Little Women
PRODUCED BY: PROGRAM NUMBER 12
WILLIAM ESTY COMPANY
FOR: CAMEL CIGARETTES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1949
R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (REVISED)
THE
SCREEN GUILD THEATRE
PRESENTS
"LITTLE WOMEN"
JUNE ALLYSON PETER LAWFORD
STUDIO A 6:00 - 6:30 PM PST
NBC HOLLYWOOD
DIRECTOR - BILL LAWRENCE ADAPTER - HARRY KRONMAN
SUPERVISOR - DON BERNARD CONDUCTOR - WILBUR HATCH
CAST
June Allyson..................Jo
Peter Lawford.................Laurie
Lurene Tuttle.................Marmee
Louie Erickson................Amy
Ann Whitfield.................Beth
Mala Powers...................Meg
Elliott Lewis.................Brooke
Earl Ross.....................Mr. Lawrence
Jane Morgan...................Aunt March
Hans Conreid..................Bhaer
ENGINEER: BOB BROOKE SOUND: BOB GRAPPERHAUS
[page A]
OPENING COMMERCIAL
SMITH: (COLD) The Camel Screen Guild Theatre!
MUSIC: FIRST PHRASE OF "HOW MILD"
SMITH: Our stars tonight...June Allyson and Peter Lawford
MUSIC: SECOND PHRASE OF "HOW MILD"
SMITH: Our play...."Little Women"
MUSIC: COMPLETE "HOW MILD"
SMITH: Our hosts the makers of Camel Cigarettes.
QUARTET: How mild,
How mild,
How mild can a cigarette be?
Make the Camel thirty-day test
And you'll see!
SMITH: Not one single ease of throat irritation due to smoking
Camels -- that's what noted throat specialists reported
in a coast-to-coast test of hundreds of people who
smoked only Camels for thirty days! That's how mild
Camels are!
BARCLAY: Make a note. Remember your throat. Try Camels today!
MUSIC: INTO PLAY THEME AND FADE OUT INTO:
SMITH: And now, while you discover the smoking enjoyment of
Camel Cigarettes, for your listening enjoyment the Camel
Screen Guild Theatre brings you a story that children for
many generations have loved, a warm and tender portrait
that you will all remember. The Camel Screen Guild
Theatre is proud to present Louisa Mae Alcott's "Little
Women" starring June Allyson and Peter Lawford.
[page 1]
MUSIC: FULL INTO PLAY THEME .. AND DOWN TO HOLD UNDER
MARMEE: (SOFTLY) My little women .... My four very precious little
women..Sometimes I see them still as they were in those days..
dark days for us..trying days, with their father still away in
some distant Army Camp..And yet, even in those days, Christmas
came again. And since I was busy at the Army Hospital - (BUZZ
OF GIRLS' VOICES UNDER:) - my little women decorated the tree
for themselves. (MUSIC: CUTS)
JO: Amy, it needs another string of popcorn here.
AMY: And a few more angels. I'll paint them, Jo.
BETH: I think it's a beautiful Christmas tree!
JO: Well it's nice, Beth, but - (STOPS)
MEG: But what, Jo?
JO: Meg - Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents.
MEG: No..(SIGHS) It's so dreadful to be poor!
JO: Well, I can tell you one thing: We won't always be poor! Some
day I'll be a famous writer and make my fortune selling stories!
And you'll all ride around in fine carriages! And have
servants and money and dozens of dresses!
MEG: I should like that.
JO: So..there's no use fretting now..Come on, let's rehearse our
Christmas play! Amy, I wrote a new scene for you. It's
wonderful!
AMY: (ANGUISHED) Oh, no!
JO: It's perfectly simple. All you have to do is shout, 'Roderigo!
Roderigo, save me!' - and faint!
AMY: (A MONOTONE) 'Roderigo - Roderigo, save me' - and faint....I
can do that. I've planned my costume, too. It's absolutely
plain, with all the colors of the rainbow in it ....
[2]
JO: Impossible....
AMY: Why? I'm a princess, am I not?
JO: You're a princess, but you don't know it. You think
you're a servant girl working for Beth - I mean Hagar,
the witch.
AMY: A princess always knows she's a princess.
JO: Well, you don't .... Look - Beth has just left the stage
with her kettleful of simmering toads....you're locked
in the tower.... Suddenly I enter - I'm Hugo, the
villain - and you cry out in horror, 'Roderigo!
