 Dedicated to the strength of the nation. Yes, proudly we hail, starring Buck Cobb in Dottie's Dilemma, the United States Army and United States Air Force presentation. Now here's our producer, the well-known Hollywood showman, C.P. McGregor. Thank you, thank you very much, and greetings from Hollywood, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to your Theatre of Stars. For all your popular favorites of the motion picture world, join us in plays we know you'll enjoy. Our star is the vivacious young actress, Buff Cobb, in the title of our story, Dottie's Dilemma. This is the story of a young woman Cobb reporter who sets out to scoop the veteran news hawks of the Fourth Estate to prove that she has brains to use along with their beauty. We'll have the curtain for act one in just a moment, but first, here's your announcer with this message. Choose the career that offers all five. The U.S. Army offers you these five keys to a successful future. One, a career of service to country. Two, the right job for you. Three, continuous training for planned advancement. Four, lifetime security. Five, travel and recreation. Yes, men, choose the career that offers all five. Find out about the five keys to a successful future at your nearest U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force recruiting station. And all once again, our producer. Act one of Dottie's Dilemma starring Buff Cobb. Last week, Love as a Desk to Wall Man came to Ken Phillips, managing editor of the Evening Times. So he proposed to one of his employees, Dorothy Scott. A shy, sweet, modest little girl who, as our story opens, is rushing to her lover on wings of song. Well, anyway, she's rushing. Come out of there, Ken. I see you hiding under that desk. No, Dorothy. Do you know how long I've worked and labored and struggled on this paper without being given a big assignment? Yes, dear. Three weeks. Well, I want action, not a pension. You solemnly promised to let me be a reporter and send me out on a big story. And so I will, dear. I've just been looking through some of your work. Your style of writing hasn't proved tremendously. Oh, Ken, do you really think so? I certainly do, darling. Now, take your Smith story, for example. Ah, yes, here it is. Died. Smith Chansey, 93. Services, 2 p.m. Forest Grove Cemetery. Oh, believe me, Dorothy, you have a natural flair for habituaries. Habituaries? I know what you're doing. You're trying to break my spirit. Honey, Superman couldn't even bend your spirit. I'll give you one last chance. You are going to assign me to something big, like well-liked liquidation incorporated. Oh, well, just like that. Yes, just like that. Well, that's fine. I should like it. My staff spent six months trying to uncover a mysterious organism, the deals in wholesale murder, which for the time being, we call liquidation incorporated. And you think you can solve it. Just like that. Yes. Just like that. We don't know whether we're coming or going. I've got it all figured out. We're completely in the dark. I've got it all figured out. I think we've finally found a stool pigeon who will talk. I've got it all figured out. But right now all we know is that they're desperate killers. Oh, no, not Murphy. He was such a nice guy. Oh, can I can't believe it. Ah, now do you want to go on the story? I'll get them for this if it's the last thing I do. Oh, sure. Sure, you'll catch them. Yeah. You could. Yeah. The police can. My best reporters can't. I can't. But you can't. I can't. Sure. Oh, you could handle a story like this, will you? Oh, Ken, thanks. I knew you'd see it my way. Huh? See what? I only said that. I'll get to work on the case immediately. Yes, but I was only kidding. So long, Ken. Dorothy, come back here. Where shall I begin? Who did that? Some me. Well, don't do it again. So what's the matter? Is there something wrong with your valves? Hey, look, assistant, I'm a biggie. You certainly are. Go away. Hey, look. Down a big shot in there to let me in and stop giving me the brush off. I'm the guy that can give him a load down on the liquid desimine incorporated. Did you say? Liquid desimine incorporated. Hey, what's the idea? Get your hand out of my mouth. Don't say a word. We're being watched. Come on down the hall. I want to see you alone. Hey, but why you do this? Yeah, quick. We can talk in this broom closet. I don't want to go in a broom closet with you. What's