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Everything For The Boys 44-02-15 (05) A Man to Remember
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Everything For The Boys 44-02-15 (05) A Man to Remember
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And Doug, here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings. Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. And now, Everything for the Boys starring Ronald Coleman is brought to you by transcription from Hollywood, California. And in the live base facing the invasion coast of Europe, Auto Light brings you Everything for the Boys. The command theater of the Air, starring Mr. Ronald Coleman. His guest, Bob Burns. Everything for the Boys is presented by the electric auto light company and its 22 great manufacturing plants. Builders of precision equipment for 35 years. World famous for autolite spark plugs, batteries, wire, cable and electrical systems for automotive, aviation and marine use. Your host, Mr. Ronald Coleman. Thank you and good evening. We have with us tonight a man known and loved from coast to coast. The philosopher of Van Buren, Arkansas, genial gentleman, American wit and bazooka player extraordinary. Tonight, however, Bob Burns comes to us in the role of actor in a memorable play about a strange legacy between to you and to me. After the play, Bob Burns and I will have some assorted and I feel somewhat unpredictable conversations with a young American ranger who is waiting to speak to us from a base facing the soon to be invaded shores of Hitler's Europe. But first, we offer this radio dramatization by Arch Obola of a man to remember. Men and women of the United States armed forces abroad, we salute you. What makes a man a soldier? Well, I'd say a land he loves and the equipment to defend it with. 10 million Americans have pledged their lives to defend the land they love and to help keep our America free. The rest of us have pledged our resources and our labor. The men and Women in Autolight's 22 Great Manufacturing Plants throughout the United States and Canada are helping us to make Everything for the Boys. Firing control apparatus, aviation instruments, autogyro compasses, torpedo directors, automatic pilots and more. They are speeding the production of Autolite batteries, spark plugs and electrical systems for use in the land and the air and on the sea. Autolite units form the lifeline of electrical energy in thousands of tanks, planes and boats and have proven dependable in the call of duty. Now, here at home, millions of car owners depend on Autolite equipment to help their cars run for the duration. If your car is becoming war weary, check its lifeline. Perhaps all it needs is a new Autolite battery, spark plugs or Autolite parts in its electrical system. Any one of the thousands of Autolite service stations. Your local car dealer or serviceman will be glad to help you care for your car, for your country. The play a man to remember the players, Mr. Ronald Coleman and his guest, Bob Burns. I have before me a man's estate. This man lived for over 70 years. He had a full busy life. And since he left behind him no last will and testament. It's both interesting and important that we examine his legacy since what he left behind is the common inheritance of all of us. So let's examine and evaluate the worldly goods that have been bequeathed to you and me by one John Abbott. First, we have a board about a foot and a half long by six inches wide. And on it is painted with the most uneven hand the words Dr. John Abbott. It's a weather beaten little signboard. Weary with the sun and rain of many years. All right, one sign board then. That now belongs to you and me. What's that? You. You want to know its value? Well here it is, Doc, all painted up nice and pretty. I figured it should be worth about say, 50 cents. Well Sam, that seems like a fair price. I put two hours work on it, Doc. Now you're sure you don't think it's too much? No, no, I tell you I'll do, Doc, seeing as you're just starting in this town, I won't take any cash money from you. Well now Sam. Just put it on the books, Doc. And next time I get Quincy or fall off the barn roof, you just fix me up, all right? Well, all right, Sam. Doc, mind if I ask you something professional or social, Sam? Well, how come you came to this town, Doc? We got doctors here already, you know. Well, I thought maybe there might be room for one more if I didn't put on much weight. You won't dart, you won't. They got lots of kids, the folks on this side of the