WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.760 Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Richard Widmark in tonight's presentation 00:10.760 --> 00:14.760 of Suspense. 00:14.760 --> 00:22.640 Tonight, Auto Light presents the true story of a world of the dead. 00:22.640 --> 00:27.640 It's the documented account of one man left alone on a tiny Pacific island, a wasteland 00:27.640 --> 00:32.560 of no living thing, an island made of a three square miles of fear. 00:32.560 --> 00:35.880 The story is called, How Long is the Night? 00:35.880 --> 00:37.880 Our star, Richard Widmark. 00:37.880 --> 00:42.120 Hello, Mr. Wilcox. 00:42.120 --> 00:48.120 Well, frost my beard and call me Winter if it's not Johnny Plugcheck. 00:48.120 --> 00:51.280 Yep, I'm here again, and you know what that means. 00:51.280 --> 00:52.280 I sure do, Johnny. 00:52.280 --> 00:57.600 It means I start reminding motorists to winterize, get their cars tuned up, get a change of oil 00:57.600 --> 00:59.080 and grease, put in antifreeze. 00:59.080 --> 01:01.520 And check those spark plugs too. 01:01.520 --> 01:06.800 Right, Johnny Plugcheck, because spark plugs are the very heart of a car's ignition system. 01:06.800 --> 01:11.240 And when they're right, your chances for starting even in the coldest weather are better than 01:11.240 --> 01:12.240 ever. 01:12.240 --> 01:17.180 So, with cold driving days ahead, visit your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer. 01:17.180 --> 01:22.120 If replacements are needed, he'll recommend those world famous ignition engineered Auto 01:22.120 --> 01:25.600 Light spark plugs, either standard or resistor type. 01:25.600 --> 01:29.840 To quickly learn the location of your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealer, phone Western 01:29.840 --> 01:33.800 Union by number and ask for operator 25. 01:33.800 --> 01:39.320 And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 01:39.320 --> 01:44.120 And now, Auto Light presents transcribed, How Long is the Night? 01:44.120 --> 02:01.720 A true story starring Mr. Richard Widmark and hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 02:01.720 --> 02:04.200 It was no different than any other night. 02:04.200 --> 02:05.600 It was hot. 02:05.600 --> 02:09.420 The same warm wind blew up from the south end of the island. 02:09.420 --> 02:13.160 Along the west beach, a line of dirty white foam spread out where the breakers came up 02:13.160 --> 02:14.600 on the sand. 02:14.600 --> 02:17.160 The moon had already gone down. 02:17.160 --> 02:19.240 Across the lagoon, there was nothing. 02:19.240 --> 02:20.240 No lights, no sounds. 02:20.240 --> 02:23.240 It was the same as the day before. 02:23.240 --> 02:27.520 The same smell hanging over the water and the land. 02:27.520 --> 02:32.940 The smell of a world gone dead. 02:32.940 --> 02:35.400 They came and woke us up a few minutes before 3 a.m. 02:35.400 --> 02:37.880 The three of us got dressed and they gave us breakfast. 02:37.880 --> 02:41.280 We checked our equipment, then we took our positions with the other men. 02:41.280 --> 02:44.560 We wore protective helmets with specially treated linings. 02:44.560 --> 02:49.220 Over the eyes, a pair of heavy duty goggles, jackets, trousers, gloves, all specially treated 02:49.220 --> 02:50.220 for protection. 02:50.220 --> 02:53.500 Our boots were spread with linings of lead. 02:53.500 --> 02:54.880 We waited. 02:54.880 --> 02:56.000 The dawn came up fast. 02:56.000 --> 02:57.960 I think it was about 5.30. 02:57.960 --> 03:02.360 We kept watching the horizon over the east, a faint outline of an island. 03:02.360 --> 03:04.360 The warnings began to come in over the earphones. 