(OPENING COMMERCIAL)

 

SMITH:

(COLD) From Hollywood!

BARCLAY:

Gary Cooper and Ginger Rogers in one of the season's great hits -- "Good Sam"!

MUSIC:

STINGS....AND HOLDS UNDER

SMITH:

Yes, from Hollywood...the Screen Guild Players...brought to you each Thursday night by...

MUSIC:

BUILD STING...AND HOLDS UNDER:

SMITH:

.........Camel Cigarettes!

MUSIC:

CAMEL THEME....INTO JINGLE

QUARTET:

How mild, how mild, how mild can a cigarette be?
Make the Camel thirty-day test, and you'll see!

BARCLAY:

In a recent, coast-to-coast test of hundreds of men and women who smoked CAMELS, and only CAMELS, for thirty days, noted throat specialists reported not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking CAMELS!

MUSIC:

FULL INTO CAMEL...THEME AND FADE OUT INTO:

SMITH:

Thursday night...Screen Guild night...when Camel Cigarettes bring you your favorite stars in their greatest motion picture roles! Tonight, it's a truly American story - filled with laughter, sentiment and exciting action! For the first time on the air, the Screen Guild Players present:

MUSIC:

STINGS...AND HOLDS UNDER:

BARCLAY:

"GOOD SAM," starring Gary Cooper and Ginger Rogers, with Minerva Urecal!

MUSIC:

FULL INTO PLAY THEME..AND DOWN FOR...TO HOLD UNDER

LU:

I guess there's one like him in every town. Mister Santa Claus - the civic push-over - the man who's never learned to say no.....with us it happened to be Sam Clayton. Everyone knew him and everyone loved him, including me. In fact, I loved him more than most. The only trouble was - I married him.

MUSIC:

PUNCTUATES...AND CONTINUES UNDER:

LU:

Sam was Manager of H. C. Borden's, the only big department store in town. That put him in touch with a lot of people. And when I say 'touch' - brother, I mean grab! If someone in the store was a little short -- (MUSIC CUTS)

SAM:

Why, sure, old man - glad to help you out. Pay me back whenever you can. (MUSIC STINGS)

LU:

Or a relative couldn't find a place to live -- (MUSIC CUTS)

SAM:

Heck, we've got lots of room at our house! Why not move in with us for a while? (MUSIC STINGS)

LU:

Or if a neighbor's car refused to run -- (MUSIC CUTS)

SAM:

Look, why not borrow our car for the day? You don't want to miss your picnic, do you?....And say, don't you worry about that bus of yours. I'll call a mechanic and get him over. By the time you get back, we'll have it good as new!

MUSIC:

ACCENTS....AND CONTINUES UNDER:

LU:

Things like that. A million things like that...I'd been simmering quietly for months. And finally the Johnsons made me boil over....The Johnsons. They were the neighbors who'd borrowed our car. And that much I think I could have taken. But Sam had promised he'd get their car fixed. And he'd called a mechanic, a Mr. Nelson. And Mr. Nelson had a wife, name of Mrs. Nelson. And Mrs. Nelson, it seemed, was troubled with asthma. And before I could clonk Sam over the head -- (MUSIC CUTS)

SAM:

Asthma?! Say, we've got the greatest cure in the world!

LU:

(TRYING TO HEAD HIM OFF) Sam--

SAM:

Remember, Lu? Your grandmother's goose grease remedy! Remember how it cleared up Junior's croup?

LU:

But, Sam --

SAM:

You could make up a batch this afternoon! I'm sure Nelson could stop by and pick it up!

LU:

(DESPERATELY) But, Sam --

SAM:

Don't you worry, Mr. Nelson! Why I'd give you a written guarantee - your wife is as good as cured right now!

MUSIC:

ACCENTS....AND CONTINUES UNDER:

LU:

(GRIM) It only took me five hours to cook the stuff. I only missed my appointment at the beauty parlor - which I'd had to make three weeks in advance....But finally the stuff was done, and Mr. Nelson came and took it away, and I thought that would be the last of him...I thought.....it was two days later, as I recall. We were sitting on the porch - Sam and Junior and I - just waiting for Chloe to call us to dinner. Sitting there...enjoying the sunset.....and suddenly -- (MUSIC CUTS)

NELSON:

(OFF) Now that is what I call a pretty picture!

LU:

(STARTLED, DISMAYED) Oh--!

