 Waiter. Yes, sir? I'll have some sardines and coleslaw, I think. Some sliced tomatoes with French dressing. And a cold bottle of Papst Blue Ribbon. Yes, sir. Finest beer served. Anywhere. From Hollywood, Papst Blue Ribbon. Finest beer served. Anywhere. Proudly presents... Production, The Big Clock. Director, John Ferrell. Stars, Ray Maland, Marie... Hollywood's green directors present an adventure in time. The Big Clock, starring Ray Maland and Maureen O'Sullivan. And introduced by the director of the film, Mr. John Ferrell. When a taste for high adventure is combined with a brilliant intellect, the result is likely to be the stuff that screen directors are made of. In the person of our guest director tonight, we find a sailor, a soldier of fortune, a world-renowned biographer, and the creator of such thrilling films as Two Years Before the Mast, California, and tonight's story, The Big Clock. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. John Ferrell. Thank you. One of the most engaging forms of fiction is that nail-biting exercise known as the thriller. And of course, the very heart of every thriller is the chase. I wanted to make The Big Clock because it revolves around the most bizarre chase I've ever encountered. Now, I think you should discover it for yourselves. The Big Clock, starring Ray Maland and Moreno Sullivan in the roles they originated. George and Georgette Stroud. But first of all, listen to the other star. The clock itself. The Big Clock. Endless, remorseless, without boundaries. It never stops, it never dies. Perhaps that's why Earl Janneth permitted his mania for clocks. Only time was greater than Janneth, the feudal baron of Janneth's publications. The dictator of a magazine empire. Powerful, brilliant, ruthless, and in love with time. That was Earl Janneth. And I was his servant, George Stroud, editor of Crime Ways Magazine. There were many magazines and many servants in the Janneth building. And while they seldom saw Janneth, they always saw his clock in the lobby. The Big Clock. My monument to time, George. Time more precious than gems, more intractable than mountains. Remember that when you see the Big Clock. The clock tower works the machinery of time, and time is working for me. Time is working for Janneth. Now see Steve Hagan, he wants to talk to you. Steve Hagan. Steve was Janneth's teeth and claws. His prime minister, his trigger man. From some journalistic gutter, Janneth had raised him to chief editor. He displayed quite an unusual talent, George. I mean your tactics in tracking down three killers in the last month. Thanks. We just think our system's a good one. Hasn't failed yet, George. Well, I just want you to know that Janneth publications values our relationship. I hope the feeling is mutual. Yeah, yeah. I'm just crazy about the company. One more thing, George. You're leaving on your vacation tonight. Any special plans? Yep. My wife and I going down to West Virginia on a delayed vacation. It's only taken seven years. I see. That'll be all, George. But now... Mr. Stroud's office? Yes, just a moment. It's your wife. Oh, thanks, Miss Adams. Hello, Georgeette. Hello, darling. I have the tickets. The train leaves at 7.20. Right. Meet you at the station. George, you're sure you won't let anything happen. Now what could happen? Oh, I'm afraid of Janneth. We've made plans so many times before. And every time he's made you stay. Please, not this time. Not a chance. Who's more important? My wife or my boss? Who is, George? You, Dopey. I say goodbye. I'll meet you at 7.20. Goodbye, darling. Bye. George, yes, Steve. Sorry, George. I just talked to Mr. Janneth. He wants you to stick with the magazine for the next month. The next month? What about my vacation? Postpon it. Not a chance. Don't you like your job, George? Well, if you want to know, I don't. I'm fed up. But you won't quit. You're part of Janneth now. You like his money. You like the prestige. You'll stay. Not this time, Steve. This time, Janneth's wrong. Dead wrong. I am never wrong, George. Mr. Janneth. George, I have two matters to take up with you. One, a crimeways cover proof indicates that you ordered a green banner instead of a red one that I requested. The printer said red didn't fit the color pattern. Steve, would you please dismiss the chief printer on crimeways? All right. Now, Mr. Straut, point number two, despite the fact that you are a