In this episode, we delve into the world of radio playwright Arch Oboler, presenting the sixth broadcast of a special 26-week series. The play, "Mister 10%," explores the life of a Hollywood artist representative, Freddie Jackson, who humorously narrates his experiences and contributions during the war. Freddie, a character full of wit and charm, claims to have contributed a million dollars to the war effort, despite his seemingly humble circumstances. His story unfolds with a mix of humor, irony, and a touch of Hollywood glamour, as he navigates the challenges of the entertainment industry and his personal ambitions.
As the narrative progresses, we are introduced to a series of colorful characters, including a beautiful blonde who captures Freddie's attention and a couple with their own wartime secrets. The episode captures the essence of wartime Hollywood, blending comedy with a poignant reflection on personal sacrifice and the pursuit of dreams. With a backdrop of radio drama and the allure of the silver screen, "Mister 10%" offers listeners a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era, filled with laughter, intrigue, and the timeless quest for recognition and success.
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
Every sandwich has bread. Every burger has a bun. But these warm, golden, smooth steamed buns, these are special, reserved for the very best. The Filet O Fish and
[00:00:14] Unknown:
you. You can have them too. And you can have it all at two for $6, like a Filet O Fish, Big Mac, 10 piece McNuggets, or large fries. Limited time only. Price and participation may vary. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Single item at regular price.
[00:00:30] Unknown:
Or prevent Arch Overlord plays. The mutual broadcasting system has the pleasure of presenting the sixth broadcast of a special twenty six week series of plays by radio playwright Arch Overlord. In this series, we hope to bring you dramas full of the excitement and the meaning of plays told in relation to the expanding world in which we live. The play will be introduced by Arch Oboler. I bring you a story, mister 10%. To you who haven't had the good fortune of a liberal education through show business, trade papers, Variety, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter, may I point out that a 10 percenter is the vernacular for an artist representative who, for the sum of 10 percent of the gross, represents the actors, actresses, singers, jugglers, and writers who make up the entertainment world.
This play happened because one day I met a certain one of these Hollywood Artist Representatives, and he said, every time I read the newspaper, I get, like my personal friend doctor Cowan, the eminent dentist says, a pain in my bridge work. Everybody congratulating everybody else. The army, the navy, the marines, Churchill sending congratulations to Stalin. And may I note that when I wanted to send a telegram of congratulations to a very dear friend, you know what Western Union told me. Well, anyway, everybody was giving everybody credit for winning the war, but nobody pays any attention to Freddie Jackson, namely me. Not that I want anything like a medal since who wants to wear medals on the front of a sports shirt, unless he's a security character.
But like my personal famous to Jay Walker, the eminent ex man says, give credit where credit is due, and nobody gives credit to Freddie Jackson, so now he's gonna give credit to himself. Operating from Hollywood, California, I personally had a 10% cut in this war. I personally, out of my own pocket, you might say, contributed without even getting an $18.75 war bond in return. The sum of hold on to whatever you wanna hold. I contributed personally $1,000,000 to help win the war. Yeah. But Freddie, where in the world did you ever get? If you, like my friend, Jay Durante, the eminent comedian, says, we'll keep the gab down to the minimum, I will give you the proper facts. Sure. Sure. I know what you're thinking. How could an individual like myself who, due to conditions beyond his control, is forced to give up his office in a tap building and now conduct his business at Hollywood And Vine under a lamppost, give away a million bucks?
The facts, like my friend, I, Eisenhower, the eminent well, you know who he is. Said, facts are facts, and I personally contributed $1,000,000 cash to the law and will prove it to you. I remember weeks before the recently deceased hostilities began. I am walking down Bryant Street coming back from the RKO Studios, and I am not feeling, as my friend, Dee Robinson, the eminent tap dancer used to say, too copacetic. Because my plans at the moment consist of a pride fighter who studied execution, and a certain lady who used to be a silent picture star who Max Factor and Wes Moore and Cedric Gibbons altogether couldn't put enough of that makeup on her face to cover the candles on her birthday cake. In other words, if my personal friend, Al Armstrong, the eminent musician, needs to say, I am stricken from hunger.
All at once, I hear a woman laugh. Now since there's no one else in the vicinity, I come to the conclusion she's laughing at me. So I turn to give her some quick words when I see she is a character who is only laughing because she's feeling so good. And I see further that she is a blonde who is as beautiful as the sun when it sets in the valley of the Warner Brothers in full Technicolor. Immediately, I turned to follow her with, as my friend, Paige Kaiser, the eminent industrialist used to say, strictly bigger than mine. But due to the fact that she is a very rapid walker, she was already turning into an apartment building before I can catch up with her. I immediately begin to rain dog. Are you sure he has no blonde hair? I do not have very good fortune.
No. I haven't just been for walking. I know blonde. Scram. Very bad fortune. Listen, screwball. Take your finger off that fell into hell. I was beginning to get discouraged. No. There's no blonde's hand beat it, Wolf. Right on the sixth bell. Lime, just come back from a walk? Sure. She's my wife. What did she do? Beat a small child over the head with her flambulator? No. No. No. It's business. Oh, well, if it's about the rent, I, went that way. No. No. My name is Freddie Jackson, and I am an artist representative for radio motion pictures. What do you take for it? Well, I I I'm an artist. I did a first aid course once. Maybe she can help you. Oh, Mary. Walter's here. Walter? But my name is Freddie. Please be civil about it.
Mary. Walter's here. Oh, Mary. Walter's here. Absolutely, Bugs. It was big as a house and filled a Grape Nuts. My name is Freddie, so who calls me Walter? Let him call me Walter Winchell. Who cares as long as I got that girl for a client with this beautiful babe. Well, who could tell? Maybe I could promote a fast deal on a stock contract and get back into business. But, Walter, I don't wanna be in motion pictures. Right away, she said that. I don't wanna be in motion pictures. Maybe I should spell it for him in big words. My dear missus, Staley. I presume I got the name correct so to speak. So to speak. So to speak. Let me explain to you why everyone wants to be in motion pictures. Walter, look. You're standing on a false premise. I don't wanna be a motion picture. Mary doesn't wanna be a motion picture. But you want money. We've got money. $80. 80 dollars?
That is a laugh out of the upper bracket. I am laughing because you are not talking about money. $80, as my friend h Warner Doug Julius says, is not running in Hollywood. Look, Walter, if I may continue to call you Walter, Freddie Anything you want. We, Mary and I, are very happy. Probably once you once is a place where we rest our hat. Then why not rest that hat and permanently build? Mary, you take it. Walter, it's this way. My husband and I are in Hollywood only temporarily. Make it permanent. If you will put yourself under my management inside of you, I will personally guarantee that everybody at Schwab's drugstore will be saying, do you know who that is? That's Mary Sterling, the new starlet. What do you say? Oh, Bill, you talk to him. Please, Bill. Please. At this point, I'd like to point out to you that as my friend Archie, the eminent bartender Duffy's Tavern says, I am the type of man who could take no for an actor if it is yes. Oh, look, Walter. It's 03:00 in the morning. You've been playing that same record since midnight.
