 Lux presents Hollywood. Lux Radio Theatre brings you the unguarded hour, starring Robert Montgomery, Lorraine Day and Roland Young. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. On a certain day last June, a nine inch shell from a German shore battery crashed on the deck of the United States destroyer Barton off the coast of France. And fortunately failed to explode. We can thank that happy accident for the appearance tonight of our leading man, Lieutenant Commander Robert Montgomery of the United States Naval Reserve. Most of you read last week that Commander Montgomery had received the bronze star medal for meritorious achievement as operations officer on an American destroyer during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. I'm sure we're all very proud of Bob and give him our sincerest congratulations. Among the first things on Bob's schedule, now that he's released from active duty, are a picture for Metro Golden Mayor and tonight's appearance on the Lux Radio Theatre. The picture he is making is titled, They Were Expendable, based on the book by William L. White. And our play tonight is The Unguarded Hour, based on the screen hit of Metro Golden Mayor, whose picture 30 seconds over Tokyo as its world premiere in Hollywood tonight. In The Unguarded Hour, co-starring with Bob, is the ever lovely Lorraine Day, and the ever talented Roland Young, and together they bring us one of the screen's most baffling and exciting mysteries. If at any point in tonight's play you can guess the ending, you're either a genius or a magician. And speaking of magicians, I have a letter written in a round and childish hand from one of our young listeners who tells me about a party at her school. She says a magician was there. He had a box of lux and three soiled handkerchief. He put the three dirty handkerchiefs in the box and shook them up, then opened the box of lux and pressed out, pulled out three clean handkerchiefs. Then he put his hand through the box to prove they were the same handkerchief. Well, we've always known that lux worked like magic, but that's the first time we've heard of a real magician using it to mystify his audience. Now that the curtain rises, we move you all to peace time London, and the first act of The Unguarded Hour, starring Robert Montgomery as Sir Alan Dearden, Lorraine Day as Helen, and Roland Young as Bunny. The morning a few years ago, the singularly beautiful wife of a celebrated London barrister was trotting her horse along a fashionable Mayfair bridal crown. As she turned down to one of the less frequented trails, a distinguished looking young man suddenly appeared from behind a tree and called her by name. Good morning. You don't remember me, do you? Well, I'm sure if you'll give me just a moment of. No, Lady Dearden, you don't know me. You've never seen me before in your life. How could you know me? I'm a very wretched character. Perhaps wicked is the better adjective. Please, what is it you want? What are you trying to tell me? But it would be a shame if Sir Alan failed to receive his appointment. Your husband's great ambition is it not to become attorney general? The laudable and logical objective is so brilliant a man. I came here to tell you there's a chance you may not be appointed. No doubt you know what you're talking about. But if you don't mind, I'd rather not listen. Lady Dearden, I'm in need of two thousand pounds. And I'd like you to get it for me. Well, my name is Frank Lewis. You see, I'm the husband of a woman, Sir Fortlet, but she saved some letters written to her by Sir Alan before he married you. My husband? Yes. My wife and I were separated at the time. She was using her maiden name, Diana Rogers. Even so, the letters provide ample basis for a most distaste fortune if I have to bring her. Do you realize what you're saying? What makes you think I won't expose you? I have only one thing to lose, my lady, and that's my freedom. And what is freedom worth when your stony-broke is I? Two thousand pounds is not a large sum. Not when it can mean the difference between your husband's appointment and the scandal. These letters? How do I know you really have them? Here, a sample, my lady, selected at random. Keep it and compare the handwriting. Also note the salutation. Diana, my darling. I have others a bit more in passion. You still doubt me? Please. If you don't let go of my force, I'll... Oh, forgive me. Think it over, my lady. I'll phone you tomorrow morning from bit eleven. Hello? You reached the decision, Lady Dada? Yes. When can I get the letters? You're very sensible. You can get them tomorrow in Dover. Dover? Drive down. I'll meet you there in front of the post office at two o'clock. But how can I... Tomorrow, two o'clock. Dover in front of the post office. You're five minutes late, Lady Dada. Well, I got lost. It was you who insisted we meet in Dover. Park your car down there. Then take this bag and go across the street to the bank. But I have the money. Two one thousand pound notes. You'll go to the bank, change the notes in five and ten, then put the money in this bag. Oh, you're Mr. Furrier? Completely. It's just my suspicious nature. Don't stay more than ten minutes in the bank. If you do, I think you're trying to mark the bill and the bill will be off. And when I leave the bank? Listen carefully. Take the sunset view trail to the top of the Dover Cliffs. When you reach the summit, you'll see a large tree. None of the tree in its back at him is a note with further instructions. I know this all sounds very penny-dreadful, novel-ish to you, but, um, well, that's the way I like it. Wait. There's something else I must know. Yes? My husband and I are leaving for a holiday tomorrow. The Riviera. And your wallet? Haven't I reasoned to be? Oh, I'm a black gardener, Lady. So I doubt it's exceedingly if you'll believe anything I tell you. Still, for what is worth, you have my word. You'll never see nor hear of me again. Thank you. Throw the bag over the cliff. Then we'll trace your steps down the trail. At the foot of the trail, walk toward the brook. Into the first lilac bush, you'll find the ladders. Over the cliff. Over the cliff. Down the trail. I want to see the view from the cliff. Coming? I've found some wild flowers. I'll pick you some. Good. And it? Yes. Don't go yet, yes. I'm all right. Oh, good afternoon. Oh, I could stay here forever, Alan. Share your laziness, darling. The curse of the Riviera. Oh, too long a swim before lunch. Oh, this food, heaven. You do feel better, don't you, Helen? What do you mean? I feel wonderful. You really had me worried, you know. Worried? What on earth about? Oh, I don't know. Falling left London. Those last couple of days, especially. You