 Screen Directors Playhouse, stars Margaret Truman, James Stewart, production Jack Plot, director Walder Lang. This is the Screen Directors Playhouse, one of the weekly features on NBC's All-Star Festival of Comedy, Music, Mystery and Drama. Brought to you by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television, by Chesterfield, the only cigarette that gives you mildness plus no unpleasant aftertaste, the cigarette that brings you Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, and by the makers of Anison for fast relief from the pain of headache, neuritis and neuralgia. Anniversary of our 100th broadcast, the Screen Directors Playhouse is pleased to present that hilarious motion picture comedy hit, Jack Plot. And here are our stars, Miss Margaret Truman and Mr. James Stewart. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. Tonight's story, Jack Plot, is a comedy that deals with the trials and tribulations of the Lawrence family. It's a satire on the many giveaway programs offering thousands of dollars, fabulous amounts to the average American family. Winning one is an adventure that is rather unforgettable, as we will soon see. But before we begin, here's Jimmy Wallington. And here's a word from RCA Victor. Last week, the curtain went up on the 75th anniversary of the National Baseball League and the 50th anniversary of the American League. There's no better way to celebrate than by enjoying at first hand the thrills and the clean sportsmanship of baseball today. Baseball today, it's the American way. Of course, the next best thing to a seat in the stands is a seat in front of a 19-inch RCA Victor television. RCA Victor's new extra-powerful picture pickup gives you the best possible reception everywhere. You know RCA Victor television is most in demand, but here's really important news. RCA Victor 19-inch television is available. It's on display now at dealer stores. So insist on the best. Insist on seeing 19-inch, million-proof television by RCA Victor. When you do, you'll agree inch for inch. Your best buy in television is RCA Victor 19-inch. So the first act of the Screen Directors Playhouse presentation of Jack Pot, starring Margaret Truman as Amy, and James Stewart in his original role of Bill. Eight-week got fun. We're the Laurences of Glenville, Indiana. I'm Amy, the voice on the left and on the right, that good-looking manly tenor is my husband Bill. And between us, to complete our family quartet, is my teenage daughter Phyllis and my young son Tommy. On this happy note, we all went to bed last night, and on this happy note, we all arose this morning. Bill! Bill, wake up! Come on. Up, up, up. Oh, jeez. I wish you'd waited just two more minutes. Why? Well, I was just about to make a choice. A choice about what? I was having a dream. About me? Well, you were kind of a part of it. It was before we were married, and I had to make up my mind. I could go to the North Pole with Admiral Byrd, or I could marry you. And what did you decide? Well, I didn't. You woke me up. Oh. You mean you had some doubts? Well, I don't know. It's just a dream. Well, I better start getting dressed. Amy, how long have we been married? We're having an anniversary in two weeks, and you were there for the wedding. Figure it out for yourself. Amy, are you happy? At 7.30 in the morning, what kind of a question is that? Well, I don't know. I don't know. I was just thinking about us. You know, this is it, Amy. The patterns all set, you and me and the kids. This is it. I'm never going to the North Pole with Admiral Byrd. Byrd went to the South Pole. Well, this time he was going to the North Pole. He had some kind of a defroster or something. Anyway, what difference does it make? I'm never going to get there anyway. I'll just go on working at Woodruff's department store. You'll go on raising the kids. One day we'll be old, and nothing will ever happen. Is that what made you think about us? No, no. No, dear. I love you. I love the kids, but I want to go to the North Pole. Oh, yes. Why not? Well, because for one thing, dressed as you are, you'd freeze to death. Oh, say, Bill, remind me to remind you not to forget to bring home a case of club soda tonight. You know, tonight's the day. Tonight, yeah, Wednesday. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The gang's coming over to play Monopoly, yeah. Every Wednesday, week in, week out, we play Monopoly. Yeah. I know. Amy. Amy, listen to me. Let's, let's be daring. Next week, let's play on Thursday. No, no. No, no. It's a beat. Too much of a shock for everybody. Including you. Now, how about shocking yourself into remembering to come home on time, huh? Dinner is served promptly at 6.30, sir. Billy, what's the occasion? Well, I couldn't wait to tell you the good news. Oh, you've been promoted, a vice presidency. I knew you'd make it. I knew I couldn't... Hold on, Amy. No, it hasn't happened yet. Maybe in the next three weeks. I don't understand. Well, Mr. Woodruff said whoever comes in with the best idea how to increase our business volume, that's the one who'll get the job. Here, I'll get