 Lux presents Hollywood the Lux Radio Theatre brings you Ronald Coleman and Susan Hayward in the Petrified Forest with Lawrence Tierney. Ladies and gentlemen your guest producer Mr. Thomas Mitchell. Greetings from Hollywood ladies and gentlemen. Top billing is the ambition of every actor and we're fortunate in having on our stage tonight a man who holds the long-distance record as a top star in motion pictures. I'll not forget that my first appearance before the camera was with Ronald Coleman in Lost Horizon. Perhaps one reason for his long record would be that he selects his material with care and that's why Ronnie is with us tonight in Robert Sherwood's exciting drama The Petrified Forest. He appears with that talented young actress Susan Hayward as the man and woman whom fate dramatically brings together in one of the strangest love stories of our time. An outstanding Broadway stage success The Petrified Forest takes place in the 1930s when Americans still throng the highways and the roadside tavern was the outpost of a restless nation a meeting place for every type of traveler from wealthy tourists to armed desperado and the armed desperado in our cast is the new RKO actor Lawrence Tierney who has just finished playing the title role in the screening of the Dylan Jet. We bring you tonight's play on the birthday of the father of the English theater William Shakespeare. Since Shakespeare's time of course the theater has grown immeasurably in scope and I dare say popularity. In fact you could find no better example than this stage of ours which raises its curtain every Monday night to an audience of many millions in return for their loyalty to Lux Flakes and if your attendance is rewarded and I hope it always will be by the best in Hollywood stars and plays I'm sure your loyalty to Lux Flakes is rewarded by longer life to precious fabrics and pleasanter easier ways to care for them. Well it's time for our curtain and the first act of petrified forest starring Ronald Coleman as Alan Squire and Susan Hayward as Gabby with Lawrence Tierney as Duke Mantis. Sprawling over a vast area in northeast Arizona there's a huge forest of trees that have turned to stone the petrified forest and a dozen or so miles away clumped on the edge of the desert there's a tiny oasis in all this wasteland it's called the Black Mesa barbecue and filling station. Lonesome and weather beaten still it's a living to old grandpa Maple and to the strangely attractive girl who stands behind the lunch counter is granddaughter Gabby. What's the matter don't you like the pie? Ah it's lousy. Oh yeah? You still got that engine cooking for you? Paul is okay so lay off or eat somewhere else. Hey Pop who's the big football hero out there? That's Bose helps me with the gas. Where are you boys heading? Straight down the road stringing wires. You think your work's tough? In my day you had to be tough. Paiutes of patches and plenty of white men with no love for their neighbors. Yes sir it was kill or be killed. Out of way Mr. Maple. Tell them about the time you took a shot at Billy the Kid. I didn't take no shot at the kid. He took a shot at me. Two shots. You see I was standing like this. Well Pop it's very interesting but we got to be going. Now what's the bad news Gabby? Fifty-five cents a piece. Fifty-five cents a piece. There you are. Even money. Be seeing you Mr. Maple. Paul again boys. I always enjoy talking to anybody in the telegraphing business. You always enjoy talking. Where you going Gramp? I need some cool air. Going for your walk Gramp? Yeah Bose why don't you sit down a while and cheer up Gabby? Yeah maybe I'll do that yeah. I'm doing okay. Oh you heard what your grandpa said. What's bothering you Gabby? Don't you like me? No not a great deal. Ah that's okay seen as I've been at just a little while I haven't had a chance to get into my act. Hey what's that? It's a book and you wouldn't like it. How do you know how I feel about things? Poems! You're reading poems. Oh boy get a load of this. The shapely slender shoulders small long arms hands wrought in glorious wise. Oh romantic huh? I suspected right along all you need was a little encouragement. It's great poetry. I can think of a lot better ways to spend your time. Hey Bose. Yeah? Why do you always wear that football jersey number 42? Because I'm proud of it that's why why shouldn't I wear it? I forget it. Well I would have made All American that's all except I wasn't with a big team. You ought to see the newspaper clippings I got. What's an almost all American doing here working a gas pump? Well you can call me a sap if you want to Gabby but I guess I'm falling in love with you. Cool off Bose. If Graham comes back and sees you trying to make a pass you're gonna be out of a job. So what? Hey baby you didn't mean that about well about not liking me did you? Okay I like you. Enough for a kiss maybe? Cut it out Bose. I said cut it out. Good evening. Oh good evening sir. What can we do for you? May I order something to eat? Sure. Miss Maple here will take care of you. Don't you want to sit down sir? Thanks. Here's menu. Driven for? Ah I've been hitchhiking. Wonderful the progress you can make by wiggling your thumb. Now the menu says today's special barbecue. What's the barbecue? Well here it's a hamburger sandwich it's always today's special. It's pretty good. I want it and I'd like some soup and some beer and I'll order the dessert later. Okay. Another question where am I? This place is called Black Mesa but there's nothing else here. Just bumming along? I'll call it gypsy-ing. I had a vague idea I'd like to see the Pacific Ocean and perhaps drown in it but that depends. Oh you're English aren't you? Oh you might call me an American once removed but if you don't mind. Okay I'll get the soup. Thanks. Good evening. Enjoying your dinner? Excellent. Want your coffee? Charming young lady said she'd bring it right in. That's my granddaughter. I just been out for a walk. I'm at the sheriff. Can you give me this newspaper? Yes sir Denver Post and look six killed in Oklahoma City massacres. Duke Manti's Sergeant here's his picture. Duke Manti did he do that? Him and his friends. He doesn't look very vicious does he? Well you can't never tell a killer except by his chin. Now that's a funny thing. Killer always holds his chin in. Ever hear of Billy the Kid? Oh yes indeed. I knowed him well. Took a couple of shots at me once. I congratulate you on still being with us. Well it was kind of dark. He'd