Sam Spade 46-08-02 004 Sam and the Psyche aka The Death of Dr Denoff

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Sam Spade 46-08-02 — "Sam and the Psyche" aka "The Death of Dr Denoff"

Original Air Date: August 2, 1946
Podcast Release Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Series: The Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective

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Overview

This episode features a classic radio drama from the Golden Age: The Adventures of Sam Spade—Sam and the Psyche (aka The Death of Dr Denoff). The story plunges listeners into a web of blackmail, murder, and betrayal, all set against the wisecracking, hard-boiled world of private detective Sam Spade. The plot centers on the suspicious death of Dr. Gregory Denov, a psychoanalyst, and the hunt for a missing confidential patient file that could destroy reputations—and lives.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Highlights

Introduction to the Case

• [02:38] Sam is approached by Dr. Denov, a psychoanalyst being blackmailed over a sensitive patient file that’s fallen into the wrong hands.
  • Denov: “A psychoanalyst keeps a faithful transcript...this man Nicolaitis has managed to gain possession of a case history of a very celebrated person...”
• Spade initially refuses to help if Denov won’t go to the police, then reconsiders when Denov hires him to act as intermediary.

The Death of Dr. Denov

• [06:58] Spade arrives to find Denov has apparently jumped (or been thrown) to his death before their planned meeting.
  • Lieutenant Dundee: “The doctor’s dead.”
  • Mrs. Denov insists it's not suicide: “Suicide? My husband…he would never.” [08:12]

Prime Suspects and Red Herrings

• Constance Brent, the Actress:

  • Mrs. Denov names Constance Brent, Denov’s last patient, as a suspect. She accuses Brent of both falling for Denov and threatening him; evidence is a missing case file. [09:22–10:11]
  • Brent, when confronted, is flippant and uncooperative:
    • Brent: “Oh now, really. It’s too absurd. How like a wife.” [12:05]

• Jonathan Wallace, Brent’s husband:

  • Displays hostility toward Denov and isn't upset at news of his death:
    • Wallace: “Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard this year.” [11:21]

• Dr. Zoya, Colleague and Mentor:

  • Positions himself as guardian of Denov’s files but arouses suspicion due to vested professional interests and annoyance at Denov’s success.

The Blackmailer: Nicolaitis

• [13:35] Nicolaitis surfaces, openly confronting Spade for the $10,000 payoff in exchange for the stolen file. He threatens Spade and Mrs. Denov if not paid.
  • Nicolaitis: “If I am grieved…there is no telling what I might do.” [14:27]
  • Spade stalls, arranging a meeting at his apartment at 7pm.

The Second Murder

• [17:15] Spade returns home to find Nicolaitis strangled in his bathroom, the scarf tight around his neck—the microfilm and with it the motive is now on the loose.

The Psychological Web and Resolution

• [21:05–24:03] In a session with Dr. Zoya, Spade gathers:

  • Denov did not commit suicide (“No, no, it was quite impossible." —Dr. Zoya, [21:22])
  • Denov had been losing objectivity towards Brent—hinting at a mutual “transference” (in other words: love)
  • Denov gave Zoya his gold watch with instructions to be buried with it.

• [24:23] The twist: Spade realizes the original microfilm is hidden in Denov’s gold watch, now buried with him.

Climactic Graveyard Confrontation

• [25:47] Spade and Mrs. Denov dig up Denov’s grave under cover of darkness, retrieve the microfilmed case history from the watch, but are ambushed by Wallace and Brent.
  • Wallace: “Give me that film. Stop being an idiot, Wallace.”
• Police, led by Dundee, arrive just in time for the arrest.
  • Spade: “No, you fool. You’re supposed to arrest Mrs. Gregory Denov and Jonathan Wallace for the murder of Gregory Denov and Pericles Nicolaitis.” [26:57]

Denouement

• [27:23] Spade confronts Mrs. Denov; she orchestrated Sam’s delay so Wallace could murder Nicolaitis.
  • Spade: “You weren’t smart to push your husband out the window...You might have gotten away with it, Mrs. Denoff, if you’d bashed your husband’s head in with a bottle.” [27:23–28:03]
• Effie, Spade’s secretary, is directed to send the final report—and pour a stiff drink as the case closes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I just dug him up to say hello and put him back again.”

