WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:18.600 Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers present Suspense. 00:18.600 --> 00:22.520 Tonight Auto Light presents a special program for this holiday season. 00:22.520 --> 00:28.480 The unusual dramatization of Twas the Night Before Christmas starring Ms. Greer Garson, 00:28.480 --> 00:31.760 who appears by arrangement with MGM, producers of the new color picture, 00:31.760 --> 00:36.720 Knights of the Round Table, in Cinemascope starring Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner and Mel Ferrer. 00:36.720 --> 00:45.400 Good evening, this is Harlow Wilcock speaking for Auto Light. 00:45.400 --> 00:50.600 Tonight as a special Christmas presentation from the worldwide Auto Light family, 00:50.600 --> 00:57.680 we bring you Ms. Greer Garson in a story about a certain little girl on a certain Christmas Eve. 00:57.680 --> 01:03.240 And now Auto Light presents Transcribed Twas the Night Before Christmas, 01:03.240 --> 01:32.240 hoping once again to keep you in suspense. 01:32.240 --> 01:37.240 Cathy, Cathy honey, come on wake up. 01:37.240 --> 01:41.240 Wake up Cathy, it's the day before Christmas. 01:41.240 --> 01:43.240 Oh, and there's so much to do. 01:43.240 --> 01:45.240 Miss Buff, it's right out already. 01:45.240 --> 01:48.240 You said you were going to wake me really early today, 01:48.240 --> 01:50.240 so we could go to the airport and meet them. 01:50.240 --> 01:53.240 Come on, up you get, let's get you dressed. 01:53.240 --> 01:57.240 Buffy, they're going to be waiting for me and you didn't wake me. 01:57.240 --> 02:00.240 I know what, they're home already. 02:00.240 --> 02:02.240 Cathy. 02:02.240 --> 02:06.240 Mommy, daddy where are you? 02:06.240 --> 02:10.240 Daddy, mommy. 02:10.240 --> 02:13.240 Buffy, they're not in their bedroom. 02:13.240 --> 02:14.240 Where are they? 02:14.240 --> 02:15.240 Cathy. 02:15.240 --> 02:19.240 I know, I'll bet they're in the kitchen already having their coffee. 02:19.240 --> 02:26.240 Mom. 02:26.240 --> 02:27.240 Miss Buff, they're not home. 02:27.240 --> 02:29.240 I know honey. 02:29.240 --> 02:31.240 The clock in the kitchen said 8.30. 02:31.240 --> 02:35.240 Cathy, here put this on dear, you told me you wanted to wear this dress today. 02:35.240 --> 02:36.240 So that's why I ironed it for you. 02:36.240 --> 02:37.240 Miss Buff. 02:37.240 --> 02:38.240 Yes dear. 02:38.240 --> 02:39.240 Why aren't they here? 02:39.240 --> 02:40.240 Oh, they'll be here. 02:40.240 --> 02:43.240 But when I talked to mommy on the telephone yesterday, 02:43.240 --> 02:46.240 she said she would be here at six this morning. 02:46.240 --> 02:49.240 And I promised her I'd meet her at the airport, her and daddy. 02:49.240 --> 02:50.240 I know, I know. 02:50.240 --> 02:54.240 And daddy said he had a surprise he was bringing for me all the way from Paris. 02:54.240 --> 02:56.240 It's 8.30 Buffy. 02:56.240 --> 02:58.240 Let's go out to the airport now. 02:58.240 --> 03:00.240 Oh, but there's so many things to do first. 03:00.240 --> 03:04.240 You've got to get your breakfast and we have to finish decorating the tree. 03:04.240 --> 03:06.240 And oh, there's so many things I want you to help me with. 03:06.240 --> 03:08.240 Oh, everything can wait Buffy. 03:08.240 --> 03:10.240 Hurry, I promised to meet them. 03:10.240 --> 03:12.240 No dear. 03:12.240 --> 03:13.240 Why not Buff? 03:13.240 --> 03:16.240 Well, I think we'll wait for them here. 03:16.240 --> 03:17.240 Cathy. 03:17.240 --> 03:18.240 Yes. 03:18.240 --> 03:20.240 You remember what you promised your mommy and dad? 03:20.240 --> 03:23.240 That you'd do everything I ask you while they were away. 03:23.240 --> 03:24.240 Yes. 03:24.240 --> 03:27.240 Then we'll wait for them here. 03:27.240 --> 03:28.240 Alright Buffy. 03:28.240 --> 03:29.240 Yes. 03:51.240 --> 03:52.240 It's noon Buffy. 