 The story of Dr. Kildare. Whatsoever house I enter, there will I go for the benefit of the sick. Whatsoever things I see or hear concerning the life of a man, I will keep silence thereof. Counting such things to be held as sacred trusses. No exercise my art. Metro Gold Windmere brought you those famous motion pictures. Now this exciting, heartwarming series is earned on radio. In just a moment, the story of Dr. Kildare. But first, you're an answer. The great citadels of American medicine. A clump of gray-white buildings planted deep in the heart of New York. Nerve center of medical progress. Great minds and skilled hands wage man's everlasting battle against death and disease. Player general hospital. Where life begins, where life ends, where life goes on. This is the best time of the whole day, Jimmy. Ten o'clock in the evening. The everyday business of the hospitals all wound up. The night's crises haven't occurred yet. Bad is no time like. One thing's certain, it's the only time of day that a doctor gets much chance to relax around here. I've been on the run since seven o'clock this morning. It's kind of peace and quiet settles down over the hospital. The symphonic stillness of the night. And the only sound against the silence is the far-off hum of the traffic in the streets. Excuse me, Dr. Gillespie, but I just thought I'd... Oh, Parker, you idiot. Where? You're ballin' at China shops. Oh! Oh, don't just stand there. You've interrupted the highly poetic reverie of mine. Now what do you want? Well, I merely wanted to see if you needed me for anything else this evening. Parker, I have never needed you. It's only from the goodness of my heart that I even tolerate you. Well, I guess I earn whatever I make around here. I have often hoped that someday you would. But I suppose it's practically impossible to overcome a natural incompetence. Incompetence? Go on now, get out, get out. Incompetence? After all I've done for you. Good night, Parker. Oh, good night. After all I've given the best years of my life. You know, one of these days you'll get her mad enough to walk out on you and then what? Ah, quit, Jimmy. Being insulted is the only emotional life that woman has. Good for her. It keeps her endocrine glands working. Then she loves it. Let's see now, where was I? Well, you'd gotten somewhere between the symphonic stillness of the night and the far-off hum of traffic. But now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll get between seven and eight hours' sleep. Good night, Dr. Gillespie. Let's see. Leonard Gillespie comma MD comma. Player General Hospital comma. New York City comma New York, period. My dear sir. Ah, never mind that stuff. Get to what it says. If you think I am incompetent, and if you think I have not earned my salary around here, and if you want a more efficient nurse, then that is the last straw, Dr. Gillespie, and I quit. Signed, Evangeline Parker R.N. I never knew Parker's first name was Evangeline. Ah, what difference does it make what her first name? Well, Jimmy, she has mutinate, walked out, deserted me. She's quit. So it seems. Well, I'm surprised she didn't do it years ago. Confound the woman anyway. After all I've done for her. Shouted at her 14 hours a day. I've always treated her with consideration and kindness. Worked her until she was ready to drop. Made allowances for all her faults and mistakes. Consulted her every time she opened her mouth. Stood by her through trials and tribulations. And now? Jimmy, do you think I should apologize to her? I do. Confound. I suppose you're right. I guess I was a little rough on her last night. Well, I'll get her on the phone and talk her into it. Oh, come in, Karoo. Come in, come in. Good morning, gentlemen. Good morning, Dr. Gillespie. I must say that I'm extremely shocked to learn of this unfortunate contour which has occurred in our happy little hospital family. I've just received a copy of Miss Parker's resignation, the original of which was, I assume, delivered to you. Karoo, your assumption could hardly be any more correct. Ah, yes. Well, I'm quite sure you plan to take the necessary steps immediately to rectify the misunderstanding. Well, I was contemplating some procedure of that sort. Good, good. Then I'll leave it to you and run along now. All of us lose our heads under pressure at times, Dr. Gillespie, so I can readily understand how you could be guilty of such a mistake. What? Dr. Karoo. It would be most unfortunate, though, if your unrestrained temper should be the cause of our losing an excellent nurse. By the Great Horn Spoon. Dr. Karoo, you should have quit while you were ahead. Are you implying that I am unable to diagnose a case without Evangeline Parker standing by? Oh, no, not that at all. I'm sure you could get along somehow, but nonetheless, I think... Karoo! Miss Parker, formerly a nurse here, without consulting me in the matter at all, has offered her resignation, and by the confounded termination, I accept it. Oh, dear. Good morning, Mr. Dockley. Oh, good morning, Dr. Kildare. And, well, Gillespie, finally kind of