 The Cavalcade of America starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Cornelia Otis Skinner, presented by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Good evening. Tonight, Cornelia Otis Skinner and Douglas Fairbanks relive some of the American theater's warmest, happiest moments, as Cavalcade brings you a radio dramatization of Miss Skinner's bestseller, Family Circle. Family Circle, starring Douglas Fairbanks as Otis Skinner and Cornelia Otis Skinner as your narrator on the DuPont Cavalcade of America. What do you think of when you hear the word star, famous actor, and matinee idol? Does it seem that a man with all these things is too fabulous to be real? Well, Otis Skinner was a star in the theater, a famous actor, a matinee idol, a fabulous person. And because he was also a wonderful teller of stories to a little girl who grew up bearing his name, I have a story to tell you now. It began on a day in the early 1890s when Otis Skinner was leading man to the great Helen Mordesca. So the agent said to me, you've got to be a success with a name like yours. Never heard of a funnier one than Skinner, or Otis for that matter, unless maybe Augustus or something like that. Oh, Mr. Skinner. And what did you say to him? I merely turned to him and said, sir, have a really good laugh. Augustus is my middle name. Madam Majesca, who is that frightened looking child that just came in? Who? Over there. Oh, I have engaged her to play the engine you wrote. She's Miss Durbin, isn't she lovely? No, she has a certain corn-fed charm. Mord Durbin from Mobile in Missouri, wearing a brand new homemade peek-a-boo shirt waist and a neat blue surge skirt, walked shyly into the great fair stage of a real theater for the first time. When she saw the group gathered for rehearsal, chatting and laughing so much at home in this awesome place, she stifled a little gasp and whispered, Augustus? Miss Durbin, good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Madam Majesca. I'm delighted to see you now. Come along. Before we start the rehearsal, I want you to meet all of my company. This is Miss Durbin, everyone. Oh, hello. How are you? And here is Mr. Augustus Skinner, my leading man, who thinks you are very trouble. Oh, dear. How do you do, sir? How do you do? Now, everyone is here. Shall we begin the rehearsal? Please, just one question first. Well, I... Well, I have to appear in tight. Yes, I'm afraid you will, my dear. It is customary in your role. But what am I going to do if Papa comes to see me? It's quite simple, Miss Durbin, for that night, just buy yourself a pair of hip boots. And that was the historic meeting of my future father and mother, Augustus Skinner, who had appeared with a great one, Joseph Jefferson and Edwin Booth, John Rue and Maude Durbin, who'd never appeared on any professional stage before. But two host seasons, while Majeph's company was on the road, they were constantly together on the stage. Yet they might easily have been living in different hemispheres. Good afternoon, Mr. Durbin. Good afternoon, Mr. Skinner. Looks like a good house this evening, Mr. Durbin. Yes, it certainly does, Mr. Skinner. Mr. Durbin, may I have a word with you? Of course, sir. You needn't call me, sir. It's not so very much older than you, you know. Really? Well, I could have sworn you were in your 30s. Well, yes, early 30s. Now, about last night, you realize, young lady, that you ruined my entrance in the witches' scene in the theatre that is unforgivable. I'm awfully sorry. You see, I have the giggle. That is even more unforgivable. The theatre is a serious business, Miss Durbin. Please, Mrs. Skinner, tonight. Yes? Well, you know the stage manager plays in the back when he forgot to take his nose-glasses off. So I tried to stand in front of him. So you stood right in my way. But if the audience had noticed a witch-wearing nose-glasses, everyone would have laughed and spoiled your best scene. Hmm, yeah. Yes, I see, yes. Mr. Durbin, you showed great presence of mind in an emergency. In the theatre, that is very important. Yes, I even think you show promise of being a fair actress one day. Well, soon afterwards, Madam Ajeska announced that she would not tour during the next season. Maude, who'd been her protege, was especially unhappy at the news. But she felt she'd have little chance of finding a place in another group. And for Otis Skinner, he'd long dreamed of organizing a stock company himself. He was jubilant at the idea of striking out on his own. He personally was going to bring drama to America's great open spaces. On the night of Majeska's closing performance. You wish to see me, Madam Ajeska? Come in, Mr. Skinner. I wish to tell you how much I have enjoyed working with you. Thank you. I'm deeply grateful for all that you... I also wish to make the prayer that your new venture as an actor-manager will be successful. I'm beginning to wonder. We're planning to tour the West, you know, and look at this wire I just received from an actor friend of mine. What does it say? In spite of Horace Greeley, stop Western prairies strewn with whitening