 And now, the Mollay Mystery Theater, presented by M-O-L-L-E. Mollay, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skins. Good evening. This is Jeffrey Barnes, welcoming you to the program that presents the best in mystery and detective fiction. Tonight, we bring you a story that is, in my opinion, the greatest modern mystery classic of them all. Emlyn Williams' famous play, Night Must Fall. Virginia Field, star of the hit Broadway play Doe Girls and just back from Hollywood where she completed the Paramount picture The Perfect Marriage, will play the part of Olivia Green, the young Englishwoman who is so hypnotized and fascinated by the strange half-mad Danny. Danny will be played by a fine young actor just returned from Army service, Ian Martin. So here it is, Night Must Fall, starring Virginia Field as Olivia and Ian Martin as Danny. Gee, am I in the play too, Mr. Barnes? Oh, no, Dan, that's another Danny, a tough guy. Well, tough guys aren't always so tough. Why do you know that lots of them are almost sissies when it comes to shaving? But not the man who shaves with Mollay, the heavier brushless shaving cream. Because with Mollay, it's smooth, so smooth, it's slick, so slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M-O-L-L-E. The heavier brushless cream for tender skins. That's right, Mollay is the shaving cream that's heavier, the cream that's perfect for a wiry hard to cut beard or tender skin. Because Mollay is heavier, it not only softens your whiskers, it stands them up straight while your razor whisks them off one, two, three. So you shave faster, closer, easier, and you shave painlessly with Mollay, the heavier brushless cream for tender skins. Mollay. Now for the nice Mollay mystery, Night Must Fall. In the sitting room of a cottage located in a forest of Essex, England, sit three people. Mrs. Branson, owner and mistress of the cottage, is in a wheelchair. Reading to her from a newspaper is Danny, Mrs. Branson's house boy and general handyman. Apart from these two, and apparently lost in her own thoughts, sits a young woman, Olivia Grain, Mrs. Branson's niece and paid companion. The murderer committed the crime in the forest. He buried the woman's body shallow in the refuse heap behind the cottage of one Mrs. Branson who... I can't think if my maid hadn't found her, that woman might still be lying there. Think of that, Olivia. Olivia! Oh, I'm sorry, Auntie. I'm afraid I wasn't listening. Oh, must you just sit there and stare out of the window? What are you dreaming about? I was just thinking. I often wonder, on a very fine morning like this, what it'll be like for night to fall. I never can, yet it's got to. You'd do better thinking about catching a husband. Where's that man of yours, that Hubert Lowry? Oh, he's off for a walk, I suppose. Shall I read some hormone? Oh, yes, dear. Attempts had been made to eradicate fingerprints with a knife. The head had been severed by a skilled person, possibly a butcher. Oh, dear, my heart's beating like anything. No more, Danny, no more. All right, Mother of Mine, it's time for your afternoon stroll anyway. After your room and make yourself pretty for your Danny boy. Yes, dear, I won't be a minute. Oh, you needn't wheel me, Olivia. Heaven knows you nor anyone else gave me any attention until Danny came to see you. Hurry back, Mother of Mine, I'd have your pills and chocolates ready. What's so funny? I don't know, run me already. Why'd you whistle that song so much? Why not? I am a pretty little fellow. The papers say that on the day of the murder, an unidentified man was heard walking through the forests, singing that song. You know, you wouldn't be bad looking without them glasses. Are you playing up to my aunt? Playing up. After a money, I mean. You stand a pretty poor chance there, you know. What are you about? Do you never take that cigarette out of your mouth? Oh, you don't like me, do you? No. Everybody else does. You're very conceited, aren't you? Yes. And you're acting all the time, aren't you? Acting? Acting what? Look at the way I can look you in the eyes. I can stare you out. I have a theory. It's the criminals who can look you in the eyes and the honest people who blush and look away. Oh. You are acting, aren't you? Yes. Yes, I am. You worked at that summer resort where the murdered woman left, didn't you? Oh, yes, I used to take cigarettes and drinks to her. She