 Suspense presented by Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world Roma toast the world the wine for your table is Roma made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is the man in black here for the Roma wine company of Fresno, California to introduce this weekly half-hour of suspense Tonight in Hollywood Roma brings you as star mr. Peter Lorre The suspense play which stars mr. Lorre and which is produced and directed by William Spear is called Back for Christmas in this series Roma brings you tales calculated to intrigue you Stir your nerves to offer you a precarious situation and then withhold the solution until the last Possible moment and so with back for Christmas and with the performance of Peter Lorre we gain hope to keep you in suspense Yes, what are you doing down here in the cellar? Oh, it's just doing a little digging And why may I ask have you chosen this day of all days to dig up the cellar floor? Oh, I thought because the weather has been so damp. This would be a good time to plant that little Devil's garden. I told you about devil's garden. Whatever nonsense is that? Don't you remember that was my little joke about it? You see I've managed to get hold of the spores of several Unclassified wild orchids in our wild state They bloom under damp messes of leaf mold the South American Indians Column devil flowers because they appear to bloom under the ground Well, I'm sure the South American Indians will be very interested if you succeed in growing these ridiculous flowers under the cellar floor Whom else it will interest I can't imagine. Oh What's that terrible smell? Oh, that's the leaf mold Chemically identical with the earth blanket they grow under in a wild state And I want to get these started before we close the house Do you realize that we're sailing for America a week from today and you've made no arrangements? Whatever unless you call digging a hole in the cellar making arrangements. I certainly don't Devil's garden indeed. Sometimes I think you're going soft in the head Hubert Oh, I suppose it is inconsiderate of me You see and I've been wanting to try this experiment for a long time But with all those lectures and seminars at the university there never seemed to be enough time Well, there's certainly isn't any time for it now. I suppose you've forgotten I made an appointment for you at the bar this afternoon Must I shave my beard off for mine? I thought we'd been through all that of course you must they don't wear beards in America Bad enough you're speaking with that accent. They'll probably think we're Germans as it is Oh, I should think it would be quite easy just to explain it. I'm sweet now Hubert Don't be argumentative. Go and get your jacket on and do as I tell you. Yes, and don't forget to take your umbrella It looks like rain. Yes, and don't look so put up on Hubert Someone has to plan things in this house never even get to the university and time for your lectures much less make arrangements for a trip to America I know, but what about my specimens? There'll be plenty of time to plant your precious devil's garden when we get home from America We're not going to be gone forever. You know we'll be back here for Christmas. Yes, of course back for Christmas I forgot we'll try to remember it and if you can't do that just do as I tell you I've been making the plans in this house for 20 years and if there's any digging to be done I'll manage that as well. You understand Hubert. Yes for mine. Good Now you have just 20 minutes to clean up this mess down here and keep your appointment at the barbers and when you finish there I want you to come straight home. All right. Oh, I wanted to stop it miss Markham's and pick up some books I ordered well, all right, but don't water there the whole afternoon moorling over those old books the way you usually do Now hurry and clear up this rubbish. Get rid of that smelly stuff and no more digging mind you Digging I'll show her I'll have my devil's garden and if I know more No more 15 men What it is professor Schumer hasn't it do you like me better this way you look ever so much younger without the beard 20 years at least 20 years. Oh, you'll be glad to know those books you ordered ever finally arrived. Oh, yes, the books let me see the fit the phytotomy of phalloid gametophyte and Canifras shrubs of North America those are the ones you wanted. Yes. Thank you. You're very kind miss Markham Why kind professor Schumer well not to not many young ladies in bookshops would go out of their way to Look up a rare books for an old professor of botany. Why you're not old professor Schumer Really, you look what do I look like and besides I adore botany. It's my particular hobby. Oh, really? You've never told me that before miss Markham. Well, I was afraid to you who looked so imposing with the beard and all Miss Markham forgive me if this sounds foolish, but since talking with you today I feel achieving of my beard is the most important thing I've done for 20 years Oh, it is I'm sure it is I'm so sorry that I've been so distant with you all this time. Oh, there were times when I almost spoke up Times when you came in here tired after a day with your students at the University You seem so alone The way I'm alone in the world I'd like to have asked you to stay a while and talk with me, but somewhere or other I I always wound up giving you your change and letting you go on your way say you