WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:17.540 Roma wines presents Suspense. 00:17.540 --> 00:22.420 Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 00:22.420 --> 00:23.420 Salud. 00:23.420 --> 00:25.500 Your health, senor. 00:25.500 --> 00:27.540 Roma wines toast the world. 00:27.540 --> 00:33.480 The wine for your table is Roma wine, made in California for enjoyment throughout the 00:33.480 --> 00:34.480 world. 00:34.480 --> 00:41.760 This is the man in black here for the Roma wine company of Fresno, California, to introduce 00:41.760 --> 00:45.040 this weekly half hour of Suspense. 00:45.040 --> 00:50.920 Tonight from Hollywood, Roma wines bring you the paramount star currently being seen in 00:50.920 --> 00:54.240 Miracle of Morgan's Creek, Mr. Eddie Bracken. 00:54.240 --> 01:00.400 Mr. Bracken appears tonight not as the exponent of comedy, as which he is so deservedly noted, 01:00.400 --> 01:05.880 but as a boy over whose head hung dark clouds of suspicion and who was involved in a particularly 01:05.880 --> 01:07.920 heartless crime. 01:07.920 --> 01:12.480 And so with The Visitor and with the performance of Eddie Bracken as a young man who called 01:12.480 --> 01:30.880 himself Bud Owen, we again hope to keep you in Suspense. 01:30.880 --> 01:33.360 It was around two o'clock on a Thursday afternoon. 01:33.360 --> 01:37.280 I was writing my usual groove, counting them in the Dallas coffee pot, about 22 out of 01:37.280 --> 01:38.280 Baltimore. 01:38.280 --> 01:42.880 Not a bad job for a green guy, 18 bucks a week in my meals, but I was aiming to be a 01:42.880 --> 01:45.040 short order cook when I really got the hang of things. 01:45.040 --> 01:47.720 Of course, I'd only been in the diner a couple of months. 01:47.720 --> 01:52.400 Well, as I say, it was the usual afternoon, not especially busy, but busy enough. 01:52.400 --> 01:54.040 No kidding, Mike, where's that Westerner? 01:54.040 --> 01:55.960 Here you are, what'll you have, mister? 01:55.960 --> 01:57.320 Ham on Ryan a cup of coffee. 01:57.320 --> 01:58.320 Coming right up. 01:58.320 --> 02:00.320 Ham on Ryan, draw one. 02:00.320 --> 02:03.360 Look, uh, Chet, I'd like to talk to you. 02:03.360 --> 02:04.360 Yeah, what about? 02:04.360 --> 02:05.360 Will you get a minute? 02:05.360 --> 02:06.360 I guess so. 02:06.360 --> 02:07.840 Hey, yeah, I'll take the counter, will you? 02:07.840 --> 02:08.840 I'm gonna have some coffee. 02:08.840 --> 02:12.160 So what's on your mind, mister? 02:12.160 --> 02:13.800 I'm looking for someone. 02:13.800 --> 02:14.800 Yeah? 02:14.800 --> 02:17.360 Your name wouldn't be Bud Owen, would it? 02:17.360 --> 02:19.240 They call me Bill Duncan around here. 02:19.240 --> 02:20.840 That's not what I asked. 02:20.840 --> 02:21.840 So? 02:21.840 --> 02:23.600 I'm looking for a boy named Bud Owen. 02:23.600 --> 02:25.080 Well, what about him? 02:25.080 --> 02:28.480 Disappeared from his home about three years ago, a boy from my town. 02:28.480 --> 02:31.400 He'd be about your age now, about 18? 02:31.400 --> 02:32.400 17. 02:32.400 --> 02:33.400 That's it. 02:33.400 --> 02:36.880 Well, his folks have been worried sick about him. 02:36.880 --> 02:38.640 Someone else gave him up for dead. 02:38.640 --> 02:40.640 Then I heard you were working here. 02:40.640 --> 02:41.640 Bud? 02:41.640 --> 02:42.640 Yeah? 02:42.640 --> 02:43.640 Who told you? 02:43.640 --> 02:44.640 No one told me. 02:44.640 --> 02:46.400 I got a note anonymous. 02:46.400 --> 02:47.400 You didn't write it, did you? 02:47.400 --> 02:49.240 No, I didn't write it. 02:49.240 --> 02:52.400 You know, I think I'd have recognized you anyway. 02:52.400 --> 02:55.040 You're a lot taller, of course, and you look older. 02:55.040 --> 02:56.920 Yeah, anyone would, wouldn't they? 02:56.920 --> 02:57.920 Same ears, though. 02:57.920 --> 02:59.920 I call them wings. 02:59.920 --> 03:01.520 That's it, good one. 03:01.520 --> 03:03.080 Know who I am, of course. 03:03.080 --> 03:04.080 Mac Burl. 03:04.080 --> 03:05.080 Used to be chief of police. 03:05.080 --> 03:07.520 Oh, pleased to meet you again, Mr. Burl. 03:07.520 --> 03:10.520 Well, well, Bud Owens. 03:10.520 --> 03:13.440 A lot of know-it-alls are sure going to be surprised. 03:13.440 --> 03:14.440 Surprised? 03:14.440 --> 03:15.440 At what? 03:15.440 --> 03:16.440 Why, to see you. 03:16.440 --> 03:20.840 Edgerton is certain to a man that you're feeding fishes off White's pier. 03:20.840 --> 03:24.720 And when they see you, boy, I can't wait. 03:24.720 --> 03:27.800 Look, Mr. Burl, just what is your proposition? 03:27.800 --> 03:32.360 Why, Bud, I want you to come home again with me. 03:32.360 --> 03:33.360 Oh? 03:33.360 --> 03:37.640 Of course, things have changed some in three years, but not too much. 03:37.640 --> 03:42.880 If you take it easy, if you have a friend to help you over the rough spots, you'll feel 03:42.880 --> 03:44.640 right back at home in no time. 03:44.640 --> 03:45.640 I see. 03:45.640 --> 03:49.320 This way, you're depriving yourself of everything a boy could want. 03:49.320 --> 03:52.320 Good home, lovely parents. 