Matinee Theater - Hold Back the Dawn

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Matinee Theater - Hold Back the Dawn
Date: June 17, 2026
Main Theme
A dramatic retelling of the romantic drama Hold Back the Dawn, adapted from the 1941 Paramount film, exploring love, desperation, and redemption against the backdrop of 1940s immigration struggles. The story follows George Iscovescu, a Romanian stranded at the Mexican border, who schemes to enter the U.S. by marrying American schoolteacher Emmy Brown—only to discover true love and face moral reckoning.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Life at the Border

• George Iscovescu’s Predicament: A European playboy barred from U.S. entry after scandal; finds himself stranded in a dusty Mexican border town, Esperanza.

  • “Through it you can see the United States. But don't let anyone tell you that fence is only 12ft high. It's a thousand miles high.”
    — George Iscovescu (01:19)

• Immigration Facts:

  • Limited admission quotas: “You come under the Romanian quarter, which is very small and very crowded. You'll have to wait between five and eight years to get in.”
    — Mr. Hammock, Immigration Official (01:55)

2. The Scheme: Marry for a Visa

• Tamara’s Advice: George’s former partner, Tamara, boasts of her successful shortcut to U.S. entry: marrying an American.

  • “I married an American... in four weeks everything is settled… Of course you have to wait three years before you are a citizen.”
    — Tamara (03:09)

• The Target—Emmy Brown: George meets Emmy Brown, a wholesome schoolteacher, whose class is stranded due to car trouble.

  • Emmy’s innocence and integrity are established:
    • “The school board doesn't approve [of cigarettes]. Oh, and to tell you the truth, I don't like cigarettes very much.”
      — Emmy Brown (04:59)

3. Manipulation Turns to Genuine Emotion

• The Impromptu Wedding:

  • George woos Emmy in a vulnerable moment, placing his mother’s ring on her finger as she sleeps.

    • “It's all your kisses. It's all your life. Look at your hand, Ms. Brown… it's a wedding ring. I put it on your hand as you slept. It was my mother's.”
      — George / Inner Voice (07:11-07:20)

  • Emmy, swept up in the romance, marries George:

    • “Let me try to explain how I feel… Even though Azusa, California was at the other end of the world.”
      — Emmy Brown (08:10)
    • “We had to get the Mexican judge out of bed. The license was $5. It seemed a sound investment… She was radiant when we came out arm in arm.”
      — George (08:43)

• Ambivalence and Transformation:

  • George’s initial calculation—his 'investment'—collides with genuine affection.
    • “Kissing her was like kissing wet snow.”
      — George (11:05)
    • “You couldn't be in love with a schoolteacher from Azusa… That’s not the role you play.”
      — Tamara (11:12)

4. Blossoming Love and Its Complications

• Road Trip and Togetherness:

  • Emmy and George escape to the countryside:

    • “Let’s find a road and follow it wherever it leads... Spend these few days... recklessly, gloriously yours.”
      — George (14:54)

  • “Did you ever notice how things talk? Listen to those windshield wipers. They're saying, together, together, together.”
    — Emmy (15:44)

  • Joyful, hopeful moments—shaking an olive tree to “predict” children, symbolizing new beginnings.

    • “Shake hard, George. Shake hard.”
      — Emmy (17:20)
    • “Oh, that's wonderful. I hope all three of them look just like you. Oh, George, won't it be wonderful?”
      — Emmy (17:31)

5. The Truth Unravels

• Tamara Confronts Emmy:

  • Tamara reveals George's initial motive.

    • “Listen, sister. Georges married you to pass through that gate for the same reason I married my American… Take a look at the engraving inside [the ring].”
      — Tamara (19:02)

  • Emmy’s dignity shines through heartbreak:

    • “We eat in a drugstore but we leave a tip just the same. I don't feel I was too generous for these seven days. Goodbye, George.”
      — Emmy (21:32)

• Immigration Agent Mr. Hammock:

  • Questions Emmy's intent; she defends her love and agency.
    • “How long had you known Mr. Iscovescu when you married him?”
      — Mr. Hammock (20:40)
    • “I asked him to marry me… We love each other very much.”
      — Emmy (20:51)

6. Crisis and Redemption

• Devastating Accident:

  • Emmy, distraught, flees—an accident follows.

