June 16, 2024 • 59 mins
The Campbell Playhouse was a radio drama series that aired on CBS from 1938 to 1941. Here's a breakdown of what made it interesting:
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- Star Power: It was directed by and starred the legendary Orson Welles, known for his innovative use of sound effects and captivating voice.
- Classic Adaptations: During its first two seasons (1938-1940), the show focused on hour-long adaptations of classic plays, novels, and even some popular movies. Think "The Count of Monte Cristo" or "Rebecca" brought to life through radio.
- Shifting Format: After Welles left, the show continued for a season with a shorter format (30 minutes) and a focus on lighter fare, often featuring Hollywood actors.
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Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:17):
The makers of Campbell Soups present theCampbell Playhouse Watson Wells Producers. Good Evening.
(00:48):
This is Awson Wells Tonight. Underthe guidance of an expert, We're
going to take an excursion into theunderworld of the Prohibition period. Our story
is The Glass Key, by anauthor who is best known as the creator
of the bin Man, mister DashlHammett. The Glass Key is, to
my way of thinking, one ofdash Hammett's very best. So sit back
(01:11):
and let the Campbell play outs demonstratethat mister Hammett knows far more about underworld
plot's political skullduggeray and crimes of violencethan any other respectable author should. And
then when our story is over,we'll have a chance to check on dash
Hammett, because we have with usin the studio tonight a man who knows
more about this sort of thing thaneven Dashl Hammett. Warden laws no less
(01:34):
of sing sing, of course,and who will speak to us at the
end of this broadcast and our firsta word from Ernest Chapel. There are
different dishes that are special favorites withdifferent families, but there's one dish that
makes a big hit with most everyone, and that is chicken. People buy
(01:56):
and large like chickens so much thatit's become the customary main dish for nearly
any special party meal. I believethis enthusiastic taste for chicken accounts for the
widespread liking for Campbell's chicken soup,Because as sure as you like chicken,
you'll like this soup. There's chickenin the savory aroma from your plate,
and chicken in the tempting golden glistenof the slowly simmered broth. Chicken in
(02:16):
the eating of this soup too,deep down slow simmered chicken flavor, and
tender pieces of chicken meat along witha fluffy white rice. I want to
make a bold statement, one youmight have doubted five years ago, and
that perhaps some of you will doubtto day. If you will eat a
plate of Campbell's chicken soup tomorrow,I'm absolutely sure you'll say it's as fine
(02:37):
as the finest chicken soup you evertasted anywhere. Do you doubt that statement?
Well, if you do, I'msure it's because you haven't tasted Campbell's
chicken soup recently. And in thatcase, I ask you to try it,
because I'm sure one taste will convinceyou and that you want to have
Campbell's Chicken soup often. And nowThe Glass Key starring Arson Wells as Paul
(02:58):
Madviick. My name is Ned Beaumont, and I guess I'm out of a
job for a while. Well,I did the best I could for Paul
Maddick. But there it is aclean sweep for little form ticket. Funny
how things change. Six weeks agoyou could have got four to one on
(03:21):
the Madwick machine, putting over thewhole ticket. When he come to think
about it, there wasn't a thingPaul Madick could have done differently, not
with a set up he had.I remember the first evening he talked to
me about it in his office upover the party headquarters office. Well,
it wasn't much of an office,just a desk with a lamp on it,
a couple of chairs and a pictureof the governor looking down at you.
(03:45):
All right, are they Y're on? Ned? Oh? Puh,
lend me some money. What doyou want? Have a hundred? Been
shooting dice? Yeah? He uh? Thanks A long time since you've done
they winning, isn't it? Ned? Well? That's a long month.
For six weeks, it's a longtime to be losing at you. Try
(04:06):
laning off for a while when hehad one of these sour streets. Ah,
that's no good. It only spreadsit out. Well, if you
can stand the gare, I canstand anything. I have got to stand
case you can. Is there withthe ned. You know more about this
stuff than I do. Janet Henry'sThursday's Thursday? What do you think I
(04:28):
ought to give her? Is theSenator throwing a parting? Yeah, you'll
invite him? No, but I'mgoing there to dinner tomorrow night. Are
you going to back the senator inthis election poll? Yeah? I think
I will? Why cause with thishelp we can put over the whole ticket,
just like nobody was running against uswithout you behind him. Cause the
(04:49):
senator makes the grave this time,not a chance. Does he know that?
You ought to know it better thananybody else. And if he didn't
know it, you wouldn't be goingthere to dinner tomorrow night? Have you
have you uh promised anything? You? Yeah, it's pretty well settled,
(05:09):
mister me. Paul, throw thesenator down, sink him well, frigett.
He's never been licked at anything inhis life. Sure, and that's
one of the best reasons I knowfor throwing in with him. No,
it isn't, Paul. It's thevery worst I think, not over even
if it hurts your head. Howfar is this dizzy blonde daughter of has
got her hooks into you and goto marry miss Henry? That part of
(05:33):
the bargain. Nobody knows that you'dshould you and me that's what you want
to make them? Put it inwriting? Better? Still insist on the
wedding before election day. Then you'llat least be sure if you're pound of
flesh, Paul, or uh showa way around a hundred and ten,
won't she? I don't know whyyou keep talking about the senator like he
was a jig. He's a gentleman, absolutely, and his daughter's an aristocrat
(05:58):
who's apply h don't be and weought to forget that. Her brother,
Taylor Henry's in a restacrat too,which is probably why you made your daughter
stop playing around with him. Arenot at that stifferent? And when you're
married to Janet Henry, will thatentitle her brother to begin playing around with
opal again? Oh? My deadbody at will I didn't ask for all
this. I just ask you whatkind of person I ought to give Miss
(06:19):
Henry? How far have you gotwith her nowhere? I've been well,
I've been over there a half dozentimes. Talk to Senate. Sometimes I
see it and sometimes they don't.But you didn't get a bid to the
birthday party? Now are not kids? And the answer is one you won't
like such a don't give her anything. I don't do whatever you like.
(06:43):
You ask me, But why you'renot supposed to give people things unless you're
sure that I forget them from you? I got you. Guess you're right.
I'll be hanged if I'll pass upthe chance to give her a prison.
Well flowers then or something like thatmight be alright. Well, and
but I don't wanna sure you wantedto give her a road to her a
couple of yards of pearls. You'llget your chance of that later. Start
(07:08):
up a little and grow boll wentto that dinner was the next night or
Wednesday. Just lately I found outwhat happened up at the Senator's house studies.
As a matter of fact, Igot it. Uh, well,
never mind, they don't give ita thought. Senator k me behind you.
(07:32):
The elections as good as in thebag. I've been through a few
more elections than you, a maticthen never in the bag until the vote
took of it. Boys, Sofigure to file up a thirty thousand majority
and the eight ward alone. Whatwhen you two talk about when the election's
over how to win the next waterand to say that's too If you'll excuse
me, Mattig, I'll leave youalone with Donnet for a moment, sure
(07:54):
saying I want to have a talkwith my son before he goes out.
I'll be right back. You will, uh have to excuse my brothers.
I'm not coming down to dinner.That's all right. Taylor and I had
a little it's understanding. Some wespak about my daughter. You're not to
interested in music, are you,mister Mudd. I'm interested in anything you
(08:16):
do, any right. I didn'task music go in. I like you
you playing. You see, you'rethe difficult man who amused. The conversation
must be about politics, not aboutme. That is, those are the
two things I'm interested in. Youthink they go together very well? Yes?
(08:37):
One one's a means to the other, mister Muddy. My friends call
me Paul very well, Paul.Then listen, miss Henry. I know
there's a little out of my line. I know I'm a politician from the
wrong side of town and you're SenatorHenry's daughter. About all I've ever learned
that you don't get up to thesixth grade aids how to run things and
(09:01):
how to get other people to runthing for or not quite all I can
learn music and the rest of thethings on your side of the town.
That's what I'm setting out to do. Janet, you know at the end
of my road, everything I wanteverything. I wanna be just a not
(09:24):
to be sorry that you wanted meto kiss you. I think you better
go now. I just to changeto talk. Sorry, let's not talk
about him that pach in the horse? All right, good night to sing
good night each another? Oh ohwhat's that? Oh just one on?
(09:50):
Oh it's all he's done. Iwanted to kill he turned upon me,
come down and apologize for Uh whatthe other? What is tall doing?
Did I ask you? Hmm?A pet? It was really necessarily something
to the post paper said about biggerthe public life light. He decide falls
a lot about fall. He justsat Atlant something for everything to day.
(10:11):
It's easy. He started collect himrens on it. But I say he
started to make love to me.Got that it musta been Taylor. I
hope he didn't know what I said. You know how he feels about not
dig HeLa. Come back here,Taylor, come back heah HeLa. I
(10:37):
had an idea Paul would stopped byparty headquarters that night after the dinner,
and I went up to his officeand started his desk waiting for him.
It was after ten when he camein. Hello, on mad, what
are you doing at my desk?Uh? Reading the paper? Thought you
was downstairs playing dice? I washow Uh Henry din the god I'd been
(10:58):
the worst? Was tailor? Imnot at dinner? Why? Because he's
dead in a gut up in ChinaStreet with a fractured skull. That's so
you understand what I said? Yes, well, well what he was killed?
(11:20):
Alright? Do you want me toget hysterical about it? Boy?
I thought you might want to lookyou in the wood since the Senator Henry
Son, except that the cops isn'tit. I was there with him before
they moved the buddy, you know? If anything? Yeah? What his
hat wast there? You won't needit now. Well, I'll be going
(11:46):
a lord, SoC you're a foolmad, yeah, one of us says.
Next, say, I drove outbefore, and my big house down
out in little strange boulevard. Isagued, Paul wouldn't be in missus.
(12:13):
M oh, hello mama, Sohere you are at last. Man,
you're a restless boy. He neglectsan old woman like this. Oh,
ba by mag I'm a big boynow. And I got my workers after
And where's a kid? Open?Yeah, she's laying down. She's not
feeling good. Uh, what's matterwith her? He a day? Yeah,
she's been dancing too much. Uh, her father been up to see
(12:35):
her. No, Paul hasn't beenhome since yesterday? Did you find out
about the Henry boy? The copsof her find out anything? You know?
If I pop any saying a lotof opal, Sure, go right
up, Ned, you'd be gladto see your Okay, I'll have a
couple of teos ball you when theycome down. I went up the stairs,
and of course the landing Brian wasdown in the open room, and
(12:58):
I could see the light from hercigarette. She set me there, well,
ma'am, oh sniff ah, Iknow yes to tell well really mostly
headaches gone? Oh opal Iman outsideof now? Huh, don't know what
you mean? I mean Taylor HenryThen you know I. I haven't seen
(13:24):
him for months and dad made himstop seeing. He'll take it. I'll
be running along. Oh wait,that's you. What makes you whack like
time? You have no light tomean what you meant? I don't since
you start Tailor and you talk toany week. Uh oh no, it
(13:46):
don't make it so hard for himwhat you say? Sure, I it's
time to remember it one word.I don't know each other? Did Did
you know I'd believe him? Well? I know it now. Never mind
that leather. I was with himonly yesterday up to me? See,
(14:09):
yes, what do you get petkill? You know me? No?
Got the phone? Got why?But if I ask you something, you
won't get my bed. I'll trynot to the sad mothers that Tailor and
I was short going together? Listsome kid? What are you trying to
(14:33):
prove? And look you don't gonnaget none. I'm not If you really
love player, I hon't care orwas it sat just because it tri didn't
love him? Nod and couldn't sureit I'm sure I loved him. I
would go about the farm and stopat the place so some of'em and
(14:54):
called up for mothers and potty kbot. It wasn't fair. Back to town
and stopped at the pay station andcalled up Paul Madig at party headquarters.