NELSON:

(COMING IN) Don't move - don't move!.....Clayton, I just wish I could paint you right now - sitting with your family at the end of the day!

SAM:

(FEEBLY) Hello, Nelson....

LU:

I - Mr. Nelson - I take it, this is your wife?

NELSON:

Yep. We just came by to congratulate you. Your goose grease sure did the trick, all right.

SAM:

(PLEASED) Really helped your wife, huh?

MRS. N: It most certainly did! Why I'm practically cured! (WHEEZING COUGH)

JUNIOR:

(STARING) She's cured?

LU:

Junior!

NELSON:

Say, you think she's bad now, you should hear the way she used to sound! Like this -- (DOES DEATH RATTLE WHEEZE)

JUNIOR:

(FACTUALLY) She's cured.

LU:

Junior!

NELSON:

Mrs. Clayton, you probably saved her life.

SAM:

(PLEASED) You hear that, Lu?

NELSON:

Big help to me, too. I'm sleeping much better...She used to be unbearable.

MRS. N:

(BEAMING) Just unbearable!...Mrs. Clayton, I sure am obliged to you! And I thought that while I was returning your mason jar - I'd just fill it with some of my special meat sauce.

JUNIOR:

(APPALLED) In the same jar?!

SAM:

Junior, you'd better go in and clean up....Go on.

JUNIOR:

(FADES, GRUMBLING) Gee, what for? I got cleaned up this morning! (SCREEN DOOR OPENS, SLAMS...OFF)

NELSON:

Nice boy you got there, Clayton. I-- (SNIFFS) Say, something smells mighty good around here! You fixing for dinner?

LU:

(QUICKLY) Oh, just a little pick-up supper, I don't like Junior to have a big dinner at night. Children sleep much better, don't you think?

NELSON:

Haven't got any. (SCREEN DOOR OPENS OFF)

MRS. N:

(BEAMING) Not a single one!

CHLOE:

(SLIGHTLY OFF) Clang, clang, clang - come and get it, come and get it! That delicious roast beef - that Yorkshire pudding - those golden brown - (SEES NELSONS) Well, shut my big mouth!.... Uh - Mrs. Clayton - that teeny weeny roast - what there is of it - it's ready. (SCREEN DOOR SLAMS, OFF)

NELSON:

Roast beef, huh? Say, we haven't had a roast in months. Just the two of us, you see...(HE WAITS) You know, that meat sauce goes wonderful on roast beef......(HE WAITS) Just about the best combination I know....

LU:

(QUIETLY) All right, folks - let's all go in and sit down.

MUSIC:

ACCENTS....AND FADES OUT INTO:

SOUND:

OCCASIONAL DINNER EFFECTS...UNDER:

NELSON:

(MOUTH FULL) Mighty fine roast beef, Mrs. Clayton mighty fine. Sure am glad you made us stay.

LU:

Well, of course I had to talk you into it.

NELSON:

(IGNORES IT) Say, Clayton, was I right - or were you right?

SAM:

About what?

NELSON:

Human nature - people - that fellow Johnson next door - the one whose car I fixed. He ever pay you the nineteen dollars for my work?

LU:

Sam - you mean to say you --

SAM:

Now, Lu, the Johnsons need that car. And Mr. Nelson said it was cash on the line --

NELSON:

Always is when I'm working for Johnson. Wait'll you try to collect from him.

SAM:

Oh, I'm not worried. He'll pay me back.

LU:

Yes, if it's the last thing he ever does - and I'm sure it will be!

MRS. N:

Excuse me - but doesn't anyone want any more of my meat sauce?....Junior, how about you?

JUNIOR:

Isn't that the same jar the goose grease was in?

MRS. N:

Don't worry, little man, I scoured it thoroughly with soap and water.

JUNIOR:

Yeah, I can taste the soap.

SAM:

Junior, that's enough out of you! Mr. Nelson, I hope we're not spoiling your dinner.

NELSON:

Don't you worry, Clayton. Nothing could spoil roast-beef for me.

MRS. N:

I must say, my husband goes for roast-beef. (GIGGLE) Just loves it for a midnight snack.

LU:

Midnight? Oh, I'm afraid we'll all be asleep by then!

NELSON:

Oh, we wouldn't keep you up, Mrs. Clayton. Wouldn't think of it....Just put it in a bag -- we'll take it home!!