it. Hello. Hello. New York is calling Mr. William J. Lawrence. Well, New York? Well, this is William J. Lawrence. This is the federal broadcasting system, Mr. Lawrence. Will you be at home tonight between 9 and 10 o'clock to listen to name the mystery husband on the federal broadcasting system? Well, I... Your telephone number has been selected as one of those to be called during the program tonight. You'll have a chance at the $24,000 jackpot. Well, I... Good. The line will be open for us when we call. Well, I... Thanks. That was the federal broadcasting system, and they want me to be home between 9 and 10 so that I can name the mystery husband on one of the $24,000 jackpot. Oh, it's been pretty good, aren't you? Get the ice out for me, will you, dear? Who was it? Who? Well, uh... Oh, yeah, it was Mabel Spooner pretending she's a radio station. Of course, I went along with the gag. I told her I'd be home. Are you sure it was Mabel Spooner? Mabel Spooner, yeah, yeah, sure. What did you say the name of the program was? Name the mystery husband. Jackpot. No, it was a $24,000 jackpot. What, Tommy? Well, I don't know what you win, Mom, but it's something fierce. Can I stay up and listen to it? Are you sure it wasn't the federal broadcasting system that called you? I don't know. Gee, did they call us? Well, somebody called us, son. Queen, do you know the answer? No, no, I don't. Oh, gee, Dad. Now, Tommy, Tommy, don't get excited. Oh, but, Mom... No, no, it's just some of our friends trying to play a joke on your phone. That's right, Mommy. No, no, that's just a gag. Oh, now go on and wash your face before we eat. Gee, Wiz, what kind of a thing is that to joke about? Are you sure? I'm positive. Are you? I don't know. I mean, why would the broadcasting company call me? Well, they just take a number out of the book. Oh, no, the odds are one in ten million. Why did they call me just as soon as they got home? Why didn't they call me this afternoon? No, no, no, it was Mabel Spooner. I mean, she knew I was at the store. As soon as I hear her voice, I'll know. Well, now come over here. Now, I want you to repeat after me. This is the federal broadcasting system. This is the federal broadcasting system. That's not her, Amy. Excuse me, everybody. Just a minute. Bill, come into the kitchen. I want to talk to you privately. Sure, sure. Bill, we have to do something about this. Do something about what? Try to find out who the mystery husband is. Amy, if we win, we win. If we lose, what's the difference? Everybody's having a lot of fun. Fun? Bill Lawrence, I don't get you at all. You work a full year at Woodruff for $7,500. And here you have a chance to win $24,000. And you don't even lift your finger to do anything about it. Well, what do you want me to do, honey? Well, Walter Winters always giving tips on the jackpot programs. Maybe somebody knows who the mystery husband is. Oh. Well, maybe somebody in radio, maybe. I don't know anybody in radio. Well, don't we know somebody who might know somebody? Well, look, it's too late anyway, Amy. Look, it's a quarter after eight. Right now, the program goes on for 45 minutes. Oh, wait, wait. I've got it. Hank Summers. What about him? Newspaper man. Oh, he won't be back from New York till tomorrow. Call him. New York? Well, that's a long distance. Call him. OK. Well, operator, New York, the Bijou Hotel, Mr. Hank Summers. Person to person. Amy, that's going to cost $10. That doesn't make sense. Wait. But it does make sense. $24,000 worth. Suppose Woodruff doesn't make you vice president. Who cares? Yeah, $24,000. Hello. Hank? Hello, Hank. Hey. Hey, this is Bill Lawrence. Hey, who's the mystery husband? Me. I haven't seen my wife in 12 years. That's a pretty good one. I'd say, no, name the mystery husband, husband. I'm a contestant now. Well, I don't know for sure, but they're saying it's Harry James or Artie Shaw. Harry James or Bernard Shaw. Artie Shaw. Artie Shaw. Is he married? Silly boy. The government hasn't frozen wives as yet. And Alan Pound don't blame me if it isn't either one of them. Might be some third guy we never even heard of. Yeah, I know, Hank. Well, thanks a lot, Hank. I'll see you when you get home. So long. What did he say? Who is it? Oh, boy, we're in, Amy. We can't lose. He told you who the mystery husband is? He sure did. We can't lose. That's definite. Well, who is it? Well, it's either Harry James or Artie Shaw or somebody else. Oh, let's ease drop on a couple of old pals. Say, Bing, you got a minute? Oh, sure, Bob. We've got all the time in the world. Don't tell me you own that, too. Never mind that stuff. Get to work with it. Yes. Better tasting Chesterfield is the only cigarette that combines for you mildness with no unpleasant aftertaste. And you can prove that yourself. Just make our mildness test. Buy Chesterfields, then open them and enjoy that milder, mellow aroma. Now light one up, and you'll know Chesterfield's milder because it smokes milder. And Chesterfield leaves no unpleasant aftertaste. That fact has been confirmed by the country's first and only cigarette taste