look so tired, darling. I just had a feeling something was wrong. For what possibly could have been? Alan, look! Hmm? Funny! Well, it's funny! Funny! Helen, I've been searching all over for you. Lunching at 2.30 in the afternoon. Shameful exhibition. Come along, Bunny, and sit down. I'm so glad to see you. I know, darling, but don't let him see how delighted you are. I think he suspects us as it is. Matter of fact, I didn't think you'd let us alone this long. I'm only staying for the weekend, and don't look so happy. Always thought I was your best friend. All the way here for a weekend? Bunny, that's nonsense. It isn't nonsense, darling. It's Bunny. Always doing things like this. Bunny, I like you. You're wonderful. And then I'm desperately in love with you, and I like a cup of coffee. Sit down. How's Eloise and your brand new nephew? Yes, and what's new in London? My sister Eloise is fine. The baby is fine. Oh, I almost forgot. For you, Alan, from Lord Hathaway, I promised to deliver it in person. Hathaway? Oh, thanks, Bunny. Feels like a brief. Darling, they wouldn't... Oh, they couldn't ask you to come back. Confidentially, I potted the whole thing. Alan called back to London. I arrived. What could be more perfect? And how did you know I was going to be called back? What? Yeah. Belle is in the hospital. Pendix. There's a case he was going to prosecute. Goes on final next Wednesday. Bunny! Oh, but I didn't know, really. Oh, just me. Another bad joke, oh dear. Alan, you have to leave. Oh, I'm sorry, darling. I'll take the plane. I'll have only four days as it is. Alan, I'm terribly sorry. Oh, well, really, I hopped fidgeting, Bunny. Oh, was I? Well, there's one thing to be thankful for. Case looks interesting. Some fellow pushed his wife off the Dover cliff. The Medford case. Let's see. Yes. Henry Medford. Papers are full of it back home. Old story. Steer is missing witness. A woman, Medford claims she can save him, says this woman passed by as he called a warning to his wife. Yes. He cautioned his misses. Don't go near the edge, Annie. Sounds like a song, doesn't it? Don't go near the edge, Annie. When did this happen, Alan? Uh, afternoon of May 14th. Day before we left. I see. I'm calling. Why don't you stay on? It's been doing you so much good, and... Yes, old girl, no need to go back, you know? Please. I want to go back. I want to go back, Alan. Prosecutor for the crime may continue. Sir Alan. Thank you, my lord. Now, Mr. Medford, a few minutes ago, you admitted that you and your wife quarreled in the Dover Hotel just before you took a walk from which your wife never returned. Yes. We had a bit of quarrel, but... What about? Do you want to answer that question? I tried to tell you the truth, but there are some things you have no right to ask me. She wouldn't wish me to tell you. You refuse to answer? I have to refuse. The jury will draw its own conclusion. Mr. Medford, you also testified that shortly before coming to Dover, Mrs. Medford ensured her life for 1,000 pounds. At your suggestion... I haven't denied that. She had a premonition that something might happen. There was some provision made for her mother. Her mother? Then why is it that you were the beneficiary? Her mother's quite old. She didn't want her to handle the money. She knew I'd take care of it. Oh, you would take care of her? And you still maintain that your wife's sudden fall from the cliffs was simply an accident? I do, I do. I warned her against going near the edge. The woman who passed me must have heard me call to her. Ah, yes. That mysterious witness again. Suppose you describe her to the court. Describe her? Well, I would call her short, dark affair. What was she wearing? I can't remember. I think she was wearing a dark brown suit. Yes, it's a dark brown suit. And her age, how old was she approximately? Well, it's hard to tell a woman's age nowadays. I can't accept that as an answer. But I don't remember. She passed by so quickly. I've told you everything I can about her. Everything you can about her. Are you aware, Mr. Medford, that England has been ringing with the story of this mysterious woman? Newspapers? The wireless? The police? They've all searched for her. Yet she does not come forward. Why? Why won't she make herself known? I don't know why. Then let me tell you. It's impossible for her to appear, Mr. Medford, because this phantom witness of yours simply does not exist. The Lord, I beg the court's indulgence. Counsel for the defense? The Lord, it is obvious that my client is ill. We request an adjournment until tomorrow. Any objections, sir Allen? None at all. Thought stands adjournment. You're being greedy, Frank. Much too greedy. You got 2,000 pounds from his wife. Why are you satisfied? Because I'm a good businessman, Diana. You should know that by now. Allen dearly is much too clever for anything like this. He was always smart. Of course he's smart, Diana. That's why he'll pay off. I sold his wife some letters. You'll sell him some letters. And as soon as it becomes Attorney General, we'll have a clearance sale. Sell him the balance and go out to business. Where's your sense of humor? And if he kicks up a row? Then you'll kick up a bigger one. 5,000 pounds against his career. Oh, relax, my girl. He'll know bargain when he sees one. Telephone him tonight at his home. I'll think it over. You'll telephone him tonight at his home. Allen, come on. Dinner's almost ready. Wake up. Oh, well. Never done that before. Goes off before dinner. All right, dear. Bunny just phone. Oh? It's tomorrow afternoon. Eloise's baby. That's nice. And the proud parents are coming over here later in the evening. Eloise and Edward. Good. Darling, you won't forget. 