Roderigo, save me' - and faint....Then Roderigo --
that's Meg - enters.
AMY: Meg, Roderigo? I thought Meg was Don Pedro, my father.
JO: She is. But you don't know it.
AMY: Does Meg know?
MEG: (HELPFUL) Of course I do.
AMY: Then I went to know, too. Why shouldn't I?
JO: Because if you know who you are, the play is over!
AMY: Well, it's too long anyway.
JO: Amy, please! After all, it's my play and - and -
AMY: And what?
JO: (EXCITED) Look - you can see him through the window!
MEG: Who?
JO: That boy next door! He's watching us again!
MEG: ) Where?
)
AMY: ) Let me see!
)
BETH:) I want to see him!
[3]
JO: I certainly would like to know him. I'd like to know a
boy for a change!
MEG: Jo - that's brazen: .... (RIGHTEOUSLY) They say in the
village he's a very wild sort .... He ran away from
school, and they couldn't trace him anywhere .... and
finally they found him in an Army hospital - wounded.
JO: How perfectly splendid! I would like to do that!
AMY: A fine soldier you'd make!
MEG: And now he's staying with his grandfather, Mr. Lawrence -
and while he's recovering, he has a tutor.
JO: I wonder how I can get to know him .... (THINKING)
Perhaps our cat might get lost....and he might
bring it back .... and we might get to talking ....
MEG: I don't think that's very romantic.
JO: No one said anything about romance.... (SHOUTS) Yoo hoo!
Hello ! ....
MEG: (SHOCKED) Jo, you’re disgracing us!.... What will he
think?
JO: (SMILING) He’ll think I’m awful. But he did wave back!
MUSIC ACCENTS... AND .. FADES OUT INTO:
LAURIE: (TO SELF) There must be some way to get to know them..
They always seem to be having so much fun.... Perhaps
one of these days I can -
BROOKE: (SLIGHTLY OFF, QUIETLY) Laurie - ?
LAURIE: (STARTLED) Oh - hello, Brooke....
BROOKE: (COMING IN) At the window again? Your grandfather's
not going to care much for that. After all, you're
supposed to be studying.
[4]
LAURIE: Studying! Hang it all, Brooke, it's Christmas Eve!
BROOKE: That's no excuse....(SUDDEN SMILE).....But, I have a
suggestion....
LAURIE: A suggestion?
BROOKE: Perhaps if we started your studies earlier, we might finish
earlier. Then, by four o'clock, you could give your
undivided attention - (SMILES) - to the view!
LAURIE: (SMILING) And we’ll start this very moment! ... Look - she's
out there now! That's the one I like to watch! See her!
BROOKE: Yes..though it's a strange way to spend Christmas Eve -
shovelling snow off the walk.
LAURIE: (ADMIRINGLY) She swings that shovel just like a boy......
Interesting, isn't she?
BROOKE: Mm...yes...but, the other one is pretty. She must be the
oldest, I think...You know, I've been wondering if.......
LAURIE: Look! She's seen us! She's smiling up at us! (SUDDENLY)
Brooke, I'm going to talk to her! (WINDOW SLIDES UP)
BROOKE: Careful, Laurie - your throat!
LAURIE: I'm all right! ... (CALLS) Hello, there.
JO: (OFF, SHOUTS) Hello!.....
LAURIE: (CALLS) Isn't that hard work - for a girl?
JO: (OFF) That's all we have in this family!...(THEN) Why
don't you come out and help me?
LAURIE: (CALLS) Can't. I have the quinsy.
JO: (OFF) Oh, what a shame!
LAURIE: (CALLS) Isn't catching, though..I can have visitors - only I
don't know anyone.
JO: (OFF) You know me.....almost!
[5]
LAURIE: (CALLS, EAGERLY) Could you come over and keep me
company? I'd be very happy!..(LOW) Brooke, you think
she'll really come?
BROOKE: I don't know, Laurie, I -
JO: (OFF, SHOUTING EXCITEDLY) Marmee!....Marmee!....
BROOKE: (SMILING) I think she'll come.
MUSIC: ACCENTS....AND FADES OUT INTO:
LAURIE: I'm so glad you were able to come and visit. Let me
take your coat... ....
JO: Thank you.
(EFFICIENTLY) Well, I've come to entertain you. I'll
read aloud and you can listen.....I do love to read
aloud.
