 Starring Basil Rathbone in an original radio play A Continental Uniform on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by Dupont. Our play tonight is a story of a great American patriot and hero who through personal grievances and frustrations came to gather the seeds of his own corruption along the way and finally because there could be no turning back on the devious road he had traveled alone reaped the bitter harvest of his treason. It is the story of Benedict Arnold. Our play is written by Robert Tallman. Basil Rathbone appears in it by courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in whose production The Man from Martinique he will soon be seen. On the Cavalcade of America Dupont presents A Continental Uniform starring Basil Rathbone. A traitor is best remembered not for how he lived but for how he finally died. That's why we commence our story not at the beginning but somewhere near the end. This is England the last year of the 18th century Westminster Abbey. It looks much the same as it did a few years ago but there's a monument that's somewhat new for it says sacred to the memory of John Andre who fell a sacrifice to his zeal for king and country October 2nd 1780 before it stand a man and woman aged beyond their years. Benedict Arnold and his wife Peggy. A man has to be dead to have a shrine in Westminster Abbey yet Andre is more alive than I am. You mustn't torture yourself this way Benedict. What's done is done. You mustn't come here anymore. I mustn't come here anymore. That's where my scarf must take the physics the doctor left. What have I become a doddering old fool to be told what I mustn't do by a wife who's much too young and handsome to be anything but a nurse made to my old age. Please don't raise your voice. Remember where we are. Sorry. I mustn't rouse the dead must die. I can feel Andre's spirit rising now to take you in his arms to take you away from me. I knew what I was doing when I married you instead of John Andre. Benedict. Did you? Then we're both mad. Why do you say that? Because Andre died a martyr. You might have died the same. You took the same chances. No, no. Andre took his chances for a loyalty he can thank God he died with. I took mine for revenge and thirty pieces of silver. There's a high and dangerous business for a general in the mighty cause. God help me Peggy. I'm sick. I'm sick. Come. It's damp and chilly here. You know how the damp brings back the pain in your leg. Then I'll stay. That pain is my only reminder that I once had honorable wounds. Portrait of a traitor. How did he come here to stand with festering conscience among the illustrious dead of a foreign land? Come. Let us go to another place in time. Leave off our wondering and see him for a moment as he was. Patriot hero not yet for sale to the highest bidder. A military hospital at Albany the second year of the war for independence. A surgeon bends over Benedict Arnold. No no no I will not allow you to resplit my leg. The leg refuses to mend. I'll have it cut off. I'm losing something more precious than a leg lying here inactive. Come now you exaggerate general. Exaggerate. Have you seen this newspaper? Six officers sighted by the Congress for promotion. Rewarded with important posts. And every man of them inferior to me. I am passed over completely neglected. Why not send the letter to the Congress? Letters. I've sent them letters. They care nothing for victories. They want to know how much money it's costing. You can't be a general and keep books at the same time. Don't they realize that? Perhaps in time they will. Time. Time is our greatest enemy and the Congress can use more of it than anybody. Scoundrels. Little they care for independence when it comes to paying for it. And yet they're all the Congress we've got general Arnold. I thank God we've any Congress at all. Oh yes yes I suppose you're right. And yet. Yes Jen. If I had the choice to make I'd hang every mother son of them. But you think that treason. Are we to be ruled by a set of petty and myopic bookkeepers better treason than that. Better treason. Well I've had my share of humiliation at their hands. Yes I've had my share. But I'm fighting still and God willing I'll fight to the end in the service of my country. General Washington. General Benedict Arnold. At your service General Washington. It's a pleasure to see you on your feet again General Arnold. Thank you sir. It's a pleasure to be on them especially when they bring me to your quarters. That reminds me General Arnold I have your application for a new commission but I just now discovered a complication. Apparently you wanted to resign your commission before you will. That's right sir I did. But why. Well if you don't mind sir I'd rather not discuss it. Believe me. It was a matter of honor. I had personal differences with General Gates. Were you perhaps a little hasty in your judgment of Gates. General Washington. Don't you know it's a matter of gossip and your official family that General Gates is in a conspiracy to have yourself removed from command and have himself placed in your boots. I make it my policy never to take notice of any rumors General Arnold of any kind. By that sir you mean rumors concerning me. You'll find me most outspoken in what I mean General Arnold. I believe there is some justice in your contention that your services have not been properly rewarded. Therefore I'm offering you a commission to command the continental troops in Philadelphia. That is if that leg of yours will permit General Washington you have no need to worry about my leg in a few months I'll be throwing away this cane and in six months why in six months I'll be dancing in Philadelphia. You're listening to Basil Rathbone in an original radio play A Continental Uniform on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by DuPont makers of better things for better living through chemistry. This is the portrait of a traitor. The likeness is not all too depreciably in six months time. A man of medium height a little too fond of eating perhaps but the bearing is military. He's a great favorite with the ladies or so it seems. Come let us look at him now on the crest of the wave. General Benedict Arnold commander of Philadelphia the fourth year of the war for independence. He's dancing with a lovely lady. Hegy ship him. She smiles upon him. General Arnold you mustn't hold my hand so tightly. People will notice. I want them to notice. If you don't watch out I'll kiss you right here and now and then we shall have to be engaged. Let's go out on the balcony shall we. I'm at your service miss shippen. Better