CBS The Saint 1947-12-24- Nineteen Santa Clauses

Summary

---

Podcast Summary:

Harold's Old Time Radio – CBS The Saint (1947-12-24: Nineteen Santa Clauses)
Episode Date: December 20, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Featured Cast: Vincent Price as Simon Templar (The Saint), Larry Dotkin as Louie, Mary Ship as Sally Walters, Betty Lou Gerson as Carla Worth, Ted Osborne as Claude, Stanley Farrar as the Butler

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode features a classic radio mystery from The Saint series titled "Nineteen Santa Clauses," originally aired on Christmas Eve, 1947. The story centers on Simon Templar—a detective known as "The Saint"—who, while donning a Santa suit for charity, is pulled into a web of jewel theft, imposter Santas, murder, and festive intrigue. The light-hearted banter, sharp wit, and holiday setting combine to create a uniquely spirited crime caper in the golden age of radio style.

---

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

Setting the Stage: The Santa Suit (01:31–03:08)

• Simon Templar prepares to play Santa Claus for Mrs. Winterbottom's Christmas Eve charity event.
• Banter between Simon and his cabbie Louie sets a playful, festive tone.
  • "All I have to do now is get my whiskers on there." (Simon, 01:51)
  • Louie jokes about Santa's traditional figure, prompting Simon to pad himself with a cushion.

Intruder with a Gun: Mistaken Identity (03:12–05:07)

• Sally Walters (initially calling herself 'Sally') bursts in, gun in hand, demanding "the stuff" from Simon, whom she mistakes for 'Fats Boylan'.
• Quick repartee highlights the confusion and classic detective story humor.
  • "If you're going to shoot me, I insist on knowing your name." (Simon, 03:34)
  • Sally relents when flustered by the threat of bloodshed, admitting, "I can't stand the sight of blood." (Sally, 04:47)

Another Visitor, Another Threat (05:15–08:08)

• Joe Hudson enters, also confusing Simon for Fats Boylan and demanding a mysterious "package" at gunpoint.
• A scuffle is set off as Sally, hiding in the kitchen, fires a shot—scaring Hudson off.

Who is Sally? Unmasking the Intruder (08:13–09:00)

• Sally faints; Louie and Simon go through her bag, discovering her real identity as Sally Walters, a secretary.
  • "Here's a driver's license. Her name is Sally Walters." (Louie, 08:19)

At Carla Worth's Residence: The Jewel Heist (10:21–14:00)

• Simon and Louie visit the wealthy Carla Worth (address from Sally’s documents).
• They discover Carla's jewels were stolen from a party—by a Santa Claus, hired for the occasion, who then vanished.
• Claude Worth, Carla’s husband, is brusque and secretive, while police precautions and the insured jewels are discussed.
  • "We decided to have the party this afternoon... The jewels were in quite a large box. And Claude hired a Santa Claus. But before the party was over, Santa Claus had disappeared. So had the jewels." (Carla, 12:50–13:04)
• Sally reappears, urgently providing Boylan’s address, setting up the next investigation step.

Fats Boylan’s Apartment: A Murder Scene (15:06–16:32)

• At Boylan's place, Simon and Louie find a ransacked room—with the corpse of Fats Boylan, who turns out not to be "fat" at all.
  • "He's dead. And Louie? He wasn't fat." (Simon, 16:16)

Shadowed and Shaken: Unfolding Motives (16:33–19:24)

• The duo realize they are being followed—by Hudson, again. They confront him and force information out.
  • Revealed: Carla Worth had hired Hudson to follow Sally and Simon.
  • Carla suspected her husband Claude and Sally were romantically involved and sought evidence for a divorce.
    • "She had an idea her husband and Sally were kind of... decorating their own little tree together." (Hudson/Louie, 18:47)
  • They take Hudson's gun to prevent further interference.

The Climax: Unmasking the Killer (19:42–25:46)

• Simon and Louie return to the Worth residence to search for clues. Their investigation, including scenting a distinctive perfume, leads them to Sally’s room.
• Simon accuses Sally, tying the perfume found at Boylan's to her. He explains the theft’s mechanics: the thief was padded as Santa, hid the jewel box inside the padding, left "fat," and shed disguise en route out.
  • "Santa Clauses, as Louis pointed out to me earlier tonight, are fat. Therefore, Boylan entered this house wearing padding underneath his costume. He left it with a large jewel box in place of the padding." (Simon, 23:58)
• Claude Worth, gun in hand, admits to orchestrating the theft and murder to claim the insurance and keep the jewels.
• Simon distracts Claude and subdues him with a thrown perfume bottle.

The Resolution: Christmas Romance & Reflections (26:02–26:44)

• Carla shares a tender moment with Simon, kissing him.
  • "You've been sort of a Santa Claus to me... May I?" (Carla, 26:03)
  • "Santa Claus is no Saint." (Simon, 26:19)
• Louie reminds Simon of his charity Santa duties, bringing the episode full circle.