He wasn't there. Round three,I went over to the District Attorney's office.
(15:15):
District Attorney's office, Mister Farr isbusy? Would you leave your number?
Thank you? Mm? Hello,District Attorney's office. Hello assistant,
Hello, mister Beaumont. Tell misterFarr, I wanna see him? Sure,
hello, mister Farr. U misterBeaumont here, Yes, mister Farr,
you can go right in. MisterBeaumont, you know the way I
order distric Attenion Dorphine. Sorry,mister vos dissy did you leave your name?
(15:39):
Oh? How on man? HowI am? Hello? Fire?
Now what can I do for him? Far? I want you to fix
me up with some sort of paperspecial prosecutor or something. Ah, sure,
I guess I can fix it up. But uh, what crime you
particularly interested in? Solving? Amurder? The murder of Taylor Henry,
remember, Oh yes, but Ithought, well, Paul Madick, and
(16:02):
I might be interested in not solvingthe cases. That is unt I I
didn't say that, but hell,I wanna read you this note. I
get one of'em every day,Uh, writing notes. I mean,
let me see type written and plainwhite people. Well to say, well,
doesn't say anything, Just ask thequestion. Is Paul madrig the reason
(16:22):
you're doing nothing to solve the Henrymurder? Well, well, I'm mad
don't think I'm taking that seriously,but but l you know, we we
get bails of that kind of stuffevery time anything happens. I uh,
I just wanted to show it toyou. Oh that's all right, as
long as you keep on feeling thatway about it. I uh, I
don't think i'd say anything to Paulabout the notes if I were you.
(16:45):
He's got enough in his mind.Well, sure, whatever you say,
mad this and fire, Paul hasn'tanything to hide in the Henry murder.
And I wouldn't like to think youwere going around thinking he had on.
Oh, for heaven's sake, nedget me right, you know, don
Well, there's nobody in the cityany stronger for Paul and you than me.
You know you can always count onme. Yeah, that's five.
Yeah, I've got a run alongsong pod. I never did spend much
(17:15):
of my time at party headquarters andrun election. I don't like listening to
the same line of talk over andover again. It was Tuesday before I
saw Paul Madwick again. How longthat? Well you've been in the last
few days? Ah right? Differentplaces? Uh, Paul Yorton? Where
(17:37):
silk socks with tweeds? No,I like the feel of silk. Well,
the lay off the tweeds. Yougo to Taylor Henry's funeral yesterday?
Yes, senator suggested it. Howwas the senator? Alright? I spent
most this afternoon after there was hishouse? Yeah? Was the daughter there?
(18:00):
Janet Henry was there? M yuh, it's Janet nose getting anywhere with
him. Still think I'm gonna marryher? That she know yet that your
intentions are honorable. I'll lay offand alright, Paul, I came here
to tell you something you ought toknow about the election. Yes, in
a way, it's about the electionshadow Rory's nois it around that you know
(18:22):
more about Taylor Henry's death than you'retelling that don't do any good with the
respectable citizens, civic Union and thewomen's clubs. So Shadow Rory shooting his
mouth off? Is he it?So in backyards getting too small for him?
And I think I'll knock Shadow Roryloose from our little city. I'm
(18:42):
tired of having him around that.I think I'll knock him loose right away,
starting tonight, for instance. Forinstance, i think I'll have far
close up the dog house and ParadiseGardens and every die that we know shared,
or any of his friends they're interestedin. I think I'll have five
smack'em over in one long row, one after the other, this very
(19:04):
same night. Maybe that'll keep mistershadow Rory quiet. Maybe, But this
wholesale step is too much like usinga cyclone shot to blow off a safe
door when you can get it offwithout any force by using a cumberlor.
I don't know a thing about openingsafes, ned, but I do know
fighting my kind going in with bothhands working. I never could learn to
(19:30):
box. Only times I have atried to got licked. I'll give mister
shadow Rory the cyclone shot beginning tonight. Alright, man, break down the
door. Alright, Okay, Icalled my hair boys Paradise Garden. Second
(20:11):
Well, that was white at nightat midnight to during the raided shadow rowers
class a drug house, paradise,gotten a carousel one after another. The
next eving, Paul, Matt Bigand I were sitting in a private room
at Pip Cosson's. The man openedthe door and came in without knocking.
(20:33):
A man of medium pipe with smoothwhite hair. He wore a dark for
wover code over a dark blue suitand carried a black Derby hat and uh
yeah, black gloved hands. Yeah, how are you shad and find Paul
him out yourself? You know Beaumonta shadow rory yep, yeah, but
(20:53):
week politics his politics and businesses business. I'd been paying my way and it
wouldn't go on paying my way inthis town. But I want what I'm
paying for him. Yeah, whatdo you mean by that? I mean
the half the comperce in town arebuying their cakes in air with doll They're
get'em from me and some ofmy friends. Well, I want what
(21:15):
I'm paying for. I'm paying tobe let alone. An election or no
election. I wanna be let alone. Business is business and politics is politics.
Let's keep my part. No,it's gonna mean kill him if you'll
make it mean kill him, it'llhave to mean kill him. I'm too
(21:38):
big to take the boot from youthat I think. Maybe you're too big
to take it laying down, butyou'll take it, yeah, taking it.
I'm opening the Paradise garden again tonight. I don't wanna be bothered.
Bother me, and I'll bother you. They get me headquarters on that poor
William. Yeah not right that Polie. That is well. I wanna speak
(22:07):
a Lieutenant Brett. There he is, boy all out, Brett pormatic.
How the folks. That's good,say Brett. I hear Shad's thinking of
opening up again tonight. Yeah,yeah, the paradise or slam it down
as hard as he can, right, sure, right now? Do you
(22:37):
know where you stand? You through, Shad? You through? I understand
so long Madic Well rug paull ohmacro, don't anything suit you say?
(22:59):
Where you going? I'm leaving.I'm tired of pigtown stuff meaning me.
This as swell time to be throwingme down. See you're hard to get
on with, Ned, I neversaid I wasn't. Yeah, I have
a drink. No hurry is there? No thanks? Mind telling me why
(23:22):
you think I handle shared wrong.They don't do any good. Try.
Shadow Rory is gonna fight. You'vegot him in a corner. There's nothing
you can do now but play thelong shot. You're trying to relect the
whole city administration, Well I don'tgiven him a crime wave just before election
isn't gonna make them look any tooefficient. And then there's this stuff that's
being set about Taylor Henry's killing.Next thing, you know it'll be punted.
(23:47):
You think I ought uh laid downto shadow Rory, Well I think
you should have left him and outa line of retreat. I should've have
got him with us back to thewall. I don't know anything about your
kind of fighting started it. AllI know is when you got somebody corn
it, you go in and finishit. That system's worked alright for me
so far. Well, Paul,this is one time I think you've let
(24:10):
yourself be out smarting. First,you let the Henrys wheel you in the
decking of Senator. There was yourchance to go in and finish an enemy
was cornered, But that enemy happenedto have a blonde daughter in social position
and whatnot, So you've had itout ned well, how much been running
along? I'll wait, mad,let your head off me. Now I
(24:30):
care and now let go. Don'tbe a fool you and I e sever
let go? I bet it?Oh, pen, Now they knocked the
devil out of you. I comeon, ned, let's finish out for
(24:51):
you. O. You are listeningto the Campbell Playhouse presentation of the Glaring
(25:11):
Arson Wells. This is the ColumbiaBroadcasting System. This is Ernest Chappel,
(25:34):
Ladies and gentlemen, welcoming you backto the Campbell Playhouse. In just a
moment, we will resume our presentationof Dashall Hammett' the Glass Key, starting
Arson Wells? Who killed Cock?Robin? Who killed Taylor Henry. I
think there's nothing quite like a goodmurder mystery, and Dashell Hammett is my
idea of a perfect companion, whetherit's for a Friday evening by the radio
(25:56):
or for good reading anytime. Butthere's a time and place mystery like anything
else. And one place you won'tfind any mystery is in the kitchens where
Campbell soups are made. I visitedthose kitchens as recently as last week,
and I know whereof I speak,there are no secrets. There you can
watch for yourself each step in themaking of fine soup, among other things.
(26:17):
I watch them make Campbell's chicken soup, and I know why it is
that people who have never thought acanned chicken soup could be as good as
homemade change their minds completely when theyfirst taste Cambell's because Campbells make chicken soup
the way a good cook does athome. Indeed, it seems to me
that Campbell's way is in some respectseven better. For example, where a
chicken soup at home is often madefrom leftovers, Cambells use all the good
(26:41):
meat of the fine selected chickens,and what plump, splendid chickens they are
too. But the thing that amazesme most is the care with which each
ingredient is prepared and cooked, andthe precision of the measuring and blending skill,
precision, a lavish hand with theingredients. These you see in the
making of Calamble's chicken soup. Butno mystery, no secrets, And if
(27:03):
there's any doubt in your mind abouthow good a canned chicken soup can be,
I do earnestly invite you to tryCampbell's Chicken Soup. Now we resume
our Campbell Playhouse presentation of The GlassKey, starting uson Wells as Paul Madwick.
(27:26):
Well, you can keep a thinglike that quiet. The next morning,
word had filtered through the grapevine theTam Madwick and I had quarreled in
the back room at tiff Cotton.At noon, one of Shadow Rory's boys,
by the name of Whiskey's Sons,came to my apartment. He didn't
stay very long. Round three,I wandered over to the Paradise Gardens and
in the private room of the jointthey'd smashed up two nights before, Shadow
(27:48):
Rory was waiting for me. Oh, I'm glad to see you. Beaumont,
stop your head and coat anywhere.What do you want to see me?
About you? I heard what happenedafter I left last night. I
owe you something for trying to stopPaul from closing up my joints. You
don't, I don't, uh.I was with him then. What I
(28:10):
told him was for his own good. I thought he was making a bad
play. He'll know it before he'sthrough it, so that you and Paul
have broken for good and all.I thought you knew it. I thought
that's why you sent for me.I heard it. But that's not always
the same thing. Uh. Whatwere you thinking you might do now?
As a one way ticket for NewYork in my pocket? My closere pack?
(28:30):
How long you been here? Fifteenmonths? You and Paul have been
closed as a couple of fingers.Uh? How long y you ought to
know a lot of things about him? I do. Why did Paul Madwick
bump off young Henry make your proposition? How does it hit you? After
election? I was taking to thefinest gathering house the state's ever seen that
(28:52):
you wanted to suit yourself with allthe protection you ever heard of. That's
an if offer if you win,which you think we're gonna win the election,
you won't bet even money on it. You're not the heart to go
in with me, are your beau? Mont? Oh? It wasn't any
idea of mine. Uh, sitdown, you can still talk, can't
listen. I'll give you a tengrand in cash right now. You'll come
in and ten more on election nightif we beat Paul, and I'll keep
(29:17):
that house offer open for you totake her leave? You want me,
they rather for Madwick? Of courseI want you to go to the papers
to the lowdown on everything you knowabout him being mixed up in the sewer
contract, the dirt on how he'srunning the city. I want you to
tell the papers how he killed Taylorsand why fire. That's not one in
the stew business. Now, he'shad his trapper show to keep him raising
(29:40):
a think all right, but thereis something in the Taylor Henry business.