was a very lively one. I got to go now. Mrs. Bromson will be waiting. If Danny should come in and catch a search in his luggage, Miss Grimes. Oh, I'll take the responsibility, Dora. Hello there. Past the old dragon and her white-haired boy along the path, I thought I... Oh, I say, what's going on? We're searching Danny's luggage, Hubert. Good heavens, Olivia. That's a bit much. You don't think it was Danny who murdered that woman? Well, I don't know. But it was sort of clever business. They still haven't found her head, you know. And he's such an ordinary chap. Yes, that's just it. And then, suddenly, he... He's so extraordinary. Nothing much, Ian, Mum. Just a wallet with a letter inside it. Oh, let's see. Dear Babyface, my own. Next time you strike new castle, OK by me, baby. Signed Lil. This is the last bit of luggage, Mum. Shall I open it? Luggage? Looks more like an old-fashioned hat box. Made of leather. Heavy, too. It's locked, but I think I can open it. Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Hubert. What's up? Well, I suppose there... There is something in it. By Joe, for I never thought of that. Open it? Go ahead. Those are my things. Oh, Danny! Could I have it back, please, sir? My wallet, I mean. It's the only one I got. Oh, this? Oh, yes, of course. What did you think of the letter? Letter? Well, you have it in your hand. It means well, there's Lil, but we add her out. She would spy on me. And if there's anything I hate, it's spying. Don't you agree, sir? Yes. I'd sooner have anything than a spy. Bar a murderer, of course. What did you say? Bar a murderer, of course. Olivia, you better deal with all this. It's beyond me. Andorra, be getting back to the kitchen, mom. You were acting again, weren't you? Is... Is there something in that hat box? Yes. A hat, maybe. Did you do it? Did you do it? Look outside. It's growing, Dorra. Soon we'll have dinner, and Dorra will be off to church for evening meeting. And, dear Mr. Laurie, you'll be gone. And the dark will come down. Blacker. Un-blacker. Gone off. Oh, it's you. Well, you're the quiet one. I've been drinking, and I feel fine. Have one. I prefer talking. Oh, talking stuff. Doings the thing. You do live in your imagination, don't you? Yes, it's the only way to bear with the awful things you have to do. What awful things? I haven't had as much to drink as all that. What was your life like at that summer resort? Where are you always concerned with me and my doings? I'm not. It's just that you never talk about it. My life? Yes. Well, the day don't start so good with a lot of spoons that's been in the mouth of gay-painfuls that looks through me like I was a dirty window hadn't been cleaned for years. Orders. Orders. Go here. Do this. I was never meant to take orders, never. And just when I think I got a bit of peace for somebody lock in the door, won't let me go out, talk, talk, talk, won't fork out with no more money at me, at me, at me, calls me everything and screams and screams so nothing keeps that mouth shut away. Go on. I'm too fly for you. You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Why do you lie awake all night? I don't. I sleep. I sleep well. Oh, no, you don't. And I'll tell you why. Because there's one thing that keeps you awake. Be quiet. There's one thing you've pushed into the back of your mind and you can't do any more about it and you never will. No. And you know what it is? It's a little thing. A hat box. No. Only a hat box, but it's rather heavy. Stop it! Stop it! It's deep. It's the only thing that keeps me awake. It's the only thing. But I don't know what to do. You see, nothing worries me, nothing in the world only. Only I don't like the pair of eyes staring at me with no look in them. I don't know what to do. I don't know. Oh, oh, oh, please. Please. It's that man from Scotland Yard who was here before. Inspector Bell's eyes. All right. I'll deal with him. I'll manage myself all right. You watch me. Holds on Act 1 of tonight's play. We've had one murder and maybe Scotland Yard will solve it. But one murder often leads to several more. And who knows? Maybe this is the night. Why, Mr. Barnes sounds like you've been looking over my shoulder. How so, Mr. Seymour? Well, look, right here on this piece of paper in my hand, it says, men, when morning brings murder because you have to shave, chances are you have wiry whiskers or a tender skin. So