Theatre USA 49-04-29 025 Stage Door

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Theatre USA 49-04-29 025 Stage Door
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Guests: Jimmy Durante, Hildegard, Margaret Sullivan, Candy Candido
Original Broadcast: April 29, 1949 (“Theatre USA” series)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio revisits a classic performance from the Theatre USA anthology—an adaptation of the renowned stage play Stage Door by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman. Featuring a star-studded cast including Margaret Sullivan, Jimmy Durante, Hildegard, and Candy Candido, the episode blends comedic musical skits, theatrical nostalgia, and a dramatic retelling of the lives and dreams of young actresses in New York. Listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, when families gathered around to experience performances that would later define American entertainment.

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Key Segments and Discussion Points

Opening and Introductions (00:53 – 02:55)

• Vinton Friedley (Master of Ceremonies) sets the scene, sharing an anecdote about casting Jimmy Durante for "Red Hot and Blue."

  • Memorable Quote:

    “The deal’s off... I don’t fly no zeppelins… I had to convince him the Berengaria was a ship, not a dirigible.”
    — Vinton Friedley (01:44)

• Introduces the headliners: Jimmy Durante, Hildegard, and Margaret Sullivan.

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Jimmy Durante's Musical Comedy (02:55 – 08:14)

• Jimmy Durante delivers his signature humor, reminiscing about his old neighborhood and school days.

  • Notable Moment: Durante’s banter about tough neighborhoods and failed schooldays, culminating in a comedic musical duet about cats with Candy Candido.
  • Quote:

    “In my neighborhood, any cat that had a tail was a tourist. And any kid with ears was a sissy.”
    — Jimmy Durante (04:22)

• Candy Candido and Jimmy Durante perform a humorous duet:

  • "Come Out, My Pooty Kitten," a satirical, vaudevillian exchange (03:41–08:14).
  • Memorable Exchange:

    Candy Candido: “I want a large ball of yarn all my own that I can unravel all day, and I know you’ll never be able to afford.”
    Jimmy Durante: “Then I suppose it’s goodbye, kitten.” (06:41–06:54)

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Hildegard’s Musical Interlude (08:14 – 10:47)

• Hildegard is introduced as “the incomparable Hildegard.”

• Performs “Oh, My Darling, Won’t You Play,” a soft and sentimental ballad.

  • Notable Quote:

    “I have a charming little song which was especially written for me...”
    — Hildegard (08:45)

• Provides a light, elegant break between comedy and the drama to follow.

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Stage Door: Radio Dramatic Adaptation (10:52 – 24:22)

Setup and Introduction (10:52 – 12:09)

• Friedley sets the stage, presenting Margaret Sullivan in her original Broadway role as Terry Randall.
• Context: Terry, after triumphing on Broadway, reflects on her journey in a world of auditions, rejections, and hope.

Terry Randall’s Journey (12:09 – 15:42)

• Terry Randall’s perspective:
  • Difficult early years: “The manager’s offices with the no casting signs... hopes in the auditions, the heartaches, the brush offs, the tears.” (12:13)
  • The breakthrough: Terry gets a small but meaningful part, earned through persistence.
    • Quote:

      “I just stood there outside his door for a week and that did the trick... I grabbed his arm and said, listen, you’re a producer and I’m an actress. What right have you got to barricade yourself behind closed doors and not see me and hundreds like me?”
      — Terry Randall (13:12)

The Highs and Lows of Show Business (14:13 – 18:29)

• Celebrating small victories, comedic banter about Broadway, but soon, the play closes after just four performances—crushing hopes.
• Discussion among aspiring actresses about the fickle nature of theater vs. the security (but emptiness) of Hollywood contracts.
  • Quote:

    “You don’t even have to be alive to be in pictures...I wanted to be an actress in the theater my whole life. It’s not just a career, it’s a feeling. The theatre is... part of civilization.”
    — Terry Randall (17:12)

Contrasts between Hollywood and Broadway (15:42 – 18:29)

• Dreams vs. reality—Terry’s love for live theater contrasts Jean’s pragmatic choice of a film career.
• Jean leaves for Hollywood; Terry stays behind, struggling with day jobs and dreams.

The Second Chance and Emotional Climax (18:29 – 24:22)

• Two years later: Jean, now a movie star, returns for a Broadway vehicle—but fails. Terry is asked to step in at the last minute.

  • Casting controversy: Producers doubt Terry’s talent when she auditions in her bathrobe (“this young lady’s not anything at all”) (21:44).

