 dedicated to the strength of the nation, now heard on 1,000 radio stations. Hardly we hail. Yes, hardly we hail, starring William Holden in the Viction of Circumstance, the United States Army and Air Force presentation. And I'll hear of your host, our Theater of Stars producer, C.T. McGregor. Thank you and greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to proudly we hail, where each week we proudly present your favorite stars in a story we hope you'll enjoy. The name William Holden on any theater marquee is indeed a welcome sign. And here on our Theater of Stars, we welcome Belle to the role of Peter Donaldson as a delightful comedy, The Victim of Circumstance. It's a story of a blessed event, with a surprise ending which only Mr. Stork himself could have conjured. But before the curtain rises on Act I, here's Wendell Niles. Wherever station, your regular Army and U.S. Air Force men are doing a job, a job maintenance of world peace. Abroad, there are occupation tax, and at home, there are domestic obligations in training and in public service. These regular Army and Air Force men are benefiting themselves too. They are continuing their education throughout their service and are receiving the best vocational training in the world. There is a worthwhile career. And once again, our producers. The curtain rises on Act I of The Victim of Circumstance, starring William Holden as Peter Donaldson. It wasn't much of a home Peter and Virginia Donaldson occupied. Indeed gray, one bedroom flat, but windows so small it seems a loop to the sunrise. A tiny apartment, if you call it that, reached by a rickety stairway that went up three flights. But if you had entered it the morning our story begins, you'd have felt there a warmth with sometimes as alien to the finest mansion. That intangible warmth would suffice all problems. And Peter Donaldson most certainly faced a problem. Peter. Yes, darling. Breakfast is on the table. I'm coming. Good morning, dear. And here's a kiss for you. Oh, thank you. My pleasure, I assure you. Oh, no. It's not breakfast food, not again. Well, it's at least it can't be, Peter. So it is. And good too. stomach, shake hands with an old friend. Oh, Peter. You know, darling, I sent in that slogan for this, suddenly so counter. You did? Oh, what is it now? Well, you don't mean you haven't forgotten it already. Well, you won't tell me why. Let's see now. Oh, yes. When it comes to soap, I'd rather you study any time. Well, darling, that's very good. Very good. It's downright sensational. It ought to win a prize. You know, they announced it right after the first of the year. Oh, dear. I'll get it. Tell me they're starting to call this early in the morning. Hello? This is the bontonal clue that is credited to us. Oh, yes. I'm calling about your account with that. It's long overdue. We don't like to take legal steps. Oh, no, no. You wouldn't want to do that. You are Mr. Donaldson? Well, I'm Mr. Donaldson's secretary. Mr. Donaldson is very busy working out an advertising campaign for a big soap company. It must have slipped his attention. I'll mention it to him. Goodbye. Uh-oh. Donaldson resident. Mr. Donaldson secretary speaking. Come now, Peter. You're not trying to make a fool of the hand that beats you? Oh, hello, Sam. That's better. I'm in no mood for tom pull, Peter. I'm reading the handwriting from my cup here at the delicatessen, and I'm choking. I know, Sam. Ah, out of the kindness of my heart, I'm extending credit. And I expect some time to reciprocation yet. I'll get something to you this week, Sam. I promise you. Oh, that's trusting, Sam. Oh, don't worry, Peter. Darling, something's got a break for us. For all of us, it just got to us. Oh, it will. It will. Hey, Peter, I believe today's the day. The day for what? For your appointment down at O'Brien's department store. Oh. I have wrote it down somewhere. Oh, yes, here it is. O'Brien's department store, today at 9.30. 9.30? 9.30? What, 9.15 now? I have much time. Where's my coat? Here you are. Now, where's my hat? On your head, Dylan. Oh, thanks. Oh, nice. You're visiting the doctor today. You'll be very careful, won't you? Of course, I will. Oh, yeah. Hey, who do I see down at O'Brien's? The employment director, Mr. Bakenut. Bakenut. Bakenut. Sit down, young man. Thank you, Mr. Bakenut. The name is Bakenut. Oh, forgive me. I'm so sorry. Yes. I must have been thinking of breakfast. But you certainly weren't thinking of making a good impression upon me. You're down with tonight. Yes, sir. You're here to apply for a job? That's right, sir. The job's a scare, particularly here at O'Brien's. We demand only the finest personnel. I'm afraid there's nothing for it. Oh, but Mr. Bakenut, I just got to get a job. One moment, please. Yes? Hey, yes, yes, Mr. Bakenut. Bakenut, I'm sorry. Yes, yes, Mr. Bakenut. There's a word you mean. Did I say something wrong? Perhaps I should have sent it up to you for approval. I did. One minute. Oh, well. Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. That was nice of you. That was a buzz. Now, young man... Where were we? We were talking about a job. Oh, yes, yes. Right next to the obituary. I'll have to get a job. And now, hey, your job. Young man, you may have took a favorable impression upon me. I have? Yes, you have. I'm going to give you a crack at the one opening I have. This is an exceptional opportunity. It is? A small and mid-opportunity. But the qualifications come high. First of all, the job requires an unmarried man. You are single? Well, I... I'm not twins, Mr. Bakesmith. He's not twins. Now, as I said, this job requires a single man. We have 26 dollars, you know. There's so many transfers, and married men so often get this tied down. But now your educational background is high school? Yes, sir. College? Yes, sir. Degree? I have a BA in economics, Ohio State. Is that all? Master's in business administration, Columbia. Where? Young man, I think... I think you just might qualify. You mean it? Yes. Do you come in, Miss Jones? Yes. Jones, this is Mr. Dunn. I'm glad to know you, Miss Jones. Likewise. Before I forget, Miss Jones, will you get me the obituary page from today's home? Who died? I am not interested in that. My address last night was written up right next to the obituary. Oh, now I understand. Isn't it nice? Well, now, Mr. Donaldson here has all the qualifications for the opening we have. Are you single? Five years of college? BA Master's. You are putting to work tomorrow. Assistant Stockler in the perfume department. Now, maybe that doesn't sound like a lot to you, but it certainly did to me. Why, in these times, you have to have a college degree to pedal gas and a filling station. I couldn't wait to get home to tell the good news to Virginia. I ran up those stairs three at a time. Virginia! Virginia! Oh, Peter, you got it. You got the job. Oh, it was a cinch. Your husband, my darling, is now the Assistant Stockler in the perfume department at O'Brien's department store. Oh, that's wonderful. And I was so worried about all I knew it's going to be. And the old, what a smile it will bring to the faces of Sam and the Bontan clothiers, and I can think of a lot more. But tell me, how did it happen? Oh, nothing to it. I made it by the skin of a couple of diplomas. Oh, I knew you would. They wanted a single man, and I... Well, I had to sort of avoid the question. Anyway, that's not important. Oh, but why a single man? Well, they do a lot of transferring around, evidently. Oh, Peter, don't say that. Not now. Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to alarm you. Did you see the doctor? Mm-hmm. How was everything? Just perfect. What did he say? When? Oh, anytime now. He said you'd better notify the hospital. That's why I didn't like to really say what you just did. Oh, darling, we should be grateful for this. I know, but all right. I wasn't near. Oh, I'm not going anywhere. But they did it. Oh, nonsense, honey. Tell me, did the doctor tell you what he thought it was going to be? He wouldn't say. Well, I know. You do? Oh, I'm sure of it. We're going to have a girl, and she's going to look just like you. Oh, Peter, you really mean it. Early the next morning, I went over to make arrangements at the hospital, and then I went to work. My job was highly technical and very complicated. I had to open crate, unload perfume, dust off the bottles, and stack them. And they didn't even give me a secretary. My boss in the storage room was named Bean. Hey, you. Yes, sir. I'm going out for a cup of coffee. Don't let anybody in. You understand? Oh, I understand, sir. Now, just consider yourself at Fort Knox, Donaldson, and act accordingly. This perfume is like gold, anyway. I got you, sir. And be careful with them big ten-ounce bottles. Yes, sir. See you later. Yes, sir. Let's see. That's great. Here. Anybody in here? Yes, I'm in here. I'll open the door, superintendent. Is that you, Bean? No, it isn't Bean. Open up. Oh, I'm sorry, but nobody gets in. On whose authority? Uh, Bean. Ah, we'll see about that. Yes? Open up, then. This is St. Max. Oh, yes, sir. Donaldson, you've made a dreadful mistake. You'll be king, Mr. O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien? Oh, I didn't recognize this boy. Oh, you're the one. Who is he, big nut? I know it's Mr. Stocklert and Persium. Since when do we hire Mr. Stocklert in this department? But it's only for the holiday season, Mr. O'Brien. Dickass! Oh, my. I guess I broke a bottle of Persium. And you had to pick up the ten-ounce ties to break you, you, and you, big nut. Your judgment diminishes with every passing day. Mr. O'Brien. Butterfingers. Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Big Nut. Bean stole me to keep everybody out. And I didn't recognize Mr. O'Brien for you. That's reasonable to think around here. Haven't you heard of the O'Brien radio program? Which Mr. O'Brien produces, writes, edits, directs, marries, and sings basic to protest? I'm afraid I haven't. Well, you should have. Have I heard him sing you to recognize the Bella? I just wish I had. I mean, in a bad frame of mind anyway. Haven't had you switching the papers over a month? Oh, well, carry on. Or just one thing, Mr. Big Nut. You didn't mean that about the holidays only, did you? I most certainly did. But I need this job, Mr. Big Nut. I really need it. You're certainly not demonstrating your words for that. Oh, maybe you're just one of those unfortunate victims of circumstances. Isn't there a chance for me, Mr. Big Nut? Not here, Mr. O'Brien. Not here, at least. But then there are other O'Brien stars. I'm certain I can get you a transfer. Say to the side barrier of the O'Brien domain. Oh, where's that? O'Brien's Cucamonga. As a matter of fact, I think it'll be a good thing for all concerns. I'll arrange it, if you think I can. In part briefly from our story, The Victim of Circumstance, starring William Holden to bring you an important message. Here's something Taylor made for you men who have served after September 1945. You can re-unlist now and be assured of duty for at least three years with a unit of your choice. That's correct. Three years guaranteed with famous divisions now stationed in the USA. Right now, there are eight outfit stations in the United States that need top quality men. They are the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 9th Infantry Divisions, the 2nd and 3rd Airborne Divisions, the same 82nd Airborne, and the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade. If you've served in any of the armed forces abroad since the 2nd of September 1945, you're eligible to apply. In addition, veterans, you may be able to re-unlist in non-commissioned ranks. And remember this, these divisions probably will remain in this country for at least three years. Get to details at your local U.S. Army recruiting station right away. That's true of The Victim of Circumstance, starring William Holden as Peter Donaldson. A few days have passed and Peter, realizing both the necessity and the imminence of his transfer to O'Brien's Cucamonga, has withheld the information from his wife Virginia. However, Virginia has noticed the change in Peter and is ready to remark about it that morning at breakfast. More coffee, please, honey? Yes, ma'am. I think I've noticed. I'll get it. Hello? Peter, this is Sam. And I'm full with smiles. Oh, oh. Virginia paid you something on account? Virginia is surprising me with a considerable payment. And Peter, I'm learning from Virginia you have a fine new job. Well, it's a job. Congratulations. That's about the good boy. Already what I'm having on one cup is completely empty. And only two cups to go. Goodbye, Peter. Goodbye, Sam. Okay, Jim, I'll tell the bond time courteous. Well, it won't be long until we catch up on all of them. No, no, it won't be long. Peter, is something bothering you? Well, no, no, nothing at all. You should tell me. Well, there's nothing. Hey, I'd better get going. I'll be late for work. You're staying close to the telephone, is that it? Yes, ma'am. Oh, don't worry about anything. It'll all work out. Well, I just think they'll soon have the results of the contest ended. Say, that's right. I'd lather you, said he so. But it's slogan. Well, I'll be going, goodbye, please. Goodbye, darling. Maybe Virginia was right. Maybe I did have a winner. And I wouldn't have to leave her. About 11 o'clock, Mr. Bakenut called me up to his office. And I just knew it was about to transfer. Sit down, Donald. Oh, thank you. You have news for me, Mr. Bakenut? Yes, ma'am. No transfer can be affected now, or at any foreseeable time in the future. Well, that's the way it goes. All the other O'Brien branches, O'Brien Cucamongan and Claydon, have raised their stance. They're taking only PhDs in the philosophy. Oh, well, that lets me out. There's one more thing, Donald. I just had the passion of my life with Mr. O'Brien about you. You have? You are very lucky to have lasted out the harm of it. Yes, Mr. Bakenut. Oh, I'm doing it, but I'm going to try to keep you on. Oh, you are? Oh, thanks, Mr. Bakenut. But I warn you, things are very edgy upstairs. The photographer even forgot to retouch Mr. O'Brien's picture for Life magazine. Oh, that'll give you an idea. Wow, he didn't. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Oh, I warn you, don't give me the slightest excuse to puss you. Just don't tempt me. Excuse me, Mr. Bakenut. Ben. I've been looking all over for you. Peter, your wife called. She's gone to the hospital. Get your wife, sir. I didn't know you had a wife. I had a wife, yes. She's a wonderful wife. I've got to get to the hospital. We're going to have a baby. But you said you were a single man. One side, Mr. Bakenut. It's in the pie. You falsified your application to get this job. And that's the same thing you'd have done under the same circumstances. Don't you talk to me like that, young man. I said, you are tempting me. You are tempting me terribly. Do whatever you want, Mr. Bakenut. But I've got to get out of here. I've got to get to the hospital. I got to the hospital as quickly as I could. And I wasn't thinking about the perpium department at O'Brien. A nurse, I think, on the floor. Not yet, Mr. Donaldson. You can wait in that room over there. I'll call you. Is this the waiting room? Yeah. Why don't you sit down, friend? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I tried that. It's no good. Oh, you're waiting, too, huh? Yeah. But my name's Donaldson. Oh, mine's Novak. Glad to know you're Mr. Novak. Same here. Who's he? Not a sleepin' beauty. Another. How can a guy sleep through all this? It's just seven. Oh. How long you been waitin'? Six hours. Six hours. Wow. Runs in my wife's family. Oh, yeah. Nothing to be concerned about. Yes. What are you hopin' to get? Oh, boy. You? Oh, boy. Of course, I'd settle for a girl. My wife wants a girl. Man, it's funny mine, too. You know, it's wonderful, ain't it? The waiters so strong, all the lights through it. Yeah. Kind of crazy, too. The things ain't a man. Isn't it the truth? Well, you know, once my wife woke me up at two o'clock in the morning. Oh, yeah, I know. Just what you mean. Well, she wanted a candy bar. You know the kind with nuts on the outside of the chocolate. Yeah. So I get up and I go to every drug store, and I can't find it. Yeah. But finally I find a candy bar. That's the same thing. Only the nuts are in the inside. Yeah. Well, I bring it home to her. She takes one look at it and starts crying and says, it ain't what I wanted at all. Oh, brother, ain't it the truth? But you had it lucky. You know what my wife went for? No, what? Phonograph records. And what phonograph records, yet? All she wanted to listen to was John Charles Thomas, singing all him Arias and peatatas and stuff. Night and day, John Charles Thomas. A meal of her a pop music, yet. Yearning for a little bit, see boo. Yes, sir. Yeah? Nothing at all. Just wanted to see if everybody was happy. Oh, I see that one is. Eh, I only wish that could happen to me. Mr. Yes, yes? Donaldson. What? What? Congratulations. Yes, yes, go on. Well, you've just become the father of a seven-pound baby girl. A girl? Why, it's just what Virginia wanted. I know, if you ask me, you're being unfair to fathers. I got here first. Your wife's doing just fine, Mr. Novaker. How is my wife? Oh, how else could she be splendid? You can see the mouth you want. Oh, thank you. Oh, good luck, Novak. Thanks. You won't have to wait much longer, I know. They showed me my baby girl. My baby girl. You know, when I first looked at her, I was just a little bit disappointed. But when I saw her besides all the others, then they took me to Virginia. She wasn't quite out of it. I was just attempting to learn. I don't even remember what it was. But I sat by the bed, looking at her, loving her very much, and waiting for her to speak. Then the nurse came in. Mr. Donald came in? The one on the telephone. For me? Mm-hmm. They say it's very important. Oh, all right. I walked down the hallway following the nurse, and returned to the world of reality. I thought of Sam, the store, the fond-tongued clothes here, baked nothing. And my new family. You can take it here. Oh, thank you. Hello? Donaldson? Yes? This is Mr. O'Brien. Oh, Mr. O'Brien? Congratulations. Well, thank you, sir. And be sure. Oh, I will. Thank you, sir. And now it's over. Yes, it was my boss. My big boss. And he's coming right over. That's the same. Oh, you don't know my boss. Well, Donaldson, you can congratulate me. I made it. You did. Yeah, I'll say. Triplets yet. Triplets. Yes. Three boys. Why are you rugged-looking, too? Hey. Hey, maybe there's something in this. You told me how your wife listened to nothing with John Charles Thomas. Hey, I never thought of that. Maybe there is. Sure. Maybe ought to name them John, Charles, and Thomas. Oh, no. Remember me? I'm the Dipsy Doodler. These boys are going to be called Plain, Frankie, and Perry. I went back