Hmm. You could try fiddling with the xms=.... and ems=... settings.
And try different core=.... settings.

If that doesn't help, it becomes more difficult. There is a free replacement for DOS/4GW floating around calld DOS32A. It might work better. But before trying that, maybe it is easier to try one of daily CVS-builds of DOSBox. It is possible that it is cause by a bug in DOSBox 0.72, a bug that might be fixed in the next release.

I have played it using either VDMSound or DOSBox (old version, not current one). If I recall correctly you have to disable EMS usage inside the game's configuration.

Will there ever be a new version of Dosbox?

Will there ever be a new version of Dosbox?

is the pope catholic?

Wrong, the correct associated question would be "is the pope ambivalent?".

Dominus wrote:

Will there ever be a new version of Dosbox?

is the pope catholic?

Does he wear a funny hat?

kicker04 - any luck with the suggestions I made?

I can run this game using DOSBox 0.72 without issue (I have my CPU cycles at 10000 for some reason or other and didn't check if it work with auto).

From the screenshot you provided, it could be when the game tries to play a digital sound (the newspaperman says 'extra, extra....'). Check your digital sound effects playback [with another game?].

kicker04 - any luck with the suggestions I made?

No sorry, I didn't try that. That sounds a bit too complicated for me. I don't even know what is meant with ems and xms and core settings and so on. I just want to run the game.

Ah you just want to play the game, then your best and easiest bet is getting
an old pc and running it there, can't be easier.

Or you could try installing one of the many DOSBox frontends that makes it easier to change all those pesky DOSBox settings.

This game should run with the default DOSBox settings and has for a long time, so I would suggest three possibilities:

The sound card is incorrectly setup

The OP's copy is damaged, or

The OP fiddled with something in an attempt to make it run.