the name of Paul Endicott. He didn't come in for supper, nor for the next three hours. It was dark by then, and Rufus McLeod was worried about Endicott. So we found out in a searching part. I was alone when I found them. He was lying in the snow 300 yards west of the halfway cabin. There was a.30 30 slug in him. Period. End of Paul Endicott. You are listening to the weekly adventure of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade. This Sunday, Carrie Grant and Betsy Drake star in the second of the new Mr. And Mrs. Blanding series over most of these NBC stations. The delightful tribulations of Jim Blandings and his wife Muriel, as they built their famous dream house, entertain millions as a novel and then as a motion picture. And now you can find. Follow the further adventures of Mr. And Mrs. Blanding every Sunday on NBC. And Sunday also means your weekly visit with the hilarious Harrises on the Phil Harris Alice Fay Show. And now back to the Chateau McLeod caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade. There were no ski marks near the body of Paul Endicott, just his own. Somebody had drawn a bead on him in the dust from some distance. I started to look for the rest of the searching party and then changed my mind. If the body of Endicott wasn't found, the murderer might wonder what happened to it, get worried and make a mistake. So I picked him up, carried him to a small cave I found, covered the entrance with snow, brushed over the ski marks and went back to the chateau. One by one, they all showed up, discouraged.

[Loreen Tuttle]

We have to keep looking.

[Vincent Price]

I know how you feel, Coral darling. It's too dark. We'll try tomorrow.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, don't worry about him. Paul can take care of him.

[Vincent Price]

How can he take care of himself, Ms. Parker, if he got lost? He said he got lost. I am assuming. I think we're all assuming too much. I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about. If I know Paul, he'll show up tomorrow with some tall tale to tell. What do you think, Mr. Spade?

[Loreen Tuttle]

What is an advertising executive know?

[Vincent Price]

Cora, your manner A sponsor might be listening.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, well, I'm sorry, Sam. I'm upset.

[Vincent Price]

Okay, okay. Frankly, I don't know what to think. But if I were a detective, I'd hazard a guess that Paul met with foul play. Oh, nonsense, Fay, nonsense. Come on, everybody. Let's have a drink, have some fun. Paul will be back. And even if he isn't, who really cares?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Scotch for me.

[Vincent Price]

And I guess nobody cared. Rufus was a little more jolly than usual, and the drinks began to dispel the gloom. It was as if Paul Endicott never had existed. It began to get late, and the bizarre wake broke up. Everybody went to bed, including me. I lay there fully dressed, looking up at the beam ceiling for an hour. About then, my doorknob turned and the door slid open and shut. Someone moved quietly to my bed as I was sliding my.38 out of its holster.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Sam?

[Rita Parker]

Me.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Rita, are you awake?

[Vincent Price]

Yeah. I wasn't even under the covers.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Mind if I sit down here?

[Dick Powell]

Not a bit.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm scared. I wish I could leave here.

[Vincent Price]

What's the matter?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Paul's dead. I know he is. He didn't mean anything to me one way or the other, but I know he's dead.

[Vincent Price]

Anything to back up your feelings?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I guess not. It's. It's just something I'm sure of.

[Vincent Price]

Why'd you come to me?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Because you're really a detective, and I know it.

[Stephen Dunn]

Oh, man.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, now you handle the case for my father once. You just don't remember me.

[Vincent Price]

All right, I'm a detective. Rufus hired me because he expected trouble.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Sam, I'll tell you something about Paul.

[Vincent Price]

Yeah?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Corey didn't really like him. They were always fighting.

[Vincent Price]

She only cares about herself. So she said, tell me, what kind of a car does Paul drive?

[Loreen Tuttle]

It's a yellow convertible, but it's still in the garage. I checked.

[Vincent Price]

Any other cars missing?

[Loreen Tuttle]

No. No. They're all there. Oh, and I found out something else. Before supper, there was a gun missing from Rufus's gun rack. It's back now.

[Vincent Price]

Anything else?

[Loreen Tuttle]

That's all I know, Sam. Except that Paul's dead. I know it. I wish I'd never come up here.

