October 3, 2025 • 29 mins
Suspense was one of the most popular and successful radio series during it's run of over 900 episodes, spanning 1940-1962. Guest stars included Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart. The plots were mostly engaging crime dramas, science fiction and some horror - usually with a surprise ending.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
Hope you enjoy this episode of Suspense! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Auto Light, and it's ninety eight thousand dealers bring you,
mister John Hodiac In Tonight's presentation of suspense, Tonight Auto
Light presents a story based on fact as we recreate
the excitement and violence of a fire in an oil field.
(00:26):
The story is called hell Fire, Our star, mister John Hodiac.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Hey, Hap, what's the busiest thing you know?
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Right?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Telephone, Harlo, My wife's always un well.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Your car's electrical system is much busier than that. Half
why it goes to work the instant you press the
starter and continues every second your engine runs. It works
every time you blow the horn, turn on the lights,
radio heater, and electric windshield wipers.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
To mention, just a.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Few everything but talk, ey wright Hap, And if that
electrical system could talk, it would tell you that a
checkup of your car's electrical system at periodic intervals is
just good business. You mean, it pays in smooth economical performance.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Ensure does have.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So friends, treat the important electrical system of your car
to a periodic checkup soon and be ready for those
cold driving days ahead. See your car dealer or your
nearest authorized auto light service station. You can quickly locate
to your nearest authorized auto light service station in the
classified section of the phone book under Automobile Electrical Service.
(01:36):
Or call Western Union by number and ask for operator
twenty five. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're
always right.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
With auto light.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
And now Auto Light presents transcribed hell Fire, starring mister
John Hodriac, hoping once again to.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Keep you in suspense.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Oil hunters are like farmers and fishermen. They all try
to harvest a crop. The main difference between them is
that the oil hunter has to find his crop before.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
He can harvest him.
Speaker 5 (02:17):
Finding a nickel glass of beer and a free lunch
cameras a lot easier than finding oil in untested territory.
I know, I've been looking for it for a long time.
Hear that that's Betsy, my drilling rig. He's scrounging around
on the ground again, looking for a crop we can harvest.
I say again, because this is the eighth time we've
tried this session, and so far no dice, and there
(02:39):
are seven dry holes in this immediate area. You know,
mark my failures. I feel pretty bad about it. It's
not nearly as bad as the rest of the stockholders, No, sir,
not nearly as bad.
Speaker 6 (02:55):
Stockholders are getting impatient, Drake. The way you talked about
this field, they felt you would have some thing for
him long before. Now tell him I'm sorry that isn't enough.
According to the brochure you made up for them, this
was supposed to be a short thing.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
There's no such thing as a sure thing when you're
looking for oil. The brochure set conditions out here were
most favorable for oil. You saw the results of the
test yourself. Fever, a series of test showed possibility for oil.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Those did.
Speaker 6 (03:19):
I brought a longer man on the trip down here,
and I'd like you to meet who is he? His
name is Hotchkiss, Petrolleum engineer. Oh and the next perdon costs. Oh, oh,
mister Hotchkiss over here, the Hotchkiss.
Speaker 7 (03:37):
Mister Drake.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
How are you? How are you well find anything?
Speaker 8 (03:42):
It seems to me this is a very efficient operation,
mister Drake. However, there are several aspects to be considered
which might stamp you as a supreme optimist.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
You mean the storage tanks. Yes, I'd like to talk
to you about that.
Speaker 7 (03:55):
Yes, I think you'd better.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
Why don't we go back to the office. Yes, let's
go back.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I'm rather anxious to hear what mister Drake has to say.
Speaker 9 (04:05):
Why you why.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Sorry to bust it like this, Wally? What's the matter?
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Busted the roller?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Bit off? It's stuck in the casing. I'll be with
you in a minute.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Sorry, gentlemen, we'll have to postpone this meeting un till
tomorrow morning.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
I don't know how long this will take.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Your most convenient break, wasn't it?
Speaker 5 (04:22):
One more snide remark out of you and I'll shove
you down the casing right after the bit Drake.
Speaker 8 (04:26):
I'm sure mister McLean meant no harm. What time do
you want us in your office?
Speaker 5 (04:30):
Be here around eight am? I think everything will be
straightened out by them. Hey you so long, see you later.
Come on smiling, Let's get to.
Speaker 10 (04:36):
Work, work coffee?
Speaker 5 (04:49):
Why no, thanks, honey, got to get to the field.
McClean and his watchdog will be there at eight.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
How does it look?
Speaker 11 (04:55):
I mean, do you still think there's oil?
Speaker 4 (04:57):
I don't think there's oil. I know it. I won't
get another chance to find it if I missed this time.
Speaker 11 (05:02):
But you're the best wildcatter in the business. You won't
have any trouble getting enough money to try again.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
People don't like guys who go around spending their money
on hunches, and that's what I did this time.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
McLean's got questions I can't answer.
Speaker 10 (05:14):
What are you gonna do?
Speaker 5 (05:15):
What can I do? Tell him the truth? Maybe he'll
see it my way, and maybe he won't. You've got
any money to bet that he won't. It's a sure thing.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
You gotta go now, Okay.
Speaker 8 (05:26):
If I drive out to the field this afternoon, yeah, sure.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
I'll be at the shock if McLean hasn't booted me
out by then.
Speaker 8 (05:31):
Don't talk like that, Wally, I.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Don't like it. You're a good wife, honey.
Speaker 11 (05:37):
M'd have to be to stay married to you. Are
you get on out to the field and tell that
McLean a thing.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Or too, that I will, Dotty, that I will. Well.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
Are you satisfied, yes, dray all except the particular expenditures,
mister Hotchkiss pointed out.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
Come over here, mister Hotchkiss, I want to show you
toning well.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
You know what this is.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
Yes, it's a contour map of an enterpline right and
we're sitting on top of it.
Speaker 8 (06:17):
Then why are you so concerned with the inquiry? Mister McLean?
Speaker 5 (06:20):
And I are making because I have no proof of it.
Proof means oil, and until I strike oil, you'll just
have to go along with me.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
That's all.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
We don't have to do anything, mister Drake. You are
the one who has to do something.
Speaker 7 (06:31):
It seems to me.
Speaker 5 (06:32):
Now you listen to me. As long as I'm running
this operation, I don't have to do any explaining or
answering to anybody. Anytime you think you can get somebody
to do the job better, you just buy me out.
I haven't own a pretty good chunk of stock too.