    • “Do you know that feeling when a premonition breaks over you? Like a black wave in my ears...”
      — George (22:00)

  • George, risking everything, crashes the border to see Emmy at the hospital.

    • “I drove through that gate without stopping. I heard the shouts. I knew they would follow me, but I didn't stop.”
      — George (23:15)

• Plea for Life:

  • As Emmy lies unconscious, George's desperate repetition—from their joyful road trip—becomes a life-saving mantra:

    • “Together… together… Breathe, Emmy. Together.”
      — George (24:03)

  • “I think you saved her life, Mr. Escobesco.”
    — Doctor (24:43)

7. Final Resolution and Hope

• George's Exile and Unexpected Reprieve:

  • George, bereft, expects legal consequences. Instead, Officer Hammock offers him an opportunity to legally enter the U.S.
    • “A certain immigration inspector… neglected to report a certain incident about a man crashing the border... We've made an opening for you right there over that border.”
      — Mr. Hammock (25:47)

• Reunion:

  • Emmy waits for him; togetherness is reaffirmed.
    • “Welcome home, my darling.”
      — Emmy (26:35)
    • “Oh, my darling.”
      — George (26:38)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Immigration and Desperation

  • “Don't let anyone tell you that fence is only 12ft high. It's a thousand miles high.”
    — George Iscovescu (01:19)
  • “Is it love or is it Immigration?”
    — Mr. Hammock (13:56)

• On Love and Redemption

  • “We're like two trains halted for a moment at the same station, but going in different directions. We can't change our course any more than we can hold back the dawn.”
    — George / Inner Voice (06:28)
  • “Did you ever notice how things talk? Listen to those windshield wipers. They're saying, together, together, together.”
    — Emmy (15:44)
  • “Kissing her was like kissing wet snow.”
    — George (11:05)

• On Betrayal and Forgiveness

  • “I don't feel I was too generous for these seven days. Goodbye, George.”
    — Emmy (21:32)
  • “I think you saved her life, Mr. Escobesco.”
    — Doctor (24:43)

• On Hope and Homecoming

  • “There's somebody waiting for you. See? Right over there at that gate. She has all your papers.”
    — Mr. Hammock (26:17)
  • “Welcome home, my darling.”
    — Emmy (26:35)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:05-01:55 – George’s backstory and the daunting U.S. immigration process
• 03:07-03:36 – Tamara reveals marrying for a visa
• 06:05-07:20 – George confesses love, places ring on Emmy’s finger
• 08:43-09:41 – Wedding and Emmy’s joy
• 11:05-11:22 – George’s conflict: is it love or manipulation?
• 14:52-16:29 – Road trip: love grows; “together, together” motif established
• 19:02-19:56 – Tamara exposes George’s deception to Emmy
• 20:37-21:46 – Emmy’s integrity and heartbreak
• 22:00-23:02 – Emmy’s accident and George’s desperate border crossing
• 23:47-24:43 – In hospital: togetherness saves Emmy
• 25:31-26:38 – George’s redemption and reunion with Emmy

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Hold Back the Dawn offers a deeply emotional exploration of hope, love, and second chances, capturing the spirit and storytelling magic of classic radio drama. The episode is a poignant reminder of the redemptive power of love and the human costs of immigration—brought to vivid life by evocative performances and memorable writing.

Transcript

[Narrator]

V I c k s vic presents the matinee theater starring victor jory. Vicks. The makers of Vicks Maple Ruby brings you the Matinee Theater, starring Victor Jorey in Hold Back the Dawn. Here's a good thing to remember when

[George Iscovescu]

you catch a cold.

[Narrator]

The best known home remedy for relieving miseries of colds is Vic's Vapor rub.

[Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, today from the stage of the Matinee Theater, Vicks presents Paramount Pictures exciting romantic drama Hold Back the Dawn, which starred Charles Boyer and Olivier de Havilland. The curtain rises on the hero of our story.

