 Have you heard the strange tales of the whistler and the whistler? No, not again, please. I can scarcely think now. I won't be able to think at all if you do it again Please I couldn't understand it. It just won't be anything left if you do, please Another Saturday night and again CBS presents the whistler I the whistler know many things for I walk by night. I know many strange tales Many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows And so I tell you tonight the weird story of shadow of a mind See that man working there in his laboratory? That's Dr. William Richter. He's brilliant He works hard at his research because he believes he can do more for posterity through research And he could had he continued his regular practice as a surgeon a brain surgeon It's good that a doctor can retire from his practice and have a laboratory all his own With all expenses paid where he may carry on his experiments Good also the afford an assistant Ernest Ernest Come here. Will you think there's something here you should see? Yes, doctor. What is it this piece of tissue? I've just taken it out of the solution. Oh, yes That's the tissue from the monkey's brain. Yes seems to be alive still Yes, the solution has kept it in perfect condition at least to all outward appearances Of course, we can't really tell until it's tried along with undisturbed tissue That's right. That's just what we're going to do today. You're going to try today. Yes Remember the little chimpanzee we brought in last week. Yes, prepare him. Will you we'll try the experiment at once? Oh, it will be wonderful if it works Wonderful for humanity. I mean that's why I'm doing this work Ernest Because of the great benefit it would be to mankind if I can find a way to keep tissue living when completely Severed from a body and then replace it that will be wonderful I don't mind telling you Ernest that if this experiment is successful We would have gone a long way toward proving the feasibility of tissue transplantation Then there will remain only to try it with larger sections of tissue Who knows perhaps sometime due to our experiments man will be able to perform this operation on complete sections of the human brain It's a great work. You're doing doctor. Yes Now prepare the animal will you yes doctor Yes, a great work doctor such a benefit to mankind and such a benefit to you if it's a success and to those whom you love Come in oh Elaine Hello, I'm glad to see you. I didn't want to disturb you father, but I wonderful news Terribly important wait a minute. Don't you think you should give me an opportunity to at least say good afternoon to your young man Hello John and now Elaine. What is this news that is so vital? It's about John and me. That's why I brought John along. We're going to be married We we came to ask your permission, sir You're in love. Oh, yes, very much. Oh, at least that's what you think now I know I know love hits you hard when you're young. I just want you to be sure my dear you see This comes as rather surprise to me Yes, it's a prize and I Might say a slight disappointment Disappointment. Yes, I'd hope you'd finish your school and then come here to help me I know how you feel about your work father. I know how important it is to you important to me too. I want you to continue it, but I Don't want to give up love simply to assist you Don't you see it's your work not mine marriage is what I want. Yes How soon do you wish to marry as soon as possible, sir? Then I can only tell you that I advise strongly against it as you know Elaine I cannot order you not to marry this man. No father. You've been wonderful to me I want to repay your kindness and I think I can do so better if I'm leading a happy normal life I hope you're right Elaine. I can still only advise against this marriage if you do it You will do so against my will and judgment This specimen is ready doctor. Oh, oh, thank you Ernest And now if you'll excuse me. I'm in the midst of a rather important experiment just a moment father If there's something about John to which you object I think it's only fair that you should tell us now. Oh my objection has nothing to do with John I admire him. I've always considered him a brilliant young man. Thank you If I wish you to marry anyone at this time, I should assume it were John as anyone else Then why what is it father it is simply my wish that you do not marry at this time You see my dear I'm not young and the thought of losing you perhaps makes me slightly selfish about you I only ask that you consider my request. I do not demand that you obey it I'm talking too much. I I must go Think it over Carefully I'm sorry Johnny I had no idea he'd behave this way about it I thought he'd be glad he's always been so nice to me I thought of course he'd be happy to see me married Didn't see much concerned over your happiness You see more interested in the effect your marriage was going to have on him or his works But if I were happy you'd think he would be I don't see how marrying you could have any adverse effect on him I wonder Several days have passed during which John has thought about it Wondered why the doctor doesn't want his daughter to marry Thought and searched for a reason and he's found that reason But he hasn't told Elaine not until he has another talk with the doctor privately John and Elaine are driving along the twisting highway to her home Why on earth did your father ever have his laboratory in such an out of the way place? Well, he works a lot with animals. They might disturb people if he hadn't closed neighbors Yes, I suppose so Because though he might have picked a straighter road Johnny, why are you so certain that you can convince father our marriage is the right thing? Well, the only reason he objected was because of what it might do to him I know what that was And I can assure him that the result of our marriage won't be what he feared But why won't you tell me? No, darling, don't you worry about that? Yeah Give me a kiss Johnny I Johnny look out the bridge Look out