We love you like a creditor, but would you please remove the needle and go home? Let me point out to you still another benefit to be derived. Oh, no. I didn't know. Believe me, my only interest is to be of service. Uh-huh. Look at me. I'm not a big agent like that old fellow with the crew haircut who married that actress. Or with a building at Beverly Hills full of bands and antiques. Or spread all over like the William Morris Agency is. I am one individual here to give you personal service. You sign with me, conservatively speaking, like my friend, h Hoover, the eminent expert at the once said, I will guarantee that you are In about five seconds, I'm gonna take you by the banks out of your car company. Mister Sterling, according to the community property laws of the state of California, half of whatever she makes is yours.
You just put the record in the wrong group, Walter. You're getting out. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They Walter, I'm about to become a criminal. Will stop. Walter, listen.
[00:08:01] Unknown:
If I take a screen test, will you go home?
[00:08:04] Unknown:
Absolutely. It's a deal. Oh, hey. Now wait a minute, Mary. Mary, listen. You can't. You can't do it. I won't let you. Right now, you're wondering, I presume, what all this has to do with the million dollars I gave to the water. Well, as my friend, M. Gandhi, the eminent Indian, said, if you'll squat a while and have patience, you will hear the whole story. Alright. So I talked her into a screen test, which was something I did not have any of. There is an illusion prevalent, particularly among young chicks who are, as my good friend, Warden Morgue says, strictly Sam Quintin Quayle. These chicks have the idea that screen tests are articles hanging all over Hollywood like streetlights.
Screen tests, my friend, are very difficult articles to get. For the last time, will you get out of my office? Well, it's a problem. No. No. Those two headed freaks you picked up, I wouldn't use them in a mop. Mister Brady, please stop insulting my client. Your clients are an insult to themselves. Now get out of my hair. Get out of my office. Get out of my life. Screen tests are very difficult things to get. Well, there's my friend, mister Dale Carnegie, the eminent philosopher, always says, try and try again. So the next morning, as a result of some very fast talking with this blonde doll, I get her to take the morning off from the drive in where she and that psycho was at her housework, and I am waiting outside of mister Brady's office when he arrives after a hard night at gym running.
Come on, mister Brady. Oh, no. No. Not this early. Mister Brady, may I have the pleasure of presenting a second Mary Sterling, my client? Now look here. You I told you that. Right? Well,
[00:09:44] Unknown:
then who might you be, little lady? Mister Brady, could you please hurry up your screen test or whatever it is you call it? I think we must get back to the drive in. I like to settle there waiting for a hamburger.
[00:09:55] Unknown:
Three days later, the screen test happened. And what happened then shouldn't happen, as my friend Jay Laurie Junior, the eminent comedian, says to a stuffed cocker spaniel. Hey, Jackson. Where's that thing? The coos been standing around for half an hour, and she hasn't even showed up. What is that saying? You will please stop looking at me in such a manner that definitely asked the question, what about the million bucks you gave to win the war? I am getting to the point rapidly. There I was with a screen test and nothing to screen. I immediately promoted a studio car and drove out to where she lived.
[00:10:28] Unknown:
The explanation is really very simple, Walter. I talked about Woodwardsville, and we just decided it wouldn't be right for me to take a screen test. Not right. Not a fact, Walter. As we told you, we're just sort of marking time until something we're waiting for happens,
[00:10:40] Unknown:
and then we just won't be around much anymore. You can't do this for me. It's no use. There just isn't time for me to go into motion to do. Thirty minutes later, I had them in the studio car, and we are driving through Westwood Village, which is next door to Beverly Hills. And exactly what are you going to show us, Walt? Until we get there, this will have to remain, as my friend general says, a military secret. This is not, as my eminent friend, Benedict Arnold, says, a double cross. Is it Walter? Personally, I do not know where I am going. All I know is that it's very important to keep these characters in the car so we ride along when I am desperately beating my brains out trying to get an idea. Meanwhile, I'm picking out houses along the way whose owners are a mystery to this day, and I am telling fancy stories about it. That White House over there is the property of Anne Baxter who arrived in this town practically penniless and now is one of the wealthiest small women in the entire United States. Warner, did anyone ever tell you you have a child? We are now passing a house of Morticia who is the type of leading man it is a pleasure for a man's wife to play opposite with. Really, though? I don't know whether it's charm or the pattern is. We are now passing a house of Ben Grebel who was formerly poor and pedaling and is now the proud owner of three main coats for morning, afternoon, and evening wear.
Mary, this guy is a potable. Hello? He is a composite of a Damon Runyon character, a Daryl Zanick character. Uh-huh. I'm Mark telling you a short story. With the mention of Darryl Zanuck, who incidentally, I am a strong admirer for seeing as how he is the head of twentieth Century Fox, I suddenly get what as my personal friend, Bea Crosby, the eminent priest used to say, an inspiration right from the feed box.
[00:12:31] Unknown:
Walter, where are we?
[00:12:33] Unknown:
We have arrived. In words of one syllable water, such as your spare small children on dark nights. Where have we arrived? I am about to show you the fruits of motion picture labor. This is the home of a very close friend of mine. Would you step this way? This is a slight untruth as the house I am showing them is rented by a fellow who is no friend of mine. However, what I have remembered is an item in the Hollywood report that said character is vacationing in Palm Springs, which is a long way from Beverly Hills. While Mary and Bill are admiring certain vegetation going on the war, I quickly make certain arrangements with the service.
Are you sure it's alright, mister? By good demand, do you think I'd tell you it's alright if it isn't alright? Yes. Yes. Mister and missus Kretzberg, a white magazine, full layout of the Boston house, terrific publicity. That accent me. Mhmm. Publicity, you know? Oh,
[00:13:29] Unknown:
it's just a call.
[00:13:31] Unknown:
Ten minutes later, well, like my friend Johnny Weissman, the eminent swimmer says, there's nothing like fresh water to clear the brain. Providing it is mixed with a little scotch. They are in the water, I am in the scotch.
[00:13:46] Unknown:
Oh, so I am on there. It's only water.
[00:13:50] Unknown:
I have also made an important discovery, as my friend admiral r. Burrow, the eminent discoverer would think. In a bathing suit, Mary Sterling is definitely a double feature.
[00:14:02] Unknown:
Okay. I see that. Well, do I see a good hat?
