 From Hollywood the Hollywood radio theater and Zachary Scott in Mildred Pierce When your producer mr. Irving coming Greetings from Hollywood ladies and gentlemen My mother's love for her children has always been a great subject for drama Tonight we bring you the unforgettable story of Mildred Pierce First created by James M. Cain in his famous book and turned into a superior motion picture by the Warner Brothers Studios And as our stars we have Academy Award winner Clare Trevor and Popular Zachary Scott now act one of Mildred Pierce starring Clare Trevor as Mildred Pierce and Zachary Scott as Monty It's only coincidence that a police car happens to be cruising by this lonely stretch of road Along the Pacific Ocean not far from Malibu Beach There's a house on the beach and a man is just leaving. Stay where you are mr. Good evening off this that's the way you usually leave a house smash a window and jump I'm an eccentric start making sense. Mr. Okay, but you're not gonna believe me. Hang on there Frank. I'll take a look in the house. Okay All right, what's your name Wally Faye? I own like a faye Wally's place a few miles up the beach. Who owns this house man named Berrigan Look, I'm on the level. See I know it's gonna sound awful screwy keeps saying that but you don't tell me anything I'm a I'm a friend of Mrs. Berrigan's well. She drops by the cafe tonight She she says why not drive out here to the beach house? So naturally I naturally Well, we're in the house and she says something about fixing a drink, but she don't come back see so I start looking Only the doors are locked all the doors and she's gone ran out on Locked the door so you wouldn't chase after it. Yeah, maybe Or maybe she wanted to get me in trouble Nice guy like you look like we run into something Frank need any help. Yeah plenty The man in there on the floor Full of bullets. Yeah, his name is Monty Berrigan. Only I didn't kill him and I don't know who did soon as I saw the body I smashed the window on the phone headquarter Happened they won't tell me anything who won't tell you anything Yes, we're from the police the inspector'd like to see him. Why what's the matter if you just come with us, please Mother it's all right darling. Whatever it is. I'll take care of what's wrong Why can't you tell me what's happened? We didn't want to say anything in front of your daughter. It's your husband. Mrs. Berrigan He's been murdered Mrs. Berrigan, I'm Inspector Peterson. I Apologize for bringing you down here for nothing for nothing. Well, we We know now who killed your husband and just poking him so you're free to leave mr. Berrigan Who did it? No entitled to no Yes, sir bring him in McNally He's just in the next room mr. Berrigan Hello, no red. He's the man. Mrs. Berrigan Bert Pierce, but no, I won't let you do this. No red. I that's all right. Yes, sir But what about Wally say? How do you know he didn't do it? Wally say yes? I saw him here a few minutes ago when I was waiting. Oh, yes They had no motive Mrs. Berrigan Bert Pierce had he didn't do it I know he didn't the murder was committed with this pistol it belongs to Pierce That's fact number one fact number two. He doesn't deny killing mr. Berrigan seems to think it was a very good idea But didn't kill him. He couldn't he's too too kind and gentle Kind and gentle and why did you divorce him because? Because I was wrong Taken me four years to find that out, but now I know I was wrong for years Let's see Now Pierce was in the real estate business then wasn't he? Yes. He and Wally pay were partners I married Bert when I was 17 God had a life of cooking and washing and having children two girls Vita and Kay Only Kate died pneumonia She wasn't quite eight years old Mona, I'm sorry mr. Berrigan Bert used to blame me for spoiling Vita, but I Couldn't help it. I see how I had lost one child and I My it was a year after Kay died that Bert and Wally say broke up Wally had the business and That's a good Address for Vita. Yes, it's for Vita. You know the piano recital where'd the money come from doing what I'm doing now baking cakes for the neighbors Well, I earned the money. That's right Mildred throw it up to me that I can't I'm sorry Bert, but I don't say half as much as I could with nothing But bills staring us in the face Maybe you wouldn't have so many bills if you didn't try to bring up that kid like her old man was a millionaire No wonder she's so fresh and stuck up or one of these days. I'm gonna haul up if you dare If you dare to touch Vita all right. All right trouble with you. You're trying to buy love from the kid It won't work Side she plays the piano like I shoot pool and what if I do want her to the mountain something She's all I've got Bert and I'll do anything for Vita anything. You can't do her crying for I'll do that too She'll never do any crying if I can help it's not right Mildred. I'm not smart. I know but I Hello, yes, oh Yes, he is It's for you Maggie Vita off Yeah, Maggie Yeah, well, I can't talk to you now. I told you not to call me yet Okay, yeah, yeah later Well, that's just Maggie means nothing to me. You know that you better run down and apologize look you