Yeah, yeah, it'll be workingfor both of us. I'd have a
reporter put the stuff in case.You just give him the do open,
let him write it. You canshut off with the tailor Henry. Things
may they at half? You meanyou got to shut off first with a
ten thousand dollars. Oh there's somethingin back here? Then grand cut ab
(30:04):
up plank Ah. The thanks goboth ways. That the reporter's out there,
now, should I call him?I already have a little time to
straighten it out in my mind.I'll give it to him anyway it comes
to you. He'll put it inshape. Fine, we'll go over to
my place now and get to work. Hey, it'll be better here,
Ele. If it's the money youworried about, you can hang on until
I've turned in the step. I'mnot worried about anything, but you're in
(30:25):
a tough spot, and the Paulgets the news, you'll come over to
me. And I don't wanna takeany chances to him, have any knocked
talk, you'll have to take them. I'm going no, yep, we'll
keep Yeah, boss, come onin here, you do okay. I
I'm afraid we'll have to persuade Beaumontto stay with us. Sure wants to
(30:45):
get to Wait and how about it? Beaumont? He coming across on Madwig.
Now too bad and boys get gone, come on we escape? Yeah,
alright, alright, boys stay now, go back and finish your game.
(31:26):
Uh right, raise your two bits, whiskey, I'm standing how many
cats? Uh three? Two forme? Four bits? I'll say,
Hey, is he good? Oh? Just a second chittz Now, poor
(31:47):
mine, I told you to stayaway from that door, didn't I.
Hey, cap ol Jack, you'llcrock'em. Uh you can't crook.
Oh man, he's a tough baby. I've never seen a guy that like
being hit so much, but thatI like hitting so much. Oh well,
(32:10):
I'll court your rusty Mark King's mypot pduces. Yeah, they rusty
Uh, Hi, shad out Beaumont. Uh, Jeff's been slapping him down
for the front of it. Idon't want him kill Jeff, not yet.
Uh Beaumont. Yeah, he's prettyfar guard boss. It's a shadow,
(32:34):
Rory Beaumont. Can you hear whatI say? Yeah? Good,
Now, listen what I tell you, Beaumont. You're gonna give me the
dope on Paul Madwick. Well maybeyou think you won't tell Beaumont, but
you will. I'll have your workdone until you do. You understand me,
I was, I won't. Okay, Jeff, get to work,
(33:00):
I mean some more. I triedthe same thing again. Yeah you yeah,
it ain't no good Now he's trugglinglike at Joe. I don't remember
(33:21):
much what happened after that. Itwas getting dark and I found I was
alone in the room, and Iremember something about tearing a mattress apart with
my nails and teeth and something fireto it with my cigar. Like the
next thing I knew, I wasat the emergency hospital. Paul was standing
at the foot of my bed.Gosh, glad to see you alive.
(33:42):
And then oh, Paul, andI get here. A copper found you
crawling on all fours in the lawnof the Paradise Guard and leaving a trail
of blood behind you. I ain'tthink of funny things to do. Yeah,
with your nail shot, now usein it and laid down chair.
Let him take the rep for asoul? What good does that do us?
The shots still squawking about the tellerHenry Murder chronicles full of it.
(34:07):
Other papers are taking it up.So we're gonna stop that. You gonna
stay in bed and get well,that's what you're gonna do. Look,
Mead, I've got a visitor withme. She like to see you.
She's waiting in the hall. It'skind of important to me. Mind if
she comes in. I guess now, who is it? Janet Henry?
(34:31):
Uh the Senator's then huh, Wellsend her in. She said she wants
to see you a little kind alright, sure, pay the easy kid exactly.
I'll have to so call alright,Janet, that's feeling better, come
in. I have a nice visityou too, Thanks for I want you
(34:59):
to come. You don't mind,do uh? I'm flooded? Sit down?
No, you're not. You don'tlike me? Noh? I think
maybe I do who don't I knowit? Well, you can't go by
my manners. They're always pretty bad. You don't like me, and I
want to do why because you're pol'sbest friends. Uh, Paul has lots
(35:22):
of friends, he's a politician.You're his best friends, he thinks.
So what do you think I thinkyou are? You wouldn't be here now.
You wouldn't have gone through that forhim. I wish you'd like me,
if you can, miss Henry,I'm kind of awkward when I'm around
people like you. Will belong toanother world altogether, society and Rodo's sections
(35:43):
and all, and you mistake thatfor enmity, which it isn't at all.
You're making fun of me, ButI don't even mind that. If
you'll let me be your friend,well I might might be something new.
I never had a senator's daughter fora friend. Next day I had another
(36:05):
visitor about soon in the afternoon,the nurse came in to see if I
was sleeping. I wasn't ask ata fruit for you, mister Beaumont,
who from here's the card open thenurse. It just says please, and
it shined Janet Henry, Uh,help yourself to the junk take enough so
it looks as if i'd eat us. M No wonder people beat you up.
(36:29):
And there's a missus Madwig here tosee you. I'll tell her how
to come in and you stay outit, so see your pleasure. Alright,
missus Madviigs, thank you? Uhhello, Ned, come right over
here, Mom, I'm I'm gonnakiss you all. What foolish? Ned?
Well, you don't look so bad? No, yet's a good How
(36:49):
do you feel, Ned? Oh? It's well, I'm only hanging around
here around the kind of the nurse. See that wouldn't surprise me much,
neither, look in Ned, You'vegot to tell me the truth. Paul
didn't kill that whipper snapper Taylor Henrydid he? What makes she ask that?
Opele wasn't it? Wasn't it?Yes, Opele's got herself in a
state over it. She's sure herfather did it, but she got uh
(37:14):
evidence or intuition? She gets anote like this every day. Uh,
I bet she does. I'd seenone of those before. Ready to me
anyway? Are you really too stupidto know your father murdered your sweetheart?
That's what he says. Well,everybody in town's had at least one of
these notes that it isn't true,is it? Nope? I didn't think
(37:37):
so. He's always been a goodboy. But the Lord only knows what
goes on in this politics. You'rea hum dinger. Mom. Would you
tell me if he had killed him? Nope? Then how do I know
he didn't, Because if he had, I'd still say no. But then
if you ask me if i'd tellyou the truth if he had, I'd
(37:57):
say, yes, I didn't doit, ma'am. It would be nice
if somebody in town besides me thoughthe didn't do it, and it would
be especially nice if that other onewas his mother. Well, I was
on my back in that hospital.I did some thinking. I didn't like
(38:21):
the way things were going for Paul. Decided I'd better get out and do
some looking around. The doctor saidno, I said yes, Districk Attorney's
office. Yes, I'll connect you. Hello, sister, Hello, mister
Beaumont, How are you feeling fine? How far I'm here, mister Beaumont
to see you. Mister Farr?All right, I'm sorry, mister Beaumont.
(38:44):
Mister Farr has an important conference.You don't mind now see for myself,
mister Beaumont, ah right, fam, I have to smash my way
in to see her these days.Oh mad, was it you? I
thought the girl said, mister Barman, come right in. Oh no,
har I'm done. I I Igot in anything new? All now?
(39:04):
I think just the same, Aulgrind I was the uh lectioneering going?
Well, well it could be better, but I guess we'll manage all right.
What's the matter? Oh this andnot? Things always come up?
Oh that's politics. I guess anythingI can do or Paul to help,
No, I think not. Thisis Henry killing the worst thing you're up
against. Well, uh, there'sa lot of feeling that we ought to
(39:28):
have cleared up the murder before this, and that Paul ought of help.
That's one of the things, maybeone of the biggest, that will come
against this at election. Any progresssince I saw you last all not much?
Listen for Paul's always glad to helpthe boys out of Hall's. Do
you think it would help if he'dlet himself be arrested and tried for the
Henry murder. Well, it's notfor me to tell Paul what to do.
(39:52):
Yeah, there's a thought. Andhere's another one that goes with it.
It's not for you to do muchPaul wouldn't tell you to do?
Oh? Mr District Attorney. Thenhow did you happen to come to the
house with Paul tonight? You didn'tcome to see me. I came because
(40:15):
Paul asked me to. Why don'tgo to senator's houses usually? What's that
you're playing with? Henry like it? Yeah? I woulda talked to you
then before father and Paul get throughwith their business. So I had tug,
But don't stop playing. How wasOpel? I hadn't seen her since
last week? Why isn't she inbed with a nervous breakdown? Oh?
(40:37):
Then didn't Paul tell him? Yes, he told me his daughter was in
bed with a nervous breakdown. Hekilled me that. I suppose that means
she's locked up in the house.That's right. She got the foolish idea
that her father had killed your brother. But why did she think that?
Who doesn't That's what I wanted toask you, mister Belmont. Do people
(40:58):
think that? Didn't you get anyof the anonymous letters that have been going
around? Yes, today I wouldhave just they They all seem to be
pretty much alike, and I've seenplenty of them. Is Paul actually in
danger? If he loses the election, loses his hold in the city and
state government, they'll electric to him. But he's safe if he wins.
Sure will he win? I thinkso? And then he'll he'll not be
(41:22):
in danger. No, he'll notbe in danger. Too bad, isn't
it? Go on and play.You may not want this to be overheard.
You can put up with Paul forthe sake of the political backing your
father needs, but that has itslimits. Last week, you decided Paul
had killed your brother is going toescape punishment, so you decided to do
something about it. Miss Henry,that's splendid Paul's daughter in this suite.
(41:45):
I'm both trying to steer him tothe electric chair. He certainly has a
lot of luck with women. Keepplaying, I tell you, I'll shout
it. You sent those anonymous lettersaround, Certainly you did. I'm not
good at lying. I know Paulkilled Taylor. Uh I wrote the letters.
You hate Paul, don't you?Even if I proved you that he
didn't kill Taylor. You'd still hatehim, wouldn't you. Yes, I
(42:05):
think I should. That's it.You don't hate him because you think he
killed your brother. You think hekilled your brother because you hate him.
No, now listen to me.I'll tell you what happened. That night.
Paul came to dinner, the firsttime we'd had him to dinner.
Taylor wasn't at the dinner table,but he was up in his room.
Yes, he uh, he wouldbeat with Paul because of the trouble he'd
hadn't about Opel. After dinner,Paul and I were alone for a little
while in this room, and hesuddenly put his arms around me and tried
(42:28):
to kiss me. What happened?Then? I asked him to leave.
Then Father came down. He'd heardPaul going out. I told him what
had happened, and then Taylor camedown from his room. He must have
heard what I said, because heran out the door after Paul. Father
tried to stop him. I didn'tsee either of them until Father came to
my room and told me Taylor hadhad been killed. Oh well, ever,
(42:49):
what of it? How could Ihelp? Knowing then that Taylor had
run out after Paul and had caughtup with him and had been killed by
him, he was furious. Ohno, that won't do. Paul wouldn't
have to kill Taylor, and hewouldn't have Jennett. Paul doesn't lose's having
a fight. I know that I'veseen Paul fight, and I fought with
him. No, No, thatwon't do. I know you're Paul's friend.
It hurts. You're right about mybeing Paul's friend. Then this is
(43:12):
useless. I thought if I couldshow you the truth that we needn't be
enemies. Need we The part ofyou that strick Paul and is trying to
trick him is my enemy and theother part of me it hasn't anything to
do with that. You don't knowthat part? Do you sure? I
do? That part was playing thepiano. Just now, drop you off
(43:47):
the club net. Now that's Paul. I think I'll go home. You
know how good I feel that youand Janety is off this evening. I
can get along with anybody if Ihave to. How' was a lection?
Is everything going along to suit you? Well? Now it's well off as
we were two weeks ago. Youknow, then that's right. And if
(44:07):
Taylor Henry's killing isn't cleared up front, or you don't have to worry about
the campaign, it will be sunk. Whoever wins it's what do you mean
by that? Net? Everybody intime thinks you've killed him. Yeah,
don't let that worry you. I'vehad things said about me before. Is
there anything you haven't been through?Maveric, i'n't been given the electric cure.
(44:30):
I don't think I ever will yuhnot very far from it right now,
Pauld, I'm not taking up yourtime with my nonsense. I'm listening
to you. Never lost anything,listening to you. Thank you, sir.