[00:14:07] Unknown:
Hey, Walter. You ever heard monkey, baby? Is it scream material? Yeah. Definitely. You playing the leading role. Say, how much does one of these swim things cost? Pull up three options, and you can have one twice as big. Just wonder what if there isn't time for options. Sorry. You want it? It might be fun, Delawar.
[00:14:25] Unknown:
Go on a swim.
[00:14:26] Unknown:
At 09:00, shop the next morning after I have practically worn out my knees, explained to mister Braden how a very bad accident to her only mother prevented her from keeping her first appointment. At last, I have Mary Sterling in front of the screen test camera. Alright, Ryan. Get that light over a little more. Alright. Hit the arch, boys. We're all ready to shoot now, mister Morris. How exciting. Alright, miss, when a camera starts turning, you start a moody. Other words, when I say action, look right into the camera, tell us all about yourself, being vivacious or tragic or Whatever mood seems to strike you, during the course of a test, I'll tell you to turn left profile of the camera and then right profile.
Right. Zoom, of course, you know which is your right and left. Alright. Turn them. That's her name. Alright. Miss, action. Tell us the story of your life right at the camera.
[00:15:30] Unknown:
I was born in the lab cabin in the plantation in Georgia. My father and mother were not very well appended. The doctor's letter is that he actually needed that in July '3. David. David. It wouldn't it wouldn't hold it void.
[00:15:46] Unknown:
I look beautiful. This is a screen test that's gotta be seen by mister Brady, and he doesn't like jokes on test film. Not at this overhead. So will you please behave? Will you please behave?
[00:15:59] Unknown:
Yes, mister Morris.
[00:16:01] Unknown:
Alright. Turn it over. Your turn name.
[00:16:06] Unknown:
Action. My name is Mary Sterling. I'm 21 years old, and all my teeth are my own except for Lou Ridgewood. Last last hour of last hour. I like that.
[00:16:19] Unknown:
Right then, I discovered that her husband alone is not screwy. Some of it has come off on her too. Every time the camera starts turning, she starts opening them out, and out comes Fred Allen. Why wait until the police throw me out so I go home? We're ready to get the report of that screen. Well, they were always other businesses. My good friend Dale Carnegie, who's also very imminent, would say, now I'm selling you the stock. I personally guarantee that you're making the Plan for your mother business. And they're almost at the post. I tell you this tip is out of the horse's mouth. I get along?
[00:16:50] Unknown:
You're so sweet and understanding, mister Roman, just like my late husband. Get along?
[00:16:57] Unknown:
Sure. But I don't sleep very good that night. I woke up to the telephone ringing.
[00:17:04] Unknown:
Mister Jackson, you better get to the studio right away. Mister Brady wants to talk to you, and he said right away.
[00:17:10] Unknown:
Right away? Well, I am no Errol Flynn, in the movies, of course, charging and wiping out half of the Japanese army single handed. On the other hand, I am not a rabbit, as my friend Frank Fay, the eminent actor, would say. Mister Brady wanted me right away. I did not have to go to see mister Brady to take his very sharp tongue backed up by the fact that he is a studio executive in very close to Chase National Bank. I do not have to go at all. Mister Brady meets me at the door. Ready, my friend. I'm going to get right to the point. Friend? What was that? I'm going to hire that girl, and don't hold me up. Hire that girl? It'll be a standard seven year contract with usual options, and I want the contract signed by two this afternoon. But don't stand there with your mouth open like a dead fish.
Go get your client. And practically, nothing flat. I'm at the front door of their apartment house ringing the bell. Mentally, as my friend, Dunninger, the imminent mind reader would say, I am not there. I am throwing out my client who is the ex Pies fighter, and I am furnishing a new office, and I'm being measured for a new suit. And I am entertaining a certain doll in a certain bar, which up to this point have been too expensive even on credit. But my fingers keep ringing the bell and finally they open the door. Oh, Walter. It's you. Today I let myself out in a swimming pool salesman. I wish no one else to you you're packing.
You're going away? Order you this alert badge for observation. Come on in and sit on the trunk for me. I open my mouth to tell them that she now is about to become a motion picture star, and they should throw the trunk out of the window and forget it. When all of a sudden, I noticed that they seem to have forgotten that I am there.
[00:18:47] Unknown:
Tell them.
[00:18:49] Unknown:
Sweet. Terry. Uh-huh. This, I quickly decide, is not the usual way for people who are going away together to act even if they are not sober. This is my friend Joe Carribean, the eminent Shakespearean actor, would say. Smells like something wrong in Denmark. The moment has now come, my dear Walter, for a fond farewell. Would you join us in a warm Coke? I said, sure. Sure. Although, personally, I do not like warm Coke. Where are your drinks, Danny? Well, how about a charge, Wally? Well, I you'll excuse me, but I am confused. In a matter of course, what is the occasion?
If you could give us a small idea. I sat back, and he looked at her, and she looked at him, and they sorta move closer together. And he said, remember how we told you that we were waiting for a certain event to take place? Well, this is it. Here. Look at them yourself. Your hands, like, papers. I look at them. Lightly hits me in the head and runs down the middle of my back into the contract. I have been double crossed. Some other agent has gotten there ahead of me and knocked my shoulder, and I am standing there without a head. Walter, what's the matter with you? Who did it? What do you mean who did it? Don't you know what those papers are? All of the time, it's come to tell us the truth.
Can't you read? When he says that, I look at the papers. I think that it is not a concept that all of these military orders, as my friend Jay Bewley, the eminent general would say. Well, that's the special event we've been talking about, Walter. You see, I've been on convalescent furlough, and now I'm ordered back to my office. I leave for England in the morning. Adrian? Bill's been fighting this war a little prematurely.
[00:20:27] Unknown:
He's with the RAF.
[00:20:29] Unknown:
But the two of you, you always act so crazy. I mean, so happy. Showalter, you said it the first time. I don't know why you were going. I mean, we're not at war. Ivory water. Ivory Warner? At this point, since it's getting very late, I wish to make the following statement. I'm making a practice of never discussing politics with clients since, as my personal friend, Burella, New York's eminent mayor says, politics only lead to Republicans and Democrats. Therefore, when this character begins to get controversial with me, I immediately change the subject and congratulate Mary on having such a good agent. This immediately leads to further conversation. And by 05:00 in the morning, it is all settled that she is not going to see him off in New York, but is going to be smart and stay in Hollywood and become very rich and famous so that when he comes back, she will be well established with perhaps even an Oscar or two on the mantelpiece.
He went away. She came to the studio. And it developed at the screen test, which I have never seen as positively the most sensational screen test since ring tint tin, who as you will remember is a dog, and so was not too highly criticized by the critics. And further, it develops that after a week of testing, the front office decided that my client will not be put into any small part in any small picture, but it is absolutely right for an a production, which is based upon a best seller, which has cost the 30 mil 250,000 clams cash. Your lease for your new office is ready, mister Jackson. I immediately began to put certain plans of mine into operation. Mister Jackson, I'm just a door working for you.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
I really knew it. Second plan.