• David Kingsley stands up for her, offers to buy the play for her to star in.

  • Quote:

    Kingsley: “By the way, you are my girl, aren’t you, Terry?”
    Terry: “Oh, yes, sir.”
    (23:04)

• Ending: Terry gets her room “now that I am Queen,” signifying her triumph and newfound independence.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jimmy Durante, on showbiz beginnings:

  “I got a million of them. A million of them.” (03:20)

• Hildegard, announcing her recording:

  "I'm going to record this next Monday at 2:00.” (08:58)

• Terry Randall, on the allure of the stage:

  “The theatre is something that's going on for hundreds and hundreds of years... it’s part of civilization.” (17:12)

• Mr. Gretzel, dismissing Terry:

  “In my opinion, this young lady's not anything at all. Not anything.” (21:44)

• David Kingsley, asking for a chance:

  “If you’ve lost interest in the play, how about selling it to me?” (22:24)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:53 – Show opens, host introductions and Jimmy Durante anecdote.
• 02:55 – Jimmy Durante’s musical comedy and duet with Candy Candido.
• 08:14 – Hildegard’s song performance.
• 10:52 – Introduction to “Stage Door” dramatization.
• 12:09 – Terry Randall’s reflections begin.
• 13:12 – Dialogue on persistence and making it in showbiz.
• 15:42 – Show closes, contrast between movie and theater careers.
• 18:29 – Jean’s return; production drama unfolds.
• 21:44 – Terry’s dramatic audition and rejection.
• 22:24 – Kingsley’s loyalty; the play is saved.
• 23:04 – Romantic denouement; Terry’s affirmation.
• 24:22 – Episode closes with thanks and cast listing.

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Episode Tone and Style

True to mid-century radio, the episode weaves vaudevillian humor, musical interludes, and heart-on-sleeve dramatic monologues. The cast’s performances shimmer with nostalgia, wit, and a love for theatre’s communal spirit.

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Takeaway

This episode is a time capsule of both classic American entertainment and the enduring struggle, ambition, heartbreak, and joy of young artists chasing the stage’s bright lights. With sparkling comedy from Jimmy Durante and a moving dramatization of Stage Door, it’s a nostalgic tribute for fans of vintage radio and theatre alike.

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Transcript

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[Narrator / Terry Randall]

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[David Kingsley]

This is Theater Us. Tonight in person, Vinton Friedley, Hildegard, Jimmy Durante and Margaret Sullivan in the Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman success stage door. This is Theatre USA Theater usa. A presentation of the American Broadcasting Company and the American National Theatre and Academy is on the air. First, here is your master of ceremonies, one of America's most famous and distinguished theatrical producers and the president of the American National Theatre and Academy, Mr. Vivian Friedley.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Thank you.

[Vinton Friedley]

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In 1936, I was in the midst of producing a musical called Red Hot and Blue. The score was by Cole Porter, the book was by Howard Lindsay and Russell Krause. Bob Hope played one of the leads and Ethel Merman was another. From my point of view, the show was cast, but Lindsay and Kraus felt we needed a third name. The man they suggested was, they said, somewhere in Italy. So I called the American Embassy in Rome and asked if they had a large nosed comedian traipsing around. Sure enough, an American answering that description was on the island of Capri. I called Capri, got the man identified myself and offered him the job. I told him I'd booked a passage for him on the Berengaria. The deal's off. He shouted over the transatlantic phone. I don't fly no zeppelins. Well, it cost me $40 to convince him that the Berengaria was a ship and not the dirigible Hindenburg. But it was worth it. Worth it not only as a star of Red Hot and Blue, but as the Star of many Broadway plays and Hollywood pictures, he's become one of America's greatest and certainly its best loved comedians. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jimmy Dur.

[Jimmy Durante]

You've gotta start off each day with a song.

[Vinton Friedley]

Oh, that's my man.

[Jimmy Durante]

Now, now, even when things go wrong.

[Vinton Friedley]

Listen to that voice.

[Jimmy Durante]

Why, you feel better? You even look better. Let me hear those violins there. I'm in great voice tonight. It reminds me of a recital I gave in Carnegie Hall. It was delightful chamber music and they came from miles around.

[Vinton Friedley]

Who came?

[Jimmy Durante]

Chambermaids, The Welts. I got a million of them. A million of them. Let me hear that. You've got to start off each day with a song. Now, even when things go wrong, why, you feel better? You even look better.

[Candy Candido]

Huh?

