Lux Radio Theatre - Test Pilot

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Lux Radio Theatre – Test Pilot
Date: July 1, 2026
Cast: Robert Taylor (Jim Lane), Rita Hayworth (Anne), Robert Preston (Gunner), Cecil B. DeMille (Producer & Narrator)

---

Overview & Main Theme

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features Lux Radio Theatre's adaptation of "Test Pilot," a dramatic, romance-laden tale from the golden age of aviation. Hosted and produced by Hollywood legend Cecil B. DeMille, the story follows daredevil test pilot Jim Lane, Kansas farm girl Anne Barton, and steadfast friend/mechanic Gunner Morris. The episode explores the thrill and dangers of early aviation, the turmoil and sacrifices of those waiting on the ground, and the emotional turbulence experienced by the women who loved these pioneering men.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction & Context

• Cecil B. DeMille opens (01:48) with an address to the armed forces, highlighting the episode’s dual focus: the reckless courage of test pilots and the anxieties of those who love them.
  • “Tonight's play is the story of the most reckless gamblers in the world. Men who toss a coin with death to earn a living... But when these daredevils go to gamble in the clouds, they leave others on the ground. Others who can only wait and hope and pray...” (01:48)
• Emphasizes test pilots’ contributions to aviation safety and American military prowess.

Plot Structure & Major Events

Act 1: The Unexpected Landing (04:28–20:36)

• Jim Lane (test pilot) attempts a coast-to-coast record flight, forced to crash land in Kansas due to engine trouble (04:28).
• Meets Anne Barton, beginning with humorous verbal sparring and quick mutual attraction.
  • Anne (to Jim): “Listen, swell head, you’re on private property and very uninvited. How would you like to get that junk over the fence before I sic a bull on you?” (06:24)
• Anne helps Jim contact Gunner for repairs; their playful rapport quickly deepens.
• The day spent together (Wichita baseball game, flight, family breakfast) weaves flirtation, banter, and forging bonds.
• Anne is revealed to have a sweetheart, Joe, but her attraction to Jim is palpable, causing emotional conflict for both.
• Emotional confrontation, as Anne and Jim wrestle with their feelings.
  • Jim: “You'll be gone in the morning. Soon be here.”
  • Anne: “Well, all my life I've waited for this morning to come...I was wrong. It was just a day to you.” (17:20)
• At the end, Jim departs—then returns for Anne, implying their mutual love wins out.
  • Anne: "You forgot me." (20:01)

Act 2: Marriage & the Dangerous Life (22:48–41:39)

• Jim and Anne marry en route to New York; Gunner reacts with jocular skepticism.
• Conflict with boss Drake, who fires Jim for lateness and priorities. Jim's devil-may-care attitude is evident.
• Anne discovers the uncertainty of Jim's finances and the risks he constantly takes.
• Jim enters the prestigious Thompson Trophy Air Race (27:55), taking huge risks but ultimately winning—despite mid-air fire.
• Tragedy: Rival pilot Benson crashes and dies; Jim gives Benson's wife half the prize money, feigning a prior agreement to soften her grief.
  • “Listen, he died at his trade, see? That's a lot. Take my word for it. He died in the air. The air was Benson's business.” (32:42)
• Anne’s realization: her true rival for Jim’s heart is "the sky." She confides in Gunner about the impossibility of competing with his love of flying.
  • Anne: “It's hard to come a girl a man loves when he's alone. He never looked at me the way he looked when he said he slapped her back into place. Yeah, I met her.” (35:25)

Act 3: The Ultimate Test and Tragedy (43:49–58:43)

• Jim’s next challenge: a record-breaking altitude test with Gunner as co-pilot. Tensions run high as the risk is monumental.
• The plane reaches 30,000 feet, pushing man and machine to the edge (51:37).
• Disaster strikes: Sandbags shift, nearly trapping Gunner. A desperate struggle ensues to stabilize the aircraft.
• Jim and Gunner survive the flight, but the emotional and physical toll is heavy.
• Later, Gunner dies (“He’s dead. Gunner’s dead.” 54:53) in another test, leaving Anne and Jim gutted. Anne’s grief mixes with anger at Jim’s obsession:
  • Anne: "Go back up in the sky. That awful sky. Go up there and stay. Go on. Why don't you die and leave me alone?" (55:31)
• Jim is grounded due to health after medical checks, confronting new limitations.
• The episode ends with Anne’s realization that she will always have to share Jim with his love of flight, but also a sense of acceptance and enduring love.
  • Anne: "She can have you when you’re flying, but when you’re down here, you’re mine, Jim." (57:23)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the danger and romance of test piloting:
  • DeMille: “Test Pilot is a great chapter in aviation history. A chapter about the pioneers of yesterday who helped to make American planes better and safer...” (01:48)
• Anne’s wit and spirit:
  • Anne (to Jim): “A nice, charming prince right out of the sky. A young girl's dream. And I've been waiting for you all my life.” (06:41)
• On the conflict between love and flying:
  • Anne: “Oh, I met her, didn’t I? My rival... She rides with him when he’s up there.” (35:24)
  • Anne: “Suppose he didn’t drink? He slapped her back again. The second road is worse than that. He’s retired from flying and works on the ground...he wouldn’t like himself very much. And I wouldn’t like him either...He’s in love with a woman with wings. She’s got him and I’ve no way to cut her out.” (39:42, 40:18)
• Gunner’s tragic devotion and self-awareness:
  • Gunner: “Look, you’re a nice kid, so I want to tell you something. You’re gonna be glad in the end, see? He’s no good. He’s the best friend I got in the world and he’s no good. You’ll be glad in the end, believe me.” (18:53)
  • Gunner’s final words: “Here's a break for me though. I won't ever have to go home and break the news to her. I leave the roads first three roads.” (54:12)
• On acceptance in love:
  • Anne: “She can have you when you're flying, but when you're down here, you're mine, Jim.” (57:23)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:31–01:48: Cecil B. DeMille introduces the play and its theme
• 04:28–10:01: Jim’s forced landing, meeting Anne, early banter
• 10:25–13:01: Day in Kansas, introduction of Joe (Anne’s beau)
• 16:40–20:09: Emotional tension, Jim leaves and then returns for Anne
• 22:48–24:27: Marriage, conflict with boss Drake, honeymoon cut short
• 27:55–31:12: The Thompson Trophy Race—high risk, Jim’s win, tragedy for Benson
• 32:53–35:49: Jim gives half the winnings to Benson’s widow, Anne realizes she can't compete with the "woman with wings"
• 39:42–41:39: Anne and Gunner discuss the impossible choices for the women who love flyers
• 44:32–51:37: Record-breaking altitude flight, aircraft crisis
• 54:53–55:08: Gunner’s death and Anne’s grief
• 57:01–58:21: Anne’s reconciliation and acceptance
• 58:52–61:28: Closing credits and cast discussion led by DeMille

---

Conclusion

This production of "Test Pilot" is a gripping blend of aerial thrills, romantic conflict, and profound questions about heroism and domestic sacrifice. The chemistry among the leads brings humor, heartbreak, and authenticity, while DeMille's narration anchors the drama in real-world aviation history. The story doesn’t shy from the costs of ambition, the pain of waiting, or the price paid by families on the ground—but concludes with hope, courage, and a tender if uneasy peace.

---

Notable for Listeners:

• The script sparkles with period-accurate humor, rapid-fire banter, and emotionally layered performances.
• The show evokes a nostalgic moment in radio drama, both in form and tone—a vivid window into the anxieties and aspirations of 1930s-40s America.
• For fans of Golden Age radio or classic Hollywood, this episode exemplifies the strengths of both.

---

End of Summary

Transcript

[Anne Barton]

Hey everybody.

[Lady Luck (SpinQuest Advertiser)]

Lady luck here. And we're celebrating America's 250th birthday. Now, all summer long I'm going to be celebrating by playing on spinquest.com which is an American owned social casino. It obviously features over a thousand slot games and live blackjack, live craps, live bubble craps. Head on over to spinquest.com. get yourself a 30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

This is Cecil B. DeMille with a word from Hollywood for the soldiers, sailors, marines and coast guardsmen of America. Once again we have the privilege of bringing the Lux Radio Theater to the men of our armed forces, wherever you may be. And tonight we have a thriller called Test Pilot with a cast that's just as thrilling. Two fine actors, Bob Taylor and Bob Preston, and a young lady who I understand is the toast of all branches of the service, Ms. Rita Hayworth. She'll say a word to you right now.

