Starling Joseph Cotton and Claire Trevor in Build Me Straight on the cavalcade of America, sponsored by the DuPont Company, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. But first, here is Gain Whitman. With a new year underway, you probably have great plans for fixing up those rooms that have waited through the long war years. DuPont offers you Speed Easy wall finish for beautiful and easy to do interior decorating. Speed Easy is a resin oil emulsion paint that you thin with water. It is easy to apply to most any interior wall surface, and it dries in less than one hour. Speed Easy dries to a beautiful, rich, oil-type finish, and it costs less than three dollars to redecorate the average room in one color. Speed Easy is one of DuPont's better things for better living through chemistry. The DuPont Company presents Build Me Straight, starring Joseph Cotton as Donald McKay and Claire Trevor as his wife, Albania, on the cavalcade of America. In the year 1832, America was reaching out, growing into maturity. In the city of New York, at the mansion of John Bull, shipbuilder, a party is being held for his daughter, Albania. Even as the orchestra plays for the dancing, a young man slips quietly from the house and walks into the moonlit garden and stands looking over the harbor. Donald? Donald? Albania. Oh, don't you like our party? Oh, yes, very much. Then what are you doing out here in the garden? I, I just wanted to think. All evening you've been brooding about something. Just dreaming. About ships and things. About ships I hope to build and another dream that seems even less attainable. Tell me about your ships. I dream mostly of building a bigger, faster ship, traveling, well, like that whisper of cloud passing the moon. I seem to see it there in the sky, a clean, fast new ship, proud and majestic with mountains of white sail reaching out to catch the wind. That's a beautiful dream. It's the way I see it. Carrying more canvas than, than any ship that ever sailed. With a hull it cuts the water like a knife. What's the use of dreaming beyond the clouds? Beyond the clouds. Everyone says my head is in the clouds because of the ships I dream about and, and I suddenly realize that my other dream. Your other dream? When I look at you standing here in the moonlight, I, well, I feel like a mud turtle reaching for the stars. Oh, now Donald, in the first place by no stretch of the imagination could I picture you as a turtle. In the second place, I'm not out of reach like some distant star. You're the daughter of a successful shipbuilder and what am I, a draftsman for a small shipyard? I shan't tell you how father got his start. He spent long years before he held a position equal to yours, but father was a dreamer too in his own way. And in America, if one abides long enough by his dreams and makes an honest effort to realize them, they somehow manage to come true. You really believe that, don't you? Of course, don't you? I want to. I, I suppose you have your dreams. Little dreams, mostly centered about the big dream of the man I, I expect to marry. The man you expect to marry? Donald, I can think of nothing finer than a great ship, like, like that flying cloud carrying the stars and stripes to the far corners of the earth. That's my dream. That's my dream? Well, could it, could it be our dream? Our dream? Albenia. Yes, Donald. If you wish, it could be our dream. Oh, Albenia, darling, may I, may I come over tomorrow night and speak to your father? I hardly know how to approach him. I, I'd rather face a star amidst the sea. Father is like a storm, terrifying until you get into it. And it's not half as bad as you thought. Now for a perfect wedge, talk about ships, and he won't be able to resist. Just come tomorrow, darling, and bring some of the plans for, for our dream. Hmm. Nice set of plans, young man. Yes. I can see now that you're more than a violinist. You're a good draft student. Thank you, Mr. Boole. Now, if I may be permitted to digress, sir, I, I should like to ask. However, do you expect a ship of these dimensions to support this expanse of sales? Oh, yes, sir, I'm sure of it, sir. Now then, Albenia and I have been... Here, my boy, let me show you the model of a ship that is a ship, the new majestic... Yes, sir, but... Finest that ever came down our way. There'll never be a trimmer faster. A fine model, sir, but... Well, Mr. Boole. Won't you sacrifice speed in a ship of this draft? Now, young man, speed isn't everything. A ship must carry cargo, and unless there's room in the hole for sufficient tonnage, why... But in my vessel, the tonnage is taken care of by an increase in length. Uh-huh. Then what in this plan of yours will enable your ship to carry more sail and travel at greater speed? Well, there are some things I haven't worked out yet, but I'll think of something. Donald, perhaps if you hued more closely to the line, you'd advance more rapidly. I hope someday to have my own ship here. Now then, on my plan, allow me to point out certain advantages that... Oh, Donald... Oh, Albenia. Dorothy, you're interrupting a very spirited discussion. I'm sorry, I just wanted to see if Donald had taken