And now, the Mole Mystery Thin, presented by M-O-L-L-E. Mole, the heavier brush for shaving cream for tender skin. Good evening. This is Jeffrey Barnes, welcoming you to the Mole Mystery Theatre, the program that presents the best in mystery and detective fiction. Tonight's story is entitled, The Rival Dummy. And its presentation is the result of the combined talent of two of the most distinguished names in the entertainment world. For it was written by the famous playwright, Ben Hanks. And the very fine character actor, Walter Slayzak, will play the leading role of Gabbo the Great. Ralph Bell plays Bill Perrin. The Rival Dummy is an macabre adventure and a strange working of an unbalanced mind. In it, we're going to meet a ventriloquist and his dummy, Jimmy. Jimmy, who might have you questioning your sanity before the final curtain falls. Oh, St. Louis Barnes isn't a ventriloquist, a person with two voices, so that's right there, and why? Well, I was just thinking a fellow like that is lucky. He can talk over his own little problems. For instance, supposing he says, tell me, dummy, what's the best shaving cream for tough whiskers or a tender skin? Then if he's a smart dummy, he'll answer, it's Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream. Yes, sir, man, it's smooth, so smooth. It's slick, so slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M-O-L-L-E. Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skins. Mole is the cream that's ideal for a wiry, hard to cut beard or a tender skin. Because it is heavier, Mole not only softens your whiskers, it stands them up straight while your razor cuts them right off. So you shave faster, closer, easier, and you shave painlessly with Mole, the heavier brushless shaving cream for tender skin. Mole. And now for tonight's Mole mystery, Ben Hecht's The Rival Dummy, starring Walter Slaysack. This is the story of Gabbo the Great and of his friend Jimmy. Jimmy, who was a rare friend indeed. Jimmy, who would do whatever Gabbo wanted, who would speak when speech was needed, and who was a good listener when a sympathetic ear was wanted. Our story opens in the backstage dressing room of a darkened theater. Joe Ferris, theatrical agent, a half-smoked savanna in his full moon face, trying to pacify police inspector Tom Crane. Now look, Inspector, look, I tell you to bump steer. You see any corpse around? Well, all right, there ain't been no minor, I tell you. No? Listen, Ferris, I took the call at headquarters. I heard the guy say my name is Gabbo. I have just killed a man. What is it, a gag? No. Not a gag. And not murder? No, minor, Inspector, please. All right, then you've got some talking to do. Where is this Gabbo? He's taking a walk. Now look, Clayton, I got some good scotch here. You got some time, I'll throw a good laugh in with the scotch. Huh? Yes? Come on, come on. Well, okay. Go ahead and talk. I'll buy it if I like the sound. Good, good, good. Sit down, Inspector. Now, look, you see, this Gabbo is my boy. You mean you're his agent? You represent him? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And he's one of the neatest ventriloquists in the business. Wakes with a dummy named Jimmy, see? Like Charlie McCarty. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, sits on his knee and all that. Well, I'm looking for talent four years ago. This Gabbo has just come over from Hungary, see? He's knocking the opals in the island of Barbados. Okay. Now, Jimmy, you see, everyone is laughing at your stupidity. Now, Jimmy, you know what Indiana is famous for? No, Gabbo, what is Indiana famous for? Pigs, Jimmy. They grow razorback horse here. That reminds me, when I went to save some money, I couldn't find my razor, Gabbo. Give me my razorback horse. Sure, it's corn, Clayton, but it sells good on Broadway. So I go backstage to talk about big time to Gabbo. I got Jimmy the dummy propped up on a bale of hay, and I give him the pitch while he washes up. We thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Ferris. Jimmy and I have always wanted to do big time. Now, how much can you get for us? Yeah, how much, Mr. Lassack, sir? Quiet, Jimmy. Try to be a gentleman. I'm sorry, Mr. Ferris. Sure. That's a good guy, Gabbo. Yeah, you're really good. Well, how about a hundred a week? That's satisfactory with me. How much about Jimmy? What do you mean? He said a hundred a week for the yacht. Oh, that's fine. I'm in the yacht too, ain't I? Oh, look, Gabbo, a gag's