 Ladies and gentlemen the railroad hour and from Hollywood here comes the star-studded show train Through the Association of American Railroads present the musical hit Roberta In our star-studded cast you will hear the host of our series Gordon McRae two famous guest stars Eddie Bracken and Jan Clayton Nana Bryant is Madame Roberta the olavon And a cast of Hollywood feature players including Sheila Stevens and Rye Billsbury Acquires under the direction of Norman Lube off and the entire production is set to the music of Carmen Dragons Orchestra and Brought to you by the American railroads the same railroads that bring you most of the food you eat the clothes You wear the fuel you burn and the things you use in your daily life And now here is Gordon McRae Evening ladies and gentlemen, this is Gordon McRae helping to bring you another in our series of musical successes Tonight the railroad hour presents a story of a French modist a musical show the brand for more than a year on Broadway Was a big hit on the screen and has played season after season in theaters all over the country It's Roberta with book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and music by Jerome Kern Play the part of Johnny Kent who falls out of love with one girl and into love with another The one I want to marry at the final curtain is named Stephanie Assistant to Madame Roberta the famous Parisian modeste. I'm at Stephanie when Madame Roberta who was really my Aunt Minnie Cable me to come to Paris at once With such a charming stars miss Jan Clayton playing the part of Stephanie this evening. I'm very glad I visited Madame Roberta especially when I heard Stephanie sing The famous band leader went to France with me when we got to Larov Huck decided to rehearse his band in the dock Well, I went to see about getting our stuff through customers I'd introduce Huck to you if he and his band weren't getting ready to do a number But I'm sure you know him well because Huckleberry Haynes is played by our other guest star this evening The very popular young comedian mister ready Bracken. Oh, so things haven't helped you that you got me going What you're gonna do? Is it up to me? Is it up to you? What kind of game is this you've begun? Was it done just for fun? I suspect you'll be wrecked when she answers you quite direct Is this to be a case of falling glad you fell kiss and never tell Farley and farewell. What is it gonna be loser when cry a grand? Let's begin is this to be a case of falling glad you fell kiss and never tell Farley and farewell, which is gonna be lose or win cry again Rehearsing when I finally got through customs and hurried over to him calling. Okay, Huck let's go. Hold on fellas. Hold it Well Johnny, how do you feel boy? Oh, who cares all I want to do is get to Paris find out what Aunt Many wants with me and then go home. What's eating you? Hey, don't tell me you're still fretting about that witch Sophie Sophie's got something Huck and I'm allergic to it Besides she's too old for you Johnny. She's 25 if she's a day. She's only 23. That's a right cue Watch out now here comes Sophie for crying out loud tell her to get lost tell her to turn blue tell her to go to Hello Sophie Pardon me mr. Haynes would you mind stepping to one side you're obstructing traffic on our Sophie just a minute I've got to talk to you Well, it won't do you any good Johnny frankly. I'm interested in much bigger things Well, maybe I can fix you up with a knock to push Very funny Huck very funny indeed. You should stick to your music. Good idea. Let's go boy Well, what are we supposed to do dance? I just want another chance to square myself with you Sophie with words and music by Huck Haynes, I suppose we'll go ahead and see if I can Thinking about my aunt Minnie and what a success she had been as a man of her when we got to Paris I could hardly wait to get to her place and knock on the door at Minnie Johnny, I'm so happy to see you, but your ship must have docked hours ago. Where have you been? Learning about French customs. Look at you. You're more handsome than ever. Ah, and you're more beautiful than ever aunt Minnie This is Stephanie Johnny. She's the real madam Roberta now I'm pleased to meet you. Isn't she pretty? Oh, if you let's use me I must get back to the fitting room and get that gown ready for madam was your shrink or she'll be screaming her head off Good will have it stuffed. How do you like Stephanie John? Oh, very nice. Very nice indeed I want you two to get along well together It's so important for you to be happy and you can be if your tomorrows are as happy as you're yesterday When you get to be my age Johnny, you live in the past Voices of old friends old loves ring in your ear Don't you remember what I told you when you were a little boy? Yes aunt Minnie You told me that yesterdays gave one courage to face tomorrow. Why I even remember the song you sang to me Tell me about this