5 o'clock at the church. On the dot. Hey, how long have I been asleep? Just a few minutes. Bad day? All sort of. Miss Medford fellow. Hammered away all day, but I can't seem to break him down. He persists in his story of that other woman being there. Maybe she was there, Allen. Maybe Medford is telling the truth. I just can't explain it, Allen, but I feel you may be making a terrible mistake. I'm doing my job, Allen. He murdered his wife. Oh, Allen, are you sure? You just can't send an innocent man to his death? Well, that's hardly my intention. And innocent men, dear, don't have convenient lapses of memory. They don't make contradictory statements. Darling, be fair. I hope I am. No, darling, you're not. Allen, every bit of evidence points to his guilt. He can't establish any kind of an alibi. His story of that other woman on the cliff is one of the most fantastic tales I've ever heard. He couldn't even describe her. Well, maybe he didn't have time to get a good look at her. First, he said she was wearing a brown suit. Later on, it was gray with a fur color. And it was brown again. Well, how many men notice what a woman wears? Oh, that's no answer. All right, close your eyes. I'll walk behind your chair. Tell me how I'm dressed. How do I look? Adorable. Thank you, but the court would call that evasive. All right, then. How's this? You're wearing a white satin gown with red and green flowers on it. Short sleeves, v-neck, belted the same material, laced and tied in a bow in front. And now, darling, if you want to hear how beautiful you look in it, make yourself comfortable because it's going to take a long time. You'll have to admit this isn't a fair test. No average man has your power of observation. Nor a wife like you. Oh, Allen, please. Very well. Now, what do you base your assurance of methods innocence? On nothing except... On nothing. Except intuition, I guess. Allen, I'm surprised. And please don't look so injured, darling. Anyway, as soon as I get the appointment, you'll have no more worries. I'll have prosecuted my last murderer. Attorney General, it means a great deal to you, doesn't it? Yes, a great deal. We'll do any barrister. Once was everything I hoped for. And I found something more important on the way, and I gathered that up, too. I'm a very lucky man, Helen. Do you wonder why I love you so much? You're always so patient with me, darling. Everything I do is say it sounds so... So infinitely like you. How do you think I came to worship you? Because you're so pretty? Because you win large silver cups, jumping horses, or play good bridge? No, darling. You have what's called quality. It's kindness. It's generosity. It makes all the rest of us feel just a little shoddy. Well, I guess it's time I... Excuse me, Sir Allen. Yes? Telephone for you, sir. I'll be right back there. Who did you say this is? Allen, you forgot. You really forgot me, haven't you? It's been a long time, Diana. How are you? I could help, Allen. I'm going to see you tomorrow. Oh, now, wait a minute. I can't say anything more for your own sake. You'd better come. Come? Come where? My flat. Number 9 Mallet Street. I'll expect you tomorrow at five. At five? But I can't... What did you say? Nothing. I'll be there. Goodbye. Back in act two of the unguarded hour in just a moment. Now, here are Jane and Sue and the children at the market. Hi, Janey. Another early bird, huh? I always do my shopping early when I want to say... Hello, Jackie. How are you? Hello. Hey, that's a pretty sweater you have on. Did Mommy make it? Yes, I did a couple of years ago. Mrs. Rogers, till he outgrew it. Goodness, Alice's sweaters never last that long. They shrink so. Oh, look at that wonderful steak. Hope nobody wants it before it's my turn. Well, I think there's only one woman ahead of us now. What was I saying? Oh, yes, about Alice's sweaters. Well, just look at this one she's got on. It's so faded and I've only washed it twice. Well, I've done this one of Jackie dozens of times. You must have a neck. Not especially. Of course, I always luxe it and pin it to an outline so it keeps right to size while it's drying. Babe, that's a good idea. And I just use lukewarm water and plenty of sun. All the directions are right on the luxe box. Well, I think I'll try luxe. Why don't you? Oh, say we're next. Well, look, you go get your steak while I dash over there and get some luxe. Save my place, will you? Now, Mr. DeMille returns to the microphone. Act two of the unguarded hour, starring Robert Montgomery as Alan Deardon, Lorraine Day as Alan and Roland Young as Bunny. It's the middle of the following afternoon. Responding to an urgent telephone call, Mr. Bunny Jeffers has hurried to the Deardon residence. Now behind closed doors in the library, he listens with unaccustomed gravity, as Alan concludes a procession of startling facts. Well, of course, but what else was there to do? I see. If you had turned this conral louis over to Alan, Alan would have had him arrested. The letters have made public and goodbye to Alan's appointment. Now, if I keep silent, an innocent man will be hanged. I know it means Alan's career, but I just can't wait any longer. I've got to tell the truth, Bunny. Yes, you must. If there were only some way of saving Medford without ruining my husband. Help me, Bunny. You're a lawyer. I don't know who else to turn to. Helen, dear, of course I'll help. We still have time. I'll give Uncle Bunny a nice little smile. That's it. Perk up, old girl. I'm counting on you to see me through that dreadful christening this afternoon. Please, Bunny. Be careful what you say, won't you? Yes? Darling, where have you been? We waited and waited for you. Well, I went to the church, but you'd all left. They delayed the christening half an hour. Didn't they just have Alan your hand? That's nothing, really. It's all bandaged. What happened? It was a nail. I scratched it on a nail in the taxi. I want to have a look at it right now. Later, Helen, please. About the christening, some rather urgent business came up. I was delayed all along the line. I'm terribly sorry. Eloise and Edward will understand, I'm sure. They'll be here tonight, you know. Oh, who else is coming? Lord and Lady Hathaway. Bunny, of course, and the general. General? I thought he was off to Wales on some Scotland yard affair. Look, dear, why don't you get into a hot tub? Relax before dinner. Yes, I think I will. By the way, how is poor Medford getting along? Darling, I'd rather not discuss poor Medford tonight. Do you mind? Of course not. I'll run along upstairs. I know I've been inexcusably dull tonight, Lord Hathaway, but I still don't understand why you must leave so early. Doctor's orders, my boy. A bid by 1030. Eloise, Edward, come along now. Oh, must you all of you? General, I'm staying. So is the general. We'll have some cards, Alan, eh? Oh, fine. Oh, Alan. Lady Hathaway. I must congratulate you. In court all morning, how you made that murderous crime. Murder? All Medford did was to push his wife off her cliff. Henry? Perhaps. The old girl needed murdering. Why, people are so intent on hanging old Medford is beyond me. You're right, Bunny. I told Alan as much myself. Give me one point, Bunny, in Medford's favor. Oh, go and get in the car, woman. First, there's the other woman. Surely you don't mean that spantum creature. I most assuredly do, Eloise. There may be such a woman. And there may be a Santa Claus. Why hasn't she appeared? Well, she may have gone abroad. Or she may have been in Delva under circumstances that made it impossible for her to testify. Oh, let's forget the whole miserable affair. Thank you, Lord Hathaway. Good night, Alan. Good night, Eloise. You sure you'll forgive me for this