Dashiell Hammett: The Maltese Falcon & other adventures

The godfather of the hard-boiled detective novel, Dashiell Hammett is widely acknowledged as one of America's greatest mystery writers. This collection brings together the BBC radio adaptations of his works for the first time, including the iconic The Maltese Falcon featuring his most famous character: Sam Spade.The Maltese FalconSan Francisco, 1928. When his partner is murdered on an assignment, private detective Sam Spade is drawn into a dangerous case involving a treacherous femme fatale and the priceless black statuette of a falcon... Tom Wilkinson and Jane Lapotaire star in this thrilling dramatisation of Hammett's most famous novel.Secret Agent X-9New York, 1934, and Secret Agent X-9 is about to embark on his most deadly mission yet. Falsely accused of murder, he struggles to stay one step ahead of the law in his relentless pursuit of his arch enemy, 'The Top'. Dramatised from a comic strip co-created by Dashiell Hammett, this tale of mystery, murder and mayhem stars Stuart Milligan, Connie Booth and William Hootkins.Nightmare TownArriving in the desert boom town of Izzard, Arizona, sharp-edged tough guy Steve Threefall meets the beautiful, terrified Nova Vallance - and encounters danger, intrigue and a dark mystery... Read by Stuart Milligan.The Man Who Killed Dan OdamsAn escaped killer fleeing cross-country stumbles upon an isolated farm in Montana, inhabited by a woman and her young son... This mysterious and brooding noir western is read by Stuart Milligan.The Maltese FalconSam Spade - Tom WilkinsonBrigid O'Shaughnessy - Jane LapotaireMr Gutman - Peter VaughanJoel Cairo - Nickolas GraceEffie - Mia SoteriouMiles Archer - William HopeIva - Liza RossWilmer - Peter AcreTom Polhaus - Norman JonesLt Dundy - Harry TowbDA Bryan - Don FellowsNewspaperman - Robin SummersTaxi driver - Keith EdwardsMan with key - Arnold DiamondDramatised by Michael BakewellDirected by Jane MorganFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 December 1984Secret Agent X-9X-9 - Stuart MilliganGrace Powers - Connie BoothThe Top - William HootkinsEvelyn Powers - Rachel PowerDeacon/Alden Powers - Peter MarinkerMatthew/Steward/Luke - Michael John PaliottiCaptain Brady/Bartholomew - John GuerrasioJude - Bruce McGregorCop 1 - Clive RoweHarper-Carp - Kerry ShaleWaitress/Sister Agnes - Miranda PleasanceOther parts played by the castDramatised by Mark Brisenden from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex RaymondProduced by Chris WallisFirst broadcast BBC Radio 5 Live, 1-22 January 1994Nightmare TownRead by Stuart MilliganAbridged by Neville TellerProduced by Elizabeth AllardFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5-8 November 2001The Man Who Killed Dan OdamsRead by Stuart MilliganAbridged by Neville TellerProduced by Elizabeth Allard First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 November 2001