 V.I.C.K.S. Vicks presents the Matinee Theatre starring Victor Jory. Vicks, the makers of Vicks Vaple Ruff, brings you the Matinee Theatre starring Victor Jory in Hold Back the Dawn. Here's a good thing to remember when you catch a cold. The best known home remedy for relieving miseries of colds is Vicks Vaple Ruff. Ladies and gentlemen, today from the stage of the Matinee Theatre, Vicks presents the Paramount Pictures exciting romantic drama Hold Back the Dawn with star Charles Boyer and Olivia de Havilland. The curtain rises on the hero of our story. My name is George Ziskofescu. I was 5 to 8 years, 5 to 8. It was a prison sentence. I, who had lived most of my years at the Richardson Savoy, registered at the Esperanza, rates a dollar a day cheaper by the year. After I got settled, I went over to the bar across the street. I hadn't been sitting there more than a few minutes when I met an old friend, my former dancing partner Tamera. Well, Tamera! How wonderful to see you again, and still as handsome as ever. Tamera, well. What are you doing down here? Oh, I came down for a day from Los Angeles with some people, those drunks at the next table. Oh. That is not the same. George, I served a little time there, too, but not long. Not this baby. I was in in four weeks. Four weeks? How did you ever manage that? This simplest way in the world. I married an American. Your papers go to Washington, and in four weeks everything is settled. They let you in. Oh, of course, you have to wait three years before you are a citizen. By the way, George, if you are interested, I have been divorced for some time now. I'm staying at a hotel for the weekend. I'll see you around. So it was as easy as that. Just marry an American and swing right over the fence. The town was full of them, gay, lighthearted people on a holiday. I had only to travel across the street from the hotel to the garage to find my American, Emmy Brown. She was standing in a doorway, perilously close to tears, arguing with two mechanics. But can't you give me some idea of how much longer it'll take you to fix it? Look, I can't understand a word you're saying. You promised the car would be ready by three o'clock. What did you say? He, uh, he says you are only making them nervous. Oh, well, I don't know what to do. No, no, there's nothing you can do, thank you. You see, I brought the children down here to show them a fiesta in Mexico, and the car broke down. Your children? No, my class. I've left them in the garage office with one of the older students. You see, I'm a schoolteacher, and if we're not back by nine o'clock tonight, Mr. McAdams, the principal, think we're all dead in a ditch. While you're waiting for the car, why not come across the street to the hotel and telephone and tell him you're all right? Yes, I suppose that would be the thing to do. May I show you? Thank you. It's very kind of you. We went over to the hotel. We sat in the lobby waiting for her call to go through. Uh, cigarette, Miss Brown? No, no, thank you. The school board doesn't approve. Oh. And to tell you the truth, I don't like cigarettes very much. Oh, yes, yes, I see. What's the... You're staring at me, Mr. Iskaveski. Forgive me, but it's hard not to stare at anyone so, so lovely. Well, I'm sure that's very nice of you. We have a young lady's call now. Oh, good. Thank you so much. I'll come at once. The mechanics decided they could not repair a car until morning and a five-dollar bill that I had invested helped them to decide it. There were no rooms available in the hotel, but I persuaded the manager to make beds for Miss Brown and the children on the couches in the lobby. She had a hard time going to sleep that night, little Miss Brown. Her heart was beating fast and her neat, tidy senses were all thrown out of gear. She found a kind of half-sleep at last and then about five o'clock in the morning, she awoke and saw me sitting in a chair halfway across the lobby, watching her. Mr. Iskaveski, what are you doing here? You'll wake the children. Oh, please, you have no right to be here. Of course I have no right. No right to sit here watching your face, learning it like a poem. No right at all to tell you I'm in love with you. You must go away right now, please. Miss Brown, we're like two trains, halted for a moment at the same station, but going in different directions. We can't change our course any more than we can hold back the dawn. Look, it's growing light already. Everyone will be stirring soon and you will be gone from me forever. Please don't touch me here. You are very conscientious, Miss Brown. No infringement of the regulations for you. No rebellions nor violent desires. Not for you this sudden flash which lights up your whole life. Oh, my dear, it is not this kiss I want. It's all your kisses, it's all your life. Look at your hand, Miss Brown. No, no, no, your left hand. What? It's a ring. A wedding ring. Yes, it's a wedding ring, Miss Brown. I put it on your hand as you slept. It was my mother's. Now you'll see how wild a dream can be. You are wise and sane and cool, but you will let me kiss you just once. Yes, just once. You're so sweet, so lovely. Goodbye, Miss Brown. Oh, no, no, don't go. A minute, please wait. I... Please don't