ANNOUNCER:

From Hollywood, the NBC Theater presents-

(MFX)

 

PUBLIC ADDRESS VOICE:

(filtered, announced like a train station PA) -"Screen Director's Playhouse"... Production, "The Killers"... Director, Robert Siodmak... Stars, Burt Lancaster, Shelley Winters.

(MFX)

 

SFX:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

The Hollywood screen directors present a postscript to murder- "The Killers", starring Burt Lancaster and Shelley Winters, and introducing the director of the film, Robert Siodmak!

(MFX)

 

ANNOUNCER:

It's not always necessary to have lived a fabulous life in order to create fabulous motion pictures. But in the case of our guest screen director tonight, it most certainly has helped. At nineteen, he was seasoned Shakespearean actor. At twenty, director of the Dresden Germany stock exchange. At twenty-one, rich. At twenty-three, broke again. At twenty-four, he launched the brilliant motion picture career that was to bring him to Hollywood. The director of such thrilling films as "Dark Mirror", "The Spiral Staircase", and tonight's story "The Killers", ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Robert Siodmak!

SFX:

APPLAUSE

SIODMAK:

(heavy German dialect) Thank you, thank you. Hollywood has given the world two kinds of motion pictures, which are typically American. They are the western and the gangster film, such as "The Killers". This is not to say that America is a country of gangsters, anymore than a country of cowboys. It means only that America has created a new and fascinating kind of entertainment. Such is our story that entrenches drama. Now here is "The Killers" starring Burt Lancaster, in his original role of "Swede" and Shelley Winters as "Kitty".

(MFX)

 

SFX:

ANXIOUS DOOR KNOCKING/DOOR CREAKS OPEN SLOWLY

NICK:

(out of breath) Swede! Hey Swede! Swede, it's me, Nick! It's Nick-

SFX:

DOOR CREAKING CLOSE/FOOTSTEPS

NICK:

-Whaddya doin' layin' down, Swede? Ya sick?

SWEDE:

(quietly) No-

NICK:

Listen Swede, I was down in George's diner when two hard guys came in lookin' for ya Hey- they said they were lookin' for ya to kill ya!

SWEDE:

I know-

NICK:

-Then whaddya layin' here for?

SWEDE:

There's nothin' I can do-

NICK:

-Doncha want me to go and see the police?

SWEDE:

That wouldn't do any good-

NICK:

Couldn't ya get outta town

SWEDE:

I'm through with runnin' away

NICK:

-But why? Why do they wanna killya?

SWEDE:

(simply) I did somethin' wrong once. Thanks for comin'.

NICK:

I just thought- well, okay-

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS/DOOR CREAKS OPEN

NICK:

-But they're comin' lookin' for ya, Swede! They're comin' lookin' for ya!

SFX:

DOOR CREAKING CLOSE

(MFX)

 

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS/DOOR CREAKS OPEN/GUNSHOTS/FOOTSTEPS RUNNING AWAY

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) He "did something wrong once". What? A gas station attendant murdered. In an out-of-the-way town called Brentwood- allowing himself to be murdered! Helplessly and without complaint submitting to extermination! Why? Why does a man allow himself to come to such an abject end? Headquarters put me on the case because I had some college criminology and because I'd known Swede, the victim, back in the old days. This isn't the story of how we got Swede's killers; that's routine police work and you've heard that story a thousand times. What brings a man to such an end as Swede's? That's the important, personal story... and this is it.

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) One by one we rounded up people who'd known the Swede, some of them "on the level". One who wasn't "on the level" was a gunsel named Blinky Franklin, who knew the Swede when. (to BLINKY) Give Blinky.

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

Well- let me see- ten years ago; Swede had just knocked Soldier Burns for good, see? That put Swede right up there as a contender for the light heavyweight championship.

MFX:

KITTY'S SONG

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

Well, after the fight, I took Swede over to Jim Colfax's apartment where a big party was going on. Kitty Collins, Jim's girl, was singing over at the piano. Right away I see that the Swede's interested. So I waited for Kitty to finish her song and then I brought the Swede over to meet her.

SFX:

APPLAUSE

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

(to KITTY) Hey Kitty! Kitty!