LAURIE: I'd rather just talk .... if you don't mind.
JO: Oh, no! I love to talk, too!
LAURIE: (SMILING) If you'll come in here.....(STEPS) .... This
is the drawing room ......
JO: Christopher Columbus! What richness! Why, this is a
palace! It's marvelous! So roomy! And so full of
things! I call this splendor - I really do!
LAURIE: (SMILING) It's just a room....Will you have some tea?
JO: (WORLDLY) Of course. (DISHES CLINK)
LAURIE: Sugar? How many lumps?
JO: One, please.....Uh - two...three.
LAURIE: (SMILING) Three it is.......
JO: Thank you....(WORLDLY AGAIN) Well, Mr. Lawrence....now
do tell me all about yourself .... Of course I know all about
your school and the Army...in fact, everything....But
before that - what?
[6]
LAURIE: Well, I used to live in Europe with my parents and -
JO: Europe! I'm going to Europe, you know!
LAURIE: Really? When?
JO: Oh, I don't know exactly. You see, my Aunt March - I
just started to work for her as companion, and what a
fidgety nervous soul she is, too - well, anyway, my
Aunt has rheumatism, and the doctors thought baths
might - Cookies? Thank you! Oh, not that she hasn't
got a bath - she has a very nice one - Did you take
any baths while you were there?
LAURIE: (PUZZLED) Baths?
JO: I mean for your rheumatism.
LAURIE: (AMAZED) I haven't got rheumatism.
JO: Neither have I, but you see I figured baths wouldn't do
me any harm - I mean - that is to say, while I was -
Mmmm, these cookies are good! - because I've always
wanted to go to Europe - not for the baths, of course -
not at all - for my writing. It's so good for writers.
You see, my Aunt March - oh, but you don't know Aunt
March.... What were you going to say, Mr. Lawrence?
LAURIE: Nothing....Except, I'm not Mr. Lawrence. I'm Laurie.
JO: Well..Laurie, then....And I'm Jo. That's short for
Josephine, of course....
LAURIE: (SMILING) Of course....
JO: Tell me - how are you getting along with your grandfather,
Laurie?
LAURIE: Oh, fine..once I got used to him....You know, he's -
well - he's....
[7]
JO: (VERY CONFIDENTIAL) Oh, yes, I know.....
LAURIE: (SMILING) I suppose we shouldn't even dare say it in
front of his portrait.
JO: (STUDYING PORTRAIT) He does look grim, doesn't he? I
can see how his face might frighten a lot of people...
but I can't imagine being afraid of him...Of course,
every time I've ever seen him he's been barking at
something...but somehow...well....I rather like him.
MR. L: (SLIGHTLY OFF) Thank you, ma'am.
JO: (GASPING) Oh!..
LAURIE: (AGHAST) Grandfather!
MR. L: (COMING IN) So you think my face frightens people,
young lady?
JO: (SCARED, BUT BRAVE) Yes sir...frankly..I do....You
understand I don't think you mean to frighten them, but
your face...you asked me, sir, and...yes, I do think so.
MR. L: And I bark, do I?
JO: I have heard you bark...yes, sir...Perhaps you don't bark
all the time, but you do bark...yes, sir.
MR. L: But with all that....you rather like me, do you?
JO: Yes, sir. I do. I really do - in spite of everything.
MR. L: (SUDDEN SMILE) And I like you...Will you have a cup of tea?
JO: Thank you, I had one...I was just going.....
[8]
LAURIE: (EAGERLY) Wait a minute - I'll walk home with you, Jo.
MR. L: No, no - you stay indoors, young man -
LAURIE: But, Grandfath-----
MR. L: (GALLANT) I should be enchanted to see Miss March home,
myself....Shall we go, my dear?
JO: (HAPPILY) Thank you...(FADING) Goodbye, Laurie....
LAURIE: (STARING AFTER THEM) Goodbye.....
SOUND: FADING STEPS...DOOR OPENS. CLOSES....WELL OFF MIKE
BROOKE: (PAUSE...THEN SLIGHTLY OFF) Laurie?...(COMING IN)
Did she come, Laurie? What happened?
LAURIE: (SLOWLY, STILL DAZED) You won't believe it, Brooke....
A miracle.
MUSIC: ACCENTS...AND DOWN, TO CONTINUE UNDER:
MARMEE: (SOFTLY) Yes....it was a miracle...Our home, that for
so many months had known only the voices of my little
women, now frequently echoed to men's voices, too... Mr.