walk so fast. I'm sorry. Thank you. That's better. About your being lonesome. Other people are lonesome, so lonesome they almost give up waiting. Nick Adams always said I was crazy, but I knew all the time deep down in my heart that someday somebody somehow would come along, even though Azusa, California was at the other end of the world. Let me tell you, let me try to explain how I feel. We had to get the Mexican judge out of bed. The license was $5. It seemed a sound investment. The ceremony was brief, the office drab and sorted, but to Emmy Brown being there was like standing in an altar in a cathedral with great bells ringing. She was radiant when we came out, arm in arm. We expected to be married in the Margaret Martin Memorial Church in Azusa. In Azusa? I never dreamed of anything so beautiful and exciting as this. It's... George, please don't walk so fast. I'm sorry. I keep forgetting how little you are. My, they'll be surprised back home. Mrs. George is a rescue. You know, I don't even know what you are. Doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief... Rich man, poor man, beggar man... thief? Oh, George. I wish I didn't have to take the children back this morning. It's awful to have to leave you, George. In four or five weeks, my papers will be straightened out and I'll be able to join you. In Azusa? Yes, in Azusa. You won't be so lonesome now, will you? No. I won't either. You'll have your ring and your name and your love. Look, there's the station wagon. The children are already in it. I must go, George. I'll take you to the car. No, no. Please, it'll be easier to go if you don't. You stay here. George... Yes? I don't exactly know how to say it, but this is like the beginning of the world to me. I hope I can make you happy. Goodbye, George. Goodbye, darling. Well, it's George. I hear you got married. Is that the bride getting into the station wagon? Yes, Tamara. She's going back to Azusa. Azusa California. She's a schoolteacher there. A schoolteacher? Yes. Well, she ought to be easy to shake off. Tell her 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 too low. You know, those words almost have a ring of truth. A mistake too lovely. A girl too good. George, what's happening to you? Kissing her. Kissing her was like kissing wet snow. You couldn't be in love with a schoolteacher from Azusa if you don't fall in love, George. That's not the role you play. I haven't said I'm in love. You haven't said you're not. No, Tamara. I haven't said I'm not. But better not make any plans, Tamara. Better not make any plans. In just a moment, act two of Hold Back the Dawn, starring Victor Jory. Every mother knows how hard it is these blustery days to keep children from catching cold. But fortunately, most mothers have given a lot of thought to the problem and the modern way they use to relieve miseries of children's colds is to rub Vic's vapor rub on throat, chest and back. These millions of thankful mothers have found that the moment you rub on vapor rub, its relief giving action starts right to work. It helps relieve congestion and irritation in the upper breathing passages, the coughing spasms, sore throat, and that muscular soreness or tightness. And results are so satisfying because vapor rub penetrates. It penetrates into the cold congested upper bronchial tubes with its special soothing medicinal vapors. And at the same time, it stimulates. Stimulates chest and back surfaces like a comforting, warming portis. And this penetrating, stimulating action of vapor rub keeps on working for hours to bring such grand relief. Mind you, only vapor rub gives you this special penetrating, stimulating action. The best known home remedy for relieving miseries of colds is Vic's vapor rub. And now from the stage of Vic's matinee theater, the second act of hold back the dawn starring Victor Jored. It's about a week later. George Iskvescu and Tamara are at a small table in the bar. When a man comes up and joins them, the man's name is Hammock. He's a member of the immigration department. Well, well, well, Mrs. Shaughnessy. How's your husband? I don't exactly know, Mr. Hammock. We are divorced about a year now. No, not really. You mean it's gone... that beautiful love match? I really loved him then. Sure. Only once he got you across the board he found you didn't like the shape of his nose. I see here, Mr. Hammock. I'm not saying anything, Mrs. Shaughnessy. You made the grade. In is in. Only there's been an awful epidemic of marrying up and down the border. We finally got our eyes open. No kidding anymore. The department has a new theme song. Is it love or is it immigration? While I was sitting there listening to Hammock and Tamara, I'd seen the Azusa school wagon arrive up in front of the hotel in a small figure dart up the steps. I was suddenly in a panic that Mr. Hammock might see her and stop asking questions. I followed her up to the room and when I got there I... I didn't know what to say to her. I could not believe that I was falling in love yet my heart was pounding like a schoolboy. It's yours, darling. Isn't it wonderful? Mr. McAdams got a substitute teacher from Riverside. He gave me a week off and said I could use the car. Isn't that exciting, Zors? Exciting, I