 Lux presents Hollywood. Lux Radio Theatre brings you Robert Taylor, Susan Peters and Van Heflin in Johnny Eager. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. William Keely. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight we welcome back to the Lux Radio Theatre two gentlemen who are appearing for the first time since returning from the service. They are Robert Taylor, formerly Lieutenant in the Naval Air Corps, and Van Heflin, a Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces. Both are co-starred with another favorite of the screen and radio, Susan Peters, who has won the admiration not alone of Hollywood, but of all America. Barb appears tonight in one of his outstanding screen performances, Metro-Goldman Mayor's drama, Johnny Eager, with Van Heflin in the role that won him an Academy Award. I'm sure you'll agree that having Barb and Van back with us lends a pre-war quality to this exciting drama of suspense, action, love and sacrifice. And speaking of pre-war days, I have a letter from a friend whom I met some years ago while visiting the celebrated ruins of Angkor in French Indochina. Commenting on a recent statement that I made, she writes, When you say Lux soap is known around the world, it reminds me of an incident in a small hotel in Java. When I found no soap in the bathroom, I gestured my disappointment to the room boy. He finally understood, and after a long delay, he came back smiling broadly and bearing in his hand to my great joy a cake of Lux soap with its friendly label printed entirely in Javanese. Well, from my own experience in the Orient, I can readily appreciate just what a luxury that cake of Lux soap was to Miss Alice McFadden, who so kindly passed the story on to me. It's time now for Act One of Johnny Iggar, starring Robert Taylor as Johnny, Susan Peters as Lisbeth, and Van Heflin as Jeff. On the edge of one of our largest cities, a huge electric sign looms over a newly completed grandstand. What at night time, you could distinguish the sign a mile away. Algonquin Park Dog Track, 11 races every night, grand opening soon. A taxi cab has just pulled up to the main entrance. The driver pauses at the gate, while a swarthy-faced attendant picks up a telephone and dials a luxurious suite on top of the grandstand. Hello? Hey Benji, there's a hacky horse. You heard me. I tell you Marco, it kills me. Every time I hear that routine, it still kills me. What kills you? Them guys on the gates. Would I like to see that kisses today ever find out that Johnny Iggar only owns this dog track? What good is a dog track when they won't let you open it? He'll open it, don't worry. What a guy. Driving a cab to keep the parole board happy and running half the rackets in town on the side. Yeah. Yeah, all Johnny's got to do is sit in his living room here and watch the suckers in the grandstand make him rich. It's the track ever opens. What makes you think it won't, Marco? Oh, hello Johnny. Hello. Where's Jeff? I ain't seen him before. Find him. Oh, wait a minute Benji. You got some more rounds to make, haven't you? Yeah. You got going. Where's Lou Rankin? Inside, but together. Send him in. Okay Johnny. Lou's not very happy these days. I wonder why. Are you kidding? The way they're trying to clamp a lid on this town? What lid? Roll over, Marco. Want to see me? Yeah, you got anything for me, Lou? What's wrong? You think I'm holding out my collection? Nobody said you were. Why this town shut down? I haven't got a dozen books running. No dice, no roulette. Well, some fat years, some lean. Got 60 slot machine collectors on my payroll. I can't pay them off with conversation. Who asked you to tell them anything? Just trying to... You blaming me for the lid being on this town? No. We're getting no place fast. Something's got to crack. This is a laugh you and me bargain at each other. Put it on the table, Lou. Do you think I'm giving you the wrong end of the deal? Sorry, Johnny. Just a short dose giving me a grouch. Not so right. No, of course not, Lou. I'm just as jumpy as you are. That's all. I'll run along then. So long, Johnny. And thanks. It's okay. Marco. Yeah? Have a couple of the boys see what Lou does with his time. You're not worried about Lou. Okay, Johnny, I'll have him watched. It almost makes me wonder if you trust me. Silly question, huh, Marco? Look, I've got over half a million bucks in this racetrack. We've got to open. You understand? When are you going to get that junction lifted? Johnny, I've talked to five judges. What more can I do? Every one of them's refused. Why? Our new city prosecutor, Mr. Farrell. Farrell, wouldn't you know I'd have to run into him a second time? He helped the DA send you away once, Johnny. Go easy now. John Benson Farrell, that righteous old rat, comes out of retirement and gets himself elected to a chicken coop job like prosecutor. What about Halligan and those boys from City Hall? They got a barrel of my money. They think I'm going to fold up and not get my dough back? Every hear of a politician paying anything back. You can talk to Halligan yourself if you want to. That's exactly what I'm going to do. You beat it now and find out. Okay, Johnny. Oh, hello, Garnet. Hello, Johnny. Come on in. Don't I even get a kiss? Oh, yeah, sure, sure. Well, you might say you like it. Any time I don't like it, you'll hear me loud and clear. You seen Jefferrand? Oh, he was here an hour ago, but he wandered away. Say, who is Attila the Hun? It takes a fine time to throw another bender. And who is who? Attila the Hun. I don't know why. Well, he said you were the modern day Attila the Hun and I was your innamorada. And I'm going to get a load of what that means, too. You just keep checking up on Jeff's big words and we'll both get educated. Yeah? I'm bringing gas home for dinner, so you'd better leave the offices early as you can. Oh, uh, thank you. I'm, uh, rather busy right now. Maybe you can call me later. Yeah, sure. Goodbye. What now? Miss Mines from the parole board. I got to get over to the west side and hurry. Is there any dame you haven't gotten your pocket, Johnny? This place on the west side, what is it? I told you a dozen times. Oh, I wish I could believe you. It's a two-bit flat. I keep it for my cousin Millie Fowler and her kid. They live there. So do I whenever I think the parole board is going to be checking up? Sometime I'm going over there with you. Sometime you're going to make me sore. Oh, relax, baby. I'll see you later. Hello, Johnny. Somebody's coming. Yeah, from the parole board. Better put some tea on Millie. Sure. You look good, Johnny. I'm okay. Birdie. Huh? Hello, Uncle Johnny. Hiya. I bet