a gag. You want the job or not? But Jimmy is entitled to something, Mr. Ferris. Wouldn't you make it a hundred and ten? Well, uh... Gabbo, I've been held up lots of ways to watch out, but if I ever buy a wooden dummy, I'll tell you that. Okay, it's worth it. Be in New York on Tuesday. So, Gabbo gets to be good property, see? He goes swell on the cycle. We get so close and half a man a week and we're getting set for movies in big houses when all of a sudden this Rubina babe comes along. This happens about a year ago. We're playing a swig-o. Rubina is with an acrobat act. She just barely has enough brains to hold a hoop straight for the muscle boys to jump through. And her physical equipment don't give Miss America any worries, neither. But Gabbo... well, he buttonholes me every night. Mr. Ferris, I want an assistant for my act. A woman assistant. Oh, you're nuts, Gabbo. You're top-billing now. A woman will slow it up. It's all set, Mr. Ferris. I've already arranged it with Miss Rubina. So, Rubina joins the act, Inspector. From then on, it's a psychus. The act slips like a mail-order face-lifting job. I'm worried, see? It's a good act and it's thrown out of my pocket to see the guy toss more lines at the dame than at the dummy. The audience is given with large doses of silence. One night I'm dodging at the theater manager in the wings when I see Gabbo, the dummy under his arm, chinning with Rubina behind a pot. I ain't proud. You know Rubina. We were meant for each other. You know I'm mad about you. You're? He? I've been wanting to tell you. But how? He dreams about you. Yes, I dream about you. And Rubina, Rubina, say something. Tell me you like me a little. I don't know what to say, Gabbo. Of course I knew this was coming. Had the storm signals up a while, but I don't think it would work. Why? Yeah, why? Well, that's one reason. How's a girl to know you mean it? You're always making fun of people with that darn dummy. Please, Rubina, I only ask you why. Listen, you know why I love you so. No. There was a girl in Hungary, a beautiful girl I thought I loved. You are like her, but much more beautiful. Be my wife, Rubina. Oh, I don't know. I wasn't planning on... Please, Rubina, be our wife. There you go again. You can't even make love to a lady without making an act out of it. Rubina, I never meant anything most sincerely in my life. I'm not making fun of you. Jimmy has nothing to do with it. He's right. Just make believe I'm not here, angel. That's all, brother. Good people. I'm working for you, see? 50 bucks. You and Icky, the dummy's got more heart than you have. Well, Inspector, I got the kickin' out of round a minute. I think twice this guy's a jerk to mess up his whole picture with comedy. And then, as I stand there, Gabbo begins to talk to the dummy, see? And it hits me. See what you did? You fool! I've taken more than I can stand from you. I love that woman, understand? You're coming between us and I won't have it. Who's coming between who? You wanted that bow-legged bo-bean in the act, not me. Shut up! You slapped me, Gabbo! You slapped me! Yes, and you've given me an idea. Rubina and I are going to do the act without you. Take me to my room, Gabbo. I never want to speak to you again. Suits me fine. My best friend trying to turn the woman I love against me. The next night I go backstage to see if I got an act left. I'm all set to come into Gabbo's dressing room here when I catch the screwiest sounds. It's Rubina and Gabbo again. Only different. I'll bet you don't even know what state we are in, Rubina. I bet I know what state you're in, Gabbo. What state am I in, Rubina? The state of Poma, Gabbo. The state of Poma City. That's not fair, Rubina. Let's try it again. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, what goes on here, Gabbo? Hello, Mr. Ferris. Rubina and I are rehearsing our act. Want to hear? Your act? Are you nuts? Rubina, try to make some sense where you want, huh? What goes on? Just what he said. Me and Gabbo are rehearsing. Soon as his contract's up next week, we're going to do an act together. We're going to tell jokes and dance and I'm going to sing. Sit. No, no, no, no, Gabbo, Gabbo, my friend, look. You can't do this to Joe Ferris. Rubina, darling, would you let me have just a few words with Gabbo alone? Anything you have to say to me, Mr. Ferris, you can say before Rubina. Oh, that's all right, Gabbo. No, darling. Just be sure this big of wind knows I'm a partner now. Now, Gabbo, what