the matter? Are you bashful? Get in there before somebody sees you. Now, sit down on that bucket. I don't like it there. Sit down or respect it. Go ahead. Sit down. Well, okay. Okay, but quit a potion. Turn on the light and I'll close the door. Now we can talk. Are you comfy? What do you mean you're comfy? I've been trying to tell you this bucket I'm sitting in is a full of water. Oh, well, that's fine. Now tell me everything you know about liquidation incorporated. Come on. Come on. Come on. Well, you see, there's a hundred cups. Go ahead. Look at them. Under this wallet. Detective Sergeant Murphy. Yeah. That's the cop that was murdered last night. Why you? Hey, let her go. I didn't do it. But for 500 bucks, I can take you to the hideout of the gang that did. 500. No wonder they call you piggy. Wait, now see how much I have in my purse. 20, 30, 40. No peeking. 45. That's all you got. 45. No, no, wait. Here's another one. 46 cents. Cents? And some peanut brittle. How do you like the bigger business? But I could get $50 out of my Christmas club and pay you the rest after I get the story. How do I know I can trust you? That's silly. Just look at me. Yes, sir, I am. And that's what worries me. You sort of reminded me of a Sadie Smith. Who's Sadie? It's a friend of mine who wants to live in a bigger house. You're a dead ringer for her. Except the Sadie was a classy dresser. You mean if I wore a bright red dress and carried a violin case, I could pass for a lady gangster? Sadie was a no-go on a mild. She was a poison queen. Me and a Lucy Bodger. That's what she used to say. Me and a Lucy Bodger. We got a racket. Me and Lucy Bodger. Piggy, will you take me there for $50 cash and the rest when I get the story? Well, if you ain't got a rest, I guess I'll have to. Now, here's the setup. I'm a taker. You'll be killed as a hideout as soon as I get tickets. Good Lord. They don't sell tickets. No, training tickets. It's about a 50 miles out of town. I'll get a compartment so we won't be seen traveling together. I'll meet you at my place in about one hour. Where is your place? It's down a street a couple of blocks. Up at stairs from a fish market. I'll see you later, Piggy. Don't you want the address? Oh, don't worry about me. I'll find it. Today's Friday. There's over a fish market. All right, boys. Break it up, break it up. And keep the stairway clear. If I come down in a hurry, I won't be yelling scat. I guess this is it. Are you busy? Would you rather I came back later? Unlocked all the time. Oh, hello, Piggy. I'll tell you something before I die. Die? Oh, no, no, no. You can't do that. Wait here. I'll phone the police. No, there's no time. Find... find a man with a scar. You just leave everything to me and I'll... Who? The big fellow shot at me. Head of liquidation in a cupboard. He's got a scar on arm. A scar all the way from elbow to wrist. Is this his gun? That's his. Can't you think of anything else to identify him? Scar. I know, but I can't very well go around town asking all the men to take their coats off. I mean, Piggy. Piggy, wake up. Wake up. Oh, there's cut. Oh, Geo, Geo, Ge, Ken. I've got to tell Ken. Oh, excuse me. Oh, you frightened me. I didn't know you were here. Yeah. You see, I've been watching this house for several days. Go on, get back in there. Oh, you're a detective. I mean, you're a detective. Yeah, I heard some shots up here. Oh, I'm so glad you're a detective. Something terrible has happened. A man's been... Well... Oh, dear, you don't think that... Don't I? I suppose it's only a coincidence that you're holding a gun and there's a body lying over there on the floor. Body? Yeah, body. Over there. Oh, that one. Yeah, that one. Embarrassing, isn't it? Come on. What is this murdered man doing here? I don't know. I guess it's just one of those things. Well, I'll have to be getting along, Mr.... I don't believe we've met. My name is Scott. Dorothy Scott. Oh, pleased to meet you. My name is Williams, Jerry Whitt. Hey, I don't care who you are. Why did you do it? But I tell you, I didn't do it. I was down here getting a story. I'm a reporter on The Evening Time. These clothes I'm wearing are just a disguise. You want to see my credentials? Uh, yeah. Oh, you do? Yeah. And, uh, stop pointing that gun at me. Oh, it's empty, see? Well, it's empty now. Hey, give me that thing. Now, what can you tell me about this man? He's dead. You