Sam Spade - The Crab Louis Caper

0:00The National Broadcasting Company presents the adventures of Sam Spade Detective. The National Broadcasting Company presents the adventures of Sam Spade Detective. Sam Spade Detective Agency? Oh, no, no, no. I beg your pardon? Swin up to you, company, hello. Hey, why are you? Nothing at all, sweetheart. I just happened to have the tourist list of handy Italian phrases before me. Your speech never did that to you before Sam. North Beach never did anybody like it just did me, F. But I thought you said, oh, by tell of me, I just wanted you to drop by for a friendly talk. And some garlic bread and red wine. But does that explain the knife-gash on my coat? You're your tweet? My old tweet now, cherub. You see, it was never meant to be swam in. The bag? Yes. What else? By now, your keen feminine instinct should tell you this is not the social call, wonder girl. As a matter of fact, I plan to drop by presto presto with words unenthaled something I call view of fisherman's walk from the water.

1:03Or the crab-lui-caper. Transcribe brand B.C., William Spear, radio's outstanding producer director of mystery and crime drama. Bring you the greatest private detective of them all in the adventures of Sam Spade. Zing, zing, zing, zing, ding ding ding ding ding ding. It's the one, John, Lose, Sam. Well, the loaning up, huh? Twenty-seemer. Oh, um. Tensicaro, un cobre à taore, tella, carpella. Great. Great. What's it mean? I found my secretary's method of most used Italian phrases, Sam. It means, um, I want a carburetor for my whatchoreto. What's your act? I'll remember that. So shall we proceed with the business at hand? Very safe. They fill it in. A two by Atalameo Majore, copy to Lieutenant Rossi

2:04in North Beach Division from Samuel Spade, license number 137596. Subject? The Crab Bluey Caper. Dear Patalameo. Fisherman's warp, as you know, is as changeable as an Italian wimp. Shull smiles and laughter of a Saturday night with a light-splazing in the Chappino Palazzo's and the tourist 3D for on the steaming cauldrons outside. But it's something else again of an early dawn. Dark can lonely and quiet, except for the mudder of engines as the Crab Boats knows out into the fog to hang over the gate. Last night was somewhere in between. The lights were blinking out as I left my cab and walked over to your place of business. A godly painted building at the foot of the war for the red, yellow and blue sign, reading, you say, oh, Majore, Curio, souvenirs, wax works, admission, ten cents. Who is it? I'm Sam Spade, Patalameo. Call me here. He isn't here. That's his grotto at the end of the warp. Thanks, sir. Look, is there anything I can... Sorry?

3:05The War of the War of the War of the War of the War of the War Except for Faskeys at the very end, the warp was dark now. It seemed early as if something had interfered with business as usual, and my late customers had been brushed off a couple hours ahead of time. I picked through a hole in one of Faskeys' window shades and saw why. It looked like the entire population of North Beach was inside. Hey, buddy. OK. If everyone is ready... What's the matter? What's this? Me? Yes, you. What do you want? I'm Sam Spade, Patalameo Majore. I sent for me. Patalameo. President, you're senior Spain? Ah, yes, yes. Over the gallantium, all Faskeys. Adair Mr. Spade. You are wondering why you are here? It doesn't matter if I'm a Faske, I am, but I'm a Faske. I thought... I know. It's about my son, Louis. My son, my only son. Oh, is he inside? No, not inside. Out in the dark, in the somewhere. Cold and alone.

4:07You mean he... You see, six days now they have searched for his buddy. Oh, well, when did it happen? One week today. Crabbone is bought in San Felipe. Was he along when it happened? You detectives. You strike the point. Louis always, always official on. Until this time. Who went out with him? Dominic Torio, his friend Dominic. This gathering is assembled in Dominic's... on, you see. You mean hearing or something? Something more than that. Come. Listen to that. Come here. I'm a six. It might be any other six. It's all pre-buffer. Faske, you should turn it into tickets. Take your temper, Aldo. Stay tight. Faske, faske, son. All right, Faske. Six years, Louis, fished the crab along. Each of the days, they lay over, closed the break-align and stringed the pot. Each of the day, he's bringing the son, Felipe, home, hockey, hockey. Are you riding a boat?

5:08That's all, sure. Until one point, Dominic, he's the goal. We'd Louis to help. Help. Aldo, we must deal in fact. Dominic is suspended. Aldo! Fast in the door. He's the chino Louis. Choo is the chino Louis. And he don't why? Because he's the water of the lia. That's the water. Get out of the way. See how this... Who's Rosalia? You must have seen her at the... We'll say her. Fine. Yes, with reason. Next week, she and my Louis were to be married. Stuff. You think that Dominic was in love with him, maybe? I think nothing, sir. Two men, friends, along in a boat in a heavy falcon. One of them dies. The other says it is an accident. It's not for us to think or make guesses. Say, what am I supposed to do? In the records of the police, sir, my Louis died in an accident. In the hearts of his friends, he was murdered.