KITTY COLLINS:

Oh, hello Blinky! I don't see you beatin' your palms-

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

Now look look Kitty, I want you to meet Swede Andersen. Swede's a comin' light heavy champ!

KITTY COLLINS:

Oh... how do you do?

SWEDE:

(shyly) Hello Kitty-

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

(walking away from mike) -Eh, you two make y'selves acquainted... I want to talk to some of the boys. I'll see ya...

MFX:

COCKTAIL PIANO

KITTY COLLINS:

So you're the next champion, Mr. Andersen?

SWEDE:

(chuckling nervously) D-do y'like the fights?

KITTY COLLINS:

(chuckling flirtatiously) I'm afraid I never saw one.

SWEDE:

No kiddin'.

KITTY COLLINS:

I can't bare brutality. The idea of two men beating each other to a pulp, makes me ill-

SWEDE:

Well, I don't get hurt

KITTY COLLINS:

-You're unusual then.

SWEDE:

I'll go into some other racket, before I let them knock me punchy-

KITTY COLLINS:

-Really? It's, er, too bad that Jim is out of town. He'd like to speak to you.

SWEDE:

Who's Jim?

KITTY COLLINS:

Jim Colfax...uhm... he owns this apartment.

SWEDE:

Oh... well, uh, why would he want to see me?

KITTY COLLINS:

Oh, he has... lots of irons in the fire. I'll arrange it for ya-

SWEDE:

-Well, thanks, th-that's swell Miss-

KITTY COLLINS:

-Kitty. Remember?

SWEDE:

I remember.

KITTY COLLINS:

Well, don't forget. I'll see you at the fights, sometime.

(MFX)

 

SFX:

CROWD WATCHING A FIGHT

FIGHT REFEREE:

(yelling out the count) 2... 3... 4...5-

KITTY COLLINS:

(screaming) Swede, get up

FIGHT REFEREE:

-6... 7...-

KITTY COLLINS:

(screaming) Get off that canvas and fight!

FIGHT REFEREE:

-8...-

KITTY COLLINS:

(screaming) Swede, get up

FIGHT REFEREE:

-9...-

KITTY COLLINS:

(screaming) Get up

FIGHT REFEREE:

-10!

SFX:

FIGHT CROWD GOES WILD

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) The Swede was finished. He'd broken his hand badly in that fight; he'd never fight again. For a while, I didn't see the Swede. Then, one night, I was in Lou Tingle's Arena Caf?. I'd been given a tip on some hot jewelry and, sure enough, there was some of it walking in on Kitty Collins' dress. Swede was with her, looking very prosperous indeed. I let'em sit down, then I walked over, trying to make it look like a social visit, for a while anyway.

SWEDE:

(happily surprised) Sam! Sam Lubinsky! Well how are ya, boy-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Hello, Swede

SWEDE:

Kitty, you know Sam Lubinsky

KITTY COLLINS:

(deadpan) -Yeah. I know Sam.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

You lookin' pretty sharp Swede; that numbers racket really pays off-

SWEDE:

(laughing) Boy, you know everything! That broken hand was the best thing ever happened to me! Well, how are ya, anyway? What's on yer mind, Sam

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

-That diamond brooch Kitty's wearing.

KITTY COLLINS:

What are you talkin' about-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Grand larceny and hot jewelry

SWEDE:

(incredulous) -Y'mean t'tell me that brooch is... stolen?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Let's take a ride downtown, Kitty-

SWEDE:

Now wait a minute, Sam

KITTY COLLINS:

Swede

SWEDE:

Is this a pinch

KITTY COLLINS:

Don't let them take me

SWEDE:

-You can't do this, Sam!

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

You're not going to stop me, are ya Swede-

SWEDE:

Look, let's you and me go some place and talk, huh

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Look, Swede, if your girl happens to be a shoplifter, I'm sorry about

KITTY COLLINS:

(desperate) -It's not true, Swede! I didn't take it! Why, I had no idea it was st-stolen! Now, listen, Swede. I'll give it back, I'll leave town, but don't let'em take me Swede, please!!! They'll throw the book at me-

SWEDE:

-Look, Sam... you don't want Kitty! I swiped that stuff! I'm the one yer after... get me?

(beat)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Okay. I getcha. That's the way you want it?

SWEDE:

Yeah, Sam. That's the way I want it.

