 Hit the jackpot presented by the DeSoto Plymouth dealers will be heard at a new time starting tonight Just one half hour from now be sure to hear hit the jackpot immediately following this broadcast As every American school child knows on October 12th 1492 when Italian explorer Christopher Columbus discovered America on September 27th 1947 a young Italian immigrant Luigi Basko re-discovered America Christopher Columbus arrived with three vessels Luigi Basko arrived with three dollars When Christopher Columbus landed in America, he said I named the San Salvador when Luigi Basko landed in New York He said please give me a ticket to Chicago And so we invite you to Chicago's little Italy for a new comedy life with Luigi the story of an immigrant created by Psy Howard and starring J. Carol Nash From America Christopher Columbus described his adventures to Queen Isabella in Spain from Chicago Luigi Basko describes his adventures to Mama Basko in Italy Dear Mamma Mia I make a promise to write you so I write in United States when fellow keep promise to write is called promissory note In six months since I've been in America. My writing is already so good words don't even have Italian accent. I Have stored here in Chicago just like two other businessmen Marshall and field They got same kind of store only better location Mama Mia how you like my new business stationery see on top it say Luigi Basko founder and prop Prop is short for long way. They don't know Also my line business old and the young antiques Everybody here is crazy for old things all furniture all lamps all the chairs Also is lots of people crazy about all granddad Must be a fine man Our countryman Pasquale who bring me to this country and rent me store has nice place next door It's called Pasquale spaghetti palace Sometimes at night when a breeze from Lake, Michigan is just right Then the smell from Pasquale's Palace is reminding me of home and I'm much Lonesome for you, but in the morning when I wake up. I'm so pleasant to be in America But as Uncle Pietro always say is no rose with our little thorn and in this case is a very big thorn Now I know why Pasquale bring me here. He wants us to marry his daughter Rosa You remember when Rosa was a nice little girl Mama Mia something has happened You know the bull Uncle Pietro has Well going to pasture look at the bull take off the horns. That's a rose But outside the Rosa America is fine and it's plenty business here It's so good that I hire me a little 12-year-old Bambino who lives with me Jimmy O'Connor he does the furniture. He washed the windows. He swept out the store This in America is called general manager To show you how good business is only this morning he said to me Mr. Luigi, let's face it We're in a hole, but that's fine. Then why you upset Jimmy? What's fine about it in America when things is good, then you in a group, huh? Yeah Hole is a bigger groove so everything fine But boss business is terrible take a look at the books that tells the story okay Here is one page of money going out. Here's another page money coming in That's the trouble Jimmy money coming in a money going out if only she could stand still we could grab her How much we got in the cash box $2.87 cents how much I owe Pasquale for rent $40 isn't oh come on even That's a too bad for Pasquale It's too bad for you because if you don't pay him the rent he's got a right to kick you out not in America This is free country is a free speech is a free press, but not free rent You gotta pay him oh Jimmy I work so hard for this place. I have all my beautiful statues What I do what I do I? Got a suggestion, but I don't think you like it anything Jimmy you were smart American boy anything I'm a drowning. I'm a graven at straws. I'm a drowning. Okay, Mary Rosa. Okay. I drown I Mr. Luigi after all as man-to-man a fellas gotta get married sometime if Rosie is the last woman on the face of the earth And I rather marry the face of the earth Okay, Mr. Luigi, I've got another suggestion anything Jimmy I listen to anything okay, so one of your statues sure I sell why do you think I'm in business? Well, that's what you say But as soon as somebody comes in to buy something you discourage them. I don't discourage I only say not to for sale Last week we could have sold that one a general grant I never sell a president of the United States You won't even sell Robert E. Lee he's a nice man, mr. Lee poor fellow pick the wrong side, so why I sell them You know you got 18 Abraham Lincoln 19 I buy another one yesterday Mr. Luigi, I know how we can clear up all our debts and pay the rent how just sell one statue George Washington George Washington Founder and prop of our country. I never sell them if you don't sell something mr. Luigi You never sell this statue of a Washington. I bring him with me from old country is only copy of Horace green Oh statue made in 1833 in Florence, Italy if it's that good put him in the window. It'll attract customers Okay, Jimmy make you feel better. I put Washington in the window Okay, George up you go on a window Don't worry George. I put you way in the back. They never see you a Jimmy You just come from school. You must be hungry. You go back in the kitchen a little lunch. Okay, boy He's a nice boy. Mr. Washington only he don't