Bold Venture is a terrific radio show which aired from 1951-1952. It very much — intentionally — had the feel of Bogart and Bacall from Howard Hawks’ classic film, To Have and Have Not, blended with another Bogart classic, Casablanca. Transcribed, Bogart and Bacall could record several shows a session, so that doing a “weekly” show wouldn’t restrict their relaxation between film projects. Bogart, like Alan Ladd had for Box Thirteen with his Mayfair Productions, produced the show himself, through his own Santana Productions, allowing him creative control.

Bogart portrayed Slate Shannon, owner of a hotel called Shannon’s Place. Sailor Duvall was basically the “Slim” character from To Have and Have Not, tagging along as Slate dealt with all the shady characters around Havana and the Caribbean. Jester Hairston portrayed a Calypso singer at Shannon’s place named King Moses, and his musical interludes often drove the story-line forward. The series’ title was taken from Slate’s boat, Bold Venture. It was all tropical and atmospheric, and great fun. Listeners felt like they were tagging along with Slate and Sailor for thirty minutes each week, having one exciting adventure after another.

Quite a number of the original 78 shows syndicated are simply the exact same show, retitled. For example: Alice Ramsey’s Husband, Poison Darts, and Voodoo Vendetta, are the same show, simply retitled, yet marketed as a new show. While you can listen to most of these shows on various radio websites, and on youtube, it’s great to have nearly all of them available at the fingertips, without any hassle. Adventures in Cassettes was the first company I recall to put this out, many, many years ago. I’ve had both of their six-tape collections over the years, and later, a few others. I have listened to all the shows, and still have quite a number of the best ones I return to for a listen from time to time. They are great fun for Bogie and Bacall fans.

This one’s easy to get from I-Tunes, Audible, or Amazon. Perhaps because these belonged to Bogart’s own production company, the quality is really good, sound-wise on this one from PDQ Audiobooks, just as the previous collections from other companies have been in past years. At about 25 hours, PDQ’s is pretty close to all inclusive, so worth getting if you’re a radio fan, and/or a fan of Bogie and Bacall. On Amazon at least, it’s only about what you’d pay for a new hardback. All-in-all, it’s a real bargain for this many hours of enjoyment, which can be spread out at thirty minute intervals. Whenever you’re in the mood for a trip to Havana, with perhaps a short jaunt to the Caribbean on the Bold Venture with Bogart and Bacall, the collection will definitely take you there. Great stuff! ( )