 The Lux Summer Theater. Lever Brothers Company, the makers of Lux Toilet Salt, brings you the Lux Summer Theater, starring Joseph Cotton in romance to a degree. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Don Wilson. Well, vacation time is about half over, and I wonder how many of you are still contemplating a trip to Hollywood. At tonight's play, we'd like to tell you about a young man who came to our glamorous city one summer to study literature. He also receives a first-hand opportunity to study some of our more fabulous citizens. And as the star of this romantic comedy, we have that excellent actor, Joseph Cotton. Oh, but just a minute, here's Francis Scully waving a letter at me. Who's the letter from, Francis? A friend of mine who's on her vacation, Don, and listen to this post-script. Thanks loads for putting that box of Lux Flakes into my suitcase. My nylons would be lost without it. Yes, smart women know Lux Flakes' care is real stocking-saving magic. Lux Flakes' care is so soft and mild. It actually protects stocking elasticity, doubled stocking life. It's just like getting an extra pair of stockings for every pair you buy. So don't risk your stockings to harsh washday products. Give your nylons special care with safe Lux Flakes. Gentle Lux Flakes' care cuts stocking runs in half. Make your nylons last twice as long. So get a big box of Lux Flakes tomorrow. Safe Lux Flakes are recommended by 96% of stocking manufacturers and guaranteed safe by Lieber Brothers Company. And now, Joseph Cotton starring in Kathleen Heights' delightful story, Romance to a Degree. The Westways bus left Kansas City bound for Los Angeles and all intervening stops Friday morning at 9 o'clock. At 2 o'clock that afternoon it stopped for five minutes in the elm-shaded coolness of Middleton, Kansas. A tall young man in a freshly laundered seersucker suit got aboard, selected a seat by the window on the shady side of the bus, and after waving farewell to his mother, settled down to his reading. His name, William Spring Smith. His reading, English literature, volume one, two Dryden's and Homer's The Iliad. At 6 o'clock that evening the bus stopped for three minutes at Hooker, Oklahoma. A pretty young girl in a crisp summer cotton got aboard, selected a seat next to a young man in a rump old seersucker suit, waved her farewells and settled down to her reading. Her name, Jenny Stewart. Her reading, half a dozen movie magazines. That was Friday. This is Saturday night. Pardon me. You read all the time, don't you? You're not enjoying the scenery at all then, are you? Then you probably wouldn't mind if we changed seats, would you? Okay then, let's. Come on, your turn. Don't sit down yet. I've got a slide in front of you. Oh, this is fine. You can sit down now. There now, this is much better. You can read and I can enjoy the scenery. Did you say something? I'm sorry, I thought you said something. I said quite a few things, but you've been so wrapped up in your reading you haven't noticed anything else. Oh, this is just a little escape reading for the trip. I was reviewing the mythological interpretations of Beowulf. Oh? It's good exercise every once in a while, pitting the arguments of Mullenhoff and Campbell on the one side against Chambers and Lawrence on the other. Sounds like fun. Oh, it's pretty exciting, all right. I happen to hold with Chambers and Lawrence, but there's good room for speculation on either position. That's the beauty of it. Oh, you bet it is. What's your name? Oh, sorry, my name's Smith, William Spring Smith. Well, Mr. Smith, my name's Jenny Stewart, and I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. Really? Well, if you're interested, Ms. Stewart, I'd be glad to enlighten you. Oh, no, don't. Look, I don't want to be rude, but I'm just busting to talk to somebody. Bursting? Hmm? Bursting to talk with someone, not busting. Well, now I guess I know what I'm doing, and I'm busting. Well, if you prefer, if you'll have to forgive me, I'm so used to correcting my students. You're a teacher? Professor, an associate professor actually at Middle College. Never heard of it. Middle College, Middleton, Kansas, founded in 1873? Kansas! And here I was about to get impressed with you. I'm from Oklahoma, Hooker, Oklahoma. That's in the panhandle. I know. Well, what are you busting to tell someone? About me. I've lived in Hooker all my life, and about a month ago, I was walking along the street with a girlfriend, and this man I'd never seen came up to me and he says, you're beautiful, just like that. I'll be darned. Yeah? I walked right on, of course, but it seems like everywhere I'd be after that, he'd be there, too. And finally, we sort of got to talking and all, and it turns out he's a talent scout from Hollywood, and to make a long story short, I'm going out there and be a movie star. Well, it's a small world. I'm going to Hollywood, too. I knew it. The minute I set eyes on you, I said to myself, he looks just like Joseph Cotton. Do I? The spittin' image. Who's Joseph Cotton? Oh, silly, as if you didn't know. That's funny. Everyone in Middleton says I resembled mother. And the spring side of the family, I don't remember any cottons on either side of the family. Joseph Cotton is a movie star. Oh, well, I never go to the movies. That is not much, maybe