Make Believe Town Hollywood 1948-08-08 A Very Important Appointment

Summary

Podcast Summary: Make Believe Town Hollywood – "A Very Important Appointment" (1948-08-08)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Make Believe Town Hollywood – A Very Important Appointment
Original Air Date: August 8, 1948
Summary Date: November 12, 2025
Duration: ~29 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode of Make Believe Town Hollywood presents "A Very Important Appointment," a dramatic, nostalgic look into the life of Evelyn Dennis—a Hollywood star struggling with her career choices and haunted by a pivotal promise she made as a young girl. The story delves into the dreams, disillusionments, and defining moments that shape a woman's path from obscurity to stardom. Set against the glittering but uncertain backdrop of post-war Hollywood, the episode examines themes of ambition, regret, and the enduring power of formative relationships.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Highlights

1. Introduction and Framing of the Story (00:35–02:43)

• Narrator (Richard Evans) sets the stage for this story of Hollywood romance and ambition.
• Virginia Bruce (as herself) introduces the character of Evelyn Dennis, a fictionalized film star, hinting at a secret from her past that profoundly shaped her life.

2. Evelyn Dennis' Career Crossroads (02:43–05:15)

• On a Hollywood soundstage, director Richard Evans offers Evelyn the lead in a sure-hit film, "Dark Alibi," but she dreams of something more challenging and transformative.
  • Quote: "I've been in Hollywood for six years and I've played the same part in every picture... I want to play comedy. I want to play vital lassie women."
    – Evelyn Dennis ([03:43–03:55])
• Discussion on the risks of career change, especially for women in Hollywood.
  • Quote: "All you need is one real flop and they'll all be too scared to take another chance on you. You'll be finished."
    – Richard Evans ([04:14–04:26])
• Evelyn reveals she has "a very important appointment" that evening—something deeply personal.

3. Flashback: Evelyn's Youth as Eva Deutsch (06:41–13:45)

• The story flashes back ten years to Eva's life as a lonely, bookish teenager in Venice, California.
• Eva's strained social life and intellectual leanings create distance from her peers but closeness to her mother.
  • Quote: "They're not just any books, Ma. They're plays. Shakespeare and Eugene O'Neill. If I'm going to be an actress, I've got to study them, don't I?"
    – Eva ([08:24–08:32])
• Eva's ocean-side encounter with Lee Lawrence, a compassionate older boy and aspiring aviator, who recognizes her loneliness and intellect.
  • Quote: "Maybe because I was so much like you when I was a kid. Lonely and defiant and living within myself. Maybe I want to get you out of it before it hurts you too much."
    – Lee Lawrence ([12:19–12:35])
• The idea of striving for something great despite others' disbelief brings them together.

4. Forming the Pact (13:45–15:33)

• Lee and Eva make a solemn pact: to meet in ten years, June 1st, 1949, to see what became of their dreams.
  • Quote: "Let's make a pact. No matter what happens, we'll meet here June 1st, 1949."
    – Eva ([13:56–14:16])
• Their signature on a slip of paper cements the emotional core of the episode.

5. Eva's Early Steps Towards Acceptance (16:02–19:43)

• Eva pushes past social rejection to join her school's Dramatic Society, eventually landing a significant role.
  • Quote: "You need more than talent in this world, you know. You got to have lots of stuff to plug."
    – Ms. Mason ([17:07–17:09])
• Her budding friendship with Lee helps her gain confidence and acceptance among her peers.

6. Emotional Confession and the Bond Between Lee and Eva (19:53–21:14)

• Eva's romantic feelings surface in a tender, awkward confession to Lee.
  • Quote: "I love you. I'll never love anyone like I love you. Wait for me to grow up."
    – Eva ([20:36–21:01])
• Lee, recognizing her youth and sincerity, promises to wait.

7. Return to the Present: Fulfilling the Appointment (21:14–24:07)

• Now a famous actress, Evelyn/Eva returns to the Venice cottage for the promised reunion.
• She discovers Lee is married, and the emotional weight of unfulfilled dreams and changed circumstances comes crashing down.
  • Quote: "You never told me. And you promised you'd wait. We had a pact. You didn't mean to come back at all, did you?"
    – Eva ([23:44–23:56])

8. Aftermath and Reflection (24:07–27:30)

• Back in the taxi, Evelyn contemplates whether Lee's absence was really neglect or something more complicated—a commentary on lost ideals and adulthood.
  • Quote: "Sometimes a guy starts out with big ideals. He wants to do something he knows he can't do. Then maybe he gets scared to take the chance. So he takes the sure thing instead."
    – Taxi Driver ([24:42–25:02])
• Subtle revelation that the taxi driver may actually be Lee, now beaten by life but still compassionate.
• The encounter inspires Evelyn to take a risky new role in Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew," reigniting her passion and self-belief.