[Anne Barton]

Hello, everybody. Naturally, I don't know where you're going to be when you're here. Test Pilot tonight. But wherever that is, our hearts are with you. Good luck.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yes, good luck. And good hunting.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Lux presents Hollywood. The lux radio theater brings you robert taylor, rita hayworth and robert preston in test pilot. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. Cecil b. Demille.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight's play is the story of the most reckless gamblers in the world. Men who toss a coin with death to earn a living. For theirs is the business of taking aloft new, untried planes and straining them to the limit to see if they'll crash. But when these daredevils go to gamble in the clouds, they leave others on the ground. Others who can only wait and hope and pray. This is their story too. But above all, there is great human drama in the Metro Golden Mayor action hit Test Pilot. And starring in it you'll hear Robert Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Robert Preston. Incidentally, we had to cover the town to get this cast. Bob Taylor from the Metro Goldwyn Mare Studios. Rita Hayworth from the Columbia picture the Gay Senorita. And Bob Preston from a certain Paramount picture called Reap the Wild Wind. Test Pilot is a great chapter in aviation history. A chapter about the pioneers of yesterday who helped to make American planes better and safer and so helped to make the safety record of the United States Air Forces the best in the world. That record is being maintained right now despite the enormous increase in the Army Air Force. We'll have Thrills and romance tumbling over one another at breakneck speed. And Test Pilot I, a drama with a punch of a power dive. Drama for you and for our armed forces throughout the world who hear these plays through short waves and certain other special facilities. We heard from one group of these boys a few days ago. Their letter was dated at a naval training station. And we discovered for the first time that part of the audience that Lux Toilet soap brings together every week listens in an igloo. They write, there are 12 men in Igloo E17. And we listen to the Lux Radio Theater religiously to compensate for the enjoyment derived from your program. We thought that the proper thing to do would be to give your soap a trial. It's with pleasure we report that nothing other than Lux soap is now being used in our igloo. We salute Igloo E17 and hasten to say they needn't buy anything to hear this program. But we're delighted that they've discovered how good Lux Toilet Soap really is. Now the curtain rises, the motors rev up, and here's Test Pilot, starring Robert Taylor as Jim Lane, Rita Hayworth as Anne, and Robert Preston as Gunner. At 2 o' clock this morning, Jim Lane, test pilot for Drake Aircraft Corporation,

[Jim Lane]

took off from Burbank Field in California

[Cecil B. DeMille]

in an attempt to smash the coast to coast record.

[Jim Lane]

Flying the famous Drake Bullet. He was last reported over Las Vegas,

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Nevada, 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Las Vegas, Nevada, 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Escalante, Utah, 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Swinging due east, the tiny plane roars high over the mountains of Colorado, streaking like a meteor through the night sky. Then, as the first rays of the sun flash on the propeller, it swoops low over the wheat fields of Kansas, 30 minutes ahead of Schedul. Suddenly the motor sputters across. A spray of oil whips back along the fuselage. With an angry whine, the gallant plane dives toward the ground.

[Anne Barton]

Hey, are you all right? Hey, you. You on the plane. Are you all right? What's the matter, mister? Cat got your tongue?

[Jim Lane]

Out of my way, lady. I'm in a hurry.

[Anne Barton]

Something wrong with the motor, huh?

[Jim Lane]

No, I came down to look over the crops.

[Anne Barton]

Well, make yourself at home.

[Jim Lane]

I'm licked. See? I'm licked. I couldn't move this thing with a derrick.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, that's too bad.

[Jim Lane]

That's too bad. Is it really? All I had was a coast to coast record. And it's too bad. You understand, I had it licked to death. Where are we?

[Anne Barton]

We are in Kansas.

[Jim Lane]

That's great. How near Wichita?

[Anne Barton]

About 20 miles.

[Jim Lane]

Tell you what you can do for me. Do you live around here?

[Anne Barton]

See that house right over there?

[Jim Lane]

You got a phone?

[Anne Barton]

Yes.

[Jim Lane]

All right, go call the air terminal at Burbank. Ask for Gunner Morris. When you get him, just yell down and I'll come.

[Anne Barton]

Johnny Morris.

[Jim Lane]

Gunner. Gunner. Just ask for Gunner. Tell him I'm calling. I'm Jim Lane. That's all you have to do.

[Anne Barton]

Why don't you call him yourself?

[Jim Lane]

Listen, I gotta get these oil lines out of here. You don't think I want to be stuck in this dump all day, do you?

[Anne Barton]

Well, I don't care very much one way or the other.

[Jim Lane]

All right, all right, I'll pay for it. Don't worry about that.

[Anne Barton]

Listen, swell head, you're on private property and very uninvited. How would you like to get that junk over the fence before I sic a bull on you?

[Jim Lane]

Say, I'm just in the mood for a bull, sister. You go get him. I'm level to pick him up and throw him right back in your lap.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, I know you. You're the prince.

[Jim Lane]

What prince?

[Anne Barton]

A nice, charming prince right out of the sky. A young girl's dream. And I've been waiting for you all my life. That's why no other man even touched the tip of my finger. I've lived for a prince. Yeah, a nice, polite one.

[Jim Lane]

Okay, sister, my apologies accepted.

[Anne Barton]

Are you a famous flyer, Mr. Lane?

[Jim Lane]

I'm Jim Lane.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, should I faint on that one?

[Jim Lane]

Say, where do you live?

[Anne Barton]

I still live over there. I haven't moved since I told you.

[Jim Lane]

Can I use your phone?

[Anne Barton]

It's all right with me if it's all right with the phone. Come on.

[Jim Lane]

What's your name?

[Anne Barton]

Ann Barton.

[Jim Lane]

We're near Wichita. Are we annoyed?

[Anne Barton]

And it's still 20 miles.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, that's right. You told me that before. Didn't. What time is it?

[Anne Barton]

About six.

[Jim Lane]

Didn't ask you that before, did I?

[Anne Barton]

No.

[Jim Lane]

Say, tell me something. Do all the girls around here look like you this early in the morning? Hey, look at all the hay.

[Anne Barton]

That's not hay, that's wheat.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, wheat.

[Anne Barton]

The staff of life.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah.

[Jim Lane]

You know, it's nice here at that.

[Anne Barton]

I'm so glad you like it. What about some breakfast?

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, what about it? I'm scared. Starved.

[Anne Barton]

How many more waffles can you eat, Miss Elaine?

[Jim Lane]

Well, I'll tell you, Mrs. Barton. How many have you got?

[Anne Barton]

That's all I wanted to know.

[Jim Lane]

Say, Anne, where'd you get such a nice mother?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, I took my Time. Picking her out fresh, isn't he, mother?

[Jim Lane]

Listen, lady, you're not being polite. I'm your guest here.

[Anne Barton]

You mean you're stuck here, don't you?

[Jim Lane]

Very smart, very smart. I'll bet you went to school.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, she did. And graduated from state university with all the highest honors, didn't you? Yep. Broke all the records. Did you go to college, Mr. Lane? Oh, Mother, don't embarrass him.

[Jim Lane]

Quiet, you. I broke some records too. I entered high school as sophomore and came out a freshman.

[Anne Barton]

That must be your call, Mr. Lane.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, yeah, thanks. Don't talk about me while I'm gone. Now.

[Anne Barton]

He's very charming man. Uhhuh.

[Jim Lane]

Hello? Yeah, put him on. Hello? Hello, Gunner? This is Jim.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, I figured it was. Where are you?

[Jim Lane]

The oil pump let go. I'm down on a farm near Witchita.

[Gunner Morris]

Oh, fine. Drake's having a hemorrhage.

[Jim Lane]

Listen, brother, it was his plane that folded up, not me. Bring along a whole new assembly and a set of lines.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Where to?

[Gunner Morris]

There's a lot of farms near Witchita.

[Jim Lane]

Wait a minute now. Find out. Oh, and who's an.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, what do you want?

[Jim Lane]

Will anyone in Wichita know how to get here all right?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, sure. Due west of Wichita on the main highway. Everybody knows the Barton farm.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah. Hey, Gunnar. Due west of Wichita on the main highway. Everybody knows the Barton farm.

[Gunner Morris]

I don't. Hey, what's all this and stuff?

[Jim Lane]

Forget it. What time have you got in Wichita?

[Gunner Morris]

Well, I hopped the first trip east. Why do you always have to land way out in the sticks?

[Jim Lane]

Why, this isn't a sticks, lad. This is the prettiest farm I ever saw. Where do you see it? The wheat sways in the field like a silken sea. How's that?

[Gunner Morris]

Sounds like a blonde to me. Now, listen, Jim, don't fool around there all day. Get that old pump out, will you, so I can put the new one in right away.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, sure, sure. I'll work on it all afternoon.

[Gunner Morris]

The oil pump, not Ann.

[Jim Lane]

Never mind, never mind.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, I'll get in about five this afternoon your time.

[Jim Lane]

Okay. See you at the airport.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Bye.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah.

[Jim Lane]

Say, Ann, we got a car?

[Anne Barton]

Yes. Why?

[Jim Lane]

Well, we gotta go to Wichita. Oh, we gotta meet the gunner, don't we?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, when he arrives there. When?

[Jim Lane]

Around five this afternoon.

[Anne Barton]

And in the meanwhile?

[Jim Lane]

Well, I'll entertain you there.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, but I thought you had to work on the plane.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Gunner Morris]

That's hard work.

[Jim Lane]

Come on, pal, we're wasting time. Wichita is calling.

[Anne Barton]

Hooray.

[Jim Lane]

What do we do, pal?

[Anne Barton]

What do you want to do?

[Jim Lane]

Oh, anything. Let's get out the red paint and splash it all over the old hometown, huh?

[Anne Barton]

Okay. You like baseball, huh? Baseball? Wichita versus Omaha.

[Jim Lane]

Are you kidding?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, beautiful. Beautiful. Keep going, Haney. Three bases easy. Come on, Haney, stretch it out. Look at that picture. He can't believe it. Two on base and he triples. How do you like that, Mr. Lane?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Thrilling.

