 Hello everyone, this is Paul Lucas inviting you to stay tuned for the next half hour for one of radio's outstanding dramatic productions Proudly we hail one of radio's outstanding dramatic half-hours starring Paul Lucas and present a transcribed coast-to-coast in cooperation with this station by your army and your Air Force Radio City, New York here is your star on proudly we hail the distinguished Broadway stage screen and radio star Paul Lucas Ladies and gentlemen our play is entitled from West to East and back again the scene Berlin the time today our story a tale of table-turning behind the Iron Curtain Our first act curtain will rise in just a moment after this short but very important message Can you hold on a man's job if your answer is yes? There's a man's job waiting for you in our rapidly expanding United States Army Visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station and get all the details today And now with your star Paul Lucas in the role of Stefan Donner Your army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production from West to East and back again a Raw wind sweeping in from the marshes pushed its way rudely up the street It fingered and tore at the edges of the large poster which had been put up a week ago The poster was of a man's face a strong dominant face bearing an air of hotty indifference Near the bottom in white block letters slashed at an angle was the name Donner and below that in smaller more stylized print a date Across the street on the floor above a short thick set man stood before a window Puffing his pipe and looking down at the poster He seemed deeply interested in the face staring back at him with such obvious arrogance What are you going to do stand there all morning? I might I haven't all day on it off I've been looking at the poster of Donner across the street, and I've been thinking about him Donner you mean that music fellow Stefan Donner Man with a big name known the world over it travels pretty much what he chooses Some of our superiors feel on and to entertain them They're amused by his arrogance in as long as he remains neutral above the affairs of the earth They find no quarrel with him What more beautiful front could a man have front why you mean that read the file on that desk on him In the last six months he's been in four places where there have been incidents of one sort or another Coincidence you read it and tell me all right, but what have you in mind a simple but charming plan Donner arrives here today. He gives a concert tonight. We shall call upon him shortly after your eyes We shall offer him a very large sum of money to come out publicly for our cause it will be very Simply worded that after observing conditions on both sides He reached the conclusion that we are the true workers for peace Whereas those of West seek only to spread their imperialist empire at the risk of total war or Some such words from all you've said and from what little I've heard of him. He'll tell us to go to the devil Yes, that's possible, but go down for some time now. We've been in need of a strong propaganda blow I'm quite aware of that You think this donor is going to give it to us at the end of the concert Donner makes a statement Every newspaper every radio station will have orders to play it up big donor leaves for Western Berlin amidst our cheers Shortly after he gets there. He disappears We hit it hard. We arouse the interests of the world you can picture it I'm sure for a week. We build on it. Then he's found dead Murder and the evidence points conclusively towards the lovers of democracy very nice But how does that come out? It'll be found by a newspaper man ostensibly a staunch supporter of theirs Actually one of our men the details have all been worked out I assure you the explosion will be loud and greatly to our benefit and if he's one of their agents So much the better Your idea Anadolf my idea Koda and already fully approved by the powers above How much longer ring another half hour, sir. Oh I wish with driven Will we be meeting a friend sir? No, no this one is trade. No friends. No enemies just the concert Quite a relief if I may say so, sir. You may It seems almost unnatural Rare interval in our travels almost like a location Weakened at brightening hearing Well, wake me up before we get in For once the accommodations seem passable quite a bit better than I expected sir even this isn't too bad Close the door ring. I am into no one I don't care if that Send them away, sir Now I'll handle this Gentlemen or whatever you are. I am busy. We are most sorry to intrude sir We'll take but a moment of your time a moment would be more than I could spare Why don't you write me a moment we wish to take may well prove golden to you Golden what are you talking about proposition to our mutual benefit? May we come in? All right All right, but please be brief In here sit down. Thank you now Who are you and what is it? Hey, mr. Anatoff. This is mr. Coda. We are with the Administration good for you How does that affect me if you'd like to make $50,000 in American money? I think it would affect you 50,000 Are you joking? Not at all and What must I do to receive this sum of money me merely want you to make a statement at the close of your concert tonight This state I see I should have thoughts as much Well, I am a musician. I have no interest in your politics. I leave it to those who make it their profession I wouldn't ask you to play the piano. This is somewhat different that concerns people's rights, right, right To me it is the same and even if it wasn't it would be very bad for my business to choose sides in what way well It's elementary Suppose I made a statement in favor of your opponents on the other side Would you let me give concerts here? No, you would not If I make this statement for you, they won't let me play there They're far more lenient than their approach. Are they not well? I wouldn't know but I do know I can't afford to jeopardize my income for you or anyone Suppose we double the figure the equivalent of a hundred thousand dollars in any bank you name Would you mind telling me why I a lowly player of the piano have that much value to you people? Regardless of what I say certainly Because you are not lowly and because since the war you have refused to take either side if you take it now The propaganda value is worth that much to us. Mmm. I Don't like the idea. I like the money And I go away and let me think it over call me at six and