 Suspense, and the producer of radio's outstanding theatre of thrills, the master of mystery and adventure, William M. Robson. We who are in the business of keeping you in suspense, find ourselves in a quandary at this time of the year. The elements of suspense, murder, maim, and macabre mischief, are awkwardly out of place at this festival of peace and love. Yet that first Christmas was full of suspense. There was the problem of lodgings for the delicate mother that chill evening when there was no room at the inn. And there was great mystery when suddenly the star appeared in the east. Finally, there was the magnificent climax and happy ending when the three kings of the Orient arrived at last bearing gifts of gold and frankincense and mere. We feel that we cannot improve upon this tale, so we will bring you another. Along with our best wishes for a most merry Christmas. Listen, listen then, as Mr. Raymond Burr stars in Out for Christmas, which begins in just a moment. Here's actress John Bennett. It's terrible to try to act with a dreadful cold. To feel better quickly, I take four-way cold tablets, the fast way to relieve nasty cold distress. Yes, tests of four leading cold tablets proved four-way fastest acting of all. Amazing four-way starts in minutes to relieve aches, pains, headache, reduced fever, calm upset stomach also overcomes irregularity. When you catch cold, try my way. Take four-way cold tablets, the fast way to relieve cold distress. Four-way 29 and 59 cents. Here's a word about another fine product of Grove Laboratories. Had dandruff for years, now get rid of it in three minutes with Fitch dandruff remover shampoo. Three minutes with Fitch regularly is guaranteed to keep unsightly dandruff away forever. Apply Fitch before wetting hair, rub in one minute, add water, lather one minute, then rinse one minute. Every trace of dandruff goes down the drain. Three minutes with Fitch, embarrassing dandruff's gone. Fitch can also leave hair up to 35% brighter. Get Fitch dandruff remover shampoo today. And now, out for Christmas, starring Mr. Raymond Burr, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. I hadn't figured I'm being out for Christmas, but my prison record paid off. It takes a lot of good behavior to knock time off in an armed robbery and assault rap, and I was a good boy, model prisoner. Took everything they threw at me with a... I'm not exactly with a smile, I don't smile much. I took it without griping, so I'm out for Christmas. And Christmas is as good a time as any for what I gotta do. Count a cruddy. We got phony tin Christmas trees and the lampposts along the main dragon colored lights all over the joint. And Christmas carols screeching at you from loudspeakers everywhere. Even the saloons got red and green streamers all over the place, and the bar mirrors all frosted, black snow. The big bowl of slop called Tom and Jerry, they're pushing. Merry Christmas. Yeah. Wasn't it be a little Christmas cheer or a hot Tom and Jerry maybe? Ain't you got any whiskey? Oh, sure, we got whiskey. Give me a straight shot. Okay. Can't you get anything on that juiced box with them Christmas carols? What's matter to those black carols? Oh, they stink. You won't think so after you get a couple of belts under your belt. Do you think so? Oh, it's Christmas, man. That's all I heard. It tastes good. Real good. Hey, you look sort of familiar. Don't I know you from some place? I was wondering how long it'd take. The voice is familiar and your eyes sort of... Joe, Joe what? Joe, I heard you was going to get out soon. Charlie Jones told me. But I didn't know you'd be out for Christmas. Yeah, they got big hearted. Hey, you put on a little weight. That's why I didn't recognize you. 30 pounds, prison child. But you look real good, Joe, real good. Yeah. Where is Charlie? He been in tonight? Not yet, but he'll be around probably. Got to see him. You know where he's living at? Yeah, he's got a room over on Port Street. Room? I figured he'd be living in a flop house. Oh, not Charlie. He's doing okay since he got out. Got a steady job. How about you, Joe? You got a job lined up? Yeah, I got a job lined up. Good job? It'll be good. As good as I can make it. As the last minute shopping really got you down. Are