Why do you supposed to fire?Is wiggling out from under? And
the rest of the boys they figureyou're licked. Everybody knows the police haven't
(44:53):
tried to find Tailor's murder, andeverybody thinks it's because you killed him.
Far figures that's enough to lick Atthe polls this time, we've been talking
a lot about what other people figuring, and that I have to talk about
what you figure. Figure I'm elected. I've told you if Taylor Henry's meder
isn't cleared up, proud of yourson, that's the whole thing. That's
(45:13):
the only thing worth doing anything about. It won't do think up. Something
else must be an outlet thing.There isn't that's the only way. The
other going to take him. Butbe a like it or not, or
I'm going to take it for you, I now, oly or uh,
that's one thing I won't do foryou, Paul. I killed him that
(45:37):
it was an accident that he randown the street after me when I left,
Caney picked up on his way out, tried to hit me with a
stick. I tell how it happened. But pulling it away from him,
I hit him on the head withit, not hard, but he fell
back and smashed his head on thecurb. What happened to the stick?
I took it away under my overcoatand burned it. What kind of a
(45:59):
stick? Was it? A roughbrown one? Heavy? And you had
a clear self defense? Please?I know, but I didn't want that
that. I I want Janet toHenry more than I ever wanted anything in
my life. What chance would Ihave then, even if it was an
accident, you'd have more chance thanyou've got now. Janet Henry's always thought
(46:19):
you killed her brother. She hatesyou. She's been trying to play you
in an electric chair. She wroteall those anonymous letters. Everybody. She's
the one that turns your daughter againstyou. She was telling me this tonight,
trying to turn me. She's notenough. What is it that you
want her yourself? Or is it? It doesn't make any difference? Catch
(46:45):
you heel, this is the kissor whatever you say? Uh? No,
(47:09):
I'm in five A two three andI wanna speak to ms. Oh
h, Janet, this is netIt might if I come back. I've
got some news. Yes, say, do you want the lowdown on what
happened to your brother? Well?Look'em on Taylor's walking sticks, that's
right. See if any of themhis or your father's are missing, particularly
(47:29):
a rough, heavy brown one,that's right. Tell me, mister ballon
what happened? Tell me I?Uh, what you find out about the
working sticks? It's upstairs and followthis closet, the heavy one you described.
(47:50):
In fact, none of them aremissing now that tailor's nor fathers.
But what about it? Ned?Do be some mysterious Look here, Janet?
Are you sure you wanna go throughthis thing? I walk go through
with it more than I ever wantedto do anything in my life. They're
practically the same words. Poor youwas telling me how much he wanted you.
Did you tell him about me?Yep? Call me a liar and
(48:12):
kicked me out of his car.Paul and I are watched up. I'm
glad. I won't pretend I'm not. Did Paul say anything else? Yes,
well he said that he kills yourbrother. Ned I knew it.
Then you'll go to the district attorney. You certainly wanna be in at the
kill, don't you? He wasin at my brother's. Well, I
(48:36):
hope you'll like it when you getit. I go ahead call your father,
father, Oh, father, wouldyou want in the right away?
Jannet? Just just one more thing? You're sure about that? King?
Course, I'm sure I saw itjust ten minutes ago. Good, that's
all I need to know. Well, and what is it? Oh?
Hello, mister Beaumont. Hello,back again, father. I'm afraid we
(48:59):
have some money. Has news foryou. Mister Beaumont has just told me
who killed Taylor. It was PaulMaddig Madwick. Mister Beaumont, What have
you got to support that statement?What evidence? For? One thing?
Is on confession? Madvig admitted thathe killed my son. Yes, this
is incredible, and associate of minekilled my son. I can't believe it.
(49:19):
Father, What are you going todo? There's only one thing we
can do. Tell Far to arrestPaul Madwick. Operator, get the District
Attorney's office. Senator. I uh, I wouldn't do that. If I
were you, or you mean Beaumont, I'd hang up that receiver. I
wouldn't talk to Far yet. You'renot quite ready. You think that you
can tell me what you did andexpect me to do nothing. One might
(49:43):
I hang up that receiver, Senator. Senator, I have a special authority
from the district attorney. I've gotit here in miss Pocket. There's any
arrest in this case, I'd liketo do it myself. And why didn't
you arrest Madwig on the spot becausehe didn't kill your son? Nah?
Well, you you just said thatPaul confessed yes, but I didn't say
I believed him. His story didn'thold together. Sit down, Senator and
(50:06):
you Janet. I've got plenty tosay to both of you. Better be
quick about it, ball on beforeI pick up the phone. It won't
work, Senator, because Paul's goingto stop covering you up the minute he
gets arrested. Now, what happened, Miss Henry is something like this.
When your brother heard about Paul thatnight, he ran after him, taking
the stick with him and wearing ahat. But that's not important. You
wanted to be re elected, Senator, you couldn't let your son get in
(50:27):
a fight with a man you werecounting on to put you over. So
you had to stop your son atall, of course, didn't you.
This is nonsense. I will nothave mine. I'm sure it's nonsense.
And you're bringing the stick that killedhim back home is nonsense. And wearing
a hat because you'd run out badand after him is nonsense too. But
it's nonsense that I'll nearly to thecross, Senator Henry. Let's have it
quickly. Woman, What is ityou're trying to say? I can say
it in for words, Senator,you chilled your son. Well, that's
(51:00):
how the Reform Party got in parodiesright off the tape. A plurality of
two hundred and twenty seven thousand.That's for reform with a vengeance. After
the night, Paul and I areon the shifs. Even Shadow roars out
of the picture. Two days agohe was killed by one of his own
henchmen at Paradise Gardens. Sendator Henrythrough with politics to using that it for
(51:20):
manslaughter by his own confessional needs winningtrial pore Madrig's lying alone for a while.
HM never gives up that man.I said good bye to him yesterday
we took hands. There wasn't muchwe could say. Well. I still
got my one way ticket in NewYork and tomorrow I'm gonna use it.
Oh, I'm a sort that likesto travel alone. But while I I
guess the reform waves got me too. There's another ticket in my pocket.
(51:45):
I bought it last night. Thisone's for Janet Henry. This concludes the
(52:07):
Campbell Playhouse presentation of the Glass Keyby Dash. You'll hammet in just a
moment. Orson Wells will return tothe microphone. But first, a word
from the makers of Campbell Soups.A little while ago I spoke of the
lavish emphasis on chicken in Campbell's Chickensoup. Actually, all the good meat
of fine government certified chickens goes intoits making. The broth bubbles slowly and
(52:29):
softly in shining kettles until it takeson a golden glisten, and the good
flavor of chicken is rich in everydrop. Pieces of chicken meat cooked deliciously
tender, go into the soup too, along with snowy rice. Somewhere sometime
you've probably tasted the chicken soup thatyou decided was the very last word.
Well, with that chicken soup inmind, if you'll try Cambells tomorrow,
(52:52):
I'll promise you won't be disappointed.I'm sure you'll say Cambell's is as fine
as the finest in your memory,and you'll be glad. You can have
it at any time, and oftenyou'll like it for lunch, for supper,
for family meals. Whenever the ideaof chicken soup sounds good, why
not put Campbell's chicken soup on tomorrowshopping list and have it this very weekend?
(53:14):
And now here is usen Wells.In a certain sense, the Glass
Key is something more than a detectivestory. Someday, perhaps historians will consult
it as a social document, asan accurative, depressing picture of almost any
American city of the not so distantpast. Dash Hammet, one of the
(53:36):
period's greatest chroniclers, comes honestly byhis knowledge of the dark ways of the
underworld before he ever published a singlestory, long before he went to Hollywood
to create this cinematic detective he washimself a private investigator, a dick in
the vernacular. I'm sure he wouldn'tobject to my telling you the story of
his biggest case. The biggest casein the sense that he was hired to
(53:57):
look for one of the biggest thingsyou could imagine cause a fairy. As
a friend of mister Hammond, Istrike. They reports he laid hands on
the ferris wheel and returned it tothe owner, but he didn't. Nobody
to this day knows what happened tothe ferris wheel. Perhaps it escaped to
South America disguised as a roller coasterAmerica Round. However, Hammett thwarted in
his career of detection, turned eventuallyto literature, and I for one am
(54:20):
partly thankful. There are lots ofdetectives, but there's only one, Nashural
Hammit. Now I have the greatpleasure introducing to you our distinguished guest at
the evening Warden Laws of Sing Sing, Mister Wells, I wanna thank you
for inviting me to one of themost realistic crime dramas I've witnessed. Shall
I say, in an unofficial capacity, Warden Laws, would you say that
(54:40):
mister Hammitt's story reflects the underworld ofthe prohibition era only, or one that
still persists today. Well, boozehas gone, mister Wells, but crime
persists. However, I believe theintimate tie up of crime with politics is
decidedly on the way. Does thatmean that we're catching up with a crime
problem. We've been catching up withcrime for over four thought years. Tablets
dug up on the nearrees to thetrial and execution of a couple of protection
(55:05):
racketeers who have been terrorizing the localmerchants. The record shows that these gangs
have actually been paying off the mayor. This particular racket was busted in the
year two thousand BC. That's notexactly tossing orchids to the crime crusaders the
past four thousand years. Don't misunderstandme, mister Wells. Police action against
matured crime is necessary, but thereis another front on which the fight must
(55:29):
go on. We may fill ourprisons to capacity and work the electric chair
over time, but crime will continueuntil we correct the conditions which produce it.
That's the challenge you made in yourrecent book Invisible Stripes. Supposing we
accept your challenge, Warden Laws,what can the average citizen do about it.
The average citizen is the only onewho can do anything about it,
(55:51):
because crime is essentially a problem ofyouth, and the average citizen is directly
responsible for the training of youth.And there are are at least three million
children throughout the country desperately in needof supervised leisure activities. Well, that
brings the fight right into our ownhomes, doesn't it. And those the
basic factors involved in society's effort toeliminate crime. No, there is one
(56:15):
thing more. In the twelve monthsof depression beginning in the late months of
nineteen thirty seven, Singh Singh receivedthe greatest number of genuine first defenders in
his history, victims of a tragiclack of opportunity. We must find places
in our social and economic fabric forevery young man and young woman. That,
mister Wells, is the answer tothe crime problem. Let's hope that
(56:36):
it can be accomplished. It mustbe accomplished, mister Wells, if democracy
is to reach its true fulfillment.Thank you, Warden Loss. In tonight's
Cambo Playhouse production of The Glass Key, Auson Wells played the part of Paul
Madwick. Paul Stewart played with medBeaumont. Ray Collins played Shadow Rory and
(56:59):
Myron McCormick. The part of SenatorHenry Effew Palmer was Missus Madwick Elsbeth Eric
was OPO, and Elizabeth Morgan wasthe telephone operator. The role of Farr
was played by Everett Sloane, thatof Jeff by Howard Smith. Lola Baxter
played Janatt, Henry and Edgar Barrier. The part of Rusty. Music for
the Campbell Playhouse was arranged and conductedby Bernard Hermann. And now, mister
(57:20):
Wells, may we have a wordplease about next week's broadcast. Just a
word next week our story is aboutthree brothers who left England to save a
lady's honor and who wound up inMorocco as members the most desperate band of
men in the world, the ForeignLegion. Next week Percival Christopher Wrenz,
Romance Bogest is the story. Andwith us Laurence Olivia and Noah Berry.
(57:44):
And so until next week, mysponsors, the makers of Campbell Soups,
and all of us on the CampbellPlayoffs, remain obediently yours. The makers
(58:08):
of Campbell Soups join orson Wells ininviting you to be with us at the
Campbell Playhouse again next Friday evening,where Laurence Olivier and Noah Biri will appear
with him in bow jest. Meanwhile, if you have enjoyed tonight's Campbell Playhouse
presentation, won't you tell your grocerso tomorrow when you order Campbell's chicken soup.
This is Ernest Chappel saying thank youand good night, heard on the
(58:43):
night's show Manhattan Serenade and Metropolitan Nocturnby Lewis Alder, also Alfred Newman street
scene. This is the Columbia BroadcastingSystem.
The makers of Campbell Soups present theCampbell Playhouse Watson Wells Producers. Good Evening.
(00:48):
This is Awson Wells Tonight. Underthe guidance of an expert, We're
going to take an excursion into theunderworld of the Prohibition period. Our story
is The Glass Key, by anauthor who is best known as the creator
of the bin Man, mister DashlHammett. The Glass Key is, to
my way of thinking, one ofdash Hammett's very best. So sit back
(01:11):
and let the Campbell play outs demonstratethat mister Hammett knows far more about underworld
plot's political skullduggeray and crimes of violencethan any other respectable author should. And
then when our story is over,we'll have a chance to check on dash
Hammett, because we have with usin the studio tonight a man who knows
more about this sort of thing thaneven Dashl Hammett. Warden laws no less
(01:34):
of sing sing, of course,and who will speak to us at the
end of this broadcast and our firsta word from Ernest Chapel. There are
different dishes that are special favorites withdifferent families, but there's one dish that
makes a big hit with most everyone, and that is chicken. People buy
(01:56):
and large like chickens so much thatit's become the customary main dish for nearly
any special party meal. I believethis enthusiastic taste for chicken accounts for the
widespread liking for Campbell's chicken soup,Because as sure as you like chicken,
you'll like this soup. There's chickenin the savory aroma from your plate,
and chicken in the tempting golden glistenof the slowly simmered broth. Chicken in
(02:16):
the eating of this soup too,deep down slow simmered chicken flavor, and
tender pieces of chicken meat along witha fluffy white rice. I want to
make a bold statement, one youmight have doubted five years ago, and
that perhaps some of you will doubtto day. If you will eat a
plate of Campbell's chicken soup tomorrow,I'm absolutely sure you'll say it's as fine
(02:37):
as the finest chicken soup you evertasted anywhere. Do you doubt that statement?
Well, if you do, I'msure it's because you haven't tasted Campbell's
chicken soup recently. And in thatcase, I ask you to try it,
because I'm sure one taste will convinceyou and that you want to have
Campbell's Chicken soup often. And nowThe Glass Key starring Arson Wells as Paul
(02:58):
Madviick. My name is Ned Beaumont, and I guess I'm out of a
job for a while. Well,I did the best I could for Paul
Maddick. But there it is aclean sweep for little form ticket. Funny
how things change. Six weeks agoyou could have got four to one on
(03:21):
the Madwick machine, putting over thewhole ticket. When he come to think
about it, there wasn't a thingPaul Madick could have done differently, not
with a set up he had.I remember the first evening he talked to
me about it in his office upover the party headquarters office. Well,
it wasn't much of an office,just a desk with a lamp on it,
a couple of chairs and a pictureof the governor looking down at you.
(03:45):
All right, are they Y're on? Ned? Oh? Puh,
lend me some money. What doyou want? Have a hundred? Been
shooting dice? Yeah? He uh? Thanks A long time since you've done
they winning, isn't it? Ned? Well? That's a long month.
For six weeks, it's a longtime to be losing at you. Try
(04:06):
laning off for a while when hehad one of these sour streets. Ah,
that's no good. It only spreadsit out. Well, if you
can stand the gare, I canstand anything. I have got to stand
case you can. Is there withthe ned. You know more about this
stuff than I do. Janet Henry'sThursday's Thursday? What do you think I
(04:28):
ought to give her? Is theSenator throwing a parting? Yeah, you'll
invite him? No, but I'mgoing there to dinner tomorrow night. Are
you going to back the senator inthis election poll? Yeah? I think
I will? Why cause with thishelp we can put over the whole ticket,
just like nobody was running against uswithout you behind him. Cause the
(04:49):
senator makes the grave this time,not a chance. Does he know that?
You ought to know it better thananybody else. And if he didn't
know it, you wouldn't be goingthere to dinner tomorrow night? Have you
have you uh promised anything? You? Yeah, it's pretty well settled,
(05:09):
mister me. Paul, throw thesenator down, sink him well, frigett.
He's never been licked at anything inhis life. Sure, and that's
one of the best reasons I knowfor throwing in with him. No,
it isn't, Paul. It's thevery worst I think, not over even
if it hurts your head. Howfar is this dizzy blonde daughter of has
got her hooks into you and goto marry miss Henry? That part of
(05:33):
the bargain. Nobody knows that you'dshould you and me that's what you want
to make them? Put it inwriting? Better? Still insist on the
wedding before election day. Then you'llat least be sure if you're pound of
flesh, Paul, or uh showa way around a hundred and ten,
won't she? I don't know whyyou keep talking about the senator like he
was a jig. He's a gentleman, absolutely, and his daughter's an aristocrat
(05:58):
who's apply h don't be and weought to forget that. Her brother,
Taylor Henry's in a restacrat too,which is probably why you made your daughter
stop playing around with him. Arenot at that stifferent? And when you're
married to Janet Henry, will thatentitle her brother to begin playing around with
opal again? Oh? My deadbody at will I didn't ask for all
this. I just ask you whatkind of person I ought to give Miss
(06:19):
Henry? How far have you gotwith her nowhere? I've been well,
I've been over there a half dozentimes. Talk to Senate. Sometimes I
see it and sometimes they don't.But you didn't get a bid to the
birthday party? Now are not kids? And the answer is one you won't
like such a don't give her anything. I don't do whatever you like.
(06:43):
You ask me, But why you'renot supposed to give people things unless you're
sure that I forget them from you? I got you. Guess you're right.
I'll be hanged if I'll pass upthe chance to give her a prison.
Well flowers then or something like thatmight be alright. Well, and
but I don't wanna sure you wantedto give her a road to her a
couple of yards of pearls. You'llget your chance of that later. Start
(07:08):
up a little and grow boll wentto that dinner was the next night or
Wednesday. Just lately I found outwhat happened up at the Senator's house studies.
As a matter of fact, Igot it. Uh, well,
never mind, they don't give ita thought. Senator k me behind you.
(07:32):
The elections as good as in thebag. I've been through a few
more elections than you, a maticthen never in the bag until the vote
took of it. Boys, Sofigure to file up a thirty thousand majority
and the eight ward alone. Whatwhen you two talk about when the election's
over how to win the next waterand to say that's too If you'll excuse
me, Mattig, I'll leave youalone with Donnet for a moment, sure
(07:54):
saying I want to have a talkwith my son before he goes out.
I'll be right back. You will, uh have to excuse my brothers.
I'm not coming down to dinner.That's all right. Taylor and I had
a little it's understanding. Some wespak about my daughter. You're not to
interested in music, are you,mister Mudd. I'm interested in anything you
(08:16):
do, any right. I didn'task music go in. I like you
you playing. You see, you'rethe difficult man who amused. The conversation
must be about politics, not aboutme. That is, those are the
two things I'm interested in. Youthink they go together very well? Yes?
(08:37):
One one's a means to the other, mister Muddy. My friends call
me Paul very well, Paul.Then listen, miss Henry. I know
there's a little out of my line. I know I'm a politician from the
wrong side of town and you're SenatorHenry's daughter. About all I've ever learned
that you don't get up to thesixth grade aids how to run things and
(09:01):
how to get other people to runthing for or not quite all I can
learn music and the rest of thethings on your side of the town.
That's what I'm setting out to do. Janet, you know at the end
of my road, everything I wanteverything. I wanna be just a not
(09:24):
to be sorry that you wanted meto kiss you. I think you better
go now. I just to changeto talk. Sorry, let's not talk
about him that pach in the horse? All right, good night to sing
good night each another? Oh ohwhat's that? Oh just one on?
(09:50):
Oh it's all he's done. Iwanted to kill he turned upon me,
come down and apologize for Uh whatthe other? What is tall doing?
Did I ask you? Hmm?A pet? It was really necessarily something
to the post paper said about biggerthe public life light. He decide falls
a lot about fall. He justsat Atlant something for everything to day.
(10:11):
It's easy. He started collect himrens on it. But I say he
started to make love to me.Got that it musta been Taylor. I
hope he didn't know what I said. You know how he feels about not
dig HeLa. Come back here,Taylor, come back heah HeLa. I
(10:37):
had an idea Paul would stopped byparty headquarters that night after the dinner,
and I went up to his officeand started his desk waiting for him.
It was after ten when he camein. Hello, on mad, what
are you doing at my desk?Uh? Reading the paper? Thought you
was downstairs playing dice? I washow Uh Henry din the god I'd been
(10:58):
the worst? Was tailor? Imnot at dinner? Why? Because he's
dead in a gut up in ChinaStreet with a fractured skull. That's so
you understand what I said? Yes, well, well what he was killed?
(11:20):
Alright? Do you want me toget hysterical about it? Boy?
I thought you might want to lookyou in the wood since the Senator Henry
Son, except that the cops isn'tit. I was there with him before
they moved the buddy, you know? If anything? Yeah? What his
hat wast there? You won't needit now. Well, I'll be going
(11:46):
a lord, SoC you're a foolmad, yeah, one of us says.
Next, say, I drove outbefore, and my big house down
out in little strange boulevard. Isagued, Paul wouldn't be in missus.
(12:13):
M oh, hello mama, Sohere you are at last. Man,
you're a restless boy. He neglectsan old woman like this. Oh,
ba by mag I'm a big boynow. And I got my workers after
And where's a kid? Open?Yeah, she's laying down. She's not
feeling good. Uh, what's matterwith her? He a day? Yeah,
she's been dancing too much. Uh, her father been up to see
(12:35):
her. No, Paul hasn't beenhome since yesterday? Did you find out
about the Henry boy? The copsof her find out anything? You know?
If I pop any saying a lotof opal, Sure, go right
up, Ned, you'd be gladto see your Okay, I'll have a
couple of teos ball you when theycome down. I went up the stairs,
and of course the landing Brian wasdown in the open room, and
(12:58):
I could see the light from hercigarette. She set me there, well,
ma'am, oh sniff ah, Iknow yes to tell well really mostly
headaches gone? Oh opal Iman outsideof now? Huh, don't know what
you mean? I mean Taylor HenryThen you know I. I haven't seen
(13:24):
him for months and dad made himstop seeing. He'll take it. I'll
be running along. Oh wait,that's you. What makes you whack like
time? You have no light tomean what you meant? I don't since
you start Tailor and you talk toany week. Uh oh no, it
(13:46):
don't make it so hard for himwhat you say? Sure, I it's
time to remember it one word.I don't know each other? Did Did
you know I'd believe him? Well? I know it now. Never mind
that leather. I was with himonly yesterday up to me? See,
(14:09):
yes, what do you get petkill? You know me? No?
Got the phone? Got why?But if I ask you something, you
won't get my bed. I'll trynot to the sad mothers that Tailor and
I was short going together? Listsome kid? What are you trying to
(14:33):
prove? And look you don't gonnaget none. I'm not If you really
love player, I hon't care orwas it sat just because it tri didn't
love him? Nod and couldn't sureit I'm sure I loved him. I
would go about the farm and stopat the place so some of'em and
(14:54):
called up for mothers and potty kbot. It wasn't fair. Back to town
and stopped at the pay station andcalled up Paul Madig at party headquarters.
He wasn't there. Round three,I went over to the District Attorney's office.
(15:15):
District Attorney's office, Mister Farr isbusy? Would you leave your number?
Thank you? Mm? Hello,District Attorney's office. Hello assistant,
Hello, mister Beaumont. Tell misterFarr, I wanna see him? Sure,
hello, mister Farr. U misterBeaumont here, Yes, mister Farr,
you can go right in. MisterBeaumont, you know the way I
order distric Attenion Dorphine. Sorry,mister vos dissy did you leave your name?
(15:39):
Oh? How on man? HowI am? Hello? Fire?
Now what can I do for him? Far? I want you to fix
me up with some sort of paperspecial prosecutor or something. Ah, sure,
I guess I can fix it up. But uh, what crime you
particularly interested in? Solving? Amurder? The murder of Taylor Henry,
remember, Oh yes, but Ithought, well, Paul Madick, and
(16:02):
I might be interested in not solvingthe cases. That is unt I I
didn't say that, but hell,I wanna read you this note. I
get one of'em every day,Uh, writing notes. I mean,
let me see type written and plainwhite people. Well to say, well,
doesn't say anything, Just ask thequestion. Is Paul madrig the reason
(16:22):
you're doing nothing to solve the Henrymurder? Well, well, I'm mad
don't think I'm taking that seriously,but but l you know, we we
get bails of that kind of stuffevery time anything happens. I uh,
I just wanted to show it toyou. Oh that's all right, as
long as you keep on feeling thatway about it. I uh, I
don't think i'd say anything to Paulabout the notes if I were you.
(16:45):
He's got enough in his mind.Well, sure, whatever you say,
mad this and fire, Paul hasn'tanything to hide in the Henry murder.
And I wouldn't like to think youwere going around thinking he had on.
Oh, for heaven's sake, nedget me right, you know, don
Well, there's nobody in the cityany stronger for Paul and you than me.
You know you can always count onme. Yeah, that's five.
Yeah, I've got a run alongsong pod. I never did spend much
(17:15):
of my time at party headquarters andrun election. I don't like listening to
the same line of talk over andover again. It was Tuesday before I
saw Paul Madwick again. How longthat? Well you've been in the last
few days? Ah right? Differentplaces? Uh, Paul Yorton? Where
(17:37):
silk socks with tweeds? No,I like the feel of silk. Well,
the lay off the tweeds. Yougo to Taylor Henry's funeral yesterday?
Yes, senator suggested it. Howwas the senator? Alright? I spent
most this afternoon after there was hishouse? Yeah? Was the daughter there?
(18:00):
Janet Henry was there? M yuh, it's Janet nose getting anywhere with
him. Still think I'm gonna marryher? That she know yet that your
intentions are honorable. I'll lay offand alright, Paul, I came here
to tell you something you ought toknow about the election. Yes, in
a way, it's about the electionshadow Rory's nois it around that you know
(18:22):
more about Taylor Henry's death than you'retelling that don't do any good with the
respectable citizens, civic Union and thewomen's clubs. So Shadow Rory shooting his
mouth off? Is he it?So in backyards getting too small for him?
And I think I'll knock Shadow Roryloose from our little city. I'm
(18:42):
tired of having him around that.I think I'll knock him loose right away,
starting tonight, for instance. Forinstance, i think I'll have far
close up the dog house and ParadiseGardens and every die that we know shared,
or any of his friends they're interestedin. I think I'll have five
smack'em over in one long row, one after the other, this very
(19:04):
same night. Maybe that'll keep mistershadow Rory quiet. Maybe, But this
wholesale step is too much like usinga cyclone shot to blow off a safe
door when you can get it offwithout any force by using a cumberlor.
I don't know a thing about openingsafes, ned, but I do know
fighting my kind going in with bothhands working. I never could learn to
(19:30):
box. Only times I have atried to got licked. I'll give mister
shadow Rory the cyclone shot beginning tonight. Alright, man, break down the
door. Alright, Okay, Icalled my hair boys Paradise Garden. Second
(20:11):
Well, that was white at nightat midnight to during the raided shadow rowers
class a drug house, paradise,gotten a carousel one after another. The
next eving, Paul, Matt Bigand I were sitting in a private room
at Pip Cosson's. The man openedthe door and came in without knocking.
(20:33):
A man of medium pipe with smoothwhite hair. He wore a dark for
wover code over a dark blue suitand carried a black Derby hat and uh
yeah, black gloved hands. Yeah, how are you shad and find Paul
him out yourself? You know Beaumonta shadow rory yep, yeah, but
(20:53):
week politics his politics and businesses business. I'd been paying my way and it
wouldn't go on paying my way inthis town. But I want what I'm
paying for him. Yeah, whatdo you mean by that? I mean
the half the comperce in town arebuying their cakes in air with doll They're
get'em from me and some ofmy friends. Well, I want what
(21:15):
I'm paying for. I'm paying tobe let alone. An election or no
election. I wanna be let alone. Business is business and politics is politics.
Let's keep my part. No,it's gonna mean kill him if you'll
make it mean kill him, it'llhave to mean kill him. I'm too
(21:38):
big to take the boot from youthat I think. Maybe you're too big
to take it laying down, butyou'll take it, yeah, taking it.
I'm opening the Paradise garden again tonight. I don't wanna be bothered.
Bother me, and I'll bother you. They get me headquarters on that poor
William. Yeah not right that Polie. That is well. I wanna speak
(22:07):
a Lieutenant Brett. There he is, boy all out, Brett pormatic.
How the folks. That's good,say Brett. I hear Shad's thinking of
opening up again tonight. Yeah,yeah, the paradise or slam it down
as hard as he can, right, sure, right now? Do you
(22:37):
know where you stand? You through, Shad? You through? I understand
so long Madic Well rug paull ohmacro, don't anything suit you say?
(22:59):
Where you going? I'm leaving.I'm tired of pigtown stuff meaning me.
This as swell time to be throwingme down. See you're hard to get
on with, Ned, I neversaid I wasn't. Yeah, I have
a drink. No hurry is there? No thanks? Mind telling me why
(23:22):
you think I handle shared wrong.They don't do any good. Try.
Shadow Rory is gonna fight. You'vegot him in a corner. There's nothing
you can do now but play thelong shot. You're trying to relect the
whole city administration, Well I don'tgiven him a crime wave just before election
isn't gonna make them look any tooefficient. And then there's this stuff that's
being set about Taylor Henry's killing.Next thing, you know it'll be punted.
(23:47):
You think I ought uh laid downto shadow Rory, Well I think
you should have left him and outa line of retreat. I should've have
got him with us back to thewall. I don't know anything about your
kind of fighting started it. AllI know is when you got somebody corn
it, you go in and finishit. That system's worked alright for me
so far. Well, Paul,this is one time I think you've let
(24:10):
yourself be out smarting. First,you let the Henrys wheel you in the
decking of Senator. There was yourchance to go in and finish an enemy
was cornered, But that enemy happenedto have a blonde daughter in social position
and whatnot, So you've had itout ned well, how much been running
along? I'll wait, mad,let your head off me. Now I
(24:30):
care and now let go. Don'tbe a fool you and I e sever
let go? I bet it?Oh, pen, Now they knocked the
devil out of you. I comeon, ned, let's finish out for
(24:51):
you. O. You are listeningto the Campbell Playhouse presentation of the Glaring
(25:11):
Arson Wells. This is the ColumbiaBroadcasting System. This is Ernest Chappel,
(25:34):
Ladies and gentlemen, welcoming you backto the Campbell Playhouse. In just a
moment, we will resume our presentationof Dashall Hammett' the Glass Key, starting
Arson Wells? Who killed Cock?Robin? Who killed Taylor Henry. I
think there's nothing quite like a goodmurder mystery, and Dashell Hammett is my
idea of a perfect companion, whetherit's for a Friday evening by the radio
(25:56):
or for good reading anytime. Butthere's a time and place mystery like anything
else. And one place you won'tfind any mystery is in the kitchens where
Campbell soups are made. I visitedthose kitchens as recently as last week,
and I know whereof I speak,there are no secrets. There you can
watch for yourself each step in themaking of fine soup, among other things.
(26:17):
I watch them make Campbell's chicken soup, and I know why it is
that people who have never thought acanned chicken soup could be as good as
homemade change their minds completely when theyfirst taste Cambell's because Campbells make chicken soup
the way a good cook does athome. Indeed, it seems to me
that Campbell's way is in some respectseven better. For example, where a
chicken soup at home is often madefrom leftovers, Cambells use all the good
(26:41):
meat of the fine selected chickens,and what plump, splendid chickens they are
too. But the thing that amazesme most is the care with which each
ingredient is prepared and cooked, andthe precision of the measuring and blending skill,
precision, a lavish hand with theingredients. These you see in the
making of Calamble's chicken soup. Butno mystery, no secrets, And if
(27:03):
there's any doubt in your mind abouthow good a canned chicken soup can be,
I do earnestly invite you to tryCampbell's Chicken Soup. Now we resume
our Campbell Playhouse presentation of The GlassKey, starting uson Wells as Paul Madwick.
(27:26):
Well, you can keep a thinglike that quiet. The next morning,
word had filtered through the grapevine theTam Madwick and I had quarreled in
the back room at tiff Cotton.At noon, one of Shadow Rory's boys,
by the name of Whiskey's Sons,came to my apartment. He didn't
stay very long. Round three,I wandered over to the Paradise Gardens and
in the private room of the jointthey'd smashed up two nights before, Shadow
(27:48):
Rory was waiting for me. Oh, I'm glad to see you. Beaumont,
stop your head and coat anywhere.What do you want to see me?
About you? I heard what happenedafter I left last night. I
owe you something for trying to stopPaul from closing up my joints. You
don't, I don't, uh.I was with him then. What I
(28:10):
told him was for his own good. I thought he was making a bad
play. He'll know it before he'sthrough it, so that you and Paul
have broken for good and all.I thought you knew it. I thought
that's why you sent for me.I heard it. But that's not always
the same thing. Uh. Whatwere you thinking you might do now?
As a one way ticket for NewYork in my pocket? My closere pack?
(28:30):
How long you been here? Fifteenmonths? You and Paul have been
closed as a couple of fingers.Uh? How long y you ought to
know a lot of things about him? I do. Why did Paul Madwick
bump off young Henry make your proposition? How does it hit you? After
election? I was taking to thefinest gathering house the state's ever seen that
(28:52):
you wanted to suit yourself with allthe protection you ever heard of. That's
an if offer if you win,which you think we're gonna win the election,
you won't bet even money on it. You're not the heart to go
in with me, are your beau? Mont? Oh? It wasn't any
idea of mine. Uh, sitdown, you can still talk, can't
listen. I'll give you a tengrand in cash right now. You'll come
in and ten more on election nightif we beat Paul, and I'll keep
(29:17):
that house offer open for you totake her leave? You want me,
they rather for Madwick? Of courseI want you to go to the papers
to the lowdown on everything you knowabout him being mixed up in the sewer
contract, the dirt on how he'srunning the city. I want you to
tell the papers how he killed Taylorsand why fire. That's not one in
the stew business. Now, he'shad his trapper show to keep him raising
(29:40):
a think all right, but thereis something in the Taylor Henry business.
Yeah, yeah, it'll be workingfor both of us. I'd have a
reporter put the stuff in case.You just give him the do open,
let him write it. You canshut off with the tailor Henry. Things
may they at half? You meanyou got to shut off first with a
ten thousand dollars. Oh there's somethingin back here? Then grand cut ab
(30:04):
up plank Ah. The thanks goboth ways. That the reporter's out there,
now, should I call him?I already have a little time to
straighten it out in my mind.I'll give it to him anyway it comes
to you. He'll put it inshape. Fine, we'll go over to
my place now and get to work. Hey, it'll be better here,
Ele. If it's the money youworried about, you can hang on until
I've turned in the step. I'mnot worried about anything, but you're in
(30:25):
a tough spot, and the Paulgets the news, you'll come over to
me. And I don't wanna takeany chances to him, have any knocked
talk, you'll have to take them. I'm going no, yep, we'll
keep Yeah, boss, come onin here, you do okay. I
I'm afraid we'll have to persuade Beaumontto stay with us. Sure wants to
(30:45):
get to Wait and how about it? Beaumont? He coming across on Madwig.