the investigators are due. You ain't becoming near this rat trap. Stop being so fresh. It wasn't for Uncle Johnny. What did you think he would say? He gets what he pays for. Oh, I'm grateful. It's okay, Millie. Birdie's a good girl. She's got sense, haven't you, kid? Haven't you? Yeah, sure I have. Wipe that paint off your mouth and grab your school books. We're going to be doing your homework. Hello, Mr. Verne. Good to see you. Hello, Johnny. Glad to find you at home. Everything all right, Mr. Verne? Certainly, Johnny. This is just routine. Oh, Miss Sanford, Miss Bard. This is Mr. Eger. How do you do? Oh, and this is Mrs. Fowler and Miss Fowler. Hello. Well, isn't this nice? I hope you'll forgive us for coming here with Mr. Verne. It's okay. Won't you sit down? We were just going to have some tea. I'll bring it right in. Oh, please, we don't know, Bob. You must be wondering what I'm doing here with two such good-looking girls, Johnny. I'm beginning to like the parole board better and better. Well, they're interested in sociology. I've been helping them with their fieldwork. Sociology, huh? Let's see now. It's a study of social conditions, Mr. Eger. Seeing how the other half lives, well, I mean things like crime. Well, what I mean is... Yes, sure, sure. Except that I'm no criminal anymore. I wish they were all as straight as you, Johnny. Why, you're a model parolee. Well, yes, it's difficult to believe you were ever a... well, an offender, Mr. Eger. Mr. Verne can tell you miss. One time or another, I was indicted 38 times. Good. Great. Johnny, don't you ever get hungry for the old days? Those $200 suits, that big bank roll, all the girlfriends you used to have. Here's your two ladies. Thank you. Yes, sure I do. I'd be a chump not to admit it, but I think about that prison cell and how if I stubbed my toe just once more, I'd go back for the rest of those five years. Think about that and I don't miss being a big shot at all. And you're satisfied driving a taxi cab? Satisfied. I miss. I've never been so well off in my life. We were going to drop in on some of the other boys, Johnny, but when Miss Sanford saw your record, she particularly wanted to visit here. She did? Why? My name is Bard. She's Sanford. As a matter of fact, she didn't want to come at all, didn't she, Liz? Why not? I think it's rather an imposition. I mean, it must be terribly embarrassing to have us come in this way. I'm very sorry. Oh, I'm glad you came. Where I've been, you can never get enough company. Thank you. Oh, uh, Birdie, how's your school work coming along? Oh, fine, Mr. Verne. Uncle Johnny's helping me with my homework. Oh? What is your homework? Oh, we gotta write an essay on some famous character in fiction. We can't think of a good one. No, it's kind of tough. What about a tale of two cities when Sydney Carton was in jail and... Oh, no, uh, that wouldn't be very good, would it? Well, the character is excellent. Now, there's another man somewhat like Sydney Carton, a Cyrno de Bergerac. Oh? A Cyrno de Bergerac. A very romantic man, Mr. Eager. Yeah, well, how about settling for him, Birdie? He, uh, he went for the girls, huh? Well, not exactly. You see, all his lovemaking was on behalf of Christian, his best friend. Why? What was his angle? Well, Cyrno was very ugly. He was afraid the girl wouldn't like him. Oh. What's wrong? You're not going to read it? Oh, thanks. Uglier not, Miss Bard. I'm not interested in a guy who doesn't go through with what he starts. Well, come on, girls. We've got to be running along. Goodbye, Mrs. Fowler, and thanks for the tea. Goodbye, everybody. Goodbye, Mr. Eager. Goodbye. Thank you, Mr. Eager. It's been very pleasant. Yeah. Well, I'm sorry about your man, uh, Cyrno. Well, perhaps I never thought of it quite your way. Perhaps you're right. Goodbye. And they call us a free country busting into your house like that. Uncle Johnny. What? That Miss Bard. I was watching her all the time. Oh, what? She never took her eyes off you. Any time you want a whistle, she'll come around. Forget it. You were watching her, too. You know. Here, here's five bucks. Go cut yourself a rug someplace. Thanks, Uncle Johnny. Yes, sir. Any? Can I take you anywhere, girl? Oh, thanks, Mr. Vernon. My car's parked at your office. Oh, thanks. Liz, wasn't that Eager individual the handsomest thing you ever saw? I don't think handsome's a word, Judy. His face is well cut, but once for a moment there, it became so hard. I think he'd beat a woman if she made him angry. I wonder... What? Oh, what sort of a woman he goes around with? Hey, Chum, there's a limit to this sociology business, you know. Hmm? Yes, I guess you're right. But I still wonder... Everything okay? Everything's fine. Hey, Benji, remind me to send a little present to Miss Minds at the parole board. The way that damn tips you off, I wish I could get tips like that and no horses. Oh, Julio, come on in. I, uh... I've visited that man on Indian Avenue, Eager. Yeah? I think he's learned not to talk so much. Okay, here. Hey, buddy, Eager, 50 bucks. That's all that sort of a job's worth. Well, I owe lots of people money. I can't... If I give you any more, you'll just put it on the horses. If you stop playing sucker, and we'll talk a better deal. Okay, Eager. I'll be around tonight. Yeah, you do that. That Julio, hey, he gives me the creeps. You better watch him, Johnny. Watch Julio? Are you nuts? Has Jeff shown up? Yeah, he's inside. Garnet's with him. Tell him to come on in. No, wait a minute. Never mind. I'll go in there. Johnny, here's how you've been solidified. I looked that word up in the dictionary. Empress, I have encouraged your display here. I shall fall on my sword at the first opportunity. You just wait. Beat it, honey. I want to talk to Jeff. Hi, Johnny. He called me an in-amorada. I looked it up, and it says... Go on, go on, go on. It isn't smart to blow your top of that way. You. When I'm mad, I've got to show it. I can't hide it the way you do. Choose between us, Eager. Me or your beloved. You shut up. Either he apologizes or I walk right out of here. Suit yourself, sugar. Good bye. I seem to have offended Garnet by using a policy-labbic word. You're drunk. Oh, no, Johnny. That's obvious. Don't, don't be obvious. Adroitness is your racket. Hard, clever, and adroit. Oh, no, not again. Johnny, you're a man. You shouldn't be obvious. Observed, analyzed, and recorded for history because you're unique. Absolutely unique. Stop breaking my heart. You know, a lot of people think that I'm just a stooge for you. They don't know that I'm a modern boswell recording for posterity the doings of a unique individual. The story of