03:52.320 --> 03:55.400 Yeah, wealthy parents. 03:55.400 --> 03:58.120 You make it sound kind of nice at that, Mr. Burl. 03:58.120 --> 04:04.160 And Bud, did you know that your father has offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who finds 04:04.160 --> 04:05.160 you? 04:05.160 --> 04:06.160 No, no, I didn't know that. 04:06.160 --> 04:09.240 Don't you think you ought to come home, Bud? 04:09.240 --> 04:10.240 Maybe I should. 04:10.240 --> 04:12.560 Then think of your folks. 04:12.560 --> 04:14.560 Think how your poor mother suffered. 04:14.560 --> 04:16.320 Think how happy you'd make him. 04:16.320 --> 04:19.880 Well, Mr. Burl, if you really think it'll be all right... 04:19.880 --> 04:21.240 Why, sure it will. 04:21.240 --> 04:25.160 It may be a little tough at first, all the excitement, people staring at you, but that 04:25.160 --> 04:26.160 won't last long. 04:26.160 --> 04:28.040 You've got to expect some excitement. 04:28.040 --> 04:31.680 Oh, I suppose it was an event, having a hometown boy drowned. 04:31.680 --> 04:33.760 Drowned boy? 04:33.760 --> 04:47.120 They thought you were murdered. 04:47.120 --> 04:52.640 And so began the series of events which were to bring a boy called Bud Owen back to Edgerton 04:52.640 --> 04:57.760 to take up a new life with the family which had believed him dead for three years. 04:57.760 --> 05:01.920 Tonight for Suspense, Roma Wines present Eddie Bracken, whom you have heard in the prologue 05:01.920 --> 05:05.760 to The Visitor by Carl Randall and Leon Zucksmith. 05:05.760 --> 05:15.600 Tonight's tale of suspense. 05:15.600 --> 05:19.160 In this brief intermission in the play, let's imagine ourselves for a moment in a flower 05:19.160 --> 05:24.360 garlanded Bermuda, seated on the terrace of the exclusive Coral Beach and Tennis Club. 05:24.360 --> 05:28.640 At the next table, a party of Bermudians and Americans are taking turns, each paying compliments 05:28.640 --> 05:31.400 to the delights of the other's native land. 05:31.400 --> 05:34.920 An American has just praised the famed flowers of Bermuda. 05:34.920 --> 05:36.760 Then a Bermudian tops him with this. 05:36.760 --> 05:42.320 Among great American delights, he says, one of my favorites is right here on our table. 05:42.320 --> 05:45.280 It is this splendid wine we are all enjoying. 05:45.280 --> 05:49.620 Bermuda imports it from the justly renowned wine districts of California. 05:49.620 --> 05:53.080 It is your internationally esteemed Roma wine. 05:53.080 --> 05:58.280 Yes, and Americans themselves have certainly not overlooked the great and enjoyable qualities 05:58.280 --> 06:00.840 of these fine Roma wines. 06:00.840 --> 06:06.160 Proof is, Roma wines are America's largest selling wines. 06:06.160 --> 06:11.520 Such outstanding popularity must mean here are wines that are more taste-delighting, 06:11.520 --> 06:15.360 more satisfying in their richness and fine wine quality. 06:15.360 --> 06:20.440 Yet with all that as your reward for specifying Roma wines, you will be amazed and delighted 06:20.440 --> 06:25.600 to hear your dealer say, Roma wines cost only pennies a glass. 06:25.600 --> 06:30.600 That's because here in America, you pay no high import duty or long void shipping charges 06:30.600 --> 06:34.040 for these fine Roma California wines. 06:34.040 --> 06:36.800 Don't fail to enjoy Roma wines. 06:36.800 --> 06:44.960 R-O-M-A, Roma, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 06:44.960 --> 06:49.760 And now it is with pleasure that we bring back to our sound stage our star, Eddie Bracken, 06:49.760 --> 07:07.960 as Bud Owen in The Visitor, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 07:07.960 --> 07:12.240 After I talked to Mr. Burrell for an hour or so, the whole thing sounded pretty darn good. 07:12.240 --> 07:17.360 I quit my job at Al's Coffee Pot the next afternoon and met Mr. Burrell at the station. 07:17.360 --> 07:20.080 We took the five o'clock train to Reggerton. 07:20.080 --> 07:23.800 On the way, Mr. Burrell gave me the lowdown on what had been going on in the town for 07:23.800 --> 07:31.920 three years, how the town thought I was murdered and how my mother and David Cunningham, my 07:31.920 --> 07:35.720 stepfather, just wouldn't give up hope that I was still alive. 07:35.720 --> 07:38.440 And he told me how my mother hadn't changed anything in my room. 07:38.440 --> 07:40.200 She was so sure I'd come back. 07:40.200 --> 07:44.000 Although she bought new stuff for the rest of the house, new rugs and a couch, things 07:44.000 --> 07:48.000 like that, Mr. Burrell described it so plain I could almost see it. 07:48.000 --> 07:52.040 Well, by the time we got to Reggerton, I was feeling pretty sad for my mother. 07:52.040 --> 07:57.120 And when I stood on the dark front porch with Mr. Burrell, it was a peach of a warm summer 07:57.120 --> 07:58.120 night. 07:58.120 --> 08:04.200 I thought if I could make her happy, even if it was tough on me, it was worth, well, 08:04.200 --> 08:07.640 it was worth a try. 08:07.640 --> 08:12.960 Brace yourself, youngster. 08:12.960 --> 08:13.960 This is it. 08:13.960 --> 08:14.960 Yeah, I'm OK, Mr. Burrell. 