03:04.360 --> 03:05.360 Bomber Boy One. 03:05.360 --> 03:06.360 Bomber Boy One. 03:06.360 --> 03:07.360 Two minutes before actual time. 03:07.360 --> 03:08.360 Mark. 03:08.360 --> 03:09.360 Two minutes before actual time. 03:09.360 --> 03:11.360 Mark. 03:11.360 --> 03:12.360 Two minutes before actual time. 03:12.360 --> 03:13.360 Adjust all goggles. 03:13.360 --> 03:14.360 Adjust all goggles. 03:14.360 --> 03:15.360 Standby. 03:15.360 --> 03:16.960 The month was May. 03:16.960 --> 03:18.600 It was beautiful. 03:18.600 --> 03:21.740 I took one more look before I strapped on the goggles. 03:21.740 --> 03:23.980 The blue water of the Pacific. 03:23.980 --> 03:26.840 The green islands near and in the distance. 03:26.840 --> 03:29.400 The islands of Enuitak. 03:29.400 --> 03:31.400 The month was May. 03:31.400 --> 03:33.720 A piece of the earth was getting ready to die. 03:33.720 --> 03:34.720 Bomber Boy One. 03:34.720 --> 03:35.920 Bomber Boy One. 03:35.920 --> 03:37.520 One minute before actual time. 03:37.520 --> 03:38.520 Mark. 03:38.520 --> 03:39.520 One minute before actual time. 03:39.520 --> 03:40.520 Standby. 03:40.520 --> 03:43.640 A single bird passed overhead pointing for the horizon. 03:43.640 --> 03:46.640 There was the faint barking of a dog. 03:46.640 --> 03:47.640 Then it was quiet. 03:47.640 --> 03:48.640 Bomber Boy One. 03:48.640 --> 03:50.640 Thirty seconds before actual time. 03:50.640 --> 03:51.640 Mark. 03:51.640 --> 03:52.960 Thirty seconds before actual time. 03:52.960 --> 03:54.960 We waited for the split second. 03:54.960 --> 03:56.480 We waited for the sound of it. 03:56.480 --> 03:57.920 Bomber Boy One. 03:57.920 --> 04:00.080 Fifteen seconds before actual time. 04:00.080 --> 04:01.080 Standby. 04:01.080 --> 04:02.080 Ten seconds. 04:02.080 --> 04:03.080 Ten seconds. 04:03.080 --> 04:04.080 Ten seconds. 04:04.080 --> 04:05.080 Ten seconds. 04:05.080 --> 04:06.080 Ten seconds. 04:06.080 --> 04:07.080 Ten seconds. 04:07.080 --> 04:08.080 Ten seconds. 04:08.080 --> 04:09.080 Ten seconds. 04:09.080 --> 04:10.080 Ten seconds. 04:10.080 --> 04:11.080 Five seconds. 04:11.080 --> 04:12.080 Four. 04:12.080 --> 04:13.080 Three. 04:13.080 --> 04:14.080 Two. 04:14.080 --> 04:15.080 One. 04:15.080 --> 04:16.080 This was an emergency. 04:16.080 --> 04:17.080 This was an emergency. 04:17.080 --> 04:18.080 One. 04:40.080 --> 04:42.080 We stood and we watched. 04:42.080 --> 04:46.080 The huge body of the ocean heaved and shuddered. 04:46.080 --> 04:48.080 The island shook. 04:48.080 --> 04:52.080 The sky seemed to fill to the bursting point. 04:52.080 --> 04:54.080 We knew what it was like. 04:54.080 --> 04:58.080 The most powerful atomic bomb yet conceived. 04:58.080 --> 05:02.080 The man next to me turned and stared. His mouth was open. 05:02.080 --> 05:05.080 There was only one thing to say. 05:05.080 --> 05:07.080 He said it. 05:07.080 --> 05:09.080 Warner? 05:10.080 --> 05:11.080 Warner? 05:11.080 --> 05:13.080 Yeah. 05:13.080 --> 05:16.080 Dear God. 05:16.080 --> 05:18.080 Dear God. 05:26.080 --> 05:28.080 That was the first one, but there were others. 05:28.080 --> 05:31.080 Our job was to photograph the results, everything. 05:31.080 --> 05:34.080 The tests ran into weeks, months. 05:34.080 --> 05:37.080 The islands of N.O.E.T.O.C. became a chain of black ruins, 05:37.080 --> 05:40.080 each of them festering with deadly radiation. 05:40.080 --> 05:43.080 After each explosion, we landed on the islands in the target area 05:43.080 --> 05:45.080 to photograph the remains. 05:45.080 --> 05:47.080 We got a first-hand look. 05:47.080 --> 05:49.080 It stayed with us. 05:49.080 --> 05:51.080 On the last day, I had two men working the cameras with me, 05:51.080 --> 05:54.080 Joe Harrison, Bert Pichelli, both good men. 05:54.080 --> 05:57.080 I couldn't blame either one of them. It just happened. 05:57.080 --> 05:59.080 Don't take any chances, Warner. Be careful. 05:59.080 --> 06:02.080 Yes, sir. Goodbye, sir. See you at Pearl. 