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June 26, 2024 59 mins
The Mercury Theatre on the Air was a captivating radio series created and hosted by Orson Welles. This weekly hour-long show featured live radio dramas performed by Welles’s celebrated Mercury Theatre repertory company. They presented classic literary works, accompanied by music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann.

The series began in July 1938 and aired on the CBS Radio network. Notably, their broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” on October 30 caused quite a stir, allegedly leading to panic among listeners. After this memorable episode, the Campbell Soup Company became the show’s sponsor. The Mercury Theatre on the Air concluded its run on December 4, and shortly thereafter, The Campbell Playhouse took its place.

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(00:00):
The Mercury Theater on the air.The Columbia Broadcasting System takes pride in bringing

(00:25):
you orson Wells and the Mercury Theateron the air in another broadcast of a
unique series, which signalizes radio's firstpresentation of a complete theatrical producing company.
For these programs, the regular memberstations of the Columbia Broadcasting System are joined
ya the Coast to coast network ofthe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Tonight, the

(00:48):
Mercury Theater turns to another of thegreat narratives and adventure stories of the world
of literature, The Count of MonteCristo by Alexander Juma. And here again
is the director, the star andproduce most of the broadcasts orson Welles,
Good Evening, Edies and Gentlemen.There is no reasonable explanation of Alexander Dumar.

(01:10):
He was a rich man. Wenote with interest that he went bankrupt
in the theater. He was arevolutionary. His grandfather was a marquis,
his grandmother was a negress. Hewas born as Napoleon became emperor. He
died in poverty as the Germans marchedinto France. He wrote The Count of

(01:30):
Monte Cristo as a newspaper serrio,and shortly after the last installment, a
ball and a bull fight were organizedfor him in Seville, and finally in
Algiers, that customs men let hisbaggage through without examination. Such things don't
and can't happen to day. Butthen, rather, as Alexander Duma himself,
the wildest romance of a man whocould and did openly maintain at seventy

(01:55):
numerous establishments, and a literary factoryas well, whose quantitative put is equaled
in the arts only by Reuben's studio, tis a good story about what Dumar
Pere told Jumar Fie, father saidthe inventor of Camille. I have just
read your latest book, have you, my son, said Duma Pere,
what's it about? I am notsure I have. Tis no secret and

(02:17):
no shame either. That the ChateauMonte Cristo was haunted by many ghostwriters,
and that its owner signed his nameto more books than any one could ever
write. Tis not expected a pharaohthat he build with his own hands,
his own pyramids, and the mereblueprint of one Dumar plot is an airtight
alibi for a whole career of allthese out of question, the most gloriously

(02:42):
complex, possibly the most impossible,a mathematical miracle, as perfect as watchworks,
and as big as Pittsburgh. Amonghundreds, one Dumar plot persists as
the most ingenious tall story ever perpetratedby the mind of man God, Vengeance
on radio scriptwriters, and your indestructibledelight. In spite of us, Here,

(03:07):
then, is a humble fifty sevenminutes worth of the Count of Monte
Cristo. In the year eighteen fifteen, I at Mandantis was first nat of

(03:31):
the Pharaoh Banto Marseilles from Smyrna,Trieste and Naples. The day we left
Naples, the captain was attacked bya fever and died within three days.
On the twenty eighth day of September, we sighted the coast of France.
Some hours later we rounded the Chateaud'efinetted Marseilles harbor. Monsieur Morell Leona came

(03:53):
abroad. Good Dame of you Morrell, A good day, Monsieur dan Var
heard of the misfortune. Lets befollowing us, Miss few Morrell. Yes,
yes, you mean for Captain Leclair. He was a brave and an
honest man, and the first rateseamen growing old between sky and looking well.
A man needs not the old.I glad to know his business.

(04:13):
Edmund Dantees your mate there seems tounderstand his fallow lane. Eh let all
the anchor. You see. Hefancies himself captain already, and so in
back he is Sul Morrel at yourservice you call me? I think,
yes, that is. I'm toldyou stopped to day and a half at
the isle of Elba. Why,I don't know, sir, You don't

(04:39):
know, no, sir. Itwas to fulfill the last instruction of Captain
Leclair when he was dying. Hegave me a packet to be delivered on
the island. You did right,dentist, to follow Captain Leclair's instructions.
Though if it were known that youdelivered the package to the island, it
might get you into trouble. Couldit get me into trouble? Sir?
I don't even know what it was. It was a delivery, Thank your

(05:01):
pardon, sir. Here's the customsoffice coming alongside hell or a companion way
well, Monsieur Morrel, Yes,Monsieur Lars. Edmund Dotties gave you satisfactory
reasons for his landing at Alba.Oh, yes, quite satisfactory. Eh,
so much the better. Yes,it was Captain Leclair who gave orders

