 Hello everyone. Welcome to Proudly We Have. I feel you're really going to enjoy our program for we have a story that's not only intriguing, suspenseful, and thrilling, but especially timeless. Let's go to the movies at your united theaters. See two thrillers on one big show at the Aurora and Midway Drive-ins Wednesday through Sunday with sisters, plus the reincarnation of Peter Proud, an obfuscated search for a prior existence. Rated R, no one under 17 admitted without parents. Drive-ins over to 645 shows begin at 715. See, brother can you spare a dime at the Varsity Theater, an nostalgic look at the 1930s. Starting Friday at the Varsity Theater, see Peter Sellers in Return of the Queen Panther, also Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in Love and Death Rated PG. If you're near Tacoma, see Fifths of Fury plus Chinese Connection at the 112th Street Drive-ins. It's a favorite for all kung fu fans and consult the PI for short times and with you. These days in all major cities of the world, the newspaper headlines are thick and black. In their color and size alone, there is an urgency, a warning. In the stories under the headlines, one can detect and feel a current which has caught mankind in its flow. One can feel himself being swept along in a powerless to battle against the ever increasing tide. But could you tear away those headlines? Could you look behind the underlying stories? He would come upon a world of darkness out of which they grow. It is a world that exists under the surface of all cities. It's strong across like a tightrope where picked men of both sides balance precariously. One false step and a man tumbles in the abyss from which there is no return. To make the arts even greater, there is no adequate light in this under the surface world and a man who dares to trust with its narrow boundaries never quite knows who is friend or enemy. The way at night in the section of the city still bearing the tortured imprint of a war five years past. The rain pours down on this desolation of broken crumbling walls, of jagged beams and yawning pits, which all bear silent and terrible testimony to the hell that passed this way. Enter this alleyway and you call upon danger. Is that you, Victor? It wasn't Carl, it has a bullet in you long ago. Victor, you had me frightened. No, you had me frightened. I wonder how anyone can play the game you're playing and live so well. Okay, my good guy. I could hear you coming a mile away. Suppose I hadn't been Victor, suppose I'd been somebody else who wasn't pleasant at night for you to be unpleasant. I can't think of anyone who'd pick a meeting place like this but you... Let's just say you can't think. Carl, let it go at that. You're going to be disagreeable. I'll go do business elsewhere. You would too, wouldn't you? But of course. But of course. You're a real eston picker. Look, my friend, I did not come out on this miserable night to discuss philosophy and Mr. Ruins. All right, let's get to the point. Do you have the money? Do you have the good? I have, you know, it was a very difficult job and worth far more than the price I asked. If they detect any changes, I'll be very surprised. If they detect any changes, I'll be very dead. And so will you. What do you mean? I'll tell them who did my work before I go. You wouldn't do that. But of course. I don't think I'd like doing business with you. Oh, you're wonderful, Carl. You're wonderful. Come on. Let's see what you got. Here's the money. You'll excuse me while I count it. Count it later. I don't have much time. Let's have this stuff. All right, but you can't very well look at it here. I'm not going to, old man. Thank you. I know you wouldn't trick me. You like living too well. I don't think it's enough. I do take it or leave it. You leave me no choice. That's right. Now you leave the way you came. I'll go another way. I have an appointment with Nikolai the Great who sits in a dingy little room playing solitaire by candlelight while he waits for me to show up. Good night, Carl. You people are always so sure, always, that's our job. What about the last bed of aluminum figures he gave us? False Nikolai. Completely false. And the production sheet? False, so false. And to think we trusted him, Crobat. Very disillusioning to me. Oh, you will make me weak. Well, it's good that she won't cover it. It's certain you never would have Nikolai. Well, that's not my job. So, victory is a spy, but not for us. Too bad. That's a clever young man. Hey, we'll see what his cleverness will buy him now. Not very punctual. A bad knife? You make excuses for him, Nikolai. No, I state fact. Your trouble, Crobat, is