Speaker 6 (06:44):
I know that the block of stockholders I represent have
the votes.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Necessarily we're in.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
We're in. We just hit the oil. Sand good.
Speaker 9 (06:52):
The MUD's holding back the pressure.
Speaker 5 (06:53):
Now get the control headset to go and drag up
the tube. I'll be with you in a couple of minutes, Yes, sir,
and the other questions gentlemen, Yes, I have one.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Go ahead.
Speaker 8 (07:04):
Where do I go to buy stock in this outfit?
Speaker 5 (07:14):
The next few days were a whirl of activity. We
snubbed the tubing into the casing without losing a single
drop of oil. After a close check of casing had pressures,
we figured we had a major find. Almost ten thousand
dolls a day was a potential. After we got the
tubing set, we got the Christmas tree fastened. This gadget
controls the flow of oil through a system of valves
that lead to storage tanks, meters, gas traps, all the
(07:37):
places oil goes to when it leaves the well.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
McLean and Hotchkiss took the first train back to town.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
I don't think they said more than a dozen words
to each other up until train time.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Finally it was finished, or just about.
Speaker 5 (07:55):
All it remained to do was start the oil flowing
out of the tubing through the Christmas Tree into the tanks.
Speaker 11 (08:01):
Hi, Hi, I thought you'd be out at the rig
cheering when they turned the valve, and a few.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Reports to make out to the stockholers.
Speaker 11 (08:07):
What's the matter, Wally?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Aren't you happy?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Oh? I'm happy enough for DODDI just I'm tired.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
I can't hardly stand up, tired of being sweaty and dirty. Soon,
as in the finished dage, I'm going and I'm gonna
take a cold shower, and then I'm going to bed
for about a week.
Speaker 11 (08:22):
Did anybody ever tell you you're a wonderful man?
Speaker 5 (08:25):
Smile? He said, sir, what yeah. I bought him a
drink this afternoon. He told me I was wonderful.
Speaker 8 (08:31):
At least you haven't launched his vent of humor.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Do you feel any different?
Speaker 8 (08:35):
Why should I?
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Well, you're married to a wealthy man.
Speaker 11 (08:39):
Oh I don't see any Wait a minute, what's a man.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Trouble? Holy fire?
Speaker 8 (08:49):
The well's on fire, Wally.
Speaker 12 (08:51):
Don't go, Wally, she blew Big Steve was turning the
bowls off.
Speaker 9 (09:00):
She went right up in his face. We couldn't get.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
A narrow smiley. Run out of the shack.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
Put in a long distance calling Larry Burnett and Telsa.
Tell him we want him to come down here and
put out an arm fire and tell him the name
is Price right Wally, and tell Donnie to contact McClean.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Tell him what happened.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
She knows a number, and tell him to tell them
the clay to hustle on down here.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Okay, col Whitey big feet, come here. You're weddy.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
Get a team together and start putting up a dirt
barricade around the derek, thinking about seventy five feet square
and about five feet high. When the valve enters in
that Christmas tree, go there'll be a fire shooting all
over the place.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Okay, Carl, you go with him? And what about to
shut off valves at the tanks? Peace?
Speaker 13 (09:34):
All off?
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Firescuted before Steve opened up? Check him anyway, right? Wally
del Any.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Takes him in and get over to the storehouse where
they got some turps. Take the topshi, Wally.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Wally oy?
Speaker 9 (09:56):
Heh smiley, Wally, I called Burnette like you told me too.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
When's he coming here?
Speaker 12 (10:00):
He ain't what he left for Arabia yesterday? They got
a fire there. They don't know when he will be back.
Maybe a month, but if the fire eats into the
underground pool like it did.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
In Romania in twenty nine, it maybe six months.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Okay then come on, or where are we going to
the shack? I got a few telephone calls to make,
So what are you gonna do? I'm gonna put the
fire out myself. But you can't do that, Wally? Why not?
Speaker 9 (10:20):
What do you do about putting out oil fire?
Speaker 4 (10:21):
I've seen him do it. I know the oil business.
What more do you want? What about equipment? That's what
I'm gonna make the phone calls for.
Speaker 11 (10:28):
I just spoke to McLeay flying down here. Good, What
are you gonna do Brenette can't come.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
I'm gonna do it myself.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
But you can.
Speaker 9 (10:34):
That's what I told him.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
He can't. I say I can, and I'm going to
This is Wally.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
Get me French Stone at the Foster Oil Company and
Hobs New Mexico and make it quick.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Auto Light is bringing you, mister John Holac in hell
fire Tonight's presentation in Radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills Suspense, say, Half,
(11:24):
name something more complex than a fine watch?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Way two fine watches?
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Harlo, Well, I'm thinking of the electrical system of your
auto light equipped car. Every unit is precision built by
Auto LIGHTE to operate with every other unit is a
perfect team to give you the smoothest performance money can buy.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
You mean units like the auto light starting motor, generator, distributor, coil,
spark plugs, footage regulator and battery.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
Hey Harlo, Yes, sir, Half.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
And just as one misfit part in your watch can
come up the works, so can one wrong part in
the electrical system result in poor car performance.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
And what does all this mean to me, Harlou?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
It means hap that you should always specify Auto Light
original service parts for your auto light equipped car. Insist
on the best for your car, and be sure of
the best in performance, because from bumper to tail light,
you're always right with auto light. Now auto light brings
back to our Hollywood soundstage, mister John Hodiac in Elliott
(12:25):
Lewis's production of hell Fire, a dramatic report, well calculated.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
To keep you in suspense.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
When I told Smiley and Dotty I was going to
put out my oil fire, I met it. Only trouble
was I wasn't sure I could do it. Oh, I'd
seen Burnett's snufferm out, but that was his business, and
he was the best in his business.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Me.
Speaker 5 (12:53):
I was Wally Drake, sort of a high class roughneck in.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
The business of looking for oil.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
There's something about the results of your sweat go up
in thick, black, greasy smoke that makes you think and
all our effort can kind of compensate for a lack
of experience.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I put in a call for some of the things
I knew I was gonna need. Ask best this.
Speaker 5 (13:15):
Equipment, high pressure pumps and hoses to spray me and
keep me from being roasted a live while I was
working in there, and some dynamite to use when everything
else was set.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
After I finished my call, Smiley and I went out
to look at the fire. I still say, you're crazy, Wally,
No I'm not.
Speaker 5 (13:32):
I just don't want to see all my oil burn
up while we wait for Burnett to get back from Arabia.