up a certain matter. Oh, uh... Have you asked him, Donald? I've been trying to. Oh, so you want to get behind your proposition, huh? Oh, no, no, sir. That is, uh, well, my original intentions are incoming... What are you trying to arrive at? Mr. Boole, uh... Well, I came here to ask your daughter's hand in marriage. You came here to ask for my daughter's hand? Yes, sir. Well, I admire your audacity. You find fault with the finest ship afloat. I don't doubt that the new majestic is the finest afloat, Mr. Boole, but when my ships are launched... Nonsense. So, you want to marry my daughter? Yes, sir. I suppose you're making salary enough so you can maintain this extravagant young woman. Uh, no, sir. We'll manage, father. We certainly shall, and without help, sir. Alvinia, do you profess to love this young man? Yes, father. I love him with all my heart. Oh, you do? Well, well, perhaps I could make an opening for a draftsman at our own yard. I'm afraid, sir, that I'm obliged to decline your generous offer. You decline my offer? Uh, Mr. McKay, what if I should refuse you the hand of my daughter? Oh, you could never do that, father. Then why not? Because, because I wouldn't let you. Remember, father, I'm stubborn and obstinate, too. The daughter of my own dear, gruff father. Hmm. Ha, ha, ha. How can a man refuse such a girl? Very well. Oh, father. Donald... Maybe if you should want that job, uh, come around on Monday. Oh, no, thank you, Mr. Boole. I'll stay on my present situation until I have an opportunity to carry out my own plans. Our plans, Donald? Yes, our plans, Mr. Boole. Was there ever a more glorious honeymoon? Never. Never under the sun. What more could a woman ask for, along with you, and this beautiful view of the sea? We can sit on the beach and watch our dream ships parading across the horizon. Uh, uh, uh, did you say alone? Because the boy had a fish right between us and our dream ship. Oh, well, he won't disturb us. Look, uh, speaking of dream ships, what do you think of this? Well, where'd you get that plan? I drew it. You can draft and lay off a ship? Mm-hmm. Father taught me. Oh, father had a very apt pupil. Well, this plan's very good, but it lacks that same something that my plans do, something that'll give it speed. That's what I'm seeking, an ocean greyhound with sails. Someday I'll find it, too. Oh, look, Donald, that little boy has caught a fish. Oh, Whopper, too. Hey, you're trying to bring it in too fast, Sonny. He's so big. Come and help me. Come on, darling, we'll give him a hand. Oh, he's a big one, all right. Let him run a little. That's it. Come on, mister, let's haul him in. Okay. When I'm warning you, he'll get away. Oh, there he goes. Look at him clip through the water. Oh, for gosh sakes, the big ones always get away. He's a clipper, all right. A clipper. Boy, have you got any others today? Sure, right here. A few little ones. I'll be near. Look, darling, I've got an idea. No, I'm not, darling. Darling, it's right here in nature, the natural shape of the fastest ship afloat. Oh, you mean like... Shape it like a fish. Oh, no, now that's going too far. Look, take the head of the fish. That's the prow and his tail is the stern. Design it on such proportions, give it a square rig with a tall tapering sail plan. Darling, this is it, the starting point of our ship of ships. Oh, it sounds wonderful, darling. Come, we'll start our plans at once. Hey, mister, come back here with our ship. Alvinia, look, here's our model, our little clipper made to exact scale. Oh, Donald, she really is beautiful. She's going to clip through the water faster than any ship has ever done. I spent the whole day testing her. She came through like a lady. Donald, this is a revolution in naval architecture. What do your employers think of their model? Well, they've offered me a five-year contract. You're not going to take it. I think I should. It would be an opportunity for me and security for you. Oh, security. Well, security is the first importance with a baby on the way. Donald, you want to build a clipper like this model, don't you? Like this and greater ones. I can see improvements already. Well, then we'll start a shipyard of our own. There's one for sale, boss. Now, now, darling, there's a limit to how far a dream will take you. I have no money, no backing. Donald, you've never let me touch my dowry. And I never shall. Darling, you're going to build a ship. Not exactly the big clipper of our dreams, but we'll run just like it on a small escape. Albania, I refuse to touch that dowry. The barometer's falling, darling. Another heavy snow and our work will be stopped until spring. You know what that means. Please take that worried look off your face. We'll come out somehow. I wish I'd never touched that dowry. Mr. Foster and Mr. Train, the courier stands on our ways today, almost ready to launch. And these are your plans and specifications? Yes. She's a craft of my husband's own design, a clipper ship of 380 tons. It's rather a mock departure from the conventional design, Mrs. McKay, but we'll look it over and give you our exact details. And I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. I'll