Sophie you wrote that you were engaged to I'm not engaged anymore and many we had a fight the night of our graduation dance Yes, about a dress. She was wearing and many it was kind of well, you see there wasn't much to it So I told her I didn't like it and she said she said what she said I was a small town hick Couple of other things she sounds horrible. Oh, she isn't that many. She's wonderful. We've had some wonderful times together So That song but she wanted to talk we reminisce for nearly an hour when suddenly from the other room came the sound of an angry woman's voice This is for anchor Johnny a customer of mine a Russian dancer and Tiffany she has called me names Common ordinary Second oh get out of my way Madame Roberta. I have never insulted anyone. Oh, she lied you handle this situation Johnny I'll take care of Stephanie hands of me pick them up. I do not notice what is holding me But they just America makes a chest like that. Hey now. It's your turn to let go of me You do not like Schwarenka sure sure. I like you, but but you think Schwarenka might be hard to handle well Could be I'll be hard to handle I Promise you that So when I raise came don't start to complain and leave me flat I'll be hard to handle How else can I be? I Save it a shrug a fellow they mug to watch your step Or you're up be careful with me because I'm TNT there you're gonna try to tell me this is your aunt many But there is your chest down on the back and came up under an assumed name You've calmed down. I see Tomorrow I come back for another fit. I wouldn't be a bit surprised But remember if you don't behave yourself my nephew will be here to handle you how lovely I Testable woman imagine being married to her and many I want you to meet my friend huck Haynes Oh, how do you do mr. Haynes? I didn't see you when I came in I know I'm always the same color as the wallpaper I'm so glad that you boys have Have and many what's wrong? Oh wait It's nothing to worry about dear Just after after 75 years my heart gets a little tired once in a while Well, maybe hook and I'd better clear out and let you rest perhaps just for a little while Johnny. Goodbye madam I've heard a goodbye mr. Haynes. Goodbye, John D Stephanie Stephanie Do you not think you had better rest now in just a minute Stephanie dear How did you like him? Very very much madam. I'm glad Now I think I will rest until my lawyer comes It's very important that I see him Stephanie. There's something I haven't done and I do not worry about a thing madam Please just the rest. Will you sing to me Stephanie? Well, of course if you want me to sing the song. I love so much Stephanie up Stephanie, please and many Oh John dear come in Stephanie singing to me, but I know nothing is so important that it can't wait until Stephanie's finished John A summer day or stop to play Stephanie That many isn't asleep. She's in just a moment But first here is a reminder If you want a good picture of just how busy our country is one of your best yardsticks is the number of freight cars Loaded and moved each week the car service division of the Association of American Railroads keeps an accurate check on such figures They report that during 10 weeks out of the past 11 an average of more than 900,000 cars have been loaded each week That's nearly enough loaded cars each week to make three unbroken trains stretching all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean This year the average freight train has turned out more transportation service an hour than ever before This was done first by hauling more tons in each train and second by keeping the trains moving faster And more steadily Another thing that helped to improve our railroad service has been the new freight cars Which the railroads are building and buying as fast as they can get them and these new cars are but one item in the Billion-dollar-a-year improvement program of the railroads One detail in their determined drive to provide still better service for you Now back to Roberta starring Eddie Bracken Jan Clayton and your host Gordon McRae Many passed away before she could sign her will and since I was certainly no dressmaker Stephanie and I became Madame Roberta Incorporated after a couple of weeks We gave our first fashion show and Huck was more excited about it than I was brother I never saw such a crowd and all dames all dames Is that bad? Who said it was bad? Everything's ready Johnny all the dresses look wonderful Stephanie all except hate to ask you this Stephanie But would you mind not showing that chartreuse dress? Hey, you going crazy that little number has everything. I mean it has nothing. I mean it brings out the Well, I mean in the well it works out the it has Wow just the same I'd appreciate it Stephanie if you don't show that dress it reminds me of a dress a girl I was well a girl. I knew wore at our graduation dance. I didn't like the dress then and I still don't Then