 From Hollywood, the Screen Directors Playhouse. The Screen Directors Playhouse star Dorothy McGuire, production Spiral Staircase, director Robert Siongbeck. The Hollywood Screen Directors present a play on silent words. The motion picture drama Spiral Staircase, starring Dorothy McGuire in her original role of Helen. Helen, Sunday school is alright, but I wish they'd treat us like women. They make us skip the book of Ruth and the song of songs which is Solomon. Especially that. My golly, it's in the Bible. Oh, it's beautiful. My beloved spoke and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter has passed, the rain is over and gone. What's wrong with that? I'd like to know. Oh, it's beautiful. And St. Elmo. What's wrong reading St. Elmo? Now, if you ask me, I think that the... My golly, a fire on Sunday? Yes. Don't speak. There's no need to speak. Whenever I tried, I'd hear my mother's voice again. My mother who had died in the fire. I could make people understand me with simple signs and gnaw to shake up my head, pad and pencil. Later, I left my hometown to take domestic work with the Warren family. Professor Albert Warren, his half-brother Stephen, and his stepmother, Mrs. Warren. It was all I wanted. One Friday evening, I was coming home from the village where I'd gone to see that new fangled amusement motion pictures. It was a bleak November dusk, and there'd been some mysterious excitement in town. Something quite terrible. I didn't know what. It's the young doctor who likes me, I think. What is you? Nod and smile, Helen, as though you could speak, but choose to nod and smile as ladies do, by choice. It's good to see you smile. Well, hop in, and I'll drive you right onto the Warren's gatehouse. Here, here's a hand. Here you go. Yep, Gillen. I've missed you, Helen. How have you been, Helen? Smile and nod. Good. Good. You've missed me, sir. It wasn't a very nice thing happened in town on your day off. Oh, what was it I wanted? Young woman, rather pretty young cripple was murdered. Do you know that? Another one. I'm telling you because I want you to be very careful about going out at nightfall. That's all. Oh, he's kind. Could he really like me? Now, now tell me, how much longer are you going to stay on at the Warren's? I know what he means. You know, you've got to make an effort to get back your voice, Helen. Oh, he mustn't. I know. Much rather I wouldn't talk about it. I would rather. Not that there isn't a certain beauty and grace in your stillness. You're not mute. You're still. But somehow, Oh, I'm loving so. And everything you think is in your eyes, Helen. Good night, Helen. Be careful. Only a few more yards to the house. Radle a stick on the picket fence. My kind of whistling in the dark. Cripple girl murdered. Why? Who? Faster! Faster! Run! I'll go up to see my stepmother. She's feeling worse again. Thank you, Helen. Thank you. Where have you been, Helen? It's late. She never remembers. My night out. Oh, put that eternal pencil and pad away. Never mind. She doesn't mean to hurt you. I hoped you were never coming back tonight. Why? What can she mean? Helen, run away. If you know what's good for you, run away. What's she saying? Leave this house tonight. Helen, mother. Oh, don't call me mother, Albert. The most shocking thing has happened in town. There's been another murder. Why, how would you know? Yes, how? How do you know, Albert? Well, the constable was just here. Very curious. I'm mentioning this in Helen's presence for good reasons. Every one of those murdered girls had some kind of affliction. Affliction? Yes, the servant girl had a bad scar. Second one was wrong in the head. This one lint. Albert, where is Stephen? Stephen? Has Stephen come in yet? Why? Answer me. No. Why? Because there's the rain. He'll be drenched. That's why. I want Helen to be especially careful for the next few days. He's good too, kind and thoughtful and good. Helen, if you see anything at all outside this house that makes you suspicious, I want you to tell me. Yes, not yes. Thank you. I have some dictation to give Blanche on my book. Remember what I told you, Helen. And don't trust anyone. Helen, pack your things and leave. Leave? No. Why? Where? No. Shake your head off if you like, but leave tomorrow. Meanwhile, there's a gun in my dresser. No, I'm afraid of guns. Oh, stop shaking your head at me, girl. Stop contradicting me. You're in danger here. Do you want... It's an attack. Dr. Perry, get me Dr. Perry. Hurry. Stephen. Yes, Mother? I just got in. Drenched. His shoes coated with mud. Where's Dr. Perry? On the way, Mother. There's been another murder. Oh, has there? Oh, why didn't you stay in Paris? Don't you want me with you, Mother? Where were you tonight? If you must know... I must know. Yes. She knows something. I, um... I was out walking with Blanche. No. Blanche, Professor Warren's secretary. They both... I think the professor will want to talk to you, Stephen. About the murder? I know, Stephen. About Blanche, his secretary. Very well, Mother. We're waiting for Dr. Perry to arrive. Quiet now. But the professor and Stephen have had a dreadful quarrel about Blanche. She's very pretty and no afflictions. And so men quarrel over her. Stephen and the professor hate each other. And it's so terrible. Both, after all, had the same father. Dr. Perry. No, Dr. Perry. You look a little like my husband. Oh, really, Mrs. Warren? Yes. Was he kind to his husband? Gentle and kind to girls with afflictions. Well, I'm flattered. Thank you. He always told me I wasn't as beautiful as his first wife, but that I was a much better shot. He has a gun in this very room. Yes, the beauty my husband admired was the beauty of strength and of character. Both of his sons were weaklings. Stephen and the professor. I'm weak too. Afflicted. Mr. Perry, you love Helen. Mrs. Warren. If you love her, and I know you do, get her out of this house. Oh, now you're upsetting yourself again. Get her out of this house while there's still time. Do you hear me? Do you? Do you? Do you? Helen, Helen, Brandy, quickly. Brandy, Brandy. I've looked everywhere, none. None in the pantry, none in the closet. I'll run into the study to find Professor Warren. Brandy, Brandy. Write it off, Helen, will you? Yes. B-R-A-N-D. Yes, Brandy, yes. I'll have to fetch a bottle from the cellar. Get Mrs. Oates out of the kitchen. Tell her to come with me and bring a candle. Hurry, girl. Mrs. Warren is resting again. Mrs. Oates is back in the kitchen in a stupor. From the brandy she managed to steal when she went down into the wine cellar with Professor Warren. Blanche stays in her room. I wait in the parlor while Dr. Perry gives Professor Warren some instructions. Helen. Oh, Dr. Perry, looking so very tired. I-I want to talk to you. Oh, you mustn't apologize. Sit next to me here. Oh, he mustn't try to explain that it was Mrs. Warren and not he who said he loves me. I understand. I've been thinking things over, Helen. Mrs. Warren is right. He says Mrs. Warren is right. You should come away with me tonight. Oh, he does love me. You can stay at my mother's house until I take you to Boston to see a specialist. Oh, afflicted. Uh, Helen, the Faber's on Pepper Street have an out-of-town guest. Betty Lindstrom. Betty Lindstrom. She went to Sunday school with you years ago? Sunday school. Betty Lindstrom. She tells a story about a young girl walking home from Sunday school one day. No. No. And when she wasn't far from home, she heard a fire engine rushing down the street. It was her own home, wrapped in flames. Her mother and father trapped inside. She tried to scream. Scream, Helen. I can't. Scream. I can't. I'm trying. I'm trying. Trying. Trying. Helen, I'm sorry. I was trying to help you. I know. He's so good. Oh, that must be for me, Helen. I left this number with the Wilson's there. Boy, he's very sick. Here, I'll write the Wilson's telephone number on your notepad. 189. 189. Yes, and have Mrs. Oates call me there if you need me. Now, if you'll go to the door with me, I'll take it as a sign that you forgive me. It's a wretched night. But the rain's over. Nod, yes. Smile, Helen. Please. Smile. That's better. Thank you. Thank me. Now, be sure and lock the door, won't you? And don't open it for anyone but me. But before he went, he wants me to come away with him. He kissed me. How was it long ago in the Bible, in the song of songs which is Solomon's? My beloved spoke and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away with me. For lo, the winter is past. It's a wretched night. But the rain's over. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth and the time of singing has come. Rise, my love, and let me see thy countenance. He loves me. Let me see thy countenance. He loves me. Let me hear thy voice. Boys. For sweet. And thy countenance is coming. Boys. Let me hear thy voice. Let me hear thy voice. Let me hear thy voice. Hush, daughter. Hush. Hush. While listening to the screen director's playhouse presentation of the spiral staircase starring Dorothy McGuire and her original role of Helen, the newt girl, and John Dana is Dr. Perry. Dr. Perry has been gone almost an hour, and now a second bitter quarrel in the house. Stephen in Blanche's room next to mine. Raising their voices. Stephen. Blanche crying. Stephen taunting her laughing. You can't find her in my room. Pying, my dear Blanche, makes no impression on me, whatever. I like to see women cry. It makes me feel so superior. I'm not going on with you anymore, Stephen. We can't hide our feelings in the professor any longer. And just why should we hide our feelings from my step-brother? Oh, I forget you did have a certain interest in him. You are a pig. How, Blanche? Get out. I'm leaving tonight. The better to wash my hands of you. As you wish, Blanche. But you'll regret this. I honestly think you're going to regret this most seriously. Blanche has left her room and gone down to get her suitcases out of the cellar. I'd be afraid to go down there alone. It's very dark in the cellar. There's a spiral staircase that goes round and round into the dust and the damp and the darkness round and round. Oh, I'm sorry if I disturbed you. Helen, do you know where Blanche is? Blanche. Isn't she up from the cellar yet? Helen, I'm speaking to you. You please find Blanche. I want her to take some dictation in my study. At once. Spiral staircase. Going round and round down into darkness and the dark, the damp. It's been almost an hour. Murder it. Yes, yes, not yes, yes, yes. All right, all right. You'll let me handle this, Helen. Do you understand what I mean? I could dash for the door. Helen, answer me. Do you understand what I say? Dash for the door. Open it. Slam it. Boat it outside. Helen! You're terrified. Pencil. Lost pencil. Pencil. Are you trying to pencil? You're right. Right. Yes, right. Blanche? Yes, M-U-R-D-E-R. Helen and Heaven's name. Are you... Do you know who did it? S-D-E-P-A-T-E. Stephen? Yes. Of course. Why does he say, of course? Helen, where is Stephen now? Locked in cellar. Oh. Why does he look at me like that? Helen, look there. Mirror. Go on, look at yourself, Helen. Why does he do this? You see, Helen? I know what he means, but why should he say it so cruelly? No mouth, Helen. And in all this world, there's no room for imperfection. He's so strange. We're alone, Helen. Mrs. Oates is very drunk because I purposely let her steal a bottle of brandy when we went downstairs before. My stepmother is helpless in her bed. You have just locked Stephen in a cellar. Blanche is dead. He is the killer. Blanche, whom I loved and who betrayed me with Stephen is dead. Or I killed her. He's mad. What a pity. Father didn't live to see me become strong, to see me dispose of the weak and the imperfect in this world. Escaper. I put on these leather gloves. Escaper. Where? Father would admire me for what I'm about to do. I know. The gun. The gun in Mrs. Warren's room. Escape. I'm not so imperfect as he thinks. I run. Run like the wind. Climb the stairs to Mrs. Warren's room like a cat. Slam the door and fold it in his face. Gun. Cat and pencil. Right. Gun. Wake up, Mrs. Warren. Wake up. Wake up. Oh, please, wake up. Arise your opening. Now. Read. Gun. The gun. Helen. Helen. She knows where the gun is. She must know. Helen. Oh, it's no use. It's no use. She's drugged or poisoned. The door downstairs. Someone's outside. The professor will have to answer. And then I can steal downstairs again. Down the spiral staircase. Free Steven. Get Steven to help me. Yes. Into the darkness. Into the shadows. I saw a shoe draw back into the shadows. Into the last spiral. Mrs. Warren. She has the gun. Why does she point it at both of us? You're a stepmother. Whom your father always taught never to waste a single shot. It was you who killed all those girls. I thought it was Steven. You always waited until Steven came home to cast suspicion on him. Never waste a shot. Your father taught me. Never a shot. Helen, girl. Better get me Dr. Perry. Hush, daughter. Hush. Number three. You see, Helen, you have no mouth. You must leave this house, Helen. Let me see thy countenance. Let me hear thy voice. Number three. You have no mouth. Let me hear thy voice. Number three. Thy voice, no mouth. Thy voice, no mouth. Number three. Number three. This is Dr. Perry. Who is this? Darling. He said darling. And said unto me, Arise my love, my fair one, and come away with me. Arise and let me hear thy voice. C. McGuire will return in just a moment. Next week, as always, another great star who repeats a brilliant performance on Screen Director's Playhouse. Our story is All My Sons and recreating his original role will be Edward G. Robinson with Screen Director Irving Reese. Now here again is tonight's star, Dorothy McGuire. The part of the mute girl in the picture spiral staircase was a pretty frightening assignment until I found out my director was to be Robert Sjadmak. Robert is a kind of super talented elf who directs his pictures and as a result, he says he has only one regret about spiral staircase. The studio wouldn't let him slide down the banister. And now ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Robert Sjadmak. Thank you, Dorothy. But I was listening to spiral staircase tonight I must make a confession. About what, Robert? Well, I thought it would be impossible to do a radio drama in which the central character is done beautifully. Well, thank you. My part was a little larger than the three or four lines I had in the picture. This picture business. You know, before spiral staircase, the producer said to me, Robert, what do you think of Dorothy McGuire? She's wonderful, I told him. She has the most magnificent voice. And he said, that's fine. We put on a picture with nothing to say. Well, you know how producer behaves sometimes. And Robert, I loved every minute of it. But Dorothy McGuire, I won't mention your voice. I say, she's so beautiful and a great dramatic actress. Well, then they probably tell me to direct you into Invisible Woman. Just so you don't play the part of an invisible director, Robert. And seeing you behind those cameras again is something I'm looking forward to. Well, I know I'm a beauty. Thank you, Dorothy. Thank you, Robert. Good night. Good night, everyone. Good night. And good night to you, Dorothy McGuire and Robert Ziadnak. Remember next week, Edward G. Robinson and Irving Reese with Jeff Chandler. Spiral Staircase was presented through the courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures, producers of that hilarious comedy Bride for Sale, starring Claudette Colbert, Robert Young and George Brett. Dorothy McGuire will soon be seen as the star of the 20th Century Fox production, Old Doctor. Robert Ziadnak's latest production for Universal International Pictures is Deported, starring Marta Toran and Jeff Chandler. The cast were John Daener, Stephen Dunn, Georgia Bacchus, David Ellis, Jane Webb, Betty Moran, Jane Morgan and Dan Riss. Spiral Staircase, based on a novel by Ethelina White, was adapted for radio by Milton Geiger and original music was composed and conducted by Henry Russell. Screen Directors Playhouse is produced by Howard Wiley with Dramatic Direction by Bill Karn. This is Jimmy Wallington speaking and inviting you to listen again next week on Robinson Production All My Sons, director Irving Reese. What's on NBC Sunday? Sunday on Hollywood Calling. You may be called by motion picture stars June Haver and Richard Widmark to win a wonderful prize and crack the film of Fortune Jackpot. Make a note to stick close to your radio and your telephone Sunday for a Hollywood Calling. It might be your lucky day. So listen to Hollywood Calling Sunday on NBC. Stay tuned for Bill Stern on the sports newsreel on NBC.