understand us. Don't worry I don't sell you when Jimmy go back to school. I take you out of the window. I put in college Pardon me. Are you the proprietor? I'm Luigi basketball founder and prop. What can I do for you lady? I'm interested in that statue. What statue is the one you have in your window. Why? Why you want this statue? Well, I noticed it when I came by your shop yesterday. It's a rare statue You really like him, huh? I certainly do. You're crazy about him, huh? Yes, it's not the for sale But it's in your window Suppose you win my window you for sale George Washington crossed the Delaware 1776, but the Luigi's a winner never Okay, Mr. Luigi. Oh, you got a customer. That's good. Lady. Don't want to buy anything. Goodbye, lady I Did want never mind the goodbye lady. What's going on here? Well, I'm a representative of the Americana Society and we're having an auction and I was just trying to buy that statue of George Washington Great shut up a Jimmy. Go back and have a dessert I'll give you a hundred dollars for it. So you'll fire the Jimmy. I quit. Oh, no, you don't I quit you can't I'm with the boss. I do anything. I like I quit and you'll fire. That's all goodbye, lady Why won't you sell a statue? Well, yes, you're in business. Why won't you sell this statue? Look, I got other things to sell here. I sell you Venus de Milo with two hands No, the Americana Society is only interested in historical statues statues here lady. I give you two general MacArthur's free It's Washington, I want but I cannot sell the father of our country mr. Luigi if you don't sell something you won't be able to pay the rent for squali and You'll have to marry Rosa Well, all right. I'm a stuck. I'm a stuck either way you break my heart. I Take George Washington in the back guy wrap him up with my own hands Well George, I gotta sell you What I do what I do if I don't sell I don't pay the rent I get a pushed out Well, that's all right, baby But then I gotta marry Rosa if you ever see her George. You don't blame me Please George don't look at me like that Always since I'm a little boy. I know about you you fine man. You rich man You have a big farm, but when the poor people say hello George We need a general you say, okay You give a plantation June 17 and 75 Now I give you up. It can't be helped lots of things. We're doing a wartime Right now is Luigi Pasco's war Come on George say goodbye It's very sad for me to George Shake hands and mr. President to Washington I'd up you up warm so you don't freeze like in a valley ford you went to 17 and 77 Whatever that she just set me Washington All right, Jimmy put a statue in a lady's car. Okay, Mr. Luigi Here's your hundred dollars. Thank you And don't feel too badly because all the proceeds from this auction go to charity if you'd like to come Here's the address the auction will be held in my home. Thank you lady. Goodbye. Good day Okay, mr. Luigi, I put the statue in the car. Gee she must be loaded. She drove off in a beautiful Lincoln It's a funny country when a Washington drives away in a Lincoln What are you gonna do with that dough put them under a mattress? Sunday someone will come in here and steal you and the mattress not in a Chicago Word for it in America everybody puts their money in the bank I don't take your word Jimmy anytime. I got a problem. I go to see my teacher miss Paul If I don't come back before you go to school lock the door put out the regular sign back soon or maybe longer, please Don't wait America, I love you. You like a papa to me Hello my teacher miss Baldy, I brought you an apple. Thank you. Luigi. I'll be with you as soon as I finish talking to Mary I wait now Mary. Yes, miss Baldy I was very surprised this morning when you didn't know who invented the electric light I'm surprised to tell you a bambino everybody ought to know who invented electric light You see Mary is a man who's only been in this country for six months and he knows Go on Luigi tell her who invented the electric light Marconi Marconi he invent everything no Luigi Edison invented the electric light then Marconi invent Edison I see you need some more private lessons Luigi. All right, Mary you can run along now But be sure you have better answers tomorrow. All right miss Baldy. Goodbye miss Luigi. Goodbye little Mary Tell me Luigi. How are you and Jimmy O'Connor getting along? He is a fine boy Every day we have a fight. It's very pleasant. I'm so glad he found a home and a job with you He's a good businessman But he make me do wrong the thing today He make me sell a statue of George Washington is not patriotic, huh? Luigi patriotism isn't measured by statues. It's something you feel good I feel much better, but what I do with a hundred dollars Jimmy say put it in the bank Well, he's right. I suggest you put your money in the case National Bank. Why? Why a bank? Well because in America you don't carry on business with cash. You'll need checks Marshall feels they put money in the bank. Yes is a good enough for me. I Go tell Pasquale I give my check for the rent. You can see Pasquale later now go straight to the bank Don't walk around with so much cash After all there are some dishonest people in the world. Don't worry about me. I'm a smart man. Yes, but look out for strangers They'll try to sell you the