 Standard of California, on behalf of independent Chevron gas stations and standard stations throughout the West, invites you to let George do it. Serenade to the Southern Star, another adventure at George Valentine. Personal notice, dangerous my stock and trade. If life is a whirlpool and you smack in the middle, you got a job for me, George Valentine. Write full details. My goodness to Valentine, there was once a man named Bluebeard who could not endure the thought of leaving his lady friends alive. But it is much more horrifying when you suspect that a woman has developed this same complex regarding her men. We are musicians and she took an interest in our little group. When we all arrived in your city a few days ago, we were a quartet. Now we are a trio and unless you help us immediately, there is every reason to believe we may become a duet. If you think this is facetious, may we add that the ladies two husbands have also disappeared. Sincerely the Parnassus trio, Steamship Southern Star, P42. Mr. Valentine, Miss Brooks, my name is Paul. I am the conductor of our little symphony. And this young man is Stuart, my drummer. About his musical as a pelican, but he so politely said he wanted experience for his college education. Don't worry, I'm getting it too. Stuart, are you the one that this female Bluebeard has her eye fixed on? Oh gosh, no. Her case is a little more sophisticated. It is our third member, Fabio. He is in there in the next room asleep. Yeah, he always sleeps. Sleepiest piano I ever had. So amiable though. He is Latin, that is all. Well, so my letter intrigued you, huh? How could it help it? Who is this femme fatale? Her name, Mrs. Devereaux. Her age, who cares. She would not admit it anyway. But her wealth is enormous. What did you mean? She traveled with us on the last trip. Now we find she is going to repeat the voyage, leaving tonight for the sake of Fabio. Wait a second, you mentioned another musician. Yeah, you see, he was a poet. I will tell the story. It was Jose the cello. First, Mrs. Devereaux liked him. They left the ship together two days ago. But yesterday at the company office I ran into and she claimed she had not even seen him. We checked, we called. He is nowhere. The detrimacing person? Of course, that is all taken care of. Surely he will show up sometime before you see him. I hope so, but I am afraid not. Anyway, what we need you for is poor Fabio. Why, poor? What makes you positive, Mrs. Devereaux, so deadly? Yes, how do you know anything has really happened to this Jose or to the two husbands you mentioned? As I told you, Mrs. Brooks, there is nothing we can prove, but the woman is... She is simpatico. She is charming. She is beautiful. Like you are, Mrs. Brooks. Oh, Fabio, please. But I am not wealthy. Well, life is full of tragedy. How do you do, Mr. Valentine? So you are Fabio. Well, don't say it like that. I am a nice guy, just a lazy egotist, that's all. I gather you weren't in on writing the letter. Well, I knew about it, but if they are thinking to be done, I leave it up to Paul and you. And the same goes for action. You get it. Well, I am on my way top side now. I sleep very in the lounge, but she is a lovely woman, Mrs. Devereaux. I still have Easter. Mr. Valentine, you have the expression to be around while I have been around. No matter what Fabio says, there is danger, I know. But if you just don't want him to be near this Mrs. Devereaux, why don't you leave him behind? Take a different Piamas this time and then have her invested. Look, we were threatened. We were told, yes, we were told we all had to make this trip just the same as usual. No change. Oh, wait a minute. Now you said something, friend. I wish we could say more. It was an old type written left in our cabinet. I wish we could say who sent it. Ah, that's where I fit in. Well, to start with... Mr. Valentine, there's no time for more explanation every second counts. You are coming with us. What's that? This is a nice cabin, no? And all the ships and ploys are living nice. There's even a swimming pool. Everyone is a king. Oh, I get it. So that's it. What kind of a crown have you picked for me to wear? The athletic instructor says you will take his place. Athletic? Tarzan sneaker. Oh, what about Miss Brooks? There is always room for an extra manicure in the ship's barbershop. I have angles. I can arrange it. Oh, George, I don't mind. I do anything. I love it. Easy, easy, Brooks. 