Speaker 9 (13:36):
But we might be able to do it another way.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
What out of way?
Speaker 14 (13:38):
Oh?
Speaker 12 (13:38):
We could set up another rig about three hundred yards
from here, spud in and with the right figuring we
could whip stalk right into this casing and cut the.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Flow of oil.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
And how long do you think that would take?
Speaker 12 (13:47):
It depends on one angle we want to intersect the cases.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Can't do it, Smiley, tolerances it would be too critical.
Speaker 9 (13:53):
What about digging a tunnel? We could start about one
hundred No.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
No, I'm not gonna take a chance with anyone's.
Speaker 4 (13:57):
Life but mine.
Speaker 9 (13:58):
You'd let Burnett take a chance, wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
That's what he gets.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
Paid for now, Smiley, We'll do it just like I said,
with me taking the chance.
Speaker 9 (14:04):
Okay, Wally, but let me help all right.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
You're gonna handle of water to spray me down. Okay,
First we gotta bust old Betsy up.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Break up to Derek. Why take a.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Look at it, most of the lower part of white hot. Now,
if I get the fire out without getting rid of
that white hot steel, the fire would start again as
soon as the gas hit it.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Well, how are you gonna do it? Push it over
in a way.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Yeah, I'm gonna set two dynamite charges against the base
of it and blow it over.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
But how do you know which way it'll fall? I
don't I'm not an expert. But it might fall, yes,
it might.
Speaker 13 (14:37):
But once the rick is down there stuff he said
for us here delim. He's getting the pump puffed up.
Now the dynamites up to the sheck. Oh thanks, bte.
Come on, smiley, smiley.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Yeah, I'm scared.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
I saw mine.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
If if things sort of don't go right to see that,
McClain gives Dotty a square deal in the stock.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
Fuck, sure, pal, Smiley, what is it?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Pal?
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Stop short padding me. That's just in case anything happens.
Hasn't happened yet, so get that sloppy look off your face.
Speaker 12 (15:10):
Sure, pal, I mean yeah, did you see Yeah?
Speaker 4 (15:15):
I saw him, and you're all set? Yeah, I'm all set.
Is the dynamite guy here.
Speaker 11 (15:20):
Outside having a cup of coffee? They got a canteen
set up in the back of the shack.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Yell for him.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Okay, hey, Dynamite over here, let's go to work.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yea, here he comes. I heard him.
Speaker 15 (15:38):
My name is Colin's not Dynamite. Mind if I bring
my coffee.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
In with me? No, only don't slop it on the floor.
Speaker 7 (15:44):
Sorry, What do you want to know?
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Can you rake up a charge that'll knock out two
legs of the rig?
Speaker 7 (15:50):
That's my business, of course I can.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Will I have to set two separate charges? Or can
you make one charge to it?
Speaker 7 (15:55):
Anyway you want it?
Speaker 5 (15:56):
How long will it take to get the charges ready?
I said, how long will I?
Speaker 7 (16:00):
I heard you, mister, give me a chance to drink
my coffee.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
It's getting cold, you smiley? Who sent you here, Dynamite?
My name is Colin, I said, who sent you here? Dynamite?
Speaker 15 (16:13):
Stone over at Foster Oil said you needed a man
with dynamite savvy, he sent me.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Well, I'm the guy who needs you, because I'm the
guy going into the fire.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
I got a lot of questions to ask him. In
a hurry.
Speaker 5 (16:23):
If you want to talk with that coffee cup, shut
down your throat.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Just tell me either way.
Speaker 5 (16:27):
I want answers, and I want him quick and civil.
Now make up your mind. How do you want to
answer me? With or without the coffee cup?
Speaker 7 (16:34):
No offense, mister, mister Drake, mister Drake, what do you.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Want to know? How long will it take?
Speaker 7 (16:41):
How do you want the dynamite?
Speaker 4 (16:42):
What's the best way, Jelly?
Speaker 15 (16:44):
We can put it in the can, wrapping an asbestos
and get out and plenty of time if the.
Speaker 7 (16:47):
Fire's not too close.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
How soon can we go?
Speaker 7 (16:50):
By the time you get all the other stuff ready.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
I'll be ready. See you out there, okay, Colin? Yeah?
If I got your coffee? Ah?
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Thanks?
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Where's he has? Best to suit? Smiley?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Oh it's back of the shack. Let's go, Swally, go.
Speaker 9 (17:11):
On, Smiley, I'll be out so yeah right.
Speaker 16 (17:23):
I'm sorry, Wally, I'm sorry.
Speaker 8 (17:29):
I'm not really a roic.
Speaker 16 (17:32):
I can't act a part of the brave wife sending
her husband out. Wally, please don't go.
Speaker 9 (17:39):
I'm so rude.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
I got it, Honey. That thing's burning up about ten
fifteen thousand dollars a day. I got it.
Speaker 16 (17:45):
I don't care if it burns up a million dollars.
Speaker 5 (17:47):
If they don't go, Dotty, Dotty, what Have you ever
known me to take wild chances?
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Sure, I play a hunch as far as it'll stretch.
But have I ever gone overboard on a pipe dream?
Speaker 2 (18:01):
No?
Speaker 5 (18:01):
And you must know that I wouldn't be doing this
if I didn't think I could finish it up right,
don't you, dotty?
Speaker 4 (18:07):
Don't you?
Speaker 16 (18:08):
But Wally, I'm so frightened.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
We'll be a little.
Speaker 5 (18:10):
Anxious maybe, but don't be frightened. You stay right here,
don't come out there. I'll be back to see you
as soon as we not. Call Betsy over runner's side. Okay, okay, Wally,
see honey.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
This was going to be the easy part, if there
was such a thing.
Speaker 5 (18:35):
The fire, instead of shooting straight up in the air,
was coming out of all the valves of the Christmas tree.
I got fourth of July spray. But there was a
good side to it. The back two legs of the
rig were comparatively free of any flame, but it was
still plenty hot.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Ready to go?
Speaker 5 (18:49):
Yeah, keep me plenty wet. I don't want to broil.
Speaker 9 (18:52):
Don't worry.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
You won't have to drive pipe Ready to go? Was okay,
let's have it. I'm ready.
Speaker 5 (19:02):
Smiley kept the water smacking into me while I got
close enough with a drill pipe.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
To plant the charge.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Then I retreated, paying out the insulated table as I went.
