 Family Theater presents James Whitmore and Gene Raymond. Work in Cooperation with Family Theater presents James Whitmore and Adam Waswell from San Antoine. And now to introduce the drama, here is your host, Gene. Family Theater exists to bring to every listener's attention a practice that must become an integral part of our daily lives if we are to find peace for ourselves, build peace for our families, and win peace for the world. Family Theater sponsors the greatest commodity civilization has provided for the soul of man, his contact with God. Family Theater urges you to pray, pray together as a family. Family Theater takes great pleasure in presenting Man was El from San Antoine, starring James Whitmore as Blake. The major leagues are beginning to worry about television again. It's nice to know, but it's certainly not news. Say, is anything of that second night late yet, Jimmy? Not a line. Oh, it should have been an hour ago. It must be some big deal. Well, what about it, news editor? I've got to give a 15-minute newscast in 51 minutes. 51 minutes. Well, I'll write a couple of lines and you can ad-lib around them. Some of that stuff, but the nature figures, how about that? Here's a good one, incidentally. Date Line Hollywood. Marjorie Du Bois reported to be feeling much better today as she recovers from a strained back which was sustained yesterday at Point Morrow, California. The beautiful actress who was currently appearing. Blah, blah, same old stuff. Don't tell me. The scene called for her to hang from a cliff and some rock gave away. She was saved in the last minute by an aging Indian or a quick-thinking cameraman. No, as a matter of fact, it was wild horses and she was saved by a lighting technician. Yeah, that's bunk. Jared's bunk, but it's exciting and that's what the public wants. What's this? You've got new typewriter now. That's what the people want? I hope so. Great, I'll use it. Over my dead body, you put this on the air and I won't be able to get a copyright. This, my boy, is the story of my life. I'm a cell from San Antoine. The story of your life, huh? Well, the most interesting part of it anyhow. It's around an incident in the last war. Why'd you wait this long to write it? Well, Jim, it's like your nature figure story. It might be true, but... But it doesn't sound true. That's about it. That's why I'm writing it as fiction. Well, come on, let's hear it. What about your newscast? I'll use the same copy I used on the last one. Change a few adjectives. No, don't get caught on them. What about your story? Oh, yeah. Do you want me to read it to you? Whatever you like. All right, brother, I'll tell it to you. I might think of something I forgot to put in and it'll help me a little with the revision. Go ahead. Well, to begin with, I was a sergeant with a machine gun crew, and one day four of us got lost. Hopelessly, miserably, and very unmilitarily lost in a frog-shrotted battlefield in France. Before that fog came in, we'd been advancing through the hedge rows, and going on that particular day had been pretty easy, because the enemy had pulled back to new positions. But with that fog, everything changed. Suddenly, we ran out of hedge rows and into a forest, and, brother, what a forest that was. You know, I bet we're the sharpest crew in the whole army. Huh? Yeah. Nah, I mean it. Look at the size. He's been carrying an heavy tripod for three hours. You know, like a big bag. And you two boys with that heavy ammo were rightful, strudging along, never complaining. Ah, shut up. So why should I get better when all I got to do was carry this little old measly 12-ton, 30-caliber machine gun? Hey, maybe we ought to pull in and wait for the fog. That's a lot of time. And it might be a good idea to mount the gun. Oh, mount the gun? That is merely the sergeant's way of saying he needs sure if we're behind the enemy lines. Well, it's possible. I can't read my map without being able to see landmarks. Can I? Well, we know it sounded like it's that thing. It digs into my shoulder, my shoulder digs into my neck. And you dig into whatever's close. Hey, no kidding, Sarge. Really might be behind the lines, huh? Maybe we ought to hold a conversation down to a nice polite roar. Good idea? Good idea. Oh, cool. We better dig in and eat before we think about sleep, all right? Maybe behind the lines. Who can sleep? Well, here's my spade. This'll be my 26-fox hole. I'm thinking seriously of going back and collecting all the foxholes