Closing Moral & Christmas Wishes (27:11–30:49)

• Vincent Price (Simon Templar) gives a holiday message about the importance of spiritual values and the freedom of worship in America.
  • "The freedom to worship as you please is yours... May I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and... peace in all the years to come." (Simon/Price, 28:30)
• Cast and credits are read, followed by jovial Christmas and New Year’s wishes.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Louie’s wit:
  • "Santa Claus is fat." (Louie, 02:08)
  • "Pronounced Carla worse." (Louie, 14:12)
• Simon’s sleuthing:
  • "If you're going to shoot me, I insist on knowing your name." (Simon, 03:34)
  • "The ghost of a murderer." (Simon, 20:33)
• Holiday humor & romance:
  • "Santa Claus is no Saint." (Simon, 26:19)
  • "You’ve been very sweet, even without your whiskers." (Carla, 26:03)

---

Important Timestamps

• [01:31] - Simon dons the Santa Suit; Louie teases him
• [03:12–05:07] - Sally arrives, case of mistaken identity
• [05:15–08:08] - Joe Hudson encounters, gunplay, Sally faints
• [10:21–14:00] - At Carla Worth’s house, details of the jewel theft emerge
• [15:06–16:32] - Discovering Fats Boylan dead
• [19:42–25:46] - The mystery is unraveled; Claude Worth confesses and is subdued
• [26:02–26:44] - Christmas romance between Simon and Carla
• [27:11–28:30] - Vincent Price’s holiday spiritual message

---

Tone & Style

• Lightly comedic, witty, and brisk; the dialogue is peppered with wisecracks and gentle ribbing, all underpinned by the urgency of crime-solving.
• The festive backdrop lends warmth and irony, where even a Santa suit is the centerpiece of murder and mayhem.

---

Summary

"Nineteen Santa Clauses" is a blend of classic detective action and holiday charm. Simon Templar, intending only to play Santa for charity, lands amidst a web of mistaken identities, jewel theft, murder, and marital intrigue. Through keen deduction (notably, Santa’s padding and perfume as clues), Simon solves the case—foiling Claude’s plan and bringing peace to the Worth household just in time for Christmas.

This episode exemplifies the clever writing, rich characterization, and cozy suspense that made Golden Age radio so beloved—perfect for Christmas nostalgia and a dash of old-fashioned mystery.

---

Transcript

[Martha Stewart]

I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts are not only beautiful, but useful every single day. And Lenox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to our tables for generations. And their Lenox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. Spice Village transforms everyday spices into inspired memories filled with warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage.

[Louie]

Adventures of the saint starring vincent price. The Saint Based on characters created by Leslie Charteris and known to millions from books, magazines and motion pictures, the Robin Hood of modern crime now comes transcribed to radio starring Hollywood's brilliant and talented actor, Vincent Price as the Saint.

[Simon Templar]

Come in.

[Louie]

Hi, Mr. Templeton.

[Simon Templar]

Oh, hello, Louie.

[Louie]

Where are you?

[Simon Templar]

I'm in my room. I'll be ready in a minute.

[Louie]

Hey, wait till you see my cab. I gave it a bat for Christmas.

[Simon Templar]

Well, congratulations. Yeah.

[Louie]

Look, I don't want to rush you, but if you don't hurry, Christmas Eve is going to be already Christmas morning. And what will all them tots think?

[Simon Templar]

Them tots will be singularly fortunate. However, all I have to do now is get my whiskers on there.

[Louie]

How do I look, Mr. Templar? If I didn't know you was Mr. Templar.

[Simon Templar]

Yeah?

[Louie]

I wouldn't know who you were.

[Simon Templar]

Louie.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Don't I look like Santa Claus?

[Louie]

This may come as a surprise to you, Mr. Temple. Santa Claus is fat.

[Simon Templar]

Oh, you're not fat. Oh, well, hand me that cushion from the couch, huh? Okay. Here. Yeah. Thank you. Now then. How's that?

[Louie]

Now say ho, ho ho.

[Simon Templar]

What for?

[Louie]

Santa Claus is always say ho ho.

[Simon Templar]

Ho. Oh, I see.

[Louie]

Ho, ho ho. Well, anyway, you look like Santa Claus. Hey, Mr. Templer, whose idea was this?

[Simon Templar]

Mrs. Winterbottom's.

[Louie]

Oh, the dame who annoys tots on Christmas Eve.

[Simon Templar]

Mrs. Winterbottom is a very well known philanthropist and every Christmas Eve she collects hundreds of small children and feeds them. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Louie]

Who feeds them the rest of the year?

[Simon Templar]

Don't be bitter, Louie. So at least I ought to give the little tots a laugh. Yeah, yeah.

