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The Relic Radio Show (old time radio)
The Sears Radio Theatre and The Player
The Relic Radio Show begins with The Sears Radio Theatre this week. We'll hear Mushrooms, Darling, from March 21, 1979. (49:02) The Player brings us our second story with Murder At Tammerlane, from 1948. https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/RelicRadio950.mp3 Download RelicRadio950 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support The Relic Radio Show
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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. Thanks for joining me. This week we begin our hour of radio drama with the sears radio theater. This time we'll hear the story from March 21, 1979, titled Mushrooms, Darling. After that, it's the player and murder at tamerlane. That episode aired sometime in 1948. That's the theme from the sears radio theater. Tonight, a program of mystery with Vincent price as your host. Here's a preview. Look what I brought you. Mushrooms, darling. A whole basket full of them, all gathered within the last hour. And they should be cooked and eaten within the next. Oh, not again. Let me see. Darling, those are not mushrooms. They're toadstools. The sears radio theater will begin after this message from your local station. This is John Ritter. Did you know that one out of every five people has a hidden medical condition ranging from allergies to penicillin and other medication to heart problems, diabetes and epilepsy, just to name a few? If you have a hidden medical condition, you should join the medic alert system of emergency medical identification and wear the medic alert emblem on your wrist or as a necklace. This could prove to be a lifesaver in an emergency. On the back of the emblem is an identification number plus a phone number which can be called collect 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world to provide your computerized medical data to qualified personnel within seconds. A wallet card is also provided to members annually. Remember, a medic alert emblem will speak for you in an emergency. If you can't, starting April 1st, it's medic alert week across the country. Support the volunteers in your community or write Medic alert, Turlock, California 95380. That's medic alert, Turlock, California 95280. This is Vincent Price. Back in the good old days, committing a murder was such fun, one automatically joined, so to speak, a small and very exclusive club in which all the members, standing above the common herd in a sort of secret splendor, never even guessed who the other members might be. Of course, one had to get away with it. And that was where the excitement lay. Because in those days, my friends, there was the awful specter of the hangman to contend with, with his hempen noose and his wooden trap door. Why, the very thought is enough to curdle a gentleman's blood. There was the choice of method to mull over a gun, a knife, a length of cord Perhaps. Or poison. And there was the really quite arduous selection of a suitable victim. Because just any passerby plainly wouldn't do at all. Also, of course, it all had to be neat and tidy and quiet and unobtrusive. And it had to remain forever a ghastly secret. Oh, George, please don't slam the door like that. I have a cake in the oven. Oh, I'm sorry, darling, I. You make it sound as though there might be some connection between a cake in the oven and the kitchen door. I've told you before a dozen times, if you slam the door, the cake will go flat. You've quite possibly ruined it for me. Yeah, well, I. I really am sorry, darling. You really should know that by now. I can't for the life of me think why you never pay the slightest attention to what I tell you. Yes, darling. George Havery. Bella havery. Married for 22 years, only the. The first of which was a happy one. And George. Oh, the dear man has decided to join that very exclusive club we spoke of. The crucial problem is finding a suitable victim. I have a feeling that George Havery has already found her very close at hand. And that's only the beginning of our story. Sears Radio Theater A new adventure in radio listening. Five nights of exceptional entertainment every week. Brought to you in Elliot Lewis production of the Sears Radio Theater. Our story Mushrooms, Darling by Alan Caillou. Our star, Ben Wright. The Sears Radio Theater is brought to you by Sears, Roebuck & Company. Where value is your byword. Sears. Where America shops for value. What's the best way to save on new clothes? Sew them. Start by saving $40 on a Kenmore sewing machine at Sears. With a convertible free arm for narrow sleeves, cuffs and legs. A built in button holer, even six stretch stitches. This free arm can more just $199.95 and save $30 on a wood veneer sewing cabinet. Sale ends March 31. Prices and dates may vary in Alaska and Hawaii. Available at most Sears retail stores. Ken Moore. Solid as Sears. I can't believe they can do it for 1999 installed. The aluminized Sears Muzzler is only 19.99 installed. And listen to the muzzler promise. Sears promises that the muzzler will last as long as you own your American made car or return it for refund or replacement free. And if Sears installed it, they'll install the new one free. Well, you can't beat that. I think it's fantastic. It's a great promise. The Muzzler just 19.99 installed clamps if needed. 