(05:21):
for this delay. Talking of Captainat Clair, has Datis given you a
letter from him to me? No, was the one. I believe that
besides the packet, Captain at Clairhad confided a letter to his care of
what peckett are you speaking, Danglas, of that which daddies left to the
isle of Elba. How you knowhe had a packet to leave at the

(05:42):
isle of Alba. I was passingcloth to the door of the Captain's cabin,
which was partly open. I sawhim give the letter and the packet
to Dantees. He didn't speak tome of it, but if there was
any letter, he'll give it tome. Danglars, you will report of
the office this afternoon with the billsof lady and the storage glands. Good
day, Good day, you see, Morrel. It's a wonderful thing to

(06:08):
be home again after three months atsea, to see the places you've grown
up in as a boy, inthe streets full of people. I found
my father in the little dark roomwhere he lived on the fourth floor of
a house, and I grew donoai, father, Oh that ma'am father?
What is it you ill? Father? What's wrong with no? No,

(06:31):
my boy, my son? No, but I I didn't expect you,
and the joy and surprise of seeingyou, father, father listened to
me. And to be captain attwenty a captain with three thousand francs pay
and a share in the profits.Isn't that more than I could have hoped
for? Yes, yes, dearboy, much more than we could have

(06:53):
expected. Hm snot young dog orany that is in the doorways. Stood
on neighbor, the Taylor Caterus.He knows someone below the Church of San
Michel, who will be sorry tohear about this. Dante's mel said,
that's so, he means, father. And now that I know you're well,

(07:15):
you're consent, I'll go to her. Her go, dear boy,
and heaven bless you and a wife. Has it blessed me and a wife?
How fast you go? Father?Dante's she isn't his wife here too,
as far as I know, she, son will be yes. Yes,
but you were wise to return whenyou did, My boy, terrous,
What do you mean by that?Oh? I don't mean anything in
particular. You see is a veryfine girl, and fine girls never let

(07:38):
suitors. There's one, in particular, a cousin of hers. I think
he is, then, I,mon, diego have even heard. Oh,
don't worry, my boy, nowthat you are a captain who could
refuse, he'll say that if Iwere not a catle. He didn't say
that, my boy. I didn'tsee that. No offense meant, my
boy, no offense. I wentinto the street, down past the church

(08:07):
of San Michel, into the fisherman'squarter. Mery, it is me,
it is Edmond, you're back.We were in each other's arms. The
burning son of Marseilles covered us witha flood of light. At first I
saw nothing but her face raised tomine, the shining eyes, the eager

(08:28):
lips. Then suddenly, in theroom behind us, I saw the face
of a young man, pale andthreatening, and I saw that he had
his hand on a knife at hisbelt. That that is who is this
man? I said, as Idid not expect to meet an enemy here
in your house. This is mycousin. We've been friends in his childhood.

(08:50):
Fernand is the man whom after you, Edmond, I love best in
the world. Well, give mea hand Fernant. Is your name Edmond
Dante? Fernand Mondego came forward foran instant I saw a look of deadly
hatred in his eyes. Then quickly, without giving his hand, he went

(09:13):
past us and out into the street. Ah, the trothal features a gay
affair in the south. Monsieur Morrelremoved every difficulty. The papers were soon
drawn up. The arrangements were simple. Mercedes had no fortune. I had

(09:37):
none to settle on her. Andthe wedding was set for two. All
our friends were there, and thecrew of the Pharaoh and Mercedes, people
from among the fishermen. He isthe name of the lie, demanded Jory.

(10:03):
What he said? What you saythe law? Who along a person
here? As Smble answers to thename of Edmund Dentes. I'm Edmond Dantis.
What do you want of me?Ed Mond Dantes? In the name
of the law? I arrest you, arrest me? You left point of

(10:24):
the reason for your arrest is yourfirst examination, officers, officer, he
is just good boy. Possible,in which case have a reparation with you
name Edmund Edmond. You're under arrest. Follow me, Oh, oh,

(11:01):
come in. Here is the prisoner. Bring him in wait outside. Yes,
sir, what is your name?Are you the King's prosecutor? Sir?
Yes, your name? My nameis Edmond Dances. You have all
the information in your power. Haveyou served under the usurper Napoleon? No,

(11:26):
sir, it is reported that yourpolitical opinions are extreme. My political
opinions alas, I never had anyopinions. I'm hardly nineteen, sir.
What do you make of this?Then? It is a letter, Monsieur
Dantes, Well read it, Monsieurthe King's prosecutor is hereby informed by a

(11:48):
friend of the throne and religion.But one Edmond Dantes made of the ship
Pharaoh arrived this morning from smyrna If, having touched at Naples in the island
of Elber. He's been in trustedby the Usurper with a letter for the
Bonapartists committee in Paris. Proof ofthis crime will be found on arresting him
with the letter will be found onhis person, or at his father's or

(12:09):
in his cabin on board the Faraoh. I'm sorry, so I don't understand
it. You know the writer?No, sir, whoever did it right?
Well? Have you any enemies?Not that I know? Of sir.
Now answer me, frankly, notas a prisoner to a judge,
but as one man to another.Is there any truth in this accusation?
Not at all, sir. Iswear by my honor as a sailor.