Once I got to the periphery, I raised my hand
to Collins.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
Here, worry, let me go doctring off your head. Wow,
and I'll get the rest of this thing. How did
it go? Great?
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Huh Collins, real great?
Speaker 7 (19:57):
It did, real good.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
Oh what now we gotta knock that Christmas tree off
the tube.
Speaker 12 (20:02):
You can't get close enough of that, even with that
monkey suit. You'll be ashes before you got one turn completed.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Yeah, get Pete and Whitey for me.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Paint.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
I'll pee.
Speaker 9 (20:11):
Whitey come here.
Speaker 12 (20:12):
What are you gonna do?
Speaker 5 (20:14):
I think I know how I can knock that gadget off.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
What's up, Smiley?
Speaker 5 (20:17):
I got a jop with you, guys, Hi white Hill.
I want you guys to get me a fifty foot
section of casing and a fifty foot section of tube.
We got it, it's right, And I want you to
put the tubing into the casing and weld it so
that we can run water between the two of them.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
What's that gonna do.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
It's gonna give me a water cool boom that I
can swing from a bulldozer to knock the Christmas tree.
Speaker 12 (20:33):
Off might take a few hours, okay, but hurry up.
All right, Whitey, get the tube right you, Pete, see
about the casing.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
I'll go over to the I listened, Smiley.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
When I get there, I'm gonna swing the dozer in
the ox so that the boom acts like.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
A baseball bat. You keep the water going, yeah, I.
Speaker 9 (21:00):
Stay down behind, he asked.
Speaker 12 (21:01):
That's a shield though, I got it rigged all across
the front.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
I know, but it won't help me much when I
swing around.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
Well, maybe I can rustle up some more.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
This will do.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Let's go go forget now, Smiley, the water keep it going,
got you, pet go You stay in the horse with Smiley.
We'll do everything else clear to you, guys, Yes, sure,
all right? Okay, then I'm shoving off. They started forward,
(21:29):
A long boom projecting like some monstrous weapon, reassuring stream
from Smiley's hose smashed enemy. As I inched closer to
the flaming fountain head of the Christmas tree is the
end of the boom passed about twenty feet to the
left of it.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
I pulled the right thread.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Of the doser to was slithering stop, and the boom
began its swing, and when it reached the full momentium
of its travel, it slammed into the tree like a
flaming pillar of doom, the fire again shooting straight up
into the air.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Suddenly I couldn't feel the water.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
From Smiley's hose, and in that instant I began to
see it.
Speaker 9 (22:09):
Smiley, Smiley water.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
I gotta get out of here. Fifty feet forty twenty.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Smiley Siley water.
Speaker 9 (22:32):
Wally, Wally, can you hear the water?
Speaker 4 (22:38):
What happened to the water?
Speaker 9 (22:39):
Bad coupling. It'll be fixed in a minute.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
Okay, I'll be ready for the big glass that'll put
your fine Let me do it.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
I'll be all right.
Speaker 5 (22:46):
This is the easy part with the Christmas tree off.
I can set the dynamite under the fire. I won't like,
Yes you will, but Donny I he won't know. Cons Yeah, Wally,
come on, sn it take or at least seven to
eight gallons of the jelly stuff. Get it ready, Wally, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
I'll do it.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
I know how to place this stuff.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Just getting ready. I'll take it in. Whatever you say,
that's what I say. Get going.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
He stopped yet, smiling. I can't tell from here.
Speaker 9 (23:26):
A feet, A little more beef on his horse. My
hand's cramping, I got it, smiling.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
I see him.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
I see him's getting off the dozer. I swing left
a little peace where I can't see.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Left of the dozer.
Speaker 9 (23:47):
See over there, Yeah, I see him.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
Now where's he going?
Speaker 9 (23:51):
I think he's heading for the drawerworks splashing feet. He's
almost not a range.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Now he's coming out.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
Yeah, come you home.
Speaker 8 (24:06):
Pressure, want pressure back there? Harry comes walk, Come on, Wally, I.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
Don't think it. I'm gonna go af I no.
Speaker 9 (24:24):
No, stay on the hose, Oh, Wally, come on, keep
the water on him, keep.
Speaker 14 (24:34):
It on it good, Come on, come on, keep in
the clear.
Speaker 9 (24:46):
All right, now, come let her go. She's gone.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
That was all I was to it. Like a blast
from the lungs of a thousand typhoons. A dynamite snuffed
out the fire as if it were a giant birthday candle.
Now I'm fulfilling a part of the wish I had
when all this began. I'm staying in bed for at
least a week. Hospital food isn't bad, and I get
plenty of visitors. The only trouble is they won't let
(25:28):
me take a cold shower, but at least it's something
to look forward to.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Suspense presented by auto Light The Night Star. Mister John Hodiac,
this is Harlow Wilcock speaking for Autolite, the world's largest
independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. In twenty eight plants
from coast to coast. Auto Light makes over four hundred
(26:14):
products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, boats, and industry. These
products include batteries such as the famous Autolite Stay full ignition,
engineered Autolite spark plugs both standard and resistor types, auto
Light starting motors, generators, coils, distributors, voltage regulators, wire and
battery cable, and Autolight original service parts for all Autolight
(26:39):
electrical systems. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names
in the industry, so from bumper to tail light, you're
always riped with Autolite.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
Next Week the.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Story of a man who had no fear and so
was able to attempt his own death, a new dramatization
of C. E. Montague's action Our Star, Mister Herbert Marshall.
That's next Week on Suspence. Suspense is produced and directed
(27:28):
by Elliott Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morwick and
conducted by Lud Bluskin. Portions of this program were transcribed.
Hell Fire was written for suspense by Ross Murray. In
Tonight's story, Joseph Kerns was heard as Smiley, Clayton Post
as Pete Charlott, Lawrence has Dotty, and Jerry Hausner as Collins.
(27:49):
Featured in the cast were Junius Matthews, Herb Butterfield, and
Dick Ryan. John Hodiac can soon be seen starring in
the Allied Artist production Dragon Fla Squadron and remember next week,
mister Herbert Marshall in action.
Speaker 17 (28:15):
You can buy AUO light resistor or standard type spark plugs,
auto light electrical parts and auto light Stayful batteries at
your neighborhood Autolite dealers switch to autolites. Good night.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Your eyes are your finest possession. Take care of them
and they will watch out for you. For a free
folder on I Care send a postcard to Prevention of
Blindness Box four two six, Radio City, New York. This
is the CBS Radio Network
Auto Light, and it's ninety eight thousand dealers bring you,
mister John Hodiac In Tonight's presentation of suspense, Tonight Auto
Light presents a story based on fact as we recreate
the excitement and violence of a fire in an oil field.
