1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,280 And now, Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world, Roma Wines 2 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:10,280 presents... 3 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:11,280 Suspense! 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:22,360 Tonight, Roma Wines bring you Miss Susan Hayward as star of Dame Fortune, a suspense play produced, 5 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,840 edited and directed for Roma Wines by William Spear. 6 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:31,280 Suspense! 7 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:37,040 Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented for your enjoyment by Roma Wines. 8 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:43,280 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines, those excellent California wines that can add so much pleasantness 9 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:48,400 to the way you live, to your happiness in entertaining guests, to your enjoyment of 10 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:49,840 everyday meals. 11 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:56,160 Yes, right now, a glass full would be very pleasant as Roma Wines bring you Susan Hayward 12 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,120 in a remarkable tale of... 13 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:03,920 Suspense! 14 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:08,160 Nobody's believed this so far, but maybe someday somebody will. 15 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:15,080 Not that it really matters, it's just something to do to pass the time while I'm waiting. 16 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:20,680 It was our fifth anniversary and we were having a party, and as usual, partly because a ham 17 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:24,440 is always a ham no matter how long they've been out of the business, and partly because 18 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:28,560 it's really easier to go ahead and do it than to spend your whole evening refusing. 19 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,600 I was supplying the entertainment. 20 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:43,560 But each time I do, just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin, cause I've got 21 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:58,120 you under my skin, cause I've got you under my skin. 22 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:04,640 It's not everybody you know, the hostess can entertain, is it? 23 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:05,640 Certainly, certainly. 24 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:06,640 Why do you think I married her? 25 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,120 Broadway's loss was Nicholson's gain. 26 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:12,400 Oh, darling, for someone who's been married to me for five whole years, you still say some 27 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:13,720 awfully nice things. 28 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:14,720 Well why not, darling? 29 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:19,360 I say, Jean, seeing you'll be so nice to come home to, were you in that show, what was the 30 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:20,360 name of it? 31 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,520 Oh, no dear, Frank had already snatched me from my career by that time. 32 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,520 Excuse me, Jean darling, you wanted on a phone? 33 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:27,520 Phone? 34 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:28,520 At this hour? 35 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:29,520 Who is it? 36 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,440 I don't know dear, it's a man, probably one of your old admirers. 37 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:35,440 Oh, don't be silly, all my old admirers gave up ages ago. 38 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:39,680 All right, I'll take your word for it, my sweet, but now you better go see who it is. 39 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:42,120 All right, don't anybody go away, I'll be right back. 40 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:49,040 All right, now I'll buy you a drink. 41 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:50,040 Hello? 42 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:51,040 Hello, Jean. 43 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,040 Who's this? 44 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,040 Perhaps I should say Mrs. Nicholson. 45 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:58,120 You're not Jean Marley anymore, are you? 46 00:02:58,120 --> 00:02:59,880 Who is this? 47 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:01,160 Is there something I can do for you? 48 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,320 I'm rather busy right now. 49 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:04,120 I was afraid you might forget me. 50 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:06,800 I've been away such a long time. 51 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:07,800 This is Charlie. 52 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:08,800 Charlie? 53 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:09,800 Charlie Prescott. 54 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:12,840 Charlie Prescott, or the San Quentin Prescotts. 55 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,600 You remember now, don't you? 56 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,320 You're still there, aren't you Jean? 57 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:19,800 Yes, I'm still here. 58 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:21,320 You're surprised? 59 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:22,320 So you're back, huh? 60 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,320 Out is what we call it sweetheart, only yesterday. 61 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,320 And I want to see you. 62 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,120 Oh no Charlie, that's all over. 63 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:30,520 You mean you don't want to see me? 64 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:31,520 Save it Charlie. 65 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:35,120 I suppose I knew all along this would happen someday. 66 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:36,120 When let be? 67 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:37,120 The sooner the better. 68 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:38,640 How about tomorrow? 69 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:40,080 I can't tomorrow. 70 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:41,080 Make it Wednesday in the afternoon. 71 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:42,080 Say three o'clock? 72 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:43,080 Same old place? 73 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:44,080 No, not there. 74 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:45,080 All right. 75 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:46,080 What about the Shangri-La? 76 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:47,080 All right. 77 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:48,080 You'll be sure and be there, won't you sweetheart? 78 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:55,320 Because if you're not, I'm going to feel very bad. 79 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:56,320 I'll be there. 80 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:58,120 Three o'clock then, sweetheart. 81 00:03:58,120 --> 00:03:59,120 Three o'clock. 82 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:00,120 Who was it darling? 83 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:01,120 It was Charlie. 84 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:02,120 Charlie Prescott. 85 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:03,120 Charlie Prescott. 86 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:04,120 Charlie Prescott. 87 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:05,120 Charlie Prescott. 88 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:06,120 Charlie Prescott. 89 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:07,120 Charlie Prescott. 90 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:08,120 Charlie Prescott. 91 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:09,720 Charlie, darling, anyone I know? 92 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:10,720 No, just an old friend. 93 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:12,140 Well, why didn't you ask him over? 94 00:04:12,140 --> 00:04:14,800 Well, he was just passing through town and wanted to say hello. 95 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:15,800 That's all. 96 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:17,400 Well, maybe some other time. 97 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:25,760 Yes, some other time. 98 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:28,920 Don't let anybody tell you that prison doesn't change people. 99 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:30,240 It does. 100 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:32,880 And Charlie had had seven years of it. 101 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,960 It's not just the prison palette they always tell you about or extra dividends in gray 102 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:43,780 hair. It's something else, an expression in the eyes. And more than that, something I 103 00:04:43,780 --> 00:04:46,300 didn't figure out until quite a while later. 104 00:04:46,300 --> 00:04:48,820 I'll say you're looking great, sweetheart. 105 00:04:48,820 --> 00:04:51,960 Let's cut out the compliments, Charlie. You don't mean them and neither do I. 106 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:57,300 Now wait a minute, sweetheart. Don't get me wrong. You don't think I'm sore about anything. 107 00:04:57,300 --> 00:05:00,200 Like say, because you're married. You don't think that now, do you? 108 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,780 Why should you be? You knew I wasn't going to wait around for you. It was never that 109 00:05:03,780 --> 00:05:04,780 serious between us. 110 00:05:04,780 --> 00:05:10,520 Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Why, I'm tickled pink you married the guy. Particularly since 111 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,320 I hear he's really in the dough, huh? But good. 112 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:14,840 The trouble with you blackmailers is... 113 00:05:14,840 --> 00:05:17,020 Oh, that's a nasty word, sweetheart. 114 00:05:17,020 --> 00:05:21,200 The trouble with you blackmailers is that you think all a woman with a wealthy husband has 115 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:26,240 to do is just run down to the cellar and bring up a basketful anytime she wants to. Well, 116 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,680 it's not like that. He spends the money. I don't. 117 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:29,840 No joint bank account? 118 00:05:29,840 --> 00:05:33,760 Oh, sure. What do you think happens when all of a sudden two or three hundred a month just 119 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:35,680 starts disappearing? 120 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,280 I wasn't thinking of hundreds, sweetheart. 121 00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:44,480 Oh, of course not. And the bigger you think, the harder it gets. Don't you see that? 122 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:47,120 Well, he's got a will, hasn't he? 123 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:48,560 I suppose so. 124 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:52,520 Don't stall, sweetheart. You know he has. You know what's in it. It all goes to you, 125 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:53,520 doesn't it? 126 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:54,720 Yes. I guess it does. 127 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:56,840 You know it does. 128 00:05:56,840 --> 00:05:59,120 And you want a cut? 129 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,000 I want half. 130 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:03,920 Your taxes are deducted or after. 131 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:08,960 Don't get wise. I did a lot of figuring where I was and I figured you owed me something, 132 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:10,560 sweetheart. I figured you owed me plenty. 133 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:15,400 Well, you're going to have a long time to wait for it, darling. I'd say about 30 years 134 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,800 because he's healthy as a horse. 135 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,600 Who said anything about waiting? 136 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,320 You do have big ideas, don't you? 137 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,400 You like it? 138 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:29,800 You don't really think I'm going to become a party to the murder of my own husband, do 139 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:30,800 you? 140 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:32,120 I wouldn't listen to use those words. 141 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,600 You must have gone a little crazy up there, Charlie. 142 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,960 And who said anything about your being a party to it? 143 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:41,680 Oh, you handle it. I just wait. Is that it? 144 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:46,880 Well, I know it's not as big a part of the job as you handled the last time, but that's 145 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:50,040 a general idea. What do you say? 146 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:51,520 What do you think? 147 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:57,800 Sweetheart, did you ever stop to figure out what they'd give you if they found out? 148 00:06:57,800 --> 00:06:58,800 I don't know. 149 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,200 I don't know what they'd do, the same as they'd give me. Maybe worse. 150 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,720 Listen, Charlie, suppose I told you I love him. 151 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:11,800 You? I wouldn't believe you. I wouldn't believe it if he combined the best features of John 152 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:15,080 D. Rockefeller, Albert Einstein and Clark Gable. 153 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,720 No, I suppose you wouldn't. 154 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:26,360 Well, that's the way it is, sweetheart. That way or the other. Make up your mind. 155 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:30,000 Well, it would have to be an accident. 156 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,800 That's okay. It could be an accident. 157 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:44,040 All right, Charlie. You win. 158 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:48,440 There's only one way that I know of to deal with blackmail. Agree to the terms first and 159 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:54,080 find an out afterwards. And that's how I'd plan to play it. I will confess that the murder 160 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,960 of my husband for his estate was a little stiffer price than I'd been prepared for. 161 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:04,240 But by the time I left, I knew how I was going to play that too. Charlie had never been quite 162 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:10,920 as smart as he thought he was. That's one reason why he went to prison and I didn't. 163 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:14,840 That evening after dinner, I went in to see my husband in his study. 164 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,680 Oh, hello, darling. 165 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:20,600 Frank, there's something I have to tell you. 166 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:22,320 Well, what is it, darling? 167 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,320 It's pretty serious. 168 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:26,680 Well, all right. What is it? 169 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:28,680 Frank, I'm being blackmailed. 170 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,000 What? Blackmailed? 171 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:35,240 This is going to hurt you, darling. Afterwards, you can do anything you like. But I know that 172 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,720 the only sensible thing and the only decent thing is to tell you the whole story. 173 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:46,160 Jean, no matter what it is, no matter what, I love you, darling. That's all that really 174 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:48,840 matters. Do you understand that? 175 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:55,960 Yes, I do, darling. Frank, a number of years ago, before I knew you, I had some trouble, 176 00:08:55,960 --> 00:09:02,120 bad trouble. I was just a kid and well, I got mixed up with the wrong man. His name 177 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:09,040 was Charles Prescott. I didn't know how wrong he was until someone got killed. Charlie managed 178 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:14,160 to convince the jury more or less that it was an accident. His sentence was from 10 179 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:19,640 to 20 years. He got three years off for good behavior. Frank, he's out of prison now and 180 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:24,560 he has evidence that I was involved. I was involved much more than ever came out in the 181 00:09:24,560 --> 00:09:29,160 trial and well, that's the story. 182 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:34,660 Well, that's not so bad, darling. What's his price? 183 00:09:34,660 --> 00:09:37,160 His price is... Oh, Frank. 184 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:41,960 Oh, there, there, darling. It's all right. It's all right. Now, come on, tell me the 185 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:42,960 whole thing. 186 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:46,760 His price is that he plans to murder you and make me give him half of what I inherit. 187 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:49,720 Good Lord, Jean, the man must be crazy. 188 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:54,920 That's just it. He is. He's just crazy enough to try it. He's planning some sort of an accident. 189 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:56,520 Oh, Frank, I'm frightened. 190 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:00,160 Now, darling, don't you worry a bit. I know just how to handle this. 191 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:01,440 Oh, Frank, not the police. 192 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:11,000 No, darling, no. Not the police. 193 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:15,600 Later the next morning, we were visited by a chunky little man named Sparks from the Continental 194 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:22,560 Detective Agency. I told him the story, or most of it, and all the time I was talking, 195 00:10:22,560 --> 00:10:28,320 he kept watching my husband. I got the impression he might be a little difficult to deal with. 196 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:31,120 As it turned out, I wasn't far wrong. 197 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:35,480 It's a good story, Mr. Nicholson, but it's not right. 198 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:37,040 Not right? What do you mean? 199 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,080 Well, for instance, why don't you go to the police? 200 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:42,600 I've told you it's a case of blackmail. 201 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:49,200 But it's not just a case of blackmail. According to your wife, here's an ex-con with 13 years 202 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:54,440 still hanging over him out on parole, and he's threatening your life. We can throw him 203 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:56,440 back in the can just like that. 204 00:10:56,440 --> 00:11:02,360 Look, Mr. Sparks, you don't have to know all my family affairs to handle this case, do 205 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:03,360 you? 206 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:04,360 No, but it would help. 207 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:09,640 Suffice it to say that it's a delicate matter. We can't go to the police. 208 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:13,600 Then perhaps you'd better tell me just what you do want me to handle. 209 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:18,640 I want you to locate him and then follow him day and night. Never let him out of your sight. 210 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:22,160 Eventually, I suppose, he'll try it. To kill you? 211 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:23,160 Oh, Frank. 212 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:25,640 Now, Jean, darling, remember you were going to let me handle this? 213 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:26,640 I know, but... 214 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,800 But don't you see, dear, if we actually catch him in the act, attempted murder, then we 215 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:33,320 can send him back to prison and nobody would ever believe anything he said. 216 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,520 Must be a very delicate matter. 217 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:40,080 It is, Mr. Sparks. 218 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,640 Well, you'll hear from me. 219 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:46,600 Mr. Sparks, suppose he should try to contact me? 220 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:50,280 You mean you think he'll try to shake you down beforehand anyway, just for luck? 221 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:54,720 Well, you see, he thinks I've agreed with his plan. The accident. 222 00:11:54,720 --> 00:12:00,800 Hmm. The way we're handling it, there's only one thing to do. Play him along. 223 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:05,640 I see. Well, is that all the information you need, Mr. Sparks? 224 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:16,080 If that's all you'll give me, that's all I need. 225 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:20,920 By Friday night, they'd located Charlie. By Monday morning, they knew more about him than 226 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,200 his own mother. 227 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:28,080 Frank took the train for San Francisco that night. He wasn't due back until Wednesday morning. 228 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,240 Tuesday afternoon, Charlie called me, as I told him to. 229 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:32,240 Hello? 230 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:33,240 Hello, Charlie. 231 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:34,240 Oh, hello, sweetie. 232 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,240 Oh, hello, sweetheart. Everything in order? 233 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:38,240 Yes. 234 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:42,040 You get that, what you said you'd get for me? 235 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:43,520 Yes, I got it. 236 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:49,240 I hope you got enough, because what I mean, what is going to be, well, expenses? 237 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:50,240 Expenses? 238 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:54,320 Yes. I've got to make contact. You know, I don't let anybody else in, but I'm going 239 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:56,960 to need a little outside help on one of two things. 240 00:12:56,960 --> 00:12:57,960 Oh, I see. 241 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:03,520 And these things take time. Maybe quite a while. I'm not stalling, you understand, but you 242 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,760 can't expect action on a thing like this right away. 243 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:06,960 I think I understand. 244 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:13,600 It may be two, three weeks, even more. It's got to be laid out right, you know what I 245 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:14,600 mean? 246 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:15,600 Mm-hmm. 247 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:17,880 Well, where can I pick it up? The stuff you got for me. 248 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:18,880 You can come out here. 249 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:19,880 Out there? 250 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,280 Yes, this evening, about ten. There'll be no one here. 251 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:24,200 Listen, I don't think that's so good. 252 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,200 You're not afraid, are you, Charlie? 253 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:27,200 No, no, but you... 254 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,200 Besides, you ought to see the layout of things. It might give you some angles. 255 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:31,200 Well, yeah, but... 256 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:33,960 You remember what we said, how it had to be done? 257 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:36,480 You mean accident? 258 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:37,480 That's right. 259 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:38,480 Sure, sure. 260 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:49,720 Well, you'll be here at ten, Charlie. I'll have everything ready for you. 261 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:55,840 I knew then what prisoner had done to Charlie. He'd lost his nerve. Now that he faced it, 262 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:59,760 murder was too much for him. He'd never go through with it. It would all come down to 263 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:04,600 one petty shakedown after another, year after year. It was even more obvious now that I'd 264 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:10,160 have to do what I'd counted on from the beginning. If my husband was to be murdered, he'd have 265 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:16,840 to be murdered by me. 266 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:32,920 For Suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Susan Hayward in Dame Fortune by Max Wilk and 267 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:39,280 E.R. Merkland. Roma Wines presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, 268 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:40,280 Suspense. 269 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:54,240 Between the acts of Suspense, this is Ken Niles for Roma Wines. Next Thursday, ghosts 270 00:14:54,240 --> 00:15:00,080 and goblins will haunt your street. It's Halloween. A good night for grownups to remain safely 271 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:06,320 inside entertaining a few trusted friends. A good night to serve Roma Wines, so delicious 272 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:13,280 with snacks or sandwiches. Yes, Roma Wines add friendly companionship to any occasion. 273 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:18,920 And with Roma California Sherry, Port or Muscatel, you're sure to please every guest because 274 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:28,960 more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. The reason? Roma Wines taste better. Yes, 275 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:34,880 Roma Wines are better tasting. First, because Roma starts with California's choicest grapes. 276 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:40,560 Second, because Roma with America's finest winemaking resources guides this luscious 277 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:48,040 grape treasure unhurriedly to tempting taste perfection. Third, because only Roma selects 278 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:54,360 from the world's greatest wine reserves for your pleasure. Delight your Halloween guests 279 00:15:54,360 --> 00:16:03,760 with better tasting Roma Wines. Tomorrow, ask for Roma. R-O-M-A. Roma Wines, largest 280 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:11,360 selling wines in America. And now, Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Susan 281 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:31,940 Hayward in Dame Fortune. A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. Charlie arrived that 282 00:16:31,940 --> 00:16:37,320 evening in a rented car, right on time. As I opened the door to him, I noticed another 283 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:40,960 car just putting out its headlights about a quarter of a mile down the hill from our 284 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:46,440 driveway. That would be Mr. Sparks. Charlie had never seen the house before and he was 285 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:52,520 impressed but a little nervous. I took him into the drawing room. Hey, quite a layout 286 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:56,920 you got here, sweetheart. Frank likes to have the best of everything and he can afford it. 287 00:16:56,920 --> 00:17:01,440 Sit down. Well, you know I can't stay but a minute or so. What's the matter with you, 288 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:07,400 Charlie? You seem jumpy. Oh, me? Why should I be jumpy? I don't know. I'll tell you something, 289 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:12,320 though. I'll just get... What's the clock? I have had the funny idea somebody was following 290 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:17,400 me the last couple of days. Who'd want to follow you? That's what I can't figure. I'm 291 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,480 clean with the local dicks and they don't tell you unless they think you're working 292 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:28,760 on a job. Nobody else would want to tell me. Unless I've been double crossed by somebody. 293 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:33,160 Like you, sweetheart. But if I double crossed you, you'd see that I was sent to the penitentiary, 294 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:38,560 wouldn't you, Charlie? I would devote my entire time to it, sweetheart. And that's why I wouldn't 295 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:43,400 double cross you, isn't it, Charlie? Yeah, I guess you're smart enough to see that, all 296 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:49,640 right. You got the dough? Yes, I've got it. How much? A thousand dollars. Well... Oh, 297 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:54,040 I know you'll be around shaking me down for more before you get to business. But that 298 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:59,800 will hold you for a while, won't it? Sure, sure. Well, I'd better be moving. Where's 299 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:04,280 the dough? I don't have it here. You don't have it? No, it's in the car. Frank was home 300 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,200 for a while and I didn't want to bring it into the house. He's inclined to be a little 301 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:11,680 snoopy sometimes. Well, let's get it. You can get it on the way out. It's in the glove 302 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:15,640 compartment. No, no, wait a minute. I'm not sure I like this. Oh, don't be silly. The 303 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:20,640 car's in the garage and nobody's around. It's chilly and I just don't want to go out, that's 304 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:27,000 all. It's in the Cadillac convertible. Yeah. I guess you're in no spot to pull me fast 305 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:33,360 once at that, are you, sweetheart? Okay. You'll be hearing from me. Yes, Charlie, I'm sure 306 00:18:33,360 --> 00:18:43,360 I will. Through the glass panel by the door, I watched him head for the garage. Somewhere 307 00:18:43,360 --> 00:18:49,280 out there in the darkness, I knew that Mr. Sparks would be watching him too. Then I buzzed 308 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:56,680 the house phone for Olsen, the chauffeur. He lived over the garage. Olsen speaking. This 309 00:18:56,680 --> 00:19:00,800 is Mrs. Nicholson. I'm sorry to disturb you, Olsen, but I happened to glance out of the 310 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:06,040 window just now and I thought I saw a man prowling around the garage. A man? Yes. I 311 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:10,240 suppose it's silly, but would you mind looking out your window and see if you notice anything? 312 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:17,480 Sure, sure, Mrs. Nicholson. Say, Mrs. Nicholson, that's right, I seen him. He was running away. 313 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:21,440 You want me to go after him? He was running away? Sure, he's running plenty, but maybe 314 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:24,900 I can catch him. Oh, no, that's all right. If he was running away, I'm sure he won't 315 00:19:24,900 --> 00:19:28,800 come back. There's nothing you could take out there anyway. If you want, I'd be glad 316 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:33,880 to. Oh, no. No, that's all right. I'm sorry I bothered you, Olsen. Good night. Good night, 317 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:47,160 Mrs. Nicholson. I waited almost two hours until I was sure Olsen would be asleep. Then 318 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:52,880 I went out to the garage myself. I'd taken a course in automobile mechanics during the 319 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:57,280 war. I hadn't learned much, but I'd learned enough to know what would make a steering 320 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:02,160 knuckle fall apart after about an hour or two of hard driving. And Frank was driving 321 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:07,240 down to San Diego the next morning as soon as he got back from San Francisco. And Frank 322 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:20,600 was a hard driver. Frank left the next morning on schedule. I won't say it was pleasant waiting. 323 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:25,320 I paced the living room and the hall for almost an hour, but never more than ten steps from 324 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:32,960 the telephone. Hello? Gene, this is Charlie. I've got to talk to you. I can't talk to 325 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:38,560 you now. Listen, Gene, I've got to tell you something. I can talk to you now. I began 326 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:45,360 my pacing again. The phone rang three more times in the next 15 minutes, but I didn't 327 00:20:45,360 --> 00:20:53,560 answer it. Then it stopped. Almost three hours went by. I'd begun to be afraid that one of 328 00:20:53,560 --> 00:21:01,760 those other calls had been the one I was expecting. And then it rang again. Hello? I'd like to 329 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:06,240 speak to Mrs. Frank Nicholson, please. This is she? Mrs. Nicholson, this is Dr. Whitty 330 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:10,400 of the La Jolla General Hospital. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Mrs. Nicholson, 331 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:15,800 but there's been an accident. Your husband. My husband? Oh, is he? Well, it's hard to 332 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:30,000 tell just yet, Mrs. Nicholson, but I think you'd better come down here. I got out the 333 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:35,920 sedan and started for La Jolla. I was terribly nervous and depressed. I crept along at no 334 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:41,440 more than 40 miles an hour, but somehow I got there. They showed me directly to Frank's 335 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:47,040 room. He was all covered with bandages, but he was sitting up in bed. And with him was 336 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:53,840 Mr. Sparks. Hello, Gene. Frank, are you... Oh, not too bad. Oh, darling. Put the ribs 337 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:58,760 in an arm. They thought I had a fractured skull for a while, but I guess I have a pretty 338 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:03,640 hard head. Well, what happened? Well, something went wrong with the car, Gene. I was going 339 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:09,920 pretty fast. I'm lucky to be alive, I guess. Charles. Prescott. Frank, I saw a man prowling 340 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:15,000 around the garage last night. Olsen saw him too. You think Prescott might have tampered 341 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:20,800 with the car? Oh, Frank, I told you not to go through with this thing. Well, I don't 342 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:25,240 know. What do you think of that theory, Mr. Sparks? Oh, you remember Mr. Sparks, don't 343 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:29,680 you, Gene? Of course. It couldn't have been Prescott, Mr. Nicholson. He never got into 344 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:36,680 the garage. I was right behind him and I guess maybe he heard me. Anyway, he beat it. I understand 345 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:41,280 you were in the garage last night, Gene. Isn't that correct, Mr. Sparks? We had another man 346 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:46,720 posted on the grounds. That's what he reports. Of course I was. There was a book in the car 347 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:50,240 that I wanted. There was a thousand dollars in currency in the glove compartment too. 348 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:54,920 Yes, I know. I didn't have time to tell you this morning, but he wanted money. I talked 349 00:22:54,920 --> 00:23:02,360 him out of it. Mr. Sparks knew he was at the house. You told me to see him if he... Frank, 350 00:23:02,360 --> 00:23:08,120 you don't think that I... I don't want to think so, Gene. Oh, how could you? How could 351 00:23:08,120 --> 00:23:12,920 you? Well, it's just that steering knuckles don't usually come loose by themselves. That, 352 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,280 that and all the rest of it. Then it must have been an accident, a real accident. Don't 353 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:21,360 you see that? Oh, Frank, how could you believe that I'd do a thing like that? I love you. 354 00:23:21,360 --> 00:23:27,200 Oh, I know. I've thought and thought and thought everything. Mr. Sparks has told me you're not... 355 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:31,880 Oh, I can't believe it, Gene. Mr. Sparks, you don't think I could have done anything 356 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:38,360 like that. You can't. It's just a matter of your beliefs, I guess. Beliefs? What you want 357 00:23:38,360 --> 00:23:44,840 to believe and who you want to believe in. My office will send you a bill, Mr. Nicholson. 358 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:52,320 Good day. Oh, Frank. Frank, darling. Oh, I'm sorry, Gene. I'm horribly sorry, darling. 359 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:57,360 It's just that, well, it looks so bad and... Oh, I wanted so much to hear you say you didn't. 360 00:23:57,360 --> 00:24:02,080 Oh, I didn't. I didn't. You know I didn't. Of course I do. Of course I do. Oh, look, 361 00:24:02,080 --> 00:24:07,840 darling, look. Cheer up. Cheer up. I've got a plan. A plan? Yes, yes. We need a vacation. 362 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:10,840 I'll be out of here in a week or so and then we'll go away. We'll just drive around the 363 00:24:10,840 --> 00:24:14,040 country, do a little hunting and fishing, whatever we like. You always used to love 364 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:19,120 those trips. Oh, yes, Frank. Let's. Sure. Sure. We'll just go off and take it easy for 365 00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:29,840 a while and forget the whole thing. Yes, let's. And forget the whole thing. That's what we 366 00:24:29,840 --> 00:24:35,400 did. And I almost did forget the whole thing. It seemed like a nightmare that I dreamed 367 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:41,800 a long, long time ago. I couldn't believe that I'd really done what I'd done. And I 368 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:46,840 knew I'd never do it again. As though by mutual consent, we never spoke another word about 369 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:52,840 it. But I was at peace for the first time since I could remember. And I knew that even 370 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:57,840 Charlie could be dealt with somehow when we got home. We drove all over the state for 371 00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:04,040 almost three weeks. And on the way back, we stopped over at Little Lake in the Sierras. 372 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:08,960 One day we rode across it and had a picnic lunch on the other side. Oh, it was beautiful 373 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:15,240 and so peaceful. There wasn't another soul around for miles. Frank still had the cast 374 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:20,220 on his left arm. It made him a little clumsy. Getting back into the boat again, he stumbled 375 00:25:20,220 --> 00:25:35,840 over the shotgun, till it up against the seat. I knew he was dead even before I got to him. 376 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:40,280 The police escorted us. They questioned me a little while and then they left me in the 377 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:48,840 room alone. But a few minutes later, the door opened and somebody came in. It was Mr. Sparks. 378 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:55,600 Well, so you finally did it. Oh, no. No. The trouble with you amateurs is you don't know 379 00:25:55,600 --> 00:26:02,200 your case histories. That hunting accident gag is too old, Mrs. Nicholson. Much too old. 380 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:08,600 But I didn't. I swear. I swear to you, I didn't. Well, you got the money now anyway. At least 381 00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:14,640 you can hire yourself a flock of good lawyers. Please. Please don't. I can't bear it. I 382 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:19,200 didn't do what I tell you. You can ask Charlie. Charlie Prescott. Charles Prescott killed 383 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:25,320 himself this morning when the police arrived to question him. Look, Mrs. Nicholson, I'm 384 00:26:25,320 --> 00:26:30,560 in this thing up to my neck, unfortunately. I'm going to have to tell what I know. And 385 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:37,520 I know somebody tampered with a steering knuckle on that car and it wasn't Prescott. I know 386 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:43,680 you tried to kill your husband and put it on Prescott. It just doesn't add up any other 387 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:52,120 way. All right. Yes, I did. But I didn't do the other. You've got to believe me. I didn't. 388 00:26:52,120 --> 00:26:59,760 You didn't shoot him, man. By all that's sacred in the world, I swear I didn't. Could be. 389 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:13,400 You do believe me. Say that you believe me. What's the difference? Nobody else will. That's 390 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:36,040 all. Except my execution will be on the 31st, one week from today. Suspense. Presented 391 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:44,240 by Roma Wines, R-O-M-A, made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. And now 392 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:48,680 this is Ken Niles returning for the curtain call with a lovely star of tonight's Suspense 393 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:54,360 play, Miss Susan Hayward. Susan, we think you were wonderful. Well, it was a wonderful part, 394 00:27:54,360 --> 00:28:00,680 Ken. For your grand performance, Susan, here's a gift basket of Roma Wines with Roma's compliments. 395 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:06,360 Thank you very much. Ken, will you grant me one tiny little favor? Why, certainly. Just 396 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:12,560 name it. I'm simply fascinated by the way your narrator says, Suspense. Ask him to say 397 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:19,200 it again, huh? Just for me. For you, Susan, he'd probably say it in Technicolor. Joe? 398 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:25,440 Suspense. And Susan, you needn't be in suspense about what to serve when friends drop in. 399 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:30,640 For the Roma California sherry in your gift basket is the favorite of millions for afternoon 400 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:36,760 or evening entertaining. And Roma sherry is the perfect first call for dinner. Roma sherry. 401 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:41,840 I'll remember, Ken. And when you serve Roma sherry, Susan, your guests will remember its 402 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:47,640 finer taste. For to make Roma sherry better tasting, Roma vintners select California's 403 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:54,320 choicest grapes. Then, with America's finest wine-making resources, Roma guides this grape 404 00:28:54,320 --> 00:29:00,640 treasure to tempting taste richness. Later, Roma selects from this world's greatest reserve 405 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:08,640 of fine wines for your pleasure. No wonder more Americans enjoy Roma than any other wine. 406 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:13,640 That's a real recommendation, Ken. Now tell me who's on Suspense next week. Well, next 407 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:19,020 week it's Brian Donlevy in a Suspense play about a man upon whom a freak of nature confers 408 00:29:19,020 --> 00:29:25,120 a terrifying attribute. He is a human lie detector. It's impossible for him to hear 409 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:30,120 a falsehood without instantly knowing it and revealing the deception. The terrifying is 410 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:35,680 right. I'll certainly be listening. And that's no lie. Well, thanks, Susan. And we're looking 411 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:40,560 forward to seeing you in the Walter Wanger production smash-up. Thanks, Ken. Good night, 412 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:49,000 everybody. Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Mr. Brian Donlevy as star of Suspense. 413 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:55,720 You stand directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. This 414 00:29:55,720 --> 00:30:22,360 is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.