[George Iscovescu]

My name is Georges Ditzcovescu. I was born here, but I spent most of my life in Paris on the Riviera and St. Moritz at the Lido and most of the other play spots of Europe. My papers give my occupation as a dancer, which is correct in a general sort of way. It was an easy life. You had a deep voice and knew how to look at women. But the war came and people who had money left for America. That was my idea too. But you need a visa to go to America. And unfortunately, there had been some scandal in the papers about me and a lady from New York. So I went to Mexico, to a dusty little town that straddles the border of California. There's a wire fence along that border. Through it you can see the United States. But don't let anyone tell you that fence is only 12ft high. It's a thousand miles high.

[Mr. Hammock]

And there, Mr. Isivescu, every year the United States permits the entrance of about 150 immigrants. That number is proportioned among the various European countries. Mr. Sylvescu, you come under the Romanian quarter, which is very small and very crowded. You'll have to wait between five and eight years to get in. Five to eight years?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Five to eight.

[George Iscovescu]

It was a prison sentence. I, who had lived most of my years at the Ritz and the Savoy, registered at the Esperanza. Rates a dollar a day cheaper by the year. After I got settled, I went over to the bar across the street. I hadn't been sitting there more than a few minutes when I met an old friend, my former dancing partner, Tamara George. Well, Tamara, how wonderful to see you

[Tamara George]

again and still as handsome as ever.

[Mr. Hammock]

Tamara.

[George Iscovescu]

Well, what are you doing down here?

[Tamara George]

Oh, I came down for the day from Los Angeles with some people whose drunks at the next table. Art is not the same. Tamara. George. How is the hotel? I served a little time there too, but not long. Not this baby. I was in in four weeks.

[George Iscovescu]

Four weeks? How did you ever manage that?

[Tamara George]

The simplest way in the world. I married an American, your papers go to Washington and in four weeks everything is settled. They let you in, of course, you have to wait three years before you are a citizen. By the way, George, if you are interested, I have been divorced for some time now. I'm staying at the hotel for the weekend. I'll see you around.

[George Iscovescu]

So it was as easy as that. Just marry an American and swing right over the fence. The town was full of them gay, light hearted people on a holiday. I had only to travel across the street from the hotel to the garage to find my American Emmy Brown. She was standing in a doorway perilously close to tears, arguing with two mechanics.

[Emmy Brown]

But can't you give me some idea of how much longer it'll take you to fix it?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

It?

[Emmy Brown]

I can't understand a word you're saying. You promised the car would be ready by 3 o'.

[Tamara George]

Clock.

[Emmy Brown]

What did you say?

[Mr. Hammock]

He.

[George Iscovescu]

He says you are only making them nervous.

[Emmy Brown]

Oh, well, I don't know what to do.

[George Iscovescu]

Can I be of some service?

[Emmy Brown]

No, no, there's nothing you can do. Thank you. You see, I brought the children down here to show them a fiesta in Mexico and the car broke down and I.

[George Iscovescu]

Your children?

[Emmy Brown]

No, my class. I've left them in the garage. One of the older students. You see, I'm a school teacher and if we're not back by 9 o' clock tonight, Mr. McAdams, the principal, think we're all dead in a ditch.

[George Iscovescu]

While you're waiting for the car, why not come across the street to the hotel and telephone and tell him you're all right?

[Emmy Brown]

Yes, I suppose that would be the thing to do.

[George Iscovescu]

May I show you?

[Emmy Brown]

Thank you. It's very kind of you.

[George Iscovescu]

We went over to the hotel. We sat in the lobby waiting for her call to go through. Cigarette, Ms. Brown?

[Emmy Brown]

No, no, thank you. The school board doesn't approve. Oh, and to tell you the truth, I don't like cigarettes very much.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Yes, yes, I see.

[Emmy Brown]

What's the. You're staring at me, Mr. Iscu.

[George Iscovescu]

Forgive me, but it's hard not to stare at anyone so.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

So lovely.

