 presents Barbara Stanwyck and George Nader with Irene Dunn as hostess. From Hollywood the Mutual Network in Cooperation with Family Theatre presents It's Not the Money starring Barbara Stanwyck and George Nader. And now here is your hostess Irene Dunn. Thank You Tony LaFranco. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice. A practice that must become an important part of our lives if we're to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray, pray together as a family. And now to our transcribed drama It's Not the Money starring Barbara Stanwyck as Sarah and George Nader as Al. Well what was your hurry Lola? You've got a key Mr. Ned. What are you buzzing for? Oh I like to stand out in the rain with my arms full. It's good for the sinuses. What are all them papers? Propaganda. Now don't you mess up my clean front room with all them papers? Re-elect Judge M. Robert Johnson, friend of the foe. Hmm? Where does it say that? It doesn't. I just made it up. Hmm friend of the foe. Is my sister still here? She's upstairs dressing. Going down to the bank. Oh I'm gonna count all our money in. No don't you put all them wet papers on the floor. Only for a few minutes. Well you pick them up when you're through. Lola. Yes Miss Sarah. Is that seal that came in? No ma'am. Just me Sarah. Oh do you have the car Ned? I do not and I'm soaking wet to prove it. You want a sandwich or something? Any roast beef left? I gave it to Billy for lunch. Billy? Only cocker spaniel on earth's never tasted dog food. Oh we got some pork butt left. Okay. If you can clear it with Billy. With cheese on rye? Yeah. Oh say Lola speaking of rye. I'm sorry Miss Sarah locked it up. Yeah. Well what are you gonna do? Re-elect Judge M. Robert Johnson so that Ned Lacey won't starve to death. Worthy calls. I'm home mad Sarah. Be right down seal. Hello Uncle Ned. Howdy. Did Jim call? Not that I know of. Maybe there's a message on the phone stand. I'll see. Lola did Jim call me? No ma'am. How's that sandwich coming Lola? It'll come a lot faster if you want to get out here and make it yourself. Strike the question. Ned? Who was Mr. Al Foltz? Never heard of him. He called here. Wanted to speak to some member of the family. Probably a salesman. How come Jim's not going to the real estate closing at the bank? Is that what it is? Don't be so cute. He's the assistant plant manager. Shouldn't he be there? Well I I think he should be but and Sarah says that since they aren't buying the site he had in mind it doesn't matter one way or the other. Ah your husband is going the way of all of us lazy men. Driven and docile. Jim is not docile. Well that's just because he's an in-law. Give Sarah a few more years she'll get him. Uncle Ned that's very disloyal and Sarah's your own sister. Mm-hmm you got it wrong. I'm her own brother. Yeah her very own. Ask anybody. Pork butt on rye. Oh bring the plate out when you're done. Hey Lola who's getting all your money when you die? Oh I got no money. Here. What about those Spanish-American war bonds? Oh go on with you. It's almost one thirty-two we'll have to hurry. Be right with you and Sarah. I want to drop some cleaning on the way. Can't you have Lola call them? No it's Jim's tux for tonight. It'll just take a minute. Yeah say Sarah and the judge tell you about that little thing I have worked out to get the assessor's job. Hmm Sarah would you pay attention? What's this call from Mr. Al Foltz? He's a friend of yours? No he's probably a salesman. Look Sarah about that deal I have. Oh yes yes I talked to him about it seems like a bad idea. It's only a loan the things perfectly ethical. It's not that I just don't see any reason for it. The judge is certain to be re-elected why all this extra expense. Well it's rather involved. Ned I'm late now can't we talk about it later. Later the election's tomorrow Sarah. It's only seven hundred dollars just enough to pay the folks who man the polls and rent some cars by lunch. But why must you pay for it? Because technically I'm the committee man and I have this deal on with the judge about the assessor's job. Already and Sarah. Wait out on the port seal I'll be along in a moment. All right and don't forget your umbrella. Now Ned let me be frank with you I simply don't like this idea. I can't tell when you don't even understand. See you. Jim what are you doing home at this hour? Well the bottling machines broke down I had to drive over to Whitfield for a new part. Oh darling you shouldn't be messing around the machinery like that. You're an executive. Quit kidding yourself we know who I am. Now Jim. I'm Sarah Lacey's niece's husband and good luck. That's not so. If you wanted to you could be running the bottling plant. You know what I want to do. Oh please Jimmy let's not fight through that again. I had another letter from Bill Chapman yesterday for fifteen hundred dollars we could be in business. Some