Lux Radio Theatre - These Three

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: Lux Radio Theatre – "These Three"

Date: June 22, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Lux Radio Theatre Presents “These Three”
Original Stars: Barbara Stanwyck (Martha Dobie), Errol Flynn (Dr. Joseph Carden), Mary Astor (Karen Wright), with Alma Kruger, Constance Collier, Marsha Mae Jones, Helen Parrish, and special guest Cecil B. DeMille as host.

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Episode Overview

This episode features a recreation of the 1936 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast of “These Three,” a powerful stage drama exploring the destructiveness of lies, rumor, and social hysteria in a small community. Hosted by Cecil B. DeMille, the radio play stars prominent Hollywood actors of the era and revolves around two female teachers whose lives and reputations are upended by a malicious lie told by a student.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. Introduction by Cecil B. DeMille and Cast Presentation

• [00:35-02:00] Cecil B. DeMille welcomes the audience and introduces the all-star cast, noting the real-life character and generosity of actress Barbara Stanwyck.
• The play is based on Samuel Goldwyn’s film, with major Hollywood stars playing the three leads.

“That’s the true character of the girl who returns to our stage tonight, starring as Martha Dobie.” – Cecil B. DeMille [00:55]

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2. Setting the Scene: Dreams and New Beginnings

• [04:07-05:44] Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, recent graduates, discuss their uncertain futures. Karen suggests they start a school together at her inherited family farm.

Notable Moment:

“Martha, do you know, we might start something of our own. It’d be fun. We’d be good at it, too.” – Karen Wright [04:53]

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3. Establishing the School and New Relationships

• [05:44-10:43] The women arrive at the dilapidated farm, meet Dr. Joseph Carden, and encounter the dramatic Aunt Lily. Despite obstacles, optimism is high as they begin to build their new venture together.

Quote:

“Well, anything you could do, we could undoubtedly do.” – Martha Dobie [07:38]
“Sure. That’s just what I said.” – Dr. Carden [07:42]

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4. Early Tensions and Community Life

• [10:43-15:03] Dr. Carden reveals his affection for Karen during a day out at the fair.

Memorable Love Confession:

“I want to tell you something... I’m in love with you. I love you with all my heart, Karen.” – Dr. Joseph Carden [14:44-15:03]

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5. Background, Motivation, and Longings

• [16:19-17:50] Martha reveals her lonely childhood and her deep motivation to make life easier for other children, providing insight into her caring nature and dedication.

Quote:

“Being young is awfully hard. And when I grew up, I... wanted to make it easier for other kids.” – Martha Dobie [16:19]

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6. The Disruptive Child: Introduction of Mary Tilford and School Troubles

• [18:37-24:28] Mary Tilford is established as a manipulative and troubled student. Her lies and resentments begin to take shape, setting the stage for the central conflict.

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7. The Spiral Into False Accusation

• [24:28-31:23] After Mary is punished for lying, she feigns illness, manipulates another student (Rosalie), and runs to her wealthy grandmother, Mrs. Tilford, planting seeds of scandal.

Turning Point Dialogue:

“We’ve got secrets, Grandma. Funny secrets. All about Miss Dobie and Dr. Carden.” – Mary Tilford [30:13]

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8. The Rumor Spreads: Damage to Reputation

• [34:22-37:45] Karen, Martha, and Dr. Carden confront Mrs. Tilford about the rumors threatening the school’s existence. They challenge her to hear the full truth from Mary.

Courageous Stance:

“We’re human beings. It’s our lives you’re fooling with. Our lives are serious business for us.” – Dr. Carden [35:12]

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9. Confrontation and Inability to Dislodge the Lie

• [38:03-42:45] The three adults confront Mary, who doubles down on her story, manipulating both her grandmother and her classmates into corroborating her lies. Rosalie is bullied into “taking the oath” as Mary’s vassal.

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10. Aftermath of the Slander: Courtroom and Community Fallout

• [47:58-53:27] Weeks later, after the slander trial is lost, Karen and Martha regroup in an empty, ruined school. Dr. Carden proposes escaping to Vienna with Karen, but emotional damage and suspicion linger, driving them apart.

Heartbreaking Exchange:

“Are you telling me you believe what that child said? That Martha and I...?” – Dr. Carden [52:28]
“No, Jo, I don’t. I... don’t know anymore.” – Karen Wright [52:33]

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11. The Real Culprit is Exposed

• [57:29-59:49] Martha confronts Rosalie and Mary. The truth comes out: Rosalie’s theft of a bracelet was leveraged by Mary to force false testimony. Their lies unravel, and Mrs. Tilford offers a public apology.

Moment of Justice:

“Those stories about me and Dr. Carden—they weren’t true, were they?”
“No, ma’am. She made me... Mary made me. She knew I had the bracelet. She was going to tell.” – Martha Dobie & Rosalie [58:00–59:00]

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12. Reflections and Closing

• [59:49-end] Cecil B. DeMille and the cast share a post-play discussion, including nostalgic Hollywood reminiscences and a brief interview with the young Abbey authors. The play is closed with gratitude and good wishes from the cast.

Quote:

“Let me thank you... for another grand evening. And to all our listeners, good night.” – Barbara Stanwyck [62:01]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Power of a Lie:
  “You made me make the first [mistake]. That was dishonorable.” – Mrs. Tilford [59:00]
• Tragic Cost:
  “If we were puppets on a string whose hearts could be put together again. But... that’s not the way things ever happen.” – Martha Dobie [59:49]
• Healing Recommendation:
  “Tell Karen to go to Joe, wherever he is. Tell her when that happens, I’ll be all right.” – Martha Dobie [59:30]

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Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|--------------| | Cast & Play Introduction | 00:35–02:00 | | Karen and Martha’s Dream | 04:07–05:44 | | Dr. Carden Introduced | 05:44–10:43 | | Dr. Carden’s Confession of Love | 14:44–15:03 | | Martha’s Backstory | 16:19–17:50 | | Mary’s Descent into Deceit | 24:28–31:23 | | Truth Confronted; Slander Fallout | 47:58–53:27 | | Martha Exposes the Real Story | 57:29–59:49 | | Final Reflections & Play Close | 59:49–62:19 |

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Podcast Episode Takeaways

• “These Three” dramatizes the catastrophic consequences of a single malicious lie within a tight-knit community, the powerlessness of adults before hysteria, and the difficult redemption that follows.
• The performances highlight the emotional complexities of friendship, trust, and betrayal.
• The play’s enduring message—about the destructiveness of rumors and the vital importance of truth—still resonates strongly.
• The radio episode showcases the rich tradition of Golden Age radio drama, featuring live orchestras, big-name stars, and the unique intimacy of radio storytelling.

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Note: Advertisements and sponsor segments (Lux Toilet Soap, etc.) are omitted from this summary. All timestamps reference starting points of key sections, aligned roughly with the transcript’s minute/second marks.

Transcript

[Martha Dobie]

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[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I got you.