Laurence was suddenly quite neighborly. And Laurie was
a constant visitor....Brooke came with him, too, as a
rule. It wasn't hard to see why....The way he and Meg
smiled at each other made me happy - and a little sad...
Young Laurie smiled at Joe the same way. But the months
went by, and she gave him no encouragement......Jo was
busy, you see....(SCRATCHING PEN)....She was writing.
(MUSIC: CUTS)
SOUND: SCRATCHING PEN HOLDS FOR A MOMENT...STOPS
[9]
JO: (READING) 'And yet 'tis whispered that when the gondolas
glide through the fatal waters, these same waters still
run crimson with the blood of Lady Viella and her gallant
lover, slain by the phantom hand...(A SOB)....The End!
(SHE SOBS)
BETH: (SLIGHTLY OFF, WONDERING) Jo - ?
JO: (CONTROLLING SOBS) Yes, Beth...Come in....
BETH: (COMING IN) You're crying....What's the matter?
JO: My story.
BETH: (SYMPATHETIC) Oh....Poor Jo... Is it that, bad?
JO: It's wonderful!
BETH: (BEWILDERED) Oh .... Well, Laurie's waiting for you
downstairs.
JO: Oh, bilge! I told him not to bother me!
BETH: He says he's going to wait until you come down.
JO: Let him! I wish he'd realize I haven't time for his
nonsense.
BETH: But he's waiting, Jo! What'll I tell him?
JO: Tell him I went up in smoke.
BETH: (WORRIED) You aren't really, are you?
JO: (LAUGHS) No, my darling...(FIRM) But I am simply not
coming down. And the sooner Mr. Laurence understands
that - (DOOR FLINGS OPEN, SLIGHTLY OFF
MEG: (SLIGHTLY OFF, AGITATED) Jo - Beth - !
JO: (QUICKLY) Meg - what is it?
MEG: (COMING IN) Oh, it's dreadful, Jo! A telegram from
the Army......
[10]
JO: Father ! --
MEG: He's in the hospital - in Washington. Marmee's leaving at
once. You'd better come down.
MUSIC: SHARP CHORD...AND FADE OUT INTO
GROUP: (BUZZ OF VOICES...ENTIRE FAMILY)
MARMEE: (DISTRACTED, TIRED) There....I think I'm all packed now...
Mr. Brooke, if you'll carry the suitcase out...
BROOKE: I'll be glad to, Mrs. March.
MEG: I'll help you, Brooke.
MARMEE: (TROUBLED) I do wish Jo would come back. She's been gone
since - (DOOR SLAMS, OFF)
LAURIE: That must be Jo - she always slams the door!
MARMEE: (CALLS) Jo? Is that you? We're here in the -
AUNT M: (SLIGHTLY OFF) Nonsense! Can't you see it's not Jo!
MARMEE: Aunt March!
AUNT M: (COMING IN) Well? Where's that bad-tempered daughter of
yours?
MARMEE: I thought she was with you!
AUNT M: Well, she isn't ....(GRUFF) Here - take this envelope.
You'll need more than you asked for. There'll be other
expenses besides your train fare.
MARMEE: Thank you, Aunt March...(PUZZLED) But why didn't Jo bring
it?
AUNT M: Because we had words, that's why! As always she was rude
and impolite. She ran out before I could - (DOOR SLAMS OFF)
[11]
JO: (OFF) Marmee!....
AMY: There she is !....(CALLS) In here, Jo!
JO: (COMING IN, BREATHLESS) I've been running so, I -
Aunt March!
AUNT M: Yes, Miss. I had to get dressed and ride all the way
over here, just because you were so obstinate.
JO: But, Aunt March....
AUNT M: I'm not interested in explanations! (FADING) Good
day!....(FADING STEPS..DOOR SLAMS, OFF...UNDER:)
AMY: Jo, where have you been?
BETH: Yes, we were worried!
JO: (EMBARRASSED) Well, Aunt March croaked as she always
does, and I lost my temper....so I decided to get some
money on my own....Here, Marmee. This will pay for
your fare.
MARMEE: Thirty dollars!....Where did you get it?
JO: (QUICKLY) I didn't beg, borrow or steal. I only sold
what belonged to me.
MARMEE: What?
JO: Well..if I take my bonnet off....