[Louie]

And I suppose there is something to be said for Mrs. Winterbottom.

[Simon Templar]

Don't say it now.

[Louie]

Don't worry.

[Simon Templar]

There's something to be said for Santa Claus too. He does go around filling stockings.

[Louie]

Yeah, I know. A blonde shouldn't say that either, huh?

[Simon Templar]

No. Someone at the door. Louie, would you mind?

[Louie]

No, it's probably one of them tots. Corrections a thought 20 years later get in. I'm already back up. I'm Backing up.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Thanks. Now reach, gents.

[Simon Templar]

You know, that gun in her hand looks loaded.

[Louie]

Now, that you mentioned.

[Simon Templar]

Reach for what?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

The chandelier.

[Simon Templar]

You can't.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Why not?

[Simon Templar]

No chandelier.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Oh, a wise guy, huh?

[Simon Templar]

If you're going to shoot me, I insist on knowing your name.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Just call me Sally.

[Simon Templar]

Sally. And your last name?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Never mind that. How would you like to get plugged in the.

[Simon Templar]

In the bread basket?

[Louie]

Where?

[Simon Templar]

Oh, let's pass lightly over that. I wouldn't like to get plugged anywhere.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

And shut up. All right, where is it?

[Simon Templar]

Right down the hall.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Are you trying to be smart?

[Simon Templar]

Not especially.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

So it's going to be like that, huh?

[Simon Templar]

Likewise.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Now, you listen to me fast, Boylan. You shut up, too.

[Louie]

I didn't say anything.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Well, shut up anyway.

[Louie]

I'm shutting up.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

What was I saying?

[Simon Templar]

You just finished calling me Fats Boylen.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

That's right.

[Simon Templar]

That's wrong. I'm not Fats Boylent. Well, it helps keep the conversation.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Look, Fats, are you going to stop stalling and hand over the stuff or will I have to shoot?

[Simon Templar]

Since I am not Fats boiling, and since I have no stuff to hand over, I'm afraid you'll have to shoot Mr. Templar.

[Louie]

That could be fatal.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

You keep quiet, punk.

[Simon Templar]

Who's a punk?

[Louie]

You're a punk, Mr. Templar.

[Simon Templar]

Am I a punk? Well, Sally is just a little confused this evening.

[Louie]

Confused or not, she shouldn't call me a.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Shut up.

[Louie]

You know, you don't have to start. Wrong.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I am not bawling. I, I.

[Simon Templar]

You were just about to shoot me.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Well, I know, but then you'd bleed.

[Simon Templar]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I can't stand the sight of blood.

[Louie]

Why don't you strangle Louis?

[Simon Templar]

Don't be unkind. It seems to be the doorbell again.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

No way.

[Simon Templar]

It's very impolite to keep people waiting.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

But I must have been followed here.

[Simon Templar]

Sally, look, stop illustrating a point with that gun. It might go off.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I don't care.

[Simon Templar]

But then I'd bleed.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Where can I go? I've gotta hide.

[Simon Templar]

Well, try the kitchen.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

All right.

[Simon Templar]

Come on in. It's open house tonight.

[Louie]

Well, well, my old pal Fat.

[Simon Templar]

I am not. Although I'm beginning to waver. Perhaps I am Simon the split personality. Who are you?

[Louie]

Joe Hudson. You remember your old pal Hudson.

[Simon Templar]

Hudson. Well, I must admit, you look like a hornet, but your lines aren't as nice. Look, if I'm your old pal, why don't I know you?

[Louie]

Oh, that's easy. We never met personally.

[Simon Templar]

Well, how else can you meet? Ignore that but if we haven't met, personally or otherwise, how can I be your pal?

[Louie]

Oh, I. I was just being friendly. Besides, you got something for me? I have a great little kidder. Ain't you Fats any pal? No, I feel better. I'm a pal too.

[Simon Templar]

Look, I wish I deserved your delighted choice.

[Louie]

Just leave me have the stuff and.

[Simon Templar]

Then I'll get stuff again. What stuff?

[Louie]

Am I going to have trouble with you?

[Simon Templar]

Because the door behind you is open? Why don't you use it, huh? In that way nobody will have any trouble.

[Louie]

I'll use it. I'll use it after.

[Simon Templar]

After what?

[Louie]

Such. I can't.

[Simon Templar]

Huh?

[Louie]

Ever see one of these before?

[Simon Templar]

I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. But the answer is yes, I have. Good. Good.

[Louie]

And you know how it works? It shoots bullets at guys. Guys who get bullet shot at, them.

[Simon Templar]

Have a habit of dying.

[Louie]

Really?

[Simon Templar]

Well, then perhaps you better not shoot that gun at me.

[Louie]

I won't.

[Simon Templar]

So give me so. I ain't got. Well, that is, I.

[Louie]

That is, you ain't got.

[Simon Templar]

Thanks, Louie.