12 days is a long time for it. Mr. Valentine, you must believe me. We are not crazy. We were threatened. Okay, okay, Skippet. Well, Brooksy, if we're going to pack up the scissors and voicing gloves, we'd better get going. I have your state room numbers, please. Where's Shipp's personnel? Oh, give me your names. I'll check them off. Claire Brooks, manicurist. Uh-huh. Up you go. George, my red bag! Yeah, I got it. Don't worry. Valentine. George Valentine. George Valentine. Athletic director. Hey, come on. Hurry up. Oh, here it is. Hey, mister, you're already on board. There's your name crossed off already. You're nuts. I'm Valentine. Yeah, yeah, I know. It's an old trick, mister. I'm on board. Buster, I'll get the purse or he'll tell you. Better luck next time. Look, fun is fun, Rollo, but... Hey, wait, I'll show you some identification. No, all I know is the orders are getting your names checked off. But if you've got a real beef, there's a company man down at the pier there, guy in the gray suit bald, see him? But you don't... Nothing else I can do, mister. Okay, girl. Sorry, excuse me, would you? Look, let me throw. Would you please excuse me? Hey, hey, you! Hey! Hey! I'm going to my building! I don't care how much it costs. You run a water taxi, don't you? I don't care if you have to chase that ship all the way to Sammy Gale. Get going! Well, Valentine, the captain was certainly not impressed with your little demonstration of climbing land. But, mister Kelly... He said, Perse, I want you to speak harshly with this man. Very harshly. He held up the boat five minutes, five full minutes. Yes, sir, I know, I know. He said some other things, too, which I won't repeat. Mister Kelly, I told you the guy at the gang flank had crossed my name off. Nonsense. Bonded employee of the docks. Been there for years. Never makes mistakes. Well, then somebody else used my name. I don't know. Well, we've just completed our usual inspection. There's no one extra on board. Excuses won't get you anywhere, Valentine. Okay, okay, I'm very sorry. That's better. Now, there's work to be done before morning. Start out the shuffleboard equipment. Deck tennis net needs repair. Yes, I'll get on it, mister Kelly. Oh, yes, and you might vulcanize that rubber horse in the swimming pool. I think it has a slow leap. Yes, I'm sure it does. Oh, Joe. Oh, hi, Joe. Are you going to miss the boat on our honeymoon? Be forewarned, I'm a man with gang flank fever. All right, we'll take a train. George, I've spotted that Mrs. Devereaux already. Yeah. She has cabin 38. She's probably out on deck someplace now. She, uh, is not exactly what I expected. Oh, excuse me. Good evening. Oh, hello. My name is George Valentine. I'm the new athletic director. Oh, athletic. You, uh, you don't like them? They always make me think of Jim Blumers. I'm Mrs. Devereaux. Oh, how do you do? I had a husband once who was an athlete. He played polo until the horses simply loathed him. Oh, I see. That's how he died, you know. One of the horses hit him back. Right there in the fourth chucker. I didn't know. I'm sorry. Why? Nobody else was? Uh, well, I mean, I didn't realize Mr. Devereaux... Oh, no, you're all confused. Mr. Devereaux ate himself to death. It was frightful. The doctor told him 300 pounds was too much, and it was. Oh. The one with horses was Mr. Phipps, my first. Now, do you understand? Oh, perfectly. Oh, music stops, hasn't it? It's such a shame making him play the first night just because it's a cruise ship, don't you think? Yes, yes, it is. I have to be going now. I'm meeting someone. Mr. Valentine, was there anything in particular you wanted to say to me? Oh, um, well, no, I just understood you'd been on this trip before, and you see, I'm new, so... Well, I thought you might be able to give me some suggestions on organizing games. Oh, you certainly came barking up the wrong tree, didn't you? I may as well tell you this. Everyone else aboard gossips about it, I suppose. I'm only here for one reason. There's a musician named Fadio. The sleepy one. Yes. Yes, he's lazy and charming and probably a liar, but he letters me, Mr. Valentine. I can see that. Mrs. Devereaux, didn't the orchestra used to be a quartet? Wasn't there another musician? A jose or something like that? You should now feel getting confused again, Artu, that I suppose it's because of all that exercise you do, but it's always been a trio. Always a trio, huh? Okay, muster, whoever you are, come on out of there. I set out. Now, I'm allergic to being caught. Oh, blackjack, huh? Come on. Well, well, Stuart, who here cutting off? Come on, now, let's hear some talking brush head. I can explain, Mr. Valentine, don't