of course we won't show it Johnny. Thanks Fashion shows seem to be a great success. They liked every gown. We showed them afternoon dresses Sportswear Evening gowns and then came our biggest event Madame Roberta Incorporated is proud to be sent the bridal gown that was designed and will be modeled by my partner Mademoiselle Stephanie Well in that wedding gown Stephanie did something to me I don't know why and then just as I was about to speak to her my girl Sophie teal came up out of the audience and threw her arms around me I was in Doverville when I heard about the show and I came right to Paris darling You're such a success, and I've missed you so much. I'll see you later Johnny. No wait Stephanie I want you to meet I'm Sophie teal Johnny's fiance. He's Yonsei yes, we were keeping it a secret, but I think that's rather silly. Don't you Stephanie wait a second Johnny hold me close darling How does it feel to hold me in your arms again? Feels wonderful Sophie wonderful I Saw Sophie every day after that and she really was wonderful We set the date of our wedding for November the 12th. I told hook about it one afternoon in the shop November 12th Pete say Johnny what you do lose a bet on our layoff huck Johnny you haven't forgotten have you the annual roberta party is tonight the part. Oh Gosh, that's right Stephanie I'm awfully sorry, but I made a previous engagement. Yeah previous spelled SOPH IE Oh now huck. I told you layoff. You're the only guy. I know it doesn't think I'm the luckiest man in the world You want to bet Stephanie tell me frankly. What do you think of Sophie? Frankly yeah straight from the shoulder Well, Johnny in my country. There's a proverb all men should study carefully a proverb. Yes When your heart's on fire Smoke gets in your eyes. I don't get it You wouldn't you don't smoke meaning I suppose that I don't know what I'm doing you catch on pretty quick It just means that you must be sure terribly sure. I couldn't be more sure but thanks for the advice I'll see you around The game isn't over yet. I once a girl. I was going around with gave me the air. You know what I did No, what did you do? Mr. Haynes? Well, well, well, well, well if it is my old sorority sister Sophie teal. Well, what did you do mr. Haynes? No problem, honey. I just broke a neck very very funny She got it Stephanie. I need a new gown for tonight. I'm having dinner with Johnny and I want to look particularly well Why don't you just shine up your fangs and let it go at then? Oh, I am sorry miss teal, but it is possible to deliver a gown in no under six weeks Well, what's wrong with that short dress? The young woman is carrying. Oh, no, no that would not do at all I insist on trying it on if you refuse. I shall have to speak to Johnny about it Marie Please show miss teal where she may try on the gown that you're carrying Thank you darling. I was beginning to think you didn't want me to have a gown for tonight sweet, isn't she? Look, that's the dress a Johnny asked me not to exhibit at our show. He hated it Baby look she has to have and it's about time you stop singing those sad little songs Insist on Sophie taking that dress and the next time you see Johnny be cool play hard to get You've got to begin cooking on the front burner Steph. Maybe you're right, huh? Strike a match. I start dinner now I took Sophie to dinner that night to a small out-of-the-way restaurant where I thought nobody could find us as I helped They're off with a cloak. I saw she was wearing the chartreuse dress. I had asked Sophie not to show What John what's the matter that dress what's wrong with this dress? It suits me perfectly why it's positively Indecent, oh, you're just as much of a small town hick as you were back in college Maybe you'd rather see it on Stephanie leave Stephanie out of this. Oh, so that's where the shoe pinches Is it mr. Johnny Kent? You know you were right about that dress Sophie. It's just your type. How dare you I despise you John Kellen, I'm through Do you hear I'm through it's music to my ears. Goodbye. Would you like to have the cab fare back to America Sophie? And you too, you're both a pair of fatuous nauseating Soprific boy. That's a lot of two-dollar words just to say nuts Fuck what are you doing here? Never mind, but it worked. Are you coming to the party at Madam of Burgers with me? Stephanie's waiting for you. Okay, you're not kidding. Are you baby? I wasn't called on as Huckleberry Haines for nothing Let's go I should say to it that song ought to give you a rough idea That's what you do. You came back here. I'd love it the ladders love, please Stephanie I've got to talk to you now business partner wishes to speak to me certainly Well John, what is it? Who is that ladder slaw? Are you in love with them? Ladders love works here with us and is for being in love with him. I consider that a very important question, Mr John Kent. Okay, baby That's the way you feel