June 6, 2024 • 28 mins
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(00:02):
The National Broadcasting Company presents Radio CityPlayhouse Attraction fifty one Blackout, as written
and directed by Harry W. Junkins. Ladies and Gentlemen, Here is Harry
(00:32):
W. Junkins, Good evening tonight. We are very happy, indeed to
welcome Miss Jan Minor back to RadioCity Thai House after an absence of almost
ten weeks. To our regular listeners, she needs no introduction to our new
listeners. May we say that sheis one of the busiest, most talented,
most charming, and most sought afteractresses in New York. She has
(00:56):
heard regularly over NBC and Laura Lawton, Road of Life and The Eternal Light,
to name only a few. Costarring with Jan Minor tonight is mister
Arnold Moss, who will shortly beseen in a featured role in the new
Eagle Lion picture Reign of Terror.Mister Moss, too is a veteran NBC
actor, and in between many radioand television engagements, he is at the
(01:19):
moment working on the part of Malvolioin Twelfth Night, which will open on
Broadway this fall. Here, then, is Jan Minor as Jane and Arnold
Moss as Johnny in Blackout. Attractionfifty one on Radio City Playhouse. Hello,
(02:14):
Roger, this is Jane Burremont andhe at seven o'clock in the morning.
You out of your mind, Roger. Was Johnny with you last night?
Oh? Yes, for a while? Why because he isn't home.
Ye's nice. I'm worried, Ithought, Jane, it was sort of
a celebration, you know, Murdochbeing made at a turn everything. I
(02:34):
really, Roger, he didn't takea drink, did he? Yes,
honey, I'm afraid he tied oneon. He promised. He knows what
happens when he drinks, he promisedme. God, you haven't any idea
where he might be. Oh,Jane, go back to bed and relax.
Johnny will be all right, Roger. Hello, Hello. Jane Bourmont's
(03:07):
face is drawn and worried. Shelooks out the window, sees nothing,
and returns to the center of theroom, where she stands uncertainly. At
this exact moment, a man turnsoff Lexington Avenue on to seventy first Street.
For most people, a new dayis just beginning, But for Johnny
Burmont, an evening has just ended. His expensive suit is wet and torn.
(03:30):
One sleeve of his overcoat is missingentirely. His nose has been bleeding
and the blood is caked on hisshirt front. His face is very dirty,
and he's lost his hat. Oh, Johnny doesn't care about any of
this. Because Johnny is a pathologicaldrinker, a dipsomaniac in the most literal
(03:50):
sense of the word. Nobody seemsto mind this, except his wife.
Because Johnny's charming. He loves peopleand everybody. When he's drunk, he
thinks everybody loves him. It neveroccurs to him that anyone would be revulsed
by his appearance or his smell.He throws his arm around the dorman,
(04:12):
and the dorman doesn't protest. He'sused to Johnny. He's a little nauseated
by Johnny's closeness, but he's verykind as he helps him into the elevator.
The dorman understands that Johnny is justJohnny, very rugged luckily on my
(04:40):
na Hey, take an easy whynot? The elevator loves you told me
so yesterday it did well. ThenI kiss it. We're a Hey,
who am I? You're almost inyour apartment? Yeah? I know,
but what I hear you have?I just take that easy, nice oh
(05:08):
god, was I in a fight? Oh boil, boil, you're a
good fellow, Parison. And wasI in the fight. I took Frank
murrayck you know I no, Idot mister. I watched you out your
jumped up and down on his faceuntil I kicked all his brains out.
Brain. You hadn't got any brain, I said, I kill him.
(05:29):
My absolutely murdered him. That hereyou have, mister Bemont, hang onto
the wall. W Hey, maybeMissus Pardmont isn't up? Should I unlock
the door? Who's it's Patison,Missus Paramount, I got mister Baramont.
Just a minute. Who is that? That's your wife? Oh she is
(05:54):
Christmas again, Jae, mister Barmont, you sure know how to do it,
madame. You have just won theNobel prize. Goode, Missus Burman.
Thank you, Patterson. I'll gethim in. Are you're you're sure
you can manage, missus Burmer,Yes, Patterson, I can manage.
Thank you. Come on in,Johnny. I don't think I should.
(06:15):
Your feels fine, Missus Burmer.That's all Patterson. Come on, honey,
say please please sor Patterson sorrow kissif your name me missus Bremont.
Just bring the buzzer. I'll comeright up, Thank you, Patterson,
give me a kiss. Jane,just nonsense and come in. Sure sure
(06:36):
this is quite a joint. You'renot that drunk? How are you?
Because you're trying to be funny?Next you ask me what city this isn't
expect me to lie? All right? What? Well? I don't think
you are funny. I think you'redisgusting. Going to the betterment. Take
off those clothes, thank you verymuch, to stop playing the fool.
Well you're mad, you're mad,Come on, Jane, give me a
(06:57):
kids want me to beat you up? I snapped my fingers. You would
fall over. Now when you pleaseget I'm dressed and get to bed.
I beat up Frank murderer cool boy? Oh boy? Did I beat him
up? I murdered him. Iabsolutely murdered him. Jerry cheap stinger jumped
up and down his face until Ikicker, when you please go to bed?