Johnny Eager. The next 40 generations will find that required reading along with Machiavelli. Johnny, what have you got? Something to sober you up? No, no, no, Johnny. Am I going to have to hold your nose and pour it down you? It'll make me sick. Oh, and drink it. Feel better in a couple of minutes. But during those couple of minutes I'll die a thousand deaths. Here. You'd have let me walk right out on you, wouldn't you? That's the way you want it. Oh, Johnny, darling, you win, you win. When what? Were we betting? You're so cold-blooded. Sometimes I think I don't mean anything at all to you. This town's ready to explode on me any minute. I've got four million things to think about and you want to talk about love at four o'clock in the afternoon. Well, I'll see you later. Well, I've got to look around the town a little. I'll phone you or drop up to your place. All right, darling. I'll wait. Goodbye, John. Goodbye. Does that young woman ever do anything besides make-exits? You're going to wake up dead one of these days, Jeff? Well, everyone does sooner or later. Johnny, just a little short one. No. Why do you keep lapping up that stuff? I told you because every now and then I have to look in a mirror. Johnny. Well, I guess one won't hurt you. Say, Jeff, tell me, what do you hear about Lou Rankin suddenly getting a big head? Yeah, he's got a big head. That's why his brains rattle. You hear anything about Tony Loose running a wheel in two tables at the porthole? Uh, yeah. I'm sorry. I forgot to check on that. Come on, give me that drink, please. Leaf's about to fall. Yeah, yeah. Now go and lie down. You got to snap out of this by tonight. We're calling on Mr. Loose. Oh? Say, Jeff, you know about these things. That guy, uh, Serenade Bergerac or something, does a dame really fall for the type of chatter he dished out? Johnny, are you starting to encounter literate dames? Ah, who said anything about dames? I can quote a few passages of Serenade if you'd like. And what is a kiss when all is done? A promise given under deal, a vow taken before the shrine... Shut up. Go on to bed. In a few moments, we'll be back with act two of Johnny Igger, starring Robert Taylor, Susan Peters, and Van Heflin. Years ago, as a young actor, I toured the Southwest with a repertoire company. It was often rather rugged going, but we always looked forward to a town where we knew there was a Harvey restaurant. That was insurance of a really good meal, decently served. I still have a sentimental attachment to those eating places. And that's why I especially enjoyed seeing a preview of Metro Golden Mayor's Technicolor Musical, The Harvey Girls, starting Judy Garland and John Hodiak. Tonight, we have as our guest a hostess from one of these restaurants of the present day, Mrs. Laverne Stifler of Hollywood. As a hostess, Mrs. Stifler, you certainly will want to see what the original Harvey Girls looked like. Well, your picture opened here this week, Mr. Kealy. And after waiting in line, I finally managed to squeeze in. I was so interested in what our waitresses were like in frontier days. I guess life was more colorful then, but I'll take the Southwest of today, living as lots more comfortable for one thing. Imagine it, Mrs. Stifler, those girls of the 90s didn't have a single cake of luck-stoilet soap. Poor thing. I wonder how they managed. But seriously, Mr. Kennedy, I'm very grateful for that particular modern luxury. A restaurant hostess, you know, needs to be as careful of her complexion as a screen star. That's where I depend on luck soap facials to keep my skin just the way I like it. Thanks, Mrs. Stifler, for that practical comment about luck-stoilet soap. And looking at you, I'd say that in their presentation of the Harvey Girls, MGM didn't exaggerate the loveliness of those waitresses a bit. Busy attractive women everywhere say luck-stoilet soap is a beauty care that gets results. They like these quick, easy facials screen stars recommend. Here's all you do. Cover your face generously with the creamy, active lather. Work it well in. Rinse with warm water. Splash on cold. Then pat dry with a soft towel. Live skin-feeling so fresh and smooth. In recent tests of these luck-stoilet soap facials by skin specialists, actually three out of four complexions improved in a short time. Why not see how effectively this gentle beauty soap will care for your own precious complexion? Mr. Keely returns to the microphone. Act two of Johnny Iggar starring Robert Taylor as Johnny, Susan Peters as Elizabeth and Van Heflin as Jeff. It's later that same night. And in a shabby nightclub called the Porthole, Johnny Iggar and Jeff pay an unannounced visit on the proprietor. Oh, Johnny, I didn't know that you were... Oh, Johnny, I didn't know that you were... Michelangelo did some of his best work on his back. Johnny, there's a lady in the other room. Hey, hey, what's the matter with you, Iggar? You're my friend and you've slugged me. You're not kicking through, Tony. What I did send in? Yesterday I gave Blue Rankin five grand. Rankin, huh? Chase your dame, Tony. Huh? She's not my dame. Why, Mr. Iggar, what would Cyrano say? Uh, okay, Tony, go outside with Jeff. Spill it to him. I think the bar might be a good place. I don't get this at all. There's nothing to be frightened of, Miss Barden. I'm not frightened. I'd sort of like to know what you're doing here. Gentlemen, I was with drinks too much. You wanted off and left to bill for $80, and Mr. Loose has been suggesting I leave some of my jewelry as collateral. Now, tell me what you're doing here. Well, I know it may seem funny, but... You mean you'd feel a lot better if I didn't tell Mr. Verne at the parole board? Isn't that it? He might think you'd been lying or something. Well, there's nothing to be frightened of, Mr. Iggar. Why not? Because I... I have no intention of reporting. I'd better take you home. All right. Wait a minute. I'll square that beep with Tony. I'm taking the car, Jeff. That lady in your office, Tony, she's leaving. Sure, Johnny, sure. Hey, Johnny, that blessed damper's old have you over the barrel of me go if she talks to the parole board. She won't. Take it easy, Jeff. Yeah. Mr. Floyd, you'd better take a letter. I've been driving around for an hour. I like driving with you, Johnny. Stop all this bush-league nonsense. You don't want me to take you home, and you know it. Of course I don't. I just want to listen to you talk. Of course, I don't want you to take me home. Johnny... Yeah? Does it bother you if a girl kisses you while you're driving? Mr. Farrell? I've called every nightclub in town. You're a fool, Mark. You just hand your fiancee