...Marl Oberon in The Dark Angel on the cavalcade of America, sponsored by DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. Our play tonight is a love story. It is about three people, Kitty and Alan and Gerald. It is the story of a woman who chooses her love and once chosen, nothing can destroy it within her. It could have been in any year, in any country, in a world at peace or at war, where the snows come late or early. For whatever the time and place, there was always spring and love. DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry, presents The Dark Angel, based on Samuel Goldwyn's motion picture, starring Merle Oberon on the cavalcade of America. A small railroad station. It is a beautiful Saturday morning. It's the most important Saturday of the year for Kitty, who is waiting for the sound of the train, for it brings home on a short leave her two handsome childhood protectors, Alan Trent and Gerald Shannon. Mr. Shannon, I can't wait. I can't just stand here and wait. The train will be here in a moment. It's nearly a year. I do think they'll have changed much. Oh, I'm sure we'll be able to recognize it. We knew them both for a long time, you know. Watched them grow up, didn't we? They always liked the same things, the same games. And now they're both army-searchers. Forgot to mention too, Kitty, that they always liked the same girl. And this same girl has always liked Alan best, though he's never noticed it. He's a fool not to have married you by now. Did you know when I was 13 and very wise, I proposed to Alan? He promised to give me his answer within a week. He never did. But things aren't so simple now. I just can't go up to him and say, Alan, please marry me. Quick. That's the best known way to do it. Saves a lot of time. Oh, there's the train. How do I look? How's my hair? Which one should I kiss first? Tell me, please tell me. I'd just stand still and see who kisses you. Oh, Alan will if he hasn't changed. You watch the end cards, Kitty. I'll watch the front. There they are. Hello. Hello Kitty. This way, Gerald. Oh, my darling boy. Excuse me, Aunt Sheila, but Kitty's waiting to be kissed first. I can see it in her eyes. Right, Kitty? Don't move. Now hold it steady. There. Didn't hurt a bit. Oh, Alan, you haven't changed. Gerald, look at her. A natural blight. Except you're wearing glasses. Oh, too much loose living, does it? Alan's good enough to perform an operation without eyes. Gerald. Almost forgot me, didn't you? No, I... May I greet you next? Of course, Gerald. Well done, Gerald. Now shall we retire to someone's kitchen and eat for a few days? I have a wonderful kitchen. Gerald, which one of Kitty's arms would you prefer to take? No more than that, mind you. I'll take the left. Nearer the heart, you know. All right, boys. One on each side. Mr. Shannon on the end. Ready? Walk. She loves me. She loves me not. She loves me. Well, that was luncheon. Now can we have dinner right away, Aunt Sheila? And supper right after. Are you two going to spend your whole ten days eating? I shan't put up with it. Gerald, you've had enough fun. We decided months ago, Alan and I, our schedule would be as follows. Eating, sleeping, bathing. Yes. Not all at once, mind you. Though, of course, eating and bathing might go very well together. I'm sure you boys can think of some way of eating while you sleep. Well, let's go to work on that right away, shall we? Would you hand me that plate of chocolate pie, please? Oh. Alan, what is it? I'm sorry. I guess it's my eyes. Things blacked out for a moment. I'll be all right. A little rest, that's all. And some pie. Come on upstairs, Helen. I want to have a look at you. Oh, Kitty, you're not leaving. They want to see you alone. They want to see you alone. One of them will, I'm sure. Yes. Tell them both I'll be back and I shall inspect them and see if their ears and necks are clean. Goodbye. I want to walk about a bit in the garden and think. Hello. Where are you going, young lady? Oh. Here I am, right above you, leaning out of the window. Pretty, don't you think? Surrounded by Ivy, sighing and waiting for the right girl to carry me off. You look funny, Alan. Are you all right? Your eyes, I mean. Oh, they must be. They tell me at this moment that you are very beautiful. Goodbye. Hey, wait a minute. No, goodbye. See you later. Can't be bothered by idle romance. Kitty, look, look. If you don't wait, I'll jump. Go back in, you idiot. We wait for me? No. Here I come. Alan, don't. Oh, Alan, darling, Alan, get up. You're