Now too bad and boys get gone, come on we escape? Yeah,
alright, alright, boys stay now, go back and finish your game.
(31:26):
Uh right, raise your two bits, whiskey, I'm standing how many
cats? Uh three? Two forme? Four bits? I'll say,
Hey, is he good? Oh? Just a second chittz Now, poor
(31:47):
mine, I told you to stayaway from that door, didn't I.
Hey, cap ol Jack, you'llcrock'em. Uh you can't crook.
Oh man, he's a tough baby. I've never seen a guy that like
being hit so much, but thatI like hitting so much. Oh well,
(32:10):
I'll court your rusty Mark King's mypot pduces. Yeah, they rusty
Uh, Hi, shad out Beaumont. Uh, Jeff's been slapping him down
for the front of it. Idon't want him kill Jeff, not yet.
Uh Beaumont. Yeah, he's prettyfar guard boss. It's a shadow,
(32:34):
Rory Beaumont. Can you hear whatI say? Yeah? Good,
Now, listen what I tell you, Beaumont. You're gonna give me the
dope on Paul Madwick. Well maybeyou think you won't tell Beaumont, but
you will. I'll have your workdone until you do. You understand me,
I was, I won't. Okay, Jeff, get to work,
(33:00):
I mean some more. I triedthe same thing again. Yeah you yeah,
it ain't no good Now he's trugglinglike at Joe. I don't remember
(33:21):
much what happened after that. Itwas getting dark and I found I was
alone in the room, and Iremember something about tearing a mattress apart with
my nails and teeth and something fireto it with my cigar. Like the
next thing I knew, I wasat the emergency hospital. Paul was standing
at the foot of my bed.Gosh, glad to see you alive.
(33:42):
And then oh, Paul, andI get here. A copper found you
crawling on all fours in the lawnof the Paradise Guard and leaving a trail
of blood behind you. I ain'tthink of funny things to do. Yeah,
with your nail shot, now usein it and laid down chair.
Let him take the rep for asoul? What good does that do us?
The shots still squawking about the tellerHenry Murder chronicles full of it.
(34:07):
Other papers are taking it up.So we're gonna stop that. You gonna
stay in bed and get well,that's what you're gonna do. Look,
Mead, I've got a visitor withme. She like to see you.
She's waiting in the hall. It'skind of important to me. Mind if
she comes in. I guess now, who is it? Janet Henry?
(34:31):
Uh the Senator's then huh, Wellsend her in. She said she wants
to see you a little kind alright, sure, pay the easy kid exactly.
I'll have to so call alright,Janet, that's feeling better, come
in. I have a nice visityou too, Thanks for I want you
(34:59):
to come. You don't mind,do uh? I'm flooded? Sit down?
No, you're not. You don'tlike me? Noh? I think
maybe I do who don't I knowit? Well, you can't go by
my manners. They're always pretty bad. You don't like me, and I
want to do why because you're pol'sbest friends. Uh, Paul has lots
(35:22):
of friends, he's a politician.You're his best friends, he thinks.
So what do you think I thinkyou are? You wouldn't be here now.
You wouldn't have gone through that forhim. I wish you'd like me,
if you can, miss Henry,I'm kind of awkward when I'm around
people like you. Will belong toanother world altogether, society and Rodo's sections
(35:43):
and all, and you mistake thatfor enmity, which it isn't at all.
You're making fun of me, ButI don't even mind that. If
you'll let me be your friend,well I might might be something new.
I never had a senator's daughter fora friend. Next day I had another
(36:05):
visitor about soon in the afternoon,the nurse came in to see if I
was sleeping. I wasn't ask ata fruit for you, mister Beaumont,
who from here's the card open thenurse. It just says please, and
it shined Janet Henry, Uh,help yourself to the junk take enough so
it looks as if i'd eat us. M No wonder people beat you up.
(36:29):
And there's a missus Madwig here tosee you. I'll tell her how
to come in and you stay outit, so see your pleasure. Alright,
missus Madviigs, thank you? Uhhello, Ned, come right over
here, Mom, I'm I'm gonnakiss you all. What foolish? Ned?
Well, you don't look so bad? No, yet's a good How
(36:49):
do you feel, Ned? Oh? It's well, I'm only hanging around
here around the kind of the nurse. See that wouldn't surprise me much,
neither, look in Ned, You'vegot to tell me the truth. Paul
didn't kill that whipper snapper Taylor Henrydid he? What makes she ask that?
Opele wasn't it? Wasn't it?Yes, Opele's got herself in a
state over it. She's sure herfather did it, but she got uh
(37:14):
evidence or intuition? She gets anote like this every day. Uh,
I bet she does. I'd seenone of those before. Ready to me
anyway? Are you really too stupidto know your father murdered your sweetheart?
That's what he says. Well,everybody in town's had at least one of
these notes that it isn't true,is it? Nope? I didn't think
(37:37):
so. He's always been a goodboy. But the Lord only knows what
goes on in this politics. You'rea hum dinger. Mom. Would you
tell me if he had killed him? Nope? Then how do I know
he didn't, Because if he had, I'd still say no. But then
if you ask me if i'd tellyou the truth if he had, I'd
(37:57):
say, yes, I didn't doit, ma'am. It would be nice
if somebody in town besides me thoughthe didn't do it, and it would
be especially nice if that other onewas his mother. Well, I was
on my back in that hospital.I did some thinking. I didn't like
(38:21):
the way things were going for Paul. Decided I'd better get out and do
some looking around. The doctor saidno, I said yes, Districk Attorney's
office. Yes, I'll connect you. Hello, sister, Hello, mister
Beaumont, How are you feeling fine? How far I'm here, mister Beaumont
to see you. Mister Farr?All right, I'm sorry, mister Beaumont.
(38:44):
Mister Farr has an important conference.You don't mind now see for myself,
mister Beaumont, ah right, fam, I have to smash my way
in to see her these days.Oh mad, was it you? I
thought the girl said, mister Barman, come right in. Oh no,
har I'm done. I I Igot in anything new? All now?
(39:04):
I think just the same, Aulgrind I was the uh lectioneering going?
Well, well it could be better, but I guess we'll manage all right.
What's the matter? Oh this andnot? Things always come up?
Oh that's politics. I guess anythingI can do or Paul to help,
No, I think not. Thisis Henry killing the worst thing you're up
against. Well, uh, there'sa lot of feeling that we ought to
(39:28):
have cleared up the murder before this, and that Paul ought of help.
That's one of the things, maybeone of the biggest, that will come
against this at election. Any progresssince I saw you last all not much?
Listen for Paul's always glad to helpthe boys out of Hall's. Do
you think it would help if he'dlet himself be arrested and tried for the
Henry murder. Well, it's notfor me to tell Paul what to do.
(39:52):
Yeah, there's a thought. Andhere's another one that goes with it.
It's not for you to do muchPaul wouldn't tell you to do?
Oh? Mr District Attorney. Thenhow did you happen to come to the
house with Paul tonight? You didn'tcome to see me. I came because
(40:15):
Paul asked me to. Why don'tgo to senator's houses usually? What's that
you're playing with? Henry like it? Yeah? I woulda talked to you
then before father and Paul get throughwith their business. So I had tug,
But don't stop playing. How wasOpel? I hadn't seen her since
last week? Why isn't she inbed with a nervous breakdown? Oh?
(40:37):
Then didn't Paul tell him? Yes, he told me his daughter was in
bed with a nervous breakdown. Hekilled me that. I suppose that means
she's locked up in the house.That's right. She got the foolish idea
that her father had killed your brother. But why did she think that?
Who doesn't That's what I wanted toask you, mister Belmont. Do people
(40:58):
think that? Didn't you get anyof the anonymous letters that have been going
around? Yes, today I wouldhave just they They all seem to be
pretty much alike, and I've seenplenty of them. Is Paul actually in
danger? If he loses the election, loses his hold in the city and
state government, they'll electric to him. But he's safe if he wins.
Sure will he win? I thinkso? And then he'll he'll not be
(41:22):
in danger. No, he'll notbe in danger. Too bad, isn't
it? Go on and play.You may not want this to be overheard.
You can put up with Paul forthe sake of the political backing your
father needs, but that has itslimits. Last week, you decided Paul
had killed your brother is going toescape punishment, so you decided to do
something about it. Miss Henry,that's splendid Paul's daughter in this suite.
(41:45):
I'm both trying to steer him tothe electric chair. He certainly has a
lot of luck with women. Keepplaying, I tell you, I'll shout
it. You sent those anonymous lettersaround, Certainly you did. I'm not
good at lying. I know Paulkilled Taylor. Uh I wrote the letters.
You hate Paul, don't you?Even if I proved you that he
didn't kill Taylor. You'd still hatehim, wouldn't you. Yes, I
(42:05):
think I should. That's it.You don't hate him because you think he
killed your brother. You think hekilled your brother because you hate him.
No, now listen to me.I'll tell you what happened. That night.
Paul came to dinner, the firsttime we'd had him to dinner.
Taylor wasn't at the dinner table,but he was up in his room.
Yes, he uh, he wouldbeat with Paul because of the trouble he'd
hadn't about Opel. After dinner,Paul and I were alone for a little
while in this room, and hesuddenly put his arms around me and tried
(42:28):
to kiss me. What happened?Then? I asked him to leave.
Then Father came down. He'd heardPaul going out. I told him what
had happened, and then Taylor camedown from his room. He must have
heard what I said, because heran out the door after Paul. Father
tried to stop him. I didn'tsee either of them until Father came to
my room and told me Taylor hadhad been killed. Oh well, ever,
(42:49):
what of it? How could Ihelp? Knowing then that Taylor had
run out after Paul and had caughtup with him and had been killed by
him, he was furious. Ohno, that won't do. Paul wouldn't
have to kill Taylor, and hewouldn't have Jennett. Paul doesn't lose's having
a fight. I know that I'veseen Paul fight, and I fought with
him. No, No, thatwon't do. I know you're Paul's friend.
It hurts. You're right about mybeing Paul's friend. Then this is
(43:12):
useless. I thought if I couldshow you the truth that we needn't be
enemies. Need we The part ofyou that strick Paul and is trying to
trick him is my enemy and theother part of me it hasn't anything to
do with that. You don't knowthat part? Do you sure? I
do? That part was playing thepiano. Just now, drop you off
(43:47):
the club net. Now that's Paul. I think I'll go home. You
know how good I feel that youand Janety is off this evening. I
can get along with anybody if Ihave to. How' was a lection?
Is everything going along to suit you? Well? Now it's well off as
we were two weeks ago. Youknow, then that's right. And if
(44:07):
Taylor Henry's killing isn't cleared up front, or you don't have to worry about
the campaign, it will be sunk. Whoever wins it's what do you mean
by that? Net? Everybody intime thinks you've killed him. Yeah,
don't let that worry you. I'vehad things said about me before. Is
there anything you haven't been through?Maveric, i'n't been given the electric cure.
(44:30):
I don't think I ever will yuhnot very far from it right now,
Pauld, I'm not taking up yourtime with my nonsense. I'm listening
to you. Never lost anything,listening to you. Thank you, sir.
Why do you supposed to fire?Is wiggling out from under? And
the rest of the boys they figureyou're licked. Everybody knows the police haven't
(44:53):
tried to find Tailor's murder, andeverybody thinks it's because you killed him.
