 Screen Directors Playhouse stars Loretta Young, William Lundigan, Production, Mother is a Freshman, Director, Lloyd Bacon. 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, always milder, better tasting, cooler smoking, plus no unpleasant aftertaste. And that's the biggest plus in cigarette history. And by the makers of Anison, for the fast relief from the pain of headache, uritus and uralgia. Tonight, the Screen Directors Playhouse is pleased to present, transcribed, the outstanding hit motion picture, Mother is a Freshman, starring Miss Loretta Young and Mr. William Lundigan. And now, ladies and gentlemen, here is Miss Loretta Young. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and good evening. Since I worked in the motion picture, Mother is a Freshman, I am rather familiar with it, and I'd like to tell you a little something about it. It's a comedy romance, as the title will lead you to believe. It's the story of a mother, that's me, in her first year at college. I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay in the hallowed halls of Pointer College as much as I did. And by the way, do you think you could find a more charming or handsomer professor than Mr. William Lundigan? And now, Jimmy. Thank you, Loretta Young. And now here's a word from RCA Victor. RCA Victor Table Model Television is the best you can buy, and at the lowest possible cost, too. It's million-proof television, with quality proven in millions of homes. Stop in at your RCA Victor dealers tomorrow and see how little it costs to own the best. You'll find a selection of table model receivers ranging from 19-inch to 17-inch to 14-inch tube sizes. The 19-inch York, for example, is television's top table model. It's a big screen beauty with unequal performance. The RCA Victor Newport is another, a set that's all picture. And so is the Kent Ensemble. 17 big inches of million-proof television. Then there's the Bentley. Yes, RCA Victor's Bentley brings in 14 inches of the clearest, brightest pictures you've ever seen. They're available now. These four great table model television sets that illustrate the perfect combination of quality, value, and economy, found only in RCA Victor. Now the first act of the Screen Director's Playhouse presentation of Mother is a Freshman, starring Loretta Young as Abby Fortitude and William Lundigan as Richard Michaels. Dear mother, my mother, because she's a widow and the parent of a grown daughter, you needn't think of her in terms of Wistler's mother, anything but. Actually, she's really very modern, too, wears clothes like a dream. But there's only one thing wrong with her. She takes the role of mother too seriously. Susan, dear, you're going to have to stop spending money that we haven't got. We're broke. We're flat broke. Yes, I know, Mom. What's in that package? A new dress. A new dress? Yes, but don't worry, Mom. We don't have to pay for it. Oh, no? No, I charged it. Oh, Susan, can't you understand that when you charge things, there is a day of reckoning. You have to pay for that dress sometime. All right, Mom, so we'll pay for it sometime. Now look here, Susie. You must return it immediately. Can't. Bought it on sale. Only cost 89 bucks. Dollars, dear, not bucks. 89? And I'm already overdrawn at the bank. Oh, Susie, what am I going to do? What you always do. Call John Heaslip and tell him to put more money in the account. Oh, we always get so upset when I do that. Oh, lawyers are supposed to get upset. They're supposed to only see the gloomy side of life. Well, that's our John all right. Dear, what kind of address did you buy? An evening gown to wear at the sophomore cathedral. Oh, especially for Richard. Richard? Oh, yes, he's the president of the student body, isn't he? Oh, no, Mom, that's Beaumont Jackson. Oh, well, what happened to Beaumont? He's passé. No, Savoie fair. No, Je ne sais quoi. He's a schmall. What? Well, you know, a dope, a drip. Oh, honey, I've told you a hundred times. I don't like you using slang. I'm sorry, Mom, it won't happen again. Now, who is this Richard? Richard Michaels, professor of English literature. Oh, that's nice. A professor? The most gorgeous hunk of dream pus. Dream pus? Oh, dear, I don't think it's very nice for a younger like you to be... Well, uh, Susie, is he one of your bogeys? Snatch. Oh, Mom, you're so old-fashioned. Those barriers have been broken down. Oh, happy. Well, of course. Point is a modern college. There isn't any more caste system like in the days when you went to college. I didn't go to college. Your father taught me all I know. Now, how old is this professor? Oh, he's... he's sort of ageless. Hmm, maybe around 35. Now, dear, I'm around 35. Oh, but it's different with you, Mom. Your life's over. He hasn't even begun to listen. Oh, he hasn't. Now, look here, Susie, I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. A nice girl like you getting mixed up with one of your professors. It just doesn't right. Mother, you're behaving like a perfect schmo. Schmo? Oh, that reminds me. I think I'll pay a visit to John Heeslip. Abby, you're broke. Dead broke. It's impossible for you to send Susan back to point. But the trust fund that Henry left for me, I couldn't have gone through that even if I'd wanted to. It's still there. True. Oh, thank heaven, John. Don't fright me that way. The only thing is, Abby, your trust fund is payable every three years and does not come payable again until February 15th next year. Well, what am I supposed to live on in the meantime? I haven't the faintest idea. Oh, but John Susan just must go back to point her. Now, where am I going to get the money to pay for her tuition? If you named your daughter after yourself