MUSIC:

ACCENTS....AND CONTINUES UNDER:

LU:

Well, there was one good thing about that dinner party. It turned out that Mrs. Nelson sold real estate. She told me about a house she hoped to have on her list very soon. The kind of place I'd been dreaming about - Early American! --- That's all I thought about for the next few days. And a few nights later, when Sam got home, I found out he'd been thinking of it, too! (MUSIC CUTS)

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES...SLIGHTLY OFF

SAM:

(SLIGHTLY OFF...CALLS) Lu -- ? --- Lu, it's me ---

LU:

(VERY QUIETLY) I'm here, Sam.

SAM:

(COMING IN) Glad you're up, honey. I want to tell you something.

LU:

(VERY QUIETLY) What?

SAM:

Well, I've been thinking about that house, Lu -- and you're going to have it, no matter what!

LU:

(QUIETLY, ODD TONE) Am I?

SAM:

Yes, siree! I'm not going to be a fool any more! From here in, we think only of ourselves! No more Nelsons ruining our dinner -- no more Johnsons ruining our car! And say, speaking of Johnson, that four-eyed four-flusher put a dent in our fender. Cost me eight seventy-five to fix, and I figure there's no use trying to get it from him. I can't even collect that other nineteen...I didn't tell you before. Afraid you'd rub it in.

LU:

(SUDDENLY STARTS LAUGHING)

SAM:

(RELIEVED) You're not mad?

LU:

(LAUGHING) No!....(CONTINUES LAUGHING)

SAM:

Lu, you're a darling!....(FONDLY) Come on now, give your old man a kiss -- and let's forget everybody but us. I say the heck with the Nelsons -- and the heck with the Johnsons.

LU:

(STRUGGLING, LAUGHING) Don't Sam - don't ....

SAM:

Why not? You don't think I came home to read the meters!...You remember me, Sam Clayton - don't you?

LU:

(LAUGHING MADLY) Yes - and you remember the Johnsons, don't you?

SAM:

(ANNOYED) What've the Johnsons got to do with it?

LU:

(NEAR HYSTERICS) Just turn around and look at the sofa! (STOPS LAUGHING...AS IF TO CATCH BREATH)

JOHNSON:

(STIFFLY) Good evening, Clayton.

SAM:

(GULPING) Uh - hello...Hope I haven't shocked you folks .... you must think I'm - quite a flirt.

MRS. J:

(COLDLY) No. You don't always keep your shades down.

LU:

(STARTS LAUGHING AGAIN)

SAM:

What's so funny? What's the joke?

JOHNSON:

I suppose you're wondering why we're here at this hour.

SAM:

I certainly am!...Isn't it something we can take up tomorrow?

JOHNSON:

We were only doing our neighborly duty. We thought you'd want to know they've set the trial for next Thursday.

SAM:

(BLANKLY) Trial! What trial?

LU:

(LAUGHING) You thought it was only costing twenty seven dollars for the Johnsons to have a picnic with your car! Sam, you haven't heard the half of it! They really had a picnic! They turned the other car over! (STOPS LAUGHING ...OUT OF BREATH)

JOHNSON:

It was the other driver's fault!

SAM:

What the devil's the idea, Johnson? You didn't tell me you had an accident!

JOHNSON:

Well, I didn't want to worry you...I never dreamed that fellow would sue you for so much.

SAM:

Sue me? What about you?

JOHNSON:

That's what I told him. I said: "Look, sue me -- don't sue a nice guy like Sam Clayton. It wasn't his fault -- except legally -- 'cause he owns the car". But the guy looked me up, and when he found out that I wasn't working --- Did I tell you? I lost my job this week.

MRS. J:

That's the way it goes...Mr. Clayton, if you hadn't loaned us your car...

JOHNSON:

Well, we've done our duty. Let's go home. (STEPS)

MRS. J:

Everything happens to us, Mrs. Clayton. And just when we were trying so hard to save!

LU:

I know exactly what you mean. We're trying to save to buy a new house...Well, maybe we can leave the bathrooms out. (DOOR OPENS)

MRS. J: It's the same with us. We've been hoping to have my
husband's eyes fixed.

JOHNSON:

Never mind about my eyes! I can see anything - any time!...Don't worry, Clayton...we'll fight that guy together! Good night. (DOOR CLOSES)

SAM:

(GUILTILY) Look, Lu....I hope you don't think....

