 Now we present Herbert Marshall as the man called X, the Friday night feature on NBC's five-show festival of comedy, music, mystery, and drama brought to you by Chesterfield, always milder, better tasting, cooler smoking, plus no unpleasant aftertaste by the makers of Anison for fast relief from pain of headache, Neuratus, Neeraugia and by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television Herbert Marshall as the man called X Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the man called X Science discovered it. You can prove it. No unpleasant aftertaste when you smoke Chesterfield The biggest plus in cigarette history Science discovered this fact. Of all cigarettes tested, Chesterfield and only Chesterfield leaves no unpleasant aftertaste You can prove it. Smoke a pack of Chesterfields. They're always milder, better tasting, cooler smoking, and Chesterfield is the cigarette that leaves no unpleasant aftertaste That's the biggest plus in cigarette history Science discovered it. You can prove it. Buy Chesterfields today The startling news stunned official Washington if true It meant the destruction of two full years of top-secret diplomatic and military work that the entire fate of Western Europe was trembling on the brink of destruction But an hour after the discovery was made when a telephone rang in a suite at the Hotel Vendôme in Paris The man who answered it had no foreboding of the responsibility that was about to be his That's you, Thurston. That's right. Who's there? What's up, Slade? We'll be right there But that's incredible Slade incredible or not chief two of the boys in Washington on number one experts on operation zero have disappeared off the face of the earth And we've got to find them again before it's too late Before they wind up in Moscow. Who are they Slade? James Everest David McDonald McDonald. That's right. He's an old friend of yours, isn't he? Yes, chief. And there's one thing I'd bet my life on David McDonald's no traitor. Well, that's not what the facts say Thurston. What do they say? McDonald and Everest left Washington en route to London They were going to clean up the last unfinished details on operation zero the Atlantic defense-packed plans for defending Europe in the event of Of unprovoked aggression So so they never arrived they left the planet Shannon Island haven't been seen since well as that Slade 12 hours ago if they're not taking the plans to Russia, we've got nothing to worry about but if they are Well, we've got to find out. Yeah, but how they've got a 12-hour start They could enter Russian territory anywhere from the Baltic to the Adriatic Sea. I think we can narrow it down chief McDonald has a small chalet in France at Montini. He spends his summer vacations there I'm afraid your friend McDonald's not on a vacation trip this time person nor is Marshall Petrov Petrov the Politburo's military commander. He heard yesterday. He just arrived in Berlin remember Well, what's that got to do with this with McDonald and Everest taking the plans of operation zero to Moscow? Suppose I let you know Slade From Montini France Hello there. Well, hello. Why so surprised you knocked didn't you? Yeah, but I wasn't expecting to find you here miss. I'm Anna Werner miss Werner And if you weren't expecting me then who this shawly belongs to man named David McDonald. Oh, didn't you know? Oh sure, but it's a cinch McDonald wouldn't be in Montini now. Why not? Do I really have to tell you mr. X? Surprise number two frankly. Yes. Well, good It's always easier for me to work on a guy who's a little off-balance just what kind of work. Did you have in mind? Oh, I've got lots of answers for that one First we talk them over inside. Maybe I can come up with another surprise or two. I bet you can Okay, what about those answers? Well, I'm a freelance newspaper girl and I got a tip in Paris that McDonald might be wearing a red wolfskin under his sheep's clothing With operation zero in one of the pockets, so I came down here to check. What have you found you? McDonald's private hangar out at the airport empty that makes the tip sound 24 karat You don't like the story should I well sure we're going to work together And they tell me at the airport that max got a four-hour start on us. We better get going not we miss Werner Okay, I'll stick around for a while. I've got a hunch I wonder now let you know yes Well speaking Where the devil are you what do you want? Sorry, but I did promise you another surprise didn't I hey mr. X Wake up. Mr. X. Please wake up. Oh, why do you have to stay subconsciously that wake up? Let's go up big on that's right. Mr. X. That's right boy. What happened to you anyways? Girl, where's she a girl you mean a girl slugged you like that. What was she a female raskner? How'd you get here? Last thing I remember was talking to you on the phone Well, that was from the airport when I heard something funny over the telephone. I'll be the right out here Oh, I pay gone. What was that red hot news you were talking about the chief sent me after you with it It's about that big shot Russian military guy Marshall Petrov That's him. That's the chief said to tell you that Petrov left Berlin on an airplane trip a little while ago He didn't know where to but but it was someplace southwest in Germany southwest in Germany. That's right I told you I had really Does that mean something could mean the McDonald and Everest are heading for the Russian zone of Germany and Petrov's intending to meet him. So what as hundreds of miles of borders to the Russian zone It could be meeting them anywhere. That's right. We'll have a hundred three people know where he is No, where it is Everest McDonald and A girl named Anna Werner We miss you the lovely mademoiselle departed from this airport in a chance to play not ten minutes ago Did you file a flight plan about all this year? Well, did you tell you where she was going? Her destination was there But that's not in Germany, Mr. Thurston. It's on the British channel or something. Are you sure that's where she said she was going? Miss. I'm honest here. I remember most distinctly a very stubborn young lady mademoiselle I wonder that she could never succeed in reaching there. Why not? There was not enough fuel in the airplane, miss sure that is why not Oh, that's the most you could fly but 300 kilometers, but she would not listen a most stubborn young lady She would never arrive at la house. I see but if you'll get me a flight map of Western Europe and a pair of dividers I think I can show you where she will arrive There it is Sonneberg Germany The only town in the Russian zone within a radius of 300 kilometers And that's where you think she's going Mr. Thurston, eh following those McDonald and Everest characters It's the nearest Russian territory. It's directly southwest of Berlin Hey, that's the direction Marshal Petrov was flying Trady figures a mr. X was finding out huh, but we can't go flying behind iron curtains, mr. X Did they shoot us down like clay ducks if you don't believe me ask Grisha? Who's Grisha a cousin of mine? He lives in Neustadt in the American zone right across the border from Zonenberg good. Let's pay my visit sure What for? Well, he's a zelschmitt, isn't he? So what's got it to do with it? Pagan don't you know you can always depend on a zelschmitt But I'm operating a strictly legitimate business at Thurston I don't know how to smuggle people across the border into Zonenberg. You sure Grisha? He's very but a father of my father of my father He's a liar all right that proves it. Pagan you wound me deeply my beloved cousin what I say is true Smuggling watches American cigarettes coffee into Zonenberg. I do these things. Yes, but people never strictly legitimate business. Yes I'm afraid there is nothing I can do for you my friend. It's too bad. I thought that this Might hey, that's money or showing that let me see 20 40 50, you know something at Thurston. I've just gone into another business strictly illegitimate Well, there is the farmhouse her Thurston the two men who arrived in Neustadt just before you did are in there now Thanks Grisha wait here Come Pagan You think those two men are McDonald's in the rest it figures Those pillboxes a couple of hundred yards down the road of the entrance to the Russian zone They'll probably wait until it's dark They make a break for it. So why don't we call in the police or the AP's or something? I yet Hey, hey that car coming from the farmhouse. It's heading right off the road Pagan fast off the road Hey, what's the matter with those jokers? They tried to run us down every instant McDonald's heading for the Russian zone Come on, let me have the wheel grisha I'm gonna try and stop that car before he reaches the border Oh, but the Russian guards her thirsty. They'll never allow you to do that to force that car off the road before they can stop You know something mr. Rex they stopped us Yeah, looks like McDonald's and Everest made the Russian zone With operation zero we'll continue with the man called X in just a moment Every day you hear more and more about an incredibly fast way to relieve the pains of headache neuritis and neurology It's anison a na c.i.n Now the reason anison is so wonderfully fast acting and effective is this Anison is like a doctor's prescription that is anison contains not just one But a combination of medically proven active ingredients in easy to take tablet form Thousands of people have received envelopes containing anison tablets from their own dentist or physician and in this way discovered the incredibly fast relief Anison brings from pains of headache neuritis or neuralgia So the next time a headache strikes take anison a na c.i.n anison in handy boxes of 12 and 30 economical family-sized bottles of 50 and 100 ask for anison at any drug counter Now act two of the man called X starling Herbert Marshall with Leon Balaska was Pagan's elchman Two of the top men in Washington have mysteriously disappeared Ken Thurston the man called X has trailed them to Neustadt, Germany in an effort to determine if they're carrying the Atlantic pack defense plans into the hands of the Russians But his attempt to stop them from crossing the border has been halted by the chattering burp guns of the Russian border guards Looks like it chief I'm not too sure about that Marshall Petrov flew down to meet him. All right Pagan's cousin Grisha verified that for us I've a hunch Petrov will fly them to his headquarters in Berlin and stiff direct to Moscow You'll want the honor of taking those plans of the Kremlin himself Yeah Yeah, it's too bad someone can't get into the Russian zone before he gets the plans from McDonald's and Everest Oh, of course not and With all the dope the bureau must have on Petrov's headquarters, too Not a bit and we probably know where to get some inside help at the sales a half, too Yep well Looks like I better get back to Paris You don't mind if I take my time to achieve look around the country of it first Thank you if I will be seeing you hello miss Werner Well Fancy meeting you here, mr. Thurston. How do you find both of all things? How did you like the eavesdropping? Oh, it was excellent these phone booth walls are paper thin. Yeah, and how lucky for you. Is it? Yes You see I am your only hope of getting to Berlin in time or didn't you know your plane had been sabotaged No, I didn't but there'll be others. Oh, I'm afraid not I made it my business to be sure that no others were available You're a busy little bee, aren't you? Well, that's how bees make honey and I expect to make a good deal of honey syndicating this yarn when it's all over So you're still trying to play newspaper woman, of course Wasn't that tap on the head you gave me a little out of character not at all You were obviously determined not to let me go along with you and I was just as determined to get the story even if I had to What's the cliche go to any lengths to get it and you expect me to believe that too? I'm afraid you'll have to mr. X if you expect to get to Berlin on time. Well Okay, Anna, let's go Look, mr. X so that cookie Anna flew us into Berlin did that don't mean we have to go into the Russian zone with her We're not big. Oh, well, that's a relief. We're going alone. Oh, sure. That's the ticket. We're going alone Yeah, we've got some business with the assistant manager of the fields of Huffle tail Name of Vladimir Grigorsky. I am certain that you will find these accommodations all that you desire Comrade however the tenants on this floor particularly Marshall Petrov a very sensitive to any form of disturbance That's why I bring you up in the service elevator. You understand Comrade I understand comrade Grigorsky dad. I was certain that you would So the well floor this way please The far end of this corridor is Marshall Petrov's private suite This room is one he reserves for special guests. I have done all that I can do mr. Thurston I believe that the American McDonald will come to this room But here when can be certain of nothing from now on your actions must be your own responsibility Thanks big Oskie I'll take over from here one more thing. What about your men's judgment? I can keep him hidden for perhaps an hour, but then the manager comes on duty in an hour. It'll have to be enough If I'm not out of here by then get pay gone back into the allied zone You'll phone what's happened to the chief very well, mr. Thurston as you wish I Should like to say something, but what is there to say except perhaps good luck? Can what the devil are you doing here? You don't need an answer to that there are four about the plans for operation zero Mac. You'll never get out of here alive What about those plans should have known you'd follow me? I Can I haven't got him I didn't bring him with me. I couldn't Swallowing a lying propaganda getting sucked into their filthy rotten scheme What happened? It's the old story Jim ever sold me. I Was to get copies of operation zero and we'd take him to the Russians Oh, yes, I was helping to be the savior of the entire world What changed your mind Everest and a couple of his comrades The night we were to leave Washington they couldn't help boasting and Well, I guess I woke up Come late then wasn't it sure sure I tried to break away They'd kill me and Everest would still be in Washington building up another sucker This way at least he's been tagged for what he is and operation zero is safe. Yeah, what about you Mac? Well, what do you think I've stalled Petrov so far, but I'm supposed to be getting the plans now And when he learns that I haven't got him well, it means curtains for Everest and Can you you've got to get out of here before he finds you Well, we both take a crack at it for service elevators only a few feet down the corridor. Come on. Can I come on? Going somewhere comrade Petrov if so, I would not advise you better follow that advice boys Comrade Petrov's an awfully quick man on the trigger. Well Anna another surprise Ken No, you obviously party a rear guard action for Everest The only paper you could report for would be proud of and quite a story it will make too Not only have we uncovered the traitor McDonald We have captured the rarest of prizes as well the man called X you haven't anyone yet You stupid fool did you actually believe that you could have that gun Let go Thank you, Anna my dear Told you you're a fool Ken. Look what I've got you coming after me No, things aren't too tough. Nick. Are you kidding? You were the bullet in my side and you with your shoulder in a sling under armed guard here at the lemon stress The hospital are tough to things have to get Kugoski knows what went on at the hotel that you didn't have operation zero with you Go send Pagon of the allied zone with the news. Okay, okay, so you did your job But the end KVD is gonna pick us up today and take us to Moscow and you know what that means They're not there yet We've been in the hospital 24 hours chiefs have plenty of time to get to work on it. Oh sure sure I suppose he's gonna walk right in here and take us out. I suppose You hear that? It's the secret police what can the chief do now easy Mac easy prisoners We are from the NKVD. You are now in our custody. We have orders to transport you to Moscow Kugoski and look who else boy. I bet you'd like to see us a mr. X on your feet prisoners You have no time to waste on your feet. Are you both able to walk mr. Thurston? I'm okay. What about you make? Walk of a live cold skin of it meant getting out of here That's a cinch. We got four secret police papers private ambulance without waiting for downstairs cinch I hope we should have to hurry mr. Thurston. We may be discovered at any moment who don't say things like that. All right, let's go There is the ambulance down mr. Thurston. Okay, wait can look they are coming toward the ambulance entrance. It's better off What do we do? Let me make a break for it. Come on Okay, here we go How does it look back there? They are still about a block behind but getting fast too. They'll catch us They'll catch us. They'll have to hurry pay gone. There's your medicine zone get ahead But look wouldn't barricades. I'm gone. We can't get through. I wouldn't bet on that Kugoski. Hang on to your heads We're gonna crash Looks like it big on not not all of us mr. Thurston Mac donal. Yes He are the poor guy Well, at least he died with a clean conscience, which is more than you can say for some others back home Traders saboteurs trading in American lives Wonder how they're going to feel when their time comes How happy they'll be when they have to face that conscience and find it black and red Our star mr. Herbert Marshall will return in just a moment Here's a word from RCA Victor If you want an RCA Victor television set or if you're planning to buy one The RCA Victor factory service contract is yours for the asking You can be assured of top performance year after year from your RCA Victor receiver and with RCA Victor's factory service contract You get expert prompt service replacement of any part or tube Including the picture tube for one full year and the best standard RCA antenna for your location It's the only national service of its kind in television a wonderful Practical buy the RCA Victor factory service contract Attention electronic engineers right now RCA has career openings for experienced engineers if you're a qualified radio electronics engineer RCA offers you lifelong opportunities Just send a complete resume of your education and experience to radio corporation of America box one RCA building Radio City, New York your resume will be kept confidential Now here again is our star mr. Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us and my thanks to will write Mary Jane Croft Stacey Harris Ted Von Elf's Harry Lang Gerald Moore and Stephen Gray Next week our chairs The Casbah are no less and the plot that I'd like to dare you to figure out right up to the end of the story And I warn you you won't get any help from Leon Balesco with Pagon Zelschmidt. So join us. Won't you and next I return? That's the man called X. Good night The man called X starring Herbert Marshall is the Friday night feature on NBC's five-show festival of comedy music Mystery and drama brought to you by Chesterfield always milder better tasting cooler smoking plus no unpleasant aftertaste by the makers of Anison for fast relief from pain of headache neuritis neuralgia and by RCA Victor world leader in radio first in recorded music first in television The man called X is a J. Richard Kennedy production with music by Milton Charles The night story was written by Sydney Marshall all characters and incidents on this program of fictitious Many resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental Shorty here the magnificent Montague with Monty Woolley formerly heard on Friday now brought to you as a Saturday night feature of NBC's All-Star festival And until next week same time and same station. This is Jack Latham saying good night for the man called X William Bendick stars in the life of Riley enjoy it on NBC