keep this up on one of these days I'll call your blood. I'm calling yours Once and for all Look my child comes first in this house before either of us maybe that's right and maybe it's wrong But that's the way it is. I'm going to do the best I can for Vita And if I can't do it with you, I'll do it alone. Go ahead and try it. See how you get along without me for a while Bert If you see that woman again You're never coming back here. I mean that I do what I want to do Well, then pack up Bert All right. I will About Vita what about her? Oh when she comes home, maybe you could just tell her that I I'm oh, I'll think of something to tell her Mildred I'll go on Is nothing more to say is kind and gentle there's a lot more you should know inspector Go ahead. Well, I dreaded the moment. I'd have to tell Vita her father had gone. I Was still in the kitchen when I heard it. Oh in here darling How did the lesson go? I saw father down the block. He was crossing the street. He had a suitcases Look darling. I When you may as well know it now Your father and I have decided to Separate he's not coming back. No. No, I don't think so. I I Can't tell you anymore now. Well, if you mean Maggie Beterhoff mother I must say my sympathy is all with you either, please Now it was just just little things things like your dress my dress. It's up in your room Didn't get that night for the first time in my life. I felt all alone There was so much to remind me of Bert how things used to be with us What great hopes we had But I didn't have much time to feel sorry for myself the doorbell rang with Bert Believe me Mildred I told him a thing or two Right must be off his rocker walking out on a girl like you you didn't come here to tell me that That's your life. I didn't With the bird out of the way. I was hoping maybe there's a chance for me, honey. I'll cut it out What are these days? You're gonna have a weak moment. I Want to be around when it happens. Well, you're pretty sure of yourself. I'm sorry You're not the kind of a gal again along by yourself, honey. You're gonna get lonesome. Am I? Well, it's a little ready. Good night. Oh, now look Shoot a guy for crying Vita Yes, he's gone dear Father's gonna marry that beat a half woman. I don't know But I do know that you should be asleep. Well, I've been thinking you could marry Wally if you wanted to Oh, don't be ridiculous. We could have a new car. Maybe even a new house. I just hate this house mother I don't like it either dear, but well, that's no reason for marrying a man. I don't love. Why not Be there. Oh, I didn't mean it. I didn't I don't care what we have just as long as we're together No, darling, be patient. You'll see I'll get you everything you want. I promise By baking cake and pies for our neighbors. Oh Mother I feel so sorry for you So you wanted your daughter to have everything in the world Well, why not? But no money no job no business experience to help me get one Finally, I took the only job I could get a waitress I made a deal with the owner to furnish the pies and pastry didn't leave much time to sleep But it kept the house going and it paid for Vita's piano lessons and bought her new clothes But then came the day when Vita found out my mother a waitress Oh, I'm so ashamed. I took the only job I could get Vita, but waiting on tables Oh, why did you have to degrade us? Maybe now I know my father I didn't oh don't you see darling. I'd never taken the job if I hadn't wanted to keep us together under the same roof And besides it if I can learn the restaurant business. I Well, well someday I can open a place of my own maybe give me time darling. Oh, I'm sorry mother Oh, I am really and if anyone asks me I can always lie to them. Oh, no, you'll tell them that I'm a waitress After all if we're gonna have our own No, it wasn't quite that easy inspector a year went by and my restaurant seemed as far off as ever And then one day I rushed into Wally's a real What do you know hello Wally sit down sit down and I just don't get any ideas. You know, there's a business Yeah, yeah, I'm going to open up a restaurant and you're gonna help me. Oh, please Well, I found a location. I want it's an old house that hasn't been lived in for years And it's right near a busy intersection, which means it's good for drive-in trade and not another restaurant for three miles Listen's good. What's your dress 35904 Glen Oaks Boulevard? Well, let me see if I got a listing out Oh, Wally. I've got to get that house You know what the angles are and I don't but I want that property. Well listed. All right. Yes See ten thousand dollars. Oh, that means they'll take eight Owned by the Barrigan estate Barrigan You know them some old Pasadena Femme Well, well, it says here that the Barrigan estate has already lost two pieces of property because of back taxes Relax honey and watch little Wally go to work That's how I met Monty Barrigan Inspector Wally and I drove out to see him. He was at the beach house where we found him tonight Yes, I Let Wally do most Mr. Barrigan, how do you like it? Mrs. Pierce wants to buy the property, but she doesn't want to pay for it Well, she needs time Mr. Barrigan