Hello from Boise, Idaho. This is Adam Graham and Christmas and Christmas Eve.
We'll be sharing holiday related encores on both days. A reminder of these
programs were recorded several years back, so any offers or information discussed are not
valid unless they're currently on on the website. But now let's go ahead and
listen today's program and Merry Christmas. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time
Radio and it's our two thousand, seven hundredth episode special from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment,
email it to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on
Twitter at Radio Detectives, and become one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook,
dot com slash Radio Detectives. I do want to encourage you to check
out the other podcast. In particular, I'm just gonna mention the amazing world
of radio. At Amazing Great Detectives dot net. We have three great Christmas
episodes that you can take a listen to, an episode of Suspense, an
episode of the Lux Radio Theater, and also the Railroad Hour. Just go
to Amazing Great Detectives dot net and have a listen. Well, This is
a special that I knew I would really want to play right around Christmas time.
It is not a Christmas episode by any means, however, the ending
part is so Christmas a that I really felt it would make a nice holiday
trait. Typically I save our long specials for every two hundred episodes, so
typically we wouldn't do another one till episode twenty eight hundred. However, this
one landed just right, so I just decided to go ahead and live dangerously.
It is an episode of The Campbell's Playhouse, which, if you've not
heard an episode before, I think we've only played one was the sponsored version
of Orson Wells Mercury Theater. So one of our stars tonight will be mister
Orson Wells. The play is There's Always a Woman, and the original air
date is December the seventeenth of nineteen thirty nine. The makers of Campbell's Soup
present The Campbell Playhouse, Arson Wells producer Good Evening. This is Orson Welles.
The motion pictures and even the radio and the living stage have made it
clear by now that the female of the species is not only more deadly than
the opposite sex, more desirable, but also more durable in times of stress,
and more to be relied on for the solution of even the bloodiest murders.
And in case these observations may seem as irrelevant as they are certainly irreverent,
let me break down right here and admiss the subject of the night's broadcast
is the bloodiest of bloody murders. Now, as to the ladies, time
was when all the girls used to do in a mystery story with the scream
scream loudly and degrasp that by horrible a clutching clause. But all that's been
changed, and the heroines of these modern romances are ladies of parts. They
are not the ones to find themselves flad only in something filmy and feminine,
being carried off by a gorilla whose identity you will be subsequently requested not to
divulge. They are not susceptible to hypnosis, to the blandishments of sinister latins,
and they never faint. They are accomplished in the use of firearms and
can escape from anything, including suspicions. But the gentleman, I am sorry
to say, have degenerated in our new fiction into a pretty pathetic low among
human things. There seems to be no excuse for us, I say us,
because tonight I am fated to attempt before this microphone the portrayal of one
of these wretched beings. No, the Lady Bloodhounds could do without us if
they didn't still insist just for appearances on the old traditional turnout of likely suspects.
There's always a woman, which is Tonight's story contains no less than two
murders and Miss Mary Wilson. Miss Wilson is one of the most promising of
the talented and personable young women whom Hollywood is discovered in recent days. Her
frequent appearance is what is called a dumb and dizzy blonde is let it be
noted an outstanding example of what is known as the entertainment world as casting against
type. In as Always a Woman, Miss Wilson demonstrates again that dumbness and
dizziness can be surface disguises of infinite resources and a far seeing purpose. But
before our story of the evening, mister Ernest Chapple has a question to ask
us, the answer to which I am pretty sure will be unanimous. Chapel,
thank you us, the wells and ladies and gentlemen. The question is
simply this, what one soup would you say most deserves to be called a
family stand by? As Arsenwell suggested, I am pretty sure of your answer.
Isn't it vegetable soup? Bowls of home made vegetable soup, I imagine,
are among the very earliest memories of nearly all of us. Maybe we
also recall the time and trouble mother took to make that soup, simmering the
stocks and preparing the vegetables. Yet, as Mother's wills, she always felt
rewarded when she saw how much the family enjoyed us. Today, most of
us still have a keen liking for vegetable soup, but wives and mothers increasingly
are giving up making it and instead are serving Campbell's vegetable soup. Are you
at your house? Of course it will save much kitchen time and trouble,
But the far more important reason is that one taste of Campbell's will convince you
that it's made in the time, honored, good homeway. Grown ups and
children alike enjoy the fifteen different garden vegetables and the rich beef stock that together
make Campbell's vegetable soup so stout and hearty and nourishing. You'll realize why women
everywhere agree that it's almost a meal in itself. Wooden't piping hot bowls of
Campbell's vegetable soup just hits the spot with everyone at your house tomorrow and now
us and Wells, and there's always a woman with Marie Wilson to William H.
Sh Reardan for three months, rent you three hundred and seventy five dollars
unless this bill is paid in on the floor, the first to undersigned reserve
the right to re rent the premises, Signed Frank F. Carter. Oh,
Bill, what are we going to do? I know what I'm going
to do? Get my old job back. Hello? Is this office?
Shut up? This is Bill Reardon. Hello Joe, let me be in.
Have no off things, old Bill, where your pride? I just
swallow that. It's the only thing you can swallow on credit. Come on,
Sally, we'll go down and see the DA together. You can make
up your mind. Your husband is just too dumb to make a go of
this detective business. Not me. I'm going to carry on here, all
right. You carry on, but make sure to get out of here by
the first of the month unless you want the Takata to rerent you too.
I hope you don't get the job. If I don't, there's a cute
little bench in Central Park where we can spend the summer. Oh bit,
And don't be too sure of that bench. It's first come, first served
in Central Park. Come in, pardon me, is mister in No?
But could you tell me when you'll be And I want to see him on
business of business? Oh well, won't you sit down, don't you?
I'm mister riard is out right now in a very important case. But if
there's anything that's say, could I have him call you? I prefer not
to give my name. Well, just as you wish, missus Frasier,
How did you know my name is Brases? What your picture was in the
papers when you were married? And if the detective's business ever to forget a
faith? Are you a detective? I'm mister Riardon as chief operator. I
handle all his women clients. You see, women often feel that they can
talk more freely to another woman. And you keep this not a confidential.
I won't even discuss it with mister riardoon, but you have to know not
unless you want him to. You see, you'll be entered in our books
as a number. Now just the mom let's see the last case was let
me see number three seven five. Your case will be number three seven six.