9. The Story’s Uplifting Conclusion (27:30–28:28)

• Virginia Bruce closes the episode, reflecting on the lesson: behind every Hollywood glamour story, there are hidden struggles, lost dreams, and the courage to risk failure for something greater.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Career Risks in Hollywood:
  "All you need is one real flop and they'll all be too scared to take another chance on you. You'll be finished."
  – Richard Evans ([04:14])

• Youthful Dreams and Friendship:
  "Let's make a pact. No matter what happens, we'll meet here June 1st, 1949."
  – Eva ([13:56])

• Bittersweet Realization:
  "You never told me. And you promised you'd wait. We had a pact."
  – Eva ([23:44])

• Life’s Choices and Regrets:
  "Sometimes a guy starts out with big ideals... Then maybe he gets scared to take the chance. So he takes the sure thing instead. And for the rest of his life he feels cheated."
  – Taxi Driver ([24:42])

• Moving On:
  "I've made up my mind. I'm doing the Taming of the Shrew."
  – Evelyn Dennis ([26:25])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:35] – Show introduction and dramatic setup
• [03:43] – Evelyn laments typecasting and yearns for change
• [06:41] – Flashback begins: Eva’s life in Venice, CA
• [12:19] – Lee confides in Eva about loneliness and dreams
• [13:56] – The ten-year pact is made on the beach
• [17:07] – Eva’s teacher encourages her persistence
• [20:36] – Eva’s emotional confession to Lee
• [21:14] – Evelyn/Eva arrives at the fateful appointment
• [23:44] – Discovery of Lee’s marriage
• [24:42] – Taxi driver soliloquies on ambition and regret
• [26:25] – Evelyn resolves to pursue her passion, inspired

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Tone and Language

The episode is narrated in a dramatic, nostalgic style typical of Golden Age radio. The dialogue is heartfelt, occasionally wistful or melancholic, and imbued with the optimism, innocence, and hard-edged realism of postwar Hollywood. The “meta” moments where characters reflect on Hollywood’s nature add an extra layer of insider commentary.

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Final Thoughts

A Very Important Appointment stands as a poignant meditation on the risks and rewards of following one's dreams, the long shadows cast by youthful promises, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. Through Evelyn's story, the episode reminds the listener: taking a chance, despite fear or the lure of comfort, is what truly gives life (and Hollywood tales) their meaning.

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Cast Highlights:

• Lorene Tuttle as Evelyn
• Howard Culver as Lee
• Music by: Ivan Ditmars
• Script by: Betty Julius
• Produced & Directed by: Ralph Rose

For Tomorrow: A reversal: a wife spearheads her husband’s accidental career in pictures.

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Transcript

[Unknown Announcer]

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[Richard Evans]

Quiet, please. We're rolling. Speed. Camera. Action. It's make believe town Hollywood. Welcome to Make Believe Town Hollywood and another romantic story of the people to whom all the world's but a silver screen. Here to introduce act one of today's story is one of Movieland's loveliest, most talented stars, Virginia Bruce.

[Virginia Bruce]

Hello, everyone, and thanks for being with us again in make believe town. Well, today marks the beginning of the second week of this new dramatic series. And I think I can promise you some unusual and exciting stories during the coming days. Stories about the people to whom, as Johnny Jacobs, our announcer, puts it, all the world is a silver screen. With apologies to Shakespeare. I think that pretty well explains the kind of stories we dramatize on this program. Like the one about Evelyn Dennis. That's not her real name, but you know her well through having seen her so often in pictures. Her private life, her struggles, her career have been written up in every movie magazine. In fact, there isn't very much about Evelyn Dennis that everyone doesn't know. Except possibly something that happened a long time ago. Ten years ago, before she became a famous star. It seemed a little thing at the time, one of those silly dates that young people sometimes make far in the future. But as it happened, that date turned out to be a very important appointment. The scene is a Hollywood soundstage. It's the end of the day's shooting. Just one more scene and the lights will dim, the cameras will stop rolling until tomorrow. But right now, Richard Evans, the director, is shooting that last scene with Evelyn Dennis, the star.

