Dangerous Assignment: Lecturing Professors 05/10/1950

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dangerous Assignment – "Lecturing Professors" (05/10/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Date: March 11, 2026
Original Broadcast: May 10, 1950
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell

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Episode Overview

This classic Dangerous Assignment episode follows U.S. government agent Steve Mitchell as he is pulled into an international intrigue involving a group of traveling professors. Mitchell's assignment: identify and stop a spy using academic lecture tours as a cover while also safeguarding a young boy from ruthless kidnappers. The story features suspenseful twists, international travel, and the classic snappy repartee of golden-age radio.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Progression

1. The Unusual Assignment

• [01:23]–[02:19]: Steve Mitchell is given a new assignment by the Commissioner: rather than heading overseas, he is to question Professor Gerber, who is part of an international lecture tour identified as a potential front for espionage.
• Gerber claims he can identify the spy but only if Steve ensures the safety of his young son, Kurt, in Sweden.
  • Quote:
    • “I must have protection.” – Dr. Gerber [04:52]
    • “I want protection for my son.” – Dr. Gerber [05:00]

2. To Sweden: The Missing Boy

• [05:31]–[07:01]: Mitchell travels to Stockholm for Kurt, only to find him missing from his school, run by Dr. Horace Wakefield. Wakefield reveals Kurt disappeared after a mysterious woman, claiming to be his aunt, visited.

  • Quote:
    • “Kurt has disappeared.” – Dr. Wakefield [06:56]

• Mitchell insists the case be handled quietly, suspecting espionage rather than ransom is the motive.

  • Quote:
    • “If the kidnappers feel the pressure, then it could be another story.” – Steve Mitchell [08:21]

3. The Lecturing Professors: Red Herrings & Suspects

• [09:12]–[10:49]: At the International Lecture Tours HQ, legman Saunders provides locations and personalities of the professors. Friction between Gerber and Dr. Friedrich is revealed.
• [11:18]–[12:21]: Interview with Dr. Friedrich reveals mutual professional disdain between professors, though nothing overtly incriminating.
• [13:16]–[15:07]: Steve questions Dr. Buchek, newly arrived in Stockholm, but finds alibis and stories that don't quite line up.

4. Ambush and Danger

• [15:30]–[17:09]: As Steve leaves Dr. Buchek’s, thugs ambush and force him into a car, hinting at his impending murder.

  • Memorable Scene:
    • “I am Olaf… That is Olaf’s skin in your back.” – One of the thugs [15:39]
    • After Mitchell is beaten: “A heavy blow over the kidney often renders a man speechless. See how he stands... quite amusing.” [16:08]

• [18:20]–[19:47]: Plot to kill Mitchell by sending him in a booby-trapped car off a cliff. He narrowly escapes by smashing a window and tumbling out as the car crashes.

  • Quote:
    • “I finally kick a hole in the window… and dive out just as the car goes over the cliff.” – Steve Mitchell [19:01]

5. Breaks in the Case: Reversals & Revelations

• [20:32]–[21:08]: Steve, battered but alive, presses Saunders for a photo of Dr. Buchek to identify the kidnapper. Dr. Wakefield confirms the real kidnapper is not Buchek.

• [22:08]: Steve remains suspicious of everyone, even Dr. Wakefield, due to his timely “headache” the night of Kurt’s disappearance.

6. Finding Kurt: The Faithful Playmate

• [23:01]–[23:47]: Tracking playmate Ilza, Steve finds Kurt hiding safely in a barn, looked after covertly by Ilza.

  • Quote:
    • “Did you come to hurt me?” – Kurt [23:01]
    • “No, Kurt, I came to help you. Your father sent me.” – Steve Mitchell [23:03]

• Kurt recounts his escape from the woman’s clutches and expresses trust that Steve’s arrival was an answer to prayer.

7. The Final Confrontation: Twists and Traps

• [24:06]–[26:00]: Steve and Kurt are discovered at the barn by Saunders (the real spymaster) and his henchmen, Oscar and Olaf. Saunders reveals how he manipulated the investigation.

  • Quote:
    • “Yeah, I'm the big boy.” – Saunders, revealing his identity [24:50]
    • “What some guys will do for a buck, huh?” – Saunders [25:07]

• Saunders plans to kill both Steve and Kurt, now liabilities.