(07:18):
You're sure? Sure, honey?Sure? Bed? Oh? I
had to get Patterson back up thegame into the bedroom. Then we took
(07:39):
off his shirt and his shoes andcovered him with a blanket. Patterson thought
it was amusing. He thinks Johnny'sa sport, that he's very gay and
charming. When Patterson left, Iwiped the blood off Johnny's face with a
wet wash racket. He was asleepinstantly, and I sat there beside him
in the morning. What do youdo with men like Johnny? He has
(08:03):
a funny little black curl that fallsover his foret, and there's good looks
and charms him. Well, anyway, it was almost five in the afternoon
when he woke up. He showeredand shaved, drank six glasses of water,
four glasses of orange juice, andthree cups of coffee. Then he
(08:24):
sent me out for the papers.When I came back, I could smell
bourbon again. It had to havea drink to steady himself. He sat
there reading the paper. Then Isat there looking at him. Aren't you
(08:52):
reading the papers? No, don'tsit there looking so holy? Sorry,
so I promised I wouldn't. ThenI did. I got drunk, and
I'm an alcoholic. Let's drop it. I didn't say anything like to not
anymore. You just know he wastalking about it anymore. Well, why
don't you quit? I'm just aboutready to always preach. I wish i'd
had a camera this morning. Youwere a grand looking thing when Patterson brought
(09:16):
you upstairs. Mark silt street dirt. Yes, you've fallen in it within
your hair, said gray overcoat,You want it once? And now there's
a sleeve missing. I buy anothercoat. Do you want to buy another
wife? There are all sorts ofwomen you can hire to wash your face
and clean you up after you've hada good roll in the bowering. Oh,
Johnny didn't know he was talking aboutit anymore. We just can't go
on this way. Heaven knows Ilost you. I do, but I
(09:43):
just can't stand it anymore, theway you were this morning. I can't
stand please crying anything. I knowI've been crying for six years. And
why don't you stop dress his cars? This apartment? Maybe if we were
poor, it'd be better. Maybeif you had to work for a living
instead of dabbling in an earty magazinewriting stuff? Is nobody wrong? Or
(10:03):
would you lay off whining? Whining? Always whining? Right? What about
dinner? What about it? Whodo you want to eat in or go
out somewhere? I don't think Icould stand a domestic emailing. When I
put on my feathers, or justgo straight. It's a simple little wife
of a cafe drunk. If you'reso determined to be unpleasant, you can
go to the devil. What's likegoing to the devil? You ought to
know? You shut up here hereread the paper. Would you mind handing
(10:26):
me the whole thing? Or reachfor a turn on a cripple? You
my hero? Hey, look,Jane, I'm sorry I was rude.
Let's drop it. Do you gettickets for Liberty? Yes? When September
(10:48):
the eighth, the Thursday. That'sgood, Jane. I am sorry,
really, really, I am allright. I feel tough. I just
sort of lost my temper. Whatis it? Murdoch? Frank Murdoch?
What he was murdered last night?What do you say? It's here in
the paper, so he read?Read There at the tops. Eugene Franklin
(11:15):
Murdoch, prominent in New York literarycircles, was found in an unconscious condition
in an alley on East fifty secondStreet earlier this morning. He died.
He died shortly after admission to MidtownHospital of head injuries, which resulted in
severe hemorrhages. The dead man hadbeen celebrating his recent appointment as editor of
(11:37):
True Arts magazine. I couldn't.I couldn't have done it. It's absolutely
ridiculous. You said, you saidyou jumped up and down on his sade
and the patterson told me when Iwent out to get the papers, he
remarked that you had a pretty bigevening, that you told him you'd beaten
(11:58):
something a lot. What did Isay? It was murder? Yes,
yes you did, Jane. Idon't fight with people. I never get
made. Thought was somebody last night? You were covered with blood and your
nose had been bleeding. What's ridiculous. It's absolutely ridiculous, isn't it,
Jane, isn't it? I don'tknow what do you want me to do?
(12:18):
Can't you remember anything? Do youexpect me to get out of the
police and tell him I think Ikilled Frank Mud Can't you remember, Johnny?
Can't you remember anything that happened?No? Not much, not much
towards the end. I know Imet Larry oathways we joined Frank and Roger.
I'd say maybe Roger would know.I didn't even know much when I
spoke to him. What did youphone him? I phoned him this morning?
It was seven o'clock. I thoughtmaybe you'd been killed or something.
(12:41):
Or what am I supposed to thinkwhen you don't come home here seven in
the morning. Am I just supposedto go to van as if nothing was
in that? Don't start crying.That's all I do now, Johnny is
cry. I can't help it.It's all supposed to be so gay and
charming. It's phone Roger and seeif you know anything. I can't just
(13:03):
ask him if he thinks I killedFrank, you make something? Help?
But please bone all right? Giveme the phone. You know his number?
Ah doesn't the answer minute? Ah? Hello Roger? Hello Johnny?
(13:26):
How do you feel anything? Keepquiet? I'm I'm fine, Roger.
How are you to tell? Whattime do you when Murdoch get home?
