 Oh, waiter. You see? I'll have a vegetable salad with cottage cheese, some toasted crackers, and a bottle of cold, perhaps blue ribbon. Yes, sir. Finest beer served. Anywhere. From Hollywood, perhaps blue ribbon. Finest beer served. Anywhere. Proudly presents... The Hollywood Screen Directors present a footnote to Valor. Fort Apache, starring John Wayne and Ward Bond, and introduced by the director of the film, John Ford. Ever since the infant days of motion pictures, a kind of violent chain reaction has been exploding in Hollywood. The source of this rather awesome force is our guest screen director tonight. His explosions have taken the form of such brilliantly directed films as The Informer, Stagecoach, How Green Was My Valley, and tonight's story, Fort Apache. Ladies and gentlemen, the director, Mr. John Ford. Thank you. I don't know what I'd call Fort Apache an explosion. If I were translating it into sound, I'd say it was a bugle called brave and distant and a little sad. An echo of the cavalry regiments had galloped to meet adventure on our western plains. Now, here's our film story for the first time on the air, starring John Wayne in his original role of Captain York and Ward Bond as Colonel Thursday, Fort Apache. This is the story of Fort Apache, of the regiment, the officers and men who manned her. How they lived, how some of them died. Fort Apache was the last frontier, a tiny cavalry outpost in the heart of Indian infested country. My name is Captain Kirby York. I'd been through enough Indian campaigning to have a healthy respect for the Apache, both as a fighter and as a man. Colonel Owen Thursday, the new commanding officer, was a career man out of headquarters in Washington with a lot of strange ideas about frontier discipline, military science, and the lowly savage Indian. Gentlemen, I have been ordered to assume command of Fort Apache and to aid the Indian agent Meacham in putting down the uprising caused by the Apache chief, Cochise. While some of our regiments are leading well publicized campaigns against the great Indian nations, we are asked merely to ward off a few cowardly digger Indians. The Apaches, sir, are hardly digger Indians. You would scarcely compare them with the Sioux, Captain York. No, Colonel, I wouldn't. The Sioux raided into Apache territory once. You could follow the Sioux retreat by the bones of their dead. We'll discuss that some of the time, Captain. The immediate point is that Cochise and his Apaches have left the reservation. Our orders are to get them back. Sir, no troop or squadron or regiment can keep an Apache on a reservation unless he wants to stay there. Five years ago, we made a treaty with Cochise and his Apaches stayed on the reservation in peace. For how long, Captain? Until the Indian agent Meacham was sent out by the Indian ring. He cheated them, degraded them, until they couldn't take it anymore. Cochise broke his treaty. Yes, rather than stay here and see his nation wiped out. The political aspects of the situation are not concerned me, Captain York. We have a military job to do, which I am sure we will accomplish with glory. This is hardly a country for glory, Colonel, but I wish you luck, sir. Any questions? No questions, sir. For some reason, the few Apaches who had remained on the reservation were extremely quiet. This was unusual. It worried me. But evidently, it didn't worry Colonel Thursday. For about a week later, I was detailed to escort his daughter out riding for an inspection of the Mesa. The race to head that way, Miss Thursday. Why not? This is Indian country, and I'm responsible for you. Oh, I'm not afraid. Oh, oh, look, Captain, down there. Smoke. Is it an Indian signal? No, not a signal. That's where our telegraph wires run through the Fort Grant. Oh. I've got to ride down this slope and find out. Can you get back alone? Alone? No, no, I'm going with you. Here. Easy now. Let him have his head. It's a wagon burning. Yeah, it's the one we sent out on the patrol, the telegraph line. Don't look. Stay here. Come on, let's get out of here. We've got to get back to the Fort. Colonel Thursday, sir. Now what, Captain York? Repair wagon. Burned. And the troopers? Spread eagle down the wheels. Roasted. Oh, no care. Where did it happen? Near Blue Mesa, sir. They cut the telegraph wires. Captain Collingwood, hand me that map. Yes, sir. Now show me the place, York. Here, sir, on this low spot between the hills. Captain York, send out a wagon of detail to repair the wires and bring back the bodies. Yes, sir. Sergeant Mulcahy. Yes, sir. Assemble a platoon from Company A. A platoon. I set a detail, Captain, an officer and four men. But those Apaches may still be around, Colonel. I am running a command, not a debating society. Captain York, you will personally take the detail and leave it once. Very good, sir. If I know Apaches, Colonel, you're sending those men to a certain death. I know what I am doing, Collingwood. And now you assemble a platoon immediately. You mean the platoon is going to trail the wagon? Correct, at a striking distance. Surely, Collingwood, even you have heard of the trap as a military weapon. Yes, sir. I don't like this, Captain. Send us out like this alone. Neither do I. What do you think, sir? Do you think the devils will be waiting for us? Can't tell. Apaches are tricky. Take it easy now. The wire breaks just around this bend. Right. Oh! Right there. Mother of mercy. Two of our own lads. Burned alive. Where you devils, you motherless... Quiet, Maltese. They've been back. They've stripped off the men's shoes. The barbarians. They'll make them pay with me own hands. All right, men, quick. Get out those blankets and that wire and work fast. I know Apaches. They'll be back. Hey, Pete. There we go. Beaufort, get up on that pole and fix that wire break. All right, we're going. I'll... I'll take care of our men myself. I'm going up that rock and have a look. They're around here. I can feel it. Any sign of them? Nothing yet. But hurry it up. I know we're here. Get out of here. Put the wire break. It's not fixed yet. Get out! We haven't got a third of them. The outlaw's bad. We're like clay pigeons out here in the open. Master, we cannot run them. It's our only chance. Playhouse production of Fort Apaches, starring John Wayne and Ward Bond and introduced by the director of the film, Mr. John Ford, in Atlantic City. The boardwalk is crowded with strollers. You, foot weary and breathless from a marathon walk, pause to wipe the perspiration from your forehead. The salt air is cooling, but somehow it doesn't satisfy your thirst. There must be a place nearby where you can... Wait a second. What's that little blue sign in the cafe window? Oh, brother. Papsed blue ribbon. Finest beer served. Anywhere. Yes, during these hot August days, you're just one of millions of men all over America to whom that Papsed blue ribbon sign means welcome relief. Or Papsed blue ribbon does something more than quench your thirst. It gives you taste. Blue ribbon taste. The kind of taste you can't get anywhere else in the world, except in that Papsed blue ribbon bottle. And, fortunately, you can get that blue ribbon bottle all over the world. Yes, you hear it everywhere, in Atlantic City and Appleton and Ann Arbor in Atlanta. Papsed blue ribbon. Finest beer served. Anywhere. Your taste will tell you why. Back to our screen director's playhouse production of Fort Apache, John Wayne and Ward Bond. What was left of Diablo's Rating Party after the battle, we took back to the reservation at Claw Springs. But that didn't solve the problem. They were just a handful. There was still coaches in the entire Apache nation across the Rio Bravo and Mexico. But right here at Claw Springs was the root of the trouble. The unscrupulous Indian agent, Meacham. Mr. York, how good to see you. Captain York, Meacham. Oh, yes, of course. You soldier boys in your title. And this is Colonel Thursday. Ah, another exile in the wilderness. Mr. Meacham, a band of Indians left this reservation. Yes, the ungrateful dogs. I treat them well. Meacham, you drove coaches and the Apaches off this reservation by starving and degrading them. Why are you... Giving them whiskey instead of beef. Trinkets instead of blankets. What are you... Coaches did the only thing a decent man could do. He left and took his people with him across the Rio Bravo into Mexico. Why, he broke his treaty and I demand you soldier boys bring him back by force, if necessary. Any demands you wish to make, Mr. Meacham, will be made through official channels. Well, I only... Captain York, what's in those boxes? They're marked books, sir. More likely cheap whiskey. No, no, he's lying. I'll open them and see, Captain. Mulkay. Right, sir. You're at the colonel. Here, here, what are you doing? You have no right to... Mr. Meacham, miracle, sir. The books have turned into whiskey in a barrel. I have a government license to keep a medicinal supply of... What shall we do with the books, Colonel? Destroy them, Mulkay. Yes, sir. And what about these Winchester rifles, sir? Destroy them, too. No, no, you can't. This is private property. You have no right to... Meacham, you're a black guard, a liar, a hypocrite, an ostentious and nostrils of an honest man. If it were in my power, I would hang you from the nearest tree and leave your carcass for the buzzards. But as a representative of the United States government, you are entitled to the protection of my command. But that is all. Good day, sir. You sent for me, Colonel? Sit down, Captain York. Yes, sir. Now, about this coat cheese. We've got to bring him back. In six campaigns, he's out generalist, out porous, and out runners. That's just the point. There are enough troops in the territory to make him come back, but one man, a man he trusts, might persuade him. Cochise knows me. You're a fool, Captain. Assuming you found Cochise, his men would cut you to pieces. That's possible, sir, but I've never lied to Cochise, and if you'll assure him decent treatment for his people, I... A carbine against his spine might be more persuasive. Oh, I'd have to go unarmed, sir. Have you forgotten what happened to the men on the repair wagon? Well, I can't fight my way to Cochise. Other men have tried that. If we could manage to get him back to United States soil. Hmm. Will you have my permission, Captain? How many men will you need? One, sir. Sergeant Beaufort. He knows the country. He was born in Mexico. I'd like to leave it once, sir. Proceed, Captain, and take your sergeant. I hope you make it. Three days, Sergeant Beaufort, and we haven't seen a sign of an Apache. Yes, but they have seen us. You can be sure of that. Captain, look. We'll go over against that hill. A signal mirror. Another one answering from this side. Yeah, they're here all right. We're between them. Come on, Beaufort, smile. He's too late to do anything else. They must be camped right above us. But it's not always right above us. Look up. Look up on the rocks. Holy smokes. Covered with the patches. Both sides of the past, thousands. Looks like they were expecting us. Keep smiling, Beaufort. We're going in. Captain, look at those rifles they've carried. Winchester 7-shot repeaters. Our friend, Meacham. Looks like every chief in the tribe is here. I'm straight ahead, Beaufort. He's that guy? That's Cochise in front. This is close enough. Good luck, sir. When a start is, Cochise, we come in peace. When a stab this. Captain York, you got back. Well? Cochise has crossed the river, Colonel. He's coming in with all his people. He wants to talk peace. He's back on American soil? Yes, sir. Good. Captain, the regiment moves out at dawn. The regiment? Well, I promised Cochise we'd meet him alone, unarmed. You and me and Meacham. Why Meacham? He insists Meacham be present. Very well. You will prepare your troops to march at dawn. But Cochise will think I've tricked him. Exactly. We have tricked him. We've tricked him into returning to American soil, and I intend to see that he stays here. Colonel, I gave Cochise my word. Your word to a breach-clouded savage, to an illiterate, uncivilized murderer and treaty-breaker? There is no question of honor, sir, between an American officer and Cochise. There is to me, Colonel. You can't send out the regiment. Captain York, so long as you are in my command, you will obey my orders. The regiment will march at dawn. Is this approximately where you were to meet Cochise, Captain York? Just about. All the troops. Ho! Captain, I propose to deploy our men, sending two troops to the north and one to the east. The Apaches, sir, are neither north nor east, and they're not in their encampment. If you'd been watching the dust swirls to the south, as most of us were, you'd know they're over there, just coming over the ridge. That's Cochise now, sir. They're about four to our one. Most of them with Winchester rifles. Do we talk, Colonel, or fight? You seem easily impressed by numbers, Captain. However, I'll honor your word to Cochise. Where is Mr. Meacham? Meacham! Here, sir, at your command. Mr. Meacham, we are riding out to talk with Cochise. Oh, he's not the kind you can talk to, Colonel. I will. You will accompany us, Mr. Meacham. Come on, Captain. Ha! Take over, York. I have the honor, illustrious chief, of presenting the commander of our regiment, Colonel Thursday. We have come to talk. The Apache is a great nation, proud, never conquered, but is not good for nation always to fight. Young men die, old ones hungry, so I bring my people to reservation. Then this man come make trouble. He means you, Meacham. He lies. Evil man who make my people bad. He's worse than war. He stab my children. No. He kill my people. No, it's not true. Send him away, and we will talk peace. If not, there will be more war. Are you threatening us? Colonel, don't interrupt. It's an insult. And for each of us you kill. Ten white men will die. Silence! I did not come here to be threatened. Cochise, I find you without honor. That government which I represent orders you to return to the reservation by dawn or we will attack. It's getting late, Colonel. What do you think? I think they've had their chance. Now it's time they had their lesson. Hand me your binoculars, Captain. Yes, sir. I don't see them. Not a one down in the pass. There, there, sir, but not down in the pass, up on the rim rock. How can you know that? Because if I were Cochise, that's where I'd take up my position. What about that dust cloud at the far end of the pass? An Apache trick, sir. Women and children dragging Mesquite to make us right through that narrow pass into an ambush. Very ingenious, Captain. You make me suspect that you're Cochise studied under Alexander the Great at least. Gentlemen, mount your troops. We charge through the pass in a column of fours. Mounted in fours? Colonel, that'd be suicide. I tell you, they're up in those rocks on either side of the pass. It's an ambush. Captain York, there is no room for this regiment for a coward. You will remain on the ridge in safety with the supply wagons. Yes, sir. A charge in fours? Thursday was insane. I took Sergeant Mulcage with me and wheeled the wagons back up onto the ridge. Roll up! The regiment started forward at the half-gallon. The faces of the men sat and grimmed. There they go, Captain. The fullness led to the other soldiers. The A company. Down into the pass. They didn't have a chance, but they kept charging through. B company. C company. Horses. Men. Racing. Shooting. Tumbling crazily as they fell screaming. Captain, look! Colonel Thursty's been hit. Keep me covered, Mulcage. Still Thursday. York, help me on your horse. Here. Follow me, Colonel. I'm dug in on the ridge top. No, Captain. You're a saver. I must rejoin my command. There is no command. It's wiped out. We're all that's left of it. Don't you understand? Us and the wagons on the ridge. Then back to your ridge, Captain. We'll charge in fours. Come back! Wiped out. Every man. The Temmels. The murder of Temmels. It's all over. Here they come. A whole Apache nation. We've got a ray for the peace. Forty rounds, Captain. No, wait. Make them coat. Every one for the men that's gone. No, Sergeant. Hold your fire. Coaches is raiding out to us. Here. Take my gun. But, Captain... I gave Coaches my word. I'll meet him unarmed. Colonel, say Coaches without honor. White Colonel, dead. I give you your flag. For a moment, Coaches stared at me. Then he wheeled his horse, and like a great wind, the Apaches rode away. Yes, he gave us back our flag. The regimental guidon we'd carried into battle. Now the regiment of Fort Apache has been reformed. Their names are all changed. Those others haven't been forgotten, because they haven't died. They're living right out there. Tomorrow, when we take to the field, they'll be riding with us. Collingwood or Roark or Cagie, Boulevard, yes, and Thursday. Their names may change in their faces. But they're the regiment and the regular army. Now in 50 years from now. You have just heard the last act of Fort Apache. In a moment, our stars, John Wayne and Ward Bond, and screen director John Ford will return to the microphone. Out here in Hollywood, they sell maps to sightseers that show where the movie stars live. Now if you could only step inside those homes instead of just driving by, you would find that most of the picture people lead normal everyday lives, just like you and me. On these hot summer weekends, for instance, the chances are you'd find them out in the backyard under a shady tree with their neighbors and friends, playing gin rummy, or just chatting over bottles of cold, perhaps blue ribbon beer. Everything in perfect taste. Blue ribbon taste. And it's that blue ribbon taste that makes this internationally famous beer so popular here in Hollywood. We happen to have a movie star here in the studio who I think will verify that statement. The star of our radio program, Mr. John Wayne. John, is it true that perhaps blue ribbon is a big favorite in Hollywood? And I'd say it's quite popular. What do you mean, offhand? I mean, I have no way of knowing except that I see perhaps blue ribbon served in a lot of Hollywood homes. Well, do you serve it in your own home? I sure do. It's a good beer. Now, how about a word from the director of Fort Apache if Ward Bond will bring Pappy over here? What do you mean bring Pappy over here? That's the trouble with you, actors, just because I'm a director you think I'm afraid of a microphone. Well, Pappy? Well, I am, and that's why I'm going to say good night because Pappy speaks one of the world's greatest directors. Come on, Pappy. Good night, folks. Good night. Good night. A good night to you, John Wayne, Ward Bond and John Ford. Don't forget, tomorrow is the beginning of another weekend. Two whole days to relax and have fun. You'll be planning picnics and backyard barbecues. Just be sure there's plenty of perhaps blue ribbon cooling in your icebox. Tomorrow morning, ask your dealer for a case. In cans or bottles, perhaps blue ribbon is the finest beer served anywhere. Your taste will tell you why. Next week on Screen Directors Playhouse, perhaps blue ribbon presents Jezebel, starring Betty Davis. Fort Apache was presented through the courtesy of Arcusy Pictures, producers of Mighty Joe Young. John Wayne will be seen shortly as the star of the John Ford Arcusy production, she wore a yellow ribbon. Ward Bond will soon be seen in Paramount's new Bing Crosby picture, riding high. John Ford is currently directing the 20th century Fox production Front and Center, starring Dan Daly and Colleen Townsend. Included in tonight's cast were Sharon Douglas, Paul McVeigh, Tony Barrett, Eddie Fields, Pat McGeehan, Lou Merrill, and Don Stanley. Fort Apache was adapted for radio by Warren Lewis, and original music was composed and conducted by Henry Russell. Screen Directors Playhouse was produced by Howard Wiley with dramatic direction by Bill Karn. Portions of tonight's broadcast were transcribed. Listen again next week when PAPST Blue Ribbon presents Screen Directors Playhouse, production Jezebel, director William Weiler, star Betty Davis. Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you by the PAPST Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Newark, New Jersey, and Peoria, Illinois, and sent your way with the best wishes of the PAPST Blue Ribbon dealers from coast to coast. James Wallington speaking. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.