[Richard Evans]

This is scene 390, take four.

[Lee Lawrence]

Don't be a fool. I'm sick of being a cop. Why? I'm sick of scraping and bargaining and doing without. I'm sick of waiting night after night for you to come home, Praying that you haven't stopped a bullet or got your throat slit in an alley. I'm sick of it. Wren.

[Richard Evans]

God. Ren It. That was a good Shot, Evelyn.

[Virginia Bruce]

Thanks, Richard. We're not working anymore tonight, are we? I've got an appointment at 7.

[Richard Evans]

No, no, I think that last take did it. Evelyn, are you in a great rush? I did want to speak to you for a minute.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, I think I can spare a minute. Come into my dressing room. I've got to take my makeup off, and you can talk to me while I'm doing it. Now, what's on your mind?

[Richard Evans]

How would you like to play the lead in Dark Alibi? The studio's assigned it to me and I'd like to suggest you for the part.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, that's very kind of you, Richard.

[Richard Evans]

Well, I think you're a darn good actress, Evelyn.

[Lee Lawrence]

Actress?

[Virginia Bruce]

I've been in Hollywood for six years and I've played the same part in every picture. The wistful kid who gets involved in the murder.

[Lee Lawrence]

I need a change of pace.

[Virginia Bruce]

I'm tight.

[Lee Lawrence]

I want to play comedy.

[Virginia Bruce]

I want to play vital lassie women.

[Richard Evans]

Yeah, like Catherine in the Taming of the Shrew, for example.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, you heard about that? Yeah.

[Richard Evans]

Yeah, I met Sam McGrath in the commissary yesterday. Evelyn, you'd be crazy to do it. The public wouldn't accept you in comedy or in Shakespeare. The combination of both might kill you at the box office.

[Virginia Bruce]

It might. But on the other hand, it might make me Lookie.

[Richard Evans]

Is it worth the gamble, Evelyn? Now, you've worked hard. You've built yourself a career. But you know the situation in Hollywood. Now, nobody's throwing money around. All you need is one real flop and they'll all be too scared to take another chance on you. You'll be finished.

[Lee Lawrence]

That's true.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, Richard, I wish you hadn't spoken to me about this tonight. I'm supposed to see Sam McGrath for lunch tomorrow. We're going to talk over the script. Now, I don't know what to do.

[Richard Evans]

Well, why don't you call him right now and tell him it's off? Do Dark Alibi with me, Evelyn.

[Virginia Bruce]

It's a sure thing. No, I want to think it over. Besides, I haven't time.

[Lee Lawrence]

I've.

[Virginia Bruce]

I've got a date at 7.

[Richard Evans]

Someone special.

[Virginia Bruce]

Someone very special. The main reason I have worked so hard, Richard, everything worthwhile I've ever done has been for him. For our appointment tonight so I could say, see, I haven't forgotten. I promised I'd come back, and I did.

[Richard Evans]

Well, he'll be very proud when he meets you.

[Virginia Bruce]

No, he won't meet me. He won't be there.

[Richard Evans]

Richard won't be There. I don't understand. Why not?

[Virginia Bruce]

Evelyn, would you remember a date you made with a little girl 10 years ago? Richard, you did tell my secretary to bring the car around to the side entrance, didn't you?

[Richard Evans]

Relax, Evelyn. Wear yourself out.

[Lee Lawrence]

Yeah.

[Richard Evans]

There's your car.

[Lee Lawrence]

Where's this Robinson?

[Richard Evans]

She's around the other side looking under the hood. Is there something wrong with the car, Miss Robinson?

[Virginia Bruce]

Nothing, except that it won't stop, Mr. Evans.

[Lee Lawrence]

I've got an appointment I must keep. I'm afraid you're going to have to.

[Virginia Bruce]

Take a cab, Ms. Dennis. I certainly can't wait around till the car's sick.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, there's a taxi at the end of the alley. Taxi. Taxi.

[Virginia Bruce]

Now, don't worry about the car, Ms. Dennis. I'll get a tow home.

[Richard Evans]

Evelyn, you'll be all right, won't you? You don't need an escort?

[Lee Lawrence]

No, no.

[Virginia Bruce]

I've got to go along, Richard.

