 Proudly, we hail. New York City, where the American stage begins. Here is another program with a cast of outstanding players. Public service time has been made available by this station for your Army and your Air Force to bring you this story. As proudly we hail, the United States Army. Our story is entitled, Operation Beethoven. This is the heartwarming story about the hearts of three soldiers of the United States Army and how they lost them completely to a young and talented musician. Our first act curtain will rise in just a moment. But first, today your rapidly expanding United States Army needs intelligent young men with ability and ambition. Men intelligent enough to recognize the vital need for a strong army. Men with ability to be trained in a necessary job. Men with ambition enough to secure the future for themselves and their loved ones. Does that description fit you? Can you qualify? For full information on how you can fit in with the finest, check with your nearest United States Army Recruiting Station now. Remember, the United States Army, the senior service of our armed forces, needs you. And now your Army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production, Operation Beethoven. I think it was old Will Shakespeare who said something about music soothing the savage breast. While it's true that Corporal Paul Adams, infantryman United States Army, didn't have any savage instincts, music nevertheless did play a big part in his off-duty activities. Stationed a few miles outside of Vienna, he could go into the city on any night and find the type of music he sought. Four to the Viennese, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms are as dear as life itself. Of course, to Corporals Joseph Xavier Sully and Andrew Francis Tinker, this kind of thinking was strictly for the birds. Anyone who didn't like their jive in the groove should be observed for crackage of the mind, and almost nightly. They would discuss this situation with their stricken buddy, Corporal Adams. Look, Adam, will you just look at him? Corporal Sully, I can't. He hurts my eyes. He's our friend, our pal, our buddy. We can't let him go on like this tank. Oh, dear friends and noble hearts at ease. At ease, he says, at ease. Oh, how is it possible? Paul, you're coming apart at the seams. I hate to see a nice, bright guy like you going to see... You know, I hear strange noises. Yeah, what did I tell you? He's hearing things. Look at his eyes. Look at the way his mouth hangs open. Dr. Sully, I say the lad is suffering from an advanced stage of Beethovenitis. Paul, now take your time and tell us slowly. Who are you escorting to this thing tonight? You won't tell us all? It's not generally known, but Queen Zigg Wilger of Alpenstock and I are going steady. He makes fun of us. The truth is, he ain't taken no one. That's the serious part, Dr. Tinker. I know, I know. Dr. Sully, no man should be allowed to attend one of these affairs without a companion. A female companion, of course. Of course. Maestro, just where are your female companions? Oh, gosh, fellas, I don't know. I must have lost them someplace. Try looking under that bunk. Now step aside, son. I'm in a hurry. Look, he's putting his tie on backwards. Shall we try a little shot treatment? Try it by all means, but I fear the case is hopeless. It's indoctrination. Oh, why don't you gentlemen go take a shower? Corporal Adams, I have here an indoctrination machine and I want you to listen closely. Well, I play you something, something solid, real and sincere. Mm-hmm. You'll excuse me while I ignore you. Oh, shall we dance? A givot or a minuet? Oh, I'm at your mercy. Hey, hey, what's your idea? Gentlemen, my ears are sensitive. The harsh noises are for boars, bounders and bumpkins. Aside from that, I bid you good night. Don't wait up. Dr. Sully, the boy is strictly for the birds. But strictly? Oh, no, you're both wrong. I am strictly for Beethoven. And so, nothing loathed. Our hero took himself away from the diagnosis of his friends and went to hear some Beethoven. Arriving late, his eyes unaccustomed to the darkness of the hall, he made his way to his seat. And, as you might imagine, his course was somewhat difficult. Uh, I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon. Excuse me, please. I beg your pardon. Young man, you're sitting on my lap. Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Excuse me. Oh, where did my foot? Oh, young man, I'm sorry. Young man, I don't care whether you are the Emperor Maximilian. Sit down and be quiet. I'm awfully sorry, Folline. I didn't mean to step on your foot. Please, I would like to listen to the music. Oh, did I hurt your foot? Don't keep your foot. Don't keep your foot. Don't keep your foot. I want to listen to the music. Madam, we all do. Quiet! Without further incident, and with the lights up, our hero wished that, like the turtle, he could crawl into his shell. Well, that is, until he observed the girl whose foot he'd stepped on sitting next to him. And then, as Corporal Sully had pointed out, our hero's mouth hung open. And, looking like he'd just been struck by a bolt of lightning, he sat staring at her when the music began again. Sir, is there something that mattered with you? Huh? Are you sick? Oh, no, no, I don't think so. Oh, I'm sorry. I