99 cents each. Extra sizes to fit most American made cars. Prices may vary in Alaska and Hawaii at most Sears tire and auto centers. Need a shirt to go with a skirt. Enhanced new pants make the best of a vest. See the ladies tailored short sleeve shirts at Sears. Pointed collars, placket front with bottoms cut straight. That's great. Classic shirts that are easy to wear. Polyester fabric makes them easy care solids from white to navy blue. Lots of soft tones, too. Plenty of prints. We've got them in store. They're just the thing you've been looking for this spring, Mrs. Tailored Short Sleeves shir in the women's sportswear department at most largest Sears retail stores. First love is rather like a kind of vaccination. It saves a man from catching the disease a second time. And one might hope, surely, that George Havery, having fallen in and out of love with Bella Havery, would be very wary indeed about treading that delightfully dangerous path again. Not so. There happens to be a very lovely young woman in our story. Really quite delectable. Her name is Susan. And poor George fell head over heels in love with her the first time they met, quite a while ago now. But then George is the kind of man who'll fall into anything. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First of all, let's find out just how it goes between George and Bella these days. Oh, darling, don't trample mud all over my nice clean kitchen, please. How often do I have to tell you that? Darling, I am wiping my feet. Oh, for heaven's sake, shut the door. It's freezing this evening. It's not really pleasing, darling. It's just brisk and invigorating. And the wood pile is getting terribly low. If you'd spend more time cutting up logs instead of pottering around in the forest all day. The forest is full of the most marvelous things this time of the year. And look what I brought you. Mushrooms, darling. A whole basketful of them. All gathered within the last hour. And they should be cooked and eaten within the next. Oh, not again. Let me see. Darling, those are not mushrooms. They're toadstools. You're supposed to be an expert in these matters. I am an expert. And this is a particularly delicious species of mushroom. It's absolutely delicious. And it's called honey agarita. Well, don't sound so hurt about it. All right, I accept it. They're edible, even if they don't look it. And if it'll make you happy, we'll have them for dinner tomorrow? No, tonight. The honey agarrics lose their flavor in just a few hours. And really, they must be eaten very soon after they're picked. Now, if the stove's really hot, I'll cook them for you now before the bloom is off them. Darling, it's Thursday. Thursday. And you know very well, you. Every Thursday evening I play whist with the North Downs Ladies Club. And tonight it's Mrs. Wellington's turn to be hostess and she lives all the way over in Hayward's Heath. I'll be home very late. Probably not till one or two in the morning. But your dinner's in the oven. I warmed up the leftovers for you Thursday. Yes. Yes, I should have noticed you done your hair. So put those disgusting toadstools down and come and start the car for me. Yes, darling. I'll be very, very late, George, so don't wait up for me. All right, darling. Drive carefully. I always drive carefully, George. You know that very well. Yes, Danny. And remember what I always have to tell you. Make sure the fire is not flaring up when you go to bed. Yes, darling. And don't forget to put the cat out. No, darling. Balcombe one nine two, please. Thank you. Thank you. One nine two. Hold the wire, please. Yes. Thank you. Hello? Susan, my love. It's me, George. Oh, my love. Yes, It. It's Thursday again. I know, I know. I've been waiting for your call. Simply glued to the telephone. Well, can you come over? Of course I can. Oh, my love. Yeah. Well, we'll have much longer tonight. She's gone all the way to Hayward's Heath. I love you so much, George. Five or six whole hours together. I can't wait to hold you in my arms again. We'll be alone, undisturbed, safe together. Just the two of us in the silence of the night. Oh, George, what a romantic man you are. Yes. Yes. Oh, yes, yes. As soon as you can, my love. I'll be waiting. I've already put the bed warmer in between the sheets. Oh, my love, I'm on my way. This year, my mom is dressing me up in pretty things from the Sunny Bunch collection at Sears. That's right. She'll look fresh and feminine in these dresses. And separates I can choose from frilly, colorful dresses, bouncy skirts, pants and just the right coordinating tops. Sizes 7 to 14 in easy care fabric that's machine washable. Whether I'm going to a birthday party or just school, my Sunny Bunch clothes make me feel special. You are special. Thanks, Mom. Available at Most larger Sears retail stores. I've been working with furniture for 25 years, so I know about quality. And that's why I recommend a Sears Benchmade sofa for your family. There's a heavy duty hardwood frame brace to withstand stress. The coil spring construction gives long lasting comfort. And you can choose from fabrics and attractive solids or bright prints all treated with Scotchgard brand fabric protector. Compare the quality of a Sears Benchmade with other fine sofas and you'll be surprised. Styling, durability and comfort Benchmade a great place to relax now at most Sears retail stores. Do you want to buy some radios? But cars all look the same. You've got to have good feelings. You've got to trust the name. You know our reputation. Remember what we said. When se is behind you, you come out. Good evening, Constable. Did I do something wrong? I'm sure I didn't. I'm a very good driver, even if I am a woman. Could I see your driving license, please, madam? My driving license? Dear me, I don't have it. In fact, I don't even know where it might be. I haven't seen it for positively years. But I'm Mrs. George Havery from Balcombe Forest. Well, Mrs. Avery, you'd best turn around and go right back home again and hope that you get there before your left hand rear wheel falls off. You've got a terrible Rear end wobble, Mrs. Avery. Oh, that. I've had a rear end