panel. Yes, mildness and no unpleasant aftertaste are what you and I and every smoker want. Hurry up, Dad. Here comes the music. Buy Chesterfields, Chesterfields, the one that proves its case. Yes, Chesterfields are milder, milder, plus no aftertaste. Oh, open a pack and give them a sniff, then you'll smoke them. Now the second act of jackpot, starring Margaret Truman and James Stewart. Did you ever play bridge and experience the anticipation and excitement of awaiting the perfect hand, the 13th spade? Well, I guess that about sums up how my bill felt. While he waited to be called by the Namely Mystery Husband Program, his nerves were absolutely tingling and jumping. Ain't we got fun? And, ladies and gentlemen, here are some more prizes to add to the list. 24 Corday Swiss Watches, a lifetime supply of the push-button shaving cream with three extra buttons. Besides that, an airplane trip to New York for two. Your portrait painted by the famous Hilda Jones. Your house, decorated by Leslie of Harrington Interiors. And for your daylight barbecues, the finest in outdoor floodlighting, the incomparable Magnellite. Operator, place the next call. It's either Harry James or Hardy Shaw. This is Woodruff, your boss. We wondered if you and Amy could come over for some bridge. Bridge, are you crazy to hang up the phone? I can't talk to you now. What's the matter with you? Boss, I guess I told him. Yeah, go ahead. Hey, give me the telephone. What do you think you're doing? Ten minutes left. I'll take it easy now. I'll get it out. All right, now pull. Try and help me a little. Pull harder. Ow, my ears! Pull a little. That's the phone. What'll I do? Just leave me stuck here. All right, well, don't go away now. Hey, Dad, what's up? Mr. William Lawrence. Yes, this is Mr. William Lawrence. William J. Lawrence of Glenville, Indiana. Hello there, Mr. Lawrence. Oh, hello. Mystery husband program. How are you? Oh, I'm fine. You will win a chance to guess the identity of the mystery husband and win the $24,000 jackpot. Are you ready, Mr. Lawrence? Oh, I guess so. All right, slow and steady wins the race, not the one who sets the pace. One went fast, the other went slow, but the slow one won, as we all know. No, no. Race, race, wins the race. It's middle ground in your house. It's middle ground in your house. It's middle ground in... Ow! The tortoise and the hare. The tortoise and the hare. The tortoise and the hare? Absolutely correct, Mr. Lawrence. It's the mystery husband himself. Name him and the $24,000 is yours. George Bernard Shaw. Mystery husband first. Pins in a haystack, little girl blue. Farewell, I am off. Can't see me, but I'll see you. Pins in a haystack, little girl blue. Who the mystery husband is? Mr. Lawrence. Are you there? Amy, give me a nickel. Heads at Harry James, tails at Tommy Dorsey. Mr. Lawrence. It's heads. I think it's Harry James. Will you repeat that, Mr. Lawrence? I think it's Harry James. Mr. Lawrence out there in Glenville, Indiana, you have just won the $24,000 jackpot. Diamond ring. Here, let me put it on your finger, Amy. That's where it belongs. It's lovely. I've always meant to buy you one. Thanks, darling. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, I presume. Yes, who are you? I, Madam, am one of your prizes. Which one? I, Sir, am Leslie of Harrington, Ontario. I, Sir, am Lawrence of Arabia. Bill. Mr. Leslie is the decorator who's come to do our house. Isn't it wonderful? Oh, simply scrumptious. Well, won't you come in? My wife and I'll show you around. Thank you. Oh, divine. This room is absolutely divine. We won't be able to use a thing. Gasly. And there, I suppose, is the dining room. Mm-hmm. My favorite room. Divine. Absolutely divine. Simply just junk everything and start from scratch. Oh, well, I don't know about that. You know, there are some things around here I like. You like? How dare you? All right. Before I commit mayhem, I think I'd better go to work. Goodbye, Mr. Leslie. Just Leslie. Goodbye, old boy. Goodbye, Amy. I'll see you tonight. Big meeting with Woodruff. Bye-bye, darling. Good luck. Bill, any suggestions on how to better our business? Yes, sir. I think that what we have to do... Oh, just hold it. ...is to... We're going to fall off it. Yes. Oh, Mrs. Lawrence, she wants to speak to you, Bill. Well, tell her I'll call her back later. Oh, all right. Bill says that he... He says it's urgent. Go ahead and talk to her. No, no. Go on! Go ahead. If you don't mind, then what's going on right now? Go on. I don't want to take this... Yeah? Yes, Amy? I don't know. It has? Well, you can... Well, why don't you... Why don't you just put it in the refrigerator? Oh, well... Well, I'll think of something and call you back. Yes, dear. Yes. Yes. Yes, I know it's a hot day. Yes, yes. Goodbye. You see, it's the jackpot, Mr. Woodruff. They just delivered the meat. Did Amy call you about that? Yes, that's right. Why didn't you just put it in the refrigerator? Well, it's a quarter of ton of beef, you see. It's a complete steer, fully dressed. Yes, complete steer. All right, all right, all right. Where were we? Well, I was