 dedicated to the strength of the nation proudly we hail United States Army and United States Air Force presentation now here is our producer the well-known Hollywood showman CP McGregor thank you thank you and greetings from Hollywood ladies and gentlemen welcome to your theater of stars where each week your motion picture favorites join us for your entertainment John Payne is our star the title of our play the meadowlark we'll have the curtain for act one after this important message from Wendell Niles everywhere in the world the uniform of the United States Army and United States Air Force is more than just a uniform it's a badge of courage and symbol of freedom and democracy this fact has been true for more than a hundred years true since the first American soldier set foot beyond our borders as a representative of our country and the principles for which we stand no other armed service holds the respect of millions everywhere as ours does think of this and you will have every reason to be proud of the men who wear the uniforms of United States Army and United States Air Force now once again our producer the curtain rises on act one of the meadowlark starring John Payne as Jeff Harker I presume it was beautiful once the farm country there around Harkersville the travelers thereabouts probably described it with happy adjectives green verdant productive well that was long ago if ever the adjectives have grown somber with the period yes Harkersville in the country around it stood bleak dusty and barren end product of hard times at the back door of his ram shackled farmhouse adjacent to town Jeff Harker whose uncle had founded Harkersville pauses a moment before entering he removes his hat mops his forehead with a red bandana stamps some mud off his feet cheerfully opens the door and faces his wife evening Bonnie wash your hands Jeff supper's almost ready well now don't I get just a little hug I said foods ready all right all right and I hope you didn't track mud into my house why I didn't I almost certainly didn't spend my waking hours trying to keep this house halfway clean why I scraped those feet of mine clean as a whistle of a J bird just for you sit down before it gets cold I wish I could set something more appetizing before you now Bonnie I never get tired of your vegetable stew well if you're not tired of it now you never will be well what happened the day beside it being so hot besides it being so hot the washing machine broke down again I was afraid that would happen I had to do a week's wash by hand well that's a shame Bonnie I don't mind the work Jeff but I get scared of my heart with our baby coming on my heart just starts pounding and pounding hey you should have left your washing for me you have your own work I'll look at the washer it's probably that gear I tried to fix on it you fixed it all right I tell you what I'll go into town tomorrow and pick up one from my cousin Bert you got money to pay for it I hope that's the least of my troubles money I think I'll take my coffee on the porch Bonnie it's cool out there come and sit with me a minute I have so much to do that's the trouble with you you never take time to sit down a minute come on now that's a girl sit here on the swinging and put your head on my shoulder that better don't you be looking for gray hair why Bonnie you having a gray hair in your head it's a wonder now I know things haven't been as easy as they could be but nobody knows it better in the but let me tell you about a friend I met today there he is now that metal arc well anyway there I was in the heat of midday trying to patch that barn roof sweat was just pouring off me and I just mashed my finger with a hammer I was ready to cuss a dictionary for when this new friend of mine pipes up well I just had to stop and look at him he sounded so cheerful must admit he looked pretty spiffy there with his yellow vest and black neck tie and suddenly it dawned on me if I was thinking his way I'd probably just as pert and just as happy well you know I went to work on that barn roof patch in the patches and I actually enjoyed it and what's more I didn't smack a fingernail the rest of the day Jeff you are the one too much pride to ask help of your uncle made who has more than he ever could spend well your cousin birds feather in his nest working your heart out on these few scurvy acres but Jeff you are a comfort I'm glad I'm good for something I I don't mean to be acting mean Jeff you couldn't act mean if you wanted to Bonnie and don't you worry about our baby I'll try not to worry Jeff and I promise you I'll get that part for your washing machine from cousin Burton town tomorrow what brings you in town oh I had to come in Bert you were you went to see Uncle Nate no I'm not in to see Uncle Nate matter of fact I haven't seen Uncle Nate for more than a year I don't like to bother him good thing somebody thinks of him once in a while I have to pay respects meaning you Bert mean and me Bert do you have to pay your respects with your hand out in front of Uncle Nate is grateful that I I think of it sure sure you how's the hardware business Bert yeah it's terrible one day you sell a little the next day not so much like that well anyway let me have a gear like this will you well if you can pay for it you