Bold Venture

Slate Shannon docks his boat, Bold Venture, in Havana, where he also runs a hotel. In the company of his ward, Sailor Duval, he encounters thieves, treasure hunters, and adventurers of all kinds in and around Cuba and the Caribbean.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall voice the roles of Shannon and Duval, while in the hotel King Moses, portrayed by Jester Joseph Hairston, provides music in a role that many find reminiscent of Sam in the movie Casablanca (which I consider the finest American movie ever made).

The show has noir overtones and spare, cynical dialog. Here's an example: Duval: "What do you say behind my back?" Shannon: "Walk ahead of me and I'll think of something."

Bold Venture was produced for syndication in 1951 and 1952. An attempt was made to revive it for television in 1959 with Dane Clark as Shannon; that show lasted one season. The setting was changed to Trinidad because of Cuban Revolution, which was underway at the time.

For more information, see Wikipedia.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.