Podcast Summary: Amos & Andy 43-11-05 "The Locked Trunk's Secret"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: September 12, 2025
Original Air Date: November 5, 1943
Guest Star: Peter Lorre

Episode Overview

This episode of Amos & Andy centers on Andy's impulsive purchase of a mysterious locked trunk at a railroad auction. The comedic misadventures that follow involve attempts to open the trunk, a visit from a mysterious man (voiced by guest Peter Lorre), a dubious partnership deal, escalating negotiations, and a surprising police intervention. The episode expertly blends sharp comedic dialogue with the suspense of an unfolding mystery.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Andy's Auction Bungle and the Arrival of the Trunk (00:39–03:06)

• Andy attends a railway auction and unwittingly purchases an unclaimed, locked steamer trunk for $5 after dozing off and accidentally bidding.
  • Andy (01:43): “The auctioneer man put this thing up just as I was dozing off. He say, who'll bid $5? My head kind of dropped down. He'd say, you got it.”
• Amos and Kingfish react; Kingfish jokes Andy "dozed himself out of five bucks."
• Logistics: The trunk is too secure to open; it’s reinforced by steel bands and locked, with no key.

2. The Plan to Open the Trunk (03:06–05:05)

• The crew decides to take the trunk to Fluke Harris's basement, hoping the neighborhood inventor can help get it open.
• Flukie struggles but appears to be making progress with his "scientific equipment."

3. The Mysterious Visitor: Peter Lorre (05:05–07:01)

• Peter Lorre, playing himself (or a character), arrives at Andy's office looking for the trunk, describing it in detail.
  • Peter Lorre (06:05): “And it so happens that my whole future lies in that trunk, too.”
• He urges Amos to find Andy quickly, warning that the trunk "must not be opened" and suggesting "for the safety of all concerned."

4. The Higher Offer... and Kingfish's Fast-Talking (07:01–10:02)

• While Kingfish looks for a locksmith, Amos receives a message from Lorre: he'll pay Andy $50 for the unopened trunk.
• Kingfish intercepts Amos, insisting he deliver the message and address himself, rationalizing he's the faster talker.
  • Kingfish (09:02): “You is a slow talker, and that's the trouble. Yeah, I oughta be the one to tell him. Cause I is a fast talker. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.”

5. The Partnership Contract (10:02–15:02)

• Kingfish proposes they split the investment, and humorously negotiates the contract drafting with Andy.
  • Kingfish (12:00): “We'll take the next 2 inches for the ipso factors and the null and voids and all them things. And another two inches for the extra clauses and the loopholes.”
  • Andy (13:11): “Started the contract. See here. Andrew H. Brown and George Stevens both being party of the first part. That's what you mean?”
• Kingfish cleverly waits until after the contract is signed to reveal the $50 offer, ensuring his stake.

6. Raising the Stakes (15:08–21:01)

• Andy and Kingfish dress up and bring the trunk to Lorre’s apartment, attempting to act like rich men to drive up the price.
  • Kingfish (18:12): “We can't stay too long. We're going to a big cafe. Each one of us is going to have a two dollar supper with all the trimmings.”
  • Andy (18:32): “You don't mind if I smoke a big expensive 25 cent cigar, do you?”
• The negotiation escalates from $50 to $65, then Andy boldly demands $100.
• Lorre, growing irritated, warns: Peter Lorre (21:20): “I must ask you again not to bargain with me because it sometimes makes me do things that I'm very often sorry for.”
• The men accept the original $50, sensing danger.

7. The Shock Reveal: Police Intervention (22:07–24:18)

• Police burst in as the deal is about to close and arrest Peter Lorre.
• The mystery of the trunk is revealed: it contains $200,000 in stolen negotiable securities.
  • Police Officer (22:55): “We know there's $200,000 worth of stolen negotiable securities in there. We knew it was in there the day it was checked at the depot. And we've been waiting a year and a half for the owner to claim it.”
• Andy and Kingfish are cleared of any wrongdoing.

8. The Note on Friendship and Aftermath (24:18–25:18)

• Kingfish, guilt-ridden, returns his share of the partnership to Andy and dissolves the contract.
  • Kingfish (24:22): “Yeah, Andy, sometime I do believe that my conscience thinks more of you than it do of me.”
• Andy reimburses the $2.50.
• The men reflect on their friendship, just as the police wrap things up.

9. The Final Twist (25:18–27:24)

• At the police station, it’s revealed that Andy was called in to collect a reward for returning the trunk safely.
  • Andy (26:50): “Ex partner, dear, I am glad you mentioned that. But the reason I come down here was to collect this reward. It must have just slipped my mind.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Accidental Auction Win
  Andy (01:43): "The auctioneer man put this thing up just as I was dozing off. He say, who'll bid $5? My head kind of dropped down. He'd say, you got it."
• Peter Lorre’s Ominous Arrival
  Peter Lorre (06:05): "And it so happens that my whole future lies in that trunk, too." Amos (06:11): "It sure is a lot of futures in there, ain't it?"
• Kingfish’s Fast-Talking Justification
  Kingfish (09:02): "Yeah, I oughta be the one to tell him. Cause I is a fast talker. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Look at that. Yeah, I can rattle that stuff off. I really rattles it off."
• Contractal Comedy
  Kingfish (12:00): “We'll take the next 2 inches for the ipso factors and the null and voids and all them things. And another two inches for the extra clauses and the loopholes.”
• Bargaining With Lorre
  Peter Lorre (21:20): “I must ask you again not to bargain with me because it sometimes makes me do things that I'm very often sorry for.”
• Cops Reveal the Trunk's Secret
  Police Officer (22:55): “We know there's $200,000 worth of stolen negotiable securities in there.”

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:27 | Andy explains the accidental purchase of the trunk | | 03:37 | Plan to open trunk at Fluke Harris' lab | | 05:05 | Peter Lorre arrives at the office | | 08:03 | Amos relays Lorre's warning and $50 offer | | 10:27 | Kingfish proposes a partnership | | 12:00 | Contract-writing comedy | | 17:19 | Andy & Kingfish bring the trunk to Lorre’s apartment | | 21:20 | Lorre’s warning during bargaining | | 22:37 | Police burst in and reveal the trunk's true contents | | 24:18 | Kingfish’s conscience prompts contract dissolution | | 26:50 | Andy reveals he's collecting a reward |

Tone & Language

• Playful, sharp, and rapid-fire: Signature comedic banter, quick wit, and tongue-in-cheek metaphors.
• Peter Lorre’s guest role introduces a sinister, comic suspense that contrasts with Andy and Kingfish’s hapless scheming.

Conclusion

This episode is a classic example of Amos & Andy's ability to fuse suspenseful twists with irresistible comedy. The cast’s chemistry, clever verbal duels, and guest star Peter Lorre’s memorable performance make “The Locked Trunk’s Secret” an enjoyable journey from start to finish—even if things don’t go as planned for Andy and Kingfish.