Roma wines presents Suspense.
Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
Salud.
Your health, senor.
Roma wines toast the world.
The wine for your table is Roma wine made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
This is the Man in Black here to introduce this weekly half hour of Suspense.
Tonight from Hollywood we bring you Mr. Orson Welles.
Mr. Welles will appear as star of the suspense drama called The Dark Tower from the play by
George S. Kaufman and the late Alexander Wolcott.
But before we raise the curtain on this evening's tale of Suspense, here is a message from your
host, the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.
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These two great Roma wine features, superb quality and small cost have made Roma wines
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throughout the world.
And now with the dark tower and with the performance of our star Orson Welles as that noted actor
Damon Wellington, scion of the celebrated royal family of stage and screen, we again hope to
keep you in suspense.
You dare, you dare call me a ham.
Violet, I will prove to the world there are no brains within that thick two tonic skull.
I'll cleave it open like an overripe melon who thus profanes the rehearsal of maligns.
Enter, if thou art man of woman born, I fear thee not.
Hello Damon.
Ben Weston, you old son of a gun.
I heard you were back from the coast.
What news in the reality of them that cesspool of the arts known as Hollywood?
They turned my picture to the wall at the Brown Derby yet?
No, it's still there.
I despise myself for wanting to know of course.
It's marvelous to have you back Ben, old boy.
Seen Jessica yet?
Yes, I've seen her.
Isn't she looking fine?
Feeling better than she has for years I think.
You've got a great thing in this play Ben, changed quite a bit from the original of course,
sort of a satire on the family.
Perhaps it might be more dignified to say that the family is a satire on the play.
Yes, I heard about it.
For instance those lines you heard me declaiming at you and it actually happened to me once,
you know that German, what's his name, who directed Macbeth, he called me a ham.
And I chased him out of the theater and for four city blocks in full costume with a two
edged sword.
Damon, here's a little thing I like in the second act too.
Jessica asked me why I don't stop drinking and I say what?
Would you have me subsist entirely on food and reach the gargantuan proportions of an
Orson Welles?
That ought to needle a boy wonder.
Amen.
Damon, can't you stop clowning for a minute?
Of course I can.
Oh what a rogue and peasant slave I am.
Damon, please, please be serious.
What's the matter old man?
You know as well as I do what's the matter.
No frankly I can't say that I do.
Me the world looks rather well.
Does it?
And Jessica feeling better than she has for years, is she?
Well isn't she?
Of course not.
How could she be?
And why shouldn't she be?
Damon, don't you realize there's been a murder?
Well to be sure sir there has and a good thing too if you ask me.
What of it?
Can't you see the thing is hanging over this house like a curse?
I hadn't noticed anything hanging over this house, profane or otherwise.
And what about Jessica?
Oh I suppose it's bound to upset her a little that she's really in fine shape Ben.
It's going to be marvelous in this play.
There's more at stake in this than a play Damon.
The thing has never been solved.
Perhaps it never will be.
That's just as well.
But Jessica can't remember don't you understand Damon?
She can't remember.
Well then Jessica can't remember.
Listen to me Damon.
I wouldn't mind it if it was just that other people thought she might have done it but
they would do that anyway.
But she does.
Ah come on Ben I don't believe it.
I've talked to her Damon I know.
Oh I see.
Damon I love Jessica more than anything else in the world.
You know that.
Yes Ben I do.
But this way I couldn't.
You couldn't marry a murderess.
I just think it would be rather exciting.
Now that you mention it I rather wish I had.
Instead of some of those I did marry.
Damon.
I'm sorry.
Pretty serious to you isn't it old man?
Did you think it wouldn't be?
I'll tell you the truth Ben I hadn't thought about it at all.
That's the trouble with being an actor as long as your heart's good you don't give a
hang about the rest of the play.
Have you told Jessica?
Yes.
We had a long talk.
How did she take it?
You know Jessica she carried it off of course.
Ben you know in spite of all our histrionic bickering I'm rather nuts about Jessica myself.