(MFX)

LT. SAM LUBINSKY: (narrating) I pleaded with him to tell the truth, but he stuck to his story and it got him three years. When he got out, Blinky Franklin met'em and took'em to up to a room in a mid-town hotel, where Big Jim Colfax and some of the boys were working on the biggest payroll job of Jim's career. Kitty Collins, the girl for whom Swede had served three years, sat on a trunk... knitting.

BLINKY FRANKLIN: I-er, I guess y'know everybody here, doncha Swede?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Welcome back, Swede.

SWEDE:

Hello, Jim.

BIG JIM COLFAX:

There's Dum-Dum over there, grousin' around-

DUM-DUM CLARKE:

Hiya

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Of course you know, er, Kitty

KITTY COLLINS:

-Hello, Swede.

SWEDE:

Didn't hear from ya much in prison, Kitty.

KITTY COLLINS:

I'm not much for writing. You know that.

SWEDE:

I know it now.

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

Er, let's get started, huh boss? What's the new pitch?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Pull up a chair, Swede. Now this is big. It's the Prentiss Hat factory payroll over in Hackensack. We walk in as workers tomorrow morning and lift the roll; I'll give you the details in a minute. After the stick up, we split up, and meet up again in the halfway house tomorrow night, on Rt.1-

SWEDE:

-Halfway house, Rt.1... er-How much is in it for us?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

It oughta be good for 250,000 dollars-

DUM-DUM CLARKE:

Hey, not bad

SWEDE:

-Split how?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Well, I'll take the first 100 grand... you can divide the rest three ways-

SWEDE:

- Well, who declared you in for the big slice-

BIG JIM COLFAX:

I declared myself

SWEDE:

What about Kitty

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Kitty's with me

SWEDE:

Whaddya mean, Kitty's with you

KITTY COLLINS:

Don't start anything now, Swede

SWEDE:

Whaddya mean, she's with you?!? I spent three years in stir for a robbery she done whaddya tryin' to give me, she's with you-

BIG JIM COLFAX:

You wanna blueprint Swede, all right, I'll give you a blueprint

KITTY COLLINS:

Shaddup Jim

BIG JIM COLFAX:

You'll keep your mouth if you don't want it slapped shut

SWEDE:

You don't put a hand on Kitty, Jim! You just try it

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

Keep out of it Swede... Kitty's Jim's girl now

SWEDE:

Get outta my way, Blinky

KITTY COLLINS:

Swede, mind yer own business

SWEDE:

-This is my business.

SFX:

PUNCH/BODY FALLS TO THE FLOOR

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

You crazy, Swede? What didja hit'em for?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

I'll killya for that, Swede.

SWEDE:

Reach for yer gun and I'll kick yer brains in-

KITTY COLLINS:

Cut it out both of ya- cut it out!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Why you dumb palooka! Gimme a hand, Blinky-

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

-Yeah.

SFX:

SOMEONE BEING HELPED OFF THE GROUND.

BIG JIM COLFAX:

I oughta give you the works, Swede.

SWEDE:

Anytime you say, Colfax.

BIG JIM COLFAX:

I gotta job to do tomorrow. Tomorrow morning at eight. Here's the full pitch now...

(MFX)

 

SFX:

MACHINE GUNFIRE/GLASS SHATTER/CAR PULLING AWAY

(BEAT)

 

SFX:

POLICE SIRENS (two min.)

POLICE DISPATCH:

Calling all cars! All cars watch roads leading from Prentiss Hat factory in Hackensack! Armed hold-up by at least three men leaving hold-up scene in three separate cars!! All cars proceed to Prentiss Hat factory at once!!! All cars, calling all cars, (REPEATING AND FADING AWAY FROM MIKE) calling all cars, calling all cars...

(MFX)

 

ANNOUNCER:

You are listening to the Hollywood Screen Director's presentation of "The Killers" starring Burt Lancaster and Shelley Winters and introducing the director of the film, Robert Siodmak!

(MFX)

 

ANNOUNCER:

This is the concluding program in the present series. Beginning July 1st, The Screen Director's Playhouse will be heard on Fridays at 9pm, eastern daylight saving time, under the sponsorship of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. The opening program in the new series will star Cary Grant in "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House"! Remember the time, July 1st, and each Friday thereafter at 9pm, eastern daylight saving time. We invite you to be with us then! And now back to the second act of tonight's production of "The Killers"!