• Steve uses quick thinking: pulling an exposed hot electric wire, he disables Saunders and his men in a dazzling showdown – “I prayed for a bolt of lightning, Mr. Mitchell,” says Kurt, marveling at the act. [26:38]

  • Quote:
    • “I sort of made it happen, Kurt.” – Steve Mitchell [26:35]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | [04:52] | “I must have protection.” | Dr. Gerber | | [06:56] | “Kurt has disappeared.” | Dr. Wakefield | | [19:01] | “I finally kick a hole in the window… just as the car goes over the cliff.” | Steve Mitchell | | [23:47] | “Will you take me to my father?” | Kurt | | [24:50] | “Yeah, I'm the big boy.” | Saunders | | [26:35] | “I sort of made it happen, Kurt.” | Steve Mitchell|

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:23] – Mitchell receives assignment from the Commissioner
• [04:32] – Dr. Gerber demands protection for son as price for information
• [06:56] – Kurt reported missing from school
• [10:49] – Exchange with Saunders, the suspicious “legman”
• [12:03] – Dr. Friedrich’s denials and odd behavior
• [15:30] – Ambushed by thugs; setup for attempted murder
• [19:01] – Steve's daring escape from sabotaged car
• [23:01] – Kurt found hiding in barn
• [24:50] – Saunders revealed as leader of the spy ring
• [26:00] – Steve uses the electric wire to save himself and Kurt

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Tone, Style, & Noteworthy Aspects

• The episode maintains classic noir elements: cynical, wise-cracking lead (Steve Mitchell), international intrigue, and constant peril.
• Dialogue is brisk, with dry humor and occasional moral seriousness—especially involving the safety and innocence of Kurt.
• The story pivots on misdirection, with Mitchell (and the audience) pointed at multiple false leads before revealing Saunders as the mastermind.
• Memorable for its suspense sequence (the car crash escape) and its emotional human moments (Kurt’s faith, Mitchell’s self-deprecating heroism).

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Conclusion

A quintessential spy thriller from the golden age of radio, this episode of Dangerous Assignment combines international espionage, a vulnerable child at risk, and tight plotting. The solution hinges on dogged detective work, quick thinking, and a touch of faith. Steve Mitchell remains one of radio’s classic agents, unflinching in the face of danger and always ready with a comeback or a kind word—especially for a kid like Kurt who just wanted to be safe.

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Transcript

[Steve Mitchell]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com Wheaties presents Dangerous Assignment.

[Narrator]

Wheatie's big parade. The makers of America's favorite whole wheat flakes, Wheaties breakfast of champions invite you to Wheaties Big Parade. A thrilling procession of radio's greatest summer entertainment programs. Yours for the listening on NBC. On stage tonight from Hollywood, another in this series of exciting half hour presentations,

[Announcer]

Dangerous assignment. Starring brian don levy as steve mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, Danger is my assignment. I go to a lot of places in the world I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing though. Trouble. But when I walk into the Commissioner's office, I don't expect this assignment is going to involve using a 10 year old boy as a cross on which to crucify his father. Morning, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I finally got the jump on you this morning.

[Dr. Gerber]

How's that?

[Steve Mitchell]

You're always sending me halfway around the world in 10 minutes notice. Well, this time I've beaten you to the punch. I'm all packed. I've got my passport and credentials in order and I'm ready to take off now. Where are you sending me?

[Commissioner]

Just down the hall, Steve.

[Announcer]

What?

[Narrator]

That's it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great. Mitchell the mastermind. Ah, well, okay, so I'll unpack.

[Commissioner]

I wouldn't do that yet. You start down the hall. Where you end up is anybody's guess.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's the deal, Commissioner?

[Commissioner]

Ever hear of International Lecture Tours Limited?

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, now look, my soapbox days are over.

[Commissioner]

Now don't worry, you're not going to be making speeches, but you'll be investigating a few people who do. This is an organization of six European professors, Steve. They lecture at colleges and universities all over the world. Each of them hits this country about twice a year.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what about them?

[Commissioner]

We have definite information that one of them is using his lectures just as a front. But he's picking up information from various contacts in this country and taking it back to Europe with him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Which professor is it?

[Commissioner]

We don't know, but Dr. Gerber does.

[Steve Mitchell]

Gerber?

[Commissioner]

Yes, he's one of the members of this lecture circuit. He's waiting down the hall to talk to you. Now, Steve, Find out what you can from him. Then go anywhere and do anything that's necessary to smash this firing. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment. Good luck.

