 Now we present Herbert Marshall as the man called X. The Saturday Night feature on NBC's five-show festival of comedy, music, mystery and drama brought to you by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television. And by the makers of Anderson for fast relief from pain of headache, neuritis, neuralgia. 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. Here's a word from RCA Victor. Big as life and just as natural. That's the picture you get on RCA Victor's new 19-inch television sets. What a picture that 19-incher is. It's clear, it's sharp, it's steady. Because it's locked in place by the exclusive RCA Victor picture synchronizer. It's powerful because behind it are RCA Victor's newest extra rugged television circuits. And it's dependable with all those matchless qualities of engineering and performance which have made RCA Victor million-proof television the proven pride of over a million American homes. Your RCA Victor dealer will be pleased and proud to introduce you to four models of RCA Victor 19-inch television. The York, a compact inexpensive table topper. The Hillsdale and the Northampton, two glorious consoles with cabinets so beautiful you'd think the price applied to the cabinets alone. And the Sedgwick, the 19-inch television radio phonograph combination. When you start on the television way of life, start at the top with RCA Victor million-proof television. 19-inch size. It was in 1945 in the concentration camp at Malthaus in Germany that the man called X first learned of the existence of the Himmler plates. But it was not until five years later that he heard of them again when a phone call came into the bureau from Uruguay Intelligence in Montevideo. What about the scroll work, Inspector Visas? And the serial numbers? Thanks for informing us, Inspector. I'll join you in Montevideo in 24 hours. Adios, Inspector. Chief, they've turned up again. The Himmler plates. The Himmler plates? Good Lord, Ken. I see you remember them. How could I forget them? Why, those Nazi-engraving plates turned out the most perfect counterfeit American $50 bills ever made. That's right. It was gang-used millions of dollars worth to buy war materials from neutral nations. But, Ken, we found records stating that the plate had been destroyed. What if the records were faked? And the Himmler plates were smuggled out of Germany. Now, if they were, this would be a job of treasury, not the bureau. The inspector says the bills are being passed in Montevideo by a bureau agent. Well, that's impossible. We don't have any men to sign down there. That's right, Chief. Miss Brooks, book passage for Ken Thurston on the first plane from Montevideo, Uruguay. Thanks, Chief. I'll be seeing you. By the way, uh, want me to give your regards to Pagon? Pagon? What's that chiseling crook got to do with this? Oh, didn't I tell you? Our non-existent agent down there is Pagon Zelschmidt. But I swear by the father of my father, Mr. Thurston, I don't know nothing about those phony masumas. I'm innocent as a land. Oh, sure. Sure, sure. There, there, there, I was in El Rio del Rojo, minding my own business. When this inspector, Brissas, puts the pinch on me. El Rio del Rojo? It is Elizandre's gambling casino, Sr. Thurston. It was there that these gambler builds began to make their appearance. And one Sr. Zelschmidt attempted to buy chips, while some of them were arrested him. Believe me, Mr. Thurston, this is all subversive anti-American propaganda. They're soaring me because I got an unfilable system. I want it on a roulette. Pagon, you never gamble on anything in your life. Who gambles? I sell this system to my suckers. The clients are there. Did you have to call yourself a bureau agent? Oh, that. Well, just a case of mistaken identity. Well, is Sr. Thurston? Inspector, I'm going to test Pagon's infallible system at El Rio del Rojo. Some gambling joint, eh, Mr. X? Believe me, Las Vegas is only a hole in the carpet next to this place. Hey, uh, and, uh, and look at that scenery. Quiet, you idiot. Well, but I know her, Mr. Thurston. Yes, I do. Her name is Anna. Look, she's coming over now. Sometimes I don't know how I do it. Really, I don't. So there you are, Las Senor Pagon. I have been desolate waiting for you. Well, that's the way it goes sometimes, my little kuratsu. Uh, us busy business-type executives, you know. Uh, perhaps I will forgive you then if you will introduce to me your Americano friend. Friend? What friend? My name's Ken Thurston, Senorita. Oh, if you are going to play the wheel tonight, Senor Thurston, why do you not join me? I have a strange feeling it would be most fortunate for both of us if you did so. I'd be delighted. Me too, you would. But I have a little business to discuss with the cashier first. May I join you later? But certainly. At the second wheel to the right. Second wheel to the right. Bueno. Until later then, Senor Thurston. Oh, you bet, you bet. We'll see you later, Mr. Thurston. I like one same. Um, could you change these hundred dollar bills, may I please? Well, of course, Senor. In pesos. Oh, American dollars, 50s. I regret, but we do not have any unhand at the moment. Perhaps 20s or 10s? 50s will do, and the next time close your cash drawer first. Then maybe I won't see him. It is impossible for me to give you those 50 dollar bills, Senor. Any other denominations I should be happy to... All right, Juan, give the gentleman what he wants. But, Senorita, please. Let him have the 50s. There you are, Senor. Thanks, Miss Wilson. Some Americans seem to have more pull around here than I have. I own this place. Well, well, that's a partial explanation. You can have the rest of it in my office. If you'll wait till you get in there before you examine those bills. This friend of yours, Pagan, is Senor Thurston. He seems to be a most charming man. Oh, sure, sure. Now, like I was saying, my little Tory Turkey... What business did you say he was in, Pagan? Huh? Business? Whose business? Senor Thurston. Oh, him? Who cares? I just let him follow me around for laughs, you understand? Now, like I was saying, and there's a cozy little nook down the coast. Oh, perhaps later, Machacho, but now I feel very lucky for roulette. So be a darling, Pagan. Buy me some chips with these, huh? Hey, this is an American 50. See? Stand right where you are. I'll be back in a couple of gypsies. Bueno. One more, please, my friend. Huh? I should like a word with you about the money you have in your hand. I got no time to talk about money. I... Hey, hey, hey, that's a gun. You are quite correct, Zell Schmidt. It is a gun. So let us take a little walk, my friend. All right, Thurston. Let's get down to cases. You're snooping in the wrong place for those phony 50s. So get out of my casino and stay out. What are you afraid of, Miss Wilson? Look, I'm doing a big business here. Rumors get around about me paying off in phony bills. I lose my customers. Hmm. That why your cashier hung onto these 50s? That's right. I'm taking no chances on phonies being passed out. To your customers or to me? You've got the bills. Check them. Mm-hmm. I will. Well? You're okay. Oh, please excuse me, Miss Wilson. I did not know that you were... What? Not me. You are. You are again Thurston. That's right. Of course, I could not be mistaken. Do you not remember me, Mr. Thurston? Wait a minute. Warsaw, 1939, you're Stefan Grabowski. That is right, Stefan Grabowski. Oh, how good it is to see you again. How good it is. Oh, friends? Mr. Thurston saved my life in Warsaw. Oh, now we meet again. Oh, we have so much to talk about. Some other time, Stefan. We've got business to talk over. Oh. Oh, yeah, I see so. But would you visit me at my home, Mr. Thurston? Be my guest there. Here. Here's my card. You will be there. Sure, Stefan. Maybe I'll even drop in later tonight. Ah, that would be wonderful. Wonderful. Imagine meeting you here after all these years. And we should both have business with Miss Wilson. Hmm, quite a coincidence. Maybe not. What else could it be? Eleven years ago, Stefan Grabowski was working for the Polish Treasury as an expert engraver. Oh, didn't you know, Miss Wilson? Sir, you are Mr. Thurston. That's right. And Mr. Zelschnit left a message for you. Oh? It is very important that you join him at once. It has something to do with the money. If you will follow me, please, I will take you with me. Here we are, Mr. Thurston. He's waiting for you in this car. Oh, now, wait a minute. You will put up your hands in your unsecured. Wow. And listen to me. I will speak only once. You will make no further effort to contact the one who has the Himmler plates. Furthermore, you will get out of Uruguay within 24 hours. You almost sound as though you mean that. Believe me, I do. Mr. X. You are feeling better now, Mr. Thurston. Oh, oh. Inspector Brisa. See, see, see, I was entering the parking lot when my lights picked you up. Yes, well, I need right now. I'll pick you up. Pager. Sure, there was no good to knock me subconscious, too. Looks like someone's starting to get a little nervous. You said it, me. Inspector, I'd like to see if you've got intelligence reports on some people. Bueno, Bueno, who are they? Stefan Roboski. A beautiful blonde named Anna with the weakness of the left wheels. Anna. A tall, dark, scowling sort of man with a saber scar on one cheek. Saber. And Joan Wilson, owner of El Rio d'Oro. Saber. I, uh, no investigation will be necessary in the case of St. Rita Wilson. I can vouch for her personally. Huh? She happens to be my fiance. So you have my story, Mr. Thurston Warsaw. Concentration camp. Hurry, why? You still in the engraving business, Stefan? I have a tiny little printing shop where I do some novelty engraving. It provides a very poor living, but we are content with it. We? My wife, Mr. Thurston, I met her here. A wonderful person. Even though we are quite poor, there is never one worth. She must be arriving home now. Stefan, have you returned yet? Yeah, yeah. I am with a very special guest. This is Mr. Ken Thurston. Mr. Thurston, my wife, Anna. How do you do? I am most pleased, Senor Thurston. Oh, but I must apologize for my husband. Apologize, darling? You say that, Senor. Thurston is a very special guest, yet you have made no attempt to serve him anything special, not even a drink. Ah, you are so right. That is an oversight. I shall ramble the air to one side. I will get some air for a sip. On such an occasion, nothing is too good for our guests. So you are Stefan's wife. Have you told him anything? Anything about seeing me at the casino? How could I? Who would ever think the wife of a poor engraver could play the wheel at El Rio Dorro? Then do not. Please do not. I beg of you. I could not stand this poverty, having to count every centavo over and over again before spending it. I had a few pesos, gambled them, and won. But it would break Stefan's heart if he learned I was not content with the living he makes for us. Oh, are you afraid he might find out that the money came from somewhere else? Ever hear of the Himmler plates, Anna? The Himmler plates? Yeah, they've turned out the most perfect counterfeit bills ever made. Counterfeit? I do not know of any counterfeit... Senor! Come on! My Stefan dead could have killed him more... Suppose you tell me. Me? But I do not know anything. This $50 bill says otherwise. $50 bill? Yeah. It was lying over there on the floor near the window. Counterfeit. Printed on the Himmler plates. It's time for the truth, Anna. It's a talk. Now. We will 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 neuralgia. It's Anacin. A-N-A-C-I-N. Now the reason Anacin is so wonderfully fast acting and effective is this. Anacin is like a doctor's prescription. That is, Anacin 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 Anacin tablets from their own dentist or physician. And in this way discovered the incredibly fast relief Anacin brings from pains of headache, neuritis or neuralgia. So the next time a headache strikes, take Anacin. A-N-A-C-I-N. Anacin in handy boxes of 12 and 30. Economical family size bottles of 50 and 100. Ask for Anacin at any drug counter. Now act two of the man called X starring Herbert Marshall with Leon Balasco as Pagans Elschmidt. Time for the truth Anna, so talk. Now... All right, all right. I will tell you everything, I know everything. Let's start with these 50 dollar bills. What do you know about them? I found them, senor. Hidden away in Stefan's printing shop. Huh? See, that is where I get the money to play the wheels, senor. And that is all I know of them all. Except that they were counterfeit. No, no, I swear to you I did not know that. And only what I have told you. Leave me alone, please, leave me alone. Oh, Stefan, Stefan will have a done to you, my darling. Whatever he does. Here is Gruboski's printing shops in your Tristan. Easy now. Whoever shot Gruboski might be insane. You are. Look here, inspector. An electrolysis vat. Electrolysis vat? Yeah. It's a way of putting a thin coating of metal over other metal. And here, some pieces of pure copper. Can't help it, this stuff's copper sulphate. Does this mean something to you? I don't know. But I got an idea. Senor. Yeah. Someone's in that back room. Come on. Stefan, you see. Yeah. He's printing money. Bills of some kind and that hand press. Yeah. Mind if we take a look at those bills? Stand where you are, senor. Or I fire. What is this? Who are you? You have a pretty short memory. I'm Thurston, the man you slugged out in the parking lot, remember? But of course. The sabre scar on the cheek. Yeah. Keep him covered while I take a look at this printing job. Well, senor Thurston. They're engraving plates, sir, as inspector. And these bills of phonies. But they were only made for children. Children? Yeah. Our friend here was printing play money. Toy bills for kids to play with. But I don't understand. Maybe he's got an explanation for us. But of course I have an explanation. My name is Vardas, Anton Vardas. I am Stefan Grabowski's assistant. We're behind in some small orders for these children's money. So I am attempting to get caught up. Stefan will be most pleased when he arrives in the morning. Grabowski is dead. Stefan? Dead? No. No, I do not believe that. Why not, senor? You killed him, did you not? Me? Killed Stefan? The man I would risk my life for, you must be crazy. Would you risk your life for him? Or for the Himmler plates? I do not know what you mean. Grabowski was one of the engravers the Nazis forced to make those plates. Wasn't he Vardas? And you figured it out so the Allies moved in. Grabowski got away with them. That's what you're after, isn't it? You're right, Mr. Thurston. Up to a certain point. I did suspect Stefan of having those plates. But I was not interested in them, only in saving Stefan from the consequences of his acts. You are a fool if you expect us to believe that story. Did you not attack senior Thurston, wanted to leave the country and forget about those plates? Only to protect Stefan. I wanted time to convince him to turn in the plates to the proper authorities. How do you know who I was, Vardas? And how do you want to know so much about Grabowski and the plates? Your friend Mr. Zelschme talks too much, Mr. Thurston. And as for Stefan, I was at the same concentration camp with him. He saved my life there. Senior Thurston? Let him go, Inspector. As you wish. But you better get some men and tear this shop apart. Find those plates. They've got to be around. It shall be done. And you, senior? I'm going back to the casino to talk to Miss Joan Wilson. May I ask why, senior? Do we not already have a full explanation on this matter? Not quite, Inspector. We don't know who killed Grabowski. And we don't know why the same perfume Joan uses was on that counterfeit bill I found next to his body. I haven't got time to talk to you now, Ken. Miss Joan? Too busy looking for counterfeit fifties or trying to pass them? We went round and round about that once, didn't we? We didn't go around far enough. Stefan Grabowski interrupted us. Well, he won't interrupt us again. Won't he? He's dead, isn't he? How do you know about that, Joan? Look, Thurston. There's no sense in our putting on the gloves every time we meet. I think you and I could get along okay together under the proper conditions. Suppose you name him. I will. Come to my party tonight. Party? Yes. I give one every year about this time for some of the people without countries who are living here in Montevideo. I won myself, and it makes me feel better to throw a shin dig for them. Okay, Joan. I'll be there. Good. It's number 17 El Calle Grande. 17 El Calle Grande. Right. See you later, Ken. Yes. For you, Mr Thurston. What's all the excitement about Pagan? Boy, did I ever dig up some dirt for you. It's plenty hot stuff. Believe me. What did you find out? Well, there's a big foreign agent in town. Yeah, yeah, that's right. And this agent's after something pretty special. I don't know what it is you understand, but the word's around. I even learned where this big giz is gonna be tonight. Yeah, well. Number 17 El Calle Grande. Going my little party, Ken? Yeah, it's nice to be among friends so far from home. But I didn't know you were acquainted with Anton Vardas. Or the recent debris, but now quite gay widow. Anna Roboski. I know most of the regular customers at my casino. I still don't explain how you knew who I was. Or how come you knew of Roboski's murder? What good is it, fiance, darling? If you can't learn things from him. Yeah. The bizarre tell you about the perfume counterfeit bill I found next to Roboski's body. There's no mystery about that. He's definitely done a little printing job for me. I paid him in cash. That bill must have been with the ones I gave him. You got all the answers, haven't you, Joan? That's right, Ken. All the answers. Well, Mr. X, your borys are over. Everything's taken care of slick as a thistle. You told all of them? Every mother's one of them. They all think you know where those pony plates are. Who has them and what's going to cook? Good. Now we'll wait for one of them to make a move. You don't have to wait. Huh? Yeah, you know that Inspector Brisa's guy? Well, his scar drove away just a couple of minutes ago. Huh? But you said Inspector Brisa's already gave this print shop at once over. What are we here for? To find a killer. Ooh. Hey, there's nobody home here. There's some light coming from the back room. Sure, but there's no noise. If anybody was home here, they'd have to make some noise. Wouldn't here he would... Hmm? Look who's there. Yes. But what's going on with that printing press thing? The engraving plates are being removed from the hand press. Plates? Then you mean that's the one we're after? That's right. Hello, Vardas. Still trying to catch up on that back order for play money? Or have you finally gotten the big order from behind the iron curtain? What are you talking about? The Himmler plates, Vardas. The ones Baboski smuggled out of Germany and hung onto, figuring that someday he'd get a pile of dough for them. Well, with the present mess in the world, the timing got ripe, didn't it? Are you crazy, Thurston? I do not understand what you're talking about. The Nazis plan to use that counterfeit money to buy war materials from neutral nations. What one bunch of gangsters could do, so could another. Only Stefan's mistake was in thinking your country would pay him real money for them. Instead, you paid him off in lead. Mr. Rex, you mean this guy is the one who bumped off Grabowski? There's the proof in his hands, Pagon. The Himmler plate. Now I know you're crazy. You saw with your own eyes that these engraving plates only printed play money for children. That's what it looked like, yes. But the Elec-Polizer's equipment tells the real story. That plus these bottles of etching acid. You were printing that play money with plates made of a thin sheathing of copper over the wax base. But beneath the wax, well-protected and intact. That's enough. Stents, where are you, Mr. Rex? Oh, I see it, Pagon. Yes, you are quite right, first. The real Himmler plates are underneath these. Unfortunately, you will never live to see them with your own eyes. I wonder if you will either drop that acid you fool! Okay, Vardas, here. No! Ah! You dead! Oh, what a smoker. Hey, dosing that acid stuff at him sure did it, Mr. Rex. Yeah. Yeah, I guess it did. So now, now we've got the counterfeit plates, and those no goods didn't get away with nothing. But that sure was some clever gag of hiding them, eh, Mr. Rex? There's a lesson to be learned from that, Pagon. Yeah? Yeah. Whether it's engraving plates, counterfeit bills, or ideas. They can look legitimate enough. Even pass for the real thing. But underneath they're as phony as they can be. And that's why we've got to be on the watchful, always. Or we'll find ourselves winding up with a counterfeit world. Oh, here is our star, Mr. Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us. Next week, Mr. X goes to Cuba on the trail of five ounces of treason. Just a tiny package that threatens the welfare of the entire world. And balling things up, as usual, will be Leon Bolasco's Pagon's Elschwit. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the man called X. It's a Saturday night feature on NBC's five-show festival of comedy, music, mystery and drama, brought to you by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television. And by the makers of Anacin for fast relief from pain of headache, euritis, euroucher. Good night. The man called X, starring Herbert Marshall, is a J. Richard Kennedy production. With music composed and conducted by Felix Mills. Tonight's story was written by Sidney Marshall. In the night's cast, you heard Joan Banks, Maggie Moorley, Will Wright, Stan Waxman, Dawes Butler and Lou Merrill. All characters and incidents on this program are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental. Be sure to listen tomorrow evening for The Big Show with Tallulah Bankhead and A Great Parade of Stars, the Sunday night feature of NBC's All-Star Festival. And until next week, same time on station, this is Jack Latham saying good night for The Man Called X. Now here your hit parade. Tomorrow it's The Big Show on NBC.