November 18, 2025 • 26 mins
Box 13 is a syndicated radio drama about the escapades of newspaperman-turned-mystery novelist Dan Holiday, played by film star Alan Ladd. It ran during 1948 and 1949. The episodes involved Holiday running classified ads to get new ideas for his fiction. "Adventure wanted, will go anywhere, do anything – write Box 13, Star-Times". The episodes followed Holiday's adventures when he responded to the letters sent to him.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Box 13! Find more classic radio series at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of Box 13! Find more classic radio series at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Box thirteen with the star of Paramount Pictures Alan Ladd
as Dan Holiday.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Dear Dan, knowing your Box thirteen angel, I hope what
I have to offer is intriguing enough to tempt you.
At least I think it can be interesting. As a
matter of fact, Dan, this thing has got to the
point now where it's becoming downright vicious, and it scares
me a little. What the thing is? I'll tell you
when and if I see you. If you can drag
yourself away from Tom, can.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Drag yourself away from Tom for a few days. Consider
this letter an invitation to join me at the country
home of Bernard Trendler, my cousin. And closed are the
directions forgetting that. I'll meet you at the station. Wire
me first as Alex. Yeah, it sounded harmless and simple,
two words I'd never apply to murder.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
And now back to Box thirteen and Dan Holliday's newest adventure.
Death is no joke.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I don't think you should go, mister Holliday, And why not,
Susie will every time you accept an invitation like this,
something bad happens to you.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Susie. Every time someone reads that ad in the Star
Times means trouble. But here I am still alive and kicking.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
You just better watch out. You're not intolerable, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Well, thanks, Susie. But did you mean intolerable?
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Sure like Achilles was after he was dipped in the
river steaks.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
It was the sticks. And you mean invulnerable?
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Oh, intorible and vulnerable you could get hurt.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Okay, we'll see. By the way, did you send up
wire to Alex? Oh? Good girl. Well, I'll expect me
when you see me. So long, Susie, dam damn, damn, Alex.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
How a then holiday? So you're still alive?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Why not? It's a good idea.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
There's your luggage.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Oh, yes, it's just that.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
That's good. My car is just around the other side
of the deepoty this way?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Am I supposed to ask what your letter mean? Or
do I wait until you get ready to tell me?
Wait till we get into the car.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
That's it look convertible.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Well you've done all right.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
There's no motor under the hood. Hop in PAW's ruth.
Oh great?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Any children yet? No? Not yet? Now look, I thought
you'd have about five by now. Maybe it's on your mind, Alex.
You're worried about something.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yeah, I don't know whether I am after him. Look,
maybe asking you to stick an oar. And this was
well presuming upon friendship.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
That's what friendship's for.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
And it's up to a point.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Okay, let's get to the point.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Well, it's practical jokes. I knew you'd looked blank at that.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
I'm glad I didn't disappoint you. What's the angle?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Practical jokes?
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Go ahead?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Ruth and I are guests at Bernard Trendler's. He's my cousin.
You ever heard of him?
Speaker 5 (03:25):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yes, yes, showed up not too long ago to claim
a fortune, didn't Yes, that's right.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
He ran away from home when he was seventeen, he
was going fifteen years or recently his father it's my uncle.
He died and left the entire Trendler fortune to him.
If he hadn't been found, it would have been divided
among the rest of us, but he showed up and
claimed it.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
So But did the practical jokes come in? And why?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Ruth and I have been here for a week and
a half now, every day there'd been two or three
practical jokes playing. At first they were ordinary, not very funny,
just amusing. But what and now they're getting vicious, mean, contemptible?
Speaker 3 (04:03):
How do you mean that just that way? Who's the
funny man? We don't know any idea.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
No, that's why I've asked you to come up. Oh
and look, Dan, don't let on. I told you. Let
me do the talking when I introduce you, and take
your cues from me.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Huh, I see, I'm to be the silent observer. Is
at it?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Figure it out for yourself? Could I or anyone else
calling the police? No, because no one's been hurt yet.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Hey, you say that as though you expect trouble and
large chunks.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
I do, Dan, I do. Somebody is going to get
hurt and badly.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Alex drove on to the tread of place. There's nothing
else he could tell me about the practical jokes. Then
we pulled up before we got to the house because
the tall thin man was walking down the drive. I'll
like stopped the car and spoke softly to me.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
As Bernie trender coming down the drive.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
What do I say or do? How do I explain
my presence?
Speaker 2 (05:02):
I'll leave that to me. Just take the cues as
I throw him. Bernie, Hey, Bernie, Alex?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Is that you?
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Alex?
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah, we'll get out of here, pick up your back later.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
I've been looking for you, Alex, and oh my big
your pard, Bernie.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
I'm afraid I'm guilty of a guest's worst crime, dragging
in a friend.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Nonsense.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Still talk like that, Dan, there's my cousin, Bernie Treandler. Bernie,
Dan Holliday.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
How do you do? Fine?
Speaker 1 (05:25):
You?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
I'm sorry, I bar didn't like this, but I but
I haven't seen Alex in quite a while.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Dan's a writer, Bernie. I thought he might well stop
over a there or so he's he's going away, So
that right?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Dan? Uh? Oh, yes, I'm going away. Of course, it's
all right. Plenty of room. Oh, thank it's very nice
of you. It's all If you'll excuse me. I've got
to see the gardener about a couple of things. Alex
have else he show Danny's room.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Sure thing, thanks, Bernie, not at all.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
I'm glad to have you.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Don So that's Benard Trendler.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Why do you say it like that, like that, as
though you didn't believe it.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Oh, I gave you that idea.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Any man who's inherited a twenty million dollar fortune has
no right to look that.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Worried he has.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Huh, what's that mean?
Speaker 2 (06:12):
There are two people in this house who hate him,
hate him enough to kill him.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well with that, Alex took me into the house. The
maid showed me to my room, and well, I saw
no one else until later that afternoon. Then I walked
into the library on the ground floor. There were two
people seated there and stopped at the door.
Speaker 7 (06:36):
Well, hello, who are you?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Oh? My name is Holiday, Dan Holliday. I am looking
for Alex.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
He's looking for Alex, Martha.
Speaker 8 (06:45):
All right, let him look for Alex. Have you tried
looking under some rocks?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Mister Holiday? Dan? Holiday?