6:09For my sake, for Dominic's... For the sake of his own, we must know the truth. For this, I prefer to employ one who is professional and impartial. Come. We're going. I know, believe it or not. Only for heaven, I may. He lends you. Once again, Dominic. How far was the boat from Seal Rocks? 100 yards, I think. I'm sorry, but I don't understand. I heard the break. He's on the side. Dylan, you let Dominic tell the story. Go on now. You had dropped the last crab part over the side. Then something went wrong with the motor. Louis told me to look at it. I went below then it happened. Louis was leaning over the gull, he untangled a float and the sea took us by the stern. We broached. I saw him go over and plung into the white water. I brought the boat about him. For two hours, I yelled, I circled around, I blew the whistle everything. And the coast guy came. Foskey, I swear it. That's all I know. I never saw that. He's not feeble.

7:10Dylan, you're all. Dylan, you're all. My brothers, it was your will that I sit here in judgment of Dominic Torio. Before I go on, are there any more questions you have to ask him? I have no questions. Are there any among you who have evidence to offer against him? So beat. You know as well as I, there is only one verdict here. The charges dismissed. The court is adjourned. Pfft. Pfft. Pfft. Everyone was still for a second, like a big table. Oscar, white haired and dignified on the platform, looking down at Dominic. The rest of them all on their feet now, boring holes through them with their eyes. He was the first to move, turning slowly, walking out through the crowd toward the door, looking tentatively from face to face. Knowing now he hadn't been acquitted at all. As one by one, they turned their backs on him.

8:11I felt terribly sorry for Dominic. Until he walked past me, I got to look at his face, at his eyes. In my record, I see that look more often than the next guy. I never saw it any clearer than I did now. It was fear and hatred and guilt. So I left you talking to Fascade by Talameo and walked back down to the loft, the Museo. Rosalie, I told you by Talameo is not here. I've seen by Talameo. I want to talk to you. Sit down. I don't want to. Sit down. That's a good girl. It was quite a place to me, Cecil. I catch all for everything not to go. You would run across in 60 odd years of living on the seer next to it. From a ten foot shark pickled in formaldehyde to a life-size figure of captain kid complete with drawn sword, lace cups, and treasure chest at his feet next to the door. I turned back to Rosalie, sitting on a rumcag under a flickering hurricane lamp. The only light in the room.

9:11What do you want of me? But Talameo wants the truth about what happened on the sand fully. The deciding that I was going to be the first to be the deciding that at the meeting they already did it. Do you mean Dominic? How did they decide to dismiss the charges? No evidence, no witnesses. It was the only thing Pasque could do. You feel better? It doesn't bring back my Louis. No, it doesn't. Dominic's gone free now. From both the law and his people. No vengeance for Louis. Why were you crying when I came by tonight? Haven't I the right to cry with my Louis? Drop it. Why didn't you go to the meeting afraid to give yourself away? I didn't feel like it, that's all. You're a Sicilian, Rosalia. Vengeance is pretty important to you. If you'd loved Louis, you'd have been in there screaming for Dominic's scout. You shut your mouth. But no, you're sad home crying. Not for Louis, but for Dominic, right? How long it had been going on? Did you know Dominic was going to kill him when they put out in the San Felipe? Why would Dominic kill him? Well, it's a stupid question. He's in love with you. In love with me.

10:12I love with me. Drop it. Drop it, Rosalia. In love with me? Oh, I wish it was so. What? He killed for me, as I would they say? It's all very flattering, very. I love Dominic. I've always loved Dominic since I was a little cry. I threw myself at Dominic. I begged him to marry me. That's not easy for a girl to do Mr. Spade. I begged him and I promised to work for him to be a slave. You know what he did? He laughed and he stood upon me. And you! You stand there and you tell me that he murdered for the love of me. You wouldn't mark a cross in the street. All right, all right. Take it easy now. Come on. Take it easy. So, so I do the silly woman thing. I promise myself to Louis. To crazy Louis to a madman. Crazy? You don't believe that, huh? Louis the great, you capione, a chap, you know, the crab fisherman, who dares to fish right on the breaker line. Catches more crab than anyone else.

