 Family Theater presents Frank Lovejoy and Joan Leslie from Hollywood the Mutual Network in Cooperation with Family Theater presents Gustafson starring Frank Lovejoy And now here is your hostess Joan Leslie Thank You Tony LaFranco Family Theater's only purpose is to bring to everyone's attention a practice that must become an important part of our lives If we are to win peace for ourselves peace for our families and peace for the world Family Theater urges you to pray pray together as a family And now to our transcribed drama Gustafson starring Frank Lovejoy as Id I hadn't thought about him for three or four years and I'd stopped wanting to think about him for a lot longer than that And the more it faded into the past the more I realized there wasn't anything I could do but keep it locked up inside me and learn to live with it It wasn't easy, but at least for the first few years. I had the nightmares all to myself. I Could wake up sweating and shivering at the same time and still be a little relieved that it was my red wagon And only one other person knew I was pulling it But then in 1948 I married Carol and still the nightmares didn't stop Gustafson that's his dog tag and wake up your dream don't let him go Gustafson What's the matter honey You were yelling in your sleep. I was Who's Gustafson what? Well, you were talking about somebody named Gustafson. Oh Who's he one of your clients? No, no, honey. It's uh I Used to know a guy by that name a long time ago in the army You were dreaming about him. Yeah, I I Guess so. I don't know why are you sure everything's all right sure sure, honey. You forget it Forget it. I almost did too. I Thought I had it buried so far down underneath everything else that I wouldn't even recognize it if I saw it and Then just last Saturday Saturday morning Something arrived in the mail that blew the whole thing wide open again Okay, it's a letter from Josie. Oh good good more toast. No you finish it up There's other big envelopes from her too. Oh, what is it photograph and clothes do not bend. Oh, probably a graduation picture a graduation She just started college a couple of years ago Exactly for This won't convince you your little sister's grown up. Nothing ever will what's that she's engaged engaged Listen, I'm sending you a picture that Carl and I had taken together He's really much better looking and all the girls in the house are Green with envy what house sorority listen Mother and dad came up to school last month and met Carl and his mother and Everyone got on beautifully We're going to be married sometime this fall as soon as Carl gets definite word that his job with the department is set He's the youngest Assistant professor in the university and he speaks better English than I do So don't expect you'll be meeting someone just off the boat. Oh, what does that mean? Well, he's the same one she wrote us about last year the exchange student from Germany Carl Carl Schram Well, if he's okay with the folks he's okay with me Let's see what he looks like. Hmm. That's a picture. That's probably what this is. Are you enjoy yourself? I'm gonna be late for work as it is by Not bad not good, but not bad Want to look at your future brother-in-law? Yeah. Yeah, let me see Wow, he seems to be a What's the better don't you like Josie's taste in men this this guy he's What's wrong? I I know him I'm sure it's the guy. What guy? Let me see that letter again What's this all about? Carl Carl Carl Schram Doesn't say where he was born You're sure Josie said he was a German. I showed you the other letter. Where is it? I threw it out. It was a year ago. I think she said he came from Dusseldorf for one of those places Oh, that's the guy. I'm sure of it. Ed, you're not making any sense at all. I know him I knew him back in Germany nine ten years ago during the war. Are you sure? Oh, it's that's the guy Listen honey, I've got to see him. It's something I've never told you about and I'm not gonna tell you now Not until I'm sure but I've got to see this man right away Hey, if you're in any trouble. No, no, it's not any trouble. It's not the kind you think Tell me please what is it? Look as soon as I've left call the folks and ask mom if she'll drive over and spend the night with you She'll tell you she knows all about it I told her the whole thing the night I got home from overseas About Gustafson just ask her that tell her I said it was okay. Ask her to tell you about Gustafson It was almost seven o'clock that evening when I stepped off the train at the university station I'd sent a wire ahead to Josie my kid's sister and she was there to meet me Ed, I'm just bursting with curiosity. Why are you down here? Well, it's uh, it's a bunch cram Carl the man you're engaged to What about him? How long has he been over in this country about two years? He came over here as an exchange student and then they offered him an instructor's job and a year's fellowship in the science school Hi Well, I think I know him you know him. How could you know Carl? I recognized him from the picture you sent I Know him when he was a German soldier prisoner of war in Belgium. You were never a prisoner of war. He he was the prisoner Ed you must be mistaken. I tell you I recognized his picture How old is he now? 26. Yeah, that fits this kid was about 16 or 17. Why do you want to see him? I just want to ask him something Look Eddie, I'm in love with Carl. The war's been over for a long time Yeah, I know that mom and dad have met him and his mother and everything's rosy So if you've come down here with a chip on your show, I haven't got any chip on my shoulder all I wanted some information. I I Think car can help me. What kind of information? Well, it's something about What happened in Belgium almost 10 years ago? How would he know about believe me? He might he was there. What's it about? Can't you even tell me that? Well, you remember when I first came back home in 46, of course Well, you were still in grammar school. I was in the eighth grade. I remember