 Lux presents Hollywood. Lux Radio Theatre brings you Ronald Coleman in libel with Edna Best and Otto Krueger. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. The American picture public has often been accused of being fickle, of raising a player to the heights of stardom one day and tossing him into obscurity the next. I don't think the charge is valid. The public is always faithful to the true artist. And as exhibit A for that argument, I give you Mr. Ronald Coleman. On his part, Mr. Coleman never does a picture or a radio play unless he believes the story will interest the public. And I think that tonight's story is, for all practical purposes, the perfect radio play. It's Edward Wolves Broadway dramatic hit libel. And to do justice to both our play and star, we've gathered an unusually fine cast, headed by Otto Krueger and Edna Best. Libel is a drummer of the courtroom and of the man who calls himself Sir Mark Laden. This man must go to the witness stand to try to prove his right to that name. And when he does, he sees the shadow of doubt cross even the face of his wife. You of the Lux Radio Theater audience are the spectators of this trial. Each one of you has a reserved seat, just as you always have in this National Theater every Monday night, with the compliments of Lux toilets open. Through the years we've seen a whole cavalcade of dramas passed in review across this stage, acted by the finest talent Hollywood can provide. These Monday evening dramas are really a national family custom. In bringing you these plays each week, and this is the ninth season of the Lux Radio Theater, we've naturally hoped that more and more of you would give our product a fair trial. We rest our case on the evidence you have discovered for yourselves. Millions of this audience who use Lux toilet soap have already rendered their verdict in its favor, and the number grows from month to month and from year to year. Now for a good play, Libel, starring Arnold Coleman as Sir Mark Laden, Edna Best as Lady Enid Laden, and Otto Krueger as Foxley. It is 1934, just 16 years after the armistice of the First World War. In the present English countryside stands the home and the state of Sir Mark Laden, member of parliament. A wide drive bordered by trees lead to the front gate. There, hidden in the foliage, a man in rough clothes tears intently at the house. At last is the gate, and moves slowly toward the door. He rings the bell, and as he waits, he seems to smile inwardly. Good morning. Good morning. I'd like to see the master if you don't mind. I'm very sorry, sir, but I don't believe Sir Mark was expecting anyone. Sir Mark, is it? Ha! Well, you go and tell Sir Mark that Pat Buckingham is here. He'll see me. We serve together in the army. Sir Mark and I go on killing. Very well, sir. If you'll wait in the library, I'll speak to Sir Mark. Wait. Well, hello. Did you wish to see me about something? No, no, no, sir. Don't tell me you don't remember me. I'd hardly believe that, sir. I'm very sorry. Your face is familiar, but... Yes, thank you, little sir. The German prison camp at Obine, 1918. Obine? Of course. For you were one of the men I escaped with. That's right. There were three of us. Sir Mark Lodden, Frank Welney and Pat Buckingham. Pat Buckingham. Yes, I remember now. Sit down, Pat. It's good to see you. Thank you. You'll have to forgive me. My memory isn't what it used to be. How have you been, Pat? Oh, pretty well. Has the world been treating you all right? Well, frankly, no. Those things are beginning to look up a bit. But the fact is I could stand the loan of a few thousand pounds. A few thousand? That's right. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd just drop by and see if you could help me out. You seem to be well-off. Really well-off? Yes, I am, but... So it won't be much of a loss to you, eh, Frank? Frank? Yes, Frank. Frank Welney. Oh, I'm afraid I don't understand this. Why do you call me Frank Welney? Because it used to be your name. What do you want to be called loud? Lord Elgie? Do you pretend you don't remember my name was Mark? Na, na, na, na. Nanny, a blarney, Frank. I don't want to be nasty after all this time. You looked enough like poor old Mark to be his twin, I always said that. I remember joking about it the night we escaped. I said if Sir Mark got killed, Frank Welney could always go back to England in his place. As it turned out, Sir Mark WAS killed. And here you are, eh, Frank. Are you mad? I am Sir Mark Lutton. lot higher now and I say your Frank well me I say you came home under his name took his estate he married the girl who waited for him get out of here get out no no no Frank for a few thousand pounds say four or five I'd be glad to get out but under the circumstance I tell you you're making a mistake Frank you see there's a newspaper in London that might be very glad to know what really happens to Sir Mark they pay me big for the story even if you won't but you've been quiet about it did you hear what I said get out of this house all right but he don't end here remember that Frank well me political imposter the legislative reason to return to the House of Commons is Sir Mark Lodden baronet is not a baronet not even a Lodden what is this it's all there in the paper it explains itself but it says you're not Mark Lodden well go on read it the man who is now posing as Sir Mark secured his position in Parliament by practicing on the voters the same deliberate fraud that he that he practiced on his wife Mark this is mad it must be a joke yes that's what I thought at first but it seems it's not what are you going to do about it I intend to sue the Gazette for malicious libel to them or sales can I do I put the matter in the hands of Sir Wilfred is going to represent me going to court you're going to let them drag your name to a filthiness of lies that oh Mark you can't listen if I could ignore this story believe me I would the