once a year, not over that. Oh, I see everything that comes to town and drive up to liberal or down to Guiman whenever the bills change there. Uh, what are you going to Hollywood for if you're not in the movie? Well, just to study for my degree, my PhD in English. I've enrolled in the summer school at UCLA. Oh, well, maybe you'll go to the movies more often when I'm a big star. Maybe. I used to go when Aunt Lily was in pictures. You have an aunt in the movies? Aunt Lily, Lily Spring. She still lives in Hollywood. Lily Spring. I never heard of it. Well, she hasn't made a picture recently. I guess Aunt Lily hasn't really done a lot in movies since they discovered talkies. It was this remark that closed the conversation and generally served to underscore a basic incompatibility between the seat companions. Jenny Stewart was born four years after the advent of talking pictures. Lily Spring, the mythological interpretations of Beowulf and the advanced English study of William Spring Smith left her quite cold, even if Professor Smith was the spitten image of Joseph Cotton. On the other hand, Professor Smith welcomed the return to his reading. Only vaguely mindful that the talent scout had made a small point when he looked at Jenny and said, you're beautiful. And so the ride went from Albuquerque to Gallup to Flagstaff, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino, and finally, Hollywood. Well, we made it, Miss Stewart. Mm-hmm. Yes, we certainly did. Do you see your friend anywhere, that talent scout? Uh, no. No, I don't. Oh, but he'll be here, all right. Mr. Meston promised me back in Hooker he'd be here. Of course, he might be tied up, but, oh, I know he'd send a chauffeur or something to meet me. Well, I'll just wait with you until he does show up. Oh, no, no, no, no. You run along, Dan, Lily. I'll be just fine. Just fine. Well, all right. I'll be at the YMCA for a few days. You know where you'll be staying? One of the big hotels, probably. Mr. Meston's just taking care of everything for me. Well, good luck with your new career, Mr. Stewart. And happy PhD to you, too, Mr. Smith. Thank you. Goodbye, Mr. Stewart. Goodbye, Mr. Smith. Hello, this... What did you say? I must have the wrong number. I was calling Miss Lily Spring. I'm sorry. This is Miss Spring's residence. Whom shall I say is calling? Oh. Oh, well, will you be kind enough to tell Miss Spring that I never knew William Spring Smith is on the line? William Spring Smith. Aunt Lily's doing all right. Oh, I'm right here, Aunt Lily, in a phone booth at the YMCA. But where? Where? In Hollywood, right here in Hollywood. Oh, I don't believe it. Is your mother with you? Not in the YMCA. Mother's back in Kansas. Oh. I just wanted to say hello and tell you mother sent her best. But I can't. Yes, Aunt Lily. No. Oh, I'm never lonely, Aunt Lily. I have my books. I wonder what kept her out of talking pictures. You're such a young man. You've turned out to be. I've been admiring your tan. Oh, that. Oh, well, I don't work at it, especially. I think after you've lived out here as long as I have, you just turn brown to keep the Chamber of Commerce happy. Never mind about me now. I want to know about you. Well... You teach at college, don't you? Yes, English. And you're out here to get your PhD. Well, I've come to study tour. It takes a while to get a PhD. Now, this summer... You know something? That's what Miss Stewart said. Who's Miss Stewart? Oh, just a girl on the bus coming out. She's beautiful. She's going to be a movie star. Why, Willie Spring Smith. And I thought you just made friends with book. She just sat next to me on the bus. Oh, well. I can't tell you how delighted I am. A beautiful girl interested in you. Oh, and you like her, I can tell. She just sat next to me on the bus. I'll be honest with you, Willie. Living with your mother the way you do since your father died and reading her letters of how your whole life is your book. I've been worried sick about you. Oh, but now... This loveliness, Miss Stewart, and you... I'm Lily. She's just that next to me on the bus. As good a beginning as any. I met my first husband on the covered wagon. You're not that old. You're not that old. It's the picture. The epic picture of the early 20s, Willie. Oh, I had a substantial part, if you'll remember. I saw it 14 times, but I don't remember Uncle John in the picture. Oh, oh, he wasn't in the picture. He was in charge of the horses. A tall... I think we're attracting attention on Lily. John always did bring out the beast in me. I'll just don't miss him all my life. Is he dead? Oh, he'll never be dead. He's made a career out of horses and marrying pretty girls. Oh, Bravo! Aunt Lily, everyone back in Middleton remembers you. How famous you are and how wealthy. Oh, well, I guess that's your mother's doing, Willie. Although I must admit, with all my enterprises, I am loaded. Mother's awfully proud of you, Aunt Lily. The whole town is why they know as much about that big house you live in as if it were on Jefferson Street right there in Middleton. That's the way hometowns are, you know. You're always famous in your own hometowns. They really remember me, do they? I'll say they do. Why, just last year, didn't Mother write you? They changed the name of the old Princess Theatre to the Lily Spring Theatre. Oh, bless