 Lux presents Hollywood. The Lux Radio Theatre brings you Bedtime Story, starring Greer Garcin and Cary Grant. Ladies and gentlemen, your guest producer, Mr. Donald Crisk. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Among the many traditions of the American stage is the amiable ability of show people to laugh at themselves. And as a result, some of our most entertaining comedies have been built around the theater. Tonight, we bring you one such comedy, with two of the screen's best-loved stars, Cary Grant and Greer Garcin. I have just had the pleasure of making value of decision with Ms. Garcin at McGorwell Mayor. Both of our stars, as you know, are nominees for the 1944 Academy Awards. Greer Garcin for the fifth time. In addition, Ms. Garcin was voted America's favorite screen star in the nationwide Gallup poll, conducted for Photo Play Magazine. Tonight, Greer and Cary appear in the screen hit Bedtime Story, produced by Columbia Pictures. Incidentally, the studio has just completed another hit production, Tonight and Every Night, starring a popular favorite of the Lux Radio Theatre, Rita Hayworth. I think you'll agree that the versatile Rita was never presented to better advantage on the screen. Now, there's a strong belief, supported in our play tonight, that once your stage truck, or bitten by the theater, you never lose your addiction to grease paint and foot lights. Well, that could be said of other things, too. I think once people are exposed to Lux Flakes, they remain loyal devotees for life. One lady tells us of using Lux to wash a piece of Chinese silk embroidery that she was about to discard as hopelessly soiled and failed. She writes, the colors came back just as lovely as they were years ago and did not run at all. Well, now, in these days, when all fine fabrics are doubly precious, it's nice to know that Lux Flakes are helping to preserve their color and charm. Now, here's the first act of Bedtime Story, starring Greer Garcin as Jane and Cary Grant as Luke. Mr. and Mrs. Drake, Jane and Luke, are the first lady and gentlemen of the American Theater. Every season, they've given Broadway a smash hit, brilliantly written by Luke, magnificently acted by Jane. Tonight, after a solid year's run, their latest offering, Isabella the Great is closing. The curtain falls, and from the wings comes Jane to make her fair way of speech. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you. No, no, not ladies and gentlemen, but friends. What I have to say now is, well, it's not going to be easy. This was not only the last performance of Isabella, but also the last performance of Jane Drake. Yes, yes, my husband and I are retiring from the theater. Oh, I'm sorry, but that was supposed to be Mr. Drake's cue to come out here so that we could say goodbye together. But Mr. Drake seems to have misplaced himself, so I'll have to say it for both of us. Good night, goodbye, and thank you. Lady, where is he? Where's Luke? I don't know. Well, he certainly put me in a nice spot. Look, Jane, I'm just a manager, not a medium. Last I saw, Luke, he was at the apartment. That man could disappear quicker than a packet of cigarettes. Oh, it's my own fault. I never should have let him out of my sight. Oh, good evening, Jane. Come in, Dudley. Did you see me making a darn fool of myself out there? Well, the only darn fool thing you ever did was to marry Luke Drake instead of me. Ah, Jane, I've been waiting for this opportunity for years. How about doing the town with me tonight, huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Dudley. We're giving a farewell party at the apartment. Why don't you join us? Oh, but that's for your theater friends. Oh, they're broad-minded. They don't mind bankers. Oh, no, no, I can't risk it. Some other time, Jane. Oh, I'm sorry, Dudley. Well, good night. Eddie, Eddie, start looking for Luke and find him. Find him. Well, that's what I've been trying to find out all night. Jane, I simply can't understand this. Now, why this farewell to the theater? Well, Emma, seven years ago, Luke and I were making an overnight jump from Duluth to Minneapolis. Oh, that's a tough one. Uh-huh. Well, right then and there, we got to thinking about all the things we were missing. And we decided that before we were too old, we'd take time out to live. And then six weeks later when we got back to New York, we bought all this furniture. You see that little cabinet over there? We ate hamburgers for six months to pay for it. But we got it. Oh, Father Jane. And we knew exactly where it was going. In fact, we bought each piece. We knew exactly where it would stand in the house. House? Uh-huh. It was finished last month, right in the middle of the loveliest farm in Connecticut. Wait a minute. Has this house got a nursery? No, ever. No. Ah, but we have three extra bedrooms. They can all be turned into nurseries very quickly. But one at a time, of course. The idea of leaving the theater to have children. Well, I've raised four children and never missed a cube. My dear Emma, you weren't married to Luke Drake. You wouldn't have had time to raise even an injection. Oh, no. Eight performances a week, week after week, until you're absolutely worn out. And where is Mr. Drake all this time? Well, I usually find that out the night the show closes. He's been writing another play. He comes bursting in, sweet heart he takes. It's the best thing I've ever done. Run down to Atlantic City and grab yourself a day's rest and read it. We start rehearsals Monday. Oh, no, Emma. No. We're never going to look at a theater again. Hello, hello. Luke. Hello, hello. How are you? How are you? Hello, Jane. Luke, have you been in your room all this time? Yes, I'm sorry, darling. I was detained. Hi, Luke. She's coming over here. I don't want you to haggle with her about money. Jane, you know Mabel Chadwick. She'd be good as Elsie, wouldn't she? Who? Elsie. Elsie. Don't you remember? I named the brunette Ruth and the blonde Elsie. Oh, yes. Well, the blonde who plays opposite you is Elsie. Play as opposite me? Yes. Oh, I forgot to tell you, darling. I'll be working on the new play. So get yourself a rest. You can read it while you're resting. Now run down to Atlantic City for the weekend to start rehearsals Monday. Oh, lovely. Oh, weekend off. Yes, isn't that wonderful? Now, here's the script. But be careful of it, Princess. It's the greatest thing I've ever written. And what's more, dear, it will be our first play in your own theater. My own? The Jane Drake