 Standard of California, on behalf of independent chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the West, invites you to let George do it. Mayhem by experts. Another adventure of George Valentine. Personal notice. Stanges my stock and trade. If you're coming up for the third time and need somebody's help, call on me, George Valentine. Write full details. Dear Mr. Valentine, I know the exact time of your morning mail. I've checked on that. You'll have a very short time to get to me and keep me from being murdered. Believe me, I have very good reason to be terrified. I can't think of anyone else to help me. Anyone else to help me, I'll do my best to make it worth your while. Be sure to come alone, otherwise there's nothing you can do for me. And it's on Madge Damon. Well, we've gotten a few conch-eyed letters, Brooksy, but this one belongs in a showcase. We got a deadline, no less. But suppose the mailman decided to stop off at the drugstore for a couple of calls? Well, this mad seems to have unwavering faith in our postal service. Here, let me see that letter. 426 Dwayne Street. George, that's a full half-hour's drive from here. If you make every light, sit tight, Angel. I'm going to find out what this is all about. Abrams 3C Murphy 2D. Oh, here we are, Damon. Come on, come on, lady. Answer, will you? No use trying the whole phone, mister. What? Ain't been working for years. Being the janitor, I ought to know. Maybe I ought to think about fixing it one of these days. Well, don't work too hard, Buster. I want to get to 4C. Where's the elevator? Over there. But may as well warn you, young fella, take working. Another thing, I ought to get around to fixing one of these days. Okay, I'll walk. I'm in a hurry. Something fierce the way work piles up on a man's back. Careful, mister wet floor. And watch out for the pale. I'm sorry to step over you, mother. Which way is 4C? Miss Damon, uh, hide down a few doors. But it ain't going to do you any good. She just left. What's that? Just left, bags and all. There was a dark, tough-looking fella going out with her. She didn't have a dimension where she was going, did she? Well, look out, mister, you don't get slopped with the mob. Oh, okay, mother, okay. But I asked you a question, remember? Well, come to think of it, it do happen. Remember, she said she was going to the Union Station. She looked mighty like she was crying. Well, tell me something else. What does this Miss Damon look like? What's she wearing? Oh, she's blonde in a dark sort of way. Short, but not one of them real short kind, mind you. She's, um... Oh, great, great. Well, she was wearing one of them big floppy hats. Oh, she can get away with them, too, because, like I said, she's short, but not too short. Yeah, well, thanks, thanks very much. Now I can pick her right out of a crowd. Ha ha ha ha! Oh, Miss Brooks just did this. This is wonderful, wonderful. Valentine called you from the Union Station, huh? Oh, brother, that means he didn't catch wise. If you'll stop splitting your sides for a minute, Lieutenant Roddy. I'd like to know what this is all about. Well, there's no such woman as Madge Damon. I dictated that letter to my secretary. You certainly can be funny. Oh, sure. What's so brilliant about a stunt like that? Well, he didn't even recognize Sergeant Williams dressed up as a janitor, or policewoman Ferris scrubbing the floors. And I know he's seen them both around headquarters at least a dozen times. Oh, brother. Oh, that's your big sleuth for you. All right, you're a jester, and your life is complete. Why don't you give me a hot foot? I won't look. Oh, look, look, you don't get it. All this was merely incidental. I had to get Valentine out of the office this morning. Oh, but wait, honey, wait till you hear my real pay off. Oh, I'm sure it's gonna slay me. All right, Miss Brooks, what day is it? Day? Well, it's Monday. I knew it. I knew it. You forgot. You forgot just as he did. Forgot what? It's Valentine's birthday. I checked on it just to make sure. Oh, no. Oh, it can't be. Oh, I've got to get out of here and get him a present. Where's my coat? Relax, honey. Relax, relax. This time, it's yours truly who's giving Valentine a present. Yeah, how sweet. Yes, sir. Look here. Here in this box. A birthday cake. Yes, sir. And in just a few minutes, five, five top-notch mystery writers, all big shots in the field, are going to be here to attend Valentine's surprise birthday party. Mystery writer? Lieutenant, you sound like you're running a fever. No, no, no. I've done them favors in the past, and they're just dying to come along for the fun. After what you did this morning, I'm suspicious of what you consider fun. Ah, come on, now. Come on. Where's your sense of humor? Look, we're going to stage your phony murder scene. With you as a victim. And I'm betting Valentine is going to fall for it, hook, line, and sink it. Pardon me while I laugh. Yes, sir. Look, you see, I'm going to examine