be happy to help you. Our first green has launched, darling. Well, well, well. She floats. Congratulations, both of you. Oh, Father, I got champagne all over you. You're all wet. I certainly am. Here's somebody. Take this baby. Oh, what glorious years, Donald. Our dream ship sailing the seven seas. The flying cloud, the new world, Jenny Lin. Westbrook Ho, star of empire, and now the sovereign of the seas. Father, Mother. Here comes Cornelius. You know your son is getting more like you every day. Oh, and Mr. Longfellow. Oh, hello, Mr. Longfellow. Good afternoon. Great news. The flying cloud has broken all records. New York to San Francisco in 89 days. Oh, how wonderful. That is great news. Captain Crease is to be congratulated. And congratulations are certainly in order for the builders of the flying cloud. Thank you, Mr. Longfellow. You know, sir, I couldn't sleep for thinking about that poem you read at our house last night. Oh, is it bad as that? Oh, heavens no. It's very good. Let's see, how does it start? Build me. Build me straight, oh worthy master. Staunch and strong, a goodly vessel that shall laugh at all disaster and with wave and whirlwind wrestle. You like it, huh? Oh, yes, it's beautiful. Wonderful poem, Mr. Longfellow. Wonderful? Hardly as wonderful as your shipyard and the ship you're building here. I tell you what. I shall send you a copy of the whole poem, since you like it so. And since your great ships were the inspiration for it. Thank you, Mr. Longfellow. My wife and I used to talk about a truly great ship we would build someday. Yes, it's still a dream, big and frightening. Yes, it is almost frightening. Frightening? How can a ship frighten you when your every effort is to serve this great republic? The great republic. Albania, that's the name for the ship of our dreams. The great republic. Oh, it would have to be a mighty ship to deserve a name like that. But, Donald, we've gone along with you before and we've been very successful mutually, I must say. But this great republic... What's wrong with the great republic? Every other ship of my design has been a success. Yes, Donald, but, well, a length of 335 feet and meanness of 200 feet? Oh, let's be reasonable. I'm telling you that these are reasonable plans. This ship will be the fastest and the biggest on the seven seas. It'll bring glory to the American flag. How can you hold so much timber together in one piece? The first sea may break her in two. Mr. McKay, we've been doing all right on your clip. I recommend we make more on the same arrangement. Father, father, not a shipping man in America believes the great republic is feasible. This is the ship your mother and I have dreamed of. But if no one will buy it... Son, we've built ships on speculation before. I'll get backing and I'll put every penny I have into it. And even if we risk losing everything, we will build the great republic. This must be a very proud evening for you people. Our supreme achievement, Mr. Longfellow, the biggest, fastest clipper in the world. Who have you selected to christen her? Well, Albania christened our first ship. I feel she must by all means christen the great republic. How, Donald, I was helping you suggest it. I beg your pardon. Did Myers hear right? I hope so, Doctor. Mrs. McKay, you know I've forbidden you to participate in excitement of any nature. Oh, but, Dr. Murdoch, tomorrow is the supreme day of my life. I must be there with Donald. Very well, but you'll be going against my orders and I shan't be responsible for the consequences. You're right, Doctor, they're wonderful people, but you never built a ship. You're sure you're all right, Albania? I've managed, darling. The great republic. Oh, what a beautiful ship. All ready for the signal, son? Yes, sir. Captain and crew are aboard and at their stations. Set up the flag, Captain. Aye, aye, sir. Ready, darling. Here's the bottle of champagne, Mother. Mother, Mother, you're trembling. Well, this is a great moment. Steady, Mother. Sir Harris, drop the shores. Ready now. Father, wait. Mother is fainting. Dr. Murdoch! Dr. Murdoch! Albania, you feeling better? Much better, darling. Still a little weak, but we launched her, didn't we? Indeed we did, darling. The great republic, pride of the nation. She's at the docks now being loaded with grain. Darling, lying here, I've been thinking of the times we've had together. A father, a mother, a daughter, a mother, a father, a father. Darling, lying here, I've been thinking of the times we've had together. A father and our honeymoon at the beach. I'll never forget the look on your father's face when our courier came in from Rio ahead of his majesty. Yes. Oh, it's been such a good life, Donald. You've accomplished so very much. We've done the accomplishing together, darling. On our dreams. And now they've all come true. Mr. McKay! Mr. McKay! Where could that be? The docks are burning, sir. The great republic is on fire. Great republic? No. Be right with you, Sam. Let me through! Let me through! Wait for Mr. McKay! Oh, Mr. McKay, is it? Yes, you're right this way. I'm afraid, sir, she's dumped you. I'm not pitted. The great republic. I'm going to climb up and cut away that rigging. No, come back, Cornelius. It's too late. All right, men, open the sea cocks. We'll scuttle her. Father, I heard you pacing up and down all night. I was worried. Just leave me alone, son. But, father, you... Donald, Donald dear. Mother's calling, dad. Does she know? Yes. She gets the truth. We couldn't keep it from her. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. She gets the truth. We couldn't keep it from her. Donald! Coming, dear. No, darling, our dream has ended. The great republic is no more. I know, darling, but you must go on. You must go on building. I did build a venue. Now it's gone. Everything's gone. Everything but the name and the reputation of Donald McKay. Look, darling, the whole nation mourns our loss. Even a message from the President. A lifetime of planning and months of building. Gone, gone up in smoke in one night. I'm through, Albino. No, not through. Our clippers are carrying the American flag to the far-flung ports of the world. You built those ships, Donald. We built them, Albino. Out of dreams and stars and clouds. Remember Mr. Longfellow? That wonderful poem of his. Build me straight, O worthy master. Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel. That shall laugh at all disaster. Laugh at all disaster. Yes, I remember. Laugh at all disaster. Canelius? Bring me some drafting paper and my pen and ink stand. Yes, Albino. We shall build more clipper ships. For the glory of the nation. Joseph Cotton will return to our cavalcade microphone in a moment. Now here is Gain Whitman. All of us heard and read a lot about synthetic rubber during the war. And still a good many people don't really know what it is. Just what is this rubber that doesn't come from any rubber tree? The word synthetic does not mean a substitute. It simply means put together. Ordinary table salt can be synthesized or put together from sodium and chlorine. Water can be put together from hydrogen and oxygen. Rubber is a whole lot more complicated than salt or water. But the chemist knows how its molecule is constructed. And so he can put together, actually build, a rubber-like molecule. DuPont chemists and physicists and all the other DuPont technicians who make these new things for you didn't start out by saying, we're going to find a rubber substitute. They set out to make a material that was superior to natural rubber. DuPont's neoprene, the first general purpose synthetic rubber made commercially in the United States, is put together from chemicals derived from coal, limestone, and salt, built into molecules with long chemical names like mono-vinyl acetylene. Neoprene, too, has come back from the war. And from now on, this chemical rubber will be used in many civilian items. Not only for jobs that are too tough for natural rubber, but for many things that once called for the natural product, because it will make better rubber products. One example of a better-than-pre-war product is inner tubes for automobile tires, which are now being made commercially from neoprene. Pre-war tubes were perfectly satisfactory so far as long life was concerned. But most of us are forgetful. We don't always remember to keep the right amount of air in our tires at all times, and under-inflated tubes shorten tire life. Neoprene tubes hold air much better than natural rubber tubes. With neoprene tubes, you will get more mileage out of your tires, even if you forget to stop at the gas station for air. The war proved beyond doubt that DuPont neoprene is better than natural rubber for many purposes. As a result, there will soon be hundreds of products containing neoprene. Products like floorings, sink strainers, stove pads, refrigerator door seals, upholstery materials, and household gloves in gay bright colors that will give longer service in contact with kitchen fats and greases, dry cleaning fluids, floor waxes, and other substances. Neoprene rubber is one of the DuPont Company's most promising better things for better living through chemistry. And now here is Joseph Cotton. It was a pleasure to appear tonight on the DuPont Cavalcade of America, especially opposite Claire Trevor. Applause Next Monday night, Cavalcade brings you an adventure story of a Union Secret Service agent during the Civil War. You'll want to listen to this thrilling exploit about the theft of an entire train in the attempt to wreck a railroad. Your star will be Franchotone. I'm sure you'll enjoy Venture in a Silk Hat with Franchotone on the DuPont Cavalcade of America. Music Joseph Cotton appeared through the courtesy of David O. Selznick and will soon be seen as one of the stars of the Technicolor production, Duel and the Sun. Claire Trevor is soon to be seen co-starring in the RKO radio production, Crack Up. The music for tonight's DuPont Cavalcade was composed and conducted by Robert Armbruster. Our Cavalcade play was written by Phyllis Parker. This is Tom Collins inviting you to listen next week to Franchotone in Venture in a Silk Hat on the Cavalcade of America brought to you by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. Applause This is NBC, the national broadcasting company. Music