one once the restaurant gets on its feet. You'll get nine thousand dollars I'm asking ten and you'd settle for eight. It's a very unusual offer. Mrs. Pierce You think you can make nine thousand clear in a year. Well, Mr. Barrigan, I've figured very conservatively Yes, I think I can make it now now look at it this way if the place makes money You get a thousand dollars more if it doesn't you get your property back in much better condition than it is now No, I'm afraid I'm not interested. Well, please listen, Mr. Barrigan I'm putting every cent I have into this place. Believe me. I haven't very much I can't afford to lose any more than you look. I have all the information right here in black and white I know exactly what it will cost and how much I can expect to make I know I can swing it I know I can Very well. It's a deal, but We're just like that. Why not? Take care of the details, Mr. Fay. Yeah Well, Mrs. Pierce, how does it feel to be the owner of a white elephant? It feels wonderful Nice guy that Barrigan. He likes you, honey. Does he? He's good-lucking. Yeah, but no brains Now what about that husband of yours? Bird? Bird. You're still married to him, you know Well, what I mean you you open the restaurant and boom. Bird's creditors start trying to take it away from you Just ask a lawyer about community property. Oh, well, I'm seeing Bird on Saturday Taking Vita for the day. Mm-hmm. Just remember, honey. No divorce. No restaurant Want to even talk about it, Mildred. Not now Where's Vita? She's getting dressed. She'll be done in a minute. Bird, it's for her sake I've got to think of her future. Vita thinks you're wonderful, doesn't she? Well, I'll have to know a lot more about this deal with Wally Fay. It's pretty obvious you mean a lot to Wally Fay I can't help it if you believe everything he tells you. Bird, listen. I've put everything I've got into this restaurant I've got a big loan from the bank. It's got to be paid off. Suddenly everything's starting to take shape Well, I've worked hard and long and I'm going to get back to board. No. No, you're not. There's very little you can do about it You don't mind. Tell Vita I'm waiting for her. Not a very pleasant story, is it, Inspector? So you filed for divorce? Yes, and I quit my job Spent every minute at the restaurant trying to help speed things along. Then, one Sunday morning, I had a visitor Where do you find the energy, Mrs. Beers? Well, the silent partner. Come in, Mr. Berrigan. Well, I decided I've been silent long enough. I came by to check up on my investment Mm-hmm. Well? It's wonderful. I'd never recognize the old place But today's Sunday. Why don't you get out of here? Oh, I'd love to, but I'm awfully busy. Look, isn't the bar nice? I've got a nice bar, too. At the beach house. I also have an ocean Well, why should people come here to eat and go someplace else for a drink? That's why I put the bar in Now, getting back to my ocean, let's have a swim and forget all about our investment No. No, I couldn't possibly... As you grow older, Mrs. Beers, you will find that the only things you regret are the things you didn't do You win, Mr. Berrigan Yeah. I'll drive you home. Pick up your bathing suit and... And if your daughter would like to come along Well, that's very nice of you inviting Vita. She'd love to come Oh, she would, huh? But, uh, she's away for the day Well, I'm beginning to think Vita's a very understanding daughter This is wonderful. You know, I can't even remember the last time I relaxed like this Now, uh, tell me, you live here all year round? No, no. No, I have the old family mansion in Pasadena Complete with iron deer on the front lawn and the ghosts of my ancestors I moved down here in the spring Oh, must be wonderful Yes, but lonely. How about a drink? Oh, no, thanks You know, it's none of my business, but, um, I don't give a drink too much I know. I do too much of everything I'm spoiling Marty Berrigan, that's an unusual name I've been an unusual fellow Mr. Berrigan, is Spanish? Mostly a little Italian thrown in And just what do you do, Mr. Berrigan? I loaf. Oh, when I'm highly decorative and charming man You know you're very beautiful, Miss Miley Mildred, look at me I'm not very impressionable. I lost my awe of women at an early age But ever since you first came here, I thought of nothing but what I'd say to you and you met again Now, I can't say anything You take my breath away Do I? I, uh, I like you, Marty You make me feel, oh, I don't know, warm and... Wanted? And beautiful My heart's beating like a schoolboy I've fallen in love, Mildred I've fallen in love with you And that was when, Mrs. Berrigan, three years ago? Yes. And now, Monty's dead And you think Bert killed him? You're wrong, Inspector A moment back, too, of Mildred Pierce With our American servicemen and many countries around the world They have a wonderful opportunity to observe new customs and traditions What might have seemed strange before is becoming pretty familiar to them For instance, the business of greeting someone In Europe, the handshake is almost universal And usually it's one good solid shake instead of a continuous pumping In