afternoon? Oh, of course. Oh, by the way, I saw you this afternoon on Mallet Street. Saw me? Mallet Street? Hmm, on my way to church. Not I, Eloise. I wasn't there, Mallet Street. Strange. I could have sworn it with you. Oh, well, good night, Helen dear. Good night, all. Good night. Come on. It's your deal. Just a second. Funny. What is that you just said? I simply stated, General, that this chain of evidence Alan forged around Metford is nothing more than a chain of coincidence. Well, surely you don't believe that? Curiously enough, he does. Chances are Metford is innocent as I am. At times, we all have an unguarded hour when we can't remember faces or dates or places. Too bad for Metford, his unguarded hour happens to coincide with his wife's death. Unguarded nonsense. All right, now let's assume a hypothetical crime was committed this afternoon and that you're under suspicion. Now, go ahead and prove your alibi. Where were you? What were you doing when you two had been in the prison? And remember, Eloise said she saw you on Mallet Street. Eloise was mistaken. Oh, no doubt, dear. Shortly after five o'clock, some business came up and couldn't wait. I left my office. Business took me longer than I expected and I reached home about 6.15. Oh, that's wonderful. You left your office, yes. Where did you drive to? I didn't drive. Drink, General? Oh, thanks, my boy, yes. Me too, oh boy, me too. And answer my question. I didn't want inconvenience, Helen, so I sent Larkin home with the car. Well, what about Sergeant Burns? Who's Sergeant Burns? Well, one of our men. I have had him on detail to Guard Allen never since he broke up that kind of history. I dismissed Sergeant Burns. Oh, I know I promised you, General, that really he was getting on my nerves. A rather deliberate elimination of witnesses, eh, General? Surely you see the implications, oh boy. Now, you're under suspicion. I am. Whom did I murder? And put down that drink. Suspicious characters shouldn't drink. You may not know it, Bunny, but you're becoming just a little exasperated. Good. Now, you left the fan chambers before five. Where did you go? Well, I walked over to Brock House to call on Gerald Hausman. Hausman? You trip over lawyers all day long, and then you call on another. Why? Nothing unusual about that. Nothing? Thanks, General. I said why? Court's adjourned, Bunny. Sorry. You refused to discuss it? I certainly do. The jury will draw its own conclusion. Where did I hear that before? Let's leave the Medford case out of this. Shall we? No, why not? About Hausman, how long it was with Hausman? I didn't see him. There was no one in his outer office. I waited for about ten minutes, then I left. And saw no one? No one. All the fishy stories, this is a prize for our dean. It's just a little strange, I must admit. Possibly, but it's true. Then what? Well, I walked for a bit. You walked for a bit. And all this time we're waiting for you in the church. Me with a baby in my arms. Not a very well-mannered baby, are there? I like that walking. I'm sorry, Bunny, but I wanted to reach a decision on the matter that took me to Hausman's office. And how would you like to face yourself in court someday? And not a witness? Not one. Well, wait a minute. I bought a paper. The paper man could identify me. Paper what paper? Daily record. Alan, I don't believe the record has a paper on the streets that early. Well, that's right. That's right, it was the chronicle. We've got him in knots, General. And I hailed a taxi, and as I got out of the church, I cut my hand on a nail. Obviously, someone saw you at church. Church was empty. I walked on home. Oh, wonderful. That cut, now. You sure you didn't get it in a life-and-death struggle with your victim? Do you believe me, or don't you? Oh, Bunny, Bunny, aren't you carrying all this a bit too far? Yes, Elton, what is it? For the General, sir. An Inspector Grange appeared to see you. What? Oh, sorry, Alan. Well, I'm delighted. Maybe Bunny will give up now. We'll go on inside. Elton, bring the Inspector in here. Believe it, Grange. I can't believe it. They found a body an hour ago, sir. Her name is Diana Rogers. She'd been strangled. Fantastic. Mallet Street, eh? Yes, sir. I came to you because of what we found. This slip of paper, sir. Memorandum. You see what's written on it? Just this. A.D. Strand Chamber. Yeah, but don't you see, sir, the only A.D. in Strand Chamber is we're all picking your pardon, sir. Sir Alan Deardon. Did you find anything else in the truck? There was that knife on the floor that I told you about and I copied the evening chronicle. 630 edition. The men are still searching, sir. Get back there right away. See what else you can find and call me here in an hour. You're dead for, Helen. You sitting here all alone while we've been in there talking. Don't apologize, Bunny. I've been writing letters. No. No, don't apologize. Just go home. Don't go home, my boy. I have to wait for the General. Why doesn't he go home, too? I haven't had a moment with Helen. I'd like one. Hush, now. Here he comes. General, we're being insulted. Our host wants to get rid of us. Please don't mind, Bunny. He's being simply horrible, General. He's late and I'm terribly embarrassed. He'll need a inspector just left and I told him to phone me here in an hour. Please stay as long as you like. Alan, I'm worried about that hand of yours. Darling, please. For one thing, the bandage is too tight. Come on, boy. Let's have a look. Bunny, I could strangle you without a second's hesitation. What the devil's gotten into you tonight? Me? Nothing, oh, boy. Why? Alan, hold your hand still. I'll be adhesive. There we are. You see, it's nothing at all. Alan. Have a look, General. Buddy, have a look. You're sure you don't want some more iodine? Oh, darling, for heaven's sake. Well, you never can tell, especially if you cut it on a nail. It is on a nail, eh? Looks more like a cut from a knife. Nobody asked you. Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I'll run on it. Night, darling. We won't be too long. I'll try to forgive me, Helen. This is all my fault, really. Oh, please. Good night, Bunny. And don't worry. Don't worry. What's there to worry about? Nothing at all. Always say that. Just don't worry. Alan, about your hand, you were wearing gloves, weren't you? Oh, yes. How did you know? Well, the cut ends abruptly. It's just the place where the seam of a glove would be. Now, about that glove, the dye in the glove is often poisonous. I'd like to see the one you're wearing. Oh, it was ripped. I threw it away. Oh, yes, yes. Of course. What is the Inspector want, General? Something nice and gooey come up? Well, I... I suppose I should tell you, but it's all such an incredible coincidence. What is? Well, there's been a murder between 5 and 6 o'clock this afternoon in Mallet Street. I knew it, General. There's your man. Murder? Who was it? A woman named Diana Rogers. Oh, did you know her? No, of course not. She'd been strangled. They found a knife on the floor and a copy of the evening chronicle. The 630 edition. 