[Martha Dobie]

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[Dr. Joseph Carden]

From Hollywood, California, the Lux Radio Theater presents Barbara Stanwyck, Errol Flynn, Mary Astor and an all star cast in these three. Lux presents Hollywood. This program tonight is your program made possible, ladies and gentlemen, by your purchases of luxury toilet soap. You will hear Errol Finn, Barbara Stanwyck, Mary Oster, Constance Collier, Alma Kruger, Marsha Mae Jones and Helen Parrish enacting Samuel Goldwyn's great screenplay. These three, while our special guests are those young writers, the three Abbey children and their mother. The Lux Radio Theater orchestra is conducted by Louis Silvers and your host and producer is Hollywood's pioneer director. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Cecil P. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. A wedding in the film capital is often front page news, but there was one the other day which completely escaped the headlines and properly so for you never heard of the bride nor the groom, and perhaps you never will. The groom in fact, is a stable boy and the scene of the ceremony was the bunk house where he and the hired hands live. But I doubt if Hollywood ever witnessed a happier wedding because one of our most distinguished stars supplied the wedding feast and she herself attended, danced with everyone, made them all forget that she's the groom's boss and that her name is Barbara Stanwyck. That's the true character of the girl who returns to our stage tonight, starring for us as Martha Dobie. In these three, Errol Flynn, the Dublin born globetrotter who came to Hollywood after a daring career in the South Seas plays Dr. Joseph Carden. Errol these days is twanging the longbow on the Warner Brothers lot where he starred in the adventures of Robin Hood. Mary Astor, whom you've seen this year in Dodsworth, Prisoner of Linda and Hurricane, makes her debut tonight in the Lux Radio Theater where you hear her as Karen Wright. From the cast of the film are alma Kruger as Mrs. Tilford and Marcia Mae Jones as Rosalie. Helen Parish plays the part of Mary Tilford. And I'm delighted to announce the presence of Constance Collier, veteran of the stage and films, whom we welcome in the role of Aunt Lily. Time won't allow me to say all I'd like to about these seven important personalities. So we let them speak for themselves as the Lux Radio Theatre presents these three, starring Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck and Mary Ast. Graduation day at a women's college in New England. In the fading light of a May afternoon, students stroll aimlessly about the campus, many of them for the last time. On the edge of the college grounds, two girls in the robes of graduating students sit quietly beneath a tree, listening to the distant song. They've been silent for some time. At last one of them speaks.

[Martha Dobie]

What train are you taking, Karen? I don't know. I don't know what time my train goes or where it's going to. Funny, I always thought graduation would be a happy day. It isn't. What was it the dean said? Let me see. Oh, starting a new life may sometimes be a lonely business. What are you going to do, Martha? Oh, I don't know. Teach somewhere, I guess. If I can get a job. I'd hate to tag along with Aunt Lily. And she's the only relation I've got. That's just one more than I have. Do you think I could take. Maybe we could find someplace together. Two well educated young women. Also neat and clean. Wish position. Martha. What? Martha, I've got a farm. It's about all I have got. My grandmother left it to me. I haven't seen it in years, but I used to spend my summers there when I was a little girl. We could go there. We could work there, teaching the farm. No, no. There's no one there anymore. Hasn't been for years. Martha, do you know, we might start something of our own. It'd be fun. We'd be good at it, too. Yes, but it isn't practical, Karen. We can't just sit here. We've got to do something. Yes, but we can get a train tonight. Oh, Martha, take a chance with me and come. A chance? It is a chance, but. Well, it might be worth it. Of course it is. Now, look, I'll tell you what we'll do.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, here you are, girls.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, but is this the old right place? Are you sure this is it?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

$2, please.

[Martha Dobie]

I have it, Karen. Here, driver.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Thanks, lady.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, Martha, just look at it. It's a shack. Well, it's a large shack. It's ready to fall down. Oh, Martha. It doesn't matter, Carol. It matters a great deal. I remember it as it was when I was a kid. Very dangerous, Martha, remembering things that way. You know, maybe it wouldn't cost too much to fix it up. No, not much. I should guess about 2 million would do it. What's that? Somebody hammering. It's over this way. Come on. There. Up on the roof. Up on the. Martha, do you see what I see? Well, I don't know what you see, but it looks to me like a man. What's he doing up there anyway? Say, you. Hey, you up there on the roof.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Hello.

[Martha Dobie]

Would you mind coming down here, please?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Not at all. Look out below. How are you?

[Martha Dobie]

We're all right, thank you. We were a little worried about you.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, I'm all right. I was up there getting it some honey under the roof. But I didn't get stung once.

[Martha Dobie]

That isn't what we were worrying about. You see, this is a house. And while it isn't the best I've ever seen, it belongs to me. And I'd rather not have its roof knocked off.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, now, I really wasn't doing any harm. I'm very fond of this old place, and I come over here whenever I have a day off from the hospital.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, the hospital. I see. You been there a while.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, in a way. I'm a doctor. Will you have some honey?

[Martha Dobie]

No, thank you.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

It's yours, you know. Very good, too. Better take it.

[Martha Dobie]

We won't be needing it. We're not staying here.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, I'm sorry. Why aren't you staying here? This is a lovely old house.

[Martha Dobie]

It's old, all right.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Are you afraid of work?

[Martha Dobie]

No, we're not afraid of work.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Then there you are. You know, my place wasn't nearly as nice as this. And it needed much more fixing, too. It doesn't cost much. Much less than you think. And it's fun doing it. So much fun that I'd like to start all over again.

[Martha Dobie]

Well, anything you could do, we could undoubtedly do. Sure.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

That's just what I said.

[Martha Dobie]

We wouldn't starve, Karen. We'd have free honey and free help.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I'm a good carpenter, a good house painter, a good plumber.

[Martha Dobie]

Why are we talking to this man this way as if we'd known him all our lives?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, that sometimes happens. Now, the first thing I do is to knock down this old fence here.

[Martha Dobie]

Stop that. You're knocking the whole thing down.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, think nothing of that. And when the ground's all cleared, we can start working on the inside, see? And. There you are. Hey, Karen, is this picture hanging straight?

[Martha Dobie]

It's beautiful. Joe. Joe Carden and his little hammer. How could we ever have done without you?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, you couldn't hold that step ladder, will you, Martha?

[Martha Dobie]

Mm.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

There we are, all fixed up. Now all you need's a couple of students.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, we have one, you know.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

What?

[Martha Dobie]

Mary tilford. She's old Mrs. Tilford's granddaughter.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Say, that's all right. Mrs. Tilford's the works around these parts. How'd you come to get the kid?

[Martha Dobie]

Well, I think she's been thrown out of the last three schools. She's a little bratty, but she ought to bring in business. Martha. Uh. Oh, Martha, darling. How are you? Aunt Lily. Martha, I'm so glad to see you.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Where do you want these grips, lady?

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, just put them down any place, any place. No, wait. Take them upstairs, please. All right. Martha, how well you look almost pretty. Thank you, Aunt Lily. And Karen, prettier than ever. How are you, Mrs. Mortar? Aunt Lily, I. I thought you were still in a play. I was, but the theater isn't what it used to be. Now, who's this young gentleman? Your assistant?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Yes, ma'.