Speaker 8 (06:54):
Did you just arrive just after lunch? Too bad? The
lunch was horrible.
Speaker 5 (06:58):
You didn't help it.
Speaker 8 (06:59):
Mother, I didn't try to Henry, you don't have to try.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
My dear. Well, I suppose we may as well introduce ourselves.
I'm Henry Trendler. This is my wife, Martha. How do
you do.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
I'm Bernie's cousin.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Oh i've met mister Trendler.
Speaker 8 (07:13):
Isn't that nice? Henry. I'm going down to the lake.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Well, don't go out too far, my dear.
Speaker 8 (07:18):
I don't know how to swim, My dear, yes, I
know that.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Goodbye.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
Nice to've met you.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Holiday. Oh, she remembers, mister Holliday. It's just one of
her irritating little tricks. Oh, oh, I see she's an
attractive woman.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Is there any chance you might fall in love with her?
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Fall in love with her? Why? I Why do you
ask that I'll agree to a divorce immediately? Am I
supposed to laugh at that?
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Anything you like? You're staying long holiday?
Speaker 3 (07:47):
One or two days?
Speaker 5 (07:48):
That's quite enough.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Of course, with such lovely people around, I may decide
to postpone my departure until this evening. Oh you love
us once you get used to us.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
Holiday, How glad it takes.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
A little do there?
Speaker 5 (08:01):
Well, I see you two met, Yes, we've met Alex.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Where's Martha?
Speaker 3 (08:05):
She's gone to the lake. Well, I think i'll take
a little walk. Nice to have met you holiday, Thank you,
I'll see you later. Well then, charming people, lovely people,
in fact, I've never met two such delightful personalities.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Means you've met Martha too?
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Oh yes, and what do you think? Well, if I'd known,
I'd have brought my two edged sword, the big one.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Then maybe you'd be a little sour if you had
twenty million slip away from you like we have.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
If Bernie Trunder hadn't shown up, you, Henry and Martha
would have had the whole watermelon.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Seeds and all. Now, Ruth, Dan, that was Ruth.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
That's why where is she?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
I left her in her room?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Come on, Ruth, Ruth, that's why the under the hallway,
Ruth tarling?
Speaker 2 (08:50):
What's the matter?
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Stay with her, Alex. I'll see what it.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Is now, dearest, it's all Please, it's all.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Right, Alex, come over here. Look damn kill it now.
It's it's harmless. It's a black snake, harmless. Close the
closet door until we can get a sack for it, Alex.
(09:22):
Is is this the kind of practical joke you man?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
This is the kind of getting to be I see.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Ruth, it's all right now, come on, let's get out
of the room.
Speaker 8 (09:34):
Well, what's all the first?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Take a look in that closet, Alex. Let her look.
I'm willing to bet she put it there.
Speaker 8 (09:39):
You're more incoherent than usual, Alex, mister holiday, what what's
in the closet?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
A snake?
Speaker 8 (09:47):
Really? Well, how nice for Ruth.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
I'll slap that smirk off your face.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Aw though, Alex, I've been thinking about it for years.
Speaker 8 (09:55):
Well, Henry, this is the first indication I've had it.
You could think for years.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Stop it of get out of your eyes.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Hurry, Come on, Holly, Now, what's all the excite.
Speaker 8 (10:06):
It seems that Ruth found a snake in her closet.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Oh, I I thought you went to the lake.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
You do a great deal of thinking, don't you? When
I have to then stop thinking about me?
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Did you put that snake in there?
Speaker 8 (10:16):
I never touched the thing? Sorry?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Were you at the lake?
Speaker 8 (10:20):
That, mister Holliday, is none of your business. I'll leave
you to your snake.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Oh did something strike you funny, Henry?
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Yes, you should feel really flat at holiday?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Flatter to wi.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
My wife remembered your name.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Oh it was a lovely household. Hate flipped from the rafters.
I could feel it. Oh, why should anyone take it
out in stupid vicious pranks such as that snake and
roosts closet. Why it was before dinner that I decided
to take a walk with Alex. He talked. I listened first.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
It was amusing a frog in one's bed. Old was
missing from the bath house of the Lake Wild incredible
phone calls for all of us.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
How long has this been going on, Alex in just
about a week now? Have you any idea who it is?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
None? But why then, why should anyone want to frighten
Ruth out of her wits?
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Does Martha hate Ruth?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Martha hates everyone? Martha's a chronic congenital hater.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Well what does she have against Ruth?
Speaker 2 (11:18):
That's it? Not a thing in the world.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Has everyone been a victim of these pranks?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Yes, then they've got to stop.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Yeah, I can see what you mean.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Ohas Ruth, and she's all right. We changed rooms. She
won't go near the one we had.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
It was a harmless snake, obviously, no one meant the
harm Ruth.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Oh no, just frighten her half to death. Why don't
you leave, Alex, it's a potential air. That'd be a
little ridiculous.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I see what about Henry and Martha?
Speaker 2 (11:43):
They won't leave, not as long as they can stay
here free.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Well, look, you say these things started about a week ago,
are you sure? Yes? They started just like that, no warning,
no talk of pranks or jokes, none, and they're getting worse, vicious.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
I give up, No, damn police, what.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Do you want me to do. Obviously the person or
person's doing these things won't admit it. Apparently he or
she intends to go on with it until go on
until what, Until the person gets to the real reason,
the real objective of his viciousness? Who who the person
(12:22):
he or she means to kill?
Speaker 1 (12:35):
And now back to death is no joke? Another Box
thirteen adventure with Ellen Ladd as Dan Holliday.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Maybe I was right, Maybe I was wrong. Maybe no
one wanted to kill anyone, and there was nothing we
could go to the police about. What do you say
in a case like this, somebody's playing jokes? And what
about my host, whom I hadn't seen since my arrival,
Well I saw plenty of him that same evening, after dinner,
there were five of us in the library, Alex and Rue,
(13:06):
Henry and Martha myself. What little conversation there had been
was down to an occasional cough. Everyone was as jittery
as a rookie pitcher facing the Yanks for the first time.
Speaker 6 (13:16):
Then, I'm glad all of you are together.
Speaker 8 (13:19):
For a change of Bernie, how nice to see you.
