 Lux present Hollywood. The Lux Radio Theater brings you Orson Welles and Rosemary de Camp in a tale of two cities. Ladies and gentlemen, your guest producer, Mr. Frank Craven. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Between the peoples of the English-speaking world are fortunately many strong and common bonds. Respect for freedom and democracy, a sense of fair play and a love of tolerance. And to those bonds you may well add a common one of Dickens. There are many writers we pay homage to, but none has come as close to our hearts or moved us so thoroughly to tears and laughter as the author of tonight's great story, A Tale of Two Cities. And I say great, not from my judgment only, but because time in the world have called it so. And Dickens himself expressed the humble hope that posterity would consider it the best thing that he had ever written. For to him it was an attempt to explain in terms of one man's life and actions one of the most inexplicable and violent periods of human history, the French reign of terror, when 25 million people armed with torch and saber bathed Europe in the blood of vengeance. Here indeed is the material of drama recorded by a vivid and imaginative writer and portrayed for us tonight by two stars worthy of this staunch assignment. Orson Welles and Rosemary de Camp, both veterans of this stage and of the screen and theater. Originally, most of Charles Dickens works were published in installments and came to America by sailing vessels. Records tell us of how crowds thronged the wands of New York City to receive the latest news of their favorite hero and a hero. For already the names of Dickens characters were household words. As much I imagine as Lux Toilet soap is a household world throughout America today and for very much the same reason, the ability to find approval among people of all kinds of ages in every walk of life. Not only among women who are anxious to preserve their loveliness, but with every member of the family, young and old, Lux Toilet soap is quick to make friends and to keep them. And now our curtain rises on Europe 150 years ago as we bring you the first act of a tale of two cities starring Orson Welles as Sydney Cotton and Rosemary de Camp as Lucy Manette with Dennis Green as Charles Darnay. Paris, 1793. The French Revolution is over. The cause is one, but the bloodshed has only started. The reign of terror sweeps through the land and all its fury and each day Madame LaGiartine has had her share of human life. The dripping blade rises and falls and the crowd counts in monotonous rhythm as each noble head rolls to the ground. The night rises again and sweeps downward, 22 lives in a single day and more to come and more and more until night falls draws a curtain on the scene. Behind the bleak walls of the forest prison the doomed of the following day await their fate. In a bare dungeon cell a single lantern throws a ghostly glow in their faces with a rattle of chains the great iron door is blown open. People of France describe funeral here by declares that you shall be put to death by the guillotine on the morning of February 2nd 1793. Citizen Jailer, which one of these is Charles Devremont? Evremont! Step forward! Charles Devremont! Call Charles Darnay! Which one of you is he? I am Evremont. Step forward! Charles Devremont known as Charles Darnay. In view of the excitement occasioned by your trial it was felt that some small favor would be an order. We have decided therefore that you shall live long enough to witness the execution of your friends here. Fifty-one heads will fall tomorrow. Yours will be the fifty-second. Citizen Evremont. Yes? I didn't know you were here with us. So dark. Oh yes. What is it you want, please? Don't you know me? I'm deserve the same as this. We were brought to La Force together. Oh, of course. I forget for the moment of what you were accused. They accused me of plotting. But I'm innocent. How could I plot against the Republic? I'm nothing, I'm no one. You don't cry, Charles. It's too late for tears. I try to be brave. Soon the morning will come. It's going light even now. You haven't hour yet. That's more. Ask God for courage. Look, son is right. I'm afraid. But I'm glad. At least we can see it again. What is it? You, you are not Evremont. You are not Charles Devremont. Quiet. I knew Charles Devremont. His eyes were blue and his eyebrows. His hair was light and you... Who are you? Like you, I'm nobody, nothing. You are going to die for him. Why, monsieur? I could never make you understand. But I could set you free. One word from him. You can't do that. You must not please. Tell me about yourself. How can I? It would help, so if you'd talk to me. Perhaps it would help you too, monsieur. There's so much to tell. When? Twenty-five years ago. 1768. Have you ever been in England? No, never. There's a long hill on the Dover Road that sweeps down to the sea. The pleasant road on a summer day with a sun shining. The devil's own highway at night from the winter rain. Just that sort of night in 1768. A coach topped the rise of the hill. The mail. Bound east of Dover. Go on. Get up there. Get up. Get up. Top of the hill, Tom. Better rest them for a moment. Whoa. Whoa. We'd be lucky if we make the boat for Calaisian. Listen, hear that? What for, sir? I say a horse at the canteen to come your way. What for, sir? I say a horse at the canteen to come your way. Oh, I say a horse at the gallop. Oh, there. Candor old fire. Who are you? What do you want? Is that the Dover Mail? I want a passenger. What