 Lux presents Hollywood. The Lux Radio Theatre brings you Bride by Mistake starring Lorraine Day, John Hodyak, and Marcia Hunt. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen, and a happier new year to all of you. I hesitate to go further and wish you a prosperous new year. Because of what happens to a certain lady you're about to meet, her name is Nora Hunter, and she's very prosperous indeed. But far from bringing her happiness, her wealth is the cause of many startling complications in tonight's play. RKO's new comedy hit, Bride by Mistake, which stars as Nora Hunter, the lovely Lorraine Day, who will soon be seen in the Metro-Golden Mayor picture, Keep Your Powder Dry. Also from the original cast of Bride by Mistake is Marcia Hunt, and we're fortunate in having with us John Hodyak, whom you may have seen in MGM's Marriages of Private Affair. Together, they bring us the whirlwind adventures of a woman eager for marriage who finds that wealth is more often a handicap than an advantage. I think you'll agree that how she overcomes that handicap makes one of the screen's most entertaining comedies. Whether or not you believe that money is the root of all evil, it is certainly true that the value of any currency depends on the laws of supply and demand. From all the ports, there seems to be a new kind of currency and use around the world. It isn't paper and it isn't coin. Can you guess what it is? You're right, it's soap, luxe-toilet soap. In France, we are told that a cake of luxe-toilet soap is worth the price of a beefsteak dinner. In North Africa, two cakes purchased a lovely handmade wallet from an Arab merchant. And to make the women in our audience envious, a USO hostess in Paris reports that by producing a cake of luxe-toilet soap in a perfume shop, she came out with a bottle of Chanel No. 5. So it seems that you're not only lovely looking when you travel with luxe-toilet soap, but you're rich as well. Now, do another story of women and riches. We bring you the first act of RKO's Bride by Mistake, starring Lorraine Day as Nora, John Hodiak as Tony, and Marsha Hunt as Sylvia. On an exclusive strip of the California coast stands one of the rest homes and redistribution centers of the Army Air Force. It's even more comfortable than most because it originally housed the glamorous and fabulously wealthy Nora Hunter, heiress to the Hunter shipyard fortune. At the patriotic gesture, Miss Hunter for the duration has moved to another smaller house with only two swimming pools, a house in the secluded part of her estate. While the spacious Hunter mansion is providing rest and recreation to officers returned from active duty, among them is Captain Tony Travis, who is spending his first day in the Solarium in sweet repose. Oh, hey, you. Yes? What have they called you, hostess? Well, they call me Harris. Well, look, Harris, what's the idea of passing me with that tray? Well, I thought you were asleep. I was, but there's something about food that wakes me up. What is it this time? Cream puff. Again? Mm-hmm. How often do you serve those things? Every hour on the hour. I'll say. I'm beginning to look like a cream puff. Don't mind Lieutenant Corey. He's not used to gracious living. I'll try a second one of those. It's your fifth, but who's counting? There you go, Corey. Seriously, does this go on all the time? Yeah. Sometimes they make you get up and play tennis, or go swimming. And on Saturday night, a bunch of girls come over, and you have to dance with them. Gee, that's tough. Yeah. And two weeks ago, someone brought a general around, and we all had to stand up. No, stand up? On your feet? Yeah, but you get used to that kind of inconvenience. Corey, count your answers. Oh, Harris, I wish you'd left me alone. I'm getting sick with health. Oh, Corey, don't you like it here? No. Don't be upset, Harris. I love it here. Just stick around a couple of weeks, Travis, and you'll feel just the way the rest of us do. Me? Never. This is a life for me. You like comfort? I certainly do. Say, Harris, do you think this would be too big a house for me when the war's over? Well, not if you close off 30 or 40 rooms. Well, it's not just a house I'm interested in. You see, when the war's over, I don't expect to ride in anything but my own plane. And I need a nice big front lawn to land it on. Oh. How to get that big front lawn is my post-war problem. It would be to marry the girl that owns this one. Nora, honey? She could give you the biggest front lawn in America. That's right. And put her fleet of P-38s on it if you wanted them. And all the cream puffs you could eat wrapped up in $1,000 bills. That's an idea. I wonder what she looks like. I hear she's plenty easy on the eyes. Ever seen a picture? Picture. Don't you know? Why, she's the girl that's never been photographed. Never been photographed? You mean one of the richest girls in America never gets a picture in the paper? When you're that rich, you don't have to have your picture in the paper. You can pay to keep it out. I wonder what a girl like that does all day. What do you suppose she's doing now, for instance? Right now? Well, let's see. 3.45 p.m. She's launching a ship. Huh? Sure. As owner of the Hunter Shipyard, she breaks a hundred bottles of champagne a year on boats. How do you know that's what she's doing? Well, here. Read all about it. Nora Hunter launches hundred vessel at the Hunter Shipyard. Think of it. She's smashing a bottle of Piper Heitzic on the prow of a destroyer while we're sitting here in thirst. Well, I'm saying solitary billiard. She's smashing a bottle of Piper Heitzic on the prow of a destroyer. Now, now, Nora, there's no use getting all worked up. But Jonathan, I'm tired of being cooped up. This constant protection while somebody else impersonates me in public. We have to take precautions, Nora. I am your guardian, and I'd never forgive myself if anything should happen. So while Nora Hunter's secretary launches ships and talks to Admiral, the real Nora Hunter stays at home and chalks up billiard, too. Well, well, there's a big responsibility. Maybe I've been too cautious, but I don't think so. You've been a wonderful guardian, darling. It's just that, oh, I guess I envy Sylvia, leading my life, having all the fun and excitement, even getting married. You'll have a husband soon yourself. And after you marry Donald, you can lead a lot more normal life. Jonathan, do you realize I haven't seen him in eight weeks? Well, he's been in camp. Wait a minute. Here comes Sylvia and Philip. Hi. How did the launching go? Wonderful, darling. That's the