 Family Theater presents Sterling Holloway and Margaret O'Brien. From Hollywood, the Mutual Network in Cooperation with Family Theater presents the story of Danny Dollar starring Sterling Holloway and now here is your hostess, Margaret O'Brien. Family Theater's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives. If we are to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families, and peace for the world. Family Theater urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. And now to our transcribed drama, the story of Danny Dollar starring Sterling Holloway as narrator. This is the story of a dollar bill named Danny. Danny wasn't exactly born, he was printed, which amounts to the same thing in the life of a dollar bill. Along with countless other dollar bills, Danny was put through huge machines which stamped him all over with numbers and official seals and all it goes to make the well-dressed dollar bill. Finally he was put through a big machine that stamped a lovely picture of George Washington on one side of him. Danny didn't mind all this printing rigmarole and in fact it was kind of fun. When he went through the machine that stamped the picture on him, it tickled and Danny wriggled. Finally Danny went sliding out a chute and landed on a long flat table. Cautiously Danny lifted one of his crisp edges and glanced above. On an adjoining table they saw a whole pile of new five dollar bills and being of a very friendly disposition, Danny yelled out to one of the five, but the five lifted Lincoln's nose and went, well Danny was a little hurt by this, but then one of the other dollar bills spoke up. Don't feel bad Danny. The fives never speak to us dollar bills, they only speak to the tens. Oh and do the tens talk to them? No, the tens speak only to the 20s. Well gosh, then who do the 20s speak to? Now there you got a point. I doubt if they talk to the Treasury Secretary himself. Gee there's quite a system around here, isn't there? Yeah but you'll catch on when you've been around a few days. Hey, I wonder how much a dollar will buy. Well I don't care so much about what I buy. I just want to make people happy. Well Danny didn't have long to wait. For the next day he was bound up in a neat little package with 99 other dollar bills and taken for a ride on an armored truck bound for a nearby bank. Danny was about to go into circulation. His life was about to begin. Danny watched the people as they approached the teller's window and he wondered who he would be given to and just then the teller picked him from the dollar compartment and handed him to a man in uniform. The man carried Danny and some other money from the bank and headed straight for a huge black limousine. He got in and then gave all the money to a very distinguished looking gentleman sitting in the rear seat and then they all drove away. Danny's imagination began to race. What would the man buy with him? Maybe some shares in a large corporation or a part of a bridge or a building or an island even and suddenly the cost stopped and Danny was handed back to the chauffeur who took him into a store and gave him to a girl behind a counter. The girl gave Danny an admiring look. Oh brand new huh? Just make it? Well Danny thought this was very amusing and he gave her a loud pop of approval when she snapped him between our hands. Danny creamed his edges to look back and see what the chauffeur had bought with him but when he saw what it was he wished he hadn't looked. The man was walking away with two cigars. He had spent Danny's whole value for just two cigars and no change yet. Might just as well be a little old quarter or something if that's all I'm going to buy in this world. He said to himself. I thought at least I'd be able to... Hey hey bud. Hey. Who's that? Hey I'm sitting right underneath you here. Underneath? Oh gee excuse me I must be crowding you. Sit still chum. It's kind of cozy in all these cash registers but we get used to it. Are you a dollar bill too? It's so dark in here I can't quite make you out. Yeah we're all dollars in this year's space. Uh the name's Horace. Horace? Yeah crummy name for a buck ain't it? Oh no I didn't mean to. Oh that's all right kid. You knew? Yes. How do you like it? Well it is a little disappointing so far. All I've done is buy two cigars. Don't worry you'll get around. I just came in from the racetrack myself. Huh? Yeah now there's the life kid. Plenty of excitement. They're always on the move. Well just what do we buy at the races? Well we don't buy nothing really. People use us to bet on the nags. Ah you ought to see them at the go nuts. Uh does this betting make them happy? Happy? Yeah I guess when they win which ain't often. The guys that bet me usually lose their shirts. I must be a jinx or something. Oh I don't think I care too much about going to the racetrack then. You'll see Horace I want to make people happy when I buy things for them. Oh you want to make people happy huh? Well it's a noble ambition kid. I wish you luck but the chumps had put me in there while it's never seemed much better off for having owned me. But as I say I wish you good luck. For the next several days Danny was kept quite busy. Well as busy as a dollar bill could be. And then one day Danny found himself in a woman's purse. Well it was enough to give even a dollar bill a headache. Well Danny was carried about in this purse for some time until one day the purse was opened and Danny found himself in the midst of a great celebration. He looked about and saw signs proclaiming what appeared to be a holiday in his honor for everywhere they hung huge streamers reading dollar day. Danny's new honor carried him into a large department store with absolute bedroom rain. Danny hadn't seen