I ever dug. Use them to store souvenirs. Tell you there's somebody out there. I heard them. Relax, will you, Benny? Yeah, I suppose there was somebody out there. The four of us ain't no army, you know. Don't go ask them for no trouble. What are we supposed to do? Sit around waiting for them to start taking pot chats at us? In this fog, they can't see us any better than we can see them. There. Did you hear that? I told you there was somebody out there. Get the dirt. Benny, slide me your M1. Here, take it. Tell them to come out. Yeah, yeah. Tell them there's a million of us. All right, quiet, you guys. That might be a bunch of GIs, you know. Yeah, government issues. But what government? Well, if there are not guys, they know the password. Who goes up there? Password. Hank, what's today's password? I don't know. What's some about bridges? I don't hear anybody answering. London Bridge, isn't it? Yeah. Give the password. I don't like this. Let's not shoot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's get on the car. I'll tell you when. They may be a bunch like us. We didn't remember the password either. Well, whoever it is, they all speak English. Any of you guys know any German? A little French dude? Yeah, try it. Tell them there's a million of us. Well, we'll tell them to come out with their hands up. Come out with their hands up. Yeah, try not to sound so scared. Yeah. Yeah, okay. Well, go ahead. The ribbons tell them we've come to ribbons. Okay, you guys, not to get ready on the gun. It might be a trick. You better take your rifle, but don't use it all the shit. Oh, brother, will you look at that? Well, I'm looking at it, but I don't believe it, baby. Oh, baby, oh, baby. They'll never believe this back home. What a doll. What a doll. Don't lose your head, kids. Remember, you were the guy who wanted to fill woods with bullets, cut them to ribbons. Oh, I changed my mind. Uh, aren't these boo, ma'am, Zell? Hey, Will, what did I say? Are you going to shoot me? Well, lady's talking to you, Sergeant. She wants to know if you're going to shoot it. If you're not, I think she might like to put her hands down. She thinks we'd shoot her? Holy cow. Um, this a boo man down, ma'am, Zell. Look at her tremble and get her scared that there's somebody who had a comforter. Stay away, uh, Benny. You want to scare her away? You are Americans? No. We are Americans, yes. Any of you guys got any rations left? For mine, I got everything. Well, give them to me. She looks hungry. Here, miss, want some food? Food, uh... My name's Janine. Thank you. I thought you were the boss still. Why have you taken so long to get here? Oh, this is very good. Kay rations? She thinks it's good. She must be hungry. Okay, well, toss me that canteen. You want some water, miss, uh, Janine? Water? Yeah. Water. Water. Thank you. And for after dinner, I got a cigarette for you. Oh, you are all so kind. Won't you sit there? Here, let me spread this coat for you. Oh, but it will get so dirty. Oh, it's all right. It's a sergeant's coat. Oh. Yeah, it's all right. You must be very brave, so far behind the lines. What did she say? I couldn't make that one out. She said we must be very brave to be so far behind the lines. Oh, yeah, yeah. Very brave. I think I'm going to fight. Say, Janine, uh, how far behind the lines are we? That is a very good question. You don't know? That is very funny. Yeah, so what's so funny? Search me. I thought you were brave, but you are not brave. You are lost. Well, it's possible to be both. I'm getting back to the question just how far ahead of the rest of the army are we? Oh, 10, maybe 12 kilometers. Not much more. What's a kilometer? It's about a thousand meters still. Holy mackerel. So how much is a meter? About a foot and a half, maybe? 12,000 foot and a half. Look, we got to get back. Miss Janine, could you tell us how to get back to the lines? Oh, monsieur, it would be very dangerous for you to try to do it tonight. Better you wait until morning. The American army will come up to meet you. They are advancing, no? They are advancing, yes. Well, then tonight you spend in my father's house. How did you hear that? Sleep and a half. No, no, no, no, no. I don't think that would be such a... Oh, come on, sir. Gee, 12,000 foot and a half. Be safer than me and caught outside by some German patrol. Patrol? We're far enough behind the lines to be caught by the Jerry replacements going up to the front. He's right, monsieur Sarge. Yeah, yeah, come