business air freight to Alaska. You've got a lot of faith in me haven't you. It's not that Jim. I just think you'd be throwing away such an opportunity here. Shall we go see you. All set. Oh hello Jimmy. And Sarah. It's a shame you weren't dressed you could come down to the bank for the closing. Why don't you change Jim it'll only take a minute. No thanks I figure I'd just be in the way. What Jimmy. I said I figure I'd just be in the way. Is anything wrong Jim. No. No forget it and Sarah see you later. Very well come along see you. Bye honey. Don't forget we're going to the club tonight. I won't. I wish I could. Anyone here. Just us galley slaves. Hi Ned. I thought she'd be out canvassing. Well there's no need to. See the judge is a shoe in. I just got the word from Buford first lady. That means no deal on that assessor's job. Yeah. Sister Sarah just wouldn't take the bait. Say will you just tell me once how come that stepbrother of yours decided to leave Sarah every dime of that estate. Now to explain that Jim I would have to understand my dear departed stepbrothers mind. Which I didn't. Cliff. Clifford we never called him Cliff. Called him a few other things never Cliff. You know I've asked see you about him but she doesn't remember much. He was rich and ruthless and in our youth he used to beat me up. Customers probably answer I forgot something. I get along. Yes this the Lacey household. Yes. My name is false. Alfred false. Can I come in. Well I'm not a salesman. Who is it Jim. Mr. False. Okay. Come on in. Thanks. What can we do for you. I've phoned there twice this morning. Oh yeah. Yeah. Well we didn't know who you were. Matters kind of confidential. Are you a member of the family. That's right. Ned Lacey. Oh yeah. How do you do. This is my niece's husband Jim Houston. Pleasure. All right. It's my understanding you've got a sister Miss Sarah Lacey. All right. Yeah. All right. You mind telling us what you want. I was coming to that. Could we sit down. I'm a little tired and well sure. You walk all the way up here from downtown. Yeah I couldn't find a cab. There you are. Just make yourself comfortable. Thanks. Well now to get to the point I'm self employed. My business is done cover missing errors. People have got money coming to them but don't know it. People like you the Lacey's. What do you mean money coming to us. A legacy. A relative of yours has died and left you a considerable estate. Me. You your sister Sarah and your niece. Mrs. Houston did you say. Are you kidding. Look I spent the last two nights in a coach car walked almost three miles in the rain to get here. I am not kidding. Holy cats. How much is it. Plenty. Yeah well who. Who left it to us. I'm afraid that would be telling. What. I told you I was self employed. It's taking a lot of time and money. My time and money to find you. I think that deserves consideration. Oh I sure sure does. We'd be glad to pay you. Yeah. How much do you want. My usual figure is 30 percent. 30 percent of what. The legacy. Yeah but we don't know how much that comes to. Well what's the difference. Well a lot of difference. If that's a state is a big one say you ten thousand dollars thirty percent of that is pretty high. If it was only a thousand dollars thirty percent is a different matter. Excuse me I might understand that you gentlemen would rather inherit seven hundred dollars and seven thousand. Think you've got something there Mr. Folds. You know that is a point. Yeah then. Thirty percent ideal. Where's the money. Well in good time as soon as I've got your three signatures on. This agreement. Disclose the location the amount of the legacy your lawyers can handle the rest. Let's see. Agreement thirty percent of all. Monies properties or chattel. Don't be paid. Okay I'll sign it right now Jim you get in the car and go down to the bank and get Sarah. Yeah well what'll I tell her. That it's urgent. Tell her that there's been a death in the family. Hello. Oh no no Miss Sarah's not here judge. No they went out to the club for dinner. Yeah she said she'd be back about ten o'clock ought to be along soon. No she didn't leave any message. Is that just Johnson hold on a second judge. Yes it is. Trying to get him all evening. Let me talk to a judge of Mr. Ned's here wants to speak to you hold on. Here thanks. Hello judge say listen I want to tell you. Wait hold on a minute. We'll get lost will you. What's also secret. Do I ask you where you keep your war bonds now get lost. Get lost you just come around tomorrow for a sandwich see what happens that's all you. Judge now listen to me. I'm all set on the money. Oh great thing has happened. A legacy yeah. Oh I don't know how much but plenty. I got Wilson to go my note for a thousand at the bank and I'm all set handle everything. No no. Well no listen this man who discovered the legacy is having dinner out at the club with Sarah and the