BONUS - Best of James Mason

Summary

Bonus Episode Summary: Best of James Mason on Suspense

Released on November 12, 2024, "Stars on Suspense" presents a special bonus episode dedicated to showcasing the illustrious performances of James Mason on the classic radio drama series Suspense. Hosted by Harlow Wilcox of Mean Streets Podcasts, this episode delves into Mason's most memorable roles, highlighting his exceptional voice and acting prowess. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of this compelling episode.

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Introduction

[00:00]
The episode opens with a brief dialogue exchange setting the tone for suspension and mystery—core elements of the Suspense series. Harlow Wilcox introduces the bonus episode, emphasizing James Mason's significant contributions to Suspense. Mason, renowned for his rich voice and versatile acting in films like Lolita and North by Northwest, lent his talents to six episodes of Suspense. This episode features Wilcox's personal favorites, including three co-starring performances with his wife, Pamela Calino, and a recreation of Mason's role from his BAFTA-winning film.

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1. "Where There's a Will" (February 24, 1949)

Overview:
Adapted from an Agatha Christie story, this episode stars James Mason as Mr. Jepson, a man plagued by gambling losses facing financial ruin. He discovers he is set to inherit a substantial sum from his Aunt Mary, but the aunt is numerous years away from passing. Desperate, Jepson devises a plan to hasten her demise to claim the inheritance sooner. This darkly comedic tale showcases Mason's ability to navigate complex characters with ease.

Key Points:

• Character Dynamics: The interplay between Mr. Jepson (Mason) and his wife, Mrs. Harter (Pamela Calino), adds depth to the narrative. Their relationship underscores themes of desperation and moral ambiguity.
• Plot Twist: Jepson’s “practical joke” on his aunt, involving manipulating her perception through the radio, unfolds into a suspenseful climax that highlights Mason’s mastery in conveying tension.

Notable Quote:

Mr. Jepson (James Mason) [07:19]: "That's right, Ridgeway. Or else."

This line encapsulates the mounting pressure Jepson places on Ridgeway, driving the plot towards its suspenseful peak.

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2. "Banquo's Chair" (March 9, 1950)

Overview:
In this gripping installment, James Mason portrays a Scotland Yard inspector determined to convict a suspect of murder. Convinced of the man's guilt but lacking sufficient evidence, the inspector faces retirement imminently. In a final attempt, he orchestrates a clever ruse involving a dinner invitation and psychological manipulation to extract a confession.

Key Points:

• Psychological Thriller: Mason’s character employs mind games and strategic deception, demonstrating his ability to convey intensity and focus.
• Themes of Justice and Obsession: The inspector's relentless pursuit reflects on the fine line between dedication and obsession in law enforcement.

Notable Quote:

Inspector (James Mason) [30:31]: "I believe that'll do all right, Inspector. That's what I wanted you to hear. Come in."

Here, Mason's character confidently addresses the inspector's suspicions, maintaining composure under pressure.

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3. "The Greatest Thief in the World" (June 21, 1951)

Overview:
James Mason shines as a charismatic yet enigmatic figure suspected of being a master jewel thief. The narrative delves into his duality, portraying him alternately as a hero and a villain. His charm keeps both the police and the audience guessing about his true intentions, making his character a compelling study in ambiguity.

Key Points:

• Duality of Character: Mason expertly balances the protagonist’s likable traits with his morally questionable actions, creating a nuanced and engaging character.
• Showcase of Versatility: His portrayal underscores his ability to embody complex roles, enhancing the dramatic tension of the episode.

Notable Quote:

Mr. Jepson (James Mason) [23:30]: "You don't pay up and I send you to the same place you sent."

This declaration reveals the extent of Mason's character's cunning and control, pivotal in escalating the suspense.

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4. "Odd Man Out" (February 11, 1952)

Overview:
In a self-referential move, James Mason reprises his role from the BAFTA-winning film Odd Man Out, adapting it for radio. The story follows an IRA leader, portrayed by Mason, who becomes embroiled in a frantic escape following a botched robbery. The radio adaptation successfully condenses the film's tension-filled narrative into a 30-minute format, highlighting Mason's ability to recreate iconic roles with depth and authenticity.

Key Points:

• Condensed Storytelling: The adaptation maintains the film's intense pace and dramatic elements, demonstrating Mason's skill in adapting performances across mediums.
• Emotional Range: Mason conveys the character's desperation and resilience, anchoring the story's emotional core.

Notable Quote:

Patrick (James Mason) [24:49]: "It's a coincidence to say the least. She did die at nearly that very hour. 9:30 Friday night."

This line captures the tragic timing and inevitability central to his character’s plight.

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Conclusion

This bonus episode of Stars on Suspense serves as a testament to James Mason's remarkable talent and versatility as a radio actor. Through his performances in "Where There's a Will," "Banquo's Chair," "The Greatest Thief in the World," and "Odd Man Out," Mason captivates listeners with his ability to portray deeply complex and multifaceted characters. Harlow Wilcox’s insightful commentary further enriches the experience, providing context and appreciation for Mason’s contributions to radio drama. For fans and newcomers alike, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into why James Mason remains a legendary figure in both film and radio history.

Notable Host Quotes:

Harlow Wilcox [50:20]: "Suspense is radio's outstanding theater of thrills, and James Mason is one of its shining stars."

Emphasizing Mason's pivotal role in the success and enduring legacy of Suspense.

Harlow Wilcox [31:08]: "For a splendid performance."

A succinct appreciation of Mason and Calino's collaborative effort in bringing the story to life.

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Final Thoughts: "Stars on Suspense" successfully encapsulates the allure and suspense that radio dramas of the era are celebrated for, with James Mason's performances standing out as highlights. This bonus episode not only entertains but also preserves the rich history of radio theater, ensuring that the legacy of legends like James Mason continues to inspire and thrill audiences.

Transcript

[James Mason]

Would you hand me that, please?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Thank you. Now, let's see.

[James Mason]

Survey.

[Pamela Calino]

Survive.

[James Mason]

Susanna.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Suspect. Ah, here we are.

[James Mason]

Suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Meaning held in doubt, expressing doubt.

[James Mason]

The state of being uncertain, undecided or insecure. State of anxious expectation or waiting for.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Information such as to keep one in suspense.

[James Mason]

Therefore delay acquainting him with what he.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Is eager to know.

[James Mason]

Suspense.

[Narrator]

Hello, and welcome to a bonus episode of Stars on Suspense, A spotlight on one of the actors who we've previously featured on the podcast where I share my personal favorites of their appearances on radio's outstanding theater of thrills. This time around, our star is James Mason, the English actor of Lolita, A Star is Born, north by Northwest, and many, many more. One of Mason's best qualities as an actor was his rich voice, and it was put to very good use on six episodes of Suspense. Today we'll hear my favorites of that run, including three shows where he co starred with his wife and one where he recreated one of his great film roles. First up is where there's a will from February 24, 1949. Adapted from a story by the great Agatha Christie. It stars Mr. Mason as a man whose gambling habits and more specifically his lack of luck have him in dire financial straits. He's due to inherit a sizable sum from his aunt, but unfortunately, she's got many years ahead of her. So Mason does the natural thing for a character on Suspense. He plans to scare his aunt to death and speed up the collection of that inheritance. This is one of the shows where Mason co starred with his then wife, Pamela Mason, who's billed here as Pamela Collino. Then we'll hear banquo's chair from March 9, 1950, with Mason playing a Scotland Yard inspector who's absolutely convinced of a suspect's guilt. But he's never been able to get enough proof to convict the man of murder. But now, on the eve of his retirement from the force, the inspector has one last card to play, and it involves an invitation to dinner and a bit of trickery. Mr. And Mrs. Mason are back in the Greatest Thief in the World from June 21, 1951. It's a story pulled from the files of Scotland Yard, and it stars James Mason as a man who may or may not be a notorious jewel thief. It's a great showcase for Mason, who could play heroes and villains with equal skill. And here he's perfectly suited as a man whose considerable charms keep the police and the audience guessing as to his true nature. And finally, we'll hear James Mason recreate his role in a radio Adaptation of the BAFTA winning Odd Man out originally aired on CBS on February 11, 1952. It stars Mason as an IRA leader wounded in a robbery, and it tells the story of his frantic attempt to escape arrest. The 1947 film, directed by Carol Reed, is fantastic, and this episode does a great job of condensing the story into a taut 30 minute fight format. So now we welcome James Mason back to the microphone with my four favorites from his run on Suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

And now, AutoLight and its 60,000 dealers and service stations present Suspense.

[James Mason]

Tonight, Auto Light brings you James Mason and Pamela Calino in Agatha Christie's Where There's a Will, a suspense play produced and directed by Anton M. Lieder.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Friends, have you ever been in a dilemma? I mean, in a fix? Like having to get started in a hurry and your motor won't turn over? Well, what you need is an Autolite Stay Full battery. That dandy dynamic battery you can definitely depend on. Why? By Cornelius. An Autolite Stay Full battery needs water only three times a year in normal car use. You can say bravura for that Aquapura. Plenty of extra liquid reserve. Yes, siree. And it has extra plates in every cell. That means longer life and stronger life. What's more, those plates are protected against loss by fiberglass insulation. I can't say enough about Autolyte Stay Full batteries, those marvelous marvels with more liquid reserve than Hollywood has stars. So get wise. Get an Autolite Stay full. Remember, you're right with Autolight.

[James Mason]

And now Autolight presents James Mason and Pamela Calino in a tale well calculated to keep you in sight suspend.

[Pamela Calino]

And now, Mr. Jepson, you really must let me make you a whiskey and soda. I have some excellent scotch.

[James Mason]

Never mind that, Ridgeway.

[Pamela Calino]

I've come to find out when you can raise £10,000. I see. Yes, I see. Well, Mr. Jepson, £10,000 is a great deal of money.

[James Mason]

It's what's needed to cover your notes.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, that's right. But you know, mister, you might just let me write you one more IOU and try again. Your luck's run out, Ridgeway. Well, I wasn't much of a gambler anyhow, was I? Perhaps it's just as well. I've learned my lesson. How long, Mr. Jepson, would you say I have to raise the money? Four weeks. I see. Four weeks. And if I should fail to raise the money? Hmm, I see. Will you make yourself rickle, Mr. Jepson? But then, perhaps all's not lost, Mrs. Harter. My aunt has had the foresight to Draw up a new will, making me her heir. The money was to go to a niece, my cousin Miriam. But now a new will's been drawn up. Aunt Mary finds me much more satisfactory than poor Miriam. The very spirit of solicitude. I am forever inquiring about her health, about her poor weak heart. Four weeks, is that right, Mr. Jepson?

[James Mason]

That's right, Ridgeway. Or else.

[Pamela Calino]

I see. Or else. That's when it began. That, plus the fortunate circumstance of the new will in my favor decided me on my plan. Now, murder wouldn't look right. Nobody else living in the house but Aunt Mary and I and Elizabeth the maid. And since I would benefit by £40,000, no, murder would not look right. Besides, I was fond of Aunt Mary. Well, a day or so after Mr. Jepson's visit, there occurred to me a rather whimsical idea for a practical joke. The first thing was to determine the degree of weakness of Aunt Mary's weak heart. And so I arranged an appointment for her with Dr. Meynell, the heart specialist in Harley Street.

[James Mason]

Just have a chair, Mr. Ridgeway.

[Pamela Calino]

Thank you, Dr. Meynell.

[James Mason]

Now, Mr. Ridgeway, as you requested, I have gone over your aunt, Mrs. Harter, thoroughly. Yes, and there is a heart weakness.

[Pamela Calino]

How dreadful.

[Various Characters]

But not terribly serious, Charles. Dr. Manell says.

[Pamela Calino]

But my poor, dear Aunt Mary.

[Various Characters]

Dear Charles.

[James Mason]

Naturally you're shocked, Mr. Ridgeway, but with the least care. She'll live to be 90, I should think. However, her mind must be kept well distracted.

[Pamela Calino]

Mind distracted?

[James Mason]

Yes, distraction for the mind. And no sudden shocks. That's most important. No sudden shocks.

[Pamela Calino]

I see. Well, thank you, Doctor.

[James Mason]

Not at all. Out this way. My private exit. No use going through the waiting room again, eh? Well, good day, Mrs. Harter.

[Various Characters]

Good day, Doctor.

[Pamela Calino]

Goodbye, Doctor.

[James Mason]

Oh, I say, Ridgeway.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes?

[James Mason]

I minimized your aunt's condition just a bit. Want to alarm her? You were on stage.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, of course.

[James Mason]

But what I said about no shocks, no frights. Most important, a good fright might very well carry her off.

[Pamela Calino]

I see. I see. Well, thank you, Doctor. The next step was the radio. Aunt Mary must have a radio.

[Various Characters]

But, Charles, you know I don't care for new fangled things. We've got on quite well without a wireless. I don't see why we should have one now.

[Pamela Calino]

But don't you remember what Dr. Manell said, Aunt Mary? The mind distracted. Well, distracted. Those were his very words. You know I'm only thinking of your heart.

[Various Characters]

I know you are, dear child.

[Pamela Calino]

That's better, Aunt Mary. That's more like yourself.

[Various Characters]

You are a comfort to me, Charles.

[Pamela Calino]

Thank you, Aunt Mary. Now, about the radio.

[Various Characters]

But really.