should say so. Now, come on. Let's find a road and follow it wherever it leads. To a lake or a palace or a fishing village. Let's spend these few days they've given you recklessly, gloriously. Oh, Zors. I love you. It's starting to rain. And I love the rain. So do I. Come on. We'll start right now. I thought I'd take her to Ensenada, a matter of 50 miles. Four hours I figured it, but in the night in the storm I must have taken a wrong turn. Ah, yes. A wrong turn in more than one way. I never did find Ensenada and I never did find my way back to the road I had planned for my own life. We rode on through the wind and the rain safe, warm, and happy. Zors, did you ever notice how things talk sometimes? Isn't it those windshield wipers? They're singing together, together, together. Can't you hear it? Together, together. Ah, yes, I've been listening to it for hours. Oh, Amy, I love you. I love you in a way I never thought I could love anyone. I want to laugh with you and cry with you. I want to take care of you. I want to dream with you and plan with you and I want to stay with you forever. This is the beginning of a whole new life for you and me, Amy. And oh, I hope I can make you happy. I hope I can be worthy of you, darling. Zors, if you're going to kiss me, I think you better stop the car. Then I think I better stop the car right now. Darling. Oh, darling. We spent six days in heaven. We drove to a small village called Caloia. They were having a bridal festival. And outside the small country church there was an olive tree and there was a legend that said if a married couple shook it, however many olives fell, that is how many children they would have. Well, of course we had to try it. Zors, take hard. There. Here you are. One, two, three. Oh, that's wonderful. I hope all three of them look just like you. Oh, Zors, won't it be wonderful? The next day, the next day we drove to Trabotoyo in the San Miguel. The third day we started back along the gulf. We didn't return into a hotel until the last hour of the last day. You couldn't make a mistake and think it's tomorrow that you're due back in Azusa, could you? I'm afraid not, darling. July 13th, parent-teacher's meeting. Auditorium, 8 o'clock. Parent-teacher's meeting. It sounds very dull. How long will it take you to drive there? Five hours. Why don't you go up to your room and freshen up? I'll take the car over to the garage and get the gas tank filled. All right, darling. If only fate or God had warned me things might have been so different. If, if I had only gone upstairs with her. If, if, if, if, how often our lives hang upon an if. Mrs. Escobar? Yes, I am Tamada. I'm the husband of your husband, George. This thing of mine I want you to give me back. Of yours? My wedding ring. What would I be doing with your wedding ring? Wedding it. I loaned it to George. This? It belonged to his mother. Oh, isn't he wonderful? The way he knows how to pluck at the heart's thing. Listen, sister, George married you to pass through that gate for the same reason I married my American, with the same ring. But don't stare at me. Take a look at the engraving inside. Two toots for heaps. Just slip it off. No. Maybe you should know a little more about the history of George Escobar. Get out. Please, please. I know what you're thinking. I'm dirt. Well, so is he. We belong together. And you, you think you are a teacher. You're a schoolgirl who learned life out of a schoolbook. You'd have learned this lesson in six weeks and in six months. I'm telling it to you in six minutes. Get away. Get in that car and don't turn back. Yes. Who is from the immigration department? Don't go, don't see him. I'll be right down, Flores.. Take my bag, please. You can't keep him away. What for? It won't do you any good. from a school book. Remember? Emmie, I... Not a word out of you, Iskavescu. Mrs. Iskavescu, I want it understood and all right to bother you with any questions down here in Mexico. It's just that if we think an American might be getting a dirty deal, we... I'll answer any questions. How long had you known Mr. Iskavescu when you married him? A few hours. Had you any idea he was waiting to get into the States? Yes. And that he might have married you to turn the trick? He might, but it isn't likely. You see, I asked him to marry me. There's nothing wrong, Mr. Hammock. George told me all about his past. There weren't any false pretenses. We love each other very much. Okay, Mrs. Iskavescu, have it your own way. Maybe you're just dumb. See you later. Tamara talked to you. Yes. And I've always been so full of words, you know. Big ones, smooth ones, fancy ones, but I don't seem to have any just why. I don't know what to say except... thanks. George, I come from a small town. We don't have fine hotels. We eat in the drug store. But we leave a tip just the same. I don't feel I was too generous for these seven days. Goodbye, George. Emmy, don't go. There's a lot I must say to you. The only thing for you to say is goodbye. I stood there over an hour, watching that door she'd walked out of, watching that street that she'd driven down and away, and suddenly my hands began to grow cold with fear. Do you know that feeling when a premonition breaks over you like a