 dedicated to the strength of the nation we hail starring Lon McAllister in forever always United States Army and United States Air Force presentation and our here is our producer the well-known Hollywood showman C.P. McGregor thank you thank you very much and greetings from Hollywood ladies and gentlemen welcome to your theater of stars for all your Hollywood screen favorites come to join us in plays we know you'll enjoy Lon McAllister makes a command return appearance before our microphone and stars in dramatic romance titled forever always we'll have the curtain for act one in just a moment but first here is your announcer with a message of importance you can be a key man on the U.S. Air Force team as a navigator learn about the U.S. Air Force's new navigator training course at Ellington Air Force base in Texas applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 26 and one-half and be able to meet certain educational and physical standards look into this opportunity for a future as a navigator as a flying executive aboard the mighty bombers and transports of the U.S. Air Force plan now to consider this program visit your nearest U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force recruiting station today now once again our producer the curtain rises on act one of forever always starring Lon McAllister as Larry Aldridge this is a story of simplicity the story of a boy and a girl just that the story begins like all stories do in a town it could be any town it could be your town if your town isn't very big but on second thought what towns are this town of ours yours and mine well it only has a population of two thousand it has a Rotary Club Kiwanis odd fellows you know like any good town it has a public library to we got it by public subscription it has three churches we're mostly God-fearing people how I almost forgot the chamber of commerce naturally we have one of those oh my gosh look what time it is three thirty schools letting out I'd better get home or my wife will skin me Jennifer hey Jennifer wait on them and I'll walk home with you all right Larry gee I thought almost bad she was gonna keep me in again she's telling me passing a note to Chris yeah you want me to carry your books you want to sure I do let's take that shortcut to the pasture I know where there's a quail's nest I can't stop Larry I told mom I'd be home right after school she's not feeling very well oh gee I'm sorry hey wait a minute Jennifer I'll hold a fence wire so you won't tell you dress there your mom's been sick an awful lot this year hasn't she it's supper last night my mom was saying what a job it puts on your shoulders I mean going to school and everything oh I don't mind it much Larry except the kids won't pay any attention to me like they do to mom well whalem oh they're too little Jennifer Jen do you believe all that stuff in geography all what stuff oh you know like like all those foreign places Miss Badgley talks about Baghdad and the Taj Mahal and Venice and the pyramids in Egypt things like that do you think they're really there Jennifer oh sure I do it says so in the book doesn't it yeah I guess it does but well it's sort of hard to imagine all those places according to Miss Badgley they're older than Grand Bailey they are older than she is well Grand Bailey's pretty old Jennifer we're we're still engaged aren't we you haven't changed your mind about us getting married when we're grown up have you not unless you have of course I haven't Jennifer when we get married let's get on a boat and go to all those places Miss Badgley talks about would you like to oh sure I would I guess gee can you imagine you and me standing on top of a big old pyramid Miss Badgley'd have a fit Jennifer do you believe that Frenchmen eat snails oh we won't eat them though when we're in Paris no I couldn't do it oh me neither make me sick me too here's my lane Larry I've got to go now yeah here hear your books thanks Jennifer you won't forget about all those places will you I mean when we get married will you make our secret promise on it mm-hmm all right then cook your little finger around mine now ready through good days and bad days I promise you forever always bye Jennifer bye Larry well almost four springs have come and gone since Jennifer and Larry made their secret promise forever always Larry has grown like a weed one of the garden variety and Jennifer is as pretty as a sunbeam in a buttercup she's a little thin though she's been working hard taking care of her mom and the kids she's a fine girl Jennifer well sir it's another spring night here in this town of ours the man in the moon has led his land turn in the sky the crickets are playing their fiddles and the frogs have joined in the double base vials Larry and Jennifer are sitting on the riverbank in the moss and dabbling their fingers in the water as it goes whispering down to somewhere hmm what are you thinking about oh I don't know you mad at me no I'm sorry about the sunday school picnic Larry I want more than anything to go with you but you know how it is with mom yeah well don't say it in that tone of voice Larry well gee Jennifer it was the same thing at the Christmas party in a bob Coleman's birthday party why can't the kids stay home with your mom once in a while you know why Larry they're too little they don't know how to do things for mom like I do yeah Larry huh Larry why don't you take somebody else to the picnic because I want to take you we're engaged remember I know but oh I don't want you to stay home just because of me Larry you haven't been anywhere neither of you Jennifer well that's different