And now then what can I do for you? Well, there's a
person I'd like to have shadowed. Her name is Calhoun, and Calhoun with
a picture. Oh thanks? He nice lucky? Isn't he a to Lola
who is doing a much better job than I would have done? Anne?
Has this inscription anything to do with the case. Anne Calhoun was engaged to
my husband before before, I understand, but there hasn't been anything to understand
until a week ago. Then quite suddenly, mister Fraser began getting letters and
phone calls. Some I haven't suspired, but I know her handwriting and I
know her voice. There's something going on between them, and you've got to
find out. If I don't solve it by the first of the month,
missus Fraser, i'll retire from business. I'll just leave this all by the
way if you want to get a good look at her at Miss Calhoun,
She and my husband and I and Joey Molo are dropping into the Skyline Club
tonight, a Skyline club. I'll be there now. They say you want
some advance money for expenses. I dare say, I don't know what your
rates on this, but how would three hundred dollars do? Three hundred dollars?
Why? I'm sorry, it's all I have to have with me.
Of course, if you insist no, no, that's all right, And
of course it's less than I use your rate. But I'm delighted to make
the exception of vacuous Operator seven. Just call me that. Goodbye three seven
six weird a detective agency Operator seven. You turned awfully happy. I am,
I got my got back. Let's celebrate. What's the salary? Celebrate?
What do you get paid seventy every week? Oh? Isn't that nice?
Isn't that nice? Say? What did you say about celebrations? But
what's the free We gotta tell a football Okay, if you don't mind being
lonesome, tell me. How's the Reared and Agency coming along under its new
management? Splendidly? Thank you, splendidly. Customers are popping in all over
the place a RARED and detective agency. He never reveals the name of his
clients. That's part of the RARED and policy and policy they're on. They
Reared and Clients anymore. Bills come in several, three great big ones.
Say, didn't you say something about well, how about the Skyline Club?
Bill, we can afford it, can't Well, we can't afford the Skyline.
Just this one. It's always just this one, Oh Bill, I
just love the Skyline, Sally, we can't afford the sky Line. We
love the Skyline Club, don't you Bill? Well, don't you Bill?
No, it's too expensive, but it is pretty. And this man wants
to take your order. He's not waiting to ask you to dance. Oh
excuse me, let's see after the pure mongol. And that's how takes a
Philly name. You mean instead of no, i'd mean you got to have
a Pilly minya and some slice tomatoes, nice tomatoes. Yes we're done,
And some potato salad, and some potatoes and potato salad. Oh yeah,
I'm some coffee. The strawberry goat might tea madam. We'll find out too
sweet to dumb and hume shoe is a small glass of water in the hard
roll, toasted. If you insist with the regular dinners, if you and
he will, no, thanks, sir, I mean no, wait a
minute, I might want them. Why don't you have no wine? Way
and make it quick? Very good, monsieur, No, just mathematics.
All I have is a twenty dollar bill. You don't buy any chance to
have a couple of dollars in your purse money? Well why didn't you say
so? Now let's see, I've got to at a half a dollar and
just chewing gum. I mean a half a dollar. You can keep the
chewing gum. Oh wait a minute, mister Shane's the man I want to
see this shame? Will you wear cash? You check for me? Mis
Shane? How much do you want? Much? At twenty five bucks?
Better make it fifty in case you want a champagne? Missus and mister Shane,
Oh, how do you do? Mister Shane? Mess? Here's your
fifth Thanks, got a pan, I'll write your check. I'm oh,
you're taking an awful chance, mister Cha. I don't think he's got fifty
dollars in his account. Well, I'm sorry used to taking chances. Your
wife has a great chance of you and mister Reared have you noticed it too?
Here's your check? Thanks? Haven't seen you around lately, mister Red.
Now I've been busy. How do you like being on your own.
I'm not exactly on my own anymore. I'm back to the Oh that reminds
me. You don't happen to have his home phone number to the end when
you did me a favor Lexington eight sixty seven two, and he won't be
home a pretty late Lectionington eight six seven two. Thank you. Oh,
don't tell him where you got it. Excuse me, mister sha And the
captain told me to tell you there's a call for you in the author excuse
me name. I'll probably see you around later. Oh sure, nice personality
most gamblers have. Gambler, I thought you said he owned this play.
Well, he also happened throwing the casino across the river. Why couldn't I
have married a man like that instead of a prohibitionist. See, I'll bet
he could have got us a better table than this one too. We're lucky
to have a table at all. Do you remember, way back, Sally
on the phone, when you promised if I brought you to the Skyline Club,
you go light on everything that was before you made a fifty dollars what's
fifty dollars? Fifty dollars you just got from mister Shane. Oh, excuse
me, I forgot about that. Of course, there's always a chance that
he might deposit that check. If he does, you still have fifty dollars
more than when you started out. That's certainly a prophet. Certainly is to
do me a favor with this, Sally. And don't mention it's the income
tax people. They don't understand finance as well as you do. You know
you can trust me there. Sure, I hate your sup not Super's pure
mango. Try not eat so noise, even if you had a couple of
Martine's. That's quality folks. The next thing, Wow, that's not called
quality folk either. I'll bet they're just as unimportant as you and I for
your information, missus, Redd. And they are people that any one pretending
to be a detective ought to know at first sight. There, mister Faber
of f r A sEH, I get it, I get it. This
other man is Jerry Marlow trans Continental Copper and the girls and cal who you
know and just going off again, bill Ard, And I don't think you
know anything about it. Not so loud, Sally, please, that's as
loud as they are, Terry. I don't say who's engaged anyhow, If
you think you're put anything, turn around. They'll notice you're staring at them.
Sally. I'll bet they love it. Why if I was a society,
I want everybody to stare me all the time. I wonder if you'd
answer me one question? What question? How did a smart guy like me
happen to marry a dumb cluck like you? Oh? I don't know.
I don't think there's any explanations. Probably not one of those things you know.
You know this silly is delicious. It's that you enjoy it, eating
your lands hungry. Well, you're paid for it. Don't be extreme.
I don't want anything. Mary, wait and bring me something to drink.
Champagne one glade, Yes, more than enough to drink, Sally, Well,
I can steal spell Mississippi? Am I s I p I correct?