[Lee Lawrence]

Thanks.

[Richard Evans]

Well, okay, Evelyn. Say, look, I'll go to your house with Ms. Robinson and stick around till you come back. Good luck, kid.

[Virginia Bruce]

Thanks, Richard. All right, driver.

[Richard Evans]

Where to, miss?

[Lee Lawrence]

I want to go out to Venice.

[Virginia Bruce]

There's an amusement park facing the ocean.

[Richard Evans]

That park's been closed up for years, miss.

[Virginia Bruce]

Yes, I know, but there's a cottage across the street from the Ferris wheel.

[Richard Evans]

That section's kind of run down. You sure you want to go there?

[Lee Lawrence]

Yes. Must I explain it to you two?

[Virginia Bruce]

I've got an appointment. An appointment? Why kid yourself? He was just being nice to you then. Because you were 14 and scrawny and always alone.

[Lee Lawrence]

Because you were Eva Deutsch and your.

[Virginia Bruce]

Mother ran a Venice butcher shop ten years ago. Ten years.

[Lee Lawrence]

Hello, Ma. Hello, Charlotte. Hello, Anita.

[Virginia Bruce]

I'll put these rib chops on the bill.

[Lee Lawrence]

Hi, Nita. Hi, Eva. Hi. You want me to make any deliveries, Mama?

[Virginia Bruce]

Then I finish with my customers. Patience, please. Here's your change for the chopped meat, Charlotte.

[Lee Lawrence]

Thanks, Mrs. Doidge. Come on, Anita.

[Virginia Bruce]

Tell me you three girls are in the same glass. No.

[Lee Lawrence]

That's right, Mrs. Deutschland.

[Virginia Bruce]

You don't seem more of each other.

[Lee Lawrence]

Well, you see, we live a few blocks away and you know it makes a difference. And Eva's got her cottage to take care of. She doesn't have much time for us.

[Virginia Bruce]

But in a month will be vacation. Do me a favor. Come over and take her nose out of her book once in a while.

[Lee Lawrence]

Mama, please. The girls are right. I don't have much time. Well, goodbye. Bye, Mrs. Deutsch. See you in school tomorrow, Eva.

[Virginia Bruce]

Goodbye, girls. Come again.

[Lee Lawrence]

Mama, what's the matter with you? Well, what was I doing, Mama? Trying to force me on those girls. Can't you see they just don't like me?

[Virginia Bruce]

Maybe if you tried acting nicer to them, they would act nicer to you.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, they don't have a brain in their heads. All I think about is boys.

[Virginia Bruce]

All you think about is books. One extreme's as bad as the other.

[Lee Lawrence]

They're not just any books, Ma. They're plays. Shakespeare and Eugene o'. Neill. If I'm going to be an actress, I've got to study them, don't I?

[Virginia Bruce]

Your eyes are bad now.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, Mama. If you'll give me the deliveries, I may be able to get in a swim before dark.

[Virginia Bruce]

And is going to the beach so late? 3 o' clock in the afternoon is the time for that.

[Lee Lawrence]

Not. Oh, Ma. This is the only time I like the beach at sundown, when it's empty. When the gulls come back and the water gets purple and the sun looks like a torch.

[Virginia Bruce]

My daughter, the poet.

[Lee Lawrence]

Snoke. Please give me the deliveries. And if you want me, I'll be at the beach, outstand spot. All right. Say 1, 2. Why, then tis time to do it. Hell is mercy. Why am I, Lord? I soldier here.

[Richard Evans]

Well, well. Lady Macbeth in the middle of the Pacific. As I live and breathe, this isn't.

[Lee Lawrence]

The middle of the Pacific. It's the edge.

[Richard Evans]

Stand corrected. And besides, you're right. I should have minded my own business.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, I'm sorry. Don't go away. I ought to be used to it.

[Unknown Announcer]

To what?

[Lee Lawrence]

Being laughed at?

[Richard Evans]

Oh, look. Mind if I float alongside you?

[Lee Lawrence]

No, of course not. Isn't it queer how the sea and the gulls and the bell boys sound like silence?

[Richard Evans]

Is that why you always swim here alone without your friends? Because they disturb the silence?

[Lee Lawrence]

Well, no, I don't have any friends.

[Richard Evans]

Oh, I see.

[Lee Lawrence]

All the kids my age are babies or else they're boy crazy. They never read anything that's not required at school.