had a few drinks. Just wanted to scare the pants off in me. Here's your coffee. Thanks. Just set it down Gabby. You know you can go just so long without food. That's right. Been having some bad luck. Yep. No disgrace these days. What line working in Mr? None just now. At times I've been a writer. writer huh? What's your name? Alan Squire. Squire. No, can't say I ever heard of you. Well it says it's up as ready Graham. I like eating in the kitchen Mr. Squire. In there I can see what I'm getting. Pleased to have met you. Pleased to have met you sir. As a charming old gentleman you old grandfather. Yes. He told me he'd been missed by Billy the Kid. Poor grandpa tells everybody that. He gets pretty sick of him after a while. I met a writer once. Oh. Yeah he was on his way to the coast. Said I ought to go to Hollywood and look him up. I'm not that dumb they never mean it. You want to go into the movies? There's nothing I want except to go to Borge. To where? Borge that's in France. Oh. You'd never guess it but that's where I came from. Are you French? Partly. I was born in Borge. But all I know about it is from the postcards my mother sends me. They've got a cathedral there. Is your mother in Borge? Mm-hmm. Yeah dad brought us back here in 1919 after the war. She stuck it out here in this desert for a couple of years and then she packed up and went back. Some people said it was cool of her to leave me but what could she do? She just couldn't live here and you can't blame her for that. She tried lots of times to get me over there to see her but while my father was alive he wouldn't allow it. And now? Well not so long ago she got married again to a Frenchman who was a bookstore and three kids. I thought maybe it wouldn't be right barging in on her now but I'd sure like to see her. Do you speak French? Only what you can learn in high school. Every birthday my mother used to send me a book but they were all in French. So last year I asked her if she'd mind sending me one in English. It's this book here, The Poems of Francois Lyon. Ever read it? Oh yes. That's wonderful poetry. My mother wrote something on the cover. I'm our Cher Petit Gabrielle. That means to my dear little Gabrielle. She gave me that name. Gabrielle. It's a beautiful name. Wouldn't you know to get changed into Gabby by these no good desert rats? You you share your mother's opinion of the desert. Yes. But you find solace in the poems of Francois Lyon. Well they get the smell of the gasoline and hamburger out of my system. Would you would you like to read me one of those poems Gabrielle? You mean now? Yes. While I'm finishing today's special. Okay I'll read you the one I like best. He wrote this about a friend of his who was getting married. At daybreak when the falcon claps his wings no wit for grief but noble heart held high with loud glad noisy stirs himself in spring and takes his meat and towards his Lord draws nigh. Did you ever see a falcon? Yes. What does it look like? Oh not very pleasant like a hawk and in a way it's like this man here. This picture is in the newspaper Duke Manti. Oh there were some Mexicans in the kitchen a while ago. They told Paula that Manti's heading this way. Won't you finish the poem? For sure. Such good I wish you. Yay and heartily. I'm fired with hope of true love's need to get. Knowing love writes it in his book for why this is the end for which we twain a myth. You know that's wonderful stuff. Wonderful. But that's the way the French people are. They can understand everything like life and love and death and they can enjoy it or laugh at it depending on how they feel. And that's why you want to go to France? For understanding? I will go there where there's something beautiful to look at and wine and dancing in the streets and happiness. If I were you I'd stay here Gabrielle and avoid disappointment. I've been to France. Writing books? No. No planning to write books. You see I married. My wife supported me. Oh please don't think too badly of me. I once actually wrote a book. I was 22 when I wrote it. It was very very stark. It sold slightly over 600 copies. It cost the publisher quite a lot of money and it also cost him his wife. You see she divorced him and married me. She saw in me a major artist who needed only a background to bring him out. She gave it to me with a fine view of the Mediterranean. Well for eight years I reclined on my background waiting for the major artist to step forth and write. But he didn't. And you've left your wife now? Yes. I'm glad you did. It was her own suggestion. She'd taken up with a Brazilian painter also a major artist. So I decided to go forth and discover America. What were you looking for? Well that's rather hard to say. Oh something to believe in I suppose. Something worth living for. Something worth dying for. And what have you found? Nothing so interesting as an old man who was missed by Bill of the Kid and a fair young lady who reads beyond. Well I do other things that might surprise you. Oh I'm sure you do. I wouldn't tell this to everybody but I paint pictures. Are they any good? Of course not. Could I see them? Oh I never let anybody see them I'd only get kidded they're kind of crazy. Oh please let me see them. Perhaps it's my mission to introduce you to posterity as an American genius. Are you kidding me. No no no Gabrielle I know I've never kidded anybody outside of myself. Okay but you've got a promise not to tell anybody. My word of honor for all its worth. I'll go get them. These others here are all desert scenes. Oh yeah. This one's a portrait. Oh. It's polar our Indian cook. Not much of a like this. Oh no I'm sure you didn't intend it to be. Tell me what what made you paint in this strange manner. It's just the way I feel. You won't hurt my feelings if you say they're no good. No no I'm tremendously impressed and also bewildered. I bet I could improve if I get to France. They've got the finest art schools in the world there. There's beautiful things to paint. Well don't you don't you realize there are probably thousands of artists in France today who are saying I'd find a really big theme for my canvas if I could only get to Arizona. Yes I know they say the desert's full of mystery and it's haunted and well all that. Maybe it is but there's something in me that makes me want something different. I know there's something in you. I wish I could figure out what it is. Listen you've been to France. What are they like there. Frenchman are not like they once