look I understand about your mom and I don't care about going places I can wait until the kids are over and then when we're married well we'll make it all up huh we'll get on a boat and we'll sail and sail and we'll see the Taj Mahal and Moonlight and the marketplace and Baghdad and we'll stand on top of a pyramid and think of Miss Badgley oh well Larry sure you want a promise give me a little finger you ready I love you Larry I love you too Jennifer well sir that's just about the way things went on for another four or five springs and summers and autumns and winters the seasons come and go in our town just about the same way and at the same time as anywhere else Larry and Jennifer are still just about the same not going anywhere because of mom and the kids and everybody taking it for granted well it's autumn now the leaves are making a joseph's coat in the woods and the sun is pouring down like honey and the apple dumpling of the world Larry and Jennifer are driving home from the market in a horse and buggy the mare wagging her ears and not paying attention to anything maybe just thinking if little mares do think winter is going to be like this year Larry Jennifer hmm Jennifer your kid sister's 17 now isn't she yes Larry well always before it's been that the kids were too little to look after your mom Lucy 17 now yes but you know how fussy mom is about things Larry well it's about time she learned to be unfussy about things and don't look at me like that I know she's your mother and you love her but that doesn't mean you've got to sacrifice your whole life does it and mine too Larry well somebody's got to talk plain facts Jennifer we can't go on like this forever with mom this and mom that I'm asking you for the last time will you marry me but don't you understand Larry I understand all I need to understand I want a simple answer yes or no well all right Larry yes whoa hold up whoa okay Jennifer when whenever you say Larry I guess you waited long enough all right a week from Sunday I've got a week's holiday coming then and that would be the best time to take it what do you say well it's a little soon but I think I can manage Larry bless you darling you're wonderful you know something Larry what it's the very first time you ever called me darling well sir a person might say Larry just plum grabbed the bull by the horns and I'd say it was about time too of course when the news got out there was quite a commotion here in our town and then of course Sunday came around like most Sundays do Larry looking somewhat glassy eyed in his new suit and haircut the preacher was there beaming like preachers do at such goings on everything was already and then wouldn't you know it mom took sick some sort of a spell and it called Dr. Ainsley he's been in with her now for about an hour and Larry well Larry is standing propped up by the mantle and he sure looks glum can't blame him much I guess she going to be all right Larry I think maybe you'd better go into Jennifer she's kneeling by the bedside she can't cry Larry what I'm very sorry my boy but I guess the excitement was a little too much Jennifer's mother died five minutes ago you better go yes I guess so Jennifer she apologized Larry she said to tell you that she was sorry for dying at a time like this but she couldn't help it don't Jennifer I'm sorry too Larry with all my heart I am forever and always is such a very long time isn't we pause briefly for my story forever always starring Lawn McAllister to bring you an important message from your government America's finest men choose U.S. Army careers for the well qualified young men with an eye to the future here is the career opportunity of a lifetime the United States Army now extends an invitation to high school graduates to begin important new careers in professional service choose your branch of service from these five infantry field artillery armored cavalry Corps of Engineers or anti-aircraft artillery and once you're in Army career guidance goes to work for you fitting you in the right job helping you become more skilled training you for advancement visit your nearest U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force recruiting office at once for full career details your recruiting sergeant can give you a complete picture of peacetime army life ask about the many personal benefits regular soldiers receive job security retirement advanced training unequaled sports travel and recreation and 30 days paid vacation every year it's your career make it an army career America's finest men choose U.S. Army careers the curtain rises on act two of forever always starring Lon McAllister as Larry well sir it sure looks like providence was dead set against those two kids Jennifer and Larry ever getting hitched in double harness most of us here in the town were pretty sorry about mrs. Hallett being called home by the almighty well time heals the scar they say a little while ago Larry walked Jennifer home from church it's sunday night and they're sitting in the kitchen now what do you think of the sermon tonight Larry oh it was good enough a sermon to go I guess nice thought Larry Aldrich what an awful thing to say that's almost blasphemy well maybe but it's pretty easy to stand up in front of a congregation and talk about faith moving mountains but who wants to move a mountain Larry doesn't mean that literally well if it did all the faith I've had in our marriage would move the Andes to the Sahara desert and back again but there's still no wedding ring on your finger faith without works is dead Larry works jumping jihasa fat Jennifer ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper I've been working at nothing else I suppose now you're gonna quote me everything comes to he who waits how many times have I told you to stir your coffee and not use so much sugar this rate will both be greater than Toby's tabby before it does I know Larry and you've been wonderful about everything but won't you be patient just a little longer a Lucy will be married next month and then there'll be nothing to stand in our way no not unless the church falls down or I turn into a lunatic you can't get married if you're crazy such talk as that makes me wonder if you're not crazy and I've already put salt on that sandwich do you want to get hardening of the arteries first we couldn't get married because your mom was too sick and when she went you had to take care of the kids and now it's Lucy you've got to see her get married first poor Larry cook your little finger around mine well go on now and just as soon as Lucy's married I give you my solemn word we'll take our vows for bad days and good days come on Larry say it through good days and bad days I promise forever always now you can have another cup of coffee if you'll promise not to use so much sugar well sir Lucy got married to a right nice young man Tom Williams Boy it was a pretty wedding too I'll accept for Miss Greeley falling off the organ stool like she did during the wedding march she said she was dizzy well it looks like there isn't anything now to come between Jennifer and Larry saying I do it's Monday morning now and there's quite a hubbub down at the bank on Tanner street what's going on yeah well didn't you hear it's a run on the bank when it starts let me through let me through the banks go and bust Miss Hallett the constables just went in let me in let me in please banks close Miss Hallett may I come in please I want to see Larry Mr Aldrich well it's against daughters but I reckon he'd like to see you too Miss Hallett come in thank you where is Larry he's in the office Miss Hallett I'll show you the way thanks Larry Jennifer what is it Larry I saw all the commotion I thought there was a hold up for something what's happened well this gentleman just put me under arrest Jennifer under arrest what in the world for I think they call it embezzlement embezzlement Larry I know it sounds pretty awful doesn't it but you didn't no of course I didn't but I'm responsible for the accounts and their $65,000 missing the examiners were here all day didn't you know I mean didn't you know that something was wrong with the account yes of course I knew but that's why I call the examiners that's why they came yesterday I've known that something was wrong for a long time I've been worrying about it Larry why haven't you said something well I shouldn't worry alone well you've had enough to worry about honey what with everything happening the way it has I thought that maybe if the examiners came they could straighten the mess out now Larry now and now the vice presidents I was griffer this preferred charges against me he thinks I'm a thief oh no Larry I'm afraid it's yes you see they've even handcuffed me like a thief not just a common thief either what they think I did they call grand larceny prisoner will rise and face the bench you have been tried and found guilty of grand larceny in the section of embezzlement well the evidence and testimonies against you have been of a circumstantial nature your defense and rebuttal have not been sufficient to refute or weigh the scales in your favor however in view of your immaculate record this court feels moved to accept the recommendation for leniency have you anything to say to this court before I pronounce sentence no your honor I said everything there was to say in the two words of my plea not guilty Larry Moore Aldrich I hereby sentence you to a period of not more than 10 years or less than five years in the state penitentiary at fallmouth such sentence to begin upon your delivery by the sheriff to the said penal institution well Jennifer I guess this is the end of the end Larry the end of what don't pretend you don't know I don't have to pretend Larry I don't know you mean the end of us do you mean the end of our forever always isn't it there's an end to everything isn't there there's got to be an end of forever always isn't there no Larry there hasn't not only hasn't but can't be there's no end to the sky is there there's no end to the beyond and wherever there is an end there's always something on the other side of it and that's something Larry is the always Jennifer the end that you just spoke of for me are the prison walls at fallmouth penitentiary beyond them is where I'm going not for long Larry you see my dear I know you didn't steal that money as sure as I know that the sun will rise tomorrow morning I know that there's been a dreadful mistake made and I'm going to find it and then Larry there will be another beyond the beyond the prison walls again and that will be our real always forever crook your little finger in mine Larry ready you're wonderful Jennifer ready through good days and bad days I love you forever always I love you Larry I love you too Jennifer well sir talk about faith moving mountains for two long years Jennifer worked knowing in her heart that Larry was innocent she practically turned the state upside down then one day the investigators found it it was all Cyrus Griffith himself who had done the embezzling naturally on the day they turned Larry loose Jennifer was there her eyes brimming over with tears Larry you're a free man now yes I'm a free man now Larry I don't want to bore you with any soothing syrup with any