 Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gutter the prison of the grave There's no other end But they never learn From the pen of Raymond Chandler outstanding author of crime fiction comes his most famous character in The Adventures of Philip Marlowe With Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe. We bring you tonight's exciting story the white carnation Can't understand it Ben Reynolds is a wonderful guy with a really great future intelligent handsome. Well, well, you've seen his picture Yeah, you said he's a doctor in your KC and MD. That's right He's already known as one of the best young medical men in town a turn left at the next corner Marlowe, okay? You also said he's to be married soon soon tomorrow and to the swellest girl in the world Margaret Vandevier Vandevier as in Beverly Hills. Yes, you know them. Just a name Marlowe To locate Ben Reynolds fast and find out what's wrong. Are you sure it's not just the last minute case of cold feet cold feet? Yeah, Marlowe. He's in love with the girl. I'm his best man I know besides this marriage means a lot to the guy's career. He wouldn't run out It happens casing all not to Ben why he was fine happy full of laughs right up to the minute We went into that flower shop flower shop. Yes some small place called Steiner's flowers on Temple Street Ben and I were driving along there this afternoon when I remember the one thing I'd overlooked was a white carnation for the groom He stopped and went in and came to switch I'll say so Well, I talked to the florist Ben browsed around the shop and all of once he grabbed me by the arm and said let's get out of here It was white as a sheet We left in a hurry and all the way up here to his place He kept looking back like he was afraid of being followed. What'd he say about it? Oh, it wouldn't tell me a thing. We got to his apartment. He gave me a real brush off. I Went on home and at seven tonight. I got a call from him. Give me that call word for word if you can Casey Well, he said Tom listen to me There's a man named Gregory Toledo. I thought he was dead, but he's come back to life I can't go on until he's dead again this time for sure Please don't interfere or say anything You'll hear from me. Then he hung up Gregory Toledo, huh? Was Ben at home then? No. No, I tried to call him back got no answer. I Thought it over for a while then called you see. I'm not only his best man. I am his best friend, too That's his place there. Okay, kid. I think you've done right so far, but brace yourself. What was something ugly? It says all the air marks you might wind up needing lilies not white carnations. Let's go The apartment was ground floor rear and dark Inside from walnut paneling to the sweet nutty smell of good pipe tobacco Dr. Ben Reynolds place was neat clean and cozy until we got to the kitchen There the air was thick with a strong disinfectant the doctor's kit was open on the sink Decided was a heap of blood-soaked gauze topped by a pair of forceps and still clamped in the chromium jaws was what looked like a 38 slug must have formed this just before he left. Yeah, possibly on himself This bottle of hundred proof bourbon here is the anesthetic of you. Hey model. Hmm. The cigarette case here I've never seen that here before Marlowe look what the name on this thing Toledo. Yeah as in Gregory Toledo. He was here Marlowe Yeah, but now two plus two doesn't quite make four Look, you say Ben told you on the phone that he couldn't go on until Gregory Toledo was dead Yet apparently apparently Ben pulled a bullet out of that Toledo guy right here in this kitchen. Is that what you're thinking? Yeah, that's what I'm thinking Let's check the other rooms again. See if we can get a lead on where he went right I'll look in the bedroom. All right. I'll start on the desk. See if his clothes is still there. Will you? Good Say Casey did Ben like our median or Hungarian food a lot Why because his phone book has opened a restaurants and every one of that kind is checked off Even the gypsy tea rooms. Well, that's funny. You never went to those places. What's it mean nothing? Maybe? Let's see got through them as far as Sarcassians gypsy seller at Third Street Ring any bell I don't want What are we gonna do Marlowe? You're gonna go home and get some rest. We gotta find that's what you hired me for isn't it? I'll call you when I've got something where you're going now Steiner's flower shop. See what else he stocks beside white car nations I'll call you Casey I Unsnap the front door lock went out to my car and drove down Temple Street almost to Alvarado I still had a block to go when I saw the red spotlights on a pair of prowl cars parked up ahead It was too close to be coincidence The little store marked Steiner's flowers was crawling with law I pushed through the whispering circle of morbidly curious keeping a respectful distance outside and went up to the door Their detective lieutenant Matthew spotted me and motioned me in What brings you here business