[Jimmy Durante]

I wish this was a giveaway program. I'd like to get rid of that note. But all kidding aside, am I happy to be in New York. Boy, when I got off the train I was walking on air Walking on air. Yeah, yeah. The porter forgot to put down the stool. But Vinton. Vinton, I used to call him Vincent. But Vincent, who do I meet but a bunch of the boys from my old neighborhood dancing class? Hit him in a head. Schwartz. Chip on the shoulder, McNulty. And knife in the pocket.

[Vinton Friedley]

Hymie, Jenny. That sounds like a pretty tough neighborhood.

[Jimmy Durante]

Tough? Why, in my neighborhood, any cat that had a tail was a tourist. And any kid with ears was a sissy. But Benson, the next stop in my old neighborhood was my old Grammar School. P.S. 6 and 7 eights. And just for old times sake, I goes up to my old school room to my old school teacher. Oh, Rosalie Schultz.

[Vinton Friedley]

I bet your own teacher was surprised to see you.

[Jimmy Durante]

Yes, and when I walked in, she said, james the Rani, you ought to be ashamed to come back to this room.

[Vinton Friedley]

Why?

[Jimmy Durante]

You flunked out of my class because you didn't know who the President of the United States was.

[Vinton Friedley]

Jimmy, is that true?

[Jimmy Durante]

Yes, but remember in those days they used to change you more often. But that is neither theater, us or any. You know, Vincent, I'd like to sing a song, but I ain't got no one to sing it with me.

[Vinton Friedley]

I can sing.

[Jimmy Durante]

Jimmy, your voice is too high. What about me, Candy Candido, your voice is too low.

[Mr. Gretzel]

You know, I'm always feeling mighty low.

[Candy Candido]

Yeah, tonight I'm feeling mighty high.

[Vinton Friedley]

There's your partner, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Durante]

Come out, come out, Come out, my pooty kitten we will serenade the moon.

[Candy Candido]

Not meow Come yet, come yet, come.

[Jimmy Durante]

Yet, my pony kitten we will sing.

[Candy Candido]

A little Song, not meow. When the folks got home tonight at 12 or they're about, they lock the door and they forgot to put me out.

[Jimmy Durante]

Oh, comeyout. Come. Meow. Comey. Out, my poor kitten.

[Candy Candido]

Run. Now.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Hear me.

[Jimmy Durante]

Yes, my Frawleen.

[Candy Candido]

Frawleen, what do you plan?

[Jimmy Durante]

Well, I plan to get married and have a little alley all my own, and someday, perhaps settle down on a lovely picket fence with a house all around it.

[Candy Candido]

But I'm afraid that's not enough. I want a large ball of yarn all my own that I can unravel all day and I know you'll never be able to afford.

[Jimmy Durante]

Then I suppose it's goodbye, kitten.

[Candy Candido]

No, I was only fooling. I think you're the cat's pajamas.

[Jimmy Durante]

Too late for flattery. I have a Maltese up the street who scratches a window every time I pass.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Jimmy.

[Vinton Friedley]

Yes?

[Candy Candido]

Can I come out? Come out, come out, my pretty Jimmy. We won't scare the day to move. Nyan. Yeah. Oh, forgive. Let's have one little kiss free.

[Mr. Gretzel]

Jimmy.

[Candy Candido]

And whisper when we're bright. Nya nya. I will let you stroke my head. My hair is soft as silk.

[Jimmy Durante]

Stay up there. Cause I won't share my saucer of milk.

[Candy Candido]

Can I come out, Nya? Come on. Come out, my pretty. Jimmy.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Coax.

[Candy Candido]

Meow.

[Jimmy Durante]

I'm weakling. You got.

[Candy Candido]

Meow.

[Jimmy Durante]

Yes.

[Candy Candido]

Meow. Oh, Jimmy. Meow. Meow. Meow.

[Vinton Friedley]

Thank you, Candy Canido and Jimmy Durant. Today there is in show business a name the mere mention of which is enough to conjure up visions of bubbling loveliness, of sparkling talent, of enchanters without a peer. Ladies and gentlemen, the incomparable Hildegard.

[Candy Candido]

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

I have a charming little song which was especially written for me, and it's.

[Candy Candido]

Simply called oh, My Darling, Won't yout Play, Play, Play. And please excuse me if I'm a bit commercial.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Can't resist this. I'm going to record this next Monday at 2:00'.