MARMEE: Your hair!....Your beautiful hair!....Oh, my Jo!
BETH: (NEAR TEARS) Your beautiful, beautiful hair!
JO: Now don't wail, Beth. It doesn't affect the fate of
the nation....Really, I like it short.
LAURIE: Christopher Columbus! You look like a porcupine!
JO: Really? I feel deliciously light and cool.
LAURIE: But, Jo -
[12]
MARMEE: (GENTLY) Laurie, dear.... her hair will grow back....and
it'll be as lovely as ever .... But, Laurie, she'll never be
more beautiful than she is now.
BROOKE: (SLIGHTLY OFF) Mrs. March, you'd better come along.
Mr. Laurence has the carriage outside.
MARMEE: Yes - yes, I'm coming ... Amy - Beth - Jo - take care of
things...(FADING) Goodbye, my darlings...
AMY: ) Goodbye, Marmee...
)
BETH:) Goodbye...(DOOR CLOSES...OFF)
JO: (SOFTLY) Goodbye, Marmee...(BREAKING) Goodbye ....
BETH: (SOFTLY) Don't cry, Jo...Father will be all right...
JO: (SOBBING) I'm not crying for father, Beth....
AMY: What then?
JO: (SOBBING) My hair!
MUSIC: IN FULL....FOR CURTAIN
(APPLAUSE)
[13]
MIDDLE 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: Not one single case of throat irritation due to smoking
Camels - that's what noted throat specialists reported
in a coast-to-coast smoking test!
BARCLAY: Hundreds of men and women made the test. They smoked an
average of one to two packs of Camels a day -- Camels
exclusively! Each week, noted throat specialists
examined their throats carefully and they reported not
one single case of throat irritation due to smoking
Camels!
SMITH: Find out for yourself how mild Camels are by making a
thirty-day test of your own. You'll enjoy the rich,
full flavor of Camel's costly tobaccos -- and you'll know
how mild a cigarette can be!
BARCLAY: Make a note. Remember your throat. Try Camels today!
SMITH: Camel cigarettes now present the Screen Guild Players in
Act II of "Little Women" starring June Allyson and
Peter Lawford.
[14]
MUSIC: FULL INTO PLAY THEME...AND DOWN, TO HOLD UNDER:
MARMEE: (SOFTLY) Dear, gallant Jo...the bravest of my little women..
the one who loved us most..Dear Jo, who could dream
thousand new stories - and never see the ending of our own.
I was sitting in my room that day. Their father had been
home for a week, and at last I'd gotten back to my sewing...
She burst into the room like a hurricane! And when I looked
up startled -- (MUSIC CUTS)
JO: (DESPERATE, ANGUISHED) Marmee, do something - go downstairs
quick! Brooke is kissing Meg! And Marmee - she likes it!
MUSIC: FADES OUT INTO:
LAURIE: (GENTLY) Jo..(NO ANSWER) Jo!?
JO: (TONELESS) Yes, Laurie..
LAURIE: I saw you leave the wedding and come outside...I thought
perhaps you wouldn't mind if I came out too....
JO: (TONELESS) No, I don't mind...
LAURIE: (TRYING TO RALLY HER) Don't feel badly, Jo. Even if Meg is
married, you know, you've still got me..of course, I'm not
good for much, but I'll stand by you all the days of my life.
JO: (NEAR TEARS) I know you will. You don't know what a comfort
you are to me, Laurie.
LAURIE: Jo...will you listen to what I want to tell you?
JO: (FRIGHTENED) No..no, Laurie...don't say it...don't
LAURIE: I will, and you must hear me..it's no use, Jo. We've got
to have it out, and the sooner the better.
JO: (CONTROLLED) All right..say what you like, then..I'll
listen.
[15]
LAURIE: I've loved you ever since I've known you, Jo. Couldn't help
it. I've tried to show you, but you wouldn't let me. Now
I'm going to make you hear, and give me an answer.
JO: Laurie...Laurie...I wanted to save you this...I never wanted
you to care for me so...
LAURIE: I know I'm not half good enough for you, Jo, but - well - if
you love me, you can make me anything you like.
JO: (GENTLY) I wouldn't change you, Laurie... I wouldn't change
you at all...
LAURIE: Then Jo - please!
JO: Oh, Laurie... I'm so sorry...so desperately sorry... But I
can't say I love you when I don't...
