 presents Rosalind Russell and Vincent Price. From Hollywood the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theatre presents Where There's a Will starring Vincent Price. And now here is your hostess Rosalind Russell. Thank you Larry Chatterton. Family Theatre's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives if we are to win peace for ourselves, peace for our families and peace for the world. Family Theatre urges you to pray. Pray together as a family. And now to our transcribed drama Where There's a Will starring Vincent Price as Edward. Now the coffee and the brandy, mmm the senator's favorite. Put them down by the easy chair next to the fireplace so the old windbag will get sleepy faster. And now where is that list of numbers? Yes, next we pull back the tapestry and so to work. Forty-four to the right, sixteen to the left. Now ten more possibilities starting with forty-nine. Edward what do you do? I was just you. Did I scare you? If you're trying to kill me what do you think I was doing? Looked like you were trying to open the safe. Don't be insane I just wanted to make sure it was locked. If everything is not in order when Senator Winchester opens this safe tonight to read the will, who will hear about it? I don't know. Who? I'll hear about it my girl as head of the staff this safe along with everything else in Mr. Justin's household is my responsibility. Mr. Justin may he rest in peace. Yes I just wanted to be sure the door hadn't slipped open or something. We can't be too careful while that emerald is still in there. That thing I'll be glad to see it out of the house after tonight. So will I. Now put the cream and sugar on that tray and go on about your business. I think it'll go to his nephew Clarence. Well, sees the legal heir. Well what are you gawking at? Mr. Justin's portrait over the fireplace ain't it life-like. Disturbingly. Go on now. When the senator comes in to take his coffee I don't want him to find you here. Eddie. If you was to meet me here about 9.30 we could hold hands in front of the fire and he most likely wouldn't find us. Forget it. Is that quite clear? Oh you're the proud one ain't you? And you're the loud one. Now get out. I'm busy. Officer Hurley asked me again to marry him last night. What do you think of that? Very little. Now go, go, go, go. Okay, okay, I'm going. 9.30. Out. Oh the things I've had to put up with this in this house. That bonehead maid and the countless indignities. Ah, senator. That was a fine dinner. Well I'll convey that compliment to the cook sir. I'm stuffed. Oh here senator sit by the fire. I was just preparing your brandy and coffee. Thank you, Edward. You know as I came in here to the library I have expected to see Jonathan standing there before the fire. Yes it's hard to believe he's gone sir. Always made for it immediately after dinner. Used to say to me having this little joke you understand Hannibal when I die and old Nick claims me for his own there's at least one thing I'll be able to count on where he'll take me and I'd say what's that Jonathan and he'd say a piping hot dinner never had one in this house. Then he'd jump up from the table and hurry and hit a warm himself. Yes he was a great joker sir. Yes Jonathan Justin was an exacting man but those of us who knew him best discovered beneath that steel shell of exactitude a heart of gold. Yes sir. Witness the manner in which his affairs are to be concluded. Seems a blast for me to read a man's will in the very day of his funeral but old Jonathan would have it so. Yes and more brandy sir. No thank you Edward. Has Mr. Clarence arrived in town yet sir? Not to my knowledge legal ethics forbid me to enlarge upon the subject Edward but I'm afraid young Clarence is in for a rather unpleasant surprise. Jonathan didn't care straw for the boy you know. Made no secret of it either. Wastely called him. Well the young man isn't here by 945 I have no recourse but open the safest per Jonathan's instructions and read the will. 945. Yes and you and Rita shall be present as witnesses. Senator there's one thing. Well those of us who have been with Mr. Justin the longest Phillips the gardener and myself. It's been over 10 years for you hasn't it? Closer to 12 sir. 12 yes by George it doesn't seem possible. No sir it doesn't. Oh what I was about to ask were some of us like Phillips and myself were wondering if Mr. Justin had. Edward Mr. Justin was a strange and unpredictable gentleman and I must admit that what prompted many of his decisions will forever remain a mystery to me. Then you don't know either sir. In less than half an hour I will open the safe and read his will. You've all lived in doubt this long another 30 minutes can't do much to your nerves. Besides the disclosures should come directly from Jonathan in his own words. Just one more thing sir. Well all of us have lived in a sense uneasily sir ever since Mr. Justin brought the emerald home from the Orient. He was passionately fond of that stone at first. Yes sir I know but we were afraid of its being around he wouldn't have it insured. I know he said the appraisers would steal it. Yes sir and that made it a double temptation for thieves knowing that if they took