08:14.960 --> 08:15.960 Is that you, Burrell? 08:15.960 --> 08:16.960 Yeah. 08:16.960 --> 08:17.960 And here's Bud. 08:17.960 --> 08:18.960 Bud. 08:18.960 --> 08:19.960 Hello, Father. 08:19.960 --> 08:20.960 Come in. 08:20.960 --> 08:21.960 Come in, Bud. 08:21.960 --> 08:22.960 Here, let me have your suitcase. 08:22.960 --> 08:23.960 Here's your mother, Bud. 08:23.960 --> 08:24.960 Bud. 08:24.960 --> 08:25.960 Hello, Mother. 08:25.960 --> 08:26.960 Hello, Bud. 08:26.960 --> 08:29.960 Well, this time it's really Bud, Judith. 08:29.960 --> 08:30.960 He's come back to us. 08:30.960 --> 08:31.960 Oh, Bud. 08:31.960 --> 08:32.960 Bud. 08:32.960 --> 08:33.960 It's all right, Judith. 08:33.960 --> 08:34.960 Oh, my baby. 08:34.960 --> 08:35.960 You're so tall I can hardly kiss you. 08:35.960 --> 08:36.960 Well, now, come, Judith. 08:36.960 --> 08:37.960 Let's go into the living room. 08:37.960 --> 08:38.960 Come along, Burrell. 08:38.960 --> 08:44.960 Oh, I always knew I'd be silly when you came back. 08:44.960 --> 08:49.960 Here, let me push your hair down. 08:49.960 --> 08:50.960 Oh, I... 08:50.960 --> 08:52.960 Now you look more like my Bud. 08:52.960 --> 08:54.960 Gosh, I wouldn't have recognized this room. 08:54.960 --> 08:55.960 Isn't that couch new? 08:55.960 --> 08:56.960 Mm-hmm. 08:56.960 --> 08:57.960 And the rugs and drapes. 08:57.960 --> 09:00.960 Oh, I don't know how we'll ever be able to thank you, Burrell. 09:00.960 --> 09:01.960 Oh, I see. 09:01.960 --> 09:04.960 And Judith's happy as a reward, you know. 09:04.960 --> 09:05.960 Oh, yes. 09:05.960 --> 09:06.960 That reminds me. 09:06.960 --> 09:10.960 I'll drop into my office tomorrow, Burrell, and I'll take care of that other more tangible 09:10.960 --> 09:11.960 reward. 09:11.960 --> 09:12.960 Uh, Mother, I, uh... 09:12.960 --> 09:14.960 I don't know how to begin. 09:14.960 --> 09:15.960 I mean... 09:15.960 --> 09:16.960 I mean to tell you how sorry... 09:16.960 --> 09:18.960 Oh, don't tell me anything, darling. 09:18.960 --> 09:20.960 Nothing matters except that you're back. 09:20.960 --> 09:21.960 That's the spirit, Judith. 09:21.960 --> 09:23.960 Oh, you're... you're right-hand, Bud. 09:23.960 --> 09:24.960 It's all bandaged. 09:24.960 --> 09:25.960 Oh, that's nothing. 09:25.960 --> 09:27.960 I burned it while working in the diner. 09:27.960 --> 09:28.960 It's nothing, Mother. 09:28.960 --> 09:30.960 Well, folks, it's been a long day for an old man. 09:30.960 --> 09:31.960 I guess I'll run along. 09:31.960 --> 09:34.960 Right away, Mr. Burrell, why you... you just got here. 09:34.960 --> 09:36.960 You'll be seeing plenty of me, Bud. 09:36.960 --> 09:39.960 And right now, though, you should want to be getting acquainted with your folks again. 09:39.960 --> 09:41.960 I'll see you tomorrow, Dave. 09:41.960 --> 09:42.960 Good night. 09:42.960 --> 09:43.960 Good night. 09:43.960 --> 09:47.960 Well, have you noticed, Judith, how deep Bud's voice is now? 09:47.960 --> 09:48.960 Yes. 09:48.960 --> 09:50.960 It was just a little pipe when he left. 09:50.960 --> 09:52.960 But it was beginning to break, wasn't it, Bud? 09:52.960 --> 09:53.960 Gosh, I guess so. 09:53.960 --> 09:54.960 It must have sounded pretty awful. 09:54.960 --> 09:57.960 And he's shaved, David. 09:57.960 --> 09:58.960 Every day, Snoo-Ka-Doo. 09:58.960 --> 10:00.960 Well, gosh, not quite. 10:00.960 --> 10:03.960 Really, David, I don't think that's so funny. 10:03.960 --> 10:04.960 What the... oh. 10:04.960 --> 10:06.960 Oh, that sounds like Ellen. 10:06.960 --> 10:07.960 Isn't that nice? 10:07.960 --> 10:08.960 Let her in, David. 10:08.960 --> 10:09.960 Ellen Woods? 10:09.960 --> 10:11.960 Why, who else, Bud? 10:11.960 --> 10:13.960 Does she live next door? 10:13.960 --> 10:17.960 Why, of course, Bud, the Woods have always lived there. 10:17.960 --> 10:20.960 Ellen, dear, we have such a surprise. 10:20.960 --> 10:22.960 It ain't so simply fabulous. 10:22.960 --> 10:24.960 Let me kiss you, you lot. 10:24.960 --> 10:25.960 Gosh, take it easy. 10:25.960 --> 10:28.960 Well, Bud, you're gigantic, irregular beanpole. 10:28.960 --> 10:31.960 Oh, Bud, I can't wait for Joe to see you. 10:31.960 --> 10:32.960 Joe? 10:32.960 --> 10:34.960 I called him as soon as I heard he's coming over here. 10:34.960 --> 10:36.960 It's all right, Mrs. Cunningham. 10:36.960 --> 10:37.960 Oh, of course, Ellen. 10:37.960 --> 10:38.960 I'd forgotten. 10:38.960 --> 10:40.960 It'll mean so much to Joe. 10:40.960 --> 10:41.960 You know about Joe, Bud. 10:41.960 --> 10:43.960 Oh, yes, Mr. Burrow told me. 10:43.960 --> 10:45.960 I didn't know before. 10:45.960 --> 10:48.960 Yes, this town's going to have a lot to make up to that young man. 10:48.960 --> 10:50.960 My folks wouldn't let me see Joe, Bud. 10:50.960 --> 10:51.960 Yeah? 10:51.960 --> 10:54.960 Well, naturally, they thought after all, 10:54.960 --> 10:57.960 Joe was the last person who saw you, and then he... 10:57.960 --> 10:59.960 well, he admitted you'd quarreled. 