Well? We the last I leftyou some joy on fifty second Street.
I bet Murder is dead dead.Yes, he sure had a little the
last time I saw him. Well, I why anything wrong, Johnny?
(13:52):
No, no, no, no. I just thought i'd call Sollo Roger.
What did he say? Said thatMurdoch and I wound up the party.
Un he left us in some jointon fifty second Street. It said
he was killed in an all atall fifty seconds. Jane, Jane,
I couldn't. I couldn't have killedhim. I I never want to fight
when I'm drunk. Never. Inever hit anybody. Never you've hit me?
(14:13):
Yeah? Does your hair? John? Don't you see what this sort
of thing does to you? Youdon't remember anything? You behave like something
out of the stock. Dane.Do you think I killed him? You
said so? Is that so?Twice? The Patterson Anthony, I don't
know. I don't know what tosay. Frightened? Could your phone missing
(14:33):
murdoc? Why? What could Isay? Maybe she knows more than well?
It just imed logical to phony.Could you could ask for Frank?
Maybe she knows? Somebody can't askto speak to him when I know he's
dead. I couldn't keep it outof my voice. Then what do we
do? All right? Off phone? No? No, I can't.
I can't do it. I'll callRoger and tell him I should have asked
(14:56):
him the place, the name ofthat place on fifty second Street. You
think you did it, don't you? I can tell from a look on
your face you think you killed him. Couldn't I couldn't got to find out.
We'll sit, We'll just sit tightand wait. No, but we
won't. We'll get out of tones. We'll go somewhere. We'll go someplace
where nobody can find. What doyou want me to do? Sit around
on the cops come and drive meup and start of the neck. If
(15:18):
I did do it, they'll finda sleep from my overcoat. Maybe you
can't run away. I can't waitfor it. Please don't get panicky.
Please, let's think for a minute. Let's not do anything crazy. If
you didn't have anything to do withit, running away, we'll only make
it look twice as bad. Andif you did do it, they'll find
you. You'll never be able tohide from them forever. So phone Roger
(15:39):
and ask him right out in theGod, go on, phone him,
you ask him. I can't rightout if he knows anything about it.
(16:00):
Oh, hello, Roger, thisis Johnny again. Jane and I are
having a little discussion. And well, what was the name of that place
that Murdoch and I ended up inlast night? Huh, don't you remember
where? Do you know how itis? Roger? Oh no, I
don't. What do you mean,I've I've seen the paper you have?
(16:23):
Yes, Well, what was thename of the place? Silver Moon Bar
on fifty second Street. Roger Frankand I getting along all right? I
mean, did we fight or anything. If you've seen a paper, you
know what I mean. I'm justtrying to make up my mind. I
(16:45):
I've come to the conclusion that ifanybody asked me, I'd have to say,
you weren't getting along all right?Goodbye, Johnny Roger. Wait,
wait right, Roger, what didhe say? He said that? But
if anybody asked me to have tosay that Murdoch and I weren't getting along
very well. Lord, we werein the Silver Moon bar on fifty second
(17:07):
Street. Do you want to godown there? Do you think we should?
Don't go? Don't go, don'tgo, I said, let the
ring, don't think we're not inand go away. Listen, Johnny,
please ring, but go away,let them ring. We can't just pretend
(17:29):
we're out every time the bad they'vegone. I'm gonna catch a plane for
Canada, a plane for Montreal.Every hour. I'm going to stay here
and have a murder depended on methat well, if I did do it,
I won't let you leave. Whatcan I do? Johnny? Please?
Please Lestenkay, they're coming in Patterson. Anything wrong, What is it?
(18:02):
I have a fond here from Mazie. This came this morning. I
forgot to bring it up. Ithought you weren't in when you didn't answer
the bell. Just leave it inthe hall Fairmont. Johnny, you've got
to face it every time the Fellings. We can't jump like this. We've
got to find out. We've gotto go down to that cafe and find
out this. Oh Jane, ifyou'll see me through this, I promise
(18:27):
I'll never never ever take a drinkagain as long as I live, So
help me God. We knew thenthat even if Johnny had done it,
(18:51):
we had to find out the truth. Patterson got the car out for us,
and just as we pulled away fromthe front of the apartment, we
saw a prince and car slide intothe space we just left. We stopped
for a red light at the cornerfifth Avenue, and I look back.
Can't you see anything? They're talkingto paddles crops, one in uniform,
(19:11):
the other knot go downstairs. He'sgonna get lost in heavy traffic. I
don't know. I couldn't have doneit. I couldn't be careful. Don't
go too bad. What's the number? I don't know. We'll have to
look for it. The Silver MoonBar should be so hard to find with
a name like that. They probablygot a knee unsigned six feet high.
(19:49):
Now that we're here, I quiteknow what we're supposed to do. I
suppose we could order something you wantto drink? No, go ahead if
you want to. What would youmind? No? But no, no,
(20:10):
I'll have coffee, Jane, Jane, I'm finished. I'll never ever
take another. I'm finished. I'vequit. No you haven't. Oh,
yes, yes, Jane, Ipromise, I promise. I'm on the
way. Don't make promises. Youcan't you see this time? I mean
it? Do you recognize any ofthe waiters? Yeah, little dark fellow,
I'm not sure. I don't evenrecognize a place, let alone the
(20:32):
waiters. But you're sure you werehere? Roger said we were? But
don't you remember it? No?Couldn't you ask the way? Here?