[Emmy Brown]

Well, I'm sure that's very nice.

[Narrator]

We have young ladies.

[Emmy Brown]

Oh, good. Thank you so much. I'll come at once.

[George Iscovescu]

The mechanics decided they could not repair the car until morning, and a five dollar bill that I had invested helped

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

them to decide it.

[George Iscovescu]

There were no rooms available in the hotel, but I persuaded the manager to make beds for Ms. Brown and the children on the couches in the Lobby. She had a hard time going to sleep that night, little Miss Brown. Her heart was beating fast and her neat, tidy senses were all thrown out of gear. She found a kind of half sleep at last. And then, about 5 o' clock in the morning, she awoke and saw me sitting in a chair halfway across the lobby, watching her.

[Emmy Brown]

Mr. Iscovescu, what are you doing here?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

You'll rate the children.

[Emmy Brown]

Oh, please. You have no right to be here.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Of course I have no right. No right to sit here watching your face, learning it like a poem.

[George Iscovescu]

No right at all to tell you

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

I'm in love with you.

[Emmy Brown]

You must go away right now.

[George Iscovescu]

Please, Ms. Brown.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

We're like two trains halted for a moment at the same station, but going in different directions. We can't change our course any more than we can. Any more than we can hold back the dawn. Look, it's growing light already.

[George Iscovescu]

Everyone will be stirring soon, and you

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

will be gone from me forever.

[Emmy Brown]

Please don't touch me.

[George Iscovescu]

You are very conscientious, Ms. Brown. No infringement of the regulations for you.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

No rebellions nor violent desires. Not for you. This sudden flash which lights up your whole life. Oh, my dear, it is not this kiss I want. It's all your kisses. It's all your life. Look at your hand, Ms. Brown. No, no, no, your left hand.

[Emmy Brown]

Why, it's a ring. A wedding ring. But how.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Yes, it's a wedding ring, Ms. Brown. I put it on your hand as you slept. It was my mother's. Now you see how wild a dream can be. You are wise and sane and cool. But you will let me kiss you just once?

[Emmy Brown]

Yes, just once.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Oh, you're so sweet, so lovely. Goodbye, Miss Brown.

[Emmy Brown]

No. Oh, no, no, don't go.

[Tamara George]

Wait.

[Emmy Brown]

Wait a minute. Please, wait, I. Please don't walk so fast.

[George Iscovescu]

I'm sorry.

[Emmy Brown]

Thank you. That's better. About your being lonesome. Yes, Other people are lonesome. So lonesome they almost give up waiting. Mr. McAdams always said I was crazy, but I knew all the time, deep down in my heart, that someday, somebody, somehow, would come along. Even though Azusa, California was at the other end of the world. Let me tell you. Let me try to explain how I feel.

[George Iscovescu]

We had to get the Mexican judge out of bed. The license was $5. It seemed a sound investment. The ceremony was brief, the office drab and sorted. But to Emmy Brown, being there was like standing an altar in a cathedral with great bells ringing. She was radiant when we came out arm in arm.

[Emmy Brown]

I always expected to be married in the Margaret Martin Memorial Church in Azusa.

[George Iscovescu]

In Azusa?

[Emmy Brown]

Uh huh. I never dreamed of anything so beautiful and exciting as this. It's. Oh, George, please don't walk so fast.

[George Iscovescu]

I'm sorry. I keep forgetting how little you are.

[Emmy Brown]

My, there'll be surprise back home. Mrs. George is Sevescu, you know. I don't even know what you are. Doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief.

[George Iscovescu]

Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief.

[Emmy Brown]

Oh, George, I wish I didn't have to take the children back this morning. It's awful to have to leave you, George.

[Mr. Hammock]

Here.

[George Iscovescu]

In four or five weeks my papers will be straightened out and I'll be able to join you.

[Emmy Brown]

In Azusa?

[George Iscovescu]

Yes, in Azusa.

[Emmy Brown]

You won't be so lonesome now, will you?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

No.