mean, I didn't mean to step on your foot. Well, let's not go into it again. Oh, well, did I hurt you? I think I would live. Oh, music's very good, isn't it? Yes, when it is not being interrupted. Oh, I, uh, should have waited until the peace was over. I think we can all agree on that. Shh! Can I get you something to drink? No, thank you. I'm not thirsty. Oh, I'm not thirsty either. My, uh, my name is Paul Adams. That's nice. Mm, do you like Beethoven? Yes. Do you go to concerts often? You're very inquisitive, aren't you? I'm into pride. Well, I don't be such an old woman. That soldier's dying to be frightened. Shh! Mind your own business. If you were my daughter, I'd take you over my knee. Now, wait a minute. That's no way to talk to a lady. But I'm only dying to be of help. But when I want any help, I'll ask for it. Would you both be quiet? I came here to listen to some music. That's all I want to do. I ask you, is romance dead in him? Shh! And when the concert came to an end, our hero inspired and filled with manly courage by the works of the great composer decided that it was time to attack boldly and in full armor. Oh, romance was not dead in old Vienna. This, he would prove. For a good soldier knows how to deploy his forces and move forward despite the odds. Uh, Frawline, my name is Paul Adams. So you have already informed me. And now, if you will excuse me, I would like to go. Well, uh, Frawline, what's your name? Sir, you are impertinent. Oh, no, no. Determine, not impertinent, Frawline. Mama, you hear that? That is good. Determined. A man must be determined. I wish you would go home. Frawline, you have no manners. Will you please go home? Come, Mama, we go home. And now, I would like to go home, too. Well, uh, may I take you there? Oh, you have a nerve, sir. I'm just determined. Why? Beethoven makes me determined. What are you, Paul Adams? A general? No, Frawline. Only a corporal. Corporal? Mm-hmm. Just like Napoleon. May I see you home? It's quite a long walk. Oh, good. If it's too far, I'll carry you. I think Beethoven has made you mad. Well, that's what my friends say. Will you promise not to step on my feet? I promise. Shall we go? All right. You win. Oh, one thing, I, uh, I never walk people home whose names I don't know. Lisa. Lisa Renick. Lisa. Lisa Renick. Like music. Oh, and to think of all the concerts I've been to that you've been to, and we never once met. All that good music wasted. You just never managed to step on my foot before. How wonderful it is to be clumsy. Oh, isn't it a grand night? Yes, I love the autumn. Smell and feel of it, you know? The stars have a sharper look. And even poor old Vienna seems gay. Oh, just think of it. Mozart walked these streets. And Beethoven and so many others. And now, Corporal Adams. That's right. It was pretty darn good when you think of it. A guy like me getting a chance to be here. Are all American soldiers so interested in classical music? I've got a couple of buddies you should meet. They think I'm slightly crazy. Oh, here we are. Oh, this is where you live. I thought you said it was a long way. It didn't seem like such a long way. Well, maybe it's only a long way when you walk alone. I've been doing that for a long time. Look, next Thursday night, how about going with me to the Vienna plots? All Brahms. I know. Will you? I shouldn't. Give me seven good reasons why. I guess I can. All right, I'll meet you here at eight. Is it a date? It's a date. And now I've got to go in. Good night, Lisa Renwick. I'm awfully sorry if I hurt your foot, but... I'm awfully glad I stepped on it. Hey, Corporal Tinker, it's back. So I observe, Corporal Sully. Looks kind of glassy-eyed. What'd you expect? Shall I question it? At your own risk. Boy, oh boy, you there. Are you able to communicate? Oh, she's like a dream, like something you read about. Hey, will you look what the square Beethoven has done to the boy? Here, help him off with his coat. The most wonderful, the most beautiful. Oh, you guys have no idea. A dame, he met a dame! You mean they allow women to go to those things? Did you really meet a dame, boy? What's your name? Brunhilde? Her name, meet heads, is Lisa. And when you speak it, bow. Uh-huh. And how did you meet her in the middle of a cadenza? I stepped on her. Well, I always say it takes all kinds. Oh, live and let live, that's my motto. Yeah, I stepped on her foot by accident. What's she look like? What does she look like? Oh, what does a princess look like? It's part Beethoven, part Schubert, a touch of Brahms, a Mendelssohn concerto, brother, she's the works. You know, I've heard a lot of guys speak about a lot of dames, but this absolutely is the most disgusting description I ever heard. What is she, a phonograph record? Nah, idiots enough, I go to my sack. To sleep. Perchance to dream. I thought he was done for before. Now I know he's finished. Hey, stop the lights, will you, let's get a little sick time. Oh, good night, sweet prince. The flights of angels guide thee to thy rest. Well, you listen to it rattle. Let's get him transferred. Oh, Lisa, Lisa, Lisa, Lisa, Lisa. You are listening to the proudly we hail production, Operation Beethoven. We will return in just a moment for the second act. The man who measures up will succeed anywhere. For a life of excitement and adventure, join