Speaker 5 (13:21):
Still, what's the matter, Bernie?
Speaker 6 (13:23):
You look mad? I am what's all that a book
and some pictures.
Speaker 5 (13:28):
Stay where you are, Henry?
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Oh very well.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
This evening, when I went to my room after dinner,
I discovered someone had been there before me.
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Oh, Bernie, it could have.
Speaker 6 (13:36):
Been you cousin Martha.
Speaker 8 (13:37):
Oh please not in front of Henry.
Speaker 6 (13:39):
Oh what difference does it make?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
What are you getting at, Bernie?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Look, this is an old high school annual of mine.
Speaker 8 (13:46):
No, not that next to your bring out the albums.
If I remember correctly, you were the only baby who
managed to look positively gruesome lying on the table.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Sorry, what about that annual? Bernie?
Speaker 6 (13:58):
Every single picture of me has either been their faced.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
Or cut out.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Wah, well, let's see your hands off.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Yes, but I only want luck, Bernie. All right, there
very picture cut out odder face, that's right.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
And these pictures were hanging in my room and in
the study.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Look, oh, you've been cut out of all of them.
Speaker 6 (14:18):
And I want to know who did it. I'll speak up,
which one of you want it? I swear if I
find out all Terry's throat out.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
The one moved, I said a word. Bernie Treandler's face
was as white as a sheet, his eyes crinkling, the
slits that glared from one of us to the other.
I looked at the others. They were scared. Yes, even
Martha was afraid to open her mouth. Then after a
few seconds, I warn you. I warn you, whoever's doing this,
and listen, stopped and stopped immediately. I'll do something about it.
Speaker 8 (14:45):
Do you hear I want to stop, Burdie, please you.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
I I think I'm going to bed.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
You're doing these things. Martha'll take my warning seriously.
Speaker 8 (14:54):
If I were doing them, Bernie, they'd be worse than
they are. Good Night and many snakes.
Speaker 9 (15:00):
I'll let you know.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
I want to go. Everything will be all.
Speaker 8 (15:07):
I want to get out of it, Ruth.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
It's true.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Maybe she's got.
Speaker 8 (15:13):
Something I have. You hain't, Bernie, you ain't mine.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Room, Stop it, stop it, Take her upstairs, Alex, go ahead, please.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
All right, come on, come on.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Well, I guess the party's over. I'll turn into just
a moment. Henry.
Speaker 6 (15:27):
Yes, I hope you know. I meant what I said.
Why look at me, don't get out of here. Go
to your room. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I will go and close the door after you. I'm
sorry for that display of temper. Holiday.
Speaker 6 (15:43):
This nonsense has been too much.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
I don't suppose you have any idea who's behind it. No,
but this is the last straw. I wonder if there'll
be anymore. Huh, why do you say that? I wonder
if this is the last joke. It had better be.
Suppose it's not, then I'll send for the police and
tell them what that someone's been playing Joe.
Speaker 6 (16:00):
Facing and ruining these books and pictures is vandalism.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
They meant quite a bit to you, didn't they. Of
course they did high school annual and photographs. Oh when
were the pictures taken, Bernie? Oh? Years ago?
Speaker 6 (16:11):
Fifteen sixteen years ago, when I was in high school.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Why? I was just thinking, very strange that only those
photographs of you and athletic costumes should have been destroyed.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
What let me see?
Speaker 3 (16:23):
You're right, that's odd, very odd. Oh, here's one of
you that hasn't been destroyed. And let me look at it.
Seventeen years old. What happened when you were seventeen? Bernie?
What do you mean just that? Nothing? Nothing that I
(16:43):
can remember, but something that someone else could remember. What
the devil are you talking about? Holiday? I don't know yet.
Maybe i'll find out. Not being able to sleep, I
went for a walk in the moonlit garden. Suddenly I
heard voices, a man's or a woman's coming from the
(17:06):
garden house. I walk closer.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
I don't know why I agreed to meet you out
here in the first place.
Speaker 9 (17:13):
Oh you don't, Hell, I think.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
So?
Speaker 7 (17:15):
What do you want?
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Just a small, tiny cut of the twenty million?
Speaker 7 (17:20):
What makes you think i'd give it to you?
Speaker 9 (17:22):
What makes you think you won't?
Speaker 7 (17:23):
Lots of things?
Speaker 9 (17:25):
How big a fool do you think I am?
Speaker 7 (17:27):
That's up to you. How big a fool can you
make of yourself?
Speaker 9 (17:30):
Not quite as big as I can make of you.
Speaker 7 (17:32):
What's on that venomous mind of yours?
Speaker 9 (17:34):
Money?
Speaker 7 (17:35):
I don't mean that.
Speaker 8 (17:38):
You were a fool, Bernie, A fool to bring that
book in those pictures downstairs tonight.
Speaker 7 (17:43):
So I was a fool.
Speaker 8 (17:44):
Why don't forget that I used to visit this house
as a child. I remember lots of things my stupid
husband doesn't, and things other people don't remember, such as.
Speaker 9 (17:56):
Well, let's put it this way, Bernie. Let's say in
those days you were.
Speaker 8 (18:01):
More ghost than you are now.
Speaker 9 (18:04):
You would try to kill me, wouldn't you?
Speaker 7 (18:07):
With pleasure?
Speaker 9 (18:08):
But don't try you Thenny because if you do, you'll
be found out.
Speaker 7 (18:11):
What do you want?
Speaker 8 (18:12):
I told you think it over, cousin, you happen till
tomorrow morning.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
She left the garden house and passed me. I stood
in the shadows and watched her. There was a little
smile on her face. Then I looked toward the garden house.
Bernie Chrendler stood in the doorway. A shaft of moonlight
struck across his face. And if ever her face showed murder,
it was his.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Why don't you tell me where you're going? Dad?
Speaker 3 (18:55):
I can't alecs, I I cannot til I'm sure of
what I think? I know?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
What's all the mystery?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Uh? Snakes and phone calls and torn out pictures?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
You want to ride into town?
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Is that it? Hey? Yeah, that's right. Just drive me in, okay,
but let me in on something, will you? You have
to let me in on something first? What had anyone
seen Bernie Tendler before he showed up and claimed the
money in the estate?