you remember my talking to the folks about a Soldier an American soldier named Gustafson. Oh I think so Wasn't that the boy from Minnesota? You were so interested in finding you got a good memory. He's the one But I never did find him even though I went back to his hometown to look I still don't see where Carl comes into this. Well, I think he might be able to help me But what could he know about an American soldier? He could know plenty believe me honey, and I don't like this a bit You come in here and stir up a lot of dad. I'm not trying to stir up anything, but it's important Josie and I can't tell you how important I'm gonna have to meet Carl sooner or later I just want to ask him a few questions Tonight If you can arrange it Well, all right He's usually home from the lab around eight. I'll give him a call soon as you finish eating Mrs. Shram told Josie over the phone that her son Carl wasn't expected home before 830 So to kill time we took a walk around the campus There was a new student commons at the south end of the quad, but the rest of it The elm trees the blinking lighted windows in the residence hall The spring smell of new grass and fresh magnolia that hadn't changed It could have been 1941 all over again when I was Eddie Montgomery and the alpha delt house was the hub of the universe But then we walked up Cushing Street past the science building where Josie told me Carl had his office And I realized it could never again be 1941 or 1942 or 40 anything for Eddie Montgomery It would always be now and from now on And if Eddie was going to go on picking up the check for what it cost him to live with himself at least He meant to find out what he was paying for no matter who it hurt Ed, please promise me you won't I've already promised you all right It's just that I don't want anything. All right. All right. I promised Josie hello Carl and This must be it glad to know your car. Come in. Come in mother. It's Josie and Oh, we're not busting in on your dinner nonsense. Yeah, let me take your coats. I just happened to be up this way And I you're the only member of the family. We haven't met. Yeah, I have it. Thank you Josie, how are you? I'm fine. Mrs. Sram. I I want you to meet my big brother Ed. How do you do, Mrs. Sram? So you are Ed Josie has told us all about you Nothing complimentary I trust. Oh everything was a compliment to me Compliment mother compliment everything was nice car. That's what I mean. Come in come into the living room Is always fixing my English Josie you must never have a son to be a professor. I promise. Well, I don't Now we have met all the Montgomery's Josie tells me you were a student here Ed a back in 41 before the war. Yes Were you in the science school like Josie? No, no commerce major. Oh, they have a fine school here I understand very fine. That's one of the best. This girl has some of them the fresh ones Freshman mother. Yes Freshman's in his survey course. Don't you know one class Ed? It's required. They take a science survey or mathematics Yeah, I know I wish I'd taken that when I was here instead of the math Did you flunk it? No, no not quite, but I didn't make a high enough mark to qualify for v7 As a Navy training program they had here during the war. Oh Incidentally Carl, you were you served in the German army, didn't you? Yes There are a few months very late in the war. Where were you captured at Ark in it? How did you know I was captured? Don't you remember me? Should I I was stationed in Belgium during December 1944 in Namur Namur Really? I was an uncommon with that signal outfit in the cavalry concern the concern where you used to do all the KP duty Mother Ed was one of the American soldiers while I was a prisoner. Can you imagine? Josie isn't that Incredible that your own brother. I could hardly believe it when he told me Carl. 10 years And weren't we a sad spectacle. Well, I must admit you didn't look much like Superman hardly We were the scrapings at the bottom of the keg the Volk's term Babies and old men. Well, it was pretty close to the end. Yes Harkin was the first and last place we did any fighting That's pathetic that's showing we made. Oh, I don't know from what I saw that place You must have put up quite a scrap at the beginning. Yes, we tried to but they must be talk of the war tonight I'm sorry mother. It's just It's just such an incredible thing that Ed and I should have been in the same place and He should remember me after all these years Don't tell me I haven't changed. Well, not much. Oh a little heavier, perhaps. I Must have made quite an impression you did but why? You remember what it was like that December Carl When you're getting counter-attack and started to come back across the muse. Yes The battle of the bulge you call yes, that's right You remember how nervous everyone was around headquarters that first week of the battle when the rumor got out that The German soldiers were coming through the lines in American uniforms. I Remember the rumor well the night the rumor got out. You were working in the mess hall You remember that you were working in the Chao line pouring coffee Perhaps I was but I don't understand well I came through the Chao on that night behind a soldier an American soldier. I had just met It was a tall dark guy with a long scar on his cheek and another on his forehead You remember him No No, I can't say that I do I Don't see how my car would remember an American soldier so long ago I knew your message in Falcon and some of the cooks But if this man was a stranger, I didn't say he was a stranger, but you said you had just met him Oh, yes, that's true, but he didn't seem to be a stranger to Carl at the time I had a feeling that they recognized one another Yeah, what are you driving? I just want to know if car remembers the man How would he know an American so that's why I'm asking I don't understand you well He wouldn't normally know a strange American, so I don't think the man was an American I I think he was a German wearing a gi uniform