(12:33):
Then I told him my story.I told him how captain a Clear,
on his death bedded and trusted apacket to me and told me, with
his dying breath to deliver it tothe island of Elbert. What did you
do then? What should I havedone? Mosure? What every man would
have done in my place? Isailed for the island of Albert, delivered
the packet, and was given returna letter to be delivered to a man
here in Marseilles. I did itbecause it was what my captain had told

(12:54):
me to do. I landed hereyesterday. That is all, sir.
I see well, that sounds likethe truth. Now give up this letter
you have brought from Elba, giveus your word that you will appear if
you are called, and go backto your friends. I am free,
then, sir, yes, butfirst give me this letter. Here you
are, sir, very well,by the way, to whom were you

(13:18):
to deliver this letter? To?Franklin? Machier this city for the Swan
marquis. Yes, sir, whenyou know this man, a feothful servant
of the king, does not knowconspirators? Have you shown this letter to
any one? To no Ansir,my honor. Nobody knows that you are
a pair of a letter from theIsle of Elba address to pass one once

(13:39):
you. Nobody, sir, exceptthe person who gave it to me.
Why so the matter the matter?Sir? You give me your word of
honor that you are ignorant of thecontents of this letter. Word of answer.
But what's the matter your ill?Sir? Shall I call for her?
Say where you are? It isfor me to give orders here,
not you. I am sorry.I am no longer able as I had

(14:01):
hoped to restore you to liberty beforedoing so. Their a formality is to
be gone through. I'll try tomake them as short as possible. The
principal charge against you, as youknow, is this letter. And you
see what I do with it?See I destroy it? Whom I should

(14:22):
it? Here? For your goodnessitself? Now, then, do you
trust more than me, sir?I'll obey. Listen. This is not
an order but advice that I giveyou. Yes, I shall keep you
until this evening here on the Palaisde Justice. Should anyone else question you,
don't be the word of this letter, I promise you. See the

(14:43):
letter is destroyed. You and Ialone know of its existence. So if
they question you about it, denya knowledge of it. I will,
sir, it was the only letteryou had. I swear, do you
ring monsieur. A guard entered Villefortwhispered something in his ear, to which

(15:05):
he replied by a motion of hishead. Follow this man, Monsieur d'antees,
he has his orders. I wastaken to a cell. Presently it

(15:31):
grew dark. Hours later I heardsteps coming along the corridor. While the
torches they carried, I saw theglittering sabers and carbines of four gendarmes.
Edmund Dantes. Have you come tofetch me? Yes, by the orders
of the King's prosecutor, I believe, so come others. Is this carriage

(16:03):
for me? It is for you? Get it. Get on board.

(16:33):
He want now sat in the sternsheets, with a garden on each side
of me in the little boat here. Now he's business. The tea,

(17:03):
the chain that closed the mouth ofthe port at night was lowered. Soon
we were outside the harbor. Myfirst feeling was one of joy at breathing
the fine sea air again, thena sadness as I saw the lights of
La Reserve away to the left tome, and heard the sound of voices
and music coming through the open windows. Now we had passed the titting Or.

(17:34):
We were in front of the lighthouse. We were about to double the
battery. Who where are you takingme here so long? But I wanted
to know we're forbidden to give youany information. Now we had left the
eyrol to know where the lighthouses stood, and we were going past the fisherman's

(17:56):
quarter. A few lights were visiblefrom the water. If I cried out,
perhaps Mercedes might hear me. Iremained silent, my eyes fixed on
the lights. The boat went on, and presently a rising ground hid the
lights. Then I saw that wewere out to sea. Comrades, we'll

(18:19):
have a can't tell where we're going. You're a native of Marseilles and the
sailor, Yet you don't know whereyou're gone, no idea unless you're blind
or have never been outside the harbor. You must know. Look around you.
Then suddenly, within a hundred yardsof me. In the night,
I saw a dark, frowning rockwith a tower on it, like a

(18:42):
great black scaffold, the Chateau d'Ifquite right, my friend, the Chateau
d'f help help, Let me go, help help IV Dan Tads, Dan

(19:15):
Tad's, I haven't just slept.I don't know. Are you hungry?
I don't know. Do you wantanything? I want to see the governor.
Let's see the I medicined my medicine. I'm another day, another eternity.