going to tell you, my idea is we were just about to open a babysitting department in the store. But who said so? Yes, a babysitting department in the store here. Wait a minute. Yes! It's Amy, Bill. No, no. Tell her I can't talk to her. No, no, no. It's all right. I can wait. Some things are more important than other things. Gee, it was right in the middle of the conference, Amy. Yes, Amy. Oh, the freezer. Well, that solves all our problems, doesn't it? Oh, it doesn't. Oh. No, of course you can't throw away 400 dozen kippered herrings. Yes. Yes, Amy, I know it's a hot day, dear. Well, you just stack them someplace in the shade, and I'll think of something. Yes, I'll call you back. Now, where were we? You were about to become a vice president. Oh, thank you. Vice president in charge of diaper changing. I'll answer it. Never mind, never mind. Conference dismissed. And on your way out, sending Fred Burns the new vice president. Sorry, Bill. Well, the only polite people I've met so far are the truck drivers. Of course they always are. What's that on your head? The Shock Fifth Avenue hat. The only thing I knew where to put. Look, isn't the piano beautiful? Yeah, yeah, it is. It's a very nice tone. Your newspaper man friend Hank called and wanted to know what you're going to do about your income tax. What income tax? The income tax on all the stuff we want. Well, how can you pay income tax on a refrigerator? What are you supposed to do? Send them a tray of ice cubes? Consult a tax expert. Oh, and by the way, Hilda Jones is on her way over here to talk to you about your portrait. Portrait? Oh, no, no portrait now. Amy, we settled that. Oh, Bill, please. It can only happen once in a lifetime. No, absolutely not. No portrait. I am Hilda Jones. You have won me, too. Wow! Gee, you're a prize package. Thank you. I am here to paint your portrait. Well, let's not lose any time, kid. What did you say, Bill? Oh, oh, oh, oh, I forgot, Amy. Miss Jones, this is my wife, Amy. How do you do? You're French, aren't you? Jones? Hilda got her name in English, Hilda Jones. It's simpler, yes? Oh much. But Greenwich Village, I thought you'd look sort of artsy-craftsy and you're so... Well, anyway, it's a shame you had to travel such a distance because that was the one thing Bill said he didn't want. Didn't you, Bill? I was out there. Your portrait painted there. Oh, well... Of course. I wanted him to, but he's absolutely set against it. Oh. Oh, that is bad. If I do not paint the portrait, I will lose the commission. Oh, isn't that a shame? Yes, a shame. Well, I hate to do that to you, but I just feel so silly posing it. Oh, but why, Mr. Lawrence? You would make a beautiful subject. You have such fine features and good bone structure. I have? Yes, and posing, it is nothing. You will enjoy it. At least all of my subjects do. Oh. Gee, it's hard to talk around here. Really? Yeah, well, I mean, there's so much noise here. Really? Well, I am staying at the Glendale Hotel, Mr. Lawrence. Maybe it is better if I call you tomorrow. Yeah, well, why don't you do that? Yes, do. You can reach me at Woodruff's department store. I will be sure and call you. Au revoir. Au revoir. Did she go out the door or crawl back into the woodwork? Hmm? Quite a charmer, isn't she? Uh, I didn't notice particularly. Oh, didn't you? And what happens when you do notice particularly? Does smoke shoot out of your ears? Don't, oh, Amy, me. And before you go off to do all that posing, I wish you'd do something about putting those 400 dozen pairings in the refrigerator. And you might plan to spend a couple of hours in there with them. Oh, hello, Mrs. Lawrence. Well, should I have said goodbye? Well, what's on your mind, Leslie? Uh, have you, uh, found out about the tax yet? Well, is it true? Oh, yes, indeed. You mean to tell me I have to pay income tax and all this stuff here? Oh, you poor, innocent lamb. Hey, I, to hear you talk, you'd think Uncle Sam himself was sitting at the radio writing down all sorts of... Oh, yeah, they take a list. Yes, it's on file in Washington with your fingerprints. Well, why don't they announce that on the program? If they did, Mr. Lawrence, there'd be no program. Toodaloo! 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You are listening to the Screen Directors Playhouse, one of the weekly features on NBC's All-Star Festival. Brought to you by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television, by Chesterfield, the only cigarette that gives you mildness, plus no unpleasant aftertaste, the best cigarette for you to smoke, and by the makers of anisone for fast relief from the pain of headache, neuritis, and neuralgia. The Screen Directors Playhouse production of Jack Pot, starring Margaret Truman and James Stewart, will continue in just a moment after a brief pause for station identification. The Screen Directors Playhouse. We continue with the third act of Jack Pot, starring Margaret Truman as Amy, and James Stewart as Bill. Two urgent items. Bill is being painted by Hilda Jones, who is quite a dish. The other, a tax consultant, visited us regarding our