Episode 395 - Eve McVeagh

Summary

Detailed Summary of "Stars on Suspense" (Old Time Radio) – Episode 395: Eve McVeagh

Introduction to Eve McVeagh In Episode 395 of "Stars on Suspense," hosted by Mean Streets Podcasts, listeners are introduced to the legendary Eve McVeagh. With a career spanning five decades, McVeagh is celebrated for her versatile performances across stage, film, television, and radio. The host highlights her notable film appearances in classics like High Noon and The Way West, as well as her memorable radio roles in Jeff Regan, Investigator, Gunsmoke, and The Adventures of Philip Marlowe at [00:54]. McVeagh's seamless transition from Broadway to Hollywood solidifies her as a staple in classic entertainment, making her a perfect fit for this episode’s spotlight.

Play 1: Going, Going, Gone The first feature of the episode is the radio play "Going, Going, Gone," originally aired on May 10, 1955. Starring Eve McVeagh and Thom Brown, the story blends thriller and comedy elements, revolving around a couple who win a mysterious sealed trunk at an auction.

• Auction Discovery ([08:16] - [12:06]): Wally Pindell ([08:16]) and his wife Jan stumble upon a trunk that promises unknown treasures. McVeagh's character, Jan, voices skepticism and excitement as they bid on the trunk, leading to its eventual purchase.

  • Notable Quote: “[12:06] Wally Pindell: Well, guess what's in it.”

• Unveiling the Mystery ([12:15] - [16:18]): Upon opening the trunk, the Pindells discover it filled with what appears to be priceless jewels. Their excitement quickly turns to paranoia as they suspect the trunk may attract unwanted attention.

  • Notable Quote: “[16:10] Wally Pindell: We can't let him die there. Call the police.”

• Climactic Confrontation ([16:18] - [20:16]): A mysterious figure arrives, claiming ownership of the trunk and escalating tensions. The Pindells are thrust into a web of deceit and danger, highlighting McVeagh's ability to convey fear and determination.

  • Notable Quote: “[20:07] Narrator: You won't have to. Pepto Bismol is not like that.”

Play 2: Hollywood Hostages The second play, "Hollywood Hostages," aired on February 21, 1956, continues to showcase McVeagh's dramatic prowess alongside Thom Brown. This narrative places a film crew in a deserted ghost town, where they unknowingly encounter real criminals disguised as part of a practical joke.

• Setting the Scene ([31:23] - [34:09]): The film crew, led by McVeagh’s character, ventures into Potterville, expecting a staged effect for their western movie but instead encountering genuine threats.

  • Notable Quote: “[32:00] Wally Pindell: I don't get it.”

• Rising Tensions ([37:07] - [39:07]): As suspicions grow, the crew realizes the threats are authentic, forcing them to navigate through paranoia and imminent danger.

  • Notable Quote: “[39:07] Wally Pindell: I'm just about finished.”

• Showdown and Resolution ([56:07] - [58:37]): The climax involves a tense standoff with law enforcement and the revelation of the true intentions behind the characters' deceit. McVeagh adeptly portrays the mounting fear and resolve necessary to survive the ordeal.

  • Notable Quote: “[57:46] Wally Pindell: It was for mice.”

Segment: Crime Classics – The Seven-Layered Arsenic Cake of Madame La Farge Beyond the two suspenseful plays, the episode delves into "Crime Classics," presenting a true crime story centered on Marie La Farge, a notorious French poisoner from the 19th century. This segment intertwines historical facts with dramatic reenactments to recount La Farge's heinous crimes and eventual conviction.

• Background and Motive ([64:00] - [65:07]): The story sets the stage in 1839 France, introducing Charles Lafarge and his wife Marie. Their troubled marriage and Charles's ambitions provide the motive for Marie's sinister plans.

  • Notable Quote: “[72:07] Wally Pindell: I told you it was for mice,” illustrates the deceit behind the poisoning.

• Murder and Investigation ([68:42] - [72:12]): Marie poisons Charles by lacing cakes with arsenic, masking her intentions under the guise of domestic bliss. The investigation unfolds with La Farge’s guilt slowly emerging through testimonies and evidence.

  • Notable Quote: “[72:07] Wally Pindell: I told you it was for mice,” emphasizes the pretense used to cover her crime.

• Trial and Conviction ([85:18] - [86:30]): The legal proceedings highlight the challenges in convicting Marie, ultimately leading to her life sentence. The segment concludes with reflections on her downfall and legacy.

  • Notable Quote: “[85:21] Narrator: Murderous,” unequivocally condemns her actions.

Conclusion and Insights Episode 395 of "Stars on Suspense" masterfully showcases Eve McVeagh's diverse talents through a blend of fictional thrillers and riveting true crime storytelling. By alternating between "Going, Going, Gone," "Hollywood Hostages," and "Crime Classics," the episode offers listeners a comprehensive experience of suspense, drama, and historical intrigue. McVeagh's compelling performances anchor each story, making the narratives resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.

Notable Quotes Highlight:

• “[12:06] Wally Pindell: Well, guess what's in it.”
• “[16:10] Wally Pindell: We can't let him die there. Call the police.”
• “[32:00] Wally Pindell: I don't get it.”
• “[72:07] Wally Pindell: I told you it was for mice.”
• “[85:21] Narrator: Murderous.”

Through engaging storytelling and stellar acting, Episode 395 not only celebrates Eve McVeagh's enduring legacy but also preserves the rich tradition of old-time radio drama, delivering suspenseful and memorable narratives that captivate both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Transcript

[Narrator]

The hushed voice, the prowling step in the dead of night, the crime that is almost committed, the stir of nerves at the ticking of the clock, the rescue that might be too late, or the murderer who might get away. Mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure. We invite you to enjoy stories that keep you in.

[Auctioneer]

Suspense.

[Host]

Hello and welcome to Stars on Suspense with another Hollywood legend in radio's outstanding theater of Thrills. Our leading lady this week is Eve McVeigh, a character actress whose career on the stage and screen spanned five decades. Though you may not know her name, you almost certainly know her face if you're a classic TV fan and you probably know her voice. As an old time radio listener, Ms. McVeigh jumped from the Broadway stage to Hollywood where she appeared in films like High Noon, the Glass Web and the Way West. Later on, she could be seen on television in everything from Dragnet and I Love Lucy to the Twilight Zone in Petticoat Junction. She was also featured in several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. On radio, she was heard regularly opposite Jack Webb on Jeff Regan, Investigator. She could also be heard on the Whistler, the Lux Radio Theater, Gunsmoke and the Adventures of Philip Marlowe. And she was heard in supporting roles on suspense through the 40s before she started taking on starring roles in the 50s. We'll hear two shows today that put her front and center at the suspense microphone, beginning with Going, going, gone from May 10, 1955. It's a thriller with a healthy helping of comedy, an encore of a story that was first performed on suspense in 1950 with Ozzie and Harriet in the lead roles. This later Production stars Eve McVeigh and Thom Brown as a couple who bring a sealed trunk home from an auction. When they open it up, they discover that it's filled with priceless jewels. Not surprisingly, they're soon visited by a number of characters who want the trunk and who will play rough to get it. Eve McVay and Thom Brown co star in our second show today as well. From February 21st, 1956, it's Hollywood Hostages. They play members of a film crew scouting locations who visit a western ghost town. Unfortunately, a pair of real life criminals on the run from the law are hiding out in the deserted city and they discover the film crew. And the crew thinks the armed men menacing them are all part of a practical joke cooked up by their director. It's another show where the menace is mixed with a little bit of mirth and both benefit from great lead performances by Eve McVeigh and Thom Brown. Finally today, we'll hear Eve McVeigh starring in crime classics as the notorious French poisoner Marie La farge in the seven layered cake of Madame La Farge from October 14, 1953. Ms. McVeigh stars as the woman whose murder trial captivated French society in the the mid 19th century. Our triple feature starring Eve McVeigh will kick off with Going, Going, Gone right after these messages.

[Advertiser]

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[Auctioneer]

Here's a poor chap who could be anyone you know. Including you. Francis.

[Wally Pindell]

Bill, what are you doing stretched out on the couch? You better get ready if you're going to that meeting.

[Auctioneer]

I'll have to miss it tonight. Too much supper. My stomach's got me down.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, don't blame supper. You stuffed yourself like a glutton.

[Narrator]

I'm not just stuffed, I feel awful.

[Wally Pindell]

I can imagine. You've got a good old fashioned upset stomach and I've got just the thing for it. Pepto Bismol.

[Narrator]

Oh, I don't want to take anything.

[Advertiser]

I can't afford to stay home tomorrow.

[Wally Pindell]

You won't have to. Pepto Bismol is not like that. It won't add to your upset, but will help to soothe and calm it very quickly.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, nothing could be that good.

[Wally Pindell]

No, Just try it. Here. Take a good swallow of Pepto Bismol and you'll begin to feel better in no time. Why, you might even get to that meeting tonight.

[Auctioneer]

After all, Pepto Bismol is a gentler, better way to help an upset stomach.

[Advertiser]

In fact, it's better.

[Auctioneer]

Better in many ways, Pepto Bismol helps bring relief almost from the first moment.

[Narrator]

It begins to calm and quiet the upset right away.

[Auctioneer]

Then, because the Pepto Bismol formula is.

[Narrator]

Gentle and soothing, it doesn't interfere with normal digestion and doesn't add to the upset.

[Auctioneer]

Yes, Pepto Bismol is the dependable, speedy, pleasant tasting way to care for common stomach disturbances. Remember this when your stomach's upset, don't add to the upset. Take Pepto Bismol to soothe it, calm it and feel good again.

[Advertiser]

Your best bet for hot breakfast is Quaker Oats. The giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Delicious, nutritious, make you feel ambitious. The giant of the cereals is Quaker Oats. Yes. If you want to be a star in sports and school activities, make your hot cereal Quaker Oats. Cause Quaker Oats helps grow the stars of the future. You get more growth, more endurance from oatmeal than from any other whole grain cereal. Remember, Quaker and Mother's Oats are the same. And now, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. And now, tonight's presentation of radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills.

[Thom Brown]

Suspense.

[Advertiser]

Tonight, the transcribed story of what happens when a trunk is bought at auction. Contents unknown. We call it Going, Going, Gone. So now, starring Tom BROWN and Eve McVeigh, here is tonight's suspense play, Going, Going, Gone.

[Auctioneer]

Now, ladies and gentlemen, the next item is very special and not in your catalog. Rag it up, boys, and be careful. It may be valuable. Very exciting by folks.

[Narrator]

Very exciting.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally. Wally, look.

[Auctioneer]

A trunk. A trunk. Ladies and gentlemen, a trunk. Contents unknown. And your boys? An old trunk, ladies and gentlemen, from the estate of Mrs. Dexter Jocelyn. Since Mr. Jocelyn's unfortunate disappearance last week, the executives have found a letter left by Mr. Jocelyn requesting us to sell his beloved.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally.

[Auctioneer]

Yes, sir?

[Wally Pindell]

I'm going to bid on it.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, now, Jan, please be sensible. We already bought a lamp, two chairs, another original Venus de statue. What do we want with a tr.

[Wally Pindell]

I won't go over $10.

[Auctioneer]

$10, I should say. Oh, please, honey.

[Wally Pindell]

It's got such lovely old stains. Please. It might be very valuable.

[Auctioneer]

Three. Two.

[Advertiser]

Very good.

[Auctioneer]

I hear one. I hear one. Who'll make it two?

[Wally Pindell]

Two dollars.

[Advertiser]

Thank you, Masterman.

[Auctioneer]

I have two dollars.

[Wally Pindell]

No, it's only two dollars.

[Auctioneer]

Do I hear three? Three. Do I hear three?

[Advertiser]

Two hundred and fifty.

[Auctioneer]

Two hundred and fifty.

[Wally Pindell]

Three dollars, Mr. Martin.

[Auctioneer]

Three. Three.

[Wally Pindell]

Three.

[Auctioneer]

Do I hear more? Three going once. Three going twice. Going for the third and last. I'm at three. Sold to the lady for $3.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally, I got it.

[Auctioneer]

Wait, wait. I'll raise the bid.

[Narrator]

100. I'll give $100.

[Auctioneer]

Sorry, friend, you're too late. No, but I must have the trunk. $200. Sorry, friend, has been sold to this lady for $3.

[Wally Pindell]

Come on, dear, let's go back and pick up our things. Yes, that's ours. And the statue, too. And the trunk right here, lady. No, no, that's not the same one. It's newer.

[Auctioneer]

It's the same one, lady.

[Wally Pindell]

No, the one you sold me was lovely and old.

[Auctioneer]

That's right. The one you sold my wife had stains on it. And we want the one with the stains.

[Wally Pindell]

That's right. I want the one I bought.

[Auctioneer]

But I tell you, lady, we used the old one for a. Come on now, take this. It'll make you happy. No, we want the one you sold us. Oh, okay, okay, sure. I'll get it. I'll be right back. Okay, boys. Drag out the old one. Jan, sometimes I wonder about you.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, you do, huh? Well, let me tell you something. That old trunk's got something in it. I know.

[Auctioneer]

You know?

[Wally Pindell]

Well, what about that funny little man who came in late and bid $200? You know, I'll bet he made them offers. That other trunk just now.

[Auctioneer]

Honey, that's just part of the act. They want to make people figure it's valuable. Next Sunday they'll have 50 old trucks to sell.

[Wally Pindell]

All right, you wait. You'll see. You just wait.

[Auctioneer]

We got our old trunk, paid for it and caught it at home. Sat in the middle of the living room, big, old and dirty, with a lot of funny looking stains. Jan was like a kid with a new doll.

[Wally Pindell]

What do you think's in it, Wal?

[Auctioneer]

I don't know.

[Wally Pindell]

It could be anything, couldn't it?

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, sure, sure, anything.

[Wally Pindell]

It's kind of like Christmas, you know.

[Auctioneer]

Well, honey, are we gonna stand here and talk about it? Let's open it and get it over with.

[Wally Pindell]

No, wait. Not for a minute. I just want to look. Why do you suppose that little man wanted it so badly? It can't be the same as the other trunks they've got.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, Jan, I thought you had more sense. Do you honestly think they'd sell us something for $3 if they didn't open it first to find out what was in it?

[Wally Pindell]

It's heavy, sure.

[Auctioneer]

Filled with old clothes, roller skates, plenty of instruments and. Well, that's it.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, guess what's in it.

[Auctioneer]

Guess. Oh, come on, Jana. Come on, let's open it.

[Wally Pindell]

First we'll guess what's in it. You guess first.

[Auctioneer]

All right, let's see now. Old trunk, pretty big. A lot of peculiar stains. Big enough to put a. Oh, come on. Come on, let's open it.

[Wally Pindell]

Wait. We'll Open it together.

[Auctioneer]

All right.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, the cat is stuck.

[Auctioneer]

All right, all right. Here, I'll do it. Now, stand back. Well, well, go on, open it. It's yours.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, doesn't it scare you just a little bit?

[Auctioneer]

Scare me, huh? There, now, you satisfied?

[Wally Pindell]

Wally, I'm sorry.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, now, look at that. Nothing but a mess of old rags and paper. $3. 3 hard earned dollars for a pile of newspapers and. Hey.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally.

[Auctioneer]

Hey.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, wow. Look. Diamonds, gold. Rubies. Wow.

[Auctioneer]

It's a fake. It must be. Ah, these aren't real. They look real, but. Yeah, but there's nothing to be scared about anymore. It's not real. None of it. Oh, now, look, look, be sensible. If this stuff were the real thing, I mean, diamonds, pearls, emeralds and all, it ought to be worth millions.

[Wally Pindell]

It looks real. I mean it. A woman has a feeling about jewelry. She can tell.

[Auctioneer]

Jewelry? Here, look. Did you ever see a diamond ring this big?

[Wally Pindell]

Well, no, I never did.

[Auctioneer]

All right, all right. Now, once and for all, I'll prove it to you. You think this is a diamond ring?

[Wally Pindell]

Yes, Wally, I think it is.

[Auctioneer]

This is a diamond. Okay, it's a diamond ring. Okay, now watch. Diamonds cut glass, right?

[Wally Pindell]

Right.

[Auctioneer]

Okay, I'm gonna scratch it on the window and maybe this will satisfy you. Okay. There's your fake diamond. Now, for heaven's sake.

[Wally Pindell]

I told you. I told you they're real. We bought a trunk full of jewels.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah.

[Wally Pindell]

What are we gonna do with it?

[Auctioneer]

I don't know. I wanna think.

[Wally Pindell]

Maybe we should call the police.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, no, no, no. Why should we?

[Wally Pindell]

I mean, supposing it's all stolen jewels.

[Auctioneer]

Hey, hey, the door. Someone's at the door. Now, come on, come on. Get the rags and papers back in the trunk. We'll put it in the bedroom.

[Wally Pindell]

It's probably only Mother.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, or the guy from the auction. Now, come on, hurry. All right, all right. Now, you push and I'll pull.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, I feel as if we've done something wrong.

[Auctioneer]

We gotta be careful. There. Now shut the door. Now, if it is your mother, don't say anything, please.

[Wally Pindell]

All right.

[Narrator]

Oh, how do you do? My name is Mr. Minchy. Yes, you are Mr. Pindale.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, that's right.

[Narrator]

You bought a trunk this afternoon at the auction. You see, I arrived too late to buy it myself.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, that's too bad.

[Narrator]

Too bad. Yes, Mr. Pindale, I will give you $200 for it. Sentimental value, you understand?

[Auctioneer]

I'm sorry. Would you mind getting your foot out of the door?

[Narrator]

Ah, you, you, you. You have opened the trunk? Oh, yes, oh, $50,000.

[Auctioneer]

Then you must be a very sentimental man.

[Narrator]

A hundred thousand, Mr. Pindale. My last offer.

[Auctioneer]

We needed a trunk. Good evening.

[Narrator]

I must warn you, the consequences will be upon your own head. This is your last chance. Think carefully.

[Auctioneer]

Good evening. Oh, Mr. Pindell, you're making a mistake.

[Narrator]

Please, please.

[Auctioneer]

I beg you. Please take my offer.

[Wally Pindell]

I heard it, Wally. What are we going to do?

[Auctioneer]

I don't know. It was that same little fellow.

[Wally Pindell]

He's still there. I'm scared.

[Auctioneer]

Well, he's quite old and not very big. I'll take care of him.

[Wally Pindell]

No, no, don't do that. Call the police.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, now, Jane, mean it.

[Wally Pindell]

He might have a gun.

[Auctioneer]

Jan, there's.

[Wally Pindell]

Please.

[Auctioneer]

Well, all right. Maybe I better.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, I never thought I'd save the day when.

[Auctioneer]

Hello?

[Wally Pindell]

Please, I'm using. Do you mind getting off?

[Auctioneer]

I'm sorry.

[Wally Pindell]

What's the matter?

[Auctioneer]

Party line. What does that woman talk about all day?

[Wally Pindell]

Well, you'd better drive down to the police station.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, wait a minute. Maybe he's gone. It's all right, honey. Nobody's there.

[Wally Pindell]

What are we gonna do?

[Auctioneer]

All about what? We bought the trunk. What's in it? Ties.

[Wally Pindell]

Isn't right, Wally. We'll get into trouble. That man at the door, he might be a gangster, a foreign jewel thief. Suppose he's got other men with him?

[Auctioneer]

I'll try the police again.

[Wally Pindell]

Of course, some people like oysters.

[Auctioneer]

Hello? Hello? Look, lady, this is an emergency. Lady, I'm trying to call the police. Isn't an excuse. She won't get off.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, she's got to. Here, let me try.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, no, no, no, wait. Maybe. Maybe it's fate. Maybe we're not supposed to.

[Wally Pindell]

You listen to me, Wally.

[Auctioneer]

Now, I don't see why you're making such a fuss. We're safe enough. I'm not afraid of Wally. I heard it.

[Wally Pindell]

Don't you dare.

[Auctioneer]

What do you want me to do? I don't know, but maybe it's your mother this time, huh? Who is it?

[Wally Pindell]

I'll scream out the window for help.

[Auctioneer]

No, no, you can't do that. What would the neighbors think? I'm going.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally. You be careful. Here, take the poker.

[Auctioneer]

Okay. Now, you stay where you are.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally, please don't open it.

[Auctioneer]

It's all right. Now, you just stay there. Okay? I've had enough of this.

[Advertiser]

You are listening to Going, Going, Gone. Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, suspense. You are the Red Cross. If you're not serving, then it's your neighbors. When the Red Cross Blood Program helps you when relief and rehabilitation move in efficiently after disaster. It's a people to people program and operation, not a disembodied machine that works.

[Thom Brown]

By flicking a switch.

[Advertiser]

Today, the Red Cross needs not just your donation, but you as an active member. Take your contribution to your local chapter and while you're there, join so you can serve. 30 million new members are needed now. And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Tom Brown and Eve McVeigh starring in tonight's production, Going, Going, Gone. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.

[Wally Pindell]

Why? What's wrong with him? Make him get up.

[Auctioneer]

The door. The door. Yes. Oh, yes.

[Wally Pindell]

What happened? Are you hurt?

[Auctioneer]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Ben. Close to me. I've got to tell you.

[Wally Pindell]

We gotta do something.

[Narrator]

No time. No time. They caught me as I was coming back up here.

[Auctioneer]

They'll get you, too. Who? Who? I don't get it.

[Narrator]

They're waiting outside. Later in the night, they will come.

[Auctioneer]

The killers. The killers. Who are they?

[Narrator]

The jewels.

[Auctioneer]

Where are they? In the trunk. We put him in the bedroom.

[Wally Pindell]

We can't let him die there. Call the police. Wally. A doctor or.

[Auctioneer]

Save yourselves.

[Narrator]

Get out of this house.

[Advertiser]

Get out.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally.

[Auctioneer]

I guess so.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, I'm scared, Wally. What are we gonna do?

[Auctioneer]

Well, take it easy, honey. Nobody's gonna hurt you. Hello?

[Narrator]

Hello?

[Auctioneer]

Hello? Hello? For Pete's sake, what's the matter? Oh, she left her phone off the hook. Just for spite, she's left it off. Well, I gotta think now.

[Wally Pindell]

Couldn't I scream out the window for help?

[Auctioneer]

Oh, sure, sure. If they're waiting out there, you get killed just like him. Oh, no. Gotta think. Wait a minute. Put out the light. I'm gonna peek out.

[Wally Pindell]

You stay behind the curtain. Wally, don't let him.

[Auctioneer]

It was getting misty. I couldn't see the end of the street, but near the lamppost, a couple of houses down, I saw a black car. Biggin along in our street. There's only two houses. Mine and a neighbor who wasn't home. I'd never seen that car before. I thought of what was in the trunk and what was lying right outside of the front door. Man doesn't like to show it, but as I looked out, I was scared.

[Wally Pindell]

Can you see them?

[Auctioneer]

No. But there's a car down there. They must be in it.

[Wally Pindell]

Come away.

[Auctioneer]

No, no. Wait a minute.

[Wally Pindell]

What?

[Auctioneer]

Well, stay back. I can see lights coming around the corner, slowing down. It's Mr. Fling.

[Wally Pindell]

Mr. Fling? He won't do any good. He always comes home drunk on Sundays.

[Auctioneer]

Well, I'M gonna open the window and yell anyway. Now, you get down on the floor. They may start shooting. Wally. Mr. Fling. Hey. Hey, Mr. Fling. Mr. Fling. Mr. Fling. It's Pindell. Wally Pindell. We're in trouble, Mr. Fling. You've got to call the police. Tell them to get over here in a hurry.

[Advertiser]

Sure.

[Auctioneer]

And you get in your house quick. You're in danger, too. Yeah, yeah, okay. He must be sober tonight. He's gonna do it.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, gee, if the police can just get here in time.

[Auctioneer]

You know, it's funny. They. They didn't try anything.

[Wally Pindell]

What. What are we gonna do with him, Mr. Minchi?

[Auctioneer]

I don't know. Better put him in the bedroom, I.

[Wally Pindell]

Guess, on our bed.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, honey, he's dead. Poor guy. You stay here. I'll carry him in.

[Wally Pindell]

All right.

[Auctioneer]

I carried him into the bedroom and laid him down. I never touched a dead man before, and I'd always thought they'd be cold. He wasn't. Not yet. And the doorbell rang.

[Wally Pindell]

It's them.

[Auctioneer]

Sh.

[Wally Pindell]

Stay with me.

[Auctioneer]

Huh? Yeah. Hi. Hi, pal. Hi. Hi, pal. Oh, Mr. Fling. Anybody with you? Oh, what do you got, huh? Hey, you want I should get. Get a. No, no. Come on in. Come in quick. Don't push down. I told you to call a police. Police. Police? Yes, I thought you said. Come on up and have a drink. What's the matter? Somebody.

[Narrator]

Somebody.

[Auctioneer]

Go. Go make some coffee, honey. Go make coffee. Something, anything. Now, look, are you sober enough to listen? Wait a minute. Who's sober? Look, look, we've got to get the police. Well, I gotta go. A raid, huh? Let me out. I gotta get out of here. Now, look, some men are outside there trying to kill us all. They've already killed one man.

[Narrator]

Oh, y. Yeah.

[Auctioneer]

Who? Who? Oh, it doesn't matter. Look, we can't use our phone. We've got to get to another one. Oh, no, no. I know these wild parties. You get on my phone and you call some dame in Paris. If you weren't drunk, I'd put. No, no. Come out. Come on. That hurt. Come on. Hey. Oh, he's no help. I'm gonna make a run.

[Wally Pindell]

But you can't go outside.

[Auctioneer]

Now, look, we're not going to stay here. Hey. Hey, where's that drink? Wait a minute. I'm going to take a look out the window again. Okay, okay. I'm going to bed. The Carson party here. I can't see if anyone's in it. Oh, good evening, sir. No, no, don't get up. Got to take the chance. Where you go there's no good trying to get to Flings house. They'd say us out. Try the back way. Now, if I can get to the garage, I might be able to make it to the place.

[Wally Pindell]

What about him? I don't want to stay here alone with him.

[Auctioneer]

Okay. Okay. Come with me. We went out the back door. Everything was quiet, even quieter than usual because of the fog. I knew that we couldn't be seen from the street. And if we were quiet, maybe. It's all right.

[Wally Pindell]

Wally. He must have heard the noise. What a thing.

[Auctioneer]

Look, when we drive out of the garage, you duck down. If they try to stop us. Well, I'll run them down. Now get in.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, so loud.

[Auctioneer]

It's all right. It's originally a backfire. Hold on.

[Advertiser]

Now.

[Thom Brown]

Get your guns out, boys.

[Advertiser]

Mr. Pindell, where's the black car?

[Wally Pindell]

It was right over there across the street.

[Auctioneer]

Hey, maybe they. Jan, you stay here.

[Advertiser]

Looks bad. Door's open. You wait, Mr. Pendell.

[Thom Brown]

We'll go on first.

[Advertiser]

You two guys watch the back.

[Auctioneer]

Okay, Sarge.

[Advertiser]

Mr. Patel?

[Auctioneer]

Yeah.

[Advertiser]

This the body?

[Auctioneer]

No, that's Mr. Fling. Where's Mr. Munchie? He's gone. They took him away. The trunk's here. Look. Yeah, the jewels, they're not here. Mr. Minchie, he was here. Listen, don't look at me like that. I tell you, there was a trunk full of jewels and Mr. Minchie, he was. Hi, Jan. Jan. Jan. Come on in and tell him, Jan. That was about it. Same trunk was there. Empty. There was a mark on the bed and the dead body was gone. We managed to wake up Mr. Fling, but he couldn't remember anything except that he wanted a drink. Police were pretty mad, but I guess Jan convinced them that we hadn't been kidding. Anyway, we gave him coffee and that was that. There wasn't much more to it. Except that about two months later, Jan and I were having breakfast on Saturday when the mail came. Honey, we know anybody in Mexico?

[Wally Pindell]

I don't think so. More coffee?

[Auctioneer]

Yeah. Hey, look. It's from Mexico.

[Wally Pindell]

I know, dear. You said so.

[Auctioneer]

Mr. And Mrs. Wallace Pindell.

[Wally Pindell]

Who's it from, dear?

[Auctioneer]

Hey, Jan. There's some money in it. Two $100 bills.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, let me see. What does the letter say?

[Auctioneer]

Dear folks, I'm sorry for the inconvenience I caused you. But it was my trunk and my jewels and I had to get it back. So I know you'll excuse the little trick I played on you just before my disappearance. I put all our jewelry in the trunk and by letter Ordered the seal trunk to be sold at auction. But I got caught in the traffic and you got it away from me. And clothes is a token of my appreciation. Sincerely, Dexter Joslin, alias Anatole Menchi Minch.

[Wally Pindell]

We better call the police.

[Auctioneer]

Why?

[Wally Pindell]

Well, all those jewels.

[Auctioneer]

Well, he says right here.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, I know.

[Auctioneer]

Now let's just forget the whole thing. Pretend it never happened. But every once in a while, we are reminded of it. There's a diamond ring about as big as a half dollar. I'd put it in my pocket after I cut the glass out of our window. Jan used to wear it to parties. Not anymore. She thinks it looks too much like a fake.

[Advertiser]

Suspense in which Tom Brown and Eve McVeigh starred in tonight's transcribed presentation of Going, Going, Gone.

[Thom Brown]

Be sure to listen next week to suspect.

[Advertiser]

This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. And now, tonight's presentation of radio's Outstanding.

[Thom Brown]

Outstanding Theater of Thrills Suspense.

[Advertiser]

Tonight we bring you a story of a ghost town and a practical joke that wasn't. We call it Hollywood Hostages. So now, starring Eve McVeigh and Tom Brown, here is tonight's suspense play, Hollywood Hostages.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, that sounds really strong.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah. Murder. No director in Hollywood, except the boy genius, would have sent us out here.

[Wally Pindell]

There must be a ghost town closer to Hollywood.

[Auctioneer]

There is. Beverly Hills after Midnight.

[Wally Pindell]

I don't get it.

[Auctioneer]

Get what?

[Wally Pindell]

Why he has to come to the middle of the desert to shoot this stuff. I can design sets that look a lot more like desert than this.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, realism, my dear.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, Murphy does make good pictures.

[Auctioneer]

The peasants know the difference. A picture's a picture.

[Wally Pindell]

I'd settle right now for the picture of a drink.

[Auctioneer]

Well, look out at the sand.

[Wally Pindell]

For what?

[Auctioneer]

Maybe you'll see a mirage with a drive in.

[Wally Pindell]

How come everything on this road is closed?

[Auctioneer]

Same reason Potterville closed. Ghost town used to be a tourist trap and the new freeway bypassed it. No tourists, no trap. Just this lousy road.

[Wally Pindell]

I wonder how Murphy found out about.

[Auctioneer]

This place from another zombie.

[Wally Pindell]

What's your knock on Murphy?

[Auctioneer]

I hate practical jokers. This your first crack in a Murphy picture? You got a million laughs coming if you live through them.

[Wally Pindell]

He can't be that bad.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, you don't know how far that guy goes. I know him good. Too good. You know what he did the day I got married? He had his lawyer file suit for divorce in my name.

[Wally Pindell]

That's not very funny.

[Auctioneer]

And last year I go to Florida to find an alligator farm. Murphy calls a pal who puts my picture in every post office.

[Wally Pindell]

Post office?

[Auctioneer]

Sure. Saying I'm wanted by the cops in Detroit. Oh, yeah? Yeah, hilarious. When I got picked up too, the cops down there wired Detroit. Detroit wired. They were sending a detective to bring me back. I was in a can a week before Murphy had him let me out. I told that boy genius this morning though. One more of his jokes this trip and he gets himself a new location scout. I don't need him. I can always go back to being an unemployed comic.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah?

[Wally Pindell]

Is that the ghost town out there?

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, it could be. Potterville's 180 miles from Hollywood.

[Wally Pindell]

The speedometer says 170.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, dandy. 10 more miles and we'll be no place. Hurts bad ticks.

[Thom Brown]

Just hang on, partner. We get inside, you, you can lay down. Man, look at them cobwebs. Ain't nobody open that door for a spell. In we go, partner. Ain't no furniture, Fred. Just you lay down here on the floor. I know, Fred. Them bullets hurt real bad.

[Narrator]

Darker.

[Auctioneer]

I need a doc, Fred.

[Thom Brown]

You seen for yourself. Ain't no doctor here. Ain't a living soul in this town ceptin us.

[Narrator]

But Texa.

[Auctioneer]

I'll die.

[Thom Brown]

Yeah, guess you will at that. Too bad. But no sense in me waiting.

[Wally Pindell]

Tex.

[Auctioneer]

You can't just walk out.

[Thom Brown]

Staying and dying with you ain't gonna be much help is it's up to the others. Don't guess they'd be bust up splitting the bank money 2 way instead of 4. Must have already got to my place. I can't keep waiting.

[Auctioneer]

Thanks.

[Narrator]

Don't leave me.

[Thom Brown]

Well, there ain't much else I can do, Fred. You just got a real bad piece of luck. That cop don't nick our gas tank, we'd have been at the cabin so long.

[Auctioneer]

Fred Jackson, please.

[Thom Brown]

Grab your gun.

[Auctioneer]

I knew you wouldn't walk out.

[Thom Brown]

Grab your gun and drag yourself to this window. Car's coming.

[Wally Pindell]

Cops.

[Thom Brown]

It's too far to tell. It must be this road. Don't go nowhere else.

[Advertiser]

How'd they know we were here?

[Thom Brown]

That cop who shot the gas tank. Maybe I didn't get him.

[Auctioneer]

I don't see no car.

[Thom Brown]

It's hidden now by one of them dunes there.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Thom Brown]

Now be ready. They are cops. We both better be shooting.

[Wally Pindell]

Welcome to Powderville.

[Auctioneer]

Well, at least you've got no trouble parking. That's your camera. Creepy looking Gina.

[Wally Pindell]

Yeah. Now hold it, Tommy. I want to get a shot of this board sidewalk.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, yeah, you can't hardly get them no more.

[Wally Pindell]

Step back a little.

[Auctioneer]

You like those Polaroid cameras?

[Wally Pindell]

Great. You get your picture in a Minute. If it comes up wrong, you shoot another one. Now we pull the film through till it clicks and the picture develops by itself.

[Auctioneer]

Well, come on, let's case the joint while that shot's cooking, huh? Better get a shot of that Wells Fargo office.

[Wally Pindell]

Okay, sure.

[Auctioneer]

Leave Wells Fargo out of a Western, you can't get a seal of approval.

[Wally Pindell]

Nathan, you. You hear anything?

[Auctioneer]

Sure. Boards in the sidewalk, they squeak like three delicious.

[Wally Pindell]

No, no, a voice.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, yeah, sure, sure. Well, that's from inside that place. The hotel. It's Conrad Hilton buying the joy.

[Wally Pindell]

You know, I heard a man's voice.

[Auctioneer]

That sounds stronger than it looks.

[Wally Pindell]

I mean it.

[Auctioneer]

Sure, sure, okay, you did hear a man's voice. Now, come on, let's make with the snapshots and curl up with a good bartender, huh? Hey, how many you gonna take?

[Wally Pindell]

I'm just about finished.

[Auctioneer]

Get one of that blacksmith shop.

[Wally Pindell]

Not yet. Let's go around the corner first so I can get.

[Auctioneer]

Hey, kid, drop the other shoe.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, that car, those holes in the windshield, air conditioning. They're bullet holes.

[Auctioneer]

I now pronounce you J. Edgar Hoover.

[Wally Pindell]

What are you supposed.

[Auctioneer]

That car's a prop. It wouldn't be a kosher ghost town without a bullet riddled car. Oh, sure, you jumpy. Too much fresh air will do that.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, I'll get this shot at the hotel.

[Auctioneer]

Another one in the hotel.

[Wally Pindell]

I need this angle.

[Auctioneer]

Well, go ahead. I'll go look around. Hang in a minute. Great. What is it?

[Wally Pindell]

A man.

[Auctioneer]

A what?

[Wally Pindell]

I saw a man.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, come on now, honest.

[Wally Pindell]

I got him, you know.

[Auctioneer]

What?

[Wally Pindell]

In the picture.

[Auctioneer]

What did he pose as?

[Wally Pindell]

He stuck his head out of the door just as I was taking the picture.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, well, then what happened? I looked up and he was gone.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, honey, the way you dramatize you.

[Wally Pindell]

There he is. Hey, he's running to our car.

[Auctioneer]

And I left the keys in it. Come on. Hey. Hey, you.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, he's gone.

[Auctioneer]

That dirty little no good, conniving.

[Wally Pindell]

Do you know him?

[Auctioneer]

No, not that guy in the car. But don't you get it? He was planted.

[Wally Pindell]

Planted?

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, to grab our car and strand us in the middle of the desert. Oh, I can hear that Murphy laughing now. Murphy Match.

[Wally Pindell]

This isn't funny.

[Auctioneer]

No, it is to him. We've got no fault. No water, no food, and it's 23 miles to the nearest main highway.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah?

[Wally Pindell]

Another cigarette. Oh, can I have one?

[Auctioneer]

Well, as soon as Murph sends the car back. They're in the glove compartment.

[Wally Pindell]

Thanks loads.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, I told you, Murphy's a million.

[Wally Pindell]

Laughs those clouds are coming this way.

[Auctioneer]

That's all we need now. Rain.

[Wally Pindell]

How long do you think we'll be here?

[Auctioneer]

Till Murphy stops laughing.

[Wally Pindell]

It's almost 4:00 now, Tommy. I. I felt a drop of rain.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, me too. On your feet. Come on.

[Wally Pindell]

Where? Every roof is full of homes.

[Auctioneer]

Well, the hotel's two stories. Maybe the water's not coming all the way down.

[Wally Pindell]

That's where Murphy's friend came from.

[Auctioneer]

Come on, let's run. Careful on the steps.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, I'm spooked.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, and if you get pneumonia, Murphy laughs all the time you're in the hospital. It's a tie up with Blue Cross.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, let's go inside.

[Auctioneer]

Go in. Cheery little spot. Charles Adams does the decoration.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, at least it's dry in here.

[Narrator]

And now what?

[Wally Pindell]

By the window, on the floor. A man there. There's blood on his shirt. He's alive.

[Auctioneer]

Natch. Don't you get it? It ain't blood. It's ketchup. He's another Murphy stooge from Central Casting.

[Wally Pindell]

You sure?

[Auctioneer]

Look, kid, I'm a veteran. Six pictures with Murphy. Now come on, come on back to the porch. All right, all right. Keep groaning, kids, you'll win an Academy Award.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, I'm cold. Let's go inside.

[Auctioneer]

Listen to that bum play Russian comedy.

[Wally Pindell]

We've got to do something.

[Auctioneer]

Like to play a chucker polo.

[Wally Pindell]

How about walking to the highway?

[Auctioneer]

Not in that water. Not giving Murphy that satisfaction.

[Wally Pindell]

His conscience has to bother him sometimes.

[Auctioneer]

He's got a cast iron heart.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy. What a car. That is a car, isn't it? If it was on the main highway we couldn't see it, could we?

[Auctioneer]

No, no, it's headed here all right.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, he finally took.

[Auctioneer]

He's human.

[Wally Pindell]

Actually, now that it's over, it wasn't a bad joke.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, he may not be through yet.

[Wally Pindell]

What else can he do once we get the car back?

[Auctioneer]

Wait till he opens the door on this side. I'd hate to wait this long and then drown on the sidewalk. Well, I hope you call Murphy. And he got a real big laugh. Oh, no, no, you don't have to come up here for. Just open the car door.

[Wally Pindell]

He's got a gun.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, brother. That Murphy keeps a joke going longer than he look back.

[Wally Pindell]

Look, the joke is over. Let's go.

[Thom Brown]

You ain't a going no place.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, yes we are. Now, I've had enough of this.

[Thom Brown]

I've never shot a lady yet. But ma'am, there's always a first time. Now both of you get Back inside. You are listening to Hollywood Hostages, tonight's.

[Advertiser]

Presentation in radio's outstanding theater of Thrills, Suspense. In the long run, the security of a free country rests in the hands of its civilian soldiers. Professionals have their indispensable place. But the efficiency, strength, readiness and the morale of our reserve components are vital. These are the words of President Eisenhower. This week, the nation is concentrating on National Defense Week as a tribute to our highly trained civilian reservists. More than a thousand chapters of Reserve Officers Clubs around the country are observing National Defense Week with parades, meetings and dinners. The rest of us join them in saluting the fine job the reservists do every week of every year. And now we bring back to our Hollywood soundstage Tom Brown and Eve McVeigh, starring in tonight's production, Hollywood Hostages, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.

[Wally Pindell]

Mister.

[Thom Brown]

Yeah? Ma'am?

[Wally Pindell]

You bring any food?

[Thom Brown]

I'm sorry, ma'am.

[Auctioneer]

They all want to play Gary Cooper.

[Wally Pindell]

How long do we have to stay here?

[Thom Brown]

You can't rightly say.

[Auctioneer]

Look, we've got some place to go.

[Thom Brown]

Me, too. Mighty important for me to get through that roadblock by the freeway.

[Wally Pindell]

But what do you care about the roadblock?

[Thom Brown]

Old flock of cops up there. So they're looking for. Four of us. Held up the bank this morning over in Desert City. You, Fred there by the window. He's one, I'm another.

[Auctioneer]

All right, I'll give you the straight line. Who are the other two? Groucho and Harpo?

[Thom Brown]

No, sir.

[Wally Pindell]

Sit down, Tommy. This might not be a joke.

[Auctioneer]

Okay, you want to stay in chat, go ahead. I'm leaving.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Auctioneer]

Now, look, pal, I know Murphy can keep a gag running longer than Oklahoma.

[Thom Brown]

But I missed you that time. Cause I wanted to. Next time might be different.

[Wally Pindell]

Can't you even tell us one thing?

[Thom Brown]

What's that, ma'am?

[Wally Pindell]

Look, I've got a date tonight. How long did Murphy hire you for, Murphy, honey?

[Auctioneer]

He can't let on until the Marines rescue us in the nick of time. And then that bomb on the floor gets out.

[Thom Brown]

You hadn't ought to be talking like that about Fred. He was a nice fellow. If I was you, I'd cut out them wisecracks.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, you should have caught me when I played the Palace. I used to make a thousand people at a time. Wish I'd cut out them wisecracks. Oh, come on, pal. You got your laugh, so let's blow the joint, huh?

[Thom Brown]

We ain't leaving.

[Wally Pindell]

Why not?

[Thom Brown]

Well, I told you, ma'am, there's a Roadblock, okay.

[Auctioneer]

Long as Murphy don't take us. So sorry. I don't care how long we stay.

[Wally Pindell]

But I'm hungry.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, he won't stop us that bad.

[Thom Brown]

Hey, I got me an idea. Maybe we don't have to stay here.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, no. You're cooking.

[Thom Brown]

Them cops. They ain't looking for you. If you was to sit in front, mean back. That's real smart of me. Come on.

[Auctioneer]

Say, pal.

[Thom Brown]

Yeah?

[Auctioneer]

How about itty bitty buddy on the floor? How's he getting back? My camel.

[Thom Brown]

Wish we could take Fred.

[Wally Pindell]

Well, there's plenty of room in the back. Fred.

[Thom Brown]

Well, that's nice of you, ma'am, but we better be going without him.

[Auctioneer]

Wait here with him, Grace. I'll open the car doors. Come on.

[Thom Brown]

I'm getting under the blanket back here.

[Wally Pindell]

Do we have to keep playing, lady?

[Thom Brown]

Just you and him? Don't say nothing wrong when we get to that there roadblock.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. Cause you'll have that there shooting iron appointed at my head.

[Thom Brown]

That's right.

[Auctioneer]

Yeah, I know that whole bit, mister.

[Thom Brown]

I don't rightly know why, but I like you. Guess maybe it's cause you don't scare easy.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, I've been working for Murphy too long. But no more. I've had enough. A minute. We hit Hollywood, I'm through.

[Thom Brown]

That roadblock is right up ahead of peace.

[Auctioneer]

I reckon so, partner.

[Thom Brown]

Mister, I told you once, I don't like folks making fun of me.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, please.

[Thom Brown]

Now I'm getting under this here blanket again.

[Auctioneer]

Sweet dreams.

[Wally Pindell]

Better slow down.

[Auctioneer]

Now, don't you start giving me orders.

[Wally Pindell]

Shouldn't we get in that line, huh?

[Auctioneer]

I guess so.

[Wally Pindell]

What a night.

[Auctioneer]

Murphy's probably having a party at Forest Lawn.

[Wally Pindell]

There's a police car.

[Auctioneer]

Well, how do you think they blocked the road? With meatballs.

[Thom Brown]

Remember what I said.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, I'll never forget that.

[Wally Pindell]

Four score and seven years waving his flashlight.

[Auctioneer]

Okay. Oh, fine. Now the window's stuck.

[Thom Brown]

Good evening.

[Auctioneer]

No comment.

[Advertiser]

We're looking for two men. One about 5ft 7 inches tall, black hair, around 30 years of age. He might be wounded. The other man's about 6ft 1 inch tall, about 35 years old, blonde hair. And he was wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots.

[Auctioneer]

Yes, Officer, we haven't seen them.

[Advertiser]

Okay.

[Auctioneer]

Thank you.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Thom Brown]

Lady, you almost just got killed.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, what's wrong with you? Why didn't you tell me?

[Auctioneer]

Murphy, tell everybody at the derby. He scared me so much I copped a plea. No, ma'am.

[Wally Pindell]

But the policeman, he described this one and the man on the floor back in Powderville.

[Auctioneer]

Sure. I told you how far Murphy goes. He's even got the cops in on this one.

[Wally Pindell]

At least it stopped raining.

[Auctioneer]

Bully. That makes my whole day slow up, mister. What for?

[Thom Brown]

Turn off this here road just over the hill.

[Auctioneer]

But.

[Wally Pindell]

But that's not the way back to Hollywood.

[Thom Brown]

We ain't a going back to Hollywood, ma'am.

[Auctioneer]

Where are we a going?

[Thom Brown]

Meet them other two fellas. They got the money. They threw it in their car when we run out of the bank.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy. It's true.

[Auctioneer]

Look, look. Suppose I believe you. Now, mind you, I'm not don't rightly.

[Wally Pindell]

Seem to matter what happens after we to their cabin.

[Thom Brown]

Be crossing that bridge when we come to it, ma'am. Here, mister. Turn off here.

[Auctioneer]

Okay.

[Thom Brown]

That'S fine now. Just keep it driving up into them hills. There's the place.

[Auctioneer]

Pretty little hovel.

[Thom Brown]

Drive around to the side.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, you only use the front way in formal clothes, huh?

[Thom Brown]

Turn off the motor. Now give me the keys.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, now come on, pal. How far do you want to get?

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, please. Here.

[Thom Brown]

Thank you, ma'am.

[Auctioneer]

Now what happens?

[Thom Brown]

I'm a going in the side here. You two go knock on the front door.

[Wally Pindell]

Why?

[Thom Brown]

I just like to be sure my friends ain't a planning no surprise for me. You mean just do like I say? Open the door. Now go knock on the front door.

[Auctioneer]

Look, why should we? Okay. I've seen more guns today than Gene Autry. Come on, Grace.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Auctioneer]

Huh?

[Wally Pindell]

Can we run for it?

[Auctioneer]

Where?

[Wally Pindell]

Any place.

[Auctioneer]

Too dark. Too far to the highway.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, now I'm sure this is a Murphy gag.

[Wally Pindell]

Are you crazy? Somebody in? I've been.

[Auctioneer]

In a minute that door will open and old Tex will say. I guess you folks can come in now.

[Wally Pindell]

But those were gunshots.

[Auctioneer]

Sure. And inside we'll see two more guys playing dead.

[Wally Pindell]

It's him.

[Auctioneer]

Pitch.

[Thom Brown]

Yes. You folks can come in now.

[Auctioneer]

Hark. The evening coyotes.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Auctioneer]

What.

[Wally Pindell]

How can you.

[Auctioneer]

Oh, stiff upper, old girl.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, I'm scared. What's he doing in that room?

[Auctioneer]

Probably calling Murphy and giving him a blow by blow.

[Wally Pindell]

But those two men on the floor and the money. That was real money.

[Auctioneer]

Murphy always goes for good props. Now, honey, use your head. Look, if those two guys were gonna double cross him, would they wait here till he got back? No, they just walk out with the loot.

[Wally Pindell]

Maybe it's like he said. They needed someplace to hide. But they didn't need him to take a share.

[Auctioneer]

I can tell a Murphy story when I hear one. I'll get the gas Chamber for killing Murphy. But it'll be worth.

[Thom Brown]

Okay, come on. You too, ma'am.

[Wally Pindell]

We really going home?

[Thom Brown]

Just part way as far as the cliff.

[Auctioneer]

Oh. Oh, that does it. If Murphy thinks he's throwing in a hokey bit like pushing the car off the cliff. Shut up. I'm not.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy, he isn't fooling.

[Thom Brown]

You're right, lady. Now both of you turn, walk out that door. When we get to the car, we'll.

[Advertiser]

Don't move. Don't move. I'll take that gun this time, Parker. We got stronger cuts. All right, hold them out. One of you own this camera?

[Wally Pindell]

Me? Where did you find it? Officer?

[Advertiser]

One of our men found it in the hotel at the old ghost town. Looked inside, saw the last picture you took.

[Wally Pindell]

The last picture? Oh, the one where he stuck his head out of the door?

[Advertiser]

That's right. We recognized him, Got a tip on his cabin and made it here as quick as we could.

[Auctioneer]

Did I tell you?

[Wally Pindell]

Tell me what?

[Auctioneer]

In the nick of time. In pop. The marines.

[Advertiser]

Mister, I gotta hand it to you. You took this pretty calm.

[Auctioneer]

Okay, okay. Now let's cut the clowning, huh?

[Advertiser]

But didn't you know he's text Parker wanted for three murders. And from the looks of it, he's two more over there.

[Auctioneer]

Those guys dead? Who are you kidding?

[Advertiser]

I'm not kidding, buddy.

[Auctioneer]

Okay. Oh, okay. So the gang's finished now, huh? All right. Okay, boys. Okay, boys, wake up. Wake up. Time for wakey. Don't call us, we'll call you Mommy. Come on, come on. Hey, hey. That's not ketchup. They are dead.

[Wally Pindell]

Tommy.

[Advertiser]

Okay, lady, we'll go as soon as we can. Bring him too.

[Thom Brown]

Suspense, in which Eve McVeigh and Tom.

[Advertiser]

Brown starred in tonight's presentation of Hollywood hostages.

[Thom Brown]

Next week we bring you the true.

[Advertiser]

Story of five polar explorers and their race against death. We call it the diary of Captain Scott.

[Thom Brown]

That's next week on suspense.

[Advertiser]

Spence is produced and directed in Hollywood by Anthony Ellis. Tonight's script was written by Jerry Lewis. The music was composed by Lucian Morowek and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Featured in the cast were Don Diamond, Frank Gerstel and John Larch. A hot money racket proves to be a shortcut to the cooler once the FBI in peace and war goes into action. Tomorrow night, harassed by personal debt, the cashier at the $50 window at a large racetrack falls for a big time racketeer scheme for passing stolen money through the betting window. But before he can solve his personal financial problems, the FBI in peace and war gets on his trail. And not long after that, another welcome mat appears right outside the gate to the penitentiary for a thrill a minute drama. Don't miss the FBI in peace and war at this same time tomorrow night. Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS News to be followed on most of these stations via the Jack Carson Show. The Radio Workshop presents the new and unusual Friday nights on the CBS Radio Network. Crime Classics brought to you by Plymouth with the reminder that tomorrow is the day for your first look at the big, bright, beautiful New 54 Plymouth on display tomorrow. Good evening. I am Thomas Hyland with another true story of crime. Listen. That was a cake baker breaking an egg and separating it. The white here, the yolk here. That was the last of 12 eggs to be separated. Next step in the recipe, beat the whites. Our cake baker is French and a good baker too. So of course the cake will be of a lightness and a delicacy that a cake that kisses back. Pour in the sugar, the flour and now the ingredient that makes this cake different from all other cakes. You didn't hear anything because it was only a smidgen. And smidgens don't make any more noise. Not even a smidgen of arsenic, which that was. The noise comes later. So tonight my report to you on the seven layered arsenic cake of Madame Lafarge Crime Classics, a new series of true crime stories taken from the records and newspapers of every land, from every time. Your Host each week, Mr. Thomas Hyland, connoisseur of crime, student of violence and teller of murders. First, a message for all of you. This is the week. Tomorrow's the day. The day the great new 54 high style Plymouth comes to town. And a $25,000 contest with a chance for you to win a brand new 54 Plymouth or one of hundreds of cash prizes. You'll love the new 54 Plymouth. It's big, bright, beautiful, longer this year with a low, wide, sleek silhouette. And inside Plymouth brings to the low price feel the luxury of high style interiors with an exciting array of new fabrics and color combinations for you to choose from. Power steering is available in the new 54 Plymouth full time power steering to help you every mile you drive. And you like the way it makes parking in tight places a cinch because it does 80% of the work for you. Three New Plymouth lines this year too. New Plaza, new Savoy, new Belvedere, three separate lines and in every line a wide selection of body styles and color combinations to choose from. The 54 Plymouth has 64 new features and advancements yes, it's 64 for 54 and tomorrow's your day for a firsthand look at this dramatic new car. Tomorrow starts the big Plymouth contest too, so be sure to get your entry blank from your Plymouth dealer when you go in to see the big, bright, beautiful New 54 Plymouth tomorrow. And now, once again, Mr. Thomas Hyland and his report on the seven layered arsenic cake of Madame Lafarge. France. As the fourth decade of the 19th century was closing, Louis Philippe was on the throne. It was late summer of 1839, a season of unrest in Paris. In the dark alleys and dank cellars, a populace seethed and grumbled and wrote slogans in chalk on the cobblestones. Phrases such as Elon Abbas, en avant au guillotine. Which meant that in this stage people were either for things or against things, or wanted them. Up or down or forward or guillotine. This was in the city, but a few kilometers away in the country in Glandier. It was peaceful. Summer was dying gently and the folk took their cue from nature. I am quite sure she will be eminently satisfactory, Madame. Her name is Marie Fortune Capello. It is music, no? Marie Fortune Capello.

[Narrator]

Is she rich?

[Advertiser]

She has 25,000 francs in her own name.

[Wally Pindell]

Marie Fortune Capello.

[Advertiser]

She will make a most excellent daughter in law to you, Madame. I personally will guarantee it. I only meant that she is of quality.