bones of actors trying to get back home. Stop. Oh, you are a very fine and handsome actor, Mr. Skinner. I shall not worry too much about you making your way. But I do make the suggestion, if I may. Oh, certainly, what is it? Take the young Miss Durbin with you. Miss Durbin? Oh, no. Why not? I think enough of her talent to engage her. Why not you? Well, you see, I... Be insolent and quiet and quiet. You no trouble, except to giggle at the wrong time now and then to have... Well, no, I'm sorry, madame. It will be quite impossible. Ah, I understand now. You are in love with her. Well, certainly not. I think you are. And you run away from the reality. You are afraid of the true emotion. Oh, my fine young man, you must not fear that because you are an actor, you dare not marry and have the family life of people in our other profession. This is very important if you wish to grow with a person and as an artist, believe me. I'm sure you're right, madame. But you see, I have these... Speak to her of your love. She will accept you as... I tell you, I am not in love with her or anyone else. Oh, man, man. And they say women do not know their own mind. Or go away. I want to hear no more from you. You are impossible. Well, why do you not go? I haven't found the right leading lady yet, you know, and... You will receive no more advice from Majestika, Mr. Skinner. Well, you really believe Mr. Skinner to be talented? Yes, but I would not think of forcing her upon you. Oh, you're not forcing her on me. I assure you, it's just that... Well, you... I go out of my mind, Mr. Skinner. Will you go and ask Mr. Skinner to sign her name to the contract and never mention the subject to me again? Here it was that Otis Skinner and his spanking new repertory company set out to the Great West with stout heart and slim pocketbook. As town followed town, the days grew lean. His teen lovers of the drama were scarce. But the young actor-manager took it all in his stride, a stride magnificently buoyant. For he thought of Majestika's words and he looked with more debonance and he knew he was in love. You enjoy walking, Mr. Skinner? Oh, yes, Mr. Skinner. The only way to see New Orleans properly? Walk it? I agree. What is this part to tell you? What's the cemetery? The Mitterie. They're the old and very famous. Oh, and very beautiful. Mr. Skinner, do you think the people here would mind if we stopped a while? The people of New Orleans are noted for their hospitality. Look the way the moss drapes over the stone. And here's an inscription. Mrs. Skinner, do you read French? Like a native. Ah, now let me see. Let's see here. It is, um... Ah, toujours, darlic, And always in the hearts of the... Let's see here. What it is? Always in the hearts of these two. One dream. Always in their separate dreams. One love. Perfect. You have excellent eyes, Mr. Skinner. I have. Do you really think so, Mrs. Skinner? Yes, I really do. They're deep and thoughtful. Always in the hearts of these two. One dream. And I think you're beautiful and good. Always in their separate dreams. One love. And I love them. Ah, is it one love? Now and always more love. One dream. One love. He finished to keep his road company together until April. Almost the moment the curtain rang down on their closing show in Corning, New York, he and Maudevin were married. They were greatly happy. And it seemed to her that the future of the American theater was in their hands. And Otis, who never argued with her, quite naturally agreed. In the fall, they set out on the road again with a new company, playing beyond the vagabonds and Hamlet and... Oh, let's have a look. Well, let's see here. It's happily produced, yes. Back in costumes. Hamlet, universal appeal. Oh, here. Otis Skinner's Hamlet is a creation that once poetic, sensitive and vital. Oh, look at this. In the difficult role of Ophelia, Maudevin is ecstatic. Here's another. His delineation of the melancholy Dane was... In the difficult role of Ophelia, Maudevin... The melancholy Dane was magnificent. I am fun. I beg your pardon, Sam. You must forget how beneath hotel walls are. Any more reviews? Here's one. It says, the small but enthusiastic audience of plauded ziggers. Small is right. When I looked out into the house tonight, all I could see was a yawning chasm of red plush. I felt positively lonesome. Although it's humiliating, it's discouraging. I don't like the tone of that man's voice. Don't like it at all. What are you going to do? Give him my ticket for tomorrow night's performance. It'll be awfully comforting to know there'll be someone there. Teasing after season, they plugged along. Barely paying the full expenses. Travelling by daycoach, riverboat and barge. It wasn't a life more to dream of when she married a matinee idol. It was uncomfortable, unglamorous, and the public stayed away from their performances in multitudes. One day, in a Kansas City free car, a small boy was reading the passing signs. What, son? What? Must be some kind of plow or something they use on a farm. Well, that is the last straw. You don't think you can be honest? I don't mind for myself, but I worry more. What kind of a life is this for you? We're playing in good plays. We're giving them fine productions. I suppose there are some people who haven't heard of you. You're building something for this country, Otis. Something cold in college. And when it's built, we'll have a real home. Oh, yeah. It may be a baby. Do you think it will ever really happen? Someday, Maude, I'm convinced. Someday. But for some day kept melting further and further into the distant future. But when they arrived in Selma, Alabama, they had to remain in their wretched little hotel room because there wasn't any money left for food. What are you doing? I'm trying to study a part, Maude. You were miles away just now. You were staring out the window. Yes. That's the cafe sign across the street. Look at it. Eat. How can a man concentrate on his art when his belly is crying out for food? I don't know. But I try not to think of it. When I do, I imagine things. So do I. Fried chicken. We've got a $20 gold piece. We'd better use it. But that's our good luck piece. Good luck. It's disgraceful that we should have to depend on it like superstitious gypsies. Oh, Maude, I... I should have gone into some other kind of work. I should have made a fine piano tuner, a steam sitter. I should have become a chef. Ah! Chef. At least then you would never have gone hungry. You're a fine actor. Well, what's happening to the Americans here? Doesn't anyone want to be entertained anymore? You're a wonderful manager, too. Well, maybe I'm like the new recruit in the Army. Everyone's out of steps at me. I won't have you talking like that. You're going to bring great drama to the American people. Mares, come in. Mr. Skinner, package for you. Compliments of Mr. Siegfried O'Hara. Well, who on earth is that, Otis? He's one of the stagehands of the theater. He told me he's a farmer whenever there's no show in town. Thank you, boy. Thank you, sir. Well, that's... Maude, look what farmer O'Hara has sent us. A whole roast chicken. He must raise sass for all on his farm, too. All right. Look, four bottles. Well, dig in, darling. You have first choice on the drumsticks. Thank you, dear love. This is it. Maude. Oh, you mustn't cry now. Please. I'm sorry. Oh, try not to be sweeter. I have to be eating for two now. What? Taste for nothing but gum. You're listening to Family Circle, starring Douglas Fairbanks as Otis Skinner and Cornelia Otis Skinner as your narrator on The Cavalcade of America, sponsored by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Father was a fine storyteller. And as I grew up, he told me all about the way things were with him and the lovely young actress he married, my mother, Maude Devon. Before I arrived on the scene, they had one dream, bringing good plays to people all over America. From success in that dream, they believed could come all sorts of other wonders, a normal life, a home, a child. But they were poor. They're too had been a failure. And the one dream sure to come true, it seemed was me, no respecter of money and fame. No, Maude. I'm determined. Yes, you look very determined indeed, dear. Now, what is it tonight? That no child of ours shall be born in any ragtag theatrical trunk. No, ma'am, you're going to go to a good hospital where you'll have the best care money can buy. But Otis, how on earth will we pay the hospital bills? Maude, you know what a prestidigitator is. A magician. I've always thought I should have a spare act up my sleeve, something I could fall back on when Shakespeare failed me. Well, you're going to go to a hospital. So from now on, you may bill me as Otis Skinner, prestidigitator extraordinary. The audience for my debut into the world was a dress circle of doctors and nurses in Chicago. As a star of that show, I was so expensive that father had to go on the road by himself during that summer to pay for me. And as I grew, mother abandoned her career as an actress in favor of me. But we traveled with father wherever he went. My parents' dream of making a home was still far from coming cool until mother discovered a cottage in the country near Bryn Maw of Pennsylvania. Now, Maude, you know you won't be happy there. Why, we'll be separated two-thirds of the time. I know, Otis. Do you remember the inscription on that stone in the mattery cemetery? I'd never forget it. Always in their separate dreams. One love. I'll manage, dearest. But why should you have to manage? Things are easier for us now. Hotel life isn't too difficult. Not in the big city. I wouldn't care for myself, but it's for the baby, for Bob. Oh, don't you see, Otis? If we're ever to have a home, it must be started while she's young. In the country, she'll have a place to play. She'll have the life a child ought to have. Being on the road without you won't be the same. But, darling, you'll have a home to come back to for the first time. And there'll be people about who aren't in the theater who can talk about something else besides show business. Baby Cornelian, he'd never even hear a word's gauge. You're right. And I know it. But all I can think of is how much I'll be missing you