wobble for quite some time now. My husband was going to get it fixed, but he's terribly forgetful. And I assure you I've been driving around with a wheel like that for three months now and nothing's ever happened. And the wheel's never fallen off. Well, if you're sure, Mrs. Haveory. And you know you've only got one headlamp. Oh, no, not again. I thought it was all rather dim. Would you kindly thump it for me, Constable? Ah, well, there it is. Now that should be all right now. Oh, yes, so much better. Thank you, Constable. Shall I put another log on the fire? Oh, yes, yes. Oh, I love to lie beside you and stare into the flames. I love you so dearly, George. Yes, I know it. And you know how much I love you. You know, the French have a way of putting it. J' Artin Malafoli, I love you to the point of a foolishness. Foolishness? No, George, it's not the right word. Well, an old man and a young girl. Yes, yes. Foolish is the only possible word. George, are you trying to tell me something? Yes, did you. Did you tell your wife about us? No. Oh, George, you promised me you would. You promised me we'd be married soon. And all I want out of life is to be with you for forever. Oh, George. There, there, there, now. You mustn't cry. I'm sorry. It's just. I decided that Bella would never give me a divorce, even if I were to tell her. And if we were to just run off and live together, she'd haunt us for the rest of her life. You know, that's the kind of woman she is. Then it's all over between us. No. I'm going to get rid of Bella. Permanently. Oh, my God. Oh, George, you can't possibly mean what I think you mean. Well, if the idea occurs to you so readily, can you doubt that? It occurred to me quite a long time ago. My only problem always was that means. George, they hang people for murder. Ah. You see, your first thought is for me, not for her. Oh, I like that. Oh, well, then it came to me. She's going to eat a poisonous vegetable. And the coroner will say death from natural causes. Vegetables are not. Not poisonous. I eat them all the time. Well, there's wolfbane, which some people call monk's hood. And it looks like horseradish, but it's deadly poisonous. And castor seeds, just as bad. Daffodil bounds really potent. The leaves of tomatoes, well, they're nearly always fatal if ingested. But, you see, nearly always isn't certain enough. The little yellow seeds that potato plants sometimes throw will kill you very, very quickly. But. But it's painful, and I don't want her to suffer. But there's one plant that's perfect. It's a kind of mushroom that looks somewhat like the ordinary field mushrooms that you buy at the green grocers or collect in the woods. Its technical name is Amanita phalloides. Called the death angel mushroom. Its poison is so strong. Well, to handle an Amanita paloides can then lick your fingers and you're very liable to drop dead on the spot instantly. And will you be able to find one of these amanitas? One of these amanitas when you need it. Aha. You see, that's exactly the crux of the whole matter. And what a bright young girl you are to hit on it. No. One could never be sure of finding one at just the right time. See, they spring up overnight. The rain comes and then they're gone. But I was very, very clever. I found three of them a while back out in the forest under the oak trees. And I dug them up very carefully and transplanted them into pots and hid them in the cellar where conditions are absolutely ideal for their long and healthy life. I collected some manure from the road, put a little in the bottom of each pot. And that will keep them snug and warm and well fed against the time they needed. You've never seen my cellar, have you? No, I haven't. This cottage was built in the 15th century. They really knew how to build cellars in those days. It's arched in stone and there's a feeling to it. A feeling of. Is spooky a good word? Come, I'll show you why it's mocked. Yeah. Mind the steps. They're very worn. Wait, let me light the lamp. There. Hold on to my arm. Can you see? Yes. Here. Here. I hid them behind the bench. No one but me ever comes down here. But still. Well. Hold the lamp for me. I've got it. There. Three of them. Growing happily in the darkness and the silence. My darling. Yes. Tighter. Tighter. Oh, darling. Sweet. We all have respect for the dead. You'd think they'd have more respect for someone about to die, wouldn't you? But they don't. It seems three little pots of poison right beside. That's really not very nice. Sears Radio Theater will return after this message from your local station. Chills run up and down your spine. There's a creeping sensation at the back of your neck. You're listening to CBS Radio Mystery Theater. I'm E G Marshall, your host for these hour long dramas of suspense, adventure and the macabre. Heard seven times a week on most of these stations. Here's a sample of what we mean. What is happening, unless we're going crazy. You do hear drums? Yes. We've got to get out of this house. I don't know what it is, but we've got to get out. I knew there was something about that picture. Come on, Georgia. Hurry. Marion. Marion, look. It's moving. The lion is coming into this rock. Run, Georgia, run. Listen here for CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Seven times a week on most of these CBS radio network stations. Business as usual. I was leaning against a phone booth on the Lower east side waiting for a call that would guarantee my next meal. Little did I know my next job would arrive on foot. I'm Sam Hart. A few minutes later, some guy staggers up there. Hey, mister, can you give me a hand? Feels like my chest is about to cave in. He was sweating, breathing heavily and clutching his chest. I reached for the phone. I Knew I'd come face to face with a