 This is Conrad Nagel inviting you to stay tuned for the next half hour for one of radio's outstanding dramatic productions on proudly we hail Another proudly we hail one of radio's outstanding dramatic half hours transcribe coast-to-coast in cooperation with this station and presented by your army and your Air Force From Radio City, New York. Here is your host and star on proudly we hail the distinguished star of the theater screen radio and television Conrad Nagel Thank You Kenneth Banghard. Hello everyone. Welcome again to proudly we hail Our play is entitled a house on the hill and we promise you a thrilling story and you'll meet some very strange characters Our first act will begin in just a moment after this very important message The United States Army the senior service needs capable young men with ambition who want to continue their education If you fill the bill the army will send you to one of its fine technical schools to study radio radar meteorology or mechanics You will not only get the finest training in the world But you will have the special pride that goes with wearing the uniform of the United States Army the mark of a man You will find there are plenty of chances to get ahead for your army is growing fast and teen young men can grow with it Why not get all the facts about what the army has to offer you? Go to your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station Have a talk with the recruiting sergeant and learn more about your United States Army And now with your star Conrad Nagel in the role of Mark Jason your army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production the house on the hill There are people still living in Gaolansburg who remember that summer It was one of the hottest on record, but heat or no heat it would have been remembered for other reasons reasons dark and ugly Buried now under more than 50 years of time You might say it began on a scorching afternoon in August at the turn of the century How much farther another mile? Let me get up around that bend there. You'll be able to see the place Great big ugly barn sitting on a hill looking down to the rest of the world. They on the whole town named after When Tom Galen was alive and different much different I Was just a young sprout. I remember him handsome fella tall like everybody everybody liked him Nothing stuck up her highfalutin He ran the plant then Folks still talk about those times. They're mighty good mighty good And then he married that woman You got business with her. Well, no not exactly why You see how how did Tom Galen die round the lake? So they say He loved the water had a little sailboat Around sunset one night he went out. Nobody saw him go Big storm came up and later they found the boat and they never found him How do you know I I just thought that's what you meant did dragged lake for days in That way he faced woman is sitting up there. They haven't a children three boys Some tell you for I don't follow you Look up there You were right Did Tom Galen build that place bill it for her just for he died What a monstrosity lives up there like a queen with those spoiled weak jaw brats are Hopefully in a relatively no no nothing like that Only good one of the bunch was dick just like his father. She couldn't break him He left about five years ago Somebody said once they heard he joined the army and went to fight in Cuba You plan to stay with him for long. Oh, no, I hardly think so Now you want to wait and give me a ride back to town They got one of them telephones up there. You you call a hotel when you want me. I don't want to wait Place gives me the creeps makes me feel bad. Yeah, great. It's ugly enough Look, I don't feel like walking back to town on a scorcher like this. I'll pay you double if you'll wait Sorry, mister, you call the hotel You know something else what you're gonna have a storm being busted Haven't had one more in two months. How can you tell that? I know all right? You wait and see if there's a train leaving at 10 tonight Let's say if I don't call you you pick me up at nine, huh? Like to but you better call first if I'm busy. Mr. Chubb can bring you down. Who's Mr. Chubb a servant? I don't know who is or what he is. He lives there with him Came a week or two before Tom Galen Brown Never left He does what she tells him. Hey, how do you know all this? I know mr. I Ain't told you half of what I know I think Oh, Nellie. Oh, oh up there. Oh Well, hey, what are you stopping for? Where's I go far as you go now? Look here? I paid you to bring me to the Galen house There's still a good quarter of a mile to go. You see that gate there, mister That's where Galen property begins and that's as far as I go You just walked on that drive won't take you long. Yeah, but why I Ain't asked you your business Who'd ask me mine? Well, I beg your pardon miss Who are you? What do you want? I didn't mean to start you. I was on my way to the house there You you wish to see someone that's right. Mrs. Galen. You're not Mrs. Galen who me No, I I'm Emily Merriman. Mrs. Galen's companion companion. Yes I look after