The House of Squibb presents Academy Award. Every week Squibb brings you Hollywood's finest. The great picture plays, the great actors and actresses, techniques and skills chosen from the honor roll of those who have won or been nominated for the famous Golden Oscar of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. And now E.R. Squibb and Sons, manufacturing chemists to the medical profession since 1858, bring you two well-known Hollywood stars, the distinguished actor and film producer Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and lovely Virginia Bruce. You will hear Mr. Fairbanks and Miss Bruce in the romantic drama The Prisoner of Zenda on tonight's Academy Award. If you were to visit this delightful kingdom, you would take the Orient Express, Paris, Vienna, Strelso, Bucharest and Constantinople. If you were going to the coronation, you would get out of the capital, Strelso. If you were Rudolf Rassendow of the famous English family of Rassendows and were bent on having a holiday in this picture book kingdom, you would get off in the province of Zenda. You read the sign which said province of Zenda, royal hunting and fishing preserve trespassing forbidden by order of His Majesty the King. Being Rudolf Rassendow, you would pick the choicest waters, fish to your heart's content and then lie on a grassy bank and fall asleep. You'd hardly know or care that two of the King's henchmen were bending over you in astonishment and alarm. Hmm, remarkable resemblance. Shave him and he'd be the King. It is incredible. He's awake. Hello. May I ask your name? You started as gentleman. Suppose you'll give me the lead in the matter of name. This is Colonel Zapt and I am called Fritz von Tallenheim. We are both in the service of His Majesty the King. Well, I am Rudolf Rassendow traveling from England and not so long ago in the service of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Rassendow? Then we are all brethren of the sword. Rassendow, by heaven your face betrays you, sir. You know the story, of course. Oh, I heard something of it. Fritz! Fritz! Where are you? Here, Your Majesty. Confounded, I thought I'd lost you. I, uh, Colonel Fritz, who is this gentleman? He's by way of being a relative of yours, sir. Relative? I don't understand. It's something for which you cannot entirely blame me, Your Majesty. Well, then who is to blame? If I may hazard a guess, Your Majesty, I would say that the blame might lie equally between your great-great-great-grandfather Rudolf and my great-great-great-grandmother Amelia. What? Right, by heaven, the man's a rassendow from England. And since Amelia's time, sire, the elf bird face crops out on one of us every now and then. Oh, I see. Well, well, met cousin. You must forgive me if I was unduly surprised. It's too early in the day for a man to see double, eh, Fritz? Confounded, sir, it's not every day a man meets his double face to face. Well, what are you doing here, cousin? Tell me, what are your plans? No plans, sire, but to fish. Oh, but you must come to my coronation tomorrow. I'd give a thousand crowns for the sight of my brother Michael's face when he sees the pair of us. And another thousand crowns I'd wager that he couldn't tell us apart. But of course, you, you don't know my brother Michael. I'm afraid, sire, I haven't had that honor. Sire, I question the wisdom of Mr. Rassendow's going to 12th Salve tomorrow. He mustn't go. Come, gentlemen, I have not said he is to go. Sire, I shall leave the country immediately since your advisors think it is advisable. No, bifehunter, you shan't. You must stay at my hunting lodge. Our train for the coronation, sire, is to be ready at seven in the morning. Very well. Since that won't let you see our coronation, cousin Rudolph, we shall do our best to make up for it on the night before. Come, sir. I think you will find our table adequate and our wine cellar somewhat inexhaustible. Wake up. Wake up. Quickly. What's the joke? This is no joke, Englishman. It was quite an evening, wasn't it? Oh, is Majesty still asleep? Yes, asleep. What happened? Joseph, the servant, found him on the floor this morning. You didn't drink any of that last bottle? Not that I know of. Oh, my head. I think you'd know it if you had. Why, was he drunk? It was. Well, have you had a doctor? None within ten miles. But a thousand doctors wouldn't take him to Strelszow today. Oh, I know the look of it. He'll not move for six or seven hours yet. But I remember laughing at a joke His Majesty told, and then I sat down here, and I suppose I went fast asleep. You know, I'm not much of a wine drinker. His Majesty is. You missed the drug bottle. But who could have... Michael, his half-brother. He wants the throne. But the coronation today. There isn't going to be a coronation. Well, can't they postpone it, can't you send word he's ill? Oh, they know his illness too well. He's been ill before. Michael is waiting in