[Emmy Brown]

I won't either. I have your ring and your name and your love. Oh, look. There's the station wagon. The children are already in it. I must go as yours.

[George Iscovescu]

I'll take you to the car.

[Emmy Brown]

No, no, please. It'll be easier to go if you don't. You stay here. George, I don't exactly know how to say it, but this is like the beginning of the world to me. I hope I can make you happy. Goodbye. Is yours.

[George Iscovescu]

Goodbye, darling.

[Emmy Brown]

Is yours.

[Tamara George]

I hear you got married. Is that the bride getting into the station wagon?

[George Iscovescu]

Yes. The matter? She's going back to Azusa. Azusa, California? She's a schoolteacher there.

[Tamara George]

A school teacher?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Yes.

[Tamara George]

Well, she ought to be easy to shake off. Tell her of a love that was too great to last. A mistake that was too lovely not to have been made. That she was too good and you too low.

[George Iscovescu]

You know, those words almost have a ring of truth.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

A mistake too lovely a girl. Too good.

[Tamara George]

George, what's happening to you?

[George Iscovescu]

Kissing her. Kissing her was like kissing wet snow.

[Tamara George]

You couldn't be in love with a school teacher from Azusa. You don't fall in love, George. That's not the role you play.

[George Iscovescu]

I haven't said I'm in love.

[Tamara George]

You haven't said you're not.

[George Iscovescu]

No, Tamara. I haven't said I'm not. But better not make any plans, Tamara. Better not make any plans.

[Narrator]

In just a moment, Act 2 of Hold Back the Dawn, starring Victor Jorie. Every mother knows how hard it is these blusters days to keep children from catching cold. But fortunately, most mothers have given a lot of thought to the problem. And the modern way they use to relieve miseries of children's colds is to rub Vicks VapoRub on throat, chest and back. These millions of thankful mothers have found that the moment you rub on vaporub, its relief giving action starts right to work. It helps relieve congestion and irritation in the upper breathing passages. The coughing, spasms, sore throat and that muscular soreness or tightness. And results are so satisfying because VapoRub penetrates. Penetrates into the cold congested upper bronchial tubes with its special soothing medicinal vapors. And at the same time it stimulates. Stimulates chest and back surfaces like a comforting, warming poultice. And this penetrating, stimulating action of VapoRub and keeps on working for hours to bring such grand relief. Mind you, only vaporub gives you this special penetrating, stimulating action. The best known home remedy for relieving miseries of colds is Vicks VapoRub.

[Announcer]

And now, from the stage of Vic's Matinee Theater, the second act of Hold Back the Dawn, starring Victor Joreval.

[George Iscovescu]

It's about a week later.

[Announcer]

George Iscovescu and Tamara are at a small table in the bar when a man comes up and joins them. The man's name is Hammock. He's a member of the Immigration Department.

[Mr. Hammock]

Well, well, well, Mrs. Shaughnessy. How's your husband?

[Tamara George]

I. I don't exactly know, Mr. Hammock. We are divorced about a year now.

[Mr. Hammock]

No, not really. You mean it's gone? That beautiful love match?

[Tamara George]

I really loved him then.

[Mr. Hammock]

Sure. Only once he got you across the border, you found you didn't like the shape of his nose.

[Tamara George]

See here, Mr. Hammock.

[Mr. Hammock]

I'm not saying anything. Mrs. Shaughnessy, you made the grade. In is in. Only there's been an awful epidemic of marrying up and down the border. We finally got our eyes open. No kidding anymore. The department has a new theme song. Is it love or is it Immigration?

[George Iscovescu]

While I was sitting there listening to Hammock and Tamara, I'd seen the Azusa school wagon drive up in front of the hotel and a small figure dart up the steps. I was suddenly in a panic that Mr. Hammock might see her and start asking questions. I followed her up to the room and when I got there, I. I didn't know what to say to her. I could not believe that I was falling in love. And yet my heart was pounding like a schoolboy's.

[Emmy Brown]

Yours, darling. Isn't it wonderful? Mr. McAdams got a substitute teacher from Riverside. He gave me a week off and said I could use the car. Isn't that exciting, George?