11:14Louis the fearless. You know why he's stainless? He's too crazy to be afraid. What do you mean? He mothers he. He talks to himself a great riches of thousands of dollars of him and me. Louis the crab fisherman and me living in the finest house in North Beach. When was this? Last week, he went up in Vartalameo's attic when night and he came down with a big uncle of his raw wax from the wax works. The trisor, he called it a stupid lump of wax. And he held it up before me. So, and he says with a mad gleam of the dye, from this roselier, from this apple carfer as the biggest, finest house you can dream of. Here, look. What's Captain Kid got to do? Well, he put it in the treasure chest. See? You will keep this as secret roselier, he says. If you love me. And he laughs again like a madman. Me love Louis, my journey? I hated him. He's too good to be phony.

12:15A triangle notion had to go. You could hardly blame Roselier for thinking he was crazy. And the treasure chest was a hunk of talent, not a very fresh hunk at that. And Louis routine with it must have hit her like the graveyard seen from Hamlet. Therefore, having no theory, no evidence, no witnesses, I also had no motive. As always, in situations like this, I did the sensible thing. I went home and went to bed. Or I thought I went to bed. Hello? Spade? Yeah. I got a tip for you. Find yourself a nice dirty divorce case somewhere and stay out of North Beach. This is almost sounds like a threat. All it is a price. There's a hundred bucks in the mail for you. You'll get it this morning. Plus a bribe? A gift. Can I keep it if I don't play? If you don't play, you won't need it. I suppose it's useless to ask who this is. Louis Majori. Play that again? Louis Majori, shall I spell it? You might explain it. You talk roselier. They're good out for yourself. Sure, sure. So she never loved you and you knew it. So you go over the side when the comrade hits swimmer shore

13:17and discover they think you're dead and decide to leave it that way rather than go through with a wedding. You got it. I got more. So life without roselier and North Beach is impossible. You can't face the shame and loose talk. They go with a busted wedding. So you're going over the hill and find a new life for yourself. Wait a minute, Spade. Oh, there's more. There's more. So you're tossing over a car, a bank account, a boat worth $7,000. Walking out on your old man to say nothing to three years of apprenticeship and six years of hard work to get where you are. I understand perfectly. And you're being a little insulting. I make a lot of my dough with my big flat feet. But I do make some of it with my head. Now try again. You don't believe I'm Louis Majori? That is the general idea. And it might surprise you to know that five minutes ago, I was ready to chuck the whole Andy Pasto. Now I'm back in with both feet. Thoughts were the music box. Nothing. Tell me, would you know Louis if you saw him? I've seen his picture. I'm blind. I guess I'll have to prove it to you. If I satisfy you, I'm Louis Majori, will you stay home? Scott. How's honor? Now where do we prove it?

14:18You know, Costa Llan, he's proud of. Halfway out in the work yard. There's a ramp running around behind it. I'll see you there in a half hour. I know just what you're going to say about Tellamil, but I didn't go alone. Roscoe was right there with me with his safety off. It was a kind of Spade San Francisco puts on once a year for the tourists. Just a nail down its position as runner up the London. I had to feel my way along the row of dark, chowder houses to Castellanis. Except for the fog horn and the lapping of the water below, there wasn't a sound. The only cheerful thing in the picture was Roscoe, who was now out of my pocket at the ready. I used up to the corner of Castellanis. There was an alley between it and the next building, leading around on the ramp over the water. I could see the grove is cigarette first, then I made him out in a slouch hat and overcoat. He was standing at the rail. Spade? Right here. Well, you satisfied now?

15:18I'll let you know. I moved out from the side of the building and walked toward him. You must have known about Roscoe because he didn't move. Just let me come right up next to him. I was stupid, sure, but it wouldn't have worked for him, except for the fog. Two feet away, I saw what I thought was Louis. It was a booby trap. The hat and overcoat were slung over a piling without the burning cigarette on the rail next to one of his leaves. I rolled a one-side dust in fine, the knife slashed through the padding on my left shoulder, and he was on me. Roscoe went into the drink and I took on the arm with a knife with my two hands, 32 feet. Unhappily, overlooking a spare foot, to you what to do here. I went through the railing like an assailant version of a sea wolf, arriving dust in the limped and soothing waters of San Francisco Bay. At the moment, I was not sorry. You are listening to the weekly adventure of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade.