[Vincent Price]

After she left, I dressed for outdoors and climbed through the bedroom window. It was still and quiet, and it was a quarter moon when I skied away from the chateau. I wanted to look the last land over myself before the next day when the clues, if any, were trampled into the snow. When I passed the northern tip of Royal Lake on the trail to the halfway cabin, I saw a new set of Ski tracks heading into the woods where I'd found Endicott's body. I followed him and they went right to the cave where I'd hidden them. He was gone. I was standing there pondering this when I thought I saw something move in the trees to the west of me. I stood stock still. That was a mistake. A bullets splintered a tree next to me and I shoved off as fast as I could. There was no second shot. I circled around in the trees trying to catch sight of someone. Nothing. I kept in the shadows and made for the halfway cabin. It was dark and quiet, at least until I opened the door. I tried, but he had the advantage of surprise and some kind of a club. I ended up on the floor with someone sitting on my chest. All right, I have your gun. You make one wrong move, Spade, and I'll use it. It's got bullets in it and a hair trigger, so be careful. We could use a little light. As you see, there's Paul Endicott's body. Yeah. Why did you find him, Tozier? They're only putting a noose around your neck. You're a very perceiving men, Mr. Spade. How do you figure I did it? I talk better on my feet. Just remember the gun. If you didn't kill him, how else would you know where the body was? Because I know this country like the back of my hand. He had to be somewhere. You are the killer, Mr. Spade. Me? Why? I do not know. You found the body before anyone else could hit it, then clumsily tried to hide the attract. Don't be silly. Why would I come back? A murder always worries about his crime. Did you forget something? Was something left undone? It's the natural. It sounds good, except it isn't. True. You couldn't pin it on me in a month of Sundays. But somebody might just tie it on to you. That's what you think. Do you know what I'm going to do now? I wouldn't want to guess. The shots came pouring in through the window and told your Svenborg went down. I saw the flash of a face outside and was gone. I kicked at the lamp through the place in the darkness and lay on the floor. Then I crawled over to Spinborg and took my gun back. Well, that was a surprise. It hurts quite a bit. Where'd you get it? Oh, somewhere in the back. Let me see. It's at the shoulder level. But he won't die anyway. I'm afraid. I'm afraid I misjudged you, Mr. Spit. Go after him. Go after him and catch whoever it was. I can't leave you here. I'll take care of myself. Just leave me a gun for protection. No, I'll stay. Go, Please, while there's time. Or are you afraid? I was. But I gave him my gun and left. Outside there were many ski tracks, but a fresh set led left from the halfway cabin down they went right to the edge of Royal Lake and then stopped. There were no marks of ski poles on the ice, so I follow the shoreline, looking for some kind of a clue. It wasn't until I reached the southern tip of Royal Lake that my effort was rewarded. Leading up from the ice were a set of footprints, then a set of ski marks. They led to the boathouse. Inside, I found two interesting items. One, a dismantled ice boat with fresh ice on the runners. Two, a pair of skis with snow in the grills. I made my way along the beaten pack back to the chateau circle at once found interesting item number three and went in. Well, what were you doing up Speed. Did you hear the shots, too? Yeah, I thought. Look around.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Cold woke me out of a sound.

[Rita Parker]

Speed. Sam.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What was it? You know.

[Vincent Price]

Well, I didn't find out about the first shot, Mrs. McLoud, that was fired at me. But the next three were fired at a man named Tozer. Spinboard.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Oh, no.

[Vincent Price]

Told you. How did it happen, Spade? What's it all about? He found Endicott's body in the woods. Dead?

[Stephen Dunn]

Very.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I told you, Sam. I told you. Told him what? What do you know about it? Nothing, I. I just had the feeling, that's all. You know something. Now tell us or I'll slap the wrench right out of your head. I don't know anything. Anything at all. I just had a feeling.

[Vincent Price]

Who shot Tosha Spade and why? I don't know. I was standing with him in the halfway cabin. Somebody shot through the window. Didn't you see them? Don't you know who it was? I was too busy ducking the. Look, just answer me one thing. Have any of you been out?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Of course not.

[Vincent Price]

No, I haven't.

[Loreen Tuttle]

And Mr. Allison's in bed.

[Vincent Price]

Of course they all lied. McLeod shirt was stained with sweat. He'd been moving fast somewhere, the ski pants sticking out from under Curry's robe or wet. And Rita Parker was now dressed when she wasn't before. I was trying to figure out something to say when Charlie Allison came out from his bedroom, rubbing sleeves, sleep out of his eyes and pulling a robe on. What's going on here? What's all the excitement about?

[Loreen Tuttle]

They found Paul dead. And somebody shot Tozier.

[Vincent Price]

No. Where is Tozer? In the Halfway Cabin. Well, let's get him to a doctor. I'll call one from town.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Why don't you go up and get Toza? I'll have a car ready and we'll take him right into the Lucerne Hospital.

[Vincent Price]

Wait a minute.

[Loreen Tuttle]

What about the murderer who did the shooting? Nobody's getting out of my sight. It had to be one of us.

[Vincent Price]

Why, Cora?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, it wasn't just anybody. We're the only ones left walking. Why don't you ask Sam? He's the detective. Detective?