it no insurance stick investigator would come after them. A man would stop at very little to steal a gem worth. The contrarily emerald cost him four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Well so you see we were curious as to what disposition Mr. Justin would make of the stone perhaps a museum. Perhaps. You'll find out shortly Edward. Have to get to my feet. Is anything wrong sir. Stomach needs sweetening. I'll get some bicarbonate for you. Don't bother and get it myself. I think I'll lie down for a bit Edward. As you wish sir. I'll be upstairs in my room have Rita call me by nine forty in case I doze off. Certainly sir. The old goat. Swigging down our best brandy. And I could do with a bit myself. Nine forty five. Gets me exactly twenty minutes. Should be ample. To success Edward to success after twelve years of waiting. Not a work. Flashlight bottom drawer of the desk and to make sure the hall is empty. Very good. Turn off the lights and now across the room to the safe and. Someone on the brand trying to get in through the French door a prowler. He's coming right into this room. A flashlight. Making straight for the wall safe. If he pulls back the tapestry. Fat chance he has of opening that safe after I've been trying for twelve years. Great she holds the fact he opened it. He's taking out a small black box. He's opening it. Playing his light on the contents. It's the emerald. Put up your hands. Take it. Shut up. Don't turn around. Step off your flashlight and back away from that wall safe. That's enough. Copy. You got me so don't panic with the heater. Shut up. I never use it myself. What's that over your face a mask. Just a hanky. Where's the emerald. I got the box right here in my hand. Everything's okay so we don't panic. Shut up. What are you doing. Opening this French window again. What's the deal. I'm going to give you a break. Break. So don't slow yourself down with a lot of foolish questions. Just toss the box on the sideboard in front of you then beat it the same way you came in. You want me to leave. You're not deaf. Toss the box on the sideboard and get out. What kind of pinch you call this. Get smart. This is a favor. A pinch will take you ten years. It begins to look like everybody's after this stone donut buck. Listen you bonehead. Keep your voice down. Turn on the lights. What am I going to do that tapestry back over the face of the safe. What's that document on the floor. I don't know. Give it to me. Right with you. What about me. Get behind those porters in front of the French window. Okay. I knew you'd be here. What do you want. The spoof around. What. I thought you weren't going to meet me here at 9 30. I am not meeting you here. Can't you get that through your thick head. I just happened to be here now beat it. There's only one thing wrong with you. Eddie your bash. I am neither bashful nor Eddie. I am Edward and if you value your position here I caution you not to forget that. What's the matter. You scared for the last time. Someone on the veranda wrapping on the French window. It's Jimmy who Jimmy officer Hurley. Oh no Rita Rita come here. One minute officer Rita maybe I was a little hasty. Try to get rid of him will you. Yes please. What are you jealous. Yes that's it I'm jealous very jealous. Eddie this is very confusing. One minute you call me a thick head and say beat it. Yes I was very confused for a while. I'm going to be forced to draw my service. Just a minute. I can explain everything if you just send him away. I promise just get rid of him. All right I'll open the French window. Just hold these porters back out of your way. Thank you. Oh Jimmy. I read it there. I see you're not alone. What's the idea Hurley. Someone was skulking around your porch and it's my duty to investigate all suspicious situations. Next time don't kick in the window. The window is unarmed. What are you hanging on so tight to those rates for. Oh just holding them aside so you could pass. Well now I pass so you can let go of me. Yes so I can. You'll mind your butt Lynn and be thankful I'm so late. Well you can see no ones come in here. I ain't seen nothing yet. Where's that door lead. To the hall. Yes that's it in the hall the hall out in the hall. What are you so jumpy about me jumpy. Yeah you jumpy not jumpy what's there to be jumpy about. Listen to him Rita. You think I was going to eat him up. Well you've got a big enough mouth shut up. Great help you'd be in the event of a felon. What about the rest of ours. What about it. Any unlocked portions windows doors. I'm not sure. In that event I'll have a look around. Come to think of it Hurley. There's a basement room in the north wing far end of the house a window pane is broken when the pain broken that's right some safe guardian you we have official channels of information that a precious jewel is kept on a premises. What's that got to do with it. Do you have it on the lock and key. Oh sure Jimmy it's in the wall safe right there behind the curtain. Well I'll just have a look. Don't you hear something. I don't hear anything. It's a tinkling sound from the basement. It's like sound. Yes like a window being broken a window. Oh my goodness Rita show me the way. Yeah. You were the mask. They're gone come out from behind those drapes. Pretty close. Never mind about that. Put the box with the emerald in it on the sideboard then you can leave through here. Is that right. Don't you hear well put down that box and get going. 