[Candy Candido]

Clock, Decca. Oh, my darling, oh, my darling Play something for me just for me Darling, you know how it should go Da da da dee dee dee Play it gladly play it madly for no one can play it like you and our world will become our own ballroom floor the spotlights are not lights but something more they're moonbeams, they're dancing and trancing and gay oh, my darling, oh, my darling, won't you play? Play oh, my darling oh, my darling Play something for me Just for me Darling, you know how it should go mmm. Play it gladly Play it Madly for no one can play it like you and our world will become our own ballroom floor the spotlights are not lights but something more they're moonbeams they're dancing and Trant singing gay oh, my darling, oh, darling, won't you play, play, play.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

And the Road for Hildegard.

[Vinton Friedley]

Of all the plays written for and about the theater in modern times, certainly the finest and most successful is Stage Door by those two excellent craftsmen, Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman. The star of that play was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses in America. You've seen her in innumerable motion pictures and Broadway plays, the last of which was the voice of the Turtle. We are truly honored to have her with us tonight to recreate her original role of Terry Randall. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Margaret Sullivan. While the rest of the cast is assembles, I would like to set the scene for a vignette of Edna Ferber's and George S. Kaufman's Stage Door during the next few minutes. Let us imagine that a play opened on Broadway last night. When the curtain rang down, a new star arose over Broadway, Carrie Randall. This morning, her bed covered with congratulatory telegrams and newspapers open to the theatrical page, Terry Randall sits and marvels at it all. Sits and wonders how it happened.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

I shall never forget. Never in a million years. Every step of the way is as clear to me now as it was five years ago. The manager's offices with the no casting signs on the doors, the Cokes in the drugstores, the hopes in the auditions, the heartaches, the brush offs, the tears. Mrs. Orkutt, the house mother, Jean Maitland, Kay Hamilton, Judy, Linda, Susan. Ah, they are all girls who lived in the rehearsal club. I shall never forget them. Nor the night I burst in to tell them the most glorious news I'd gotten since I'd arrived in New York. Look, what do you think? I've got a job. You have a. Terry. Who is it?

[Candy Candido]

Burger?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Yes, Burger.

[Candy Candido]

I thought he was all cake.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

He was. All except this one part. Oh, it's not big, but it's good. It's got one wonderful scene, you know, one of those gamuts.

[Candy Candido]

Oh, it sounds marvelous, Terry.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

You'll be wonderful. When are you going to rehearsal, Terry? I go right away. Oh, gosh, Terry, you certainly got a break. Burger wouldn't even talk to me. Oh, Burger's an awful meanie.

[Candy Candido]

How'd you get to him anyway?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

I just stood there outside his door for a week and that did the trick. I tried. That never helped me any Me neither. I laid there for a whole afternoon once with welcome on me. I've had a longer run outside that office than I've had with most shows. This was my second week. I was just going to send off a toothbrush and a camp chair when suddenly he opened the door. He was going. I said, Mr. Burger, that's practically all I've said for two weeks. Mr. Burger. Mr. Burger. Mr. Burger. Mr. Burger. What'd he do? He never even stopped suddenly. I was furious. I grabbed his arm and said, listen, you're a producer and I'm an actress. What right have you got to barricade yourself behind closed doors and not see me and hundreds like me? The greatest actress in the world might be coming up your stairs and you'd never even know it. Jerry, what did he say? He said, are you the greatest actress in the world? I said, maybe. He said, you don't look like anything to me. You're not even pretty. And you're just a little runt. I said, pretty? I suppose Rachelle was pretty. And what about Nazimova? She's no higher than this, but on a stage. She's any height she wants to be.

[Jimmy Durante]

P.S.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

She got the job. Yes. Oh, and when I worked on on Broadway again, it seemed the most glamorous street in the world. Those beautiful orange juice stands and that lovely traffic at Broadway in 45th. And those darling bums spitting on the sidewalk.

[Candy Candido]

Girls.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Yes, Mrs. Orchid, dinner's ready. Come on, let's eat. Mrs. Orchard's food never tasted better than it did that night. She could have served us raw eggs and uncooked cauliflower. I wouldn't have known the difference. I was that happy. Five weeks later, everything had changed. Terry, what's the matter? Young lady, willing, talented, not very beautiful, finds herself at liberty. We'll double in brass. We'll polish brass. We'll eat brass before very long. Hi, girl. Terry, what is it? We closed four performances. And we closed. Oh, how ghastly. Oh, you'll get something else, Terry. You got swell notices in this one. Nobody remembers notices except the actors who get the movie scouts, remember? Oh. What about your screen test? I'm not counting on that. They might take Jean. She's got that camera face. They'll never burn up the coast. Wires over me. Jean can act.