them. I hope I never do anything to disappoint them. Oh, they're wonderful people back in Middleton. I think it's the best place in the world to live. Then you keep right on living there. Oh, I will. Someday, maybe I... Maybe I'll be Dean of the college like Dad was and then... That's funny. What, Willie? Over there, across the restaurant, see? Where? That girl in the blue dress, just sliding into a booth with that tall fella. Girl in the blue dress? Oh, why? That's my Gordon with her. That's Miss Stewart. Say, she is beautiful, and if Mike's her agent, she'll probably become a star. Oh, I've known him since he was a boy out here. Well? Well? Go on over and steer. Oh, no, she's busy, and I... Well, I don't want to go over that, so I'll... Willie? Honest, Aunt Lily. She just sat next to me on the bus. After lunch, William Spring Smith promised Aunt Lily he'd stay with her at Spring Haven as soon as her guests left. The next few days were busy ones. William enrolled in UCLA and began a pattern of taking courses by day and studying hard by night. Jenny Stewart? Well, she was just the girl who sat next to him on the bus. He never gave her a conscious thought. But something made him close his books early some evenings, a restlessness that sent him out of the YMCA usually in the direction of Hollywood Boulevard. And there, with thousands of other visitors, he walked the midway of Mooby Town. He didn't know it yet, but in the midst of all those people, William Spring Smith was lonely. Hey, you cousin, wait for the light to change before you start across there. Oh, oh, sorry. Thanks. Hey, hey! Get the picture? Yeah, thanks. That's very friendly of you. Are you kidding? Well, thanks anyway. No big thing. Light's changed, cousin. You can go now. Oh, wow. Sorry, I was looking. My father. Why is Mr. Smith? Mr. Smith, it's so nice to see you. It was nice to see you, Mr. Smith. Of all the people in the world. Imagine running into you this way. Hey, cousin. Huh? The light has changed again. Oh, yes it has. Thanks very much. No big thing. I guess we'd better get out of the middle of the street. Yes, come on. Really bumping into you. Of all the people in the world. That's what I mean. Oh, donut chop here. How about a bite? Wonderful idea. I really couldn't eat much. I had such a large dinner. Just coffee then? Oh, I'll eat a couple of donuts just to keep you company. Help you? Yes, thanks. The lady will have coffee and two donuts. There are three for a dime. Coffee and three donuts. Oh, bring me the same, I guess. Plain? Plain. One chocolate, one coconut and one cinnamon. I've eaten here before. Oh, plain. You paying for this? Suddenly. Okay. The cue of your question? I guess I've just had too much Hollywood nightlife. You're enjoying yourself here, aren't you, Miss Stewart? Oh, yes. Oh, yes indeed. It's so exciting and everybody's been so... You go right ahead. It's been such a world. You've got me doing it. So you've got... Miss Stewart. Miss Stewart. Come on. Leave her alone. She's just sleeping. Okay, bud. Be my guest. You'll wake her up. But get her out of here. And tell her she can't sleep in here every night. Consider to be a girl's best friend. Well, now let's see. Man's best friend is his dog. So I suppose a girl's best friend would be, uh... Oh, give up, Don. A girl's best friend is diamonds. You remember Laurel I's famous line and gentlemen prefer blondes. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. I certainly do, Francis. Well, Marilyn Monroe plays that famous gold digger in the new 20th Century Fox Technicolor picture now showing in both New York and Hollywood. And can you imagine Marilyn covered with shimmering gems wearing black knit opera hoes against a red background? And Jane Russell doing a burlase routine? Well, most of the action is laid aboard a huge luxury liner. Jane Russell as her educated companion manages to get into a lot of trouble, too. But Marilyn ends up with diamonds. And I hear one of the girls get stuck in a porthole. Well, Marilyn does, Don. And a six-year-old lad pulls her out. You know, Francis, I'm still thinking about that line. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Personally, I'd say Luck's toilet soap is a girl's best friend. It's important for a girl to be so, well, irresistible that a man just wants to give her diamonds. And a lovely complexion is one of the best come-ons I know. Well, Mal and Monroe and Jane Russell certainly have nice complexions. And lots of nice Luxe in their dressing rooms, too. Well, like most Hollywood screen stars, they know the importance of daily Luxe care to keep one's complexion looking its very best. Daily Luxe facial is so quick and easy, too. Oh, it certainly is, Don. You just cream in the Luxe lather, rinse warm, flash cold. Sounds very interesting, Francis. Try Luxe tomorrow. And see if you don't agree with Mal and Monroe, Jane Russell, and nine out of ten screen stars. They believe Luxe is as nice and gentle a soap as you can buy. Now, act two of romance to a degree starring Joseph Cotton as William. Five days ago when they arrived in Hollywood, Professor William Spring Smith of Middleton, Kansas, and Jenny Stewart of Hooker, Oklahoma, were two bright young people each in his own fashion determined to reconquer the West. Now they are two bewildered young