 From Hollywood, the National Broadcasting Company presents... ...reduction, the senator was indiscreet, star... This week at this new time, the Hollywood Screen Directors will bring you the finest adaptations of your favorite motion picture entertainment, together with the stars who created the original roles. Now tonight's story, for the first time on the air, we present the film comedy, The Senator Was Indiscreet, starring William Powell as Senator Ashton, with Peggy Dowell as Poppy McNaughton. Any similarity between this story and a coincidence is purely comical. For we all know that in these United States, there is no such thing as a tub-thumping, hand-pumping, baby-kissing politician. Nevertheless, Senator Melvin Gasaway Ashton has left Washington to descend upon New York, where even now he takes his regalese in his hotel room and records the fact in his diary. Perhaps this is the beginning of the campaign that will see me in the White House, or to be the leader of this proud nation and make 100,000 a year. Come in. Oh, it's you, Lou. Senator, don't ever say that Luke Gibson isn't the greatest publicity man since the guy who promoted hash. You know what I got outside? Well, if it's constituent, my boy, I'll make a speech. Uh, my friends? Save it. I got a crew of newsreel cameramen and three count'em, three full-blooded Indians. Oh, my boy, my boy, how can I thank you? Okay, fellas, start setting up. Okay, okay, I'll set the camera right here. Won't Mama be pleased with what she hears about this? Here they are, Senator. Three full-blooded Indians going to make you a member of their savage tribe. Say hello, Senator. How are you, Senator? What's new in Washington? Where's the washroom? Me bring'em greetings from Great White Father. Say, can a member of the press intrude? Poppy, darling, come on in. Senator, meet Miss Poppy McNaughton, the best newspaper gal in town. Welcome, my child, welcome. Thank you, Senator. I'm here to ask about that new bill you've introduced. The McCoy Keith Ashton Bill. Oh, yes, yes. Well, that bill, my dear, is designed for the protection of man's most faithful servant. Oh, yes, the Maytag washing machine. I mean the letter carrier. Why is the letter carrier weary at the end of the day? Because he's tired. Because he's been trudging the hard pavements with a load too heavy for man to bear. And that is where my bill comes in. The McCoy Keith Ashton Bill will compel every man, woman and child in this fair land to write his letters on tissue paper. Oh, I see. Lou, could I speak to you outside for a minute, please? Sure, honey. You talk to the cameraman, Senator. Oh, thank you, my boy. My friends of the motion picture industry. Broward is doing the diadem of American entertainment. Well, Poppy, isn't he a beaut? Lou, you're not pumping up that windbag for president. Look, I'm a press agent. If I can promote Ashton, I'll be in the big time. Then we'll be able to get married. Oh, those are very tough terms. Oh, Poppy, give Ashton a break in your column. Don't be difficult. I won't. I'll be impossible. How? I'm just going to quote him accurately. That's how. Oh, that's dirty journalism. You can't quote politicians accurately. You just watch me. See you tonight, publicity man. Tonight it is. Okay, boys, ready with the newsreel? Anytime. Roll'em. Okay, Senator, you're on. From great white father in Washington, I bring message to Redman. My manatee, may manatee give you much rain. How? How? Much good hunting. How? How? Many fine squads. And how? That does it. Let's go, boys. How did you write? Uh-oh. What's the matter? Look, standing over there. When did he come in? What? Oh, brother, Fred Houlahan, the boss of the party. Oh, uh... Well, hello, Fred. Hello, Senator. Well, many ha-ha. What are you trying to pull? Oh, just a little stunt, Fred. Lou Gibson dreamt it up. Oh, he did. Mel, don't you know that having a picture taken with an Indian automatically makes you a candidate for president? Well, get on line. I think I'll go back to my office. Don't be angry, Fred. Mel, the party wouldn't back you for president if you were George Washington's mother. You couldn't win. Now, what about this speech I hear you're making to the National Institute of Businessmen tonight? We didn't authorize that either. Well, but they asked me. Yes, I'll bet. Well, let's see the speech. It's the old number five. Uh-huh. Isn't that the one you delivered in Detroit on December 6, 1941? I had the honor, yes. Isn't it about time you cut out that part of the possibility of war with Japan? Excuse me. Uh, United States Senator Melvin G. Ashton speaking. Washington? Yes, yes, put it through, put it through. It's mama. Yes, all right. I'm leaving. But remember, Mel, forget the White House. I'll see you later. Bye, Fred. Oh, hello. Hello, mama? Yes, yes, everything's fine, mama. The White House? Oh, no, no, mama, I'm not going to be president. No, no, I guess you won't be able to tear down that new balcony. Yes. Oh, yes, yes, mama, I'm writing, writing everything down on my diary. See, you know what, mama? I'm an Indian now. Yes, member of a, member of a tribe. What? Oh, no, mama, don't worry. I won't let them lay a hand on your new hairdo. Yes, mama? Yes, mama? Mr. Gibson, there's a Miss Valerie Shepherd to see you. Shepherd? Look, I'm very busy. What does she look like? Oh, we'll send her right in. Mr. Gibson? Well, what can I do for you? Well, you remember Bill Fisher from Plainville, don't you? Why, of course. Well, Bill said to say hello, and he thought with your connections you might help me get a room here in the hotel. A hotel room it is. How is Bill, the old paratrooper? Did he ever get into politics? Oh, in a small way. That was always Bill's big beef, politics. In the army, he always said he'd clean out the crooks and clowns. Oh, by the way, the senator from Ye Olde Home State is staying right here in the hotel. Senator Ashton? Uh-huh. Oh, I just love to meet him. Oh, lady, you've met me. Let's not push our luck. And if you're a good girl, I'll take you to here, Senator Ashton, tonight. Big speech for big businessmen. You'll love it. Conclusion, may I say. It is with pride and humility that I have been permitted to serve this proud republic, this brightest jewel in the diadem of nations. And now, if there are any questions, I should be glad to answer them. Frankly, completely, and to the best of my humble ability. Great news story you're getting, huh, Poppy? Yeah, the senator's run the gamut from tedium to monotony. Miss Shepherd seems to be enjoying it. Oh, I think he's just brand. Uh-oh, watch this. I planted the note that's being handed to old wooden shoes. Well, well, well. What's this? A note? Well, yes, and a very embarrassing note it is. I must confess, I didn't expect such a question. But I shall answer it with the same candor in which it is asked. Senator Ashton, if the nomination for president were offered to you, would you accept? My friends, as you all know, I am a simple, God-fearing, plain-talking man. So I say to you, and I cannot put this too strongly, I am not a candidate for the presidency. But if the voice of the people of these United States, this brightest jewel in the diadem of mankind, should wring out over the land and say, Come, then I can only bow my head to the inevitable and say in all humility, I will. Then you ungrateful dog. Oh, oh, boss, come in, I was just going to bed. Why, you idiot, what do you mean saying you're not a candidate for the nomination? But, Fred. No member of the party has the right to deny that he's a candidate unless he is one. Oh, well, well, well, maybe I am, Fred. On what qualifications? All the qualifications. They're written here in this newspaper clipping. You're crazy. Well, look, this is what an editorial writer says. First, the candidate should have been born in lowly circumstances. Were you born in a log cabin? No, but our roof leaked a little. Go on. Second, he should have a family. Well, I've got three fine sons and four splendid daughters. Holy ick, you have seven secretaries? Yes. Well, the third point is that the candidate should have a dog. I have a dog, Fred. I hate the sight of him, but I have one. Fourth, you can stop right there. I happen to be boss of this party, and I'm telling you straight, you are not going to be president. Well, then, then, Fred, I have something to tell you. Well? I, uh, I keep a diary. I have for 35 years. Well, that makes you about the oldest high school girl in America. What do you put in it? Everything. Well, that's, uh, everything. Everything. But, uh, not, uh, everything, Mel. In detail. Not the incident in Boston. Yes, and the one in Detroit, too. And St. Louis. Oh, you bucket-brained lunatic. Where's that diary? No use, Fred. I am keeping it. If that stuff gets out, they can beat us with bathless Grogans. You're wasting your breath, Fred. What do you mean? You know, Fred, owning a nice little diary is like owning a nice little atom bomb. Even if you never do anything with it, it's a comfort just to know it's there. I'll see you in the White House, Fred. In the corrective playhouse presentation of The Senator Was Indiscreet, starring William Powell with Peggy Dow. And to complete our political news roundup, Senator Melvin Gasaway Ashton left today on a speaking tour of the nation. The senator is, uh, not a candidate for the nomination and is understood to be making the tour because he likes to undress in Pullman berths. Savannah Georgia, Senator Melvin Gasaway Ashton, spoke here today saying, Yes, sir folks, my old grandma was born and bred right here in old Georgia. The priceless jewel in the diadem of American states. Now I want the band to strike up the beloved anthem of this sovereign state and I want you all to rise as it plays Marchin' Through Georgia. Houston, Texas. In a political speech here today, Senator Melvin Gasaway Ashton said, Yes, partners, my old grandma, bless her heart, was born and bred right here in the great state of Texas. And if I am elected, I promise you that within 60 days you'll have your independence from Mexico. Please pass the biscuits. Kansas City, Missouri. As always, Senator Ashton has again faced an issue squarely. Ladies and gentlemen, I am not for inflation. I am not for deflation. But ladies and gentlemen, I am wholeheartedly for flation. New York City. The surprise of the week has been Senator Melvin Ashton's wildcat raid on the political scene, which has more than doubled his popularity. The senator returned to New York today after a triumphant swing through the south and southwest. Been some trep, are Senator Ashton? Oh, fine, fine, my boy. Except for one thing. What's that? That young newspaper woman friend of yours, Miss McNaughton. Why does she insist upon referring to me in her column as Senator Ashken? Look, she's lousing up my campaign, too. I'm in love with her. Lou? What about me buying her a nice little present this afternoon? Something costly. Nah, nah, it's no use. It's like trying to bribe Dick Tracy. Come in. Hello, Lou. Hello, Valerie. Heard from Bill Fisher lately? I had a letter today. Here, I want you to meet the Mahatma. Senator Ashton? This is a constituent, Miss Valerie Shepherd. Well, well, well. A sweet little flower from my old woodland. Senator, the first vote I ever cast, I cast for you. Ah, the madness of youth. Oh, here, I've got to sit down. Sit down, my dear. Sit down. Oh, look at the time. I got a date with Poppy. Pardon me, folks, while I further our public and private relations. Tell me, Poppy, oh mystic one. Look deep into your martini, and tell me what the future holds in store. I'm looking. What do you see? One dispeptic-looking olive. That's my future? And I hope you choke on it, Lou Gibson. Oh, Poppy, why don't you forget Ashton for a few minutes? I'm going to find some way to break up that clown's act if I have to commit grand larceny. What about us? What about our marriage? Look into your drink, old mystic one, and tell me what the future holds in store. One pickled onion. And that pet is just about the size of it. Not one hair of this golden head shall you touch until Melvin G. Ashton gets dumped on his senatorial kisser. And that, believe me, won't be too long. Hello, my boy. Where's Valerie? Oh, she left, and I had some shopping to do. A little gift for Poppy McNaughton, Lou. Yes. Right here in the drawer. A solid gold mesh bag. Never was a woman who could resist one. It's, uh... Lou, what's the matter? Oh, it's... It's gone. What's gone? The diary. It's gone. What diary? The record of my political career of the party's activities. Oh, no! If that hits the newspapers... Oh, my, oh, my, oh, my. Larceny. She said she'd commit larceny. Who? Poppy. You wait here. I got an idea. Oh, Lou. Hello, I'm ruined. Ruined. Now, Senator, don't get hysterical. Now, just stay calm. Calm. Oh, hello, Mr. Houlahan. Mr. Kelly. Hello, Lou. Hello, Gibson. I'll check with you, Mel. Fred, something terrible has happened. Mel, don't you know what you've done? Your popularity is zoomed, and the party wants to nominate you for president of the United States. Oh, Fred. Fred, the diary. Forget the diary. What about the diary? It's gone. Stolen. Oh, I ought to break every bone in your stupid body. Joe. Yeah, boss? Get on the phone. Put plan A into action. It's a yellow alert. You think we'll need the red alert? I don't know yet. What's the red alert? That's when they're coming after you with ropes. Give me Preston 9-6-1-6-1. Well, Ashton, you've really done it this time. Hello, Theodore. This is you know who. Theodore, I want you to contact certain parties and tell them to pack and stand by for a red alert. Red alert. Ready? Honest John McCaffrey in Boston. Honest John Brancusso in Philadelphia. Honest John Ginsberg in Albany. Honest John Frostman in... Use your head. If I had the diary, it would already be in print. This is a newspaper. Come on, Poppy. Stop stalling. So help me, Lou. I haven't got the diary. Yeah, probably some other conniving woman. Only a woman could be low enough to pull a trick like this. What about that corn-fed feta bearer? That Valerie Gap. Valerie? No. She's just a friend of a friend of mine, Bill Fisher. He's not the kind of a guy who... Mother, how could you raise such a stupid child? Idea? Well, Bill's an old Ashton hater from way back. And that girl shows up just when... Come on, we gotta find Valerie. Honest John Vincent in Oklahoma City. And Honest John Fairness in San Francisco. And 5% Harrigan in St. Louis. You got that there at all? Right. I looked there at all. There are no extradition treaties between the United States and the following countries. Outer Mongolia, Greenland, Lower Slobovia, and Little America. A place to leave for Tibet from San Francisco daily at 120 a.m. A place from Mexico daily. Oh, yes, Fred. I'm afraid I have a very unpleasant duty to perform. Now? Now look, Fred. It's no use. You've got to resign from the Senate. Resign? But what about my family? They'll have to resign too. But how are we going to live? Off your interest on your capital. What capital? What capital? You've been in politics for 35 years and you haven't any capital? How could I have, Fred? How did I know that income tax bill I introduced meant me too? Well, you'll have to go to work. Work? But, Fred, I'm a senator. Well, you've got to stop being a senator. Oh, no, Fred. No. Either the party figures out a way for me to make a living or I won't resign. Hey, hey, they need a dog catcher in Peoria. No, that's out. No, wait a minute, wait a minute, I've got it. You can be a sports star like in baseball. Well, the duties will be relatively simple, Senator, three hours' work, one day a week. Oh, never mind the duties. What's the pay? Around 150,000. 150,000? I say that's more than president. Hello? Oh, hello, Mama. Mama, you know what? I'm not going to be a president. I'm going to be a czar. Yes, but Mama, no, Mama, you won't have to drink vodka. Look, 150,000 a year, Mama. Yes, Mama. Yes, Mama. Okay, Poppy, here's Valerie's room. She must have the diary. By Lou and Miss McNaughton. Uh-huh, all packed and ready to leave town. Is, is something wrong? Sister, something is very wrong. Hold on, Lou, I'll check her bags. Oh, no, no, you can't do that. We're doing it. I should have known that billfish who sent you down to fish for something to pin on Ashton. No, here's the diary. Oh, let's have it. Oh, no, you don't, it's mine now. Oh, Poppy, you double-crossing heel? No way for me, you wouldn't hit a woman. Give me that diary. Oh, no, let go. I see. Well, who was that? Lou Gibson. He's got the diary back. Wow, you've done it again, boss. Yes, well, laugh. Be happy. You can be president now. But how can I afford it? I've just taken a $50,000 cut in salary. Oh, but, Mel, they give you a house to live in and on rainy days, you can show your own movies in the White House projection room. Cowboy pictures? Yeah, yeah. Hop along Cassidy. Oh, boy. All right. I'll take it. Good, old Mel. I knew you wouldn't let us down. But I'd better call Mama. Oh, I'll get that. Where's the diary? If you got it, I'd got it all right. I'm talking to Mama. Hello, Mama? Well, Mama? I'm not going to be a czar. No, I've decided to become president. Yes. Yes, I know. That's only $100,000 a year, Mama, but it's the best I can do. And besides, think of the fishing. Yes, Mama? Yes, Mama? Do I understand that Lemonhead is really going to be president? Yes, now that you've got the diary. I haven't got the diary. You haven't. But you said that you... Just a minute, Mama. The diary will shortly be in the possession of one Poppy McNaughton, a member of the Fourth Estate. The newspapers? It's one page in an hour. It's a long, boys. Joe, Belle, start moving. The alert just turned red. I'll give you an alarm. Come on, Joe, let's get out of here. Hello? Mama? I'm not going to be president after all. You better start packing, Mama. Yes, we're taking a trip to Outer Mongolia. Outer Mongolia, Mama. Proudest jewel in the diadem of Asia. People vote there, Mama. And if I hear their call, if they should say to me, Melvin G. Ashton, come, then I'll listen, Mama. Oh, don't worry, Mama. We'll make it yet. Yes, Mama. William Powell will return in just a moment. Here's a reminder to tune in again next week. When, for the first time on the air, you'll hear the exciting drama, Chris Cross, starring Burt Lancaster in his original role. Now, here again is tonight's star, William Powell. You know, all of us who face the motion picture cameras or great debt to the directors of Hollywood, we're very humbly aware that without their assistance and skill and knowledge, our pictures never could really be made. Now, it's my pleasure to introduce not only the director of many wonderful films, but the president of the screen director's guild, George Marshall. Thank you, and thank you very much, Bill. I was anxious to be here tonight because this marks the beginning of a new series of screen director's playhouse shows at a new time. Well, I want to wish you and all the directors the best of luck, George. You've been bringing some swell motion picture entertainment to the microphone. Well, thank you again, Bill. You know, that must be quite a position you have being president of the screen director's guild. Well, it wasn't easy getting to be president, Bill. I really had to fight for the job. Who did you fight? Oh, a fellow by the name of Melvin Gasaway Ashton. Yes, but George, look at the prestige and the salary. Yes, that is something to look forward. I would say about 43 cents a year. I think mama would be interested. I think that proudest jewel in the Diadem of Womankind would say fool. Then I guess I've still got the job. And speaking for the screen director's guild, I hope that all our old listeners will be tuning in on Monday nights and that we'll be making a lot of new friends. We'll do our best to make it worth your while. Good night, everyone. Good night, Bill. Good night, Bill. And good night to you, William Powell and George Marshall. Senator was in the screen as a Natalie Johnson production presented through the courtesy of Universal International Studios, now releasing Sword in the Desert, starring Dana Andrews, Marta Taurin, and Stephen McNally. William Powell appeared by arrangement with Metro Golden Mayor, produces of the Red Danube, starring Walter Pidge and Ethel Barrymore and Peter Lofford. Peggy Dow will soon be seen in the Universal International picture The Big Frame. John Russell and Dorothy Hart. George Marshall's latest production for Paramount is Fancy Pants, starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. Included in tonight's cast were Paul Freese, Bill Conrad, Gene Bates, Jane Avello, Ed Max, Rita Lyons, Jack Krushan and Dan Ritz. The senator was in the screen, was adapted for radio by Richard Allen Simmons, and original music was composed and conducted by Henry Russell. Screen director's playhouse is produced by Howard Wiley with dramatic direction by Bill Conn. This is Jimmy Wallington speaking and inviting you to listen again next week when we present... Screen director's playhouse production, Chris Cross, star, Bert Lancaster, director, Robert C. Autmack. You're tuned for the stars on NBC.