over to another man for the entire night. A drunkard at that. I had to go to that meeting. I was to pick her up later. Why did she go with him at all? I don't know. I thought you knew everything. You're one of the most brilliant men in the country. Oh, cut it out, Mark. I guess you'll love her almost as much as I do. Yes, I think I do. Oh, wait a minute. That's the door. It's Liz, Mr. Farrell. She's... Oh. Oh, Eager. How are you? No, it's the slightest thing, Mark. Floyd vanished, and Mr. Eager got me out of a lot of trouble, and...and... Oh, hello, Father. Hello, Lisbeth. You're a father. Stepfather. Eager and I are acquaintances of long standing. I once had the pleasure of help sending him to the penitentiary. Oh, now, Dad. I served a special prosecutor without fee as a public service to rid the city of Berman. Good night, Liz. Johnny. I think you have some explanations to make to Mark, Lisbeth. I'll be waiting in the library. You don't have to say anything, Liz. He just brought me home, Mark. You won't have to say anything. Mark? You wouldn't fool me, would you? I saw you kissing him. You're going to get hurt, you know. No, Mark. I don't know. Good luck, Liz. Last night, I called like you promised. Johnny, tell me the truth. Is this the blow off? You want to get rid of me? Get rid of you. Garnet on. Now, look, honey, all I want is for you to beat it down to Florida for a while, then when the town's cooled off... There's another girl, Johnny. I could tell it the minute I looked at you. But you always think the worst of everybody. If you think you can toss me out, I'll run to the parole board. I wouldn't do that, Johnny. I've got eight million kinds of grief, and now my dame's got to throw a wing-ding on me. Johnny, you still love me? Sure. Well, say it. I love you. I wouldn't add anything to your troubles. I'll wait for you in Florida. Add a girl. All that nonsense out of your head? I'm okay. Kiss me goodbye. There's a train at noon, sugar. Goodbye, Johnny. And that's that, huh, Johnny? Why did dame's always get so messy? Don't blow away the mist of love. Don't dust me from your list, my love. That's poetry, Johnny. I know another quotation. I can smile, and while I smile, cut your heart out with a bloody ax. That's Shakespeare. I'll use an ax on you one of these days if you don't stop ribbing me. Johnny, why didn't you tell that poor kid the truth? I'm telling you once and for all, stop running me through the strainer. You're always telling me I don't understand something, brother. Well, you're the guy that doesn't understand because you're a sucker, and a sucker never understands a smart guy. You're a guy that has pals. Give a pal your last 50 bucks, wouldn't you? Well, he's already a dead ducker. He wouldn't need the 50, and after he's spent it, you're both strictly from hunger. Sure, all the suckers give me sour looks, and when the minute they stop, that's when I'll worry, see? Now I know why you keep me around, Johnny. Well, tell me. I'd sure like to know. You keep me around because even Johnny, you have to have one friend. Johnny, Johnny, there was just a call for you. Yeah? You could have knocked me down with a scratch sheet. You wouldn't have guessed who in a million years. Sure I can. John Benson Farrell. This is why I sent for you, Eager. Don't you go near my daughter again. Don't try to see her, and don't phone her. Now, get out. This is great, Mr. Farrell. I help your daughter out of a spot and you declare war on me. Get out, thief. It'd be much simpler if you just told your daughter not to see me. Oh, you did tell her that. What did she say? Don't push me too far, Eager. Big shot. John Benson Farrell doesn't like his daughter knowing a cab driver. Your visit upstate didn't teach you much, did it? My parole record's clean. But wouldn't it be odd if you were picked up on suspicion with a gun in your pocket? You'd frame me? I'd resign my job tomorrow to frame you myself. I'd frame you or kill you. People would protect my daughter. Yeah, I guess you would. So long, Farrell. Well, what happened? It's just a little touchy about his daughter, but he hasn't got a leg to stand on, Marco. Johnny, it's not like you to blow your topper over a dame, especially when things are going haywire. The boy's tailed rankin'. He spent all morning with Halligan. Johnny, there's a big crosseroo on. Right now I got something more important to think about. Farrell's daughter? That's right. Soon as we get back, find Julio for me. And Dame's coming over tonight and I got a little job for Julio. Why did you bring me here, Johnny? Keep telling me you wanted to see the dog track? Yes, I did. Get a good view here for my window. Imagine an apartment like this at a dog track. It's most impressive, believe me. And convenient. You must love dogs, Johnny, to put all this money into them. I hope to get a lot more out of them. I'll tell you something, Sugar. I don't know anything about dogs. I never even owned one. Johnny, not even when you were a boy. There were a million things I needed a lot worse than a dog. That sort of tells the story of Johnny Eaker. So completely. He never had a dog when he was a boy. You missed something, Johnny. That's why you're the way you are. Darling. Yeah? Where do we get off? What's to become of it? Oh, now, don't turn ordinary on me. Liz, I get tired of ordinary dames and I don't ever want to get tired of you. I didn't mean to turn ordinary. That was just an approach to get you to say you love me. Anytime you start doubting I love you. Just add up the score. This town's full of women and I have to pick the most dangerous one. Dangerous. You know, this time it might not be the woman who pays. I might wind up back in a cell. Oh, Johnny, Johnny. I never doubted for one moment that you love me. Never, darling. But don't talk about that horrible place. You're never going back there. Hey, if you don't mind, Benjy, we'd just as soon be alone. No, Benjy, Eager. It's me, Giulio. Johnny, he's got a gun. You've blown your top, Giulio. You're ready for a sucker, Eager. Giulio, don't like that. Stand aside, sister. Put down that gun. No, Eager, no. This time you get yours. Johnny. His gun, sugar. They're on the floor. Grab it, Liz. The gun, grab it. Johnny. Liz, the gun. Quick, he's got a knife. He's got a knife. Thanks, sugar. Johnny. That crazy heel. At least we got a break. It looks like nobody heard. Come on, you got to get out of here. We can't leave him like this. You want to stand trial for murder? I can't, Johnny. I can't run off him. This is a fine time to unravel. You're putting yourself right in the grease and you're putting me right back in the