It's as closed as you will have again, what is it now? We're
going to get another chance to learn how to talk when we get into society,
Miss Cows. This is what I've I've been dancing with somebody else.
Well, it wouldn't be the first time you lost you, Anne, What
do you mean by that? I'll tell you what I mean by that?
And is engaged to me now don't know still the fist guy that's trying to
take her away from us, that's just trip. A conversation is non of
you. I know you were expressing yourself so beautifully. I couldn't help but
listen in Sally, will you please shut up? Yes, this gentleman's name.
I'd be glad, but well let's go. Oh you think mister Fraser
means that check to Bally? You better shut up? What do you think?
So come on, let's look mister. Would you like me to shoot
out? See? There? You are wrong? They won't even answer me.
You're lucky waiter. Yes, mister rhythm, you can give missus reared
in the check. Please? Hello? Is it true and says here in
your paper? It says here in your paper that Walter Fraser was shot shot
dead and Jerry Marlow's a pomp the city? Okay? Oh, can you
tell me if it's too about Walter Fraser? Madam kidding? Well? It
is here in the headlines. It's as Fraser was shot in Jerry Marlow's apart.
You think we put it into improved circulation? What do you want?
But who did? I could interest you in the Fraser murder Why did you
kill him? No, but I think I know who did. I'm sally
reared and is a reard and detective agency. You know, No, I
don't know, but go ahead. Well, if you don't want her know
about a threat that Marlow made, I can call a globe. You know
there's more the one paper in New York. Yes, okay, okay,
we'll send somebody over. What's the address. I'll take it easy, Marlow.
I don't want to take it easy, and you're a fine lawyer.
I must say take it easy. Can't you read? Marlow? Guilty?
Says London investigator. Why should I hire anybody who says that? To make
us stop saying that bribery ling? I don't want any poppits. You made
the threat? Yes, yes, I made the threat, but I didn't
kill it. That's important too, not as important as you think. The
important thing is to make sure you're not convicted, and you'd be like for
Jerry one nice where I'd like to kill him. Keep on talking about liking
to kill people, and you'll be a suspect and every murdered twiler in New
York. Hold are you doing? Oh? Are you? Mister? Don't
you how well? We met last night, given't we? I mean,
well, maybe we didn't meet, but we fought Missus Ridden. I've explained
to mister Marlow that you've agreed to do some investigating for us. Well you
understand, mister Marlow. We're very busy down at the office just now,
but this was such an interesting case. I felt I couldn't afford to turn
it down. That's very generous about Missus Ridon, don't you think so,
Jerry, Yeah, very general, very general. Yes, mister Cadling and
I agreed upon two hundred a week and expenses, didn't we, mister Ketling.
That's right, And here's your check. Missus. Wait a minute,
this is Ridden. How are you going to fix that? Us type of
story? Oh? That excuse me for waiting this check in your face,
mister Marlow. But I want the ink to dry. Hello, give me
the city desk. Hello, this is missus Rido. Uh huh, I've
got a new story for you. Got your pencil ready, all right?
A Marlow innocent? Innocent, says blonde investigator. May got your mind,
lady? Well, I know I said he was guilty, but just this
minute I picked up some new evidence and I hope it doesn't sound Bill Whole,
I'm home. Why did you repeat that crack of milist the reporters,
which crack when a man trying to kill a rival in the nightclub. You
know he's not going to do it. Why did you repeat it to the
reporters. I didn't repeat anything. I just happened to be talking to the
Daily Bulletin in one way or another, Sally read and you tell me the
truth, so help me, I'll kill you. Everybody wants to kill somebody
lately. Have you noticed, Sally Well, I told him I was going
to get some publicity, or rather I told you I was going to get
publicity. Well, after all, Marlow did say that he was drunk,
and I'm supposed to be working for the district attorney up trying cases in the
newspapers. I didn't need to do anything wrong by I appreciate what you're trying
to do. What I told you before. It's the man's place to make
the money for the home, and it's a woman's place to take care of
the man when he comes home. Sally, Bill, you're perfectly right and
Agreeve I. I'm going into the kitchen right now and I'm going to get
you the best stupper you ever had. How do you want your coffee week
or strong? Strong? I've got things to do tonight. I thought you
were going into the kitchen, but Bill wif you'd take an interested what her
husband is doing, don't you think? No? Are you in the DA
going to arrest everybody tonight? No? But I'll tell you who the DA
would like to arrest who you if tomorrow You're not going to get anywhere by
trying to oppose this. What the DA wants is the truth. If you
smart, you cooperate with us. You'll all cooperate with us. Missus Fraser,
you know, District Attorney, mister Evans, I think sorry, of
course trouble you had a time like this, but it can't be helped.
I can. We want to know exactly where in this apartment each person was
when the shot was fired? How about you, Miss Caroline. I was
in the kitchen mixing a dress. Where was mister I don't know. I'm
sure he was in the living. Is it true that you were once engaged
in mister Fraser, Miss Calhoun, yes I was, and now you're engaged
to mister Marlow. It nothing mis to Marlow. I may have to dig
into some of these relations battle. Where were you, Missus Fraser when the
shot was fired? I was in the library. I was reaching for the
phone. Where were you, Malow To tell the truth, I've had a
couple of drinks I couldn't wear well. I was by Jerry. You were
in the kitchen with me with I thought, yes, Missus Fraser, you
were about to say something. Jerry had just walked me through the living room
to show me whe the phone was. The shot came almost to meet you
then. I didn't think he had time to get back to the He had
just come back when the shot was fired. Well, what about it,
Marlo, I told you, I don't remember. Nobody seems to remember much
anything about this affair. What is it? Officer? Put you come out
in the hall for you, Bobby right back. It's a crazy thing.
But trying to get in here, I told her she couldn't. She told
me to memorize this message and to give it to you, dearest Darlan.
Don't forget the butler Sally. She said you were dearest Darlan, and you'd
know who she was. I know who she was. No land to go
back to your poet Hey you there, come back here. You're the butler.
Yes, what's your name? Wick? Where were you last night?
Gregson? When missus rather mister Fraser was murdered. I was a sleeper.
The shot liked me. I'll put on a bathrob and I came down hollow.