just get it out and tell me how much all right Jeff here's your gear that'll be eight dollars and fifty cents eight eight fifty well it cost me over six dollars Jeff put a little gear like that I figured a dollar a dollar and a half at most sure you didn't you're coming here speaking that smart talk caught your language don't take it so heavy Bert now listen I'd have brought the 850 father thought you're lying Jeff and you know it let me write you an IOU and take a no IOU from no bankrupt sugar beet farmer but this isn't for me it's for Bonnie she's gonna have a baby and she hasn't been strong as she should be trust me for the gear Bert I just can't go home without it sorry Jeff you don't run a business on sob stories maybe Uncle Nate will give you a handout I'm sorry I mentioned it Bert didn't bring it home did you I don't rightly think I need it you didn't bring it home because you couldn't pay for it and Bert wouldn't let you have it you care how I do it I said I'd fix your washing machine you couldn't pay for it could you could you maybe I could Jeff what's the matter with you your Uncle Nate in town living in that big Gable house with more than he'll ever spend and look at us I won't ask Uncle Nate for help not never you're too proud to ask him it isn't pride Bonnie not that I don't understand you Jeff it was the same way when you and Bert were kids living with your Uncle Nate Bert was always the smart one buttering up your uncle getting him things he liked I earned my keep and I did lots of favors for Uncle Nate too then why is Bert cashed in on his tell me that but has he cashed in jumping every time my Uncle Nate waves his finger kissing the dirty we should ask him no Bonnie Uncle Nate and I always understood each other and he never had anything I wanted not really well I'd not be proud he's kin of mine if your Uncle Nate had built that sugar beet refinery maybe all of us farmers wouldn't be starving like we are that that was up to him Bonnie oh you're impossible standing around here all day long with your talk about the metal lock and us trying to scaven some sort of existence out of this place now Bonnie and don't Bonnie me I got a baby coming into this world and what kind of world am I bringing it into filth and dust and no place to sell a crop I hate it nothing to look forward to today like tomorrow tomorrow like yesterday I hate it and most of all I hate the one who could have made it easy for us all this time the man who's bled every farmer around here of everything he's ever had your Uncle Nate I wouldn't speak like that Bonnie not of the dead that what did you say judge your Uncle Nate is dead Jeff well not an hour ago to bank you better come in town with me all right I won't be too long Bonnie all right it's mighty nice of you to come out like this judge Evans well I wanted to notify you first Jeff matter of fact I thought it very important that you come right in oh why is that judge if the old man didn't change the world I made out not a week ago you're gonna get most everything he's got we'll know at the bank hate to open Nate's box didn't think I'd be doing it this soon Jeff like most people I didn't have much love for your Uncle Nate a lot of respect there we are look at there look at the money there look at those hundred dollar bills Nate always believed money talk don't have to tell you that here it is here's the will let's see here well you're it Jeff you're a very wealthy man beginning this moment I don't know what to say neither do I I'll have to notify first I suppose listen is that money mine well after the probate it is I'll take a couple a hundred of it now well that isn't quite as it should be but thanks where you're going to buy a washing machine a brand new washing machine Jeff if you come back to try and talk me out of that gear you're wasting your time I don't want no gear Bert I want to buy a brand new washing machine well but a brand new machine cause you're selling me the machine or not well sure Jeff but you'll have to put at least a third down in cash I'm paying all cash well really Jeff where did you get the wind for never mind what's the best machine you got well oh I have one for 189 50 oh but surely put one on my truck one with no scratches on the enamel I don't want the enamel scratch for Bonnie when you're through you better go see Judge Evans he has news for you there's your new washing machine Bonnie you like it it's almost too beautiful to touch oh Jeff with all this news I'm sick I talked so mean about Uncle Nate oh he wouldn't mind God bless his Flint Rock heart he wouldn't mind what are you gonna do with all he left why I think I'm going to build that sugar beet refinery oh but Jeff isn't that gonna run into money everything Uncle Nate left us but do you think it's the right time to start it say thought you said Uncle Nate should have built it long ago I thought you wanted it but it was his money then and we've been so up against it for so long don't be hasty Jeff now we finally got something don't do the wrong thing we pause briefly for my story the metal arc starring John Payne to bring you an important message from our government men let's look at the record between July 1947 and October 1948 more than a quarter of a million forward-looking young men signed