here isn't it. Miss shippen. Yes. Peggy. What is it Benedict. I hesitate to speak for one so far above me as yourself being a widower of uncertain military fortunes and you were well young girl waiting may have for a fresher younger love I gave you credit for understanding me better than you do sir you believe that I'm pining for the absent major under your mistaken he came here a man and officer in a brave determined army and the rebels retook our city Peggy the Continentals then if you like had better but you are rebels against the king aren't you that's not the question but it is very much the question Peggy you leave me with scarcely anything to say then don't say anything just take me in your arms Peggy how am I darling my precious if you only knew how I've longed for you ever since the moment I met you father will be furious you know he doesn't think much of soldiers pay but I'll be a man of property after the war is over if our side wins that is and it will win God willing you believe their promises I believe in general Washington general Washington yes but what is the Congress bother the Congress will you marry me Peggy perhaps you don't understand me very well as yet my dear but you will I feel certain you will well general Arnold my congratulations Philadelphia held a greater conquest for you than I suspected it would my congratulations thank you general Washington you'll excuse me if I come straight to the point it's about these newspapers that are printing these dreadful stories slander about my wife and myself I told you once general Arnold that I never put stock in rumors but the public does general Washington what am I to do I'm charged with lining my own pockets under the guise of suppressing profiteers with favoring Tories with every conceivable evil a man could could be charged with these charges aren't true are they general general Washington on my honor as a man and a soldier that is not one word of truth in them then demand a court marshal court marshal the offensive my boy your own tactics have you forgotten Faratoga so soon ah there's a point challenge them to produce proof of the charges general Washington God bless you you've saved my bacon again and you'd have done as much for me I know of all my official family Arnold I have admired you most save one and that is general Lafayette whom I have regarded as my own son oh captain Pell this is Arnold the trial is over general Arnold is coming directly madam yes I see him he's coming now please go captain thank you good day mrs. Arnold driver driver yes driver's home yes give up the dogs in any blunderers convict me of hauling groceries and public wagons a dr. man from general Washington stinking skunks trying to cover up that cute it's tense that way black hearted vultures stupid long-nosed curves nuzzling for rattles civil authority a rotten political scoundrelism must feel that way about it they'll be sorry every one of them they'll regret this to their dying day what happens to a man when his mind is made up when he decides to betray his inmost loyalty does his face change no it must not it's the mask against the guilty secret if he's Benedict Arnold he develops patience cunning he no longer demands he asks cool reasonably for what he wants his face is a miracle of solidity when his friend expresses surprise Arnold I don't understand this request West Point there's nothing to do there I've always thought of you as a man of action West Point is a vital post general Washington if we lose it we'd be cut in two yes it's important but we couldn't possibly lose it haven't I been crucified enough at any rate sir give me command the post at West Point at least until my wound is healed very well Arnold I don't understand it but if West Point what you want you can have it West Point there's an odd choice of temple for the kiss of treason a blink barracks on the Hudson who would have dreamed it might be important someday who but a great general who but Benedict Arnold he's making it important he's putting West Point on the map the lamp burns late in general Arnold study no yes piggy I'll be along in a moment can't you sleep it's a quiet so deadly quiet in this place well we shan't be here much longer you're writing the letter to them yes the last one this is my fault I shouldn't have let you begin Peggy you have nothing to do with what I have done or will do in this business remember that never forget it I could see everything clearly before you wrote that last letter why did you have to tell them where general Washington was crossing the river he was your friend he might have been killed or captured he was my only friend that's why I had to do it don't you understand a friend can hurt more than an enemy and when you make an enemy your friend we will see I told you this was the last letter Peggy I'm offering West Point to the British but 20,000 pounds at your service sir oh you know what we're to do I have my order sir have I say Henry's word that he agrees to my terms we will pay your price 20,000 pounds for the surrender of West Point half that if we fail good the night I'll take you to a friend's house Major Andre we can talk better there I had no orders to go inside American line you have nothing to fear you must take my word for it your word I mean I'll give you a pass in the name of John Anderson here is my part of the bargain the plans of West Point here come on take them my orders were not to accept any people general Arnold I'm afraid you have no choice Major Andre very well sir I will take people don't forget your name is John Anderson yes I don't know when I've locked so heartily at breakfast Colonel Hamilton I'm tempted to match your excellent stories with one of my own I don't hear it General Arnold well I knew a Connecticut farmer once who was walking along the road excuse me gentlemen what is it Major this report just came the suspicious characters been captured on the ribbon name is John Anderson Anderson whether there are any any papers on yes of a most incriminating nature sir they've been sent to General Washington Washington don't think the matter general no no no no no it's a it's a routine routine matter and Major keep me keep me posted well where was I you were telling the story of the farmer general yes yes yes I was well this this farmer walking down the road he met one of his field hands you see and he said look at that beautiful sky there's nothing more beautiful than the setting the Sun and the field hand said that ain't no setting Sun that's your home burning down excuse me excuse me a moment gentlemen I'm a speak to my wife major yes sir please all of my horse unstable I've never done once I'll take care of it General Arnold Peggy I'm gonna speak to you of course do what is it Andre has been captured no oh no I don't believe it Peggy pull yourself together I can't I won't believe it I failed Peggy you must face it we must do something you must do something you're too clever to be caught you he was talking way back into favor as you have so many times yes yes maybe I could at that I could say I contacted the enemy for purposes of finding out the spine yes who is it oh well come in come in then to report sir General Washington has been reported two miles open Connecticut on his way here shall we send a detail to escort him yes of course take care of it will you major yes luck is on your side again General Washington is your friend no I can't face him I'd stay and face anyone else but not him you leave me to face him I must for both our six for the child too but what will I do well I say why you know nothing have aesthetics do anything faint but I can't stay here and face Washington goodbye my darling I don't know I don't know only come come when I tell you I'll meet you desperately don't be sad darling think this boat is carrying us to a new life in England new life does anybody ever have a new life darling don't think of the past you serve the king in London you'll be a hero a hero look Peggy America is growing smaller and smaller look at it Peggy look at it as long as you can we may never see it again a royal highness I have come to offer my services to my country your country which country do you mean now mr. Arnold I I've heard of the of the coalition England and France will soon be at war I am ready to accept any sort of command you have forced this interview I will be frank what you ask is impossible impossible your highness a mr. Arnold no British officer would serve with you excuse me sir have I mission to sit at your table please be seated sir be seated and he let it to talk to somebody thank you thank you so much oh it's English nation what food and weather one sauce one weather both miserable and on top of it I must go to America America at one time I lived in America oh what fortune sir I am the count Murray shadow telegrams oh yes yes count tell it on perhaps you will be so kind as to give me an introduction to some of your friends and country Mary count tell it on I'm the only American in the world who cannot give you letters to any man in his own country I am Benedict Arnold portrait of a traitor old and hunched now dying now in a lonely room in a foreign city he looks up into the face of the woman who leans over him his wife the most beautiful woman in America has been his wife her lips are but only a few words reach his darling try to rest Peggy yes dear all I've left Peggy this is the end it's over and I'm glad it is now no no don't say it what have I ever offered you all these years shame disgrace now there's nothing left Peggy yes darling bring me my continental uniform you bring me the epaulets and sword not general Washington gave me yes darling I will I want to die in my old uniform Peggy may God forgive me for putting on any other thank you Basil Rathbone and now another story of chemistry this time Gain Whitman tells how cellophane has enlisted for the duration to help assure our nation of victory cellophane is helping in the war efforts on two fronts not only with the armed forces but behind the lines doing a conservation job light and thin but strong cellophane offers greater protection for a pound of material used than other packaging material the saving in weight and bulk is vital in wartime because they are light and compact cellophane packages save transportation cool oil rubber gasoline trucks all must be conserved every pound hauled by rail or truck demands it's told in fuel and where every inch of shipping space is precious here are some examples of cellophane helping to conserve figures tell the story for instance packaging a thousand pounds of cocks cereal in cellophane takes only a tenth as much material or when you're packaging rice cellophane cuts the amount of material you need right in half another example milk bottles when you use cellophane hoods to protect bottled milk and cream you cut the amount of protective material you need by nearly 70% quick pros and foos are a conservation measure in themselves and cellophane gives them a plus factor to can a million pounds of peas for example takes more than 200,000 pounds of metal and thousands of pounds of shipping cases to package the same amount of quick frozen peas takes no metal at all just cartons waxed paper and cellophane and you can ship a million pounds of quick frozen peas in cellophane in 31 freight cars as against 64 for canned peas then to cellophane is being used to add moisture proofness and grease proofness to paperboard containers to permit their broader use and save precious metal on some products the metal body of a container is being replaced with paperboard laminated with cellophane saving 70% to 80% of the metal cellophane is used for a good many purposes by our armed forces in packaging bandages compresses surgical dressings and drugs for the army and Navy for instance not only because of its sanitary and moisture proof qualities but because it's an effective wrapping to keep out poison gas hospitals use it for surgical math surgeons rely on the film as a cover for wet dressing and the army uses cellophane in packaging some of the balanced emergency rations that have taken the place of the hard tack and corned willy of the first world war in airplane plants cellophane speeds the job of assembling planes although we can't tell you how until the war is over maps and charts are surfaced with cellophane to keep them free of grease and dirt and shield them against the weather and delicate instruments and precision tools used in the war industries are shipped in cellophane to cut down the chances of corrosion these are a few of the points in America's war effort at which DuPont cellophane is handling important jobs doing its part to safeguard our democracy for which in time of peace DuPont works to produce better things for better living through chemistry next Monday on the cavalcade of America DuPont will present another play with a stirring and vital message for men and women of our time its title in this crisis the star Claude Reigns don't forget next Monday night at the same time Claude Reigns in in this crisis the musical score for tonight's program was composed and conducted by Robert this is John Easton sending best wishes from DuPont