(MFX)

 

SFX:

RAPID DOOR KNOCKING

SWEDE:

Who is it?

KITTY COLLINS:

(urgently whispering) Kitty! Quick- let me in Swede!

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS/DOOR OPENS

SWEDE:

What's the matter-

KITTY COLLINS:

(breathless) Close the door

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES

KITTY COLLINS:

(breathless) -Swede, I'm gambling my life coming here like this!

SWEDE:

What's the matter- what's wrong?

KITTY COLLINS:

Colfax is gonna double-cross ya!

SWEDE:

(not quite understanding) Gonna double-cross m-

KITTY COLLINS:

-They aren't goin' to the halfway house after the robbery. You'll go there, but they'll be some place else. And so will the money!

SWEDE:

Why are you telling me this? You're Jim's girl.

KITTY COLLINS:

Swede I-I can't let them double-cross ya after y'took that 3-year rap for me.

SWEDE:

Is that the truth?

KITTY COLLINS:

So help me Swede, it's the truth. They're gonna meet on that old farmhouse on the north turnpike.

SWEDE:

They are, huh? They are! Thanks fer puttin' me wise, Kitty-

KITTY COLLINS:

Whaddya gonna do

SWEDE:

I'm gonna do them, like they mean to do me

KITTY COLLINS:

-Don't give me away, darling!

SWEDE:

Don't you worry baby!

KITTY COLLINS:

Do you know why Jim hates you like he does? Because of me, Swede. He-he knows how it really is between you and me.

SWEDE:

Kitty... Kitty why'd you ever go back to him?

KITTY COLLINS:

I don't know... maybe because I hate him. I'm poison, Swede. Poison to anyone I really love. I don't care if I hurt Colfax.

SWEDE:

Kitty- Kitty you're not goin' back to him again. You're leavin' with me. Tonight. After I handle Colfax at the farmhouse-

KITTY COLLINS:

I love you, Swede. Hold me

SWEDE:

I'll come back tonight. We'll go to Atlantic City

KITTY COLLINS:

Hold me, darling

SWEDE:

Just the two of us. You and me

KITTY COLLINS:

Yes, darling... yes. Hold me tight. Tighter darling tighter!

(MFX)

 

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Boys, I'm tired of waitin' for Swede to show up. I'll just take my money now. Shove me the suitcase, Dum-Dum, let's start countin'-

DUM-DUM CLARKE:

-Okay by me, boss.

SFX:

SUITCASE BEING OPENED

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

Start countin' Jim, so I can start countin'-

SFX:

DOOR BEING KICKED OPEN

SWEDE:

(from off mike) -Okay boys, hold it!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Swede! What's the idea-

SWEDE:

-Get your hands up! All three of ya!

DUM-DUM CLARKE:

Yer reachin' fer trouble Swede.

SFX:

DOOR SLAMMED SHUT/FOOTSTEPS

SWEDE:

(walking toward mike) Swell idea you guys had, huh? Leavin' me to cool my heels at the halfway house while you guys split the dough here!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

You were told of the change; else why 're you here-

SWEDE:

Shaddup! I'll take that suitcase

SFX:

SUITCASE BEING BANGED AROUND/FOOTSTEPS

SWEDE:

-Thanks boys. Don't move... and next time, play it straight!

SFX:

DOOR OPEN/SLAM SHUT

BLINKY FRANKLIN:

C'mon after'em-

BIG JIM COLFAX:

All right, stoppit... he'll mow ya down, soon as ya come out the door

DUM-DUM CLARKE:

-Dirty double-crossin' rat!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

He'll get paid off, Dum-Dum... but good!

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) Swede and Kitty escaped to Atlantic City with the 250,000 dollars. They staid there for several days. Then... well a woman named Queenie, a chambermaid at the hotel where they stayed, supplied us with the rest of that episode... (to QUEENIE) Queenie?