If you worked for mister Morrow, I engaged him in London. Is
nothing wrong with your memory now? Misus am'le always there? Well you better
start remembering from recent night. I want to take a look at your Patrick
Gregson. Yes, come on looking at Gregson. I I know you haven't
seen it? Have you? No? Get away from that door? What
are you trying to do? Conceal something that night? But I wasn't trying
to con Take a look anyway. It's all right. Wait a minute,
that's the funny place for an ice cube tray? Well, I I didn't
have time to put it back in the right take a look at it.
Well what have you got to say now? I didn't think I understand.
It's not so hard to understand. There's a gun frozen into that tray,
that's all. What are you fuck? Nothing much? Just this gun?
Well? What in the ice cube tray? How do you help for that
Grigson. I don't know you ever handle a gun. No, ye,
take all of this gun of mine. Don't get scared. I'm taking the
cartridge out. You say you have a shot a gun. No, here's
your first lesson? Shoot this? Oh no, I couldn't. I wouldn't
know how to call the trigger. Give me that gun. You never shot
a gun before? No, you don't have to release the safety catch for
you pull the trigger. You were told to stay on the other to want
to go along as tomorrow? Like fine, Maybe they can help you to
remember down there where you were last year. Just a minute, Bill,
Yeah, whatever made you suspect the butt? Oh? Justine? Think you
know it is? You get a hunch, just one of those things?
Just to turn his busy? Well, will you be telling that missus?
Reardon is here? Sorry, you have to wait. You have a chair?
Pee? How do you do with Oh, mister Shane, fancy meeting
you here? Can I sit next to you? You would tell me,
mister Shane, what is a high class restaurant owner doing in the District Attorney's
office? You'll find me as I get around, say, I hope you
are here to complain about my husband's chair. No, that hasn't bounced yet.
But Mike, you be doing in the District Attorney's office. If I
may ask missus Ridens the new clues on the Fraser murder. How did you
know I've been following you. You've been following me in the papers. I
understand it. You no longer think Jerry Morlo is guilty. Oh no,
that first story I gave out with your red Herring inspect butler. Oh no,
it's never the butler. When you've read as many I mean, when
you've handled as many detective cases as I have, you know it's never the
butler. Oh they always look guilty, but it turns out they never are.
They found the gun on they always do. That's just to throw you
off the track. Now, Uh No, there's just one clue that may
be worth mister Shane. Maybe you can help me. I'd appreciate the opportunity.
I guessed what was in that envelope that and Calhoun gave you the other
night. I've looked and Calhoun gave me not I was in the Skyline club
with my husband. I don't know what you're talking about. Yeah, how
dread then I'm sorry, but I won't have time to see. When I
called you the other night, you said to be sure and dropping this time.
Know, I know, but that was before this phrase the case turned
up. But come in and see me next week. I'm all right.
I'll call you when I read it for you. Okay, goodbye, goodbye,
mister Shane, think it over. Oh could I have a moment please,
Miss Jevins, I must talk to you. I have some very important
clues. I've been reading all about your clues, but this is a new
one. Yes, tell him to your husband, maybe he'll listen to you.
Oh no, you see, he isn't speaking to me these days.
Yes, smart Feller Ridden. You know, mister Alan, I think he's
mixed up in this case. Oh, your husband, As it happens,
I was talking to Shane over the telephone just about the time the murder was
committed. What do you think he was doing? Holding a receiver in one
hand the revolver in the other. Look, missus Ridden, I have great
sympathy with your husband, greater now than with any man I have ever met.
And if you don't stop butting into this case kind helps her The end
of just the ends of justice have gotten along very well now until without you,
So will you please go away? All right? Anon Drickson, if
you've got any sense at all, you've stopped attending your dumb We've been here
for three hours talking to you, and we're prepared to stay for thirty.
It's up to you. I don't know anything. Don't get into your pantry.
Grigson. I don't know. How did that gunn take your fingerpricks,
I don't know. You can't pay that this month you went to a pawn
shop located treat them for him Chriss Drive Newark. No, you want to
revolver there for fifteen dollars. No, I don't. Brokers identified you from
your photograph. Boy, you bought the revolver breaks from you? Examine have
a rifle? No, I didn't. He tried to walk into that grig
Who Well, I bought the gun to mister Marlall sent you to a pawn
shop. No, he gave me twenty dollars to go and buy twenty dollars
to fire gun, and you bought one for fifteen dollars. Hits on a
matter of five dollars. Well, I hit the gun, I said,
hide the gun. Oh I bought the gun, mister Marlow kept getting the
drawer in his room about the way. You know the gun was missing.
You pick a mama about it. No, I didn't think it was any
of my pa. Oh. When the shot was tired, I put on
my bathroom and I rushed out. I just bought it was lying on the
floor. A woman was crimpy. Yeah, mister Motow about that. Tell
us about mister Marlow, Well, he was trying to tie the ladies,
missus Spiser and miss Callen. I show a gun line by the French winner
gun you bought a porn shop. Yes, I picked it up and I
slipped in the bathroom. Now it isn't the Panama told you to hide it?
No, what did he say when you told him where it was?
I didn't you expect us to believe that. I don't care what you believe.
It's the two mister Morrow. I regular statement we got from Brixton.
What haven't you got to say about it? All right? All right?
I did have Brickton by it done? What off it? But gun just
up here about a week the gun just walked out of your dad. I
don't know what happened to it. Did you ant Briton about it? No?
And when I saw it was missing, I was playing. Why were
you glad, mister Marlow? I was afraid I might use it on praise?
You brought it? He was on praise it didn't you? Yeah?
Why? Because he was up to something with Ann with Calhoun. I mean,
she's been worried to step about something and she's been writing. How do
you know she was writing to him? I was with him and his aposta
one day when a maid brought his mail in. I know Ann's handwriting.
He didn't know them the letter. He just looked confused and slipped it into
his pop Any idea was all about it? No, she denied everything he
lied. I was going crazy. I just killed him, all right,
I'm sorry. I didn't cheer up Marlow. Maybe we could prove you did.
You are listening to Watson Wells and the Campbell Playoffs presentation of There's Always
a Woman with Marie Wilson. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System. This is
Ernest Chapel, Ladies and gentlemen, welcoming you back to the Campbell Playhouse.
In a moment, we shall resume our presentation of There's Always a Woman.