passenger? Mr. Jarvis Lorry. Keep where you are. Is there a gentleman named John Lorry in the coach? I'm Lorry. Who wants me? It's me, Mr. Lorry. Jerry. I know this messenger guard. There's nothing wrong. I hope so, ain't it? I know you. Come on, it's a foot-face. Well, Jerry, what is it? A dispatch, sir. Stand after you from London. Be quick about reading. It's her. I don't like this. It's not very long, you see. Wait at Dover for Mademoiselle. Very good. Jerry. Yes, Mr. Lorry? Write back to London as fast as you can. Tell them my answer was recalled to life. To life. I was Mr. Lorry's business that night. To recall to life a man who had been buried alive for 18 years, a prisoner of the French nobility. The man had escaped and was now hidden by friends in the village of San Antoine. To that village went Mr. Lorry to the wine shop of a certain Madame Defarge. You are Madame Defarge? I am. My name is Jarvis Lorry. I've just arrived from London. This young lady with me is Miss Lucy Manette. Good morning, Mum-tove. Please tell us, is my father here? Did he say? Your father? There is no one here, Mum-tove. But Mr. Lorry was told that... One moment, my child. Madame Defarge, perhaps I should have presented my credential sooner. Recalled to life. There is a man here. A man old beyond his years. A mender of shoes. Will you come this way? My husband and I have kept him locked in a room up the stairs. Did you say a lot? Yes. Of his own desire? Of his own necessity. He has lived too long alone. He would be afraid if his dog was left unlatched. Oh, Mr. Lorry, I'm frightened. Touch my dear. Be, Dr. Manette. You are hard at work. Yes, I am working. You have a visitor doctor showing the shoe you are making. Now tell us here the maker's name. You asked my name? Yes. 105 North Tower. That is all? 105 North Tower. You seem us here. He remembers nothing. Dr. Manette, do you remember nothing of me? Look at me. Is there no old banker, no old business rising in your mind? Think of England, a man who was your friend, Jarvis Lorry. It's no use. This is what they have done to him. Lucy, come here, my child. Yes. Now speak. Call him. Speak to him as you did long ago. Father. Oh, Father. Do you remember, Dr. Manette? I remember a little girl with long golden hair. Ages and ages ago. What was her name? Her name. She laid her head upon my shoulder when they came for me that night. Don't let them take you, Father. Hush, my child. My baby. Lucy. Lucy. He crossed the channel that night to a safe refuge in England. There for five years the good doctor rested until it last his memory returned and he was well again. But now, in the English courts, a trial was in progress. A trial of a certain Charles Darnay accused of plotting treason against his majesty's government. Dr. Manette, called as a witness, sat with his daughter near the judge's bench. The court was hot, humid. For me, one man seemed quite at ease. The assistant counsel for the prisoner. His court wig dipped in a slovenly fashion over one eye. His court gown stained with wine. His name, if anyone was interested, was Sydney Carton. We must act quickly. With the evidence they presented, Darnay will hang by morning. Carton, do you hear me? I hear you, Mr. Stryver. Well, what shall I do? I will you I should sit down. Darnay is my client. I'm trying to protect him. I pay you well for your assistance and I expect a happy... You will have it, Mr. Stryver, when the time comes. See, you've already had your bottle today. Too, I believe. Drunk. Always drunk. Carton, listen to me. At present time, I'm more interested in Dr. Manette. Dr. Manette to the stand. You are Dr. Manette? I am. Dr. Manette, the prisoner Charles Darnay, has been accused of carrying secret messages from Louis of France to spies here in England. Look upon the prisoner. Have you ever seen him before? I don't know. Really? Is it not true, Dr. Manette, that the prisoner was a fellow passenger with you five years ago on a boat from Calais to Dover? I cannot say. When from France that night, I had been newly released from a long imprisonment. I have little remembrance of the occasion. My mind was a blank for some time. I see. Your daughter made the trip with you, did she not? Yes. That will be all. Are there any questions from the defense? Any questions, Carton? No questions. No questions, your worship. Miss Lucy Manette to the stand. Now, Miss Manette, look upon the prisoner, please. Have you ever seen him before? Yes. Where? On board the packet boat you mentioned. You spoke to him? You were friendly with him? Yes. Good. Now tell me, did he come aboard alone? No. When the gentleman came on board... You mean the prisoner? Yes. Then say the prisoner. Oh. When the prisoner came on board, there were two gentlemen with him. But these two did not make the crossing. No. Now tell me, did you see them give certain papers to the prisoner that night? No. You're sure of that? I... I don't know. It was dark. Then they might have given him certain papers. Is that right? Yes, but I... That will be all, Miss Manette. Please, I know he isn't guilty. That will be all, please. Are there any questions from the defense? Will Carton? No. Carton, you're mad. No questions. No questions, Your Worship. Your Worship, the prosecution would like to recall its chief witness, the prisoner's accuser, Mr. John Barsad. Now, Sriver, we might have some questions. Mr. John Barsad? Right here, sir. Mr. Barsad, look upon the prisoner. Do you recognize him? I do, sir. He's a spy against His Majesty's government. That's what he