certain Pacific islands and among the Eskimos Two people rub noses when meeting In other localities, sniffing or smelling of an acquaintance Is the approved form of recognition In Japan, the bao represents the courteous greeting Well, all this might sound strange But as our servicemen have observed It's simply the custom of the country We use the handshake, of course And the salute between men and service But between really close friends, relatives And members of the immediate family The kiss is not considered bad conduct, even in public It's not that we're any more affectionate We simply show our affection in this way But to many people around the world This form of greeting is unusual to say the least They just simply wouldn't do it any more than we would rub noses Simply because it's not one of their customs The same is true with other customs and traditions of all countries The way of doing things may be different But the ideals are the same Whether it's greeting a friend, preferring a meal Observing a religious principle There is no right or wrong way of doing it It all depends upon the customs of the people where you live And it's by observing these customs That our servicemen are helping to maintain goodwill With other people in other lands And now our producer, Mr. Cummings Act 2 of Mildred Pierce Starring Claire Trevor as Mildred and Zachary Scott as Monty With Joy Terry as Peter and Hal March as Wally A few hours ago, Monty Barragone was murdered The police are holding two men under suspicion Wally Faye and Bert Pierce With a case against Pierce building stronger and stronger So you think Pierce is innocent, Mrs. Barragone? Well, we don't No, you were telling me about Monty Barragone How he fell in love with you three years ago Well, it's hard to remember the next few weeks, Inspector So much was happening, Monty, in the opening of my own restaurant Your restaurant? Well, it wasn't all mine, not really Wally Faye had worked very hard and I cut him in for a third And since I hadn't paid for the property Monty owned another share, a sort of partnership We were swamped with business that opening night It was long past midnight before we closed the door Well, what do you know? She's finally coming out of the kitchen Oh, give me a chair, Wally, before I fall down Hello, Monty Well, you're a great success If you can say that a month from now, maybe I'll believe it I've been getting acquainted with your daughter And guess what, Mother? Mr. Barragone promised to take me to the races Only if your mother comes along Well, I'd love to Wally, do me a favor Just name it, honey Take Vita home Home? Oh, mother, anyone would think I was a child I figured on taking you home Please, Wally, you should see the kitchen They'll be washing dishes for another hour And I wound up with a girl, Scott Wally, will you please not refer to me as a... Good night, darling Good night, Mother And I trust we may meet again soon, Mr. Barragone Very soon I trust so Vita Let's go on a small fry That's a very cute youngster, Mildred No youngster anymore Well, it's been quite a night My white elephant may turn out to be solid gold Oh, Monty, would you excuse me for a minute I've got to check tomorrow's menu now No, don't you ever... Bert I didn't mean to bust in on you They let me in the back way Oh, this is Mr. Barragone, my... My husband I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Beers You don't mind I'd like to speak to Mildred I'll try to lose myself at the bar What is it, Bert? It's about the divorce You didn't have it Oh You were right You can get along without me, Far Oh, Bert I never thought it would end like this Who knows how anything's gonna end Well, all the luck in the world Thank you Leaving so soon, Miss Beers? I think I'd better Oh, but doesn't this call for a drink? You know, in the Barragone family There's an old Spanish proverb One man's caught... Well, I guess that means you don't want to drink I apologize, Miss Beers Monty hadn't meant to be that nasty, Inspector He seemed genuinely sorry For that little incident with Beertor Maybe I just thought he was sorry Because I was in love with Monty You still haven't given me one reason Why Bert Pierce isn't the murderer Thank you, give me a very good reason why he is He had the motive, Mrs. Barragone Jealousy Keep me, Inspector This report just came in Thanks, and pardon me, Miss Barragone Are you sure of this information? Well, you know Charlie, sir No time to keep on it Yes, sir Who's Ida Cohen, Mrs. Barragone? Oh, she's my business manager She tells us you phoned her from your office late last night And asked where Mr. Barragone was She says you seem quite upset Oh, well, it was just a business matter Well, tell me something else Why did you take Wally Faye to the beach house? Did you know that Barragone was lying there dead? No, no, I didn't Oh, then you were at the beach house Why didn't you tell us that before? And why did you run away because you knew Barragone was dead? No Why were you trying to pin the murder on Faye? I think you'd better tell me the truth now I did I killed Monty Barragone You? But why? Your restaurant was a success You