OLD-TIME RADIO: THE MALTESE FALCON (TIMES TWO)

A few weeks ago, Evan Lewis presented a comic book adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's classic novel The Maltese Falcon on his not-to-be-missed blog,  Davy Crockett's Almanac.  Why stop there?  I thought.  Here's two different radio versions of the story, one starring Edward G. Robinson, the other Humphrey Bogart, as the immortal Sam Spade

Enjoy..

 

Producer Cecil B. DeMille presents "The Maltese Falcon," adapted by John Huston and starring Edward G. Robinson, Gail Patrick, and Laird Cregar.  This aired as episode 382 of Lux Radio Theater on February 8, 1943. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehgLxBTZ5NA

Then, three years late, on July 3, 1946, the short-lived* Academy Award Theater presented a stripped-down, half-hour version of "The Maltese Falcon" reuniting Humphrey Bogart, Mart Astor, and Sydney Greenstreet in their original roles.  This version was produced and directed by Dee Englebach.  Hugh Brundage announced the show. Frank Wilson adapted the script.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FDjX3_9XHU

Which version do you prefer?

*Academy Award Theater last for only 39 episodes.  Its extravagant budget (for 1946) of $5000 an episode was just too heavy a burden to bear.