stop for a bachelor button, uh-huh Well, you're a bit late the joints close proprietors been murdered or so I think you think can't you tell all right? Let's put it this way. He's dead under suspicious circumstances. That's one way of putting it You know, there's not a mark on them nothing. Yeah, take a look the back room. All right There yeah, that's him One Harlan Steiner There was a gun beside him on the floor been fired once very recently what caliber Matthews Oh 38 and no bullet holes in here. So he might have scored Hey, why just curious Wait a minute. What's this? Motive maybe list of currency dominations and amounts sent over from his bank and dated today adds up to $40,000 Hey That guy had 40,000 bucks cash to live it here. That's right Didn't realize a small flower business could be that good even on a big day Oh at your age it can't and there's no sign of that cash around though. Well, maybe it was robbed By a handsome well-dressed guy was seen running out of here earlier tonight Steiner probably died a heart failure from the excitement. So that's that But why did he have so much dough brought in here in the first place and how did this get here in the back room? What? Oh? cigarette with lipstick Well Matthews even flour as a human, you know So a cop I've heard yeah They give me a straight answer Phil huh of all the places in town How come you show up here this dumpy out of the way flower shop? I was driving by on my way home. Saw your car. So I stopped easiest that I Could have done that well all by myself Moony you can have it now. Tell him at the morgue. I want a fast job We've seen all we can here all except that at the front door Matthews get a load of it. Maybe she's your lipstick You're friend of steiner's miss See are you in here early today? No, I haven't been here for several days. What's wrong? You'll find out soon enough miss and I move along now go on. Yeah, you're okay. Oh, she's too dark your lipsticks off of blonde Yes, I know. Well, I guess I'll shove off too. Take it easy. Lieutenant your boy. Hey, Phil what? Look, if you should happen to stumble over 40 grand on your way home Get in touch. Will you don't I always good night Matthews? I Drove down Alvarado to 3rd Street and turned right In a few minutes I was parked in front of a gory doorway at the foot of a half a dozen steps dimly lit by a rusty hanging lantern under a sign Said Sarcassians gypsy cellar Armenian dishes are specialty Alec Sarcassian proprietor Inside the place was a stone floor imitation oak booths all empty The five feet high that hustle taught me out of a dark corner was Sarcassian himself The welcome smile dribbled off his face like spilled beer When I said all I wanted was some information why you come here for it Huh, what kind of information do you want on some people? Mr. Sarcassian in all man named Gregory Toledo? No Well, how about Reynolds Ben Reynolds? No Okay, try Never mind that girl in the billboard there. Who's she Madame Vadena just like it says she's on the billboard What's her real name Ruby Vadena? She works here Works if somebody wants to call looking at he leaves in a cop work But the customer expects it the customer is always right So Ruby Vadena works here, but not tonight. All right. Where can I find her? Why because I saw her a few minutes ago in a certain flower shop. Oh, that's a very good reason Now look, Mr. Aaron a restaurant not a lonely hearts. You look Sarcassian Your little gypsies in a murder right up to a big brass earrings. I gotta talk to her right now Murder I knew it's a fake. Oh that no good. She ruins my business. What kind of appetite can murder give anybody? I ask you I ask you for the last time. Where does Ruby live in Villa Gary Baldi on the end of repose a street? Thanks When you find tell Sarcassian says she's fired. She don't come in my place again. You hear she's washed out Repose a street turned out to be a narrow block long tunnel On the dark matted cypress trees the end of which Villa Gary Baldi squatted like an ancient yellow toad two stories high. I Gone far enough my headlights to pick up the clutter on the stairs When Ruby herself stepped out from the trees and headed to the front door She had enough head start. She was upstairs and at the door before I caught it I haven't done anything copper. See maybe I'm no cop Ruby Oh, no, Lisa and I saw you at the flower shop. You're not kidding. Anybody just your door here Maybe but you can't get in there without a war and copper. So keep it out here and keep it short. What do you want? Who is Gregory Toledo? I don't know All right, let's try an easier one What was that florist Harlow's and steiner to you if you're not a cop? What do you care? I'm a private detective honey, and I care plenty. You know what happened to him, don't you? I think he's dead if that's what you mean. He was just a friend. That's all You're not the type of just friends dark guy Hey, wait a minute sugar somebody's in your room Open the door hurry up will you come