630 edition? Oh, I don't believe it. Oh, now, see here, this is a joke. Alan, now, for heaven's sake, everything I said before, that was all just... This knife that was found is evident that she was trying to defend herself. There was blood on the blade. The Inspector believes that the murderer will be found with a cut on his right hand. Well, he does. Why the right hand? Well, because there were marks of a right hand on her throat. Also traces of blood but no fingerprints. Whoever did it must have worn gloves. I, uh, look, mind if I open a window? No, not at all. Fresh drink, General? No, no, no, thanks. Yes, it's a precipitate in here. A storm knocking about somewhere. Yes, I thought we were in for one. Like an oven and caught today. You both of you, why don't you say what you think? Two and two make four and I'm a murderer. Well, and I, I don't know what to say. It's not just the cut on your hand. There are other things, too. Out my hand? Bonnie was right, of course. It wasn't a nail. When I left Brock House, I was followed, apparently, one of that counterfeit gang you mentioned. He struck at me with a knife. And I tried to shield myself. Well, I was cut. No, that clears everything up. Uh, where did this attack take place? In one of the lanes as I got through the embankment. Well, who saw it? No one, I'm afraid. And the man? Oh, that settles that, now. Don't you think we can be running along, General? Alan, you, you should have reported this. I know, but I didn't want to alarm Helen. Oh, the whole thing is perfectly ridiculous. Well, almost all murders are ridiculous. I'd like to know just what you mean by that. Well, I'm sorry, Alan. Sorry, I'm tired out. I've been all day in the courtroom and I don't want to be badgered with a string of questions. Where have I been? What have I done? What the devil does it matter? Alan, I'm talking as your friend. Go on. Now, what was the business that took you to a husband's office? I'm sorry, but I certainly don't intend to go into that. That's probably for me, yeah. Do you mind? Oh, not at all. Hello? Lawrence speaking. This is Granger, sir. Go ahead. Well, we found something, sir. A bundle of letters written some years ago to the deceased by Sir Alan Deardon. Very good. I'll come to Mallet Street now. Wait for me. Yes, sir. Well, I think we can run along now, Bunny. General, I'm terribly sorry if I seemed a bit short. Oh, forget it, my boy. Good night. Coming, Bunny? In a minute, Alan, you must trust me. Will you please stop this? I remember that, girl. You went with her when we were still at Cambridge. All I wanted to do was to help you. Help me? You've done a fine job of helping me, haven't you? You and your missing alibis. The newspaper, my cut hand. Eloise thinking she saw me in Mallet Street. It's like a nightmare. One thing following on top of another, all because you had to have your idiotic joke about alibis. I tell you, I've explained everything, and I just won't listen to another word about it. Now, get out! Get out! We pause now for station identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Act three of the unguarded hour will continue in a moment. But now... What's that you're humming, Sally? The dish washing song. A song about washing dishes? It's an old folk song, and it goes like this. Have the water nice and clean, put the dishes gently in, dry them well and make them shine, set them on the shelf in line. Is that all? Why, yes. But it doesn't say what kind of soap to use. I guess it was written before Lux Flakes were invented, Mr. Kennedy. So I wrote a second verse. It goes like this. If your hands are rough and red, Lux will leave them white instead. The Lux will also do up to twice the dishes, too. That's more like it. You know, some people still use strong soaps that make their hands rough and red because they think they're thrifty. But, Sally... I know they needn't. Tests show Lux is thrifty as well as gentle. Why, ounce for ounce, Lux does up to twice as many dishes as any of ten other soaps tested. Yes, it costs surprisingly little to use Lux for dishes. And just changing from strong soaps to gentle Lux Flakes takes away that ugly red look, leaves hands soft, white and lovely. Now, Mr. DeMille returns to the microphone. After the play, we'll try to extract some personal news from Bob and from Lorraine Day and Roland Young, too. And, of course, you're invited to listen in. Now, here's Act 3 of the unguarded hour, starring Robert Montgomery as Alan Deardon, Lorraine Day as Helen, and Roland Young as Bunny. Two hours have passed, and in the front of the murdered woman, General Lawrence and Inspector Granger weigh the evidence that has mounted over homingly against Sir Alan Deardon. What's the play for the newspaper, General? Sir Alan Deardon, the man who's sending Medford to the gallows has arrested himself for murder. We're not arresting Sir Alan, not yet, Granger. We couldn't wish for more evidence, sir. Men don't go around strangling women simply because they keep old love letters. If not, the site is proof that this woman was blackmailing Sir Alan? Well, what do we do, sir? We wait. We wait till we've found a motive. That Medford case isn't over yet. Sir Alan will be in court in the morning, and so shall we. I received a telephone call today from the Dover Highlands Bank. Sir? I wouldn't be at all surprised if Medford's counsel introduces a new witness tomorrow morning. Lady Helen Deardon. Sir Alan's wife? Yes, and when they're through with her, I think we may have found our motive. Objection sustained. You may rephrase the question if you wish, Sir Alan. Thank you, my lord. Mr. Medford, do you or do you not remember the date on which you insured your wife for 1,000 pounds? If I could only think for a moment. Please do. Take all the time you wish. You won't have to hurry, Mr. Medford. I think it was the 5th of March. Yes, the 5th of March. And you do have a memory, Mr. Medford. The 5th of March is correct. Your witness. No questions, my lord. Step down, Mr. Medford. My lord, I should like to call another witness at this time. Another witness? Who? She's just into the courtroom. Lady Helen Deardon. My lord, Lady Deardon knows nothing whatever of this case. I beg to disagree. I think we shall learn that Lady Deardon knows a great deal. And at the moment, she is a witness. May I bring Lady Deardon forward and administer