[Candy Candido]

You're 10 times the actress that she is.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

How do you know who's an actress and who isn't? You're an actress if you're acting without a job in those lines, to say an actress is just an ordinary Person trying not to look as scared as she feels. What is there about it anyhow? Why do we all keep trying? I shall never forget that night when I watered down all the spilt milk I could find. I went upstairs. My roommate, Gene Maitland was out with Mr. Kingsley. I knew David then as a New York executive for a movie studio. Jean and I had made screen tests for the company, but naturally we had heard nothing. Once the in my room, I undressed, turned out the lights and crept into bed. Instead of sheep, I counted the number of times the electric sign outside our window flashed on and off. Sleep wouldn't come to me. And then suddenly the door was thrown open, the lights flicked on and Jean Maitland was shouting joyously at me. Terry. Terry, wake up.

[Candy Candido]

What's the matter? We're in the movies.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

What? Both of us.

[Candy Candido]

We're in the movies.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

They just heard from the coach.

[Candy Candido]

Jean. How do you know?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

What happened? Mr. Kingsley just got the telegram. They liked the tests and we're to go to the office tomorrow to sign our contracts. We leave for the coast next week.

[Candy Candido]

Terry. Can you believe it?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

You mean right away? Of course, we'll only get little parts in the beginning, but there's that beautiful check every week whether you work or not. And the swimming and the sunshine and those little ermine jackets up to here. It's a seven year contract if they take up the options.

[Candy Candido]

Seven years?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

What about the stage? Suppose I wanted to act. What do you think this is? Juggling? Oh, no, I couldn't. You couldn't what? That isn't acting out in Hollywood. That's piecework. You're not a human being. You're a thing in a vacuum. Noise, shut out. Human response, shut out. But in the theater, when you hear that lovely sound out there, then you know you're right. It's as though they turned on an electric current that hit you here. That's how you learn to act. You can learn to act in pictures. You have to do it till it's right. Yeah, and then they put it in a tin can like soup. And if you die the next day, it doesn't matter a bit. You don't even have to be alive to be in pictures. I suppose you call this being alive, Sleeping in a room in this rotten dump? All I know is I want to stay on the stage. I just don't want to be in pictures. I wanted to be an actress in the theater my whole life. It isn't just a career, it's a feeling. The theatre is something that's going on for hundreds and hundreds of years. It. I don't know. It's part of civilization. All right, you stay here with your civilization, eating those stews and tapiocas they shove at us, toeing the mark in this female seminary, buying your clothes at Klein's. That's what you like, huh? Yes, I like it. I suppose you like this insane racket going on all night. Listen to it.

[Candy Candido]

You like it?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Yes, I do. And that car sign going on and off like a lighthouse. Yes, I suppose you gotta have that to be an actress.

[Candy Candido]

Yes, yes.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Well, not for me. I'm going out where there's sunshine and money and fun. Little urming swimming pools up to here. Now, shall I forget what happened during the two years that followed that night? Jean, of course, went to Hollywood. The next time I saw her was two years later. She was a movie star. David Kingsley used to give me regular reports on her career. Yes, I'd been seeing David quite frequently. Why he remained with the picture company was more than I could understand. He'd been a producer, a Broadway producer. He had taste and talent and understanding, and he believed in me as an actress. Even so, it wasn't long before I had to appear as a sales girl in the blouse department of a large store. And then Jean Maitland returned to New York. The head of her studio, Adolph Retzel, was putting on a play for her to star in. Only Jean was not an actress. They found that out a week before the opening. And so at 11:30 one night last week, David brought Mr. Gretzel to the Footlights Club. I've been sleeping, but I hurried downstairs in my robe and muse. I shall never forget that the light in the sitting room hurt the my eyes.

[David Kingsley]

Terry, I suppose I needn't tell you why we're here at this hour. Could you start rehearsing tomorrow morning in this play of Mr. Gretzel's and open in a week?

[Mr. Gretzel]

Wait a minute, wait a minute, Kingsley, not so fast. Let me get a look at her first. Ah, this is the party you just now described to me.

[David Kingsley]

Terry, I know what you can do, but Mr. Gretzel doesn't. Will you read a couple of speeches of the play and let him hear you?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

No.

[David Kingsley]

Would you, Terry?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Oh, well, I'll try.

[David Kingsley]

How about this bit here?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

May I look at it a second? Just a bit.

[David Kingsley]

Yes, of course. You know, Mr. Gretzel, it's rather difficult to jump right into a character.