03:52.240 --> 03:53.240 I know. 03:53.240 --> 03:57.240 Don't you think they might have called and told us they'd be late? 03:57.240 --> 03:58.240 Oh, I'll go and make our lunch. 03:58.240 --> 04:00.240 You must be very hungry. 04:00.240 --> 04:01.240 No I'm not. 04:01.240 --> 04:02.240 Oh, you didn't eat your breakfast, Cathy. 04:02.240 --> 04:04.240 Miss Buff, I'm not hungry. 04:04.240 --> 04:05.240 Look. 04:05.240 --> 04:07.240 Oh look, it's snowing honey. 04:07.240 --> 04:10.240 We'll have a nice warm lunch and then we'll go out for a long walk. 04:10.240 --> 04:12.240 They should have called. 04:12.240 --> 04:14.240 I'll tell you what Cathy, we'll take our walk first. 04:14.240 --> 04:15.240 We'll see the shops. 04:15.240 --> 04:17.240 We'll visit. 04:17.240 --> 04:19.240 We'll go and see Johnny and your aunt and uncle. 04:19.240 --> 04:21.240 Maybe if it snows hard enough we can all build a snowman. 04:21.240 --> 04:22.240 Wouldn't you like that? 04:22.240 --> 04:24.240 Yes, that would be fun. 04:24.240 --> 04:26.240 Well go get your coat and hat and galoshes dear. 04:26.240 --> 04:27.240 Alright. 04:27.240 --> 04:30.240 And when we come back mommy and daddy will be home. 04:30.240 --> 04:32.240 Well you go and get your things now. 04:32.240 --> 04:33.240 Oh I'll get it. 04:33.240 --> 04:35.240 I'll get it Buffy. 04:35.240 --> 04:36.240 Mommy. 04:36.240 --> 04:38.240 Oh who's this daddy? 04:38.240 --> 04:43.240 He's um, oh from a newspaper. 04:43.240 --> 04:45.240 I see. 04:45.240 --> 04:47.240 It's a man Buff. 04:47.240 --> 04:49.240 He says he wants to talk to an older person. 04:49.240 --> 04:51.240 Here. 04:51.240 --> 04:53.240 Hello? 04:53.240 --> 04:55.240 Yes, this is the Harper residence. 04:55.240 --> 04:57.240 I'm the housekeeper. 04:57.240 --> 04:58.240 I... 04:58.240 --> 05:00.240 Well just a moment please. 05:00.240 --> 05:01.240 Cathy. 05:01.240 --> 05:02.240 Who is it? 05:02.240 --> 05:03.240 Someone wants to talk to me honey. 05:03.240 --> 05:04.240 Will you go get your things? 05:04.240 --> 05:05.240 No. 05:05.240 --> 05:07.240 Who are you talking to Buffy? 05:07.240 --> 05:09.240 Never mind dear, go and get your things. 05:09.240 --> 05:10.240 No. 05:10.240 --> 05:12.240 No I won't. 05:12.240 --> 05:14.240 Hello? 05:14.240 --> 05:16.240 I see. 05:16.240 --> 05:19.240 Yes, yes I saw the papers. 05:19.240 --> 05:22.240 Yes, yes that was the daughter. 05:22.240 --> 05:24.240 Yes the only child. 05:24.240 --> 05:27.240 No she doesn't. 05:27.240 --> 05:30.240 No, no, no I wish she wouldn't. 05:30.240 --> 05:32.240 Please don't hear. 05:32.240 --> 05:34.240 No. 05:34.240 --> 05:36.240 Who was it? 05:36.240 --> 05:38.240 Just a man honey. 05:38.240 --> 05:40.240 It was from the newspapers. 05:40.240 --> 05:41.240 Why? 05:41.240 --> 05:42.240 What did he want? 05:42.240 --> 05:43.240 Nothing. 05:43.240 --> 05:45.240 He asked about me didn't he? 05:45.240 --> 05:46.240 Why? 05:46.240 --> 05:47.240 Honestly honey it was nothing. 05:47.240 --> 05:49.240 It was about mommy and daddy. 05:49.240 --> 05:50.240 Wasn't anything important? 05:50.240 --> 05:51.240 Buff. 05:51.240 --> 05:54.240 Yes dear? 05:54.240 --> 05:57.240 I don't know. 05:57.240 --> 05:59.240 Look at that snow coming down Cathy. 05:59.240 --> 06:27.240 Get your things dear, go on. 06:27.240 --> 06:29.240 Don't they sing beautifully Cathy? 06:29.240 --> 06:30.240 Very lovely. 06:30.240 --> 06:34.240 The street and all the decorations and the singers. 06:34.240 --> 06:42.240 It's very lovely Miss Buff. 06:42.240 --> 06:46.240 Honey here, give this to the man. 06:46.240 --> 06:51.240 Oh thank you, thank you Missy. 06:51.240 --> 06:52.240 Let's go home now. 06:52.240 --> 06:54.240 In a little while don't you remember? 