DASHIELL HAMMETT - SECRET AGENT X-9 (320kbs-m4a/251mb/1hr49mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 24th February to 1st March 2022
It's 1934 and a New York warehouse is ablaze on the Lower East Side. A gang of gun-runners are holed-up until their supply of ammo explodes.
Tough-nut hero, Secret Agent X-9 receives a phone call from wealthy industrialist, Tarleton Powers asking for his help.
Starring Stuart Milligan and Connie Booth.
The heroic agent's adventure from the comic strip created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond. Syndicated by King Features, it ran from 1934 to 1996.
Dramatised in four parts by Mark Brisenden.
Originally agent X-9 had no name, but opted to call himself "Dexter" in the opening tale.
Dashiell Hammett wrote The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, while Alex Raymond famously created sci-fi comic hero Flash Gordon.
Producer: Chris Wallis.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 5 in January 1994.
DASHIELL HAMMETT - SECRET AGENT X-9 - 1. MURDER MANSION (320kbs-m4a/61mb/26mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 24th February 2022
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Jude ...... Bruce McGregor
Cop 1 ...... Clive Rowe
All other parts played by the cast.
DASHIELL HAMMETT - SECRET AGENT X-9 - 2. CARNAGE AT SEA (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 25th February 2022
Heroic agent X-9 takes on the law to pursue his arch enemy in the heart of 1930s New York.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Steward ...... Michael John Paliotti
Bartholomew ...... John Guerrasio
Jude ...... Bruce McGregor
All other parts played by the cast.
DASHIELL HAMMETT - SECRET AGENT X-9 - 3. THE POWERS THAT BE (320kbs-m4a/60mb/26mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 28th February 2022
The all-American hero battles to save gold bullion and solve Evelyn's disappearance.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Deacon ...... Peter Marinker
Matthew ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Harper-Carp ...... Kerry Shale
Waitress ...... Miranda Pleasance
All other parts played by the cast.
DASHIELL HAMMETT - SECRET AGENT X-9 - 4. YOU'RE THE TOP (320kbs-m4a/68mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st March 2022
Heroic agent X-9 finally confronts his nemesis at the top of a 1930s New York landmark.
X-9 ...... Stuart Milligan
Grace Powers ...... Connie Booth
The Top ...... William Hootkins
Evelyn Powers ...... Rachel Power
Alden Powers ...... Peter Marinker
Luke ...... Michael John Paliotti
Captain Brady ...... John Guerrasio
Harper-Carp ...... Kerry Shale
Sister Agnes ...... Miranda Pleasance
All other parts played by the cast.