Union station for a hundred dollars. Not to me miss Balding Second day I'm in Chicago. I buy it for five dollars For the second act of Luigi Basco's adventures in Chicago We look over Mama Basco's shoulder as she turns to page two of the letter from her son Luigi So mama Mia six months in this country and I'm partner with a Marshall and field But as Uncle Pietro always say every cloudy she has a silver lining For me is a no silver lining because I'm looking into gold teeth of our countryman Pasquale Who's smiling at the me like a cat? Luigi my friend. Hello Luigi. Hello. Hello, Pasquale. That's a matter of you I'm your countryman. Why are you passing my place without the coming in? I've a glass of wine I'm in a hurry now. Wait a minute to Luigi my friend. Please. Are you breaking my arm? Somebody's been asking it for you if it's who I think it is go by Man the Luigi just for a minute. I'm a going to the bank get a check pay you the rent forget the business I'm no worry about the rent to you like a son of to me. I'll bring you you from the older country. Why? You don't know either Listen to me Luigi. I bring you here to marry Rosa now come inside a stupid My little Luigi's here That's in a way to say hello to bachelor man to say hello my son Hello Luigi hello, Rosa That's a nice conversation you two just have You both have made it for each other. It's a perfect combination Okay, Rosie go back to the kitchen help your mama Papa's gonna take care of your future She's like a little angel when I go to heaven I look her up Luigi I Got a surprise for you Next Sunday how you like to go with me to a wedding. Who's getting married? You are Then you will be my son. What do you say go by Papa? All the way to roses are bigger, but she's a wonderful a girl She's had such a nice a comfortable a lap You sit there read the paper smoke a pipe to drink a why what do you say? I want a wife and not a poster chair Is this you last a word of my son. Yes, you very last a word. Yes, you positive absolutely sure Yes, where's the my rent the money I throw you off the street Pascuali I got the rent money. I go to the bank now. I give you check Luigi. I don't know from a check See you here. I'm here the money's here Transaction Pascuali Pascuali, you know understand you like a green heart shut up. I'm here 26 years Don't get excited. I Explain you see here is $40 rent. I take you in page I Take them as law first. I take money to bank. You're gonna pay my rent to the bank. No, no, no Miss folding she explained to me. I explained to you. All right I take this money to bank you take this money to buy they take money from me They take this money from you they depart they depart they give me checkbook They give you checkbook. I take one check you take one check You write pay to water Pasquale spaghetti palace of $40 and no sense Pay to water Pasquale is a spaghetti palace of $40 and no sense. I bring you check you bring a big check You make a big cross on the back I make a big cross on the back then you go to bank then I go to back you stand on line I stand on a line you tell father you want the money. I tell the fellow. I want the money He give you $40. He give me $40. It's very simple. Everybody's happy see see Money's right here on the table now. Give me now. I tell you this once more. I Take a money to bank you take a money to the bank. They take money from me They take a money from you they depart they depart they give me a check to give you check I take one check you take a one check. I write you write pay to water Pasquale spaghetti palace of $40 and no sense They to water Pasquale is a spaghetti palace of $40 and no sense. I bring you check you bring a big check You make a big cross on the back. I make a big cross on the back then you go to back then I go to back You stand on line. I stand on a line. You tell a fellow you want the money. I tell a fellow I want the money. He give you $40. He give me $40. What's the simpler pay me my money Wait, I explain you once or more I take money to bank please Luigi I've been to the bank twice I'm a tired Give me my money wait Once or more I explain I Go to the bank you go to the bank. They take the money from me Excuse me is this case and I should have banked. Yes. I like it to talk to mr. Case Mr.. Mr.. Case is dead. I wait Is mr. Case's son here he has no son oh too bad He's got a finer building here if he's got a daughter. I'm a singer and look sir This is a bank. Did you wish to open an account here? See fine. Is this your first bank account? See all right Now we have the necessary papers right here. Just take a few minutes Now what do you say your name was I don't say? Well, what is it? What for you need to my name for For our records now, what is your surname first time anybody called me sir? Thank you Now if you don't mind sir, how much would you like to start with I like to start with a thousand dollars That's a good round some but I only got a hundred Just give me the money and I'll open up an account for you. You want a checking account? Yes I have to write a check. I have to pay pass quality the rent or I have to marry Rose and then I Now here's your deposit slip and here's your checkbook now if you'll give me the money is that necessary Yes first what do you do with this money why we We invested