tracks. But eating money, something stuff don't bring. Hang up your shine now, Doc. Well, there's our first answer. One signboard value new 50 cent. Now what's next in our inheritance? Uh huh. Here we have a crumpled dog ear dollar bill. No, no, it's a two dollar bill redeemable of the United States Treasury. The inscription says for two silver dollars. The value of this part of our legacy then is quite apparent. One United States treasury note value $2 3, 4, 5 pounds. There you are, Emma. Scale says 5 pounds. Even my best Shooter. Will it be anything else? There sure is, Homer. Seeing as I'm not gonna pay for it, take that hand of yours off and steal. You sure have a happy sense of humor, Emma. And you sure have a heavy hand, Homer. Well, I don't bear grudges. How's your wife? Did Doc Abbott take out the stitches yet? Nope, but she's fine. She's fine. Got out of bed and did a little washing yesterday. Well, if I do say so myself, he's a wonderful doctor, that man. I don't know. You don't know what? Well, he's been here two years and he ain't saved a cent. How do you know? Anybody knows? I should. Why, he's run up a great big grocery bill. $12. Do tell. I keep saying to him, Doc, you gotta be a businessman to get along. Find out what folks can pay you. Yeah, speaking of angels and devils, here he comes now. Land safe. What they're carrying. It's a pig. A pig? Now, now, don't say that quite so loud, Ms. Emma. Just a very sensitive animal. You see, he don't know yet. He's a pig. You're the one. Now, look here, Doc Abbott. What's it all about? That your pig? Nope. It's yours, Doc. You're crazy. No. You say you sent me a bill this morning. It was marked please remit. I figured you must be kind of hard up, so I hurried right down. Ain't he cute? Looks like my first husband. Madam, it must have been a great loss to you. You're cute too, Doc. Now, look here, Doc, I can't take a pig in payment. But, Homer, that's what my last patron gave me. Go ahead and take it, Holden. Okay, okay. How much was the. With it bill? You know. $12. That pig ain't worth more than five. Hey, come to think of it, Homer, I believe you owe me money right now. What? Your wife's offended. Remember, here's my bill. Pay up, Homer. Pay up. Emma Hanson. Now, you got your groceries, so get just plain git. Well, it's a fine way to talk to a cash customer. Good day to you. And keep your groceries. You shouldn't lose your temper, Homer. Be calm like your pig. Here. Look. Gone to sleep. Ever you mind about me? I this bill here, Doc. How much time did the operation take? Oh, about four hours, I should judge. And you're asking me a hundred dollars. Now, look here, Doc. Let's get down to facts. Sure. The facts are that you're a prosperous businessman and that your overworked wife Would have died if I hadn't performed that emergency operation. Owner on your kitchen table. Well, I don't mind paying a just fee, but $100 for four hours? That's pretty steep, Homer. I did four operations last week for folks who didn't have any money. But, Doc, $100. I won't pay it. You really mean that? You bet I do. Well, what do you pay your janitor here? 50 cents an hour. Why? Well, I guess I made a mistake in figuring your bill, Homer. That's more like it. Yep, the only place we differ is the value each of us puts on your wife. I was a might too high, so I'll settle right now for 50 cents an hour. $2 cash. Now, Doc, I didn't mean that you should do anything. Homer, shut up. Give me $2 and you got a bargain at that. You'd have had to pay a grave digger for six hours. Ladies and gentlemen, we now come to the third item in this legacy that has been bequeathed to us. I. I must confess it's a rather unexpected object. In that Dr. John Abbott was many years past military age, and yet here it is among his belongings, a medal given by the United States government to soldiers wounded on the field of battle. I have here a medal of the Order of the Purple Heart. It's Daniel. My dear son. I went to the mailbox as usual this morning expecting to find a few tired bills. Instead, Frank, I found your little gift for me. It's a beautiful medal, son. I stood there by the mailbox holding it in my hand. And the sun shining off of it was the bright. My eyes kind of filled with tears, and I couldn't see it. All I could see was you, son. Down there in the South Pacific. A hero. A real one. And I started thinking about that day. You and I were out in the backyard talking about heroes. I guess you must have been about 14 years old then. Remember that day, Frank? Remember? I'm okay, Doc. Honest. I'm okay. Then why don't you go play ball with the rest of the boys? Oh, I don't wanna. The sun's shining, the birds are singing. There's no wind. Perfect day for your curve ball. And you don't want. You do need to tell. Oh, wait a minute. Isn't this report card day? Yeah. Let me look at it, son. I. I tore it up. As bad as that? Oh, gee, I don't know what's the matter with me. Guess I'm a flop. Algebra. How much you making algebra, son? 60 Latin. 