were. Well no one in Europe is. I've always imagined that Frenchman must all be like the on gay and reckless poetic. No no especially not reckless. But they're always having a good time aren't they. Not invariably. Would you like to marry a Frenchman. I don't want to marry anybody. I want to be free always. Well how about number forty two. You know the stalwart used in the football jersey when I first came in he was. He was trying to kiss me. He's after me all right. Do you think he'll succeed. I haven't decided yet. What do you say. No no no no don't ask me Gabrielle no let your French blood guide you. It matters like that it's infallible. But you want to know something. You've seen a lot. I don't know anything. How can you say that you've got a lot of brains. Yep brains without purpose. Noise without sound shape without substance. I belong to a vanishing race. I'm one of the intellectuals who thought they'd conquered nature. The world's in a chaos and what's the reason. Who knows. I do. I'm probably the only living person who does now. It's nature hitting back. Or not with the old weapons of floods and plagues but fighting back with strange new weapons called neuroses. She's deliberately inflicting mankind for the jitters. Nature's annoyed. Taking the world away from the intellectuals and giving it back to the apes. She's. Forgive me Gabrielle and don't listen to me for all I know you may be an entirely different species. One of nature's own children and therefore able to understand her and laugh at her or enjoy her depending upon how you feel. And by the way the beer is excellent. Made in Phoenix. And you talk like a fool. No wonder your wife kicked you out. And no wonder she fell for you in the first place. That sounds alarmingly like a compliment. It is a compliment. What did you say your first name is. Alan. Alan Squire. I've been calling you Gabrielle so you'd better. Where are you going from here Alan. That depends on where the road leads. It leads to the petrified forest. What's that. A gloomy place full of dead trees that have turned a stone in a desert. Petrified forest. Suitable haven for me. Perhaps that's what I'm destined for. To make an interesting fossil for future study. Alan Squire a specimen of the in between age who was born too late for the Great War and too soon for the one that's coming. I see you've taken my advice you're not listening. I was just thinking. I'd like to go to France with you. I'm afraid I could never retrace my step. You mean you haven't enough money. Even that is an understatement. Well I haven't got enough either yet but I've got a lot coming to me someday. Are you are you proposing to me trying to turn me into a gigolo again. No it'll be different this time. Do you know how much Graham Scott sold it away in the bank at Santa Fe. Twenty two thousand dollars. He won't give me any of it now but it's all will to me. We might have to wait years for it. But if you'd only stay. You think you'd like me as a life companion. I know I would and I don't make mistakes. Wouldn't you like to be loved by me. Yes. Yes Gabrielle. I should like to be loved by you. You think I'm attractive. There are better words than that for what you are. Then say you'll stay I could have both fired and you haven't got anything else to do. That's just it. You couldn't live very long with the man who had nothing to do with worship you. That's a dull kind of love Gabrielle. The kind that makes people old too soon. I thank you for the suggestion. You give me something wonderful to think about during my lonely wandering. I'll think of the chimes of birds. And you. And the forest turned to stone. You mean you're going now. Yes. Well I can't stop you. No Gabrielle you can't but you can do me one great favor before I go. Would you mind very much if I kissed you goodbye. No I wouldn't mind. You understand that it would be nothing more. I'd understand it. It'd be just a kiss. That's all. That's absolutely all. Gabrielle I. So that's what's going on naked huh. Who do you think you are. He didn't get fresh. He didn't get fresh. He only wanted to kiss me goodbye. Yes the impulse is rather hard to explain. Pay a check and get out. How much do I owe Miss Maple. Thirty cents. Thirty cents. Is that all the eight thirty cents. Well that brings me to another embarrassment. I haven't got it. Well that's just fine isn't it. That's just great. But he got in your pack there. The shirt. Socks. The passport. Insurance policy. And a copy of the modern man in search of a soul. And you thought you could pay with a kiss did you. Take your hand off him. Yes sir we'd like some gas and oil please. Get going. How many gallons or whatever it needs. Yes dear. Any idea how far we are from the Phoenix built more a good two hundred miles a good two hundred miles. That's just fine give the man a gasoline boat okay okay. Yes dear I know dear. Cigarettes well Miss Maple goodbye Alan wait a minute. Oh Mr. Say if you're going to Phoenix maybe you'd have room for my friend. Oh Mr. Squire he's on his way to the coast and well he hasn't got a car right now he's an author but really I guess you're a little suspicious what with Duke Manti on the loose and all that well well I guess it would be all right thank you thank you Miss Maple I remember your kindness I forgot to give you a change. A dollar. But I. But I wanted you to keep that take it please I can't very well pretend when you get to the Pacific Ocean send me some pictures will you I like pictures of water. Yes dear here you are Miss come along Mr. Squire I suppose I'll never see you again Gabrielle well that's the way it isn't a gas station they commonly go somehow or other I'll repay that dollar heaven knows when maybe we'll run into each other some day and. Yes yes good good bye Gabrielle. Bye Alan. If I sit down a while Gabby sit down both. Hasn't been a car pass since that guy with a packet I wonder how come he gave that panhandler a lift he wasn't a panhandler you sound like you were nuts about him do I. Well I'm not I am about being a little nice to me for a change. I'd like to be nice to you I'd like to be nice to everybody you can be Gabby how about you and me taking a walk around the Mesa you know what I've been doing I've been sitting here thinking what he said what do you say he said that what's wrong with the world is that we've been trying to fight nature he said we've got to admit that nature can't be beaten well isn't that exactly what I've been trying to tell you all