But first, as we all realize In a very few days now, the
Christmas holidays will be upon us, and with the children home for vacation,
we usher in the happiest and the busiest season of the year. Perhaps the
busiest person of all in every home will be mother. There'll be entertaining dinners
to be given, gay parties for the young people, possibly relative staying over,
and the task of planning, preparing, and carrying through this round of
yew Tide activities will of course fall mainly upon mother, as the hearts and
center of the home. Among these tasks of hers, none will loom larger,
probably than the planning of meals. And so I'd like to remind every
mother listening tonight of the part that well chosen soups can play in holiday menus.
Apart from the wholesome nourishment you know, good soup provides for everyone,
not forgetting the children. You'll be delighted to see how the serving of attempting
soup can dress up even your simplest meal, give it a really festive touch.
During the holidays just ahead, I'm sure you'll want to serve Campbell's soups
often for their I'm homelike flavor and for the real help they can give you
in meal planning these busy days. And now Orson Wells resumes our camera playoffs
presentation of There's always a Woman with Marie Wilson. Thank you, mister Chappell,
and we'll proceed in just a minute. But before we do, who
killed Walter Fraser? Did you do it? Mister Wells? Well, that
isn't fair. I'm the detective, but you never know. How about Marie
Wilson Sally, mister Chappell, you're speaking of my wife, but she knows
more than she's telling, or she's telling more than she knows. Why deal
I new kid? In fact, I think there's less to miss Wilson and
meets the eye. Who are you? You know perfectly, well, Orson
Wells. I'm Ray Collins, heavily disguised as Nicky Shane, a gambler,
and I'd like to know what Griggson, the butler is doing with Marlow's revolver
in the ice cube. Grigs Everett Sloane, you're playing Gregson. Now just
a minute. I must warn you, Everett Sloane that anything you say we'll
be held against Gregson. Well, I don't want to name any names,
but the gun belongs to Edgar Barrier, who's playing marlow But I don't keep
my guns on eye, shall we suspect the lady had Vonda? That was
Mary Taylor and Georgia Beachus in the order of their appearance. Mary Taylor plays
Lola, the first client of the Reared and Detective Agency, the wife of
the murdered man, and Georgia Bacus plays and Calhoun, who was engaged to
the murdered man who is now interestingly enough, engaged to mister Marlowe. This
is irrelevant name, please, Frank Reddick. Never mind the billing, Frank.
Okay, I'm playing your boss, the district attorney, and I'll thank
you to get on with the case. Remember please, that a murder has
been committed. That's right, there's another member in the cast, mister Richard
Wilson. I'm sorry, mister Willis. I'm Walter Frasier. I can't step
out of character. I'm dead. I think this has gone far enough.
Hello, mister Ketling please, Oh hello, mister Caroling. Oh, it's
marvelous news for you. Uh huh. I try to get you earlier and
then later I was out myself shopping. Huh. I just didn't got in
this minute. Huhh the good news, Well it's not exactly good. I
mean, well, I look pretty bad for our client, poor mister Marlowe.
Yes, but don't you worry. I have a plan if I can
get rid of my husband. I'm starting out of data clocking. No,
I can't tell you yet, well, because I'm not quite here what the
plan is. Goodbye, mister Ketling. All right, you double crosses.
You heard the phone call. I had thought of it. I wasn't interested
much. Oh you weren't interested much? No, after a manage discovered his
wife is double crossing, and nothing she can say can interest in. And
besides, the man at headquarters is listening in and taking down the full conversation.
You mean need wiser passing in a way and you know everything. No,
I'm not that good, but I do know that Ketling and marlow have
hired you. How did you find that out? I'm a smart detective in
town. You told me so yourself once. Of course, that was before
you thought you were the smartest detective in town. Anyhow, I got some
client, Yes, he got one client, a potential murderer. Me the
most convincing proof that Marla was guilty is that he hired you. Only a
desperate man would do that. But he's not guilty. That's your story,
and you're being paid to think it. He had his man by a gun
in order to kill Frasier, and Frasier was killed. That adds up,
doesn't it. No, it doesn't add up. The gun was stolen from
him a week ago. Can you prove that? No? But I'm going
there a chance? Well? If I do, will you admit that I'm
a better, better man than you are? Are? Am well anyway,
just as good you're bad. I know when I'm late, Well, I
must be running along. I suppose I ought to warn you that wherever you
go tonight, you'll probably be shadowed by one of my men. Oh that's
not fair, bit, All fair in love and war is too, I
guess or right have divorced you long ago? So long, dear, Oh,
so long? Always a matter of fact, I'm going out too,
oh dear. Yeah, doesn't this remind you of the Civil War stories?
You know, where the northern captain falls in love with a beautiful southern spire.
And when you get back home, if you're not too tired there,
I wish you'd go through my dressing. Look over my socks. I think
some of them need mending. Oh that's what I like about you, Bill,
You're so romantic. Yeah, pick him up on moving up? Do
you go? I didn't know anybody ever leave this room alive. I married
you the greatest detectives in the whole world. If you'll track you down,
Yes for your You don't mean Bill Riridon. Oh Bill, I'm never so
glad to see anybody in my whole life. Look with you. I was
here and tell I would have plunged you. Legs is shaking. I was
really scared. I'm glad you had that much sense. What are you doing
here and missus Fraser's apartment? Thinking you are looking for a clue. Now
you're starting to get silly. Why don't you go home and man those socks?
I told you about this. You are searching together. If you find
a clue, you tell me and time I know, if you find a
clue, you tell the newspapers. Well, why don't you answer it?
You're crazy? All right, I'll answer. Let go my wrists. You
met with I think you would have answered it. It might be a clue.
Now we'll never know who is called that's right now. Whoever was calling
thinks this apartment is empty. I've got a hunt. That's why the call
was made. I never thought of that belt is now from now on,
every time I hear a phone ring, that's the first thing I'll suspend.
You talk too much? Oh, this is missus Frazier's dresser. All right,
Look look, Bill's talking got any better than mine? Are you searching
or are you sight seeing? Look at that person? Isn't that lover?
M that's the kindy words? All right? What it is? Investment number
five? Oh? By something me for my birthday? Will you? Because
it's only twenty five dollars an hour. Stop drenching yourself in that perfume?
