 From the grand ballroom of New York's Waldorf Historia Hotel, AutoLite and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Van Johnson in tonight's presentation of Suspense. Tonight, AutoLite recreates the story of the first international automobile race. The story is based on fact and is called Around the World. Our star, Mr. Van Johnson. This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for AutoLite with greetings from the great Easter Parade of Stars automobile show in the Waldorf Historia Hotel in New York City. On display are 40 new car models in exciting colors. They were produced by leading car manufacturer members of the AutoLite family. Here, too, are spectacular action displays, working models of a Navy torpedo and aircraft carrier, along with other interesting exhibits provided by our armed forces. Plus, special cars styled by leading American and European designers. Record-breaking crowds of enthusiastic visitors have seen the show since Saturday's opening, and before it closes Thursday, many more are expected to see this spring spectacle. And now, as a special treat for our visitors here at the Easter Parade of Stars Auto show, and to you at home, AutoLite has brought our cast and our star, Van Johnson, to the stage of the Waldorf's grand ballroom for the true and exciting story of the one and only auto race around the world. This famous race took place in 1908, just three years before AutoLite developed the first two-unit six-volt electrical system used as original equipment. But now, let's listen. Van Johnson is appearing by arrangement with MGM, producers of the Technicolor musical Small Town Girl, starring Jane Powell and Farley Granger. And now transcribed, AutoLite presents Around the World, starring Mr. Van Johnson, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. My name is George Miller. These are my opponents, Monsieur Bossier de Saint-Chef-Presse. Oh, Chante, I am driving the TT-1. My crew is also French, Vive Les Portes. Lieutenant Hans van Kopen. Driving a Protoss, a German car, as are my technicians, German. Signor Antony Scafullio. Comistat, Italian with the my crew, with driver of the Zust automobile. The gentleman you have met and a couple of others who you will meet presently, who are riding with me, all of us are going to have a race in automobiles around the world, New York to Paris by way of Siberia. It's 1908, Lincoln's birthday. A bright and sunshiney day, Times Square, New York, 10 a.m. I'm the driver of a four-cylinder, 60-horsepower car taken from stock, the Thomas Flyer. However, this thing comes out, and I'm not offering any excuses, but in all fairness, you should know that the other cars have been built especially for this race. But the Thomas Flyer, anybody can go and buy one off the floor. The members of my crew are Montague Roberts, who knows about maps and motors, and Mr. Colby, correspondent for the combined youth services. How do you do? Hello. Beckelman, are you ready? Everyone is still ahead of us. I didn't ask you how we would make an observation. About the rain again, Mr. Colby? Yes, of course. As long as we're going around the world together, I don't think we should immediately exhaust whatever food and conversation we have and store for each other. I think the things at hand are the elements, for instance. Please talk to us about the rain, Mr. Colby. A prediction. Because of rain, one day, an alert automobile manufacturer will produce a top, attached to the body, which can be lowered or raised, and a soul can sit in comfort and not be drenched like now. Mark my word. Montague. Yes, George. How far to Buffalo? Pissions about the mud, Mr. Colby. Mr. Colby. He can't hear you, George. He slid down on the floor and back and pulled his raincoat over him and the rug. Hello, thank you. The French car, they're stuck in the mud. Give it the gun, George. George, we could have passed them. We can't just leave them sitting here. Hi, Monsieur. Stop. All of a sudden, no road. Only mud. I will give you a hand. Hey, you're really in there deep. Your American mud is of a peculiar discuss quality. My men have not this strength. There's some wooden planks in the back of my car. You can lift the back end up and slip them under. Monty. George. Monty will tell your men what to do. Allo. Monty. Monty. Be careful. I met Mr. Colby on the floor thinking about the elements. Well, how do you like it, Monsieur? Tell us for a rain or mud, if it's possible. Soon it will be buffalo. Tell me, buffalo, if it's a nice place, you can get a hot meal. Never been there, but I'm sure you'll start getting it. Mr. Colby was saying a while back that someone is going to invent a top. You can put up when it rains. We French have already outmoded this proposed invention. What? Attendee, one moment. Vengement of which there is no absolutely. Cognac. Applaud, Monsieur. Well, thank you, Monsieur. A toast. A toast. To our men who are crazy enough to join us around the world by way of Siberia. I'll drink to that. Here's the bottle. Oh, down to it, Monsieur. A toast. To your gallant, Monsieur. For the head. Okay, George, fix them up to fine. All your thanks in the world. Bravo. Thank you. I see you've got