[00:22:08] Unknown:
Is this ready for a fitting, mister Jackson? Life, as my personal friend, eGess, the imminent poet says, was becoming a bowl of cherries, and I am a man who likes cherry pie. It was very true that, unfortunately, Brady had hijacked me into letting my clients sign a stock contract, but I had certain plans about that also. The minute she was in front of the camera, I'd go up to Jay Jean himself and point out to him certain financial facts of life since my personal friend, Jay Hyde, the eminent agent says, 10% of a dollar is 10¢. But 10% of $2 is 20¢, which is the whole basic principle of the thing.
I am on the set early in the morning the first day of shooting. Congratulations. Oh, you're gonna check it out. Yes. He is. Ed is very nice. I sit myself myself very comfortably in a very nice chair they have provided for me, and I watch the activity. No. I'm not nervous. Why should I be? It's not play acting, isn't it? My client is in excellent condition. Alright. Take your plate, It develops that due to certain troubles with the set design department, they are shooting the last scene of the picture first. When I hear this, I think this is very amusing. I wish to state that if I had known them what I know now, the last that would have come out of the other side of my mouth.
Alright. Settle down everyone. Let's get a take. Now don't dolly in fast, Joe. Okay, boy. Now when he comes toward you from the door, don't move too quickly, Tord. Yes, sir. Remember when you put his arm around you, you may never see him again. I I don't feel afraid to let go. Alright. Let's have it. Quiet. Quiet. Roll them. They're rolling. I suddenly see that the leading man is in a soldier uniform. A British uniform with the arc lights not on as he comes through the door. He's the same height and build as the character who's now in England. Action. It's a take.
Darling. John. No. No. I'm just going around the corner. Remember?
[00:24:15] Unknown:
Yes. I remember.
[00:24:16] Unknown:
They stood there holding each other and she is crying. A very nice scene for the female thread as my friend, Aye Green of Veronetti said. Have you ever seen
[00:24:26] Unknown:
Raises, chocolate bar, your muffler, needles, buttons. Oh, god. What is it? Squid.
[00:24:34] Unknown:
I forgot thread. Oh, come now. Let the water bottle finish it something.
[00:24:39] Unknown:
You're so handsome in your uniform.
[00:24:41] Unknown:
Share prejudice. Oh,
[00:24:47] Unknown:
stop it. I told myself this wouldn't happen. It wouldn't. It wouldn't. Alright, darling. No. It isn't. You're doing what you wanna do, but I'm not too I'm not.
[00:24:59] Unknown:
The scene ended, and she stood there. Nothing happened, and nobody said anything. It sent you with my client. I did something. Bravo. Bravo. Get relaxed now, Mary. Alright, boys. Get it so so we can shoot again before midnight. Immediately following that, I get into a conversation with a very pretty little girl who was the script girl, and at least thirty minutes go by. And when I turn around again, my client is gone. It then occurs to me that this would be as good a time as any, as my friend, f Buck, the intimate animal trainer would say to be the lion in his den.
So I go around to the Administration Building and ask the little chick who's the secretary in the front office, would it be possible for me to see JG for three minutes? To which our response is, would I wait, which is to be expected. I'm in the middle of a very interesting copy of Esquire when she says you can go in now, which is most unexpected since people have been known to wait for three days to see JG for said three minutes. I go in. Right away, lightning hits me again in the middle of my head and runs down my back. She is there.
[00:26:05] Unknown:
My client. Come in, Jackson. Come in. You know your own client, of course. What? Yes. Mary and I have been having a very interesting conversation. Have you? I'm nice. I'm gonna let her tell you what she's just told me. Go ahead, Mary.
[00:26:21] Unknown:
I wanna do the studio. You just do it?
[00:26:26] Unknown:
The what? Oh, oh, money. Well, that's what I came up here for, Jake. She's a little lady's rep. I haven't been up. I haven't listened to her.
[00:26:35] Unknown:
I've got to get into the war with Daryl.
[00:26:37] Unknown:
The war? You're not in the war yet. What's this got to do with you? She didn't answer me. She looked at me. I said, okay. For a man, the war. Maybe it's adventure and excitement. Well, personally, I will find mine elsewhere. And personally, I think England can handle the whole thing if they just try hard with the lend lease we gave them. But you're a woman. What's war got to do with women? You get a lead partner named picture. You're very first. That's like lightning striking three times on the same pinhead, and you talk about washing out. JG,
[00:27:09] Unknown:
you talk to her. I've been talking to her for quite some time now. She doesn't think entertaining people is as important as actually being in the fight. I imagine when we get into the fight ourselves over here, we may get a new set of values for ourselves. Meanwhile, it's better to know how she feels on the first day of shooting than having it happen on the thirtieth. You can consider the contract torn up. Mary, come in and see me after the war.
[00:27:37] Unknown:
Just like that. The contract is torn up. Please see your new officers, mister Jackson. Your new suits are ready to be fitted, mister Jackson. I just love to work for you, mister Jackson. Just like that torn up. $1,000,000. Alright. I will prove it. $250 on the first option of $12,500 plus double that on the second option of 25,000 plus 50,000 for the next year's option, and then I would have gotten a flat deals and maybe hundred thousand a picture, 200,000 a picture. Did I say a million? I should have said 2,000,000. 2 million out of me personally.
Yes. I will now give you the topper. VEDays, so help me. I got a letter from them. Yeah. Him and I. I got it here. I'll read it to Dear Walter, here we are in Scotland. Both of us are on furloughs, and we have just made a profound discovery which we are sending along to you because we know it will fit you. Water, we have made the amazing discovery that there is a very large world, the other side of Hollywood and Grime. And so when the war is over, we are going to see more of it, and the people in it. Like a personal friend of ours by the name of c Columbus, the eminent explorer says the world is round, so we may enjoy our way back.
But do not plan on any screen tests as we do not think our grandchildren will permit us to do that sign, Marion, Bill. PS, we are going to name our first child water after you, Freddie. So now you understand that every time I read the paper and read about everybody congratulating everybody else for winning the war, I get, like my personal friend, doctor Cowan, the eminent dentist says, a pain in my bridge work. I personally, out of my own pocket, you might say, contributed the sum of $2,000,000 to help you in the war. Hey. Hey. Do you know anybody eminent in Washington I could write to? At least they ought to give me one of them purple ribbons.