QUEENIE:

I-I was on night duty. Turnin' down the beds. When I got to his room, 1212-

SFX:

GLASS BREAKING/WOODEN CHAIR BEING BROKEN UP

QUEENIE:

-I heard somethin' smash inside. I went in and... that poor young man was a sight t'behold. I'll never ferget it...there he stood, a wild look in his eyes...half-crazy, holding a splintered chair in his hand. Just as I came in, he threw it at the dresser mirror-

SFX:

GLASS BREAKING

QUEENIE:

-Then he just stood there... like a big, hurt kid. This was awful.

SWEDE:

(crying) She's gone-

QUEENIE:

Hush now, you mustn't carry on like that, sir

SWEDE:

She's gone... why did she go

QUEENIE:

You mean the lady that came here with ya

SWEDE:

She's gone

QUEENIE:

-She went out this mornin' with a suitcase...

SWEDE:

... A suitcase-

QUEENIE:

-The laundry, she said.

SWEDE:

(crying again) She's gone. I'm goin' too... I'm goin' too

QUEENIE:

-Please sir... (crying out) Ohh, not the window!! Not the window, please!!!

SWEDE:

Take yer hands offa me-

SFX:

GLASS BREAKING

QUEENIE:

Please don't

SWEDE:

Let go

QUEENIE:

(yelling off mike) Please don't jump

SWEDE:

-Let go a'me-Lemme go-

QUEENIE:

(yelling off mike) -Please don't do it, mister!!! If you do that you'll never see the face of God!!!!

SWEDE:

(screaming out/sobbing) I WANNA DIE-

QUEENIE:

(yelling off mike) YOU'LL BURN IN HELL, 'TIL THE END OF TIME

SWEDE:

I WANNA DIE (sobbing)... I wanna die

QUEENIE:

-Oh no... not that way... come over here...that's better... there now lie down...there...

SWEDE:

(moaning) ...Kitty...

SFX:

PHONE CRADLE BEING JIGGLED

QUEENIE:

(into phone) Get me Dr. Wiley's room, right away, please.

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) Swede never saw Kitty again. For six years, Swede Andersen dropped out of sight. Then, one day, a heavy, sleek convertible rolled up on the gravel of a gasoline station in Brentwood, New Jersey.

SFX:

CAR PULLING UP/STOPPING/FOOTSTEPS RUNNING THROUGH GRAVEL

SWEDE:

(coming up to mike) Evening, sir. Filler up?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Yeah I guess so, bud.

SWEDE:

Do you usually take eth- (RECOGNIZING WHO IT IS) -ethyl?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(also recognizing) Yeah... yeah, Swede. Ethyl.

SWEDE:

(nervously chuckling) Heh- I-I must look Swedish! Everyone calls me "Swede"!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

This town gotta name?

SWEDE:

Y-Yessir.

BIG JIM COLFAX:

"Yessir"...What is it?

SWEDE:

(quietly) Brentwood.

BIG JIM COLFAX:

Brentwood-

SWEDE:

Yessir

BIG JIM COLFAX:

-"Yessir"... Brentwood, huh? Heh... "yessir"...

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) The next night, the killers came to Brentwood. And Swede lay on his bed, numbly awaiting his fate.

SWEDE:

(simply) I did somethin' wrong once.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) In someone's opinion, a blast of gunfire corrected that wrong. Swede had double-crossed Colfax, taken a quarter of a million dollars from him. And then Kitty had taken it from Swede. It took some doing for us to get the details but we got'em. But not the final details; we needed Kitty for that. We got Kitty.

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) I found her singing in a plushy nightclub and made a date to meet her there after the last floorshow. At a corner table I told Kitty some of what we already knew about Swede and the Prentiss Hat holdup. Then, I popped the 250,000-dollar question.

KITTY COLLINS:

What makes y'think I got that money, Sam?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

We got Blinky Franklin. Blinky talked. There's a chambermaid in Atlantic City who remembers your face from pictures we showed her. And I've just had a talk with... Jim Colfax.

KITTY COLLINS:

You've seen Jim?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

He's mighty provoked about you skipping out with all that money.

KITTY COLLINS:

You told him I took it?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

He's mighty provoked-

KITTY COLLINS:

-Look, Sam... suppose... suppose I raise 70,000 of the missing money, huh?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Uh-uh.