not hurt, are you? Say something. Mrs. Sherman, General, help. Hello. What's the trouble? You, you clown. Oh, no, Kitty, wait. Don't run off that way. Look, I did. I scratched my hand. It's serious. It might lead to leprosy or something. Good. Kitty, you've changed. You're so bloodthirsty. You, you haven't changed. You're still a child. You don't feel... Oh, don't I? How do you know what I feel? You know about the months that I've been away? You know how frightened I was of coming home? And how frightened I am now of saying what I want to say? Try, Alan. I'm scared. Say it, Alan. I've waited. Oh, Kitty. I have so much love for you. I've wanted to hear that ever since I was a little girl remembering you. Yes. You were always there somehow. If you ever weren't there, I'd stop living. I'd stop wanting to breathe. Don't ever go away. We're going to be very happy, aren't we? Like kings and queens. Starting from when? Well, we get married tomorrow. Tonight. I'm going to kiss you for thinking of that. Please do. Am I right for supposing that congratulations are in order? Oh, do. I wasn't eavesdropping you now. You're such a darling. Come on, Alan, we're going right over to Del Farber. Okay, Terrell. We'll be back. Gerald, I've been looking for you. This wire just came from the war office. Let me have it. Well, they have to be back by midnight. All leaves are cancelled. Oh, you'll have to tell them, Gerald. Yes. I'll have to tell them. But isn't there anything you can do? All we want is to be married. I'm afraid that will not be possible until tomorrow. There must be some way, Vicka. You've known us since we were children. This means so much to us now. Tomorrow for us may be a year away. I'm sorry. There are things to arrange. You understand. If you had come here two hours earlier, perhaps. Yes. Thank you. You've been very patient with us. Yes, we didn't mean to rush in on you this way. Bless you both and bring you back soon. Good night. Good night. Well, Kitty, seems we're a bit late for our own wedding. Two hours. Two hours. It would have changed our lives. Kitty, I won't go back tonight. No, Alan, you must go. I want this to happen to us the way we planned. Nothing must stop it. Nothing shall. We don't need anyone to marry us. We'll marry ourselves. We'll imagine the organist playing and God above us smiling. Oh, you are the most wonderful girl ever to walk upon this earth. Take my hand. I marry you, Alan, in front of a church. And I marry you, Kitty, to have and to hold till death do us part. Till death do us part. Oh, hello, Gerald. Didn't see you for a moment. Rather dark in here. Oh, hang it, Alan. You've been stumbling against things all week. Whatever it is, snap out of it. Nerves, Captain Shannon, nerves. You ever hear of them? Even a surgeon gets them. I understand. Do you? How much do you understand, Gerald, really? I asked you two days ago for a leave. I ask you again now. I cannot sign your application for leave. I've got to get back. For a few days, I've got to. I'm afraid it's quite impossible. But why? Why? You'll have to excuse me. Now, wait a moment. You stay where you are. I've got to get home to Kitty. Do you understand? Stop smiling at me. I'm not smiling. Well, why won't you let me go? Answer me the truth. Yes, what is it, Ordnance? New batch of wounded, sir. Advise the operating room. Yes, sir. There's your answer, Alan. We need you here. You're lying. You don't want me to go back. You don't want me to marry you. You're hoping that I get killed. Is that it? You're wrong, Alan. Well, by heaven, I mean to say you'll give me good reason if I want to. Let go of me, Alan. Are you mad? No, perhaps I am. Stop smiling at me. Do you hear? Where are you going? I'm standing perfectly still. Better get a hold on yourself, Alan. There's work to be done. You must forget other things. Very well. Is it ready in the operating room, sir? Yes, coming. Gerald, where are you? For a moment, I... Right next to you. You're tired, Alan. I'm all right. Let's go. Patient ready, sir. Instruments all laid out. Good. Good. Help me with these rubber gloves, please. Yes, sir. Can you handle it, Alan? Half-way. Very weak, sir. Glucose solution. 