pen. No, no. No, I couldn't do that. I'll go, Johnny. I'll go. I'll put you in a cab. I'll have to get rid of that. Come on, buck up, baby. He'll be okay. All right. You can get up, Giulio. They're gone. Hey, Jeff. I have a good actor. I should be on the stage. Oh, that's a moot question on the stage. You're on the gallows. Hey, look, Eager will no mind if I borrow a shirt, huh? Mine is all over with ketchup. I smell like a hamburger sandwich. Pick out one with stripes. You might as well get a custom to them. Yeah. Yeah, Giulio's changing his shirt. Did you get her off all right? Yeah. She's shaking like a dice box. Feel kind of funny. I can't imagine why. Can I? But what the devil? It's always the innocent bystander that gets hurt. Well, this innocent bystander's in love with you. Well, there just wasn't any other way to play the hand. We got to live. Speaking of hands, Marco phoned. I guess the cross is really on. Halligan has a poker party tonight. He invited Lou Rankin. He didn't invite you. I don't have to go without an invitation. Grab your hat. Hey, what are you doing with that bottle of bourbon? Taking it along. For me, Johnny? Touched. This one's for me. Between now and the time we reach Halligan's apartment, I'm getting oiled. At least Halligan's gonna think so. At times, Johnny, you successfully challenge my keenest perceptions. Yeah, Giulio, I'll draw you both a diagram on the way over. Rankin, he was carrying a gun, Eager. Yeah. Okay, Giulio, following my car. Well, Lou, a little late for the game, aren't you? Hello, Johnny. Waiting for you upstairs, Halligan, and the whole city hall crowd. You've been up? That's right, me and Jeff. As far as they're concerned, I'm still up there. I don't get it. I'm supposed to be drunk, Lou. I've dug out of the game, and right now I'm in Halligan's bedroom, sleeping it off, except that there's a fire escape just outside the window. It leads right down here. See? You've gone to all that trouble just to see me. You've been letting a crap game, running the old planter's hotel and holding out the dough. You're nuts. The plan has been closed for weeks. We go out in the country and take a look. It's closed. I'll apologize, fair enough. Yeah. I'm sure gonna enjoy that apology, Johnny. We're going in your car, Lou. Believe me now? Well, anybody can be wrong, Lou. Figuring me for a cross. Yeah. Here, here's your gun back. Thanks. Well, what are you waiting for? Getting a car. You shouldn't have given me that gun, Johnny. It's nice and quiet here, isn't it? So I wasn't wrong, after all. Why should I take a second cut out of the dough? Well, I found out what I wanted to know. I'm glad you did, Johnny. Now you can die happy. I guess I forgot to give you the cartridges, Lou. You're dirty. No, quit. Julio. I'm here, Igor. Get back to town. I'll take care of Rankin. Well, here's our sleeping beauty. How do you feel now, Johnny? Oh, like a rat, Heligan. Thanks for the use of your bed. Thanks for the use of Jeff. He's been playing for you. Not too successfully, Johnny. I'm afraid. Well, give me a double stack and get ready to weep you. Well, I was clipping Jeff while I'm gone. Fine bunch of pals. I never knew you were a hand for booze, Johnny. You tied one on, didn't I? Well, come on. Come in. Deal a card. Don't be so scared with me. Let's do it. Shuffle him, Harry. I'll be right back. Hello? Yeah, when? Go on, go on. OK, thanks. Lou Rankin's just been killed. Lou Rankin? Automobile accident. Drove his car right off a viaduct. It was drunk, I guess. Empty bottle in his car. Well, that just saw yesterday. Yep. Poor Lou. I kind of had an idea. You and Lou had fallen out, Johnny. Yeah. It's good I got this alibi, huh? The time it happened, I was playing poker with the city boss and a flock of the city boss's influential friends. I, uh, had no idea it was getting so late. Yeah, it is getting late. I guess you other fellas didn't notice getting so late either, huh? Say, look, Johnny, I... Lou Rankin, I'm opening my track on Saturday. Your cut is now 10% instead of 30%. Have you liked a beef about that, huh? I thought not. Come on, Jeff, let's go. It's Farrell. And he says you told him to come here. That's right, Benji, send him in. He's in there, Mr. Farrell. Hey, how do you like these posters, Farrell? We're putting them up for the opening Saturday night. Oh, so that's it. This isn't Marko's track, it's yours. Well, you're a bigger thief than ever. You're in no spot to talk down to me, Farrell, so don't. We'll cover that later. What happened to my daughter last night? What did she say happened? I couldn't get a word out of her. She couldn't talk or wouldn't. Eager, if you've done anything... It'll be all right in a couple of days. I'm covering up for her. Covering up? Covering up what? Liz was up here last night. A thug busted in gunning for me. That was quite a battle. While he was trying to carve me up, Liz shot him in the back with his own gun. It isn't possible. She saved my hide. This, this man. What became of the body? I couldn't care of. Any witnesses? No, I can't handle. I sent for you to tell you to sit tight. Tell Lizbeth to do the same. Where's the gun? Oh, I've got that safe with her fingerprints on it. Just in case you might try to dream up some way of thinning it on me. I haven't any choice. I'll have to keep quiet. You'll do more than that, Ferrell. You'll have the injunction on this track lifted. I'm opening Saturday night. Listen to me, thief. My love for my daughter can make me an accessory after the fact. But I'll cut my throat before I become an accomplice. I'll resign as prosecutor today. No, you won't. You told me you'd turn crooked to save Lizbeth. Well, you've never had a better chance. You mean you'd talk? Sure, I mean it. I'd blast the whole thing. You'd do that to her? To a girl who loved you enough to kill a man? I don't know from that love routine. This is business. Sure, I'm risking five more years in the can, but I'm betting you'll see things my way. And I think I'm betting on the favorite. All right. Go ahead. Open up Saturday night. Goodbye, you guys. Goodbye, Mr. John Benson Farrell. From his face to yours, I'd say you won. Don't you think you better start hoping that that's all bunk about judgment day? I feel generous. Jeff, buy yourself a drink. I guess she didn't hear me. It doesn't matter. Jeff, from here on, we're in clover. Yeah, and high hats. Crawling into the belly of our favorite snake. Hmm? Go on, Jeff, have a drink. We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. In a moment, we'll bring you the third act of Johnny Yeager, starring Robert Taylor, Susan Peters, and Van Heflin. Another of