  • Spade’s signature gallows humor when explaining his grave-digging activities to Effie. [00:57]

• “Blackmail is blackmail, even if you do it in Technicolor.”

  • Spade to Denov, displaying his wit. [04:01]

• “You were supposed to deliver something for the money.” — Spade to Nicolaitis [14:09]

• “In the Levant, Mr. Spade, we have a saying. He who goes too close to the bear soon loses his beard.” — Nicolaitis [15:45]

• “I want some answers, Dr. Zoya. And you’re the guy who can give them to me.” — Spade [20:54]

• “All paths lead to the grave, Ophelia.” — Spade, musing before exhuming Denov [25:10]

• “You weren’t smart to push your husband out the window...You might have gotten away with it, Mrs. Denoff, if you’d bashed your husband’s head in with a bottle. That reminds me. Effy, pour me a drink.” — Spade [27:23–28:03]

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Timeline of Major Segments

• [02:38] Denov approaches Spade about blackmail
• [06:58] Denov found dead; "suicide" staged
• [09:16] Mrs. Denov fingers Constance Brent
• [13:35] Nicolaitis’ blackmail confrontation
• [17:15] Spade finds Nicolaitis murdered; case intensifies
• [21:05] Dr. Zoya and Spade, psychological debrief
• [24:23] Microfilm’s secret location revealed
• [25:47] Graveyard showdown: microfilm recovered, culprits revealed
• [28:03] Spade’s closing summation

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Tone and Style

• Classic hard-boiled detective, with Sam Spade’s dry wit and sharp banter at the forefront.
• Dialog-heavy and brisk pacing, sprinkled with noir humor and the psychological intrigue of the “psychoanalytic” angle.

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For New Listeners

This episode is a quintessential example of the Golden Age of Radio's detective drama. It serves both as a gripping whodunit and a time capsule of mid-20th-century pop culture, full of sharp repartee and larger-than-life characters—all brought to life with period sound design and pacing.

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Final note:
“Sign it, put a special delivery on it and send it care of the matron to Tehachapi Prison. Go on, have one yourself.” — Spade to Effie [28:04]
With that, another classic Sam Spade case is closed—just as someone in your house reaches to twist the radio dial one last time.

Transcript

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Mmm.

[Sam Spade]

Mmm.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Ooh, whatcha eating?

[Sam Spade]

The new banana split cookie from AM PM all freshly baked with real butter with banana, chocolate and strawberry flavors.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Ah, that sounds amazing. Can I have a bite?

[Sam Spade]

I'm sorry, but no. But you can't split the banana split.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Not even a little.

[Dr. Zoya]

Not even a crumb.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

What if.

[Sam Spade]

No, please. Mine.

[Announcer]

When it's too legit to split. That's cravenience. Get a 3 pack for 99 cents with our app ampm. Too much good stuff. Plus tax where applicable. Prices and participation may vary. Terms and conditions apply.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

The Hair Raising Adventures of Sam Spade Detective Brought to you by the makers of Wild Root Cream Oil for the Hair.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Sam Spade Detective Agency.

[Sam Spade]

It's me, Effy.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, Sam, I've been worried about you. Sid Weiss was just on the phone and he says digging up a corpse without a permit is against the law.

[Sam Spade]

It's all right, Effie. I just dug him up to say hello and put him back again.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, thank.

[Sam Spade]

I'll be down in a couple of minutes to dictate my report. Sweetheart, if I get lost on the way, you'll find me in City Hospital, the psycho ward. Third straight jacket from the left.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Dashiell Hammett, America's leading detective fiction writer and creator of Sam Spade, the Hard Boiled Private Eye, and William Spear, radio's outstanding producer, director of mystery and crime drama, join their talents to make your hair stand on end with the Adventures of Sam Spade presented each week by Wild Root Cream Oil, the non alcoholic hair tonic that will put your hair back in place again, grooming it neatly, naturally, the way you want it. Fellows, if a girl can spend half an hour under a hot dryer in a beauty parlor to look her best for you. Certainly you can spend half a minute sprucing up with Wild Root Cream Oil Hair tonic to look your best for her. That's all it takes. And Wildroot Cream Oil grooms your hair neatly and naturally, the way girls like to see it. Besides, it relieves dryness and removes loose dandruff. There's not a drop of alcohol in Wildroot Cream Oil. It contains lanolin, so get the big economy sized bottle at your drug or toilet goods counter. And now Wildroot brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam sp.

