 Great Scenes from Great Plays tonight starring Ingrid Bergman and Brianna Hearn in Adoles House by Henry Gibson On behalf of the families of the Protestant Episcopal Church in your community and the Episcopal Actors Guild Welcome to a transcribed radio version of the world-famous Ibsen play Adoles House Adapted by James Hart In it we are privileged to present Miss Ingrid Bergman as Nora and as Torvald for distinguished actor, Mr. Brianna Hearn Now here's your host the celebrated actor manager, Mr. Walter Hamden Good evening ladies and gentlemen Tonight's play is one of the enduring classics of dramatic literature The written 70 odd years ago Its theme has never been more fresh and vital than it is today. The year is in the 1870s A time when almost all rights Personal and political were vested in the male and the female had to conform In order to hold the precarious place in a world which he had only an indirect part in shaping The action is in Oslo, Norway the scene a living room of a comfortable apartment Adjoining is a study private domain of the man of the house Torvald Helmer Who's just been appointed manager of a bank his actual assumption of the post being now only a matter of days As always when the study is occupied its door is tightly shut This is Nora Helmer for eight years a devoted wife Typical of her day When a man accepted a woman's love there's nothing more than his due and She took his as nothing less than an article of faith in the marriage institution But Nora has made her marriage work and she's the mother of three fine children It's Christmas Eve mid-afternoon No, it's not here me to disturb you Torvald. What could you come into the living room one minute? Well little squirrel feel like chattering a bit something so important. It can't wait. Yes. Yes. It's terribly important I want you making the money fly. Hey, well, well, it's Christmas Eve. Oh, I think you're pardoned. Why I know I do this Mrs. London Torvald here Christina. You've heard me speak of her. Oh, yes. Yes an old school friend of my wife's I believe Yes, we've known each other since we were girls and only think Christina's come all the way from bagging just to see you Torvald She's wonderfully clever to count and thought if she could work under a really first-class businessman someone like you Well, she could learn so much more Very interesting. I'm sure so when she read you've been appointed manager at the bank She dropped every I thought perhaps you might be considering some personnel changes, Mr. Helm Oh, so I am all nothing very sweeping mind you but here and there a defective car replaced in the machine I I have in mind one man in particular Christina may have his place or Torvald Slowly slowly little Nora. I take it mrs. London you've had experience in office work more particularly in accounting quite a few years Other since my husband's death excellent, and I see no reason why we can't come to some Mutually satisfactory arrangement. Oh, how can I thank your occasion now if you'll excuse me? I must go back to my study and my work good day, mrs. London I shall expect you at the bank then the day after new year the day after new year and thank you again, mr. Helm good-bye little Nora bird Goodbye. Good-bye Torvald dear and thank you. Thank you Christina isn't here dear. You're very lucky This sounds like the perfect now. Oh, it is enough the next week life would be even more perfect Why would this advancement for Torvald at the bank will be able to do as we please not just enough money enough for what we need But he's and he's Haven't you grown up at all in after a few days you were a shocking little bent Oh, Torvald says I am still But there are things even he doesn't know about Why no But may you're so serious and that's that surprised you so much that I can be serious well darling I would only be such a change seven years ago something happened that made me change Inside whatever since I've been forced to hide it Whatever are you talking? You're my oldest friend if I were to tell you the secret that's been locked in me Would you promise never under any circumstances to repeat it whatever it is? You will know it's safe with me. Well I Seven years ago Torvald was taken And the doctor said the only way to save his life was to take him to Italy for a year of sunshine I don't my little client. I still have the postal card you sent me Have you ever wondered where we got the money for that year in the south? You must have known that Torvald was just starting out in business and couldn't afford it well I am I assumed you got it from your father. Oh, that's what Torvald thinks But we need it 5,000 crores and father was actually dying at the time I couldn't bear to trouble him Besides he didn't have it. Well, then where Christina, I Borrowed the money, but you couldn't a wife can't borrow without her husband's consent That's the law. Oh, what did I care for the law? My husband's life was in danger and that's all up now I found a way I got the money and all these years have been repaid How addressing envelops while Torvald was at the office during the day sewing fine to the night for pay telling him It was new frocks for myself. I was making oh my poor Lord And you never told him nor ever shall no big grudges single minute of the time and effort I've devoted to it You see Christine had been a wonderful blessed thing for me in it I've actually been becoming a person to myself by doing something for the man I love without his even knowing it and now there's just another effort to please him Excuse me, Mrs. Helmerman, but there's somebody to see