 Family Theatre presents Eddie Cantor and Wendell Corey. From Hollywood, the mutual network in cooperation with Family Theatre presents The Little Prince starring Wendell Corey. And here is your host, Eddie Cantor. Family Theatre'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 Theatre urges you to pray, pray together as a family. And now to our transcribed drama, The Little Prince starring Wendell Corey as Zachary Balter. Your baggage is quite in order, Dr. Balter. Thanks. Anything else I have to have checked? Only your passport and identification papers at the next desk. The officer in the grey uniform. Good enough. Your valise. I got it. Thanks. Name please, sir. Dr. Zachary Balter. Your passport. Here. Ah, American? Yes. Do you understand the conditions of your travel permit, doctor? It's for one week, I understand that. So, it is my duty therefore to give you formal notice now that if by the end of that week you have not left our country you would be subject to fine and imprisonment under the State Immigration Code. I understand. Very well. Would you be kind enough to initial this form and acknowledgement of those conditions? Sure. Use my pen. Thanks. There you go. Anything else? One thing more. You are required to state your reason for entry. It's there in the permit. The child is sick. I've been called to this country for consultation. Oh, yes, I see. It must be a very important child to bring you halfway around the world, doctor. I wouldn't know about that. I've been advanced to all my expenses and 50% of my fee. I can't kick. Of course. Anything else? No, no. Your papers are in order. You may go. Thanks. Say, how would I get to the... Wait a minute. Karen Hotel. Or any of the taxi drivers at the terminal entrance can take you there. Good. All the way through the annex, out the glass doors. Thanks. Goodbye. Goodbye and remember, doctor... Yes. One week. That's right. 6.14. Take the ladies' bags up right away. Oh, yes, sir. My name's Balter. I wired ahead for reservation. Balter, one moment, sir. Balter, Balter, Balter. Oh, yes, doctor Balter. That's right. A single room with bed for one week. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Anything wrong? Only that we are so crowded, sir. Had my reservation almost a week. Oh, yes, doctor Balter. And the room is yours. But might I ask, will you be leading it for the full week? Well, no matter of fact. I'll be leaving town for a few days tomorrow. But I expect to be back by Thursday or Friday. I see, sir. And in that case, would you object while letting out the room while you are gone? Not as long as I can get it when I come back. Oh, you will, sir. What's the story, those liberators of yours back again for another levy? It is the automotive plant at the edge of the city. They are rounding up forced labor to dismantle it for shipment of foam. I see. And all the visiting bigwigs are looking for a hot meal on a warm bed. I'm afraid so, sir. Okay, you can have the room after tonight until Friday. Oh, thank you, doctor. But I want it by then. Oh, you shall have it, sir, by all means. 509, here is your key. Thanks. Oh, incidentally. Is there a Dr. Robert Longfrey registered here yet? Longfrey, longfrey, longfrey. Yes, room 412. Is he a friend of yours? Not yet, but I hope he will be. Dr. Longfrey? Yes. My name is Balter, doctor Zachary Balter. Dr. Balter, come in, come in. Your power of French may power again. No, no, no. I can speak English. But doucement should not be. Yes, mostly in Anglais. But our other colleague is an Englishman. It will be easier in England. It will be for me. Oh, say I'm sorry about the delay. My plane got held up in Rome. It is nothing. Dr. Rutledge himself arrived here less than two hours ago. This hotel? Yes, just down the hall. In fact, I shall notify him you are here and we can room 409, please. Yes. And we can get to the matter at hand. Can we still leave by tomorrow morning? Oh, it is imperative that we do. My permit is Dr. Rutledge, Dr. Longfrey. The American doctor has arrived. Yes, in my room now. Would you have a moment to come down? Very good. We shall be waiting for 12. Yes, goodbye. He will be along, presently. You know Rutledge, personally? No, only by reputation, like yourself. Oh, thanks. He is a very good man, I think. Oh, the best. You read that talk he gave before the Royal Academy last summer on mononucleosis? Yes, very good, very good indeed. Let's see, doctor, there's one thing about this business I am not straight on. Maybe you can clear it up for me. Yeah? This sick child. He's royalty, isn't he? Yes, he's a prince. His family once ruled this land. Is that why all the hush hush? To a large extent, I think. The hope of the people here seems to be with the monarchy, but after all, they must face facts. You mean Marshal Dumio? He is the prophet. The occupying powers support him. Well, I wouldn't give you a thin dime for Dumio, but I've never been a great fan of this king business, either. There is a difference, doctor, I assure you. This child is a symbol to the people. His ancestors were beloved monarchs. The people would like it again to have a king. Well, I suppose their politics is their own business. One moment, please. Oh, Dr. Rotlich, come in. Dr. Longbe. Just after I spoke to you, that Wallach chap rang me up. Oh? Yes, and I... Oh. Oh, Dr. Volta? Yes. Oh, excuse me, excuse me. Dr. Volta, Dr. Rotlich. How do you do? You mentioned Wallach. What did he want? Well, it seems our arrival here has attracted some attention. He wonders if we can leave tonight. Who's Wallach? He's been handling the arrangements for the