[George Iscovescu]

Exciting?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

I should say so.

[George Iscovescu]

Come on, let's find a road and follow it wherever it leads To a lake or a palace or a fishing village let's Spend these few days they've given you Recklessly, gloriously yours.

[Emmy Brown]

I love you. It's starting to rain.

[George Iscovescu]

And I love the rain.

[Emmy Brown]

So do I.

[George Iscovescu]

Come on. We'll start right now. I thought I'd take her to Ensenada. A matter of 50 miles. Four hours. I figured it. But in the night and the storm, I must have taken a wrong turn. Ah, yes, a wrong turn in more than one way. I never did find Ensenada, and I never did find my way back to the road I had planned for my own life. We rode on through the wind and the rain, safe, warm and happy.

[Emmy Brown]

George, did you ever notice how things talk? Sometimes? Listen to those windshield wipers. They're saying, together, together, together. Can't you hear it?

[George Iscovescu]

Together, together.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Ah, yes.

[George Iscovescu]

I've been listening to it for hours.

[Mr. Hammock]

Amy, I love you.

[George Iscovescu]

I love you in a way I never thought I could love anyone. I want to laugh with you and cry with you. I want to take care of you. I want to dream with you and plan with you. And I want to stay with you forever. This is the beginning of a whole new life for you and me, Emmy.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

And.

[George Iscovescu]

Oh, I hope I can make you happy. I hope I can be worthy of you, Darling.

[Doctor]

Yours.

[Emmy Brown]

If you're going to kiss me, I think you better stop the car.

[George Iscovescu]

Then I think I better stop the

[Narrator]

car right now, darling.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Dark.

[George Iscovescu]

We spent six days in heaven. We drove to a small village called Kaloya. They were having a bridal festival. Outside the small country church, there was an olive tree. And there was a legend that said if a married couple shook it, however many olives fell, that is how many children they would have. Well, of course, we had to try it.

[Emmy Brown]

Shake hard, George. Shake hard.

[Narrator]

There.

[George Iscovescu]

Here you are. One, two, three.

[Emmy Brown]

Oh, that's wonderful. I hope all three of them look just like you. Oh, George, won't it be wonderful?

[George Iscovescu]

The next day. The next day we drove to Trouble, Toyo and down to San Miguel. The third day we started back along the Gulf. We didn't return into a hotel until the last hour of the last day.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

You.

[George Iscovescu]

You couldn't make a mistake and think it's tomorrow that you're due back in Azusa.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Could you?

[Emmy Brown]

I'm afraid not, darling. July 13th. Parent teachers meeting. Auditorium, eight o'.

[Doctor]

Clock.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Parent teachers meeting.

[George Iscovescu]

It sounds very dull. How long will it take you to drive there?

[Emmy Brown]

Five hours.

[George Iscovescu]

Why don't you go up to your

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

room and freshen up? I'll.

[George Iscovescu]

I'll take the car over to the garage and get the gas tank.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Filled.

[Emmy Brown]

All right, darling.

[George Iscovescu]

Oh, if only fate or God had warned me things might have been so different if. If I had only gone upstairs with her. If, if, if, if, if. How often our lives hang upon an if.

[Tamara George]

Mrs. Iscovescu?

[Emmy Brown]

Yes.

[Tamara George]

I am Tamara, a friend of your husband, Georges. This king of mine. I want you to give me back of yours. My wedding ring.

[Emmy Brown]

What would I be doing with your wedding ring?

[Tamara George]

Wearing it? I loaned it to Georges. This.

[Emmy Brown]

It belonged to his mother.

[Tamara George]

Oh, isn't he wonderful? The way he knows how to pluck at the heartstring. Listen, sister. Georges married you that passed through that gate for the same reason I married my American with the same ring. Don't stare at me. Take a look at the engraving inside. Two toots for heaps. Just slip it off.

[Emmy Brown]

No.