JOHNSON:

WILD CRY. OFF MIKE...EFFECT OF FALLING DOWN STEPS

LU:

(VERY QUIETLY...VOICE OF DOOM) The front steps...he'll sue of course.

SAM:

(FLAT) Don't worry...I'll settle out of court.

MUSIC:

ACCENT (FADE DOWN TO HOLD UNDER:)

LU:

I'll admit I felt pretty low that night. For the first time in our married life I began to wonder. But the next morning changed everything again!....Mrs. Nelson phoned. She had the house - my house - the one that I'd been waiting for....I rushed Sam over to see it, of course - and he liked it just as much as I did. It was really wonderful - everything I'd ever wanted - so Early American you could hear the Indians...The price was right, too - only five thousand down. I wanted Sam to grab it right away, but all he did was hem and haw and say he'd talk it over that night. (MUSIC CUTS) Sam, you've no idea what a long day it's been. I couldn't think of anything but the house!

SAM:

(UNCOMFORTABLE) Yeah....it is pretty nice....

LU:

Nice? It's wonderful! Why didn't you close the deal this morning?

SAM:

Well, you just don't do things that way, Lu. And she said she'd hold it twenty-four hours.

LU:

But why? What are we waiting for? We've got over five thousand in our house fund, haven't we?

SAM:

Well....

LU:

(RIGHT ON) And we'll never find anything more beautiful.. Sam, I'll cut expenses - every way I can. And don't get me anything for Christmas, darling. That'll be my present for life!

SAM:

(NERVOUS) Well, Lu, I know how you feel, of course, but---

CHLOE:

(COMING IN) 'Scuse me, Mr. Clayton - I forgot to give you this note.

SAM:

For me?

CHLOE:

From Mr. and Mrs. Adams. They stopped by this morning.

LU:

That little couple that used to live next door?

CHLOE:

Yes'm, they was here while you was out.

SAM:

Thank you, Chloe...(RIPPING ENVELOPE)

CHLOE:

(FADING) No trouble at all.....

LU:

Sam, why should they be leaving you a note?

SAM:

(MUMBLING) Well, I don't know exactly....I.....

LU:

And there's a check in it!.....Let me see that, Sam.... (READING) Thirty-nine dollars and fifty cents...What are they sending you money for?

SAM:

Well, Lu, while you were away last summer....seems they had a little problem.....

LU:

And what did Good Sam do? He said: 'Look no further....I solve everything....here's your thirty-nine fifty, folks!'....Well, anyway, they paid you back. That's nice.

SAM:

Well, they were worried whether or not to have a baby.....Things were pretty bad for him...no money, no work..... But he had a chance to grab a spot on Highway Seventy-Two....Quite an intersection, Lu. They're doing real well.

LU:

On thirty-nine fifty? What've they got, a midget peanut stand?

SAM:

No, no...a gas station. And there's money in it! Of course it takes time to get established, but ....

LU:

(TRUTH DAWNING) How much did you give them, Sam?

SAM:

You see, it's a triple intersection ...Honest, you'd never guess how many trucks come by.

LU:

How much did you give them?

SAM:

And right back of the station they've built a little, tiny...

LU:

(STRICKEN) Home?!

SAM:

Oh nothing you'd want, Lu!

LU:

(FRANTIC) Sam, you've given away the house money....the whole five thousand..!

SAM:

Oh, no...I only gave away two thousand...I mean it's a loan!...And they're having a baby and...

LU:

(SOBBING) Oh, Sam!

SAM:

(GENTLY) Now wait a minute, honey...You do believe in babies being born, don't you?

LU:

Don't throw their baby in my face!...Why can't people stand on their own two feet and have babies?!

SAM:

(MISERABLE) Gee, Lu...it was an emergency.

LU:

Well, I'm fed up with you helping people in emergencies. You're nothing but a double-crossing-two-faced-sneaky-samaritan!

SAM:

(PLEADING) But they're such good people, Lu...and they were desperate...

LU:

(SOBBING WILDLY) Shut up! Get out!

SAM:

(HURT, STUNNED) Lu.....!

LU:

(WILDLY) You don't care anything about me! Go on....get out! (SHE SOBS....UNTIL:)

SOUND:

POUNDING ON DOOR...OFF

ADAMS:

(OFF, SHOUTING) Hey, you in there...Claytons...anybody home?