is. I was on that mail packet myself that night, and I saw the kind of papers that passed into the hands of the prisoner. They were lists of our troops. Thank you, Mr. Barsad. No more questions. The cartel, what it been? Will Carton? Er... Ask him these questions I've written down here. Mr. Barsad, how do you know the papers you saw were lists of British soldiers? I saw them. Ah, you saw them. Then you took them out of the pockets of the prisoner, Charles Donnie. Yes, sir. No, sir. Yes, they did. Oh, then you didn't take them. You're not a spy yourself, a man who makes his living by making accusations just or otherwise against his fellow countrymen. That's a lie! A damn right insinuating lie! Er, one moment. Will Carton? Mr. Stryver, you've no imagination. Mr. Barsad, where did you get money to live on? My property. Your property? Where is it? I... I don't exactly remember. Then perhaps you can remember how you got that property. Ah, inherited it. From whom? From relatives. Er, distant relatives. Hmm. How many times have you been in prison? Six times, isn't it? What's that got to do with it? Have you been kicked or cheating dice? Well, now, I... Mr. Barsad, you were positive as the prisoner you saw that night with those lists. I am? It couldn't possibly have been someone else. No, it couldn't be... Mr. Donnie! You will please face this witness. Now, Mr. Barsad, look at Mr. Donnie. Look at him carefully. Well? Now, Mr. Barsad, look at me. At me, the assistant counsel for the defense. You notice the resemblance between us. We are very much alike, are we not? Well, now that you mention it, you are. As a matter of fact, it could have been me you saw with those supposed lists that night. Could it not? Well, now, I... Could it not, Mr. Barsad? All right. Yes. That's all. Thank you. Order! Order! Are there any more questions? The jury will require to consider a search. We have your own worship. Then how do you find the prisoner, Charles Donnie? We find the prisoner, not guilty. Mr. Donnie, may we congratulate you, sir? Thank you, doctor. I'm happy our testimony did you know how. Thank you, Miss Lucy. I'm sure it did nothing but good. It was Mr. Carton who really won your case. Mr. Carton? Mr. Carton, sir? No, don't call me. May I thank you, sir, for saving my life? Yes, only a part of my business. Mr. Carton, this is Dr. Manette and Miss Lucy Manette. Mr. Carton. How do you do? Oh, we thought you were splendid, Mr. Carton. Me a professional claptrap. Ah. May I ask, sir, how did you happen to notice the resemblance between you and me? Oh, it was very simple. I looked at you and admired your bearing in your character, and you see, I have nothing but admiration for myself. Lucy, my dear, we must go. Goodbye, Mr. Darnay. Will you call it our house soon? Thank you, Miss Lucy. And Mr. Carton? Aye. Thank you. Good day, then. Good day, gentlemen. Good day, doctor. Mr. Carton, would you care to dine with me? Oh, you feel you must repay me. I could never repay you for my life, sir. Oh, don't be too certain. A bottle of wine or two? My fees are very low. Another glass, Mr. Darnay. Thank you. I've had enough. Yeah, Mr. Darnay. How does it feel to be alive again instead of hanging by your neck? Well, I'm a little confused regarding time and place, but it's good to feel at home in the world again. Well, it must be an immense satisfaction. For me, the world has very little to offer, except wine like this. So you and I are not very much like in that particular highway. You speak very faintly, Mr. Darnay. I, uh... I didn't speak at all, sir. Oh, come, Mr. Darnay. Call a help. Propositive. Watch out, sir. Well, that's on the tip of your tongue, man. It's been there all evening out of this. Very well, then. Miss Lucy Manette. Miss Manette. As a fair young lady to hand into a coach in the dark, eh, Mr. Darnay? As a fair young lady to be pitted by and wet for by. How does it feel, Mr. Darnay? Is it worth being tried for one's life to be the object of such sympathy and compassion? I don't take your meaning, sir. Mr. Darnay. Let me ask you a question. Do you think I particularly like you? You've acted as if you do, but I don't think you do. I don't think I do either. Nevertheless, I hope there's nothing in that dislike to prevent my calling to the reckoning and parting without your blood. Of course, there's nothing at all. You call the whole reckoning? In my may, sir. In that case, inkiver more wine. Yes, sir. Good night, Mr. Carton. One last word, Mr. Darnay. You think I am drunk? I think you have been drinking, Mr. Carton. You know I have been drinking. Well, since I must say so, I know it. You should likewise know why. Because I care for no man on earth. No man on earth cares for me. Much to be regretted. You might have used your talents better. Maybe so, Mr. Darnay. Maybe not. Good night, sir. Good night. And don't let your sober face elate you. Never know what it may come to. Inkiver, the wine. Coming, sir. Well, as Mr. Darnay has shown you what you've fallen away from, what you might have been, changed places with him and what you've been looked at by those blue eyes as he was. Come on. Have it out in plain words. You hate the fellow. Sidney Carton knew it was too late to change his way of life. But he took to brushing his shabby coat and combing his untidy hair. And there were times even when he remembered that a gentleman would make himself nightly into a stupor. On Sunday afternoons he would appear in Miss Manette's garden, sitting quietly, speaking but seldom, for Charles Darnay was there too. One