kids tonight just to soften her up. I said he was an old friend and they're going to tell her you see on the way home. Yeah well that's right but don't say you talk to me. They're going to hang up they just came in. Well enjoy a dinner everyone. I enjoyed it. So bye Mrs. Houston very much. I thought the steak was a bit tough but tasty. Would you take my wrap Jim. Yes. Well did you tell her. Yeah we had a very interesting discussion. But what. But Miss Lacey is not interested. Oh Sarah. It's quite simple. I told Mr. Post that frankly I thought his offer was rather shady and that I didn't want to be a party to such an agreement. And that was that. Jim I don't see what this has to do with you. I know dear it's your legacy. Thanks for reminding me. Children children there's nothing to quarrel about. How do you know it isn't this Lacey. I beg pardon. Well how can you be so sure of what married people will or won't quarrel about. I think I know my niece and her husband better than you Mr. Sarah. What's this all about. You mean you won't sign that agreement. I have no intention of doing so with all due respect to Mr. Post. His offer seems quite irregular. We don't know what we're getting or what we're signing away. What possible difference can that make to you. You don't need the money Sarah. But what about me and seal and Jim. This is a matter of principle Ned. If the estate is as Mr. Post describes it it legally and rightfully belongs to us all of it not just 70 percent. That being the case I find his offer highly unfair. Look Miss Lacey. Yes you mean you find it unfair in principle exactly. Well then if I asked for well three percent you'd still reject my offer. I didn't say that. That is not a matter of principle it's a matter of cash isn't it. Not at all. Although I must confess Mr. Falls that I feel you are rather too interested in money. Don't you make any mistake money is all I'm interested in. I'm not surprised. It's the only way I feel I can ever become a really good man by piling up so much money than I can afford the luxury of high principles. Oh that's nonsense. I don't know. I think money is a force for good. The more you have the better you get. Have you ever noticed how easy it is for a really rich man to resist the temptation to steal. Mr. Falls. Your case is an even better one. I come with what looks to you like a shady offer to make some money but you already have a lot of money so you can reject my shady offer on principle. I detect Mr. Falls an undercurrent of irony in your tone that I don't all together like. Look Falls what if I offer you fifty percent of my share. Wouldn't that make up for Mr. Lacey you see the sum involved is considerable. When you say considerable do you mean over ten thousand dollars. Yeah. Twenty. More than twenty. Fifty. Well I'll be frank I think I can afford to be. The estate comes to slightly less than half a million. Half a million. You're joking Mr. Falls. No I'm not. And Sara I've always done what you've told me but but I feel I have a right to. Please please what none of you understand is that this man is asking us to do something quite unethical. Unethical. Sara every dime that step brother of ours made was squeezed out of somebody that isn't true Clifford was hard but he fought fair he was a bandit in the whole town knew it they didn't have everybody right by the neck he was miserable and you've gotten more like him every year since he died I won't listen to that you're not happy unless you're running everyone's lives telling him what to do. I get it. Hello. Oh yeah hold on a minute judge. Few answer thank you. Hello judge. Yes. Yes. You're sure. Thank you very much judge I hope it wasn't too much bother. Well now what I've just learned something very interesting about your Mr. Falls Ned maybe this will give you some understanding of why I trust my instincts about people and mistrust your what are you getting I think I know Mr. Lacey your sister thinks she's uncovered something in my past quite right Mr. Falls it took three long distance phone calls by the judge but we found out about you didn't have to go all that trouble what is this miss Lacey is going to tell you that for the last seven years I've been a convict in the state penitentiary what do you deny it Mr. Falls no no but the parole officer here in town could have told you the same thing I reported to him when I got off the train this morning see I got no secrets now just a second I just come here with a perfectly legal proposition and excuse me Sara but what difference if he is an ex-convict the money's real enough isn't it there probably isn't any money at all the man's a convicted swindler miss Lacey if there isn't any money how could I swindle you out of money it may have escaped you Mr. Falls but there are things in this world of much greater importance than money such as integrity respect for the law maybe those