[Jim Lane]

I'm goose pimples all over.

[Anne Barton]

Wichita's gonna win this league. Wait till you see.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, I sure hope so. Say, have you ever been up in a plane?

[Ann's Mother]

No. Why? I'll take you up out at the airport.

[Jim Lane]

We'll hire a ship.

[Anne Barton]

Okay? Sure. Come on, Gilly. Sock that old pill.

[Jim Lane]

Well, how do you like it?

[Ann's Mother]

Oh.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, it's fine. What was that last thing we just did?

[Jim Lane]

A barrel roll. Here, we'll try it again.

[Anne Barton]

No, no, no, it's all right. I. I just. Oh. Oh. He.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Get free from Los Angeles, arriving at gate two. Get free from Los Angeles arriving at gate two.

[Jim Lane]

Here he comes.

[Ann's Mother]

Hey, Gunner. Gunner, over here.

[Jim Lane]

Hello, sweetheart. Welcome to Wichita.

[Gunner Morris]

Listen, I'm in no mood for gags.

[Jim Lane]

Shake hands with Ann. Gunner. Gunner. Morris Anne, the best grease monkey in the business.

[Anne Barton]

Hello.

[Gunner Morris]

Only one this time, huh?

[Anne Barton]

One what?

[Gunner Morris]

One girl who usually has two.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, that's nice talk.

[Gunner Morris]

One of them's usually named Mabel.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Where's Mabel?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, Mabel couldn't come. She's sitting up with a sick cow.

[Gunner Morris]

Where'd he find you?

[Jim Lane]

I picked her off a cloud and got busy. The car is over here. This way. Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Jim Lane]

Your friend doesn't talk much, does he, sour puss?

[Anne Barton]

Yeah. Know what I'm thinking about?

[Jim Lane]

Am I in it?

[Anne Barton]

It's a wish.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, what kind of a wish?

[Anne Barton]

I'm wishing that it was this morning.

[Jim Lane]

Could you do it all over again tomorrow?

[Anne Barton]

Could you?

[Jim Lane]

Never had a better time, man. What about you?

[Anne Barton]

The best.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Say, there's a picture show tonight.

[Anne Barton]

Where?

[Jim Lane]

What you thought?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, yeah. But what about your friend?

[Jim Lane]

You want him to go with us?

[Anne Barton]

No.

[Jim Lane]

Neither do I. Hey, Gunner, you're gonna have a nice sleep tonight.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah. Did you get that pump off? No, No, I didn't. Well, that's fine. That's fine.

[Jim Lane]

I had to go to Wichita, didn't I?

[Gunner Morris]

Oh, sure.

[Jim Lane]

Sure had to meet you, didn't I?

[Ann's Mother]

Yeah.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah, sure.

[Gunner Morris]

Is there any chance of getting out of here tonight?

[Jim Lane]

Nope, not a chance. Wait till you see where Ann lives. Cute little house. Sailing along all by itself in a sea of wheat. And wait till you smell them honeysuckles.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah.

[Gunner Morris]

Don't give me that banjo. Now, what time can we get out tomorrow?

[Jim Lane]

Well, I'm ready whenever you are.

[Gunner Morris]

That's all I wanted to know. We're leaving early.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, there's the house. Gunner. How do you like it?

[Bluff (SpinQuest Advertiser)]

Uh huh.

[Ann's Mother]

Anne, is that you?

[Anne Barton]

Oh dear.

[Jim Lane]

What's the matter?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Anne?

[Anne Barton]

There's a. There's Joe. I forgot about him.

[Jim Lane]

Who's Joe?

[Anne Barton]

My sweetheart.

[Jim Lane]

Oh. Oh, well, this is news. She's got a sweetheart.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, and he's sweet too.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Hello, anne.

[Anne Barton]

Hello.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Hello, Mr. Lane. Well, hell, you look just the way you are too.

[Jim Lane]

Hi, Joe.

[Anne Barton]

Joe, this is Gunner Morris.

[Jim Lane]

Hello.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Hello, Joe. Glad to see you. Gee, had me worried. Anne, I thought you'd forgotten about tonight.

[Anne Barton]

Oh. Oh, is it tonight?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah, did you forget we're having a dance, Mr. Lane. Wouldn't you both like to come?

[Jim Lane]

No, no, I'm afraid we can't get away.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

I'll get you some nice girls.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, I don't think they'd like it.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Well, you better get dressed, Anne.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, I won't be long. Thanks for a lovely afternoon, Ms. M.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Make it fast an picking up Willie and jean.

[Jim Lane]

Yes sir.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ain't no place like the country.

[Gunner Morris]

Hear them sounds and smell them smells. Honeysuckle, honeysuckle and raspberry.

[Jim Lane]

Now shut your big mouth. Hello out there.

[Anne Barton]

Hey everybody.

[Lady Luck (SpinQuest Advertiser)]

Lady luck here. And we're celebrating America's 250th birthday. Now all summer long I'm going to be celebrating by playing on spinquest.com which is an american owned social casino. It obviously features over a thousand slot games and live blackjack, live craps, live bubble craps. Head on over to spinquest.com get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited this. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[ZipRecruiter Advertiser]

Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along. Which is why you should try ziprecruiter for [e-mail] Zip ZipRecruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, ziprecruiter finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the Haystack.

[Gunner Morris]

See why 4 out of 5 employers who post a job on ZipRecruiter. Get a quality candidate within the first day. The smartest way to hire. And right now, you can try ZipRecruiter for free.

[ZipRecruiter Advertiser]

That's right.

[Gunner Morris]

[e-mail] zip. That's ZipRecruiter.com.

[ZipRecruiter Advertiser]

zip.

[Gunner Morris]

ZipRecruiter.com. zip.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Oh, hello, Mr. Lane. You still up?

[Jim Lane]

Yeah.

[Anne Barton]

What have you been doing?

[Jim Lane]

Sitting around thinking. Nice out here, isn't it?

[Anne Barton]

Yes, it is nice here.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

And she's decided to stay at last. Haven't you, Ann?

[Jim Lane]

Where was she going?

[Anne Barton]

I was going to the moon.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

I've been trying to win Ann for a long time, Mr. Lane. She Very frankly told me she wanted someone better. My understanding. That's probably why I want her.

[Anne Barton]

Tonight we're going to be married.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, well, that's nice. It's fine.

[Anne Barton]

Look, Joe, the prince is puzzled.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

What are you calling the prince for?

[Anne Barton]

Well, isn't he. They used to ride white horses over some hill, but nowadays they go so fast they can't see straight.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Do you know what she means, Mr. Lane?

[Jim Lane]

No. I don't either.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

When she talks like this, I just let her go.

[Anne Barton]

Now, Joel, kiss me good night. I'm tired.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Sure. Night. Good night, Mr. Lane.

[Jim Lane]

Goodbye. Bye, Joe. Good luck.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Thanks. Night, dear.

[Anne Barton]

Night.

[Jim Lane]

He's a nice fella.

[Anne Barton]

Did anyone ever nickname you nice?

[Jim Lane]

No. Why?

[Anne Barton]

Well, it seems to be your favorite word.

[Jim Lane]

Well, he's still a nice fella.

[Anne Barton]

Then you think I made a nice choice. Well, go ahead.

[Jim Lane]

Go ahead what?

[Anne Barton]

Go ahead and ask me.

[Jim Lane]

All right. What are you gonna marry that guy for?

[Anne Barton]

Because he's a nice fellow.

[Jim Lane]

You don't love him.

[Anne Barton]

How do you know?

[Jim Lane]

Just the way you're behaving now, like a little flirt.

[Anne Barton]

I don't like you for saying that.

[Jim Lane]

That's tough. Look at the way you behaved all day. One minute you're going to a show with me tonight, next you get yourself engaged to him. Then the minute he goes, you're like this again.

[Anne Barton]

Sure, that's right. That's me.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, And I rated you the best girl I ever saw. Rotten to be disappointed.

[Anne Barton]

You'll be gone in the morning. Soon be here.

[Jim Lane]

I wish I'd got out tonight. I wish I'd never landed. I wish I never saw you.

[Anne Barton]

What do you think? I wish? Do you think I like this?

[Jim Lane]

What are you trying to say now?

[Anne Barton]

Well, all my life I've waited for this morning to come. I thought it had come. Well, I was wrong. It was just a day to you. All right, you don't love me? What of it?

[Jim Lane]

What'd you get engaged to him for if that's the way you feel?

[Anne Barton]

Because I'm going to forget you. Because he's fine. Because I'm going to be a farmer's wife and a good one. I'm grateful to you for making me forget my dreams, for giving me peace. Is that clear?

[Jim Lane]

What do you want me to do? Say I love you?

[Anne Barton]

Ah, not in a million years. If your heart were tearing for me, I'd like to see you get me now. It was a thrill to see you come out of the sky, but it'll be a greater one to see you disappear in it.

[Jim Lane]

And you better get up early because it'll be early.

[Gunner Morris]

All right, she's all set. Get going.

[Jim Lane]

Okay. Well, so long.

[Anne Barton]

So long.

[Jim Lane]

Give my regards to joe.

[Anne Barton]

What'll I tell him?