16:26Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Sunday, theater guild on the air presents one of the greatest dramatic undertakings in the history of radio. It's a full hour and a half adaptation of Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet. The immortal lines and matchless beauty of Hamlet come to life Sunday with John Gilgott, Dorothy McGuire and Pamela Brown, in theater guild on the air. And a reminder, this Sunday also means another gala broadcast of The Big Show. And now back to the crab blui, the paper, tonight's adventure with Sam Spade. Wedding my finger and holding it up in the wind, I quirkly determined where north was, and just as quickly decided there was no percentage in swimming the golden gate. A bright blur on my starboard bow, cold of mind the old saying, where there's a light,

17:27there's light, so I headed there. Three strokes this side of exhaustion, I pulled up at what cooked of your landing with a Jacob's ladder, the top of which I found the rear entrance to Foskey's, or more accurately Foskey's private office. Adora was open. I'm Sam Spade, I've been swimming if you're wondering. What teller me or teller me about you? Didn't say you were crazy. Well, maybe he didn't know. You wouldn't have a brandy lying around loose, would you? Sure, she done. Thanks. I think I saw Louis tonight. Louis? Keep possible. Where? In this. Yeah. Waschew Foskey? Oh, hit me again, what happened? Yeah, but what about Louis? Call me up, said he'd meet me there, just try to knife me. So what, what a jam-parshing. What is it? Why would he play Dane? And why would he try to kill you? Maybe he's crazy. How do you mean? You've heard of the dear old lady who had the trunk full of pancakes, haven't you? Mm-hmm. Louis saves old tallow, Captain Kid's treasure chest at the

18:28Musee Seos, full of it. Who told you this? Louis, I showed it to me. May I help you, sir? Thanks. Might be a good idea to call another meeting and tell the people. Make it easier for Dominic. Funny. It was a whole meeting here. I own, Dad. It is good. Good thing they made you the judge, Jerry. You might be six feet under by now. Got a cigarette? You're in the box, it makes to the floor, thanks. Yeah, I went right along with them too. It shows how wrong you can be when. You went, weren't. When you go by emotions and not by evidence, this is quite a cigarette box. It stops when you put it down. Well. I suppose now you'll drop your assignment? Sure. Sure, I'm a detective, not a psychiatrist. You've got a lunatic running around, that's your problem. Good night, Fosky. And thanks for the brandy. If Roscoe had been along, I might have played it differently.

19:28But when you're sitting across a coffee table from a guy you suddenly realize as the wet cement all ready, you do what I did. Make polite noises and concentrate on getting out on two feet. You were seven to three, Dominic was stationed at a handy-carset listening to the whole thing, which was handy since the next obvious move was his room in a house on Jefferson Street. A rooming house owned and operated by a four-cusage bosom type lady known as Mama Luca. Oh, thank you. I don't know nothing. I don't know nothing. You're scared, Mama. Did Dominic threaten you? No, no, don't ask her. Look, look, he killed Louis Mijori. I got to know why. I don't know why. I don't know nothing about it. Louis came here? Yes. Louis came here the night before it happened. Why? I don't know. He was all excited. A handful of wax. Wax? You know. What about it? He showed it to Dominic and he went into his room and talked and then he ran off to send a telegram. Telegram, officer. Well, since his official business, I can let you read the office copy. Here. This message just came in tonight.

20:28Dominic Torio, regarding your inquiry analysis of samples sent here by Louis Mijori, highly promising. If quality uniform and weight correct, would estimate value minimum $60,000. Partly associated, Svan Couver B.C. A lump of smelly stuff that looked like old tallow picked out of the ocean in worth $60,000 was a strong enough clue for even stupid Sam to pick up. I left the telegraph office on the double and pulled up at the Mijori, ten minutes later. Oh, the blasted block is jammed. He was too busy to notice me. I slid a mornin spike out of a wreck next to the rum keg. Oh, luck. Must be luck. I hate to do this, Faskey. Wait a minute, mate. Wait a minute. The next voice you'll hear will be the nurse with a breakfast tray. What's all the meal? What's your name?

21:28What's your name? What did you... Look. What? What did you do? His honor was playing Pandora with Captain Kid's Treasury. Today's your book's about it. Look, why? Who is it? Faskey. Surprise. Faskey. Why would he, of all people, like Subbuck as well as the next one? Possibly even more, when there are sixty thousand of them. Sixty thousand dollars. Yeah. Is he mad? Like a fox. Now let me pry this cover off. There. What is this? That may not look like much to you and me, but to a perfume manufacturer. It's prettier than the Venus de Milo. Padlo? Ambergris. That's what happens when a whale gets a tummy ache. Louis must have run onto a ten days ago. I didn't mean it. Sixty thousand dollars. Yeah. That's the big why of it, by tell of me, oh. What now? You think Faskey... You talk neither will Dominic. They're next and they know it. Still two men alone in a fog and a boat. See. There were only a witness.