trip. I don't know much else about him. Actually, he is a minor tax official for the Dumio government, but his sympathies are with the monarchy. When he says leave tonight, does he mean right now? He said the sooner the better. Roll up the sidewalks early in this town, don't they? That's right there. I do not seem to recall the streets being so empty last night at this time. Maybe the marshal's lapped on a curfew. I understand he's good at that. And perhaps, but then why have we not been stopped? That looks like the plaza up ahead. So it is. Allow left? Let me see. Yes, left, and then stay on that street through to the city gates. The hotel where Wallach has to meet us is in a suburb ten miles south of here. You say that according to Wallach, the child's condition is serious? It could be if left untended much longer. I'm surprised their own doctors couldn't get together on a diagnosis. I rather have the feeling they wanted to wash their hands of the case in view of the child's parentage. That's a thought. I guess Dumio wouldn't have much trouble wrecking their professional careers if he wanted to. Oh, I should think not. Look. Look up ahead. Where? Say. Is that limousine just turning around in the middle of the street? Looks like it's parked there to me. Yes, I think it is, Balder. Now, what could be that? I got it. Look, getting out of the back seat on the other side, eh? Oh, yes, two men in uniform. You may have been right about the curfew after all, Dr. Bolton. Funny place for a roadblock. I can't tell if they're police or soldiers. Probably the same thing in this country. They are waving us down. You had better stop, Doctor. Right up. I suggest we have our plusports ready. Probably just a routine thing. Identification, please. All right, you are. Here. It is mine. Anything wrong? And yours, sir? Yeah. Ah. You are Dr. Sratledge, Long Prey and Balder. That is correct. It is my duty then to inform you that a high-ranking official of my country's government has requested a brief, informal meeting with you. Meeting? Kind of a meeting. Tonight? At this moment, gentlemen, your respective embassies have been informed of this invitation. I suggest that you comply. But look here, old man, we're in a bit of a rush. My instructions are to tell you the meeting would be brief. Now wait a minute. It is but a short distance away. Scarcely four blocks. I don't care how near it is. Dr. Bolton, perhaps we would lose less time by accepting the invitation. That's a good point, Bolton. These traps love to haggle. It's up to you, gentlemen. You will be on your way again in less than half an hour. It seems unavoidable. Okay, I'm game. How do we get there? With your permission? Sure, get in. Now after you turn around, go back past the plaza to the large grey building at its north end. Is that where our host lives? Yes, in the palace. If you will make yourself comfortable in this apartment. You're not going to stick us here and forget us, are you? It will be only a few moments. You will find refreshments on the buffet. Make yourselves as comfortable as possible. Thanks. Hmm, parquet floors. Priceless tapestries. It's a palace, all right. What do you think? Dumeo. Marshal Dumeo himself. You're here. But why would he want to see us? I don't know, possibly because of the child. Incidentally, you know, this was the old royal palace. All right. Yes. If the child's family had stayed on the throne, he would be living here today. Oh, same by the way. Where is he living? I do not know the exact location, but Wallach tells me it is not far from the suburban hotel where we are to meet. I hope we don't get hung up here for... Come in. Allow me to welcome you. I am your old Dumeo. Please see to yourself, gentlemen. It is not often our country has three such lustrous visitors. The honor is ours, Marshal. Quite. May I offer you some wine? Thank you, sir. You first, doctor. Balta, is it...? It is. Oh, thanks. Not at all. I'd rather imagine you are all curious as to why I have requested this meeting. Dr Longpre, your glass. Thank you. Yes. Speaking for myself, I am Marshal. Dr Rodles? Thank you, sir. Well, it concerns the patient which has brought you to my country. The child? Yes, Dr Balta. You see, there has been a little nonsense about my attitude toward the child and the royal family in general. Nonsense? Yes. Just that. Allow me. No thanks. This is plenty. Doctors, more wine? No, no. Well, to be specific... Oh, by all means, sit down. The most persistent and pernicious nonsense being spread about is that I regard this young prince as a threat to my regime, which is, of course, fantastic. Yes, to begin with, my countrymen no longer want the monarchy. We are building a new state with the help of our liberators. If this is the case... Yes, Dr Longpre? Why does the child concern you? I was just coming to that. As I say, my countrymen no longer want the monarchy, but I realize they missed the pump, the pageantry that the royal family can provide. Within limits, I would like to restore this to their lives. You mean you'd like to put the prince back on his throne? Let us say rather that I would like to put a symbol back on the throne, since that is all he would be. Quite, but could you be certain the child would remain only a symbol after he'd learned his way about it? I am reasonably certain. You see, for all the clamor about him in some quarters, there is serious doubt that he has a valid claim to the title of prince at all. The dead king was his father, wasn't he? The child is scarcely too. His mother was a commoner who married the king long after the people