You're alone in the world since my father died Miss Miss Markham. Did you never think of marrying my father was a very remarkable man? I never found anyone who seemed to measure up to what he led me to expect of men Miss Markham It's been so long since anyone called me by my first name. I'd like you to if you want to it. It's Marion Marion And and yours Well, who bear to some but in English you but sounds better. How long have you been alone? I knew you are a widower, of course. I the first time I saw you I'd know a way to tell this is a certain sadness in a man's eyes a sweet sadness I think when when he's been married and then I don't I never thought of it in quiet that way Oh, I'm sorry. I I shouldn't have been talking like this. I suppose but I Have often wondered what she must have been like your wife. I mean her money Not an easy woman to forget Very strong always managing things the house my wardrobe my friends Even when we dined at a restaurant. She even then ordered my food. She was always managing things her whole life managed herself to death Poor woman She must have loved you very much, but she needn't have put herself out so it's plain to see you don't need things managed for you You need companionship, I think someone sympathetic with your work, but the last thing on earth you need is a manager How well you put it the last thing on earth Operator operator are you there? I'm still waiting on that call to Salisbury. We'll put them on quickly Hello, is this Paul Houlton sons? It's Mrs. Hubert Schumacher. Did you receive my letter? Good now remember we'll be back for Christmas and I want the job done without fail What's that? No, I'm sure he doesn't suspect anything Send it to me in New York as I instructed you addressed in my name, of course Yes, I've already put them in the mail you get them tomorrow Thank you. Thank you so much. Oh Here you are Hubert Where have you been? Oh Backstairs I dismissed the servants Dismissed the servants But I've asked some friends of mine into a farewell lunch and go and tell them it's a mistake I'm afraid it's too late now. They've packed and gone You have messed things up properly. How many times have I told you to leave things to me? I make the plans around here. Yes, your mining You have to do better than this when I plan the trip home or we'll never in the world be back for Christmas back for Christmas back for Christmas must you keep saying that I not We are coming back for Christmas, aren't we who supposing I I were offered a professorship in one of those wealthy America universities Nonsense Americans care nothing for botany. Well, Luther Burbank was an American one That's different. What have you ever done except muck around in the dirt with a lot of roots and tubers Well, they asked me to lecture didn't they all right all right now There's no use getting yourself in a state about this Hubert no doubt this extra money will come in very handy when we arrive back No good to make a joke of it Heaven knows where you'd be today if I hadn't got a sense of time Yes, sir money and as you've been so foolish to dismiss the servants You may empty the ashtrays and straighten up this room while we're waiting for the guests to arrive I'm going and have my bath. Call me when they get here It's Hubert No, no, darling. No, nothing is wrong. Oh my plans are the same unless unless you have changed No, we'll meet in New York then and be married there. I'll explain to you why later. You just have to trust me. Yes Yes, ma'am I'm so sorry. I can't talk any longer. Yes. I'll meet you in New York without fail I'll be the same man leaps Were you talking on the phone? Yes. Yes, who ever was it? Oh Freddie Freddie Sinclair, but didn't I hear you say something about meeting somebody in New York? Why? Freddie said he might possibly get over there before we even leave and I said of course we'd meet him there if he Decide to go that seems very peculiar But then all of your friends are peculiar And just look at your jacket. Have you been digging in that cellar again? Yes. Well, there's no need for it You can't possibly get that devil's garden things finished before we sail for America Go and change your clothes before the guests arrive. Oh never mind See somebody coming up the walk now. Go and let them in. Yes Hubert yes, look out the window. There's professor in Mrs. Goodenau, but who's that with them? Whoa Precisely Cue you should have been talking to him on the phone not three minutes ago, and now here he is But then as you see her money all of my friends are peculiar not half so peculiar as you Digging in the cellar the very day we leave for America. Just look at yourself. And Now that I think of it. Yes Oh never mind go and let them in oh You were going to ask me something Hermione about the hole I'm digging in the cellar could have and stop rolling your eyes about that way One would think you were digging a grave down there instead of a storage bin. Yes Hermione. What's that? I said yes Hermione father open the door and please stop saying yes Hermione. I think my dear I have said it for the last time a Professor of botany his loving wife and an oblong pit in the cellar Just the right size for his botanical specimens his devil's garden With these ingredients for a story of a perfect crime back for Christmas by John Collier and starring Peter Lorre The Roma wine company closes the curtain for a moment on another breathless study in