such confusion since one day in the bank when the Indian head pennies got after the buffalo nickels and then he heard the woman saying to her companion. Maybe I'll get an extra dollar here. I think I'll buy Georgia time. He doesn't need any more goodness knows but I can't resist the sale. And this was the last straw for little Danny dollar bill. Well that does it. I'm not going to be spent for another silly purchase. Just wait till she reaches in here to get me. I'll take this one dairy. Here's the money. Oh I dropped it. Mabel help me find the dollar William. I dropped it right here somewhere. Well it just seemed to wiggle right out of my hand. Oh dear I hope I didn't lose this. Not if you're going to spend me for something you don't need. Well Danny floated to the floor and was carried beneath the feet of the shoppers to the sidewalk outside where a whirlwind of ale lifted him high above the sidewalks. It was a gusty day and Danny was blown for blocks before he finally came back to earth again and when he did he found himself in a park. Danny looked around. Now let's see. This time I'll do the choosing as to who spends me. Hey there's a fellow who looks like he could use me. Maybe he'd like a dollar to spend on a meal or something like that. I'll just lift one of my edges to the wind and see if I can't drift over his way. David I see you're still with us. I was hoping maybe you'd found something since I saw you yesterday. Hello Clancy. No no nothing yet. Look boy I don't usually do this but have you had anything to eat today. I could advance you a little. No thanks Clancy. Look I'm solvent. This dollar bill just blew up to me like a long lost friend. What can you buy for a dollar these days. Well I was thinking of investing in a haircut. I found an ad in the paper here that I might qualify for. Oh yeah here it is here. Wanted piano tuner young ambitious must be neat and good musical ear. And you think you'll qualify for that ain't. I've been exposed to music all my life Clancy. David my boy who are you anyway. You ever hear of David Warwick. David Warwick that concert fellow played in Carnegie Hall and on them places. Yeah well whatever happened to him he just sort of dropped out of sight didn't he. Clancy David Warwick is now a bum who sits around on park benches and reads the want ads. But I don't get it my boy with your talent you ought to be on top of the world like you used to be. What are you doing here. Very simple Clancy I hate music. You hate it but why did you ever take it up in the first place. I didn't take it up my friend I wanted to paint but I had no choice. Mother wanted me to be a concert pianist so for as long as I can remember it was always practice practice practice all the other kids would be out playing ball or something but me David Warwick I was playing the piano practice practice well years went by one concert after another I was a success but I still wanted to make painting my life. Mother was just as determined I should not let it interfere with my music but I finally got so bad that I had to sneak out of the apartment to attend art classes. Are those domineering mothers. I wrote along with it for quite a while and then I met he she was an art instructor in the school I attended and well Clancy it was one of those things I fell for her all the way she for me or so I thought what happened. Good question Clancy I wish I knew what happened she just plain vanished I've been looking for her ever since months now but it's hard for people to just disappear didn't she give any reason that's all very strange Clancy things seem to be going so well we'd plan to be married for obvious reasons I'd avoid it introducing her to mother but one evening I took Eve with me to the concert I was playing. Mother you and Eve get acquainted while I make pretty music for the customers. Oh hurry David the my straw is already furious with you. Okay I'll see you later. Let's go into David's dressing room for a moment Eve. All right Mrs. Warwick. Eve I'll get right to the point I frankly don't approve of your marrying David. You don't you don't why? I don't approve for this reason I know just as well as I'm standing here that once David marries you and moves out of my home he'll forsake his music for this painting quim of his. After all it's his life. I know what's best for him. Well Mrs. Warwick I I don't quite know what to say. Then let me say it for you. Now I've taken the trouble to look into your life Eve. You've had your present position with the art school for five years. You're considered one of their best instructors. You also support your invalid mother and your two younger brothers correct? Yes. Quite all very commendable. Now I have a proposition for you as you perhaps know I will considerably influence in certain circles of this city. Therefore I am in a position to offer you the manager ship of the Chatsworth Galleries. Chatsworth Galleries? The position a good many people would give anything to have. But in return you are to give up the idea of marrying David. Oh. To be even more explicit never see him again. Just vanish. But Mrs. Warwick you don't seem to understand. We love each other. Why I wouldn't even consider such a thing. No job means that much to me. It might be wise to consider it my dear. As I said I do have considerable influence. You could report for work tomorrow morning and find someone else in your place. And also find yourself unable to get another teaching position anywhere in this city. This is unbelievable. Well think it over carefully my dear. I'll leave you now and look in again at the end of David's concert. Oh may I suggest it would be better if we found you gone when we returned. As I said my dear I am used to having my own