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Not for fifteen years?
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Why who identified him?
Speaker 2 (19:22):
The lawyers? He had all the necessary stuff, you know, papers,
let us from my uncle.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I see now? Uh, where's the high school he went to?
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Just outside of town? What the devil are you getting at?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Where had Bernie ben before he showed up to claim
the estate South America? He said, uh huh, okay, take
me to that high school.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
What's the matter, like, Dan, something's wrong with the brakes.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Try the emergency?
Speaker 5 (19:49):
No good?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Then we're picking up speed on this hill.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Try to shift in the second compression of the engine
will hold it back. Stay goes to the left. Don't
get into the embankment.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
What if someone coming up the hill?
Speaker 3 (20:00):
We've got to take that chance. Where's at their side? Rode?
Speaker 2 (20:03):
There isn't any no turn offs.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
Keep your hands on the wheel. That emergency is no good.
We got any pedal it all with a foot break
none at all. Look, scrape the side of the hill
on the left going easy. That'll slow us down. But Dan,
we show it. It's our only chance. Okay again, keep
close and keep scraping.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
Sh Dan, where are you going?
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Look? Someone cut through the breake fluid lines?
Speaker 2 (20:43):
What but Dan, you're crazy? Why should anyone want to
cut through?
Speaker 3 (20:46):
Do you tell anyone we were coming into town? Sure
everyone knew what That's great, Alex. You stay here and
want people away from this?
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Where are you going? Now?
Speaker 3 (20:53):
I'm going to high school. Well, that's right, I had
to be. Right. After I left the high school with
the information i'd found, I went to the sheriff's office,
told him my story, implied to to his car. I
picked up Alex on the way back, and then Tandler House.
Here's Ruth, Ruth, Ruth, let us say close.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Sheriff, Alex, you were going to loon?
Speaker 3 (21:18):
Never mind that? Where's Bernie Bernie?
Speaker 8 (21:20):
I don't know why?
Speaker 7 (21:21):
Hello, everybody?
Speaker 6 (21:22):
What's all the fuss?
Speaker 5 (21:23):
How are you sheriff? What are you doing here?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Henry? Where's Bernie? Bernie? He and Martha went out on
the lake. The lake, Yes, they went rowing. She can't swim,
she's in the boat. She doesn't have to swim. That's
what you think, Alex. Is their boat we can use.
It's a speedboat tied up at the wharf. Oh, come on,
let's go. They can't have gone fine a rowboat.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Dan, are you sure of what you told me?
Speaker 3 (21:54):
I'm positive we've got to get to them before there's
a murder, a murder that looked like an accident. There
they are, get more speed out of this. I can't Dan,
Bernie Bernie, Look, he's wrong for sure, cut in ahead.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
I'll try to.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Head him up. Where's Martha lying in the boat? Headed faster,
Alex faster, that's it. Don't let him get the shore.
Get on, get on here, ship and kill Get on.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
He's jumped for shore.
Speaker 7 (22:27):
Don't wonder if he gets away.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Let him he can be picked up later.
Speaker 7 (22:30):
Get to Martha.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Marpa, Martha, keep this foot alongside. Is she alright? Dan, Yeah,
it's just knocked out.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
He got away.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
He can't get farcked.
Speaker 8 (22:48):
Bernie Bread don't oh.
Speaker 5 (22:51):
Tell, it's all right, Martha.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
He's gone, Martha, Martha, all right now.
Speaker 8 (22:56):
He was going to kill me.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Yes, I know he was going to kill you, because
you knew he wasn't the real Bernie Chrendler.
Speaker 8 (23:13):
He hit me. I saw him start to, but I
couldn't do anything about it.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
All right now, Martha, I mean, are you all right?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
She's all right, Henry, I'll get it.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
It's probably the sheriff.
Speaker 8 (23:27):
I suppose I should thank you, mister Holliday.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
That might be nice, thank you. They got him alive.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Yes, you're right down.
Speaker 5 (23:37):
Someone please explain all this.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
The real Bernie Chrendler is probably dead, killed by the
man who passed himself off as the real Bernie. Uh
isn't that right, Martha?
Speaker 8 (23:49):
I don't know anything about.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
It, Martha.
Speaker 8 (23:53):
Oh all right, I knew he wasn't the real Bernie.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
Last night and you realized the pictures were face to
cut out.
Speaker 8 (24:01):
Yes, Benny Pendler was left handed by George.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
That's right up. Well I remember now.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
You see, all those practical jokes were leading up to
the destruction of the pictures. He couldn't get rid of
them without attracting attention and suspicion, so he took the
elaborate way out. The jokes would have stopped once he
destroyed those pictures.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
What about the high school then?
Speaker 3 (24:21):
I I saw pictures there of the real Bernie in
a baseball uniform with a baseball glove on his right hand.
Speaker 8 (24:29):
But how did he hope to get by with a fraud?
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Well he did, remember the real Bernie was missing for
fifteen years.
Speaker 8 (24:37):
But what made you.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
Think of it, Dan, I mean the left handedness. Well,
let's say the real Bernie was Ghoshe in those days.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Oh, what's the matter?
Speaker 8 (24:47):
Offer nothing, nothing at all, I hope.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Oh ghosh is French for left, isn't it Martha?
Speaker 8 (24:56):
Yes, yes it is?
Speaker 3 (24:58):
Well, is there anything else to tell. Well, why are
you two looking at each other like that?
Speaker 8 (25:03):
I was just wondering how much I have to thank
mister Holliday for.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Well, let's say you've already thanked me for everything.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
I knew it. I knew it. You go away someplace
and someone tries to kill you.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Tried to by cutting the brake lines because he thought
I'd guessed.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
Oh, and just think those two nasty people will get
all that money.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
Not all. Alex will get his share, which is all
I care about.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
And you didn't tell what you heard in the garden house.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
Now, why should I, Susie?