[Louie]

Basic. I ain't a patient man.

[Simon Templar]

Hand the stuff over or I don't have any stuff. Or you get shots. I bleed. Who cares? I do. I hoped you might.

[Louie]

However, this could be a stall. This could be trouble. So you. You can't shoot him.

[Simon Templar]

Why not?

[Louie]

It's against the law. I read it in the papers. It's against the law. Yeah. Yeah, I believe you. Oh, so that's okay?

[Simon Templar]

Yeah.

[Louie]

But I like doing things against the law. Oh, well, you. You could go to jail. I already been there. Well, for shooting somebody. That. They'll hang you or something if somebody told them. Well, I would. You would, huh?

[Simon Templar]

I would. So maybe I'd better shoot you first.

[Louie]

Well, I wouldn't want to deprive Mr. Templar of the privilege. Well, Fats, it's your last chance.

[Simon Templar]

Oh, not that phrase. Also, I still don't know.

[Louie]

So it looks like I'm gonna break a law. Hey, who did that? You did, you dope. I did not. This here is a plan. But you won't get away with it.

[Simon Templar]

Goodbye, Mr. Hudson.

[Louie]

Mr. Templer. Who made with the artillery?

[Simon Templar]

That must have been Sally. She's in the kitchen.

[Louie]

She can stay there.

[Simon Templar]

She saved our lives, Louie.

[Louie]

Yeah, but maybe by now she's found out she likes to shoot guns.

[Simon Templar]

I told not.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Hello.

[Simon Templar]

It was nice of you to frighten Mr. Hudson off.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I did.

[Simon Templar]

You did.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I didn't hit anybody.

[Simon Templar]

No.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I'm so glad.

[Louie]

Hey.

[Simon Templar]

Hey. I. I've Got her.

[Louie]

She's all cold.

[Simon Templar]

Come on, put her on the couch.

[Louie]

It's a little late, but somebody ought to mention she is not a bad looking dish.

[Simon Templar]

You've mentioned it.

[Louie]

Looking for smelling salts in her bag.

[Simon Templar]

No. Identification. Here's a driver's license. Her name is Sally Walters. Address? 49 Arden Drive. Yeah, Social Security card. She's a secretary.

[Louie]

That's what I mean. Take it back.

[Simon Templar]

And she's coming too. Had to put the bag back.

[Louie]

Yeah, but keep the gun though. There's still some bullets in it.

[Simon Templar]

No, we don't want her to know we went through her bag.

[Louie]

We're ashamed of ourselves.

[Simon Templar]

We gotta pay her a visit.

[Louie]

She ain't home.

[Simon Templar]

But she will be after she leaves here. And then perhaps we can find out what keeps the home fires burning.

[Martha Stewart]

The holidays are about giving something truly special. I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts aren't just beautiful, they're useful every single day. Lennox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to to our tables for generations. And their Lenox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. It's more than a spice rack. It's a charming collection of hand painted houses that turn ordinary spices into extraordinary experiences. Imagine cinnamon from a tiny Victorian cottage or oregano from a pastel townhouse. Suddenly a simple meal becomes a moment to savor. Because spices can be more than ingredients. They can inspire memories, warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage Beginning First Family.

[Louie]

On January 9, the sequel to Greenland is so massive you have to see it on the big screen.

[Simon Templar]

A Promise Against Safety.

[Louie]

Starring Gerard Butler and Marina Bacari. Greenland 2 migration.

[Simon Templar]

Rated PG 13.

[Louie]

Sally was in kind of a hurry leaving us.

[Simon Templar]

So she was.

[Louie]

Mr. Templar.

[Simon Templar]

Don't look.

[Louie]

Right. Santa Claus chasing the blonde.

[Simon Templar]

I'm not chasing her.

[Louie]

Technicalities will get you no place. Hey, this must be it. 49. What is she, a secretary of the treasury?

[Simon Templar]

I suspect this is where she works. Louie.

[Louie]

Who works overtime, huh?

[Simon Templar]

Yeah, and probably sleeps in. Come on.

[Louie]

I hope that nobody is speaking because I think Santa Claus is off schedule.

[Simon Templar]

I think perhaps I can manage without the whiskers. Yeah. Ouch.

[Louie]

Now you look like an imposter.

[Simon Templar]

Yeah. Would you ring Louie? Okay.

[Louie]

You know, this is the type house I got a feeling Santa Claus will have to use. The savings entrance. Yes?

[Simon Templar]

I'm Simon Templar. You are? I am.

[Louie]

There's nothing I can do about it, Mr. Templar. All butlers are like him.

[Simon Templar]

I doubt it. I think he's been practicing. Haw. Haw. Well, good night, then. I think not.

[Louie]

Would you mind removing your shoe from the door?

[Simon Templar]

I would. You might at least have shined it.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Humphrey, Whoever is it at this time of night?