well, and can't you see I'm engaged No, I really must be getting back to my life in nonsense. You do nothing of the soul. It's Mr. Krug That is asking me if you'll be kind enough to wait for a few minutes Oh Not new close that you know him. Well, yes Once I knew him very well Who knew I understand things haven't gone very well for him. Oh one here's talk Origin and it was some sort of financial disgrace, but no of why should crooks time be coming to see me My dear, I scarcely know him. I haven't the least I I What is it you want here mr. Crooks it's not the first of the month yet today, Mrs. Helmer I'm here on another matter. I was that Mrs. Linden who passed me in the hall. Yes, but I think I was Acquainted with her ones. Yes, you mentioned something of a sort. Mrs. Helmer is Mrs. Linden to have a post with the bank Mr. Crooks that What possible interest would that be to you? I hold a small place there myself very well since you were Asked yes, Mrs. Linden as the employed and it was I who recommended I thought as much Now I should like you to use your influence for me to see that I retain my small position Couldn't I haven't the power you haven't the will I Wonder if you've heard though it never came into court that I Got into trouble some years ago What does that got to do with this thing you're asking me? I must have respectability for the sake of my sons who are growing up My little post at the bank represents that respectability. I Shall stop at nothing to hold that post Do you understand? I shall stop at nothing. Oh Oh, you wouldn't tell my husband. I owe you money. No, no Then he should learn of my secret in such an ugly way that Mrs. Honour is completely in your hand very well tell him just tell him He'll pay you off at once and then then where do you think your precious post of the bank would be? Mrs. Helman? It seems I must make the position clear Seven years ago when your husband was ill you came to me for five thousand crony I gave it to you after preparing a note for your signature is that right? Yes I signed a note but I added a few lines making your father also a security and He was to sign for us to he did sign Your father was quite ill at the time I believe yes, he was dying And do you happen to recollect the date of his death father died on the 29th of September quite correct. I made inquiries Now here's the note perhaps you'd like to look at it with me and explain a remarkable point about it Remarkable point what remarkable point the remarkable point madam That from the date of this signature your father appears to have signed this note three days after his death That's why he's so silent It was really your father who wrote his name here wasn't it? I My husband's life was in danger It was nothing more and nothing worse Mrs. Helman that made me an outcast from society Now then I'll give you three days to save my post at the bank for me. If by that time you haven't acted I will What will you do if I if I cannot I shall lay this document before a court of law and you understand Do you this won't just bring disgrace on you, but on your husband and your children? All right dear If I were in trouble or in danger, could I count on you to stand by me? Oh Why what a question it was well Don't laugh answer me. Could I you know you could have I ever failed you? Count on me to spare you pain and hurt because I could never bear to see you anything, but my darling happy Nora Thank you my dearest I Had to know but come now such somber talk, and this is Christmas Eve. It's a mood. Surely not one for Christmas Think tonight and tomorrow. It's the children the Christmas tree and then the night after Consoles ten books party and my little girl is to dance the tarantella must I go You're not in earnest You know how much it means to me and my career for you to shine at ten books. Yes. Yes, forgive me You finished all your work in the study. Yes now I wanted to step out and post this envelope and then my day's work is over if I If I were to ask you to do something Would you do it just because I asked you well now that all depends Sometimes my little songbird can be very very foolish But what is this thing you want so much? For you for you to let Kroegs that keep his place at the bank. Will you do that for me Torvald? Kroegs that I have no idea you even knew As a matter of fact, it was his place that I gave to Mrs. Linda. Oh, no. Yes. Yes, and that you're imploring But instead of Kroegs that couldn't you dismiss some other clerk to make room for Christina? Do you know what you're asking? You're asking me to keep on at my bank a man who was once guilty of poetry May he not have been driven to it by me perhaps and I'm not so heartless as to condemn a man for the rest of his life But a single misdeed not if he owns up to it and takes his punishment Oh, but he must own up. That's the first step towards retrieving his character and Kroegs that Is still correct why think of the poison he bleeds right now Contaminating his own home and particularly his children Isn't that terribly harsh only realistic I've seen it often Children debased by unfit unregenerated parents and more often than not by a lying hypocritical mother You believe these things deep inside of you They are your unshakable convictions. Yes Kroegs that is forever ruined morally and I could never keep him on at the bank Regardless of my promise to miss Linda And we consider I beg of you kind hearty Let's stop all this. I'm going out to post my envelope in it is Kroegs that's notice of dismissal No, but to the world. Oh, he won't get it till after Chris I Realize