 Now, Roma Wines present suspense tonight the Brighton Strangler starring John Loder with June Dupre. Suspense is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. That's R-O-M-A Roma Wines. Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live. To your happiness and entertaining guests. To your enjoyment of everyday meals. Yes, right now a glassful would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you suspense. This is the man in black here for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California who tonight from Hollywood bring you a radio play by Robert L. Richards based on the RKO picture of Brighton Strangler. The stars of the production are appearing with us this evening in this drama of an actor who specialized in murder and of a girl who became the unwilling heroine in a real-life play. And so with the Brighton Strangler and with the performances of John Loder and June Dupre we again hope to keep you in suspense. Such a lovely holiday. April my dear, I wouldn't stand too near the edge. The rail is very low and it's quite a drop to the street. I was only looking over the city. It's even a lovely night to have a holiday in. As long as it must end. All lovely things must end my dear. Shall we join the others? It's a bit chilly out here on the terrace don't you think? No, we can't go in just yet because... Because what? Because something has to happen first. What has to happen? You know what happened to the Lord Mayor of Brighton don't you? Well he was strangled. On Christmas Day and the Chief Inspector three days later he was strangled too wasn't he? Edward. Don't try to pretend you haven't guessed who I am. No Edward. You couldn't be... Go on say it. The Brighton Strangler. You couldn't... But I did. My alibi for the Lord Mayor was very simple. I merely turned his watch back and for the Chief Inspector you yourself supplied me with an alibi. Remember? But why? Why? Because ten years ago they conspired to send an innocent man to prison and that innocent man was me and now you my dear are the only person alive who knows. Edward listen to me. We're in London. It's New Year's Eve. Don't you remember how... The silk cord... Edward. Edward you're not going to... Yes. Dead at last. The Brighton Strangler. Thank you. Thank you. Good night. Good it's so good I can't bear to close it and it's making so much money. Well yeah the producer don't close it but someone else in the park. You know I can't do that. People don't come to see the Brighton Strangler. They came to see you Reggie. To the public you are the Brighton Strangler. Not after tonight I'm not. I can't understand you Reggie. Walking out on a play that gave you fame and fortune. I'm fed up. Fed to the teeth with it. That's all. Reggie look I won't speak for the play itself. It's only mediocre. I'll grant you that but you've given it something. Just by sheer force of personality you've made it authentic terrifying a tremendous psychological drama. That's just it. Now look here Sheldon. Has it ever occurred to you that a man might feel if he strangled one more person he'd go stark raving mad? But it's only a play Reggie. Just make believe. Oh you ought to know by this time that you're an actor a good actor it's never entirely make believe. Yes and now look here Reggie look here. I'll tell you what I'll do. I don't want to talk about it. Leave me alone can't you. But Reggie. Leave me alone can't you understand. Leave me alone. All right all right all right. There's no need to get edgy. I'm sorry. Got any plans. Some service canteen shows. Well if I don't see you. Merry Christmas. Yes. Merry Christmas. And I. Arrayed. Sheldon. Sheldon. Gone. Everyone's gone. No time to make the shelter now. Best to here I suppose. Close. Too close. This is it. Where. Where. Must be cash on your head. Yes. Yes I'm all right. Oh yeah. Don't forget your suitcase sir. Suitcase. Yes. We are going. Victoria station. Yes. Victoria station. We return tickets to our. Your return to Rotting Dean if you please. Right. Next. Single to Brighton. Right. Next. What's yours sir. Single to Brighton. Night for suspense. Roma Wines are bringing you as stars. Mr. John Loder and Miss June Dupre in the Brighton Strangler tonight's tale of suspense. When you listen to the friendly advice of Miss Elsa Maxwell about hospitality and gracious living you realize that here is an authority who talks plain common sense all the time. I'm talking to men as well as women when I say that the finest hospitality is always simple sincere moderate natural never the opposite. And so I'm always emphasizing that the nicest simplest most sincerely flattering hospitality is to serve your guests some Roma sherry with its golden amber color. It's deliciously tangy nut like flavor. It's not only supremely enjoyable before dinner or in the afternoon. It's smartly correct of genuine compliment to your friends and to yourself. And please don't worry about special glasses. It's perfectly correct to use any nice glasses that are handy. Well Miss Maxwell speaks more authoritatively