LAURIE: Really and truly, Jo?
JO: Really and truly, Laurie... I don't think I'll ever marry.
[16]
LAURIE: (PASSIONATELY) Oh yes, you will - I know you will! You'll
meet some good-for-nothing no-account fool, and you'll
fall in love, and you'll work and live and die for him!
I know you will because it's just your way! And I'll have
to stand by and see it!... (ABRUPT FADE) Well, I'll be
hanged if I do!
JO: (ALARMED, CALLS) Laurie - where are you going?
LAURIE: (OFF, SAVAGELY) To the devil!
MUSIC: SHARP CHORD...AND DOWN, TO CONTINUE UNDER:
MARMEE: (SAD SMILE) Laurie didn't go to the devil... He went to
Europe instead. And when Aunt March went over the
following month, my Jo was faced with her first great
problem - whether to go to Europe with Aunt March, or to
go to New York as I had promised her - to live and work
and write in her spare time... (MUSIC RESOLVES INTO PIANO)
She chose Now York.
MUSIC: PIANO HOLDS BRIEFLY, THEN CUTS, AS: (BOOK FALLS):
BHAER: (PUZZLED) Yes?...
JO: Oh, I'm sorry - I dropped my book - I...I'm the new
governess - I'm Josephine March - do you live here, too?
[17]
BHAER: (SMILING) Ja - my name is Friedrich Bhaer..They call me
Professor - I, too, teach...
JO: How splendid! But of course that isn't all I do..I'm really
a writer - a professional one.
BHAER: So?
JO: Oh, yes! But I do wish you hadn't stopped playing. It was
so beautiful...What is it?
BHAER: It is a song, really - the words are by Goethe.."Nur wer
die Sehnsucht kennt"...do you understand German?
JO: No, I don't.
BHAER: Then I will try to say them for you in English..(PIANO
STARTS SOFTLY) Let me see now.. 'Nur wer die Sehnsucht
kennt'...'Only who knows what longing is'..'Weis was Ich
leide'...'can know what I suffer'...'Allein'...'alone and
parted far from joy and gladness..my senses fail, a burning
fire devours me....'
JO: (SOFTLY) 'My senses fail, a burning fire devours me'...
(MUSIC STOPS) If only I could write something like that -
something that would set other hearts on fire!...
BHAER: You truly like to write, then?
JO: Oh, yes! Writing is my life! I've scribbled ever since I was
a child!...Some of my stories have been published. And I just
sold another to the Weekly Volcano.
BHAER: The Weekly Volcano?..You must forgive my ignorance, but -
what is that?
JO: Why, it's a magazine, of course!
BHAER: Oh..(SMILES) You see, one can always learn...
JO: Yes, indeed! That's why I came to New York - to see and hear
and learn ....
[18]
BHAER: (SMILING) Then perhaps we can be of help to each other...I
mean - well, since we are both to be living here anyway -
perhaps you can teach me about magazines - and I can teach
you about music - yes?
JO: (FERVENT) Oh, yes! I think that would be wonderful!
MUSIC: ACCENTS..AND DOWN, TO CONTINUE UNDER:
SOUND: SCRATCHING PEN... TO HOLD UNDER:
JO: (AS SHE WRITES) '..And Marmee, you have no idea of how
exciting these months have been..Of course, Amy is learning
a good deal in Europe, but I doubt if she's had such a
teacher as I have..Professor Bhaer continues to be ever so
kind. One week he takes me to the theatre - and another to
the Opera - and it's all so wonderful..Sometimes I feel I've
known him all my life, when it really hasn't been quite a
year..of course, that's because we talk so much..At least
I talk.. I'm sure that by now he knows every one of you
through me - Meg and Amy and Beth - and you and father -
and even Laurie.. Only, he's always so quiet when I talk of
Laurie..But I am running out of things to tell him, so you
had better send me some news..Your letter says that Beth
isn't well..I'm sure it will prove nothing serious..(FADING
AS MUSIC BULLS) Be sure to keep me informed about her...
Write me often..I miss you so much..With all I have here,
I miss you dreadfully ....
MUSIC: UP FULL..AND FADE OUT INTO:
BHAER: (SLIGHTLY OFF, HESITANT) Miss Josephine?...
JO: (STRANGELY LISTLESS) Yes, Professor Bhaer?
BHAER: (COMING IN) May I come in? I want to talk to you..(AWKWARDLY)
I - I read your latest story in the Volcano..as I promised..