Theater. Where did you get the money to buy a theater? Huh? Oh, I sold the farm. You sold the farm? Yes. You sold our farm? Yes. Well, wait, wait, wait. Well, don't do that. You're changing my script. Six months of my life. And seven years of my life. You can write yourself another play and you can get yourself another star. Because I'm leaving you, Luke, right now. What did I do? What did I say? Hey, look what she did to it. My beautiful play. Is the opening of act two? Oh, no. Jane couldn't have gone to Reno. This is just a bad dream. This apartment looks like a bad dream, too. What happened? Oh, she threw things at me, Eddie. She broke things. Hey, where's Elsa's second speech? I don't know. Oh, fine, Ed. Yeah, it's just like a bad dream. I tell you, Eddie, something's gone out of me. I'll never set foot in the theater again. Come in. Hello, Luke. Hello, Eddie. Hi, Ed. Hello, Mike. Come on in, Bert. Well, Luke, the set worked out fine. Yeah. And here are the sketches for Jane's gown. Oh, yeah. Let me see them. Oh, Mike, what is this? I told you I wanted the stairs in the middle of the set. Well, sure. But I was just... Let me see your sketches, Bert. Sure. Oh, dear me. Look at that. You call yourself a designer? Well, I... Well, there's too many ruffles for Jane. I said simple, simple. Hey, Luke, just to remind you, Jane is in Reno, and you're never gonna set foot in the theater again. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Oh, but, Eddie, I can't pass this show up. It's got to be done. Now, come on, you two. Don't stand there gawking. Change the stairs. Mike, fix the ruffles, Bert. Hurry up, get going. Okay, Luke. I'll have them done tomorrow. Good. Eddie, she's got to play it. Don't you see what happened? I was thoughtless. She was overworked, all keyed up. She wanted a little rest and offered her a few days of Atlantic City. I should have given her at least a week. Hey, Eddie, get that balloon. Get that. Yeah, okay. Hello? Oh, hello, Kitty. Kitty Morgan of the Globe for you. Oh, thank... What does she want? What do you think? Well, tell us... Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute. They print her column in Reno, don't they? If Reno's got a newspaper, they do. Well, let me have that phone. Hello, Kitty. Yes, yes, Kitty. Well... Well, naturally, I'm pretty broken up. The show? I wouldn't touch that show now or any other show. I'm through, Kitty, and... Well, I don't just know how to put it up. Something's gone out of you. Get out of here and don't come back until you bring me an LC. Okay, okay. Hello, Kitty. Well, let me put it this way. Something has gone out of me. Gone out of me says Luke Drake. Something has gone out of me says Luke Drake. Playwright, a band, and theater. Oh, oh, Luke. Oh, darling. Hello? Hello, operator. Get me New York. Mr. Lucius Drake, quickly, please. Darling, darling. Oh, Jamie, Jamie, darling. Look, I'm so glad to be home. Oh, Princess, I was lost without you. Oh, darling. Oh, you're so beautiful. Oh, Princess, I was lost without you. Oh, darling. Oh, you had the cabinet set. Oh, darling, you cried every time I thought about breaking it. Oh, darling, let's face it. You are the most wonderful person in the world. Oh, now, Jamie... Taking care of all our beautiful things and giving up the theater. I feel so selfish, darling. Oh, don't give it a thought, dear. Sir, what's the matter with this drawer? The cabinet drawer. Oh, well, it must be locked. Oh, that's funny. It's never been locked before. Oh, well, you know how cabinet drawers are. Now forget all about it. Come on, sit in my lap, huh? Luke, have you been working on that play? Is that what's in that drawer? Oh, so, so that's what you think. All right, I'll open that drawer if I have to wreck the cabinet doing it. Where's the hammer? Oh, no, no, Luke. No, I believe you, darling. Well, sweet, if you have the slightest suspicion... Oh, darling, I haven't. I swear it. Now sit down. Oh, darling. Oh, darling. Come in. Hi, Luke. In here, Eddie. Well, you told me to find a girl and I got it. Eddie, the princess is back. Why, Jane, when did you... Oh, you're back. Yeah, huh? Find a girl for what, Eddie? Just what were you saying? Yes, Eddie, a girl for what? Well, you told me. You told me to go out and find a nice girl and settle down, so I did. Come in, Bueller. Jane, meet Bueller. Oh, how do you do? Hello. Well, well... Jane, who'd have dreamed that Eddie would take the big step? What do you know, old sourpus, when you've done it? Well, we haven't exactly done it yet. Oh, no. We haven't done it yet. Well, we've got to get together sometime. Now, how about tomorrow? Goodbye, children. Why, Luke, shame on you. I want to hear all about these love birds right now. Oh, you're there. Come down, Bueller. Yeah, Jane, Jane, we can't stay just now. Bueller and I have to catch a show in Brooklyn. A show on Sunday? Well, it's a concert. Oh, wait. You're going to a concert? They don't come out on a runway, you know. Well, I guess it's Bueller's influence. Yeah, it is Bueller. She loves music. She's quite a musician. Oh, I wonder for a piano. Huh? Oh, yeah, piano. A musician. You know what? Funny, I just swore she was an actress. That's a laugh. What do you mean? Well, I hope you enjoy the concert, Bueller. Goodbye. Yeah, come on. Wait, gentlemen, look at her. Whom do you see? Whom do we see? Why, Bueller, of course. Oh, no, no, no. Elsie. Elsie? What's she talking about, Elsie? Oh, you know the character in your play. Oh, there. Imagine that to play. Ha, ha, ha. She still thinks Bueller's an actress. Oh, no, no, Eddie. You said she was a musician. Do you really understand her time before the concert? Wouldn't you like to play something for her? Huh? What's it done, Bueller? Oh, listen. Oh, just anything at all, Bueller. I love the piano. Oh, look. I don't think I'd better play. Oh, please. Dear, please. Something simple. Little shots of Corvitch, please. Jane, please, please. Oh, Bueller, dear. Don't be so bad. Bueller, can you, I mean, would it be all right? Well, I, I... That's a girl. Go ahead, dear. Please, please. Well. Okay. Oh, whatever. Oh, it's lovely. What do you think? Jane, Jane, let me explain. Shh. Listen. I'm really afraid I don't play very well. Oh, what are you talking for, Bueller? Say, dear. Oh, for goodness' sake. Jane, Jane, no, please. Give me a chance to... Here's the model for the new set. Get out of here. Get out, man. The model for the new set. Beautiful life. Yeah. I just... Get out. Yes, get out. But don't