(19:45):
I threw out my food under thefloor. I walked around and around
the narrow cell like a wild beastin its cage. I tore up the
straw of my mattress. Dan Tads, well, I a reasonable today.
I want to see the governor.I've told you that's impossible. Is it
impossible? Not allowed? I wantto see the governor. Take my advice,
my friend, don't run over what'simpossible. Go out of your head,

(20:07):
you think so. We had aninstance of it here in this cell.
The priest who was here before you. He kept offering the governor a
million francs for his freedom. Inthe end he went out of his head.
When was he in this cell?Two years ago, was he said
free? No, he was puttingthat dune. To listen to me,
I want to see the governor.If you don't let me see the governor,

(20:29):
someday I'll hide behind the door andwhen you come in, i'll dash
your brains out with a store that'seh, hey, but that's son.
Don't let me see the governor.Put it down? Would down with?
Well? Do I see the governor? Yes, yes, yes, you
shall see the government at once.That's better. It's better. Hurry,
hurry. Presently, the jailer returnedwith four soldiers. I have a governor's

(21:02):
ordist. Take the business of theproblender man. That's right. We put
madmen with mad lord Sality. Itell you a medicon. I'm also dimond.
After months went by underground, foul, humid, and dark. Every

(21:36):
day, twice a day, morningand evening, the jailer came to my
cell and put down the vial foodand went away without speaking to me.
My hair and nails had grown long, and my skin was white as a
lepers. I'd been proud the firstmonths. Now I began to beg I

(21:59):
begged moved from this dungeon to another. I begged to be allowed to walk
about. I begged for books.Nothing was granted. I spoke to the
jailer when he brought me my food. He rarely answered me. But to
speak to a man, even thoughmute was something, I tried to speak
when alone. That the sound ofmy own voice terrified me. After what
must have been three or four years, the governor of the Chateau d'If was

(22:22):
transferred. The new man, ever, troubled to learn my name. I
was no longer at Mondante's. Itwas number thirty four. I took to
praying, but not as men prayand prosperity. In my prayers I laid
out every action of my life beforethe Almighty. Still I remained a prisoner.
Then a deep gloom took possession ofme, and then furious rage and

(22:45):
savage thoughts of revenge, and wilelyI dashed myself against the walls of my
prison. I tore it my ownflesh with my nails. And then in
the end, in the end,I began to think of dying. I
swore that I would starve myself todeath. So every morning and every evening
I threw out through the small gratedwindow all the food the jailer brought me
every bit of it, at firstgaily, and then thoughtfully, and then
with regret. I held the platein my hand for an hour at a

(23:07):
time, gazing at the morsel ofbad meat, a tainted fish, of
black and moldy bread. Then Iremembered my ulcin threw the dish away.
One day, I found I anot sufficient force to throw my supper out
of the window. The next morningI could hardly see or hear. I

(23:34):
knew I was dying. The daywent by, I felt a sort of
stupor creeping over me. The gnawingpain at my stomach had ceased my thirst
to debate it. When I closedmy eyes, I saw myriads of light
dancing before them. I was onthe edge of that mysterious country called death.

(24:07):
Suddenly, a little after dark,I heard a hollow sound in the
wall against which I was lying.I sat up and listened. It was
a continuous scratching, as if madeby a huge claw or some iron instruments
scraping against the stones. Then allwas silent. Soon afterwards it began again,

(24:41):
nearer and more distinct. Perhaps there'sonly a workman repairing a neighboring dungeon.
I would soon find out. Thesound continued with my earthen ware je
I knocked against the wall with asound game. Then the sound stopped.

(25:33):
The night passed in complete silence.I never closed my eyes. Three days
passed, three long days, andnever a sound. At last, on
the fourth evening, whoever it waswas quite close to me. Now I

(25:55):
wanted desperately to help him, butI had nothing. No knife was instrument.
I smashed my other, my jugThat night, I moved my bed
out from the wall and started toscrape the plaster with a piece from my
broken chuck. Soon the fragments ofplaster began to fall away. In three

(26:17):
days, I uncovered a large stone. The next day, about noon,
the stone began to move. MyGod, you fail me up, Oh
my god, oh god, thisplace. Speak again, in the name
of Heaven. Speak. Who areyou? A prisoner of what country?

(26:51):
A Frenchman? Your name Edmond Dante'sHow long have you been here since the
twenty eighth day of February eighteen fifteen? Your crime? I am innocent?
You? Who are you? Iam number twenty seven? How long have

(27:17):
you been here since? Eighteen hundred? And four twenty years. All that
night we worked. Then, justbefore dawn, a portion of the floor
and myself gave away. And fromthe bottom of this passage, the depth

(27:38):
of which it was impossible to measure, appeared the head, then the shoulders,
and lastly the body of a man. To this man, I owe

(28:03):
all that I possess, all thatI know, all that I have become.
In the prison. He was knownas the mad Priest. I never
learned his name. For eight yearswe saw each other every day, using
the tunnel he dug through the solidrock, concealing the mouth of the passage
with stones carefully fitted in place bythe sundial he had traced on the wall