things are of greater importance miss Lacey but to whom that's a question for example that's very important to you that I don't go around robin banks because you've got a lot of money in the banks that all men are honest and upright that's important to you too because you've got a lot to lose if they aren't that's not the point I'm afraid it is miss Lacey I'm afraid it is I've never seen it prove to the contrary love of money is the root of all good listen folks you mean to say we can't get any of that legacy unless all three of us sign I'm afraid not your sister here it probably can test my claim on your share the thing would be tied up in courts for years to come oh Sara have a heart will you think of us I am thinking of you Ned you are not Jimmy please I've been married to seal for five years and the reason I came to work for you and lived in this house is that I thought it would please her sure it did and it pleased me too well I'm not so sure if we give you any pleasure at all it's the pleasure of ownership if you can't own or control a thing you don't want it around Jimmy don't talk like I'll talk anywhere I want I'm a grown man I've got a brain of my own and I'm sick and tired of being treated like I think I've heard enough you and me and Sarah and just to prove it I'm getting out of here Jimmy you don't mean that you can't leave me I won't leave you unless you want to stay now I'm going upstairs pack and I'm going to Alaska if I have to walk the whole way if you want to walk with me you're more than welcome goodbye Jimmy please what's gotten into you I'll tell you why well I didn't know yet that much gumption Sara you want to know a funny thing what's that you've actually convinced yourself that you're not helping people unless you're pushing them around I believe that's the unkindest thing you've ever said to me Ned well tell the truth I I rather hope it is well good night mr. Foltz I'll be turning in night mr. Lacey I'm sorry better luck next time it's the story of my life better luck next time good night Ned good night well I'll see you to the door mr. Foltz if you don't mind there's something I'd like to ask you before I go it's rather lonely take a minute I trust you won't waste your time trying to persuade me to change my mind I don't plan on wasting my time well this is something I could only say to you since you're the party most affected by it it concerns the will that bestows the legacy is am I right in assuming that your refusal to sign the agreement giving me a share of the legacy is just a matter of principle you are in other words if I were to give up my claim on the legacy you'd have no objection to dividing it equally with your niece and brother on whatever except that I know you won't relinquish your claim mr. Foltz it would be contrary to your principles well we can go further into this matter of principle after I show you something what is that a photostatic copy of the will be queuing the estate in question I'd like you to take a look at it aren't you taking a grave risk in showing this to me mr. Foltz after all once I know the identity of the person leaving the estate I'll have no further need of you who knows look at the signature at the bottom if you insist well it's it's signed Clifford Lacey you recognize the signature but yes but this is silly it's my stepbrothers but look at the date on the will October 17th 1953 last October well this is a forgery Clifford's been dead for eight years he couldn't have written he not only could but he did a month before he died in the state penitentiary you're crazy Clifford died in a plane crash during the war on his way to Los Angeles yeah I know that's what you thought that's what he wanted you and everyone to think especially a banking firm in New York but he didn't die he never got on that plane he read about the crash realized he had a way you're lying their medical records fingerprints in the penitentiary course he served there under another name for a later crime what embezzlement I don't believe you miss Lacey I couldn't care less but the courts will accept this document because it's a valid one as I'm sure your brother Ned will be glad to learn it can't be true Clifford would have gotten in touch with us with me anyhow now he was too ashamed of what he'd done you see you is half sister with the only person who never signed for what he really was a louse and if he lost your respect he'd have had nothing well then the the estate in this will is exactly your estate this house the real estate everything you've had all to yourself for these last eight years under this will both your niece and Ned get one third of it a piece I'll fight this you'll lose the whales good good as gold I was in the infirmary when your stepbrother made it but it's impossible no no more impossible than it would be safe for me to destroy the original copy of this paper never