our guests tonight is the heroine of a success story, a story that might be called, She Knew What She Wanted. Brown-eyed, urban-haired, Mr. Rober Dejeuner never had any doubts about what she wanted to do. At least not from the age of seven, Mr. Keely, when I began my dancing lessons. From then on, I knew I wanted to be an actress dancer. Did you have dramatic training, too? Yes, along with my high school diploma, I had a two-year scholarship at the neighborhood playhouse in New York. And after that, I had a chance to do solo dancing, and then came a year's tour of South America, Mexico, and Cuba. And then? Hollywood and a Paramount contract. That was two years ago. And since then, I know you've appeared in the picture of Star-Club. Yes, and I have a part in the new picture, Miss Susie Slagels. Well, I understand you've been doing some directing, too, Miss Yonez. Yes, I've helped direct dance numbers in several Paramount productions. It's lots of hard work, but grand fun, too. Now, there's a real success story. And a story we take modest pride in because... Because I'm a luxe girl, Mr. Kennedy. Why wouldn't I be? So many famous stars have found luxe toilet soap works for them. It's the perfect complexion care, I think. But as a dancer, I value it especially because it's such a delightful bath soap, too. After a dance workout, the girls in my group and I make for the showers and a cake of luxe toilet soap. My, that creamy lather is refreshing. Makes you feel like new again. Thank you, Miss Roberta Yonez. Nine out of ten screen stars, lovely women everywhere. Find that luxe toilet soap makes a wonderful beauty bath, too. Here's what they say. When I step from my luxe soap bath, my skin is fresh, really sweet. Perfume with a delightful clinging fragrance. This daily beauty bath makes daintiness sure. Why not get fragrant white luxe toilet soap tomorrow? It's thrifty. Each satin smooth cake can be used to the last thin sliver. Yet luxe toilet soap is as luxurious as the finest ingredients can make it. Here's your producer, Mr. William Keely. Act three of Johnny Yigger, starring Robert Taylor as Johnny, Susan Peters as Lisbeth, and Van Heflin as Jeff. It's opening night at the Algonquin Park dog track. Thousands of people are betting on the races, and thousands of dollars are rolling into Johnny Yigger's pocket. But now in his office, Johnny has a visitor, Lisbeth's friend, Mark Courtney. What's your beef, Courtney? Losing too much dough out there? Where can we talk alone? This is about Lisbeth. No, don't go, Jeff. This is an uptime character. He likes an audience. What about Lisbeth? Eager, you haven't seen her in five days. She's in awful shape. I don't think she's eating. And all that time, I don't think she's even slept. Just staying awake with some awful sort of driving hysteria. I don't get it. Neither do I. But whatever it is, it's mixed up with you, isn't it? And I thought perhaps if you had enough money, you'd consider breaking your parole and going somewhere else. How much money? $300,000. You're only halfway to the boat, pal. I got a half a million bucks tied up in this track. All right, I think I can borrow the difference. Hey, what racket got you $300,000? Hold on to your hat. My grandfather left it to me for not taking a drink till I was 21. Mr. Courtney, if you wished to make up for lost time, I'd be honored to buy you drinks from here to the grave. I'd forgotten about characters like you. How about it, eager? After you give me the dough, I won't take Lisbeth with me. But I mean you to take her with you naturally. Why? Because she's in love with you. Never can be said you don't make interesting talk. I'll think it over. I mean, no, as soon as you can. What's his angle, Jeff? What's his angle? You don't know? No. Do you? Yes. Yes, I know, Johnny. But nobody born to woman could explain it to you. Why not? Go on. Why not? Because it's unselfish. Hey, Jeff. Jeff, wait a minute. I shouldn't have slugged you, but come on back here. Hi, Jeff. Where you been? Like garnet. Johnny, I came back for my purse. I didn't mean to dust you, but you shouldn't needle me all the time. The needle shall be proportionately dull from now on. Fine thing, walking out on me. Where would you go? Do you want to know, Johnny? Down to the district attorney's office. I was going to sing, Johnny. About Paul Lou Rankin and those two impetuous, malady brothers. Their souls resting cement. And then what? Then I was going to blow out my brains. You'd do that to me. Yeah. Johnny, I thought about you and I thought about that girl and I said to myself, somebody's got to do it. But you know something? You stopped me. I stopped you? Yeah. She'd only eat her heart out a little slower with you and the death cell. Besides, I hadn't got the nerve to blow out my brain. No, it's just like you said, you're the first Johnny. You got everybody over a barrel. Oh, cut it out, will you? These slight seizures over, I assure you, Johnny. Give a guy a chance to say something. I'm going up to see Elizabeth now. On the level, Johnny. Listen, you do feel a little different there, don't you? What are you talking about? She's just a kid who thinks she's carrying a torch. I'll throw a couple of laps and snap her out of it. And I'm doing it for you as much as anybody. Thanks, Johnny. Oh, but you shouldn't have come. There might be someone to... Well, now, don't be scared, sugar. I saw your father downstairs. He said I could come on up. Look, honey, I don't like this. You look bad. It's just that I haven't slept much, I guess. I've been afraid to. I thought I might talk about it in my sleep and they'd be listening. Johnny, that man, did he have any family? A wife, children? Because if he did, I just... No, no, no, not a soul. Oh, thank goodness for that. It's been on my mind so... Wait a minute. You've got to be just as tough about this as he would have been. Darling, I am. I will be. Johnny, they couldn't take you back just for being present or anything like that. Could they? Could they, Johnny? No, of course not. Oh, I can wait. A year isn't so much. What are you getting at? They'll never get a word out of me until then. Oh, Johnny, it'll be such a relief to tell. To tell who? The police. Just as soon as it won't get you into any trouble. Oh, Johnny, it's only the thought of them taking you back that gives me the strength to hold out that long. Don't you see? There's now, wait a minute. It's all right, darling. It's all right. You listen for a minute. First off, I'm... I'm telling you that I love you. You hear that? I've known that all the time. Sure, sure, but I've told it to other women, see? Only to you I mean