along you and me a night like this we could really get acquainted baby. Sorry I'm not in the mood now how can you say that OK folks now just behave yourself and nobody will get hurt hey what's the idea put on that gun who's the boss my grandfather he's inside what do you want no trouble boss another one yeah this is Duke man T folks he's the world famous killer and he's hungry now get this I am my friends are taking over here for a while you dirty rat shut up pose tell Ruby and bugs to come on in OK to I was for you to and whoever else might be here I don't know how long we're going to be staying I'd like things to be nice and peaceful see we all have a few beers together listen to the radio and not make any wrong moves but I may as well tell you all Jackie there with the machine gun is pretty nervous and jumpy he's got the itch between the fingers OK now suppose I take a little look around Thomas Mitchell and our stars Ronald Coleman and Susan Hayward will be back with act two of the petrified forest after intermission time here's our fashion reporter Libby Collins doing sums on a timetable Miami Washington New York Boston Chicago St. Louis going somewhere Libby not me this trip is on a very important war job who is making it then a very attractive young lady she's Miss Jenny Earl Cox a Stevens College senior who was chosen this year is made of cotton in a South wide content and how does her trip help the war effort oh she's selling more bonds about a quarter of a million dollars worth already she's also showing women and 35 leading cities how precious today's cottons are and how they can keep them lovely longer that's important these days because the army needs so much cotton to tell us more about the made of cotton Libby oh she's Mississippi born and so all her family back to her great great grandfather who raised the first bail of cotton in Lowndes County she ought to be a good ambassador for King Cotton mm-hmm she has wavy brown hair sparkling blue eyes a size 12 figure that shows her all cotton wardrobe to the very best advantage is everything she wears made of cotton mm-hmm even stockings Monday's her wardrobe includes everything from a two-piece pk bathing suit to a floating organ to evening gown they're all stars any woman can duplicate because they're made from easy to follow McCall patterns all the fabrics are luxe tested to so you know they'll stay color fresh time after time when you wash them with lukewarm water and mild luck slate yes tests show color stay lovely up to three times longer with gentle luxe care strong soap hot water and rough handling fade colors too soon make them look drab today's cartons are smart for any time of day or night so give them the gentle care they deserve what your local newspaper to see when the made of cotton will model them in your city we take you back to Thomas Mitchell and our stars act to of the petrified forest starring Ronald Coleman as Alan squire and Susan Hayward as Gabby with Lawrence Tierney as Duke Manti only a few moments have passed since the descent of the killer Duke Manti on the black mace of barbecue while Bose stares helplessly into the muzzle of a submachine gun Manti calmly surveys the lunchroom finally he turns to the girl called Gabby all right now sister where's the old man your grandfather probably in his room he takes a nap after supper get him Jackie bug yeah park the packet in the shadows and stay in it keep your eyes open how long we stand here Duke until the others get here you're gonna wait for that blonde we told her we'd be hit and we now shut up okay sister we'd like something to wait the cook's gone home I'll have to go into the kitchen we'll be here go with you he starts getting fresh Gabby relax football hey you better not let me get close enough to take a socket you I used to be quite a great iron fan what's your school Nevada M&T boy scout yes the old man he said you were Duke Manti he said you are Duke Manti the killer sit down pop yeah what happened in Oklahoma City pop it's all in the Denver post a regular massacree how you doing sister I'll bring us some beer you fellas like to join us I never touch alcohol I guess I'll have whiskey and I'm not scared of you Duke I've no real killers in my time yeah okay they're behind a kind of Jackie they're in a kitchen Ruby we were just held up about a mile down the road bandits and that around here somewhere yeah so we heard they took Mr. Chisholm's car and they drove back here so we meet again he's Duke man team is just wire we were looking at his picture remember join us in a little drink why thank you look at that chin he's a killer all right he's a gangster and a rat he ain't a gangster he's a real old-time desperado and if the sheriff finds out we'll see some real killing won't we let there be killing all evening long I've had a feeling of destiny closing in you believe in astrology Duke I couldn't say pal I don't normally but as I was walking along that road I looked up at the sky and the stars seem to be mocking me they were pointing the way here and seem to say there's the end of your tether you thought you could escape it and skip off to the Phoenix Biltmore but we know better I'm telling you what the stars told me that perhaps they know that carnage is imminent and that I'm due to be among the fallen it's a fascinating thought yeah let's skip it thanks sister well here's happy days folks yes sir it sure is pleasant to have a killer around here again yep pleasant to be back again among the living happy days don't get away after ten we've been here an hour ahead so what that is right to I'm waiting here for Doris waiting here for Doris and the boys but if she was gonna show up she'd have been I said I'm waiting here listen to him I get among themselves a bunch of yellow dogs I'd be a little tactful bows there you'll get a sister what I thought I told you to turn on the radio it's time for the news I did well turn it up but don't you want me to hear okay I'll turn it up that's a stokey take a man gang made it escape from Oklahoma City in two cars one of which contained man tea and three men and the other containing two men and one woman the man tea car was seen today at Hillsborough in New Mexico nearing the Arizona border the others were identified when they held up the police station at Elerton and fled with a large supply of guns and ammunition nice gone boys both cars are undoubtedly headed for the border state troopers sheriff and deputies have every highway covered