He comes? All right, folks, will it be the night you have
here? I have playing hand sandwichand coffee. Yes, make it too,
please do plain ham sandwiches too.Coffee as up? Jane? Oh
(20:53):
waiter, yeah, what is it? Make? Do you remember me being
in here last night. It's airright, Mack. You were plastered,
no hot feeling. No, no, what did I do? You sucked
that guy you were with buhs right. I didn't like him neither. It's
okay. Lots of guys get alittle rough. Forget it, Mac.
We used the characters, Johnny,I'm frightened. True Roger said you quarreled
(21:21):
this. Whites says you socked him. You said you beat him up.
You were covered with blood, yournose was bleeding. I'm afraid, Johnny,
I'm afraid at this time. Whatis it is phoning? Look behind
you the fellow that took our ordersusing the taphone in the corner. Watch,
he's looking at us. He knowswe're watching him. Let's get out
of here. He's phoning the cops. I can tell he's being very cash.
(21:41):
Where are we gonna go? Wecan't go home now, where can
we back? Let me pack?You should have let me go to Canady
with no money, no clothes,Johnny, We've got to go down and
face it. We've got to leavehere and go to a police station.
No, no, I'm going I'mgetting up now and I'm working right out
of that door. Are you comingmake some money on the table? Are
you coming? What do you think? We can't go on riding all night,
(22:12):
Johnny, it's nearly eleven o'clock.I'm not going back. I didn't
do it. They're not gonna hangsomething on me that I didn't do.
So where we're going with no clothes, hardly any money? Now? Where
are we going to get a hotelroom? Somewhere? I don't know,
somewhere in a little town. Howlong? Forever? They'll chase you forever,
for as long as you live.I'll run. I'll run for as
long as I live. And I'mnot what's that? The tyrant can say
(22:33):
anything to the real window? Stupid? Look cook, No, I can't
to die, is no? Johnny? Stop? Please stop gop Johnny,
please do it's gonna track me offthe champ. Johnny. You can that's
understand. You can't go along withoutfacing No. I'll help you. I'll
help you when you've gotta face.Please, Johnny, look out you kill
(23:00):
not please Johnny, so down notplease? No, Johnny, I'm gonna
turn off the ign. Where youwant to go and what for you?
Doesn't go ahead, but I'm gonnaturn it off john go over the edge
of the road. Ny on methe go ahead, kill it all,
(23:22):
Johnny, Johnny, don't be afriend. I'll help you. I love
you. Johnny trying to kill somebody? No, no, I'm not.
Let me have your license. Comeon, step on an app got all
night minute here, thanks to takeyou in right now. Got any idea
(23:51):
how many people are killed by guyslike you who go crazy on highways?
Yeah? And the speed limits fortyfive? Remember that? Okay, okay,
off sir? Now what oh?I guess what else is there?
(24:34):
Johnny? There's no use making promisesyou can't keep. I tell you I'm
through with drinking never, never,ever again. I'm going to call the
police and tell them that they won'tget me from murder. At the most,
it'll be manslaughter, certainly wasn't meditated. We'll get the best lawyer in
town and fight. We'll we'll well, we'll fight like that. And Jane,
(24:59):
if you'll stick with me, Iswear I'll never take a drink again.
Do you believe me, Jane?Do you You've said that so many
times before? No, no,no, never never liked this. There's
never been anything like this, Jane. Do you believe me. Yes,
(25:21):
Johnny, I think this time,I do believe you. No leave the
radio off. I thought there mightbe some news. Wisely the views of
Senator Artur Vandenberg of Michigan, theprincipal Republican spokesman on foreign affairs, and
now the local news. Tonight,Donnage is a truck driver walked in at
the Central Park police station and confessedto the killing of Frank Murdoch for Life
(25:47):
magazine, whose body was found inan alley off fifty second Street early this
morning. Edge Just stated that Murdochwas lying asleep or drunk in the alley
and that his truck had passed overhim before he could stop it. Stated
that he had not reported the accidentbecause of his fear that Johnny, please
(26:07):
don't h please John you promise youhave just heard Blackout. Attraction fifty one
(26:52):
on Radio City Playhouse. Jan Minorwas Jane Burmond. Arnold Moss was her
husband Johnny. Other players included VanRuton, Eugene Francis, and Larry Blyden.
The music was composed and conducted bydoctor Roy Shield. The script was
written, directed and produced by HarryW. Junkins. This is Harry Jenson
(27:33):
again. Please join us this Thursdayfor our final show in the eight by
Request series. Elizabeth Scott in Machine. Next week on Radio City Plighthouse.
Joey Was Different, starring Louis vanRuten and Edith Gresham, a starring vignette
on Juvenile Delinquency. That's next weekAttraction fifty two on Radio City Playhouse.