one of my princesses, too. Oh, now you're standing out here in the mud. I know it. I know it. What have you got in that bottle, George? Cognac. Three hours later, the rain stopped. Then a rainbow came. His name was Pat Kenville, and he was driving a team of horses. He helped us out of the mud. Then he led the way for us into Buffalo, still behind the French car. After Buffalo, Toledo, then Chicago. And we were a day ahead of everybody. Omaha, Cheyenne, Ogden. And we were four days ahead of the other cars. Down in bankments across deserts, forging rivers over flats and over hills, then 60 miles outside of Ogden. The tumbleweeds. What about them, Mr. Colby? I'm, uh, no mechanic, you know. What about the tumbleweeds, Mr. Colby? Riding over them the way you do. We've already discussed that, Mr. Colby, when you were asleep. Oh, Mr. Colby. Yes, Montague? You're a correspondent for a whole syndicate of newspapers. Aren't you supposed to take notes of something? How can you do that when you sleep so much? A good question. Well, how can you do it? I am a journalist. So? My dear Mr. Miller, when a journalist has seen one tumbleweed, he can close his eyes and imagine a vastness of tumbleweeds, hundreds of square miles of tumbleweeds, such as we are now negotiating. Wake me up the next time. I'm afraid not. Why not, Mr. Miller? We are quite right about the tumbleweeds riding over them. They're liable to follow the transmission. And that's why you won't be able to sleep, Mr. Colby. We're going to ride on the railroad ties. Really? Really. Besides, how do you think we're going to cross that river up ahead? Hmm. All right. What? Oh, here we go. I like riding on railroad ties, Mr. Colby. Oh, it's a Cheyenne. Let's change places, huh? There's a trestle up ahead. I know. You're getting all of that. On the other side of the trestle. If we could walk into that river, I wanted to be mine. Back me to do a drive into the river. Right that, George. All right. Let's get out and see. What do you see? I don't see any clutch shaft. That's one thing I see. Oh. Cracked right off. Where are we, Marty? Under a Thomas Flyer in the middle of the desert. Yeah. Mind if I ask you another question, Marty? Go right ahead. How far from a town? A good-sized town. One that would have a blacksmith. About 30 miles. That way. Well, let's get out from under here. Oh, uh, over there on the sand, George. The other part of the clutch shaft. Uh-huh. We've got to get the part to a blacksmith. There's no two ways about it. Uh, somebody is going to have to walk. 30 miles. Somebody who's had a lot of rest. Mr. Colby. Mr. Colby returned 16 hours later. The blacksmith returned him in a wagon. Mr. Colby was sleeping in back of it. The clutch shaft was repaired, and the Thomas Flyer and the three of us were ready to go again, so we went. We arrived in San Francisco 12 days ahead of the other contestants. They gave us a cup, and we left for Seattle. When we arrived there, they gave us a cup. And according to the pre-arranged route, we loaded the Thomas Flyer on board a steamer. And sailed for Valdez, Alaska. It was very cold in Valdez. My word. It's cold. Many people in Valdez had never seen an automobile before. And as a token for our achievement, they gave us a cup. They showed us a smaller cup, which they were saving for the Frenchman who were 10 days behind. On April 8, when the snowdrifts were piled from three to 12 feet high, we left Valdez for the Yukon and the Beering Straits, which were frozen over this time of year so we could drive straight to Asia. We were thankful for the foresight of bringing chains along. A new innovation. And thankful, too, for the efficiency of the motor of the Thomas Flyer at 20 degrees below zero. Headway was very slow. Three days of it, and we only covered 22 miles. Fundra's. What did you say, Mr. Colby? Fundra's. When you've seen one of them, you've seen... Yes, we know, Mr. Colby. It is. Please. Isn't it, George? Yes. Don't think about it. Talk about something else. The German car was an Omaha when we got to Seattle. I know. We know all about that, Marty. You say something, Mr. Colby. I was just going to say that... What was that? Get out of the car, quick! An ambulance! One! Mr. Colby? Look at the car. It just can't get caught here. All our equipment's covered the shovel. Improvise, Mr. Colby. Use your hands. Oh, it's no shoes. I wonder what he wants. You and the fellas drive an automobile around the world. That's right. Where's your automobile? One of the snow. We had a little... Snow slide, eh? I'm around here all the time. Well, I'm glad it caught you, fellas. Oh, we are, too. We could use a... They sent me out from Valdez to find you. Got something to tell you. The roads of this race have been changed. You don't go through Alaska. Can't be done anyhow. The barren straits don't freeze over. What? Here in there, they turn to mush, but they don't freeze over. Never have. Then what are we supposed to do? Go back to Seattle. That's all I know. Automobile in Alaska. That don't make no sense at all. Well, come on. I'll give you a hand. Dig out. I, uh... I hope this little side trip didn't lose you boys the race. Auto Life is bringing you Mr. Van