12 years sure ain't change you much have they Eddie. What. Well I take off this hanky. Remember me. Leroy. Leroy you're old buddy only this time I am going to keep the loop to Leroy pal old pal. My years I've looked and looked. Oh Lord you look real hard you try Levenmoid. You mean prison all this time. You crummy double cross of 10 years don't give me look to look. But Chicago job where's my end gone. You mean you were caught the cops weren't crazy with me but OK this emerald makes it even leave a side look old pal this hurts down deep you're saying I ratted out I say a lot more but I'm in a hurry now move over now wait a minute. Listen you've been in stir that's all very well that's very tragically right but what about me. What about you. I've been working for that blood sucker. What blood sucker that one in the oil painting over the fireplace for 12 years I've worked for him. Yes and let me tell you there's no warden in the country that can touch him. Then why don't you quit. Because I stayed on to clean out his safe and no nickel anti chisel is going to do it for me. Oh you're talking pretty tough Eddie and I'm feeling even tougher. You've been setting up a deal for 10 years which you handed to the first clown who came along 10 years. Oh man Justin brought that emerald 18 months after I went to work here and I've been trying for it ever since. You mean to tell me in 10 years you couldn't crack that punk little safe. It's all right in my line you know that I work with my head. Besides this one's unusually complicated. The time to get it very it's a shoe box. We're near my second here. I'm tumblers drop 10 years big brain. Lee Roy I mean to have that emerald. Yes. Hand it over or what or I call that flat foot back in here. Ain't you forgetting a few other flat foot. What do you mean in Chicago. They still want you Eddie. They want you bad and if I go up again. All right. All right. We'll make a deal. What kind of 50 50. I know a good fence in Milwaukee. You give me the stone and I'll meet you there next Friday night Schrader Hotel. It's at least 50,000 for us. I'll tell you in Newark there is a very fine fence. He will go 52. I will keep the stone and meet you there same day. Better let me take it. How do I know you show up. You sound like a cynic. Newark is closer all the way to Milwaukee. You might lose it. Lee Roy listen. What's the matter with get behind those podiums. Be quiet. Must be hearing things losing my grip. I break into a cold sweat every time a board creaks. Where's my head. What's this in my pocket. All that document Roy found on the floor dropped out of the safe. The last will and testament of Jonathan Justin Square. Not very long. Only three pages. Stay where you are. Sounds like they're coming down the hall. Okay. Don't even peek out of the curtains. I'll tell you when it's all right. Okay buddy. Last will and testament. I Jonathan Justin being a sound mind and body. I wonder where the part is about the emerald. Nothing on page one. Page two charities libraries. Here we are at the bottom of page two. I have sought long and tirelessly to decide who should be the recipient of my most cherished possession. The flaw is fabulous. Contrally emerald. Now we're getting not Clarence, not Senator Winchester. Accordingly, I must search further for someone whose devotion and concern for my personal well being has been long unstinting and for the most part insufficiently rewarded. Such a person is trusted man servant. Edward Hathaway. It would seem only fitting therefore that I repay this most nearly perfect of servitors for his years of faithful attention to me by bestowing upon him that jewel of jewels the contrary emerald end of page and paragraph me. It's Stay behind the drapes. I don't move. Okay. Me. Edward Hathaway. The will says he's going to give it to me. The emerald. My emerald. I'm trying to steal my emerald. Oh, this will never do. Leroy. Yeah. Come here. Come here. Come here. Come here. Oh, what? Nobody. Nobody was nobody. Look, I just had an inspiration. Yeah. A way for both of us to cash in and neither of us has to trust the other guy. Yeah. Look now, here's the angle. I thought you saw as nobody. Oh, well it was. Look behind the curtain. I got rid of him, Eddie. You what? Officer Hurley. He's in the kitchen drinking coffee. Fine. Go have a cup yourself. Well, weren't we gonna hold hands now? Get out. I said get out out. What's going on here? If you're jealous, this is a funny way to show. Jealous. You dumpy numscole. What? Stop howling and go answer the front door. Oh. Shut up. That's probably Mr. Clarence. Soon as you let him in, call the senator. He wants to begin reading the will at nine forty five. You'll be sorry for this. And don't bring Mr. Clarence in here until the senator comes down. I want to tidy up. I'll marry Leroy. Hey, hey, what's that you said about a will? It's part of the deal. Now listen, we've only got a minute. Yeah. Tonight, old man