Speaker 4 (25:57):
Well, I think that counts Chevrolet too far.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Good night, Susy.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Next week, same time, through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Alan Ladd stars as Dan Holliday in Box thirteen. Box
thirteen is directed by Richard Sandville, with this week's original
story by Orrin Blackstone. Original music is composed and conducted
by Rudy Schrager. Part of Susie is played by Sylvia Picker,
(26:26):
and production is supervised by Berne Carsonsen. Box thirteen is
a Mayfair production from Hollywood Watch for Allan Ladd in
his latest Paramount picture
Box thirteen with the star of Paramount Pictures Alan Ladd
as Dan Holiday.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Dear Dan, knowing your Box thirteen angel, I hope what
I have to offer is intriguing enough to tempt you.
At least I think it can be interesting. As a
matter of fact, Dan, this thing has got to the
point now where it's becoming downright vicious, and it scares
me a little. What the thing is? I'll tell you
when and if I see you. If you can drag
yourself away from Tom, can.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Drag yourself away from Tom for a few days. Consider
this letter an invitation to join me at the country
home of Bernard Trendler, my cousin. And closed are the
directions forgetting that. I'll meet you at the station. Wire
me first as Alex. Yeah, it sounded harmless and simple,
two words I'd never apply to murder.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
And now back to Box thirteen and Dan Holliday's newest adventure.
Death is no joke.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
I don't think you should go, mister Holliday, And why not,
Susie will every time you accept an invitation like this,
something bad happens to you.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Susie. Every time someone reads that ad in the Star
Times means trouble. But here I am still alive and kicking.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
You just better watch out. You're not intolerable, you know.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Well, thanks, Susie. But did you mean intolerable?
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Sure like Achilles was after he was dipped in the
river steaks.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
It was the sticks. And you mean invulnerable?
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Oh, intorible and vulnerable you could get hurt.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Okay, we'll see. By the way, did you send up
wire to Alex? Oh? Good girl. Well, I'll expect me
when you see me. So long, Susie, dam damn, damn, Alex.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
How a then holiday? So you're still alive?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Why not? It's a good idea.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
There's your luggage.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Oh, yes, it's just that.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
That's good. My car is just around the other side
of the deepoty this way?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Am I supposed to ask what your letter mean? Or
do I wait until you get ready to tell me?
Wait till we get into the car.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
That's it look convertible.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Well you've done all right.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
There's no motor under the hood. Hop in PAW's ruth.
Oh great?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Any children yet? No? Not yet? Now look, I thought
you'd have about five by now. Maybe it's on your mind, Alex.
You're worried about something.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yeah, I don't know whether I am after him. Look,
maybe asking you to stick an oar. And this was
well presuming upon friendship.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
That's what friendship's for.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
And it's up to a point.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Okay, let's get to the point.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Well, it's practical jokes. I knew you'd looked blank at that.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
I'm glad I didn't disappoint you. What's the angle?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Practical jokes?
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Go ahead?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Ruth and I are guests at Bernard Trendler's. He's my cousin.
You ever heard of him?
Speaker 5 (03:25):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Yes, yes, showed up not too long ago to claim
a fortune, didn't Yes, that's right.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
He ran away from home when he was seventeen, he
was going fifteen years or recently his father it's my uncle.
He died and left the entire Trendler fortune to him.
If he hadn't been found, it would have been divided
among the rest of us, but he showed up and
claimed it.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
So But did the practical jokes come in? And why?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Ruth and I have been here for a week and
a half now, every day there'd been two or three
practical jokes playing. At first they were ordinary, not very funny,
just amusing. But what and now they're getting vicious, mean, contemptible?
Speaker 3 (04:03):
How do you mean that just that way? Who's the
funny man? We don't know any idea.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
No, that's why I've asked you to come up. Oh
and look, Dan, don't let on. I told you. Let
me do the talking when I introduce you, and take
your cues from me.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Huh, I see, I'm to be the silent observer. Is
at it?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Figure it out for yourself? Could I or anyone else
calling the police? No, because no one's been hurt yet.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Hey, you say that as though you expect trouble and
large chunks.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
I do, Dan, I do. Somebody is going to get
hurt and badly.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Alex drove on to the tread of place. There's nothing
else he could tell me about the practical jokes. Then
we pulled up before we got to the house because
the tall thin man was walking down the drive. I'll
like stopped the car and spoke softly to me.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
As Bernie trender coming down the drive.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
What do I say or do? How do I explain
my presence?
Speaker 2 (05:02):
I'll leave that to me. Just take the cues as
I throw him. Bernie, Hey, Bernie, Alex?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Is that you?
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Alex?
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah, we'll get out of here, pick up your back later.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
I've been looking for you, Alex, and oh my big
your pard, Bernie.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
I'm afraid I'm guilty of a guest's worst crime, dragging
in a friend.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Nonsense.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Still talk like that, Dan, there's my cousin, Bernie Treandler. Bernie,
Dan Holliday.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
How do you do? Fine?
Speaker 1 (05:25):
You?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
I'm sorry, I bar didn't like this, but I but
I haven't seen Alex in quite a while.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Dan's a writer, Bernie. I thought he might well stop
over a there or so he's he's going away, So
that right?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Dan? Uh? Oh, yes, I'm going away. Of course, it's
all right. Plenty of room. Oh, thank it's very nice
of you. It's all If you'll excuse me. I've got
to see the gardener about a couple of things. Alex
have else he show Danny's room.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Sure thing, thanks, Bernie, not at all.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
I'm glad to have you.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Don So that's Benard Trendler.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Why do you say it like that, like that, as
though you didn't believe it.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Oh, I gave you that idea.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Any man who's inherited a twenty million dollar fortune has
no right to look that.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Worried he has.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Huh, what's that mean?
Speaker 2 (06:12):
There are two people in this house who hate him,
hate him enough to kill him.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Well with that, Alex took me into the house. The
maid showed me to my room, and well, I saw
no one else until later that afternoon. Then I walked
into the library on the ground floor. There were two
people seated there and stopped at the door.
Speaker 7 (06:36):
Well, hello, who are you?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Oh? My name is Holiday, Dan Holliday. I am looking
for Alex.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
He's looking for Alex, Martha.
Speaker 8 (06:45):
All right, let him look for Alex. Have you tried
looking under some rocks?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Mister Holiday? Dan? Holiday?
Speaker 8 (06:54):
Did you just arrive just after lunch? Too bad? The
lunch was horrible.
Speaker 5 (06:58):
You didn't help it.
Speaker 8 (06:59):
Mother, I didn't try to Henry, you don't have to try.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
My dear. Well, I suppose we may as well introduce ourselves.
