 The Adventures of Frank Race starring Paul Dubov with Tony Barrett as Mark Donovan. The war changed many things, the face of the earth and the people on it. Before the war Frank Race worked as an attorney, but he traded his law books for the cloak and dagger of the OSS and when it was over his former life was over too. Adventure had become his business. The Adventures of Frank Race. Now we join Frank Race for the adventure of the big top. The words Florida and winter never seem to make sense when you put them together. But when circus people speak of winter quarters they're usually talking about Florida and the off season. Yet even in its off season the circus is still a spread of bespangled excitement. Even in winter quarters its sprawls and sweats and in spots smells to high heaven. At the moment Mark Donovan and I happen to be in one of those spots. Oh brother, there's suddenly an aroma around here which don't have nothing to do with them roses or picketty which they sing about. It's probably those giraffes over there Mark. Leave us get out of here before I start staggering. The guy could lose his hearing in a fog like this. Cut it out, I'm looking for Mr. McClune. We're supposed to meet him here. It couldn't be the guy over there by the water in Choff, could it? He and is, come on Mark. Look Grace, who is this guy McClune? Multi-millionaire owns half the hotels down here. So you're an insurance investigator and you come all the way to Florida to meet a guy at the circus. That's fine but I don't get it. Mr. McClune is worried about his wife's welfare. He wrote of his worry to the Medina Life Insurance Company. Seems they indemnify her life for a million dollars and they saw fit to send me down here. Multi-millionaire, huh? He don't look at me brother, he don't look at me. Mark was right. Phineas J. McClune looked about as Ty Coonish as the second base of an off-pitch coral group. He was an aged little man with a pocket expression. In his hand clasp had all the warmth of a blackjack dealer's smile. I suppose you're wondering why I suggested this is a meeting place Mr. Race. Because I don't wish my wife to know about you. And since the circus seems to be so much in the picture, it was only natural that we meet here. Don't you think? I may think so Mr. McClune in a minute. Yeah, do you know my wife Mr. Race? Only through the newspapers. She's quite a social leader. Oh great social leader. One of the first ladies of our adopted state. And that's just why I can't understand all this. All what Mr. McClune? Well the circus ruffians threatening her. Is that your problem? Of course it could be caused by her attitude. She's not in favor of circuses. She firmly believes they have a disturbing influence on the younger generation. A very disturbing influence. Oh now wait a minute. That's a lot of malarkey. A circus never hurt no kid I ever know. A circus is as important to a kid as Christmas or the 4th of July. Yes, well you may be right. Who are you by the way? My assistant Mr. Donovan. Oh yeah. Well you may be quite right Mr. Lundigan. Donovan. But my wife. Well a number of circus people have appeared at our home of late. And Mrs. McClune always seems to have to argue with them to get them to leave. And I want you to look into it Mr. Race. Well then I'd better have a chance to talk to her don't you think? You believe that's necessary? Seems so to me. Well if you think you need to. She's a very dominant woman. Very dominant. But very well Mr. Race. If you come to my home this evening. Say about 7. That's fine, fine. Very well then Mr. Race. I should be expecting you. Oh and you too Mr. Demi John. Your odd name that isn't it? Are there many more of you? Yeah I heard it. Tell me quite a few Mr. McClune. Quite a few. But this isn't there. Good day gentlemen. I should see you this evening. Hey Race. Yes Mark. Look don't Demi have a meaning of some kind. Yes it means half. Oh that's ridiculous. How could I be half John? That old guy sounds cracked to me. He seems rather eccentric all right. He couldn't have been kidding me could he? I don't think he meant to Mark. I wish I was sure. I think I should leave right away. There was nostalgia there for both of us. So we did some more prowling around. Going from the animal section into a tent where aerialists worked aloft and clowns cavorted in the sawdust. Perfecting routines for the opening of the tour only a week or so away. And it was while we watched that Mark nudged me. We are being given the big double old jump. Maybe we ain't welcome around here. Where? Them two over there. Here they come now. And they ain't all smiles. No reason for trouble Mark take it easy. Hey yo. Yeah what do you have? What are you doing around here? Who are you? Oh just a couple of tourists. Who are you? Get this dude Ben. He wants to know who we are. You're a comic. You heard the question rule. What are you doing around here? No harm. You always call me a comic. You want to know something fellas? Look to back up that chatter you're going to need reinforcements. There is confluence in Ben. Yeah. Especially the gabby one. And school starts with this. That's called beating a guy to the punch Ben and now you got sawdust on the back of your lap. Yeah. We'll see how long you last. Where is he? We ducked. We ducked only to find it a lost cause. There were too many of them coming from too many directions. We gave up dodging tried breaking through but I knew it was going to be like an off tackle smash going sour and it was. Oh. It was probably about 20 minutes later that I stopped spitting sawdust and sat up. We were on a wooden floor now. After we'd been rendered helpless Mark and I had been spread eagle across half a dozen shoulders in the office. I looked at the base of a swivel chair and at the feet of some man who sat in it. He spoke to us. Don't you know what can't be done? What can't be done? Winning a fight from circus hands and their home ground. Yeah well just the same. Just the same what? Just the same we didn't do so bad. A couple of those creeps had their noses and a dirt just as deep as we had eyes. Well next time you come buy tickets were you? We can use the money. Put it into a face out of the past. A face wearing a broad grin. I've been wondering when you were going to recognize me race. Oh Larry. Larry Leclerc. I saw who the boys had dragged in here. I could hardly believe my eyes. Hey Mark. Mark you've heard me speak of this fellow. Larry Leclerc served in the OSS with me. That's judo man we have. Before you giving me plenty of trouble on occasion. What are you doing here? Forgetting something aren't you race? My full name Lawrence Lansing Leclerc. And this outfit. Happens to be the Lansing Brothers Circus. You mean you're running the show? Yes race I'm running it. I inherited a lot of stock from my mother. I got control about three years ago. Not that I'm doing so well. Financially the Lansing Brothers Circus is limping badly. Come on down to the pie car with me. Maybe some coffee will soothe those bruises. He told us more about it as we sat at the food counter at the pet lounging spot. Circus was running in a bad luck had been for some time. There'd been recent sabotage which was why Mark and I had been jumped as strangers who might be out to do some more damage. We figure it could be coming from some of the smaller carnivals. Probably trying to chop us down to their size and they might do it before long. Yeah but Lansing Brothers. That's one of the biggest shows in a business. We were hurt badly about 18 months ago Donovan. Had a big blow down in the Middle West. Lost a lot of equipment even animals. Hurt us badly. And we've been taking it on the chin here. Two fires in the last few weeks. First one took twenty thousand dollars worth of food supplies. Second one burned a dozen trucks and a lot of canvas. And you'll hardly believe it race. But I don't have the funds to get the show to Atlanta. Our first date for the new season. Oh but Larry can't you borrow some money? I'm already up to my neck. The tune of a quarter of a million. We paid out in the next four months. Oh that's awful. Some people think they got troubles. Well I've got one possible out. The amalgamated women's clubs of Florida. I'm dickering with them to put on a couple of charity performances in Miami. All I'm asking is enough to cover expenses and move the show to Atlanta. That's one deal I simply have to make or I'm through. At seven o'clock that evening Mark and I presented ourselves at the door to the McLoone mansion. A facade that could have straddled and Mrs. McLoone matched her home. Wearing a hat like an inverted kettle drum she swept in just after we got there eyeing us with the gaze of a jaundice macaw. She took over at once backing her husband into a nearby corner. What's going on here? Have you been making some more of your peculiar friendships Phineas? No no no my dear. It's just that I've been worrying about those thugs who've been looking around the house lately. So I called in an investigator. No no no my dear I was only thinking of your safety. Safety he says that they could handle a platoon of Marines. What's that? Just passing the time of day lady. I don't care for whispering in my own home young man. Did you say these were investigators Phineas? And you talk about thugs infesting the place? This whispering fellow has one of the most unpre-possessing faces that a lazy lady would have pushed like yours. You've got no call to grant this possessing other people's faces. Mrs. McClune your husband seems to think you're threatened with some sort of danger. Oh well who on earth would threaten me? Yeah I think you made a point. Don't be impudent young man. Mr. McClune this afternoon you said you felt Mrs. McClune was in danger of being harassed by circus people. Do you mind telling us why you believe that? No I don't mind at all Mr. Ray. The other day when I came home I saw a man performing somersaults on the lawn. And when I asked him what he was doing he said he was an acrobat with a circus. It's logical. Now while we were talking another man came from around the other side of the house joined him. When I asked them what they wanted they said they were here to see my wife. Now I ask a gentleman and you my dear. And just because of that Oh well Phineas you're an idiot. Yes my dear. Very imaginative. I won't hear any more about it. I am accepting the presidency of the Amalgamated Women's Club tomorrow and I intend to be fresh and ready for the inaugural speech. Good evening Phineas. And now what do you... Look lady do you say you was going to be president of all of Dame's Clubs in a state? That's a thoroughly crude way of putting it but the answer is yes. Listen lady look we got a pound in trouble and you could do him an awful big favor. I am not interested in doing favors for anyone. Yeah but look this boy is a president too. President of the Lansing blood of Sykes and all he wants is to do a benefit for you for else none of my family. Young man I detest circuses. Oh you're kidding. They're a disturbing influence on the younger generation a thoroughly disturbing influence. That's a lot of malachite. Sykes never hide no kid I ever know. Young man if you're trying to argue with me you may as well say your breath as a president that the amalgamated women's club have no intention of patronizing any circus in any way or for any reason. Good night. We'll return to the adventures of Frank Race in just about one minute. Oh back to the adventures of Frank Race. Delivering bad news to people is not one of my favorite pastimes but leaving Larry LeClaire in the dark as to his deal with the women's clubs wouldn't have been helpful. So Mark and I went to see him and the information froze the smile on his face and dropped him limply into his desk chair. Well that rips it. Now anyone who might give me a job Oh it can't be as bad as all that. My friend you have no idea. It's better. Yeah what is it? We got trouble. Trouble. Bunch of guys moving in a lot picked up then figures they're out to wreck the main tent. Over my dead body come on. Do you have enough men to handle this Larry? A lot looks deserted. More of my luck except for the cage boys and a few others. I'll let the rest leave for the weekend. Well he can't on us can he Race? He sure can. No no no you fellas stay out of it. These things get pretty bad. Are you a kid? What do you think we are violence? Mr. Race. Mr. Race. Mr. McClune what are you doing here? No I... I called your hotel and they said you'd gone out to the circus grounds. I... What? What's going on here? What are those rats doing? Mr. McClune you'd better clear out of here. Mark. Mark! Your friend ducked out Race. Yeah I guess he don't want no part of him free for all. If Mark Donovan ducked out he had something in mind. I'd hold it. We'll make our stand right here. Yo man! What are you trying to do here? Mr. Leclerc used to be what called Mark's carnival down in Louisiana. Now you're going to meet him again soon they're moving in. Now we can stop them three to one. It was Mark a top and elephant and behind him were three other men are more elephants. We skipped the side to let them pass and they really broke it up. Well I'd feel a lot happier about winning that skirmish if it weren't for old man McClune getting hurt. How is he Race? Still unconscious. You mind if I use this phone Larry? No go ahead. That gang off the lot? Every last one of them. Donovan you really turned the trick with those elephants. Just like Hoid and a Bulldozer even better. Clune residence. Mrs. McClune please. Frank Race calling. Hey Race how was your old man Hoid? I imagine he fell trying to get out of the way. Must have hit his head on something. Got a nasty wolf there. Hello. Mrs. McClune this is Frank Race. I'm calling from the Lansing Brothers Circus Lot. This is a thing that never stops slugging. I brought you to the phone to tell you there's been a brawl here that your husband's been hurt. You have only one I trust. He was hit on the head he's unconscious. We're on the Circus Lot. We have him in the pie car. Larry that clown of yours the one called Slim. He said he knew one of those fellows made the attack. That's right Slim did say that. Your publicity man does he happen to be on the lot? That's Charlie Rowland. No no he's in New York. But his assistants here. Joe Prentice. Good I'd like to see him right now. And then I'd like to talk to Slim about the fellow he recognized. Maybe I can give you a helping hand with your troubles. According to Slim the attacker he'd recognized was called Pete Bannister. And three boarding houses and two bars later we caught up with him to find him half gone from the contents of a dozen ale cans that littered his room. This was a break since he didn't remember us as being participants in the morning's free-for-all. Yeah I'm Pete Bannister. What y'all want? Tell them Mark. Sure. We was with Goldmark's carnival down Louisiana way. Well he did used to be one of the gang. Oh I certainly did. Oh so you met with Goldmark were you? Yeah. That's a great outfit. A great outfit. Sit down here. Sit down. Any Goldmark boys are friends of mine. You know I wish I had something to offer you fellas in the way of a drink. No no don't worry about that pal. I took a deep breath when I first come in and I picked up a gloat it should last me for hours. No. Yeah. Oh you fellas all right. You know I hate you so much. When y'all blew in. Yeah just now. And we hired that you could put us next to something good. Something with lots of dough. You know not much flavor. Well now can you handle yourself? It's been a fight of me. Would we have been with Goldmark if we couldn't handle ourselves? Ain't that the truth? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah yeah yeah look look how about the deal. Oh a deal? Oh sure sure I'll tell you where you can let you on to something real good. Huh? Little excitement. Little nice money for it. His address and name of the party. Hey how you doing Pete? Oh hi boy just in time. I thought I dropped over to you. Hey. Hey when did you take up with these guys? A couple of boys used to be with Goldmark. Yeah like Fatty used to be with Goldmark. These turkeys were with a lancing outfit this morning fighting on their side. Come on Mark I believe we've got it. Hey wait a minute. You rubs ain't going no worse. Man's got a gun race. Yes he has hasn't he. Which means we'll probably have to resort to violence. Yeah you ain't resorting to nothing. I'll back up both of you. Hey Timberlake! That's all for you lad. Come on let's go race. Mind if we come in Larry? Oh come on in race. Find out anything? Saw her news again Larry. That gang is reforming to come back. They've picked up more men and this time they're out to wreck your whole outfit. Yeah and they'll be showing up any minute. Well then why on earth don't you call the police you idiots? Mrs. McLoone. Yes she's still here race. And Mr. McLoone too. Doctor said he shouldn't be disturbed for a while. I'm all right now. I want to go home. Well you can't go home Phineas. Not for another hour. And you need your rest and you're going to get it. He ain't going to get much rest staying here. So I have you to contend with again young man? Look I'm just telling you lady. This ain't going to be no spot for no rescue. I repeat why not call the police. Take them too long to get here. And you can't expect them to station half the force in this one spot. Hey boss trouble again. And this time it won't do no good to use no elephants. They brought along bull hooks. How close are they Slim? They're coming across the marsh. She'll be here in about three minutes. All right. We'll get out. Leave it to him. I can't hold it anyway. So why take a chance on more people getting hurt? It can be stopped quite simply. If one person will go out there and say a few words. Well then for heaven's sakes let us see that it's done. Now who is this person? Mr. McLoone. My husband? What on earth are you talking about? It's your husband who's been hiring those men to wreck this circus. I found that out this afternoon. How about it Mr. McLoone? You're quite right. I am a guilty party. Finneas? Well not in heaven's name why. All for a love of you lady. And if that ain't some sweet mystery of life I'll put in witches. I was afraid they were going to hurt you my dear. These circus people. So I decided to eliminate the root of it. The circus itself. Finneas of all the insane idiot. Look. You people must understand that my husband is very eccentric. Well that may be true. But this was actually your fault. My fault? You've been so ashamed of once being a bareback rider that you turned it into a hatred for the circus. When old time circus friends came to see you you turned them away. Harshly. You were fighting with them. And of course he thought you were in danger. Mr. Racer. I don't know what ever led you to believe that I have ever been connected with a circus. You led me to believe it Mrs. McLoone. When you didn't bother to ask me for directions when I told you to come to the pie car. The average person doesn't know what a pie car is. And neither did I. Not until I got here and asked a pair of joys how I... So. Well that's a very interesting thing. So you asked a pair of joys did you? And tell me what are joys Mrs. McLoone? They're clowns aren't they? But only someone familiar with the circus would know that wouldn't they? Oh my dear my dear. Now look here you can't prove anything from all this silly bar. Have a look at this photograph Mrs. McLoone. It's from the files of this very circus. It was taken I would say 30 years ago and it's the likeness of one Annie Fullard equestrian. And since your name happens to be Anastasia Fullard McLoone the newspapers can make quite a splash out of that. Don't you say? Now are you going to ask your husband to get rid of that mob out there? I shall take care of it. I shall take care of it at once. Just in time too. Well if you people have said all that you have to say. Oh no no no not quite Mrs. McLoone. Anastasia Fullard McLoone. There's still a little matter of the amalgamated women's clubs of Florida commissioning Mr. Leclerc to take this circus to Miami. Well very well. I shall see to it that the necessary arrangements are made in the next few days. Hey that's wonderful. Mrs. McLoone. Well now what? What time those old circus friends visit you I wouldn't run them off with harsh words. You might find a lot of happiness in getting together with them. And I think you could do yourself another psychological good turn if you organized a social equestrian group to appear for those charity shows in Miami. With you with star. Me? All righting again? Might be a good idea. Don't you think? Oh well perhaps you are right. Yes perhaps you are right. And lady look if you really want to get the crowds in do me a favor do your act in tights huh? With that shape you're a cinch to fill every seat in the tent. Adventures of Frank Ray starring Paul Dubov with Tony Barrett as Mark Donovan comes to you from Hollywood. Others heard in tonight's cast were Burt Holland, Larry Dobkin, Wilms Herbert and Michael Ann Barrett. Our story was written and directed by Buckley Angel. The music is composed and played by Ivan Dittmar. Be sure to be with us again this time next week for another dramatic chapter in the adventures of Frank Ray. Art Gilmore speaking. This is a Brucells production.