[Pamela Calino]

Now, now, now. You really ought to trust my judgment. I'm a bit of an expert on radio. You know, before the war, I even had a small sender station of my own. Some of the equipment's still in one of my boxes somewhere about. So you see.

[Various Characters]

I know, but the waves, Charles, the electric waves, they might affect me.

[Pamela Calino]

There's no more electricity about it than there is about an electric light. Radio waves aren't electric, but.

[Various Characters]

Well, I must say it makes a frightful noise.

[Pamela Calino]

We have it tuned in a minute.

[James Mason]

Here we are.

[Various Characters]

What is it?

[Pamela Calino]

It's Spanish. Aren't you? Madrid. Propaganda. France. What do you think of that? You can tune in the whole world. The whole world. You see, Aunt Mary, radio waves converging from all over the world on this little box from Madrid, Paris, New York and beyond. Beyond? Who knows how far beyond.

[Various Characters]

Well, I must say, Charles, you're quite poetic about it.

[Pamela Calino]

Am I? Yes. Yes, I suppose I am. That was the first inkling I had that my little practical joke was going to be fun. The acting and coaxing poor dear Aunt Mary along bit by bit. Every evening she'd sit by the radio listening to the news on the BBC Home Service and the classical music on the third program. Then one morning, I attached a wire into the radio while she was still in bed, ran it along under the carpet into the small anteroom of the sitting room where the radio stood, took the hand microphone left over from my amateur sending and hooked it to the other end of the wire, and everything was all ready. That evening I backed the car out of the garage and started off for my regular Wednesday evening of bridge. But I drove only a short way, then parked behind a hedge and walked back to the house. I let myself in the side door and went into the small room off the sitting room, where Aunt Mary sat alone, listening to the radio. It was the third program, a program of Beethoven. I opened the door the slightest crack. The moment had come, and I felt my heart beating with strange emotion. I saw in my mind's eye Aunt Mary and the dimly lit sitting room. And I almost felt the mood she must be feeling as she sat dreamily immersed in the shifting strains of music. I picked up the microphone and. Mary, can you hear me? Mary, this is Patrick. What? This is Patrick, your husband, speaking from the other side. I am coming for you soon. Will you be ready? Mary Patrick?

[James Mason]

Will you be ready?

[Pamela Calino]

Mary Patrick, for suspense, Autolight is bringing.

[James Mason]

You James Mason and Pamela Collino in radio's outstanding theater of Thrills Suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Say, Hap, I spent Washington's birthday telling my young nephew the story of George Washington. What a great man he was. How he always told the truth.

[James Mason]

Well, that was nice of you, Harlow.

[Harlow Wilcox]

This younger generation should know about George Washington. And to illustrate, I told him how I always tell the truth about Autolight stay full batteries. Those marvelous, wonderful get up and get batteries with the extra reserve of water. Why, son, I told him a camel is practically dehydrated compared to an Autolite Stay full battery. Because an Autolite stay full battery needs water only three times a year in normal car use. But, Harlow, you were telling your nephew about George. Oh, always tell the truth. I told him like I tell the people about the punchy power for peppy performance packed in an auto light stay full battery. Because of that ample sample of H2O. Yes, by Cornelius. I told him an auto light stay full battery needs water only three times a year in normal car use. That extra liquid reserve means longer life and stronger life. I told him about the fiberglass insulation between plates. That adds months to the life of an Autolite stay full battery.

[James Mason]

I'm sure the kid learned a lot about George Washington.

[Harlow Wilcox]

But wait.

[James Mason]

Here's suspense. And now, Autolyte brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, James Mason, who will be joined by his wife, Pamela Calino, in Where There's a Will, a tale well.

[Pamela Calino]

Calculated to keep you in suspense. Ben. After I'd spoken with the voice of Aunt Mary's dead husband, I waited a moment. Then, very cautiously, I looked into the sitting room. Aunt Mary was sitting bolt upright, transfixed. Then a sob broke from her as she looked toward the radio, which was now innocently transmitting the BBC third program. Again, I had to bite my lips to keep from laughing. But Aunt Mary said nothing about her experience. So I was obliged, the fourth morning after that at breakfast to say casually. Oh, I say, Aunt Mary.

[Various Characters]

Yes, Charles?

[Pamela Calino]

I was just wondering last evening.

[Various Characters]

Yes, Charles?

[Pamela Calino]

Aunt Mary, who's that funny old boy up in the spare room? The picture, that is. You know, the picture over the mantelpiece. The old boy with the beaver and the side whiskers.

[Various Characters]

Well, really, Charles, your tone is most disrespectful.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm sorry.

[Various Characters]

It's your Uncle Patrick, Charles. My late husband.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, I say, I'm sorry. I had no idea. After all, I never did know him, Aunt Mary.

[Various Characters]

Very well, Charles.

[Pamela Calino]

You see, I. I wondered. It was queer.

[Various Characters]

Queer? What's queer? Are you trying to say something, Charles?

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, no, no, no. Not really. It's nothing. Nothing that makes any sense.

[Various Characters]

I mean, I wish you would tell me that made you ask me about the picture of your uncle.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, if you will have it, I fancied I saw him.

[James Mason]

Saw him?

[Pamela Calino]

The man in the picture, I mean. Looking out of the end window when I was coming up the drive last night.

[Various Characters]

What?

[Pamela Calino]

Yeah. And later on I happened to drift into the spare room and there was the picture up over the mantelby's. The same man. It's all quite easy to explain, really, I expect. Subconscious and all that. I must have noticed the picture before, without realizing it, and then just fancied the face in the window. Aunt Mary. Is something the matter, Charles?

[Various Characters]

My husband's face. Did you see it in the end window?

[Pamela Calino]

Why, yes. Why?

[Various Characters]

Only that that was Patrick's, your late uncle's dressing room.

[James Mason]

Charles.

[Pamela Calino]

The very absurdity of the story I made poor Aunt Mary believe was the fun, the clever, roundabout way I played my role. The following Wednesday night I pretended to play off to go and play bridge again. I concealed myself in the room off the sitting room, just as before, took up the microphone and spoke from the other world in the same sepulchral tones. Mary, on Friday I shall come for you Friday at half past nine. At half past nine. Do not be afraid. There will be no pain. Be ready, Mary. When I came into her bedroom the next morning, Aunt Mary was speaking to Elizabeth in a most businesslike manner.

[Various Characters]

Now, here you are, Elizabeth. I want you to take this letter I've written. Yes, ma'am. I wrote it last evening. If anything should happen Friday evening. You understand me? Yes, ma'am. Friday evening. That's my night out. So it is, and you go right ahead. However, if anything shall have happened by the time you get back on Saturday, I want this letter delivered to Dr. Mayle. Yes, ma'am. Now, the top left hand drawer of my bureau. It's locked. The long key with a white label. Everything in the drawer is ready. Ready, ma'am? For my burial. Oh, Mum. Why, what are you saying? I thought you was in a sight better health. Never mind that, Elizabeth. Don't be maudlin, Mum. Elizabeth, did I ever tell you how much I've left you in my will? Oh, no, Mum. Well, I can't seem to remember. It was £50 in the old will, but did I raise it to a hundred? Well, at any rate, I want you to have a hundred pounds. I'll have to look into it. But if anything should happen before I do, then Mr. Charles will see to it.

[Pamela Calino]

Did I hear my name mentioned, dear Aunt Mary.

[Various Characters]

Oh, good morning, Charles. Yes, I was just saying to Elizabeth, I don't know if I've left her fifty or a hundred pounds, but if anything should happen to me, it's to be a hundred pounds.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, I must say that's a gloomy thing to be thinking about.

[Various Characters]

Oh, Mr. Charles, she's been carrying our most awful justice.

[Pamela Calino]

What's this?

[Various Characters]

That's enough, Elizabeth. You may go now. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, now, just what in the world is all this about? Suppose you tell me just what's going to happen to dear Aunt Mary.

[Various Characters]

Charles, what do you plan to be doing Friday evening?

[Pamela Calino]

Friday evening? Well, as a matter of fact, the Ewings asked me to go in and play bridge. But if you'd rather I stayed at home.

[Various Characters]

No, no, Charles. Actually I prefer to be alone.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, just as you wish.

[Various Characters]

You know, I think I'll have Mr. Hopkinson send me the will. I want to find out about the bequest to Elizabeth. It's either 50 or 100 pounds. The rest, dear Charles, of course, goes to you.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, dear Aunt Mary, whatever you. Friday evening. I'd picked that night because I knew it was Elizabeth's night off and I wanted to be sure there was no one about. Friday evening at 8 o'clock I drove away, waited for an hour to elapse, then slipped back into the house. I looked through the crack in the door and saw Aunt Mary sitting in the high backed chair beside the radio. As I listened, the 9 o'clock news ended and a program of music was about to begin. It was a quarter past nine, 15 minutes till the appointed time for the arrival of the dead Patrick. This time I did not touch the microphone. I went upstairs, opened a camphor chest of old clothes in the spare room, took a tube of spirit gum from my pocket and bent forward intently in front of a mirror. Sharp on the instant of half past nine there was a fumbling at the outer door of the house and the front door slowly opened. And then there were slow halting footsteps along the short hall to the sitting room where an old woman waited. And then the sitting room door opened. The time has come, Mary Patrick.

[Various Characters]

I'm ready.

[Pamela Calino]

My practical joke had worked to perfection. Aunt Mary's poor old heart couldn't stand the strain of seeing her dead husband Patrick arrive in person to carry her off in the spirit world. I stepped over the body which had fallen dangerously near the burning fire. In the grate I took the poker and thrust some folds of paper that were Lying in the ash into the fire to bring up a blaze and in the blaze burned the false beard and side whiskers. I detached the wire fixed into the radio and took wire and microphone upstairs. I undressed and replaced Uncle Patrick's old fashioned suit of clothes in the camphor chest in the spare room where I'd found it. Then I dressed again and went off to play bridge at the Ewings. Two days later.

[Various Characters]

This is Mrs. Harter's. I mean, this was Mrs. Harter's residence. Oh, just a moment. It's Mr. Jepson, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

All right, I'll take it. You may go, Elizabeth.

[Various Characters]

Yes, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

Ridgeway here. Anything wrong?

[James Mason]

Not yet.

[Pamela Calino]

I just wanted you to know that I read about it in the Daily Standard.

[James Mason]

Ridgeway.

[Pamela Calino]

A pity about poor dear Aunt Mary. Don't you think, Mr. Jepson? A pity. And let me remind you, you have one week left. I haven't forgotten. Once the newspapers announced my inheritance of £40,000. I'll have no difficulty borrowing and then I'll pay up.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Good.

[Pamela Calino]

Only remember this, Ridgeway.

[James Mason]

You don't pay up and I send you to the same place you sent.

[Pamela Calino]

To your Aunt Mary.

[James Mason]

You understand? Or maybe it wouldn't be quite the.

[Pamela Calino]

Same place, Ridgeway, now that you've got.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Murder on your soul.

[James Mason]

Understand?

[Pamela Calino]

I understand, Mr. Jepson. And then that evening Dr. Manell came to the house.

[James Mason]

I really did think you'd want to see this.

[Pamela Calino]

You say Elizabeth brought it to you?

[James Mason]

Yes. She said it was one of Mrs. Harter's last requests that she do so.

[Pamela Calino]

As a matter of fact, I do seem to remember. Yes, and I do recall seeing her give Elizabeth some such envelope as that. You've read the contents?

[James Mason]

That's what's queer. Here, suppose you have a look for yourself.

[Pamela Calino]

All right. Tonight, Wednesday at 9:15. I have distinctly heard the voice of my dead husband. He told me that he would come for me on Friday night at 9:30 if I should die on that day and at that hour I should like the facts made known so as to prove beyond question the possibility of communicating with the spirit world. Mary Harter.

[James Mason]

What do you make of it?

[Pamela Calino]

I. I hardly know.

[James Mason]

It's a coincidence to say the least. She did die at nearly that very hour. 9:30 Friday night.

[Pamela Calino]

But I don't understand.

[James Mason]

In the circumstances an autopsy is desirable, you understand, Purely as a matter of form.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, yes, of course. Why not? Of course, everything must be done according to form. What's the matter with you, Charles? Have you lost your sense of humor? Finally, five days later.

[Various Characters]

Mr. Hopkinson is here to see you, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

Thank you, Elizabeth. That'll be all.

[Various Characters]

Yes, sir.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Good morning, Mr. Ridgway.

[Pamela Calino]

Frightful morning, Mr. Hopkinson. About Mrs. Harter's. My aunt's.

[James Mason]

Well, I did not quite understand your insistent messages to me, Mr. Ridgeway. You seem to be under the impression the late Mrs. Harter's will was in our keeping.

[Pamela Calino]

Why, yes. I've often heard my aunt say as much.

[James Mason]

Oh, quite, dear, quite so it was in our keeping, was. That is what I said. Mrs. Harter wrote to us, however, asking that it be forwarded to her. There seemed to be some haste to the matter. At any rate, we got it out to her at once. She would have received it on Friday, the day of her death.

[Pamela Calino]

I do seem to remember her making mention of it. Something about the bequest to Elizabeth. She wanted to check the amount. It must be about the house somewhere, then.

[James Mason]

Elizabeth has been through Mrs. Harter's personal effects, I believe.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes. Just a moment. I'll call her. Elizabeth.

[Various Characters]

Yes, Mr. Charles.

[Pamela Calino]

Elizabeth, come here a moment, please.

