 From Chicago, we invite you to enjoy life, life with Luigi, a new comedy show created by Sy Howard and starring J. Carol Nash with Alan Reed. A year ago, when Luigi Vasco left Italy to start his new life in America, he promised his mother that he would write her and tell her about his adventures. So now we look over Luigi's shoulder as he writes another letter to Mama Vasco in Italy. Dear Mamma Mia, in America is now big Christmas shopping season. Mamma Mia, you should see wonderful things they have here, especially for the house. For instance, in old country, when it's washing, a woman take a wash to the creek, stand a bare foot, and a rubber clothes against the rock. Here in America, women take a bundle to store full of washing machines. Put a wash in, the fella press a button, one, two, three, clothes come out to clean. All the woman needs is strength enough to put in a quarter and a husband to carry the bundle. Our countryman Pasquale, who bring me here in his spaghetti palace next door, he's doing his Christmas shopping too. But his shopping list has only one article, or has it been for his fat daughter Rosa? And your son Luigi, Mamma Mia, is the number one on a Pasquale's list. Mamma Mia, that's Rosa. She's a big. When a Rosa steps on a scale, a little ticket comes out with a one word, hell, outside this, my antique business is not so good. I guess people like to buy new things for Christmas, not antiques. If I have money, I like to buy lots of presents, especially for my 12-year-old general manager, my boy Jimmy O'Connor. He's just coming home from school now, and he say, hello, Mr. Luigi. Hello, Jimmy. How was the school today? About the same. What you writing? I'm ascending out to my Christmas cards. Who too? First, the one is to Pasquale. I make them up myself. Here, I'll read to you. Dear Pasquale, it's a pleasure to be here on a Christmas day. So thank you for the money that they're bringing me to USA. Not bad. Yes. Merry Christmas to your wife, and I'm not going to marry Rosa Happy New Year. Any more, boss? Oh, here's the one to Miss Spaulding. Dear my teacher, Miss Spaulding, learning me so fine. Wait then to see the Christmas card I write in a 49. Hey, you're doing great, boss. Here's one more. To President Truman. Dear Miss the President, best wishes are from me. It's a pleasure that we both are where we want to be. You're like that. Well, now Jimmy, what do you like for Christmas? Not a thing, boss. Why are you different from anyone else? Everybody wants something. Well, there isn't a thing I need, boss. Jimmy, if every kid are talking like you, send a closer go out of business. Boss, I'm not going to let you get me anything, so let's drop it. But Jimmy, what is it that you want the most that you can't get? Well, as long as I'm not going to get it, then a bike is the thing I want most. Well, is it too much before Christmas? Maybe Santa bring it to you. But I got the biggest surprise for you, Jimmy. See this? Oh, no, you bought another statue. It's a modern statue. See? It's a Paul Revere lamp. Beautiful, huh? How much? $60, that's all it costs. No. Yes? See? It's a horse. It's a little lantern light. Every store in town is selling, and we're buying. Can't help it, Jimmy. Paul Revere is a brave fellow. I know. Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. How do you know this, Jimmy? Well, every kid knows it. It's from a poem by Longfellow. What's the this Longfellow's name? That is his name. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He's a nice name. Maybe I sign him my Christmas poems with the three names. Luigi Bosco Bosco. Luigi, my friend. Hello, Luigi, hello, hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello, Pasquale. Hello, Jimmy. How's it with you? Hello, Mr. Pasquale. I've got a big surprise for you, Jimmy. Yeah? But I'm not going to tell you. I'm going to tell Luigi. Just you go out and go in the back. All right, Jimmy. Go. Have some milk. That's a nice boy, that's for Jimmy. I'm a fairly sorry for him. Well, you're sorry for him. He's all right. Is he going to have a Christmas tree? I don't know. Is he going to be a stocking in a chimney? I don't have a chimney. You're lucky you got a stocking. It's absolutely terrible a shame for a boy like that not to have a real Christmas with all of the trim. Isn't that my fault? I do the best I can. Show us your fault. Is it your fault because you're single? What's a single got to do with a Christmas? Only people what's got a good Christmas is a family people. You should have seen my spaghetti house on a Christmas. It's a big tree with a little silver decoration, a little bold, little lights. Pascuali, I like to see this. And then, then the lights that they spell out the way. Merry Christmas? No, especially Christmas at then at two and a half a box. Sounds pretty. And then, then a rose that she sneaked down on a tippy-toe early in the morning. Hold the house a shake as you wake everybody up. Maybe me and Jimmy we come to your house. Sure, of course. And the trees are going to be a present for you. Thank you, Pascuali. These are going to be two single dollar bells. A green Christmas. What for two dollars? I'd say the price of a marriage license. I guess I'm going to have a blacky Christmas. And for Jimmy? For him I'm going to have electric trailer. Isn't it too big for electric trailer? This one is going to be a super chase. Just the right for boy of his age, even if you like to play with it. That's going to be fun. Sure, sure. You're going to have an engine and a car right here in your store. But the tracks are going to be in my house. Why? Why you say? Because when you want to play, then you come over to my place. Is it going to be a lot of fun that you and Jimmy and a rosa on the floor? Why you always bring up a rosa? I'm her papa. Who else is going to bring her up? Please, Pascuali. We're talking about a Christmas. It's time for a happy talk, not the rosa talk. All right. I don't oppress the subject of Luigi. I'm going to let things work out of themselves. Maybe Jimmy, he's a get to like her if he sees a lot of rosa. If anyone sees a rosa, he's got to see a lot. You know, maybe he's even going to get to call her mama. Pascuali, I'm not going to marry a rosa. Even if for Jimmy like her, just to think of next year when a happy Christmas he's going to have it with his grandpa. If he's my grandson, he's going to have everything. And what I have? Rosa. What do you say, my son? Goodbye, papa. Are you in charge? See, I'm Luigi Bosco. What can I do for you, lady? Do you happen to have any lamp? I have one lamp, right here. Oh, my. That's original. It's Paul Revere on his horse. That's right. You like it? Yeah. Is it not for sale? I don't understand. Is it not the heart to understand? I just buy it for myself. I'm crazy for Mr. Revere. Well, but aren't you in business to get money? See, I guess you're right. I need money to buy a little Jimmy a Christmas present. Well, what are you asking for the lamp? I'm asking for $60, but if that's too much, I sell it cheaper. No, that's a fair price. I'll take it. All right, lady. I'll take him in the back and wrap him up. Come on, Paul. Well, Mr. Revere, guess you've got to take another ride. In old days, you ride on a horse. Now, Jimmy, here's the one thing to ride on a bicycle. Can't help it, Mr. Revere. I'm sorry. I know you only for a short time, but I'm already know a lot about you. You are so immigrant, but when a country needs you, you say, OK, you find a soldier in a wartime. You find a silversmith in a peacetime. People always remember you because you ride in the night and you show people lantern lights shining. Well, now you go to a lady's fine house. The light and this lamp shine there, and the people see you. And maybe they remember how you and other fellas fight. So there is always a light shining in America. Goodbye, Mr. Revere. Merry Christmas. Hey, lady, it's a Paul Revere. And here's your money, Mr. Vasco. Would you mind putting the lamp in my car? It's the first time a Paul Revere has a horse to ride in a car. Thank you. And a merry Christmas. Same to you and a happy Paul Revere. America, I love you. Hey, Luigi! Excuse me, Vasco, I'm in a bigger hurry. Where you going this time? To the apartment store. Always running someplace. You gonna buy something or just to look around? I'm not gonna buy something. A tie? No, a toy. Where you get the money? I just to sell Paul Revere. Who's a Paul Revere? He's a lamp. He's a lamp? How much you get for this human torch? I get a $60. $60 for a lamp? People must be crazy. No, Pasquale. If you know Paul Revere, then you understand. I explained. Ah, you explained fine. You remember Revolutionary War? Must happen before I come here. You remember Boston Tea Party? They don't invite to me. I don't go to no party. No. No, Pasquale, it was like this. Was April 18, 1775. Paul Revere was a home. Luigi, do me a favor. Go to the department store. By the time you finish explanation, Santa Claus is gonna go back to the North of Paul. Mamma Mia is a big store and a big crowd. I wonder where is the bicycle department? Merry Christmas, children. Merry Christmas. Please. Please, Santa Claus. Scram, kid, you're too old. Merry Christmas, everybody. Oh, Merry Christmas. Please. Please, I'm looking for bicycle. Well, and have you been a good little boy all year? Yes, Santa Claus. Not you dopey scram. Please. Bicycle is not for me. It's for my boy Jimmy. Is a bicycle salesman here? See, here's my $60. Merry! He's probably necking with a perfume sales girl. Merry Christmas, everybody. But where I can find the... But, maybe I can help you. Thank you. Are you a bicycle salesman? Not exactly. I want to buy bicycle for my boy Jimmy. That's fine. And here's my money. You shouldn't be waving it around like that. Put it in your coat pocket. Oh, thanks, Mr. Thanks. Look, you've got some of Santa's whiskers on your coat. You better let me give you a quick brush. Oh, thank you. You're a really nice fellow. I guess the clothes are not so clean, huh? You're clean now, I think. I'm a little dizzy. It's the first time I'm in such a big store. Yeah, I guarantee you. You won't forget it. Oh, here's a salesman now. I hope you have a nice Christmas. Thanks. I will. Yes, sir. Can I interest you in a bicycle? I'm waiting for you. Oh, sorry. I was away for a minute. Just going over a few things at the perfume counter. Here's a bicycle that'll give you years of service. Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! How much do you intend to spend? All I have is a $60. Well, exactly the price of this bicycle. Automatic brakes, all chrome body, fog lights, heater. The works. Fine. I'll take it. Here's a my $60. Oh, my man. What is something wrong, sir? My $60. It's a missing. Merry Christmas, everybody. Merry Christmas! It's one of America's favorite phrases and certainly it's one of America's favorite shows. It's hit the jackpot, which you'll hear in just a little later tonight over most of these same CBS stations. Tonight the jackpot will be worth $25,000 to the listener or studio guest who cracks the mystery of the secret sentence. And if they all fail, the jackpot total will climb to $27,000. Tuesday night's always great listening on CBS, so stay tuned for Hit the Jackpot a little later. And now for the second act of Luigi Basko's Adventures in Chicago, we turn to page two of his letter to his mother in Italy. And so, Mamma Mia, I lose him my $60 and Jimmy lose a beautiful bicycle with a shiny metal, a big, beautiful tires and a little piece of fur in the back. I think it's to keep a boy's feet warm when he rides on a cold day. I feel very sad in his side, but I hope a man who finds my money is a poor man. And he buys a bicycle like this for his little boy. So salesman, he takes me to Store Detective who says it to me. Now, think hard, Mr. Basko. Are you sure you came into this store with $60? I'm from Paul Revere. And another thing I... You got the money from who? Paul Revere. Not the guy with the horse. That's right. Now, look, Mr., why don't you lie down and rest a while? You know, walking around in these crazy crowds all day does something to a guy you feel... Please! I own an antique store and this morning I sell Paul Revere's statue for $60. Oh, for a minute you had me worried. Now look, are you sure you came in here with a $60? Maybe you left it home with your wife. That's right. A married guy wouldn't have $60 in his pocket to begin with. Now, tell me, Mr. Basko. See? When did you first notice the money was missing? I'm standing next to Santa Claus. No wonder that guy keeps yelling Merry Christmas. No, no, Mr. Detective. It was not the Santa Claus. Maybe not. Mr. Basko did anybody brush up against you in the crowd. Now, think. No. Only one nicer man. He brushes off of my clothes. I don't remember too much. He had a red hair, a green eyes, a scar under the left eye, his nose is crooked, he wears a little orange about time. And he had that, yeah, it was a polka dot and he walked with a limp. Well, you're not giving me much to go on. Do you know his name or where he lives? He didn't tell me. Please, Mr. Detective, maybe you'll find my $60 so I can buy Jimmy the Bicycle. Well, I'll look around the store, Mr. Basko. Go see the manager and report your loss. Thank you. You say you want to report a loss in our store? Yes, Mr. Manager. Well, now, would you describe what you lost, please? Yes. It was a one dozen five dollar bills, all green. With a picture of Lincoln on every bill and then... Yes, yes, yes, Mr. Basko. I'll just put down $60. This money was to buy Christmas presents for my boy Jimmy. A beautiful bicycle with a piece of fur on the back. Sorry, I'm sorry, but, of course, our store can't be responsible. Do you understand me? Merry Christmas, everybody! Ah, nuts! Please! What kind of language is this from a Santa Claus? Mr. Grover, I'm through playing Santa Claus in his store. But why? I'm turning in my suit, my whiskers, and my... Merry Christmas! Is it a question of money? No, it's not the money. I've played Santa Claus in every department store, in every whistle stop in the country. But please, I am an actor! I think I'm kissing a reindeer. Will you please calm down and tell me what's troubling you? Please, Mr. Manager, my $60. You keep quiet. All right, Mr. Grover, I'll tell you what's bothering me. It's the class of kids you get here. They tear off my whiskers, tweak my nose, and the things they whisper into my ear. Especially that last kid. Then what did he ask for? What Harry James would never give up. Please, please, please! No, I had enough! I had enough! I tell you enough! Please! Please, are my money! I'm sorry, sir. Your money turns up, I'll let you know. Thank you. Say, say you! Help me up with these whiskers, will you? I'm sorry you decided to go away, Mr. Santa Claus. Ah, this crummy giant doesn't know how to treat a great artist. Ah, this crummy giant doesn't know how to treat a great artist. Last year I played Santa Claus in the biggest department store in New York. If I was so great, they held me over until New Year. If I was so great, they held me over until New Year. If I was so great, they held me over until New Year. I'll take your fine, too. I had the stars dressing room, a special makeup artist to do my face. My uniform was created by a Hollywood expert. But, but if you leave, the children, they may be very sad. You should see the whole of God here for a dressing room. A broom closet between ladies' pajamas and men's sportswear. But, but the poor little bambinos. Nobody here to ring a bell and holler Merry Christmas. And what have you got to be so merry about? You lost $60. Your kid's not going to get his bike. You lost $60. Your kid's not going to get his bike. See, it's a bad thing. But not so bad as a Christmas for little kids without a Santa Claus. Well, that's the way you feel about it here. You be Santa Claus. Me, I am quitting. It's a merry Christmas, a little bambino. It's a merry Christmas. It's a merry Christmas. Christmas. Christmas. Are you comfortable out of my lap, a little bambino? Oh, definitely. That's a fine. Now, you tell a Santa Claus what do you want for Christmas? Well, I want a set of toy soldiers and two drums and a wagon and a football suit and a million comic books and skates. Oh, that's a fine. I'm going to get... And a sled and two drums and a scooter. Well, Santa Claus isn't going to need a truck. And it... Whatever is the matter, Santa Claus? Well, it's a lot of presents. Don't get all this to Santa Claus. He's going to have to own a bank. Oh, you see, he doesn't have to. I want two drums and a pony and a electric plane. It's a merry Christmas, a bambino. It's a merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Anna, what's your name, little fella? Spud. Spud. That's a fine name. Okay, now give me the loot and let me go home. First, tell a Santa. You've been a good boy this year. I've been perfect. A real sweet nose. Now, you're sure you're telling a Santa the truth? Sure, my nose is clean. Is it not a good idea to tell a Santa Claus a lie, Spud? Well, something for the time me and Baldy Harris put the stink bomb on the old lady Schultz's window. Uh-huh. And why do you do that? Because she called a cop on us. And why Mrs. Schultz did she call a cop? Because I busted her window after she took away my pea shooter. Is the only time the knows that she's not the cleanest, Spud? Well, we got one mean teacher in school and last year I used up two boxes of tax on her. Is the more dirt on the noses, Spud? Just a few little things like that. Is it going to need a handkerchief like a tablecloth to make you nose clean? I guess I don't rate no presents this year, Santa. But if I had another chance, I'd make good. Well, Spud, he's all right, I suppose. Important thing is that you promise to be good a boy next to you. Oh, I will. Now tell us Santa Claus, what do you want for Christmas? I'd like a pea shooter, two stink bombs, and two boxes of tax. It's a merry Christmas if I'm being honest. A merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Come, sit on a Santa's lap a little girl. Oh. Now you tell us Santa Claus, what do you want for Christmas? Oh, I'd like a bicycle. Me too. You don't? Well, why, you don't need a bicycle. I'm just thinking of a little boy who like a bicycle too. Santa Claus, can I have a mama doll and a carriage and a teddy bear and two apples? It's a merry Christmas if I'm being honest. A merry Christmas. And here's Santa Claus, Robert. Now you just stop up there and tell him what you want for Christmas. Come on, Robert, don't be shy. Robert, please. Please, I talk to him, ladies. Hello, little Robert. Hello, Santa Claus. You want to touch your Santa's whiskers? Go ahead and touch. It's a nice and a soft, and it was a dry clean only today. Santa Claus, how did you get here? Like everybody else. You see, I take a Dearborn Street card, then I transfer it over to... Please. ...in the child. Mamma Mia, lady, I'm sorry, I forget. I come here just to buy bicycle for Jimmy. I've never seen such a Santa Claus. Manager, where's the manager of the store? Lady, please, I only track the help up. I want the manager. Hey, what's going on here? What is this? Please, it's all for the little bambino. Are you the manager, sir? That's right, I'm Mr. Groban. Is there something wrong? Well, yes. What kind of a Santa Claus do you have in the store? Well, madam, I don't... How do you expect a child to believe in a Santa Claus that talks with an accent? I'm sorry, lady. You come back this year. I'm going to study very hard and there's going to be a Santa Claus with a perfect English. Say, aren't you? The fellow was in my... The other Santa Claus, he got excited and he goes away. So I say to myself, little kids, do they come to stores and they don't see Santa Claus? Anna, what are you going to tell them? Santa Claus, they don't like the place. He say it's a crummy. Well, I... So I think, I think maybe I'll be Santa Claus till a new one shows up. But a Santa Claus speaking with a... Please, isn't it important to children how Santa Claus speaks? They only think, is a Santa Claus to make them happy? Is a Santa Claus nice and a fat? Is a Santa Claus to make good promises? If a yes, everything is a fine. And a children, they're happy. Well, I... All right. Okay, I take off a suit. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm not a good Santa Claus because it's the first time I ever see him. In my country, isn't no cold Santa Claus. In other country, is a mother star and a father star. In some places in Europe, is Santa Nicholas. In Norway, is a jewel in the sand. They're not the elf. But isn't making a difference to kids? I don't know what to say, Mr. Basko. I'm sorry, sir. Maybe you don't believe in a Santa Claus. I think I do now. Mr. Basko, would you do me a favor and keep the uniform on until I can arrange to get a steady one from the agency? Of course, you'll be paid. Oh, please, no pay. Being a Santa Claus isn't no work. Well, then... It's a pleasure. Let me repay your kindness. Please pick out any gift you want in the store. Oh, thank you. It's the one time when a Santa Claus will get a present, no? It's a merry Christmas, Mr. Bambino. It's a merry Christmas. Please, Mr. Santa Claus, can you tell me a story? Sure. There was once a little boy named Jimmy O'Connor who got a bicycle for Christmas. So, Mamma Mia, I'm happy like a little boy because Santa Claus will take care of my Jimmy and give him a bicycle. Also, I'm sending you packaged canned food. Invite the whole family for Christmas dinner. Is a Luigi Basko plan instead of a Marshall plan? Maybe, Mamma Mia, by next year I'm making up for money, so you come here, too. It is so wonderful to be here all year round, but especially wonderful now. If I could afford it, I send a Christmas card to all American people and say, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, American people. P.S., you're a loving son of Luigi, the little immigrant. Be sure to listen next week at this same time over most of these stations when Luigi Basko writes another letter to Mamma Basko describing his adventures in America. Life with Luigi is a Psy Howard production and is written by Highcraft and Psy Howard and stars J. Carol Nash as Luigi Basko with Alan Reed as Pasquale. Music is directed by Wilbur Hatch. Mori Amsterdam's Loose and His Café a little later tonight on CBS. Mori Amsterdam, the bright comedy star of New York's nightclubs, not only takes you out front for the show, but also hauls you backstage for the crazy difficulties he gets into running his radio nightclub. They're headaches for Mori, but they're fast and furious fun for you. So listen just a little later tonight when the Mori Amsterdam show presents another chapter in the misadventures of running a nightclub over most of these same CBS network stations. Bob LeMond speaking. This is CBS The Columbia Broadcasting System.