10:59.960 --> 11:02.960 But your mother and I never had a moment's doubt, Bud. 11:02.960 --> 11:03.960 I'm thankful for that. 11:03.960 --> 11:05.960 Oh, that's Joe now. 11:05.960 --> 11:07.960 Joe, it's true. Bud's here. 11:07.960 --> 11:10.960 Ellen phoned. I ran all the way. She said... 11:10.960 --> 11:12.960 Hugh. 11:12.960 --> 11:14.960 Yeah, Joe, it's... it's me. 11:14.960 --> 11:17.960 Yeah. I guess it is. 11:17.960 --> 11:21.960 Well, pal, I, uh, I hear I owe you an apology or something. 11:21.960 --> 11:23.960 Skip it, pal. 11:23.960 --> 11:26.960 Joe, we know how hard it's been for you. 11:26.960 --> 11:28.960 Only now it's over. 11:28.960 --> 11:30.960 Well, it didn't matter, Mrs. Cunningham. 11:30.960 --> 11:32.960 I've learned to put up with a lot. 11:32.960 --> 11:34.960 Judith, dear, let's go upstairs. 11:34.960 --> 11:36.960 Let's give the young folks a chance to be by themselves. 11:36.960 --> 11:38.960 Well, all right, David. 11:38.960 --> 11:40.960 But don't stay up too long, Bud. 11:40.960 --> 11:42.960 You still need lots of sleep. 11:42.960 --> 11:43.960 I won't, Mother. 11:43.960 --> 11:45.960 And don't forget to turn off the lights. 11:45.960 --> 11:46.960 Good night, children. 11:46.960 --> 11:48.960 Good night, Mr. Cunningham. 11:48.960 --> 11:51.960 Well, what'll we do? How to rogatue the fat? 11:51.960 --> 11:52.960 Suit yourself. 11:52.960 --> 11:54.960 Joe, don't talk that way to Bud. 11:54.960 --> 11:56.960 He might remember he's my friend. 11:56.960 --> 11:58.960 He certainly was yours. 11:58.960 --> 12:00.960 Yeah. Yeah, I guess he was. 12:00.960 --> 12:02.960 Look, Joe, I can see how you saw it in me, 12:02.960 --> 12:03.960 but don't take it out on Ellen. 12:03.960 --> 12:05.960 Carney, don't stop messing between Ellen and me. 12:05.960 --> 12:06.960 Joe, please. 12:06.960 --> 12:09.960 Okay. Do I have to make a speech? 12:09.960 --> 12:11.960 So you're home now, Bud. 12:11.960 --> 12:13.960 I'm the last one to kick, but when you toss it all off 12:13.960 --> 12:16.960 by saying you owe me an apology or something, 12:16.960 --> 12:18.960 maybe it's not easy to remember we were friends. 12:18.960 --> 12:20.960 I didn't know what to say. 12:20.960 --> 12:22.960 I know I tried to remember we were friends, 12:22.960 --> 12:24.960 and the whole town was sure I killed you. 12:24.960 --> 12:26.960 I tried to remember it when the draft board 12:26.960 --> 12:29.960 listed me as undesirable because they thought I was guilty. 12:29.960 --> 12:31.960 I even tried to remember we were friends when, 12:31.960 --> 12:32.960 for three years, people crossed the street 12:32.960 --> 12:33.960 so they wouldn't have to speak to me. 12:33.960 --> 12:35.960 People got up and walked out of the room when I came in, 12:35.960 --> 12:36.960 and they... 12:36.960 --> 12:38.960 Gosh, Joe, I... 12:38.960 --> 12:41.960 I didn't realize that. I am sorry, Joe. I must... 12:41.960 --> 12:43.960 Um... 12:43.960 --> 12:44.960 Now, listen, Joe. 12:44.960 --> 12:47.960 You should be the first one to walk around the town with Bud 12:47.960 --> 12:48.960 right tomorrow morning. 12:48.960 --> 12:52.960 And if you'd both like it, why, I'll go with you. 12:52.960 --> 12:54.960 Well, if it's all right with Bud. 12:54.960 --> 12:56.960 Oh, is it? Boy, I'm gonna need company. 12:56.960 --> 12:57.960 Then it's a date. 12:57.960 --> 12:59.960 Okay, I... 12:59.960 --> 13:00.960 No kidding, Bud. 13:00.960 --> 13:03.960 I'm glad you're home, fella. No heart feelings? 13:03.960 --> 13:05.960 Oh, gosh, no, Joe. 13:05.960 --> 13:06.960 So long, Bud. 13:06.960 --> 13:08.960 Bye, Bud. So long. 13:08.960 --> 13:09.960 Bud? 13:09.960 --> 13:11.960 Yes, um, uh, Mother? 13:11.960 --> 13:13.960 Are you coming up to bed now, dear? 13:13.960 --> 13:16.960 Uh, why, yeah, I might just as well. 13:16.960 --> 13:20.960 You know, Bud, I've been thinking the funniest thing... 13:20.960 --> 13:22.960 What? What's that, Mother? 13:22.960 --> 13:26.960 Do you realize you've never even asked about Trixie? 13:26.960 --> 13:27.960 Trixie? 13:27.960 --> 13:29.960 Uh, that's right, I didn't. 13:29.960 --> 13:31.960 After all, she was your dog. 13:31.960 --> 13:32.960 Oh. 13:32.960 --> 13:35.960 And you know what they say about a boy and his dog. 13:35.960 --> 13:38.960 Poor thing, when you didn't come back, she just wandered off. 13:38.960 --> 13:40.960 Gee, that's tough, all right. 13:40.960 --> 13:42.960 And you didn't even ask about her. 13:42.960 --> 13:45.960 But I guess you can't be expected to remember everything. 13:45.960 --> 13:47.960 No, I... 13:47.960 --> 13:50.960 I guess I can't remember everything. 13:59.960 --> 14:01.960 My mother kissed me good night. 14:01.960 --> 14:05.960 I went upstairs to my room and it was just like Mr. Burrow told me it would be. 14:05.960 --> 14:08.960 Everything seemed to have gone all right so far. 14:08.960 --> 14:12.960 I undressed and turned out the lights, but before I got into bed, I... 14:12.960 --> 14:17.960 I locked the door just in case. 14:24.960 --> 14:26.960 Gosh, I guess I'm late for breakfast. 14:26.960 --> 14:29.960 That's all right, darling. We know you needed to sleep. 