[Various Characters]

Yes, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

Elizabeth, when you went through Mrs. Harter's things, was her will among them?

[Various Characters]

No, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

You're sure, Elizabeth?

[Various Characters]

Yes, sir. You see, I know what it looked like. The poor mistress had it in her hand the very evening of her death when she sent me out.

[Pamela Calino]

You're. You're sure of that?

[Various Characters]

Oh, yes, sir. She pointed out that about the £50 to me, sir. She said, as she told you, to give me the other £50. Not that I mention it, to press you, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

No, no, no, no, of course not.

[Various Characters]

The wheel was in a long blue envelope, sir.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Quite right.

[Various Characters]

The same blue envelope. Mr. Charles, sir, was lying on the radio table by her chair the morning. The morning after. But empty, sir.

[James Mason]

It was the envelope in which I dispatched the will to your aunt, Mr. Ridgeway. Mr. Ridgeway, was there a fire in the grate on Friday evening?

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, of course.

[James Mason]

I see.

[Pamela Calino]

What are you driving at, Hopkinson?

[James Mason]

I'm afraid, Mr. Ridgeway, only one conclusion is possible. Your aunt sent for her will in order to destroy it. What? Yes, Mr. Ridgeway.

[Pamela Calino]

But why? Why you.

[James Mason]

You had no disagreement with your aunt, Mr. Ridgway?

[Pamela Calino]

Not at all. We were on the most affectionate terms right up to the end, of course.

[James Mason]

Quite. Mr. Ridgeway, you will understand, under the circumstances, we were obliged to investigate.

[Pamela Calino]

Investigate? What do you mean?

[James Mason]

It happens that there is a former will, Mrs. Harter, still extant. By it, Mrs. Harter leaves everything to her niece, to your cousin Miriam.

[Pamela Calino]

To Miriam, yes.

[Harlow Wilcox]

But as for the more recent will.

[James Mason]

Sent by me before her death to Mrs. Harter. It must have been burned in the grate.

[Pamela Calino]

Burnt. The will was burnt.

[Various Characters]

Mr. Charles, can I get you something?

[Pamela Calino]

No, no, I'll be all right. You may go, Elizabeth.

[James Mason]

Yes, I'll run along, too, Mr. Ridgeway, if there's nothing further.

[Pamela Calino]

No, I'll. I'll telephone.

[James Mason]

Quite. And yet there would seem to be little use for that. We've notified your cousin Miriam of her inheritance.

[Harlow Wilcox]

As a matter of fact.

[James Mason]

I'm surprised you didn't know all this yourself. You see, we sent word round to the press yesterday. Well, good day, Mr. Ridgeway.

[Pamela Calino]

Good day. I remembered some folds of paper that I thrust into the fire to make it blaze up and burn the false beard and side whiskers with which I'd frightened an old lady to death. And then I remembered something falling. A paper. A will from an old woman's fingers as she stood frozen in terror. Too near the fire, I saw the fire again. Consuming something. Consuming the world. All my cleverness. Your maid said you weren't in, but I thought she was lying. I don't like liars, Ridgeway. Mr. Jepson, I read the papers.

[James Mason]

I read who's going to inherit your aunt's money.

[Harlow Wilcox]

I don't like liars.

[Pamela Calino]

But I did think I was going to inherit, or why would I have killed her? You killed her, of course. Oh, so you did kill her. How many times do you want me to say it?

[James Mason]

I believe that'll do all right, Inspector. That's what I wanted you to hear. Come in. What? Bring in the maid, too.

[Harlow Wilcox]

That was very clever of you, Mr. Gypson. I must confess I had my doubts.

[James Mason]

Now, Mr. Ridgeway, you'd better come along.

[Pamela Calino]

But I was only joking, young woman.

[Various Characters]

Yes, Sir?

[Harlow Wilcox]

You heard Mr. Ridgeway say he killed his aunt.

[Various Characters]

I did, sir, but he must have been joking.

[James Mason]

He.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Never mind. That's enough.

[James Mason]

By the way, Mr. Ridgway, you'll be.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Interested in knowing, I'm sure, that we.

[James Mason]

Check with Dr. Manell and the autopsy.

[Harlow Wilcox]

According to his report, your aunt's heart.

[James Mason]

Was so weak she could not have lived another month.

[Pamela Calino]

What are you laughing at?

[James Mason]

That's your joke, old man, your joke.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, it is funny, isn't it? Very funny. Thank you, James Mason and Pamela Calino.

[James Mason]

For a splendid performance.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Now, Harlow Wilcox Friends Autolyte stay full. Batteries need water only three times a year in normal car use. And they're made by Autolite men who make over 400 products for cars, trucks, airplanes and boats in 28 autolite plants from coast to coast. Yes, siree. Autolite also makes complete electrical systems for many makes of America's finest cars. Batteries, spark plugs, generators, starting motors, coils, distributors, all ignition engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly because they're a perfect team. So folks, don't accept electrical parts that are supposed to be as good. Ask for and insist on Autolite original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage or repair shop. Remember, you're always right with Autolite.

[Pamela Calino]

Now here again is James Mason and wife Pamela Collino.

[James Mason]

I hope you both enjoyed being on suspense tonight. And especially you, Mrs. Mason, even though the part of Elizabeth was small.

[Various Characters]

Oh, yes, it was a lot of fun. You see, James and I learned a long time ago that it's not how large the part is, but how much fun you have playing it. Besides, next time, Tony Leeder has promised to find a script for me which James can play a butler or a cat or something.

[Harlow Wilcox]

How about that, Mr. Mason?

[Pamela Calino]

I'm looking forward to it. And we're looking forward too, to next week when Joan Fontaine will star in the Lovebirds, another gripping study in suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

James Mason and Pamela Collino have just completed the book the Cats in Our Lives. Tonight's suspense play was adapted from the Agatha Christie story by William Fife. Music was composed by Lucian Morowek and conducted by Lud Gluskin. The entire production was under the direction of Antone M. Leiter. Now here is great news. Beginning March 1st, suspense on television may be seen in many areas of the country. Tuesdays at 9:30pm Eastern time.

[Various Characters]

You can buy Auto Light electrical parts, Autolite Resistor spark plugs, Auto Light staple batteries at your neighborhood. Auto Light dealer switch to Auto light. Good night.

[Harlow Wilcox]

This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[James Mason]

Suspense Autolyte and its 96,000 dealers present. Mr. James Mason in Banquo's Chair, a suspense play produced and edited by William Speer. Harlow Wilcox. You happy, huckster? Welcome me home.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Why happy? The greatest spark plug engineering miracle in years, Harlow. The wide gap Auto Light resistor spark plug. Of course.

[James Mason]

Why?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Because this newest addition to the complete line of regular transport, aviation resistor, marine and model spark plugs ignition engineered by Autolight offers special money saving advantages like double life under equal conditions compared to spark plugs without the built in resistor.

[James Mason]

Right, Wilcox. Why?

[Harlow Wilcox]

These sensational wide gap Auto Light resistor spark plugs give greater gas savings, smoother performance, faster starts in cold weather. And it's all Due to the 10,000 ohm exclusive auto light Resistor built Right into every Auto Light resistor spark plug which makes practical a wider initial gap setting. Now tell them. Hollow. So friends, see your friendly Auto light spark plug dealer tomorrow and have him replace worn out spark plugs with a set of ignition engineered auto light spark plugs. And whether you choose the resistor type or the regular type, you'll be right. Because you're always right with Autolite.

[James Mason]

And now with Banquo's chair and the performance of James Mason, Auto Light hopes once again to keep you in suspense.

[Pamela Calino]

I will begin by reading to you a recent newspaper cutting about myself. It has a bearing upon the story I'm about to tell you. Please listen. The recent retirement of Sir William Brent from the English criminal investigation has given great joy to all the lawbreakers in our land. For more than two decades, Sir William has terrorized the underworld. The ex head of the English incriminate criminal investigation has been the scourge of thieves and murderers. In but one single solitary instance has he been known to confess defeat or to express dissatisfaction with the outcome of his prosecution. This was the now famous Bedford murder case. That news item was written by Arthur Grange, a reporter who had been covering crime trials for years and whom I knew very well indeed. I had not, of course, given up the Bedford case. That too is now over. But that the case should be resolved as it was. No one on earth could have foreseen. I'd already made my arrangements with May Wakefield and of course, with Bedford. Arthur Grange's call came on Wednesday.

[James Mason]

I just received your wire.

[Pamela Calino]

I hope you're coming.

[James Mason]

Well, I am scheduled to go up to Woodsbury on Friday and dine with my sister. How important is this dinner?

[Pamela Calino]

I don't think you will ever forget it as long as you live.

[James Mason]

Isn't Turret House the place where Bedford murdered his aunt?

[Pamela Calino]

You have a good memory.

[James Mason]

What's it all about?

[Pamela Calino]

Will you be here, Arthur?

[James Mason]

You make it sound so mysterious.

[Pamela Calino]

It will be.

[James Mason]

Can I bring my revolver?

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, I think you should, Arthur. Good night.

[James Mason]

But Sir William.

[Pamela Calino]

It rained all day Friday and by evening a gusty November wind began to drive the rain hard against the exposed wall of Turret House. This mansion is a huge red brick, ugly product of Queen Victoria's time. It did not stand gracefully, but squatted at the back of a private road, almost hidden from view by several dripping pine trees. The neighborhood was in decline. Its best days were over. Perhaps mine were too, I thought as I came down the stairs. But after tonight, it won't matter.

[James Mason]

Ah, good evening, Green.

[Pamela Calino]

Hello, Lane.

[James Mason]

Dusty night, isn't it's miserable. Not much warmer in here.

[Pamela Calino]

There's a fire in the library.

[James Mason]

How are you, Sir William?

[Pamela Calino]

Quite well, Arthur.

[James Mason]

What made you move into this draughty old dungeon?

[Pamela Calino]

I don't live here. It's my temporary quarters. I still live there in the west end. And here is Ms. Stone. Ms. Roberta Stone, this is Mr. Arthur Grange.

[James Mason]

Pleased to meet you.

[Various Characters]

How do you do?

[Pamela Calino]

Roberta is the famous mystery story writer.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes. I've read your books and enjoyed them.

[Various Characters]

Thank you, Mr. Grange.

[James Mason]

Perhaps you can tell me, Ms. Stone, what mysterious event is going to take here this evening? I was told to come armed.

[Various Characters]

He told me the same thing. Here's my gun. I've never fired this monstrous, ugly thing in all my life.

[Pamela Calino]

You're pointing it at me, Roberta. That's not at all polite.

[Various Characters]

I'm sorry, Sir William.

[Pamela Calino]

This house, Roberta, was the scene of a particularly unpleasant crime, as Mr. Grange can tell you.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes. In this very house, John Bedford murdered his aunt, Ms. Martha Ferguson.

[Various Characters]

Oh, how nice. Mr. Bedford couldn't have picked a more ideal place.

[James Mason]

Sir William, you must tell us what you're up to.

[Pamela Calino]

We'll have a drink first and then I'll tell you both all about it. Lane, will you serve the drinks?

[James Mason]

Yes, I will.

[Pamela Calino]

Good. Now, I can tell you that tonight I am going to close the Bedford case.

[James Mason]

Mr. Gaines. Thank you, Lane. You're going to close the Bedford case tonight?

[Pamela Calino]

I'll give you the facts in an orderly fashion. I never arrested John Bedford for the murder of his aunt, Ms. Ferguson, for two reasons. First, he had an absolute and perfect alibi. Arresting him would only be a waste of time and money. And secondly, according to English law, a man discharged can never be arrested again on the same murder charge.

[Various Characters]

What's going to happen tonight?

[Pamela Calino]

In a short while, John Bedford will be here to dine with us. And oh yes, his victim, Ms. Ferguson.

[James Mason]

You mean Ms. Ferguson wasn't actually murdered?

[Pamela Calino]

Ms. Ferguson is most thoroughly dead and has been dead for years.

[Various Characters]

You. You're going to have the body of old Miss Ferguson here while we.

[Pamela Calino]

Please don't anticipate me. As you both know, I've never lost a case except the Bedford murder. I'm an egotist. I've resigned from the criminal investigation for the sole reason of trapping John Bedford.

[James Mason]

Well, I must say you have a great amount of patience, Sir William.

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, I am. Infinitely patient. For three years I've been planning for this night. This is a moment of considerable triumph for me. I wanted to have some witnesses. A writer who will record this event and an Admirer who will appreciate the skill with which I will bring a notorious murderer to his proper end.

[Various Characters]

I have an uncanny feeling that this is going to be gruesome.

[Pamela Calino]

Come. You'd be ashamed to run away, wouldn't you?

[James Mason]

I'll stay, of course.

[Various Characters]

So will I, as long as I have my weapon.

[Pamela Calino]

Splendid. But before I tell you about my diabolical scheme, let me first acquaint Roberta with the details of the murder. I think I can recreate the circumstances for you quite accurately. Very well then. Exactly three years ago tonight, old Miss.

[James Mason]

Hilda. Hilda, where are you?

[Various Characters]

Oh, where is that foolish maid? Never around, Ms. Baggerton. Why don't you answer when I call? I was in the kitchen, ma'am. It's after 10 o'clock. You should be on your way home. I was just about to leave. Has my nephew called? No, ma'am. Mr. Bedford hasn't called since yesterday. I told him he couldn't come here any more, just like you told me. I don't ever want to see him again.