[Simon Templar]

No one, madam.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Oh, but such an interesting looking no one. Santa Claus. You've lost your whiskers.

[Simon Templar]

I haven't. They're right here in my pocket.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

How nice.

[Simon Templar]

Actually, my name is Simon Templar.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I'm Carla Worth.

[Simon Templar]

This is Louie. Hi. Oh, I. I mean, hi.

[Louie]

H be kind to the peasants type.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Did you want to see me?

[Simon Templar]

Now that I've seen you, yes.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Welcome in.

[Simon Templar]

Thank you, but madam Humphrey.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Go away. Yes, madam Humphrey's such a problem sometimes. Shall we? Nice.

[Simon Templar]

Yeah. Fire in the fireplace, books on the bookshelves. Port in that decanter. Yes.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Would you like some?

[Simon Templar]

No, thank you. I just wanted to be sure the accessories were all correct. Someday maybe I'll find some other wine besides port in a decanter. I dream.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Simon. Are you the one who found them?

[Louie]

It's beginning again.

[Simon Templar]

Found what?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

My jewels, of course.

[Simon Templar]

Have they been lost?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Simon, they were stolen. You know that, don't you?

[Simon Templar]

Should I?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I've heard of the St. Simon. I didn't know he was also a Santa Claus.

[Simon Templar]

Oh, it's a fleeting impulse. When were your jewels stolen?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

This afternoon. You see, Claude, my husband, that is, bought me them for Christmas.

[Louie]

Santa. Claude.

[Simon Templar]

Louis.

[Louie]

Sorry.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

We decided to have the party this afternoon. We thought it'd be nice to have a quiet eve, so we did. The jewels were in quite a large box. There were quite a lot of them. And Claude hired a Santa Claus. But before the party was over, Santa Claus had disappeared. So at the jewels.

[Simon Templar]

But it must have been some precautions.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Oh, there were several detectives. But the Santa Claus said he was going out to get some air while the party was on. He never came back. But he didn't have the jewels on him. The box locked and it was too large for the detectives not to have noticed.

[Simon Templar]

I see. The name of the man hired to play Santa Claus was, of course, fat Sport. And who may you be?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Claude, this is Simon Templar and Louise.

[Simon Templar]

I know. Neither of them snoops, obviously.

[Louie]

Get rid of them.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Claude likes to behave as though he were an emperor on occasion.

[Simon Templar]

The box wasn't found anywhere in the house.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

The jewel box? No.

[Simon Templar]

The jewels were insured.

[Louie]

Naturally.

[Simon Templar]

It's none of your affairs. I shall speak severely to Humphrey. He should never have let you in.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I let them in, darling.

[Louie]

So now he's going to speak severely to Her.

[Simon Templar]

We'll go quietly. Except Mr. Worth. What is Fats Boylan's address? I have no idea. Good night.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Good night, Simon. And I'm sorry.

[Simon Templar]

So am I. I'll show you out. Thank you.

[Louie]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Simon Templar]

Pronounced Carla worse.

[Louie]

Yeah. What do we do now, Santa Claus?

[Simon Templar]

Yeah. We get into your nice clean cab and. Hey, wait a minute, Zoe. Now we're going to find out what became of Sally Simon. Well, good evening, Sally.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I overheard fat's address is 17 Beale Street, 17 Beale. I've got to get right back to the house before anybody notices. Goodbye.

[Louie]

Awful short visit.

[Simon Templar]

You've been long enough.

[Louie]

Now we're going to visit Mr. Boyle?

[Simon Templar]

I think so.

[Louie]

I hope he ain't so handy with a gun as the rest of these characters.

[Simon Templar]

He may be, he may not be.

[Louie]

Now I'm all cheered up.

[Simon Templar]

But there's one thing I'm sure he isn't.

[Louie]

What's that?

[Simon Templar]

Fact.

[Louie]

Quite a change from the Whites dump. Now this is a dump.

[Simon Templar]

Yeah, and Mr. Boylan would seem to be shy.

[Louie]

Mr. Templer, you said something about the one thing he wouldn't be was fat. Why? Because he was called Fats? Not exactly.

[Simon Templar]

I'm worried.

[Louie]

Hey, the door was open.

[Simon Templar]

Yes.

[Louie]

Maybe that means our boy has flown.

[Simon Templar]

Maybe. Come on, let's go in. Okay.

[Louie]

I ain't usually so poetical, but the lights on?

[Simon Templar]

Yes.

[Louie]

And the room looks funny. Looks like a hurricane came to stay for dinner.

[Simon Templar]

And remained for six months.

[Louie]

Somebody was looking for a jewel box.

[Simon Templar]

And someone obviously didn't find it. The extent of the search indicates that nothing was left untouched.

[Louie]

It's a funny smell in this room. You know, a couple of funny smells.

[Simon Templar]

Yeah. One's perfume and the other gunpowder. Oh, gunpowder.