evening, just at dusk, an approaching storm sent them indoors. Listen, it's coming soon, Mr. Darnay. It comes slowly, but surely. Isn't it impressive? Sometimes when I've sat here listening to the thunder in the distance, I've had such a strange fancy. I've imagined that the thunder claps were echoes. The echoes of footsteps that will one day enter our lives. Well, if that is so, there is a great crowd coming into our lives. I take them into mind gladly. It was my foolish fancy, Mr. Carton. Well, there is a great crowd bearing down upon us now. Thousands upon thousands. Here they come. Ah, fierce. Furious. You make my fancy seem too real, Mr. Carton. There was a great crowd coming into their lives. A numberless, overpowering crowd, which one day would decide the fate of these three. At first it was but a whisper in the city of Paris. A whisper that was to grow with the years into a crashing roar of hatred. Slowly but surely, as the storm came, the crowd was coming too. Up from the cellars of Paris, up from the bare fields of a starving peasantry, the crowd was coming, chanting its hate, screaming for blood. The people of France in all their might, rising in revolution. An act too of a tale of two cities. And now, here's the dance floor. Music. A soldier and his girl. Did I ever dream this afternoon I'd be dancing with you tonight, Bill? I just couldn't believe it when you pulled me from the station. Gosh, what a thrill seeing you. You're pretty as a never, Mary. You're sweet to say that, Bill. And me wearing my old rainy day dress. I'd plan to wear a real glamour gown for our first date. Well, you look like a glamour girl to me, Mary. With those eyes and that peaches and cream skin. Say, I wouldn't care if you were wearing blue jeans, darling. It takes a lovely luxe complexion to win a compliment like that. There's something irresistible about soft, smooth skin. That's why screen stars, lovely women everywhere, never take chances with complexion beauty. They've discovered a care so simple, so effective, that they use it regularly. Here's what pretty Anne Baxter says. I wouldn't dream of neglecting my daily luxe toilet soap facials. Active lava leaves my skin so soft and fresh. Luxe toilet soap is a real beauty soap, you see. The gentle extra creamy lather is ripe for delicate skin. Feels like smoothing beauty in when you cover your face with a rich luxe soap lather. I work it in gently, but thoroughly. I rinse with warm water and splash with cold, tap my face dry with a soft towel. That's my beauty facial. It really does things for my skin. Why not try these Hollywood beauty facials famous screen stars use? They really make skin lovelier. Recent tests showed actually three out of four complexions improved in a short time with this daily luxe soap care. Remember, gentle luxe toilet soap is Hollywood's own complexion soap. We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. A tale of two cities. Starring Orson Wells as Sydney Carton and Rosemary de Camp as Lucy Manette. In La Force Prison awaiting death by the guillotine, the man called Darnay continues his story. The little seamstress condemned to die with him within the hour, listens quietly, her eyes fixed on his face. As time went on, Sydney Carton appeared less and less frequently in the man at home. For he knew that Lucy loved Charles Darnay. It was an evening in April, almost ten years ago. A child Darnay spoke to Lucy's father. I've only hinted at marriage to Lucy, sir. I didn't want to speak until... Well, there are certain things about myself that you should know. Yes? Dr. Manette, my name is not Darnay. I chose that name when I first left France in my heritage. Heritage? I'm of noble birth, sir, but I do not boast of it. My generations, my family gained its wealth at the expense of the poor. When my uncle died, I was the sole remaining heir. I returned to France to sign away my title to the estate. Why do you tell me this? Because, sir, I... I know what you have suffered at the hands of the French aristocracy. Your uncle's name and yours? What was it? Saint-Evrimond. The Marquis Saint-Evrimond. He was... Doctor, you're ill, sir? No. Charles... Lucy is not to know what you have just told me. Not now, do you mean? Not now or ever. She is not to know your word. Very well, doctor. You have my word. Now go, please. Go. Saint-Evrimond. Saint-Evrimond. I got your message. Is there anything wrong? It's father. He's been walking in his room all day. I'm so afraid. Dr. Manette, open the door. Dr. Manette. Miss Lucy, I found the key in your room. Don't give it to me and take Miss Lucy down. Come, my dear. Come, my lady. Dr. Manette. Dr. Manette, what are you doing? You hear me? Doctor, what work is this you're doing? A lady's shoe. A young lady's walking shoe. It should be finished. Let me be. Dr. Jimmison, I believe. You've been very kind to stay so long. I tried to reach Charlie, but he wasn't at home. I'm so worried. There's nothing to worry about now. A few days, and he'll be well again. What could have caused it after all these years to go back to that? What happened to him? How can we know? I'm a shock that some sudden jolt of memory. Man's mind can play a trick, you know. Miss Lucy. I brought you a cup of chocolate. Oh, thank you, Miss Troy. And the doctor says everything will be all right. You are not too worried. Oh, thank you. Oh, Sidney, you're not leaving. It's growing late. Not for me, of course. I doubt if you see the dawn very often. No, I don't. But I can welcome it today. A few hours ago, everything