it, not always. Now you can get yourself set to start hating me. I used you, you understand? You never killed anybody. Johnny... That guy you think you killed works for me. The gun was full of blanks and I framed the whole deal so you'd think you were in a jam. I used the whole thing as an angle on your old man. That's why my dog track opened tonight. He's afraid I'd start spilling about you, but that guy's no more dead than we are. Oh, Johnny, Johnny, my darling. I think I'm such a... such a wonderful, fantastic lie. But you've got to believe me. Johnny, you're sweet. But suddenly I... I'm so tired. I want to lie down, please. Sure, sure, but... But remember, ladies, you can walk out of here and forget the whole thing. You never killed anybody. Hold my hand, darling. I just want to go to sleep. Hold my hand until I go to sleep. And come back soon, Johnny. I'm... I'm not afraid of talking now. I'll sleep so quietly, Johnny. I won't talk. I know I won't. Well, Johnny, what? You've got Julia on her mind. She's going to drive in her crazy. Oh, it's not very pretty, is it? Oh, I told her. I told her it was all a frame. You told her? Yeah, you want to laugh? She wouldn't believe me. Can you imagine that? Yes, I can. Well, now what? We dig up Julia and trot him around so she can get a look at him. Well, now listen, suppose she spills that to fellow... Didn't you hear me? I said the way it is, she's going nuts. All right, I'll turn, sucker. What about it? Johnny, Johnny, I've been looking all over for you. Halligan called. Starting tomorrow, he says he's got a 50% interest in this track. He says he thinks you'll understand because Julia just went to work for him. Well, there's only one thing to do. What's that, Johnny? Go up to Halligan's place and hire Julia back again. Come on, let's go. Hello, Higa. Are you coming in? Thanks, Julio. Is Halligan around? No, no, he's out. Then drinking, Julio? Just a little, yeah. You got drunk and you talked to Halligan. You talked enough so he hired you. Oh, Higa, you ain't worried about me? Worried? Say, what kind of a guy do you think I am? When do you think Halligan will be back? Well, half hour, maybe. Good. We just got time to do an errand. A job? Yeah, gotta stop a guy from talking. Yeah, but Halligan told me no. Your last job for me, Julio, and there's five yards in it. Five yards? I should do it free for all time's sake, but I could use 500. Oh, hello, Halligan. Hello, Johnny. You going somewhere, Julio? To see a man with Higa. You crazy? Don't you know you won't live five minutes if you get in the dark alley with him? You're out of line, Halligan. You got enough sense to know if he kills you, he's in the clear, you're drunk, Julio, he's taking the same kind of a ride he gave Lou Wreckon. I don't like that kind of talk, Halligan. I guess I blew my top, Johnny. I'm sorry. I've been cutting up touches with you for ten years and all of a sudden you pulled this on me. Johnny, listen to me. This is awful. Let's not go battling between ourselves just when the money's starting to roll in. Want to talk sense, make a new deal on the dog track? Like 50%. I guess that is a little steep. The original deal was 30. It still holds. Are you talking? Do you mind if we iron out the details in the morning? I have to handle it without our friend Julio. That may be better that way. I'll meet you in the morning. And Johnny, we're all friends again. This beef's all forgotten. All forgotten, Bill. See you tomorrow. See you tomorrow morning, Julio. Eager. What do you think? Yeah. It's got to be done. That tin horn big shot, it's got to be done. I'd say that you didn't get what you wanted. Not yet. Halligan wouldn't turn Julio loose. What are you looking for? There's a gun in this glove compartment. I may be needing it. As long as I'm a sucker, I might as well go the whole way. Where are we going? In the corner. I want to make a phone call. You sit tight and keep your eye glued on this building. Hello, is this Mr. Courtney? Yes, Mr. Courtney. Listen, this is Johnny Eager. Oh, yes, Eager. I got no time for explanations. Get hold of Elizabeth right now. Get her out of that house if you have to drag her and come down here and meet me. I'll be at Fifth and Waverly. And hurry. No sign of Julio, Johnny. Okay. Take the car, Jeff. We're separating. Look, is there anything you want me to do? No, just get going. Yes, sure. So long, Johnny. Johnny. Yeah. Listen, Johnny, you know, when you batted me tonight. That's water under the bridge. Oh, yeah, sure. But I had that coming. I just wondered why you didn't do that a long time ago, Johnny. Listen, Johnny, have you ever been out to the Rockies? Are you nuts? No, I've never been to the Rockies. Well, listen, they've got big mountains out there just like Christmas trees with lakes so clear and as deep as you ever saw in your mother's eyes, Johnny. And, uh, Johnny, listen, let's go out there and climb a couple of mountains. Will you get going? Yeah. Yeah, so long, Johnny. They're off. Johnny, what is all this? Mark said you called me. Listen to me. Any minute now, one guy or two guys are going to come walking out of that apartment house up there. And one of them will be the guy you think you knocked off. I'm going to bring him over here and show him to you. Full of life, just like I said. Darling, I told you before that I... Hey, yeah, what do you think your boyfriend here did? Had himself a big moment. Thought I was short on dough, so he offered me all these cash. If I'd get out of town and take you with me... Now, wait a minute, Igor. Oh, I guess when you and I split up, you could be halfway happy with a guy like that, huh? Split up, Johnny? Yeah, you know people like you and me. We break as quick as we hit. Johnny, don't joke anymore. You said it tonight. You said I was the only one... Oh, sure that. Well, you were in a wing ding. You got to say a few phony words if it's going to help a pal out of a wing ding. You don't mean that, Johnny. You don't. Got it. Here he comes. Is that your man? Yeah, stay in the car. I'll duck her running back. Take it easy, Julio. Igor. Keep your hands out of your pockets. Okay, now walk up to this car. Well, here he is, kid. Take a good look. Alive and kicking. Ugly rat, isn't he? Too bad you didn't bump him off. Well, you see him, don't you? Yes. Yes, but, Johnny, what you said a moment ago, you didn't mean I did... You can get some sleep now, huh? You don't have to be quiet any longer, see? Johnny, look at me. You didn't mean what you said, did you? Sure, sure, I did. That big pitch tonight was just a gag, just like Julio here was a gag. Now, step on that gas and get