Mrs. Helmer, it's not good form to pay unannounced calls the day after Christmas But surely you must have been expecting me. I thought for you Mr. Kroegs that but it was no use your husband knew what I could bring on you and still he cared so little you don't think I told No I felt quite certain you wouldn't However, I've come to tell you I won't large any legal complaint Not for the present at least what do you mean? I have in my pocket a letter for your husband How much does your demand to tear it up? I make no demand of money No demands at all Then what I demand a higher place in the bank than the one from which I've been dismissed Your husband shall create such a place. Oh, you're mad. He'd never do that. No He is helpless to refuse it But if I were no longer here under the ice perhaps Down in the cold black water I'd still have your note and your husband in my pocket. This is Helmer Take no pleasure in watching your distress. Therefore, I shall leave you It's your husband himself who's forced me to this for that. I'll never forgive him the letter now I Haven't forgotten it on my way out. I shall drop it in your husband's mailbox It'll be there Waiting for him to find it Christina, it's good of you to have come never have I needed a friend as I do tonight try to put it out of your mind You only call attention to yourself by brooding if anything should happen So I can't be here when Torva learns of this whole crooks that business now stop it this instant You're quite beside yourself, and it's almost time for you to go up the stairs in the park You'll bear witness won't you that I did the whole thing alone you understand what I'm saying No, I don't understand. No, and if you ask me no you understand It's all part of the sign Miracle what I'm what miracle the miracle of our love The sign that Torva will give when he steps forward and takes my guilt upon himself But Christina much as that sign means to me. I shall never never let it happen Nora. Oh, I listen to me I'll go to close time the moment you left to go upstairs for the park Once he would have done anything It's no use the letters in the mailbox now in the little box And your husband carries the only key always for the nails must demand his letter back Unread make some excuse but no Torva may open the box any second prevent him keep him occupied till the party start How how can I? Who's that? Oh Last time I was back in my living room Well, what's your report on her mrs. Linden? Look at her. Isn't she lovely and her car? No beautiful No idea something wrong. You haven't worn yourself out practicing your tarantula. Have you I need your help Will you give me some coaching for all the pleasure in life? Just a moment though. I shall be gone. Oh, where are you going? The mailbox Don't Wrong Nervous dancing before all those people I can't seem to remember the figures not even how to begin look I'll show you please play for me No, no, no, that's wrong They're starting much too fast more slowly nor you here No, no, no, I say not so violently Stop it This is the nearest man. You see I have forgotten everything and you must practice with me right after the minute We go upstairs to the party not a stroke of work. You won't even go to the mailbox promise Promise me. You won't even leave me to go to the mailbox. What sort of idiocy is this? Oh very well very well the charge will have a way. I promise but later when the part is over Then Torval you will be free You understand then Ellen what you're to tell Mrs. Helmer I think so But I've been to see the gentleman we spoke of and he's given me his word he'll withdraw his demands and Won't cause either mr. Or mrs. Helmer any further trouble the gentleman will withdraw his demands and won't cause them any further trouble That's right And you tell Mrs. Helmer the minute she comes in yes, ma'am. This is in the only I don't know what time They'll come in listen. They're still upstairs dancing Want to go back upstairs with the party the music is still playing come come Nora No more of this display now now sit down here while I go out to the mail. No Compose yourself. I shan't be a moment. You know about this. Do you know what's in this letter? Yes, Torval and now you know how much I've given to our love I've dreaded this moment in yet. I've longed for it. What are you talking about now? I have one more thing to give you so you must let me go go go where please Torval I shan't allow you to save me. I shan't you shan't take my guilt upon yourself. This is no time for pay-acting Torval. You stay right here and give an account of yourself. But this tone you're taking. Oh No, oh, yes, we'll have no more of your childish efface. Do you realize what you've done to me? Destroyed my happiness and threatened my career put me in the hands of a scoundrel who can demand anything he wants of me You understand? I'll tell me Yes, now I begin to understand Good now you and I must come to an understanding. We must indeed. There'll be no scandal You can go on living here as you have that is officially But the children the children Yes, what of them? I dare not trust them to you. They've already been exposed too long to the poison of deception A letter for you ma'am. Mr. Krogstadt just left at the door. Krogstadt give that letter to me It's all right. Do as Mr. S. Tell him to do. Thank you. Yes ma'am. Good night, Mrs. Nora Nora this other letter this letter that Ellen just brought I I'm saying and I What is Krogstadt saying? Oh, what difference does it make of there's something about being grateful to you for bringing Mrs. Lendon and him together for but look look