the United States Army. You know, the Army is the proving ground, the place where the men and the boys part company, where you learn more about how to take care of yourself and how to lead others in a few short months than you could in a lifetime of civilian activity. In the Army, your opportunities for advancement and leadership are unlimited, but you've got to have what it takes. The man who measures up here will succeed anywhere. Can you measure up? If you think you can, then here's an opportunity for you to serve your country and build a man-sized career for yourself. Visit your local United States Army recruiting station and get complete details today. You are listening to Proudly We Hail, and now we present the second act of Operation Beethoven. And so Night of Beethoven held hands through bronze, stared at each other through an evening of Mozart, and were positively struck dumb while being serenaded by the romantic words of Mendelssohn. Ah, youth, ah, love, ah, Vienna and Wienerschnitzel. Well, here we are. That's right. Paul, I... Yes? Nothing. Oh, Lisa. Yes? I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to kiss you. I don't mind, Paul. Hey. Who's that? I'm afraid it's Jan, my brother. He shouldn't be playing now. He'll be waking everyone up. Your brother? Well, he should be waking everyone up with music like that. I'll have to go in and stop him, Paul. You never told me you had a brother, Lisa. Can I meet him? Maybe some other time. No better time than now, Lisa. Are you going to be impertinent again? Just determined. All right, come on. Is it so late already? I thought it would not hurt to play a little. There's someone with you? Yes. Paul, this is my brother Jan. Jan, this is Corporal Paul Adams. Oh, it is a pleasure, sir. Hi. Already I have heard so much about you. Jan! Oh, she does his talk about you. She must really like you. Jan, if you don't be still, I'll send you straight to bed. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Jan. You're quite a pianist. I'm not so good, especially on this poor old wreck. It is, uh, how you say, uh, a mess. You make it sound fine. And now I think it is time you said good night, young man. Yeah, I can sleep now. It was very nice to meet you, sir. Well, I hope next time I come, Jan, you really sit down and play for me. I would be honored to try. Good night, Libbyn. Good night, Lisa. How old is he? Twelve. Twelve, and he can play that way. On that piano. He has a very great talent. Lisa, he's blind, isn't he? Yes, poor. He's blind. A twelve-year-old boy with a very great talent who sits at that wreck of a piano and makes music poor out of it. A twelve-year-old boy, sightless, whose fingers glide over the battered keys with a sure, proud touch. I tell you, boys, I've never seen anything like it. Blind, huh? Yeah. Completely blind. Tough. Just a little toe-haired kid. Guts, sir. Oh, man, but plenty. I don't know how he played that thing. It was so beat up, it looked like one solid chord, and the whole thing looked as if it had collapsed. Well, that's the way it goes, Doc. Oh, he ought to have something better than that to play on. Can't she go out and pick something up for him? Well, if she could, don't think she wouldn't. She doesn't make much teaching school. You know, there are a couple of pianos over in the service club. A fat lot of good that'll do him. Now, wait a minute. Maybe you've got something there. Maybe I could get permission to bring the kid out once or twice a week. Hey, maybe you better go lay it on the line to the CO. Sully, that is the most sensible thing you've said since you've been in the Army. Look at me, I'm improving. So I went to the CO and told him about Jan, and he sent me to the captain in charge of the service club, and now it's all set. Every Saturday afternoon, I'll pick Jan up and take him out to the post, and... Well, Lisa, what's the matter? You shouldn't have done it. Oh, you give me seven good reasons. Why not? You're impertinent. Determined. Oh, Paul, you're wonderful. And so are you. Jan will be filled. A real piano to play on. You're sure it will be all right. There will be no trouble. Lisa, I assure you my CO assures you, the captain assures you, the whole United States Army assures you. I could kiss you all. Well, how about settling for me? I'm the jealous type. All right, Napoleon. Now, come on. Let's go tell Jan all about it. You awake? No, go to sleep. Hey, Jay, who's coming through here on a USO tour? Who, your brother, Mo? Oh, why, Scott? No, a pal of yours, sir. What's his name? Richardson. Richardson, yeah, John Richardson. Oh, I don't know any John Richardson. What does he do, juggle? No, he just... John Richardson? You mean John Richardson, the famous concert artist? Yeah, that's the guy I'm talking about. Hello, Lisa. Oh, how are you? No, no, no, nothing's wrong. Listen, John Richardson, the great pianist, is out here. Yeah, that's right, on a USO tour. I hope you don't mind, but I had a talk with him about Jan. No, no, don't get excited. He wants to hear Jan play. Yes, you bring him out on the bus after supper, and I'll meet you at the gate. You can tell Jan the boys want to play for them or something. What? Well, what's the matter? Oh, this is nothing to cry about. Blow your pretty nose, get Jan ready, and I'll meet you at the