on come on Get out of my way For an instant I'd seen Ben Reynolds's face twisted in fear of package wrapped in green oil paper clenched in one hand Then he grabbed up the only lamp that smashed it at me in the dark I heard him run through the kitchen and out the back door by the time I got outside He was gone. I started my car to follow him, but stopped again at the sudden sight of a gun barrel shoved out from the shadows between two trees and Pointed straight at me. Don't move fella. Not one inch or I'll kill you. You sound like you mean it I do you're not going any farther fella. Don't try whoever you are forget about the green package. You'll live longer Yeah, I'll take your word for it Just tell me one thing baby Are you in the doctor a team and all the pens now go on back the way you came I've got an appointment with the doc and I wouldn't want to keep him waiting God walking In just a moment the second act of Philip Marlowe But first with the outbreak of conflict in the Far East care stockpile in South Korea has fallen into the hands of the invaders But orders are being accepted so that the moment the conflict ceases Care will be able to move in with badly needed food and clothing for the distressed men and women of Korea By cooperating with care today, you can help bring hope to Korea tomorrow Now with our star Gerald Moore the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story the white carnation When the lady in the dark left her appointment with the doctor I knew that my next move should be a tight huddle with the good gray heads of homicide But I also knew that first there was the matter of Ruby Vardena. I Could tell by the way, she was coming for me the kind of enthusiasm you see only at feeding time with a zoo How do I know you're the fortune teller now what would be cards teacup crystal ball Or should we just try some plain old-fashioned conversation Ruby? Well one thing 40,000 bucks that won't sit still For another your connection with Steiner's murder The law is just itching to hear about that one I don't want to tangle with them again. I mean could be embarrassing talking over the good old days Ruby is that it You and Steiner and the 40,000 what's the story? Diner and I were supposed to go away together to be married. He loved me You love the 40 grand go on the money came from the sale of his flower shop He brought it over here tonight. He'd be back When he didn't show up, I want to find him. That's all I know Not enough Ruby that shop wouldn't bring 40,000 bucks like you could pass for a school mom Where'd he get the money? Right? I haven't a slightest idea. I Do have a suggestion if you can get your hands on the money, which is really mine now Split it with you and we could even take a long long trip No dice, baby. I wouldn't sleep nights worrying about my traveler's checks So long clairvoyant When I left the piano shawl beauty with the dollar sign hot I stopped at a mobile gas station and while they filled my tank. I made a call back to the flower shop Learned that Detective Lieutenant Matthews have gone down to the morgue But 20 minutes later when I was there. I was still a step behind Because Matthews had since gone on to headquarters However, I was also a step ahead They had just learned why Steiner had died Connor the attendant was pleased this punch to tell me all about it Hey, see model Right here the back of the neck got slapped with a hypodermic needle holds no bigger than a mosquito bite real hard to find Mm-hmm, there was an injection that killed him Connor, huh some kind of poison We'll have a tag in a couple of hours Want me to let you know what it is? No, no never mind. I'll be in touch with Lieutenant Matthews Anyway, by the way kind of mind if I use your phone why should I they don't send me the bill Over on the wall there. Thanks But Marlowe no long distance. Oh, no no downtown kind of not another inch that case help yourself You know Marlowe one night some newshawk got on the tube here and talked to his girl a long beach for 40 minutes It was two weeks later. We found out it was Long Beach Long Island not Long Beach, California Thomas I'm gonna Matthews Marlowe Matthews. I'm down at the morgue What is it Marlowe Steiner are you still just a way fairing strange? Oh, it's time. I look Matthews I found out a couple of things that might help. I figured you would who is it? Well so far it could be a dr. Reynolds, but there's more to it. There always is wait there Phil I'll be over okay, but one thing first Matthews does the name Gregory Toledo is in Ohio mean anything to you No, why where does it fit in? Yeah, well, I'm not sure when I started dr. Reynolds was out to kill Toledo again It seems he's come back to life come back to what sounded like I did I did Well, we'll talk about it when you get here so long Matthews Pardon me for button in mr. Marlowe, but that's kind of funny what you said. I mean why it was the name You threw it Matthews Toledo. You see I No Wait a minute Connor. What's funny