 Family Theatre presents Jeff Chandler and Lisbeth Scott. From Hollywood, the Mutual Network in Cooperation with Family Theatre presents The Flying Dutchman starring Jeff Chandler. Lisbeth Scott will be your hostess. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives if we're to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families, and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. And now to our transcribed drama, The Flying Dutchman starring Jeff Chandler. The Flying Dutchman, that imaginary character seen and fancy a thousand times by the sailor man from Iceland to the Cape, from Singapore to the New World. The Flying Dutchman destined according to legend to sail the seas forever. September 12, 1672. There is only this log to witness what I do. My compass reads east by northeast. My mains and royals are bursting with the west wind that blows across my quarter. This morning the great crescent of my horizon was broken. What sure? Will this be the answer? Make it so. Make this the time, the place that halts my ceaseless wandering. The sound of cannon fire is still one of the signs of civilization. The art of warfare only improves with time. It doesn't disappear. I can see the top rigging of the ships that survived the battle as my ship works its way through the remnants of those that did not. No sign of life. Only a spar, a hedge cover, blasted from the mother ship. Uh-huh. And there is life. Uh-huh. It's a ship. Hold fast. I'll throw you a line. There you are, sir. You owe that to your lesser captain to the boy. Now, monsieur. Thank you, monsieur. I need not hope ever to be brought to safety. The captain duvet here is near to extortion. This is a Dutch ship. Then you are Dutch. Take your hand from me. Lift over me. I'll see every one of you dogs at the bottom of the sea. I don't understand. Let me help you. You're so exhausted. Take your hand from me, I say. I'll see you all dead before you take me prisoner. I expected no praise or thanks for dragging two half-dead men from a bloodstained sea, but this I expected even less. He's right. I am Dutch. And he and his captain are French. Their dress and their speech. Gentlemen, it pleases me to see that you are recovered. Captain, I offer you my full board and accommodations. I presume they are satisfactory. Your name, monsieur? I beg your pardon, Captain, for my oversight. I am Captain Henrik de Reuter. You are right, lieutenant. He is a Dutchman. Yes, and if I had a sword, there would be one less to plunder the shores of France. Captain de Reuter is still our host, and we his prisoners have war. War? Then Holland and France are at war? But yes, Captain. For these past three years, they've been in a state of siege. I am most unhappy to hear this, my friends. You see, I've been at sea for five years. This news had not reached me. Now that you know the facts, Captain, what do you propose to do? I have a peculiar relationship with my country. Though it is still my country, I cannot lay claim to it. This allows me to treat you not as my prisoners, but as my guests. I intend to bring you to your destination. Land should be under the bow split by eight bells of the morning watch. If you'll excuse me, I must take my place at the wheel and check our course. Our course? But he didn't ask what our course should be. He will bring us nowhere but to Holland. How could he know where your castle is? Somehow, I believe the Captain means what he says. As I stand here, a lion off the starboard blinks its assurance that the coast of France lies ahead. The sight, sound, and smell of earth will be mine again. It'll be strange to me. A few years away can almost erase the realness of so many things. What fate may lie hidden along that wooded shore where my ship seeks safe anchorage? My atonement may lead me in many directions, but I can only move with the tide of eternity and the ocean and hope that this time the answer will come. Merlin, come here. Yes, Captain. Through this portal, look. Pontier, how could this be? Yes, right through the very door of my castle, Pontier. I shall not question Captain the writer as to how. Suffice he has kept his word. Your guards are firing on us. They will have arranged the next shot. Will you come on deck, gentlemen? Well, proceed, Merlin. Yes, Captain. Out to you, Captain Dubree. Home guard seemed a trifle concern when we came in, Captain, so I took the liberty of raising the French flag. It seems to have satisfied them for now. Much better than a cannonball in the waterline, Mr. De Riter. There's no need to lure a small boat. I see there is one coming from the dock now. Oh, probably the... I don't see any of your crew. They're all below, Captain, my orders. You must tell me how you maintain such excellent discipline, Captain De Riter. I couldn't ask for a more effective crew, Captain Dubree. And these two is an amazing display. Bring me to the threshold of my home. You see, I had discerned your ship was still orane and the Dutch have reason to remember her home port. Ah, there you see, Merlin. Are you satisfied? Have you expected something mysterious, Lieutenant? Perhaps. There are many things to answer. Well, whatever those answers for such a service in kindness give me the opportunity to repay you. I offer you the hospitality of my castle, Captain De Riter. They are most generous. I feel compelled to accept. Aren't they, Captain? And consider this your home while you are here. Thank you. Father! Oh, Father, you are back. We heard the sounds of battle last night. Our hearts were as if in a press. Are you all right? In perfect health, as you can see, for which we have this gentleman to thank. Oh. This is Monsieur De Riter, my daughter, Mary. Mary. But, Moselle, I find bringing your father back doubly worth the effort now. I thank you for bringing father safely home. I believe the Captain would most appreciate food and a room at this moment, Marie. Of course. I'm sorry. I'll arrange it immediately. Will you come with me, Monsieur? We shall see you at supper, Captain. Yes, indeed you shall. Captain, I believe we should be cautious of this Dutchman. No, no, no, no. You are wrong, Lieutenant. If De Riter wished to harm us or France, he need never have gone to the trouble of helping us. And as long as Captain De Riter is a guest in this castle, I shall not permit further discussion of the matter. It was very kind of you to escort me to my rooms. I suppose now you will return to more properly greet the Lieutenant. The Lieutenant? Why do you ask? Well, I had gathered from Monsieur Molin's town. He didn't approve of your meeting me or even of my being here. Lieutenant Molin's a bit too presumptuous and has taken a great many things for granted in the past. I fear that you too are verging on the same. I shall see you at supper, Monsieur De Riter. Eh, mademoiselle, wait! Full that I am, and yet I had to know. At the risk of seeing those warm brown eyes lose their compassion, I had to know if this Molin meant anything to her. Marie! Marie, what are you doing out here alone? I come here often, Ahul. I feel at home with the song of the gulls and the sea. Marie, I have known you and been aboard your father's ships for three years now. For the past year I have felt that we should think of marriage. I love you, Marie. I know Ahul, but you see, I don't love you. You are certainly more willing to please and never so cruel before that Dutchman arrived. Monsieur De Riter has nothing to do with my actions or what I say. Nothing to do with him, huh? Don't you think even a fool could see the look in his and in your eyes when you met today? I told your father that Dutchman would bring no good. Forgive me, Ahul. There is nothing I can do. May we go to supper? No, there is nothing you can do. But there is something I can do. October 21, 1672. My stay here cannot be more pleasant. The castle grounds are made for two people to share. I love the lowlands of Holland, but the beauty here seems to surpass even tulip time. The poet has exhausted his vocabulary trying to express the grandeur that lies in just one autumn leaf. And here I am surrounded by them. Even the birds swirl madly as if dizzy with the gold that lies in nature's treasure chest. To fill the foreground of all this is Marie. I almost forgot at times my reason for existing, almost, but not quite. Oh, and I hear the signal of the gulls and the waves struggle to engulf the shore. I know that my life is entwined with theirs. Henrik, what are you thinking? Thoughts that a sweet soul such as yours should never know. Oh, but I do know not what they are, but how they feel. How do they feel? They are heavy and torn with sadness. Henrik, they hurt me knowing you carry them. If only I could explain. Oh, don't let this trouble you too, Henrik. Can't I make you forget? Yes, you do, my dear. Speak no more of it. I want to. Maybe I can find a solution, one that you have missed. No, Marie, this is mine alone. Perhaps someday you will know. This air is getting sharp. Shall we go in? Oh, you're cold here. Let me put my coat around you. Keep me that way, Henrik. It's weeks he has been here. Six weeks in which to spy on our fleet and armies. Rest assured, Captain Derriter will do us no harm. Certainly, sir. You are right, of course. I thought perhaps I would go to the city tonight. May I have permission? Oh, but yes, Raoul. And leave would do you well. The young man needs to join the Cavaliers at the tavern on occasion. Thank you, sir. May I be excused? I shall get ready to depart. I will return tomorrow noon. Tober 31, 1672. I feel that something is stirring to break my stay here. The garden no longer holds the charm it had for me in the short weeks past. The castle has stiffened around me as if to tell me to go. Not Captain Duvrain or Marie. Only the cold stone of the walls seem to speak to me. This cannot be, they say. Your place is not in the heart of Marie, not in the warm suite of rooms. But with your face into the setting sun and your hand on the wheel, your feet feeling the surge of a strong running current beneath the keel, I shall see Duvrain once. Captain, I must leave. Leave? But why? I've had a very enjoyable stay here. I think the time has come to end it. I don't wish to take advantage of your hospitality. I see. But I thought there was something more to hold you here than our hospitality. True, there is. It's one of the reasons I must go. This decision, it came quite suddenly. Is there something you could tell me, Captain? Please don't ask me to explain, I can't. I don't know other reasons myself. Father, can we quickly? Marie! What is it, Marie? Mola, he has just returned. We had a call. He told me he has reported that Father is hovering a Dutch spy. The Duke and his soldiers are on their way here now. This means I must leave at once. Marie, as long as I live, I will always remember you. And your kindness, Captain Duvrain. Take me with you, honoree. Take me with you. I can't take you, though all my being demands it. Very touching. A most tender parting. It is too bad that you're not going anywhere, Dutchman. And as for you, Captain Duvrain, you'll spend the rest of your days in the dungeons of Pontier. Then where will our fair Marie turn, huh? Noter Eiter, you're not going any place. Draw you, sir. Put down that sword, Lieutenant. This is an order. Stand aside, you old fool. Consider what you're doing, Mola, and you'll disobey your superior. When such a superior officer becomes so soft in the brain as to trust you, then it is time to end this career. Draw your weapon or I shall run you through the gagless. I refuse to duel with you. Coward! Now you see what your lover is, Marie. Defend yourself, man. He can't, but he's not blood that runs from his arm. It is water. Very well, Mola, and so shall it be. Prepare to wet the tip of my blade. Here, I have a plan, Mola. I wish to make this as fair for you as I can. If once more you force lunch as you did, the duel will be over. So watch yourself. Force lunch, you see? And the writer! Correct, Lieutenant. Like this! I warned you, Mola. I must bury you in order to bind your heart! The excitement of the moment gone. I feel the pain in my arm. It has made his mark. This wound in my arm will disappear, but the one on my soul will not. There on the floor is testimony that again... I have killed. Can I never escape from the circle that draws me to this? That renews the bond between myself and my fate? Give me release. Stop this wretched half-life, half-death that I am. Let me settle into the dust from which I came. And forget. Forget. Enrique, you're bleeding. It's hardly through the skin. There's no time to trouble ourselves with it. You must go, Captain Derritor. There is no explanation of your presence that would satisfy that you can end now this. My ship is standing by on the harbour. We will all go. No, no, no. This I cannot do. I must stay here and at least try to save my honour. You two go. I shall hold the soldiers until you reach the ship. Oh, I won't allow you two father come with us, please. No, no. Go, my daughter. I would rather die than run. You're a brave man, Captain Dufres. There will be other times for such talk. Go, I say. Is there another exit to the dock path? Yes, follow me, Enrique. Goodbye, father. Almost to the dock. In a moment we'll be free. Look, off to the side. Hurry. Coming up the road from the dock. But I think you, Colonel. The ship is no one at war, not one sailor. And then they must still be in the castle. Did you set a guard at the dock? Six men, sir. Back to the castle. There's only one last chance. Did I really convince myself that I could stem that inexorable tide? Like a giant wave, it tosses me high on the shore, tumbles me about and then returns me to the deep with its undertow. The plan forms in my mind now as we enter the small door leading to the main hall of the castle. Mary is ahead of me. Her delegate form tents with the events so far into her. This night she will never forget, but her tomorrows will be happier for it. Sorry, Colonel. I cannot allow you to search this castle. My rank does not permit me to question this, sir. But the Duke has issued my offer. Then it will be necessary for the Duke to carry them out. It won't be long, sir. He's on his way here now. Until that time, Colonel. Please, leave these premises. Very well, Captain. I shall be there. Father. Marie, I prayed you'd reach the sheep. The Duke's guards have surrounded the area. There must be a way, Henri. Down the cliff. To what? The rocks and sea? Oh, here. Come to the window. The countryside is covered with the torches of the hunters. Oh, then it is hopeless. It's not hopeless if you will do as I say. I will try. Good. What will you have me do? The dueling pistols in your study. Get one and bring it to me. See that it is loaded in prime. What are you going to do? Get the pistol, if you please, Captain Gauvre. Very well, Monsieur. Marie. Marie, if you find it difficult to understand what is about to take place, remember this. I love you. My personal desires must be sacrificed. If it feels as though your heart is being rested from your breast because of me, that will vanish, you know. A wisdom you never thought possible will come in its stead. Kiss me now. Wait for the time to pass so you may see the truth of what I say. The pistol. Turn the gun around and fire the charge, Captain Gauvre. You must be insane. You can't mean what you say. I mean precisely that. And do it now. Oh, no, Marie. Don't listen to him, Father. I tell you, this is the only answer left, Gauvre. If you do, Father, aim second from my heart. You mean that, Marie? You would... I... Oh, why does it have to...? Enough. Fire, Gauvre. Fire. I can't do it, Ulrich. I can't. You must shoot. I say shoot. I did not mean to put the trigger. Who found the Dutchman before we did, Captain Gauvre? The Duke is here and will be pleased to see that you have exonerated yourself by killing the spy. Yes. I... I'm sure he will be... Marie, there is nothing more to be done here. Good night, Dutchman. November 1, 1672. The sails are set and the great wheel begins to turn again to stop when the time is right for another test. Where do the winds lead me now? What lies beyond those swells that pound at the bow of my ship? Only time will tell. When we think of family prayer, we usually picture mothers, fathers and their children gathered in the home saying their prayers together for a few minutes in peace and harmony. When this can be done, it's a beautiful and rewarding moment of the day. But we have to remember that many, many of our families are or will be scattered. Military service, business, the trades, the operations we're trained in tear us apart. But this doesn't mean we love each other less. The important thing to remember is that actually we need never grow apart. We can preserve the great value of family unity. We know our own and our own know us. As few others will take the trouble to know us. And it is prayer for each other that can and will bind us all to each other in a real and valid union. We can bring all of us together at some time each day in a unity that comes from God's protection of families that remain faithful to Him in simple and humble prayer. Though we be at opposite ends of the earth, we're united. And in this great and wholesome way, the family that prays together stays together. More things are brought by prayer than this world dreams of. From Hollywood, Family Theater has brought you the Flying Dutchman starring Jeff Chandler. Lisbeth Scott was your hostess. Others in our cast were Jay Novello, Joy Terry, Jack Lloyd and William Woodson. The script was written by Kurt Martell with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman and was directed and transcribed for Family Theater by Joseph F. Mansfield. This is Tony LaFranco expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when Family Theater will present the Dunbar Conspiracy starring Jean Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart and Betty Lynn. Join us, won't you? This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.