and your mother and your grandmother in the traditional way, that would be no problem. What do you mean? The Abigail Fortitude Scholarship. Oh, now, let's not go through that again. Oh, John, please, you must help me. There must be some other way. Oh, the most beautiful way. What? Marry me. Oh. Oh, no, no, thank you. And let's please not go into that again either, huh? Now, there just must be some other way, John. No. Yes. John, is my maiden name legal? Yes. If you care to use it, why? Oh, I'll write you a letter about it. And thanks, John. Thanks for everything. So John Heeslup wouldn't loan you the money. Well, we'll just have to go to work. I'll get a job up at Pointer, and you'll have to get a job down here. Maybe at Macy's or in some sweatshop. You're pretty good at taking spots off of things, you know. Well, there'll be no need of our working. Huh? Perhaps you'll understand when I read this pamphlet to you. Endowments to Pointer College. Abigail Fortitude Scholarship. To anyone with the name of Abigail Fortitude, who wishes to advance her education and her culture, the sum of 3,000 per annum shall be made available. So what? $3,000 is a lot of money, Susie. Yes. But you've got to have a name like Abigail Fortitude hung on you. My maiden name happens to be Abigail Fortitude. Oh, I know, Mom, but you're the last. You told me yourself the reason you named me Susan was so that I wouldn't have that handle around my neck. That's right, so I did. You know, they keep talking about great-grandma Abigail as if she were a philanthropist. But between you and me, I think she was just plain Scott. You do, huh? Sure. She gave her money to point her, and then she fixed it so only her own family could use the scholarship. Well, now in that case, why don't we use it? We can't. I just told you we can't. Why not? You? Yes. Oh, why, it's a sensational idea. Yes, I thought so. Oh, my gosh. Oh, gosh. Oh, gee. Oh, no, it wouldn't work. No, why not? Well, what would John Heeslip say? Well, I hope he'll have acid-flexing. Well, even so, it's no good. It's not that simple. Why not? Well, there are the college entrance exams tough ones. Oh, you'd never pass them. Well, now, Susie, it's up to you to see that I do. Look here, dear, you don't seem to understand. If I don't go to Pointer, you're not going back either. Well, let's see. I'll use my maiden name and nobody need to know that I'm your mother, see? And not even Professor Richard Michael. Oh, but those entrance exams, they're murderers. Oh, come now, dear. They couldn't be that difficult. Oh, no. No. Sit down. Now, prove that two triangles are congruent if the hypotenuse inside of one are equal to ditto. What, dear? Give a concise statement of Dalton's atomic theory. I, uh... Describe the structure of a typical di-calatinius stem. Oh, what? See what I mean? Oh, Susie. Well, in that case, I think we'd better start to work right away. You know, Susie, that doesn't even sound like English to me. The principal phyla of the animal kingdom are the protozoa, the porphyria, the colantira tata, they are the... What? ...cosintite. La semaine passée. La semaine passée. La semaine denier. La semaine denier. La semaine prochaine. La semaine prochaine. La semaine prochaine. Il y a et c'est que j'a mal d'attent. Translate. It is that I have a sickness in the head. That makes two of us. Susie, I'm terrified. Here I am about to take the entrance exams and I'll never be able to remember all those things. Oh, now, Mom, listen, don't try. Oh? The classroom, just relax. Don't fight it. No. And the stuff will come just seeping through your memory. Well... Morituri tesalatamus. Now, what does that mean? We who are about to die salute you. Oh, yes. How'd you do, Mom? I don't know. You don't know? For Pete's sake, I've been pacing the floor out here like an expectant father. Well, I handed it in and he said he'd correct it right away. And I... Susie, I'm going to be sick. Oh, come on, Mom. What do you need? A good stiff drink. Come on. Oh, water. Oh, Susie. That professor in there. He's just a teacher. But he seems so unfriendly. Oh, they all do. He'll have your drink. Yes, huh? Mr. Fortitude. Ms. Fortitude. Come on, Matthew. Oh! Yes, yes, sir. I'm afraid that wasn't a very good examination paper you turned in, Ms. Fortitude. Oh. You barely passed. Is that as good as passing? Oh, you're in, Mom. You're in. I am? Yes. Oh, Mom. Susie, Susie, Susie. I'm so excited. Oh, Susie, I'm a wreck. Water. Water. I hear a drink. Don't spray it on me, Susie. Here's a word for discriminating smokers. Science discovered it. You can prove it. No unpleasant aftertaste when you smoke Chesterfields. The biggest plus in cigarette history. Science discovered this fact. Of all cigarettes tested, Chesterfield and only Chesterfield leaves no unpleasant aftertaste. You can prove it. Smoke a pack of Chesterfields. They're always milder, better tasting, cooler smoking. And Chesterfield is the cigarette that leaves no unpleasant aftertaste. That's the biggest plus in cigarette history. Science discovered it. You can prove it by Chesterfields today. Here now is the second act of the Screen Director's Playhouse presentation of Mother is a Freshman, starring Loretta Young and William Lundigan. Pointer College established 1783 with its ivy-covered halls of tradition. Just imagine me at my age. Cavorting with callow ews like the campus widow. Trying to recapture my springtime. Bobby Soxer. Well, I'll admit I felt like a fish without a bowl to swim in and quite nervous. But here I was unpacking my clothes in a freshman dorm, while Susie dashed madly to the office of Professor Richard Michaels. Who, incidentally, from a snapshot that I accidentally had seen, reminded me very much of the clean cut, the all-American boy, you know the type. Well, well, Susan, it's good to see you. Oh, and it's wonderful to see you too, Professor. Did you, uh, did you have a good summer? Sensational, except I, well, I have expected to hear from you. Well, Susan, I was, I was pretty busy. I didn't get much chance. I couldn't wait to get back. I thought September had never come. Hey, uh, I know just how you feel. I read all the things you told me to read. Did? And I thought of you every time I scanned a single line. Well, now isn't, isn't that nice? You're going to let me help you again, aren't you? I mean, correcting papers. Oh, you bet I am. You don't think I could do that myself, do you? I, I'd be lost. You know, I ought to put you on the payroll. I'll help you. I know what you mean. It means a lot to me, too. Well, that's, that's fine, Susan. But you're not going to devote all your time to a dusty professor. You, you've got to give the boys a break. Boys. They're so, oh, so adolescent. Working with you is an intellectual experience. Now, now, Susan, don't tell me you'd rather have an intellectual experience than be a bell of the ball with a sophomore catillion. If I were dancing with you, I'd have both. Me? I wouldn't be found dead at a student dance. Oh. Well, I've got to run on, Professor. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Parting is such sweet sorrow that I could say good night till it be more. That's very good, Susan. Very, very good. Not Mom, Abby. Oh, golly, I forgot. Sorry. How'd you make out with Gilly, the dean? Oh. Oh, I think he's the nicest man I ever met. Mm-hmm. And he made me feel just like a little cheat. Why? Oh, he was so pleased that I'd come to point her to finish my education. Oh, I see what you mean, but I wouldn't let it bother me. Well, it does bother me. Since I know I came here only to put my hands on some money, Susie. I've got news for you. Well, if you plan to stay here on that dough until February, you're going to get an education whether you're meant to or not. Otherwise, you go right out on your ear. Now, Susie, I've told you time and time again not to use that inane slang. Abby. Yes? I'll have to caution you not to correct people as if you were their mother. Other people might catch on, see? Yes, I see. But the dean already knows. Oh. Oh, well, you needn't worry. He promised to keep it a secret. Well, have you registered for classes yet? Oh, I'll do that tomorrow. Oh, no, you don't. School begins today. So right now head for Dormious Hall and get in line. Oh, well, all right. Hand me my hat. Hey, wait a minute. You're not going like that. Well, yes, what's the matter with me? Plenty. You're about as conspicuous as a brass band. Look, this is college, not Fifth Avenue. Well, dear, this is the most inconspicuous thing I own. Well, it may be conspicuous at home, but it's too overdressed here. You've got to simmer down like one of the kids. Well, what do you think I ought to wear? Well, I take those bobby pins and lose them. Yes. Comb your hair out frizzy. It looks too old that way. And ditch the hat. Oh. And boy, have I got a sweater that'll fit you. Good, master. And father won't worry, Miss Hall. That's my way. Well, out of my way, please. Pardon me, lady. Are you in the right place? This is Pointer College. The store club is south. I'm a student here. I want a register. That's me. Oh. What's your name? Abigail Fortitude. How do you like that? Well, is something wrong? Honey, the name just doesn't go with the scenery. You're a freshman? Yes. My? Mary? No, no. Where are you living? Has all this anything to do with my registering for classes? No. But a guy has to start planning his past, doesn't he? Oh, yeah. I guess so. And what's your major going to be? What's a major? In college, you've got the major in one subject, which indicates the type of career you've cut out for yourself. Oh. Well, what does Richard Michaels teach? You, too. Now, look here. I only asked what does he teach? Iniquity. Thinly disguised with Shakespearean sonnets and officially labeled English Literature. Well, major in that. And drips like me are interested in trigonometry. All right, all right, ladies and gentlemen. Class will come to order. Uh, you, you there. Why don't you take this seat in the front? Uh, well, Professor, I, uh, I didn't want to be conspicuous. You didn't? No. What is your name? Fortitude. Fortitude? Well, Miss Fortitude, I am not myopic, and I have an uncanny sense of intuition when one of my students is unprepared. I can spot them in the last row as well as the first. So why don't you take that seat next to Miss Sharp? Uh, yes, certainly. Hello, Miss Sharp. Oh, hello, Professor Michaels. Back for another try, eh? Don't you think you're in a rut? Oh, I'll pass this time, Professor, if I can keep my mind on my work. All right, ladies and gentlemen, the term has begun. I will now attempt to expose your mind as to Shakespeare. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Now art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May and summer's lease at all too short a date. Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines and often is his gold complexion dim. And every fair from fair sometimes declines by chance or nature's changing course untrained. But thy eternal summer shall not fade, nor lose possession of that fair thou o'est. Nor shall death brag thou wandest in his shade when in eternal lines do time thou growest. So long as men can breathe, their eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee. Class dismissed. Oh, old Dicky boy, she hasn't lost his touch. Oh, I could listen to that forever. Miss Fortitude? Yes. Can I see you in my office, please? Oh, I'm sorry, Professor, but I have another class. I have just dismissed this one 45 minutes early. Oh. This way, please. Yes, sir. Have a seat, Miss Fortitude. Oh, thank you. That's a rather an odd name, isn't it? It's a family name. Any relation to old Abigail Fortitude, that great pinch penny philanthropist or pointer? My grandmother. Oh. I'm using her scholarship here. Well, I didn't exactly mean that she wasn't a philanthropist. No, I'm sure you didn't, Professor. Miss Fortitude, would you mind answering me a simple question? Oh, I surely if I can. What the devil are you doing here at Pointer and why are you measuring in my course? Well, that's two questions, Professor, and the answer is the same for both. To get an education. Are you seriously trying to tell me that there's anything left for you to learn? Now, what do you mean by that, Reba? No, no, no. I didn't mean what you thought I meant. It's just that you're a mature woman and very sophisticated. Now, you never saw me before I came into this class and suddenly you seem to know all about me. Oh, no, no. Wait a second. I didn't exactly mean that you're an old crone. It's just that I'm used to kids and, well, you're sort of in my league. Well, I don't think I'm that mature, Professor. Don't misunderstand me. It's just that it's a little unusual for... Well, isn't it a little late for you to be getting an education? No, I don't think so. But if you doubt one's available for me here in your class, I'll be happy to have myself transferred. Oh, no, no, no. I didn't mean that. Professor Michaels, I am not one bit interested in how you came to teach at Pointer. And I don't see why you should be interested in why I came to be taught at Pointer. Oh, no. Don't be angry. I was just curious, that's all. Well, curiosity... I know. Kill the cat. Good morning, Miss Fortitude. Good morning, Professor. Ladies and gentlemen, you will be prepared to discuss King Lear tomorrow. Miss Fortitude? Yes, sir. I see you in my office, please. Yes, Professor. Class dismissed. Hey, Abby, you're beginning to spend more time in there than you do here. Oh, don't be a schmo, Louise. Oh, well, it happens every spring. But this is October, remember? So long. Yes, Professor? Have a seat, Fortitude. Thank you. Did you... Did you get my theme, Professor? Not quite. Well, I handed it in. Yes, yes, I know. I read it, but I didn't get it. Oh! Well, I wanted to see you. Oh. Your ideas are excellent, Fortitude, but you're rhetoric. Well, it leaves a lot to be desired. Oh, dear. Oh, no, no, no. Don't be discouraged. You just need help on your academic approach. Oh! Oh, and you're going to help me. Oh, yes, indeed. Oh, I see. Not only that, but I'm going to have to turn the heat on. The heat? Yes. Yes, you're too self-conscious, Fortitude. You're nervous. I get the feeling that you resent me, but then, of course, this is only a sublimation of your fear of failure. It is? Mm-hmm. You know, English literature can be fun, and I'm going to show you how much fun you must learn to relax. Oh, thanks just the same, but I manage somehow. You don't want to flunk, do you? Oh, no. No, no, I can't flunk. I've got to pass. Well, then you better let me work with you. Oh. Well, all right, if you say so. And I think we'd better work nights. Nights? Yes. Here? Oh, no, no. We might as well be comfortable. Suppose you have dinner with me tonight at my house around 7 o'clock? Oh, well, uh, no, I'm sorry, Professor. I can't do that. I'm afraid you better. Now, Professor, I don't think that I had to take up your time like this. But, Fortitude, that's just what I'm here for. Yes, Professor. That's exactly what worries me. If you would like to know a quick, easy way to ease the pain of a headache, neuritis, or neuralgia, then by all means try anisone. Your own dentist or physician may at one time or another have handed you an envelope containing anisone tablets. Then you already know how incredibly fast and effectively anisone brings relief. Anisone is like a doctor's prescription. That is, anisone contains not just one, but a combination of medically proven active ingredients. For your own sake, try anisone. Anisone is sold to you on this guarantee. If the first few tablets do not give you all the relief you want as fast as you want it, you may return the unused portion and your money will be refunded. You can get anisone tablets at any drug counter. Anisone comes in handy boxes of 12 and 30 tablets, and economical family size bottles of 50 and 100. 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, always milder, better tasting, cooler smoking, plus no unpleasant aftertaste, and that's the biggest plus in cigarette history, and by the makers of Anisone, for fast relief from the pain of headache, uritus, and uralgia. The Screen Directors Playhouse presentation of Mother is a Freshman, starring Loretta Young and William Lundigan, will continue in just a moment, after a brief pause for station identification. This is the Screen Directors Playhouse. We continue transcribed with the third act of Mother is a Freshman, starring Loretta Young as Abbey Fortitude, and William Lundigan as Richard Michaels. Seven o'clock, and all's well. Abigail Fortitude. Nice name, lovely name, beautiful name. That's an odd name. I'll teach her English like she's never been taught. That's it. Lights low, candlelight, shades down, flowers and vases hither and yon incense. Ah! Cushions and the couch together. Perfect. Well... Am I late? No, no Fortitude, come in, come in. Thank you. You look absolutely beautiful. Oh, thank you, Professor. Oh, let's skip that. Call me Richard. Very well, Richard. Come in my den and make yourself comfortable. I'll make some drinks. How do you like my lair? It smells good. Oh, that's the incense. You have to burn it to get the traditions out of the woodwork. Incent yet? Would you like a martini? I'll make some very dry. Oh, no, thank you. Don't you like martinis? I'm a student here. But you're over 21. Oh, yes, a jest. Well, they're good for you. Have two then, make you relax. You lose your inhibitions. You know, Professor, sometimes I think that inhibitions are very good for people. Oh, you know what I mean. Yes, I do. Well, let's sit down and be comfortable, shall we? Fine, I'll sit right down here. The springs are coming out of that one. The couch will be better. Next to me. Oh, thank you. You don't mind if I call your Abbie, do you? Oh, no, if you like. Thank you. Here's your drink. Thank you. Do you enter this wonderful evening? Thank you. Oh, I can't tell you how much I've looked forward to this. Oh, really? Something wrong with your cocktail? Oh, no, no, it's fine. Well, then drink it so I can freshen it. Yeah. Oh, yes, yes, Abbie. I have to confess that I'm glad you're weak in English, Lit. Because it gives me a chance not only to help you, but to know you. Now, that's very nice of you, Professor. I want to know you very well. Oh, dear. What's the matter? Oh, I just remembered. I'm awfully sorry, but I just remembered. Remembered what? Oh, it's very thoughtless of me. I just remembered that I have another date and I can't break it. Another date? Yes, where did you put my... But, Abbie, you can't. Oh, there it is. I'll get it. For heaven's sakes, you can't just walk out? Well, I said I was sorry. But what about your coaching? Oh, well, some other time, perhaps. But, Abbie... And thank you very much, Professor. But you can't just leave. Break the other date. Oh, that would be rude. Rude? Yes. Well, what about me? What about my plans for the night? I've arranged everything. I know. Hi, Professor. Oh, Miss Fortitude, how nice to see you. What? Dean Gilliam? My friends call me Gilly. And sometimes Stinky. And I see we both arrived at the same time. No, she was just leaving. She's got another date. Oh, must you destroy my eating, Miss Fortitude? Well, I... You don't think that I enjoy dining with this dull young man, do you? It was only on his promise that you would join us and I agreed to come. Oh... Oh... And I thought all the time that you were a... Oh, Richard, I think my headache's better. Headache? I thought you said you... Never mind, never mind, Richard. And I'll have that martini now and make it a double one, huh? It's getting late, Dean Gilliam. Oh, I don't think so, Richard. But you... you do look tired. You needn't beat me over the head. I'm not so senile that I can't take a hint. Would you like me to escort you home, Abigail? Well... No, no, no, no. I'll take care of that. It sits on my way home. On your way home? This is where you live. I... I never thought of that. Well, I'll say good night. Good night, Richard. Good night, Mrs. Abbott. Mrs. Abbott. Uh, Dean, you were asking me earlier in the evening what I thought about my fellow students. And well, now this is what I have to say about it. What have I got to say? Good night. Well, well, I guess I'd better be leaving too. I have to be back before 12 at the freshman dorm, you know? But what about the coaching, I promised? Richard, I coach better outside. I didn't know you were married for a dude. I'm not. But the Dean called you, Mrs. Abbott? Oh, yes, yes, so he did. Quite by accident. We were supposed to keep that a secret. Well, and you are married. No, I'm a widow, eight years old. Oh, that's wonderful. I didn't mean about you being a widow. No, no, I know what you mean. Abbott? Yes? Abbott. Yes, like in Susan. Mrs. Abbott? That's right. Impossible. Oh, no, I assure you, it's quite possible. Oh, I can't believe it. Well, so help me, it's true. Aren't you practically as young as she is? Well, hardly. And anyway, she'll get younger as she gets older. Now, what's the idea? You're turning out to be a died-in-the-wool madahari. Well, it is rather a long story, Richard, and it is a secret. We don't want anyone to know. And I don't want Susan to know that you know. Yes, I have my reason. OK. Thanks. She's, she's a pretty wonderful kid, Annie. Oh, yeah. You ought to be proud of it. I am. Well, there's the door. Oh, wait a minute. Come here a second. You know, I'm liable to get into trouble if I don't get in on time. They'd only dock you from going to the sophomore contention. Oh? Which mustn't happen, incidentally, because you're going with me. Am I? Listen, Abby. Yes. I'm, I'm rushing it because that Mrs. Abbott thing scared the daylights out of me. I like you. You know what I mean? I, I really like you. I like you too. Then you will come to the dance with me. Well, is it customary? I mean, the student and faculty, you know. Oh, no. Those barriers no longer exist. They don't. No. Oh, where have I heard that before? Well, the barriers are done. They're done. All done. Tradition. A kissing hope. Oh, it's true. Any girl who doesn't kiss her bow goodnight under this hope winds up an all me. Well, that could hardly happen to me now, could it? Hardly. Good night, Richard. Good night, darling. Oh, uh, by the way, they teach us in botany that your kissing oak is a willow. Good night. Mrs. Susan, he handed her a book on an underneath it. He kind of held her hand. Louise, if you don't stop this nasty scuttle, but you and I are going to have trouble. Well gee whiz, don't get sore at me. I didn't hold his hand. Abby did. Oh, really, Lou? He had on a new tie today. Pretty snappy. If that ain't love and bloom, hell, you saw it yourself. I didn't say it wasn't love and bloom. Only what makes you think it's fortitude? Speak of the devil. Hi, Susan. So long, Susie. So long. Hi, Mom. Oh, so good to see you. Where have you been? Well, I didn't want to get in your hair, Mother. In my hair. Oh, Susie, don't be silly. I mean with Richard coaching you. I didn't want to make you self-conscious. Oh? In the first place, you needed lots of coaching. Oh, that I did. And in the second place, I wanted you to get to know him without me around. Why? Oh, come on, Mom. You haven't fooled me a bit. I don't know what you mean, Susie. Come on, let's sit down. All right. You do like Richard, don't you? Yes, I do. Very much? Very much. Good. You're about as transparent as a window glass. I suppose you thought you were pulling the wool over my eyes all the time. Mama, I know you had to come to point it because of the money, but that wasn't the only reason you wanted to be a freshman. I've known since the day I told you about Richard and me. You've known what, dear? You didn't like the idea of me and a professor romancing, remember? Oh, that's right. That's why I wanted you to get to know him all by yourself. I wanted you to find out how wonderful he is, how real and thoughtful and sweet. And it's just what's happened. Susie, I... Now you know why I feel the way I do about Richard. It's just the way I wanted it to happen. Now you know why I'm in love with him. In love with him? Oh, yes, Mom. And you've only scratched the surface right until you really get to know him. Susie, dear, he's not in love with you. Oh, he's very fond of me. It's just that he's shy and conservative. Oh, honey, are you sure? I mean, sometimes girls imagine things, you know? Well, I'm not imagining, Mom. I was never more sure of anything in life. Oh, Mom, am I lucky? Just think he picked me to work shoulder to shoulder with him. Just like the curies. How important he's been, how he's changed my outlook on life. Susie, has he said any of these things to you? Or are you just imagining it all because you wanted to come true? Oh, no, Mom. Mom, every new year, girls get crushes on Richard. They try to plunk the course so that he has to help them. Oh, I don't mean you. They try to get to correct papers, run errands. They even fate in class. Well, I didn't pull any of those weasels. It was real. Not some silly schoolgirl swole. Yes, I see Susie. Now, Susie, you... I just don't know what to say to you. Well, I'll say it. Thanks, Mom. Thanks for liking him. And, uh, Mom, I hate to say this, but, well, you know how the campus cuddle but spreads the alarm. You mean gossip? About you and Richard. Oh, yeah? Naturally, you've had to be with them a lot since he's been coaching you, but, well, now that you've caught up in English lit, I'd be sort of careful about saying him. Susie, I want to tell you something. I've got to explain something. Oh, you don't have to explain a thing to me. Not a thing. You're a swell, Mom. Look, I've got to dash. See you later. Susie. Susie, wait a minute. Abby, Abby, darling, come in. You're shivering, and I don't think it's from the cold. Richard, everything's gone wrong. That is a ridiculously broad statement. Now, what do you mean by everything? I mean us. It's Susan. Something's happened to her? Yes. Something incurable, I'm afraid. It seems that everyone at Pointer knows except you. Richard, she's in love with you. Oh, Abby. For a minute, I thought it was something really serious. That's just puppy love. No, no, I don't think so. I did it first when she first told me about you, but I don't think so now. Oh, Abby, all those sprouts get crushes. It's like the measles. They get over it. It doesn't mean anything. She's only 17. Darling, I was married when I was 16. But it's not the same, Abby. You're a big girl now, and I'm a big boy. We belong together, don't we? Yes. I want to marry you. You can't expect me to take Susan's order seriously. Oh. Abby, I love you. Oh, I love you too, darling. I do. I want you to be happy, and you want me to be happy too. Of course I do. We've got a right to be happy together, haven't we? Yes, darling. Well, and don't fight it. Just let yourself go. Go along with it. It's so simple. Now, you gave up this freshman nonsense, huh? No, I can't. Not yet. Not until February. Marriage makes me the breadwinner, remember? Yes. Now, I'll see that Susan stays in college, and we'll tell her and get married. We'll tell her, huh? Yes. We'll tell her what, Richard? That her mother is her rival? That you prefer me to her in any way should just a silly schoolgirl? Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm just being maternal, but... Oh, I think that's pretty hard to take. It isn't just as simple as that. That's not going to solve her problem, you see. To her, it isn't a crush, it's real. And being real is the most important thing in her life, isn't it? Yes, yes, Abby. That's right. But you're the most important thing in mine. Oh, darling. You've got to give Susan a chance to grow up. You can't treat her like a swaddling child. She's got to face reality, and you can't protect her from that. Oh, perhaps not. I don't know. I don't know, but I've got to try, Richard. When the government has an important message to get to the people fast, it uses radio. Network radio is the only way to reach everybody in the country in a hurry. The same speed and coverage which make radio vital to our national welfare have made it invaluable to American business, too. When there's a new product to be launched, a new territory to open, a new price to be announced, it can be done the same day on radio. And no other medium of communication talks to so many people at such a low cost. The speed, the economy, and the persuasiveness of network radio. These are the reasons why America's leading advertisers present your favorite programs each week on NBC. And now, back to our story. Hello, Mr. Heeslip. This is Susan. Susan Abbott. Well, for goodness' sake, Susan, I've got some very good news for Abbott. Very good. In fact, I was about to run up there and see her about it. Well, could you? You see, we're having a big dance-up here, and we were thinking maybe you could come up and take her to the sophomore battalion. Why, I'd be delighted, Susan. When is it? Tomorrow night. Well, I'll be there. Oh, why Abbey? Oh, no, no, no. Let's keep it a surprise. Oh, and, uh, Mr. Heeslip, nobody knows about us. Abbey and me, that is. Well, thank heavens. We'll be done with all that nonsense when I come up. Goodbye. Goodbye, Mr. Heeslip. Mrs. Abbott. Mrs. Abbott. I'll call her. Won't you have a seat, please? Yes, thank you. Abbey, your date's waiting down here. I'll be right down. She'll be right down. Oh, hello, Professor. Good evening, evening. Would you tell Miss Porter to come down here, please? Uh, yes. Have a seat, Professor, next to the other gentleman. I'll tell her. Thank you. Abbey, I think you'd better come right down. Getting a little crowded. I'm on my way down. She's on her way, gentlemen. Might as well talk to each other while you're waiting. Visiting your daughter, sir? Not exactly. I'm down here. John! Rick, Michael! Mr. Heeslip of all people, well, I'll be right down. You knocked me over with a feather. How are you? Oh, well, I'm fine. Never felt better. How are you? Wonderful, wonderful. Haven't seen you since we left here. No, I know. It's been long, how long has it been? Well, 12, 12 years. Say, did you carry out your silly threat to become a professor? Oh, yes, yes, right here. What about you, long? Oh, definitely, yes. I never thought you'd make it. Very odd meeting again in a woman's dormitory. What are you doing here at Pointer? I came up to meet a friend. Why, John! Abby! Oh, hello, Richard. You look beautiful. Oh, thank you. You never look more beautiful. Oh, thank you. What are you doing here, John? Didn't Susan tell you? No. Oh, that's right. I forgot it. It was a surprise. For me? Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. I had no idea. Do you two know each other? Yes. Yes. Do you two know each other? Oh, yes, yes. Do you two know each other? Yes. We will house it you. Classmates, isn't that a coincidence? Oh, quite, quite. Well, it's surely a nice seeing you, John. If you're going to stay in town, be sure and drop in and see me. We'll talk over all times. Yeah, well, thank you. Thank you. Good night. Good night. Shall we go, Abby? Yes. I beg your pardon. Oh, this is my date, Johnny. He always was a joker. Well, this is my date, Rick. Are you kidding? No, no, you are. Tell him, Abby. Tell him. Go ahead. Tell him, Abby. How can I? Right now, I'm not even talking to myself. I believe this is our dance, Abby. Oh, thank you, Richard. Pardon me, Richard. I believe this is my dance. I beg your pardon, gentlemen. This happens to be my dance. Oh, thank you, Dean. Hello, Susan. Oh, hello, Mr. Heeson. Hello, Susan. It's good to see you. I'm glad you came. There are others who do not share your enthusiasm, my dear. What do you mean? Well, I mean, your mother already had a date with Richard Michaels. She couldn't have. Abby, what is Johnny Heeslip to do with you? Family lawyer, old faithful. Oh, he's not so old. Oh, you know what I mean. Is that why you tried to break our date earlier today? Oh, darling, I didn't even know he was coming. I just didn't want to hurt Susan. Well, what do you want me to do? Marry her for Pete's sake? Oh. Well, she has a date for the night in a very nice date. I know. Beaumont Jackson. He's nuts about her, and he's the right agent. Abby, are you in love with Johnny? Why? Are you jealous? You bet I am. And if that guy tries anything romantic, I'm... My round, Rick. Oh. Really, Abby, you ought to be ashamed leading that poor fellow on. Oh? Well, no, he's moaning for you in public. Oh, do you think so, too? Yes. Now, Abby, look, you can't put aside your life and pretend to be a college girl. It's... It's like living in a dream world. Well, sometimes dreams come true. Well, more often they don't. Anyway, the farce is over. I have money for you. Oh, now, look, I've told you before, Johnny. No, no, no, no. It's your money. We sold your stock at a decent figure. You have 5,000 to your credit. Cutting in, Mr. Heesley. Oh, go away, you frightful juvenile. Oh, thank you, God. It's all right. Abby, I just wanted to warn you. About what? Susan Abbott's been blowing her top ever since you and the professor arrived with that other creep. Oh, she's pretty sore at you. Oh, thanks, Po. Where is Susan? Right over there by the soft drinks. Because you don't mind, dance me to her, will you? Susan? Yes. Come on outside, there's something I want to talk to you about. Oh, mother, how could you? Mother? Is she nuts? Hey, Abby, did you hear her? She called you her mother. Yes, Po. That's right. You? Holy smokes. Here, pardon me. What's wrong, Abby? I'm going back to New York, Richard. New York? Yes. Or I can't hurt my child anymore. Abby. Oh, Richard. You know, I really have got a headache this time. Let's leave her. Hello, Susan. I've been waiting for you. Professor Michaels. How's my mother? I guess all right. She'll be along in a moment. Too bad she's leaving. Yes, isn't it? Waiting to say goodbye? No, we're not talking. That's very interesting. Susan, don't you realize what you're doing? I believe I do. Susan, your mother is giving up a life of happiness with me. She's been a woman here. She's been alive. And it's up to you to help me keep her alive. No, she... She's going back. Susan, help me. You love her. I love her even more. All her life, you've been her life. And that's... that's finished now. You're grown up. Help me, Susan. No. Why should I? It's not helping you. It's helping her. I'm all grown up and I'm in love with you, too. Oh, Susan, I don't even think you even know the meaning of the word. I love you. Why should I give you up? Your mother loves me, too. And she's giving me up. You see, that's the difference between a woman and a child. But I'm not a child. Here's your chance to prove it, then. Here comes your mother. I'm leaving. It might be your last chance. Hi, Susan. Hi, Mom. Well, sweetie, take care of yourself, huh? Oh, Mom! Oh, Susie, here, here. Don't cry. Oh, Mom! It's all right. Susie. But, Mom, I was wrong. Don't leave her. Oh, Susie. Don't go away. Oh, darling, are you sure? Susie, do you mean it? Do you mean it really? You can't have him, Mom. At least let's keep him in the family. Thanks, Miss Abbott. I can't wait all night. See you later, Mom. That's right, pumpkin. And so long. I guess she grew up tonight. Yeah. Bless her heart. My bags are on there, too. Pretty confident, weren't you? Susan, why not? Everything was all set. Come again? I spent three hours teaching Bo Jackson my technique. It never misses. High-five. Oh, where are we going? Where do you think? Oh, Richard, you haven't even proposed. Oh, that'll come later. First, when you're my wife, there's an item on the agenda upon which I must insist. Yes? Under no circumstances will you wear sweaters. That's a deal. Interesting. Yes, dear. When we're married, there's an item on which I must insist. Anything, anything. You're through teaching English lit to pretty girls. From now on, you're spouting Latin to dull boy. Oh, darling. Already young in William London for a charming performance. Our stars will return in just a moment. Every week, NBC and its affiliated stations bring you a world of entertainment. But there is more to network radio than that. Radio is a more efficient and less expensive way to advertise. The increased sales resulting from the advertising mean more production of goods and lower prices for you. In addition, the keen competition inherent in advertising shows up every day in new products, in better products for your use. Every program broadcast by NBC and its affiliated stations, whether it contains an advertising message or not, is paid for by the revenue gained from advertisers. So when shopping, remember the brand names you've heard on NBC. Those manufacturers believe in their products enough to urge the greatest possible number of people to test them in their homes. Only quality products can survive this test. Only quality products can continue to advertise. Next week, the screen director's playhouse has a new time. It will be heard on Friday night. That's Friday night, one week from tomorrow. Consult your local newspaper for the time in your community. Our adaptation will be Broken Arrow, starring James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, and Deborah Padgett, together for the first time on the air in their original roles. And now here again are tonight's stars, Loretta Young and William Lundigan. Thank you. You know, in our profession, we meet many people. Some with little talent and some with great talent. While I'd like to say of Lloyd Bacon, who directed Mother as a Freshman, he is a champion. Always was and always will be. And a finer man and a better friend, you can't find. May I interrupt, Loretta? Of course, Bill. You're right. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the very distinguished director, Mr. Lloyd Bacon. Nice, Loretta and Bill. The usual custom just about now is to tell you both how great your performance were tonight. Well, I'm not going to do it. Oh, why not? Everybody already knows it. I refuse to be a repeatedly. You know something? A very interesting thought just struck me. Loretta Young could be a great boon to education. What? Justin Roller in any school and you have the largest student body in America. Loretta and Bill for the screen director's play house, I hope. Come back again soon. Thank you, Lloyd and good night. Thank you and good night, everyone. Mother is a freshman and was presented through the courtesy of 20th Century Fox, producers of the Daryl-Ephesianic Technicolor production David and Bathsheba, starring Gregory Peck and Susan Haver. Loretta Young may currently be seen starring in the 20th Century Fox production, Half Angel. William Lundigan also appeared through the courtesy of 20th Century Fox, producers of People Will Talk, starring Carrie Grant and Jean Crane, soon to be released. Included in tonight's cast were Doris Singleton, Joy Terry, Sam Edwards, Jim Backes and Ralph Moody. Mother is a freshman and was adapted for radio by Jack Rubin. Screen director's play house is under the production supervision of Howard Wiley and directed by Bill Karn. Portions of tonight's broadcast were transcribed. This is Jimmy Wallington speaking and inviting you to listen again next Friday night, one week from tomorrow. Consult your local newspaper for the time in your community when the screen director's play house presents Broken Arrow, starring Jimmy Stewart, Jeff Chandler and Deborah Padgett. Listen again next week to the screen director's play house, one of the weekly features on NBC's All Star Festival of Comedy, Music, Mystery and Drama. Listen tomorrow evening for Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, the Friday night feature of the All Star Festival. Monday through Friday, it's Right to Happiness on NBC.