30cc syringe. Yes, sir. Sponge ready. Sponge. Clips. Right there, sir. Scalpel. Scalpel. Well, where is it? Handing it to you, sir. Scalpel. Good. Don't pick it up. Hand me another. Never mind, I'll take it myself. Alan, you've got the wrong instrument. Shut up! I know what a scalpel is! I know it! Oh, my eyes! Alan, what is it? I can't see. That's what happened, Mother. Your life must go on, Gerald. It's been nearly two years since you've seen or heard from him. The living must go on. I suppose you're right. It sounds right when you say it. Kitty is on her way over. Oh? Well, perhaps you'd better speak with her. No. That's for you, my son. I wish I were another man now from this day on. Kitty was always fond of you. It was Alan she loved. And I killed him. Yes, I could have let him return. There she is now. Open the door. I'll leave you together. Be brave, Gerald. Oh, Kitty. May I come in? I want you to come in. It's good to see you again, Kitty. How long have they kept you in the hospital? Two months. They patched you up rather well. How is your father? No better. And how is Peter the dog? He's gone. Oh, no. He was a very old dog. He just curled up in his basket as though he was asleep. That must be a wonderful way to die. I wish all my friends could choose such a death. Kitty. Oh, I'm sorry, Joe. What a bad homecoming for you. I wanted it to be different, happier for all of us. Gerald, how did it happen? Please tell me. I must know. His eyes, suddenly. The hospital lost trace of him somehow. He was reported dead. His last letter said he expected to get leave. He wanted to come home to you desperately. And he couldn't get leave? I wouldn't give it to him. He would have been alive today. I killed him. Gerald, you mustn't think that. There was so much work, Kitty. I couldn't allow him to leave. I would have given my life. I know. No. Now there's nothing for either of us. We've been friends ever since we were born. We must continue to be friends. We remind each other of him. Perhaps, best that way. I'd plan to leave at first. I would be the lonelier for it. Oh, Gerald, I feel as if all the lights in the world went out and I'm walking in the dark. There are but a few voices that are friendly and yours is one of them. Then I should be near you, Kitty, to help you forget. Thank you, Gerald. It may take a little time, but you'll help me. You are listening to The Dark Angel, starring Merle Oberon on the cavalcade of America, sponsored by DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. As our play continues, Alan, whose friends and family think he is dead, is slowly recuperating in the hospital for the blind, where he is known as Roger Crane. Oh, nurse, one moment. Yes, Mr. Tanner. Is Mr. Crane sitting on the porch? I was just about to read the paper to him. I should like to see him for a moment, alone. Very well. Oh, there you are, Crane. Hello, Mr. Tanner. Well, how are you today? Oh, the model patient, admiring the landscape, and the rest is silence. I have good news for you. Your latest X-ray showed improvement. You'll be able to see again. No, you're joking. That's not possible. Not to me. About a year, I believe. Good. That'll be long enough for everyone to forget. I'm grateful it isn't any sooner. Look here, Mr. Crane. Several documents have recently come into our possession. Your name's not Roger Crane. It's Alan Trent. And there was a photograph among these documents. Yes? A photograph of a woman. Alan, I'm not a friend. You can't hide this way. Go home. I have no home. I'm not fit. You will be in time. I'm not part of it any longer. They don't need me. Sun's out, isn't it? Listen to me. You can't go on this way. Write her and tell her. She can help you more than we can. Hello. Time for our reading, Mr. Crane. Yes, Anne. It's all right now. You don't need his permission, Anne. I'm your patient. Shall I read the editorial page as usual, Mr. Crane? No, Anne. Don't do another page. Today let's relax and read of unimportant things. Forgetful things, shall we? Just open the paper anywhere and read. Yes, if you wish it. Let's see. Engagement announced. Miss Phyllis Coventry and Mr. David Simpson. Oh, never heard of them. What else? To marry next month Miss Kitty Vane and Mr. Gerald Shannon. No. Mr. Crane, you mustn't get up. Go ahead. Keep on reading. Keep on, keep on. October 3rd has been fixed as the date of their wedding. It was announced... Kitty. Gerald, you frighten me. How do you like your engagement party? Very much. You've been standing out here on the terrace for a long time. I came out to look at the sky and the stars and dream a little. Was it a pleasant dream? Yes. A long ago dream. Of moon on the water like a coat of mail and wind and walking at night on the sand. Was it with him? Yes, it was. Shall we go in? They're dancing. I shall try to make you happy, Kitty. I'm going