Justin's estate is being divided up. Who's this what? That guy up there in the picture. Oh, he died two days ago and in a few minutes, they're coming in here to read What are we doing here? Stop chattering and listen to me. Almost everything in this estate, including the emerald is sure to go to the old man's nephew Clarence. That's who just rang the front doorbell. Now, look, here's the move. You can't be sure of me and I can't be sure of you. Yeah, but I got the ice and if I call the cops, you're a jailbird. You call the cops and I sing about Chicago and neither of us gets the stone, which is poor business. Yeah, that's right. So we get around it this way. Yeah. You put the emerald and this document back in the safe and slam the door on it. Why should I do that? So that I'll open this French window and give you a clear field and the cops don't know anything. I don't like this so much. Once that saves locked, you know I can't open it. I've been trying for 10 years. Okay, okay. But what happens after I leave? Two days from now. I quit this job, meet you Friday evening, 9 p.m. in Newark, the subway terminal. And in a week, we both come back, grab the stone and split even. Yeah. Hey, but what if this guy Clarence takes the stone away with him tonight and sticks it in the bank? Look, the emerald's uninsured. He'd be afraid to step out of the house with it. Oh, don't you worry. When we come back, it'll be here. Deal. Okay, unlock the window. First put the emerald in the safe. How do I know you'll unlock the window then? We'll do it together. I'll count three. Okay. One, I unlock the door. I pull back the curtain over the safe. Two, I put the box and the paper back in the safe. I turn the knob. Three, I swing the door open. I slam the safe shut. Get going. See you Friday, buddy. Friday. Oh, brother. Come in. Uh, Senator Winchester. Good. You know Officer Hurley. Yes. He shared that. Rita, of course. Of course. Well, let's open the safe and see what old Jonathan has up his sleeve. All right, we'd wait for Mr Clarence, sir. I'm afraid he won't be here, Edward. We just received a wire from him. He's not coming. Oh, who was that that rang the bell reader? Western Union. I guess it's just as well, Clarence anticipated the futility of making the trip. Jonathan left him nothing. Never cared a straw for the boy. Now, the wheel and this little black box. Will you all make yourselves comfortable? Thank you, sir. Sit here, Senator, by the fire. Edward. Well, to begin. Hi, Jonathan Justin, being of sound mind and body and in full possession of my faculties, et cetera, et cetera, this first part simply disposes of the house and grounds, goes to the township with a substantial fund for their upkeep. Mr Justin was always a generous man. Indeed, indeed. Then there are several large requests of various universities and each of the servants has to receive a letter of recommendation from me plus two hundred and ten dollars. Oh, isn't that nice, Jimmy. Wonderful, my dear, just one. Very generous indeed. Ah, here's a part of the will that will interest you. On page two. Yes. I have sought long and tirelessly to decide who shall be the recipient of my most cherished possession. The flawless, fabulous, Contralli Emeril. Oh, yes, the Emeril. To continue. Custom would normally dictate that such chattel pass to the sole lineal air or since no lineal air exists, the ranking collateral air. In this instance, my nephew Clarence. It's a shame he isn't here. A dirty shame. Read it. There is more. But my nephew Clarence is a nitwit. Oh. And I shall not bestow a treasure of such radiance upon a nitwit, lineal or otherwise. Who then? My dearest friend, Senator Hannibal Winchester. Perhaps, Sir Hannibal, too, would cherish this treasure as I have, yes, and guard it wisely. He has been a trusted friend and a worthy colleague. He couldn't have been given to a more deserving person, Senator. Perhaps not, Edward, but Jonathan thought otherwise. Otherwise? As you shall see to continue. But Senator Winchester is a man already richly endowed. He has worked well, but he has harvested bountifully. Bountifully enough. Then you don't get it either, sir? That's right, not really. Oh, that's a shame, isn't it, Jimmy? That dirty shame, read it then. To continue. Accordingly, Hannibal writes, I must search further for someone whose devotion and concern for my personal well-being has been long, unstinting, and for the most part insufficiently rewarded. Such a person is my trusted manservant, Edward Hathaway. Me? Why, it doesn't seem possible. It would seem only fitting therefore that I repay this most nearly perfect of servitors for his years of faithful attention to me by bestowing upon him that jewel of jewels that can fairly emerald. End of page two. Oh, I hardly know what to say. This will make me well pleased. Page three. But I am a capricious old man. What? Given to mercurial changes of mind and heart. Changes? Let me finish, Edward. And for three years now my days have been gladdened and my heart lightened by the presence in my home of a helpful, humble housemaid. Housemaid? Oh, no. And it is to her that I will my precious legacy. To me? I don't believe it. The contrellium. It's impossible. How