last thing in the world I want to do is to risk my career risk my life our life together on anything so stupid but they won't let me ignore it in it you speak of a risk well what risk can there be there are hundreds of people right here in our own village swear that you are Mark that's true well then so Wilfred has advised me to go through the case my name the Gazette is going to contend that that I look like Sir Mark Lodden that I came home after the war and took his name and his place here but that I am really someone else Mark this is horrible how can they say such a thing they were probably glad to get the story they've been against me politically ever since I took office they must realize what it'll mean to them if you bring suit you can ruin if we win of course if you win well what doubt is there they've printed a malicious horrible lie as plainly we'll have to prove it alive I think we can think oh Mark I don't understand you in it it's not as easy as it sounds not easy to prove that you are yourself they're going to say that I am not myself that I look enough like Mark Lodden to fool anyone to fool even you to fool me look at me look at me darling it's going to be very difficult these next few weeks I'll need all your strength and all your courage Mark you frighten me you are Mark Lodden I know that you're my husband the father of my child you are you know of course I am well then why are you so worried you were a boy in this village you lived in this house you were born in the east room upstairs there are things about this house about the people who lived here that only Mark Lodden would know you can tell them they'll have to believe you then well they'll have to mark there's something I must tell you you'll know sooner or later you'll know in court I want to tell you now what is it do you remember when I came home after the armistice I I had changed haven't I you've been shell sure yes but no one knew how much I had changed only myself in it I had to piece my life together again in that prison camp at home I'm I knew my name only from my identification busy I knew you only by the letters you wrote that the forward did to me there you say I can prove who I am by telling them things that happened here when I was a boy I can't eat it I have no recollection of anything I remember nothing that happened to me nothing before I was a prisoner in that camp in it I do you look at me like that you are the boy I knew you must you may proceed with the case for the plaintiff so we thank you my lord members of the jury I'm not going to insult you by any further explanation of the libelous charges recently appearing at the day to get the scene for yourself that the daily gazette has informed a million or so readers the Mike client some art London is an infamous imposter in every possible role of life public and domestic the first witness for the plaintiff will be the plaintiff himself some art London the square by almighty God I swear by almighty God evidence you shall give the evidence I shall give you the truth shall be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth you are some Mark London said Barnett the hall in the county of Norfolk that is so you retired for the rank of major after 15 years service in the rifle brigade that's right I believe you became engaged in 1914 to Enid the only daughter of General Edgar Winterton CB we were engaged just before the war and after your engagement I believe you went to France with your battalion in August 1914 yes then you were wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the mark I was what wounds did you sustain at that battle some out I was shot through both legs and badly shell shot I believe the farm in which you lay wounded was set on fire by the enemy's guns and you were nearly burnt to death before you were rescued by the enemy very nearly what effect did that terrible experience have on those few hours that afternoon and turned my hair gray as you see it now what was it at that moment oh I hadn't a gray hair I was only 22 what happened after you were taken prisoner I was in a German hospital for three months and then sent to an officer's prison camp at our hub home when were you released I was never released I escaped in October 1918 I reached the Belgian frontier three days before the armistice and then then I made my way fairly easily to the English lines and was in the lead at home what did you do then I retired from the army and had a long rest cure after six months or so I was as well as I suppose I ever shall be and married my wife I think your son Gerald was born the following year yes that is so you have recently entered public life and where last autumn elected Member of Parliament for the Raymond Division of Norfolk yes what is the present state of your health and subject to a bit of a limp I can indulge in any reasonable physical effort what about mental effort I suppose I mustn't say too much about that apart from memory I don't complain what of your memory I have practically no recollection at all of events or persons before my employment now I want to turn for the moment to the libel which is the subject of this action yes the jury has heard the allegations of which you complain some are is there a word of truth in them they are an infamous lie has anyone else any right to your title a state or position not a soul in the world as any member of your family at any time displayed any difficulty in identifying you know one one until his paragraph appeared in the Gazette I think I've only one more question to put you some are how did you first learn of this life of us publication it was sent to me by friends and constituents but I first read it in my own copy of the paper I happen to be a registered reader of the Gazette I don't agree with its views but I've always liked all sorts of fiction thank you so much that will be all does council for the defend wish to examine the witness