[Richard Evans]

I bet you read a lot.

[Lee Lawrence]

Yes, I do. I have to wear glasses.

[Richard Evans]

You bring home good report cards all the time. Oh, she and the boys don't like you terribly.

[Lee Lawrence]

No, not that I care. I don't have time for them anyway.

[Richard Evans]

Of course you don't. Look, youngster, if you ever find that just by chance you have got a few extra minutes, come and talk to me, huh? I'll either be here or in that first cottage there off the beach. You see, I get lonely too sometime.

[Lee Lawrence]

Hello.

[Richard Evans]

Hello there. Come on in.

[Lee Lawrence]

I. I stepped on A nail in the sand and figured maybe you had some iodine I could put on it.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh.

[Richard Evans]

Oh, sure. Of course. For a moment, I flattered myself that you wanted to talk to me.

[Lee Lawrence]

Well, I did, but I wasn't sure you'd care to waste your time with. With child.

[Richard Evans]

Now, hold still. I told you I'd be glad to see you, didn't I?

[Lee Lawrence]

Yes. Maybe you were just being kind.

[Richard Evans]

Now, what makes you think that?

[Lee Lawrence]

Well, nobody's ever really wanted me around before.

[Richard Evans]

I see.

[Lee Lawrence]

And I thought if I hurt my foot, somehow I'd have a real excuse to stop in. And if you didn't want me here.

[Virginia Bruce]

I'd feel it and go away.

[Richard Evans]

So you waited till you hurt your foot.

[Lee Lawrence]

No, I didn't wait. You know, you'd be surprised how hard.

[Virginia Bruce]

It is to step on even a little nail deliberately.

[Richard Evans]

Are you crazy, kid?

[Lee Lawrence]

It was worth. Now, I'm sure you like me. I can't understand why. But I guess you don't question miracles.

[Richard Evans]

Look, funny face, I like you because. I don't know exactly. Maybe because I was so much like you when I was a kid. Lonely and defiant and living within myself. Maybe I want to get you out of it before it hurts you too much.

[Lee Lawrence]

You mean people didn't care for you either?

[Richard Evans]

I thought they didn't. I never went halfway to find out.

[Lee Lawrence]

But how could they help? You're so nice and you've got as long. I like it. I don't have anything to recommend me.

[Richard Evans]

No, no. Nothing but a good brain and a cute little pixie face.

[Lee Lawrence]

But I wear glasses.

[Richard Evans]

If you weren't so conscious of them, no one else would be.

[Lee Lawrence]

You think not?

[Richard Evans]

Look, try forgetting you've got them on. And see, you've got lots of assets, youngster. Wait till you grow up. You'll knock the boys silly.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, you're not just kidding me, are you?

[Virginia Bruce]

No.

[Richard Evans]

I mean every word of it.

[Lee Lawrence]

Maybe I'll even get to be an actress. Did you ever want to do something very, very much that nobody believed you could do?

[Richard Evans]

I guess I'm still going through that stage. See this book?

[Lee Lawrence]

The Mechanics of Flight.

[Richard Evans]

Learning all I can about aviation. I got a friend at the Burbank Airport. I get down there about twice a week and watch him take those ships apart. Someday I'll get into one of those babies and play tag with the seagulls. Right over your head, Funny Face.

[Lee Lawrence]

You're going to be a pilot.

[Richard Evans]

I want to be one.

[Lee Lawrence]

But your family doesn't believe in you, huh?

[Richard Evans]

I guess that's about It.

[Lee Lawrence]

Never mind. Someday you're going to be a great flyer and I'll be a great actor.

[Richard Evans]

And we'll come back here 10 years from today and see how each other's doing.

[Lee Lawrence]

Why, that's a wonderful idea. What? Why not? It'll give us both more incentive to work. Because we'll have had to accomplish something by definite days. Don't you see? Oh, please. Let's make a pact. No matter what happens, we'll meet here June 1st, 1949.

[Richard Evans]

Well, all right. Will pencil do? Let's see. I, Lee Lawrence promised to meet. Hey, Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now I don't know if you've heard, but Mint's Premium Wireless is $15 a month. But I'd like to offer one other perk. We have no stores. That means no small talk. Crazy weather we're having. No, it's not. It's just weather. It is an introvert's dream. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Unknown Announcer]

Of $45 for three month plan.