are you and Rubina going to do with this gorgeous act, hmm? Just like she said, a song and dance team. What about Jimmy? I don't need him. Besides, he's mad at me. He won't talk to me anymore. He won't? Why? He slapped my face, Mr. Ferris. You can tell him from me I hope he chokes. He had it coming to him, Mr. Ferris. He tried to steal Rubina from me. He's jealous. Oh, now wait, Gabbo, wait. You know Jimmy doesn't say anything you don't like him say. You don't do anything you don't like him do. He's you. If he's mad at you, it means you're mad at you. Oh, what's that fat snuff? How can you be mad at you? Crying mad at him. All right, Gabbo, cut the gags. This is serious. Look, I picked you up in a wheat belt. I built you up. I made you act top-notch, didn't I? Sure, Mr. Ferris, but I must think of my personal future. Yes, sir. I left this in Indiana, Joe. This never would have happened. That dame is breaking up a beautiful friendship. It's your fault, Jimmy. She can't stand you. Gabbo, cut it out. She can't stand me. You, dope. She's playing you for a sucker. The only thing she wants is for you to put her in the act. That's a lie. Gabbo, so help me out. It's all right. She's won the act already. You've ruined it. I'll fill you something else. I don't need you in the act anymore. Gabbo. Mr. Ferris, let him have Lupina. I'll go alone for you. Why, he never pulled a laugh in 20 years. I'm the guy they laugh at. Gabbo, the contract is over next week. After that, Jimmy, you are fired. I have all of it talking, will you? But please, take your mouth off. Let's not, you asshole. Are you sure I'm cool, you blasted hat-back Jimmy? What am I saying? Did I say that? He's got me talking to him, too. As the curtain falls on Act One of tonight's mole mystery, Mr. Ferris tries to reason with Gabbo, but discovers that he's talking to a man who is actually two different people. Quite a strange predicament, eh, Dan? Well, yes and no, Mr. Barnes. I often find myself talking to a man who's thousands of different men. You know, the men with tough beards who wonder how they can get a smooth slick shave. So I always say to them, shave with mole, the heavier, freshly shaving cream. That's right, men. Mole just made the order for stubborn, hard-to-cut whiskers or a tender skin. Because mole is heavier, it not only softens your whiskers, it stands them up straight, while your razor cuts them off close and clean. With mole, you shave faster, closer, easier, and you shave painlessly. Try it. See if you don't say, it's smooth. So smooth. It's slick. So slick. It's a smooth, smooth, slick, slick shave you get with M-O-L-L-E. Mole, the heavier, brushless shaving cream for tender skin. And now this is Jeffrey Barnes returning you to Act Two of Ben Hecht's The Rival Dummy, starring Walter Slazak. Well, Inspector, that does it for me. When I get to talking to a dummy like it's got brains, it's time for Joe Ferris to see somebody. It hits me. Gabbo is blowing his top. And maybe me, too. Well, one idea leads to another, and I decide to get some professional advice from a scientist. It's a very interesting case, Mr. Ferris. Not as unusual, but in one way it's a rare situation. Now, your Mr. Gabbo is a schizophrenic, of course. Well, maybe so. Maybe not, Doc. I'll know better if you break that way to pie. Well, let's put it this way. Gabbo has two personalities. Oh, yeah, yeah. I know that, Doc. That's why you should talk with him and Jimmy. In a way, but to understand you've got to realize there is no Jimmy in the normal sense. There's a Jimmy, a complete individual who lives inside of Gabbo, with personality. Gabbo can no more help talking to Jimmy than you can help reading. I'm not sure I'm getting this at all, Doc. Mr. Ferris, forget about the dummy. There's nothing true of the dummy. An ordinary schizophrenic who isn't a ventriloquist does the same thing that Gabbo does. He talks first to himself and then to someone else he thinks he is. He even changes his voice, but in Gabbo's case, it's worse. Because of his gift for throwing his voice into the dummy, he sees his second self. Mr. Ferris, you have a dangerous man on your side. I'm not going to let you get away with this. I'm going to get you out of here. Well, Inspector, I tried to get Gabbo to the dock, see, but I got to do it easy. In the meantime, I'm getting cancellations. Then comes the payoff. When Gabbo goes on at 4.30, I'm catching the act in the wings. Stand to the side, he's