Far figures that's enough to lick Atthe polls this time, we've been talking
a lot about what other people figuring, and that I have to talk about
what you figure. Figure I'm elected. I've told you if Taylor Henry's meder
isn't cleared up, proud of yourson, that's the whole thing. That's
(45:13):
the only thing worth doing anything about. It won't do think up. Something
else must be an outlet thing.There isn't that's the only way. The
other going to take him. Butbe a like it or not, or
I'm going to take it for you, I now, oly or uh,
that's one thing I won't do foryou, Paul. I killed him that
(45:37):
it was an accident that he randown the street after me when I left,
Caney picked up on his way out, tried to hit me with a
stick. I tell how it happened. But pulling it away from him,
I hit him on the head withit, not hard, but he fell
back and smashed his head on thecurb. What happened to the stick?
I took it away under my overcoatand burned it. What kind of a
(45:59):
stick? Was it? A roughbrown one? Heavy? And you had
a clear self defense? Please?I know, but I didn't want that
that. I I want Janet toHenry more than I ever wanted anything in
my life. What chance would Ihave then, even if it was an
accident, you'd have more chance thanyou've got now. Janet Henry's always thought
(46:19):
you killed her brother. She hatesyou. She's been trying to play you
in an electric chair. She wroteall those anonymous letters. Everybody. She's
the one that turns your daughter againstyou. She was telling me this tonight,
trying to turn me. She's notenough. What is it that you
want her yourself? Or is it? It doesn't make any difference? Catch
(46:45):
you heel, this is the kissor whatever you say? Uh? No,
(47:09):
I'm in five A two three andI wanna speak to ms. Oh
h, Janet, this is netIt might if I come back. I've
got some news. Yes, say, do you want the lowdown on what
happened to your brother? Well?Look'em on Taylor's walking sticks, that's
right. See if any of themhis or your father's are missing, particularly
(47:29):
a rough, heavy brown one,that's right. Tell me, mister ballon
what happened? Tell me I?Uh, what you find out about the
working sticks? It's upstairs and followthis closet, the heavy one you described.
(47:50):
In fact, none of them aremissing now that tailor's nor fathers.
But what about it? Ned?Do be some mysterious Look here, Janet?
Are you sure you wanna go throughthis thing? I walk go through
with it more than I ever wantedto do anything in my life. They're
practically the same words. Poor youwas telling me how much he wanted you.
Did you tell him about me?Yep? Call me a liar and
(48:12):
kicked me out of his car.Paul and I are watched up. I'm
glad. I won't pretend I'm not. Did Paul say anything else? Yes,
well he said that he kills yourbrother. Ned I knew it.
Then you'll go to the district attorney. You certainly wanna be in at the
kill, don't you? He wasin at my brother's. Well, I
(48:36):
hope you'll like it when you getit. I go ahead call your father,
father, Oh, father, wouldyou want in the right away?
Jannet? Just just one more thing? You're sure about that? King?
Course, I'm sure I saw itjust ten minutes ago. Good, that's
all I need to know. Well, and what is it? Oh?
Hello, mister Beaumont. Hello,back again, father. I'm afraid we
(48:59):
have some money. Has news foryou. Mister Beaumont has just told me
who killed Taylor. It was PaulMaddig Madwick. Mister Beaumont, What have
you got to support that statement?What evidence? For? One thing?
Is on confession? Madvig admitted thathe killed my son. Yes, this
is incredible, and associate of minekilled my son. I can't believe it.
(49:19):
Father, What are you going todo? There's only one thing we
can do. Tell Far to arrestPaul Madwick. Operator, get the District
Attorney's office. Senator. I uh, I wouldn't do that. If I
were you, or you mean Beaumont, I'd hang up that receiver. I
wouldn't talk to Far yet. You'renot quite ready. You think that you
can tell me what you did andexpect me to do nothing. One might
(49:43):
I hang up that receiver, Senator. Senator, I have a special authority
from the district attorney. I've gotit here in miss Pocket. There's any
arrest in this case, I'd liketo do it myself. And why didn't
you arrest Madwig on the spot becausehe didn't kill your son? Nah?
Well, you you just said thatPaul confessed yes, but I didn't say
I believed him. His story didn'thold together. Sit down, Senator and
(50:06):
you Janet. I've got plenty tosay to both of you. Better be
quick about it, ball on beforeI pick up the phone. It won't
work, Senator, because Paul's goingto stop covering you up the minute he
gets arrested. Now, what happened, Miss Henry is something like this.
When your brother heard about Paul thatnight, he ran after him, taking
the stick with him and wearing ahat. But that's not important. You
wanted to be re elected, Senator, you couldn't let your son get in
(50:27):
a fight with a man you werecounting on to put you over. So
you had to stop your son atall, of course, didn't you.
This is nonsense. I will nothave mine. I'm sure it's nonsense.
And you're bringing the stick that killedhim back home is nonsense. And wearing
a hat because you'd run out badand after him is nonsense too. But
it's nonsense that I'll nearly to thecross, Senator Henry. Let's have it
quickly. Woman, What is ityou're trying to say? I can say
it in for words, Senator,you chilled your son. Well, that's
(51:00):
how the Reform Party got in parodiesright off the tape. A plurality of
two hundred and twenty seven thousand.That's for reform with a vengeance. After
the night, Paul and I areon the shifs. Even Shadow roars out
of the picture. Two days agohe was killed by one of his own
henchmen at Paradise Gardens. Sendator Henrythrough with politics to using that it for
(51:20):
manslaughter by his own confessional needs winningtrial pore Madrig's lying alone for a while.
HM never gives up that man.I said good bye to him yesterday
we took hands. There wasn't muchwe could say. Well. I still
got my one way ticket in NewYork and tomorrow I'm gonna use it.
Oh, I'm a sort that likesto travel alone. But while I I
guess the reform waves got me too. There's another ticket in my pocket.
(51:45):
I bought it last night. Thisone's for Janet Henry. This concludes the
(52:07):
Campbell Playhouse presentation of the Glass Keyby Dash. You'll hammet in just a
moment. Orson Wells will return tothe microphone. But first, a word
from the makers of Campbell Soups.A little while ago I spoke of the
lavish emphasis on chicken in Campbell's Chickensoup. Actually, all the good meat
of fine government certified chickens goes intoits making. The broth bubbles slowly and
(52:29):
softly in shining kettles until it takeson a golden glisten, and the good
flavor of chicken is rich in everydrop. Pieces of chicken meat cooked deliciously
tender, go into the soup too, along with snowy rice. Somewhere sometime
you've probably tasted the chicken soup thatyou decided was the very last word.
Well, with that chicken soup inmind, if you'll try Cambells tomorrow,
(52:52):
I'll promise you won't be disappointed.I'm sure you'll say Cambell's is as fine
as the finest in your memory,and you'll be glad. You can have
it at any time, and oftenyou'll like it for lunch, for supper,
for family meals. Whenever the ideaof chicken soup sounds good, why
not put Campbell's chicken soup on tomorrowshopping list and have it this very weekend?
(53:14):
And now here is usen Wells.In a certain sense, the Glass
Key is something more than a detectivestory. Someday, perhaps historians will consult
it as a social document, asan accurative, depressing picture of almost any
American city of the not so distantpast. Dash Hammet, one of the
(53:36):
period's greatest chroniclers, comes honestly byhis knowledge of the dark ways of the
underworld before he ever published a singlestory, long before he went to Hollywood
to create this cinematic detective he washimself a private investigator, a dick in
the vernacular. I'm sure he wouldn'tobject to my telling you the story of
his biggest case. The biggest casein the sense that he was hired to
(53:57):
look for one of the biggest thingsyou could imagine cause a fairy. As
a friend of mister Hammond, Istrike. They reports he laid hands on
the ferris wheel and returned it tothe owner, but he didn't. Nobody
to this day knows what happened tothe ferris wheel. Perhaps it escaped to
South America disguised as a roller coasterAmerica Round. However, Hammett thwarted in
his career of detection, turned eventuallyto literature, and I for one am
(54:20):
partly thankful. There are lots ofdetectives, but there's only one, Nashural
Hammit. Now I have the greatpleasure introducing to you our distinguished guest at
the evening Warden Laws of Sing Sing, Mister Wells, I wanna thank you
for inviting me to one of themost realistic crime dramas I've witnessed. Shall
I say, in an unofficial capacity, Warden Laws, would you say that
(54:40):
mister Hammitt's story reflects the underworld ofthe prohibition era only, or one that
still persists today. Well, boozehas gone, mister Wells, but crime
persists. However, I believe theintimate tie up of crime with politics is
decidedly on the way. Does thatmean that we're catching up with a crime
problem. We've been catching up withcrime for over four thought years. Tablets
dug up on the nearrees to thetrial and execution of a couple of protection
(55:05):
racketeers who have been terrorizing the localmerchants. The record shows that these gangs
have actually been paying off the mayor. This particular racket was busted in the
year two thousand BC. That's notexactly tossing orchids to the crime crusaders the
past four thousand years. Don't misunderstandme, mister Wells. Police action against
matured crime is necessary, but thereis another front on which the fight must
(55:29):
go on. We may fill ourprisons to capacity and work the electric chair
over time, but crime will continueuntil we correct the conditions which produce it.
That's the challenge you made in yourrecent book Invisible Stripes. Supposing we
accept your challenge, Warden Laws,what can the average citizen do about it.
The average citizen is the only onewho can do anything about it,
(55:51):
because crime is essentially a problem ofyouth, and the average citizen is directly
responsible for the training of youth.And there are are at least three million
children throughout the country desperately in needof supervised leisure activities. Well, that
brings the fight right into our ownhomes, doesn't it. And those the
basic factors involved in society's effort toeliminate crime. No, there is one
(56:15):
thing more. In the twelve monthsof depression beginning in the late months of
nineteen thirty seven, Singh Singh receivedthe greatest number of genuine first defenders in
his history, victims of a tragiclack of opportunity. We must find places
in our social and economic fabric forevery young man and young woman. That,
mister Wells, is the answer tothe crime problem. Let's hope that
(56:36):
it can be accomplished. It mustbe accomplished, mister Wells, if democracy
is to reach its true fulfillment.Thank you, Warden Loss. In tonight's
Cambo Playhouse production of The Glass Key, Auson Wells played the part of Paul
Madwick. Paul Stewart played with medBeaumont. Ray Collins played Shadow Rory and
(56:59):
Myron McCormick. The part of SenatorHenry Effew Palmer was Missus Madwick Elsbeth Eric
was OPO, and Elizabeth Morgan wasthe telephone operator. The role of Farr
was played by Everett Sloane, thatof Jeff by Howard Smith. Lola Baxter
played Janatt, Henry and Edgar Barrier. The part of Rusty. Music for
the Campbell Playhouse was arranged and conductedby Bernard Hermann. And now, mister
(57:20):
Wells, may we have a wordplease about next week's broadcast. Just a
word next week our story is aboutthree brothers who left England to save a
lady's honor and who wound up inMorocco as members the most desperate band of
men in the world, the ForeignLegion. Next week Percival Christopher Wrenz,
Romance Bogest is the story. Andwith us Laurence Olivia and Noah Berry.
(57:44):
And so until next week, mysponsors, the makers of Campbell Soups,
and all of us on the CampbellPlayoffs, remain obediently yours. The makers
(58:08):
of Campbell Soups join orson Wells ininviting you to be with us at the
Campbell Playhouse again next Friday evening,where Laurence Olivier and Noah Biri will appear
with him in bow jest. Meanwhile, if you have enjoyed tonight's Campbell Playhouse
presentation, won't you tell your grocerso tomorrow when you order Campbell's chicken soup.
This is Ernest Chappel saying thank youand good night, heard on the
(58:43):
night's show Manhattan Serenade and Metropolitan Nocturnby Lewis Alder, also Alfred Newman street
scene. This is the Columbia BroadcastingSystem.
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