we do a lot so you have always liked all sorts of fiction have you know yes I said so you've indulge that liking to a rather abnormal extent and Joe what do you mean I'm suggesting that ever since November 1918 you have indulged in the unscrupulous fiction of being an English parent that is an infamous libel for which your clients will have to pay of being the lawful owner of the London estate I am the lawful owner keep calm some act and the most unscrupulous fiction of all of being entitled to woo and marry your wife my wife doesn't require the protection of the gutter press and on my instructions I'm not so sure of that now before we go any further I want to be quite clear you don't wish to suggest to the jury that any physical or mental disability prison or escape experiences could possibly make you believe you were someone other than yourself you suggest such a thing no I don't you've sustained no injury that could make Frank well me honestly believe he was Sir Mark Lutton of course not whom did you say Mr. Foxley Frank well in a lot who is Frank well if your lordship would allow me to explore that in my own way certainly Mr. Fox thank you my lord I'm sure the witnesses heard of a man called Frank well name certainly he was a Canadian officer I believe so German no him yes I was at the same prison camp in Germany so I believe how long nearly four years when did you last see her let me see it would be let me help you shave yourself this morning yes why didn't you see him then you looked in the mirror you mean that I I am suggesting that you are Frank well me and that he is you that's a lie that is it we can see now when did you say you saw him last when we escaped together in November 1918 we got parted got parted why did you get parted we missed each other in the dark oh you missed each other in the dark is that really all you can tell me of how you said it absolutely all very easy to get lost in the dark the other fellows had got hold of civilian clothes but I hadn't I was in uniform so we had to move by night it was anyone else in the party of escape yes the man called Buckingham and that was the coffee so Mark Martin Buckingham and well yes myself and the other two how did you separate I told you we got we lost each other in the dark yes in which of you got lost first and went off first to forage he didn't come back oh that left Laden and well me together then what happened then well they went off to look for Buckingham he never came back either both got lost the same freight all night all killed ah killed that was it was it I don't know I only mean well me I know Buckingham is alive and so do you well and who do you say was killed well me or not I won't answer that question you know I'm alive did you make any inquiries at the time about your shall we say mislaid companions of course I did and you've never heard from either of them since not from well do you think they're dead or alive I know Buckingham is alive and what of well I've no doubt he's dead don't be so I'm duly pessimistic would you please describe Frank well in his appearance to the jury nothing peculiar very ordinary looking fellow I don't want you to be so modest wasn't he in fact remarkably like you know I'll put the question in another way wasn't he remarkably like Sir Mark Laudan I never noticed it you never noticed it never did other people notice it did they yes who noticed it Buckingham he pretended to think that we were very much alike he pretended I wonder if you remember any physical peculiarities about this man well no I can't say I do no I should try to help you thank you I'm lucky enough to have an official description of well me from the Canadian Army records most fortunate let's see if this helps us all right five foot ten that's about your height is there and a good many millions besides blue eyes and what color are your you can see for yourself yes and so can the jury they're blue gentlemen let's see thick crop of gray hair how would you describe your how would you describe yours if you've been through what I went through now even a more important physical feature of Frank well me it seems from this record that he had lost the two first joints of the first finger of his right hand yes he had how'd you lose yours my finger do you mean yes by a curious coincidence you also lost the first finger of your right hand I don't know about coincidence I'm not ashamed of my wounds how did you lose it my finger was shot off by by a chance German bullet when I was escaping Paul and that would produce the interesting result that no one who was at the prison camp with you could remember that Sir Martin had lost a finger was not but I remember Mr. Foxy would you mind holding your right hand up with the jury so that they remember to now I'm going to read one more thing from this official record of the unfortunate Frank well-named he has the initials FW tattooed on his right forearm in a red and blue circle I remember he was tattooed I wonder if you would mind showing my lord in the jury your forearm what is your suggestion I definitely suggest your right forearm has the letters FW tattooed on it I don't want to conceal anything I'm quite prepared to admit my arm is tattooed and has some letters on it but not those well may we see for ourselves what they are certainly thank you would you show your arm to the Lord and the jury as far as I can see the initials tattooed on the bank of our my EW in a red and blue circle that is so my lord that I suggest those letters EW were originally FW or Frank well named it would only require the addition of a single stroke would it not true perhaps the witness can explain the letters now what about the E did you must have it he is my wife's initial the name indeed but if the letter was originally F that explanation would not do no no but as it never was there is no difficulty and what is the W for the W stands for her maiden name winter and when