 Lux presents Hollywood. The Lux Radio Theatre brings you Irene Dunn, Alan Jones, and Charles Winninger in showboats. Ladies and gentlemen, your producer, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille. Greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Straight down the heart of America, for 2,500 miles of corn and cotton town and city, Rolls Old Man River. Rolling down to the sea in days gone by, he watched the epic of a nation building in the pageant of puffing steamboats. He's overture the song of dusky stevedores on the levee, but the strangest and the most glamorous of all the craft that ever sailed the Mississippi is the kind that celebrated in tonight's play, showboat. Almost finished from the river now, the showboat lives on in this tender story and in the unforgettable music of Jerome Kern. I'm sure you'll approve our judgment in selecting the same three stars who played in the motion picture. Irene Dunn, Alan Jones, and Charles Winninger. And this fulfills one of our long-standing ambitions to bring Irene Dunn to this stage in a part that requires a large order of singing as well as acting. Charles Winninger is the captain of our craft. Irene Dunn and Alan Jones are star performers in his company. And the gay excitement of the steamboat stage is a colorful backdrop for the love story, the songs, and the heartwarming drama of showboats. It's a happy event here in the Lux Radio Theatre tonight. And it's a happy event in your home every day when you use Lux Flakes. Good homemakers have to be good businesswomen too. And that's why millions like the thrift and the modern efficiency of Lux Flakes. Now our curtain rises on the scene of action and adventure as we present Act One of Showboat, starring Irene Dunn as the lovely Magnolia, Alan Jones as Gaylord Ravanaugh, and Charles Winninger as Captain Andy Hawks. The Mississippi River, 1880, on the levee at Natchez. Steve Dawes moves slowly under the hazy morning sun, loading the tide wheeler riverboats with huge bales of cotton, singing as they bend their backs to the task. Suddenly, excitement sweeps across the peaceful scene. From the river comes the brassy voice of a steam calliope, heralding the approach of a floating palace of entertainment. The cotton blossom showboat, tenants waving gaily in the breeze, she noses into the landing as the town's folk swarm to greet her at the levee. On the top deck appears a jaunty little man and a long red coat, that Mississippi impresario, that genius of the floating theatre, Captain Andy Hawks. Coming for this kind reception, and now I want you to meet some of the greatest artists that ever played the River Town. Miss Ella May Chippley, the toast of Cairo, and next I want you all to meet Mr. Frank Schultz. Morning all. Mr. Schultz is the villain in our plays, but off the stage he's as meek as a lamb and he wouldn't hurt a fly and he's stuck on Ellie. How about that, Ellie? Captain Andy's hand all day. All right, party, all right. Just one big happy family, and I am there happy over here, party's their mother. How about that, party? You make me sick. Yes, folks, just one big happy family. And now to give you another sample of what we got in the way of talent, let me call your attention to Rubber Face Smith, the funniest man in the world. Hey, come over here to the rail. Of course, this is Rubber Face Smith. Come on, Smithy, give him one of your funny faces, just a sample. How did you, folks? Ain't that marvelous? Look at that smile, he got a heart of gold, a heart of gold and teeth to match. That's one of my originals. Tell them much more and they won't have to see the show. All right, all right, party, all right. And now last but not least, I want you to meet the little sweetheart of the south, Miss Julia Laverne, our leading lady. Hello, everybody. And over here we have another famous ornament of the stage, Mr. Stephen Baker, the handsomest leading man in the middle west. Take a bow, Stephen. Thank you, thank you. And I'll tell you a secret, folks. Julia and Steve play sweetheart on the stage, but in private life they're man and wife. And when you see them at, you see real romance. So here we are, folks, just one big happy family. And don't forget the bill tonight. Tempest and sunshine. That beautiful drama of tears and laughter. Concert after the big show. Bring the children. Now party, listen. We're sick and tired of this life anyway. It's about time we settle down somewhere and give Magnolia the bring it up she's entitled to. Oh, Magnolia's all right, she's getting along fine. I suppose you think they're taking piano lessons from that Julia Laverne as all the education she needs. Well, I won't have it. What more, there's something funny about that Julia Laverne and I don't want her speaking to Magnolia at all. Now, party, Julia's the best leading lady on the river. So don't go starting any trouble. I'd expect that from you. You think more of your showboat group than you do your own daughter's upbringing. I'll have more to say to you later, Andy. Oh, you will, will you? Just one big happy family. Oh, hello. Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to tell you. Oh, you're not supposed to be here. We don't love visitors on board. My heartfelt apologies. You see, I was attracted by your music, so I took it upon myself to climb over the rail. I'm very fond of music. Do you live here in Natsis? My name's Ravinal, Keylord Ravinal. Just away fare along the river. So am I. Which way are you going? Either way. Where are you going? Anywhere Papa gives shows. Oh, are you one of the players? You mean an actress? Oh, no, but I'd give anything if it could be. Why? Oh, because you can make the leaves of many wonderful things that never happen in real life. But wonderful things do happen. Only a few minutes ago, I was standing there down there on the levee, feeling sorry for myself. Well, now I'm here with you. I think I'd better go. Oh, why? Well, you see, you're talking to me, and I don't know you. Does that really matter so much? No, not to me. Well, you like to make believe things? Why can't we make believe we know each other? Oh, yes, and we haven't seen each other for 75 years, and you're my long lost nephew. There's a scene like that in the play called The Village Drunker. No, 75 years is too long. Besides, I don't like the idea of being your nephew. Let's imagine we've just met. But we really have. All right, let's make believe that we've fallen in love at first sight. Something about that trouble you got in last year. Will you excuse me, ma'am? I hope I'll see you again soon. Thank you. Bye. You know what your mom said, she don't want you talking to me. Come on, Julie, please. Please, this is important. Julie, I think I'm in love. What? You can't help me about it. Well, there isn't very much to tell. Well, I looked up, and there he was. And, oh, Julie, he looks so different from everybody else, and so beautiful. You poor little lamb. He said he hoped he'd see me again. You think he meant it? I don't know, child. And I don't know if I'd like you to go falling in love with some man that nobody ever heard of. Suppose he turned out to be just a no-account river fellow. Well, if I found out he was no-account, I'd stop loving him. Oh, no, you couldn't. Once a girl starts to love a man, she don't stop so easy. Well, couldn't you stop loving Steve if he treated you mean? No, honey. No matter what he did. You see, child, love's a funny thing. With no sense to it. That's why you gotta be careful when it comes creeping up to you. I know. Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly. I gotta love one man till I die. It's like the song you always sing, Julie. Is that the way it really is? That's the way it is, honey. You'll find that out someday. Get on with the rehearsal now. Julie, you're downstage. We'll take the part where your sister just went out. So-and-so-and-so-and-so long speech ending. And remember, dear, I'm your sister, and if any harm should ever come to you, I'll never forgive myself. That's your cue. You got your part? Oh, I know it. I wonder what can be keeping part in Brown. That's it, Noly. Play it soft. Go ahead, Julie. He promised to be here before dawn, and twilight is fast fading into night. Fading into night. Can it be he will not keep his Christ with me? He'll keep his Trist with me. He'll keep his Trist with you. Then rubber face rings the bell. Then I come in, though, right? That's right, Steve. Noly, play something for a portion. Good evening, Miss Lucy. Steve! Julie! What's the matter with you? Can't you see we're rehearsing? I know, but listen, Andy, the sheriff ain't going to let us open the night. What's happening? What are you talking about? I heard him say so. He's on his way here now. It's something about Julie. What about Julie? It's all right, darling. Don't worry. What are we going to do? Captain Hawks? Who's Captain Hawks? I'm Captain Hawks right here. Captain Hawks, do you acknowledge to be the owner of the showboat? Of course I do. What do you want? Well, I got an unpleasant duty, Captain. You've got an actress on board who's in this country illegally. How's that? A woman, real name Julia Dozier. Got the papers right here. Julie! I'm Steve Baker. This woman is my wife. My information says she was born in Martinique. It also says she's been in jail there. Is that right? Yes, that's right. You better come along with me. What's going to happen to her? What do you think? We're shivin' her back. Where's she belong? All right. Then you can send me along, too. No. It's all right, darling. We'll be together. Get your things. And hurry up about it. No, Papa! Papa, don't take her! Where's Magnolia? In her cabin. Moon and over that, no count Julie. Won't speak a word to me. You see now what your showboat