 From Hollywood, California, the Lux Radio Theater presents Edward G. Robinson in Bullets or Ballots with Mary Aster, Humphrey Bogart, and Otto Kruger. Lux presents Hollywood. Bullets or Ballots. This is the question answered in tonight's play, the vivid drama of a battle against racketeers. Screened by Warner Brothers, you'll hear it starring Edward G. Robinson, Mary Aster, Humphrey Bogart, and Otto Kruger. While our special guest is Frank B. Comfort, nationally known criminologist. Louis Silver's conducts our music. Just a word before hearing from our producer. A man notices when a woman is fresh and sweet and really dainty. He may not know why, but he knows it's nice to be near her. A charming Loretta Young tells you, men fall for skin that's sweet. A Lux toilet soap beauty bath is the best way I know to protect daintyness. Makes you sure. Loretta Young, like many other screen stars, uses her complexion soap, Lux toilet soap as a bath soap, too. Its rich, active lather carries away perspiration. Every trace of dust, dirt, leaves the skin really fresh and sweet. Make a Lux toilet soap bath your daily beauty bath. And now, the producer of the Lux Radio Theatre. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Racketeering is a comparatively new word in the American language, but an old bugbear in American history. Following the Revolution, American vessels in the Mediterranean were plundered and their crews thrown into slavery so frequently that the United States, to continue commerce in those waters, signed a treaty with the pirate's ruler, the Sultan of Algiers. Uncle Sam paid $800,000 for the ransom of imprisoned sailors and for years paid an additional $23,000 annually as a guarantee for future safety, until our Navy under Stephen Decatur forever ended this racket of the Barbary pirates. Today's racketeers, dealing in millions of dollars, would score on the modest sums involved in historical racketeering and only by militant public resistance, such as that shown in tonight's play, Bullets or Ballots, can America purge herself of these internal parasites? In his screen characterizations, Edward G. Robinson has often lived outside the law, but tonight he walks a straight and narrow path as he pens a badge inside his coat and becomes, as he did in the picture, Detective Johnny Blake, an established air personality because of his own program, Big Town. This fast-talking, fist-swinging favorite is from Warner Brothers Studio and will soon appear in Confessions of a Nazi Spy. In Bullets or Ballots, you saw another brilliant performance by one of the screen's best bad men, Humphrey Bogot, who likes playing villains and tonight resumes the part of Bugs Brenner in our grammar division at the Statuesque Marriasta, who brings her loveliness and talent to the role of Lee Morgan. Otto Kruger displays his genius for the sinister and changes only his first name in playing Al Kruger. We raise the curtain now and the Lux Radio Theatre presents Edward G. Robinson in Bullets or Ballots with Marriasta, Humphrey Bogot and Otto Kruger. A radio station in a large eastern city. At a table in one of the smaller studios, a man reads quietly from a typewritten page. Behind the glass enclosure, the radio engineer sends the speaker's voice out across the city into the homes of listening millions. The man nears the end of his speech. And so, ladies and gentlemen of the radio audience, there are a thousand rackets. Rackets which are forcing prices beyond the reach of the poor, looting business, food, laundry, poultry, dry cleaning, and still the American people let the racketeer go free. Men like Al Kruger, protected against the law, returned from mock trials to collect their share of the $200 million plunder taken each year from this city alone. And again I say, these rackets must be stopped. Ladies and gentlemen, I've been ordered by the crime combine to discontinue these broadcasts. A gentleman who phoned, added, or else. For his information, I shall continue the broadcast regularly and my papers will continue their present policy of open attack on racketeers and directors of organized crime who are the really dangerous enemies of society. Ladies and gentlemen, you've been listening to Mr. Ward Bryant and his march against crime. Mr. Bryant will be heard again at this stage. Good night, Mr. Bryant. Good night, Joe. That was a fine speech tonight, Mr. Bryant. I heard it on the speaker down here in the hall. Glad you liked it. Get me a cab, will you, Joe? Sure. Yes, sir, you sure have the right angle on this racketeer business. Hey, look out! Look out, Mr. Bryant! Look out! Mr. Bryant! Mr. Bryant! Help! Dang bullish, get Bryant! Ward! Cigar. Who is it? It's me, Miss Lee, Hyman. Can I come in? Come in. Good evening, Miss Lee. How are you, Hyman? They said you was in your office. So why are you surprised? How were the collections today, Hyman? Oh, just fine, Miss Lee. You really got something in this numbers game. It's going to catch on up here in the Bronx even better than it did in Harlem. Here is one day's collection. Do you have to bring it all in, Nichols, Hyman? No, ma'am. Oh, there's two other bags, too. Green money. That's very nice. Yes, ma'am. You know, if it keeps on coming in like this, you can sell this cabaret and move right into Park Avenue. Thanks. We'll stick to the cabaret and the Bronx. Bye, Herman. See you tomorrow. Say, there was something else I wanted to tell you. Never mind. It'll come. Oh, I remember. Yeah, I saw Mr. Blake when I come in. Blake? Yeah, that detective fella. Where was he? In the bar. In the bar? Did he drink? Yeah. What's happened downtown? Any extras out? Oh, yeah. Yeah, that publisher was murdered. The one name that explains it. Oh, let's see. The name was... Never mind, Herman. Where's the diamond rest? Oh, I got it. Brian. Thanks. Hello, Johnny. Oh, hello, Leigh. Sit down a while. Don't mind if I do. Guess it's all right for the boss to chin with a guy she hasn't seen in months. How have you been, Johnny? Okay. Why don't you let me know you were here? I've been reading this about Brian. Hmm. That was real brave killing, wasn't it? Did you know him? Yeah, a little. A swell fellow. Had a swell wife and kid. It'll be plenty tough on him. Wife and