don't say. Look, if I tell you everything I know about this case, will you let me have the story first when you make the arrest? Well, uh... It's all figured out. Everything boils down to one question. What? Who killed him? Now, we're getting somewhere. The first clue is these handcuffs on the table. They belong to Detective Murphy, who was murdered last night. These were his bracelets? Ah, I'll take them for evidence. Okay. Now, Murphy was killed by liquidation incorporated, and piggy squeals, so they slaughtered him. Mm-hmm. He was going to take me to their hideout. It was out of town, so he bought train tickets. Yeah? Well, here are some tickets in his pockets. Well, now, all we have to do is follow up that clue and catch the gang. Let me see what station the tickets are for. Never mind, never mind. I'm following up this clue myself. Oh, but you've got to take me with you. Now, look, I've got trouble enough on my hands. You stay here where it's safe until the coroner comes. I'm going to follow up this ticket clue. Well, of all the nerves, you want to make the capture yourself. You want all the glory. Hey, wait a minute, wait for me. Quick, Kitty, which way did he go? Oh, he won't talk, eh? Okay. Meow! Sorry, but I got to know. Nobody's going to muscle in on my murder. The curtain screeches down and acts one of our play, Gotti's Dilemma, starring Buck Cobb. In just a moment, act two. First, a word from our government. High school graduates, there's an important place for you in the U.S. Air Force. You can continue your education, learn a trade, get ahead, and at the same time, earn good pay. The United States Air Force has openings for specialists in air transport, aircraft maintenance, research, clerical administration, radio, and many other fields. The Air Force will train you for one of these responsible jobs. Two kinds of training are open to you. You can learn on the job under world's most skilled experts, and as you qualify, you can go to the finest Air Force technical schools as vacancies exist. You'll find interesting work, job security, sound retirement benefits, and opportunity for travel. This is your big opportunity. Look into it today. Get full details at your nearest Air Force base, our United States Army, and United States Air Force recruiting station. Act two of Gotti's Dilemma, starring Buck Cobb. Gotti ought on the trail of a gang that deals in wholesale mayhem won't be shaken off by anything from threats to bribes. Having made some important discoveries with Jerry, a man whom she believes to be a detective, she cannot accept his suggestions that she remains somewhere in safety while he goes on looking for the gang. She has chased after Jerry, followed him onto the train, and now stands at the door of his compartment. Holy smokes, how did you get on this train? Now, Jerry, don't be angry. I have some new evidence. What evidence? Do you have Murphy's handcuffs? Yeah, here they are. Well, I just remembered there's something funny about them. Give them to me. Look, when I snap one on your wrist, like this, and one on my wrist, like this, and we can't get them off, can we? Hey, what are you driving at? This story is very important, and I'm going to see that I'm with you when you make the arrest. Mr. Jerry, I can help you. Really, I can, because I'm the only one who can identify the murderer. Oh, you've seen him? No. But I know that he has a scar on his arm. Yeah? Yeah, a long scar that runs from his elbow to his wrist. I see. You mean like this? Yes, that's it, exactly like the one you had there on your... Oh, it runs for the... It runs for the... Oh, you're the... Who would lose the key? Oh! Hold still, sister. You would enough here. Okay. So now when I get these things off, you can make yourself comfortable here. Tied-out doesn't look very inviting. It was your idea, sister. Stop calling me sister, brother. Quiet. Ah, now that those things are off, we can get down to business. Broderick. What's keeping a guy? We have a friend here who's suffering from a painful curiosity. I think we ought to put her out of her misery. Do you think you can do a nice, clean job? Well, I ain't missed yet, have I? What do you mean? You've missed that newspaper guy Phillips four nights in a row? Oh, Jerry, that ain't my fault. No, he works late at night. I got to pass the time somehow, so as usual I have a few beers while I'm waiting. Then with him