try moley, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skins. Why, moley gives you a shave as smooth as flying, as trim as a top. Yes, moley is a heavier cream. The cream that not only softens your whiskers, but holds them up straight as 10 pins while your razor cuts them close and clean. With moley, you shave faster, closer, easier, and you shave painlessly. Try it. See if you don't say, it's smooth, so smooth. It's slick, so slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave. You get with M-O-L-L-E. The heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skins. Moley. And now back to Jeffrey Barnes and act two of Night Must Fall. Colors of Mrs. Bramson's cottage have been thrilled and frightened by the finding of a dead woman near the cottage. In spite of the fact that the woman's head was missing, the police have identified her as a Mrs. Shalfount who lived in a nearby summer resort. Our play resumes as Inspector Bellsize enters the cottage. Olivia excuses herself, leaving the shaken Danny to confront the inspector alone. Why didn't you tell me you knew the deceased woman? Knew her? Well... Oh, sir, I... Oh, sir, it's been in my conscience ever since. So you did know her? Oh, no, sir, it was like that. I avoided her ever after that day. She stopped me, sir, all the brazen way she went at me, sir. But now do you know what, sir? It's a weight off my mind you wouldn't believe. It was the disgust like of nearly getting mixed up with her that's kept me awake nights. You're a bit of a milk-sof, aren't you? How am I, sir? Well, I'll be going. Oh, oh, there's just one thing, matter of form, you know. If you don't mind, I'll have a quick look through your luggage. No, no, you stay here. I'll get it myself. Yes, sir. Through that door there, sir. I'll find it. I'm sorry. You can't miss my room, sir. I found it all right. What a torment, what is it? What have we here? This leather hat box seems to be locked. Have you got the key? What's the matter with you? It is mine. Not yours. No. Oh, who's is it then? I don't know, it is mine. Now look here. I'm sorry to have left you so abruptly, Inspector. Could I get you some tea? Oh, not now, Ms. Grain. Now, tell me if this isn't yours. Why, Inspector, what are you doing with my hat box? Yours? But it was in Delhi. Oh, well, Dan's room used to be the storeroom. I'll take it now. Oh, yes, yes, of course. Thank you. I'll put it in my wardrobe. It's got all my letters in it. I drove. I'm afraid I've offended her. Snooping. Well, good night, young fellow, I'll be off. Good night, sir. But in the future, don't keep things from the police. Oh, no, sir. They always find out, you know. Oh, I'm sure they do, sir. Good night. Good night, Inspector. Inspector Burris. And I tell you, Mum, when I walked in from church and saw Danny lying on the floor, everything meant topsy-wopsy. I can't understand it. I guess the poor boy's been working too hard. Well, I'll be running along now, Mum. It's getting late. And my old mother will be worried if I'm not there by 10. Oh, should I take Miss Olivia at tea first? Miss Olivia isn't here. She's left. She left? Yes, some ridiculous nonsense about not spending another night here. Seems she made arrangements to stay with Hubert Lowry and his sister, if you please. But, Mum, there has been a murder. Well, I've got Danny to look after me. He's strong as an ox and no silly nerves about him. Well, good night, then, Mum. Good night, daughter. I saw your face. I'll bet you wasn't half glad. The only one that understands me, Danny, that's what you are. I want a chocolate now. Right you are. Shut your eyes. Open your mouth. Danny, you're the only one. You're a pet. My little chubby face. My baby face. My Danny. There. I want to be red, too, now. Wouldn't you like a cushion back of your head first? Oh, no. No, dear. I think you'll be more comfortable with a cushion. Funny look on your face, dear. You look so kind, smiling like that. Well, Danny, what are you going to do with that cushion? You're lifting it up, so... In just a moment, we'll return you to Act 3 of Night Must Fall. You can't fight dandruff effectively with plain water. For all plain water does is remove loose dandruff. And it's exactly the same with most ordinary preparations for the hair. But one product that really does more is double dandering. It truly works where so many others fail. This is because double