were in love with him, you married him, you... I didn't marry him until much later But at the time, too many things were uncertain But the restaurant was a success I opened others in three years I built up five restaurants Everything I touched made money And I needed it, I needed it for Vita She was a young lady now with extensive taste And several boyfriends One in particular, Ted Forrester One night Monty and I joined them for a round of the night You hand them this couple on the floor and they'll read Vita and Ted Yeah, she likes him Monty A lot, I think Who wouldn't? You've got a million dollars What's the matter? Nothing Just run out of jokes, I guess No, tell me, what's wrong? I've had a little bad luck, Nelrid I won't be able to afford many more evenings like this You need money? Why didn't you tell me? It's not quite that bad, not yet Monty, I... I want you to take this cash Nelrid, please Oh, you've been awfully good to us Now please, take it All right, I want it distinctly understood That it's only a loan Oh yes, it first had bothered Monty to take money from me And it became a habit with... After a while, Wally Faye found out about it Two thousand dollars in six weeks What's the idea, Mildred? We owe Monty a great deal We paid him off long ago Now, look, baby, I'm in business with you But keeping Berrigan and Monogram shirts isn't my idea of business You've done all right And when you opened up that cafe at the beach I didn't have to be cut in, did I? I can do what I want with my own money And so can I Look, look, when you walked out on Berda was okay with me But now you follow her for a guy who's a worst foul ball And Berda the thorn of being He's no good, Mildred, he'll bleed you dry Suppose I happen to be in love with him Okay Okay, I guess I finally know just where I stand That's right, now you know Do I dare come in? Oh, I do, I wish you would Things are getting a little out of hand here I hate all women Laughing boy seems burned at the edges A small, green-eyed monster Wally jealous? Doesn't sound like Wally No profit to it Well, I just told him I was in love with Monter Berrigan Are you? I thought I was, once, but not now Mildred, I know I shouldn't say this If this is about Monty, I agree with you It's Berda, she's been borrowing money From whom? Anybody who'd give her any, waitresses mostly They're scared to say anything, you know how it is See that they're paid back, Wally I'm sorry, I had to tell you, Mildred I don't blame Vita entirely A couple of times, Marty was with her Well, I brought the statement to Wally Oh, yes Now, about the Laguna Beach unit Hello, everybody Hello, Vita On Monty Well, come in Big business conference Just a teeny one, it can wait I'll go I wish I could get that interested in work You were probably frightened by a palace at an early age Motherlock, look what Monty gave me for my birthday This necklace, isn't it gorgeous? Darling, it's beautiful And there's something else for your birthday Out the window there I hope you like it, Vita Oh, mother, not a car Oh, it's just gorgeous You happy? Am I? Well, how about me, young lady? After all, I picked it out, you know Oh, Monty, the two nicest presents I ever got Come on, let's go for a drive Nothing I'd like better Oh, Monty, I'd like to talk to you Fine Run along, Vita, dent your fenders Alone? Oh, well, I'll see you later at the club Be careful, darling Thanks for me, mother What's the matter, Mildred? I want you to stay away from Vita Why? If I suddenly sprouted two heads Or is that Ted Forrester boy then complaining to you? It isn't funny Vita's not 18 And spoiled rotten What's that got to do with me? Kids at that age, they're all thoughtless I blame it on the way she's been living I blame it on you I don't think you understand Vita very well She's not like you, Mildred You'll never make a waitress out of Vita You can't help looking down at me Because I cook food and sell it and make a profit Which I might point out You're not too proud to share with me I take it easy, ma'am You're interfering with my life And worst of all, with my plan for Vita And I won't stand for it And that's that You want Vita and your business And a nice quiet life And the price of all that is me You can go back to making your pies now, Mildred We're through Oh, just a minute, Monty You've had expenses taking Vita out Here If this isn't enough I have always wondered how it felt to take a tip Thanks Just mark the account paid and full I saw nothing of Monty for over a month, Inspector And suddenly, Vita was spending all her time again With a Forrester boy The one with a million dollars Yes The restaurant business was falling off Nothing drastic, but enough to keep me Constantly on the job One afternoon, I had a caller Ted Forrester's mother I'm sure you want me to get to the point, Mrs. Pierce Yes, of course It's simply this Somehow, your daughter has the idea that Well, I can understand it Any girl wants to get married But Ted has no such thing in mind I want that made perfectly clear Just a minute You mean they're engaged? Vita and your son? Yes Well, why should Vita want to marry Ted If he doesn't want to marry