than I can but I will add this. Roma sherry like all famous Roma Wines made from California's magnificent sun ripened grapes brings you all their fine flavor of Roma and color is unvaryingly good always enjoyable thanks to the age old wine skill of Roma's noted wineries located in the choicest vineyard areas of California. Yet all this goodness and pleasure is yours or only pennies a glass. Remember more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wines. Roma R O M A Roma wines. And now it is with pleasure that we bring back to our soundstage Mr. John Loder as Reginald Parker and June to pray as April man be now takes up the narrative concerning the Brighton Strangler a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Somehow from that very first moment I was drawn to him he was handsome and attractive yes but it wasn't that he seems so lonely so much in need of help and then on the train when I thought that he'd really been hurt I just threw a convention to the winds and took charge of you've been very kind. Well someone had to put a bit of sticking plaster on that head of yours. Are you sure you're all right now. Oh quite thank you must have been terrible I heard about the theater the theater yes of course I recognized you the minute you stepped into the compartment what you are Reginald Parker the actor aren't you I've seen your picture on the billboards dozens of times Reginald Parker and I've been dying to tell you my name is April April that's the name of the girl in your play isn't it and I'm from Brighton April from Brighton only of course my last name is Nandy that's what I'm going to Brighton I isn't that nice we do have a lot in common don't we yes a great deal I think we can have such wonderful times and Brighton over the holidays you know I was wondering if you wouldn't think it forward of me what well my family is having a party at our house on Christmas Day Lord man a lot of people are going to be there and the Lord Mayor yes and if you'd like to come I mean well I'm really not a celebrity aren't you know but if you'd really like to come I'd be delighted oh Mr. Parker that would be wonderful April why don't you call me Edward Edward oh you mean Reginald Parker is only your stage name yes yes a stage name isn't that odd I always knew actors had stage names but I always thought yours was real but I think I'd rather call you Reginald or at least introduce you to my family that way it's so sort of confusing to name well what's in a name it's after all it is Reginald but what's that little silk cord you keep twisting in your hands oh this yes I use this to strangle people what oh you mean in the play yes in the play but you always carry it about with you always why I don't know for luck I suppose I've heard of actors having superstitions like that do we have many friends in Brighton friends acquaintances I haven't been back for 10 years they'll scarcely remember you will they the ones who are important will remember me they will remember me very well hello there my late oh no right on the dot just 5.39 yeah let me take your coat thanks I'll come along and meet everyone I'm so anxious to meet my parents told me so much about you I didn't realize you knew so much about me you know what I mean mother mother I want you to meet Mr. Reginald Park how do you do Mr. Park how do you do Mrs. Shackleton how do you do Mr. Shackleton are you my father Dr. Manby how do you do and Chief Inspector Allison how do you do well everyone's here now but the Lord Mayor I wonder what can be keeping him well it's barely 5.30 now it's a bit of a walk from his place expected to be long directly well Mr. Parkham it's a pleasure to meet you in the flesh so to speak sir I have an impression that we have made in the flesh before inspector not that I recall sir and I'm sure that I would I would have thought so too inspector if only because of our mutual adventures in villainy oh I see what you mean well sir I'm a practical criminologist from all supposed to be and I must confess that I find most of these plays and films and so on about crime rather preposterous why why in this day and age a man can't go about killing people without being called once in a while perhaps but when you get these stories of chess with two three in a whole spring of victims oh no no no no never but inspector they always are caught in the end if only to prove to the kid is that crime doesn't pay but supposing it were the perfect crime there's no such thing really you interested in criminology mr. Parker we ought to get together some evening while you're here that I think of you a few experiences of my own that would have usual I should be delighted inspector in fact I shall make a point of it yes yes very well I'll tell him and I'll come over at once what is it what's wrong terrible thing has just happened we'll need you on this I'm afraid inspector what's happened the Lord Mayor has been murdered why he didn't have an enemy in the world when did it happen left his house at 515 to come over here was apparently attacked by