most excellent crime editor and a most amazing finder of missing persons, you have exactly three minutes to decide. Either you will give up your vacation temporarily or get out. I don't need three minutes. I don't need three seconds. I quit, Janneth. I quit. When I left the building, the big clock said 5.20. I had two hours before I met George at the train. I went over to the Van Barth bar for a celebration drink. And the first time in years, I felt free and clean and happy. I was through with Janneth and Steve and the whole cruel concentration camp of Janneth publications. But time was having its joke. It began with a girl at the bar, and only time knew where it would end. You're George Straut, aren't you? She was blonde, beautiful, and expensive-looking. I'm Pauline York. Bye, midrink. Why? On the strength of losing your job. I didn't lose my job. I quit. I was in Janneth's office when it happened. Hagen's intercom was turned on. Oh, so you know my deepest secrets. We have something in common now. Like what? We both hate Earl Janneth. Oh, he's been good enough. Money and apartment. But I hate him. Bartender, a drink for the lady just like mine. Yes. Do you always drink green drinks? It reminds me of green ink, and today I love green ink. Janneth hates green. He loves clocks, and he hates green. Wonder how he'd feel about a green clock. George. George, you have reason to dislike Janneth. Between us, we know a great deal about him. Enough to write his biography, George. You and I. But who'd buy it? Janneth. Uh-uh. Sorry, that's out of my line. Pardon me. Here's your drink, Miss. Fine. Just sit here. Oh! Oh, all over my dress. Yeah, use my handkerchief. Oh, I'm awfully sorry. Glass just slipped. Oh, it'll be all right. George, I'm afraid your handkerchief is soaked. I'll put it in my bag. Hey, you better take this. It fell out of your purse. You wouldn't want to lose a nice check like... It is nice, isn't it? Yeah. $2,000. Signed Steve Hagen. It's Janneth's. Steve signs all his checks. It's a lovely gift. You should buy him something in return. What would you suggest? Well, I suggest a green clock. You'd really appreciate a green clock, and I'm just the guy to get it for him. Come on! Mister, this is only a second-hand store. We ain't got no green clocks. Oh, it's a shame. You have failed us both. Go hide in the corner. Sorry, Mac. George, there, that brass sundial. If we had a green ribbon... A stroke of genius. My man, have you any green ribbon? Yeah, I guess so. Tie the ribbon around the brass sundial and presto. A green clock. So, we had fun and bought the green clock. And suddenly it was 7.30. 7.30 in the train for West Virginia that left 10 minutes ago. Georgette had forgotten. I phoned her apartment. The maid answered. She called just before the train left, Mr. Stroud. Said to tell you she was leaving. On schedule, without you. Oh, that's too bad, George. Well, now we might as well spend the evening together. How about my apartment? My maid's on vacation. We'll be alone. I went with Pauline. I was hurt and disappointed and sore, and I wanted to talk. It was after midnight when the phone rang. George, you'll have to leave. Why? That was Janeth. He's coming right off. It's late anyway. 12.30. Oh, please, George, hurry. Well, we wouldn't want to make Janeth unhappy, would we? Please, hurry. Here, take the sundial. Keep it from me to you. All right, all right, but hurry. Wait until you hear the elevator. Then use the stairs. I waited on the stairs, watching the elevator door. Janeth stood under the whole light looking around, and then in my direction, screwing up his eyes to see into the darkness. He saw me, but it was too dark to recognize me. He has another one. Another man for me. That's all I saw. I walked down the stairs and went home to bed. Steve Hagen, George, we've got a great story for you. I'm sorry, Steve, but I quit. I'm through. Hold on. Mr. Janeth wants to speak to you. Hello, George. George, I want you to find someone for me. The trail is still fresh. But I quit, remember? Forget that, forget that. This man was in the city last night with a blonde. We know two places they visited. The Van Barth bar and an identified second-hand shop. We have reason to believe the man's name is Mr. Green. And, uh, oh yes, he was carrying a brass sundial with a green ribbon around it. Mr. Green. I was Mr. Green. Me, George Stroud. And Janeth is out to find the guy who's playing around with this girl. And when he found him, he'd wreck his life. There was only one person who could cover up my trail. Pauline York. There wasn't any answer. I tried the door. It was open. Pauline was there. At first I thought she was wearing a red bathing cap. But she wasn't. Something had happened to her head. And she was dead. I was shocked, but I wasn't scared. I wasn't scared until I glanced at her clock, which had fallen to the floor. It was smashed. Stopped at 12.15. 