[Vincent Price]

Yes. I hired him because somebody sent me an anonymous letter saying there'd be trouble. You knew there was going to be trouble, Rufus. Somebody else knew. Then why did you let people come up here? Wait a minute, Spade. What did you find out? Well, if you'll all wait here a minute, I'll tell you when I circle the chateau. Before I came in, I'd seen footprints leading to a window, not mine. That meant somebody else used the back way in and out, too. I wanted to find out whose window it was. And of course, while I was looking, I remember the apparently dismantled ice boat and the fact that a set of skis were in the boat house. It took me about a minute to find the right room, but somebody knew it. All right, Spade, stand where you are. Allison, you might be a great food technician, but you're a lousy killer. Yeah, well, at least he didn't get her. Neither will you. I got him, Spade. All right, come on, stand up. Come on, you SAP. Cora, huh? You think you could get her by killing somebody? Shut up. Leave me alone. I'm sorry for you. Sorry for anyone that ever knew her. I'm sorry for myself. She loves me, you fool. We found our killer, Mrs. McLean.

[Rita Parker]

Mom.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Charlie.

[Vincent Price]

Yes, baby?

[Loreen Tuttle]

I. Oh, Rufus, it's been a long day. I need a drink.

[Vincent Price]

And that goes to show you how cold it can get in the snow country. F period. End of report.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Damn. Why would a man do anything like that when he knew he couldn't get away with it?

[Vincent Price]

Because he was stupid, Effie. People must have told him a million times if they told him once, crime just doesn't pay. Oh, go type that up, will you? Go on, scatter. Scampering Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Here's news of two important music musical events. This Saturday, Arturo Toscanini begins a new Saturday series of concerts with the NBC Symphony. And for his premiere, the celebrated maestro Toscanini will present a special hour and A half performance Al Verdi's Requiem. And beginning next Monday, you can hear the first in a new series by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Here it is, Dan. All typed up. All but the PS Page, that is.

[Vincent Price]

What PS Page? Why should it need a PS Dan.

[Loreen Tuttle]

You know that this report, to borrow a phrase from you, is full of holes.

[Vincent Price]

My phrase. I wish I'd never said it.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Now, for instance, who sent the note to Rupert?

[Vincent Price]

Paul Endicott. He expected trouble. That's why he was so belligerent to everybody.

[Loreen Tuttle]

All right, I'm going to come right out and ask you.

[Vincent Price]

Good.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Why did Allison kill him?

[Vincent Price]

Well, I thought it was rather obvious, Effie. Cora was leaving Rufus McLeod for Allison. But because Allison worked for McLeod until Cora's divorce was final, they didn't want Rufus to know about it. So they used Paul Endicott as a decoy. Love affair.

[Loreen Tuttle]

But I'll bet Endicott didn't want to give Cora up. I'll bet that was it, Sam.

[Vincent Price]

Effie, I don't know how you ever guessed Endicott saw in it a chance to pick up a buck with a little blackmail.

[Loreen Tuttle]

It was just a wild guess, Sam. Yes, and of course, Allison did ski, didn't he?

[Vincent Price]

What do you think?

[Loreen Tuttle]

Well, how else could he get around so fast? And he made such a point about those snowshoes.

[Vincent Price]

Sam. Yes?

[Loreen Tuttle]

If I'd written the caper, I'd have covered that up a little.

[Vincent Price]

Come here.

[Loreen Tuttle]

I'm sorry, Sam. Guess I shouldn't have said that.

[Vincent Price]

You certainly should not have. You know, there's only one thing around here you're supposed to say.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Yes, Sam. I know, I know.

[Vincent Price]

Make it fast.

[Loreen Tuttle]

Good night, Sam.

[Vincent Price]

Good night, sweetheart. The adventures of Sam Spade are produced, edited and directed by William Spears. Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn. Loreen Tuttle is Effie. Script for tonight's adventure by John Michael Hayes. Musical scoring by Lud Gluskin conducted by Robert Arnold Brewster. Join us again next week, same time for another adventure with Sam Spade. Do you keep an appointment book? In 1950, 30, 000 people kept an appointment they hadn't bargained for with infantile paralysis. And four out of five of these were helped with March of Dimes money. We must go on helping, yet we also must be prepared for what may come in this year. March of Dimes is your way of fighting infantile paralysis. Give all you can to your local March of Dimes headquarters. Join the 1951 March of Dimes today. The magnificent Montague next then at Stuffy Tavern on NBC.

[Jane Wyman]

We just heard, Rogues Gallery, Suspense, the Saint and Sam Spade. That will do it for this week's show. Thanks so much for joining me. I'll be back next Sunday with more Old Time Radio detectives and crime fighters. In the meantime, you can tune in to stars on Suspense, my other Old Time Radio podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Thursdays. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com Meansts OTR I'll be back with more Radio Mystery next week, but until then, good night, stay warm and happy Listening.

[Vincent Price]

Now here is our star, Vincent Price.

[Stephen Dunn]

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.