THE CRAB LOUIE CAPER and THE SPANISH PRISONER CAPER ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE
Sam Spade: The Crab Louie Caper (EP4179) - The Great ..."The Crab Louie Caper" is a March 2, 1951, episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade featuring Steve Dunne as Spade. Sam is hired to investigate the death of an Italian crab fisherman on Fisherman's Wharf, determining whether it was a tragic accident or cold-blooded murder, with alternative titles referencing the location.
Context: The episode was produced during the final year of the show's run (1946–1951).
Plot: The mystery centers on the suspicious death of a fisherman.
Cast: Steve Dunne played Sam Spade, with Lurene Tuttle as Effie Perrine.
Production: Directed/produced by William Spier, written by Harold Swanton, with music by Lud Gluskin.
In "The Adventures of Sam Spade" episode "The Spanish Prisoner Caper" (originally aired March 9, 1951), Sam tries to help a retired teacher who lost $1,000 to an old confidence game, according to Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. Starring Steven Dunne as Spade, the detective investigates the classic fraud scheme to recover the money.
Context: The episode was a radio broadcast from Hollywood.
Characters: Along with Sam Spade, the episode features his secretary Effie, played by Lurene Tuttle.
Plot: The narrative focuses on the "Spanish Prisoner" con, a scam where victims are promised a large sum of money in exchange for help freeing a supposed prisoner.
The Adventures of Sam Spade (1946–1951) is a classic radio noir starring Howard Duff, renowned for its witty scripts by Jason James and Bob Tallman. Episodes feature private eye Sam Spade solving "capers" and dictating reports to his secretary, Effie Perrine, often ending in romantic or humorous trouble.