[Sam Spade]

Date August 2, 1946. To Mrs. Gregory Denov, subject death of Dr. Denov. I was sitting in my office with nothing to think about except a horse named Corkscrew Jr. My secretary, Effie Perrine came in and said there was someone outside I didn't look up from the dope sheet. So she said it again.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Someone outside. Sam.

[Sam Spade]

What's he look like?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Blue, double breasted, custom made suit, Count of Mara. Tie, hand tailored shirt, English shoes, hand trimmed.

[Sam Spade]

Van Dyke, get me a blank check and send him in.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Okay, Sam. Please come in. Mr. Spade will see you now, sir.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Thank you.

[Sam Spade]

You.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

You are Mr. Spade? Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

What can I do for you?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

I'm Dr. Gregory Denov, a psychoanalyst. I need your help.

[Sam Spade]

Lie down, Doctor, and tell me all about it.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

I see. You might also be noted for your sense of humor as well as your discretion.

[Sam Spade]

Who told you I was discreet?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

A man named Nicolaitis.

[Sam Spade]

Well, you tell Nicolaitis I think he's cute too. What else does he say about me?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

That I can trust you with $10,000.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, is this Mr. Nicolaitis one of your patients?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

No. No, he isn't. As a matter of fact, he. He's gotten possession of some private records of mine. Well, it's rather involved.

[Sam Spade]

Nicolaitis is shaking you down and he picked me as the middleman, is that it?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

This is not an ordinary case of blackmail.

[Sam Spade]

Blackmail is blackmail, even if you do it in Technicolor.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Well, as you may know, a psychoanalyst keeps a faithful transcript, a detailed record of everything a patient says during consultation. No matter how intimate or shocking, this man Nicolaitis has managed to gain possession of a copy of one of these case histories. The patient is a very celebrated person, and should this material be divulged, it may have very serious consequences of both my patient and. And for me.

[Sam Spade]

Doctor, your best bet's the San Francisco Police Department.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

No, no, that's out of the question.

[Sam Spade]

Then I'm afraid I can't help you.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Why not? Nikolaita 7.

[Sam Spade]

I'm a private detective. When I take on a client, I take on his troubles. My job is to protect him, not to stand by and see him milked. You want to hire me on that basis, I'll listen.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

I'm so tired. I must trust somebody. What can you do for me, Mr. Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Write me out a check for $1,000. Got a pen? Yeah.

[Nicolaitis]

All right.

[Sam Spade]

You see, Nicolaitis figures that if I'm getting a cut, I'll have to keep my mouth shut. I'll spend it all the same.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Here you are.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. Now, what was the last thing Nicolaitis told you?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

That he would pick up the $10,000 here and deliver to you this file in question.

[Sam Spade]

Can you reach him? Yes. Call him. Tell him you've seen me. Tell him I won't do that kind of business. In my office. Tell him to come to your house. I'll be there.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

What if he refuses?

[Sam Spade]

He won't. Tell him I have the whole 10,000.

[Nicolaitis]

What time?

[Sam Spade]

How about in an hour?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

No, no, I'm sorry. We'll have to make it around three or. Oh, goodness, I'm late now.

[Sam Spade]

That's a beautiful watch, Mr. Denham. Yes. Foreign?

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Yes.

[Sam Spade]

May I see it? My watch?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Why really, Mr. Spade, I'm very late. I have so many things to do and I have to be at the Majestic Theater well before the matinee starts at 2:30.

[Sam Spade]

Are you going to see me at 3:00'?

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Clock?