and his twin brother comes out. Him and his twin brother. Now you get rid of this dame and then take care of Phillips, because if you don't take care of him tonight, I'm going to take care of you. Okay, okay. Come on, baby. Want to ride in the front seat with me? I'm not going to ride anywhere. Come on, now, come on. No, no, no, no, let me go. Ground all torn up. That's just a new grave. Cemetery is the safest place for this sort of thing. Now look, sweetheart, you just stand right over there. Don't shoot me. Please, please don't. I'll do anything. I'll pay you. I can get money. No, no, I can't take no money. Well, I'll go away somewhere. Nobody will know the difference. You can tell them I'm dead. I'm sorry, sister. Come on, now. Be a good girl and get right over there. That's it. Are you ready there? That's good. Okay, now, one, two. Right, brother, dear, so you missed. Let's call it off. After all, murder must be pretty monotonous for you. Right. When you've seen one, you've seen them all. Hey, peace boy, you can be sad, you know. Jerry's the boss. Why? Anybody could see you're the brains of that outfit. Why, that guy's getting away with murder. Yeah. Yeah, he sure is. And after I kill you, I'm going to tell him a thing or two. Say, tell me, why does he want to kill you anyway? I know too much. I'm too smart for him. Yeah, you in the rackets, too? Ha! Am I in the rackets? Ever hear of Sadie Smith? You? You ain't Sadie, the Poison Queen. Hey, Dye. Me and Lucy Borgie. We're going to kill you. Me and Lucy Borgie. We got a racket. Broderick. Yeah? Together we could make such wonderful music. All we have to do is get Jerry out of the way and take over the mob. Hey, now, look, wouldn't that be something? You and me just take that easy and bossing everybody around. Sadie, tell me something. Do you think you could ever learn to, you know, like a guy like me? Broderick, I've got great plans. That's so. Come on, let's go somewhere and celebrate. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I got to kill that Phillips guy somebody on my life won't be worth nickel. You mean to say you got a little thing like that spoiled our evening? Listen, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll call Ken Phillips and have him meet us at the conga club. Oh, I'll say, and then we'll do the job there, huh? Why not? Been thinking about murdering him for a long time. Come on, let's find a telephone. Let me speak with Mr. Phillips. Oh, boy, ain't this swell? Hello, Ken. What do you mean, yes, dear? I haven't told you who I am yet. Well, it's me. Now, don't ask any questions. Hurry right over to the conga club. There's somebody I want you to meet. Yes, a friend of mine. He's very clever. I tell you, he's wonderful. He'll kill you. Understand? He'll simply kill you. And when you come, bring along some C-O-P-S. Yes, C-O-P-S. Goodbye. What's that stuff that's busy at C-O-P-S? I just asked him to bring along some gendarmes. He don't have to bring them. The drinks is on us. I've been here half an hour ago. I don't know what can be keeping him. You know, some people just got no consideration at all. I still think you ought to let me. Oh, here he comes now. Dorothy, would you please explain the meaning of this? Can you call me up and insist that I can? Ken, I want you to meet Broderick. He's the one I was telling you about. Sit down, buddy. Have a drink. Give it to him, Sadie. Broderick has been waiting to get together with you for several days. But he's always missed you. He's missed you four times. Do you understand? Have a drink, buddy. Have a drink. We got one all ready for you. Give it to him, Sadie. Sadie? Who's Sadie? Why did you say over the telephone? Go on, go on. Have a drink, buddy. Thank you, thank you. I need one. Ah, well, that's better. Now, Dorothy, for the last time, what is the... Ken! Ken, what's the matter, darling? Ken, dear, what happened? Tell me what happened. Well, that's over. Come on, let's dance. But I didn't put anything in his drink. I know, I know. She was taking so long, you see, I went ahead and poured some red poison in his glass. Oh, my fault. I'll get you to a hospital. What's the matter? What's the matter, ma'am? What happened? Poisoned the guy. He's been trying to shoot him all week, but... I gave him the red poison. We have to get him to a hospital and arrest that man. Arrest him. Quick, you heard what she said. Arrest