of this country had banished him. Following the king's assent to heaven, she remarried a commoner like herself. All this in exile. Now, who is to say which man fathered this child who claims the title of prince? I should think public medical records should give you that answer. Foreign records can be forged, and I am convinced his have been. If you are so convinced, Marshal, why return the child to the throne at all? For exactly the reasons I have given, doctor, to restore some of the color and excitement that a royal family can give to a country. It need not be known that child is bogus. He will serve his purpose nonetheless. But, Marshal. Yes, Dr. Bolter? If that's really what you want to do, why haven't you done it? Because to be frank up to now, I have been unable to. How come? My every effort to locate the child and his mother since their arrival in this country has proved futile. I see. I understand they are in serious financial straits, and I can appreciate their desire to travel incognito in view of these poisonous rumors, bar, that is nonsense. Maybe they don't know you ought to help them. That is why I have asked to see you gentlemen. I need your help in locating and convincing the mother. Do you know a man by the name of Wallach? Wallach? I see by all your faces that you do. Put your minds at rest. I have been in touch with Mr. Wallach this evening. Did he know you were going to see us? He was informed that I intended to. You know his loyalty to the mother and child. He will take you to them. Yes. Then let Mr. Wallach's position in this matter guide you. Good evening, gentlemen. We ought to be there about now, shouldn't we? A bit longer at the ends this side of the village, right? Yes, a little. Scandalous light on these country roads, you know. Forgive the bumps and whatnot. Not at all. Unavoidable. You know, I still don't understand about Wallach. Going along with the marshal. It does seem irregular. Perhaps they have decided to take half a loaf. What do you mean? Well, this way, at least, the little chap gets back on the throne. They could work from there. Maybe. Look, are those lights off to the right of it? They sure are. Yes, I think that's it. The place looks almost deserted. I can see a car parked out in front. The place seems to fit the description of the hotel. Well, let's have a look. I'll turn in. Only one car, all right? Strange. What's that? The lights I saw were not coming from the building. It is dark. They were this car's parking lights. Yeah, that's no way to treat a battery. Wait, I'll open the door and turn them off. It's just funny, this guy left his dash lights on soon. I bet it... Is something wrong? Look, what is it? Man. Hold on, I'll make a light. Swamped over on the floor. Mundi, what? It is Mr. Wallach. He has been shot. Wallach? Yes. Wait a minute. His pulse is still beating. He's alive. Barely. Dr. Lumpfrey. Me? Go see if you can wake someone in the hotel. We've got to get this man on a cart. What, Devon? We did everything we could to save him. It's just too late. He had been marked by the one we cannot intercept. You mean Dumeo? No. I was thinking of the Angel of Death. I'd say the Marshal was right at his elbow tonight. Oh, yes. It was undoubtedly one of Dumeo's men who shot Wallach. He suppose they got anything out of him before he died? I don't believe so. His precious little he told us, even after he knew who we were. 21 Betel Street. Over and over. The address of the trial? I cannot think what else it could be. Well, there was little more we can do here. You phoned the authorities? Yes. And I'd only like us to be on our way before they arrive. Listen, there's one thing about this we ought to remember. Dumeo didn't have Wallach killed only to shut him up before we got here. How do you mean? Well, this looks to me like the Marshal's subtle way of telling us to turn around and go home now. Quite. And I imagine if we don't go home now, they'll make rather fuss about letting us go at all once we've seen the trial. Well, does the way we go back have to be the way we came in? Officially, yes, but there is another way. You mean the underground? We could certainly count on their help, but it is dangerous. Once we take the jump, I guess, there's no turning back. I cannot see how. If caught, we will doubtless be tried as saboteurs or something equally monstrous, and that will take care of us. Well, we'd better decide pretty quickly, you know. The police are on their way. Yeah. Well, in all fairness, since we've taken good money for the job, we owe some professional courtesy to the child. Yeah, true. And then there's that rot we're always preaching about the doctor's first duty. Being to his patients? Well, after all, we're forever harping on it. Why, sure. Say, what was that address again? Gentlemen, I would just like to say... There's 21 Lettall Street. Oh, excuse me, doctor. I would just like to say, let's go. 21? I think so, just a second. Yeah, yeah, this is it. Yeah, the place looks a bit run down, right? Run down. House is a slum, but doorbell here. Better knock. And I suppose it's up to us to tell them about Wallach. I'm afraid so. I don't want if anybody's home. You know, it's possible they've heard what happened to him. And... Yes? We... We are the doctors Mr. Wallach was bringing. Yes, step inside quickly. If you are wondering why Mr. Wallach is not with us... No. We had already learned. That is why my husband is not here now. He went looking for you. Newers must travel rather fast in this time. A friend of ours with the police found us what had happened. It's awful. Are... Are