[Sam Spade]

If you're going to the theater.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Oh, I'm not going to stay for the performance. Well, Mr. Spade, till 3 o' clock then. Oh, my office is in my apartment. The address is here on my card. It's the penthouse.

[Sam Spade]

Penthouse, huh? Okay, doctor, I'll come formal. I'll wear the top to my bathing su I left my office around 2:30 and started walking up Nob Hill. The Versailles Apartments, where Denov's place was, took up the whole 300 block, so I didn't have any trouble finding it. I stopped across the street for a minute to get my breath after the uphill climb, mopped my face and started across. Just as I got to the middle of the street, the crowd was packed in so close around I couldn't see who'd done the Brody. But I had a pretty good ide. The cops had the sidewalk roped off and guards posted at the building entrance. It took me maybe 20 minutes to elbow my way through and show my credentials. Sergeant Levine had the front door, so they let me in. Lieutenant Dundee of Homicide met me at the door of the penthouse.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Hi, Sam. What do you want?

[Sam Spade]

I want to see Dr. Denov.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

The doctor's dead.

[Sam Spade]

Dead? Yeah. He's my client. They can't do this to me. How?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Hit a Brody out the window? What are you here for?

[Sam Spade]

To see his wife. Okay with you? Why not?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

She's inside. Thanks.

[Dr. Zoya]

Mrs. Stanhoff, please. With all due respect for your grief, I must have the keys to the cabinet where Gregory kept his confidential files. You realize that he wished me to take charge of his patients and that I am responsible. All this, police and so on. We must get those files out of here as soon as possible.

[Nicolaitis]

Yes?

[Sam Spade]

My name is spade.

[Dr. Zoya]

I am Dr. Zoya. I was poor, Dr. Denoff's oldest friend. If there's anything, I'd like to see.

[Sam Spade]

You, Mrs. Denoff, alone.

[Dr. Zoya]

But you police have already Asked her so many questions. You see, she's not in the.

[Sam Spade]

I'm not with the police. I'm a private detective. I was working for Dr. Denoff.

[Dr. Zoya]

A private detective.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

He was in trouble, you see. You see, Dr. Sawyer, the police won't believe me. Mr. Spade, you'll tell them. You'll tell them. He didn't commit suicide.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Well, Mrs. Denov, I guess that takes care of everything here. It's clearly suicide.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, idiot. Blind stupid, idiot. Suicide? My husband, he treated suicides. He would never.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, please.

[Dr. Zoya]

It will be all right, my dear. I'm sorry. She's hysterical. If I had the time, I would.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Please tell them.

[Dr. Zoya]

Beldam, please. Mrs. Danlo, the undertaker, has been arranged for burial at 7 o', clock, baith Israel Cemetery. Now, place the key to Gregory's files here.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Take it and go. Go ahead, all of you.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Okay, we'll call you.

[Dr. Zoya]

I'm so sorry, gentlemen. This hysteria. A simple traumatic condition. If I only had the time.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Who can I turn to? Who will help me? You think it's pleasant? You think my husband would rest if they said I committed suicide? What shall I do? What shall I do? What shall I do?

[Sam Spade]

Oh, Dr. Zoya didn't have the time. Neither have I. You think it's murder? Who do you think killed your husband?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

To name someone. That's a very serious charge, Mr.

[Nicolaitis]

Speed.

[Sam Spade]

Goodbye, Mrs. Denof.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Constance Brent.

[Sam Spade]

You mean Constance Brent, the actress?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Yes. She was his last patient this morning. She had threatened to kill him before.

[Sam Spade]

How do you know?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

My husband said so. Do you'd written it down on his notes on her case once before. She'd almost pushed him from that same window.

[Sam Spade]

How about your husband and Ms. Brent?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, I knew she was falling in love with my husband. That always happens. They call it a transference. But in this.

[Sam Spade]

Your husband told me Ms. Brent was acting in a play this afternoon over at the Majestic.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Yes. Midsummer Night's Dream. But she was here. I know she was here. Ms. Ray, the receptionist, was coming back from lunch when she heard voices arguing inside. And she was sure it was Ms. Brent's voice.

[Sam Spade]

Show me the doctor's case history on Ms. Brent.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

I counted. It's missing. As soon as it happened, I went to the files. I meant to show it to the police.