[Jim Lane]

Oh, you don't need anybody to talk for you. Oh, Andy. And give my love to the witchita team.

[Anne Barton]

I will.

[Jim Lane]

They'll win that league yet.

[Anne Barton]

Sure they will.

[Jim Lane]

Bye.

[Anne Barton]

Bye.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, he got off all right.

[Anne Barton]

Yep, he got off. When do you go?

[Gunner Morris]

Right away. Catch first plane to New York.

[Anne Barton]

Is he going there?

[Jim Lane]

Uh huh.

[Anne Barton]

Well, well, so long, Gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

Look, you're a nice kid, so I want to tell you something. You're gonna be glad in the end, see? He's no good. He's the best friend I got in the world and he's no good. You'll be glad in the end, believe me.

[Anne Barton]

Sure. So long, gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

So long,

[Anne Barton]

Anne. Yes, mother. He was very nice, wasn't he? What's the matter, dear? Nothing. Why? You look so fun. No, I'll be glad in the end. What do you mean, dear? I don't know. I'm sure I don't either. Listen, is that another plane? It sounds like it. Well, for heaven's sake. He's coming back. He is. I think he's going to land again. Yes, there. He's coming down. He's coming back. He's coming back. Anne, where are you going? Anne. Jim. Jim.

[Ann's Mother]

Hello, Ann.

[Jim Lane]

I forgot my hat.

[Anne Barton]

Jim, you didn't.

[Jim Lane]

What?

[Anne Barton]

You didn't forget your hat.

[Jim Lane]

What did I forget?

[Anne Barton]

You forgot me.

[Jim Lane]

What are you talking about?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, you did. You couldn't go. You came back. You couldn't go.

[Jim Lane]

Well, then get in and don't ask any questions. Let's get out of here.

[Anne Barton]

Get in. Get in the plane.

[Jim Lane]

Come on.

[Gunner Morris]

Don't you want to?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, yes, I do, I do.

[Ann's Mother]

Well, hurry up.

[Jim Lane]

And listen. You might as well understand one thing. You're going to be Sorry for this.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just a moment, Mr. DeMille. And our stars, Robert Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Robert Preston will bring us Act 2 of Test Pilot. Now I want to tell you a short short story in words and music. A real success story. Our heroine, a woman who's far from wealthy, whose family budget must be thrifty. And what with taking care of her home and her lively young children all day, she's as busy as this. She rarely gets a chance to visit a beauty parlor. Yet everybody, and that includes her family, thinks she's beautiful. Her features aren't regular, but her complexion. Ah, her complexion. Yes, her skin is lovely to look at. So smooth and soft it gives the appearance of beauty and freshness always. Yet her beauty care is a very simple one. You've guessed it, of course. It's active lather facials with luxe toilet soap. Our clever heroine uses this fine white soap with active lather every single day. That creamy, rich lather swiftly removes stale cosmetics, every trace of dust and dirt. And gives her skin gentle protecting care. Skin needs to stay lovely, you know. It takes just a few minutes to give yourself a real beauty facial, that luxe toilet soap. Here's what you do.

[Anne Barton]

Pat the rich lather lightly into your skin. Rinse with warm water, then with cool. Then pat gently to dry with a soft towel. Now touch your skin. See how smooth it feels, how fresh it looks.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hollywood screen stars, whose complexions must have the most exquisite, tell you they depend on daily active lather facials with gentle Lux toilet soap. We couldn't say more in praise of it. Are you giving your precious complexion care it deserves care that will help you keep it smooth, soft and lovely. Well, why not try regular Lux soap? Active lather facials for 30 days. Then look in your mirror and see. Now our producer, Mr. DeMille.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Act two of Test Pilot. Starring Robert Taylor as Jim Lane, Rita Hayworth as Anne and Robert Preston as Gunner. The knight in shining armor has whisked down on his fiery charger and carried off the princess. The knight is a test pilot. The princess is a Kansas farm girl. And the fiery charger, a low wing monoplane which has just landed in New York.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, Gunner, here we are. What do you mean we? Gunner, I want you to meet my wife.

[Ann's Mother]

What?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, I've heard so much about you, Gunner. It's almost as if I'd seen you before.

[Gunner Morris]

Now, wait a minute, wait a minute. I can't take any more today. Just tell me about as it happened, will you?

[Jim Lane]

Well, I went back for. We were married in Indianapolis and Now we're with you again.

[Gunner Morris]

Married, huh?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah.

[Jim Lane]

Where's Drake?

[Gunner Morris]

He's in his office. He's waiting to congratulate you.

[Jim Lane]

Well, hang on to her for me, will you? I got to get some dough. Meet me in the coffee shop, 10 minutes.

[Anne Barton]

You must be surprised, Gunnar.

[Gunner Morris]

No, no, no, I'm not surprised. I wouldn't be surprised if you got married in Indianapolis and divorced in Toledo. I'm surprised you didn't.

[Jim Lane]

Listen, Drake.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Now, you listen to me.

[Jim Lane]

You start out carrying with you the

[Gunner Morris]

best we can give you in work and hope you're due here in seven hours.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

And aviation supposed to be advanced seven years. And what happens? You arrive here 37 hours late with a girl.

[Jim Lane]

Don't call her a girl. She's my wife. All right, so she's your wife.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

You're going to test that Thompson racer on Thursday. Tomorrow's Tuesday.

[Jim Lane]

That'll give you a couple of days for a honeymoon.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

How's that?

[Jim Lane]

Well, how about a couple of hundred in advance?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

All right. Right.

[Jim Lane]

See you a week from Thursday.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

No, no, this Thursday.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, I heard you. A week from Thursday.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

I'm sorry, but the National Air Racers

[Jim Lane]

won't wait for a honeymoon.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

This Thursday.

[Jim Lane]

Right. Week from Thursday. Plane. Yeah. Wait a minute.

[Gunner Morris]

Hello?

[Anne Barton]

Yes, Mr. Drake.

[Jim Lane]

If Jim Lane asks you for any

[Cecil B. DeMille]

money, tell him he's no longer on the payroll.

[Anne Barton]

Yes, sir.

[Jim Lane]

Lane, you can still change your mind. What you get in my place, Benson, you'll change yours. So long.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Listen, Jim, you've got the idea in your head you're the only test pilot

[Jim Lane]

in the world, aren't you? Nope. But you have. Hiya, bride. What are you drinking?

[Anne Barton]

Chocolate soda. Want a straw?

[Jim Lane]

No. Never touch him. How you gonna. Well, I got it.

[Gunner Morris]

How much?

[Jim Lane]

The gate.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, Jim, you were fired.

[Jim Lane]

On my ear. Yeah. Drake's pulled a lot of beauties, but this one, he really dressed up for the ball. Jim. Jim Lane, I want to speak to you. Hi, Grant. I'm busy.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Jim. I just heard you were fired. Yeah, that's right, Jim. Fly for me. Fly my plane. I got the fastest ship in the world.

[Jim Lane]

Don't go away, Screwy.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Well, listen, Jim, I've given three good years designing that ship. If I win the Thompson, I'll have a factory in a year.

[Gunner Morris]

Hey, Grant, cut it out, will you?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

You know I'm broke, Jim. I can't give you any dough. But if you win, the whole 10 grand is yours.

[Jim Lane]

Baited. Bait it.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Oh, Gunner, take a look at the plane, will you?

[Gunner Morris]

I saw her.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

You said she was fast. You okayed? All that dope.

[Jim Lane]

Remember, Gunner? Yeah, yeah.

[Gunner Morris]

And I told you you ought to run her on dope too. Remember, she's fast and she's crazy.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, he's kidding you, Grant. It's a good boat.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Oh, does that mean that you will or might or what?

[Jim Lane]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's too fast.

[Jim Lane]

You know I like them slow and steady. Oh, yeah. Okay, okay.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Glad to have met you.

[Jim Lane]

How do you like that, honey? Man wants to give me $10,000.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, for breaking your neck.

[Jim Lane]

I don't need it. I got 10 bucks. And now. Why, what more do I want?

[Anne Barton]

$10. Is that all you've got?

[Jim Lane]

Yep.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, lovely, Gunner. He buys a ring for 600 and he marries a girl. He has $10 in the world. He loses his job and he comes out laughing.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, it's all very funny.

[Jim Lane]

Pete, There's L. I'll go put the bite on him for a couple of hundred.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, I'll be getting along. Oh, one thing. Hey, Al, that guy ain't very easy to handle.

[Anne Barton]

I guess that.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah. And look, don't let him fly Grant's ship.

[Jim Lane]

See?

[Gunner Morris]

It's dangerous.

[Anne Barton]

He didn't seem very interested.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, he will be when he wants the dough. Well, it's in your lap now. Good luck.

[Anne Barton]

Okay. Thanks, Gunn.

[Ann's Mother]

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Cleveland Airport for the final day of the National Air Races. This afternoon, the eyes of the whole world will focus on the Grand Prix of Aviation, the Thompson Trophy race. But right now, there's an army bombardment squadron taking off for an exhibition of tactical maneuvers and dive bombing.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Hey, listen, Jim, everything's going to be great. You can't lose in that ship of

[Jim Lane]

mine, can he, Gunner?