original enlistment papers with the United States Army in addition thousands of men reenlisted and more than a hundred thousand veterans returned to the army if you look for them you'll see the reasons technical schools where trades can be learned where the best equipment and the best tools are available while you increase your skill and your opportunity for advancement there is job security and there is the chance for rapid promotion more in the army there are free medical and dental care food clothing and quarters all in all in the new peacetime United States Army there are unlimited opportunities opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere these are considerations which have moved almost half a million young Americans to stay in the army rejoin the army or sign enlistment contracts think this over then learn the details visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station immediately the curtain rises on act 2 of the metal arc starring John Payne is Jeff Harker Jeff's decision to build a huge sugar beet refinery where the money will him by his uncle Nate Harker seems to be the needed shot in the arm to the community things are brightening up all over refinery is under construction it's huge form taking shape against the horizon giving the community new confidence Jeff and Bonnie have now moved into the Gable house in town as our scene opens we find them in the living room Jeff is moving furniture a little more now you've gone too far back listen how long does this go on stop complaining move it just to smidge that's just right well I'm glad you're finally satisfied how do you like your new house by now Mrs. Harker damn oh it is we need to keep those windows open it's a fine old place though come out in the yard see there Bonnie what the finest storm cellar in town Uncle Nate knew what he was doing hey look at that yard and the elm tree isn't that a beauty good place for a swing for your child yes if you want to swim there's my friend the metal arc same one sure come to live nearer sometimes Jeff you imagine things oh I do listen who'd have thought looking at this house in this yard who'd have ever thought a month ago that we'd be here that our new baby would come into this world you don't mean to say that you I had a hunch after he didn't get in the middle of it I better be getting back to the building you have to rush back we're short-handed a lot of the men been laying off lately I told you that once a day now that's good I don't know why it should scare me so I don't even I really don't you for quite a while no I have intended to come over some time to congratulate congratulate me don't act as if you don't know you're one Jeff it's all right though see this is quite a building you're putting up you think so yeah I admire your courage in the basic conditions you're a jiff who hardiness I don't know what should be more correct oh I think it'll work out all right well any rate Jeff you're helping business in town my business that bird all my business good bye I'll be leaving now good luck to you on this refinery Jeff what's Bert doing over here Jeff I don't know kept talking about how I was helping his business all his business what's he mean why didn't you know he's got a big piece of that roadhouse they just built the glass slipper oh that's right he's gonna get his eyelashes burnt we're having trouble on the count of that place men laying off oh well what's on your mind judge oh not much Jeff just dropped by was interested in know about the baby Doc bond says anytime now that's good say Jeff look at that cloud over there at black cloud yeah doesn't look too good over by Emoryville looks to be but they don't get it again there was some tornado they had over there oh Jeff what is it miss your wife just called she says you better call doc bond and come a running well how do you like that you time to just write judge Evan I sure did I'll let you know whether it's a girl or a boy operator will you get me doc bond doc bond this is Jeff Harker doc the wife just called I guess this is it all right definitely do doc just wanted to clarify it shouldn't you be lying down well I this wind is blowing so hard and no one here doc bond isn't here yet oh was he supposed to be well he's on his way over you sit down hello hello doc I just got home I Jeff this looks like a real blow a tornado there's a tree down in over doc well I think I I don't know I mean it's any time now all right doc come with me Bonnie I'm gonna try and rig up a bed in the storm cell it's a tornado Jeff well it's quite a blow what about Doc bond you'll be along directly he's coming just as soon as he can no he isn't Bonnie what have he doesn't come we'll just have to do the best we can keep a hold of yourself Bonnie I said to keep a hold of yourself Bonnie I don't care what they say nothing in God's world is gonna deny you that baby nothing the charming hello doc not to mention this fine young Jeff I'd be buying you that Stetson hat tomorrow size seven bar here's it you deserve it hello doc bond Jeff funny judge and this is the sprout fine-looking boy Jeff you better say that and why not he looks just like his mother Jeff can I see you minute sure excuse us folks Jeff we got it almost as bad as him revealed how's the refinery damaged