to do nothing else but try. There you are, Gerald. You wanted on the phone, dear. It's very urgent. There's an extension over at the table. Oh, yes. Excuse me, please. Hello? This is Gerald Shannon. Yes. Mr. Crane, did you say? I'm sure I don't know the gentleman now. What's that? His real name is... Oh, but that's quite impossible. There must be a mistake. Oh, yes. Yes, I see. I'll be right over. Yes, thank you. Gerald, you're so pale. What is it? Alan. Alan is alive. I'm going to take you to him, Kitty. So you did telephone him, Mr. Tanner. Did you tell him I was blind? No, just that you were here. I had to do it. Is he coming alone? I don't know. He didn't say. Of course, you'll come with him. Anne. Anne, where are you? Here, Mr. Crane. Is the room as usual? Yes. I've got to be absolutely certain. Is everything in its place? Yes. My pipe. Oh, yes, here it is. It's all right. Matches and cigarettes on the table? Where they always are. What's in the big bowl today? Roses. Yellow tea roses. No, the armchair. Am I pointing at it correctly? Good heavens, Mr. Crane. Quiet, please. There's not much time. They shan't pity me. Do you hear? Anne, could you please put another chair on my left? Good. They'll not see a blind man. They'll not know. Ever. There they come, up the walk. Mr. Crane, you can't go through with it. Mr. Tanner, you will please show them in and then you'll leave. Thank you, Anne, for helping me. Perhaps I ought to stay. No, I'll manage quite all right. Good luck, Anne. Thank you. Mr. Crane is expecting you. Will you come in? If you should need anything, Mr. Crane. Thank you, Anne. Goodbye. Alan. Alan, darling. Well, come now, Kitty. You'll get my jacket all wet. I don't know, men. Oh, nice to see you again, Gerald. I'm a bit of a ghost to both of you, I suspect. I always knew, somewhere, sometime, that we would meet again. Well, sit down, both of you. Let's have a good look at you. Here, this is a comfortable chair, Kitty. Gerald, sit down. You'll have a drink, won't you? The cigarettes are close to you. Are they right there? Alan, you've so much to tell us. Alan, is it true? I feel as if this were a dream. If it is, I shan't ever want to wake from it. Well, how's Aunt Sheila? How's everything? Give Kitty a cigarette, Gerald. The matches are there on the table. Thanks, I have some. Alan, why didn't you tell us? Does Kitty like much soda? There you are. Thank you. Shall we drink to you, darling, now that you've returned to us? Do you mind if I have a pipe? I'll show you around the garden later. Terribly proud of my roses. You'll notice some in the bowl. Alan, what's happened? Why are you holding us off? Why? I read about your engagement in the paper. I hope that you'll be very, very happy. Is that it? Is that why you sit there torturing us? All this time you've let us believe you were dead. And now that we've come here, you took of roses and nonsense. If it weren't for Kitty, I'd knock you down. God, Ellen, you've only to look at Kitty's face and know what you're doing to her, to know that... No, don't, Gerald. I want to speak to Alan alone. I'll wait outside. Alan, tell me. Look at me. You've suffered, darling. Something's hurt you. Tell me, why didn't you come home? I've changed, that's all. The time changes, man. I preferred to leave things unfinished. I just didn't come back. You stopped loving me? I should have written my... my mental... I understand. Forgive me, Alan. I should like to say before I leave this room that I love you now as much. I've never loved anyone else. I never will again. Goodbye. Kitty. Oh, my darling. I'll come back someday. When I'm brave enough. Oh, Aunt? Is that you, Aunt? Alan, I came in again to say goodbye. Be happy, both of you. She loves you, Gerald. She told me. I'm holding out my hand. Why don't you take it? Oh, I... Look at me, Alan. Don't turn your face away. She's waiting outside. I said look at me. Hold still. For God's sake, Gerald, go. Take her with you. Yes. It is time for me to go now. But, Gerald, you mustn't think... I ask you not to say anything. Gerald, I beg you. Kitty, you'd better see Alan once again. There's something you must know. What is it? Go into his room again. You'll see. Goodbye, Kitty. Is that you, Aunt? Have they gone? I'm tired. Desperately tired, Anne. I shall want you to pack my things tonight. I'm going away, somewhere else. The world has become a useless, bitter place. And I'm the greatest fool in it. Alan, my darling. Hold me. Hold me this way. Oh, Kitty. Oh, darling, you shouldn't