get in my way. I'm getting out, too. Goodbye, Luke. Janey. If you want me again, my address is still a half of a hotel in Reno. Good luck with the play. Janey. Look, listen. I couldn't help it. Shut up. Get that woman away from that piano. Just a moment. I'll connect you with the room clerk. Pardon me. What's Mrs. Drake's room number, please? Your name, please. Mr. Drake. One moment, please. I'll announce you. Oh, thank you. Oh, Mr. Will you call Mrs. Drake's room, please? Tell her Mr. Williams is here. Well, well, well. If it isn't Dudley. Look, what brings you here? I didn't know you were in Reno. I didn't know you were in Reno. I'll see you here, old man. Let's not create a scene. Why not? I enjoy a good scene. Will you be quiet? You may not have any reputation, but I have. You haven't got a chance with Jane. Can you hear that? You are worth her little finger. Please, quiet. Oh, hello, Jane. Oh, good evening, Dudley. How nice of you to ask me to dinner. Jane, I'd like to talk to you. Shall we go, Dudley? Well... Well, shall we go, then? I'm a world in a mighty fine state when a man can't talk to his own wife. And a man named Dudley Williams comes courting her before she's even divorced. Quiet, quiet. What are you trying to do, Drake? I am trying to carry on a little private conversation with my wife. Well, for heaven's sakes, Jane, say something to him. Hello. Jane, now, let's go to your room. I'd rather not. Well, then take my car. It's right at the curb. Oh, well, that's very sweet of you, Dudley. Well, now, Dudley, you wait right here for me. Good night, Jane. I'm much obliged, old pal. Old kid. Old stuffed shirt. When are you going to talk? You know, Jane, we've come a long way since before. We stood before that small town preacher, haven't we? Yes. Yes, and what have we got out of it? Well, I don't know. We've had seven years. The greatest, the most electrifying years of my life. The word is shocking. I can't remember any other years. The ones I spent with you. Now, just keep driving, Luke. Just keep driving. Why? What are you afraid of? Luke, I want you to tell me something before we go any further. In mileage, I mean, are you going to give up the theater? Nope. Then there's nothing more to be said. Please, take me back to the hotel. And you won't give it up either. All right, maybe you'll hook up with somebody like old stuffed shirt Dudley. But just as sure as today is Wednesday. I've got news for you, darling. Today is Thursday, not Wednesday. Well, all right. All right, princess. Anyway, will you do one thing for me? Will you read the new play? I've never put on anything without your advice and help. And, uh, well, here I brought it along. Well, I can't read in the dark. I'll switch to the lie down for you. All right, give me the play. Oh, thank you very much. Hey, what's that? Oh, I don't know. Oh, what's the matter with it? Well, I'll get to that. Well, what do you know? We're out of cash. Oh, that's fine. Oh, dear me, I've met characters in my time, but never any like Dudley. Can you imagine that? A man with all his money and what happens. He comes according with an empty tank. Ha, ha, ha. Who ever heard of such a silly thing? I'm never out of cash. This is one time I wish you were. Well, do something. We can't sit out here all night. Well, there must be an auto-court nearby. There must also be a gasoline station nearby. Oh, as a matter of fact, there is one. Look, right over there. Oh, yeah. There it is. Aren't we lucky. Hello. We'd like some gas, please. Nope. Sorry. What do you mean, nope? Sorry. Can't. Why not? Rita Hayworth. Well, look, Pop, what's Rita Hayworth got to do with our dying gas? Rita Hayworth's picture saying in Reno, son's baddie, but Rita Hayworth, son of picture show, key to gas, pump and son's pocket. Oh, excuse me. What did you say? He said Rita Hayworth's picture saying in Reno, son's baddie about Rita Hayworth, son of picture show, key to gas, pump and son's pocket. Shall we go round again? No. That's the first time. Well, now it's just perfect. Did he have to take the key with him? He don't trust me. Like a cabin? We've got some nice cabins. Oh, no thanks. No thanks. We'll wait for your son here. Son spends the night in Reno sometimes. Won't be back till morning, maybe. Oh, is that a definite, maybe? Maybe. Sure you don't want a cabin? Well... All right, all right. We'll take two cabins. Sorry, lady. Only got one. Then I'll take it alone. Yes, ma'am. This way. Oh, Jane. Good night, Luke. It's cold out here. How can I keep warm? Talk to Pop. He'll tell you about Rita Hayworth. Good night, Luke. Jane here. Princess, open the door, please. Well? Jane, did you... Did you read the play? Yes. Yes, I did. Well, all right. Say it, Princess. There's something you don't like. Yes, Luke, there is. I... I don't like your quibbling about the custody of the child, because after all... Oh, I'm glad you said that. There's one scene that doesn't please me either, but go ahead, Princess. Go ahead. Luke, I think it's the greatest play you've ever written. You mean that? Yes, and I think the part of Ruth is the greatest feminine role I ever read. Well, then, well... I hope you get a fine actress to play it. Our stars will be back with act two of bedtime story in a moment. Now, Sally, what have you behind your back? That's for you to find out, Mr. Kennedy. Which hand will you take? Well, I'll take that one. The left. Okay, here. Well, it's nothing but a rubber band. Let's see if it's any good. Oh, it broke. That's because it lost its elasticity. Now, that's what happens to stockings, too, when they lose their elasticity. You stretch them by bending your knee and they pop a run. I see what you mean, Sally. It's important to save the elasticity of your stockings. Yes. Now, see what I have in my right hand. Another rubber band? Mm-hmm, but this one's good. Let me see if I can stretch and stretch it, and even a little more. Hmm, it doesn't break. It still has elasticity. Like stockings that have been washed regularly in luxe. Gentle luxe flakes save elasticity, so stockings give understrain and don't pop into run so often. That's right. Strain tests prove it. A famous laboratory stretch stockings over and over again, as you do when you wear them. The ones that had been washed with a strong soap or rubbed with a cake of soap soon lost their elasticity. Just like that old rubber band. They broke into runs quickly, the stockings that had been washed with gentle luxe flakes kept their elasticity and lasted twice