what he sent the promissory note. Oh, oh little Nora Let me take you in my arms Stay where you are Better still sit down. I Have a great deal Now as we sit here Doesn't something strike you strike me What should strike me that we've been married eight years and this is the first time we've sat down you and I Man and wife to talk seriously together. Oh, surely you're not going to hold the things I said while while I was out of my mind with anxiety against me. It's not just what happened tonight It's been going on ever since I was a child My father used to call me his doll child and play with me as I played with my dolls when I came here Haven't been happy here. I thought so, but I never was only married Here I've been your doll wife. Oh, then I'll change that. I'll make it different. You'll make it different There it is. I must do and until I do I shan't be a fit wife for you or a proper mother for our children That's why I must leave leave me No, do you know what you're saying? Walk out on your holiest duties. I had my duties to myself And they are equally hold and just when did you become aware that these duties to yourself? What enough to make you leave your husband just now a few minutes ago when you didn't give the sign of miracle Miracle of what miracle the miracle that I believe was our love the sign was to be your defying Crogs that daring him to make known to all the secret he was trying to use against us Giving you my wife up to shame and disgrace the rest. I thought would follow natural You would step forward and take all my blame upon yourself swear that you were guilty Hear me out That very thought in your mind would have been the sign The deed itself I did not intend ever to have I meant to take my life before you could put the thought into action Nor are no man sacrifices his honor even for the one he loved millions of women have done So I apparently among them, but was I right or was I wrong? Shall I find the answer in this house? From a husband whose deepest concern always has been that I should not get serious this mar the comedy of the performance Perhaps you're just but you needn't be cruel There's no hope for the future hope Yes, but that must be in the miracle of miracles And that when both you and I have changed so that Tonight has not been an easy night to keep one's faith in science and miracles And I'll have faith enough for two Go on Tell me so change that That we shall share this doll's house As equals and as a home That here our lives together shall become a true marriage and communion Then we shall know whether this has been the end or the beginning Goodbye my Torba I am When married couples do not have a true marriage partnership then secrecy and Misunderstanding usually result for example in tonight's play the marriage of Nora and Torval was doomed to failure As long as they didn't recognize each other is equals as long as they fail to give each other the real respect of mutual confidence Unfortunately too many husbands and wives today fail to give each other this confidence Because of this they feel that their partners do not understand them or need them and from this lack of understanding They're often grows the tragic ending of divorce or separation There's little doubt that most couples who are perplexed with the difficulty of finding happiness need guidance and sympathetic counsel Such as an experienced clergyman can give them they must learn again and return again to the Christian foundation of marriage For a couple who truly follow the promises of the Christian marriage ceremony will find their way past many of the daily frustrations and misunderstandings to a real and abiding happiness If you're not already a member of some church You owe it to your own happiness and the happiness of your family to learn how much church membership and the friendship of a clergyman can mean Of course, you're always welcome at your nearest Episcopal church and its clergyman will be happy to meet you Happy to tell you more about the Episcopal church what it stands for and how it offers you a faith to live by For the foundation of all real human happiness is to be found in the true Christian life of the church Why don't you decide right now you and your family to visit your nearest Episcopal church this Sunday morning? I want to thank our cast and especially you in good Bergman and Brianna Herne for a memorable performance Music on tonight's transcribe program was composed and conducted by Nathan Crowell Our program next week will be the lady with the lamp starring Miss Madeleine Carroll We're especially anxious to have you join us next week because the lady with the lamp Which will be heard just before the beginning of length will end this first series of great plays broadcasts We thank each of you for joining us during these broadcasts, and we thank you for your many heartwarming notes and letters Now as we look forward to next fall We should particularly like to know which programs you have most enjoyed and which great plays you would like to hear presented in the future Just address great scenes from great plays in care of the station to which you are listening Ingrid Bergman is currently starring in the Technicolor film Joan of Arc Now an invitation from the church If you are already a member of some church and have not been attending services regularly We urge you to return to your church this Sunday If you are not a member of any church, you will always be welcome at your nearest Episcopal church Where you too may learn the true Christian faith, which is the foundation of all real living happiness