I know you are Damon.
I have no very fundamental objections to you either.
I would describe you my dear Benjamin as adequate.
Thanks.
So I think perhaps you and I better have a nice long heart to heart talk.
What good will talking do?
I think if you'll do the listening and let me do the talking you'll see.
Lend me your ears.
I will a tale unfold.
Well Jessica as you know had been in a sanitarium for nearly a year.
She hadn't been on the stage in more than two years.
The dark tower was to be her first attempt to work again all that time.
I know it isn't the greatest play in the world but it has a sure fire box office appeal.
Jessica needed that to get her confidence back.
Well we were just polishing up a few last minute changes here at the house.
David Torrance the producer you know he was there with us and of course the usual little
different.
And another thing Damon when you kick me in the middle of the second act.
Where?
You know perfectly well where.
Is it absolutely essential that you boot me halfway across the stage?
What do you want me to do pull my punches?
That's one of the high spots in the show.
It may be a high spot to you darling but it's just a black and blue spot to me.
Very well henceforth I shall appear for the second act on crutches.
You know Uncle David that's not a bad idea.
Well now Damon let's be serious there's a lot of work to do.
I'm quite serious.
I could throw a matter.
You might try throwing me a cue once in a while.
The use of having a play if you just make up the lines as you go along.
The critics thought my ad libbing very witty remember dear.
Oh Damon you're such an insufferable ham.
A ham?
Me?
A ham?
Now children please.
I fail to see why I should permit that little minx to insult me with impunity David.
How dare you speak to me that way.
You started it.
I did not.
You started it.
You called me a ham.
You are ham.
Ham.
Minx.
Stop that brawling.
But soft.
What light through yonder window breaks.
It is the east and Martha is the sun.
I quite agree.
What?
That you're a ham.
Gah.
I'm beset by harpies.
David, haven't you any control over these hirelings of yours?
Oh I'm only the producer my dear Martha.
You at least are a member of the family.
You at least can quit.
We're terribly sorry Aunt Martha.
We've been a nuisance I know and I apologize.
Damon, I even apologize to you.
Don't be silly.
I've been much the worst I know but I've really been terribly keyed up working again and you
know Ben is coming east for the opening.
Love rears its ugly head.
Don't be hurried Damon.
It's all right.
I couldn't even be angry if he was.
Anyway I'll have a husband to protect me by this time next week.
I can lick him with one hand tied behind me.
Damon seriously I know I owe you an awful lot.
Me?
I hadn't actually realized how far I'd gone.
These last six months have been like coming alive again.
The play and Ben.
Thanks Damon.
Good Lord.
Now I think I'll dress for dinner.
Let's all go out to the...
I'll get it.
Aunt Martha where would you like to go?
To a rest home.
Hello?
Who?
No.
No he's not here.
He's not here I tell you.
He's dead.
Oh darling what is it?
It was for Stanley.
For Stanley.
Never mind darling it's all right.
Just some fool who didn't know.
Of course.
Damon you take David and Martha out to dinner will you?
I think I'll lie down for a little while.
Come on Jess you mustn't let a little thing like that upset you.
I know but I'm awfully tired.
Please Jessica.
You'd better leave her alone for a while Martha.
Oh I suppose so.
It was for Stanley Vance the husband huh?
Yes.
He's dead you say?
Might as well tell him about it Martha.
I was always for telling about it.
Well you don't have to.
I'd rather.
He was the cause of her breakdown of course.
Should have been an actor that's why Jessica married him.
She married him because he forced her to marry him.
He controlled that girl's mind like some sort of fiendish hypnotist.
My dear Martha I've always said that if Jessica was fool enough to marry a psychoanalyst.
Damon stop playing the heartless brother.
You saw what Stanley did to her.
I was in Hollywood.
Perhaps that's why Damon went to Hollywood huh?
Well what could one do?
She was legally married to the man.
She'd listened to no one but him.
Here's what happened David.
She went to this fellow to be psychoanalyzed and in the process something happened.