part of your life I like. How did she act, Sylvia? Oh, she was fine. It's so impressive to watch your wife knock a ship into the water with a bottle of champagne. And the secretary of the Navy hopes that I'll be happily married. He means you, of course, Nora. Well, it's nice to know that I have federal approval. Oh, has Donald shown you? Nope. A little late, isn't he? I guess so. Watch this. A five cushion shot. Hmm. Hasn't seen you in eight weeks, and he's late. You ought to do something about that. What? Well, you might put on a different dress for one thing. If I hadn't seen my fiance in eight weeks, I'd want her to be wearing something slinky with curves. That's the wrong, perhaps. Nora, while we're on the subject of marriage, yes, I'd like to give my notice. Sylvia, you notice? I want to go back to Washington, Miss Phillips. Oh, of course you do, dear, but, well, I don't know what to say. I was afraid of this, ever since you got married. When do you want to leave, darling? Phil has to be back in ten days. Oh, as soon as that? I'm going to miss you. But, darling, you're going to be married. You don't even want anyone else around. Oh, you'll see. You won't. Look, can't you wait until I'm married, just until the wedding? Please, Phillip. But, darling, you're so indefinite about the date. And I'm so indefinite about wanting my wife with me. All right. I'll get married right away. You fix everything, Jonathan. Fix everything? Fix what, young lady? This isn't a shipwell launching. You're all married. Oh, sure, sure. I know I have to be there myself, but you take care of all the details, won't you, darling? You'll see, Sylvia, I'll be married in no time. But Donald has something to say about this, and he's not even here yet. Come in. Donald! Oh, darling, I didn't think you'd knock. I thought you'd break the door down. Hello, Donald. Hello, Sylvia. Phillip. How are you? Fine. Aren't you going to kiss the bride? How are you, honey? Oh, I get it. This is no time for an audience. Come on, Phil. Don't think we aren't glad to see you, Donald. But an engaged couple has a right to privacy. We'll see you later. Well, Nora, here we are, just where we said goodbye eight weeks ago. Back in the billiard room. Mm-hmm. And you were losing 21 to 16. Whose turn was it? Yours. Shoot. Oh, terrible. I can't help it. There's something about this place. I'm a champ at the officer's club. Don, I was thinking. Yeah? This idea about being a dune bride, it's a little old-fashioned. Mm-hmm. How about another month? You mean later? I mean earlier. It suits me fine. What made you say later? Nothing. I just thought you meant later. Well, I want Sylvia to be at the wedding, but she's going back to Washington soon with Phillip. Oh, sure. Of course. Connors doesn't have to go someplace, too, does he? Jonathan? No. Is it bothering you having all these people around, Donald? Oh, I'm sorry. I suppose I'll get used to it. Donald? Yeah? I'm going to try a long shot. It's a pretty long shot, but I'll try it. I think that you came here to say that you don't want to marry me, and you lost your nose. Nice shot. You're right. I'm sorry, Nora. Never mind. It's better now than we know later. What happened, Donald? I'm in love with someone else. Who? No one you know. Do you mind if I ask you one more question? No. Why did you fall out of love with me? Do you want it straight? Mm-hmm. Straight. Well, marrying you, Nora, well, it would be like marrying a corporation. I'm sure Connors would expect us to produce dividends instead of babies. I'm sorry, Nora. What it really comes down to is this. I just can't live with so much money. It's like living in a goldfish bowl. I see. Well, I guess I'll have to find some poor fish who can. I'm afraid so. It'll either be a guy who loves you so much he can take it, or someone who loves your money so much he doesn't care. I'm either one of those guys. I ever know which it is. I don't know. I don't know how you'll ever know. Well... Well, what do you say we finish the game some other time, huh? Sure. Goodbye, Nora. Oh, we've known each other long enough to stand a goodbye kiss? Sure. You're a swell girl, Nora. Goodbye. Good luck. Goodbye. I hope you'll both be very happy. What was that? That was the eight ball in the corner window. Don Sylvia's diamonds prompt an extreme last picture. And there's going Philip little slam that gives you rubber. I'm sorry, Jonathan. I'm not playing very well tonight. Nonsense. Nora, we had the cards. What do you say to turning on the radio and dancing? Good. I have a dance with Nora. No, really, I think I'll go upstairs now. But it's only nine. I know, but I've got a headache. Nora, darling, don't worry about me. Good night, everybody. Jonathan, we've got to do something for her. Yeah, I know we do, but what? We've got to take her mind off Donald. Find another man and click. That's fine, but how? Hey, there are more than a hundred men right now at the other house. All officers. Suddenly, some of them could amuse her, take her out and make it forget. Well, what do I do? Go out and laugh someone? It's simple. We'll give a party. For all the officers at the other house. How do you know they'll come? Their commanding officer will see to that. It might work, Sylvia. But the mood that Nora's in, I doubt if she'd agree to it. Well, we'll keep it a secret till the time comes. Then it'll be too late to object. Okay, I'll call a colonel and arrange it. Hello, Miss Nora Hutter, kind of sense to step down from her pedestal and entertain the air force. Well, how do I look, Travis? Ravishing Lieutenant Corey? Don't accept it the first time she proposes. Make her ask you twice. Say, you don't think I'm being unfaithful, do you? Unfaithful? Well, Janey's coming tomorrow. Do you think she'd mind my going to another girl's party the day before we get married? She won't mind the day before. What she'll mind is the day after. Besides, did you ever go to a strictly social tea, me? I never even drank this cup. And let me tell you what it's going to be like. You walk in and there she is, radiantly lovely and something shiny and white. She looks just like an iceberg. In fact, she is an iceberg. She says charm, and you say charm. She shoves a cup of tea in your right hand, the butler shoves a piece of cake in your left, the footman shoves a chair under you, and you're down. A beautiful crash landing. This time everybody's deliriously happy and the joint is jumping. No, Corey, none of that for me. I'll stay here and relax. Captain Travis, your taxi's waiting. Uh-oh. Come right in. What did you say? Travis, your