SAM:

(SOTTO, STARTLED) Say, that sounds just like....

ADAMS:

(OFF, SHOUTING) Come on, Claytons...open up! Open up and let the Adams in!

SOUND:

QUICK STEPS...DOOR OPENS

SAM:

(STARING) Say, what's going on?

ADAMS:

Hiya, Clayton old boy!.....(EXPANSIVE) Gentlemen, I give you Samuel Clayton...the dearest friend I ever had! If it wasn't for him my wife wouldn't be having a baby!

LU:

How's that?

SOUND:

DOOR CLOSES

SAM:

(WORRIED) Adams, you're drunk.

ADAMS:

And I'm gonna be drunker! Gonna drink all night to our friends and benefactors, the Claytons! Two hearts of gold in three-quarter time!

MRS. ADAMS:

(GIGGLES) Three-quarter time...that's a waltz.

ADAMS:

Not a bad idea! How about it, Mrs. Clayton? Wanna waltz?

LU:

(GLARING) What have you got to waltz about?

MRS. A:

He's celebrating, Mrs. Clayton. He's had a few drinks. (GIGGLES)

LU:

What? Gasoline? Wouldn't anyone buy it?

MRS. A:

(GIGGLING) Oh, they not only bought the gasoline...they bought the whole station! (GIGGLES)

SAM:

(SLOWLY) Adams, do you really mean that....

ADAMS :

Honest, Sam, it was un-bub-believable!....This guy drives up and says "How much do you want for the station, bub?".....Without laughing I tell him: "Twelve thousand, five hundred." And without laughing he sits down and writes out a check!......Here's your share, Sam. I made it for a thousand extra.

SAM:

But....

ADAMS:

Don't argue now! We both did all right...Now, come on, little mother. We got some celebrating to do. (FADING) Goodnight, folks...and remember, if it's a boy we're going to call him Sam.

SOUND:

DOOR SLAMS, SLIGHTLY OFF

SAM:

(A PAUSE, THEN SOFTLY) Lu....somebody paid me back.....Sorta renews my faith in people....(A PAUSE) I guess I did go overboard in helping them and not thinking of you and your house...But you weren't there when I talked to those kids. It seemed so right to tell them they must have the baby...Maybe I'm unbalanced, Lu. Maybe my scales need adjusting. But when I put people on one side and materiel things on the other...somehow the people always seem to win....(A PAUSE) Well, that's about it...Now if you want me to get out....

LU:

(GRUFFLY, DEEPLY TOUCHED) Sam, you take one step toward that door...and so help me I will break your leg!......

MUSIC:

IN FULL FOR CURTAIN

(APPLAUSE)

SECOND COMMERCIAL

SMITH:

Now a brief intermission, and time for a smoke! Are you enjoying a mild cigarette?

QUARTET:

How mild, how mild, how mild can a cigarette be?
Make the Camel thirty-day test, and you'll see.....

SMITH:

Yes, see for yourself! Discover for yourself what noted throat specialists reported about Camel mildness. In a recent, coast-to-coast smoking test, hundreds of men and women smoked Camels, and only Camels, for thirty days......an average of one to two packs a day. The doctors examined these smokers' throats each week. After two thousand, four hundred and seventy throat examinations, the throat specialists reported not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking CAMELS!

BARCLAY:

Make the Camel mildness test yourself. If, at any time, you're not convinced that Camels are the best cigarette you've ever smoked, return the package with the unused cigarettes to the makers of Camels, and you'll receive its full purchase price, plus postage. And when you buy Camels, remember......Camels by the carton are the best buy!

SMITH:

Camel Cigarettes now present ACT II of "GOOD SAM," starring Gary Cooper and Ginger Rogers, with Minerva Urecal.

MUSIC:

FULL IN FOR PLAY THEME (FADE DOWN AND UNDER)

LU:

(GENTLY) Dear Sam...Good Sam..It was all so simple that night..He had the money..He'd hand it to Mrs. Nelson the next day, sign the papers - and the house would be ours..Except we hadn't figured on one thing. The next day was when they made the big collection at the store - "The H. C. Borden Annual Christmas Dinner for the Needy" - and of course my Sam would be head of that..He put the collections in an envelope - almost five thousand dollars - stuck it in his pocket and started for the bank. Only, just as he was leaving the store, a woman fainted in the aisle...Naturally, Sam was the first one to reach her - to lift her up and help her out to a cab. And naturally when he reached the bank -- (MUSIC CUTS)

SAM:

(STUNNED) Hey, it's gone! The envelope's gone!