[Martha Dobie]

Am. This is Dr. Carden, a friend of ours. I'm so sorry. Glad to meet you, Aunt Lily. Is this a visit? You see, we're not very well equipped here now. We've been having a hard time. Oh, I know, dear. And I know all about the school too. That's why I'm here. I've come to put my shoulder to the wheel with you. I knew you need an elocution teacher and a general supervisor. That's why I came. But, Aunt Lily, this is Karen's house. But I came here to help you both. And until you're started, I shall take only the smallest fee for my servants. It's all right, Martha. Now, I'll go upstairs and unpack and then I'll come right down and help you arrange the furniture. I shall have to rest for an hour or two. Martha, will you come and show me to my room? In a moment, Harry, dear. Well, ahem.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

The Duchess.

[Martha Dobie]

The Duchess? Yes, the Duchess. Gosh, I better stop her before she takes one of our rooms. Mrs. Mortar is an actress.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, I gathered that.

[Martha Dobie]

I suppose we'll just have to put up with her.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, not all the time. What about dinner tonight, Karen?

[Martha Dobie]

Well, I guess I could manage it, but.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Swell. I'll pick you up about 6:30. See you later. Oh, and give my love to the Duchess.

[Martha Dobie]

Well, I was right. About what? She picked your room. Where's Joe? He'll be back later. For dinner? Well, no. He asked me last week about having dinner in town. You don't mind, do you? I've been Feeling a little guilty about leaving you alone at night. Oh, don't be silly, Karen. You have all the fun you can. It won't be so easy when the term begins. And Joe, well, he's a grandfather. He is, isn't he? Yes. And of course I won't be alone. What? Don't tell me you've forgotten, Aunt Lily. Oh, Will you translate that please, Rosalie? Yes, ma'. Am. I. But pious Aeneas, when the last rite pay. I mean were paid. Very good, Mary. Will you take the next few lines? Mary? Mary Tilford. Yes, ma'. Am. Closely they skirt the shores of Circe's land Where the rich daughter the sun held sway. That's a lovely translation, Mary. It was just as lovely when Professor Hobson of Harvard published it about 10 years ago. That will do, Mary. 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 for just $10. Go to spinquest.com and sign up today. Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-granger click ranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. All right, girls, it's a fine day for your hockey game. Run along now, Gene. Ms. Dovi certainly caught you that time. You shut up, Rosalie. I didn't. Never mind. Maybe someday other people will be caught doing other things. What? Maybe someday Ms. Dobie will find out who stole Helen Burton's bracelet. I don't know what you mean. Oh, yes, you do. I think I'll borrow your sweater this afternoon, Rosalie. Well, all right. Come on. Well, Martha, everything going all right? Oh, the Tilford kid's been cutting up again. Nothing very serious. She's a vixen, that child. If she were mine. But she isn't. Aunt Lily. Where's Karen? She went out. Where? Oh, Aunt Lily, please. She went out with Joe. She went to the fair with Him? What difference does it make? Oh, very well. Very well. Joe, this is marvel. I love Merry Go Rounds. How did you know?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I like them, too, but five times rounds. Enough. Let's get off this thing.

[Martha Dobie]

What?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I want to tell you something.

[Martha Dobie]

Can't hear you.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Listen, Karen. Listen, darling.

[Martha Dobie]

What?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I want to tell you something. Get off this thing.

[Martha Dobie]

The brass ring. I'll get it the next time around.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Listen, William, this is important. I'm glad to think so.

[Martha Dobie]

What was it you were saying before? I couldn't hear you.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, never mind.

[Martha Dobie]

What's the matter with you? You're an awful grouch.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, this is what's the matter with me. I'm in love with you. I've been trying to tell you for an hour. And now I'm tired out, see? And I can't tell you. Oh, Joe, I can't ever tell you. I won't be able to. There aren't words enough to tell you with. But I love you. I love you with all my heart, Karen.

[Martha Dobie]

And I love you, Joe. With all my heart.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Karen. Karen.

[Martha Dobie]

Where?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I see.

[Martha Dobie]

Joe, be quiet.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, hello, Martha. Karen. Upstairs there.

[Martha Dobie]

No. Come on up and help me paint a table.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Sure.

[Martha Dobie]

In here, Jo.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Is this your room, Martha? Nice.

[Martha Dobie]

Sit down. Karen forgot something and she had to go back into town. How's the hospital?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, just the same. No money, bad lab. Everybody growling at everybody else. Quiet here. Is it late?

[Martha Dobie]

No, only half past ten. But the girls are in bed and Aunt Lily is worn out from doing nothing. Hand me that paintbrush, will you?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Yeah. Karen tells me your aunt was showing the girls how to play King Lear the other day. You know, that's going to come in handy later on in her life.

[Martha Dobie]

Wait until she does Portia standing on a chair. Sir Henry taught her to do it that way. Said it was the test of a great actress.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

You must have had a fine childhood, Mother.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, I did. I did indeed. I lived with Aunt Lily from the time I was five. I went to 16 schools all together. And every time the stock company would move, I'd move with it. But school wasn't the worst part. It was after school and never anything but hotel bedrooms to go home to. And then in the evening, I'd have to do my homework sitting on a dirty box backstage and jump up to help Aunt Lily change from one blousy costume to an even blousier one. I used to be so alone and so sorry that I couldn't have what other kids had. You know, I think that's really why I wanted to teach Being young is awfully hard. And when I grew up, I. Well, I sort of wanted to make it easier for other kids. Hey, I'm running out of paint. Do you want a glass of milk? Joe? I said, are you asleep? Joe? Joe. Oh, darling Joe. Hey, do you always wake up so violently?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, I'm sorry. What was that unafter?

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, just the milk. I thought you'd like a glass before you left.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, well, thanks.

[Martha Dobie]

Martha.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

How long have I been asleep?

[Martha Dobie]

An hour or so. Maybe a little more. Martha. What was that fresh I heard?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, it was me, Mrs. Mo. I was wrestling with myself.

[Martha Dobie]

Aren't you rather a lazy Mrs. Dr. Carter?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, no. As a matter of fact, I've been here for four days. I was hiding in your trunk. Good night, Martha.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, don't go. Karen will be home any minute.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, no, ma'. Am. I gotta get home now and warn Karen that when we're married she'll have to stay at home and watch me knock over milk glasses. Good night.

[Martha Dobie]

I hope I'm not hurrying you away.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

No, no, not any more than usual.

[Martha Dobie]

Joe's so in love with Karen, isn't he? I do hope they'll have the wedding in the spring because t so well, in the garden. Of course, when they're married, it'll be rather hard on you, but Karen says she intends to go right on with the school. There's never been any question of that. And it really won't be so lonely for you because you'll be seeing her all the time. And you'll be seeing Joe too. Perhaps you'll be seeing more of him than usually like that, won't you? Oh, that's enough, Aunt Lily. Good night, darling. Oh, God.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

We've just heard act one of these three. Just a few few moments. We will continue with act two of our play starring Barbara Sandwich, Errol Flynn and Mary Aster. But now it's intermission time in the Lux Radio Theater. While we are waiting for Act 2, we want you to go with us to Beverly Hills. There we meet a lovely young Deb and her co ed sister Mary.