[19]
JO: (BRIGHTENS A LITTLE) Did you like it?
BHAER: Miss Josephine, I must be honest with you..I was
disappointed.
JO: Oh....
BHAER: Why do you write such artificial characters - such
contrived plots?.. 'The Duke's Vengeance'.. villains,
murderers, fainting women...
JO: (SOBS SUDDENLY)
BHAER: Oh, Miss Josephine - please - I am so sorry - I didn't want
to hurt you...
JO: (SOBBING) It isn't you..It has nothing to do with you..I -
I had a letter..
BHAER: (ANGRY WITH SELF) You have had bad news - and then a stupid
professor comes blundering and makes things worse!
JO: (CONTROLLING SELF) No, I want the truth. If I can't stand
the truth, I'm not worth anything..Please...
BHAER: Well - first I say to myself, maybe I have no right to
speak..But then I say, I maybe have no right to be silent..
because she has talent.
JO: You really think so?
BHAER: Otherwise I would not say it. You know that..and I say to
you, even sweep mud in the street before you are false to
that talent! Only say to yourself, I will never write one
single line which I have not felt first in my own heart!...
(GENTLY) You will do that, my little friend?
JO: I - I'll try...
BHAER: You will write about the simple, beautiful things you know?
JO: (SLOW) The things I know..the things I've seen all my life
.. (PAUSE, QUIETLY) I'm going home.
[20]
BHAER: (STRICKEN) Home? You are leaving us?
JO: (SIMPLY) That's why I was crying - it was in the letter...
My family needs me. Beth is sick.
MUSIC: SHARP CHORD...AND DOWN TO CONT. UNDER:
MARMEE: (SOFTLY) Beth was very sick...We lost her the week after
Jo came home......Those were sad, dark months for me...my
heart was heavy for the one who had gone - and heavier
still for the one who remained..My Jo was so changed -
so quiet now...Day after day she closed her door on us,
and I could hear the scratching of her pen as she wrote..
it was as though she lived only for her work, nothing
else. Even when I told her the news from Europe...
(MUSIC CUTS)
JO: Oh, but Marmee - that's wonderful!.. Laurie and Amy - why,
they were meant for each other! Really, I couldn't be
happier!
MARMEE: (QUIETLY) And a few months from now when they come back
as man and wife ..... Jo - are you sure?
JO: (SURPRISED) Of course I'm sure...(SMILES) Oh, I know
what you're thinking. But you're wrong, Marmee. All that
matters now is my writing.. (PROUDLY) In fact, I'm off to
the Post Office this very moment.
MARMEE: The Post Office --?
JO: To mail my novel. It's finished. I'm sending it off ....
(SMILES) You can read it when it comes back.
MARMEE: Maybe it won't come back - maybe they'll publish it, Jo!
JO: Oh, I'm not sending it to a publisher. I'm sending it to
Professor Bhaer.
[21]
MARMEE: Professor Bhaer? Why?
JO: (QUIETLY) Because I promised him.
MUSIC: (ACCENTS..AND FADES OUT INTO:)
JO: (HAPPILY) Amy, you look simply wonderful! Europe and
marriage both agreed with you, I think! Now, tell me all
about ....
LAURIE: (COMING IN) Here you are, Jo, dear - something for you.
JO: How nice! ...Thank you, Laurie ....
LAURIE: Oh, it isn't from me.
JO: Then - what -- ?
AMY: Open it, Jo - don't just look at it!
SOUND: PAPER WRAPPER BEING PULLED OFF
JO: (UNWRAPPING IT) I can't imagine what..Why, it's a book!
MARMEE: 'My Beth'...by Josephine March....
ALL: (AD LIB) Jo, it's your book!...They published it!...How
wonderful!.. Published!....
JO: (TIGHT, TENSE) Laurie - who left this with you?
LAURIE: A man. He had a sort of accent. He ---
JO: Where is he?
LAURIE: He wouldn't come in. He went away.
JO: Oh, no! He couldn't have! (FADING) He couldn't have!...
LAURIE: (CALLS) Jo, where are you going? ....Jo!....
SOUND: DOOR SLAMS, OFF MIKE
MUSIC: SHARP ACCENT..AND FADE OUT INTO
SOUND: SLOW STEPS ON GRAVEL WALK...TO CUT WITH:
[22]
JO: (OFF, SHOUTING) Professor Bhaer!..Professor Bhaer - wait!