hit me. Never mind. You're going to round up the rest of the trio, drummer boy, and you're going to round them up fast. We're having a little orchestra practice. Right now. Your young poor daughter. But I told you, I was only going to use the blackjack on myself. I mean, just lie there and make Mr. Valentine think I'd been knocked out. I mean, romantic youth. Please, I have business to attend to. Okay, okay, all of you. You're going no place. And neither are we. That was the idea, wasn't it, gentlemen? To get us aboard the ship by telling us a phony story. Yeah, I mean, no, no, it's not phony. There was no musician named Jose who disappeared. And you neither know nor care about Mrs. Devereaux's ex-husband. Is that checked? I told you she's a lovely woman. I wouldn't lie. Very well, Mr. Valentine, you're right. Mrs. Bluebeard was the figment of the imagination, and we did want to lure you aboard. Sure, I wanted to make the story look better by having you find me like that, but we did get a note. That part of it is true. We were threatened, but we were. Okay, why? And this time I want the truth. Here, Mr. Valentine. We were going to tell you in due time. Look here in this drawer. Oh, look at all the cigarette cases. Uh-huh. Lighters, camera, and a wristwatch. And please understand they are gifts. Gifts, not stolen. Oh, they're worth only a couple of hundred bucks altogether. Nothing big. Where they come from? Well, you see, a ship's musician is not overpaid, but when you have been around, there are a lot of wild tricks to help. Come on, come on. You see, in the days of prohibition, I was on European boats. And when we got to New York Harbor, I would invite a few friends aboard for, shall we say, parties. You mean you snuggle liquor? No, no, no, no, parties. That is all. I'll sell a few drinks to my friends. Uh-huh, and now what do you sell? To Mexico and back, for the ladies, not for a perfume. But we don't even sell it. A few lovely friends come aboard. We exchange gifts. It's all tiny bottles. Nothing the officials would object to. Yeah, but duty-free, just for some. You are spitting hairs. At least you will admit it is nothing important enough for someone to threaten our lives over. Yet the note told us we had to make this next trip as usual. We had to. No change or else. Well, it could make sense if someone is using you for real smuggling. Exactly what we thought. Something they put in the gift bottles of perfume, I suppose. Now, where'd you get them? A man in San Miguel who gives us cash for these presents. He also sells us the perfume. I see. And you got me along to hold hands with you the next time you go ashore to meet him. But don't you see, our only hope is to catch the real smuggler. Now, if we just came out and told anybody about all this, well, golly, the steamship company is fire us. The union would take away our... Your guys ought to have your heads knocked together. And I should have mine examined. Please, in the meantime, you will enjoy the voyage. Friends, somebody's already tried to scratch me off. His name on the gangplank list. And the only one who could possibly have touched that list are the ones who came up the gangplank list. Whoever runs this deal, whoever threatens people, is right here on this ship. Oh, bon voyage. We'll return to tonight's adventure of George Valentine in just a moment. If you've ever oiled a door hinge, you've seen the oil run down the hinge and collect at the bottom. 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You're aboard the palatial luxury cruiser Southern Star under false pretenses, and the three musicians who hired you were so nervous they played mauve notes on the truth. However, the voyage is well underway now, and it's no secret that there's somebody aboard who doesn't watch you around, somebody who's already tried to get you off the ship, somebody who has something to do with a dangerous bit of smuggling. Still, if you're as much a philosopher as George Valentine is, you resign yourself grimly to the hardships of a pleasure cruise to San Miguel. Any luck, George? No, you angel. Down in the beauty shop, I think I'm crazy. You know, eager beef are kind of crazy. I've managed to give a manicure to every woman on this ship, plus half the men. Oh, you've learned about a hangout. Yeah, just about. George, I'm scared. Oh, now take it easy. I'm not going to just let you go ashore with Paul at San Miguel. I know it. What do you suppose is in those bottles of perfume? Not caught? Oh, I don't know. The way I see it, Bruxy and her job is to