did you have them tattooed in her prime time fellow prisoners why to pass the time time goes rather slowly in a prison camp did they permit you to write letters yes they did can you produce any letters written by Sir Mark Lawton while he was a prisoner no I can't unfortunately I can't I have here some specimens of Sir Mark's pre-war and prison writing and your post-war handwriting look at them well rather different aren't they shoot off your first finger and see if your handwriting is the same ah did you shoot off yours no I did not no no I was a chance for it of course well it all comes down to this now doesn't it Frank Wellney had lost the first finger of his right hand and you have lost yours Frank Wellney had the letters FW tattooed on his right forearm before captivity and Sir Mark Lawton the English Baroness had EW not almost the same letter tattooed on the same arm during his captivity world of coincidence isn't it yes it seems to be yes doesn't it all of the physical features which were Wellneys are also yours now can you produce one physical characteristic which would identify you as Mark Lawton no not even a martyr's car from your boyhood I told the court I don't remember my boyhood oh no no you were shell shocked as a very convenient explanation it also happens to be the truth I didn't want to lose all the memories of my youth here I am a man of 40 over 40 and for all practical purposes my life began 15 years ago in a very nice life it was too Mr. Wellney I am Sir Mark Lawton that is the question we are headed to decide if I am not Mark Lawton what the came of him so I tell you Mark Lawton is dead Mark Lawton was murdered by Frank Wellney and you are Frank Wellney in just a few minutes Ronald Coleman, Otto Krueger and Edna Best will bring us at two of libel and now it's romance a young man a young girl her face upturned to his you are so lovely to him her skin looks like satin how about a kiss out a scene from a movie oh no it happens every day in real life romantic moments when admiring eyes come close important moments for any woman wouldn't you say Libby yes indeed Mr. Kennedy those are the moments when a woman is bled her skin is soft and lovely because lovely skin certainly has irresistible appeal it's too bad so many women forget that sometimes so careless and that puts a damper on romance Libby yes I'm afraid it does and you can't blame a man for not making pretty speeches if a girl lets her skin get dull and unattractive now isn't that a situation where luck's toilet soap can help indeed it can Mr. Kennedy if a girl will give her skin regular Hollywood care for 30 days why she's mighty apt to hear compliments coming her way it's worth a lot to a woman to hear remarks like this ah she's a honey what a complexity now here's what screen stars do for their precious complexions during the day and always at bedtime they take active latter facials with luck's toilet soap they smooth an abundance of the creamy lather well in splash on lots of warm water to rinse and finish with a dash of coal luck's soap is very gentle so it agrees with delicate skin it's made of the best ingredients Libby and it's hard milled one of the finest toilet soaps are screen stars are devoted to luck's soap it's such a wonderful help in keeping your skin fresh and smooth for the close-up tests they have to face constantly and for the close-up tests all women even screen stars have to face in real life yes Mr. Kennedy so it's a fine idea for any woman to treat her complexion right now here's a tip to women who think their complexions might be lovelier make this 30 day test use luck's toilet soap daily the way famous screen stars do you'll find your skin beginning to look softer smoother the way you want it to be get some pure white luck's toilet soap tomorrow we pause now for station identification this is the Columbia Broadcasting System act two of libel starring Ronald Coleman as Sir Mark Ladden Edna Best as Lady Enid Ladden and Otto Kruger as Poxley it's the second day of the trial an hour before court is to reopen the man known as Sir Mark Ladden confers with his counsel Sir Mark's face is white and drawn his eyes bright and feverish restlessly he paces the library as he speaks if I mind it's for Enid I watched her yesterday in court she was so bewildered so desperately hurt if only there was some way of sparing her oh we have to bring the suit market it's the only thing to do I realize that you've said it 20 times I'm sorry Sir Wilfrid my nerves are all on edge did you sleep last night? how could I sleep? I went over every word of the trial hour by hour you used to try to rest leave a hard day ahead of us would it possibly be any harder than yesterday? what will they do? put Bucknam on the stand first time I imagine after that I don't know there's a witness for you well I think I can take care of Bucknam why didn't you tell me about those tattoo marks the letter EW on your arm why didn't you tell me? well I didn't think it was important yet you knew that Wellney had almost the same letters the influence that F happy changed to E was something I should have been prepared for and I didn't tell you am I supposed to remember every minor detail of something that happened 16 years ago? that minor detail as you call it may prove very damaging if I'm to represent you Mark you must not withhold anything that may have a bearing on the case withhold? why should I withhold anything from you? I don't know you're beginning to talk like pucks don't you believe me either? well I'm only trying to look at this through the eyes of the jury that's my job Mark and in the eyes of the jury I am an imposter and a murderer is that what you mean? I mean the minor details can sometimes blind the jury to the truth now we must be very careful Mark very careful come in dear I didn't want to disturb you but we haven't much time Enid do you think it's wise for you to come to court? I must