unctuous apologies however I do want to say this to you justice is an infallible thing you must believe that Larry you mustn't blame justice for what has happened to you you've made mistakes in your life haven't you yes of course then have a little tolerance for us by us I mean we who are the administrators of justice we try not to make mistakes but we're only human and thus sometimes we do but when we do we try to rectify them in the best way we know how realize Larry that the laws of our land the justice was not at fault we were at fault I know it's rather foolish to speak of paying for a man's loss of freedom but the state feels deeply obligated to you and it offers you its deep and humble apology will you accept this as a small token of its feelings five thousand dollars and I'll regret it's all I have to say my boy I leave you now with the fire that you reward you're Jennifer Jennifer oh Larry that's right cry darling it's all over now I didn't mean to be a ball baby I have a handkerchief sure here blow that hadn't been for you Jenny it's all over now try to forget it I will my dear and it will be forever always won't it now of course how soon can we be married today tomorrow this this very second if you like cookie little finger in mind of course Jennifer well sir from that moment on Larry and Jennifer dropped out of sight just like they'd never been born none of the folks here about an hour Tom could imagine what had happened to them there was more talk than you could shake a stick at you know Larry we ought to be ashamed of ourselves for not having written before this I bet the folks at home a mighty puzzle not knowing where we are the important thing Larry is that we know where we are don't we darling yes in love and in Egypt hey let's see that picture postcard again say you know that's an awfully good picture of us who'd have ever thought it well we used to think it when we were kids in school yeah you and me standing on top of the great pyramid of kiosks and you can tell it's us too I bet Miss Badge you'll have a fit when she sees this we better get it off of the mail then hadn't we well we better sign it first don't you think just this one last sentence having wonderful time wish you were here how should we sign it Larry all let's see could there be anything better than just to say lovingly yours forever always Jennifer and Larry the cookie falls in the final act the forever always our star Lawn McAllister will return to our microphone for a curtain call after this timely message from Wendell Niles planning for the future is mighty important to a young man with ability and ambition if you're one of these fellows look to a future as an officer in the United States Air Force a flying career as a pilot or navigator or a non-flying career and a wide variety of interesting fields can be yours to qualify and be selected for training you must meet certain age educational and physical standards on completion of training you'll earn your reserve commission as a second lieutenant and have many opportunities to earn a regular commission while on active duty here is your opportunity for a future that's exciting and challenging get all the facts on the important assignments awaiting you and the many other reasons why being an officer in the US Air Force can mean so much to your future visit your nearest US Army and US Air Force recruiting station for complete information right away now once again at the microphone our star and our producer lawn it's always a pleasure to welcome you back to our microphone that goes double cp i got a great kick out of doing a show with you the last time you were here you recall we left a little matter up in the air as far as our audience is concerned oh well what you mean is you invited me out to your ranch provided i brought my paint brushes along and provided i painted your barn you said you had agriphobia or something i just said i didn't like to work high up on a swinging platform with all that air between the ground and me so i came out and painted your barn maybe that's why you turned producer with frank melford out at eagle lion well um that and money but say you promised me if i'd paint your barn you'd catch the big cat now did you do it i certainly did preston foster his wife sheila and i went to the century theater that featured the big cat at its premiere opening you press and peggy and garner were wonderful i thought that climax where you killed the wild cat with a broken rifle was a masterpiece of action i'm glad you like it cp i hope you like a new one too that's the one that frank melford and i are producing what's the title well right now we call it the boy from indiana are you in it oh sure with a title like that that couldn't keep me out but in spite of that i still think you'll like the picture well cp i see that the time has come so maybe you'd better brief me on the big doings here in your theater next week well on the big doings as you so aptly call our show for next week stars george delin's who is making his radio debut with us in a dramatic story journey to bethany you'll enjoy it i'm sure i'll be on hand listening as usual so long cp goodbye line be sure to join us next week ladies and gentlemen when george delin's stars in a dramatic story journey to bethany until then thanks for listening and cheerio from hollywood long the callous prepared the courtesy of the hollywood coordinate with eddie with the ranges for the appearance of all stars in this program script was by tim belless sent music of eddie duncett this program is transcribed in hollywood for release at this time wendell niles speaking