run a switch, change the whole routine. Oh, excuse me. Oh, Mrs. Devereaux. Well, I see you've met somebody, haven't you? Is it wonderful aboard ship how everybody manages to meet somebody? Yes, we were just talking about... About the dance tonight, of course. You are coming, aren't you? Everyone's invited, you know? The dance. Oh, yes, yes, I'll be there. But you'll dance with me, won't you, Mr. Valentine? I mean, it's frightful if you like to dance and like a musician at the same time. I mean, never the train shall meet. I mean, well, don't you think so? Mr. Kelly, what time do we go ashore tomorrow? Oh, I don't know. Anchor around eight. Officials come aboard. We send a lighter in with the baggie to round eleven, perhaps. I see. Anyway, as I was saying... Hello? Well, you look very lovely, Miss Brooks. Perhaps you'd care to... Oh, Mr. Valentine. Oh, look, Mr. Kelly, all day that woman's been hounding me. She's afraid you won't ask her to dance. Why, Mr. Valentine? Yeah, she thinks you're the best dancer on the ship. Why, if it isn't Mrs. Devereaux, shall we... I was just saying you look lovely tonight. Very neat. Uh-oh, what's the matter, darling? Let's meet me on the boat deck in five minutes. What if? I'm going to take up the profession of smuggling myself. That's all. Boat deck in five minutes. George. I'll see you later. Ah, hello, my friend. Okay, I want to talk, Paul. So? This is a good place back here. Strange, no, there is something I wish to say true. I have been thinking and discussing with Fabio. Yeah, what about? The reason we were threatened in the first place. The reason the smugglers did not just let things take their natural course. Okay, go on. When we arrived in the States the last time, we did not make the usual telephone calls to invite our perfume friends aboard. No. Instead there was a little delay while we debated. You see, Fabio thought it would be a good idea to just give all our perfume to this woman he wishes to impress, Mrs. Davroff. Only you and Stu voted him down. Yes, but it must have been the delay that scared someone, no? Mm-hmm. Yeah, it makes sense. I think it is very interesting. And tomorrow... Paul, you're staying aboard ship tomorrow. What? I want you to give me all those cigarette cases and junk you sell to the man in San Miguel. I got a plan. George? George? It's me. Oh. What's the matter? Disappointed? No, I... Oh, of course not, Stuart. It's so hard to ever find you alone to talk to. Oh, we're all so busy. This is the boat deck, isn't it? Uh-huh. Best place to be alone on the whole ship. Yeah, I suppose it is. Gee, you're beautiful. You've got eyes like the stars. Why Stuart? A fellow gets a lot of experience traveling, you know, but I've never had anything happen like this. You mean smuggling. Oh, that. Only that. Maybe that's it in a way. Gosh, tomorrow we may all be thrown in jail or die or something. Stuart, what time is it? I don't care, though. None of it's important. Time or space or... Oh, Stuart, they haven't taken... Huh? Somebody's overboard. No, the pool. Look, it's a man. I think I can reach him. George! Take it easy, darling. You better sleep that door. Yeah, sure. And a hammer works. The doctor gave you a sedative. It was L.A. before? Just for a few minutes last night. Last what? Hey, in Bruxy, the ship's not moving. Where's my watch? It's 10 o'clock in the morning. Ah. George, who was it? Who did it? I don't know. I was hurrying along the deck in the Empire State Building following me. 10 o'clock. Almost short time. Hey, Bruxy, hand me my coat. I will not. Come on, come on. I don't care about that smuggling. Those crazy musicians can take their medicine. I don't care. Somebody try to kill me, Bruxy. That's what I mean. They'll do it again. Angel, and what's left of my head? I remember there's something to find out. The cigarette case isn't... Yeah, last night I picked up this stuff. Then after Paul left, I dumped it in this locker for safekeeping. I was planning to sneak it ashore on the first lighter as a baggage boy, try to trade it for perfume. But I guess it takes a knock on my head to give you perspective. What do you mean? I mean everybody figures a smuggle only works one way. Into the United States. But remember that threatening note the boys got? Yeah. Well, that threat would make a lot more sense, wouldn't it? If the sender of the note knew the stuff was already in their hands, packaged for delivery. And ready to be smuggled into Mexico. Yeah. Oh, darling. There's nothing in this one. Oh, wait a minute. Angel has camera. Oh, George. It's