has done to your daughter? I think the showboat's made a darn fine gal out of my daughter. The thing we've got to worry about is how are we going to give a show tonight without Steve? You're just as bad off for a leading woman. You know, I was thinking we'd let Noly jump in. What? Over my dead body. There never was an actress in my family and there ain't gonna be. Oh, I just meant to put her in temporary. She don't know much about acting, but she's got a smile worth a million dollars. Captain Andy, what are we going to do? We've got a show tonight, Andy. I don't know whether we have or not. Do you know any actor we can pick up to jump into the lead? Hell, if the fellow I met in town seems he's got a lead tonight and there ain't no boat. He asked me if we took on passengers. Of course we don't take passengers. So I brought him along. He's waiting outside. I'm gonna bring him in here. All right, Mr. Come on in. Good evening. This is Captain Andy Hawks, Mr. Ravanol's my name. G. Lord Ravanol of the Tennessee Ravanol. I thought, sir, if I could have a bed in your boat tonight, I could pay you my fare tomorrow at Fort Adams. You see, I expect remittance. Remittance. Ever acted, young fella? Acted? Yeah, on the stage. Acted. Been an actor. I'm looking for a juvenile leading man. 15 dollars a week. Chance to see the world. No responsibility. Am I to understand that you're offering me the position of juvenile lead? That's what I mean, young man. We don't like to pick up actors off the walls, but we can't be choosy just now. Madam, your courtesy is only exceeded by your charm. He got you that time, party. You keep quiet. Mother, I'm sorry I acted the way I did. Oh. Good evening. No, Lee, come here. We're going to need you. You're going to be our leading woman tonight. And Mr. Ravanol here is going to be our leading man. You mean Mr. Ravanol is going... That's right. Come on, now we ain't got much time. Here. Here's your parts. You take this, Mr. Ravanol. I'd like to hear how you handle dialogue. And now the idea of this character is you're in love with her. And you say, Miss Lucy, will you be mine? And she says, you will have to talk to my father first. Now you just try it. Just a sample. Well, what do I do, Pa? Oh, you just smile, Noly. That'll get him. Well, go ahead, Ravanol. Miss Lucy, will you be mine? Oh. Nothing like it. Nothing like it. More feelings as if you loved her. No, don't wipe that moon-sucked look off your face. Oh, stop it. Pause it. Stop it. Smile, Noly. Go on. Give him the smile. Now go on as if you loved her, Ravanol. With feelings. Miss Lucy, will you be mine? Yes, I will. No, now that's the wrong line. And I don't want you all I've done. Overall, I want you to know, folks, that you're the kind of plays you can bring your children to see. The kind where virtue triumphs over vice. I've been 20 years on this year, River, and I ain't never put on a show yet where virtue ain't one out. Phew, I had some tight squeezes, though. Or go right in, folks, go right in time. Andy, come over here. Oh, what's the matter now, Puffy? It's about that Ravanol. He's been looking at Magnolia ever since we left Natchez. And he'd be a fool if he didn't. Andy Horst. You mean to tell me you'd like to see your daughter marry your tramp you picked up off the levee? Good grief, woman. Can't a man look at a girl without having to marry her? Just the same. I'd like to know something about that man and I'm going to. Oh, forget it. Forget it? Are you coming with me? I ain't. I like Ravanol. He's a right smart young fella and he's the best leading man we ever had. Shifty, that's what he is. For all he talks so high about being a Ravanol of Tennessee. He is a Ravanol. He says he is. Oh, oh, Horst, you're a zany. I could say my name was Bonaparte and show you Napoleon's tomb, but that wouldn't make him a grandfather, would it? No, but if he wasn't it'd make him turn over in his grave. Is that you? Gay. How did you get away? I can't stay long. I told mother I'd sell a picture of the water down. She's waiting for me. Oh, we'd never have much time together, do we? But you can stay a moment. She won't miss you. Oh, my, it's a beautiful night. Listen, they'd never get tired of that song, do they? Yeah, the harder they work, the louder they sing. Gay, do you like this life? Being an actor, traveling up and down the river? Well, that's hard to say. You know, it's a big world, Nola. There's such a lot to see and a lot to do. Sunday you'll grow restless and you'll leave it, won't you? I may leave the showbook, but I'll never leave you, Nola. Oh, Gay. Will you marry me, Nola? Yes, and that's just tomorrow. But Gay, I can't. Why not? I love your daughter. Father, what would he say? Father, he gave me the idea. Oh, please, darling, say you will. I'll snatch it of you. I want you all to myself forever. Gay. You love me, Nola. You do love me, don't you? I