was so black and fearsome. Now, all my troubles are past. All my hopes are ebony. It's always that way, isn't it? There are some hopes a man may have which remain in the shadows forever. Do you have such hopes, Sidney? No, no more. I'm like one who died young. You've come off into the house in the past few months, and yet we know very little about you, except that you're our friend. Is there nothing I can do to help you, Sidney? I could never hope to repay what you've already done. May I tell you something? Will you hear me without shrinking from me? What is this? You've been the last dream of my soul. Seeing you here in your home has stirred old shadows that I thought had died out of me. I've heard whispers from old voices impelling me upward that I thought was silent forever. I've had unformed ideas of striving afresh, fighting out the abandoned fight. A dream. Or a dream, but I wish you to know that you inspired it. How, Sidney? Will nothing of it remain? Perhaps as a dream might linger on after the dreamer awakes. But try to hold me in your mind as sincere in this one thing. I would embrace any sacrifice for you, or for those dear to you. Think now, men, that there's a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you. The poor fool, Carton, drunk this time with self-pity. And from that day on, he was seeding rarely in the men at home. He was there when Lucy and Donnie were married. And again, some years later, when that child was born, a girl. But his visits were short as he slipped away at the first opportunity. In France, during these years, the echoing footsteps of the crowd had been growing louder. Grim patrons who were to bathe the soil of France in the blood of the hated nobility. Then the storm broke in all its fury. In July 1789, they swarmed from the ratholes of Paris to cover the country with a blanket of red, an army of vengeance, bent upon destruction and death. The best deal is, woman, let him depart. How can you sit and knit so calmly on this day? Our victory will come only when every noble head is rolled from every noble shoulder. And in this knitting, I have inscribed their names. The names of those who have starved have killed us. And for every stitch, another head shall roll. For every stitch, we shall be avenged. I'm looking for Mr. Sydney Carton. He is not open. There's no one in London open at this time of night. I want to see Mr. Sydney Carton. Let me in. He's in there. Wake up. Wake up. Who is it? Mr. Donnie. Welcome, Mr. Donnie. You have some wine? No time for that. Listen to me. I'm leaving for Paris within the hour. Paris? There's some business there that I must attend to at once. Paris? Very warm this time of the year. If I were your lawyer, I should advise against the journey. How much do you know of me? This is an excellent wine, Mr. Donnie, a French wine from the cellars of the Eris secretes who fled the country. There will be few of these bottles left now. It's being poured into the streets, along with the blood of the nobles who once drank it. Must you go to Paris, Mr. Donnie? I see there's little I have to explain to you, but I received a letter this morning from a man who was once my servant. They threatened to send him to the guillotine unless he can explain why he's in possession of certain property. That's why I must go to save his life. What of your own life? I'll be in no danger. I've renounced my inheritance. It's easily proved. Why do you come to me? There's no one else I can turn to. I don't know how long I shall be gone. I should like to feel that there's someone here in London who's watching over my family. I? You trust me to watch you with your child? Your wife? Yes. I know that you love her. When did you say you must leave? Tonight, now. Have no fear about your family. They'll be safe. Thanks, your carton. Good night. Good night, Godspeed. Your carton. More wine, sir? No. I'll take it away. Where are you going, citizens? I'm going to Paris. Let me see your papers. If you'll hurry, please, citizen. I must be in Paris within the hour. What is your name, citizens? Charles Darnay. Darnay? Also known as Evremont. Why, why, yes, but I... You are confined, Evremont, to the prison of La Force. In just a moment, our stars will return in act three of A Tale of Two Cities. And now, here comes our young friend Sally. My, Sally, that's a pretty corsage you're wearing. I got it at the flower show this afternoon, Mr. Kennedy. What a lovely show it was, too. A regular preview of a spring garden. Lily to the valley, lilacs, daffodils, narcissists, or in dozens of other kinds of flowers. I can't think of anything more refreshing to see right now, Sally. The whole era was fragrant with them. A fresh, delicate perfume you never tire of. A fresh, delicate perfume you never tire of. Now, when you say that, Sally, you make me think of something. Well, of course, Mr. Kennedy. The perfume of Luxe toilet soap. Sure thing. Because that's just what the makers of Luxe soap had in mind when they created its perfume. They knew women would enjoy delicate, subtle fragrance like the combined scent of many spring flowers. Yes, and they do enjoy it, Mr. Kennedy. Screen stars say that's why Luxe soap makes a wonderful bath soap. It leaves such a lovely, clinging fragrance on the skin. Well, it took a lot of experimenting to make that Luxe soap perfume. To be statistical, Sally, it took a blend of 34 different ingredients. It's a fragrance that's distinctive and different. And expensive, too, I should think. Yes, many of those ingredients are costly, but