dandering does what such products can't do. It actually kills on contact the germs that many outstanding authorities contend are a cause of a common type of dandruff. You see, double dandering contains an active antiseptic called alzahn. And it's this special ingredient used by many hospitals because of its remarkable efficiency that makes double dandering so amazingly effective. Remember, no other hair preparation contains alzahn. You get it only in double dandering. So try double dandering and see if you don't agree that most ordinary hair preparations is dandruff combating effectiveness. If you're not satisfied, return the empty bottle and get your money back. Buy double dandering at your drugists. And I think she died in it. Who's there? Never seen a dead body before. I nearly fell over it in the hallway. Like a sack of potatoes. I thought it was at first. I came back expecting... I don't know. And here I find you smoking a cigarette. It's so ordinary. What did you come back for? To find you out. I've read a lot about evil. I never expected to come across it in real life. Oh, you didn't have to read so much. I never got through a book yet, but I'll read you all right. Read me. Your mind. You haven't had a drop to drink yet, but you never knew there was such a secret part inside of here. All that book learning and moral me I hear and social me I there. You took that off of the edge of the wood, same as if it was... as if it was an overcoat. And you left it there. Oh, I hate you. I hate you. Oh, no, you don't. You feel the same as I do, sometimes excited and light as air. Why, this is my big chance. You're the one I can tell all about myself. You said just now murder's ordinary world. It isn't ordinary at all, see? And I'm not an ordinary chap. There's one big difference between me and other chaps that try this game. I'll never be found out. The world's gonna hear from me, you wait. Can't wait, can you? You mean you're going to... Yes. Don't you think I'll do it? I know you will. I just can't realize it. You see, I... make up my mind to do a thing and I do it. And I'm going to take care of you right now. What's that light in here? It's a light in the woods. I'm just shining in here. Somebody must be watching the house. Oh, it can't be. Nobody's watching. I'm the one that watches. They've got no call to watch me. I'll go out and tell them that! I know them! What is it? Find them trees. I can meet 3,000 of eyes. The world's on my track after me. The whole... Why, you stopped acting at last. You're... you're real for the first time. Frightened. Just like a child. Everything. Everything's slipping away from under my feet. Can't you feel it? Starting slow, slow. And hundreds of miles an hour I'm going backwards, backwards. There's a wind in my ears. A terrible blow and wind. Everything's gone past me like the telegraph falls. All the things I've seen faster and faster backwards. Back to the day I was born. I can see it coming the day I was born. No, you're not. No, it'll be all right. You won't die. I'll tell him I made you do it. I'll tell Liza I'll do anything. Stand up without tourists. But she isn't dead, Inspector. She... Without her in the hall, I don't know why. She's sleeping, maybe. Maybe just sleeping. This will take care of you. No, no, Inspector. No, I need him. Anything I'm concerned in, I run myself. If there's going to be any putting me on a public platform to answer questions, I'll do it myself. I'll manage all right. I get you. Like a bit of limelight, eh? You're not going to believe what she said, are you, Inspector? No. Plenty of women who don't know any better. Get hysterical about a lad in your position. You'll find them queuing up all right when the time comes. Will they now? Come along. I have a motor waiting. You know, I'd like something now I never wanted before. A long walk all by myself. And just when I can't have it. That's contrary, isn't it? You miss. Come here a minute now. Danny. Remember me. Remember me with this. There, my girl. Never say you've not been kissed. I'm going to be hanged in the end. But they'll get their money's worth at the trial. You wait. And now this is Dan Seymour saying good night until next Friday at this same time when the Mystery Theater presents a rollicking mystery comedy, Follow That Cab. Our NBC studios in Radio City, New York. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.