[Martha Dobie]

Darling, may I borrow one of your dresses? I'm going out with a senior at Stanford and I don't want to look too utterly childish. So baby sister's growing up, is she? So let's go and see what's in the closet. Let's see now. This black one's a little too sophisticated. Now, what are you doing at my dressing table? Just putting on some fresh makeup. It's pretty late, you know, and I've got to start getting ready. I don't care how late it is. Don't ever let me catch you putting on makeup without first using luxe toilet soap. But my face isn't dirty. You may not think so, but if you want a guard against cosmetic skin. Oh, heavens, yes. It would be horrible to have those little blemishes and enlarged pores. You're right, dear. Cosmetic skin is horrid. That's why you ought to use luxe toilet soap always before you put on fresh makeup. And that will keep my skin really lovely. Oh, please don't be flippant, dear. You know it's true. It's the active lather in luxe toilet soap that removes dust and dirt and stale cosmetics. Thoroughly prevents pores from getting choked. Well, even if you are my own sister, I must say it's obvious. You practice what you preach because your skin is swell. Never mind my skin. Just look at the screen stars. Nine out of ten of them use Lux toilet soap.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

And with that good advice, we return now to Mr. DeMille and our play. Our curtain goes up on the second act of these three, starring Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwick and Mary Aster. Several weeks have passed for Karen and Joe, happy in the thought of their approaching marriage. Time as the slipped by almost unnoticed. For Martha, watching their happiness with hopeless yearning. The weeks have seemed like years. In the library of the farmhouse, Mrs. Mortar is conducting her class in elocution. A girl in pigtails recites in sing song rhythm.

[Martha Dobie]

The quality of mercy is not strained. It falleth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place we meet. It is twice blessed. Good morning, girls. Good morning, Ms. Sherry. Everything all right, Mrs. Mortar? Yes. Aren't these flowers beautiful? Mary Tilford just gave them to me. Aren't they lovely? Yes. Where did you get the flowers, Mary? She picked them just for me. The first wild flowers of the season. But not the very first. Where did you get them, Mary? Near Conway's cornfield. Are you sure? Yes, ma'. Am. It wasn't necessary to go so far. Mary, there was a bunch exactly like that in the garbage can this morning. What a nasty thing to do. Mary. All right, children. Mary, will you come outside with me, please? Imagine Mary doing anything. Mary. What? Mary, why do you do these things? Why do you lie to us so often? I'm not lying. If you have to do things, come and tell us about it. We'll try to understand. We'll try to help you. But this kind of lying is so bad for everybody. I got the flowers near Conway's corn field. All right, Mary, you have to be punished. No horseback riding, no hockey. Don't leave the school grounds for any reason. But you said I could go to the buff races. Sad. I'm sorry. What's going on, everyone? It's bluff here and we're driving through the states in the Bluff Mobile. And the best thing that we can do is play our favorite casino style games. On Spin Quest, they have over a thousand games including live dealer blackjack and craps. With tons of slots and unlimited options, you can get a 30 coin pack for just 10. $10 for new users. Sign up today. Go to spinquest.com right now Spinquest is a free to play Social Casino Void. We're prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place so nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-granger clickranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Pray. You can't go. I'll tell my grandmother. I'll tell her how I get treated here and how you punish me for everything. I'll tell her. All right, Mary, go upstairs. I don't feel well. I've got a pain. I've had it all morning. It hurts here. It's a bad pain. I never had it before. My heart. It's my heart. It's something or something. I can't breathe. I can't. Oh, Mary. Mary, get up off the floor. Mary. Mary,

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Raise your head up just a little.

[Martha Dobie]

What do you think, Joe?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Can't tell much yet. Hand me my stethoscope.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, this is terrible. Perhaps if we put her feet up and their head down. Or is it just the opposite? Oh, Aunt Lily. Dr. Carden knows. Well, that's what I did in the theater once when Delia Graham fainted.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

And did this Delia survive?

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, yes. I saved her.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Then perhaps you'd like to take charge here.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, that's how you feel?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I think she's annoyed.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, I'll take care of her, Aunt Lily. That's a nice thing. That man in there practically turned me out of the room. Oh, Aunt Lily, be quiet. Then you don't object your arm being snubbed and humiliated? I who worked my fingers to the bone here don't tell yourself that too often, Aunt Lily. You'll come to believe it to the bone. To the very bone. Aunt Lily, you've wanted to go to London for a long time. You can go now. I can spare the money and. Oh, you want to get rid of me. Turning me out isn't mine. Oh, how can anybody deal with you? You've been talking about going for years. And now when you can go, you don't raise your voice. Please. I decline to be shipped off to England next year. I'm going back to the theatre. No. I'd like you to go sooner. The truth is, a school isn't quite the place for you. The truth is I ought to have known enough to stay out of your way when he was here. When who is here? You don't think you can fool me, my dear, I wasn't born yesterday. I know what I know and I know what you feel about him. You don't want them to be married and I know why. Be still. I know what's going on here. You were never very clever at hiding things, Martha. You're in love with me. Be still, Aunt Lily. Be still. These lies can't blow people's eyes. The way you rush over to him on the slightest. Peter. And that night when he was coming out of your room late, I stopped. Aunt Lily, there's been no trouble in this house. And I won't let you do your usual job of starting any. I want you to leave as quickly as. There's someone at the hall door. Wait a minute. Oh, Rosalie. Helen. What were you doing outside this door? We just came down to see how Mary was. Miss Stobee. Yes, Miss Stobie. That's all. Did you deliberately listen? Eavesdropped me? Something nice young ladies just don't do. Oh, you girls never used to do things like this. I'm afraid we'll have to separate you, Mary Tilford and Rosalie. Go on up to your rooms now. Miss Wright will speak to you later. Yes, Miss. Toby. Quick. Oh, Aunt Lily. It's very bad having the children hear the things you say. There's money in the bank for you. I'd like you to leave as soon as it's convenient. Do you think I'd take your money? I'd rather scrub floors first. I'll be out of here before it's done. Oops.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Excuse me.

[Martha Dobie]

Excuse me. Joseph.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

The Duchess coming up again?

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, yes. She's particularly good today. What about Mary? Nothing.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Absolutely nothing. I could have managed a more convincing feint when I was 6. Years old.

[Martha Dobie]

We've reached the end of our. I don't know what we're going to do.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Martha, what's wrong? Aren't you taking this kid too seriously?