on, Sarge. All right. All right, pick up your gear. Lead the way, lady. You're taking quite a chance, aren't you, Janine? I mean, helping us? After all, this is still German territory. No, no, monsieur. It is not much chance. The Americans will be here tomorrow. Yeah, well, I hope so. But suppose you're caught. Then we will all meet in Evan and have a big celebration. But we will not be caught, sergeant. Yeah, say, uh, call me Blake, will you? Blake? Yeah. Blake. Blake. He's a very pretty name. It is a very lovely name. Wouldn't you say Blake is a pretty name, Ben? Will? Hmm, yes, grumpy. Hey, uh, ma'am, cell, uh, what do you think of Benjamin? All right, all right. Close it up, close it up. Kind of a misterful name. Wait, there is an... How you say it? What? Water here. Yeah, she learns fast. Yeah, hold it, hold it. Oh, we got an irrigation ditch to get over. Well, my foot's lagging, sergeants. Walk on through. Oh, no, no. Better you jump. All right, so we jump. Sure. All right, give me your hands. I'll help you. You'll, monsieur Blake. All right. Over you come. You got a broken leg. Come on. I'm out of cannon. Uh, time walking through. My feet are hot in here. That's a bunch of sisteries. Ben, come on. Let's get them. Oh, you should have trapped it. You might have been drowned. I forgot to. Are you all right? Oh, no. You did not hurt yourself. He's all right. Be as good as no. Oh. I should have tell you it is deep, no? Yes. It's better that he should find this way, ma'am. Now he'll never forget it. How would you like a hot in the snoot? All right, all right. Come on. I'll take the gun. Ben, you carry the tripod. It might be lighter, sergeant, if you poured the water out of it. He's not far to my father's house now. Just over to him, near the town. He has been waiting for the Americans for a long time. Let's go. I'm going to be tickled at that. Let's see him in a fireplace. Wait. We don't want to push you to a lot of trouble. Wait. It's not trouble at all. It is a privilege. Oh, that fire feels good. Boy, this is the life. Man, it feels pretty good, huh? Stop hogging. Will you move over a little? Well, will you give me a hand with the machine gun? We'll stick it over by the fire, dry some of the water out of it. We're really ought to police it up. No, ma'am. I will do it after a while. Come on. Move over, you guys. Good to see you. We have waited so long for you. I don't think you are coming. But it is no matter. Now you are here. Papa, this is Sergeant Blake and Corporal Henry and Privates Benny and William. I do not know their last name. I'm glad to meet you. My father, Alberto Marais. This is very nice of you, Mr. Damary. My house is your house, my friend. Jeanine, go with your brother. Kill the chickens. We have a big party to celebrate. Mr. Damary, you see, so we're now. In a sense, I have been planning this celebration for a long time. The chickens are old. They too have been waiting. But we make up for it with the wine, no? We make up for it with the wine, yes. Callum, we're not the whole army. It's still... You will be here by the time he wakes up tomorrow. Why are you supposed to have fun? Come with me. I get to wine and wait my brother. I hope you're right, baby. I sure hope you're right. It's quite a party. I like parties like that. Everybody having a good clean time, singing songs. It isn't much fun. Everybody enjoying everybody else. Yvonne and Lucille were very good, yes? Yvonne Lucille. The chickens. Oh, yeah, very good. Is that what you call them? Yvonne Lucille. Papa had two great worries about him. He was afraid first that he might die from old age before the Americans came. Second? And second, he was afraid your Americans might come on Friday. You laugh easily. That is a good thing. Oh, look. Where? It's so strange to see lights on in second one. It is our town and it has been so dark for so long. Yeah. Hey, there seems to be a lot of activity down there, doesn't it? Yes. I don't know what it could be. That's it. The Germans are moving out. They must be pulling back all along the line. They are. I'm so happy. I think I could kiss the first American soldier. I think I almost joined the Navy. Oh. But, Blake, I know you for whom he's such a short time. So short a time? I don't think you're so happy. I don't think you're happy at all. Oh, but I am. You are not. I am too happy. Well, you don't show it. All right. You see? Well, not too well. You better explain it again. Blake, I think we go