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Relic Radio Thrillers (Old Time Radio)
Sicilian Farmland by The Man Called X
We hear more from The Man Called X on Relic Radio Thrillers this week. From April 15, 1952, here's his story, Sicilian Farmland. Listen to more from The Man Called X https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/Thriller905.mp3 Download Thriller905 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Thrillers Relic Radio Thrillers is made possible by your support. If you’d like to help this show keep [...]
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Herbert Marshall
Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is Relic Radio Thrillers. Welcome back to Relic Radio Thrillers. We're going to hear from the Man Called X this week. Series that debuted over CBS stations in July of 1944 aired until 1952. By that time it was over NBC radio stations. Over 200 episodes were produced. The one we'll hear today is titled Sicilian Farmland. This one aired April 15, 1952. Listen to Herbert Marshall as the Man Called X. Wherever there is mystery, adventure, intrigue in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the Man Called X. It's the largest island in the Mediterranean. It guards the gateway to Turkey, Greece, Suez, the Middle East. We saved it from one enemy during World War II. We may be losing it to another in the Cold war of today. The name of the island? Sicily. In the small village of Arizi, Sicily, a country fair is being held. A lad of 16 stands in the throng surrounding one of the prize attractions, then steps forward toward the proud, beaming exhibitor. Buongiorno, senor. Buongiorno, my younger friend. Is there something I can do for you today? There is, senor. You have something for sale that I wish to buy. Ah, see, see. Undoubtedly you are a wealthy landowner for somewhere about who wishes to purchase army equipment for your large estates, eh? No, seor, but I am interested in something here. I wish to purchase that tractor. Ah, the farm tractor. It is no wonder you are interested in that. My land, it is the only one of its kind ever to be brought here. It cannot be duplicated this side of Palermo. Look at it, my friend, a. A giant of a machine that will do the work of 50 horses on your path, Senor, we are wasting time. Please be quiet, young one. You see, my friends, this marvelous machine was constructed in the United States of America. And I guarantee that each not only. I said that we are but wasting time. I have already told you I wish to purchase the tractor. So you wish to purchase it, do you? And what of the lira it will require to make such a purchase? That is unimportant, senor. That tractor would mean salvation for hundreds of people. Salvation? What nonsense is this? The tractor is priced at 2500American dollars. Now, either you let me see your money or get out of here. I have here, senor, enough lira for 273American dollars. I ask that you accept them in partial payment for the tractor. Partial payment? Next Four. When our harvest is in, we shall pay the remainder. Why, you. Literally. Surely you cannot refuse. Not when the very life of our village. Out. Get out. You. You waste of my time. Will you talk nonsense about salvation? Will you? Well, I shall give you a less new Bryce. All right, Let go of the boy. Do not interfere in something that does not concern you. I don't. Let go of him. See? See, senor? I will let go so I can take care of you. Not that way, my friend. Thank you, senor. It was a great favor. Someday Alberto will repay you. Well, why not do it now, Alberto? How, senora? Satisfy my curiosity. I'd like to know the connection between a $2,500 tr and salvation. You see, senor, I was sent here to the fair by the people of my village. The village of Cento Gento. A small farm community, isn't it? Some 75 kilometers north of here. See? And without that tractor, Gento would be a dead village within a year. How does that is rough and barren, senor. Our farming equipment is crude and old. And most of our young men have gone to the cities for work. But you only have $273. It was all the money my people could raise. The women even sold their wedding rings. Why didn't you know it wouldn't be enough? All I know is that my village cannot be allowed to die. Yes, I think you' so you have a return to Cento Alberto. And you bring a no tractor with you. That is true, M. But I have brought this gentleman to visit. He is Senor Ken Thurston. Senor Thurston, my grandmother, Senora Asunta. I'm honored, senora. I'm bidding you welcome, senor. Alberto, go into the house and fetch some wine. And perhaps some biscuits may be found for our guests. See me, Enona, at once. You must be very proud of your grandson, signora. Ah, I see. He is a wonderful lad, Alberto. A dreamer, thinker, even. A prophet in his way. Prophet? See, senhor, that is why the villagers sent him to Areches when he had his dream. Oh, what dream was there? Of a resurrection, signor. A new life to come to Cento, to be brought here by the presence of a tractor. I see it. What about the troubles of the village, senora? They are not difficult to understand, senora. First the facies, then the war, Afterward, poverty, hunger. Yes. Is it any wonder that our young people's minds are filled with thoughts of revolution and violence? That they no longer look towards Rome for help, but toward Moscow? And the same is true in much of Sicily, senor. That is why we must have the tractor. To prove that we can help ourselves bring back prosperity to our lands and people. I can't argue with that, Alberto. So, Senora Sunda, I say that our child prodigy has returned. And without the promised tractor. And if he has, Senor Savelle, then if perhaps your villagers