as long. That's just like getting an extra pair every time you buy a pair. Yes, Sally. Luxe cuts down runs and cuts down stocking bills, too. And remember, always dry rayons at least 24 hours. We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Two of bedtime story, starring Carrie Grant as Luke and Greer Garson as Jane. A prestigious knight in the back seat of the automobile, Luke is bleary-eyed and rumpled. At the wheel of the car ready to leave the autocourt, he glances appealingly at Jane, who is gazing very interestingly at the scenery, and the attendant waits so patiently for his money. I said my son put in 10 gallons. That'll be $4.40 with the single cabinet. What? I said $4.40. Oh, I haven't any money. Well, I have no money. Well, my wife will pay you. Oh, honestly, Luke, you are the most helpless creature. Oh, you're so right, Princess. Healthless. I'm sorry, I haven't any cash. Here's my credit card. I'll make you out a receipt. My darling wife, I owe you my life. And $4.46. And I expect a collective, see? Then you figure to pay it back. Now, stop hounding me. In the meantime, have old 6% Dudley figure up the interest. Over a period of 20 years, you know, it'll double itself. Here you are, lady, a receipt. Oh, thank you. Back again sometime. If I ever get back to Nevada, I'll look you up the very first thing. Nevada? You ain't in Nevada. This is California. Don't even know what state they're in. Jane Drake, granted divorce. Famous actress gives up career. Oh, she can't do this. She can't. Luke Drake costs new pay. Virginia... Virginia Cole gets lead dramatic part. Virginia Cole is the media. Oh, he can't do that. He can't. Can't play a part intended for Jane Drake? Don't be silly, Virginia. Tell her, Luke. Look, what is all this? Virgin, the part in that play is still intended for Jane Drake. Oh, the dual role. I play her, but I don't play her. That's right. Well, so long, Luke. No, no, no. Wait a minute, Virgin. Please. I want you to pretend you're going to play her. Jane can't stand to see a good part, a part meant for her murdered by Miss Casting. Oh, yeah. Now, look. I'm a funny woman, but I have my feelings. Oh, Mr. Drake. Mrs. Drake is here. What, the princess? She's here? Send her in. Yes, sir. Well, lady, what do you think of the general now? Okay, general, you win. Vergey, what do you say? Would you say you're playing it? Well, at least it's different, being fired before you're hired. For you, I'll do it. Oh, Vergey, you're a sweetheart. Watch it. Morning, Luke. Oh, hello, Jane. Now look, Virginia, on the second-hand curtain, Ruth slaps her face. See? A backhand blow. Get it? Sure. Sure, I see. Good girl. Oh, Jane, this is Virginia Cole. And this is my... No, this is Jane Drake. How do you do? How do you do? Congratulations, Miss Cole. It's a wonderful part. Oh, I'm dying to play it. And Luke's so confident. Well, he should be your very talented. Oh, thank you. So are you. And then he's the time I've cried at your performances. I've laughed a lot at you, so that makes us even. Well, I'll be running. Goodbye, Luke. Goodbye. So long, Eddie. Yeah. I got the makings of a great actress, that Vergey. Luke, I... Now, Eddie, for the part of the editor, I want Whitback. Luke. In just a second, Jane. The best people for every part, no matter how small, Eddie. Luke, I just dropped in here to tell you that I'm selling the furniture. Okay, okay. And another thing, Eddie, if... What? Well, I thought you'd like to know I'm selling the furniture. What? You mean... Our things? Yes. Oh, listen. You can't do that. I worked hard to buy that furniture. Many of the time, I've given up a meal and just ate hamburgers. And what do I get? Nothing. You're lucky. I get into jeffton. Now, under the circumstances, don't you think we ought to get rid of the furniture? Well, yes. I guess so. And the quickest way is an auction. Any objections? No. No, of course not. Very well. I'll attend to it. Goodbye. Goodbye, Eddie. Goodbye. Where are you going? Out to get a hamburger. An auction. Well, General, how are things in general? Shut up. Everything I had in the world sold. Oh, but Jane, dear, that's what an auction's for. Look at this table. Sold to Mr. Dingelhoff. My beautiful vase. Sold to Mr. Dingelhoff. Oh, Dudley, I wouldn't mind so much if it hadn't been a man named Dingelhoff. Oh, but, dear, Mr. Dingelhoff is a very comfortable prophet. Well, now let's see where you're going to live. Well, I'm taking an apartment upstairs, Dingelhoff. A man buys all the things we walked our feet off to find and wears his luke all this time. He doesn't care enough to show up to buy his own desk. The one I gave him when we were first married. His feet looked so distinguished on it. Oh. Now, now, Jane, why get upset? Upset? Over him. Why, there isn't a drop of real feeling left in him. For that precious play of his, he'd steal a blanket off a shivering orphan. Oh, Jane, dear, I wish I could help you. Oh, you do, Dudley. You do help. Do you know something, Dudley? I'm beginning to appreciate you. Your, your dignity and your dependability. Dudley, I want to see a lot of you. An awful lot. I'm going to put some life in the pot. Try that line again. Ruth, you've been out over an hour. Where were you? You really like to know. Where were you? Oh, no, no, no. You're not asleep, Emma. Are you? Perhaps my play is boring you. Oh, Luke. Oh, that's fine. That's fine. I raise my voice above a whisper and she blubbers like a schoolgirl. That's not what I'm blubbering about. How can you expect us to rehearse? How can you do it? When? When what? Everybody seems to know about it, but you, you silly playwright. The papers are full of it. But you're so busy yelling your full head off. And where's the paper at? You got to the paper. There it is, Luke. The picture on page six. Jane Drake to Wedge Socialite Banker. Divorced actress announces engagement to Dudley Williams Jr. Well, rehearsal at eight tonight. Back at eight, everyone. Well, she's served notice on you, pal. Yeah. Hi, Eddie. Hi, Mac. Has my car sneaked up on that fire hydrant again? No, no ticket this time. Hi, Mr. Drake. Hello, Mac. Say, Eddie, when I dropped in for you, better stay away from Billy's place tonight and I kind of, we're going to raid it. What's that got to do with me? Well, that wouldn't be a grandfather. They'd pour out of there every other morning, would it? Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Where is this Billy's place, Eddie? How should I know? Now, stop stalling. What kind of a joint is it? Lick it without a license and a nice, friendly tap game on the side. Yes, where is it? Don't look at me. I don't know what he's talking about. Where is it? Third door down the street, 841. Well, come on. I've got to get to a phone. Hello, Jane. This is Luke. I just read the news. Congratulations. Listen, dear, I'd like you and Dudley to have dinner with me this evening. Oh, now, please. I'll ask Dudley. Really? Yes. I'll tell him to meet us here at the theater. In a minute you both get here, we'll go. Oh, that's fine, Jane. Thanks. Okay, I'll call Dudley right now. Goodbye. Hey, Eddie. Yeah? What's that Billy's address again? 841. Hey, what are you doing? I am calling Mr. Dudley Williams. I'm inviting him to dinner at Billy's place. But Luke, there are other places besides Billy's place. This one we'll do in a pinch. Take the scene once more from Verge's entrance. Places, please. Hey, Luke, Jane's here. Where? Sitting in the last row. Watch me. Eddie, I'll have her up on that stage in five minutes. Just watch me. Well, go on, Vergey, go on. I didn't get a cue. But take it from me. It doesn't matter what I want. Now get a little feeling into it. Now, please, go on. It doesn't matter what I want. You're telling me what's good for me. What's proper and what isn't proper? Well, you... What have I done to deserve this? I give my whole life to the theater. And what do I get? A home caller. Oh, stop. Crying, you couldn't cry. You haven't gotten emotion in your whole body. Oh, Luke, cut it out. You want to be ashamed of yourself. Oh, hello, Jane. I did this to you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Jane, I didn't know you were here. Well, it's obvious she doesn't know what you want. Why don't you go up there and show her yourself? Well, what do I look like, a guinea pig? Ah, don't get so self-conscious here. I don't know what he wants, Miss Brake. Won't you show me? Not even Jane Drake could show you. Alan Terry couldn't. Sarah Bernhard couldn't. Why don't you crawl back under your rock? As I was saying before, I was interrupted by this... This snake, maybe? Don't flatter yourself. I'll try and show you, Miss Cole. Has anyone got a script? Here, take mine. Thank you. Now, if you're stuck in a minute, look this over. Okay, Jane. Hey. Hey, listen, Luke. The patrol wagon. Well, don't look now, Eddie. But I think that's Dudley going bye-bye. Ready, Jane? Ready? I'll take a crack at it. Oh, darn that racket. Well, just talk about it, Jane. All right. All right. Let's start here, huh? It doesn't matter what I want. You're telling me what's good for me. What's proper and isn't proper. You bullied and scolded me long enough, and I'll tell you something that you'll never forget. It's a free country, and what I choose to do is none of the town's business. No. And another thing. That gardener's going to stay just as long as I want him to. And that's forever, because I love him. You love him? Yes, I love him, and I'm going to marry him. Cut! Jane. Oh, thank you, Emily. Well, there you are. There, do you see? Yeah, I see. I could never play that scene for you, Elizabeth. Watch me play this one. Go ahead, Bird, you give. I can't do it like that. What's more, I won't even try. That's the girl. Now, listen, you signed a contract, Miss Cole. I didn't sign a contract to make a sucker out of myself. You can't run out on me. I'll see that you never get another part on Broadway. All right, then. I'll go back into burlesque. I won't have to act. No, no, Jane, no. Not a go. Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Nuke. I thought it would help her. Oh, maybe she's right, Jane. She could never have played the part. Well, I... Well, thanks, Justin, Jane. Oh, dear. Well, my friends, I... I hate to tell you this, but there's not a chance for us opening now. You've been very kind and patient with me, and I hope you all get better parts and better plays. Thank you very much. Good night. Good night. Well, come on, Jane. Don't be all too long any minute. We'll wait out in the lobby. Yes, yes. Good night, everyone. Oh, Nuke, there must be somebody who could play that part. You can't just give up. Well, what if I did find her? It'll take work and time. I can't postpone it, definitely. Well... No, I'm gonna forget all about it. He's tough on the troupe, though. They need the job. Yes, yes, I know. When in the world is Dudley? Yes, that's right. Where is Dudley, Eddie? Oh, he'll probably be along pretty soon. I don't understand this at all. It isn't like him. No, this isn't like Dudley Williams. Junior. You said it. No, he probably got held up somewhere. Well, now... Now, look, why don't we go over to Tony's, huh? Wait a minute. What about Dudley? Oh, the stage door man will tell him. It'll be all right. Well... Ah, look at that sign. The Jean Drake Theater. Well, Eddie, I guess you can hold the sign away with the scenery. Oh, what's a awfully nice sign? Yes, it's nice big letters, too. Yes. Uh, Nuke. Uh-huh? Nuke, suppose you had someone to play that part just temporarily, I mean. So that you could keep the troupe together and open as your plan. Suppose, suppose. Well, you'd have time to find somebody and work with her until you could take my place. Your place? Well, I... I... Princess. Would you do that for me? Now, don't misunderstand me, Nuke. I haven't changed my mind about the theater, but tenderly to help out the company. Time's chained and it'd be wonderful. Hi, Eddie. Oh, hi, Mac. Well, Eddie, we raided Billy's place just like I told you. Well, I'll see you again some day. Say hi, Mac. Boy, when you tap one of them places, you should see what comes rolling out. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, Mac, good boy, Mac. Everything from a boot black to a blue blood. This time we nared the Park Avenue banker. What? Yeah, did he try to pull a new one? Ha! He said he thought the place was... Well, come on, Jane, let's go, let's go. Yeah, well, let's go. Just a minute, just a minute. Mac, this Park Avenue banker thought the place was what? He said he thought it was a restaurant. Love you like that. Very funny. Luke, uh, Luke dear, you know that scene in the play where the girl delivers the backhand slap? Well, sure, what about it? Well, you know, I think it ought to be done like this. Let's see, apartment 10-04, right over our old place. Luke, I don't think we're going to get anywhere with Jane just by bringing her a potted plant. I think you ought to... Oh, stop worrying, Eddie. She promised to do the part, didn't she? Yeah, but that was before she had to get Dudley out of jail last night. Eddie, you just leave it to King Lucius I, Lucius the Conqueror. Now, here we are, Prime Minister, ring the bell. Eddie, the play in the Drake shall go on for seven more years, for seven times seven more years. Oh, Mr. Drake. Ah, good day, good day. Let's see my girl inform your mistress that His Majesty and the Prime Minister have come to chew the fat. What, is there anything happening, Mrs. Drake? Yes. She's watching. I was phoned from Greenwich. She and Mr. Williams were married there 10 minutes ago. Married? Well, Luke, the king is dead. Yeah, long live the princess. We'll go back with Act 3 of bedtime story in a moment. Now, here's a lady who solved a problem. The problem of keeping the house down to 65 degrees to save fuel and still keeping her family warm. We do it with sweaters. All wear them indoors as well as out this year. Of course, it does mean extra washing, but I don't mind. And I suspect there's a box of luxe flakes in your kitchen. That's right. I started using luxe for the children's woollies when they were small. And, well, I just kept right on. I always do woollies before they're really dirty. That way, there's no rubbing and they stay soft and fluffy. Did you know that rubbing actually makes the sweater less warm? Well, I know. How's that? Wool fibers contain tiny air pockets that act as insulators, keep cold out and heat in. But if you rub the wool, the fibers flatten and the air pockets disappear. Of course, with luxe, you don't need to rub. I just squeeze the suds through the sweaters ever so gently and use almost cool water. Any other special hints? Well, yes. I make a master pattern for all of our sweaters. One pattern for everybody? I don't see. I drew dads first. That's the biggest. On a big piece of brown paper, just an outline around the sweater. Then, in trying this outline, I drew mine and sisters and then Tommy's. Whenever I luxe a sweater, I pin it to the proper outline and let it dry flat. Of course, I only dry one sweater at a time. This simple plan keeps sweaters fitting perfectly. They look like new all over again. Yes, gentle luxe care keeps all washable woolens fluffy and new-looking longer. Now, Donald Crisp returns to the microphone. After the play, we'll call our stars to the footlights for a brief chat. Now, here's Act 3 of bedtime story, starting Greer Garson as Jane and Cary Grant as Luke. Mrs. Dudley Williams, a bride of 10 minutes, is on her way back to town. Ah, but King Lucius refuses to acknowledge defeat. Somewhere in his fertile brain is a plan. It is evolving. Eddie, I've got it. Get me two character actors who've never played in New York. What? Two character actors. Now, get them. One hour later, just 30 seconds after the bride and groom reaps their hotel suite, there's a knock on the door. Well, is Mrs. Drake here? No, if you mean Mrs. Williams, yes. Ah-ha, that's exactly what we've come about. Whether she is Mrs. Williams or still Mrs. Drake. What? Well, come in, please. Just a minute. Who are you? Collins and Pierce, legal representatives of the colony insurance company. We hold a trust fund in the names of Mr. and Mrs. Drake jointly. Well, what about it? Well, if I the party remarries, the fund is to be divided. Well, I remarried. Divided. Ah. Ah, what? That's the question. Is the marriage valid? Is it valid? Why, of course it's... I'm Mr. Williams. Ah. Ah. Where were you married? Well, in Greenwich. Ah. Did you check to see if a Reno divorce was acceptable in Connecticut? Well, naturally, we have the bank lawyer's advice. Oh, bank lawyer. Harvard bank. Ah. Now, look, Mr. R, I'm sure everything was in order. I wouldn't have been married if I hadn't been properly divorced, would I? Well, naturally there's Nevada and there's New York. I just told you we were married in Connecticut. Then there's Nevada and Connecticut. Now, if we find anything wrong with your divorce, naturally you will have committed bigamy. Embarrassing, isn't it? Bigamy? Well, just a moment. Haven't I... Haven't I seen you somewhere before? I doubt it very much, madam. Ah, doctor. Haven't you a brother who's a doctor? Oh, well, I haven't even called his brother. I don't know anyone who looks like me. That I can believe. Jane, look. Oh, Dudley, the whole thing's ridiculous. Yes, but Jane, if there is a risk of bigamy. Dudley, you too. No, no, no. I'll be reasonable, Jane. Look, I'll call Eccles, the best divorce lawyer in town. No, I don't know a word of law, but I can smell something fishy about this on my law. Madam, there is no place in law for a woman's nostrils. Oh, where is Eccles? We've been waiting an hour. Why doesn't he come? Oh! Oh, will you please stop saying that? There he is, Dudley. Oh, I'll get it. Oh, you. Evening, Dudley. Congratulations, Jane. Hmm, I sort of expected you. I dropped my mirror this morning. Well. Well, quite a crowd. Well, I must say you've got a nerve to show your face around here after making me spend a night in jail. Don't knock it. Rooms are hard to get. But I'm not the kind that holds a grudge, Dudley. No, no. Grieving playwright comes to congratulate ex-happy actress. You wouldn't happen to know these two. I use the word loosely, gentlemen. No, no. I don't think I've had the pleasure. And you wouldn't know anything about questioning my divorce, either, would you? Oh, now, don't tell me that's what they're doing. Yes. Why, what for? Oh, just for the fun of it. These boys like to play Halloween all the year round. In fact, they're still wearing their masks, I think. Oh, boys, you ought to be ashamed. No, I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to leave. Oh, Jane. Eccles. It's Eccles. Oh, come in, come in, quick. Good evening, Dudley. Oh, thank heaven you were here. Darling, this is Mr. Eccles. How do you do? How do you do? Dudley, this is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard of. I'm sure it won't take a minute. Ah, there, there, there you see. Oh, Dudley, stop. You're acting like a frightened old man. Well, I won't leave this room with our status up in the air. Ah, Jane, Dudley knows best. He wants to iron out your status. Lucius Drake, author, man of imagination. Cooks up a brand new plan to get his play on at any cost. Never mind anyone's happiness. Just get the play done. Is that what you really think? Yes, it is. Please, please. Just what is the point in questioning? It is our contention that while Mrs. Drake was in Reno, she left it joined