Hastings Mystery Theater

Dan LaClair
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Film History
  • Series

Hastings Mystery Theater is a popular public-access and internet television show based in Hastings, Michigan, that broadcasts classic murder mystery, detective, whodunnit, and film noir movies. Originally produced for Hastings Cable Access in the late 2000s, the program has grown from a local public-access show into a global streaming phenomenon with millions of views via YouTube. [1, 2, 3] Key Features of the Show The Host: The show is hosted by Randall Schaefer, a classic movie enthusiast and the self-proclaimed "Mystery Master". Schaefer introduces each movie from his extensive personal collection. [1, 2] Historical Trivia: Before the films roll, Schaefer provides rich historical context, production trivia, and deep dives into the lives and careers of the featured actors. [1, 2] The Era: The show primarily curates full-length, rare, and hard-to-find B-movies from the 1930s and 1940s.

  1. Episode 8

    Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) full movie audio

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) full movie audio and includes a movie introduction by Randall Schaefer...see full visual movie on our YouTube Channel (Hastings Mystery Theater)

    Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942) full movie audio

  2. Episode 9

    The Adventures of Sam Spade-by Randall Schaefer

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. The Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective was a highly popular, award-winning old-time radio series that aired from 1946 to 1951 across ABC, CBS, and NBC. Based loosely on the hard-boiled San Francisco private eye created by Dashiell Hammett in The Maltese Falcon, the radio show took a distinctly more tongue-in-cheek and sardonic approach to the character than the darker novel or the famous 1941 Humphrey Bogart film noir.

    The Adventures of Sam Spade-by Randall Schaefer

  3. Episode 10

    The Sam and Guiana Sovereign Caper-July-12-1946

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. The story kicks off when shipping company owner Bernard F. Gilmore is reportedly robbed and murdered. Shortly after, Gilmore’s business partner, Emil Tonescu, hires private investigator Sam Spade to find a rare, missing coin called the Guiana Sovereign that was stolen from the "dead" man. Tonescu claims the coin holds immense sentimental value.

    The Sam and Guiana Sovereign Caper-July-12-1946

  4. Episode 11

    "Sam and Psyche" The Adventures of Sam Spade

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. "Sam and Psyche" is the fourth episode of the iconic old-time radio series The Adventures of Sam Spade, which originally aired on August 2, 1946. The mystery begins when a prominent psychiatrist, Dr. Timothy Charles, hires private investigator Sam Spade. Dr. Charles reveals that he is being ruthlessly blackmailed by an unknown extortionist who threatens to ruin his professional and personal life. The case takes a deadly turn when Dr. Charles is murdered shortly after seeking Sam's help. Left with a dead client and a labyrinth of psychological secrets, Sam dives into the doctor's files and interrogates a web of deceptive suspects. Through sharp detective work, Sam exposes the killer's identity, neutralizes the blackmail threat, and survives the psychological traps set for him. The episode concludes in traditional fashion with Sam back at his desk, dictating the bizarre details of the case report to his secretary, Effie Perrine. Would you like to know where to listen to the surviving audio of this 1946 broadcast, or are you looking for a synopsis of a different Sam Spade caper?

    "Sam and Psyche" The Adventures of Sam Spade

  5. Episode 12

    The Death of Dr. Denhoff Caper-SAM SPADE 08-09-1946

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. The mystery begins when a prominent psychoanalyst, Dr. Gregory Denhoff (sometimes spelled Denoff), walks into the office of private investigator Sam Spade. The doctor reveals that a ruthless blackmailer named Nicolitis has gotten hold of his highly confidential, microfilmed patient transcripts and is demanding a massive payout. [1, 2, 3, 4]

    The Death of Dr. Denhoff Caper-SAM SPADE 08-09-1946

  6. Episode 13

    The Calcutta Trunk Caper-The Adventures of Sam Spade

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. "The Calcutta Trunk Caper" is a 1947 radio episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade. The story follows a classic detective mystery that starts in San Francisco and ends across the world. The Setup The Client: A panicked woman named Marsha Hopkins hires Sam Spade.The Job: She wants Sam to stop her wealthy sister, Constance, from marrying a shady Bulgarian major named Andrea Rodnick. Marsha is convinced the major is a fortune hunter who will murder her sister.The Mystery The Trunk: Sam looks into the major and gets tangled up in a conspiracy involving a mysterious piece of luggage—the Calcutta trunk.

    The Calcutta Trunk Caper-The Adventures of Sam Spade

  7. Episode 14

    The Convertible Caper- The Adventures of Sam Spade 06-15-1947

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Howard Duff as Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle as Effie Perrine.Plot: A woman hires private investigator Sam Spade to recover a valuable foreign car that was stolen from her—after she had stolen it from someone else. The case quickly spirals into danger, double-crosses, and tight spots around San Francisco.

    The Convertible Caper- The Adventures of Sam Spade 06-15-1947

  8. Episode 15

    The Adam Figg Caper-The Adventures of Sam Spade 10-05-1947

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. "The Adam Figg Caper" is an episode from the classic old-time radio series The Adventures of Sam Spade, which originally aired on October 5, 1947. The series stars Howard Duff as Dashiell Hammett’s famous hard-boiled private investigator, Sam Spade, alongside Lurene Tuttle as his secretary, Effie Perrine Synopsis The story kicks off when Adam Figg, the butler of a wealthy but highly eccentric old man named Hillary Eggon, approaches Sam Spade for help. Figg is deeply concerned about his employer's safety after hearing mysterious screams and gunshots echoing through the large, southern-style mansion during the night. Hoping to prevent a tragedy, Figg hires Spade to protect the old man. Upon arriving at the chaotic estate, Spade discovers that the elderly Eggon has been erratically firing his household staff. The tension quickly escalates beyond a simple protection detail. As Spade digs deeper into the household's bizarre dynamics, he uncovers a messy web of blackmail, betrayal, and murder. The investigation forces Spade to navigate dangerous criminals and deceptive figures hiding in plain sight, ultimately culminating in a classic hard-boiled showdown.

    The Adam Figg Caper-The Adventures of Sam Spade 10-05-1947
See All Season 1 (29)

Trailers

About

Hastings Mystery Theater is a popular public-access and internet television show based in Hastings, Michigan, that broadcasts classic murder mystery, detective, whodunnit, and film noir movies. Originally produced for Hastings Cable Access in the late 2000s, the program has grown from a local public-access show into a global streaming phenomenon with millions of views via YouTube. [1, 2, 3] Key Features of the Show The Host: The show is hosted by Randall Schaefer, a classic movie enthusiast and the self-proclaimed "Mystery Master". Schaefer introduces each movie from his extensive personal collection. [1, 2] Historical Trivia: Before the films roll, Schaefer provides rich historical context, production trivia, and deep dives into the lives and careers of the featured actors. [1, 2] The Era: The show primarily curates full-length, rare, and hard-to-find B-movies from the 1930s and 1940s.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan LaClair
  • Episodes
    30
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Dan LaClair (C) 2026 all right reserved
  • Show Website
    Hastings Mystery Theater