 From Hollywood the NBC theater presents Screen Directors assignment production hold back the dawn director Mitchell Lysen Stars Charles Boyer Vanessa Brown Hollywood screen directors present a story fashioned for the heart hold back the dawn Starring Charles Boyer with Vanessa Brown and introducing the director of the film Mitchell Lysen Some weeks ago the NBC theater introduced one of Hollywood's most expert directors of motion picture Tonight he is our guest once again as we present a film story of a quite different character Thus an impressive versatility is limelighted by the contrasts between comedy and Romantic drama two forms of entertainment vividly directed by the same artist Ladies and gentlemen the director of such excellent films as Lady in the Dark Kitty to each his own and tonight's story hold back the dawn. Mr. Mitchell Lysen Thank you. Thank you Hold back the dawn was a rather unusual film which tried to tell a story Of how a motion picture is made And that's how I happen to end up in front of the camera myself Managing somehow to act the part of a screen director named Mitchell Lysen My job in the opening sequence was to listen as a fascinating rascal down on his luck tried to sell his story to motion pictures Hold back the dawn is the story. He told me and now Charles Boye starring in his original role of George Iscobescu with Vanessa Brown as any On one side of the high wire fence standing in the desert heat the stars and stripes flutter in the sunshine For many waiting on the Mexican side that flag is the goal the soil it flies over the dream To George Iscobescu barely within the law International Confidence man gigolo it merely means and other people to exploit But in his interview with the American Council on the Mexican side George Iscobescu has met defeat for the third time in a year He wielded despairing at last George Iscobescu leaves the office of the council a Very relaxed cynical stranger speaks to him as he comes into the waiting room with Kavescu I beg your pardon any luck this time luck I must wait seven more years to enter the United States The Romanian quota is very small and very crowded. Yes. Yes. I know that but seven years in his heat His filth with his flies and just prison sentence. What are your plans? Oh, I don't know find a cheaper hotel wait try the hotel Esperanza Paint is peeling the faucets drip. There are no shades on the light bulbs But what do you expect at a dollar a day if you can get a room is such a wretched place hard to get into Yeah, it's crammed with people wanting to get into the States. Hmm. Yes, Esperanza. Yeah. Tell him I sent you Who are you inspector hammock inspector hammock of the United States immigration department? Yeah Good luck, Kiscovescu. Why don't you watch where you're driving you American tourists with your high-powered station wagons This isn't a high-powered station wagon, and it isn't mine. I borrowed it from the school You don't also deny that you are an American. Do you I gather you don't like Americans very little well I'm sorry. Good day and the next time And the next time madam watch where you're going. We present the dance sensation of the Riviera Anita and this Govessia How good to see you again How on earth wait the last time we were together was in 1939 in Cannes You'll remember Are you staying George charming drain pipe known as the Esperanza I served I'm there How long for your quarter? I don't know. I didn't wait for my quota. How did you get in you see this diamond ring? Magnificent. I married an American a jockey of all things and what I'm simple Marry an American and you get into the country in four weeks As easy as that this town is full of American women George once over the border you just get it the boss Did you of course in America? We could be wonderful together George bartender anything the lady wants. I must go Where the village garage I have a sudden definite interest in a wrecked station wagon there. Oh, excuse me madam What you again? Yes, I had to come here You see I feel partly to blame for your car being here in the garage. Don't upset yourself about it No, no, please. I'm very sorry to have helped spoil your vacation weekend. I've only the weekend off from school Student. Oh, no, I'm a teacher. Oh In fact, I even borrowed the station wagon from school Now look at it. Oh, I'm sincerely sorry. Well, I'd better make a phone call. My folks at home will be worried about yes Yes, of course they will your parents and perhaps your husband. Oh, no, I'm not married My name is Iscovescu. I'm miss Brown George Iscovescu Emmy Brown That's much better now, you see we Americans aren't really so awful miss Brown Would you take off your hat, please? Why what an odd request wouldn't the school board approve? well All right There amazing Why she had the same hair only it was always blown by the wind at winter at St. Moritz. Who were you talking about miss Brown? You thought I was bitter when we met today. You weren't sweet. It was because I saw another woman in your face Margo Margo. Yes, Margo. Oh, that's over now Keep looking at me, please It's like like a clean fresh mountain breeze on a stifling day You're the strangest man Perhaps the loneliest Well, I Think perhaps I'd better be looking for lodgings if I'm not gonna spend the night in the market place Let me try at his veranza. I have some influence there Anita What are you doing in my room Anita? I took the room next door and the connecting door was unlocked. Oh, so you take the only remaining room in the hotel No wonder miss Brown will spend the night in the leather couch in the lobby miss Brown. Yeah. Well, never mind What do you want? I've been thinking about your darling. How you held me when we danced the jiggler eyes of yours You're cold selfish scheming Exciting We could be wonderful together. You can help me. Oh that wedding ring