because Carl recognized him. Well, what if he was what difference does it make? It makes a difference to me This seems to be very important to you Carl I Know if you remembered such a thing you would have told me wouldn't you? Yes, mother, but but you never did No So all I can feel it is that you must be mistaken Carl Think hard He was tall. He was about your height, but he had dark hair and scars on his face big ones I I'm sorry, I Don't remember the men Well Well, thanks anyhow Jersey. This is something you will have to face for a long time The war every time Americans and Europeans get together. It is all they talk of I Suppose we'll get used to it won't we Carl is of course. We will dear that we have had our talk of the war How would you both like some hot coffee and schnick? Oh wonderful, and would you? Oh? Oh, sure sure Carl. I'd love some then you both make yourselves comfortably Comfortable mother comfortable. Can I help Mrs? No, no, Josie. This is the night for the trams to make for the Montgomery's what I'd like to Then I am your mother-in-law. You can make on the other time, but now we must make an equation Come along Carl Do you take cream and sugar both it? I just sugar. Thank you same for me. No, I know all about you Even protect us mother. He doesn't believe you Carl. I could see it in his face. Yes, I know Why is he here? Why is he digging up the past mother? I wish I knew here Help me with the coffee things. We must not be too long And I really don't remember here my there perhaps he works for the United States government No, I don't think so sin fire. You see asking so many questions. I don't know I don't know He could be with the government Josie told me works for an insurance company. He could be with the government, too It's possible, but you saw that letter from our dinner that's still trying more criminals in the vest Even so you have been given amnesty, but many remain in prison and still others are yet being hunted after 10 years Does not matter Carl There's only one way out of this. You must deny everything mother. I I Think Josie could be trust. No He is her brother They would make you an undesirable alien and you lose your job in your future. Maybe not Why should he be punished now when it all happened so long ago, but It seems to matter so much to him to add it matters more to you There is only one way you must lie A few minutes later Carl followed his mother back into the living room carrying a tray of coffee cups and a plate of schnicken I Could tell from the look on mrs. Ram's face that I'd gotten close to something But I couldn't think of any way to reopen the subject until Josie gave me the chance Josie schnicken thanks, honey And you're it is very good. I made it myself. I can smell. It's good. Thank you mrs. Shrimp Ed mm-hmm I've stayed out of this so far, but well now that you've asked Carl all your questions Would you mind telling me why you were so interested in this soldier you thought he knew? Well, like I told you Because I thought he was a German but you never found out. No, I never did Well, then what makes you think that he was a German the way Carl looked at him Ed. I've been thinking yeah, I Got to know most of the men in your company except you in fact I'm surprised I don't remember you well I was on detached service most of that time car with a signal outfit up in the edge Oh, maybe that would explain it he the the soldier might have been a new man in your company at Namur And you just didn't know him no no no he wasn't a new man. I knew that for sure He was never connected with that company He left the next day and yet after all these years you're still looking for him the soldier with the dueling scars on his face I didn't know that they were dueling scars from the way you describe them Americans don't get dueling scars Carl I meant from a sport fencing perhaps you meant dueling scars like German students I assure you I was a German wasn't he and you know it. No, I don't you're lying I'm not lying and I'm not going to be bullied you ought to be used to it You're ganged at plenty of bullying during the war Eddie stop it the war's over not for me. What do you want? What are you after? I'm after the truth. I want to know if that man was a German why what difference does it make? Are you hunting escape war criminals or something? No? I just want to know I've been trying to find out for ten years Are you trying to implicate us because they are Germans is that by the war is not over for you? No, Mrs. Sram. No, do you still hate us so much? Eddie, this is enough you've got to stop. I love these people you've got to stop All right All right, I'll tell you It's not it's not because you're Germans. It's It's because of something that I did You did yes It happened the second night of the battle the night that I saw you working in the chow line Carl Yes, I just hitched a ride into headquarters in Liège that afternoon I was picked up on the road by an American soldier driving a jeep and he was all alone He said his name was Gustafson, but it was something funny about him. Is is that the Gustafson? You were looking for what do you mean there was something funny about well for one thing He told me he'd never been in the moor before but when we got there after dark He drove through that town in the blackout without making one wrong turn and straight to headquarters I see I'd heard rumors up in Liège that afternoon about Germans and GI uniforms coming up through the lines to follow things up More I thought about it the more it began to look to me as if this man Guston might be a German But couldn't you tell from the way he spoke? Oh, no no his English was perfect in the way I figured it is they wouldn't have picked him for the job if it hadn't been and this Gustafson He was the man with the scars. Yeah, and that night when I saw the way you looked at him when he went through That Chao line. I figured you must have recognized him from somewhere As far as I was concerned that clinched it. Well, didn't