(00:26):
The story is called hell Fire, Our star, mister John Hodiac.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Hey, Hap, what's the busiest thing you know?
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Right?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Telephone, Harlo, My wife's always un well.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Your car's electrical system is much busier than that. Half
why it goes to work the instant you press the
starter and continues every second your engine runs. It works
every time you blow the horn, turn on the lights,
radio heater, and electric windshield wipers.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
To mention, just a.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Few everything but talk, ey wright Hap, And if that
electrical system could talk, it would tell you that a
checkup of your car's electrical system at periodic intervals is
just good business. You mean, it pays in smooth economical performance.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Ensure does have.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So friends, treat the important electrical system of your car
to a periodic checkup soon and be ready for those
cold driving days ahead. See your car dealer or your
nearest authorized auto light service station. You can quickly locate
to your nearest authorized auto light service station in the
classified section of the phone book under Automobile Electrical Service.
(01:36):
Or call Western Union by number and ask for operator
twenty five. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're
always right.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
With auto light.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
And now Auto Light presents transcribed hell Fire, starring mister
John Hodriac, hoping once again to.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Keep you in suspense.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
Oil hunters are like farmers and fishermen. They all try
to harvest a crop. The main difference between them is
that the oil hunter has to find his crop before.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
He can harvest him.
Speaker 5 (02:17):
Finding a nickel glass of beer and a free lunch
cameras a lot easier than finding oil in untested territory.
I know, I've been looking for it for a long time.
Hear that that's Betsy, my drilling rig. He's scrounging around
on the ground again, looking for a crop we can harvest.
I say again, because this is the eighth time we've
tried this session, and so far no dice, and there
(02:39):
are seven dry holes in this immediate area. You know,
mark my failures. I feel pretty bad about it. It's
not nearly as bad as the rest of the stockholders, No, sir,
not nearly as bad.
Speaker 6 (02:55):
Stockholders are getting impatient, Drake. The way you talked about
this field, they felt you would have some thing for
him long before. Now tell him I'm sorry that isn't enough.
According to the brochure you made up for them, this
was supposed to be a short thing.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
There's no such thing as a sure thing when you're
looking for oil. The brochure set conditions out here were
most favorable for oil. You saw the results of the
test yourself. Fever, a series of test showed possibility for oil.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Those did.
Speaker 6 (03:19):
I brought a longer man on the trip down here,
and I'd like you to meet who is he? His
name is Hotchkiss, Petrolleum engineer. Oh and the next perdon costs. Oh, oh,
mister Hotchkiss over here, the Hotchkiss.
Speaker 7 (03:37):
Mister Drake.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
How are you? How are you well find anything?
Speaker 8 (03:42):
It seems to me this is a very efficient operation,
mister Drake. However, there are several aspects to be considered
which might stamp you as a supreme optimist.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
You mean the storage tanks. Yes, I'd like to talk
to you about that.
Speaker 7 (03:55):
Yes, I think you'd better.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
Why don't we go back to the office. Yes, let's
go back.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I'm rather anxious to hear what mister Drake has to say.
Speaker 9 (04:05):
Why you why.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Sorry to bust it like this, Wally? What's the matter?
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Busted the roller?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Bit off? It's stuck in the casing. I'll be with
you in a minute.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Sorry, gentlemen, we'll have to postpone this meeting un till
tomorrow morning.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
I don't know how long this will take.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Your most convenient break, wasn't it?
Speaker 5 (04:22):
One more snide remark out of you and I'll shove
you down the casing right after the bit Drake.
Speaker 8 (04:26):
I'm sure mister McLean meant no harm. What time do
you want us in your office?
Speaker 5 (04:30):
Be here around eight am? I think everything will be
straightened out by them. Hey you so long, see you later.
Come on smiling, Let's get to.
Speaker 10 (04:36):
Work, work coffee?
Speaker 5 (04:49):
Why no, thanks, honey, got to get to the field.
McClean and his watchdog will be there at eight.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
How does it look?
Speaker 11 (04:55):
I mean, do you still think there's oil?
Speaker 4 (04:57):
I don't think there's oil. I know it. I won't
get another chance to find it if I missed this time.
Speaker 11 (05:02):
But you're the best wildcatter in the business. You won't
have any trouble getting enough money to try again.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
People don't like guys who go around spending their money
on hunches, and that's what I did this time.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
McLean's got questions I can't answer.
Speaker 10 (05:14):
What are you gonna do?
Speaker 5 (05:15):
What can I do? Tell him the truth? Maybe he'll
see it my way, and maybe he won't. You've got
any money to bet that he won't. It's a sure thing.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
You gotta go now, Okay.
Speaker 8 (05:26):
If I drive out to the field this afternoon, yeah, sure.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
I'll be at the shock if McLean hasn't booted me
out by then.
Speaker 8 (05:31):
Don't talk like that, Wally, I.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Don't like it. You're a good wife, honey.
Speaker 11 (05:37):
M'd have to be to stay married to you. Are
you get on out to the field and tell that
McLean a thing.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Or too, that I will, Dotty, that I will. Well.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
Are you satisfied, yes, dray all except the particular expenditures,
mister Hotchkiss pointed out.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
Come over here, mister Hotchkiss, I want to show you
toning well.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
You know what this is.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
Yes, it's a contour map of an enterpline right and
we're sitting on top of it.
Speaker 8 (06:17):
Then why are you so concerned with the inquiry? Mister McLean?
Speaker 5 (06:20):
And I are making because I have no proof of it.
Proof means oil, and until I strike oil, you'll just
have to go along with me.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
That's all.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
We don't have to do anything, mister Drake. You are
the one who has to do something.
Speaker 7 (06:31):
It seems to me.
Speaker 5 (06:32):
Now you listen to me. As long as I'm running
this operation, I don't have to do any explaining or
answering to anybody. Anytime you think you can get somebody
to do the job better, you just buy me out.
I haven't own a pretty good chunk of stock too.
Speaker 6 (06:44):
I know that the block of stockholders I represent have
the votes.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Necessarily we're in.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
We're in. We just hit the oil. Sand good.
Speaker 9 (06:52):
The MUD's holding back the pressure.
Speaker 5 (06:53):
Now get the control headset to go and drag up
the tube. I'll be with you in a couple of minutes, Yes, sir,
and the other questions gentlemen, Yes, I have one.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Go ahead.
Speaker 8 (07:04):
Where do I go to buy stock in this outfit?
Speaker 5 (07:14):
The next few days were a whirl of activity. We
snubbed the tubing into the casing without losing a single
drop of oil. After a close check of casing had pressures,
we figured we had a major find. Almost ten thousand
dolls a day was a potential. After we got the
tubing set, we got the Christmas tree fastened. This gadget
controls the flow of oil through a system of valves
that lead to storage tanks, meters, gas traps, all the
(07:37):
places oil goes to when it leaves the well.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
McLean and Hotchkiss took the first train back to town.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
I don't think they said more than a dozen words
to each other up until train time.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Finally it was finished, or just about.
Speaker 5 (07:55):
All it remained to do was start the oil flowing
out of the tubing through the Christmas Tree into the tanks.
Speaker 11 (08:01):
Hi, Hi, I thought you'd be out at the rig
cheering when they turned the valve, and a few.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Reports to make out to the stockholers.
Speaker 11 (08:07):
What's the matter, Wally?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Aren't you happy?
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Oh? I'm happy enough for DODDI just I'm tired.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
I can't hardly stand up, tired of being sweaty and dirty. Soon,
as in the finished dage, I'm going and I'm gonna
take a cold shower, and then I'm going to bed
for about a week.
Speaker 11 (08:22):
Did anybody ever tell you you're a wonderful man?
Speaker 5 (08:25):
Smile? He said, sir, what yeah. I bought him a
drink this afternoon. He told me I was wonderful.
Speaker 8 (08:31):
At least you haven't launched his vent of humor.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Do you feel any different?
Speaker 8 (08:35):
Why should I?
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Well, you're married to a wealthy man.
Speaker 11 (08:39):
Oh I don't see any Wait a minute, what's a man.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Trouble? Holy fire?
Speaker 8 (08:49):
The well's on fire, Wally.
Speaker 12 (08:51):
Don't go, Wally, she blew Big Steve was turning the
bowls off.
Speaker 9 (09:00):
She went right up in his face. We couldn't get.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
A narrow smiley. Run out of the shack.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
Put in a long distance calling Larry Burnett and Telsa.
Tell him we want him to come down here and
put out an arm fire and tell him the name
is Price right Wally, and tell Donnie to contact McClean.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Tell him what happened.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
She knows a number, and tell him to tell them
the clay to hustle on down here.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Okay, col Whitey big feet, come here. You're weddy.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
Get a team together and start putting up a dirt
barricade around the derek, thinking about seventy five feet square
and about five feet high. When the valve enters in
that Christmas tree, go there'll be a fire shooting all
over the place.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Okay, Carl, you go with him? And what about to
shut off valves at the tanks? Peace?
Speaker 13 (09:34):
All off?
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Firescuted before Steve opened up? Check him anyway, right? Wally
del Any.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Takes him in and get over to the storehouse where
they got some turps. Take the topshi, Wally.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Wally oy?
Speaker 9 (09:56):
Heh smiley, Wally, I called Burnette like you told me too.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
When's he coming here?
Speaker 12 (10:00):
He ain't what he left for Arabia yesterday? They got
a fire there. They don't know when he will be back.
Maybe a month, but if the fire eats into the
underground pool like it did.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
In Romania in twenty nine, it maybe six months.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Okay then come on, or where are we going to
the shack? I got a few telephone calls to make,
So what are you gonna do? I'm gonna put the
fire out myself. But you can't do that, Wally? Why not?
Speaker 9 (10:20):
What do you do about putting out oil fire?
Speaker 4 (10:21):
I've seen him do it. I know the oil business.
What more do you want? What about equipment? That's what
I'm gonna make the phone calls for.
Speaker 11 (10:28):
I just spoke to McLeay flying down here. Good, What
are you gonna do Brenette can't come.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
I'm gonna do it myself.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
But you can.
Speaker 9 (10:34):
That's what I told him.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
He can't. I say I can, and I'm going to
This is Wally.
Speaker 5 (10:45):
Get me French Stone at the Foster Oil Company and
Hobs New Mexico and make it quick.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Auto Light is bringing you, mister John Holac in hell
fire Tonight's presentation in Radio's outstanding Theater of Thrills Suspense, say, Half,
(11:24):
name something more complex than a fine watch?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Way two fine watches?
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Harlo, Well, I'm thinking of the electrical system of your
auto light equipped car. Every unit is precision built by
Auto LIGHTE to operate with every other unit is a
perfect team to give you the smoothest performance money can buy.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
You mean units like the auto light starting motor, generator, distributor, coil,
spark plugs, footage regulator and battery.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
Hey Harlo, Yes, sir, Half.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
And just as one misfit part in your watch can
come up the works, so can one wrong part in
the electrical system result in poor car performance.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
And what does all this mean to me, Harlou?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
It means hap that you should always specify Auto Light
original service parts for your auto light equipped car. Insist
on the best for your car, and be sure of
the best in performance, because from bumper to tail light,
you're always right with auto light. Now auto light brings
back to our Hollywood soundstage, mister John Hodiac in Elliott
(12:25):
Lewis's production of hell Fire, a dramatic report, well calculated.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
To keep you in suspense.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
When I told Smiley and Dotty I was going to
put out my oil fire, I met it. Only trouble
was I wasn't sure I could do it. Oh, I'd
seen Burnett's snufferm out, but that was his business, and
he was the best in his business.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Me.
Speaker 5 (12:53):
I was Wally Drake, sort of a high class roughneck in.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
The business of looking for oil.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
There's something about the results of your sweat go up
in thick, black, greasy smoke that makes you think and
all our effort can kind of compensate for a lack
of experience.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I put in a call for some of the things
I knew I was gonna need. Ask best this.
Speaker 5 (13:15):
Equipment, high pressure pumps and hoses to spray me and
keep me from being roasted a live while I was
working in there, and some dynamite to use when everything
else was set.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
After I finished my call, Smiley and I went out
to look at the fire. I still say, you're crazy, Wally,
No I'm not.
Speaker 5 (13:32):
I just don't want to see all my oil burn
up while we wait for Burnett to get back from Arabia.
Speaker 9 (13:36):
But we might be able to do it another way.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
What out of way?
Speaker 14 (13:38):
Oh?