[Louie]

That's why I ain't been looking behind any pieces of furniture.

[Simon Templar]

It really wasn't very far to look. Louis. Huh? He's behind the daybed. Fats. Fats. Louis.

[Louie]

He ain't doing so good.

[Simon Templar]

He's dead. And Louis? Yeah? He wasn't Fat.

[Louie]

Mr. Templer?

[Simon Templar]

Yes, Louie?

[Louie]

We're being followed.

[Simon Templar]

Since?

[Louie]

Since we got out of Boylan's place.

[Simon Templar]

That's interesting. Louis, stop the cab.

[Louie]

It'll make it easier for whoever's following us.

[Simon Templar]

Exactly what I want.

[Louie]

Even on Christmas Eve. This shouldn't happen. Now what?

[Simon Templar]

Now we get out. Don't look behind you. Start walking.

[Louie]

Here is a nice, lonely street. Everybody else is home hanging up stockings. I wouldn't mind hanging up stockings myself. I. Who do you think it is?

[Simon Templar]

I think it's our friend Hudson.

[Louie]

Oh, I just lost five pounds. You mean the guy that was chasing Sally who was all ready to shoot us until she made the explosion?

[Simon Templar]

Neat reminder.

[Louie]

Oh, you think he wants our money or our life?

[Simon Templar]

Possibly.

[Louie]

What kind of an answer is that?

[Simon Templar]

Here, quickly, Mr. Temple.

[Louie]

Sierra Alley is full of garbage cans. All so dark you don't have to see garbage cans to know they're around.

[Simon Templar]

Hudson. Yes. Good evening. Hudson. Huh? Don't turn around. I've got a gun on you.

[Louie]

Yeah, I don't like it.

[Simon Templar]

Lou, take Mr. Hudson's gun away from him.

[Louie]

Okay.

[Simon Templar]

Got it, Mr. Templer. Good. Aim it at him and I.

[Louie]

Wait a minute. You can't shoot me with my own gun.

[Simon Templar]

Why not?

[Louie]

That ain't tactful.

[Simon Templar]

What other gun could I shoot you with?

[Louie]

Your own. Hey, you mean you ain't gotta. Oh, mister, you are a liar.

[Simon Templar]

And on Christmas Eve, too. Hudson, who hired you to follow Sally and me?

[Louie]

It was my own idea.

[Simon Templar]

Louie. Mr. Hudson isn't being friendly.

[Louie]

He ain't, huh?

[Simon Templar]

He ain't.

[Louie]

Therefore, don't lose your heads, fellas.

[Simon Templar]

We've lost patience with him, Louie.

[Louie]

We have.

[Simon Templar]

Shoot him, Louie. He's beginning to bore me.

[Louie]

He's beginning to. I. I should shoot him.

[Simon Templar]

Yes.

[Louie]

Fatal.

[Simon Templar]

Fatal. Okay.

[Louie]

Except I don't know what my wife and six kids are gonna say.

[Simon Templar]

You haven't got a wife and six kids.

[Louie]

No, no, wait a minute.

[Simon Templar]

Please, Louie, we're being cruel, prolonging Mr. Hudson's agony. Put him out of it.

[Louie]

Now, wait a minute, I.

[Simon Templar]

Who hired you?

[Louie]

Mrs. Worth. Mrs. Carla Worth. You quite sure strike me dead, that is. Don't strike me that. Look, look, if she didn't what I say, why would I say she did?

[Simon Templar]

You have a point there. But why should she have wanted you to follow Sally?

[Louie]

Well, she had an idea her husband and Sally were kind of, you know.

[Simon Templar]

Kind of decorating their own little tree together.

[Louie]

And I couldn't put it more tactful.

[Simon Templar]

I see. So if you got enough divorce evidence, Mrs. Worth could hold up her husband for plenty of alimony. No, no.

[Louie]

Oh, Mrs. Worth is the babe with a doll. Mr. Worth is a very well educated bum indeed.

[Simon Templar]

Huh. That's interesting. Louis, let me have the guns.

[Louie]

Yeah, yeah. Wait. I just told you the truth.

[Simon Templar]

I'm sure you did.

[Louie]

Mr. Templer. That's gratitude.

[Simon Templar]

It's necessity. We need him out of the way for a little while. He's out of the way now.

[Louie]

Yeah.

[Simon Templar]

Now we're going to find out who else knew that Fats Boylan was thin.

[Louie]

You know, if we visited often enough. I might even get accustomed to this joint.

[Simon Templar]

You might also start confusing yourself with Grant. Good evening, Humphrey. I'm sorry. The family retired for the night. It is late, I know. I wish to retire myself. Hey, Humphrey, you don't look 65. Good night, sir. Aren't you going to ask us in?

[Louie]

No.