[Gunner Morris]

Look, he's flying your ship because he wants to, not because I want him to. Now beat it and let him alone.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah, okay, okay. But the ship's in great shape.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, yeah. And if you're not here when I come back, I'll understand. Yeah, okay, okay. Hey, where's Anne?

[Gunner Morris]

She's up in the grandstand.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, Jim, there's Benson. Hi, Benson. Hi, Jim. Glad to see you. Gunner, have you met Mr. Drake's new pilot, the mighty Benson? Oh, yeah. You guys got good seats. Could be a nice race to watch. The battle for second place is going to be vicious. Yeah, my wife's sitting pretty. You know, you could buy a lot of seats for 10 grand, pal, you're a piker. My wife's here with the kids.

[Gunner Morris]

What do you want to disappoint all of them for?

[Ann's Mother]

Attention. Pilot for the Thompson trophy race on the line now.

[Jim Lane]

Well, that's us. Come on. Good luck, Benson.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Same to you for second place.

[Ann's Mother]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the big event of the year in aviation. The Thompson trophy race for the 10 fastest planes in America. 20 times around this closed cost and aviation toughest competitive feed event.

[Jim Lane]

All set, Gunner.

[Anne Barton]

Let her go way or Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Well, it's Annie.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, I think I left Kansas for this.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, I wonder what Joe's doing now.

[Anne Barton]

Just giving me the laugh.

[Jim Lane]

Well, there's a sucker born every second, pal.

[Anne Barton]

Not anymore. I broke the mold.

[Ann's Mother]

All clear. I'm clear.

[Jim Lane]

Well, baby, you can see. Sing a song of 10 grand and a pocket full of dough. I'll see you at the bank.

[Anne Barton]

Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

[Jim Lane]

I won't.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, darling, wait. Yeah, Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, What?

[Anne Barton]

Well, I. Oh, I got a telegram from the landlady.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah? What'd she say?

[Anne Barton]

She hopes you win.

[Jim Lane]

I will. So long.

[Anne Barton]

So long.

[Ann's Mother]

Here comes the grand mystery race. The number chairman blows by Jim Lane plane, you remember won the Thompson last year in a Drake special. And there's a starter holding up its flag. Timers and judges are ready. And there go the flags are away. The conclusion of the 19th lap with only 10 miles left to go. Fred Benson and his rank specialist. You're leading the field.

[Lady Luck (SpinQuest Advertiser)]

Hey guys. Lady luck here. Are you going on any road trips this summer? I know I'm going to be going on a bunch of road trips and being that I'm going to be passenger princess. I love playing on spinquest.com Spin Quest has all of my favorite slot games. Live blackjack, live craps. Head on over to Spin Quest right now and get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Spoiler. Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Ann's Mother]

But Jim Lane is pushing him hard. Here he comes now. He's standing very fast as they hit the straightaway. That's Lane in number seven. He's right on Benson's tail. And now he's pulling away. Lane is now out in front. Uh oh. There's something wrong up there. Lane's on fire. The transmission special is on fire. The motor of the trans racer is burning up. Lane has the ship under perfect control and looks like he's going to continue. Yes, he is. More than half a lot to go. Elaine's got a gamble that his ship will hold together. It's a long chance he's taken up here.

[Gunner Morris]

Come on, Jim. Come on down.

[Anne Barton]

He's on fire. Got it.

[Ann's Mother]

He's burning.

[Gunner Morris]

Ah, don't be crazy. That's nothing. It's nice to have a little fire. You don't know how cold it gets up there.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, Jim. Jim.

[Gunner Morris]

Besides, the guy's made of asbestos.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, how can you talk like that? How dare you.

[Gunner Morris]

Oh, you little fool. Who you talking to? What do you think this game is anyway? Married him without giving it a. Didn't you? Well, if you can't take it, get out. Go on, beat it. Go hide your head and cry.

[Jim Lane]

Go on.

[Anne Barton]

I'm all right. Bless you, gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

He's got a good chance, am. He's awful good up there.

[Jim Lane]

Look.

[Gunner Morris]

Look.

[Ann's Mother]

The fire is out. He dulled the fire out.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, Jim.

[Gunner Morris]

Come on, Jim. Come on, boy.

[Ann's Mother]

Here he comes, the winner.

[Anne Barton]

He's across the line.

[Ann's Mother]

Ladies and gentlemen, last year's winner repeats again. This year, Jim Lane playing the best race of his career in the trans history. Racer wins the Compton trophy race.

[Gunner Morris]

He's coming in. Let's go get him.

[Ann's Mother]

Hi, Anne.

[Anne Barton]

I'm Kansas, darling.

[Gunner Morris]

How are you doing up there? Giving an exhibition.

[Anne Barton]

Good, Jim, Are you burned?

[Jim Lane]

No, not a blister. Well, a little bit on hand. 10,000 bucks, baby. All for you.

[Ann's Mother]

Benson's in trouble. Benson in number 12.

[Gunner Morris]

Hey, his motor's quit.

[Ann's Mother]

He looks like he's going to crash. Everybody off the field. Field guards, to your stations immediately.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Pull out, Benson.

[Gunner Morris]

Pull out.

[Ann's Mother]

Pull out,

[Jim Lane]

Misses Benson.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, Mr. Lane. Come in.

[Jim Lane]

Is it all right, Mrs. Benson, or would you rather I didn't?

[Anne Barton]

It's all right. I don't feel the way I thought I would. I guess I was so sure it would happen sometime.

[Jim Lane]

How's the. How's the dough situation?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, we'll be all right.

[Jim Lane]

You're lucky in one way, Mrs. Benson. I mean, lucky that I won. You see, Benson and I were splitting if either of us came through. But suppose he told you?

[Ann's Mother]

He what?

[Jim Lane]

Yeah. Didn't he tell you?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

No.

[Jim Lane]

Well, we were so. I got it cashed here. There's five grand in the envelope.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Still lame.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Please.

[Jim Lane]

No, no, no. You don't mean to welch on a guy because he's not here to collect it, do you?

[Anne Barton]

Mr. Lane, you're lying to me. But it's so beautiful of you. I. I do need it so terribly. I mean, the children.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Sure, sure.

[Jim Lane]

Listen, he died at his trade, see? That's a lot. Take my word for it. He died in the air. The air was Benson's business.

[Anne Barton]

Yes.

[Jim Lane]

Waiter.

[Ann's Mother]

Hey, waiter.

[Jim Lane]

Fill him up here. Fill him up.

[Gunner Morris]

Come on, Jim. Hand it Over. Where is it?

[Jim Lane]

I'm right here, pal. I'm right here.

[Gunner Morris]

Come on.

[Jim Lane]

The dough.

[Gunner Morris]

The dough.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, never mind the dough. Waiter.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Now, listen.

[Gunner Morris]

And this guy started with 10 grand all in cash, and he's on a bender now. Grab some of it, will you?

[Anne Barton]

I can't grab any. He's too big.

[Jim Lane]

Let's drink. Let's drink to Vincent. Fred. Vincent. Give me the door, will you? Go away, Fred. Benson. What license did that guy have to fly? He didn't have any, Jim. Too tough, baby. This guy looks sweet and wears a pretty blue dress, doesn't she? Yeah, well, don't kid yourself. She lives up there. She invites you up there, and when she gets you up there, she knocks you down. A nice guy like Benson.

[Anne Barton]

Don't think, honey.

[Jim Lane]

I'm not thinking, honey. I'm just telling you that Benson wasn't good enough for her. Come on, get out of the sky. I don't like you. Sure, that's her. Don't let her fool you. When she looks soft and sweet, she sits in your lap and purrs, doesn't she? Yeah, well, she don't fool me none. Fire is still fire. Stuck her little tongue out of me today, didn't she? All nice and red kissed from Cinderella. She didn't get away with it, did she? Did she, Kansas? She got kissed right back. Yeah. And then you take her by the throat, you shake her silly, you slap her back, you put her in her place and you give her the laugh. Dirty, scheming.

[Anne Barton]

Darling, stop, please.

[Ann's Mother]

Yeah,

[Jim Lane]

I'm not thinking, honey. Waiter.

[Anne Barton]

Hey, Jim, Listen, let's go home, huh? Come on.

[Jim Lane]

Hello, baby. Who are you?

[Anne Barton]

A girl.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah. Who told you so?

[Anne Barton]

You did.

[Jim Lane]

I don't even know your name.

[Anne Barton]

I know yours.

[Jim Lane]

I'm a famous guy.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah. I want a blue dress.

[Jim Lane]

Blue.

[Anne Barton]

She wears a blue dress up there. Who does, miss up there? I'd look nice and blue.

[Jim Lane]

No good. No good.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Waiter.

[Anne Barton]

Gunner, will you take me home sick? No, no, I'm just tired.

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, yeah, take her along home, Gunner. She's tired.

[Anne Barton]

Good night, Gunner. Thanks.

[Gunner Morris]

Good night. Now, don't worry about him.

[Anne Barton]

No. Well, I met her, didn't I?

[Gunner Morris]

Who?

[Anne Barton]

My rival.

[Gunner Morris]

Oh, yeah, sure, sure, you met her.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, don't just shore me like that, Gunner. I tell you, I met my rival. She rides with him when he's up there. Oh, yeah. It's hard to come a girl A man loves when he's alone. He never looked at me the way he looked when he said he slapped her back into place. Yeah, I met Her. All right, take care of him.