suspense In this brief intermission in the play it's pleasant to think about the holidays Not everyone celebrates the holidays against a background of snow and pine trees Somewhere south of the gulf and the Caribbean in a gracious home surrounded by palm trees in the warm sun You might find holiday dinners ending this way moment, please Our North American guest wishes to propose a toast. Yes, Mr. Migos I drink a toast in gratitude to you for your gracious hospitality and the enjoyment you've given me an American so far from home. It is only a fair exchange my friend This wine in which you drink your toast it brings enjoyment to us from your country from America It is Roma wine made in your own, California. Yes, and when you choose the wine for your holiday table, remember this Only a few wines are so fine that many countries of the world import them and among these greatly enjoyable wines are the wines of Roma R.O.M.A. Made in California or enjoyment throughout the world Yet here in America, we are truly fortunate or we may buy Roma wines at a very low cost Since we don't have to pay import duty or costly shipping charges So serve Roma wine with pride on any and all holiday occasions serve Roma to for everyday dinners You can afford to ask your dealer tomorrow for your favorite Roma wine America's largest selling wine, but before you buy wine buy war bonds And now it is with pleasure that we bring back to our sound stage. Mr. Peter Laurie in act two of back for Christmas a tale well calculated to keep you in Back for Christmas her mine. I was so positive we would be back for Christmas That last afternoon pouring tea out for a few friends who have come in to see her last minute farewells She kept reiterating it now mind you Hermione don't let those Americans knew your husband with one of that fat university job We absolutely must have you with us for Christmas. He shall be back. I promise you. Well, it's not absolutely certain, of course What do you mean? It's not certain. Of course. It's after all you result by you've consented to lecture for only three months Oh, that's quite right. But then of course anything may happen you but a door being unpredictable Now what other men would decide the day be very day mind you before leaving for America to dig a great hole in the floor of the cellar Yes, he's going to put some Unclassified wild orchids down there a devil's garden if you please it sounds so mysterious That's you but though. It's really quite simple. However, once you find out what he's up to now Take the telephone call he put through to you a few minutes ago Freddy To me of course a Hubert wanted to surprise me about your plan to meet us in New York next month Wasn't that why he called to ask you not to mention it my dear Hermione Hubert couldn't possibly have Telephoned me within the past hour. I've been walking in the park since three. He didn't telephone you Well, how could he this for my going to America? No, no, no, no come Freddy come you may as well confess Hermione has just found me out again. That's Hubert old chap You see what a poor liar Hubert makes he's read as a beetroot aren't you ashamed of yourself professor? Stringing poor Hermione along like that and as for you Freddy. I'm furious. You said nothing to us about going to America But look here old girl. I've been trying to tell everyone here But I'm not the game's gone on long enough besides we must start getting ready now It was marvelous of all of you to come in to say goodbye and don't worry about Hubert's little jokes I will bring him back for Christmas. You may rely on it He all believed her for years. She had been promising me for dinner parties Garden parties committees and the promises had always been kept This time he would not be I'd seen to that The servants were gunned for good the farewells all said I Time to the minute how long it would take to fill in a hole in a cellar my devil's garden Upstairs in a bedroom. I undressed and put on my old bathrobe and then I I opened the door into a minus room. Oh, uh Hermione have you a moment to spare? Well, then will you come in here for a moment, please? There's something rather extraordinary here What are you lounging about next to the old bathroom for I told you to put it into the furnace Why do it? I'll do it today. Yes. Well, I will High-time now. What is it you want to show me? Oh here here in a bathroom Just look who in the world. Do you suppose drop the gold chain down the bathtub drain? Nobody has of course nobody wears such a thing then what is it doing in here? I don't see anything Well, look, I'll hold this flashlight here for you if you if you lean right over you can see it shining It's deep down it's a lot of nonsense just as well Well, I don't see it Hubert go on looking her money in just a moment you but I absolutely refuse You but what are you doing? Take your hands off my neck. I will Hermione Just as soon as I finished the arrangements for my trip to America What are you talking about? You thought you were the only one who could plan things didn't you didn't you Hermione, huh? Well, I've been making some plans of my own this past week in exactly two minutes and 16 seconds you'll be dead You see I've planned it very accurately. You'll never get away with it Oh, I thought you would say that Hermione, but I will get away with it You won't mind the smell of the leaf mowed down in a cellar when I take you down there today Yes