 Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road. Those who travel it wind up in the gutter the prison of the grave There's no other end, but they never learn Wrigley's Spearman chewing gum the refreshing delicious treat that gives you chewing enjoyment Presents for your listening enjoyment Raymond Chandler's most famous character in The Adventures of Philip Marlowe To make every day more enjoyable treat yourself often to refreshing delicious Wrigley's Spearman chewing gum Here's a taste treat you can enjoy indoors outdoors at work or at play The cool long-lasting mint flavor refreshes you the smooth steady chewing helps keep you fresh and alert Adds enjoyment to whatever you're doing Wrigley's Spearman chewing gum healthful refreshing delicious Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlowe the makers of Wrigley's Spearman chewing gum are glad to bring you tonight's transcribe story the last wish No, honey, just coffee nothing else. Oh, wait a minute make it another coffee. Will you follow tennis Matthews over here? Hi sit on I just ordered some coffee for you. That's wonderful Marlowe now that the niceties are over. Where is he? He's around Matthews where around Marlowe look why all the hocus-pocus when you call you told me to get over the airport here In a hurry you said you had him I do also. I've got a story that can keep you we get the headquarters. No, it can't keep lieutenant. It's Listen It can't keep any longer than that lieutenant. I don't follow you Marlowe Kind of all once in a cozy cell in a plane going to New York. Where's the connection? That's the story lieutenant We got 20 minutes before that plane takes off Yeah, have your coffee anything else there. No All right, Marlowe. Let's but make it. I can't make it snappy Matthews. It's not that kind of a story Not parts of it anyway All right, Phil do it your way well it began early this evening lieutenant about 5 30 when I got a call from a doctor in my Neighborhood a nice elderly guy named Sam Talman who once took a bullet out of my shoulder Oh, I remember yeah Well, he wanted me to come over to his office right away Matthews. He was excited but not for himself Excited for a patient an old man who was dying When I got to his place the kind of old-fashioned doctor's office where the drab horse hair furnitures sort of gets mixed up with a shiny New x-ray equipment he he met me at the front door He's inside with my nurse film. He's going fast. You've got to be quick now What did I tell you on the phone? Well almost nothing doc just that he's old. Yes 70 Phil Maybe more anyhow, his name is Schiller Jacob Schiller A good friend of mine from San Francisco and he was on his way to Israel to Tel Aviv. Oh, it was his life ambition Sit down Phil He he's not gonna make it back not a chance. It's his heart. He had an attack this afternoon I can't even move him out of here. He's through a Little too soon. He wanted to go to the new country. Is that it? Yes Pioneers measured by his spirit not his years he said Anyhow Phil he came down here to see his son before he caught a plane tonight for New York and The first leg of the trip to Israel and that's where you come in. I don't know where Jack Schiller is Jacks his boy's name, but the old man would like to see him once more. It's his last wish He knows he hasn't much time left Well, why me doc? Why not the police? Well, I didn't think I mean Phil it Well, oh the kid doesn't sit too well with the law, huh? I'm afraid not sure Dr. Tauman hello. Oh Yes, Mrs. Caller. Yes one every three hours like it says on the bottle. Yes Goodbye, Mrs. Caller Where was I feel a Jack Schiller in the law the reason they don't get along Oh Well, you see Phil Jack came down here to LA about three months ago as his father's old friend He looked me up and so we had him over for dinner a couple of times But pretty soon he started coming less and less and when he did it was a different Jack Schiller Smart flashy clothes and new way of talking. You know big shot kind of talking. Yeah I know the police are dumb and there's easy money to be made that kind of talking And he never would say what his business was if he had any But believe me Malo, whatever it was it wasn't too much on the up and up and there was some kind of a girl mixed in There always is but Jack Schiller look like that look like yeah. Oh Yes A picture we took of him when he first came to the house a barbecue. We were having He's about 30 years old and a good-looking, huh? Maybe too good-looking Phil. Maybe that's the trouble anyhow For Jacob's sake Phil for my old friend. Do you think you can find him? Yeah, that depends doc What else do you know like last address friend's name favorite bar? That's the kind of information that counts I was afraid it would be like that Phil. I never did know his address. Oh, yeah, but doc There's got to be someplace I can style One thing Phil what twice or maybe three