her? I'm not a mind reader, Mrs. Pierce But if you or this girl employ any more tricks Trying to blackmail my son into marriage Trying to what? I'll prevent this marriage I shall prevent it any way that I can I don't think you need worry, Mrs. Forrester Having you and my family is a pretty dismal prospect Good afternoon Mother Yeah, what's up, Mildred Vita and I are going to take a break Wally, do you mind? This is private I think I know what's bothering you Well, Wally knows all about it Wally knows that you're talking about getting married Getting married? I am married, mother What? Ted and I were married on my birthday I'm sorry, but it's done What? Why didn't you tell me? Oh, I wanted to so many times But you're always so busy Besides, I was afraid Afraid of me? Oh, mother, I've been so miserable I made a mistake and I didn't know how to tell you You don't love Ted, is that it? Yeah, that's right Mildred, she made a mistake And the only thing to do is an annulment That's the clean, quick way to handle the situation I suppose it is, but Well, can it be done quietly? Oh, you just leave it to me, Mildred Uncle Wally still knows all the angles Mrs. Forest's face when Wally told her lawyer And Wally told her lawyer boss That the annulment was going to cost them $20,000 You asked for money? Well, of course I asked for money They wanted the annulment, didn't they? And the publicity But, Peter, how could you do such a thing? How could you? And I got the money, see? A nice big check Oh, I'll have to give Wally part of it But they're still in their money That's what you live for, isn't it? You'd do anything for money, wouldn't you? Even blackmail Oh, for heaven's sake, mother, grow up Yes, it's about time I did All right, Peter, from now on, things are going to be different I'll say they're going to be different Why do you think I went to all this trouble? Why do you think I want money so badly? All right, why? With this money, I can get away from you Peter, from you and your fried chicken and your kitchens And everything that smells of grease I can get away from this house and its cheap furniture And away from this town and summit I'm seeing you for the first time in my life You're cheap and horrible You think just because you made a little money You can get a new hairdo and some expensive clothes And turn yourself into a lady, but you can't Because you'll never be anything but common Common like your father who lived over a grocery store Common like your mother who took and washing With this money, I can get away from everything That makes me think of this place and you Give me that check, Peter Oh, not on your life I said give it to me Oh, you're tearing it up Yes, I'm tearing it up Get out of this house Back free of Mildred Pierce Shotley Make a friend and you make an ally There's a thought for you to keep in mind As many another American has Recently, the Institute of International Education In Los Angeles, California Opened an office for its new affiliate The Center for International Students and Visitors When foreign visitors, sponsored by public Or private groups visit Los Angeles The Center provides them with help In seeing and learning the American way Of doing things It's been found that for the most part Visitors would rather see how Americans live Rather than how they make money Within a recent two months period The Center was host in one way or another To a Finnish publisher, a French director of police A Malayan journalist, a United Nations delegate From India, a director of education from Iceland A German lawyer, a Korean editor And an Austrian composer Visitors usually stay from two days to three weeks And when they return to their own countries They take with them a clear and honest picture Of how Americans live Thanks to an organization which has dedicated itself To the spreading of world amity An organization which has discovered That by helping others, you help your country On Act 3 of Mildred Pierce starring Claire Trevor as Mildred And Zachary Scott as Monty With Joy Terri as Vida and Hal March as Wally It's almost dawn now But the lights still burn brightly In Inspector Peterson's office As Mildred Pierce continues her story I had said some awful things to my daughter I had driven her away I went away for a while too But not far enough Something kept pulling me back Finally I gave in and came home But no sign of Vida Not even a letter Mexico, huh? So that's where you've been People still eating in restaurants, Ida? Not enough of them I'm glad you're back Seeing anyone I know Vida, for instance Why don't you forget her? I can't She's still my daughter And I want her back Personally, Vida's convinced me They devour their young Hello? Oh, just a moment Your ex-husband He's been calling every day for two weeks Yeah Hello, Bert I just got back this morning You all right? Yes, I'm all right Dinner? I'd like to see you No, I'd be glad to see you, Bert You can pick me up at the house at 7.30 I don't know why, Ida But it's going to be nice I thought you might like this, Paris Mildred A little noisy, but since our friend Wally failed I still don't know why you insisted on coming here