be there Mark but it's horrible for you listening to all that yes it is horrible that's why I can't stay away I must be near you you're my husband darling you you say it as if so please Mark not now is it? it isn't much time to talk no all right darling now Mr. Barker let's get down to October in 1918 what happened then? well our guards were reduced so we tried to escape who are we? Lodden, Wellney and I we got off all right and trekked towards the Belgian frontier moving at night go on a few days before the armistice we reached the outskirts of a small town Stavolo just over the frontier by Malmedy happened then? well it was my turn to forage for food I went off and left the other two in a wood about a half a mile up the hill outside the town when I got back Wellney had done a bunk done a bunk? yeah he appeared only Lodden was there and he was there yeah what had happened? oh I don't suppose we'll ever know the exact truth would you tell the jury what you saw? I saw poor old Mark Lodden where I'd left him both he was lying on the ground with his head bashed in any signs of a struggle? rather Lodden's clothes were more red than khaki his arm had been smashed to a pulp which arm? his right arm he was smothered in blood face and arms and you say there was no trace of Wellney what did you do? I saw poor old Mark was dead but I couldn't leave him there so I lifted him as well as I could and took him along to the door to the first big house left him on the step and ran away but you're sure that Sir Mark was dead? as dead as mutton thank you Mr Buckham your witness Sir Wilfred Mr Buckham am I right in assuming that your suggestion is that Frank Wellney murdered Sir Mark Lodden? of course he did I left him together what time was that? all about 8 or 9 o'clock was it dark? it was dark I've told you so then how can you be so sure it was poor old Mark and not Wellney that you carried? his face was smothered in blood no doubt about it if I hadn't known his shape when I carried he might have known his uniform he was the only one of the party in uniform nice nice to meet Mr Buckham it's some years now since you were demobilized it is and where have you lived during those years? are different places I wonder if I can guess some of them did you spend 9 months in Liverpool jail? yes I did what for? is that important? very important well it was a misunderstanding that's all really? then did you spend 18 months at Newcastle? yes in prison again what was that for? oh some sort of thing wasn't it for blackmail? something of a sort blackmail then did you get 3 years at the old Bailey? yes another misunderstanding? yes it was blackmail again some people might describe you as a professional blackmailer then some people would be wrong and let the jury decide that your witness Mr Foxlet you have several times have been president yes for fraud and blackmail yes I can't deny it have you ever been charged with murder? no or attempted murder? no of what do you accuse the plaintiff? of murder in Mark Lodden and slipping into his shoes that's all witnesses excused and now my lord I should like to ask for a short recess recess at this time? if it please you lordship it is most necessary I would not ask it the most important witness in this case will arrive here within the hour he must be a very important witness Mr Foxlet you've had time to prepare this case why wasn't the witness summoned in time? he was my lord but it took some time to prepare for the journey this witness is coming from the village of Stavolo on the Belgian frontier Sir Wilfred what is this? what are they going to do? I don't know you'd better leave the court Mark go to that little restaurant around the corner I'll try to meet you there in ten minutes another cup of tea sir? no no no thank you oh nothing wrong with it is there for me? no no it's just I don't want any more please very well sir Mark Sir Wilfred I thought you'd never come sit down well well I find out who it is the witness who? it's a man named Lodden a doctor listen Mark that body the Buckman left at the door in Stavolo yes Dr. Flor Dorn discovered it that night yes go on he took it into the hospital and whoever it was Mark that man is still alive what? alive no no he can't be Mark he's dead I tell you that man is dead he must be dead what are you saying but what do you know about this man? I I know nothing nothing pull yourself together Mark yes of course yes I I'm all right now and you say Dr. Flor Dorn that you practice as a doctor of medicine in the town of Stavolo on the old Belgian frontier yes Mr. for more than 20 years that is so you were there in 1918 I was you remember something that happened two days before the Armistice it comes back to me distinctly a boy summoned me at midnight to a farmhouse near the town there on the doorstep lay a man in a very old English uniform I knelt down I felt the pulse the heart the man was not quite dead but so nearly a corpse has made no difference what did you do? there was no hope of recovery but I determined to do my best I dressed his wounds at the farm and next morning had him removed to my hospital for mental cases and then? gradually a miracle occurred sometimes it so happens one life is cut short and another is spared sometimes a life that means nothing less than nothing let's get on please what happened as a result of your treatment? as I have told you it was a miracle my poor unfortunate recovered completely in a physical sense but the unpulling concussion of the blows which so nearly killed him has deprived him of all intelligence deprived him of intelligence what do you mean? can he speak? I cannot say he has a tongue but he has not ever used it he cannot understand a word written or spoken English or French he cannot think really? how can you say that? because I, Emile Flor, don't have studied these things and no he's a living log no more and he has been an inmate in your mental hospital ever since the night you found him? yes we call him number 15 number 15? why? what other name could we give him? we knew him not and that has been the number of his cell ever since I believe you can produce one or two exhibits associated with this sad case yes this is the khaki jacket number 15 was wearing at a time see how it is stained with torrents of blood it has lost the right sleeve it is unfortunate I had to cut that off to examine the arm it could not be helped my lord members of the jury please notice that this jacket is the type one by officers of the rifle brigade Sir Mark Ladden was a captain in the rifle brigade now doctor can you produce anything else? yes I have brought with me another exhibit from Belgium number 15 himself number 15? yes my lord that's so unfortunate body without a brain may my assistant bring him in he is of course in the wheelchair oh I'm sure my lord will allow it let him come in bring in number 15 this my lord is number 15 take him into the court you will notice my lord that the features are unrecognizable bring him closer please thank you you will also notice that the breeze with great difficulty the bone structure of the head was badly smashed some heavy instrument? very heavy possibly the butt of an army rifle I see now doctor Flodon there is a very important question in this case yes, monsieur? it is whether this poor man's real name is Welny or whether his real name is Sir Mark Ladden this is indeed an interesting question and poor number 15 he does not know, he cannot tell it would obviously be useless to question him useless indeed, monsieur nevertheless with my lord's permission I should like to establish that this this man is incapable of knowing who he is you have my permission you may question him number 15 you hear me? number 15 do you know your name? there is no use, monsieur please, please, please number 15 look at me here Tony said this way now look at me try to think try to remember have you ever heard of a man called Sir Mark Ladden? stop it stop it let him alone, let him alone Mark be quiet don't you see what they've done they brought a dead man here I can't stand it I can't look at him but you can't bear to see the result of your hand you work he's not alive, look at his face yes, look at him Mark these are crooks he's been dead for 15 years take him back to his grave let him rest let him my lord a recess please Sir Mark has fainted for a brief intermission Ronald Coleman Otto Krueger and Edna Best will return in act three of libel why? it's Sally Sally, what's new with you? well, Mr. Kennedy I spent the afternoon in my sister's this is her day for red cross work so I offered to give her a small baby a bag quite an offer, Sally was it well received? well, not at first at least not by the baby wanted his mama but immediately oh my, how he yelled they, they wave their arms too, don't they? oh, definitely but I held him by the best baby hold method and then I spied a brand new cake of luxe toilet soap and the soap rack and I had an inspiration I put that satiny smooth cake right in his hand he clutched it he became interested so cool and smooth he seemed to think well, from then on Mr. Kennedy everything was lovey-dovey between us I guess I'm not so bad as a baby-bater you know, Sally, that makes me think luxe toilet soap has a wonderful effect on bathers of all ages they can be tired and cross but give them a cake of nice white luxe toilet soap and a tub of warm water and they seem to perk right up yes sometimes they can even be heard singing in the bathtub well, Sally the creamy luxurious lather luxe toilet soap gives is an inspiration to any bathroom baritone even in hard water luxe soap lathers instantly and here's a tip for wise buying too luxe toilet soap is hard mill that ensures a firm, satiny smooth cake one that can be used down to the last thin sliver so it's an economy as well as a pleasure to use this gentle soap as a bath soap too it's a little luxury we can all treat ourselves to these trying days why not get some of this fine, inexpensive white soap tomorrow now our producer, Mr. DeMille after the play, Ronald Colman will tell you about an activity that is very close to his heart but now here's the third act of libel starring Ronald Colman, Edna Best and Otto Kruger the third day of the trial with the evidence mounting against the man called Laudan Sir Wilfred, in desperation put Lady Laudan on the stand but her testimony lacked conviction and now the opposing counsel is cross-examining and your husband was married to you as Sir Mark Laudan? yes now only a few more questions for me, Lady Laudan did Mark Laudan ever write to you from captivity? at regular intervals after the first two months I want you to search your memory just carefully did any of those letters reveal to you any loss of pre-war memories? no, he said nothing of it he asked me to wait for him you did? yes I waited did he ever complain in those letters of shell shock? he never complained of anything one final question, Lady Laudan do you now believe your husband, the plaintiff in this action is really Mark Laudan? well is he or is he not Sir Mark Laudan? I don't know well, Sir Wilfred, have you decided to adopt any particular course? is this case to go to the jury? well, our position, my lord, is very difficult but I fear I must yield to my client's insistent desire that I should ever seek the right your lordship reserved to me of recalling the plaintiff on the question of the uniform jacket which was produced by Dr. Laudan yesterday I believe I did reserve that your client has the right to give his evidence on that one point thank you, my lord Sir Mark, will you go into the witness box, please? he seems to be under great strain he can, if he likes, give his evidence sitting down thank you, my lord Sir Mark, you had an opportunity yesterday of seeing the uniform jacket produced by Dr. Laudan yes you admit it's a rifle brigade jacket certainly I have no doubt the jacket was mine you identify the jacket as yours? yes, my lord do you mean your uniform was on number 15 when he was found by Dr. Laudan? I do I should very much like to know why oh, we are coming to that, my lord will you tell the court, Sir Mark how your jacket came to be on number 15? well, you see, Buckingham was seeking the truth and he said he went foraging that night leaving Wellney and me together he was away a very long time we thought he'd been caught so Wellney went to look for him when neither Wellney nor Buckingham came back I began to creep along the edge of the wood towards the town suddenly around the corner I bumped into a German soldier he was as frightened as I was without a word he fired off his rifle before he put it to his shoulder the bullet hit my hand and that's when I lost my finger well, what happened then? I dashed in and wrenched the rifle out of the man's hands he put up his arm to save himself and I brought the butt down on his head he dropped like a stone, it was horrible go on then I suddenly realized where I stood I'd lost my two companions I felt sure they'd been caught and on top of that I'd killed a German soldier that meant certain death if they found me the only chance of getting through was to get out of my uniform and get into a German one so I changed with the man I I thought I'd killed of course I took everything out of my own pockets if I hadn't made the change I'd never have got through, never anything else you wish to add some out? only this unless someone changed the uniform again after I got away that poor devil whom Dr. Flaudon saved is not an Englishman at all he is that German soldier well that will be awesome, huh? Mr. Foxley thank you tell me, witness are you sure that you're fit for cross-examination? whatever view the jury may take there's no doubt you've had a great shock yes, I've had a great shock yet in some ways I feel fitter to answer your questions than I was two days ago now what does that mean? that shock seems to have brought a few things back to me I believe I might be able to tell you a bit more now of pre-war events than I could then very interesting when you first gave evidence did I hear you take the oath? of course to tell the truth, the whole truth yes and why didn't you tell the whole truth then? I thought I did you thought you did why didn't we hear a word of this encounter with a German soldier? I didn't think it mattered if it was true, I suppose it can't you see it was only yesterday that I knew that that poor devil was still alive whether I'm frank, well me or not had nothing to do with that German soldier until you produced that jacket when did you first tell this story to anyone? this morning to Sir Wilfred did you never tell your wife? no and why not? I didn't want her to associate me with that sort of thing what sort of thing? I have told you, the way I killed him I have a note of what you said I brought the butt down on his head he dropped like a stone yes, yes well is that all the truth? have we got it all even now? no not all not all I I'll tell you he gave a dreadful scream and fell down helpless I had to finish him off, I had to if I was to have a chance of getting away getting home seeing taking your time how many more blows how can I tell? I've tried to forget it all these years I can't think of it even now so we seem to be right you are a man capable of brutal murder did you ever serve in the war, Mr. Foxley? learned counsel do not expose themselves to questions when they are cross-examined I don't want his answer if he can't see the difference between murdering a fellow captive and killing an enemy soldier who is fired on you let's not get off the subject please can you produce a shred of evidence that would substantiate this story? no no, it depends on my word with nothing to support it and what became of the German uniform you say you escaped in? I burnt it I wanted to forget that seems unfortunate it might have given the name or regimental number of your mythical German I can give you the poor devil's name and regimental number never mind the number perhaps I can tell you the name wasn't it Mark Laden? no it was not my lord it doesn't appear to interest my learned friend but I'm sure it will interest the jury some are I want you to tell the court the name of that German soldier it was Carl Geist Carl Geist are you certain of that name? yes my lord how? here it is on his identity disk let me see it here my lord you swear this was on the body of the German soldier whose uniform you exchanged for your own that night at Stavolo I do and you've kept it all these years yes has anyone beside yourself ever known of the retention? no my lord no I've kept it locked up it seems to me it becomes increasingly difficult for a jury to give a verdict in this case I only want the verdict of the jury for the sake of one person and that's my son I've already lost the only verdict I want it for myself I do I believe you has the witness anything more to say? my lord yes something something has just come back to me what is it? may I just look at my jacket? certainly pass the jacket to the plaintiff will someone lend me a knife? a knife? what for? I want to cut something I sewed in the back of my breast pocket something sewed in? two 50 mark notes and I don't know that we can let you mutilate an exhibit oh my lord I I've admitted it's my jacket and you can see where I sewed it up where you sewed it you sewed something in the lining yes my lord when did you do that? when I was at Hubheim if I might have a knife to cut these stitches you may who has a a pocket knife? carry me now give it to the witness thank you before I started to escape from Hubheim with Wellme and Buckingham I wasn't too sure of my companions or what might happen to things in my pockets I don't seem to have been far wrong so I sewed inside the lining of this breast pocket a photograph and two 50 mark notes if this is my jacket they should be here now well cut it cut the lining yes yes of course yes here are the notes and here is the photograph may I see the photograph some more? it was taken many years ago but I suppose you can recognize it it all begins to come back to me my lord this is the first photograph my wife gave me when we were engaged I took it with me to France I always had it in that pocket I see something is written on it too darling need that be read aloud my lord I think it should members of the jury on this photograph these words are written too darling mark with all my love be read with all my love mark my lord yes mr. foxley my lord my client has made a great mistake we are more than sorry for the great trouble we have caused this man is obviously sir mark rodin I'm so ashamed can you ever forgive me? you didn't know I hardly knew myself at times mark you're so tired will you come home with me mark will you? yes my lord sir mark before you leave may I hope that something more than a name has been recovered by this trial my lord I cannot believe that the merciful providence which allowed sir mark and lady rodin to come together after all the dangers of the war will not again avail to bring them through this final tribulation my lord you may rest assured on that point my wife and I are going home sir I'll take a minute rest we'll give you a glimpse of the future in the luxe radio theater when you're listening next Monday night this is what you will hear in the middle of the second act what are you going to do stacy going back to that jail going to give myself up are you crazy what for? he causes a guy in there doing 20 years a guy I like I'm gonna see that he gets out listen to me they'll throw you in for life stacy they'll shove you down in solitary till you rot I'm warning you I'll not be a sap I broke out of that pen once and I can do it again heh they haven't built the jug yet that can hold me we'll tell you the name of the play and the stars we're going to have a little bit later March 15th is famous for many things including the income tax and don't forget that 12 o'clock tonight is the deadline but here in the luxe radio theater we'll remember the aides of March as the day when Ronald Coleman Edna Best and Otto Kruger gave one of the most thrilling performances in our history thank you CB I've been giving testimony most of the evening but I have a little more to submit with your permission well then I'd better turn you over to our learned counsel Otto Kruger well whom does your testimony concern a man who was too tall to get in the army well that sounds like a very tall story Ron no Edna it's quite authentic I don't know the man's name but he was far above the height limit which fits standard army equipment he tried all branches of the service and was turned down by each one yet he became one of the heroes of Guadalcanal what did he do? start an army of his own? no not exactly but it must have confused the Japanese badly to hear his cheerful voice every day as it cut through the machine gun fire a voice yelling candy, cigarettes, chewing gum that might have been more in place at the baseball park on Saturday afternoon as long as the battle raged he was too tall for the army but not too tall to follow the army to the front line in the uniform of the American Red Cross this being the month that the Red Cross is rating its war funds I think the good judgment of our listeners will carry on from there and there are other good reasons to give to the Red Cross Mr. DeMille things we see every day like the making of surgical dressings and the training of nurses' aids and don't forget the blood donor service and now I think we'd better cross-examine you, CV what about next week's play, huh? just a minute, Otto it's the women's turn on the witness stand and I don't think that you can find a woman who doesn't agree with me that luck soap is really a wonderful complexion care I've used it for years luck soap always wins the case, Edna now about next week the scene you heard a moment ago was from the Warner Brothers hit each dawn I died and our stars will be George Raft Franchotone and Lynn Barry I think your audience will be all on hand next week, CV good night good night good night and applause is your verdict our sponsors, the makers of luck's toilet soap join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theatre presents George Raft, Franchotone and Lynn Barry in each dawn I died the success will be the male saying good night to you from Hollywood Ladies and gentlemen this month the campfire girls celebrate their 31st birthday this army of 321,000 girls serving on the home front can expand its victory program even more if leaders can be obtained any woman wishing to volunteer may get in touch with the campfire office in her community or with Campfire Girls Incorporated 88 Lexington Avenue, New York Campfire Girls Incorporated 88 Lexington Avenue, New York Otto Krueger will soon be seen in the Paramount picture Night Plane from Chong King heard in tonight's play were Frederick Warlock as Sir Wilfred Alec Harford as Buckingham George Sorrell as Faudon Eric Snowden as Judge and Norman Field Claire Vardera, Thomas Mills and Fred McKay our music was directed by Louis Silvers and this is your announcer John M. Kennedy reminding you to tune in next month night to hear George Raff Franchotone and Lynn Barry in each dawn I died food rationing and shortages worry me I don't want my family to get low in vitamins tired and nervous but vitamin rich foods take so many points I just don't know what to do here's a tip lady get unrassioned and low point foods and take extra vitamins get VIMS at your druggist VIMS have all the essential vitamins and all the minerals commonly lacking yet VIMS require no points remember VI for vitamins double MS for minerals get them all in VIMS this is the Columbia Broadcasting System