when I'm taking my bow off in Paducah alone. Why won't Dad be home? Soon now, darling. Go to sleep. Mother, listen. There's someone right by the house on horseback every night. I'm scared of him. I'll tell you a secret. Sometimes I am, too. And then I think of a boy over in Scotland named Robert D. Stevenson. And the poem he wrote. Look what it is, Mother. Whenever the moon and the stars are set, whenever the wind is high, all night long in the dark and wet, a man goes riding by. Late in the night, when the fires are out, why does he gallop and gallop about? Whenever the trees are crying aloud and ships are tossed at sea, by on the highway, low and loud. Good night, baby. One wonderful day. Father signed under the management of the great Charles Froman for the play called The Duel. He's been starring on Broadway at last. But to me, it also meant wonder of wonders that he could come home on weekends. Look, he's wearing this elegant new great coat. Hello, person. Certainly I saw it. We're going belly-wapping on your sled this very afternoon. I'm too much exercise for an old party. Oh, listen to her, Morty. You'd think we're a pair of sub-degenerations. Oh, thank you. Oh, she did. She still thinks so. I do. Well, that calls for a celebration. Give us a kiss, Mother. One from you, too, person, and let's go home. I've been here for the years it followed. Her mother had a gift, not only for keeping our family circles snug and happy, but for charming the ever-widening circle of father's friends. James Woodcombe Riley, E.H. Southern, Junior Marlowe, George A.D., Wolf Tarkington, all fell under the spell of Maud Skinner's warmth and radiance. That's thanks, though. Her loyal family spirit nearly ruined us, as when during the First World War, the Liberty Bond to his audiences between the acts of his current play. On this night, Mother and I were sitting in a box. Yes, the Liberty Bond means victory over there for our boys, ladies and gentlemen. But to me, it means a great deal more than even victory. As an actor, I have traveled to many a little town and great city in this land. I have come to know and loved dearly the whole breadth of it. The country which gives a man the opportunity to develop his talent freely. You'll do with it as he wishes. And I'm grateful for that freedom. So grateful that I will personally match with my own purchase each $50 Liberty Bond bought by you here tonight. Isn't it wonderful, Conny? So magnificent. Well, friends, no auctioneer has given you such an opportunity to purchase such an heirloom. For the item I am offering you tonight is priceless. It is liberty. Do I hear a bit, ladies and gentlemen? Mr. Skinner, I'll take a 50 dollar bond. Thank you, Captain. Thank you. Friends, friends, this young officer who has been wounded in the service of his country has shown you the way. Who will be the next? Mother, Mother, please. Mr. Skinner, the dollar bond for every uniformed man in this theater. You will. I have invited a whole regiment of soldiers. If his father had a talent for business, as well as for acting, otherwise we should never have met that obligation. As for me, during those years, I scorned all talents except those connected with the institutions spoken of in hushed tones as the theater. While father was delighting the nation as Philippe Redau in the honor of the family hudged the beggar in Kismet and the hurdy-gurdy man in Mr. Antonio, I was dreaming of the triumph that I would have as a great tragedian. Oh, fuck, it was going to be duper. Bernard and Magesca all rolled up into one. Father just smiled sweetly and allowed me a walk on in his starring Broadway play, Blood and Sand. And when the curtain had fallen on that hot stopping first night. Well, person, you made it. You didn't fall on your face in front of everybody either. Was I? Was I dramatic? Very. All right. Come on, Bob. You're not taking me out there to bar with you. I am. Your mother expected. Come on. And it can delight you led me onto this page and down to the footlight. We both bowed, first to the audience, then to each other. Then the curtain came down and squeezed my hand and smiled. Well, Miss, you've made your New York debut. From now on, you're on your own. After that night, Otis Skinner took many another bow for audiences all over the world. And when the curtain finally came down for him and for his leading lady, Maureen Durbin, there was one person especially who remembered his courage, his talent and his wonderful stories. The third person in our family circle. Myself. Tonight's DuPont Cable Cade, Family Circle by Cornelia Otis Skinner, was adapted for radio by Virginia Radcliffe. It was directed by Jack Zoller. The part of Maude was played by Patricia Ryan. Music was composed by Arden Cornwell and conducted by Donald Bryan. Mr. Fairbanks will soon appear in his own production of The O'Flynn. This is Ted Pearson speaking. Cable Cade of America comes to you each week from the stage of the Longacre Theatre on Broadway in New York and is presented by the DuPont Company of Bowming Catellaway. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.