[James Mason]

He's no good.

[Various Characters]

An evil man who will come to an evil end. You're never to let him in here, Hilda. He won't ever come in this house.

[James Mason]

Not if I can help it.

[Various Characters]

Now you'd better run along and make sure all the doors are bolted before you leave. Yes, ma'am. Good night, Ms. Ferguson. Good night, Hilda. Ah, pity about my nephew John. Such a pity about him.

[Pamela Calino]

He's such.

[James Mason]

Who's there? Who is it? It's John, Aunt Martha. Your own affectionate nephew.

[Various Characters]

What are you doing in my house?

[James Mason]

You're not at all pleased to see me. Your only living relative too.

[Various Characters]

I'd like you to leave at once.

[James Mason]

Or I'll call the police. Well, I'd rather not, Auntie. I want to have a talk with you.

[Various Characters]

You don't want to talk to me. All you want is my money.

[James Mason]

You're putting the whole subject on a very vulgar level.

[Various Characters]

You've had all the money you will ever get out of me. You won't get twopence after I die. And it may interest you to know that I'm changing my will tomorrow.

[James Mason]

So I hear, Auntie.

[Various Characters]

You're wearing gloves.

[Harlow Wilcox]

That.

[James Mason]

Yes, Auntie.

[Various Characters]

Keep away from me.

[James Mason]

Oh no, you're an old woman, Auntie. All that money's no good for you. You can't ever use it. But to me money is life and you're going to die soon.

[Various Characters]

No, no, you're not going to do that.

[James Mason]

Oh yes, Auntie, I am. And I'd be doing you A favor. You're old and ill and laundry. He's not screaming, Auntie.

[Pamela Calino]

And don't you worry, Auntie.

[James Mason]

We'll have a fine funeral for you.

[Pamela Calino]

That's pretty much the way old Ms. Ferguson was murdered. Her maid, Hilda, found the body the next morning. I immediately went to work on the case. All the evidence pointed to John Bedford. He almost admitted it himself. I had him brought to my office for questioning.

[James Mason]

How do you do, Sir William?

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, hello. Please come in.

[James Mason]

Thank you.

[Pamela Calino]

Cigarette?

[James Mason]

Thank you.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, how does it feel to kill your aunt?

[James Mason]

May I have a light, please?

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, of course.

[James Mason]

I wouldn't know, Sir William. You see, I never killed anyone.

[Pamela Calino]

Have you? Yes. I've shot and killed lawbreakers who tried to get away, and I've sent many of them to the gallows.

[James Mason]

Yes, so I understand.

[Pamela Calino]

What was your relationship to your aunt?

[James Mason]

I was her nephew.

[Pamela Calino]

Very amusing. She didn't like you, did she?

[James Mason]

I'm a truthful man. She didn't. She thought I was a spendthrift and a parasite. She was quite right.

[Pamela Calino]

Where were you on the night of the murder?

[James Mason]

In jail. I drunk a little too much and got into a bit of a tiff with the police.

[Pamela Calino]

Mm. Quite an alibi.

[James Mason]

Quite a fact. Now, it was hardly possible for me to be in jail and kill my aunt at the same time. Unless, of course, my aunt came into my cell and allowed me to murder her. After which, she walked back to Turret House as a ghost, dragging her body behind her.

[Pamela Calino]

That's hardly possible.

[James Mason]

Don't you think you ought to check my stirring?

[Pamela Calino]

I already have. You're a skillful fellow.

[James Mason]

Why don't you arrest me then?

[Pamela Calino]

No, no, Mr. Bedford. I have time and patience.

[James Mason]

Oh, you'd better work fast. By the time you get round to me, I'll have spent all of my aunt's beautiful money.

[Pamela Calino]

It's not her money I'm after. It's your life. Your beautiful life, Mr. Bedford. Good day. Yes, and tonight I shall have him. Tonight, in your presence, he will commit that murder again. And this time I shall arrest him for it.

[James Mason]

Autolite is bringing you James Mason in Banquo's chair. Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Say, Harlow, while I was on vacation, I used nothing but those miraculous new wide gap auto light resistor spark plugs in my car. And what a performance. That's the Wide gap Autolite resistor spark plug for they're the newest addition to the complete line of regular transport, aviation resistor, marine and model spark plugs ignition Engineered by Autolight.

[James Mason]

Hello. Let me tell you how those wide.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Gap Auto Light resistor spark plugs worked like a charm. Why, of course they did, Hap. Just as any Auto Light spark plug. But with Auto Light resistor spark plugs you do get special advantages such as smoother performance on leaner gas mixtures, greater gas savings, even double life under equal conditions as compared to spark plugs without the built in resistor. And it's all Due to the 10,000 ohm exclusive auto light resistor built right into every Autolite resistor spark plug. So friends, see your neighborhood auto light spark plug dealer tomorrow and have worn out spark plugs replaced with ignition engineered auto light spark plugs. Whether you choose the resistor type or the regular type, you'll be right because you're always right with Autolight.

[James Mason]

And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage. Our star, James Mason in Banquo's chair. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.

[Pamela Calino]

That's how matters stood. I refused to let my men arrest him.

[James Mason]

But how in the world could he have murdered his aunt while he was in jail?

[Various Characters]

Well, he might have bribed the prison guard to let him out for an hour.

[Pamela Calino]

You're right, Roberta. I believe that's exactly what he did. Unfortunately, the guard in question died of pneumonia soon afterwards and left us no further source of.

[James Mason]

Well, as far as I can see, Sir William, you haven't a leg to stand on. You can't touch Bedford.

[Pamela Calino]

Every man, particularly a criminal, has an Achilles heel. I sat down at my desk and plotted him out on paper. I decided I didn't know enough about him. His personal habits, his real character. So a month ago I was.

[James Mason]

Sir William. What a surprise.

[Pamela Calino]

Want to invite me in?

[James Mason]

Oh, of course, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

Please come in. Thank you, Mr. Bedford.

[James Mason]

Well, I'm really honored to have the great man pay me a visit. You're not after any more clues, I hope. It does get rather tedious.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, no, no, not at all. I know when I'm beaten.

[James Mason]

Well, I don't want to appear smug, sir, but everyone. Would you have a drink, Sir William?

[Pamela Calino]

Thank you. I don't know whether you've heard that I have resigned from the criminal investigation. I'm a private citizen now.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes, I heard something about that. I couldn't believe it.

[Pamela Calino]

No, it wasn't my love for justice that made me pursue my profession with such tenacity and success. With the sole exception of your case, of course. It was a game of skill with me. My wits against all comers. I lost in Your case. But then we all have to lose sometimes, don't we?

[James Mason]

I don't believe you, Sir William. You're still out to get me.

[Pamela Calino]

There isn't much chance, is there?

[James Mason]

I'm afraid not, Sir William. I've kept out of trouble so far.

[Various Characters]

Knock on wood.

[Pamela Calino]

I had no idea you were superstitious, Mr. Benson. A sophisticate like you.

[James Mason]

Oh, I think she's just a habit. Ever since I was a child.

[Pamela Calino]

I see. Before I go, there's just one thing. I noticed in the papers that you're looking for a tenant for a carriage house.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes, I am.

[Pamela Calino]

I'd like to rent it.

[James Mason]

The scene of the crime, of course. Why not?

[Pamela Calino]

There's no harm in it.

[James Mason]

As a matter of fact, it's perfect. And what's more, I'll let you have it very cheaply. For old times sake.

[Pamela Calino]

I saw Bedford frequently. Our acquaintance developed into friendship. An armed friendship. Of course. He knew I was out to get him and I wanted him to know that. But he was so pleased, so vain, that he bested me that it gave him delight to see me. And that's how I got to know him pretty well. Fundamentally, he's superstitious and afraid. He's uncomfortable in the dark. He's an insomniac. He finds himself utterly unable to read horror novels. His sneering self assurance is a mask for a nature that's subject to deathly fears. Well, tonight is the anniversary of the murder. And tonight Mr. Bedford dines with us at 8 o'clock. I asked you two to be here early so that we could have a talk.

[James Mason]

It's nearly eight now.

[Pamela Calino]

Now, this is the plan. You both know May Wakefield.

[Various Characters]

Shakespearean May Wakefield. Oh, yes, yes, wonderful. The greatest Lady Macbeth I ever saw.

[Pamela Calino]

That's right. Now, during dinner, she will enter the room in the Precise likeness of Ms. Ferguson, the murdered woman. We of course, will pretend not to see her. We'll remain outwardly unconscious of her. Only Bedford will be aware of her presence.

[Various Characters]

Hamlet, the play is the thing.

[Pamela Calino]

Exactly. Now, during dinner, the electric light will be switched off at the main and candles will be lit. We must have the correct atmosphere, you understand? Now, you are not to see Miss Wakefield. She doesn't exist for us. Is that clear?

[James Mason]

I look right through her.

[Pamela Calino]

That will be bed. Ah, my dear Mr. Bedford. Good of you to come in this weather.

[James Mason]

But I never miss a meeting with you, Sir William.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, Lane, will you take Mr. Bedford's things?

[James Mason]

Yes.

[Pamela Calino]

Miserable weather.

[James Mason]

Oh, indeed.

[Pamela Calino]

This way to the dining room. Thank you.

[James Mason]

I almost Forgot my way around in this ugly old place.

[Pamela Calino]

Perhaps you have unpleasant memories associated with turret house.

[James Mason]

Perhaps I have.

[Pamela Calino]

John Bedford looked us over with his characteristic arrogance and superiority. I made the proper introductions and then we all sat down to dinner.

[Various Characters]

Is it still. Is it still nasty outside, miss?

[James Mason]

Oh, it's getting worse. Looks as if we're in for a few days of this weather.

[Pamela Calino]

Too bad. I'm thinking of doing some riding tomorrow.

[James Mason]

The soup, it's. It is excellent. Oh, yes, Sir William, your cook is to be congratulated. The soup is a masterpiece.

[Pamela Calino]

Poor Alice. She's been my cook for over 20 years, but she's given me notice. Absolutely refuses to stay here any longer. Why? She says this house is haunted. Roberta, this might make an interesting story for you. You should speak to her. She can give you a detailed description of the ghost. Alice swears that she's seen the figure of an elderly woman with finger marks on her throat walking about the house.

[James Mason]

Come now, Sir William, this is just too good. Such an obvious attempt to frighten me. Sir William is convinced that I murdered my aunt. Now, please, Sir William, a little more subtlety. Surely I deserve it.

[Various Characters]

Perhaps. Perhaps the cook did see the figure.

[Pamela Calino]

It might interest you to know, Mr. Bedford, that I don't believe in ghosts. And I'm sure my cook never saw this elderly figure except in her frightened imagination.

[James Mason]

I am afraid, sir, that your little attempt did not work. But I must admire your graceful acknowledgment of its failure.

[Pamela Calino]

I suppose I should give up plaguing. You shouldn't.

[James Mason]

I know, Sir William. Never give up. I may have a weak spot somewhere. You never can tell. If at first you don't succeed, you know.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Do you.

[Various Characters]

Do you live far from here, Mr. Bedson?

[James Mason]

Thank you, Ms. Stone. There's really no need to change the subject. I hope you find this game as amusing as I do. I. I saw a very exciting play last night. The Haymarket. Excuse me a moment. It's really fearfully hot in here. Do you mind, Sir William, if we get a little fresh air?

[Pamela Calino]

I'm sorry. It is stuffy in here. Elaine, open one of the windows, please.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes. It's awful weather. Simply awful.

[Various Characters]

Yes. I don't know how I will ever get home.

[James Mason]

I can't stand this weather myself. I think I'll go to the Riviera next week.

[Harlow Wilcox]

I'm always so.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, Colonel Lane. What on earth's wrong with the lights?

[James Mason]

I don't know, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, don't stand around. Fetch some candles. We can't sit here in the Darkness. And get the chauffeur. He knows something about electric lights.

[James Mason]

I'll call the chauffeur right away.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm terribly sorry about this. We've had trouble with the wiring before. We'll have it fixed up in a few minutes. Let's get on with our dinner. Have some more wine, Mr. Bedford?

[James Mason]

I've had enough, thank you.

[Pamela Calino]

It was a tense moment. I looked at Roberta and Arthur. They were both pale and uneasy. And so was Bedford. For all his poise, I believe that the only calm person in the room was myself.

[Various Characters]

Oh, Mr. Bedford. You were saying something about visiting the Riviera. It must be lovely at this time of year.

[James Mason]

It is. I've been there before, you know.

[Pamela Calino]

What's the matter, Mr. Bedford? Nothing.

[James Mason]

Nothing at all. I. I wish we could have some more light. It's rather difficult to see.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm really terribly sorry this had to happen just at dinner. Please have a little more wine, Mr. Bedford.

[James Mason]

No, no, I don't drink much.

[Pamela Calino]

The figure of a woman had entered the room. She'd come in silently, like a ghost. It was done so softly, so skillfully, that her presence seemed completely unreal. It was a supreme, superb entrance. We all saw her, but we made no sign of recognition. In the dim candlelight, she looked ghastly. It was an incredible piece of makeup. Bedford looked at all of us to see if we'd seen the figure standing a few feet away from him. But we ate our dinner calmly. He looked again, shook his head and then gulped the wine in front of him.

[James Mason]

Don't any of you see anything?