way. Eve. David remember your audience go back and take your bow. Where's Eve where'd she go. David the audience is clamoring for you. Being the audience now where's Eve. She's she's gone David. Gone where. Well we had a little chat and and she decided. Chat. What did you tell her. You sent her away. David the audience. I'm afraid something like this was going to happen. Look mother if this is true I'll never touch a piano again as long as I live. Now please step aside I'm going out and find Eve. But David the audience. David. David. Well that's the whole sad story Clancy. I went out that night to find Eve and I'm still looking. Never a trace for me. No I'm not one. Mother is very thorough. There were no tracks. Yeah well where's that barbershop. It's right down there past the gallery a bit. The gallery art gallery. Oh yeah the Chatsworth galleries I've heard of them. Exhibition today admission one dollar proceeds to orphan's milk fun. You know Clancy I got an ocean to go in. Gosh it seems years since I wandered through one of these places. It's your dollar. I guess I better not. Still. Tell me if you hate music so and vow never to touch a piano again why were you going to apply for that piano tuner's job. Clancy there's only one thing in this world I know anything about and that's music. I didn't like it or not a man can get just so hungry. Well here goes. Yes sir. Give me a dollar's worth of hair cutting friend. Danny sat in the cash draw of the barbershop a very disappointed dollar bill. Though a shabby friend had spent him for something he needed Danny knew the man wasn't going to be any happier for and most of all he wanted to make people happy. Danny sighed. Shucks things just never seem to work out the way I'd like them to. Gosh I wish I were a five dollar bill. I'll bet if I could buy more people would like me better. Don't you believe it? People treat us fives just the same. Well the voice startled Danny. It came from the next compartment in the cash drawer. Danny raised one of his edges to see who had spoken and when he saw what a shock it was a five who had spoken to him. A very dirty wrinkled five. I'm only a one you know. Oh yes I know but I got over that silly business of not speaking to the small change a long time ago. Gee I'm glad. I know I used to be that way but I finally woke up after all we all come from the same place and we'll all end up in the same spot in the end so why go through life snubbing the little guys I said. Oh what do you mean we'll all end up in the same place in the end. What does happen to old money anyway. You mean you don't know. No. Well it ain't good but take my advice and don't worry about it. Enjoy yourself and do what good you can while you're around. Oh well here goes somebody. Good luck friend. The barber put in another five dollar bill and counted out Danny and three other dollar bills for change. As Danny was being lifted out of the drawer he waved to the new five going in. Are you. Really. Another snub but this time Danny had to laugh. You'll learn you'll learn a couple of trips to the butcher shop and the filling station and she'll be speaking to everyone. Danny began his usual round of buying again always trying but never seeming to accomplish too much. Finally several purchases later he found himself on a bus. All right step in please step in step back in a bus please let's go five. Oh come on Mr. Have a heart. I know I know it's this smallest you got. Okay. One dollar makes five step in please. Can let me have a few dollars before we get there with you or for well I know you once you get near those gambling tables you'll not stop until we're flat broke. All right here two bucks ought to get us home and style good now you just forget that I've got it. Place your bets ladies and gentlemen place your bet please. Let's go after this play I'm tired. Wait a minute wait a minute. Number 14 on the red win 14 last a lot 14 red. Where's the rest of the money. Well that's all darling you've reached the bottom of the barrel but I can't stop now I've got this thing be oh can really I mean it give me that money you've got. Oh no not on your life. I mean give it to me I'll give you one dollar no more. A dollar but I can't play a dollar at this table. One dollar Ken. Oh here a dollar on 14 red. One dollar really sir the slot machines are in the corner. Look I know this isn't quite cricket but I've been here for hours give me a break will you. One dollar it is then. I'm going Ken are you coming with me in a minute in a minute. Number 11 red the winner number 11. Well okay okay I can't understand it. Place your bets please. Cash me in will you please. Sure thing here we are a hundred and thirty eight dollars. Hey hey how'd this old bill get in here run out of new ones. Yeah sorry sir but the dollars are down. Yeah I know but I like new ones. Sorry that's okay I'll forget. I'm a lead aren't you peppy. That's all right but I'm going home right now. The monkeys are dying. You don't mind getting an old bill. Oh thank you sir. No peppy don't mind. All dollars all the same as new ones. My landlord he don't care how I pay him just so long as I pay him. That's right it's yours then. Good night. Good night sir thank you. Well do we go home now. Very nice to wait at the end of the day huh. One dollar for our music is a nice man. Oh we better get to some eats before we go. Luigi I'm glad you're still open. Sure peppy I'm open I got to stay open later to make a living these days. What'll it be. Well give me the same thing I guess a salami and a oh and a some bananas for the monkeys. Sure thing. How's it go today. Good. Not so bad a very nice evening. I thought I'd give us a dollar just before we start home. Oh yeah peppy. Sixty eight cents. You don't