[Gunner Morris]

Don't worry. I'll stay right with him.

[Anne Barton]

And gunner. Tell him I want to be slapped, too.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Hello.

[Gunner Morris]

Hello, Anne. This is gunner. Now, listen, he got away from me. I don't know. I've been making the rounds all night looking for him. Yeah, I'll find him. I don't know where, but I'll find him. Come on. Come on. Wake up, sonny boy.

[Jim Lane]

Don't shake me. I'm awake. I'm awake.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, you should be by now. You know what day it is?

[Jim Lane]

I know it's day, it is. Night, it's enough.

[Gunner Morris]

You know where you are? No.

[Jim Lane]

I was in detroit.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, now you're in chicago.

[Jim Lane]

Chicago. Chicago, Chicago, Chicago. Oh, I don't feel like doing that.

[Gunner Morris]

You've been in every city but indianapolis.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, where's ann?

[Gunner Morris]

Well, the last time I saw her, she was in cleveland. That was four days ago. I had just enough dough to wire back to new york. Oh, yeah, and speaking of dough, I suppose you've got my share right here with you, huh?

[Jim Lane]

Look at my pants.

[Gunner Morris]

I did. Even the handkerchief is blown.

[Jim Lane]

And the vest.

[Gunner Morris]

Ain't no vest.

[Jim Lane]

Where is it?

[Gunner Morris]

Ask the vest. Well, pal, it was a great race. I'm glad you won it.

[Jim Lane]

No doubt, huh? Time to go home, isn't it?

[Gunner Morris]

I don't know. Anyway, it's an idea.

[Jim Lane]

Ann, you asleep?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, hello.

[Jim Lane]

How are you, Anne?

[Anne Barton]

Fine. How are you? Bad boy.

[Jim Lane]

Pretty bad boy.

[Anne Barton]

Feeling low?

[Jim Lane]

I've been up higher.

[Anne Barton]

Sure.

[Jim Lane]

I'm glad to see you, ann.

[Anne Barton]

I'm glad, too. Is gunner out there?

[Jim Lane]

Yeah.

[Anne Barton]

Come in, Gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

Howdy.

[Anne Barton]

You look fine, too, Gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

Feel great.

[Jim Lane]

Say, what have you been doing?

[Anne Barton]

That's just liking to say that like that. Isn't it funny? Well, dear, you've had more fun than I have. Well, I've tried and I've tried for five days to think of some way to be cross with you. Oh, Jim, if I could only hate you.

[Jim Lane]

What do you want to hate me for, baby?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, won't the landlady be glad to see you, though?

[Jim Lane]

Why?

[Anne Barton]

She likes you. Yeah, she kept asking me, when in the world will Mr. Lane be home?

[Jim Lane]

Oh, say, how much do we owe her, darling?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, about $200. Darling.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, well, that's nothing, is it?

[Anne Barton]

No. But I'll bet you haven't got all of that 10,000 left, have you? I'll bet you haven't got over over six or seven thousand left, have you?

[Jim Lane]

Well, no, not over that, dear.

[Gunner Morris]

No, not over that.

[Anne Barton]

Well, suppose you give me a Little darling.

[Jim Lane]

I'm sorry, Ann. I'm broke.

[Anne Barton]

I know you're broke. I was only teasing, But I know Mrs. Benson isn't broke. That was lovely of your pal. I'll bet you were funny when you were giving it to her. I wish I'd been behind a screen.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, you knew.

[Anne Barton]

I guessed.

[Jim Lane]

Say, you're some girl. Oh, I see. I see now.

[Anne Barton]

You do what?

[Jim Lane]

I see what you are. You're all right. And listen, you know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna do something that'll surprise you. I'm going out and grab some wine and drink to you.

[Anne Barton]

What a surprise.

[Jim Lane]

I'm drinking to a woman. Yeah, and to your mother and to your father and to the whole corn fed state of Kansas. Now don't go away.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, I've been around him a long time and that's the first time I ever heard him praise anything but himself. But you got it coming. It was swell.

[Anne Barton]

Why, what else do you do when there's nothing to do? It's easy to be gallant when you're doomed.

[Gunner Morris]

What do you mean, doomed?

[Anne Barton]

You. You should ask me that. I've had five days to think, haven't I? And don't you think, Mr. Gunner, I've tried to walk out. I've got a ticket in my pocketbook. But I didn't go.

[Gunner Morris]

Anne, you shouldn't think like that because. Well, there's no way to think. It's crazy.

[Anne Barton]

Well, this is crazy. Three roads, faces, and there's doom at the end of each. Suppose he didn't drink? He slapped her back again. And he sits around his nerves screaming. He doesn't want a drink, but he can't help it. The second road is worse than that. He's retired from flying and works on the ground. Imagine a man with his heart in the sky living with a woman on the ground. He wouldn't like himself very much. And I wouldn't like him either. Gunner. Oh, no? No. He's in love with a woman with wings. She's got him and I've no way to cut her out. I can't fight this guy.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, there's another road.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, there is, and we're on it. We go on as if nothing had happened. He goes in the next race, another bat, another race. Until some day when he's not quite so young and quick, she slaps him out. You know, don't you?

[Gunner Morris]

Oh, I don't know. I've only had her for 10 years. And you hit her right in the nose too. You just sit and Wait for it.

[Anne Barton]

What do I do it for?

[Gunner Morris]

Cause there's nothing else to do. He gets you. No fun being with anybody else.

[Anne Barton]

Well, what's fun about waiting for someone to die every tick of the clock? Still living. Still living. Still living. What for? I won't do it. I won't love him that much. Haven't I the right to live my life without being tortured every second? Haven't I?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, sure. And you know what you'll do, don't you? You'll stick with him, you hook. You can't get away no matter how hard you try.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You know that, don't you?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yeah.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, I know. I know, Gunner.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We pause now for stick identification. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System. After a brief intermission, Mr. DeMille presents Robert Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Robert Preston in Act 3 of Test Pilot. And now, here comes our young friend, Sally. Say, Sally, isn't that a song from Maytime?

[Anne Barton]

Yes, it is, Mr. Ruig. And now's the time of year to be singing it. Everything looks so fresh and lovely.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You mean everything has that springtime vibe? Well, you know, Sally, that's a good way to describe a lady with a luxe soap complexion.

[Anne Barton]

Why, it's just right, Mr. Ruig. And you might add that luxe toilet soap helps a girl to keep that springtime look the year round.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, Sally, that's why smart girls use luxe toilet soap regularly. It's a real beauty soap, as mild and as gentle as.

[Anne Barton]

As a morning in May.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thanks, Sally. Yes, Everyday care with this gentle soap is certainly a real investment in beauty. For luxe toilet soap is a quality product. You can depend on its mildness, its purity. When you unwrap a cake, notice how white it is, how satin smooth to the touch. Then compare the rich, abundant lather with that of other soaps you've used. Active lather. It's so creamy and smooth. It's like a caress to the skin. 9 out of 10 lovely screen stars, you know, use luxe toilet soap as a complexion soap and as a delightful bath soap, too. Luxe toilet soap is luxurious to use, and it's thrifty as well. Millions of cakes are sold each year. And so this fine white soap with the flower like fragrance costs you only a few pennies. Why not let the whole family enjoy it? Get three cakes of Lux toilet soap tomorrow. Now Mr. DeMille returns to the microphone.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Curtain rises on the third act of test Pilot. Starring Robert Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Robert Preston.

[Gunner Morris]

What's up, everybody? It's Bretzky and America is turning 250 and I can't think of a better way to celebrate that Than playing on an american owned social casino. Spinquest.com with all of your favorite games, Live crafts, bubble crafts like live blackjack. There's no better place to play for free and win real cash prizes.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Spin Quest.com Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Jim lane has a date again with his lady in the sky. This time it's a power dive and his orders are to rip the wings off the ship. On the field, Gunner watches the sky anxiously. How high would you say he was, Gunner?

[Gunner Morris]

About 18,000. He'll turn the nose down in a minute.

[Anne Barton]

Gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

Hey, I thought you were going to stay home.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, it's worse. I'd rather see it. Do they always go that high?

[Gunner Morris]

That's the idea of it. You got to get a start.

[Anne Barton]

How bad is it? As bad as I gathered. Remember, we don't act.

[Gunner Morris]

I don't know, Anne.

[Anne Barton]

That's right. Don't kid me. What's he going to do?

[Gunner Morris]

Power dive. He's got orders to tear it wide open. And if I know jim, he'll try.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Here he comes.

[Gunner Morris]

He's on his way, Anne.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, no. I wish I'd stayed home. Oh, no. I don't either. Oh, come on, Jim.

[Ann's Mother]

Come on.

[Anne Barton]

How much longer?

[Gunner Morris]

Gunna depends. He'll pull out when he gets ready. Or when the wings fall off.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Let her come, Jim.

[Anne Barton]

Straight down. Straight down. Still living.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Still living.

[Ann's Mother]

There it goes.

[Anne Barton]

On it.

[Gunner Morris]

He's cracked it. It's breaking up.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Bail out, Jim.

[Ann's Mother]

Bail out.