someone who'd been lurking in the shrub with his own grounds he was killed at 530 his watch had been smashed during the struggle that's when it stopped and how was he killed doctor he was he was strangled just fantastic of course but there it was that terrible coincidence the strangling in Brighton I must confess that my main concern was her reggie the way everyone glanced at him the polite standoffish way they talked to him was enough to show they thought that somehow he was responsible for the dreadful thing that had happened so myself I felt almost as badly as he did and thought I'd never known anyone quite so brave it was clear he wanted to get away and he was quite free to go and yet he stayed on in Brighton so compelled to perhaps by a strange feeling that he mustn't run off until the mystery had been solved even made a little joke about it that night that I drove him to the council well this is one way of facing the music Reggie you must have said that I'm sorry I hope you didn't mind too much driving me down course I didn't I know you must think I'm a low dog for picking the one night when you wouldn't come along but it's their only program of rimsky-coscov and I couldn't bear to I'll come another time if you want me to I want you to very much Reggie did you ever think that a play might have an effect on people who saw it how that someone might see it and want to do the same thing oh Reggie I think that's what happened I think that someone saw your play and is trying to do the same thing in real life some poor creature with a twisted mind a twisted mind please don't think I'm blaming you but a play like that should never been written should never been allowed perhaps it was just fated to be that way the only thing I can think of to explain the things that have happened does it make a great deal of difference to you difference in the way you feel about me already no I'm glad of that because I think quite soon now perhaps after night I shall have something very important to tell you April well here we are thanks for bringing me and you will pick me up at 11 30 sharp tickets here you are first all on your right sir first seat in the last row am I late no sir it's just about to begin sure is odd yes it's just 42 minutes long oh is it I've never timed it make yourself comfortable by the fire I was rather hoping you'd pick this evening to drop in I'm all alone I remember you said you would be you have quite a music library inspector yes and I see you collect other things as well oh my private chamber of horrors it was very much of course you did want to talk about crime didn't you well each of these things are rather gruesome most of them to you I expect it's like a trophy to me I take this butcher knife you can imagine what that was you as far I suppose his wife that's it carved her up and put her in a trunk and check her at Brighton station we didn't find her for three months never did find a head we got the chair though now here's something you don't see very often a hangman's noose the fellow who wore that collar last got me my biggest promotion it must be a great moment of satisfaction when the bolt is pulled the rope tightens and you know your murder is done for yes it is perfect but there's one trophy I intend to have here that will make me proud of and all the rest just a little thing it is to just a bit of cord you mean the cord that was used to strangle the Lord Mayor right you are and I'll get it many years ago ten years to be exact before the Lord Mayor was the Lord Mayor he was a barrister defending a client in a court of law and let us suppose that instead of defending his client he betrayed him to the product prosecution and the man went to prison and let us suppose that the man returned one day after all those years in prison to take revenge and he took it very imaginative theory mr. Parker why don't you drop into my office tomorrow really discuss it further but you've only had half of my theory inspector let us also suppose that the representative of the prosecution to whom this innocent man was betrayed was someone more interested in collecting trophies than in seeing justice an ambitious man a chief inspector of police shall we say someone like you inspector really mr. Parker then he would also follow that our man would strangle you wouldn't it inspector I'm afraid play out in his influence your judgment sir this is no play inspector you couldn't get away with a thing like this you said that before people know where you are exactly you see I am at a concert no oh it's just over did you enjoy it I don't think I've ever enjoyed a concert quite so much in all my life really do you have a wireless in your car yes that is I can find a view oh yes of course I thought we might hear a bit of news with only a minimum of damage to non-military objectives just been handed a dispatch from Brighton the Brighton Strangler has struck a game approximately 11 o'clock tonight chief inspector Allison of the Brighton police force was found dead in his flat apparently been murdered in the