we're going over You were careless John You needn't have had that wreck if you'd been watching Even in your haste to settle things with the doctor you should have been more careful More careful with the life of the woman you loved Now her father works feverishly trying to bring her to Will she be quiet? Looked pretty bad. I'm afraid it's a concussion. Yes, but will she I suppose you are satisfied now Should have forbidden her seeing you rather than suggesting it would be better for her not to marry Oh, I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry. I wouldn't have had her hurt for the world Then why did you insist on going out? I love her I do love her. I hope she loves me If she's still willing I'm gonna marry her just as soon as she's able Well looks as though it would be some time before she's even able to discuss such a matter But she will be all right won't she? I mean laser you do all you can now won't you? She's my daughter. I shall do anything in my power to help her However, I shall undertake it because I want her to get well not because you do Oh, I know how you feel about me. I came here to tell you that our marriage would make no difference in your plans But that's not important now. The only thing of importance is her recovery I want you to know if there's anything I can do You can count on me. You know what you can do probably will not be much However, we shall see Not much you could do John If you'd only realized then just how much you would do maybe you wouldn't have been so anxious It hasn't been pleasant though has it all these days of waiting Waiting while Elaine came out of her coma and then lapsed back in again And when the doctor operated on her that was hard on you too These short visits you've been allowed with her Visit seems strange that the doctor won't let you stay too long in the room with her You will have to leave now John. Remember I told you you could only have a few minutes Oh, yes, all right. I'll come again soon Elaine and don't you worry everything will be all right. Goodbye John I hope you can come again soon What did you mean everything would be all right? Oh just about us. Well, what does he know about it? What does he know about your condition? He thinks as I do that I'll soon be well Oh Does he yes Won't I we shall see What else did he tell you that he loved me enough to give up anything in the world for me Now you still as much in love with him as you were. Oh, yes father more so Then I want you to tell him that you will marry him. Oh father you Oh father, I knew you'd see I knew you'd want me to be happy. I knew you'd see what was best Yes, yes, I do see what's best probably better than you. Well, what do you mean? Elaine you know how much you've always meant to me as you've always been very good to me father Then believe me when I tell you I know what's best for you tell John you will marry him right away But why so soon because it is important, but your attitude has changed so Have you grown to like him? I've scarcely seen him But then watch the reason for this sudden reversal of your feelings I was looking at it before from the standpoint of an ordinary marriage with the average benefits and drawbacks But now my dear we must look at it differently. I don't understand. This will be no ordinary marriage Elaine It will be a marriage in which you alone will benefit I don't understand. Oh my dear I would rather do anything in the world and to tell you what I have to but Your accident well it left Well Well, you're just not improving satisfactorily. What do you mean? A growth has started where I removed that clot. I've got to operate again And I cannot say how successful I'll be you you mean you're afraid it won't be a success And that's why you want me to marry John Yes, because I know what may happen if it isn't and I want you to have all the things you want while you have the chance But that wouldn't be fair to him. He's always said he would give up everything. Well now he will have the chance Oh, no, I won't do it that way I wanted to marry him because I thought we'd have a happy life together I don't want him to do all the giving you've got to Elaine. No, but you are going to need him Elaine Need him more than you can possibly imagine Is the way things are John. She told me how much you love her now's your chance to prove it Elaine the poor girl It's off. That's not a thing I can do except try and prolong the final outcome She may go on for years this way, but someday she will crack on her mind will become a complete blank She's going to need somebody then somebody that Loves her as much as you say you to no, there's no question about that Of course, I love her and you would still marry her after what I've told you Well, yes, of course That can't make me love her any less Then you will try and convince her that it is best that she marry Yes, I will because you see regardless of what you think I do think it's best. I always have I think so too Now But don't you see darling this can't make any difference in my love for you Simpler that you've got to undergo another operation Father said he couldn't be certain how it would turn out. I think he's pretty certain He told you then Yes, and it doesn't really make any difference except that I've waited longer. Well, now I love you more Oh, John, so please don't say you'll marry me. You still think it's wise. Yes, I know it is All right, John. I'll marry you when how soon anytime you say John It's good to know that someone loves you enough to marry you even when you're ill isn't it Elaine Only you don't know what John knows You think you have a chance what John knows better the doctor told him He loves you enough to give up anything though Yet he doesn't suspect what he's going to be called upon to do and neither do you Elaine neither do you But the doctor knows He knows what sacrifices both he and John must make for you Oh, doctor, doctor, can I speak to you for a moment? Oh Of course what do you want hit the body lane? She seems to be getting worse