[Simon Templar]

Why? Humphrey, I thought you and I were going to Christmas cows together. Let go of me. Shut the door. Okay, I shall complain, all right. But not now.

[Louie]

Mr. Templar. Gonna wear that gun out hitting people over the head with it.

[Simon Templar]

And I couldn't have him warn anyone we're here.

[Louie]

Why, we're gonna boil the joint in a way, huh?

[Simon Templar]

A kind of description would be. Search the place, Louis. Oh, for what? Oddly enough, something that can't be seen or touched.

[Louie]

Sounds like a ghost.

[Simon Templar]

Yes, and in the way it is, the ghost of a murderer.

[Louie]

It's the night before Christmas, all right, but a creature is stirring. A couple of creatures.

[Simon Templar]

Us. We've covered all the rooms on the other landing. Therefore, the bedrooms should be here. And therefore, this should be someone's bedroom. Let's go in. We're sleeping now. If I can open the door softly enough and look in moonlight through the window. Yes, the dressing room door. Beyond would be the bedroom proper.

[Louie]

Proper is another way we're in any position to throw around.

[Simon Templar]

We'll have to go in to the dressing room. Come on, Louie. Okay. Wait a minute, Louis. Inhale, Mr. Th.

[Louie]

I don't usually take breathing exercises in.

[Simon Templar]

The middle of the night, Louis. All right.

[Louie]

I'm inhaling.

[Simon Templar]

Well. Playful, familiar.

[Louie]

I could learn to love it, but no.

[Simon Templar]

Then out we go.

[Louie]

You didn't care for that boyfriend?

[Simon Templar]

He didn't tell me anything.

[Louie]

What do you want?

[Simon Templar]

Perfume should tell you who killed Fats Boylan.

[Louie]

Another bedroom. We go in, naturally. For a bachelor, that ain't the word you should have used. I'm beginning to get worried about this. Supposing somebody screams.

[Simon Templar]

Pull yourself together, Louie. Okay.

[Louie]

After all, like the poet says, strong heart, never one fair mate.

[Simon Templar]

You mean faint heart.

[Louie]

All right, so for dinner, I'll eat dog food.

[Simon Templar]

Now, another dressing room. Well, hey, Mr. Templar. Yes? The same perfume we noticed. Oh, don't be frightened.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Simon, what are you doing in here?

[Simon Templar]

Louis and I have been testing perfumes.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

The middle of the night, you awaken me?

[Simon Templar]

I'm sorry. I'm even sorrier about something else.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

What's that?

[Simon Templar]

The perfume you use is very distinctive, Sally.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Am I supposed to say thanks?

[Simon Templar]

No. Because the last place Louis and I noticed it was in Fats Boylan's room minutes after he'd been killed.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Oh, not good sounds you're making all this up.

[Simon Templar]

No, no. This bottle of perfume will be evidence.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

But I didn't kill Boylan. You must be joking about that.

[Simon Templar]

I don't think a jury would find it funny. You knew about Boylan stealing the jewels. You must have helped him.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I didn't.

[Simon Templar]

But then you found yourself being trailed by Hudson, who'd been hired by Mrs. Worth. You were afraid he'd discover the connection between you and Boylan. That's why you came to my apartment.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

No.

[Simon Templar]

Yes. You hoped I'd throw Hudson off, perhaps frighten him. In the meanwhile, you could get to Boylan, get the jewels from him.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

That isn't true.

[Simon Templar]

But when you got to Boylan's place, you found him already dead and the jewels gone.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

I didn't.

[Simon Templar]

It would be much better for you that way.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

What do you mean?

[Simon Templar]

You wouldn't be liable to a first degree murder charge.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

But there were detectives here while the party was going on. Boylan couldn't have stolen the jewels. They saw him leave. He didn't have them.

[Simon Templar]

He did have them. He was playing Santa Claus and he was a thin man. Santa Clauses, as Louis pointed out to me earlier tonight, are fat. Therefore, Boylan entered this house wearing padding underneath his costume. He left it with a large jewel box in place of the padding. That's how he did it.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Sally, you're smart.

[Simon Templar]

You found Boylen. You knew his address. Therefore you'd hired him in the first place. And therefore also a jury would believe you'd killed him unless you tell us who did.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Well, all right, I'll tell you.

[Simon Templar]

There's really no need, my dear.

[Louie]

Hey, Mr. Templer. Tell him to point the gun someplace. Mr. Worth.

[Simon Templar]

Point that gun someplace out. I prefer this direction. You were saying, Mr. Templer, about the jewels? The jewels were insured. Therefore, you, Mr. Worth, arranged to have them stolen.

[Louie]

Indeed.

[Simon Templar]

Indeed. In that way, you could retain the jewels, the insurance money as well, and not worry very much whether or not your wife divorced you. Clever. Boylan is dead. How true. You had to see to that, didn't you? Otherwise he might have blackmailed you for the rest of your life. Or for whatever money you got out of the entire crooked deal. I can see two other deaths. Yours, your friend and Sally. You're going to kill her, too. That depends, I should think.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Unsavods. I never knew you intended to kill anyone.