[Mr. Gretzel]

Go on. What's difficult about it? We do it every day in pictures. Well, come on, young lady. Well, all right.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Look, boys, I haven't got any right to stand up here and tell you what to do. Only maybe I have got a right, see, because look. Oh, no, that isn't right. Because look. Do you mind if I start all over, Mr. Gretzel?

[Mr. Gretzel]

All right, go ahead, start over.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Look, boys, got a cigar.

[Mr. Gretzel]

King's length.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Look, boys, I haven't got any right to stand up here and tell you what to do.

[Mr. Gretzel]

Not a match.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Only maybe I have got a right seat because, look, I'm engaged to be married. You all know who it is. He's right here in this hall. Yes, sir, in this hall. So if you fellows vote to do this, I guess it's no wedding bells for me. Don't kid yourself. I don't know what I'm talking about.

[Mr. Gretzel]

You got another match, Kingsley?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Because I've been through it before. I've been through it with my old man and my brother, so I ought to know it means.

[Mr. Gretzel]

What time is it?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

No, I can't do it.

[Candy Candido]

I can't. I won't go on.

[David Kingsley]

You're a fool if you do.

[Mr. Gretzel]

You'll have to excuse me. Kingsley, I'm just a plain spoken man. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but in my opinion, this young lady's not anything at all. Not anything.

[David Kingsley]

I'm sorry, Terry. No one could look a great actress in bathrobe and slippers. And Mr. Gretzel only knows what he sees.

[Mr. Gretzel]

Kingsley, are you working for me or against me?

[David Kingsley]

I'm working for you. What are you going to do about your play tomorrow?

[Mr. Gretzel]

I'm going to throw it in the ash can. All I wanted for was for Gene Maitland so she could make a picture of it. All right, so she'll do something else. I can get plenty of material.

[David Kingsley]

It's incredible that anyone should be so stupid.

[Mr. Gretzel]

Mr. Kingsley, you are out. You'll hear from our lawyers in the morning.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Oh, David, no.

[David Kingsley]

It's all right, Terry Gretzl, if you've lost your interest in the play, how about selling it to me?

[Mr. Gretzel]

So you're going back into the theater?

[David Kingsley]

I might. Will you sell it to me?

[Mr. Gretzel]

How much?

[David Kingsley]

Just what it cost you.

[Mr. Gretzel]

All right. See Becker in the morning. He'll fix it up. Good night.

[David Kingsley]

Good night.

[Mr. Gretzel]

And I'm the stupid one.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

David. Oh, darling, you mustn't do this just for me.

[Mr. Gretzel]

No, no.

[David Kingsley]

I'm not one of those boys who puts on a play just so that his girl can act in it. By the way, you are my girl, aren't you, Terry?

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Oh, yes, sir.

[David Kingsley]

I just thought I'd ask.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

I'm sorry, Mr. Kingsley, but it's against the rules for my girls to be kissing Gentlemen. Mrs. Orchard, it's a play.

[David Kingsley]

My apologies, Mrs. Orcutt. This may look a little strange, but I came up on business.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Oh, Mrs. Orcott. I'm going to do the play. Dearie. My child.

[David Kingsley]

Oh, darling. Darling, you're tired. You must get your sleep. Good night.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

Good night.

[David Kingsley]

Eleven in the morning.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

I'll be there. Terry, dear, I'm so happy for you. Aren't you thrilled? I was like Victoria when they came to tell her that she was Queen. Dear child. But now you must run along to bed and get some sleep.

[Candy Candido]

Oh, no.

[Narrator / Terry Randall]

I have to learn my part and I must be alone. I want a room by myself tonight. Please, Mrs. Orchard. Yes, I'll see what I can do. Now that I am Queen, I wish in future to have a bed and a room of my own.

[Vinton Friedley]

Thank you, Marvin Sullivan. And thanks also to Les Trebane, Ann Burr, Ralph Locke, Terry Rice, Jacqueline Suzanne and Ruth York.

[David Kingsley]

Next week, Vinton Friedley, Marilyn Maxwell, Ted Lewis, Hannie Youngman, Charles Lawton, and a scene from one of his greatest successes. This is Theater usa.

[Vinton Friedley]

To the people of the USA from the people of the theater. Our thanks for your interest, your time, your attention. Anta, the American National Theatre and Academy was chartered by the Congress of the United States to bring the best in the theatre to the 48 states in the nation. Through these broadcasts, we hope in part to carry on that pledge.