[Pamela Calino]

See what, Mr. Bedford?

[James Mason]

You know perfectly well what. There she is.

[Pamela Calino]

Just as plain. What's got into you, Bedford? It's my aunt.

[James Mason]

My arm.

[Pamela Calino]

Perhaps you've had too much wine. Your aunt is dead. You're not seeing ghosts, I hope.

[Various Characters]

Yes.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes. That's it. I drank too much. I'm not used to drinking. She's coming towards me.

[Pamela Calino]

Calm yourself, Fed. I've never seen you like this. There's no one else here. Do you see anyone, Roberta?

[Various Characters]

No. No, I. I don't see anyone.

[James Mason]

No. Neither do. Do I. I can't stand it. I'm getting out of here.

[Various Characters]

You're not wearing gloves today, John.

[Pamela Calino]

She's real.

[James Mason]

God. Didn't see her. Can't you hear her?

[Pamela Calino]

Come over here. She.

[James Mason]

She's touching me. She's.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Sit down, Fredford.

[James Mason]

She's gone to the door. She won't let me out.

[Various Characters]

I'm an old woman. Money is no good for me. I'm lonely.

[James Mason]

John, let me by. Aunt Martha.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Out of my way.

[Pamela Calino]

Out of my way. Get away from that daughter.

[James Mason]

I'll murder you again. You hear? Aunt Martha. I'll kill you again, you old witch. Please let me go.

[Pamela Calino]

All right. Switch on the lights. Officer Graham, come out. Arrest him. You heard his confession, sir.

[James Mason]

I did.

[Pamela Calino]

Put the handcuffs on.

[James Mason]

I've got him.

[Harlow Wilcox]

There.

[Pamela Calino]

Well, Bedford, it seems that I finally caught up.

[James Mason]

I'll kill her again. I'll kill her again.

[Pamela Calino]

I'll kill her again. It wasn't your aunt. That was May Wakefield.

[James Mason]

I'll kill her again.

[Pamela Calino]

Take him away, Graham. He's in a state of shock. Well, let's continue our dinner. I'm sorry for this interruption.

[Various Characters]

I don't think I want to eat anymore.

[Pamela Calino]

Now, don't be squeamish, Roberta. We must celebrate my final case. It's been a long job, but it ended just as I knew it must. I'm most grateful to the both of you for your help.

[James Mason]

It was a little grim for me.

[Various Characters]

That was the finest piece of acting I've ever seen. May Wakefield certainly knew her past.

[Pamela Calino]

We must congratulate her. She almost convinced me. She must have removed her makeup by now or. Lane?

[James Mason]

Yes?

[Pamela Calino]

Tell Ms. Wakefield to come down and join us. We have a fine dinner waiting for her. Excuse me, sir, but this telegram came.

[James Mason]

A little while ago. I didn't want to disturb you during dinner.

[Pamela Calino]

Let me have it.

[Various Characters]

Why, Sir William, Is anything wrong?

[Pamela Calino]

I'll read it to you. Extremely sorry. Severe influenza. Makes it impossible for me to leave my bed tonight. Will tomorrow night do? Signed, May Wakefield.

[Various Characters]

Lord help us. If it wasn't May Wakefield, who was it?

[Pamela Calino]

I did not answer. I looked at the staring faces of Roberta and Arthur. And then I turned away. A vein in my temple began to throb. I put my hand to it and it stopped.

[James Mason]

I. I think I'll have some wine now.

[Pamela Calino]

Lan.

[James Mason]

Yes, sir.

[Pamela Calino]

Fetch a bottle of brandy and pour three stiff drinks. Better make it four. I think you need one, too.

[James Mason]

Suspense presented by Auto Light Tonight star James Mason.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Well, Hap, it's great to have you back.

[James Mason]

Me and those 400 auto light products.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Yes, you and over 400 products made by Autolite for cars, trucks, planes and boats in 28 plants coast to coast. These include complete electrical systems used as original equipment on many makes of America's finest cars. Spark plugs, batteries, generators, coils, distributors, starting motors and bullseye sealed beam headlights. All engineered to fit together perfectly. Work together perfectly because they're a perfect team. So friends don't accept electrical Parts supposed to be as good. Ask for and insist on Autolite original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car dealer, garage or repair shop. Remember, you're always right with Auto Light. Next Thursday for suspense. Our star will be Alan Ladd. The play is called Motive for Murder. And it is, as we say, a tale well calculated.

[James Mason]

To keep you in suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Tonight'S suspense play was produced and edited by William Speer and directed by Norman Macdonald. Music for suspense is composed by Rene Garaganck and Lucian Morowek and conducted by Lud Bluskin. Banquo's Chair was adapted for radio by Sigmund Miller from a short story by Rupert Croft. Cook James Mason can soon be seen in the Universal international picture, One Way Street. In the coming weeks, you will hear such stars as Ronald Reagan and Ginger Rogers. Don't forget, next Thursday, same time, Autolite will present Suspense, starring Alan Ladd.

[Various Characters]

You can buy Autolite resistor or regular.

[James Mason]

Spark plugs, Autolite staple batteries, Autolite electrical.

[Various Characters]

Parts at your neighborhood Autolite dealers.

[James Mason]

Switch to Autolite.

[Various Characters]

Good night.

[Harlow Wilcox]

This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting.

[James Mason]

You are about to hear a story suggested by actual events so that no innocent person shall suffer. Names and places have been changed.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Autolite and its 96,000 dealers bring you a storm. A story from the front pages of our great metropolitan newspapers. A story taken from life. Tonight's presentation of suspense.

[James Mason]

Tonight, Autolight presents Mr. James Mason as the greatest thief in the world. An astounding case drawn from the unclosed files of Scotland Yard.

[Pamela Calino]

See? See?

[James Mason]

Come and sita See?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Hi, Pepito. Why the worried look?

[James Mason]

Oh, Senor Wilcox.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Well, my car, she's jerky and my wife. Come and sita. He's mad. Well, maybe it's worn out. Spark plugs.

[James Mason]

Come and sita. Got spark plug.

[Harlow Wilcox]

No, no, no. I mean, if your car's spark plugs are worn out, it's liable to hop the highway like a hiccoughing hippo and start sluggish as a sleepy snail.

[James Mason]

Ah, but what to do, senor?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Why get that badly behaving buggy to your nearest Autolite spark plug dealer? His exclusive Autolite plug check indicator will show the exact condition of your spark plugs and whether they're right for your type driving. If cleaning or adjustments are needed, he's got all the equipment to give you the best spark plug service money can buy. But what if they are worn out? Then your Autolite spark plug dealer will install a set of standard or resistor type ignition engineered Autolite spark plugs to give you smoother performance.

[James Mason]

Quick starts and gas savings.

[Harlow Wilcox]

See your Autolight spark plug dealer soon because you're always right with Autolight.

[James Mason]

And now with the greatest thief in the world and the performance of Mr. James Mason, autolight hopes once again to keep you in SAS. Bend. The files of Criminal Record Office in Scotland Yard contain two bulky folders. One relating to the evidence against Peter Marriott. The other against a criminal known only as the Squire. Concerning Peter Marriott, we are in possession of a number of facts. Some we gain through our own investigations, others through interested parties. Concerning the Squire, we know a good deal less. That for some five years he committed jewel thefts amounting to half a million pounds. Is common knowledge that at no time until the end did we find one. Scrap of evidence is further stated in the file. The question that the Yard has not been able to satisfactorily answer is whether Peter Marryat and the Squire are one and the same. The case is a mathematical fantasy. For example, we know that Peter Marryat attended a shooting party in West Riding as the guest of Sir Leslie and Lady Banbridge. We know the gist of what transpired. But was the Squire present at that time?

[Pamela Calino]

Good shooting, Marriott. Thank you, sir.

[James Mason]

Blessed if I know how you do it.

[Pamela Calino]

Every time I get a shot at them, those blinking partridges seem to know it's me. That's just bad luck, sir. It'll get better.

[Harlow Wilcox]

But they do, you know.

[James Mason]

They fly off screaming with laughter. It's old Banbridge. Come on, you chaps. Nothing to worry about.

[Pamela Calino]

Really, Sam. Oh, well.

[James Mason]

Perhaps tomorrow. I'm for a drink.

[Pamela Calino]

Rat. Your arm. By the way. Been meaning to ask you ever since you got here.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Kept slipping my mind.

[Pamela Calino]

Anything new in London about that Squire chap? I don't think so, sir. Not since his last haul. You've heard about him up here too, eh? Who doesn't hear about him?

[James Mason]

It's a disgrace, I tell you. I've written a letter to the Times. Parliament should do something.

[Pamela Calino]

I understand Scotland's Yard's up a tree.

[James Mason]

Bungalows.

[Pamela Calino]

Not like the old days.

[James Mason]

Catch the men and give him a horse ripping. Then send him to Dartmoor. That's what we would have done.

[Pamela Calino]

They say he's quite clever.

[James Mason]

Clever? Nonsense. Tables are making a hero of the blighter. The Squire. Indian Squire. Man's not a gentleman. Just a blasted little jewel thief.

[Pamela Calino]

I don't imagine the Honorable Percy Pindell considers him little.

[James Mason]

Oh, yes. That was the last one, wasn't it?

[Pamela Calino]

According to the paper. 20. £20,000, an emerald necklace and two diamond rings.

[James Mason]

That is a Fool. I always told him so, too.

[Harlow Wilcox]

A child could have opened that safe of his.

[James Mason]

I'd like to see this squire try his game with me.

[Pamela Calino]

Be a different story, I can tell you. I imagine that it would. By the way, didn't you tell me that you used to dabble in the diamond market? A few years ago, sir. Nothing much this evening. I must show you one or two.

[James Mason]

Nice little things I bought Lady Pamela in Italy.

[Pamela Calino]

I'd love to see them, sir.

[James Mason]

Two days after the shooting party, Sir Leslie Banbridge reported that jewels amounted to the sum of £8,000 had been stolen from his safe. It was the Squire's work. No prints. Just the unmistakable methods that had tantalized us for five years. At that time, there was no more reason to suspect Peter Marriott than the other 18 guests, all of whom had seen the jewels in question. We know now that there was a girl in Peter Marriott's life. A girl whom we felt to be a rather odd acquaintance for a man in his position.

[Pamela Calino]

Hello, Ginny.

[Various Characters]

Where have you been? Thought you was coming by last week.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm sorry. I was away with brass knobs. Honestly, I. I brought you a present.

[Various Characters]

You have? You are a duck.

[Pamela Calino]

I've missed you. Forgiven.

[Various Characters]

Don't I always? Give us a kiss. You have missed me, haven't you? Where's the present?

[Pamela Calino]

Here.

[James Mason]

Ow.

[Various Characters]

Peter. Oh, it's lovely. Thanks ever so. Is it real?

[Pamela Calino]

Absolutely. You couldn't find a better ruby anywhere.

[Various Characters]

It doesn't look real.

[Pamela Calino]

Take my word for it. It is.

[Various Characters]

How lovely. You shouldn't have, though. Must have cost a packet.

[Pamela Calino]

You're my girl, aren't you? Look. You see this parcel I've got here? Will you keep this for me? Just for a little while.

[Various Characters]

Oh. What is it?

[Pamela Calino]

Nothing important. You don't have to open it.

[Various Characters]

I wouldn't.

[Pamela Calino]

As a matter of fact, it's like the. The other parcel I gave you a few months ago.

[Various Characters]

Go on. Pictures?

[Pamela Calino]

That's right.

[Various Characters]

You'll get in trouble one of these days, you will. I don't believe you. I bet those aren't pictures in there.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh.

[Various Characters]

What do you really do? I mean, for a living?

[Pamela Calino]

I've told you, nothing very much. Stock exchange. I have some money. Why?

[Various Characters]

I just wondered.

[Pamela Calino]

What made you wonder?

[Various Characters]

I think maybe you're a bit shady.

[Pamela Calino]

What an odd thought.

[Various Characters]

Is it? What makes it so odd? Why don't you ever take me nowhere? Why do you always have to meet here? Never go dancing nor. Nothing.

[Pamela Calino]

Isn't it nicer this way?

[Various Characters]

No, it ain't. You're ashamed of me Because I'm not swell like you.

[Pamela Calino]

Jenny, it isn't that. Tell me that. I want to be with you alone. What do you want me to say, then?

[Various Characters]

I don't know. There's something funny about you.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh?

[Various Characters]

A man was here the other day.

[Pamela Calino]

A man? Who? What did you. What do you mean?

[Various Characters]

Oh, so there is something.

[Pamela Calino]

Ginny. Tell me about his.

[Various Characters]

He was just asking about the gent what visited me last time. That was you, Peter.

[Pamela Calino]

What did he say?

[Various Characters]

I told him I wasn't in the habit of gassing with strangers and. Arf.

[James Mason]

It.

[Pamela Calino]

What did he look like?

[Various Characters]

Look here, I don't like the way you're talking. Like a ruddy copper. I don't think I'm going to tell you anything.

[Pamela Calino]

Sorry, Ginny. Please go on.

[Various Characters]

No, I don't feel like it.

[Pamela Calino]

Now, look, I've got to know. It's important.

[Various Characters]

Well, dial 999. Ask the police.

[Pamela Calino]

I think you better tell me.

[Various Characters]

You hit me.

[Pamela Calino]

What did he look like, Ginny?

[Various Characters]

Well, he was. Your eyes. Maybe a little thinner, with black hair.