will listen to me now rather than this infant profit of yours. Are you willing to sell your lands to me now? At the price you wish to pay, we would be giving them away. Call it what you will, signore. At least I offer you something. But you will have to decide quickly. Once the planting season is over, I will no longer be interested. You have my offer. It will remain open until Easter Sunday. Well, sounds like he's trying to buy up farming land around here for practically nothing. Yes, senor. So far, most of the villagers will not say to him, because of Alberto's dream about a detractor. But if we cannot give him the means to. To make something of the lands. I don't think you have to worry about that anymore, Signora. I have a hunch that Alberto's prophecy is going to come true. Let me get this straight, Ken. You want a requisition to purchase a tractor? That's my chief. We've got ECA funds earmarked for farm machinery. Well, sure, but not for individual purchases like that. When I think of all the red tape involved. Now, Chief, it's not red tape we have to worry about in Sicily. What do you want me to do, Hagon? Zellschmidt was hanging around the ECA offices in Palermo. Have him pick up a requisition order and bring it to me at the village fair in Arizi. Well, all right, Ken. I only hope you know what you're doing. Chief, all I know is that a hungry people get desperate. And desperate people are capable of anything. Even if taking swords that have been beaten into plowshares and beating them back into swords again. You said for me, Senor Savelli. See, Juliana, See, I have a work for you. You. You will pay me for it. In silver. In silver. Julia, what is it you wish me to do? Listen carefully. An Americano by the name of a Senor Thurston has just left Gento. I think that he intends to purchase a tractor for the village and the two of us. My friend, we are going to take any measure that might be necessary to see that he does not succeed. In just a moment, we will return to the man called X. The United Negro College fund by aiding 32 private colleges and universities helps deserving young Americans to become teachers, doctors, social workers who help to bring about interracial harmony wherever they serve. Now you can share in this constructive work by contributing generously to the 1952 campaign of the United Negro College Fund. The address is 22 East 54th Street, New York City. And now, act two of the Man Called X starring Herbert Marshall. With Leon Velasco as Pagan's Elschmidt. It was at a village fair in Sicily that Ken Thurston met the strange and somber lad Alberto. Alberto, who had a vision of a giant American tractor that would be the symbol of Sicily's future. A tractor that would restore the farmlands to fertility and prove to his people that they could find salvation within themselves and not in the promises of Moscow. Believe me, Mr. X, for a couple of minutes or two, I was thinking that you forgot all about your oldest and dearest friend. Where are you paying? Oh, sure, giving me the brush out in Polair. And. But, but, but the chief called me. And now you're here to render your unvaluable services for that consideration, of course. So what we're gonna do is this crumb bum Arichi joins anyway. Buy a tractor, huh? And what can I do for you? This fine. And what is it you wish this time, senor? That tractor still for sale, see? For $2,500American, I'll take it here. The ECA purchase order. The bank here will honor him. You, you are a seat in this inc. Have it serviced and read it around by tonight. We'll come back to pick it up, see? See, senor, I will have it in my shed over there, all ready for you. Okay, pagan, let's go. $2,500American. Wait until I tell Maria. Wait. And the bank? I must get to the bank before he closes your. But you are the one who has the tractor. No, no, not any longer, senor. I have just sold it to the Americano. And now if you. One more question, please. That tractor, there are no others like it anywhere around? Indeed not, senor. Not any closer than Palermo. But you will excuse me. I have a business at the base. See? See? I will excuse you, senor. You have been most kind. Most kind indeed. How do you like that Tittles yacht for 2500 bucks for a hunk of machinery and he don't even come out the dead shed to deliver it. There's a light inside. I wonder. Yeah, come on. I'll go. Like that. No tractor? No, the joint's empty. Is it? Look up there at that laughter, Mr. X. Hanging from that rope. Yeah, but. But who did it to him, Mr. X? Somebody who didn't want that tractor to reach Tiento. Who didn't want a miracle to happen at EAS. I don't get it, Mr. X. Why did we come down here to the railway stations for? Because the tractor was driven here. But it's not here now. He. Maybe it was loaded on board the train that's pulling out. No, look. Look here. The lug marks lead right over there up that ramp to the box car on the siding. Hey, then maybe it's inside there, Mr. X. Come on, let's see. Oh, Mr. X. Yes, boy. No ramp, no box car, no tractor. No dream coming true in Shiento. I see you in church again. Farewell. I. We shall be in church Easter Sunday. But it will be no day of blessedness with this village. No day of resurrection for Chien. You despair too quickly, Mianona. This is only Good Friday. Senor Person still has two days in which to arrive. He has had more than enough time to buy the tractor rich and drive it here. No, Alberto, like the facisty and the others, he but crucifies is on a cross of empty promises. Oh, but what good does it do for us to go to Palermo, Mr. X? We buy another tractor there. We could drive it to Chanter in time. That's right, Pega. So maybe we'll put wings on it and fly it there. Oh, a moment, please, Senor Savelli. I