about the name Toledo come on. It can count plenty. Oh, it's just a coincidence That's all I can be enough. Let's have it Okay, Marlowe about six or seven years ago. We had a dead one in here named Toledo Yeah, the front part. I don't recall but it wasn't that Gregory Anyhow the cops shot him full of holes for resisting arrest. What's the kind of funny part? Oh, not much Marlowe Only you just tied somebody named Toledo to this Steiner here was killed with a hypo and and the Toledo bird I'm talking about was a dope peddler dope peddlers Marlowe or sometimes real handy with hypo needles No Unless it fits tighter And look Connor you keep files here, don't you? Yeah, you could get me an address on the Toledo You're talking about a first name next to kin so on couldn't you sure I could what's more? I'd be glad to Marlowe why if this meant something it'd be yeah, well, let's get to the files Right over here Here we are Buyers to the lack of Toledo Toledo. Yeah. Yeah Toledo. Here it is Marlowe. Let me see that Toledo John Edward August 18th 1943 shot the death by police officers last years in Hong Kong Resisting arrest address 31 June of a place Ocean City, California Next to Kim Gregory Toledo a son Conner you're a genius. I'll do one more thing for me. Will you please? Yeah, sure Lieutenant Matthews gets here. Tell him. I'm sorry to stand him up with it If I'm real lucky he won't be mad at all. Yeah, but Marlowe this address at Ocean City seven years old I know Connor. That's why I said real lucky. I'll see you Gentleman who answered the door at 31 June of a place was about 60 Or a spotted torn bathrobe that read like a menu and needed a shave a haircut and Peeping through his torn slippers. I saw a blue jay-con plaster However, his spirit was bright Seems he liked having visitors. Yes, sir. You're the manager. Oh, I am indeed have been for 18 years Albert a key line you were looking for a room sir. No just some information. Mr. Keyline. My name is Marlowe I'm a private detective and I private detective. Well come right in sir. My goodness Don't often get to chat with a man in your profession Opportunity I usually keep the living room closed except on Sunday, but tonight I think we can forget that regulation Yeah, well look I'm the Morris chair. They're the best one make yourself comfortable. Thank you Mr. Keyline did you know John Toledo Toledo? I most certainly did he stayed here for five years. I'm unhappy to inform you He was killed on my front lawn there in 1943. It was good riddance to Why see why you're here mr. Marlowe, but frankly I expected the police not a private detective No, why should you expect the police because not two hours ago Emma Mallory my neighbor saw Greta Toledo over at the amusement pier Greta Toledo, you mean Gregory Toledo, don't you? I don't think so. I Would have said Gregory if I meant Greg. Oh, I don't doubt that Besides that boy had no better than to come back to Ocean City. It's done him enough harm I I said Greta Toledo John Toledo's daughter Gregory's twin twin Wait a minute. Mr. Keyline. This is important Greta and Gregory Toledo are twins and the children of John Toledo That's right sir all three lived here for five years like I said and a different brother and sister you never heard of well different like what like heaven above That other place below that's what the boy was fine the girl that terror at 13 She was tormenting Alicastin at 18 when she left here She was a brazen fuzzy both went their separate ways from here a week after John was buried You haven't seen him since no except one night about a month later when the boy Gregory came here to visit me and ask for all the pictures I had of him and his father and sister I Used to be an amateur photographer, you know Pictures mr. Keyline. Why did he want him? Sentiment I guess he was kind of soft-hearted I gave him the whole batch except one of Greta and I only saved it because the lighting was so good Here I took it a couple of weeks before they got John look look see how the sunlight behind her head gives a Soft feeling to the whole picture. It's practically a halo. Yes, sir very professional Just take that now mr. Marlowe. I might try and improve it someday. Yeah, the best of luck Keyline Don't move your finger. Hmm my finger. Well, why not if mr. Marlowe. Are you sure you feel all right? frankly no But I hope to get better as I go along Listen Keyline that neighbor of yours that Emma who said she saw a Greta Toledo with the amusement pier Was it the big one off the foot of surf street? Oh sure was Emma saw her go behind one of the concessions and take a flight of stairs down To the beach which flight of stairs is a half a dozen up in Keyline. Thank we don't have to I know because Emma said It was the flight by the cotton candy concession You know that fuzzy stuff and he's near the merry-go-round I'm sure that because Emma mentioned the merry-go-round. She never leaves out any details, you know The steps that led down from the cotton candy