Strelszow now, with half the army already on his side and half the people, too. It's the moment he's been waiting for, planning for, counting on the King's weakness. Yes. Yes, Colonel, what's the matter? Englishman, I am much older than you. As a man grows old, he comes to believe in fate. And fate sent you here. And fate sends you now to Strelszow. What? Sounds mad, doesn't it? And without your beard, I'd wager you could deceive your own brother. Oh, you must be out of your mind. Ah, it's a risk against a certainty. My dear Colonel Zapt, I'm a simple Englishman. I couldn't even begin to act like a King, even if I tried. I'm afraid not, gentlemen. Then Black Michael sits tonight on the throne and the King lies in prison or his grave. Hmm. Well, after all, it would only be for today, wouldn't it? Tonight you shall be safely across the border. King for a day. And what would it mean if I fail? Your life and mine and Fritz's here. Confounded, I've become awfully fond of this beard. Rassenthal, your hand. Good. We'll have Joseph shave you. And then you must dress immediately in the King's dress uniform. Take that picture of him as your guide. Right. And as for his majesty, God keep him. Joseph will guard him with his life. I, Rudolph, with justice and mercy to deal sovereignty, to guard with vigilance and honor the welfare of my people, from all enemies to defend them and from the throne of my ancestors to bear faithful rule, all this do I swear. I thought everything went off very well, didn't you, Princess Flavia? That is, for a coronation. That is, I mean to say a coronation should go off well if the King puts in an appearance, properly dressed, knowing his lines. And sober. Oh, that's a nasty one. I think you might overlook my past behavior and unbend a little. Don't the people want to see how well we get on together since we are to be married? Why should we deceive them? You know, I think the luckiest man in the world is the king of this country. Really? You have always seemed to prefer Paris. Ah, but now I'm the anointed and crowned king. New leaf and all that. I have rather neglected you, haven't I? Two picture postcards in three years. Yeah, that was pretty silly, wasn't it? Staying away from you so long and all the time you were changing into the loveliest princess in Europe. No, no, the loveliest girl in Europe. Your dynastic obligation to the princess royal doesn't compel you to say nice things to her in private. You call this private, riding along the boulevard in a carriage? I must indeed have changed since you saw me. I've been thinking the same about you. You really looked and acted like a king today. Oh, thank you. Something I confess few of us expected of you. Oh, well, you see, when I looked at you, it seemed time for this king to settle down and try to live up to his future queen. I think all this ceremony has gone to your head, little cousin. I go fishing, I'm crowned king, I meet the loveliest, the most beautiful- Your majesty. This is the palace. We are expected to leave the carriage and enter the palace. You to go to the balcony and greet your subjects. I think the crowd expects us to get married quite soon. And I think they have there what I consider to be a marvelous idea. Your hand, princess. I think, your majesty, you should receive your minister. Oh, bother my ministers. I want to talk to you. You were saying? Very well, then. I was asking you what the world outside was really like. Is it as wicked and exciting as it seems in novels? And what did you do on those long trips? I mean when you weren't drinking. I used to go fishing. Fishing? You used to tell me you despised fishing. Oh, well, I grew out of that. Whipping a fine stream after a big fellow who jumps and laughs at you. Oh, fly fishing. I've never got beyond the hook and worm stage. And speaking of worms, do you remember the day you dropped a caterpillar down my back? Oh, what a dreadful young fiend you were. Was I? Who's there? Sire. Well? His Highness, Duke Michael, is waiting to pay his respects, sire. Forgive me, my dear, for deserting you, then. I shall make the audience as short as possible. My princess, will you be waiting? Your majesty, I shall be waiting. I shall be counting the seconds until I can return. Rassendal? Colonel Zapt, what's the matter? Don't go in there yet. Oh, but Colonel, I'm the king and my ministers are waiting, including my half-brother Michael. Wait. This is nothing to joke about. We plan to leave at once and bring back his majesty by daylight. Yes. That devil Rupert of Henshal, Michael's lieutenant, found the king at the lodge. His men murdered Joseph and the guard and kidnapped the king. Oh. Well, then it's all over. They know everything. Aye, they know everything. But they can't speak. How can they denounce us without denouncing themselves? Well, that still won't keep them from murdering the king. With you on the throne, they won't dare. If they