[Sam Spade]

Who could have taken it?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Constance Brent was the last one in that room before he died.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. When did you see Nicolaitis last?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Nick? Who?

[Sam Spade]

Skippet.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Where can I reach you in case.

[Sam Spade]

For the next couple of hours I'll be at the Majestic Theater. I want to see how Good. An actress, this Constance Brandt is.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

We will make amends ere long, else the pots a liar call. So good night unto you all. Give me your hands if we be friends, and Robin shall restore. Amen.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Yes?

[Sam Spade]

Ms. Constance Brent's dressing room. What do you want? I want to talk to Ms. Brent. Well, you can talk to me. I'm her husband. So you're Mr. Brent. I'm Jonathan Wallace. She's Mrs. Wallace now. What do you want with my wife? I've come to tell her that Dr. Danoff is dead. Are you sure? You try falling from a 12th floor window sometime. Well, that's the best news I've heard this year.

[Dr. Zoya]

Afraid it would be a shock for Constance.

[Sam Spade]

Maybe, maybe not. She was the last person to see him alive, as far as anybody can make out. Are you from the police? No, I'm from the insurance company. Claims investigator. What do you want to see Constance for? The policy wasn't made out to her, was it? No, made out to his widow. But she can't collect. Police say it was suicide.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

That settles it. This is the last time I played Titania. Stand around while Puck talks his head off. Who is this person?

[Sam Spade]

Darling, I'm afraid this is going to be a shock. This man is from an insurance company.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Dr. Denov is dead.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, what a pity. What happened?

[Sam Spade]

The police say he jumped. His wife says he was pushed. She also says that you, Ms. Brent, might have been the pushers.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, now, really. It's too absurd. How like a wife.

[Sam Spade]

What time did your play start this afternoon, Ms. Brent?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Night and day at 2:30. Always.

[Sam Spade]

And the late, lamented Dr. Deno jumped at 3:00'?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Clock?

[Sam Spade]

I didn't say he did. Doesn't this nose shock you?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

But of course. Do you think good psychoanalysts are easy to find?

[Sam Spade]

Looks like your next doctor will have to start from scratch. Your case history seems to be missing from Dr. Denov's files.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Missing?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

No. Where is it?

[Sam Spade]

Has a man named Nicolaitis been in touch with you?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

I've never heard of him.

[Sam Spade]

Chances are you will.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Does he have Dr. Denov's notes on my case?

[Sam Spade]

Could be.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

This is frightful.

[Sam Spade]

Hot reading, huh?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

You seem to know this person, Nicolaides. Get that file for me and I'll pay you well for it.

[Sam Spade]

Just a minute, my lovely Titania. We. We don't know who this man really is. He might even be Nicolaitus himself. Let me see your company credentials. Now, what do you know? Somebody picked my pocket. My wallet's gone. I thought so. All right, you tell me. Who you are? I'll call the police.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, no. No, Jonathan. No police.

[Sam Spade]

Let's get off the merry go round. My name is Spade. You'll find me in the phone book under S. My office is open until 6 o', clock, and if a man answers, don't hang up. It'll be me. Hello, Epie. You found a Nicolitis yet?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Not one. I even tried spelling it backwards.

[Sam Spade]

Nobody ever heard of a man named Nikolaitus. Beginning to think there ain't no such person.

[Nicolaitis]

Pardon me. Do I hear my name mentioned? I'm Nikolaitis.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Sam. I still think you're right.

[Sam Spade]

Come all the way in, Mr. Nicolaitis. Sit down.

[Nicolaitis]

Oh, thank you.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

If you need me, Sam, just scream.

[Sam Spade]

What can I do for you?

[Nicolaitis]

Oh, I've come for my money.

[Sam Spade]

What money?

[Nicolaitis]

For the $10,000. You remember the $10,000.

[Sam Spade]

Refresh my memory.

[Nicolaitis]

Dr. Dennis, the gentleman who visited you this morning.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, that $10,000.

[Nicolaitis]

Oh, you see, you see? You remember now?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, yeah, it all comes back to me now. You were supposed to deliver something for the money.