to Virginia. I still couldn't figure out what was bringing Mr. O'Brien to the hospital. But the next morning, as I said, by Virginia's hospital, then I was on top of the world. I bought a newspaper, and it was spread out all before. And for the first time in months, all problems solved. And Virginia held our daughter next. Oh, Peter, maybe she's beautiful. I think she's just like her mother. She never cries, does she? Oh, no. Good babies never cry. That is, except once in a while. Oh, is it? Oh, Peter, everything's happened at once. Oh, baby. Just said, this dope contest. Yeah, we've got a dope spy for a whole year, even with Diapri. Oh, and wasn't it exciting having all the newspapers photographers down? Yeah, you know, for a minute, I thought the photographers came down because of the contest. I did, too. How'd you like the pictures of Nancy? That's beautiful. Let me go back to the nice pictures, too. Well, he had to get me act. What a ham. He loves the publicity. Oh, that's why he offered me the job. A good job. Oh, aren't we lucky? Yes, um, you know something, darling? What? You're a perfect mother. I am? Sure. You've given the world the most beautiful baby girl ever, and in addition, the very first baby of the new year. The curtain falls in the final act of the victim of circumstance. A star William Holden will return for a curtain call after this timely message from Wendell Niles. A little earlier in the program, I told you veterans about a special plan for ex-servicemen and the regular army. If you miss any of the details then, I'd like to go over them again. First, you must have had beauty in any of the armed forces outside the continental limits of the United States. This service must have been after the 1st of September 1945. Then, if you qualify, you may enlist in the army now and have your choice of eight organizations now stationed in the United States. These units range from armored and airborne divisions to an engineer brigade. This is what you've been waiting for, isn't it, veterans? It's your chance to serve with your old outfit. Don't forget this point. You may enlist in non-commissioned raids up to and including sergeants. Ask your local U.S. Army recruiting officer now to give you the details of this special plan. Now again our star William Holden and our producer. There are two virtues which combine to make our star William Holden as popular here in Hollywood as elsewhere. That of being a top performer and a real fellow. Bill, thanks for a swell performance you've just given us. Well, thank you, CP. You're very generous. You know, Bill, you played that role of the expectant father with great conviction. Well, I should have, CP, what with three youngsters of my own. Oh, you have three now. That ought to make the baby food people very happy. That's right. Not to mention all the unemployed babysitters in the neighborhood. Seriously, though, Bill, you and your very lovely wife Brenda Marshall must be proud of having one of the finest families in Hollywood. And I'm sure only such a family could conceive and carry out the very generous plan of last Christmas. It was more practical than generous, CP, but we did get a lot of satisfaction out of it. Would you tell us about it? Well, we simply took the money we'd planned to spend on Christmas gifts for our friends here in America and sent it to the CARE organization in New York to help bring Christmas into the homes of the needy Europeans. A wonderful plan, Bill, and one which doesn't have to stop with Christmas, but can be carried out the whole year through. Now again, Bill, thanks for coming down, a privilege, CP, to appear for such an important sponsor. But before I get away, what's on tap for next week? Next week's story on Proudly We Hale is called History in the Making. The story of Kelly Jones, the webinar New York lawyer who finds the girl of his dreams reading a history book in the public library and who is almost betrayed by the little black book in his pocket. And our star will be that favorite of film goers everywhere, George Murphy. George Murphy, that sounds great. I'll be listening, CP. Goodbye. Goodbye, Bill. Thanks again for a swell performance. Be sure to join us next week, ladies and gentlemen, when Proudly We Hale stars George Murphy in a gay romance, History in the Making. So next week, this is CP McGregor saying, carry on from Hollywood. Don't forget, next week, George Murphy on Proudly We Hale. For some programs, Proudly We Hale will star Elizabeth Scott and Ruth Warwick. William Holden appears with the courtesy of the Hollywood Coordinating Committee with the rangers' appearances of all stars on this program. Scripts was by Rich Hall. Music by Eddie Stravanis. This is Wendell Niles speaking.