do, they're finished. They can kill him and leave you on the throne. Oh, it's too much to ask. Nobody could carry on this masquerade. I've tried to help you all I can, but I'm also not a fool. Oh, yes, I suppose you're right. But I have a feeling about my king, about the crown. I feel about it the way another man would feel, oh, well, about his children or the woman he loved. You would hate to leave her to her fate without making a fight? What fate? Whose fate? Can you ask that of a soldier whose king is kidnapped, perhaps murdered? You know whom I mean. Oh, the Princess Flavia. With the king dead, Michael as regent will declare her the queen. After that, of course, he'll marry her. She'd never do that. She couldn't. Flavia is the princess of the royal house. She would have no choice and she would expect none. You can't let that happen to her. Can you? In just a moment, you will hear the second part of Academy Award. In real life, just as in a movie plot, pleasant surprises are always welcome. Like the surprise of discovering that even brushing your teeth can be a refreshing experience when you brush them with Squibb Dental Cream. You can taste, feel, and see the refreshing difference. For Squibb Dental Cream wakes up your whole mouth with flavor as refreshing as frosted mint. Its refreshing action leaves your teeth and gums feeling clean as a breath of mountain air. And watch your mirror for a refreshing difference in your smile. For the polishing agent in pure Squibb Dental Cream is one of the safest, softest, yet most effective known to dental science. So begin every day the refreshing way. Brush your teeth regularly with Squibb Dental Cream, one of the great family of Squibb products. Taste, feel, and see the refreshing difference. The new Squibb Dental Cream. Before we bring you part two of The Prisoner of Zenda, we want to thank David O. Selznick Productions for making this story available. David O. Selznick Productions are also producers of the Technicolor picture, Duel in the Sun. And now the House of Squibb presents part two of Academy Awards, starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Virginia Bruce in The Prisoner of Zenda. Your Majesty. Fritz, what is it? Michael's man's here. Can't prove what defense is. That villain, tell him his majesty's indisposed. Now we'll hear what he has to say. Send him in. But disarm him. Very well. Send him in. His majesty will see him. Your Majesty, I bring your brother's humble greetings. And I also bring you an offer. From Michael? Yes. He offers you money. Oh, how much? I prefer to speak to you in private. No. Can it be, Colonel Zapp, that you do not trust the king? I do not trust you. I bow to your patriarchal wisdom, Colonel. But my offer concerns only the king. Very well. Walk with me towards the window. We can converse privately enough, I think. Well, what does Michael propose? He offers you a hundred thousand pounds to pack and take safe conduct over the border. You're something of a wit, ain't you, pal? I told Michael you'd refuse. The fact is, between ourselves, Michael doesn't understand a gentleman. But we do, Hansau, don't we? For as an elder, a man after my own heart. Now, here's my plan for us. Disregarding Michael, of course. Michael's such a bore. Listen, all you need do is to attack the castle boldly, the castle where Michael has the king prisoner. Go on. Black Michael will fall. The king? You don't want to find him. You won't. That's provided for. Only you and I are left who knows the truth. Understand? I, Rupert of Hansau, and you, the king of the realm. Aren't you being a little unfair to Michael? Perhaps a little, but I can't put up with his jealousy. Jealousy? Jealousy of me and his charming mistress, Antoinette. Ah, and you're doing all this for love. How romantic. Well, love and your majesty's gratitude throughout your long and happy reign. And then, of course, you might make over to me, Michael's castle and its estates, a very clever scheme, does you credit. Shall we shake hands then? You. Why, you. Do you hear the man's zapped? He's marvelous. All right, Englishman, and die. You, look out! His knife! Stop him! Guard! Guard! Sorry I missed. A pity. We'll meet again, Englishman. After him! Shoot, you fool! Shoot to kill! Colonel, you heard what Henshaw said of the castle and the king? Yes, we know where the king is now. And we know how we're to get into the castle. How? Our secret police made contact with Michael's mistress. She is in the castle now. Her servant, Johann, is one of our men. He tells us she is afraid that if Michael succeeds, he will marry Princess Flavia and leave her. And she wants the plot to fail. Good. She reports that this Johann will lower the drawbridge two hours past midnight. But the noise, the king will be killed at the first alarm. Yes, yes. But she says that before the bridge goes down, one of us must swim the moat, climb into her room. That man alone must