You little space? All right? Hey, where are you going go?
Invo? I'll say here, I'm going to take a crack at that wall
space. I'll bet there's a lot of clues in it. Three d ray,
I thought it was a wall space radio. I almost feel sorry for
Marm having to work for it. Anybody to make a mistake, not as
many mistakes as you make, I promise. Let's trying to get in have
that life? Which pretty Why is I know what that letter you got in
your hands. You just took it out of the door, didn't you.
That's what you came here for, isn't it. What are you doing here?
I don't try to change the subject, mister Calhoun. Give me that
letter. That's my data. You cant that by now? Sallyally had that
letter. I get a letter later, Miss Calhoun said on Why don't you
tell me all about it? You wouldn't believe me anyway? Maybe not,
But I'll tell you what I believe now that you wrote Walter Fraser a blackmailing
letter. Yes, me, blackmail, and when he wouldn't be blackmail,
you killed him. No, no, no, I'll tell you. I'll
make it the truth, because I'll find out pretty soon. Honey. I
was desperate. I've lost two thousand dollars in Roule where change across the river.
I gave him a bad check for I was going to ask Jerry Marlow
for the money, but I couldn't. Why not you engaged to him?
But I didn't want him to think I was marrying him for his money,
So I wrote Walter and asked him, for all times sake to lend me,
and he did. That was all. Why did you take your life
and your hands to steal in here because I thought Lola might find the letter.
I didn't want Jerry to know. Can't you understand? Are you sure?
Sure Jerry doesn't know? And suspect the worst. You're just trying to
trap me and say that Jerry kill He didn't if anybody did it with Lola,
she was jealous. Oh, I don't know what she say? Yes
you do. I'm sorry, Miss Calhoun, but I'll have to arrest you.
You can't. You have nothing to arrest me for. Have you got
a permit to carry this gun in your first No? And I can hold
you in the SULLI an act better, isn't it? Miss Calhoun? And
suspicion of murder? Hello Cartwright apartment, Miss Lola Frasier, Please just tell
her operator number seven is calling. Oh hello, three seven six, and
I can make an appointment to see well. I come across a little and
I feel sure we'll interest you nine o'clock. A fine, It is your
apartment, thank you? Three seven six. Yeah. I had a dictograph
put into missus Frazier's apartment early this morning, joining to somebody right now now
listen there it is you haven't okay, I've got a little higher card,
pay me the wrong money. I'm besides that her husband was writing out text
coul and you know about smart suspect you. I've got a found out that
you and then I left you. They might tell you than you. Maybe
what are you sing around before? She'll be here any minute? Because you
wanted to see up? Don't say I know that voice, because even if
you say hello to her, that dame think she has a clue the wrong
blue but clue you better go up? Okay, I wish I could twice
that voice. WI certainly knows my wife, and I think, hey,
what's much? I'm sure? Oh he has a letter from L and Cow
your husband suspected. I want to forget that a clue? What's a letter
your husband for? Between your mind? You's very threatening. Look, it's
practically black Bailey. Of course you didn't have to know how to read it.
It could mean not finding the murderer. I'd rather not do that.
I have anything. Oh you haven't right and feel that way, then I
don't care to read it, missus Rieddon, But I do care to do
this. But I won't have any slugs on my husband's memory. Don't you
want your husband to It just means I've got to find another clue, that's
how. But don't you worry, missus Frazier. I get one every minute
I knew you'd have one. I fell hearriot. If I tell you you
promised never to reveal it when he was why three seven six? You could
trust me? Well? When I went to that phone over there, just
before the shots furred that night, I had someone on the did you get
there? Yeah? Wrong number? No, No, no, Some people
was talking in this apartment on the extention phone. Someone who was talking on
the phone, even the Bible. Yes, there was nobody and here except
you for the butler. Who was I don't know, but I do know
who he was talking to, and I do know what he was talking about.
You will wait a minute. You don't think i'm the district attorneys,
Yes, the district Attorney's don't really where you feel it goes? What do
you know about that? That's we're about to find out who it was.
Yeah, your wife is either the smartest woman or the biggest fool in America.
She could be both. In fact, I think she is both.
That is right. We know there was a man in your apartment earlier this
evening. Never mind we hurt him, you might as well tell us it
was Shane, Shane, That's what it was. What was he there for?
He wanted fifty thousand dollars? What he wanted to him? What po?
I lost the money playing? Let time to lose gambling, isn't it?
Did you ever play roulette? Oh? Yes, for dimes? We
weren't playing for dime. I see he promised to give me time to play.
But when when this happened, he started pressingly. I didn't give him
the money. I didn't have it, not yet. Shane seems to have
done all right in that joint of is. Did you know that Dane Caron
had lost money that, Missus Fraser. Yes, we've been there together a
couple of times, and we both doro. You knew Shane before you married
Fraser. Yes, a long time ago when I was just that's right,
I thought I left all that behind me when I started to married Water.
I s all right, Missus Frasier. You tell us all we want to
know. I just I didn't know. You can go now, Missus Frasier,
and you will be disturbed again, I promised, thank you? All
right? Well, it seems to let her out, wouldn't you suspect?
Now? How about Shane? He keeps turning up in Okay, Shane's a
gambl he's a strong arm. Methods to collect the all do. But I
don't see Shane is the same. I'm not overlooking the fan. The praiser
took his girl away from him. I when somebody to do the same for
me. Yes, I guess we'll have to be grilling her for five hours,
read blowing over the works. We can't get a thing out of her.
Good morning? Is it a lovely day? Listen, honey, I
want you to realize how serious this is. Oh gosh, bil I love
you. A man has been murdered. The killer must be found. How
do you understand that you just let me out? I could do. This
is a matter for the police, if you work with them. If you
work with them, I promised to taking another crack to private detective business.
How's that? Well across your heart? Well? I adn't expected to promise
as strong as that? All right, cross my heart? Now? Then,
what did miss this praise at tell you after you ripped out that dictaphone?
Well, Lola Todely. A few minutes before the shot was fired.
She picked up the phone and amansa weere in her apartment was talking to the
district Attackey. They ain't yeah about damblers Shane. Of course I told that
sad head boss of yours at the very beginning, but he wouldn't listen.