that you don't know how to relax. I don't have time for relaxing. You should find time, Edward. Are you good? Black nine on a red tin. Sometimes I wonder about you. Good. Edward, it's a sign of progress. What do you plan to do with Victor? I have a little party all the way for him. I've heard of your parties. Ted, you just shoot him. I've done with it. You stick to your business, and I'll stick to mine. You know what you are, Crobat? Well, you tell me. Why bon a sec? Irresistible. The fact that Victor has turned out to be a traitor is not important to you. But the fact that you've been able to find out he is one gives you the greatest delight for it means one more poor devil you can torture. I would be careful what I said. Do you think you've frightened me? We shall see. We shall see. He says, now there's a sound of great meaning. Very good. I know a man named Crobat, and I know some things about him, things he would not like anyone to know, especially his superior. There are things that might cause him a great deal of embarrassment, where they know one concerns a large sum of money. Crobat received this money from a man who wished to buy his way out of the country. The man got a bullet in his head, and Crobat kept the money. I know other things, too. And I know if a man like Crobat realized this, he might try to put a bullet in my head, so I've taken steps. If anything should happen to me, what I know about Crobat will become. Crobat will become public knowledge. Now I think you'd better sit down and calm yourself. You don't frighten me. Nor is it my intention. I merely wish to caution you, to make you realize that bullying can sometimes be dangerous. Be quiet. I think I hear him now. Come in. Close the door, Victor. Lock it. Who's your friend, Nicolai? A friend. Would you like to meet him? I'd like to meet your friend. Why do you stand over there in the dark? I think he's shy. Crobat. Are you shy? Don't waste time. Crobat. Where have I heard that name? Not from anyone respectable, I'm sure. How've you been? Busy. Good. You're late? Weather. I thought as much. Terrible night. What does he want? They requested him to be. No, I'd like to sit with my back to anyone. You're very polite, Victor. Perfect, gentlemen. Suppose we get down to business. Crobat is an impatient man. He doesn't know how to relax. Pity. Well, Victor, what have you for us tonight? I have some papers. Very interesting papers. Also, that's a microfilm. Very interesting microfilm. You are a very interesting fellow. Let's have a look. Where did you get these? I found them. I like figures. These are good figures. See if you don't agree, Crobat. Victor, there's only one trouble with what you've just given us. Trouble? Nicolai? I'm afraid so, Victor. What would that be? They are not good figures for us. Why not? He's a good actor. You must admit that, eh? You're a very good actor. Thank you. Now, what are you getting at? What's the matter with those figures? They are figures that do not exist. I suggest you keep your hands where we can see them. Nicolai, you old bitch. Stop that double talk. What's the matter with you? Don't you like me anymore? Oh, I like you immensely, Victor. You're a fine young fellow, but I do not like your figures. Why? Because I know they're false. What makes you think that? Crobat, he makes me think it. He has some figures about you. They're not very good ones, as far as I'm concerned, but unlike yours, there's a truth. Where did he get them? I found them. He's not so good an actor as you, Victor. Suppose I tell you a little story. Suppose you stop wasting time. Suppose you'll be still. I will tell you a story about Crobat's figures. It was a young man who, in the war, was an English fighter pilot. One day, he was shot down over France. He managed to parachute from a plane and land safely. Somehow, he found his way to the underground, the Mackey corner. He joined them and ranked high in their organization when France was liberated. Next, our adventurous young man became a British, Hispanic, and arts agent in Germany because he was a cool and brilliant young man, a good actor, too. He survived. Then when the war was over, he returned to England. Now, you would think that he would have had enough excitement for one lifetime, but no. We find he dropped completely out of fight, went to live in France. To all purposes, became a Frenchman. A little over a year ago, we made contact with a man named Victor. To all purposes, a Frenchman. Nicolai, you're an old windbag. You, Victor, and what are you? Ah, not a windbag. No. You are Victor, an Englishman. To all purposes, a Frenchman. Will it do any