DREW:

You mean all the Christmas collection, Sam?

SAM:

(DESPERATELY) I can't lose that money, Mr. Drew! I can't - it's not mine!

DREW:

(GRAVE) Sam, as a banker, I know just how you feel.

SAM:

Do you think - could you lend me five thousand dollars?

DREW:

Lord knows, Sam, I'd like to help you - but my hands are tied. You were a bad risk before this happened. You're on too many people's notes now.

SAM:

(DULLY) Then I guess there's nothing else to do. Take forty-eight hundred out of my account and put it in the Christmas Fund.

DREW:

(QUIETLY) You know you don't have to do that, Sam. Legally you're not obligated.

SAM:

(DULLY) I know - but when I think of all those men at the mission going without their Christmas dinner.......

DREW:

Why not talk it over with Mr. Borden? It's his store - he's loaded - maybe he might do something about it.

SAM:

No, that would mean my whole future is cooked.....I'd tell him - and he'd tell the Board - and what would they think of an executive who couldn't even find his way to the bank?

DREW:

Yeah, I guess it is a problem, Sam. Now you'd better get home and try to square things with your wife.

SAM:

(DULLY) Yeah, I'd better get along.....Thanks for everything, Mr. Drew.

DREW:

I'm sorry, Sam.

SOUND:

FADING STEPS..DOOR CLOSES OFF.....RECEIVER UP)

DREW:

(QUIETLY) Hello - Miss Willis....Get me H. C. Borden at the store....... Yes, and put it on my private line. It's confidential.

MUSIC:

(SHARP CHORD....AND FADE OUT INTO:)

SOUND:

(DOOR CLOSES, OFF)

SAM: (OFF DULLY) Lu--? ....Lu, it's me...

MRS. NELSON:

(CALLS, SMILING) Mr. Clayton--?

SAM:

(COMING IN) Hello, Mrs. Nelson...Where's my wife?

MRS. NELSON:

(GIGGLES) You silly man - where would she be? Over at the new house - planning all the changes....I just dropped in to leave the papers. But since you're here you might as well sign them now.

SAM:

I'm sorry, I can't sign any papers.

MRS. NELSON:

(STUNNED) But, Mr. Clayton - the house--!

SAM:

I can't take the house. Something's happened, Mrs. Nelson, I haven't got the money.

MRS. NELSON:

(AGHAST) Oh!!! But your wife will be simply heartbroken! How are you ever going to tell her?

SAM:

I don't know. It would be simpler if I just blow my brains out. In fact, that's a pretty good idea!

SOUND:

(BRISK, FIRM STEPS.....FADING)

MRS. NELSON:

(FRIGHTENED) No, wait, Mr. Clayton-- (DOOR OPENS, OFF) Mr. Clayton - wait! (DOOR SLAMS, OFF)

MUSIC:

(SHARP CHORD....HOLD....AND FADE OUT INTO:)

JUNIOR:

Gee, Mom, I'm hungry. Why is Dad so late?

LU:

Junior, you know it's the day before Christmas - they're very busy at the store....Now you just relax and show me again what you're going to do...Remember - Daddy opens the door - and then you say--

JUNIOR: Thank you so much, Daddy dear,
We're all in love with you!
And now that we have a better home,
I will be better too!

LU:

(BEAMING) Darling, that's perfect!....But don't forget - the minute Daddy opens the door!

MUSIC:

(ACCENTS.....AND FADES OUT INTO:)

JUNIOR:

Boy, oh, boy - cocanut ice cream! I bet Dad doesn't know what he's missing, does he?

LU:

(DULLY) No, I guess he doesn't, Junior........

DREW:

(JOVIAL) Well, I'm glad I didn't miss it, Mrs. Clayton. Though I didn't expect to be asked to dinner when I dropped in.

LU:

(DULLY) We're glad to have you, Mr. Drew....There was plenty....It was to be a sort of celebration.

DREW:

(CHUCKLES) Well, you've got a lot more to celebrate now. You should have heard me sell the idea to Borden....."Good Will is half of any business," I said -"and Sam Clayton is half of your good will!".....(CHUCKLES) I wonder what Sam'll say when he finds out he's to be Vice-President - with a boost in salary - and a five thousand dollar bonus. I sure would like to see the look on his face.