(27:53):
Good night, everybody, This isFred Colin speaking. This is NBC,
(28:18):
the National Broadcasting Company,
The National Broadcasting Company presents Radio CityPlayhouse Attraction fifty one Blackout, as written
and directed by Harry W. Junkins. Ladies and Gentlemen, Here is Harry
(00:32):
W. Junkins, Good evening tonight. We are very happy, indeed to
welcome Miss Jan Minor back to RadioCity Thai House after an absence of almost
ten weeks. To our regular listeners, she needs no introduction to our new
listeners. May we say that sheis one of the busiest, most talented,
most charming, and most sought afteractresses in New York. She has
(00:56):
heard regularly over NBC and Laura Lawton, Road of Life and The Eternal Light,
to name only a few. Costarring with Jan Minor tonight is mister
Arnold Moss, who will shortly beseen in a featured role in the new
Eagle Lion picture Reign of Terror.Mister Moss, too is a veteran NBC
actor, and in between many radioand television engagements, he is at the
(01:19):
moment working on the part of Malvolioin Twelfth Night, which will open on
Broadway this fall. Here, then, is Jan Minor as Jane and Arnold
Moss as Johnny in Blackout. Attractionfifty one on Radio City Playhouse. Hello,
(02:14):
Roger, this is Jane Burremont andhe at seven o'clock in the morning.
You out of your mind, Roger. Was Johnny with you last night?
Oh? Yes, for a while? Why because he isn't home.
Ye's nice. I'm worried, Ithought, Jane, it was sort of
a celebration, you know, Murdochbeing made at a turn everything. I
(02:34):
really, Roger, he didn't takea drink, did he? Yes,
honey, I'm afraid he tied oneon. He promised. He knows what
happens when he drinks, he promisedme. God, you haven't any idea
where he might be. Oh,Jane, go back to bed and relax.
Johnny will be all right, Roger. Hello, Hello. Jane Bourmont's
(03:07):
face is drawn and worried. Shelooks out the window, sees nothing,
and returns to the center of theroom, where she stands uncertainly. At
this exact moment, a man turnsoff Lexington Avenue on to seventy first Street.
For most people, a new dayis just beginning, But for Johnny
Burmont, an evening has just ended. His expensive suit is wet and torn.
(03:30):
One sleeve of his overcoat is missingentirely. His nose has been bleeding
and the blood is caked on hisshirt front. His face is very dirty,
and he's lost his hat. Oh, Johnny doesn't care about any of
this. Because Johnny is a pathologicaldrinker, a dipsomaniac in the most literal
(03:50):
sense of the word. Nobody seemsto mind this, except his wife.
Because Johnny's charming. He loves peopleand everybody. When he's drunk, he
thinks everybody loves him. It neveroccurs to him that anyone would be revulsed
by his appearance or his smell.He throws his arm around the dorman,
(04:12):
and the dorman doesn't protest. He'sused to Johnny. He's a little nauseated
by Johnny's closeness, but he's verykind as he helps him into the elevator.
The dorman understands that Johnny is justJohnny, very rugged luckily on my
(04:40):
na Hey, take an easy whynot? The elevator loves you told me
so yesterday it did well. ThenI kiss it. We're a Hey,
who am I? You're almost inyour apartment? Yeah? I know,
but what I hear you have?I just take that easy, nice oh
(05:08):
god, was I in a fight? Oh boil, boil, you're a
good fellow, Parison. And wasI in the fight. I took Frank
murrayck you know I no, Idot mister. I watched you out your
jumped up and down on his faceuntil I kicked all his brains out.
Brain. You hadn't got any brain, I said, I kill him.
(05:29):
My absolutely murdered him. That hereyou have, mister Bemont, hang onto
the wall. W Hey, maybeMissus Pardmont isn't up? Should I unlock
the door? Who's it's Patison,Missus Paramount, I got mister Baramont.
Just a minute. Who is that? That's your wife? Oh she is
(05:54):
Christmas again, Jae, mister Barmont, you sure know how to do it,
madame. You have just won theNobel prize. Goode, Missus Burman.
Thank you, Patterson. I'll gethim in. Are you're you're sure
you can manage, missus Burmer,Yes, Patterson, I can manage.
Thank you. Come on in,Johnny. I don't think I should.
(06:15):
Your feels fine, Missus Burmer.That's all Patterson. Come on, honey,
say please please sor Patterson sorrow kissif your name me missus Bremont.
Just bring the buzzer. I'll comeright up, Thank you, Patterson,
give me a kiss. Jane,just nonsense and come in. Sure sure
(06:36):
this is quite a joint. You'renot that drunk? How are you?
Because you're trying to be funny?Next you ask me what city this isn't
expect me to lie? All right? What? Well? I don't think
you are funny. I think you'redisgusting. Going to the betterment. Take
off those clothes, thank you verymuch, to stop playing the fool.
Well you're mad, you're mad,Come on, Jane, give me a
(06:57):
kids want me to beat you up? I snapped my fingers. You would
fall over. Now when you pleaseget I'm dressed and get to bed.
I beat up Frank murderer cool boy? Oh boy? Did I beat him
up? I murdered him. Iabsolutely murdered him. Jerry cheap stinger jumped
up and down his face until Ikicker, when you please go to bed?
