1976 - Present
Safe Crackers is an enduring game played for two prizes, one three-digit and the other four-digit. The price of the three-digit prize is the "combination" to the safe. Each of three dials on the safe has the three digits of the smaller prize. Using each digit only once, the contestant must spin the dials so that they represent the price of the three-digit prize. If s/he is correct, the safe "opens" and both prizes are won. If incorrect, both prizes are lost.
Theoretically, there are 6 possible combinations for the price of the three-digit prize, since this prize always has three different digits (i.e, a $448 prize would never be used in this game). However, since around the mid-'80s, the last digit of the three-digit prize has almost consistently been zero, so it really comes down to a 50/50 shot of opening the safe.
To open the safe, the contestant spins a wheel and then pulls on a handle. When the safe is locked, it is DEFINITELY locked. Helpless contestants have ignored buzzers and the illuminated "lock" sign and tried with all their might to open the locked safe, but it won't happen!
The familiar theme from the Pink Panther movies was originally used during this game.
Set Changes: Around 1986 (?) or so, the "safe" backdrop was refurbished along with the displays reading "open" and "lock."
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| Da dum...da dum...it's Safe Crackers! | Dian, open that safe and show us what we have inside! |
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| It's a PAIR of motorcycles! | But to win those, you'll have to guess the price of this mini-motorcycle. How cute! |
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| There are three digits in the price of the mini-motorcycle: a 4, a 9, and a 1 (covered by Bob's hand). | She believes it's $491...now spin the wheel and pull the handle... |
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| It's no good! The price was $419. Note the illuminated "lock" sign behind the contestant. | Here's happier news...a winner! The price to open the safe was $370. |
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| Here's the newer Safe Crackers setup... | ...and another loss. |