concession took me to a fairyland graveyard under the amusement pier Dead carousel animals horses sea serpents dragons that smiled All broken and bent and piled any side up some rusted brown some of the bilious green discolor of old brass Then a lot of steel and stone dwarfs who must have belonged to some long ago winter wonderland Also broken and rusted But beyond that the people were real both of them One was Greta Toledo. She was the same lady in the dark would stop me outside of the gypsy's place The other was the man. I had started out to find The man who was out to re-kill Gregory Toledo Dr.. Ben Reynolds wait a minute Gregory One thing we still have to talk about or should I call you dr. Reynolds all right get to the point Greta. I am So I asked you to meet me here to say place to talk what did to talk about you were shot and I gave you medical attention You demanded that I get $40,000 that was yours and I did you did hero But only to keep me from letting everyone know that the fine doc Reynolds is really Gregory Toledo the son of a dope peddler All right sister mine. What do you want just this? You're really on my hook brother. I've got a big news flash for you. I Wasn't shot in self-defense tonight was while I was committing a murder and a flower shot some filth named Harlan Steiner Yeah, I'm murder with a hypodermic needle I murdered a man who was double-crossing me trying to take this $40,000 here We got it from a sale of opium. He was trying to take this money and run with it in the Gypsy lady. Listen listen how tight you think you can squeeze me there's an end to everything even blackmail You see that I'd be much worse off as a murderer accomplice and exposed as a doctor with a very unsavory family background also greater I've got a few moral compunctions a doctor's supposed to save lives not destroy them Then see what you can do about yours doctor. Don't try it Greta She's dead Yeah So is Gregory Toledo finally We better get to the police Dr. Reynolds Follow you stepped out of turn. All right, but you happen to step in the right direction. How I still don't know Yes, that picture key line showed you out in Ocean City. Mr. Marlowe. It was Greta. Wasn't it? Yeah, it was you this coffee's hot Didn't mean a thing though Tom. I'd only seen Greta in the dark at the gypsies and then how did it help? More coffee here, please Coffee Well, it helped actually when key line added his finger not covered the girl's hair And what I could only see the face it looked like a man and you saw not Greta, but her twin brother Gregory Well, you knew as dr. Reynolds from a picture you'd seen earlier good work Marlowe. No, no good luck Matthews There was kind of in the morgue a Gabby woman named Emma Mallory key lines hobby as a photographer and oh Lots of little things Pardon me lieutenant. I I don't quite know how to say this but what about the publicity the newspapers and what it'll it do to Well, dr. Reynolds being Gregory Toledo Dr. Reynolds being who Hey, miss. I'd like that coffee tonight You know I always did like you Matthews Good night fellas. I got outside. It was pushing four o'clock in the morning And I was tired of a long night That had been crowded with a lot of death and a lot of people But I was also looking forward to a lot of life good life The dr. Ben Reynolds and his bride So thinking about them I drove slowly through the quiet city streets until The black melting into gray in the corners of the sky said It was almost tomorrow And then I went home found a telegram Was from the groom Tom Casey and the bride-to-be joined me and saying that there's no doubt as to who the best man really is Please do us the honor tomorrow at five o'clock sharp That's nice Now all I need is one white con nation and I Wonder where that gypsy girl is The adventures of Philip Marlowe bringing you Raymond Chandler's most famous character star Gerald Moore Are produced and directed by Norman McDonald and written for radio by Robert Mitchell and Gene Leavitt Featured in the cast were Paul Dubov Virginia Greg Fritz Feld Georgia Ellis Tom Tully Parley Bear and John Dana Detective Lieutenant Matthews is played by Larry Dubkin. This special music is composed and conducted by Richard Arant Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlowe says This time a skid row suicide changed into murder a cobbler with an accent was afraid to call the police and A hard-boiled Hollywood agent broken to tears All because one woman kept her whole life between the covers of a big leather book There's a very charming very amusing young couple to be found at CBS the stars address every Saturday evening They're Liz and George Cooper and Liz is played by the glamorous Hollywood comedian Lucille Ball It's wonderfully hilarious. It's comedy at its best My favorite husband starring Lucille Ball every Saturday night and most of these same CBS stations This is Roy Rowan speaking This is CBS where you dance the music of born and rose Saturday nights the Columbia broadcasting system