the supposed victim and announce that he's dead. And I could just see Valentine going into action without even checking, without even bothering to find out if there's really been a crime. And in front of all those writers too, oh, boy, oh, boy. I'm not going to let you do. What? Oh, now come on, come on, be reasonable. Valentine's put me on a few spots where I didn't look too bright. I need this for my morale. I'll tell you what, I'll make you bet. What kind of a bet? Well, a hat for you if I lose, and a box of cigars for me if I win. All right. Okay, Lieutenant, you're on. Okay. Now we got work to do. Miss Brooks, I want you to meet Steve Barry. He writes all those hard-boiled detective novels about Dan Flynn, Private Eye. You mean you write those books about Dan Flynn? Young lady, one doesn't have to look like a thug to understand the psychology of a tough, two-fisted character. And this, this is Cornelia Wooliston who writes such wonderful blood-curdling horror stories. Yes, you should see some of the people I meet in my nightmares, gruesome. When do the festivities begin, Lieutenant? Well, Valentine is still probably wandering around Union Station, so let's get on with the introductions. This is Ben Forreston, Miss Brooks. He's of the deductive school. He's here to play corpse today. I'll make the liveliest one you ever saw. Don't you think so, Miss Brooks? In your profession you should at least know what a corpse looks like. This is Sigmund Greenmetz. He specializes in scientific crime. Why, he spends more time in our police lab than we do. Thank you, Lieutenant. I admit to serving this, even though some of my colleagues don't. Nothing like being thorough about mayhem. And this is finally young Mr. Copeland who believes that every crime has a psychological basis. And that's the way it will always be, as long as crimes are committed by human beings. I don't mind suspense, Lieutenant, but I happen to have a dinner party. Yes, where is Mr. Valentine? Well, he'll be along any minute now, Barry. Oh, now look here, Greenmetz. You know what you have to do. Yes, I understand it. I pull down the window blinds to darken the office like this. Then I turn on the light. Right. Then when Mr. Valentine begins to light the candles on his birthday cake, I strip the lights off. And with the pathetic staple scream, I crumple to the floor. Oh, dear. Murder can be so repetitious, even when you stage it. Just one minute and one more thing, Greenmetz. I beg your pardon, Mr. Coster. Don't poison Valentine's cake with one of those exotic venoms you always fall back on in those incredibly dull stories of yours. I may seem a little out of date to a successful best-selling writer like you, but at least I use careful research. I'm not a fraudulent writer. Gentlemen, remember, this is supposed to be a party. Yeah. Cut it out, Greenmetz. I don't like people to laugh at my work. If you go through the annals of crime, you'll discover that poison has been used more often. Quiet, everybody. I think I just heard Valentine came in the outside office. I still think I'm gonna win that hat. Hey, Proxy. You know that letter I got this morning? Hey! Hey, buddy! Where did you find Mads, Damon? Hey, Proxy, what is this? Who are all these people for their guest darling your birthday guests as a matter of fact, they're all well-known mystery writer Never mind found you get to know them all later, but tell me something tell me yeah What about the janitor and the scrub woman? Oh, didn't you recognize Williams and mrs. Perez? Lieutenant, I got a hand it to you. You had me coming and going No for art feelings. Look here. Look I provided a cake and some refreshments. So come on and celebrate Okay, I'm just in the mood go on George like the cake Off with the lights green mat very well. Oh This is nice and cozy. Oh Say I don't even have a match here use my lighter. That's the idea miss. Williston hurry up Valentine No, you don't get away from me What was that what happened sounded like first what's going on here you green mats get those lights Forester, well, what's the matter with him? Why is he lying there like that? Don't stand there Barry help him up Somebody you better get a dog. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Don't touch him. Let me have a look at him We'd better get the coroner This man's dead lying on his face with a dagger in his chest Dead what are you talking about? Well, what's the matter Valentine aren't you interested this happened in your office. Oh I'm quivering like a leaf. I think the only thing that'll calm me down is a piece of cake. What? Tell you stooge to get up lieutenant. This whole setup is as crooked as a worm and an apple. Oh, darling. I love I get a new bed laid plans of mice and men your little joke didn't work When I get taken for a ride in the morning, I try to smarten up come afternoon Well, don't be such a ham forester get up. Yeah, he always did like holding the center of the stage