14:29.960 --> 14:31.960 Sit right in your old place, Bud. 14:31.960 --> 14:33.960 Yeah, sure. 14:33.960 --> 14:37.960 Well, your mother and I have been mooning over old pictures of you, son. 14:37.960 --> 14:44.960 But except for the ears and something around the eyes, you've changed so that I can hardly recognize you. 14:44.960 --> 14:47.960 Look, here's the last picture before you went away. 14:47.960 --> 14:50.960 Why, it's almost frightening the way you've grown. 14:50.960 --> 14:53.960 Judith, dear, you wouldn't want the boy to be a midget, would you? 14:53.960 --> 14:57.960 Sure, he's taller, but look at the hair there and the way he stands. 14:57.960 --> 15:00.960 I sure was a goon. Boy, you should have been glad to get rid of me. 15:00.960 --> 15:02.960 And look, Bud, what else I found. 15:02.960 --> 15:05.960 All your school compositions from the first grade on. 15:05.960 --> 15:07.960 Here's one you wrote on Alexander the Great. 15:07.960 --> 15:10.960 Ouch, Mother, don't be callous with those things. 15:10.960 --> 15:11.960 I'll die of blushin'. 15:11.960 --> 15:13.960 Why, Bud, I think this was very good for you. 15:13.960 --> 15:14.960 Orange. 15:14.960 --> 15:16.960 You were barely 14 when you wrote it. 15:16.960 --> 15:18.960 See, it's marked B, so it can't be so terrible. 15:18.960 --> 15:22.960 Your least little scribble is a great thing to your mother. 15:22.960 --> 15:24.960 Well, I'd better get off to the office. 15:24.960 --> 15:26.960 Drop in to see me if you have time, Bud. 15:26.960 --> 15:28.960 Why, sure, Father, I'll do that. 15:28.960 --> 15:30.960 Bye, Judith, honey. I'll be home for dinner. 15:30.960 --> 15:32.960 Goodbye, David. 15:32.960 --> 15:35.960 Now, how about some hot coffee, Bud? 15:35.960 --> 15:36.960 Yes, thanks. 15:36.960 --> 15:38.960 There, Snoopy. 15:38.960 --> 15:41.960 Bud, there's something important I want to discuss with you. 15:41.960 --> 15:42.960 It's about my will. 15:42.960 --> 15:44.960 Your... your will? 15:44.960 --> 15:48.960 Well, you know how your father, well, David, was about my money, Bud. 15:48.960 --> 15:52.960 He never wanted to touch it or even to have me put him in my will. 15:52.960 --> 15:56.960 He's so proud about things like that, and I do have so much more than he ever will. 15:56.960 --> 15:58.960 Sure, I... I remember. 15:58.960 --> 16:01.960 How much money is it anyway? 16:01.960 --> 16:04.960 Well, you know, Bud, there's about $150,000 your grandfather left. 16:04.960 --> 16:05.960 Yeah. 16:05.960 --> 16:09.960 Then there are those four houses on Elm Street that Aunt Carolyn left and the income from them. 16:09.960 --> 16:12.960 I haven't used any of it, so it amounts to quite a lot by now. 16:12.960 --> 16:14.960 Gosh, yes, it must at that. 16:14.960 --> 16:19.960 Well, after you left, even though David didn't want me to, 16:19.960 --> 16:22.960 I changed the will, leaving everything to him. 16:22.960 --> 16:24.960 Why, sure, that sounds fine to me. 16:24.960 --> 16:28.960 But now that you're back, I think the best thing would be to just turn it all over to you now. 16:28.960 --> 16:30.960 Set up a trust fund. 16:30.960 --> 16:32.960 You could use the income when you start to college, 16:32.960 --> 16:35.960 and later maybe you'll want to set yourself up in some kind of business. 16:35.960 --> 16:36.960 But... 16:36.960 --> 16:38.960 And I know it will please David. 16:38.960 --> 16:43.960 But Mother, gee whiz, it's swell of you, but don't you think you should wait? 16:43.960 --> 16:45.960 Wait for what, darling? 16:45.960 --> 16:47.960 Well, until you know me better. 16:47.960 --> 16:53.960 I mean, gosh, I wouldn't know what to do with all that money, and I might mess things up. 16:53.960 --> 16:57.960 Silly, the bank takes care of everything. It always has for me. 16:57.960 --> 16:59.960 Now, all you have to do is sign these papers here. 16:59.960 --> 17:03.960 Sign them? But I can't, Mother, you see my hand, the bandage. 17:03.960 --> 17:08.960 Oh, isn't that a shame? Yes, I forgot that you couldn't write. 17:08.960 --> 17:13.960 Well, it'll be all right in a couple of days, so I can take the bandage off then. 17:13.960 --> 17:19.960 Oh, somebody's whistling for you, Bud. My, that sounds like old times. 17:19.960 --> 17:23.960 It's Ellen and Joe. They're going to take me around and show me the town. 17:23.960 --> 17:25.960 Well, I guess I have to face the music. 17:25.960 --> 17:30.960 Oh, you know you love it. You're going to be a regular hero. 17:30.960 --> 17:34.960 Yeah, but I don't feel much like a hero now. 17:34.960 --> 17:41.960 BUD, I THOUGHT I WOULD WAVE! 17:41.960 --> 17:46.960 Now you're in for it, Bud. Oh, Bud, you're really real and you've grown but divine. 17:46.960 --> 17:48.960 Hey, hey, you're choking me. 17:48.960 --> 17:51.960 Oh, I've just been telling everybody you're back. It's too sensational. 17:51.960 --> 17:54.960 It's like having a new boy in town, and do we need some? 17:54.960 --> 17:59.960 Gosh, I shouldn't think you'd have any trouble. You're cuter than ever. 17:59.960 --> 18:04.960 Oh, listen to him. He's got a line. Gee, he sends me. Is that something? 