..(COMING IN) I don't understand! You were going away
without even seeing me? ....
BHAER: I - I didn't want to intrude..You have guests...
JO: Just my family - and they want to meet you.
BHAER: No, please - I think --
JO: You see, we're having a sort of party. My sister Amy just
got back from Europe - she is married to that boy I told you
about and --
BHAER: (CUTS IN, TENSE) To - to that Laurie?
JO: Yes, that's the one - so you see --
BHAER: But - But I always thought that - you and he --
JO: You couldn't have! I told you!
BHAER: (VOICE TREMBLING) Yes..Yes, you told me.
JO: It's the first time we've all been together in ages, so you
must come in and -- (MUSIC SNEAKS IN UNDER:)
BHAER: Please..please - just a minute before - that is - I have
something to say to you..I mean, would you - Oh, I have no
right to think you will -- but dare I hope that you and I --
I know I should not ask - you are so young, lovely, so alive
- and I have so little to give you - nothing but my heart
which is so full and these empty hands...
JO: (SOFTLY, SIMPLY) They won't be empty..if I put my hands in
them...
BHAER: (SOFTLY, TENDERLY) Josephine..Josephine...
JO: (SOFTLY, SMILING) Shall we go join our family?
MUSIC: (UP FULL..FOR CURTAIN)
(APPLAUSE)
[23]
CLOSING COMMERCIAL
SMITH: Our stars Peter Lawford and June Allyson 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....
Smoke Camels and see!
SMITH: Yes, smoke Camels and see how mild, how flavorful,
how thoroughly enjoyable a cigarette can be!
BARCLAY: Among the millions who enjoy Camels are many, many
doctors. More doctors smoke Camels than any other
cigarette, according to a nationwide survey. One hundred
thirteen thousand, five hundred and ninety-seven doctors
were asked, what cigarette they smoked. The brand named
most was Camel!
SMITH: Say, friends, there's still time to buy the Camel
Christmas carton for the smokers on your list. It's
bright and cheery, with a space right on the carton for
your greeting.
MUSIC: TAG
[24]
SMITH: And now a final word of thanks to our stars who have
found the time in this busy season to come and appear in
the Screen Guild Theatre tonight...June and Peter -
believe me, you've made this a Merry Christmas for all
of us.
ALLYSON: Thank you, Verne, but I can't help but think of the many
people whose lives are brightened all year round by the
Motion Picture Relief Fund and it's Country House and
Hospital - the greatest cause in our industry. That's
one reason why all of us in Hollywood are happy to
appear on this radio program and share in the fine work
it makes possible.
LAWFORD: Yes, that's one reason, June. The other is a swell
sponsor. Each week the makers of Camels send gift
cigarettes to servicemen's and Veterans' hospitals.
This week, the Camels go to: Veterans' Hospitals,
Mountain Home, Tennessee and McKinney, Texas....U.S.Army
Station Hospital, Camp Kilmer, New Jersey....and U.S.
Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida.
ALLYSON: Happy smoking, fellows. Your free cigarettes are on
their way to you now with the compliments of Camels!
LAWFORD: And a Merry, Merry Christmas to all of you!
(APPLAUSE)
MUSIC: THEME
[25]
SMITH: The Camel Screen Guild Players are directed by Bill
Lawrence. The adaptations are by Harry Kronman.
Remember, every Thursday night - the Camel Screen Guild
Theatre! Next week three of your favorite stars in a
story that made history on the screen. A powerful
dramatic situation that will keep you enthralled from
beginning to end. Yes, it's Liberty Films magnificent
picture, "It's a Wonderful Life" starring James Stewart,
Donna Reed and Victor Moore. Be sure to listen!
BARCLAY: "Little Women" was presented by arrangement with Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer producers of "On The Town". June Allyson
will soon be seen in "The Reformer and the Redhead" and
Peter Lawford's next release is "Please Believe Me",
both Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer productions.
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 Vera Vague!
And remember, next Thursday night - the Camel Screen
Guild Theatre presents "It's A Wonderful Life" starring
James Stewart, Donna Reed and Victor Moore.
Any time of the year, give United States Savings Bonds -
a thoughtful gift because it's the gift that keeps on
giving. There's no safer investment - and every three
dollars invested becomes four in ten years! Verne
Smith speaking.