going. No, Johnny. Listen, kid, get some sense. Will you, if it's going... Here with that man, he's getting away. Johnny, don't shoot, no. Liz, why did you grab my hand? Why, it's got to be done. No, Johnny, no, they'll put you back. Go on after Halligan. This whole street will cut loose any minute. You've got to get out of here. He's right, Liz. I won't go. Not until I know. You've got to beat it, Liz. No, Johnny. I'm staying with you because I know you're lying to me. This time I know it because you can't look at me, and then... Igor, what if I am lying? I had to do it, Courtney. I had to slug her. And what I just said about lying to her, don't you ever tell her that. You understand? Come with us, Igor. I've got something I've got to finish. Take her away up in the mountains or something where there's lakes and stuff. Just you two together and talk it out. Only talk her out of my life. Talk her out of my life. So long, Igor. There he is. The sucker's walking right toward us. Yeah. All right, Julio. Let him have it. Johnny. Johnny. Hello, Johnny. Jeff. What's the highest mountain we're... we're going? Well, it's... Johnny. Johnny. Stand aside, buddy. Who shot him? I don't know. I think he came by that building, man. All right, what do you say? You just talking to him, buddy? Hey, he's dead. Yes. Yes, he's dead. Well, he... he just asked about a mountain. What mountain? Did you know this guy? You know him? It says in the Bible, there'll be three things which are too wonderful for me. The A4, which I know not. What are you talking about? The way of an eagle in the air. The way of a serpent upon a rock. The way of a ship in the midst of the sea. The way of a man with a maid. As the curtain falls on Johnny Yeager, I'm sure you'll agree it's been a pleasure and a privilege to welcome back to this theater three such stars as Robert Taylor, Susan Peters, and Van Heflin. This has been quite a reunion for me. The last picture I made before I joined the Navy was with Susan Peters. That's something I'll never forget. Playing opposite Robert Taylor was a great pleasure. And now that Bob's back, I imagine plenty of other feminine stars are looking forward to the same chance. Weren't you and Colonel Keely together in the Air Force as Van? Well, uh, as close as a lieutenant and a colonel ever get. Actually, this is the first time I've seen Van since he left on his overseas assignment. You did a great job, Van. Well, if you don't mind my saying so, Colonel, I think you did a splendid job on your army picture target for today. I just wish the public could have seen that. I imagine war experience will be a great help in making pictures for the public. Well, a monumental example of that is Metro Golden Mayor's current picture. They were expendable. There you have Bobman Gummary back from active duty as the star and Captain John Ford also from the Navy as director. Yes, and as a Navy man, I can say the result is mighty authentic and mighty convincing. Susan, I understand you're taking up a new career in the literary field. Well, so far I've just been writing articles about my friends. The screen stars here in Hollywood, their personal life and habits. And I am sure you find that one of their habits is, uh, luck's toilet soap. You're right, Mr. Keely. And I can promise you that I use luck's soap regularly. It's a wonderful complexion care. And from a star with your complexion, that's a pretty solid tribute, Susan. Incidentally, we have another lovely star from your home studio appearing here next week. What's the play, Bill? It's one of the season's most appealing love stories. Metro Golden Mayor's recent screen success, The Clock, with two of Hollywood's best-loved stars, Judy Garland and John Hodiak. Bring a lonely boy and girl together in a big city, give them 48 hours to fall in love with one another, and then see what happens in this tender and romantic drama. Judy and John are great together in the Harvey Girls, too, Bill, and I am sure they'll be great together in The Clock. Good night. Good night, and come back again soon. Our sponsors, the makers of Luck's Toilet Soap, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday evening, when The Luck's Radio Theatre presents Judy Garland and John Hodiak in The Clock. This is William Keely, saying good night to you from Hollywood. As your grocer said this to you lately, sorry, madam, no more Luck's Toilet Soap till next week. Yes, your favorite Luck's Toilet Soap is hard to get right now. That's a direct result of the great national shortage of industrial fats and oils. And here's where you and every other American housewife can help prevent a further scarcity in the supply of soap. Continue to save every drop of your used kitchen pants. Take them to your butcher and receive 4 cents for every pound you turn in. Our Secretary of Agriculture says it may be many months before we can obtain adequate supplies of imported fats and oils. That's why your government urges American women to continue the magnificent job of fat salvage they did throughout the war. Keep on saving. Save every drop of used kitchen pants and take them to your butcher. You can help prevent a further shortage of soap. Our thanks for the play of this evening go to Medragold and Mayer, who will soon release the Clark Gable Greer-Garson picture Adventure. Get your dimes and dollars ready now for the 1946 March of Dimes. Join America's Crusade to protect American children from infantile paralysis. The motion picture industry through over 14,000 theaters will help collect your contribution between now and January 31st or send your dimes direct to your local March of Dimes headquarters. This is your one opportunity to join the fight on infantile paralysis. Give generously. Give soon. Join the March of Dimes this week. This program is broadcast to our men and women overseas through cooperation with the Armed Forces Radio Service. Our music was directed by Louis Silbers. And this is your announcer, John Milton Kennedy, reminding you to tune in again next Monday night to hear The Clock with Judy Garland and John Hodiak. The Sprye Treat of the Week. Sprye Apple Pancakes, tender, delicate pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. Try them for breakfast and for light gold and deliciousness. Make them with Sprye. It's pure bland, all-vegetable shortening at its creamy best. For all you bake and fry, rely on Sprye. They sure to listen in next Monday night to the Lux Radio Theatre presentation of The Clock with Judy Garland and John Hodiak. And why not tune in a half hour early to hear Joan Davis of Emotionally Station. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.