you dashing and prancing all over the town? You've bought a lot of presents and you still have lots to go? Well... Go, go, go, get a script, Joe. You don't have to know a size. You don't worry about the fit. A new script, open or pencil always makes a hit. Or mom or dad or sister and Jane or Uncle Joe. Go, go, go, get a script, Joe. Go, go, go, get a script, Joe. Get a script, Joe. Here's the easy convenient way to finish all your Christmas shopping in a matter of minutes. With script, pens and pencils. Available at stores everywhere. All scriptos costing a dollar or more are handsomely gift boxed. See the famous scripto satellite. The satellite outrides any other pen you've ever used. Costs only $195. Enjoy one stop gift shopping. Go, go, go, get a script, Joe. Give a script, Joe. Script, Joe. And now, starring Mr. Raymond Burr. Act two of Out for Christmas. We had this room in the house where Charlie was staying loused up for Christmas. There was a moth eating point set or eats in the door and red and green lights in the landlady's window. Charlie's room was on the fourth floor at the back. Oh, so they let you out for Christmas. Yeah. Well, come on in. Gee, it's good to see you, Joe. Good to see you, Charlie. Say, what the...? What you got there? Oh, that's an electric train. Just a minute, I'll turn it off. Electric train, what for? Oh, my sister's kid. That's all he talks about for Christmas. An electric train. So I got him one at a discount at the place where I work, but I wanted to see if it works okay, you know how it is. Yeah. So what's the idea of the Christmas tree? We're living by myself and all. I thought I'd have my own tree. It's just a little one. You lost your marbles? Well, it's Christmas, Joe. The guys in cell block four ought to see you now playing with electric trains into your own Christmas tree. I bet they'd like to be doing the same thing. Not me. Do you check up on Malloy like I ask you to? Yeah? Yes, he's still on the police force. Good. You got a gun? No, no, I don't have no use for guns anymore. Know where I can get one? Well, sure, I guess I could locate one. I told you to. In my last letter, I told you, get a gun for me, I said. I know, Joe, but look, pal, I thought that what I hoped maybe you'd change your mind. Charlie, from the day he testified against me, I swore I'd get him. His testimony did it, you know. That's what convicted me. He sent me up. He had to testify the way he did. He didn't have to be so convincing. But, Joe, what good will it do? You'll only get the chair? I'm not afraid of the chair. I've seen enough of life. It stinks. I ain't in love with it. I just assume I'll leave it so long as I take that rat with me. But it ain't only him, Joe. What do you mean? He's married now. Are you kidding? But kind of a dizzy broad would want him. You ain't gonna like this, Joe. Ain't gonna like what? The dizzy broad that married him was Lucille. Lucille? My Lucille. That's right. I'm sorry, Joe. Funny. Real funny. She wrote me. She couldn't wait for me no longer. You remember when I got the letter. I remember. She didn't say who it was. She never answered my letters after that when that lousy double cross. Well, you went up for 10 to 20, Joe. Yeah. Yeah, I guess she never counted on me making it an eight and time off for the behavior. But eight years is a long time for young girl to wait, Joe. Mike Maloy's a fine guy to throw me over for. Well, it makes it dandy. Double dandy. It'll be a pleasure to kill him both. Don't talk that way, Joe. It's Christmas. Christmas is for people who don't know no better. Kids and idiots. Well, Joe, listen to me now. Forget all about Maloy and Lucille. You got a chance to make a new life for yourself. Like I'm doing. I can get you a job or I'm working. I'm sure I can. What are you doing? I'm Sandy Claus in the Tory department at Brighton's department store. Ain't no future in that. You're gonna be out of work day after tomorrow. No, I'm not. They promise to keep me on. Doing what? Minding the reindeer? Mr. Brighton believes in giving guys like us a chance. Now, that's why I'm sure that you can get a job there. You come down tomorrow and talk to them. I'll talk to them after Christmas. Hey, get it. Or say, how about coming over to my sister's