(28:29):
of his cell. We knew thehours of the God's visit the rest of
the day we were together. Hehad been a great scholar in his day,
and all that he knew he taughtme with infinite loving patience, day
after day, year after year.Then one morning, when I went down,

(28:52):
I found him standing in the middleof his cell. Pale's death.
That is quick, listen to whatI have to say. What is it?
Father? Tell me? I'm seechyou. What's the matter? I
am dying? Help me to mybed. See half my body is paralyzed

(29:15):
already. If ah, thank you, my son. Now listen to me,
all is over with me. Thisnight or tomorrow, I shall be
dead, my father. I knowthe illness. There is no hope,
and I shall never leave this place. Now, before I die, there's

(29:37):
something I want to give you.In his hand, he held a morsel
of paper, tightly rolled together,a half burned paper, on which was
a mind of Gothic character traced witha peculiar kind of eatness. Paper.
My child, is my treasure.From this day forth, it belongs to
you, your treasure. Oh yes, I know it's passing through your mind

(30:02):
at this moment, even now youlike all the others. But be assured,
my child, I am not mad. This treasure exists. Read what
it says, this treasure, whichmay amount it declare April fortisi. See

(30:22):
I see nothing but broken lines andunconnected work. Yes to you who read
them for the first time, Butto me, who have grown pale over
them by many night's study, whohave reconstructed every phrase, completed every thought.
Have you ever heard of the greatSpada treasure? I've heard sailors talk

(30:45):
of it, yet for years Iwork for the house of Spada. That
paper you have assis is what isleft of the will of Cardle Spada,
murdered by Roderick Barja. Now takethis and put the two pieces together and

(31:06):
read the twenty fifth day of Aprilfourteen ninety eight. Being invited to dine
by His Holiness Alexander the sixth,and fearing for my life, I declare
to my nephew, Guido Spada,my sole heir, that I have buried
in the place he knows in thecase of the island of Monte Cristo.
All I possessed of Ingod's gold,money, jewels and diamonds, which treasure

(31:30):
may amount to nearly two million ofRoman crowns, which you will find in
the farthest angle of the island cave. And this treasure I bequeath the leaven
tired to him as my sole heir, Rodrico Spada, ten million crowns.
Yes, a hundred million francs ofour money. Think of the good a

(31:51):
man could do in the world witha hundred million francs. Yes, now
aye, I'm dying with my dyingbreath, I leave this treasure to you.
Pray God, you'll be more fortunatethan I, But I'd no right
to answer. You are my son, dunties, You are the child that

(32:15):
God sent to console me in mycaptivity. Two days later, in fearful

(32:42):
agony, he died. I closedhis eyes and laid him out to rest
as well as I could. Thatnight, the governor of the prison came
down to look at the body.Well, madman's gone to look after his
sat out als midions. Hasn't enoughto pay for a shroud? Eh?

(33:05):
Is the ironheated? Yes? Thatthe flat to the soles of his feet.
From where I stood in the secretpassage, I could smell a sickening
odor of burnt flesh. Dead allright or devil? He was a priest.
Let him the newest sack you've gotthe times how he bat himself the
usual. When the cell was emptyagain, I went in on the bed

(33:32):
at full length, and faintly lightedby the light of a single candle,
was visible a sack of coarse clothin it was stretched along and stiffened form.
I unlaced the sack, drew thecorpse out, and carried it through
the tunnel to my cell. Ilaid it on my bed, turned the
head to the wall and covered itwith a sheet. For the last time,

(33:54):
I kissed the ice cold brow.Then I went back to the dead
man's silk. That's a job.I could do it, whereas you,
uh cold at the gentle little Icould hear steps in the passage of the
guards came down with a stretcher.Quickly I laced up the sack around my
body and they stiff, hoping theywould not hear the beating of my heart.

(34:21):
Here we go. You take thehead, I'll take the feet.
Yeah, he's heavy enough for anold man. They say every year add
half a pound to the bone.H Oh, it much half a man?
Steady while I opened this door.Oh that's cold up here. Yeah,

(34:46):
pleasant morning. We're a dip inthe ocean. A bit chilly,
I'd say, have you got theweight? Here it is? Tie it
on round his feet. Yeah,that's right, that's tight. Y See
if you can do it any title, that's all right. That'll sink him

(35:07):
all right. Now are you ready? One? Two? Wait a minute,
get near the edge. The lastone was mashed on a rock.
We got the plane for it.Then come on, nice, pleasing a
down, let's go one, two, three, You are listening to the

(35:52):
CBS presentation of Orson Wells and theMercury Theater on the air. In Alexander
Juma's cont Monte Cristo, the performancewill continue in just a moment. This
is the Columbia Broadcasting system. We'dcontinue now with the Count of Monte Cristo
starring Orson Wells with the Mercury Theateron the air. In September eighteen thirty