black wave, and in my ears was the sound of tires taking a while curve, before my eyes was her foot on the gas pedal pressing it down. I heard the screech, the screech of brakes and the crash. I swear I heard it, and I heard the whine of the sirens. And when the phone rang, I knew what the message would be. I knew. Senor Skovezko, oh, Dios mio, Dios mio. What happened to her? What's happened? An accident. A bad accident. Where have they taken her? Where have they taken her? The Los Angeles receiving hospital. I'll take your car for us. They won't let you across the border. You have no passport. I'll get across the border. Give me your car keys. If you crash the border, they will catch you, and they will never let you in again. Give me the keys! All right, Senor. All right. I drove through that gate without stopping. I heard the shouts. I knew they would follow me, but I didn't stop. I drove with a pedal right down to the floor. And when I got to the hospital, the doctor was with her. How is she, doctor? She's unconscious. The steering wheel was crushed against her. There doesn't seem to be any fight left in her. Heard so, to breathe. Emmy. Emmy. Emmy. It's George. I'm here. I'm here, Emmy. George. George. Go on. Try to breathe, Emmy. Hard. That's it. Again. Now again. It's all right, Emmy. You remember the rain beating down on the windshield that night, and the wiper going, and the word it spoke. Together. Together. Breathe, Emmy. Together. Emmy, we're together. Together. It's yours. You know, how long I sat there, but I must have said it a million times, together. Breathe. Together. Breathe. And at last, the doctor said she's asleep now. She's going to be all right. I think you saved her life, Mr. Iscubescu. I love her. Oh, how I love her. I left Emmy then. I went back across the border. What else was there for me to do? Emmy had no further use for me. She made that very clear, and the country had no use for me, and I hadn't very much use for myself. It must have been about a month later that Mr. Hammack came to me in the park. I had been expecting something from him because he knew I'd crashed across the border. I was sitting on the park bench, tracing letters in the gravel with my cane. Hello, Mr. Iscubescu. Hello, Mr. Hammack. Are you doing writing letters? No. Advertisements. Slightly reformed character eager for some decent work. Any place on the globe I'll have him. Oh, I see. Well, in answer to your ad, we herewith inform you that we've made an opening for you right there over that border. A certain immigration inspector who shall for the moment be nameless, neglected to report a certain incident about a man crashing the border, and there's no use shooting your mouth off about it once you get in there. Get in? In where? In the states. In the United States. There's somebody waiting for you. See? Right over there at that gate. She has all your papers. My papers? Quiet! Amy! You're the husband of an American wife, aren't you? Go on. Don't keep her waiting. Amy. And say, what was that she was telling me all the way down about the two of your raising olives? Amy! Amy! Amy! Welcome home, my darling. Welcome home. Darling. Oh, my darling. In just a moment, an important message from Mr. Jory. It's mighty discouraging, isn't it, when no matter how careful you are, down you come with another annoying cold. Yes, these are cold-catching times, and when a cold strikes, it's no time to take needless chances with untried remedies. So don't ever experiment. Remember, the best-known home remedy you can use for relieving miseries of colds is Vick's VapoRub. At bedtime, just rub Vick's VapoRub on your throat, chest and back, and almost instantly, VapoRub's famous relief-giving action starts to work. And best of all, VapoRub's comforting action keeps on working for hours through the night. It invites restful sleep, and often by morning, most of the misery of the cold is gone. So be sure you get Vick's VapoRub, the modern way so widely used to bring such grand relief from miseries of colds. Time-tested, home-proved, Vick's VapoRub. This is Victor Jory. Your requests have been coming in great numbers, and they've been very helpful to me in scheduling your future plays. For example, next week you will hear one of the finest plays ever written, dramatic romance of Elizabeth, The Queen, by Maxwell Anderson. Very shortly, due to your many requests, we will bring you that great emotional love drama, Random Harvest. Please keep your requests coming in the moment long before we get around to your favorite play. Write me please, Care of Columbia Broadcasting, 22, New York. Our play was adapted from the Paramount picture by Gene Holloway and directed by Richard Sanville. Paramount's latest success is The Heartwarming Story and Now Tomorrow, with Loretta Young and Alan Lan. The role of Emmy today was played by Betty Winkler. Victor Jory is currently co-starring with Miriam Hopkins in The Perfect Marriage. Music for this series is under the direction of Mark Warner. Be sure to be with us again next week when Vick's, the makers of Vick's VapoRub, brings you the matinee theater production of Elizabeth The Queen, starring Victor Jory as Lord Essex. This is CBS, The Columbia Broadcasting System.