you the child's mother? Yes. Would you like to see him? Perhaps, madam, if we might first examine whatever medical history or notes there might be on the case. Oh, yes, I have him. Will you come in here, please? Yes, please. Thank you. This is all I'm afraid the other doctors did not leave much information. Thank you. Even so... Can you read this line? A word here, a word there. Oh, this is most unsatisfactory. Perhaps if you... Is it your majesty? The king promised me it would be. Someday. But for now, just mother of the prince. I see. Well, perhaps if you could tell us about the trial. He... He is like his father, the king. Strong. Robust. And yet, since he came to this country, he has been failing. How about his diet? Even getting enough of the right things to eat? As you can see, we are penniless. Not only that, the soil of this land is too poor to nourish its people. But your... Your present husband has a job, hasn't he? He has been brought here as a forced laborer. The quarter from my city in the north where we lived. To help dismantle the automotive plant. Oh, yeah, I heard about that. He receives a rational allowance. But no money. But you must understand, he is a wonderful man. Brave and kind. He would give his life for my son. But look here. I can see you're broke, you're living in this hovel. You must not think we are unhappy. But where did all the money come from? Money? Sure, our expense money, the fees you sent us. We come pretty high. Oh, I see, of course. You were not told. Not a word came right out of a clear sky. They were all the small offerings sent to the king over the years of his exile by the people in this country who were still faithful to him and wanted him to return with a great army. And instead only you and his son have returned penniless. In the king's will he instructed that it be done this way. How do you think all his followers in this country take to the idea of their crown prince being as poor as a church mouse? Some will honor him, others will not. But he will love and help them all. You seem pretty sure of what kind of man he'll be. He is his father's son and he will serve his father's people no matter what it costs him. A mother like you, I guess he will have that. Could we see the child now? Of course. But he is asleep so please walk softly. Right in here. Come in. I try to keep the light low. Can you see his face? We. He seems to be resting quietly. Yes. He had a little heart milk a while ago. Lucky, he's opened his eyes. Hello there young man. Look at him smile. Perhaps. Perhaps he knows you have come to help him. His forehead seems cool enough. He does look robust, a little thin. I may be premature gentlemen but I think we can mend this young man. The right medicine, a bit more of the proper food. Are we all reaching for our prescription pads at once? I know. As a matter of fact, I was reaching for my wallet. You too, Rutledge. Well, yes. How did you mention it? Is there something I can get you, doctors? No, no. We want to give you and your son this money that was sent to us. But you have travelled so far to come here at such expense. Please, we want to do it. Besides, you'll need money to leave the country for a while before Dumeo's crowd can track you down. You have already been so generous in coming here to help my son. Then why not call this the same kind of gift that the others sent? An offering to the king. This is Eddie Cantor again. Have you made up your list of New Year's resolutions yet? You haven't? Well then let me make a humble suggestion. Don't bother with the list. I speak from experience. Lists have a way of getting lost or forgotten. And after all, what would you include in such a list that you haven't promised to do before? I resolve not to lose my temper so easily. I resolve not to be such a grouch. Not to complain so much when the kids are noisy or my wife is late getting dinner on the table. I resolve this, I resolve that. Why bother with a list when it all comes down to the same promise? I resolve to be a better person, a better parent, a better neighbor. We don't need a list to tell ourselves that. But there is one resolution we can make that will enable us to keep all the others. The resolution to lift our hearts and minds to the Almighty through daily family prayer. And if we still need a reminder to remind us of that, remember the family that prays together stays together. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Family Theatre has been brought to you transcribed from Hollywood and has brought to you the little print starring Wendell Corey. Eddie Cantor was your host. Others in our cast were Edgar Barrier, Ben Wright, Larry Dobkin, Virginia Gregg, Theodore von Els and her Butterfield. The music was composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman and the script was written and directed for Family Theatre by John T. Kelly. This series of Family Theatre broadcasts is made possible by the thousands of you who feel the need for this type of program, by the mutual network which has 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 Theatre stage. To them and to you, our humble thanks. This is Larry Chatterton expressing the wish of Family Theatre that the blessing of God may be upon you and your home and inviting you to be with us again next week when Family Theatre will present Sideman starring Joe Stafford, Dan Durier and Scotty Beckett. Join us, won't you? Family Theatre is broadcast throughout the world and originates in the Hollywood studios of the world's largest network. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.