[Martha Dobie]

Yes, I'm taking everything too seriously. Everything. Are your things ready to move, Rosalie? Yes, Miss Wright. Almost, Mary. I'm getting them as fast as I can. I'm awfully sorry, Miss Rice. I am, too, Rosalie, but I think it would be better if you and Mary are separated. And it's all because I had a pain. You're always mean to me. I get blamed and punished and picked on for everything that happens around here. Go on with your moving, Rosalie. Rosalie, what were you and Helen doing outside the door down there? We heard Miss Dobie and Mrs. Mortar having an awful fight. A fight? What were they fighting about? Well, Miss Dobie wants Mortar to go to England, and Mortar got sore at that and said she knew why they wanted to get rid of him. Go on. Why doesn't Stoby want to get rid of Mortar? Because Miss Dobie is in love with Dr. Cardon. Oh, so that's it. And Morta knows about it. And then she said an awful lot of funny things about them. And all about how one night Dr. Cardon was up in Miss Dobie's room, late or something. Did she say that? Yes. Why? I'm going home. Home? You can't do that. Can't I? You just wait and see. And you're coming with me. You got any money? No. Don't lie. You've got $2.45 in your drawer. Get it. Why, no, I won't. Then I'll get it myself. Get away from me. Where did you get this bracelet? It's mine. It is not. It's Helen Burton. Now will you give me the money? I can give you part of it if you won't get it. And get your hat and coat. We're going to my grandmother's. Mary, look at me. Do you mean you left school without permission? I couldn't help it, Grandma. I couldn't help it. I got Rosalie to come with me and I ran away. I had to. That was a very bad thing to do. Now you're going right back, both of you. Where is Rosie? No, Grandma, don't do that. Please don't do that, Grandma. Please. They'll kill me, Mary. I can't go back. I can't. They'll kill me, Grandma. They will. They will. Mary, stop it. What makes you say such awful things? They're true. Honest. I fainted today. Fainted? Yes, I did. My heart. I had a pain in my heart. And Dr. Carden said I didn't have any pain. And I'm scared, Grandma. I'm scared. They've got something against me and they punish me for everything. Today they even said I couldn't go to the boat races. Oh, but it wasn't that. It's things. Funny thing. What nonsense. How you talk. Isn't. We've got secrets, Grandma. Funny secrets. All about miss Doby and Dr. Carden. And Mrs. Mortar told Ms. Doby that she knew what was going on and. What? She knew what was going on, and she always had known what was going on. Stop using that silly phrase, Mary. But that's what she kept using, Grandma. Miss Dobie said she'd have to get out of the house. And that's why we have to remove our room, I bet. Because they're frightened that we'll hear things, too, like we did that awful night. What awful night? Well, Dr. Carden was in Miss Dobey's room late. And other times when things happen, too, and I can't say them out loud, Grandma, I've got to whisper. Oh, nonsense. Why must you whisper? Because I just got to. Because it's bad. It's late at night, and Miss Dobie's room is right next to ours. And then Miss Dobbs. Oh, just about that time. Mary, do you know what you're saying? Are you telling me the truth? Honest? Honest. And then later on.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh,

[Martha Dobie]

Mary, where were you so long? I thought. Keep quiet. I was talking to my grandmother. Well, what's going to happen? Aren't we going back to school tonight? Maybe I'm never going back. Maybe none of us will. Well, I want to go back. Why shouldn't we go back? Oh, you'll find out. Ah, you're always pretending you know everything anyway. I don't want anything to do with your silly secrets. No. Suppose I told you that maybe you're in on the silly secret. Suppose I told you that I may have said you told me about it. Why, Mary Tilford, I didn't tell you anything. I'm going right into your grandmother and tell her I didn't tell you anything, whatever it is. You're just trying to get me into trouble. Wait a minute. I'll go in with you. I've got something to tell her, too. About Helen Burton's bracelet. What about it? Just that you stole it from her, that's all. Shut up. I didn't do any such thing. I filed it and I was going to put it back and I forgot it. I never meant to keep it. Oh, nobody will ever believe that. I guess I ought to go and tell Grandma anyway and she can call the police. No. And you'll spend the rest of your life in one of those solitary prisons. And you'll get older and older. And when you're very old, they'll let you out. Maybe with a sign on your back saying you're a thief. You won't have any place to go and you'll beg on the street. No, no. Please stop calling. You won't tell. Say you won't tell. Please. Maybe if you'll take the oath, say from now on, I, Rosalie Wells, am the vassal of Mary Tilford and will do and say whatever she tells me under the solemn oath of a knife. I won't say that. I won't say that. That's the worst author. Don't marry. Please don't sh. I swear it. But then you can tell me to do it. You'll have to do it. Say it quick, Ralph. Say it. I'll say it. From now on, I, Rose Le well and the vassal of Mary Silford and will do and say whatever she tells me under the sale Foreign. What's going on, everyone? It's bluff here. And we're driving through the states in the Bluff Mobile. And the best thing that we can do is play our favorite casino style games. On Spin Quest. They have over a thousand games including live dealer blackjack and craps. With tons of slots and unlimited options. You can get a 30 coin pack for just $10. For new users sign up today. Go to spinquest.com right now. Now Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spendquest.com for more details. Get that AMEX Gold card ready. I'm too tired to cook. We feeling Five Guys or the Cheesecake Factory? Both earn up to $120 a year in statement credits of participating partners. Up to $10 each month when you pay with the AMEX Gold card. Learn [e-mail] Explore Gold enrollment required terms apply.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Good afternoon.

[Martha Dobie]

How is it? Please?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Ms. Wright, Ms. Dobey and Dr. Cotton. We'd like to see Mrs. Tilford, please.

[Martha Dobie]

I'm sorry, but Mrs. Tillford, we want to see her. Who is it? Agatha, if it's anything.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Oh, good afternoon, Mrs. Tilford.

[Martha Dobie]

Good afternoon. You may go, Agatha. Yes, madam. We want to see you. Please. You know what it's about. We've lost 10 students since yesterday evening. The rest are leaving today. You know why, I assume. We heard why. From Mrs. Burton's chauffeur when he came to take Helen home. I don't think you should have come here. I was coming to see you tomorrow to explain my position in all this and to ask you to explain yours. I'm sorry this has to happen. I think we'd better understand each other. There is nothing for us to explain. And I very much dislike your sympathy.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

So you don't think we should have come, then? What were we expected to do, Mrs. Tilford? Lie down and grin until you'd finish kicking us around with these lies?

[Martha Dobie]

No amount of words that we can throw at each other, Dr. Carden, can do any of us any good now. Do any of us any good. Listen, Mrs. Tilford, you're not playing with paper dolls. We're human beings. It's our lives you're fooling with. Our lives are serious business for us. Can you understand that? I understand that, and I understand a lot more. You've been playing with a lot of children's lives and that's why I stopped you. I think I know how you must feel, Miss Rice. You don't know anything about how I feel. You can't know how any of us feel. You get lost trying to fight alive. Very lost. I did what I had to do. I had to tell those mothers. Whatever went on in your school may possibly be your own business. Sorry becomes a great deal more than that when children are involved. But it's not true. Not a word of it is true. I'm sorry that I can't believe that. But you can believe this. We happen to be people who've worked hard for what we've got. That school meant things to us. It meant self respect and bread and butter and honest work. And now it's gone. There must be something we can do to you. Something that will make you feel the way we do tonight. Don't think we'll let you whisper this line. You made it, and you'll come out with it in the courtroom tomorrow. Mrs. Tilford, you will have a slander suit on your hands. That will be very unwise. It was wrong of you to brazen it out here tonight. It would be criminally foolish for you to brazen it out in public.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

It's already quite public, Mrs. Tilford. Yesterday we had our lives decently to ourselves. Now we've nothing left but the dirt you've made of us.