big one again. Let's see. 91 1. Emergency Medical Service. Got a possible heart attack. I need an ambulance here on the double. Another day, another job, another round of the big ones. Seems like they're trying to knock off every other guy I see. Do you know the signals of a heart attack? If not, remember this. Sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, a pain in the center of your chest that may last two minutes or more. If you have any of these signals, call the emergency medical service immediately. Contact your American Heart association for more information. They're fighting for your life. But they're really quite beautiful. But they look. Look somehow lonely. I don't know how a mushroom can look lonely, but they do. Angels of death. You see the spores on the top, the annulus on the stem? Those are the signs that tell you, stay away. Don't even touch. And once in a while, people still pick them and eat them. And they die. This is the fungus that gave the field mushroom its bad name. It's the fungus. It's going to bring happiness to both of us. Forevermore. George and Bella Havery, a nice, average sort of couple putting up with each other over the years because, well, it's not always easy to find a way out of that trap one can so easily fall into when one says those trite little words. I do. They're always said, have you ever noticed, with great enthusiasm, usually accompanied by a rather sickly sort of smile. But George is not the kind of man to let the weeds grow under his feet. No, indeed, he is not. Having decided on a certain course of action, he is losing no time at all in getting it done. And what we have now is your average couple in your average little country cott, settling down to your not quite average dinner. George, darling, you're not eating anything. No, I. I know, darling. My. My tummy is playing up dreadfully tonight. Oh, no? Well, then why don't you take a spoonful of baking soda and half a glass of water? No, I just did. All I. I'm going to have for dinner is a stalk or two of celery and perhaps some of the lettuce. Oh, but you really must have some of the mushrooms. They smell absolutely delicious. As they should indeed. I fried them in lots, simply lots of margarine with just a smidgen of lemon juice. You cooked my mushrooms in margarine? Well, of course. Butter's so terribly expensive these days. A 10 pound block of butter is 12 shillings now. And I simply will not sit still, for that kind of highway robbery. That's exactly what I told the dairyman. And I always meant to ask you, are mushrooms fattening? Oh, no, no, absolutely not. Well, I don't really mind if they are. Anyway, I bought a new dress in the village this morning. The stripes run horizontally and I honestly don't care anymore. No, I noticed that. I found a new kind of corset in the village. A great deal of whalebone in it, and it's really quite marvellous. It holds everything in place. What a relief when I go to bed and everything can just fall out again. Yes, yes, I noticed that, too. What a delicious aroma there is to your mushrooms. What a shame I can't enjoy them tonight. Yes, isn't it? Well, next time. There's one very special species there that I'm particularly proud of. Yes, and I never saw so many different varieties all at once. George, darling, you really have excelled yourself this time. Yes, well, it's a mixture of Morchellas and Lefiotras and the marvelous Lactarius deliciosis and few others, you know. George, darling, I'm absolutely sure you won't mind in the least if I tell you as a husband you're no great shakes, but as a gardener, there's no one to equal you. Oh, what a nice thing to say. The other night, Mrs. Wellington said pottering around in the forest looking for wild plants to eat is the first sign of approaching senility. But I defended you, George. I just wouldn't listen to her. Yes, yes, of course. But the mushrooms, darling. Oh, yes, they smell marvellous. Yes, and they taste even better. There's one particular species there to the left of your plate, right beside the Brussels sprouts. It's the one with the pretty little spots on top and the annulus on the stem. That one has to be speared with your fork and popped into your mouth and eaten whole. You mean this one? That one. You know, it looks rather poisonous. How can anything look poisonous? What's it called? It's called a Boynton Wonder. And I have to pop it into my mouth. Whole? Yes. Like this? Yes, exactly like that. Oh, darling, that is absolutely one of them. One of the most delicious. Well, what an unconscionably long time that took. Balcombe. 192, please. Thank you. Was that 19 2, please? Yes, thank you. Yes, 19 2. Thank you. Thank you. 1 9, 2. Hold the wire, please. Thank you. Hello, Susan Muller. Don't come near me for the next few days. I'll call you when it's safe. George, you didn't. Yes, but I did, my love. Wait just a few days. Let's be wise now. It all went splendidly. Number, please. Operator. Operator, please. You get me the county hospital. It's an emergency. Could have been her heart, of course. If you'll forgive me, Mr. Havery, people who carry so much around with them. Medical science is now beginning to postulate that overweight has a very definite influence on the heart. It's really quite possible, ridiculous though it may seem. Did you have a history of heart trouble? Oh, no, no. Doctor. Dr. Wilson. No. In fact, she was examined only two or three years ago when the life insurance came up for renewal. No, no. They said her heart was very strong then. Perhaps something she ate. How could that be? I mean. Well, we were eating a very simple country dinner. It's boiled beef with brussels sprouts, potatoes, mushrooms and an ordinary garden salad. Aha. Aha. I have it. Did you perhaps have horseradish in your salad? Horseradish? Had a case 12 years ago. Dear old lady who lived at Monroepo Chestnut Avenue, just down the lane from here. She picked some wild horseradish for her salad. Only it wasn't horseradish at all. It was wolfbane. They look almost exactly alike. Only wolfbane is deadly poisonous. Poor thing. She was still in the prime of life. Only 80 years old and fit as a fiddle. No, no horseradish. You see, Poor, poor dear Bella. He never liked horseradish. You. You do realize. Do not. There'll have to be an autopsy, I'm afraid. Yes, Yes, I suppose so. It means we have to carve her up. Essential, don't you know, that? We find out just what it was she died of. Yes. Yes, of course. Oh, dear Lord. It's not a nice thought, I will admit. But we console ourselves with the thought, the very essential thought. They don't feel it, you know. No, I don't suppose they do. Doctor, would I be informed, do you think, of the result of the autopsy? I mean, could I perhaps get a copy of the coroner's report? Oh, the simplest thing in the world. My dear Mr. Havery, I'm quite sure you'll be the first to know. But in any case, it will be filed away with the clerk of the court. And it's available to anyone who wants to see it. Anyone at all. It's not locked. Good morning, dear young lady. Good morning, sir. Ah, you must be the clerk of the court, Am I correct? How nice it is to see ladies filling these. Oh, so important posts nowadays. No, sir. I'm. I'm secretary to the clerk of the court. Can I help you? Oh, then perhaps I should see the clerk himself. Well, I'm afraid he's having his tea now, sir. But if I could be of any assistance. Oh, well, perhaps you can. There was an inquest this morning on a certain Mrs. George Haveory. Mrs. George Avery? Oh, yes. I wonder if you would be good enough to tell me what the verdict was. Well, I think it was. Now, let me see. Ah, yes. A verdict of accidental death. Yes, accidental death. It seemed that she gathered some mushrooms in the woods and ate them. And they were poisonous. Oh, how sad. Yes, it is indeed. Mr. Tobias. How do you do, Mr. Tobias? My name is Ms. Woods. Nadine Woods. My home is really in London, but I have digs down the road here just to bed sit with Mrs. Frewett. London? I'm from London too. Oh, really? Well, all in nice people come from London, don't they? They do indeed. And the verdict on Mrs. Bella Havebury? It is, I presume, what one might call final. Oh, yes, of course. Accidental death. Excuse me. The Honourable justice wants us typed up immediately. Nadine. And he's in a terrible mood today. You better get it finished half an hour ago. Oh, he's always in a terrible mood. Well, you've been most kind, my dear young lady. I thank you and I bid you good afternoon. Who's the old codger? What a nice old man. His name's Mr. Tobias. How long do your pantyhose last? Do you want the answer in minutes or hours? You should try Sears Endurables. The pantyhose that lasted an average of 18 days of normal wear in a test with 400 women. The women in our test wore endurables day after day after day and as a group averaged 18 days. A patented process makes them strong so they last and sheer so they look great. No, pantyhose last forever. How long do your patios last in durables at larger Sears retail stores? Hey, look in here. Inside this stylish man's dress shirt, I'm a Sears Value dress shirt label just popping with pride. Because Sears Value dress shirts are sure to be popular for a number of reasons. They have fashion spread collars come in classic patterns and solids in short sleeves. You'll appreciate the permapressed polyester or polyester cotton blends for easy care plus at low value prices. Wanna buy? Just look for me the Value dress shirt label at Sears men's store where style, sense and satisfaction combine to label me right for you. Our Family is growing pretty big these days. We've got family members in nine different states and Sears sure comes in handy. We can select gifts at the Sears near us, then bring them along on visits to our daughter in Seattle and my brother in Miami. And if what we bought isn't just right for them, they go to Sears near them and exchange it. That Sears in their stores or through the catalog. Sears is where America shops. Sears, Sears, Sears. Where America shops. Vincent Price again. And here's the concluding act of mushroom styling. What a nice old man his name is. Mr. Tobias. Mr. Tobias. A nice old man. Well, I'll say this for him. Once an Idea came to Mr. Tobias, he followed it all the way down the garden path. That night he broke into George's cottage stealthily, quietly and really quite skillfully. Though I'm sure that wasn't a very nice thing to do. George. George, wake up. Oh. Oh, Susan. I love George. We have a burglar. What? A burglar. I distinctly heard a noise downstairs. Oh, no. Yes. No, my love, we don't have burglars in Balcombe. Only in places like London. But I heard something. A plate or something fall. No, the cat. The cat. Poor old Tabby. She's really past her prime in getting to be quite short sighted, you know. Always knocking plates off the dresser. What on earth would she be doing up on the dresser? Oh, she likes to sleep there, my precious. Right beside the bread bin. Smell of the bread is a great comfort to her. Now go back to sleep, my love. No burglars, I assure you. Why in heaven's name? Who would want to break into a peaceful little cottage like this in Balkan. Oh, sweetheart, no, it's just not gun. It was only one day after the inquest. An inquest that had been really most satisfying. And yet George's perfect crime was beginning to show lamentable signs of coming apart at the seams. Delightful. Just delightful. Oh, my love, I'm so happy. A whole new future ahead of us. So cold tonight. Oh, poor old cabby. Did you