60 deportment. 60American history 30. Well, at least that breaks the monotony. What happened in history. So it's 1492 or 1496. Or half past 1776. What's the difference? Well, son, in a way, you're right, and in a way you're wrong. It isn't the dates that matter, it's the people. Later on, when you're older and you begin to think that yours are the biggest troubles in the world, then you begin to think about fellows like Lincoln and Washington. Thomas Paine. No, no, that's one thing I'm not going to do, son, as long as you stay here. I mean, foam a beard and give you less. Okay, Doc. I've got to learn. Thanks, son. Thanks. Well, who's that pulling up in front of the gate? Me. We're being honored. Our alderman, great lover of politics and beer. Behave as nicely as possible, Frank. Okay, Doc. Well, how do you do, Mr. Almond? This is a surprise. No surprise at all, Doctor. I told you I'd be here and here I am. The council passed a resolution unanimously, mind you, condemning your adoption of delinquent boys from the city. Say what? A resolution in plain English. They believe that your practice of bringing these reformed schoolchildren into our township is detrimental to the public good. Frank, boy, you better go in the house. No, no, please. Please let me stay. All right, son. Now then, Mr. Alderman, there's no reason for anger. Of course not. I know. You've explained everything to me so completely. Bringing these reformed school children into our township is detrimental to the public good. Oh, yes, I heard you. But is there no decency left in you? In any of us? Can children be in trouble any place? And we stand by and say it's detrimental to our good. Oh, Abbott, look here, if you're a fool. I'm not. For 20 years, you've been the good Samaritan of this town. You haven't been a doctor. You've been a public welfare institute. All right, what's it got you? All right, what's it got you? Got me a son. Frank here is going to be a good American because he's going to get a chance to grow with his head up. The chance to make mistakes and learn by them. The chance to be loved and give love. I say it again, our first duty is to our own. Our own? Sure. Every kid everywhere, any place in the world is our own. Every kid in trouble is our own. Because, mister, maybe in a few years we're going to need these children to help us back to a decent world. One item Is left of the worldly goods of one John Abbott sits. Yes, a ribbon. A ribbon such as is used by small girls in tying up their braids. Or a ribbon sometimes used around scrolls and diplomas. One ribbon. All right, now, Plasma. Now be a good cat and take yourself a nap. I can't help it, Plasma. I just haven't got any more left. That's right, Slimy. It's a good day for just resting. Sun, warm, look down the street. Why, you could think the whole world was resting, couldn't you, Plasma? Oh, I don't know about that. Used to be kind of nice with the young ones riding up and down in their jalopy, showing off to the girls. Stop boasting. I know you do. All right. Yes, I sure would like to see the boy again. Plasma, do you think those army docs down in the South Pacific would mind if I sent him a convalescent diet? Sure wish I could air mail him a chocolate soda. Now, who in the world is that? Hello, doctor. Mind if we come up to talk to you? Why, hello, Reverend. Come right ahead. Scat. Platinum. Go away. We got important visitors. Reverend Grayson and Mr. Clark. It's all gone. If it isn't a mayor. Well, now, what have I done wrong now? Good afternoon, doctor. Well, it's sure nice of you to come visit. Oh, no, no, don't get up, doctor. I'm a man who's spoken many words in his life, but these words are ones that don't come easily. Bad news? The boy. You heard from a boy? Oh, no, no. Take it easy, doc. It hasn't anything to do with Frank. It has to do with us. For many years you've been among us, never making any money. Yes, as Mr. Clark says, never making much money because. Because the people who were your patients didn't have much money to give you. But you kept on because here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat helping people. Custom car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu. Is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com. liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings. Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Affiliates excludes Massachusetts. Well, because that's the way you were yesterday at a mass meeting of many people. We voted on the man who had meant the most to this town in the war effort. The people chose you, doctor. They chose you. Because all these years you almost alone have been the one around here who knew that nothing really mattered except living and acting as if people everywhere were part of your own family. I have here a scroll. It's a letter of thanks for all you've done. It's got 6,000 signatures on it, Doctor. Almost every man, woman and child in town. It's just to let you know that we. We love you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Well, we better be going. Goodbye, Doctor. Goodbye. Goodbye, Reverend. Goodbye, Doctor. Goodbye, Mayor. Goodbye, sir. Goodbye. Letter of thanks for me. Six thousand signatures. Six thousand signatures. Mrs. Ann Haywood. You saved my baby. Remember Dr. Fred Jorgensen? You came to me through that storm. Remember Dr. Freddie Eastman? You made it stop hurting me. Remember Dr. Mary Conley? You gave me the money. Remember, doctor? Remember Dr. Roy Newton. George Rosari. Floyd Foster. Carl Hoffman. Well, friends, that ends this resume of a man's estate. This man lived for over 70 years. He had a full, busy life. And since he left behind no last will and testament, these items I've told you about are the common inheritance of all of them. Item one, weather beaten little signboard, value new 50 cents. Item one, crumpled United States treasury note, value $2. Item one, medal of the Order of the Purple Heart, value unknown. Item one, ribbon from scroll, value oh, one cent, perhaps. So your total cash inheritance from the estate of John Abbott is $2.51. $2.00 and $0.51. I think you'll agree this is an inheritance and a man to remember. You have just heard Mr. Ronald Coleman and his guest, Mr. Bob Burns in A Man to Remember is dramatized for radio by Arch Obola. The special musical score was arranged and conducted by Mr. Gordon Jenkins. While our autolight transatlantic hookup is being set up for Mr. Coleman and Mr. Burns, who speak to the American Ranger to whom tonight's play was dedicated. Mr. Coleman has a word for you who fight on the home front. In a few moments, we move out across the ocean to bring back with us the voice of an American boy standing on the English coast overlooking Hitler's fortress of Europe. In that same England, during The summer of 1940, when Nazi bombs were pouring death and destruction on the people of London town, another American boy, not long out of Rugby School, stood and watched one night. His name was John Gillespie McGee, Jr. Marveling at the heroism of the handful of Spitfires fighting against overwhelming odds, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and soon became a skilled pilot. John McGee was also a very promising young writer, having won the same poetry prize awarded to the soldier poet of the last war, Rupert Brooks. Today, when the sound of the wings of the United nations is bringing hope to the world. I would like you to hear something he wrote. He explained in a letter to his family at the time that it was mostly composed. While he was flying at 30,000ft, he called it high flight. Oh, I had slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings sun would I climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun, split clouds and done a hundred things you had not dreamed of. Wheeled and sawed and swept high in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I chased the shouting wind alarms and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious burning blue, I've topped the wind swept height with easy grace where never lark or even eagle flew. And while with silent lifting mind I've trod the high unchasted sanctity of faith, put out my hands and touched the face of God. And that was written by Johnny McGee, American, age 19. Killed in action over England, December 11, 1941. We're ready on your transatlantic call, Mr. Coleman. This is a party line, Bob, and you're one of the parties. I'm all here. Phoned up Ronnie, waiting for England to talk to Arkansas. This is everything for the boys calling Sergeant Joseph Jake Lee somewhere in England. This is Ronald Coleman and Bob Burns somewhere in