I'm Henry Trendler. This is my wife, Martha. How do
you do.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
I'm Bernie's cousin.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Oh i've met mister Trendler.
Speaker 8 (07:13):
Isn't that nice? Henry. I'm going down to the lake.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Well, don't go out too far, my dear.
Speaker 8 (07:18):
I don't know how to swim, My dear, yes, I
know that.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Goodbye.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
Nice to've met you.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Holiday. Oh, she remembers, mister Holliday. It's just one of
her irritating little tricks. Oh, oh, I see she's an
attractive woman.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Is there any chance you might fall in love with her?
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Fall in love with her? Why? I Why do you
ask that I'll agree to a divorce immediately? Am I
supposed to laugh at that?
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Anything you like? You're staying long holiday?
Speaker 3 (07:47):
One or two days?
Speaker 5 (07:48):
That's quite enough.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Of course, with such lovely people around, I may decide
to postpone my departure until this evening. Oh you love
us once you get used to us.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
Holiday, How glad it takes.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
A little do there?
Speaker 5 (08:01):
Well, I see you two met, Yes, we've met Alex.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Where's Martha?
Speaker 3 (08:05):
She's gone to the lake. Well, I think i'll take
a little walk. Nice to have met you holiday, Thank you,
I'll see you later. Well then, charming people, lovely people,
in fact, I've never met two such delightful personalities.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Means you've met Martha too?
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Oh yes, and what do you think? Well, if I'd known,
I'd have brought my two edged sword, the big one.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Then maybe you'd be a little sour if you had
twenty million slip away from you like we have.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
If Bernie Trunder hadn't shown up, you, Henry and Martha
would have had the whole watermelon.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Seeds and all. Now, Ruth, Dan, that was Ruth.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
That's why where is she?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
I left her in her room?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Come on, Ruth, Ruth, that's why the under the hallway,
Ruth tarling?
Speaker 2 (08:50):
What's the matter?
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Stay with her, Alex. I'll see what it.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Is now, dearest, it's all Please, it's all.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Right, Alex, come over here. Look damn kill it now.
It's it's harmless. It's a black snake, harmless. Close the
closet door until we can get a sack for it, Alex.
(09:22):
Is is this the kind of practical joke you man?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
This is the kind of getting to be I see.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
Ruth, it's all right now, come on, let's get out
of the room.
Speaker 8 (09:34):
Well, what's all the first?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Take a look in that closet, Alex. Let her look.
I'm willing to bet she put it there.
Speaker 8 (09:39):
You're more incoherent than usual, Alex, mister holiday, what what's
in the closet?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
A snake?
Speaker 8 (09:47):
Really? Well, how nice for Ruth.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
I'll slap that smirk off your face.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Aw though, Alex, I've been thinking about it for years.
Speaker 8 (09:55):
Well, Henry, this is the first indication I've had it.
You could think for years.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Stop it of get out of your eyes.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
Hurry, Come on, Holly, Now, what's all the excite.
Speaker 8 (10:06):
It seems that Ruth found a snake in her closet.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Oh, I I thought you went to the lake.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
You do a great deal of thinking, don't you? When
I have to then stop thinking about me?
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Did you put that snake in there?
Speaker 8 (10:16):
I never touched the thing? Sorry?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Were you at the lake?
Speaker 8 (10:20):
That, mister Holliday, is none of your business. I'll leave
you to your snake.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Oh did something strike you funny, Henry?
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Yes, you should feel really flat at holiday?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Flatter to wi.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
My wife remembered your name.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Oh it was a lovely household. Hate flipped from the rafters.
I could feel it. Oh, why should anyone take it
out in stupid vicious pranks such as that snake and
roosts closet. Why it was before dinner that I decided
to take a walk with Alex. He talked. I listened first.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
It was amusing a frog in one's bed. Old was
missing from the bath house of the Lake Wild incredible
phone calls for all of us.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
How long has this been going on, Alex in just
about a week now? Have you any idea who it is?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
None? But why then, why should anyone want to frighten
Ruth out of her wits?
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Does Martha hate Ruth?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Martha hates everyone? Martha's a chronic congenital hater.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Well what does she have against Ruth?
Speaker 2 (11:18):
That's it? Not a thing in the world.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Has everyone been a victim of these pranks?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Yes, then they've got to stop.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Yeah, I can see what you mean.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Ohas Ruth, and she's all right. We changed rooms. She
won't go near the one we had.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
It was a harmless snake, obviously, no one meant the
harm Ruth.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Oh no, just frighten her half to death. Why don't
you leave, Alex, it's a potential air. That'd be a
little ridiculous.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I see what about Henry and Martha?
Speaker 2 (11:43):
They won't leave, not as long as they can stay
here free.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Well, look, you say these things started about a week ago,
are you sure? Yes? They started just like that, no warning,
no talk of pranks or jokes, none, and they're getting worse, vicious.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
I give up, No, damn police, what.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Do you want me to do. Obviously the person or
person's doing these things won't admit it. Apparently he or
she intends to go on with it until go on
until what, Until the person gets to the real reason,
the real objective of his viciousness? Who who the person
(12:22):
he or she means to kill?
Speaker 1 (12:35):
And now back to death is no joke? Another Box
thirteen adventure with Ellen Ladd as Dan Holliday.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Maybe I was right, Maybe I was wrong. Maybe no
one wanted to kill anyone, and there was nothing we
could go to the police about. What do you say
in a case like this, somebody's playing jokes? And what
about my host, whom I hadn't seen since my arrival,
Well I saw plenty of him that same evening, after dinner,
there were five of us in the library, Alex and Rue,
(13:06):
Henry and Martha myself. What little conversation there had been
was down to an occasional cough. Everyone was as jittery
as a rookie pitcher facing the Yanks for the first time.
Speaker 6 (13:16):
Then, I'm glad all of you are together.
Speaker 8 (13:19):
For a change of Bernie, how nice to see you.
Speaker 5 (13:21):
Still, what's the matter, Bernie?
Speaker 6 (13:23):
You look mad? I am what's all that a book
and some pictures.
Speaker 5 (13:28):
Stay where you are, Henry?
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Oh very well.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
This evening, when I went to my room after dinner,
I discovered someone had been there before me.
Speaker 8 (13:35):
Oh, Bernie, it could have.
Speaker 6 (13:36):
Been you cousin Martha.
Speaker 8 (13:37):
Oh please not in front of Henry.
Speaker 6 (13:39):
Oh what difference does it make?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
What are you getting at, Bernie?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Look, this is an old high school annual of mine.
Speaker 8 (13:46):
No, not that next to your bring out the albums.
If I remember correctly, you were the only baby who
managed to look positively gruesome lying on the table.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Sorry, what about that annual? Bernie?
Speaker 6 (13:58):
Every single picture of me has either been their faced.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
Or cut out.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Wah, well, let's see your hands off.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Yes, but I only want luck, Bernie. All right, there
very picture cut out odder face, that's right.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
And these pictures were hanging in my room and in
the study.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Look, oh, you've been cut out of all of them.
Speaker 6 (14:18):
And I want to know who did it. I'll speak up,
which one of you want it? I swear if I
find out all Terry's throat out.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
The one moved, I said a word. Bernie Treandler's face
was as white as a sheet, his eyes crinkling, the
slits that glared from one of us to the other.
I looked at the others. They were scared. Yes, even
Martha was afraid to open her mouth. Then after a
few seconds, I warn you. I warn you, whoever's doing this,
and listen, stopped and stopped immediately. I'll do something about it.
Speaker 8 (14:45):
Do you hear I want to stop, Burdie, please you.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 8 (14:50):
I I think I'm going to bed.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
You're doing these things. Martha'll take my warning seriously.
Speaker 8 (14:54):
If I were doing them, Bernie, they'd be worse than
they are. Good Night and many snakes.
Speaker 9 (15:00):
I'll let you know.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
I want to go. Everything will be all.
Speaker 8 (15:07):
I want to get out of it, Ruth.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
It's true.
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Maybe she's got.
Speaker 8 (15:13):
Something I have. You hain't, Bernie, you ain't mine.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Room, Stop it, stop it, Take her upstairs, Alex, go ahead, please.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
All right, come on, come on.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Well, I guess the party's over. I'll turn into just
a moment. Henry.
Speaker 6 (15:27):
Yes, I hope you know. I meant what I said.
Why look at me, don't get out of here. Go
to your room. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
I will go and close the door after you. I'm
sorry for that display of temper. Holiday.
Speaker 6 (15:43):
This nonsense has been too much.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
I don't suppose you have any idea who's behind it. No,
but this is the last straw. I wonder if there'll
be anymore. Huh, why do you say that? I wonder
if this is the last joke. It had better be.
Suppose it's not, then I'll send for the police and
tell them what that someone's been playing Joe.
Speaker 6 (16:00):
Facing and ruining these books and pictures is vandalism.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
They meant quite a bit to you, didn't they. Of
course they did high school annual and photographs. Oh when
were the pictures taken, Bernie? Oh? Years ago?
Speaker 6 (16:11):
Fifteen sixteen years ago, when I was in high school.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Why? I was just thinking, very strange that only those
photographs of you and athletic costumes should have been destroyed.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
What let me see?
Speaker 3 (16:23):
You're right, that's odd, very odd. Oh, here's one of
you that hasn't been destroyed. And let me look at it.
Seventeen years old. What happened when you were seventeen? Bernie?
What do you mean just that? Nothing? Nothing that I
(16:43):
can remember, but something that someone else could remember. What
the devil are you talking about? Holiday? I don't know yet.
Maybe i'll find out. Not being able to sleep, I
went for a walk in the moonlit garden. Suddenly I
heard voices, a man's or a woman's coming from the
(17:06):
garden house. I walk closer.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
I don't know why I agreed to meet you out
here in the first place.
Speaker 9 (17:13):
Oh you don't, Hell, I think.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
So?
Speaker 7 (17:15):
What do you want?
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Just a small, tiny cut of the twenty million?
Speaker 7 (17:20):
What makes you think i'd give it to you?
Speaker 9 (17:22):
What makes you think you won't?
Speaker 7 (17:23):
Lots of things?
Speaker 9 (17:25):
How big a fool do you think I am?
Speaker 7 (17:27):
That's up to you. How big a fool can you
make of yourself?
Speaker 9 (17:30):
Not quite as big as I can make of you.
Speaker 7 (17:32):
What's on that venomous mind of yours?
Speaker 9 (17:34):
Money?
Speaker 7 (17:35):
I don't mean that.
Speaker 8 (17:38):
You were a fool, Bernie, A fool to bring that
book in those pictures downstairs tonight.
Speaker 7 (17:43):
So I was a fool.
Speaker 8 (17:44):
Why don't forget that I used to visit this house
as a child. I remember lots of things my stupid
husband doesn't, and things other people don't remember, such as.
Speaker 9 (17:56):
Well, let's put it this way, Bernie. Let's say in
those days you were.
Speaker 8 (18:01):
More ghost than you are now.
Speaker 9 (18:04):
You would try to kill me, wouldn't you?
Speaker 7 (18:07):
With pleasure?
Speaker 9 (18:08):
But don't try you Thenny because if you do, you'll
be found out.
Speaker 7 (18:11):
What do you want?
Speaker 8 (18:12):
I told you think it over, cousin, you happen till
tomorrow morning.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
She left the garden house and passed me. I stood
in the shadows and watched her. There was a little
smile on her face. Then I looked toward the garden house.
Bernie Chrendler stood in the doorway. A shaft of moonlight
struck across his face. And if ever her face showed murder,
it was his.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
Why don't you tell me where you're going? Dad?
Speaker 3 (18:55):
I can't alecs, I I cannot til I'm sure of
what I think? I know?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
What's all the mystery?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Uh? Snakes and phone calls and torn out pictures?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
You want to ride into town?
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Is that it? Hey? Yeah, that's right. Just drive me in, okay,
but let me in on something, will you? You have
to let me in on something first? What had anyone
seen Bernie Tendler before he showed up and claimed the
money in the estate?
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Not for fifteen years?
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Why who identified him?
Speaker 2 (19:22):
The lawyers? He had all the necessary stuff, you know, papers,
let us from my uncle.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I see now? Uh, where's the high school he went to?
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Just outside of town? What the devil are you getting at?