loot from the Jack Pot. His verdict. We owe the government $7,000. We have $400 in the bank. Ain't we got fun? Ain't we? Any luck? What's that? You sold Mr. Woodruff's nose? No, the box-tail soup. But Bill, I've smothered such a beautiful herring. I know, I know the tax. Oh well, I'm not very hungry, so I'll wait up for you, and we'll both eat later. Is it the herring? That's worse, stuffed herring. No, nothing, nothing, Bill. Just the next time you make these plans, I wish you'd give me a little advance warning, so I won't be left high and dry. Goodbye. Mrs. Lawrence, would you know where I could locate Hilda Jones, the artist's girl? I could tell you where I wish I could locate her. Never mind. Leslie, we're going out. Out? You and I, we're dressing for dinner. Just you and I? Not Mr. Lawrence? Mr. Lawrence has gone to the North Pole. I beg your pardon? What instance he has? I'm going to swim the channel. Well, you've got the eyes right, but it seems to me Amy's hair is a little, it's a little, yeah, yeah Hilda, right in here, it should be a little darker, I think. Like so? We must this be finished. Well, Wednesday's our anniversary. You know, Amy still thinks you're painting my portrait. You couldn't come over for dinner, could you? I sure would like you to be there when I give this to Amy. Well, that is very nice, but when I get this finished, I think it is better I go home. Do you not think so? Well, I don't think so. What's the matter? It's nothing. Only when I worked long, my neck could get so, or maybe a drink would help. Oh, sure, sure. What about orangeade? Whiskey and soda, I think. Come downstairs to the bar? No, I don't think it's better. You see, I found out today that there's a lot of gossip around about you and me. No. Well, you know how it is, the people around here is sort of small town. And you are now? Well, I get around more, you know. I go up to Chicago and buying trips, stuff like that. Sort of gives me a broader point of view. Yes, yes, of course. Oh, oh, my neck. Here, here, now you just ought to relax those muscles here. Why don't you sit over on the chair here? Now, I'll rub the neck and shoulders. I'll use my champathies. Just relax. Oh, feels good. Maybe I could make better contact with the rubbing if I could remove this towel around your shoulders here. All right. And I too will remove this smock. Yes, that's fine. Oh, oh, wow. Wow. You look very nice in that strapless sun suit. Say, I have an idea. Stand over here in front of me. I'm going to crack your back. So just relax now. Oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm sorry. I broke his effort. I'm sorry. I think he's better. I put on something a little more. Yeah, a little. Good night. Good night. Am I glad to be home. Didn't you enjoy your dinner, Leslie? I don't think the duck is nesting very well. Oh, I'm sorry. The man who said Long Island duck. If that duck came from Long Island, it walked out here. Fix me a bicarbonate. Will you in a hurry, please? I'm going outside to my trailer. Come on at the door. It's Bill. What's the matter? Well, he has a guilty conscience. He's carrying his shoes in his hands and tiptoeing in. Oh, the rascal. Oh, Leslie, this has been the most enchanting evening of my life. Leslie, come over here. You keep your hands in your pocket. Remember, I'm a gentleman. Oh, no, you're not. Hey, Amy, would you mind telling me what this is all about? Of course. Leslie and I found ourselves with an evening on our hands. So we decided to do a little celebrating. We went to the tavern in for dinner. We had the most divine duck. Hey, where are you going? Please, Mrs. Lawrence, the bicarbonate, please. I'll tell you what I'll do, Bill. I'll fix two doses. I'll take mine out to Leslie's trailer, and you can take yours back to Hilda at the Glenville Hotel. Oh, so that's why you... That's why I... Well, that's the joke of the year. Well, why don't you let me in on it? All right, I will. Now, where are my shoes? Are you sure you brought them home with you, dear? No. Now, I want you to know that Hilda Jones is a nice, sweet, innocent girl. She's the best friend a man ever had. Now, come on, let's go. It's me, Bill Lawrence. I'll say she's the best friend a man ever had. Bill Lawrence, don't ever talk to me again as long as you live. What were you asleep last night? I slept in the garage. We stopped asking personal questions, Tom. Who's that playing the piano? Poor prospective customer. I'm trying it first. Why don't you sit down and have breakfast? Not unless someone invites me. Tommy, tell your father someone is not inviting him. Have a role, Daddy. Thank you, Phyllis. At least someone loves their daddy. Phyllis, would you tell your father there was a policeman here this morning? Those 50 fruit trees have to be off the sidewalk by 5 o'clock. Thank you. Phyllis, would you mind telling your mother that you'll have to get somebody else to take those fruit trees away because I'm going to Chicago on a buying trip today? Also, I have a chance to unload the diamond ring and the watches there to a Mr. Flick Morgan who's in the horse room