Johnson in Around the World. This is Harlow Wilcox speaking again for Auto Light and the colorful Easter Parade of Stars automobile show in the grand ballroom of New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Here are 40 exciting car models produced by manufacturer members of the Auto Light family. In the balcony, overlooking the ballroom, is a 38-piece band of the Women's Army Corps. In rooms surrounding the ballroom, there's a barren strait, the Women's Army Corps. In rooms surrounding the ballroom, are special action displays dramatizing the latest engineering advancements of the automotive industry, as well as special exhibits featuring outstanding accomplishments of our armed forces. Auto Light is proud to be a part of the great automotive industry and to have contributed to the development of today's fine cars. Auto Light serves the greatest names in the industry. In the climax to the second annual Auto Light family salute program, Auto Light is privileged to salute distinguished members of the Auto Light family whose cars are on display at the Easter Parade of Stars automobile show and to salute their dealers throughout the world for our many years of close association. And now Auto Light brings back to our soundstage Mr. Van Johnson in Elliott Lewis' production of Around the World, a story based on fact and well-calculated to keep you in suspense. This is George Miller again. I'd like to hear a few comments from my opponents in the Around the World automobile race. Senor Anthony Scafullio, I wish to tell you how much I enjoyed the trip by boat from Seattle to Yokohama. The fact that we come in 12 days behind Americans to Seattle was due to an oversight by navigator. Thank you, Senor. Lieutenant Hans Van Coppen. This is not possible that we arrived six days behind the Americans to Seattle. However, we are happy to be in Yokohama. Mr. Bossier de Saint-Safré What does it matter that the Americans waited a week for us? The wine and the boat to Yokohama was deplorable. We arrived in Yokohama on May 10, 1998. All the cars were unloaded by sandpans since there were no docks. All the contestants rested, saw the sites and learned to eat with two pieces of wood which are called chopsticks. During the short time we were there, the student among us, Mr. Colby of the newspaper syndicate, learned a few Japanese words. Biru is beer, Obasan is woman, Kawaii is pretty face, Genki desu is I am happy. Our stay in Japan was pleasant. All of us drove to Colby and were loaded onto a boat and we sailed for Vladivastak, arriving there May 17. The race to Paris was resumed, except for the Italian car whose crew liked the ocean void so much that they were last seen sailing for the Mediterranean. From Vladivastak to Harbin, a refueling point, we arrived ahead of the Germans but the French beat us by half an hour. Oh, Monsieur! Well, you beat us! Ha! Your race is yet to be won. Have you refueled? A moment ago. I saw your car, so I thought to wait to be due to you. Yeah, well, I do. And to save you some time. Oh? There is no more gas to be add at the Huling station. What do you mean no more gas? My American speech is not at the best. I do not know how else to say it. Let me think. How else can I say it? Is it? I have it. I have bought all of it, all of the gasoline in order to cost the business of Siberia. So, there is no more gas. And all! That was rather unsporting. Monty, go ask the man if he has any more gas. Right. You have no idea what I shall do when we finally get to Paris. What are you going to do, Mr. Colby? I shall lodge a protest with the Rules Committee. Forget it. Anyhow, I don't think I like Siberia very much. Well, you're going to see a lot of it, Mr. Colby. It's the biggest country ever. George! What about it, Monty? No gas. It was Monty in his charming way who got the gas. There was an army outpost in Harbin, the army of his Imperial Majesty, the Tsar of all the rushes. Monty introduced himself and his charm at the offices club, and in a little while introduced a variation on the game of poker known as Spit in the Ocean. American money against the Tsar's gasoline. Monty won. Proposed maneuvers of the Harbin outpost of the army of his Imperial Majesty, the Tsar of all the rushes was delayed for some time. We headed into the wilderness of Siberia. How far to the lake, Monty? I figure Lake Baikal is about 50 miles away. If we miss the boat that crosses it, we'll lose two days. We're well aware of that fact, Mr. Colby. Don't worry about it. We'll be there tomorrow morning for sure. Must the French get there first for the Germans? I haven't seen the Germans, but we passed the French. I'd like to remind you that we should not cross our... What's that up ahead? Voices. People on them. In such a locale they are known as Tartars. If you want the line, George, you better slow down. Tartars are direct descendants of Genghis Khan. History tells us that Genghis Khan put two million people to the sword. The hobby of these people is beheading strangers. They're on to the teeth, George. Let's go out and talk to them. Hi there. You try it, Monty. Hello. Mr. Colby, have you ever had occasion to learn Tartar talk? Mr. Colby. Here he comes, George. He must be seven feet tall. Hello, Chief. We're just riding through. We're on our way to St. Petersburg. You talk to him, Monty. What do I say? Oh, something charming. Nice country you have here, Chief. George. You like the horn, Chief? Monty, give him the horn. Sure, sure. He'll only be a minute, Chief. Hurry up, Monty. Here you are, Chief. Oh, now, wait a minute, Chief. That's the wheel. We need the wheel. Blow the horn, Chief, here. Isn't that nice? Oh, now, wait a minute, Chief. That's the wheel. We need the wheel. Blow the horn, Chief, here. Isn't that nice? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. We don't buy livers, Chief. Our crossing of the rest of the Siberian Wastes was remarkable only in Mr. Colby's remarking that we hadn't seen the French car for a long time. As a matter of fact, we never saw the French again. We lost only a few minutes at Omsk when we had to stop to let the Trans-Siberian railroad train go by. Just before we were furried across the Volga River, we passed Lieutenant Kopin and the crew of the Protos Automobile. we were now in the lead we arrived in st. Petersburg on thursday july 23 we were the first to arrive and they were festivities in our honor the reception my word in in the name of his imperial highness tsar of all the russians i welcome you to st. Petersburg we're very glad of and in full recognition of your remarkable achievements as the force to cross the motherland by automobile i have been commanded by his imperial majesty tsar of all the russians to present a token of our admiration baris the cop here take in the name of the thomas flyer corporation of detroit michigan i am proud and happy to accept the cop mr colby yes mr miller put this cop with the cops and now a toast baris the glasses here gentlemen take baris the vodka to his imperial majesty tsar of all the russians to terry roseville president of the united states of america george over there the protos lieutenant funcopa for germans thank his imperial majesty for us we've got to go first a toast baris to her imperial majesty tsarina of all the russians to the rough riders we're on a race here you know we've got a baris to st. petersburg jewel in the crown of his imperial majesty tsar of all the russians we've really got to go to detroit michigan now now let there be music and the festival and dancing baris 16 hours 16 precious hours we couldn't get away we tried to but we couldn't finally at six o'clock in the morning we left st. petersburg from there to berlin where we were told that the protos car was a half a day ahead of us that was on july 24 we refueled and went on the roads were better and we made good time hanover dusseldorf cologne across luxembourg and into france very good time but still trailing the germans in the protos car then into reen still behind the germans and the next day in the morning of july 30 we were outside of paris just outside of paris george look the protos yeah hurry what do you think i'm trying to do mr colby that's the boy george wittgenin mr colby throw everything out of the car i was about to suggest that we'll do it yeah yep wittgenin george wittgenin the cops too mr miller the cops too hey funcoppen what kept you where have you been you'll have fun yet you'll have fun i can't hear you funcoppen there's the finish line george all those people to paris almost 14 000 miles in the thomas flyer automobile our total running time was 88 days we arrived 102 we averaged 152 miles a day over all kinds of country in every sort of climate we climb mountains forward streams drove through mud and traverse sandy deserts we won the new york times $50,000 first prize and we had our pictures in every paper in the world but mostly it was a tribute to our automobile we proved something an american stock car circled the globe and we're not anybody special anybody can do it johnson this is harlow wilcox speaking for autolight and the worldwide autolight family tonight is the crowning achievement of the second annual autolight family salute program we have brought you a special broadcast direct from the easter parade of stars automobile show at the waldo office doria hotel in new york city tomorrow night the autolight family will join in a reception and supper party honoring all women's branches of our armed services also iran dunne rosalind russell van johnson and robert merrill it's for the benefit of our armed services emergency relief funds the easter parade of stars automobile show with its many new car models produced by manufacturer members of the autolight family will be open all day wednesday and thursday admission is free the story about a man who dreamed of someday having all the money he would ever need and one day found a way to make his dream come true it's called the great train robbery our star mr fred McMurray that's next week on suspense with music composed by lucian moravec and conducted by lud bluskin around the world it was written for suspense by morten fine and david freedkin and was based on fact featured in the cast were alan hewitt ted osborne larry hains steve robert's danie arcoe and cameron andrews and remember next week mr fred McMurray in the great train robbery