I thought it was a good idea At the time Now I'm not so sure What does that mean? Look over there Under the spotlight It's Vida She's a dancer here I'm sorry I did it like this, Mildred I just didn't know how to tell you Where are you going? I'm going to get Vida out of here I guess that means I better find Wally too I'll tell you all about it, Wally Right now I'm going to take Vida home Oh, Vida know that? No, but I'm hoping you'll be able to help me Not me, honey But I'll give you a little advice If you want Vida to do anything for you You'd better hit her over the head first Where do I find her? The dressing room's right straight down the hall What can I do for you? Vida, I want you to come home Really? Vida, it isn't easy for me to bed like this I think I'm on a string Go away, Vida Come back, Vida Oh, no Darling, look We'll have the house redecorated We'll get all new furniture A new piano Oh, you'd like it, I know Would I? No, Mother, I want a little more than that I want the kind of life that Monty Berrigan taught me And you won't let me have it I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you But I'd only start all over again You know how I am, Mother If I could give you the kind of life Monty taught you Would you be willing to come home then? But you couldn't, could you? Stop it again sometime, Mother I'll be here There was just one thing left for me to do, Inspector I had heard that the old Berrigan mansion in Pasadena was now up the tail Oh, now look, noted You can't be serious about buying this old barn You're not a very good salesman, are you, Monty? You here alone? Well, somebody has to be here to show the place need I add that I'm broke What about the beach house? The only thing I haven't lost You don't want to buy this antiquated tomb You'd be out of your mind Oh, I don't know A little remodeling would do wonders You're not fooling me I remember too well I remember how it was with us once And so do you Something neither of us can forget Then you can do me a great kindness If I can Ask me to marry you Why? Is that the best you can do to show your enthusiasm? You went to considerable trouble to get rid of me once Naturally, I'm a little startled I have a good reason for wanting you to marry me Vita Why Vita? Your reason for doing anything is usually Vita What's your answer, Monty? I told you once that you were the only woman in the world for me I loved you then I love you now I can't afford you, Mildred All I have left is pride and a name I can't sell either of them Sorry But we can still No, I won't go on taking tips from you Of course, if I owned a share in your business How much of a share would your pride require, Monty? Don't put it that way, Mildred I'm not enjoying this How much of a share? I think I can leave that up to you, Mildred It's a deal, Monty Sold one berrigan We were married a week later And I said about restoring the old berrigan mansion To the show place that it once was Soon now I'd be ready for another talk with Vita But before that happens Mildred, but I'll only be a moment No, I'm so glad you came, Bert Mildred, I got a lot of nerve asking this Are you really in love with Monty Berrigan? No, not exactly But we understand each other And now maybe Vita will come back? I know you think I'm a fool, Bert But I can't help it I brought you a wedding present, Mildred A wedding present? Out there, on the terrace But what's out there that I... Vita, Vita to come with you No, no, she called me up She tried to pretend it was something else And I finally got the truth out of it She wants to come home Mildred, I promise I'll never talk to you like that again Oh, I said some nasty things myself, darling It's only we can trust each other I don't believe it, I simply don't believe it Monty Tears of joy at seeing me again, I hope Of course Proud to go About time you came to see us See you But I'm staying I'm the new starboarder Wonderful Just don't call me father For the next few weeks I was happier than I'd been in years The restaurants were running into trouble But with Vita back it didn't seem to matter I planned a wonderful party for her inspectorate It took place last night Yes, I understand Only I wasn't there A sudden meeting came up at the office The accountant and a lawyer named Hopkins At 11 o'clock we were still at it I've told you a dozen times, Mrs. Berrigan In simple language, you owe my clients money If you resist, you'll be forced into bankruptcy It's as simple as that I haven't a cent, a bloody cash So I guess that's that Any ideas, Wally? Well, you can still manage the restaurant Well, that's very nice of you, Wally Stealing the business right out from under me And letting me run it for you Listen, I've got to put up the door To keep us out of court You've been bleeding this business dry So you can live the way you have since Vita came home You said so yourself I know, I know The creditors want your hide and I can't stop them Not anymore I can't Still be all right if Monty hadn't forced the issue What Monty got to do with it? He wants to sell his share of the business I got to go along with him or I'm out too You didn't know? No You married