have some information I think you want to hear about Senor Thurston. What are you talking about, Juliana? What would you think if the senior Thurston drove a tractor into Tiento on this beautiful Easter morning? Are you crazy, Juliana? We blew up at that track, but we did not blow up the ones in Palermo. See? I saw a cargo plane land about an hour ago, some 20km from here. A tractor was aboard. Then what are you doing here, you fool? We've got to stop him, senor. To get there, he must drive the tractor over the bridge at Devil's Gorge, see? That's right. And what about that bridge? It has been prepared. Neither Senor Thurston nor that tractor will ever reach the end. Why do you keep looking down the road toward Richie? Alberto, you still believe the Americano will keep his word to us? He will keep his word, Mianona, if the angel of Death does not interfere. The angel of Death? See, in church it came to me Division. I saw rushing waters, a dark, brooding sky. There were falling timbers, and overall the angel of Death. A strange vision indeed, Alberto. What is its meaning? I. I do not know as yet. But the vision. The vision. Alberto, what is it? The bridge. That is it. The bridge of the Devil's Gorge. I must get there, Mianona. I must get there in time. Some beautiful day, Mr. X. Birds and bees and flowers and stuff. And I bet those people in Chanta will be plenty glad to see us all right, eh? I know they will. Oh, sure. This tractor will fix them up all hunky Dooley. They'll be able to go to work again and have food again. They'll be singing and dancing in the streets all tongue today. And sneak Al had a hung today. Oh, no, no. Hold it, Peter. Huh? Look there at the road up ahead. Hey, what's that to look at? It's just a bridge crossing in a big hole in the ground and. Hey, hey, there's somebody in a bug on the other side. Yeah, Alberto. He's waving at us and calling him. Stuff must be pretty heavy. We're getting there with a tractor, all right, huh? Suppose we find out. Pagon, let's get across that bridge. Go back, senor, the bridges are no safe. Go back before you. No, no, they cannot. They hear me. And they're just about to. Up there. Up now it. Well, senor, Easter has come, the church services are over, and no wonderful Americano has brought a tractor to resurrect Gento. Come into the house, Senor Savelli. There's nothing I can do now but sell out our land. You should be thankful that I'm willing to give you anything for your worthless soil. And what about Alberto and the tractor man with Arizi? I asked you a question, Saville. Should Alberto and the tractor man be thankful to you, too? What do you mean, senor? What about Alberto? Our friend Savelli here doesn't think much of human lives. Lies to me. You. You almost free with your accusations. Unfortunately, you cannot have any proof to back them up. Juliano gave us all the proof we need. We found him hanging around the bridge waiting to inspect the job you sent him on. I've heard enough. Do not move, either one of you. You're a fool, Thurston. I've already taken it. Two lives. I would not hesitate to take two more. Oh, I knew that. Savelli. All right, Pagon. Come in. What, Pigmon? Here I am, Mr. President. Jiminy the. He's got the gun. Not for long. How they like that? You tell me to go on the porch and wait until you call me, then I walk right into Guns and stuff. So Javeli has accused my grandson, my America. I was taking his gun and killing me in van. I will. That's no answer, signora. You'll get justice in the corpse. But who is there to see that gentle receive the justice? And what justice for Alberto, who has had his life taken from him? I think you're forgetting this is Easter, Senhora Sunta. Forgetting the meaning of the words miracle resurrection. What? What are you saying? Let's go to the door. Look there, down the road. It's like horse. And I'm driving it. Waving toward us and smiling. It's hellbear door. My el bare touch. That's right, senora. But I thought so many. Oh, sure. He. He tried, all right. I still don't know how. How the boy ever lived back there at the bridge. Why not? P. It isn't the first time that a miracle's happened around Easter. And now here is our star, Mr. Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us. And my thanks to Loreen Tuttle, Will wright, Alan Reed Jr. Tony Barrett and Lou Merrill. Next week, a maverick steer, a bottle of germ culture and a sulfur brunette plunge Ken Thurston into a situation that can only mean one thing. Death. That might mean death for you. And for once, there'll be help from Pagon Zellschmidt, otherwise known as Leon Velasco. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the Man Called X. Good night. The Man Called X, starring Herbert Marshall, is the J. Richard Kennedy production with music by Milton Charles. Tonight's story was written by Sydney Marshall. This program is directed by Jack Johnstone. All characters and incidents on this program are fictitious and any resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental. And now, until next week, same time and station. This is Hal Gibney saying good night for the Man Called X. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company. There's more from the Man Called X, Relic Radio thrillers and all of the other Relic Radio podcasts at the website relicradio.com. you'll find it on Spotify as well. Search for Relic Radio network or click on one of those Spotify links in the show notes. If you'd like to help support Relic Radio, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the support links. Your support makes all of this possible. Thank you to those who have. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with the horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.