house for Christmas dinner day after tomorrow? Yeah. Yeah, I might even do that. Good. You see, Joe, there ain't no sense in carrying around hatred in your heart, especially at Christmas time. So let Maloy and Lucille have their Christmas in peace. They'll have their Christmas all right. Their last Christmas. But then it'll be your last one, too. I just got a figure different. Never mind the gun. I'll get my own gun tomorrow. But there is one thing I want from you. What's that, Joe? Tomorrow night, I'm gonna borrow your Santa Claus suit. Holiday hustle, make you queasy, stomach nervous, and uneasy. Then... Who do you know about the little white tablets in the little green pocket rose? Just a waitin' for the moment when you need them to bring your acid indigestion under control. Chums are the little white tablets in the little green pocket rose. Chums for the tummies. T-U-M-S. Bring relief quicker than you'd ever guess. Best for any kind of acid distress. Keep them handy in the pocket rose. Keep your tummy under Tums control. Yes, during the busy bustling season, get quick relief from annoying acid indigestion. Always carry Tums, 10 cents. Three roll pack a quarter. Or get the new six roll pack with free metal carrier, 49 cents. And now, starring Mr. Raymond Burr, act three of Out for Christmas. The next day, I did my Christmas shoppin' for a gun. That night, I wrapped Charlie's Santa Claus suit into a bundle, took a bus out to the subdivision where Malloy and Lucille had a house. I ducked into an alley behind the supermarket and pulled down the red soup whiskers and all. It was gonna be so easy, I had to laugh. I couldn't want a better disguise than Christmas Eve for murder. I didn't have any trouble finding the house, little box of a house like all the others in the street and decorated with colored lights like all the others. Nobody saw me, even if they had. There was a better right than Santa Claus to be on the streets Christmas Eve. The gun felt cold in my pocket as I closed my fist around it and pushed the bell. Even it was wired for Christmas. Yes? Merry Christmas. Why? It's Santa Claus. Aren't you gonna ask me in? Well, my husband isn't home yet. That's all right. I'll come in and wait for him. I don't understand. You don't believe in Santa Claus anymore, Lucille? You oughta... Who are you? Don't you recognize my voice? You... you sound like... Joe? Oh, no. Good old Joe. He was going to wait for me. No matter how long it took. Joe, I thought you were... In the cooler for keeps, uh-uh. I told you I'd come back for you. Here I am. Well, you're too late, Joe. Yeah, so I hear. How come you didn't wait, Lucille? I... I fell in love. But the guy who sent me to prison for the no good cop... He didn't send you to prison, Joe. You were guilty. I'd have beat the rap if he hadn't testified the way he did. He had to testify that way. He was only telling the truth. Yeah, so he could get me out of the way and steal my girl. Joe, you've got things all twisted. It all happened afterwards. I only met him at your trial. We fell in love afterwards. When I couldn't protect myself. Oh, Joe, I'm sorry. It just happened. You're telling me? Where is the fuzzin'? Who? The copper, your old man. He's still on duty. Workin' overtime to put the arm on some stiff on Christmas Eve. When will you be home? I expect him any time now. Good. I'm going to be glad to see him. Why, when you hate him so. You see, I... I promised him something. Didn't you ever tell you? No. I promised to kill him when I got out. Joe. Tonight's the night, see? Well, you mean it. You've got a gun. Sure, I got a gun. And I'm gonna use it. I'm both of you. Both of us? You both double-crossed me. Could kill you first, but... I think I'll wait till your old man comes home. Or to be interested to see how he acts. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he tried to make a deal with me. A deal? Yeah, like shoot my wife, but let me go free. What a terrible thing to say. You'll see what kind of a creep you married. Joe, do it then. But do it because I ask you. Kill me and let him go. Yeah. I come to get you both. And I'm going to get you both. Together. And I'm about some music while we're waiting. Turn on the radio. Go on, turn it on. He... He made you happy, Lizzie. Yeah, Joe. Very. He made him happy. I hope so. That's nice. Because tonight you're both going to make me happy. By becoming very dead. Loud. What's that? Little Lucy, the radio walker. You got kids? Where you going? I have to look in on her and quiet her. Don't try nothing funny. I'll be right behind you. Oh, there now, honey. There, there it is. All right. Mommy just turned the radio on too loud. I'm scared, mommy. Mommy. Yes, dear Santa Claus. Mikey. Mikey, wake up. Mikey, look, it's Santa Claus. Santa Claus. Baby filters, cigarettes. Can't filter's best. Can't filter's best. It makes good sense when you smoke. Can't filter's best. Of all of the brands of cigarettes. Can't taste the best. Can't taste the best. Can't taste the best. Can't taste the best. Can't taste the best. And now, starring Mr. Raymond Burr, act four of Out for Christmas. It's that time to jam the gun back into my pocket before those two kids were wide awake and all over me, grabbing up my red suit, pulling up my phony whiskers, pushing me into a chair. Outside, Mikey. Yeah, sure. It's an asbestos suit. Listen, you kids ought to go back to bed. You've got to get them off me. They're so excited, Joe. They've never had a tame Santa Claus before. To them you are. I want to kiss you. Don't. All right, you kids. Now listen to me. Listen to me, Santa Claus. I'm listening. Me too. You've got to go back to bed now. I've got your presents in the morning when you wake up. There they'll be under the tree. You promise? I promise. You run off to bed. Well, Conner, I've got to get going. You wouldn't want the other boys and girls to miss their presents, because I've been goofing off with you, would you? Oh, no. That wouldn't be fair. All right then. Off to bed you go. All right. Come on, Mikey. Merry Christmas, Santa Claus. Me too. Merry Christmas, kids. I mean, um, good night. Good night. Come on, Mikey. Oh, Joe. They'll never forget that. Yeah. Neither will I. Merry Christmas, honey. I'm sorry I'm late. Hey, what's this? It's Joe Watson, Mike. Joe Watson? What the devil are you doing here? He came to kill us. Well, that was good, Mike. Here's my gun. You've changed your mind? Uh-huh. Your kids changed my mind. They thought he was really sadical, his darling. It was so exciting. Well, Mike, you can send me up again. Better to go back for a parole, I guess. Well, uh, wait a minute. We've got to have a complaining witness. You want to make a complaint, Lucille? No, Mike. I want to thank Joe for giving the kids the best Christmas of their lives. Well, I haven't any complaint then. Merry Christmas, Joe. I still say Christmas, Joe. I still say Christmas, Joe. I still say Christmas, Joe. I still say Christmas, Joe. I still say Christmas is for people who don't know no better. Like kids and idiots. Merry Christmas. Suspense. In which Raymond Burr starred in Out for Christmas, written, produced, and directed by William N. Robeson. In just a moment, the names of the supporting players and a word about next week's story of suspense. Christmas Eve on CBS Radio, Bing Crosby will invite you to celebrate Christmas with the world on our fourth annual Christmas Sing with Bing. With Bing as your guide and CBS Radio as your magic carpet, you'll visit Rome to hear the Vatican choir. There, too, you'll hear the sound of the bells of St. Peter's as they ring for the holiday mass. On our Christmas Sing with Bing, you'll visit New York and Salt Lake City, Canada, Australia, Holland, France, even places like Hawaii, and the Fiji Islands, where carolers and choirs will be waiting to sing the traditional Christmas songs with you. To add to the excitement this year, Mrs. Bing Crosby, Catherine Grant will be at her husband's side. Whether you spend Christmas Eve at home or out in the highway heading for a holiday destination, join us right here on CBS Radio as most of these same stations present our fourth annual Christmas Sing with Bing. Supporting Raymond Burr in Out for Christmas were Joan Banks, Lillian Bayef, Charles Seal, Carl Swenson, Howard McNeer, and Dick Beals. Listen. Listen again next week when we return with Mr. Frank Lovejoy starring in The 32nd of December. Another tale well calculated to keep you in. Suspense. This is the CBS Radio Network.