15 minutes before I'd left her apartment. I did some more looking around. Three things were missing. The sundial, the check that had been in her purse, and my handkerchief. I tried to think. Like I only think of one thing. Janeth. He was afraid. He was afraid because he'd murdered Pauline York. And because he knew someone had seen him at her apartment. Pauline must have told him the man's name was Green. Her last joke. Now Janeth was tracking him down. And when he found him, he'd pin a murder on me. Time. I needed time to think. I had to stall Janeth. Stole him long enough to prove that he'd killed Pauline. And the only way I could do that was by working at his side by helping to frame myself for the murder of Pauline York. You are listening to Screen Directors Playhouse production of The Big Clock, starring Ray Milland and Maureen O'Sullivan. And introduced by the director of the film, Mr. John Farrell. You are in San Francisco. The cable cars are crowded. You, wrestling with energy, decide to walk up that steep hill to your hotel. What a climb. Finally you make it. Tired. Hot. Ringing with perspiration. You enter the bar. A little blue sign catches your eye. Oh, brother, perhaps blue ribbon. Finest beer served. Anywhere. Yes, during these hot July days, you're just one of millions of men all over America to whom that perhaps blue ribbon sign means welcome relief. Or perhaps blue ribbon does something more than quench your thirst. It gives you taste. Blue ribbon taste. The kind of taste you can't get anywhere else in the world except in that perhaps blue ribbon bottle. Unfortunately, you can get that blue ribbon bottle all over the world. Yes, you hear it everywhere. In San Francisco and St. Augustine, Seattle and San Antonio. Perhaps blue ribbon. Finest beer served. Anywhere. Your taste will tell you why. Now back to our screen director's production of The Big Clock starring Ray Maland and Maureen O'Sullivan. The Big Clock said 10.30 a.m. when I reached the Janeth building. Janeth was revolting against his master at time. He'd made time stop for Pauline York. If he could, he'd make it stop for his only witness, for Mr. Green, me, George Stroud. And I needed time, time to think. But Janeth wouldn't give it to me. He told me to start the search immediately and I had to do it. Time. The Big Clock spitting out the seconds. Time. The wheels turning. The wheels that locate missing men. Time if I only had time to make Janeth crack. But how? And then the information started coming in. We're on our way, George, on our way. The Van Barth Hatchett girl remembers a guy in a gorgeous blonde and that guy fits our description of Green. The bartender won't be in for another hour. Time. I needed time. Where was Pauline's check? Mr. Stroud, our witness saw a man answering Green's description about 10.30 last night with a blonde four blocks from the Van Barth. The man was carrying a brass sundial tied with a green ribbon. Time. It was moving faster. The sundial. Where was the sundial? The bartender remembers the guy, George. Says the drink was spilled on the girl. She used Green's handkerchief. Soak it up. Time if I had to find my handkerchief. They've traced the sundial to a secondhand dealer on Third Avenue, a man named Cole. Time. Time. It was running out. The secondhand dealer's on his way over, George. Time. Time. Time. Well, George, when do you think we'll have him? It's only a matter of time, Mr. Janeth. Only a matter of time. Only a matter of time. And every second made Janeth safer, covering his trail and cutting off my retreat. Now, then, you almost every move Green had made. Green and the blonde, they were linked together tight. Like a lid of a cotton. Mr. Cole is here, George. Who? The secondhand dealer. Where is he? He's at room B, third floor. Alone? Yeah. I knew you'd want to talk to him. Thanks. Don't make a sound, Mr. Cole. You. You're the man they're looking for. You don't frighten me. I don't know what you've done, but you don't... And dragged him into a broom closet. He'd get out soon. Just a matter of time. Now, think fast, George. Think fast. Now is the time to hit and hit hard. But how? I went to Janeth's office. Where is this man, George? Where is he? I don't know, Janeth. But a powder room attendant at the van bath has identified the girl. And her name? It's Pauline York, Steve. Did you talk with her, George? No, I couldn't. She's dead. I see. You don't seem surprised. George, why do you think we've been conducting this search? We know about her death. We haven't informed the police because we feel we can be of public service and at the same time secure an excellent story for crimeways. How'd you find out about it? I...her maid. Her maid found her. We'll be alone. Her maid? Yes, she phoned Steve. Why Steve? Miss York was a protégé of his. Wasn't she Steve? Yes. Yes, that's right. I see. Then Green didn't necessarily kill her. Why it could have been Steve here. That's absurd. I phoned him at his home last night about 12.30. He was in a few minutes of the murder. How do you know, Steve? A clock broken the struggle. Oh. Then you've been in her apartment. Of course not. The maid reported it. Oh, yeah. Yeah, the maid. Yes. So Steve was in on it. He'd been in her apartment. He was protecting Janeth. Time. I needed time and the big clock was turning. I went back to my office. Mr. Stroud, your wife was here. I sent her to Steve Hagan's office. He isn't using it. We're off to visit here. And that's the story, darling. Every bit of it. But George, why haven't you called the police? Face a murder charge. Janeth will have all kinds of alibis. George, Janeth must have taken a cab when he left her place. Have you checked the cab drivers? Cab drivers. George, yet you're wonderful. Janeth might have slipped up just this once. I downloaded a amount of cigarettes. Do you have any? Right here. Or never mind. I'll take another Steve's box. George, Janeth must have taken a cab. What's wrong? There. In the cigarette box. It's a handkerchief. My handkerchief. The one that was in Pauline York's purse. George. Oh, here you are. Hello, Steve. The second hand dealer says he was assaulted by Green right here in the building. We have him trapped. Oh, George. Special police are guarding all the exits. The second hand dealer, the bartender, the hat check girl is scrutinizing everyone. Well, I guess we've got him. And George, Janeth has ordered the guards to shoot the kill. Darling, listen closely. Yes, George. You'll have to check the cab stands. Find out if a driver picked up Janeth after 12.30 last night. Where will you be? In the clock tower. In Janeth's big clock. All right. Time. Passing the seconds around me. Time to live and time to die. And only the sound of the electric generator that makes the clock go around. Nice blue sparks. Power. Power enough to kill. And the seconds go by. Time. The sundial. Where was the sundial? Time. The sundial. The clock. The clock. Here. That's it. That clock crazy fool hid the sundial here in the big clock. Oh, you found it. There's blood stains on it. This sundial killed Pauline York. Oh, George. Look out. Get away from that generator. It's dangerous. All right. I checked the fare records of the taxi cab company. Janeth was driven to 612 Sutton Place. Steve. That's Steve's address. George said it fits. When Janeth asked Pauline about the man she'd been with, she taunted him to an egotistical rage. He killed her and then ran to Steve. Steve came back to the apartment, set back the clock, tore up the check, and took the handkerchief and the sundial. And Janeth was just crazy enough to take the sundial from Steve and hide it here. Oh, but they're hunting you, George, to kill you. George, find Steve and Janeth and bring them here and hurry. All right. See here, George. What are you doing in the clock? Mr. Janeth. Steve. Our search is over. We have our murderer. You found him? Where? Right here, Mr. Janeth. Steve Hagen. Me? Boy, that's preposterous. Is it, Steve? No, you're not Mr. Green, but you did murder Pauline York. Your motive was blackmail. Her bank will verify the fact that she deposited a check signed by you. The man's handkerchief she used at the van bathroom has been found in your cigarette box. The cab company is a record of driving the murderer to your address. That's it, Steve. Yes. Steve, I... I'm sorry to hear this, but, uh, I want you to know, Steve, that I won't let you down. We'll fight this through for you, no matter how much it costs. Are you insufferably Gomaniac? You think I'll continue to shield you now? George, Janeth killed Pauline York. He's... Get off! Step back. You're through, Janeth. I'll run. I'll get away. I'll run. The chair he tripped. George, the generator! Well, he's dead. Electrocuted. I guess you better call the police. We waited for the police in the lobby, George, Ed, and I. And I wondered... I wondered if perhaps Janeth hadn't defeated his master. Time. The big clock had stopped. Janeth had stopped it with his body. Stopped it at midnight. The end of a day. In the beginning of a new one. You have just heard the last act of the big clock. In a moment, our stars, Ray Milland and Maureen O'Sullivan, and our screen director, John Farrell, will return to the microphone. Hollywood has changed in the past 15 or 20 years. Today, you'll find that many of the movie stars live in simple, modest homes, tend their own gardens, even in many cases, cook their own meals. When they entertain, like as not, they'll sit around in their backyards just like you and me, with good friends, good conversation, and good cold bottles of perhaps blue ribbon. Everything in perfect taste. Blue ribbon taste. And it's that blue ribbon taste that makes this internationally famous beer so popular, not only here in Hollywood, but all over America. Yes, you hear it everywhere. In New York's famous restaurants. In Wisconsin's beautiful summer resorts. In Colorado's cool vacation spots. Perhaps blue ribbon. Finest beer served anywhere. Your taste will tell you why. Now, here again are our stars, Ray Milland and Maureen O'Sullivan, and screen director, John Farrell. Now, Maureen, how did you like renewing acquaintances with the big clock? Oh, fine, Ray, except that my part always reminds me of a donut. I'm in there around the edges of the story, but in the middle, nothing. Well, Maureen, John Farrell's the director of the picture. Why not complain to him? Don't be ridiculous. She can't. Why not? Well, we might have an argument that Maureen might get angry, and if she gets angry, she might leave the studio and go home. And do you know what she'll find at home? What? John Farrell. I'm married to him. So what's the use of complaining? John, I haven't a complaint in the world. Working under your direction has been an exciting privilege and very much an education. So thanks, Johnny, and good night. And good night, Maureen. Good night, everyone. Good night. And good night to you, Ray Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan, and John Farrell. Remember, tomorrow begins another weekend. Two wonderful days to picnic on the beach, swim in the lake, or just relax on your own back porch. Be sure you have plenty of papsed blue ribbon cooling in your refrigerator. Enjoy your holiday with friends and neighbors and papsed blue ribbon. Finest beer served anywhere. Your taste will tell you why. Next week on Screen Directors Playhouse, papsed blue ribbon presents Yellow Sky, starring Gregory Peck. The big clock was presented through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures, whose current release is The Great Gatsby, starring Alan Land. Ray Milland will soon be seen with Hedy Lamar in the Paramount Picture, Copper Canyon, directed by John Farrell, whose next release for Paramount will be Red Hot and Blue, starring Betty Hutton and Victor Mature. Included in tonight's cast were Bill Conrad, Larry Dobkin, Doris Singleton, Tony Barrett, Jewel Rose, Eddie Fields, and Dan Riss. Kenneth Fearing's novel, The Big Clock, was adapted for radio by Richard Alan Simmons, and original music was composed and conducted by Henry Russell. Screen Directors Playhouse was produced by Howard Wiley, with dramatic direction by Bill Karn. Listen again next week when Papsed Blue Ribbon Beer presents Screen Directors Playhouse, production Yellow Sky, director William Wellman, star Gregory Peck. Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you by the Papsed Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey and Peoria, Illinois, and sent your way with the best wishes of the Papsed Blue Ribbon Dealers from coast to coast. James Wallington speaking. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.