love you, Gay. I love you so. So much interest in showboat folks. I thought you'd like to see the happy couple playing their romance off the stage. To the carriage with you, Nola. He's a murderer. Rabanel? Last year, asked the sheriff. Sheriff? Is this true? Well, it was a case of self-defense. Are you going to let your daughter ride off with a murderer? Murderer be hanged. I killed a man when I was 19. You killed a man. Accidentally, are you coming with us, or aren't you? Where are you going? To the church. Nola and Rabanel are going to be married. Married to a murderer. Are you sure? So we can go on with the wedding. Paul's on act one of showboat with Irene Dunn, Charles Winninger, and Alan Jones. We'd say Mrs. America, and our hats are off to her. Every year, approximately $25 billion passed through her hands for housekeeping and other expenses. Believe me, she's a smart buyer. She wants her money's worth, and she gets it. Naturally, we value her opinion. So we've asked a typical housewife to join us tonight. Mrs. Bertha Aldrich of North Hollywood, who has a family of two. Do you mind answering a few questions for us, Mrs. Aldrich? Well, now let's suppose you're making up your marketing list, and you find you need soap for, well, for your dishes or your nice washables. What influences your selection of a soap to do that job? Well, it's speed for one thing. I like to get my work done quickly and easily, so I buy a soap that suds up real fast. You know, Mrs. Aldrich, when you order new quick-lux flakes, that's just what you get. And in water, as cool as your hand, they dissolve three times as fast as any of ten other leading soaps tested. That's speed for you. What else do you want in a soap, Mrs. Aldrich? Why, I want plenty of good, rich suds, too. Lasting suds, that'll do a thorough job of cleansing at minimum cost. You quick-lux scores on that point, too. Ounceful ounce, it gives you more suds than any of the other soaps tested, even in hard water. It goes further, and that makes it thrifty to use. You get the things you're looking for in a soap when you put new quick-lux flakes on your list. That's precisely why I've been using luxe for years. I think it's simply marvelous for dishes and all my nice things. Now you've got new quick-lux. I like it better than ever. I can see that I can't tell you a thing, Mrs. Aldrich. Not about new quick-lux, you can't. But you can tell other people. Tell them it's not only fast and thrifty, but it's wonderfully gentle, too. It's grand the way it keeps the washables new-looking longer. And it's so kind to the hands. I'm a real luxe fan, all right. Good for you. For speed, thrift, and safety. Buy new quick-lux flakes. They come in the same familiar package and cost you no more. Be sure to ask for the economical large-size box. Now, our producer, Mr. DeMille. Act two of Showboat, starring Irene Dunn as Magnolia, Alan Jones as Gaylord Rabinel, and Charles Winninger as Captain Andy Hawks. Thirteen years have passed, and Gay's restless spirit has brought him and Magnolia far from the Mississippi, far from the old cotton-blossom Showboat. They live in Chicago now, in a grand hotel one day, in a boarding house room the next. For Gay is a gambler, and his fortunes rise and fall with the turn of the cards. It's 1893, the year of his death. It's 1893, the year of the Chicago World's Fair. Andy and Parthee have come to take in the site. In the fair's midway, Parthee surveys the glittering scene with a cold eye. Look, Mother, this is the Congress of Beauty. Isn't that girl lovely? That's what she is, a husband. That's all you see around here, huzzies and dudes. How much longer are you going to drag me around? Not long, Gay said he'd meet you here and he must be a funny business. Oh, Mother, why do you say that? If I've asked you once, I've asked you a hundred times how your husband makes his living and I never get an answer out of either of you. Cheekless, mystery. How I hate not an old thing. Gay's doing very well, Mother. We have everything we want. We go everywhere. Magnolia, look. Look at the droves of men coming out of that place. What is it? Oh, that's the Hoochie-Coochie dance. Hoochie-Coochie. I wouldn't have any respect for her. Magnolia. Yes, Mother. Magnolia. Is that so, Father? Oh, my dolly, I don't see how she does it. Ending. Oh, hello, Party. Where have you been? Party, don't get excited. Were you in that Hoochie-Coochie place? Sure I was. Well, I was just looking over some types. Who knows, I might find an actress for the showboat. From now on, you can look for types someplace else. We'll go down to the Wild West show. Come on. Well, we'll see you at the hotel. Like it, Gay. You held every hand I ever saw in my life. Oh, the cards are just running for me, I guess. Oh, Gay. Hello, darling, waiting long. Oh, now, there. A ready lead? Well, look, dear, I've had a marvelous run of luck. I