[Nicolaitis]

I think Dr. Dennis is dead. That is no longer important. You will give me the money, please, and I will not disturb your afternoon any further.

[Sam Spade]

Suppose I refuse?

[Nicolaitis]

Oh, that would grieve me. In my grief, there is no telling what I might do.

[Sam Spade]

Dr. Denoff's dead. There's nothing more you can do to hurt him.

[Nicolaitis]

Never would I attempt to hurt poor Dr. Denoff. But in my sorrow, it would be so great if I should be forced to hurt the woman he lost. After all, as Titania says, these are the forgeries of jealousy.

[Sam Spade]

Tanya, huh? Ah, yes. Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 1, Scene 18. I'm a little rusty on my Shakespeare.

[Nicolaitis]

You are indeed, Mr. Spade. Titania doesn't appear until well into act two.

[Sam Spade]

She doesn't, huh? Yeah, yeah, that's right. Yeah. I guess she isn't on for 40 minutes or so.

[Nicolaitis]

Yes, indeed, Mr. Spade, but I didn't come here to discuss drama.

[Sam Spade]

What else you got to discuss? When Dr. Dunof died, your marker died with him.

[Nicolaitis]

That is very unprogressive. You, Mr. Spade, there's always a gentleman named Jonathan War.

[Sam Spade]

Why, you fiend. You don't mean you'd sell to both of us?

[Nicolaitis]

Mr. Spade, how can you have such a low opinion of me? I will prove my integrity. I will give you the material, you give me the money.

[Sam Spade]

Hand it over.

[Nicolaitis]

In the Levant, Mr. Spade, we have a saying. He who goes too close to the bear soon loses his beard. I have left my beard at home.

[Sam Spade]

Okay, I'LL meet you anywhere you say, anytime you say.

[Nicolaitis]

Excellent. At seven in your apartment.

[Sam Spade]

Won't that be walking into the bear's.

[Nicolaitis]

Cave in the Levant, Mr. Spade? We have a saying. Private dicks do not kill people in their own apartments.

[Sam Spade]

It was then 6pm I called Effie for messages. She told me that you had been phoning frantically, Mrs. Denov. I still had maybe 30 minutes before Nikolaitis was due at my apartment, so I breezed on up to your place on the Hill. We had a very interesting chapter. Remember, Mrs. Denoff, looking back on it, that was probably the most interesting conversation we had. Funny, I can't remember much of anything you said, but it was so cozy there in your place. And what with your clock being about 20 minutes slow, it must have been something like half past seven before I left you. I grabbed a cab and told the hackie to step on it. I hope Nikolaitis was still waiting at my apartment. He was, Mr. Nicolettes. I'm sorry to be late. He was lying on my bathroom floor. The little guy was looking just about as natty as when he'd been in my office, except that the beautiful silk scarf he'd been wearing was twisted into a tight noose around his neck. Mr. Nicolaitis was a very dead blackmailer.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

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[Sam Spade]

His eyes were open and he seemed to be looking right at me as I bent over him. The finger marks in his throat were too blotchy to be of any use. Pretty soon, Lieutenant Dundee and Sergeant Polehouse came in and walked over behind me. We all stood there for a second, and then Polehouse bent down and closed those eyes.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

You know him, Sam?

[Sam Spade]

His name is Nicolaitis. That's all I know about him.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

What did he come here to your place for?

[Sam Spade]

I don't know.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

You invited him.

[Sam Spade]

I wouldn't have been surprised to find him here, but not like this. You boys get a smear on him yet? Sure.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

He's an old customer of mine, runs a photo lab. Photostats, microfilm, Microfilm.

[Sam Spade]

Nobody makes any sense. They're all screwballs, psychos, neurotics. What am I doing in the middle of this anyway?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Sam, don't scream at us. We're just doing a job.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, I'm sorry, boys. It's. Dr. Denov is my client.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Mental expert. That Deno probably had a screw loose somewhere and needed a psychoanalyst himself.