06:54.240 --> 06:56.240 We were going visiting too. 06:56.240 --> 06:59.240 Mommy and daddy are probably home right now waiting for me. 06:59.240 --> 07:00.240 Wondering where I am. 07:00.240 --> 07:03.240 And we'll build a snowman together like I said. 07:03.240 --> 07:09.240 Come on honey. 07:09.240 --> 07:13.240 I remember when I was a little girl how excited I get. 07:13.240 --> 07:15.240 All the wonderful things to see. 07:15.240 --> 07:19.240 The sights and the smells and the sounds. 07:19.240 --> 07:22.240 Pretty shop windows and snow. 07:22.240 --> 07:25.240 To be a little girl at Christmas time. 07:25.240 --> 07:28.240 To be young at Christmas time. 07:28.240 --> 07:30.240 And happy. 07:30.240 --> 07:33.240 What's the matter Buffy? 07:33.240 --> 07:35.240 Oh Cathy. 07:35.240 --> 07:36.240 Buffy. 07:36.240 --> 07:37.240 Let me hold you. 07:37.240 --> 07:40.240 Oh Cathy darling. 07:40.240 --> 07:42.240 Buffy you're crying. 07:42.240 --> 07:44.240 I'm just silly I guess. 07:44.240 --> 07:47.240 Why look there Santa Claus watching us. 07:47.240 --> 07:49.240 Let's say hello to him. 07:49.240 --> 07:50.240 You were crying. 07:50.240 --> 07:51.240 Hello Santa. 07:51.240 --> 07:53.240 Merry Christmas. 07:53.240 --> 07:55.240 Oh Merry Christmas little girl. 07:55.240 --> 07:56.240 Merry Christmas. 07:56.240 --> 07:58.240 You're a pretty little girl. 07:58.240 --> 07:59.240 What's your name? 07:59.240 --> 08:00.240 Cathy. 08:00.240 --> 08:03.240 That's a nice name for a nice little girl like you. 08:03.240 --> 08:04.240 Thank you. 08:04.240 --> 08:06.240 And I can tell you you've been a good little girl. 08:06.240 --> 08:08.240 I saw the way your mommy was holding you. 08:08.240 --> 08:09.240 She's Miss Buff. 08:09.240 --> 08:11.240 My mommy's away. 08:11.240 --> 08:12.240 Daddy too. 08:12.240 --> 08:15.240 We're taking a walk to make them come home. 08:15.240 --> 08:17.240 Oh and where are they? 08:17.240 --> 08:20.240 I don't know. 08:20.240 --> 08:22.240 I don't know. 08:22.240 --> 08:24.240 I don't know. 08:24.240 --> 08:26.240 I don't know. 08:26.240 --> 08:28.240 Oh. 08:51.240 --> 08:52.240 Cathy. 08:52.240 --> 08:54.240 Cathy come in darling. 08:54.240 --> 08:55.240 And Miss Buff. 08:55.240 --> 08:56.240 Come in. 08:56.240 --> 08:57.240 Mother. 08:57.240 --> 08:59.240 Mother guess who's here. 08:59.240 --> 09:00.240 What? 09:00.240 --> 09:02.240 Cathy and Miss Buff. 09:02.240 --> 09:03.240 Hello Aunt. 09:03.240 --> 09:04.240 Hello Mrs. Cleveland. 09:04.240 --> 09:06.240 Take your things off. 09:06.240 --> 09:08.240 We've got a big fire in the living room. 09:08.240 --> 09:10.240 And wait till you see our Christmas tree Cathy. 09:10.240 --> 09:12.240 I'm sure it's very beautiful. 09:12.240 --> 09:15.240 I'll bet Cathy came to see her cousin Johnny didn't she? 09:15.240 --> 09:17.240 Yes I did Uncle Ted. 09:17.240 --> 09:19.240 I would like to see him very much. 09:19.240 --> 09:21.240 Do you know what that boy of mine did Miss Buff? 09:21.240 --> 09:22.240 No. 09:22.240 --> 09:23.240 He found the train. 09:23.240 --> 09:24.240 Oh he did? 09:24.240 --> 09:25.240 Yes I did. 09:25.240 --> 09:27.240 I took so much trouble to hide them out in the garage he found them. 09:27.240 --> 09:30.240 So of course I had to set them up for him. 09:30.240 --> 09:33.240 Well it's the day before Christmas. 09:33.240 --> 09:37.240 He's in his room now Cathy. 09:37.240 --> 09:39.240 Yes I would like to play with the trains. 09:39.240 --> 09:40.240 Of course you would. 09:40.240 --> 09:41.240 Johnny. 09:41.240 --> 09:43.240 I can't come now Daddy I'm busy. 09:43.240 --> 09:45.240 Cathy's here. 09:45.240 --> 09:47.240 Hey come on out and play with my trains Cathy. 09:47.240 --> 09:48.240 You ought to see. 09:48.240 --> 09:50.240 I've got them all hitched up now. 09:50.240 --> 09:51.240 Go on Cathy. 09:51.240 --> 09:55.240 Alright. 09:55.240 --> 10:02.240 I've been on the phone since seven this morning Miss Buff and there just isn't any word at all about the plane. 10:02.240 --> 10:04.240 Look, look, look. 10:04.240 --> 10:07.240 A man from the newspaper called the house I told him to stay away. 10:07.240 --> 10:10.240 Did the child know? 10:10.240 --> 10:13.240 I think she does. 10:13.240 --> 10:14.240 What did you tell her? 10:14.240 --> 10:15.240 Nothing. 10:15.240 --> 10:18.240 How do you tell a child Mrs. Cable? 10:18.240 --> 10:19.240 Look at it go. 10:19.240 --> 10:22.240 What I can't understand is why no word at all. 10:22.240 --> 10:28.240 The plane took off from Paris on time and there was radio contact over Ireland from what I could find out. 10:28.240 --> 10:31.240 But since then nothing. 10:31.240 --> 10:32.240 You'd better tell her John. 10:32.240 --> 10:33.240 Tell me what? 10:33.240 --> 10:36.240 Well there was a storm. 10:36.240 --> 10:37.240 Over the ocean. 10:37.240 --> 10:38.240 Pretty bad storm. 10:38.240 --> 10:42.240 They said. 10:42.240 --> 10:44.240 Miss Buff. 10:44.240 --> 10:46.240 Yes darling. 10:46.240 --> 10:49.240 I've just figured out something. 10:49.240 --> 10:51.240 It's about mommy and daddy. 10:51.240 --> 10:53.240 Cathy. 10:53.240 --> 10:57.240 They're not coming home. 10:57.240 --> 11:14.240 They're not ever coming home. 11:14.240 --> 11:22.240 Auto Light is bringing you Miss Greer Garson with Anne Whitfield as Cathy in Twas the Night Before Christmas. 11:22.240 --> 11:38.240 Tonight's production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 11:38.240 --> 11:46.240 This is Harlow Wilcox again with a message from Mr. Royce G. Martin, President and Chairman of the Electric Auto Light Company. 11:46.240 --> 11:53.240 It is presented in the name of the Auto Light family, which includes some 30,000 Auto Light men and women and their families, 11:53.240 --> 11:58.240 18,000 people who have invested a portion of their savings in Auto Light, 11:58.240 --> 12:06.240 as well as 98,000 dealers and the greatest names in the industry who use Auto Light products as original equipment. 12:06.240 --> 12:09.240 This is the message from Mr. Martin. 12:09.240 --> 12:15.240 In our America, we are especially blessed this Christmas with a free country. 12:15.240 --> 12:20.240 We are surrounded with freedom loving people who appreciate the word Christmas. 12:20.240 --> 12:27.240 We are grateful for what this day means to all of us and for what it meant to our great forefathers. 12:27.240 --> 12:32.240 We will never forget the one whose holy birthday we are about to celebrate. 12:32.240 --> 12:38.240 We thank him for the word freedom and the happiness that he has given us. 12:38.240 --> 12:46.240 We of the Auto Light family wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with health and happiness. 12:46.240 --> 12:57.240 And now Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Miss Greer Garson in Elliot Lewis's production of Twas the Night Before Christmas. 12:57.240 --> 13:04.240 A tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 13:04.240 --> 13:09.240 Oh, it's going to be good to get inside of the house, Kathy. 13:09.240 --> 13:13.240 Oh, look at you. You look almost like the snowman you and Johnny built. 13:13.240 --> 13:16.240 Here, let me brush you off a bit before we go inside. 13:16.240 --> 13:18.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:18.240 --> 13:20.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:20.240 --> 13:22.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:22.240 --> 13:24.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:24.240 --> 13:26.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:26.240 --> 13:28.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:28.240 --> 13:30.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:30.240 --> 13:32.240 Oh, I'm sorry. 13:32.240 --> 13:35.240 Let me brush you off a bit before we go inside. 13:35.240 --> 13:37.240 There's a man there. 13:37.240 --> 13:38.240 What did you say, darling? 13:38.240 --> 13:41.240 Right there, standing by the door. 13:41.240 --> 13:43.240 A man. 13:43.240 --> 13:44.240 Hello. 13:44.240 --> 13:45.240 Good evening, Miss. 13:45.240 --> 13:48.240 Hello, little girl. Is this your house? 13:48.240 --> 13:49.240 Yes, I live here. 13:49.240 --> 13:50.240 Who are you? What do you want? 13:50.240 --> 13:53.240 Well, then you'd be the Harper's little girl, wouldn't you? 13:53.240 --> 13:54.240 Yes. 13:54.240 --> 13:55.240 I asked you, who are you? 13:55.240 --> 13:57.240 Now, don't worry about it, ma'am. 13:57.240 --> 13:59.240 I just want to take a picture of the little girl. 13:59.240 --> 14:01.240 You want your picture taken, little girl? 14:01.240 --> 14:04.240 You're the reporter I talked to this morning, aren't you? 14:04.240 --> 14:07.240 And we'll want one of you, too, ma'am. 14:07.240 --> 14:09.240 Here, get in the house, Kathy. 14:09.240 --> 14:10.240 Don't stand there, dear. Get in the house. 14:10.240 --> 14:14.240 I'll be in in a moment. 14:14.240 --> 14:17.240 It's Christmas Eve, Mr. Reporter. 14:17.240 --> 14:18.240 Did you know that? 14:18.240 --> 14:19.240 Oh, now look, ma'am, I've got to get... 14:19.240 --> 14:21.240 It's Christmas Eve. 14:21.240 --> 14:22.240 Where is your heart? 14:22.240 --> 14:23.240 Oh, look, you've got to understand. 14:23.240 --> 14:24.240 I talked to you on the phone. 14:24.240 --> 14:27.240 It was almost 10 hours ago, before noon. 14:27.240 --> 14:28.240 It's nighttime already. 14:28.240 --> 14:31.240 There still isn't any word about the plane. 14:31.240 --> 14:33.240 I represent a newspaper, ma'am. 14:33.240 --> 14:35.240 We've got to assume... 14:35.240 --> 14:38.240 Well, you know, I don't want to say it any more than you do. 14:38.240 --> 14:39.240 Oh, just go away. 14:39.240 --> 14:41.240 Oh, now, really, I've got to... 14:41.240 --> 14:45.240 Were you ever lonely on Christmas Eve? 14:45.240 --> 14:48.240 Alone in a house that's empty? 14:48.240 --> 14:50.240 While outside, other people were singing, 14:50.240 --> 14:53.240 when there was warmth and love and joy. 14:53.240 --> 14:56.240 But outside... 14:56.240 --> 14:57.240 I'm just trying to... 14:57.240 --> 15:00.240 Christmas Eve, the snow is falling. 15:00.240 --> 15:07.240 Christmas Eve, and the child is grieving. 15:07.240 --> 15:10.240 Yeah, I'm sorry. 15:10.240 --> 15:12.240 Good night. 15:18.240 --> 15:19.240 Kathy. 15:19.240 --> 15:21.240 I'm in the living room, Barthie. 15:21.240 --> 15:24.240 I just had a wonderful thought. 15:24.240 --> 15:25.240 Yes? 15:25.240 --> 15:27.240 Let's have a secret. 15:27.240 --> 15:28.240 What, Barthie? 15:28.240 --> 15:30.240 Let's not wait till tomorrow. 15:30.240 --> 15:31.240 What do you mean? 15:31.240 --> 15:34.240 We'll go to our tree and open some of our presents now. 15:34.240 --> 15:36.240 Maybe just one. 15:36.240 --> 15:38.240 We'll choose the one with the most beautiful wrapping. 15:38.240 --> 15:40.240 You can open it, and you can play with it now. 15:40.240 --> 15:42.240 While I go and fix something for you to eat. 15:42.240 --> 15:44.240 I'm not hungry, Barth. 15:44.240 --> 15:45.240 Honestly, I'm not... 15:45.240 --> 15:47.240 Or just some milk and cookies, honey. 15:47.240 --> 15:48.240 You haven't eaten since... 15:48.240 --> 15:49.240 All right. 15:49.240 --> 15:51.240 Well, well, let's choose. 15:51.240 --> 15:53.240 Go ahead, pick one. 15:53.240 --> 15:55.240 All right. 15:55.240 --> 15:57.240 That one. 15:57.240 --> 16:01.240 It's from Mr. and Mrs. Anderson next door. 16:01.240 --> 16:02.240 Open it. 16:02.240 --> 16:04.240 You open it, Barthie. 16:04.240 --> 16:06.240 There you are. 16:06.240 --> 16:09.240 Oh, look. 16:09.240 --> 16:10.240 Very nice. 16:10.240 --> 16:11.240 A carousel. 16:11.240 --> 16:14.240 Well, I wind it for you. 16:14.240 --> 16:17.240 And we put it down here. 16:17.240 --> 16:20.240 Now. 16:20.240 --> 16:22.240 Oh, my sweet. 16:22.240 --> 16:23.240 You watch it. 16:23.240 --> 16:25.240 When it runs down, you can wind it up again. 16:25.240 --> 16:27.240 I'm going into the kitchen. 16:40.240 --> 16:42.240 Kathy, here's your... 16:42.240 --> 16:44.240 Kathy. 16:44.240 --> 16:47.240 Kathy, honey, where are you? 16:47.240 --> 16:48.240 Kathy? 16:48.240 --> 16:51.240 Your milk and cookies are on the table. 16:51.240 --> 16:54.240 Kathy? 16:54.240 --> 16:57.240 Are you in your room, Kathy? 16:57.240 --> 17:00.240 Kathy? 17:00.240 --> 17:03.240 Kathy, honey? 17:03.240 --> 17:06.240 Kathy? 17:06.240 --> 17:25.240 Kathy! 17:25.240 --> 17:27.240 Where's Miss Barth? 17:27.240 --> 17:29.240 Mr. Anderson, is Kathy here? 17:29.240 --> 17:31.240 Well, I know who she is. 17:31.240 --> 17:34.240 Would you mind asking Mrs. Anderson if Kathy's here? 17:34.240 --> 17:36.240 She came in through the back way. 17:36.240 --> 17:39.240 Mrs. Anderson and I have been sitting in the living room for the last hour. 17:39.240 --> 17:41.240 Why, what's the matter, Miss Buff? 17:41.240 --> 17:42.240 Kathy ran out of the house. 17:42.240 --> 17:44.240 Oh, poor child. I can imagine how she must feel. 17:44.240 --> 17:46.240 I thought she might have come over here next door. 17:46.240 --> 17:48.240 She just ran out of the house. I don't know where she is. 17:48.240 --> 17:50.240 Oh, a child like that. And what's happened to her today? 17:50.240 --> 17:53.240 Wait. I'll get my coat, Miss Buff. I'll come with you. 17:53.240 --> 17:55.240 I'll be right back. 18:03.240 --> 18:05.240 Paul! Paul! 18:05.240 --> 18:07.240 Want a sled ride, Miss Buff? 18:07.240 --> 18:08.240 Paul, listen. 18:08.240 --> 18:10.240 Hi, Mr. Anderson. Want a ride? 18:10.240 --> 18:12.240 You can go all the way down the hill for three bucks. 18:12.240 --> 18:13.240 They've got it roped off. 18:13.240 --> 18:15.240 But Paul, have you seen Kathy? 18:15.240 --> 18:16.240 Sure. 18:16.240 --> 18:17.240 Where is she? 18:17.240 --> 18:18.240 I don't know. 18:18.240 --> 18:19.240 Where is she, Paul? 18:19.240 --> 18:20.240 Where did she go? 18:20.240 --> 18:21.240 How am I supposed to know where she went? 18:21.240 --> 18:23.240 But you saw her, didn't you? 18:23.240 --> 18:25.240 Sure. She was running down the block. 18:25.240 --> 18:27.240 I yelled at her to come on over, but she kept running. 18:27.240 --> 18:28.240 Which way, Paul? 18:28.240 --> 18:31.240 Down there, I guess. Where the stores are. 18:31.240 --> 18:32.240 Thank you. 18:32.240 --> 18:34.240 Sure. Merry Christmas, Mr. Anderson. 18:34.240 --> 18:36.240 Merry Christmas, Miss Buff. 18:36.240 --> 18:38.240 Hey, watch. 18:46.240 --> 18:49.240 She hasn't been in my store, Miss Buff, and I... 18:49.240 --> 18:51.240 I'm the only one on the block who's open. 18:51.240 --> 18:53.240 Last-minute Christmas rush, you know. 18:53.240 --> 18:54.240 Thank you, Mr. Rockston. 18:54.240 --> 18:57.240 Say, now that kid and what happened to that plane today, 18:57.240 --> 18:59.240 I'd sure let the police know she was missing. 18:59.240 --> 19:01.240 I think he's right, Miss Buff. 19:01.240 --> 19:03.240 Call them, please. Call them. 19:03.240 --> 19:05.240 Oh, use this phone, Mr. Anderson. 19:05.240 --> 19:07.240 Thank you. 19:11.240 --> 19:13.240 Hello, operator. 19:13.240 --> 19:15.240 Give me the police. 19:16.240 --> 19:18.240 Oh, hello, police. 19:18.240 --> 19:21.240 I want to report a little girl who's missing. 19:21.240 --> 19:23.240 Kathy Harper. 19:23.240 --> 19:26.240 Well, she's got blonde hair and blue eyes. 19:27.240 --> 19:29.240 Oh, wait a second. I'll find out. 19:43.240 --> 19:45.240 No, you just go in the house, Miss Buff. 19:45.240 --> 19:47.240 I'm sure they'll find her. 19:47.240 --> 19:50.240 It's 10 o'clock. They've been looking for three hours. 19:50.240 --> 19:52.240 Oh, they have ways. They'll find her. 19:52.240 --> 19:54.240 We waited in that station house 19:54.240 --> 19:57.240 and all the policemen who phoned in, none of them. 19:57.240 --> 19:59.240 Well, you just go in the house. 19:59.240 --> 20:01.240 Now, I'll send Mrs. Anderson over. 20:01.240 --> 20:03.240 No, no, really. I'd rather you wouldn't. 20:03.240 --> 20:05.240 Well... 20:05.240 --> 20:17.240 Mr. Anderson, thank you. 20:17.240 --> 20:27.240 Oh, no. 20:43.240 --> 20:45.240 Yes? 20:45.240 --> 20:47.240 I'm a patrolman Reid, ma'am. 20:47.240 --> 20:49.240 Have you found Kathy? 20:47.240 --> 20:49.240 Yes, ma'am. 20:49.240 --> 20:51.240 Where is she? 20:51.240 --> 21:18.240 Oh, in heaven above. 21:18.240 --> 21:21.240 There she is, ma'am, in the second pill. 21:24.240 --> 21:26.240 Oh, careful, child. 21:37.240 --> 21:39.240 Yes, we see. 21:39.240 --> 21:41.240 The church should have been the first place. 21:41.240 --> 21:43.240 We should have looked for her. 21:43.240 --> 21:45.240 I'm sure she's in the house. 21:45.240 --> 21:48.240 The church should have been the first place. 21:48.240 --> 21:50.240 We should have looked for that kid. 21:50.240 --> 21:54.240 Kathy? 21:54.240 --> 21:56.240 Let's go home now, darling. 21:56.240 --> 22:06.240 Casting tears by the way. 22:15.240 --> 22:20.240 Kathy, let's go home now, darling. 22:20.240 --> 22:25.240 All right. 22:38.240 --> 22:41.240 There we are. All tucked in. 22:41.240 --> 22:43.240 It's almost Christmas, isn't it? 22:43.240 --> 22:45.240 Yes, darling. 22:45.240 --> 22:47.240 You're going to read to me? 22:47.240 --> 22:50.240 Of course. You just lie there. 22:50.240 --> 22:52.240 Kathy. 22:52.240 --> 22:54.240 Yes, darling? 22:54.240 --> 22:57.240 Nothing. Just read to me. 23:04.240 --> 23:12.240 It was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was staring. 23:12.240 --> 23:16.240 Not even the mouse. 23:16.240 --> 23:24.240 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 23:24.240 --> 23:32.240 The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. 23:32.240 --> 23:41.240 And Mama and her catch, and I and my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap, 23:41.240 --> 23:48.240 when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. 23:48.240 --> 23:54.240 Way to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw open the sash. 23:54.240 --> 24:02.240 The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of midday to objects below. 24:02.240 --> 24:13.240 When what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh, an eight tiny reindeer with a little old briar, 24:13.240 --> 24:18.240 so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. 24:18.240 --> 24:26.240 More rapid than eagles his courses became, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name. 24:26.240 --> 24:34.240 Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Bronson and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Dunder and Blitzen, 24:34.240 --> 24:42.240 to the tops of the porch, to the top of the wall, now Dasher away, Dasher away, Dasher away all. 24:46.240 --> 24:48.240 Oh, Bobby! 24:48.240 --> 24:51.240 Oh, Lord! 24:53.240 --> 24:57.240 Mommy! Daddy! Merry Christmas, Kathy! 24:57.240 --> 24:59.240 Kathy, baby! 25:00.240 --> 25:04.240 Hey, hey, it's Christmas. We don't cry on Christmas. 25:04.240 --> 25:06.240 I thought so. 25:06.240 --> 25:08.240 Baby, baby. 25:08.240 --> 25:11.240 Hey, how about a big hug for me? 25:11.240 --> 25:12.240 Oh, Daddy. 25:12.240 --> 25:14.240 Ah, that's my girl. 25:14.240 --> 25:16.240 Where's Miss Buff? 25:16.240 --> 25:19.240 I was in bed. She was reading to me. 25:19.240 --> 25:22.240 In bed's the place for you. Come on, I'll carry you. 25:22.240 --> 25:26.240 Buff! It's Mommy! It's Daddy! 25:26.240 --> 25:28.240 I know, darling, I know. 25:28.240 --> 25:30.240 Hello, Buffy. Merry Christmas. 