KITTY COLLINS:

Sam, I've turned over a new leaf. I've got a home now, and a husband. I'm leading a life that- it's worth fighting for. Sam, what can I do to save something out of that life? Tell me-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

-Turn state's evidence.

KITTY COLLINS:

Whaddya wanna know-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

-Who planned the robbery?

KITTY COLLINS:

Jim Colfax-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Say that in court

KITTY COLLINS:

-Yes.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

After you took the money and left Swede flat in Atlantic City, how did you get rid of Jim Colfax?

KITTY COLLINS:

I-I- well I staged a fight with him two days later and walked out on him, too-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Then you were in the clear because nobody knew you'd been with the Swede and taken his money away from him... (sarcastically) lovely girl

KITTY COLLINS:

-Sam... can't we go somewhere else and finish this talk?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(suspicious) Where?

KITTY COLLINS:

Well... how 'bout your apartment?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Sold.

KITTY COLLINS:

I'll go powder my nose... and get out of this costume. Don't go away... willya?

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating, picking up speed) I glanced over toward the entrance and there they were- Death and his twin brother. And they were coming my way! I'd never seen them before, but I knew who they were... the killers!! Their faces were empty of everything, except that blank cruelty of the professional murderer. When I saw the long, vicious revolvers coming up out of their coats, I didn't hesitate... I slid under the table, fast, and started shooting!!

SFX:

GUNFIRE AND SCREAMS

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating quickly) Death and his twin brother were down... and I jumped up and a beeline for Kitty's dressing room but it was empty! The door to the outside alley was open and Kitty, of course, was gone!! (melodramatically) But I bet I knew where!!!

SFX:

CRICKETS/NIGHTIME OUTDOOR SOUNDS

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) The house was an elaborate one on the edge of town... the front door pushed open, easily... Someone had gone into too fast and left it unlatched... I went in, and closed the door...

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES/NIGHTIME SOUNDS STOP.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) Whoever had come in, had also alerted him... Jim Colfax was waiting for me at the top of the stairs...

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(from off mike) Lubinsky-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

-Present!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(from off mike) Then my boys didn't getcha-

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

-On the contrary, Jim!

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(from off mike) Well allow me!

SFX:

GUNFIRE

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Colfax?

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(from off mike) Better... get me a... doctor, Sam-

KITTY COLLINS:

-Jim, what is it?!? Oh, Jim...

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(now at mike) Better still... a priest...

SFX:

BODY FALLING TO FLOOR

(MFX)

 

KITTY COLLINS:

Oh, Jim- Jim darling, I'm sorry... I love you, Jim-

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(weakly) -I-I know Kitty...It wasn't your fault...Sam?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Yeah Jim-

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(weakly) -T-tell me... howdya figger it?

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Look, anyone can go to the hall of records and find out you and Kitty were married-

KITTY COLLINS:

You knew I was lyin' when I said I would throw Jim over

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

We know a lot of things, Kitty. I don't know why Jim sent those killers to blast the Swede

BIG JIM COLFAX:

(weakly) -I-I had to...Swede was th-the only one who kn- the only one who knew that Kitty had ever had the money...

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

Poor Swede. He never knew that Kitty brought the money straight back to you. You two framed the whole thing so you wouldn't have to split the take with anyone... You just used the Swede to pull your chestnuts out of the fire-

KITTY COLLINS:

(desperately) But I didn't have n anything to do with Swede's killing

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

-No?

KITTY COLLINS:

(desperately) Jim... tell'em- tell'em I didn't have- know about those gunmen... Jim, your dying, so why not say it... say "Kitty is innocent"!

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

It's no use, Kitty-

KITTY COLLINS:

(desperately) -Say it! Say it, Jim! Say "Kitty is innocent"- say it!!

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

It's no use, Kitty-

KITTY COLLINS:

(desperately) -Say it! Say it!! Say it!!!

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

He's dead.

(MFX)

 

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) That's it... I didn't tell you a detective story, full of clues and pursuit... I wanted to tell you Swede's story... There a lot of people in the world like Swede; more sinned against, perhaps, than sinning. Sure Swede was to blame for a lot of things... but who is to blame for Swede? He's gone now; despair dying on his lips...

SWEDE:

There's nothin' I can do about it... I'm through with runnin' away... I did somethin' wrong once. Thanks for comin'.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) What about Swede? I read something the other day I can't forget. It went "any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore send not to know for whom the bell tolls..."