06:04.080 --> 06:05.080 Joe, Bert. 06:05.080 --> 06:06.080 All right? 06:06.080 --> 06:07.080 Yeah, I'm okay. 06:07.080 --> 06:08.080 All right. 06:08.080 --> 06:09.080 Let her go. 06:09.080 --> 06:10.080 What about the old man? 06:10.080 --> 06:11.080 Nothing, Joe. 06:11.080 --> 06:13.080 Told me to remind you to be careful. Don't take any chances. 06:13.080 --> 06:15.080 Not as long as I'm in this neighborhood. 06:15.080 --> 06:18.080 Had them bombs. Who needs them? 06:18.080 --> 06:19.080 Quit moaning. You got them. 06:19.080 --> 06:21.080 You check our Geiger counters this morning, Bert? 06:21.080 --> 06:23.080 Yeah, good shape. 06:23.080 --> 06:25.080 Brought the extra camera, too, just in case. 06:25.080 --> 06:26.080 Hey, have a look. 06:26.080 --> 06:27.080 What? 06:27.080 --> 06:29.080 Ship pulling out over there. 06:30.080 --> 06:31.080 Kind of lonesome, huh? 06:31.080 --> 06:33.080 We'll be gone in the morning. 06:33.080 --> 06:34.080 You warn her? 06:34.080 --> 06:35.080 Yeah. 06:35.080 --> 06:36.080 What are they gonna do? 06:36.080 --> 06:39.080 Gonna leave anybody around at all after we take off? 06:39.080 --> 06:41.080 I suppose so, the Marine Guard. 06:41.080 --> 06:42.080 Why? 06:42.080 --> 06:43.080 Nothing, just wondering. 06:43.080 --> 06:45.080 Even the water looks bad. 06:45.080 --> 06:48.080 They'll pop stuff in it to bring it to a boil. 06:48.080 --> 06:49.080 What do you think, Warner? 06:49.080 --> 06:51.080 You figure the natives will ever be able to come back? 06:51.080 --> 06:54.080 I suppose so. 10, 20 years, maybe. 06:54.080 --> 06:56.080 What would they live on? 06:56.080 --> 06:57.080 I mean, the islands recovered already. 06:57.080 --> 06:59.080 Couldn't even find one green plant left. 06:59.080 --> 07:01.080 Everything burned to the roots. How would they live? 07:01.080 --> 07:04.080 Take it to the chaplain, Bert. I only work here. 07:04.080 --> 07:06.080 Dead land, dead water, nothing. 07:06.080 --> 07:08.080 Give it time, probably, whereof. 07:08.080 --> 07:10.080 That's the point. 07:10.080 --> 07:11.080 What? 07:11.080 --> 07:13.080 What happens if it doesn't? 07:20.080 --> 07:22.080 That's the last thing I can tell you from memory. 07:22.080 --> 07:24.080 What was said, what was done. 07:24.080 --> 07:27.080 The rest of it's just as I put it down in a log. 07:27.080 --> 07:29.080 The last trip. 07:29.080 --> 07:31.080 Island 27. 07:31.080 --> 07:33.080 It's a few minutes past 1200. 07:33.080 --> 07:35.080 We've just landed at transfer point C. 07:35.080 --> 07:37.080 Most of the men have left here already. 07:37.080 --> 07:39.080 Skeleton crew standing by. 07:39.080 --> 07:42.080 There's one LST left at the landing pier. 07:42.080 --> 07:45.080 Harrison, Pichelli and I move our camera equipment on board. 07:45.080 --> 07:47.080 12, 20. 07:47.080 --> 07:50.080 We clear the reef and head north for Island 27. 07:50.080 --> 07:52.080 Weather overcast. 07:52.080 --> 07:55.080 Hey, that's it ahead, isn't it? 27? 07:55.080 --> 07:56.080 Uh-huh. 07:56.080 --> 07:58.080 Joe, want to take her a couple of points starboard? 07:58.080 --> 08:00.080 We'll put her right up there, ahead of the beach. 08:00.080 --> 08:02.080 Okay. 08:02.080 --> 08:04.080 These tough short-take their time. 08:04.080 --> 08:06.080 Too bad the plane couldn't have brought us in closer. 08:06.080 --> 08:08.080 Well, they still need landing strips. 08:08.080 --> 08:09.080 Brought us as far as they could. 08:09.080 --> 08:10.080 Hey, Warner. 08:10.080 --> 08:11.080 Yeah? 08:11.080 --> 08:12.080 This is number 27. 08:12.080 --> 08:15.080 I thought it was on the fringe of the blast area. 08:15.080 --> 08:17.080 That's the way I get it. Why? 08:17.080 --> 08:19.080 Try your Geiger counter. 08:19.080 --> 08:20.080 Kicking up? 08:20.080 --> 08:22.080 You ever listen? 08:23.080 --> 08:24.080 Yeah. 08:24.080 --> 08:25.080 How about that? 08:25.080 --> 08:27.080 Warm goes for a fringe area. 08:27.080 --> 08:29.080 Well, you got fair warning. 08:29.080 --> 08:30.080 As soon as we land, keep moving. 08:30.080 --> 08:33.080 Don't waste any time. Make it go as fast as you can. 08:33.080 --> 08:35.080 How about your sidearms? You can't team. 08:35.080 --> 08:36.080 All okay. I'm set. 08:36.080 --> 08:37.080 Yeah, same here. 08:37.080 --> 08:39.080 With any kind of luck, we'll be back at the base for supper. 08:39.080 --> 08:41.080 All right, Joe. Hold it steady. 08:41.080 --> 08:42.080 Right. 08:42.080 --> 08:44.080 What's the matter? You look worried. 08:44.080 --> 08:45.080 I'm not worried. 08:45.080 --> 08:47.080 Is this another island? 08:47.080 --> 08:48.080 I'll feel better when we're leaving. 08:48.080 --> 08:49.080 Hey, take it easy. 08:49.080 --> 08:51.080 Won't hurt a bit. 08:51.080 --> 08:53.080 That's what they told them at Hiroshima. 08:53.080 --> 08:55.080 1335. 08:55.080 --> 08:57.080 We've landed on Island 27. 08:57.080 --> 09:00.080 It's about a mile wide, two and a half, three miles long. 09:00.080 --> 09:03.080 It's like a dozen other islands we've covered in the test area. 09:03.080 --> 09:06.080 The same smell of death and dying. 09:06.080 --> 09:09.080 As usual, our lives depend on our Geiger counters. 09:09.080 --> 09:11.080 They measure the radioactivity bombarding us 09:11.080 --> 09:14.080 as we move through the contaminated area. 09:14.080 --> 09:17.080 When the clicking sound is slow, the load is heavy. 09:17.080 --> 09:20.080 We're going to have to move the radioactivity 09:20.080 --> 09:23.080 into the contaminated area. 09:23.080 --> 09:26.080 When the clicking sound is slow, the location is fairly safe. 09:26.080 --> 09:29.080 When it speeds up, it means the radiation is getting intense. 09:29.080 --> 09:33.080 Soon as we landed on the beach, my counters started turning over. 09:33.080 --> 09:35.080 We keep moving. 09:35.080 --> 09:38.080 The beach is littered with the remains of birds and fish, 09:38.080 --> 09:40.080 the life scorched out of them. 09:40.080 --> 09:42.080 The sand is burned jet black. 09:42.080 --> 09:44.080 There's no breeze. 09:44.080 --> 09:47.080 The sky is still overcast. 09:47.080 --> 09:50.080 We're moving only once to lay out a plan of operation. 09:50.080 --> 09:52.080 What do you think? How do you want to cover it? 09:52.080 --> 09:54.080 Joe, you take the upper end of the island, 09:54.080 --> 09:56.080 cover everything down to that first inlet there. 09:56.080 --> 09:58.080 See what I mean? Yeah, okay. 09:58.080 --> 10:00.080 Bert, you cover from the inlet down to here, okay? 10:00.080 --> 10:01.080 Right. 10:01.080 --> 10:03.080 I'll work everything from here down to the lower end. 10:03.080 --> 10:05.080 Now keep moving, but don't rush it. 10:05.080 --> 10:07.080 And try and keep in sight as much as possible. 10:07.080 --> 10:10.080 If anything happens, if you need help, fire your sidearms. 10:10.080 --> 10:12.080 Two shots, got it? Sure, right. 10:12.080 --> 10:20.080 1340. 10:20.080 --> 10:22.080 We've started photographing the island. 10:22.080 --> 10:25.080 Each of us carry three cameras, 35 millimeter black and white, 10:25.080 --> 10:27.080 16 millimeter for color, 10:27.080 --> 10:30.080 a four by five graflex for the still shots. 10:30.080 --> 10:33.080 It's getting warmer. The overcast is starting to lift. 10:33.080 --> 10:37.080 In the sunlight, the island looks even worse, what's left of it. 10:37.080 --> 10:41.080 As far as I can see, every last bit of vegetation is dead, 10:41.080 --> 10:43.080 scorched out. 10:43.080 --> 10:46.080 A hundred yards back, I came across the remains of a wild pig. 10:46.080 --> 10:49.080 It must have been caught in a bomb flash. 10:49.080 --> 10:52.080 It's impossible to give you a description. 10:52.080 --> 10:57.080 1415. The sky is clear, no wind. 10:57.080 --> 11:00.080 It's quiet except for the ticking of my Geiger counter. 11:00.080 --> 11:18.080 I keep moving. 11:18.080 --> 11:23.080 1505. There's not a breath of wind. It's hot. 11:23.080 --> 11:25.080 I have to keep moving. 11:25.080 --> 11:27.080 There's plenty to photograph, good specimens. 11:27.080 --> 11:30.080 I've just taken some color film of a piece of coral. 11:30.080 --> 11:33.080 It looked like portions of it were melted by the heat of the blast. 11:33.080 --> 11:36.080 1520. 11:36.080 --> 11:39.080 I heard the prearranged signal and I hustled down to the beach. 11:39.080 --> 11:42.080 Harrison and Pichelli were coming toward me, waving their arms. 11:42.080 --> 11:43.080 Yeah, what's the matter? 11:43.080 --> 11:46.080 I'm talking to you. Nothing serious, Warner. 11:46.080 --> 11:47.080 I was going to hold this up though. 11:47.080 --> 11:48.080 What's the matter? 11:48.080 --> 11:51.080 Oh, we're short on film. Got any spare? 11:51.080 --> 11:55.080 No, I'm in the same spot. More stuff to shoot than we figured, I guess. 11:55.080 --> 11:57.080 You didn't leave any supplies in the boat, did you, Joe? 11:57.080 --> 12:01.080 No, I already checked it. I want to get something to eat. Getting a little hungry. 12:01.080 --> 12:03.080 I guess we should have brought along some rations, huh? 12:03.080 --> 12:05.080 Didn't figure it'd take this long. 12:05.080 --> 12:08.080 Well, all right, the two of you better take the boat and hustle back to the transfer point. 12:08.080 --> 12:10.080 Pick up some food, some more film. 12:10.080 --> 12:12.080 Okay. Any special you want? 12:12.080 --> 12:14.080 A couple extra rolls of 16 color if they got it. 12:14.080 --> 12:16.080 Better make it fast if we're going to finish up today. 12:16.080 --> 12:18.080 Right. Come on, Joe. 12:18.080 --> 12:20.080 Oh, hey, you sure you know the way back to our transfer point? 12:20.080 --> 12:22.080 I think so. 12:22.080 --> 12:25.080 We go due south, Island 20, down the east side, the second inlet. 12:25.080 --> 12:28.080 You got it. Meet you right here about 1700, 1730. 12:28.080 --> 12:31.080 Yeah. Hey, don't worry if we're a little late, we'll make it. 12:35.080 --> 12:40.080 I watch the two of them climb in the boat, start up the engines, and head south for the transfer point. 12:40.080 --> 12:45.080 The boat gets small in the distance. In a few minutes it's out of sight. 12:45.080 --> 12:50.080 1540. I'm alone on the island. 12:50.080 --> 12:53.080 I'm alone. 12:59.080 --> 13:05.080 1545. I found out a couple of minutes ago that there's something else alive on this island besides me. 13:05.080 --> 13:10.080 I spotted it moving in a charred tangle of brush about 50 yards inland from the beach. 13:10.080 --> 13:14.080 I took a look. It was a small bird, dark colored. 13:14.080 --> 13:18.080 Apparently he'd been exposed in one of the test blasts. 13:18.080 --> 13:21.080 One whole side of him was a bright red burn. 13:21.080 --> 13:24.080 He had one leg and one wing. 13:24.080 --> 13:28.080 He floundered helpless on the ground. The one wing kept flapping. 13:28.080 --> 13:31.080 The first impulse was to pick him up. 13:31.080 --> 13:35.080 I reached over and held my Geiger counter directly above him. 13:35.080 --> 13:43.080 Wasn't anything else I could do. I killed him. 13:50.080 --> 13:55.080 1630. I've just shot the last of the film and I'm back at our rendezvous point on the beach. 13:55.080 --> 14:00.080 Harrison and Pacelli haven't shown yet. I keep watching the horizon to the south. 14:00.080 --> 14:03.080 No sign of him yet. 14:03.080 --> 14:07.080 1700. 14:07.080 --> 14:10.080 1730. 14:10.080 --> 14:13.080 Still no sign. 14:16.080 --> 14:23.080 1830. It's practically dark, just a glimmer of light over in the west. 14:23.080 --> 14:33.080 1845. It's dark, no light, no sound. 14:33.080 --> 14:39.080 Only the Geiger counter. I keep looking out in the darkness across the water. 14:39.080 --> 14:46.080 No sign of the boat. I can feel the panic starting in. 14:46.080 --> 14:56.080 Where are they? When are they coming back for me? Are they coming back at all? 15:04.080 --> 15:10.080 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Richard Woodmark in How Long Is the Night? 15:10.080 --> 15:17.080 Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 15:25.080 --> 15:34.080 Friends, winter weather's coming fast and if you want your car to last, you'd better hurry and be wise for now's the time to winterize. 15:34.080 --> 15:38.080 Right, Johnny Plug Check. It's time for a change of oil in Greece, antifreeze. 15:38.080 --> 15:41.080 And check those important spark plugs too. 15:41.080 --> 15:49.080 Because they're the heart of your car's ignition system and when they're right, your chances of starting even in the coldest weather are better than ever. 15:49.080 --> 15:56.080 If replacements are needed, your Auto Light spark plug dealer will recommend Auto Light resistor or standard type spark plugs. 15:56.080 --> 16:03.080 Both are ignition engineered and both are original equipment on many makes of our finest cars. 16:03.080 --> 16:10.080 By the way, the Auto Light resistor spark plug with its exclusive built-in resistor permits a wider gap setting, 16:10.080 --> 16:17.080 which makes possible advantages such as smoother engine performance, quick starts and double spark plug life. 16:17.080 --> 16:22.080 So winterize right now. Please do. And check those important spark plugs too. 16:22.080 --> 16:31.080 At your nearest Auto Light spark plug dealers and remember from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 16:31.080 --> 16:41.080 And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage, Mr. Richard Widmark in Elliot Lewis' production of How Long Is the Night? 16:41.080 --> 16:47.080 A true story, well calculated to keep you in suspense. 16:47.080 --> 17:00.080 It's been over five hours, maybe more. I don't know, my watch stopped half an hour ago with the radiation I think. 17:00.080 --> 17:07.080 I haven't drunk any of the water from my canteen yet. I've decided to go slow with it. I haven't got any idea how long I'll be here. 17:07.080 --> 17:15.080 I keep walking. There's not much feeling left in my legs. If I could only sit down just for a minute. 17:15.080 --> 17:24.080 But I can't. I've got to keep walking. The Geiger counter is the only thing that keeps me awake, that and the motion of walking. 17:24.080 --> 17:30.080 The moon's been up for about two hours now. It throws enough light to give me some idea where I'm going. 17:30.080 --> 17:35.080 I don't know how long it's going to last as a high bank of clouds drifting toward it. 17:35.080 --> 17:43.080 If I only had a light, if the boat had only come back for me, what could have happened? 17:43.080 --> 17:49.080 Why would they do something like this to me? I keep walking. 18:04.080 --> 18:06.080 Oh, Lord. 18:06.080 --> 18:12.080 Hey, get out of here! Hey! 18:14.080 --> 18:20.080 Well, I can't be that panicky. It's impossible. There's nothing alive. 18:20.080 --> 18:24.080 We've been over the whole island. It's burned out. It's dead. 18:24.080 --> 18:31.080 I heard it. I know I did. It couldn't have been the wind. There isn't even a breeze. 18:31.080 --> 18:39.080 It's still here. It's hiding in the brush. Something alive. 18:39.080 --> 18:44.080 An animal? A man? 18:44.080 --> 19:02.080 Hey, what is it? What is it? It's gone. It's gone. 19:02.080 --> 19:07.080 Somewhere back in the brush. I guess I scared it off with the gunshots. 19:07.080 --> 19:16.080 I start walking again and the trembling in my legs works off. But my mouth and my throat, they're dry. 19:16.080 --> 19:21.080 I debate a few minutes before I reach for my canteen. 19:21.080 --> 19:37.080 No, it couldn't be. It couldn't. It's wrong. 19:37.080 --> 19:53.080 There's no mistake. Reaction the same is no use. My drinking water. Radioactive. 19:53.080 --> 20:08.080 Still no idea what time it is. Two, three in the morning. I don't know. Hunger pains are getting to my stomach. 20:08.080 --> 20:14.080 I've got a bad headache. Worst thing is my mouth and my throat. I'm so thirsty. 20:14.080 --> 20:20.080 The muscles in my legs are getting numb. I can only sit down just for a minute. 20:20.080 --> 20:29.080 I've got to keep walking. I've got to stay awake. Keep walking. 20:40.080 --> 20:46.080 I'm somewhere inland now, north end of the island. A while back there I thought if starvation sets in, 20:46.080 --> 20:50.080 I could always find something to eat along the beach. A dead bird or a dead fish. 20:50.080 --> 20:57.080 That illusion didn't last very long. They'd all be the same. Radioactive. 20:57.080 --> 21:16.080 What? Get out of here. Get off or you'll get away. 21:16.080 --> 21:23.080 Empty. I grabbed a gun flat in my hand. The sound came closer. 21:23.080 --> 21:41.080 I brought the gun back and I shoot with all my might. And I missed. I turned. I ran. 21:41.080 --> 21:47.080 Seems like hours running. Hours running. I stopped only once about 20 minutes ago. 21:47.080 --> 21:54.080 My throat was so dry I couldn't get my breath. I reached for my Geiger counter a minute ago. 21:54.080 --> 21:58.080 Maybe it happened when I was trying to get away. It doesn't make much difference. 21:58.080 --> 22:04.080 Anyway, it's done. The counter's smashed. 22:10.080 --> 22:15.080 I'm here. Finally. I'm at the beach. Just in time too. The moon's gone down. 22:15.080 --> 22:21.080 It's dark again. Pitch dark. I don't care. There's nothing. 22:21.080 --> 22:28.080 There's no water, no food. The gun's gone. Geiger counter's smashed. 22:28.080 --> 22:32.080 It's gone. It's gone. Everything. 22:36.080 --> 22:41.080 It's following me back. Still there. It's right up there in the brush. 22:41.080 --> 22:45.080 Right at the edge of the brush. It's waiting for me. It's waiting for me. 22:45.080 --> 22:53.080 But Jelly! Harrison, why don't you come? What happened? Why don't you come for me? 22:55.080 --> 23:03.080 What time is it? It's still dark. How long's the night? How long? 23:03.080 --> 23:11.080 What time? What time is it? Four o'clock? Five? What time? It's just no use. Prayer. 23:11.080 --> 23:19.080 Say a prayer. Which one? Our Father who art in heaven, hail Mary for us. 23:19.080 --> 23:21.080 Pray for us. 23:31.080 --> 23:36.080 I don't know how long it's been. I'm not sure. Edge of the sky looks gray. 23:36.080 --> 23:40.080 Maybe getting light. I've gone down to the very rim of the beach. 23:40.080 --> 23:46.080 I'm facing inland. My back to the water. I haven't heard the sound lately. 23:46.080 --> 23:51.080 Last half hour anyway. And I don't care. 23:54.080 --> 24:07.080 Over there. Over in the east. It's gray. The whole sky. It's getting light. 24:07.080 --> 24:19.080 It's getting light. Warner! Hey! You all right? 24:19.080 --> 24:26.080 Jelly and Harrison, they come for me. I wasn't thirsty anymore. I wasn't hungry. 24:26.080 --> 24:34.080 I was alive. It was more than enough. Hey, you all right? Yeah. Yeah, I'm all right. 24:34.080 --> 24:38.080 A lousy boat conked out on us, Warner. Half a mile from transfer point. 24:38.080 --> 24:42.080 I didn't have to think it was dark. I wouldn't stand a chance of finding the island at night. 24:42.080 --> 24:49.080 Hey, what's the matter? You sure you're all right? You got your sidearms with you? Yeah, why? 24:49.080 --> 24:56.080 Up there. Straight ahead of you. Patch a brush. Want to take a look? Why? What's the matter? 24:56.080 --> 25:02.080 I don't know. I'll give it a look. What's it all about? I wish I could tell you. 25:02.080 --> 25:07.080 What do you mean? Hey, Warner, come here. Give it a look. Come on. 25:09.080 --> 25:18.080 Yeah, what'd you find? Nothing. Just this wild pig here. Wild pig? 25:18.080 --> 25:23.080 Hey, the island's a full of them. I think he's still alive, see? Barely alive. 25:23.080 --> 25:34.080 Look at the flashburns, the skin. Pretty horrible. Wild pig. Yeah. You want to take care of it, Joe? 25:34.080 --> 25:42.080 Okay. Rest in peace. Amen. Huh? 25:45.080 --> 25:50.080 Warner, you sure everything's all right? It's been a long night, Bert. Let's go home. 25:50.080 --> 26:01.080 Anything we can do for you? Anything you want? Yeah. I want to sit down. I just want to sit down. 26:01.080 --> 26:28.080 Suspense. A true story presented by Auto Light. Tonight's star, Mr. Richard Widmark, will return in just a moment. 26:28.080 --> 26:36.080 This is Harlow Wilcock speaking for Auto Light, world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. 26:36.080 --> 26:42.080 Auto Light is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry. They are members of the Auto Light family, 26:42.080 --> 26:50.080 as are the 98,000 Auto Light distributors and dealers in the United States and thousands more in Canada and throughout the world. 26:50.080 --> 27:00.080 Our family also includes the nearly 30,000 men and women in 28 great Auto Light plants from coast to coast and in Auto Light plants in many foreign countries, 27:00.080 --> 27:06.080 as well as the 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Auto Light. 27:06.080 --> 27:14.080 Every Auto Light product is backed by constant research and precision built to the highest standards of quality and performance. 27:14.080 --> 27:27.080 So remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light. 27:27.080 --> 27:33.080 And now I'd like to present our producer director, Elliot Lewis. 27:33.080 --> 27:40.080 Thank you, Harlow. Dick, I'm very happy to announce that a poll of the regular radio performers who support our guest stars each week on Suspense 27:40.080 --> 27:49.080 has named you as the winner of the first annual Golden Mike Award as Best Actor of the Year 1951 on our Theatre of Thrill series. 27:49.080 --> 27:54.080 And here's something for the mantle over the Widmark Fireplace, our Golden Mike trophy. 27:54.080 --> 28:02.080 Well, Elliot, this is one of the nicest things that ever happened to me in radio. And I, well, I just can't tell you how grateful I am. 28:02.080 --> 28:09.080 But I think a great deal of the success of all your fine suspense shows should go to the players who took part in this poll. 28:09.080 --> 28:11.080 Anyway, thanks a lot. 28:11.080 --> 28:21.080 Next week, the winner of the Suspense Golden Mike Award for Best Actress, Miss Anne Baxter, who with song and story will tell of the death of Barbara Allen. 28:21.080 --> 28:27.080 The dramatization will be heard on Suspense. 28:27.080 --> 28:34.080 Suspense was transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis with music written by Lucian Morawick and conducted by Lud Gluskin. 28:34.080 --> 28:41.080 How Long Is the Night was written for Suspense by James Mosher from a true report by Warner Tobe, Jr. 28:41.080 --> 28:45.080 featured in the cast were Jack Pruson, Joseph Kearns, and Herb Butterfield. 28:45.080 --> 28:51.080 Richard Widmark's next starring release for 20th Century Fox will be My Pal Gus. 28:51.080 --> 29:03.080 You can buy auto light resistor or standard type spark plugs, auto light staple batteries, and auto light electrical parts at your neighborhood auto light dealers. 29:03.080 --> 29:06.080 Switch to auto light. Good night. 29:06.080 --> 29:35.080 This is the CBS Radio Network.