the price of Luxe toilet soap is very low because so many millions of cakes are sold every year. It's a thrifty as well as a luxurious bath soap. Here's a little trick I've discovered other women might like to know about. I flip a few cakes of Luxe soap in my dresser drawer till I want to use them. They make a perfect sashay for my lingerie and handkerchief. Thanks, Sally. Why don't you enjoy the luxury of this fine, fragrant white soap nine out of ten screen stars recommend? Use it for your daily beauty bath. Luxe soap is hard milled to satin smoothness. It's economical. It can be used to the last thin sliver. And now, Frank Craven returns to the microphone. For a verbal introduction to our stars tonight, you're invited to join us after the final curtain for a brief chat. Now, act free of a tale of two cities, starring Orson Welles as Sydney Carton and Rosemary de Camp as Lucy Manette. The sun rises slowly over the roofs of Paris and the long shadow of the guillotine falls against the walls of the forced prison. In the cell of the condemned, Sydney Carton speaks in a hushed voice. His story meant only for the years of the little seamstress. They brought Charles Downey here to the lot forced prison to be held in secret. Somehow the news filtered back to England. Soon his wife and child were in Paris with Dr. Manette and Mr. Laurie. Mr. Laurie? They're old friends. For months they waited for some word from Downey and his cell. But no word came. And every day through the streets, the tumbrels passed, filled with the condemned on their last journey to the guillotine. Did you see him? Did you see Charles? No, they would not take me to his cell. But I have used. Yes. Charles is summoned tomorrow for trial. Tomorrow? Oh, father! I think it will go well, my child. They're going to allow me to testify for him. You? Why, they'll brand you a traitor. They'll kill you, father. No, my child. I bear a charmed life in the city. I have been a prisoner of the Bastille. Dr. Manette, is this tribunal to understand that you endorse the accused? The prisoner, Charles Evremond? That is so. He is of noble blood. He is a traitor. He is no traitor. I will swear to it. Dr. Manette, we know your life, the cause you fought for. You are one of us. Yes, and as one of you, I speak. The accused, Charles Evremond, was my first friend when I was released from the Bastille. The accused, Charles Evremond, is my daughter's husband. In all these years, he has had no part in the tyranny against which we fought. He has renounced his share of the estate and returned it to the people. Evremond is no enemy of the revolution. I give you my word. He is innocent. Free the prisoner. If the doctor of Beauvais says he is innocent, free him. Is the jury ready to declare itself? We are. How say you then? Let the prisoner be freed. The prisoner cannot be freed. Citizeness defied. I say the prisoner still stands accused. By whom, citizeness? It's my three voices. By my husband, Ernest Appage. By myself. And the third? By the doctor of Beauvais. Dr. Alexander Manette. I protest against it. Continue, citizeness. Hear me, all of you. Dr. Manette, you have said Charles Evremond was your first friend. I was your first friend. If you saw my wine shop, you were brought where you made shoes under my care. You knew yourself then only as a number. 105 North Tower. A cell in which you had been confined. Is that not true? If you say it is, I must believe it. I can't remember. But I remembered. I resolved one day to examine that cell. And on the day the Bastille fell, I went to 105 North Tower. Hear me, citizens? In that cell, hidden in a stonework of a wall, a paper. A paper written by Dr. Manette in the year 1767. Before the dark and lonely Nostrovin mad. It is that paper I hold in my hand now. It describes in the doctor's words how he was called one night to attend a peasant girl dying in a miserable bed of rags. A girl and her unborn child in the stable her brother with a wound in his chest was to breathe his last before the morning. And why? Because these two creatures had protested against the noble family who held them in bondage, had protested against the murder of a girl, father and her husband, killed by those same noble hands. The doctor buried the girl and her brother the following morning, but he had seen too much and heard too much from the lips of that dying girl. That night the doctor was thrown into the Bastille. The noble family had silenced him forever. And the name of that family, the name of those murderers, yes, and everyone, and now hear this, listen to the words of Dr. Alexander Manette himself, the words he wrote. I, Alexander Manette prisoner of the Bastille, having thus set forth the causes for my imprisonment, do renounce the marches on every man and his descendants against the time when these crimes shall be answered for. I did douse them to heaven and earth. No, no, stop. You asked me to stop. Listen to me. I have long had the crimes of the Evermont family nicked in my register. Ask my husband is that so. From the great day when the Bastille fell, I brought this paper home and we read it together. My husband and I asked him is that so. It is so. Then I told him that I had a secret to communicate with him. I struck this bosom with these two hands. I strike it now and I said, Defarge, I was brought up among the fishermen of the seashore and that peasant family so injured by the Evermont is my family. That sister of a mortally wounded boy was my sister. That husband was my sister's husband. That unborn child