Oh hell lovely Hello, Well, mister Evans, there you are all the
praise. I heard your conversation with Shane. She did as she heard it
on the Milo telephone. You checked that phone. No cast came out of
there's no record. Well, I don't know where Shane phone from or how
the wires got crossed, but that call to you was planning in advances in
alibi, and that means the change is the murderer right, certainly do How
can I go out? Certainly not? You're going back to jail. I
don't want to. Well, we're going to keep you locked up before you
get another clue on me. I like this one, and I don't plot
it spoiled by God cause aristic Shade wanted for a murder forty years, dark
complexion, slight, build arms and desperate, take no chances God, cause
I've got to get out of here, I thought my lawyer, Why does
he do something. Sometimes your lawyer can't get here right away, Jerry,
I've been hearing this jail four months, waiting for my lawyer. But I've
got a job to do. I'll beat them on this case if i have
to burn for it. The nerves putting me in jail so he can found
the case on my clue. Money in for Jerry for a murder that I'm
going to commit. Hello, I'll still rare and give it to the ah
private wire along mister Havn's listen. I busted the Praiser murder wide open.
I think I've got the whole face cured. And I'll bet you can't guess
where I'm phoning from now. I'm in Shane's appartment. I found the phoning
action very interesting. Yeah, I'm better get home. Jane was just found
stabbing that in your apartment? In my apartment? Why where Stallely? Where's
my wife? The policea Haldinger, she's in your apartment. Toe. It
looks tough, missus weird and yourself, mate Donovan jail tells them you say
you'd get someone or other you had to burn for it. He always just
kidding office. No way to kid who they all that perfume on you.
No, it was on Shane. The place was just reeking with it when
I came in. Say it was reaping. Where are you going? You're
a marful week in my knees? All right, So you're off a week
in your knees like some smelling sauce in the bathroom. I can go in
along kind of right, yes, joy, you do? So, hey
there, you can't do that. I'm gonna break down the door. Lady.
You're gonna break down the door, all right, lady. What do
you know? Hey, lady, come back here. You break your neck
in the water. Wait, lady, Hello, Missus Frazier, why didn't
you kill Nick Shane? What? You don't be very surprised that he's dead?
Well, I'm not. As a matter of I got me in.
You aren't surprised. People were afraid of him and hated me. Well,
I'm coming in. You've heard an Asian too, didn't you, Missus Fraser?
Yes? I did, But I didn't kill him? Maybe not?
But did you ever see the handkerchief? Ready to get that? I'm sorry,
Missus Frasier. I found it beside his body. Right, I killed
him. I'm not afraid now, well, there's nothing to be afraid of.
Can I use the phone? Yes? Thanks, I don't worry.
We'll plead the unwritten law. Say what is the unwritten law? Darling?
Are you sure you're all right? He's a confession? Did you sign this?
Missus Fasher? Sally? How on earth did she went up to my
apartment to see you? With no intention of killing anybody. She was minding
her own business. But this man change followed her and made a round you
because she told me he was guilty. Then he pulled a knife on her.
One word led to another. There your arts all in the confession.
Let's go. I'm ready for what for the truth? Oh Bill Darling?
I just told I know you just told me. Now I'll tell you.
Walter Fraser wanted a divorce. His lawyer swear to that Missus Fraser wasn't satisfied
with the settlement. The offer much less than a widow would receive. Missus
Fraser, you offer change fifty thousand dollars to kill your husband. Yes,
the bookshell that you never lost more than two hundred dollars of roulette. Shane
shot your husband standing on the window lets outside your library. Shot him in
the bank. While you were talking to him, the others were in the
kitchen. Two days ago, Shane started pressing you for the money, threatening
you. You began to realize the fifty thousand and wrong view the beginning.
You killed Nick Shane overtly premeditated. No, No, he had a nise.
He don't know that. I told him about the post called his alibi.
Take what a client? Congratulations and now this is ridden. If you
don't mind telling me, how did you ever suspect it? Come on,
let's have it, Sally. Well, when I got home, the apartment
was still full of her perfume. And then when I accused, he didn't
He didn't ask any questions. You know how it was killed or whom?
Oh? I just knew he'd done it. You got a confession out of
her with no more to go on than that. Well, I pretended I've
done her. Hand it chef beside the bar? Where did you find it?
I resign from now on, mister Evans, I'm her office boy.
It is Bill? What is it? The inside story of the Fraser case
or a secret of the girl detect who wrote it? I did what?
Four? For five hundred dollars? We're going to put it on the radio.
Give it here. Oh, you're tearing it up. I certainly am
all right. What's five hundred dollars to us anyway? Five hundred dollars no
matter who says it, but Sally, Oh but Bill, I wasn't going
to give them any real inside dope. Sally, I'm crazy about you.
But there's one thing that bothers me. If you're ever found murdered, there'll
never be anyone to prove that I didn't do it. You're listening to Orson
Wells in the Campbell Playoffs presentation. There's always a woman with Marie Wilson in
the moments, and Wells and his guests. We'll be back with us.
Meanwhile, I'd like to say this. I'll play tonight told the story of
a woman who helped her husband to success. Dolly Riddan's methods of doing this
we're not exactly conventional. Still, in the end things turned out all right.
But seriously, helping a husband to success, isn't this what every good
wife is doing every day, inspiring and encouraging him, keeping him well and
well fed. Now, I'm sure that you among the wives listening tonight,
realize that the success of the work your husband does can be influenced by the
kind of meals you serve him. And in these meals you realize too the
importance of good soup, particularly a soup is hearty and nourishing. Is Campbell's
Vegetable Soup as Campbells make it, It's always a special favorite with men.
They like the rich, rugged beef stock thick with a variety of tender garden
vegetables. Have you tried it at your house? If not, want to
get some tomorrow and serve it. If you'll do that, and compare its
fine flavor and hearty substance with the best vegetable soup ever ladled from a home
soup suttle. I do believe Campbell's Vegetable Soup will make its appearance regularly on
your family table. And now I see orson Wells. As we turned to
his microphone, mister well, it gives me great pleasure to present our guests
of the evening, Miss Mary Wilson, thank orson Wells. Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen. Mary Wilson, as you all know, ladies and gentlemen,
has been making a series of highly successful personal appearances throughout the country,
and from this tour of hers one remarkable phenomenon has emerged. Wherever Mary Wilson
has been, reporters and columnists have been fighting with each other to be the
first to record those weird confusions of thought and language that are rapidly becoming known
as Wilsonism's are you yawning? Miss WILSONO? Why don't you put your hand
over your mouth? Yeah? Get this, that's the kind of thing I
mean. Let me assure you, though, that despite these flagrant misrepresentations of
her trench and observations on life and letters, Miss Wilson's sole and single concern
remains the eternal art of history. Now you're going to quarrel us in Wales.