[Anne Barton]

Why doesn't he get out? Why doesn't he get out?

[Ann's Mother]

He will.

[Jim Lane]

Give him a chance.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

There.

[Gunner Morris]

There he goes.

[Ann's Mother]

Come on, Jim. Pull that guard.

[Anne Barton]

That's the boy.

[Gunner Morris]

It's okay. Chute's open. He's okay, Anne. Steal it and snap out of it, dan.

[Anne Barton]

Jim Lane detest new ship still living. Jim Lane silent on record flight still living. Lane flies mercy ship to arctic. Still living. Still living. Still living.

[Ann's Mother]

Come on, you guys.

[Jim Lane]

What about another ride on the roller coaster?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, do you think you should? Darling, remember you're weak.

[Ann's Mother]

Hard.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah. And you ought to remember you're testing a ship tomorrow.

[Jim Lane]

Don't be morbid, gunner.

[Anne Barton]

How can you think of business at a time like this? Gunner. Oh, Jim, I want some peanuts.

[Jim Lane]

Peanuts, all right. Peanuts coming up right away.

[Ann's Mother]

Hey, Peter. Hey.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, it's wonderful to be silly, Gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

You can't keep this up.

[Anne Barton]

Anne, what's the matter?

[Gunner Morris]

I've never felt such pain. It's like the sharp edge of a knife.

[Anne Barton]

I'll get used to it.

[Gunner Morris]

He'll be dead before he is.

[Anne Barton]

That's all right, too. I'm grabbing what I can. Gunner. What do you want me to do?

[Gunner Morris]

I don't know.

[Anne Barton]

It'll be all right. I'll be okay, too, when the baby comes.

[Gunner Morris]

Baby?

[Anne Barton]

Yeah. He doesn't know yet. Don't tell him, Gunner.

[Gunner Morris]

Why not?

[Anne Barton]

Don't tell him, Please.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Okay.

[Anne Barton]

And don't ever fall in love, Gunner. Don't ever fall in love.

[Jim Lane]

Here we are. Here, you. Peanuts. You know what goes good with peanuts?

[Anne Barton]

What? Outside of you?

[Jim Lane]

Champagne.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, yeah. Try and get it.

[Jim Lane]

Having a good time, darling?

[Anne Barton]

Pressure.

[Jim Lane]

Enjoying yourself, Gunner?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Adorable.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, why don't you be gay for once and give yourself a shock?

[Gunner Morris]

Too many roads.

[Jim Lane]

What roads?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Three roads. Yeah?

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, three roads.

[Jim Lane]

Three roads. You're going crazy.

[Gunner Morris]

I guess maybe I am.

[Jim Lane]

Maybe you're drunk, huh?

[Gunner Morris]

No, but I think I'm gonna be.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

There's your ship, General.

[Jim Lane]

Pretty, huh? Pretty doesn't count, Mr. Drake. The army wants to know how she'll fly. Don't worry about her. Say, how much heavier do you figure

[Cecil B. DeMille]

this new bomb load will run?

[Jim Lane]

Oh, three or four times. That's enough.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

See?

[Jim Lane]

Have you met Lane's wife? Hey, Kansas, come here.

[Anne Barton]

Hello. How are you, Mr. J?

[Jim Lane]

General Ross, this is Kansas. Lane. Hello, Kansas.

[Anne Barton]

Hello, General. Say, your plane looks like Grand Hotel.

[Jim Lane]

This is going to be the biggest job Jim's ever done. In every way, Kansas. See all that loading they're doing? Those sandbags represent the weight of the bombs and the crew. The height record for a war boat of that size is just under 20,000ft.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Well, we're after 30.

[Anne Barton]

30,000ft.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

So? Way up, Kansas, six miles.

[Jim Lane]

Hiya, General. Hello, Lane.

[Anne Barton]

Hiya, darling. I hear you're going to have lunch with a bunch of angels.

[Jim Lane]

You jealous?

[Anne Barton]

Yes, darling. I'd love to take that high ride with you. I've never asked you before. Can I be a bomb? I'd be twice as quiet.

[Jim Lane]

You know what you'd be with that dress on up there?

[Anne Barton]

What would I be?

[Jim Lane]

A little icicle with you there. When do you take off, Lane?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Right away.

[Jim Lane]

Give me 28,000. We'll call it a day, Jim.

[Ann's Mother]

Right, General?

[Jim Lane]

Certainly. Well, you give me for everything. I get over 30, I feel informed.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Now, you just get 28 and stop feeling so good. And those are orders. Okay.

[Jim Lane]

See you around, Kansas.

[Anne Barton]

Yeah, see you around.

[Gunner Morris]

Come on, come on, get those sandbags in there. We ain't got all afternoon. Get a move on.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Take your time, Gunner.

[Jim Lane]

We're ready.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, you've been ready all day.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Now, listen, you do the flying, we'll do the load.

[Gunner Morris]

Now, don't give me any of your lipra. Busted, wide open seat.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, yeah?

[Ann's Mother]

Yeah.

[Gunner Morris]

You want to see me?

[Jim Lane]

Hey, hey, hey. What's the matter?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Ah, tell that guy to lay off me.

[Jim Lane]

That happened. What's the matter with you? You're not the guy I know anymore. Drinking and fighting.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, and I'll tell you why. You're going to listen and like it, and then maybe you see.

[Jim Lane]

See what? Say, come on. See what?

[Anne Barton]

Nothing.

[Jim Lane]

I'm shooting my mouth.

[Gunner Morris]

I don't know what I'm talking about.

[Jim Lane]

Snap out of it, sweetheart. Come on, let's go. All set there. Get in, Gunner.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

All set, Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Let her go. You know, for a nice fella, you've certainly got turned into a crab. I never saw anything like it.

[Gunner Morris]

She lifts nice.

[Jim Lane]

Do better if you didn't have so much weight in her. You're heavier than lead these days. Let them know how we're doing.

[Gunner Morris]

Calling WSR from Lane. 12,000ft starting up through overcast. Going on instruments. North beam.

[Jim Lane]

There she is. There's the sky, Gunner. We're coming, honey.

[Gunner Morris]

Little Alice, blue gown. WSR lane. New record for weight, 26,200. Manifold pressure falling. Hey, we're about washed up.

[Jim Lane]

Not yet. Turn the heat full on.

[Gunner Morris]

It is full on. Wsr Lean. 29,350.

[Jim Lane]

Get up there, baby girl. Get up.

[Gunner Morris]

29350. Hey, we're about through, Jim. She's one.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, no, she's not.

[Gunner Morris]

She's choking to death. Next thing you know, she'll fall off into a spin.

[Jim Lane]

30. 30, I tell you.

[Gunner Morris]

Now listen, this is high enough.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

What more do you want?

[Jim Lane]

I want 30. I won't take an inch under it.

[Gunner Morris]

Wsr Lane. 29950.

[Jim Lane]

50 more. Squeeze. Squeeze.

[Gunner Morris]

Hey, look, Jim, with all those sandbags back.

[Anne Barton]

Squeeze.

[Ann's Mother]

Come on.

[Jim Lane]

What's it read?

[Gunner Morris]

It's almost there.

[Jim Lane]

A little more up, baby.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Up, girl. Squeeze.

[Gunner Morris]

Here it is. It's coming up there. 30,000 even.

[Jim Lane]

She's over Add up, baby.

[Ann's Mother]

Hooray.

[Gunner Morris]

Now. Look out. She's fallen off. Now. Don't let it get into a spin.

[Jim Lane]

Don't worry.

[Gunner Morris]

Listen, she's up.

[Jim Lane]

It's okay. Wait till we get down with her some air. You feel all right, don't you?

[Gunner Morris]

Oh, I feel charming. I hope those sandbags hold together.

[Jim Lane]

I hope we hold together.

[Gunner Morris]

WSR from lane. WSR from lane. We're spinning.

[Jim Lane]

Come on, lady. Straighten out.

[Gunner Morris]

Hey, when do we hit that thick air? We're dropping like a light.

[Jim Lane]

You handling your controls?

[Gunner Morris]

I'm not touching them. It's up to you, baby.

[Jim Lane]

Okay, just leave the your hands off. I'll pull it out, sweetheart.

[Gunner Morris]

Fine. When?

[Jim Lane]

Take your time. Take your time.

[Gunner Morris]

Yeah, I'm just a little impatient, that's all.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, what's the matter?

[Gunner Morris]

Hey, those bags, they're. They're breaking loose. Cut me in the back.

[Jim Lane]

Pull over here quick.

[Gunner Morris]

I can't. It's too much weight. It's pinning me.

[Jim Lane]

Stay clear of the controls.

[Gunner Morris]

I can't move.

[Ann's Mother]

Can't.

[Jim Lane]

All right, all right. I'll get the bags out.

[Gunner Morris]

You never make it.

[Jim Lane]

Jim, can you squeeze away from the controls just a little?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

No.

[Gunner Morris]

Jim.

[Ann's Mother]

Bailout.

[Jim Lane]

Listen, V. Loud.

[Gunner Morris]

I tell you I can't move.

[Jim Lane]

It'll be okay. I'm getting them out of the way.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

I'll have it.

[Gunner Morris]

Jim, please get out.

[Ann's Mother]

Shut up.

[Jim Lane]

I'm getting it, I tell you.