18:04.960 --> 18:07.960 The best thing you ever called her before was Buzzard, egg. 18:07.960 --> 18:11.960 Well, gosh, I called her something beside that once in a while. 18:11.960 --> 18:13.960 Well, you did call her Mary Louise. 18:13.960 --> 18:24.960 Well, of course I called her that. Gee, it's, uh, it's swell to see you, Mary Louise. 18:24.960 --> 18:29.960 Well, well, Bud Owen, you bad boy. Are you going to recognize me or aren't you? 18:29.960 --> 18:32.960 Sure, gee, it's good to see you. How are you anyway? 18:32.960 --> 18:36.960 Now, you're not too grown up to kiss old Mrs. Callahan the way you always did. 18:36.960 --> 18:38.960 Oh, I'll say I'm not Mrs. Callahan. 18:38.960 --> 18:43.960 Goodbye. I heated enough bottles for you and washed enough of your diapers, too, 18:43.960 --> 18:45.960 so don't let me catch you putting on airs. 18:45.960 --> 18:46.960 No, ma'am, I won't. 18:46.960 --> 18:47.960 Goodbye. 18:47.960 --> 18:48.960 Goodbye. 18:48.960 --> 18:50.960 What's the matter? Didn't you recognize her? 18:50.960 --> 18:52.960 Mrs. Callahan? Oh, of course I did. 18:52.960 --> 18:56.960 Why didn't you call her what you always used to? Couldn't you see she was sore? 18:56.960 --> 18:58.960 Well, I, uh, I did. 18:58.960 --> 19:01.960 Bud, you used to call her Aunt Celie. 19:01.960 --> 19:06.960 Well, well, well, I couldn't believe it, but I dare refute the evidence of my senses. 19:06.960 --> 19:08.960 It's the Owen boy, Bud Owen. 19:08.960 --> 19:10.960 Well, I'm glad to see you, sir. 19:10.960 --> 19:12.960 Yeah, I just saw your mother. I heard you were back. 19:12.960 --> 19:15.960 She told me she was bringing you down to my office in a day or two. 19:15.960 --> 19:16.960 Ah, yeah, yeah, she told me. 19:16.960 --> 19:18.960 Ah, your mother's one in a million, young man. 19:18.960 --> 19:20.960 She thinks only of your welfare. 19:20.960 --> 19:22.960 I hope you've learned to appreciate her. 19:22.960 --> 19:24.960 Yes, sir, I have. 19:24.960 --> 19:26.960 Well, I just want to check on the news. 19:26.960 --> 19:28.960 Well, I'll see you later. 19:28.960 --> 19:31.960 Yes, sir, I have. Well, I just want to check on the news. 19:31.960 --> 19:35.960 And no nonsense, my boy. You do as your mother says. 19:35.960 --> 19:38.960 What did he mean, no nonsense? 19:38.960 --> 19:39.960 Don't you know? 19:39.960 --> 19:40.960 Well, I guess so. 19:40.960 --> 19:43.960 Mother told me she, uh, she was going to take me down to the lawyer's office this morning. 19:43.960 --> 19:44.960 Oh, Bud. 19:44.960 --> 19:47.960 I've been waiting for you to outsmart yourself, and this is it. 19:47.960 --> 19:49.960 I, uh, I don't get it. 19:49.960 --> 19:50.960 You sure don't, Bud. 19:50.960 --> 19:52.960 Give him a chance, Joe. 19:52.960 --> 19:58.960 Because it so happens that's not Mr. Reedy, the lawyer, but Dr. Sterling, the dentist. 20:04.960 --> 20:07.960 I talked fast and Ellen took my side. 20:07.960 --> 20:12.960 And when we got Joe calmed down, I knew he was going to watch me like a hawk from then on. 20:14.960 --> 20:18.960 That afternoon, Ellen got the real snazzy idea of going to the beach. 20:18.960 --> 20:22.960 My father knocked off work and drove us down, sort of to celebrate my homecoming. 20:22.960 --> 20:28.960 It was really a hot day, so when we got there, the others made a beeline for the water, but I didn't because of my bandaged hand. 20:28.960 --> 20:31.960 I stayed around the beach club near the pool. 20:31.960 --> 20:34.960 When it began to get dark, we all dressed and went down to White's Restaurant for seafood dinner. 20:34.960 --> 20:40.960 Then we walked out on the pier, the same pier where I was supposed to have been murdered. 20:40.960 --> 20:48.960 I remember I said something about taking the body back to where X marks the spot, and everybody laughed. 20:48.960 --> 20:50.960 Isn't it heavenly out here? 20:50.960 --> 20:53.960 Ah, gee, this breeze is swell. 20:53.960 --> 20:57.960 Well, Bud, looks like you and Joe were right back where you were three years ago. 20:57.960 --> 20:59.960 Yeah, I guess so, Father. 20:59.960 --> 21:04.960 Yeah, this railing is just where we stood, isn't it, when you and I had our fight? 21:04.960 --> 21:05.960 Yeah, about. 21:05.960 --> 21:08.960 What's that phobia people have looking down from tall buildings? 21:08.960 --> 21:10.960 I get it looking down at the water from up here. 21:10.960 --> 21:15.960 Oh, you shouldn't worry, Ellen. You swim like a fish. Now me, I should really feel funny. 21:15.960 --> 21:18.960 About ready to go home, children? I don't want you to worry. 21:18.960 --> 21:21.960 All right, Mr. Cunningham, it's been such a heavenly day. 21:21.960 --> 21:22.960 Bud, wait a minute. 21:22.960 --> 21:23.960 Come on, Joe. 21:23.960 --> 21:25.960 Wait, there are a couple things I want to talk to you about. 21:25.960 --> 21:26.960 Wait it, Joe. Ellen and Father... 21:26.960 --> 21:30.960 Only take a minute. First, about your not being able to swim. 21:30.960 --> 21:32.960 But, Joe, you knew about that. I never learned. That was why... 21:32.960 --> 21:35.960 Sure, everybody knew Bud Owen couldn't swim. 21:35.960 --> 21:39.960 That was why when you disappeared, they thought I'd pushed you off the pier and you drowned. 