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Where had Bernie ben before he showed up to claim
the estate South America? He said, uh huh, okay, take
me to that high school.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
What's the matter, like, Dan, something's wrong with the brakes.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Try the emergency?
Speaker 5 (19:49):
No good?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Then we're picking up speed on this hill.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Try to shift in the second compression of the engine
will hold it back. Stay goes to the left. Don't
get into the embankment.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
What if someone coming up the hill?
Speaker 3 (20:00):
We've got to take that chance. Where's at their side? Rode?
Speaker 2 (20:03):
There isn't any no turn offs.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
Keep your hands on the wheel. That emergency is no good.
We got any pedal it all with a foot break
none at all. Look, scrape the side of the hill
on the left going easy. That'll slow us down. But Dan,
we show it. It's our only chance. Okay again, keep
close and keep scraping.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
Sh Dan, where are you going?
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Look? Someone cut through the breake fluid lines?
Speaker 2 (20:43):
What but Dan, you're crazy? Why should anyone want to
cut through?
Speaker 3 (20:46):
Do you tell anyone we were coming into town? Sure
everyone knew what That's great, Alex. You stay here and
want people away from this?
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Where are you going? Now?
Speaker 3 (20:53):
I'm going to high school. Well, that's right, I had
to be. Right. After I left the high school with
the information i'd found, I went to the sheriff's office,
told him my story, implied to to his car. I
picked up Alex on the way back, and then Tandler House.
Here's Ruth, Ruth, Ruth, let us say close.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Sheriff, Alex, you were going to loon?
Speaker 3 (21:18):
Never mind that? Where's Bernie Bernie?
Speaker 8 (21:20):
I don't know why?
Speaker 7 (21:21):
Hello, everybody?
Speaker 6 (21:22):
What's all the fuss?
Speaker 5 (21:23):
How are you sheriff? What are you doing here?
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Henry? Where's Bernie? Bernie? He and Martha went out on
the lake. The lake, Yes, they went rowing. She can't swim,
she's in the boat. She doesn't have to swim. That's
what you think, Alex. Is their boat we can use.
It's a speedboat tied up at the wharf. Oh, come on,
let's go. They can't have gone fine a rowboat.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Dan, are you sure of what you told me?
Speaker 3 (21:54):
I'm positive we've got to get to them before there's
a murder, a murder that looked like an accident. There
they are, get more speed out of this. I can't Dan,
Bernie Bernie, Look, he's wrong for sure, cut in ahead.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
I'll try to.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Head him up. Where's Martha lying in the boat? Headed faster,
Alex faster, that's it. Don't let him get the shore.
Get on, get on here, ship and kill Get on.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
He's jumped for shore.
Speaker 7 (22:27):
Don't wonder if he gets away.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
Let him he can be picked up later.
Speaker 7 (22:30):
Get to Martha.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Marpa, Martha, keep this foot alongside. Is she alright? Dan, Yeah,
it's just knocked out.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
He got away.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
He can't get farcked.
Speaker 8 (22:48):
Bernie Bread don't oh.
Speaker 5 (22:51):
Tell, it's all right, Martha.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
He's gone, Martha, Martha, all right now.
Speaker 8 (22:56):
He was going to kill me.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Yes, I know he was going to kill you, because
you knew he wasn't the real Bernie Chrendler.
Speaker 8 (23:13):
He hit me. I saw him start to, but I
couldn't do anything about it.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
All right now, Martha, I mean, are you all right?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
She's all right, Henry, I'll get it.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
It's probably the sheriff.
Speaker 8 (23:27):
I suppose I should thank you, mister Holliday.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
That might be nice, thank you. They got him alive.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Yes, you're right down.
Speaker 5 (23:37):
Someone please explain all this.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
The real Bernie Chrendler is probably dead, killed by the
man who passed himself off as the real Bernie. Uh
isn't that right, Martha?
Speaker 8 (23:49):
I don't know anything about.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
It, Martha.
Speaker 8 (23:53):
Oh all right, I knew he wasn't the real Bernie.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
Last night and you realized the pictures were face to
cut out.
Speaker 8 (24:01):
Yes, Benny Pendler was left handed by George.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
That's right up. Well I remember now.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
You see, all those practical jokes were leading up to
the destruction of the pictures. He couldn't get rid of
them without attracting attention and suspicion, so he took the
elaborate way out. The jokes would have stopped once he
destroyed those pictures.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
What about the high school then?
Speaker 3 (24:21):
I I saw pictures there of the real Bernie in
a baseball uniform with a baseball glove on his right hand.
Speaker 8 (24:29):
But how did he hope to get by with a fraud?
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Well he did, remember the real Bernie was missing for
fifteen years.
Speaker 8 (24:37):
But what made you.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
Think of it, Dan, I mean the left handedness. Well,
let's say the real Bernie was Ghoshe in those days.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Oh, what's the matter?
Speaker 8 (24:47):
Offer nothing, nothing at all, I hope.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Oh ghosh is French for left, isn't it Martha?
Speaker 8 (24:56):
Yes, yes it is?
Speaker 3 (24:58):
Well, is there anything else to tell. Well, why are
you two looking at each other like that?
Speaker 8 (25:03):
I was just wondering how much I have to thank
mister Holliday for.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Well, let's say you've already thanked me for everything.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
I knew it. I knew it. You go away someplace
and someone tries to kill you.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Tried to by cutting the brake lines because he thought
I'd guessed.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
Oh, and just think those two nasty people will get
all that money.
Speaker 3 (25:49):
Not all. Alex will get his share, which is all
I care about.
Speaker 4 (25:53):
And you didn't tell what you heard in the garden house.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
Now, why should I, Susie?
Speaker 4 (25:57):
Well, I think that counts Chevrolet too far.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Good night, Susy.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Next week, same time, through the courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Alan Ladd stars as Dan Holliday in Box thirteen. Box
thirteen is directed by Richard Sandville, with this week's original
story by Orrin Blackstone. Original music is composed and conducted
by Rudy Schrager. Part of Susie is played by Sylvia Picker,
(26:26):
and production is supervised by Berne Carsonsen. Box thirteen is
a Mayfair production from Hollywood Watch for Allan Ladd in
his latest Paramount picture
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