The Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail Caper

By: The Adventures of Sam Spade

This episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade first aired on December 4, 1949.

Dashiell Hammett's classic detective burst out of the pages of The Maltese Falcon and into his own radio series on July 12, 1946. Featuring Howard Duff as Spade and Lureen Tuttle as his faithful secretary, Effie, the series appeared on three different radio networks: ABC (1946), CBS (1946-49), and NBC (1949-51). Toward the end of the series' run, Steve Dunne replaced Howard Duff in the title role. The program won a 1947 Edgar Award for Best Radio Drama.

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Critic reviews

"A show that still seems fresh and alive." (Jim Harmon, The Great Radio Heroes)

Howard Duff as Sam Spade!

If you could sum up The Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail Caper in three words, what would they be?

silly, witty detective !

Who was your favorite character and why?

Effie, the secretary. Sweet and clearly crazy about Sam, she plays a nice foil to his complaining.

Have you listened to any of the narrator’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Sam Spade, but if Audible has more I will get them. This was fun!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me giggle. A lot of topical jokes that may be dated, but being a history nut, I think I got most of them. When Sam says to the other detective at the end, " This is my show, get your own!" I laughed out loud.

Funny, funny, funny.

Funny, funny, funny. Great episode. It had everything a insane detective. Detectives in bunny suits and a screwball caper.

The Second Best Sam Spade Episode Ever!

Howard Duff is the most enjoyable radio actor to ever solve a caper! What a pleasure to hear him work. Let Fritz Crockett get his own show.