taxi's waiting. Uh, taxi for me? Yes, the one you ordered to take you to Miss Hunter. Oh, no. He's going to stay here and relax. Oh, oh, oh, taxi! Uh, I ordered that for you, Corey. The estate's two miles long by a half mile wide, and knowing your love of comfort, I took the precaution of ordering your taxi. Oh, yeah? We'll be right there, Travis. You've got to come downstairs. The men are beginning to arrive. It's no news, Sylvia. You're sweet, and I know you did it for my sake, but I can't go through with it. But they're the guests, and you're the hostess. Nora Hunter is the hostess, and they don't know Nora Hunter from Adam. I mean, Eve. Darling, you've taken my place so often, you can do it again. What is it, Nora? Are you frightened to go down there? Are you letting that break with Donald get you down so that you're scared to meet men? Scared to give yourself a chance to fall in love again? Love? That's what I said. That's what I thought. And it's easy for you to talk about it, Sylvia. You've got it. But you can have it, too. No, Nora. I'd never even know if someone loved me. Donald showed me that. All right. Let's rule out love. Let's call it entertainment. A man to talk to to take you out. No, thanks. In the mood I'm in, I'd ruin everybody's fun. You go ahead. Nora, you say it's your money that's always stood between you and the menu of light. If I go down and take your place at the party, will you do the same for me? How do you mean the same for you? I'll be Nora Hunter as I've been so many times before. If you'll be my secretary, Sylvia Lockwood. But darling, it's not. Why not? You've said that you don't want to meet men as yourself as Nora Hunter. You don't want them looking at you as a curiosity or an investment. You want to be like any other girl. And I don't blame you. Well, here's your chance. But that's a pretty shabby trick. Why is it? 5,000 people saw Nora Hunter launch a ship the other day. And where was Nora Hunter? Here at home. But this is different. This is in my own home. How is it different? All we have to do is warn the servants. Wait a minute. How will Philip feel about this? You're his wife. And if some of those officers get attended to you... We'll be off to Washington in 10 days. Phil won't mind. Come on, Nora. You've always wanted to know how men would act toward you if you didn't have the hundred million. But supposing they don't look at me. You aren't scared to find out, are you? No. All right, it's a deal. Go on down, tell Jonathan and Philip and the servants, and present yourself as Nora Hunter. You'll be down now. Promise? I'll be down. Nora. Good luck, Sylvia. In a few minutes, Mr. DeMille and our stars will be back with Act 2 of Bride by Mistake. Why, hello. It's Sally. Looking very thoughtful, too. What's on your mind, Sally? It's New Year's, Mr. Kennedy, and resolutions. Now that the New Year is really underway, isn't this my golden opportunity? Opportunity for what, Sally? Well, now is the time most every girl decides she's going to take better care of her looks and really do something about regular beauty care. So I want to remind those girls... Of a certain beauty soap, Sally? Of course. But just what is the best way to tell girls everywhere that daily act of latter facials looks like a charm, that they really make skin lovelier, but they're so easy and quick, any girl who hasn't tried them ought to start right away. My, my, Sally. Don't let your enthusiasm run away with you. Let's take it point by point. You know, the what, why, and how of Hollywood beauty care. You mentioned active latter facials. Active latter facials with what? Why, Mr. Kennedy, with the soap that has active latter. Let's turn this up, of course. The soap 9 out of 10 screen stars you. And, Sally, you said these facials work like a charm. Really makes skin lovelier. Naturally, women want to know why. Mr. Kennedy, everyone who's compared the latter of luck's toilet soap with that of other soap knows how extra rich and creamy it is. That wonderful active latter does a thorough job. Leaves the skin feeling so soft and smooth. Right, Sally. And now you ought to tell just how the Hollywood stars take their luck soap facials. You just cover your face generously with the creamy latter and work it in thoroughly. Rinse with warm water, splash with cold. Pat your face gently dry with a soft towel. That's all. Easy, Mr. Kennedy, as I said before. And this beauty care really works, as you also said, Sally. In recent tests of luck's toilet soap facials, actually three out of four complexions improved in a short time. When lovely screen stars plus their precious complexions to this gentle care, you know how good it must be. And now, Sally, let's suggest to our listeners everywhere what a fine resolution it is to get some luck's toilet soap tomorrow. Use it regularly. See how lovely. How appealing your skin can really be. And now, Mr. Deville returns to the microphone. Act two of Bride by Mistake, starring Lorraine Day as Nora, John Hodiak as Tony, and Marsha Hunt as Sylvia. It's key time at the residence of Nora Hunter. And the score of army officers are crowded about their hostess in adoring admiration. Only the object of that admiration is not the real Nora Hunter. Nora and her secretaries Sylvia have changed places so that Nora can mingle with the guest to see if men like her for herself and not for her millions. So far, however, the experiment has been a dismal failure. Nora stands neglected on the sideline while Sylvia posing as Miss Hunter is the center of attraction. You flyers seem to have a language all your own. Girl hardly knows what to say to you. Well, Miss Hunter, the nicest thing a girl can say to a boy is, Roger Wilcox. Roger Wilcox? What does that mean? That means yes. Look at them. Morning over my wife. Yes, Sylvia certainly a great success of Nora. Then I thought the idea of this party was to find a man for me. Excuse me. Yes. That tomato sitting on the couch with all the officers around her. I suppose that's Nora Hunter. That's no tomato. That's my wife. Yes, that's Nora Hunter. How do you ever get her along? I don't and it's driving me crazy. I can see it. Why? Just a minute, Lieutenant Wilcox. Lieutenant Wilcox. If your wife's in town, we wish you'd join us. Why? I'm not married. Well, isn't that nice? I'd like you to meet someone. Oh, Miss Lockwood. May I present Lieutenant Wilcox? This is Miss Sylvia Lockwood. How do you do, Lieutenant Wilcox? How do you do? Miss Lockwood is Miss Hunter's closest friend. Oh. Oh, Phillip, have you seen the garden? Seen it? I expect to be very good. Have you known Miss Hunter long, Miss Lockwood? All her life. Hi. You see, her mother and my father were very good friends. Nora Hunter, huh? How do you like California? I think it's beautiful. I love the warm days and the cool nights, and I don't even think you know what I'm talking about. That's what I always say, especially when it comes to blondes. I wonder what she does with herself most of the time. In fact, I'm going to leave you, the whole bunch of you, and retire to a quiet little game of fiddle. Yes, isn't it the truth, though? I wonder if she likes it. Boy, my God. Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know anyone was here. Hey, sounds like you're catching cold. Well, I've just been exposed to a rather chilly experience. You play video? 25 points? Sure, $2 a point. Are you a general or something that you can afford to play for that? I'm not planning to lose. Oh, all right. You know what we're doing? There is one of this side of the table shifts first. And I use this funny old stick to hit the ball. Yes. $15, $20, $25, $26. Do you do this for a living? I'll play you another, double or nothing. No, thank you. You can put that funny old stick down. I'm not crazy. Well, how about a walk? I'd love to feel you the ground. Fine, but we'll have to sneak out. Why? Nor a hundred. Nor a hundred? We were warned by the CO. No unseemly conduct, no wild times, no doing anything unless she starts it. I ought to tell you, I'm Miss Hunter's secretary. Oh, I'm sorry, I would have to shoot my mouth out. Oh, no, no, that's all right. You're absolutely right. She is pretty sticky. I wouldn't say that. Well, do you know her? No. Well, I do, and I'm tired of it. I'm going to ask for a raise, and if I don't get it, I quit. We're going for that walk, and we're not going to sneak out. It was me. Oh, hello. Oh, hello, Nora. We were going for a walk. Nora, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine. What's your name? Anthony Travis. Anthony Travis. Anthony Travis. Nora, may I present Captain Travis, Miss Nora Hunter. How do you do, Captain Travis? He's been dying to meet you. He's heard you're so much fun. Glad to know you, Miss Hunter. Good. Sylvia, you've passed on. Oh, no, it's nothing. Oh, you'd better get a sweater if you're going walking. Do I need one? I think it'd be a good idea. I'll keep Captain Travis company while you get one. All right, I'll only be a minute. Where did he go, the Captain? I mean, the Captain and my wife. Look, down the lawn. He's going off with him. He's going off with her. He's worse than a rest up. Just grab her. Men, they ought to be deported, the whole lot of them. And I thought it was so nice. Yeah, good-looking, too. What if Sylvia goes for him? Oh, I don't think Sylvia likes good-looking men. No, maybe she does. Huh? Well, maybe she does, and maybe she doesn't. Now, look, let's call this masquerade off now. Let Sylvia go back to being what she is. My wife. It's too late. Everybody here would feel offended. Suppose that Captain makes a pass at her. Pass? Once they cross the lawn and reach that willow grove, she'll probably be fighting for a life. What can we do to stop them? I've got an idea. Turn on that lawn sprinkling system over there. This lawn is going to get the wettest watering it's ever had. Yeah, but wait a minute. That's my wife. If that's all right, turn it on and hurry. Sometimes you've got to sink the ship to drown the rest. Okay, here goes. Ah! The other one says they are. Oh, sorry. Here goes the other. Turn that thing off. Turn it around after the party's over. You better stay by this fire. You certainly got a selfie. So did you. That serves you right. Why didn't you look what you were doing? It serves you right. Next time, Captain Favis, don't break dates. I'm sorry. I guess I owe you an apology. Oh, it's all right. I understand. She swept you off your feet. Straight on. Two army men took out a third and carried you off. Where's she now, by the way? Upstairs. Getting dehydrated. Is she all right? Just a little mildewed. You seem quite concerned about her. Well, I feel sort of responsible. Oh, worried about Phillip too. Phillip? No, no. By the way, what's his interest in Nora? Nora? Well, Miss Conner, he seems to be awfully anxious about her. Watches her like a house detective. Oh, he's just a... An old friend of the family. Hey, that's getting worse. Maybe we ought to have a drink. A medicinally, of course. I know just the thing that you're a cold. How do I go about getting served? That dictograph arrangement there. Push down the button that says P for Pantry. D for Den, calling P for Pantry. D for Den, calling P for Pantry. Yes, sir. Have you any claret? Yes, sir. Juice of six lemon. Juice of six lemon. Cinnamon stick. Cinnamon stick. That is all. Roger. Huh? You must have spiked that apparatus off a farmer. Now, the only other thing we need is a hot poker. Well, this'll do. I'll heat it in the fire. If you don't mind, I think I'll just take some action. Well, if all you want to do is cure your cold, go ahead. I have something special in mind. Incidentally, you don't really think Miss Conner's angry, do you? What do you care if she is? Well, I'm a guest of hers, and I feel guilty. Although I don't know why I should. I still don't understand what you were doing watering the lawn. Well, uh, uh, you know how hard it is to get help these days. Quite a job. You've got secretary, companion, gardener. You're overworked. I told you she's a stinger. Come in. Excuse me, Miss, from the pantry. Oh, I'll put it right here. That'll be fine. Thank you, Robert. Thank you. Now, uh, watch me carefully. First the lemon. Now the cinnamon sticks. Now the clad. One quick measure, sir. Now the hot poker. We plunged the poker into the pitcher, and you have a preview of paradise. You have to drink the first one right down. The first one? Before I put my life in your hands, where did you get this recipe? My Uncle Joe. Well, here's to Uncle Joe. You mean you're dead, Uncle Joe. As a matter of fact, you're right. You know what his last words were? Nope. Pour me another glass. Now this one is to you. Well, that's very sweet of you. To me, the second one seems to go down easier. Oh, bless you. You'd better have another. This one we drank to you. You know, you're a very nice boy. To me. That wasn't just an idle compliment. You're intelligent, good-looking, and you play a pretty good game of brilliant. By the way, you aren't married, are you? No. You see, I was right. You're really a very nice boy. I may get married someday. When the war's over, it'll be nice to have your