[Martha Dobie]

Or the dirt you've made for yourself. Clean your house, Ms. Wright, and in time, count yourself very lucky. You have understood nothing. Nothing. These are my friends. When we clean house, the three of us will clean it together.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Mrs. Tilford, perhaps we should clean your house for you. Where's Mary? Mrs. Topit, under no circumstances.

[Martha Dobie]

I would not allow that. So that's where you really got it. We couldn't believe it. She's a bad girl. You're Mary. She always has been. She's hated us for a long time. I won't have any more of this. You've been in my house long enough. Get out. The wicked very young and the wicked very old. Let's go home.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Wait, Mrs. Tilford. When three people come to you with their lives spread on a table for you to cut to pieces, then the only honest thing to do is to give them one last chance to come out alive. We'd like that last chance. If you're honest, you'll give it to us.

[Martha Dobie]

Very well. Will you come this way, please? Thank you. She's in the library. Oh, Mary. Yes, Grandma? Come here, dear. Dr. Carden wants to ask you a few questions.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Hello, Mary. Well, sit down, Mary. I want to tell you something first. Everybody lies all the time. Sometimes they have to, sometimes they don't. I've lied for a lot of different reasons myself. But there was never a time when if I hadn't had a second chance, I wouldn't have taken back the lie and told the truth. You're a lucky girl, Mary, because we're giving you that second chance. Were you telling your grandmother the exact truth about. About us?

[Martha Dobie]

Why, yes, Dr. Cardon.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Remember, you're not going to be punished. You didn't make a mistake, did you?

[Martha Dobie]

No. Dr. Carden.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

There you are. We're not finished, Mrs. Tilford. Why don't you like Miss Wright and Miss Doby, Mary?

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, I do like them. They just don't like me. They're always punishing me for everything. Just tell your grandmother why you were punished yesterday. Just because Rose will never heard things and you took it out on me. That's not the reason you were punished.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Heard What? Things, Mary.

[Martha Dobie]

Mrs. Mortar was telling Ms. Do. That she knew what was going on. That she knew what Miss Doby felt about you and things that happened. Mrs. Tilford, my aunt is a stupid woman. What she said wasn't pleasant. It was said to annoy me. It meant no more than that.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

What do you think Mrs. Mortimer meant by all that, Mary?

[Martha Dobie]

I don't know. But funny things did happen. She said things about the times when you'd come at night and we'd listen. I'd get frightened still.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

No. No, you don't want her to be still. Now, what did you hear? What did you see?

[Martha Dobie]

I don't know. It was just things. What things? I don't know, but I saw plenty of things. We all did. One night, Dr. Carden was up in Ms. Doby's room late, and I was.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Why did you think it was wrong for me to be in Ms. Dobie's room?

[Martha Dobie]

Because. Because it was a night. And I was leaning down by the keyhole and I saw things and I got scared. And then you left and Miss. Ask her again how she could see us. I. I was leaning down by the keyhole. There is no keyhole on my door.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

What?

[Martha Dobie]

There is no keyhole on my door. It wasn't her room, Grandma. It was the other room. I guess it was Ms. Wright's room. She was. I didn't.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

And how did you know anybo was in Ms. Wright's room?

[Martha Dobie]

I told you. I told you. Because we heard you. I heard you. It's on the first floor at the other end of the house. It is impossible to hear anything from there. Mary, what is this? Everybody is yelling at me. I don't know what I'm saying, with everybody mixing me all up. I did see them. I did see them. I want the truth now. All the truth, whatever it is.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

We're finished here, Mrs. Tilford. We've cleaned your house. You can go home now.

[Martha Dobie]

No. Please, Mary. Oh, stop that crying. I want the truth. All right, what is the truth? It was Rosalie who saw them. I just said it was me so I wouldn't have to tattle on Rosalie. You asked Rosalie? You just asked her. She's here. She told me all about it. Ask her, Mrs. Tilford. Very well. Rosalie. Rosalie. Mrs. Tilford, you deserve whatever you get. I. I don't know. Did you call me, Mrs. Chilford? Yes. Rosalie. Rosalie. Mary tells me that there's been a lot of talk in the school about. About Ms. Dobey and Dr. Carden. Is that true? I. I don't know what you mean. What was the talk about? Don't be frightened, Rosalie. I don't know what Mrs. Chauffer means, Ms. Wright. Rosalie. Mary has told her grandmother that certain things at school have been puzzling you girls. You particularly. History puzzles me. I guess I'm not very good at history. And Helen. No, no, that's not what she meant. She says that you saw certain. Certain things between Ms. Dobie and Dr. Carden that weren't. That weren't right. Oh, no, I didn't. I didn't. I never said Such a thing? I never saw any such thing. Oh, yes, you did, too. You told me what you saw. You're just trying to get out of it. I remember when you said it. I remember it because it was the day Helen Burton's bracelet. I never did. It was the day Helen Burton's bracelet was stolen and nobody knew who did it. And Helen said that if her mother found out, she had the thief put in jail. Oh, no. There's nothing to say about Rosalie. You must help us by telling the truth. Yes, the truth.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, Rosalie.

[Martha Dobie]

Grandma, there's something I've got to tell you. It's about Helen Burton's brave. Yes. Yes, I did. I saw Mary was Mary. So was. Right. I said it. I said it. I said it.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

We pause for station identification. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System. Barbara Stanwyck, Errol Flynn and Mary Astor returned to us shortly in the third act of our play. Since a child figures so conspicuously in these three, I thought it appropriate to invite here three youngsters who last year startled the literary world by writing the bestseller around the world in 11 years. They are Patience, Richard and Johnny Abbey. And knowing them, I can assure you they are nothing like the Mary Tilford of these three. Their mother is here with them on our stage. Their father, James Abbey, is a noted newspaper photographer who liked to have his children near him during his assignments in Europe. A few months ago, the Abbey children came to Hollywood to gather material for another book. They called this One of All Places. Published in October, it already has reached a sale of 20,000 copies and contains some of the shrewdest observations on Hollywood I've ever encountered. Patience is 13, Richard is 11, and Johnny. I'd say you're about 10, aren't you?

[Martha Dobie]

I, Johnny, am 10 years old, and mom here is 38.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

And I, Cecil, don't believe Mama wants you broadcasting our age.

[Martha Dobie]

Hi. Johnny likes like Mr. DeMille because he has a nice bald head like Papa's. I, Richard, think Papa's head is balder and bumpier and I think we should

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

change the subject, Richard. The phrases I, Patience, I, Johnny, and I, Richard have become so well known that it might be a good idea for you to explain how you happen to refer to yourselves in that manner.

[Martha Dobie]

Well, when we were children living in Paris, Mama would be downstairs a lot of the time and we would be upstairs playing. Mama would say, which one of you is making all that noise up there? And I would say, it is I, Patience, if it was I. So we got in the habit of saying, I, Patience, I, Richard, Or I, Johnny, very sensible.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Now tell us about your new home in Colorado. Don't you miss tall buildings and exciting things that happen in the city?