can't leave now. I've got to go back and have another fling. Oh, Gay, do you think you ought to? Well, I've got to play while they're running for me. I'm... The troupe to go out in Waterville. Wish them luck for us. Oh, I must tell you before I forget. We have changed our address. We grew tired of the hotel and have moved to a wonderful little place at 516 Ontario Street. Right to us there, from now on. Love? Is there anything expensive on Ontario Street? Come on, I'll show you what I got. Well, there's still somebody in there, but they won't be much longer. You theatrical people? That's right, Frank and I will show. Can't say I have. Well, here's the room. You won't find another in Chicago for the price. And how do you like it? A nice big one, too. You can look into it if you want to. Kind of empty, ain't it? Don't the people who live here have any clothes? There's a lot more space than they need with everything they own and pawn. These are gamblers. They've been living here for years on and off. Each time they'd be living here for a couple of months, for one fine night he'd come in with his pocket stuffed with greenbacks. Then they'd wake up the little girl and off they'd go, bag and baggage to the Sherman House. And they'd be living there in quality for a while. Then they'd be coming back here, and one by one their fine things disappear. First he pawns his fancy cane, then her diamond ringles, then her fur coat, and this winter the poor little woman has no coat at all, but a kind of a thing that neither you nor I'd be after wearing. Oh, good evening. Is that you, Nola? Ellie, that's right. Ellie. Hello, Nola. And Frank, dear old Frank, how are you, dearie? Oh, I'm fine. I'm glad it's good to see you. How did you know where I lived? Well, as a matter of fact, I just came here to look for rooms. I, uh, told them you was leaving. Oh, yes, yes, of course. You see, these are only temporary quarters before. Meanwhile, we stop here. It's a near-gaze business, and then we'd like to help out Mrs. O'Brien. Great help. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, I'd be downstairs. You can let me know about the room. Help out Mrs. O'Brien. She's a dear old thing. Nola, is this your little girl's picture? Yes, that's Kim. Isn't she, darling? Eight years old this March. Gee, I'll bet Captain Andy's proud of her. But in Chicago, she's had a convent over St. Agatha. Gay insisted on giving her every possible advantage. Oh, gay. Gay doing well, Nola? Oh, yes, yes. He's a big success. Well, now tell me something about yourself. We're doing pretty good. Pretty good. Listen to him. We're practically headliners. Well, where are you playing now? Well, we're just sort of breakin' in and act. We open New Year's Eve at the Trocadero. Oh, I've been there often. Not lately, though. Say, Nola, I was thinking if, well, if you need the little money, I could fix it so you'd get a job. You know, fix up a little act, maybe singin' and playin' like you used to. Oh, that'd be fine, Nola. I'm afraid gay would never hear of it. Of course, I'd like to. Duff for a lock, I mean. I don't need the money. Oh, no, of course not. Come in. Boy, I just set this envelope for you, Miss Ravenel. Oh, thank you, Miss Ravenel. You're welcome. Oh, yes, yes, gay was going to stop off at the bank. Will you excuse me, minutes, folks? I got to see what gay says. He may want me to meet him somewhere. Oh, no. No, Nola, dear. What's the matter, is gay hurt? Nola! Dear, by the time this letter reaches you, I shall be on a train. Found who knows where. There is nothing lost upon and no more friends to borrow from. I'm enclosing $200. This will let Kim and Etude turn to the convent. Then you can both go to your parents. I'm doing this because I think it is right and because I love you. Please believe I will always love you. My dear little wife, to God, you're your own gay. Nola, can we do anything, Nola? I don't think so, Ellie. I don't know. I never thought of living without gay. I can't imagine it, no. He seems to think you and Kim would be better off. Better off? I've never complained. I've lived like this half the time. One room, washing clothes in a basin, cooking food over a gas stove. But I loved him. And if all that went with him, I was willing to take it. I thought he knew that. I thought it was true. There's your little girl. She's coming now, Mr. Levin. Thank you. May I speak to her along? Of course you may. Daddy! Daddy! Hello, Kim. Daddy, where's Mommy? Well, Mommy couldn't come today. Now listen, dear, Daddy's in a great hurry. Must catch a train. Where are you going? Away for a little while on business. I just had a few minutes to rush in and see you. Can I go with you? No, dear. Not on this trip. But while I'm gone, I want you to think of him once in a while. Will you? Yes. I think of you all the time. When I meet you, I always do what you told me. What was