own girl. Someone to talk to like we're doing. Someone to rumble with. Somebody who doesn't mind a good scrap once in a while. Sounds like a beautiful life. Now, if that girl should turn out to be somebody rich like Miss Nora Hunter, you think I'd be upset? No. I should say not. What sort of a heel would I be not to marry the girl I love just because she happens to have a couple of million dollars? But I'd have to love her. Love a couple of million dollars that hard? No, no, I'm not talking about her money. I'd have to love her. Love her, understand? No. All right, I'll show you. Turn your cheek. Now, I don't want a lifetime of this. No. Now, as you were, what I want is a lifetime. Oh. See what I mean? I most certainly do, Tony. What, Sonya? I'm going to see a lot of you. You certainly are, baby. I'm going to invite you over all the time. Maybe you and Nora Hunter can get together. Me and Miss Hunter? Don't be ridiculous. Tony, you're not only good looking and intelligent and a pretty good bit of your player, you're also a hypocrite. How? Well, didn't you say if it was honest to goodness, up and down your spine, love, you'd marry her even if she was the richest girl in the world? Absolutely. What kind of a deal? You know I know, then don't back down now. Are we going to have another medicinal drink? Sure, you want to cure your cold, don't you? Tony, I'm drinking to your marrying Nora Hunter. Your cold is gone, and so is your mind, baby. Hello. Hello, Washington. Yes, of course, I'm waiting. Washington, Washington, D.C., quiet. Jonathan, stop shouting. Do you want Nora to hear that? Hello. Hello, Army personnel. Jonathan Connor is calling. I want to speak with General H. Pinkerton Fitzgerald. This will take an hour. Hello, Pinky. How are you? Fine, fine. You got your sister handy? I want you to cut some red tape for me. Find out all you can about Captain Anthony Travis, Army Air Corps. Thanks, I'll hold on. I don't care what General Pinky says, I think this guy's the one for Nora. Well, I hope so, too, but we've said that before, that golf player and then Donald... I've never said it before. All those others were ones you wanted. This is one she wants. But how do you know he isn't attracted just by her money? That's exactly why Nora and I have made a plan. What plan? You won't be angry, so... Well, how do I know? Tell me what the plan is first. Well, Nora, posing of course as me, her secretary, has promised Tony that she'd get him married to me. What? Do you know that wolf? Yes, she wants to test him completely. Oh, that's great. Let him think I'm Nora Hunter. Let him go with me. Let him fall in love with me if he can. And if he does, then he isn't the one for Nora either. That won't work. She'll break her heart, because the boy is bound to fall in love with you. No, he is, Izzy. And what am I supposed to do while my wife is being pawned by some other guy? Write my memoirs? You're supposed to try to understand, to try and help Nora. Understand. Yes, Pinky, go ahead. Six foot one, one hundred and eighty pounds. Well, never mind that. I know what he looks like. Enlisted January 1st, 1942. Fifty missions, nine fighters, two bombers, furloughed by command. What's going on? Who's Jonathan talking to? Nora, Jonathan's talking to Washington. About what? Philip. About Tony. I won't have it. Jonathan, who do you think you are asking those questions? The army took him, didn't they? What about his record before he joined the army? This is perfectly ridiculous. Oh, it's not as ridiculous as you think, young lady. Do you know that he was arrested once? So what? So what? Me? Might be serious. Pinky, what was he arrested for? Champagne, zoo, penguins, roller coaster, police, New Year's... Oh. Thanks, Pinky. Goodbye. Jonathan, that's an outrageous thing to do. Darling, it's a big war, and all kinds of people get mixed up in it. But to ask the army if one of their fliers, one of their best fliers is good enough for me. I'm sorry, but I just have a blind spot when it comes to you. When an old bachelor has to take care of a girl from the time she's that big, I guess he gets to be an old fool. Oh, Jonathan, how am I going to argue with you? Don't. Tell him who you are and marry him. Fine. Oh, only there's just a small matter of his falling in love with me. Or have you taken care of that, too? No, that's your job, darling. You love him more. I think so. Then please tell him who you are. I can't tell him. I have to know if he'd care for me without my money. I think she's right. I think that Jonathan's right. Oh, but don't you see, Phillip, if he falls in love with me as Sylvia, I'll always be sure. Pardon me. There's a Captain Travis on the phone for Miss Sylvia. Thanks. No, no, no. That's for me. I'll take it on this extension of it. Hello, Tony. Sylvia, how are you? How's the cold? Fine. Not even a sniffle this morning. Good. Can you get away this afternoon? I think it can be arranged. Fine. Why don't you come over here to the main hunter castle? We're having a wedding. A wedding? Yes. One of the boys named Corey. His girls just got in. They're getting married. I'd love it. Wonderful. 2 p.m. I'll send a patch for you. Oh, Tony, shall I bring Nora Hunter? Nora Hunter? Sylvia thinks she'd come. That'll be wonderful. Yes. Well, leave it to me. I'll fix everything. Bye-bye. Nora Hunter. He was so excited when I mentioned the name, you'd think I was bringing Cleo Patrick. Don't you see, Phillip? We simply have to go through with this plan. Yes, Bob. I know it's hard on all of you, but I've got to know where I stand with him, as me, a person, not as Nora Hunter. I've just got to know. We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. In a few minutes, Mr. DeMille and our stars will be back with act three of Bride by Mistake. And now, here's a young lady making the first entry in her 1945 diary. Happy, happy New Year's Day. Oh, last night was wonderful. Jim and I dance almost every dance, and it's 12 o'clock. Goodbye, 1944. Ah, happy New Year, Jenny. And to you, Jim. It's finally a good year for me, Jenny. Now I've met you. Gosh, you're pretty. You're adorable. Well, Diary, I'm going to see him next time he's home on leave. And we'll write every day. And here's something else. It's every day in the New Year for my luck-so-beauty facials. They've done wonders for my complexion. Like Jim says, it's smooth as peaches. Pretty girls, adorable girls. Girls with lovely luck's complexions. Girls everywhere who depend on the Screen Stars' beauty facials find they do work wonders for the skin. Recent tests proved it. Three out of four complexions improved in a short time with this gentle daily care. So it's a good sound New Year's resolution for any girl to make. Regular, active-lather facials with luck's toilet soap. Don't miss out on the loveliness that should be yours. Try this fine white soap that's Hollywood's complexion care. Let luck's toilet soap facials with their creamy caressing lather care for your precious complexion. And now, Mr. DeMille returns to the microphone. After the play, we'll have something very special for you in the way of a surprise. So be sure to join us at curtain call time. Now here's Act 3 of Bride by Mistake. Darring Lorraine Day as Nora, John Haudiac as Tony, and Marsha Hunt as Sylvia. At the rest home for army fliers on the Hunter estate, a soldier takes a bride. And now the ceremony's over, and the reception is in progress. Among the guests are Nora Hunter and Sylvia. But Nora is still posing as her own secretary. And Sylvia still impersonates the heiress in the scheme to find out whether Captain Travis is in love with Nora or her fortune. Right now, she's in his arms, a cheek against his shoulder. But it isn't love, it's just a waltz. Kind of quiet, aren't you? I was thinking. What about? Oh, nothing much. The wedding ceremonies, how happy they both look, darting out for what will be their first home together, even if it is only for two weeks. Bonnie, I was thinking the same thing. Remember my saying that I might get married someday? Yes. I have a feeling that there may not be quite as far off as I thought. What makes you think so? The army's planning to turn a lot of us into flight instructors. Keep us here at home. And if that happens, I want someone around to console me. Tony, you know you've made quite an impression on Miss Hunter. On Nora? Don't be silly. She hardly looks at me. Oh, just the same. She likes you. How do you know? She told me. No kidding. Yes. In fact, she said you were the kind of a man a lot of girls would go for. Gosh, I never thought with all her money. What? Oh, nothing. What else you say? Just a little thing. Enough to make me feel a little... Well, if ever you went after her in earnest, you might get somewhere. Still on the same campaign, huh? Look, why are you so anxious to farm me off on Nora? Well, I'd say she was a pretty good catch. How do you know I like her? Well, you do, don't you? Well, yes. But when it comes to marriage, that takes LUV love. You've got to make up your mind sometime. Oh, did you know that you're invited to the beach house with us? Nora asked me to tell you. We're all going down this weekend. Will you come? Sure. Wonderful. It settles in. It'll be heavenly at the beach. All afternoon, they've been together, sunbathing, swimming, sailing. And remember, that's my wife, he's squirrelly. We agreed to give him every chance to fall in love with us. But I'm beginning to wonder if he is the man for you. Maybe this is all a mistake. Why? Well, every time you leave him alone, he moves in on some gear. Oh, he doesn't move in on her. She moves in on him, according to agreement. But what girl in her right mind would test a man's feelings for her by throwing another girl at him? All right, if you're so smart, tell me why he enjoys her company so much. Well, he's a young man in uniform. She's a pretty girl. If he didn't enjoy her company, I'd send for a doctor. Then what do you want me to do? Get him alone sometime tonight. Soft music. Nice out here on the balcony, isn't it? With the moonlight? Beautiful flying weather, night like this. You miss flying? Yeah. Up in the air, I'm clear-headed. I know what I'm doing and why. I know where I'm going. Down here, I'm sort of... Up in the air, you might say. I don't know anything. I know how you feel. Tony, they say that if you tell someone else your troubles, it helps straighten the mouth. All right, go ahead. I'm listening. You're listening? Yeah. Well... Well, Tony, there's a war going on and that changes a lot of things. You don't know anyone who has a long engagement anymore, do you? As a matter of fact, I don't know anybody who gets engaged. That's right. They just fall in love and get married. That's all there's time for. If you love someone, you ought to walk right up to him and say, my name is Mary Smith and I love you. Well, I ought to say, my name is Anthony Travis and I love you. Yes. But to say that to Nora Hunter doesn't seem right. It doesn't? No, it scares the pants off me. Now, if it were you, I'd say, Sylvia, I love you. That feels right. It feels natural. Does it? Yes. I feel right too. When I'm with her, I feel as if I were two men. One guy was pushing the other, saying, go ahead, it's good for you. Wouldn't it be good for you? Good. Why, sure, it would be great. It would be wonderful, but... But what? How do I know she'd have me? Well, there's only one way to find out. Proposed to her, tonight. Tonight? So soon it seems almost... Oh, excuse me. I didn't mean to interrupt. You weren't interrupting. I was just about to go and dress for dinner. You'd better, dear. It's half past seven. I'll look after Tony. Thanks. See you all for cocktails. And Tony, tonight. Jonathan, careful with those pins. Oh, why don't you get a dress that doesn't... Ouch! Jonathan, I think you're sticking me on purpose. Yeah, I should. From what you've told me, you certainly messed up that balcony episode. Now what do you plan to do? Well, I thought that after dinner tonight, the rest of us could play bridge. Leave them together in the study. That'll give him a chance to propose and she'll turn him down. And it'll be over. You won't want it. Not if he proposes to her, but... But what? Perhaps he won't propose to her. Why shouldn't he? She's rich. At least he thinks she is. And she's pretty. And on top of all that, you've been making him alone. But if he loves somebody else, he won't propose to her. And you think he loves you? I don't know. That's what I've got to find out. Don't forget, after dinner we play bridge and leave them in the study. Stop shuffling those cards. It's your deal. Can't Samuel isn't here yet. What's he doing? In the kitchen, getting something Tony ordered. Well, Samuel's supposed to be the handyman around here. At least he can do is play a hand of bridge. What are we playing for, a tent? Well, what do you say, Phillip? What? A tent of a scent? No, no, I'm not going to play for money, not the way my mind is wandering. I'm not going to play for money, not the way my mind is wandering. Now, listen to her. How would you feel if your wife were closeted with another man who had designs on marriage? What are they doing? I can't see from here. That's what's driving me crazy. I'm going to peek. Well? They're sitting in front of the fire. I built that fire myself because Sylvia felt a cold coming on. A cold? For a nickel I'd go in there and put it out right in his face. She sneezed. Sneezed, huh? So what? She sneezed. When's this bridge game going to start? Where's Samuel? He's reading Jonathan. Here he is now. Oh, it's about time, Samuel. And what in heaven's name have you got there? Claret, cinnamon stick. And the juice of six lemons. Excuse me. Come in. What do you want that for? He's going to introduce Sylvia to Uncle Joe. Uncle Joe? Where'd he come from? Oh, Skippet. Samuel, leave the door open. Leave it open. Same to me like Samson. Funny's going on here. Never mind, deal, Samuel. Why, you're bolder. He closed the door. What do you expect? Whose deal is it? Mine. Oh, I think it should be my deal. For heaven's sake, Samuel. Don't be so absent-minded. Deal him, Nora. What's that? Sounded like steam. A hissing noise. They call that a preview of paradise. Preview of paradise? I don't get it. Nora, there's still time to stop this nonsense. Jonathan, if I told him now he'd be so humiliated he'd never speak to me again. Did you say something, Samuel? I was about to bid. Three clubs. It's not your bid. It's Jonathan's. You dealt. Huh? One club. One club. I just said one club. Oh, did you? I'm sorry. Two clubs. Phillip? Two clubs. I just said two clubs. Oh, oh, did you? Pardon me. Um, three clubs. Samuel, don't be so nervous. Go ahead and bid. Pardon me. Would you mind reviewing the bidding? Oh, all right. Pass. Pass. Pass. Go ahead, Samuel. For heaven's sake, say something. Ah. Second rubber, we 1,100-0. Nora, please go in there. He's not going to ask her, Jonathan. I know he's not going to ask her. You've been in there an hour and 15 minutes not asking her. Is that what you're going to make yourself believe? Well, if you're not going in there, I am. I can't stand it any longer. Hey, you all, what do you think's happened? What? Congratulate me, everybody. Sylvia, Jonathan, I proposed and I've been accepted. You've what? That's right. I don't wonder you're surprised. I've been accepted. Uh, congratulations. Thanks. Didn't think I had a chance in a million. How about drinking a toast to the bride and bride group, folks? Uh, I'm sorry, Tony. I'm afraid I'm awfully tired. You'll have to excuse me. Well, what's the matter with Sylvia? She isn't feeling very well. Oh, too bad. Well, you'll both join me in a drink, won't you? Well, it's a little late for me. I think I'll turn in. Uh, good night. Uh, Phillip, I, uh, I suppose this has been kind of a surprise to you. There's no one I'd rather have lost or two than you old man. Good night. Everybody, isn't anybody going to say congratulations? They all got tired all of a sudden. Oh, too bad. Just when I've learned I'm going to be a bride. The chair bumped into me. You look a little tired yourself, young lady. I'd better see that you get to bed upstairs with you. You know, I still can't believe it. Neither can I. I proposed and you accepted. I did, didn't I? Yep. Boy, we're going to have a lot of fun. Uh, who was that relative of yours? Oh, Uncle Joe? Uh, I like him. Oh, here we are. Good night, Tony. Good night, darling. Sleep tight. Oh, hi there, Samuel. I thought you'd gone to bed, too. I just came in to tidy up a bit. Well, how's for joining me to drink? Thanks. I need one. Good. I didn't know you were drinking, man. I wasn't until tonight. Oh, not feeling well? There's something funny going on around here. There. How's for drinking to my marriage to Miss Nora? Huh? What's that? Looks like Mr. Phillip. Where's he going? Search me. Well, that's Nora's room. Hey, he's kissing her good night. Taking his time about it, too. Something funny is going on around here. Honestly, Nora, I didn't mean to say yes, but that recipe of his. Oh, my head's been aching ever since five o'clock this morning. Is that Uncle Joe's special? I don't remember which relative, but he certainly had a happy life. Nora, give him a day or two, and if he's half the man that Pinky said he was, he'll back out. I'm sure he will, Nora. He never once said he loves me. No. So far as I'm concerned, it's all over. He shouldn't have proposed to you. We're going back to the house right after breakfast. You'll have to keep pretending to be me until then, and then he can find out. Come in. Good morning. I'm glad you're all together. I want you to hear this. Look, Nora, we aren't getting married. We're not. Why? What happened? Your house guests, they walk in their sleep, and one of them happened to walk up to your door last night. I saw him kiss you, and it wasn't a congratulations kiss, either. Wait. That's no reason to break your engagement. I'm very funny. I always break my engagements for that reason. I'll call you at the house, Sylvia. So, I don't make a habit of telling people, but Nora and I changed rooms last night, and if you saw anybody being kissed, it was us. And now you might apologize to your fiance. Oh, I'm sorry. Nora, I haven't even pity for you. I tried to understand when you wanted him to choose you in preference to whom he thought was Nora Hunter, but to give him another obstacle to overcome. I had to do it. I had to. In Heaven's name, why? Kids still come to me as second choice. Well, you needn't feel it now. Jonathan. Nora, darling, I understand your feelings, but we still have to go through breakfast with him. Come on, let's go down and get it over with. Morning, Samuel. Samuel? Good morning. I got cereal, pancakes, eggs, bacon. Just coffee. Black. The same. By the way, Tony, we're leaving after breakfast. Thanks. Oh, a life on the ocean wave, a home on the rolling sea. That's the life for me. Good morning. Good morning, everybody. And how are the lovely young ladies this morning? Did you rest well, Sylvia? Yes, I did, Philip. Thanks. And now, you don't mind, Tony, if I kiss your fiancee good morning. You're not married yet, you know. Oh, boy, have I an appetite. What a day. Great. Glorious. Oh, there you are, Samuel. I'll have eggs, bacon, pancakes, more eggs. Oh, I feel so good. I don't know if I can sit still to eat it. Oh, a life on the ocean wave, a home on the rolling sea. Just a minute, sailor. You're going to hit the deck. You, Sylvia, get your coat. You're getting out of here. I don't know why I think you're worth saving any more than the rest of these people, but I do. Now, get out of this house. I will not. Don't argue with me. There's no telling who I might hit next. If you want a shred of decency, I'll find it if I have to beat it into you. Now, get up. Get out of that chair. Don't you talk to me like that. Don't you touch me. Let go of me. Put me down. Jonathan, stop him. Somebody save me. Samuel, let them alone. I thought something funny was going on around here. Six lemons, cinnamon sticks, and cladding. All here. Now, the poker and the fire. Tony. And what is it selling, darling? Do you really love me? No, no. I just married you because I thought you'd be a good influence on our children. No, no. This is serious. Do you really love me? More than you know. Mmm. Smells good. And you remember saying that you'd be a heel not to marry the girl you love just because she happens to have a couple of million dollars? Sure, sure. That was why I was introducing you to Uncle Joe. And you still mean it? Sure, I mean it. But you can't push me off on Nora now. I've got you. Just the same. You'd better take a good look at our marriage license. Well, you're not going to tell me now that it's not legal. Oh, it's legal, all right. Just read it. What's the matter with you? It looks beautiful to me. It's the most beautiful... Tony, darling. Say something. Nora Hunter. So that's who you are. It was a trick. I had to do it, Tony. Really? Where's that poker? Tony, you're not angry. You're not going to... Here it is, and it's good and hot. Oh, Tony, you're not going to do anything. I'm not... Surely I'm going to do something. Where's that picture of Claret? Ah. Preview of paradise. Well, rain day. John Huddiak and Marsha Hunt come to the footlights for a well-deserved curtain call. You started the new year off for us with flying colors, all of you. Thank you, Mr. DeMille. Marsha, I've just been reading the critics' reviews of your new Metro Golden Man picture, Music for Million. It looks as if you had a hit on your hand. Thank you. We hope so. You build me with two very talented young ladies, C.B. More than talented, John. Mm-hmm. Good looking, too. Of course. They're both luxe girls. Certainly, I'm a luxe girl, Mr. DeMille. And any girl who wants to look attractive and romantic, I'd suggest Luxe toilet soap. Yes, you know the saying. While there's luxe, there's hope. There's who? Hope. Well, don't look now, but I think you're right. There is hope. Oh, are you? Sorry to butt in there like this. How do you do? How do you do, ladies and gentlemen? This is Bob. Better to get in at the last minute than never hope. Selling you girls that luxe toilet soap will give you a complexion that sends men into a delirium. Honestly, it's so good it must contain idioms. How are you? All right. Well, Bob, thank you. Thank you. But just what brings you to our stage tonight? Oh, I just wanted to sell you a book, C.B. I never left home. You never left home to sell me a book? No. No, that's the title. I never left home. The author, Bob Hope. The price. Yeah, yeah. But surely, Bob, you can afford to give me a copy. Huh? I'm with Paramount. That's just C.B. You're using my line. Look, I can't give you a book because the profits from the sale of this book go to the National War Fund. Oh, well, that's different. I've read your book, Bob, and I think it's great. In fact, we're dramatizing it on the Lux Radio Theater next Monday night. I never left home next Monday night? Yes, with Francis Langford, Jerry Colonna, Tony Romano. Well, who are you getting to play the lead? Yes, that's what I was going to ask. You know the parts of the comedian? Uh, me. Hope. Well, we offered the part to Crosby, but he turned it down. Not big enough. Bing Crosby? No, he's brother Everett. Oh, the thin one. Well, you know, C.B., I'm going to be free next Monday night. Yeah, I guess you are, Bob. Oh, what I mean is available for employment if you get hired up for anything like that. Well, I hate to see any actor out of work, Bob, so you're hired. Five bucks. And so our cast for next Monday night will be Bob Hope, the lovely singer Francis Langford, comedian Jerry Colonna, and guitar strumming Tony Romano. In a dramatized version of Bob Hope's best-selling book, I never left home. Really, Bob? I think it'll be a great show for our audience. I read the book and I thought it was a riot. We'll be hanging on every line, C.B. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. And don't leave home next Monday night or you'll miss I never left home. One new year's day, not very long ago, an American poet has wrote, I would rather walk with God through darkness than alone in light. He was looking ahead to the new year and seeing it as we do now, a year of trial and tribulation. Tonight I can't wish you just a happy new year. There's too much pain in the world, too much suffering, too grim a task ahead of it. But I can wish you courage and hope and faith and abundance. With ease and time, we can forge a new world in which freedom and human rights are guaranteed to every man and woman and understanding will replace intolerance. Until that time, no one of us need to spare if we can say, I would rather walk with God through darkness than alone in light. Our sponsors, the makers of Lux Flakes and Lux Toilet Soap, join me in wishing all of us a victorious 1945. And we invite you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theatre presents Bob Hope, Francis Langford, Jerry Colono, and Tony Romano in I Never Left Home. This will be the male saying good night to you from Hollywood. This is an important state for millions of American taxpayers. It's the final date when you must file income tax declarations for 1944 or revise if necessary declarations previously filed. If you haven't received the necessary forms by mail, get them from your local collector of internal revenue or from your post officer bank. Remember, January 15th is the final date for filing or amending declarations. Right by mistake was presented to the courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures. Our music was directed by Louis Silver. Join in again next Monday night to hear I Never Left Home with Bob Hope, Francis Langford, Jerry Colono, and Tony Romano. 24 points for butter, no points for spry. Let all-purpose spry shortening help solve your rationing problems. Give you more delicious cakes, pies, and fried foods. Use spry instead of butter for white sauce and for vegetables too. 24 points for butter, no points for spry. Tomorrow ask your grocer for spry shortening, SPRY. Be sure to listen in next Monday night to the Lux Radio Theatre presentation of I Never Left Home with Bob Hope, Francis Langford, Jerry Colono, and Tony Romano. This is CBS The Columbia Broadcasting System.