him, I didn't Let's go, Hopkins As soon as they left, I called the house I had to answer the telephone But Monty is dear Mildred, he drove off about 20 minutes ago The death of the party broke out Then let me speak to Vita No, it's not too important, thanks, Ida There was a gun in the office safe It had belonged to Bert I hadn't wanted it around the house I had a hunch where Monty would be, Inspector The beach house He was alone when I got there And I killed him You're lying, Mrs. Berrigan We know you weren't alone in the house with him We have proof of that now and have a few other things Yes, sir You can bring her in, McNally We've had a slant on you all night, Mrs. Berrigan You were the key I had to put the pressure on you Well, the key turned Vita The sergeant will tell you where they found her They picked the girl up at the airport Took her off a plane headed for Arizona She didn't like it very much I don't understand Mother Your mother just told me everything Why did you kill him? You told him? You promised not to tell you You promised you'd help me get away Vita, don't say any more Doesn't matter now That's all we needed to hear Miss Pierce, you were already at the beach house with Berrigan when your mother arrived there Isn't that right? He let her love Vita was there I expected Monty to be alone There was a record on the pornograph They didn't hear me coming Hello, Mildred Well, we weren't expecting you I'm glad she's here, Monty I've got something to tell you, mother I love Monty He's going to divorce you and marry me No, Vita He isn't Oh, there's nothing you can do about it I can do this much about it Mildred, use your head Cuting me won't solve it It would solve a lot of things I can't do it I just can't Mildred, wait a minute Oh, let her go, Monty I put down the gun and walked out of the room I could hear their voices as I went out toward the car Monty, don't talk like that You told me you loved me You drink, I'd say a lot of it Listen to me, Monty I didn't hear the rest I was talking the car and the noise of the motor Not this time, Mrs. Berrigan This time your daughter pays for her own mistake Okay, McNally, take it downstairs Mother, I'm sorry, Vita I did the best to worry about me I'm really not worth it Oh, see that Fay and Brett Pierce are released We could do some fresh air in here It looks like a nice morning out there Now, you can go now We'll call you when we want you You know, Mrs. Berrigan There are times when I regret the Inspector, you told McNally to release the others? Yeah Take a minute, Frank Take a look out the window Hmm Here's a Mrs. Berrigan Together? Yeah Maybe that's where they belong Together The moment our stars will return Make a friend and you make an ally There's a thought for you to keep in mind As many another American has Not so long ago, the city of Port Angeles, Washington Adopted a five-month community improvement plan A plan designed to teach a community How to improve culturally, economically, Socially, and spiritually The plan was such a success That the United States State Department Brought over eight people from little town Of Rosenheim in Bavaria To see how the plan worked At first the Germans were suspicious But their suspicions gradually disappeared As they recognized the American's Genuine friendship For three months they lived in various Port Angeles homes Learning about American democracy They visited schools, worked in groceries Hospitals, welfare offices And on the local paper By comparing ideas, both the Germans And their hosts discovered That they were working for the same ideal To advance the principles of freedom, Tolerance, and brotherhood When they finally left for home To teach others how typical Americans Really lived, it was a Rosenheim lawyer Who best expressed their gratitude And appreciation when he said I had no notion of American life Since I thought that usually Both husband and wife worked That children were poorly brought up That there was no family life In our sense of the word I've come to the conclusion That it's a religious motive That makes the American people so willing To help not only individuals But whole nations toward freedom And recognition of human rights Yes, like so many other Americans The good people of Port Angeles Had learned that by helping others You help your country Now here's Mr. Cummings with our star And we invite them forward for a curtain call Claire Trevor and Zachary Scott Do you have an exciting story for next week? We certainly do. It's a recent 20th Century Fox Green hit The shocking drama of a pickpocket Who discovers he's accidentally stolen Some vital information wanted By both the government and the communists It's pick up on South Street And we'll have three outstanding stars Sparkling Terry Moore That fine actor Stephen McNally And superb Thelma Ritter in her unforgettable role I certainly was thrilled, eh? Good night. Pete at Fort Ord, Chuck and Don Good night. It was a wonderful evening. This is Ken Carpenter inviting you To join us next week at this same time For another presentation of the Hollywood Radio Theater United States Armed Forces Radio And Television Service.