that? I just make believe. Oh, yes, dear, that's right. That's the system Daddy taught you for having anything you want, isn't it? And if I'm a little late coming back, you just remember and pretend I've never gone away. And, Kim, will you do something for me? Tell Mother I'll tell her I came to see you. After a short intermission, Mr. DeMille presents Act 3 of Showboat with Irene Dunn, Charles Winninger, and Alan Jones. You know, music often describes things more vividly than words. For instance, suppose when you wash your stockings, you rub them with a cake of soap. The music would express that rubbing something like this. That's pretty bad, that rubbing. Can't you just see it roughening the silk threads, weakening their elasticity so they can't stand the extra strain? When you kneel or stoop, their aptu pop into runs like this. Oh, gosh, there goes another run. And those runs are expensive and embarrassing, Mrs. Housewife. They're a nuisance. I want to cut down on stocking runs. And you can with new, quick-luck flakes. After each wearing, dip your stockings in rich, pure, luck suds. There's no rubbing, no harmful alkali to weaken threads. The suds are so gentle. So mild, as delicate as that music, they float out the soil without hurting the fragile thread. New, quick-luck flakes save stocking elasticity. When you kneel or stoop, the threads stretch. Then, instead of popping into runs so easily, the threads spring back. That's worth knowing, isn't it? New, quick-luck cuts down on runs. And, of course, that cuts down your stocking bills. Try it. Get the economical large box tomorrow. It comes in the same familiar luxe package, and yet it costs you no more. Fast, thrifty, safe. That's New, Quick-luck flakes. We pause now for station identification. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System. The curtain rises on Act Three of Show Boat. It's two weeks later. Gay has dropped out of sight, and Nola, after the first shock, has turned her thoughts to the support of little Kim. Frank has offered to speak to the manager of the truck at Arrow. But just now, he doesn't seem to be having much luck. Mr. Green, Mr. Green, can I speak to you a minute, please? I... No, I'm busy. Oh, but Mr. Green... Listen, will you please...? Who are you? Who am I? I'm Frank Schultz of Schultz & Schultz, the well-known comedy team. All the new actor. All right, I'll see you later. Oh, but Mr. Green, I got a girl outside I'd like to hear sing. Listen, I don't need nobody. I ain't seeing any more people today. I know, but I thought... Well, you thought wrong, see? Hello? Who let you in here? What do you want? Well, I'm... It's a girl I mean, Mr. Green. I'd like to sing for you, Mr. Green. Yeah? If you'll just give me a chance, I... She's good, Mr. Green. She was a star in the Cotton Blossom Showboat. Star of a showboat. That means a lot in Chicago, don't it? Hey, boys! Yeah, what? I got a message for you from your prima donna. She's walking out. What? Yeah, she's through. She quit. She can't quit! Not on the day before we open! Who does she think she is? You better ask her that. She ain't speaking to me. Well, she'll speak to me or I'll... Hey, you! You mean me? Yeah. Don't go away. I might be able to use you. I want to see Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Ravenor. I'm sorry, sir, but I told you they're not stopping at the hotel any longer. They haven't been here for months. But my daughter wrote me. They moved it back here in August. I'm sorry. There's nothing that I can do for you, sir. Nice New Year's Eve, I must say. You and your surprises. They ain't here and nobody knows where they want. Well, Hawks, what do you got to say? Will you listen? No, I won't. I thought you want. What are you going to do? Stand there all night? Get me the key. I'm going to my room. Oh, party, it's New Year's Eve. Let's go out. I bet Noly and Gay are out celebrating at some restaurant. Come on, let's go and find them. Like looking for a needle in a haystack. Get the key. Oh, here it is. You go on upstairs and go to sleep, and I'll look around for the children. I got a feeling I'll bump into them. Hawks, it's eight o'clock. You be back here by nine, or I'll be coming after you. No, you won't find me. Party and me come up to surprise Noly and Gay. But they ain't stopping at this Herman house anymore. No, they ain't. Anyway, I left Posse at the hotel at eight o'clock. I told her I was going to take a walk. And ever since ten o'clock, I've been trying to think of an excuse for not being back by nine. Listen, Captain Andy, Noly's here. Where? She's acting. Acting? What do you mean acting? Gay never let her. Oh, Gay's gone. What? He went broke and quit. I'm telling you this because Noly's opening here tonight, and we want everything to go smooth. She is going to be awful if she don't make a hit. What do you mean don't make a hit? My Noly will stand