You have just heard Arch Obler's original play, mister 10%. The leading roles were taken by Bruce Elliott, Bob Bailey, and Mary Jane Croft with Everett Hallen, Earl Ross, Roseanne Murray, Evelyn Scott, Harold Cornsweet, and Harry Lane. Next week, we will bring you mister Oberlef's new comedy, An Exercise in Horror, which is subtitled A Peculiar Comedy. The leading player will be mister Peter Lorre. This will be the seventh in a special series of plays written, produced, and directed for the Mutual Broadcasting System by Arch Oberler.
This is a Mutual Broadcasting System.
Every sandwich has bread. Every burger has a bun. But these warm, golden, smooth steamed buns, these are special, reserved for the very best. The Filet O Fish and
[00:00:14] Unknown:
you. You can have them too. And you can have it all at two for $6, like a Filet O Fish, Big Mac, 10 piece McNuggets, or large fries. Limited time only. Price and participation may vary. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Single item at regular price.
[00:00:30] Unknown:
Or prevent Arch Overlord plays. The mutual broadcasting system has the pleasure of presenting the sixth broadcast of a special twenty six week series of plays by radio playwright Arch Overlord. In this series, we hope to bring you dramas full of the excitement and the meaning of plays told in relation to the expanding world in which we live. The play will be introduced by Arch Oboler. I bring you a story, mister 10%. To you who haven't had the good fortune of a liberal education through show business, trade papers, Variety, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter, may I point out that a 10 percenter is the vernacular for an artist representative who, for the sum of 10 percent of the gross, represents the actors, actresses, singers, jugglers, and writers who make up the entertainment world.
This play happened because one day I met a certain one of these Hollywood Artist Representatives, and he said, every time I read the newspaper, I get, like my personal friend doctor Cowan, the eminent dentist says, a pain in my bridge work. Everybody congratulating everybody else. The army, the navy, the marines, Churchill sending congratulations to Stalin. And may I note that when I wanted to send a telegram of congratulations to a very dear friend, you know what Western Union told me. Well, anyway, everybody was giving everybody credit for winning the war, but nobody pays any attention to Freddie Jackson, namely me. Not that I want anything like a medal since who wants to wear medals on the front of a sports shirt, unless he's a security character.
But like my personal famous to Jay Walker, the eminent ex man says, give credit where credit is due, and nobody gives credit to Freddie Jackson, so now he's gonna give credit to himself. Operating from Hollywood, California, I personally had a 10% cut in this war. I personally, out of my own pocket, you might say, contributed without even getting an $18.75 war bond in return. The sum of hold on to whatever you wanna hold. I contributed personally $1,000,000 to help win the war. Yeah. But Freddie, where in the world did you ever get? If you, like my friend, Jay Durante, the eminent comedian, says, we'll keep the gab down to the minimum, I will give you the proper facts. Sure. Sure. I know what you're thinking. How could an individual like myself who, due to conditions beyond his control, is forced to give up his office in a tap building and now conduct his business at Hollywood And Vine under a lamppost, give away a million bucks?
The facts, like my friend, I, Eisenhower, the eminent well, you know who he is. Said, facts are facts, and I personally contributed $1,000,000 cash to the law and will prove it to you. I remember weeks before the recently deceased hostilities began. I am walking down Bryant Street coming back from the RKO Studios, and I am not feeling, as my friend, Dee Robinson, the eminent tap dancer used to say, too copacetic. Because my plans at the moment consist of a pride fighter who studied execution, and a certain lady who used to be a silent picture star who Max Factor and Wes Moore and Cedric Gibbons altogether couldn't put enough of that makeup on her face to cover the candles on her birthday cake. In other words, if my personal friend, Al Armstrong, the eminent musician, needs to say, I am stricken from hunger.
All at once, I hear a woman laugh. Now since there's no one else in the vicinity, I come to the conclusion she's laughing at me. So I turn to give her some quick words when I see she is a character who is only laughing because she's feeling so good. And I see further that she is a blonde who is as beautiful as the sun when it sets in the valley of the Warner Brothers in full Technicolor. Immediately, I turned to follow her with, as my friend, Paige Kaiser, the eminent industrialist used to say, strictly bigger than mine. But due to the fact that she is a very rapid walker, she was already turning into an apartment building before I can catch up with her. I immediately begin to rain dog. Are you sure he has no blonde hair? I do not have very good fortune.
No. I haven't just been for walking. I know blonde. Scram. Very bad fortune. Listen, screwball. Take your finger off that fell into hell. I was beginning to get discouraged. No. There's no blonde's hand beat it, Wolf. Right on the sixth bell. Lime, just come back from a walk? Sure. She's my wife. What did she do? Beat a small child over the head with her flambulator? No. No. No. It's business. Oh, well, if it's about the rent, I, went that way. No. No. My name is Freddie Jackson, and I am an artist representative for radio motion pictures. What do you take for it? Well, I I I'm an artist. I did a first aid course once. Maybe she can help you. Oh, Mary. Walter's here. Walter? But my name is Freddie. Please be civil about it.
Mary. Walter's here. Oh, Mary. Walter's here. Absolutely, Bugs. It was big as a house and filled a Grape Nuts. My name is Freddie, so who calls me Walter? Let him call me Walter Winchell. Who cares as long as I got that girl for a client with this beautiful babe. Well, who could tell? Maybe I could promote a fast deal on a stock contract and get back into business. But, Walter, I don't wanna be in motion pictures. Right away, she said that. I don't wanna be in motion pictures. Maybe I should spell it for him in big words. My dear missus, Staley. I presume I got the name correct so to speak. So to speak. So to speak. Let me explain to you why everyone wants to be in motion pictures. Walter, look. You're standing on a false premise. I don't wanna be a motion picture. Mary doesn't wanna be a motion picture. But you want money. We've got money. $80. 80 dollars?
That is a laugh out of the upper bracket. I am laughing because you are not talking about money. $80, as my friend h Warner Doug Julius says, is not running in Hollywood. Look, Walter, if I may continue to call you Walter, Freddie Anything you want. We, Mary and I, are very happy. Probably once you once is a place where we rest our hat. Then why not rest that hat and permanently build? Mary, you take it. Walter, it's this way. My husband and I are in Hollywood only temporarily. Make it permanent. If you will put yourself under my management inside of you, I will personally guarantee that everybody at Schwab's drugstore will be saying, do you know who that is? That's Mary Sterling, the new starlet. What do you say? Oh, Bill, you talk to him. Please, Bill. Please. At this point, I'd like to point out to you that as my friend Archie, the eminent bartender Duffy's Tavern says, I am the type of man who could take no for an actor if it is yes. Oh, look, Walter. It's 03:00 in the morning. You've been playing that same record since midnight.