miss me then? Well, you see, the house is quite warm after all. Give me your coat, my love. Well, who lit the fire? Wonder. Good heavens. Good evening, Mr. Haveory. I lit the fire. It really was quite cold in here. I didn't know how long I might have to wait. Would you mind telling me, sir, what the devil you are doing in my house? I don't think I like the idea of strangers just barging in uninvited and making themselves at home. My name is Tobias and I'm not. Not a stranger, sir, but a neighbour. A neighbour? Yes. I live in the little cottage on the top of the knoll, the one with the green shutters that overlooks both the edge of the forest and your own abode, Mr. Hebury. And your purpose in coming here so. So unexpectedly? To offer you my condolences on the death of your wife. What else? George, I'm suddenly frightened. Quite without reason. Death is so much a part of my own life that I thought it would be only courteous of me to call and pay my respects. Oh, well, it's kind of you, I'm sure. I thank you and bid you good night. Why don't you sit down, both of you, and make yourselves comfortable? We have so much to talk about. No. This is my house, Mr. Tobias. I will sit down when I choose to do so, not before. Would you mind telling me how you got in here? I'm quite sure both doors were locked. Indeed they were. But I found a window open, as I did last night. George, the burglar. Oh, my dear young lady, not a burglar. Burglars steal. I'm not a thief. I was merely browsing. I think the time has come, Mr. Tobias, for me to insist that you leave this house at once. You're not welcome here. No, I didn't really think I would be ashamed. Such a shame. Particularly since we have so much in common. I find it hard, sir, to think of anything we might have in common. Two things. One, an interest, the other. What shall I call it? Yes, yes, an obsession. That's the word. Exactly. I also find it hard, sir, to put up with you any longer. The interest we share is in the study of fungi. Or of mushrooms, shall we say. Of course, my knowledge of the subject is not nearly as comprehensive as your own. Though I can distinguish quite easily between a field mushroom and, say, an Amanita phalloides. I quite fail to see the purpose of your chatter, and frankly, it doesn't interest me. Good night, Mr. Tabas. It was amanita poisoning your wife died of. That was established at the coroner's inquest. An accident. You picked the wrong mushrooms. Mmm. From your cellar, perhaps. That's where I was browsing last night. I found three pots of amanita there, being carefully nurtured with, may I say, commendable excell expertise. And I know how they got there. I watched you through my spyglass, digging them up from under the oak trees where the forest begins. And I thought to myself, good heavens, that's George. He must know how deadly they Are he's a long established expert in this field. He wouldn't make a terrible mistake like that. And I began to wonder about it. And then your wife died accidentally. And your very young and beautiful mistress hurries to your bed only hours after the corpse is disposed. It's all beginning to add up, isn't it? Has it ever occurred to you, it so often happens that the police can't solve a murder simply because they don't have the necessary evidence? And that, in turn, is because it so often happens that nobody bothers to tell them where they might find it. George, we have to buy him off. No, let me handle this. All right, Mr. Tobias, you don't exactly look like a policeman. How kind of you to say so. But if you are one, then make your charges in the proper quarter, and when the time comes, I will dispose of them. And by the time that time comes, you will also have found the time to dispose of the evidence down there. No. No, I'm afraid I cannot permit that, Mr. Havery. Well, we'll see about that. Stop. Not another step, Mr. Havely. A gun? In my house, a revolver is a very necessary adjunct to my profession. I'm quite expert with it, I assure you. And I'm quite prepared to use it. Oh, not to kill you, of course. Under the circumstances, that would be a very foolish thing to do. Now, just to incapacitate you. So close the door and sit down. As you so quickly guessed, I am not a policeman. Then I don't understand what it might be that you can possibly want. Well, we can't have you groping about in obfuscation, can we? Will you answer me a question, perhaps? Why did you not destroy that terribly incriminating evidence down in your cellar the moment it had served its purpose? It's a question that's worried me for a long time. No comment. And you can quote me. You left those amanitas down in the cellar, growing so handily and so well, because it occurred to you that you might want to use them again. Oh, what arrant nonsense. No, no, no. Hear me out, I beg of you. The obsession. Now, let us discuss what might be called the. The assumption of the ultimate majesty. The taking of life for its own sake. There's a tremendous feeling. Feeling of triumph, is there not? An almost narcotic sense of gratification. I felt it myself after I killed my first victim. And it stays with you, you know. It really does. Seeking more and still more fuel for the fire of the most stimulating sensation in the whole gamut of man's. Emotions. Oh, she's mad. You can set fire to a man's house. You can hit him over the head and steal his pocketbook. You can seduce his wife away from him. You can ruin him in the stock market. And all these things are picayune, inconsequential trivia. But to take is very life. That's a different kettle of fish. It brings with it an almost godlike sense of power. And we all want to be gods, do we not, Mr. Tobias? You said after you killed your. Your first victim. Oh, yes, yes, my first. Oh, that was a long, long time ago. I've killed a total of. Let me see, I've killed 11 people. And each time, that ultimate majesty gets stronger and stronger. It's become an obsession is the only word. But the supply of victims these days seems to be drying up. It's. It's very frustrating. May I use your phone, please? Don't move, Mr. Havery. Sit just where you are. Remember my revolver. Would you be kind enough to get me the police station? I believe the number is Balcombe three two, six. Thank you. Three two, six. Fill the wire, please. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. Police station. Sergeant Brown's picket. Ah, Sergeant Brown, this is Mr. Tobias. I'm calling from Mr. George Havery's house on Elderberry Lane. Would you send a constable over, please? There's been a murder. Why, Mr. Tobias? In God's name, why? I'm the hangman, Mr. Haveory. I fasten that knotted hempen rope around your neck, I throw the lever that opens the trap door, and I found myself another victim, haven't I? Isn't that nice? Sears offers you dazzling savings on crystal glass chandeliers. Save $30 on a five light chandelier, now $59.99. Glass encased arms, hurricane shades, prisms that dance among beaded drapes create this glass confection. You save $40 on Sears 8 light chandelier, now $79.99. Here, antiqued cast bronze extends gracefully to sparkling crystal glass drops. Remember, just $59.99 and $79.99 available in most larger Sears retail stores. Sale ends March 24th. Prices and dates may vary. In Alaska and Hawaii. 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New Jersey residents, call 800-652-2777 for your se the Sears Radio Theater has been brought to you by Sears, Roebuck & Co. Where our policy is satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Sears Where America shops for value. Mushrooms Darling was written by Alan Caillou, produced and directed directed by Elliot Lewis. Your host was Vincent Price. Our star was Ben Wright. Also heard were Betty Harford, Iver Barry, Diana Chesney, Valerie Cooney, Richard Peel, Marvin Miller. The music for Sears Radio Theater was composed and conducted by Nelson Riddle. Art Gilmore Speaking the Elliot Lewis production of Sears Radio Theater. Here is a presentation of cvi. Here's a tip from your Better Business Bureau. Are you looking for a nursing home? Well, here are a few tips. Start by getting a list of the licensed facilities in your area from your local health department. Find out whether they are certified to receive Medicare and Medicaid payments. Also, talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors who've placed a family member in a home. You see, it's important to visit a nursing home to check the facilities and the services. For example, food handling, patient care in service, staff training, housekeeping and patient activities. Now, before you sign an admission agreement, you read it carefully, including the fine print, and ask a lot of questions about what's included in the price. A number of nursing homes charge extra for such items as wheelchairs, air mattresses and personal laund. A tip from your Better Business Bureau. Tamerlane rose flowers, the sea. A finger of masonry jutting up from the rocky coast. Travelers passing by would squint their eyes and try to make out a light or a movement behind the tangled growth. They'd look at the place and shiver. That's Tamerlane. You know the story, madam? Horrible kidnapping and that terrible murder. And that's the dramatic opening to another story by the Player, starring America's Most versatile actor, Mr. Paul Freeze, who Will return after a few profitable moments. Moments. With your announcement, Sam. And here is the player, Mr. Paul Freeze. How do you do? Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Player welcoming you to our presentation of Murder at Tamerlane. Chris Bartlett sat at his typewriter in the Tribune office pounding out an uninteresting story about an appropriation by the state legislature. Across the room, the city editor lifted his head. Hey, Chris. Yes, boss. Coming. Forget that clock trap and come over. Look, I got a story I want you to work on. I want you to go visit Tamerlane. You're not frightened, are you? Well, no, but. What's the occasion? The old man's 75th birthday tomorrow. Chris, we ought to make the morning edition to the story. You know, there's still a 10,000 buck reward offered by the police for any information to the whereabouts. Parts of his daughter. Still good copy. Make it tonight, huh? Tonight? Gee, boss, it's after five now. By the time I get down there, it'll be dark. What kind of a hack reporter are you anyway? Go to the morgue and get all the info we have on the case. Then try to find out as many new angles as you can. The old man still pressing the search. What happened to his son? How does it feel to be 75? The usual stuff. Okay, boss. Chris reviewed the information he found in the files at the newspaper morgue as he drove toward Tamale. Here was a decadent family once prosperous. The Mawson millions had once been a byword. That money had built this castle like structure high on the rocks at the seashore. And now Andrew Mawson was to be 75 years old. Funny old duck with a liking for Edgar Allan Poe. Had most of Poe's first editions named. His mansion after one of Poe's works. Tamerlane. Strange. Every newspaper in the country had covered the tragic kidnapping of lovely young Lenore Mawson five years before. It had incited the sympathy of millions because old Andrew Mawson was an invalid, never rising from his bed. But a tragic blow for an old man. Of course there was Eldred Mawson, his son. Everyone knew what he was like. A wastrel, a gambler, a spoiled weakling. Crisping of the clipping in his pocket. A ten thousand dollar reward. And it still stood. Well, this