I never did care for history. I'm an actress. Indeed, you
are Mary Wilson, and a very beautiful and charming one. We hope you'll
be with us again soon. And now that's the next Sunday night. Next
Sunday night, ladies and gentlemen, it's Christmas Eve. And it came to
pass in those days that they went out at the cree from Caesar Augustus that
all the world should be text, and all went to be text. Everyone
into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the
city of Nazareth into Judea under the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
to be taxed with Mary his spouse, wife, being great with child,
and so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first son and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a mangeld, because there was no
room for them in the inns. And they were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And we
the Angel of the Lord appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round the bosoms, and they were sore afraid, and the Angel said,
unto them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people, or unto you,
is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is
Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign. Unto you. You
shall find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Since the days of Caesar Augustus, all people have celebrated by joy. The
great joy which shall be to all people or unto us, was born this
day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And on this day, at least in the calendar of our years,
we affirm the glory of our God by the laster of our children. Every
nation, according to its character and its taste, by some gifts of gaiety,
as enriched the tradition of this are solemnest festivals. And because America is
what it is, we are the fortunate heirs of the accumulated customs of almost
two thousand years of keeping Christmas. The best songs that have been sung are
sung by us. The best games that have been played we play. And
the best stories ever told are ours to tell. A storytelling has persisted as
a Christmas ritual in spite of the printing press. A ceremony is hilarious and
as serious as hanging a starking, dressing the tree, and kissing under the
mistletoe. And because Christmas is first of all for children, Christmas stories are
fairy stories. First of all. It's mildly surprising that the best of them
all, which we are telling againstudents for you. Next week is for everybody
and turns out to be a ghost story I've endeavored, writes his author on
its title page. I have endeavored in this ghostly little story to raise the
ghosts of an idea which shall not put my readers out of humor with themselves,
with each other, with the season, with me. May it haunt
their hours and houses pleasantly, and no one wished to lay it designed your
faithful friend and servants, Charles Dickens. And Charles Dickens, as everybody but
I knew his friends will know, is the author of next week's story.
And our star, as all our old friends will know too, is that
best loved of American actors and the special favorite of all of us on the
Campbell Playhouse, mister Lionel Barrymore, who will be keeping an engagement with us
on that night that he has kept for a number of years, an engagement
to place Scrooge in that most human and heartwarming of Christmas stories, a Christmas
Carol by Charles Dickens. This will be the fifth Christmas that Campbell's has chosen
this good old tale as their Christmas present to their friends. So I think
that this year, perhaps more than ever, it becomes clear, how diric,
how all important is the message that Charles Dickens gave the world in that
little story. Wherever anywhere in the world people pause next Sunday night to listen
to Lionel Barrymore and the Christmas Carol, there will be people a little kinder,
a little happier, a little more at peace with themselves, their neighbors.
And so until then, until a Christmas Carol with Lionel Barrymore, my
sponsors, the makers of Campbell Soups, and all of us here in the
Campbell Playhouse remain as always obedient for yours. The makers of Campbell's Soups join
Arson Wells in inviting you to be with us in the Campbell Playhouse again next
Sunday evening, when we bring you our fifth annual presentation of Charles Dickens's Immortal
Story, a Christmas Carol, starring Lionel Barrymore in his favorite role as Ebenezer
is Screwed. In the meantime, if you have enjoyed Tonight's Playhouse presentation,
won't you tell your grocer so tomorrow when you order Campbell's Vegetable Soup. This
is ernest Chappele saying thank you and good night. This is the Columbia Broadcasting
System. This is Andrew from Otinrwesterns dot com. I want to invite you
to come take a look at her Saint where we put on podcasts of old
time radio Westerns. Check us out at O Tirowesterns dot com. You're listening
to the great detectives of Old Time Radio with Adam Graham. Now let's get
back into the show. Welcome back. Well, I think on a story
like that, I will avoid commenting at all on the plot because it is
a bit of a screwball comedy, so I'm not going to expect it to
be the most logical story in the world. But it's not bad, certainly,
and some really enjoyable performances. I definitely enjoy the Christmas time bits at
the end. Of course, it makes reference to Lionel Barrymore's role as Ebon
Scrooge, and this will probably be a surprise to many fans of classic movies
if you're not too far into it. The only thing you'll remember Linel Barrymore
for is mister Potter in It's a Wonderful Life. But during the Golden Age
of radio, he was probably best known for Ebenezer Scrooge, which I guess
made him a perfect casting choice for mister Potter. He appeared sixteen times in
live radio adaptations of a Christmas Carol, the last time being in nineteen fifty
three. Several of those are in circulation, and we did do one of
those for the War that I did at the Wardock Great Detectives dot Net.
That's actually episode thirty six. But as the play itself, Orison Welles's performance
was interesting. He seemed to be enjoying himself. Throughout the year, and
throughout his radio career he does a lot of really interesting, unique characters and
performances, but here he's just enjoying himself doing the sort of B movie detective
work that was done by police foils in the Torchy Blaine movies or the Mister
Wong movies. And Marie Wilson is good. As the intro indicated she was
really known for the dumb blonde sort of roles and made much of her career
over it. She had a very successful radio sitcom called My Friend Irma,
which ended up being parlayed into two movies, into a TV series, and
also even into a comic book. I prefer her characterization in this because it's
really shown that despite the dumba act, that there is a certain cleverness that
her character possesses, and it's interesting and it's fun to listen to. It
makes it a little less one dimensional than it might otherwise be. All right,
Well, that will do it for today. Join us back here tomorrow
as we go to mister Keen, tracer of lost Persons. In the meantime,
send your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us
on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and become one of our friends on Facebook,
Facebook dot com, Slash Radio Detectives from Boise Idahome. This is your host,
Adam Grahamson and Off