a bracelet. Yeah. Little bobble. It's too hard to be peddled in the States, I guess. And there are some millionaires in South America, too. Where? Hello. Oh, Fabio. The birds are here. Our music is over. I am on my way for a little nap. Oh, what are you doing? Mr. Valentine, you should not be up. I'm all right. Put your head, gee. Yes, you should sit down. You look pale. First vote for sure, everyone. First vote for sure. Hurry, please. Everyone going for a... Mr. Kelly. Hurry, please. Mr. Kelly, come here. What? Wait. Mr. Valentine, you shouldn't be... No, I'm all right. I'm all right. I just realized I like a lot of people around. That's all I need them. Oh, please. I am so sleepy. Then wake up, Fabio. Brooks, you show it to him. See? Huh? Yeah. Sure. It's pretty, isn't it? Maybe there's even some more on this trip. I don't know yet. What in heaven's name are you talking about? Okay, Mr. Kelly. I'll make it fast. Somebody in the United States wants to send this stuff to somebody in Mexico. Somebody like the perfume man. They get a smuggler to supervise the deal and the smuggler picks a patsy. No, no, no. Patsy's Mr. Valentine. Only this time the smuggler knew I was aboard and he made a slip of the pencil. I do not understand. Well, I'll tell you. It's been bothering me for a long time and now I think I've got it. My name was crossed off the gangplank list. Remember? Yes, someone did it while coming aboard to stop you from being here. You keep saying that, Fabio, and you'll realize how silly it sounds. What? Now, how could anyone walking up a gangplank draw a line on a piece of paper in somebody else's hand? Well, gee, maybe he... Uh-uh. It just didn't happen. That's all. Oh, now, really? The line was there? Correct, Paul. But the line must have already been there before the gangplank guard ever got the list. Okay, Mr. Kelling, you're the preser. Maybe you can tell me what on a ship or who on a ship would be responsible for marking up such a list. Can you tell me, Mr. Kelling? I... And, uh, who'd have access to everyone's cabin? The smuggle things in and out and leave type-right and no... Get out of here! Get out of here! Look out. He's tougher than you think. Mr. Kelling, you're last night, Valentine. Oh, no! But here's your chance for round two. Well, Angel, that's it. And like Fabio, I'm very sleepy. Yes, Mr. Valentine, I promise. Never again will I organize little parties for my friends when the ship reaches. Oh, yeah? Look at Fabio over there by the rail with Mrs. Devereux. Yeah, it's the right idea. No, no, no. I'm too old, much too old. But I've been thinking, you know, stamps, people collect stamps and I travel in many places. Perhaps if I could organize... Uh, Paul, if you don't mind, we'd like to be alone, huh? Oh, excuse me. Excuse me. Well, this is something new, darling. Well, I, uh, I just like to look at the moon, that's all. All right, I want to look at the moon. George, it's still several days until we get back home. And the captain does seem to be an obliging sort of man. There's even an orchestra right here. I mean, well, doesn't it give you any idea? Hmm? 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That's for it at independent chevron gas stations and at standard stations, where they say, and mean, we take better care of your car. Next week, in the midst of another adventure, you will find George Valentine and Bruxy at the scene of an automobile accident and... It must be suicide. George, don't you think so? I think so now more than ever, Bruxy. What do you mean? This note the police took off Freeholder's body. Old man Sturman was leaving him a quarter of a million dollars, quote, with full knowledge of the misstep Freeholder made as an accountant, unquote. Oh! Do you think he killed himself so he wouldn't have to anthropor-embezzlement? I don't know, Angel, but it gives me an idea. There are two other people mentioned in the will. And right now I'd like to find out what's in store for them. 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. Robert Bailey is starred as George with Francis Robinson as Bruxy. Let George Do It was written by David Victor and Jackson Gillis and directed by Don Clark. Also heard in the cast were Ted DeCorsias, Paul, Jerry Hausner as Stuart, Jane Avello as Fabio, Junius Matthews as the first sir, and Lee Patrick as Mrs. Devereaux. The music is composed and presented by Eddie Dunsteader. Your announcer, John Heaston. Listen again next week, same time, same station to Let George Do It. This is the Mutual Don Lee Broadcasting System.