We love you like a creditor, but would you please remove the needle and go home? Let me point out to you still another benefit to be derived. Oh, no. I didn't know. Believe me, my only interest is to be of service. Uh-huh. Look at me. I'm not a big agent like that old fellow with the crew haircut who married that actress. Or with a building at Beverly Hills full of bands and antiques. Or spread all over like the William Morris Agency is. I am one individual here to give you personal service. You sign with me, conservatively speaking, like my friend, h Hoover, the eminent expert at the once said, I will guarantee that you are In about five seconds, I'm gonna take you by the banks out of your car company. Mister Sterling, according to the community property laws of the state of California, half of whatever she makes is yours.
You just put the record in the wrong group, Walter. You're getting out. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know. They Walter, I'm about to become a criminal. Will stop. Walter, listen.
[00:08:01] Unknown:
If I take a screen test, will you go home?
[00:08:04] Unknown:
Absolutely. It's a deal. Oh, hey. Now wait a minute, Mary. Mary, listen. You can't. You can't do it. I won't let you. Right now, you're wondering, I presume, what all this has to do with the million dollars I gave to the water. Well, as my friend, M. Gandhi, the eminent Indian, said, if you'll squat a while and have patience, you will hear the whole story. Alright. So I talked her into a screen test, which was something I did not have any of. There is an illusion prevalent, particularly among young chicks who are, as my good friend, Warden Morgue says, strictly Sam Quintin Quayle. These chicks have the idea that screen tests are articles hanging all over Hollywood like streetlights.
Screen tests, my friend, are very difficult articles to get. For the last time, will you get out of my office? Well, it's a problem. No. No. Those two headed freaks you picked up, I wouldn't use them in a mop. Mister Brady, please stop insulting my client. Your clients are an insult to themselves. Now get out of my hair. Get out of my office. Get out of my life. Screen tests are very difficult things to get. Well, there's my friend, mister Dale Carnegie, the eminent philosopher, always says, try and try again. So the next morning, as a result of some very fast talking with this blonde doll, I get her to take the morning off from the drive in where she and that psycho was at her housework, and I am waiting outside of mister Brady's office when he arrives after a hard night at gym running.
Come on, mister Brady. Oh, no. No. Not this early. Mister Brady, may I have the pleasure of presenting a second Mary Sterling, my client? Now look here. You I told you that. Right? Well,
[00:09:44] Unknown:
then who might you be, little lady? Mister Brady, could you please hurry up your screen test or whatever it is you call it? I think we must get back to the drive in. I like to settle there waiting for a hamburger.
[00:09:55] Unknown:
Three days later, the screen test happened. And what happened then shouldn't happen, as my friend Jay Laurie Junior, the eminent comedian, says to a stuffed cocker spaniel. Hey, Jackson. Where's that thing? The coos been standing around for half an hour, and she hasn't even showed up. What is that saying? You will please stop looking at me in such a manner that definitely asked the question, what about the million bucks you gave to win the war? I am getting to the point rapidly. There I was with a screen test and nothing to screen. I immediately promoted a studio car and drove out to where she lived.
[00:10:28] Unknown:
The explanation is really very simple, Walter. I talked about Woodwardsville, and we just decided it wouldn't be right for me to take a screen test. Not right. Not a fact, Walter. As we told you, we're just sort of marking time until something we're waiting for happens,
[00:10:40] Unknown:
and then we just won't be around much anymore. You can't do this for me. It's no use. There just isn't time for me to go into motion to do. Thirty minutes later, I had them in the studio car, and we are driving through Westwood Village, which is next door to Beverly Hills. And exactly what are you going to show us, Walt? Until we get there, this will have to remain, as my friend general says, a military secret. This is not, as my eminent friend, Benedict Arnold, says, a double cross. Is it Walter? Personally, I do not know where I am going. All I know is that it's very important to keep these characters in the car so we ride along when I am desperately beating my brains out trying to get an idea. Meanwhile, I'm picking out houses along the way whose owners are a mystery to this day, and I am telling fancy stories about it. That White House over there is the property of Anne Baxter who arrived in this town practically penniless and now is one of the wealthiest small women in the entire United States. Warner, did anyone ever tell you you have a child? We are now passing a house of Morticia who is the type of leading man it is a pleasure for a man's wife to play opposite with. Really, though? I don't know whether it's charm or the pattern is. We are now passing a house of Ben Grebel who was formerly poor and pedaling and is now the proud owner of three main coats for morning, afternoon, and evening wear.
Mary, this guy is a potable. Hello? He is a composite of a Damon Runyon character, a Daryl Zanick character. Uh-huh. I'm Mark telling you a short story. With the mention of Darryl Zanuck, who incidentally, I am a strong admirer for seeing as how he is the head of twentieth Century Fox, I suddenly get what as my personal friend, Bea Crosby, the eminent priest used to say, an inspiration right from the feed box.
[00:12:31] Unknown:
Walter, where are we?
[00:12:33] Unknown:
We have arrived. In words of one syllable water, such as your spare small children on dark nights. Where have we arrived? I am about to show you the fruits of motion picture labor. This is the home of a very close friend of mine. Would you step this way? This is a slight untruth as the house I am showing them is rented by a fellow who is no friend of mine. However, what I have remembered is an item in the Hollywood report that said character is vacationing in Palm Springs, which is a long way from Beverly Hills. While Mary and Bill are admiring certain vegetation going on the war, I quickly make certain arrangements with the service.
Are you sure it's alright, mister? By good demand, do you think I'd tell you it's alright if it isn't alright? Yes. Yes. Mister and missus Kretzberg, a white magazine, full layout of the Boston house, terrific publicity. That accent me. Mhmm. Publicity, you know? Oh,
[00:13:29] Unknown:
it's just a call.
[00:13:31] Unknown:
Ten minutes later, well, like my friend Johnny Weissman, the eminent swimmer says, there's nothing like fresh water to clear the brain. Providing it is mixed with a little scotch. They are in the water, I am in the scotch.
[00:13:46] Unknown:
Oh, so I am on there. It's only water.
[00:13:50] Unknown:
I have also made an important discovery, as my friend admiral r. Burrow, the eminent discoverer would think. In a bathing suit, Mary Sterling is definitely a double feature.
[00:14:02] Unknown:
Okay. I see that. Well, do I see a good hat?
[00:14:07] Unknown:
Hey, Walter. You ever heard monkey, baby? Is it scream material? Yeah. Definitely. You playing the leading role. Say, how much does one of these swim things cost? Pull up three options, and you can have one twice as big. Just wonder what if there isn't time for options. Sorry. You want it? It might be fun, Delawar.
[00:14:25] Unknown:
Go on a swim.
[00:14:26] Unknown:
At 09:00, shop the next morning after I have practically worn out my knees, explained to mister Braden how a very bad accident to her only mother prevented her from keeping her first appointment. At last, I have Mary Sterling in front of the screen test camera. Alright, Ryan. Get that light over a little more. Alright. Hit the arch, boys. We're all ready to shoot now, mister Morris. How exciting. Alright, miss, when a camera starts turning, you start a moody. Other words, when I say action, look right into the camera, tell us all about yourself, being vivacious or tragic or Whatever mood seems to strike you, during the course of a test, I'll tell you to turn left profile of the camera and then right profile.