people seated on a bench at a bus stop at Hollywood and by. He's right. I have slept in the donut shop every night until they wake me up and ask me to leave. But why? They say it's bad for a business. No, no, I mean, why must you sleep there? What about that talent scout? Mr. Meston, he never did meet me at the bus station. I've tried every way I know, but I can't find anybody by what, with that name in Hollywood anywhere. That's funny. Mr. Smith. Yes? Do you think Mr. Meston is fictitious? I'm not sure I understand. I mean, all those things he said to me back home about him being a talent scout and making me into a movie star and all that. I don't know. I guess there are men who do things like that. Boy, he sure didn't seem fictitious back in Hooker. Yes, well, what are you going to do? You can't go on being thrown out of donut shops every night. Have you got any money? I don't even have any talent. I've seen all kinds of agents, even Mike Gordon. He's one of the best. Well, that's what Aunt Lily says, too. Oh, he was so nice to me. I pestered him so much he finally took me to the Brown Derby for lunch. It's the only really good meal I've had. Oh, poor Jenny. And after lunch, he told me to go back to Hooker like a good little doll. Doll? That's Hollywood for girl. Oh. Mr. Smith, you called me Jenny. Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I did. Oh, don't be sorry. I liked it with him. Say, I know what to do about you. Where's your luggage? In a locker at the bus station. Why? I don't know why I didn't think of this before. Think of what? Aunt Lily. I'll take you to Aunt Lily's and she'll fix everything. Oh, Aunt Lily, for a minute there, I thought you were going to be fictitious like Mr. Meston. No, no, that's not going to work out. It's too late to bother Aunt Lily tonight. Oh. Oh, I know. I'll take you to the Y. William. WCA. It's for girls. I know. That's Middleton for dolls. No man allowed. She's a girl. Hmm, so she is. Can she talk? Well, of course she can talk. Say something, Jenny. Hello. Very good. She wants a room. A name, please? William Spring Smith. Jenny. Young man? Yes, Miss. Go home. Full night at the YMCA. When sleep failed to come, he turned to Chaucer. When the liquid smoothness of the Chaucerian stands had disappointed, he tried to find challenge in his paper on the Iliad. But it was no use. For the first time in all his 30 years, William Spring Smith turned to his book friends and found them lacking. By morning his resolve was firm, and he took it with him to breakfast with Jenny. The more I think about it, Jenny, the more I think that agent was right. You should go back to Chaucer like a good little doll, a girl. I'm too much trouble to you, aren't I? Oh, it isn't that. It's just that... I am too much trouble. I know I am. Last night you said you'd fix everything with your Aunt Lily, and now you've thought it over, and I'm just too much trouble. Oh, I called her this morning. She's out for the day, and I'll call her later, but... Well, it's my work, Jenny. After all, I came here to study and work, and... Tell me about your work, will you? No, it wouldn't interest you. It's just my work. But I'm very interested, really, I am. I mean, it's nice to know that something's going well with someone. Please tell me. Well, I'm writing this paper, a critique, actually, on Homer's Iliad. Homer's what? The Iliad by the ancient Greek poet Homer. Oh, of course. You see, everyone knows it as a classic heroic epic. It's common talk. Yes. Yes, it is, but in my critique, I take the position that Homer's characters are as worthy of literary immortality as the excellence of the form of the heroic epic itself. They're real characters, huh? Exceptionally real. I hold that they need not be confined to a specific time or place, and to substantiate this position, I'm suggesting a method of handling the Iliad in modern form and the belief that the characters will sustain today, divorced, of course, from their mythological implications. Maybe you're right. I think I am. At any rate, it's an exciting assumption. I mean, maybe you're right. I should go back to Hooker. Well, are we back there? William, I never know what you're talking about. You make me feel so dumb. Stupid. William. I mean, stupid's a better word in that construction than dumb. I'll be dumb if I want to. It isn't bad enough that I haven't any money or any talent or even any friends out here. You've got to come along and make me feel inferior. Jenny, I don't mean to do that. Please, Jenny, don't cry. I will cry. I don't know what to do when you cry. I don't know what to do anyway. For me, I've got a class this morning and one this afternoon. Can you do this, young lady? Nothing. Nothing's going to interfere with my work. No amount of histrionics. No flood of deer. Nothing. I was ashamed carrying on that way and taking you from your classes. It's all right, Jenny. Just don't cry anymore. I won't, William. I promise. And you really are going back to Hooker tonight, aren't you? Yes, William. Well, now I've shown you Aunt Lily's house. What else would you like to see? Such a big gracious home. Spring Haven, is that what she calls it? Aunt Lily's really done all right. I guess she could still be a big movie star if she wanted to be. A big star. Oh, William. Now, Jenny, you promised. I