[Tamara George]

Maybe you should know a little more about the history of Georges Kawasci. Get out. Please. Please. I know what you're thinking. I'm dirt. Well, so is he. We belong together. And you. You think you are a teacher. You're a school girl who learned life out of a school book. Well, you'd have learned this lesson in six weeks or in six months. I'm telling it to you in six minutes. Get away. Get in that car and don't turn back. Yes?

[Doctor]

Senora Escovescu, A Senor Hammock is waiting to see you in the lobby.

[Tamara George]

Who? He's from the Immigration Department. Don't go. Don't see him.

[Emmy Brown]

I'll be right down. Flores, take my bag, please.

[Tamara George]

You can't give him away. What for? It won't do you any good.

[Emmy Brown]

I learned life from a school book, remember?

[Mr. Hammock]

Emmy, I. Not a word out of you, Eskovescu. Mrs. Iscovescu, I want it understood I have no right to bother you with any questions down here in Mexico. It's just that if we think an American might be getting a dirty deal, we.

[Emmy Brown]

I'll answer any questions.

[Mr. Hammock]

How long had you known Mr. Iscovescu when you married him?

[Emmy Brown]

A few hours.

[Mr. Hammock]

Had you any idea he was waiting to get into the States?

[Emmy Brown]

Yes.

[Mr. Hammock]

That he might have married you to.

[Emmy Brown]

He might, but it isn't likely. You see, I asked him to marry me. There's nothing wrong, Mr. Hammock. George told me all about his past. There weren't any false pretenses. We love each other very much.

[Mr. Hammock]

Okay, Mrs. Eskovescue. Have it your own way. Maybe I'm just dumb. See you later.

[George Iscovescu]

Tamara talked to you?

[Emmy Brown]

Yes.

[George Iscovescu]

And I've always been so full of words. You know, big ones. Smooth Ones, fancy ones. But I don't seem to have any just now. I don't know what to say except thanks.

[Tamara George]

George.

[Emmy Brown]

I come from a small town. We don't have fine hotels. We eat in a drugstore, but we leave a tip just the same. I don't feel I was too generous for these seven days. Goodbye, George.

[George Iscovescu]

Emmy, don't go. There's a lot I must say to you.

[Emmy Brown]

The only thing for you to say is goodbye.

[George Iscovescu]

I stood there over an hour watching that door she'd walked out of, watching that street that she'd driven down and away. And suddenly my hands began to grow cold with fear. Do you know that feeling when a premonition breaks over you? Like a black wave in my ears was the sound of tires taking a wild curve. Before my eyes was her foot on the gas pedal, pressing it down. I heard the screech. The screech of brakes and the crash. I swear I heard it. And I heard the whine of the sirens. And when the phone rang, I knew what the message would be. I knew.

[Doctor]

Senor Escovesco. Oh, Dios mio. Dios mio.

[George Iscovescu]

What happened to her? What's happened?

[Doctor]

An accident. A bad accident.

[George Iscovescu]

Where are they taking her?

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Where are they taking her?

[Doctor]

The Los Angeles Receiving Hospital.

[George Iscovescu]

I'll take your cough, Loris.

[Doctor]

They won't let you across the border. You have no passport.

[George Iscovescu]

I'll get across the border. Give me your. Your car keys.

[Doctor]

If you crash the border, they will catch you and they will never let you in again.

[George Iscovescu]

Give me the keys.

[Doctor]

All right, senor. All right.

[George Iscovescu]

I drove through that gate without stopping. I heard the shouts. I knew they would follow me, but I didn't stop. I drove with a pedal right down to the floor. And when I got to the hospital, the doctor was with her.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

How is she, doctor?

[Announcer]

She's unconscious. The steering wheel was crushed against her. There doesn't seem to be any fight left in her.

[George Iscovescu]

Hurts her to breathe.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Emmy. Emmy. Emmy, it's George. I'm here. I'm here, Emmy.

[Emmy Brown]

George. George.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Go on, keep talking. Go on. Try to breathe, Emmy. Just try. Try hard. That's it.

[Mr. Hammock]

Again.

[George Iscovescu]

Now.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Again. It's all right, Emmie. You remember the rain beating down on the windshield that night. And the wiper going. And the word it spoke. Together. Together. Together. Together. Breathe, Emmy. Together. Emmy. We're together. Together.

[Emmy Brown]

Yours. Yours.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

I don't know how long I sat there, but I must have said it a million times. Together. Breathe. Together. Breathe. And at last the doctor said.

[Narrator]

She's asleep now.

[Announcer]

She's going to be all right. I think you saved her life, Mr. Escobesco.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

I love her. Oh, I love her.

[George Iscovescu]

I left Emmy, then I went back across the border. What else was there for me to do? Emmy had no further use for me. She made that very clear. And her country had no use for me. And I hadn't very much use for myself. It must have been about a month later that Mr. Hammock came to me in the park. I had been expecting something from him because he knew I'd crashed across the border. I was sitting on the park bench tracing letters in the gravel with my cane.

[Mr. Hammock]

Oh, Mr. Eskovescu.

[George Iscovescu]

Hello, Mr. Hammock.

[Mr. Hammock]

Are you doing writing letters?

[George Iscovescu]

No, advertisements. Slightly reformed character eager for some decent work. Any place on the globe have him.

[Mr. Hammock]

Oh, I see. Well, in answer to your ad, we herewith inform you that we've made an opening for you right there over that border. A certain immigration inspector, who shall for the moment be nameless, neglected to report a certain incident about a man crashing the border. And there's no use shooting your mouth off about it once you get in there.

[George Iscovescu]

Get in? In where?

[Mr. Hammock]

In the United States.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

United.

[Mr. Hammock]

There's somebody waiting for you. See? Right over there at that gate. She has all your papers.

[George Iscovescu]

My papers? Why, it's Amy.

[Mr. Hammock]

You're the husband of an American wife, aren't you? Go on. Don't keep her waiting.

[Narrator/Inner Voice]

Emmy.

[Mr. Hammock]

And say, what was this she was telling me all the way down about the two of you raising olives?

[Doctor]

Emmy. Emmy. Emmy.

[Tamara George]

George.

[Emmy Brown]

Welcome home, my darling.

[George Iscovescu]

Welcome home, darling. Oh, my darling,

[Narrator]

In just a moment, an important message from Mr. Jory. It's mighty discouraging, isn't it, when no matter how careful you are, down you come with another annoying cold. Yes, these are cold catching times. And when a cold strikes, it's no time to take needless chances with untried remedies. So don't ever experiment. Remember, the best known home remedy you can use for relieving miseries of colds is Vicks VapoRub. At bedtime, just rub Vicks VapoRub on your throat, chest and back. And almost instantly, VapoRub's famous relief giving action starts to work. And best of all, VapoRub's comforting action keeps on working for hours through the night. It invites one restful sleep. And often by morning, most of the misery of the cold is gone. So be sure you get Vicks Vapor Rub the modern way, so widely used to bring such grand relief from miseries of colds. Time tested, home proved, Vicks or up.

[George Iscovescu]

This is Victor Jory. Your your requests have been coming in in great numbers and they've been very helpful to me in scheduling your future plays. For example, next week you will hear one of the finest plays ever written, the Dramatic Romance of Elizabeth the Queen by Maxwell Anderson. Very shortly, due to your many requests, we will bring you that great emotional love drama Random Harvest. Please keep your requests coming in. It Won't Belong. Before we get around to your favorite play, write Me please, Care of Columbia Broadcasting 22 New York.

[Narrator]

Our play was adapted from the Paramount Picture by Gene Holloway and directed by Richard Sanville. Paramount's latest success is the Heartwarming Story and Now Tomorrow with Loretta Young and Alan Ladd. The role of Emmy Today was played by Betty Winkler. Victor Jory is currently co starring with Miriam Hopkins in the Perfect Marriage. Music for this series is under the direction of Mark Warno. Be sure to be with us again next week when Vic's the makers of Vic's Vapor Rub brings you the matinee theater production of Elizabeth the Queen starring Victor Jory as Lord Essex. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.