Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Jeff Alexander.
I'm sorry, Mr. Jeff Chandler.
In tonight's presentation of Suspense.
Tonight, with song and story, Auto Light tells a classic tale of love and death.
My true love's here, our star, Mr. Jeff Chandler.
Well, Mr. McSorley, doing a crossword puzzle?
That I am, Harlow.
Say, what's perpetual motion?
Why, that's the Auto Light electrical system in your Auto Light equipped car.
You need it every time you blow your horn, turn on your lights, radio, heater, and electrical
windshield wipers.
It goes to work the instant you press the starter and continues every second your engine
runs.
It's designed to give you the best performance money can buy.
Mighty important, eh, Harlow?
That's why it pays to treat your car's electrical system to a periodic checkup.
See your dealer or your authorized Auto Light service station before winter hits hard.
You'll be the winner in smooth, economical performance and surer starts.
To quickly locate your nearest authorized Auto Light service station, look in the classified
section of the phone book under Automobile Electrical Service or call Western Union by
number and ask for operator 25.
And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.
And now, Auto Light presents, My True Love's Here, starring Mr. Jeff Chandler, hoping once
again to keep you in suspense.
Black was the color of my true love's hair.
My lips were something wondrous fair.
The purest eyes, the daintiest hands.
I loved the grass where on she stands.
What do you want here?
Are you Mr. Genowitt?
I am.
I am John Harverson of the ship Sumatra Bell.
You are sailor and idleness has festered in you.
Oh, you've wandered to our island.
You saw the girl outside my house.
No, not for...
I watched how you looked at her, looked at Rachel.
It is not why I came to you, Mr. Genowitt.
Well, then for what?
Mr. Darin asked that when I was on Suva, I call upon you and Mrs. Genowitt.
Come in then.
Mrs. Genowitt, come in.
Mrs. Genowitt.
Yes, what is it?
Come in here, Mrs. Genowitt.
There is a man who has word of Mr. Darin in Philadelphia.
This is John Harverson of the ship Sumatra Bell.
Mrs. Genowitt.
And you have brought us word of Mr. Darin.
Yes.
Please sit down, Mr. Harverson.
Thank you.
Mr. Genowitt.
Yes.
Call Rachel.
Say to her to bring tea.
Rachel.
And Mr. Darin is well, Mr. Harverson?
Quite well.
And his wife and child too.
He told me to tell you this.
And to tell you, he is troubled.
Oh?
He's not had word of you or Mr. Genowitt in a year now.
Not a letter, not a...
Mr. Genowitt's position on Suva.
In the office of administration, it leaves him little time.
But...
It leaves him little time.
And for me also, little time to indulge the past and memories and lost friendships.
On Suva, we live for the present, Mr. Harverson.
The past flows away on our seas.
We...
How long will you be on Suva?
Three days.
We take cargo here and then...
You were saying, Mr. Harverson?
Three days.
Then I will be gone.
Do that, Mr. Harverson.
For if you do not...
What?
What if I do not?
You may serve the tea, Rachel.
Thank you.
Thank you, Rachel.
What if I do not go from here, Mrs. Genowitt?
Your tone was strange, Mrs. Genowitt.
What was...
Come here, Rachel.
Lean to me, Rachel.
This is Rachel.
This her hair.
This her face.
These her lips.
This her throat.
And you have looked on them.
And they are of evil and of death.
Mr. Harverson, your tea grows cold.
She stood like a child.
Rachel stood and let thin and pale fingers of Mrs. Genowitt trail across the pureness
of her face.
Let Mrs. Genowitt take the scarlet blossom from her hair and crush it against her mouth.
And Rachel tasted of it and all the while looked at me and then left us.
I love my love and well she knows.
I love the grass whereon she grows.
If she on earth no more I see.
My life will quickly fade away.
And I had of the tea and there was little talk.
I made farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Genowitt.
Back to the Sumatra Bell then to perform the duties of midshipman in officer's training
for the merchant fleet.
The paperwork that at the end of voyage would give me first mate's rating.
And from the island a soft wind laden with jasmine and wild palm.
And on the seas of Fiji it was night.
Night that lay in hollows and great cups of coral reef.
And spilled now into the seas against the ship and against the island.
I must find her.
I must go to her.
If she on earth no more I see.
My life will quickly fade away.
And where was curve of wild palm against copper sky?
