Maltese Falcon

The Naples Players Radio Theatre brings to life one of the most iconic tales in American crime fiction: The Maltese Falcon. Originally penned by Dashiell Hammett in 1930, this hardboiled detective story introduced audiences to Sam Spade—a private eye with sharp instincts and a sharper tongue—who finds himself caught in a dangerous game over a priceless, jewel-encrusted statuette. The novel was a landmark in mystery literature, transforming the genre with its gritty realism, cynical tone, and morally gray characters. But its influence didn’t stop at the printed page. As radio drama captivated living rooms across America in the 1930s and ’40s, The Maltese Falcon was destined for the microphone. The most celebrated adaptation aired on Lux Radio Theatre on February 8, 1943, just two years after the acclaimed Warner Bros. film.
What made this broadcast legendary was its cast: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre—reprising their film roles for a national radio audience. In just under an hour, listeners were transported into the shadowy alleys and smoky offices of noir San Francisco, brought to life by powerful performances and immersive sound design. Over the decades, The Maltese Falcon has continued to grip the imagination. Whether in film, on the page, or through the speakers of an old radio, the mystery of the black bird and the enigma of Sam Spade remain timeless.
This radio play adaptation pays homage to that legacy. We invite you to lean in, listen closely, and lose yourself in a tale where loyalty is slippery, danger comes in whispers, and nothing is ever quite what it seems. Thank you for joining us. Let the mystery begin. This Naples Players Radio Theatre production features the vocal talents of Pamela Dollack, Jim Heffernan, David Whalley, Nathan Eichhorn,Robert Medeiros,Gregg Birr,Esther Snyder, and Michael Troop . This audio file was recorded, mixed and mastered by Michael Troop. All music and sound effects were obtained through a special license from pond5.com and may not be copied or reproduced for any reason.