I don't know what it was but Vance acquired a power over Jessica's mind that was utterly
inhuman.
He married her quite frankly to have her support him.
Then he found he'd over played his hand and sent her into a complete mental collapse.
Then he found he couldn't snap her out of it and she was no longer a source of revenue
to him.
He simply decamped.
Hmm.
Can you say Vance is now dead?
We heard the happy news about six months ago.
Some public benefactor had shot him.
I've always meant to look that fellow up.
From that very day she began to get better.
From the moment she heard the news it was as though a spell had been lifted.
Now she's practically all well.
You know it's odd that that's someone phoning for him after all these months.
Probably the sheriff just catching up.
Oh I wonder who that could be.
Damon.
You don't suppose?
I'll go.
It may be a peasant with a petition.
Good evening.
My dear Martha.
You are positively psychic.
The honorable Stanley Vance.
Thank you.
I trust the shock will not be too great.
One knoweth not the place nor the hour when the bridegroom cometh does one.
My luggage will be here shortly.
Listen to me Stanley Vance.
Good evening Martha.
I regret to arrive so unceremoniously I have been ill.
So we have been told.
We have been assured however that your illness was fatal.
Damon I thought I...
Stanley.
Jessica.
My poor, poor darling.
Stanley.
Oh but you're ill my dear aren't you?
You're ill.
You should be resting.
You're tired and exhausted aren't you?
Terribly, terribly tired.
Yes.
I am tired.
Oh great.
Terribly tired.
I'll take you up to your room darling.
I take it we still have the same room Martha.
Listen to me Stanley Vance.
The poor girl you can see how weak she is.
If you think you're going to stay under this roof for a single minute.
Get out.
Very well.
Very well if you insist on being inhospitable Martha.
You'll pack your things Jessica.
We'll go to a hotel.
Yes.
Yes Stanley.
Jessica.
But I'm so tired.
Will you help me Stanley?
Of course I will my dear.
Come along.
Stanley.
Yes Martha.
All right Stanley.
You win.
You're asking us to avail ourselves of your hospitality Martha.
Yes.
You can stay.
That's very sweet of you Martha.
Isn't it darling?
Yes.
Yes Stanley.
But somehow, someday there'll be a time of reckoning for you Stanley Vance.
And until it comes keep out of my sight.
The pleasure will be all mine.
Come darling.
We'll go to our room now.
Yes Stanley.
Damon.
Yes my agent auntie.
Damon.
What are we going to do?
I don't know what you're going to do ducky.
But I'm going down to the lambs club and have a quadruple scotch and soda.
You may think it heartless of me but during the next few days I simply stayed away.
I think you'll understand my reasons later.
As for Jessica, she was of course completely in his power again and about a week later there
appeared before the scene a gentleman who was destined to play a very substantial role
in our little drama.
I think you've already met him.
At least on one occasion.
I'll get it Jessica darling.
Hello?
No Mr. Damon Wellington isn't here.
Can I take a message please?
Mr. Max Hartzfeld.
Hartzfeld.
I'll tell him you called Mr. Hartzfeld.
I really couldn't say.
You can come up and wait if you like of course but I can't promise he'll see you.
Very well goodbye.
Jessica.
Yes Stanley.
Do you know any friend of Damon's named Max Hartzfeld?
No Stanley.
He seemed extremely eager to see him.
He said he'd come up here and wait.
Oh I see.
That's no matter.
Tell me darling have you been feeling a little stronger these last few days?
Yes.
I think perhaps I am Stanley.
But of course you're not ready to go back on the stage again are you darling?
No of course not Stanley.
Poor darling.
No more love no more.
Well my little lovebirds.
How are you two?
How are you Jessica?
A little stronger I think.
Am I a little stronger Stanley?
Of course you are my dear.
Jessica I think you'd better leave us now.
There's something I want to talk over with Damon.
Yes Stanley.
I'll see you again very shortly darling.
Yes Stanley.
Well Damon I've been wanting to talk to you for some time.
Really I wish I could say the same.