home. Yes? All right. But, you know, I don't think I've ever been so glad just to be an American. Watch to get excited a rooster. Rooster. You know, a heat chicken. All right. Hey, we're going to get that gun. Pull these stuff and get back to the line. Why wake up the whole house? Well, sorry. I was just going to say the big, weak one ought to be good and dry by now. Hey, Benny, come on. You grab the barrel. I'll get it out of the other end and we'll pull it away from the fire. Okay. Yes, sir. But there ain't a bit of waste you left on that thing. Come on. Oh, fella. Boy, that was the stupidest thing I ever saw. Were you with him? How would you like a poke in the nose, big boy? Oh, who's wrong, Mr. Emery? I'm sorry, Hacker. Okay, kid. You got a handkerchief? Yeah. Gee, you're bleeding. Yeah. It's nothing. It's only a scratch. I'll wet it at the pump. Blake, what have you done to your poor hands? Oh, Ben and I tried to pick up the machine. It was a little hot, that's all. Gee, let me see, Sarge. Good. That looks like a bad burn. Let me get my aid kit. Anybody remember me? I'm the guy with a cut lip. Golly, Sarge. I will fix it for you. Hey, put some of this stuff on, Mr. Emery. It takes a soreness out. This will hurt a little more, Sherry. Hey, hey, Sarge! Sarge, you're coming in. I can see him off in the woods. Ben! Who's coming in? What are you talking about? The whole booming line. Us. We. The United States Army. Oh, yeah. You see? I tell you. Listen, honey, you got any old rags, grease? Old rags? Yeah, we got a clean-up of machine gun. Well, I'll have the kicker span out of the Army or what's waste promoters. Oh, no. We've been lost. It's bad enough for getting caught with a rusty suit. It's no use. They'll be here in a matter of minutes. Hey, if we took it out and fired it where nobody could see us, we could shake most of that stuff off. Yeah. If we could run it continuous fire, maybe we could even get it hot enough to burn off the rust. All right. Come on. Now, look. We'll set it up on the other side or he'll be got nothing to lose but ammo. This is very exciting. Look over there on that road. See through the trees. The road leading out of San Antonio. Where? I don't see anything. The bush. There are some left. Doesn't that look like a good target? I'll bet you that's the last enemy caravan to pull out. Shall I pour it on him? No, no, please. Wait till they have left the village. It won't have long to wait. There they go. Long range. Now, Sarge, now? Are they far enough? I'll get you then. I think so. Remember then, he aim height to compensate for the distance. I got you. Okay, then he pour it on. Boy, now try for that command. Yes. Just stop working. Maybe it jammed. Open a breach. Let's take a look. Now it looks kind of foopy going. A boiled up blasted rotten luck. It's frozen solid. What's wrong with that? Oh, brother. Come on. Give me a hand here. Uh-oh, Sergeant. Well, I think we got company. Yeah. Cheap. With three stars on it. What is it? It's a general. Put the charge here. I am, sir. Sergeant Blake Legler, sir. Aren't you a little ahead of the rest, sergeant? Yes, sir. What's the matter with your hands? Oh, it's nothing, sir. Don't tell me it's nothing when I can see it's something. What's the matter with your hands, sergeant? I burned them, sir. On the weapon? Lieutenant, inspect that weapon. Yes, sir. And you, corporal. What happened to your lip? Uh, well, it's like this, your one. I mean general, sir. Ah, hand-to-hand combat, eh? Don't much to say so, sir. They are very brave and good men, Mr. General. I'm sure they are, young lady. How long have you been here, sergeant? Uh, since last night, sir. The weapon is completely burned up, sir. I'd say from the look of it, it's seen almost continuous action. We expected heavy fighting here at Silent One. Do you happen to know why we didn't get it, sergeant? Yes, sir. The enemies pulled out, sir. You got here last night? Yes, sir. When did the enemy start to withdraw? Well, last night, sir, but you see this had nothing to do with it. Remarkable, remarkable. Huh? One machine-gun crew. Sergeant Blake. They are very brave men, Mr. General. Indeed they are, young lady. Lieutenant, five of these men back to the A station immediately. Yes, sir. But, uh, how about you, sir? I'll walk back. Oh, no. I'm going to get a first-hand account of this action from this young lady. It will be a pleasure, Mr. General. Come on, man. Give me a hand inside. Uh, just a minute, Hank. I