She's been in a coma every time I've seen her in the last several days. Yes Is she really worse? Do you know what's causing the comas? I do. Well, isn't there something you can do some way to stop them? I have something in mind I shall have the opportunity to try it soon and you think you can't we can only hope Oh, by the way, I I may need your help in the morning. I suggest you get a good night's rest Well, are you going in to see her now? Yeah, then let me I go in with you. You're very nervous tonight I don't think your presence would be good for her Besides, I want you to rest. We have quite a task ahead of us in the morning. Oh, yes, but I suggest you go to your room now Over here in this envelope or some sleeping powders. Be sure you take them You'll need a good night's rest. Yes, but Elaine I if you will cooperate I think I can assure you that Elaine will improve rather rapidly from now on No, please do as I say. Well, all right then and good night and please let me know in the morning. I shall Elaine Elaine to your wake Elaine Oh, oh father wake up early. I didn't realize I'd been asleep. Didn't you? No Don't feel as though I didn't sleep Don't worry about that I want to talk to you. What about please? Please my dear don't let this upset you too much, but I'm afraid we have to operate again. That is our only way out. Otherwise Otherwise you lose your mind My mind Oh father easily I told you there's a way out way out. Yes, you see I have known for a long time This is going to be necessary the growth has started again spreading and wherever it spread that part of your brain is dead So I must remove that part. I must trust you father I know of any surgeon can do it. You can't I can remove it I'm certain of that The question is in what condition it will leave you. What do you mean? Well, it's too large a part of your brain to leave you Well and tile it same It's the part that controls your will We can't just remove it and leave you that way How that is where john and his willingness to sacrifice for you comes in. I don't understand I'm going to perform the same operation on john wrong with john's brain. No, he has a brilliant mind I know that's why we chose him Chose him I don't understand. I told you once that you are going to need somebody that really loved you Somebody willing to give up everything for you And That's why you wanted me to marry him. Yes You see it was the only way to save my little girl He seemed like a very intelligent young man. That was important because you see I didn't want just anybody's brain taking the place of that part of yours, which I shall remove You mean you're going to yes Oh father listen to me. I love john you you can't do this thing to him Well, let me die. I I don't want to live if it means this please father listen to me I'm probably the only brain surgeon in the world who can do it and I've prepared well Everything is ready including john father. Please. Oh, you mustn't become over rottie lane here I'll just give you this hyperdermic There and it will quiet you oh, but father don't you see my dear if I succeed in this It will be just like handing back life to the little girl whom I love But if you fail If you fail for there's no reason why you should fear an ill effects John I'm perfectly confident that the operation will be a success from john standpoint as well But even if I do fail it will be better than letting you live on without a mind you can't do this you're mad That's it. You're mad Father you're mad. You couldn't dream of such a thing if you weren't not only can dream of it I'm going to do it And when it is over you'll be glad you had a father who is willing to do this for you Quiet Elaine Soon the medicine will take effect and you'll be unconscious And when you awaken a part of john's brain will have taken the place of that part of yours that's deceased The operation was a success a complete success for elaine A fine piece of surgery doctor You must feel highly pleased with your ability A pity this operation can't become a contribution to surgical science But I doubt that you'd want the world to know And you elaine you look so different since you've been up and around your will seems so strong And your attitude toward john What's happened to your love for him? Elaine Elaine, what are you getting ready to do? I'm going out. You're going out again. Yes, do you mind? Well, I thought I thought maybe you'd stay with me tonight you You were out last night. It's awfully lonesome just sitting here in this room Never getting out never seeing any. You're in no condition to see anyone, but I'd like to see you When you stay home, I like to see you. Well, I'm not staying home I'm not sitting around here spending another dull evening with you I suppose I am doubt I can't think I had something I wanted to tell you I remembered it this afternoon something I intended doing Before we were married Oh, I can't remember what it was. Oh, you can't remember anything or you can do is sit around and whine Oh, why do you talk to me like that elaine? You used to love me. I remember you said you loved me once And I love you elaine. I've always loved you What have I done to make you stop loving me? Don't you know it seems like like there was something Something I did that concerns you, but I don't just remember what it was. You really don't remember do you? No I wonder if you ever really knew You're very smug about it elaine Is that a normal way to treat a man who gave up so much for you? Oh, but you're not entirely normal anymore. Are you? Maybe that's because you're no longer completely elaine You have parts of two minds yours and john's His will you couldn't be expected to have completely normal reactions No, not with two minds Elaine may I come in certainly Thank you not at all. What do you want father elaine? I I hardly know how to say this, but I got bad news for you about about your trouble The sex rate pictures we took the Sure return of the growth We didn't get it all last time. Is it bad? Well, it's very small now if