and the rotors are shoot first and ask questions later I'll now give you the scores are boy Ruby teleports to bring in that sack of ammunition in the roadmaps you stay in the car okay gonna make a run for the border oh sure we'll give you a whole route so you can tell them hiccups to give us a motorcycle escort think I'm about ready for another first key Gabrielle if I may listen panhandler who told you you could keep calling her by her first name hey when it's time sure just as soon as the dope connects with that heavy data well I think we ought to get out of here wait a minute how's he gonna pay for all that liquor that's true drinks he's had I can pay both I have a dollar a dollar so you will hold a lot on it when you know no no I've acquired it since then where'd you get it keep quiet probably those rich people in the car if you must know both Gabrielle gave it to me Gabby none of your business what I do Duke what you fellas gonna spend the night here can't say pop maybe we'll decide to get buried here you better come with me Duke I'm planning to be buried in the petrified forest it's a graveyard of civilization dead stumps in the desert that's where I belong and so do you maybe you're right pal and I'm eternally right but what use do I make about that dollar Gabby I said it was none of your business you're crazy about him aren't you all right what if I am what did you say I said I'm crazy about you I swear I wasn't trying to be seductive both you Alan Alan after you left here I I still as if I'd come out of a dream but I caught on to myself there I know I'll never be anything but another desert friends are dancing in the street that's all a lot of hooey remember what I asked you about going to fans of course but you wouldn't have done it even if we had the money no you see he doesn't give a hoot about me I saw that plane enough and it only made me love him more Gabby I'm sorry I came back when I left before it was the poignant ending to an idyllic interlude but now it's spoils you're sorry you heard the truth I'm the type of person to whom the truth is often distasteful Graham sit down pal I want to talk to Graham or you can talk sitting down I heard you're doing it Mr. Maple that money of yours buried in Santa Fe how do you know about it now what are you gonna do with it leave it just where it is and meanwhile your granddaughter suffocates in this desert when a few of your thousands would give her the chance to claim her birthright you were once a pioneer what are you now a mean old miser hanging on to money as though it meant something why don't you die and do the world some good that's about the dirtiest crack I ever heard what do you mean talking to the old man like that okay keep quiet when they get here okay moon bright I was guilty of very bad taste and I apologize to Mr. Maple sure you better crawler I might have to put the slug on you talking to an old man like that where you can't do just to the window those people are coming get in the kitchen with bugs sure listen you if you had any of Robin Hood and you you'd go to Santa Fe and rub that bank and give it to her put them up put up your hand hey what are you trying to Jackie let this gun did me oh I've been waiting for this chance all night I've been watching every movie but make an event Jackie bug get that Tommy Jackie see what happens when you're careless he's getting up to get me in the hand just what is the meaning of that up you brisk and bug that man pulling me again I still can't figure what happened to that football hero almost had me the society dame screamed he turned his head I had the chance that I must that I could have got man tea and she ruined everything you're sitting down like everybody else those it hurts make him in the kitchen sister you and Jackie better tie him up in there Jackie after she fixes his war wounds come on hero did you mean to hit him in the hand you grew was it a bad shot bad shot pop I had to get it off too fast now listen all of you I let that mug make a mug out of me but don't anybody try it again anybody makes a wrong move I'm gonna kill a whole lot of you are you man tea yes pal oh hey dude would you mind passing me my knapsack it's on the counter what are you why with it my life insurance policy you'll find it there in a bundle of papers expecting to die mr. squire you've guessed it mr. maple yeah thanks my fountain pen go ahead what about my car man tea swell buzz you intend restoring it to me and my luggage well you may get it back let's hope it isn't full of bullet holes and blood oh I took some jewelry out of the ladies bag you're nothing but a filthy thief yes ma'am Duke I have a great favor to ask of you yeah I don't think you'll refuse it because you're a man of great imagination what are you getting at this insurance policy it's my only asset it's for $5,000 made out to my wife but she's a rich woman and not a bad sort really she won't mind writing on it yes I've changed the beneficiary I've done the policy that I want miss maple to receive the money and if mr. and mrs. Chisholm here will witness my signature I'm sure everything will be all right what I'm getting at is this Duke after they've signed it I wish I'd be much obliged if you'd just kill me he's drunk I'll let the man finish pop I couldn't make any difference to you Duke they can only hang you once and you can't be bothered by any humane consideration you'd have a hard time finding a more suitable candidate for extermination I'll be mourned by no one you see Duke in killing me you'd only be executing the sentence of the law I mean natural law the survival of the fittest come on stop showing off yes I'm I'm trying to outdo bows in gallantry well is there anything unnatural in that can't you see I mean it I've never heard of such a thing probably not but this is a weird country we're in mr. Chisholm these mazes are enchanted you have to be prepared here for the improbable I'm only asking that you attest my signature on this paper I believe you do mean it good for you mrs. Chisholm you're a kindred spirit you're in love with that girl inside aren't you yes yes I suppose I am I'm not unreasonably she she has heroic stuff in her why she she may be another Joan of Arc or Madame Curie I want to show her that I believe in her and how else can I do it living I'm worth nothing to her dead I can buy her the tallest cathedrals and golden vineyards and dancing in the streets now one one well-directed bullet will accomplish all that will you