Hollywood. Hello. Go ahead, Hollywood. Hello, Mr. Mundus. Joe, this is home calling a great big party line stretching from Natchez to Mobile and Memphis to St. Joe. Hey, you can stop at Memphis, Mr. Coleman. That's home. How the folks there. What's cooking? Well, your mom's food mainly, Joe. Cornbread, biscuits and fried chicken. Everybody's fine. And your brother Sam's wife just had a baby boy. They haven't named him yet. They're leaving that to Uncle Sergeant Joe. How about emailing some suggestions? Okay, I'll get my whole company to pitch in. V Mail. Say, what's new back in America, Bob? How about rolling out the old Arkansas Almanac for the sergeant, eh? Okay. Here's a kind of a digested digest. Joe, the fourth war loan drive has been a terrific success. They've invented a new plastic bathtub. A new super battleship, the Wisconsin was launched. Field for war production set a new record high, and your mama took in three new borders. Joe, when we talked to your mother, she told us the one thing she wanted more than anything else was to hear you play Springtime in the Rockies again on the new harmonica she sent you. Sorry I can't do a tramp Atlantic solo. Ah, now, go ahead, Joe. Your mom's listening. Okay, this is you, mom, and I'm pointing it out right there in the living room. Hey, that's real symphonic, Joe. Hey, Bob, talking about music, you know, we've named one of our weapons that you famous bazooka. Yes, I heard about that shooting bazooka. And I want to tell you I'm awfully honored. Well, now, that's an awfully nice compliment. A lot of people don't fake minders, either. Go ahead, Bob. Remember, this is everything for the boys. Well, now, come to think of it, I do have a little short number I'd like to dedicate to here. Schickelgruber. We're listening, Bob. Well, here goes. I say, Joe, tell them in England it's not a foghorn. You what? What do you call that number about? Well, that's Hitler's funeral mark. Okay, now that's on the GI History. The way we figure it, Jo, the job you men are undertaking makes you Hitler's official undertaker. Are those orders, Mr. Coleman? Yes, sir, Sergeant. Some 132 million Americans. We will try to carry them out, sir. Ah, we know it, soldier. Time's up, Mr. Coleman. Oh, you got to go now. So long, Joe. Give him the word. So long, mister. So long, everybody. Goodbye, sergeant. Sergeant. Good luck. Are you first tonight? From Sergeant Reeds and from Johnny McGee. I wish you could have heard from another boy I met a few days ago. I don't know his name or where he lives. I only know he was coming a ride. I stopped my car and he climbed in and started talking. Talking with a lift and an enthusiasm that left me almost breathless. This is a good, clean enthusiasm of youth bubbling over with the excitement of the future. Ah, two more weeks, that's all. Two more weeks and I'm in. I won't have to worry about dumbing rides anymore. You see, I'm going to the Army Cadet Corps. A flyer. I just got out of high school, and even though I figured I didn't have a chance to get in, I took the exam and I passed it. I'd been figuring I'd have to go to work soon as I got out of school to sort of help support the family. Then I get a break like this. The army takes care of the family and I get to fly. I'm going to fly those P51 the Swedish ships in the air. I got models of them all over the house. That's what I want to fly. But if I don't get to fly one of them, I'll fly something else. Only important thing isn't two weeks. I'm in the army, and Mr. Hat's for me. Would you buy an extra bond to back up a boy like that? I did. Again next week. Autolive invites you to be present for this new global half hour. Everything for the boys. Uniting the home front with the battlefront overseas. Your host, Ronald Coleman, will have as his guest, radio's own leading actress, Ms. Mercedes McCambry. In Arch Obola's original radio drama, the Women Stayed at Home. Dedicated to a pair of fighting Yanks who will speak directly from their distant Pacific base at Fort Morrisby on New Guinea Island. Our thanks to Bob Burns for being with us tonight. Until next week when we bring you the women's state at home. This is Ronald Thoman saying good night to you and the boys. And God be with you. Bob Burns, who appeared tonight through the courtesy of the makers of Lifeboy, may be heard each Thursday evening on this network. The appearance of army personnel does not constitute endorsement of the product advertised. This program has come to you from Hollywood and England. This is the National Broadcasting Company.