this crowd on their ears. Didn't she always do it? Didn't they always love her on the river? My daughter is singing here tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, I regret to announce that our regular prima donna, Lady Baker, is in dispose and cannot appear here tonight. But we are fortunate, however, in obtaining the services of Miss Magnolia Ravana. Miss Magnolia Ravana, who's she? I'll show you who she is. Don't start anything, Captain Andy. Sit down. Miss Magnolia Ravana. My daughter is going to sing. Captain Andy, Captain Andy. It's me, Noly. Papa. Go on and sing and make them like it. Go on, give them the smile. Give them the smile. Start that music. They would go on liking me. How long has it been? Sometimes it seems like yesterday. Next week they want me to sing on the radio. I'll do one of the old favorites. And while I'm singing, I'll be thinking of you listening in down on the cotton blossom. Goodbye for a while. You're no longer. The song takes me back a long time, Captain. Yeah, I guess it does. I guess you ain't heard Noly's voice in Martin 20 years. Have you, gay? Oh, yes. I sneaked into a theater once when she played in New York. The voices you've just heard was that of Magnolia Ravana. She retired several years ago, but her great theatrical name is still kept alive by her lovely daughter, Kim Ravana, the musical comedy star. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I guess you're telling me we're here on a date? When Noly gets back from the studio, she'll get my telegram. You suppose she and Kim will come down here? Sure, she'll shoot me. Oh, you know, gay, it's like fate. My bumping into you at Fort Adam yesterday. Well, I can hardly wait to see Mama. Well, you won't have to wait long. Train will get in here by tonight. Things move fast these days, Jay. You remember when you were the wild young buck in Chicago? I remember. Look, Captain, you only found me by accident. I want to be better if I just drop out of sight again. Oh, life is happy and complete. I don't know about that, gay. Anyway, don't you ever want to see Kim? Does she look like Noly? Spitting image of her. She's got a lot of your ways, too. Kind of dignified. More refined than most girls of today. Oh, I give a lot to see. I don't dare. I don't think I'd better. Oh, sit down, Jay. Trouble with you is you keep on blaming yourself. And the fact is you were just unlucky. The lucky people are the ones that get to do what they enjoy doing. I always enjoyed running a showboat, and I made a success of it. And Noly was meant for the stage, and she finally landed there. And now you, you were meant to be a gentleman. And the biggest mistake you ever made in your life was to try and earn a living. Nobody ever expected it of you. You was on the right track when you started to be a leading man on the river. Who knows, you might have got to be a big actor, and then you wouldn't have had to work anymore. And me! Oh, gosh. And me! There's a party calling me now. I can't understand it, Captain. Married all these years, and yet, every time she calls, you jump. What is it? What has she got? She's got a mean disposition. Come on, stand still, darling. Never thought I'd live to be bossed around by my own granddaughter. Why, poor thing, I don't boss you. Yes, you do, Kim Ravenall. You're just like your mother. Didn't you bring me this dress that's up to my knees and ink to make me wear it? They're here, Gay. You want me to call Noly out on the deck? I... Oh, I don't know. I don't have to call her. There she is now. Hello, Papa. Hello. Oh. Noly, here's Gay. Here's the... Here's Noly, Gay. Good. How are you, Noly? Gay, I'm so glad to see you. Good evening, Captain Colch. Oh, good evening, Mrs. Parrell. Isn't that your daughter, Captain Hawks? Yes, that's my Noly. Well, how did you, Miss Noly? I remember you when you were leaving Lady on the boat and, well, this is your husband, isn't it? Yes. And how do you do, sir? How do you do? I thought I recognized you both. Yes, I also. Why, I was here on this levy the day you were married. My, my, how excited we all were. That was a real love mess. Well, I'm glad to see it turned out well and that you're still happy together. Well, good night. Good night, dear. Gay, come up on the top deck. We can talk there, will you? No, Noly. Go ahead, Gay. You'll find it's just about the same up there. Same moon, same old water bell, and same girl. Maybe things don't change so fast after all. Well, good night, kid. Gay, Gay, look, there's your daughter. There's him. The things you oppose tonight's performance of showboats with Irene Dunn, Alan Jones, and Charles Winninger. While we're waiting for our stars to return for their curtain call, here's a bit of news. A couple of months ago at a YWCA convention in Atlantic City, a survey of 60,000 American business girls revealed that the average business girl hoped for