22:29There was a witness. The eye of God was on Dominic when he did it. The judgment of God dissuited and insured. Dominic knows it. I think so. I know Dominic. Where you ask? There's a way to find out. What time is it? A buster one. There's time. Where do you keep your razor? Racer? Yeah. I'm going to shave Captain Kid. Which I did, finishing around 2 a.m. During the next three hours, I got wet cold and seasick and the older name. But made it back to the Museo and time for a couple of stiff horns that grapple before you and I settled down to the war. Where Dominic was picking up fate for his crab nets. Dominic? Huh? All the polonail. And the senior spit. I remember Mr. Spade. Yeah, last night in back at Castellanis. I don't know what you're talking about. What you talking about? Sure, Dominic. It's all a horrible mistake. Are you off me, will you? Herbert Poskey said didn't you? They dropped the charges on innocent. They cleared me. That's just why we're here.

23:29We want to make it up to that point. What's in your mind? You did lure your great favor, Dominic. You know, 32 crab pots got too much from the handle. You went along to help him. Today we're going along to help you. Now, when do we cast off? There's a float up ahead. What's going on? Yellow and red. Is that yours, Dominic? That's mine. Great. Pull up alongside. Well? What's this solid fire? I told you, Dominic. What are you trying to do? Break me down. He's dead in an accident. You heard me fast. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Forget it, Dominic. We love you like a brother. I told you the truth. I told you the truth. What are you trying to do? Torture me. Is that what you want? A vent. No. The matter is another answer now. What? You mean there is always one witness? Isn't that Dominic? Oh. That's what you mean, huh? Is that why you came to tell me that? That's a good one.

24:30A whole lot wills fade out. They might not. I'll spit in your eye once they all may. One day when you get smart, you want a whole hour's of war. We both watched him hold the light. He had put a little kid whistling in the dark. He was a lousy actor. Heal under his sunburn and drenched with sweat. I won't let you fake it. I'll boil by corn. Then it began to come slower. Make it stick. When I can prove it in court, I'll sue you to you. Hey, what's the matter here? What's pulling on this line? Maybe it's your conscience, Dominic. It's heavy. What the hell are the moves in strange ways? Hey. You get it? Let me help you. Here we go. One, two, three. You wait for me. Let me go. Three, two, one. I hauled Louis up onto the deck and at grisly sight he was, too.

25:35But the knife still sticking in his back. I figured that was where Dominic would put it. I was right. Not that it mattered because Dominic wasn't thinking logically from a moment he saw Louis' body tangled in his crab line. He sang us all 50 verses then and then repeated them for the police and I go for later when we got him to headquarters. It looks like a first-degree rap for both him and Fusky. But I'm waiting to let happen before telling him the corpse was Captain Kid, Minus Beard and Ruffles. Period and of report. Damn. Again and again I rediscover you. And each time a new facet. A new thrill. You're just wonderful. It's true, true. But it pleases me to hear it from you, F. And so I proposed to reward you in a fitting manner. First, tuck, tuck, tuck, a carburetor for your washeret. And second, ten free tickets to the Museo Mejari. Third, an invitation to accompany me, your employer, the brows upon two bowls of Chappinos and I to Castellanis. And fourth, back sowering. Damn. Cowdy girl, cowdy then bless you.

26:36What's your ret complete with carburetor will call at your door and precisely one hour. Until then, then. Good night, Sam. Good night, sweetheart. Three times mean good times on NBC. You're invited to a one hour concert tomorrow by the renowned NBC Symphony. Under the direction of noted conductor Wilfred Pelletier, featured soloist on tomorrow's symphony performance is Helen Trouble. For the world's greatest music, hear the NBC Symphony tomorrow and every Saturday. Tonight's transcribed adventure of Sam Spade was produced, edited and directed by William Spear. Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn, luring title as Epi. Script for tonight's adventure by Harold Swanton, musical scarring by Ludgluskin conducted by Robert Armbruster. The first time I've ever seen a film by a friend of mine, a friend of mine, who was a great actor. And he was a great actor. And he was a great actor.

27:37And he was a great actor. And he was a great actor. And he was a great actor. And he was a great actor. And he was a great actor. And he was a great actor. Join us again next week, same time for another adventure with Sam Spade. Through the years, the Red Cross has helped the victims of disaster and helped protect the health of our nation. Today, with the country rising to meet the challenge of possible aggression, the Red Cross has been asked by the government to undertake additional tremendous tasks. A goal of $85 million must be reached during the 1951 Red Cross campaign. This year, when you support the Red Cross, you'll be helping to mobilize for the defense of our nation. Join the magnificent Montague, then its Duffy's Tavern on NBC. Join the magnificent Montague, then its Duffy's Tavern on NBC.