kid, huh? Yeah. You're a funny person, Johnny. When you come out of your shell, you're really hewn. But I don't like to see decent people pushed around. When something big breaks down there in your old standing ground, it gets under your skin, doesn't it? What makes you think so? It's the only time I ever see you take a drink. Oh, now, Zayla, this is just a celebration. I found out who stole Mrs. Blausmeier's laundry. That must have been something. It was. You weren't on the level. Sure. I've been transferred up here now, regular. Well, uh, that's a fine thing for a police career, isn't it? Trying to find stolen laundry in the Bronx. Oh, it's better than being pensioned out with the firehorses. I'm not kidding myself. It's no use. I'm no use to them downtown anymore. Well, with things like this Brian killing going on, it looks like they need you plenty. They ought to have your whole flying squad back in action. Oh, no. They don't believe in kicking the rats in the line anymore. Nowadays, you're supposed to kiss them and tuck them in. Your friend McLaren doesn't think so. Well, McLaren's only a captain. Say, he takes orders, too. So you just go along staying loyal to McLaren and the police department. Yeah, that's about it. And looking for laundry. Sure. Someday Mac will be back up on top, and he won't have to worry about me anymore. Um, Johnny, who killed Brian? Al Krueger. You sure of it? Well, it wasn't Al himself. One of his stooges. Bugs Brenner, maybe. How do you know? Well, Krueger had the most to lose by cleanup. He can close every racket in town. Yeah, not the numbers. The numbers? Ha, ha. Well, that's small time. Whatever gets big enough, he'll grab it just like he's grabbed everything else. He's got no organization, that guy. Crime incorporated. Protected right down the line. They can't lay a finger on him until we find out who's behind him. The higher-ups who see to it that he gets away with anything he wants, including murder. I wish they'd let you take a crack at this job. Why? Feeling sorry for me? Maybe. Or maybe it's just because I hate to see a swell guy eating his heart out. Oh, forget it, will you? Well, uh, see you around. When, Johnny? It's a long time between your visits. I'll make it soon. Swell. Hey. I thought you didn't let mugs into this place. I don't when I know them. Well, look who's coming in. Who is he? Crail. I sent him up to Sphinx a couple of years ago. Well, well, well. Hello, Detective Blake. Well, the parole board turned you loose on the public again, eh? Yeah. No thanks to you. Well, I hear they cut down the big shot detective down to size. It must be tough not to be able to kick the boys around anymore and make them tip their hats to you. Yeah, well, they still do. To a Bronx flatfoot? Yeah. Well, as long as I'm part of the force, they'll keep on tipping their hats. Remember it next time. All right, everybody. It's all over. Monty, throw that guy out. Music, Harry. Well, I guess we'll go downtown and see what's going on. You haven't lost the handle, can't have you, Johnny. See you soon. Don't hurt your knuckles. What do you want? I want to see Al Kruger. Here? Blake's the name. Detective Blake. Oh. Come in, Johnny. All right, Ben, see you get out. Hello, Al. All right, Johnny, sit down. Yeah, a big night for you, huh? Working overtime? Yeah, that happens a lot. Your racket must be doing all right. Yeah, about 5,000 last week. 500,000, you mean? Maybe. I can't count that, Harry. You got it? Thanks. I thought you were homesteading the Bronx. What are you doing in this neck of the woods? Just poking around the old hangout. What do you think of Brian's death? I was just reading about it. It's too bad. He's a fine fellow. Yeah. Well, probably blame it on you, Al. You're telling me a couple of the boys are up here from headquarters a half hour ago. They were very nice about it, though. That's the trouble they have to be. You'd have taken me around the corner and rolled up a newspaper. Yeah, I guess I would. And I didn't get much out of you the last time I gave you a going over. You came close to it. I wish I'd known it at the time. You'd have gotten some more. I wanted to get you on that wrap. Yeah, good old days. Yeah. You've traveled a long way since, Ben. A long way, too. You'd thrown in with me the first time I asked you. Maybe I would. You'd been a great help to this business, Johnny. You know more about the inside of this town than any bird that ever lived in it. If I'd thrown in with you, Al, I'd have done it to nail you. Now, you wouldn't. You'd never double-cross anyone in your life. Even a crook if he told you something in confidence. You rode the pants off of all of us, but you always let us know where we stood. You've always known what I thought of you. Yeah, but you're the only fella I'd take it from. Listen, I still want you to throw in with me, Johnny. I'll stick with the department. After all the kicking around they've given you? You're a chump. All you'll ever get out of it is a petty larceny pension. I could do more for you in a year than you learn in a lifetime on the force. Maybe I'd like to make my money the hard way. Well, no. I'll probably still be asking you ten years from now. If you live that long. Al, do you see the papers about... Hey, what's he doing here? Well, isn't Bugs Renner... I'm forgetting out of here, Blake. Hold your horses, Bugs. I asked Johnny here. Not of mine, Al. Bugs hasn't been able to forget the week he spent in the hospital after he took that swing at me. I don't think much of him either. I'll see you around. Oh, uh... I forgot to compliment you, Bugs. Nice clean job you did on Bryant. What are you talking about? Nothing yet. Good night, Al. What's he talking about? As if you didn't know your ten-cent thug. I told you to leave Bryant alone. I don't know anything about him. Is he dead? Yes, he's dead, and you did it. I pulled you off a truck and you peed me back and you peed all mine. Well, someday you'll get wise of the fact that the strong-arm stuff went out with prohibition. You're not running liquor anymore. You're in big business. Sit down. Al, that's right. Yes, sir. Right away. Well, they're not as satisfied. Hey, who is that? The big fellas. The first time they've called in six months, and when they call it this time of the night, it means they're going to rake me over plenty. Well, if they do it, it'll be the last thing that'll happen to me. Hey, Al. Who ought to eat, fellas? Who ought to, Al? If you knew, you wouldn't sleep much tonight. Now, beat it. The killing of one leader, Mr. Ward Bryant, cannot stop these broadcasts. The march against crime will continue, faithful to the memory of one who died in the service of the people. Ms. Lee. The next step has already been taken. A new police commissioner was recommended by the grand jury last week. A man with a splendid record and fine reputation for honesty and integrity. We are pleased at this time to inform our listeners that the appointment was ratified today. The new police commissioner of this city is Mr. Franklin McLaren. Mr. McLaren. Herman. Yes, Mr. Blake on the phone. Circle 0461. Yes, ma'am. See, I... See, that's what I've been meaning to tell you about Mr. Blake. Well, what? Well, Mr. Blake got fired from the police forces. Fired? Someone's kidding you. No, no, it's true. You ask him. This Mr. McLaren started a big shakeup and I fired a lot of fellas. But he was depending on McLaren. Well, you ask him, Ms. Lee. Oh, no, where was I? Oh, yes, see, I... Wait, never mind calling. I'll run over and see him. Hello, Johnny. How are you, Lee? I never thought you'd get over this way. Well, should we just stand here and swing on the door? No, no, come on in. What are you in an uproar about? Herman said you were fired. That's right. Yeah, sit down. Make yourself comfortable. Who did it? And you were the one that was telling me that when McLaren got on top, everything would be just fine and dandy. Well, I was wrong. Sure, it's about time you got wise to yourself. Around this town, the only reason friends pat you on the back is to find an easy place to break it. Well, you're a friend, aren't you? I guess you're dumb enough to think so. Oh, no, I'm not dumb, Lee. You like me pretty well. That goes both ways. Women and home life have been in my line. And I'd have fallen for you a long time ago. It would have been sort of nice, wouldn't it? Yeah. It wasn't in the car, Lee. Can't beat the cars, can you? No. You didn't get enough salary to save much, did you, Johnny? Oh, I'll get along. I suppose you'll be looking for a job. I thought you might like to come in with me and help me run the numbers game. What? You've got all the help you need. Oh, I won't have. It's getting bigger all the time. Some weeks it brings in 10 to 12,000. 12,000? From that penny ante game? Yeah. Well, the last time you told me about it, you were only getting in a few hundred. I know, but they're crazy about it in Harlem, and now it's going over in the Bronx. Oh, please come in and help me run it, Johnny. You could do a swell job of building it up. You'd make a lot of money for both of us. Yeah, pretty regularly. You'll do it? Now, not a chance. Any money I made would be just coming out of your pocket. I don't take money away from women. Hi, you, Johnny. Hi, Louis. You missed a sweet bottle, Johnny. Yeah, that's too bad. Yeah, your pal McLaren liked it a lot. McLaren, is he here? Oh, yeah, thanks. See you later. Hello, Mr. McLaren. Oh, hello, John. Yeah, thanks, John. Hey, tell me you were trying to see me today. Sorry I was busy. Oh, it's okay. I can say it now. I just wanted to thank you with a kick in the teeth. What? What? Hey! Come here, Blake. I got him, Commissioner. Yeah, take your hands off me. You can't suck the Commissioner and expect to get away with it. Will you prefer charges, Commissioner? No, just throw him in the street. You want another drink, Johnny? Mr. Blake, to you. Sure, sorry. Mind if I sit down? I just came from the fights. Yeah, I saw you when I went in. You don't miss much, do you? No, it's a habit. How was the main event? The other had you in the ring. That was a sweet punch, Johnny. Well, McLaren had it coming to him. Yeah, finally he washed up. Yeah, plenty. The other things you got from McLaren and the public. Yeah, not even that petty larceny pension you were talking about. Now on, I'm going to see what it's like looking out for number one. That offer is still open, Johnny. I'd like to have you in with me. Doing what? I like it a hunch we're in for some trouble. With McLaren and that grand jury on a tear, if there's any weak spots in the organization, I gotta find them now. You'd be the first one to spot them. I want you to look over the whole setup and the only one you answer to is me. You've got a lot of confidence in me. I've heard fellas you've sent to prison say that if you ever made a deal, you'd see yourself dead before you go back on it. Yeah? Yeah, brother. Okay, Al. It's a deal. Good. We have come to the end of the first act of bullets o' ballots starring Edward G. Robinson, Mary Aster, Humphrey Bogart and Otto Kruger. The curtain will go up on act two after our short intermission. But now, here's something that happened recently which I would like to have you hear. You better hurry, Mary. We're going to be late. All right, just a moment. Gosh, you've been primping for an hour now. Don't exaggerate. I'm coming. Don't be cross, Bill. Well, hello. I thought you'd never show up. Say, you look wonderful. You like it? Like what? The hat, of course. Gosh, the hat. Sure I like it. But I like what's under it better. How about a little kiss? Come on, let's get going. I'm going to be so proud. There's nothing like a smooth, soft complexion to make a new spring hat do its best. And as a matter of fact, the best-looking spring hat in the world can do much for the woman who's been careless about her skin, the woman who's let cosmetic skin develop, dullness, little blemishes and large pores. That's why clever women everywhere take the screen stars tip. They use cosmetics all they like, but they're always careful to remove them thoroughly with lux toilet soap. This mild white soap that nine out of ten stars use has active lather. Let it help you keep skin smooth and soft. Lovely to look at. Nice to touch. Mr. DeMille. Act two of bullets or ballots starring Edward G. Robinson with Mary Aster, Humphrey Bogart and Otto Kruger. Fired from the police force, Johnny Blake has gone over to the racketeers as a working part of Al Kruger's crime combined. But now an outraged citizenry demands action. Swiftly and without warning, the new police commissioner cracks down. McClaren Dynamite racketeers! Loan sharks loaded! McClaren Raves jewelry fences! One by one the rackets hold and thousands of dollars are turned back to the taxpayers. In a hotel room, Joe Vinci, the latest racketeer to feel the lash, savagely reads the headlines. Police raid jewelry fences. Two hundred thousand diamonds recovered. Two hundred grand. Now that fixes my business plenty. You ain't getting it any harder than the others. It's phony to me. The cops couldn't have found those hideouts without somebody tipping them off and I'm going to find out who's doing it. You don't have to look very far. All this has happened since Blake got in. What are you talking about? I'm talking about Blake. I'm going to ask him a few questions. Hello, Louis. Let me speak to Blake. Oh, yeah? Well, when he gets back, I want to see him right away. You'll have to move that car. This is a no-parking zoo. Forget it, copper. This car belongs to Al Kruger. Thanks. Want me to put your name or his on the ticket? You write a ticket for Al Kruger and he'll tie you that nigga, yours upside down. What goes on? What's the idea of the ticket, Donlan? What's it to you, Mr. Blake? You want to get rid of all those sparking tags? No, he's already weeded the rats out of the department. You wouldn't like to climb down off that horse of yours for a minute, would you, Donlan? I'd be glad to. Take it easy, Johnny. What do you want to make of this? Oh, shoot. Johnny, cut it. Come on, let's go. You need a horse to be a cop, do you? You face not there. This goes for the whole floor. Johnny, Blake, come on, Johnny. Come on, you had enough work for your fist today. Well, it took two here to do it, as usual. Shut up. No right, Donlan? Yeah, call the wagon. Yeah, call the wagon. Get a whole squad to take me in. Joe, tell Al if he wants to be at that meeting on time, he's better rush the lawyer now. One of your boys and you're alone. I'll mark off the days on my talent. Well, hello, Mr. McLaren. How'd you get in here ahead of me? Well, they sent me word that you were on the way. Did I suck Donlan too hard? Well, you didn't do him any good. Or me either, that night at the fights. You ought to learn to pull those punches of yours, Johnny. Well, if I had to pull them, they'd look funny. How's your jaw? Still isn't a sling. Well, what's yourself to fuss for this time? Well, I had to see you alone. This was the only way I could manage it. Well, what happens next? Wish I knew. Here, here's another report. The whole poultry racket down through names and addresses. There's a plan of a garage. There's a plan of a garage. There are business headquarters and so on. Our freighter won't do much good, though, except for raids. Well, that's good enough for a time being. Well, you're doing pretty well on your information, Johnny. Yes, so I've been reading in the papers. Did you find out who bosses Kruger? Now, all I know is that there is somebody higher up, and he controls everything. Now, we can nail that bird. The whole works will fall up from the inside. Does Brenner know who it is? Well, nobody knows except Kruger. Well, do you think you'll ever get it out of him? Oh, not a chance. Well, well, how are you working it? We've got to know. Now, look, Brenner is Kruger's number one man. If anything happens to Kruger, and I'm going to see what it does, Brenner steps up. But I'm not going to let him because I'm going to step into Mr. Brenner's spot. How? But I don't know yet. Is that all you've got to tell me? Well, that's all now, except keep on smashing him as fast as you get my instructions. When the break comes, I'll know what to do. Until then, you've got to play the cards the way I deal them. There's only one thing, though, about it. What? There's only one thing tough. Tough? No, not about it. What's that? Kruger. You know, he's just as much as a rat as the rest of them. He'd knock me off in a minute, if you find out. And I'll hit across him. Because you haven't given him an evening break? Yeah. Well, I haven't given you one either. We had another man on the force who tried to smash that mob. They threw acid in his face. His headlights don't burn anymore. I handed you a rotten job, Johnny. Well, I asked for it. All I know is handling mugs. I'd have come back to work for you if I had to ride a horse or hand out traffic tickets. Right. Yeah? Kruger's lawyer is in the office with a roof for you. Come on. Yeah, all right. Well, it's long, man. Take care of yourself, Johnny. Sure. And as soon as I'm set, you'll hear from me. In the meantime, make him tip their hats. You heard me, Al Blake. Nobody else but Blake. I tell you, the guy's double crossed. He's right, Chief. Shut up. I'll listen to me. I said shut up. That means you two bugs. I'm running this outfit. Yeah, but Chief, look, you're going to give us a... Good evening, gents. So, uh, thanks for the fast legal service, Al. What's the matter? What is this, a war? What's the matter? What is this, a wake? It might be. Seen the papers? New racket raids, net 21. Hmm. Nice picture of McLaren. Yeah. The boys think you're working for them. I'm wandering. I'm not. Burke, shut up. What have you got to say, Johnny? Oh, sure. Sure, Al. I just sold you right down the river. The cop said they were sorry they kicked me off the force. McLaren sent me a basket of flowers for heading them on the jaw. Said if I want to come back, he'd give me the whole Bronx to wander around me. I wouldn't clown, Johnny. Are we wise to you, Blake? You're through. Oh, no, I'm just starting. Hey, now listen, copper. Yeah, take your hands off. I don't like guys that put their hands on me. Let's keep this a business meeting. All right. Start talking. Well, I went to work for you because you wanted help. I didn't come to you. You came to me. Now, you think I crossed you? Well, I couldn't get a dime a dozen if I handed this whole mob over to the cops and you knew it. I can see now why you need help and you need plenty of it. Ali, you're going to let this guy talk his way out. Shut up. Keep talking, Johnny. It never fails, does it? When mugs get in the jam, they always start off by knifeing each other. Hey, I thought you were smart, Al. What would you suggest? Let McLaren have his fun. You can't stop him. Soon as he's made a showing, the grand jury will pull right up under him. They always do, you know that? Yes, sure. And meanwhile, we sit back and wind up broke. No, spend your time building up new rackets. So that when McLaren comes up for air, he'll find a dozen more going. Just pull them right out of the hat, huh? No, go to work. Quit playing cops and robbers. Stop knifeing each other. I suppose you've got a good racket in mind? Well, name it. Sure, I've got one. Numbers. Go ahead. Now, what's the odds against picking the right number out of from one to a thousand? Thousand to one. That's it. We take the last three numbers of the racetrack payoff every day. The suckers try to guess it. And the payoff is 600 to one. That is, if anybody picks the right number. A lot of people would try to pick that every day. If one dollar would win them 600? What are you trying to sell us? That penny-andy game, Lee Morgan's running up in the Bronx in Harlem? Well, it's so penny-andy that he's picking up 12,000 a week out of a few neighborhood stores. Most of the bets are nickels and dimes. Seven million people in this town are all of them looking for easy money. You just offer them 600 for one and watch this thing spread like a four-long fire. And they won't be playing one number a piece. They'll be picking four or five. Now, if you want to control the winning number, you can pay off on racetrack bets and manipulate the totals. All it needs is organization. Now, you get a million people buying numbers every day, and this one racket will clean up 300 million a year. Why, it's easy at the cinch. 300 million. That's it? Did somebody say something about penny-andy? All right, you fellas beat it. Mr. Blake and me want to talk business. Now, wait a minute. I said, beat it! Okay, Mr. Krueger. Nice talking, Blake. Now, sit down, Johnny. You know, you're a pretty smart guy. Yeah. My mother used to say I was going to be president. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I got to see you right away. Not her, Herman. Where'd you get that shiner? Miss Lee, it's important. Come inside. Well, Herman, spill it. They took the money away from me. The numbers money, the bag, and everything. Who did? I don't know. Some men. They stopped me on the street. They told me to keep my face out of there. They said I couldn't even make collections no more. Oh, they did, did they? All right, sit tight, Herman. What are you going to do? Damn mugs, Miss Lee. I'm going to tell Johnny Blake about it. He'll run these chisels right off the end of the 93rd Street dock. Wait here. I'll be right back. Oh, Clerk. Clerk. Yes, Miss? William, please. My name is Lee Morgan. Oh, I'm sorry, but Mr. Blake isn't in his room. He left just a moment ago. Oh, thanks. Good evening. Good evening. You looking for Johnny Blake? Yes, I am. My name's Brenner. Maybe I can help you. I've got to find him right away. Ain't you the Lee Morgan who runs the numbers game in the Bronx? Yes. Here they started running you out of it tonight. They won't get away with it. I don't blame you for gunning for Blake. Gunning for him? Yeah. He's the one that's taking it over. Blake. You're a liar. He's grabbing it to put himself in strong with Al Kruger. Go in and ask him. He's in the coffee shop. Yeah? Thanks. Hello, Johnny. Oh, Lee. Well, sit down, Lee. Thanks, but I may not be staying long. No? What's on your mind? Just one thing. Are you taking over the numbers game, Johnny? Well, are you? Yes. Why? I can't tell you. I see. And I tried to take you in with me. Sort of worked out better to toss it to the wolves, didn't it? Well, I... I thought they'd let you keep on running your end. I guess that wasn't poetry about friends finding an easy place to break the back. So long, Johnny. Good luck to you. 20, 30, 40,000. And one makes 41,000. That's your cut, Johnny. Thanks, Lee. That's not so bad. You earned it. That was a great idea taking over the numbers. Sure was. By the way, you better sink that cash in the safety deposit box. Don't put it in a regular account. No? Oh, sure. It's a safe deposit, isn't it? I get it. Is that what you do, Al? Yeah. Well, it's easy to get at. They can't trace it. You and the bosses must have had to take over a wall. Yeah, I don't know why they put theirs, but they're plenty happy. How about meeting them sometime? Well, that's it. I'm the only one that knows who they are, and I guess they want it to stay that way. And I suppose you can't blame them. Well, good night, Al. Well, uh, say, what would happen to them if you got lost? Well, pick someone else and keep on going. Renner, huh? No. It would probably be you. Me? Yeah. They think you're the best man I've got. But you wouldn't want it, Johnny. It's the top job, but it's the last one a guy ever holds. There's only one way out. That's the payoff for helping them, huh? Yeah. But don't worry about getting it. I don't intend to get lost. Oh, sure. Well, good night. Good night. Hello, McLaren? Yeah. Now, this is Johnny Blake. I'm ready to go, Mac. Grab Kruger right away. I'll wait him just like that. Well, you've got to, and put him where nobody can get at him. What are you going to do, John? Well, I've got no time to answer questions. Wait a minute. That's not all. Crack down on Brenda Smith. Crack it. Break it up. Smash it. Do you hear? Well, whatever you say. Well, thanks, Mac. You'll hear from me later. This is the last move. We pause for station identification. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System. It's intermission and guest time now, but first, a suggestion. Screen stars use lux toilet soap to help care for million-dollar complexions. They use it as a bath soap, too, because it has active lather that leaves skin fresh and fragrant. Here's what Joan Brandel says. Use lux toilet soap as a beauty bath. It's the best way I know to protect daintiness. You'll love it. Are you enjoying the luxury of a daily beauty bath with this white, gentle soap screen stars use? You'll love the delicate clinging fragrance it leaves on your skin. You'll be sure of daintiness. Now, our producer. The battle that Johnny Blake is fighting in our play against racketeering and terrorism is being fought throughout the country by men like tonight's guest, Mr. Frank B. Gumpert, who matched the brawn and daring of gangsters with the relentless weapons of science. Mr. Gumpert is the criminologist in charge of the research laboratory of the sheriff's office of Los Angeles County. He's a policeman who fights not with machine guns, but with microscopes. Has a degree in law, has a master of sciences, and a doctor of philosophy. He's been technical director of several movies dealing with crime, and has worked on some 8,000 cases, 80% of them murders. As a 20th century Sherlock Holmes, Mr. Gumpert, tell us just how you do it. While we have to deal in chemistry, ballistics, physics, toxicology, and handwriting, Mr. DeMille, no one man can be outstanding in all fields, but a laboratory combining experts in each field can come pretty close to solving any crime. To me, one of the outstanding values of our laboratory is not its power to convict the guilty, but to free the innocent. Hundreds of times, evidence that might have otherwise convicted a perfectly innocent man when examined in our laboratory has freedom of every suspicion. I know you're perhaps the nation's greatest expert in solving crime with the evidence of human hair. While you might have some difficulty with me, what can you learn from those whose tresses are a bit more abundant? You do fine, Mr. DeMille, as long as you have a single hair left on your head. From that single hair we can usually learn a man's approximate age, his environment, the places he visited recently, his type of employment, his personal habits, and frequently his race. We can also learn a dozen things from a cigarette. A cigarette? Yes. Anyone who smokes a cigarette reveals secrets through the saliva that remains on the end, even though many months have elapsed since it was smoked. Saliva tells us what blood group the man who smoked the cigarette belongs to. There are 20 blood groups in which we deal, and often we can eliminate 19 out of 20 suspects by a blood grouping test. I see it's getting harder and harder to commit murder. Not to commit it, but to get away with it. But while we solve crimes, the public can do far more than we can do in preventing them. Don't be intimidated by the threats and blows of racketeers. Every time you surrender, you betray not only yourself, but your neighbors and your community. At the first sign of a threat, get in touch with your local authorities. Now, ladies and gentlemen, just to prove what an ordinary piece of evidence may reveal, I gave Mr. Gompath a coat which I wore sometime yesterday. He examined it and is now going to tell exactly what he found out about me from that coat. You're sure you want me to go through with it? Yes, of course I do. We really don't have to, Mr. DeMille. Backing out, are you? Okay, Mr. DeMille, you asked for it. I took your coat, and last night beat out all the dust. Here's what it told me. Yesterday morning, you took a walk with a brunette between the ages of 20 and 25. An actress, probably a star. You stopped at Hal Chester's flower stop, bought an orchid, had lunch at the Brown Burby, and ate, among other things, a shrimp cocktail. Later you... No, no, no, that's plenty, thanks, but... Don't try to tell me you learned that from my coat. You probably followed me. Sorry, you're wrong. Here's how it's done. A few black hairs on the coat told me the lady's age and a preparation on the hair revealed that she had something to do with acting under powerful lights. I guess she was a star instead of an extra, because the face powder also found on the coat was very expensive. You were walking, because if you had been riding, the powder would have been differently placed. It was in the morning, because that particular powder does not look well on a brunette at night. You went to Hal Chester's because I found the pollen from a Symbidium, that is, a terrestrial orchid, and Hal Chester's about the only store carrying that kind. You went to the Derby, because I found a tiny spot of sauce used for a seafood cocktail, and it contained a trace of an herb, which I won't name, because the chef of the Derby claimed that it is part of his secret shrimp receipt. You win, Mr. Gumpert. Who was the girl? Well, that's for you to reveal. It happened to be my daughter Catherine. I have only one suggestion to make. The next time you go to the Derby for lunch, how about asking me along? And thanks for the invitation here tonight. It is great to take you, Mr. Gumpert. Great. And that's a date. Edward G. Robinson in Bullets or Ballots with Mary Aster, Humphrey Bogart and Otto Kruger. Confident that the higher-ups will choose him to replace Al Kruger, Johnny Blake has ordered the gangsters arrest. The trap is ready to spring, but Bugs Brenner arrives at Kruger's apartment first. He faces the leader, a revolver in his hand. He's going under there. He's waiting to finish. You might take that again, Mr. Mills. There's a door open. Charlie, just in there. Just at the end of Mr. DeMills' introduction, have a door open there. The market rate. Faces the leader, revolver in his hand, door open. All right, Rudy, you don't mind. Confident that the higher-ups will choose him to replace Al Kruger, Johnny Blake has ordered the gangsters arrest. The trap is ready to spring, but Bugs Brenner arrives at Kruger's apartment first. He faces the leader, a revolver in his hand. Hello, Bugs. What are you doing over here? The cops just smashed my milk racket. And so, so I'm starting to take over the numbers game. Let's take that again. That's awfully confused. Rudy, after the shots and the groan, you come up again, is that it? Into the drum roll. There's another. Then down. Hold it. You sustain that, will you? Sustained that drum roll. We kind of take it out and bring in the sask over it. Right? At the end, yeah. Yeah. You mind taking that once more? Okay. Bank attention. Eddie, you want to play the tips on this? Thanks. Thanks. What? I'll leave the shots off this time. Well, Rudy, I'll have to clap my hands so you get the effect of the shots. He's out of shots, I'm sorry. He's out of shots? Yeah. Okay. What? What? Yeah. Charlie, the first shot, a groan, and then bang, bang, bang. Instead of all together, you see? All right. Once more for Mr. Mills and stuff. Confident that the higher ups will choose him to replace Al Kruger, Johnny Blake has ordered the gangsters' arrest. The trap is ready to spring, but Bugs Brenner arrives at Kruger's apartment first. He faces the leader, a revolver in his hand. Bugs, what are you doing over here? The cops just smashed my milk racket. So? So I'm starting to take over the numbers game. Racketeer found dead in hotel room. Who is it? Good morning, Miss Morgan. Oh, come in. Mr. Brenner, wasn't it? Yeah, that's right. I don't know who's in that paper. Yeah, who did it? I don't know. We're trying to find out. I thought he was your friend. He was. You don't seem very upset about it. Well, there ain't no use crying if the dice fall that way. Well, what do you want? Do you want to go back in the numbers game? What are you trying to do, kid me? Ah, you started the game. You ought to have a share in it. And I suppose Mr. Blake will let me have it. He'll have nothing to say about it. I'm running things from now on. If you want the Bronx and Harlem districts, they're yours. And if you need protection, you'll get it. Yeah, that sounds good. Too good. You don't trust me, huh? I don't trust anybody. No, neither do I. You know, we ought to work fine together. How about it? You're, uh, going to take it away from Blake? Yeah. All right, go ahead and take it. Ah, that's the girl. Hey, uh, come on over here. We'll get along swell, you and me, huh? Yeah. In the numbers game. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Okay, okay. I call the boys for a meeting tonight. They don't know it yet, but they got a new boss. And we'll find out who got Al sooner or later. We ain't got any time to waste worrying about it now. The question is, do I run this business from now on, or don't I? It's all right with us. But the bosses might have something to say about it. We ever hear from them. I'll take care of that. More than just Blake Ying on the same meeting. Because he isn't going to be so important from now on. He's the one that sold Al on sitting back waiting for McLaren to run down. It ain't worked out that way. I'm going to put the racket back in full swing whether there's trouble with McLaren or not. Sorry, I'm late. What is it? You holding an election, boys? It's already been held. Oh, and you're it, I suppose. Yeah. Yeah. You got any objections? A few. And what's the first one? A job was given to me. Why? The boss has called me in two hours after the news broke. You expect us to believe that. I told him you might have a few doubts, but I couldn't persuade him to come down here and prove it. And who are they? Did Kruger tell you? No. But I think I'll keep sitting in this seat till I hear from them personally. Oh, sir, anyway, you want her. But don't try and stop me from carrying out orders. I have to take charge of the week's collection and have it to them by ten o'clock tomorrow night. I'll meet you boys at the garage at six. Oh, no, you won't. How do we know they called you? Yeah, how do we know? Because I'm telling you. Is that enough? No. I'll answer that. Oh, wait. Get away from that. Hello? Who? Yeah, he's here. Hey, who is it? Okay. It's for you, Blake. Who is it? They wouldn't say. Well, excuse me, gentlemen. Hello? That's right. Well, name your time. Sure. Where? I see. Yeah. Well, thanks. I'll do that. I'm sorry I have to run, boys, but I know you'll excuse me. I've got an appointment with the bosses. So long. Mr. Blake, my name is Thorndank. Oh, yeah, the president, huh? That's right, and this is Mr. Hollister. How are you, Mr. Hollister? What do you do? I'm Mr. Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell of the Caldwells? Oh, so you're the head. Yes. Well, no wonder the organization has been so well protected. Why did you try to take Kruger's job over? I didn't try to take it over. I took it over. Didn't you think we might object? Oh, I should you. I approve that I can run a better than anyone else. Better isn't any good. You have given us quite a bit of revenue. Well, I've given you more than any four of them put together, and I'll keep on doing it. Provided you give me a few breaks. You know, I'm not in this for fun. Satisfied, gentlemen? The job's yours, Blake. Thanks. You're not making any mistake. Incidentally, Mr. Blake, the only one who will know who we are. I understand that. The first thing we want you to do is collect our receipts from the garage tonight and bring them here. Yeah? Well, I've already arranged to collect them. Oh, yes. Will it be all right if I get here at 10? Quite all right. And now, before we get into detailed instructions, I'd suggest that we have a drink to Mr. Blake's success. How about a bit of Blake? Thanks. It'll taste pretty good. Hello? Hello, McLaren? Yeah, Johnny? And we're all set, Mac. I'm in with the big shots. Well, what's the difference? You can't pick them up yet. You'll have to catch them with the dough to make it stick. Well, go on. Now, look, I'm meeting the boys at six tomorrow night at that garage I told you about. When you see me leave there with the dough, pull up fast and raise the joint. No. Then send the guy to 24 and wall. I'll pass that 10 o'clock sharp to meet the big shots in their office. When I give the words, you can make the pinch. Nice words, John. Now, remember a few minutes after six at the garage and come in shooting. That's all, Mac. Put your horses. Hey, let me in. I see an idea coming in the back way, Bugs. Officer after me. Has Blake been here? No, what's happened? Nothing, except that he's done what I always said he was going to do. Put the whole crowd on the spot from McLaren. They got everybody except me and Joe. Ready to garage. Wait a minute. Johnny was... You worked with the police? Oh, he's been working for them the whole way. Now, I'm going to pay him off. I'll get him if it's the last thing I do. Hello? Lee Morgan. His bug's been there. Who's calling? Tell him it's Joe. Oh, um... Sorry, I haven't seen him. He said I could reach him there. I'm sorry, but he's not... Wait a minute. Give me that phone. Give it to me. Hello? Bugs. This is Joe. Here, go ahead. I found him, Bugs. Blake? 1124, East 18th. Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Joe. Bugs, what are you going to do? I'm going to pay Mr. Blake a visit. Wait now. Listen, Bugs. Get out of my way. Get out of my way, I tell you. Hello, information? Listen, I want the number of a house at 1124 East 18th Street. Yes, hurry, please. I hear you're making a trip out to see the big fellas, Johnny. Yeah. Yeah, I know. Bugs, you only hit me once out of four shots. I guess I did better with only two. The phone here? Yeah, I know. Has Brenner been here? Yeah, he's in there on the floor. Oh. Are you all right? Oh, sure. Drive me over to Wall 24th, will you, Lee? I've got some business. All right, sure, Johnny. Tell me you were working for the police. Yeah, on and off. I've been a heel, Johnny. The things I said that night at the hotel. Well, you didn't know. Forget it. I tried to say so, but it seems sort of funny not seeing you around. You're all through with it now, aren't you? Yeah. I'm glad. You can go back on the force. Maybe the Broadway district. Yeah, maybe. Here's where I get off. Thanks, Lee. Thanks. You sure you're all right, Johnny? Oh, sure. You run along. I'll wait for you. You don't have to wait too long. Thanks for the lift. You're racist, Lee. I'll remember that. Will you? Good night. Good night, Johnny. Goodbye, gentlemen. Ten o'clock on the dot. You keep your appointments. Yeah, I wanted to make the first job perfect. Here's the money. I'll open it up. Did you have any difficulty with Brenner? Oh, no, no. We got along fine. Well, how does it feel to be head of the organization? I've been waiting for a night like this for 15 years. It deserves it. Thanks. Will you, gentlemen, need me any more tonight? No, we'll contact you next week. Well, that's fine. Fine. Wait a moment. What's the matter with you? With me? Oh, nothing. Why? You're hurt. Oh, no. Everything satisfactory, gentlemen? Yes, of course. But you can't... Well, good night, then, gentlemen. Good night. Who got you? Brenner? Yeah. Oh, where is he? He's washed up. Checked the bullet he put into me with the ones that killed Brian Kruger. They're all from his gun. You didn't miss a bet, did you? Well, I tried not to pull the punches this time. I guess Brenner didn't either, either. Oh, that's all right. I'm taking you to the hospital. No, it won't do any good. So long, Mac. Keep kicking him in the line, Mac. I will, Johnny. Yeah. I'd like to think that when the mugs see a policeman, they'll keep on tipping their hats. A life and a play end together, and now that the late Johnny Blake becomes Edward G. Robinson, and Lee Morgan is once again Mary Aster. And here's a question, Mr. Mill, that I've been waiting a long time to toss at Mr. Robinson. Don't you ever get tired of dying, Eddie, of being Hollywood's favorite bullseye? Oh, I don't mind being bored by a bullet, Mary. The results don't bore the audience. But I'll admit it's a distinct relief to be able to die occasionally on the side of the law and orders at its night in bullets of ballots. But how did you like the story? Speaking as Lee Morgan, not so much. You're just about ruined my life by dying. But speaking as Mary Aster, well, Eddie, I've learned that anything connected with the name Lux must be good. I found that out years ago when I started using Lux soap. Anyone who's at all fussy about her looks knows that Lux soap is about the nicest, most dependable complexion care there is. I guess I'm like most actresses in Hollywood because I never without it. Incidentally, Mr. DeMille, the last time Eddie was on this show, didn't I hear him promise you a job on his own program, Bigtown? He certainly did. He even gave me a name. I was to play Benny the Bomber. But that's the last I've heard about it. Well, the truth is I haven't had a spot lately for a torpedo. Besides, I don't think you'd be much of a pineapple jugular, Mr. DeMille. Oh, then couldn't I play a detective sometime? Oh, sorry, no experience. Well, couldn't I take some lessons from Mr. Gumpert? See, I might have an opening on Bigtown at that. Oh, thanks, Eddie. Thank you. Sure, send that... Oh, part... Sure, send that Mr. Gumpert around sometime. He sounds like a great bet. I remember. Keep tipping your hat. Good night, Mr. DeMille. Don't give up. I'm sure you'd make a perfectly lovely Benny the Bomber. Thank you, Mary. Good night. Good night, Papa. You'll hear from Mr. DeMille again in just a moment when he brings great news about next Monday's program. Our stars were assisted tonight by Wallace Clarke as McLaren, Edward Maher as Joe Vincy, Lindsey McCarrie as Ward Brant, Chester Clute as Herman, Wally Mayer as Creole, Galen Galt as Dormann, Lou Merrill as Thorndike, and so-and-so. Mary Aster's new film is Paramount's Midnight. The film garnet is from Warnover the Studio and is now appearing in Dark Victory, with stars Betty Davis and also features George Brent. Louis Silver's is from 20th Century Fox Studio. He directed music there for the story of Alexander Graham Bell. Here's news for our Canadian listeners. Beginning this week, 29 Canadian stations are joining our network for the broadcast of The Life and Love of Dr. Susan. The makers of Lux Toilets will bring you this story about the love and problems of a young attractive woman doctor every afternoon, Monday through Friday. Look in your newspapers for the time and station. The Life and Love of Dr. Susan comes to you in addition to the Lux Radio Theater. Our producer, Mr. DeMille. An average young man marries into a wealthy family, only to find that he, the big business in our glittering social life, can alter his affection and ambition with a racehorse named Broadway Bill. Bill's adventures on the racetrack and our heroes' experiences with his wife's relatives provide the gay romantic play you'll hear next Monday night. And leading Broadway Bill to our barrier will be two Hollywood stars who are favorites at heavy odds, Robert Taylor and Francis Dee. Our sponsors, the makers of Lux Toilets Hope, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theater presents Taylor and Francis Dee in Broadway Bill. This is Cecil B. DeMille saying good night to you from Hollywood. The announcer has been Melville Royck. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.