you report him? No, I I never got a chance What happened right after Chao? I got orders to leave for Reims Gustafson said he was driving that way to Paris and he give me a lift It was about 10 o'clock when we left headquarters and started out of town And well we drove for almost an hour without seeing a passing anybody no road patrols nothing I made up my mind to turn him into the first officer MP. We came across but In the dark even going through that villages. I didn't see a soul All the time we're getting closer to Reims and I had a feeling he knew that I suspected him Well, if he didn't I was right. I knew he'd try to stop me before I could report him Well, he had his His carbine lying on the floor of the Jeep between the two front seats And I thought if I could get my hands on that and cover him Well, at least it'd be out in the open then Depending on what he did after that. I'd know whether I was right or not So you reached for his carving? Yeah My own was slung over my right shoulder. I'd taken a clip out and put it in the pocket of my field jacket during child But his was loaded I met a grab for it on the floor and I got one hand on the stock and he hit me behind the ear with a heel of his fist The Jeep was doing about 40 and I would have fallen out of the barrel of the gun hadn't hooked under the seat Then he hit me again across the mouth and the gun came loose Well, I I fell it go off in my hands and then I fell over backwards out of the Jeep and hit the road and rolled into a ditch And I climbed out of that Jeep. It was piled up against a tree about 20 yards away It all seemed to happen in an instant And Gustavson? Well when I When I got to him, he was dead. I And I found these around his neck Ed dog tags with an army serial number on him and the name walled at Gustavson in his hometown of minnesota Then Then he was in America Well, that's the way it hit me at first Josie But I realized he's might have been forged or maybe taken from a captive or a dead american soldier whose real name was Gustavson So it left me nowhere I see That's why I want to know Carl about that man with the scars. I got to know what I did Of course, but Ed you must forgive us We didn't understand I thought you were trying to hurt Carl somehow I can tell you mother then Carl came home from the prisoner of war camp. He told me He remembered the man with the scars They had been in school together long before the war Then then he he was a german Yes You're telling me the truth I swear it He was a german an officer in the ss I can't tell you how grateful I I thought I'd killed an innocent man I understand Ed Don't try Was he a friend a good friend of yours? No He was not a friend He was a phonetic I often wondered what happened to him It's almost a relief to find out Well, I'll never I'll never be able to I'll never be able to thank you You don't know what it's been like all these years We can understand it For you now Zabor is over. No Oh, yes. Oh, yes Good good Once now Won't you try some of my shenanigans? Mrs. Schramm was right for Eddie Montgomery the war was over And as he sat there drinking coffee and looking at Josie and Carl and his mother It came to Eddie that he was all through picking up the check for what it had cost him to live with himself And that was good too because it had cost him plenty But what Eddie forgot and maybe it's just as well Is that when he walked out of that little white frame house on Cushing street that night with his kid's sister Josie he left the check behind him And it still had to be paid Well mother Now at least we know Yes I had a feeling he was dead all along That night that last night when I saw him dressed as an american I somehow felt it was for the last time Poor Eric You've entered all alike Carl Not in the slightest It's hard to believe you were brothers This is Joan Leslie again I think all of us have heard the expression it's better to give than to receive It means being kind giving of ourselves and our services to others Performing those little acts of thoughtfulness and consideration that will make life more pleasant for those about us You know the unique thing about kindness is that it's something very contagious A kind word or act on our part will not only bring happiness and encouragement to others It will do more it will inspire others to be kind In a home in a family Kindness helps so much Being constantly thoughtful and considerate of the feelings and needs of one another Makes a home the happy and contented place it should be A place where all are working together in peace and harmony To be truly kind we must forget ourselves Have our thoughts on someone else Someone who is the source of kindness God And our thoughts are lifted to God by prayer family prayer So to bring kindness into your home with all the blessings that flow from it Pray together as a family Pray together today Remember the family that prays together Stays together More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of From hollywood family theater has brought you transcribe Gustafson starring frank love joy Joan leslie was your hostess others narcass were gene baits Irene tedrow julie bennett and tom holland The script was written and directed for family theater by john t kelly with music composed and conducted by harry zimmerman 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 is responded to this need and by the hundreds of stars of stage screen and radio Who give so unselfishly of their time and talent to appear on our family theater stage to them and to you our humble thanks This is tony lofrano expressing the wish of family theater That the blessing of god may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us next week when family theater will present The 45 caliber teapot starring jack benny Mary livingston will be your hostess join us won't you? Family theaters broadcast throughout the world and originates in the hollywood studios of the world's largest network This is the mutual broadcasting system