LU:

(WORRIED) I'd like to see his face. (DOORBELL, OFF)

JUNIOR:

The doorbell, Mom! (FADING) That might be Dad!

DREW: (PUZZLED) Does Sam ring the doorbell when he comes home?

SOUND:

DOOR SLAMS, OFF

LU:

Sam is apt to do almost anything. Sometimes, I--

MRS. NEL:

(SLIGHTLY OFF, DISTRAIT) Mrs. Clayton!....(COMING IN) Mrs. Clayton - is he here?

LU:

(BEWILDERED) Is who here?

MRS. NEL:

Your husband!...Oh, I couldn't get it out of my mind...the way he looked when he said he should kill himself!

LU:

Kill himself! What for?

MRS. NEL:

Because he couldn't tell you!

LU:

(ALMOST CRAZY) Tell me what?

MRS. NEL:

That you've lost the house - that he didn't have the money to make the --

LU:

(LITTLE MOAN, AS SHE FAINTS)

MRS. NEL:

Mrs. Clayton -- !

DREW:

She's fainted!...(RECEIVER UP) Take care of her! -- (TO PHONE) Hello? Hello, Operator, get me the police!---- (PAUSE) Hello? Police Department? This is Mr. Drew - I'm at Sam Clayton's house and I've just discovered he plans to kill himself!...Yes - cover the town - the hotels - the bus stations - the --- What?...No. No, never mind those! What would Sam Clayton be doing in a saloon?

MUSIC:

(SHARP CHORD....AND FADE OUT INTO:)

SOUND:

(SALOON EFFECTS...TINNY PIANO IN LOW B.G.)

SAM:

(HE'S HAD PLENTY) Come on - fill 'er up - another double! ... (BOTTLE ON GLASS) And save yourself the water - I'll take it neat.

BARTENDER:

Look, ain't you had enough? It's Christmas. Why don't you go home?

SAM: I can't! That's why I gotta have a drink!...(DRUNK EARNESTNESS) Bartender, you wanna know something?

BARTENDER:

(SHRUGS) Why not?

SAM:

It's always the same...Any time you do somebody a favor - any time you lend 'em money - you try to collect an' whadda they say? "Any other time, Sam--but not now" ... "Love to pay you, Sam, but I just broke my leg" .... "Sorry, Sam, I got three kids in college - and my mother-in-law in an oxygen tent......(VERY DRUNK) You wanna know something?

BARTENDER:

Again?

SAM:

People are no good! They're just no good!

BARTENDER:

Well, I'll go along with you there. I had a guy in here working for me last Spring. Ran off with every penny I had.

SAM:

Bet your wife was pretty mad, huh?

BARTENDER:

No - she went with him...Now look, I'm selling drinks to make a few bucks, but I don't like to hit a guy when he's down. You've had enough. Why don't you go home?

SAM:

Told you I can't. M'wife is mad...Sweetest li'l wife in the world...but she's mad.....

BARTENDER:

Listen to me, will you? Do what I say...Believe me, I'm your friend - the best friend you've got.

SAM:

Sure y'are - bes' frien' in the world! Come on, le's have a drink to that!

BARTENDER:

All right, but then you've got to go home to your wife. Whatever you've done, she'll have to forgive you. And if she doesn't, tell her take a flying leap for herself!

SAM:

(MAD) Can't tell my wife what to do - (SWINGING) - frien' or no frien' -- !

SOUND:

SHARP BLOW...BIG GLASS CRASH----CROWD REACTS

1ST MAN:

(COMING IN) Hey, you - lay off!

2ND MAN:

What'd you hit the bartender for?

SAM:

'Cause I'm the meanest man in the world, that's why! And, brother, if you want the same----

SOUND:

SHARP BLOW...BIG GLASS CRASH

2ND MAN:

Look! Right into the good champagne!

1ST MAN:

Hey, call a cop! This guy is nuts!

MUSIC:

SHARP CHORD....AND FADE OUT INTO

LU:

(SOFT, SAD) When I think of Sam...how good he was..how gentle....He'd never even hurt a fly...

DREW:

(GENTLY) Believe me, Mrs. Clayton, the whole community will share your loss.

LU:

Maybe it was my fault, Mr. Drew. I made the new house seem so important....And it wasn't, really...The house-- the money - nothing meant as much as Sam....(A PAUSE) You - you don't think, there's any hope?