know. I know. I won't cry anymore. But it's awful to be a has-been at 21. Oh, that's ridiculous. You're not a has-been. You can't be a has-been if you haven't even been. Jenny, I'm not cruel. I don't mean to hurt you. I am, in fact, doing my best to make your last day in Hollywood a pleasant one. But you've got to help me. I'll be good. I really mean to be... You're so patient with me and so kind. All right. But no more talk about acting or pictures. Understand? I understand. Now, then, where are we? Sunset Boulevard. I said no more talk about pictures. This street, William, it's Sunset Boulevard. Oh, well, that's good. We just passed through Beverly Hills, so that means the ocean isn't much too further if we stay on Sunset. What on earth is that man doing? What man? Oh, at the side of the road? I don't know. Looks like he was shaking his fist at us or something. No. No, he's got something in his hand. Oh, and there's a sign behind him. That's the movie star's home, William. No. It's my last day. Jenny, no. And besides, we've already passed him. And we'll drive out to the ocean. Look, William, there's a woman ahead there. She's selling him, too. I don't care if she's giving them away or if she pays you to take them or... Oh, no. Oh, no. All right. If you feel that way about it, then don't stop. All right. I don't believe it. I mean it. You don't have to stop on my account. I've stopped on my account. Folks want a map? Over 400? Put it, Willie. I don't understand. This is what you do for a living? We can discuss this another time, Willie. I just hope I haven't embarrassed you in front of your nice, Miss Stewart. Hello, my dear. How do you do? My goodness, you are lovely, isn't she, Willie? Just lovely. Standing out here in the sun like this day after day, no wonder you're so tan. It tells me that Mike Gordon's going to make a star of you. And I must say you're beautiful enough. Now, if you just have the talent to match, well, you make the grade, I'm sure. You're very nice, Miss Spring, but I'm afraid Mr. Gordon doesn't think I have much, too. Now, Jenny, don't. Now, you're just being marvelous. I know Mike very well, and I'll call him up and get the state goods from him. Aunt Lily, don't. Oh, that would be wonderful. Oh, no, not at all. I'm curious about you. After all... Miss Stewart is going back to Hookah, Oklahoma, on the evening bus. Oh, that's perfectly ridiculous. Now, why on earth would you want to go back to Hookah? I don't want to go, Miss Spring, but I don't have any money or any prospects of a job for a baby. Now, Aunt Lily, listen to me. My dear child, you haven't given our town a chance. Well, maybe you've had a few punches in the nose. That's part of the business. Pick yourself up and roll with the punch. Do you really think I should? I certainly do. Miss Stewart is going back to Hookah, Oklahoma, on the evening bus. Really? What are you sputtering about? I have work to do, a lot of work, and I insist it must and will be. Miss Stewart will be on the evening bus for Hookah, and that is final. Do you think you'll be comfortable here, dear? Oh, perfectly. It's such a lovely room, isn't it, William? Dandy room. Miss Spring, you're sure it's hard if I stay here just till I get my big break. Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, come along, William. Tear yourself away, William. I don't know how to thank you for all you've done. Believe me, I haven't done a thing. Come along now. I'll show you your little hideaway. Let me know if you need anything, dear. Thank you. Now then, Willie, this way. Just a minute. Something wrong, dear? One or two things aren't exactly clear. Oh, I know. This enterprise of mine selling maps to movie stars' home bothers you, doesn't it? That's one of the two things. Why don't you tell Mother or me? Oh, and let that wonderful town of Middletown know that Lily Spring wasn't everything they thought she was. Oh, no, Willie. I won't do it to them or to me. Next question. Spring Haven. All those people downstairs, you're a guest. Just guest. Just guest. Just guest. How long have they been visiting you? Well, now let me see. The Menzies, the older couple, the ones who looked like something left over from Borderville. They're left over from Borderville. Used to have a juggling act. Juggling act. Juggling act. Just guest. Just guest. Then Basil, the one who answers the door and phone and all, the one who looks like the butler. He's the butler? No, he just looks like that. No, Basil's a fine old Shakespearean actor. Just waiting for a break in pictures. How long has he been waiting for this break? Oh, 10 or 15 years. No longer than that. Things aren't clearing up in a cloudy sort of way. Then let me see. The others... Forget the others. I expect they're all just... Just guest. Aunt Lily, don't worry about Middleton. Lily Spring is everything they think she is. Maybe even a little bit more. I hesitate to tell you that I saw the Warner Bros. Technicolor picture, so this is love. Why is that, Frances? Oh, well, as soon as I mention Catherine Grayson as the star, will you just... Oh, Catherine Grayson. Not only a lovely voice, but a lovely complexion. She uses luck, you know. See what I mean? But now what's the picture all about, Frances? Oh, Don, it's based on the story of Grace Moore and therefore is almost