(36:19):
four, there arrived in Marseille aman of about thirty eight or forty of
a pallor that was almost livid.He gave the impression of a man who
had been enclosed for a long timea tomb. Soon after landing, he
inquired from man by the name ofDantes, and, hearing that he'd been

(36:39):
dead the past fourteen years, heasked for a tailor called Carderuss. Are
you guessed about Caderousse? Am,let's go inside, my friend, I
have to talk to you. Well, what diazy mischater Carderous in the year
eighteen fourteen or fifteen? Did youknow young Sila by the name of Dantes

(37:02):
Dante? Why do you ask?Is he alive? Oh? He died
in prison? Died? Eh?What did he die of What do young
strong men usually die of in prison? He died of sorrow and a broken
hut. And before he died hebegged me to clear his name. He
gave me the names that people herein marseillesoud been his friends. There are

(37:24):
three, he said, besides myfather and the girl I was betrothed to.
One of them is Caderousse, hesaid that, the second is Danglars,
Danglars. The third is Fenno Montego. Montego, you know these men?
Know them? Where's in Heaven's name? Have you being my friend?

(37:45):
Who isn't the man in France whodoesn't know them? Danglars is a millionaire.
There's a banking house of his own, barn Dangar, he calls himself.
Now. Mon Diego's a count andthe cabinet minister, an officer of
the Legion of Honor, with ahouse in Paris of block wide. I

(38:06):
could tell you something about these two, not that he'll do. That's good
now that he's dead. Who that, younger fellows who were talking about Dantees,
I have a good mind to tellyou anyway. Do you know who
sent Edmond Dantes to prison? Well? I do there's two men who were

(38:27):
jealous of him, one for loveand one for ambition. And do you
know who they were? I'll tellhim, mon Diego and Danglars. I
thought they was friends, It's whathe thought. What did they do?
They denounced him too, the police, as a traitor. And was he

(38:52):
a traitor? No more than youor I? Which of the two denounced
him? Both? Monsieur? There'sDanglars who woke the letter, and mon
Diego who put it in the post. When there the night before the wedding,
how do you know he there?He was at the next table.
He thought he was too drunk tohear. I see how about this girl

(39:15):
Dantes was betrothed to him? Yes, yes, that's her name. What
happened to her? My whole,sir, that's a sad story. When
Dantes was arrested, she was nearlymad with grief, pittiful he want.
Six months went by and there wasno news of him, and every day

(39:37):
there was her mother telling her hewas dead and telling her to marry mon
Diego. She came to see oldDantes. Edmund is dead. He said
to her, if he went,he would have returned to us. Then
the old man died and they hadleft her quite her owe. Still she
waited, and still no word fromhim. And then in the end,

(40:01):
after a year she married Mondego,and now she's one of the greatest ladies
in Paris. A year she waiteda year? What did you say?
Nothing? Nothing you say? EdmondDante's father died, yes, soon after

(40:23):
his son disappeared. What did hedie of? If you asked me,
he died of starvation. Sarvation.The doctor had another name for it,
and I know better. He lockedhimself up in his room and died of
starvation. Later that day, thestranger appeared at the Palles de Justice and

(41:04):
asked to see the prison records forthe year eighteen fifteen. He obtained permission
to go through the case of acertain Edmond Dantes, imprisoned that year and
subsequently reported as dead. He foundeverything arranged in due order, the denunciation

(41:25):
examination and the magistrate's marginal notes.He read the examination and noted with surprise
that the name of Francois Noirtier,to whom the fatal letter had been addressed,
never once appeared in it. Therewas a notation in the margin which

(41:45):
read as follows at Mondantes, aninveterate criminal, to be kept in complete
solitary confinement and to be strictly watchedand guarded. It was signed they vill
for below. In another hand waswritten persons are killed while attempting to escape.

(42:10):
That night, the stranger left Marseilles, going north View for mondaygodanglar Ville

(42:38):
for Mondaego Danglar. Find out everythingthere is to know about them, every
move they've made, every word they'vesaid, every line they've written. Yes.
Find out about their homes, theirwives, their children, their friends.

(42:58):
Yes. Find out where they gottheir power, how they made their
money, whom they robbed, whomthey cheated, whom they murdered. One

(43:32):
day in November, Baron Danglars,head of the banking house of that name,
received a visit from a new client. Monsieur le Baron Danglars, I
have the honor of addressing the Countof Monte Cristo. You have, sir,
Have you been in Paris, logsir since this morning? I have
a letter here, sir, fromthe firm of Thompson and French in Rome,

(43:55):
a letter of credits in your name. Good and I take it that
beginning to day, my checks willbe duly honored by your house. In
this letter, sir, there isone thing not quite clear. Indeed,
according to this letter, the Countof Monte Cristo is to have unlimited credit
on our house. And what isthere in that simple fact that requires explanation