[Dr. Zoya]

Say, maybe he was.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, yeah. Hey, look, Dundee, I'm going out of here now. Do I call Sid Weiss and we go through all that again? Are you gonna let me walk?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Why, Sam, you can go. I know where you sleep. I'll wake you when I'm ready for.

[Dr. Zoya]

Well, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

I want some answers, Dr. Zoya. And you're the guy who can give them to me.

[Dr. Zoya]

I'm listening. Just let the questions flow into your mind and do not try to repress any of them. Speak instantly.

[Sam Spade]

Whatever. Okay, question number one. Without thinking. Do you think Dr. Denoff was a suicide?

[Dr. Zoya]

Well, I had not seen Dr. Denoff for many years. He had been my student in Vienna. I was his analyst, in fact.

[Sam Spade]

That's all very interesting, Doctor, but my question.

[Dr. Zoya]

Yes, yes. Did poor Dr. Denoff commit suicide? I have reviewed all the material, manifest and hypothetical, and I came to the conclusion no, no, it was quite impossible. You see, these paranoia.

[Sam Spade]

Okay, question number two. Was Dr. Denoff in love with Constance Brent?

[Dr. Zoya]

I suppose I can now answer that question. When I arrived in San Francisco, I found him in great distress. He told me he feared he was losing his objectivity towards this patient.

[Sam Spade]

In other words, he was in love with her.

[Dr. Zoya]

Yes.

[Sam Spade]

You think she might have murdered him?

[Dr. Zoya]

All psychoanalytical subjects develop aggressive feelings toward the doctor. Nearly all of my patients have threatened me at one time. Or another.

[Sam Spade]

You don't say. Tell me, Dr. Zoya, you know anything about Jonathan Wallace? Ms. Brent's husband?

[Dr. Zoya]

A violent type? Almost psychotic?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. How about you, Dr. Zoya? Could you have done it?

[Dr. Zoya]

That is a Most interesting question, Mr. Spade. When I arrived here from Vienna without funds, dependent on the kindness of my former students, I must confess that I felt a certain antagonism. It disturbed me to realize that a man of my standing in the profession should have been dependent on the goodwill of a younger and, I sincerely believe, less gifted man. However, I overcame this, and I didn't kill him.

[Nicolaitis]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Well, Doctor, thanks a lot.

[Dr. Zoya]

Oh, people. Truly, a life study. There is no accounting. For instance, Dr. Danoff. He came to me only this afternoon with the strangest requests.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah.

[Dr. Zoya]

He gave me the gold watch. The gold watch which I had presented to him many years ago upon his graduation in Vienna. He had a patient waiting and so had not much time to inspect.

[Sam Spade]

Where is his watch, please?

[Dr. Zoya]

I am coming to that. He asked me to promise that I would have the watch buried with him if something should happen. That has been done.

[Sam Spade]

But Dr. Dunoff just died at 3 o'. Clock.

[Dr. Zoya]

It is a mosaic law that the deceased be buried before sundown.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks, doctor. Thanks a lot.

[Dr. Zoya]

I hope I've been of some help, Doctor.

[Sam Spade]

You'll never know how much you've helped me.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Who is it?

[Sam Spade]

Spade.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

What's happened?

[Sam Spade]

I think I got the answers, Mrs. Denov. That file on Constance Brent. Your husband knew that you'd been going through it.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Shut up and listen to me. He took it out of the files, had it microfilmed for his own private records and destroyed the original.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Really?

[Sam Spade]

The man who did the microfilming was Nicolaitis. He delivered one print to your husband and kept another for himself. He was murdered in my apartment for the copy he used to shake down your husband. The killer now has that copy. If it hasn't already been destroyed. But we can still put our hands on the first strip of microfilm which is delivered to your husband.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

This is astonishing. How?

[Sam Spade]

It's in the gold watch which was buried with him.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, the watch. That Dr. Zoe.

[Sam Spade]

That's right. Then I've made up his mind that whatever he knew about Constance Brent was going to go to the grave with him. What are you doing tonight?

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Nothing.

[Sam Spade]

And we got a date, sweetheart, you and I. I'll be back. Toward the wee hours. All paths lead to the grave, Ophelia.