setting to drop in on me, are you? That's right, Jonathan. How do you feel? Terrible. Man could die here for all the attention he gets. Go on, you live another 50 years yet. Small credit to you, Fadou. And another thing. I want to know who assigned this new nurse. I don't like her at all. I want Miss Parker. Well, I'm afraid that won't be possible, Mr. Dockley. Why not? Well, three days ago, Miss Parker left our employment. Gillespie, you fired. I did no such thing. She quit. Then you drove her away with that infernal temper of yours. Temper? What confounded? I never lose my temper. You're losing it right now. You're just a cantankerous old buzzard. Same as I am. Never did understand how a sweet young girl like Miss Parker could put up with you. Jonathan, if Parker is a sweet young girl, then I am a mere stripling with down-covered cheeks. Never mind your downy cheeks. You get Miss Parker back here. She's a fine woman, a fine nurse. Reliable, capable. Would you say competent, Mr. Dockley? Confident? Yes. Yes, that's it, exactly. She has a melodious voice and a great sense of humor. She has a voice like a foghorn full of gravel, and she's not only got no sense of humor, but she hasn't got any sense at all. And furthermore, she's... Jonathan, take those covers off your head and listen to me. After all the years they worked together, it's such a shame this had to happen. Yes, it is too bad. Leonard Gillespie simply ought to have his head examined. Oh, I think he's as sorry and upset about it as Parker is, Molly. Only he's too stubborn to admit it, especially since Dr. Crew had to poke his nose in and bungle things. Well, it's the same with Parker. She knew she'd made a mistake, but now her pride's mixed up in it, and she can't back down. If he'd just make some halfway apology, she's dying to come back. And if the truth were known, Molly, he's lost without her. They're both acting like schoolchildren. Well, I certainly wish something could be done about it. In all the years I've been supervisor here, I've never had a better nurse than Parker on the staff. Molly, what time did Parker say she was coming in to visit you? In about half an hour. Have her drop into my office, will you? All right, Dr. Kildare. Do you have anything in mind? No, no, except... Well, I thought that maybe if they can be brought together without either one of them having to give in and take the first step, well, things might straighten out. Dr. Kildare, did he really say that? Well, he said it by implication, Parker. He's been completely lost these few days you've been away. Irritable, downcast, blaming himself, I suppose. Well, I shouldn't have taken what he said so seriously, I guess. Of course you really didn't mean it. Why, of course not. You know how he is. Well, I just don't know what I'd do away from this hospital, Dr. Kildare. But naturally I wouldn't stay on any place where I wasn't wanted. Well, you don't have any worries on that, score Parker. I heard him discussing you with one of the patients just this morning. Discussing me? What did he say about it? I can't remember the exact words, but he did mention your voice and your sense of humor. Oh, he's really awfully nice when you come right down to it. I don't know why I... Oh, come in, Dr. Gillespie. Kildare, Molly Bird said you wanted to see me about something highly important, but... Oh, good morning, Miss Parker. Good morning, Dr. Gillespie. You're feeling well, I suppose? Oh, yes, yes, thank you. I hope you're feeling well. Yes, yes, yes. Quite well, Miss Parker. That's good. Yes, it is. Well... Like old times, isn't it, Dr. Gillespie? I mean, having Parker back with us. Well, yes, yes, it is. Are you coming back to work, Miss Parker? Well, I would like to work for someone who respects my ability. Why would you? Well, all of us here have the greatest respect for your ability. Then you don't think I'm incompetent? Incompetent? Oh, I never heard anything so ridiculous. But you said you thought... I said no such thing as other nonsense. Then you really do want me back? Of course I want you back. Now let's stop all this fiddle-faddle about it. Here, Parker, let me take your coat. I'm behind four days on the reports, and there are two case histories I can't even find. Oh, oh, well, I know where they are, Dr. Gillespie. Now just let me get this spot off and... Good morning, gentlemen. Oh, come in, Carol, come in. Dr. Gillespie, I've just been glancing over there. Why, Miss Parker? Dr. Gillespie, Dr. Gillespie, isn't it wonderful? I'm back at work. Well, Dr. Gillespie, I congratulate you for following my instructions and apologizing to Miss Parker. Following your instructions? Carol, I haven't apologized to anybody. Why, you did too, Dr. Gillespie. You said that... Parker, shut up! What? Dr. Gillespie, if you'll come with me, there's something I've been wanting to ask you. Give me just one moment, Dr. Gillespie. First, I must get this little matter straightened out. Oh, it's already straightened out, isn't it, Parker? Well, not if Dr. Gillespie didn't really mean what he said. If he wasn't