Speaker 12 (13:38):
We could set up another rig about three hundred yards
from here, spud in and with the right figuring we
could whip stalk right into this casing and cut the.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Flow of oil.
Speaker 4 (13:46):
And how long do you think that would take?
Speaker 12 (13:47):
It depends on one angle we want to intersect the cases.
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Can't do it, Smiley, tolerances it would be too critical.
Speaker 9 (13:53):
What about digging a tunnel? We could start about one
hundred No.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
No, I'm not gonna take a chance with anyone's.
Speaker 4 (13:57):
Life but mine.
Speaker 9 (13:58):
You'd let Burnett take a chance, wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
That's what he gets.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
Paid for now, Smiley, We'll do it just like I said,
with me taking the chance.
Speaker 9 (14:04):
Okay, Wally, but let me help all right.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
You're gonna handle of water to spray me down. Okay,
First we gotta bust old Betsy up.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
Break up to Derek. Why take a.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Look at it, most of the lower part of white hot. Now,
if I get the fire out without getting rid of
that white hot steel, the fire would start again as
soon as the gas hit it.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Well, how are you gonna do it? Push it over
in a way.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Yeah, I'm gonna set two dynamite charges against the base
of it and blow it over.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
But how do you know which way it'll fall? I
don't I'm not an expert. But it might fall, yes,
it might.
Speaker 13 (14:37):
But once the rick is down there stuff he said
for us here delim. He's getting the pump puffed up.
Now the dynamites up to the sheck. Oh thanks, bte.
Come on, smiley, smiley.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Yeah, I'm scared.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
I saw mine.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
If if things sort of don't go right to see that,
McClain gives Dotty a square deal in the stock.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
Fuck, sure, pal, Smiley, what is it?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Pal?
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Stop short padding me. That's just in case anything happens.
Hasn't happened yet, so get that sloppy look off your face.
Speaker 12 (15:10):
Sure, pal, I mean yeah, did you see Yeah?
Speaker 4 (15:15):
I saw him, and you're all set? Yeah, I'm all set.
Is the dynamite guy here.
Speaker 11 (15:20):
Outside having a cup of coffee? They got a canteen
set up in the back of the shack.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Yell for him.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Okay, hey, Dynamite over here, let's go to work.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yea, here he comes. I heard him.
Speaker 15 (15:38):
My name is Colin's not Dynamite. Mind if I bring
my coffee.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
In with me? No, only don't slop it on the floor.
Speaker 7 (15:44):
Sorry, What do you want to know?
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Can you rake up a charge that'll knock out two
legs of the rig?
Speaker 7 (15:50):
That's my business, of course I can.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Will I have to set two separate charges? Or can
you make one charge to it?
Speaker 7 (15:55):
Anyway you want it?
Speaker 5 (15:56):
How long will it take to get the charges ready?
I said, how long will I?
Speaker 7 (16:00):
I heard you, mister, give me a chance to drink
my coffee.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
It's getting cold, you smiley? Who sent you here, Dynamite?
My name is Colin, I said, who sent you here? Dynamite?
Speaker 15 (16:13):
Stone over at Foster Oil said you needed a man
with dynamite savvy, he sent me.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Well, I'm the guy who needs you, because I'm the
guy going into the fire.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
I got a lot of questions to ask him. In
a hurry.
Speaker 5 (16:23):
If you want to talk with that coffee cup, shut
down your throat.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Just tell me either way.
Speaker 5 (16:27):
I want answers, and I want him quick and civil.
Now make up your mind. How do you want to
answer me? With or without the coffee cup?
Speaker 7 (16:34):
No offense, mister, mister Drake, mister Drake, what do you.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Want to know? How long will it take?
Speaker 7 (16:41):
How do you want the dynamite?
Speaker 4 (16:42):
What's the best way, Jelly?
Speaker 15 (16:44):
We can put it in the can, wrapping an asbestos
and get out and plenty of time if the.
Speaker 7 (16:47):
Fire's not too close.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
How soon can we go?
Speaker 7 (16:50):
By the time you get all the other stuff ready.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
I'll be ready. See you out there, okay, Colin? Yeah?
If I got your coffee? Ah?
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Thanks?
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Where's he has? Best to suit? Smiley?
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Oh it's back of the shack. Let's go, Swally, go.
Speaker 9 (17:11):
On, Smiley, I'll be out so yeah right.
Speaker 16 (17:23):
I'm sorry, Wally, I'm sorry.
Speaker 8 (17:29):
I'm not really a roic.
Speaker 16 (17:32):
I can't act a part of the brave wife sending
her husband out. Wally, please don't go.
Speaker 9 (17:39):
I'm so rude.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
I got it, Honey. That thing's burning up about ten
fifteen thousand dollars a day. I got it.
Speaker 16 (17:45):
I don't care if it burns up a million dollars.
Speaker 5 (17:47):
If they don't go, Dotty, Dotty, what Have you ever
known me to take wild chances?
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Sure, I play a hunch as far as it'll stretch.
But have I ever gone overboard on a pipe dream?
Speaker 2 (18:01):
No?
Speaker 5 (18:01):
And you must know that I wouldn't be doing this
if I didn't think I could finish it up right,
don't you, dotty?
Speaker 4 (18:07):
Don't you?
Speaker 16 (18:08):
But Wally, I'm so frightened.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
We'll be a little.
Speaker 5 (18:10):
Anxious maybe, but don't be frightened. You stay right here,
don't come out there. I'll be back to see you
as soon as we not. Call Betsy over runner's side. Okay, okay, Wally,
see honey.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
This was going to be the easy part, if there
was such a thing.
Speaker 5 (18:35):
The fire, instead of shooting straight up in the air,
was coming out of all the valves of the Christmas tree.
I got fourth of July spray. But there was a
good side to it. The back two legs of the
rig were comparatively free of any flame, but it was
still plenty hot.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Ready to go?
Speaker 5 (18:49):
Yeah, keep me plenty wet. I don't want to broil.
Speaker 9 (18:52):
Don't worry.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
You won't have to drive pipe Ready to go? Was okay,
let's have it. I'm ready.
Speaker 5 (19:02):
Smiley kept the water smacking into me while I got
close enough with a drill pipe.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
To plant the charge.
Speaker 5 (19:19):
Then I retreated, paying out the insulated table as I went.
Once I got to the periphery, I raised my hand
to Collins.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
Here, worry, let me go doctring off your head. Wow,
and I'll get the rest of this thing. How did
it go? Great?
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Huh Collins, real great?