[Virginia Bruce]

$15 per month equivalent required.

[Unknown Announcer]

New customer offer first three months only, then full price plan options available.

[Virginia Bruce]

Taxes and fees extra.

[Richard Evans]

See mintmobile.com Hey, I don't know your name.

[Lee Lawrence]

Eva Deutsch.

[Richard Evans]

You? Eva. How do you spell it?

[Lee Lawrence]

D E U T S C H.

[Richard Evans]

F C H, F. 5 S. Venice Blvd. On June 1st, 1949 at 7:00pm okay, now you sign it and it's a deal. Shall I make a copy for you?

[Lee Lawrence]

I don't need any. I couldn't secure.

[Richard Evans]

A lot can happen in 10 years, Eva.

[Lee Lawrence]

Doesn't matter. I'll be back. I promise.

[Richard Evans]

We'll return to make believe town Hollywood and Virginia Bruce in just a moment.

[Virginia Bruce]

Who has been responsible for her success. Turn down this street, Robert. I'd like to go along Venice for a while.

[Richard Evans]

It's smoother down Washington, Miss.

[Virginia Bruce]

Yes, I know, but I want to see if the trolley cars are still rattly in old fashioned.

[Richard Evans]

There hasn't been a change in them since 1887. Miss.

[Virginia Bruce]

I haven't been back in years. Everything looks smaller.

[Richard Evans]

That's just because you grew up, I suppose.

[Lee Lawrence]

There's my old school.

[Virginia Bruce]

I wonder if Ken's Megan is still there. Could always be. I went to see her the very next day after Leonard made our pact. Here's Eva. What did you want to see me about?

[Lee Lawrence]

Well, Ms. Mason, I know all the big parts with the class they have been filled. But if you've got any little ones, I'm available.

[Virginia Bruce]

You like acting, Eva?

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh yes. But You.

[Virginia Bruce]

You've never joined the Dramatic Society?

[Lee Lawrence]

I went down there in my freshman year. They couldn't find any role they thought would fit me.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, so you never went back?

[Lee Lawrence]

No, ma'. Am. I figured maybe they just didn't want me.

[Richard Evans]

Oh, Eva, you are a foolish little girl.

[Virginia Bruce]

Even if that were so, why let it stop you?

[Lee Lawrence]

What could I have done?

[Virginia Bruce]

Tried out in every single production until they got so tired of seeing you, they gave you a role. You need more than talent in this world, you know. You got to have lots of stuff to plug. Well, now, let me see.

[Richard Evans]

Eva.

[Virginia Bruce]

Suppose you do Eleanora's sister.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, thanks, Ms. Mason.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, and Steva, you might understudy Eleanora, too. Maybe something will happen to keep Doris Warner from playing the lead. One never knows, does one?

[Richard Evans]

Oh, hello, Funny face. You been waiting long?

[Lee Lawrence]

No, about five minutes.

[Richard Evans]

Well, I've got the tickets, so come along.

[Lee Lawrence]

Eva.

[Richard Evans]

Oh, Eva, you know those two girls, Funny Face? They're calling you, I think.

[Lee Lawrence]

We want to speak to you. Eva. They're in my class. I told you that. Now, why are they so friendly all of a sudden? Why didn't you imagine you were coming here tonight? Eva. Yes. We're awfully pleased to see you. Charlotte Adams. Anita Wagner. This is a friend of mine, Lila.

[Richard Evans]

How do you do, ladies?

[Lee Lawrence]

Hello. Hello, Lee. Why don't you two join us and make it for some?

[Richard Evans]

Well, of course, that's up to Eva.

[Virginia Bruce]

He's so good.

[Lee Lawrence]

Lung. Oh, I'm sure Eva wouldn't mind. We've always been such charms. We have. Well, we've got to be. But you're so busy all the time now. I can understand why. Oh, say, the crowd's getting a beach party next Thursday. Eva. Would you both like to come? The crowd? Me?

[Richard Evans]

Why, we'd love to.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, it's wonderful of you to accept me.

[Richard Evans]

Of course, I may not be able to get away from my stocks and bonds, but I can assure you evil will be there. And now may I treat all you lovely women to a rousing ride on the carousel?

[Lee Lawrence]

Lee. Lee. Oh, God. Look down on the beach for you.

[Richard Evans]

It was so cold and cloudy, I didn't think you'd be down there. What's biting you?