[Martha Dobie]

I, Richard, like tall mountains better than tall buildings. And there is nothing more exciting than building a new home out of logs, which we are doing now on our ranch. I, Johnny, would just as soon keep on taking a bath in a tin tub in front of the fire like we have to do in our present house. Our present house is not very high. Class I patients think one of the nicest things about taking a bath is the luxe toilet soap we use. I, Rich, you think you are trying to make an impression with Mr. DeMille. But it's so Mr. DeMille, as Mama can tell you. That's quite true, Mr. DeMille. The children have liked Lux soap for a long time. Even while we were living abroad, we could get Lux toilet soap almost anytime and any place. When we were in Hollywood this summer, we visited the homes of any number of stars. And it was really quite amazing to see how popular Lux toilet soap is with picture stars. Hi, Johnny. Like Hollywood very much. The stars let us swim in their swimming pools and didn't mind if we stayed till 10 o'. Clock.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Who are some of the stars who entertained you?

[Martha Dobie]

I Patience. Remember Bing Crosby especially. He's like a nice farmer. His eyes are blue and very beautiful. They may call him a crooner, but as far as we concerned, Bing Crosby is a fine man. Cary Grant is a wonderful man with black eyes and fine teeth that are not bald. My patients think Hollywood is one of the most beautiful places in the world. At night it is like the Arabian Nights, full of jewels. And as you can forgive anything, if there is anything to forgive. When you see a city that is such a sight as that at night and figure that it would not look that way if there was anything wrong with. And I, Richard, think we have talked long enough and would rather sit down and hear the play. So let's beat it. If you had any manage, you say thank you first to Mr. DeMille. Thank you, Mr. DeMille. Thank you, Mr. Demille.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

You're very welcome. Barbara Stanwyck, Errol Flynn, Mary Astor and an all star cast resume our play. These three. More weeks have gone by. Weeks which have dragged interminably through a trial for slander ending in a judgment against the two girls. At the deserted farmhouse, Karen stands near the window looking out at the bleak country countryside. Martha comes from the hall and throws her coat on a chair.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, it's getting cold. Thought you were going out For a walk. I thought so, too. I think so every day. But I. I can't stand being stared at anymore. I know. It's raining again. I used to like it here when it rained. When this house and his room were full of girls and our life was full. All kinds of weather seemed good then. You'll be getting married soon. Things will be all right then. Yes. Karen, there mustn't be anything wrong between you and Jo. Never. Nothing's wrong. Nothing. Oh, Aunt Lily. She's come back. That's nice. Here I am. Here I am. Hello, Martha. Karen, darling, how are you?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

What about these bags? Lady?

[Martha Dobie]

Upstairs, please. All right. Thank you. The Duchess returned at long last. We're delighted to see you. And I'm so glad to see you both. And so glad to see the dear old place again. Dreadful weather. How's everything? Everything's fine. We're splendid, thank you. That's good. Where have you been? Around and around. I've had a most interesting time. Why didn't you answer our telegram? Things have changed in the theatre. Drastically, I may say. Why didn't you answer our telegram? Oh, Martha, there's your temper again. Don't bother about my temper. Answer me. Well, I was moving around a great deal. Was that why you refused to come back and testify for us? Oh, that's not the way to look at it. I didn't refuse. Listen, Aunt Lily, we've been trying for months to defend ourselves in a courtroom against the lies of a child called Mary Tilford. Oh, what a dreadful girl that is. A great part of the Tilford case was based on remarks made by Lily Mortar, actor, against her niece. That's me. And the greater part of the case rested on the telling fact that Mrs. Mortar would not appear in court to deny or explain those remarks as. As you probably read in the papers, we lost the case. But it couldn't have done any good for all of us being mixed up in that unpleasantness. And now that I'm here, I'm going to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I'm going to help. There's a train at 6 o'. Clock. Get on it. Martha, you've come back to pick the bones dry? Well, there aren't even bones anymore. When you wish to apologize, I shall be temporarily in my room. Please see that it is only temporary. Joe, please sit down. What's going on, everyone? It's bluff here and we're driving through the States in the Bluffmobile. And the best thing that we can do is play our favorite casino style games on Spinquest. They have over 1,000 games, including live dealer, blackjack and craps. With tons of slots and unlimited options, you can get a $30 coin pack for just $10 for new users. Sign up today. Go to spinquest.com right now. Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. Mom, can you tell me a story? Sure. Once upon a time, a mom needed a new car. Was she brave? She was. But she went to Carvana.com and found a great car at a great price. No secret treasure map required. Did she have to fight a dragon? Nope. She bought it 100% online from her bed, actually. Was it scary? Honey, it was as unscary as car buying could be. Did the car have a sunroof? It did, actually. Okay, good story. Car buying. You'll want to tell stories about. Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. You've been pacing the floor ever since you got here.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Sorry, Ken. I've got something on my mind. I'd like to get rid of it.

[Martha Dobie]

Yes.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, Karen, we're going away, you and I. We're going to Vienna.

[Martha Dobie]

You mean you're leaving the hospital? Why?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, I think it'll be better. I've cabled Dr. Fisher. He says I can have my old place back. It'll be nice seeing Vienna again.

[Martha Dobie]

You don't want to go to Vienna?

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

No, I don't. But we can't stay here. We've got to start all over again. With all this behind us?

[Martha Dobie]

Yes. What you've done, you've done.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

What I've done? Karen, what do you mean, what I've done?

[Martha Dobie]

I didn't mean anything, Jo.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Karen, what's the matter with us? Everything we say to each other seems to mean something else. Look at me. Your face is the way it was that last day in court. Ashamed and sad at being ashamed. What is it, darling?

[Martha Dobie]

I don't know. I just don't know whether people can start again.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Are you telling me that you believe what that child said? That Martha and I are.

[Martha Dobie]

No, Joe, I don't. I. Oh, I don't know anymore, Karen.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Martha and I have never even thought of each other. Do you believe that people don't believe

[Martha Dobie]

just because other people ask them to believe. Oh, it said I'd never know, really know.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Well, that child certainly did a fine job on the three of us, didn't she?

[Martha Dobie]

If we could only take back these months. Take them back and forget them. But we can't, Jo. Go to Vienna. Go alone. I Can't go with you now. Carol, darling, words aren't any good. They won't help us anymore.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Karen, I'll always love you. If ever you can believe in me again, I'll be there for you. Goodbye, Karen.