Maybe I can shake him out of it Hey, wait a minute, huh? You're not trying to put anything over on me. I'm not kidding There's no dagger in for us. It's just of course there isn't just the same. He's been killed What are you talking about one practical joke is enough? This is no joke. Proxy Right now. Mr. Forrester is very much dead We'll return to tonight's adventure of George Valentine in just a moment meanwhile Let's all go back to school for a minute read and write an arithmetic No, sir a lesson in motor oil from Mrs. Vergie F. Cottner who teaches school in Phoenix, Arizona And here's her statement quote why it's just plain logic that a clean engine will run better and longer than a dirty engine And that's why I prefer RPM to any other motor oil I know it's cleaning my car's motor while it's lubricating it Unquote and folks that's a lesson worth remembering for RPM motor oil not only keeps your engine cleaner It guards against internal rust fights off corrosion and lacquer It protects hot spots left bare and exposed to wear by ordinary motor oils And is there plus and minus about RPM? Yes, the plus is longer mileage longer engine life and the minus is fewer repair bills So to give your car and your pocketbook a break get an oil drain and refill with RPM motor oil Get it at independent chevron gas stations and standard stations where they say and mean we take better care of your car You find yourself the victim of a very elaborate and phony birthday joke planned by of all people the tenant rally it might have been fun Except that the man who was supposed to play dead really died and right in your office and in front of four top-notch mystery writers You know one of the four had to murder him. You might call it mayhem by experts. In fact, that's what we do call it Valentine why why do these things happen to me? I don't feel too good either like a like an accessory after the fact is now wait. I'm gonna wait I'm gonna listen both of you don't let your conscience bother you too much foresters murder was carefully planned Yes, but didn't happen back there in my office. It would have happened somewhere else Well, at least we're pretty sure who did it somehow. I still can't believe it was green net He just doesn't seem to be the type. Yeah, Angel. I second the motion But the facts are sure stiked up against him I tell you you could have knocked me over with the feather when the coroner said polyester was poison jabbed with a hypodermic needle and then then to find the needle in green match pocket green match Said he didn't know how it got there and with everybody milling around in the dark Anybody could have put it there. Well, he admitted that for us to have been needling him for months Telling him all he's been doing for 20 years is rehashing Sherlock Holmes. Oh, it's just a little too proud lieutenant But I certainly don't have any other answer Well, I'm holding green Mets on suspicion of murder and I think he's going to turn out to be our man could be lieutenant could be Hey, Brooksy, we never did get to celebrate my natal day Suppose we spend it on a treasure hunt See if you can find the light switch Angel. Okay late Mr. Foster Foster's apartment has all the standard equipment including copies of Esquire The crack of light under the door to the other room would have to be blind not to see Who could it be? That's what we're gonna find out Somebody's in there looking for something. He's got to have He's not missing a trick George the light just went out. That's when I go in. It's the way out looks okay, but I don't have to like Okay, Buster, I can't see you, but I know you're in there. Come on make with the vocal cords All right All right, suit yourself You're either going to have to jump out of that window or try to get past me Making up your mind Well, I don't think you're gonna jump friends or just stay put while I find a switch and Oh It's not going to be the window friend I feel like I was baking a cake and stuck my head too far into the oven. Oh George. What did I do? What did you do? Well, don't tell me you put this dead in my skull. No, I I hit him. Huh? Yeah That gentleman lying face down over there by the couch You handled yourself right well into will he hit you there was anything I could do except take my shoe off And hit him back Golly, I hope I didn't hit him too hard. We'll just see Well surprise yeah a big surprise it's Barry Steve Barry Come on Barry you realize your story sounds as phony as a dime store engagement ring I know but it's a truce Valentine. I've heard of people doing things for publicity, but not anything like this Please try to understand my position there I was in your office Valentine at that party the scene of the murder Well, now what would my readers think if I then Flynn's literary father wasn't able to solve it Oh, I can just hear the whole nation going just what were you looking for here in Forrest's apartment? I don't know just like you any little clue that