mentioned it to the others that is if we you and I could reach some agreement are you asking me to bribe you let's let's say that I'm just trying to find out the price of your principles you seem quite sure they have a price yeah am I wrong I don't know I would have thought you were wrong and saltingly wrong a quarter of an hour ago but now let me tell you something miss Lacey I admire honesty I really do I haven't seen much of it I'm afraid but I admire it and I admire people who try for it now if you really want to be honest here's your chance I'll give you a clear choice in what way you can call Ned and your niece downstairs and show them this photo stat that'll automatically deprive me of any claim on the estate since I've got nothing to sell but the identity of the man who signed that original document or or you can write me your personal check for $25,000 and I'll give you the original copy of your stepbrothers last will and testament 25,000 well that's not an unreasonable price no I'm not an unreasonable man I could buy a lot with that 25,000 my niece and her husband would continue to live here and so would Ned they'd have to I'd have all the money yeah I could buy quite a lot yeah but I think from now on I'd rather not try to buy things that can only be given Ned seal yeah what is it Sarah would you ask seal and Jim to come down for a moment Ned please please yes and you too if you will why sure you seem to have made your choice yes I suppose you think I'm a fool no I think you're a wise woman guess I've been the fool I well I underestimated you oh no no you didn't you were right about me and I want to thank you for the personal sacrifice you made to give me a clear look at myself personal sacrifice I am afraid I don't understand oh yes yes you do you gave me two things to choose between but you had a third in fact you still have Ned and seal haven't seen that document yet you could sell it to them for a very high price and I couldn't stop you if I wanted to no see that's the interesting thing about real honesty I don't think I follow you it's well well it's invincible why should they pay me for information you're willing to give away you still have the will itself yes but well it just wouldn't seem right to hold that back after what you've just done you know mr. false I'm beginning to like you well thanks miss Lacey may I may I say the same have you any immediate plans just put myself out of a job here I thought I might look for work maybe at that bottling plant on the edge of town I have a feeling you'll be well received if you do well here we are yeah what's up Sarah is anything wrong why no no quite the contrary I've asked mr. false to stay a few minutes longer he has something to show you this is Irene done again we've been assured that this 20th century of ours is not a particularly family minded century and who knows how much of our trouble and of the world's evils stems from that for many decades now powerful forces of disintegration have been leveling their guns at family cooperation at family unity and family life itself to restore the balance of course we can think in terms of legislation and a various social techniques and and we can and should study the problems indicated by juvenile delinquency and and the results of totally materialistic education but to begin at the very root of the matter family theater urges us to begin with ourselves in our own individual families and to do something that we can all begin to do at once and that is pray to pray together as families now that alone may not change everything but without that nothing mere man can do will change anything it's been true all through history and it's just as true today as family theater reminds us each week the family that prays together stays together more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of Hollywood family theater has brought you transcribed it's not the money starring Barbara Stanwyck and George Nader Irene Dunn was your hostess others in our cast were Julie Bennett Gail Bonnie Lamont Johnson and Larry Dobkin the script was written and directed by John T Kelly with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman this series of family theater broadcasts has made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program by the mutual network which has responded to this need and by the hundreds of stars have stayed screen and radio who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our family theater stage to them and to you our humble thanks this is Tony Lafranco expressing the wish of family theater that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when family theater will present a different drummer starring Robert Stack with Jeanette McDonald as hostess join us won't you family theater is broadcast throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network this is the mutual broadcasting system