I suppose you realize Damon that it's out of the question for Jessica to go on in the
play in her present condition.
I've come to the point where you then have a pressing engagement with a pin up girl and
I have got to change into my zoot suit.
No seriously Damon I know that you somehow connect me with Jessica's condition.
By an odd coincidence I do.
What of it?
I know it would make you and everyone very happy if Jessica could go on in the play.
Aha the light at last illuminates maddled wits so it's a shakedown.
A shakedown is it Stanley?
My dear Damon I really don't know what you're talking about.
Look here my larceness in law I've been shaken down by experts on every conceivable count
including the man act in my time and I can smell them a mile away.
What you propose is that for certain financial considerations you will leave this happy home
Jessica will recover and she can go on in the play.
The answer is no.
There won't be any play without her Damon.
Are you suggesting that my name is not sufficient to draw the suckers?
I can get a dozen people to play Jessica's part.
Margaret O'Brien, Marjorie Maine, Daisy, Agnes Morehead, makes no difference to me anybody
at all.
Don't try to bluff me Damon after all this build up you won't dare go on without Jessica.
You little know me stinky.
You may consider your little farce as having closed on opening night.
As for Jessica I'm very much afraid that she's made her bed and now she'll have to lie in
it.
There's no cure for her short of murder with yourself as a victim and I do not propose to
put my neck in the hangman's noose.
Good night.
I think you'll see things my way a little later Damon.
God forbid.
By the way did I have any calls?
Oh yes a Max Hartzfeld call.
Max Hartzfeld.
That he was coming up here to wait for you.
Good heavens when?
He's on his way now I imagine.
Tell him I'm out.
Will you go on to Hollywood or something?
A fellow's been pestering me all week wants to buy into the show and I simply don't want
to see him.
Well he wants to buy into the show.
Yes he does not share your lamentable lack of faith in my talent Stanley and he's dying
to buy into the show.
Does he know Jessica won't be able to appear?
Of course he does you idiot.
Everybody does.
Don't you read the trade papers and now good night repulsive.
I have other fish to fry.
Toodle-oo.
Flat top.
Jessica.
Oh Jessica my dear.
I'm coming Stanley.
Tell me Jessica the dark tower the play you are going to appear in with Damon.
You have an interest in it don't you?
Yes.
Yes I think I do.
An equal interest with Damon?
With Damon.
Yes.
How much do you suppose that interest is worth Jessica?
A hundred thousand dollars I think.
A hundred thousand dollars huh?
Yes that was it.
Have you thought about what you're going to do with it now that you can't appear in the
play yourself?
No Stanley I haven't.
You see I'm not at all sure the play will be a success without you Jessica.
I don't know Stanley.
And so it might be wise to sell your share of it before it opens.
Don't you agree Jessica?
Yes.
Yes I do agree.
And Jessica if I could find a buyer and I think perhaps I can it might be best if I
were to handle the details for you.
Don't you think?
Yes Stanley.
You handle it.
The fact of the matter is there's a man coming up here this evening a friend of Damon's
Max Hartzfeld.
Do you remember I asked you about him?
Yes.
Won't be any trouble to you darling.
All you'll have to do is sign the necessary papers.
Excuse me is this the residence of Mr. Damon Wellington?
Mr. Hartzfeld.
Yes.
Oh come in please.
Thank you.
Mr. Wellington is at home?
No and we don't expect him but he's discussed with me the reason for your visit and I think
perhaps you and I can reach a satisfactory agreement.
And you are?
Stanley Vance.
I'm Miss Wellington's husband.
This is my wife.
How do you do?
I'm very glad to meet you.
Sit down please Mr. Hartzfeld.
May I have your hat and coat?
Thank you.
And your gloves please.
I'm sorry.
It's an eccentricity perhaps.
I always keep them on.
Oh.
Now Mr. Hartzfeld.
Damon tells me that you wish to buy an interest in the new Wellington play The Dark Tower.
Yes I've been seeking an interview with Mr. Wellington.
Yes so he's told me.