marriage or a better job. She wants to know how to acquire charm, how to impress people, how to win love, and how to make a success of marriage. Every girl wants those things, Mr. Ruick, whether she's a business girl or not. She wants to be charming, and dainty-ness is so much a part of charm. That's easy to understand, Sally, because everyone likes a sweet dainty girl. Well, I say if a girl doesn't understand she's have to miss a lot of good times, or maybe not land the job she wants. Well, that makes sense, all right. Now, here's a question a girl might well ask herself every day as a sort of dainty-ness test. Are my gloves, collars, cuffs, and blouses spotless? Page New Quick Lux Flakes. What else, Sally? Another tip, wash under things and stockings every single night. Why, Sally, it really comes down to one thing, doesn't it? Keeping everything beautifully fresh all the time. That's right, and it's so easy to do that with New Quick Lux. Of course it is. Remember, in water as cool as your hand, New Quick Lux Flakes dissolves three times as fast as any of ten other leading soaps tested. So it takes only a few moments each night to whisk undies or stockings or blouses through the beautiful, rich suds. They float away every bit of perspiration, just like magic. And that's awfully important in this warm weather, because, well, even the faintest trace of perspiration is apt to offend people. When a girl luxes under things every night, blouses, dresses, and sweaters often, she can be sure of passing her dangerous test with flying colors. Get the generous big box of New Quick Lux tomorrow. It comes in the same familiar package and costs no more. It's fast, it's thrifty, and it's wonderfully safe for everything safe in plain water. And now, Mr. DeMille is bringing our stars to the microphone. The Cotton Blossom is safely moored in our National Hall of Fame. And the three stars who brought us the magic of showboats, Irene Dunn, Alan Jones, and Charles Winninger are here at our microphone for a cut and call they really did is. Thank you, Mr. DeMille. It was a very pleasant reunion for all three of us back on the old Cotton Blossom. Well, I worked on the picture and played it a number of times in stock. But for you and Charlie Winninger, showboat must seem like a second home. I just about get my land legs back again when it's time for another cruise. How many times have you played the captain, captain? All about six or seven, a hundred times on the stage, you know, for three years or so on the radio. That's a career in itself. Well, Charlie beats me, but I did spend about 40 weeks in showboat on the stage. Back in your old Kentucky home, Irene, you must have learned about showboats on the Ohio. Yes, there still are a few, but not as many as there used to be. You know, my grandfather built steamboats in Louisville, and I suppose there's a good chance that one or two of those boats turned out to be showboats. Well, that's a good honest job for any boat. Say, CV, what kind of a player are you putting on here next week? Next Monday night, Charlie, we're presenting Alias to Deacon, a very human comedy with an unusual twist. Who are you going to have it, Mr. Mill? Our star is Bob Burns. In the same role he played in the universal picture just released, it's the story of a sentimental card shop who spends more time helping people that he does at his trade. And Bob Burns has plenty of cards up his sleeve for Alias to Deacon next Monday night. I know everyone is going to enjoy that play, especially with Bob Burns. Good night, Mr. Mill. Good night. Good night. Good night. You three can tie up at this floor anytime. Our sponsors, the makers of Lux Flakes, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night when the Lux Radio Theatre presents Bob Burns in Alias to Deacon with Helen Woods. This is Cecil B. DeMille saying good night to you from Hollywood. War in Europe has brought intense suffering to millions of innocent people who are homeless and starving. The American Red Cross is raising $20 million for immediate assistance to these women, children, and old people. Give as much as you can right now to your local chapter of the Red Cross. Heard in tonight's play were Werner Felton as Parthé, Hal K. Dawson as Frank Schultz, Innessy Berries-Elly, Gloria Holden as Julie, Christian Coffin as Steve, Earl Ross as Alan, Edward Marr as Jake, and Barbara Jean Wong, Arthur Q. Bryan, James Eagles, and Sarah Selfie. Irene Dunn is now being seen on the screen in the RKO production My Favorite Wife. Alan Jones' current picture is the great Victor Herbert, and he is now before the cameras at Paramount in There's Magic in Music. And Charles Winninger has just finished making the picture and came back at Warner Brothers. Our music was directed by Louis Silvers, and your announcer has been Melville Roick. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.