[Martha Dobie]

Goodbye, my love. Well, dinner's almost ready. Oh. Where's Jo? Gone. Gone? Where to? Go way to Vienna. Vienna? Oh, Karen, what's the matter? What's happened? I told him that I believed you. Oh, no. No, you couldn't have. You couldn't have thought that. Didn't he tell you it wasn't true? Yes, he told me. You don't believe me. I don't know what I believe anymore. Things can't be like this, Karen. It isn't true. You can't think. No, it's beyond that now. Don't talk about it anymore. You've thought that all these months, and yet you. You stood by it. Ah, Karen. You've been a good friend, Karen. That. That woman said, clean our house. Well, then let's finish cleaning. Makes no difference now. We might as well pull all the pieces down. I do love Joe. I have loved him. He never knew about it. And he never even thought about me. I think I. I think I've loved him since the first day we came here. There it is, Karen. That's all of it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the three of us. And can't you believe me now? Strange. He asked me the same thing. I see. Martha. Martha. I'm ready to leave now. You hear, Martha? Yes, yes. Wait a few minutes. I'll be leaving with you. Well, the whole thing was most unpleasant. You're well out of it, if you ask me. Martha, I tell you, when I read what those children said about you. Oh, I don't want to talk about it, Aunt Lily. Now or ever. I know, but you'll be thinking about it. I know. I knew that girl from the first. She never took me in. I saw the through her at once. Deceiving me with those flowers and bullying the other girls. Why, she had that little rosary right under her tongue. Aunt Lily, let's not go into this anymore. She made that child do dreadful things. I never thought about it at the time, but. You know, I thought for months that she made Rosalie Steel Helen Burton's bracelet. What? Well, it was the day they left to go to Mrs. Kilford. Of course, I didn't know they were leaving. I heard them in their room. They were talking about a bracelet and. I'll be. Conductor. Yes, ma'. Am. What's the next Stop Glendale. Why, Martha, what an action. I'm getting off. I want to see Rosalie. And I want to see Mary Tilford. I want to see them together. This is a rather unusual request, Ms. Toby. Yes, but the girls are here, Mrs. Tilford. You sent for Rosalie? Yes. Oh, come in, Rosalie. Miss Doby. Good afternoon, Rosalie. Come in, Mary. What does she want? Rosalie, I want to speak to you. Me? Miss Dovey? Yes, Rosalie. I want to ask you about Helen Burton's bracelet. Oh, please. Please, Ms. Dovey. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to take it. Then you did take it. Yes, but I meant to give it back. I did. Honestly. All righty. All right. No one's going to punish you. But now tell me one thing more. Those stories about. About me and Dr. Carden, they weren't true, were they? No, ma'. Am. And why did you say they were? She made me. Mary made me. She knew I had the bracelet. She was going to tell. She said I'd go to prison. She made me do it. I didn't want to. She made me. Grandma, don't believe her. Don't believe the words she said. She's just trying to get out of it. She's making it all. Look, she lies all the time. Everybody knows she does. Grandma, don't believe her. You heard what she said that day. You heard her say about it. Quiet. All my life, the mistakes I've made have been honorable ones. You made me make the first. That was dishonorable. Go upstairs to your room, ma'. Am. And Rosalie, you wait inside, please. Well, Ms. Dobe, there's no use pretending that I know any way to take back what I've done. But whatever little there is to do. A public apology. The damage suit paid in full. A public apology and money. You think that fixes everything? That's very neat, Mrs. Tilton. If we were puppets on a string whose hearts could be put together again. But. Well, that's not the way things ever happen. But let me try to help you. Let me do what little I can. Help me. No, but I. I'd like you to take the message to Karen. Tell her everything that happened today. And then. Then tell her to go to Joe, wherever he is. Tell her I said that. Tell her I. I want her to go. She said, tell Karen to go to Joe, wherever you he is. Tell her when that happens, I'll be all right. She said you'd know what she meant, Ms. Wright. Yes, I know what she meant. I know. So. Well, you. You'll excuse me, won't you, Mrs. Tilford. I've got to pack. I'm leaving tonight for Vienna.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

The music swells the audience. Applause. The curtain slowly falls, bringing our play to its happy conclusion. Checking up on the current doings of our principals, I learned that this first week of December finds Mary Astor just finishing a new film at mgm. Barbara Stanwyck is casting a proud eye on the racehorses at the San Fernando Valley ranch. Preparing for the Santa Anita track opening. While Errol Flynn, as I mentioned before, is swinging the quarter staff and wearing Lincoln green as Robin Hood. I hope, Errol, that your picture is as big a hit as when Douglas Fairbanks played the role just 15 years ago. Well, thanks, Mr. DeMille. I hope so, too. I remember the old version distinctly. I was at school in Ireland at the time and sneaked out of classes and spent my lunch money for tickets. By the way, what else were you people in Hollywood turning out those days? Well, many of our listeners will recall Orphans of the Storm with the Gish sisters, produced by D.W. griffith. I tried to rival it with Fool's paradise and Manslaughter. My big stars were Dorothy Dalton, Conrad Nagle, Thomas Meehan and leatress Joy. Sound pictures were four years away, and Rudolph Valentino was silently elevating the blood pressure of the feminine world. Barbara Stanwyck, in her very early teens, was already dancing in a New York. And Mary asked her, well, Mary, what does 1922 mean to you?

[Martha Dobie]

Well, for one thing, it brings back the hours I spent in my father's room playing with a contraption he'd just built. It consisted of a wire coil, a pair of earphones, a piece of crystal and a couple of inches of wire known as a cat's whisker. I think dad called it a radio. It was the year that the sheik was no kind of a book for any respectable girl to read. And did we eat it up then. The whole country was humming a tune called April Showers. Written by the musical director of this program, Lou Silver. Yes, and girls began bobbing their hair. And some of them got fired from their jobs for doing it. Not long afterwards, Lux Toilet Soap came along. And I hear it made the same fine impression on the Hollywood stars of the 20s as it does today. To me, it's the finest complexion care in the world. And I think Barbara will back me up. Of course I will, Mary, because I use luxe toilet soap every day in the year. And I think that's the best recommendation I could. Thank you, Mr. DeMille, for another grand evening. And to all our Listeners, good night.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

And may I add just one word of gratitude to the members of our cast. Alma Kruger, Constance Collier, Marcia May Jones, Helen Parish, and all the others who helped us so splendidly. Let me thank you for the Merrill. We look forward to having you, Mary and Barbara with us again during the New Year.

[Martha Dobie]

Good night. Good night.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Good night. Good night.

[Martha Dobie]

Good night.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

Another the gala program awaits you next Monday night in the Lux radio theater. And Mr. DeMille returns shortly to tell you about it. This is your announcer, ladies and gentlemen, Melville Roy. Tonight's cast included Dorothy Gray as Helen, Helena Grant as Agatha, Lou Merrill as Taxi Driver, and Frank Nelson as conductor. Barbara Stanwyck is currently seen in the RKO film Breakfast for Two. Marsha Mae Jones and Helen Parrish are making Mad About Music at the new Universal Studios. And now here's your producer, Mr. DeMille. It's a play of melodrama, romance and strange, dark happenings that awaits you in the Lux Radio Theatre next Monday night. A play that carries you from the fog bound streets of London to the bleak and misty moors of Scotland. Its title, the 39 Steps. Filmed by Gomont British, it's one of the most successful modern mystery stories ever brought to the screen. As the polished adventurer caught in the web of violence and intrigue, we star Robert Montgomery. And at the other end of the romantic seesaw, one of the cleverest of our rising young stars, Miss Ida Lupino. Our sponsors, the makers of Luxe Toilet Soap, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theatre presents Robert Montgomery and Ida lupino in the 39 steps. This is Cecil B. DeMille saying good night to you from Hollywood. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Martha Dobie]

Oh, I have had no luck lately. Wait. Lady Luck Bretzky.

[Dr. Joseph Carden]

I got you.

[Martha Dobie]

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