the oath? Any idea why you've been called as a witness in this case, Lady Deardon? I think I have. Let me come directly to the point. Please correct me if I'm an error in the following assertion. Lady Deardon, I contend that on the afternoon of May 14th last, the date of Mrs. Medford's death, you not only were in the city of Dover, but shortly after 3 o'clock, you made a trip to the summit of the Dover Cliffs. Is that statement correct? It is. My lord, please, I beg to interrupt. You are not in order, sir Allen. The defense will proceed. Lady Deardon, why did you go to the summit of the Dover Cliffs? Well, the view. Everyone has heard of the wonderful view from there. Yes, yes, of course. But you saw all that you wished to see in less than five minutes. May I suggest the view would not come up to your expectations? I object, my lord. Counsel for the defense is implying there may have been something strange about Lady Deardon's visit to the cliffs. The implication is absurd. Thousands of tourists visit the cliffs every year. And among those thousands were Medford and his wife. They also went to the cliffs to enjoy the view. But the crown has persistently scoffed at such an explanation. It suggests that Medford made such a trip only for the most sinister reasons. Well, if Medford, why not Lady Deardon also? The objection before the court concerns an implication. Do you wish to withdraw it, Mr. Wilson? I shall. I cease to imply, my lord. I maintain. Up to a moment ago, Sir Allen Deardon contended there were only two persons present at the scene of the tragedy. Medford and his wife. Now there are three. And the third person, so often referred to by the crown as the mysterious witness is Lady Helen Deardon. She is here now only because of bailiff armed with a subpoena was sent to get her. Why was that necessary? My lord. I am sure Lady Deardon can answer that question. That she's eager to answer any and all questions. I'll cross-examine in my own manner if the crown will permit. Why did you go to Dover, Lady Deardon? To keep an appointment. With whom? Why must I answer all these questions? What does it matter whom I went to see? The questions are perfectly proper, Lady Deardon. Let me seek an answer another way. Lady Deardon. While in Dover, you went to the Dover Highland Bank. You changed two 1,000 pound notes into five and 10 pound notes. Did you not? Please, my lady. Yes or no? Yes. You put the money in a small black bag. That bag was found open and empty near the body of Mrs. Medford at the foot of the cliffs. The bag has been identified by the bank clerk who served you. The same bank clerk, mindful that people don't go around changing 1,000 pound notes every day, had the good sense to jot down the license number of your car. Now, Lady Deardon, after leaving the bank, did you not drive to the cliffs and then walk up the trail to the summit? Yes, I did. And reaching the summit, you did what with a bag of money? I threw it over. You threw 2,000 pounds over the cliff? Why? There was a man waiting for it at the bottom. I gave him the money for some letters. Some letters my husband had written long ago to this man's wife. That was all before Sir Allen and I were married. Did your husband know of this, Lady Deardon? No. I knew what he would have done and I loved him too much to let him sacrifice his career. No, Lady Deardon. Did you pass anyone on the trail as you went toward the summit? No, no one. And on the way down from the summit? Yes. Well, at first, I heard voices. A man calling to a woman. I continued on my way down. Around the bend, I passed the man. He was picking some wild flowers. And you saw him? Yes. What did he say to the woman? I don't recall exact words, but he was warning her. Warning her to keep away from the edge of the cliff. Did the woman answer? She said she was all right or something like that. Did they seem happy? What was the tone of their conversation? Normal, friendly. And this man? Did he warn a woman before or after he saw you? Before. You're certain? Yes. Would you recognize this man if you saw him? I think so. Mr. Bedford, step forward please. Is that the man? Yes. Thank you, Lady Deardon. My lord, the defense rests. My lord, I should like to explain Lady Deardon's attitude in this case. She has never told me her reasons for thinking so, but she's always maintained that Bedford was innocent. I'm certain she would have come forward voluntarily and prevented any miscarriage of justice. Sir Allen, the defense rested. Any questions? No questions, my lord. Do not leave the stand, Lady Deardon. The judge defied to paying 2,000 pounds to a man in exchange for some letters. Under the law, the man who received that money is guilty of extortion. The court asks that you give his name. I can't remember his name. Perhaps if I have... The letters in question were received by his wife. Do you only remember her name? Yes. Her name is Diana Rogers. Diana Rogers? Lady Deardon, have you seen the morning newspapers? No, my lord. Diana Rogers was murdered yesterday in her fricking military. Murdered? Allen! Where are they, General? What have you done with them? They asked me for a few minutes alone. It's the least I could do for them. They're in that room there. You've arrested Allen? What else could I do? You had the evidence last night. You had the motive 10 minutes ago. Wait a moment. They're coming out. Money, I'm glad you're here. Allen, I'm... Would you mind taking Allen home? Goodbye, dear. Allen. Oh, my darling. Don't go. Come along. I'd like to make a statement, General. Please believe me, Allen. I'll do anything I possibly can to help you. I killed Diana Rogers. Self-defense, of course. She had a knife. Yes. I hadn't seen her in years. Two days ago, she telephoned and insisted on seeing me. I had an idea of what she wanted. Poor Helen. She thought she had bought all the letters. Well, she hadn't. I went to Mallet Street. As I reached her door, I heard someone down the hall. I wanted to avoid being seen, and I tried the door, and it wasn't locked, and I went in. The room was dark. As I turned to shut the door, she rushed out. She sounded drunk. She kept shouting, So you'll come back, have you? I could see she had a knife in her hand. She'd mistaken me for someone else. She lunged at me with the knife. That's how I got that cut. Then she raised the knife again. I had to defend myself. I grabbed her by the throat. Well, when she stopped struggling, she fell to the floor. She's dead. I assume so. I didn't wait for you. And you still believe she had mistaken you for another man? I'm certain of it. He must have been there shortly before I arrived. Undoubtedly, they had quarreled. You realize, Alan, that all this depends