business or something. Hey, Fats Waller! Hey, go outside and find the Lost Court, huh? What? Well, we have a right to know, Tommy and me. Yes, yes, you have indeed, Phyllis. You'll be among the first to be notified. Oh. Don't joke, Father. Children are the real victims of broken homes. I read an article in the ladies' home journal that said that children are the real victims of broken homes. Children are. That article sort of repeats itself, doesn't it? And it also said that when the parents are always quarreling, this is a serious effect on the children and later in life it can change your personality. Is that a thing? Yeah. Well, you know, Phyllis, sometimes I think a change in personality might do you good. And now, would you mind to ask your mother if she'd be kind enough to drive me down to the station I have to catch the 915? Tell your father the answer is no. Good. Tell your mother I'll drive down to the train myself, leave the keys with the station master. Goodbye, children. Say, Phyllis, this is a horse parlor or something, isn't it? That's right. What's on your mind, Bob? Are you Flick Morgan? Yeah, that's right. Say, my name's Lawrence and Harry Summers told me to look you up. He said he thought you might be interested in this diamond ring. Well, it's a nice looking stone. Is it hot? Is it what? I said, is it hot? Is it hot? Hot. Hot? Oh, oh, hot. Oh, no, no. I won it in a jackpot program, the radio. Jackpot program? That's right. Well, that's a new one anyway. How much you want for it? Oh, $5,000. The coffers. The coffers. Hey, wait a minute. Okay, everybody, hands on your head and line up against the wall in no noise. You're all under arrest. Now, officer, I wasn't making any bats here. No, what were you doing? I was just trying to sell a diamond ring. Where is it? Well, he had it on his finger. Keep your hands on your head, diamond ring. What's that stuff in your pockets? These watches? Well, now they all belong to me. I won them on a radio. Oh, they're the guys who walk in jewelry stores. I won all these things on a radio program. Yeah, I know. Take it or snatch it. Now, stop talking. Wait a minute. I told you, I'm telling you the truth. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now, look, I don't have to answer these questions. See, I'm a citizen. See, I'm a taxpayer. Oh-ho-ho! Am I ever a... Woodruff's department store. Mr. Andrew J. Woodruff in Glenville, Indiana. I don't believe it, but I'll give you a chance to prove it. There's a telephone. Call a long distance and get Woodruff. Okay, I'll get Woodruff. Okay. Operator, will you have long distance? Get me Mr. Andrew J. Woodruff. Oh, look, sir. You couldn't possibly have bought that watch in my store. We don't carry this, mate. Well, I mean, in your store, there's a carnation and there's a parallel solar to me. When I took it right out of his pocket, he had dozens of them there. Jackpot loot. And selling them in my store... Tell me, by any chance was this man long and lean and slightly nuts? Yep, there he was. Remind him of a fellow who once talked to a rabbit, the six-foot kind. Huh. Uh, Woodruff speaking. Hello, Mr. Woodruff. Hey, this is Bill Lawrence. Hey, look, Mr. Lawrence, I've kind of mixed up a little jam here in Chicago. It's a silly thing, but the police want you to identify me, the lieutenant here. He doesn't believe I work for you. Oh, he doesn't, eh? No. He doesn't believe... Huh? Put him on. Hey, J. Woodruff speaking. Lieutenant, I have no William J. Lawrence in my employ. Well, of course I'm positive. If I were you, I'd throw him in the pokey, tie the key to a Jackrabbit's tail and mail the rabbit to Siberia. How'd you get me out of the Husqvar hack? How did you know I was in there anyway? Well, look, for the fiftieth time, Flick Morgan called me. He called you? Did he mention my ring? For the hundredth time, yes. And I wouldn't worry about it. He's an honest joke. Yeah, well, the people I talked to didn't seem to think so. I just... I had to say Harry James. Why didn't I say Jackie Robinson or Aunt Jemima or somebody? No, worry. You'll get it straightened out, Bill. Harry, you know, I've been through a lot the last couple of days. How about stopping someplace for a drink, huh? Just maybe one little one for the road. You've already had ten roads. Okay, now stop lecturing me. Hank, did I tell you tonight's my anniversary? Yeah, pal, forty times. Right, right. That's why you're going home and celebrate with Amy. That's why you're born of the roses you carry. But I can't go home. I'm fired. Did I tell you I'd been fired, Hank? Yeah, Woodruff told me and I told you. That is correct. I've been fired. I had to answer that telephone. Now, why are these roses shaking their heads at me? Now, they would have answered it, too. Now, easy, pal. Easy, pal. Oh, take it easy, pal. Now, look, Bill, the thing for you to remember is to be very gay and happy and don't tell Amy a thing. Right, trust me. Well, we're running low on gas. I guess we ought to stop for some. Well, buy me a glass. I'll drink it. That's a pretty good one. Oh, very funny. Anniversary, Mother. Children, go