Mr. Drake in New York. Yes, yes, I did. Ah. And therefore, broker required stay in Nevada. But I went back. I started all over again. I stayed the full six weeks. Jane, can you prove that? Yes, yes, I can. I have my Reno hotel receipt. I can account for every day. Excellent. Now wait a minute, yes. Yes, here they are. Here, you look at them. Yes. Look, Harper Hotel, two weeks. Harper Hotel, two weeks. It's on. Elite order court, ten gowns of gas, and lodging, four dollars, and... Oh. Well, what's that one, Jane? Oh, it's nothing. No, that doesn't belong with these others. Well, will you step over here, gentlemen, and examine them? Certainly. Yes, indeed. Well, come on, Princess. Think fast. You know, you married deadly, deadly, out of pure spite. Now the answer is in your hands, Jane. Yes. Yes, it is, isn't it? Elite order court, Glenville. Well, what's that got to do with it? You owe me four dollars and forty cents, Luke. Jane, be serious. Oh, do you know, Luke, I had a dream last night. I dreamed I picked up a knife and stabbed you. And when you started to bleed, it wasn't blood at all. What came pouring out of you was manuscripts and scenery and footlights. Right now, it isn't me you're thinking of, nor my marriage to Douglas. Is that precious play of yours? You'd see me burn to the stake for it. There isn't anything you could say now that I believe. No. No, I guess there's nothing you'd believe. Well, all right, Hank. All right, Billy. Drop the curtain. The show's over. Oh. Actors. Characters. Oh, yeah. You remember Billy Pierce? He played the doctor in the road company of Tornado. Hello, Jane. Oh, a doctor, of course. I should have guessed it by the way he kept saying, ah. Well, there must be something in the criminal code covering this. Isn't there, Eccles? I'm a divorce lawyer. Good night. Thank you, Mr. Drake, for the entertainment. Actors. Well, thanks a lot, boys. Look up Eddie tomorrow and he'll pay you. It isn't very often you get your teeth into a good part. Good show, but a short run. Oh, now get out of here. Yes, great place for theater. We can play it being anything. Doctors, lawyers, anything we like. It's just a great big make-believe world. I... Well, I guess I'd better get going. Good luck, Princess. He needs a port of court. Denver, California. Jane, I've got to talk to him. This is my wedding day. Dudley will be back in a moment. Dudley, you left the swellest guy in the world and went out and picked that dope. Oh, the swellest guy in the world. It married to his place. What place? He called it off. He called it off? When? This afternoon. Everybody in the cast was paid off for the bonus. He called it off? Yes, because he loves you. Oh, Emma. Oh, Emma, he just left here. Do you think you could find him? Anybody would know where to find him tonight. He's in some bar. Emma, look, get to him and get to him quickly and give him this receipt. Uh, he owes me four dollars and forty cents and I want it, see? Now tell him to look at it and to study it carefully. He's got to do it now tonight. Do you understand? I'm measly four dollars at a time like this. What's got into you? Oh, Emma, just do it. Do exactly what I told you. Please, darling, put this bill right under his nose. Then she said she wanted her four dollars and forty cents, Luke, now. Sure, sure. Anything for the princess. Eddie, what do I want? A drink. No. I want my wife. I want her more than all the plays in the world. Lucius, you'd better write a check before you forget it. Sure, sure, Emma. Give me the thing. Here. Four dollars and forty cents. Penetrate. Sure. Now let's see. Lead Order Court, Glenville, California. Lead Order Court. California. California. California. Don't do that. Eddie Crick, a cab. Get me a cab. What's the matter? Well, I've got to get to the hotel on the technicalities. She's still my wife. Who is? My wife is. Hello, Desk. Now, listen, this is Mr. Dudley Williams in 725. A Mr. Lucius Drake may try to see Mrs. Williams or me this evening. No matter what he says, don't let him up. And by the way, I shouldn't wonder if he's a little dangerous. You'd better keep a sharp eye on him. Thank you. Dudley? Dudley, who was it? Was it for me? No, no, no, dear. Just the desk clerk, dear. Oh. Oh, by the way, I've ordered some champagne. Oh, well, that's fine. You know, darling, I missed you since the ceremony this morning. Well, uh, well, uh, let's wait for the champagne, darling. What do you mean I can't go upstairs? I'm sorry, sir. I have orders. I tell you, I have to see Mrs. Williams. You go near that elevator, sir. You'll be arrested. I warn you. Oh, all right. Where are the telephone? Right over there, sir. Hello? Hello? Give me the housekeeper. Hello? Housekeeper? This is room 725. What kind of a hotel is this? The seats haven't been changed. There aren't any towels and the tub is dirty. Thank you. Please come right up here. Hello? Hello? Give me room service, please. Yes. Hello, room service? This is Mr. Williams in 725. Would you send up six chicken dinners right away? Good. Hello, operator? Give me the plumber. The plumber. Hello, plumber? Say, this is 725. The pipes up here are making a racket to wake the dead. Please come right up here. Hello? Hello? Give me the electrician. Come here. Dudley. Dudley, listen. Jane. Jane, what is it? You're acting so strangely. Dudley, about the technicality. Were you and Mr. Eggles certain? Oh, who cares about a little technicality? And Dudley. Dudley, there's another technicality. Oh, you poor baby. You're upset. No, Dudley. Oh, wait a minute. You've got to listen to me. You've got to. Oh. Who can that be? What's the matter with the bed? Who are you? I'm the chambermaid. That's who I am. Well, listen, you are. I have those pipes fixed in the ministry. What pipes? The bathtub pipes. Oh, wait a minute. You want six? No, this. No, take it up here. No fire is there. You get out of here. The beds are fine. Don't worry, Mr. Williams. Six to consider. What sort of a hotel is this? Are you Mr. Williams? Yes. Hi, Mr. Williams. Well, where are the bugs? What bugs? You said to join Mr. Swarman with bugs. I did not. Turn off that vacuum cleaner. You want the rug, please, don't you? Hey, this won't sell at 25. Yes, but it's good. Come on in, guys. No. Here's where the cops take a great second action. Come on, come on. We're leaving. Oh, what for? I'm enjoying it. Oh, you won't in a minute. I've got the riot squad coming. So when do you think how we've been for years? Never a ripple. Happy is life. I just