all songs. Catherine sings 13 popular songs. An aria from Romeo and Juliet, Files, Lobo Ames, plus a wonderful number entitled I Wish I Could Chimmy like my sister Kate. All that must have been from the time Grace Moore performed in a review and sang First I Wiggle and Then I Waggle. Oh, you're so right, Don. I understand Catherine was the one star considered for the role. Yes. Her own background of musical training and achievements parallels that of Grace Moore. Then one of these days, she may sing at the Met and take 28 curtain calls like Miss Moore did after Lobo Ames. Oh, I wouldn't be at all surprised, Don. Catherine devotes six weeks of the year to the pursuit of her classical musical career. What a busy girl. Yet Catherine never neglects her luck's beauty care. Well, like so many stars, Catherine finds bathing with luck very soothing, Don. When she sang at London's Latium a couple of years ago, she took lucks along. I understand she made a Goodwill tour of South America recently with several cakes of lucks tucked in her Fortniter. Maybe as a Goodwill gesture, she gave some away. Maybe she did, Frances. Wherever you go, take the generous bath size cake of lucks. You'll find it's a great pick-me-up after a warm summer day. And you'll like the way it leaves your skin smooth and glowing. For the beauty bath of the Hollywood stars, use lucks. We pause now for station identification. This is the CBS radio network. Now the curtain rises on act three of romance to a degree starring Joseph Cotton as William. The bus for Hooker, Oklahoma left Hollywood on schedule that evening as it did every evening for several weeks thereafter. But Jenny Stewart was never aboard. She was rather safe in the arms of Spring Haven, along with a score of other... Well, just guests. Among them, William Spring Smith, a young man more or less determined to complete his summer studies. And that was good. Because if he were to complete them at Spring Haven, he would have to be more or less determined. Spring Haven? Well, lady. No, no, no. Miss Spring isn't here just now. You know I can reach her? Drive out Sunset. Just pass Beverly Hills. She'll shake her fist in your face. You know what? She'll be home in an hour. Oh. Well, look, were you telling that Andrews of Mitchell and Andrews, you know, the dog act? Tell her we'll be out later to put up with her for a while. Are you bringing the dogs? We can if Lily wants us to. I'll tell her. Oh, yes, yes. Characters in the Iliad were so skillfully drawn by Homer from our killies through Agamemnon to Ellen of Troy herself just to be timeless in that depth and scope. Ellen. Busy, William? Yes, Basil, busy. That's what I like to see. A young man busy at his work. A single-mindedness and dedication to purpose of the young mind. An inspiring thing for these old eyes to behold. One question, William. What is it, Basil? It's the Daryl Zanik called. No. Jack Warner. No. Dory Sherry? No. I shall snub them all when next destiny danes our paths entwined. You stay with it, William. Work. Let nothing deter you. Lose yourself in it. Lose yourself. And promise me this. If anyone keeps you from it, postpones your work in any way. Send them to me. To me! I think this instant. All right, Aunt Lily. No, but now that's better. You're driving yourself too hard, you know. You've had the entire day to yourself all alone with your work. I insist that you relax now. It's due tomorrow. My critique on the Iliad, it's due tomorrow. Oh, that's nice, dear. Listen, Willie, I have the most wonderful news. Oh, oh, you had some phone calls. I ran into Mike Gordon again today. You remember the agent who told Jenny to go back to Hooker? Well, anyway, I ran into him and he had agreed with me that anyone as beautiful as Jenny should have every chance to prove her talent. I remember all of them, but the last one was somebody with a dog act. Two names, somebody and somebody. They're coming out here. Well, they don't interrupt, dear. Mike set Jenny to read for a part tomorrow at the Empire Studios. No, isn't that splendid? Two names, like, uh, Zannick and Sherry. Do they have a dog act? I don't think so, dear. But the Empire is my old studio. And I'm going to call Leo Lethridge and put in a good word for Jenny. Does he have a dog act? Leo Lethridge is head of production for Empire Studios. Oh. I've already told Jenny. And she's that excited... Who's coming here with what dog act? Maybe I got the names wrong. Really, Aunt Lily, I'm glad for Jenny, and you're nice to do all that for her, but my critique on the Iliad is due tomorrow. I've just got to get back to work. Oh, poor Willie, of course you do. And here I've been crackling on like an old woman. I'll go now, dear, and I promise I won't let a soul disturb you. That would be very nice. Willie's working! Did you tell him the news? Yes, and he's terribly excited about it. And I... I brought my volume of the bard. Jenny and I will rehearse Shakespeare the entire night if necessary. Shakespeare's excellent prediction and interpretation. That's what Basil said. We're doing that wonderful bit between Henry the Dip and Catherine of France. Isn't there somewhere else you three could talk? Oh, what is it, dear? It bothers me when you people whispering over there. It's no way to rehearse either. Jenny must give full voice to this. Yeah, I shall cue you at line... I shall cue you at line two hot five. Hello, William. Hello, Jenny. What? Thus thou understand thus much English. Can't thou love men? Can any of your neighbors tell Kate? I'll ask them. Come. I know thou lovest men. And at night when you come into your closet you'll question this gentle woman about men. And I know, Kate, you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart. But, good princess, mock me massively, the rather gentle princess, because I love thee cruelly. If ever I... Didn't she have more to say? Very important. Well, if you're trying to help Jenny, shouldn't you rehearse something where she has more to say? My dear young friend, this is a tour de force for Henry. I am Henry. You mustn't interrupt, Willie. He's just trying to help me, will you? I'm sorry, I won't interrupt again. I'm sorry, I won't interrupt again. Oh, good heavens, we can't concentrate in here. Come along, Jenny, Lily. We've got work to do. Ringhaven was a focal point of culture on the Hollywood scene that night. Before the evening was over, Basil had organized a small repertory theater group consisting of Lily, the juggling men's is, the itinerant dog act. He was himself in the lead, Oyes and Jenny. And upstairs, a light burned long into the night, and the sounds of a typewriter could sometimes be heard over the deep Shakespearean tones of Basil and the intermittent yapping of the dogs. William Spring Smith was late coming home the following afternoon. Come in, William, come in. And welcome, foresooth. Welcome. Hello, Basil. Jenny home. A frail and dismal failure. She weeps even now in her quarters. She didn't get the part. I believe Leo Lethridge put it this way. Why don't you go back to Hooker, Oklahoma, like a good little doll? Poor Jenny. Indeed poor Jenny. But she's young, Willie, and the young have resilience. I have not told her yet, but I intend to work with the trial until she's really ready. Give her the benefit of my long experience with my rather substantial talent. Maybe Mr. Lethridge is right. No one should be sentenced to Hooker, Oklahoma. No matter how little talent they have, the small hemorrhage is no place for Jenny. It might be just a place for us. I think I'll go look in on her. And quite a blow, Willie. Sorry, Jenny. I don't want to cry in front of you, William. William can't stand tears at Lily. It's all right, Jenny. What kind of a part was it? I was supposed to be a small-town girl who wanted to be an actress, but didn't have any talent. And I just couldn't do it, William. I didn't feel it. Why not? Oh, William, you don't understand about acting and being an artist and all. There'll be other parts, dear. Don't worry. Stop crying, Jenny. What? You heard me. Stop crying. Face a few realities. Oh, you're going to be cruel again. I can always tell. You shouldn't, Willie. Someone should. If Jenny can't play herself, she can't play anything. She's a small-town girl who wants to be an actress, but she doesn't have the talent for it. It's that simple. Willie, she wants it so. Do you really want it, Jenny, or are you just ashamed to admit to yourself and your friends back home that you couldn't make the grade out here? Please, don't, William, don't. Because if that's true, you're not being fair to your friends or yourself. People. Real people, Jenny. Love you for yourself. Isn't that true, Aunt Lily? Yes. Yes, that's very true. I'm going back to Middleton tonight, Jenny. The bus at 7. So soon, Willie? I finished my last class today. I've got to get back. There's a lot of work before the college opens next month. How about it, Jenny? No. I won't go. I won't go because I'm going to show you William Spring Smith. I'll be a big star someday, and you're going to... The phone! He's on the phone! Who? Leo Lettridge in person. He's on the phone. You see, Mr. Smith, the head of production of Empire Studios wants to talk to me. No, no, he doesn't, Jenny. He wants to talk to Willie. I don't know. He wants to talk to you. I don't want to talk to him. I don't know him. Besides, I've got to pack. Oh, Willie, speak to him. Make him understand. Willie! You don't want me to miss my bus, do you? Time's out. I really don't have time to talk to him. There must be some mistake anyway. Why would the head of Empire Studios want to talk to me? I don't know, dear, but he does. Oh. Answer it, Willie. Hello. I haven't slipped in yet. This is he. Oh, well, I finally caught up with you. I want to talk to you, young man. We have a mutual friend, I believe. Who, Jenny? McComb at UCLA. Oh, Dr. McComb, yes. I took some courses from him this summer. He referred your critique on the Iliad to me, Smith. I think it's a darn provocative idea. Well, thanks very much, Mr. Leffey. Well, he kicked the idea around a lot here at the studio, but yours is the freshest approach I've seen. I'd like to buy it from you. Oh, it's nothing I'd sell. It's just the paper I wrote. Well, I can make it even more attractive. We may want to go into production pretty soon, and I'd want you as technical advisor on the picture. Well, that's very nice, Mr. Lathridge. But I'm leaving town tonight. I've got to get back to Middleton before the semester's done. No, no, no, no, look, Smith. We'll arrange to get you a leave from your college. Dr. McComb and I have already discussed that. And as far as the money goes... Well, I don't want a leave from the college. I'll like it there. But listen to me now. We'll make this a very attractive offer. Mr. Lathridge, I appreciate everything you're saying, but I've got the pack now. If you want to use the paper, you go right ahead. I've dealt with some difficult people before. Thanks again, Mr. Lathridge. Where did I put those shirts? William Spring Smith. Did he say what I thought he said? And did you say what I thought you said back? I'm in an awful hurry, Aunt Lily. You really do love it back in Middleton, don't you? I think it's the best place in the world to live. Read all the time, don't you? Mm-hmm. Well, if you're not enjoying the scenery, you probably wouldn't mind if we changed seats, would you? Jenny. Hello, William. But Jenny, this... this bus goes to Hooker. I know. You decided to go back home. Like a good little doll. I've decided a lot of things for you. Well, I'm glad you're going home. No? No, I'm not. I'm not glad you're going home at all. You're beautiful. William. You really are. You're beautiful. Maybe... maybe I was wrong about you, Jenny. Oh, now, William, don't change on me now. Don't... Why... William, miss me. I was wrong about you, Jenny. You've got talent. You've got a lot of talent. You're not glad I'm going back to Hooker? Not with all that talent. Well, I like it in Middleton, William. But, Jenny, you'll love it in Middleton. It's the best place in the world to live. Joseph Poppin will return. You know how often you women snag a nylon in public, and there's that run. Well, all you have to do if you're properly prepared and have sent for your pair and despair is open your handbag and take out a spare. Lever Brothers' pair and despair plan gives you three finest quality cannon nylons, a pair to wear, and a spare stocking for emergency. Isn't that a great idea? And you pay less for all three stockings than you usually pay for just a pair of nylons. Just $1 for three lovely stockings that represent a $1.85 value. You save 85 cents on every set. And the nylons themselves, they're 51 gauge, 15 denier cannons are fully proportioned, full fashion for perfect fit. And the shade goes with everything. To get your pair and despair, all you do is send $1 plus two Lux Flakes box tops. Include your stocking size and length, and mail to Nylon Offer, Box 34, Alba Marl, North Carolina. Remember for the stocking plan of the century, your pair and a spare plan, write Nylon Offer, Box 34, Alba Marl, spelled A-L-B-E-M-A-R-L-E, North Carolina. Now, here's Joseph Cotton. As one of our well-established stars, you ought to know some interesting Hollywood legends. Well, I suppose I do, but the most interesting thing about some of them there, that they are true. For instance, the one about nine out of ten Hollywood stars being Lux Girls. That's a fact. I've played opposite them. And Joe, who has the good fortune to play opposite you in your latest picture? Well, let's say that I have the good fortune to play opposite Gene Peters in a blueprint for murder for 20th Century Fox. Gene's awfully good. And are you playing one of those diabolically clever murders? You do so well. Don, what sort of a compliment is that, huh? Now, I'm not a criminal this time. Now, what about your play for next week? As a matter of fact, I have a little character in our heroine of next week. She's not exactly a criminal, but, well, surely you remember one of 20th Century Fox's biggest screen hits, Leave Her to Heaven. I certainly do. A fine picture. Who will be your star? A lovely and talented actress, Joan Fontaine. Well, that will be worth hearing. Good night. Good night. Say, if you were anything like me, you woke up this morning feeling like you'd swallowed a handful of feathers. Dentists put it more bluntly. They just call it morning mouth. Well, don't take morning mouth to work with you. Instead, take that wonderful clean, fresh feeling that Chlorident toothpaste gives you. You see, Chlorident is a chlorophyll toothpaste. And Chlorident gives you the full mouth freshening benefits of Chlorophyll which no white toothpaste offers. Besides, no other chlorophyll toothpaste brightens your teeth as well as Chlorident. See, how about you trying Chlorident toothpaste at our expense? Just buy the 69-cent size and we'll chip in the 43-cent size at no extra cost. Proof to yourself that Chlorident leaves your mouth wonderfully fresh and clean. And if you don't agree, well, your 69-cents will be refunded. So, buy Chlorident. Leave Her Brothers Company, the makers of Lux Toilet Salt, which we'll discuss again next Monday evening, when the Lux Summer Theater will present Joan Fontaine in Leave Her To Heaven. Featured in our cast tonight were Shirley Mitchell as Jenny and Berna Felton as Lily. With John Daener, Ben Wright, B.B. Janis, Byron Kane, Barney Phillips and Lawrence Dobkin. Polly Bear was the narrator. Romance to a Degree was written for the Lux Summer Theater by Kathleen Hyde and was directed by Norman McDonough. Leave Her Brothers Company unconditionally guarantees the quality and performance of Lux Toilet Salt, Lux Flakes and Chlorident Tooth Base for your money refund. This is your host, Don Wilson, reminding you to join us again next Monday night to hear Leave Her To Heaven starring Joan Fontaine.