about it. That is the way I feel about it. All right, and I guess this is where I came in Johnny Johnny is gone. No, he will not. I know he will not earlier this evening that the railroads during ten weeks out of The past 11 moved an average of more than nine hundred thousand carloads of freight each week This couldn't have been done without a lot of new freight cars And the fact is that since the end of the war the railroads have put in service more than 200,000 new freight cars and they have put as many more in new car condition by a major program of repairs and rebuilding That's a lot of freight cars, but it isn't enough So the railroads have ordered another one hundred eleven thousand new freight cars Enough to keep the car builders busy for a full year to come and Before these are built still others will be ordered all together these 300,000 new cars are costing the railroads more than one billion two hundred fifty million dollars and That's just part of what the railroads are spending to provide better service for the business of the country and for you When it comes to spending money the railroads are in the same fix as the rest of us What they can spend depends on what they make and so railroads service of the future depends upon railroad revenue Now That's another reason why it means something to everybody that railroads shall be financially able to keep on making the improvements Necessary to meet the growing needs of this growing nation So train will return in just a moment after a brief pause for station identification Eddie Bracken, Jan Clayton and your host Gordon McRae I was going to cease for rank and on the way over to the cafe ruse. I I kept wondering what Stephanie Oh, he I Stephanie look I've been looking all over for you Oh, I should cook. Should I mr. Huggaberry hands? Well, look now. Just hold on to your hat for a second Do not speak to me, but I will tell you right now. I am through with this cooking. Yeah, I think it's about time staff Johnny's gone out to do a little cooking himself and too many cooks spoiled the cooks Vice of it. Well, look everybody in the family can't be a cook He's gone out where well, he's gone over to the cafe ruse to see sure anchor honey And if you want a piece of advice, you better go over there too and baby you'd better go as a woman When I got to the cafe ruse for anchors seemed awfully glad to see me, but I wasn't in any mood to be friendly I I kept glaring into space until finally the waiter came up with our drinks and said your dreams, mr. Dumb to schmarine Caspillo. Ah Now you will smile my handsome one a toast to us. You're a toast to us What's in this thing vodka and gunpowder drink it each morning instead of orange juice Can't leave you for five minutes without you running into a morass Who's a morass in fact, what is a morass? Call me later, honey? Look Johnny now beat it. How get lost. Yes. Yes. Go away small one. What are you doing here anyway? I'm booing mentally Oh Look it's Stephanie. She's beautiful and I've been such a sap Well, you'll never make the headlines you go and tell her you're a sap. Maybe she likes saps Shvarenka feels a scream coming on a big one. And now she'll rank it feels a hand across her mouth a dirty one Stephanie Stephanie, good evening John. I don't blame you Stephanie. I've been a fool of chump and now it's too late Too late. I do not understand too late to tell you that I love you But why John because you're a princess because you because you love Ladislaw Of course, I love Ladislaw Johnny. Why wouldn't I love him? He's my cousin your cousin then he What's the difference? You're still a princess. Oh Stephanie doesn't that mean that I can't I mean doesn't it mean that we can't I Okay, okay, rub it in Well, then what did you say? I said you can and we can Ask me darling, please darling before the smoke gets in your eyes Gordon McRae giving a special vote of thanks to our two guest stars this evening Eddie Bracken and Jan Clayton None of Bryant and Viola Vaughan and the other members of tonight's cast for their fine performances in our production of Roberta Which was adapted for radio by Ed Gardner and Don Etlinger next week Our star-studded show chain will arrive on the same tracks at the same time on board will be Margo Leo Corrillo Marion Hutton and Sweeney and March to join me in bringing you the famous Ziegfield musical show Rio Rita With our chorus under the direction of Norman Lube off and the music arranged and conducted by Carmen dragon Well, it looks as though we're ready to pull out so until next week. Goodbye Week as always the American railroads will provide for you the dependable low-cost Transportation which is so essential to the American way of living Gordon McRae appeared on this program by arrangement with Warner Brothers This is Marvin Miller speaking the railroad hour is brought to you each week at this time By the Association of American Railroads