keep asking myself, how do we get into a spot like this? Princess, we're both wrong. Oh, I knew I'd be wrong. Sure. Well, we both want things, don't we? So what the two intelligent people do in a situation like this? They decide to give and take. Oh, look, look, we're on the wrong floor. I've moved upstairs. Oh, what do you know? Habit. Our old apartment. Look what you're doing here, crazy. No, go on in. No, we can't go in. Look. Look, our old furniture. Quite every single piece. Oh, look. Just, uh, just call me Dingle Half. Oh, I love that name. I could get the farm back, too. Oh, you could, could you? Suppose it isn't for sale. Oh, I wouldn't it be. Because I won't sell it. You? You? Oh, Jamie. That's right. Well, darling, have you got a copy of the play? Uh, the play? Well, we have to compromise, don't we? Come on, let's get a word. Oh, no. No, there won't be any play. I haven't even got a copy of it. I destroyed every one. Oh, I hear one, dear. Right in the cabinet drawer. Well, what do you know? Listen to that hand loop. That's 10 curtain calls. Just smash it at him. We'll run five years. Hey, Jane's going to make a curtain sweep. Ladies and gentlemen, my husband, Mr. Drake, is in the wings. And he'll be out here in just a moment. But first, I'd like to tell you that this will have to be the shortest run of any of Mr. Drake's plays. Five years, Jamie. Five years. It will be closed in the early spring. And I'm sure that my husband hopes it will be a boy. No, no, five years. What? Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Drake just fainted. Good night. In just a moment, our stars will return for their curtain calls. Meanwhile, let's take a look in Betsy Brown's kitchen. Betsy is washing up the lunch dishes. Now who can that be? All right, wait a minute till I dry my hands, can't you? Oh, hello, Nancy. My, don't you look nice. What's up? I just thought maybe you'd like some bridge this afternoon. How about it? Oh, goodness, I'm too busy. Besides, I look like last year's dishrags. Did you ever see a worst case of dishpan hands? Never. What are you using? That strong soap on the windowsill? Uh-huh. Maybe that's what's giving you dishpan hands. Why don't you change to luxe flake? Because I stay up night watching pennies, darling. I bet you don't know how thrifty luxe is. Look, I'm so sure luxe goes further. Let's make a bet. You keep track of how long your soap lasts. I'll keep track of my luxe. And what do you suppose happened? Yes, Nancy was right. Luxe won hands down. Ounce per ounce luxe does up to twice as many dishes as any of ten other leading soaps tested. A little luxe goes further than these other soaps. And best of all, my hands are soft and smooth again now that I've changed from strong soap to luxe. My, I'm glad luxe is so thrifty. Now, back to Donald Crisp and our stars. And now our first lady and gentlemen of the theatre, Jane and Luke, becoming real life Greer Garson and Cary Grant who come forward for their curtain calls. Well, Donald, I think that the first lady title is especially appropriate for Greer. You know, there's another poll that she's just won. What's that, Cary? That's the appeal she made on the screen for money to fight infantile paralysis. They drew the biggest response they've ever had. Well, that's splendid, Greer. And the Office of War Information asks us to remind our listeners of another vitally important thing, that we've got a long hard war ahead of us. None of those men fighting the Japs at Iwo Jima or anywhere else think that when Germany is licked, it can just begin to take it easy. Yeah, that's what I hear from my husband from the South Pacific. In other words, this is no time to let up on bond purchases or start relaxing on the job. That's right, Donald. And when you're writing to a man in the service, let him know you realize that the job ahead is tough and that you're doing all you can to share the burden. I think that's a mighty important reminder. And now in a different note, I'd like to remind you about our show for next week. Well, what are you going to bring us next week, Donald? One of Lloyd Douglas's great novels screened by Paramount and called Disputed Passage. It's the tense and thrilling story of a man's soul and a man's love fitted against the harsh demands of science. A struggle that reaches its supreme test in the crucible of war. And our stars are Alan Ladd, Akim Timorov, and Anne Richards. It should make a great play, Donald. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good luck to both of you. Our sponsors, the makers of Lux Plakes, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night. When the Lux Radio Theatre presents Alan Ladd, Akim Timorov, and Anne Richards in Disputed Passage. Donald Christ can currently be seen in Metro Golden Mayor Technicolor picture National Velvet. Bedtime story based on the story by Horace Jackson and Grant Garrett was presented for the courtesy of Columbia Pictures, producers of the new Technicolor musical, Tonight and Every Night. Gary Grant can currently be seen in the RKO production, None but the Lonely Heart. Heard in tonight's play were Carlton Caddell, Arthur Q. Bryan, Verna Felton, Eddie Marr, Ed Emerson, Linda King, Norman Field, Leo Cleary, Dorothy Scott, Jane Ovello, Boyd Davis, Charles Seal, Doris Singleton, and Colleen Collins. Our music was directed by Louis Silvers. This program is broadcast to our fighting forces overseas through cooperation with the Armed Forces Radio Service. Our Lux Radio Theater production of Bedtime Story, starring Greer Garcin and Cary Grant, has come to you with the good wishes of the makers of Lux Plates, the tissue-thin soap used by smart housewives everywhere. Be part of the Coast to Coast audience that gathers each week to enjoy this hour of dramatic entertainment with the finest artists of Broadway and Hollywood in plays that you yourselves have told us you'd like to hear. This is your announcer, John N. Kennedy, reminding you to tune in again next Monday night with Alan Ladd, Akeem Tamiroff, and Ann Richards. Send now for a surprise sensational flower garden offer. The makers of surprise shortening will send you eight packets of California-grown seeds for thousands of brilliant, glorious flowers to bloom all summer. Just send your name and address and 15 cents to Aunt Jenny, Box 1200, Chicago, Illinois. They sure to listen in next Monday night to the Lux Radio Theater presentation of Disputed Passage with Alan Ladd, Akeem Tamiroff, and Ann Richards. This is CBS...