Speaker 7 (19:57):
It did, real good.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
Oh what now we gotta knock that Christmas tree off
the tube.
Speaker 12 (20:02):
You can't get close enough of that, even with that
monkey suit. You'll be ashes before you got one turn completed.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Yeah, get Pete and Whitey for me.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Paint.
Speaker 4 (20:10):
I'll pee.
Speaker 9 (20:11):
Whitey come here.
Speaker 12 (20:12):
What are you gonna do?
Speaker 5 (20:14):
I think I know how I can knock that gadget off.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
What's up, Smiley?
Speaker 5 (20:17):
I got a jop with you, guys, Hi white Hill.
I want you guys to get me a fifty foot
section of casing and a fifty foot section of tube.
We got it, it's right, And I want you to
put the tubing into the casing and weld it so
that we can run water between the two of them.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
What's that gonna do.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
It's gonna give me a water cool boom that I
can swing from a bulldozer to knock the Christmas tree.
Speaker 12 (20:33):
Off might take a few hours, okay, but hurry up.
All right, Whitey, get the tube right you, Pete, see
about the casing.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
I'll go over to the I listened, Smiley.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
When I get there, I'm gonna swing the dozer in
the ox so that the boom acts like.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
A baseball bat. You keep the water going, yeah, I.
Speaker 9 (21:00):
Stay down behind, he asked.
Speaker 12 (21:01):
That's a shield though, I got it rigged all across
the front.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
I know, but it won't help me much when I
swing around.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
Well, maybe I can rustle up some more.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
This will do.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Let's go go forget now, Smiley, the water keep it going,
got you, pet go You stay in the horse with Smiley.
We'll do everything else clear to you, guys, Yes, sure,
all right? Okay, then I'm shoving off. They started forward,
(21:29):
A long boom projecting like some monstrous weapon, reassuring stream
from Smiley's hose smashed enemy. As I inched closer to
the flaming fountain head of the Christmas tree is the
end of the boom passed about twenty feet to the
left of it.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
I pulled the right thread.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Of the doser to was slithering stop, and the boom
began its swing, and when it reached the full momentium
of its travel, it slammed into the tree like a
flaming pillar of doom, the fire again shooting straight up
into the air.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Suddenly I couldn't feel the water.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
From Smiley's hose, and in that instant I began to
see it.
Speaker 9 (22:09):
Smiley, Smiley water.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
I gotta get out of here. Fifty feet forty twenty.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Smiley Siley water.
Speaker 9 (22:32):
Wally, Wally, can you hear the water?
Speaker 4 (22:38):
What happened to the water?
Speaker 9 (22:39):
Bad coupling. It'll be fixed in a minute.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
Okay, I'll be ready for the big glass that'll put
your fine Let me do it.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
I'll be all right.
Speaker 5 (22:46):
This is the easy part with the Christmas tree off.
I can set the dynamite under the fire. I won't like,
Yes you will, but Donny I he won't know. Cons Yeah, Wally,
come on, sn it take or at least seven to
eight gallons of the jelly stuff. Get it ready, Wally, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
I'll do it.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
I know how to place this stuff.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Just getting ready. I'll take it in. Whatever you say,
that's what I say. Get going.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
He stopped yet, smiling. I can't tell from here.
Speaker 9 (23:26):
A feet, A little more beef on his horse. My
hand's cramping, I got it, smiling.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
I see him.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
I see him's getting off the dozer. I swing left
a little peace where I can't see.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Left of the dozer.
Speaker 9 (23:47):
See over there, Yeah, I see him.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
Now where's he going?
Speaker 9 (23:51):
I think he's heading for the drawerworks splashing feet. He's
almost not a range.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Now he's coming out.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
Yeah, come you home.
Speaker 8 (24:06):
Pressure, want pressure back there? Harry comes walk, Come on, Wally, I.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
Don't think it. I'm gonna go af I no.
Speaker 9 (24:24):
No, stay on the hose, Oh, Wally, come on, keep
the water on him, keep.
Speaker 14 (24:34):
It on it good, Come on, come on, keep in
the clear.
Speaker 9 (24:46):
All right, now, come let her go. She's gone.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
That was all I was to it. Like a blast
from the lungs of a thousand typhoons. A dynamite snuffed
out the fire as if it were a giant birthday candle.
Now I'm fulfilling a part of the wish I had
when all this began. I'm staying in bed for at
least a week. Hospital food isn't bad, and I get
plenty of visitors. The only trouble is they won't let
(25:28):
me take a cold shower, but at least it's something
to look forward to.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Suspense presented by auto Light The Night Star. Mister John Hodiac,
this is Harlow Wilcock speaking for Autolite, the world's largest
independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment. In twenty eight plants
from coast to coast. Auto Light makes over four hundred
(26:14):
products for cars, trucks, tractors, planes, boats, and industry. These
products include batteries such as the famous Autolite Stay full ignition,
engineered Autolite spark plugs both standard and resistor types, auto
Light starting motors, generators, coils, distributors, voltage regulators, wire and
battery cable, and Autolight original service parts for all Autolight
(26:39):
electrical systems. Autolite is proud to serve the greatest names
in the industry, so from bumper to tail light, you're
always riped with Autolite.
Speaker 4 (26:59):
Next Week the.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Story of a man who had no fear and so
was able to attempt his own death, a new dramatization
of C. E. Montague's action Our Star, Mister Herbert Marshall.
That's next Week on Suspence. Suspense is produced and directed
(27:28):
by Elliott Lewis, with music composed by Lucian Morwick and
conducted by Lud Bluskin. Portions of this program were transcribed.
Hell Fire was written for suspense by Ross Murray. In
Tonight's story, Joseph Kerns was heard as Smiley, Clayton Post
as Pete Charlott, Lawrence has Dotty, and Jerry Hausner as Collins.
(27:49):
Featured in the cast were Junius Matthews, Herb Butterfield, and
Dick Ryan. John Hodiac can soon be seen starring in
the Allied Artist production Dragon Fla Squadron and remember next week,
mister Herbert Marshall in action.
Speaker 17 (28:15):
You can buy AUO light resistor or standard type spark plugs,
auto light electrical parts and auto light Stayful batteries at
your neighborhood Autolite dealers switch to autolites. Good night.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Your eyes are your finest possession. Take care of them
and they will watch out for you. For a free
folder on I Care send a postcard to Prevention of
Blindness Box four two six, Radio City, New York. This
is the CBS Radio Network
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