on your finger But you wanted what miss Brown? Of course. I be sure I told you she's asleep on a couch in the lobby I must speak to her and I must have the ring Understand Take it. Thank you. Any means at all to accomplish our insurance. Good luck with miss Brown Miss Brown. Oh, is it morning? No, but I've been sitting here all night miss Brown Watching you sleep on that couch. Oh No, you've no right to be here. No, no right to be here. No right to sit Watching your face learning it like a poem. Oh, you must go away. Please right now Oh, you mustn't be afraid miss Brown. We are like we do like to trains halted for a moment at some mysterious station in the darkness but We are going in different directions. We can't change our course any more than and we can hold back the dawn It it is getting light, isn't it? Yes, and I'll be waking up the shops will open Your car will be repaired and you will be gone forever But you have seen you was to see the Sun rise once more to hear the enchantment of a woman's voice To feel her nearness The warmth of her lips No, please look at your hand at me the left one a Wedding ring. Yes. I put this on your hand while you slept Was my mother's Sweet Amy I've been so terribly lonesome other people are lonesome to George And I've always known deep in my heart That someday There'd be someone waiting for me Even at the end of the world and is this that end of the world Amy and the beginning George Amy my darling See it's going light morning You were right darling. We couldn't hold back the dawn For here it comes at last. Yes at last You are listening to the Hollywood screen director's presentation of hold back the dawn Starring Charles Boyer with Vanessa Brown and introducing the director of the film Mitchell Lysin Bring me another drink and listen to this. It's too precious I need her perhaps I should resent you reading my wife's letters aloud to me in a bar But listen will you? Four more weeks darling, and then you can join me here in California and we'll be together forever Lovingly darling your wife My wife is wonderful never see her right a few letters color up once or twice and once across the border We'll be on our merry way to New York with a short stop in Asusa I've an hour, you know long enough to tell me of a love that was too great to last a Mistake that was too lovely not to have been made that she was too good, and you were too long After now Anita she'll brush off like a drop of rain Inspector Hello, it's Kvescu remember me. Oh, of course the immigration officer. How's the hotel? I recommended the thing How are you Anita? How's your husband? Fine? Is he still in the cast? Cast what cast you mean you don't know he was hurt in a race at Santa Anita We are divorced. No That beautiful love match Isn't it a shame how love cools off the minute people get into the United States, but will you excuse me please? I really must from now on we're going to be very harsh on people who marry for immigration and not for love Well, excuse me. I just remembered I must write several important letters in my room. Forgive me I wasn't expecting you. I know I've brought you a wedding cake all the way from Asusa Mother baked it. Oh bless her My principal gave me a week off for a honeymoon with you. He gave me the station wagon again bless him too I'm gonna stay here a whole week with you stay here a week. Oh No, what's the matter? Do you well? I mean, I won't let you stay here. You see it's it's horrible I don't mind these places for cockroaches for despair for hammocks hammocks. Well, did I say that? I'm oh, it's a it's a kind of scorpion. Yes, you know, this this is in every respect No place for us to begin our lives together. Oh George you came for a honeymoon will go on a honeymoon a whole week George darling Listen to the windshield wipers listen to their rhythm They seem to be saying together together Together together Can you hear it? Yes, I can hear it. Oh George there's a sweet old Mexican church. I'd like to go in for a minute, please All right, if you like I'm sorry if I cried in church George. I Was so happy That George this olive tree beside the walk. Yes, stop here They say if married couples shake the tree However many olives fall they'll have that many children That's a foolish legend Demi and let's be foolish George shake the tree Very well very well One two three Three olives boys or girls Well, this one is Joshua after my father This one's Helen because I always wanted to be named Helen. I hate emmy and this one What was your father's name Gregor? He shall be Gregor George yes, Amy Kiss me. Oh in front of the three children So be it any Thank You George You are a curious thing. I Love my husband very much. It's very strange, but kissing you just now was It's like kissing fresh snow Nice Sleeping in the station wagon like this. I'm not sure yet Romanian. I am but gypsy. I am not it's a beauty evening Calm and free a Holy time is quiet as a nun all of these evenings have been lovely But tomorrow our honeymoon's over. I must go back to the States. Yes But only three more weeks apart. I wonder how the immigration authorities would like to be without there wise For three weeks. I've seen their wives. They liked it very much Good night darling. Good night. I mean I love my husband very much The Esperanza again. Oh, I Hate to see this come to an end. We'll be together again in three weeks Now you run up your room and freshen up. You know, you've got a five-hour drive ahead of you I'll attend to the car for you. I'll only be a few minutes Anita Welcome back great new George. We're leaving for New York and the club cast and over just as soon as you're over the border No, I'm not going right on to New York The stopover in Azusa will only be a half hour. You said it will be however long it takes Don't tell me you like that girl. Let's say I like her enough