Yes, Roma wines taste better,
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And now, Roma wines, R-O-M-A, Roma wines present...
Suspense!
Tonight, Roma wines bring you Mr. Robert Mitchum in Death at Live Oak,
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 better tasting California wines enjoyed by more Americans
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For friendly entertaining, for delightful dining.
Yes, right now a glass full would be very pleasant
as Roma Wines bring you Robert Mitchum,
in a remarkable tale of...
Suspense!
You know what death is?
It's a simple surgical process whereby a man's name
is cut off from his body.
If a man's name is dead, the man is dead.
Even though his breathing may be normal,
his pulse beat regular and strong.
My name is dead.
So I've become a ghost, a very much alive ghost,
with hemoglobin in my bloodstream and thoughts in my brain.
And yet, as a ghost, I am accused of a crime
which I swear to you I did not commit.
Going up.
Name your floors, please.
Seven, please.
I had just finished a rather harrowing day with my attorney
and I wanted a few moments relaxation at the Sky Room
before driving home to Palo Alto.
As I stood in the elevator,
I was conscious of someone staring at me, a girl,
wearing an orchid which had been completely crushed
against the shoulder of her mink coat.
She was young, early 20s, I'd say,
a sort of face which I find peculiarly attractive.
Lean, tanned.
She stood perhaps three feet away from me in the elevator.
Her eyes stared steadily into mine.
I glanced away and looked back again.
She was still staring at me.
Then she stepped over close to me.
What are you doing here?
I beg your pardon.
Why did you follow me? You know I didn't want to see you.
I think you've mistaken me for someone else.
Twenty-first floor.
You're Rex Melville?
No, my name is Sutherland.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
You look exactly like...
Please, forgive me.
This is your floor, ma'am.
Oh, thank you.
Good night, Mr. Sutherland.
Good night.
Sky room, sir?
Yeah, yes, the sky room.
Thank you.
I'm a flyer.
And I like to look down on the lights of cities from high places.
Usually it makes me feel important and warm inside.
But not on this night.
I found myself looking down, computing how many miles an hour
a human body would be falling by the time it hit the sidewalk.
Then I noticed leaning over the parapet a few feet away from me.
The girl from the elevator.
Good evening.
Oh, good evening.
It looks as if I am following you.
It doesn't seem possible.
Not the resemblance?
Yes, it's almost perfect.
You're a little taller, I think.
Oh, my chin comes just below his shoulder, too.
You're exactly the same height as Rex.
And who is Rex?
A friend.
You told me your name on the elevator. I've forgotten it.
David Sutherland.
I'm Diana Blake.
Miss Blake?
Yes.
Oh, would you care for something to eat, Miss Blake?
Yes, I would.
We had a rare bit, I think, and we talked about the customary subjects
with the expected frequency.
She was beautiful by every standard except the Flemish.
There was a thrilling compactness about her.
My mind floated through all sorts of conjectures.
But Miss Blake bolted me back to reality.
I lied to you.
What?
My name isn't Diana Blake. It's Mrs. Melville.
Rex is not a friend. He's my husband.
Oh, somewhat more than a friend.
In this case, somewhat less.
It's so incredible, so utterly incredible to sit across the table
from someone who looks exactly like my husband and have a good time.
Oh, I'd better leave. He might find us here.
Of course. Philip?
Yes, Mr. Sutherland?
Check, please. May I see your home?
Oh, it's not necessary. I have a suite here in the hotel.
Here is the check, sir.
I'll sign it. May I borrow your pencil, Philip?
I'm deeply sorry, Mr. Sutherland.
What?
I've been asked to tell you that...
Look, I've been signing checks at the Sky Room for five years.
Excuse me, but the accounting department...
Please, don't hate me if I pay it.
Oh, no, I couldn't possibly allow...
You will find, David, that I am a woman of extremes.
I've either a great deal or nothing.
Right now, the only thing I have a great deal of is money.
Philip.
Thank you, madam.
Don't be angry, please.
It's a small price for saving my life.
Saving you?
When you spoke to me out there on the parapet,
I was getting ready to commit suicide.
I saw her to the door of her hotel suite,
kissed her, mentally,
and bade her a formal good night.
It's been pleasant meeting you, Mrs. Melville, etc.
But inside, I knew what had happened to me.
And by four in the morning,
I knew I'd have to do something about it.
Market 0500.
I'd like to speak with Mrs. Melville.
One moment, please.
I'm sorry, sir, there is no Mrs. Melville registered here.
Oh, uh, oh, Operator, how about a Miss Blake?
Diana Blake?
I'm ringing Miss Blake's apartment.
Thank you.
Hello?
Forgive me for calling this late.
David Sutherland.
I wasn't asleep. I thought you'd call.
I've got to see you.
I know. As soon as possible.
You see, it's 4.15.
I'll meet you in the hotel lobby at, oh, better make it an hour from now.
Oh, no, not the lobby.
There's a little coffee shop, Radnick's,
around the corner, on Post Street.
I'll be there, 5.15.
It was just growing light as I drove up the Bay Shore.
Practically no traffic. I got to Radnick's in about, oh, 40 minutes.
She was there, waiting for me.
We ordered coffee.
Anything else? Eggs? Toast?
No, I'm not hungry.
Do you know what I want to talk with you about?
I think I know.
There are a few things we have to get clear.
Are you married?
Yes.
The hotel has you registered as Miss Blake.
I've been separated from Rex for three years.
I met him in Buenos Aires.
We were married.
Didn't work. So I left him.
No divorce?
I hate scandal.
Nobody knew I'd been married.
It was foolish, but I came back here and became Diana Blake again.
And he dropped out of your life?
He was still last week.
Just showed up out of nowhere.
Seems he suddenly needs money.
And a wealthy wife's a handy thing to have.
And to buy him off?
He doesn't stop there.
He, uh...
He wants to live with me.
I can't stand being in the same room with him.
And he looks exactly like me.
That's why I married him. He's very attractive.
His appearance...
But...
He's not a human being.
He...
You'd rather kill yourself than live with him?
Yes.
Now, listen to me. Raise your head. Listen to me.
Yes.
I'd rather die than go through what I have to do this week.
You know the firm of Sutherland & Sons?
The importers?
I used to have a third interest in the company.
But there have been some cagey stock manipulations by my dear cousins.
I wound up with a safe deposit box full of waste paper.
I may have to go through bankruptcy.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Now, look, we both considered suicide.
That's no good.
But what would happen if we both became...
Husband...
And wife?
Yes.
What will happen to Rex?
Rex is going to become the late David Sutherland.
Oh, no.
Now, look, I've thought it all out.
I have some property up in the high sierra.
A summer house.
The only way to get there is by air.
The place has been advertised for sale.
Now, suppose you told Rex you were interested in buying live oak.
Could you ask him to fly up with me in my plane?
Well, he likes to fly, but he might be suspicious.
You can make it sound logical.
Tell him you want to try to make a go of your marriage.
Live oak seems to be an ideal place for a second honeymoon.
Yes, I'll try.
Does he have any friends in San Francisco?
None that I know of.
He's lived in Argentina for years.
Oh, one thing. His voice.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, one thing. His voice.
It's a little higher pitched than yours,
and he speaks more precisely.
I can get by.
What accounts does he have here? Bank accounts?
He doesn't have any.
Using travelers' checks and the money I've had to give him.
Will he stay with you tonight?
If I let him.
Good. That'll give me a chance to go through his hotel room.
Where's he staying?
The park row.
Room?
Oh, yes. 518.
Now, tonight, Diana, you tell him about Live Oak.
Say I'm a real estate broker
and make some remark about the resemblance.
Yeah, all right.
Tell him that tomorrow night is the only time I can fly him up to the summer house.
I'll meet him at the Palo Alto airport at 9 o'clock.
In the evening.
The air is smoother at night.
Can you land at Live Oak after dark?
No, Diana.
But Mr. Melville will never land anywhere
alive.
For suspense,
for suspense,
Roemer Wines are bringing you Robert Mitchum
in Death at Live Oak.
Roemer Wines' presentation tonight in radio's outstanding theater of thrills,
Suspense.
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And now, Roemer Wines
bring back to our Hollywood Sound stage
the name Mitchum as David Sutherland
with Mary Jane Croft as Diana Blake
in Death at Live Oak,
a tale well calculated
to keep you in suspense.
I left Diana and went directly out to the airport.
I loosened the screws around the cowling
of the instrument panel of my airplane.
And I took my parachute home and soaked it
thoroughly in a wash tub full of black dye.
The shrouds and the silk came out
dull blank, just right.
As it began to grow dark,
I felt a tremendous desire to be with Diana,
at least to talk with her.
I realized how much she was coming to mean to me.
I stifled my urge to call her.
If I could be apart from Diana this one night,
I could be with her the rest of my life.
I drove back into San Francisco
to the Park Row Hotel.
As I walked in, I turned my hat brim down
in the way Diana and I were sitting.
I turned my hat brim down in the way Diana
had told me Rex Melville wore his.
I prepared to speak more precisely
to try out my impersonation of the man
I was about to murder.
Good evening, Mr. Melville.
Good evening. May I have the key to 518, please?
Certainly, Mr. Melville.
You weren't gone very long, sir?
No, not long. Is there any mail in my box?
Well, I...
I just gave you your mail, sir,
and you went out.
Oh, of course. I'd forgotten. Thank you.
I went on up and unlocked the door
to Rex Melville's room, empty,
and in a rather slovenly state of disorder.
I made it a point to touch everything in the room,
the light switches, the water faucets,
the drawer handles.
I wanted to leave plenty of my fingerprints
in case I should need to prove later on
that I, the future of Rex Melville,
had occupied this room.
And I left.
But I didn't go back to Palo Alto.
I just walked the streets of San Francisco
until dawn.
Who is it? David.
Just a moment.
Oh, Diana. Oh, David.
I thought the morning would never come.
Rex just left a few seconds ago.
I know. I've been watching for him outside.
He didn't see you? No.
How is it about tonight?
We're all set. It wasn't easy, but I convinced him.
You'll meet you at the Palo Alto airport at nine.
Perfect.
I took his billfold out of his coat pocket.
Here.
Your signatures on the traveler's check.
Good. This is just what I needed.
Oh, David.
When will it be over?
Before midnight. I'll be back with you by this time tomorrow morning.
Be careful.
You know something?
I've never kissed you.
All my time.
Forgive me.
I didn't blot my lipstick.
Who could that be?
Rex. I had the billfold.
Yes? Who is it?
Let me in, will you? I forgot something.
Just a moment.
I left my wallet.
Well, hello.
This is the real estate man I told you about.
My name is Sutherland.
You're right, honey. He's a dead ringer for me.
Yes, he...
I understand we're taking a little trip tonight.
Yes, say... say you make your business calls
pretty early in the morning, don't you, Mr. Sutherland?
He stopped in to find out about tonight.
I was just leaving.
Good. Now, what about the wallet, honey?
It's not here. You sure?
If I find it, I'll call you. All right.
Say, why don't we ride down to the elevator together, Mr. Sutherland?
You can tell me something about this place at Live Old.
Oh, but, Rex...
I'll be glad to.
Goodbye, Mrs... Mrs. Melville.
I'll see you later, honey.
Goodbye.
Down car.
You're right ahead, Mr. Sutherland. No, after you.
All the way down?
Yes, the lobby, please.
Hey, I hope you're a good pilot, Sutherland.
I've been flying 10 years.
What kind of plane do you have?
Metal monoplane, a high wing.
It seats two people side by side.
Say!
What's the matter? Hey, you fellas twins?
No. I thought for a minute I was seeing double.
I have to go see an eye doctor.
No, no, we're not twins.
You sure do look alike, though.
I'm glad I don't have to see an eye doctor.
Oh, here's the main floor.
Watch your step, please.
Hello?
Hello, Diana. Yes.
Listen, we're in bad trouble. What's wrong?
The elevator boy. He noticed how much we look alike.
Which car was it?
The end elevator, the one nearest your door.
I can take care of it, David.
I'll be right back.
It was a ghastly day of waiting.
I wired the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles
to reserve a room in the name of David Sutherland.
I remarked casually to one of my neighbors
that I was flying down to Los Angeles in the evening.
Promptly at 9 o'clock, I drove to the airfield.
It was dark and deserted.
I dumped my black parachute
in the pilot's seat and waited.
9.15. No meld-o.
9.30. Still no sign-up.
About 20 minutes of 10, I saw some headlights
turn down the dirt road that leads to the hangar line.
Is that you, Sutherland?
I've been waiting for you.
When I saw you to be late, I was delayed in town.
You all set to go?
I'm going to the airport.
All set.
No one saw him get into the plane.
The airport isn't normally equipped for night operation.
I didn't waste much time warming up the engine.
This would be the last take-off for my ship
so it didn't make much difference.
I gave a full throttle, roared down the asphalt runway
and banked sharply out over the bay.
Sort of pretty up here.
Yes, very.
How long will it take us to get to Live Oak?
Not long.
Excuse me, I have to make a radio call.
NC 35013 calling San Francisco Radio.
I wish to file a flight plan. Over.
NC 35013, this is San Francisco Radio.
Go ahead with flight plan.
This is NC 35013 over Mountain View at 1500.
Pilot, Sutherland, airspeed 145.
Fuel supply three hours.
CFR, destination Los Angeles Municipal.
Los Angeles?
Shut up. ETA in Los Angeles 2345, over.
Roger, 013.
We'll file San Francisco Radio out.
But why are we going all the way to Los Angeles?
You're taking a longer trip than that, Mr. Melville.
I grasped the loose cowling from my instrument panel
and swung it squarely against his head.
He fell forward against the seatbelt.
There was no blood.
The bruise on his face was exactly where the cowling might strike him
if an accident threw him forward against it.
Quickly I screwed the cowling back in place
and then I set about exchanging clothes with my unconscious passenger.
It was difficult in the cramped cabin
and I had to watch my flight control.
I propped Melville into the pilot seat and buckled his safety belt
then I strapped on my own parachute and turned the ship nose down.
As it started to pick up speed in a steep dive
I shoved open the cabin door and leaped.
My parachute, black against black,
dropped me quietly into the meadow a few hundred yards from my burning ship.
The wreckage was complete.
I pulled in the chute, wadded it up and tossed it onto my funeral pyre.
Sleep well, Mr. David Sutherland.
The End
My plane had rammed the wild wilderness on the lower slope of Mount Hamilton.
I struck out on foot for the road which I knew from my maps
ran down the mountain from Lick Observatory to San Jose.
As I walked along in the moonless night I felt free.
For the first time in many months, no more debts, no more threats of bankruptcy,
no more scavenging attorneys.
From San Jose I took the bus back to Palo Alto
keeping as inconspicuous as possible.
At the airport I got into Rex Melville's car.
No, it was my car. I was Rex Melville now.
It was just getting light as I drove up Bayshore Boulevard.
I went into a pay phone booth to call her and tell her everything was all right.
Market 0500.
Miss Blake's apartment, please.
Miss Blake?
Diana Blake.
One moment, sir. I'm ringing Miss Blake's apartment.
Hello? Hello?
Why should a man's voice answer in Diana's room?
I went straight to the park road.
The same clerk was on duty who had called me Mr. Melville the night before.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning. The key to 518, please.
The key to 518, please?
Yes. Yes, Mr. Melville.
Why should he stare at me that way?
Everything had gone according to plan.
What have I done wrong?
Hello.
I must have the wrong room.
No, no, no. This is the right room. 518. Come in, come in.
I've been waiting for you, although we really didn't expect you to come back here.
What do you want to see me about?
Well, there's a little matter of murder.
You must have the wrong person. My name is Melville.
Rex Melville.
Yes.
Is this your billfold?
Yes, yes. That's mine. There's my name on it. Rex Melville.
You ought to be more careful where you're leaving.
Where did you find this wallet?
Now we want to get a few things straight. Harry, find the elevator boy and have him come in.
Now about this Miss Blake, what was your relationship with her girlfriend?
No, she was my wife.
Oh.
We were married in Argentina three years ago.
Well, Mr. Melville, if this woman was your wife, why did she use the name of Miss Blake?
We'd, well, we'd been separated.
Oh, I see.
Did you want to see me, sir?
Oh, yes, yes. I want you to take a good look at this gentleman and tell me if he's ever ridden on your elevator.
I took him down last night from the 21st floor.
He was in an awful hurry and sort of nervous.
But just before nine o'clock, I remember because I called go off duty at nine.
No, no, no. It was someone else. I was in Palo Alto at nine last night.
What is this anyway?
Look at him very carefully, son.
You're sure this is the man you took down from the 21st floor?
He's even wearing the same suit.
I demand to know it right you have to question it.
Don't you remember, Melville?
Last night sometime between 815 and five minutes of nine, you murdered Diana Blake.
I don't remember the next hour at all.
But I heard myself saying, there's another man. He looks exactly like me. He must have killed him.
Oh, a sort of Mr. Hy character?
No, no, another person. Elevator boy, you saw us together in your car yesterday morning.
I, I don't remember.
Think, think. You asked if we were twins and you said something about going to an eye doctor. Remember?
No, I don't remember.
He's lying. He's lying. Diana bribed him not to tell.
Why should she have bribed him?
Because, because I'm not Rex Melville. My name is David Sutherland.
I live at 18016 Willow Road, Palo Alto. I didn't kill her. I tell you, I loved her.
David Sutherland was killed last night in an airplane crash on Mount Hamelin.
No, it was Melville who died.
Sutherland radioed a flight plan at 955 for Los Angeles.
He had a reservation at a Los Angeles hotel for last night. He never got there.
I'm Sutherland. I jumped in a black parachute. Melville, the murderer, he's the one who died.
Why are your fingerprints on every door knob and every water faucet of Rex Melville's room in the hotel here?
I didn't kill Diana Blake. I loved her.
You've been separated from her for three years. You're the murderer.
I'm a murderer, yes. I killed Rex Melville, but not Diana. I didn't kill Diana.
So there it is. Now you know what can happen when a man's name is severed from his body.
And in a few more moments, I shall know what happens when a man's body is severed from his body.
And in a few more moments, I shall know what happens when a man's body is severed from his soul.
Suspense!
Presented by Roma Wines. R-O-M-A. Roma. America's favorite wines.
Before we hear again from Robert Mitchum, star of tonight's suspense play,
this is Truman Bradley, inviting you to enjoy the important difference,
the extra dividend of pleasure you find in all Roma wines, in fuller bouquet, richer body, and better taste.
Yes, Roma wines taste better because Roma, and only Roma,
selects for better taste from the world's greatest wine reserves.
That's why more Americans enjoy Roma than Roma.
Enjoy the better taste of Roma California Burgundy with your dinner tomorrow.
Insist on Roma wines. R-O-M-A. Roma. A premium wine in everything but price.
And now, Robert Mitchum.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a great pleasure appearing for you on Suspense.
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I know you'll like next week's suspense show when Roma Wines brings you Virginia Bruce in a very unusual play about a lonely woman
who unknowingly invites murder into her home.
I'll see you soon. Thank you. Good night.
Robert Mitchum will soon be seen in RKO's Crossfire with Robert Young and Bob Ryan.
Tonight's suspense story was written by Robert E. Lee and E. Jack Newman.
Robert and Jack are the only two men in the family who are in the same boat.
Tonight's suspense story was written by Robert E. Lee and E. Jack Newman.
Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Miss Virginia Bruce as star of Suspense.
Produced and directed by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California.
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Tune in again next Thursday, same time, for Suspense.
This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.