her read to her write her letters that sort of thing. Oh Well, uh, well then you could introduce me to her. I don't know your name, sir Oh, what you want? My name is Mark Jason. You want something, mister? Mr. Chubb must you always be popping up out of nowhere Who is he? This is mr. Jason and he's here to see Mrs. Galen on on on business what business How did he get here? I got a ride in the carriage to your gate back there the driver wouldn't come any further I'm beginning to see why you must forgive mr. Chubby. What do you want with Mrs. Galen? Whatever I want I'm sure it's no concern if you're wrong This is Galen doesn't want to be disturbed You can write her and make an appointment you can go to the devil I've got a long way out of my way to see Mrs. Galen is a very hot day, and I'm getting sick and tired Mr. Jason, please it's it's just that mr. Chubb is suspicious of strangers. He well, why what's he afraid of you better get moving? Mr.. I'll help you stop it I'll be responsible for mr. Jason. Now. Please leave us alone mr. Chubb. Go back to the house Just go away see what Mrs. Galen has to say about this What a charming fellow What's he do want the house? I don't know what he does. He's been here for many years I'm sorry. He was so rude. What is it you want mr. Jason? You see I? Well, I knew Richard Galen. He was a friend of mine Richard you mean it. Oh, did you know him? No? I never met him, but I've heard them speak of him. Where is he? He He's dead. Ms. Merriman. He died in Cuba at San Juan Hill See we were in the army together And they don't know but I thought he used a different name They knew he was in the army because he wrote a letter just before he went in Mrs. Galen told me that the night before he died He told me his real name and a little about his family He made me promise. I'd keep it a secret no matter what happened. I Was passing through and I thought the least I could do would be to Well stop and tell Mrs. Galen about dick. It's very kind of you imagine it'll come as a bad shock to her Mrs. Galen Well, she isn't like most women. She's she's very bitter about Richard. She never forgave him for running away Come along mr. Jason So I guess that's about all there is to tell Mrs. Galen. I I'm very sorry to be the bearer of Such news so Richard is dead Well, it serves him right. He was a spoiled and willful boy. He had no love for any of us That I heard you saying about dicky mother is dead dead Well, what do you know about that poor dick? How he was killed in Cuba fighting this man. Mr. Mason was with him mr. Jason This is my son Harold. He knows enough to stay home and behave himself. How do you do? Easily hot isn't it? I could use a drink. Do you have a way back to town mr. Jason man who brought me up here Said you had a telephone I can call a carry Telephones broken can't get anything on it, but a buzz. I hardly think it's worth keeping It's only two miles back to town. Mr. Jason if you start now. We should get there before the storm. Well Don't you have anyone who can take me back? I don't want to miss my train I can't spare mr. Chubb if Harold cares to take you he may. Oh come mother. You know how tired I am Where's Lester it went over to the mailings after lunch said he'd probably stay for dinner Stay for dinner. How dare he do that without telling me Mrs. Galen I Could drive mr. Jason back to town. You could do no such thing. You're never around when I want you young lady Thank you for the offer anyway, mr. Merriman Thank you for the offer mr. Merriman He's no fool a gentleman. I suppose you think me a cruel and heartless woman mr. Jason well It's a little consequence what I think Mrs. Galen I did what I thought would be a service Would you have felt any better had I burst into tears? Whatever your feelings are You have to live with him indeed What time did you say your train left? I didn't say Mrs. Galen. It leaves at 10 o'clock so I'll Bit you could day Isn't he the one? You don't phase him a bit mother. They still If you would care to stay and have supper with us you may After that Harold can drive you back to town. I don't wish to intrude since you already have We might as well make the best of it a mother. I'm not going to drive if there's a storm and there's going to be You will do as I say It's been a long time since we've had anyone stayed at dinner. You've been honored mr. Jason What in the world are you doing in a place like this? What do you mean the first thing? I noticed about you was a fear in your eyes You were standing to the path watching this house as though you wanted to run for your life, but couldn't Now I see why that woman isn't normal and Harold And if the other was like him, I don't believe that dick was from the same family. He's worse Much worse. You stay here This whole place has an atmosphere of something evil. You can almost smell it and this house Look at it. Look at the way it stands its windows gaping it. What is it? What's the matter? Look there? There are bars on those windows up there Why is that I? Don't know you don't know What's up there? I don't know no one is ever allowed to go above the second floor Mr.. Chubb lives up there. Hmm the driver said for For for what listen the only reason I'm still here is because it you know I know that sounds impertinent I've only known you since I came up on you an hour or so ago, but I want to help that's very kind of you But there's you like living here. I hate it. You have any affection for that woman. No, no, I why do you stay here? I'm afraid. I know that But of what I can't explain it She's never said anything right out, but I have a feeling that I'm a prisoner here And if I tried to leave something might happen I know that sounds ridiculous, but after you live in a place like this for a while you find that your thoughts are crazy. Yes. Yes, I can imagine I was hoping you'd stay at least for What what is it? What's the matter there in that window the narrow one when the lightning flashed I thought I saw a face It didn't look human The role of mark Jason in the proudly we hail production the house on the hill We'll return in just a moment for the second act You're growing United States Army needs qualified young officers and a brand new regulation says you can apply for OCS Officer candidate school before you enlist you must be at least 19 years old and able to pass the mental and physical exams for army officers A high school diploma is your best qualification You'll be taught many interesting subjects and it'll be a great day when you line up for your commission You'll be proud to be an officer in the United States Army with good pay and allowances for quarters and food This is a great opportunity for young men and you should take advantage of it now If you think you can make the grade get all the details at your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station You are listening to proudly we hail and now with your star Conrad Nagel in the role of mark Jason We present the second act of the house on the hill Oh You and brother dickie way heroes together, huh? Yeah poor dickie Never liked us me or less her mother You know one time Chubb caught him trying to get it They still keep your tongue buttoned up. Oh, Mr. Jason is not interested in our family problems. Oh, you're wrong Mrs. Galen You see I've never met a family quite like yours. They don't say and what respect I thought a great deal of your son Emily it's your dinner. You sit there and pick at your food like a sparrow Mother I'm not driving any carriage in this train and no train Did someone call I heard nothing why I heard someone shout Seen to come from above it was the thunder Mary you may clear the table and tell Felix to get the carriage ready. Mr. Jason will be wanting to leave at once Mother you can't expect Mr. Chubb will drive. He doesn't mind the rain. Miss Maryman Was there something you wanted to tell Mrs. Galen? To tell me what have you got to tell me Emily? I'm leaving Mrs. Galen tonight. I'd like the money you owe me. I haven't been paid since I came here You ungrateful little wretch. How dare you? You're leaving you'd like the money Go to your room at once in the morning you can apologize The little sparrow doesn't like a here either. I'm leaving Mrs. Galen. You can't make me stay You will stay as long as I will have you. I I think not mrs. Galen Miss Maryman has told me that she'd like to go back to her folks. I intend to see that she gets there Conspiracy behind my back. You think you know something and now you want to leave is that it you snooping slut? Is it is it? I don't know what you're talking about Harold Tell mr. Chubb. I would like to see him call to him from the second floor Do as I say Miss Maryman is your bag packed Yes, I think you'd better get it neither of you will leave here in any carriage of mine and you you deceitful trial You're not leaving tonight at all With you Please mr. Jason you'd better leave now before he comes you'll sick him on you like a dog now. Don't be frightened I'll meet you in the hall Go on go on now Emily, Emily you stay right where you are Emily come back here. How dare you calm yourself Calm yourself, Mrs. Galen after mr. Chubb is done with you. You can crawl back to town Mr. Chubb You shall come down here at once Harold why don't knock on the door? Hey Chubb You want him so badly mother you go get him. He's having another one of his spells God listen income poop. Where are you going mr. Jason? To help miss Maryman with her bag I'm afraid we'll have to wait till it lets up a bit Why what is it the servants they've gone I heard them tell Mrs. Galen the next time mr. Chubb had one of his spells they'd leave Oh Does he uh, does he have them all? This is the seconds it's I've been here. It's horrible. Horrible Easy easy now Nobody's going to hurt you Emily, but they took the carriage I saw them saw them from the window and the lightning flashed Well, is there only one lester took the other Where is she now? Well, I left her in the hall about ready to fraud at the mouth Look, I'll tell you what And there's no need for us to get down there and listen to her rave Suppose we stay here in your room until the storm lets up And then we can walk back to town. I suppose I should be shocked at having you in my room at all Somehow I'm not I'd feel even feel safer if you'd lock the door. Yes, that's a good idea Yeah, we'll really give her something to scream about I I can never thank you for what you've done never You know, it won't be much fun walking The rule will be a mess after this. No, I won't mind. I don't care what it's like or how far it is Just so I can feel safe again. Just so I'm not always afraid and I'm never sure what I'm afraid of. No, no, you can start getting over that right now By telling me about yourself about Please don't go out there. No, I've got this poker. I'll be all right No, no, no stay in there. Oh Oh Oh for the love of It is chubb Or what's left of him run run Mrs. Galen Whoever or whatever you've been keeping up there is loose. Oh, no, no that can't be Mr. Chubb, Mr. Chubb Look what's left of Mr. Chubb is on the landing How long do you come back? That smoke I got he set the place on fire We'd have to get out of here. This place is going up like a tinderbox. Look, we get back to the stables now come along Mrs. Galen Mad as he is. I shouldn't think he'd stay in there and burn up. But if he comes I wouldn't let you go back with Mrs. Galen I'll stand here with the door With the light from the fire. I'll see him soon enough I think that he was there all the time. Yes, soon He hardly looks like a man Stop it. Stop it. Get hold of yourself, Emily I know this whole thing has been a horrible nightmare You'll do no good by having hysterics. Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to let myself go. Of course Of course you didn't I don't know how you managed to hold up for so long, but just try to hang on a little longer, huh? This storm will soon be over What are you supposed to happen to Harold? Well, if he maintains the speed he left at he should be in town by now All right Yes, I think so Lord, he's a powerful brute here Here help me up. You can't do anything now. Don't tell me what I can do girl You you wait here, huh? Did you see yes Yes, he carried her back into that house Please tell me what you found out Well, Emily, they couldn't tell much See neither Harold nor Lester were ever aware that there was someone else living in the house Whenever they heard anything they thought it was chubb Well, they they grew up with it. They got used to it. You see dick never did He knew something wasn't right That was one reason he left Although he didn't say too much about it that last night in Cuba. It's incredible I lived there for almost a year and I never knew I knew something was wrong, but that was a feeling and nothing else. I where she found that chub no one will ever know But it was their secret together and they certainly kept it very well Mark Do they know who it was for sure? You know who it was Just as well as I do. Well, was there any proof? We saw the proof Why did she do it? Well Yes, the easiest way out of that is to say that she was mad to begin with I don't know why she did it Maybe she hated him because she couldn't break him or because everyone liked him Well, who knows but her own husband But 25 years She kept her own husband a prisoner in his own house The help of chubb turned him into a raving maniac No, it's horrible. It's tragic But look here You know, I think it's time we talk about other things like emily mariam and then mark jason, huh? well I think that would be nice Why don't you start? all right Although I should say ladies first So once upon a time there was a man named mark jason who was on his way to colorota And on his way there he met a very pretty girl We'll return in just a moment with a word about next week's show The united states army the senior service needs capable young men with ambition who want to continue their education If you fill the bill the army will send you to one of its fine technical schools to study radio Radar meteorology or mechanics You will not only get the finest training in the world But you will have the special pride that goes with wearing the uniform of the united states army the mark of a man You will find there are plenty of chances to get ahead for your army is growing fast and keen young men can grow with it Why not get all the facts about what the army has to offer you Go to your nearest united states army and united states air force recruiting station Have a talk with the recruiting sergeant and learn more about your united states 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 conrad bagel Supporting mr. Nagel in the role of emily merriman was helen christon The house on the hill was written by duet cop. The music was composed and conducted by john guanieri This program was produced under the supervision of charles and rogers productions and directed by charles wilks This is kenneth banghart speaking and here again as your host and star Conrad nagel well friends We hope you join us next week for proudly we hail and come with us to scotland For a light comedy entitled highland fling A program which we're sure you'll enjoy until then Goodbye