[Simon Templar]

No need to play the ingenue quite so strenuously, my dear. You were in on most of it, but not murder. I'm afraid Mr. Templar's pessimism is justified. I shall have to include you. But however did you get onto her, Templar? Her perfume, to be precise. This perfume.

[Louie]

You got him in the eye. Yeah.

[Simon Templar]

I hope this gets him someplace more effective.

[Louie]

Mr. Templer, the trail of unconscious bodies you're leaving behind you tonight, if laid end to end, yes, there would look terrible.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Simon.

[Simon Templar]

Yes, Carla?

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

You've been very sweet, even without your whiskey. Because you've been sort of a Santa Claus to me. May I?

[Simon Templar]

Oh, with pleasure.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Well, I never knew Santa Claus could kiss like that.

[Simon Templar]

Santa Claus is no saint.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Yes?

[Simon Templar]

Oh, hello, Louie.

[Louie]

Mr. Templer. You better put on your whiskers. You've forgotten all about me, Mrs. Winterbotter.

[Simon Templar]

Mrs. Oh, well, the hour is past midnight. The tots have undoubtedly totted off to bed by now. Louie, you may tell Mrs. Winterbot I.

[Louie]

Know that the saint ain't no Santa Claus. You have been listening to another transcribed adventure of the Saint, the Robin Hood of modern crime. Now here is our star, Vincent Price.

[Simon Templar]

Ladies and gentlemen, all of us who live in the United States are aware of the spiritual values of American life. Our factories and machines and luxuries. But there is another side to American life, A side made up of spiritual values. Our country was founded upon faith in God. In the Declaration of Independence, it states that men were endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Thus, religious faith is part of the very foundation of American democracy. And one of our most precious national heritages is freedom of worship. By exercising this freedom, you and your families can enjoy the spiritual pleasures that come with church or synagogue attendance. Moreover, your religious leaders stand ready to give you their help, whether you need personal or family guidance. And if you suffer the loneliness natural to a newcomer to this country, the churches of your faith will welcome you. We all know that without spiritual values, the other advantages of American life have little meaning. Without faith, the family and the community become unstable. Without faith, the individual denies himself the peace and guidance of religion. The doors of your churches and synagogues are open to you. The freedom to worship as you please is yours. And so America's religious organizations invite you to find yourself through faith and to come to church this week. And may I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and for the world peace in all the years to come. This is Vincent Price inviting you to join us again next week at this same time for another exciting adventure, the Saint. Good night.

[Louie]

This Adventure of the Saint was written by Louis Vitis. Our cast included Mary Ship as Sally and Betty Lou Gerson as Carla High Everback was Hudson, Ted Osborne, Claude the butler, Stanley Farrar. Louis is played by Larry Dotkin. The Saint, based on characters created by Leslie Charteris, is a James L. Sapphire production and is directed by Helen Mack. Vincent Price is soon to be seen co starring in RKO's production of His Kind of Woman. All you Saint fans will be glad to know that the Saint comic books are on sale at all newsstands. Your announcer, Don Stanley. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. For your Christmas Eve listening pleasure, there's another broadcast of NBC Sunday hour and a half extravaganza, the Big Show. There's a whole Christmas stocking full of stars including Tallulah, Jimmy Durante, Edwin Charles Boyer, Robert Merrill and many more. Tonight also means your weekly visit with the Harris family on the Phil Harris Alice Fay Show. Be sure to hear this special Christmas program later today on NBC. Happy holiday.

[Simon Templar]

Happy listening. Happy holiday. Happy list.

[Louie]

Wishes you a season of good cheer, a merry, merry Christmas and.

[Simon Templar]

A happy new year.

[Martha Stewart]

The holidays are about giving something truly special. I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts aren't just beautiful, they're useful every single day. Lennox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to our tables for generations, and their Lenox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. It's more than a spice rack. It's a charming collection of hand painted houses that turn ordinary spices into extraordinary experiences. Imagine cinnamon from a tiny Victorian cottage or oregano from a pastel townhouse. Suddenly, a simple meal becomes a moment to savor. Because spices can be more than ingredients. They can inspire memories, warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage Hey, Ryan Reynolds.

[Simon Templar]

Here for Mint Mobile.

[Louie]

You know one of the perks about.

[Simon Templar]

Having four kids that you know about.

[Martha Stewart]

Is actually getting a direct line to.

[Louie]

The big man up north.

[Simon Templar]

And this year he wants you to know the best gift that you can give someone is the gift of Mint Mobile's unlimited wireless for $15 a month. Now you don't even need to wrap it.

[Louie]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Carla Worth / Sally Walters]

Of $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes if network's busy, taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.