SFX:

BELL TOLLING

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) "...it tolls for thee".

SWEDE:

...I did somethin' wrong once.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) What loosed the killers on Swede? Something he did? Or something we didn't do? All of us...

SWEDE:

...I did somethin' wrong once.

LT. SAM LUBINSKY:

(narrating) I wonder... what did we do wrong?

(MFX)

 

SFX:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

Our stars will return in just a moment, but first a message of interest to all our listeners. This is the concluding program in our present series. Beginning July 1st, The Screen Director's Playhouse will be presented for your enjoyment on Fridays at 9pm, eastern daylight saving time, under the sponsorship of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. The first production will star Cary Grant in "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House"! So, for great motion picture entertainment brought to the microphone, remember the date, July 1st, remember the day, Friday remember the time, 9pm, eastern daylight saving time. We invite you to be with us then! Now, back here again are our stars Burt Lancaster and Shelley Winters, and screen director Robert Siodmak!

BURT LANCASTER:

Er, Robert, at the beginning of the program, you said that "The Killers" is a typical American film-

SIODMAK:

-Oh yes, it is!

BURT LANCASTER:

Then tell me something, er- why were you, why were you, with your European background, chosen to direct the picture?

SIODMAK:

Oh that's very simple. Having not spent my life in America, everything was new to me. I saw things that you don't see-

BURT LANCASTER:

Well, like what

SIODMAK:

-Well, to give you an example, when I first traveled across the United States I came to a small town with a big sign. The sign said "Coca Cola". So I said to myself, "Ah-hah! I am now in 'Coca-Cola, New Mexico'!" And then I came through "Burma Shave, Arizona". See what I mean?

SFX:

BURT LAUGHS UPROARIOUSLY

SHELLEY WINTERS:

And that's the way you became a director?

SIODMAK:

Certainly, my dear Shelley. It's merely a matter of applied ignorance.

SFX:

BURT LAUGHS AGAIN

SHELLEY WINTERS:

Oh no, it isn't. It's a matter of talent and skill and cultural experience! And I guess being born in Europe is kind of an asset-

SIODMAK:

Oh please, I wasn't born in Europe! My first years I spent in the United States

BURT LANCASTER:

(way too boisterously) -No kidding!! Well, what's your hometown?

SIODMAK:

Well can't you tell by my accent?

BURT LANCASTER:

Robert, forgive me, but no. I just can't place it!

SIODMAK:

Well, I'll tell you- Memphis, Tennessee!

SHELLEY WINTERS:

You were born in Memphis?

SIODMAK:

Why certainly! Listen, I'll prove it to you... (heavily German-accented Southern accent) "Goodnight, you all!"

SFX:

APPLAUSE

BURT LANCASTER:

Goodnight, Robert!

SHELLEY WINTERS:

Goodnight!

ANNOUNCER:

And good night to you, Burt Lancaster, Shelley Winters, and Robert Siodmak!

(MFX)

 

ANNOUNCER:

Mark Hellinger's "The Killers" was presented through the courtesy of Universal International Studios, who will soon release "Calamity Jane and Sam Bass", a Technicolor production starring Yvonne DeCarlo and Howard Duff. Burt Lancaster will soon be seen starring in his own Norma production of "The Hawk And The Arrow", soon to be released by Warner Brothers. Robert Siodmak's forthcoming release is the Hal Wallis production for Paramount, "Thelma Jordan". Shelley Winters will soon be seen in "Take One False Step", a Universal International picture co-starring William Powell. Robert Siodmak appeared through the courtesy of Universal International Studios, who will soon world-premiere the feature "Illegal Entry" starring Howard Duff, Marta Toren, and George Brent. Your announcer has been Frank Barton. Listen again when "Screen Director's Playhouse" returns to the air on Friday, July 1st at 9pm, eastern daylight saving time! Remember-

PUBLIC ADDRESS VOICE:

(filtered, announced like a train station PA) -"Screen Director's Playhouse"... Production- "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House", director- H.C. Potter, star- Cary Grant, Date- Friday, July 1st!

SFX:

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER:

The NBC Theater came to you from Hollywood! This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company!: