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The Relic Radio Show (old time radio)
Cavalcade Of America and Words At War
This week, The Relic Radio Show begins with Venture In Silk Hat, from The Cavalcade Of America. That story aired January 14, 1946. (29:45) Our final story is A Bell For Adano, the March 28, 1944, episode of Words At War. https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/RelicRadio942.mp3 Download RelicRadio942 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support The Relic Radio Show If you’d like to support Relic [...]
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- [00:11]
Tom Collins
This is the Relic Radio Show Old Time Radio Entertainment still standing the test of time from relicradio.com welcome back to the Relic Radio Show. 60 minutes of radio drama every Tuesday at relicradio.com Our first story comes from the Cavalcade of America. This week hear Venture in silk hat from January 14, 1946. After that, it's Words at War and a Bell for Adano. That story aired March 28, 1944, starring Franchotone in Venture in Silk Hat on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by the dupont Company, maker of better things for better living through Chemistry. But first, here is Gain Whitman decorators and homemakers tell us that soft toned pastel walls are the style these days, and they're practical as well as beautiful. Interior walls that are dark and dingy detract from the appearance of a room and absorb the light. For a more modern home, use DuPont speed easy wall Finish Speed Easy is a resin oil emulsion paint that you thin with water. It is easy to apply to almost any interior wall surface and it dries in less than one hour to a beautiful rich oil type finish. Best of all, it costs less than $3 to redecorate the average room in one color. Speed easy is one of Dupont's Better Things for Better Living through Chemistry. The Dupont company presents Venture in Silk Hat starring Franchotone as James J. Andrews on the Cavalcade of America. James J. Andrews joined the Union army soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, not as a soldier, but as an undercover agent. During the second year of the war, the 33 year old West Virginian became the leader of one of the most daring secret missions of the Civil War, the Andrews raid. Monday, April 7, 1862Amurky, quiet day. There is a storm in the air. The soldiers of the 2nd Ohio infantry encamped outside Shelbyville, Tennessee are quiet but restless. Rumors of impending action ripple along the tented streets in the quarters of General O.M. mitchell, a tall civilian holding his high silk hat respectfully on his left arm, bends over the General's map table and with a slender finger he describes a circle of operation centering at Chattanooga, Tennessee. General Mitchell, if you should march from your present position here at Shelbyville south to Huntsville, Alabama, and then detach a force and send them eastward to drive General Beauregard's Confederates from Chattanooga. East Tennessee would be liberated, Mr. Andrews, that's a project near and dear to the heart of Mr. Lincoln. But what of Confederate forces south of Chattanooga? Wouldn't they come up and envelop us Given a few hand picked men, I could burn the bridges along the railroad from Marietta, Georgia, north to Chattanooga. General Beauregard's Confederates would be deprived of their only railroad to bring up reserves and supplies. If you can accomplish that, Mr. Andrews, we could take Chattanooga with little or no bloodshed. In fact, it might shorten this war immeasurably. I'd need at least six men, sir. The failure of your last mission might have been avoided if you had been given more support. This time you'll have 24 handpicked men. Thank you, sir. Then if we're to seize a locomotive, I'll need a train crew, several engineers and firemen, all of whom can pass readily for southerners. Very well, Mr. Andrews. You'll advise them that this will be a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. That they'll be in civilian clothes and subject to execution in the event of capture. I will explain the hazard, sir, and the penalty of failure. Mr. Andrews, this time there must be no failure. This look like the place, Sergeant? I don't think so, Ross. Andrews told me we'd come to a big clearing first on a clump of trees. Yeah, that thunder sounds like we're in for some rain. A buddy of mine in camp says we're fools for going out with Andrews. He was with him on his last raid. How'd they come on? They failed. However, by the grace of God, most of them returned safely. They hang spies, don't they, Mr. Pittenger? Yes, I'm afraid so. Mm. The minute we're through the Confederate lines in these civilian clothes, we are spies. Yeah, spies. Mr. Andrews is a striking figure. In that high silk hat, frock coat and gray striped trousers, he looks more like a poet than a fighting man. Nonetheless, he is a God fearing man. There's something about him. I like his eyes. Maybe in spite of his previous failure, I have confidence in him. Oh, there's the clump of trees in the ravine beyond. Yeah, that's it, all right. From the look of things, we're just in time. There's Andrews standing by the lantern. Mr. Andrews. Pittenger reporting with Ross and Knight, second Ohio Volunteer, sir. Come closer. Come in and be recognized. Ross. Sir. Nicer. All right, men. Well, we're all here Now. When you volunteered for this duty, you didn't know exactly what it was. I want you to know it's dangerous and there's every chance you may not come back alive. If there's any one of you who wishes to return to camp now, speak up and clear out. Thank you. I'M glad you'll all be with me. Men, our destination is Marietta, Georgia. Marietta? That's 150 miles south of the rebel line. We break up into twos and threes and travel by different routes. You've been furnished with enough money, Mr. Andrews. What if we're arrested? I hope that won't happen. But if it does, maybe I'll have enough influence to get you released. You see, gentlemen, I have spent considerable time in the south, establishing myself as a dispenser of quinine and other medicines to the southern gentry. Mr. Andrews, what do we say if they ask us who we are and where we're headed? Well, tell them you're Kentuckians heading south to join some Confederate regiment. Now then, all you men should start talking as much like Southerners as you possibly can. I ain't got no Southern accent. Well, perhaps you'd better travel with me, Ross. I'll pass you off as my deaf and dumb brother. He's dumb, all right. Mr. Andrews, just what is the nature of our mission? For purposes of security, I cannot give you the details until we rendezvous at Marietta, George. On Thursday. We must be ready to strike on the morning of Friday the 11th. That's all for now, gentlemen. Don't forget we meet on Thursday at the Railroad Hotel in Marietta. Good luck, everybody. 7:00. Still no sign of them. Here it is Saturday. With a day late getting started and five men still missing. You suppose the Confederates caught him? It's quite likely. We can't afford to delay any longer. By now, General Mitchell's forces will be in Huntsville. This downpour must certainly have delayed our troops. Possibly. However, there are 20 of us, enough to see this thing through. How are we going to seize that train at Big Shanty Station when we come by there? Last night the Rebs had a camp there a mile wide. Mr. Andrews, wouldn't our chances of success be greater if we commandeer the train at some point closer to Chattanooga? That would limit our opportunities. There are 16 wooden bridges between here and Chattanooga, and I'd like to burn them all. All right, men, we can wait no longer. You have your instructions. Get your tickets, board the northbound train quietly, and when the passengers and crew stop it for breakfast at Big Shanty Station, we'll seize the locomotive and a few cars and make for Chattanooga. Destroying every bridge in our path. That's a mighty big order for 20 men, Mr. Anderson. Very true. But, gentlemen, if we accomplish our aim, the war will be shortened by many months and countless lives will be spared. Tickets, please. All tickets, please. That train conductor is sizing up everybody. Very suspicious. Like that's part of his job. He's on the lookout for Southern conscripts running away from their army. Sort of young for a railroad conductor, ain't he? He's 26. Been with the railroad seven years. His name's William Fuller now a captain in the rebel army on railroad duty. Tickets, please. Here he comes. Don't speak unless you're obliged to. You don't like my Southern accent? No. All tickets, please. All tickets. Well, Mr. Andrews. How do you do, Captain Fuller? Glad to see you again. My ticket, sir. Thank you, sir. Chattanooga, did you know that Mitchell and his Yankees are headed that way? Is that so? Well, I don't expect to be there long enough to get tangled with them, Captain. Well, tell me, sir, will we have time to take breakfast at Big Shanty? 20 minutes, sir. Thank you. Now then, you, sir. Your ticket. Thank you, sir. Chattanooga also, huh? You mind showing me your credentials? Well, I can vouch for this young man, Captain. My partner in the quinine business, Mr. Blake. Mr. Blake? Where you from, sir? Mr. Blake is slightly deaf, sir. That's why he's not in uniform. I see. Excuse me for bothering you. Gotta be on the lookout for deserted. See you later, gentlemen. Dig it. Ticket, please. Not so loud, Ross. Nervous? Paralyzed. I, I, I got a feeling he doesn't believe you. Stop worrying. Now listen carefully. Knight and I will take over the engine. As soon as Fuller and his crew go for breakfast, you board the engine with us as firemen. Pittenger will get the rest of our men into the boxcars and we'll uncouple a passenger section. You understand? Yes, sir, I understand. Big Chatty. All out for 20 minutes for breakfast at Ms. Lacey's Borden house across from the depot. This is it, Ross. Are you ready, chief? All set, Mr. Knight. Well, men, shall we go and have ourselves a little breakfast? Goodness gracious. Sakes alive. You on time this morning, Captain Fuller? Yes, or Miss Lacey. The General is the fastest locomotive on the road. Eight miles from Marietta in less than 20 minutes. My stars. That engine deal of yours is running up the rails. How fast is that, Miss Murphy? Mighty fast, ma'am. Nigh under 25 miles an hour. Land sake, what is this world a coming to? How's business, Ms. Lacey? With an army camp across the tracks, you need to air. I don't mind them soldier boys eatin us plum outta housing home, but I wish they'd stop hanging around my daughter. They get a little work out of them girls. All they do is tramp and fuss. Lucy, Stop your gamble with that soldier Mayor. And fetch the ham side of me for our customers, will you have gravy on your grits. Captain Fuller. Yes, Murphy. That's our train starting here. It's a general. Captain Fuller. Ms. Murphy. Deserters are running off of your train. That was a neat getaway, Mr. Andrews. Oh, we took it right from under the nose of that Confederate century. Ran it right through a whole blamed army camp. So far, so good, men. But remember, we've over 150 miles to go with much work to do. Hey, look behind Mr. Andrews. Captain Fuller and his engineer are chasing us on foot. We certainly put one over on Mr. Fuller. Why the whistle, Knight? Curve ahead. Might be a southbound train on this line. Can't be too careful, you know, on a one track railroad. We'll have to get hold of a timetable someplace. Hey, any tools on this train? Not a thing for tearing up track. What are we making now, Mr. Knight? About 20 miles an hour. No load or nothing to hold us back. Oh, they'll never catch us now. Men, up ahead. Looks like a § gang. § gang. Knight, get ready to stop. We need Tool. Yes, sir. And Ross, keep an eye on Fuller. Oh, he's better than a mile back by now. And still legging it, I'll bet. I wonder what rank the captain will hold when this little episode is over. We'll have to take on water at Cash Station. Hey, Scott, as soon as we stop, drop off the train on the side away from this section crew and cut the telegraph line. Yes, sir. Hey there, you men. What's on you? Come on. Come. Fuller. Say, you're a stranger. I never seen you before. There's a lot of people you haven't seen. We're running this special crew with supplies for General Bogard. Chattanooga's being threatened by the Yankees. We want those tools you're using. What do you want? Railroad tools. Well, in case them Yankee patrols tear up the rails, we gotta repair them ourselves. Pass them back to our work crew in the boxcars. Hurry, men. There's no time to lose. We'll put them in the boxcar for you. Come on, Tom. Good going, Mr. Andrews. Did Scott take care of the telegraph? He shinnied up that pole like a monkey on a stick. Here he comes. Tools are all loaded. Good, then let's be off. Thanks a lot, boys. You have no idea what you've done for the Confederacy. Hey, and look back there. Here comes Captain Fuller. Still on the run, I must say. He's got a determination about him and a very hot collar, I'll bet. You don't suppose Captain Fuller and these hounds expect to catch an old fox like Mr. Andrews? Not in a million years. You're listening to Franchot Tone as secret agent James J. Andrews in Venture in Silk Hat on the Cavalcade of America presented by the Dupont Company, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. Operative Andrews and his Union raiders have stolen a locomotive from Captain Fuller of the Confederate Army. As our story continues, Captain Fuller, determined to regain his stolen locomotive, runs up to the section crew. Hey there, look, it's come Fuller running like all. Get out. And Mr. Murphy. Hey, what's the hurry, fellers? Hey there, have you got a push car? You bet we have some. Then get it on the tracks. A bunch of deserters have run off with our train. Deserters? Well, I declare. Hey, Fuller, they cut the telegraph line. Murphy, this isn't the work of deserters. They must be Yankee spies, huh? Get that push car on the track and let's be after them. I'll catch those Yankees if it's the last thing I do. Hey, Mr. Andrews, there's an old freight engine up ahead on the turntable. Let's stop and put it out of commission. Oh, no time for that. We're going to burn the bridge over the Etowa River. What in this cloud burst? I'm telling you, mister, she'll never catch. Ram down The Johnson Bar. Mr. Knight. Full steam ahead. Can't you fellows push a little faster? Hey, it's uphill, Captain. And look, the Old Yeller's sitting on the turntable. Yeah, with the steam up. Come on, boys, we'll spin that turntable around and be after him. We'll never catch a general with an old freight engine. It's easier and faster than pulling this car. Let's go, boys. I won't have them Yankees laughing up their sleeves at me. Now, we don't dare stop long here, men, while I'm talking the station agent out of a timetable, water up the engine and take on some fuel. Okay, Mr. Andrew. Hey, you got the general. Why is the egg in the crew? My name's Andrew, sir. This is a special section. Fuller's coming along in a few minutes with the passenger section. Funny, I didn't get no word about it. Well, everything's mixed up now with General Mitchell and his Yankees running wild. We're hustling powder and ball through to General Bogard. Gotta save Chattanooga from the Yankees. Hope you make it. Mighty dangers running with all these extra trains on the road. Extra trains? Yep. Since them Yankees got to Huntsville, Bogart's been evacuating supplies and freight from Chattanooga. Say, do you have a schedule of these extra trains? Sure, right here. But it won't do you much good, though, with so many specials bobbing along the road every hour or so. What a way to run a reel. We'll have to take a chance. Thanks for the schedule. Don't mention it. Hurry up, boys. Get that fuel loaded. We don't want to keep General Beauregard wa. Well, that agent back at Cass Station was sure right about extra trains. Been waiting here at Kingston siding for almost an hour now. One freight wouldn't have been so bad, but now a second one. If Fuller's still chasing us, this is his big chance. We've been riding now for six hours. And all we've done is cut a telegraph line in two places and pile some ties across the track. I never dreamed of such ill luck. If only we'd been able to make this run yesterday when it was dry. I told you that Etoa Bridge had never burned in all this rain. Here comes the second freight. Get ready to move, Mr. Knight. Okay. And don't spare the steam. All right, you men, pile out of that boxcar and get busy tearing up this track. About time we do something. Get busy. Remove those rails. Yes, sir. Scott, cut the telegraph line again. And hurry. Every minute count. Come on. Give me a hand on the crowbar. We'll use it as a spike puller. Hey, the rest of you men load that wood in the rear car. There's one spike out here. You men get hold of this bar. We'll pry up the rail and the spikes will come with it. All together now. That does it. Now let's get on the other rail. There's another train coming that came from the south. It's Fuller. I'm afraid you're right. Let's go, man. Scott, the telegraph line taken care of. You bet, mister. And we're off. That track will stop him for a while. Let her go, Mr. Knight. Full steam here. Hold on. Look up ahead. There's a break in the track. Stop the engine, Joe. Stop it quick. Them Yankees have tore up the crane. Yeah, It's a break in the track, all right. Now what are we going to do? Start using our legs again? There's a southbound freight due along here in 20 minutes. I'll stop that. We'll shove the cars into a side and uncouple the engine and go after them again. They won't get away. But you have to go in reverse. There's no turntable around him. That's all right. We'll go in reverse. But we'll catch him. Come on, Ross. Keep your eye on that smoke behind us. They must have got hold of another engine. I never seen such luck as them Southerners are having. Fuller's not as big a fool as we thought. Knight, what's our speed? I was slowing a bit. Need more water. He stopped three hours ago. What's the matter with this engine? Nothing. No engine will run full speed forever without water. Fuller's gaining on a steady. Mr. Andrews. There's one way to stop Fuller. How's that? Night tunnel, hills ahead. We can leave our engine inside the tunnel. That'd sure stop him. Well, what about the bridges we're supposed to burn? We got to think of. Our lives are gaining on us. Speed's dropping. Mr. Andrews. What about it? Don't you think we ought to leave the engine? We've a job to do. The covered bridge over the Chickamauga is just beyond the tunnel. We'll be able to get there, won't we? I think so. Fine. Ross, work your way back to the last box car and set fire to it. There's some oil there. Rip the car apart. Spread the oil. Get a good blaze going. We'll leave that car on the Chickamauga Bridge. That'll stop Fuller, and it'll finish that bridge too. Get going. Oh, we're just wasting time standing here on the hill waiting for that bridge to burn. Hey, look. Here comes Fuller's train. The bridge on fire yet? Mr. Andrews, there's smoke coming from both ends. Hey, Ross, was that car blazing good when you uncoupled it? Oh, good as you could expect, the rain had soaked right through it. It's got to burn. It's got to burn. They're slowing up. They're slowing. Yeah, but look. They're going right on over the bridge. Oh, this will be the end of Captain Fuller. That man has courage, but he'll never make it. Look. Look there. He's pushing the burning car out. The bridge didn't burn. We'll still give him a run for it. Let's go, Knight. They're gaining on us all the time. Andrew. I can see Ross. Knight. What's the matter? Running out of water, sir. Slower all the time. What's wrong now? Pressure's dropping fast now we're all out of wood. Wouldn't you think they'd have to stop for water? And wood too. They're in Luck, I'm afraid we're not running out of steam. It's no use. Stop the engine, Knight. Maybe we can ambush him. Ross, get back to the boxcars. Tell the men to scatter. Sorry, boys. It looks like this is the end of the line. Well, we've reached the end of the line, all right. The Chattanooga jail. Yeah. The end of our line will be a rope's end when the court martials are done. We accepted the hazards when we signed with Andrews for the raid. Rain delayed us. One day, or he might well have succeeded. It wasn't only the rain. It was that conductor, Captain Fuller. Hadn't been for him, we would have made it. And he's the guy we laughed at. Well, I don't know where he is now, but he's better off than we are. That guy sure had a determination. Gentlemen of the Georgia Legislature, it is my honor today as Governor of this state, to present to you your fellow Georgian, Captain William A. Fuller, the man who has successfully foiled one of our enemy's most audacious attempts to bring destruction upon our forces. The man to whom the armies of East Tennessee and Virginia owe their very existence. I wonder how long we're going to sit in this prison. Listen a minute. They're bringing Andrew's back from the Judge Advocate's office. Yeah, the end of the line, all right. I can tell by the way he walks. Still wearing that silk hat. All right, you men, stand back from the door. All right, get in there. Andrew. Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Andrews? No. No, no, I think not. Pittinger. Perhaps. Perhaps you'd like to read from my Bible. Thank you. I know how you men must feel. I only hope you realize that I did the best I could. No man can do more. I appreciate your consolation, Pittinger, but I have failed twice. I failed my country. Perhaps someday this nation will find a way to unite again. United to go on for tomorrow. My hope now is that you men shall be spared. That I may pay for my failure by walking to the gallows alone. Be not afraid. I'm not afraid. It isn't death a man fears. It's the realization that he dies of failure. So, Mr. President, as Judge Advocate General of the US Army, I recommend, on the basis of the report herewith submitted, that the Congressional Medal of Honor or suitable equivalent, be bestowed upon the aforementioned James J. Andrews, faithful and courageous secret agent of this government. The award must regrettably, be posthumously bestowed, for Andrews lost his life in this mission. Captured and executed with seven of his band by The Enemy According to the Rights of War in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 7, 1862. Our Star Franchotone will return to our Calvin Kane microphone in a moment. Now here is Gain Whitman. The first public showings of high frequency television in color have just been announced. There are other signs that television is at last on its way to you. Basketball games, hockey, prize fights and other sporting events are all being televised this winter on regular schedule. One reason television has been delayed is that the war called for the production of radar rather than television sets. Another reason is that the picture, the image seen at the receiving end, was small. This has been taken care of. Now, television pictures can be 5 times the size they used to be. Big enough to fill a home movie screen. They are magnified with the aid of a plastic lens. A few years ago, the lens would have been too expensive because it would have been necessary to grind it from optical glass. Now it is simply and economically made of DuPont Lucite methylmethacrylate resin, which is crystal clear. Another plastic that will help to bring you better television when the new receivers reach the market is polythene, discovered in England and developed in the United States by DuPont. Polythene, a lightweight plastic so light it floats on water, is an unusually good insulator for the kind of high frequency electricity used in television. When the Army Navy football game was televised for the first time this past November, it was picked up in Philadelphia and relayed to New York and Schenectady over coaxial cables insulated with polythene. Television stations are built by electrical and mechanical engineers. But there are no hard and fast boundaries in science. Just as physicists and engineers help us greatly with chemistry, at the dupont Company, so the chemist helps other scientists in the field of electronics. Scientific interdependence. Mutual helpfulness is graphically illustrated by television's use of lenses of lucite and polythene insulation, both of which are dupont Better Things for Better Living through Chemistry. And now, here is Pancho Tome. Ladies and gentlemen, the March of Dimes began today. You and I are given the privilege of contributing and lending our support to the Infantal Paralysis Fund. I hope you will remember to send your dime. It's a good way to help in the fight being waged every day around the clock against this terrible wasting disease. Send your dimes and dollars to your local March of Dimes headquarters. Do it tonight. Thank you. Next week, Cavalcade will tell the hilarious story of what happened when the US War Department decided to buy some Camels for experimental use on the plains of Texas. At the 4th Cavalry base back in the 1850s when the unsightly beast got mixed up with a local pageant, a beautiful girl in an attack by Comanche Indians, the cavalry base was rocked to its foundation. Our stars will be Joel McCrae and Lorraine Day when Cavalcade presents the Camels are Coming. Music for tonight's Dupont Cavalcade was composed and conducted by Robert Arch. O'Tone may be currently seen in the Universal Picture because of him. Our Cavalcade play was written by Norris Houghton and was based on the book Railroad Avenue by Freeman H. Hubbard. This is Tom Collins inviting you to listen next week to Joel McRae and Lorraine Day in the Camels Are Coming on the Cavalcade of America, brought to you by the dupont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. This is NBC, the national broadcasting Company. Word sound at war. This is mercurial Salvatore town cry of the town of Adana. Provinci da Vinci in the Mari Italy. Listen, people of Adano, the Americani have come. So they bring with them the fought freedom in the national bundle. Do you think we will ever forget the car on the road and the voice of the general? But my friends, the general, he doesn't realize how important the carts are to Watano. No, no, no. But this major is a friend. Wait, wait. You will. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the Council on Books in Wartime presents Words at War. Tonight we bring you a novel by John Hersey, A Bell for a Donald. It is about Americans in Italy. Thoughtful Americans and Americans not so thoughtful in particular. It is about one man, an Italian American named Major Victor Joppolo. This is Mercurial Salvatore Tancre of the town of Adano. Provincia da Vicini Mari in Italy. I want you to know and understand the man Mr. Maggiore Vittorio Gioppolo of the allied military government occupied the territory. I want you to know that the Americans who have come to the town of Adano are friends of Mercurio. Salvatore. The Americans wish you to be your friends. They will change things and help you. If you have complaints, if you got problems, you do not have to be afraid to speak. You can go to the city hall and speak with the majority. Up for all the sergeant of birth. That's all I ever cried. Take it easy now. One at a time. One at a time. Just a minute. You'll all get a chance. Now. You. Who are you? I've been a well known as Andy Fajist. What kind of work did you do? I'm Ocean. The Palazzo di Chita Usher. I'm ahead of the Fajist. I'm a head of the Fascista for many years. Everybody knows I'm on the Fascist. You hated them so much, why'd you work for them? One must eat, one must make a living. I have a six of them being all right. So you were a fascist. Now you'll have to learn to live in a democracy. You'll be my usher. Grazia. Senora Maggio. Agrazia. Danta. Yes, Signora Maggia. Been bad here. Such a bombardment, such a raid. Yes, very bad. And we are hungry. For three days we have no bread. All the important ones ran away and left me here to guard the Palazzo. Some people are sick because the drivers of the water carts have not had the courage to get a water for several days. Because of the airplanes along the road. I see you. What's your name? Ribaldo, Giuseppe. I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. I've been here three years. Okay, I'll hire you. You'll be my interpreter. You don't speak Italian well. Yes, I do. But there'll be other Americans who don't. My agent need you for other things too. That's sure. Anything I fix it. Now tell me, what does this town need most? Food, boss. Food is a bad now in a Dino, why's that shortage of flour. I know, everyone's been scared. Bakers don't work and nobody sell a pasta. Water don't come in a car. That's all about. I tell him already what she need food. All you think of is the stomach. What's the matter with his stomach? He always thinks of the stomach. But who are you? My name is Caco Pardo. At your service, Majore antifascisti. I have 82. I own most of the sulfur in this place. Here cacopado is sulfur and sulfur is cacopardo. I wish to give you advices whenever you need it. Then tell me, what do you think this town needs the most? Right now? It need a bell more than anything. A bell? Si, senor, a bell. If I sister took her a bell, a guy's bomb may drop a little. Quiet, boy. What's this about a bell? In Adana, senor, we had a bell. A beautiful Bell. It was 700 years old. And this vilayaco that took to make a cannon or something. I tell you, the town was very angry about a mess. Yes, very angry. But even so, what we need the most is a food. To eat is more necessary than a bell. The town needs the bell. People who are hungry, they have a ringing in the ears. They none the bells. Zito, what do you say? You consider the food or the bell more important? I think of the bell. You do? Why, Zito? Because. Because the tone of the bell was so satisfactory. Isabel was the censor of the town. All life revolved around it. The farmers in the country were awakened by it in the morning. The drivers of the carts knew when to start by it. The bakers baked by. I see. Looks like we'll have to do something about getting another bell, Sergeant. Boy, are you kidding? The bell's important to them. Oh, now, Javalo, forget about the bell. Get him some food and clean up the streets for this bell business. It's not practical. It's. It's too sentimental. Maybe so, but the bell is important. The bell must have a good tone. The bell must have a meaning. You shouldn't be allowed the bell to tell us when to eat. Okay, okay. All right. Thank you for telling me about the bell. I promise you that I'll do all I can to get another bell. One that will have some meaning, a good tone. And its history will be that it was given to you by the Americans to take the place of the one which was taken away by the fascists to make canon. So they took the bell away on the 14th. Yes, the same. Major, Considering how things are done in the Italian army, perhaps not much has been done with the bell. Where was it sent, Zito? To the provincial government at the town of Vicina Mar. Perhaps it got no further. Perhaps the bell's still sitting in its crate in Vicinimar. You think it's possible? It's possible. But we'll make sure you'll find out. How? Below. You got bats in your belt. And take a memo. To Lt. Col. R.N. sartorius Cao Vin Mari, province of Ichin, subject L, belonging to Tanavadano. Would very much appreciate your initiating investigation of provincial government of Ainu Mary to see if you can trace. This is silly. I tell you. D. You're too sentimental for your own good. Lay off. Now. Send that memo. That's an order, Sergeant. For yes, sir. General Marvin's outside in his car and he wants to see you. General Marvin? Yeah, and he's hopping mad, so you better hurry. What's he sorry about this time? I don't know, but you better. Hey, look at you in them pants and cocky shirt. If he sees you in those ones. Hey, you. What do you mean by keeping the general waiting? Yes, he'll be right out. I hope he doesn't notice them fancy pants. Well, it's about Time, Major. Come on, the General's waiting in his car for you. Yes, sir. Oh, there you are. 1:20 you've been keeping me waiting. 1:20. You think I have all that to wait for you? Who are you anyway? Major Joplo, sir. Senior civilian affairs officer. Town of Adono, sir. Well, Major, these Italian carts are holding up our whole invasion. I had to throw one of them off the road. I had to shoot the mule. Now listen, you keep them out of this plastic town, do you hear? Don't you let another blasted cart come across that blasted bridge back there into this town. What the devil is this town anyway? Adono, sir. Town of Adonna. Adonno. Well, keep those blasted broken down carts out of this town, you hear me? Yes, sir. I'll take care of that right away. Right away. That's not soon enough for me, sir. I'll go right in and call the MPS and tell them about it. That's not soon enough by the eternal. Listen, I want action. No more plastic carts. Middleton. Yes, sir. Adano is the name of this town. Remember that. Middleton. Adano. Yes, driver. Do you think I got all day? Let's get out of here. Fourth, get Captain Purvis on the phone. Sure, sourpuss. What hit you? General Marvin. Gimme Captain Purvis. What did he want? He just knew what it meant. Here's Purvis. Yeah, Captain Purvis, this is Major Joplo. Here's an order from General Marvin. Keep all carts out of Adono. Stop them at the bridge on the east and at the sulphur refinery on the west. Yeah, you got it right the first time. One the what? Yeah, I know, Mr. Majore. Everyone knows me a fronti Pietro. Everyone knows how our frontiers talked about the day the Americano would come. Please come to the point. I wish to tell you about my cart. The wheels used to sing a song when I drove my cart. Do you wish to Hear this song, Mr. Maggiore? No, no. Listen. The Americans are coming here. Signora Fronti, the Americans are very just amazing. Especially with this. Do not joke with me. Music. The music is stopped. There is no more music. Do not shout here. You seem to think that Americans are deaf men. We are not deaf, so don't shout. But the music has stopped. There is no more music, mister. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Major. You. What is your name? Me Herba Carlo. What can I do for you? For me? Excuse me. Excuse him, Mr. Maggiore. He is his head. His tongue is slow to speak. Tell him about the water Carts. It's about the water carts, Mr. Major. The cart. Tell him about your cart, Erba. My cart. My cart is big. Outside it's dirty, but inside it's clean. It holds water. My friend drinks the water. Yes, yes, my friend. Tell me some more about the water card. The taste. The great taste. You will not let my car across the bridge. There is no water in Adano without my card and the other water card. There is a thirsty nadano. Since yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. There is a. A great taste. It is all because of the bridge and the cardinal. And by the proclamation of the matter of being a clean. Oh yes, the proclamation. In one of proclamation, Mr. Major, I forgot the number of the proclamations. There are so many. Does the number matter, Mr. Mageau? No, the number does not matter. Grati. The proclamation says it's necessary to be clean. It says that people must be cleaned with water. And even the street must be clean. To be clean takes much water. My car is on the other side of the bridge, Mr. Mageau. Your cleanliness is very important. Ebert. We must make Adano the cleanest town in the whole province of Etinama. See? See? We will do this thing even if the dirt had piled up since a long time ago. But my cart is on the other side of the bridge. You have a say. It may not pass. You better think twice. I do you want General Marvin to break? I made up my mind. Don't do it. Listen, Jabalo. Listen to your head. Okay, it's on your head. Brother Bronte. I'll have the order changed. You may bring your cart into the town. When the people come and take water from my cart to drink for their taste. I shall say to them, thank you, Mr. Major, my friend. Look, get out of here. You're wasting my time and the time of the people who are waiting outside the door. Fourth, getting to