Right. Zoom, of course, you know which is your right and left. Alright. Turn them. That's her name. Alright. Miss, action. Tell us the story of your life right at the camera.
[00:15:30] Unknown:
I was born in the lab cabin in the plantation in Georgia. My father and mother were not very well appended. The doctor's letter is that he actually needed that in July '3. David. David. It wouldn't it wouldn't hold it void.
[00:15:46] Unknown:
I look beautiful. This is a screen test that's gotta be seen by mister Brady, and he doesn't like jokes on test film. Not at this overhead. So will you please behave? Will you please behave?
[00:15:59] Unknown:
Yes, mister Morris.
[00:16:01] Unknown:
Alright. Turn it over. Your turn name.
[00:16:06] Unknown:
Action. My name is Mary Sterling. I'm 21 years old, and all my teeth are my own except for Lou Ridgewood. Last last hour of last hour. I like that.
[00:16:19] Unknown:
Right then, I discovered that her husband alone is not screwy. Some of it has come off on her too. Every time the camera starts turning, she starts opening them out, and out comes Fred Allen. Why wait until the police throw me out so I go home? We're ready to get the report of that screen. Well, they were always other businesses. My good friend Dale Carnegie, who's also very imminent, would say, now I'm selling you the stock. I personally guarantee that you're making the Plan for your mother business. And they're almost at the post. I tell you this tip is out of the horse's mouth. I get along?
[00:16:50] Unknown:
You're so sweet and understanding, mister Roman, just like my late husband. Get along?
[00:16:57] Unknown:
Sure. But I don't sleep very good that night. I woke up to the telephone ringing.
[00:17:04] Unknown:
Mister Jackson, you better get to the studio right away. Mister Brady wants to talk to you, and he said right away.
[00:17:10] Unknown:
Right away? Well, I am no Errol Flynn, in the movies, of course, charging and wiping out half of the Japanese army single handed. On the other hand, I am not a rabbit, as my friend Frank Fay, the eminent actor, would say. Mister Brady wanted me right away. I did not have to go to see mister Brady to take his very sharp tongue backed up by the fact that he is a studio executive in very close to Chase National Bank. I do not have to go at all. Mister Brady meets me at the door. Ready, my friend. I'm going to get right to the point. Friend? What was that? I'm going to hire that girl, and don't hold me up. Hire that girl? It'll be a standard seven year contract with usual options, and I want the contract signed by two this afternoon. But don't stand there with your mouth open like a dead fish.
Go get your client. And practically, nothing flat. I'm at the front door of their apartment house ringing the bell. Mentally, as my friend, Dunninger, the imminent mind reader would say, I am not there. I am throwing out my client who is the ex Pies fighter, and I am furnishing a new office, and I'm being measured for a new suit. And I am entertaining a certain doll in a certain bar, which up to this point have been too expensive even on credit. But my fingers keep ringing the bell and finally they open the door. Oh, Walter. It's you. Today I let myself out in a swimming pool salesman. I wish no one else to you you're packing.
You're going away? Order you this alert badge for observation. Come on in and sit on the trunk for me. I open my mouth to tell them that she now is about to become a motion picture star, and they should throw the trunk out of the window and forget it. When all of a sudden, I noticed that they seem to have forgotten that I am there.
[00:18:47] Unknown:
Tell them.
[00:18:49] Unknown:
Sweet. Terry. Uh-huh. This, I quickly decide, is not the usual way for people who are going away together to act even if they are not sober. This is my friend Joe Carribean, the eminent Shakespearean actor, would say. Smells like something wrong in Denmark. The moment has now come, my dear Walter, for a fond farewell. Would you join us in a warm Coke? I said, sure. Sure. Although, personally, I do not like warm Coke. Where are your drinks, Danny? Well, how about a charge, Wally? Well, I you'll excuse me, but I am confused. In a matter of course, what is the occasion?
If you could give us a small idea. I sat back, and he looked at her, and she looked at him, and they sorta move closer together. And he said, remember how we told you that we were waiting for a certain event to take place? Well, this is it. Here. Look at them yourself. Your hands, like, papers. I look at them. Lightly hits me in the head and runs down the middle of my back into the contract. I have been double crossed. Some other agent has gotten there ahead of me and knocked my shoulder, and I am standing there without a head. Walter, what's the matter with you? Who did it? What do you mean who did it? Don't you know what those papers are? All of the time, it's come to tell us the truth.
Can't you read? When he says that, I look at the papers. I think that it is not a concept that all of these military orders, as my friend Jay Bewley, the eminent general would say. Well, that's the special event we've been talking about, Walter. You see, I've been on convalescent furlough, and now I'm ordered back to my office. I leave for England in the morning. Adrian? Bill's been fighting this war a little prematurely.
[00:20:27] Unknown:
He's with the RAF.
[00:20:29] Unknown:
But the two of you, you always act so crazy. I mean, so happy. Showalter, you said it the first time. I don't know why you were going. I mean, we're not at war. Ivory water. Ivory Warner? At this point, since it's getting very late, I wish to make the following statement. I'm making a practice of never discussing politics with clients since, as my personal friend, Burella, New York's eminent mayor says, politics only lead to Republicans and Democrats. Therefore, when this character begins to get controversial with me, I immediately change the subject and congratulate Mary on having such a good agent. This immediately leads to further conversation. And by 05:00 in the morning, it is all settled that she is not going to see him off in New York, but is going to be smart and stay in Hollywood and become very rich and famous so that when he comes back, she will be well established with perhaps even an Oscar or two on the mantelpiece.
He went away. She came to the studio. And it developed at the screen test, which I have never seen as positively the most sensational screen test since ring tint tin, who as you will remember is a dog, and so was not too highly criticized by the critics. And further, it develops that after a week of testing, the front office decided that my client will not be put into any small part in any small picture, but it is absolutely right for an a production, which is based upon a best seller, which has cost the 30 mil 250,000 clams cash. Your lease for your new office is ready, mister Jackson. I immediately began to put certain plans of mine into operation. Mister Jackson, I'm just a door working for you.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
I really knew it. Second plan.
[00:22:08] Unknown:
Is this ready for a fitting, mister Jackson? Life, as my personal friend, eGess, the imminent poet says, was becoming a bowl of cherries, and I am a man who likes cherry pie. It was very true that, unfortunately, Brady had hijacked me into letting my clients sign a stock contract, but I had certain plans about that also. The minute she was in front of the camera, I'd go up to Jay Jean himself and point out to him certain financial facts of life since my personal friend, Jay Hyde, the eminent agent says, 10% of a dollar is 10¢. But 10% of $2 is 20¢, which is the whole basic principle of the thing.