gate around 8.15. You know where to get the bus? Good. What? Likewise, I'm sure. In any language. Miss Wrennick, I'm sure there's no need to tell you you have an extremely talented brother. The fact that he's blind makes his ability even more startling. Has he a teacher? For a time he had one, but soon the teacher said there was nothing more he could show him, and... Well, it... I know, I know. Cost a lot of money for a good teacher. Yes, and we have not that kind of money. Tell me, have you heard of Papa Henrik Muller? Oh, yes, but... Well, Papa's an old friend of mine. I think he'd do me the favor of taking Jan as a pupil. Fact after he hears him play, I'm sure he will. Day? Yeah, fine day. It makes snow. Oh, yes, yes, yes, it made that... Yes, there's something I can show you, boys. Well, uh, are you here, Obermeyer? Yeah, yeah, that is me, all right, all of me. Well, uh, we're looking for a piano for a Christmas present. A good piano. Which won't cost much. Gentlemen soldiers, there is no such things. Well, no such thing as what? A good piano that does not cost much. That's no way to look at it. It's bound to snow. There's no other way to look at it. Pianos are very dear. What about a nice fit up? Well, uh, how much is that piano there? Um, that one there? I don't see any other one there. Gentlemen, I would be afraid to tell you the price. Well, I will show it. There. That isn't the price. That's the national debt. This piano is to be a gift for a very talented boy. The most talented in all Vienna. Papa Müller is handling him exclusively. Oh, Papa Müller, so. Uh, and who is this boy? Jan Renek. Jan Renek, Jan Renek. Never heard of him. Well, maybe you'd like to. What do you mean? I brought a record. I'll just put it on here and let you listen. Gentlemen, it makes no difference who you have on that record, but they'll go ahead, play it anyway. You know, some people just don't know an opportunity when they hear it. Imagine being able to say that it was your piano on which little Jan Renek, the blind pianist, did his practicing. If Papa Müller is to have the credit for teaching, why shouldn't you have the honor of supplying the instrument? I can see we'd better go down the street to that other fellow's shop. What's his name? Never. Well, I don't think Herr Obermeier has the ear to understand great music. A 12-year-old boy, you say? Blind. A blind boy. Maybe another Mozart. Or Brahms. Or even Beethoven. You don't fool me. This is no joke. Well, if you like, call Papa Müller. Oh, come on, Herr Obermeier. Where's your Christmas spirit? A blind boy. Makes me cry. Such playing. Where does this boy live? Oh, my wife, she will cut my throat, but I do not care. I... And so on Christmas Eve, Corporals Adams, Sully and Tinker presented themselves front and center at the apartment of Lisa Renek. And there, laden with all sorts of goodies, they sat down to partake of each other's company. Is it not the most wonderful Christmas Eve, Lisa? Oh, it's the most wonderful I can remember. And never was a finer crowd gathered. And not a glass, Alphonse? By all means, Gaston. Lisa? Oh, no, no, no, no. Thank you. I'm full right up to the top. And will you look at the love-light burning in that boy's eyes? I won't pay no attention to them. Tell me, Paul, do you kiss her very often? Yeah. Well, as a matter of fact, Jan, whenever I can. If you don't stop, I will leave the room. Is it almost Christmas? No, it won't be long, Jan. I hope not. I'll get that. Gentlemen, I have come and a merry Christmas to you all. Well, Santa Claus Obermeier himself. I don't understand. Lisa, this is Herr Obermeier and he's brought something for Jan. Bring it up. Bring it up carefully, carefully. What is it? A piano for me. Compliments of Herr Obermeier, Jan. Nonsense, nonsense. All of these brave soldier boys. Is it their hands, hands? You must not spoil it. Oh, Paul. Paul, what have you three wonderful fools done? I can't believe it. A piano for me. My furry own. Hey, hey, hey, no, folks. Let's not all break down and have a good cry. That's strictly bird music. All of you, come in, come in, please. We will have a celebration. Yeah, no better time or place. Yeah, and Peter Heinrich. Come inside, come inside. May I play something? Young fellow, if you do not play on it a great many times and become very, very famous, my wife... Oh, my wife. She will cut my throat. Play something for us, Jan. Play something for Herr Obermeier and... and for Paul and Joseph and Andrew. The three wonderful soldiers. All I can say is I wish I'd been a guy that stepped on a foot. Young men, join the Army and start drawing dividends right away. Food, clothing, quarters, training in a technical job, life insurance, retirement benefits, and a monthly check to your dependents. Of course, that security in an Army career goes double. It helps to make America strong. The Army Sergeant in your nearest recruiting station downtown can tell you all about it. Go see him today. This has been another program on Proudly We Hail, presented transcribed in cooperation with this station. Proudly We Hail is produced by the Recruiting Publicity Center for the United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Service. This is Mark Hamilton speaking, inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on Proudly We Hail.