Captain Purvis over at the MP building. Boy, are you sticking your neck, huh? Give me Captain Purvis. I know what I'm doing. Famous last word. Hello, Pervis. There you are. Joppolo. Purvis. Joppo, listen. By one sentence, General Marvin destroyed the work of nine days in this town. I know it may mean a court martial, but I've decided to countermand his order. I know I'm taking a chance, but I've got to do it. This town's dying. No food can get in if the carts don't come in. Town depends on the carts for water. There isn't any running water here, you know. People will die. I'M not here to kill people. Oh, wait a minute. Run. You'll do what? Listen, Purvis, I order you on my authority to start letting the carts back into the town beginning now. I take absolute and complete responsibility for countermanding General Marvin's order. What's that? Listen, friend, if we never took chances around here, this place would go right on being a fascism. You know what you can do? It's on my responsibility. Hey, Trapani. Schultz. Yes, sir. What's wrong now? Captain Joppolo wants to let the carts back into town. General Marvin should drive back through here. We'd all get hung for it. If they cover ourselves, we'll make out a report saying just what happened. General Marvin ordered us to keep the carts out, but Major Joppolo countermanded the order. You make it out, Trapani, and send it to G1 of the division. I'm going out to take the guards off the road by the bridge. How do you like that guy, Chapel? I'm not gonna burn for him. How do you like that, Schultz? Ah, General Marvin's liable never to come back here. And if he did, he'd probably never notice the cards. Yeah, but once you get the thing on paper, it's just a sure way to ruin the major. And he's so right about those carts anyway. So go hire a hall. I got headaches of my own. Well, it's just. It's just, it's just. What's it to you, anyway? It's no skin off of your head. I just hate to see a guy get in trouble when he's trying to do right. All right, well, then why don't you write the MEM and then put the wrong address on it and sort of let it get lost? Accidentally on papers, Accidentally on pipers. You mean it? Sure. You're Italian titan, ain't you? And this chapalo is trying to help these Italians, ain't he? Yeah, well, you can make a mistake, can't you? Maybe the memo won't get to the general for a long time. Maybe it'll never get to him. Yeah. You know, Schultz, sometimes I think you're a bright boy. A very bright boy. It's a mercurial salvatorio town Crier. The Mr. Maggiore Gia Pollo is rebuilding our town so we can all eat and drink and sing and be happy. But you laughed when I say this before because of the car, but now I laugh at you. The majority, the Apollo says that the guards come into the town again. You hear? It is like I tell you. The Americans are here to help you. And the majority is trying to get us a bell too. That's all. Hello, Jlo amga. This is Sartorius up at Mich. Oh, hello, Colonel. About that bell. They shipped it off to the Ficarada Artillery foundry. Oh, I guess it's just a chunk of cannon now. These people down here will be broken hearted. Thanks anyway, Sartorius. Glad to do you a favor, Jabalo. Anytime. Say, why don't you try General Wilson and Algiers? Who? Wilson. Quartermaster Depot, Algiers. He's pretty good at getting things. Got some odds and ends for me once or twice. Wait a minute, boy. Yes, sir? Write down this address. Okay, Sartorius, let's have it. General W.B. wilson, Quartermaster Depot. Al Jeers. You got that, boy? Yeah. Thanks, Artoria. Anytime. Well, bye, boy. I want you to get a letter off. I know, I know. Got a letter here from General Wilson, Jabba. Oh, good. What's the score? No hits, no runs. Your error. He says he doesn't have a 700-year-old bell. And don't you realize there's a war going on, Jabba? Why don't you forget it? I can't keep thinking of it all the time. You know, boy, I think I want to get this town the right bell more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. Boy, when you go out on a limb. Listen, if headquarters ever finds out about the time you've been putting in on this bell business. Forget about headquarters. I wish I could. But if General Marvin ever finds out about the carts and then this business. Let's try the Navy. What am I, just one track? Didn't you even hear what I was saying? Sure. Forget it. Listen, that lieutenant. What's his name, Livingston, down in the port captain's office. He's a pretty good guy. You're gonna fall in love with the Navy now. What a guy. Listen, Livingston got his captain's permission for the fisherman to go out and fish again, didn't he? You know, he might be just a man. If the army can't find your bell, how's the Navy gonna do it? Well, most ships have got bells. And they have to be loud and clear so that the men can hear them all over the ship. Tell them the hours of the watches. Now he's an expert on the Navy. Get Lewinson on the phone. Okay. Memos, memos. Always something wrong. Can't they write about things being right? What was that last one about Middleton? Some telephone wire that has been lost on an lst. Oh, blazes with them, the answer is no. Yes, sir. Now go on finishing reading those blasted memos and let's get this thing over with. Think I got all day. Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir. To General Marvin for information. Etc. Etc. Routing, address and so forth. Subject mule carts, town of Adonald. Blasted, broken down mule car. On July 19, orders were received from General Marvin to keep all mule cards out of the town of Adano. Guards were posted at the bridge over Rosso river and at Cacodo sulfur refinery. Order carried out. Oh, that's right. Stop the blasted cards. Pesky Italians trying to hold up the whole blasted invasion. They better carry out that order. Yes, sir. On July 20, guards were removed on order of Major. Well now, sir. Finish it. Finish it, you blast it. Finish it. Yes, sir. The guards were removed on order of Major Victor Joplo, Civil affairs officer, town of Adonna, because the cards were essential to the town and town. Joppolo. Joppolo. Listen, do you remember the name of Joppolo? Colonel Milton? Yes, sir. The cart. Yeah, yeah. I just remembered something. That Joppolo was out of uniform that day, you remember? Had on pinks and a khaki shirt. You remember that, Middleton? No, sir, I had forgotten that, but I haven't. Oh, I've had enough of that radical Joplo. Yes, I'll make out an order recalling that blasted Italian American pip squeak from that blasted town. That. What's the name of it? Adono, sir. We'll order him to report back to Algiers for reassignment. Make out a separate report to Algiers explaining why. I'll fix that plastic little baby and get it off today too. Understand? None of your plaster delays now, do you hear me, Middleton? Yes, sir. All right. This is mercurial Salvatorio, town of Cryo. Listen, people of Adano, I am to tell you this. A committee has been formed which has in turn made up plans for a party. A party to Honor the good Mr. Majori, Victor Joo for the wonderful things he has done in rebuilding our town. Yes, this town honors much better off since the Americans have come. And there will be a bell too. So come to the party tonight and celebrate the coming of the Americans and honor the Mr. Majority. Come to the party. That's all. Boy, they told me you were in here and that you're acting like a crazy man. What's the matter with you, Javaloya? Fired. You've been relieved. You nobody around here. Oh, you sentimental ape. You big. Oh, come on board. You need to soak your head in some cold water. I'LL go soak your own fat head now, boy. Take your hands off me. Yeah. Read that. You're authorized to proceed by first available transportation to AFHQ Algiers for reassignment of station. The reason for this order is that reference willfully and without consultation. Countermand orders issued by General Marvin, 49th. Reentry of mule carts into town of Adano. Signed, General Martin. Where'd you get this? Your desk. I wanted to keep you from singing until after the party, Tom looked like that Joppo. Let's go back to the party and don't say a word, Morth. It wouldn't be fair to spoil their fun. Ain't you ever gonna grow up and think of yourself first, you big lug? Come on, boy. Sm. That was a great party, boy. I'll never forget it. Yes, sir. You ready, sir? Yeah. Papers. You called for a jeep? Yes, sir. It's better to go this way in the morning, boy. I don't want to say goodbye to anyone. I don't know whether I could. I'm sorry I got lit last night, major. My intentions were good. I mean, I wanted to have a good time at the party. Bor. Try to help whoever takes my place do a good job in the. Donald Adonald needs you, Major. It's too late to talk about that. I wonder how Marvin ever found out about the carts. Oh, one of his staff must have driven through or something. Yeah, I guess so. Listen, boy, keep after Livingston about the bell. You mean it should be a loud bell with a tone to it. The history to it should stand for the things I believe in. Boys are building a new scaffolding for it, major. To be ready for it when it comes. Tell the guy that takes my place. I wanted them to be happy here. I wanted all of them to have as much as they could what they wanted without hurting anyone else. That's what I wanted in a dono. I'll tell him later. Well, let's go. The jeep's here. So long, boy. So long. Terminal. Let's go, driver. Yes, sir. What's the matter, sir? Don't you feel well? I was thinking. All the things I ever wanted. Nothing. Yes, sir. Driver, stop a minute, will you, please? Yes, sir. Listen. You hear something, Mr. Bell. Must be 11 o'clock. Yes, Mr. Bell. Just a bell. Just about the Mr. Major. Victor Jodpele USA was a good demand. That is the only reason why I have told you everything that is happening. America is on its way to Europe. There will be a few Americans who do not understand. But There will be others, good ones, good ones like the majority opera, who brought understanding and a help and a freedom and the Bell, A Bell for a dam as the 42nd program of the Words at War series, we have presented A Bell for Adano by John Hersey, the book which has just been awarded by the Council on Books in Wartime, the rare designation of imperative, which is to be made into a motion picture by 20th Century Fox. The radio adaptation was made by Lawrence Mencken. Barry Kroger played Major Joppolo, and Daniel Akko played Mercurio, the town crier. Others in the cast included Myron McCormick, Alan Drake, James Van Dyke, Rolf Sedan, Jackson Beck, John Ollacino, Nino Ruggieri, and Tommy Nello. The music was arranged and played by William Meter, and the entire production was under the direction of Anton M. We have an important announcement to make for next week. On the night of February 22, the National Broadcasting Company and its affiliated independent stations broadcast an outstanding program on this Words at War series, a program called Assignment USA of this program, Variety, that provocative and unusual weekly of the show World said the stuff with which this half hour scorched the air made your ears burn. It was hard to believe even after you heard it. That's the kind of program it was, the kind the country needs, the kind radio needs. In its columns, Variety twice pointed out to NBC that radio as an industry needs these sock shows and somewhat acidly urged a repetition of Assignment usa. In response to these urgings, the National Broadcasting Company will repeat this program next Tuesday evening. The nation should hear this very excellent show. We hope you won't miss Assignment usa. This is the National Broadcasting Company. There's more from the Cavalcade of America, Words at War, the Relic Radio show and all of the other podcasts, and our shoutcast Stream all@ RelicRadio.com Lots to listen to there, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of the links on the website. Your support makes it all happen. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. Be back tomorrow with an hour of mystery on Case Closed and next Tuesday with our next episode of the Relic Radio Show.