do it Duke I'll be glad to file then then now can I have this sign sure you see my chance insane don't ask me he's no friend of mine of course he's insane but what up it sign it Henry you simply cannot trifle with insurance institutions I said sign it oh give me the pen that's better now I'll sign it thanks now mr. Maple I'll entrust this policy to you after I after the Duke has obliged will you give it to some good lawyer for collection my passport's in the knapsack for identification here you are thank you let me know when you want to be killed pal oh pick your own moment you say just before you leave huh but I prefer to have her think you did it in cold blood will you all please remember that and now I think we'd all like to have a drink we pause now for station identification this is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System Thomas Mitchell and our stars Ronald Coleman and Susan Hayward will be back with Act 3 of the petrified forest in a moment when Nancy and Jane's husbands went overseas the girls decided to share an apartment and the first night I'll put the chops on you set the table okay sure let's see where we put the dessert plates I got a case oh I don't think they're unpacked yet but we can put the cake on the bread and butter plates after we finished with them then we won't have so many dishes to wash oh man let's not start doing things like that let's use all our nice things just as if the boys were here Bob and I always did things like that and put the salad on the dinner plates too no sense using a lot of extra dishes boy you must be allergic to dish washing I am just look at my hand you poor kid they are red but look if you're doing the cooking I ought to wash the dishes and I don't mind how many there are so Janie set the table her way and afterward when she went to wash the dishes say Nan where's the soap in the cabinet good grief you didn't get this strong stuff for dishes did you well I always know wonder your hands are red wait a sec what are you doing getting some luck here I had this box in the bathroom do you use lucks for dishes sure I don't want to get this pan hand that strong stuff things I wondered how you kept your hand so nice well just change from strong soap to gentle luck's plate honey and yours will soon be nice again too but our budget luck won't even make a dent in it a big box like this last simply ages it's really thrifty yes scientific tests prove that ounce per ounce Lux Flakes wash up to twice as many dishes as other well-known dish washing soaps hands stay lovely too use lucks for your dishes today here's Thomas Mitchell with our stars after the play we'll meet our stars in person as they take the curtain calls now here's act three of the petrified forest starring Ronald Coleman as Alan Squire and Susan Hayward as Gabby with Lawrence Tierney as Duke Mantis a half hour later in the heavy purple shadows outside the black mace of barbecue the gunman Ruby sits with his eyes on the black ribbon abroad inside Duke Mantis stares at the clock and the lines of his face grow harder puddle at the counter are Alan Squire gramp and the Chisholms you'll keep the insurance policy mr. Maple and you'll say nothing to Gabrielle sure I'll keep it what I've done you think it's all legal don't you yeah seems so to me and I'd like to tell you just one thing my friend there ain't a woman alive that's worth $5,000 and let me tell you one thing my friend you're a forgetful old fool any woman is worth everything that any man has to give anguish ecstasy pace jealousy love hatred life or death don't you see that's the whole excuse for our existence it's what makes the whole thing possible and tolerable when you've reached my age grandpa you'll have better sense Henry did you hear that I heard that lovely that lovely girl inside there do you know what she is no you haven't the remotest idea what is she she's the future she's the renewal of vitality and courage and hope all the strength that's gone out of you oh I can't say what she is but but she's essential to me into the whole country and the whole miserable world and please Mrs. Chisholm don't look at me like that I know how I sound I wonder if you really believe all that I mean about women of course I do and thereby the window is a man who agrees with me don't you do I don't know well I wasn't listening well then let me speak for you Mrs. Chisholm Duke Manti could have been over the board a long ago and safe but he prefers to stay here and risk his life and you know why why because he has a rendezvous with a girl isn't that true Duke yes that's it you mean to say you you ever have time for romance not much lady only like the Knights of the Round Table between Dragon yeah I guess we're all out of saps I wouldn't be surprised if I was a champ you think I was kidding when I said I'd be glad to knock you off I hope that neither of us was kidding you think I was I just wanted to make sure you're all right pal you've got good ideas I'll try to fix it so that won't hurt you're all right dude you I'd like to meet you again someday maybe it'll be soon you know this frightful place has suddenly become quite cozy that's my doing Mrs. Chisholm you can thank me for having taken it out of the realm of reality I'm going to see something at last beside cliff dwelling and if you realize we're going to be witnesses of the murder he's actually going to shoot him please she's coming how's those Gabrielle you'll be all right you tie him up Jackie in the bathroom don't we got to get out of here I know something's happened to Doris something must have happened well we'll give him a few minutes more a few minutes more listen Graham I've got an idea we got to sell out right away tomorrow it's the best break we'll ever have this place is going to be advertised all over the country people are going to be flocking here just to see where Duke man teastop still aiming to take that trip to France no no gramp I'll never get there and I never knew it better than I do right now you want to be a great painter don't you when you're advising you talk about nature I thought you told me never to listen to you I did well that's all the advice I'm going to take you mind if I say something my dear perhaps I could tell you what do you know about nothing and if I were you we decide keep on Henry you've never had the remotest conception what's inside me you never will have you're a stuffed shirt with buttons made out of 18 karat diamond and I'm just as bad