[Lee Lawrence]

Funny. You'll never guess. You'll never guess. Doris born. His parents have to go to Connecticut, and there's nowhere to look after Doris. So the Akman's business. If they could take her out of school a week ahead of time.

[Richard Evans]

And she said yes. Which makes you.

[Lee Lawrence]

Which makes me Eleanora, the lead in the play.

[Virginia Bruce]

Well, Charlotte and Anita were almost as.

[Lee Lawrence]

Excited as I am. They're going to tell the whole crowd about it. Our whole crowd, they said, meaninglessly included. They wanted me to come along, but I told them I had a date with you. I wasn't really a lie.

[Richard Evans]

Why, of course not. After all, you are my steady girl, aren't you? Hey, are you blushing?

[Lee Lawrence]

Well, you've never put your arm around me before.

[Richard Evans]

Why, Eva, I didn't know you cared.

[Lee Lawrence]

Please don't laugh at me.

[Richard Evans]

Oh, I'm sorry, youngster. It's just. Well, that's what you are to me, you know, a youngster.

[Lee Lawrence]

I won't be 14 all my life.

[Richard Evans]

And I won't be 23.

[Lee Lawrence]

Please. I know it's a big difference now, but remember that pact we made? In 10 years, I'll be a grown up woman and you won't even be in the prime of life yet.

[Richard Evans]

And if you don't stop twisting that button on my jacket, it's going to come off.

[Virginia Bruce]

Please don't interrupt.

[Lee Lawrence]

I'll never get upset if I don't say it now. I love you. I'll never love anyone like I love you. Wait for me to go on. Please leave. 10 years isn't so long. And I'll try awfully hard to become pretty for you. You wouldn't regret waiting.

[Richard Evans]

I promise you.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, please leave.

[Richard Evans]

Well, here we are, Lady Venice.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, thank you.

[Richard Evans]

Driver doesn't look as if anyone's around.

[Virginia Bruce]

He might be in the cottage. You don't see the window from here. The hedges are too high. Funny, that's the only change. Hedges are thicker.

[Lee Lawrence]

I wonder if he's in there.

[Richard Evans]

Why don't you just go in and get it over with?

[Lee Lawrence]

I look all right, don't I?

[Richard Evans]

You look beautiful. Want me to go with you?

[Virginia Bruce]

No, I'll go by myself.

[Lee Lawrence]

Lee, please.

[Virginia Bruce]

I've waited so long to show you what you did for me.

[Lee Lawrence]

To thank you.

[Virginia Bruce]

Please be here. Lee.

[Lee Lawrence]

Lee.

[Richard Evans]

Maybe. Maybe he's just late.

[Virginia Bruce]

No, no. He forgot. I knew he'd forget.

[Richard Evans]

You want me to take you home now?

[Lee Lawrence]

Yes.

[Virginia Bruce]

I live at 10 Stone Canyon Drive in Bel Air. How could you expect anything else?

[Lee Lawrence]

Don't take it so hard, you fool.

[Virginia Bruce]

You were a nice kid to a medfall.

[Lee Lawrence]

Remember the last day of school? Remember what happened after class?

[Virginia Bruce]

Played you still never let yourself think of it.

[Lee Lawrence]

Doing was I really goodly.

[Richard Evans]

Bernhardt would have paled by comparison.

[Lee Lawrence]

Ms. Nathan looked kind of funny afterwards, didn't she? I mean, Eva. But she was very happy.

[Richard Evans]

The lights on in My cottage. Wonder who's there.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh. Hey, wait for me. Lee.

[Richard Evans]

Anna May.

[Virginia Bruce]

Hello, Lee. Did you miss me? Oh, honey, I wasn't ever gonna come back to you. Honest. You and your notions of flying. But the doc says sea air is good for babies.

[Richard Evans]

Anna May. Oh, honey. I want you to meet my best little girlfriend. Eva. This is my wife.

[Lee Lawrence]

How'd you do?

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, no.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh, no. You never told me. And you promised you'd wait. We had a pact. You didn't mean to come back at all, did you?

[Richard Evans]

Yes, I did, Eva. I still do. But I know you'll be over me by then. And my being married won't matter.

[Lee Lawrence]

Don't touch me. Let me.

[Richard Evans]

Eva. Eva. We're nearly to your home, miss. You better fix your face.

[Virginia Bruce]

My face? Oh, I didn't realize that I was crying.

[Richard Evans]

Guy that would stand you up. He's not worth crying about.

[Virginia Bruce]

He didn't stand me up. He forgot.

[Richard Evans]

Maybe he didn't forget either. Maybe he just didn't want you to see what became of him.

[Virginia Bruce]

No, he wouldn't have changed.

[Richard Evans]

You can't tell. Sometimes a guy starts out with big ideals. He wants to do something he knows he can't do. Then maybe he gets scared to take the chance. So he takes the sure thing instead. And for the rest of his life he feels cheated. And he did it. He can't blame anyone else. He couldn't come back if he was a failure. Not with you, a famous movie star.

[Virginia Bruce]

But he wouldn't know that.

[Richard Evans]

Maybe he saw your pictures. Maybe he recognized you. Kid doesn't change so much in 10 years.

[Virginia Bruce]

How did you know it was 10 years?

[Lee Lawrence]

How did you know it was 10years?

[Richard Evans]

Look, there's your house.

[Lee Lawrence]

How did you know?

[Richard Evans]

That's where you wanted to go, isn't it? Why don't you get out?

[Lee Lawrence]

Look at me. Don't turn your head like that. Now, look at me.

[Richard Evans]

Will you quit holding onto my door? I gotta pick up another fare. I got a wife and two kids to support. I got no time to waste standing here.

[Virginia Bruce]

Oh, please.

[Richard Evans]

Please go away.

[Lee Lawrence]

Oh.

[Virginia Bruce]

I haven't paid this.

[Richard Evans]

Forget it. You don't owe me anything. Just go away.

[Virginia Bruce]

I owe you a lot, and I won't forget it.

[Lee Lawrence]

Ever.

[Virginia Bruce]

Goodbye.

[Richard Evans]

Goodbye, funny face. Evelyn.

[Virginia Bruce]

Yes?

[Richard Evans]

Oh, Evelyn. You are all right, aren't you? Your secretary just told me the truth. That cabby cajoled her into saying your car was out of order. He told Ms. Robinson that he simply wanted to drive you around. That he was a fan of yours. Well, I was afraid something might have happened to you.

[Virginia Bruce]

Something did happen to me, Richard. I've made up my mind. I'm doing the Taming of the Shrew.

[Richard Evans]

Oh, it'll be a mistake ever.

[Lee Lawrence]

No, it won't.

[Virginia Bruce]

Because I'm going to be good. They're going to like me.

[Lee Lawrence]

I know it.

[Richard Evans]

What's come over you? You weren't so positive an hour ago. You ready to forget the whole thing when you stepped into that cab.

[Virginia Bruce]

That was before I talked to him. He's right, Richard.

[Lee Lawrence]

I would feel cheated if I didn't take the chance.

[Richard Evans]

He the cab driver? Oh, no, no, of course not. Your guy, he met you?

[Lee Lawrence]

Yes.

[Virginia Bruce]

Yes, he met me.

[Richard Evans]

Tell me, has he changed much?

[Virginia Bruce]

He's tired now and his dreams are all gone. But he had the compassion to remember and the courage to attend. No, Richard, he hasn't changed.

[Lee Lawrence]

He hasn't changed.

[Virginia Bruce]

Well, that's the story of an appointment and how it affected Evelyn's life. I'm looking forward to seeing her in Shakespeare, and I have a hunch that she'll be very, very good. Our story tomorrow is a boy meets girl story, but it's quite different from the usual thing. Generally in Hollywood, at least, when boy meets girl, girl wants to become a picture star and boy either helps her in her career or marries her and prevents it. But in tomorrow's story, it's the girl who helps the boy in his picture career. And strangely enough, the boy doesn't want a picture career. He has very little to say about it, though, because the girl happens to be his wife. I hope you'll be listening tomorrow. At the same time to Halloran is home another dramatic story about our town and the people who work in pictures. Until then, this is Virginia Bruce reminding you that there are as many exciting stories behind the scene as those that find their way to the screen. In Make Believe Town Hollywood, the glamour capital of the world.

[Richard Evans]

Today's story featured Lorene Tuttle as Evelyn and Howard Culver as Lee. Music was by Ivan Ditmars. The script by Betty Julius was produced and directed by Ralph Rose. This is John Jacobs speaking and inviting you to be with us again tomorrow at the same time when Virginia Bruce will return to introduce another story from Make Believe Town Hollywood.