21:39.960 --> 21:42.960 Joe, I don't get it. Can't you let bygones be bygones? 21:42.960 --> 21:45.960 Bud Owen couldn't swim. But this afternoon, when you thought we were all at a good, safe distance, 21:45.960 --> 21:49.960 I walked up to the beach club looking for you, and I saw you swimming in the pool. 21:49.960 --> 21:50.960 But... But I learned... 21:50.960 --> 21:55.960 And your bandage was off. Well, start talking. Or do I have to do the talking? To the cops. 21:55.960 --> 21:57.960 Listen, Joe, you got to wait. You got to give me time. 21:57.960 --> 22:01.960 Now, don't get me wrong. No one in this town would be glad to have Bud Owen come back than me. 22:01.960 --> 22:03.960 After all, I've taken plenty because he disappeared. 22:03.960 --> 22:05.960 Rather than let Mrs. Cunningham be fooled... 22:05.960 --> 22:09.960 That's what I mean, Joe. You got to give me time to square things. Just a little time. 22:09.960 --> 22:10.960 You'd better move fast, brother. 22:10.960 --> 22:14.960 Joe, no matter what you think, you know I... I haven't heard anybody. 22:14.960 --> 22:15.960 No, not yet. 22:15.960 --> 22:17.960 And if you give me time, nobody will be heard. 22:26.960 --> 22:29.960 I went to Mr. Burrill the next morning and talked about everything. 22:29.960 --> 22:34.960 How people were beginning to make cracks about him and the $10,000 reward and the whole mess. 22:34.960 --> 22:38.960 I knew things were moving awfully fast, and I told Mr. Burrill he had to help me. 22:38.960 --> 22:43.960 That night when she'd finished her coffee, my mother said she was awfully tired, and my father, David... 22:43.960 --> 22:46.960 I saw upstairs the bed. 22:46.960 --> 22:51.960 I looked out the window and I saw Mr. Burrill's car pull up to the curb in front of Ellen's house. 22:51.960 --> 22:59.960 I knew he was going to do everything he could, but by this time I... I was scared. 22:59.960 --> 23:04.960 Well, at bedtime my stepfather fixed some sandwiches and we drank some milk. 23:04.960 --> 23:07.960 Then he came up to my room with me and we sat down to talk. 23:07.960 --> 23:12.960 Well, I see your mother's been changing your room around. It's not bad. 23:12.960 --> 23:15.960 I guess women like to fuss around and so forth. 23:15.960 --> 23:17.960 It's a fact. And there's no use opposing them. 23:17.960 --> 23:19.960 I guess that's right. 23:19.960 --> 23:23.960 By the way, what's your real name? 23:23.960 --> 23:25.960 Bud Owen. 23:25.960 --> 23:28.960 You don't need to be afraid of me. I've protected you so far. 23:28.960 --> 23:29.960 Why have you? 23:29.960 --> 23:32.960 I asked you first. What's your real name? 23:32.960 --> 23:34.960 Bud Owen. 23:34.960 --> 23:36.960 You're a stubborn, aren't you? 23:36.960 --> 23:41.960 You know, at first I thought you'd work this little scheme out all by yourself or with Burrill. 23:41.960 --> 23:43.960 But there's someone else involved, isn't there? 23:43.960 --> 23:44.960 Who do you think? 23:44.960 --> 23:46.960 What about that bandage? 23:46.960 --> 23:47.960 Well... 23:47.960 --> 23:50.960 Take it off. 23:50.960 --> 23:54.960 Well, well, well. Not even a scar. 23:54.960 --> 23:58.960 I don't suppose you'd mind writing with it now that it's healed? 23:58.960 --> 24:01.960 No, I don't mind. What shall I write? 24:01.960 --> 24:06.960 Well, suppose we take this little composition of yours on Alexander the Great. 24:06.960 --> 24:10.960 Would you copy this sentence, say, on the top of page three? 24:10.960 --> 24:14.960 Sure. Why not? 24:14.960 --> 24:19.960 And to make it a fair comparison, write your name, Bud Owen. 24:19.960 --> 24:22.960 Bud Owen. 24:22.960 --> 24:26.960 Here you are. 24:26.960 --> 24:29.960 So she taught you Bud's handwriting, too? 24:29.960 --> 24:30.960 Who did? 24:30.960 --> 24:31.960 My wife. 24:31.960 --> 24:34.960 Do you think I didn't know what was going on every move she made gave her away? 24:34.960 --> 24:36.960 Why is she in such a rush to change her will? 24:36.960 --> 24:37.960 I don't know. Why? 24:37.960 --> 24:41.960 She thought she was being so smart trying to pass you off, trying to trap me. 24:41.960 --> 24:44.960 I was one person who knew you weren't Bud. 24:44.960 --> 24:46.960 Yeah, but what makes you so sure I'm not Bud? 24:46.960 --> 24:47.960 I know. Isn't that enough? 24:47.960 --> 24:48.960 I see. 24:48.960 --> 24:49.960 I know. 24:49.960 --> 24:50.960 I see. 24:50.960 --> 24:53.960 Well, don't you think we'd better get my mother in on this? 24:53.960 --> 24:59.960 Yes. Yes, I think perhaps we'd better. 24:59.960 --> 25:02.960 She's asleep. We'll have to wake her. 25:02.960 --> 25:05.960 Mother? Mother? Hey, she's... she's... 25:05.960 --> 25:12.960 Mother! Mother! 25:12.960 --> 25:14.960 When I came to, I had an awful pain in the head. 25:14.960 --> 25:17.960 I was in my room in bed and Ellen and Joe and Mr. Burl were there for a minute. 25:17.960 --> 25:20.960 I didn't know what had happened and then I remembered. 25:20.960 --> 25:22.960 Mother, where's my mother? 