same manner as the Lord Mayor of Brighton only three days before by strangling again there were no clues to the killer Reggie it's fortunate my dear that you and others know I was at the concert this evening fortunate because otherwise it might seem almost one coincidence too many coincidence suddenly all this coincidence that it seemed under the trickery of an impossible nightmare became the evidence of terrible reality I managed to maintain a semblance of calm as I dove him back to his hotel I shall never know the next day he had left and that afternoon he called me from London he said it was most urgent that I see him I knew that I must go but first I went to the police if you know where he is miss we'll arrest him at once but I don't know where he is besides I have no proof neither of you neither is anyone there's all the proof we need miss but don't you see the pattern I'm to meet him at the Plaza Hotel and the Plaza Hotel is a terrace and tonight as new year's eve and my name is April you'll be taking your life in your hands this maybe I'm wrong I pray that I am maybe won't have to do anything and he'll come to his own accord when I tell him you want him but if I'm not wrong if this is the only way to save him I'm the only person in the world who can do it well what did you say the line in the play was he says and now you my dear the only person alive who knows the only person alive who knows you do have a script for the play don't you oh yes yes because you'll have to come right in on cue do you have a copy of the play for yourself I don't need one I know it now by heart 11 12 midnight and the new year shall we go in it's a bit chilly out here don't you think no we can't go in just yet because because what because something has to happen first what has to happen you know what happened to the Lord Mayor of Brighton don't you and the chief inspector he was strangled to wasn't he Reggie don't try to pretend you haven't guessed who I am Reggie this is where the lines are different from the play I've known who you are go on say it the Brighton strangler and now you have a so-called new hands and you want to strangle me but you mustn't listen to me Reggie you've been sick don't you understand you've been sick and you've got to get well and now you my dear are the only person alive who know Reggie yes keep him covered all the same thank you thank you very much thank you he's backing up the railing you fall stop him someone thank you thank you very much thank you everybody good so in a trance buying as he had so often to so many enchanted audiences of the Brighton strangler he stepped backwards towards the low parapet as though again leaving a stage and fell we found him on the pavement below he was still alive it's April from Brighton we were bombed when we then I heard applause I think I'm hurt but you'll help me won't you I want to take just one last curtain call he died there in my arms and so closes the Brighton strangler based on the RKO picture and starring John Loder with June Dupre tonight study in suspense suspense is produced edited and directed by William Spear there is no reason at all Elsa Maxwell says why everyone should not have the enjoyment of Roma wines with everyday meals and when entertaining friends these superb wines of California are so delightful to the taste so very delicious with food so smartly complimentary to friends who are your guests it seems a shame to me that some people still miss out on such wholesomely simple moderate and inexpensive pleasure but of course Miss Maxwell millions already do know and enjoy Roma wines in fact more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wines and that can only mean Roma wines are California's finest always extra good unvaryingly fine in flavor and quality yet only pennies a glass Roma our OMA Roma wines before we bring you news about next week's program I should like for our sponsors the Roma wine company and for all of us who collaborate to bring you suspense Mr. Spear our producer director Lud Gluckin our conductor Lucian Madawick composer of our scores Vern Surrey and Ralph Cummings our sound crew Bob Anderson engineer and Truman Bradley our announcer to wish you a very merry Christmas next Thursday same time you will hear Miss Ida Lupino as star of suspense presented by Roma wines our OMA made in California for enjoyment throughout the world an open telegram from Washington concerning the merchant marine which should be listened to with vital interest by eligible members of our audience United States shipbuilding program is being increased at enormous rate contracts have been awarded for hundreds of additional new ships every one of these ships must be manned by 40 to 50 men most of them with previous sea experience long Pacific distances and expanding supply problems call for continuous employment of large numbers of men and ships until Japan is totally defeated universal demand for strong post war merchant marine makes post war opportunities and these jobs fully as great as in any American industry today