was their child. That brother was my brother. Those dead are my dead. And that summons to answer the those things descends to me. Ask him is that so. It is so. Then. A force to await death by the guillotine. That was the sentence passed by the tribunal. That same night a coach left Calais for Paris. Carrying but one passenger slouched low in his seat. His shabby great coat pulled high about his neck. Reaching Paris he haunted the inns and taverns. Wandered like a lonely ghost through the city. And at last made his way to the lodging house where Lucy waited news from the court. He must forgive my coming this hour. I didn't wish to be seen. I knew you'd come. I've been waiting. Sydney's going to take child. They're going to kill him. How long has he? Until the morning. And he won't let me see him. I can't be near him in these last hours. Lucy. Remember what you said. Long ago. The dark hours before the dawn. There'll be no dawn tomorrow. It'll be dark now always. Lucy. If there was some way I could comfort you. You must hope. What hope is there? What comfort? My husband is going to die. Lucy. Sydney. Forgive me. You were right. I have no strength to offer you. You came to us tonight. I shall never forget that. It's useless to speak to Dr. Manette. He's in no condition to see you now. Mr. Lorry, if you will forgive me. There is nothing you can do here, Mr. Carton. Mr. Lorry, you are a man of business. Are you not? I am. Well, I am here on business. I know your opinion of me, Mr. Lorry. But a drinking fellow may learn things around the town. If he can listen at the same time. I've learned that Dr. Manette is in great danger. He and Lucy must leave Paris tonight. Leave Paris? They must take the child with them. But why? The revenge of Madame Defarge does not stop with Charles. The accusation is against the marquee of say everyone and all his race. Lucy, her child. Now may I see Dr. Manette? It will do no good, sir. He's gone back to his work. His work? He would not know what you are saying, Mr. Carton. Mr. Lorry, you have a path that will let you through to Calais. Will it serve for Dr. Manette and Lucy? Yes, for as many as there with me. Then you use it tonight. You will arrange for a coach to meet you all here at midnight. The coach will take you to the side gate of La Force prison. Do you understand? The prison? There you will be joined by another person who will make a trip with you. You will not stop to ask questions. Proceed at once to the gates of Paris and on to Calais. As fast as the coach can take you. But this other person, who will it be? Who? Mr. Sidney Carton. I don't understand. I may be in poor condition for travel. I usually am at that hour. But as soon as I'm in the coach drive on. But you at the gate of La Force, will you be within the prison tonight? Yes. Yes, I'm going to see Charles, a certain Mr. Barsad, English spy of the turnkey in the prison. He'll open the doors for me. I don't understand all this, sir. But you give me hope. And you will save them all, Mr. Lorry. Not only I, sir. I shall have a young and ardent man at my side. With the help of heaven, you shall. Tell me, Mr. Lorry. Yours is a long life to look back on. I'm in my 78th year, sir. You've been useful all your life. Trusted, respected. There are many in this world who would miss you. A solitary old bachelor? No, there is nobody to weep for me. Wouldn't she weep for you? Lucy? Yes, thank God I didn't quite mean what I said. It is a thing to thank God for, isn't it? Surely. Surely. If you had to say with truth tonight. I have gained the love of no human creature. I've done nothing good nor serviceable to be remembered by. Your 78 years would be 78 heavy curses. Would they not? I think they would be. But you are not old, Carton. No. I'm not old. But the road I took was never the way to age. Good night, Mr. Vorre. Wrong before Darnay has taken from Miss Hill. Put with the others. I can't tell that. Perhaps only an hour now. Leave us alone. Stay within call. Did you keep your promise? I told you that I could get you in and out again. But the others have tried me. No, I know. Open the door. Have you come for... Of all the people on earth, I'm the least expected. Why are you here? You shouldn't have taken the risk. It can serve no purpose. It can serve one. I bring you a message from Lucy. A request rather that you do exactly as I say it. No questions. Take up your coat. Don't mind. Quickly now, man. Are you mad? Do as I say. It's her wish. Put on my coat. Go ahead. Rumble it so. As mine is. Carton is now escaping from this place. You'll only die with me. Have I mentioned escape? Do as I say, and I'll take my cover. Here, give me yours. Carton, I warn you, it's the... Be quiet. Look, we're paying an ink on the table. Is your hand steady enough to write? It was when you came in. Well, steady it then. And write what I dictate quickly now. To whom do I address it? To no one. Write. If you remember the words that passed between us long ago, you will understand when you see this. Have you written that? I don't... What vapor is that? Vapor? This is a strange vapor, something that crossed me. I am not conscious of it. Take up the pen and finish. I told you once that there was nothing that I would not do. Nothing that I would not... What is it? There is something. That odor... You mean this on my handkerchief? Yes. Yes, it's old. Breathe deeply. No, no, no. Breathe, breathe. I can't breathe. Breathe. You don't... Are you ready to... Oh, what's this? What's the matter with it? Nothing is unconscious. Carry him out of the gate. But you changed clothes. Listen to me. Sydney Carton fainted from the shock of parting with an old friend. You'll find a coach at the side gate. Put him into it. Tell him to drive as fast as they can to Calais. No, wait. I'll finish this note. If you remember the words that passed between us, you'll understand. I told you once that there was nothing I would not do. To keep a life you love beside you. God bless you, dear sweetheart. Here. Take this note. And hurry. Who are you? Jabba Snotty from Telsen's Bank. As Dr. Minnet. As his daughter. As his grandchild. Who's there on the floor? He is Mr. Sydney Carton. Let me see him. Sydney Carton, eh? Fast. Come in the gate. Let this coach go through. They're on their way now. Perhaps by this time they reached Calais. A bound for England. And home. You are Sydney Carton. And you're dying for him. For Charles Darnay. I don't know. For someone else. Ersecretes, your carriages are waiting. Six tumbles will carry the day's wine to Madame La Guillotine. God take them out. You, everyone. It will be as I promised for you. You shall wait for the last tumbling. Your head shall be the 52nd today. I'm ready. Move along, there. Move along. Mr. Carton. May I go with you? Your eyes on me, child. Mind nothing else. I'm mind nothing while I hold your hand. The thing that I do. Is when I've ever done far, far better rest. That I go to. Than I've ever known. Far curtain on the roaring crowds of Paris and the sacrificial destiny of Sydney Carton. And raise it again on the stars who have made tonight's performance such a vivid memory. Orson Wells and Rosemary de Camp. Well, Frank, it was a real privilege to be cast as Sydney Carton and to play opposite Rosemary. Thank you, Orson. Orson, I understand that for your many attributes of writer, actor, producer, and magician, you've added a new one, journalism. That's right, Frank. I've got a newspaper column running now called Orson Wells Almanac. Yeah, I know. I have a copy here. Those biting widacisms, I imagine, Frank. Well, it depends upon what you call biting widacisms. It starts with the following items. Never salt turnips while cooking. Always wash spinach with warm water. Orson, aren't you afraid you'll start a social revolution with those radical ideas? And the final item in the column is as follows. Always use lux toilet soap for the complexion. Wait a minute. I've been sabotaged. Oh, no, you haven't, Orson. That's the best advice that you could give to any girl who wants to look her best. And I can see it's the advice you follow, Rosemary. Tell us, what was your first bit of acting in the theater? The very first? I was a bunny in an Easter pageant. The original female Harvey, hm? Were you ever a rabbit, Orson? Well, if he hasn't been, just give him time. He'll get around with it. As a matter of fact, when I was five, I impersonated Peter Rabbit in Marshall Field's department store. Well, any time you two want to be rabbits hearing lux, we lay in the supply of carrots. Thanks. What do you have for lux next Monday night, Frank? For next Monday night, we have a deeply moving play that brings us some of America's best-loved music. It's the 20th Century Fox hit, Swanee River, the story of that brilliant, colorful composer Stephen Foster, whose life of romance brought us such immortal songs as Old Kentucky Home, Susanna, Jeannie with an light brown hair, Old Folks at Home, and many others. Whom do you have in the cast, Frank? Well, for this special occasion, we have a gentleman who's billing always red, the world's greatest entertainer, Al Jolson, co-starred with the ever-popular Dennis Morgan, and the lovely Francis Gibbons. Well, that sounds like a great combination, Frank. Good night. Good night. Good night, and happy new year. And now a brief reminder from Uncle Sam that to the millions of American men and women overseas, nothing is more important than mail from home. Right often, make your letters cheerful, and be sure to use V-mail. V-mail is private, speedy, safer, and it helps to lighten the burden of delivery. For answers to the makers of Lux's toilet soap, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night. When the Lux Radio Theatre presents Dennis Morgan, Al Jolson, and Francis Gibbons in Swanee River, this is Frank Craven saying thanks for listening, and good night. Frank Craven will soon appear in the 20th Century Fox 30th anniversary production, Colonel Effingham's Raid. Orson Wells, currently working in the international picture Tomorrow is Forever, can be heard on This Is My Best every Tuesday over this network. Rosemary de Camp will soon be seen in the Warner Brothers picture, Pride of the Marines. Heard in tonight's play were Dennis Green as Charles Darnay, Griff Farnette as Dr. Manette, Verna Felton as Madame Defarge, Norman Field as Laurie, and Ken Christie, Charles Seal, Lorraine Tuttle, Ferdinand Monnier, J. Novello, Robert Regent, Eric Snowden, Boyd Davis, Paul McVeigh, Alec Harford, Thomas Mills, Regina Wallace, Virginia Gordon, and Herb Lytton. Our music was directed by Louis Silvers. This program is broadcast to our fighting forces overseas through cooperation with the Armed Forces Radio Service. Our Lux Radio Theatre production of A Tale of Two Cities has come to you with the good wishes of the makers of Lux Toilet soap, the beauty care that nine out of ten Hollywood screen stars use. This is your announcer, John M. Kennedy, reminding you to tune in again next Monday night to hear Swannie River with Al Jolson, Dennis Morgan, and Frances Gifford.