because I take my revenge out on you by nagging all my life I've done what people have wanted me to do first my parents then my friends and now you and I hate my life dear lord miss maple profit profit by my example perhaps you have something important to give the world don't you let them stifle you with their talk about duty go to France and find yourself suppose she learns there's nothing more to find even that would be better than endless doubt believe me you know it's the strangest thing about this place there's something about this lunch counter that brings out the auto biographical impulse now Duke Duke what kind of a life of you had lousy pal I don't believe it at least you're a real man so an evil one real man what it got me I've spent most of my life since I grew up in jail looks like I'll spend the rest of my life dead but where's the percentage thanks all the same lady I'll send you a postcard from Mexico excuse me Duke but how's the time getting along it's just about up pal and I'm just talk to you Gabrielle you can wait till they're gone no no I can't wait I mean when they go I go I have to tell you now that I love you now listen Alan I don't want you to I tell you solemnly that I love you with all the heart that is left in me so can we wait in here just to listen to this shut up please Mrs. Chisholm I'm capable of saying don't make a fool of yourself Alan they're all staring at yes I know they are but you've got to believe it and you've got to remember it because you see it's my only chance of survival I told you about that major artist that's been hidden well I'm transferring him to you you'll find a line and that verse of beyond that fits that something about thus in your field my seed of harvestry will thrive you still think I was being coming no I know I just think that you're kind of crazy and I guess so am I and that's why I think we'd be terribly happy together well don't say that Gabrielle why not when I believe it with all my heart maybe you're right you're beginning to admit it maybe we'll be happy together in a funny sort of way Alan if you're going away I'm going with you wherever it is no Gabrielle I'm not going away anywhere I don't have to go any farther because I think I found the thing I was looking for here in the valley of the shadow what Alan what have you found I can't say what it is but because I don't quite know yet all right Duke we needn't wait any longer I'd rather what is it Ruby somebody's coming here sit on the side way hey pop I gotta use your phone I got it's the sheriff Duke what do you want to use the phone for Sheriff Duke man yeah get his guns Jackie all right come on talk are you alone I said are you alone you've been playing your Duke and by heaven we've caught you Ruby get in here quick what made you think I'd be around here because they caught your pals two men in a blonde right where was it come on tell me I'll tell a hole in you a yard wide I'm in Buckhorn where's that New Mexico Duke about 90 miles southeast when when we heard about it a few minutes ago the blonde tipped him off about this place she squealed the dance squeal I couldn't figure it out about you being here but I guess it's the truth all right what are you waiting for come on let's lay them off shut up shut up give me time to think you know don't waste time thinking that isn't your game you've got to keep going and going and going yeah token fast next thing you know you'll be laid out flat in a marble slab where they take it I don't know Albuquerque maybe if we head for there they'll take us you want your revenge don't you do you want to go out of your way again to get that blonde who told him you were here well don't you do it Duke even if she did betray you don't you commit a worse crime don't betray yourself go on run for the border and take your illusions with you you're obsolete you like me you got to die then die for freedom that's worth it don't give up your life for anything as cheap as revenge all right pal I'm going now listen folks we've had a pleasant evening here and I'd hate to spoil it with any killing at the finish so stay where you are we're out of sight because we'll be watching better cut the phone wires Jackie pack up the shells bugs won't get far Duke I've got 20 men coming here to meet me that's one of their cars you just heard hey dude wait a minute you're not forgetting me stop on the road the guy with a rifle cups look like it fixer G's it's they know Jackie put out the lights might as well give up man see you haven't got a chance yet behind that counter all of you got one of them Duke get away from that window and keep this mob in here covered anything Jackie only six or seven nothing to worry about they're trying to work around to our car yeah I can see him now get out the kitchen door but enough of him get across the road give him a couple of bursts to scare him and snap back here and watch yourself kid okay I'll cover you now United States of America versus Duke man to you an inspiring moment isn't it Gabrielle I'm sorry Japanese probably all drunk Gabrielle where are you here on the floor so dark Alan Alan when you get to France what do you see first customs officers but what's the first real site you see all the fields and parrots of Normandy and then what Alan and then Paris Duke they're crossing the road why doesn't Jackie open up they way I help get him Paris is the most wonderful place in the world to be in love isn't it all places are marvelous even here especially here my darling next thing we know those gas pumps will go up in flames as long as I live I'll be grateful to the Duke Alan will you please kiss me okay bug Ruby come on we're pulling out Ruby it's going to be all over now Gabrielle not for us Alan never that is gonna kill Duke I just seen him yeah we'll have to leave him okay mr. Chisholm you and your wife and the sheriff you're coming with me to do no not you pop come on on your feet just go through that door with your hands up you won't none of you get hurt if you keep your hands up and make plenty of noise open the door will be the rest of you stay where you are for a while tonight folks hey Duke Alan keep down you get out of my way pal don't let me down now you mean you still want it there's no matter whether I want it or not you've got to do it okay I'll be saying you soon he really meant it he's coming to give you Alan Alan look at me doesn't hurt or at least it doesn't seem it's all right darling as soon as we can we'll get a doctor