a curtain man. You know, you can feel an audience. Or Gabbo's on three minutes and there ain't a giggle in the house. Ha ha ha! Very funny, Jimmy. What's funny, please, please, you're right, don't say it. Now, ladies and gentlemen, while the lovely Rubina gives me a glass of water to drink, Jimmy will sing a song for you while I drink. I will not! Oh, yes, you will. Come now, while I drink, you sing. Jimmy, Jimmy, I said sing. What devil kind of a routine is he playing now? I don't know, sir, but perhaps he... Jimmy, I said sing. Why should I sing? The second you need me. Okay, make my say. Very well, I don't need you. Rubina, you sing for him. Oh, no. Well, I sing, Gabbo. He needs more than a redwood. Gabbo, Gabbo, Gabbo. You're the most uncouth audience I've ever seen. I need you, madam. Inspector, never is a guy so close to getting smeared by an audience. Gabbo stomps off the stage, forces me, Jimmy, with a clock about going out to some air. So I take Jimmy into the dressing room and hand him the Rubina, remembering what the doc tells me about what's with Gabbo and Jimmy, I go after him. I'm worried, see? Well, I find him in the alley. Hey, uh, hey, Gabbo, that you? Yeah. Look, Gabbo, I've been a friend of yours a long time. No, I'm not. Tell me what's eating you, boy. I don't care about the act. I'm worried about you. You got me worried. Did you hear him tonight, Mr. Ferris? He didn't get a laugh. He was terrible. Oh, I know, I know. You're right. Absolutely right, Gabbo. Jimmy was bad, but, uh, hey, uh, did you ever think it's maybe, uh, maybe because he's lonely? Lonely? Why? Why, you know, you two been on the outs. Oh, I know he's started, but maybe, maybe he's sorry. He's got pride, too. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, Jimmy's proud. Gabbo, uh, why don't you meet him hand in hand? I don't know, Mr. Ferris. He's changed. He's not the same Jimmy anymore. I can't trust him. If you can't trust your best friend, who can you trust? Oh, you're right, Gabbo, you're right. Only, uh, I don't see any reason why you and Jimmy and Rubina, too, can't get along like a big family. You think Jimmy's really sorry, Mr. Ferris? I love him for you. The theater is out. It's just us left. Now, come on back to your dressing room. I bet you'll find Jimmy in there crying his little eyes out right now. Go on, Jimmy, sorry. Well, maybe I have been a little too hard on Jimmy. Maybe you're right, Mr. Ferris. Maybe we can't make it up. But he'll have to apologize to Rubina. Oh, he will. He will. Now, go on in. I want to see the three of you hit it off when you come out. That's Rubina. You know, Jimmy, you're cute. You're like, this guy, Gabbo, he ain't so much. But take tonight, they weren't sore at me, they were sore at him. You know, Jimmy, I've got a good voice. I can feel it. Go on in. I've got a good figure for the day, too, Jimmy. I've got nice legs, see? Hello, Gabbo. What's the matter with you? Gabbo, Gabbo, don't. Shut up, Harry. Let me handle this. Get out, Rubina. Get out of this room, now. Okay, okay, I'm going. Now, let's go, Gabbo. You go, too. I want to talk to Jimmy. No. Jimmy? Well, what, Gabbo? You know very well what. I came in here to apologize. Tell you I was sorry to make friends with you. I find you trying to steal Rubina from me. Making love to her. Probably planning to run away with her. You're a dirty little snitch. Now, wait a minute. Since you're letting your hair down, let me remind you that you're the one who started all this. I was perfectly happy working with you, and you let that little squirt come between us. He's not a squirt. She is, and you know it. You know what this means, of course. Gone beyond threat, Gabbo. I know I've lost you as a friend. I won't lie and tell you I don't care. I do. These men are after each other. We've had some hard times, hungry times, happy times. Now, just as we're getting some grace. Yes, just as we're getting some place, you have to get jealous and pique-headed. Gabbo, and I was hoping you'd come in when you did. You know why? Sure, I do. No, you don't. I wanted to show you what a two-timey oppressive little beano was, and I did. If she's willing to make up for me while your back is turned, she'll do the same with somebody else. That's a lie. If that's true, that's what's making you mad. I've had enough of this. I love you. I'm tired of talking to you. I'm tired of hearing you. I'm tired of holding you. I'm not wanting you to ruin my life for me