[Narrator]

I guess almost as many people read the Reader's Digest as eat Wheaties. So maybe You've already seen that article in May issue about breakfast. It says, quote, two out of three Americans eat too little for breakfast. That's serious. Because skimpy breakfasts slow kids down during their morning studies. Cause some folks to run out of steam before lunch, get sort of grumpy and tired and sometimes actually sick. Matter of fact, this Reader's Digest article might scare you if you didn't know about Wheaties. But if you keep right on dishing up plenty of Wheaties with milk and your favorite fruit as part of each day's most important meal. Just relax. You haven't a thing to worry about.

[Announcer]

Now, here's Dangerous Assignments, starring Brian Dunleavy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful two fisted government agent.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, this is really a switch. 10 minutes after talking to the Commissioner, I'm usually heading for the nearest airport. But now here I am, just heading for the next office. From the look in the Commissioner's eye though, I've got a strong hunch that this assignment is going to involve a whole lot more than just a walk down the hall.

[Dr. Gerber]

Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. You're Professor Gerber.

[Dr. Gerber]

Yes. I've been waiting to talk to you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, start talking.

[Dr. Gerber]

As you may have heard, I'm a member of international lecture tours. I'm now lecturing in this country.

[Steve Mitchell]

I understand that you have reason to believe that one of the other members of the lecture tour is a foreign agent.

[Dr. Gerber]

I'm positive of it. And moreover, I know who this person is.

[Steve Mitchell]

No, I can.

[Dr. Gerber]

I can only tell you that on one condition, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

What is it?

[Dr. Gerber]

I must have protection.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that shouldn't be too hard to arrange. You're safe in this country and you don't understand.

[Dr. Gerber]

I'm not speaking of protection for myself.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Dr. Gerber]

Here? I want to show you something. My wife died last year. This was her locket. I've carried it with me ever since. Look at this picture inside.

[Steve Mitchell]

A little boy.

[Dr. Gerber]

My son. God. 10 years old.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, he's the one you want protection for? Yes.

[Dr. Gerber]

I know only too well the measures of retaliation which might be employed against the boy if I were to reveal the information which I possess.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Where is he?

[Dr. Gerber]

At a school in Stockholm, Sweden. I had to leave him there. He has no other relatives. The school is run by an Englishman, Horace Wakefield.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Okay, Dr. Gerber, I'll go over to Stockholm and get your boy myself. How's that?

[Dr. Gerber]

Oh, that's what I hoped you would say, Mr. Mitchell. And when you return, I shall give you the name of the head of the spy ring.

[Steve Mitchell]

Fair Enough. I'll see you in about four days.

[Kurt]

Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, what is it?

[Announcer]

Stewardess?

[Dr. Buchek]

Here's a radio message just came in for you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, thanks. Gerber reports his locket containing boy's pictures stolen three hours ago, Commissioner. Ah. Well, I thought this sounded too easy to be true.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Yes?

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you the headmaster of this school?

[Dr. Wakefield]

Yes, I am, Dr. Horace Wakefield. What can I do for you?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm Steve Mitchell. I'd like to talk to one of your students. His name is Kurt.

[Announcer]

Kurt?

[Dr. Wakefield]

Come in, Mr. Mitchell. Now, you said you wish to see Kurt.

[Dr. Gerber]

Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

I have a message for him from his father. Where is he?

[Dr. Wakefield]

Kurt has disappeared.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Dr. Wakefield]

I can't find him anywhere, Mr. Mitchell, and I'm worried sick.

[Narrator]

Tell me what happened last evening.

[Dr. Wakefield]

A woman came to see him. She told me she was his aunt.

[Steve Mitchell]

But Kurt's father told me that Kurt had no other living relatives.

[Dr. Wakefield]

How was I to know that she said she was his aunt? I saw no reason to doubt her.

[Steve Mitchell]

Go on.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Well, I sent her to his room and, well, I believe she left when visiting hours were over.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean you believe she left? Aren't you sure? Was it.

[Dr. Wakefield]

As a matter of fact, I turned in rather early last night. I had a spitting headache and I took a.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sounds like a pretty careless way to run a boarding school, Dr. Wakefield.

[Dr. Wakefield]

I resent that, Mr. Mitchell. Ordinarily I am very careful to see that all the regulations are enforced, but with this headache, I just had to go to bed.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, skip it then. You really don't have any idea when the woman left? No.

[Dr. Wakefield]

All I know is that Kurt was not here this morning.

[Steve Mitchell]

Great.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Oh, that must be Ilsa. Oh, she's a playmate of Kurt's.

[Commissioner]

Come in.

[Kurt]

They told me you wanted to see me, Dr. Wakefield.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Yes, Ilsa. As you know, your little friend Curtis disappeared.

[Kurt]

Yes.

[Dr. Wakefield]

I want you to tell me if you've ever heard him speak of running away.

[Kurt]

No.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Dr. Wakefield, have you any idea what happened to him or where he might be?

[Kurt]

No, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, very well.

[Dr. Wakefield]

That'll be all you, sir.

[Dr. Gerber]

Thank you.

[Kurt]

Thank you, Dr. Wakefield.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Haven't reported this to the police yet, but I think I better write now.

[Steve Mitchell]

No, wait a minute.

[Dr. Wakefield]

But if the boy's been kidnapped, and

[Steve Mitchell]

he's been kidnapped, I don't think he's being held for ransom. Then what? I think he's being held to ensure that someone will keep his mouth shut. If that's the case, the boy is probably safe for the time being. But if the kidnappers feel the pressure on them, then it could be Another story.

[Dr. Wakefield]

I see.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now, this has got to be done undercover. Now, don't report it just yet. Let me see what I can find out. First, I leave Wakefield School thinking about his convenient headache the night before and wondering where I'm going to start. I know I've got to find Kurt in a hurry. And then on my way into town, I spot a poster on a building announcing a lecture by a Dr. Friedrich, member of International Lecture Tours. And farther down on the poster, I see that the headquarters of the Lecture Outfit is right here in Stockholm. I copy down the address and go over.

[Commissioner]

Morning.

[Steve Mitchell]

Morning. Is this the headquarters of International Lecture Tours?

[Saunders]

It sure is.

[Steve Mitchell]

You in charge?

[Saunders]

Well, guess you could call it being in charge. I'm the leg man for the outfit.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, and I guess you're the boy I want to talk to. My name's Mitchell. Steve Mitchell.

[Saunders]

Oh, Saunders is mine. Always glad to meet a fellow American.

[Steve Mitchell]

So you're the leg man for this outfit, huh? What does that involve?

[Saunders]

You name it, the works. Shagging around the world in front of the wise men. Scheduling lecture dates, making hotel reservations for them. Yeah, and making sure they don't run out of toothpaste.

[Steve Mitchell]

That sounds like quite a job.

[Saunders]

Ought to be an easier way of making a living.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, I'd like a little information about these professors.

[Saunders]

Hey, you don't happen to be an insurance salesman, do you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Not exactly.

[Saunders]

They want me to be careful about things like that. They don't like to be bothered with salesmen. Here.

[Steve Mitchell]

You'd better take a look at my credentials.

[Saunders]

Oh, I see. That looks pretty official. What do you Want to know, Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

There are six professors in the circuit, aren't there?

[Saunders]

Yes, that's right.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, how well do you know them?

[Saunders]

How well can you know those birds? They live in a world all their own. Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where are the various lecturers now?

[Saunders]

Let me see. One of them's in India. That's Dr. Oh, you're gonna skip him, all right. Another's in Canada.

[Steve Mitchell]

Don't forget him too.

[Saunders]

Let's see. There's one in Cape Town, south africa.

[Steve Mitchell]

That makes three. Keep going.

[Saunders]

Dr. Buchek in Copenhagen, Dr. Gerber in the States and Dr. Friedrich here in Stockholm. You know, you always have to try to keep those two apart.

[Steve Mitchell]

Gerber and Friedrich.

[Saunders]

They don't seem to like each other very much.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, and you say Friedrich's here in Stockholm.

[Saunders]

He's lecturing tonight, as a matter of fact.

[Steve Mitchell]

Want a ticket? I'd be more interested in his address. Right now.

[Saunders]

He's staying at the Monarch Hotel.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Well, thanks for the information, Saunders.

[Saunders]

Sure. Anything else I can do?

[Steve Mitchell]

Not right now, I guess. But if by any chance there's a sudden change in the travel plans on the part of any of your professors, I wish you'd let me know. I'll be staying at the Monarch too. Sure. Be glad to. I'll see you around. Saund.

[Commissioner]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm Steve Mitchell. Dr. Friedrich, I. I'd like to talk to you later.

[Dr. Gerber]

Later?

[Commissioner]

Can you not see I'm busy with my lecture?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, this will only take a minute.

[Commissioner]

But I have just told you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, Now I'm telling you we're gonna have a talk.

[Announcer]

But.

[Steve Mitchell]

Very well. Come in. Thanks.

[Commissioner]

Now, please be brief. What do you want to talk about?

[Steve Mitchell]

I understand you don't like one of your colleagues. Very well, Dr. Gerber.

[Commissioner]

What business is this of yours?

[Steve Mitchell]

Maybe plenty. Why don't you like them?

[Commissioner]

Because most of the theories he blabs about in his lectures are absolutely unsound. I know because my theories are correct. I have tested them and they contradict his.

[Steve Mitchell]

Therefore, he is wrong. I see. Now, you're sure there isn't anything more to it than that?

[Commissioner]

Of course I'm sure.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now, if you will excuse me, just one more question. Do you mind telling me where you were last night?

[Commissioner]

Why, I was working on my lecture notes.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, that's funny. They told me downstairs at the desk that you went out last night. Oh, yeah. I had forgotten. I had an engagement for a while. Is she nice?

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Commissioner]

Well, see here, Mitchell, this is none of your business.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Dr. Friedrich, you better get back to your lecture notes. I'll probably be seeing you again. Yeah.

[Saunders]

Mr. Mitchell, this Saunders of international lecture tours.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, yeah, Saunders.

[Saunders]

Say, you told me to call you if anything new developed with any of the professors.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's right. What have you got?

[Saunders]

This morning I ran into Dr. Buchek on the street.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh? You said Dr. Buchek was supposed to be in Copenhagen, didn't you?

[Saunders]

Yeah, and I asked how come.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Well, what did the good doctor say?

[Saunders]

Oh, just something about wanting to skip the rest of the circuit. Tired or something like that.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. When did Buchek arrive in Stockholm?

[Saunders]

This morning, by plane.

[Steve Mitchell]

You sure about that?

[Saunders]

Why, no. That's just what I was told.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where's the professor staying?

[Saunders]

Strand Hotel, I think.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Hey, thanks, Saunders. I think I'd better go over and give Dr. Buch the double check. Yes, I'd like to see Dr. Buchek.

[Dr. Buchek]

You are looking at her, huh? I'm Dr. Butcheck. Well, you seem surprised.

[Steve Mitchell]

I am. I thought Dr. Buchek was a man.

[Dr. Buchek]

Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

And I can't say that I'm disappointed.

[Dr. Buchek]

Oh, thank you. Oh, please come in.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thank you.

[Dr. Buchek]

Now, what can I do for you, Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

I understand that you cancelled the rest of your lecture date suddenly and returned here to Stockholm.

[Dr. Buchek]

Why, yes. Yes, I did. These lectures are so tiring. I sometimes wonder why I was started on the circuit.

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't know. Seems like a good opportunity to do a lot of traveling at this point.

[Dr. Buchek]

I've had my feel of it. Mr. Mitchell, these questions you're asking me, Are you perhaps a newspaper reporter?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, sort of. When did you arrive in Stockholm?

[Dr. Buchek]

My plane landed only this morning.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're sure you didn't arrive last night?

[Dr. Buchek]

Of course not. I've just told you my plane.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're sure that you didn't by any chance take a little trip out to Dr. Wakefield's boarding school?

[Dr. Buchek]

I've never heard of the place. See here, Mr. Mitchell, I'm quite sure you're not a newspaper reporter. And I'm also quite sure my activities are none of your business.

[Steve Mitchell]

Suppose we just pretend they're my business, Dr. Butcheck.

[Kurt]

Very well.

[Dr. Buchek]

In that case, suppose you just pretend I'm telling you the truth about arriving this morning.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, thanks for the interview. I can check up on your arrival time, you know.

[Kurt]

Please do.

[Dr. Buchek]

And when you're quite through checking up on me, then you may pretend that you owe me an apology for your rudeness.

[Steve Mitchell]

So I leave, and it looks like the trail's beginning to heat up a little. At this point, Dr. Buchek qualifies as my grade A suspect. Then suddenly, as I'm walking down the hall, a guy pops out of nowhere right in front of me.

[Dr. Gerber]

A word with you, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who are you?

[Dr. Gerber]

Oh, permit me. A mask. I would like you to meet my friend Olaf.

[Steve Mitchell]

Huh? I don't see any.

[Dr. Gerber]

That is Olaf. Skin in your back. I am Olaf.

[Steve Mitchell]

I am delighted. Look, what's this all about?

[Dr. Gerber]

Please, we must be very quiet. We would not want to disturb the hotel guests.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, well, I'm gonna start disturbing them plenty. If you please.

[Dr. Gerber]

I told you we must be quiet.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, you think I'm gonna hold still while you work me over your.

[Dr. Gerber]

You would not listen to reason.

[Dr. Wakefield]

It is a pity he's not saying anything now.

[Announcer]

Scotland.

[Dr. Gerber]

Of course not, Olaf. That was a most effective silence you administered just then. A heavy blow over the kidney often renders a man completely speechless. See how he stands with one foot Drawn up almost like a heron. Quiet and amusing spectacle. Is it not good, Roscoe? Now, Mr. Mitchell, perhaps you will come with us quietly.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. I still don't know what this is all about.

[Dr. Gerber]

You made a big mistake bothering the young lady you just talked to. Mr. Mitchell, Dr. Butchek, no. It's necessary for the three of us to go for a nice ride.

[Steve Mitchell]

I get it. A short ride, I suppose.

[Dr. Gerber]

Oh, no. On the contrary. For Olaf and myself, yes, it will be a short ride. But for you, it will be such a long trip that I doubt very much if you will ever return.

[Announcer]

General Mills is bringing you dangerous assignments. Starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell.

[Narrator]

Now, it is a fact that Wheaties have a lot of very nice vitamins. They also have minerals. There's protein in them, too. Not only that, but they're 100% whole wheat. You'd think all that would be enough, but it isn't. Wheaties need people. If you haven't got people, why, how are you going to find out how wonderful those flaky whole wheat flakes taste? Where are all the smiles coming from? The people always smile when they dig into a bowl of Wheaties and milk and bananas. How are you going to find out how much energy gets stuffed into Wheaties? See what I mean? You take people away and Wheaties look pretty lonesome. And since we make Wheaties, we think that's pretty tough on them. And on people too, for that matter. So our idea is this. Get Wheaties and people together as often as possible. Because Wheaties need people and vice versa.

[Announcer]

And now back to Dangerous Assignment and Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, look, we've been winding our way up into these mountains for the last half hour. Where are we going?

[Dr. Gerber]

Here's the turn of drive, Mr. Mitchell. You and I will just sit back here in the back seat. On the other ride.

[Steve Mitchell]

We are at the top of the mountain now.

[Announcer]

Oh, Scott.

[Steve Mitchell]

Very well.

[Dr. Gerber]

You may stop the car now.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Now maybe you'll tell me what this is all about. Or am I supposed to guess?

[Dr. Gerber]

You may guess if you like.

[Steve Mitchell]

I know. I'm supposed to figure out which of you twins has the Tony. Beg pardon? Oh, skip it. What do we do now? Get out and start walking?

[Dr. Gerber]

Oh, no. On the contrary. You will remain in the car.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Dr. Gerber]

Yes, unfortunately, you are about to meet with a serious accident. Don't.

[Steve Mitchell]

I guess I'm only out for a few seconds. But when I come to, I'm alone in the back seat and the car is rolling downhill, gaining speed. I drag myself over into the front seat I can see a sharp turn ahead and a cliff. I grab the steering wheel and it comes off in my hand. I step on the brakes and the pedal goes clear to the floor. But nothing happens. I start to bail out. Then I realize the windows are closed. The inside handles to the doors and windows have been taken off. I get my foot up and start kicking at the window. The edge of the cliff is getting closer. I finally kick a hole in the window, jam my hand through it and open the door from the outside. I dive out just as the car goes over the cliff. I land in the brush about 20ft away and lie there fighting to keep from passing out. After a few seconds I hear steps Oscar and Olaf and they're heading in my direction. I hold my breath and flatten myself

[Dr. Gerber]

under the bushes where there's such an unfortunate accident I've friend Mr. Mitchell encountered. They all up.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Perhaps we should go down to the bottom of the clip and make sure

[Steve Mitchell]

Oscar make sure he stayed.

[Dr. Gerber]

How could he have survived a crash like that?

[Dr. Wakefield]

I mean, we should make sure that

[Steve Mitchell]

he did not get out of the car.

[Dr. Gerber]

Yes, perhaps you're right. Come, we will walk down to the bathroom.

[Steve Mitchell]

I know I've got to act fast now. As soon as the boys find no body in the car, they'll be after me again. I wait until they're out of sight. Then I pull myself out of the bush. My body feels like one big bruise. But I finally make it back to town and head to the office of the International Lecture tours.

[Saunders]

Oh, hi, Mitchell. Hey. Hey, what happened? You look like you've been dragged through a knothole.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's the understatement of the week, Saunders. Hey, look. Have you got a picture of the beautiful Dr. Butcheck around here anywhere?

[Saunders]

Yeah, why, sure. Hey, here you are. This is one of the publicity pictures we sent of the papers. Will that do?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, well, that. Yeah, that'll do fine. Thanks. Does she kind of make a hit with you? Yeah, a big hit. And now I'm going to return the compliment.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Oh, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Dr. Wakefield. Come in, please.

[Dr. Wakefield]

I'm so glad to see you. Something has come up that you should know about.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Wakefield]

You remember I told you a woman posing as Kurt's aunt came here to the street to see him the night before last?

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, the night Kurt disappeared. What about it?

[Dr. Wakefield]

Well, that same woman, she came back here this morning.

[Narrator]

What?

[Dr. Wakefield]

Yes, yes. I wasn't in my office at the time, but my secretary told me this woman inquired about Kurt again. I returned just in time to see her driving away. I tried to stop.

[Announcer]

It's too late.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. That means they don't have Kurt then.

[Dr. Wakefield]

But where is he?

[Steve Mitchell]

I wish I knew.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Who is they?

[Steve Mitchell]

I think I know who one of them is. The woman here. Take a look at this picture. Her name is Buchek.

[Dr. Wakefield]

What about her?

[Steve Mitchell]

Isn't that the woman who was asking about Kurt? No.

[Dr. Wakefield]

I've never seen this woman in the

[Steve Mitchell]

picture before in my life. Are you sure about that?

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great. My case blows up in my face and I don't have any idea where Kurt is. What a headache. Hey, incidentally, have you had any more headaches lately, Dr. Wakefield?

[Narrator]

Why, no.

[Steve Mitchell]

Just the night that Kurt disappeared. Huh.

[Dr. Wakefield]

See here, Mitchell, if you're trying to imply that I had anything to do

[Steve Mitchell]

with the boy's disappearance. I'm not to trying trying to imply anything, Wakefield. Just checking on your reaction times. I'll see you later. I go outside. I'm really stumped. I've got to find Kirk and find out who's behind this deal. And I'm fresh out of Leeds. Then as I'm walking through the school grounds, I spot the little girl, Ilza, Kurt's playmate. She's just slipping out of side gate with a little package under her arm. I get a sudden hunch and fall. She takes off through the woods, then down the road away. I keep out of her sight and finally she disappears into an old deserted barn. A couple of minutes later she comes out without the package. I wait until she heads back to the school and then I go into the barn. There's a blonde kid sitting in a feed box munching on a sandwich. It's Kurt Gerber. Hello, Kurt.

[Kurt]

Did you come to hurt me?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, no, Kurt. I came to help you. Your father sent me.

[Kurt]

That is good. I've been praying for help. I knew it would come.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Now what happened, Kurt?

[Kurt]

A woman came to see me at the school. She tried to make me go away with her. She said she was a friend of my father's. But I knew she was lying to me. So I asked her to wait outside my room while I packed. As soon as I was alone, I climbed out the window and ran away.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see.

[Kurt]

My girlfriend Elsa has been bringing food to me.

[Steve Mitchell]

How did you happen to pick this barn to hide in?

[Kurt]

I knew it was the right place as soon as I saw this manger.

[Steve Mitchell]

Manger?

[Kurt]

Yes. I read about a little boy in a manger once.

[Steve Mitchell]

I. I see. Well, I guess you couldn't have picked a better place, Kurt.

[Kurt]

Will you take me to my father?

[Saunders]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

I Wait a minute.

[Dr. Wakefield]

Hey.

[Steve Mitchell]

Three of them. Oscar, Olaf, and. Well, what do you know? So I finally found out who's behind this deal when it's too late.

[Kurt]

And it's never too late.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, well, it will be if I don't figure out something to do in one big hurry. My eyes click around the barn looking for something, anything. Then they light on an electric wire running along the wall. It looks like a 220 volt direct current and the insulation is worn through in one spot. I jerk the wire and it comes loose in my hand. I try holding it in my left hand by the insulated part. Then I wait. I take a quick look at Kurt. He's sitting there quietly, head bowed. His lips are moving a little. The door opens. Olaf comes in first, and I give him a right cross.

[Saunders]

Hold it, Oscar. I'm sure my gun will keep Mitchell in order for the time being.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, my old friend, Saunders.

[Saunders]

Hello, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

So you're the big boy.

[Saunders]

Yeah, I'm the big boy.

[Steve Mitchell]

It's pretty logical when you look back on it. As legman for the lecture circuit, you had a lot to do traveling. But you were doing more than making hotel reservations for the professors. You were picking up information from your various contacts and bringing it back to Europe with you.

[Saunders]

How about that? What some guys will do for a buck, huh?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. You sent me chasing after that ju. Check woman so your student didn't know where to pick me up. True, true. Where's your other stooge? The woman who tried to get Kurt?

[Saunders]

Oh, she's waiting for me at the office till I take care of this little matter.

[Dr. Gerber]

What are you waiting for, Saunders?

[Saunders]

Right. In a minute, Oscar. In a minute.

[Steve Mitchell]

How did you find the barn?

[Saunders]

We intercepted the little girl. Ilson managed to persuade her to tell us. So now at last we have our boy Kurt. Not much of a talker, is he?

[Steve Mitchell]

What are you going to do now?

[Saunders]

Well, I know Dr. Gerber was on to me, so the original plan, of course, was to grab Kurt and keep him as insurance against Gerber spilling about me. But now, unfortunately, you know about me, too. That means I'll have to kill both you and the boy and then discontinue my present enterprise. Sorry, but that's the way it is. Mitchell, you first.

[Steve Mitchell]

His gun starts swinging in my direction. It's now or never. I whip the electric wire out from behind my back and lash at his gun with a. A spurt of blue flame wraps around the gun. Saunders drops the gun and grabs at his hand. I give him a fist. Osman grabs him, the gun on the floor. But I straighten him up with an uppercut. I tie all three of them up with their belts. Then I turn towards Kurt. He's still sitting in the manger, looking at me calmly.

[Kurt]

Is it all over, Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, it will be as soon as we pick up Saunders girl at the lecture office.

[Kurt]

I prayed that something would happen to deliver us. It happened.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, you see, I sort of made it happen, Kurt.

[Kurt]

Did you? I prayed for a bolt of lightning, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I guess you could call that hot wire a bolt of lightning. But it was man made lightning.

[Kurt]

Was it? How did you happen to think of it?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, it was the only thing to do.

[Kurt]

But how did you happen to think of it?

[Steve Mitchell]

Why, I guess it just sort of popped into my mind, you see. See? Yeah, I see. And I'm the last guy in the world to argue the point, believe me. Come on, Kurt. You're going home to your father.

[Announcer]

You are listening to Dangerous Assignment on Wheaties Big Parade.

[Narrator]

What do you suppose your kids are thinking about when they dig into their Wheaties? All those nice vitamins and minerals they're getting from those crisp whole wheat flakes. You reckon they're thinking, oh boy, are my teeth getting healthy. My bones are growing nice and straight. Shucks know they're saying to themselves, gee willikins, Wheaties are good. Hope I have time for another bowl. That's what they're thinking. But isn't it comforting to know that anything as wonderful to eat as Wheaties is so good for your youngsters and for you. That's one of the nicest things about Wheaties.

[Announcer]

Dangerous Assignments starring Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell is written by Bob Rife with music by Basil Adlam and is produced and directed by Bill Karn. Going to bake a pie sometime soon. Make it with crust quick. The Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix. You know it's a tender flaky crust that's at the bottom of every delicious piece of sure as you use crust quick and so easy.

[Dr. Buchek]

Just add water to crust quick.

[Steve Mitchell]

M and what?

[Announcer]

Pie crust, tender crust, tasty crust, rich, short, lovely crust. Just like Betty Crocker makes. And you can make it.

[Dr. Buchek]

Just add water to crust quick.

[Announcer]

Crust quick. The Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix. Tomorrow fred allen is guest on the supper club. Hear it on NBC.