entirely on that other man. Yes. Unless he appears and admits having quarreled with her, I'm afraid your story won't stand up. I'm sure he'll come forward, General. I have an idea. It might have been her husband. I hope so. We have a few questions to ask that same gentleman about a trip to Dover in 2,000 pounds. Granger, I'll find the name of Diana Rogers' husband. Got it last night, sir, from the neighbors. It's Frank Lewis. We've got him on file. Good. Get me his photograph. Yes, sir. I'll have Helen identify his photograph before we pick him up. Meanwhile, Alan... Yes. Yes, I know why. I have to be formally charged. I'm afraid so. Oh, how's Method? A very happy man, Alan. A free man. Oh, I saw that he got your letter. Thank you, General. Well, let's get down to boasting. It's so important to wait, Helen. That's why I asked you to come back down here. May I see Alan? Of course. But I want you to look at this, sir. Now, this is a photograph of a man named Frank Lewis. Lewis? That's the name. Frank Lewis. He was the man I gave the money to. Yes, he was arrested six years ago for fraud. Now, look at the picture, Helen. Is this the only one you have? Yes. Now, that's the man all right, isn't it? I mean, that's Lewis. No, no, this isn't the man. Helen, are you certain? This picture doesn't resemble Lewis in any detail. Well, that's very odd, Helen. This man was Diana Rogers' husband. Well, maybe the man she was working with only posed as a husband. Yes, possibly. Granger, come here. In view of Lady Darden's statement, there's no point in trying to find Frank Lewis. Yes, sir. Oh, are several reporters outside, General? Is there anything we can tell them? Oh, yes, I suppose so. Tell them that Lady Darden was unable to recognize the husband of Diana Rogers as the blackmailer. I'm pleased, Mr. Lewis. You're not shocked to see me, Lady Darden? No, I counted on hearing from you. I've been reading the newspapers. It was very decent of you not to identify me as the blackmailer. It wasn't the truth, you know. But you had a very good reason for not identifying me, didn't you? Since the police no longer want me for extortion, I'm now free to help Sir Allen. Yes, you were the man who quarreled with Diana Rogers, weren't you? She was a very unsavory character, Milady. You don't know how much your word can mean to us now. Milady, I never really seen an innocent man punished. Then you'll come with me and make a statement at Scotland's yard? Of course, that's why I'm here. Oh, before we go... Yes? I hope to travel extensively after Sir Allen has been released and travelling is so costly. How much this time? 10,000 pounds. I have my heart set on a ranch in Canada. You'll get it. It may take me a day or two. You trust me? I have a very good reason to trust you, Milady. You need me even more than I need you. Well, shall we visit the yard? So we picked up Bunny on the way and came right down here, General. Uh-huh, yes. Now, Mr. Lewis. Uh, the man who blackmailed Lady Durden, the man who used your name and posed as Miss Rogers' husband, do you have an idea who he is? The way Lady Durden described him. I assume it was Chapp my wife became involved with after it separated. Chapp's name of, um, Allen or Abbott. We're very grateful to you, Mr. Lewis, coming forward as you did. Oh, about Mr. Lewis's statement, General. Granger's having it typed out now. I sent for Allen, Helen. I thought he'd like to be here. Come in. The prisoner, General. For darling? Allen. Allen, meet Mr. Lewis, Miss Rogers' husband. Well, it appears I can help you out of this mess, Sir Allen. Yes, sir, the inspector told me. Mr. Lewis's statement, General. Oh, yes, yes, sir. I'll read this back to you, Mr. Lewis. On the afternoon in question, I called on my estranged wife to discuss a divorce. She was drinking and abusive. There was a violent quarrel. She ordered me out of her flat. As I opened the door, she grabbed a knife and screamed, if you ever come back here, I'll kill you. I make this statement voluntarily in the interest of justice-signed tranquillers. Now, if you'll sign this, please. Here's a pen. Oh, you're not removing your glove? No need of that, old man. Just my signature, you know. Well, Allen, with this statement, your plea of self-defense is watertight. No jury in the land would convict you. And now, if you're done with me for the day, I'll say over one. I'm so grateful, Mr. Lewis. Not at all, my lady. I think the least I can do is to shake your hand, Mr. Lewis. Oh, it's quite all that. Sorry, did I hurt your hand? Oh, no, not at all. I'm sure I hurt your hand. Let me have a look at it. Aren't you being a little silly? Bunny, here. What the devil are you doing, Allen? Bunny, the glove. Take your hand off me. Here. Hold him. Take it. Hold him, Allen. I'm getting it. Hang on to him, Bunny. Do you intend explaining this or...? Look at his hand. I cut my hand. What about it? You killed Diana Rogers, didn't you? I what? Allen, you confessed to kidding her yourself. I'm afraid I told you rather a deliberate lie, General. We were sure, Helen, and I, that Lewis had done it. The problem was finding him. We figured it out when you left us alone yesterday. I wasn't near Mallet Street that day. Oh, incidentally, Lewis is also the man who took the money from Helen. Helen. You'll understand now why I didn't identify the photograph, General. If I had, it would have been in the papers. Lewis would know we were looking for him, and we might never have found him. We'd have found him already. And what would you have found, General? Only a blackmailer, not a murderer. The evidence still remained all against me as far as Diana Rogers' death was concerned. My confession was in the papers, Lewis read it. His troubles were over, and he'd be free to earn another little sum by bolstering my plea of self-defense. What was his price this time, darling? Ten thousand pounds. I still think I quote a very modest figure. Yes, when I read your confession, I was a trifle puddle, greatly relieved, though. I assumed I hadn't killed her, but you must have come after I left and finished the job. Funny. His hand. Let go a moment. And Alan, your right hand, please. Why? It's remarkable. Two cups almost identical. Almost. Except yours is shorter, Alan. Not nearly as vertical, either. Yes. That thin streak of blood on Diana Rogers' throat. It was vertical. It couldn't have been made by your hand, Alan. If Lewis got away, General, if I hadn't confessed, would you still swear it couldn't have been made by my hand? No, I don't think you would. Too much other evidence against me. It's frightening. Yes, General, frightening. Would you care to make a second statement, Mr. Lewis? Oh, why not? Of course you did come at