(44:17):
merely the term unlimited? Are yousuggesting that Thomson and French are not looked
upon a solvent bank? Oh no, no, it was not their salvency
that I spoke of there. Butthe word unlimited in financial affairs is so
extremely vague a term to me.Therein the word means exactly what it says,

(44:38):
it means without limitation. I assureyou, sir that up to the
amount of a million, I begyour pardon. I said that, should
you be hard pressed, were youeven to require a million million? I
dear sir, for a trifle likethat, I assure you I should never
troubled open an account one million francs. Excuse my smiling when you speak of

(45:06):
the sum that I am in thehabit of carrying in my pocket book,
I admit I am hardly if youwould prefer not to handle this account,
Berentanglars, I have letters similar toyours addressed to Bearing of London and rothschild
of the city. You'd have noscruples in declining, I assure you I
never know no, no, youmerely wish to be convinced that your stockholders

(45:28):
ran no risk. Nothing more.Very so, Baron Danglars, I understand
the include some of the greatest namesin France, Am I right? The
Duke de Mondego, the Baron theVillefort. It is not generally known that

(45:49):
these women. Of course, ofcourse, now I understand one another.
I should like to draw tomorrow thesummer, shall we say, six million
francs half gold, half note stitchmillion francs er as you see. So
if I should require more, Ishall let you know about the way.
Baron Danglars find me tomorrow ten thousandshares of auster in commonwealth. You have

(46:13):
some information, sir about this youwill find, sir, But I never
gamble certain certainties. Rarely has Perisbeen more intrigued than it was that winter

(46:36):
by the mysterious Count de Monte Cristo. If this title, nothing was known
save that he derived it from asmall, uninhabited island off the coast of
Corsica, the source of his fortunewas equally obscure, yet his wealth seemed
inexhaustible. The paintings in his houseand chanti vise were valued at three million
francs, and it was known thatfor his carriage wheels all he had paid

(47:00):
one million francs. Yet far fromdiminishing. By the middle of December,
successful speculation that increased his deposit atDanglas Bank from four to nearly six million
francs. The end of December,a bore was given by the Count and
conteste Mondego, you're also you're aboutall you're along the level ye all the

(47:40):
disco that it is represent the mosttalcave man in Paris, The Count of
Monte Cristo, Canada. I amdeeply honored. What is it? What
is it? Are you ill?It's nothing for them? Perhaps the heat

(48:00):
of his room. It was kindof you to come, sir. Will
you give me alarmed? Count demonte Cristo, I am honored, Madame.
Is it true? Count? Buteveryone is saying about you and Tess
that you seem so much, traveledso far and suffered so deeply. I

(48:23):
have suffered deeply, Madame. No, you are happy, no doubt,
since no one hears me complain yourpresent happiness has it softened your heart?
My present happiness does not equal mypast misery. Are you not married?
I married? H No, Madame, you are alone, then I am.

(48:47):
You have no sister, no father, I have not. How do
you exist thus without any one?Behold with a life, Madame. Long
ago I loved a girl on thepoint of marrying. Madame. When we
were separated, I thought she lovedme well enough to wait for me and

(49:09):
even to remain faithful to my grave. When I returned she was married.
Perhaps my heart was weaker than thatof most, and I suffered more than
they would have in my place.Saw Madame, you are still you still
preserve this love in your heart.It is true. One cannot only one.

(49:34):
Did you ever see her again?Never? And you have forgiven her
for all she has made you suffer. Yes, I have forgiven her,
but only her. Do you stillhate those who separated you? You still
want to punish them. They willbe punished, Madame, But it is

(49:57):
not I who will punish them.Did their own past? Danglars d four

(50:25):
mondego, What have you found outabout these men? Danglars danglars Native of
Marseilles. Banker three times bankrupt,convicted of abusing charity funds, recently suspected
of plunging heavily with borrowed funds.Vill four, Nill four, native of
Marseille. Formerly King's agent that citywhere he acted as Bonaparte's spy under the

(50:47):
name of Francois Martier, known toexcept bribes and present prosecutor General at King's
Court. Said to speculate heavily withDoanglas Bank. M Mondego, Mondego,
native of Marseill dismissed from naval servicefor theft tribe for murder eighteen sixteen.
Deserted French Army eighteen twenty four eighteentwenty eight, betrayed Alley pastorton text for

(51:08):
two million piastres, believed involved heavylosses. Danglas Bank, Mister Danglars,
He's in the private office RMB fourgood born in Ville four, Hello mont

(51:36):
Diego, light Delpa. What isit Danglars you sent for me in court?
I hope it's something good this timewe needed just arrived. The private
message to the Carro Manic Cristo fromThompson and French Rome. They've never been
wrong yet did you know he intercepthis message as Douglas chairs, Does I
say read it? Secret treaty signedtonight Anglo Italian do sharp rise by all