[Narrator]

I personally knew her father, an artilleryman.

[Advertiser]

To Napoleon stirring who froze to his cannon outside of Moscow.

[Wally Pindell]

Commendable.

[Advertiser]

So you see you have come to.

[Narrator]

The correct marriage broker, madame?

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

Your son Charles. He has been apprised of the arrangement.

[Narrator]

You are negotiating for him.

[Wally Pindell]

20, 35,000 francs.

[Advertiser]

Yes.

[Narrator]

And her own trousseau?

[Wally Pindell]

He has been apprised.

[Advertiser]

Go to him then, and tell him he is most fortunate. His beloved is not only of wealth, but of beauty. We are in agreement, Madame.

[Wally Pindell]

She is in good health?

[Advertiser]

Excellent.

[Wally Pindell]

She has never been married before?

[Advertiser]

Never.

[Wally Pindell]

Then we are in agreement.

[Advertiser]

Therefore, if you please.

[Wally Pindell]

10% cent of 25,000.

[Advertiser]

2500 franc.

[Wally Pindell]

Ah, here.

[Narrator]

3000 and 500 franc change, madame.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

Your son, your fortunate son, Charles.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Narrator]

He still spends his time at the blast furnace.

[Wally Pindell]

I cannot get him interested in anything else.

[Advertiser]

Strange.

[Narrator]

I only say this because I recall.

[Advertiser]

In my youth there were other things to do. Strolling picnics in the Bois.

[Wally Pindell]

My son Charles is a young man who likes to spend his time at the blast furnace.

[Narrator]

To each his own, eh, Madame?

[Advertiser]

Goodbye, Madame. Charles La Farge was one of those rare individuals who was just a natural born smelter. An unsung Bessemer, as it were. In his early youth, he evinced a healthy interest in iron things and tongs and anvils and blast furnaces. His father had died while fishing bloaters in the Seine. This when Charles was three years old. His mother, a good woman, was quick to recognize her son's natural bent and indulged his talents. As a matter of fact, she invested nearly all her savings in a blast furnace and an ironmongery business for her son. Charles spent most of his waking hours in the shop. Shaping things on the anvil, cooling metal, or what he liked best to do. Smelting. He was doing that the day his mother broke the news to him.

[Wally Pindell]

Her name is Marie Fortune Capello, and.

[Advertiser]

He was 6ft 4 inches tall. What of her?

[Wally Pindell]

You will marry her.

[Advertiser]

Why?

[Wally Pindell]

All young men get married. You will have a wife now.

[Auctioneer]

Son. Son.

[Advertiser]

Yes, Mama?

[Wally Pindell]

Come here to me. Closer. I want to look at you.

[Advertiser]

At what do you look, mama?

[Wally Pindell]

Nothing. You'd better get cleaned up.

[Advertiser]

And he did. Charles got cleaned up. He bathed, shaved and got into the clothes of a gentleman of the country. He was introduced to his fiance, made guttural noises of approval, and in a few hours, they were married. The ceremony took place in the empty and dismal halls of the Lafarge castle. In attendance were Mama Lafarge and one Dennis Barbier. Dennis, it should be mentioned, was an emperor employee and bosom friend to Charles. And it must be assumed that Dennis was happy for his friend. For having brought such a winsome and lovely creature into an abode. Usually a reek with odors of sulfur and slag. At the end of the ceremony, Dennis offered his arm to mama, and they left. Then this is what happened to the newlyweds.

[Wally Pindell]

But it frightens me.

[Advertiser]

Frightens? Frightens how?

[Wally Pindell]

The terrible heat of it.

[Advertiser]

It is a fire. It is hot. How frightens? Please look to me.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

This bar. This iron bar. Do you see? Do you see it? Bending it?

[Auctioneer]

Look.

[Wally Pindell]

Look.

[Advertiser]

Why did you not look?

[Wally Pindell]

I do not know.

[Advertiser]

My mama said to me you would do what I say you do.

[Wally Pindell]

I will try.

[Advertiser]

Then look to me.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

This metal piece. This round metal piece. You see?

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

For you.

[Wally Pindell]

What?

[Advertiser]

For you. I don't to lock about you. If you will run away from me.

[Wally Pindell]

A shackle.

[Advertiser]

Do not run away from me.

[Wally Pindell]

Oh, don't touch me.

[Advertiser]

Husband to you.

[Wally Pindell]

Go away.

[Narrator]

It is not your husband, madame. It is I. It is Dennis. It is Dennis. Dennis.

[Wally Pindell]

What do you want?

[Narrator]

Your husband sent me to speak with You. May I come in? Your husband said I was to enter your rooms and to speak with you. Thank you, Madame.

[Wally Pindell]

To speak to me of what, Madame?

[Narrator]

How long has it been since you've been here in the chateau?

[Wally Pindell]

You know it. Four months. More.

[Narrator]

Such joy you have brought to all of us. Of course, we have not seen much of you since you've locked yourself in your room. For the most part. But if this makes you happy, all of us are happy.

[Wally Pindell]

Say what you wish to say and get out.

[Narrator]

I bring sad news.

[Wally Pindell]

What?

[Narrator]

Your husband has gone to Paris alone. I will turn my back while you weep. You finished, Madame? You look so radiant after a good cry.

[Wally Pindell]

When did he go?

[Narrator]

This morning.

[Auctioneer]

Oh.

[Narrator]

He has a plan for a blast furnace. A new principle, my husband. He was introduced to pencil and paper just last week. And already he has the theory for a new furnace. Remarkable, is it not?

[Wally Pindell]

I wish him well.

[Narrator]

He asked me. Shy man that he is. To say another thing. The 25,000 which is banked in your name. He wishes it. Where are you, Madame? Poor Madame. Where are you, Madame? I would give it to him. Just a while ago, below at the furnace, he fashioned a thing. Oh, it's diabolical, the equipment your husband can make. Before he left, he lifted it up with both hands and said, just. My wife sighs.

[Wally Pindell]

And if I give it to him.

[Narrator]

He will have compassion for you. He says only that he will honor your desire to remain alone.

[Wally Pindell]

Very well.

[Narrator]

You are a good wife. Oh. A word.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Narrator]

I too have compassion for you. You must understand that compassion. Why, your husband is a brute. He is a brute. He is also an imbecile.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Narrator]

He is better off if he is dead.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Narrator]

What?

[Wally Pindell]

I said, yes. He is better off if he is dead.

[Narrator]

Of course he is. Madame. Madame. I take your leave. Madame. Madame Lafarge. Open. Quickly, open.

[Wally Pindell]

Monsieur Denys.

[Narrator]

Madame.

[Wally Pindell]

What are you doing in my chambers?

[Narrator]

A terrible thing. So terrible.

[Wally Pindell]

What are you talking about?

[Narrator]

What she has said.

[Advertiser]

Who?

[Narrator]

The wife of your son, she said. She. What?

[Wally Pindell]

What is it?

[Narrator]

That she wished your son dead.

[Wally Pindell]

I'm sure every wife in the world has wished her husband dead at one time or another.

[Narrator]

But the wife way it was said.

[Wally Pindell]

How?

[Narrator]

With a kind of madness, with a curling of the lips, a clawing of the hand, with hate, with purpose. I wish my husband dead, she said. The heavens give me strength to make it so. She said.

[Auctioneer]

No.

[Wally Pindell]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

This banter kept up a few moments more. Then Mama became firmly convinced that she had a potential murderess for a daughter in law. Dennis, on the other hand, Went to the pharmacy and bought some arsenic. You are listening to Crime Classics and your host, Mr. Thomas Hyland. How would you like to win A smart new 54 Plymouth convertible? Well, you couldn't get one for doing less. So be sure to enter the exciting Plymouth contest that starts tomorrow. $25,000 worth of prizes in all six sleek new 54 Plymouths to be given away and hundreds of cash prizes. How do you enter? Easy. Tomorrow, visit any Plymouth dealer and see the exciting new 54 Plymouth. Look it over, sit in it, ask questions. Then on an entry blank your Plymouth dealer will give you. Just tell in 50 words or less what you like most about the new 54 high style Plymouth. And with 64 new features and advancements to change, choose from. There's plenty to write about. For instance, find out about Plymouth's new high drive, newest, smoothest, no shift drive in the low price field at only slight extra cost. So be sure to visit your Plymouth dealers tomorrow. See this big, bright, beautiful New 54 Plymouth and enter the contest. Don't put it off either, because the contest closes Monday at midnight. Be sure to see the new 54 high style Plymouth tomorrow. And now, once again, Thomas Highland and the second act of Crime Classics and his report to you on the seven layered arsenic cake of Madame La. If you happen to pick up any standard almanac of France for the year 1840 and look up the climate for the first week of the year, you will read Il fait foi. That's the French way for putting it, that there were blizzards and snows and hails and sleets and cold rains. As a matter of fact, this was one of the most miserable weeks in the annals of French weather. It is only legend, but it's worth mentioning. A freak storm upheld from the provinces caused a fall of frozen bloaters on the banks of the Seine. And northward in the town of Glandier, the blizzard swirled bleakly around the parapets of the Lafarge castle. But on the main floor, in a kitchen lighted by a roaring blaze and warmed by a scene of domestic enterprise.

[Wally Pindell]

Now you must take the dough and roll it there on the table of my aunt. Your aunt must have been too generous, Madame Lafarge, to have given you so much for furniture. Knead the dough, daughter in law. And now I must ask you a question. What is it? Do you hate my son, your husband? I will answer you at times I do hate him. This I can understand. But do you wish him dead? Oh, no. Oh, perhaps in a burst of fury, yes. But Perhaps. Oh, no. He is he. Yes. Like a child. Like a small child. Dennis said what? Nothing. Dennis is so quick to take offense. He cares so much for my son. Have you noticed? Truly a friend. Truly. I feel for your son somehow. Right now I feel for your son a warmth. So the baking of these cakes which I will send to him in Paris, I am the most fortunate of mothers in law. I have resolved to give my marriage every chance to forget what has happened. Therefore, I will do as my husband bids. You will send him the money, all of it. That is in my name. 25,000 francs to the sous. I will send it along with the cake. Marie. Yes? Dear mother in law. You are good. It is important that Charles build his blast furnace. When that is done. Never mind. Here, will you put the dough in the pans? There should be enough to fill those five small ones.

[Narrator]

Gladly.

[Wally Pindell]

I will wash my hands and write Charles a note. You'll find a pen on the desk of my aunt. And when you are finished, we will put it with the cakes and the money and Dennis will mail all of it. Let me kiss you.

[Advertiser]

And they offered each other their cheeks. Then Mary washed her hands and wrote her husband a tender note. Madame Lafarge put the cakes, a five small ones into the oven which her aunt had willed to her and dozed for a while in her aunt's favorite chair. Then the cakes were ready. They were iced and wrapped. Into the parcel was then inserted an envelope containing 25,000 francs and a few words of encouragement and endearment and new resolution. Then Dennis.

[Narrator]

Madame and Madame.

[Wally Pindell]

Dennis, take this parcel and mail it to Monsieur Lefage in Paris. It contains cakes and money, so mail it with dispatch. And Dennis, my mother in law and I would appreciate an opportunity to become more. Well, you may spend a few days where you wish. Dennis. Not here. Not here, Dennis. Not here. Dennis.

[Advertiser]

Oh, Charles Lafarge got the parcel all right. It was mailed all right and he got it. But if you think for one moment the Dennis was there when it arrived, you're right.

[Narrator]

So, my dear friend Charles, I thought that you would be launching Paris. So many of the young men get lonely in Paris.

[Advertiser]

You are good.

[Narrator]

So I thought to. Now, who could that be? Charles. Charles.

[Advertiser]

Now, who could that be?

[Narrator]

May I see? I will see. Oh, thank you. A package for you, Charles. A package? Yes, it is. May I open it for you? I will open it for you. It's from Glandier. From your wife. What could it be?

[Advertiser]

I feel kindly toward my wife.

[Narrator]

Perhaps when this of the blast furnace Is done. When I get back to Glandier, I will. A cake.

[Advertiser]

I like cake.

[Narrator]

Such a large cake. And here, an envelope. Money.

[Auctioneer]

How much?

[Narrator]

Ah. Ah. 3,000 francs. I hoped she'd send the 25. Oh, there is a note here, too. Read it to me. Dear Charles, keep warm. Here is cake. Here is money. Your wife, Marie. Charles.

[Advertiser]

Yes?

[Narrator]

May I cut a piece of cake for you? I will cut a piece of cake for you myself. I will eat none of it. My stomach is turning into a paunch.

[Advertiser]

It is a fine looking cake.

[Narrator]

Here, eat.

[Advertiser]

Ah.

[Narrator]

Do you like it?

[Auctioneer]

Is it good?

[Narrator]

Is it light? Yeah.

[Advertiser]

More.

[Narrator]

Here. Heat. What's the matter?

[Advertiser]

The cake lies against my heart. Oh, Painfully.

[Auctioneer]

With much. Help. Help.

[Narrator]

My friend is sick. Doctor. Doctor. My friend has eaten of cake and he is sick. His wife sent him cake and he is sick. His wife sent him cake and he became sick. Inspector, I do not wish to say it, but you forgive me, do you not? Yes, you do. I was in the presence of his wife when she said she wished her husband dead, that she thought him a brute and an imbecile, and she wished him dead. And then she sent me to buy arsenic. For mice, she said. For mice. Then this cake comes to my friend Charles Lefage, and he eats of it, and now he is dead. Inspector, you forced me to say it. I did not wish to say it, but you forced me.

[Advertiser]

Marie Fortune Capello Lafarge was arrested on the charge of murder. She was put in Prison in January 1841 and brought to trial in July. It is safe to say that this period was a time of travail, for Marie lost 40 pounds, her golden hair turned to silver and her youthful complexion turned ashen. These, in the main, were observations made by Raoul Lacy, the George Garvey of the fourth estate of that day. Nor during the trial were the interrogations less unmerciful. She was asked, first of all, whether she loved her husband less perhaps than.

[Wally Pindell]

Other women, more perhaps than some.

[Advertiser]

And did she ever say she wished him dead?

[Wally Pindell]

No, not meaningly.

[Narrator]

May I make a statement? My name is Dennis Barbier. Charles Lafarge was my good friend. We addressed each other in the second person singular, familiar, as Tu. I grieve for his death. I grieve that his widow has been placed in such a precarious position. Yet I am forced to say that I, Dennis Barbier, a friend of Charles Lefage, did hear Marie Lafarge wish her husband dead. Meaningly.

[Wally Pindell]

You provoked me.

[Narrator]

Poor little thing, you did.

[Wally Pindell]

You provoked me.

[Narrator]

If you wish to say so. I will not disagree. Wife to my friend Charles Lafarge, now dead.

[Advertiser]

By poison of arsenic indeed, which Dennis himself had purchased.

[Narrator]

I myself purchased the arsenic and gave it to you.

[Wally Pindell]

It was for mice.

[Narrator]

For mice. If you wish to say so, I will never disagree.

[Wally Pindell]

It was for mice.

[Narrator]

For mice.

[Wally Pindell]

Ask my mother in law. Ask her.

[Advertiser]

Madame Lafarge.

[Wally Pindell]

Very well. I recall no mice. I run a clean chateau.

[Narrator]

And your daughter in law says for mice. I say you killed my dear friend Charles Lafarge. Murderous.

[Wally Pindell]

No.

[Auctioneer]

Murderous, no. Yes.

[Advertiser]

And what of the cake?

[Wally Pindell]

There were five small cakes.

[Narrator]

There was but one cake. A large cake of seven layers.

[Wally Pindell]

Ask my mother in law. Ask her.

[Advertiser]

Madame Lafarge, I do not randomly.

[Wally Pindell]

You yourself put them in those five pans. I do not remember. Murderers. No.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Advertiser]

And what of the money from the bank?

[Wally Pindell]

I took 25,000 francs and put them in the parcel.

[Narrator]

There was only 3,000 franc in the parcel.

[Auctioneer]

Murderous.

[Narrator]

Murderous.

[Auctioneer]

Murderous.

[Advertiser]

Marie Lafarge was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor. Also occasional exposures in the pillories. Then Mama, 12 years later, on her deathbed. Suddenly I remember.

[Narrator]

I remember.

[Wally Pindell]

It was not a seven layered cake. It was five small ones which Mary sent to my son. Something must be done.

[Advertiser]

And something was done. Marie Lafarge, who had already served 12 years, had her sentence reduced to just five more years. Then she was sent to a home. Then she killed herself. Thomas Hyland will return in just a moment to tell you about next week's Crime Classic. It's big.

[Narrator]

The 54 premises. The 54 Plymouth, big, bright, beautiful tune.

[Auctioneer]

The 54 Plymouth is the car for you.

[Advertiser]

Yes, the new 54 high style Plymouth is the car for you. And tomorrow's the day to see it. Tomorrow's also the day to enter the big $25,000 Plymouth contest. You'll find all the easy rules and a complete list of prizes on the entry blank. Your Plymouth dealer has for you. So remember, you have a date tomorrow to see the big, bright, beautiful new 1954 Plymouth. And here again is Thomas Highland. Next week, the broad state of New Mexico. At a time when it was worth your life to walk down the street, armed or unarmed, day or night. My report to you will be on Billy Bonnie Blood Letter, also known as the Kid. Thank you. Good night, Madame Lafarge. Tonight's crime classic was adapted from the original court reports and newspaper accounts by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The music was composed and conducted by Bernard Herman and the program is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. Thomas Hyland is portrayed on radio by Lou Merrill. In tonight's story, Eve, Matt Vay was heard as Marie, Irene, Tedro as Madame Lafarge, Joseph Kearns as Dennis, Edgar Barrier as Nooney, and William Conrad as Charles. Roy Rowan speaking. Crime Classics was brought to you by Plymouth with a reminder that the new 54 high style Plymouth comes to town tomorrow. Be sure to see it. This is the CBS Radio Network.

[Host]

We just heard Eve McVeigh in going, going, Gone, Hollywood Hostages and Crime Clothes Classics. That will do it for this week's show. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope you'll be back next week for another Hollywood legend in Old Time radio thrillers. In the meantime, you can check out down these Mean Streets. That's my Old Time Radio Detective podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Sundays. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can read and respond. Review the show in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com meansts OTR now. Good night until next week when I'll be back with another Hollywood legend starring in tales well calculated to keep you in.

[Advertiser]

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.