might prove whether it was or wasn't green men Just any little clues if I could find the murder the sales of my new book might run into millions You know, it's just possible somebody might think you killed Forrester, and we're here trying to destroy evidence Hey, what about that very me kill somebody me why why I can't even stand the side of blood It it makes me faint the story is my public expects from me all that violence You just have no idea what a strain it is on me Well green man says his story and you have yours, but I've told you I am telling the truth and you've got to believe me Well, I'll be able to tell you better about that lady. I go home Barry put a cold compress in your head And you ain't you would you join me? Where now believe it or not the public library to read some mysteries Oh George is getting late Can't expect to read all those mystery books tonight What are you looking for anyway? Huh? What's that? I know the butler didn't know this might be what we're looking for Yeah, Bruxy. Here are the books by Cornelia Williston and young Copeland. You know what I found in them words and More yeah, also one particular phrase that keeps bobbing up in both. Let me get Don't touch anything till the police get here In the translucent twilight Um Would you mind repeating it in the translucent twilight? Yeah, that's what I thought you said. I just wanted to be sure Now why should a lush phrase like that keep popping up in the books both of them wrote so they steal from each other One more intriguing little fact Cornelia Wooliston's most successful book a twisted claw was dedicated to BG See right here in the front of space To BG a kindred spirits with undying love BG Look at that brittle miss Wooliston. You'd never think she'd go in for baby Tom a kindred spirit And look at this book the first one Forrester ever wrote it wasn't signed Ben Forrester like all the later ones It was signed BG Forrester BG Do you think maybe it's more than a coincidence, but I'm sending a telegram to sweetwater Oklahoma Well, you know donning it's little streaks of logic like that that in dear you do every the book jacket on the twisted claw says Miss Wooliston was born in sweetwater a telegram of the local paper will bring us a lot of interesting details about Cornelia and then and then I May want to pick up my birthday party where it was so violently interrupted with the same list of guests Except of course the late mr. Forrester Valentine what's the reason for this clab break? Yes, just what have you got on your mind? Have you found something that will clear this man here? I'm coming to that lieutenant Another birthday party so soon. I just got your message. It's another came on over if you're here to tell me how much I despise Forrester You wouldn't be saying anything. There's not who he was obnoxious Arrogant, but I wouldn't go to the trouble of killing take it easy green muts. Okay, Valentine Okay, what do you know that we we should know if I get a start at Bruxy before the good lieutenant blows a gasket Oh, yeah a good-bye George darling. I shall meet you in the translucent twilight translucent Madam, Miss. Williston those words seem to have a special meaning for you There's nothing more beautiful than a translucent twilight is there. So what's going on here? Wouldn't you say that was a purple phrase mr. Copeland in the translucent twilight? I Wouldn't know you should if you read your own books Or if at least you read the one somebody else wrote for you. What do you mean by that? Yeah, what is our list, huh? George do you want all these fine detail notes you made in the library? I don't think we'll need them Bruxy I believe miss. Williston will admit she wrote all of Copeland's books as well as her own goodness You can't mean what you're saying that can't be the styles. They're too different. That's a lie Valentine and you'll know it Ridiculous at one phrase keeps recurring often in the books you two have written what what about it? I told you all right. It's a crazy any way. It could have been just a coincidence Uh-huh lieutenant Authors fall in love with certain phrases and use them over and over again without even realizing it They become just as much a part of them just as revealing as their fingerprints come to think of it You're right Valentine. You're right. I keep finding my damn flint saying over and over again I am going to slam you senseless sweetheart. That's absolutely true. Yeah, I find myself doing the same thing But mr. Valentine I Miss willison I received a little information from sweetwater, Oklahoma Is that supposed to terrify me you wrote Copeland's books and for a very good reason He happens to be your son Was it pride that forced you to make a successful writer for your son Cornelia son, but it's miss willison miss take it easy No, there was a mr. Williston at one time Okay, why don't you admit it Cornelia? You're a widow. It's all here in this telegram. All right What if I am you can stop it now Valentine? Yes, Cornelia is my mother. She wanted to help me in my career. There's nobody else's business. Okay, okay Okay, so this is going to make headlines in the Saturday review of literature now. What about go on please mr. Mrs. Williston you had a very good reason to kill Forrester, didn't you I I hardly knew him Except professionally. He was just another writer. I see and is that why you dedicated the twisted claw to BG and I quote With undying love Forrester's middle initial was G G for Gerald and he was the kind of man who had other women call him BG and With the same undying love you're right about that Valentine Forrester was always bragging about his success with the fair sex the truth is I once told him to his very face that he was a Keep going Valentine. Let's get to the end of this. Don't you see lieutenant when Forrester decided he was through with Cornelia He held a whip hand the threat to expose the hoax of young Ted Copeland the promising new writing I should never have let you do it mother. So Cornelia you killed Forrester and in a way that would place all the suspicion on green mats Now didn't you Yes That's exactly the way it happened Thank you, mr. Valentine Believe me mrs. Bollister. I'm very strong Of course, you know, you're lying Cornelia. What's this and I have an idea that I won't be the one to prove that Wait a minute. Are you trying to say she didn't kill Forrester? She just said so herself Thank you for being a practical man lieutenant. No No, this is one time. I'm going to stand on my own two feet mother Ted keep quiet. I kill Forrester This is Valentine described you But he had it coming to him for such a long long time. What are you doing Ted? You have your whole life It's no use carnation I'm sorry. I had to do it the way I did but I had a feeling he tell the truth if he saw the guilt being placed on you I knew how much you loved him mother. I Saw I threw you over all I could do was Stand by the scandal about the books. It was going to ruin not only me But you That's why I killed him So you see Bruxy brain mats would never in a million years think of poisoning anybody when he knows he's an authority in the field And you figured it had to be either Cornelia or Ted, but what made you decide it was the son Why Angel don't you remember when I was lighting the birthday cake Cornelia handed me the lighter She was standing right next to me yards away from Forrester You can keep your genius badge, mr. Oh Easy Brooks. What are you trying to do trip over yourself? No, it's just this darn heel that isn't there Incidentally my fine friend. I'm putting the cost of a new pair of shoes on the office expense account. Oh shakedown Hey, no girlish superstition never knock anybody unconscious twice with the same shoes There are lots of times in everyday motoring when you need extra go ahead for your car But fast and the way to get that speedy pickup is to get chevron supreme gasoline the gasoline that puts command performance in your car Thanks to special blending agents this high-octane fuel gives your car command performance under every road condition It commands fast starts command smooth acceleration Commands the extra power that makes your car great on hills and no matter where you drive in the West With chevron supreme you could be sure of command performance for premium quality Chevron supreme is climate tailored to each different altitude and temperature zone from Canada to Mexico in all the western states For command performance in your car get chevron supreme tomorrow get it at standard stations and independent chevron gas stations Where they say and mean we take better care of your car Next week at this time we pick up George Valentine on an out-of-town assignment, which begins on a train That's just pulling into Sharon Dale. Ain't you kind of cold out here on a platform Jack? What? No, I'm getting off as soon as the train stops. You're getting out here Jack Don't make me carve things in your face with this broken bottle. I don't like this side of blood Hey, wait a minute. It's not gonna be my blood. What's it off? Does it get off? Hey, happy landing Jack. Stay out of Sharon Dale Tonight's adventure of George Valentine has been brought to you by standard of California on behalf of independent chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the West Let George do it stars Robert Bailey as George with Francis Robinson as Brooksea Wally mayor appears as Lieutenant Riley tonight story was written by David Victor and Herbert little junior and directed by Don Clark Also heard in the cast where Jeanette Nolan is Cornelia Rollin Morris is Copeland Junius Matthews is Barry Fred Howard is Forrester Louis van Root and as Green Mets and Ruth Perrett as a scrub woman the music is composed and presented by Eddie Dunstetter Your announcer John Easton listen again next week same time same station to let George do it This is the mutual Don Lee broadcasting system