Now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
Roma Wines presents Suspense.
Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Miss Claire Trevor, In the Plan, a suspense play produced,
edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear.
Suspense, radio's outstanding theater of thrills, is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines.
That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines.
Those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness to the way you live.
To your happiness and entertaining guests.
To your enjoyment of everyday meals.
Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you Claire Trevor,
in a remarkable tale of...
Suspense!
I know this has been a terrible shock to you Mrs. Anderson, but there's a few questions we have to ask you.
You understand why that can't wait.
My husband, where is he? I'm so worried about him.
We just located him through the Sheriff's Office Mrs. Anderson, they're bringing him over.
Is he alright?
He's more worried about you than you are about him.
Have they told him what happened?
Did they have to Mrs. Anderson?
Well they don't think he did it do they? Well they mustn't think that.
We don't know quite what to think. I suppose there's no doubt about the cause of death is there Doc?
No doubt whatsoever, this is the gun that was used.
You recognize this gun Mrs. Anderson?
Yes, it's a dueling pistol. One of a brace that belonged over the fireplace in the trophy room.
Funny they're being loaded.
There was a reason for it.
Well do you mind telling me what the reason was?
I'd better start at the beginning.
Yeah I think you'd better.
Well Harvey, my husband and I have only been married a short time as you probably know.
Well in a town this size you can't help knowing most of the vital statistics.
Especially about old Judge Collins' daughter, eh Lieutenant?
Yeah Doc. As I remember folks here about didn't know much about Mr. Anderson.
No and neither did I. All I know was that he was good and kind and I felt so alone after my father's death.
Oh I know what you're thinking but Harvey didn't kill that man. I know that.
Oh I wish he were here. I feel so helpless facing this alone.
You're among friends my dear.
Yes, you're so very kind Doctor and you too Lieutenant. It's just that, well if they question Harvey, he might say anything trying to protect me.
You sure you aren't trying to protect him Mrs. Anderson?
I told you I, I'll have to start at the beginning.
It was only last night that the phone call came. Harvey and I were sleeping here in this bedroom.
At first I couldn't imagine what had happened. The call was an hour.
One moment. Yes?
Pittsburgh calling Mr. Harvey Anderson.
Oh this is she.
Mr. Harvey Anderson.
Oh Mr. Anderson.
What is it Helen?
One moment. Harvey it's a long distance call from Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh?
Yes, so late. Do we know anybody in Pittsburgh?
Here give me the phone. Hello. Yes, alright operator. I can't imagine who's. Hello. Yes. Al. Oh, how are you? Yes. Well what are you doing in Pittsburgh?
Who's Al Harvey?
Yes? No, no Al. Tomorrow? No. Very well. Tomorrow.
Well now who's Al and who does he think he is calling us up at three o'clock in the morning?
What's wrong Harvey? Bad news? Who's Al?
My brother.
Brother?
My brother.
Harvey I never knew you had a. You never told me.
The Lord said unto Cain, Where is thy brother? And Cain said, I know not. Am I my brother's keeper?
Makes sense Al.
And the Lord answered, The blood of thy brother cryeth unto me from the ground.
Yes and Eve probably took after him with a fig tree rolling.
I'm not being facetious Helen. I don't know how to explain it. Something. It's just not easy to speak about it.
Well obviously.
No, it's not a joke.
But Harvey.
I'll show you. It'll be easier that way than talking about it.
Where are you going?
To get the papers.
What papers?
The papers that explain about my brother. They're locked in the safe in the trophy room.
He wasn't out of the room very long, but it seemed an eternity. I sat up in bed and lit a cigarette. I was wide awake now. I was worried.
I'd never seen that look on Harvey's face before. He came back with a sheaf of papers in his hand and without a word handed them to me to read.
There was a good deal of legal language I didn't bother to wade through. The important thing was the signatures and the official stamps.
They were commitment papers on Alan H. Anderson signed by his brother, a board of alienists and the warden of the state hospital for the criminal insane.
You understand what those papers mean?
Yes. Yes I do Harvey. Oh my poor, poor darling.
No, no you mustn't take that view of it. I can speak of it now as if it had happened to another person not even related to me. I would prefer to do that if we're going to discuss it.
How long since he...
He escaped four years ago.
And is he still...
He was never violent all the time, just at once. He killed a woman, his wife. You can see hell and why you never knew I had a brother.
Criminal insanity in one's immediate family is pleasant neither to reflect on nor to discuss. I suppose I shouldn't have played along with him as long as I have.
How do you mean dear?
I had a good deal of money four years ago at the time of the escape and brother Al's had every cent of it. I promised I'd never hear from him again but I guess blackmail gets into the blood.
What are we going to do?
Do?
I don't want a man like that in my house.
Helen, do you mean that you'll stick by me even...
Darling, I love you. I see no reason why you should suffer for this dreadful thing. You had no control over it and it's all over and done now. You're the man I love and I'm not going to...
Thanks darling. You're wonderfully understanding. But Alan Anderson is an escaped criminal. We must act accordingly.
Your brother, he's coming here?
He'll be in on the six o'clock train. I'll meet him at the station.
Harvey, do you think you are...
Leave this thing to me Helen. You have nothing to do with it. Now turn out to like darling. We better get some sleep.
Harvey, what was it like?
I can remember how it came on. It was horrible. Horrible. I'd almost forgotten about it until Al called just now.
What about his wife? The one who...
Beverly, she made a fatal mistake and I share the blame. We underestimated the seriousness of the attacks. Beverly paid with her life for our joint error of judgement.
Seems a long time ago now. Brother Al.
Strange how two people can grow up together, look alike, even think alike until one day something happens to one of them and it's as if they'd never known each other.
What do you like Harvey?
Very like me. You'll know we're brothers when you see him.
Well darling, what's the use? Maybe I'd better go to the authorities before he gets here and...
No, I won't hear of it. You've suffered enough.
Darling, I can't tell you how wonderful you are. It doesn't make any difference. You're sure you aren't frightened?
We'll be at the station at 5.30 tomorrow and... and do what has to be done. Now go to sleep darling. Go to sleep.
I suppose if you want really to forget something you can and even the direct stirrings of premonition can be subdued by a good hard day of housework.
I was helping Matilda and for some reason I worked with even more concentration and good spirits than usual.
But somehow the doorbell intruded on that concentration. Disturbed the protective veil for a moment I guess.
I seldom used the door slot. Now I did. I felt silly peeking out.
Hello ma'am.
Why hello Rutherford. Matilda, it's Rutherford.
Excuse me, coming round the front ma'am. Tried knocking on the back but nobody answered.
That's all right Rutherford. Matilda was running the vacuum for me. We didn't hear. You're early aren't you? It's only 2.30.
Oh I told Till they'd expect me at 3. But I figured the train would be late and done if we didn't come in on time.
Well Matilda will be right out.
Oh I like tilling Miss Anson. It's mighty nice of you to give it afternoon off when my run makes town in the daytime.
Well it's not often Rutherford. I don't mind. You must be tired. Your Pullmans are awfully crowded these days aren't they?
Oh yes ma'am. Oh yeah I know what I want to tell you. I saw a man riding on the belforte. It's not my car. I was just passing through.
Lordy Mammy looked just like your husband. Before I saw it wasn't I say hello Miss Danison. He said hello.
And I say you ain't Miss Danison. And he said I am. Lord Mammy looked near enough like Miss Danison to be his brother.
His brother.
Spitting image.
I think it might have been his brother Rutherford.
You don't?
Hello you.
Ready Tilly?
I'm ready. Come along. Bye Miss Anderson.
Bye Miss Anderson.
Goodbye. Rutherford did you say this man came in with you on the two thirty?
Huh? Oh yes ma'am.
He's here in town then.
Something wrong ma'am?
No I.
You come over there man.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah. Well goodbye Miss Anderson.
Bye. The two thirty.
Matilda! Matilda!
Matilda!
Oh.
Two thirty. Harvey's brother Al had come in on the two thirty.
At all costs I must not have been alone in the house when he arrived.
And here he'd be arriving in three hours before we were ready for him.
At any moment now.
I bolted the door.
Picked up the phone and started to dial the number of Harvey's office.
My hand was shaking so that I fumbled the dial and had to start again.
Hello? Hello Pearl. This is Helen Anderson. Is Mr. Anderson there?
I'll ring his office.
He don't answer honey. I guess he didn't get back from lunch yet.
At three o'clock? Oh don't be silly. Try him again.
Well honey he's not in there but then. I'll tell him you called.
Well look connect me with Mr. Gutterby's office. It's important.
Alright just a sec.
Yes?
Oh Ralph is Harvey there.
Oh Helen. Why you. Oh no I haven't seen him since lunch.
Well look Ralph. The minute he gets in or you hear from him tell him to call home at once. It's important.
Sure Helen. Anything I can do?
Oh no Ralph thanks. It's just a family matter.
Well if I see him I'll tell him.
Oh Ralph on second thought I better tell you what it is.
Hello? Hello are you still on the line? Hello?
The doorbell. It stabbed the air of the quiet house like a knife blade.
I meant not to answer it but something made me walk over to the door and open the slot.
Curiosity I suppose or perhaps something stronger than mere curiosity. Yes.
Is this the Anderson residence?
Yes.
Mrs. Anderson?
Yes.
Mrs. Anderson I was given your name by Mrs. Colby down the street.
She said you might be interested in our special offer.
Now for only thirty cents a week or a little over four cents a day you can subscribe to any two magazines at their regular subscription rate.
And this beautiful dictionary twelve hundred pages one hundred and twenty seven thousand words.
Oh yes. Yes I am interested.
Huh?
I am interested. Is there something wrong?
No I... Well frankly ma'am I lost my place in my speech. You see I am accustomed to a little more sales resistance.
Well there are several magazines I have wanted.
Well to tell you the truth Mrs. Anderson it's no bargain.
Oh please now I'd much rather be deceived you see.
Oh looks like competition coming through the gate.
Pardon me is this twenty three sixty seven Oakhurst?
Yes.
Oh you're Helen aren't you? But I'm Al Anderson Harvey's brother.
Well I guess I'd better be going.
Oh no.
Oh that's all right I can stop back.
No but the magazine.
Oh I cover the same territory tomorrow. Goodbye ma'am.
Pardon me sir.
So you're my brother Harvey's wife eh?
Yes I...
Didn't Harvey tell you I was coming?
Oh yes he did. I'm glad to meet you.
Well aren't you going to invite me in?
Oh yes, yes. Come in.
For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Claire Trevor in The Plan by Cyril Enfield.
Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theatre of thrills, Suspense.
Between the acts of suspense this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines with an entertaining suggestion for the ladies.
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Remember, more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine.
And now Roma wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Claire Trevor and Helen Anderson in The Plan.
A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
Would you like some water Mrs. Anderson?
Thank you.
If you'd rather rest.
No, I'll go on. I, I led him into the front hall and as he walked behind me to the living room, I, I can't tell you, it was as if I had my back turned on death.
Just reaching the front room took a lifetime. We sat facing each other and I, I tried to answer his questions but I, I didn't seem to be able to talk.
It was a terrible self-feeding panic and I watched myself provoke the very situation I wanted to avoid because he grew more and more restless as I failed to answer him with grace or sense.
I saw the corners of his mouth start working, his jaw and fingers tense. I told him I'd phoned Harvey and I fled out to the hall and up the stairs to the second floor.
There was a phone in father's old trophy room. We used it for a den. I called Pearl, Harvey's secretary, but the line was busy.
Then I saw the brace of dueling pistols. I think I decided then that I'd protect myself in any way that I could.
I took the ammunition from the case, loaded the pistols and put them on the mantle.
Then the perfectly simple solution of leaving the house by the back way came to me.
Uh huh.
I might be able to find Harvey and bring him back before.
Yeah, I was going to ask why.
If I had only thought of it sooner, of course I had to get downstairs first, past the archway that opened on the living room where he sat.
I walked out into the corridor, just over to the head of the stairway I told myself softly, down the steps and around without through the back.
Ellen, Ellen.
I pulled back from the head of the staircase just as he appeared at the bottom.
Ellen, you up there?
I ran back along the hallway into the trophy room and shut the door behind me. I heard his footsteps coming upward.
Ellen, Ellen.
I heard him opening doors along the hallway. First he'd knock, then open the front bedroom, the guest bedroom, the second floor sitting room and then.
Ellen.
I was afraid to answer and afraid not to answer. He came into that room. I was afraid.
Ellen.
Yes?
I'm sorry, I wondered where you were. You didn't come back to the drawing room. May I come in?
Oh, yes, I haven't been able to reach Harvey. I've been trying everywhere.
Oh, yes, my brother, my beloved brother, must reach him by all means.
I've tried.
Forget it. This room is a lot cozier than the front room. Couldn't we talk here?
If you wish.
The front room's too big. Don't like such big places. Do you?
I like cozy places, cozy people too. Trouble is there's too many people who aren't cozy. Cut your throat. Love the jungle.
Yes.
This is a nice room. It's a nice house. Is it yours?
Yes, that is my father's really. I inherited it.
What are you laughing at?
These trophies, these stuffed heads. I thought for a moment Harvey had gone in for the out-of-doors life.
These are your father's then?
Yes.
That wolf's head. What savage teeth you have, said little red riding hood. Oh, look here.
Don't touch those.
I beg your pardon?
Those guns are loaded.
Loaded? You always keep loaded guns in your house? You think it's safe?
Please, please put them down.
Old dueling pistols. How beautiful. How many men died at sunrise because another man cocked the hammer and squeezed the trigger.
Oh, don't!
Oh, don't worry. I know how to handle a gun. There. Feel better?
You must forgive me. I have a headache. A terrible headache. I'm all on edge.
Oh, do you have headaches too?
Yes, I.
Oh, do I. Terrible ones.
Oh, you do.
So terribly painful. Sometimes they seem...
What do you want?
What do I want? A cigarette? Here, I'll get you.
No, no, sit there. I'll get it.
Thank you. Imagine.
Oh!
What's wrong with you? What do you want from me? I broke your lamp. I'll pay for it. What are you crying about?
Stay away from me.
I'll call the others. Come here. What are you afraid of?
Stay away from me.
Come here, do you hear me?
It was horrible. Horrible.
Now, take it easy, Mrs. Anderson.
I must have stood there screaming. Just screaming. Looking at him.
Then I just stood quiet and then you people came.
Well, I'm sorry, Mrs. Anderson. Shucks, I'm terribly sorry.
Ah? Oh, thanks.
Hello? Yeah? Oh, you did? Fine.
What else? You checked it with Dr. Who?
Uh-huh. Well, is he the chief of staff there?
Well, well, that's good enough for me.
Anything else? No, no, no. Hold everything there.
Well, Mrs. Anderson, the identification of the body was checked through by telephone with State Hospital.
Yeah, sure enough, the papers on him belong to an Alan Anderson who's been a fugitive from the state for the past four years.
Oh, shucks, Mrs. Anderson, don't cry like that.
Okay, then I gotta do it anyhow.
You're under arrest, Mrs. Anderson, on suspicion of murder.
Murder? No, no, don't go off again.
I won't. Shucks, Mrs. Anderson, I hate to do it.
While your dad and me was real close friends, he, uh...
How did you know? Oh, he was just lucky.
I mean, you did a real job of storytelling, Mrs. Anderson. Real fine. Never told a single lie.
I, I thought... I know.
You thought when we found him dead with your husband's old identification on him that your husband would be free finally and forever.
Well, I wish it worked out that way, Helen, for your dad's sake.
You, you know everything. Yeah.
Yeah, your husband was the real Alan Anderson.
Alan H. Ferhavi Anderson.
Six years ago, he murdered his first wife and beat the rap on an insanity plea.
When he escaped, he came to our nice little town in Pennsylvania, married our favorite and most respectable daughter after a whirlwind courtship.
I guess she didn't find out much about him.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Anderson, I really am.
You needn't be, Lieutenant. If Harvey's going to be taken away, I don't care what happens to me.
It was a good plan, though.
Yes, sir, I'll have to hand it to you. You could have pleaded self-defense against an escaped lunatic. Brother Albert looked enough like your husband.
You and he would identify the dead man and we'd wire the authorities out west that they could close their books on the fugitives.
Uh, that was the plan, wasn't it, Mrs. Anderson?
Yes, that was the plan. But, but how? How did you know?
Well, I guess it was the strain.
Strain?
Strain on your husband. I guess it was a relapse.
You see, when we picked him up on Elm Street, stock, staring, babbling, everything.
Oh, no.
Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Anderson. Shucks, I really am.
But, but I didn't do it to avoid a scandal. I want that understood. I love him. I don't care what he is.
I'm just sorry this business has made him ill again. That wasn't a part of the plan.
Yeah? I guess there's always something missing in a plan for murder.
I wouldn't know. You see, Lieutenant, this is my first experience of this sort of thing.
Hmm. Ah. Well, Mrs. Anderson, are you ready to go?
Yes, I'm quite ready. Poor Harvey. Poor, poor darling.
Suspense. Presented by Roma Wines. R-O-M-A. Made in California for enjoyment throughout the world.
Before we hear again from Claire Trevor, star of The Plan, tonight's suspense play, this is Truman Bradley for Roma Wines.
Recently, I dined with a friend who hadn't yet discovered the magic of Roma wine with meals.
We decided on thick, juicy hamburger steaks. To bring out the fullest flavor of the red meat, I ordered Red Roma California Burgundy.
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Yes, Roma Burgundy adds tantalizing taste appeal to any meal. Prove it yourself.
Tomorrow, serve delicious Roma Burgundy with a sizzling chop, savory piping hot spaghetti, or with whatever you're having for dinner.
You'll agree that Roma wine deserves a regular place on your table.
Get Roma wine tomorrow. For unburying goodness at reasonable cost, insist on Roma. R-O-M-A. Roma Wines. America's first choice.
This is Claire Trevor. It's always one of the season's most stimulating experiences to have an appearance on suspense.
Next Thursday, a young man who's been making a very rapid climb up the ladder to stardom will do a suspense play about a gangster who marries into money and murder.
Dane Clark.
Claire Trevor appeared through courtesy of RKO and will soon be seen in their production, Crack Up.
Next Thursday, same time, Roma Wines will bring you Dane Clark, a star of Suspense, Radio's outstanding theater of thrills.
Produced by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.
Suspense is broadcast from coast to coast and to our men and women overseas by shortwave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service.
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.