[Dr. Zoya]

Act six, Gregory's grave.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

But shouldn't we get a court order and have it done properly?

[Sam Spade]

The Courts don't open until 10 in the morning, sweetheart. And Lieutenant Dundee's going to start asking me some questions. That stiff in my apartment before then. You see, baby, I can't wait.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Mr. Spade, we shouldn't be doing this.

[Sam Spade]

I'm wrong. This time it won't be wasted effort. I'll crawl into the grave myself and pull it in after. Here. I struck it. Give me that crowbar, Mrs. Denoff. Quick.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

[Sam Spade]

Put that flashlight in, sweetheart. You look the other way. Yeah, yeah, Here it is. Look.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

What. Mr. Speed, what have you got?

[Sam Spade]

Watch. Here, Put the flash on it while I open it.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Here's my nail file. Pry off the back.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Thanks.

[Dr. Zoya]

That does it.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Here's. Here's.

[Sam Spade]

Here's the film. All right, Mr. Spade, give me that film. It wasn't the second gravedigger from Hamlet, Mr. Constance Brent. Stop clowning and hand it up to me.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

You better do as he says, Mr. Spade. We both got guns.

[Sam Spade]

I was expecting that. Took you a long time to get here, Mr. Wallace. How did dear Constance make out as Lady Macbeth? Just give me that film. Stop being an idiot, Wallace. The cemetery is crawling with cops. Put that gun away before you drop it and break your foot.

[Dr. Zoya]

Come up out of that grave, Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Or you'll stay there forever.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Okay, Dundee.

[Sam Spade]

All right, all right.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Get those hands up, everybody.

[Sam Spade]

Go ahead, Dundee. Make the pinch O game.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Sam Spade, I arrest you for body snatching, violation of graves under the civil code number.

[Sam Spade]

No, you fool. You're supposed to arrest Mrs. Gregory Denov and Jonathan Wallace for the murder of Gregory Denov and Pericles Nikolaitis.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

But I. Oh, yeah, yeah, I.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

No, you don't.

[Sam Spade]

It was smart of you, Mrs. Denov, to make me late for my appointment with Nikolaitis. You did that so that Wallace could nail him in my apartment for the microfilm. You thought you could use that film to pin Denov's murder on Constance Brent. But after your late husband caught you tampering with his files, he added a few well chosen words to it so that the film put the finger on you and your boyfriend, Mr. Wallace, in case anything happened to the doctor. So Wallace had to kill Nicolaitis. You weren't smart to push your husband out the window. That looked like suicide. You might have gotten away with it, Mrs. Denoff, if you'd bashed your husband's head in with a bottle. That reminds me. Effy, pour me a drink.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

That all?

[Sam Spade]

Sign it, put a special delivery on it and send it care of the matron to Hatchapy Prison. Go on, have one yourself.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Oh, thank you. Here's how.

[Sam Spade]

You'Ll get used to it.

[Mrs. Gregory Denov]

Good night, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Good night, sweetheart.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Wild Root Cream Oil presents the adventures of Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective. Produced and directed by William Speer. Men. On these warm August days, the sun beats down on your hair May leave it looking dry and brittle. That's why now especially, you need Wild Root Cream Oil. This grand, non alcoholic hair tonic has just what it takes for summer grooming. It contains lanolin, the soothing oil that's so much like the oil of your skin. Wild Root Cream Oil keeps your hair neatly in place, gives it the handsome, successful look that helps you get ahead on the job. And Wild Root Cream Oil removes loose, ugly dandruff and actually relieves annoying dryness. So tonight, take the famous FN test. Check your scalp. Signs of dryness or loose dandruff tell you you need Wild Root Cream Oil right away. Sam Spade is played by Howard Duff. Fred Essler was Dr. Zoya. Lorene Tuttle is Effie. Don't forget next Friday, the three masters of the art of hair raising, Dashiell Hammett, William Spear and Wild Root Cream Oil join forces to bring you another hair raising adventure with Sam Spade. Smart girls use Wild Root Cream Oil too, for quick, good grooming and to relieve dryness between permanents. Mothers say it's grand for training children's hair. Dick Joy speaking. This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.