Gabby what can we do somebody help me please please it's too late darling too late they were right Gabrielle I mean the stars I had to come all this way to find a reason Duke understood what it was I wanted I hope you'll be I hope what did you say no no don't worry Alan I'm not going to cry baby about it I know you died happy didn't you Alan didn't you yeah I'm all right and him Squire he's dead you should have known Bose man he'd never missed twice gosh that's kind of tough he's a good guy at death oh they got mentee Gabby and that fellow Ruby a couple of hundred yards down the road they were full of holes Gabby listen Gabby now here's the funny thing Mr. Squire his life insurance policy $5,000 he made it out to you said he wanted you to spend it on a trick to France I ever did see yeah me too what happened to them in society people oh they're okay which reminds me mr. Chisholm was kind of worried about his car I better look her over Gabby Gabby I guess you'll be leaving here now yes grand maybe it's all for the best he wanted me to grab yes we'll bury him out there in the petrified forest he wanted that too yes that's what he said didn't he yes sir in your field my seat of harvest dribble thrive for the fruit is like me that I said God be kind to the good house country this is the end for which we train on on it our stars will be back for their curtain calls in just a minute you know after the war we're going to see some outstanding developments in television some of these days people all over the country may be saying why I remember when you just heard things and couldn't see them boy when that time comes Mr. Kennedy my job will be a lot easier when I tell women how luxe care keeps slips and 90s looking pretty they'll be able to see what I mean first I'll hold up an old-looking ray on slip and say ladies look at what strong soap hot water and rough handling did to this lovely slip see how free the shoulder straps are and the steam it's pulled apart notice how faded the color is to color Sally will we have television and Technic color too they're working on it then after I show that old-looking slip I'll bring out another and say and now ladies here's the same kind of slip as the first but this one was washed with lukewarm water and gentle luxe flake compare the color see how bright and fresh this second one looks and see the strap firm as new this lip has been locked 30 times yet it still looks lovely you can see for yourself how luxe care keeps pretty undies new looking longer actually three times longer the record show no you can't see all that through your radio yet ladies but you can prove it for yourself actual washing tests show luxe care keeps on these lovely three times longer so don't risk harsh wash day methods keep your undies lovely longer the luxe way Thomas Mitchell brings our stars back for their curtain call Ronald Coleman and Susan Hayward come to the footlights to receive our thanks for bringing the petrified forest back to life in a very moving and convincing manner and thanks may I add to the fine work of a magnificent car well Tony I'm convinced of one thing tonight that Susan Hayward is a really splendid actress thank you Ronnie coming from you that is a lovely compliment you know Ronnie Susan has just produced a double feature double feature mm-hmm twin boys twins a both of them both redheads too well congratulations Susan that's quite an achievement for a screen star do they make much noise do they each one yelled so loud you can't hear the other probably probably arguing about who gets top billing well you should know about such things Ronnie you have a new little girl of your own new nine months and runs the entire household oh I understand Ronnie you're back mature of the Army and Navy hospitals how did you find the spirit of the boys oh my dear fellow a lesson to all of it in two weeks I talked to about seven thousand of them Tommy first of course they were happy beyond all belief to be home and then our next thought was of anything or anybody but themselves and they wished us good luck as we left they wished you luck now that's a pretty wonderful spirit thanks for the good report Ronnie and coming back to this stage I'd like to tell you what we've said for next week our play is the deeply moving drama moon tide from John O'Hara screen hit filmed by 20th Century Fox and as the roving duck worker we who saves the life of his future bride we have the formidable Humphrey Bogart in one of his rare and most unusual radio appearances co-starred with mr. Bogart is the ever-appealing Virginia Bruce as the girl who fights death and danger for the man she loves to find play in a great cast on a good night night good night and all our thanks our sponsors the makers of luck plates join me in wishing you to be here with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theatre presents Humphrey Bogart and Virginia Bruce in moon tide this is Thomas Mitchell saying good night from Hollywood today in war devastated countries 125 million men women and children are in dire need of clothing in many cases the need for clothing is greater than the need for food the United National clothing collection the only drive of its kind this spring is asking every American family to help fill this need help prevent misery and death among these suffering millions overseas search your home from seller to attic through closets and trunks for every bit of clothing you can spare take it to your nearest collection depot this week you can get the address from your local newspaper or radio station Thomas Mitchell appeared through the courtesy of 20th century Fox who are celebrating their 30th anniversary he can soon be seen in Captain Eddie heard in tonight's cast were Norman Field Bill Martell Leo Cleary Ed Emerson Eddie Marr Charles Seal Regina Wallace Jane Ovello and Herbert Rawlinson our music was directed by Louis Silvers this program is broadcast to our fighting forces overseas through cooperation with the Armed Forces Radio Service this is your announcer John M. Kennedy reminding you to tune in again next Monday night to hear moon tide with Humphrey Bogart and Virginia Bruce it's spry for cake spry for pie spry for all you bake and fry depend on spry for featherlight cakes tender flaky pastry golden digestible fried foods for all your cooking remember the word for pure all vegetable shortening at its creamy best SBRY spry be sure to listen in next Monday night to the lux radio theater presentation of moon