The Saint: The Sinister Sneeze (EP4971)

This episode of *The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio* features a classic adaptation of *The Saint* from the NBC series, starring Vincent Price as Simon Templar. The story, titled 'The Sinister Sneeze,' centers on a suspicious death during a boxing match where prizefighter Benny the Battler unexpectedly knocks out Soldier Jones with a single punch. The Saint investigates, uncovering that the knockout was not due to a blow but to ether inhaled from Benny’s gloves. The mystery deepens when the real culprit is revealed to be Mr. Sweeney, the gambling syndicate boss, who used a towel soaked in ether to incapacitate Jones during the fight. Sweeney then murdered Benny the Battler to silence him, framing the death as suicide. The episode cleverly uses the 'turnabout' principle—reversing the assumed direction of the ether transfer—to solve the case. The addition of Louie, a recurring cabbie sidekick, adds charm and continuity to the NBC run. The host, Adam Graham, reflects on the episode’s strengths and engages with listener feedback, praising Vincent Price’s performance and discussing the narrative logic behind seemingly suspicious behavior in mystery stories.