DREW:

I only wish I could tell you there was. The police haven't found a trace of him. I told them as soon as they had any news -- (DOORBELL, OFF)

LU:

(LOW, FRIGHTENED) The doorbell!...They've come to --

DREW:

(QUICKLY) Please - maybe you'd better let the maid go. (DOORBELL, OFF)

LU:

(TONELESS) No...No, thanks...I'll go myself.

SOUND:

STEPS....DOOR OPENS....ON MIKE

LU:

Yes?....(BRAVELY) What is it, Officer? You can tell me ..

COP:

Well, ma'am - I got this stiff here.

LU:

Stiff!...(BREAKING) Sam!...He's dead!...

COP:

Yeah - dead-drunk.

LU:

(DAZED) Drunk?....You mean he isn't dead - just drunk? You mean that's all?

COP:

Lady, the way he's drunk, that's plenty!...

SAM:

(GROANS) -- Lu -- ?

LU:

Oh, Sam!...Sam, I'm so glad you're back!

SAM:

You - you mean you aren't mad cause we lost the house?

LU:

But we've got it, Sam! We didn't lose it! --- And even if we had - why, you big lunk, you're worth your weight in - in Early American!

MUSIC:

(IN FULL --- FOR CURTAIN)

(APPLAUSE)

 

SMITH:

Our stars Ginger Rogers and Gary Cooper will return to the microphone in just a moment.

QUARTET:

How mild, how mild, how mild can a cigarette be? Make the Camel thirty-day test and you'll see!

SMITH:

Well, lots and lots of people seem to think that's pretty good advice..what the quartet just sang there. Yes, throughout the nation, smokers are making the Camel Mildness Test..and they are discovering just how mild Camels are!

BARCLAY:

Here's what noted throat specialists reported about Camel mildness in a recent, coast-to-coast smoking test. In that test, hundreds of people smoked only Camels for thirty days. Noted throat specialists made weekly examinations of the throats of these smokers and they reported not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking Camels!

SMITH:

Try Camels in your "T-Zone"..T for Taste and T for Throat. See how Camel's choice tobaccos are properly aged and expertly blended for flavor and for mildness! Try Camels and see just how mild a cigarette can be!

MUSIC:

TAG

SMITH:

And now, before our curtain falls, one final word of thanks to our stars!..Miss Rogers - Mr. Cooper - and Miss Urecal - our deep appreciation for a wonderful half hour.

ROGERS:

Well, Mr. Smith, I'm sure that everyone in Hollywood knows how much this radio program does to support the Motion Picture Relief Fund and its Country House and Hospital - and I'm sure I'm speaking for all of us when I say it's a privilege to share in that work.

COOPER:

That's right, Ginger - and for more reasons than one. Each week, our sponsors, the makers of Camel Cigarettes send free smokes to service hospitals all over the country. This week, among other hospitals, free Camels are being sent to: U. S. AAF Station Hospital, Randolph Field, Texas..U.S. Naval Hospital, Oakland, California ..Veteran's Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota.

This makes a total of more than one hundred and eighty-seven million cigarettes that the Camel people have sent to servicemen, servicewomen and veterans!

Happy smoking, fellows, your cigarettes are on the way to you now, with the compliments of Camels!

(APPLAUSE)

MUSIC:

SHOW THEME

SMITH: The Screen Guild Players are directed by Bill Lawrence. The adaptations are by Harry Kronman..

Remember, Thursday night is Screen Guild night! And next week a rollicking, swashbuckling yarn full of Irish wit and Irish daring! Romance - to the tune of clashing swords! It's the current favorite, "THE FIGHTING O'FLYNN" - starring Douglas Fairbanks and Helena Carter! Be sure to listen!

BARCLAY:

"GOOD SAM" was presented through the courtesy of RKO Pictures whose current release is "THE SET-UP".

Gary Cooper will soon be seen in the Warner Brothers production "The Fountainhead."

Ginger Rogers can soon be seen in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Production "THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY".

SMITH:

For fun and hilarity, don't miss Camel Cigarettes' other great show over these same stations. Tomorrow night - the Jimmy Durante Show - with Don Ameche!

And remember, Thursday night is Screen Guild Night - the greatest stars and the greatest stories, brought to you by Camel Cigarettes!

This is Verne Smith speaking.

THIS IS N.B.C.....THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY.