 From Hollywood the NBC theater presents Hollywood screen directors present a post script to murder the killers Starring Burt Lancaster and Shelly Winters and introducing the director of the film Robert C. Oddman It's not always necessary to have lived a fabulous life in order to create fabulous motion pictures But in the case of our guest screen director tonight. It most certainly has helped at 19 He was a seasoned Shakespearean actor at 20 director of the Dresden, Germany stock exchange at 21 rich at 23 broke again At 24 he launched the brilliant motion picture career that was to bring him to Hollywood the director of such thrilling films as dark mirror Spiral staircase and tonight's story the killers ladies and gentlemen, mr. Robert C. Oddman Thank you Hollywood has given the world two kinds of motion pictures, which are typically American They are the Western and the gangster films such as the killers It is not to say that America is a country of gangsters anymore to the country of cowboys It means only that America has created a new and fascinating kind of entertainment such as our story That instant is drama now here is the killers starring Burt Lancaster in his original role of sweet and Shelly winter as a Sweet hey sweet sweet is me Nick. It's neck What are you doing laying down sweet? You're sick? No, listen sweet. I was down in Georgia's diner when two hard guys came in looking for you They they said they were looking for you to kill you. I know then. What are you laying here for? There's nothing I can do. Don't you want me to go and see the police? I wouldn't do any good. Couldn't you get out of town? I'm through with running away, but why why do they want to kill you? I Did something wrong once Thanks for coming. I just thought Well, okay But they come in looking for you sweet They come in looking for you. He did something wrong once what a Gas station attendant murdered in an out-of-the-way town called Brentwood allowing himself to be murdered helplessly and without complaints submitting to extermination Why? Why does a man come to such an abject end? Headquarters put me on the case because I had some college criminology and because I'd known sweet the victim back in the old days This isn't the story of how we got Swedes killers. That's routine police work and you've heard that story a thousand times What brings a man to such an end as Swedes? That's the important personal story and this is it One by one we rounded up people who'd known the Swede some of them on the level One who wasn't on the level was a gunsel named Blinky Franklin who knew the Swede when Give Blinky Well, let me see ten years ago Swede had just knocked soldier burns for ghouls a that put Swede right up there as a contender for the light heavyweight championship Well after the fight I took sweet over to Jim Colfax's apartment where a big party was going on Kitty Collins Jim's girl was singing over the piano Right away. I seated the Swedes interested so I waited for kitty to finish his song and then I brought the sweet over to me Tonight I must forget No more Memories Swing out tonight. I must forget your palms. Hello. Look kitty. I want you to meet sweet Anderson Swedes a coming light heavy champ. Oh How do you do? Hello kitty. Uh you two make yourself acquainted. I want to talk to some of the boys So you're the next champion mr. Anderson Do you like the fights? I'm afraid I never saw one. No kidding. I can't bear brutality The idea of two men beating each other to a pulp makes me ill. Well, I don't get hurt You're unusual then I'll go into some other racket before I let them knock me punchy really It's too bad Jim is out of town. They'd like to speak to you. Who's Jim Jim Colfax He owns this apartment Oh Why would he want to see me? Oh, he has lots of irons in the fire. I'll arrange it for you Thanks, that's swell miss a kitty remember I Remember well, don't forget I'll see you at the fight sometime Weed was finished he'd broken his hand badly in that fight. He'd never fight again For a while, I didn't see the sweet then one night. I was in loot tingles arena cafe I'd been given a tip on some hot jewelry and sure enough there was some of it walking in on kitty Collins dress Sweet was with her looking very prosperous indeed. I Let him sit on then I walked over trying to make it look like a social visit for a while anyway Sam Sam Redden. How are you boy? Hello sweet kitty? You know Sam Redden. Yeah, I You're looking pretty sharp sweet that numbers racket really pays off Boy, you know everything say that broken hand was the best thing ever happened to me. How are you anyway? What's on your mind Sam that diamond brooch kitty's wearing? What are you talking about grand larceny and hot jewelry? Do you mean to tell me that brooch was? Stolen let's take a ride downtown kitty now wait a minute Sam sweet is this a pinch don't let them take me You can't do this Sam you're not going to stop me are you sweet look let you me go someplace and talk Huh look sweet if your girl happens to be a shoplifter. I'm sorry about it. It's not true sweet I didn't take it. I had no idea it was stolen make them listen sweet. I'll give it back I'll leave town, but don't let him take me sweet. Please. I'll throw the book at me look Sam You don't want kitty. I swipe that stuff. I'm the one you're at get me Okay, I get you if that's the way you want it. Yes, Sam That's the way I want it. I Pleaded with him to tell the truth, but he stuck to his story and it got him three years When he got out Blinky Franklin met him and took him up to a room in a midtown hotel where a big Jim Colfax and some of the boys were Working on the biggest payroll job of Jim's career Kitty Collins the girl for whom sweet had served three years Sat on a trunk knitting I yeah, I guess you know everybody here. Not just we'd welcome back sweet. Hello, Jim There's dumb dumb over there grasping around. Ah, yeah, of course, you know Kitty hello, sweet Didn't hear from you much in prison kitty. I'm not much for riding. You know that I know it now Let's get started. I'm boss. What's the new pitch pull up a chair sweet? Now this is big It's the printer's hat factory payroll over in hack and sack We walk in as workers tomorrow morning and lift the roll I'll give you the details in a minute After the stick up we split up and meet again on the halfway house tomorrow night on route one halfway house route one How much is in it for us? It ought to be good for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and not bad split how I'll take the first hundred grand. You can divide the rest three ways Who declared you in for the big slice? I declared myself. What about kitty kiddies with me? What do you mean kiddies with you? Don't start anything now, sweet. What do you mean? She's with you? I spent three years in stir for a robbery. She's done. What are you trying to give me? She's with you You want a blueprint sweet? All right? I'll give you a blueprint shut up Jim You'll keep your mouth shut if you don't want to slap shot. You'll put a hand on kitty Jim You just try keep out of it sweet kitty's Jim's girl now down on my way blankie Mine your own business. This is my business Crazy suede, what did you hit him for? I'll kill you for that sweet reach for your gun and I'll take your brains cut it out both of you cut it out Are you dumb palooka? Give me a hand Blakey. Yeah I ought to give you the work sweet any time you say cold facts They got a job to do tomorrow tomorrow morning at eight Here's the full pitch now All cars watch roads leading from Prentice Hat Factory in Hackensack Armed hold up by at least three men leaving hold up seen in three separate cars All cars proceed to Prentice Hat Factory at once All cars calling all cars calling all cars You are listening to the Hollywood screen directors presentation of The Killers starring Burt Lancaster and Shelley Winters and introducing the director of the film Robert Siadnak This is the concluding program in the present series Beginning July 1st the screen directors playhouse will be heard on Fridays at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time under the sponsorship of Paps Blue Ribbon Beer The opening program in the new series will star Kerry Grant in Mr. Blandings Bill's His Dream House Remember the time July 1st and each Friday thereafter at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time We invite you to be with us then And now back to the second act of tonight's production of The Killers Who is it? What's the matter? Close the door. Sweet, I'm gambling my life coming to you like this What's the matter? What's wrong? Colfax is going to double-cross you Going to double-cross me? They aren't going to Halfway House after the robbery You'll go there, but there'll be some place else And so will the money Why are you telling me this? You're Jim's girl Sweet, I can't let them double-cross you after you took that three-year rap for me Is that the truth? So help me, Sweet, it's the truth They're going to meet at that old farmhouse on the north turnpike They are, huh? They are Thanks for putting me wise, Kitty What are you going to do? I'm going to do them like they mean to do me Don't give me away, darling Don't you worry, baby You know why Jim hates you like he does Because of me, Sweet He knows how it really is between you and me Oh, Kitty Kitty, why did you ever go back to him? Oh, no, maybe because I hate him I'm poisoned, Sweet Poisoned anyone I really love I don't care if I hurt Colfax Kitty, you're not going back to him again You're leaving with me tonight After I handle Colfax at the farmhouse I love you, Sweet Hold me I'll come back tonight We'll go to Atlantic City Hold me, darling Just the two of us, you and me Yes, darling, yes Hold me, Tide Tide her, darling Tide her Boys, I'm tired of waiting for Sweet to show up I'll just take my money now Shut me the suitcase down, don't let's start counting Okay, by me, boys Start counting, Jim, so I can start counting Okay, boys, hold it Sweet, what's the idea? Get your hands up All three of you You're reaching for trouble, Sweet It's the swell idea you guys had, huh? Leaving me to cool my heels at the halfway house while you split the dough here You were told of the change, that's why you're here Shut up I'll take that suitcase Thanks, boys Don't move Next time, play it straight Come on, Astro All right, stop it You'll mow your down as soon as you come out of the door Dirty double-crossin' rat You'll get paid off, dum-dum But... Sweet and Kitty escaped to Atlantic City with a $250,000 They stayed there for several days Then... Well, a woman named Queenie, a chambermaid at the hotel where they stayed supplied us with the rest of that episode Queenie? I... I was on night duty turning down the beds When I got to his room, 1212 I heard something smash inside I went in, and that poor young man was a sight to behold I'll never forget it There he stood, a wild look in his eyes Half-crazy, holding a splinter chair in his hand Just as I came in he threw it at the dresser mirror Then he just stood there like a big, hurt kid That was awful She's gone Oh, sir, you must carry on like that, sir She's gone Where did she go? You mean the lady came here with you? She's gone She went out this morning with a suitcase A suitcase A laundry, she said She's gone I'm going to I'm going to Please, sir Oh, not the window Not the window, please Take your hands off Please, don't, please don't Let go Please don't jump Let go of me Let me go Please don't do it, mister Kitty Give me Dr. Wilde's room right away, please You never saw Kitty again For six years, sweet Anderson dropped out of sight Then one day a heavy sleek convertible rolled up on the gravel of a gasoline station in Brentwood, New Jersey Good evening, sir Fill her up I guess so, bud Do you usually take effort? Sweet, that's all I must look Swedish Everyone calls me sweet This town got a name? Yes, sir Yes, sir What is it? Yes, sir Yes, sir Brentwood, huh? Yes, sir Sweet The next night the killers came to Brentwood and Sweet lay on his bed numbly awaiting his fate I did something wrong once In someone's opinion a blast of gunfire corrected that wrong Sweet had double-crossed Colfax taken a quarter of a million dollars from him and then Kitty had taken it from Sweet It took some doing for us to get the details, but we got them But not the final details We needed Kitty for that We got Kitty I found her singing in a plushy nightclub and I made a date to meet her there after the last floor show At a corner table I told Kitty some of what we already knew about Sweet and the Prentice hat holed up Then I popped the $250,000 question What makes you think I've got that money, Sam? We got Blinky Franklin Blinky Talk There's a chambermaid in Atlantic City who remembers your face from pictures we showed her I've just had a talk with Jim Colfax You've seen Jim? He's mighty provoked about you skipping out with all that money You told him I took it? He's mighty provoked Look, Sam Suppose... Suppose I raise 70,000 of the missing money Uh-uh Sam, I've turned over a new leaf I've got a home now and a husband I'm leading a life that's worth fighting for Sam, what can I do to save something out of that life? Tell me Turn the state's evidence What do you want to know? Who planned the robbery? Jim Colfax Say that in court? Yes After you took the money and left Sweet and Flat in Atlantic City How did you get rid of Jim Colfax? I... I staged a fight with him two days later and walked out on him, too And you were in the clear because nobody knew you'd been with the Sweet and taken his money away from him Lovely girl Sam Can't we go somewhere else and finish this talk? Where? Well... How about your apartment? Sold I'll go powder my nose and get out of this costume Don't go away, will you? I glanced over toward the entrance and there they were Death and his twin brother and they were coming my way I'd never seen them before but I knew who they were The killers Their faces were empty of everything except that blank cruelty of the professional murderer When I saw the long vicious revolvers come up at me out of their coats I didn't hesitate I slid under the table fast and started shooting Death and his twin brother were down and I jumped up and made a beeline for Kitty's dressing room but it was empty The door to the outside alley was open and Kitty, of course, was gone but I bet I knew where The house was an elaborate one on the edge of town The front door pushed open easily Someone had gone in too fast and left it unlashed I went in and closed the door Whoever had come in had also alerted him Jim Colfax was waiting for me at the top of the stairs Present! On the contrary, Jim Allow me Colfax Jim, what is it? I'm sorry I love you, Jim I know, Kitty It wasn't your fault Sam? Yeah, Jim Tell me How'd you figure it? Look, anyone can go to the Hall of Records and find out you and Kitty were married You knew I was lying when I said I'd thrown Jim over We know a lot of things, Kitty I don't know why Jim sent those killers to blast the Swede I... I had to Swede was... the only... the only one who knew that Kitty had ever had the money Poor Swede He never knew that Kitty brought the money straight back to you You two framed the whole thing so you wouldn't have to split the take with anyone You just used the Swede to pull your chestnuts out of the fire But I didn't have anything to do with Swede's killing No? Jim, tell him Tell him I didn't know about those gunmen Jim, you're dying So why not say it? Say Kitty is innocent It's no use, Kitty Say it Say it, Jim Say Kitty is innocent Say it It's no use, Kitty Say it, say it, say it He's dead That's it I didn't tell you a detective story full of clues and pursuit I wanted to tell you a Swede story There are a lot of people in the world like Swede more sinned against perhaps than sinning Sure, Swede was to blame for a lot of things But who is to blame for Swede? He's gone now despair, dying on his lips There's nothing I can do about it I threw with running away I did something wrong once Thanks for coming What about Swede? I read something the other day I can't forget it It went, any man's death diminishes me Because I am involved in mankind And therefore send not to know For whom the bell tolls It tolls for thee I did something wrong once What loosed the killers on Swede? Something he did Or something we didn't do All of us I did something wrong once I wonder What did we do wrong? But first, a message of interest to all our listeners This is the concluding program in our present series Beginning July 1st, the screen director's playhouse will be presented for your enjoyment on Fridays at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time under the sponsorship of Paps Blue Ribbon Beer The first production will start Cary Grant in Mr. Blanding's Bill's His Dream House So, for great motion picture entertainment brought to the microphone, remember the date July 1st, remember the day Friday, remember the time 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time Now, here again are our stars Burt Lancaster and Shelley Witters and screen director Robert Ciotta Robert, Robert, at the beginning of the program you said that The Killers is a typical American film Oh, yes, it is Then tell me something Why were you with a European background chosen to direct the picture? Oh, that's very simple because I hadn't spent my life in America Everything was new to me I saw things that you don't see Well, like what? Let me give you an example When I first traveled across the United States I came to a small town with a big sign The sign said Coca-Cola So I said to myself, aha I'm now in Coca-Cola, New Mexico Then I came to Burma Shave, Arizona You know what I mean? And that's the way you became a director Certainly, my dear Shelley It's merely a matter of applied ignorance Oh, no it isn't Robert It's a matter of talent and skill and cultural experience And I guess being born in Europe is kind of an asset Oh, please, I wasn't born in Europe My first years I spent in the United States No kidding Well, what's your hometown? Why, can't you tell by my accent? Robert, forgive me, but no Somehow I just can't place it Well, I tell you, Memphis, Tennessee You were born in Memphis? Well, certainly Listen, I approve with you Good night, you all Good night, Colonel Good night And good night to you You are Burt Lancaster, Shelley Winters, and Robert Seodman Mark Hellinger's The Killers was presented to the courtesy of Universal International Studios who will soon release Calamity Jane and Sam Baz a Technicolor production starring Yvonne DeCarlo and Howard Duff Burt Lancaster will soon be seen starring in his own Norma production of The Hawk and the Arrow soon to be released by Warner Brothers Robert Seodman's forthcoming release is the Hal Wallace production for Paramount Thelma Jordan Shelley Winters will soon be seen in Take One, False Step a Universal International picture co-starring William Powell Robert Seodman appeared to the courtesy of Universal International Studios who will soon world premiere the picture Illegal Entry starring Howard Duff, Marta Torrin, and George Brent Included in tonight's cast were Sam Edwards, Tony Barrett, Frank Gerstle, Bill Conrad, Gwen Delano, Clark Gordon, and Dan Riss The Killers was adapted for radio by Milton Geiger and original music was composed and conducted by Henry Russell Production was under the supervision of Howard Wiley associate producer Bill Karn Your announcer has been Frank Barton Listen again when Screen Directors Playhouse returns to the air on Friday, July 1 at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time Remember Screen Directors Playhouse Production Mr. Blandings bills his dream house Director H.C. Potter Star Cary Grant Date Friday, July 1 The NBC Theatre came to you from Hollywood 30 minutes of melody is followed now on American Album of Familiar Music Then listen for Take It or Leave It with Gary Moore and Horace Heights Original Youth Opportunity Program All three follow immediately on most of these NBC stations This is NBC, The National Broadcasting Company