anymore. I'm finished with you. Good. You're just a dumb Hungarian clown. You'll never amount to much, Gabbo. And without me around, you'll never amount to anything. Go ahead. Do your work. I'll show you. Oh, name for yourself. Gabbo, put down that chair. I'll put it down. I'll show you can't do without you, can I? You'll never laugh at me again. You'll never steal the woman I love. You little beast. Gabbo. She wasn't what she was. Not this. Gabbo. Jimmy. Jimmy! Mr. Pellett. Mr. Pellett. I've killed Jimmy. Gabbo. Gabbo. I think you should leave now, boy. Come on, boy. No, no. I killed Jimmy. Mr. Pellett. That's no use running away. I'll be gone soon, all right, Hector? Hello? Please give me police headquarters. Hello. My name is Gabbo. I've just killed a man. This is Jeffrey Barnes again. In just a moment, we'll bring you Act Three of the Rival Dummy. Thousands of dandruff scourers who have been ready to give up in despair after trying other methods without success have found that double dandrine gives them real relief. You see, outstanding authorities point out that a germ, Pityrothporm ovale, is the cause of the most common kind of dandruff. Methods that simply wash away loose dandruff are ineffective because they don't destroy this germ. For real relief, it must be destroyed. And double dandrine does that. It actually kills this germ on contact. Even in many severe cases, double dandrine has given remarkable results. Now, the reason for double dandrine's amazing efficiency is a special ingredient, an active antiseptic that's used by many hospitals because of its astonishing effectiveness. In double dandrine, we call it alzheimer's. So try double dandrine and see if you don't agree that it really does more than the ordinary, ineffective dandruff-fighting methods that actually are no better than plain water. Get double dandrine tomorrow. Your money back if not satisfied. Music You see, Inspector, even though this dress room looks like a cyclone, no mitre, no gas. Here, have another. Yeah. You let all this go on. Why didn't you stop it, sir? You see, you see, you got feelings of self-inspect. Just telling you about it, you get a feeling for the dummy. Why? Because Jimmy the dummy is a real guy, living inside the gabbo and gabbo did mitre. Only, it ain't mitre. No, no, I don't stop him. I'm too scared. That's the call I got a head corner, eh? Yeah, that was gabbo corner. Where is he now? Down the corridor in Rabina's vessel. Bidding up on farewell, I suppose. Hey, did it ever occur to you this gabbo might have a grudge against Rabina? What's that? Rabina, come on. Down this way, Inspector. Right behind you. That wasn't bad, Rabina. Let's try it again. Hold it, Inspector. You know what state we're in, Rabina. I know what state you're in, gabbo. Wow. Everything's okay, I guess. And what state am I in, Rabina? In a state of coma, gabbo. In a state of coma. Oh, I smell that. He painted a love for himself. Picture the joint here. You see, she's sitting in the slot. Yeah. Very sweet. Good Lord. Her neck, the way it wobbles. He's got his hand behind her head. Like with Jimmy. Come on. Gabbo. Mr. Ferris. Say, I'm glad you're here. Rabina and I have a swell act. Want to hear it? Her neck's broken, Ferris. Isn't it wonderful, Mr. Ferris? Jimmy's gone. But I've got a new dummy. She's Rabina. You want to hear the act? She makes a wonderful dummy. She's taking Jimmy's place. Now that's only fair, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, gabbo, sure. What a curtain. What a kite. And now this is Jeffrey Barnes inviting you to be with us next week when we present a mystery entitled Not Quite Perfect. Bert Lytel, star of stage and radio, will be with us to play the leading role. A man conceived as a crime in which he is the murderer but not the actual killer. That is the story the Mystery Theater brings you next week. Follow the fascinating adventure. A man so clever he commits the perfect crime. So perfect it was not quite perfect. So be sure to join us next week to hear Bert Lytel in Not Quite Perfect. The music for the Mystery Theater is by Jack Miller. Wallace Lasack appeared tonight with the courtesy of RKO Pictures, producers of the New Motion Pictures CinBand. The rival dummy was adapted for radio by Fred Mato. This is Dan Seymour saying good night until next Friday at the same time when the Mystery Theater presents Not Quite Perfect, starring Bert Lytel. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.