That is where you are going Hermione Right into my bevels garden. They're annoyed you so much my friends all expect me back for Christmas They don't hear from me. They'll start asking questions. No, they won't because You write them letters Hermione on the typewriter as you always do They'll be signed each in that neat correcting way. You always sign your notes to your friends. Yeah It won't work Hubert you were never any good at planning. Oh, but I have changed I've learned from watching you all these years the lecture people in America They'll expect you to be traveling with your wife I will be traveling with my wife, but not my present wife Hermione You but it won't work. I tell you that pit you dug in the cellar. Oh, it will work. It'll serve its purpose well No, no, I'm sorry dear this thing has to be done Exactly as planned you have just five seconds to say your prayers Wives she's in this post. She should be taking her meals in our stateroom for the old voyage sir. Yes for the whole voyage I trust your wife is feeling better this morning, Professor Schumacher a little not yet well enough to leave her cabin Oh, what a shame. Oh, Professor Schumacher is a copy of the radiogram. You're sent for your wife last evening. Thank you I'll just check it over. Oh, but but look look here Why what's the matter? Did the typist make a mistake? No It's nothing important. She she can correct it later The feeling that Hermione had been leaning over my shoulder again Correcting when I had written that she always did I had written a radiogram to professor good enough in his wife Haven't been out of my cabin the whole beastly trip Hubert well now doubt Will be back for Christmas at the operator had left out the WM and it read No Doubt will be back for Christmas Exactly what Hermione would have written Oh The rest of the trip was uneventful Marion and I met in New York Just as we had planned Just as we had Professor mrs. Schumacher we have reservations happen. Oh, yes. We've been expecting you sir boy Take professor mrs. Schumacher's luggage up to their suite No, mrs. Schumacher. You're quite a surprise Your letter reserving the rooms were so thorough. I was expecting an older more Forbidding sort of person. Thank you, man. No as a matter of fact. We're just married, but I My letter is derving the room. Oh, I wrote the letter my dear and and I signed it mrs. Schumacher just a joke what a cunning old fuck you are you but Now that I think of it For you mrs. Schumacher I wonder who on the well will soon find out in good time come along darling. Oh, if we are keeping the boy waiting Nothing like a cold brisk shower to put a man to write you but this letter. Oh, yes the letter Oh, you're drying my hair. Will you darling, please? It seems to be a bill of some sort from a building contractor in Salisbury. Oh, really? Oh bother dry your own hair Thank you darling. Let's see this bill or whatever it is It's very puzzling you but You were a widower weren't you I mean a mining isn't still alive Good heavens. No Well, let me read them Dear madam, this is technology or order together with the keys to your house in Lonson place our man Had no difficulty in finding the place where your husband had begun the excavation in a cellar But apparently he changed his mind at the last moment and filled it in again What is it you but our man will begin digging tomorrow and and their job will be completed in ample time for your surprise Christmas present to your husband. We are happy to be Conspirators with you in this thoughtful gesture and hope that Professor Schumacher will be pleased at the results of our work on his devil's garden very truly use for old son's contractors means Means that her mining was right. I will be back for Christmas And we'll be back for Christmas I So closes back for Christmas starring mr. Peter Laurie tonight's tale of Suspense in just a moment. We shall hear again for mr. Laurie But first just a word that seems appropriate One of the world's oldest customs is the Christmas toast and traditionally down through centuries of war and peace The Christmas toast has been drunk in wine This year when the glasses are filled and raised once again We know that in every home the toast will be to a speedy victory and a speedy return of those we love and Before we set the wine glasses down Let us all resolve to do everything within our power to help make that toast come true Let us resolve to help supply the weapons of war by buying even more and more war bonds Let us resolve to face our own inconveniences without complaining And above all let us resolve that when this war is at last over Each of us will exert all our effort to see that future Christmases truly express peace on earth Goodwill to men This thought together with our very best wishes of the season is the Roma wine company's Christmas message for you its friends Here in America and throughout the world This is Peter Laurie Thank you for listening to our suspense play this evening, and I know you're looking forward to next week's show as I am It is called the finishing school and its subtitle might be the famous quotation The female of the species is more deadly than the male Don't forget then next Thursday same time for Margo Elsa Lanchester Janet Beecher and a distinguished all-feminine cast in suspense presented by Roma wines R.O.M.A Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is the Columbia Broadcasting System