about that? Lisa, you're a rich woman. But it was mine. I was right not at work. Back there on page two? Read that part again? I know. I felt it was mine on that page. But it's back in the safe now. I put it. You put it back in the safe? No, I mean it was always so safe in the safe. I watched out for it, the emerald. That was my duty. From now on, we'll leave you that bit, won't we, really dear? Of course, Jimmy, but I can't believe it. And as a bull down at precinct at Quarters, we'll put it there. Whatever you say, Jimmy. But wouldn't it be wiser to leave it here? Well, I don't know. After all, there has been a prowler on the premises this evening. Yes, but he's gone now. How do you know? Well, I mean, he's not here. Is he? Anyone can see that? What is so Edward? Should he return by any chance and steal Rita's emerald while it is still in our charge? I'd never forgive myself. Nor I, sir. Nor I. Whereas the once officer hurly deposits it in the police safe, there's not a chance in the world of us being stolen. I know. Rita, this treasure is yours. Thank you again, sir. I'll phone down to police headquarters that officer Hurley's escorting you there. Yes, sir. Come on, Rita, dear. You can stay at my aunt Kate's tonight. You're such a gentleman, Jimmy. I and her boys will be over in the morning to pick up your staff. Well, is this to be a permanent change of address, Rita? Yes, sir. Congratulations. Congratulations to both of you. I consider myself a very lucky man. A long life and a happy one. Eh, Edward? I'm sure. Well, I'll see you to the door. Oh, Edward, by the way. Yes, sir. I hadn't quite finished reading the will. Jonathan did leave you something, you know? He did? Oh, indeed. Something by which he set nearly as much star as the emerald itself. As the emerald itself? Those were his very work. Well, what is it? His portrait there over the fireplace. His portrait? I knew you'd be surprised. I think it's a rather amazing likeness myself. Rather interesting how it came to be painted. You see, Jonathan had a streak of vanity in him. Well, don't we all? But he saw no reason to let it carry him away. Well, this young fellow, the artist, came in front door one day, offered to paint an oil portrait of Jonathan for $50. Jonathan finally got him down to $35 with the frame alone. This is Rosalind Russell again. Do you remember the vision of Sir Lawnfall by James Russell Lowell? How Sir Lawnfall, the proud, arrogant young knight, rode forth in search of the holy grail. And as he rode forth, he saw a leper at the gate of the castle and tossed him a piece of gold and scorn. But because of that selfishness, he searched in vain for the holy grail. Years later he returned, an old bent man worn out in frail. He found a stranger in his castle and his own gate locked against him. As he sat shivering in the snow, a leper crept up and whispered, For the sake of our Lord, I beg in arms. Sir Lawnfall no longer proud or arrogant, but humble in understanding, looked up and saw a fellow creature who needed help. And he sheared his one crust of bread and gave the leper a drink of water from his wooden bowl. Then a great miracle came to pass. The leper no longer crouched to decide, but stood before him, glorified. And the voice that was calmer than silence said, Low it is I, be not afraid. And many climbs without a veil. Thou hast spent thy life for the holy grail. Behold it is here, this cup which thou didst fill at the streamlet for me but now. This crust is my body, broken for thee. This water his blood that died on the tree. The holy supper is kept indeed, in what so we share with another's need. Not what we give, but what we share for the gift without the giver is bear. Who gives himself with his arms feeds three, himself, his hungering neighbor, and me. That is Christian charity, the charity that can make this a better world to live in. Thank you for being with us. And remember, the family that prays together stays together. More things are up by prayer than this world dreams of. From Hollywood, Family Theater has brought you transcribed, Where There's a Will, starring Vincent Price. Rosalind Russell was your hostess. Others in our cast were Vivi Janus, Ted D'Corsia, Jack Crucian, and Herb Butterfield. The script was written and directed for Family Theater by John T. Kelly, with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman. This series of Family Theater broadcast is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program, by the mutual network which has responded to this need, and by the hundreds of stars of stage, screen, and radio who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theater stage. To them and to you, our humble thanks. This is Larry Chatterton expressing the wish of Family Theater, that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home, and inviting you to be with us again next week when Family Theater will present clean and crisp and even, starring Jeff Chandler and George Murphy. Join us, won't you? And now we suggest you stay tuned for John Holbrook and the latest news on the newspaper of the air, which follows immediately over most of these stations. This is the mutual Don Lee Broadcasting System.