However Damon has very definitely made up his mind not to sell any part of his interest
in the play.
You are sure of this Mr. Vance?
Oh yes quite sure.
I had a long talk with him about it only this evening.
I see.
I will not conceal from you that this is a source of great disappointment to me Mr. Vance.
I have such a deep admiration for the talents of Mr. Wellington.
I've ventured in a few previous theatrical enterprises.
Now at last I hope.
I quite understand your feelings Mr. Hartzfeld and I think that I may be able to help you.
Yes?
Yes you see Damon owns only half of the Wellington interest in the play.
My wife Miss Jessica Wellington owns the other half and she, we if the offer were sufficiently
attractive.
And indeed you are willing to sell then Miss Wellington?
Yes whatever stand this is.
Good.
Then perhaps we should get down to detail.
Yes Mr. Vance and Miss Wellington I'm afraid you will think me very rude.
Not at all.
What is it?
Since the talents of Miss Wellington's brother must be considered the very essence of our
bargaining and since you are acting as her agent in any event I wonder if she would forgive
me if I asked that you and I conclude this part of our business alone Mr. Vance.
Oh of course.
Jessica will understand perfectly.
Won't you my dear?
Yes Stanley.
Run along then darling.
I'll call you when we need you.
Yes Stanley.
Now Mr. Vance I imagine you wish to know a little more about the man with whom you are
dealing.
Here's my card I'm staying at the Waldorf.
I've written the room number on the card for you.
Oh there's no need really.
Yes but before we discuss terms there is one other thing.
Yes?
I wonder you do not know me do you Mr. Vance?
No you I...
You do not know who I have been looking for with such pleasure to an interview with you
alone.
If I know I...
It's very simple.
It's very simple really Mr. Vance.
It's just that I'm going to kill you.
To kill me?
Really Mr. Hartzfeld?
With these two hands.
And before you die, before you die I want you to know the reason.
Jessica.
No.
So you see Ben there is your murderer Mr. Max Hartzfeld and I hope you're duly grateful
to him an elusive fellow Hartzfeld.
The police have been trying to find him for two weeks.
They never will.
Left no fingerprints you see.
He always kept his gloves on.
It's an eccentricity.
Damon.
Wait a minute.
Do you mean you?
My dear mutton.
My dear mutton head.
Listen darling the whole thing's perfectly clear.
It's as plain as the putty nose on Max Hartzfeld's face.
I still can't get it into my head.
Benjamin if you don't know who Max Hartzfeld is by now you are the only person within the
sound of my voice who does not.
You mean you impersonated then it wasn't Jessica.
Jessica?
She never could have done it.
The girl has talent but no genius.
But Damon murder.
Murder he says.
Dear friend you share with me a guilty secret.
Your lips are sealed.
Come in the words of Hamlet never so help you mercy.
Note that you know ought of be.
Swear by my sword.
What?
Swear.
I swear.
Well said old mole.
Well I think that winds up the case Watson.
Jessica will receive by registered post a signed confession by Max Hartzfeld bound in vellum.
That should end her worries.
You may consider it as my wedding present.
It will be a work not without literary merit although written lefty.
I should prefer it to be published posthumously.
I look forward to a long and brilliant career in the theater.
I should not care to terminate it abruptly.
I afford so paltry a characterization as the late Max Hartzfeld music curtain.
And so closes the dark tower by Alexander Wolcott and George S. Kaufman and starring
Orson Welles tonight's tale of suspense.
Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear.
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the world.
This is Orson Welles ladies and gentlemen.
Next week's suspense will as is its policy from time to time do the unexpected in the
way of casting because you're going to hear the country's leading comic juvenile Mr. Eddie
Bracken as a dramatic actor.
I look forward to hearing that I know you do too.
Swear your baby's future by ensuring your country's future by war bonds for your baby
today.
Don't forget then next Thursday same time you will hear Eddie Bracken in suspense.
Presented by Roma wines R-O-M-A made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
This is CBS the Columbia Broadcasting System.