25:30.240 --> 25:32.240 Merry Christmas, Buff. 25:32.240 --> 25:37.240 We had to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland. Small field communications were shot. That storm. 25:37.240 --> 25:40.240 Yes, yes. Let's not talk about it anymore now. 25:40.240 --> 25:46.240 Buffy was reading me a wonderful thing about the night before Christmas. 25:46.240 --> 25:49.240 Here. I'll put you in bed, Kathy. 25:49.240 --> 25:53.240 There. There you are. 25:54.240 --> 25:58.240 Read it to us, Buffy. To all of us. 25:58.240 --> 26:00.240 Oh, well, I, um... 26:00.240 --> 26:02.240 That's my place. 26:02.240 --> 26:05.240 Read it, Buffy. 26:05.240 --> 26:12.240 As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. 26:12.240 --> 26:17.240 So up to the housetop the courses they flew with a sleigh full of toys. 26:17.240 --> 26:20.240 And St. Nicholas, too. 26:20.240 --> 26:25.240 And then in a twinkle I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. 26:25.240 --> 26:32.240 As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney, St. Nicholas came with a band. 26:32.240 --> 26:39.240 He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. 26:39.240 --> 26:45.240 A bundle of toys he had flung on his back and looked like a peddler just opening his back. 26:45.240 --> 26:53.240 His eyes, how they twinkled. His dimples, how merry. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. 26:53.240 --> 26:59.240 His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. 26:59.240 --> 27:06.240 The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. 27:06.240 --> 27:13.240 He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. 27:13.240 --> 27:19.240 He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him in spider myself. 27:19.240 --> 27:27.240 A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 27:27.240 --> 27:34.240 He spoke but a word that went straight to his work and filled all the stockings, 27:34.240 --> 27:41.240 then turned with a jerk and laying his finger aside of his nose and giving a nod up the chimney he rose. 27:41.240 --> 27:51.240 He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down on a thistle. 27:51.240 --> 28:04.240 Then I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 28:04.240 --> 28:24.240 His wife and son, he lived, never, for a man. 28:24.240 --> 28:28.240 Ladies and gentlemen, you have just heard Miss Greer Garson in a dramatization of 28:28.240 --> 28:36.240 T'was the Night Before Christmas, tonight's production in Auto Lights, Suspense. Miss Garson will return in just a moment. 28:36.240 --> 28:44.240 Next week on Suspense, our star will be Mr. James Mason, who has Lord Essex plots to capture Elizabeth's throne. 28:44.240 --> 28:47.240 It's called The Queen's Ring. 28:47.240 --> 28:54.240 Suspense is transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Lud Gluskin. 28:54.240 --> 28:56.240 Chorus was under the direction of Roger Wagner. 28:56.240 --> 29:01.240 T'was the Night Before Christmas was written for Suspense by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. 29:01.240 --> 29:05.240 In tonight's story, Anne Whitfield was heard as Cathy. 29:05.240 --> 29:17.240 Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel, Irene Tedrow, Mary Lansing, Charles Calvert, Howard McNeer, Herb Butterfield, Johnny McGovern, Sydney Miller, Joseph Kearns, and John Ramsey Hill. 29:17.240 --> 29:21.240 And here once again is our lovely star, Miss Garson. 29:21.240 --> 29:31.240 Harlow, thank you very much, and thank you, Anne Whitfield. While I have these few moments, may I join the Auto Lights family in sending holiday greetings to our friends everywhere. 29:31.240 --> 29:33.240 Merry Christmas, Harlow. 29:33.240 --> 29:37.240 Merry Christmas, Greer. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 29:37.240 --> 29:39.240 This is the CBS Radio Network. 29:39.240 --> 29:53.240 Chorus.