pretty bad Jeff could be worse though could be worse what else no casualty report yet wind picked up the glass slipper blew it clear out of town that's good matter of fact it blew it two miles down the road right on top of a little house Cliff Higgins was building that's where it belongs here's a fistful of wires that came through I'm gonna take doc bond with me we're setting up headquarters in the courthouse get on over when you can all right judge thanks look out there well it looks pretty bad to the eye most everything inside blown around some say there's my friend when he heard the blow coming he just lifted himself up a little higher and forgot it was the refinery damaged yes it was hit pretty hard what are we going to do Bonnie please don't ask that don't try to look in the future when we were on the farm you tried it where will we a month later in Gable house then with your baby you tried to look ahead and you're trembling you weren't sure and there's your baby right beside you things look pretty dismal out there sure but look at this fistful of telegrams already sending five trucks of milk we were there to sign the people of Emoryville and there's 20 more just like it I think I understand you Jeff the thing is not what you're going to do but when do we get started the way is pretty well met I see it now Jeff I do see there's my friend again you know that's a cheerful just the kind of sound we need our star John Payne will return for a curtain call after this timely message from Wendell Niles these are simple basic qualifications which you are about to hear and if you fill these qualifications you will have the opportunity of a lifetime before you listen carefully you're between the ages of 20 and 26 and one half with two years of college all the ability to pass an equivalent examination and if you are physically fit you may be able to become an aviation cadet in the United States Air Force you may be able to take the training that will teach you to fly the best aircraft in the world with the best Air Force in the world the United States Air Force after you have successfully completed a full year of training you will receive a commission as second lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve and you will have your pilot's wings if you are among the highest in your class you will receive a regular commission and you will be on your way to a career with unlimited horizons for full details visit your nearest Air Force base a recruiting station at once now back at the microphone our star John Payne and our producer John come out and take a bow for your performance thank you CP and incidentally Gail Russell and I both appreciate the fine plugs you gave us last week for El Paso and Dick Varan was here you're welcome it's a fine picture and we'll all be primed to be on the lookout for it and by the way John I was reading some things in Sigmund space new book a history of popular music in America that should be of interest to you about John Howard Payne and home sweet home I'll bet yes he was an ancestor of yours wasn't he all about a 15th cousin I guess I haven't a genealogy on this but according to what my father says there seems to be some evidence that the families were related how about some highlights on the song well it was first written for the opera Clary the maid of Milan by Sir Henry Bishop and John Payne the heroine Clary sang it Bishop wrote the music and paint the lyrics the song appears also in the lesson scene of Rossini's the Barbara Saville and home sweet home was the favorite encore of both Jenny Lynn and Madame Potty Dr. space refers to an incident in the Oklahoma court I believe around 1935 when the defending lawyer sang home sweet home as a plea for clemency for his clients and he won his point that lawyers should have been in show business well it is important Americana here's another interesting thing did you know that the first tabs of Yankee doodle Dixie and home sweet home can all be sung together there's a chance for our listeners to try it to me one of the most interesting things about Payne was that though he wrote home sweet home he never actually had a home of his own and to he never made any money on the song in fact was hungry several times while being while it was being played on hand organs in the street the real test for a song's popularity in those days yeah the real test if it gets around to the hand organs the composer is in if the poor guy didn't mind living on glory well CP it's been nice seeing you and before I leave what's in store for us next week next week John and ladies and gentlemen we present lovely Vera Ralston in a heart warming romantic comedy titled the new world look it's the story about the age-old question love which conquers all you won't want to miss Vera Ralston in this delightful story that sounds good now be listening goodbye goodbye John Payne each other join us next week ladies and gentlemen when we bring you Vera Ralston in the new world look until then this is CP McGregor saying thanks for listening and Cheerio from Hollywood which arranges for the appearance of all stars on this program scripted by Rich Hall the music under the direction of Eddie Scravan the program is transcribed to Hollywood for release at this time Wendell Niles speaking