good to tell you that that's a lot of rot? You are very convincing, but I don't believe you. It would be impossible to believe you now. No, I'm sorry, Nicolai. I have plenty of reason to be when I'm through with you. Before you make a very serious mistake, why don't you take the time to check my latest facts? You wouldn't be playing for time, would you? We've wasted enough already. I'm sick of this talk. Why don't you go and have the microfilm develop that world? Certainly. It's no good, Victor. We know, conclusively, we're... In that case... Kind of thing? You certainly are. It was you who let me get to that window. Of course, with the table on top of me. And what were you doing, my friend? You'd let me handle it the way I wanted this. Never would have happened. Oh, stop your roaring. How was I to know he could fly out the window and not break his full neck? Why don't you light the candle? I've seen enough of your silly face for one night. I'll go find this Victor. My way. You are listening to proudly we hail starring Lee Tracy. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And now for the second act of a party for Kovac, with our star, Lee Tracy. Please, Malia, don't argue. I don't think I'm going to leave you to them. All right, Victor, all right. Go out the back way. Come on, quick. This'll have to do for now. You think we're safe here? I don't think we're safe anywhere. We'll have to do a lot of looking. Knees ruined to find us. We can't stay here for long. It's a night anyway. And tomorrow? Tomorrow, Maria. Let's face that when we come to it. With traps, aren't we, Victor? We've got to make a plan. All right, let's make a plan. You must come and sit beside me so we can plan together. We've made a lot of plans together, haven't we? Some pretty good ones, too. And never the kind that most people try to make. Like what? Oh, like a man and a woman make out on a hill. Maybe overlooking the water. Like sitting together in some place beside the cellar of a bombed outbuilding. Like planning a picnic instead of an escape. How? On a hill. I've had that dream, too. Victor, I love you. I love you, Maria. There's hardly been time till now, I'll tell you. I know my point, but now there's time for a little comfort. You're on your own. We'll plan a picnic for tomorrow, just you and I. Have you got it all straight? Yes. I'm to go down the alley to the street and walk west to Sander Road. You'll go another way. We'll meet there at 10.15. I'll follow you till you find a car with keys. You'll get in and leave the door open and I'll get in. I know it's slim, but it's better than the station or the airport. Maybe if I pray hard enough, we'll make it. We'll give it that old-school try. I'll see you at Sander Road, 10.15. Don't be late. Make for a picnic? Never. Keep your fingers crossed. Don't think anyone noticed this. A very bright light shines down into the bandage face of a man who lies on a rude cuss. He is bound, hand and foot, completely helpless. His name is Victor. You know what I wish to leave until that time? I don't want to disturb them in any circumstance. Understand? Look, I'll leave it in close the door. You would like to figure it? I'm sorry about the face. She went for the windshield. If it's any fellas, it was Kravak's car you hit. He's a bit banged up, too. Dark glasses go well with him. Maria, she all right there for the time being. You have a joining cell. Take a cigarette with it. My hands are occupied. She's a pretty young man like you should see fit to cut himself off from... What are you after? An Englishman. Before it was considered decadent, I used to read your William Shakespeare. I still remember a bit. This royal throne of kings, deceptive isles, this earth of magic, this good isles, this earth of majesty, this happy breed of men, this little world, this precious stone set in the silver field, this place, this cloth, the burst, this realm. Who the devil are you? Oh, I could quote you more than that, Victor. So much more. So you wonder why I came to see you, huh? I want to impress upon you what a fool you are. I wanted to do this before Kroback comes and has his little party with you. We put our trust in you and you betrayed it. Now you pay the penalty. Roll over with your back to me. Just you wait till Kroback gets his hand on you. Roll over quickly. Have you heard what happens at one of Kroback's parties? Keep your hands and feet just the way they are. I've cut the rope, one tugging you free, the pistol in your hand, and you're hopelessly facing me. What is that you say? A little late for that, my friend. Who are you? Why are you doing this? Kroback will be here