I am on the set early in the morning the first day of shooting. Congratulations. Oh, you're gonna check it out. Yes. He is. Ed is very nice. I sit myself myself very comfortably in a very nice chair they have provided for me, and I watch the activity. No. I'm not nervous. Why should I be? It's not play acting, isn't it? My client is in excellent condition. Alright. Take your plate, It develops that due to certain troubles with the set design department, they are shooting the last scene of the picture first. When I hear this, I think this is very amusing. I wish to state that if I had known them what I know now, the last that would have come out of the other side of my mouth.
Alright. Settle down everyone. Let's get a take. Now don't dolly in fast, Joe. Okay, boy. Now when he comes toward you from the door, don't move too quickly, Tord. Yes, sir. Remember when you put his arm around you, you may never see him again. I I don't feel afraid to let go. Alright. Let's have it. Quiet. Quiet. Roll them. They're rolling. I suddenly see that the leading man is in a soldier uniform. A British uniform with the arc lights not on as he comes through the door. He's the same height and build as the character who's now in England. Action. It's a take.
Darling. John. No. No. I'm just going around the corner. Remember?
[00:24:15] Unknown:
Yes. I remember.
[00:24:16] Unknown:
They stood there holding each other and she is crying. A very nice scene for the female thread as my friend, Aye Green of Veronetti said. Have you ever seen
[00:24:26] Unknown:
Raises, chocolate bar, your muffler, needles, buttons. Oh, god. What is it? Squid.
[00:24:34] Unknown:
I forgot thread. Oh, come now. Let the water bottle finish it something.
[00:24:39] Unknown:
You're so handsome in your uniform.
[00:24:41] Unknown:
Share prejudice. Oh,
[00:24:47] Unknown:
stop it. I told myself this wouldn't happen. It wouldn't. It wouldn't. Alright, darling. No. It isn't. You're doing what you wanna do, but I'm not too I'm not.
[00:24:59] Unknown:
The scene ended, and she stood there. Nothing happened, and nobody said anything. It sent you with my client. I did something. Bravo. Bravo. Get relaxed now, Mary. Alright, boys. Get it so so we can shoot again before midnight. Immediately following that, I get into a conversation with a very pretty little girl who was the script girl, and at least thirty minutes go by. And when I turn around again, my client is gone. It then occurs to me that this would be as good a time as any, as my friend, f Buck, the intimate animal trainer would say to be the lion in his den.
So I go around to the Administration Building and ask the little chick who's the secretary in the front office, would it be possible for me to see JG for three minutes? To which our response is, would I wait, which is to be expected. I'm in the middle of a very interesting copy of Esquire when she says you can go in now, which is most unexpected since people have been known to wait for three days to see JG for said three minutes. I go in. Right away, lightning hits me again in the middle of my head and runs down my back. She is there.
[00:26:05] Unknown:
My client. Come in, Jackson. Come in. You know your own client, of course. What? Yes. Mary and I have been having a very interesting conversation. Have you? I'm nice. I'm gonna let her tell you what she's just told me. Go ahead, Mary.
[00:26:21] Unknown:
I wanna do the studio. You just do it?
[00:26:26] Unknown:
The what? Oh, oh, money. Well, that's what I came up here for, Jake. She's a little lady's rep. I haven't been up. I haven't listened to her.
[00:26:35] Unknown:
I've got to get into the war with Daryl.
[00:26:37] Unknown:
The war? You're not in the war yet. What's this got to do with you? She didn't answer me. She looked at me. I said, okay. For a man, the war. Maybe it's adventure and excitement. Well, personally, I will find mine elsewhere. And personally, I think England can handle the whole thing if they just try hard with the lend lease we gave them. But you're a woman. What's war got to do with women? You get a lead partner named picture. You're very first. That's like lightning striking three times on the same pinhead, and you talk about washing out. JG,
[00:27:09] Unknown:
you talk to her. I've been talking to her for quite some time now. She doesn't think entertaining people is as important as actually being in the fight. I imagine when we get into the fight ourselves over here, we may get a new set of values for ourselves. Meanwhile, it's better to know how she feels on the first day of shooting than having it happen on the thirtieth. You can consider the contract torn up. Mary, come in and see me after the war.
[00:27:37] Unknown:
Just like that. The contract is torn up. Please see your new officers, mister Jackson. Your new suits are ready to be fitted, mister Jackson. I just love to work for you, mister Jackson. Just like that torn up. $1,000,000. Alright. I will prove it. $250 on the first option of $12,500 plus double that on the second option of 25,000 plus 50,000 for the next year's option, and then I would have gotten a flat deals and maybe hundred thousand a picture, 200,000 a picture. Did I say a million? I should have said 2,000,000. 2 million out of me personally.
Yes. I will now give you the topper. VEDays, so help me. I got a letter from them. Yeah. Him and I. I got it here. I'll read it to Dear Walter, here we are in Scotland. Both of us are on furloughs, and we have just made a profound discovery which we are sending along to you because we know it will fit you. Water, we have made the amazing discovery that there is a very large world, the other side of Hollywood and Grime. And so when the war is over, we are going to see more of it, and the people in it. Like a personal friend of ours by the name of c Columbus, the eminent explorer says the world is round, so we may enjoy our way back.
But do not plan on any screen tests as we do not think our grandchildren will permit us to do that sign, Marion, Bill. PS, we are going to name our first child water after you, Freddie. So now you understand that every time I read the paper and read about everybody congratulating everybody else for winning the war, I get, like my personal friend, doctor Cowan, the eminent dentist says, a pain in my bridge work. I personally, out of my own pocket, you might say, contributed the sum of $2,000,000 to help you in the war. Hey. Hey. Do you know anybody eminent in Washington I could write to? At least they ought to give me one of them purple ribbons.
You have just heard Arch Obler's original play, mister 10%. The leading roles were taken by Bruce Elliott, Bob Bailey, and Mary Jane Croft with Everett Hallen, Earl Ross, Roseanne Murray, Evelyn Scott, Harold Cornsweet, and Harry Lane. Next week, we will bring you mister Oberlef's new comedy, An Exercise in Horror, which is subtitled A Peculiar Comedy. The leading player will be mister Peter Lorre. This will be the seventh in a special series of plays written, produced, and directed for the Mutual Broadcasting System by Arch Oberler.
This is a Mutual Broadcasting System.
Introduction to Arch Oboler's Play Series
The Story of Mister 10%
Freddie Jackson's Contribution to the War
The Encounter with the Blonde
The Screen Test Dilemma
The Million Dollar Plan
The Unexpected Departure
The Torn Contract
Reflections on a Lost Fortune