me with a knife. I did what I could to defend myself. Oh, Granger, yes. Mr. Lewis has a statement to make. Too bad I can't pretend you was counsel, dear, then. You think fast and take chances. Yes, I should say you do take chances, Alan. Now, what about that weird story you told us at your house? Yes. Houseman's office. He's in Chronicles. I'm getting knife for that fellow from the counterfeit range. Everything I told you at my house was the truth. And the more I talked, the more difficult I knew it would be to prove a single statement. That didn't matter until Granger arrived at the murder. Then I knew that every sentence I spoke and all of it the truth led me a step closer to the gallows. Alan, I wish you'd get out of here. Really, you're making me terribly nervous. Nothing else I can do for you, General. Nothing? Oh, in case we should want you, where will you be? The Riviera, General. For about the next month, I should say. Good. Send me the bill. I'm just thinking. You got into all this mess because you told the truth and you get out of it because you tell a lie. That's right, Alan. I had no idea you could lie so uselessly. Well, if I may say so, Lady Din, you do very well yourself. Our stars return in a moment to take their curtain calls. You know the old saying that misfortunes often come in threes? Well, sometimes three is a lucky number. It would be good luck wouldn't it if you could keep all your pretty underthings new looking three times as long? Well, you can do just that by giving them gentle luck's care. It seems surprising that the way you wash things can make such a difference, but it does. Very careful tests by the famous United States testing company, Incorporated, proved how very much easier lux flakes are on colors and fabrics. A great many slips were washed repeatedly by wash day methods, handled roughly, using strong soap and hot water. Then, exactly the same kinds of slips were washed the lux way. You should see how quickly the slips faded, the wash day way, and how seams pulled, shoulder straps frayed. The lux garments kept their color looked lovely and nice as new, even after three times as many washings. So, every time you use those rich, gentle lux suds for underthings and other nice things too, you're being very thrifty. Now, back to Mr. DeMille and our stars. And now we are happy to welcome Bob Bunk summary to our footlights after his four years in the service. With him, Lorraine Day and Roland Young share a curtain call. You gave an excellent performance, all of you. Thank you, CB. It's good to be back with all of you, CB. Bob, they tell me it's pretty hard to get you to talk about yourself or your experiences in the service. Won't you change that rule on lux tonight? What was the most exciting thing that happened to you? Well, the most vivid thing I remember didn't happen to me, it happened to a town. To a town? Yes. A little French village called Porton Bessin. The boys used to call it Porton Bessin. A town you visited on surely? Well, I visited it in a way, but not on surely. I saw it first at dawn on D-Day in the deck of a destroyer. Peaceful and home-like, picturesque. But we knew that surrounding it were Nazi batteries and military targets. We had to shell it. I thought at the time the French who lived there would never forgive us. We shelled that village for two days until the swastika came down and the French tricolor took its place. Then did you go ashore? No, but that day in scores of little fishing boats the people sailed out to us, singing, calling their thanks, throwing flowers on the deck. They were the people you thought would never forgive you. I guess they knew your shells were bringing freedom with them, Bob. Well, I know for me that town is a sort of a symbol of this whole war in which people are glad to face suffering and sacrifice and danger so long as they know these things can bring them freedom. And when I see people like that, I realize what a privilege it is for Americans here at home to be able to buy war bonds, not just buy them, load up on them. Yes, I can imagine that you appreciate the reason for this war bond drive better than most of us. Well, from what I've seen of the men who are doing the fighting in this war, I know they don't question what we do back home. They just take it for granted that we're no stingier with our dollars than they are with their lives. That's what I mean when I say it's not just an opportunity, it's a privilege to buy those war bonds that will help give them the stuff to fight with and bring them home a little sooner. Well, you've given us something to think about, Bob. By the way, you know Lorraine is wearing a uniform these days. Lorraine? Hey, in our next picture for Metro Golden Mayor, she's a whack. What's the picture called? Well, it's not definite, but I think they're going to call it. Thank you, ma'am. Oh, I look forward to seeing it, Lorraine. Right now, I'm looking forward to hearing what you have for luck. Next Monday night, CB. Well, you've probably seen the international RKO picture, Casanova Brown. I'm the manager. Well, next Monday night, we're bringing it to this stage with Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, and Joan Bennett. You'll find Gary in more funny predicaments than a prune has wrinkled. We'll be listening. Good night, CB. Good night, CB. Good night. Good night. The unguarded hour was a very pleasant 16 minutes. All sponsors, the makers of Lux Flakes, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theatre presents Gary Cooper, Joan Bennett, and Thomas Mitchell in Casanova Brown. This is Cecilia DeMille saying good night to you from Hollywood. Poland Young will soon appear in Ten Little Indians from the book, and then there were none. Third in tonight's play were Charles Seal, Norman Field, Claire Verdera, Alec Harford, Gloria Gordon, Eric Snowden, Raymond Lawrence, Boyd Irwin, Jacqueline DeWitt, Fred Warlock, and Leslie Venderson. Our music was directed by Louis Silver. This program is broadcast to our fighting forces overseas through cooperation with the Armed Forces Radio Service. Our Lux Radio Theatre production of the Unguarded Hour, starring Robert Montgomery, Lorraine Day, and Roland Young, has come to you with the good wishes of the makers of Lux Flakes, the tissue thin soap used by smart housewives everywhere. And this is your announcer, John N. Kennedy, reminding you to tune in again next Monday night to hear Casanova Brown with Gary Cooper, Joan Bennett, and Thomas Mitchell. Plan for cake and pie. Fry. Every time you fry. Fry. It's the shortening pie. Yes, ma'am. New spry cakes are lighter, better tasting. Spry pastry is so tender and flaky. Spry fried foods are crispier, so it adjusts.