soon. The guard will lock it in with you. Kroback likes to do his own torturing. You've got to get rid of Kroback. Your own chances are pretty slim after that. I don't like doing it, but since it's come to this, it seems the only way. At least you can know that with Kroback gone, I'll be able to carry on without suspicion. What about the gun? Don't they suspect you? No, the guard is derived. He won't dare open it alone. The guard changes in just a few minutes, so I've got to get out of here. All these months, I never knew. Never suspect good. You weren't supposed to. Let's hope they don't. Ah, you're wasting your breath in my time. We know all that. I bet you're good ridden, fool. Hurry, I can't help you more. I'll do what I can for the girl. Pray for a quick death, Victor. Very funny. I'm a very funny fellow. I'll leave it alone, my friend and me. When I'm gone, you can finish the job anywhere you please. Well, well, what have we here? I'd hardly recognize you. You're face is all hidden with bandages. Well, what will we have become? You know, 15 minutes from now, I guarantee. You won't even recognize yourself. Dark glasses haven't improved your look. Shut up! Usually, my little parties last longer. You will forgive me for having to hurry, but in 20 minutes I must catch the night train to Paris. Well, you'd like to be going to Paris. Hey, Victor. Hey. We're here. We'll get your cigarettes. Never mind, I can guess. In a few minutes, you'll tell me. Gladly, you'll beg to tell me. You know, one way to take the bandages off your face would be to burn them off. A bag of tricks here. Party tricks. And now to business. I assure you, you won't like this a bit. Not one little bit. Nor will you. How do you like this, Crobat? Party's on the other foot. Hardly recognize you. Your face all hidden in bandages. Have I tied the ropes tight enough? Good. Now, let's put out the lights. Glasses and their hats will down. So, coke color like this. Perhaps I've become Crobat and you've become Victor. We'll play it like that for now, ain't it? Sleep well, you miserable. Now, weakling. Not but begun. So, the lights gone. Oh, how observing of you. The light went out when the party got rough. Very good. You'll pass the hours to the cars here to take you to the airport. I know that, fool. You fainted. You're probably recovered before you finish. I wouldn't want to spoil this last minute. Yes, sir. Girl in this cell. She goes with me. Goes with you, but sir, I... Don't but sir me. Bring her out. If I miss that plane, I'll have your high. Yes, sir. Isn't she charming? Victor. Where is Victor? Victor's in good hands. Victor, what do you mean? Out on a hill. We don't have much time. Don't try me and be quick about it. He wants us to untie him. He's a very funny fellow. Do I miss those? I'm Croak, can't you see? He's Croak, can't you see? He's in the area. He doesn't even look like Croak. He doesn't look like anybody. In life. Because the bandage is somebody's head. They don't see who I am. I know who you are. I'm Croak. Croak is quite a man. When he gets through with them, they think they're him. There's only room for one Croak in this world and you're not the one. Oh, for the love of God! Not Croak. Croak says God's a capitalist. No, miss. No, my trick. I've been trapped. I don't think so, darling. I won't be so sure myself till we reach Paris. Poor thing. It'll heal. Actually, it helped us fool him. How do you even know me, Victor? I still don't understand. Darling, we never would have it. Hadn't been for a friend. Friend? Who? I don't really know the answer to that. I only know that he was one. We owe him our lives. Perhaps we should say a prayer. Nicolai. Man who stayed behind. Thank you, Lee Tracy, for a thrilling performance. Your story of a party for Croak was indeed timely and most entertaining. Well, Ken, I think stories like this help all of us to realize what a wonderful privilege it is to be free men and really make us appreciate what we've got here in America. Right, you are, Lee. And in times like these, it behooves every American citizen to be a full American citizen. Lee Tracy. Supporting Mr. Tracy and the cast were Miriam Volk, Joe DeFattis, Bill Lipton, and Jack Jason. A party for Croak was written by DeWitt Crock. The music was composed and conducted by John Guarnere. And proudly we hail is directed by Charles Will. This is Kenneth Banghardt speaking, and here again is your host and star, Lee Tracy. We hope you'll be with us next week for Proudly We Hail. We have another program that I'm sure you will enjoy. It's entitled The Story of Johnny Appleseed. And it's a story of a real American. Goodbye.