upstairs. Go on upstairs, children. Hi, Tommy. Hi, fellas. What's the matter with you, Dad? He wasn't drinking sass barilla. Go to bed, children. Go on, go on. Mother, apply alcohol to his forehead and rub it in gently, and then take a mustard plaster and place it on his back. Phyllis! Well, if it can cure rheumatism, it sure can cure what ails Dad. Amy, these roses are for you. Hi, Mother. How about a little celebration, huh? Seems to me you've done your celebrating. Overdone it. Well, Mother, it's our anniversary. Say, is that the same fella playing the piano that was here when I left? The same. What's he trying to do? Beat it into a second-hand piano and then get a cut rate price or something? Hey, Spike Jones! Hey, make with the wash tub, huh? There was a string quartet accompanying him last night. Too bad you missed it. Well, it's too bad we couldn't have him here tonight. We could have a celebration. Come on, Mother. Now, let's have a little celebration. Bill, where have you been? Shh! Secret Hank told me not to tell you. Oh, so Hank was in on it. Well, sure. Well, if it hadn't been for Hank, I'd still be in jail. Oh! No, no. You're not going to trick me. No, you're not. Why don't you lie down and rest, Bill? Who, me? No, come on. Let's have a live-patient, Mother. I don't want anything, Father. You don't want anything, Father. What? Are you a tow-teethler? Please sit down. I think I'd better sit down. Hey, isn't this my favorite easter-chair? Who cut the back legs off it? Leslie, it needed to be cut down, so he did it. Well, for what? Am I a midget? Now, don't get excited. It was completely wrong. It threw the whole room off balance. How? I believe I'm going to throw Leslie off balance. Bill, really? What did I do? You let him amputate my favorite chair. He changes the living room into a funeral parlor. And besides, you feed him roast glass under duck and poor me. What do I get? A kippard smothered in herring. And you stick up for him. Yes, I stick up for him, because you're wrong. You stay up for several nights, goodness knows where. Come home drunk. Oh, by the way, how is Hilda? Hilda is the best friend a man ever has. Good, because you're going to need a friend. We're through. Is your father at home? No, ma'am. Your mother? Oh, she is. Hey, has that picture you're carrying for us? Oh, yes. I don't think we're taking anything more. What is it you wish, Miss Jones? Oh, hello, Mrs. Lines. My husband isn't here. May I come in, please? Certainly. You may leave. Run along and play. Okay, ma'am. I have the portrait here. Oh, so there is a portrait. Oh, yes. Yes, I hope you will like it. Well, I don't think it matters very much whether I like it or not. Oh, I think when you see it, you change your mind. You will find it does matter. Oh, it's of me. Well, yes, Billy wanted to surprise you. He wanted to give it to you himself. But when I went to the Woodruff store to find him, they told me he does not work there any longer. Yes, that's true. Will Bill be home soon? I wouldn't know. I doubt it. Oh, so it is like that. Yes, I'm afraid it is. But thank you very much for the portrait. It's really very nice. I'm glad you like it. Now I have to go. My train, she leaves in half an hour, and my taxi is waiting. I'll see you to the door. Goodbye, Miss Jones, and thank you again. Not at all. Oh, Leslie! Uh, Mrs. Lawrence. Yes, Leslie. You'll be very sorry to hear that I'm leaving. For my work, I require an atmosphere of rhythm and harmony. Wait for me, Hilda. I'm going with you. Goodbye, dear Mrs. Lawrence. And you have my deepest sympathy. Mr. Lawrence, I presume? No, I'm his mother-in-law. Goodbye. Won't you come in? I'm Mrs. Lawrence. Uh, Pritchett is my name of the law firm of Hammerhill and Pritchett. I've come to see Mr. Lawrence. He isn't here. Yes, I know. I talked with Hank Summers. Mr. Lawrence is on his way home. May I wait? Of course. Go write in the den. Thank you. Mother, that man's a lawyer. I heard everything he said. Are you and Daddy really going to give it... Phyllis, please. But I want to find out. Phyllis, no questions. Mother. You too, Tommy. Run along, children. Oh, all right. If you don't want to take us into your confidence, Tommy, which one will you choose, mother or dad? I'm not going to choose anybody. I'm going to stay right here with all this loot. He wants to matter with everybody. Hello, Amy. Mind if I come in? I packed the wrong stuff in my bag. I just came to get some of the stuff I need. Go right ahead. Mr. Pritchett, the lawyer is waiting in the den. Oh, all right, Amy. Mr. Lawrence? Yeah, yeah. Well, whatever my wife told you is true. I'm not going to contest anything. No, please, Mr. Lawrence. All right, all right. I'll just say what you've got to say and get it over with. Don't expect me to be calm about it. Mr. Lawrence, I don't know what domestic difficulties you're having, nor can I be of any assistance to you. I'm here solely on behalf of my client, Mr. Franklin Laswell Morgan. Mr. Who? Franklin Laswell Morgan. Flick. Flick Morgan? What's that cheap crook done with my diamond