apologizing, if he was, he was just, just... I was not apologizing, and don't stand there blithering like an idiot. Well, that doesn't... Finally, absolutely, and for the last time, I quit. Quit. Come back here, Parker, you ninkam-poop. Ninkam? Oh, horrible man. Oh, dear, dear, dear. Have Dr. Kildare in just a moment. So, what's your name? Miss Ebertson, doctor. Oh, yes, yes, you were in the orthopedic section, weren't you? That is correct, Dr. Kildare. I was transferred here this morning at 9.23. She's taking Parker... Miss... Miss Ebertson. Ebertson, yes. You have all the information on those sheets now? Suppose you fill out the rest of the reports, and then I'll check them over and sign them. I'm sorry, doctor, but I believe the handbook states that diagnostic reports shall be made out only by the physician. Well, I merely want you to transfer the daughter from the sheet, and I intend to check the reports before they're fired. I believe the handbook is quite specific in the matter. Ah, confounded, Parker Orwell! It is now 11.31, so if there is nothing else, doctor, I'll finish recording those daily charts. I expect to complete them at 1.07, at which time I presume you'll have additional work plans. Well, that's quite an efficient nurse you've acquired, doctor. Efficient, Jimmy. She's a human handbook. Topped off with a bundle of rules and a stopwatch. Not much like the good old days when Parker was here. Dad, she'd still be here if she wasn't so bullheaded. Well, I've got to run along. Better start planning some more work, though. You have to face that fireball in the arena again at 1.07. I've known Leonard Gillespie for a good many years, Dr. Kildare, and I'm telling you when he gets on one of his stubborn streaks, nothing can move him. I know, Molly. Gillespie, the greatest diagnostician in the world today, and yet here he is acting like a spoiled child. If only Karoo hadn't butted in. He always brings out the contrariness in Leonard. Why, as far back as I can remember. Wait a second. That might be an idea. I'm afraid I don't see it. Well, something has to be done. Gillespie's upset. His work's suffering. Parker's unhappy. And the longer it goes on, the less chance of working it out. So? So I think I'll go up and have a talk with Dr. Karoo. I must say, I'm afraid I really don't understand you, Dr. Kildare. Precisely. Why are you congratulating me? Oh, you're being far too modest, Dr. Karoo. Of course I realize you weren't looking for personal credit. That your only concern was to increase the efficiency of Dr. Gillespie's work, but nonetheless, your handling of the matter was very effective. Oh, I see. And just how much of my little plan have you been able to penetrate, Dr. Kildare? Well, you must have decided on the plan as soon as you realized that Ms. Parker was no longer an efficient nurse. She wasn't? But you also realized that Dr. Gillespie would probably balk at any direct attempt to replace Parker with someone more efficient. Uh, yes. Yes, he certainly would all right. Oh, you skillfully maneuvered Gillespie into thinking he wanted her replaced. And that left the field clear for Ms. Eberton. My, my, my. Oh, I know Ms. Eberton was supposedly assigned by Molly Byrd, but it's easy enough to see through that. Really? Yes, yes, indeed. Yes, indeed. How clever of you, Dr. Hilliard. Of course I didn't want any credit for it. Not naturally. In a way, though, it's too bad Dr. Gillespie gives all the credit for the assignment to Molly Byrd. Doesn't know you or really the one behind it. Then he's satisfied with the change. I mean, he does realize that I was only considering his interests in the matter. Oh, I think he's already quite aware of Ms. Eberton's efficiency. Well, I might just drop him a little hint. We can't hide all our light under a bushel, you know? That's right. Dr. Kildare, this is really amazing. Your, uh, your guesses were so close to the actual details of my little scheme that it's really quite frightening. I've been found at Jimmy. You've been sitting there staring at me for five minutes now. Go say something. Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Gillespie. I guess I was thinking about... about poor old Parker. No doubt blaming me for the whole business. Oh, no. No, it's just one of those things, I suppose. Well, what about poor old Parker? I was wondering if there wasn't some way we could help her financially, I mean. Oh, she must have money. She's bound to. I don't know. Of course, she did work very, very hard around here for so many years. She never was paid very much. Well, she'll have a choice of a dozen jobs better than this one. She hasn't so far. I understand she isn't working yet. Well, confound it isn't my fault. The old battle acts at any understanding at all. But she hasn't. I can't help it if she wants to act like a stubborn idiot. No, I suppose not. It is too bad, though. Because there's a possibility, of course, that you may have been used by somebody. You know, taken in. What? Look, suppose Dr. Karoo decided he wanted Parker replaced by a more efficient nurse. Now, if he were really smart, wouldn't he go about it by pretending just the opposite, by provoking you into getting rid of Parker? By the Great Horns. Well, of course, he would. And that's exactly what he did, too. Well, I don't really know. That's what happened. It was only an idea. Jimmy, I thought right along there was something behind this. I knew somebody was to blame for it. What was that conniving, underhanded little pipsqueak? Well, good afternoon, gentlemen. Why, Dr. Karoo, we were just talking about you. About me? Oh, dear. Nothing I shouldn't hear, I hope. Well, to be more exact, we were talking about the replacement of Miss Parker with this new nurse. Oh, yes, yes, indeed. And has Miss Epperton proved herself to be efficient, Dr. Gillespie? Obnoxiously so. What a delightful way to put it. She is probably the most efficient nurse I've ever been given the opportunity to work with. Yes, it would seem that Molly Byrd made an excellent selection. Ah, me, such is life. So it's Molly Byrd who's getting all the credit in this little affair. And is somebody else responsible, Karoo? Well, since you've about to ferret me out, I suppose I may as well make a little confession. Good. Then I won't have to use torture. It wasn't Molly Byrd at all. I'm the one who planned the whole thing. Karoo. Yes, Dr. Gillespie? You phony fat-headed imbecilic little pop and jay. Police. How many times have I told you never to interfere in my department? But, but, but, but, I thought you were... I mean, I... Butting in here and firing the best nurse I ever had. I fired her. I ought to walk out of this hospital and stay out of it. But, but, but, but, but, but... You there? Phone Parker and have her get over here right away. She's as much a victim of the steamer as I am. Oh, dear. Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear. Well, it's too bad, Dr. Karoo, but that's the way things go sometimes. The best laid plans are mice and men, you know. I still think it was a clever idea. Full story, Miss Parker. Neither you nor I were to blame at all. We were merely victimized by the underhanded machinations of a sliced scoundrel. Can you imagine it, Dr. Gillespie? Why, I've never heard of such a two-faced scheme before in my life. Yes, it does seem a little odd, all right. Yeah, odd. Why, that's the way Karoo's mind works, Jimmy. If you can call it a mind, I suspected something right from the start. But I had to go along with it, you know, give him enough rope. Naturally, I was forced to say a few things that I didn't mean. Oh, of course. I understand. Well, Parker, since everything seems to be settled, you may as well take up a uniform and get back on the payroll. Oh, well, I wore one under my co... I just knew things would turn out all right. Yes, yes, yes. Well, it would never have happened in the first place if Karoo hadn't started. Oh, I know. He's such a horrible man. Well, as long as things are back to normal, I'd better get some of my own work done, so... Dr. Gillespie? Oh, no. I would just like to add one thing to what I said earlier this evening. Dr. Karoo, I was just coming to look for you. Oh, all right, Kildare, but wait, first I... How fortunate you were looking for me at the same time. But I wasn't. I... really know Dr. Kildare. Watch the door now. Ah, there we are. This is most irregular, Dr. Kildare. I know it is, but I wanted to remind you of something. Oh? Of what? Last year. Over a million dollars in donations came into this hospital as a direct result of Dr. Gillespie's great reputation. Oh, yes, quite so. I wasn't sure what you might be going to bring up in there, so... Well, to a man of your intellect, Dr. Karoo, need I say anything more? In just a moment, we will return to the story of Dr. Kildare. Getting the same way I am? I'm going down here to Gillespie's office, if that's... So, all right, let's go. I suppose things have settled back to normal now between him and Parker. Not so sure. We're going along all right together, but I'm such a politely formal basis that it's like walking on eggs. Oh, no. Sure. They spend half their time exchanging compliments. He's still calling her Miss Parker. That's sort of a basis. One wrong word from Karoo could blow the whole thing sky high again. Yeah. Isn't much like the rough-and-tumble setup they've always had before. Yeah, maybe things... here we are. Well, confounded Parker, don't just stand there like an idiot. Well... Wait a second, Molly. Even a moron would know better than to do a thing like that. Well, I guess everybody makes mistakes sometimes. Yeah, but you are the only human being I ever saw who managed to make him all the time. Oh! Horrible man! Well, Molly, I think we can stop worrying. Everything's going to work out all right. Third, the story of Dr. Kildare, starring Lou Ayres and Lionel Barrymore. This program was written by Les Crutchfield and directed by William P. Russo. Original music was composed and conducted by Walter Schumann. Supporting cast included Virginia Gregg, Eleanor Audley, Ted Osburn, Wilms Herbert, and Peggy Weber. Dick Joy speaking.