(51:57):
available shares? Thompson French. Well, we're going to buy Danglars. I'm
worried. Everything you've touched has gonewrong lately. Those Dogan bonds, we
lost half a million on them.Whose thought was that or whose information?
I have a Dangla the government thanks. It's mind for man. Gentlemen,
our situation is desperate. We've gotto plunge. Things have been going badly

(52:17):
lately. We have no choice.If it weren't for Monte Crystal's deposits,
we've been bankrupt three weeks ago.If that money should be called to day
or tomorrow or the next day,this bank is ruined. Danglas. Don't
see what that has to do withus. Oh you don't, don't you?
If I go, you go,make no mistake about that handful.
Man, What do you propose togo about it? Danglars, it's our
only chance to get out. Ipropose to buy every share of Angle Attack

(52:42):
and it comes into this market.You forget, gentlemen. The Count of
Monte crystal has six million francs depositedin this bank? And what about this
message? Does monte Cristo get tosee it? This message, gentlemen,
was lost in transmission. We undersairmy talian untold two underline what tires one

(53:09):
unadmired and the one hundred and tenSo i've hundline no tires one out of
third seventy oh, we turn treeburners my five three hundred shares at one
hundred and fifty one out of tiresone hundred and siftree one a teventy miles

(53:30):
well sixty two thousand shire. Howmuch profit does that show so far?
Three quarters of a million, andit's only a beginning. Who was selling?
I don't know. I couldn't findout come in well? Well,
what is it the cause of monteCristo to see you? Sir? Tell
him I'm not good afternoon, gentlemen. I hope I don't intrude danglars to

(53:55):
V four one day ago. Howfortunate, gentlemen. I'm here to say
good bye goodbye. I have decidedto leave Paris for a while, that's
forever. Before I go, thereare certain things I have left to do

(54:15):
Monsieur Danglars, I am in needof money for my journey. My credit
on your books as of tonight issix million francs, less about a million
to cover certain stocks I sold shortto day. Here is a check for
five million francs, made out tocash. My carriage is outside. I'll

(54:37):
take half in notes off and God, but Suri, I beg your pardon.
Suri is sir, such a verylarge sum. If you could conveniently
wait for this money for twenty fourawful the most he hain't told you wheron
Danglars, I am leaving Paris tonight. Oh, by the way,

(54:59):
bear I i'd be interested to learn. Less than an hour ago Anglo Itagnan
went into liquidation. At this momentthat stuck is worth less than the paper
which it's printed. But the messagefrom Thompson, and that message was sent
on my instructions three days ago.You see, gentlemen, I own Thomson

(55:21):
and French. As far as Iknow, Mondego, there never was any
question of a treaty. It meansthat you three gentlemen are ruined. It
means that you Danglars have robbed thepoor and the helpless. For the last
time, I have prosecute you forthis as if you are warrant for your
rat I don't think you will bearon of you four in the first place,

(55:45):
that method was addressed to me.In the second place, Since noon
today there has been in the handsof the Minister of Justice a complete record
of the career of France Juan joaquerparent devill force by Hee fortu informer you
arturer? Who am I? Stillyou do not know? I know you

(56:12):
very well, fernand Mondego, andtomorrow all Paris will know you for what
you are? Deserter, traitor,murderer? Are you? What have we
done to you? You condemned meto a slow, horrible death. You
killed my father. You deprived meof love, of freedom, of happiness.
In God's name? Who I amthe specter of a wretch you buried

(56:34):
in the dungeons for faculty. Youguess it now, do you not?
Or rather you remember it? Fornotwithstanding all my sorrows and my tortures,
I show you now a face whichhas the happiness of revenge, and which

(57:01):
is young again. Of face youmust often have seen your dreams since your
marriage. Montego with ness hades mybestrole. Yes, I am at Mondante's.

(57:38):
Tonight, the Columbia Broadcasting System,through its affiliated station's Coast to Coast
and the network of the Canadian BroadcastingCorporation, has brought you a performance of
Alexander Dumar's great adventure story, TheCount of Monte Cristo, as dramatized in
the first person singular by Orson Wellsand played by the Mercury Theater on the

(57:58):
air in the cab this evening,Ray Collins as the Abbe Faria, George
Coloris as Messie Morrel, Edgar Ballieras de Villefort, Eustace Wyatt as Cadaous,
Paul Stewart as Old Dante's Sidney Smithas fn and Montego, Richard Wilson
as the Officer, William Allen asa merchant and as Stafford as Mercedes,

(58:19):
and Orson Wells as Edmond Dante isthe Count of Monte Cristo. The orchestra
was directed by Alexander Sember and DavidsonTaylor supervised the production for CBS. Dan
Seymour speaking next week at the sametime, another great narrative brought to life

(58:51):
by Orson Wells and the Mercury Theateron the air, the man who was
Thursday by G. K. Chestergan. This is the Columbia Broadcasting system.
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