times I saw I'm going to a fancy apartment house on Wilshire Boulevard the sherry towers sherry towers I pass it late at night coming from the clinic. I didn't bother stopping to call him I you know Phil if he wanted no part of me I wanted no part of him and I wouldn't care about him now either but for Jacob Jacob's been a good man Phil always Phil will try. Yeah sure doc. I'll try Doc Talman smiled his tanks without moving his lips turned and shuffle taught a room behind him When he opened the door, I caught a glimpse of a lot of cylinders and tubes and gadgets. I didn't understand And something I did understand a little The almost peaceful face of an almost peaceful old man who was dying. I Didn't try to see anymore. There wasn't time to waste. I Suddenly wanted to get started in a big hurry The sherry towers on Wilshire was made out of plaster glass brick and acute angles And it was anybody's guess what held it all together The only person in the plush lobby was a tall man with a red turkey neck who had a toothpick and a cigarette jammed in one corner of his mouth I walked over to the receptionist. Yes, that's right. Mr. Liedemann's car at 9. Mr. Kelly's at 9 30 Washington gas That's a Steve. Goodbye. Oh Yes, sir, can I help you? I hope so. I'm looking for Jack Schiller I'm an old friend of his from out of town. I tried his place and a neighbor said I might find him here The neighbor was right But you're early miss grand isn't through at the club until 10 at least miss grant. Mm-hmm Peggy Grant She sings at the crown club. She's the one who lives here Didn't the neighbor tell you that too? Yeah, yeah, but the way he said it. I thought he was kidding You are from out of town aren't you? Yeah, pitchfork corners. Well, good night, ma'am. Good night Look for your way You big city slicker you Yeah Pardon me for buttoning but I couldn't help over here and I can tell you something about your friend Jack Schiller. All right start telling Let's step outside. I'd rather only you heard it. Oh sure thing So, you know Jack do you? Yeah, buddy of mine. That's why I think I ought to tell you It's a bad night for what for old friends to bother him robe. He's busy. Oh I Turkey neck must have had clenched in his palm Folded me fast By the time I climbed back on to a pair of wobbly knees. He was across the street into an alley and gone But I cheered myself up at the thought that it was better this way After all with turkey neck coming out on top. I was only a friend of Schiller's from the sticks or nobody had to worry about That thought helped all right Helped everything from the blood that trickled out of my mouth right down to the side I hope it would stop by the time I got to the crown club No, thanks, I think I watched in the bar. Oh, tell me captain does Ross Holland still run this club Oh, yes, sir. You are friend of mr. Holland and acquaintance. Oh, well in that case, I must insist a bit Oh, honey on a table for one bit more This way, sir, the shunters will be on in the moment. You cannot see as well from the bar. Thanks. I did want to catch her a number This way, sir There's something wrong. Hmm. Oh, no, I just changed my mind skipper I think I'll go to the bar after all it was Jack Schiller. No doubt about it At a corner booth just beyond the bar and huddled close to a girl who was almost dressed and something strapless and spangled in Who matched the display poster I just seen in the lobby labeled Peggy Grant? I Ordered a drink at the bar and then walked it over to a celebrity picture gallery on the wall near them and Listened to Schiller all Mr. George Mancini squeeze play and to your letters back safe and sound in the lily-white hands that wrote them Hey, sweet, you're supposed to drink a toast not stare at town Baby, what is it? Jack? I I'm worried. I do want everything to go right Why if you don't go get those letters from Mancini like everything I worked so hard I couldn't catch it all But it was easy to fit together Peggy Grant who was now going up fast as a vocalist had once been in love with and under the personal management of George Mancini Preserved an alcohol combination Asian producer was now going down even faster And although she had never had a contract with Mancini beyond an oral agreement her old love letters included enough business Mancini to Drag them into court where they could stand up and lieu of a written contract and thus net brother Mancini the customer 10% of Peggy's earnings and they say so about future invaders, but neither of them wanted I haven't spent all this time cultivating. Mr. Mancini at his lair on top of sweets a drive for fun Believe me doll. We're in honest. Oh, right If you say so darling, but will you know the letter I know love letters forget it angel I won't even open they belong to a long time ago, and I'm not interested Are you going out then sing for your supper? I knew that once Schiller left the club He was gonna be busy. So as they started to tear themselves away from each other I figured it was the right time for me to step in What I didn't figure on was Ross Holland the king of the crown club standing at my elbow. Hello Marlowe pretty picture, isn't it? Yeah, if you like as you know with bags under their eyes I wasn't talking about the one on the wall detective. I meant Peggy. You were staring remember I do your move Take the chip off your shoulder Phil. I don't mind if you stare she gets paid for it, but you pay sure But also I pay the waiters the doorman and so on That that was all you were doing wasn't it? I mean staring window shopping. I Hate to think you were here on business. No sensitive. Aren't you you know Marlowe? I've piled up a lot of enemies wrecking in the blue chips that figures. What are you getting at? I'm a job. I think you might fit. Oh, let's try the office if you can spare the time. Can you? Phil sure sure. I've got nothing but time Ross Let's go As I trailed Holland out of the bar as far as an unmarked heavy oak door I caught a glimpse of Jack Schiller picking up his hat and coat at the entrance Operation Mancini was underway. I never get these keys straight Marlowe round key on top Square one on the bottom You think I'd remember that huh? Yeah switch to a revolving door. Oh, well, I like my privacy so to my boys Now go on in make yourself comfortable. I'll get a couple drinks guys As I moved into the vault Holland called home one photo loans stood out in my mind Every second that my host wasted was a second that old Jacob Schiller couldn't afford to lose But finally when I was just about ready to skip playing it close and take off Holland came to the point his proposition that I go to work for his enemies play spy and get paid for both parties And I needed like a weekend in a leaky submarine. Well, that's it Marlowe. Yes or no. Yes and no Ross I'd like to sleep on it fair enough fair enough Good night Phil Get the bed early. Oh, it was all the queue. I needed I bum joked my way out of his office Hurried through the club to the street then ran for my car and pointed it to the top of sweet to drive in the Hollywood Hills And the Schiller George Mancini rendezvous. I couldn't afford to miss The place which turned out to be bilious green walls under a shocking pink roof Stood out in that conservative neighborhood like a black panther in a snowbank It was a car parked nearby and the name on the owner certificate wrapped around the steering wheel was Jack Schiller Which was no surprise So when I knocked I used the barrel of my 38 That was part of me But it would have been smarter if I pointed it the other way behind me. Don't move an inch mister. Oh fine Drop your gun right where you stand. Go on. I'll turn around and answer up real fast. What do you want with George Mancini? Nothing? It's you I Hey that blood all over you what happened in there Schiller. You didn't kill him for those lousy letters in that envelope under your arm Did you well is that it? No, not quite. Mr. He isn't dead But what do you know about me? How come you know my name? Never mind just back off. Mr. Fast open that door. Go on Genie screaming must have disturbed the neighbors listen Schiller. I'm working for dr. Mike. Stay shut of your wish you had Now go on Get in there with him To make every day more enjoyable treat yourself often to refreshing delicious wriggly spearmint chewing gum The lively full-bodied real mint flavor cools your mouth Moistens your throat freshens your taste and the chewing itself gives you a little lift helps you keep going at your best So for real chewing enjoyment, that's refreshing and long-lasting always keep wriggly spearmint chewing gum handy Healthful delicious wriggly spearmint gum will make every day more enjoyable Now with our star Gerald Moore the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's exciting story The last wish it only took one look at the unconscious pulp on the floor inside to tell me that George Mancini You tried hard to hang on to the lettuce Almost too hard. I rolled him over. He was as limp as a slice of raw bacon, but still alive I just got a shirt color loosened up when the door behind me opened again Marlowe, hello Matthews little early for a lieutenant from homicide. How come they sent you they didn't Becker and I were driving by when the call came out over the radio one of the neighbors out here heard something and phoned in Who is he ma'am a guy named George Mancini? Becca see what you can do for him. Okay He did but not from me Matthews. Oh, no, what were you ma'am referee? Who did it? It was over when I got here the guy who did it didn't give me much time to talk He had a gun all of which still doesn't answer my question. I don't know his name Occupation is loving a blonde. Is that why you're here the blonde? Yeah more or less She was afraid of Mancini. He had some letters letters, which are long gone now. No doubt. No doubt. What's the blond's name? I think we'd better have an ambulance this guy a long ways out Okay, take care of it back. Yeah, okay. Well Marlowe now look Matthews Nothing's actually happened so far with this beating and it's probably well deserved But the situation is touchy girls worried silly of a name gets mixed up in a thing like All right, all right now listen to me. I want the guy who dished up this mess either that of the whole story down at headquarters now Which okay, you'll have him, but just give me a little time alone, and I'll deliver him on a platter. I promise Oh, come on. It means a lot to me Matthews Okay, Marlowe just see this doesn't blow up in your kisser and don't get lost understand Outside after I found my gun I climbed into my car and headed for Peggy Grant's lusher father in-house again When I got there I parked away from the place and skirted the front entrance I was sure that by now the pretty face of the switchboard would be well-primed for a tip-off. I Went along the side of the building toward the service entrance at the back The glow of a match in the shadows in an alcove stop me It was the turkey neck Jack Schiller's quick-fisted help mate lighting a cigarette. I Eased my 38 out and moved toward him When he finally heard me turn right, but by then he was looking right down the muzzle of my gun Easy now easy chum still soul. It's a bad night for seeing old friends chum You got me nailed down brother. You don't have to take my word for nothing But listen whatever your angle is let it rest leave the kid alone for a while Otherwise you do for nothing but trouble in large dose. You're kidding. Yeah, you bet. I'm always kidding You've got more nerve than brains You can't pull that swipe I'm making a cloud on the skull almost fun Hey, wait a minute. Wait a minute all that stuff spilling the walk there It fell out of your pocket didn't it didn't it so what so you don't have to say another word watch dog I'm beginning to get the whole thing all by myself sure What's more you yellow jerk? I don't like it Two small items are just seen on the walk mate swinging the flat side of my gun butt against his head a distinct pleasure They also made getting in the service door and up the stairs to at a time to piggy grants a problem a definite gratification Because now I had a Jim dandy hunch on exactly what to expect Open up Who are you a cop expecting cops miss grant not exactly the milkman doesn't carry a gun and my friends all use the front door I'm the informal type. Where's Jack Schiller right behind you? Again this time lay your gun on the table go on sure sure You're slightly better than the guy downstairs. I got by him with no trouble at all. What's that? What guy? Why you mean Peggy didn't tell you about the watchdog What is this go ahead princess tell him about the turkey neck character with orders to keep everybody away while Jack makes up full of himself Darling get this idiot out of here. This is a trick. Why not also. Tell him who your real boyfriend is, baby You should have learned a little from what happened to that skunk Mancini I'll go on back to him and tell him if he tries anything else like this. I'll go over him again right from the beginning I Want we spunky tonight? Now look Schiller. I want you to listen and I haven't got all night There's a guy downstairs who was sent out to see that nobody interfered while you played perfect pigeon It was you who risked getting plugged when you went in after those letters I want you a sucker enough not to read now It's you who's in a big jam with the police and once more I found out that that guy is one of Ross Harlan's boys You liar get out of here. Oh Jack make him go away. Please wait a minute What's wrong Harlan got to do with nothing and how late 10 to 1 those letters were written by Hall and not dreamboat here And that they set him up for a squeeze and have nothing whatever to do with their dubious career as a singer You got any sensual or read one Jack you gave me your word. Oh, don't be a child darling Can't you see what he's trying to do to it? Just take one look at one signature Jackson if I'm wrong you can split my other lip. No Jack. That's the letters Peggy At least I'm gonna know who wrote them all right If that's the way you wanted Jack That's the way it'll be Drop it Jack. I mean it Peggy Peggy. What are you doing? Well, mister You sure wrecked a lovely setup. Why I don't know but it won't do you any good I'm leaving and I'm taking these letters with me and it's true what he said of course It's true all of it These letters were written by Ross Harlan back when Mancini was his partner and they're loaded with them Mancini could cut himself in for half of every cent Ross had and Ross couldn't trust anyone but me to get them back for him Say where you are Don't feel too bad Jackie boy. You have to live to learn Maybe you won't be a dope all your life. Oh, shut up. You were right for your major point Now whatever your reason was get it out of here and leave me alone. Oh, no, I Haven't been monkeying your corny affairs just for laughs, honey I was hired to find you by Doc Talman Doc Talman. Oh that nosy old goat. Why your father's in town He's had a heart attack a bad one my father. Yeah He wants to see you. I told Doc Talman. I'd bring you back and that's what I'm gonna do regardless. I get going Coming I finally got Jack doc. Here he is. Hello, doctor. Where's my father back in the bedroom? I'll go right in and see you Jack What is it? What's the matter Jack your father's dead? He passed away 20 minutes ago. Oh, I'm sorry doctor Oh pop here my boy sit down 20 minutes Just about the time it took to beat a chiseler out of a bunch of letters and argue with a cheap two-timing block That's right. You get hold of yourself my boy Me and you you have come if you could have Your father's last thoughts were a few son. He was very proud of you though, doc, please I'll run along doc. I got a phone call to make it wait a minute Marlowe You can't leave thinking like you do not now with pop dad. I I don't know what happened to me these last few weeks. I can't understand how I got in so deep She had me I guess I'd have done anything she asked you're not the first guy that's happened to I doubt that she'll be the last yeah, but I've got a square myself now I've got to and I want to start with the police you really mean that I never met anything more in my life I'm not really a wise guy honest. So what's this about the police? I'm in a jam. Dr. Tom and a pretty bad one because I got too much nerve and too much energy All you need is the right place to spend them that gives me an idea. Is Jack your real name? No, it's really yuck. I'd like my old man's Doc, where's that plane reservation for Jacob Schiller here? I have it right here. Wait a minute. You mean yeah Yeah, you're catching that plane with luck. You may make it all the way. Oh But you're letting me go Marlowe. You'll be in a jam yourself Well, I think I know a pair of strong shoulders. I can dump the responsibility on too. Let's go kid That's the story to hear Matthews Just whose shoulders did you have in mind of that responsibility business? You're wearing him your luck. Oh, give me that napkin, will you? Hey, just tell me something else to make it all nice and tight that turkey neck character How did you know he worked for Ross Holland? Oh, well when I slugged him in back of Peggy Grant's apartment house a lot of junk fell out of his pocket Including a pair of keys on a chain One had a round head the other one was square. Oh Duplicates of that set that open Holland's double-locked office, huh? Tied enough with that Tied enough Just called a New York flight. Yeah Last call Yeah You know, I hear they're doing great things over there in Israel. Yeah Building farms right out of the desert land that kind of stuff That's right They they can use all the help they can get I understand. I was raised on a farm. Did you know? Keeps you're so busy. You don't have time to get in trouble Hey Malem Sit on I'll buy you another cup of coffee Thanks, Lieutenant. Thanks a lot. We watched the plane take off Swing in heavy thundering grace and head east I guess we were both thinking the same thing To Jacob Schillers run their way to the fulfillment of a promise the old promised land Friends to make every day more enjoyable treat yourself often to refreshing delicious Wrigley spearman chewing gum There's lots of cooling real mint flavor in every stick and chewing Wrigley spearman helps keep you feeling fresh and alert You feel better work better get more fun out of doing things So indoors outdoors wherever you go keep some healthful refreshing Wrigley spearman chewing gum handy To make every day more enjoyable treat yourself often to delicious Wrigley spearman chewing gum The adventures of Philip Marlowe presented by Wrigley spearman gum bring you Raymond Chandler's most famous character and star Gerald Moore Philip Marlowe is produced and directed by Norman McDonald and written for radio by Robert Mitchell and Gene Leavitt Featured in the transcribed cast were Jack Edwards June for a Larry Dobkin Harold Deer and forth Jack Krushen Lynn Allen and Stan Waxman. The special music is composed and conducted by Richard Iran The makers of Wrigley spearman chewing gum hope you've enjoyed tonight's adventure of Philip Marlowe and that you're enjoying Wrigley spearman gum every day Next week Philip Marlowe will be heard on Friday evening So we invite you to be with us next week on Friday when Philip Marlowe says This time I found an old friend in the morgue Watched a man with a burned hand die in a quiet garden and listen to a pathetic killer give up All because a little glass donkey came to town This is Bob Stephenson speaking and this is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System