Bow Window Caper: The Adventures of Sam Spade (November 9, 1947)

“Bow Window Caper” is an episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade, the old-time radio show, first broadcast November 9, 1947. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Sam Spade is hired by Dr. Reese, a psychiatrist whose wife Esther has become increasingly jealous and suspicious of his female patients. The doctor's wife has purchased a gun, hired someone to watch the house, and is making wild accusations. When Spade visits the doctor's home to investigate, he encounters a mysterious man spying through the bow window and is assaulted before discovering the household in chaos, with Mrs. Reese attacking the doctor's nurse with brass fire tongs.

San Francisco, Dr. Reese's home and office on Pacific Avenue

Characters: Sam Spade, Dr. Reese, Mrs. Esther Reese, Miss Robbins, Mrs. Kavanaugh, mysterious man

Listen for: The violent confrontation at the bow window, the chaotic domestic scene with Mrs. Reese brandishing fire tongs, and Miss Robbins' resignation as the doctor's nurse.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.