mind an old dollar do you. Party all the same with me. Is it your change. Hey you wait a minute I walk with you. It's time to close up for the day I think I lock up the money we go. You leave it at the money that little draw Luigi. Somebody could steal it so easy. Oh the body with the little money Luigi has. Come here we go. And the full Luigi I think you're crazy in the head to leave your money that dinky little draw. Maybe you're right I play it safe tonight. I take it home with me just to make sure. This is the first time I do this too. That's better. I leave just one dollar in the draw for luck. That's good. I sleep better now. You ready. I'm ready. I go as far as 14th. Money in this store. Hey one lousy buck. Some hall. Okay. Okay. Don't shoot. I give up. I guess I don't have to ask you what you were up to. Come on let's have it. Okay. All right now the rest of it. That's it. It's all there wasn't a till. Let's see about that. It looks like you were right. Not a very profitable evening's work. Look mister give me a break will you. It's not like I took a thousand dollars or something. All I got was a dollar. Can't you just sort of forget the whole thing. I promise this is the last time I'll ever pull anything like this again. I'm sorry son it doesn't make any difference how much of that. You know the penalty for murder is the same whether you kill one person or 20. It's the same thing in your case. So come on. That dollar bill may have bought you some time in reform school. Danny dollar bill. He wished he'd never been printed. He wanted so much to make people happy and all he'd succeeded in doing for young Tommy was to buy him five years of misery. Then one day he found himself in a large bank again. This was a common occurrence for Danny but this time he noticed that he'd been put to one side with some other old dollar bills. And for some reason Danny felt uneasy about the situation and he tried to wriggle away but the bank teller he paced a big glass paperweight smack on top of him and then he overheard the clerks talking. Helen where are those old bills we're taking back and burn. Right here. I've got quite a little pile of them. You ready for them yet. Yeah bring them over will you. Right. I got them under this glass here so that. The bank clerks suddenly stopped and stared at Danny for a long time and then she broke into a big grin and picked him up. Hey Joe look at this bill under the magnifying glass. What's the matter with it. We'll just look at it. Well I'll be. Say we've got to show this to the boss. Well Danny was completely mystified as the man took him into the office of the president of the bank. He looked at Danny closely and then. Well I'll be doggone. We'll have to do something about this. For the next few days Danny was the center of attraction as he was placed on a rich red velvet cushion and then mounted in a fine glass case in the lobby of the bank over him was a sign and then Danny knew why he was suddenly such an oddity. It all went back to that first day while he was being printed. One of the machines had tickled him and Danny had riddled. This had caused a slight more in the engraving and so on Danny dollar bill George Washington was smiling. Thus even though it was an error Danny had one of the very few pictures ever to show Mr. Washington smiling and so Danny sits in his lovely little glass case in the bank lobby today and he watches his people look at him and then break into a big grin themselves. Danny is important at last. Not only is he now worth a fabulous amount as a collector's item but more important to him Danny now has something that can make people smile. This is Margaret O'Brien again. You know these days we're always reading in the newspapers about teenagers and the trouble they get into. Well right now I'd like to speak up as a representative of the teenagers because I'm sure the ones we read about only represent a small minority. I would like to hear more about the ones who are studying hard in school learning to become good American citizens. I've traveled all over the country recently and everywhere I went I met fine boys and girls that I'm proud to know. Instead of condemning these teenagers we should try to find out the root of their troubles and try to help them. Most of them probably come from broken homes and never even learn the meaning of family prayer. I feel that if parents were to take the initiative to gather with their children every evening for just five or ten minutes of prayer of asking God to guide them and their families through these perilous teenage years that we'd all be a lot happier and there'd be much less cause for teenage trouble and in keeping with this theme let's always remember that the family the praise together stays together. More things are wrought by prayer and this world dreams of. From Hollywood Family Theater has brought you transcribed the story of Danny Dollar starring Sterling Holloway. Margaret O'Brien was your hostess. Others in our cast were Ted DeCorsia, Berna Felton, Whitfield Conner, Howard McNear, Martha Shaw, Jeffrey Silver, Jack Raymond, Billy Borkham and Baton Powell. The script was written by William Lutz with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman. This series of Family Theater broadcasts is 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 of stage 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 Lofrano 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. Welcome home starring Marilyn Erskine. Eddie Fisher will be your host. Join us, won't you? And now we suggest you stay tuned for John Holbrock reporting the news on the newspaper of the air which follows immediately over most of these stations. This is the Mutual Don Lee Broadcasting System.