I'll give you an answer with enough I hope we can do business monkey business. I'd say the whole thing has a rather strong order I'd suggest you turn it down sir To be or not to be Now I say no to them what happens They might say all right if you can't be for us you're against us you can't cross the curtain Then I am of no more use I'm quite sure they wouldn't pull the obvious Throw me in prison have me sign a confession and the usual thing now No, my reputation is too well established as being neither fish nor foul. It would hurt them But if you do agree with answer What then indeed? They'll make a big thing of it and we may find things a bit difficult on the other side But it should make things easier here and that after all is what we want Still I've never found them to be so direct and simple about such things There is always an underlying motive exactly said well We play with the cards we hold rank We play with the cards we hold words to say but they do not concern music Since the war you have known me to be neutral I have taken neither one side or the other in this world of armed camps And so I have been fortunate in being able to observe conditions on both sides of the fence so to speak I Have finally come to the conclusion that although I know nothing of politics or such things You people here in the east are truly striving for peace While powers of the West seem only intend upon expansion and their own imperialistic aim I offer you my congratulations for the fine The fats in the fire I can hear it sizzling sir. I suspect our reception in Berlin will be somewhat noisy I'd like to see a Richard's face when he hears the news. It's a very convincing speech. Well, I thought so Do you think I should go into politics ring if I might be so bold I think I'd stick to the piano sir. Oh Would you like to give us a statement her Donna I have made all the statements I'm going to make but did you make that speech volunteer completely We're to mind telling us your reasons. Well, I suggest you read the speech. It should be perfectly clear and now please if you excuse me Stefan and till we're able to check with our friends there you better lay low You agree it was the best thing to do who can say who certainly the boldest and this is the bold business Richard I know I know I'll have a car pick you up here eight You can stay at that place in the country. What about rain? I want him here. There'll be plenty of inquiries What are you looking so paid about are you sorry that I've become a rich man? No, no, I just look pain naturally Get that probably from Richard. What do I said? Who is it rain? Just hold it right there Terribly sorry set up keep him quiet get out of here your thugs Stop pointing that stupid gun at me sit down and be quiet or we'll really give you something to yell about to the devil Are you and what do you want? You're going on a little trip with us It's called from west to east and back again I am up Look at starring in the road of Stefan donor and the proudly we hail production from west to east and back again We'll return in just a moment for the second act You young men who graduated from high school in the class of 51 listen to this There's a real opportunity for you and the expanding United States Army and you can continue your education too You see the army gives its soldiers the finest technical training in the world Today's soldiers go to excellent schools where they learn to do a job and do it right What's more in the army? You can even get a college degree through USA fi the United States Armed Forces Institute And because our army is expanding so rapidly promotions come fast. Remember. There's lots of room at the top You'll eat an interesting healthy life too and work side-by-side with other intelligent young Americans an army uniform is the mark of a man So if you think you can fill a man's shoes go to your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting station and find out what the army has to offer you and list today You are listening to proudly we hail and now with your star Paul Lucas in the role of Stefan donor We present the second act of from west to east and back again No, sir, nothing no trace. Whatever Four days now, sir. I assure you I don't like it either. He's not only one of our best men. He's also a good friend Yes, sir. I think it's directly attached to the statement. He made it. You notice how they've been playing it up No, I couldn't get anything there either. Yes, sir. Yes, sir Well, we'll keep at it. Goodbye, sir Right Donna, we seem to have fallen upon hard times. Ah the light bothers your eyes And I shouldn't wonder after four days in this darkness enough to make a mole out of a man Have you been treated? Well You've been making headlines, you know since you've been here. I would like to read about you in the obituary column Your downfall was your importance. I can't believe you are so naïve as to think you can make it stick What do you mean by that? I see you take me for a complete fool Stephen Donner begs the ease Stephen Donner disappears in the West Stephen Donner is finally found dead in the West Murdered by the evil decadent Imperialistic monsters because he was brave enough to declare himself against them topic up How much do you think even your own people will swallow? Oh, they'll swallow it and so will all the rest Well, I will leave you now when you drop in again, perhaps I'll have something more to tell you Good, I'll give you some time to think up something Pleasant dream You heard it ring. I did sir. We have three days to get out of here three years and I don't see how we do it, sir They're very careful. Keep us in the dark And when they opened the door blind us with a light It takes only one man Yes, I know well the great mr. Anadolf was rubbing the salt in the wound. I noticed something My eyes got something used to that light There is a pipe that runs along the ceiling the pipe sir. Yes a pipe ring Stand up here and reach above your head There I can just touch it Freight I'm a little too short sir a water pipe or something like that. What do you have in mind, sir? You have your belt my belt Yes, take it off. You need it to hang yourself. Hey, sir. I don't worry. Don't worry. We'll hang together Only it won't be fatal at least to us. I don't believe I understand you when our jailer next returns And let us pray that this time he comes alone. He will find us hanging from this or so he will think but but How can we hang ourselves so without hanging ourselves now? It'll be somewhat uncomfortable, but it should look authentic our backs will be to the door Now make a loop of your belt. Come on. I'll show you There I'll put it around your chin We'll give it a few practice tries but supposing it is possible to hang by the chin now How do we get down by raising your head you can slip out the strain it should only be for a second We hear the guard at the door. We get ready. He opens the doors He's hanging and he'll either rush in or run for help either way We are through hanging you make it sound so simple, sir. It's a chance rank right now It's the only chance we've got unless you can think of something else. No sir, but It'll take some doing. Well, let let them start practicing And remembering around your chin not around your throat I'll get the light We use the belts on him Guess they're looking for us. I wouldn't be a bit surprised Should we try to get our bearings make for the Western Zone? It's exactly what they'll expect us to do We wouldn't stand a chance in a million of getting through that way We can't stay here forever, sir not forever ring just until daylight at that time I am sure our friend annadol will be trailing smoke But it is I want them found turn out every man you got I want the house-to-house search I want every sleep watch have your men moving toward the Western Zone. There's somewhere between here and there Stupid fools. I want that guy shot shot. Do you hear you'll find them or I'll have you shocked to all of you incompetent bungling block head idiot You look in there I'll take this one and hurry it up. It's almost daylight a long night ring Frankly, sir. I'd rather it stayed dark How can we expect to get out of this and brought daylight with a little luck mr. Anadol is going to help I mean alive sir You've been in the dark too long ring. It's not your brain We know that since our disappearance the newspapers and the radio in this zone have been making a big thing out of it You heard what an adult said they probably printed my picture everywhere They could impress me on everyone's mind build me up make me a hero and then when reaction has reached concert pitch bang They produce my late lamented remains slightly the worst for where and mine sir. Oh, forgive me and yours We've spoiled an adult's game by getting away Naturally, he'd expect us to try and get into the Western Zone and expose the whole thing only we are going to do Just the opposite in a few minutes. We are going to walk out of here big as life We are going to say good morning to people and we are going to end up in front of their largest newspaper You know the one and there we are going to be thoroughly recognized and then sir and then ring Will transpose the score from flats to sharks and see how the music plays And so I said to him I am Stefan Donner Stefan Donner Do you hear you crawling bag of fleas? Stefan Donner who has played before I beg your point You are Stefan Donner your eyes are good. Even if your man is on whom did you take me for the king of France? But sir if you've been missing you please stop your informal shouting missing missing. What have I been missing? But you disappeared we thought I assure you I am annoyed by this whole thing. You say for five days I've been the subject of an intensive search. Is there no privacy left to a man? Can't he go away for a few days without everyone thinking it has been Folly dealt with Who would want to harm me unless it was some stupid music critic? You want a statement for your newspaper? All right, I'll give it to you It pains me to live in a world full of hysterical nincompoops who oh Oh, there you are and would you mind telling these good people that I'm perfectly all right I have always been perfectly all right, and that's exactly how I expect to remain Well, we we were worried about you. Oh, how good of you how very good of you Well, you can stop pouring all of you bring what time is it? Just before 10 said I've got to be in the western zone by 10 30 Oh, and I love if you are so concerned about my welfare, would you care to drive me to the border? Well, yes, of course it that will be a pleasure Fine Now I have one more thing to say to you news people last week. I've made a speech you remember All right today. I take back what I said. I take no sides I am for Stefan Donna and no one else And I love I'll give you back what you paid me for saying those And as mr. Shakespeare said all is well that ends well hey Rinker, do you think he's lost his powers of speech? I wouldn't be surprised sir Looks on the verge of explosion And I don't are you planning to explode you mustn't take it so hard such things happen every day. I'm told Ah At last we come to where east meets west Another we thank you for the right. I must say I enjoyed it Do you do you suppose I could obtain sanctuary in the American sector hmm sanctuary Why don't you ask the manadov? It's better to be laughed at than shot isn't it Next week show in just a moment Here's a special message to the high school class of 51 the United States Army the senior service needs capable young men Then with ambition who want to continue their education? If you can fill the bill the army will send you to one of its fine technical schools to study radio radar electronics meteorology or mechanics You'll not only get the finest training in the world But you'll have the special pride that goes with wearing the uniform of the United States Army the mark of a man You'll find there are plenty of chances to get ahead for our army is growing fast and keen young men can grow with it So why not get all the facts about what the army has to offer you? Just go to your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station Have a talk with your recruiting sergeant and learn more about the army This has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with this station by the United States Army and the United States Air Force Recruiting service proudly we hail stars Paul Lucas from west to east and back again was written by DeWitt cop The music was composed and conducted by John Guagnari This program was produced under the supervision of Charles and Rogers Productions and was directed by Charles Wilkes This is Kenneth Banghardt speaking and here again as your host and star Paul Lucas Recordually invite you to be with us again next week over the same station for proudly we hail Our story is entitled the last chance. We hope you'll join us then until next week Goodbye