not to behave like a complete swine for once in my life I'll join you in New York when I can no George. I will not stand in time square and whistle for you I'll listen to my buzz and rattles George like a rattlesnake. Anytime. Don't tread on me George. Don't tread on me Come in of course Who are you? You are Mrs. Escobescu? Yes, why I'd like you to return my wedding ring. Well, what would I be doing with your ring? You're wearing it this that Belong to my husband's mother He's so sure wonderful. He always knows how to pluck a heart string. What are you talking about? Tell me darling. It was all my idea. What idea tell me about his marrying you just to get across the border You're lying. Read the engraving inside the ring to toots for kids. Get out. No Sit down dear Is it going to be all about you and me and just lots of other women and George and love and Immigration darling Immigration. Emmy may I come in? Come in George. Well, the guy's already too good here, and I've just come up to tell George Anita was just here. Yes She told me everything. What did she tell you? About the ring About all the other women about the way you made your living about Marrying me just to get into the United States Going to expose me to the immigration authorities. No Thank you Emmy Always been full of words. Large fancy words Now just one word Thanks I've always been full of words too not very fancy Now just one word George Goodbye George can't you do anything besides lie on that bed all day and smoke cigarettes and stare at the ceiling please please and it Acquired You look strange. Be quiet. What are you staring at? Emmy. Emmy. Emmy be careful. Look out George What's the matter are you sick or something? Anita something's happened to me on the road. All at once. I saw her the car spinning and skidding the brakes dreaming nonsense I'll go George. No, I'll go I'll go he's covesce. You were inspector. I'm sorry my wife Help me My wife. There's been an accident. Oh, no. Where is she a general hospital, Los Angeles, Mr You can't cross the border man who's got a car Anita who can lend me a car Laura is downstairs at the desk get out of my way You can't crash the border man will bring you back and never let you in again out of my way. I said This risk of rescue. Yes, doctor How is she? Where's my wife in here? But I must tell you she has no will to live has no fight in her No, a spirit. She hasn't spoken since we brought her in Is this a room do what you can? Yes. Thank you doctor. Emmy It's George I'm here darling. Do you hear me dearest? I'm here. We're together remember That night the car the rain the windshield wiper speaking to us remember together Remember Good morning, mr. Iscovescu. Good morning doctor. I was just going in to see my wife again How is she? You're seeing her yesterday worked wonders. May I go in now? Certainly. Thank you doctor. Just a minute to risk of rescue Inspector hammered you crashed the border. I know I came up after you naturally You will never get into the States now Good enough unless I forget what I saw if I can't remember the incident I Can't report it. Can I expect a hammer to save it save it You're the husband of an American wife You're made for each other and she's in there Don't keep an American woman waiting if she's Kavasko. They don't like it. Thank you inspector Good luck. It's Kavasko George We are together. Yes, my darling always and forever George Amy, do you know I? Love my wife very much In just a moment next week the NBC theater indulges in a little keyhole peeping all for the sake of laughter as For the first time on the air we present the Columbia Pictures comedy her husband's affairs and our star will be Lucille Ball and I'll hear our tonight stars Charles Boyer and Vanessa Brown and screen director Mitchell licensed You know one of the most instructive things about working with Mitchell licensed was seeing a director become an actor Did mr. Lyson really act in hold back the dawn? Oh, yes, and a very difficult role He played the part of Mitchell licensed probably the most abominable casting I've ever done Vanessa as a director Mitch told us that we must always be prepared to improvise something if you forget our lines Certainly, it's the easiest thing in the world. Certainly So when we did the picture Mitch very carefully Memorized his part and then walked in front of the camera for our scene together And then do you know what happened? What nothing I forgot my lines Didn't you improvise something mr. Lyson only the most pained expression I've ever seen any directors face So you did the scene again. Oh, yes to be precise five times Look, I have only one thing to say in my defense and that is mr. Lyson everything was the director's fault Narmich the director was one of the finest in Hollywood. Good night. Good night everyone. Good night. Good night Good night to you Hold back the dawn was presented to the courtesy of Paramount Pictures whose current release is the Technicolor production Streets of Laredo Starring William Holden William Bendix and McDonald Kerry having its world premiere in Laredo, Texas tomorrow night Vanessa Brown will soon be seen in the Paramount William Wyler production the heiress Mitchell licensed current production is bride of vengeance starring Paulette gutter John Lund and McDonald Kerry Included in tonight's cast will Raymond Burr John Daner and Gene Vates Hold back the dawn was adapted for radio by Milton Geiger and original music was composed and conducted by Henry Russell Production was under the supervision of Howard Wiley associate producer Bill Karn. Your announcer has been Frank Barton Listen again next week when the NBC theater presents screen directors assignment production her husband's affairs director S. Sylvan Simon star Lucille Ball NBC theater came to you from Hollywood This is NBC the national broadcasting company