hold off the guards from murdering the king until Johann can lower the bridge and that our army into the castle. Tonight there are two guards with the king and Count Rupert of Henshaw. I think I should be the one to swim the moat. Right lad. I can't afford to lose both our kings. One king you'll lose tonight. If anything happened to the king and not to me, your game is up anyway. I've been an imposter for his sake. I could not be one for my own. I swim the moat, Fritz, not you. But if we lose you both, what will become of those of us who are left? They will serve Queen Flavia. And I would, God, I could be one of them. I understand that we cannot amuse Your Majesty here in Stroussau, but you are leaving tonight for Zender to hunt boars. Boar hunting? Who told you that? I heard from Colonel Zapt. Oh, oh, yes, of course. Yes, but do you think I want to go? I'm sure not. It's the boars. They're simply pining for you to hunt them. Did they send a delegation for you? Perhaps the boars will hunt me. Perhaps Flavia, they'll catch me. Oh, you're not even touched by that danger, are you? This is the way it used to be. Not like the king I've come to love. Oh, my darling, did you dream I was leaving you to go hunting? You're not going. Well, I'm not going hunting. That is not just for boar. Somebody, Rudolph, it's Michael. Oh, it's nothing. It seems he's hatched a lurid little plot at Zender. But I won't let you go. Send someone else. And what sort of a king would do that? I don't understand. And I cannot tell you yet. But believe me when I say there are reasons why I must go. I'm sorry. You see, I've never been in love before, Rudolph. You'll come back soon. Shantaman, come back to the loveliest lady in all the wide world. A thousand Michaels couldn't keep me from you. But if I shouldn't, Rudolph, will you never, never forget me? Never. And would you be a brave queen and do your part? My life would be empty, my heart dead. But you wouldn't do your part. Au revoir. Rudolph. Colonel Zapt, give the order and we'll storm Michael's castle. Easy lad. He hasn't lowered the drawbridge yet. He's dead, I tell you. It's been an hour since he swam the moat and scaled the wall. We were betrayed. I know it. We'll never get into that fortress. Have patience, Fritz. I'll be back in a minute. Who is there? Who is there, Au revoir? Hi, I'm Rudolph Rassendell. Too late. Too late. Oh, Antoinette, what do you mean? Look, you've killed Michael. Michael is dead. Who killed him? Rupert of Hensel. I had him come to my room to get him out of your way. Michael surprised me. He killed Michael. He killed your house. He knows the plot. He's caused his loss. Where is the king? Quickly, where is the king? He's in the dungeon. Two guards. Take Michael's sword. Beware, Rupert. Mind you, men, the first son of Alarm stabbed the king and dropped him into the river. I'll deal with the others. You may have company, though I doubt they'll be able to storm this fortress. Aye, we shall take care of the king. Good. I'll go and look for the battlements. Keep your wits about you. How is the king? Oh, he'll do. Water, water, please, water. Yes, he'll do. Shut up, you. I'll give you water. I'll... Look out! It's the harlot! Cousin Rudolph! Cousin Rudolph! Courage, Majesty. I'll have the drawbridge down in a moment. Courage, sire. Only Rupert stands on our side now, in our way, and he's above on the battlements. Oh, no, he isn't. Imposter. Rupert! So you killed the guard. Very daring of you, rascintil. But now it's my turn. You've played right into my hands. Now I'll be rid of the both of you, the king and his bothersome double. Oh, no, you don't. Stand and fight. I'll give you your fencing lesson, Englishman. I'll take my lesson in my own way. You fight like a peasant. I'll fight you any way you wish when the bridge is down. Zap, come on, charge the bridge. Good work, imposter. Now pay for it. I must know. Tell me I command you. Rascintil lives, wounded, yes, but he saved the king. And this Rupert of Hensel? Escaped. The man is a devil. Where is, where is? Rascintil, where is he? Rascintil, come. He is waiting. There. Rudolph, my darling, you are hurt. I love you with all my heart and soul, but forgive me for the wrong I've done you. It would have made no difference if I'd known. It was always you, never the king. I meant to tell you. I tried to on the night of the ball. I know. What are we to do now, Rudolph? I'm going away tonight. No, no, no, you can't. Oh, my darling, come with me. Oh, no, no, I'm mad. I love your madness, dear. For one lovely moment I too was mad. But is love the only thing? If it were, I could follow you to the end of the world. For you hold my heart in the hollow of your hand. I love you with all my heart and soul, but forgive me for the wrong I've done you. It would have made no difference if I'd known. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king. It was always you, never the king.