was one of those mysteries that could just never be solved. He'd get what story he could and get out of the place. Chris turned up the winding road that led to Tamerlane. It was quite dark now and the headlights of his car moved across a Thick foliage, like a great swaying searchlight. The car edged along the narrow, winding road. Suddenly, Chris jammed on his brakes. A fallen log blocked his passage. Chris gritted his teeth. He couldn't go back without a story. He climbed from his car and started toward the house. On foot, he climbed the stairs. There were lights in the house. He could barely make them out behind the heavily draped windows. He paused for a minute before the heavy door. Something told him not to go in, and yet. He lifted the heavy iron knocker. The sound echoed strangely through the house. Chris waited there. He glanced toward the sea. It was almost motionless. Suddenly he wheeled around. A thin, gray haired little servant in livery stood at the door. He had a blank, wide eyed look. Yes? Yes. What do you want? My name's Chris Bartlett. I'm from the Tribune. Come to get a story about Mr. Mawson's 75th birthday. Oh, yes, yes. Come in, come in. The halls were dark and drafty. He is upstairs in bed. He has been there almost 10 years, you know. Cannot move. Is anyone else here in the house? Only his son, Eldred. You know about his daughter, Lenore, of course. Yes, yes, of course. I. I will take you to him. They climbed slowly to the second landing. Suddenly, a door flew open. A tall, thin, nervous young man stood framed in the doorway. His eyes were red and his hands shook. What do you want? Your Eldred Mawson. What about it? My name's Bartlett. I'm from the Tribune. I come to talk to your father. Be careful, because there's murder in this house. There may be one here tonight. Chris followed the servant up to the next landing. Say, what does he mean? Oh, Mr. Eldred is very high, strong. You mustn't mind him. The servant opened the door to a high bed chamber. An old man lay on a huge draped bed, hardly moving. His face was white and wrinkled. Candles at his side trembled fitfully. Mr. Here's a newspaperman to talk to you about your birthday. His name is Bartlett. The old man turned his head slowly and smiled. Sit down. It's not often we have visitors at Tamarane. The servant slid out of the room. Chris took a seat nervously. It wasn't too pleasant being here alone, even with a harmless, bedridden old man. I. I'd almost forgotten my birthday tomorrow. When you have so much tragedy in your life, you forget pleasant things. My daughter. The pride and joy of my life has been taken away. It's the end of my family. Like the fall of the House of usher. The 10,000 reward is still offered by the Police? Yes, but it has been so long. She'll never come back to me. Chris asked the old man a few more of the stock birthday questions, then rose quickly, said goodbye and made his exit. Poor old guy. It was dismal. It wasn't going to be much of a birthday for him. At the ground floor hall, the wide eyed servant stopped him. Mr. Bartlett. Just a minute, please. There's something I have to tell you. Look, I'm rather anxious to get out of here. I got to get the story back to my paper. I have a better story for you than just a birthday. You must listen to me. You must. There hasn't been anyone here for weeks. I found something only recently and I must tell someone or I will go crazy. All right now, just take it easy now. What's happened? Follow me, please. And quietly. They mustn't hear. All right. Chris followed the servant on a narrow flight of stairs. Large casks of of wine lined the narrow passageway. But where are you taking me? Here. He swung a huge cask on the wall. The wall had marks as if it had been dug into. Look. She is here. Lenore is here. She was murdered and she's buried here at Emmeline. But you're crazy, man. No. No, I'm not. Call the police, please. Tell them. What is this? A confession of guilt? No. There is a curse on this house. You must help us. She's in here, Ms. Lenovo. Spirit here. And I know who did it. The servant crumbled in a heap on the earth and floor. Chris wheeled around. Standing there in a long night shirt was the old man, an automatic in his hand. Mr. Mawson, I thought you were confined to your bed. Not when it's convenient to be elsewhere. That fool talk too much. And now you, Mr. Bartlett, you know too much. Put down that gun. You're out of your mind. Am I? You shouldn't have intruded, Mr. Bartlett. Now say your prayers. I'm going to kill you. The old man pitched on his face. Chris turned quickly and saw Eldred Mawson standing trembling in the doorway. A gun hanging loosely in his hand at his side. You. You killed your own father. Yes. I should have done it long ago. Now, Mr. Newspaperman, do you want the real story of Tamerlane? Yes. Your papers have told of how much he loved her. How tragic. He took the loss of Lenore. Well, he killed her. He killed her himself. I've just found out. That madman with the love of Poe. He killed her because she hated him. She wanted to leave here and he wouldn't let her. So he killed her to keep her here. But now, now she's free of him. She's free of him and so am I. Free of him and free of. And that's the end of another story as told by the Player, your one man theater, Paul Freeze, who portrays all of the parts. Mr. Freeze will return to the microphone after a brief message from your announcement. Murder at Tamerlane was written by Jerry Lawrence and produced by Sam Kerner. With music composed and performed by Ramy Idris. Special effects by Fred Cole. Your announcer was Gary Goodwin. Won't you join us again when we present another exciting story for your entertainment? This is the Player, Paul Freeze, saying goodbye. Until next we meet Sam.