ring? Unfortunately, he lost it. But you're going to be paid for your ring in cash here. I'm sorry to interrupt. You're not. Our business is done. But I think you'd better take a look at your husband. He appears to be in a state of shock. Good day. Hey, Amy. Amy, look at this. $5,000. Where did you get it? Flick Morgan, a Chicago racketeer. Oh, what for? I don't know. I think I kept the code. The code? Honey, do you realize what this means? We can use this to take care of the taxes. This will get us back on our feet again. We're out of the woods, honey. Wonderful. And all the time I thought Mr. Pritchett was your lawyer. Oh, you thought he was my lawyer? I thought he was your... Oh, darling, I love you. I couldn't live without you, Bill. Interrupting something? Well, what do you want, Woodruff? I want to talk to you. Well, I don't want to talk to you. Oh, no, no, no. Look, Bill, what I told the police was just a joke. Oh, it's just a joke, huh? That's your idea of a joke. Well, this is mine. Right square on the button. It's smelling so. I'll get it. The phone, Bill. The phone. Up on those stairs. All right. Praise. He's on his way over to your place. Yeah. You got the job. Vice President. Fred lasted one day. Mr. Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff! Be careful. Don, I said, A.J., I've got to have two weeks' vacation. Or what? Or... I never got that far. He said, Bill... He calls me Bill now. Oh, okay. He said, Bill, take three. Take... Amy. Don't you think maybe we ought to tell that piano player to go home? I've tried for days. I don't know how to tell him in Italian. He doesn't speak English. Hey, Axel Sturtle. Why don't you get lost? No stick English. You don't beat it, and I'll give you the piano. Oh, thanks, Bud. Why didn't you say that if we could go home? Oh, no. We'd better go to the country. But New York. Yeah, this is William Lawrence. This is the federal broadcasting system. Will you be home tonight between 9 and 10 o'clock? Hey, Amy, it's another jackpot. Don't answer. Don't talk. Do anything but don't answer. Hello. Federal broadcasting? Yes. Willie doesn't live here anymore. Come on, darling. We're going on our vacation. We're going to the country where there's no telephone, no radio, no modern conveniences, except few of the old-fashioned ones. And I'm an old-fashioned girl. I always do what my husband says. So we're flying to New York. Our thanks to you, Miss Truman and Mr. Stewart. Our stars will return in just a moment. Next week, the Screen Directors Playhouse presents its radio adaptation of the 20th Century Fox production of The Captain from Castile. And our stars will be Douglas Fairbanks and Paula Morgan and our guest director, Henry King. And now, here again are tonight's stars, Miss Margaret Truman and James Stewart. You start in the motion picture jackpot and are familiar with all its creators. How about telling us something about its director, Walter Lang? Well, that'd be a great pleasure, Margaret. One of the happiest experiences in my career was working with Walter Lang. And as a matter of fact, I guess everyone else who worked on the picture had the same happy time. We really hit the jackpot when we drew him as our director. Walter is a combination of warmth and understanding and has an extraordinary sense of humor. Ladies and gentlemen, a very great director, Mr. Walter Lang. Thank you, Margaret and Jimmy. Personally, I've gotten a great thrill out of listening to both of your performances. In our wager, there are great many more people who feel just the same way. On behalf of the Screen Directors Playhouse, I'd like to extend an invitation to both of you to come back anytime. We hope real soon. Thanks again and good night. Good night, Walter. Good night, everyone. Jack Pot was presented through the courtesy of 20th Century Fox, makers of the Darrell F. Zannick Technicolor production on the Riviera, starring Danny Kay and Gene Tierney. Margaret Truman will next be heard on The Big Show on NBC Sunday, May 6th. Jimmy Stewart will soon be seen in the Cecil B. DeMille Technicolor production for Paramount Studios, the greatest show on earth. Included in tonight's cast were Dawn Bender and Diamond, Jeffrey Silver, Eddie Marr, Jerry Hausner, Bill Boucher, Jim Backus, Betty Lou Gerson, Sidney Miller, Ed Max, and Stan Waxman. Jack Pot was adapted for radio by Jack Rubin from the screenplay written by Thebe and Henry Ephron on an original story by John McNulty. Screen Directors Playhouse is produced by Howard Wiley and directed by Bill Karn. Portions of tonight's program are transcribed. This is Jimmy Wallington speaking and inviting you to listen next week when Screen Directors Playhouse presents The Captain from Castile, starring Douglas Fairbanks and Paula Morgan with Screen Director Henry King. And next week to Screen Directors Playhouse, one of the weekly teachers on NBC's All-Star Festival of comedy, music, mystery, and drama. Listen tomorrow evening to the one and only Duffy Sabin, the Friday night feature of the All-Star Festival. Tomorrow night enjoy William Bendix and the life of Riley on NBC.