mean corporal. Say, sir, may I have a word with the young lady before... Of course, sergeant. I understand these things. Yeah. Say, look, honey, I just want, uh... Yes, Blake? Well, look, I mean, look, we've known each other of pretty short time. I know that, but, well... Is that what you wanted to say? Yeah, only louder. Coming, sergeant. Oh, shut up, Lieutenant. Yes, sir. And about the general, honey, I don't... I will only tell him the truth. That's all I can do. The truth? Well, okay, I'll... I'll be back, honey, even if it takes me ten years at hard labor. This is William Marvel Miller. And for services above and beyond the call of duty for extreme valor and battle, and for selfless actions in the... All we'd hear was nonsense, you boys. Oh, sure, send her back, please. You can see what you mean about writing it as fiction. It might be a little embarrassing if everybody had to turn in all those medals. No, that's not exactly it. You see, Ben, it just sounds phony. It sounds like something a newsman just dreamed up to make copy. Sounds like something where the dreamers of this business, the ones we call a nature fakers. I don't know. I believe it. Oh, hi, baby. About ready to go, dear? Yeah, say, Jim, I don't think you've ever met my wife, have you? No, I never have. How do you do, Miss Legler? Jim Hardman, my wife. Janine Legler. So nice to meet you, Jim. You still believe it, Jim? Well, maybe you better write it as fiction, Blake. Yep, you better write it as fiction. Come on, honey. Let's go home. Gene Raymond again. The chances are you begin the day by reading the morning paper. And much as you reach for the news, if you're like nearly everyone else, you often wish you hadn't heard the latest. Science is expanding the universe of physical knowledge to terrifying proportions. At four or five global points, war can and may explode momentarily. Tragic, bewildered thousands are displaced from their homes. Prices appear to be rising to astronomical zones. The polio season will be over and the pneumonia season will take its place. And there's the chart, the chart telling you what to do if an atom bomb makes your city a target. Are you safe and sound any place at all? Most of us keep reading and wondering and worrying. If you're past 50, you're nostalgic for the old days of peace, plenty and certainty, but you may even wonder if such a time actually did exist. If you're young and healthy, you may see the panorama of your far horizon blurred by near hazards. How does a thoughtful person keep his points? By escapists, distractions from too much thinking, perhaps? By building a philosophy, perhaps? Only one thing is certain, as has been proved by those who understand or who are beginning to understand the providence of God. They know that it must be God's will that they live in the exact age into which they're born. By we were given life without asking for it, we'll be given the courage to meet life only by asking for it. Just as it's weak to evade reality, it's strong to meet it, meet it head on, and God must truly love those who meet it squarely. It's the poise to understand that every age has its own hazards. At what you might have died of in an earlier age, you are now saved from by a new medicine born of normal research, the research to meet the emergency of war. There is an equalization. The poise know that, and they know the seed of poise is true and stalwart faith, faith that humbly unites in prayer with God. This faith and the prayer keeps families together, keeps the nation safe, for the nation is safe when its families are rugged and solid. Remember, the family that prays together stays together. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. The script was written by Robert U. O. Sullivan, with music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman, and was directed for Family Theater by Joseph F. Mansfield. This series of Family Theater broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program, by the mutual network which responds to this need, and by the hundreds of stars of stage, green and radio who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our Family Theater stage. Welcome and to you, our humble thanks. This is Charles Arlington expressing the wish of Family Theater that the blessings of God may be upon you and your home. And inviting you to join us next week at the same time when Family Theater will present Jean Lockhart and Scotty Beckett in The Funny Man. Join us, won't you?