[Gunner Morris]

No time now, Jim.

[Ann's Mother]

There.

[Jim Lane]

Can you move?

[Anne Barton]

No.

[Jim Lane]

An inch.

[Ann's Mother]

Just an inch.

[Jim Lane]

Come on, Gunner.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's it.

[Ann's Mother]

A little more.

[Jim Lane]

There. It's okay, Jim.

[Gunner Morris]

You get it out.

[Ann's Mother]

Hang on, Gunner.

[Jim Lane]

I'll bring it down flat.

[Gunner Morris]

Watch it.

[Ann's Mother]

Hang on, Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Gunner. Gunner. Yeah.

[Gunner Morris]

You all right?

[Jim Lane]

Yeah, sure.

[Gunner Morris]

Well, he's tough. Tough guy.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, can you move any?

[Gunner Morris]

Sure. Just taking it easy. Feels good not to try to move.

[Jim Lane]

Listen, don't do anything dumb on me now. No,

[Gunner Morris]

Jim.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

What?

[Gunner Morris]

Just listen. I got so many words. Listen, don't take anyone in my place. You're so dumb you don't know how.

[Bluff (SpinQuest Advertiser)]

Happy birthday, America. It's time to celebrate and play your favorite Las Vegas casino games by American owned spinquest.com what's better than fireworks and American pieces hitting a black tech in the palm of your hand and you won't lose your fingers. Over a thousand games including slots and live dealers and $30 coin packs are on sale for 10 spinquest.com buy American players.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

For American players, Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Ann's Mother]

Good.

[Gunner Morris]

I was.

[Jim Lane]

I was awful good.

[Gunner Morris]

See you man a kiss, will you?

[Jim Lane]

Gunnar? Look at me.

[Gunner Morris]

Here's a break for me though. I won't ever have to go home and break the news to her. I leave the roads first three roads.

[Jim Lane]

Don't die for my sake. Gunna.

[Gunner Morris]

That's all I come back for.

[Anne Barton]

I could.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, Gunner. Anne.

[Anne Barton]

I know. I heard.

[Jim Lane]

He's dead. Gunner's dead.

[Anne Barton]

Why wasn't you? It couldn't have been you, could it? Oh, no. I've got more coming to me. I've got to get all that's coming to me. Another year, maybe. I'll go crazy first.

[Jim Lane]

Anne, look at me. I've got a kiss for you, Anne. From him.

[Anne Barton]

Go on. What else? What are you gonna say? Your heart's bleeding. Aren't you gonna say that?

[Jim Lane]

My heart isn't bleeding a drop. My memory of Gunner is beautiful.

[Anne Barton]

I believe it. You have no heart.

[Gunner Morris]

You don't know what pain is.

[Jim Lane]

He died at his trade, didn't he? What more do you want?

[Anne Barton]

Oh, that's great. Go back up in the sky. That awful sky. Go up there and stay. Go on. Why don't you die and leave me alone?

[Jim Lane]

Sit down, Jim. Had you check up at the hospital, huh? Yeah, I'm okay. Had a thing wrong. They tell you that? No, but I'm okay. I'll take the sister ship up tomorrow. You're a tough man, Jim. How else could you figure it? Listen, I haven't started yet. I'll go back up there. I'm going back up there and pay this guy back for what she did to me. I'll pay her back. I'll wring her neck. They're not taking that plane up tomorrow. You're not gonna wring her neck either? No. Why not?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

I just had a report from the hospital.

[Jim Lane]

You're grounded, Jim. Grounded me? They can't do that. They. Why, your eyes. Grounded?

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's great.

[Jim Lane]

That's fine.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

There's still a spot for you here

[Jim Lane]

if you want it. Find a desk. It's great. Or the army. The army needs men on the ground, too, now.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Guess that's it.

[Jim Lane]

I don't know. Talk it over with Anne and let me know, huh? Yeah, sure. So long, Drake. So long, Jim.

[Anne Barton]

Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, yeah.

[Anne Barton]

Jim, I said some awful things. I didn't know what I was talking about. About? I was just jealous, darling. Jealous of that girl of yours up there? Well, I'm not anymore. She can have you when you're flying, but when you're down here, you're mine, Jim.

[Jim Lane]

And don't be jealous. Don't be jealous anymore.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

All right, you cadets.

[Jim Lane]

I've been talking for 30 minutes to you boys, and you're probably looking wise and giving me the bird. Anybody got any questions?

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right.

[Jim Lane]

Good luck. Get up there and fly.

[Anne Barton]

Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Hey, what are you doing here?

[Anne Barton]

I brought a friend. Hello, Jim.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, well, hi, son.

[Anne Barton]

Mother said I could watch the airplane.

[Jim Lane]

Why, sure. There they are, son. Just taking off.

[Anne Barton]

Gee, look, Mother.

[Jim Lane]

Come on, Barney, get up there. Oh, why can't I? Get in there and show him? Look at me. A man spends all his life getting somewhere. And where's he end up? On the ground, just where he started.

[Anne Barton]

Jim, when I grew up, I'm gonna be a pilot. I'm going way up in the sky. Way, way up.

[Jim Lane]

You'll have to ask your mother about that, son.

[Anne Barton]

Four years old and he's starting to think about girls.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

A thrilling play had a thrilling performance at the hands of Robert Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Robert Preston. And right now, we'll ask them to step into the spotlight again.

[Jim Lane]

Thank you, CB One look at the sky will convince anyone that aviation is the most exciting topic of the moment. Records show that there are more planes in the air now than ever before.

[Gunner Morris]

Sounds like we might have a traffic jam up there before long.

[Anne Barton]

Yes. What about accidents?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

In spite of all the planes in the air, Rita, America's safety record is still the best in the world. The figures prove it.

[Jim Lane]

Even though the army has cut the length of time spent in training pilots, I believe they've also cut the accident rate was done through new methods of training. Methods that ensure greater safety.

[Anne Barton]

And that record is something we're all proud of. And now, Mr. DeMille, if I may, I'd like to say just a word about the product back to this theater because Lux Soap is an old friend of mine. I use it every day. It's the finest way I found to care for my complexion.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

We're glad to hear that Lux Soap has had a part in one of Hollywood's greatest success stories, Rita. I mean, the story of your career, of course.

[Jim Lane]

Well, what's happening here next week, CB

[Cecil B. DeMille]

I think you'll be interested, Bob. To begin with, the play is the Samuel Goldwyn hit Ball of Fire. And our stars are Barbara Stanwick and Fred McMurray.

[Jim Lane]

Why didn't somebody tell me these things?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Well, it's one of the comedy successes of the year, Bob. The romantic story of a professor. That's Fred McMurray, who is studying slang and learns more than he bargained for from a dancer named Sugar Puss o'. Shea. That's the part Barbara Stanwyck played in the picture. Of course.

[Jim Lane]

Well, it should be a great show, CB Fred McMurray is one of my favorites.

[Anne Barton]

Haven't you forgotten someone, Bob?

[Jim Lane]

Forgotten?

[Anne Barton]

Oh.

[Jim Lane]

Oh, yes. Barbara Stanwyck.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

She's good too.

[Gunner Morris]

CB I know you're at work on a Mexican folk, but I think you should let us all in on that other drama you've been whispering about all week.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Well, it's no secret any longer, Bob. The agreement was made in Washington the other day. I'm going to film the story of Dr. Wassell.

[Anne Barton]

Oh, that's the navy doctor that the President told the nation about on the radio a couple of weeks ago, isn't it, Mr. DeMille?

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Yes, Rita. The humble man of medicine who single handed evacuated nine wounded and helpless naval heroes from Java, ran the Japanese blockade and brought them to safety in an Australian port 1500 miles away. Dr. Wassell has been awarded the Navy Cross. It's a great story. And part of every dollar paid at the box office will go to Navy relief.

[Anne Barton]

Well, that'll be good news to all Americans, Mr. DeMille. Good night.

[Gunner Morris]

Good night.

[Jim Lane]

Good night.

[Anne Barton]

Good night.

[Jim Lane]

Good night.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

Happy landings. Tonight and every night to our American airmen. Our sponsors, the makers of Lux Toilet Soap, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theater presents Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray in Ball of Fire. This is Cecil B. DeMille saying good night to you from colleagues.

[Jim Lane]

Wood.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The current look magazine has an article of great interest to all our listeners. The story and pictures of Cecil B. DeMille's 30 years in Hollywood, along with scenes from Lux Radio theater rehearsals. Heard in tonight's play were Cy Kendall as Drake, Fred Mackay as Joel B. Benedar as Mrs. Benson, Verna Felton as Mrs. Barton, Charles Seal as announcer, Howard McNear as Grant and Tris Coffin, Tudor Williams, Warren Ash and Bobby Larson. Tune in next Monday night to hear Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray in Ball of Fire. Our music was directed by Louis Silvers and your announcer has been Melville Rowing.

[Cecil B. DeMille]

This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Bluff (SpinQuest Advertiser)]

What's going on, everyone? It's bluff here. And you know what's more American than America's 250th birthday? Supporting American owned companies like Spinquest, America's number one social casino with over a thousand games like live dealer blackjack and craps. They're offering new users a 30 coin package for just $10. Go to spinquest.com and sign up today.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.