25:22.960 --> 25:24.960 She's all right, Bud. She's in the hospital. 25:24.960 --> 25:28.960 He gave her enough of those sleeping pills to kill a horse, but she's all right now. 25:28.960 --> 25:29.960 How do you feel, Bud? 25:29.960 --> 25:30.960 Oh, all right, I guess. 25:30.960 --> 25:33.960 It's a good thing you had us standing by tonight, son. 25:33.960 --> 25:36.960 Why, he had you dressed up like a turkey. He was going to hang you. 25:36.960 --> 25:38.960 Gee, Mr. Burl, he must have been crazy. 25:38.960 --> 25:41.960 I guess he wanted to get us both out of the way before Mother could change that will. 25:41.960 --> 25:44.960 For crying out loud, Bud, why didn't you let me in on this? I thought... 25:44.960 --> 25:47.960 Gee, I hated to do it, Joe, honest. But I had to. Someone had to be the guinea pig. 25:47.960 --> 25:50.960 It was my idea, Joe. I sent the note to Mr. Burl. 25:50.960 --> 25:52.960 I really found Bud in that hash house. 25:52.960 --> 25:53.960 Yeah, but if you let me in on it, I... 25:53.960 --> 25:58.960 We knew if Bud could fool you. If you thought he was a phony, he could fool everybody, even David Cunningham. 25:58.960 --> 26:00.960 You see, Joe, for three years I suspected that guy. 26:00.960 --> 26:03.960 He pushed me off the pier that night, but I was only a kid. 26:03.960 --> 26:06.960 I knew it would be just his word against mine, so I ran away. 26:06.960 --> 26:12.960 I kept putting off coming home, but I swore that someday I'd trap him, and tonight I did. 26:12.960 --> 26:18.960 Because he said he knew I wasn't Bud Owen, I knew that he thought he'd kill me. 26:18.960 --> 26:22.960 You took one whale of a chance tonight, Bud. He'd framed you pretty. 26:22.960 --> 26:27.960 Another half hour and we'd have found your mother dead, you strung up, and that suicide note you wrote dropped up on the dresser. 26:27.960 --> 26:33.960 Suicide note? Why, I just copied a sentence out of an old composition, something about Alexander the Great. 26:33.960 --> 26:36.960 Alexander the Great? Listen to this. 26:36.960 --> 26:45.960 It is a terrible... it is terrible what awful crimes are done for greed and ambition. Signed, Bud Owen. 26:45.960 --> 26:51.960 Sure, you see, I was just writing... What? And I signed that? Holy... 26:51.960 --> 26:58.960 Well, that's about all. I didn't know how my mother would take it, having my stepfather turn out to be such a heel, 26:58.960 --> 27:03.960 but once she got over the dope he'd slept her, she was fine, as happy as a lock over me. 27:03.960 --> 27:10.960 Joe and Ellen, they got married but quick, and now Joe's in the Marines, and me, I'm just passing the time here in Edgerton, 27:10.960 --> 27:22.960 until I'm 18 and my number comes up, and then maybe I'll see a little excitement. 27:29.960 --> 27:34.960 And so closes The Visitor, starring Eddie Bracken, tonight's tale of... Suspense. 27:34.960 --> 27:42.960 Suspense. Suspense is produced by William Spear. Before Mr. Bracken returns to the microphone, here's a definition of yourself. 27:42.960 --> 27:49.960 Connoisseur. One competent to act as a critical judge of an art or in a matter of taste. That's what Webster says. 27:49.960 --> 27:55.960 So that makes you a wine connoisseur, because certainly you are competent to act as a critical judge of a wine's taste. 27:55.960 --> 28:05.960 Matter of fact, all you have to know to be a true wine connoisseur, in the opinion of your friends and guests, is a single word, Roma. R-O-M-A. 28:05.960 --> 28:12.960 To get the proof, make your own taste test of the tangy, appetizing Roma Sherry, the hearty, satisfying Roma Burgundy, 28:12.960 --> 28:18.960 the heavier, sweeter Roma Port, or any of the many different delicious Roma California wines. 28:18.960 --> 28:24.960 If your favorite dealer is temporarily out of the kind of Roma wine you prefer, ask for it again, please. 28:24.960 --> 28:32.960 Just be sure to say R-O-M-A. Roma wines. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 28:32.960 --> 28:36.960 This is Eddie Bracken, and this is one of those nights I'll certainly remember for a long time. 28:36.960 --> 28:41.960 I've always hoped, A, to be allowed to play a real, genuine, dramatic role, and, B, 28:41.960 --> 28:47.960 it's been an ambition of mine to get a crack at this show's suspense, because, well, I think it's tops. 28:47.960 --> 28:51.960 The next two broadcasts in this series should be particularly interesting. 28:51.960 --> 28:58.960 I know I won't miss either of them, because Orson Welles is going to star in that very thrilling story, Donovan's Brain, 28:58.960 --> 29:03.960 which will be done in two parts, one part next Thursday and part two the following week. 29:03.960 --> 29:07.960 And one more word, don't forget to buy some Warbinds. 29:07.960 --> 29:11.960 Eddie Bracken will soon be seen in Paramount's Hail the Conquering Hero. 29:11.960 --> 29:17.960 Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Orson Welles in Suspense. 29:17.960 --> 29:24.960 Presented by Roma wines, R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. 29:24.960 --> 29:52.960 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.