[Pamela Calino]

How was he dressed?

[Various Characters]

I don't know. All right, I suppose. Grey overcoat. Fola. He wasn't a copper, I don't think, if that's what you're worrying about. Too polite.

[Pamela Calino]

Any name?

[Various Characters]

No. Said he was a friend of yours from abroad. Said when I saw you to say something about Canada and you'd know what he meant.

[Pamela Calino]

He's dead. It can't be.

[James Mason]

Immediately following the Banbridge robbery, the Squire was inactive. We kept an eye out for the stolen jewels, but as in the past, there was no sign of them. However, we learnt one interesting fact. That Peter Marriott had attended several parties given by victims of the Squire. Although it was a very slight chance, and quite possibly coincidental, we felt it advisable to assign a plainclothesman to watch him. On September 7, 1949, the detective made his routine report. Followed Cesspick to Lyons Tea Shop, Notting Hill Gate.

[Harlow Wilcox]

He sat at a corner table, alone.

[James Mason]

Five minutes later, was joined by another man. Was unable to hear the conversation.

[Pamela Calino]

Hello, Peter Marriott. Hello. Sit down.

[Harlow Wilcox]

I don't think I'd have recognized you.

[Pamela Calino]

You've had quite a job done on your face, haven't you? Yes, well, rather like old times. What happened? I thought you.

[Harlow Wilcox]

No, not now.

[Pamela Calino]

My dear fellow, it's a long story. Don't worry, you'll hear about it. How long have you been in London?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Oh, ages. Nearly six years.

[Pamela Calino]

Funny you took so long getting in touch, isn't it? You look prosperous. I Must say so, do you?

[James Mason]

I suppose that girl told you I'd been inquiring.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Yes, I thought it best to make sure. One doesn't want to make mistakes, does one?

[Pamela Calino]

Look here, get to the point. What do you want?

[James Mason]

Same dear fellow, aren't you? All right.

[Pamela Calino]

First, what about my name? I thought you were dead. No harm there. You know I couldn't use my own name after I left Canada.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Yes, but.

[James Mason]

My dear fellow, Peter Marriott.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Well, there can't be two of us, you know.

[Pamela Calino]

Why not?

[James Mason]

Well, because when I found out five.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Years ago that you were calling yourself.

[Pamela Calino]

That I had to change my name to something else.

[James Mason]

Well, now I think I want my own back.

[Pamela Calino]

You can have it. There must be more than a few Peter Marriotts in the world.

[James Mason]

Definitely. But we are special, you and I.

[Pamela Calino]

Very special. Go on.

[James Mason]

You see, I've been reading a lot about you. You're quite a top. Races, hunt balls and all that. I followed you very closely. You can be of great help to me, old man. Great help indeed.

[Pamela Calino]

What's the game? We can do business together.

[James Mason]

Just like old times.

[Pamela Calino]

I don't think so.

[James Mason]

But I do.

[Harlow Wilcox]

You and I and the Squire.

[James Mason]

For the next month, well into October, Peter married Ann as a suspect became a dud. He led an exemplary life and we began to feel that once again we'd made a mistake. He attended several parties and no robbery attempts followed. However, it was two days after a ball given by a wealthy sportsman that our detective assigned to Marriott made his report. October 28. Suspect left his flat 5.30pm and walked towards tube station. Followed but lost him. Cannot be certain whether this move was purposeful or not on his part.

[Pamela Calino]

Is that the house? Yes.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Well, you're not going to drive up.

[Pamela Calino]

To it, are you? Okay. I didn't ask you to come along, you know. I suppose you know what you're doing. You can stay here.

[Harlow Wilcox]

There are lights on in there.

[Pamela Calino]

Seven squatters.

[Harlow Wilcox]

What do I say if a bobby comes along?

[Pamela Calino]

See that switch under the dash? Flick it, then step on the starter. The motor won't catch. You can say you're having motor trouble.

[James Mason]

All right.

[Various Characters]

Sa.

[Pamela Calino]

Come on.

[James Mason]

Did you get it?

[Pamela Calino]

Come on.

[James Mason]

She won't catch the ignition.

[Pamela Calino]

You bloody fool. Oh, did you get it? You don't think I went in there for a cup of tea, do you? Of course I got it.

[James Mason]

Autolite is bringing you Mr. James Mason with Pamela Calino in the Greatest Thief in the World. Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of Thrills, suspense. Hey, Senor Wilcox.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Well, Pepito. From the smooth, salubrious and satisfying sound of that engine, you must have visited your Autolite spark plug dealer. He took out the worn out spark plugs and put in auto light spark plugs.

[James Mason]

Now my car is happy as a turtle dog and so is my wife.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Why sure, because those ignition engineered Autolite spark plugs are the hep hardy and harmonious hustlers designed by the same Autolite engineers who build complete ignition systems for many leading makes of our finest cars, trucks and tractors for a ride.

[Pamela Calino]

Sweet.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Plus a Sunday siesta. Right you are. So, friends, have your spark plugs checked regularly by your neighborhood Autolite spark plug dealer. He's the expert on spark plug cleaning and adjustments. And he'll replace worn out spark plugs with world famous ignition engineered Autolite spark plugs. Either standard or resistor type for smoother performance, quick starts and gas savings. You said it, Mrs. Pepito. You're always right with Autolight.

[James Mason]

And now Autolite brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. James Mason in Elliot Lewis's production of the Greatest Thief in the World. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Once again, the Squire had struck, this time to the tune of £14,000 in oriental jewels. Once again, the resources of Scotland Yard were unable to discover one shred of evidence. It was useless to bring Peter Marriott in for questioning because we had no proof of his complicity. There was nothing to do but intensify our surveillance and hope that a piece of the stolen jewelry would turn up or that one of our informers would uncover something. On November 26, 1949, Marriott drove down to Kent and the estate of Lord Simon Ledington. Again, we had no knowledge of the conversation that took place during that visit.

[Pamela Calino]

I say, Joan. Hello.

[Various Characters]

Just running over to Paddock Wood. Want to come?

[Pamela Calino]

Love to.

[Various Characters]

Hop in. Headache?

[Pamela Calino]

Murderous. Too much for me last night.

[Various Characters]

Take an aspirin. You'll need it for tonight.

[Pamela Calino]

If I have one more hot buttered rum, I'll die.

[Various Characters]

Not you. Peter. I say, Daddy was furious with me this morning.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh? Why?

[Various Characters]

Well, for behaving the way I did with you. He saw us kissing in the playroom. Said I had no right to lead you on. That you were a very nice young man and deserved a better fate.

[Pamela Calino]

His Lordship was a discerning man, Peter. Mm.

[Various Characters]

What were you doing in the library this morning?

[Pamela Calino]

Nothing.

[James Mason]

Why?

[Various Characters]

Well, I saw you looking at the safe. Just like a burglar. Very suspicious.

[Pamela Calino]

Rubbish. Probably nothing in it anyway. Besides, no self respecting cracksman would touch a thing like that. It's too Easy to open.

[Various Characters]

I bet the Squire would, the rank amateur.

[Pamela Calino]

He learned everything from me.

[Various Characters]

Do you want anything in the village?

[Pamela Calino]

I dropped me at a pillow box. I've got a couple of cards to post.

[Various Characters]

Right. I'll meet you in half an hour outside the cinema.

[James Mason]

Our man followed Marriott when he left Lady Joan Ledington's car in Paddock Wood. He posted two cards, then strolled down the road to the Hotel Rackham. He entered there and went into the tavern. Our man remained outside. What'll you have, sir?

[Pamela Calino]

Double Scotch, Johnny Walker. All right, Chihuahua.

[James Mason]

Sir.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Bit of pre Christmas cheer.

[Pamela Calino]

I don't like this outside. See in the mirror? I think it's a man from the Yard. I've noticed him hanging about. That won't do at all. What does it look like in the house? What the devil should I know? Give me time, can't you?

[Harlow Wilcox]

A bit touchy, aren't you?

[Pamela Calino]

My dear old boy, in this business one can't get nervy. You ought to know that. You should have stayed in London. No, it's better this way. We can keep an eye on one another, huh?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Oh, that'll buck you up.

[James Mason]

Double Scotch, sir. On November 30, Marriott returned to London. We had an idea that he'd contacted someone in Rackham Hotel Tavern. Possibly the elusive stranger. We knew to be meeting Marriott from time to time. In any event, we kept a man at Paddock Wood. No attempt was made during the next three weeks upon Lord Lettington's house. And we could do nothing but wait. On December 21, it was noted that Peter Marriott visited Virginia Hibbert in Hammersmith at a late hour.

[Various Characters]

You really have no consideration for me at all. Really, you haven't. Fine time of night to come calling.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm sorry, Ginny, but I had to talk to you.

[Various Characters]

Oh, what's up?

[Pamela Calino]

Please listen. I may have to go away. I may not be able to see you again.

[Various Characters]

Not ever.

[Pamela Calino]

Ever. You're a good girl. Sometimes I haven't been kind, but I've always known that I could trust you. It hasn't just been making use of you?

[Various Characters]

I hope not.

[Pamela Calino]

Jimmy, that man who came to ask you about me.

[Various Characters]

Has he got something to do with it?

[Pamela Calino]

Yes. I knew him a long time ago in Canada.

[Various Characters]

Oh.

[Pamela Calino]

We worked together. It was in a mining town. One night there was a game. A poker game. It ended in a fight. My face was badly slashed and I. I shot a man. I ran away and a doctor did a plastic stick surgery job on my face. I changed my name, too.

[Various Characters]

The bloke who Came back? Is he the one you.

[Pamela Calino]

No, no, no. The man I shot was a minor. The fellow who came back was the one I worked with. I thought he'd been killed in the fight. Oh, now you see why I was afraid when you told me about him. He knows about that man that I killed.

[Various Characters]

The dirty rotter. Blackmailing you, eh?

[Pamela Calino]

Yes, that's right, Jenny. I'm gonna have to do something about it. The police are following me. So, you see, I can't let this thing go on. There's some money in here. I want you to take it.

[Various Characters]

You don't have to do that. You've treated me all right. I don't want your money. I don't want you to go away.

[Pamela Calino]

It's for you. There's a thousand pounds here.

[Various Characters]

No.

[Pamela Calino]

Take it, Ginny, and get out of London. Go to some nice little town and get married.

[Various Characters]

No. I want to be with you. Take me with you. I could learn to be a lady honest. I'd try.

[Pamela Calino]

You are. Don't worry about that, dear Ginny.

[Various Characters]

Don't go, Peter. Don't go, please.

[Pamela Calino]

Maybe I'll come back. And if I do, I'll look for you.

[Various Characters]

Truly?

[Pamela Calino]

Truly.

[Various Characters]

Give us a kiss.

[James Mason]

On the morning of December 22, 1949, our file on Peter Marriott was still inconclusive. He was a strong suspect. But there was the other man whom we knew he had seen from time to time. There was now the possibility that he was the Squire. We expected an attempt on Lord Lettington's house and kept our detective in Paddock Wood. That same night, on the 22nd, Lord Lettington's safe was opened and a large amount of currency, as well as jewelry, was stolen. The plain clothesman we'd left to guard the estate was later found unconscious in some bushes.

[Pamela Calino]

You were an idiot to come back to the hotel. They'll be looking for you. Or you.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Quite a whole.

[Pamela Calino]

I like the paper best. Diamonds are pretty, but they're a bloody.

[James Mason]

Nuisance to get rid of.

[Pamela Calino]

You won't have to worry about that anymore. Oh, I'm fed up. Things were all right with me before you showed up.

[Harlow Wilcox]

But think how much nicer it is for me.

[James Mason]

You've been such a help. I can do so much better business with you.

[Pamela Calino]

It's finished.

[James Mason]

Oh, come on now. You'll feel better after a drink.

[Pamela Calino]

We'll have to get away from here. At least you'll have to. I imagine half of Scotland Yard will be here soon. What about that detective?

[Harlow Wilcox]

I put him out.

[Pamela Calino]

He'll live. Not a very nice Christmas present, I'm afraid.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Ah, here we are.

[James Mason]

Cheers.

[Pamela Calino]

I meant it. You know about us.

[Harlow Wilcox]

No. No, you didn't. Because you wouldn't like people to know, would you?

[Pamela Calino]

It doesn't matter. Oh, but it does. What do they do to murderers in Canada?

[James Mason]

Hang them? Or that delightful American system, electricity?

[Pamela Calino]

You're a fool. Do you think I've spent these years getting where I have to allow you to come along and mug it up?

[James Mason]

You've had it too soft, Peter.

[Pamela Calino]

You're spoiled. You're the one who's had it soft. I could talk too, you know.

[James Mason]

I have an idea that you're threatening me. That's not very healthy, is it?

[Harlow Wilcox]

No, I shouldn't. Try it, Peter.

[Pamela Calino]

Whatever you're thinking, turn around. Why? I don't want to shoot you in the back. Is that what you're going to do? Kill me? Turn around. Don't do it, old boy. I have a gun too. I'll count three. One.

[James Mason]

I was always a better shot than you, remember.

[Pamela Calino]

Two. The last chance.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Put down your gun.

[Pamela Calino]

Three.

[James Mason]

We found the body of Peter Marriott in the bedroom of the Hotel Rackham Paddock Wood Kent. He'd been shot once through the head and the pistol lay by his side. The jewels stolen from Lord Ledington safe were on the dressing table. The currency was missing. However, there were one or two points still left un. The gun was devoid of fingerprints. The deceased was not wearing gloves at the time his body was discovered. There was further the question of an open window and marks on the sill. Scotland Yard still is not certain who went through that window. An unknown assailant or the Squire Suspend. Presented by Auto Light. Tonight's star, the Mr. James Mason.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Friends, this is Harlow Wilcox again to remind you that Autolite is the world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. AutoLight makes over 400 products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes and boats in 28 plants from coast to coast. These products include world famous ignition engineered Autolite spark plugs which are carried by your neighborhood Autolite spark plug dealer. See him soon. And have worn out spark plugs replaced with ignition engineered Autolite resistor type or standard type spark plugs for smoother performance, quick starts and gas savings. And remember, you're always right with Auto Light.

[James Mason]

Next this week on suspense, another play suggested by actual events. The case for Dr. Singer. The story Atomic Spies in the United States Today. How they operate. How they are caught. Presented on suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morowek and conducted by Lud Gluskin. The Greatest Thief in the World was written for suspense by Anthony Ellis. Featured in tonight's play were Pamela Calino, Joseph Kearns, Ben Wright, Eileen Erskine, Raymond Lawrence and Ted Osborne. James Mason will soon be seen in his own production, Lady Possessed, in which he appears with Pamela Collino.

[James Mason]

Remember, next week on suspense, a tale we call the case for Dr. Singer. You can buy world famous Autolite resistor or standardized spark plugs, Autolite staple batteries, Autolite electrical parts at your neighborhood's Auto Autolite dealers. Switch to Autolite. Good night.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Do you have friends or relatives living abroad? If so, write them frequently, telling of the advantages and liberties you enjoy as Americans. Your letters are an effective weapon against hostile propaganda that seeks to give the wrong impression of our country. Do your part with your letters from America. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Autolyte and its 96,000 dealers bring you Mr. James Mason in tonight's presentation of suspense.

[James Mason]

Tonight, Autolife presents the story of the.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Terrifying escape of a dying man. An adaptation of Odd man out, starring Mr. James Mason. Hap, I tell you, they're an unbeatable team. Who, Harlow? Why, the generator, starting motor, coil, distributor and all the other important parts that make up the complete Auto Light equipped electrical system on your Auto Light equipped car.

[James Mason]

You mean all those parts work as a team, Harlow?

[Harlow Wilcox]

They sure do, Hap. Because Autolight electrical systems are designed and built by Autolight to give you the smoothest performance money can buy. That's mighty important too, because your electrical system works for you every second your car is running. Every time you turn the ignition switch or turn on your lights, radio or heater.

[James Mason]

Sounds like a family team to me, Harlow.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Right you are, Hap. So, friends, be sure to specify Autolight original factory parts for the electrical system of your Auto Light equipped car. If replacements are needed, you'll find it pays. Remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

[James Mason]

And now with Odd man out and.

[Harlow Wilcox]

The performance of Mr. James Mason. Autolight hope once again to keep you.

[James Mason]

In suspense.

[Pamela Calino]

There are four of us on the raid. Murphy, Nolan, Pat outside waiting with the car and myself. So there's no need to be frightened, Johnny. It's been all planned months ago. Slow down. The safe will be open. It always is. 3:30. The wages clock will be picking up the money. There's the office at the end of the hall. Slow down. Murphy looks frightened. I don't like the smell of this place. Here we go, boys. This is the one. This is the office. Take out the gun.

[Harlow Wilcox]

You. You.

[James Mason]

You two.

[Pamela Calino]

Over There. Get to the wall. Turn your face to it.

[James Mason]

All right. Shut up, you.

[Harlow Wilcox]

As you're told.

[Pamela Calino]

The safe, Nolan. It's open. It is? What did you expect?

[James Mason]

Hurry, man.

[Various Characters]

Hurry.

[Pamela Calino]

It's all in.

[James Mason]

Come on, then.

[Pamela Calino]

Slow. Slow. You don't want any attention. Slow. There's the entrance. What a long way off it is.

[James Mason]

The sack's heavy.

[Pamela Calino]

We've done it. We've done it. Don't get nervous now. 20 steps, maybe 25. I can see the car. Good man, Pat. We'll be away in a minute. Come on, Johnny.

[James Mason]

Come on, Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

Why'd you stop, Johnny? Down the steps, man. There's the car.

[James Mason]

Pat.

[Pamela Calino]

Murphy.

[James Mason]

Nolan. Come on. Come on. Stop, you, Johnny. Without the idea. He's got a gun.

[Pamela Calino]

He's got a gun.

[James Mason]

Run, Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

Mad he is and all. It's like a dream. I can't move from here. It's like a dream.

[James Mason]

Come. Get in the path, Nolan.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm with you, Johnny. Hey. Oh, I'm hurt.

[James Mason]

I'm hurt. Hurry. Hurry.

[Pamela Calino]

Get to the car.

[James Mason]

There's an alarm.

[Pamela Calino]

Hurry. I'm hurt. He's hurt. Drag him in. Come on, Johnny. Get in.

[James Mason]

Get in.

[Pamela Calino]

Now. I must get into the car. They're waiting for me. I can't. I can't hold him on the running board.

[James Mason]

Go on, Pat.

[Various Characters]

Go on.

[Pamela Calino]

I can't get in. Hold on to me, boys.

[Harlow Wilcox]

I'm hurt.

[James Mason]

Hold on to him. He's slipping.

[Pamela Calino]

This is a heartbeat. And I am waking up for a dream I have had.

[James Mason]

No.

[Pamela Calino]

Something has happened to me. There was the cat and Pat and Murphy and Nolan and. And I've got to get away. Catch up with him. Wait for me, boys. It hurts. Oh, it does.

[James Mason]

Johnny. Johnny, are you alright? Look.

[Pamela Calino]

He's dead.

[James Mason]

No, he is not. No.

[Pamela Calino]

We'll have to carry him. Listen to that man. There's no time. We can't leave him, Johnny. Oh, look at his poor arm. We'll never make it, Pat.

[James Mason]

Back it up, Pat. Bring the car.

[Pamela Calino]

Go on. Leave me be. Go on.

[James Mason]

No. No, Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, there's no time. They'll all be out looking for us. We can't get away. Leave me. Put me down.

[James Mason]

Run, Nolan. Go back to headquarters with Pat. Oh, no.

[Pamela Calino]

No. It'll be the end of you we'll get to somehow.

[James Mason]

Oh, no. Why doesn't Pat back it up?

[Pamela Calino]

Do as I say. I'm John Far.

[James Mason]

Get out of it.

[Pamela Calino]

Oh, Johnny.

[James Mason]

No. No.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm the chief.

[James Mason]

It's an order.

[Pamela Calino]

All right. Hold on to me, Johnny.

[James Mason]

There's a shelter across the Road. You heard what I said, Murphy.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Ah, the devil was here. I'm staying.

[Pamela Calino]

And the whistles and bells of all around. It's a dream because I'm crossing the road with Murphy and there's people standing watching us. Then I am wounded. And it's not a dream because of the pain. I killed a man. That's how it was. And he wounded me. So it's all up with me now. The police are coming. And it's all up with me and Murphy. Here.

[James Mason]

Here's the shelter.

[Pamela Calino]

Inside, Johnny.

[James Mason]

No hurry.

[Pamela Calino]

It's dark in here. I'm hurt. I'm hurt. Yes, it's dark now. Rest for a bit.

[James Mason]

Rest.

[Pamela Calino]

They're outside looking for us. Yes. I can't believe hat was in self defense. He shot first. We got the money, didn't we? Aye, we got it.

[James Mason]

Nolan and Pat'll have it safe. Now.

[Pamela Calino]

Let's have a look at that arm. I can't feel it. But it hurts. No.

[James Mason]

Yes, I know. I know.

[Harlow Wilcox]

You wait a minute.

[James Mason]

I'll find a match.

[Pamela Calino]

Does it look bad? Ah, it'll be all right.

[James Mason]

We'll have it all right.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm finished. It's all up with me. Dennis will be the next in command. You hear me, Dennis? And then you. He's gone. Johnny.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Gun.

[Pamela Calino]

Johnny.

[James Mason]

Johnny, wake up now. Johnny. Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

I can hear you, Murphy. But you'll have to come closer. Oh, I'd like to lay me down for a long sleep, Johnny. I'm tired. Tired.

[James Mason]

Wake up, Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

No.

[Harlow Wilcox]

No.

[Pamela Calino]

There's work to be done. Work for an island fight.

[James Mason]

Johnny, can you hear me?

[Pamela Calino]

Johnny?

[James Mason]

Oh, I was so worried. So I was.

[Pamela Calino]

You'll have to go without me, you know.

[James Mason]

I won't.

[Pamela Calino]

The pain is killing me, Murphy. I couldn't make it. They'll have the whole police out. It was a killing. It's me or the organization.

[James Mason]

Leave help. Maybe, but we'll get you out.

[Pamela Calino]

It's. It's a waste. We haven't enough men, enough guns. Can you hold on, Johnny?

[James Mason]

Can you hold on?

[Harlow Wilcox]

If I go to Dennis and get.

[James Mason]

Some of the boys?

[Pamela Calino]

Don't do it.

[James Mason]

I find a doctor.

[Pamela Calino]

I'll bring him here. No, no.

[James Mason]

No. No. The people said they ran off the east. You trust those poor witnesses? Don't freeze off. Come on.

[Pamela Calino]

Get back here.

[James Mason]

Behind the crate.

[Pamela Calino]

Quick.

[James Mason]

On the toast.

[Pamela Calino]

Right.

[James Mason]

Now.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Over there.

[James Mason]

Ah, they wouldn't have come in here. It's the cordon. Will be finding them when it starts to close in. Johnny murders the one who was wounded. He's the one we want you. Keep your eyes here, ma'am. It'll mean a promotion this night.

[Pamela Calino]

Get it?

[James Mason]

Shut up. I'm sorry, Johnny. I am. I'm sorry. Now will you listen to me? Are you listening, Charlie? Now, you keep yourself here. You'll be safe now. They searched. Don't move.

[Pamela Calino]

Something went wrong, Murphy. We had it planned.

[James Mason]

I know, I know. But it doesn't matter now.

[Pamela Calino]

We can. Listen, man. The organization will have to lay low for a bit now, you know that. We'll pass the word. Things will quiet down.

[James Mason]

All right, all right.

[Pamela Calino]

But first we got to think of you. I'm going to get out.

[James Mason]

Go out and bring help. I'll do it. Now we'll get your way.

[Harlow Wilcox]

But you mustn't move from here.

[Pamela Calino]

What happened to Pat Noran? Are they away?

[James Mason]

I told you, Johnny. I told you. What's that over there? Maybe someone got in the back.

[Pamela Calino]

I dropped my gun at the middle. It's a rat, Murphy. Get it off me.

[James Mason]

Murphy. Shut up. Shut up.

[Pamela Calino]

I can't stay. I hate rats. There's more of them. They'll come after you've gone. No.

[James Mason]

No, they won't, Johnny. Now.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Easy, man.

[Pamela Calino]

Here. Here. Now you can beat him off with the stick.

[James Mason]

Don't you hear me, John?

[Pamela Calino]

I'm going now.

[James Mason]

Stay where you are.

[Pamela Calino]

Sure you'll be all right in no time at all. I wonder what will happen to Agnes. Agnes, with your hair so black and heavy and the white of your skin. Agnes and the secret Lovelace. Things of your nature. Have I ever told you I should? I should. But I'm married, you know. I'm married to the organization. So you'll never know. What am I doing here? What's happening to me? I've never had such a nightmare before. I've got to get out of this.

[James Mason]

What's it?

[Pamela Calino]

I am finished now. The thing is killing me. I'm finished.

[James Mason]

Johnny boy. Johnny. Murder. It's me. It's Cheryl. Are you hurt bad? Why don't you answer me? I've always been your friend, Johnny, remember?

[Pamela Calino]

Shel, get out. Leave me be, man.

[James Mason]

The police is looking for you. So they are. Oh, there's killing tonight. How did you get through the patrol?

[Harlow Wilcox]

He's got to get out of my pump.

[James Mason]

Can't you see the look of him? Mr. Fency? The police will be here. They're everywhere tonight. He mustn't have Johnny Morph I found in here. It'll ruin me. So he wandered and he did. You can't help that. Think of it, Mr. Fencing. He's a prize creature worth thousand a couple. Anyway, you'd sell him one of, Sheriff. He's wounded. The organization would get you for us. Or they would. They might and they might not. Who's to know? You are a foul little rat. Am I not? Now, which one of us will go to the police? Will it be you, Mr. Fency? Or will it be me?

[Harlow Wilcox]

Autolite is bringing you Mr. James Mason.

[James Mason]

And Ms. Pamela Calino in Odd Man Out.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Sal Spend.

[James Mason]

Say, Harlow, my car is equipped with Autolite electrical systems. Ah, good, Hap.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Auto light electrical systems are used as original equipment on many leading makes of our finest cars, trucks and tractors. And every unit and component part is related by autolight. Engineering, design and manufacturing skill to give the smoothest performance money can buy.

[James Mason]

Why, I depend on my auto light.

[Pamela Calino]

Electrical system every time I start my car.

[Harlow Wilcox]

You sure do, Hap. And every second your engine is running too. As well as every time you turn on your radio heaters, switch on your lights or blow your horn.

[James Mason]

It pays to keep the electrical system running right, eh, Harlow?

[Harlow Wilcox]

It sure does, Hap. So, friends, treat the important electrical system of your car to a periodic checkup. See your car dealer or your authorized Autolite service station. To quickly locate your nearest authorized auto light service station, look in the classified section of your telephone directory under Automobile Electrical Service. Or call Western Union by number and ask for operator 25. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

[James Mason]

And now, Auto Light brings back to.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. James Mason in Elliot Lewis's production of Odd Man Out. A tale well calculated to keep you in Sal spins.

[Pamela Calino]

There is noise and there's voices and the pain hurts me eyes and my body. I heard some talk. It was talk of the police. And I heard them that close to me that they. They might have been in the same room. But I couldn't see for the pain. Twon't be me.

[James Mason]

We'll see.

[Harlow Wilcox]

The police left him tonight.

[James Mason]

Oh, then, Mr. Fency. Nor you. Nor you. I want more trouble, but I'll not turn him in. Police is out.

[Harlow Wilcox]

With Tommy guns and all, he's a big sweep. Sooner or later they'll get him.

[James Mason]

But I won't do it. Nor you. Stay with him. I'll get whiskey. Oh, for goodness sake. What's to become of you, Johnny boy? You're not wrong. For the joys of life, I'm thinking, and alive. You're worth my fortune.

[Pamela Calino]

Shell.

[James Mason]

Shell. Hi, Johnny. Johnny. I'm your friend. It is your friend. Shell. What can I do for you?

[Pamela Calino]

I. I was supposed to stay where I was. They're coming back from army. Murphy is bringing them. Dennis, Pat, Nolan, Sheamus. I was to be where Murphy left me.

[James Mason]

Even preserve us, the whole organization altogether. It'd be worth it. Where, Johnny? Where were you to be? Where's the place, ma'am?

[Pamela Calino]

I've got to get back. They'll be looking. They'll be trapped.

[James Mason]

Dear, help us. You're in a desperate state. You can't walk the street. You can't. Oh, listen to me, Johnny. Listen, I beg you. You need someone. You couldn't move in the city alone. I'll take you. And I'm telling you straight. Do you hear me, Johnny? Come on, Johnny. Come on. Let me help you.

[Pamela Calino]

I got to get back.

[James Mason]

Ah, so. Yeah. Now I'll take you. Rest on me, Johnny. We'll find him, Mr. Fancy. Careful now, Johnny. We'll go to the back way out. What are you up to, Sheriff?

[Harlow Wilcox]

I told you.

[James Mason]

Sure. I'm helping is all. He has to meet his friends to save him. Now we're going out the back. Put your head out, Mr. Fancy, and see if the coast is clear. And get a pint. He'll need it.

[Pamela Calino]

Why am I cold again? The wind. I don't want to walk anymore. Shell. It's Shell. It is. And no one trusts Shell. What am I doing with Shell? Where is he taking me? You turn me in, you dirty.

[James Mason]

Oh, Johnny, no. I want to help. Not Shell. Our dear helpers. Here, get a hold of this. Take a good pull. It'll give you strength. That's enough now. You've had enough. Come on. Close to the walls, man. Keep out of the light.

[Pamela Calino]

Where are we going? Where?

[James Mason]

Oh, sure. And you were going to tell me as soon as you could remember.

[Pamela Calino]

Murphy's coming back.

[James Mason]

That's right, Dennis.

[Pamela Calino]

The rest.

[James Mason]

Where? Where will they be? The shelter.

[Pamela Calino]

The air raid shelter.

[James Mason]

Back there. Oh, we're going the wrong way. Come on, Johnny boy. We'll go back. Ah, Shell will take care of you.

[Pamela Calino]

If I could run, John. If I could get away from the thing, the pain. I could leave it behind. But I don't. It's wet. It is on my face. I can feel it. Like snow. They said it would snow tonight. It is snow. I must rest.

[James Mason]

Johnny. Johnny, come on. You can't rest here in the middle of the street just because. All about it. He'll see you. Sure. Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

I had a gun. What happened to my gun?

[James Mason]

Merciful He's Raven. Johnny. Oh, there's people coming. Now. We're done for. You hear me, Johnny? I didn't give you up. You hear that? I tried.

[Harlow Wilcox]

It's him. There he is.

[James Mason]

Oh. Oh, Murphy. It's me. It's Shel. I was trying to save the poor man, taking him to the shelter. He'd wandered in his delirium. He had.

[Various Characters]

Johnny. Johnny, you're bad. You'll be all right now. Dennis is bringing the car around.

[Pamela Calino]

You found him? Listen.

[James Mason]

They're all around.

[Pamela Calino]

We haven't a chance, Agnes.

[James Mason]

Down the alley.

[Pamela Calino]

Take him along.

[James Mason]

We'll hold him off.

[Various Characters]

Yes. Put your arm over my shoulder. Johnny.

[James Mason]

Uh. Oh, dear. Helpers. The police. Oh, they're turning into the street. Look. Hurry.

[Pamela Calino]

Take him down the alley.

[Various Characters]

Quickly, Johnny.

[James Mason]

Quickly. Come on, Johnny. Come on.

[Pamela Calino]

Hurry.

[James Mason]

We'll all be killed. We'll take him to my place.

[Various Characters]

Where is it?

[James Mason]

It's not too far.

[Pamela Calino]

No.

[James Mason]

No, Agnes.

[Various Characters]

I've got a gun.

[James Mason]

They won't lift us. There's killing.

[Pamela Calino]

No. I'm going back. Give me the gun, Agnes.

[Various Characters]

It wouldn't do any good. There's too many of us.

[James Mason]

Dennis, Murphy, Nolan, you're the chief.

[Various Characters]

We'll start again. Johnny.

[Pamela Calino]

There has been killed. I killed a man. A man killed me. I'm alone now. It's a bitter wilderness. But why am I running? It's cold. So it is. But why am I running? I will not run. I will not.

[James Mason]

Johnny, can't you keep him quiet? If he wakes him up in the tenement, we're done for. That's for sure.

[Various Characters]

Then we get a doctor. You must be quiet when we go upstairs to Shell's place.

[Pamela Calino]

I am quiet. I haven't said a word. What happened to the boys?

[Various Characters]

It's all right.

[Pamela Calino]

Shh.

[James Mason]

Don't make any noise. The old woman downstairs will give us away in a second if she knows.

[Pamela Calino]

Where'S Noren Murphy.

[Various Characters]

Johnny, darling.

[James Mason]

No.

[Various Characters]

You must be quiet.

[Pamela Calino]

I can't walk anymore. I want to rest.

[James Mason]

Why? He'll have the whole place on us.

[Various Characters]

Few more steps. You can do it. Sure you can, Johnny.

[James Mason]

All right. I open the door.

[Pamela Calino]

Agnes.

[Various Characters]

Yes, in a minute.

[Pamela Calino]

In a minute. We pulled it off. It did got away with it.

[Various Characters]

I know.

[James Mason]

Side with him, for the deer's sake. Quickly.

[Various Characters]

There's a bed, Johnny. Now you can rest. Oh, his arm. Oh, his arm.

[James Mason]

That's the blood that's gone out of him. That's what it is. He shouldn't be alive.

[Various Characters]

Maybe this will stop the blood. Johnny, turn over. Help me. Help me. Shel. There. Can you get a doctor? Shel.

[James Mason]

I don't know. I don't know what I've done this night. I should have turned him in. I'd be rich now. I'd probably lose my life. I'll see what I can do. But keep him quiet. Quiet. Don't let him make a sound. I'm a fool, that's what I am.

[Pamela Calino]

I know that face, dear face. Agnes. And it is her own. Around me. Warm. Holding me. Why, she. I remember now. We raided the mill. Murphy, Nolan, Pat and me. I killed a man. That was it. I must have been hurt. We were hiding. Who was it? Murphy? What was I doing with Shell? He's an informer. The Organization will have to take care of him one of these days. The city is too dangerous. We'll go to the country. Then when it's quiet, we'll start again.

[Various Characters]

Yes, Johnny. Yes. But you must try not to talk now. You mustn't talk.

[Pamela Calino]

Why did you. Why did you come to look for me? You should have stayed at headquarters.

[Various Characters]

I wanted to.

[Pamela Calino]

Who let you do it? Dennis? He wouldn't.

[Various Characters]

I had to.

[Pamela Calino]

I feel better.

[James Mason]

Good.

[Various Characters]

Now lie quietly.

[Pamela Calino]

It's night, isn't it?

[Various Characters]

Yes. We're safe here.

[Pamela Calino]

Where is it?

[Various Characters]

Shales, please.

[Pamela Calino]

No, no. You must be mad. He'll inform.

[Various Characters]

No.

[Pamela Calino]

He's gone to find a doctor, to find the police. No.

[Various Characters]

He helped me bring you here.

[Pamela Calino]

You can't trust him.

[Various Characters]

It's all right. It is. Lie back now.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm sorry. Shh.

[Various Characters]

Don't talk.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm sorry because. Because I was afraid. I think I've been afraid tonight. No, I'm not now.

[Various Characters]

You've never been afraid of anything. From the first day I saw you. Even before that. When I heard about you, I knew you were not afraid.

[Pamela Calino]

Will you give me a kiss?

[Various Characters]

I love you.

[Pamela Calino]

I've never had time for that. The Organization.

[Various Characters]

I love you. The Organization has had you. Let them leave you to me now.

[Pamela Calino]

No.

[James Mason]

No.

[Pamela Calino]

You're a woman. You wouldn't understand. It's my life.

[James Mason]

They're coming. They must have recognized me on the street or someone informed. I ran, but they're moving down the street.

[Various Characters]

We'll get out the back way, then.

[James Mason]

No, no, no. It's a cordon. You can't. Not with him that way.

[Pamela Calino]

He's the one that informed. He's the one.

[James Mason]

No, Johnny. No. No, I swear.

[Various Characters]

Run while you can, Shell, but go on.

[James Mason]

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Johnny. Sure I did. My.

[Pamela Calino]

Agnes. Give me the gun. Shoot Him. He's the one. Informer. Informer.

[Various Characters]

No.

[James Mason]

No. It's all right.

[Various Characters]

Run while you can, Shel.

[Pamela Calino]

You let him go. Yeah, you let him. And you hold the gun in your hand without shooting. It's the police. They're here.

[Various Characters]

Lie quiet. It'll be all right. They won't take us. They won't. I love you, Johnny. I love you.

[Pamela Calino]

Then this is how it might have been. Agnes. The scent of her. Her mouth soft. But the fight. And what about the fight? They can't beat us. They won't. They won't.

[James Mason]

Open the door.

[Pamela Calino]

Give me the gun. Give me the gun.

[Various Characters]

No. No.

[Pamela Calino]

I'm the chief. Give me the gun.

[Various Characters]

Johnny. No.

[Pamela Calino]

Give me the gun.

[James Mason]

Give it to me. Agnes. We've got him.

[Pamela Calino]

Agnes, I. I love you.

[James Mason]

Sal Spence.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Presented by Autolight Tonight stars Mr. James Mason and Ms. Pamela Calino. This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolife. World's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. That's why, during the early months of 52, the autolite family joins together in saluting the leading car manufacturers who install Autolight products as original equipment. Our Autolight family is made up of the nearly 30,000 men and women in 28 great autolight plants from coast to coast and instill other Autolite plants in many foreign countries. Our family also includes more than 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Autolite, as well as 96,000 autolite distributors and dealers in the United States and thousands more in Canada and throughout the world. Our Autolight family will salute the Kaiser Fraser Corporation on the next Autolite suspense television program. If you live in a television area, check the day and time of suspense on television so that you'll be sure to see this program. And remember, be with us next week for another thrilling Autolite suspense program on radio. Next week on suspense, our star will be Mr. Richard Widmark in a radio adaptation of Walter Van Tilberg Clark's study.

[James Mason]

In panic, the Track of the Cat. In weeks to come, we shall also.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Present Ms. Barbara Stanwyck and Mr. Herbert.

[James Mason]

Marshall, all on South Springs. Odd man out was adapted for suspense.

[Harlow Wilcox]

By Anthony Ellis from the book by F.L. green. Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morowek.

[James Mason]

And conducted by Lud Gluskin. Featured in the cast were Ben Wright.

[Harlow Wilcox]

Dan O'Herlihy, William Johnstone, Joseph Kearns, Charles.

[James Mason]

Davis and Raymond Lawrence.

[Harlow Wilcox]

James Mason may currently be seen in Lady Possessed. This is the CBS Radio Network.

[Narrator]

We just heard James Mason in Where There's a Will Banquo's Chair, the Greatest Thief in the World, and Odd man out, my four favorites of his appearances on Suspense. That will do it for this bonus episode. Thanks so much for joining me. I'll be back on Thursday with our next regular episode. In the meantime, you can check out down these Mean Streets, my old Time Radio Detective podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Sundays. Remember, if you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com now good night until next time, when I'll be back with another Hollywood legend in More Tales well calculated to keep you in suspense.

[James Mason]

Ladies and gentlemen, the chief hope of our enemies is to divide the United States along racial and religious lines and thereby conquer us. Let's not spread prejudice. A divided America is a weak America. Through our behavior, we encourage the respect of our children and make them better neighbors to all races and religions. Remind them that being good neighbors has helped make our country great and kept her free. Thank you.