(07:18):
You're sure? Sure, honey?Sure? Bed? Oh? I
had to get Patterson back up thegame into the bedroom. Then we took
(07:39):
off his shirt and his shoes andcovered him with a blanket. Patterson thought
it was amusing. He thinks Johnny'sa sport, that he's very gay and
charming. When Patterson left, Iwiped the blood off Johnny's face with a
wet wash racket. He was asleepinstantly, and I sat there beside him
in the morning. What do youdo with men like Johnny? He has
(08:03):
a funny little black curl that fallsover his foret, and there's good looks
and charms him. Well, anyway, it was almost five in the afternoon
when he woke up. He showeredand shaved, drank six glasses of water,
four glasses of orange juice, andthree cups of coffee. Then he
(08:24):
sent me out for the papers.When I came back, I could smell
bourbon again. It had to havea drink to steady himself. He sat
there reading the paper. Then Isat there looking at him. Aren't you
(08:52):
reading the papers? No, don'tsit there looking so holy? Sorry,
so I promised I wouldn't. ThenI did. I got drunk, and
I'm an alcoholic. Let's drop it. I didn't say anything like to not
anymore. You just know he wastalking about it anymore. Well, why
don't you quit? I'm just aboutready to always preach. I wish i'd
had a camera this morning. Youwere a grand looking thing when Patterson brought
(09:16):
you upstairs. Mark silt street dirt. Yes, you've fallen in it within
your hair, said gray overcoat,You want it once? And now there's
a sleeve missing. I buy anothercoat. Do you want to buy another
wife? There are all sorts ofwomen you can hire to wash your face
and clean you up after you've hada good roll in the bowering. Oh,
Johnny didn't know he was talking aboutit anymore. We just can't go
on this way. Heaven knows Ilost you. I do, but I
(09:43):
just can't stand it anymore, theway you were this morning. I can't
stand please crying anything. I knowI've been crying for six years. And
why don't you stop dress his cars? This apartment? Maybe if we were
poor, it'd be better. Maybeif you had to work for a living
instead of dabbling in an earty magazinewriting stuff? Is nobody wrong? Or
(10:03):
would you lay off whining? Whining? Always whining? Right? What about
dinner? What about it? Whodo you want to eat in or go
out somewhere? I don't think Icould stand a domestic emailing. When I
put on my feathers, or justgo straight. It's a simple little wife
of a cafe drunk. If you'reso determined to be unpleasant, you can
go to the devil. What's likegoing to the devil? You ought to
know? You shut up here hereread the paper. Would you mind handing
(10:26):
me the whole thing? Or reachfor a turn on a cripple? You
my hero? Hey, look,Jane, I'm sorry I was rude.
Let's drop it. Do you gettickets for Liberty? Yes? When September
(10:48):
the eighth, the Thursday. That'sgood, Jane. I am sorry,
really, really, I am allright. I feel tough. I just
sort of lost my temper. Whatis it? Murdoch? Frank Murdoch?
What he was murdered last night?What do you say? It's here in
the paper, so he read?Read There at the tops. Eugene Franklin
(11:15):
Murdoch, prominent in New York literarycircles, was found in an unconscious condition
in an alley on East fifty secondStreet earlier this morning. He died.
He died shortly after admission to MidtownHospital of head injuries, which resulted in
severe hemorrhages. The dead man hadbeen celebrating his recent appointment as editor of
(11:37):
True Arts magazine. I couldn't.I couldn't have done it. It's absolutely
ridiculous. You said, you saidyou jumped up and down on his sade
and the patterson told me when Iwent out to get the papers, he
remarked that you had a pretty bigevening, that you told him you'd beaten
(11:58):
something a lot. What did Isay? It was murder? Yes,
yes you did, Jane. Idon't fight with people. I never get
made. Thought was somebody last night? You were covered with blood and your
nose had been bleeding. What's ridiculous. It's absolutely ridiculous, isn't it,
Jane, isn't it? I don'tknow what do you want me to do?
(12:18):
Can't you remember anything? Do youexpect me to get out of the
police and tell him I think Ikilled Frank Mud Can't you remember, Johnny?
Can't you remember anything that happened?No? Not much, not much
towards the end. I know Imet Larry oathways we joined Frank and Roger.
I'd say maybe Roger would know.I didn't even know much when I
spoke to him. What did youphone him? I phoned him this morning?
It was seven o'clock. I thoughtmaybe you'd been killed or something.
(12:41):
Or what am I supposed to thinkwhen you don't come home here seven in
the morning. Am I just supposedto go to van as if nothing was
in that? Don't start crying.That's all I do now, Johnny is
cry. I can't help it.It's all supposed to be so gay and
charming. It's phone Roger and seeif you know anything. I can't just
(13:03):
ask him if he thinks I killedFrank, you make something? Help?
But please bone all right? Giveme the phone. You know his number?
Ah doesn't the answer minute? Ah? Hello Roger? Hello Johnny?
(13:26):
How do you feel anything? Keepquiet? I'm I'm fine, Roger.
How are you to tell? Whattime do you when Murdoch get home?
Well? We the last I leftyou some joy on fifty second Street.