yes, that's what we do with it I Where you invested Where why we what did you say where you invest? Yes, where do we invest all is not I ask you first perhaps you'd better talk to our vice president Mr.. Thurston would you help me here with the problem you certainly Parker There's a person here who wants to open an account of Parker I must leave in a few minutes sir. Can't you take care of it sir? He wants to know what we do with our money Well, well, that's a ridiculous question. I agree with you sir, but what do we do with our money? Why we invest it But where Where yes, where? Go back to your cage Parker. I'll handle this myself How do you do sir? My name is mr. Thurston I'm vice president of this bank ordinarily. I don't handle matters such as this, but I've always had a slogan The small depositor of today is the big depositor of tomorrow, and I come back tomorrow I don't mean it that way now sir you want to know what we do with our money see is important is First the hundred dollars I ever have yes, I understand your feelings This is what we do with your hundred dollars. We buy railroads telephone companies light and power public utilities streetcars Real estate and government bonds satisfying seems like a lot of for a hundred dollars Well, let me try another approach What business are you in antique business? All right Now a lot of times you can sell an antique for a high price and buy back the same antique at an auction at a cheaper price That means your money is working for you now if you give your money to us That's good for you but about it for me. I'm not gonna put the money in the bank I got other ideas what to do now just a minute sir. How dare you question my business sense for your information I have been with the case National Bank for ten years before that I was with the third National Bank for five years before that I was with the second National Bank for three years before that I was with the first National Bank for two years. That is my professional record What do you say to that is it so bad you couldn't hold a job and gentlemen the next item for auction is this statue of George Washington, which came from a Luigi bus goes and win the 21 North Hall State Street open night and day Hello, Mr. Vasco. We're just auctioning off your George Washington. What is his main reason I come yes Now ladies and gentlemen, let's start the bidding who say three hundred dollars. Holy smokes of this lady only pay a hundred Now who say to oh Come ladies and gentlemen remember. This is George Washington. He's been elected. He's not campaigning Now who start the ball rolling $25 25 dollars is insult. Well, I think mr.. Vasco's right Can't I hear $50 for the father of our country you bet your life a lady? I Luigi bus go better $50. All right I have 50 who'll bid more I Luigi bus go better $75 I have a $75 dollar bid who say a hundred I Luigi bus go say a $100 Vasco you're bidding against yourself. I know that's the idea you want the more money I bid the more money But mr.. Vasco your original bid of $50 is enough for this statue of George Washington is not enough for father of our country Even one a hundred dollars is enough enough. I bid everything I got the one a hundred and two dollars and 87 cents Mr.. Vasco, you're a real American and not yet You see I only come here September 1947 so I don't get the first peppers until I go down to see the Mr.. Vasco thank you for your bid, but it's a great personal sacrifice so what so Pasquale threw me out in the street Is all right with me so as they are in the street with the George Washington. He's worth it He's a great man braver man Brave like a Gallipoli is a braver maybe He beat the whole of British Army so people make him first the president twice 1789 and 1793 Maybe you don't know how great the man. He is because you born here and you used to him like a like a children to Papa Maybe is why you don't know how much is a work to have the George Washington in your house, but to me I Know When I have him in my store every morning. I say good morning, mr. President and every night. I say Sleep for good to mr. President Fine the country America, that's the way I Luigi bus go better one a hundred two dollars and eighty seven cents Thank You mr. Vasco, and the bid is one hundred and two dollars and eighty seven cents going once Going twice one thousand dollars One thousand dollars bid by mr. Thurston of the case National Bank one thousand dollars are there any other bids Mrs. Wells I got no money now. I work harder next year. Maybe you take them the little money I got that I give you the rest on an installment plan. I'm sorry. We must have cash a thousand once twice Three times so to mr. Thurston. Mama Mia my statue Where do you want the statue delivered mr. Thurston 21 North Halstead Street? Mr.. Mr.. Thurston, that's from my address exactly that's where George Washington belongs with you That's his mr. Thurston. I'll pay you back. Here's a down a payment My hundred dollars. I'll take this money and open an account for you at the bank, but the statue was yours. It's a gift is Impossible in America mr. Vasco Everything is possible. Be sure to listen next week at this time for life with Luigi as I Howard production This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system