me. No, Sadie, what are we doing? I'll tell you, lock him up. He's a killer for liquidation. Okay, okay, lady, take him away, boys. Oh, Dorothy. Oh, Ken. A drink. Give me a drink. Of course, darling. Here you are. I'd drink it down. Yes, thank you. Ken, darling, you're going to be all right. The nurse said it was just like a bad stomach ache. To think I'd come to this. Drinking red poison. Darling, it's no worse than a lot of the other stuff you drink. Ken, can you sit up? I want you to see the paper. Paper? We scooped the town. They've been here last night and they've caught the whole gang. Look, here's a picture of them on the front page. With me pointing my finger at them. Oh, I love reporting crimes. From now on, I'm going to specialize in murder. Excuse me, ma'am. I'm from headquarters. Is this your picture here on the front page of the paper? Yes, that's me. I thought I recognized you. What is it, another murder? Yeah, a murder. I've been looking for you ever since you escaped last week. Escape? You mean you think I'm... You're under arrest. But I'm not, Sadie. Can't tell him who I am. Uh, you tell him. What's the matter with him? Oh, nothing. I've just been poisoned. Poisoned? At it again, huh, Sadie? Now, come along quietly. Can't do something. He thinks I'm Sadie. They'll put me in jail. They may even hang me. Don't just lie there grinning. Don't worry, darling. I'll drop by one of these days and get you out. Come on, Sadie. Get going. I'll bring the minister when I come. Uh-huh. Bye-bye, dear. All right. Oh, I don't tell him who I am. Let him think I'm Sadie. Let him think I'm the poison queen. But I'm warning you, Ken Phillips, when we get married, when we have our wedding supper, I wouldn't drink anything if I were you, brother. And there's our play, Dotty's Dilemma. In a moment, our star, Buff Cobb, is ready for a curtain call. Now, here is Wendell Niles. Nurse Anesthetists, did you know that you may be eligible for appointment in the Army Nurse Corps Reserve in the grade of captain? The requirements are seven years of professional nursing experience, one year practicing anesthesiology, and, of course, your certificate from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. A captain's base pay is $313.50 monthly plus subsistence allowance. Right for further details today to the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, Washington, 25 D.C. Now, once again, our star and our producer. Welcome back to the microphone, Buff Cobb. You made a very charming newspaper reporter. Thank you, CP. I've enjoyed being here so much. And Grandpappy always wanted me to be a reporter. I think this is as close as I'll get. Of course you mean Grandpappy Cobb. Yes. Irvin Cobb was my grandfather. And as he started out to be a newspaper reporter, he always told me I should be one. Do you think you'll choose writing for a career? No. I think I'll stick to the movies in the stage. Oh. Well, I had written several articles for Vogue magazine, and I guess I'll continue to do so from time to time. There's one thing that you are gifted with, and that's the Irving S. Cobb's sense of humor. Everybody loved him, Buff. Oh, thank you, CP. That's very sweet of you. And a great compliment to me. Now, Buff, suppose you tell us something about the main tucky. Oh, no. My grandfather covered that little subject completely. I wouldn't attempt to talk about it. Won't you tell us just one little thing about Paducah? Yes. I love it. But I've got to be going. Goodbye, CP. Goodbye, Buff. Hey, aren't you going to invite me back again? Why, of course, Buff. We'd love to have you anytime. Well, thank you. But before I go, who is your star for next week? Next week, Buff, and ladies and gentlemen, the young and very popular Richard Long will join us as the star of an exciting story of a scientist, the magic darkness. This is the story of a man and woman, two scientists, who dedicate their lives to a single purpose and prove that when two elements have an affinity, they are difficult to separate. Be sure to join us. And now, until next week then, thanks for listening and cheerio from Hollywood. To the courtesy of the Hollywood Coordinating Committee, which arranges for the appearance of all stars on this program. The script was by Robert Riley Crutcher with the music of Eddie Dunstead. This program is transcribed in Hollywood for release at this time. Wendell Niles speaking.