Where was lagoon deep and stilled in crystal lava volcano?
He would come.
I knew him.
In this place of the island was Rachel.
Close.
Bring thee close to me John Harbison.
So close to me and sit with me.
Then watch thee how to set bettos to sail upon the lagoon.
See.
Rachel.
And watch thee the small planes of moon.
Are they kindle the still waters?
See?
Yes.
And on my hair?
Black.
The fingers of the art gentle, John Harvey Sonny.
Rachel.
Yes?
Were you always called so? Always Rachel?
No.
Tell me your island name.
I have forgotten.
When I was a child they took me to a school.
There I lived.
There I was called Rachel.
And this manner of speech, you learned it at the school?
I will speak to thee in what manner you wish.
Thou would wish island words?
Yes.
And an island name for me?
Yes, that none have called you, not at the school, not the Geno, it's no one.
That only thee will call me?
That only the lips of thee?
Yes.
Come with me into the lagoon.
And we will swim deep where the coral shell lies.
And we will listen.
And there will be a name for thee to call me.
Yes.
Come then.
Yes.
Rachel.
Who's there?
Gently Mr. Harverson, or you'll set the birds to coi.
Caw, caw, caw!
Gee, Mr. Harverson, you went and done it.
What are you doing?
What are you doing here?
Now, Mr. Harverson, it's not aboard ship we are.
Here I am more man than you.
What are you doing here?
Tell him girl, tell the midshipman, Mr. Harverson, what Red does here.
Tell him.
After they left the Genoids, at the island store he drank there.
And he saw me.
And...
And what Rachel?
And I spoke to him at the lagoon and that I would come here.
What?
He spoke more softly then.
And he said he wished to see things of the island.
And I did not know...
You lie.
So sweet you lie.
Come.
Let you and me take the swim I overheard you promised Mr. Harverson.
Let go of her.
Aye, Mr. Harverson.
I do your bidding.
I let go of Rachel.
Now get out of here.
And now you've overstepped yourself, Mr. Harverson.
Get out.
More man than you, Mr. Harverson.
More.
Kill you.
Up, Mr. Harverson.
Let us show Rachel what puny stuff you are.
Up.
Ha ha ha. Kill me, Mr. Harverson.
They have...
killed.
Yes.
For me.
Yes.
Love me.
They cannot go back to ship now.
No.
And on the island no place to hide.
No.
Come, John Harverson.
I know of a place where they will not take thee from me.
Come thee.
And the place was of coral.
A splinter of coral flung into the sea of the New Hebrides,
westerly of Suba.
And when the proa Rachel had stolen from a Suba fisherman,
touched it,
the canoe was ripped open.
And we left it there on the beach.
Then through ourselves, beside it.
And so,
the ship was taken away.
And the ship was taken away.
And slept deeply.
And when sun was on our faces, rose,
and walked to the grass of the island,
to the cluster of huts where natives held out their hands to us
and gave us island fruit,
where Rachel danced for them.
And where days vanished became another grain of white coral sand.
was laid gently at our sides by trade winds.
And Rachel danced for me.
The old men brought her pearls they had scraped from the sea
and went away, left us alone.
Island of wild scented sleep, of winds.
John? John, wake.
Hmm?
Wake, John, they must flee.
What?
The packet comes. On it will be island police.
What are you talking about?
The packet that trades with the islands, it is not the time for it to be here.
They come for thee.
How do you know? Maybe it's another ship, not...
The packet, island king, I saw it. I was on the beach.
What were you doing on the beach?
When they have gone, I will tell thee.
Run from here. A typhoon comes, they cannot stay long.
Run from here, John Harvey said.
Where will I go?
The boy who waits outside the hut, he will take thee
to a place in the island, in jungle of islands.
Go with him.
Rachel, I...
Not now, run.
When I come back, when they've gone, you'll be here.
Run.
You'll be here.
I will wait for thee.
Run, John Harvey said.
Old man.
Old man, open to me.
Coming, you.
You want...
Rachel, where is she?
Where is she?
Typhoon come, packet go, quick, very quick.
I know, I saw it sale. Where's Rachel?
Typhoon come, Rachel go, quick, very quick.
Lie.
Yes, I'm not lying.
Rachel, packet, quick, they go with typhoon, quick, very quick.
Yes, John Harvey said.
Rachel, Rachel, Rachel.
Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Jeff Chandler in my true love's hair.
Tonight's presentation in radio's outstanding
theater of thrills, suspense.
Say, Mr. McSorley, as a crossword puzzle expert,
can you define this a precise, peerless,
and perfectly performing paragon of parts?
Why, sure, Harlow.
That would be the auto light electrical system.
Right, and it includes the auto light starting motor,
generator, distributor, coil, spark plugs,
voltage regulator, and battery.
All originally installed in the many leading
makes of auto light equipped cars, eh, Harlow?
Yes, sir, with every unit and component part designed
and precision built by auto light to fit and work together
like the parts of a fine watch.
So, friends, don't take chances with that vital electrical system.
Be sure to specify auto light original service
parts for your auto light equipped car.
They're your best assurance of smooth,
economical, and safe performance.
Remember, from bumper to tail light,
you're always right with auto light.
And now, auto light brings back to our Hollywood sound stage
Mr. Jeff Chandler in Elliot Lewis's production of
My True Love's Hair, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
I love my love and well she knows
I love the grass where on she goes
If she on earth no more I see
My life will quickly fade away
How long has it been, Mr. Harbison?
Three months, I think.
The police look for you, but you must know that.
The thing you've done.
Mrs. Chenoweth.
They found a man that next morning, a sailor.
He had lain in the sea and been scrubbed against the coral.
They thought at first he'd gotten drunk,
but they knew her gone and the girl, Rachel,
and they knew what had happened.
And then the storm came and they weren't able to...
Where is she?
Sometimes they come here, the police,
and they ask if you have wandered past here again.
Where is she?
Aren't you afraid?
Where is your husband? I'll ask him, Rachel.
Mr. Chenoweth is inside, in the house, and you'll see him.
But listen to me first.
I need to know.
Aren't you afraid?
Surely they will kill you if they find you.
Aren't you afraid?
No.
The love of the girl. Yes.
And the thought of dying. Nothing.
A hunger. Yes.
A need. Yes.
And there is nothing you would not do.
To see her again, nothing.
I killed for her and would again.
Who is more evil, you or him?
What are you talking about?
Come.
In the house.
There.
Can you get up, Mr. Chenoweth?
Whiskey. Whiskey.
I'll get it.
Drink, Mr. Chenoweth.
What happened to him?
He was destroyed.
He did not have the youth to search the islands for Rachel.
So he sat here and became destroyed.
And you? You helped him to become...
Every way I can.
I want him dead.
To have sinned in his heart as he has.
Or however he has sinned.
He needs to die to be clean again.
As you need to die.
As you will die.
Drink, Mr. Chenoweth.
Nor would she say the name of Rachel to me again.
Nor even talk to me again.
And leave Suba again because she was not there.
And a word that drifted down about a fight that had been with loading hooks.
And a man had been killed because of a black haired girl named Rachel.
An island in the Santa Cruises.
But she was not there.
Just the grave of a man. A month old grave on the high strand.
And a native boy.
Oh, one big fella fight. My word.
Tell me about it.
My word.
Over a girl.
Two men. They stand here. I think so.
And fight. My word. With hooks.
One catch other.
The girl's name was Rachel.
The girl. My word.
Black haired, long. She wore a flower.
My word.
Mister.
What?
What for you want with girl, huh?
Where did she go?
Long gone.
Where?
In boat.
To Maleta, I think maybe she say.
I think so maybe. To Maleta.
You remember the one I mean. Her name was...
Rachel. You said so.
And you said she was a beauty.
Yes.
Well, it don't last. Not Mia Allen.
Please.
Well, I remember all right. On account of her name, that's all.
On account of nothing else.
Listen, you forget her.
Just tell me.
It's a good time to forget her. Right this minute, now.
She's dead.
No, I didn't say that.
When a ship comes in, some of the sailors get to come ashore and some don't.
I send out to them papaya, rice wine, shell combs.
I send island girls or whoever's about and I send them out with baskets.
They get to keep a commission.
Did she tell you why she's running away?
Is she?
Yes, she's running away from me. Didn't I tell you?
No. She didn't either.
Please.
You're crazy. I don't know where she went. North, I guess.
There was a ship going that way and when it went, she wasn't here.
That's all I can tell you.
I can do it.
Finger of my right hand and finger of my left.
Hold them out in front of me.
Make them meet.
You know what I'm going to do with you?
What?
I'm going to take you home and meet my mother.
That's what.
Such a charmer you are, John.
You want to?
Want to what?
To meet my mother.
Buy a bottle of gin to make an impression.
Who are you?
Oh, dearie, John, dearie.
Who are you?
Mary. I'm still Mary, dearie.
Get away from me.
I said get away.
What do you think you're doing?
You scum.
That's what you are, scum.
Look at you, drunken son of a man.
Didn't pay any attention to her, Mr. Harvester.
Well, then at least stand up.
All right, that's enough out of you.
I said that's enough.
It's like I said, Mr. Harvester.
I don't know you.
That's a shame, laddie, because I know all about you.
I followed you all over the southern seas, I have.
Averdeen and the Santa Cruzies and...
Policemen, laddie, for a killing you did.
The prison at Suva was this.
Two cells in a hollowed out hill.
Two cells for the scum of the islands.
For the island scum from the coral reef to the marshals.
Thieves and drunkards.
Terralicks and those who have murdered.
Men and one, women and the other.
Iron bars between them.
What had been scraped from the end of the world and dumped like garbage.
My name's Ernie Bemis, mate.
I knifed a girl down in Newmere.
Killed her man to get her and then she wouldn't come to me.
Fat she was, but I like some fat.
What did you do?
I killed him there.
Oh, that's an easy thing to do, isn't it, mate?
I thought at first it would take some doing, but easy, ain't it?
I hardly remember.
Oh, you're a joshing one, mate.
What you've done and what I've done, the largest thing a man can do.
You think so?
John Harleyson.
See him against the bars there.
John Harleyson.
Lady calling you, mate.
Oh.
Hello, John Harleyson.
Rachel.
The look of me.
Old.
Why did you run from me, Rachel?
I do not know.
I looked for you all over for me.
I know. I heard.
Once in Vanicoro you passed me in the street. I saw you.
Why didn't you stop me?
I could not.
Why?
I could not.
You didn't love me?
I loved you.
Which is why I fled from thee.
I killed for you.
I loved thee most then.
And others have killed for you.
One thing is no more.
Look at me.
Beautiful.
No.
Purest eyes.
No.
Your hands.
Give me your hands, Rachel.
Oh, the daintiest hands.
Old.
The hair.
Touch it.
Do you like it, John?
Like.
Rachel.
Yes?
Come closer.
Yes.
Right.
John.
Your hair, Rachel.
The death of me.
And the death of you.
They loved me.
Do not.
Blimey.
He's strangling her with her hair.
Oh, shut up.
Black.
Black, black, black
is the color
of my true
love's hair.
Suspense.
Presented by Autolight.
Tonight's star, Mr. Jeff Chandler.
This is Harlow Wilcox speaking for Autolight,
the world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment.
In 28 plants from coast to coast, Autolight makes over 400 products
for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, boats, and industry.
These products include batteries, such as the famous Autolight Stay Full,
ignition engineered Autolight spark plugs, both standard and resistor types,
voltage regulators, wire and battery cable, Autolight bullseye sealed beam units,
and Autolight original service parts for all Autolight electrical systems.
Autolight is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry.
So, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Autolight.
Next week, the true story of the plan to assassinate Thomas Dewey.
The report is called Dutch Schultz.
Our star, Mr. Broderick Crawford.
That's next week on Suspense.
Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis,
with music composed by Lucian Morawick and conducted by Lud Bluskin.
My True Love's Hair was written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin.
In tonight's story, Lillian Bya was heard as Rachel.
Featured in the cast were Barry Harford, Paula Winslow, Martha Wentworth,
Joseph Kearns, Clayton Post, Jack Crouchon, and Ben Wright.
Our singer was Ernest Newton.
Jeff Chandler may currently be seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor production
East of Sumatra, co-starring Marilyn Maxwell and Anthony Quinn.
And remember next week, Mr. Broderick Crawford in Dutch Schultz.
You can buy Auto Light original service parts, Auto Light stay full batteries,
and Auto Light standard or resistor type spark plugs at your neighborhood Auto Light dealers.
Switch to Auto Light. Good night.
This week in Chicago, National Safety Council members began their 41st Safety Congress,
dedicated to the study of accident prevention.
As a member of the council, Auto Light wishes it continued success.
This is the CBS Radio Network.