have. Why did you... We'll be together again, forever and ever. Darling, think what it means. Will you listen to me? No, I won't. You told me once never to go away. I never shall. Wherever you are, I'll be there, too. Oh, darling, I'll learn to help you. I'll be your eyes. They told me that I'd get my sight back. Now I know I will. You will, darling. You will. And when you open your eyes again, I will be there. As I was the day you went away. That day in front of the church, when you said to me, I marry you, Kitty Vane, for always, until death do us part. The End Ladies and gentlemen, in a few moments, Ms. Oberon will return to the microphone. Meanwhile, we have a story about farms for food and food for farm. Today, America is not only feeding herself, but helping to feed her allies. The American farmer must raise more vegetables, produce more eggs, deliver more milk, if we ought to have enough. How? By planting more acres? No, it isn't as simple as that. More acres call for more labor, more seed, more machines, and more acres all too often mean the use of poor land. Then how will the farmer coax his land to yield 15, 20, 25 percent more? By calling on science in general and chemistry in particular for help. Chemistry nowadays works with the farmer from the time he plows his field until the time he markets his crop. Chemical fertilizers replenish the soil. Fertilizers are responsible for the production on the average of nearly 15 percent of our farm crops. Often they're responsible for more than that. For instance, something like 30 percent of the tomato crop is the direct result of fertilization. And without fertilizers, the production of citrus fruit, oranges, and lemons, and so on, might fall off anywhere from 25 to 80 percent. Something else chemistry does for the farmer even before he sows his field is protect the seed. Rats and mice must be dealt with in granaries and corn cribs. Seeds must be protected from the attacks of bacterial and fungus growths, which cause seed decay, seedling blights, smuts, and many other seed-borne plant diseases. Then with farm labor hard to obtain, the problem of getting rid of weeds is more serious today. Chemical weed killers, a development of the laboratory, have proven of great value. And while the crop is growing, whether it's a field of cotton or an orchard heavy with apples, chemical spray is guarded against the greedy remorseless insect enemies that crawl and fly. DuPont Uraman fertilizer compound supplies nitrogen to the field. DuBay Cerosan and Semesan seed disinfectants and DuPont formaldehyde safeguard the seed. Cyan-egg sodium cyanide kills rodents and insect pests. DuPont ammonium sulfamate controls weeds. Grasselli and new Rexform lead arsenates kill chewing insects. DuPont sulfur unwettable sulfur and copper A compound control fungus diseases. Parmone growth substance enables the farmer to pick his apples and other fruit at the peak of their flavor. And DuPont phenothiazine as a veterinary medicine, DuPont IN-930 insecticide base as an ingredient of cattle sprays, help to safeguard poultry and livestock. All of these products are DuPont contributions to agriculture. In time of war, weapons for victory. In time of peace, better things for better living through chemistry. And now, ladies and gentlemen, tonight's star, Merle Oberon. Thank you, Mr. Collier, and ladies and gentlemen. It is a very real pleasure for me to return once again to my original screen role in The Dark Angel. I feel, and I hope you do, that our lives can always be cheered a little by the simplest of all stories, a love story. And in these times, we can all take an extra bit of cheer. I look forward to being with you again. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Oberon. And may we wish you every success in the many war activities that you are now carrying on and for which we understand you have temporarily given up working in pictures. And now a word about next week's show. As a matter of fact, four words are all we need. Aerosmith and her own power. Cavalcade is proud to present this American classic by Sinclair Lewis. The story of a doctor, a story of courage and heroism and faith. Don't forget next Monday to her own power in Aerosmith. On tonight's program, the orchestra was under the direction of Don Vorey. Supporting Ms. Oberon were Carl Swenson as Alan and William Johnstone as Gerald. This is Clayton Collier sending best wishes from DuPont. This program came to you from New York. This is the National Broadcasting Company.