I bet Murder is dead dead.Yes, he sure had a little the
last time I saw him. Well, I why anything wrong, Johnny?
(13:52):
No, no, no, no. I just thought i'd call Sollo Roger.
What did he say? Said thatMurdoch and I wound up the party.
Un he left us in some jointon fifty second Street. It said
he was killed in an all atall fifty seconds. Jane, Jane,
I couldn't. I couldn't have killedhim. I I never want to fight
when I'm drunk. Never. Inever hit anybody. Never you've hit me?
(14:13):
Yeah? Does your hair? John? Don't you see what this sort
of thing does to you? Youdon't remember anything? You behave like something
out of the stock. Dane.Do you think I killed him? You
said so? Is that so?Twice? The Patterson Anthony, I don't
know. I don't know what tosay. Frightened? Could your phone missing
(14:33):
murdoc? Why? What could Isay? Maybe she knows more than well?
It just imed logical to phony.Could you could ask for Frank?
Maybe she knows? Somebody can't askto speak to him when I know he's
dead. I couldn't keep it outof my voice. Then what do we
do? All right? Off phone? No? No, I can't.
I can't do it. I'll callRoger and tell him I should have asked
(14:56):
him the place, the name ofthat place on fifty second Street. You
think you did it, don't you? I can tell from a look on
your face you think you killed him. Couldn't I couldn't got to find out.
We'll sit, We'll just sit tightand wait. No, but we
won't. We'll get out of tones. We'll go somewhere. We'll go someplace
where nobody can find. What doyou want me to do? Sit around
on the cops come and drive meup and start of the neck. If
(15:18):
I did do it, they'll finda sleep from my overcoat. Maybe you
can't run away. I can't waitfor it. Please don't get panicky.
Please, let's think for a minute. Let's not do anything crazy. If
you didn't have anything to do withit, running away, we'll only make
it look twice as bad. Andif you did do it, they'll find
you. You'll never be able tohide from them forever. So phone Roger
(15:39):
and ask him right out in theGod, go on, phone him,
you ask him. I can't rightout if he knows anything about it.
(16:00):
Oh, hello, Roger, thisis Johnny again. Jane and I are
having a little discussion. And well, what was the name of that place
that Murdoch and I ended up inlast night? Huh, don't you remember
where? Do you know how itis? Roger? Oh no, I
don't. What do you mean,I've I've seen the paper you have?
(16:23):
Yes, Well, what was thename of the place? Silver Moon Bar
on fifty second Street. Roger Frankand I getting along all right? I
mean, did we fight or anything. If you've seen a paper, you
know what I mean. I'm justtrying to make up my mind. I
(16:45):
I've come to the conclusion that ifanybody asked me, I'd have to say,
you weren't getting along all right?Goodbye, Johnny Roger. Wait,
wait right, Roger, what didhe say? He said that? But
if anybody asked me to have tosay that Murdoch and I weren't getting along
very well. Lord, we werein the Silver Moon bar on fifty second
(17:07):
Street. Do you want to godown there? Do you think we should?
Don't go? Don't go, don'tgo, I said, let the
ring, don't think we're not inand go away. Listen, Johnny,
please ring, but go away,let them ring. We can't just pretend
(17:29):
we're out every time the bad they'vegone. I'm gonna catch a plane for
Canada, a plane for Montreal.Every hour. I'm going to stay here
and have a murder depended on methat well, if I did do it,
I won't let you leave. Whatcan I do? Johnny? Please?
Please Lestenkay, they're coming in Patterson. Anything wrong, What is it?
(18:02):
I have a fond here from Mazie. This came this morning. I
forgot to bring it up. Ithought you weren't in when you didn't answer
the bell. Just leave it inthe hall Fairmont. Johnny, you've got
to face it every time the Fellings. We can't jump like this. We've
got to find out. We've gotto go down to that cafe and find
out this. Oh Jane, ifyou'll see me through this, I promise
(18:27):
I'll never never ever take a drinkagain as long as I live, So
help me God. We knew thenthat even if Johnny had done it,
(18:51):
we had to find out the truth. Patterson got the car out for us,
and just as we pulled away fromthe front of the apartment, we
saw a prince and car slide intothe space we just left. We stopped
for a red light at the cornerfifth Avenue, and I look back.
Can't you see anything? They're talkingto paddles crops, one in uniform,
(19:11):
the other knot go downstairs. He'sgonna get lost in heavy traffic. I
don't know. I couldn't have doneit. I couldn't be careful. Don't
go too bad. What's the number? I don't know. We'll have to
look for it. The Silver MoonBar should be so hard to find with
a name like that. They probablygot a knee unsigned six feet high.
(19:49):
Now that we're here, I quiteknow what we're supposed to do. I
suppose we could order something you wantto drink? No, go ahead if
you want to. What would youmind? No? But no, no,
(20:10):
I'll have coffee, Jane, Jane, I'm finished. I'll never ever
take another. I'm finished. I'vequit. No you haven't. Oh,
yes, yes, Jane, Ipromise, I promise. I'm on the
way. Don't make promises. Youcan't you see this time? I mean
it? Do you recognize any ofthe waiters? Yeah, little dark fellow,
I'm not sure. I don't evenrecognize a place, let alone the
(20:32):
waiters. But you're sure you werehere? Roger said we were? But
don't you remember it? No?Couldn't you ask the way? Here?
He comes? All right, folks, will it be the night you have
here? I have playing hand sandwichand coffee. Yes, make it too,
please do plain ham sandwiches too.Coffee as up? Jane? Oh
(20:53):
waiter, yeah, what is it? Make? Do you remember me being
in here last night. It's airright, Mack. You were plastered,
no hot feeling. No, no, what did I do? You sucked
that guy you were with buhs right. I didn't like him neither. It's
okay. Lots of guys get alittle rough. Forget it, Mac.
We used the characters, Johnny,I'm frightened. True Roger said you quarreled
(21:21):
this. Whites says you socked him. You said you beat him up.
You were covered with blood, yournose was bleeding. I'm afraid, Johnny,
I'm afraid at this time. Whatis it is phoning? Look behind
you the fellow that took our ordersusing the taphone in the corner. Watch,
he's looking at us. He knowswe're watching him. Let's get out
of here. He's phoning the cops. I can tell he's being very cash.
(21:41):
Where are we gonna go? Wecan't go home now, where can
we back? Let me pack?You should have let me go to Canady
with no money, no clothes,Johnny, We've got to go down and
face it. We've got to leavehere and go to a police station.
No, no, I'm going I'mgetting up now and I'm working right out
of that door. Are you comingmake some money on the table? Are
you coming? What do you think? We can't go on riding all night,
(22:12):
Johnny, it's nearly eleven o'clock.I'm not going back. I didn't
do it. They're not gonna hangsomething on me that I didn't do.
So where we're going with no clothes, hardly any money? Now? Where
are we going to get a hotelroom? Somewhere? I don't know,
somewhere in a little town. Howlong? Forever? They'll chase you forever,
for as long as you live.I'll run. I'll run for as
long as I live. And I'mnot what's that? The tyrant can say
(22:33):
anything to the real window? Stupid? Look cook, No, I can't
to die, is no? Johnny? Stop? Please stop gop Johnny,
please do it's gonna track me offthe champ. Johnny. You can that's
understand. You can't go along withoutfacing No. I'll help you. I'll
help you when you've gotta face.Please, Johnny, look out you kill
(23:00):
not please Johnny, so down notplease? No, Johnny, I'm gonna
turn off the ign. Where youwant to go and what for you?
Doesn't go ahead, but I'm gonnaturn it off john go over the edge
of the road. Ny on methe go ahead, kill it all,
(23:22):
Johnny, Johnny, don't be afriend. I'll help you. I love
you. Johnny trying to kill somebody? No, no, I'm not.
Let me have your license. Comeon, step on an app got all
night minute here, thanks to takeyou in right now. Got any idea
(23:51):
how many people are killed by guyslike you who go crazy on highways?
Yeah? And the speed limits fortyfive? Remember that? Okay, okay,
off sir? Now what oh?I guess what else is there?
(24:34):
Johnny? There's no use making promisesyou can't keep. I tell you I'm
through with drinking never, never,ever again. I'm going to call the
police and tell them that they won'tget me from murder. At the most,
it'll be manslaughter, certainly wasn't meditated. We'll get the best lawyer in
town and fight. We'll we'll well, we'll fight like that. And Jane,
(24:59):
if you'll stick with me, Iswear I'll never take a drink again.
Do you believe me, Jane?Do you You've said that so many
times before? No, no,no, never never liked this. There's
never been anything like this, Jane. Do you believe me. Yes,
(25:21):
Johnny, I think this time,I do believe you. No leave the
radio off. I thought there mightbe some news. Wisely the views of
Senator Artur Vandenberg of Michigan, theprincipal Republican spokesman on foreign affairs, and
now the local news. Tonight,Donnage is a truck driver walked in at
the Central Park police station and confessedto the killing of Frank Murdoch for Life
(25:47):
magazine, whose body was found inan alley off fifty second Street early this
morning. Edge Just stated that Murdochwas lying asleep or drunk in the alley
and that his truck had passed overhim before he could stop it. Stated
that he had not reported the accidentbecause of his fear that Johnny, please
(26:07):
don't h please John you promise youhave just heard Blackout. Attraction fifty one
(26:52):
on Radio City Playhouse. Jan Minorwas Jane Burmond. Arnold Moss was her
husband Johnny. Other players included VanRuton, Eugene Francis, and Larry Blyden.
The music was composed and conducted bydoctor Roy Shield. The script was
written, directed and produced by HarryW. Junkins. This is Harry Jenson
(27:33):
again. Please join us this Thursdayfor our final show in the eight by
Request series. Elizabeth Scott in Machine. Next week on Radio City Plighthouse.
Joey Was Different, starring Louis vanRuten and Edith Gresham, a starring vignette
on Juvenile Delinquency. That's next weekAttraction fifty two on Radio City Playhouse.
(27:53):
Good night, everybody, This isFred Colin speaking. This is NBC,
(28:18):
the National Broadcasting Company,
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