we get it soon enough. We should be safe Then You're going to have to operate again. Yes If we're to save your mind And what about elaine What's going to happen to her what did you say? I said funny. I don't remember what I said Never mind Do you think john will be agreeable? He's agreeable to anything I want. He doesn't seem to do anything of his own volition Just what I wish him to do then you had better tell him. All right John john come in here He's been a very good husband for you elaine Yes, hasn't he? Not as husbands go perhaps Yes John You still love me. Oh, you know, I love you I always have it then you can do something more for me. Oh, that's good What can I do for you? Same thing again The same thing Well, I don't remember Oh, no, no, I didn't do anything for you. You you did something to me Don't do it again. Not again, please. I I can scarcely think now I won't be able to think at all if you do I couldn't stand it. There just won't be anything left. Oh, yes, there will There will be me And you love me remember john Another good job doctor Another great piece of surgery. No one else could have done it The first time taking just the part of john's brain which controlled his will Giving that to elaine and making her will so strong. She cared nothing for anyone but herself And leaving john so that he'd resist no more. That was well done And this time Just a little bit more Only this time you made a mistake doctor This time you took too much of john's brain This time you took the part that remembers You took too much doctor And now john is dead You've given his will to elaine And now his memory And the part of john's mind that remembers Also hates doctor Come in oh Come in come in my turn I didn't expect you so late. Oh elaine What are you doing with that gun? I have something to settle with you doctor. Yeah But Why I don't understand You've never called me doctor before elaine. It is not elaine. You're dealing with doctor. What what do you mean? I This is john You killed my body, but you put my mind in this body My will and my memory This body is elanes, but these thoughts are john's it is impossible not for you doctor not for the great brain surgeon For this time you've gone too far you and elaine You took my mind Only you took too much of it And now it is no longer elaine It is I john who controls the actions of this body and the mind of john hates you for what you did I only did it to save my little god I only You're not objected to the marriage in the first place nothing would ever have happened. So what do you mean? I remember now Now john's thoughts remember what it was he found out about your objection to the marriage That's what we were coming to tell you when we had the accident john found out about your wife's will The money that made it possible for you to continue your work would all go to elaine when she married You didn't want that did you doctor? Because you weren't her real father. I've always loved you as a real father. I've done everything for you Foreign name You forget you're dealing with the memory of john And with his will and his memory in this body you can see why it's perfectly natural to kill you Wait now listen to me for a long time I've known that something went wrong and I didn't intend it that way But I have prepared for it. I have a signal bell connected with this room to the laboratory Ernest has been instructed to come here immediately upon hearing it Well, I was just wrong that he'll be here in a second You wouldn't dare to kill me because you'd be convicted as a murderer How many times do you think a man can be afraid of death doctor? Remember you've been through the process of killing my body for a long time now I should be easier on you. I shall kill you quickly now with this gun That gun stop her then back Ernest. I have no desire to harm you He's the only one my memory hates the only one my will says to kill You you killed your father No Ernest I didn't but I I saw I stood here and watched you kill him Yes, but elaine didn't pull that trigger and he was not my father a call the police Stop! Stand over there in that corner now. Throw me the keys to the car That's it now stay here. If you try to follow me, I'll kill you And so you've settled scores, haven't you john? Your mind together with elaine's body have made him pay for his greed But where are you going? It's really over Why do you hurry so? Why do you drive so fast? Do you know where you're going? Remember this is a crooked road and that bridge ahead That's where it all started remember The wheel is something pulling on it pulling it off to the left Pulling harder than you can pull What could have a hold of it? You're alone But something is pulling the wheel around isn't it pulling it until That's really the best way They couldn't go on with john's mind and thoughts in elaine's body And now they're all dead john, william and elaine John the innocent victim Elaine the guilty accomplice And william the great brain surgeon who tried so hard to save elaine You think so? Well What neither of them knew was that there was never anything wrong with elaine's brain in the first place Her comas were induced by medicines administered by william in his efforts to convince them that something was wrong with her Because is that way he have a reason for attempting his fiendish experiment in brain surgery He was a good surgeon He was too good But he didn't think his transplantation of brain tissue might also carry with it the will and memory And when a will as strong as john's combines with the memories he had Well, you could hardly blame him for killing the doctor Could you Cbs has presented the whistler Original music for this production was composed and conducted by wilbur hatch Tonight's story was written by dwight hauser and directed by j donald wilson The whistler originates from columbia square in hollywood next week same time I the whistler will return to tell you another unusual tale Good night This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system